Of Dragons and Demons: A Fantasy RP: A Signup

[Lumenskir]

The Demons had ravaged unchecked for centuries, forcing Man into hiding and fear, before the Dragons came. Flying in from beyond the stars, the Dragons clashed with the Demonic Horde for four days, driving their numbers back before banishing them from this plane, locking all but the lesser fiends in an inescapable prison.

After the battles had ended, the Dragons took pity on Man, who after generations of scraping by in a desolate wasteland found life with promise for a future a bizarre and frightening concept.

On the first day after the Banishing, finding the earth uninviting and mostly uninhabitable, the Green Dragon sacrificed his wing, rejuvenating the environment and making true life a possibility for its inhabitants.

On the second day, when Man seemed incapable of comprehending the vast possibilities presented to him, the Red Dragon bequeathed on of its magnificent scales, and inlaid within Man found Thought.

On the Third Day, Man’s ideas threatened to overrun his conception. To provide an outlet for this unbound energy, the Blue Dragon plucked a tooth from his maw and gave it to Man, and from the ethereal object magic was brought into the world. Not to be outdone, the White Dragon offered half of its heart, and the intricate designs allowed for the conception of technology.

And so, after eons of fear and oppression, Man was given a renewed chance at life from the Four Dragons.

The First Seven Days

Been toying with this premise for a little bit, let’s see how it plays out in RP form. First, the cornerstone information of the world: Dragons.

The Blue Dragon
Appearance: The Blue Dragons appearance, from ancient clay drawings and bardic description, is commonly depicted as the smallest of the Four Dragons, with thin leathery wings and spindly limbs. It is usually depicted as standing on its hind legs and using its forelimbs much like a human, although this might be an artistic personification of its magical proclivities.
Followers: When the Blue Dragon loosed magic upon the world, there were those that dedicated themselves to plumbing the infinite depths of the ethereal. Over the millennia these followers became identified as followers of the Blue Dragon.
Although magic is able to be employed by any individual, those trained under a Blue Dragon adept have magnitudes more control and power than others who have studied for an equal time. Such intense study usually has the most predictable effect, and much of the ‘pure’ followers of the Blue Dragon are scholarly and shut in. In fact, there is very little diversity in lifestyles, with many simply delving into higher academic and magical studies.
Homeland: Stalaga, a collection of small towns and one major city that sit perched on a series of thin natural(ish) spires of rock. Entrance is only possible through magical teleportation. Contains the world’s largest library, with scrolls and records going back to the first written word.

The White Dragon
Appearance: The only dragon depicted without a pair of forelimbs, the White Dragon’s magnificent wings apparently served double duty as appendages. The second largest dragon, usually drawn with a flair of majesty or regalness.
Followers: The White Dragon’s heart, and the intricacy that inspired Man to great feats of artifice and technological wonder, has slowly given way to a methodical and rigorous people. Although responsible for works of great power and awe-inspiring utility, such creations are wrought only to solve specific problems, and once solved they are content to label the problem fixed and done with. The typical mindset is one of stoic determination and a tendency for linear thinking. This hardpressing tactic has produced the two greatest inventions in the world, the airship and monorail.
In addition to technology, a grand religion has flourished among the White Dragon’s people. For a time it simply preached the wonders of the singular Dragon, but after the events of the Great War the focus was retooled to concentrate on draconic unity. Under the church’s banner is the largest free-standing army, although decades of non-use have seen sections rededicated to missionary missions or police forces.
Homeland: Grand Carpathite, a ‘city upon the hill’ according to its inhabitants. The central hub of the world-spanning monorail as well as the largest airship port can be found here, along with the largest church.

The Red Dragon
Appearance: More of the typical European dragon, shown usually walking on all fours with its wings folded on its back.
Followers: In our world, “May you live in interesting times” is seen as both a blessing and a curse, but for those enthralled in the Red Dragon’s scale it is a lifestyle. Constantly seeking to invent and re-invent, the world is viewed as a playground of unlimited opportunities for change and progress. If presented with a square peg and round hole, they would seek, through the branches of magic and science, to find a way to make every square peg slide comfortably into any circular entrance. 4 out of 5 times the peg will explode, but they are experts at taking the one non-lethal success and replicating it for mass consumption, assuming that the contingent of researchers haven’t been enthralled at replicating all the different explosions. Although the White Dragon’s inventors are the premiere architects of design, every invention has eventually found a way to a set of hands belonging to a follower of the Red Dragon and been modified or developed further, usually employing the newest magical discoveries of the most scholarly Blue Dragon mages.
For those not gifted with an eye for invention, the culture of constant change and action has bred a society of free thinking artists to shrewd businessmen intent on selling the latest invention and every aspect in between.
Homeland: Utronica, a fantastical steampunk wonderland. Originally, the governing leaders attempted to set aside specific areas for specific research, but after a few weeks, with one quarter of the city blown up in an experiment while another eighth was flooding as the and the rest was being built over, it was decided to let it become an essentially free-market city of invention. Because it is considered rude to alter a worksite (“I know it’s smoldering, I’m coming back to fix it up once I get my eyebrows back.”) the practice of building around or over work areas has become a common practice, so common that much of the city is currently sitting on five or so levels of past Utronica.

The Green Dragon
Appearance: The largest, and most…’rotund’, of the dragons, scholars hypothesize that its wings were primarily vestigial even before it sacrificed one of them.
Followers: Embracing the verdant land the Green Dragon’s wind allowed, these peoples are attuned to the glory of nature and life in general. Although there is no hard and true set of dictated rules and laws they adhere to, many feel that life is an essence to be enjoyed to its fullest, and there are few who cast a judgemental eye on those who indulge too much in the pleasures of living. While church’s run by the White Dragon’s adherents can be found all over the world, 9 out of 10 healers pledge allegiance primarily to the Green Dragon (In no small part due to their overwhelming numbers; Monogamy is the de facto practice but not an extinguisher of the natural ‘love of life’, and it is not uncommon to hear of family’s sporting six or eight children.)
With such a connection to the earth, these peoples make natural trackers, hunters, and all round outdoorsmen. In addition, it is widely acknowledged that only the familial enrichment of the Green Dragon can produce truly remarkable bards, and while they boast no written accounts, their stories stretch back to the time of Demons.
Homeland: While they have no true homeland, the Dragon’s Maw, a large mountain range said to be the wing of the Green Dragon, and the forest surrounding it serves as a popular spiritual center. Because of the largeness of their population, and a dedication to family connection, they are never a lonely people, and it is unwise to speak unkindly about them in mixed crowds.

With that said, a few World Basics.

Following – Don’t think of the above as the only four options for mindsets in this RP. Instead, think of them as giant circles in a Venn Diagram, and the entire world is amuck with little ovals of interconnectedness and deeper shading. So, the farther you get away from one of the four main circles, the more you’ll be influenced by the other cultures before settling into average Joe-ness.

Dragon Influence – Although I added an appearance section, that doesn’t mean that they’re very involved, I merely wanted to make it simpler to lay it all out at the beginning so I don’t have to go into extra detail later when I say something like “A sculpture of the White Dragon stands before you”. None have actually seen the Dragons, but the items they gifted to Man are, according to bardic knowledge, still around.

Fiends – Not to be confused with Demons. Some scholars believe that when the Demons used to rape or otherwise collude with Man, the offspring was a fiend, while others say that fiends are merely lesser hanger-ons. Nonetheless, fiends are still a persistent threat in the world, ranging from bug-sized cretins to building-sized monstrosities.

Technology – As stated above, the White Dragon’s followers are responsible for much of the technological advancement, crafting simplistic firearms and amazing modes of travel. Most of the technology in between is practical in use. The Red Dragon’s advancement tends to be a mix of magic and technology, and the other followers use standard fantasy armaments.

Dragoons – For each Dragon, a small and select group of warriors has been crafted as its premiere champions, the dragoons. I was going to try and make names for each sect of dragoon, but realized I suck at such things. If you think up a name I like, I’ll make it part of the RP. Since the requirements and responsibilities of the average dragoon are so taxing, you’ll have to think up a really good reason to be one.

A Brief History:
0 A.M. (Age of Man) – The Four Dragons arrive and banish the Demons. The Age of Man begins.
2795 A.M. – The Great War: Driven by sudden bizarre factors, each society found itself at war with every other, until the entire war was consumed by a complete battlezone. This continued for a year, with the weapons and means of destruction steadily increasing along with the body count. Four Champions, one from each banner of Dragon (natch), rose above the din and set out to stop the war. They eventually discovered that an evil entity, a Demon who had avoided banishment, had taken the form of the Church’s leader and started the War. Once it had been slain, peace returned to the land. A new celebration, Unity Day, was enacted to remember the war.
3001 A.M. – In a single night, a powerful lone fiend infiltrated a city (On the Venn diagram, this would be that dead center oval), killed numerous soldiers, dragoons, and civilians, and destroyed the local temple in an act of self destruction. This is not an earth shatteringly important event in the history of the world (it is little known outside the city itself or rumors), but is a part of the backstory and an NPC’s role. If you really want your character to have been there, PM me for some more details.
3027 A.M. – The RP begins. It is Unity Day, a day when the four cultures come together for a kind of Giga World’s Fair event, showing off their latest and greatest achievements, and it is being held at the city from above, to be named when I think of something.

Ok, so, that’s the basics…I guess you might want a template, as if I haven’t given enough.

Name:
Appearance:
Training:
Inventory + Equipment:
Backstory:

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

[Marinan]

Name: Math
Appearance: Elderly. About sixties in appearance.
Training: He's focused for 75 years in magical study. He's been trained theologicaly in the ways of the Blue Dragon and sees him as the most benevolent of all the dragons. Thus he has memoriezed 21,000 scriptures of the Blue Dragon religion.
Inventory + Equipment:
Backstory:He's over 95 years old, a human being, that has taken some longevity potions. He hopes to one day make it to High Priesthood for a few years before he kicks the bucket.

Well, he single handedly quelled a minor raid of about fifty orcs as a young man of 21 years of age.(With a sword, no magic)but his glory days are long since gone. A local hero, even until now, he used his minor fame to climb to the top of his world, joining adventuring parties and gathering enough riches to make studying and purchasing spell ingredients a financial breeze.

At around age 50, he first gained his reputation as world's famous scholar of religion. (Sort of like a popular version of Pat Robertson or something)He has produced a great work of literature called, "Blue Dragon's Song" that is read throughout the literate world, containing apocrapha, parables and even a few practical superstitions (that work).

[Lumenskir]

No.

Well, thats a bit blunt and unconstructive, so "Maybe with major retooling."

From the general impression you've given, this isn't a PC. A once amazing adventurer with a retirement plan and worldy fame? That's an NPC.

Beyond that however, why would a 95 year old, especially one with no clear reason, be gallivanting with a group with an average age about a third of his? How would he keep up with them? And what about battles, would he just be sitting in the back tossing off fireballs, hoping nothing got close? In fact, what about character growth? As is, you've made a character thats already peaked in life (about three times over since he went from fighting 50 fiends off singlehandedly to a world renowned, Twain-esque writer.), and his involvement in this story would just be confusing.

So...take that as you will. If it's any consolation, I might base a NPC off the concept?

[Marinan]

O.k. That works.

[SaigoKusunoki]

Name: Kaji Melchior

Appearance: Kaji is what you would call "scruffy" looking. His hair is brown, hangs to his shoulders, and is slightly greasy. He is unshaven, and even when he does shave, he seems to have a "5 o clock shadow" in almost no time. His eyes are an easy blue, something he uses to seduce the ladies with. His hair is almost always tied back.
For clothes, he wears a hardened leather hauberk over a blue cotton shirt. He also wears black pants and steel boots that go up to his knees. Finally, he usually drapes a large green cloak over the whole outfit.

Training: Kaji is a rogue in every sense of the word, and he's been that way for 17 of his 25 years alive. He is a skilled guitarist, and uses his musical talent to play in taverns and scope out who has the most money. He then devises a clever way to cheat them and nab every coin to their name. Cutthroat, but living is living, right?

Inventory + Equipment: A longsword with a 3 ft. blade, and two daggers that are hidden in his boots. He also has a small buckler, and the most important item of all, tobacco and smoking paper, and matches.

Backstory: Kaji's parents were well known scientists who followed the White Dragon. However, their stifling personalities were driving the poor boy insane. They valued their work more than their own son. So, at 8 years old, Kaji grabbed a knife from the dinner table, and walked out of his house. His parents did not stop him.
He was immediately thrown into a life of crime and thievery. However, armed with the intelligence inherited from his parents, Kaji caught on quickly, and from Tyson his mentor, he learned to lie, cheat, steal, and play guitar.
When he turned 16, Tyson had a longsword forged for the boy, and told him that though the sword was a powerful weapon, the living embodiment of death, that the most powerful weapon was the human mind. So saying, Tyson let the boy live on his own, no longer pinned down to a single master. Every since, Kaji has been wandering the countryside, becoming slowly richer. However, he is rarely caught or even suspected of being a thief, due to his rather pleasant and enjoyable, "drinking buddy" personality. None would even think of suspecting such a nice guy of being a thief.

[8BitGeorge]

Name:Korak Jalipo
Appearance:Korak is what some people would call a dwarf, he is only 4'11", but is stronger than he looks. He has a large, singed beard; closely cropped hair, and is 23. He normally wears a blood-red tunic, black trousers, and a red cape
Training:Korak studied for 10 years with his father, a well-liked gifted Red Dragon follower. Korak himself developed the Flaming Musket, a musket that shoots a flaming musket ball that exploded on contact.
Inventory + Equipment:Flaming Musket, 1000 rounds ammunition, a Greatsword, and a pistol with 200 rounds
Backstory: The son of Jamal and Leane Jalipo, Korak spent 10 years studying with his father, learning how to fight, shoot, ride a horse, fly an airship, and do many other things. Last year, when he completed is training, Korak started work on his first re-invention: The flaming musket. Eventually, Korak completed his work, after 8 explosions and 2 fires. over a month later, on Unity Day, his father was killed by a cut-throat thief, and Korak has spent a year looking for the man who killed is father. It is now Unity Day again, and Korak is getting close.

[Ryu Kurai]

What kind of limitations are there on race? What other races exist besides humans, and which ones can we play?

[Lumenskir]

Saigo: Hmm, I always figured that with such an extensive family a Green Dragonite would sink to acts of dastardly crime, but I like your concept of a surly ex-White. Approved.

8BitGeorge: 1000 musket rounds? I couldn't find an exact weight for a musket ball, but a thousand would seem a bit much to be striding around with. And these aren't modern semi-automatic pistols, so 200 of those would just be cumbersome. I'm fine with having an 'undetermined' amount of ammo, it saves everyone time from bean counting, and if I notice that you've gone three chapters without making a mention of procuring or producing more ammo I'll step in. Other than that, a little polish in the backstory wouldn't hurt. Fix the ammo and you're approved.

Ryu: There are fiends, which we fight, and Man, which we are. I considered having different races, but Man is diversely specialized to the point where they don't need an elf's wisdom or a dwarf's scruffy knowhow. Any non-sentient/evil race can be portrayed as a fiend subset (Trolls, gargoyles, gnolls, whatnot). Is there something you had in mind?

[SaigoKusunoki]

Musket balls are 75 caliber. They're big.

And thanks for the approval.

[Ryu Kurai]

Not really anything specific in mind, I just wanted to know of other races in case I wanted to have prejudices/ play one of 'em.

Gargoyles sound cool, but damn that would make no sense to play.

"Hi, I'm a gargoyle. Why I'm not pretending to be a statue, I don't know. Would you like a bigger bomb bag?"

Wait, bombs? O.K., new question: What's the level of explosives in this setting? Do they have shrapnel grenades yet (A black powder grenade with nails and torn metal stuffed inside)?