OOC: Claw

[K9Guardian]

A nation stripped of its leader. A jewel that feeds on the spirits of the dead. A man broken by love, and a woman driven by an ancient thirst.

What part will you play in this story?


When King Lenar Fireheart is assassinated, leaving a great legacy and no heir to the White Scepter, the Verdant Country knows unrest for the first time in centuries. The rulers of the provinces eye one another with suspicion, even as they gather in Verda to attend the funeral and the Choosing of a new leader. The common people are ill at ease, and General Sian Eriet has vanished, leading some to believe him responsible for the death of his longtime friend King Lenar.

Meanwhile, something is stirring in Azurkaan, and the Watchers are on the alert. Already strange shapes have been sighted lurking in the pass through the Crags, and whispers go about that the day is coming again; that soon the gray-skinned creatures will return to make war on mankind. But the whispers go unheard by most, blown astray on the winds of political tumult.

In Azurkaan, the taint of Fiendish magic hangs thick and heavy, filling every crack and crease in that bleak landscape. At its center is the Chasm of Fog, its mists rising and spreading, ensuring that no sunshine ever touches this land. At its brink, a massive jewel begins to shine with fell light all its own, its interior swirling and blazing like the core of hell. And before it stands a woman, slender and beautiful. She is smiling, and the light from the jewel gathers in her eyes till they seem to glow with demonic triumph.

This jewel is Crethera, the Claw, and when it wakes not one spirit will leave this world; all will be pulled inevitably, irresistibly into its ever-thirsty depths…


Characters currently played:

Eden Lachesis -- Mountaindog
Sian Eriet -- LightofHeaven
Aedan, Lord of Udon -- Donkey_Kong_JR
Lady Chloe McAllist -- Redstiletto
Lady Semine De'Vibbard -- StarSplitter87
Lord Sudivan dar Telendric -- Sylvengard
Erir -- Donkey_Kong_JR
Argus Fadorvan -- MissCellaFane
Chorn Azin -- The Cheat
Tayt MacGawen -- Redstiletto
Hlogunr Svava / Elome -- Shadowseldil

 

[K9Guardian]

The rules are the usual: NSNS (no sex, no swearing), no godmodding or other RPing crimes, follow CF rules, and use grammar. Also, please post at least a paragraph, 4-5 sentences in length.

Stay consistent with the setting. I like it when people do that



Setting

The Verdant Country: Known for its lush jungles, vast swaths of tallgrass plains, and the towering Crags of the west, the Verdant Country never knew winter. Every day, it is bathed in sunlight, except for frequent rainstorms, which help sustain its abundant plant and animal life. Numerous streams and rivers flow from sources in the Crags, joining together to form two major river systems, the Ridmore and the Verda, both of which sweep across the eastern border into the kingdom of Nor, and beyond that to the Inner Sea. To the north lies the Endless Sand, from which few have returned, and to the south is the Nameless Territory, a wilderness uninhabited by humans.

There are five provinces within the Verdant Country, each ruled by a Lord or Lady who has allegiance to the White Scepter that is held by the King or Queen, (who is also the ruler of the province of Verda, named after the river). Verda lies in the heart of the country, and its current ruler (and thus bearer of the White Scepter) is Lenar Fireheart, last of his bloodline. Here lies the capitol city of Ariden. The northern grasslands make up the province of Udon. The eastern province Is called Kirmat and is ruled by Lord (???). The southern province is mostly jungle and is called Ridmore. Its ruler is Lady (???). The Western province, named Monlir after its ruling House, lies in the shadow of the Crags and is also mainly jungle.

Azurkaan: On the western border of Monlir province, the Crags rise tall and majestic, their snow-capped peaks thrusting well above the clouds. But this beautiful wall hides from the rest of the world the land of Azurkaan, a place long ago soaked in Fiendish magic. Where the Verdant Country is green and vibrant with life, Azurkaan is bleak and desolate. Yet though it seems lifeless at first glance, it is home to one of the most powerful and twisted life-forms ever to dwell beneath the sky.

For at the edge of the Chasm of Fog sleeps the jewel Crethera, known more commonly as the Claw; a claw to snatch the spirit away from paradise.


Magic

Two types of magic exist in this world: normal magic and Fiendish magic. Normal magic requires a focus to be used, which generally comes in the form of gems and crystals. Specific types of gems are better suited for certain tasks, but many can be used for general purpose. Strength of effects depends on the quality of the focus and on the purity of the intent. An evil person will have a very difficult time doing anything with normal magic, even with a perfect focus. Note that this increases the cost of gems, so higher classes are more likely to have them than commoners.

Fiendish magic is the residue of the normal magic tampered with by the Fiends in their ages-past war with the heavenly powers. It hangs in the air like an invisible cloud, calling to the minds of those who walk into it. Animals who stay near a site drenched in Fiendish magic may be infected by it, producing fearful monstrosities such as the gigantic Demopus of the Inner Sea. The few humans greedy enough to draw upon Fiendish magic on a regular basis can be infected also, transforming slowly into something inhuman, but not quite Fiend.


Races and Organizations

Humans make up the vast majority of sentient creatures in this world. Sentient animals exist, but they are rare and seldom possess the power of speech. The nonhuman races tend to keep to themselves, although contact with humans does occur. Examples of races, along with some preexisting human organizations, are listed here.

(On a side note: If you want to create your own race or otherwise play a member of a nonhuman race not on this list I would appreciate it if you not use Tolkienesque, Lewis-esque, or otherwise common creatures. More obscure ones are fine. This world does not support the undead.)

Races

Manpions: Like centaurs, only instead of horses’ bodies they have the bodies of scorpions. Their intelligence is equal to that of humans, but their life spans are one-quarter shorter. Their tails contain deadly poison, but they eat only fruit and herbs. Their fiercely defended nests are found deep in the jungles. Manpions view humans with contempt, seeing them as “incomplete”, so to speak.

Leorens: Lion-men. They roam the grasslands in tribes, and are generally only concerned with their own affairs. They look like humans with large cat’s eyes and tuffed tails like lions, and possess feline speed and grace. Males have thick manes that wrap around their necks and extend down to their bellies. Females’ hair is more normal but is usually golden in color. Leorens can be very proud and aggressive, and numerous tribal wars have had to be stopped by the Lord of Udon.

Constrictors: As opposed to constrictors, which are spelled with a lowercase ‘c’. Constrictors are huge sentient snakes, on average sixty feet long. They live alone; preferring solitude. They possess wisdom beyond that of humans, and they can be either good or evil; some have even embraced Fiendish magic, and these are terrible creatures indeed. Constrictors live a very long time; Ahasala herself even remembers the quaking of the earth during the Age of the Fiends.

Organizations

The Watchers: These are the men who guard the only known pass through the Crags into Azurkaan. Their duty is to hold vigil over that cursed land. But two hundred years have passed since the Claw last woke, and the number of Watchers has begun to dwindle.

The Keepers of Order: These are warriors who wander from province to province, doing justice for the common people. They are sworn to the White Scepter, and they act as eyes-and-ears for the King or Queen.

 

[StarSplitter87]

I will read this later when I have time.

~Star

 

[K9Guardian]

Yes, you will.

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

this sounds interesting, I'll get to work on my character if that's ok

 

[K9Guardian]

It is.

 

[StarSplitter87]

This made giggle:

"This world does not support the undead."

I believe I will take the Lady of the Southern Province. Does she have a predisposed name or am I free to tamper with her name and biography as I desire?

~Star

 

[K9Guardian]

You have free rein. Just remember the geography. Jungle. The province's name is Ridmore because that river runs through it.

 

[StarSplitter87]

Alrighty. I may not be able to today, but perhaps this afternoon I'll punch something out.

~Star

 

[K9Guardian]

Any ideas on who I can recruit?

 

[StarSplitter87]

Many, but they do not write to your liking.

Then again, perhaps Shadow and Paladin Dave, two the most talented writers I know. As well as Firefall and Drama, equally gifted.

Do those help?

~Star

 

[K9Guardian]

Yep. No time now, so I appoint you to PM writer in my absence. Later.

 

[StarSplitter87]

~Star

 

[Shadowseldil]

Sounds good. Might I use this character?

Hlogunr Svava Ælome

 

[StarSplitter87]

Lady Semine De'Vibbard (Lady of Jewels, Lady Silver)

Here she is, but something feels off about her name. Perhaps anyone can offer suggestions once they read her bio?

Any suggestions or problems with her bio?

~Star

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

Could I take the ruler of the northern grasslands, and are we allowed to have 2 characters?

 

[Sylvengard]

Alright, count me in, if you will have me. Unless someone already called for it, I shall claim the lord of the Eastern Providences, and I'll have a character up soon.

 

[Sylvengard]

Here he is, MD. Is he okay?

Surlivan dar Telendric.

 

[Redstiletto]

Do you want me to keep my characters? Or create new ones?

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

I hope this guy's ok
Aedan, Lord of Udon