Chapter I: Pestilence

Gargantuan javelins raced towards the navy-blue ceiling, defiantly rising aloft the heads of jaded statues which lay on each side of the grand hallway. A mixture of peculiar scents, voices and colors molded the cohorts which took the council chamber (a circular room similar to an amphitheater, equipped with a total of eighty-eight seats and a large oval bureau placed in it's center, the aforementioned desk fitted with a total of four chairs) by assault: scholars, clergymen and politicians alike "exchanging greetings" in an attempt to obtain a better seat amongst the sumptuous gathering.

A slightly rusted pendulum clung to one of the chamber's columns had just recently conveyed the transition of yet another quarter of an hour through a somber gong, pitch-black limbs sliding across it's dial rigidly, causing the apparatus which held dominion over them to emit a brief shriek. If peering upon it, one would quickly gain the impression that the contraption itself would be better suited in a museum, the "magnificent" object highlighting the current government's refusal to provide it's institutions with adequate materials.

"They are late, i have told you ssso.." - An Anaur's high-pitched tongue sneered.
"I am aware, ah may the Gods curse those eccentric fools. We should have been done with this in a matter of moments." - The cryptic vociferation belonging to an elderly Neru'abar replied, it's tone baring an almost palpable hint of frustration.
"Do not worry my friend, i am sssure that everything isss all right."
"I am not worried you buffoon, i am simply speaking my mind - And mind your tongue when you address yourself, i detest the fact that you sound akin to a lizard."
"I am sssor.."

The conversation had been brought to an abrupt adjournment as the procession had lushly advanced inside the room. A total of twelve guardsmen garbed in plate armor adorned with the King's tabard were now marching towards the chamber's center whilst encasing two fairly large figures and a more petite individual engulfed in one too many items of clothing. As if signaled by an orchestra's conductor, men and women alike ceremoniously ascended to their feet, dozens of voices briefly chanting as one: "Hail the Sages of the Synod, Hail the all-knowing Harbingers, Hail the Conclave !" - As quickly as the hymn began, so did it end, the multitude of spectators present promptly scurrying towards their seats.

Without a moment's pause, a elderly Shara lifted her wrinkled form from behind the oval desk, index fingers loitering on a pair of pale lips: "The assembly has now been placed in motion. For those of you which have not been informed as to why we have gathered here, the Synod has of late received news that the invasion in the North is drawing closer to us. Two of the seven Thrones have now sworn to battle against the plague, while one has already shown it's refusal to lend a helping hand in these times of need. We can no longer rest idly and assume that the Neru'abar and the Naari shall solve these vexations, and thus, we must stand together in the quest to banish these beasts from our lands. We hereby solicit each of the Noble houses present here to offer their able soldiers to the Legions of our Kingdom and band in an effort to emerge victorious in this endeavor."

A feeble amalgam of murmurs and rustles enshrouded the room in mere trices as the gathering began to hesitantly shift in their chairs, a cocktail of fear and disapproval vividly impregnated across hollow gazes. Each and every Noble house had been "persuaded" to pledge their allegiance against the blight since the earliest of times, yet as modernistic governments had gained sovereignty, as of late, over the nations the aristocrats found it fit to pursue their own interests, forsaking the needs of the many for their own

"Still your hissing !" - The baronial voice rose above the masses whilst a pair of robust fingers struggled to crane upon the bureau what could only be described as a plump frame. A thick light-brown beard, green eyes, a curved nose and bristly eyebrows portrayed the Baldor which vainly stood before the gathering, sturdy hands now gesticulating as if independent from his body. "We shall summon the Conclave, and they shall decide what we are to do." - The magisterial words came alike sorcery, the entire gathering now collapsing upon their chairs as if nothing more than a rose's withered petals. Clumsily revolving his torso towards the pair of Harbingers which tacitly lay near his posterior, the Baldur cleared his throat and spoke, firmly: "Minerva, Arius, there is no other way, they must be summoned. Greed, mistrust and dishonesty now openly saunter along these rows, we can no longer reckon that these petty fools shall lend us their aid. Yet they would be forced to obey the Conclave, that is the custom and it has been so for endless generations."

A doddering sigh parted from the female as the Naari male slightly bowed his head in acceptance. In a matter of moments, the twelve guardsmen which had escorted the Synod inside the spacious chambers had besieged the council, the wooden desk now inundated with various objects. Fingers clasped upon a ceramic vessel adorned with a multitude of symbols, the Baldor cautiously set the item upon the forth empty chair, mutely babbling an odd chanson. Graciously clenching her hands around what could be described as a kettle of sorts, the Shara female meticulously filled the object with water, nimbly emptying its contents in the aforementioned container. Narrow eyes gingerly investigated the counter, the Naari clasping a fragile vial enclosed in a thin shred of cloth, wearily spilling it's contents inside the cauldron, the object discarded as the last drop its reddish flame united with the crystalline water. Ending his chant, the Baldor inclined his torso above the pot, parting his lips as a gust of his stale breath now swept past the burning water.

Silence.

Moments crawled away alike grains of sand in an hour glass, the entire assembly immersed in a fleeting flicker of tranquility. And in that one, brief moment, the object began to tremor, the water now boiling, the fire hissing ardently as without a warning the pot shattered in to a dozen fragments. As if bewitched, scorching clay began to dwindle in the air, the oaken parquet fracturing itself limb by limb as a towering deer torpidly gained shape before the congress' gaze, callow leafs embellishing it's horns, sinewy vines shrouding it's legs.

"Why do you disrupt us, mortals ?"

The words were melodic, alike a romantic ballad played by an old gramophone. "Honorable Envoy, we are the Synod of the lands, and we ask the Conclave for their aid. We are present here to decide if the Seven Thrones are to engage in the crusade against the invasion, yet we cannot reach a suitable agreement with the aristocrats." - Arius, spoke gravely. Quivering it's head slightly, the beast replied:

"Your legions,
Shall battle and die,
Fathers shall perish,
Mothers shall cry,
Redemption lies in misfits,
Not in your Kings,
Cast the many to find the few,
Send those heroes to protect you."

The final phrase came as a languid echo, the beast sluggishly stretching itself upon the wooden floor whilst transfiguring in to the broken items from which it originated. Swiveling their bodies towards the assembly, the Synod spoke in unity: "The Conclave has decided. Our armies shall be sent to scour the lands in search of the chosen ones. The noble houses are called to honour their commitments towards their empires and offer their able men to the quest. This council is adjourned."

Race Descriptions:

The Baldor

• Stone Skin (Available once per Battle-RP scenes, immunity to melee damage).
• Solitary beings.
• Accomplished smiths and brawlers.
• Inclination towards armed and melee combat
• Aggressive
• Ruled by a Monarch and six advisers.
• Rulers of the First Throne.

The Anaur (parasitical organisms which converge with the fauna)

• Prolonged life-span (upon death, the parasitic organism has the chance of relocating to another host)
• Forbidden to merge with any of the other six races.
• Ruled by the Matriarch (the first-born female).
• Connection with Mother Nature (can use the fauna in a defensive or offensive manner, to an extent)
• Known to have greatly skilled Enchanters. (Arcane alternators)
• Rulers of the Second Throne

The Naari & Neru'abar (avian entities)

• Distinguishing both races: Neru'Abar hold skin pigment comparable to a human's. The Naari inhabit the upper heavens, thus, through intense contact with the sun, their skin adopts shades of red.
• Winged dash (can achieve great speeds through flight - wings cannot be used more than once per attack, per battle).
• Governed by a Royal Family (Both an Emperor and an Empress).
• Both races hold the ability to converse with the creatures of the sky.
• Can reach heights of seven feet or more.
• Holders of distinguished Wizards. (Arcane callers)
• Rulers of the Third and Forth Throne.

The Shara (spirit warriors)

• Ethereal (on activation, halfens the mellee damage received yet even a minor spell can bring the individual near death)
• Arcane Atonement (greater magical capacities)
• Governed by a council of four members
• Outer-racial breeding is utterly prohibited out of fears of tainting the lineage, the punishment being the shattering of the soul's link to the body.
• Other details: hollow eyes (the kin lacks a pupil of retina, the eye itself having one color alone), pale skin, chilling to the touch.
• Rumored to utilize some of the most able Arimans in the land. (Arcane shapers)
• Rulers of the Fifth Throne.

The Orii'm

• Beastmaster and/or Druid. (Able to choose at a young age between the path of the warrior or the path of the healer. Beastmasters are allowed to control one animal at their choosing whilst Druids are the only ones gifted with healing arts)
• Members of the breed are prohibited from hunting without their savage counterpart, as it is believed that the creatures only prey upon the souls which the forest no longer has a use for.
• Other details: athletic bodies, keen senses, increased agility.
• Females of the Orii'm tribe are the exclusive leaders in a family.
• Governing form: unknown.
• Rulers of the Sixth Throne.

The seventh race shall not be revealed for now, remaining as an item to be unveiled in the future. These are the main breeds which dwell upon the lands, yet there are other less numerous species which have only partially been documented.

Brief Explanations:

Enchanters - Magi which can accentuate the elements through the arcane arts. As an example: In a mild storm, an elderly enchanter could metamorphose the phenomenon in to a Blizzard. Enchanters have no abilities if there is no elemental circumstance which they can influence.

Wizards - Magi which can conjure the elements to a certain point and force them to accept their bidding. As an example: A wizard can cast a fireball, and he can also freeze an enemy's arm, yet only few wise wizards have managed to bring their spells to the extent at which they cause as much peril as an Enchanter's sorcery when influencing an element. Unlike Enchanters and Arimans, the wizards can summon the arcane arts no matter their surroundings.

Arimans - Magi which shape the elements to their will. Unlike Enchanters, they do not require a natural occurrence to be able to exercise their talents, the only perquisite being the existence of the element itself nearby (As an example: an Ariman could mold the water in a pond, the fire smoldering a forest, a young tree which idly slumbers). In the absence of the primordial factors, Arimans, alike Enchanters, have no power.

Spirit Healers (Restricted to Anaur/Orii'm Druids) - Magi which, due to their close ties to Mother Nature have unveiled a way in which to mend both the mind, body and soul through the arcane arts.

Note: Wizards cannot use their witchcraft in order to provide either Arimans or Enchanters with the elements required for them to use their talents. Every class of Magi can perform acts which its counterparts cannot, thus, choose wisely. I am willing to accept other sorts of arcane arts if you can evolve a solid explanation for them.

Note: You are not obliged as an applicant to use a magic-wielder if applying for one of the races with aptitudes towards the arcane. You can of course simple choose a race and build your character as a warrior (classes will be inexistent, whilst you can of course build your character to be more adept at bows than swords, I will not further complicate the RP through class introduction).

Note: The setting of this story is Medieval-Fantasy with just a few pinches of steampunk. Gun-powder has only recently been invented, the majority of the folk still functioning on oil lamps. Take this into consideration when creating your character.


Map

X1 - Synod Location
X2 - Current Caravan location
X3 - Market Encampment
X4 - Howling Caves
X5 - Echo Beach.

Rules and Regulations:

• God-modding of any sort shall not be tolerated and shall be instantly dealt with.
• I want this RP to be literate, so if you are declined on that premise I will assist you in improving if you so desire.
• One-lines are not accepted. Three paragraphs when posting are a minimum requirement.
• Maintain decent activity. Whilst I do not require you to post every single day, I expect you to be able to keep up with the general pace of the story.
• As GM, what ever is instructed by myself is law for this roleplay. Please keep that in mind.
• Mary-Sues of any sort shall more than likely be declined - please avoid these characters.
• Please follow the character sheet exactly. Take your time with the creation process - characters which were slapped together in two minutes will have fewer chances of being accepted.
• Rules can be bent, added or removed throughout the story as the GM pleases. Please ensure you read this thread from time to time as to keep yourself updated.
• This is a Fantasy setting, please keep your IC language, gear and items in check with the scenery. No lord uses: "Fuck it." every other two words whilst carrying a chaingun in his pocket.
• Cussing and IC relationships are allowed, yet please keep it tasteful and in check with the website's rules.

Character Sheet:

• Name:
• Age:
• Race:
• Gender:
• Orientation:
• Class (if arcane user):
• Companion (beastmaster):
• Equipment:
• History:
• Description: (please accompany pictures with a written description)
• Personal Notes:

The Roleplay-Tab can be found here: The Seven Thrones: Armada

the races do dealings with one another right? Other than in council I mean, for instance trades and transactions.....

Salutations Skittle. Yes, they do.

<3 So polite, I adore seeing unique writing styles such as yours, consider me interested. And I believe I have thought of an entirely different sort of misfit rather than that of your typical outcasted rogue.

Oh! That would be brilliant. Thank you for the compliment - my ego adores them, its like feeding candy to a child. Well, in such a case, I await your character!

Deuce, thank you for your submission. Your character has been approved judging you make the following changes:

A) Change to your sword: at this stage in the roleplay there are no weapons which posses magical qualities, be it even an aura. This being said, seeing that you are an Ariman, as a caster I think you would be better off with a staff, yet that remains up to you.

B) Whilst I quite like your idea of a character (frankly I never thought of it myself), I'd like a few more bits of information related to your concept. Does the shattering affect his day-to-day life in any way? Does it have any effects at all? If yes, I would like to know them all, especially if they alter his combat abilities.

Thank you.

Alright, it will be added onto the history section.

Skittle_Overlord - Your character has been accepted. I quite enjoyed reading through your history and I must say, bravo; on a well done concept. Two more sign-ups and I shall make the first IC post. Hopefully we shall get things started by Sunday.

I've been told to reserve one, so here I am reserving a character.

I too am reserving a place for my character.

I'm very interested in creating a character for this role-play! However, I have two questions about the Shara.

The Shara (spirit warriors)

* Ethereal (on activation, halfens the mellee damage received yet even a minor spell can bring the individual near death)
* Arcane Atonement (greater magical capacities)
* Governed by a council of four members
* Outer-racial breeding is utterly prohibited out of fears of tainting the lineage, the punishment being the shattering of the soul's link to the body.
* Other details: hollow eyes (the kin lacks a pupil of retina, the eye itself having one color alone), pale skin, chilling to the touch.
* Rumored to utilize some of the most able Arimans in the land. (Arcane shapers)
* Rulers of the Fifth Throne.

First, I know they're spirit warriors and the first note about them says 'Ethereal'. Are they some type of ghost or do they have physical bodies with ethereal qualities (walking through walls, etc.)? Also, when you say "Arcane shapers" and "Arcane Atonement", do you mean they know things that the other tribes wouldn't normally know?

Just trying to make sure I understand everything before jumping in and then making a fool out of myself.

Salutations Seijun. Thank you for the question. Below you may locate the answers to each and all of them:

A) The Shara posses physical bodies with ethereal qualities.
B) As the story progresses, each and every race shall gain a new ability meant to aid them in RP-battle scenes. Choosing an Arcane Shaper as a Shara shall allow you to gain a unique ability only that combination of class and race can offer.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you!

:3 thank you, I'm extremely excited to start this soon!

One more question (for now)! If the Shara eyes lack pupils or retinas, are they blind or can they still 'see', just not the same way we do?

A valid question! Shara can see just as well as any other living and breathing mortal, and exactly as any other living and breathing mortal would see. Their biological structure is simply different. The story changes (though) when one goes ethereal, his perception of the world is altered - point being, a Shara can see one's spirit, exactly as it is. Imagine a hollow outline with a pulsating wisp within. That would be it.

Seijun, thank you for your submission. Your character has been accepted based on the following note being applied: Shara eyes do not change as to reflect emotion. They are born with one color, and die with one color. Your profile needs to reflect that.

Sorry. I didn't mean that his eye color changes, I meant that his eyes are constantly showing each and every emotion that he feels right then. For example, His eye may widen for surprise then narrow because he's angry. I've changed his character sheet to, hopefully, make that more apparent.

Greetings everyone. I would like to inquire about my creation of a character within this RP. I noticed that after the first six races listed that you had stated the seventh race would be revealed later on, and that there were a myriad of lesser races that have not been catalogued very well. I have a character, and although the race-type may not be all that unique, is not listed within the major races. It is a character I have thought about with much interest, but I have as of yet discovered a roleplay where I might use him. I just wanted to give you a slight idea first before I put the character down on paper, and will include an image, but unfortunately if I cannot find many images it will be only a half-picture. but the description will detail his differences.

Skulblaka - Thank you for your submission. Your character has been approved. I had quite a lot of fun reading your profile!

Ezarael - Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, I had to decline your character. All applicants must stick to the races present in the introductory post. If you would like to re-submit a character based on one of the races above, it would be my pleasure to review it.

Currently we have a total of five players and thus, I will begin work on the IC post. As soon as one or two more character-sheets are through, the post shall be made.

Thank you for your support everybody!

Thank you for the acceptance, and the tip on using paint to resize the picture so that I may use it as my avatar, but unfortunately it doesn't have a face! Apologies on that note, but it was one of the pictures I thought might best suit the character, and I couldn't find many with facial features to match the image in my head.