The Gods have left...the world in flames.

[Lord Malcolm]

"The Gods have abandoned us to our own Devices, our own Desires, and our own Demons. The Gods have left us to our Slaughter and our Vice. To our War. And we have waged it, with and without them, and we have set the world in flames." -Unknown

The two great kingdoms are on the brink of collapse, stubbornly locked in a War that has dominated an Age. The gods have left the world, and just as well. We don't deserve guidance. Dragons menace the skies for both kingdoms, for themselves. Some seek to wipe us out, some to save us. Mages and rogues. Mercenaries and soldiers. It's devolved into a free-for-all.

We are a group of refugees, like any other. But not like any other. We have secrets, each and every one of us. And one of our secrets...one of them can end the war. Enter a tale of inter-party intrigue, secrecy, mistrust and fantasy adventure! Setting is up for elaboration based on player preference, although I have several ideas.

My first foray into forum roleplaying in years is a little ambitious, but it should be worth it! Post your character here if you're interested and PM me your character's secrets! I'll be playing a character (hopefully) and pushing the plot along as needs be. Hoping for a total of 4-6 people, though more are welcome.

Can be freeform or system-based as desired by my fellow roleplayers, though I'm casting my vote for free form.

Hope to hear from people soon!

[Lord Malcolm]

PS - Still Unapproved, so I can't actually send and receive PMs...so I guess we'll just have to agree no metagaming on those secrets....

[Styx26]

Yo, Malcolm, I'll join! :)

Name: Shane Swiftbow
Occupation: Mercenary, Archer
Biography: "My past is not important. All that matters is how well I do my job, keeping myself and my employer alive... and making sure all of our enemies are not."
Appearance: Thin yet wiry, wears a green tunic with hood, dark linen pants and boots. Carries a longbow with a quiver of twenty arrows, two daggers (one in each boot) and one dirk.
Secret: He doesn't know why the Gods have left... but he knows of a way to call them back. (Does that work?)

[selfexiled]

Sorry can't PM on hold.

Name:Marcus Detonne
Gender:Male
Bio:Wandering swordsman of unparalleled strength (and for his size dexterity). Also has unique magical abilities as well.
Appearance: Standing near 8 feet tall he drawfs many men considered great of stature. He wears a suit of plate armor of his own making, it's hard to see any flesh at all between the cracks. Each piece is atleast 1/2 inch to a full inch thick. Each one attached to the other by chain links so that their own weight does not cause them to fall off, even the helmet is locked on. His gauntlets are oversized even for his form, on top of his "hands" are large flat arrowhead shaped blades that seem to go into the gauntlet's rear half. Across his back he carries a sword... a sword that many believe could behead a dragon in one stroke. The blade is shaped as a straight razor so there is no fear of being stabbed with it but even to be hit with the flat of it makes men tremble. Tip to pommel it is roughly 6 1/2 to 7 feet long. Its width is near a foot, its girth almost 3inches.
secret: his past, his age, the sourcce of his "powers."

I have a complete background story for him but as we are keeping secrets it'll have to wait.

[Lord Malcolm]

Ooh...I like these secrets and can't wait to see this get off the ground. I'm holding off a while to see who we get before I put my character up, but this is awesome.

Styx: That's awesome. I would never have thought of being able to call the gods back.

exiled: It's cool. Good luck on getting off hold. Hope to see you a full member soon.

[selfexiled]

Yes secrets are fun... and who says the gods ever left, maybe they still converse with some few people...

[Styx26]

"The Gods have abandoned us to our own Devices, our own Desires, and our own Demons. The Gods have left us to our Slaughter and our Vice. To our War. And we have waged it, with and without them, and we have set the world in flames." -Unknown

Well, that Unknown dude said the gods left... so maybe they did, maybe they're on hold in the dimensional plains... I think my character would like to find out :)

[selfexiled]

Agreed it doees sound like they left but it is possible that they are standing back and watching waiting for thier rebellious children to remember them and the rules they set. Of course they could have literaly left as well. Then we'll have to figure out how to jump dimensions to find them.

[Lord Malcolm]

 >:) I'm liking this. Very much.

And yes, Unknown dude did say the gods left. But who says he's right? He could perfectly well be right, but he could just as easily be completely wrong. :-)

But Shane knows, now doesn't he?

[selfexiled]

Soo how is this group supposed to meet up exactly? Cause Marcus actually keeps to himself most of the time due to his uhm abilities. He's a bit over cautious about them, it was a bad experience that he blames himself for...

[Styx26]

What about... the mercenary camp that Shane is a part of encounters this stranger during a scout-around. And maybe Shane's employer would like to 'meet' this individual, aka, take their gear and valuables before slaying them. Shane would... disagree with that approach, and the first partnership of sorts is formed.

Others could join after that, or during, if they were interested.

[selfexiled]

Which ever the game master prefers. I've met some who like to run separate stories for each character that merge. Also seen the basic meet in tavern for a job kind of thing. It's really up in the air but I've had many different starts so I'm good with whatever.

[Lord Malcolm]

Sorry guys. Not been meaning to be quite so aloof. The business of last week should have slowed down, so I'm hoping to have a character/secret up by tomorrow, well...today.

As to how they get together, there are refugee groups fleeing besieged cities all over the place. It is not out of place for these groups to be lead by groups of scouts, nor for mercenaries or bandits to be attacking these groups.

I feel like that seems like a viable option for putting the party together.

[selfexiled]

Sounds feesible. Do we want everyone to start in different locations and converge or does everyone just happen to be in the same mass exidus trying to lay low because they're talents would put a target on them for the press gangs?

[Lord Malcolm]

Name: Cain
Gender: Unknown
Appearance: Cain is a humanoid...we think. It---we refer to it as he---he is shrouded in shadow. Literally. His cloak is writhing shadow that makes his build almost impossible to discern. His apparent talents shape-changing and illusion don't help matters. He tends to be on the tall side for a human (5'11"-ish) and seems at first glance to merely be a robed figure. Closer inspection reveals that the robes are much more dynamic than actual cloth, and capable of much more fluid and free movement.
Secret(s): His true identity and the source of his powers.

I'm going to get a post up in the actual non-adult roleplay boards laying out the situation and then people can come in as they choose, either as a refugee or as someone leading or stalking the refugees or etc.

[selfexiled]

Very unique character to be sure. Will be nice to start this adventure up, lets roll!

[Lord Malcolm]

First post is up. Not perfect, but it gets things rolling.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=131790.0

[Lord Malcolm]

Okay. I was just wondering, before we got this thing too far down a particular road if you all had anywhere in particular you wanted it to go? I have ideas of my own, but I'm more than willing to adjust, squeeze in, abandon, adapt, as needed. Let me know.

[selfexiled]

I can roll any which way. Just following you for now.

[WildCat]

Is this still open to newcomers? And If so, can I come play?

Name: Ember ip Verdale
Gender: Female
Her history as she knows it: Ember's mother was assaulted nine months before her birth by a man who was never caught, and the memory of the experience so dark she couldn't deal with it and her sanity shattered. Raised by the villiage, she has always been remarkably fleet of foot and charming, has always found people tripping over themselves to make her happy, and received opportunities to learn fencing that she really should not have. She has also been always mischievous. She had set out from her home villiage to seek a new and exciting life before the ominous clouds of catastrophe so darkened the face of the known world.
Her history as it actually occured: He who Ember would never used the word 'father' to describe was no man but a fey creature. Her mother was not driven mad by horror and grief so much as the creature had robbed her of her sanity even as he robbed her of her innocence. The fey blood runs thick in Ember's veins, but if she has any awareness of the fact, she is in deep denial.
secrets: Ember believes her biggest secret is embarassment about what befell her mother. Her own nature is, of course, the far greater secret.
implications of the fey blood: Ember's sense of agility and precision is greater than any human has a right to. She technically has the power to control minds, but without conscious control this simply manifests as augmentation, making her seem more persuasive and beautiful than she empirically is, also making it rare for people to--for example--notice her when she is trying to remain hidden. She technically has the power to fly, but not knowing this it does little more than improve her ability to do things she all ready believes herself capable of--scaling walls, for example, of managing to land gently from great falls. Also, she ought to be immune to magic. Although sometimes her belief that magic can effect her gives it the extra power it needs to do so.

?

[selfexiled]

If I ran this I'd say your in but got to wait on the boss.

[Lord Malcolm]

You're in and welcome aboard! :) Just find a place and jump right in!

[WildCat]

Actually, reading through the thread--the character I made is a bad fit. Far too light for a much more somber tone. Probably better if I don't dance in and bring you guys down. (er... up) The last thing you need is a manic pixie.

[selfexiled]

Idk it'd be a fun twist. Besides it can't be too depressing or the characters will start cutting themselves "so they can feel"

[Styx26]

Emo- Bad

New people - Good! ^^

I honestly think that some adventures need a happy-go-lucky person... keeps the others from getting too serious or downtrodden.

[Lord Malcolm]

I agree. You're more than welcome to join. Lighten the mood. Anything you like. :D

[Erato]

I'm interested in joining if you're still adding.

Name: Ella Wintercroft
Gender: Female
Bio: Mage, healer. On a pilgrimage from her order in a coming of age rite of passage.
Appearance: Graceful only when standing still, she gives the appearance of a young woman trying to be older than she actually is. Shoulder length wavy brown hair, violet colored eyes, barely 5 foot. Slender but curvy.
Secret: Her parentage is a mystery to her. Raised by an order of mage healers has given her substantial magical abilities which include bending fate and time.

[Sasquatch421]

I'd be interested in joining if this is still up and going. I'm just curious on what would be accepted as chars... The two I had in mind was a Halfling Rouge or a Minoutar Warden....

[Lord Malcolm]

Both of you are welcome. Sasquatch, you're welcome to join, but this is not actually a system game. A few of the terms common in system games have been used because they are archetypes and people are referring to each other in that manner.

[Sasquatch421]

Ahh I see... I'd just use it as a guideline anyways. I was more courious about the races cause I'm always human so I like to be other things in roleplays...

[Sasquatch421]

Name: Merric
Gender: Male
Bio: Merric is your typical rougish character. He grew up in a good family that spent the nights telling storys about ancient relatives exploits and travels in the world. Merrics favorite stories are of a fictional character named Tasselhoff who is small of stature like him, but always seems to borrow things. The other story is of his great grandmother Kithri who if the story is to be beleived fell in love with a dragon.

Meric went on with his days preforming simple tricks for others, until he came of age. One day he got caught "borrowing" a shiny necklace and in his haste to escape actually shifted into a small emerald colored dragon and flew away from the city, abit without his shiny. Spending time away from his family Merric honed this abiltity along with discovering an natural talent for minor spell casting which he found to be largely undependable.

Heading home he said good bye to his family and heading out Merric seeks to discover if the tale about his great grandmother is true.

Marric is upbeat and carefree... He's a prankster at heart often playing joke at the expense of party members, but deep down he'll die for anyone he sees as a friend. He also avoids spell casting, but when he has to any given spell has a chance to fail or be something totally different then what he wants to use.

Appearance: Marric has a childish appearance though he is older then he appears. Standing at 3' 9" he escapes the notice of much larger people giving him the time he needs to borrow. He has long brown hair that he keeps up in a top knot with amber colored eyes.

He dresses in leather armor that was passed on through his family along with a pair of enchanted bracers that summon throwing daggers to his hand. When he needs to fight he has a pair of kris style daggers in plain sheaths. Marric also has numerous pouches hidden on his person and a plain black cloak to keep the wind and rain off.

In his other form he has the appearance of a small emerald dragon. Being as small as he is the seams of his scales are hard to see which gives him a streamline look.

Secret: The source of his powers...

[Sasquatch421]

I'm sorry for so many posts in a row...Not being able to edit sucks. I've decided against the Marric character since there seems to be enough chars that could pick a lock or disarm a trap already.  This is my new character, let me know if something won't work...

Name: Storm
Gender: Male
Bio: Storm is the offspring of a weretiger and human woman. Due to his beastial appearance and nature he was abandoned and left for dead. As luck would have it Storm was found and adopted by a traveling Swordmage. Raise on the road Storm grew to be good natured and was a natural prankster to those he let close enough to be friends with.

Intially he had no ability for magic but his mentor took him to an ancient place where Storm made a pact with an unknown entity which unlocked the gift within. From then on he studied mastering his art growing to be experienced wielding both single blades and dual wielding. Storm also learned the basics of using a greatsword, but he considers them to be to slow for him.

When his master finally passed away Storm set out on his own to increase his perspective of the surrounding world and to finally calm the beast within. When he first meets people he is standoffish because he is unsure what others will think of him and for fear of losing control of his more bestial side.

Appearance: Storm is a human being with a catlike appearance that stand about 5'10". He has long hair that he keeps pulled back that is brown, but has an orange tint to it when in the light. His eyes look those of a cat, which allows him to see better in low light conditions then others.

His face has more of a wide flattish nose, large eyes and his ears are pointed. When in the heat of battle he can call upon his beastial nature to look more catlike but never fully shifting like his ancestors. He wears leather armor, but refuses to wear boots. Instead Storm wraps his feet in leather strips so that he can utilize his claws that extend from his toes to increase his mobility. Like wise he uses leather bracers so he can use the claws on his fingers as well.

Weapon wise he carries twin katana's. One remains on his back while the other remain on his hip. Whether he wields them both depends on the situation....

[Erato]

Both of you are welcome. Sasquatch, you're welcome to join, but this is not actually a system game. A few of the terms common in system games have been used because they are archetypes and people are referring to each other in that manner.

Lord Malcolm, thanks for letting me join. I read what had been started when I first joined Elliquiy and knew I wanted in on this. :)

I did post, an intro to allow you the choice of how we meet - is Ella the one you and your companions sensed nearby or perhaps someone else is watching/hunting her and you come across them, etc.

[Styx26]

So since selfexiled is on hiatus, I think Lord Malcolm should be the next to post...?

[NatalieB]

This looks really fun - is it open to new characters?  And, particularly, unapproved ones?

Not that I'm trying to bribe you or anything, but I just put some cookies in the oven.  If you say yes, then there may well be chocolate chip deliciousness in your future.

[Blanhowl]

I'm interested in joining in if this is still running, and you're still open to newcomers.
So... would I be able to propose a character? Pah-lease?

[Styx26]

I apologize for posting this so late.

Lord Malcolm hasn't been able to post as much as he would like to, due to his personal RL. So, I'd like to try and guide this story along, if it is alright with the rest of you.

For his character Cain we (the rest of us) can see him vanish and then reappear later, for when Lord Malcolm returns.

Anyone who would like to post a character may do so. Very basic stuff for character info:

Name:
Occupation:
Biography:
Appearance:
Secret:

Feel free to ask any questions on here. Thanks! :)