Many years ago, there were no walls around the City of Empyrean, nor were there such vigilant Magical protections being cast. Now these things are thought of as mere necessity, and have become a way of life.
Although the War with the Outsiders is nearly ended, it still wages in some parts beyond the walls, and from time to time the Empyreans are forced to face them directly, sending their Gatekeepers to beat back the advances. While the Outsiders have nothing but science on their side, the Empyreans have both science and magic to their credit and because of this are heavily targeted as a threat by Outsider troops, and for the same reasons the Empyreans believe themselves superior to the Outsiders.
Shortly after the War began, the Outsiders used an unknown chemical agent that forever changed the Empyrean race. In fact, there are some who say the chemical is what made the Empyreans what they now are. The chemical was meant to kill off the Empyreans, but instead it rendered them barren.
Our story picks up many years after the beginning of the war.
F.A.Q
1. The World of Empyrean was created in its entirity by me, Taro. If you have a question regarding the nature of the world, its rules or the rules of the roleplay, and find my previously written posts to be inadequate, please either PM me with your query, or post it in an OOC thread outside of the rp thread in which you are roleplaying.
2. All Art is drawn by me, Taro. The Zero Stage Empyreans are purchased as is, for whatever bid wins him or her. No Changes can be made to this design upon purchase. When you achieve a higher stage and wish to put additions onto your Empyrean, please tally up all of the additions you want for the next stage and submit it in a PM or in an OOC thread. For additions, you have the right to request options when available or colours at no additional charge. As examples have been given for each addition, if you are not pleased with how your Empyrean looks in its next stage, this is entirely of your own selection, and I am not responsible. Note that no addition may be removed at any time.
3. You are allowed to name your Emyrean whatever you'd like. But I would appreciate it greatly if you tried to stick to the theme of the game. Feel free to make up any name, using the teachers or other approved Empyrean's names for inspiration. This means, try to distance yourself from Japanese names (like Sasuke) or mundane English names (like Joseph or Lorrain), and do take your name seriously. Gag names (like GreenMachine) are disrespectful of your Empyrean's existence.
4. You must be literate to play. This means that you are to make the utmost of your talents when writing. While typos or spelling errors are forgiven, if you notice them, please repair them with the lovely little 'Edit' button provided for you so as to maintain clarity and good storytelling.
5. I will decide when you have reached the next Stage. Do not harrass me with messages like "Oh, cummon, that last fight totally gave me the experience needed to proceed! Taro you're too picky!". These are not going to inspire to draw you new art. On the other hand, if I am busy at the time of your Empyrean's transition, you are still allowed, and indeed encouraged to post. Please have patience with me while I update your certificates and draw you new art.
6. I retain all rights to the Art. While I will consider the Empyrean you play your 'character' after dedicated roleplaying, I still retain rights to the art itself. This means I will post it in my DA account and on photobucket, etc. Feel free to take your Empyreans to other Gaian artists, (or myself if I have open slots) to commission additional art of your Empyrean.
7. You may play multiple Empyreans. But if you choose to you must keep in mind that you will need to purchase additions for both when the time comes. In order to play mulitple accounts I request that you restrict one Empyrean to one account. This will keep confusion to an absolute minimum.
8. How much do they cost? The total base cost for an Empyrean is 250k. I do not request this full amount all at once, but stage by stage. (They are paid for in installments and only when they grow. The first stage costs 50k.)
9. How can I get one? You can join Empyreans only if you display competant writing skill and show dedication to joining this long-running game. Applications will be reviewed, and must include a writing sample and references who can vouch for your capabilities.
10. If you have any questions not answered on this page, please ask!
The Transitions of Empyreans
Empyreans will go through three transitions in their life span. The first transition from Zero to One gives them their first additions, such as small horns, a little tail, the beginnings of wings etc... These additions can be grown further at later transitions or left as is.
Requirements for the First Transcendence:
~ The Empyrean must make at least 1 RP post in each of the 16 classes in the White District
~ The Empyrean must attend at least one Event
~ The Empyrean must make at least 1 RP post in the Teacher's Lounge.
~ If classes are missed, and other requirements are made, special tutoring may be available.
At Stage One the Empyreans can learn magic, and can choose one of the following four types of magic: Tribal, Ritual, Circle or Grimoire, and select three spells that the Empyrean wishes to learn. The Empyrean may add these three spells into their repitoire after having successfully used the spells three times in a situation (such as the fighting arena or fighting monsters).
Requirements for the Second Transcendence:
~ The Empyrean must take an Apprenticeship in the city
~ The Empyrean must study to become one of the following: Grigori, Seraphim, Gatekeeper or Chorus
~ The Empyrean must participate in at least one of the following: Duel, Monster Hunt, Golem Creation, Abberation Evoking, or crafting of some form of supply or goods.
At Stage Two, the Empyrean can take a job in the city. Jobs can be anything from Artist to Monster Trainer, and these are usually based on whichever classes the Empyrean liked best in school. At Stage Two the additions grow further. 3 more spells may be learned and added to the Empyrean's repetoire. By the end of Stage Two, the Empyreans are allowed to leave the City for their transition to Stage Three.
At Stage Three the Empyrean makes their final changes to/adds new additions, and returns to the City. Once returned to the City, Empyreans may take a Position in the City such as: Grigori, Seraphim, Gatekeeper, Chorus.
Requirements for the Third Transcendence:
~ The Empyrean's Apprenticeship must advance to Career status.
~ The Empyrean must help at least one lower Stage Empyrean through RP, whether that be casual, assisting in a task, or tutoring
~ The Empyrean must succeed their test for their chosen position
~ The Empyrean must purchase with Credits earned a Gate Pass out of the city
What It Means to be Active
Thread Presence
~You need to be spotted around the thread at some point, either ICly or OOCly, it doesn't matter
~Regular appearances would be very much appreciated (at least once every two weeks is awesome)
Character Activity
~You must flesh out your Empyrean's journal. Blocking out the posts with emotes does not count.
~Participate in Class (be as active as you can be)
~PRPs and Events are optional
~However, should you choose to IM RP instead of PRP in the Guild, you must at least make a mention of doing so in your journal. (Logs are not required but PLEASE state somewhere that you are RPing off Gaia so that we know you haven't run off)
~Do not be active ONLY during Events. While activity during these special events is awesome, if that's the only time you're active, it doesn't reflect as well as it could.
