"It was.. a long time ago. Well, not really. Then again, for us time matters little in the run of things. What matters is life, and its protection and preservation. And discovery. We always wanted to know more, because for all our age, our power and our science we are still so very young compared to those that have come before, and we still have much to learn. I am of the race known as 'Forerunners'. My name is.. well, my name is unimportant. Truthfully, actually. They have bestowed upon me the title 'the Porter', because I am the one who opened the gate. I am Builder Security, by rate and by trade, but my affinity for the science of portals garnered me much attention during a time when we were interested in expanding our horizons, though not beyond the galaxy - that emptiness holds nothing for us as far as we were, and still are, concerned. I was the first one to establish a threshold to an alternate reality and create a stabilized gateway to the other side, along with other scientists. We sent probes, first. They all returned fully intact and with readings of an environment entirely suitable for life such as our own. And so through the gate we went, armed and prepared for anything, which is quite contradictory when you take into account how little we knew of this universe - IE, nothing. We found a beautiful and untouched world with primitive societies developing there. It was a wondrous thing. But, the truly amazing discoveries were soon to come. We discovered portals beneath the surface leading us into a vast place filled with a pure, and potent energy. We determined it was larger than the world it was placed inside of. Much larger, indeed. And that was when we unearthed them. Relics. Artifacts. Signs. Signs that our own forebears had been here, themselves. The Precursors, a race so ancient and advanced that our own achievements fall flat in comparison to the eternal power of their mysterious and long-vanished reign. This world had been crafted by them, even more seamlessly than we, ourselves, could build. We were truly excited, a rare thing for us. We were quick to establish a presence on the world, but one that would not hinder or interfere with the primitives present there. Before long we even would have begun bringing vessels to this universe to explore the unknown beyond the planet and its solar system. It was truly mind-boggling to think that we stood upon the soil of a world built entirely by the hands (metaphorically speaking, of course) of the Precursors themselves, a race revered by all Forerunners. And then, just as we were on the brink of stepping full into this remarkable new reality, tragedy struck a fell blow. We received word that hostile activity from another race was threatening our civilization. Two races, in fact. An alliance. The main aggressors were known as humans, and their allies the San 'Shyuum. At first it was not much of a concern for us, until the war exploded viciously. We were called back, all of us, and were unable to remove the installations we had established. Sentinels were left behind, and the installations well concealed. We had no idea how long we would be away, and so we were careful to hide all traces of our having been on that planet. I was the last to step through the gateway, and so I would be the last Forerunner to have set foot on that planet for more than nine thousand eight hundred years. The war with the humans was not very long, only a meager few hundred years. But, after the war ended the project was stalled indefinitely, and it would be quite some time before talk of sending a team back through one of the established gateways erected and left behind. But finally, at long last, it has been decided that a team shall be sent through to the other side. The day I have hoped for for thousands of years has finally come. Now, maybe we will be able to discern the truth of this alien world and the uncharted universe beyond." - the Porter

Forerunner Facts

General Knowledge: Forerunners are, at this point in time, the most powerful race active in the Milky Way galaxy. Their capital, simply called just that, is a massive artificial world, essentially one great city. Their society itself is complex, so we shall focus on what is needed to know at the moment. Naming, for starters, is somewhat different from conventional human names. An example of a Forerunner name is: Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. They are divided into five known social classes called "rates", which determined a Forerunner's place in the Ecumene. They are also known to be very fond of hats, with each rate having its own special type of headgear. Though, most Forerunners lived in body assist armor for much of their lives; sustaining them, rendering sleep, food and drink unnecessary, as well as preserving their lives. In fact, Forerunner death is considered extremely rare in times of peace. Rates involved with warfare would generally wear combat skins, far superior forms of said body assist armor. Forerunner armor can be "grown" in ships if needed, and when removed the armor or skin will float as if occupied, until being called to envelop the wearer (a note: when armor removes itself from a Forerunner, it is said to appear as ribbons of cloth unwinding from around them, and vice versa when wrapping around one). The Forerunners live by a creed known as the Mantle, said to be handed down to them by the Precursors themselves. It ordains that they should protect all life. Partially due to this, Forerunners do not eat meat, when they eat at all. In terms of appearance, Forerunners vary immensely. They go through a number of mutations throughout their lives, changing from one stage to another as they age. Most Forerunners are very tall, with Builders usually reaching ten to twelve feet, and Warrior-Servants even standing as tall as fifteen feet. Hair color can be purple, white, red, green, blue, or somewhere in between, and skin color varies much the same. Technologically Forerunners are stupidly advanced. Travel across the galaxy itself is both simple and extremely fast. Forerunner weaponry is devastatingly effective, whether surgical or otherwise - in fact, for Forerunners slipspace can even be utilized as a weapon. A very important piece of Forerunner society is the Domain. In essence, it is both a repository of all Forerunner knowledge - a vast database that any Forerunner can link to - and the place where the memories, or "souls", of the dead are stored. Memories can be harvested from any living thing, in fact Forerunner can painfully tear memories from an enemy's mind, should they wish it. Forerunners also placed a great deal of emphasis on AIs, called ancillae (or ancilla, singularly) with several different kinds of artificial intelligence being used in their society. Ancillae were always present in armor, whether it be body assist or combat skin. As well, ancillae were completely loyal, and the idea of one rebelling was considered an absurd notion. A staple in nearly all Forerunner structures is "hardlight". Hardlight is, in simplest terms, solid holographic projections that can be used to create chairs or other structures instantaneously for any purpose, this includes using hardlight projectors in shipyards to craft ships. In fact, eighty percent, at least, of nearly all Forerunner vessels are composed entirely of hardlight, allowing them to reconfigure the shape of the vessel as is needed. Hardlight can also be used in weaponry, most notably guns and blades. Concerning both Forerunner spacecraft and technological advancement, Forerunner shipyards can fully produce one hundred thousand ships per minute per planet, and this is not even considered true military mobilization, but in fact may be used simply as a statement. And this is not even taking into account the ungodly number of sentinels produced in mere seconds by fortress worlds and other sentinel generation factories.

Rates

Builder: Builders are the highest of all Forerunner rates, responsible for the construction of all advanced Forerunner structures in the Ecumene, including, eventually, the Halo Array. They are considered to be the highest of all Forerunners in terms of wealth, political power and intelligence. The Master Builder was essentially the most powerful member of the entire Ecumene, and the head of the Builder rate. Builder Security is a militarized caste within the Builder rate. Builders generally appear tall and sturdy, though more refined than Warrior-Servants.

Miner: Miners are the second highest Forerunner rate, and are well-skilled in excavation. They work to obtain the materials needed for the Builders, but are considered proud and strong.

Lifeworker: The third highest rate in the Ecumene. Lifeworkers are skilled in biology and medicine, as well as the study of all forms of life. The highest of all Lifeworkers is the Lifeshaper. Lifeworker forms are tall and graceful, compared to other Forerunners.

Warrior-Servant: The second lowest rate in Forerunner society. The Warrior-Servants are charged with the defense of the Ecumene and the obliteration of their enemies. Warrior-Servants are generally entirely devoted to the Mantle, and view opposition to the Ecumene direct opposition to the Mantle itself. Ironically, because of their position as soldiers many Forerunners look down upon Warrior-Servants, seeing them as contradictory to the Mantle. Warrior-Servants and Builders are the two most opposed rates, with neither being very fond of the other, to say the least. The highest of the Warrior-Servants are the legendary Prometheans, who were once immensely powerful in Forerunner society, at least until they opposed the Builder proposition to construct the Halo Array. In appearance, Warrior-Servants are even taller than Builders and powerfully built.

Engineer: The lowest of all rates in the Forerunner Ecumene. The Engineers are responsible for the construction and maintenance of machinery, including astroengineering. Stellar-class Engineers are referred to as "plasma jockeys" by Builders. Engineers are not represented in the Capital Court.

Spiran Facts

General Time Frame and Details: Three years have passed since the destruction of the ancient superweapon Vegnagun and the return of Tidus by the Fayth. Though things have not been quite as easy as had been hoped. Yevonite sects remaining have become increasingly more outspoken in their outrage over the acceptance of the Al Bhed into the reforming Spiran society. Hate crimes, though not prevalent, are occasional occurrences. The Al Bhed have started construction on two replacement Homes, one in Bikanel and on in the ruins of Baaj - an act further inflaming remaining Yevonites. Excavations in the Omega Ruins, led by Rikku, are in full swing alongside hunting for further technologies in the ocean and the desert sands of Bikanel. At this point in time the world is looking both to the past and to the future for answers to their history and to their future. Rebuilding and bringing stabilization to the planet are generally at the forefront of everyone's minds. All the people of Spira can hope for is a brighter tomorrow than the days gone by.

Map of current Spira


Areas

Besaid: A small, tropical island to the south of the Wilderia continent. Scattered with ruins, and covered by a large jungle, Besaid's population is small and lives in huts near the island's Temple. The island is famous for its peaceful calm and tranquil beauty. Besaid is a place where little ever changes and most things stay the same.

Kilika: North of Besaid by a few hours, Kilika is a slightly larger island with a large dock stretching out over the water. This island's jungle is much denser than its smaller counterpart's, and far more dangerous. The islanders all live on the docks stretching out over the water, and the Temple is located deep into, and high above, the jungle. Kilika is a trading hub for Spira, most notably for supplying fish to several buyers in Luca.

Luca: Spira's second largest city. A bustling metropolis by modern Spiran standards, constantly loud and crowded and filled with shops, stalls and just about anything you could want to buy. Luca is Spira's economic powerhouse in terms of the world's current condition, and is also home to the blitzball stadium. During the blitz season the city turns from crowded to absolutely packed.

Mi'ihen Highroad/Mushroom Rock Road: The long road reaching from Luca to the Mushroom Rock Road is mostly field, but later moves into small valleys. It is home to many fiends, a number of which are very powerful. The Mushroom Rock Road moves up into and beside a small, rocky range of mountains that border the sea. Though once home to the Youth League, Mushroom Rock still houses barracks of soldiers, but soldiers who serve under the name of the reforming Spiran world.

Djose/Moonflow: Djose is a large cavern with huge pillars reaching down to the ground and a small, deeply carved river cutting through it. A fork at the end of Mushroom Rock Road leads to either Djose or the Moonflow. Djose is famed for its lightning mushroom rock, which attracts lightning. Currently Djose is home to the Machine Faction, led by the Al Bhed Gippal. The Moonflow is the largest river on Spira, and bisects the Wilderia continent. To cross from the South Wharf to the Noth Wharf - or vice versa - one must travel across on large, elephant-like creatures called "shoopuff". At night swarms of pyreflies cover the river.

Guadosalam: The home of the Guado is a large subterranean city made mostly of the roots of a great tree above it. The gate to the Farplane is located in Guadosalam. Now under the command of the Guado once again, the LeBlanc Syndicate was been utterly disbanded shortly after the loss of its command center.

Thunder Plains: The Thunder Plains are a large, desolate landscape covered by an eternal thunderstorm, strong winds and heavy rain. The ground is dark and muddy rock littered with crater-like pools of water. Some of the most dangerous fiends on Spira live here, and in multitudes. Thunderbolts can strike the ground and kill travelers, but huge lightning rods built by an Al Bhed and conceived by High Summoner Gandof make the road somewhat safer. This area is essentially controlled by the Al Bhed, who have been tasked with making the trek across safer for travelers.

Macalania: Macalania is made up of two sides. The side connecting to the Thunder Plains is a vast, icy forest of crystalline trees and plants where the sunlight never penetrates, though natural light from the trees and plants keep the forest somewhat lit. Some of the paths are actually branches of the trees themselves, reaching up off the ground. Though once feared it would die, the forest has since recovered and is going strong. There are two roads leading out of Macalania: one leads to Bevelle, the other to the Calm Lands. The Guado are the self-proclaimed protectors of the forest. The other half of Macalania is frozen, the massive lake completely iced over. The Temple sits atop the lake ice.

Bevelle: The largest city on Spira, and the greatest remnant of ancient Spiran power. A massive structure, still the way it was before Sin's birth. This city was the home of Yevon, and the most defended city on Spira, other than Luca. With Yevon's power gone, Bevelle now serves as the seat for a new, fledgling force.

Calm Lands: A massive plain. The Calm Lands are where all civilization once ended. Huge rifts and gorges carved into the plains were created when Gandof battled and defeated Sin. Now, a heightened presence of soldiers under the employ of the new government fight to clear the Calm Lands of fiends, and new settlements are beginning to appear across the vast green - signs of a growing Spira, to many.

Mt. Gagazet: The huge, jagged mountain is the highest, coldest place on Spira. This is home to the Ronso race, who revere the mountain as a holy, living entity. This was the final leg before Zanarkand for summoner parties, once. Now it is only home to the Ronso. Though the presence of obvious ruins on the mountain have caused ripples of excitement amongst those eager to explore Spira's past, the mountain is considered off limits because of the Ronso guarding it from "harm."

Zanarkand: The ancient ruins of the once grand city are now crawling with devastating fiends and the undead soldiers of the Machina War. This was also home to the last Temple, to the Final Aeon. Since Cid abandoned the tourist attraction idea three years ago the ruins have remained empty, and there are no plans as of yet on what to do about them - though most believe it should be just left alone.

Bikanel: Long ago, this was the home of the Al Bhed race, as it still is. The largest island on Spira, it is a huge desert, dotted with ruins, oases, and deadly fiends, Bikanel is considered a wasteland to all but the Al Bhed who live there. Excavations in the desert are now rampant, and plans are underway to build one of two new planned Homes.

Races

Humans: The most common and widespread race on Spira, and the primary rulers of the planet. Their skills in magic and combat are balanced.

Al Bhed: The Al Bhed all share two similar physical traits: their blonde hair and green eyes with spiral pupils. They are the most expressive race on Spira, and the most emotional. They tend to either be very eccentric, or childish. Al Bhed seem to have a natural affinity and understand of machina.

Guado: The Guado are all very tall, with hair that is usually green, blue, or silver. They have long arms, and long fingers tipped with claws. Their ears are pointed, and veins can be seen crawling down their foreheads. They are the most powerful race with magic, even able to summon fiends. In terms of combat, the Guado are faster and stronger than humans and Al Bhed, and by far the most powerful race on Spira magically. They tend to be very quiet and serious in their demeanor.

Ronso: The tallest, fastest and strongest race on Spira. They are feline humanoids and fierce, loyal, proud warriors. They struggle with speaking Spiran, and usually talk in third person.

Hypello: Short, blue people with huge eyes on the sides of their heads. Their natural home is the water. The Hypello live at the Moonflow and operate the Shoopuff rides across. They are extremely laid back, choosing not to fight, play blitzball, or do much work at all.

Character Sheet

Name:
Nickname/Title:
Age:
Gender:
Race:
Sexual Orientation:
Rate: (Forerunners only)

Height:
Physical Description: (written mandatory, one paragraph; picture is allowed, no anime, please)
Distinguishing Marks:

Parents:
Other Family Members, Living or Deceased:
Friends:
Enemies:

Personality: (written mandatory, one paragraph)
Fears:
Personal Quote:

Weapon(s):
Personal Items/Equipment:

History: (written mandatory, one paragraph)