The Dissent of Man

[Duvet de Mot]

In the beginning, there was the world and the world had a Soul. Every organism and spirit present on the world existed as a part of the Soul and the Soul of the World was within each of them. As waves in the ocean merge and become fiercer, so from the Soul’s mundane irregularities came the glorious advent of the Four Great Races upon the land of Arima: the innovative Humans who shaped the land to suit their needs, the authoritative Archonites who found their duty in keeping order, the spiritual Melders whose innate bond with the Soul allowed them to manipulate the world around them, and the primitive and tribal Elves who actively separated themselves from the other races to live in harmony with the land.

Over time, the waves of the Soul’s influence merged and mutated, creating from the souls of the races, a sentience from within the world’s Soul. In an effort to survive in its newfound sentient form, the Soul chose a healthy body to inhabit, granting its host longevity and astonishing powers over the world around them. This was the first incarnation of the Pathfinder. Those Melders who recognized the immense strength and inherent authority of the Soul began to worship the Pathfinder, gathering together and forming the first incarnation of The Way of the World: a religious organization which would, throughout the next two-hundred years, establish the Pathfinder as the supreme ruler over the entirety of the lands by evangelism, aggressive conversion and intimidation, granting their Melder members family titles and authority over cities and provinces throughout the whole of Arima.

For over two millenia, The Way underwent multiple incarnations and dynasties under the leadership of the Pathfinder’s many incarnations, all the while ruling Arima with an artificial peace based upon indoctrination, precedence, and intimidation. Civil unrest brewed just beneath the surface within the ranks of the Archonite warriors of Basamortuan, a people who voiced the opinions that much of the peoples of Arima were too frightened to stand up for: the Pathfinder, The Way, and nobles of the Melders were unjustly oppressing the people of the land. Under the leadership of Zur, the Archon of the age, the Archonian Legions of Basamortuan, Hareas, and all who would follow them, staged a coup, known as the Upheaval, against The Way. Overwhelming the citadel, Zur and his army took their righteous rage out on any Melder who dared to stand in their path. Zur himself, managed to, with much help, kill the current incarnation of the Pathfinder and was witness to the Soul’s final words: “The waves will never cease until the day we die as one.” Zur and his follower’s ignored these words as the ramblings of an insane spirit and pushed forth in their conquest, establishing the Archonian Empire as the voice of the people, and declaring a racial war, known as the Restoration, against all Melders who had oppressed them. The conflict saw the majority of humans side with the Empire, while the elves attempted to merely keep to themselves, as they always had.

Fifty years later, the Melders are all but wiped off of the face of Arima, the Archonian Empire has begun a reign of terror, and an underground rebellion to avenge the Melder genocide and bring about justice, known as The Conclave, is being whispered about among the masses against all attempts to quell it. Zur’s son, Zurik has since replaced him as leader of the Empire and has continued the hunt for the once oppressive Melders with a renewed vigor.

Under the cover of an inky night and in the shadow of a mined out Izarrem mountain, hooded figures step forth into a sequestered crevice in a silence periodically broken by the wrenching noise of grinding stone. Walking into the mountain's depth, torch and lantern in hand, each steps forth and whispers, "Munduko arima dugu..." into the damp, icy wall of the abandoned mine shaft before them, a rumbling filling their ears and permeating their bodies. The stone wall which they whispered into swings back slowly, grinding against the mountain to reveal a dimly lit, open air meeting hall carved into the mountain behind the face of the old, sturdily built, white bearded man standing in the path way. He nods upon seeing the face before him and gruffly whispers back, "Ongi etorri, nire lagun... Please have a seat." before ushering them into the room, waving a hand behind him, causing the stone to swing back to a closed position.

[Duvet de Mot]

Welcome to the RP experience known as, The Dissent of Man!

I'm your host, DuvetdeMot or El or Landon. Any other ideas? Lemme know.

The Dissent of Man is a pet project of mine that I've been working of for a few months now and am proud to finally present. I hope that it will become a featured focal point on the boards and a part of you daily routine (that'd be nice).

Our story takes place in the war-torn land of Arima, where a tyrannical government, The Archonian Empire, has replaced the previous, slightly less tyrannical, theocracy of The Way. You are a member of a group of rebels attempting to undermine the Empire and bring balance and peace to the land of Arima.

Nice little summary there. Now for the rules.

Things on WEE are fairly casual, something that I like and admire; however, this RP won't be something you're used to.

1. First off, there isn't a 100% set plot. The plot depends on what your characters say and do. If they know enough to pursue a certain course of action successfully or at all, then hooray! If not, then either the plot moves a different direction, or they could possibly screw up and die. Yes, I said die. Which brings us to point number two.

2. Your character can die. You are not invincible in real life, so your character is not invincible in this RP. That isn't to say they face death at every turn or anything, but it does mean that if you make enough mistakes, you can die. Trust me, I'll let you know. Oh, look how that ties in to point three?

3. I am a facilitator and my decisions are final. I'm here to serve every one in this RP. I want you to have the most enjoyable and exciting experience possible, so every decision I make will be geared toward giving that chance to the entire group. If your character is over-powered, then I will tell you they're dead or they have to leave. Not before warning you multiple times, of course, but still. If something's fundamentally wrong with your character (I doubt that'll be the case), then I'll let you know. Just keep those things in mind especially when you're fighting the baddies. And there we go with point four.

4. I will be controlling every enemy you face all at once. If you're fighting five enemies, I'm going to be playing every single one at the same time. Crazy, right? I'll be sure to give you a fighting chance and I won't attack you if you're smart and careful, but if you're foolish and make a major mistake, you'll regret it later on in the RP if not the fight. Point five.

5. If you're actively fighting someone, each post will take up approximately nine seconds. This is enough for you to attack one enemy, or two if they're close enough. Be sure to keep a mental image of what's going on and don't post one liners. I know it's only nine seconds, but c'mon. One liners? Hey, its point six!

6. NO ONE LINERS. Yes, I had to yell. Okay, I want to keep the fighting in this RP moving as quickly as possible, but please post AT LEAST a well-developed paragraph. Keep it casual, keep it quick, but don't skimp on the necessary detail. It'll be fun, promise. And point seven around the bend...

7. Have fun. Sure, being serious and involved will be great for the politics and just being dedicated, but if you aren't having fun, there's no reason to RP, now is there? The answer to that question is no. Speaking of questions... Here's point eight.

8. If you have questions, then ask! If you're a Sighted Melder and decide you want to know what you see in the near future of a battle for you post, but aren't sure what to say, then ask me! If you're unsure of all of your options (and I'm at liberty to give them all to you), then ask! You won't be bothering me at all. I'm here to facilitate your RP experience. Number nine...

9. As I am facilitating your experience and being respectful of you, do the same for others. Give their characters room to speak and grow. Play nice. Be courteous. Ask before moving their character around, don't curse at each other, etc, etc. Finally, number ten.

10. Semi-gratuitous language is allowable in this RP. If you find this offensive, then let me or the other's know per rules eight and nine. Otherwise, go ahead and have your characters curse when appropriate. Just not at each other personally, per rule nine.

*Edit*
11. I will not always provide a full background for all of the NPC's that I play. This will force you to think and ask questions. The right question will get proper answers which will move along the plot. Do keep that in mind.
*End Edit*

And that's about it for the rules.

Hope to see your characters soon!

Welcome to Arima!

[Duvet de Mot]

Arima – A beautiful, war-torn land filled with fear, racial hatred, and greed, bound together by the collective Soul of all the living inhabitants upon its surface.

Jatorria – The mythical point of origin from which the Four Great Races were born. Upon the Jatorria stands the Temple of Bidea (marked by the blue dot on the map), built by The Way for the worship of the Pathfinder, flanked on all sides by the towering walls of HeartGate (marked by the black lines surrounding the blue dot on the map), the great fortress to protect the Jatorria from invasion or rebellion. Surrounding the Jatorria is the expansive, refined city of Destira, which takes up the majority of the central Argian Acropolis. However grand and revered, after the Upheaval, the Jatorria was made into a war hall for Zur and his followers, while HeartGate became their protection against the Melders who cried out for retribution in the following weeks before the Restoration began.

The Argian Acropolis – The central province of Arima. Enlightened and civilized, the Acropolis is mostly made up of interconnecting cities through its central land mass, while the isthmuses to the north and south are blockaded by checkpoints, towers, walls, and a sizable portion of the Archonian Legion. The majority of citizens of the Acropolis are of families who either supported the Upheaval and Restoration, or immigrated into the city at a later point. Melders are a rarity in the Acropolis, though there are some whose parents assisted in the Upheaval who still live there, though they are discriminated against.

Burdina Isle – An offshore outpost for the covert mobilization of Signiferi Squads and Evocati through the northern wastes with the object of flanking or pursuing any enemies of the Empire. A fortress in its own right, Burdina also houses the prisoners of the Empire, including many Melders and Archonites guilty of desertion.

Gailurra – A fairly well off province, Gailurra is home to the Gailurran Free Merchant’s Society and the majority of smugglers is Arima. Gailurra is a haven for pirates, smugglers, and other unsavory types against all Archonian attempts at control. A small number of merchants and smugglers of the area are suspected to be providing The Conclave with weapons and other supplies.

Elurra – Both a snowy and lush province to the north partially free of Empirical occupation. The southern portion of Elurra surrounds Lake Txiki, a resource for food, water, and tourism for the wealthy. The rivers which feed into the lake are fed by underground hot springs, creating a wonderful tourist destination for the wealthy members of the Empire, merchants, traders, and other significant figures. The northern portion of the province, however, is an icy wasteland populated by settlements of humans and Melders attempting to flee from the Legion.

Hareas – A province based upon the primary expansion of Archonian rule. Originally populated by near equal parts of all four races, Hareas was the first province to be won over the charismatic Zur in his struggle against The Way. All Melders who did not join against their race were driven out of the province, most immigrating to the Elven land of Sumendia or to the northern province of Elurra. Now Hareas is a staging point for most of the Legion’s more sensitive operations.

Basamortuan – The traditional homeland of the Archonites. Basamortuan is mostly filled by the vast Zabala desert broken up by occasional oasis’s and camps of nomadic Ingenui Archonites. As a multi-mineral (including iron and lead) rich land, The Basamortuan Blacksmiths are the foremost provider of arms and armor to the Archonian Legion, as well as tools and equipment for the rest of the lands.

Opari – An extremely wealthy province of primarily humans and Archonites with a few encampments upon the western forests bordering Izarrem and Sumendia. Opari’s main export is gold, making it the wealthiest province aside from the Acropolis, yet for those who do not own or work for the mine-owners as anything but a lowly worker, it seems to be the most impoverished as well.

Sumendia – Ancestral home of the elves, Sumendia is a vast jungle land which provides many places for the elves and The Conclave to keep themselves hidden. Vast and thick, the forests of Sumendia are difficult to traverse if attempted off of main roads or paths, and many travelers who attempt to do so find themselves lost or worse: at the mercy at a tribe of elves. Recently, the Empire has begun to harvest the forest, causing the elves to retaliate with guerilla tactics.

Izarrem – Home to sizeable numbers of both elves and humans, Izarrem is both a forest and a range of ice capped mountains, providing the Conclave with many a safe-haven. The coal mines of the mountains are Archonite driven with human and elven labor, polluting the surround forest and slowly killing the population. It is unknown why the Archonian Legion requires such a large amount of coal, but it is recognized as a troubling sign either way.

[Duvet de Mot]

Humans

Humans are the most adaptable, flexible, and ambitious people among the Four Great Races. They are diverse in their tastes, morals, customs, and habits. Others accuse them of having little respect for history and the land, but it’s only natural that humans, with their curiosity, innovation, and constantly changing cultures, would work the land and move forward without thoughts of the past in their search for knowledge and perfection.

Human lands are usually in flux, with new ideas, social changes, innovations, and new leaders constantly coming to the fore. Members of the other races find human culture exciting but eventually a little wearying or even bewildering. Even where individual humans are conservative traditionalists, human institutions change with the generations, adapting and evolving faster than parallel institutions among the elves, Melders, or Archonites. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay on top of changing political dynamics. Human dominated lands generally include relatively large numbers of the other races when compared with those of the Archonites.

The appearance of a typical human male, though hair and skin colors vary greatly from location to location.




Melders

Melders regard humans as a brother race, while elves are admired for their respect for the land and close-knit communities, and Archonites are generally regarded as war-mongering swordsmen with little to offer but their skills of craft. Melders have, of course, regarded the Archonite Legion as implacable enemies ever since the Upheaval and Restoration. The majority of the Empire and many among the humans see Melders as power-obsessed schemers who wall themselves off in isolated strongholds—and there’s certainly an historical element of truth behind the stereotype. However, what these individuals fail to realize is that the majority of technological, intellectual, and architectural advances were sponsored or directly influenced by the Melders, especially the Guardians. The vast majority of the Melders who are still alive do not believe in the all-powerful authority of the Pathfinder, but do recognize the Pathfinder’s connection to the all-encompassing Soul, knowing that in order to bring balance to Arima, they must find the Pathfinder before the Legion does.

Melder’s have the ability to warp the world around them for very brief periods of time for limited and varied effects which are imbedded in their very being, these abilities increasing with age. These abilities are classified into five forms, under which the Melders with said abilities are subject to gaining or losing different titles of reverence. The Upheaval left very few with the knowledge of said titles or their meanings, but any Melder member of importance within The Conclave is given a title by their superior at a time deemed appropriate.

Shifters are able to warp the flow of time briefly, causing it to slow down to give them more time to act, or to stop it for a moment (from their perspective), giving them the ability to move out of sight or flank their enemies. This ability can be used to bend time around others near them, as well. More advanced Shifters are able to turn back time by several seconds, allowing them to be in two places at once for a few seconds.

Reachers can warp space around their bodies, allowing them to move from one location to another a short to moderate distance away at a moment’s notice. This ability makes Reacher’s very formidable guards and warriors, as they can easily run circle’s around their enemies. While a young Reachers can only transport themselves short to medium distances, older Reachers can either bring another individual with them when they bend space, or move long distances, though both of these cause fatigue in the Melder.

Sighted Melder’s are able to instantly and briefly see seconds into the future and all given futures based upon their actions, allowing them to choose between them on a moment to moment basis. Sighted are generally tacticians and politicians, though they have been known to fight on occasion. As a Sighted becomes more accustomed to their abilities, they are able to see further and longer into the future, giving them an ability to go into a trance-like state.

Formers have the gift of being able to affect other living creature’s souls via their own, causing instant fatigue, pain, or slight paralysis. Formers are able to harm as much as they are able to help, easing pain, energizing other, or giving boosts of strength. Experienced Formers have been known to be able to cause others to fall into a deep sleep, lose consciousness, or even die, although the latter of these is condemned by almost all Melders and poses a serious risk to those who would attempt it.

Guardians are Melders who have the ability to affect non-living forces around them: stones, flames, lightning, wind, sea, etc. They are able to use any of these to their advantage, although they rarely engage in combat given the amount of concentration it takes to use their abilities. In the early days of The Way, the Jatorria was created by a team of Guardians, shifting the stones beneath their feet into a temple for the Pathfinder. Experienced Guardians are able to use their abilities more readily and with more control and breadth given enough time and study. The greatest Guardians have been known to be able to part waters, cause floods or even create underground cities.

A female Sighted Melder displaying the marking and bright eyes which all Melders are born with.


Archonites

Highly organized in a caste system of society and government, the Archonites are very strict and unforgiving, abiding by their laws with fanaticism and violent fervor. Having had their society develop in the Zabala desert, the Archonian culture quickly became a kill or be killed affair, often following a disregard for superior authority. With such a societal and political climate, hand to hand combat soon became obsolete, forcing the more creative members of the society to create weapons from the minerals beneath their feet. Eventually, through the use of weaponry, the Legion was established to create stability within the tumultuous race. Over time, the castes were formed as families became renowned for their great works.

The Archon is the individual ruler over the Archonian Legion, the title being passed down from father to son through the bloodline.

An Interrex is a member of the caste directly below the Archon. Traditionally, the Interrex were rulers over the different parts of Basamortuan; however, the title has been adapted with the Upheaval as the Interrex now rule over each of the provinces.

The Evocatus is a personal of the Archon, answering only to his orders and acting as a rogue agent for the Archon’s agenda. An Evocatus has complete authority over any and all of the other castes, including the Interrex; however, they are lower than the Interrex in rank due to the fact that an Evocatus who crosses the path of an Interrex can be killed upon Interrial authority without penalty upon the Interrex, themselves.

Imperators are leaders of a Phalanx (group of at least ten Auxiliaries). They report to the Archon above all, but may be sent on missions by an Interrex or Evocatus.

Decurion are leaders of an Auxiliary (group of at least five Signiferi). They report directly to their Imperator.

Signiferi are standard soldiers of the Legion. They report to their Decurion first and foremost, although with proper reason and skill, they may be able to be elevated to the role of Evocatus at any point.

Ingenui are non-Legion members of Archonite society, mostly comprised of artisans and blacksmiths.

Proditare are the most hated of all Archonites. They are outcasts, traitors, and deserters, many of which are either killed or imprisoned for life.

A typical male Archonite, having just reached adulthood, displaying his natural armor. Archonites naturally secrete a liquid from their skin which hardens to form a protective armor over their bodies and sheds every two months, taking one full week to replenish. As they grow older, their natural armor adapts to their lifestyle, becoming more intricate with time.


Elves

Tribal people of nature, elves favor things of natural and simple beauty. When danger threatens their woodland homes, however, elves reveal a more martial side, demonstrating skill with spear, bow, and battle strategy. Elves are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. When pursuing a goal, however, whether an adventurous mission or learning a new skill or art, they can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance. Most elves live in woodland clans numbering less than two hundred souls. Their well-hidden villages blend into the trees, doing little harm to the forest. They hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, their skill allowing them the ability to farm without plowing or clearing the land. Their contact with outsiders is usually limited, though some few elves make a good living trading finely worked elven clothes and crafts for the metals that elves have no interest in mining.


A female member of the Ariel Tribe, the most expansive and influential of all of the elven tribes.

[Duvet de Mot]

Archonian Legion - The military force of the Archonian Empire, encompassing the majority of Archonite society. Comprised primarily of Archonites, some humans and even fewer Melders find their way into the ranks of this fighting force.

The Conclave - An underground group of Melders and others who oppose Emperical rule. They are spread far and wide, secretly planning to overthrow the Empire.

Gailurra Free Merchant’s Society - A group comprised of black market traders, pirates, and scoundrels who oppose the trading regulations of the Empire, providing The Conclave with food, weapons, and other supplies.

The Allied Mercenary’s Registry & Accord - An organization which holds the names of all known available mercenaries and hired hands throughout the provinces.

(Any more ideas? Lemme know. I'd greatly appreciate it.)

[Duvet de Mot]

Melder

Title(s): Refer to rule number eight.
Name: Think up something.
Age: Keep it reasonable. If they were a member of The Way pre-Upheaval, they'll be well over fifty.
Race: Straightforward.
Form: One of the five forms. Shifter, Reacher, Sighted, Former, or Guardian.
Affiliation(s): What groups are they associated with? Tribes? Why?
Appearance: What do they look like? Pics not necessary if you're stuck.
Apparel: What do they wear on a regular basis? Why?
Weapons: Do they carry weapons on them? How many? What kinds? How proficient are they?
History: Where are they from? What have they done?


Archonite

Name: Think up something.
Age: Be reasonable.
Race: Straightforward.
Caste: Interrex, Ingenui, Proditare, etc.
Affiliation(s): What groups are they associated with? Tribes? Why?
Appearance: What do they look like? Pics not necessary if you're stuck.
Non-Armored Apparel: What do they wear when not armored? Why?
Armor: What does their armor look like? Pics not necessary if you're stuck.
Weapons: Do they carry weapons on them? How many? What kinds? How proficient are they?
History: Where are they from? What have they done?


Human and Elves

Title(s): Refer to rule number eight.
Name: Think up something.
Age: Be reasonable.
Race: Straightforward.
Affiliation(s): What groups are they associated with? Tribes? Why?
Appearance: What do they look like? Pics not necessary if you're stuck.
Apparel: What do they wear on a regular basis? Why?
Weapons: Do they carry weapons on them? How many? What kinds? How proficient are they?
History: Where are they from? What have they done?

[TragicAce]

Title(s): ex-Tactical Advisor (dishonorably discharged)
Name: Andolin Dobatte
Age: 45
Race: Human
Affiliation(s):
(ex-) Signiferi, 2nd Auxilary, North Argian Phalanx
(ex-) Decurion, 2nd Auxilary, North Argian ‘Iron Birds’ Phalanx
(ex-) Steward, under Chancellor Nuwen
(ex-) Tactical Aide, under Chancellor Nuwen, under Chancellor Rein
(ex-) Tactical Advisor, under Interrex Yunus
Appearance:

Apparel: Dobatte wears practical clothing with protective vestments, including his two-decade old shoulder pauldron from his days with the Iron Birds. A firm believer that what a man wears holds a subconscious effect on his mentality, Andolin is rarely seen without his armor and longsword even in the comfortable courts of the Acropolis. When asked, he would reply “A reminder of the weight that our troops carry.” He ended up with the nickname ‘Iron Steward’, which he carried long past his stewardship.

Weapons: A steel longsword rests at his side, used more for its appearance to defer hostile action then to take part in any. During the operations and skirmishes of his youth Andolin proved himself to be a capable soldier, but after an especially brutal raid on the town of Howlhill (see history) Andolin would soon withdraw from one battlefield to enter another in the Acropolian courts.

History:
2205 AE: Born to Gurk and Thelsi Dobatte in the town of Two Springs.
2221 AE: (16) Joined Argian Military, trained at North Argian Headquarters in Erokka.
2223 AE: (18) Finished training, rank Signiferi
-general group activities consisted primarily of scouting, patrols and security-
2225 AE: (20) Auxilary unit separated from Phalanx in a surprise rebel assault, Andolin’s leadership in place of deceased Decurion earned him the rank upon returning his unit to safety six months afterwards.

2226 AE: (21) The Raid on Howlhill occurs, poor tactical decisions from higher-ups coupled with gross underestimation of the rebellion’s presence…it was a bloodbath. Victorious soldiers, still in bloodlust and rage over their losses took their fury out on the innocents and noncombatants. Andolin kept his wits and saved a woman from being beaten to death, but could not stop the town from burning to the ground.
2227 AE: (22) The soldier tended to the woman named Lufayn, the two grew very close. When he had to return to the Acropolis for commemoration for his deeds and a position in the courts, he asked her to return with him and become his wife. She refused him, though why he would not learn until much later. He had to choose love or duty, but Lufayn made the choice so Ando wouldn’t have to. She left.
2228 AE: (23) Andolin’s adjustment into the courts was quite the set of changes, but he was a smart student and knew to tread with caution. Imagine his surprise when he received message from Lufayn to meet her at the ruins of Howlhill posthaste. Upon his arrival she revealed their child, and gave the baby to him while failing to hold back her tears. Not knowing the first things about newborns, the father and daughter made their way to his parents in Two Springs.

2229 AE: (23) Dobatte would take the oath of stewardship under Chancellor Nuwen, spending all his leave time at Two Springs when allowed.
2233 AE: (29) Rose to position of ‘Tactical Aide’ under Nuwen.
2235 AE: (31) After Nuwen’s death, he resumed his position under Chancellor Rein. It was in Rein’s court he met the Imperator Heldra. They would have long and interesting talks on military tactics and tales, and one thing lead to another.
2237 AE: (32) Andolin married Heldra, who was later appointed to Evocatus. While there was love in their marriage, individuals in their office always felt pressure to marry. A callous person would say they were just taking the next step in their careers.

2240 AE: (35) Andolin raises to the position of ‘Tactical Advisor’ under Interrex Yunus. Heldra ‘earns’ nickname of Hellion, renown for ruthlessness and capture of many high-target melders. She grows increasingly frustrated with their inability to have a child, and one days follows his husband in secrecy to his hometown. Heldra expected some sort of mistress, which would have saved her sanity. But she saw Andolin embracing a 12 year old girl who could only be his daughter. Heldra, enraged, confronted him right there and then, yelling and screaming. The scared daughter Marielen asked “Who is this lady, father?” To which he replied “Nobody Mariel, nobody.” Heldra left them, her heart shattered in a hundred pieces.

2250 AE: (44) Dobatte meets the man his daughter is bent on marrying. Disapproval falls on deaf ears. During Marielen’s wedding ceremony in Two Springs, her powers as a melder…manifest. The whole town is in shock, and Andolin could not know how many died from the incident. He didn’t even know if his parents were okay, he just knew he had to get his daughter out of there. Realizing the only one he could trust was himself, he carried the paralyzed Marielen and left Two Springs on horseback as fast as hooves could travel.

2251 AE: (45) -no record-

[Rose]

Captain Zalen of the Golden Son

Name: Lucilla “Luka” Zalen
Age: 26
Race: Human

Affiliation(s): Luka and her father have many contacts across Arima. They’ve built strong bonds with a number of groups, including two elf tribes for the trading and partnership they provide. The Conclave is their greatest affiliation, owing a great deal to the Zalen family and the Golden Son for the weapons and goods they have provided free of charge for years.

Appearance: Captain Zalen was once a lovely and innocent child, but no young girl gets to grow up on a pirate ship and keep her beauty perfectly intact. Viewed from the right angle, there is no questioning that she could put up a good fight for any man she desired, but with a turn of her face you’ll see that she has fought, and the result has ruined any chance of marriage, even if she desired it. The left side of her face was once heavily wounded in battle and now bears heavy scarring around her forehead, cheek, jaw line and neck.
Luka’s eyes are a deeper shade of brown, like a jar of dark honey. Her hair is long and more often than not an unruly mess. She’s of average height, about 5’6, but wears boots that add a few inches to make her more intimidating. Her build, however, is far from average, and Luka works constantly to keep it that way. A woman doesn’t make it as a pirate by being cute and fragile.

Apparel: The standard pirate clothing is all that Luka knows. Practicality, comfort, durability, that’s what matters. She wears clothes that border on the ragged side unless she is going into port to make negotiations, where she will dress slightly more appealing to make things go her way. Luka wears strips of cloth or bandages to cover her face, not out of embarrassment but out of necessity. She stands out far less when her scars are concealed, is given an air of mystery, and is able to look more attractive when she must. Standing out at all as a smuggler isn’t the best idea. Standing out because you’re ugly is even worse.

Weapons: The Captain was trained in basic swordplay and hand to hand combat. While she is able to wield a sword well enough, her true prowess is in agility, not strength. She is a better thief than fighter, better with small knives and swords than a flashy thing like a claymore. Regardless, she is prepared for any fight that can erupt at any time and wears a thin rapier-like sword at her hip with a few knives on the other and can wield other weapons if she must.

History: Lucilla was born and raised on her father’s ship The Golden Son. She’s spent nearly all her years in the open ocean, learning to fight and smuggle beside renowned pirates. Her father, the great Captain Dresden Zalen had desired a son to carry on his legacy, but his wife died in childbirth as the ship was rocked by a heavy storm. Never once did the thought cross his mind that his new daughter be raised like a true lady. He had only one child and would trust her with no one else. So Luka was raised a pirate, not ruthless by any means, but willing to get dirty and risk death to smuggle goods, mostly for the growing organization known as the Conclave, who her father served with full loyalty. She met people from all over the world, making ties with the elf people as she played with their children during trades, learning to fight and steal from her fellow crewmembers, to hunt like the tribes, to navigate the seas like her father. With Dresden’s death the young woman was made the new Captain Zalen, with few people actually knowing of her father’s death. Now she has set sail to meet with an old friend in the Conclave with her first delivery of supplies without the help of her father.

[Wendy Ann Beckett-Jolina]

Title(s): None.

Name: Adelaide Malwell

Age: 18

Race: Human

Affiliation(s): Adelaide is, for the most part, unaffiliated. I suppose you could say that she’s secondhandedly associated with the Archonian Legion due to her eldest brothers decisions, but she’s thrown away that life. So mostly, she tries to stay neutral on such things as groups and loyalties.

Appearance:


Adelaide is rather plain, appearance wise. Her skin is a honey color, and is rather dry from working outside on a regular basis. Her light brown hair carries streaks of blond and is kept at her shoulders to keep it manageable. The irises of her eyes aren’t exactly sparkling, but are a clear, brown shade that can communicate her feelings easily. These split her short, slightly crooked nose and draw away from her full, well-shaped lips, all of which complete her heart-shaped face. Being at the peak of her development, Adelaide has grown into her body. Her waistline is small, hips narrow and bust larger than average, which is pretty much the only thing extraordinary about her, looks-wise. Standing at a small height of 5’1”, people tend to overlook her. Maybe it’s because she’s just that plain. Or maybe they just don’t think to look down. It’s really a mystery.

Apparel: Adelaide, as her parents tried to at least teach her to be somewhat ladylike, is rather in favor of simple dresses. Pants just aren’t really her thing, as she was taught that those were for men and any woman wearing them would die a painfully horrid death. Yeah, she kinda listened to her parents too much. So stick her in an ankle length, somewhat modest dress, and Adelaide’s all good.

As for shoes, she hates them. Absolutely despises them all. When she has to, ordinary flats are perfectly fine, but it’s more normal to see the girl barefoot. Acessories are rather scarce, besides the occasional pair of earrings or a necklace. Other than that, nothing.

Weapons: When it comes to fighting, Adelaide’s a complete wimp. She prefers to stay behind on the action, being more of the team support/medical person. Even so, she keeps a small dagger on her, just in case she really needs to go on offense. She has no clue how to use it, granted, and it totally freaks her out keeping a weapon on her, but she has it.

History: Adelaide was the youngest of five children, and the rest of them were boys. Yeah, it’s no wonder she’s so quiet, as she was tired of having to compete against four older brothers. She grew up in Izarrem, not far from the mountains, because her father was a coal miner and needed a short commute to his menial job. Their father loved his entire family dearly, and even though the woman of the house was already dead, he attempted to teach his only daughter at least what she needed to know to be a respectable housewife. At age 16, though, her happy family fell apart.

It was night. Adelaide had been comfortably asleep when she heard screams in the sitting room. When she reached the room,she was shocked to find her father and three of her brothers, dead on the floor. The only other member of her family still living, her eldest brother Darrien, stood at the center of it all, murder weapon in hand and three Archonites backing him up. Surprisingly, he merely shoved her out the door, saying that he had no use in killing a clueless girl. Ever since, she’s just been wandering around the forests, trying to survive while staying inconspicuous.

[Eva]

Title(s):
Name: Marielen
Age: 22
Race: Melder/Human.
Affiliation(s): Her family, the rebellion, etc.
Appearance:
Not shown- her facial marking, which is shaped like a spiral.
Apparel: Blue jumper over a white blouse and black tights, with brown boots. No armor to speak of.
Weapons: No weapons.
History: Marielen never knew her mother, and doesn't know much about her. She was raised primarily by her father's parents, who were fair and kind but quick to discipline when she get out of line. For the most part, Marielen only had small amounts of time with her father, although she was told it was for good reason.
Marielen was always a very intelligent and tenacious child. She was not the type to wait for things to happen, and often pursued her own fortunes, much to her grandparents' consternation. Marielen's Melder powers manifested somewhat later than average, and she had trouble controlling them. She managed to keep them a secret, however, through careful excuses.
When she became an adult, Marielen met and fell in love with the son of a noble. The two were a good match, at least as far as everyone else could tell. For the next few years, they built up support for a marriage and, when they finally had votes of confidence from other noble families, began to prepare the ceremony.
Marielen invited her father, who voiced serious concerns about the marriage. The two had an arguement about her powers, which were rapidly becoming unstable. Someone overheard them and reported Marielen. At the ceremony, word got around about her status as a Melder, and many of the guests wanted to have her punished. Marielen accidentally used her powers, severely injuring several people and killing a few others. She passed out from overexertion, not knowing the extent of her assault.

[NicoJoe]

Title(s): Exusiai
Name: Veron Maern
Age: 50
Race: Elf
Affiliation(s):
1. The Elven Tribe of Malik- Born into it, living there for the first part of his life
2. Gailurra Free Merchant’s Society- Worked security and other jobs within the Society
3. United Elfish Forces- Commanding Officer.
Appearance:

Apparel: In battle or while scouting, Veron wears a chest plate made of Elven gold, a light and sturdy material impervious to arrows, as well leather greaves and boots for maneuverability and steel gauntlets to assist in combat. In a more casual setting, he wears the garments of his tribe; the ceremonial robes of Malik that each member of the tribe wears. It is a deep red, full body robe, that looks like this: Everyone in Malik wears similar robes. They are believed to be
blessed of the Soul with protection and safety. At all times, around his neck, he wears a silver locket given to him by someone he cared deeply for

Weapons: Veron’s primary weapons are his dual short swords; the blades made of mithril and the hilts made of gold. He’s trained with them for his entire life and has become an expert at wielding them. He also carries a hunting knife, more of last resort in battle, and a bow, which he is slightly better than novice with.

History: Veron was born into the Malik tribe; a tribe based deep in the wilderness of the Sumendia province, in the shadow of Sugurra Peak. The Malik are a people steeped in tradition and ceremonies. They are the thinkers of the elves, known for their wonderful architecture and inventions; including a security system that allows them to stay in one place, as opposed to the nomadic elfish tribes of Sumendia. They’re known to be more hostile to outsiders than most tribes but on drastic occasions, do open their lands and ears to others. Veron’s parents were both elders in the tribe so he was well known throughout the people. Veron grew up learning the customs of his people and learning the histories of the lands, including the histories of The Way and Archonian Empire. He was fascinated and repulsed by the treatment of the people of Arima by their peers and quickly grew to detest Archonites for their hypocrisy. Their reign is no more just than the Melder’s and the genocide is much more appalling than anything The Way ever did. When Veron came of age, he took part in a tradition as old as the tribe itself: the pilgrimage. The pilgrim leaves the tribe, going out into the other regions of Arima to soak up the culture and knowledge of the other people of the world and bring back that information to the tribe so they can improve their own lives. Every member of the tribe is to go on a pilgrimage and aren’t to return until they feel they have something significant to attribute to the tribe; only about twenty percent never return. Veron left his tribe and south toward Opari. There, he met up with some representatives for the Gailurra Free Merchant’s Society, who were scouting the area in order to decide if a base in the region would benefit the society and instantly join up. Being a natural hunter, the best in his tribe, he adjusted to working as a guard quickly and worked on many smuggler ships and with black market traders, keeping them safe from the Archonian Empire. While working with Gailurra, he was introduced to the idea of the Conclave. This idea quickly fascinated him and he decided that he would find a way to support their efforts.

While serving in the society, he met a girl. Her name was Rosalee Marrlyn. She was a human and she was beautiful. They fell very much in love, a taboo for the elves but he didn’t care. He would have never gone back to Malik, just to keep her. To be happy. He was going to quit his pilgrimage, move to Izarrem and start a family. It was perfect, until it all ended. During one job he was serving on a smugglers ship, a ship bound for Izarrem and his new life, that was bringing food to a group of refugees. Suddenly an Archonian ship found them and launched a full out attack. They didn’t stand a chance against them and the ship went down, killing everyone except for Veron who survived due only to luck. Rosalee died on that ship, her body never being found. He washed up on the shores of Izarrem and was rescued by a team from the Conclave. They nursed him back to health and he vowed that he would repay his debt to the Conclave with his life if he needed to. And he would avenge Roaslee if it was the last thing he id. He left them and returned to Malik, telling his tribe of the Conclave. He convinced them that it was time to come out the forests and fight for this world, fight to take down the tyranny of Achonian rule. The people of Malik rallied behind him and the United Elfish Forces were born. He spent the next ten years going to the other tribes and attempting to convince them to fight along side Malik and the Conclave but he could only convince the Zephon, Seraph and Jophiel tribes. He was chosen to become Exusiai, or general, of the UEF and it is now an official, though secretive, syndicate of the Conclave.

[Duvet de Mot]

Title: Gatekeeper

Name: Ardin Beslea

Age: 71

Race: Melder

Form: Guardian

Affiliation(s): The Conclave, The Way

Appearance:

Clearly aged and on in years, Ardin skin and face have grown weary and haggard, his long, shaggy hair and beard long since plastered white. While his facial appearance shows him to be quite on in his years, his body tells a different story: the story of a man who has had to fight for his right to live. Ardin’s body is extraordinarily fit for his age, more so than many of his contemporaries. He is fairly short for a warrior, standing only at about 5’7”, but his scarred, sturdy body serves him well. As a Melder, he was born with a marking which snakes its way up his right arm, a trait which he keeps hidden with cloth strips when not in the company of The Conclave or The Way. His eyes are also characteristic of his race, unnaturally clear and bright, almost glowing in the presence of light. Ardin’s eyes reveal his wisdom, yet further beneath their sage appearance is a vast reservoir of both pain and joy.

Apparel: Ardin wears light clothing as much as possible. Light, freely moving pants, and light, leather boots are a must at all times, a choice which allows him to outrun more heavily armored troops should the need arise. He commonly wears the remnants of the vestments of a Gatekeeper of The Way to identify himself to those who he wishes to see him. On his right shoulder is two-tiered pauldron, lashed to his body by way of leather straps. His arms are laden with leather gauntlets for defensive protection when in the midst of combat.

Weapons: Ardin is a well-versed in all manners of weapons and combat, training newcomers to the ranks of The Conclave; however, he only keeps three weapons on him at any given time: a thin scholar’s sword which was awarded to him upon achieving the rank of Architect, a large broadsword crafted for him by an Archonian blacksmith, and a sturdy five foot length of chain he keeps in a pouch.

History: Born during the rule of The Way, Ardin was taught control over and trained in his abilities as a Guardian from his earliest years. His abilities blossomed quickly as he trained them, eventually catching the eye of The Council as he surpassed his peers in strength and control, who upon his twentieth birthday, appointed him as an Architect upon HeartGate’s eastern wall under the command of Grand Architect Amedisio. Ardin trained diligently under the supervision of Grand Architect Amedisio, all the while helping to strengthen HeartGate and keep safe the Jatorria from the increasingly hostile public. During this time, Ardin's innate talents for weaponry were honed and trained in tandem with his abilities as a Guardian.

Then came the day of the Upheaval. HeartGate was stormed from the mainland, while the Legion’s armada laid siege to the western lands. The Architects of HeartGate were unprepared for an attack of this magnitude and after an eighteen hour battle fell into disarray as the walls were breached, the inner city flooded with warriors of the Legion. From his post on the eastern wall, Ardin watched as the Jatorria fell and his kinsmen were slaughtered; fear building in his heart, he fled as the sun began to rise over the horizon, escaping to Burdina Isle and then to northern Elurra. Much of his personal life is missing from the record at this point, though Ardin claims he was in a self-induced state of exile to live alone with his shame of desertion. What is known is that fifteen following the Upheaval, he came into contact with Absolom Regis, the last Gatekeeper to escape the Upheaval and Restoration, who entrusted to him the secrets of The Way and charged him with bringing justice to the Empire. Ardin kept his promise to Absolom, seeking out the remaining Melders scattered across the provinces and uniting them under the banner of The Conclave, which he now serves as one of eight Gatekeepers, living only to see the fall of the Empire and his redemption come to pass.

[Ms.Fiction]

Title(s): Usher

Name: Vasilisa (vas-ee-lis-ah) Sylvian

Age: 17

Form: Sighted

Affiliation(s): The Conclave

Appearance:


Apparel: Vasilisa wears hooded cloaks that drape themselves over her face in a way that perfectly shield her marked crystal blue eyes as much as possible. They are long sleeved and loose fitting on her delicate figure and flutter out around her ankles. Underneath her cloak she wears tight fitting, dark, clothes.

Weapons: Vasilisa’s not really a fighter. She's to soft of a person and well...she is blind after all; which makes fighting difficult. So she doesn’t really need an extensive amount of weapons. She knows enough self-defense to keep herself safe, but, just in case something happens, she keeps a small dagger in her cloak. Not that it would do much damage, but it’s better than nothing at all, right?

History: Before the upheaval her family were well known Melders; when the upheval occurred it forced them to have to go into hiding. Her father was a famous Former, which put him on the top of the list to be killed forcing her parents to hide. Vasilisa was conceived while her parents were on the run and was born a blind Sighted.

Growing up she lived like a Nomad with a special twist. Instead of moving for the season, she moved ever y few weeks. Sometimes her parents would have her grasp a little of the future for them so they would know if danger was ahead. But, that was a rare occasion. They felt that using their powers were now immoral and dangerous to themselves, so they refrained from using them and wanted her too as well.

Everything was going as well as it possibly could until late one night during one of their routine moves. They were attacked by a group of Archonites when she was merely fourteen years old. Her mother told her to run and to use her powers to find the way. So, Vasilisa did just that. For the next year or so, Vasilisa lived on her own, traveling from place to place just as her parents had. She learned that she could use her gift to help her find her way through towns, forests, cities, ect and how to know what was going on in the world around her along with what her next step should be; which is how she stumbled upon The Conclave.

[Duvet de Mot]

((Do keep in mind that this bio will change over the course of the RP as information is gathered.))

Name: Zurik Corialis

Age: 36

Race: Archonite

Caste: Archon

Affiliation(s):
Archon of the Archonian Legion
Archon of the Archonian Empire

Appearance:


Non-Armored Apparel: Zurik wears loose-fitting, yet sturdy, clothing while his armor is shed in order to give him protection and room for his armor to grow into.

Armor:


Weapons: Zurik is unmatched at hand-to-hand combat, but is adept with many other weapons, as well.

History: Born and raised for warfare and rule, Zurik is a ruthless and cruel leader who seems not to care for his reputation or public opinion. His reign for the past twenty-four years has been characterized by a renewed hatred of Melder-kind and a vicious hunt for his greatest enemy: the Pathfinder.

[Gafe]

Name: Deras Mayugani
Age: 28
Race: Archonite
Caste: Proditare; banished Decurion.
Affiliation(s): The Conclave and soon, he hopes, the Archonian Legion again, or the Archonian society at the very least.

Appearance: Imagine a deep, lively and refreshing lagoon in summer where animals satiate their thirst and fish are scarce. Now imagine it's winter and the surface has hardened and is covered with snow here and there: those are Deras' eyes right there. Yet as unwelcoming as their color is, they are able to radiate heavy emotion. Good luck finding them when he his armor's active though. In addition, he has an accentuated frown, a firm forehead and bags under his eyes.
His hair is mostly black, with red strands here and there though mostly above his brow, and it falls to the nape of his neck. Such pigmentation is shared by both, his armor and fingernails. In the former, the red is accumulated near the chest area (something to do with blood vessels and the heart, maybe? He isn't sure), while the latter he grows until they're small but claw-like.
He has a wide nose, protuberant cheekbones and a strong jaw, too bad about the wide and unattractive mouth though.

Deras beginning to shed his armor: notice the slight remnants in his skin

Non-Armored Apparel: When his armor sheds, Deras is quick to clothe himself with concealing garments. He is easily recognized when he is without his natural protection, so he throws on a robe with a large hood that keeps his facial features in shadows and his bare arms out of sight as they start to secrete his newest armor. Like a male who grows a patchy beard, Deras' armor grows back unevenly, not at the same time: his arms aren't the exception.
Underneath the robe and true to his Archonite instincts, Deras wears gruff and restrictive upper-body leather armor (which, compared to his natural armor isn't restrictive at all) under a large blue linen vest with gray embroidery. Except for the robe, he likes to have his arms bare when not in Archonite armor. His trousers are meant to give him mild protection: they're heavier than most and held up by a thick leather belt. Finally, he wears boots. Deras chooses his clothing with the weight and usual limits of his Archonite armor in mind: he wants to lose practice with it as little as possible.

Armor: As previously mentioned, his armor is black with a touch of red around his chest. As it comes closer to shedding, however, it starts to become gray and lose its durability. His head is completely surrounded, with minimal, easy-to-miss slits for the eyes, ears and nose, as he speaks or eats, however, his armor moves alongside his mouth.
Because he used to be a full-fledged Decurion, his armor slowly became intricate and heavy on his upper body. His armor adapted to the heavy weight of his flail and grew thicker to add some extra strength to Deras' muscles when swinging his weapon. This is to say, his armor isn't very flexible and moving his arms in bizarre motions doesn't come without some difficulty. It represents no setback for virtually any daily life activity.
In the last couple of years, his body became more and more used to fleeing, travelling and to speedy escapades. As a result, the armor on his lower half allows for a wider array of motions. It's getting used to his new way of life, with vague remnants of his tougher lifestyle when he was a part of the Archonian Legion.
As opposed to other members of his race with astounding armors, his is a representation of the two lives he's led, and it's not really worth examining in close detail.

Weapons: In his time as a Decurion he became extremely proficient with a flail, but because it isn't a cheap, lightweight, discreet easy-to-carry weapon, he had to leave his behind when he was banished. Instead, he now makes do with a mace. While not his ideal form of weaponry, he appreciates the similarity it shares with a flail: it's all about being blunt. And just in case, he carries a stiletto he knows how to handle.

History: His basic background is fairly simple: he was born in the desert and was quick to travel to the Argian Acropolis in his mid-teens. Obviously, he was bent on becoming a strong solider and immediately began his training as a Signiferi. He wasn't the brightest in his lot, but he was hardworking and that eventually landed him a promotion: he became a Decurion by age twenty-two.
That was the worst year of his life. Once he was assigned an Auxiliary, Deras thought he was somehow superior and must strive to serve the Legion even when not out on the field. Fanatically obsessed with the Upheaval and the heroism of his people, Deras had developed a secret hobby: making sure, at all costs, that every Melder that his people so graciously let live on the Acropolis supported Zurik.
He eventually came upon two Melders, brothers, bowing before a small painting of the last known Pathfinder. Two brothers that had supposedly aided the Legion in the Upheaval. Deras saw them for what they were: traitors and, long story short, proceeded to light their home on fire along with his Auxiliary. For reasons beyond him, the fire spread too quickly to neighboring homes, eventually engulfing two whole districts. A member of his Auxiliary perished, along with some human and Archonite families and an Evocatus was severely injured. Amidst the confusion, he was knocked out by breathing heavy doses of the smoke and woke up confused the following afternoon. When he made his way to the Legion's quarters, he learned that his faithful Auxiliary had been punished with death for his actions and there was a large sum on his head.
He left the Acropolis as fast as he could. He was so into the Archonian system than he knew no explanation would suffice, only he had known of the Melders' secret rituals and the Evocatus' word had three times the weight his had. Hurt by the thanklessness of his people he snuck into a boat that took him to Elurra. He's been a Proditare ever since, and traveled between the border of Sumendia and Opari (avoiding other Archonites as much as possible) until he arrived in Izarrem, where he has lived the latest years of his life.
And he doesn't like it.
He has made a fine living with the elves and humans, though of course he isn't trusted, but he noticed that their society was too free, careless and downright pointless ever since got to Izarrem. He misses the organized structure of Archonian Society. Granted, every time a group of Archonites spot him, he's thrown rockas at, only sometimes metaphorically; being alone, race-wise, in Izarrem marks him as a Proditare, and they have every reason to hate him. If they knew the price on his head, they'd willingly go after him. The elves and humans have not welcomes him, but have accepted him as an exiled neighbor, and they're good people, Deras has noted. But their system is just so dysfunctional. Secretly, he dreams of being back in the field for the Legion.
Exiled for, at least, four years in Izarrem, word of the Conclave reached him. And it sounded like the perfect opportunity to get closer to the Acropolis. Being in a group meant it wouldn't be a suicide mission. The Conclace can use his knowledge of the workings of the Archonian Legion, and once they're close enough, Deras can explain the reason he lit the Melders' house on fire and while the Legion probably won't welcome him, his people will understand and he'll be able to return to the Acropolis and stop living in an unstructured way. He is genuinely willing to help the Conclave, as it'll both, earn him some retribution for how the Archonites want his head and because it had the potential to entertain Zurik, though he doubts it has the potential to actually achieve its main goal. The Conclave is fairly competent, which is why they can get Deras to the Acropolis, but groups like it have been formed in the past and they've been crushed like bees by a stone.