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Fall of Aerasia

Aerasia's fabeled Source has been cracked. Sky Haven and its surrounding islands threaten to fall from the sky. Should Aerasia fall, the flighted country would plummet into the floating country of Aquanos and part of Arthon. What part of the neighboring countries the initial fall did not destroy, monstrous tidal waves would destroy soon after.

In order to prevent a disaster of epic proportions, the Source Keeper known as Irianna Gale ventures from her home of Sky Haven to the earthbound countries of Aquanos and Arthon. Once there, she hopes to recruit people brave enough to follow her into the treacherous Black Mountains to retrieve a replacement Source. It is within the Black Mountains that Aerasia originates, and the only place to obtain the Source crystals that Aerasia so desperately needs. Irianna Gale also intends to search out the person that marred her charge. If someone managed to harm the first Source, no doubt they would try to harm a second or impede her search for a replacement.

~*~

The Three Lands

Aerasia

Aquanos

Arthon

~*~

Aerasian Geography

Aerasia is a country found in the skies above the Mermadon Sea, the White Coast, and the forested Mephitic Mountains. This country consists of one great flying landmass, Aerasia's capital of Sky Haven, and dozens of lesser flying islands surrounding Sky Haven. Each flying island has its own special climate, geography, inhabitants, vegetation, and wildlife. In other words, any creature can find a home in Aerasia, as long as it finds a suitable island. The key entrances to each island lie in tunnels and crevices found in the supporting rock beneath the soft earth of most Aerasian islands. Most of these tunnels lead to the surface, though some lead only to dead ends or isolated caves. It takes an experienced Aerasian citizen to safely navigate the tunnels.

Sky Haven has a mild climate, four seasons, and consists of flat terrain thick with ancient Sequoia pine trees. Constructed within, around, and between the great trees are thousands of homes and businesses. The towering Sequoias conceal from Sky Haven's borders the presence of a large shrine reminiscent of a Japanese dojo or temple built on the ground, contrary to the greater population of Sky Haven's architecture. This shrine, known as the House of the Source, opens up on all four sides, each side representing one of the Four Winds. In the center of the House of the Source is a crystal of gigantic proportions. Energy hums from the crystal and gives off a steady light. This crystal is what keeps all of Aerasia from plumeting to the earth or into the ocean. It is known as the Source.

Aerasian Defenses

The Four Winds that buffet Aerasia would normally turn the country into a barren and blasted landscape. Instead, Aerasia flourishes. This is thanks to semi-permeable barriers created by ancient spells and kept in place by the Source. The barriers allow just enough wind and weather to penetrate in order for the unique climates of each island to stay constant. Nothing else gets through. Aerasia's natural defenses include the winding, branching entrance tunnels and the country's lofty altitude. The flighted country is inpenetrable.

Unfortunately, the safety of Aerasia has made many of its native citizens, the winged people known as Sky Children, far too confident and secure. Aerasia has no army. Few Aerasians feel the need or want to learn how to defend themselves. Select few Aerasians choose to learn any form of self defense, though the ones that do fight are excellent warriors and tend to form disciplined groups. The greatest Aerasian warrior is rumored to be the Sky Child known as Irianna Gale, the young Source Keeper.

~*~

Aquanese Geography

Aquanos is a country that floats on the surface of the Mermadon Sea and in some cases just below the surface. The entire country consists of scattered homes constructed of logs and bamboo and the occasional floating volcanic rock. Though a great part of what keeps Aquanos from breaking up and drifting away in a storm or hurricane is exceptional architecture and a plethora of luck, the Aquanese can also attribute their existence to a peculiar spell. This spell turns water into lengths of indestructable rope. When used to lash together logs and bamboo, nothing can make it relinquish its hold. The spells stay in place through a pearl resting at the bottom of the Mermadon Sea that is similar in purpose to Aerasia's Source. This pearl is known as the Mother. The Mother is guarded by a humorous sea serpent that calls itself the Protector.

Aquanese Defenses

Aquanos is admired for the marine warriors that make up its army. These warriors are generally the people known as Mer Kin. Mer Kin are mostly human in appearance, but sport fins on their forearms, calves, spine, and their ears are fins. Behind the ear fins are gills, and they also have a working set of lungs, making the Aquanese natives amphibious. A Mer Kin's skin and hair can be nearly any color. The Mer Kin are the cousins of the Mer Folk that inhabit deeper regions of the Mermadon Sea. Tridents and spears are the preferred weapons of the Mer Kin. Even those that don't serve in the army usually know how to defend themselves.

Aside from the Aquanese citizens, trained marine animals are used for defensive purposes. Dolphins are often trained for combat. Sharks aren't as easy to train, but can be useful. Mer Folk are always eager to aide their Mer Kin, and the Protector has a love for frightening invaders.

~*~

Arthonian Geography

Arthon lies on the southern face of the Mephitic Mountains and the forested flat lands bordering the White Coast. The forests of the Mephitic consist largely of pines, oaks, and cedars. Bears, deer, elk, wolves, and other creatures of that nature tend to inhabit the area. While Aquanos is the native country of Mer Kin and Aerasia is home to Sky Children, Arthon is the land of humans and Elves. This is evident in how the land is farmed and in some places skillfully terraced. Arthon is frequented by storms, fogs, and sudden changes in temperature due to its proximity to the ocean. The borders of the country are the peaks of the Mephitic mountains and the edges of the White Coast, and the country is much longer than it is wide.

Like Aquanos and Aerasia, Arthon has a carefully guarded jewel that prevents a specific disaster. A great diamond known as the Mountain's Bane is housed in a secluded castle on the tip of Mount Majesty, the highest point of the Mephitic Mountains. When Arthon was a monarchy, this castle was home to the royal family. Now, the white dragon Ward keeps an eye on the Mountain's Bane. If the Mountain's Bane is destroyed, the magic it emits would dissipate, and the once unstable face of the Mephitic could fall away in a great landslide, destroying much of the country and taking many lives.

Arthonian Defenses

The army of Aquanos is formidable, but the three armies of Arthon are rumored to be unstoppable. The First Army consists of the greatest Elven soldiers, while the Second Army is its human equal. The Third Army is a melting pot of Elves, humans, immigrants from Aquanos and Aerasia, and any other being that feels the need to serve Arthon. These three armies have been at rest for centuries, since the corrupt royal family was banished by Irianna Gale's Source Keeper ancestors. Their skill has not dulled, though. And no one doubts that this army will continue to be just as strong for centuries to come.

~*~

The Three Lands are governed by no single party. The towns and cities of each country are recognized as a united nation on a geographical basis and historical ties alone. Otherwise, the cities govern themselves, and are governed by councils of elders. Every sixth months, the representatives from each council convene within their countries to discuss current events and how the cities may aide each other. Every year, these same representatives meet at an agreed upon point on the White Coast to discuss international affairs.

~*~

The races of the Three Lands are many and very diverse. Anything is possible. The humans, Elves, Mer Kin, and Sky Children make up the majority of the population of the Three Lands, but the number of races is still unknown.

~*~

Rules

~ Every rule that C. O. S. T. has to offer.

~ Every rule that Gaia has to offer.

~ No god moding. And if your RPC has some super powerful technique, it had better have some sort of draw back. It's just not possible for uber amounts of power to exist without some sort of set back.

~ Romance is allowed and encouraged, but no juicy details. Anything that might be considered cybering or close to it is against the Gaian ToS and my ToS, so don't try to argue with me. You won't win.

~ No one is allowed to kill off another person's RPC unless the RPC's user gives the would be killer permission.

~ I am allowed to enforce at a later time any potentially necessary rules that I cannot think of at the moment.

~ If you are in the middle of RPing and need to leave, please inform the rest of us. And if you are not going to be RPing for an extended amount of time (a set number of several days or weeks), please inform us as well. I believe C. O. S. T. has a thread for that.

~ Here's how speech goes: General dialogue is "Like this." Thoughts are spoken In this format. OOC speech is (( Used between double parantheses. ))

~ Have fun and be creative.

~*~

All of these fields are required, but if you deem it necessary or just feel like it, you can add fields. This is pretty much a guideline. Just try to give me as much information as possible.

Gaian Username:

RPC Name:

Race:

Gender:

Age:

Appearance:

Weapons:

Spells or Magic:

Country of Allegiance (Aerasia, Aquanos, Arthon):

Background:

~*~

Character List

Gaian Username: Eerie Wind Kunoichi

RPC Name: Irianna Gale

Race: Sky Child

Gender: Female

Age: 18

Appearance: Irianna is short for a Sky Child. While most female Sky Children, or Sky Maidens, her age are about 5' 10", Irianna is only 5' 3". The young woman is lean and muscled, but also sports womanly curves that one would not expect from a woman of her lithe build. The Sky Maiden's skin is unusually pale for a Sky Child, her eyes an iridescent shade of violet, and her knee-length mane of hair a soft shade of red that glows like fire in the sunlight. Irianna's clothing usually consists solely of a strapless, light, white cotton gown that falls to a point just below her knees and a handful of red ribbons that cinch around her waist and tie off to one side. When she travels, Irianna will sometimes add to her clothing a pair of soft leather ankle boots, a set of arm bracers reinforced by slim strips of steel, and a leather bodice over the torso of her white gown.



Weapons: Irianna's weapons of choice are a halberd, a set of throwing knives, and two light sharp edged steel fans that can be used as blunt weapons or sharp weapons in close range combat. The fans are also useful in long range combat as something like boomerangs.

Spells or Magic: Irianna is proficient in wind based spells.

Country of Allegiance (Aerasia, Aquanos, Arthon): Aerasia

Background: Irianna's family consists of a long line of Source Keepers and Aerasian warriors, and all of them have resided either in the House of the Source or somewhere in Sky Haven. Her ancestor Brianna banished Arthon's once powerful and corrupt royal family from the Three Lands, insuring safety for all three countries. Irianna's life has not been so eventful. Being a Source Keeper requires only watching after and occasionally cleaning the Source and its House. However, her family traditionally trains its members to fight to the death for the Source's safety if necessary. Irianna considers the sneak attack upon her charge as a personal failure. The Sky Maiden fully intends to redeem herself.

~*~

Gaian Username: Oracle of Delphi

RPC Name: Xia Auros aka The Angel of Shattered Hope and Broken Dreams

Race: Sky Children

Gender: Female

Age: 16

Appearance: Long, fluffy white hair that most often is hiding deep brown eyes, a perpetual flush on her cheeks, 5"8', a skinny, frail looking girl. Wears a battered white summerdress, the skirt stopping at her knees, the straps constantly slipping off her shoulders, and white grecian-style sandals. Her wings are more of a grey color when compared to the pristine white wings of most other Sky Children. A pale blue sash is tied around her waist, the only thing on Xia that seems well taken care of. Everything else -her face, her hair, her dress- seems to be in a constant state of smudginess and disrepair. Carries a cherrywood panflute tied to the sash upon which she often can be heard playing long, sad ballads, though she often chooses happier songs for the enjoyment of others, encouraging them to dance or sing along.

Weapons: Xia wields the Rose Whip and the Sky Dagger, both weapons passed on to her by her father. The Rose Whip is a creation of spun Sky Children feathers and rosethorns, sporting diamond-hard gripping barbs along its lower half and removable poisontip stings on its end. It is a vicious weapon in the right hands despite its innoccous appearance. The Sky Dagger is a blade of pure silver, magically hardened to be indestructible. It is fashioned after the graceful curves of Sky Children wings and razor blades are dull compared to its edge.

Spells or Magic: Xia knows basic wind magic spells but has two special magics of her own. The first, Rose Rain, is a rain of bloodred rose petals from her whip that can be used as a diversion, to cover an escape or to hinder an enemy's vision. The second, Lament, is an incredibly strong magic. Many say that when you look in her deep brown eyes long enough, you can become lost in her sorrow. Lament bottles up her pain and then releases it in one great burst, the sorrow temporarily trapping all those in range inside their own minds. The spell, however, renders Xia an emotional wreck for quite a while afterwards and drains her of most of her strength.

Country of Allegiance: Aerasia

Personality: Xia is a quiet, reserved girl, withdrawn and introverted with all but a trusted few, including Irianna, her master and friend, and is prone to staring sadly into space and curling into a corner hugging her knees. An air of sorrow follows her and deep fits of depression occasionally set in. On the battlefield, Xia turns her sorrow to her advantage, a highly-skilled warrior with the intensity of a wildfire and a strong sense of justice. She will leave none behind and finds nothing more important than finding a new Source save for sparing others unnecessary pain.

Background: Xia's father was a skilled weaponsmaker, her mother the best weaver in Sky Haven. As their wedding presents to each other, they decided to push their limits, her father creating the beautiful and deadly Sky Dagger, her mother fashioning the cord for the Rose Whip. The weapons were set above the family mantle as a symbol of their love. The two soon had children, Xia and two small boys. When Xia was only 6, however, her twin brothers both 2, a drunkard staggered into the Auros household, raving about a sword he had bought from them breaking in battle. In the heated debate and no doubt brought on by the alcohol, the drunk stabbed Xia's father with the blade he had just finished, the Phoenix Katana, and continued on to the rest of the family, slaughtering her mother and brothers in his rage, taking his own life when he regained his senses. Xia was spared, having been in the garden playing, and returned to find the gruesome scene, the roses her mother loved lying in a pool of the same crimson color. A pale blue sash, the latest piece finished by her mother, was the only thing in the room not tainted with her family's blood. Xia buried the Phoenix Katana beneath the Auros family house, vowing never to use the immense magics of the blade, the last creation of Aerasia's top weaponsmaker. She joined the few Sky Children who devoted themselves to the protection of others, becoming one of the elite warriors in order to spare others the pain she still feels every waking moment of her life.

~*~

Gaian Username: Oracle of Delphi

RPC Name: Jaden Cierik

Race: Mer Kin

Gender: Male

Age: 11

Appearance: 4"2', muscular for his age, an impressive golden tan. Jaden has shaggy hair of a deep teal color, matching teal eyes and black fins. He wears a black pearl in his right ear and a sophisticated twine of seagrass around his neck. He sports baggy black shorts, adding a pair of leather boots when on land.

Weapons: A standard issue army spear with a myriad of carved nocks in it, a pearl dagger and a handcrafted bow and arrow. His aim is accurate to within a hundredth of an inch from five hundred yards away, on land or underwater.

Spells or Magic: Jaden has no magic save for the pearl which allows him to exchange his legs for a more black, razor-finned fishtail much like that of his Mer Folk cousins.

Personality: Jaden is a cocky kid, tough and spunky to the end. He is equally fond of playing jokes and sparring and devotes most of his freetime to the pursuit of those pleasures. He is a confident, strong-minded boy who is more than willing to charge into battle, if he isn't already on the frontlines yelling insults. Those who know him usually come to regard him as a younger brother figure. He is, however, still just a child and it often shows.

Country of Allegiance: Aquanos

Background: Jaden was born to a large family, most of whom are the kind of Mer Kin that filled the unglamorous jobs that nonetheless needed to be done to keep an army well-oiled and functional. Raised mostly by his horde of older brothers, a great deal of his time was spent watching them spar and train with their weapons. One day, Jaden picked up a spear and challenged the eldest, easily winning in two moves. His brothers, and the Aquanese army, realized that Jaden was a prodigy in weapons skills and and tactics, promoting him to the head of a large squadron. Every battle he has commanded and won has earned his spear a nock from his pearl dagger. He hopes to find more adventure in the quest for a new Source than the current relative peace of the Mermadon Sea. Oh, and saving the world is a good bonus, too...

~*~

Gaian Username: Trimley

RPC Name: Merdick Syllos

Race: Mer Kin

Gender: Male

Age: 44

Appearance: Merdick is still a very lithe man despite his age. His body is well-sculpted from his many years in the service as a protector of Aquanos. His skin has an olive tint to it, marred only by a few scars on his left side from an entanglement with a group of sharks in his earlier years. His short-cropped hair is a dark brown (his students and officers like to tease him about 'blonde hairs,' a sign of his aging), and his eyes a seemingly solemn, soft brown. Two wavy black stripes run vertically from his left cheek to his jaw bone. His only adornments are a pair of loose royal blue shorts held at his waist by a strong cord of sewn kelp, a small sheath at his left side for his knife, and a double-loop necklace strung with thirty-two shark teeth; one tooth from every shark he has defeated unarmed. Occasionally, when battle requires, he also dresses himself with a Mothercraft vest, which is essentially two pieces of pliable wood wrapped in 'water-rope.' It's the roping itself that provides the protection and not the wood. The wood is merely there to help provide a 'foundation' of sorts. The name stems from the name of the pearl, the Mother, that allows the 'water-rope' to exist.

Weapons: A spear with a foot and a half long blade, and a curved hunting knife

Spells or Magic: He has no magical abilities.

Country of Allegiance (Aerasia, Aquanos, Arthon): Aquanos

Background: Merdick was born to a low-class family, his father a warrior and his mother a seamstress. Both were stern in their discipline and good-natured, bringing Merdick up as their only son. He was disciplined as they had been, and turned out to be a great boy. He excelled wherever he put his mind: schooling, hunting, and eventually battle. This was expected and even encouraged to a degree. His parents made sure that he became well-rounded, finding interest in almost any subject thrown his direction. And eventually, his parents passed away, leaving Merdick with a strong will and bright future. He married the eldest daughter of a council member in the Aquantan capital. They had two children, and both were raised as Merdick had been. The eldest is nineteen, and the second sixteen. Just three months ago, however, things for Merdick turned sour. His wife passed away in child birth, leaving him with two sons and a newborn girl. Despite his grief, he has done his best to carry on life as usual. When news of the failing Source and the beginning of the Sky's Reclamation, as many Aquantans had dubbed it, Merdick immediately offered to go, and entrusted the care of his daughter to his sons. His greatest drive seems to be his despair; the threat of losing his life does not deter him. In fact, he seems to be drawn to the idea of risking his life. Death would be a welcome passing, should his time come during this voyage. And what better way to go than in such a benevolent act as saving an entire planet?

~*~

Gaian Username: Trimley

RPC Name: Nalla Vemris

Race: Elven

Gender: Female

Age: 113

Appearance: Nalla is a tomboyish character, with her almond-colored hair cut short just beyond her chin. Her eyes are a piercing crystal green. Her figure overall is slim, but well-toned, highlighting her race's natural attributes of grace and agility. She wears an earth-green short-sleeved tunic tucked into her leather pants. A leather vest is settled snugly over her tunic. A hoodpiece lays draped over her shoulders to be pulled over her head and mouth when she chooses; it's quite handy for her 'profession.' Her boots come up to her calf, and the soles are padded to keep her steps silent. A belt hangs loosely at her hips with a sheath on either side, encasing twin knives, the blades made of gently curved steel, and the handles constructed from ebony. Her gloves extend halfway up her forearms, and the backside of the hands are covered with a piece of plate mail. A plain short sword hangs from the right side of her belt, and a bow made of yew with an accompanying quiver hang over her shoulder.

Weapons: The two knives, short sword, and bow.

Spells or Magic: Nalla is well-versed in herbalism and enchantments.

Country of Allegiance (Aerasia, Aquanos, Arthon): Arthon (technically speaking, she is an unknown)

Background: Nalla was raised by well-to-do parents with well-to-do jobs. They were decent people, and did their best to raise five children to be good people. However, living with the same last name that had been carried by the last royal family before the downfall of the monarchy put a very large damper on all of them. Most of society never warmed up to them very well. Eventually, the whole family was evicted from their hometown to make a living out in the wilderness. A house was built, and life found itself a routine once more, but bitterness toward the majority of humans and elves resonated among each parent and child, no matter how much they wished to stifle it. Nalla was the middle-child, but it made no difference. The family was close-knit and no one was ever neglected. When a few rowdy villagers from their hometown came out to force the family even farther away, Nalla's family resisted. She was eighty then. It was the first time she had killed a person, although she had often been out hunting with her father. The death of the townsfolk apparently was much more horrendous than the death of her eldest sister and second brother. Soldiers were sent to command that they move farther from "civilization" or face death. They begrudgingly uprooted and moved.

Nalla left for good without telling any of her family her destination or plans. She moved to the western-most reaches of Arthon and there began to make a new home for herself. By day, she was a hermit seamstress, and by night she was the greatest enemy of Arthon's Three Armies and councils, stealing a plethora of items important to the individual factions. Some were kept, and others were sold via "black market" bargains. She continued to live that way until one of her "customers" managed to rat her out. That was twelve years ago. Since then, she turned to living in the wild, hunting her own food, and making her own clothing, and continuing to steal and sell her findings. With no home, the Three Armies and councils are unable to locate and capture her. When Nalla overheard gossip concerning the new group being formed to save Aerasia, she decided to join, and currently waits, searching for her opportunity to jump aboard. At the very least, she would be able to collect some more trinkets to support her lifestyle. And who knows, maybe it would be worth her time.

~*~

Gaian Username: Shadowone

RPC Name: Mia Angelis

Race: Half-elf

Gender: Female

Age: 19

Appearance: Mia is about 5’5 with light almost silvery blond hair; it generally is cut to about mid-back length. She has her elvish mother’s green eyes and her ears come to a distinct point. She is skinny and has a decent amount of muscle on her, but not quite as much as a foot solider. She generally wears very light armor so as to be protected but not weigh her or her mount down.

Weapons: A lance and a double edged Sabre, as well as a short bow

Spells or Magic: Mia has very little magic, but she has the ability to produce blades of wind when she thrusts her lance, as well as a telepathic link with her mount, a Pegasus. ((This term is being used as a type of magical animal, not the Pegasus of Greek mythology in particular.))

Country of Allegiance: Arthon

Background:

The Heaven Knights
The Heaven Knights is the name of the branch of the Arthon combined military that could fly, either by natural or magical ability or could ride a winged mount. It is said that this force could even invade Aerasia if it wanted to. Although due to Aerasia’s lack of military this is more of a complement on their flying skills then anything else. None the less, the Heaven Knights are still a feared military force. Despite that, the Heaven Knights conduct themselves by a rather high standard of honor and the organization has been known to refuse orders that go against that principle. Traditionally, the Heaven Knights are lead by the Head of the House of Angelis.


The House of Angelis:
The House of Angelis is the only known group of people in Arthon who have the ability to breed Pegasi in captivity. These Pegasi vary from wild ones in that they are specially bread for carrying a rider into combat. As such, Angelis Pegasi are prized through out the world, even more so because they are only sold to people the leaders of the house see as good people. It is tradition to give a newborn child in the house a baby Pegasus, so that the pair will bond and become more effective when they are old enough to fight, in rare cases, this is so successful that the bond between the pair is telepathic allowing instant and accurate communication between the pair. It is uncertain whether the Leadership of the Heaven Knights is given to the head of the House, or the Honor of being Head of the House is given to the leader of the Heaven Knights, as these titles pass on the person who is to inherit them simultaneously. The House of Angelis is in fact an ancient noble house; it is in fact so ancient, that no one, not even historians within the house, remembers what group of people in Arthon gave it its title of nobility in the first place.

Mia’s personal background:
Rightfully Mia should inherit leadership of both the Heaven Knights, and the House of Angelis when she gets older and her father retires. However the fact that her father married an elf, and a commoner, both forgivable offences on their own, has lead some of the elders to question her fitness for the job. Mia actually sees this as a good thing as she wants to prove herself fit for the job, not just inherit it. Despite the luxury she was brought up in, she doesn’t see the fact that power and control are just inherited as a good thing. Despite leading a protected life, she still wants to get out into the world and help people, and when she heard the rumors about Irianna’s quest she immediately packed her things, mounted Kumori, her Pegasus and left searching for her. In her enthusiasm she forgot to tell anyone she was leaving and finally remembered to write them a letter explaining what she was doing three days latter.

~*~

Gaian Username: Glitched_Mind

RPC Name: Jaelan Quardrow

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 17

Appearance: Jaelan is a somewhat scrawny youth, who stands at around 5’5 with peach colored skin, and light blue eyes. At first glance, the first thing someone would notice about the young mage would be his somewhat strange, if not ugly features. It is not uncommon for others to tell him that his face highly resembles that of a monkey. Jaelan also has medium cut hair which bears the appearance of several dark straws of hay. He usually wears an open dark green robe, with a simple grey tunic, and a somewhat frayed pair of overly large brown pants, held up with a black leather belt. Since he rarely ventures outside of his master’s tower, Jaelan usually only wears a pair of extremely worn leather sandals. It is believed by several of the other apprentices where Jaelan lives that he only keeps his appearance to throw whoever is looking at him, off guard. However, usually these suspicions are completely dismissed by the way Jaelan behaves.

Weapons: A highly enchanted quarter staff, unfortunately Jaelan is completely oblivious of most of its functions.

Spells or Magic: Jaelan is proficient in almost every form of elemental and arcane magic, his specialty being that of his master’s, the art of enchantment.

Country of Allegiance (Aerasia, Aquanos, Arthon): Arthon

Background: Jaelan lived a regular life of a commoner up until the age of five, when his father died, and his mother remarried to a man, who in Jaelan’s eyes was nothing but a lethargic drunk. Unfortunately, soon after, the man who married Jaelan’s mother beat her to death in a drunken rage. For several years after this, Jaelan wandered Arthon, doing small labors to keep himself fed, and occasionally being forced to commit theft to survive. His life changed when he was offered a large amount of money to sneak into the tower of the famed wizard Halleran Fazeer, and to steal his quarter staff. Jaelan was told that the wizard was just a senile human who was over a hundred years old, so he figured the job would be easy enough. However, when Jaelan finally managed to get his hands on the old wizard’s staff, it proceeded to beat him until the old wizard casually strolled into the room, told the staff to stop, and that if Jaelan were to become his apprentice, he could have the staff.

However, Jaelan never returned the staff to the man who offered him the large sum of gold; instead he remained with the wizard, learning everything he could about from the old man which ranged in all sorts of fields, from the study of elemental magic, to the translation of ancient runes. In time, Jaelan became the favorite student of Halleran, though none of the others understood why. Many of them rationalized that although Jaelan wasn’t the best with magic, maybe his intelligent yet straightforward thinking amused the old man, or maybe he saw some sort of hidden potential within the youth. Regardless of the reason why, Jaelan’s position permitted him to learn as much as he could from his master, allowing him to quickly become a highly skilled magic user himself.

~*~

Gaian Username: Oracle of Delphi

RPC Name: Xia Auros aka The Angel of Shattered Hope and Broken Dreams

Race: Sky Children

Gender: Female

Age: 16

Appearance: Long, fluffy white hair that most often is hiding deep brown eyes, a perpetual flush on her cheeks, 5"8', a skinny, frail looking girl. Wears a battered white summerdress, the skirt stopping at her knees, the straps constantly slipping off her shoulders, and white grecian-style sandals. Her wings are more of a grey color when compared to the pristine white wings of most other Sky Children. A pale blue sash is tied around her waist, the only thing on Xia that seems well taken care of. Everything else -her face, her hair, her dress- seems to be in a constant state of smudginess and disrepair. Carries a cherrywood panflute tied to the sash upon which she often can be heard playing long, sad ballads, though she often chooses happier songs for the enjoyment of others, encouraging them to dance or sing along.

Weapons: Xia wields the Rose Whip and the Sky Dagger, both weapons passed on to her by her father. The Rose Whip is a creation of spun Sky Children feathers and rosethorns, sporting diamond-hard gripping barbs along its lower half and removable poisontip stings on its end. It is a vicious weapon in the right hands despite its innoccous appearance. The Sky Dagger is a blade of pure silver, magically hardened to be indestructible. It is fashioned after the graceful curves of Sky Children wings and razor blades are dull compared to its edge.

Spells or Magic: Xia knows basic wind magic spells but has two special magics of her own. The first, Rose Rain, is a rain of bloodred rose petals from her whip that can be used as a diversion, to cover an escape or to hinder an enemy's vision. The second, Lament, is an incredibly strong magic. Many say that when you look in her deep brown eyes long enough, you can become lost in her sorrow. Lament bottles up her pain and then releases it in one great burst, the sorrow temporarily trapping all those in range inside their own minds. The spell, however, renders Xia an emotional wreck for quite a while afterwards and drains her of most of her strength.

Country of Allegiance: Aerasia

Personality: Xia is a quiet, reserved girl, withdrawn and introverted with all but a trusted few, including Irianna, her master and friend (I hope this is alright), and is prone to staring sadly into space and curling into a corner hugging her knees. An air of sorrow follows her and deep fits of depression occasionally set in. On the battlefield, Xia turns her sorrow to her advantage, a highly-skilled warrior with the intensity of a wildfire and a strong sense of justice. She will leave none behind and finds nothing more important than finding a new Source save for sparing others unnecessary pain.

Background: Xia's father was a skilled weaponsmaker, her mother the best weaver in Sky Haven. As their wedding presents to each other, they decided to push their limits, her father creating the beautiful and deadly Sky Dagger, her mother fashioning the cord for the Rose Whip. The weapons were set above the family mantle as a symbol of their love. The two soon had children, Xia and two small boys. When Xia was only 6, however, her twin brothers both 2, a drunkard staggered into the Auros household, raving about a sword he had bought from them breaking in battle. In the heated debate and no doubt brought on by the alcohol, the drunk stabbed Xia's father with the blade he had just finished, the Phoenix Katana, and continued on to the rest of the family, slaughtering her mother and brothers in his rage, taking his own life when he regained his senses. Xia was spared, having been in the garden playing, and returned to find the gruesome scene, the roses her mother loved lying in a pool of the same crimson color. A pale blue sash, the latest piece finished by her mother, was the only thing in the room not tainted with her family's blood. Xia buried the Phoenix Katana beneath the Auros family house, vowing never to use the immense magics of the blade, the last creation of Aerasia's top weaponsmaker. She joined the few Sky Children who devoted themselves to the protection of others, becoming one of the elite warriors in order to spare others the pain she still feels every waking moment of her life.

(( Come on now! There's only three profiles up on the character list, my own included. I want at least two more profiles before I start the RP. I know there has to be a few more interested RPers out there! ))

(( We have another RPer! Okay, just one or two more and I will declare this thread underway. Any takers? ))

(( So you just added a few ideas to the rankings and branches of the three Arthonian armies, Shadowone? That's great! Heh, I don't know much about military branches and things of that sort myself, but there isn't a full war planned for this RP so I thought I could get by with it. I love it when people take my idea and add a twist to it in some places or go more in depth in others. That keeps things interesting! ))

((Feels a tad bare. I may edit.))

The Message flew swiftly across the land and sea. When the message arrived in Aquanos, much of the army was out in the ocean sparring, or participating in some other battlewise practice. Merdick was in the midst of teaching when a courier came to him and relayed the message. He nodded solemnly and dismissed the students immediately. He swam home as quick as his body would allow, which was very fast. Once inside the Mothercrafted home, he met the gaze of his two sons with a serious expression. Quickly, he told them what the courier had said to him.

"I want to go, father," declared the eldest son when he was finished. "You know I am capable."

"I want to go too," chimed his other son. "We could look out for each other."

Merdick shook his head sternly. "No, you both will stay with your sister, and make sure she is cared for. I will represent this family on the journey. I trust you two to look out for her in my absence."

Both boys wished to argue the matter, but neither did. They knew that stern look their father now had on his features represented his steel will in the matter. It was final. They both nodded solemnly.

"I will leave immediately," he said quietly, crossing the room. His eldest son passed the infant to him and Merdick smiled weakly. "I will be back soon," he murmured. "You will be in good hands until then. I promise." Lightly, he planted a kiss on her forehead. His eldest son hugged him before receiving his sister once more. Merdick's younger boy hugged him then.

"Don't be gone long, dad. It'll get too lonely around here."

"I promise. It won't be long." With his final goodbyes said, Merdick left Aquanos, spear in hand and determination fueled by his despair to set things right for his family. No one else truly made an impact on his decision. Just that one little face that had yet to speak its first word.

The White Coast was within sight after a few miles, at a time when the sun sat carelessly upon the horizon. He stopped when the water was at his abdomen. He had no problem being out of water, but if he could help it, Merdick would rather linger. He was considering moving a little deeper while he waited when a fleck of white caught his eye. Turning toward it, he saw a Sky Maiden perched within a tree. No one else was around, so he could only assume this to be the Source Keeper. Slowly, he strode out of the water to approach her. When he was about ten yards from the tree, he called up in a level voice, "Are you the Source Keeper?"

Aways off from the pair, a flurry of crimson rose petals showered the white sands, falling like rain around a dirty young Sky Maiden. She was crouched on the shore, greyish wings bent from the landing, dingy white hair fluttering sullenly in a stray coastal breeze. Deep, sad brown eyes looked through the curtain to Irianna, still crouched, the girl's head inclined toward the Source Keeper. A soft, morose voice whispered from behind her veil of hair, one frail hand trailing down the coiled length of a whip at her side, the other holding out a silken white ribbon.

"I have come to answer your summons, Master, and will protect Aerasia with my life as you taught me."

A small, slight smile appeared on Xia's face, the flush on her cheeks seeming to glow in the dazzling sunset.

"Please, continue your conversation, sir Mer Kin, do not trouble yourself with me. But if you don't mind...."

The fragile-looking Sky Maiden pulled a cherrywood panflute from her side, closing her eyes and she sunk to the sand. A gently Aerasian ballad began to float through the air, the notes wavering like the reflection of the sun upon the Mermedon Sea, a reflection which was soon broken by a small figure rocketing through its surface. A young Mer Kin boy, his age barely in the double-digits, launched himself onto the White Coast shore to stand cheekily amongst the assembled. He, too, held a white ribbon, albeit in his teeth. Jaden quickly spat it into the surf and smiled at Irianna.

"Heard you guys were in trouble and I thought I'd lend you the strength of the lengendary genius kid Jaden Cierik!"

The Mer Kin shook the salty water from his teal hair, matching vivid teal eyes sparkling with youthful energy and adventure. He thrust his army spear forward like a trophy.

"I mean, look at all those notches! Ya can't beat that now, can ya?"

Jaden laughed heartily over Xia's flute music, not even waiting for confirmation of his request; he was going to help whether they liked it or not.

He watched in silence as Irianna floated by him ever so gracefully. When she landed, he got his answers, and a few questions as well. He nodded. "I left of my own accord, before any official league of Aquantans was assembled." He paused, uncertain of her question. He decided to skip it, then jump back. "My name is Merdick. I'm not sure what you ask of, when you request my thoughts."

Irianna seemed so young, and yet she carried herself like a veteran leader. It intrigued Merdick, but before he could let his thoughts wander, he noticed a few newcomers. A certain Sky Maiden named Xia, and the famous Jaden. Merdick had never gone into battle under the boy's command as Merdick was usually teaching or leading his own battalion, but he had heard plenty of stories. It seemed that the boy liked to boast, and keep a record of his victories. It was somewhat bothersome, but Merdick pushed it from his mind. No point in getting worked up over it.