The post was a bit overly long and overall not that high on actual content, but I got a little carried away with portraying Charlotte's spacey nature, and I sort of just decided to go with it. If it pleases you, here is a...
She took another mini-nap, and then ambiguously ordered any sort of local tea.
She took another nap, and was awoken by the familiar sound of a bird being loud and obnoxious.
When a man approaches her quickly after her arrival, and asks politely if she would like a cup of tea, the look Charlotte gave him was an interesting combination of several conflicting thoughts and feelings. Her gaze was almost completely and utterly disinterested, to the point where she did not even seem to have the motivation to respond at first. However, at the same time, his offer was tempting.
Tea would definitely help Charlotte regain her senses, and she did occasionally enjoy a lazy afternoon or morning tea, when she felt so inclined. She was not interested enough in the man to consider him for more than an instant, but she did take several moments to consider what he represented. All the while, the passage of time seemed completely beyond Charlotte's perception, with entire minutes passing by before she so much as seemed to move an inch.
A man had approached her, offering tea. In an enviroment such as this, such a mundane suggestion should ordinarily go unnoticed, given less thought than deciding which flavour of iced cream to order at the local sundae shop. And yet at the same time, it represented a certain common appeal which Charlotte was not quite so used to.
Ordinarily, when she went out, arrangements were much more stiff, and formal. She wasn't used to this sort of basic, casual situation, and so it gave her pause. It was not a problematic sort of pause, it just caused her to momentarily lose sight of her surroundings, and phase the noise of the bar out from her mind completely. This moment of quiet did not last long.
Soon enough, she arrived at her conclusion, finishing her train of thought with a simple, musing answer.
Britain is an interesting place.
"... Hmm, I think that a cup of black tea would serve me well, if you will.", Charlotte responds lazily, but in a strangely amused tone of voice. "Something local," she adds with a smile, before returning back to her half-nap.
...
There was a period of time where she would seem to be lost in thought, gazing half-liddedly off in some random direction, ignoring whatever things were occurring in her immediate vicinity. Somebody unattuned to reading the thoughts of others might have some misplaced thoughts about her intelligence, but evidently she seemed to have much on her mind, and didn't wish to be bothered. In whatever case, it took a bothersomly familiar sound to wake her from her momentary rest, causing her to turn her head to send a glare in the direction of the sound's source.
However, the black bird in question was not the same one as she had first thought. Once she realized this, she could hear a familiar, raspy voice in the corner of her head, complaining that she must have sustained some sort of head injury if she was so foolish as to think that lowborn crow was so much as related to a majestic bird such as himself.
After sending a glare at the imaginary bird voicing its complaints in her mind, she returns her attention to her own situation, just in time for a furry animal to run directly past where her arms were resting.
Hm? A cat? Well, whatever. She dismisses the unexpected sight almost immediately. She knew that those things were quite popular over here, so she reasoned that it wasn't that strange for one to be wandering around in such a place. Her good mood helped her avoid considering hexing the creature, which was now moving on to bother some other customer.
It occurs to Charlotte that she had asked for tea earlier, so she only now takes the time to examine her surroundings.
Is that guy still here? She thinks this to herself, all the while offhandedly considering that she may be a little more tired than she thought.
It seems that long-distance travel didn't agree with her.
-Capital: Nepenthis Majora -Government Type: Oligarchy -Currency: Sil (Special, marked wooden carvings, about the size of a coin. Impossible to counterfeit due to special preparation methods that cause the wood to glow in the dark.) -Population: ??? -Realm Size: Principality -Unique Trait #1: The Melons of Mirithwood
Of all the unknowable and fantastical wonders of Mirithwood, its fruit is among the most well known. Spawning from Nepenthetis's divine influence, it could be called food superior to all others, in flavour, nutrition and quantity. Massive amounts of this fruit is harvested each and every day, seemingly without end. Beyond its nutritional value, the Fruit of Nepenthetis has certain magical qualities, known to improve the fertility and rumoured to increase the lifespan of the eater.
According to legends, the fruit from Nepenthetis's own branches grants eternal life with a single bite, which might explain why it is such a closely protected secret for the Alraune people.
-Unique Trait #2: PLACEHOLDER
PLACEHOLDER
-Unique Flaw #1: Soylent Green is People
Being at the forefront of Mirithwood's global reputation, it would reflect very poorly on the nation if the dark secrets behind the Fruit of Nepenthetis's production were revealed. No matter how much the Alraunes attempt to obscure the truth, it would be impossible to hide such a secret forever.
-Unique Flaw #2: PLACEHOLDER
PLACEHOLDER
GEOGRAPHICAL
-World-Realm Map: (Fill in desired blocks on world map) -Internal-Realm Map: (A zoomed in map of your controlled blocks and major cities/castles/locations within it) -Major Cities: Nepenthis Majora, Darklilt -Major Fortifications: Castle Darklilt, the Fortress of Reeds, Fort Depth. -Buildings of Interest: The Temple of Nepenthetis (In Nepenthis Majora) -Geographic Features of Interest: The Sideways Forest, the Lost Grove, the Great Gutter.
RACIAL
-Majority Race: Alraunes (Plant Folk, Spirits of the Forest, The Children of Nepenthetis) -Majority Race Appearance: Alraunes are typically seen in the nude, with planty green skin and hair. While their eyes are commonly green, it is also not uncommon for them to have blue or red eyes, while any variation of brown is virtually unheard of. Their ears are pointed, although for what reason, nobody knows.
-Majority Race Characteristics: Alraunes tend to grow to around the same heights as most human females, depending on their enviroment. It's worth noting that Alraunes from areas closer to Nepenthetis grow taller than those from the outskirts of the forest. All Alraunes are considered to be female, as they possess functioning female reproductive organs reminiscent of humankind, and are even capable of breeding with males of other races if given the opportunity.
Reproduction between pairs of Alraunes is very possible, and while it was once common for an Alraune to only go into season once in their lives, repeated consumption of the Fruit of Nepenthetis has caused them to breed with much greater frequency over the last few centuries.
-Minority Races: There are some few humans who live beyond the boundaries of Mirithwood, although they are truthfully not that many in number.
RELIGION & MAGIC
-State Religion: The Red Pantheon -Religious Information: The people of Mirithwood worship a singular deity belonging loosely to the Red Pantheon. They do not discriminate based on religion, but refuse to swear their allegiance to any god besides their great forest's living lord. He is the Maw of the Forest, the Bringer of Fertility, God of Life. His name is the Dark God Nepenthetis, and his incarnate body is said to be among the largest of all of the Red Gods.
Each day, a great number of worshippers gather at the foot of the Great Tree, to offer him great amounts of food and praise. In return, he produces his godly fruit, and spreads his roots far and wide so that the forest's borders may extend.
The entirety of Mirithwood is an extension of his being, with each and every tree, plant and root having been assimilated into his body. No man may set foot in Mirithwood and not alert the Dark God, and if those who trespass are of malicious intent, it is not uncommon for them to encounter a mysterious, horrible fate in the dark undergrowth.
Those belonging to a certain religious sect, considered to be the authorities of the forest, are known widely as Grove Tenders. These folk make up a great council spanning every settlement in Mirithwood, and could be considered the country's government. Additionally, those who attend to the great tree directly are called 'The Coven of Majora', or simply referred to as Nepenthetis's Aides.
The Grove Tenders are very much the face of the sect, but the Coven of Majora are a secretive, and mysterious organization. While they do not claim so, they are undoubtedly the leaders of Mirithwood, and are both seen and treated as such by the public.
-Holy Relics In Possession: The Tooth of Nepenthetis -Holy Sites Under Control: The Forest of Mirithwood -Magical Schools and Curriculum: The Ways of the Forest are old and mysterious, stemming from the life-giving powers of the Great Tree himself. They aren't all that powerful on their own, but due to the way that Nepenthetis's influence covers the whole of Mirithwood, it is deceptively strong when wielded within its bounds. Said to originate from the practise of tapping into the core attributes of life itself, bringing them out in order to create abnormal effects.
Passionlilt has pioneered a new, heretical form of magic, taught only to the select few under her tutelage. Her branch of magic is notably quite malicious when compared to the relatively tame Ways of the Forest, and has been the subject of much controversy.
Military
(Current size, unknown.) --The Mirithwood Ranger Corps -It should be noted that, despite how structured they may seem on paper, the Rangers are not a very formal organization, and are in practise not actually that organized at all. -Command Structure: Captain Commander Lilly -The Captain Commander holds total authority over all Rangers, and is at the forefront of all political and strategic affairs.
-Three Lieutenant Commanders -Lieutenant Commanders serve the Captain Commander directly, and assist her in all day-to-day matters. They do not command a division of their own, but instead take on eleven Captains each as their own direct subordinates.
-Thirty-three Captains -Each Captain oversees their personal Division, possessing abnormally high autonomy over their actions. A Division can contain any number of common-ranked Rangers, although the requirements to join each Division varies between them. Some are harder to join than others.
-Standard Equipment: All Rangers should be considered to be carrying all of the given items, at all times. -One Hand-crafted Longbow, for use in hunting and large-scale engagements. Personal to each Ranger. -Twenty Hand-crafted arrows, broadheaded and with metal tips. -One eight-inch metal knife, for use in hunting and small-scale engagements. -Two waterproof Cloaks, one for Night Missions and another for Day. -One metal pin, of varying colour and design. Indicates the Division and Rank of the Ranger. -One backpack. Contains medical salves, bandages, firestarters, rope and emergency rations. Other items vary.
-All Rangers of Captain rank or higher carry their own personal Horn, with the sound of each Horn differing between Rangers.
-During troubled times or for specific operations, other specialized equipment may be issued. -Designated members of each Division carry additional Arrows. -Rangers are expected to maintain their own equipment.
-Training: The Mirithwood Rangers undergo a wide range of specialized and general training and conditioning, so that they may best serve the forest and all of its needs. Most importantly, they protect the forest from outside threats, and enforce strategies to resist any foreign trespassers. Besides that, they oversee all foreign affairs and often accompany foreigners during extended visits to Mirithwood.
-Rangers are trained to operate in smaller groups, rather than as part of a large unit. During missions, it is not uncommon for a Division to designate several smaller Cells within their ranks to accomplish given objectives. It is virtually unheard of for any mission to be undertaken by numbers less than three, or more than thirty. -Trained in Stealth, Survival, Archery, Tracking and Guerrilla Warfare. -Also trained in Forest Preservation Techniques, Herblore, First Aid and Leadership. -Little specific training for large-scale engagements.
NATIONAL DRAMATIS PERSONAE
-Heads of State: --The Coven of Majora Matron Selilt High Priestess Brinlilt
[High Priestess Holly] An ex-Ranger, who retired to Nepenthis Majora and worked her way through the ranks to eventually reach the position of one of the Coven's highest. She understands the plight of the Rangers, and often tries to influence the decisions of the Coven to aid them. Out of all of the Coven's leaders, she is the only outsider.
High Priestess Ellense High Maiden Recker *Selilt's Daughter High Maiden Gigasviel *Selilt's Daughter
[High Sorceress Passionlilt] The strangest of the Coven's highest members, Passionlilt is hailed as a great magic-wielder and is essentially in charge of all magical ventures in Mirithwood. She and her rank are abnormal, going against the traditions and beliefs of the Coven simply by continuing to exist.
-Constable Of The Army: Ranger Corps. Commander Lilly -Religious Head: High Priestess Brinlilt -Persons of interest: TBA
HEROIC DRAMATIS PERSONAE
The Womb of Nepenthetis Inarguably the most influential individual in Mirithwood, who holds sway over nearly the entire Coven of Majora. Selilt possesses an unrivalled blessing of fertility and vitality, completely unlike the others who have consumed the Fruit of Nepenthetis. Said to have once laid with the Dark God himself, and born him child, although there are none within Mirithwood who could be seen to be the result of this union.
The Hollow Womb The greatest Sorceress in Mirithwood, said to have given up her divine fertility to the Dark God in exchange for power. While her ways of thinking are heretical at best, her understanding of the forest's ancient, magical arts is prodigal, and she has even begun to develop new magics of her own to teach to her pupils.
The Fangs of Mirithwood Twin Captains of the Ranger Corps, Willow and Jonquil have set themselves apart from the rest by possessing a direct contract with Nepenthetis himself, in addition to being a part of the Rangers. While they lack Lilly's strategic mind, they excell at every other Ranger-related duty that there is. These two are at the forefront of the Dream Plague countermeasures for the Mirithwood region, and are considered the forest's greatest protectors.
CULTURAL
-History -List of Historical Grievances -Relations -Cultural Notes
The Alraunes are a secretive and seclusive people, and this is very strongly shown by how little is known about them outside of their own forest. Since ages past, the misinformation that they are in fact a Dryadicist people has been spread far and wide, to the point where they are in no real rush to correct others.
It appears as if they are devoted to the worship of "Nature", when in fact they only really care for tending Nepenthetis's needs.
Most things about their culture and organisation are not very well known, and much about their nature remains a mystery.
It seems that the confusion about their chosen religion stems from a misunderstanding, as some poorly misguided cartographer once made the mistake of calling their people "Dryads", which prompted others to think that it was a description of their religion and not their species.
I mean, I'm not all that confident in my mad fighting skills, but I feel like I could kick a nine year old girl's butt even if she had a samurai sword. I'm sure an adult man would have even better odds than myself, all things considered.
This might blow your mind a little, but Katana are kind of hard to use. Not to mention, they're heavy, so a girl that age would probably have quite a bit of trouble keeping her balance, not to mention accurately swinging one.
I made a terrible little opening post, but it should work for now. I'll try to fix up my formatting so that it's a little more pretty and regular, once I have time to work on shit like that.
Yamada Kiyoku All around, people of all shapes and flavours were bustling about the village of Hang Yi. They were festival-goers, mostly people who had seldom so much as set their eyes on this small, unassuming village. They had come from all across the land, just in order to see this one, transient glimpse of peace. A break from the horrors of war, from the exhaustion of hard work, and from the mundane things that seemed to fill every passing breathe of their boring lives.
In this crowd, a passerby likely wouldn't be noticed for more than an instant, forgotten as one walked past and moved on to the next little pocket of joy on the list. It was the perfect place for her, the maid in red, who danced completely unnoticed straight through the great gathering of people. It was the ultimate, most unfailing disguise. She was a part of the crowd, so it would not be strange for her to go anywhere, or look at anything in particular. She could travel, unseen, through any part of the village without being stopped. It was ideal.
During her jaunt through the streets, she took note of many things, but none of them were apparently relevant to her mission. Still, she committed every detail to memory, watched every face for signs of danger, listened in to all sorts of interesting conversations, and eventually arrived close to her destination having heard and seen everything. There were several individuals already waiting outside of the building, likely awaiting for admittance by their most lovely host. They had been called here, for what reason they did not know, but they were expected to come and meet with the Elder of the village for something very important.
Naturally, Kiyoku arrived a little early, so that she could position herself close to the group in such a way that her presence wouldn't be questioned. She stood nearby, occupying her body by sweeping the ground close to the house's gate. It would not be strange for a servant to be here at this moment, and until it was time to go in, it was likely that nobody would guess that she was actually a member of the party of warriors.
...
Some time passed, and a servant opened up the doors to the Elder's house, quickly briefing the group on what they should do. Following the woman's instructions, Kiyoku nonchalantly follows her through the doorway and into the house, giving a slight wink and a wave at the evidently inexperienced servant girl in front of her. While they were starting to walk down the hallway, Kiyoku took the time to begin talking in a slightly hushed voice to the other members of the group, in an attempt to get a feel for them and their personalities.
"Wow, this is kind of exciting, isn't it?", she whispers in an excited tone. Her expression was an unwavering, cheerful smile, and everything from her body movements to her style of walking seemed to point to her being a particular kind of person. She seemed a carefree, unprofessional girl, the sort who could not possibly fit in with the collection of warriors she was surrounded by.
Well, in this scenario, standing out couldn't be helped. There was no point in trying to remain hidden, now that she had already joined the group openly. She would just have to go along with it, for now.
Dane