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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:30 am
A quest for Maya and Mortality, the ForgottenWell, I couldn't resist entering this contest. I've been watching the FeeDee thread since I came to breedables almost two years ago, and I've been awed by the amazing stories, roleplay and art that comes out of the thread. The idea of the Forgotten is amazing, and so, when this contest came around, I had to at least make an effort to try. I've always viewed the FeeDee as an elite group of roleplayers, and it would make me overjoyed to bring Maya to life. I love her concept, and I think she would make an excellent addition to the group. So, please take a look at the information below and feel free to leave a critique if you'd like. I need feedback! Thanks everyone!
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:32 am
"It was as though a layer had been stripped from the world and I had a sudden, full understanding of death itself." Forgotten's Name: Maya Forgotten's Gender: Female Daemon's Name: Mortality Daemon's Species: entirely created by me--A cross between a shiny gold worm and an invisible, expandable robot. Forgotten's Appearance (Physical): As a child, Maya has chin to shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair, usually worn straight--many times, it's mussed up, as if she has just woken up from a nap, or it's worn in high, spikey pigtails. Her hair will grow longer as the time passes. She has emerald green eyes with sporadic blue flecks. Maya's skin is pale, and she sunburns easily. There are a smattering of freckles along the bridge of her nose and her cheeks. She has a very sunny, healthy appearance, and even though things may not always go well, she tries to keep a smile on her face constantly. She's a strong-willed girl, and definitely not fragile. Maya's clothing seems a bit exotic, and her clothing is similar to Medieval garb, but has touches of Asian influence. She might be seen wearing an empire waist dress, much like this with an obi belt, and long coat or cloak with a fur-lined hood over the entire thing. Maya generally wears slippers on her feet, but if more substantial footwear is required, she can easily slip into a pair of boots. All of the fabric and materials used in making her clothes are of the highest quality, and only the best tailors make her clothing. Though she generally wears a dress, it is not unlikely to see her in long pants or jeans if she's out exploring. As a child of Amber and Chaos, she is usually expected to look and act like a member of the Court, and not a commoner. Coming to live on Gaia has affected this somewhat, and in order to fit in a bit better, Maya's clothing has been adapted. Still enjoying skirts and dresses, Maya now wears them in a more modern fashion. Skirts are shorter, and tops are more revealing. She still likes to have Medieval or Asian-influenced clothing, but with modern cuts. Forgotten's Appearance (Traits): Bold. Likes to feel that she's in charge. Determined. Perhaps a bit bossy. A good leader, if people are actually willing to listen. Daemon's Appearance (Physical): Mortality is a worm-like creature, created from mechanical parts. It has a golden color, and most of the time, it's spent wrapped around Maya's wrist. Mortality serves as more than just Maya's Daemon...He is also her protection. Mortality can act as a garrote cord, striking out and expanding itself long distances. Inside the golden shell lies an expandable invisible cord. Mortality can break apart and stretch itself into this invisible thread that is stronger than most anything. The daemon has gem-like green eyes, and a rather friendly face, considering how dangerous he can be. Daemon's Appearance (Traits): The support. Mortality is Maya's backup, helping her out when she needs it. He is somewhat subordinate, but loves Maya intensely. He can't stand to see his Forgotten hurting, and makes efforts to help her in any way he can. Clingy. Forgotten's Personality: Maya is a headstrong girl with whims of ultimate power. She is easily the most talented mage among her brothers and sisters, and can change Shadows more easily than most. (see explainer about Shadows below, in the Amber Tale) She's very determined, and when things don't go her way, she strives to correct them. Though she may be a bit bossy, she knows her choices are right, and wonders why anyone would choose to oppose her. This may be her biggest shortcoming. As a perfectionist, Maya doesn't take criticism very well. She has a bold personality, and would never choose to stay in the background, despite what her siblings think. Most of them see her as a slight influence, but what they don't know is that she's plotting from behind the scenes. Maya has a rather short fuse, and she can sometimes come off as harsh. She likes making friends, but she can sometimes offend those around her with her harsh judgements. She has a considerable temper, so irritating her is a no-no. Crossing her could mean death, and really, she should come with a warning label: "DO NOT SHAKE! CONTENTS WILL EXPLODE UNDER PRESSURE." Though she likes being social, she has issues with physical contact, and its almost irritating to her when someone touches her. She also is quite jumpy, from always being on guard, always having to protect herself. Mortality does help out with this, but if someone sneaks up on her, she's likely to attack them with a hidden dagger, or find a quick escape route through Shadow. Maya is extremely talented in the magical arts of Shadow, and seems to have more sway over Shadow-shifting than any of her relatives. She can change a daffodil into a rose in a matter of time, and the sky from blue to pink. Though as a child, she has not mastered this skill, her formative years are spent perfecting her talents. Shadow-shifting is solely a Amberite power. But, Maya is the child of a descendent of Amber and a prince of Chaos. So Maya also posesses the Sign of the Logrus, which will eventually allow her to reach through Shadow and bring back anything she wants, from virtually anywhere. This power will also take time to develop and will come to a head when she becomes an adult. Maya is a bit cold from being so protective of herself in her past life. Fearing the strength of her brothers has caused her to have an emotional detachment from most of her family. It's a good thing that most of them live in separate Shadows, and don't know about Maya's rebirth. An additional note: Maya was reborn not remembering anything of her past. She lives in a separate Shadow from the rest of her family members, and currently, they do not know where she was sent, though the moment she is reborn, she will be trackable once again. It is highly likely that someone will be coming to find her, but depending on the Shadow she's been sent to, this could take a very long time. Daemon's Personality: Mortality is clingy and protective, and has an almost knight-like quality to him. If Maya is in need of help, Mortality will go out of his way to make things better. Most of the time he's fairly silent, as he likes Maya to be the center of attention. Constantly wrapped around her wrist, Mortality goes everywhere Maya goes, making sure that she's okay and taking care of herself. But he is almost too protective, not allowing Maya much freedom. She can never be parted from him--he won't have it. Even though Maya complains about this, he refuses to budge on the subject. He's also Maya's voice of reason, as she has a tendency to sometimes get too upset, or go too far in whatever she's doing. He likes to be there to keep her moderated, and give her good advice if she needs it. Mortality has a mean-streak as well, but it doesn't come out unless his Forgotten is threatened. Generally a calm presence, he can become fierce when angered, and he will defend his bonded as much as necessary. Mortality's past is very similar to what it is now...He was the companion and protector for one of Maya's brothers, and somehow, he was passed on to Maya when she was reborn. It is curious that Mortality would give up his time with Maya's brother, as the two were literally mentally connected. In the past, Mortality was called Fenrir. He was bonded to Merlin, one Maya's long-lost relatives, and he saved the man on more than one occasion, lashing out to choke an opponent without them even realizing what had happened. Excerpt:It was almost a mystical experience. I do not know how else to put it. My mind outran time as he neared, and it was as though I had an eternity to ponder the approach of this man who was my brother. His garments were filthy, his face blackened, teh stump of his right arm raised, gesturing anywhere. The great beast that he rode was striped, black and red, with a red mane and tail. But it really was a horse, and its eyes rolled and there was foam at its mouth and its breathing was painful to hear. I saw then that he wore his blade slung across his back, for its haft protruded high above his right shoulder. Still slowing, eyes fixed upon me, he departed the road, bearing slightly toward my left, jerked the reins once and released them, keeping control of the horse with his knees. His left hand went up in a salute-like movement that passed above his head and seized the hilt of of his weapon. It came free without a sound, describing a beautiful arc above him and coming to rest in a lethal position out from his left shoulder and slanting back, like a single wing of dull steel with a minuscule line of edge that gleamed like a filament of mirror. The picture he presented was burned into my mind with a kind of magnificence, a certain splendor that was strangely moving. The blade was a long scythe-like affair that I had seen him use before. Only then we had stood as allies agains a mutual foe I had begun to believe unbeatable...Now that I saw it raised against me I was overwhelmed with a sense of my own mortality, which I had never experienced before in this fashion. It was as though a layer had been stripped from the world and I had a sudden, full understanding of death itself.How does the excerpt affect the pair?: Though Maya is powerful in her own right, her siblings are a group to be feared and awed. This passage mainly shows the future relationship between Maya and one of her brothers, who shows her that she is not as invincible as she may seem. Though Maya has brains, her brother has brawn...and one may be more powerful than the other... What does it reveal about.... their past?: This was an actual event, taken from Maya's past life. Before her brother could strike her with the shining curved blade, Maya shifted through Shadow, barely escaping her death, and finally coming to realize that she was not an immortal creature...and that there were enemies out there who were closer to her than she expected. Let's just say that not everyone has a happy relationship with their brothers and sisters...
.. how they are now that they are "reborn" as a Forgotten? In her reborn form, Maya appreciates her life much more than she did before. She realizes that there are different types of power in the world, and physical strength is her most weak trait. Because of this, she avoids physical contact, and is wary of anyone wielding weapons.
.. their future?: This passage reveals a future scrape with Death for Maya. This incident will be a turning point in her life, as she realize her own mortality, when before, she had the impression that she herself was immortal.
Powers, talents, special traits?: Maya is a Shadow-walker, capable of shifting the world around her to her every need and want. Basically, there are endless Shadows, each a different "dimension" of sorts. Since there are an infinite number of shadows in Maya's world, it's possible for her to go pretty much wherever she wants, whenever she wants, as long as she has the time to do it. If she wanted to visit the Great Wall of China when it was being built, it's possible. If she wanted to see the seventh game of the 1970 World Series, she'd be there. Shadow-walking is an Amberite trait. NOTE: Though she can Shadow-walk, it takes time, and much effort to do. It is a tiring thing, and can't be done instantly. Maya would actually have to walk, shifting the Shadows as she goes. It's gradual, not instantaneous. For example, as she walks, she could slowly turn from dirt into pavement. If she keeps on, over the next hill, instead of grass, she could make it a field of wildflowers, etc. She cannot quickly shift shadows. In order for her to escape from someone, she'd have to have a considerable lead on them. If an enemy was close by, they would experience the changes as well, technically following her through Shadow, and being in her reality. Being of mixed blood, Maya not only posesses the Shadow-walking skill, but she also has the arms of the Logrus that come from her Chaos powers. Logrus arms allow one to reach out through Shadow, and bring back to them whatever they need. For example, if Maya goes swimming, but forgets her bathing suit and towel, she can reach through Shadow and bring them to her, from her house. Or, if she wanted, she could bring a Fabrige egg back from Russia during World War I. Again, this is limited by Maya's own power. At first, she won't be able to reach very far, and she'll only be able to feel things out, not bring them back to her. As she ages, her power will increase. Other important qualities: Other important concept details: Maya's story is based on Roger Zelazny's Amber novels. I've tried to be accurate with the details of Maya's powers, though I have made some changes to the world that I think help give Maya less godly power. There will be no discussion or use of Trumps in Maya's story, as well as talk of the Logrus and Pattern. Maya does not know why she has these powers, and cannot remember previous history of the Courts. For more information on the Courts of Amber and Chaos, please see the History of Amber post.
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:33 am
The Host with the most! Name: Finn Pierce Keating Host Gender: Male Appearance:Finn is 25 years old, tan skinned, with shaggy blonde hair and bright turquoise eyes. He is 6' tall, about 180 lbs.--pretty average in all aspects really. His features are strong and angular, but not too severe, and he radiates confidence. Very nearsighted, Finn has to wear glasses or contacts all of the time, but he prefers his glasses to touching his eyeballs every day. Something about it gives him the creeps. Personality: Finn grew up in a relatively liberal home in London, to parents who were atheists. All his life, he has never believed in a God, let alone the idea that his life was predestined. He was raised to believe in whatever he wanted, and at this juncture in life, he still believes that there is no higher power. Finn is a skeptic who looks at life in the most logical way possible. He is always sure to leave emotions out of his decision-making process, as he feels that emotions shouldn't play a role in important life changes. Not surprisingly, Finn is a Libra, born under the sign of balance, the Scales. He tries to be fair when making decisions, but has a hard time making up his mind. He can go back and forth on an issue several times before he chooses, and this tends to cause problems in all aspects of his life...he can barely pick a restaurant, let alone decide if it's time to change jobs or move out of his rotting apartment. Good at math and logic, Finn is a bright young man. He graduated with bachelor's degrees in math and philosophy, and is working toward a law degree. He currently works at a bookstore to raise money for rent and bills, as school already takes up more time than he'd like. The job barely makes him enough money to survive, but somehow he manages. He knows that one day, he'll become a lawyer, and will never have to worry about money again. College seems to be just a temporary setback, before he can do great things for the world. Finn actually believes horoscopes, which is surprising for someone so logical. But the math aspect of astrology drew him in, and he finds it's an easier way of explaining things than giving into the thought of a higher power. He reads his horoscope daily, and though most of the time it doesn't turn out like they predict, he revels in it when it is correct. Finn is always hoping for that Five-Star Day, thinking that it will be the best day of his life. You never knows when you'll "run into someone special", right?
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:34 am
"Amber was the greatest city which had ever existed or ever would exist. Amber had always been and always would be, and every other city, everywhere, every other city that existed was but a reflection of a shadow of some phase of Amber."In the beginning, there was Amber. A glittering castle atop a mountain where all power lies. The royal family had strange powers that few could understand, and could easily change their surroundings to meet their needs. Amber was the center of the Universe, and everything revolved around the city. Everything radiated from Amber, and it was the capitol of humanity--or so they thought. In theory, Amber was the first creation of the Universe, and from there, other Shadows were formed in likeness to Amber. But the other Shadows changed over time and evolved into different worlds and times--different dimensions altogether. Those with the blood of the royal family posessed incredible powers, and were given the ability to walk through Shadows, to reach anywhere they wanted to go. Anything that one could imagine could be had, as long as the person knew what they wanted, and what the final destination was supposed to look like. The source of their power was a Pattern, inscribed in the floor at the lowest level of the castle. The Pattern glowed with an eerie blue light, and walking over the Pattern caused sparks to erupt from the inscribed lines, giving the Pattern-walker an electrical feeling all over their body. Walking the Pattern is a challenge, and once you begin, you cannot go back to the beginning. Stopping, or walking off of the Pattern's lines mean certain death, so there is no choice but to continue on until the end. There are several points in the Pattern that are more difficult to cross, and it may take all of one's strength and will to cross these points. Only true Amber blood can walk the Pattern. Any others will be killed instantly. Though it has been said that as long as the person has some Amber blood, they are able to walk the Pattern. This Pattern walk allows the user to gain all of the magical powers of Amber, and from that point on, the Pattern is burned into the person's mind forever, so that they may access the power of the Pattern whenever necessary. Though the Amberites are very powerful, they are a family of plotting, vengeful people, and most of them have whims for great power. They will not hesitate to stab each other in the back to get what they want, and treachery is almost expected. It is no wonder that offspring from the Amber royal family are paranoid about their own death.
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:47 am
"Looking upward, I beheld a sky such as I had never before set eyes upon. At the moment, it was split down the middle - half of it of deepest night-black, and the stars danced within it. When I say danced, I do not mean twinkled; they cavorted and they shifted magnitudes; they darted and they circled; they flared to nova brilliance, then faded to nothing... The other half of the sky was like a bottle of coloured sands, continuously shaken; belts of orange, yellow, red, blue, brown, and purple turned and twisted; patches of green, mauve, grey and dead white came and went, sometimes snaking into belthood, replacing or joining the other writhing entities. And these, too, shimmered and wavered, creating impossible sensations of distance and nearness."If Amber is the center of the Universe, Chaos is at the far reaches of the cosmos. Amber is the utmost showing of order, while Chaos is just that--Chaos. The polar opposite of Amber. Here, the skies swirl with color, and are constantly changing. Half of the sky could be bright, and looking as if it were daytime, while the other half of the sky will be dark and speckled with stars. Most of the terrain is quite rocky and unpredictable. There are tall cliffs and low valleys, and clouds of mist help to transport people around the Shadow. The Shadow that Chaos resides in is difficult to reach, even for Amberites who have Shadow-walking abilities. Only the strongest of the royal family can travel here, and though they seem to be opposing forces, the King of Amber himself has in fact procreated with a woman from Chaos' royal family, forever mixing the blood of the two. The landscape is constantly changing in Chaos, and there is no real geography of the place, save for the center, where the Courts are located. The Courts themselves are like a labyrinth. Made up of tightly packed strangely shining black and red buildings, all of which seem to shift when no one is looking. The actual walls seem to shimmer, as if they are simply an illusion, even though they are solid. It is said that the shimmering given off by the walls makes those who work within it go insane. Only royal family members are unaffected by the strange shimmering. The Logrus is what powers the Courts of Chaos, and similar to the Pattern, it is permanently etched into all those who assay it successfully. It's a three-dimensional mass of writhing black tendrils which is assayed by studying it until one understands how it functions. Once they've assayed the Logrus, new users tend to fall into a catatonic state until their mind integrates the new knowledge of the Logrus into itself so that it can be used. Logrus powers allow the user to use the black tendrils of the Logrus to reach out and feel things, or to grab them and return them to the user. At the most basic level, a Logrus user can only summon one tendril that is active, though other passive tendrils can also be summoned.
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:48 am
So, so poor...Well, this is more like a contest thread than a quest...but as soon as I have some extra funding for this, it'll go here. Currently, I have no funds.
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:51 am
I cannot be appreciative enough...Thanks to all of you who come by and actually read my thread. That's awesome I appreciate it! And even more thanks to those who post comments and crits! heart The Forgotten Documents are (c) quietsnooze and Liz-liz. Maya & Mortality's concept (c) Sizzla. Amber & Chaos, and the entire story behind them (c) Roger Zelazny.
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:55 am
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:47 am
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:53 am
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:46 am
Feel free to post. I'd love to get some critiques or just thoughts in general!
I'll be adding guardian stuff as soon as I figure out who I'm going to make her guardian...
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:30 am
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:40 am
I was going to post, and then my internet disconnected and then I forgot. *losar* ^^ But, I like it! particularly the crazy worm thing. xD But Maya is cute too. I can see her bossing Mana around like mad-- the two of them would probably get along (and not just because of name similarity. xD))
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Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:31 am
I like this, the personalities seem especially well thought out. I also like the Daemon design, it's interesting.
But I must say, the power level that Maya possesses seems a bit excessive. I realize that you're connecting it to the books, but still, combined with her Daemon, it seems like there's very little that she wouldn't be able to handle. I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to see her having some sort of weakness as well. She has the danger of her family, yes, but that won't hurt her at all when she's interacting with other Forgotten.
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