Dark Souls: The Days of Embers

[Riddle78]

First,a video for background info.

Spoiler

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Life has been prosperous for an entire age, the Age of Lords,but now,the light begins to fade,and the accursed Darksign has appeared,plaguing mankind. Humans have become Undead,immortal in all manner of the word,though they can still be killed through mortal injury. Unfortunately,death is not the end,and the Undead can expect to die hundreds,or even thousands of times before eventually going Hollow,losing all will to live,and going insane. To prevent this,Undead set upon themselves,a task they are far less than likely to complete,something to focus on with the entirety of their being in order to preserve their sanity.


It's been twenty years since the Darksign first appeared,one-hundred-eighty years before the events of the game for those Dark Souls buffs in here,and everyone is looking for the reason,the cure,anything to tell of what it might mean. Now,in this time of peril,New Londo is under constant threat from evil forces known only as Darkwraiths,in the hopes that some news may be uncovered here,great heroes from the world over are converging on New Londo,not in the hopes to save the doomed city,but to learn something of their curse,and to hopefully stop it.


Before we begin,there are some things we need to cover.


Dark Souls is a setting bathed in magic,however magical items are more often than not one-of-a-kind or very,very rare. If you're going to have any magical possessions,even rings,and even if the magic is subtle or "impossible to detect",you need a Havel the Rock-solid reason to have it.


All names in this setting follow the same formula: A single,given name (Like Havel),followed by the land of their birth. Some individuals distinguish themselves,earning titles,like "the Rock" or "Black Iron". For the sake of simplicity,and to not tread on Dark Souls canon,simply stick with the name of your homeland.


Known lands that I'll accept are; The East,Berenike,Astora,Thorolund,Zena,The Great Swamp,Vinheim,Carim,Catarina,Balder.


Name: What is your character's name?


Apparent Age: The Darksign halts aging. How old do you look? Your present age doesn't mean anything here.


Appearance: If you're using an image,please use spoiler tags. This is how you look under your combat apparel.


Attire: What you wear when on the road and wading into danger. Images work wonders here,but remember the spoiler tags.


Held Equipment: Anything you hold to make use of,be it your weapon,shield,or medium for magic. ALL magic in this setting needs a medium. Soul Sorceries of Vinheim require a catalyst,which resembles a staff. Pyromancies of the Great Swamp demand a Pyromancy Flame,which is a part of the Pyromancer's very soul. Magic of the gods,or Miracles,demands a talisman of faith. Feel free to deviate from what the game gives you. We're not about stats here.


Pouches: What small items do you hold in your belt's pouches? Estus Flasks are treasured among Undead,so this is more-or-less standard.


Known Spells: Spells. Magic. It's what makes the world go 'round. Dark Souls has a wide variety of spells to choose from,but please refrain from using Chaos Pyromancies,Dark Sorceries,and anything developed by Big Hat Logan.


Significant Facts: Other,important details,like if they serve Velka,the Goddess of Sin,or somesuch.


Background: Who are you? How did you get here? WHY are you here?

 

[Heartsteal]

Name: Wallace of Berenike


Apparent Age: 42

Spoiler

Wallace is a giant of a man, even among those of Berenike, hardly even craning his neck to look many giants in the eye. A long life of soldiering has not let this knight waste away, and retains the thick muscle of a young man, covered in a toughened blanket of scars that he has the decency to call skin. Weighing in at just under nine feet, and four-hundred-fourty pounds unarmoured, it's not difficult to see why Wallace has always been among the vanguard.
Attire: As all knights of Berenike, Wallace is equipped with heavy armour, so heavy that most men would likely be crushed beneath its weight. Though it follows the general aesthetic of the standard equipment of Berenike, Wallace wears a suit riddled with impurities, making it far weightier. Beneath the plate is a suit of chain, and fortified leather, making the man a veritable fortress on legs.


Held Equipment: Wallace bears no blade, he bears only the "Tolling Wall" his shield, a gargantuan monstrosity of metal that even many giants may have trouble hefting. Behind this colossal plate of steel, only the constant ringing of weapons striking, splintering, and shattering can be heard, tolling like a great bell across the melee. This shield has time and again made Wallace a focal point in battle as he charged like a bull through ranks of soldiers as though wading through a harmless pool of water.


Pouches: An Estus Flask, a fair number of Alluring Skulls, green herbs beyond counting, as well as a white sign soapstone, that he might leave his spirit to assist fellow undead in their struggles.


Known Spells: None


Significant Facts: Wallace has spent twenty-four years as an accomplished warrior before being cursed with the Darksign, he has still not died since. After the appearance of the Darksign, Wallace made a point to travel far and wide, often far out of his way in order to place summoning signs wherever they may be of assistance.


Background: Wallace of Berenike is a name often lost to obscurity, though it has always been known relatively well among the Berenike Vanguard. In his eighth year on the frontlines, Wallace's commander saw fit to take advantage of the man's renown, and had him carry the banner into battle, which made many men before him the first casualty of their battles. Every battle from then until the Darksign's appearance, Wallace carried the banner, making him a rallying point for footsoldiers amidst the chaos of combat. Off the battlefield, Wallace once had a loving wife, and between them, they had three children, a daughter, and two sons. Following in their father's footsteps, Wallace's sons joined the knights, while his daughter chose to swear herself into the Way of White. His years on the battlefield have made Wallace a somewhat paranoid man, and fiercely protective of those that he values, especially of his family.


When the Darksign first appeared, the couple's eldest son turned out to be a bearer of it, as well as, only a month later, Wallace himself. Following his father, the youngest son then got the sign, and their daughter after that. Terrified by what would become of her, Wallace's wife ended her own life before him, killed herself before she could become undead as well. While the day haunts him, Wallace sometimes wishes that he could be granted the same mercy of one swift death.


After her mother's suicide, Wallace's daughter, Veronica, fled to Thorolund in a vain attempt to escape her curse. While she told no one where she has gone, Wallace hopes that in his travels he may find her, or that she may at least make use of the many summoning signs that he places.

 

[Original Hylion]

Name: Keller Of Balder


Apparent Age: Late twenties.


Appearance:

Spoiler

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Attire:





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Held Equipment: He wields the common set of the Balder knights, a Balder Side Sword and a Balder shield, but as an extra he brings a light cross bow with set of standard bolts.


Pouches: Estus Flasks, of course. He also carries with him souvenirs from enemies and people he has helped, such as a few divine blessings (the consumable), some gold pine resin, a transient curse, and finally for safety reasons he keeps some spare humanities.


Known Spells: He knows none, but is interested in learning pyromancy as he heard of an interesting ability that draws out your power within.


Significant Facts: Keller's main deity worship has a tendency of easily changing. As a knight of Balder, he served under the first born, the god of war and Gwyn's son, but when the first born was put to shame for losing the annals and practically distorting the history to that point, Keller found it necessary to find a new deity to look for. The second deity Keller found was Allfather Lloyd, a fine deity that he may worship, and due to that he had temporarily began serving the Way of White. Sadly, when they found that Keller was of the undead, they wanted him to be herded of to an asylum, or sent to Anor Londo. He found that they were quite unaccepting, and he trailed off to find a new place and a new deity. He no longer really serves any deities, and whenever people ask him, he simply says he serves Old Man McLoyf.


Background: Keller is a knight of Balder, and thus is a man of sword, honor, and nobility. He was raised as a knight, to be a knight and to live as a knight of Balder, and as a knight, Keller sadly had never achieved anything of great prestige. For poor Keller was caught in the shadow of his older sibling, Rendal. Rendal had done many achievements of greatness, such as standing down and defeating a drake in battle. Keller takes note that no one realizes that someone was helping with ranged weaponry as well that the drake was not officially notified as dead. But really that is simply Keller's envy. Even with his jealousy towards his brother, Keller keeps in him patience. He would never strike out on his brother out of wrath, and if anything he admires his brother. And due to this, while his brother is something of a warrior king, Keller is much more diplomatic in nature. He believes in mercy and understanding as well as forgiveness. While he is somewhat hesitant in the face of adversity, he always endorses stability, rejects revenge, and accepts the faults of others without prejudice in the end. He believes that everything can be solved peacefully and without any antagonism. He finds that the greatest feat a knight can achieve truly, is the strength to sheath his sword.


Keller has been hearing of some rumors about Oolacile, and even more troubling news in New Londo. He could find some work there. As the Balder knights have almost completely begun running themselves to Anor Londo, Keller found it necessary that he at least could help the people in Oolacile with their problems.

 

[Sui]

Name: Knight Ashul


Apparent Age: 28


Appearance: Image


Attire:


A well crafted set of smoky three quarter platemail trimmed with crow feathers (minus a helmet) with the sign of the four kings engraved into the breastplate and a covered in a black hooded cloak which drapes to the back of his calves also trimmed in black feathers.


Held Equipment:





Longsword: A silver longsword of a smoky dull color blessed with occult powers


Crest shield: bearing the symbol of the four kings


Daggers: A brace of daggers that can be thrown


The Dark Hand: one of the earliest dark hands given by Kaathe to his father and gifted to Ashul, capable of tearing humanity off anther's soul.


Ring of the New Londo Guard: A simple silver ring of a dull smoky color. Grants a slight magic resistance.


Ring of the Dark Prince: A ring bearing the symbol of the four kings and signifying royalty. Allows safe passage of the abyss


Pouches:


Estus Flask.


Throwing daggers


A small stock of hard humanity


red soapstone and the red eye orb.


Rotten pine resin


Known Spells:


Lifedrain


Dark Hand Shield


Significant Facts:


Knight Ashul has just recently been gifted the dark hand by the four kings, and although is not yet a monstrous darkwraith, he would be willing to forsake his own humanity in the honor of the Four Kings. He also serves Velka as he believes her to be his goddess.


Background:


He is a renowned knight of New Londo. A prince of royal blood as a son of one of the four kings that reign. He became undead in the service to his lord, and protects the city from the frequent drakes that pass by the valley in front of his great city. He has become something of a hero to the people of the city. Not long ago, His father who has since become more distant called him personally to his audience and bestowed upon him the gift of the dark hand and sent to undertake an epic quest to bring a powerful asset back to his city. He was sent out of New Londo on a quest to Oolicile to follow up on whispers of a powerful new dark magic and to attempt to retrieve it per request of the Four Kings

 

[ninbinz]

Name: Haji of The East


Apparent Age: 34


Appearance: (Brown Eyes, 5"7')

Spoiler

Attire:

Held Equipment:


Iaito: A katana forged in a far off land to the East. Coupled with the Iaijutsu a warrior can make quick forward slashing attacks.


Long Bow: A weapon crafted to kill enemies at great range with great precision for an effect of great pain and outrage.Dark


Wood Grain Ring: It's special qualities afford its user a modicum of increased agility, so much so that one can dodge more easily. Often used by those who hide in the shadow.


Family Crest Ring: An heirloom passed down from father to son, it was once known as the Fortress Ring and is said to give its weary great poise in battle.


A full quiver of arrows:


-5 Large Arrows


-10 Standard Arrows


-5 Feather Arrows


-5 Fire Arrows


Pouches:


3 Estus Flasks: Running low but it is enough to survive


Stone Talisman: Dedicated to Gravelord Nito first of the Dead


Torch


Several Humanities


Some Souls


Known Spells:


Miracle:


-Seek Guidance


Significant Facts:


He worships the Gravelord Nito in hopes he may find true death.


Background:


Haji of the East a man known for his quiet demeanour and his honorable conduct was once known as Shishuku Ketsui in his far off homeland where the sun rises. He grew up in a small family with three siblings; one older and two younger. His father was a samurai, a warrior who followed the code of Bushido and his mother was just that, she took care of her children while their father was away, she was responsible for their upbringing and their education. Ketsui's Eldest sister was married of to the Governor's son with a small dowry, this gained their family great honour in the eyes of other, their status was increased and they moved to a larger home. At the time Ketsui's father was serving the emperor as a member of his guard. His two younger brothers were sent off to schools in the city which left Ketsui alone. Never before had he ever felt the sting of being a middle child until then.


One day his father returned to find Ketsui almost a man living at home with his mother. Struck by great inspiration Ketsui's father took him as his apprentice, Ketsui would become a samurai. From then on Ketsui's life was to be one of constant learning; strategy, combat, writing and other academic subjects. He would be no country bumpkin with a sword, no he would become the elite of the elite.


His training was draining, he felt fatigue like he had never felt it before, his body and mind yearned to rest but his will battled them on until he had no more choice. His dedication became a pastime, other samurai and nobles would come to watch him practice, awaiting the moment he fell to the ground out of exhaustion. Some even placed bets on when he would drop. Despite all this Ketsui continued on, he blocked them all out, they were as the wind that whispered in his ear, the rain that fell upon his skin; inconsequential.


The years carried on and Ketsui garnered more and more renown amongst the warrior society. Samurai from all over the nation were challenging him to duels to the death. One day Ketsui's best friend Hideyori challenged him to duel. At first Ketsui had not taken the challenge seriously. This infuriated Hideyori who began attacking sloppily as a result of losing his calm focus. Ketsui cut him down with impunity, bloodlust had taken hold of him and Ketsui went on a rampage through the city. He killed four people by the time he was caught and dragged before his father to be judged.


His punishment would be death, either by his own hand or that of an executioner. ashamed Ketsui opted for Seppuku. It was his right as a samurai to re-earn what little honor he could for his family since he had lost it all by killing innocents. In the end it was just him and his father, they both knelt facing each other. Each of them wore a look of steel, Ketsui knew what he had done and was bound by honor to atone, his father was there both out of pride that his son would as a man and disappointment that his son had to die at all. Ketsui plunged the blade of his wakizashi deep into his stomach and pulled up until everything became black.


That he woke up once more was a curse unlike any he had ever experienced. Pain and numbness. In the darkness stood his father, they were no longer in the yard but in the armoury where sat the armour and weapon of his ancestors. "You are Ketsui no longer, you have been marked and are no longer living but nor are you dead. You are an abomination, an undead being, Immortal." His father spoke with an uncommon seriousness in his voice, Ketsui made to speak but before he could take a breath his father's foot lashed out and drove all the air from his lungs. "You have lost the right to speak. From henceforth I strip you of the name Shishuku Ketsui, you will now be known only as Haji, Shame." Haji felt as if his entire world had changed. "You will leave this land and travel across the see to the West, there you will find Death and honour. This armor belonged to your ancestors, a set made for those who were outcast from our family, for those who were hunted and killed and you too shall don it."


Haji left behind everything except for the armour of his ancestors and the sword that bore his shame. He traveled by sea and became Haji of The East. His mission to seek a true death and honor, a mission he would never give up.

 

[Riddle78]

Name: Bishop-Errant Arthur of Astora


Apparent Age: 31

Spoiler

Stands six foot two,and weighs 200 pounds. His outfit,however,is much different. He wears a hooded heavy traveler's coat,with dense mail sewn within,as well as similarly made heavy boots and manchettes. His trousers are made of a heavy cloth,with plated knees. Finally,he wears a white tabard with golden trim,bearing the emblem of Gwynevere,Princess of Sunlight. On his back is a scabbard for a bastard sword,positioned for a left-handed draw. His right arm is occupied by something else,entirely...


Attire: As his normal clothing can easily serve as armour,he doesn't need to worry about donning armour for combat and the road.


Held Equipment





-Bastard Sword. A bastard sword serves as Arthur's primary weapon. The weight,size,and balance of the weapon makes it unique in the fact that it was designed for use in one or two hands. Arthur exclusively uses it in one hand.


-Hand of Divine Light. A custom piece. This is a massive steel gauntlet can be likened to a steel boxing glove that goes up to the elbow. Contained within the ever-clenched fist is a talisman of his faith to Gwynevere. Thick enough to be used as a shield,light enough for blindingly quick sucker punches.


-Ring of the Sun Princess. This ring,granted to all of Princess Gwynevere's followers,serves to empower all Miracles cast by the bearer and those they travel with. The engraving glows slightly in dim light,and shines brilliantly in the presence of godly magic. Finds it's home on his left index finger.


-Golden Sun Seance Ring. A very rare ring,bequeathed by the Sunlight Princess to only a select few people. This unassuming,simple gold band is said to more closely attunes the wearer to the Lords,allowing them to call upon more magic than they would normally be able to. It shines like a beacon in the darkness. Is worn on his left ring finger.


Pouches





-Estus Flask. Only a few mouthfuls left,but he's got a good sword arm and his faith in Gwynevere is absolute. He tends to call it his "Bottle of Sunshine"


-Orange Guidance Soapstone. Something he picked up more as a curio,he nevertheless uses it with startling regularity,leaving messages to be swept up by Lordran's shifting flow of time to be delivered to other Undead.


-Prism Stones. Eternally useful,these stones shine brilliantly and ring loudly,and Arthur seems to never run out of these curious little stones. Perfect for leaving a trail or lighting the way.


-Gold Pine Resin. A resin that bestows the power of lightning to whichever weapon it's applied to. Representative of the power of sunlight,which Lord Gwyn called upon to strip the Everlasting Dragons of their scales. Arthur always makes sure to keep a large amount on hand.


Known Spells





Arthur doesn't practice the Soul Sorceries of Vinheim,nor the primal Pyromancies of the Great Swamp. He pours himself into the magic of faith,instead.


-Bountiful Sunlight. A Miracle of Princess Gwynevere,and may only be cast by her followers. The light of the sun will always find the faithful,and bathes them in its rays,reinvigorating the body of the faithful and their charges for a time,closing wounds as they are dealt.


-Soothing Sunlight. A Miracle of Princess Gwynevere,and may only be cast by her followers. The light of the sun cannot be held back from the faithful,and bathes them and their allies in its divine radiance,closing even the most dire of wounds before your very eyes.


-Force. A decayed and simplified form of a much older,mostly forgotten spell,Force can deflect arrows,bolts,and even sorceries,and knock over even the most resilient of foes,without directly bringing harm to them.


-Tranquil Walk of Peace. A foreign Miracle that Arthur discovered on his journeys across Lordran,and elected to keep for it's usefulness. It demands the patience of all nearby,forcing them to walk,and weakens their bodies as if they were carrying a great burden,making evasive rolls impossible.


-Seek Guidance. A simple Miracle,a plea for elucidation and vision. It may also be used to directly communicate with a god,should they elect to listen,but they tend to only listen to only the most devoted of followers.


Significant Facts: In case it wasn't obvious already,he is a fanatical follower of Gwynevere,the Princess of Sunlight. His faith and devotion has earned him the same pull and authority as a bishop of the Way of White,and sees it as his duty to spread the Princesses sunlight to the furthest reaches of Lordran,and lend his aid to those who need it. However,above all else,he seeks only to obey and serve his Princess.


Background: Arthur of Astora,before his infection by the Darksign was a craftsman. He shaped metal for sport and trade. He was hardly a master,but he got by well enough. His trade earned him a wife,and with her he produced an only child.


When the Darksign swept through the land,he was forced to take up arms to combat the threat that Hollowed Undead face. With a goodbye to his wife and daughter,he marched with his countrymen to wherever the Undead were,culling them.


It was during one of these marches where he discovered that he had the Darksign. He had been run through by a Hollowed Undead while he was away from the rest of his countrymen,cleaning up an overrun village. When he came to,he was in an utterly alien place.


Cliffs dominated this place. Below was what appeared to be a town,and above there was a citadel,and a city beyond. Confused in a strange land,Arthur trekked upwards,passing through a small city along the way,and a church,built to hold a siege. Upon reaching the citadel,however,he discovered it to be locked up. However,intent on answers,he circumvented the gates,directly.


Shedding his poorly made armour of scrap leather and cookpot-worthy iron,and casting aside his half-rusted,chipped and cracked sword,he climbed up the portcullis,his mighty forge-fired arms carrying him with ease up the fortification. The lowermost gaps in the portcullis were covered by a plate on the inside,but higher up they were bare.


When he reached the topmost gaps,Arthur twisted himself to the side,and squeezed through the long opening,and climbed down. The rest of his journey through this fortress was a frantic dash through the traps and guardians of the place,until he eventually found his way outside.


Outside,he dodged enormous firebombs,hurled by an unsavory giant,and eventually found a dead-end walkway,away from the gaze of the mad giant. At the end of this walkway was the cliff. Above,Arthur could see the walls of a great city. He climbed the cliff,and,eventually,he reached the city above.


In this city,he found his way to the grand cathedral,and found a giant woman. She gave him his answers. He was standing in the city of Lords,Anor Londo,in the land of Ancient Lords,Lordran. She then gave him a proposal: Serve her,and she will provide for him,or not to serve her,and to go on his way. Seeing little choice,Arthur swore himself to the woman's service,becoming one of the Princess Guards.


In the following years,Arthur had acquired his current belongings,and,more importantly,found himself more and more reliant on the Princess of Sunlight...And didn't mind. To him,paradise was serving his Princess and spreading her light across Lordran. Eventually,he came to spend much of his time in the city in a great cave,the city of New Londo,presided over by four great kings. Surely a cave would benefit from the Princess and her sunlight.