Grandma
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 144
Age: Appears to be in her 80's
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Appearance: An elderly woman with a wiry frame who most notably possesses unnatural height, standing at well over seven feet tall even when hunched over her cane. Her hair is grayish-white and normally done up in a bun and her eyes are also gray in color. Her skin is very pale and has an almost grayish hue to it. Her nails are long, black, and sharpened at the tip.
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Equipment: She wears a deep purple robe that has sleeves that extend far beyond her hands. Her hands are covered with fine gloves of black silk and she wears one ring on each, one having a purple stone set in it and the other a piece of onyx. Carrying an ornate cane of orellium, Grandma can use it to increase her magical channeling as well as assist in deflecting others' spells with it. The cane itself is black and covered in numerous ornate, but tiny runes. The cap on the cane is a purplish-colored gem. On her wrist is a silver bracelet with a ruby in it that Grandma uses for communication with others who own similar bracelets.
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Skills and Abilities: Skilled at knitting!
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Biography: While the details of Grandma's past are shrouded in mystery, since first meeting Naoki she has served essentially one role, that of advisor. While her titles have varied as Naoki moved up the social ladder of Isra, her continued support, and assistance she offered to Naoki have never wavered.
Even following the destruction of Isra, Grandma continues to follow and offer guidance to Lady Naoki as they attempt to rebuild from the wreckage.
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Allegiances: Naoki
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 19:51:53 GMT -5
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Post by Grandma on Dec 9, 2021 1:22:33 GMT -5
Satisfied that Naoki partook of the smoke, Grandma watched the events of the fight unfold with mild curiosity, inhaling frequently from her rather large “pipe” as she did so. Surprisingly, the rowdy one who had run out like an idiot to fight the dragon seemed to be winning out on most of their exchanges. However, just when it looked like Rune was about to finish the beast off, Coatl interjected, halting the combat. Grandma squinted at this turn of events.
From the looks of things, Coatl intended to heal the creature. Grandma really didn’t know where everyone’s common sense had gone, but this really wasn’t going to fly. Turning to Naoki with a raised eyebrow, she vaguely motioned to the dragon and surrounding figures on the beach.
“Am I going senile or is Coatl over there trying to protect that beast like it’s some stray kitten. Regardless of what his intentions are, the choice before us is clear. We put that dragon down with prejudice enough that the people will think it was a gnome who’d sprouted wings! There is simply no reason to even entertain the idea of healing such a deranged beast. It is too dangerous to be left alive.”
Grandma exhaled deeply, sending a cloud of sparkling purple smoke swirling around her.
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Lady Naoki
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 345
Appearance: Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed.
Allegiances: New Isra
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Lady Naoki on Dec 9, 2021 1:22:38 GMT -5
Naoki looks on as the combat develops, chuckling to herself as Coatl intercedes. (He truly does take after Jun in every way) Ears perked forward, she watches and listens as the dragon falls bodily down into the sand. She waits a moment, but it remains there.
Sighing to herself, Naoki starts forward and beckons Grandma to follow, her boots leaving footprints in the sand as she closes the distance. The gemstones between the fingers of each hand glimmer more aggressively now than ever, and her eyes never leave the form of the dragon. She navigates around Rune to within speaking distance of Coatl & Cuate, and angles one ear at each of them in turn.
“Grandma has a point,” she says, still focused on the dragon. “They’re dangerous, and more dangerous now than otherwise. It’s a threat to the whole of the settlement. Were it unwounded, we would be fighting for our lives and some of us probably wouldn't make it. I understand this sort of thing is what you do, but mercy for mercy’s sake doesn’t make sense when the recipient would just as soon turn around and burn us all to a crisp. It’s a stroke of luck that he was wounded prior, and I think we ought to take advantage of that and end it now. I would rather not take on any undue risk at all.”
Naoki’s question for the pair of them is simple: “Do you think otherwise?”
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Coatl of the Imilla
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 143
Appearance: Skin just a skosh darker than an old clay pot. The shade of his hat occludes black, sun-beaten eyes, wavy, matted hair, and just enough beard to protect his chin. His hands are coarse and leathery, with wiry tendons. His height isn't quite imposing, it's but enough to lend credence to a purposeful stride and posture.
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Equipment: An old duster, scarf, and cotton shirt and slacks. A thin brigandine with copper plates and a military-grade pitchfork.
A single candle, a reagent of now forbidden degrees of power.
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Skills and Abilities: On his home turf, Coatl could manifest formidable elemental magic. Here the magic is suppressed down to more subtle manipulations. However, the spirit of Cuaté, the "Witch", is still with him.
Coatl is, at his core, a simple farmhand. His experience working on ranches and plantations has earned him a strong physique and a way with animals. When he was a teenager, he also spent some time as a city guard and militiaman, giving him basic competence with a variety of weapons.
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Biography: The Imilla Clan were migrant farmers and laborers, selling themselves to wealthier kingdoms. They were a people bound by working shanties, and stories of an Eden from whence their ancestors came. As a youth, Coatl felt they were naive. They possessed the most basic of martial skills and required the aid of capricious spirits with weak magic to protect them.
His suspicions were half true, for when they encountered a malevolent kingdom, they were very nearly enslaved. However, his parent's commitment to peace earned him, and him in particular, the loyalty of an ancestral spirit that was far more dependable.
Using the power of this spirit, Coatl and a few other "chosen ones" helped bring prosperity and safety to their clan, ensuring that no one else would try to enslave them. The golden years of their people came to an abrupt end, however, when the flood waters came...
Registered: Mar 20, 2021 23:42:08 GMT -5
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Post by Coatl of the Imilla on Dec 20, 2021 23:38:59 GMT -5
Yah, you have a point, Cuate's ghostly form said. It was telepathic, but the voice had an echoing quality suggesting it could be heard by all.
Coatl shrugged. He lowered his hands, and glowing sand trickled back down to the ground, leaving behind a caked shell around the dragon's wounds, soaked in blood.
"He'll still have a foot in the grave even if we stop the bleeding. A few grains of sand through that stump on his leg into his heart would bury him. All I'm doing is stalling for time so we can properly debate this."
Coatl stepped to the side, putting himself more so in between the dragon and Lady Naoki and Grandma, a gentleman to the last. He folded his arms and looked into the dragons eyes, although his words were also for the group.
"Terrible irony innit? Consciousness, the very thing that makes a man worth saving also makes him the biggest threat of all. Sorry, dragon. If he were an animal, we'd be carving him up for a feast. If he were a deadly criminal, he'd be on his way to the stocks. But, he's neither. Or rather he's both ain't he?
"I'm not gonna ignore the fact that he's a threat. But what I can't ignore is that we're surrounded by forests filled with monsters beyond our imagination, prey we can't take down. Low on food, low on muscle, low on teeth. How many man-eating trees do you think it takes to take down a dragon? My guess is, a lot. How many soul stealing giant centipedes? Or giant super bats? Or hyper-intelligent death ostriches?"
Coatl carefully crouched down to get a better look into the dragon's eyes.
"By the way, big guy, the answer to those questions ain't infinite. That's right. Welcome to perdition. You're not the top scaly dog in this world anymore. You'll need the knowledge we've accrued to survive, and you'll definitely need medical attention. So here's my proposal. You help us catch food, you take down the worst of the monsters, and in exchange we spare your life, patch you up somewhat, and Port Argentum becomes your new lair."
He glanced to the others, making sure they weren't too horrified with his suggestion. He then returned to the dragon.
"Or, your story ends here. Of course you could always betray us, raze our villages, and head off into the forest, a magic-less lizard with a bum leg surrounded by vengeful humans and hungry rivals. The wheels of hatred of the old world will turn once again, same as time immemorial, but now caked with mud and broken glass, with misery and loneliness at the end of the road. It's a familiar sort of hell ain't it? One time only grants a few windows to escape. And buddy, the two ladies behind me are more than happy to shut the glass the moment I cut out this foolishness."
He narrowed his eyes. "Your call."
I've been coaching him on his epic speeches. Cuate projected a distinct impression of a proud grin in Lady Naoki's mind. Those books you lent him seem to be helping.
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Lady Naoki
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 345
Appearance: Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed.
Allegiances: New Isra
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Lady Naoki on Dec 21, 2021 2:31:03 GMT -5
As Coatl speaks, Naoki’s eyebrows furrow, and as she hears the deal he offers the dragon, she glares at the back of his head.
It is not the dragon’s call to make at all! Nor is it Coatl’s place to offer Port Argentium to this dragon as its ‘lair’ without so much as mentioning the idea to another living soul first! She was prepared to discuss if they should spare the dragon or not, but he’s gone and jumped three steps ahead to offer it not just mercy, but deals.
Naoki has a great many things to say about this, but for now, she holds her tongue. However, it ought to be easy for Coatl to tell, just from a look, that Naoki isn’t pleased with him taking this initiative, and there will, no doubt, be words about this later. For now, she’s willing to wait to see what the dragon says — if it can say anything at all. It looked quite unconscious a moment ago, but if it responds with hostility, that would greatly speed things along.
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Valignat
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Appearance: Valignat is a 85 foot red dragon.
His wings are patchy with decaying holes. Wounds ooze with blood amidst a scattered hide of broken scales. The left leg is broken in multiple spots, barely attached.
Gold and red mana seep out of the wounds, slowly healing them. It seems like most of the magic is dissipating into mist.
Equipment: A wooden coffin bound with large gold and iron bands, held in one claw.
Skills and Abilities: Fire breath
Decay - Old wounds once healed by magic are now open. The remaining magic is enough to stop Valignat from bleeding to death if nothing else.
Registered: Nov 19, 2021 22:04:25 GMT -5
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Post by Valignat on Dec 21, 2021 3:10:05 GMT -5
All sound faded.
We can stop the bleeding. Healing the wounds will take several treatments over a few weeks. Sorry big guy. Magic isn't what it used to be in this world. You probably shouldn't have tossed your leg away so frivolously.
A familiar, yet unplaceable voice drifted into the dragon's consciousness. A machination of a dying mind? His mental response was mainly reflexive, A clean cut.
It was cold. Not like the shock of the ocean or the freezing of ice, but something deeper. As if blood had tuned to slush. Words swam in the air, ungraspable as the wind. Death, an end to the suffering, is that what this was?
Thump… Thump… Thump…
What was that? More vibration than sound. Sluggish, Valignat realized it was his heart beat, very slow, but still constant. He was half passed out from blood loss, but it seemed the bleeding had stopped. Warms began to smolder within the beast once more.
From the severed stump of the dragon’s arm, a thin trickle of golden aura began to slowly pool and cling to the wound. The magical energy shifted and danced like fire though instead of smoke, mist was released. Whatever energy had momentarily sustained his life was gone now, but it had given the reprieve necessary for the dragon’s natural regeneration to begin once again. It wasn’t much, not even enough to keep him alive for long, but there was a little time. Senses began to return. Light, noises, and smells. Some of those smells were familiar. Words began to resolve into meaning once again,
“… at the end of the road. It's a familiar sort of hell ain't it? One time only grants a few windows to escape. And buddy, the two ladies behind me are more than happy to shut the glass the moment I cut out this foolishness."
The dragon’s eyes shifted from a dull lack of focus to sharp attention as they narrowed on the two aforementioned women. Yes, he did recognize them, and so close. This was a chance! The last chance. An end to this meaningless life that had managed to justify nothing. It was a pitiful anger that filled the monster’s eyes, perhaps more inwardly looking, but there were better targets.
There was another figure standing in his way however. Was this who had spoken into his mind so clearly before? That voice stood out due to its clarity and familiarity. These thoughts elicited complicated emotions, compared to the dull familiarity of anger. Valignat looked at the two women once more and reflected on his hatred.
The old one had once yelled at him in the street for threatening to eat a young woman. The scene seemed so bizarre, could that really be the source of his grudge? The other he had also somehow offended in that same encounter. The beast clutched the coffin he carried more firmly, thinking of his last remaining treasures that lay inside. The irony of the situation gave the beast pause. This encounter was a chance. The last chance at a new beginning… or survival, at least.
The beast spoke in a low raspy whisper, “There are many types of fools in this world and some are more worthy of escape. I lived for all the wrong reasons and it took the world flooding for me to seek an escape. I was perhaps the biggest fool of all in that sunken world, to you at least. The beasts of the wild tend to look foolish when attempting to conform to the civilization of humanity.”
The spurt of energy that had kept Valignat going was beginning to wane. His magic was not enough to staunch the flow of blood in his current state and attempting to cauterize it would not go over well at the moment. Only words could save him now and it seemed the overworld had provided a way to give those words sincerity. He unclutched the coffin and nudged it away from his body.
“The last of my hoard. Junk, now without their magical properties, but well made.” The coffin was made of solid oak and was ornately gilded with silver and gold, “It contains a couple relics taken from Isra once upon a time. It may bring only sentimental value if that, but take it as a peace offering if you choose to spare me.”
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Doobie du Shoobie
New
Roleplay posts: 3
Age: 17 (Old for a Kobold)
Biography: As a Kobold Welp, Doobie was an angsty wannabe villain looking to dominate the world with his magical abilities. He hated others of his kind because of how idiotic they were in comparison to himself. Doobie had a change of heart when he was about 3 years old after he met Jun of the Celadine and some others, he decided to take a more righteous path instead and he eventually joined the Heroes' Guild.
After spending years travelling and training, he started a family when he became 12 years old and met his mate Xochiquetzal. They had 3 children: Oobie, Poctli (nicknamed Smoke), and Wah.
Allegiances: The Heroes Guild
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Dec 17, 2021 21:25:17 GMT -5
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Post by Doobie du Shoobie on Dec 21, 2021 23:16:40 GMT -5
Doobie had made his way to the beach to help if he needed to, but as he watched the events it seemed he wouldn't have to do anything. Some brave heroes had arrived first, one to fight the dragon and one to heal it. Once the action had stopped the kobold sage made his way over to meet Rune Naimon IV first, he laughs a little as Rune complains about his hair. In some ways he reminded him of his young son. "Well fought there, young warrior. You weren't afraid at all to go one-on-one against the dragon, you've got guts. What's your name? Are you an Isran soldier or are you independent?" Doobie strokes his beard and eyes Rune's fascinating transforming weapon. He then looks over at Coatl of the Imilla , he felt a familiar presence but he had never met this man before, what was the meaning of this?
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Grandma
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 144
Age: Appears to be in her 80's
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Appearance: An elderly woman with a wiry frame who most notably possesses unnatural height, standing at well over seven feet tall even when hunched over her cane. Her hair is grayish-white and normally done up in a bun and her eyes are also gray in color. Her skin is very pale and has an almost grayish hue to it. Her nails are long, black, and sharpened at the tip.
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Equipment: She wears a deep purple robe that has sleeves that extend far beyond her hands. Her hands are covered with fine gloves of black silk and she wears one ring on each, one having a purple stone set in it and the other a piece of onyx. Carrying an ornate cane of orellium, Grandma can use it to increase her magical channeling as well as assist in deflecting others' spells with it. The cane itself is black and covered in numerous ornate, but tiny runes. The cap on the cane is a purplish-colored gem. On her wrist is a silver bracelet with a ruby in it that Grandma uses for communication with others who own similar bracelets.
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Skills and Abilities: Skilled at knitting!
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Biography: While the details of Grandma's past are shrouded in mystery, since first meeting Naoki she has served essentially one role, that of advisor. While her titles have varied as Naoki moved up the social ladder of Isra, her continued support, and assistance she offered to Naoki have never wavered.
Even following the destruction of Isra, Grandma continues to follow and offer guidance to Lady Naoki as they attempt to rebuild from the wreckage.
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Allegiances: Naoki
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 19:51:53 GMT -5
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Post by Grandma on Dec 24, 2021 17:59:07 GMT -5
Grandma’s robes billowed outward as she trailed after Naoki. Now that they were close to Valignat, she was beginning to recognize this beast as one she’d encountered before. Yet another remnant of the old world that had been brought here. Expression darkening as she listened to Coatl’s words, she looked upon the dragon with open disgust as it made its plea. Pitiful.
“You disappoint me, beast. I remember you from the past. Consumed by madness just as you are now, but at least back then you still had your pride. I respected you like I would respect a raging storm. Dangerous yes, but also majestic, powerful. But now you bow and scrape to us for mere survival. Coatl had the audacity to ask you to be our dog and you beg for us to spare you? Death in battle would have at least been a respectable end to you, but your current behavior is sickening.”
Turning her gaze on Coatl, the crone let out several tsks of irritation. What had possessed this man to think offering up Port Argentium as a lair to this madness-filled dragon was an appropriate thing to do?
“Enough. Even under the best of circumstances allying with a dragon is a risky proposition. And this dragon is not only an enemy of ours but also plagued with madness. I don’t care if it means what it says now about wanting peace. I care about what it will do next week when its mind is wracked by madness and it massacres hundreds of our people in a fiery rampage. Our people deserve better.”
Tightening her grip on the cane, the purple haze that hung around her began to spark slightly as she moved to stand directly behind Naoki, bending slightly to speak into her ear.
“Please, give Alden the command.”
The crone’s voice was barely a whisper, her tone urgent as she carefully watched the injured beast for any signs of aggression.
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Rune Naimon IV
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Age: 22
Appearance: Rune is an androgynous young man. He is 164cm (5'4") tall and weighs 56kg (123lbs). His hair and eyes are noteworthy features, a bright pink and violet respectively. His hair is very long, reaching to his thin waist. He commonly wears his hair in an elaborate braid with various ribbons.
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Equipment: Rune usually wears an elaborate set of ornate armor that seems to be rather lacking as far as pure protection goes, foregoing such elements for more aesthetic purposes; Over his armor he wears a white furry cloak. A faint glimmer can be seen emanating from the armor in the lowest of lights, betryaing its magical properties. In combat, this glimmer grows to a quite noticeable glow.
At his belt, he wears a one-handed arming sword with a sleek silver blade that tapers to a point. The blade's cross guard and pommel are gold with intricate engravings of crosses.
Images of equipment: https://imgur.com/bJvBzot, https://imgur.com/U4FABuH
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Allegiances: New Isra
Registered: Mar 23, 2021 23:36:43 GMT -5
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Post by Rune Naimon IV on Dec 24, 2021 23:52:53 GMT -5
"Thank you, the name is Rune Naimon the Fourth, I am a monster hunter and I work for myself," he said smiling at Doobie. As he overheard the continuing deliberation for what to do with the dragon, though, Rune felt as though he had to step in now.
"I don't care either way what we decide to do with the dragon. I only ask for the killing blow if you choose to finish it off. However, if you decide to let it live, I can watch it and if it acts up then I will put it down," Rune said, his words gaining a bit of an edge towards the end of his offer.
"Even if it were healthy, I would be up to the task for a beast of this size."
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Coatl of the Imilla
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 143
Appearance: Skin just a skosh darker than an old clay pot. The shade of his hat occludes black, sun-beaten eyes, wavy, matted hair, and just enough beard to protect his chin. His hands are coarse and leathery, with wiry tendons. His height isn't quite imposing, it's but enough to lend credence to a purposeful stride and posture.
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Equipment: An old duster, scarf, and cotton shirt and slacks. A thin brigandine with copper plates and a military-grade pitchfork.
A single candle, a reagent of now forbidden degrees of power.
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Skills and Abilities: On his home turf, Coatl could manifest formidable elemental magic. Here the magic is suppressed down to more subtle manipulations. However, the spirit of Cuaté, the "Witch", is still with him.
Coatl is, at his core, a simple farmhand. His experience working on ranches and plantations has earned him a strong physique and a way with animals. When he was a teenager, he also spent some time as a city guard and militiaman, giving him basic competence with a variety of weapons.
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Biography: The Imilla Clan were migrant farmers and laborers, selling themselves to wealthier kingdoms. They were a people bound by working shanties, and stories of an Eden from whence their ancestors came. As a youth, Coatl felt they were naive. They possessed the most basic of martial skills and required the aid of capricious spirits with weak magic to protect them.
His suspicions were half true, for when they encountered a malevolent kingdom, they were very nearly enslaved. However, his parent's commitment to peace earned him, and him in particular, the loyalty of an ancestral spirit that was far more dependable.
Using the power of this spirit, Coatl and a few other "chosen ones" helped bring prosperity and safety to their clan, ensuring that no one else would try to enslave them. The golden years of their people came to an abrupt end, however, when the flood waters came...
Registered: Mar 20, 2021 23:42:08 GMT -5
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Post by Coatl of the Imilla on Dec 26, 2021 21:49:49 GMT -5
Coatl raised an eyebrow and tried to suppress an uncomfortable smirk. A quick internal dialogue took place within his mind between himself and the spirit of Cuate.
Coatl: Seems my actions have put us at odds with the local sheriffs. Cuate: It happens. I remember butting heads when Lady Naoki when I was alive... er, vaguely. Coatl: I was pretty sure we were doing the right thing. Starting to have my doubts. Cuate: It comes with the territory. You'd be a fool not to have some doubts. The morally right choice often comes with risks. The risk pays off, and you get parades and poems written about you by future generations. Get a bad roll however, and you get ignominy, whose only perk are the free tomatoes occasionally thrown at your face. Coatl: Then maybe it's best just to let the old lizard kick the bucket. Cuate: You'd think so. But don't forget, the not-so-moral choice comes with risks too. None of what you said was wrong either. This island may very well throw something we can't handle at our doorsteps, and we'll have eaten our only chance at stopping it. This might not even be the only dragon to wash ashore in the future, and the next one might be at full health. Lady Naoki's got quite a quandary on her hands.
Pensive, Coatl circled down around the dragon's body while Lady Naoki deliberated. He inspected the wooden coffin, seeing if it would be easy to pry open.
Rune boldly claimed he could stop the dragon even if it was at full strength. Coatl gave him an approving eye and a little chuckle.
Cuate's spirit manifested, clearly now, to the point where a shimmering silhouette made of light visibly floated next to Coatl. She placed a ghostly hand on the coffin.
I wonder if I encountered any of these artifacts when I was alive. Don't supposed any of them are engraved with the name Jun of the Celadine in little letters? Not likely I bet.
Her words were audible to everyone in earshot, especially since pretty much everyone there was magically sensitive. That included Doobie du Shoobie.
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Alden
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 266
Age: 53(?)
Appearance: The reference image is a commissioned piece and is accurate.
Alden is 6 even, with shoulder-length messy black hair, and several days worth of beard stubble. He is handsome, with a powerful jaw, mid-set cheekbones, and a perpetual grin that makes him seem younger than he really is. His bright green eyes, constantly sparkle with barely contained mirth. He has the lithe well-muscled body of a swordsman, and he moves with considerable grace and dexterity.
If one were to do a more thorough examination of Alden's eyes they may notice a further detail. Around the outside edge of his iris, there's an intricate series of minuscule grey runes.
Underneath his shirt, Alden's skin is a mass of scar tissue. Starting from just below his neckline, there is very little space that does not sport some relic of a past injury. A particularly observant person may also note that among these scars, some are a bright scarlet. These scarlet scars form an intricate series of runes hiding amidst the rest of the scars.
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Equipment: Alden's general loadout when he goes fighting consists of the following:
A twin set of enchanted shortswords. The simple straight blades are unnatural dark, absorbing rather than reflecting light. Giving the enchanted steel an appearance closer to cold iron. The guard has the Isran sun emblem emblazoned in a medallion shape just above the guard, which is wrapped in simple leather. The enchantments increase their sharpness and durability, as well as being able to ignite the blood of anything that he has pierced with either blade.
Numerous braces and hidden throwing knives all over his body. At one point, these were also enchanted but when the calamity struck he didn't have time to grab his original set. So these are all well-made but ultimately mundane weapons. Still, with his strength and skill, they can be quite deadly.
Unfortunately, at present, he is also missing his armour. His preferred armour is leather dyed in mottled black and greys, with strike plates sewn between layers for added protection. His old set was also enchanted for increased protection from physical and magical attacks.
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Skills and Abilities: Alden is, for lack of a better term, a weapon master. He has been trained to use almost any weapon you can think to name. Relentless daily training with each, with extraordinarily demanding expectations on performance and harsh incentives for failure giving a level of skill with most of them that make him formidable.
However, his preferred style involves twin short swords. While he is skilled with all of his weapons thanks to training, he discovered a natural talent with the blade. His level of skill when wielding his short swords is on another level entirely, nearly transcendent in his skill.
On top of that, he is a living magical enchantment. Carved into his body are a variety of runes that grant him numerous innate abilities. He is inhumanly strong, around three to four times stronger than a man in a similar state of physical fitness would be. This also applies to his endurance, speed, reflexes, and other physical traits. He also has regenerative abilities exceeding human normal, able to heal from even broken bones in a matter of days rather than weeks.
In addition, he is immune to most poisons and resistant to the rest. The runes etched into his eyes ensure he can see the same no matter the level of light and reveal magical auras to him. Runes along his back make him impossible to scry on directly and provide him a measure of resistance to magical attack. This, combined with training, also makes him immune to magical mental influence. Finally, runes on his feet dampen any sound he might make taking his already considerable stealth abilities to another level entirely.
Speaking of his training also included all of the skills one would think an Assassin should have. He knows how to mix poisons, move without being seen or making noise, scale walls, lie or disguise himself, pick locks, pick pockets, just for starters. He is also quite skilled at clerical work and he has some diplomacy ability after thirty years leading the Sun Marshals.
Beyond all of this, Alden also possesses an incredible amount of willpower. If Alden decides that he will do something, there is very little that can stop him from doing it. In fact, at present, the only thing that could deter him from a course of action is Captain Naoki. The former Empress is the only person he has any loyalty to and he often values her judgement on matters above his own.
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Biography: Alden was born to a small farming family in an out-of-the-way village. His parents named him Toan and until he was five his destiny was most likely to live and die on the same farm he was born. However, that all changed when Pride arrived.
The leader of a criminal group known as The Set, Pride offered his parents a sum of money that would make any poor farmer's heart stop. Enough money to change their lives forever and all he wanted was Alden, one of nearly a dozen children. A child that wasn't even old enough to help with chores around the farm yet. And the man as so nice, he wanted a ward that he could train to be a retainer how bad of a life could that be?
The answer to that question was basically Hell. Pride was a potent alchemist, enchanter, and scholar and he had but one goal in mind. To create a superior warrior. Alden was subjected to hellish daily training along with six other children. Forced to learn to fight with every weapon, against any foe, in any condition. His limbs were broken deliberately and he was forced to continue to fight and train in constant agony. And this was among the mildest of the ways he was trained.
The culmination of the training came when he was twelve. When he and the six other children were locked in a room and told that the only one who got to leave... was the only one to survive. Of course, surviving was hardly a reward.
Once Pride had only the strongest of the children left he proceeded to the next step of his plan. Alden's memories and identity were seared away as Pride carved runes into his flesh and his very soul. Transforming the young man into a living magical artifact and keeping him on a drug that suppressed all of his emotions.
From there Alden became the new Wrath of the set, a weapon meant only to slay those he was told to. That may have been all he would be but Pride made a miscalculation, Alden's runes helped him to build an immunity to the dosage meant to keep his emotions in check, a weakness made worse by Pride having let him keep his anger thinking it would make him a better weapon. Eventually, events conspired and Alden snapped when the only member of The Set to be kind to him, Sloth, was killed for threatening to expose Pride.
Alden, driven into a deeper rage than ever before killed Envy, Lust, Gluttony, and even disembowelled Pride. Greed manage to escape and Alden slaughtered everything in his path trying to catch the man. Eventually succeeding in his goal. Bereft of a target for his rage and the chase having left him in the middle of nowhere Alden finally collapsed the trauma and coming off of the dosage causing him to bury most of his memories.
He wound up in Isra where his talents and skill soon earned him the eye of the then, criminal Madam Naoki. She recruited him as one of her enforcers a role he continued as her power expanded and grew until she finally became Empress. His reward for his loyalty? Appointment to the head of The Sun Marshals her special police force, effectively making him her right-hand man.
During this time he also uncovered his own past and learned that Pride had survived, the man had made preparations for such an eventuality and his death only saw his soul moving to a phylactery as he became a lich.
Pride created a new Set, this time making each member just as he made Alden. Eventually, this culminated in Pride attacking Isra and his eventual, final defeat.
Decades have passed since that time and Alden, whose power kept him at his prime for years continued to serve Isra until the new calamity took him to The Island of Mists, his empress reduced to a captain and he now serving as her first mate.
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Allegiances: Naoki and Port Argentum
Place of Residence: Port Argentum
Registered: Mar 21, 2021 13:21:25 GMT -5
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Post by Alden on Dec 27, 2021 18:42:04 GMT -5
Alden had remained silent throughout much of what happened. The entire scene played out like some sort of macabre comedy. Befriend the dragon, slay the dragon, pitty the dragon, scorn the dragon.
"Just let him be."
With a tilt of his head, he addressed Naoki and Grandma but his focus was on Grandma.
"You say you remember him as a being worthy of respect? Yet treat him with scorn because what? He is another survivor from a drowned world. Were we that much better off when we landed on these shores? Or were we half-starved carrying for ill and injured and just desperate for some succour? Because what?"
Alden gestured at the beast with a snort.
"He might recover and be a threat? That could be said of any who land on these beaches." Alden shook his head as he continued. "I would like to think we are not the sort to strike someone down before they become a threat, even if we are pragmatic to think of it." Not quite done he then looked up to meet Naoki's eyes. "But if you decided it must be done then I would ask that I do it, after everyone else is sent away. This should not be seen as an act of glory when at this point it is naught but an execution."
With that, he turned his attention back to Valignat his vote clear. Give the dragon the same respect they would give any other frightened and confused soul that landed on these shores.
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Lady Naoki
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 345
Appearance: Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed.
Allegiances: New Isra
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Lady Naoki on Dec 27, 2021 21:50:39 GMT -5
Listening to what everyone has to say, Naoki’s eyebrows furrow. As grandma points out that she recognizes the beast, Naoki takes a third look. She looks deeper into the dragon’s eye and soon sees.
“Ahh,” Naoki says. “I do remember.” A parley on the outskirts, where this dragon took the form of an elf. Jun was at her side. He desired of her power and left wanting after a heated exchange of words. He was insane then, too. He was barely able to hold himself together for their brief conversation, and magically vying with Jun the entire time. The sort of allegiance he proposed was far beyond anything that would have been acceptable, and he left in a huff.
Looking to Coatl and Cuate, Naoki shakes her head. “Another dragon, perhaps. It is as Grandma says: this one is unwell. It says what it does now only because it knows it is beaten and wishes for survival. … I had hoped not to see it again,” she says. To kill it and make use of its valuable body would be the pragmatic thing to do, but a lighter touch is necessary here.
Stepping up to the dragon, Naoki transfers the gemstones in one hand back into her pouch and lays her hand on an intact portion of his scaly hide. There’s a low glow as she transfers an amount of mana and vitality to it.
“Leave now,” she says, pointing. “Fly back out to sea. There is a thin island, rest there to lick your wounds, then continue on to the northern part of the continent and stay there to do what you will. If you’re seen in these parts again, there will be no additional mercy.”
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Doobie du Shoobie
New
Roleplay posts: 3
Age: 17 (Old for a Kobold)
Biography: As a Kobold Welp, Doobie was an angsty wannabe villain looking to dominate the world with his magical abilities. He hated others of his kind because of how idiotic they were in comparison to himself. Doobie had a change of heart when he was about 3 years old after he met Jun of the Celadine and some others, he decided to take a more righteous path instead and he eventually joined the Heroes' Guild.
After spending years travelling and training, he started a family when he became 12 years old and met his mate Xochiquetzal. They had 3 children: Oobie, Poctli (nicknamed Smoke), and Wah.
Allegiances: The Heroes Guild
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Dec 17, 2021 21:25:17 GMT -5
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Post by Doobie du Shoobie on Jan 4, 2022 18:05:09 GMT -5
Cuate's spirit manifested, clearly now, to the point where a shimmering silhouette made of light visibly floated next to Coatl. She placed a ghostly hand on the coffin. I wonder if I encountered any of these artifacts when I was alive. Don't supposed any of them are engraved with the name Jun of the Celadine in little letters? Not likely I bet.Her words were audible to everyone in earshot, especially since pretty much everyone there was magically sensitive. That included Doobie du Shoobie. Doobie walks over to Coatl while he's checking out the coffin. "Hmm? Did I hear you say something about Jun of the Celadine? She's a friend of mine." Once he's close enough, the Kobold takes a look in the coffin if he can.
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Coatl of the Imilla
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 143
Appearance: Skin just a skosh darker than an old clay pot. The shade of his hat occludes black, sun-beaten eyes, wavy, matted hair, and just enough beard to protect his chin. His hands are coarse and leathery, with wiry tendons. His height isn't quite imposing, it's but enough to lend credence to a purposeful stride and posture.
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Equipment: An old duster, scarf, and cotton shirt and slacks. A thin brigandine with copper plates and a military-grade pitchfork.
A single candle, a reagent of now forbidden degrees of power.
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Skills and Abilities: On his home turf, Coatl could manifest formidable elemental magic. Here the magic is suppressed down to more subtle manipulations. However, the spirit of Cuaté, the "Witch", is still with him.
Coatl is, at his core, a simple farmhand. His experience working on ranches and plantations has earned him a strong physique and a way with animals. When he was a teenager, he also spent some time as a city guard and militiaman, giving him basic competence with a variety of weapons.
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Biography: The Imilla Clan were migrant farmers and laborers, selling themselves to wealthier kingdoms. They were a people bound by working shanties, and stories of an Eden from whence their ancestors came. As a youth, Coatl felt they were naive. They possessed the most basic of martial skills and required the aid of capricious spirits with weak magic to protect them.
His suspicions were half true, for when they encountered a malevolent kingdom, they were very nearly enslaved. However, his parent's commitment to peace earned him, and him in particular, the loyalty of an ancestral spirit that was far more dependable.
Using the power of this spirit, Coatl and a few other "chosen ones" helped bring prosperity and safety to their clan, ensuring that no one else would try to enslave them. The golden years of their people came to an abrupt end, however, when the flood waters came...
Registered: Mar 20, 2021 23:42:08 GMT -5
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Post by Coatl of the Imilla on Jan 13, 2022 20:44:11 GMT -5
Only time would tell if the dragon was wise enough to take Lady Naoki's offer. Although had Port Argentium lost a shot at one beautiful bastard of an attack dog, Coatl felt he agreed with Lady Noaki's call. And ultimately, she was the boss lady when it came to things like this.
He gave Doobie a curious look. When they arrived on the islands and they first ventured into the forests, Cuate felt an enormous pang of sympathy from seeing a lizard kid. Scarvy. Coatl himself hadn't seen much of his kind before, but he chose to befriend the youngling and treat it with respect, lest there might be more of his kind among the Argentium survivors.
Doobie must have been why.
"Partner, you need to start wearing a sign." He said quiety to Cuate. He then turned to Doobie. "Son, 300 year old memories are rusty things. Give her a bit."
Cuate's spirit appeared right in front of Doobie. She crouched down on ghostly, shadowy ankles. And she projected both joy and sadness at seeing him again.
"Doobie... it's me."
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The Ringbearer
New
Roleplay posts: 2
Age: Unknown, but they appear to be around their mid-30s-40s
Appearance: The Ringbearer is tall and lean, with long fingers. They wear a dark, long coat, which houses many pockets on the inside. Below the coat, lies darkly colored formal attire, usually dark reds and browns. Their head is covered in what appear to be bandages, with a simple white mask covering their eyes. Atop their head is a top hat. Their skin is a pale white and wrinkled, and each hand has multiple rings on each finger.
Equipment: The Ringbearer carries a multitude of rings, each ring being unique. Where they acquire these rings, is unknown. Outside of these rings, they carry very little, only bringing what they would need on their specific journey.
Skills and Abilities: The Ringbearer seems to know quite a bit about each ring they have in their possession, and has great knowledge of jewelry in general. They also have a knack for stealing and sneaking about, using this to acquire more rings.
Biography: The Ringbearer seeks to acquire as many rings as possible, for they believe that they need this rings in order to bring their family back from the dead. They will acquire these rings through any means necessary, even murder if it is required. Some might call it insanity or delusion, but the Ringbearer is firmly convinced that these rings are the key to bringing back their old life.
Registered: Jan 8, 2022 15:06:41 GMT -5
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Post by The Ringbearer on Jan 19, 2022 13:19:33 GMT -5
A soaked, wet, heavy clothed figure clawed itself out of the waves and onto the beach. As they finally escaped the water, they shakily stood up, examining their body carefully. "The rings.... the rings...." they muttered obsessively, checking each finger for the rings that shone on their hands. Satisfied, they checked the inside of their coat for what seemed to be even more rings, hanging on loops inside the long coat.
Finally, they relaxed, and looked around them. "...where am I?" They asked the empty air.
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Doobie du Shoobie
New
Roleplay posts: 3
Age: 17 (Old for a Kobold)
Biography: As a Kobold Welp, Doobie was an angsty wannabe villain looking to dominate the world with his magical abilities. He hated others of his kind because of how idiotic they were in comparison to himself. Doobie had a change of heart when he was about 3 years old after he met Jun of the Celadine and some others, he decided to take a more righteous path instead and he eventually joined the Heroes' Guild.
After spending years travelling and training, he started a family when he became 12 years old and met his mate Xochiquetzal. They had 3 children: Oobie, Poctli (nicknamed Smoke), and Wah.
Allegiances: The Heroes Guild
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Dec 17, 2021 21:25:17 GMT -5
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Post by Doobie du Shoobie on Jan 24, 2022 18:38:01 GMT -5
Only time would tell if the dragon was wise enough to take Lady Naoki's offer. Although had Port Argentium lost a shot at one beautiful bastard of an attack dog, Coatl felt he agreed with Lady Noaki's call. And ultimately, she was the boss lady when it came to things like this. He gave Doobie a curious look. When they arrived on the islands and they first ventured into the forests, Cuate felt an enormous pang of sympathy from seeing a lizard kid. Scarvy. Coatl himself hadn't seen much of his kind before, but he chose to befriend the youngling and treat it with respect, lest there might be more of his kind among the Argentium survivors. Doobie must have been why. "Partner, you need to start wearing a sign." He said quiety to Cuate. He then turned to Doobie. "Son, 300 year old memories are rusty things. Give her a bit." Cuate's spirit appeared right in front of Doobie. She crouched down on ghostly, shadowy ankles. And she projected both joy and sadness at seeing him again. "Doobie... it's me." "Son? I'm kinda too old to be be called son. I'm like 17, maybe 18." Doobie couldn't really tell what month it was supposed to be, so he wasn't sure if his Hatchday happened yet. Doobie turned his head to the side and inspected the spirit Cuate with one of his lizard eyes. 300 years? "What a strange time this is, I last saw Jun of the Celadine just the other year. Came over to meet my kids. There seem to be a lot of people popping up here from different points in history, I've noticed." Doobie starts to snicker a little and pokes at Cuate, "Hekekeke! You are really Jun? So tiny you are now! Not "Tall One" anymore! Kakakaka!" He stops laughing and makes sure to give a compliment to his old friend. "Though you do like quite exquisite in this form now. Like uh, " Kawaii!~", as the kids say, Right?"
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