yoshua171

Bleach: Reborn

@Blackbeard I have a question in regards to the D&D bit you've mentioned. Does that mean there will be dice rolls, or do you just mean that NPCs will be played by the GMs (particularly enemies and random encounters)?

A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

Vasarius Aetearan

Bayera--Koir--Olias--Outside a Bar in the Outskirts
Noon

@Ganryu

---

Choosing not to respond at all to Arieh's question regarding his responsibility to find contracts, he watched as the Lion-man took notice of the same individuals who he'd been tormenting. Seeing Arieh's expression and body language told him everything he needed to know about what was to come. He donned his helm, more in preparation for the job than for anything Arieh was likely to do.

Then came the roar, a quiet one as the Dureva's roars went, but startling nonetheless--though not for him, he was used to it. Thus Vasarius watched as many onlookers reacted, a grin forming on his face at their surprised and sometimes, even terrified, expressions. It was their fear that amused him, but the amusement didn't last long. In fact the expression dropped away to be replaced by his usual grim seriousness as Arieh and he headed towards the wilderness and their prey.

The Dureva began talking and he listened, though he gave no real indicators that he was doing so.

As Arieh finished, he spoke up, "It will kill my boredom for a time and the pay will help curb it for longer." He said little more, seeing no reason to even acknowledge Arieh's mention of women.

---

Bayera--Koir--Wilderness

Having left behind the last vestiges of Olias behind them, Vasarius and the lion-man looked now upon the mist covered hillswept lands beyond Olias, a place who some thought haunted, and others thought cursed. Both were wrong, but that was hardly the point was it? No, Vasarius mused, the point was that due to people's neglect to the lands outside the city, various beasts and dangerous folk had gathered here, hiding in wait of unknowing travelers or foolish wannabe heroes. For most the place was somewhere you went to disappear...permanently, be it either by design or as one was taken by the reaping hand of Death. However, for a seldom few, known colloquially as Hunters, it was a promiseland filled to the brim with monstrosities they could prey upon and benefit from in kind. Today it was simply a path for he and Arieh to cross to reach a small village that was several miles out from Olias. The village was near where the Hydra had been reported to have settled in.

If the two of them had anything to say about it, it would be the last place that the Hydra ever settled in life, and the place its form would rest in death.

As they approached, as they were only a mile off now, Vasarius drew his weapon of choice and began to run his gauntleted fingers over the surface of its blade, touch gentle. Anyone who did not know the man, which were most, would think him caressing the blade, but the reality of things was that the hunter was weaving magic into the weapon in preparation for dealing with their quarry.

Without looking to Arieh, he spoke, "I'm enchanting Dhaerym with a spell of mine. Let's call it Shattering Dispersal." He grinned within his helm and his amusement was apparent in his voice as he continued "The spell will disperse the force that would typically shear through and cut and will instead apply a blunt effect over a small area around the impact zone. I'll work to distract the beast while you hammer away at its hide. Your club as more likely to be useful against its tough hide, should it be more mature, which, knowing my luck, it ought to be." Oddly, he said it with a kind of dark joy, as if knowing that their job was harder pleased him. After all, for Vasarius, all obstacles were simply challenges to him, challenges he could surmount so as to spit with spite into reality's face.

"Any complaints, Arieh?" His helm turned slightly, so its one eye slit allowed Vasarius full view of his partner. While he awaited response, the two continued their steady approach of the village. It had shown up in the distance now, barely visible among the misty hills. Soon they would be upon it and after seldom few questions for the inhabitants, they'd be upon their beast.

If they were lucky, they'd not even have to compete against other hunters for its hide.

If they were lucky.

A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

@BingTheWing, let me elaborate a bit on the nature of karma.

The first point I'd like to make is that karma isn't quite so straightforwards as you're suggesting. Good karma is not necessarily gained by being kind and helping others; similarly bad karma is not reaped by stealing, selling oneself, hurting or even killing a stranger etc etc.

Additionally, the world "punishes," and "rewards," people in subtle ways at first when they gain either sort of karma. Additionally "evil," is relative as is "good," and people can be raised in circumstances that cause their world view to not include things that would involve them gaining good karma.

---

To elaborate on what I mean by Good karma not necessarily being gained by "good acts," as seen by human society (and vice versa for bad karma) is as follows:

Bad karma is associated with acts that defy the natural order of the world OR damage/destroy things in a meaningful fashion. Acts that glean this sort of karma are acts that in some way cause, or open the world to, entropy--be it on a small or large scale.

Good karma is however associated with acts that reinforce the balance between entropy and creation or conversely acts that create or improve the world, rather than tear it down.

Additionally, while most people are aware of "karma," to some degree, it is not something that is fully understood. In fact, the description of it leaves it as a fairly nebulous force in the world, something that is difficult to outright measure, if it is even possible to do so. Additionally, as I mentioned, karma is entirely separate from the views and beliefs of a given society. So even if an orc, or other such creature, believed that killing or hurting someone was not "wrong," or "bad" their view would not at all stop the world from punishing them for killing someone, provided that it deemed the act something that caused some level of entropy to the world (which it well may not).

Similarly, a priest of a given god might worship their chosen deity devoutly, they might garner the attention of the people and gain the deity a great many followers. However, if one of the people that becomes a believer twists the tenants of that religion/God's word to negative ends, the world will see those actions not only as bad karma associated with the believer, but also bad karma associated with the priest, as if it were not for the priest, the man may not have thought he could be absolved of his actions by the church.

A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

No problem. Demons have been added to the "Races of Bayera," post in the Patch Tome ^_^

Enjoy everyone, especially you @Mikael, who gave me good reason and thus motivation to properly finish Demons. I appreciate it :)

A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

As a note, this symbol, is a symbol denoting a "GM post," or rather a post that is either necessary for a given player to read, or is necessary reading for everyone in the RP. If it is necessary for only one player, or a small group of players, it will be accompanied by @tags for each relevant player. If it is not followed @tags, then it is to be considered necessary for all players.

Anywho, enjoy the post ^_^

@Eklispe, in the future, please don't post unfinished CCs in the OOC. When your character's equipment is done, tag me, or get my, and Celaira's, attention so that we may review your character ^_^

The Prophecy

I'onriyi Stonehand

---

Gaze shifting between the participants of the conversation, I'on listened closely. It seemed, that more than him, these two, particularly Ixion, were in for far more trouble than they would likely be able to handle alone. A part of him found itself quite excited by this, but the excitement didn't reach his eyes or any of his face really. It instead mixed with a suppressed anxiety and fatigue, one from worry, and the other from a day that had stretched on far too long for the Penin mage's liking. Nonetheless, he was not so rude or foolish as to leave now. He might miss something of importance and he still wanted to hear the Assassin's retelling of what had really happened back in that alley.

However, his thoughts were quite suddenly pulled from that line of thought when he heard Violet's words, catching the implications even before her sister chimed in. His eyes widened slightly, surprised before he considered that he had really had minimal involvement. He was fairly certain that the fixer hadn't even actually engaged him at all during the whole incident, mostly because he had been an outsider coming in, rather than a person in the wrong place at the wrong time like the assassin and his vampiric associate. Still, the implications of even asking someone, formally even, that they join the Deo'iel were hardly lost on him. It also revealed to him just how dangerous it was likely to be to keep the company of the Assassin and his associate.

After all, if the Fixer was to return and the Deo'iel were offering a hand to help them protect themselves, the man was clearly a threat and that was without considering what Violet had mentioned in regards to the Fixer's fight against Lord Nightmare. The Penin shuddered at the thought of such an encounter, though a small internal part of him felt excitement at the prospect. "A weighty proposition," I'on said in response, though he considered it a deal not directed at him, "...one I'd think would require some thought before one commits." The penin looked between assassin and vampire, Ixion and Morgan, as he finished his sentence--his gaze lingered longer on Morgan than it did on Ixion, willing him to not answer immediately one way or the other.

While he thought it risky business, associating with Deo'iel, especially two who were so formidable, it was better to make an informed decision than it was to make one on the spot--that was when one had a choice. Perhaps his words would awaken this idea in the minds of his the two. If it did not and they took the deal, well he could, with any luck, separate himself from the group and venture out on his own. Then again, if the Fixer had taken an interest in him as well, despite his minor involvement...then he would be taking a whole other set of risks by separate from their little group.

As he awaited the response of the other two, his mind weighed the various pros and cons of decisions he might have to make within the near future. None of his options looked particularly hopeful, he noted silently.

It seemed that, with the revelation of the danger that the Fixer posed, his day had gone from long and tiresome, to outright bad. In response to the thought, the penin was forced to repress a sigh. His body language thus revealed a form of tension as a result. I'on really wished he'd partaken of more Finest before all this.

A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

Bayera--Koir--Olias--Outer City Market(city, town, landmark)
Early Morning

@solokolos

---

The man who was peddling his wares from a mobile shop set up as a cart that unfolded into a series of tables, curving around him in a half circle, the man glanced about and through the crowd, sometimes calling out to those surrounding about his wares. Yet, there was a different look in his eyes mingled with a sort of greed when he looked at tourists--those who didn't belong. It was a slight glint in his eyes that might remind someone of distrust, disgust even. It was hard to pinpoint, but it hardly mattered, few noticed it as the shopkeeper made a point of hiding it when people looked his way. Something he had grown accustomed to identifying. His back to a wall as he faced outwards so he could watch his wares, he heard a young man call out to him.

Head turning slightly, the wrinkles at his neck stretching as his eyes narrowed while he searched the crowd for the one who had called him, the man finally saw the stranger. He smiled, genial and swept a hand out over his wares, "Perhaps I could offer you a compass that always points one in the right direction, mmm?" He pointed at a circular device with several arrows that whizzed about or laid at rest--inactive. Its face was covered with a set of numbers from one(1) to one hundred(100), each denoted by a thin line. "Ooor, perhaps a magical map, mmm?" He gestured to a long rolled up piece of parchment with a set of symbols visible even whilst it was rolled up. It was bound by cord and there were chalk markings on it. "Or I suppose I could just tell you where the Libraries reside, but I assure you in this old city, you might find yourself getting lost despite my directions," he smiled at the young man, his crow's feet becoming more apparent. The man was old, but not terribly skinny, having enough meat to his frame that he could be assumed to make at least enough from his wares to live off of, though not so much to live lavishly as some merchants did.

The man reached up, brushing several strands of wispy black hair from his face, tucking it behind one ear where it was out of the way. The rest of his hair was held up by a a red and yellow turban, though the fabric was faded in color, as with the rest of his garments. "Your choice," the man shrugged, "Though, if you're of a mind to spend some coin, I'll perhaps give you a discount for entertaining an old man such as I." He winked at the stranger that Mato was as he said it, his smile one shared between two friends up to some mischief. The man thought that perhaps he could win the boy over. If not, no worries, he'd make money regardless, though an additional customer could never hurt.

---

Vasarius Aetearan

Bayera--Koir--Olias--Outside a Bar in the Outskirts
Noon

@Ganryu

---

Back leaned against the wall, helm at his feet, hands without gauntlets, though the rest of him was clad in armor, a man with sharp angles to his face and a look in his eyes that could kill, Vasarius glared out at the world, watching tourists and residents of Olias go about their days. They were all disgusting, he noted, though every so often a woman caught his eye, though they didn't hold it long often losing it when they began talking to someone. Scowling, Vasarius glanced at the door that was set several feet away to his right, then back to the street, impatience and tension rife in his body language.

Forcing his glare away from the door he turned his attention to one of his hands as his free hand extracted a thin knife from his belt. He brought it up and began using it, with impressive dexterity, to pick grit from beneath his nails. He noted several looks of disgust pass over him, but he ignored them. However, when he noticed a group of men staring at him their gaze not breaking even over the course of several minutes he took interest. Pushing himself from the wall and letting his knife wielding hand drop to his side, grip reversing, Vasarius stood, eyes piercing through the throng of bodies that passed between his position and the group's, and smiled. It was an arrogant smile, one filled with disdain for the group.

He noted that among them were what appeared a mage and a warrior of sorts, one clad in robes and light armor, materials at his belt, with the other in heavier equipment, a sword at his belt, and a helm beneath his arm. Hunters he thought with a certain relish, more because it meant they were rivals, or wannabe rivals of the same trade--though clearly different caliber.

The men were glaring at him due to jealousy and disgust, and he liked it as he was of the opinion that men were revealed for what they really were when the ugliest of their emotions took hold. Jealousy and anger were two such emotions.

Staying where he was and giving no sign that he intended to do anything further, Vasarius waited, his smile remaining, to see if they would break eye contact before he did. One of them clearly more upset than his comrades, Vasarius noticed, was being talked down, told not to approach. After several minutes, their arguments ceased to hold sway and the young hunter's anger took hold. The boy, for he was certainly not a man, began to make his way through the crowd.

However, before he got even half way, the door of the bar swung open and his own partner, a massive Dureva, joined him. The boy stopped in his tracks and Vasarius met his gaze, grinning. In no less than a moment, the boy turned on his heel and headed back to his teammates. Eye still on them, Vasarius spoke, addressing the Dureva, "Just in time, I was beginning to think I'd have to kill someone to get your attention." Vasarius tore his eyes from the group, as they gave him fleeting glances before retreating into a smithy's shop. He noticed several people glance his way, slightly alarmed or just curious as they heard him. Most continued walking, several stayed where they were, their expressions worried or wary.

Vasarius dropped his smile as the bit of adrenaline faded and boredom took over, his voice cutting through the noise of the crowd, "I hope you didn't come out of that bar without a job for us to do, because otherwise I'm going to be very displeased that you interrupted something." The man gave no indication as to what Arieh had interrupted as he glanced back at Arieh, his expression again a cutting glare, as it was more often than not.

His eyes again went over the crowd while he waited for Arieh to respond. Impatience has returned to his stance, body tense. He was like a predator constantly on the prowl, poised to strike at any moment. Or, more fittingly, he was like a rabid beast, uncaring of who he hurt as long as someone was hurt. He was possessed of a certain madness really, but it was something honed...controlled, even if only barely.

Hopefully he wouldn't be snapping anytime soon.

The Prophecy

Correction. Go ahead @Dark Jack. I tried writing a post, but only managed about a paragraph. I don't think he has enough that is truly worth him reacting/responding to or thinking about that I can stretch. Plus I'd rather not stretch a post out. Better to have more to work with and have a post with actual substance methinks.

The Prophecy

I think maybe a thing or two. I can probably get a post up today.

A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

Damn Ganryu and his dastardliness. Get that character in the bin. I am accepting it and the Dureva since no one has offered any criticism for the latter and the former is perfectly fine.