AREM ☬

CHOOSE YOUR REGION

THE NORTH	25.8%	[ 34 ]
THE ISLANDS	16.7%	[ 22 ]
THE SOUTH	17.4%	[ 23 ]
THE HIGHLANDS	17.4%	[ 23 ]
~*da abyss*~	22.7%	[ 30 ]
Total Votes:			[ 132 ]

[galyeon]

we do not fear the war that has so betrayed our oaths
we do not fear the building's surrender, the tender collapse of stone, the glass eyes unblinking
we are only petrified by the awareness of our hearts

It has been almost a hundred years since the end of the last world war, almost a hundred years since this era of uneasy peace started... But something sinister has awakened in Arem, and the only force that stands against it has long since weakened. The Golden Age of the Abyssian Brigade is over, has been over, it is now just a husk of it's former glory.

But the darkness stirs, and soon war will return to Arem. Though this time, it will be against an enemy unlike anything before.

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[galyeon]

no news is good news!

ARCHIVES

DEC|15 ▬ Keep your eyes open for hiring/reorganizing of Arem! Thanks for all the support so far, if there's anything you'd like to suggest, please feel free to drop us a PM or a note. : )

OCT|01 ▬ Moon Festival ORP is up!

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[galyeon]

the one who passes the sentence should swing the sword

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GENERAL RULES

▬ Please follow Gaia's TOS.
▬ Do not steal. Characters, art, concepts, ect. Keep your sticky fingers to yourself! People who break this rule will not only be blacklisted but will also be reported to Gaia Moderators.
▬ Keep the dramallama at the door. Drama is a no-go. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated. Golden rule etc, you get the drift.
▬ No god-moding. If you god-mode the prepare to face the ultimate punishment that is Minsuil's slipper slap.
▬ We do not allow co-owning.

▬ If you have any questions, feel free to ask in-thread!

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OWNER RULES

▬ This is a RP-Required shop. Please keep this in mind, because we will take away characters that have not met the requirements.
▬ With that in mind, our minimum requirement is an astounding one RP post per month. This is the bare minimum to keep your character.
▬ If you reach the three month inactivity mark, a PM will be sent to you. If you do not respond to the PM after a further three months, your character is liable to be taken away. That means after 6 months of inactivity, you will lose your character.
▬ We reserve the right to rehome/kill off characters that have not yet reached the Voyager stage. All other cases will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Characters at the Praetor stage may face a possible demotion.

▬ We expect commitment but at the same time we are nice and understanding people (really). If you ever have any problems or you need to take a hiatus please, please contact us either via thread or PM. If we know, then we can help you work something out.

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[galyeon]

the crimson stain of war and what lay beyond

The world of Arem existed as two lands. The Overworld and the Abyss. Until recently, the Abyss had existed in myths and was never proven to actually exist. Because, after all, how could people see the Abyss? On this world, there were spirits and humans. And of course, there was mana. The spirits, preferred to keep to themselves. And the humans were split into three distinct groups. They called and referred to each other in reference from where they lived. And as such, the North became home to the Northerners, the South to the Southerners and the Islands, the Islanders. And because there were three groups, there was war.

And so the history of the world found itself carved into periods of peace and periods of war and sometimes the peace stretched for so long that the world forgot the meaning of war (or vice-versa). Our story starts here, on the edge of a period of peace that stretched for endless millennium.

The North and the South found themselves at odds, and then they found themselves at war. The Islands, seeking to keep their peace pursued a neutral position. The war stretched on and on and on. Eventually, it became a constant in their lives. This war, over discordances long since forgotten and replaced with only memories of enmity, raged on and on without change- for these two powers were equal. Despite maintaining a neutral stance, the Islands found themselves at the crossroads of the war and then when the two enemies fought, it was in their waters that ships sank, it was in their waters that the dead lay, it was their islands that burned. Seeking to end centuries of bloody stalemate, the island nation of Rydeon entered the war on the Southern side with their newly developed weapon. A startling innovation that drew upon the well of latent mana beneath the surface of the world of Arem: the mana of the Abyss. This machine collected large amounts of mana, concentrated it into a beam that could be fired at anything or anyone. With this weapon on their side, the South gradually began to get the upper hand. Shortly after, Rydeon fired the weapon at a city in the North, effectively wiping it off the face of the world.

Disheartened by this overwhelming power, many lords in the North started to consider retreat and surrender. Their leader at the time, convinced them to fight one last battle, a decisive battle that would decide the fates of their lands. Rydeon, seeking to fully crush the Northern morale and quickly end the war, prepared to fire another beam. But this time something went wrong. Unable to assert control over the machine again, the Island of Rydeon lost control of their weapon. As a result the entire island was consumed and subsequently destroyed. Where once there was an island, there was now a gaping hole that sank deep into the Overworld and perhaps, beyond.

The two countries, in utter awe of the power of Rydeon's invention, signed a treaty of peace. And it was over. The South began to build up better relations with the Islands. In the North, petty feuds broke out in the absence of the war's uniting force, and the continent moved on to seclude itself. There was peace and prosperity and finally, the age of World Wars could be over...or so they thought.

Twenty years after the signing of the peace treaties, cracks began to appear in the crust of the earth, then turning into crevices before turning into holes that swallowed everything. They shone with light, but it was said that if you peered down one of these holes, you would only see never-ending darkness. As if it could not get any worse, from these holes crept forth monsters. Their most defining traits? Their chilling similarity to humans in appearance, and their ability to pass through a person's chest. They grasped a person's heart, tore it out, and fed on the tough muscles and warm life blood. In place of their own hearts there was a gaping hole in their chests, reflecting the visage of the abysms. Soon the holes, called abysms, spread all over the world; only a few brave people descended into these holes to explore the Abyss below.

Months turned into years and years into decades, and people lived in fear of these monsters since named Niches. It wasn't until a man, using a weapon he had brought into the Abyss, took a stab at a niche did he discover that while regular weapons didn't affect them, ones imbued with the elemental powers of mana did. He thus set out with his childhood friends to seek the help of the last spirit who still lived among the humans; Mellitu. With her help, they founded the "ABYSSINIAN BRIGADE" on Mt. Abora to defend travelers, nobles and common people alike from the Niches. It did not matter your ethnicity, your religion, your gender or age (okay, maybe a little)- if you wished to save and protect those important to you, you were welcome to join. Their base was located at the top of Mount Abora on Kanthes Island. And this is where your tale begins.

You've decided to leave home and wonder the world. Where will you go? What will you see? By chance or perhaps in whispers, you've heard of it. The mysterious Brigade. Or perhaps you've met one of its members? To gain passage to Kanthes Island, you must seek the help of Mellitu, who resides in the remote Forest Melittis.



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[galyeon]

FROM SEA~~TO SHINING~~~ SEEAAAAAA

It has been over 100 years since the Rydeon tragedy and the signing of the peace treaty. The standing armies have long since returned home, and the land has begun to heal. The Islands, caught between the North-South conflict and forced to arm their scanty population down to children and old men, were able to return to fishing in calmer waters without fear of attack. Immediately after the continental conflict ended, the city-states of the South scrambled to claim land and form country boundaries lost in the early years of the war. The reigning king's predecessors, a man and his best friend, grasped control in the turmoil and united the eastern and western coalitions that had just begun to form. They declared the southern continent one empire. In the North, rivalries and grudges built up over centuries exploded into endless feuds, ravaging the land without pause and still continuing today.

Weapons and technology is limited to that of the feudal era. There are no guns, electrical appliances, engines, cars, etc. In the growing cities, indoor plumbing does exist- the sewers and aquaducts were built long before the World Wars began; however, some of the technology has been lost since then, discarded in favor of military research. The development of infrastructure is now being revived, though there is no one fully aware of exactly how much knowledge was lost in the chaos of the wars.

THE HIGHLANDS - based on Central Asia and the Middle East regions and cultures of our world. On the other side of the Ireoko River lies the Nomadic Highlands, home to the horse-riding nomads. The impassable Vhinkr Range dominates this land. On the western side of the range is the rich rain-shadow Damascul Forest,on the eastern side is the barren Nehml Desert. The cities of this region share no ruling power, and are often referred to as the "Free Cities". Akin to Ancient Greek city states, each city governs it's own affairs. Farther north, the Vhinkr range levels out and becomes passable. The Kvastal Road crosses the range following the River Senh towards the Petrosi Canyons, through to the Rindr Delta and finally across the Darndele Strait to Sivalke.

NORTH - The land is split into provinces formed by separate Clans, each ruled by a Lord of the State. In this culture, the most important thing is defending family and honor. Held back by their familial obligations, it is difficult for the people of the North to leave and join the Abyssinian Brigade. As a result, there are more Southerners than Northerners in the brigade, and most in the organization are the inconsequential younger children of clans with too many heirs. The terrain of the North is reminiscent of northeastern Asia and the Middle East, with a humid continental climate providing hot summers and harsh winters. Farming has been disrupted by the constant battles raging across the Huaizuo Plains, but the cities of the North have been able to retain some amount of productivity in their lands, and the sprawling Forest Melittis provides ample ground for foraging, hunting and gathering.

SOUTH - based on medieval kingdoms of high fantasy, the continent of the South is ruled by two Kings. Their capital is in Acrimont, and each of the noble seats are required to return to the court and pledge fealty once a year. Autumn and spring last long in the South. With its marine west coast climate, constant rainfall often threatens to flood the low-lying coastal areas but also provide favorable conditions for farming on the plains of the Crowlands, where a large agricultural population resides. Farthest to the East lie the Marshlands of Laryos and the Island of Kanthes, which is hope to the Abyssian Brigade.

ISLANDS - the Saranhara Archipelago, the Silver Islands, and the Rinyon Cays comprise the inhabitable regions of Arem's islands. Chilled by ocean currents and craggy, the land offers little opportunity for farming, and so the people of the islands have long lived by fishing and subsistence hunting and gathering. The population is largely scattered in rural villages, but since the end of the World War a flourishing trade business has been able to develop. Mete and Cyrea are international centers of trade. They act as a middle between the North and South, which still bear tense relations. As a result, the major cities of the islands are melting pots of culture from every part of Arem.

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[galyeon]

on a mountain crag where lavender blooms; therein lies the answer

GENERAL RULES

There are rule posts in each forum for a reason. Please read them. Most are common sense, and the list below is not exhaustive. And of course, remember the Daisy Code.

▬ Journals will be started by the mule (Galyeon). Please do not start these threads yourself!
▬ Do not post in a thread you do not own/without permission. This applies to Journals, solo roleplays, solo quests and private roleplays. Common courtesy.
▬ You cannot participate in any roleplay until your profile is complete. For obvious reasons.

▬ This is a reminder, once your journal has been posted please reserve your posts so we can post your inventory! If you do not, then please don't complain about not having an inventory post...(and thus not being able to collect items/catalysts).

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ABOUT RP REQS

SOLO a solo-story revolving around your character. It can be in the form of a story or a journal. Solos must have a minimum of 300 to count for credit.
PRP a RP involving your character and the character(s) of other(s).
QUEST are "commissions" or jobs that the Brigade receives on which your character shall be dispatched. Once you've reached Voyager stage, you can undertake quests and reap rewards! Besides quests, you may also take a Seminar to count as one credit. More information can be found in the forum.
META are meta events, happenings in the world of Arem, may range from anything to a large scale event to a small ORP. You will be alerted if meta-credit is available during an event. Also a source of pretty shinies and change for specialness...

Credits do not stack. Credits do not carry over from stage to stage.
In the case of mini-evolution, you may only use one solo once.

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[galyeon]

to you, from bygone days

Requirements do not stack.


Wanderer
All characters start at this stage. One day you're going through the motions of your daily life, and the next you find yourself standing in front of a towering redwood forest: the Forest Mellitu. How did you come across this place? Are you here because you've heard about the Abyssinian Brigade? As you explore deeper and deeper into the forest, you come across a small shop selling nourishment for travelers, called Forest Melittis (ironically). The spirit proprietor Mellitu and her apprentice Letis welcome you warmly, offering you food and shelter as you try to decide what to do now.

While staying there, you meet a mysterious young man named Galyeon; he challenges you to prove your worth in order to join the Brigade. Upon completion, he gives you a weapon and hints at its special properties. (Weapons are kept in the inventory post of your journal; it is possible to have weapons drawn into your character art only after the use of catalysts, but it is not guaranteed.)

[ Wanderer → Voyager ] Advancement Requirement: minimum 6 solos, 4 PRPs, and advancement quest from Galyeon

Voyager
You've passed Galyeon's tests, and are now a member of the fabled Abyssian Brigade! Though you are only a lowly grunt, doing...lowly grunt work.

At this point, you spend your days reporting to the higher-ups and doing low-leveled missions. You may also start specializing in certain areas such as research or medicine, though everyone in the Brigade will carry weapons as self-defense. In your free time you may travel around, going to places you've never seen before because you've got an Abyssian Brigade Passport! Eventually you'll work your way up in the organization, gaining respect and influence through your victories and accomplishments.

Mini-evolutions are possible at any point in the voyager stage and beyond, through the accumulation of 5 catalysts of the same element, and three journal entries. These changes will only affect the physical appearance of your character and/or your weapon. Buyable items/items won in events such as scarves, armor, jewelry, and such will also be factored into the equation when the mini-evolution is possible.

Most characters will plateau at the voyager stage. Participation in metaplot events is required to achieve the level of fame/ability of a praetor. Meeting a General is also required as Generals will be the ones recommending Praetors!

[ Voyager → Praetor ] Advancement Requirement: minimum 15 quests, 10 solos, 18 PRPs, 2 metaplot credits, meet at least one general, and an exceptional amount of dedication and roleplay quality.

Praetor
You've earned the respect of the Brigadier generals and have achieved an officer rank in the organization. Depending on your character and how they have evolved, he/she will either move on to become seniors and respected field and battle experts, become head of a Tech/Research team or become a well-known medic. Whatever happens, by this time you've become quite prominent in the Brigade and outside of it as well.
[ Praetor → Legend ] Advancement Requirements: your soul + 5bil

Legend
The citizens speak of you in awed voices and your name is known across Arem. This stage is obtainable only through achievements in significant metaplot participation- a.k.a. you become a central figure to the world of Arem and all others look up to you. At the moment, all Legends are either Brigadier Generals or Spirits, but that does not mean you have to be either to become a legend!

Existing legends include Mellitu, Galyeon, Esara, Yojiro, and Laetri (NPCs and staff generals)


Denizen
One-stage character.

Just a normal resident of Arem going about his/her daily business... Denizens can interact, RP and travel though they will not be allowed into Brigade HQs unless they are seeking help/leaving a request.

Denizens will be distributed in certain special situations. They are not RP-required. And you may own a denizen if you already have an Arem character.

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[galyeon]

all men bleed, but these creatures...

Niches are the natural inhabitants of the mana-rich environment of the Abyss. Niches are humanoid in shape but their extremities appear black and wispy almost like smoke. Niches are gas and solid and liquid; they are intangible to weapons not imbued with the power of catalysts and cannot be said to hold any one form. Solid enough when they want to be, they are fully sentient and thinking but do not speak any known language. Perhaps a Niche's most commonly recognized characteristic is the gaping hole in their chest where there ought to be a heart. Niches lack one, which explains their need to feed upon hearts while in the Overworld. A hole of torn flesh surrounded by scar tissue that sits in the center of their chest; it is not known whether they once had a heart, or if they were created without them. Their startling shadow-like attributes can be contributed to the fact that the Abyss where Niches dwell is composed mostly of the mana strain Namtar's Vestige, a mysterious void element that is extremely rare in the Overworld. In the Abyss where magic is thick in the air, mana can be found deposited as solid crystal forms, and it is from these that niches harvest the mana that they need to function and survive.

Mana is an essential force to everyone. This life force is stored and cycled by the heart, but niches must constantly consume mana because they lack a heart. In the Abyss, this is no problem as mana is seeped in everything there but in the Overworld, where there are no deposits of mana, they seek out the hearts of others where mana is condensed and stored. Niches must consume hearts while they are in the Overworld, else risking in-animation and death.

Continue reading the Niche Data Files.

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[galyeon]

iron and steel and honor

Basic weapons are distributed to new recruits of the Brigade. These weapons are infused with mana in its pure form so that each recruit may begin to hunt Niches. They do not contain any catalyst. There are no 'base elements' for any weapon. Weapons will be given out at the end of Galyeon's Recruitment Test. You can find out more details here.

Weapons are kept in your character's official inventory, which also includes Vials, Catalysts, and other trinkets. They may (or may not) be drawn into your character art upon the use of Catalysts for mini-growths. Weapons will change according to Catalyst usage.

If by chance, you want to be able to choose a weapon for your character, you can opt to buy one from the Weapon Shop, wait to obtain one in an event, or you can bribe to get a custom weapon created when the opportunity arises. Sales may be in Gaia gold or Silver Tokens and they will be announced in-thread, so keep your eyes peeled.



► Currently nothing for sale.

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[galyeon]

iron and steel and honor

Catalysts are an essential part of Arem. They allow you to upgrade and customize your character to a certain extent, as the catalyst is applied to your weapon and your character's own appearance is affected by association. Five catalysts are needed for a mini-growth, which will update your art while allowing your character to remain at the same stage. During these edits, your character's weapon may (or may not) be drawn into the character art.

Besides being available through quests, sometimes lump crystals or vials will be put on sale. These can be sold for either Gaia gold or Silver Tokens. Each sale will be announced in-thread, and will last for three days. Each person is only allowed to buy one item per sale. That being said, you may have a proxy buy for you.



► none at the moment.



For more information on catalysts, please read the Catalyst Catalog.

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[galyeon]

iron and steel and honor

Various creatures wander the lands of Arem. They vary by region and are unique in temperament and behavior. Some are tamable and some make worthwhile companions. The Science Division is currently researching and experimenting with catalysts and creatures. Thus far, their experiments haven't resulted in anything beyond mere coloration changes, but hey. It's better than nothing right?

Your character may own one (or several!) animals! The Brigade keeps it's own stables, kennels and aviary, but there is room for personal pets.



► none at the moment.



For more information on pets, please read the The Encyclopedia of Animals.

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[galyeon]

the dream merchant

Silver tokens are given out as prizes in events and contests. In addition, the runner-up of each normal flatsale will win 3 silver tokens. These tokens can be redeemed for various things within Arem. While anyone may acquire and receive tokens, you will only be able to use them if you have an Accepted Character Test or an Accepted Character Quest. The tokens are tradable for Catalyst Vials and Catalyst Crystals, Semi and Full Customs and are also transferable. In order to make these transactions, you must post in the correct forum.

Customs | Catalysts | Gifting

If you feel that there are errors with your token count, please PM the mule (Galyeon) or Minsuil with your woes.

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[galyeon]

all the world is but a stage

DENIZEN

WANDERER







VOYAGER


PRAETOR


LEGEND

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[galyeon]

onwards, to new worlds!

[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/t.65174773/][img]http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy32/mellitu/graphics/linkbanner1-1.png[/img][/url]
Only 200x40 banners are accepted. Post all affiliate requests in the thread.

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[galyeon]

Textures from 77words.livejournal.com
Fonts from dafont.com
Brushes from inobscuro.com
Graphics by soliloquy in aria

Story by Minsuil and soliloquy in aria
Art by soliloquy in aria
World Development by Minsuil, soliloquy in aria, and members of staff.

RP Managers: hellotea, Minsuil
Odds and Ends Manager: iStoleYurVamps
Previous Staff: X Purple--Platypus X, Bear-Garden, OrionDeltaOmega





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