Fantasy Concerto 13 - A Musical Adventure

[SubstituteHero]

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Welcome to Paradise
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Music can bring the world together, it can drive us to tears or brighten up our lives, it can express ideas that go beyond mere words. But that's here, on our dear Earth. It has power, sure, but it is simply something created by people for people. In some other universe far from our reality is a world quite a bit like Earth. It has a few thriving nations of human beings whose culture resembles ours quite a bit. The difference, what really makes this place stand out against the rest, is what music means to them. The importance we give our favorite songs here on Earth gives it a sort of "soul" in their world. What we produce and many fill with emotion becomes a living, thinking being pulled from their ether as an entity known as a Song.


Songs are a part of daily life, a set of spiritual beings crafted lovingly by those who know how to craft them from the ether formed by our Earth's creative energies and know how to find their names. These men and women are called Musicians in the common tongue, taken in respect of the energy that created their precious Songs. They stand out from the performers of their own world (of which there are many) by holding the status of warriors, craftsmen, and wise men that unite with their sentient Songs to shape the world around them.

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Now, in the year 1503 of their recorded history, the world of Bheesaide faces turmoil. It is filled with those that would seek to control it or do its people harm. There are forces at work that threaten the existence of its people and its Songs alike. But there is also light. There are fantastic young Musicians who would see their fellow man into an age of peace and prosperity. Even in these uncertain times, you and those like you can do good for this wonderful place. Will you?

A Day in the Life
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It is no secret now; everyone with access to the newspapers should know that the Conductor Jackson has died under mysterious circumstances. No report has quite discovered the full story behind his untimely demise, but they do know that his body was found in the city of Classic on the continent of Rock. Official reports indicate Noise poisoning, but the missing details cause many to question what exactly has occurred. While many of his peers and surviving family mourn, preparations to choose his successor on the world's council of Conductors have begun.


As custom dictates, a tournament called a Concerto will be held to determine who is strong enough to help steer the fate of the world from his previous position. Specifically, this will be the 13th tournament of its kind. Also customary is its open nature; anyone who wishes can join a sponsored team to have a shot at the title.


All across the globe, coaches and other officials are being sent out to scout out talent. Many have had Musicians in training for years, while others seek out young potential to shape over the course of the coming trials. Emissaries have been sent to various locations and are recruiting according to their own desires. For the first time ever, a new nation known as Alternative will also have a team. As such, new scouts will be arriving shortly to gauge the strength of the tiny island chain. Given that there are no rules against entering another country's team, many flock to Alternative now to have a greater chance at acceptance. While this creates a very diverse potential team, the weak opportunists will soon realize the error of their ways as the selection process begins. This, the land of warm, sandy shores, will be where our story begins.

You Talk Way Too Much
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I will be hosting a Google doc that keeps updated with all of the characters of note, important terms, events, and additional lore for the world. While it is in no way required to know, anyone who wants to can take part in the world's intricate workings. It will be located here:


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ufuNziBP74NFw-ZbUKppKkYM38UTN4kdFTfW8ZFTxNY/edit?usp=sharing


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(I am currently searching for an easy way to make a more sophisticated map for the world. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!)





The Seven Nations:


Rock [Rock & Roll, Rockabilly, Hard Rock, etc.]


Rock is a large country full of diverse people. It has many cities with modern amenities and a pretty good night life. Despite this, many visitors choose to travel to Classic city, where great coliseums and vast music halls rival the Classic nation that inspired its construction. The first phase of the 13th Concerto will be held here.


Metal [Heavy Metal, Hair Metal, etc.]


Metal distinguishes itself from other nations with a fierce population that originally lived in loose clans. Surrounding the large island of Metal is a storm of Noise that takes special vessels and excellent navigators to pass. It has a reputation for powerful Musicians. Many famous figures from Rock have trained here at some point or another.


Alternative [Alt. Rock, Indie, Reggae, ect.]


A newly recognized island chain made up of natives and the descendants of settlers from several generations ago. It has no unifying features but acts as a melting pot and a place for new ideas among its many and varied citizens. This will be the first Concerto that Alternative has participated in.


A port town in Alternative is where our story begins.


Techno [Dubstep, Dance, etc.]


Perhaps the most advanced nation, much of life of Techno is automated and covered in neon. The people there are famously addicted to their flashing lights and non-stop parties. It rises from the desert in a twisting mish-mash of highways and high rises, bordering the nation of Pop.


Pop [Hip-Hop, Rap, etc.]


Comprised of several modern cities scattered across a vast desert, Pop is famous for its control over new trends and upstart Musicians. Many from Pop end up migrating to other places once their turn in the limelight is over, but those that last that long can be sure of their place in history.


Classical [instrumental, Opera, Orchestral, etc.]


Classical is the oldest surviving nation in the world of Bheesaide. It is home to a proud, noble people who live in ancient castles and massive cathedrals. Originally many warring city-states, the influences of many different styles can be seen here. Similarly, many modern styles trace their roots back to those who left Classical. It is famous for its use of multiple Musicians to strengthen a single common Song.


Soul [Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, etc.]


Sitting between Classical and Rock, Soul is a land of rivers and lakes with a gentle population. Here is where Songs and Musicians weave tales of loss in war, of triumph over adversity, of many great emotions. It is often forgotten by tourists, but there is no discounting the worth of Bheesaide's deeply empathetic lore keepers.


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Rules for the RP:

1. Follow all regular site rules
   
2. Keep it clean, folks
   
3. Follow valid lore within the world (I.E. no werewolves, no Super Saiyans or what have you)
   
4. More than one Song of a certain title can exist, but do try to stick to actual songs
   
5. No killing without expressed permission
   
6. No god-modding, power playing, bunnying, or whatever it is you kids are into these days
   
7. Please direct any questions about the world or its rules to me
   
8. Have fun and treat each other with respect!
   
9. Include links to any songs used by your character, I'll be building up a playlist that makes up our rp.
   

 

[SubstituteHero]

The day begins in the Alternative island chain, in a small port city on the northern-most islands. Usually a quiet trading and fishing town, the cobblestone streets have been flooded with the bustle of merchants becoming especially active. Men, women and children alike roved through stalls and carts full of unusual fruits and "exotic" goods that the sellers put on to draw the eye. Towards the pristine white beaches, workers scurried about under the watchful eye of a woman in a black dress much too lacy to wear under the full Alternative sun. And as always, to her right was a figure that drew more than one roaming gaze, perhaps out of some sort of wonderment, or perhaps out of fear. A man in an overcoat wrapped up like a mummy turned his head towards the town in silent contemplation.


Even medical tents were being set up on solid ground. All around, the throngs of tourists and individuals bearing unique companions awaited the day's main event. Past the sweet haze of summer sun and fruity drinks, the island's first ever preliminary search for a team was to take place. All of Alternative's budding Musicians--and quite a few foreigners without a hope of entering older teams--were going to be putting their luck to the test. All types wandered the streets today. Demonic beings floated alongside almost cartoon-ish animals. Nature spirits shared competitive glances with living weapons. No matter what else happened today, the fate of Bheesaide would be determined by the outcome of their search. Today marked the beginning of a struggle between the good of the world and the evil that lurked within. Today, on the first day of Concerto 13. 
One musician lounged on the beach away from the bustle. It was hard to escape from the sheer volume of the crowd, but he had an effortless, almost graceful way of hiding behind the construction area's fence, causing the workers to have to step around him. Like a rock in the middle of a rushing river, the young man slumped back and listed to music far too loudly on a pair of beaten-up headphones. After an hour or so claiming the spot, the crew barely said a word to the boy. Rather, they cast annoyed glances at the small boar-like creature that floated nearby his head, still apologizing to anyone that seemed slightly upset about anything.


"Say there, boy," a gravely voice commanded, causing Seth to look up and remove his headphones quickly. "That thing'a yours is gonna start up now. Why don't you take Tusk and get outta our hair?"


Tusk began to comment, but Seth attempted to calm him down with a hand on the creature's head, "There's no Noise yet, they're still waitin' for somethin'."


With a nudge more from his companion, the young man agreed, "But you're right. Let Mom know not to wait up on me for dinner."


Seth, followed with due haste by the worrisome Song, took his time reaching the beach and looking out onto the makeshift "proving grounds" that they had set up. It was just ropes and sand, but Seth's thoughts on the matter were expressed by his friend's observation before he could reach it, "Probably trying to keep things from damaging the area. And the people."

 

[MattieLee]

Aiko was visiting the islands which she was glad for, her and Monster were building a sand castle at the beach she looked at a blonde boy that was also there every once in awhile, it looked like he also had a song. She heard that there was going to be a great tournament to determine the next composer so she assumed that he must have been there because of that. She walked up to him when some other guy had asked him to get out of their hair. She frowned at them "Well that's not very nice he wasn't doing anything just sitting there..." the girl had one blue eye and the other was pink and had a heart instead of a normal iris, electronic and she was obviously from techno. Monster looked at Tusk and was curious, this was her first time meeting another song. "hi..." the stitched up Rabbit said shyly.

 

[SubstituteHero]

"Hmm?," Seth addressed the individual that walked up to him, not giving any indication that he had heard her or not. Having a second to process her words, he cut her off before she could speak again, "I find it more concernin' that he wouldn't wish his only son luck. What, with competition already scopin' me out 'ere."


Seth looked the girl up and down. Not dressed as casually as a lot of the tourists, so she had a thing going for the upcoming Concerto. The position of Conductor was highly contested, sure, but Seth saw no reason that half of these people seemed to adopt costumes or intimidate the competition.


Regardless of the intention of her approaching, Seth began to mentally assemble some idea of her personality. The Song seemed to follow closely, and she presented herself without the formalities or gestures seen in certain places. Definitely Techno raised. No aggressive manner to speak of. Just curiosity here. She'd fall in seconds, Seth decided.


As he cased the competition, Tusk's hair raised and he snorted, "Hello? You two are here for the ceremonies, I take it? Don't even try to muscle in, Seth and I here will be taking the top spot!"


Seth shook his head, "'Ey, 'ey, let 'em have their fun, Tusk. Several spots, anyway, so if she's good enough we'll be workin' together. Whaddaya say, kid, wanna try for a long trip to Rock together?"

 

[MattieLee]

Monster frowned at Tusk she was the competitive of the two. "We'll just see about that overgrown teddy bear!" Aiko sighed at her song. "Monster!... be nice besides you know we'll win this" she was sure that the judges will just love her and monster as long as she was herself. The Rabbit huffed and crossed her arms. Aiko could tell this guy was a local, so casually dressed and carefree... she wished to be like that. If she could just let go... she sighed deeply. "I'll make it to rock alright! and beyond!" Monster really was a mix of things anyways mainly she had Alternative and Techno influences but also had some pop as well she could do well anywhere. So long as she was confident.

 

[SubstituteHero]

The wooden platform seemed to be nearly completed, and the two atop it were attempting a quick sound check. Behind the woman in a long black dress was the faint outline of a figure strapped to a wheel, clearly upsetting any Song that witnessed it. The ominous chill somehow beat Alternative's heat, and many of the spiritual beings edged away from the stage during the preparations despite odd looks from their Musician partners.


Tusk, unaware of the events nearby, was fuming. With his bristling hairs and twitching snout, the small stylized boar retorted, "Who's the stuffed animal, you floppy foppish lepus?"


Seth laughed, pulling his Song under his arm in the typical means of comforting him, "I like that spirit, Techno. Tell ya what, if we both make it into that team today, I'll treat you to dinner tonight. Whaddaya say?"


Seth wasn't one for unnecessary strife, so he tried to keep things light and playful. And of course, his easy out from any sort of rivalry was jokingly dancing around actually flirting. It kept it all from getting too serious, which he was not an expert at dealing with. Truthfully, Seth couldn't say why he was entering this. It was mostly Tusk encouraging him to do what he actually loved, to try to become a Musician rather than having to enter a life of construction work or waiting tables. Seth might have seemed somewhat selfish and childish in his mentality, but if he could become a Conductor through sheer luck alone, that meant that he got to avoid a life of unmotivated paycheck-to-paycheck work.


Seth was about to make more semi-suggestive jokes, but was interrupted by a sweet but powerful voice from the stage, "May I have the applicants for the Alternative team come to the stage, please? We'll be starting shortly!"


Seth winked to his new friend, moving across the beach as the voice added in, "Oh, and shop keepers please exit the area to your designated waiting point! Thank you!"

 

[MattieLee]

Aiko looked at the platform and then back to Seth and Tusk. She listened to Tusk and found herself chuckling lightly at him and Monster. Monster stuck her tounge out at him like a little kid as the other song was pulled into Seth's arms, little Monster climbed up on to Aiko's shoulder resting there. The Rabbit then saw the stage and the woman and frowned, she wasn't taking heed to it like the others. She didn't try to move away in fact she walked in closer, she didn't like this either but her reactions to things weren't what you would call normal. She was giving the image on the stage a sort of death glare, Monster may be just some stuffed toy but her name was what it was for a reason she was a little Monster.


Aiko didn't notice this because that's when Seth started to joke around about taking her to dinner if she made it on the team. She rolled her eyes and snickered "If your confident enough you'll make it then sure, just don't go crying to me when monster ends up stabbing you, I'm not joking either seriously, you should watch out she'll probably steal your food too" Monster just smirked. Hey she wasn't gonna say no to free food. She was pretty happy to be here and to be given this oppurtunnity, she was looking forward to this. She looked to the stage when she heard the voice and looked to Seth "Hear that?, it's about time"

 

[Hoax]

Standing calmly in the waiting crowd, Lara absently ran her fingers through Howl's fur as she watched the two speakers atop the wooden platform. "Looks like they're starting…" She said quietly, Howl's ears pricking at the sound of her voice. "Good. I was starting to fall asleep." Howl growled softly in return, craning her neck slightly to try and get a better look at the platform. Lara rolled her eyes. "Just listen. Nothing overly interesting is happening on stage yet anyway." She said, scratching the wolf behind the ears.


"Are you nervous? Should I be worried? You're never nervous…" Howl finally asked, to which Lara chuckled. "Only a little bit. Who wouldn't be at least slightly nervous? We haven't even figured out your abilities or weapon yet…" She trailed off at the miffed look from her partner. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up now. We'll figure something out, don't worry." Lara smiled slightly at Howl, who huffed and sat down. "Yes, we will. Just don't fall in love with anyone, in case I really do curse people." Lara only rolled her eyes and smirked at the song, before turning back to the platform to watch.

 

[SubstituteHero]

Tusk looked visibly uncomfortable getting closer to the stage, though he didn't vocalize his concerns faced with such a commanding presence behind the female announcer. He continued to talk to Aiko as they approached, "Glad ta hear it. From now 'til our date, we're opponents, hear?"


Seth registered a few of the other competitors, ranging from mammoths among men to sleek business types that had enough Songs to supply an army. The many and varied crowd stood in a loose cluster before the woman in the black Victorian apparel, who looked over the crowd in much the same way that Seth did. He caught the eye of another Musician with a wolf Song, greeting her with his constantly casual nod. After the clusters of warriors had gathered, and the shop keepers had cleared the area, the woman finally began, "Welcome, Musicians of Bheesaide, to the first tryout for the Alternative Island Concerto team. My name is Loretta, and I will be your coach should you be lucky enough to join us. Beside me is the team's manager, Kilroy."


The stoic figure beside her remained silent, allowing her to continue, "As you all must be aware, joining a team like this will not be easy. You will face the world's strongest opponents if you wish to obtain the ultimate prize. But I assure you, each and every one of you has the potential to claim the spot as the next Conductor. In order to determine who will be most fit for this tournament, we will be holding a preliminary in..."


"Exactly five minutes," Loretta concluded, checking her pocket watch. "I would like all of you to pin the contestant's badge you received upon registration visibly on your body. If I find you without your badge on display, you will be immediately disqualified and forcibly evacuated from the area."


The crowd began to rummage through their belongings and pin the token wherever an open spot on their clothing existed. Seth himself pinned it to his pocket in full view, allowing Tusk to resume floating by his side once more. After what amounted to thirty seconds on the dot, Loretta resumed her explanation, "When I broadcast the starting whistle, the preliminary test will begin. You all have the next three hours to collect five badges besides your own from the other contestants. If you wish, you may collect them through battle, or challenge them wherever you feel your specialty lies. At the end of the time, anyone who successfully obtains the six total tokens will be evaluated for the team. Besides this, the only rules are to not kill your opponent and to not engage in violent challenges indoors. Please scatter now as you wish, this entire area is open for your use until time runs out."


All at once, everyone began to panic. The more clearly frightened individuals left for wherever they could find safety while others collected themselves and headed for where they might have a terrain advantage. In the span of the next four minutes or so, the market square filled with Musicians readying their Songs for battle. They became great weapons gripped tightly in the Musician's hands, or stood by their feet ready to attack. A few brave souls stayed near the stage, ready to engage each other as soon as the whistle blew. Seth himself just loitered near the beach, separating himself and taking on an unearthly calm while Tusk's eyes darted in every direction looking for potential aggressors.


And all at once, things were silent. Nearing the five minute mark, the tension rose to a peak and everyone quieted down in anticipation. Songs at the ready, the marketplace took on deathly still in the span of a few seconds that felt like minutes.

 

[MattieLee]

(Sorry for not being active I ended up at my grandmother's house and of course had no wifi so yeah... it was horrible)


Aiko smirked almost cockily as she listened to the woman Monster still watching her ready to fight or do whatever it took when that whistle blew. She pinned the badge in her hair clipped to one of her pigtails nicely where it wouldn't fall off. She looked around to see many other compettitors of all kinds of backgrounds her and her song evaluated all of them to decide which ones would be easy targets and which ones might become rivals or that they should look out for. Her eyes then happened across a mysterious looking man with a mask and a dark cloak... she didn't know why but this guy was giving her chills, he carried one of his songs as a bow while his other was a rabbit just like Monster and wore a n eyepatch and had had a visible scar across his eye. His musician caught Aiko staring and chuckled darkly, creepy... she tried to ignore him but just couldn't escape this ominous feeling that she had deep inside he was a challenger?, he didn't look too friendly so she just left him alone. She looked to She and at the wolf girl before counting the seconds in her head, she already had a target in mind.


Xero clipped the badge to his sleeve and smirked when he caught a redheaded girl glancing at him, although you couldn't see this underneath his mask that made his face look like he was permanently smiling much like Jeff the killer's face. He looked down at Dream and he transformed into a bow while little Psycho stood by his side cracking his knuckles ready for anything this place threw at him, this was going to be so easy most of these musicians looked like mere amateurs why did they think that they think that they even had a chance at becoming conductor? well that was none of his business anyways he had come for himself and no one else even if his actions happened to benefit or bring back any individuals along the way it would be by a mere coincidence as he wanted to break and to take away a certain person's dreams and make sure that she suffrered as much as he had while doing so.