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"Before you lies Vast, the Capital. See how the morning sun makes her gleam and glitter, a precious gem, or a handsome fruit ripe for the picking. Many Generals have sought to lay waste to her flimsy walls, more still have tried to trample her tiny armies, yet all have failed.
There she stands, the last free city of the Manaedi Empire. Her defenses are impenetrable."
Moonglade Signaler of the United Continent
999th year of the Manaedi Wars.
In the First Days, time was judged and named for the great deeds of the people. Markers in the flowing thread of history came as elegant knots with grand titles such as the Ages of 'Stoneworks', 'Towers', and 'Philosophy', but as with all things created by the masses, history itself became warped with mortal affairs.
Wars happened. Time became tainted by the acrid smoke of battles fought, some won, others lost, all for little gain. Yet they left their mark on history, Ages named after great wars paved a trail of tragedy across its pages. Mortals learned to count their lifetimes by the dark times.
Of these wars, there is one in particular that is still talked about. The War between the Manaedi Empire and the peoples of the United Juhal Continent. For two thousand mortal years, the Manaedi Empire ruled over the vast continent, its turf stretched from coast to mountain range, from the low plains near Moonglade in the East to the high steppes skirting the Gana Plateau in the West. Beyond its borders lay the Outer Sea, rumored to contain the last stronghold of the Great Wyaen, or sometimes known as Dragonne in the Old Speech.
In the 2017th year of Manaedi rule, the Juhal continent suffered a devastating plague. The illness caused many to pass into the darkness, and many more became malformed by its symptoms. The plague was magical in nature, and despite the efforts of the Manaedi Convent, it swept through town and village, until it finally came to an end in the dying breath of its last victims.
During the bad years that followed, refugee numbers grew, farmland became wasteland, cities became husks of civilization, until only ten cities of the original eighty remained. To reduce losses and prevent the spread of contagious illness, the Empire issued a command for the culling of refugees over the working age, and every second child born to a family.
A decade passed. And the flames of war rose once again. The open revolt of an entire continent was upon the Manaedi, but being an advanced race, versed in technology as well as magic, they held the assaults back for almost a thousand years. And it is only with the rise of the mysterious Syio Faction in the 950th year of the Wars, that the Manaedi were pressed into their last remaining city, the capital - Vast.
And this is a faithful account of what unfolded in the brief siege. And why, despite the evil deeds of the Tyrant I'Sidus Manaedi XXIII, history forever remembered the Empire as a benign one. This is the story behind the walls, of a true reason for war, of beliefs and conflicts, and why history must repeat itself on the whims of mortal desire.
Setting:
The continent of Juhal is at war, its united peoples gainst the One Thousand Year Ruler, the tyrant I'Sidus Manaedi XXIII. The rise of a group of youths calling themselvs the Syio Faction in year 950 of the Manaedi Wars turned the tide of battle. In the 999th year of the Wars, the Manaedi Empire is besieged within its last stronghold, the capital city Vast.
The armies are camped a day's walk away from Vast, having suffered many defeats in battle with Vast's elite army. The Syio Faction has already come to the city gates and the leader has a contact within. Their first priority is to get inside the gates, and their final objective is the assassination of Manaedi XXIII. For this purpose, they will reside within enemy lines for a year.
Additional Information:
Manaedi Empire: An Empire that has ruled the Juhal continent for more than two thousand years. Its main citizenry are of the Manae race. All of its citizens reside within Vast after the fall of the other free cities, but the lifestyle of the Manae has changed little. The Empire's ruler is rumored to be a Seer, the gift being passed onto the heir at the Emperor's death.
Vast: The last free city of the Manaedi Empire. Its magical defenses are such that all attempts to assail its walls have failed. Its army consists of no more than a handful of people at any time, but made up of elite soldiers rumored to be the descendants of Manae and Wyaen.
Vast is still operating mostly as normal, there is no where to run or hide, and its residents are a mixture of races to begin with. Getting in and out of the city is difficult, but the city is self-proficient. The city is situated near the Tio Ranges and cut into the sheer cliffs, providing protection from all sides but one.
Food is also grown in magic-imbued cave networks behind the grand Temple and Palace within the Inner Wall of the city. Laying siege to Vast is no temporary affair.
Syio Faction: A mysterious group of youths of varying races that has caused the downfall of nine Manaedi cities. Distrust of the group is rife even amongst the United Continent. Despite the racial variance of its members, no one within the Faction has aged a day since their first appearance almost half a decade ago. They have also enticed other youths into their ranks, though this is rare. Sometimes new members do not pass the mysterious 'test' they are subjected to after joining and are sent back. Often there is some 'damage'.
United Continent of Juhal: The armies formed from the six other races of Juhal, three of these races are now effectively extinct, their remaining numbers unable to continue their line. During the one thousand year war, many of the United Continent rebels mingled blood, and shaped the races that came after. Despite its overwhelming numbers, the rebels have suffered only defeat until the Syio Faction's appearance. Some parents within the United Continent believe the Syio Faction to be children-snatchers, tolerating their deeds only for the purpose of war.
Races:
Manae: Aristocratic in appearance, this race is generally of moderate height (around 5'7-6'3) with a slender build and pale to light skin. Though natural hair and eye colors vary, they tend to be dark. The race benefits from a natural gift for magic and swift movements, and are renowned for their skill with bows, daggers and assassin blades. They are most famous for their lack of a sense of humor. Though they are good at any magic, they are naturally affiliated with Fire.
Einil: Gifted water mages and healers, they provide their powers and herbs to both sides of the war. This is the most common cause of disdain for the Einil amongst the United Continent members. It is a very religious race, and prizes healing above all other duties. They are very good swimmers, and able to shape-shift for additional fins. Einil skin-color varies from light tan to bronze and their hair is usually blond. Some Einil carry a throw back to a more pure strain and are blue haired as well as blue eyed. Strangely, each member of this race carries a greatsword, they are generally slightly better muscled than the Manae and taller (usually no less than 6 feet, some come close to 7 feet).
S'mai: Grey to black skinned, this race travels through the dark caves better than in daylight. Lithe but small in stature (4-5'5, tallest would barely exceed 5'6), their tracks are hard to find in the woodlands. Their hair is dyed into any color they wish and is usually braided and decorated with glass beads of natural shade. They are never found without a weapon about them. Though affiliated with the Earth, this race is not best suited to magic, instead they prefer a natural affiliation with nature's beings. Their powers of 'persuasion' can cause trees to kill.
Tiemor: The most numerous of all United races. The Tiemor are affiliated with no element, though it is said they were once the Children of Stars. They can learn almost any magic, though few are taught the Manae art with Fire, and fewer still come to a competence matching that of the other races. They are best suited of all races for martial combat, and though their bulk is not much greater than the Einil, they prefer heavy weapons such as modified battle-axes and two-handed swords or large shields. This race comes in varying build and coloration, and most of the other races are sharing the trend due to intermarriage (Tiemor are around human height).
Ruen: Though it is believed there is still a small clan of the Ruen in existence, the only members of this race are seen in the Syio Faction and the Manaedi Court. Almost exclusively female, this race is known for its beautiful song and dance. They are charming to the extreme and naturally good at assessing political situations. Their hair tends to be pale pastel shades, and their eyes are usually green. The race is usually similar to the Manae in height, the males being on average slightly shorter. They are gifted with the control of Air.
Lor: Only three families are still known to exist. The Lor are feather winged and the most elegant of all races. They are also arrogant and can be very malicious. No one trusts a Lor, and it is due to this prejudice that their numbers has dwindled to such a state in the war. All the Lor now reside within Vast and are believed to be in the service of the Emperor. They are pale, beautiful and terrible. Their power is affiliated with Light. They favor polearms. This race only has red eyes and grow to a fairly diminutive height (5-5'7).
Phrys: The race of Shadow. Only two remain, they are siblings and on opposing sides of the skirmish. This race does not age past youth, and are almost impossible to kill. They use daggers and assassin blades, and are physically indistinguishble from the Manae. Their eye color changes with their mood, and is their only mark. Rumored to drink mortal blood in order to keep their youth.
Additional Racial Information:
Common lifespan, trade specialty and role by race: Years measured by Tiemor time (human time)
Manae: 200-700 years (this is heavily dependent on their magical training), in the order of magicians many can exceed this by almost a millennium. At 18-21 Manae appear adult like the Tiemor, though they rarely age beyond 30 or so in appearance. Their traditional trade stems from texts (magical and non-magical), magical goods, alchemical texts and goods, and light-weight blades. Though with the Empire's growth they were once known for having all goods available in their cities.
Einil: 300-400 years. Einil growth is fairly speedy and reach adulthood by their 16th year, then remain almost growthless until old age, though their senior members tend to look no older than a middle-aged Tiemor. Einil are herbalists by tradition and are devoted to the healing arts. Their main source of income is their strange concoctions and herbal remedies. They are the only race able to produce the quick cooled steel used to make Einil great swords. The Einil supply much of Juhal's sea-produce.
S'mai: 400~ years. This race has a very slow growth process, in their first 100th year they usually do not age beyond the appearance of a teenager. In their 300th year however, this growth process accelerates and many S'mai show their seniority in heavy lines and wrinkles by their 350th year. S'mai love to wear jewelry so it is no surprise that they are producers of the finest beads and carvings in Juhal. They are well-suited to being gardeners and florists. The S'mai often trade in furs and rare fungi.
Tiemor: 80-100 years or so. The Tiemor are shortest lived of the races, with the mixing of blood however, some Tiemor have been known to live as long as the Einil. Their short lives are generally compensated by their proliferation. Tiemor dabble in all trades, their versatility is their greatest commercial advantage. Most tradesmen such as smiths and cobblers are Tiemor. This race also produces the finest embroideries and brocades. The Tiemor are the only true agriculturalists of Juhal, producing 70% of its grain in pre-plague years. Even now they tend the largest of the available farmland of the conquered areas.
Ruen: Satisfactory statistics are hard to come by, but the histories speak of Ruen as old in their 500th year. Most Ruen that are in the public eye are around 200-300 years of age, but due to their largely female population, it does not seem likely their numbers will recover. Ruen are known for their songs and diplomatic skill, they generally take up occupation in the public relations sector and are very capable bards. Male Ruen are rumored to be able to fix any instrument and they make some of the finest examples of such. Ruen are also good painters, and are hired for portraits and wall scenes.
Lor: The Lor used to live out brief lives in large families. Though not as short as the Tiemor, they are only youthful for about the span of half a Tiemor lifetime despite being able to live for 200+ years. As they grow older, they take on more features of their avian ancestry, instead of becoming wrinkled or hunched, they become more like a true mix of birds and man. Most Lor choose to quit the public eye once this occurs and it is also for this alienating trait they were most persecuted during the Wars. The Lor were once known for religious goods, as they were one of the few races able to travel to the high mountains near Gana Plateau to retrieve the artifacts hidden in the eternal ice at their peak. Their feathers are woven into 'kamir', an expensive fabric that is light but durable.
Phrys: Unknown. There is no record of Phrys lifespans as there is no reliable record of any natural death amongst the Phry. They were once known for their vast libraries and maps. The Phrys explored all corners of Juhal and was one of its first races to have written history. They were once famous for Wyaenlore and alchemy.
Game Information:
You can be in any faction, or within Vast. The city still operates largely as normal, and there are vendors of goods and such. You cannot be a citizen unless you are Manae, but you can be a resident. There are guards on patrol, though if you want to you can be a thief or murderer. No matter where you start, in Vast, outside it, along with the Faction, in the court or whatever, you should see a 'starter' suitable for you. If you don't see one you fit into, please wait a little and I'll add one once I see your Character Sheet.
You can have more than one character, so you can play both sides, but no OOC into IC, so if you don't know something IC, and your other character does, no inventing excuses to let them know, if it happens naturally, all right. Please make sure you can handle it if you are going to have 3+ characters since characters left for too long will be taken up by NPC to be 'put away' safely IC for later play.
Character Sheet:
Name:
Gender:
Age: [Can be apparent age]
Race: [Lor: 2 only, Phrys: 0, Ruen: 2 only Can be apparent]
Faction/Position: [Citizen/Resident/United/Syio etc]
Appearance: [Can't RP if we don't know how many arms you have, you can include any plague-induced deformities here if you want, you do not have to have suffered the plague to be passed deformities since the illness was a 'strange corruption'.]
Additional Information: [Personality, favourite food, whatever. Even a history if you want, can even be a false history, something other people would have heard about or is rumored that may or may not be true.]
Sample Character Sheet: [My main character]
Name: Kil (Kilian)
Gender: Male
Age: 19? sometimes acts like he's 8
Race: Manae
Faction: Syio
Appearance: No matter how much he eats, Kil still looks like he's two missed meals away from starvation. He has large eyes almost as dark as his black hair. He always tries to tie his hair up with any piece of string he finds but the badly hacked off ends constantly escape and it's a messy jagged mop again by the end of the day. He likes leather armor for the 'creak' and the smell, but objects to any color but black. Never found without a Einil greatsword strapped to his back.
Additional Information: Kil tends to carry too many sharp things for other people's good. Though he rarely uses his greatsword, he's still fast enough on his feet with it on to garrote someone before they can blink. Being the leader of the Syio Faction, he seems a bit too frivolous and seems to rely on the advice of his group to carry him forward. And although his Faction is deeply involved in the war, he does not seem to be concerned with its histories and the United Continent's reasons. His fight is for himself and his Faction, but to what end?
NPCs: [List will appear in the IC thread to help keep track.]
I'Sidus Manaedi XXIII: The thousand year ruler. Benign and misunderstood to some, a cruel tyrant to others.
Elia Manaedi: The young Empress, fourth in I'Sidus' one thousand year reign. She was originally Elia D'mera Lor, a member of the Noble House Lor of Viisen. Her family was almost wiped out by the rebel war on her home city. She has had two sons with the Emperor, but both were stillborn.
Morin Tusuoi: A S'mai spy. He owns the largest Common's Pub in Vast, and is the United Continent's ears in the city. Though since trade was stopped, he has been cut off from his contacts.
Tel Donul: A young Tiemor thief living in Vast. He's good, but stealing food has become a beheading offense and he finds nothing else worth the trouble with the army on the doorstep. He often hangs around Morin's these days, much to the S'mai's dismay. Mysteriously disappears on occasion.
Ayun Yilie: An Einil Healer. She lives at the pub with the Ruen bard Hurne. She is often summoned to the palace but would not speak of her patient there.
Meros Naiji: A Tiemor General of the United Continent.
Please keep all sign-up/OOC information to this thread.
Ignore the book. Unlike many Manae, who have dark colored hair, Seraph natural hair is shown in the picture. Since it's hard to tell the eye color, let's just go with brown >_>. Sorry I'm really tired.
