NationStates Jolt Archive

It is with great pride that I unveil my nation, Braveria, to the International Incidents community. It will be a past tech nation set in a world of sorcerery and mythology, Gods and elves, dragons and spells, and so on and so forth, perhaps a bit of a change from the normal scenery around here. "A Forest Dying" will be the first of the many stories I plan on telling, and it will take place on the massive continent of Braveria.

Before I go any further, it should be noted that Braveria is a work in progress; that is, I haven't set many limitations on character possibilities yet because I'd really rather develop my nation's characters and history through roleplay...much more entertaining, you see. With that in mind, bear with me if I shoot down your character ideas for this roleplay...I don't mean to limit the imagination and all, but there are certain areas (primarily magic-users) that I'm still a little gray on. Onto the roleplay part of this, I guess.

"A Forest Dying" will be focused on a small, concentrated area of Braveria known as Skywood, named such as its trees line the sky like mighty towers. Amidst the forest is a prominent trade city known as Merchant's Crossing. Surrounded by a tall, wooden palisade and inhabited by mostly humans, Merchant's Crossing is more an outpost than anything else, designed for merchants to rest in between their travels. The city lies on several major trade routes leading from everywhere to the coastal cities to the Orange Empire of the east. It is vital to the continent's economy, and it would be quite a blow to every civilization if it were to befall some great misfortune. Unfortunately, such will be the case.

In a bizarre turn of events, Skywood has slowly and mysteriously begun to decay. Great, hulking vines of unspeakable strength have overgrown the palisade virtually over night, and now most of the Crossing's buildings are masked in thick sheets of moss. Giant spiders, at one point a very curious rarity, have the Crossing's guard in a frenzy, as now there are so many that they're spinning their webs above the city and dragging away villagers in the night. Rabid wolves, mad from who-knows-what, have become a very real danger, and the bountiful streams that once softly trickled through the woods have either dried up or turned to tar. Something is amiss, and whatever it is happens to be causing enough chaos to ward off traveling merchants and caravans. There is little doubt in anyone's mind; Merchant's Crossing is dying.

The story will pick up with my character, Orafel, a mysterious centaur exiled from his own home. He will come upon the city in the heat of a battle; guards will be warding off a group of giant spiders or something of that nature, and Orafel will come to their aid. It will become apparrent that he wants to get to the bottom of the Skywood mystery, and he will request an audience with the Crossing's High Chandler (mayor). It will be decided that the best way to deal with this problem is to assemble a group and send them searching for the cause of these problems. This is where other characters will come into play; perhaps someone would like to play a ranger or druid who has taken a great interest in Skywood's sudden illness. Maybe a great warrior or a woodsman, or perhaps a friendly magic-user. Someone could even play the High Chandler or a Deputy Chandler...whatever the case, your characters will accompany Orafel through the woods to try and quell these unusual evils.

This thread is for OOC interest. I'm looking for characters willing to accompany Orafel on this adventure. Post what you have in mind and I'll let you know if I approve or not. A couple things though. The characters must be of good or at least neutral alignment...they must also have a reasonable race. Skywood is home to humans, centaurs, and simple wood elves...if you wish to be an elf or centaur, understand that I have certain rules about their cultures that you must try to adhere to. Other than that, everything else is fair game. Any takers?

Interested... could you give us a bit of background on Orafel? It would really help having a yardstick for how powerful the party needs to be.

If you've got any RPG-type references (eg. D&D) it would help too.

Orafel will be considerably faster and stronger than a normal man. Like all centaurs, his four legs allow him to run the full speed of a horse if need be, and he is strong enough to lift small boulders by himself. However, centaurs are not without their weaknesses...their large bodies make it difficult for them to manuever in tight spaces, so they can easily be trapped and overwhelmed. Also, the art of magic is lost on centaurs. Although they are big time astronomers, and some even dabble in divination, the only magic they know is hardly enough to even lightly harm somebody.

Humans are largely distrustful of centaurs because they have conflicting beliefs. Centaurs believe in balance over everything else...they try to the best of their ability to remain neutral in all matters, evil or good. There are exceptions of course, and Orafel will be one of them, but they are few and far between.

It should also be noted that though centaurs are creatures of the forest, they don't really have good standings with the elves (of any kind). Elves tend to favor the preservation of the forest and the path of righteousness, while centaurs largely isolate themselves from most cultures, caring only for their civilization.

All in all, Orafel will not be an uber-warrior or anything. I prefer the people around him to be maybe mid-level fighters. I don't want super-mages...maybe decently learned magic-users, but not experts. Enemies will be rabid wolves, giant spiders, maybe a couple of spellcasters...so I'd like for characters to be kept pretty simple. Also, no, I don't have any D & D references to give you, but I'm real receptive to ideas man. Just pitch one to me...I'm only really concerned with magic-users, as I have kind of an idea I want to follow with them.

Not a problem - I wasn't planning on putting one in. So Orafel would be the equivalent of maybe a 10th-15th level character?

Baisriel Seasil
NG Male Half-Elf Ranger (Archery) 8 Order of the Bow Initiate 6

A skilled marksman and longtime resident of Skywood, Baisriel has become increasingly worried about the worsening situation, and has personally had to fight for his life on more than one occasion. As a result, when the call went out for adventurers, he and his monitor lizard Beeko set out for Merchant's Crossing to help find a way to stop this encroachment.

That, and his bedroom has a great big spider in it and it doesn't look friendly.

That's exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, though I'm curious as to what the Order of the Bow is. Perfect. Now we just need a couple more people and we'll be set.

And for the record, Orafel probably would be about 10th level, yes.

Cool I want to play!

Cool, I want you to play too! Just pitch me an idea of what you've got for a character. So far we've got a centaur and a half-elf ranger. We could use the captain of the Merchant's Crossing guard or a deputy chandler (vice mayor). Both would be sensible members of Orafel's party. Or if you want to go the feminine route, you could always be a forest nymph seeking outside help for her forest. You could get away with being a low-level mage too, as long as he's good-aligned. Just throw something out there, man, and I'll tell ya if it sticks.

I would totally join this, it looks really interesting and there isn't enough Fantasy Tech players on the II boards, like I said I would join but I'm not really great at Good guys, just really saying well done and hoping ye'll stick around.

My nation is primarly Sorcery Users. Staffs, Schrolls and incantations. I'm sure I can find good use for one of my Rulers from my history archives

Well, just to give you an idea of what I'm looking for, this roleplay will be largely localized (or confined) to a small region of Braveria. I understand there are other PT nations out there, but I'm not looking for international interaction as much as I am character interaction. My preference would be that if your character was from your nation, that he just happens to be in that area by coincidence, rather than sent by your nation to investigate.

Also, if he's a magic-user, I'd like if he was lower level. Remember, the enemies our party will be fighting will be giant spiders, rabid wolves, worgs, with a sprinkle of spell-casters and maybe a few other surprises. We don't need real powerful characters here. Just clarifying.

I would totally join this, it looks really interesting and there isn't enough Fantasy Tech players on the II boards, like I said I would join but I'm not really great at Good guys, just really saying well done and hoping ye'll stick around.

Well I appreciate it. I'll be needing villains in future roleplays, so I'll keep an eye out for ya.

it's fine my characters aren't wanks. Example no one can fly into space and inact a super nova or something like that. Healing is a skill but we can't revive people from the dead, no weather controll stuff like that

Well, you still really haven't given me a name or race, or a reason why your character would be interested in these events.

I'd like to play but...I'm not really a Magi Nation and the mods get mad if an RP isn't remotley related to NS. But I wouldn't reccomend into getting into "Levles" It can be a real turn off. Obviously you have to set some strength rules to prevent godmodding but when you get into the complexicitiy of RPG Levels it gets to bee to hard to want to attempt.

I'd like to play but...I'm not really a Magi Nation and the mods get mad if an RP isn't remotley related to NS. But I wouldn't reccomend into getting into "Levles" It can be a real turn off. Obviously you have to set some strength rules to prevent godmodding but when you get into the complexicitiy of RPG Levels it gets to bee to hard to want to attempt.

Well, numero uno, this roleplay is related to NS, as Braveria is the nation it will be taking place in. Anyone participating will be playing Braverian citizens, thus it relates directly to Nationstates. Number 2, there are no levels. Hakurabi just wanted me to throw some levels out there so he could get an idea of how powerful his character should be. There's no dice, no levels...just writing. And number 3, what are you waiting for? Toss some ideas for characters out there! I need more people!

well I did read you don't want real Government action but would you be opposed to a Prince from my country? I don't know I could be on an expedenture before I take the throne or not yet proclaimed a prince obviously human, or perhaps hes traveling incognito not on diplomatic business just wants to learn about the world

well I did read you don't want real Government action but would you be opposed to a Prince from my country? I don't know I could be on an expedenture before I take the throne or not yet proclaimed a prince obviously human, or perhaps hes traveling incognito not on diplomatic business just wants to learn about the world

Honestly, I'd rather not. There's a ton of character possibilities and I really don't think I'm limiting anybody's creativity by barring government officials. If you'd like he could be a Kuronan traveling abroad, but no royalty. It's got to fit the plot.

Sure. I can just as easily do my idea character while not being a prince. Him as a boy. Do you have a limit on Characters

Order of the Bow Initiate is a prestige class which expands on archery skills - a sniper, if you will.

Sure. I can just as easily do my idea character while not being a prince. Him as a boy. Do you have a limit on Characters

Well, I think two per person is fair.

Order of the Bow Initiate is a prestige class which expands on archery skills - a sniper, if you will.

Gotcha. Okay, I'm working on the first post as we speak. Hopefully it'll draw more people in.

I was looking for a setting such as this.

I have a character whom I have used in another thread ("To Save Anrion") who is a turned demon. His name is Marvel. In the Anrion thread, I had to upgrade his magical capabilities because the other characters were such heavy hitters. He started out as an accomplished illusionist with a keen ability to observe magic but a mediocre ability to use spells other than illusions. I'd like to roll his powers back to that level for this thread, if he is allowed to participate. He is a Modified Red Gargoyle--in the standard Red Gargoyle, the mode of reproduction is to lay eggs in the bodies of hosts; he has been magically altered to be a standard mammal. One of his problems--I suppose that I should roll EVERYTHING back to the beginning of the Anrion thread--is that there are no females who have been similarly modified. Despite his modifications, he still has a stinger in his tail that can deliver a goodly jolt of hypnotic narcotic (NOT a LETHAL jolt) to those whom he may feel need a little bit of therapy. ;)

Because he is a demon, he has a limited span of attention and a quick temper and doesn't mind bending the rules. Because he's turned, he is sensative and cares deeply for those around him. He's easy-going and fun to be around and he likes to party. He can also be very clumsy in his odd moments. :) :) :)

He also has bat-like wings and can fly. He has been described as being a "high-performance flier," in that he is very maneuveralbe in the air but tires quickly. This limits his effectiveness in a scrum with an "endurance flier" like an Angel (example taken from Anrion thread, does not imply that there absolutely HAVE TO BE Angels in this thread--not the case).

May he participate?

I was looking for a setting such as this.

I have a character whom I have used in another thread ("To Save Anrion") who is a turned demon. His name is Marvel. In the Anrion thread, I had to upgrade his magical capabilities because the other characters were such heavy hitters. He started out as an accomplished illusionist with a keen ability to observe magic but a mediocre ability to use spells other than illusions. I'd like to roll his powers back to that level for this thread, if he is allowed to participate. He is a Modified Red Gargoyle--in the standard Red Gargoyle, the mode of reproduction is to lay eggs in the bodies of hosts; he has been magically altered to be a standard mammal. One of his problems--I suppose that I should roll EVERYTHING back to the beginning of the Anrion thread--is that there are no females who have been similarly modified. Despite his modifications, he still has a stinger in his tail that can deliver a goodly jolt of hypnotic narcotic (NOT a LETHAL jolt) to those whom he may feel need a little bit of therapy. ;)

Because he is a demon, he has a limited span of attention and a quick temper and doesn't mind bending the rules. Because he's turned, he is sensative and cares deeply for those around him. He's easy-going and fun to be around and he likes to party. He can also be very clumsy in his odd moments. :) :) :)

He also has bat-like wings and can fly. He has been described as being a "high-performance flier," in that he is very maneuveralbe in the air but tires quickly. This limits his effectiveness in a scrum with an "endurance flier" like an Angel (example taken from Anrion thread, does not imply that there absolutely HAVE TO BE Angels in this thread--not the case).

May he participate?

Well, suffice to say, I am a little startled that this thread hasn't garnered much interest, as there aren't too many fantasy-oriented threads on NS these days. Your character really isn't what I'm looking for, but what the hay--let's give him a go. A couple things, though. I need an explanation of what he's doing in Skywood, number one, and number two, I need you to understand that the people of Merchant's Crossing may not be friendly to him despite his alignment. A demon's a demon...they will be confused and scared, as they are already distrusting of elves and centaurs (very normal creatures in this setting). As long as you're fine with both of those, sure, he can participate.

As for the rp itself, I'll probably have the thread up tonight. I would've had it up last night, but I didn't like how the first post was written and I scrapped it.

Hmm...I am interested.

Name: Lance Ostren
Class/Level: Scout 9/Dread Commando 5
Race: Human
Alignment: Chaotic-Good
N/A: While a ranger is usually specced for either dual-wielding or straight archery and is really good at what it does (or both if you use third edition rules), this build is pretty much designed for stealth and guerrilla style tactics.
Main Weapon: Repeating crossbow (also taken from D&D).

Lance is a solitary mercenary who wanders the world as opposed to having a set area to range around in. Upon hearing of this strange occurrence, he walked to Skywood to see it for himself. A bit of an odd bird, while he doesn't bat an eye at killing people or monsters, he takes exception to threats to the environment. After all, things like that hamper his ability to function.

All this is pending approval, of course. I am more than happy to answer any questions about him.

Well, suffice to say, I am a little startled that this thread hasn't garnered much interest, as there aren't too many fantasy-oriented threads on NS these days. Your character really isn't what I'm looking for, but what the hay--let's give him a go. A couple things, though. I need an explanation of what he's doing in Skywood, number one, and number two, I need you to understand that the people of Merchant's Crossing may not be friendly to him despite his alignment. A demon's a demon...they will be confused and scared, as they are already distrusting of elves and centaurs (very normal creatures in this setting). As long as you're fine with both of those, sure, he can participate.

As for the rp itself, I'll probably have the thread up tonight. I would've had it up last night, but I didn't like how the first post was written and I scrapped it.

What he's doing in Skywood:

Sometime back, he escaped from the underworld. Since then, he has been trying to keep out of the aurary (I can't very well write "under the radar" in a fantasy thread, can I?) ;) and doing a pretty good job for the most part. During one of the times when he DIDN'T do such a good job, oracular beings (we can decide whether they were Elves or Fairies or whatever later) got ahold of him and modified his physiology and gave him free will. Freed from the need to do evil deeds, he has continued to live on the downlow, in the forrest. Now, the decay of the forrest has forced him to flee to the presence of others, as he no longer feels that he can take care of himself.

When he comes into the story, he will probably use his illusions to make himself appear not as a demon,

http://www.nls.net/mp/413/marvelbod_demon.png

but as a human

http://www.nls.net/mp/413/marvelbod_human.png

Though he'll obviously be a little better dressed than he's shown here.


As to the note that others will be wary of him because of what he is, I have no problem with that. In fact, it's one of the things that I had in mind when I designed him.



All of this is subject to negotiations, and can be changed if you wish.

What he's doing in Skywood:

Sometime back, he escaped from the underworld. Since then, he has been trying to keep out of the aurary (I can't very well write "under the radar" in a fantasy thread, can I?) ;) and doing a pretty good job for the most part. During one of the times when he DIDN'T do such a good job, oracular beings (we can decide whether they were Elves or Fairies or whatever later) got ahold of him and modified his physiology and gave him free will. Freed from the need to do evil deeds, he has continued to live on the downlow, in the forrest. Now, the decay of the forrest has forced him to flee to the presence of others, as he no longer feels that he can take care of himself.

When he comes into the story, he will probably use his illusions to make himself appear not as a demon,

http://www.nls.net/mp/413/marvelbod_demon.png

but as a human

http://www.nls.net/mp/413/marvelbod_human.png

Though he'll obviously be a little better dressed than he's shown here.


As to the note that others will be wary of him because of what he is, I have no problem with that. In fact, it's one of the things that I had in mind when I designed him.



All of this is subject to negotiations, and can be changed if you wish.

All of that seems good to me, with the exception of the illusion thing. Seeing as how he's got a badass tail weapon and wings, I think it'd only be fair to the other characters if you dropped the notion of magic. Mayhaps instead of using illusions, he could be a shapeshifter instead? Would that be okay?

Oh, and I like the character, Xatricon. Accepted. I swear I'm working on a first post...it'll be up very soon so keep an eye out.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=517962

Main thread up. I left it open so the bar patron the innkeeper was talking to could be one of your characters.

All of that seems good to me, with the exception of the illusion thing. Seeing as how he's got a badass tail weapon and wings, I think it'd only be fair to the other characters if you dropped the notion of magic. Mayhaps instead of using illusions, he could be a shapeshifter instead? Would that be okay?

The tail is a very limited-use weapon. He needs mamalian blood to crank up the venom production, and he DOES NOT like having to get it. Without it, he can sting at most once every other day. Still, I've taken worse for the team, so I suppose I can go along with this.

Done.

Everyone who I approved, feel free to start posting. :)

Sorry for the late post, guys, but it was kind of lengthy and I've been in and out of work. Hopefully we can keep this bad boy running for a while...it's gonna be a pretty epic adventure. :)

You know, I'm a little mad at myself for doing this, but I figure it's only polite to inform the others participating. I know this is in real bad form, but I started this roleplay at a particularly bad time...right now I'm just swamped with work, and I'm finding it harder and harder to put together decent-written, half-way coherent posts. I'm not saying I'm done with the idea, as I've got a particularly fondness for the plot I've mapped out. I'm just saying that I won't be able to continue this thread regularly for some time...a disappointment, I know, especially considering all of you have put some real good thought into your characters. I just thought I should put this out there so you guys don't waste your time...and once again, my apologies.

Thread founders wimping out is the rule rather than the exception.

I'm involved in two other threads right now. The Unholy Crusade of the Unholy Son--the founder has wimped out and the other members are trying to soldier on. Flashes in the force--well, I already TG'ed one of the thread founders that I'd be vexed if that happened, and he assured me that it wouldn't, but we'll see. This is a sequel to Fracas in the Force, which I started with another player...who wimped out. The thread ended with two other players wimping out and me having to make a summary post to finish off the story.

Mind you, the fact that it's the most common way that things seem to go doesn't mean that I'm happy about it. I'm vexed. It's just that the only thing I can do about it is start a thread or two of my own and try to get it right. Well, I have a job to work, too. :) :) :) Maybe I understand a little better than I let on. :) :) :)