A World Much Unlike Our Own (Fantasy, Adventure, Accepting)

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(Accepting) But human nature will never change (And now Open)

Well, welcome. Come, step in. I don't bite...well okay I can't say that, but I can say I don't...well I better not even attempt to make that conjecture. So in essence this is a fairly generic fantasy/adventure role play set in a late medieval/early renaissance time frame. It's Earth, well by name, and the land masses are generally the same, similar/same cultures in their respective locations but the names of countries and cities are rearranged or different. Magic exists, but isn't per say common place among all people, but not so rare that it is unheard of. Though I will ask for some decent levels of originality if you do seek to wield magics, (origin of, how it was learned/discovered, artifacts, divine, nature...etc.) Obviously you have your fighters, swordsmen, sailors, hunters, etc. Humans are the dominant race, though it is possible for some few and far between races to appear, but I want a good story behind their origins if you want to bring them in. So feel free to make up something completely original if you so feel inclined, but be creative about it. And if you have plot ideas, I would love to hear them, and work with you to make them happen.

OOC/Character Profile Thread

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Story

I wish to emphasize before hand that this is not the only plot, just my own initial plot.

So, as the rumors go, Earth was not originally inhabited by humans alone. In fact, the earth was once inhabited by numerous other races, each as unique as the next. But the races could not live in peace or harmony, war and prejudice ran rampant. The gods, well at least a select collection of gods who decided to take action, chose to make all the races one. Favoring humans to the land, the gods used their vast energies collecting the essence of the non-human races sealing them into seven 'Gates' across the globe. For a time, there was finally peace across the lands, though much to human nature, war and prejudice continued to persist, though not to such a degree as it had before, no longer threatening the very foundation of life on Earth.

So for millennia human's reigned supreme across the lands, and while a few spare and obscure races did manage to remain on earth, their existence was distorted and torn asunder by time into mere folk lore and fairy tales. The Gates sealing their true existence remained unknown to many across the lands, only sparse rumors of ancient key's and doorways that would once again bring chaos and war ravaging across the lands. There are those who feel the gods did wrong in casting out the other races and favoring humans, those few who know of the gates seek to find them and bring the races back onto the lands, and the chaos and destruction with it.

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Rules

1. First and foremost, I am god here, what I say in the end, goes. Get it? got it? Good.
2. Second, this is a Literate RP. As such I expect proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. Mistakes happen, I'm not a stickler, but if you have issues with spelling, use a word processor.
3. In congruence with literacy, I also expect a decent degree of quantity/quality within your posts. I expect a paragraph minimum, and prefer two paragraphs per post. If you begin to slack on posting I may have to prod you with my poking stick. But I would also like to point out this is not an advance literate RP, I hate seeing 8 paragraph posts constantly. Once in a while it's cool, but don't overload our brains trying to read two pages of literature before we can finally make our own posts/responses.
4. Please, Third person past tense, no first person, it gets confusing when people switch tenses and posting perspectives.
5. OOC communication will be marked accordingly (( )), [[ ]], {{ }}
6. I want to see people posting roughly once every two days, at least. If you are absent for more than 3 days I give anyone RPing with your characters all rights to do whatever they please with your characters, even kill them if they feel so inclined. However if you know you are going to be gone for a while, PM me, and I'll put your character on reserve, though I would warn you to make sure your character is out of harms way or is in control of someone else while you're gone.
7. Obviously this RP has to be PG-13, as it is Gaia policy, which I would also like to reinforce here to all those who are unaware, their rules supersede my own. Romance is allowed and encouraged, but obviously nothing beyond kissing. We know how it all goes down, or at least I hope we do.
8. PM all profiles to me titled "Ethereal Gates"
9. I don't like making character limits, however you will only be allowed two initially, and if I see fit and you so desire I will allow more with proof of your RPing skills.
10. I shouldn't have to say this, but for the sake of formality in having it, No God-modding. Auto-hitting, killing others, not taking hits yourself, or showing damage, not acceptable. Yes there are situations where circumstance allow people to negate all damage or avoid attacks and what not, that's fine, just make sure we understand why when you post, and make sure there is a reasonable weakness to it. I am god here so if I feel the need I can kick you out for overstepping one's boundaries. I did mention no killing characters right? Yes, you can kill NPC's that you control, or if others allow you to you can kill their characters, but you must have their permission.
11. Last, but certainly not least, I can add rules as I see fit, and finally, try to have fun, that's what this is all about. SO have at, Make some characters now.

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Earth



Yep, basic map, I'll add more if I see it necessary, but any land not specifically identified is up for grabs. For now this is it, I'll add more if necessary.

The time setting is much akin to our earth in the 1600-1700's, technology and culturally similar in their respective locations.

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Character Profiles

[size=18][align=center][color=POSTINGCOLOR][b]Character name (First and Last)[/b][/color][/align][/size]
[imgright]CHARACTER PICTURE URL HERE[/imgright]
[size=9][b]Age:[/b] (Must be reasonable)
[b]Sex:[/b] (Male or Female)
[b]Race:[/b] (Prefer Human, if you have other better have a very good background or story)
[b]Weapons:[/b] (Guns are allowed, though their accuracy is crap, as technology is just starting up, I will allow some steampunk style. All Martial weapons, magic, artifacts, etc...but you better have a good story if the weapon is more than mundane.)
[b]Abilities:[/b] (Mundane talents; cooking, sewing, hunting, calligraphy, politics...etc.)
[b]Magic:[/b] (Explain the origins and source of magic, how it works, does it need a conduit, is it from an artifact, etc...)
[b]Personality:[/b] (Be Descriptive)
[b]Biography:[/b] (At least 2 paragraphs, no unknowns, If you need help with ideas, feel free to send me what you've got and ask for help.)

RP Sample: (Just a small two paragraph post, can be from past RP's or just made up, just so I can get an idea of your style.)[/size]

Again if you have any ideas for plots, either with your or other characters, please feel free to talk with me, I love being able to intertwine multiple plots into a story, something I seldom see people effectively do in RP's.

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White List
(Since I feel like being different, this is the bad list, you don't want to be here)

Black List

(And this is the Good List, for those with awesome skillz, and those who help me, if they so desire, in running this RP)

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(Reserved)

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(Reserved)

[Jake_wuz_X]

It lunged at me as my master caught it in his hand perfectly,
less than an inch from my face.
"What is this Shayne?"
"It's an Inland Taipen."
one of the most deadly snakes on the planet.

Shay woke as silent as possible, opening his eyes to see the usual celing above his head, the same he had awoken to for 11 years. He silently went through his morning checklist.

'Pain? No. I can fight.
Air? cool, easier to hear intruders.
muscles? unstiff, easy to reach daggers.
Skyler?..'

Shay stopped as he sat up in his bed, realizing after 11 years, his master was still a part of his daily routine.

'..Isn't coming back.'

Shay stood up with his jeans on in the 2 bedroom, one story safe house. As he felt a yawn come on, he yielded to it, looking around the room, checking any hint that someone had been here last night while he slept and lived to tell the tale. After a walk through the empty home, he sat at the stool, staring down the dagger stuck in the polished wood of the table in front of him. "What do I do now, Master?" he whispered to himself as he looked at the beautiful blade in front of him, feeling just as empty as he had the last week.

"No." he replied calmly.
"It's the price of failure"

~Shayne Crosshart

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Thane Hatchburg

"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path."

"In all the two years we spent together, that damn old man never gave me his name..." Thane spat out in a soft but guttural tone as he cast a stray stone into the creak at his feet. His claws tensed, digging into the soft morning mud, his eyes straying not from the rippling waters, attempting to gain any form of clarity or insight from its undaunted flow. The cat's fur rested flat on his back as the morning fog, thick in the air, matted down any chance it had to regain its former glory.

Thane's eyes continued to stray across the water's clear surface searching for any signs of the fish, but to little avail. Even the fish were unappeased by the mornings fog. He drew in a deep sigh, exhaling bitterly before finally breaking his sights from the water's edge to the tree cast horizon ahead. Where am I going... His thoughts echoed dismally.

[Jake_wuz_X]

It lunged at me as my master caught it in his hand perfectly,
less than an inch from my face.
"What is this Shayne?"
"It's an Inland Taipen."
one of the most deadly snakes on the planet.

Shay felt his body losing energy from the lack of food from the past week. It was hard enough to stay in the home that held so many years of memories. The only fond memories he could ever remember in his life. Shay sighed as he remembered his old friends as a child, murdered while they slept. He felt the anger rise up in his body as he clenched a fist, talent surging through him. The price of doing nothing. The price of failing to act. A heavy cost they had paid for his mistake. A heavy price Skyler had paid for Shay's success. He was so lost in thought and anger he barely heard a note being slid under the heavy wood of the door.

Shay let the anger go for now as he stood from his seat, taking the knife up from the table as he walked to the door, picking up the piece of parchment that had been lain there.

I have a request for you Night Angel. The surname Skyler went under. an old man will be coming into town today through the south gate caring a large package with information and a rare herb I must possess. He's possibly armed, skilled in magic, but alone. You must kill him as quickly as possible before he enters the city and dispose of the body. When finished bring me the package and I shall pay you whatever you desire. - Cy


Shay wondered what this old man could've done to deserve a death, but that didn't matter. The only information that mattered was where this man was, and what must be done to kill him. That's all an assassin must know. Shay grabbed his blades, and his assassin grays and pulled the hood over his face. In the mist nobody would even notice him as more than a passing breeze. With that done, he left the safe house, locking it with the traps he had set, and went to the south gate

"No." he replied calmly.
"It's the price of failure"

~Shayne Crosshart

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Thane Hatchburg

"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path."

He had since lost track of the days, knowing not how long ago the old man had left him exactly, and with nothing more than his blade. Thane's feet continued to stroll idly, as his gaze turned down to the blade now resting in his hands. His fur laced hands and claws gently stroked the blade diligently, careful not to go near the edge. They rested against the base of the dagger, wrapping their fingers around the woven hilt, absorbing the texture of the archaic runes and inscriptions, words far beyond the child's comprehension.

Thane's body stiffened. His hand smoothly slipping the blade back into its sheath as his nose pointed to the sky, drawing in the air. It was undeniable, the scent, although faint was of his friend, the old man. Or at least he thought. Without a second thought Thane's knees buckled, shifting their weight before releasing their tension and bounding his body forward. His feet padded with great precision as he near silently maneuvered through the forest grounds, following along the water's edge, the scent growing ever stronger.

A clearing came into view before him, through the thicket of the forest, as if coaxing him further until finally unveiling the silhouette of a small town. Thane's body fell forward, his front paws clawing deep into the dirt as he halted his movements, staring disdainfully at the image of the town, as though a bully just took away his candy. The scent was so strong, and yet, his fears equally so. He back peddled, pulling himself against a nearby tree, primarily to keep out of view of any random villagers in the outer banks of the town. All he could think to do was continue to stare, letting his indecision get the better of him.

[Whirlwind_Crusher]

Ripp Grace

"We disappear, we disappoint, we die but we don't..."

It was all too distorted. Ripp had no chance of remembering that nightmare but he knew it terrified him. His thin body was trembling and cold sweat soaked his collar and ran down his face. He hated the grimy feeling a nightmare’s sweat gave you so much so that he felt the need to bathe. He planted his good leg onto the floor and pushed himself up out of bed. He often had to have a supporting hand on the head board to get up properly. He tied back his hair and went to run another bath. After bathing and dressing, he began he normal routine which he was so relieved for.
For so long in his life, there had been to much chaos and pain to really have a predictable lifestyle. He took pride in having a reasonably calm life. He lit all the lights in his shop and let the light pour over the moving glass sculptures he sold to his richer customers. He did moving portraits too but only by order. His poorer clientele mostly came in to repair their broken windows or ripped clothes He was always open to the weary traveler but and thieves were not tolerated. He was a cripple, not helpless. He turned his sign to the green “OPEN” side. It wouldn’t be to long until the first customer came in.

[Poco Loco Crow]

Those who live by the sword . . .

It was an awful inn. There was nothing wrong with the building itself, but the people in it who appalled Pharn. They were all sitting in a subdued silence, each man leaving once he’d finished his meal. It was sad, as if every person in this in had no desire for anything else in life. No plots, no schemes, not even a plan for anything.

Taking one last sip of his tea, he turned his mind away from its gloomy observations. He had the tentative workings of a plan in mind, but he needed some things before he started to cement it in his mind. He’d heard that a cargo inspector named Nehem Lycus was in the area on some family affair. Nehem was notoriously hard to bribe to overlook things, and the merchants of his family had lost considerable profits due to his interference. It would certainly be worth looking to see if he could do anything about Nehem while he was in the area.

But before he could do that, he’d need information. Normally he’d start in this very inn, but the idea of staying here did not appeal to him, not to mention that in the silence his questions might be remembered. No, he start with the store keepers, preferably ones who might be sympathetic to the idea of Nehem no longer interfering with trade.

Pharn caught the attention of one of the waiters and beckoned him over. “Do you happen to know of anyplace offering anything . . . interesting around here?” he asked.

“There’s the shop a few streets over,” the waiter said after a moment’s thought. “It holds the most wonderful glass sculptures. The move, all on their own!” It was clear that the waiter considered this to be the most wonderful of miracles.

“Thankyou,” Pharn said with a forced smile. He’d been hoping for something better than moving sculptures, but apparently this waiter hadn’t picked up on that. Still, one never knew where you’d find something helpful, and he wasn’t doing anything else with his morning. Leaving enough coins on the table to cover his breakfast and a moderate tip, Pharn left the inn and started for the store.

. . . get shot by those who don't.

Nymoral Pharn Requiem

[Whirlwind_Crusher]

Ripp Grace

"We disappear, we disappoint, we die but we don't..."

Ripp was busy chasing a few unfortunate ruffians fooling around with the glass. He tapped one of the boys with his cane. "Excuse me, young man. But either buy one or get out of my store." The young ruffian replied with a few choice words to which Ripp replied. "You, son, have no idea just what this "ugly cripple" can do. It would be in your best interest to make yourself scarce." The man and fhis friends were still adamant.
With a smirk, Ripp muttered a small spell and the floor boards began to move on their own and the young men were carried out. They all ran away cursing the "stupid cripple" all the way to his grave. Ripp merely rolled his eyes and sat back down behind his counter. It was nice to know he could still handle his fair share of idiots. In fact, he was feeling well enough not to need his cane for now and he got up to sweep. That whole debacle with the floor boards stirred up quite a bit dust.