OOC, Casting Call: Rise of an Empire..

[Darklord]

Okay gang, here I go again, putting up another thread idea that will start well, fall into semi-normal posting and then fade into total oblivion like the other 8 gazillion threads here. But who knows? I just may be wrong...

Anyhow, heres the deal, this is a thread being combined on by me and Quiet_Cool. This here is the OOC area where I will be posting info as needed, if I cannot, QC will take over said duties.

Next, this is where you will post characters bios and so on for me and QC to examine and see if it will fit into the story line we have hashed out. We're going to be somewhat strict in this undertaking mostly because we want people who will make an effort to enjoy the thread, and who will take it seriously.

Finally, if you have complaints, problems, etc. etc. etc., either post it here, or PM me and/or Quiet_Cool, and we will attempt to respond as best as possible. Now, the next couple of posts are back ground info regarding this thread, so you MUST read them before you decide to post character info in it.

 

[Darklord]

History of this world...

Other than the giants and gods, the dwarves and elves are the oldest races of this world. The dwarves, a race of tunnel dwelling, ore and gem fancying people, for many centuries and millennia got along with the tall and graceful air dwelling Elves, who favored the lofty heights of the great trees in the ancient forests for their homes. There was peace between them until the Dwarves discovered the Runes. With this discovery, dwarf craftsmen took their already wondrous works in the jewelry and metal smithing to new heights, the likes of which were never seen before. But the Elves grew fearful of the sudden power the dwarves had seemed to have gained with the aid of Runes which when properly applied can make metal unbreakable and jewelry light as a feather and untarnished forever.

Soon the elves began to attack the dwarves out of fear and anger over the discovery of the Runes, though the dwarves were content to stay in their caves working the fruits of the earth into beautiful things. But, with the first attack of the elves on the underground city of Rockholm, the dwarves who had never before raised a hand in anger or war, took up their pickaxes in defense and so started the Great War as it was called. For nearly 500 years the Elves with the aid of the Giants whom they enlisted for help in the war slowly pushed the dwarves out of their cities and scattered them over the world. Finally, they reached the last great Dwarven stronghold, Stonefief, which was defended by the last Great Dwarven King Greylin Great Axe. With a curse on his lips, hate in his heart and a cruse on his home, he fought the elves for 30 years before his stronghold fell and he along with it. But before the last dwarves fled the fortress, they buried their beloved king in a hidden place in the fortress along with four of the five great Dwarven treasures, better known as Greylin’s Gifts. With the burial and fall of the fortress, the Dwarves fled into the surrounding terrain and have lived scattered over the world ever since.

But problems began to occur within the now triumphant Elven Empire, foremost among them being the fall out between the Elves and the Giants. Many of the Giant race near the end of the Great War had begun to debate and argue the rightness to the war, and soon after it ended, they withdrew their support from the Elves, and retreated once again into their mountain homes.

Not long after a new threat to the Elves peace came up and soon began to force them to re-asses their power. The race of Humans, long a race favored by the Elves, and a new race at that, made by the gods, had started to become ascendant due to the power and intelligence of one group, the Saliman tribe, who were bolstered in their bid for empire by the revenge hungry Dwarves. After only a hundred years of warfare, the Elves’ power was destroyed, and the humans ascendant. For close to a thousand years, the Saliman Empire lasted, and brought all the people together, whether they were dwarf, elf, human, giant, or what have you, they all coexisted at least in word. Then the Empire much like the Roman Empire, became a victim of it’s own greed, and fell to the infighting that became rampant.

 

[Darklord]

Character limitations and allowances...

Racial things allowed:

Dwarves: Like most stories, they’re short, stocky, underground dwelling usually, but can live above ground, hate heights, really hate Elves, will attack one on sight for the slightest of perceived insults, like to drink heavily, love gold and anything else metal or jewel based. Are good warriors, even better smiths and jewelers, get along well with all other races, even giants whom they forgave their role in the Great War. Long lived.

Elves: Tall, graceful, beautiful race of people who count their years in centuries not decades, can live to be several thousand years old if their careful. Do not like dwarves, do not hate them, but have a very superior air to them, and look down on the “dirt grubbing little worms” as the like to say.

Humans: Just like us, can live to be more than 80 years old if they’re really careful. The youngest race and the most universally liked race, dwarves and elves both like them, and they are the most prolific in numbers in the world, though both dwarves and elves are plentiful too.

Ogres: A race of misfits, the ogre are a mix of human and troll stock that has come to take on it’s racial identity, though they are nowhere as numerous as the humans, they are still a common sight. Usually fairly bright, they are also very large (6 feet plus, 250 lbs. Up) and fairly ugly, they make superb warriors and menial laborers. They live in tribes in the wild or in clans in cities, and they run the gamut of types, from what can only be described as fairly well educated and urbane to the cave dwelling bone chewing monster than eats travelers.

Trolls: HUGE (8+ feet), UGLY (breaking mirrors all day long), and MEAN AS SHIT (perpetual PMS). Trolls are the most universally feared race of people; even the giants fear them when they roam in packs. Trolls are stupid, slow, and hard as hell to kill. Their hides are so thick to almost be as tough as granite, and they enjoy eating anything. Don’t have friends, and no language, just grunting to communicate.

There can and will be more races, but these are the ones most usually used, if you have suggestions, please make them.

Races Disallowed:
NO, NO, NO, NO to demons, angels, gods, part gods, descendents of gods or any of that bull shit. No dimensional/time traveling bull shit. There are no special things like that for people to play as a character, this is a thread about normal (your concept of it anyway) people.

 

[Darklord]

Religion...

Religion in this world:

Yes, there are gods, goddesses and demons galore, they can be good, bad, evil, and indifferent as hell, they’re immortal beings for a reason. Each race has it’s own gods and customs, I am NOT putting a whole Pantheon in here. Instead this list is the major gods and goddesses in this world for each race; players can make up others, so long as we, the committee, approve them for use.

Universal Gods:
Varsha: goddess of Death and Madness disliked by all beings immortal or otherwise.
Caven: God of Life and Light, he is a very aloof being who avoids getting involved in petty mortal problems…

Dwarven:
Weavin Goddess, mother of the Dwarven race. She is best known for her healing waters in the Grotto of Dwarfhelm.
Ivor: God of Battle and Blacksmiths, his main focus is smithing when the race is at peace, hates Kunar, has fought with him many a time.

Elves:
Kunar: God of Strength and Youth in the Elven religions, he is the sworn enemy of Ivor, the two having fought many times.
Lael: Goddess of Grace and Beauty, she was the only god of the Elves to protest the war against the Dwarves.

Humans:
Djor: God of Spring and Birth, married to Valjun.
Valjun: Goddess of Healing and Love, wife of Djor.
Karrack and Tyrel: Twin sons of Djor and Valjun they represent Rage and Calm.

Other races:
The other races will get gods on an as needed basis simply because I don’t know if anyone will be playing a non-standard race.

 

[Darklord]

The current situation that will be the start of the thread...

Background of the thread:
It’s been nearly 300 years since the collapse of the Saliman Empire of the humans due to greed and viscous infighting among the nobles and the Emperor. Now, after decades of fighting among the various nations forged from the fall, there now stand 11 nations to vie for control of the land. Two Kingdoms are now dominant in this cauldron of deceit and treachery. Blackmarch, Kingdom of the Northern Reaches and mountains. Easthaven, Kingdom of the plains and rolling hills lies to southeast of Blackmarch. In a world like this, those who are smart and quick enough can make their fortunes working for any side.

 

[Gaston_McBain]

Angus the Dark

OOC: This is my first time on one of these threads, so I'll keep a low profile once the RPing starts until I get the hang of it.

Name: Angus the Dark
Species: Human
Sex: Male
Height: about 5'9"ish
Weight: around 170 pounds
Age: 18-22ish
Hair: Black
Eyes: Black
Weapons: Short Sword, Small Round Shield, and Boot Knife
Clothing: Ordinary traveling clothes (tunic, cloak, heavy boots) with the substitution of a kilt instead of leggings. His clothes are of ordinary style and are of a dull-green but appear to be well-made.

Angus' accent and his wearing of a kilt suggests that he is from the hills of Eastmarch. Not much is known of his past but his bearing and speech patterns may indicate noble birth. Angus is clean shaven and fair skinned but his black hair and deep black eyes has given him the nickname "the Dark" (Note this is a discription of his appearence not his character).

 

[crysede]

I'd love to get in on this thread, but I'm not going to have time to give a character any thought until after exams are over on Monday. I hope this one get's off the ground, it sounds very good - contrary to the general biases there seems to be against them, I actually prefer working with complex scenarios.

 

[Darklord]

Just some thoughts...

Crys,
Don't worry about how soon you can post, like I said, this'll be up for a week, to give the weekend warriors a chance to check it out and look into it. I will probably start the thread on Wednesday, then QC will run it till after the next Sunday since I have to take my track team down to it's conference championships, so I'll be gone from friday to sunday, sorry... But, Gaston, not bad, just waiting on QC now.

 

[Madcap]

i as well wish to participate, but also haven't the time to post a character right now. I'll do my best to get it up tomorow.
Cheers!

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Right here...

I'm right here, but I'm not sure exactly where we are...are we posting characters first? If so, I'll probably be able to drop one by tomorrow. And Darklord, PM me to let me know what I'll need to cover while you're gone.

 

[Darklord]

Hmmm..

Sorry guys, I've just been busy at work all week, so this has sadly come second to doing my job correctly. I would like people to post characters first, then we can arrange who and where we are before we start the thread, QC, you'll get your PM later on today when I get back from a quick business trip. Thanks for being patient all of you..
-DL

 

[Darklord]

My Guy

Name: Logan Farstrider
Race: Human
Sex: Male
Occupation: Adventurer, former Easthaven Ranger
Age 30ish
Ht: 6'
Wt: 230, mostly muscle
Hair: Dark Brown, pulled up into a top knot
Eyes: Green
Weapons: Long bow, long sword, 2 throwing daggers, small buckler strapped to his side.
Clothing: Cloak, Hardened leather armor, loose breeches and vambraces. Wears clothes in mixed colors of green, brown, and black. Wears a pair of leather boots made for walking or riding.

History: Was once a ranger for the Patriarch of Easthaven, he left after he had lost an eye in battle with a small horde of Ogres terrifying some small lumbering communities. The Patriarch felt a one-eyed ranger was no good. He dislikes Easthaven intensely. Became an adventurer, doing odd jobs all around the eleven Kingdoms, he now trades in Relics and Antiquities from the time of the Great War. He has an office in the town of Elston, which lies on the border of Easthaven and Blackmarch. He is not of noble blood, but seems descended from some Magi blood though, he can use some magic along the lines of starting a fire and stuff like that.

 

[DarkTalon]

Can I join As A Wearwolf

Hay Dark lard long time no see Can I Play A Wear Wolf Thats Stuk in Wolf Man Form?

If So Can i Play the wear woves As A Klingon Typ Race?

 

[Boutoo]

OOC: I'd like to join in if nobody minds.I haven't been able to play like this for a long while, although most of the role playing I've done has been improvised & off the cuff so to speak

Name: 'Lette
Species : Nymph
Gender: Female
Height: 4' 10"
Weight: 70 Lbs
Hair: Waist length red & wavy
Eyes: Deep Blue
Occupation: Tree defender & warrior
Age: ????????
Weapons: Short sword
Clothing: Diaphanous robes & leather armour

Can I get back to you on her history etc please? I didn't get much sleep last night & don't feel too inspired right now>_<

 

[Darklord]

Two things...

Boutoo: Your person's fine, a nymph doesn't really fall into the whole gods thing since they're attached to a tree in most mythology, but we can probably work something out. Post her history whenever you can get around to doing it.

Darktalon: Good to see your still on the board. Right now we're not going with the whole supernatural undead persons thing for this thread. I know Quiet_Cool has some space still open in Dark Island 2 for a werewolf, the last time I checked into that thread earlier today. So feel free to give him a PM about maybe joining in with that character there. But here, we'd prefer a little more run of the mill style fantasy character's.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

Aren't nymphs are just near imhumanly beautiful girls with fae blood and dryads are the ones linked to trees?

 

[Darklord]

Nymph(o)s and such...

Nymphs and drayds and their assorted ilk, used in the general sense here, are very interchangeable depending on which set of mythical beliefs one is using. In greek and roman thought, nymph is the general word used for all nubile young looking ladies associated with certain aspects of nature. They were then subdivided into categories as Neriads, Drayds, and so on, but they were all construed as Nymphs as their nom deguerre. So, when I call her a nymph, I am not insulting her tree based heritage but calling upon her over nature of being a nymph, and not just some sub species.

Sorry abut that spec, but thats the Classics B.A. coming out of me here.. Anyhow, want in on the thread?

 

[poohlive]

I always imagined trolls as slightly bigger, uglier dwarves. The orc is what I'm thinking when you describe the troll, is that correct?


Either way.

Roc
Giant troll. 8 feet tall, 500 pounds, mostly muscle. He wears a dirty linen cloth. Scraggly brown hair, sharp crooked teeth, and eyes that seem to look at you as a meal, rather than anything else.

(here's my out on a limb character)

Lyt
(pronounced Light)

A fairy. Small, with wings. A little fireball of magic and inquisition. She is fairly young, as far as fairies go. Has a little body suit, not that anyone could see anything anyway. Looks like a dragonfly to most people.

Roc had saved Lyt's life once, so now they are bonded. They have since become good friends, and seem like the perfect team.

Lyt is the master of magic, doing different things. She has great power, but it is limited. It's only intensified when Roc is in trouble. That's when the bond thing comes in.

Roc is more of a physical person. He has a doeskin sack on his back, filled with different weapons. Everything from throwing knives, to swords and battle axes. Something for every occasion.

Together they are a formidable foe to be reckoned with, although so far all they've done is relaxed in the forest and scared off caravans that came too close.

 

[bobo_daclown]

Ooh, Darklord, I found the thread... little blind me!!!

(Non-standard characters.... okay!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deep in the lush forest of Ogrood, a small village of Ogres lives peacefully. Many two-storey houses and a number of single storey houses form a circular perimeter to a common area. The only way to the common area is through one of the wooden houses.

The center area is nearly two acres. A couple of small gardens and a pair of barns for huge horse-like creatures litter the area. In the center of the near-perfect circle, a single tent rises high into the air. Shaped like a teepee, with a diameter close to thirty feet, the chief's tent is by far the most obvious site in this village. Day and night, a bonfire burns close to his tent. Other smaller cooking fires are closer to the other homes.

The chief always shares the name of his village. In this case the village is known as Bloodluck...

Bloodluck:
Age= 28 Turns (years for ogres)
Sex= Male
Height= 7 feet, 2 inches
Weight= just under 300 pounds
Clothing= Black skirt cropped just below the knees: wide for easier movement. Leather suspenders that hold his two swords on his back. A magnificent, magical crown: Upon placing it on his head, it is bound to him. Nobody can remove it except by killing the current wearer. The crowns name (if you couldn't guess) is Bloodluck. The wearer of this crown is the chief of this village and inherits the name from the crown. The two magical abilities of the crown are that it is invisible to all but ogres and makes the owner seem as he wishes to be seen, AND, the bond between chief and crown.
Weapons= Two two-handed swords he took from humans. He can handle each in a single hand. He also keeps secret serums attached to his inner thighs. These are from a nearby witch.

 

[Gaston_McBain]

Angus the Dark

I was going to try to keep my character's background somewhat secretive but I think it'll be better to reveal so the thread runners could possibly bring it into the story.

Ok, as suggested in my first post, Angus is of noble birth. He is the fourth (and youngest son) of the 7th Earl of Lessix in the kingdom of Easthaven. His family's land is in the hilly and rustic area of the kingdom so they are not especially wealthy.

Angus has long been friends with Cecilia, the daughter of the Duke of Hillgrove. However, the Duke's sons disapproved of the relationship and one of them, William, challenged Angus to a duel. Angus won the duel and slew William, obviously causing friction with the Duke. Angus' father did not want to feud with the Duke over his youngest son so he told Angus to get lost. Thus, Angus has fled from the hills of Easthaven and is being pursued by members of the Duke's household led by the Duke's eldest son, Edwin.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

No need to apologize Darklord, you're quite right!
I might be in, if I can think of an interesting enough character to compare with all these other ones lol.


Gaston, that is a really good character background.

 

[Darklord]

Troll(up)s and others..

Trolls in this world are the largest species next to the giants of the humanoid races. In most games Trolls are portrayed as larger dwarves with bad tempers. But in Palladium, upon which part of this is based, Trolls are among the largest meanest races around. Orcs are generally very large goblins (damn steriods) and I see no need to change that. Anyhow, Dpec, give it a shot, and the rest of you, get ready to rock and roll! I'll have the thread up by late tonight and we'se gonna rock! QC, we need a person here... ;-p

 

[crysede]

Rather than bug you with a bunch of questions about what's allowed or not, I figured I'd just post my idea for a character, let me know if anything needs to be changed.

Name: Her real name is Eliska Laedry, but she has gone by the name River Fischer since leaving home
Sex: female
Race: human/elf
Occupation: bard - beautiful voice and good looks keep coins in her purse, some minor healing spells and thieving abilities
Age: early 30's, but looks younger due to her elfin blood
Appearance: 5'11", lithe but fuller figure then a full elf, blue/grey eyes (more grey when upset, more blue when pleased), long ash-blond hair (worn mostly loose, with a few small braids)
Weapons: three poisoned darts hidden in her clothing, a composite recurving bow, when melee absolutely can't be avoided she fights with short sword and dagger.
Clothing: high leather boots, close fitting leggings and tunic in shades of blue, heavy woolen cloak (grey).

History: Outwardly appears very outgoing and impulsive, but is actually quite distrustful of others and calculated in her actions. She lived among the elves when she was very young - her mother was the mistress of a high ranking elf. But something went wrong and she and her mother had to leave. Her mother left her with her grandparents, and she hasn't seen either parent since. She left home with a group of traveling musicians when she was 13 and has never looked back.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

Name: Devin Valorn
Race: Human
Age: 24
Profession: Bounty Hunter
Appearance: Stands a little over 6'2", toned build. His complexion is somewhat dark. His hair is black, kept in a ponytail that reaches mid back, his eyes a dark green and keeps up a vanguard beard/mustache. He usually travels light, and is hardly ever without his long maroon cloak.


After becoming of age to do so, Devin joined the garrison of a small city near where he grew up. There he learned a bit of discipline and skill with the sword and bow, although even in his youth he showed considerable talent at the latter. He’s spent the last several years hauling in pickpockets and breaking up bar-fights and similar city garrison duties. A few months ago though, he left active duty as a guard and set out to bring in criminals who escaped. Last night, he was hired for his next job.

 

[Darklord]

Good News!!!

Okay gang, I like the characters, I like the back frounds, but I like this even more....

The Threads up and running, so let's get this puppy rolling!! And if you need to know the name it's easy. Rise of an Empire...
-DL