Interest Check - Wolves of Fortune - Werewolves - Historical Fantasy - Sandbox

[Maeve]

The early 1500's were a chaotic time. Some say that Devil rules in Rome, a New World full of possibilities has been found and mercenaries threaten to topple what little stability is left in plague and famine ridden Europe.

There are many of these bands of roving warriors, never lacking employment as warring nations and city states battle their neighbors. Most are soldiers left without a war or other skills, some are rouges greedy for gold and some simply enjoy killing.

Then there are the Lupi di Fortuna. One of the fiercest, most cunning mercenary bands money can hire. Lupi di Fortuna has yet to call surrender, for surrender means death at the hands of their Alpha. A majority of the members are Werewolves, collected by Aurel from all over Europe and the Orient. He not only promises them gold and a way to relish the beasts of their nature, but paradise. There is a Kingdom beyond the Carpathians that was once ruled by wolves. He claims he is the last royal from this lupine line and once they have enough money and an army they will retake his throne. Many of the scattered wolves he finds leap at the chance for a safe homeland but those that have served under Aurel ask what sort of paradise this new Eden will be if it's ruled by a tyrant?

Chola knows that surrender means death for her, like any other soldier. Her battlefield maybe Aurel's bed but it is no less harrowing. Ten years ago she was courtesan in Venice, well known for her skill with the lute and flute until she given as a retainer to the feared warlord. She did need to know of his reputation to know of her fate. All it took was seeing the dead, hollow eyes of the few women in camp.

Luckily for her, music soothes the savage beast. A decade later she saved countless young girls and created a proper harem, filled with musicians and dancers to entertain their lord and master. She had introduced him to all the vices of civilization, born him two human sons and had fallen in love with his most trusted general.

Now, fat with victory and an acquired taste for the finer things, he degrees that it is time to march to his home. Though Chola smiles for him and sings songs of his victory, she finds herself fearing for her fate once more. What use will a werewolf king have for a human whore and human heirs?

His general comforts her with a simple truth: much can change on a long campaign.



Roles Available -

Aurel - Alpha Werewolf. Think of a military genius, a true leader teetering on tyranny.

The General - Werewolf. Loyal to his men and their cause, but unsure of Aurels intentions (and sanity) and in love with his prized harem girl.

Various Harem Girls - Pick a role. The most beautiful women taken from rich and poor alike: tavern whores, nuns, scheming courtesans and younger daughters from some of the best families. Motivations could be anything from seeking their freedom, survival or vying for Aurel's favor.

Werewolves - Like Harem girls, skies the limit. Are you a starving Lycan from the Gevaudan, tired of eating peasants? Hiding in plain sight at the center of the Holy city? An Ulfheðnar who has traveled for years fighting with mercenaries, only to tire of serving humans? Are you seeking a homeland or an outlet for your savage nature?

If this interested anyone, please comment below with a character outline.

[recon91]

I'm interested I would like to the play the general.

the outline I've fought many battles some have lead me to victory why others have left scars that will never heal doing the day I stand with my men making strategies for our next battle while at night I stick to the shadows watching over the woman I love waiting for my moment to strike the king down and claim his throne and queen as my own.

[Maeve]

Sounds good. Do you have a history or a face model in mind?

[Maeve]

Monthly Bump.

[Elven Sex Goddess]

Not sure if females can be werewolves in the game.  Here is a submission of one.

Anastassia Lupul sânge

The savage fury resides in the heart of Anastassia.   For she is a direct descendant of Marcus Licinius Crassus.  The blood of the wolf resides within her veins.    The rage that is barely contained,  unleashed at times in uncontrolled fury.    Such has sent her on a life on the run.   Living the life of a nomad, a gypsy moving from town to town, kingdom to kingdom.    Always on the run,  from those of the inquisition armed with the Malleus Maleficarum published by the Vatican,  the 'Witches Hammer'.     

Rumors surface among the many roads traveled.   A quiet yet powerful message is spreading.   A king is arising to take back his throne and kingdom.    A king of the lupine has returned.   Like many of her brethren of the blood.   The Romanian Anastassia is drawn to the call.   To a world, a kingdom free of the hunt.  Free of the inquisitors armed with the Malleus Maleficarum. 

She brings not the skills of a warrior,  a man at arms.   She brings the fury of her blood.  The will to survive,  the noble bloodline of Marcus Lincinus Crassus.  Tooth and claw is her mantra.       

The blood of the wolf first surface for Anastassia a few months after her wedding night.   A older insignificant minor noble, a knight gained by service.   Service that had seen the fall of the Byzantium empire and rise of the Ottoman empire.   This minor aging knight was ruthless,  sadistic and raped and beat his new bride.   It was during one of these episodes.   The change is triggered and she would rend and tear her aging husband a part and eat his entrails.    Horrified by what she had done,  Anastassia ran. 

A bounty was placed upon her.    In the days and weeks that follow she learns to take form.  To shift between her human guise to that of a wolf and the forms in between.    Loving the freedom of being in her lupus form.   Through she would have shed her humanity totally,  alas the fevered hunt of European wolves is at a all time high.   Men who hunt the pests that threaten many farms,  hunting them near extinction.   An as a red wolf,  she  has become sort of a fable,  a legend of the wolf hunters.   The mythical wolf  trophy to be gained.     

[Maeve]

I love it! She'll be a grand addition.

[summoner2183]

MIght be interested in this.

[Maeve]

Who were you thinking of playing?

[Gypsy]

Is this a game in progress, or yet to start?

[Maeve]

Yet to start.

[Gypsy]

Would there be 'camp follower' or 'harem girl' positions for other werewolves, or only the alpha?

[Maeve]

Absolutely, I assume that they've picked up many along the years.

[Gypsy]

I may write up a character concept as well, then.  I'm thinking a sort of gypsy-type (not the only character type I play, despite my name :-) ) who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and stumbled into one of the army's patrols when she ventured into forbidden territory.  She'd be a sort of fortune teller/healer.

Would that sort of character fit with your concept?

[Maeve]

Not until you mentioned it. That would make perfect sense. Chola would visit her often to get a leg up on the General and her own fear over her future and then men would want to know the outcome of battles. Perfect actually.

[Gypsy]

Jaelle Zingari had always been told that her curiosity and her inability to heed the warning wisdom of her elders would be her downfall.  She was bold, perhaps too bold, and confident in her dukkering, her gift of telling fortunes.  What no-one had ever told her was that gift rarely runs true on the teller's own future.

When her band of rovers camped on the outskirts of a forest that their captain had declared 'interzis' or 'forbidden', Jaelle had paid little heed.  When one of the handsome giogios had come to the camp, giving her silver for telling his fortune and bidding her meet him later in the shadow of the trees, she had slipped away.

Her would-be lover had not kept faith, however, but in the shadows and rising mists, she had somehow lost her way, and it was not long until she found herself hunted, pursued ... driven ever further from the safety of her people and their blades and magic ... straight into the wolves' jaws.

Her beauty, and her skill with fortune-telling and certain healing herbs and mixtures made her valuable, too valuable to break or kill so long as her gifts run true, though she is still the property of the wolves and under doom of death should she attempt to escape.

[Maeve]

I love it. Hope we can get this game up and running.

[summoner2183]

I'd probably play a simple werewolf... not any of the leading characters I think.

[Maeve]

Have a character outline in mind?

[ArtemisHighmore]

Hmmm I have had an itch for a good werewolf game. Trying to decide if I want to go full alpha or just a general. Decisions, decisions.

[Maeve]

After reading your posts I think you would be fabulous in either, but may I be so bold as to nudge you towards the Alpha? The character requires certain skills that I believe that you possess; in the wrong hands he will just end up a mindless brute or one dimensional tyrant.

[ArtemisHighmore]

I am flattered to be so researched. Okay. Are there specific traits you have in mind for him?

[Maeve]

Like most Warlords I see him coming from a rough start in life, seeing the world in very brutal kill or be killed fashion. I see him as a man on a mission, one whom until he met Chola allowed very little distraction. When it comes to women I don't necessarily see him as malicious, he was just never taught or did it ever occur to him that there were more than prizes of battle.

I see this making his relationship to Chola very complex. On the one hand she's the one woman who's managed to pierce his armor and become an emotional support (after all they've been together ten years and have two children together), but on the other hand he might resent her. He sees her as weakness, not only on an emotional level but also because she's tempted him over the years with human excess. Things like chocolate, wine and music. To top it off, here's an individual who's life mission is to conquer a homeland for his fellow werewolves, most of whom view humans as either less evolved creatures or the enemy, and his mistress is human.

Now that being said, feel free to do whatever you like with him. If you don't see him that way, that is fine. Put your own spin on him.

[ArtemisHighmore]

Hmmm in that regard, I could see him being a man of the north. I am currently reading 'Eaters of the Dead' and there is a tribe described as using women as trade goods. There are few wives and captive women are taken openly at a man's desire. obviously he would hold wolves in a higher regard, regardless of gender as they are the true people of his kingdom, so to speak.

I like the idea of there being slightly two sides to him. In private, with Chola and the children, he is kind, tender even. Outwardly he might openly scoff at her presence, attempting to keep up appearances with the ranks if that makes sense. Talking down to her in front of the generals/soldiers. Does that make sense?

[Maeve]

Perfect sense. I also see his tenderness as years of work on her part. That in the beginning he was rough in private and public.

[ArtemisHighmore]

Agreed. Treating her as nothing more than someone to ravage when the mood took him. Slowly he softened for her.

[Maeve]

Exactly. Do you have a face model in mind? For his human one, I mean.

[ArtemisHighmore]

At the moment I am a fan of this particular image. Thoughts?

[Maeve]

Ah, wa, hum. Sorry my brain just shut down there for a second. Yeah, he'll do. :P

[ArtemisHighmore]

Chuckles. Glad he could make your approval.

[summoner2183]

Have a character outline in mind?

Well, my concept of my character is just a simple werewolf that was in Aurel's army... probably one of the General's lieutenants or something. He is searching for somewhere he could call home and a woman to satisfy his desires and bear him some pups.

[Maeve]

Don't worry about this if you've already written something up with an image, but for any newcomers please feel free to fill this out.


Writer Name: Screen Name

Character Name: What should we call you?

Face Model/Physical Description: Do you have a rugged sort of charm? Are you a pretty boy/girl?

Age: Just how old are you?

Sexuality: What butters your parsnips?

Personality: What’s your deal? Are you the crazy one? The strong silent type? Maybe you’re the one voice of sanity in an insane mob.

History: Just did a pretty thing like you end up in a place like this?

[Gypsy]

Writer Name: GypsyRose

Character Name: Jaelle Zingari

Face Model/Physical Description: green-eyed brunette, 5'6", average height, curvy build

Age: 24

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Personality: Adventurous, bold, outspoken, smart but often lacking in wisdom



History:   

Jaelle Zingari had always been told that her curiosity and her inability to heed the warning wisdom of her elders would be her downfall.  She was bold, perhaps too bold, and confident in her dukkering, her gift of telling fortunes.  What no-one had ever told her was that gift rarely runs true on the teller's own future.

When her band of rovers camped on the outskirts of a forest that their captain had declared 'interzis' or 'forbidden', Jaelle had paid little heed.  When one of the handsome giogios had come to the camp, giving her silver for telling his fortune and bidding her meet him later in the shadow of the trees, she had slipped away.

Her would-be lover had not kept faith, however, but in the shadows and rising mists, she had somehow lost her way, and it was not long until she found herself hunted, pursued ... driven ever further from the safety of her people and their blades and magic ... straight into the wolves' jaws.

Her beauty, and her skill with fortune-telling and certain healing herbs and mixtures made her valuable, too valuable to break or kill so long as her gifts run true, though she is still the property of the wolves and under doom of death should she attempt to escape.

[ArtemisHighmore]

Writer Name: ArtemisHighmore

Character Name: Aurel, King of Lupi di Fortuna

Face Model/Physical Description: Grey eyes, boarding on silver, gruff exterior. Broad of shoulder and tall of height, he is the physical specimen of a great Northman.

Age: Born sometime in 922 AD

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Personality: Aurel is a quiet, dark stone among a wild sea of fur. He was born to war and takes each battle as a personal challenge of his might and tactical skill. Victory has tempered his rashness and he is prone to long hours of consideration on the eve of battle, mulling over things to ensure the best chance of success for his brave warriors.



History:
Aurel was born to the Volga people; his name among them was Wiglif and he was a considerable warrior in his own right. The Volga people, particularly his clan, were traders of women and would exchange their slave girls at random. It was common practice to take any slave girl that struck their fancy, entering the owner’s abode and taking them as a sign of claiming her as his property. It was from this practice that Aurel came to view all women as inferior, nothing more than property to be enjoyed and traded for things that were needed.

Though the exact date now eludes Aurel’s memory, he and several warriors were given a task by the angel of death, an elderly woman in his tribe said to have the shaman like abilities. She spoke of a great beast in the forest that, if slain, would make Aurel, still called Wiglif, a great hero and perhaps king. Tempted by this prospect, Wiglif charged gallantly into the forest in search of the great beast. It was there that he, Wiglif, would die and from that death would be born Aurel.

The early years and their faded memories are awash in blood. Filled with a ravenous hunger, the newly changed Aurel had returned to his people, no longer recognizing them as more than food and devoured them, every man, woman and child. All except for the angel of death, who he set upon a tree, bound by her own innards, the then small part of his still thinking brain blaming her for making him this monster. After that he became little more than a legend, a shadowy nightmare that stalked his own people.

Throughout the years Aurel, much to his surprise, would come upon others of his kind. These meets would begin with a vicious fight, savage beasts clawing and biting and growling. When the dust settled, Aurel would be alpha of each new pack member. He openly encouraged them to fight among themselves for rank, feeling that constant battle would keep them sharp, their thirst just below the surface, their savagery on a short chain. The larger his gathering of lupine grew the greater attention they drew. It wasn’t long before Aurel and his followers were forced to face off against armies and despite their strength and ferocity, Aurel was often on the losing end in the early campaigns.

With every loss, Aurel grew more vicious, more eager to lay waste to those that would challenge him. He grew careless with his anger and it nearly cost him. Baited into a trap, his followers were slain and he barely escaped, dragging his wounded form deep into the dark forests of Germanic peoples. A woodwoman, evil spirits by Volga reckoning, discovered and healed him, spending the long months whispering in his ear about a great kingdom and that he was the offspring of a great lupine king that not reigned in many years. The seed too a deep root within him, and when he emerged from the woods, he had but one goal in mind, to claim this great kingdom beyond the Carpathian Mountains.

Over time he drew out from the shadows, finding curious acceptance among the realms of men, gathering about him great warriors and greater treasures. Though only a few of his oldest followers would know, Aurel had attempted the retaking of the hidden kingdom several times already, all ending in failure, his forces sent scurrying back in defeat. But this time would be different. His ranks swell with regularity and his fortunes are high. Soon they would march for this Promised Land that he ached for. Soon he would claim his rightful place as ruler of his people.

((Okay, submitting for discussion. ))

[Maeve]

Wonderful. If no one has any objections I would like to get a thread started. Maybe with Chola going to Jaelle for a reading?

[summoner2183]

WIP

Writer Name: summoner2183

Character Name: Wurgos

Face Model/Physical Description:

Age: 29

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Personality: What’s your deal? Are you the crazy one? The strong silent type? Maybe you’re the one voice of sanity in an insane mob.

History: Just did a pretty thing like you end up in a place like this?

[Gypsy]

Wonderful. If no one has any objections I would like to get a thread started. Maybe with Chola going to Jaelle for a reading?

I would have no objections.  Will you also have up a thread for character profiles?

I would need to know something of the current situation to do a reading that tends toward accuracy, unless you're good with me going off the cuff. 

[Maeve]

I would have no objections.  Will you also have up a thread for character profiles?


I would need to know something of the current situation to do a reading that tends toward accuracy, unless you're good with me going off the cuff.

That's a grand idea. Hopefully tomorrow night.

[bubby]

Tentative interest. I'll peruse more this weekend.

[Maeve]

Tentative interest. I'll peruse more this weekend.

I look forward to it.

[bubby]

SSssooo... first... ART! How dare you... you... and that PIC. *slobber*

Anywho... would a female wolf antagonist against Mr. Tyrannical Wolf King work somehow?

[ArtemisHighmore]

Bows. It's actually from a werewolf movie. Have you seen it?

[bubby]

Bows. It's actually from a werewolf movie. Have you seen it?

O_O

*Googles... GAPES... GETS!*

Not yet, but I will soon!

[ArtemisHighmore]

The plot is a little wonky but I enjoyed it. Cool take on werewolves and the hybrid forms are different enough to be interesting!

[Maeve]

SSssooo... first... ART! How dare you... you... and that PIC. *slobber*

Anywho... would a female wolf antagonist against Mr. Tyrannical Wolf King work somehow?

I assume that Aurel would have many generals, and that more than a few of them would have reasons to work against him. The reasoning would depend on your character outline of course, but it could add an interesting element to the plot.

[ArtemisHighmore]

Poor Aurel! Wise on the field of battle, blind to subterfuge! xD

[bubby]

I assume that Aurel would have many generals, and that more than a few of them would have reasons to work against him. The reasoning would depend on your character outline of course, but it could add an interesting element to the plot.

Well then, I'll see what I can come up with!  :-)

[Maeve]

As requested Gypsy Rose - https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=243263.0

The outline there is a bit truncated and I will hopefully have time to edit it later.

[bubby]

Here's images I've for my char. I've sent Art a PM with questions that  need answered before I can continue to make sure my ideas are viable.  WIP

Writer Name: bubby

Character Name:

Face Model/Physical Description:

Age:

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Personality:



History:

[Maeve]

I would just like to mention how glad I am that we have BAMF female werewolf characters joining up. I was slightly concerned all the girls would end up being slave type characters (which are essential to the plot as well) and the guys hog all the bad assatude.

[bubby]

I would just like to mention how glad I am that we have BAMF female werewolf characters joining up. I was slightly concerned all the girls would end up being slave type characters (which are essential to the plot as well) and the guys hog all the bad assatude.

Lol... yyeeahh.. I don't know how to play a 'slave' type.  ::)

[ArtemisHighmore]

Aurel mutters about untrustworthy generals and eyes everywhere!

[bubby]

*Snickers*

I'll finish up making my char later this afternoon. For meow....IT'S FOOTBALL TIIIMMME!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jarthkebil]

Hey everyone! Newcomer here. If you haven't already started the thread on this, mind if I leave this here for consideration?

Writer Name: Jarthkebil

Character name: Brother Marcus "The Silver Blade"


Face Model/Physical Description: One brown eye, one gray eye, brown hair, average height and build, not too intimidating or imposing until after werewolf transformation.

Age: 26

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Personality: Quiet, reserved, devoted to God but questioning of the Vatican's true motivations, conflicted, torn between his loyalty to the Church and his compassion for non-hostile Werewolves and werewolf victims.

History: To the outside world, there is nothing unusual about Brother Marcus, a young, reserved but kind priest, outside his unusual eye color perhaps. But then, not a lot of people know who, or what, Marcus really is.

He was raised in the Church his whole life by the kindly Brother Antonio after being abandoned at birth by his mother. The note left behind explained that the baby was a product of an "undesired Union" with a werewolf, but since she couldn't bring herself to kill the child she instead went to the church and left him there, asking them to deal with him as they pleased. Antonio, who was a gentle soul, found some way to convince the church to not kill him, but instead let him raise the child as his own in secret until he came of age. He named the child Marcus and did his best to raise him lovingly, despite his monstrous heritage. He assured the boy that being a werewolf didn't have anything to do with what kind of a person you are, and reasoned that, "If God really wanted every monster that walked the face of the earth dead, none of us would be I've today."

He he turned 18, Marcus was taken to Rome in order to serve the Vatican, particularly in a secret task force known as God's Bloodhounds, or simply Hunters. This division in the Church was made up entirely of Werewolves hand-picked by the Vatican and trained specifically to hunt and kill other Werewolves. Marcus was told that he would be doing God's work, that most Werewolves don't share his good-hearted nature and actively seek out innocents to slaughter and devour, and that it was God's will for him to bring them to justice.

Over the years Marcus became quite skilled as a Hunter and earned the nickname "The Silver Blade," as his weapons of choice were a broadsword and a large knife, both made from pure silver and routinely washed with holy water. He rose through the Bloodhound ranks and soon became a top tier fighter, a talented warrior of the Church. But alas, it didn't always sit well with him.

Although he gladly cut down every werewolf who embraced their killer instinct, Marcus soon came to realize that most of the ones being targeted by the Church were not mindless murderers, but rather terrified victims who hate what they've becomand desperately needed help. So, in secret, Marcus would help smuggle them to places where they can run off and start a new life, away from those who could get hurt.

For years Marcus lived this sort of double life, hunting Werewolves he deemed evil while secretly helping others escape from under the Churchs' noses, and has managed to make sure that the Church is none the wiser for it. But now the Church is beginning to ask questions, and on top of rumors of the infamous Lupi di Fortuna in Europe spreading far and wide, Marcus' duel loyalties might prove to be more trouble than he had originally bargained for...

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!

[Maeve]

I like it. Think it would add an interesting twist to the tale. What would he consider the Wolves of Fortune?