Welcome to Xaerrat, a world of both fire and wonders. With the former, the world was forged; with the latter, the world was enlightened. Wonders in untold quantities had began to flow from the Abyss and into the warmth of Xaerrat, where they were soon discovered by adventurers and researchers alike. More had soon come, and Xaerrat was no longer the same world that had once fought against the Abyss and its machinations. The peoples had come to embrace the wonders, most of which were benign discoveries.
However, that was in the beginning.
In more recent events, wonders had become more dynamic and threatening, with the most tame of them only bleeding minor maledictions unto the world. Those that had once flocked to wonders had turned their backs on them in an ode to the dangers they had faced within. Others turned back to the ways of the Five Flames, in hopes that fire would once again cleanse what did not belong. And then there were those that did not care about the danger, be they old hands or new, and still flocked to the wonders that would flow into the world. Souls from both the old and new generations were known by one name across the world.
Aspirants.
Together or lone, they were known for their tenacity and will to go where no mere man or woman dared to go. Only they would have a chance to fully experience what it would mean to be in a world full of wonders.
Greetings and welcome to the Godflame: A World Full of Wonders OOC and signup thread. Here we will discuss the wondrous things about this roleplay, such as the races, wonders themselves, magic, other lore, and any other small tidbits that would allow anyone interested in this to join.
Currently, we are still accepting players, though I cannot say for how long. Other than that, be wary of completely related and unannounced chunks of lore and other information, as the rest of the text on this page is likely there only to entertain those that would read it. If one would pay close attention, they would note that this is the same information posted elsewhere, simply moved here, and likely edited. A most excellent strategy of providing information.
Oh yes, by the way, you all shall be controlling Aspirants in their adventures in seeking wonders.
[warning]
A short forewarning though. This roleplay does have somewhat strict lore, and not all kinds of characters may be accepted. However, if one is able to manipulate the lore that has been given, some exceptions may be made due to their creativity. This will be rewarded with consideration towards accepting such a character.[/warning]
Playable Races
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Humans
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Humans were the first race to be created by the eldest of the dragons birthed from an Allflame, and are the eldest of all races on Xaerrat. Due to this, they were the first people to establish themselves and hold the majority of the land whether it be by sheer power or numbers. They are also the most plain of all species, the most iconic thing about them being that they hold the ability to bear a child with most other species if lucky, akin Succubi in that respect. Due to this fact, there are more Half-Human hybrids than there are Half-Succubus hybrids, and such children gain some qualities of the non-Human parent. Humans despite their relatively plain nature, are slightly more pragmatic and hold more concepts as values than the other species, and many of these have seeped into other cultures; values such as marriage, heraldry, romance, and funerals.
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Lamia
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Lamia were the only race created by Faan-Do, and the second eldest of all races on Xaerrat. They were the second peoples of Xaerrat to establish themselves on the land, but were fervently driven to serve the Five Flames, and thusly could not truly have freedom until the flames had began to fade. Their appearances take the form of a Human torso fused with the lower body of a snake, creatures said to resemble Faan-Do in all of her glory; a Lamia's scales are also covered in a paralyzng poison that can kill if exposed to an open wound. Their other physiological gift is the ability to cocoon and shed the majority of their bodies, effectively allowing them to heal wounds and regenerate lost limbs. However, like the dragon they were molded from, they are susceptible to cold and have an instincual weakness and fear towards entities of the Abyss. They had adopted many of Humanity's policies, but had abandoned the concept of a royal bloodline. Instead, Lamia are overseen by one Emperor or Empress that rules for life, chosen in the process of a grand tournament.
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Centaurs
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Centuars were the first of four races created by the younger twin of Faan-Do, Irostine. Naturally, they were the third peoples to lay foot on Xaerrat, though unlike the Humans and Lamia, they had no desire to impose upon the world. In truth, they were nomadic, and never had committed to one way of life. Due to such, they cannot be easily summarized unlike the rest of Irostine's creations, though appearance wise they take the form of a Human body melded in place of a horse's neck. Like the other peoples and creatures of Irostine, they possess extreme longevity; as the firstborn, they are immortal, and cease aging after reaching maturity. However, they can only reproduce once in their lives, as all of Irostine's creations carry some flaw to pair with their longevity and gifts.
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Elves
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Elves are the second creations of Irostine, and like the Centaurs, they had decided not to cultivate the world, for it's natural beauty was all they would need. Where the Lamia had flocked to flame, Elves had inherited the intellectual tendencies of Irostine, and pondered the nature of the Allflames. Fire in the natural world consumed and burned, leaving nothing in it's wake but ash. Due to that discovery, Elves forsook the Allflames, and chose to tend to the world instead. However, some defected and continued to be "Flamekin" as they were called by their more nature-passionate "Greenfey" cousins. Both Flamekin and Greenfey Elves received the gifts that Irostine had granted to them, the gift of longevity and the gift of the Commune- a way to communicate with any form of life. Greenfey Elves use the Commune to communicate with nature, whereas Flamekin use it to communicate with others in more way than vocally. This rift between Elves is even more evident in their appearances. Greenfey generally have deer or ram-like horns that sprout from their heads, where Flamekin do not. Flamekin typically look more Human in a sense, lacking those horns, and unlike their Greenfey cousins, they have adapted to civilization. Both of course have the signature pointed ears of the species. However, all Elves, due to being creations of Irostine, have a downfall. This flaw is that they are the only species susceptible to the Chaos Ember, and can become Drow due to exposure to either this or the Abyss.
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Dwarves
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Dwarves are the third and most fortunate race created by Irostine. Like the other races and creatures of Irostine, they have longevity, another gift, and a flaw. Their gift was the claivoyance of their dragon, able to see that fire held the key to many great creations, and so they harnessed the power of fire and brought upon a new era for themselves. Seeing furthermore that the world was not ready for such power, they had buried themselves underground, trusting only the Ryaa and other allies to keep the secrets of their technology safe. However, their flaw is that it is impossible for any non-Dwarf to use their technology, so such sacrifice for the greater good of Xaerrat was not needed. Indeed, the short and stocky men and women of the underground had nothing to fear but themselves.
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Ryaa
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The Ryaa are the final and arguably the most unfortunate of Irostine's creations. They are large, blubbery peoples that look much like a Human that had overindulged themselves at a feast, only, lacking ears and a nose. That, however, was not their Irostinian flaw. Their gift was the ability to survive sacrificing themselves if they were Embraced, as they were made for that purpose. Irostine had forseen the fading of the flames, and created them as reusable kindling. However, their flaw lies within their horns. Many Ryaa grow horns from either the very tops of their heads or their backs, and eventually those horns eventually grow into the heads or bodies of the Ryaa, making their way to their brains or spinal cords where the damage leaves them little more than instinct-driven masses of muscle and fatty tissue. First they had turned to the Elves, which had said that if it was nature's will, it was the fate of the Ryaa. Then, they turned to Humans, who turned them away due to their inborn illness. On their way to the Lamia, they came across the Dwarves, who were willing to help if the Ryaa became their allies. Their saviors had created Spires and Nails, devices that would not only be used in the war against the Drow, but a manipulator of growth that was soon used to skyrocket the food production of the Dwarves. The Dwarves had earned the Ryaa's loyalty and trust, as well as a way to study the ways fire interacted with the very lives it created. Truly, the deal for all deals to be compared to, and it was between the smallest and largest races on the face of Xaerrat.
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Daimons and Demons
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Daimons were created by the youngest Allflame tended by the youngest of all dragons, Odir, and the last race to be created by a dragon. However, when searching for ways to draw life from fire, Odir had gone insane, and his creations came out as twisted and fragmented as his mind. The Daimons subsequently smothered Odir and his ember while he slept, and claimed it for themselves, as the dragon was clearly incapable of performing his duties. For eons Daimons toiled and attempted to create life, but to no avail until the Abyssal Allflame had let its light push back the Abyss to reveal images of flickering flames in the distance. The Daimons, having no forms due to smothering the ember, plunged into the Abyss and procured a sixth ember- The Chaos Ember. Without a flame, it would quickly fade, so the Daimons put it to good use, and created the Demons.
Demons, born from the twisted fires of the Chaos Ember, were twisted imitations of the creatures that already had existed on Xaerrat. Drow were blackened and twisted visages of Elves. Arachne were imitations of Centaurs, only, horribly perverted and malformed in comparison. Gorgons had held the traits of a Lamia, only, they had a gaze that would turn those unfortunate enough to clap eyes upon it to stone. The Oni were facismiles of larger Dwarves, only, their selfishness was driven by avarice rather than sacrifice. Even the pitifully plain Human form was perverted by the Chaos Ember, and given an insatiable lust along with the wings and horns of a proper dragon, and the name of Succubi and Incubi. Wendigos were formed from the imitations of Ryaa, and were granted forms reminiscent of feral beasts fused with their already massive bodies, with an appetite to match. Finally, Drakes were made in the form of Humans that could transform into facsimiles of dragons, a true show of defiance on part of the Daimons.
Drow
Drow are similar to Elves in the fact that they have pointed ears, horns on occasion, and generally have supernatural longevity. Like Elves they also reject fire, and they are a living contradiction just like what they were molded to mimic. However, their culture could be far from the same. Drow live off of a chaotic structure powered by slave labor and blood. If a Drow can't fight in the war, they are a slave. If they can't slave away, they are put down or at the very least, exiled.
Arachne
Arachne were made to mimic Centuars, and they had only one part correct, that being that their lower bodies are that of a creature with more than two legs. Arachne, as the name would suggest, have not only eight legs, but entire spiders replacing their lower torsos. These spiders are separate entities, and must be broken before an Arachne can have full control of their own bodies. However, having full control has numerous benefits, including access to lethal poisons, strong silk, and unrivaled maneuverability.
Gorgons
Gorgons are similar to Lamia in the ways that their lower bodies are that of a snake, and they have an oil that coats their scales. However, where they differ is that what would be hair atop a head of a Lamia is replaced with a writhing mass of snakes on a Gorgon. Not only that, but Gorgons have an enchanted gaze that can turn people that clap eyes upon them to stone. As such, most Gorgons wear masks or cloaks to hide their faces from those they come to love, for even in death their gaze can and will turn another to stone.
Oni
Oni were supposed to be copies of Dwarves, however, their size and passion was warped by the Chaos Ember. As such, they rival the Ryaa and Wendigos in height, have unruly features such as tusked teeth and exaggerated under bites, and harbor a greed unrivaled by any non-Demon entity. What this greed entails is generally up to them to decide. Whether it is a want for something superficial such as money, or something as dire as the head of a sworn enemy, an Oni will stop at nothing to get what it wants.
Succubi & Incubi
Succubi and Incubi are the most commonly seen Demons on Xaerrat, and for good reason, as they were meant to be mirror images of Humans. In that respect, they look Human to an extent, barring the bat-like wings sprouting from their backs, the goat horns, and spade-shaped tails. Succubi are female, and Incubi are male, a fact that so many overlook when referring to the race. They also harbor an unparalleled lust and need to reproduce, and develop at a much quicker rate than any other race in the world. In addition to this, a child from an Incubus or Succubus will always look like a Succubus or Incubus, only, they will have some of the traits of the other parent. An Arachne-Succubus hybrid would still have a spider for a lower body, a Lamia-Incubus hybrid would still harbor the body of a snake, and a Human-Succubus hybrid would look just like their mother.
Wendigos
Wendigos are what were supposed to be Ryaa, only their forms were twisted by the Chaos Ember and their already feral urges. As a result, Wendigos are barely humanoid, taking bestial qualities such as claws, tails, and some more bizarre ones such as tusks, natural armor, and much more. Wendigos are plagued by an eternal hunger that is only satiated by flesh, be it of the living or the dead. Some of the more apt individuals are able to stave off such tendencies and live a normal life in Bedlam or elsewhere on Xaerrat. However, the truth is that most Wendigos lose their minds to their urges, and roam the lands as feral beasts in search of their next meal.
Drakes
Drakes were created as mockeries of dragons, and take the form of Humans marked in some way that can reveal their true form if provoked. These marks are in truth, scales that appear in patches on their bodies. These scales will always be the color of one of the Allflames the dragons mimicked were meant to protect. Golden scales owe homage to Xaerrat himself, and have his incredible strength in the form of four legs, four wings and a physique that would leave lesser men in awe. Green scales owe their appearance to the mimicry of Faan-Do, and will be more serpentine in appearance due to her influence, and spew green flame that poisons what it does not burn. Blue scales show facsimiles of Irostine, and they too bear serpentine appearances, but have a minor form of mind control and predication. Red scales hold facsimiles of Odir, and allow one's fire and wingless body to mold fire in such a way comparable to that of a master Pyromancer. More rarely, grey scales owe their existence to Viodir and Uiodir, and allow the drake to breath an Abyssal flame much like what lies within the Ayen. However, despite speculation and various attempts, it is impossible for a Drake to have more than one scale color; attempts had led to more frustrated parents than hyper-powerful offspring. Oddly and almost fittingly enough, Drakes can reproduce naturally with Humans, Lamia, Succubi, and Gorgons, though the absolute latter is more rare than a Drake having grey scales.
Demons, like the Daimons and Ayen, had their ember embedded within themselves, and could not become embraced. As such, they were seen as more abominable than the Ayen. The Demons were forced to create a home of their own, to keep themselves safe from the scrutiny of the world. Not all shared that vision. A majority of the Wendigo population had given in to their feral urges and ran in the wilderness as beasts. Most Drow fled underground with their own plans, but were interrupted by the Dwarves and Ryaa, and had entered what seemed to be an eternal war. The rest of the Demons had stayed in Bedlam, though that is not to say that some did not fall prey to their most primal and chaotic urges. Due to rumors and superstition, most Human kingdoms would send their criminals to Bedlam in hopes that they would experience a torturous fate worse than anything humanely possible. However, that was only the case with more feral Demons. It would take years, perhaps even lifetimes, but Demons would one day carve a way into the normality of the world.
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Ayen
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The Ayen are the last second race to be created without a dragon at the helm of their conception, and the second species owing to an abyssal heritage. Ayen, despite their heritage, have rather tame qualities and appearances. They appear to be purple Humans with androgynous features, ram horns, empty white eyes, and the ember of their Allflame burning brightly somewhere on their body. They were created by the Abyssal Allflame, and their ember smolders within each and every one of them. Due to this, they cannot become embraced, but can lend to the longevity of their flame in the same ways an Embraced would a normal Allflame. Due to this and their lack of reproductive capability, Ayen are rewarded with rebirth if they throw themselves to the Abyssal Allfame, as it helps foster a cycle of feeding the flame and keeping Ayen alive. Like Humans, Ayen had created a sprawling society based off of a royal line, however instead of blood, the "family" is dictated by the ability to manipulate the power that lay within them. This power is something inherently unique to them due to their conception, and is a perversion of a normally sacred art. Abyssal Pyromancy. However, like most things touched by the Abyss, they are shortlived, and rarely live past forty. To counteract this, all Ayen come to the world fully grown and capable creatures.
Magic and Arcanum
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{slide=Magic|center}
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Overview
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Magic is defined as the process of manipulating forces beyond the perception of the average mortal mind. On Xaerrat, there are four known forms of magical manipulation. Pyromancy and its variations, Witchcraft, Augury, and Thaumaturgy. Each magic specializes in a different field of use, and each different magic pulls from a different form of power. Some magics can be taught to those with ample skill, but others are simply inborn traits that could or could not be passed on to the next generation. It is in this way that magic is a wonder, for like a wonder, there is still much to learn about it. All known forms of magic require a focus, which is an object or other requisite to allow one to use it. Foci can be used
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Pyromancy
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Pyromancy is the manipulation of flame by a non-dragon, Ayenni, or Daimonic entity. Manipulation of fire comes naturally to them, and as such, are inclined to embrace the powers that lie within Pyromancy. It, like all magics, require some form of focus, and the focus of a Pyromancer is a magical ember. Such embers can be created via Alchemy, though the most natural ones reside within the Embrace, Ayen, or Demons of all kinds. However, embers, like fire, fade with time. Due to this, embers must be routinely rekindled by those that had created their own, and those with embers within them need not worry about such inconveniences. Their embers do fade, but relight themselves after periods of rest, for fire rests naturally within them.
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Abyssal Pyromancy
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Abyssal Pyromancy is Pyromancy using an ember touched by the Abyss, and as such the flame burns differently than that of a normal or chaos ember. An Abyssal Pyromancer's ember produces flame darker than any shadow cast on Xaerrat, which is cold to the touch of the user, but burns that which is defined as a target. Due to this, it can be said that Abyssal Pyromancy is more both stronger and more controlled than Chaos or normal Pyromancy, as it only burns what is desired by the user. However, only Ayen may use this without worry. Other Pyromancers must pay prices akin to the Ayen, and find that their wellness would suffer for the use of such an ember. This can be alleviated by use of Augury and Nonurgy, but the Abyss beckons for all that come in contact with it, and the user would surely eventually slip into either nonexistence or insanity. It is rumored that Abyssal Embers made from Alchemy can become Ayen if their Pyromancer dies, and with good reason, for why would the Abyss let a good ember go to waste?
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Chaos Pyromancy
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Chaos Pyromancy is the product of using an ember touched by chaos, which is a product of the Abyss. However, unlike Abyssal Pyromancy and Abyssal Embers, chaos embers have no fire to call their own. As such, Chaos Pyromancy embers burn dimly when not in use, and rapidly deteriorate. Demons needn't fear this, as the Chaos Ember is a different thing entirely. A chaos ember does however produce a flame fiercer than that of an Abyssal or normal Pyromancer's ember ever could. Unlike normal embers and abyssal embers, chaos embers can only be kindled through using them, and startlingly, through the consumption of other embers.
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Witchcraft
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Witchcraft is the art of channeling and distilling the essence of the raw Abyss. However, unlike the powers of Abyssal Pyromancy, the magic cast will not eat away at the essence of the user. This is due to the fact that Witchcraft foci are not a part of the caster's essence, but a wand, staff, or other form of rod- be it imbued via Alchemy or Etchcraft. Witches of all kinds use foci of that design, though there are some that go to the extent of imbuing their clothing with such ability to use Witchcraft, especially their hats. Yes, oddly enough, many Witches give life to some kind of inanimate object with their abilities as a kind of test. In truth, Witchcraft is closer to Thaumaturgy than most think. Where Thaumaturgy manipulates the energies of wonders, Witchcraft takes power from the source of wonders, and as such, the effects are very similar. However, Witchcraft allows for more freedom of choice in casting, as Thaumaturgy has limited uses and extreme variation.
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Augury
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Augury is the bizarre art of manipulating time and portals. How this art came to be is unknown, and is the most akin to wonders of all the magic types. However, it is whispered that Augury was a gift from Irostine, as it bears resemblance to her powers of foresight. In addition to this, it is not certain that one will be able to utilize their power to the fullest extent, for each Augur has differing abilities. Some may be able to manipulate time, others may only be able to manipulate portals, a rare few can manipulate both- the extent of which also depends on the bearer's own innate ability. Augurs require no foci other than spoken chants and somatic movements that they had learned on their own, and just like their spells, each chant and movement is different from Augur to Augur.
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Thaumaturgy
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Thaumaturgy is the art of manipulating wonders and the forces that come from them. However, the wonders themselves also manipulate the user of such an art, as well as the magic they utilize. It can be compared to a form of locational magic, as the effects vary from wonder to wonder, and from Thaumaturgist and Thaumaturgist. For instance, one may be able to bring life to a statue, and another would possibly outright destroy said statue. In a way, the world itself is the focus of a Thaumaturgist, and as such they are not truly able to understand how their gift works.
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{slide=Arcanum|center}
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Overview
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Arcanum are defined as magical arts and practices that can be utilized by anyone with the proper materials and requisite skill. Using Arcanum in and of itself is a delicate art, as one flaw can turn one form of Arcanum into another.
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Etchcraft
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Etchcraft is the art of trapping ambient magic within a carving or other form of object for later use or study. This craft was first brought to Xaerrat by the Dwarves, when they had learned to trap the powers of fire and embers within their structures, and had began a technological path. This craft can seal any form of magic in any object, and it is a favorite of etchsmiths that sell etched weapons. It is a relatively easy to learn craft, and actually is the foundation of all other forms of Arcanum.
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Nonurgy
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Nonurgy is the practice of cancelling out magics through the use of runes akin to that of Etchcraft, Alchemy, and Theromancy. This is attained by creating a rune of any other kind, and then refusing to imbue it with any power. In essence, this is the first step towards creating an object that is the product of Etchcraft, but due to the applications, it is considered a different art.
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Alchemy
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Alchemy is the process of using objects imbued via Etchcraft or other magics to temporarily create other objects and potions that hold certain effects. This is achieved by etching runes into both the instruments to make the product as well as the area where the product is made, in the case of potions. In the case of giving objects different qualities, it requires multiple overlapping runes and a keen mind, so much so that it has only been done to create foci for the Witches and Pyromancers of the realms. Due to this, the most common application of Alchemy is making potions.
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Theromancy
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Theromancy is the rare art of using devices created by etchcraft, and is how Dwarven society became so advanced. Due to its origins, not much is known about this art, save for that it allows the animation of structures without the use of a magical spell.
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Character Sheet
Please do not be afraid to add your own personal flair to the character sheet. I prefer things rather simple, though that is by no means to impose upon your likes. If a certain part does not pertain to said character, remove it. If you wish more, do not hesitate to add more.
Name: What would the world call you?
Aliases: Do you have any other titles?
Age: How long have you walked the earth?
Race: What would you call yourself?
Sex: That is a private affair. Answer as you please.
Appearance: What would you look like, should I ever clap eyes upon you?
History: What had caused you to be on your path?
Goal: What is your path?
Archetype: In a team, what role would you play?
Skills: What skills do you have to show for yourself?
Abilities: What special talents do you have that you could use in battle or otherwise?
Equipment: What would you carry into battle?
Notes: Are there any other bits of information you would like me to know?[/hr][/hr][/hr]
Rules
- Please follow the rules of this forum, as well as the rules of common decency.
- The Iwaku rules supersede any rules posted here, and should there ever be a conflict of rules, the rules of the Iwaku as a whole will always take precedence over these rules.
- Avoid godmoding or metagaming. Those both will get you removed from the RP if it happens more than thrice, or if you are accused of such by a majority of the other players.
- If there is confusion about whether an action taken is metagaming or godmoding, consult your peers and then the GM.
- Try to keep things at a T for teen rating. There are kids here darnit!
- Though the nature of the RP is that of a grand adventure with danger around every corner, please refrain from being overly mature in themes.
- More mature themes may be explored, but please do not indulge others in excess of these themes. These themes include: sexual actions, torture, abuse of persons or animals, or anything else that could be deemed offensive to the general populace.
- Maturity and respect are what we have here. Except for when people post when they're inebriated.
- Please be as mature as possible and show some respect for the other players when speaking in OOC at all times. If any disputes occur that cannot be calmly solved with maturity and respect, instead of fighting, please instead report it to a GM, and watch the magic happen.
- TPN. Third person narration is the true form of that acronym.
- You must roleplay in third person. First and second person are acceptable within dialogue only.
- You may break this rule, and only this rule, but only if you ask nicely before the RP starts. After that you must do so for the entirety of that character's lifespan.
- Posting Out of Character.
- If you do ever need to say something in the IC thread that is OOC, please use ((double parentheses)) and tag any people that it applies to.
- Replying & Roleplaying Requirements.
- Requirements for replies go as follows:
- Replies must contain at least five full sentences, consisting of no less than three words each, and follow traditional grammar and writing conventions. The more detailed a post, the more the story can change and advance. One liners only make things harder and make others struggle to find a response. So please, play nice.
- Combat must be taken in attempts, not straightforward attacks, especially in PvP, if things ever come to that. GM posts shrug off this rule, as GM posts are seen as final.
- Combat outcomes will be decided upon by many factors, and generally by the judgment of what the GM sees as fitting or correct for the scenario.
- If talking to someone in character, do not be afraid to tag them so they know, just make sure to refer to the out of character posting rules.
- GM posts are considered final.
- GM stands for Game Master/Game Manager, and they should be treated as such. They created the rules, and generally the roleplay itself. Unless general consensus overrules, they are the primary source of rule enforcement and roleplay management.
- Do not argue with the GM, unless you have everyone else join in too. Consensus will always overthrow the rule of one in this RP, as long as it is done in a peaceful manner.
- Death and other bad, bad things.
- Character death is a thing, and can come at any time beyond the first post.
- Characters may be subject to: blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, the force trauma, emotional trauma, mental trauma, T for Teen torture, other injuries, disease, bankruptcy, job termination, illness, identity theft, name-calling, death threats and various forms of strenuous activity.
