Strange Rodent

Fantasy RP - For those that want to 'Jump - In '

@Zaphander

Woo!

Fantasy RP - For those that want to 'Jump - In '

Awkward was a shitty way to view silence, Monika thought. It could be like this one, a little tense, but the type of tense you get when good things are about to happen. She laughed on her breath at the reaction the room gave her when she revealed that she wasn't a healer. Supposedly those who know nothing of something are easily impressed, and whether it was that, or the fact she didn't really speak much that surprised them would be a mystery to her.

As for the suggestion that Skurr might go...
She had watched his speedy recovery in some amount of awe. Recovery is not usually half so quick. She had no clue whether it was by her own efforts or his personal health, she thought it'd likely be a mix of the two. If he continued at this pace, he would be well long before any real danger was encountered. Something about this made her suspicious.

Regardless, this mission was a chance. What for, she knew not, but certainly something. Quietly, while packing up her apparatus, she said, "You're quite healed so far, I don't see any problems if you keep the speed up."
She thought for a second. What was able to go wrong?
"Just try to pace yourself. If you start feeling faint, maybe rest your blood."
She said. Not sternly, but with an authority.

---

@Haeo @Zaphander

Chekcing in on Modern Fantasies With Twists

I'll see where this goes with you! Got a vague idea in the works, I'm thinking I'll pm ya once I've got a solid handle on it

Also, welcome to the guild!

Fantasy RP - For those that want to 'Jump - In '

Hey guys, I'll be working on a reply within the next week. Sorry for the delay, real life has been a bit more demanding than usual :)

"DEVOURER": Bronze, Blood, Betrayal

Shostic Summary

Summary
Shostic (pronounced SHOSS-titch) is a civilisation located on the vedatanni peninsula, and the bytes on either side, with some mountain territory.
The Shostic people are peaceful and abhor violence, focusing more on trade and piety. Their most common exports include cloth of wool, hemp, and cotton, salt, copper, iron, and wood.
They have three gods, Sky, Earth, and Sea. These are made up of much smaller gods in much the same way a stained glass picture is made up of smaller pieces of glass. In both cases, the smaller thing exists and must be acknowledged, but it’s the bigger picture that is truly revered.
The Shostic people pay their respects to the gods through certain activities such as hang gliding, farming, and trading.

I’m on the Discord and have 5 pages of info in a google doc, so if you want to be a retainer, just ask for access and I’ll shoot it to ya, we’ll work something out :)

Bazlinn Cotz

Bazlinn Cotz

---

Superficial
Bazlinn Cotz is a 42 year old merchant from the Shostic tribes. Some would say the most wealthy and successful. Some wouldn’t. All agree that he is among that number, though. He has a grand total of 23 dedicated trading ships bound to his name, not including contractors or smugglers. What good merchant would admit to owning any smuggling ships?

He is tall and “padded”, a side effect of a wealthy lifestyle. He has eyes full of a tired enthusiasm and a face like a cracked stone slab. His brownish hair has salt streaking it, something he considers a gift from the Sea. His nose is nearly offensively obvious. This is only somewhat remedied by full cheeks and prominent brows.
Contrasting his status, he wears drably coloured hempen tunics and skirts, only adorned with a richly dyed sea-green sash to show piety to the Sea. Although the clothes are drab in colour, the cut and cloth is clearly quite fine.

Persona
His drive, the reason he continues to live and the impossible goal for which he strives, is Prosperity. He pursues this using his Wit, Resources, and Charm, though several things stand in his way. Most notably, his Condescension, Hypocrisy, Weight, and Age. To elaborate on the first two: he condescends on those who hold beliefs he deems morally lesser, such as ones that allow for violence and reckless spending; and he is hypocritical in that wants Prosperity but is usually funneling more money into his business than back to those who need it.

He is commended as virtuous for his Humility and Passivity, however he is condemned for his Greed and Unaired Greivances. He is humble about how he presents and adorns himself, and endears himself to lower classes, yet does little to offer real help. He is unwilling to fight or condone violence, much to the joy of many, but it's no secret that he wouldn't miss certain people were they to disappear.

Things he done gud at
As a highly successful merchant, he is exceptionally good at Trade, Economics, and Language, even boasting Literacy and Numeracy.
In his youth he worked for his father in a shipyard. And so he has a natural competency at Shipbuilding, Sailing, and Navigation, though his age and weight keep him from doing this regularly.

Allegiance
First and foremost, Bazlinn owes allegiance to The gods, Earth, Sky, and Sea, and their prophets, Fraz Growth, Fraz Wind, and Fraz Tide respectively.

Next, he owes loyalty to the Shostic civilisation and the city Zwchc. (Pronounced SHOS-titch and ZUUCH-s respectively.)

Last, he owes loyalty to his company. Employees, ships, and goods are all worthy of this attention in his eyes.

History
Bazlinn was born to a middle class shipbuilder and his wife, who raised him and, one by one, three other younger children.

Bazlinn was the first and only one to help his father at work after he came of age, the rest pursuing other avenues.

He and his father made quite a team. They built up a beaming reputation, which caused business to flood in, filling coffers, bellies, and ambitions. Even the Fraz Tide was praising the ships they built, no small feat.

Once his father became unable to work due to age, Bazlinn inherited the business. He immediately set his sights high.

In a stroke of ingenuity, he had the idea to build two ships at once, taking it step by step. When a ship was commissioned, he would build one extra, keep the superior ship for himself. He'd praise the other vessel as he sold it.

But he didn't want to sell ships forever. He resolved to try his hand at the mercantile arts.
He realised that to do this, he would need greater knowledge of nearby ports, and how they operated. His solution was to approach common folk, and offer a deal. He would pay them to go travel to reputable cities, get drunk, and learn. They were to enter these cities and find out what was in short supply, what was being produced, what the local conflicts were, and who the wealthy were.

Based off this information, he drew charts of what could be bought and sold where, and for how much. If somewhere could produce alcohol, but not so much iron, he would get iron to them, and alcohol from them.

Following this, he would send another ship with much the same purpose, but this time he stationed an emissary on each. They were nominally members of his company, and had messages to deliver to the wealthy in each port. They would propose trades based off of the aforementioned charts, giving small gifts to show goodwill (and, of course, wealth).

In a relatively short period of time he had himself some good connections who were willing to trade with him, because as it turns out, everybody likes wealth.

He's particularly proud of one of his connections, a tribe that produced exceptional charcoal. They had previously politely refused the offers, as they did their own trading.
Bazlinn had his sights set on this charcoal, though. He organised a meeting with their chief, and came armed with an idea that everybody would profit off: Bazlinn would manage the tribe's trade routes for them, allowing them to focus on more pressing matters.

They accepted, seeing the benefits in having a merchant manage their trade.

(Now here is where more recent history starts. Because the rp is still quite young, I wanna leave this as a blank, to be filled with other players. If you're interested in having an ic connection with Bazlinn, hit me up, I'll be more than happy to write something with someone!)

"DEVOURER": Bronze, Blood, Betrayal

That's a good looking sheet blank mayn! I'll get one going, plus any for retainers I need.

Fantasy RP - For those that want to 'Jump - In '

@Haeo Congratulations mate! All the well-wishes to you and your family. Sounds like you don't need them though, it's good to hear that everything went well :D

Divinus: The God RP, Mk. III. Finished in Record Time™!

The form was bubbling away from Eurysthenes’ grasp. Every second took a turn pushing This One further down. Down to the places within itself dominated by indescribably enlightening, yet titanically terrifying images. The Ë̷̮́ņ̴͗i̵͔̋g̷̗̚m̷̼̊a̴̡̚.
As it shrank, Vakk grew.

A tingle rent the spine that would usually belong to Eurysthenes.

”This a shameful display, Eurysthenes. I expected you to at least fight for the control of your body,” the many voices of That One rang through the shared body. Vakk followed the statement with a cruel, mocking laugh, pushing the soul of Eurysthenes down as the body began to twitch and convulse. It was a painful process, each separate piece having to submit to Vakk’s control as they moved to connect to a different point.

Where there was seven arms became two, as each separate piece connected and each excess formed a covering over the legs that now belonged to Vakk. The short, yet excruciating time was over as Vakk surprised Eurysthenes and inspected new hands, moving the pieces around before the many voices gave another sadistic laugh as it appeared to look into itself. The soul of Vakk, seemed to look right into the that of Eurysthenes as it cracked a neck that no longer belonged to its former master.

”You know, Eurysthenes. I find it funny how you were so eager to kill me, yet you barely fought to protect your own body,” Vakk mocked once more.

It heard the words as one would through thick fog, if fog obscured hearing. They were drowned, desaturated. Devoid. And though very little sound entered the fog, less left. A reply was attempted, but it was fruitless.

One thought cut through the rest, and shoved Eurysthenes with gusto. What would Vakk do with this control?

The silence was a deafening thing, a silence that Vakk was all to used to from its past life but facing it again made it anxious. There was a moment as Vakk awaited some reply, any reply at all, but there was nothing that came from the subdued soul of Eurysthenes. That One waited longer and longer, standing upright as it searched for any sign that Eurysthenes was going to attempt to take back control of the puzzling body. However, all that Vakk was met with was that continued silence before the voices would speak once more, a worried tone coming over them, urging a reply from Eurysthenes.

”Eurysthenes?”

Nothing came and a tension grew within Vakk as it began to move, pacing back and forth within the maze for a moment. The concern was not for Eurysthenes, but rather it was the unknown of not knowing what to actually do now that it had control of the body. That One merely stood there, moving its head around before settling watching the Aroiox from a distance. Perhaps, Eurysthenes had meant for Vakk to go to them and guide them? Was this all meant for That One to practice its new life without anger?

Even then, that did not explain why Eurysthenes had said nothing as Vakk took control of the body so effortlessly. They both knew that Eurysthenes was as strong as Vakk. They both knew Vakk was as strong as Eurysthenes. There was no rhyme or reason to the silence when had spoken to the jester before they had created the Aroiox.

”Speak! I command thee to speak!” Vakk demanded, no anger present in the many voices as it continued the inward search.

Silence.

”I did not do this to keep you silent, Eurysthenes. I know you. You are resistant and cunning. Come, try to retake the body. Lest I escape the maze and make a new body for myself, I know you have the power. Remember when you had me at your mercy when I was first within the maze? This is your home. Would you allow me to reform my body and break your great containment further?”

---

So the worst was to come of its failure to contain Vakk. Eurysthenes slumped. It seemed that even a moment of lapse was enough for this… thing to take control. It had only wanted to watch the Maze in silence and without worry.

Vakk kept saying how This One hadn’t put up a fight. It had, but the fight was over before it even started. Something had given way somewhere, and it had lost.

It raised its head in a meek kind of defiance as it sank yet further.

---

That One waited and waited, the overbearing silence finally sinking its mind like an anchor sank into sand. Vakk let out a sigh before turning its attention back the Aroiox, watching them for many moments as they did nothing but squabble and attempt to display dominance over one another. It seemed that they did not care to leave the maze, content to stay in one spot even though Vakk knew Galbar would be better for them. However, Vakk was conflicted, knowing that moving into the affairs of mortals was a way to get the ire of other gods.

The idea struck as suddenly as the conflict had, a new way to perhaps get a rise out of Eurysthenes in the new creation they shared. The idea drove Vakk to move towards the Aroiox, standing over them as they became surprised at the sudden appearance of their creator god. He was silent as he looked upon them, stepping between them and inspecting each individual.

”I am Vakk,” the many voices of That One spoke, the Aroiox looking upon the form with awe, curiosity, and reverence. Vakk stopped in the center of the population before speaking once more, ”I am your creator, just as Eurysthenes is. It is your duty, as bestowed by the divine, that you are to go to Galbar. Leave this maze and settle upon a new land. You have been gifted with capabilities to navigate the maze; wings to move faster than those who walk and cunning to solve the many riddles and puzzles that Eurysthenes has made.”

Vakk leaned down to see two brothers, side by side and very much holding a bond that Vakk was unfamiliar with. The god looked between the other Aroiox before standing upright once more. ”Lead yourselves and prove to Eurysthenes and I that you are ready for Galbar.” With those words, Vakk disappeared from their view, leaving the avians to their own devices to only watch from a distance.

It took some time for the population to organize themselves, one of them taking charge with promises that the gods shall love them for their cunning. The two brothers Vakk had seen earlier rallied behind the leader and soon so had the others, all of them moving as one to navigate the maze.

”Here is your new purpose, Eurysthenes. We shall guide them, just as I had said earlier,” Vakk said, a disdain coming over the voices. With another sigh, That One began to lose focus on the body as it spoke to the absent Eurysthenes, ”You may have your body back. I grow bored with it anyways.”

---

Deep in the fog, Eurysthenes heard the mute sound of Vakk’s voice. It was telling This One to take the body back. Surely this must be a trick. A deception of Vakk, designed with vicious disdain.

Only, the pressure was lifting, and like ink in water, Eurysthenes began to spread back through the body. Each piece painlessly accepting its return, welcoming it even. Whether this painlessness was due to its previous ownership over this body or Vakk’s willing relinquishment would remain a mystery.

The unease did not slip away when This One gained a foothold, nor when it regained control. The nagging doubt at the back of its mind held on in the places that neither Vakk nor The Enigma could.

With a quiver in it’s voice, Eurysthenes said ”You don’t… you don’t spend all your time there, do you?”

”Do I spend all my time where?” Vakk inquired, truly unknowing to what Eurysthenes had been pushed into.

”The cold part,” Eurysthenes said. As it spoke, images flashed through Vakk’s mind, answering the one question, but paving the way to a million others that it wouldn’t even know to ask yet.

Vakk grew silent, unknowing of what to do with the information that it had just been given despite now knowing what Eurysthenes was on about. ”I do not know that place. I am next to you, observing and speaking,” That One stated before the soul seemingly moved away from Eurysthenes, who stood in silence.

———————-

Bloopers

”You know, Eurysthenes. I find it funny how you were so eager to kill me, yet you barely fought to protect your own body,” Vakk mocked once more.

”No it feels good to submit to you daddy Vakk~, Eurysthenes said, shaking its soul ass invitingly.

Might Summary

Eury
-3 MP to gain a new ability, The Enigma. In post, this is demonstrated by The Enigma seeping its power and crushing it. It is not yet aware of this ability.

3 mp towards the Enigmas portfolio. I have discussed with Cyclone what this entails, the rest of you will have to wait ;)

Dot Point Story Summary

*Post starts with Eury losing control of its body
*Vakk gains control
*Eury is too weak to speak to Vakk
*Vakk had grown used to Eury being *there*, and is deeply discomforted to find it just isn’t
*Vakk goes and gives a quest to The Aroiox
*Vakk gives the body back to a suspicious Eury

Written story Summary

The post jumps right into a scene where Vakk is forcibly taking control of their shared body and taunting Eury, who is slowly sinking into a half-world within its own Soul. This half world thoroughly crushes Eury’s will, and combined with Vakk’s malice and dominance, it finds itself breaking.
Vakk gloats to Eury of its victory for a moment, but when Eury doesn’t reply, it is deeply discomforted. It attempts to manipulate Eury into fighting for control, but gets no answer. Only the deep silence of loneliness.
Vakk gives the Aroiox the quest to prove themselves to the duo of gods to earn their way out of the Maze and into a mystical realm called “Galbar”. After this, it relinquishes control back to Eury, who is mightily suspicious, but after these suspicions disappear, This One shows some sympathy to it.

The "Goings On" at Upper Lake Institute

Alrighty fellas, now the first post is up, I'll be starting the one week limit thing.

If you want an extension on this you can let me know before it runs out :D

Also just a reminder that everybody hates a ghost drop-out, so if you must leave, just say so. Everybody will love you for letting us know

I'm testing the waters for an Antiquity-inspired (early Iron Age, mostly pre-Roman) Fantasy RP.

Thrown my hat in. Let's see where this goes