Revelations: The Fallen World | [Closed For Now]

[Gardsorm]

Welcome to Revelations: The Fallen World, a tale that takes place on the fictional world of Nexus. Once a bright, flourishing world, Nexus is home to millions of citizens, all of differing races. At the time, Humans, Elvenkind, Dwarves, Elemental Spirits, and Fairies were the most dominant races in the world. As a testament to the guidance and protection of The Divinities, unseen but deific entities that acted as guardians of the world, Nexus enjoyed everlasting protection to outside forces so long as their Pillars remained standing. Though the world's inhabitants occasionally had cause for conflict with one another over their territories, trades, and ways of life, nothing could truly cause them to lose sight of the love for their world and their gratitude for the Divinities in preserving it.

… Or at least, such was the assumption before Demonkind appeared in their world.

Hailing from a realm known as Malus, the Demon World was often described in lore and scriptures as a dismal place perpetually taken by night and despair to better accommodate its citizens and the beings they subjugated in their bids for conquest. Ruling Malus are the beings known aptly as Demon Gods, each a being purported to take over large swaths of land to twist in their name and image to the point of self-destruction. Almost a frightening mirror image of Nexus, Malus was said to be home to races such as Daemons, Feras, Orcs, Goblins, Avians, Drakes, and more… However, through reasons inexplicable to them, many demons were displaced from their realm through powerful weather phenomena and forced to settle in Nexus, a world seemingly not in danger of perishing like their own.

For some time, their presence was regarded with wariness, fear, even racism, described as malevolent creatures sent to sow chaos and discord in the world of Nexus. However, many of the Malusites sought to earn places among the Nexusians, a majority not agreeing with the direction their own world was going and finding life on Nexus more preferable. Their actions were a stark contrast to their depictions in books, and over 30 long years hostility between the two sides seemed to wane as trust was forged… Until the Demon Gods themselves arrived in Nexus amidst another event much like the first.

A world once considered paradise, Nexus was slowly being warped by the war being waged by the Malusite Leaders. In only a few short weeks, the places of power that resonated the most with The Divinities, their Pillars, had been corrupted and overtaken by them, bringing forth a neverending darkness and slowly terraforming Nexus into another Malus. The Malusite Leaders claim they will save anyone who pledges their allegiance to them, in return for the energy and resources of Nexus… Despite the revelation that if Nexus remains fallen to darkness for too long, it will slowly break apart and be absorbed by Malus.

With the remaining vestiges of their power, The Divinities have fragmented their power to countless souls upon the world in a final gambit. Those who can awaken the power of 'Force' within them can alter the fate of worlds if they do choose, but misused they can also rush their world toward an untimely end. Our story follows the most unlikely of people, residents of two different worlds, striving to save their worlds from machinations beyond their comprehension.



Welcome, all! This setting is somewhat loosely inspired by Shin Megami Tensei and its spinoffs, as it remains one of the franchises that appealed to, and resonated with, me the most when I first heard about it many years ago. If you see some similarities, be they names or pictures, don't be surprised as you'll know exactly where they came from!

For starters, a short explanation. Our characters hail from either Nexus, or the demon world known as Malus, but the setting will take place in Nexus. Our circumstances, and likely races, are heavily varied, so the motivations that drive your character need not match others but should ideally align for the same goal: Saving one or both of their worlds from impending destruction. Not all Malusites believe that their world will be saved by simply stealing the resources of another or simply transforming it, just like not all Nexusians believe they will be liberated from their terrible fate by swearing fealty to new gods or simply averting the eyes from the truth of things.

In a last bid to set events in motion, The Divinities have given the last vestiges of their power up to grant the power of Force to many residents of Nexus, no matter their origins. This means even those from Malus (read: all player characters) will be blessed by this power. Not to be confused with The Force from Star Wars, Force is akin to a primordial, unseen energy that can be found in all parts of the world, but can only be truly utilized to full effectiveness by the Gods, or those they have granted their blessings to. This manifests as a Force Weapon, a unique armament that will grow with your character throughout their journey by destroying their foes and absorbing their essence, thereby adding their slain foes varied abilities to the weapon and granting them to their wielders. However, the weapons will have limited growth potential to start to avoid characters snowballing themselves into greater power to start.

Of course, new power means new ways to misuse it, and so not all recipients of this power will use it for good. Many will selfishly use it for themselves, or worse, will use it in service of the very same entities that have claimed Nexus. However, with this power in hand, our characters will be properly equipped for a task none of them could ever hope to have been prepared for otherwise: Slaying the Demon Gods, and purifying the Divine Pillars that support Nexus, thereby returning the power of the Light to their world.

… However, what lies beyond that?

For those curious of the plot to smut ratio, I'm very much leaning more to the plot side of things than smut. There will be opportunities for it, and if all else fails, you can plot out side things between one another, but ideally I would suggest buckling in for a story, for better or worse. ^^; As my final sentence here, I thank anyone who has given even a fraction of their time to read to this point, whether they show interest or not, and I hope your roleplaying endeavors remain strong for years to come!



Following Sections will be relegated to trying to provide some (shaky) semblance of world design and explanation of some mechanics. It may cause more questions than answers, but if it requires cleaning up, I'll do so. : )

The Regions of Nexus

Paradi, Pre-Invasion: Before Nexus fell to darkness, Paradi was as close to one got to their namesake: paradise. Glowing, scenic grasslands, beautiful forests with small hills and near the Taillos Mountain range that divides it from Livio and Fornegrand. The city of Tethys can easily be seen from far off as one of the greatest testaments to Nexusian ingenuity. The Divine Pillar to Remyl, Divinity of Light, stands proudly at its center, easily four times taller than the wall surrounding the city. Near to Tethys is the huge Paradi Lake, the locale where the city draws it's impressive reserves of water from. Further out and all around Paradi's expanse, small and large villages and homesteads can be seen and ruins can be found by curious eyes, be they cave-based or seemingly ancient ruins from those who lived thousands of years earlier. Tunnels at the base of the Taillos Mountain range allow access to the neighboring regions of Livio and Fornegrand.

Paradi, Post-Invasion: With the world enshrouded by perpetual night, Paradi no longer possesses the beauty it once did. The Lord of the Dark, Belzeb, has claimed Paradi for himself, scorning the light of the Divinity Remyl. Though he rarely makes an appearance publicly from his home base in the Corrupted Shrine, he possesses unique insectoid familiars that act as his eyes and ears throughout Paradi and beyond, seeking to recreate his ideal dark kingdom using Tethys as a base. Malusite Inquisitions are commonplace, especially within Tethys, always on the look out for dissenting citizens and Nexusian Resistance irregardless if they come from Nexus or Malus to throw into prison and attempt rehabilitation on. Though Belzeb encourages free living like before he came along everyone knows better thanks to the presence of his personal inquisitors, but none have discovered the underground networks that hide the resistance members yet, who themselves are waiting for the right time to strike and take back the city. All it takes is a spark…

Livio, Pre-Invasion: A more temperate, forested region due to impressive vegetation and greenery, people that live within this region have learned to be at one with nature. Trees as tall as buildings are found here. Rather than possess a city like Tethys, Livio is home to hosts of villages, but the biggest one, Olmec Village, lies within the maze-like Redwood Labyrinth. Signs exist all over to help with traversing the treacherous terrain, and those that come to respect the wonders and dangers that Livio possesses are said to always be welcome as a friend by the very land itself. Though the Divine Pillar to the Divinity of Love, Gabryl can be seen from far off, reaching it is seemingly impossible as one needs to navigate the heavily misty Redwood Depths in order to reach the shrine at its base.  Much like Paradi, caverns and dilapidated stone ruins hide many treasures, dangers, and potential history of times long since past lie strewn throughout Livio. To the far east, the fishing village Portlys offers boat rides across the Nexus Divide to the neighboring shores of Fernis.

Livio, Post-Invasion: With night fallen permanently over Nexus, Livio looks ever more sinister than before. Whether due to the presence of Asmodis, Lord of the Earth, or simply just the malevolent change in the sky, the immense woodland has become horribly distorted, with trees and vegetation warping into unrecognizable appearances, and often even becoming alive. Asmodis seeks to use the abundant energy within the forest to send back home and preserve his own lands in Malus by use of the Divine Pillar on Nexus, claiming no harm will come to those who do not interfere. Travel through the forest is ill-advised without a proper light source as one can barely see three feet in front of themselves. Even the very demon servants of Asmodis fear the forest, for it does not discriminate over whose lives it shall take to nourish roots with blood, yet even in its madness, the forest continues to try hide the last bastions of Nexusian civilization within as its caretakers have done what they can to heal the corruption pervading around them. The forest remembers who did right by them, and will always seek to return the favor, even if in the most frightening of ways.

Fornegrand, Pre-Invasion: A dreary, chilly region neighboring the bitterly chilly Halvar region and constantly assailed by rain or snow. Where colorful hues could be seen within Paradi and Livio, Fornegrand is much more subdued and weathered, seemingly by the elements and by time. Dirt roads, barely-leafy trees, and wide spaces of abandoned stone architecture can be found here along with several surviving mixed wood-and-stone villages… As well as destroyed villages that could not withstand the ravages of time or war. The tides recede often here, exposing craggy rock surfaces and traversable sandbars along the southern end of Fornegrand, but with the cold weather, doing so lightly rarely ends well. Small but impressive ancient stone castles can be found in parts of the region, implying a period of time of great conflict and strife between lords of the land. The greatest structure, Gloomsythe Castle, lies just out over the water and stretches inward to seemingly assimilate four smaller coastal castles as a point of defense for Gloomsythe Citadel further in. Just beyond the Citadel, the only bridge connecting to the Shrine to the Divine Pillar honoring Rafyl, Divinity of Life, can be found.

Fornegrand, Post-Invasion: Fornegrand has become increasingly treacherous ever since night graced the skies of Nexus forever, and magnitudes more windy with the arrival of Aerie, Lady of the Tempest. Errant twisters and cyclones, seemingly alive, wander throughout the lands and waters to snatch away wanderers, and even despite the utterly cold temperatures, many of the demons in this region do not seem to mind it much as they steal control of the various abandoned forts and villages that were left early on in the Nexusian invasions. The overwhelming demon presence in the area, in their boredom, have taken to challenging one another in efforts to steal one anothers forts to bolster their power. The threat of Aerie remains ever constant from Gloomsythe Castle, unopposed and untouchable thanks to a vicious tempest that surrounds the structure, and those seized by her wandering vortexes are left to fates unknown within her domain. 

Halvar, Pre-Invasion: The coldest land in Nexus, despite being oddly close to the hottest land in the world. Snow seems to fall eternally in this cold realm, some of which often finds its way traveling into Fornegrand. Travel here is somewhat made difficult by the built-up snow everywhere, with people raising certain animals that can help bulldoze the snow for them. Perhaps due to the oddly pleasing environment, several villages and at least one city can be found here, all built around special stone structures designed to help contain some of Fernis' Everflame Coals to keep warm and toasty despite the cold environment. Further north into the region and closer to the Bitterflame Peaks that separate Halvar and Fernis, the city of Atloch can be found, supported by four such of the devices found throughout the region. At the foot of the Bitterflame Peaks from the Halvar side is a rising stone structure leading into a well-maintained passageway that was once a hidden ruin. This passageway both leads up into Bitterfrost Pinnacle, where both the Divine Pillar and shrine to Michyl, Divinity of Judgment is found, as well as the stone railway system that heads into Fernis.

Halvar, Post-Invasion: Halvar is one of the regions that was hit hardest by the shift to eternal night for Nexus. Even colder than before, the region has become so bitingly cold that neither side can live for long out in the frozen wastelands of the region. Combined with constant blizzards and near-zero visibility, these aspects alone make Halvar highly unsafe right now. Only Lilis, Lady of the Abyss, manages to find such a frighteningly deathly cold region a paradise for her and her cold warefare-thriving demons by default. As incentive for not rising against her, Lilis leaves Nexusian civilization alone, even giving them limited rights and protections to make living easier for them within their cities, and in return has earned much of their trust even though living isn't as fair for them realistically. For better or worse, Lilis rarely leaves her domain in Bitterfrost Pinnacle, save to go on with picking fights with her rival, Taros, throughout Bitterflame Peaks over their superiority.

Fernis, Pre-Invasion: The hottest land in Nexus, meanwhile. Far from being a fiery hellscape, the region has light forestation and many stone structures to help provide shelter from occasional ash storms and errant raining fire. Connected to the Bitterflame Peaks is a massive and seemingly-threatening volcano referred to as the Everflame Caldera. Thankfully, between skillful lava diversion and the use of the Everfrost Chunks of the cold side of the Bitterflame Peaks, the volcano is kept in check to prevent it from erupting. Settlements within the region also make use of bigger Everfrost Chunks to maintain special wards that repel falling flame and rock, providing much-needed respite for the people of these lands. The biggest hub of the region, Fort Ashleigh, is found not far off from the Everflame Caldera, and much like Atloch on the other side is also situated close to the stone structure leading up to the passageway through the Bitterflame Peaks. Almost as a direct opposite to its cold cousin, the path leading out into Hellsflame Pinnacle leads one to both the Shrine and Divine Pillar to Uryl, Divinity of Justice.

Fernis, Post-Invasion: In much the same way as Halvar, Fernis itself has become a twisted mockery of what it used to be, perhaps far moreso than other regions. Taros, Lord of the Flame, has taken it upon himself to forcibly erupt the Everflame Caldera, bringing not only a permanent heat field of suffering to the region, but enough soot and ash to make traveling the land an onerous task. Through special charms crafted from Everfrost Icicles, travel amidst the sweltering heat has been made possible. Fernis has become an open warzone, with Nexusian presence here turning their cities, villages, and Fort Ashleigh into fortified outposts to go head to head with Taros' minions. Making matters worse are errant rivers of liquid fire carved throughout the region and out to sea due to the Caldera seemingly trying to expel its volatile contents, cutting off access to certain parts of the region. Taros lives for sport and violence, often times coming down to pick fights with Nexusian warriors, and even his own underlings in 'Might Makes Right' contests, but to date only Lilis over at Halvar seems to be his sole match. Losers are often captured to work in the Caldera, harvesting Everflame Coals for the remainder of their lives, with the demons prolonging their suffering by refusing them the embrace of death.

The Regions of Malus

Malebolg - An impressively modernized region-wide megacity that stands as a testament to Malusite creativity and aesthetics, with mixes of urban and suburban design in various parts of the area. Great stone buildings meant to house many demons at once exist throughout the city, with lights so bright one could almost see it no matter where in Malus they were. The Lord of the Dark, Belzeb, rules this city, and he was viewed as a kind celebrity, always willing to donate parts of his exorbitant wealth to better the lives of his citizens, but when the world began to grow unstable following the weather phenomena that swept through the world, he shifted his focus to trying to preserve the existence of the city itself and its people, not ready to lose everything he meticulously crafted. Before the second phenomenon wave occured, however, he seemed to change entirely, growing manic and willing to let his own city lose its power as long as the Demon Obelisk within its center remained recieving power.

Flamheed - The realm of fire that belongs to Taros, Lord of the Flame. Considered a demon of action, Taros was widely hailed as a hero throughout Malus for being one of the first to involve himself in any trouble besetting the land. As one to enjoy combat and entertainment, he erected an impressive colosseum around the base of his Demon Obelisk to invite warriors from all over the land to participate in for prestige and honor, becoming widely viewed events throughout the world. However, Malus' instabilities had postponed any events until further notice, with mani participants and spectators disappearing mysteriously. Being one of the first to explore the reason behind this alongside his oddly fiery friend Lilis, it was unknown what the two found… Before the second anomaly occured, Taros and Lilis returned attacking their very own people out of malice, forcing many to defend themselves from people they once held in the highest regard. Those unable to hold their own were driven from the lands, no longer welcomed in Flamheed and forced to take refuge elsewhere.

Abyssinia - A realm of ice and water, it was an shatteringly beautiful region at the time. Lilis, Lady of the Abyss, went to great pains to fashion structures and statues of the most resistant and everlasting ice around her Demon Obelisk, becoming a widely-visited region for adults and children alike. Infamous for holding the best snowball fights in all the land, she was quite popular with children… And strangely Taros, where the two loved to compete in fantastic displays of snowball warfare that always became infamous spectacles. Unfortunately, Malus' weakening state began to compromise everything Lilis created, with the waters growing unstable and causing injury. She teamed up with Taros following the first anomaly wave to discover what was going on with the world… But what returned could hardly be called the same caring woman that left. Purposefully destroying her own creations to use for the simple act of throwing at others and even freezing them to be used later, she cared little when she could simply rebuild more. Her rivalry with Taros seemed to exacerbate, the pair never de-escalating from the violent plateaus they continuously reached.

Vertex - An impressive city in the heavens of Malus, the land was levitated through the use of special ores that released perpetual heat, warming special lightweight stone that could float upon activation. Aerie, Lady of the Tempests, discovered this fact and borrowed Taros assistance in crafting a most audacious realm befitting her personality, with her Demon Obelisk at the very center. Obsessed with beauty and entertainment, she endeavored to wear clothes and host events that could unfailingly capture the eyes of any who set foot into her domain. The earliest instabilities of Malus, however, shook the very foundation of her realm, and she was forced to seek alternative means of retaining her precious subjects. By the time of the second anomaly, however, Aerie had drastically changed and forcibly locked people in her realm in order to keep them, even as her lands began to drift carelessly through the skies.

Gaia - The name of the well-tended lands ruled by Asmodis, Lord of the Earth. A quiet, respectful demon, he cherished the land and nature as a whole, crafting beautiful gardens and protective forests for all to live and play within, even going so far as to use his Demon Obelisk to help support the largest tree in the region. He has had numerous hands in the tending of the other Demon Gods' lands, finding them suitable locations to build upon, as well as additional aspects to provide comfort for those living within them. As one of the first to pick up upon Malus' growing instabilities, he was also one of the first to discover the truth of what was happening… Unfortunately, by the time he returned to his lands from his initial investigation, he seemed to hurry to divert energy to his Demon Obelisk in what was assumed by others to be a way to preserve the world, even though it began to cost him the beautiful realm he so lovingly nurtured.

On the Force Weapons

The most important aspect of the blessings granted to both Nexusian and Malusite origin on the world of Nexus. Force manifests as a personal weapon for each wielder, and while some focal designs may overlap, no two weapons are physically or spiritually alike. Force Weapons have very unique properties that will allow their wielders to absorb the lingering essence of slain enemies, as if the weapons were alive. In much the same way a person is full after a meal, Force Weapons can ingest and process essence only once in a specific period of time. After that, the weapon is 'full' and cannot process any other essences except in specific circumstances.

Though the weapons are capable of immense power over time, early on they are still in the growing process. There are limits to how much power Force Weapons can have at the start, and such limits will release as the story goes on. For the curious, Force Weapons do not undergo any sort of physical mutations throughout their growth, even though they are considered living weapons; Therefore, don't feel pressured to find some sort of feasible 'evolution path' for your weapons, just choose something you really like. Although I would suggest looking away from anything that looks a little too Scifi.

As far as power goes, I intend to try to leave this aspect mostly in the hands of players. I'm not one to try to play games with reins too tight on people, so I try to trust them to moderate their power… Although I can certainly see the potential of a backfire. But in any event, how power absorbing works will likely vary between players. When you slay an enemy and draw its essence into the Force Weapons, the types of effects it can grant can vary by user desire. If you slay a water monster and want a Water spell, you can have it. Want a water-based melee attack? Also possible! Maybe you just wanted their healing ability? Definitely yours!

4 abilities to start, distributed between Physical, Magic, and Support. I encourage the use of all sections throughout the game, so don't invest in just one or two and expect to overcome everything, remember certain games have ways of punishing those types! In addition, do not worry about Force Weapons being broken or stolen/disarmed. They're impervious to being shattered, and you can magically recall the weapon if it leaves your hands. Likewise, you can summon and desummin your weapon at will, so it needs not be carried at all times if it's something unwieldy. Finally, it is also important to note that you retain access to your magical abilities even without the weapon being physically present. Merely the physical abilities require it being drawn.

[AndyZ]

Curious where this will go.

[Gardsorm]

You and me both, ahah. I know it's been far, far too long since I stuck my toes in the GM pond again, but it's my first time doing so on E... It's been a pretty intimidating prospect to want to try it here.



EDIT: Gonna use this space to add more Info since the first post was making my phone chug along to edit.

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[float=left][img height=300 padding=10 ]http://Insert your Image Here, and fix the space after padding to seal it[/img][/float]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Species:[/b] (Can be any of the races listed in history. If choosing something other than listed, run it by me first)
[b]Racial Ability:[/b] (For Non-Humans, usually a unique quality of a given species. For Humans, they get Versatility, granting one extra Advantage over the max)
[b]Gender:[/b] (Male, Female, or some other of your choosing)
[b]Description:[/b] (Physical description here. A picture is nice but describing them goes a long way to convey details that may not be immediately apparent)
[b]Extra:[/b] (Any extra details you aren't sure where they go, can possibly be placed here.)

[b]Personality and History:[/b] (Two paragraphs minimum at the least for History, one for Personality at the least)

[b]Advantages and Weaknesses:[/b] (3 max each, one combat related, one non combat related, and the last is a flex pick for either option)

[b]Force Weapon:[/b] (Name and short flavor/description)
Abilities: (Nothing needs to go next to this spot here, but in the following sections you list everything your Force weapon possesses. At the start, each section can hold up to 3 entries, and you can allocate up to 4 abilities at the start.)
[u]Physical:[/u] (Abilities that attack directly with the weapon augmented further by Force. Usually flashy or otherwise simple attacks with potential special effects or ailments tacked on. Elemental melee strikes count here, not for magic)
[u]Magic:[/u] (Abilities that manifest as projectile applications of Force. Often elementally inclined and may possess ailments, but some versions exist with no element at all. Magic expression can be unique even with the same element between races)
[u]Support:[/u] (Abilities that are expressed by using Force in healing or supportive ways, either by bolstering allies or crippling enemies. Though this section also counts as magic, stand-alone debilitating status effects or beneficial effects all fall in here)

The Locales of Paradi

Tethys, the Capital of Paradi
An impressive, alabaster stone city shaped like an expansive disc and surrounded by a wall, Tethys is considered the undisputed biggest melting pot of culture in all the lands of Paradi, and arguably the biggest in all of Nexus. To be here is to be seen as close to The Divinities themselves, and those who live here are said to do so by their blessings. It is also where our story begins, as one of the many pillars of the world that needs to be cleaned can be found at the very center of the city, surrounded at its base by the temple to The Divinity of Light, Remyl. When the Malusites first came to Nexus, Tethys was one of the few places that sought to try to welcome them, even if there were long periods of wariness.

The Capital features a wide range of locales strewn throughout the city, such as the Tethys Scholar's Academy, headed by Headmistress Alestia Crowe. Considered the biggest public academic institution in the city, it's also noteworthy for being among one of the few that actively features magical cultivation in its curriculum as a means of helping students defend themselves when on trips to ruins. Even if a student doesn't immediately awaken to magical potential, sooner or later the potential will manifest on its own. A Nexus Mercenary's Guild can also be found here to provide a source of problem-solving for the average citizen, as Nexus is by no means entirely safe. Such establishments are located throughout the world, each possessing a Guild Leader and a host of 'Guild Gals', enthusiastic ladies who help manage guild affairs for both the Leader and myriad mercenaries. This particular Guild handles most matters restricted to Paradi, but may at times be called to assist in further lands with greater threats. As not everyone who enters the business starts off skilled at it, they offer combat and surveyor courses, and it isn't unusual for members here to also be part of the Scholar's Academy to round out their arsenal.

The Order of the Knight Protectors also have their base of operations here, and are known to collaborate with both the Academy and Mercenary's Guild when the time comes for it. They, however, are also personally charged with defense of officials of the Church of Divine Faith, a sect of lorekeepers, scriveners, and agents of faith who follow in the beliefs of The Divinities of Nexus. Headed by Archbishop Ruiz Lightbearer, they oversee the upkeep and maintenance of the Divine Pillars and being faith in The Divinities all over the land to those who may lose hope. Many are also skilled in the art of healing and support, and are usually the first contacted if modern medicine cannot avail the needy of their pain. It's also said they do not discriminate and will welcome all who seek to understand The Divinities, even the Malusites, by the Archbishop's grace and kindness.

Other important locales within the city vary, but one of the more noteworthy is Jendys' Steelworks, a place that provides a great deal of the armaments used throughout Nexus by knights and mercenaries alike.

[Raven Rawne]

I'm interested, and looking forward to more writers expressing their interest as well.

Could you elaborate a little bit on the spirit weapon, and how one would realize they were granted the power from the Gods? Is there a specific pantheon or the inhabitants of the world just recognize that there exist divine entities that protect them, and are recognized as that collective, with no "Gods" to worship in s religious sense?

[Gardsorm]

I'm interested, and looking forward to more writers expressing their interest as well.

Could you elaborate a little bit on the spirit weapon, and how one would realize they were granted the power from the Gods? Is there a specific pantheon or the inhabitants of the world just recognize that there exist divine entities that protect them, and are recognized as that collective, with no "Gods" to worship in s religious sense?

You and me both. : )

Okay, Force Weapons. For people of Nexus, it would have manifested as a quieted, echoing voice in their head, somewhat difficult to hear as The Divinities at the time were beginning to fade. People at rest would have heard with a little more clarity, while people conscious may have been momentarily disoriented when the voice suddenly came to them. After that, it would simply be a subconscious feeling to draw out the power of Force and have it shaped into a weapon that resonates with them most.

For people of Malus it's slightly different, as the concept of Force exists there as well through the favor of the Demon Gods, and many utilize it in a lesser manner subconsciously. The Divinities, however, would have granted them the power to shape it into a Force Weapon, an aspect the Demon Gods would not have considered necessary for their people. The awakening otherwise would have happened similarly.

There is a pantheon for The Divinities of Nexus, but they're worshipped collectively as thanks are given to them all rather than any single one of them. Coincidentally, said Pantheon is considered analogous to the very same Demon Gods invading their world. However, if a character wants to give more thanks to one or the other, or swear in their name, it could be possible. : p

Sorry if these answers don't feel as informative, I'm still trying to find my feet in this, but I'll endeavor to do what I can going forward!

[Raven Rawne]

It's okay, I imagine you are tying loose ands as it goes, which is completely natural. I do that as well when I write.

So, the force weapon is, from lack of a better analog, an item that appear on their hand as they "summon" it, taking shape most suited to their personality and traits. Would they be able to change the weapon at will, or perhaps, it would change after some milestone that changes their internal makeup?

Also, I imagine the unifying purpose that would keep this party together is "nope, don't want the world to become Hell" while everyone has their own "and..." added to it. Are you interested in mostly "good" characters, or it's not a necessity? I don't mean literal monsters, but somewhere closer to evil than good.

[Steir]

Planting an interest flag here. Will figure things out as we go.

[Gardsorm]

It's okay, I imagine you are tying loose ands as it goes, which is completely natural. I do that as well when I write.

So, the force weapon is, from lack of a better analog, an item that appear on their hand as they "summon" it, taking shape most suited to their personality and traits. Would they be able to change the weapon at will, or perhaps, it would change after some milestone that changes their internal makeup?

Also, I imagine the unifying purpose that would keep this party together is "nope, don't want the world to become Hell" while everyone has their own "and..." added to it. Are you interested in mostly "good" characters, or it's not a necessity? I don't mean literal monsters, but somewhere closer to evil than good.

As much as I hate to admit it, yes you're absolutely right. I have never gotten it in me to fully flesh out the details from start to finish so I can make adjustments on the fly to changing situations!

But yes, this is correct! They don't all have to be swords or something, they can be another manner of weapon. More to the point, it doesn't have to be a conventional weapon either; Force Weapons can manifest as books, a series of smaller weapons like a collection of knives, and more. The weapon does not change at will, however, nor does the weapon change its physical shape as the story goes on. This choice was made so people wouldn't have to feel pressured to constantly find new pictures of higher end weapons as they evolved, especially if they chose something unique as a weapon. So my suggestion would have been to simply pick something a person will love to use from the onset. I hope that answers this well. : )

Hm, that second question... Honestly, nope! While I do not want literal monsters (unless someone wants to play one later for antagonism reasons/potential enemies), I do not mind/even encourage the moral compasses of our characters to be all over the place. My own character, even, would not be all that much of a nice guy, and violence is something quite common to them. =p If someone wants to play leaning more to good, I welcome them! If someone wants to be less than good and leaning further to the bad side of things, go ahead! Just no inherent 'Literal Monster' behavior, something that would make even people who do bad things second-guess whether to let you live. xD

Planting an interest flag here. Will figure things out as we go.

A pleasure to see you here, Steir! : ) Let me know if there are any questions you would like answered or details explained!

[Raven Rawne]

But yes, this is correct! They don't all have to be swords or something, they can be another manner of weapon. More to the point, it doesn't have to be a conventional weapon either; Force Weapons can manifest as books, a series of smaller weapons like a collection of knives, and more. The weapon does not change at will, however, nor does the weapon change its physical shape as the story goes on. This choice was made so people wouldn't have to feel pressured to constantly find new pictures of higher end weapons as they evolved, especially if they chose something unique as a weapon. So my suggestion would have been to simply pick something a person will love to use from the onset. I hope that answers this well. : )

Thanks for the clarification, it does answer my question fully. However, you got me intrigued by mentioning non weapons. Would a non weapon item, like a book you mentioned, be then considered more of a focus for magic effects? Unless it's a big book, I don't think anyone would want to smash stuff with it and expect resonably damaging effects, heh. Does the world know magic, as if, spells that can be cast? If so, is it unique to the empowered individuals or "normal" inhabitants can learn it as well?

[Gardsorm]

Thanks for the clarification, it does answer my question fully. However, you got me intrigued by mentioning non weapons. Would a non weapon item, like a book you mentioned, be then considered more of a focus for magic effects? Unless it's a big book, I don't think anyone would want to smash stuff with it and expect resonably damaging effects, heh. Does the world know magic, as if, spells that can be cast? If so, is it unique to the empowered individuals or "normal" inhabitants can learn it as well?

Not necessarily just a focus for magic. For example, if someone wanted to do something more physical with magic, they could project magical effects in a physical manner, like spiritual swords or other weapons to fly at or strike an enemy, or be utilized personally by the wielder. I wonder if I'm being too confusing or vague in saying that, but basically I'm trying to find ways to encourage the use of things outside of the normal scope of swords and other such weapons.

The world has magic, although not everyone knows it. Much of the commonfolk of Humans wouldn't have access to magic, and only those invested in faith in the divinities or scholarly sorts who actively pursue it would know magic. Most nonhuman races have magic to different degrees, and may use it in their daily life, and so if people play them as characters, can expect to have them as a part of their character. :3

[Raven Rawne]

I'll try to be more specific then. As an example, let's assume the character's force weapon manifested as a tobacco pipe. Just a cool one. Which is neat because they can take a puff when they need a fix of nicotine, but also (this is the weapon part I want to toss in and see if it sticks) they can create smoke and fire effects through it, like taking a drag and exhaling a smoke screen (like, a lot of smoke) or making fire erupt from the pipe (from sparks to a fireball). Thus making a technically innocent object a weapon, in a way.

[Gardsorm]

I'll try to be more specific then. As an example, let's assume the character's force weapon manifested as a tobacco pipe. Just a cool one. Which is neat because they can take a puff when they need a fix of nicotine, but also (this is the weapon part I want to toss in and see if it sticks) they can create smoke and fire effects through it, like taking a drag and exhaling a smoke screen (like, a lot of smoke) or making fire erupt from the pipe (from sparks to a fireball). Thus making a technically innocent object a weapon, in a way.

That... Is probably one of the most esoteric 'weapon' uses  I could ever see in something like this. xD But, part of me does want to see it because it's a pretty fun concept! Reminds me of a couple things I've seen in old games, even, though not quite the same. But yes, something like that could feasibly be possible. o:

[Avalon29]

Just going to pop by and park an interest flag

[Gardsorm]

Thank you very much, Avalon29! That's at least two, maybe 3! :3

[Raven Rawne]

Still intrigued, however admittedly, I am waiting if more people express a desire and potentially ask questions. I'm somewhat interested in exploring options of a character with non combat background who has to fight because for some reason, they were given the power...

[Gardsorm]

Still intrigued, however admittedly, I am waiting if more people express a desire and potentially ask questions. I'm somewhat interested in exploring options of a character with non combat background who has to fight because for some reason, they were given the power...

I had been waiting for more questions from others myself, since I enjoy that part of the interest checker process to see what people are contemplating or considering. xD Maybe I went into this with a little too much optimism and seemingly not enough planning.

Non-combat background is definitely possible, however, because then your character would have been chosen for aspects that lay hidden within them, even if they themselves weren't aware of it. It would be like those stories where someone feels chosen for a role they were never meant to fill, but eventually find themselves growing into it as time goes on. : ) At least that's how I see it.

[JoanieSappho]

Interest, but will need some time to actually concentrate on things.

[Gardsorm]

No problem, Joanie, I've been made aware of what's been going on with your health. Take all the time you need!

[AndyZ]

Although this seems like fun, I'm completely blanking on what to make for it, plus my next chemo bout starts next week so I don't expect to have much anytime soon.  Hope this goes well for you.

[Kissa]

I'm signing up for this.

[Raven Rawne]

The amount of flags is growing, however not much beyond that. I'm kinda itching to write a Tiefling bard, admittedly I tried to write a Tiefling in another RP and liked the race a lot. As long as I don't have to write actual poems and songs, haha! The character would be of Malus origin then.

Also, how is the healing going to be addressed? Should the party have a healer for magical heals or are injuries treated in a mundane way?

[Gardsorm]

Although this seems like fun, I'm completely blanking on what to make for it, plus my next chemo bout starts next week so I don't expect to have much anytime soon.  Hope this goes well for you.

It's alright, Andy! Still, thank you for the initial show of curiosity, and I hope everything goes well for you going forward! : )

I'm signing up for this.

Short, and to the point, thank you Kissa! :3

The amount of flags is growing, however not much beyond that. I'm kinda itching to write a Tiefling bard, admittedly I tried to write a Tiefling in another RP and liked the race a lot. As long as I don't have to write actual poems and songs, haha! The character would be of Malus origin then.

Also, how is the healing going to be addressed? Should the party have a healer for magical heals or are injuries treated in a mundane way?

I honestly don't know, Raven. T_T I'm so used to periods of time like this being spent on people asking questions that I was counting on this helping me to fill in potential gaps or help people figure out what might have been bugging them as far as questions go.

A Tiefling Bard... I sure won't mind, and no, I'll not expect you to write actual poems and songs! However when some people hear the word 'Bard', other thoughts flow into their minds... xD

But jokes aside, Healing! I didn't want to lock any one person to a healing-specific role because while some may enjoy pure support, they still might want a solid means of defending themselves. Think akin to a White Mage or other healer's from Final Fantasy XIV. That is all to say, if someone wants to be a healer, I will not stop them, and this can be taken a step further if someone wants to be creative in how those heals are applied, according to their elements.

Like someone using Fire magic could cast a spell names Cauterize, which might actually inflict negligible damage but then provide a big heal along with a Regen effect. Or someone using Earth magic could whip up Dust of Life, that'll bless multiple allies in range with a moderate heal plus a defense boosting effect. The how of the healing I want to be in the hands of the players, so they can concoct their own styles of saving lives if it comes to that.

However, one thing I will hope people try to avoid, is making a 'Swiss Army Knife' type character. It's okay to dip a pinky into another pond here and there, but no character should be truly self-sufficient and do everything to the point of trivializing another character. Work with a little common sense, and maybe have a theme in mind of what you want to do and how, build around it, and have a little fun with it. : )

With all of this interest, I'm a little overdue with writing a character sheet template, so that'll be something I make going forward, but I won't stop asking questions as they come up!

[JoanieSappho]

Okay, I'm getting ideas and that is leading to questions, finally.
First, vampires? Not super powerful/with immediately fatal weaknesses, but gay vampires appeal to me.
And as for weapon, the image I think I'm going to go with is;

So, hopefully fairly obvious.
(It's the boots, of course)
Not entirely decided on the powerset yet, could go fast but frail melee, and the weapon's just for hitting people, something with plants, especially flowers, or full edge and blood based.

[Raven Rawne]

I know what bards are known for, yeah. Though in all honesty, I am running a cleric in another game, and really like it so I could go support too. Usually I go for something paladin like so I am exploring new options. And a bard could use Healing Word to heal people's hurt feelings!

[Gardsorm]

Part of me hoped it was the boots when I saw the image, was not disappointed!

Anyway, yes! Vampires are possible. As you might have guessed, that would make her Malas-born like many others. Don't have to go full in with the weaknesses, so no sunlight, garlic, crosses, ect... However, no sparkling either.

As a Vampire, she probably does have some innate access to Dark element Magic, a notion I think I made clear for other species having some elemental inclinations of their own (at least I hope I did). If not, assume that in addition to her flower power, she could mix up dark in there and do terrible things with black, thorny vines and other aspects. Perhaps Dark/Earth hybrid (Where 'Earth' in this case doesn't just mean rock and dirt). Just me spitballing here, don't mind me!

I know what bards are known for, yeah. Though in all honesty, I am running a cleric in another game, and really like it so I could go support too. Usually I go for something paladin like so I am exploring new options. And a bard could use Healing Word to heal people's hurt feelings!

Ahah! Well, is that's what you'd like to go, then I won't stop you! Light magic access would have ordinarily been restricted from Malas people because of the obvious connotations, but those displaced to Nexus and learned from the humans after the period of distrust could certainly employ it on top of any other magic aspects they might have brought with them. I may have to employ a limit of exactly how much magical prowess some people start the game with, but I'll aim to not make it too restricting!