Fantasy Do Not Go Gentle [Standard Lore]

[Bang Bang]

S T A N D A R D ✤ L O R E

Lore that applies to all of Aria, or large sections of it. GM created, unless otherwise noted. Any changes made to this after the initiation of the RP shall be announced on the Interest Check and Discord.

For handling the large amount of Lore that comes with this RP, you are advised to:
1) All players must read the 'Mechanics' and 'Structure and Plots' sections of the lore.
2) Skim-read the rest of the lore at first, seeing what catches your eye; read these areas in depth, and create your character accordingly.
3) Come back to the lore when you encounter things in the RP you are unfamiliar with, or when travelling elsewhere, to read up on those areas as you go.

Naturally, players are welcome to read the lore in its entirety from the start, but for those who may have difficulty consuming large amounts of information at once, the above guide may come in handy. If players are struggling with the lore, have questions, or would like to ask for more details, they are welcome to contact the GMs.

Thread Navigation

Mechanics
Plots and Structure
Key Locations
Minor Locations
Societies and Cultures
Playable Species
Religions and Folklore
Key NPCS
Non-Playable Species
Bestiary
Charms and Curses Compendium
Credits
Links
​

 

[Bang Bang]

M E C H A N I C S

The over-arching ways in which this RP shall work, from GM interactions to Money and Quests.
​

• Creating Lore
• Play Style
• Charms and Curses
• Species Creation
• Money
• Quest Givers
• Magic
• Time
• Tagging
• Languages
• A Word of Warning

• 
  Players are not only allowed to, but are encouraged to create their own lore. What is detailed in the 'Standard Lore' is that which applies to the world as a whole or to large areas. However, local cultures, other cities/villages/secret temples/caverns etc are totally available for players to create. Create a cult and religion your character practices or perhaps stars in, develop weaponry*, magical practices*, occult conspiracies, or a business empire your character runs across the lands; in short, go wild All Player Created Lore shall be added to the thread under the same name (for link, see the bottom of this thread).
  
  For all 'bigger' concepts, i.e. ones that apply RP-wide, such as species ideas, Key Figures, or mechanics ideas, you are advised to run the basic idea by the GMs first as these will require heavier screening. See also the 'Species Creation' Tab.
  
  *Note that, for weapons/magic and so forth, 'basic' forms are advised for player creation. Specialty/Magical weapons and advanced magic will need to be run by the GMs first for approval, in order to prevent OP concepts being accessible to players too early on.
  
• 
  Due to the size and scope of this RP, it aims to cater to various different play styles. Should you wish to follow a linear adventuring type quest, you are recommended to take up 'The Hunt' plot line, and/or pick up any Quests when they become available [See Quests Tab].
  
  Play styles and how to access them can best be divided into two sections. If you keep to the civilized areas of the world (i.e. Astara and Knights Republic) you will be en route to engaging with the political disputes and evolutions of the world, be it with the royalty or with smaller, murkier factions. Keeping to civlized locations will isolate your character(s) from the more surreal, fairy tale aspects that characterize The Wilds, and will lend itself to a more 'high fantasy' style of RP. Whilst certain mechanics will still drip in threads of the fairy tale aspect of this RP, as will the over-arching Story Arcs, this may be preferred by those seeking a political or high-fantasy type of RP.
  
  The counterpart to this is for those characters who venture or dwell in the Wilds. In the Wilds, the magic and random events play a much larger role, and you will also encounter all the horrors and diverse species that cannot be found in Astara or even the Republic. This route will better suit those who want a personal character journey that steers clearer of politics and high fantasy, and delves more into the surreal, the strange, and the magical.
  
  Naturally, this RP is destined so that the two 'common paths' will criss-cross and intertwine, along with being dependent upon and influence by the choices made in either sphere. Players are recommended to pursue whatever play style suits them and not feel pressured into any one course of action. Though the pursuit of The Hunt plot line is recommended for the introductory portion of the thread for the majority of players, all players are welcome to go completely their own way. The only limitation on this is that all characters must begin in Ursuna, for whatever reason you so choose for them. Players are welcome to create their own plot lines, schemes, and evil machinations if they so desire; just make sure to let the GMs know so that they can work it into the Lore and also ensure that the timings for it go off in a way that'll make for the best story possible.
  
• 
  All characters shall have qualities known as 'charms' and 'curses' (along with some that will merely be labelled 'unknown'). These can be assigned and negated only by the GMs. They give you information about how the world around your character might respond to them, what magical protection/hindrances they posses, etc. They will be based on not only fairytales, but also mythology, structuralist concepts (e.g. genre tropes, narrative tropes), folklore, and so on.
  
  Whilst some of them will determine how the GMs tailor the world to you, others will be down to the player to incorporate into their character's behavior, development, and experience of the world. In this sense, it is up to the players to portray them. You are advised not to think of them as something to fight against, but rather as a creative challenge to quirk up your writing and also to inspire you for your character. They're also just to help set the fairytale-esque mood.
  
  For examples, please see the 'Charms and Curses Compendium' below, which shall list all charms and curses utilized so far.
  
  Notes to Players:
  
  ✤ Charms and Curses will be assigned to your character after you have created them. They will be PMed to you directly for you to then enter into your CSs. Once you receive them via PM, your character has been accepted.
  ✤ Charms and Curses can be given or taken away at any time by the GM in response to your character's actions and interactions with the world
  ✤ Charms and Curses can be 'picked' up in a variety of ways. Some examples include: entering certain locations, interacting with certain individuals, key choices, character growth/regression.
  ✤ When your character acquires a charm/curse, you shall be messaged about it (via PMs or Discord). You must then edit the post in which you picked up the charm/curse to let other players know it has been acquired. This is as simple as tacking onto the end:
  'Charm Acquired: NAME - Description'
  ✤ Charms and Curses do not affect your character in any set way - it is up to you as the player to decide how it influences your character. However, some (such as Liminal) will guide how the world reacts to your character(s) in narration/GM posts.
  
• 
  Claimable species shall be described in more detail below.
  
  If you would like to create a new species, or have an alternative form of a species already listed (i.e. they follow different rules, traits, etc), please message them GM.
  
  For any new/alternative species you should submit:
  ✤ Appropriate Lore to be added to the Species section (mandatory)
  ✤ Suggested Charms and Curses for members (optional)
  ✤ Concept Art (mandatory)
  
  For a species to be approved, it simply has to not play into being overpowered (i.e. they're all immortal and super strong and shoot laser beams out of their eyes and asses), and fit tonally into the RP. If it does not meet these requirements, no worry, the GM is happy to help discuss any details and help with edits to get it ready for addition.
  
  Species can be based on existing concepts or be entirely your own creation.
  
• 
  Rather than have players keep track of a certain amount of gold pieces or any of that fiddly stuff, we shall instead be implementing 'Wealth' as a stat. This shall not be continuous, but rather discreet. I.e. rather than tracking numbers, characters will fall into wealth categories. What items your character can purchase will depend on these levels. Your character's level can change over the course of the RP in accordance with fulfilling quests, finding loot, spending, and so forth. You shall be notified of level changes by the GM.
  
  The Wealth levels are as follows, with descriptions given in square brackets (listed from least wealthy to most):
  ✤ Coming from nothing [extreme poverty]
  ✤ Peasant [for those who have some source of consistent income]
  ✤ Comfortable [small business owners, or specialist professionals]
  ✤ A person of means [nobility and very successful merchants]
  ✤ Drawing attention from the Gods [the most elite out there, reserved for royalty and those who rival them in wealth]
  
  Notes to Players:
  ✤ During character creation, please give them a wealth level appropriate to their background, else the GM will advise adjusting it. The information given in square brackets by the levels should give you some idea as to what is appropriate. If not, just ask the GM.
  ✤ At the beginning of the RP, a high Wealth level will be a significant advantage at the beginning of the RP. As such, all alliances/factions/parties etc are advised to have at least one 'Person of Means' and above in their group to provide for folks.
  ✤ Due to the advantage wealth provides, please bear this in mind when considering how OP your character may be.
  
• 
  At all times, the first page of the roleplay shall have a post/section up labelled 'Available Quests'. Here, different NPCs shall be listed who at the present point in the roleplay are offering out quests to those who come looking. In-universe, this takes the form of the local news board, which is somehow magically the same in all major cities and towns.
  
  If you would like to add your character and their 'advertisement' to the board, just message me and it'll be pinned up. This function can (and will) be used to to serve as a trap/trick/lie etc.
  
• 
  Magic is a strange and nebulous force in the land of Aria. Few people control it - many are affected by it. Magical objects are more common than users.
  
  One thing unifies all magic; to every action, there is an equal cost. If a Witch grants you beauty, she may well expect your firstborn child in return. If someone chooses to aid you magically without charging you, then they must sacrifice something. Some simple magic can be preformed by sacrificing animals, offering up libations and wine and fauna, but the intentional powerful magic will come at a high price. Unintentional magic, triggered by actions unintentionally, has no cost, but is unpredictable (i.e. it is initiated by the GM) or due to a set of rules being broken/met (e.g. true love's kiss breaking a spell, drinking a curative/transformative potion, etc).
  
  Notes to Players:
  ✤ Player characters cannot possess inherent magical abilities, unless it is 'species magic', aka magic inherent to members of a species. However, all players can petition Gods, Guardians, Spirits, etc with sacrifices or pleas. Sacrifices may not result in the manifested outcome they desire, and pleas may not be answered, but nonetheless, they are always an option.
  ✤ Characters may possess magical items - please try to avoid making all characters overpowered. The truly powerful items shall be up for grabs during the RP as loot, rewards, boons, etc.
  ✤ Inherently magic characters will be played by GMs and are NPCs.
  ✤ If you wish to be an exception to the above rule, please discuss with the GMs. Note that exceptions will be unlikely.
  ✤ Along the course of the RP, some characters may be granted minor magical abilities. This shall be done by the GMs/NPCs.
  
• 
  As journeying/traveling shall be unavoidable in this RP, we shall be tracking what 'time' a character is in In Character. This shall be marked by a stat that shall be included in ever IC post known as 'day'. The first day of the RP shall be day 1. e.g. If on Day 1, you commence a journey that takes 3 days and timeskip it, you shall move to day 4.
  
  In order to prevent all characters from ending up in different days and never interacting, this problem shall be tackled by the following rules:
  ✤ All characters must be within 5 days of one all other characters. If you are being held back by someone else's character being 'stuck in the past', message the player to let them know you'd appreciate them engaging in a time-skip shortly. The maximum and minimum day shall be displayed at the top of the IC thread for reference.
  ✤ Time skips can only occur with three or more characters engaging in them together. No one can time skip on their own, unless it is to catch up with other characters.
  ✤ All time skips must be run past the GM first. This is to ensure the plot is kept together and to stop players missing any planned events. Additionally, events may occur on your journey, and as such the GM will let you know how many days passed until this event occurs and IC Rping commences to RP out that event.
  
• 
  Due to the time mechanic and just basic propriety, all posts MUST tag all and any relevant players and their characters.
  
• 
  For the purposes of ease of interacting, all characters speak Common Tongue. However, some may also be fluent in other tongues which they can use to conceal their meaning from others who may not speak it. Elves, Deimos, Orcs, and Dragons all still have living languages which most, if not all, of their species speak.
  
• 
  The Big Daddy GM of this RP, Bang Bang, believes that a good story requires its characters to be put through their paces.
  
  Given the mechanic employed of GMs having events occur, along with the Charms and Curses mechanic, player characters WILL experience forced hardships. In theory, some characters may get a lot more 'boosts' from the GM mechanics to try and keep the playing field level, whilst others will receive constant acts of horror and bad luck. Do not take any of this to be favoritism or being bullied. All of it is to keep up the feeling of random chance and luck, along with enforcing the 'logic' of fairytales, where everything seems bizarre and follows a strange kind of moral code that can be broken at any second if the wrong person wills it.
  
  As such, your characters will endure pain, will be forced to grow and change as people, and will be steered in certain directions you may not have anticipated upon their creation. The only thing that CANNOT happen to your character without prior discussion with the player is death and/or total be incapacitated. e.g. they won't be swallowed whole by a wolf, but they may lose a limb in a battle to one.
  
  Remember that the higher your climb, the more this world shall revel in your fall. The deeper you are dragged into the pits of Hades, the higher your chance of beating Death itself at a game of chess and bringing it to your mercy.
  
  Fate and fortune are not what they seem in Aria.
  
  Do not make the mistake of taking things at face value.
  

 

[Bang Bang]

P L O T S ✤ A N D ✤ S T R U C T U R E

Past and Present Plotlines, along with the current plan for the RP's structure (e.g. Chapters). This section shall be updated as the RP goes to aid newcomers.
​

• Structure
• Main: The Hunt
• Main: The Feud
• Completed

• 
  The RP shall be organised into Chapters (idea credit goes to ReverseTex ). Each chapter shall follow an arc in the major plot of the RP, though side/minor plotlines shall shift and change within them as well.
  
  Planned Chapters:
  Transformation One - The Hunt [This shall serve as the 'introduction' portion of the RP, where characters can get to know one another. It shall follow the initiatory quest of Astara's Queen, which all player characters are advised to engage in in some capacity. For details, see the 'The Hunt' tab.]
  Transformation Two - The Unraveling [In which the consequences of the first chapter shall begin to emerge, and the rest of Aria shall open up as accessible areas (mostly)]
  
  Notes to Players:
  ✤ All characters, no matter their place of residence or origin MUST start in the Capital of the Kingdom of Astara, Ursuna. The bounty the Queen is offering for her quest has drawn many, many travelers to the city, though other plot-lines or character agendas may draw your characters there also.
  ✤ During the first chapter, only certain areas will be accessible to players. In the locations compendium, they shall be listed as 'sealed off' if they are inaccessible. When Chapter Two begins, please check back to see what has opened up, and what remains cordoned off and why.
  
• 
  Plot Line
  For two hundred years, the Kingdom of Astara has been locked in a seemingly eternal winter. This event is blamed on the once-God of the area, the Wolf Queen, who has come to be seen as a vengeful monster. Queen Lucia, ruler of Astara, has offered a King's Ransom in return for the head of the Wolf Queen, the Guardian of The Black Forest. Budding adventurers, mercenaries, and everyday folk all alike have traveled from across Aria to try their hand at winning their fortune.
  
  However, given how the Wolf Queen was once considered a deity by the people of Astara, and is still worshiped by some, this bounty has caused mass dispute. Some have traveled to try and convince the Queen to cease her quest, or to force a change in policy. More still preach in the city, or try to convince the commoners to riot. Others prepare to find the Wolf Queen and warn her, or to sabotage those who'd seek her death.
  
• 
  Plot Line
  Five centuries ago, the founded of Knights Republic abandoned Astara and went to found a civilization of their own. Since them, the two civilizations have always been at war, with brief, fragile periods of peace interspersed among the decades. The present treaty has held for twenty years, the longest period of peace yet. The time has come for the renegotiation to begin, and as such Knights Republic officials have journeyed to Astara to engage in the debates and formalities. Though on the outside this seems a time for celebration, all know it is the most dangerous time of the year politically. Both kingdoms must demonstrate their strength.
  
  However, with Knights Republic now rivaling Astara in both population and support, and outstripping it decadently in wealth, fears are mounting that they have not come to make peace this year, but rather to recommence the war, with the intentions (and possibly the ability) to end the discourse once and for all.
  
• 
  To be added to and detailed as the RP progresses, to allow newcomers to track past events.
  

 

[Bang Bang]

K E Y ✤ L O C A T I O N S

Key locations across Aria. Note that all player locations will be in the Player Created Lore thread, not here, UNLESS they become relevant to the majority of players.

[For a fully labelled version the Map, click here to access a separate thread for it]

​

• Aria
• Kingdom of Astara
• Capital: Ursuna
• Heavensreach
• The Wilds
• The Dark Forest
• The Shade
• Summerlands
• Republic Isle
• The Floating City
• Southern Faery Lands
• Giants' Rest
• Location Form

• 
  Aria is the continent on which this RP takes place. Islands off of the mainland are still classified as being a part of Aria. No other land masses are known in this world, and for the purposes of this RP, all characters hail from somewhere in Aria.
  
  Two rival civilisations dominate the continent of Aria; The Astara Kingdom and Knights Republic.
  
  These two civilizations hold the most land and highest populations out of any formal groups, though numerous cults, tribes, matriarchies, clans, and covens exist throughout Aria. Not all those dwelling within Kingdom/Republic territory recognize the land's official rulers. Within the Astra/ Republic Isle, however, infrastructure is better developed than anywhere else, and you will find bustling towns, cities, and villages that follow the law of the land, and thus are easier to navigate than the lawless mysteries of The Wilds.
  
  Magic in the Kingdom/Republic is, for the general populous, weaker than out in the Wilds, for civilization seems to suffocate it as if it were a sickening infant. As such, those used to The Wilds tend to loathe the magical numbness of their civilizations, whilst the Kingdom/Republic citizens fear and revere the ancient magic of the Wilds in equal measure.
  
• 
  Map Location: From the West border up until border No. 26
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: The populace of Astara
  Population: 500, 000+
  Description: Astara was the first non-nomadic human colony, founded over two thousand years ago. Legend has it the Wolf Queen took pity on humanity, and led them through the Black Forest, giving them shelter in a land surrounded by her forest so that they might be sheltered from those who would do them harm. Over time, as humanity developed technology that outstripped all others', Astara became the most wealthy and united civilization in Aria. The stability and infrastructure offered in this Kingdom attracted members of many species and cultures, though it is still predominantly human in population. All non-humans are subject to discrimination, hate-crimes, and general mistreatment in Astara, though it is worse for some species than for others.
  
  Though once a land characterized by a mild climate and bountiful agriculture, for the past two centuries, Astara has been trapped in an eternal winter. Folklore attributes this to a curse placed upon the Kingdom by the Wolf Queen. Why she did this is an issue in dispute, though the popular reasoning is that she has grown jealous of Astara's wealth and did so out of spite. Another rumor says that it is due to the expansion of Astara into the Black Forest, and the deforestation that has been occurring en mass, though it is an act of treason punishable by death to say so.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Predominantly humans, though most other races are permitted.
  Population: 100,000+
  Description: The capital of Astara.
  
  The city of Ursuna is one of the most densely populated areas in Aria, second only to Knights Republic. The streets are narrow and the houses tall and thin. Buildings are constructed from dark stone bricks, the architecture varying from a pre-Gothic style to the grand scale and theater of the Gothic stylings. In the center of Ursuna is the market district, where merchants from all over once sold their wares. Now, it is semi-abandoned, for most coin is spent on what little food there is. Poverty permeates the streets in the dilapidated appearance of the people and the places. What export the city has comes from the wood felled from the Black Forest. The surrounding ocean has been drained dry of fish, and people are having to hunt further and further into the forest to find prey to fill their bellies. The liveliest places in the city are its taverns, where alcohol is distilled from whatever people can get their hands on, and people drink to stay warm and forget the damnation that seems to have claimed the land about them.
  
  Due to the strain put on resources by the famine caused by winter, racial tensions have reached an all time high in Ursuna. Butchered bodies of non-humans can often be found strung up publicly, and the City Guard has essentially given up on policing the conflict. Likewise, non-humans have become just as resentful of humans for the mounting discrimination they face.
  Accessibility: Accessible. All player characters shall start here at the beginning of the RP.
  
  

  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 1
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Astara royalty and staff
  Population: ~100
  Description: Located at the peak of the mountain cliff upon with Ursuna is situated, Heavensreach is the Palace inhabited by Astara's royalty. It is here that negotiations over the treaty shall be held, as well as any and all audiences with the Queen and her advisers will be held.
  Accessibility: Accessible if you are a resident or have requested an audience. Entry may be barred to the rabble, unless you can find an alternative route inside.
  
• 
  All land outside of Kingdom/Republic territory is referred to as 'The Wilds'. Locations within the wilds have their own names, and so forth. As the name implies, there is no overarching government for this vast expanse. Groups, kingdoms, cults, clans, etc. that exist within here are all smaller than Astara/Knights Republic but are to be feared nonetheless. Some dwell in total isolation and fear and repel outsiders, whilst others co-exist in harmony and diplomacy.
  
  And for every clan or tribe, there are at least twice as many hermits or wanderers. A witch's hut is a common sight in woods, a germlin's dwelling a trap to jump over out in the grasslands. It is impossible to document all the variety of life and ways of living that exist here; and that makes it an infinitely dangerous place to wander unawares, especially to those inexperienced to its melancholy moods, for the land is just as alive as its people. Nowhere else is magic so innate in just the soil, the fauna and flora; in The Wilds magic is something you live and breathe, not just buy from mysterious strangers at the markets.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 24
  Ruled by: The Wolf Queen
  Inhabited by: Monsters, beasts, and small settlements brave enough to dwell among them.
  Population: Estimated to be around 200,000
  Description: The Dark Forest is the largest forest in Aria, and lives up to its name; the canopy of the treetops is dense, shading the forest floor and filtering down an ominous, green light. The deeper into the forest you venture, the darker it becomes, and stronger the influence of magic.
  
  Inhabited by all manner of creatures, big and small, the dark forest is as varied as the life within it; some areas are inhabitable, whilst others are barren and haunted by howls unknown. Nestled among the tight-packed trees are complex networks of fungi, flora, and fauna, all alive, teeming, and observant. Do not think that just because no one near your talks or resembles a person that you go unseen. It is a place at once both terrifying and majestic, enchanting and discouraging. It takes great will and nerve solely to entire it, let alone spend a great deal of time there.
  
  All forests, but in particular The Black Forest, are places of great transformation. In the forest, the rules of society, logic, and civilization disintegrates. The 'shadow' of people is often brought to the surface here, be it for better or for worse. You would do well to reply on nothing you have ever known, and to expect anything and everything. Only one hard and fast rule regarding survival in The Black Forest has entered the consciousness of Astara:
  
  DO NOT STRAY FROM THE PATH.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 8
  Ruled by: The Wolf Queen
  Inhabited by: The true monstrosities of this world, twisted spirits, horrors and so forth. Few sane individuals live here.
  Population: Unknown
  Description: Located in the very center of The Dark Forest, The Shade is that place where few adventurers return from, and even fewer do so still sane. Nothing marks its beginning, though you will note you are approaching by the thickening of the tree tops and the dimming of even the brightest sunlight. Terrible things must surely happen here. Screams, shrieks, and strange chants can be heard here day and night sometimes, whilst silence pervades most of the time, thick and oppressive. Great beasts, enormous shadows, and hellish things have supposedly been seen wandering about here.
  
  Said to be where the Wolf Queen resides.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 14
  Ruled by: The Hathor Elven Clan
  Inhabited by: Elves and nomadic travelers of various species
  Population: 2,000+ (roughly 500 elves, the rest nomads)
  Description: An rich, open grassland with running swamps dotted among them, lush and fertile, the Summerlands are named as such for their warm climes and all-year-round harvests. Though the population is small due to the dominance of the swamps and predators, Hathor is a large supplier of Astara for food produce.
  
  The Elven clan that resides there, the Hathor, are strong Traditionalists who practice the Sol Religion.
  Accessibility: Inaccessible until Chapter 2.
  
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 4
  Ruled by: The Two Councils, or, during War, the Knightor
  Inhabited by: The people of Knights Republic. Open to all races; the most diverse location in all of Aria.
  Population: 800,000+.
  Description: A large Island off of the North of Aria's mainland, Republic Isle is home to the general populace of the Knights Republic, both natives to the land and those who have moved with the founding of the Republic. Best known for its baking sun, fertile lands, and the colourful, bustling culture that has emerged upon it, the Republic Isle was once known by another name, but that is lost to the Orc tribes now taking refuge in the grasslands. The Isle’s position allows for easy trade with Astara via the waters, and the Nansi Channel provides a barrier of protection between the Isle and the mainland.
  
  Accessibility: Inaccessible until Chapter 2.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 3
  Ruled by: The Two Councils, or, during War, the Knightor
  Inhabited by: The central hub of the Republic, it is here that merchants come to trade their wares, the rich and famous dwell, and the non-agricultural labor force resides. Open to all races; the most diverse location in all of Aria.
  Population: 300,000+
  Description: South-West of Republic Isle, The Floating City takes its name from the fact that it is, quite literally, floating. Accessible only from the Isle via an enormous bridge (or by aerial travel), this city is at the forefront of innovation both industrial and cultural. Thriving on the rich produce and exports of the Isle, along with its own specialty craftsmen, the city teems with art, religion, entertainment and all the wonders of the modern world. Its rich are the very richest, but its poor as also the very poorest. A capitalist's paradise, exploitation runs rampant here, and labor laws are non-existent. All races, cultures, and religions are welcome, and discrimination is more vigilantly punished by the law than murder.
  
  Due to the 'party lifestyle' atmosphere of the city, where sex, indulgence, and pleasure dominate the priorities of people in a 'work hard play hard' kind of mantra, the Floating City is also known as the pinnacle of corruption, villainy, and hubris.
  Accessibility: Inaccessible until Chapter 2.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 21
  Ruled by: The Seelie Court
  Inhabited by: Fae, the Mer, along with a vast variety of magical wildlife
  Population: Unknown
  Description: Quite possibly the most dangerous place in Aria, rivaled only by The Shade and its northern sister, The Southern Faery Lands are, as the name implies, the lands belonging to the Fae. Everything here is distorted. You are smaller, or maybe everything is bigger; left is down and up is right. Finding your way is near impossible, and navigating this place is trickier than Alice's adventures in Wonderland. Not only does reality itself distort and reflect your greatest fears, but the Fair Folk will find your greatest desires and lure you into their midst. They do not actually 'fly' as people once believed, though they can hover; Instead, through Faery Doors they are able to travel across the world at impossible speeds. They will have those that they take a liking to eat or drink of their wines and sweet fruits; once you have done this, you are immortal, but bound to them for eternity.
  
  Those they dislike? They devour them.
  
  The Southern Fae/Seelie Court is best differentiated from its Northern counterpart by their general disposition; the Seelie tend towards mischief and revelry, whilst their Northern brethren are far more malicious and cruel.
  Accessibility: Inaccessible until Chapter 2.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 12
  Ruled by: The Sentinels
  Inhabited by: Unseelie Fae, Orcs, the Wicken Elf Tribe
  Population: ~100,000
  Description: Giants' Rest is a land held sacred by many. A monomyth pervades Aria, telling of how this is the forest where the Giants made their resting place as they began their millennia long hibernation. Here, the trees are unimaginably large, and it is said that they are/grew out of the bodies of the sleeping giants. Wildlife native to this area is equally enlarged, and restless Spirits, fading with the memory of the Giants, roam the mountainsides lamenting their losses. Even the Fae are hesitant to tread here, not out of fear, but out of reverence. Giants' Rest is said to bring peace and healing to all those who come to shelter within its enormous guardians, and The Sentinels ensure that peace is kept within the forest, supposedly so that the Giants' slumber is not disturbed.
  Accessibility: Inaccessible until Chapter 2.
  
• 
  Map Location:
  Ruled by:
  Inhabited by:
  Population:
  Description:
  Accessibility:
  

 

[Bang Bang]

M I N O R ✤ L O C A T I O N S

Smaller, GM-created relevant locations across Aria.

ASTARA

​

• The Hanged Prince
• Hallowed Hall
• The Trickle
• The Weeping Pass
• Wailing Lake
• The Mad Cavern
• Astara Drifts

• 
  
  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Mostly travellers spending the night, along with the tavern's staff and a few permanent residents.
  Population: ~20
  Description: One of, if not the most successful tavern in Ursuna, the strange building suspended up a tree was once the hovel of an old madman who claimed to speak directly to God. Now it has been taken over by Andre de Carmine, who despite being from the loathed Knights Republic has charmed the locals so thoroughly that most forget he is not native. This is a good place to spend the night if you do not wish to encounter any wild beasties, and the best place in the city for acquiring local gossip.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Members of the Hallows Guild
  Population: 30+
  Description: Home to one of the few surviving legal and sanctioned mercenary guilds in Ursuna, Hallowed Hall houses the Hallows Guild, a faction of mercenaries who are now going cheap for hire for those who wish to enlist a helping hand in whatever quest or endeavor they may wish to undertake. Rumor has it that, with times being so hard lately, they have also taken on jobs as assassins and pickpockets, encroaching on the territory of the Thieves Guild, raising tensions in the local criminal factions.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: The Thieves Guild
  Inhabited by: The Thieves Guild
  Population: 30+
  Description: Located on the outskirts of Ursuna, resting beside Wailing Lake and backing onto the waterfall, The Trickle is an underground network of caverns out of which the Thieves Guild of Astara operates. It is one of the are factions in Astara that has close ties to Knights Republic, and they consider themselves brothers of the Thieves faction found over there. Working primarily with The Mad Cavern and Ursuna city, they spread out throughout Astara and run whatever jobs are needed. Despite the hardship Astara has fallen on in the past centuries, the Thieves Guild is thriving thanks to the partnership with the Republic and the smuggling operations they run through the Cavern to supply black market liquor and drugs to the population of Astara, who will do just about anything to distract themselves from reality.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Only the bravest of souls.
  Population: Unknown
  Description: The pass down from the mountain upon which Ursuna is based. Prone to avalanches and prowled by ferocious beasts driven to frenzy by starvation. It is the only way out of Ursuna save for the underground passage in The Mad Cavern.
  Accessibility: Accessible. Players are advised to take the routes frequented by trade caravans if possible, and to travel with at least one character familiar with the pass.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Maidens only. Other species may dwell around it, though this is... ill-advised.
  Population: Unknown.
  Description: Wailing Lake sits at the base of Ursuna. From it flows a waterfall, which can be descended (carefully) to access the entrance to The Mad Cavern. Around it lies the access points to The Weeping Pass.
  
  Wailing Lake is home to Maidens, a species of entirely mute female-bodied creatures who keep to themselves most of the time. At night, a loud, groaning wail emanates from its waters, though no source has ever been found.
  
  Wailing Lake is a common sight of drownings, and at present is half frozen over due to the climate. The fasted way across it is to walk over the ice, taking about an hour at its narrowest point, as it is so large in circumference that it takes well over two days to travel its perimeter.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 2
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: Fugitives, wayward strays, lunatics, heretics, and bandits.
  Population: Unknown
  Description: Difficult to access and rumored to be haunted by malevolent spirits, The Mad Cavern is home only to those who have nowhere else to go. Its entrance is a little-known and closely guarded secret, and only those in criminal factions and their associates know of its existence. Deep within it there lies a shipwreck, which has been transformed and altered into a small settlement out of which fences and a black market operates. There is no river leading into The Mad Cavern, so how this gigantic ship came to rest there is a mystery to all.
  
  The Mad Cavern possesses a pitch-black passageway that leads out to the Astara Drifts. It is through here that the residents of The Mad Cavern transport goods. However, their is a veritable labyrinth of tunnels and small rivers leading off from the central cavern, and as such you are advised to pay a guide to escort you, take someone familiar with the route with you, or pray to your gods for guidance.
  Accessibility: Only accessible from the bottom of the waterfall found at Wailing Lake. The entrance's location is known only to criminals and their associates.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 27
  Ruled by: Queen Lucia
  Inhabited by: The common folk of Astara. Mostly humans.
  Population: ~400,000
  Description: The countryside of Astara. Here is where some agriculture still tries to survive among the cold, and there is even some land still untouched by the deep snows. It is a wide but narrow plane, and takes only a day or so on foot to cross to the forest if going via a direct route.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  

THE BLACK FOREST

• Eye of The Raven
• Temple of The Giants
• River Sol

• 
  
  
  Map Location: 8
  Ruled by: The Wolf Queen
  Inhabited by: None
  Population: 0
  Description: At the very center of The Shade, there is an opening of sunlight. This strange, hidden space where rocks and leaves float and bright lights dance is said to be the birthplace of the Raven Twins in old Astara Folklore. A place more mythical in nature than real, it is foretold that those who dare brave the Shade and find this enigmatic location are able to submerge in its waters. The affect of this changes with every retelling of the legend, from causing you to be reborn a spirit, blessed with precognitive abilities, to curing all ailments. Whatever its powers, it is also rumored to physically move about Aria to come for those in unparalleled strife. Likewise, it is said that the unworthy will never find it, no matter how long and hard they look; but this is perhaps mere moralizing added to teach children.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Map Location: 23
  Ruled by: Unknown
  Inhabited by: A few stragglers and squatters, along with a collection of scholars
  Population: ~60
  Description: At the forest's southern border rests a long abandoned temple, more enormous than anything a living species could ever have built, now turned over to the whims of nature. Said to have been a place of worship of The Giants [See 'Societies and Cultures'], the temple is now a source of study for scholars who specialise in uncovering the history of Aria's ancient ancestors, working on decoding the long dead language of their texts that, despite their abundance, no one seems to be able to translate. The temple rests at the peak of Slumbering Waterfall, which drops and feeds into the bustling River Sol.
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  
• 
  
  
  Map Location: 22
  Ruled by: The Elven Sol Tribe
  Inhabited by: The Sol Tribe, along with those who wander its length. The River Sol is home to a breed of Maidens far friendlier and more communicable than those of Ursuna and Wailing Lake.
  Population: 90,000+
  Description: Housing a thriving community of river folk along its banks, this river is home to one of the rare examples of a large population that retains the magic of the land it lives upon. [For more information, see Socities and Culture, River Sol section]
  Accessibility: Accessible.
  

 

[Bang Bang]

S O C I E T I E S ✤ A N D ✤ C U L T U R E S

Generalizations of societies and culture of Aria as a whole. It should be noted that no place or people is composed of a monoculture, and there will be exceptions to all the information below save for the technology information.
​

• Astara Kingdom
• Knights Republic
• River Sol
• Republic Isle
• Sex and Gender
• Technology

• 
  [Capital City: Ursuna | Ruler: Queen Lucia]
  
  Astara is ruled by one dynasty, a bloodline that has ruled for over two thousand years; This bloodline takes priority over all and is the backbone of folklore, religion, and the Kingdom's way of life; the ruling individual is considered a God Incarnate, and is often worshiped by residents of the kingdom. Alongside this, there is a very rigid and exclusive aristocracy governed by birthright which cannot be bought into, only married into. Education, information, and training in the sword is often limited to the nobility in its majority, though exceptions exist. The majority of Astara's population is illiterate.
  
  Though trapped in eternal winter now, the Astara Kingdom was once a fertile, populous, and productive land, teeming with agriculture and a rich culture, characterized by its strong reverence of folklore and religion. When two-hundred years ago the eternal frosts set in, this connection to myth did not weaken, but rather solidified tenfold as desperation and fear drove people to cling onto superstition and faith. Nowadays, you would be hard-pressed to find someone in Astara who does not live a lot of their life by rumors and tales of the occult and local legend. [For reference, see the 'Religions' section, 'Astara Folklore' tab.]
  
  The majority of Astara's populace is human. Though many other species have come and settled there too over the millennia, they are often treated as 'Other', some species more so than others. The humans native to the region are fairly homogeneous in terms of genetics; they are recognizable by their dark brown skin, dark hair, and sturdy builds.
  
  With mean weather and meaner luck, the people of Astara are, on the whole, equally tough. Theirs is a land of brutality and little mercy; family bonds are strongly guarded and clan/blood feuds are frequent as people dispute what little fertile land remains. The people here are hard and sturdy, toughened by the harsh conditions and ruled by religion, myth, and stories. You will find no greater (nor more terrifying) storytellers than the people of Astara.
  
  With winter seemingly immortal, the main occupation and source of income is that of the woodcutter and the export of hardwoods and furniture crafted of it. The Black Forest dwindles further and further with each year; older folklore dictates that bringing about such destruction risks angering the Guardians of the forest, but it has recently been made an act of treason to discuss such matters. With the omnipresent winter, however, most people have little choice.
  
  Despite the unforgiving circumstances, few citizens migrate to the Knights Republic due to their religious beliefs, the strong sense of loyalty and xenophobia of Astara, and the fear of being followed by that which in the Dark Forest dwells.
  
• 
  [Capital City: The Floating City | Rulers: The Two Councils and the Knightor]
  
  Where Astara is now a land of eternal winter, the Knights Republic is one of warm climes, rich, generous soil, and eternal growth. It is a place of fast paces, bustling markets and commerce, arts and culture and knowledge all bubbling and intermingling. Numerous species intermingle here, and the culture is as diverse and colorful as its people, with social tolerance higher here than almost anywhere else. Trade, academia, and the arts thrive here, along with military tactics and technology. They are a prosperous people, though political corruption, decadency, and exploitation thrive here side by side with the wealth and luxurious climate.
  
  The Knights Republic is only five centuries old as a formal Republic - it was formed by a group of nobles, knights, scholars, and political figures from Astara who suffocated under the tyranny of the unquestioned, unrestrained bloodline rule. During the reign of a mad king who sought the slaughter of all children but firstborns, the leaders took those with the courage to follow and fled the land of Astara, venturing off to set up a state of their own. This, bound by the vows to never bow to the sin of dictatorship again, became the Knights Republic.
  
  Though the Knight’s Republic is young, and at first its people were few, they gained possession of a very special piece of knowledge early on as they sought a place to settle, which helped set them apart from everyone else for years to come: The knowledge of how to bind a dragon to one’s will. With the might of dragons on their side, they took over Republic Isle from its native population, built their city, protected their lands, and demonstrated to their enemies that they were a force to be reckoned with. Even nowadays, the Knight’s Republic is one of the few places around the world where one can see a concentrated number of dragons, though curiously, all of them have pitch black scales, no matter their shape and size.
  
  The Knights Republic is governed by 'The Two Councils'. 12 individuals form the People's Council, all elected by anonymous polls, with one representative from the each of the twelve districts of the Floating City. Another 12 individuals form the Knights Council, comprised of the leaders of the 12 original noble houses who founded the Knights Republic. Lastly, there is the Knightor; the leader of the Republic, elected by and the head of the Knights Council, who serves as the 'king' of the kingdom. However, all laws and terms must be voted in by both of the two councils' majorities in order to be sanctioned and imposed.
  
  There is an exception to this: during times of war, the Knightor can seize absolute power; together with one individual elected by the People's Council (known as the Consul), the Knightor and the Consul become the new passers of laws, restrictions, orders, and head all military campaigns for the duration of the war. At the end of war, the Consul is dismissed, and power returns to the Two Councils.
  
  The people of Knights Republic are enormously diverse in race, complexion, colours, size, and abilities. Thanks to the warm clime, most have copper/olive complexions or darker, and their style of clothing reflects both their innovations in technology and craftsmanship in its bright colours, and the heat in its open, loose style.
  
• 
  Temple of The Giants
  
  
  This temple is the kind of place where one cannot avoid being overwhelmed by a sensation of awe and reverence just for the majesty of the place. Though the religion it served is long lost to the passage of time, there is, for anyone capable of feeling such a thing, a sense of spiritual richness even in the ruins. Beyond the temple itself, a garden of disintegrated statues forms a semi-circle around the land-facing side, where the entrances are located. This 'garden' is decadently proportioned, the equivalent of a small town or village. This land, filled with half-there giantesses of stone and eroded faces, is home to all kinds of creatures drawn to the magic of the place; Pixies, gnomes, elk, and more. Despite this prosperity, few humanoids dwell there; Hunting on these grounds seems to lead to unfortunate fates...
  
  Reclaimed by nature, the temple itself is about the size of three football stadiums back to back; It is evident that many people once dwelled here, worshipped here, and studied here. The libraries and dormitories are expansive, half-rot but clinging on nonetheless. Rumour of locals tells that the place is haunted, though not by malicious wanderers, rather benign spirits who seek to protect and carry on the legacy of the place. It is a common sight to see wispy, golden figures disappearing through doorways if you wander the Temple's halls and passages.
  
  Beneath the temple, a labyrinth of tombs and burial grounds networks all beneath the statue gardens and right up to the waterfall; Erosion has left several passages dropping off right beneath the downpour of water, graves slowly being eaten away by the fall.
  
  The River Sol
  Surrounded by lush, fertile lands and a seemingly benevolent strain of magic, the River Sol attracts people from all over, and is nearly as diverse and teeming with life as Knights Republic, though nowhere near as commercial or technological. Life there is lead on simple principles of living in harmony with the land; Small fishing boats drift up and down the waters, spears and hands used for harvest, whilst people wash and clean in the river water. A kind of religious reverence is given to to the river, and it is considered sacrilege to pollute it or kill its inhabitants unless it is for consumption or self defence.
  
  During celebrations, rituals, etc. rafts and petite boats float across the water, filled with lights and music; Here, even the Maidens are said to join in the celebrations, and bring fish for the landfolk. The river is the largest in all of Faen, around 400 metres long (for comparison, the Thames is around 250 at London Bridge) and is roughly 100 metres deep at the mouth of the waterfall. It gradually widens as you go further downstream.
  
  The People
  
  Maidens: The Maidens of Sol are little like their Astara siblings; Though they share similar biologies, the Maidens of Sol are usually golden-bronze in colour, though varying between ruddy coppers to the bright hues of silver. They are reserved and quiet to strangers, but those local folk who befriend them find them chatty, and a bunch of incessant gossips. For those they like, they will often bring offerings of fish in return for pretty rocks or scraps of brightly coloured fabric, which they seem to enjoy wearing around their wrists and ankles. Hunting them is punishable by stoning.
  
  Elven Sol Tribe: Long ago the Sol Tribe of elves were nomadic, travelling up and down the river as the year waned and waxed. Some still follow this lifestyle, but now many have settled at the head of the river, gradually opening up to and accepting outsiders into the fold. Nowadays, the non-elven folk are just as 'part of the clan' as the elves, though certain sacred rites and ceremonies are still reserved for elves. They are a proud race with a rich culture, characterised best by their reverence for the cyclical element of nature, and for the Ten-Horned Stag whom they worship as a God made Flesh. They view technology and dense civilisation with distaste, believing the Knights Republic elves to have lost touch with their heritage.
  
  River Folk: Those who have settled along The Sol who are not elves tend to be Organa, Humans, or, perhaps surprisingly, Orcs. On the Sol, it is against the law to enslave any living creature, and Orcs are greatly valued as skilled craftsmen and woodworkers. Almost everything the river folk want for can be found along The Sol or out in the surrounding forest, and the diverse population has aided them in utilising the land in a variety of ways, finding unique solutions to problems one race might struggle to solve. In particular, the Organa are the unofficial spokesmen of forest activities, and their leaders are always consulted regarding changes to how their people utilise the forest.
  
  The government of the Sol River is run by elected leaders of each species that form the Sol Council. People do not 'work' as law enforcement, but volunteers are a part of a brigade used to deal with misdemeanors. Family feuds are resolved by the council and its elected leader, as is other crime (Similar to Viking tribe law).
  
  The people of Sol are one of the few groups to hold the slaughter of and stealing hearts of Dragons as punishable by death.
  
• 
  Best known for its baking sun, fertile lands, and the colourful, bustling culture that has emerged upon it, the Republic Isle was once known by another name, but that is lost to the Orc tribes now taking refuge in the grasslands. The Isle’s position allows for easy trade with Astara via the waters, and the Nansi Channel provides a barrier of protection between the Isle and the mainland.
  
  The geography of the land can be split up into three (unequal) sections.
  
  Anasi Grasslands
  
  Covering the entire eastern half of the Republic Isle, the Anasi Grasslands are perhaps the only rival to the Faery lands’ world of distortion. Those who would insist on scholarly logic and scientific thinking attribute the hallucinations suffered by those left to wander here to the intense sunlight.
  
  Despite being far from a directionless desert, it becomes impossible to navigate in the grasslands. Compasses, maps, even the sky itself ceases to function as a navigational tool. Though drawings made of the area confirm beyond reproof that the area does differentiate, that the vegetation differs wildly and should act as something to deduce your location from, when in the grasslands, all looks identical.
  
  As if the risk of exposure wasn’t threatening enough, the real hallucinations have nothing to do with the landscape. Survivors of the grasslands return with tales of gigarious, monstrous shapes and shadows, animals extrapolated to the size of mountains, with cunning smiles and quick words. They speak of Spirits that travel on the vapors and worlds unlike our own. Criminals not warranting the death penalty but deemed too dangerous to remain in civilisation are left in the grasslands to rot. How do they get left there? Unconscious, they are carried by one lone guard, who walks into the grassland with a rope fastened around his waist, the other end tied to a rock beyond the outskirts. The prisoner is left, the guard retreats. Thus far, this is the only way found to enter the grasslands and guarantee a return - unless, of course, someone (or something) cuts the rope.
  
  Rumour has it, a man once ventured into the grasslands armed with Caroll Shrooms, intent on seeing the truth of the place. His corpse was found three days later, dried blood cracked upon his face around the eyes, nostrils, ears.
  
  And yet, despite all this, a tribe of Orcs pre-dating even the Republic itself live and farm there.They are the only ones capable of navigating and surviving the Grasslands, and they are said to use the hallucinations it induces for fortune telling, divine communication, and other metaphysical purposes; it is this one advantage that has saved some of their numbers from the slave hunters that target their species. They are not typically kind to strangers they find wandering in their lands, for obvious reasons.
  
  Colonies of the Isle
  
  Densely populated, the western half of the island cannot afford lone villages or even grand, isolated cities. Here, farmland and civilisation blend into one another, in and out. Each gathering and encampment has its own name, usually in the tongue of whichever species first inhabited it, and racial segregation remains here far more intensely than in the Floating City. Still, they are prosperous lands despite the frequent land and resource disputes, and the soil, fertile and littered with yielding marshes, lends itself well to produce.
  
  The Colonies have also drawn out new life; the talkative animal races of the Anasi forest often come out to scour the colonies for scraps; some of them have even come to dwell in the colonies, aiding in farmwork, housework, drawn to the song of working women, or to men down on their luck. Though animals such as this can be found all over Aria, nowhere else are they more helpful, nor so prone to chatter with humanoids. They are such an integral part of the community that to kill one is often considered equal to killing a Republic citizen.
  
  The only native humanoid species to the Isle are the Orc tribes, who have dwelled there for thousands of years; it was from this Isle that the first Orcish slaves were taken by Astara and used in war. Since the Republic’s intrusion on the land, said tribes have been driven back to the grasslands, the Republic unable to follow. Whilst during the first century or two of the Republic’s settling, raids on Colonies by the Orcs were frequent, depleted numbers have rendered the tribes seemingly docile.
  
  Anasi Forest
  
  Bridging the Colonies and the grassland, the southern Anasi forest was the first thing colonists encountered when they made the journey across the channel; it was nearly enough to repel them entirely.
  
  The Spirit, from which the forest takes it name, residing there did what it could to protect those beyond the reaches of the forest trees. Even the fair folk fear Anasi, said to be the greatest trickster of them all. Assuming the form of both man and spider, through word play and mischief and deadly bargains, Anasi reduced the population of the colonists by a third whilst they wandered the forest.
  
  However, once the colonists realised it was the forest Anasi was guardian of, they took to burning it down in great swaths. Now, only a quarter of the original forest remains, and it is for these reasons the Republic must rely on Astara for lumber.
  
  The remaining animals and Spirits of the forest guard what they have left fiercely, and outsiders intruding on the forest are said to be killed without mercy and without hesitation. Anasi remains, though a ghost of his former self, said to dwell within the heart of the forest. Superstitious fear and a memory of the lives lost keeps colonists well clear of the forest bounds, and it is one of the Republic governments aims to fell the forest in its entirety.
  
• 
  Throughout Aria, all gender identities and sexuality identities are accepted without question or discrimination (n.b. if you think pedophilia is a sexuality, you can vacate the premises now). Transgender individuals are consider no more or less unusual than cisgender folk.
  
  Though 'feminine' and 'masculine' ideals mirror what we consider them in real life in terms of self-expression, gender has no bearing on what roles a person might take on, with the exceptions of some individual cultures/religions that assign particular roles to one gender (e.g. a cult with all female priestesses, a culture where third-gender people may be held as sacred, or a tribe that typically assigns men the role of warriors). Note that in Astara and Knights Republic, there are no gendered cultural roles. A 'whore' is just as likely to be a man as it is a woman, and as such traditional IRL sexual insults/biases may need to be tailored to be relevant to this RP. However, having said this, player characters may have their own inherent biases against any gender/sexuality/etc. In Character discrimination is not the same as OOC hate, and thus people are reminded not to take these issues personally if something derogatory is said to your character for any and all reasons.
  
  Character sheets will ask you to state a character's sex (i.e. what their genetic material reflects) as some species display sexual dimorphism.
  
• 
  Across the land of Aria, technology is generally at a level classified as 'medieval'. Science is known as Natural Philosophy, guns are nowhere to be found, and you're perfectly likely to die of cholera, because we don't know what pathogens are yet. If anyone has any questions regarding whether or not a level of technology is permitted, just message the GMs or have a quick google. This shall not be 'hard historical' in terms of its accuracy, and we'll be allowing some leeway on technology within reason (e.g. if you dare describe a kind of ship that wouldn't yet exist, we won't scream at you, unless it's a modern era cruise ship complete with a swimming pool, in which case we shall request to partake in whatever drugs you consumed to think that was sensible).
  
  Having said that, The Floating City is beginning to display and develop technology under the umbrella of 'Steampunk'. This is a very new and rare level of technology, and manifests in early prototypes of mechanized projectile weapons, some steam-driven vehicles, etc. Additionally, the Floating City is the center of Arcane Study, and is home to people known as 'Arcane Craftsmen' who manufacture rudimentary magical items, e.g. enchanted compasses, magical maps, etc. Only residents or previous visitors to the Floating City may possess such items at the beginning of the RP
  

 

[Bang Bang]

P L A Y A B L E ✤ S P E C I ES

Species available for Player Characters​

• Humans
• Orcs
• Deimos
• Pack Face
• Werewolves
• Dragons
• Elves
• Cats With Hands
• Nocts
• Wytches
• Nosferatu
• Verian
• Species Form

• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: 40-80 years
  Sexes: Male, Female, Intersex
  Physical Appearance: Typically between 5 and 6 foot in height, humans look much the same in Aria as they do in real life. Racial traits vary depending on the place of origin for humans. Typically, dark-skinned humans hail from Astara and the West, olive/mid-tone individuals from Republic Isle and the North, pale/fair-skinned individuals from the East, and skin tones that we would consider characteristic of Asian heritage are found with natives of the South.
  Place of Origin: Unknown.
  Typically Found: Throughout Aria, though concentrated in Astara and Knights Republic.
  Species History: Humans were the pitiful prey of most other species many millennia ago due to their physical frailty. However, they are also enormously enduring and difficult to stamp out due to their breeding habits and cunning. When the Wolf Queen took pity on them and guided them to the land of Astara, giving them protection there, they were able to settle and thrive, a change from their nomadic past, which was a necessity due to how widely their species was hunted for meat and easy game. With the formation of a united settlement, their cunning was redirected into technological and cultural advancement. They have since become the dominant race in culture and education, and were the creators of the first universal language and alphabet. They are now feared by most other races for their unrivaled population numbers, and for their reputation for being merciless and vengeful against all other species. This reputation is somewhat abated in the Knights Republic, though it hands over as an ancestral shadow.
  Long-Form Description: Humans are known as the thinkers and creators of Aria. They are innovative and quick as a result of their relatively brief life span, a fact aided by their tendency to be social and to group together.
  Other: -
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: 100-150 years
  Sexes: Male, Female, Intersex
  Physical Appearance: Orcs are best known for their enormous height of 6-10 feet, extremely muscular and broad builds, and their oral tusks. Most orcs have green skin of some shade, though grey, blue, purple, and sometimes even red shades also exist. Orc sexual dimorphism is similar to that of humans, i.e. females possess breasts, males do not, females bear children, etc. However, male and female Orcs are equally large in build and muscular composition, with neither one being considered physically stronger physiologically than the other.
  Place of Origin:
  Typically Found: In Astara and Knights Republic, Orcs are only found as slaves, or living in hiding. They are rare in the Wilds due to slavers hunting them, and when they can be found, they group together in fortified areas for protection.
  Species History: Orcs were once one of the nobler species of Aria, and were the most advanced until humans overtook them. They were pacifists by large and nature worshipers. When humans began enslaving them around 1200 years ago, they became more and more militant out of necessity. Now, all free Orcs are wise to be well-trained and well-armed for protection. They have become enormously distrusting of outsiders due to the hardships they've faced. In Astara, their native religious practices are outlawed, and any practice of their original folklore must be done in secret.
  Long-Form Description: Orcs are associated by the general population with violence, bloodlust, and vulgarity. They are typically considered less intelligent, though this has no biological basis, but rather tends to originate from the fact that they are often encountered as slaves and are thus uneducated and unworldly. Fifty years ago, Orcs became able to buy their freedom in Knights Republic if they somehow were able to achieve this wealth, or others bought it for them. This practice does not exist in Astara, and free Orcs are recommended to come with heavy protection if travelling there.
  Other: Orc slaves are generally found in two types, either domestic slaves (uncommon), or battle slaves (common).
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: 200-300 years
  Sexes: Omas (Hermaphroditic).
  Physical Appearance: Humanoid, Deimos are easily spotted by their cranial horns (which vary in number, size, shape, and color for every individual) along with their tails. Deimos tails are long, lion-like flexible appendages that are unexpectedly strong, and can be used in combat or to suspend the body from structures. The end of a Deimos tail can be pointed, culminate in an arrow-tip, a bud, or be topped by a number of other, more unusual shapes. Tail and horn colors match. Deimos skin-tones are typically red, grey, or purple shades, though all colors exist in some variety across the species.
  
  Usually 6-9 ft tall, Deimos also differ from humans in their pointed ears, their potential for multiple limbs and eyes, and also in the fact that they are hermaphroditic. Deimos possess the 'junk in the trunk' to both impregnate and become pregnant. Bodily, they resemble human males, in terms of musculature and build. They do not typically have breasts; Deimos are carnivorous, and their young eat meat from birth.
  
  Due to their hermaphroditic physiology, Deimos are incredibly infertile, and conception is a rare occasion. As such, despite their long lifespans, the Deimos have one of the smallest populations of all species.
  Place of Origin: Dragon's Rock
  Typically Found: Dragon's Rock or Knights Republic. Some travel The Wilds on pilgrimages as part of their coming of age rites of passage.
  Species History: One of the oldest species, Deimos were supposedly around back during the Giant Era. They are typically an isolationist species, having kept to themselves until the past few centuries. When Dragon slaving became popular, they at first came into conflict with Knights Republic, as dragons were considered sacred to them. Many natives still abhor for the Dragon slaving industry, though conflict is avoided due to the Republic's military might. Other, younger members have become intrigued with the advancements and rich society of the Republic, and thus have begun moving out to become a part of it. They have not yet before participated in the Feudal war, though due to recent increases in their population density in the Republic, it is believed they may join in if the conflict restarts.
  Long-Form Description:
  
  Deimos have inherent magic known as Draconic Blessing. They are able to create fire at will in return for the sacrifice of an animal. The size of the fire is proportional to the animal sacrificed, as well as to the age of the individual (i.e. the older the Deimos, the larger the fire). Fire's are localized, i.e. they are not projectiles, and can only be created using flammable fuel such as a fire-pit or a forest.
  
  Conversely, Deimos experience adverse effects in cold climates, making them sluggish, weaker, and lethargic. For this reason, few travel to Astara, and they believe the land cursed by the Gods.
  
  They are strong fighters as youths, and their long lives make them some of the wisest in their old age. They are highly religious, with a wealth of practices and beliefs developed before contact was made with humans. They are considered a wise and stoic race, one that loathes conflict due to their inability to rapidly replenish their numbers.
  Other: Flexibility will be given with any face claims due to the specifics of the race. Descriptions augmenting the artwork are more than welcome.
  
  For pronouns, Deimos traditionally have used neutral pronouns as those were the only ones present in their native tongue, though the implementation of the Common Tongue introduced the species to other species' concepts of gender. As such, some Deimos now use masculine/feminine pronouns and identify with those corresponding gender identities.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: 60 years
  Sexes: Male, Female, Intersex
  Physical Appearance: Their human form is indiscernible from that of an actual human. When they take on their form of wolves, the wolves need not be identical, and are somewhat differentiated from 'regular' wolves by being larger.
  Place of Origin: The Black Forest
  Typically Found: Forested areas in The Wilds, particularly The Black Forest. Some choose to dwell among humanoids.
  Species History: Pack Faces as an enigmatic lot. Their existence is still unconfirmed officially, merely a rumor to Astara and Republic, though dwellers of the Wilds will likely have spotted them shifting at some juncture. It is only within the past few decades that Pack Faces have begun taking on their human forms long-term in order to dwell among humanoids, drawn in by advances in technology, and driven out of the forest by the increase in hunting and deforestation there.
  Long-Form Description: Similar to a werewolf, only a Pack Face (or, more colloquially, a Packer) is a pack of wolves who can combine to take on human form. They collectively govern the human form's control (which, when they are young, often leads to a lot of trips and falls) and can 'dissolve' into their separate forms at any time, though this takes a couple of minutes. Both forming and reforming takes a lot of magical energy, and can only be done a few times a day.
  
  In their own tongue they refer to their species as Garoul. While commonly mistaken for werewolves the two species have traditionally despised one another. Garoul have a code against eating the flesh of intelligent creatures, as opposed to werewolves who have no such limits. Garoul view themselves as something akin to monster hunters and they vigilantly prowl their territories for evil. (feud concept courtesy of Bone2pick )
  Other: Though the wolves that make up a Pack Face are all individuals with individual agency and characteristics, a Pack Face still only counts as one character.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: 100-120 years
  Sexes: Male
  Physical Appearance: As humans, werewolves can be identified by their possession of some kind of 'abnormality', usually a third nipple or an extra toe. Additionally, werewolves only have one set of clothes as a human, which is fused to their skin until they become a wolf. When they take on their wolf form, their clothes fall loose and lie on the floor until they transform back into humans, where the clothing vanishes, only to reappear on their skin. As wolves, they are double the size of a normal wolf, and with the strength (and hunger) to match.
  Place of Origin: Believed to be a blessing/curse from the Wolf Queen
  Typically Found: Astara, The Black Forest
  Species History: Werewolves began appearing about the same time as humans fell under the guidance of the Wolf Queen. Legend has it that a man could venture out into the woods and sacrifice a loved one to the Wolf Queen, and in return, she would bless him with a share of her power. Though once revered as sacred to the Wolf Queen, they have since become despised by Astara residents due to this association, along with the consequences of their massive appetite that does not differentiate between beast or man.
  Long-Form Description: Werewolves are human men who either chose to become wolves, committed monstrosities and were warped physically as well as spiritually for it, or were cursed by witches/spirits. They can change into men on any night save for a full moon, and are trapped for the proceeding day in whichever form they are in come sunrise. Regardless of will, all turn into wolves on the night of the full moon, and experience 'feral' states where they lose touch with their humanity for the night, becoming extremely dangerous and ravenous. They have a particular taste for young girls. Some do not kill humanoids/intelligent lifeforms unless they can help it, whilst others revel in murdering such creatures, enjoying the hunt.
  
  Additionally, if you burn a werwolf's clothing whilst he is a wolf, he can never again become a man.
  Other: Werewolves do not cast reflections, regardless of what form they are in.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: Several Milenia
  Sexes: Male, Female, Intersex
  Physical Appearance: Size, coloration, and unique features depend on the dragon's race (see 'Player Created Lore' for more information). Typically, the older the dragon, the larger. All dragons can assume a human form unique to them from birth.
  Place of Origin: Dragon's Rock
  Typically Found: Dragon's Rock, Knights Republic, any tall mountain ranges, islands, and large bodies of water.
  Species History: Once a common sight in Aria, Dragons are now a rarity, especially those who still retain their free will; Over the past few centuries, they have been hunted to such few numbers for the general populace discovered that eating a Dragon's heart would make you immortal. If you did not continue to dine on dragon heart, however, you would continue aging; You would never die of old age, but continue to have your body grow older and older, trapped in your own withered corpse. This can be reversed by eating dragon heart.
  Long-Form Description: The easiest way to find a dragon nowadays is to travel to the Knight’s Republic, though most dragons will claim that those creatures found there are not true dragons, for they have lost their souls. They curse the one responsible for this atrocious act, the dragon who betrayed his own kind and taught the other races how to bind them to their will. His name, Mragnariar the Enslaver, is a dark taint on all dragon history, and is often used by them when cursing. Phrases such as “curse the Enslaver” and “Enslaver damn you” are extremely common among dragonkind. Though dragons tend not to involve themselves in world politics, they share a particular distaste about the Knight’s Republic, and are eager to witness its downfall.
  
  Without predation, Dragons can live for thousands of years, and often keep to themselves atop mountains or cave dwellings. They favor solitude, and typically find humans beneath them. Their magic lies in their flight, their long lives, and their strange ability to see into a person's soul by looking them in the eyes. Another form of unique species magic for dragons is the ability to communicate telepathically with whomever they so choose. The oldest and most powerful dragons can do this across many hundreds of thousands of miles.
  
  Dragon names are unique but distinctly recognisable as dragon names. (Same way you might hear a name and go “Oh that’s French” etc). It is said dragon names are whispered to them by the stars when they are born and dragons tend to be very proud of their names. To use a nickname or shortened version of the name is incredibly offensive to a dragon.
  Other: All dragons inherently speak Dragontongue, regardless of if they were born into captivity or otherwise. For them, it is instinctual. No other species is capable of speaking it.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: Up to 800 years.
  Sexes: Male, Female, Duale, and Nexale. Nexales, although externally hermaphroditic, do not possess internal sexual reproductive organs, and are biologically predisposed to being placid. Duales are capable of changing their sexual organs over the course of their lifetime, and do so at random naturally, or can will it by taking certain herbal concoctions over the course of a year.
  
  Like the Deimos, Elves are relatively infertile, and thus sex and conception are considered sacred acts.
  Physical Appearance: Elves are similar to humans in most areas of appearance. They are discernible by their pointed ears, typically sharp, angular faces, and by the trend that they are almost always uncommonly beautiful. All elves have dark olive skin-tones or darker. They are also typically shorter than humans, averaging around 5 foot. Elves are typically svelte, nimble and quick-footed, but weak in the strength department compared to even humans.
  Place of Origin: The Summer Grounds
  Typically Found: Knights Republic, The Summer Ground, and Sol River
  Species History: Elves are the economic powerhouse of Aria. They are the best businessmen of all species, and are wizards with numbers and strategy. Prior to humanity's rise to power, elves were the dominant race alongside Orcs. However, whilst Orcs were enslaved due to their alienating appearance and culture in humanity's eyes, Elves' beauty and cunning made them well-suited to integration with the new power of Aria. Knights Republic is as densely populated by elves as it is by humans, and most of the wealth in Aria is in Elves' hands. This is largely due to their inherent magical ability to spin straw into gold.
  
  With the emergence of humanity as a power, elves split into two factions: the Traditionalists, and the Industrialists. The former group believes in keeping elves isolated and practicing their native culture and beliefs, whilst the latter faction is all about integration with other species and the merging of culture and faith. Traditionalists are typically located in the Wilds, whilst Industrialists are to be found in major cities and Republic Isle.
  Long-Form Description: With a rich history of being civilized, clever, and winning military disputes through tactical prowess, the Elves are a proud and often snobbish race. Elitists by and large, be they Traditionalists or Industrialists, they consider themselves vastly sophisticated and have always been patrons and lovers of the arts.
  
  Due to having four sexes naturally in their population, with a relatively even frequency split between the four, Elves have some roles traditionally associated with the sexes. Nexales, being incapable of reproduction themselves, are known as the caregivers of society. All elvish young are traditionally raised by Nexales in 'nests' from birth, though in modern times, biological parents will occasionally raise their young. Nexales are considered something of a 'lesser sex' regardless of their gender, due to the fact that they cannot procreate. They are typically seen merely to be in the service of others, and among Elven society, they struggle to get any job outside of the service industry or caregiving roles. Traditionalists do not even consider it appropriate for Nexales to hold jobs, believing their only purpose should be to raise young.
  
  In contrast, Duales are revered above the other three sexes regardless of individual gender. They are seen as 'blessed' and in some elvish traditions, they are considered sacred.
  
  Like the Deimos, sexuality is an important and sacred aspect in Elven culture. Sexual pleasure is considered a gods-given gift, and most traditional Elven rituals, rites of passages, and forms of worship involve copulation in some form. Furthermore, sex is a very public part of Elven culture and life, and is not something associated with shame. Few Elves are monogamous, and there is no such concept as a 'slut' or malevolent promiscuity in Elven culture. As a result of this, asexual individuals are typically looked down upon or ostracized by Elven traditions.
  Other: Duales and Nexales are traditionally considered third-gender at birth. Their sex is made public by their name; after every Duale's name comes the honorific 'Dan', whilst after a Nexale's name, the honorific 'Nun' is placed. E.g. a Duale individual named John would be referred to and known as John-Dan, unless they kept their sex secret.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Average Life Span: Theoretically unlimited. They die when their body's organs fail, but since they can in theory renew these indefinitely, they could live forever.
  Sexes: All other species' sexes are possible for Cats With Hands. The Cats themselves are always born into female kitten bodies.
  Physical Appearance: Born looking like cute, fluffy kittens, Cats With Hands differ in one way from their feline brethren; They are born with human hands. From birth, Cats with Hands are capable of 'stealing' limbs/organs/features from other races, e.g. a person's face, their arms, their tongue, etc. They can do this in any combination, and do not have to be composed of only one species' parts. It is worth noting that they can only use female reproductive organs, i.e. they cannot impregnate over species members with a member of their species. Additionally, they can only be birthed by a father of another species, who determines the type of hands they are born with.
  Place of Origin:
  Typically Found: Nomadic, away from other members of their species.
  Species History: Cats With Hands are even rarer and stranger than Pack Faces, and as such, are more considered a horror story to scare children with than a real species. They are universally reviled for their monstrous abilities, and those who have encountered them know them as amoral tricksters without empathy or compassion, despite appearances.
  Long-Form Description: Possibly the most horrific of all creatures in Aria, even more so than the Fairy People, Cats With Hands (or Hand-Cats, Hand Thieves, or 'face stealers') are best avoided on all occasions.
  
  They are bizarrely strong, and cute as a button; They often lure people in to stroke them, and then swallow them whole, capable of dislocating their jaw much like a snake's (regardless of what face they possess at the time). From each person they consume, they gain one feature, such as eyes, feet, arms, voice, legs, etc. As such, they are constant shape-shifters, and even in their alternate forms they possess impossible strength. They are reviled throughout pretty much every culture.
  
  Do not trust them.
  Other: These scare the Big Boss GM. Seriously. They haunt my nightmares.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: 30-40 years.
  Sexes: Male, Female, Intersex
  Physical Appearance: Nocts are humanoids that resemble humans with wings instead of arms, though they usually have hand-like appendages on the end of their wings. The coverage of their feathers ranges from person to person, varying from merely the wings to full-body. They have large, talon-like nails and enormous, eerie eyes. They are typically small, not going over 5 foot in size. The 'bird' they appear to be related to can be any species, and they may take on additional characteristics from that bird (e.g. a hankering for shiny objects from magpies, or red-colored skin on their chests from robins).
  Place of Origin: The Black Forest
  Typically Found: Forested areas.
  Species History: Noct are reclusive, stealthy individuals who are easily spooked by others. Their ability to travel completely soundlessly allows them to avoid others when they wish to, but they have been in contact with humans for centuries to trade for certain resources they struggle themselves to make. Though occasionally hunted for their plumes, they are so difficult to track that the business is rarely fruitful.
  Long-Form Description: Nocts are quiet, contemplative species with wisdom beyond their years. The disposition of every Noct tends to vary based on what bird they are linked with, their behavior mirroring that of the species they are tied to. As you might imagine, all Nocts are capable of communicating with birds; those of their species are most loyal to them. Nocts are excellent at tracking and working from the shadows, thanks to both their stealth and their speed. Few dwell in cities, though like other species, more and more members are drawn to the central civilizations to dapple in the advantages their advanced infrastructure affords.
  Other: Nocts appear to suffer with poor luck during daylight hours.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: Immortal.
  Sexes: Female only. They must mate with men of mortal races to produce children, though it is a rare occurrence for this child to be a wytch also.
  Physical Appearance: Wytches are identical to human females, save for the fact that they all have a triad of beauty marks on their left shoulder arranged as an equilateral triangle. When young, they are typically unrivaled in their beauty by all but elves.
  Place of Origin: Unknown
  Typically Found: On the outskirts of towns and settlements, or deep in the woods.
  Species History: Born from magical experimentation many millennia eons ago. Though often feared by others, they are also considered great assets due to their inherent species magic. Possessing the power of transformation and/or illusion that can only be applied to others, they may grant a patron a potion to turn them into something else, though to seal the transformation, a certain condition must always be met (such as true love's first kissing, eating the heart of their mother, etc). Their prices are steep, and almost always, their is a consequence to failure of meeting the aforementioned conditions. For that reason, they will frequently seek to disrupt your achievement of the goal, so that they may profit by your misfortune.
  
  Throughout history, they have steered the course of the fates of many species, houses, and people. They feature greatly in local legend, and are the known 'go to' individuals for when you require aid if the Gods are failing you.
  Long-Form Description: Wytches are invulnerable to the passing of time and do not physically age once mature. They are also rarely victim to disease. Moreover, killing them is tricky; To kill them they must be stabbed through the heart or burned. If one extinguishes a Wytches 'hearth' (this can be a physical house fire, a lantern they carry on them, or any personal fire they choose to carry/hide somewhere they will have regular contact with) then the Wytch loses all the benefits of immortality, and will rapidly begin aging. Though this cannot kill them regardless of how old they are, they will be trapped in the physical body of an old crone for the rest of their days with their physical and magical skills weakened; the only way they can temporarily undo this is to feed on the hearts of virgins. For this reason, they are very protective of their territory and/or fires.
  Other: Note that Wytches are a species, whilst Witches are men and women who practice magic.
  
• 
  
  
  Average Life Span: Immortal
  Sexes: All sexes of other species. However, Elven Nosferatu who are Duale cannot change their reproductive organs once they have been 'embraced'.
  Physical Appearance: Nosferatu is less a species, more an umbrella term. Any other species can be turned into a Nosferatu, and thus they can appear like any other species. Due to their still heart, they all possess a certain pallor.
  
  How the embraces changes' one's physical appearance depends on the individual. It is said that the embrace makes the internal external, i.e. the kind and good become very beautiful, whilst the wicked and malevolent become horribly ugly. Some Nosferatu are so warped by the change that they resemble a beast more than anything else.
  Place of Origin: The 'curse' of the Nosferatu is said to originate from the early colonizers of Astara, caused by the individual known as 'Cain' who was cursed for killing his brother. As such, they are also known as the Children of Cain. A single Nosferatu is known as a 'childe'.
  Typically Found: Wherever there are low light levels, underground, and Astara.
  Species History: Nosferatu, being a mere umbrella term for many species' individuals who have undergone the embrace, are extremely varied in their culture. Often, the ugly are reviled and the beautiful celebrated among their own people, though all other species typically loathe them for their predatory hunger. There are several clans or factions within the Nosferatu, all of whom are characterized by different beliefs, behaviors, and at times, appearances. On the whole, they are a secretive bunch, though some hold positions of high regard in society with their Nosferatu status concealed. They can be of any species, even cats and dogs, though players may only play playable species who are Nosferatu.
  Long-Form Description: Given the broad range of individuals it covers, Nosferatu refers to an individual who fills the following symptoms:
  ✤ Is unable to be exposed to sunlight without disintegrating into dust. This can be prevented through wearing heavy, full-body clothing, and by blocking sunlight from an area.
  ✤ Drinks blood* and requires it to survive. The older the Nosferatu (since being embraced), the longer they can endure without feeding. [*Blood consumed must be from a race similar from their own. All Player species can drink from all player species]
  ✤ If they do not drink blood regularly, they enter a state of frenzy, killing indiscriminately and acting as a wild animal. Some Nosferatu exist permanently in this state, having lost touch with their 'humanity'.
  ✤ Were once something else before being embraced/sired.
  ✤ Do not have beating hearts, are cold to the touch, and do not possess reflections.
  ✤ Do not require sleep in any capacity.
  
  Nosferatu tend to dwell in 'covens', small groups numbering between 5-15 that may be nomadic or have an established territory. They tend to be predatory and operate during the night hours.
  
  All Nosferatu cannot endure the touch of a pure loved one; To mate with a virgin is to kill them instantly. Those who are no longer virginal, they may mate with, but it is impossible to resist drinking them dry in the act, killing their lover. Subsequently, Nosferatu are deeply solitary creatures and are feared if discovered by the living. Nosferatu Hunters specialize in identifying them, tracking them, and slaughtering them. They tend to live underground, in caverns, in forests, or some make do working night shifts in civilization.
  Other: Nosferatu are tricky to kill. They can only die by being burned, by exposure to sunlight. A stake through the heart puts them into a state known as 'The Eternal Sleep', which is resembles death, but they are reanimate upon the removal of the stake. Starvation can also kill them, with most vampires dying after a month or so of not feeding.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Average Life Span: Up to 1200 years.
  Sexes: Male, Female, Intersex
  Physical Appearance: Born either through the manifestation of strong energies or a purposeful summoning into the mortal plane they are creatures of compounded emotions and purpose though that have taken a physical form that might seem surreal or exaggerated. Because of their varied creations they can take on many forms, though usually with the characteristics of a certain animal or other beast mixed with that of a man, elf or even orc depending on the original host of the emotions or the caster of the spell.
  Place of Origin: Various
  Typically Found: In The Wilds. They are uncommon and often killed on sight if seen within the Kingdom/Republic due to the danger they pose.
  Species History:
  Long-Form Description: Verian can live however long it takes for them to complete their task, though it should be noted that because tasks were meant to be achieved within at least two elvish lifetimes (~1200 years). Verian who linger longer will show signs of decay as the energy making them up slowly fades away, literally causing them to slowly unravel both physically and mentally.
  
  Their purpose, while it may not be obvious at first, will drive them towards its completion at which point - in most cases at least - the Verian with die in some manner. It is rare that Verian break from this cycle, as it requires them to both be aware of the cycle in the first place and willful enough to break the complicated weave of magic that drive them onward. Even upon breaking from their purpose many simply become derelict, distraught shadows of their former selves as by breaking the only purpose they have ever known they become purposeless and worthless, quickly causing them to fall into a disparaging depression.
  
  Those who can bear the trials of finding their own purpose have been considered powerful beings in the past, mistaken for powerful old spirits of the lands and false gods and for those who could blend in with society they have been historically powerful leaders, shamans and mages of small clans and factions, through good and bad.
  Other: Created by KnightSergeant
  
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  Average Life Span:
  Sexes:
  Physical Appearance:
  Place of Origin:
  Typically Found:
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  Other:
  

 

[Bang Bang]

R E L I G I O N S ✤ A N D ✤ F O L K L O R E

Major Religions, faiths, cults, and local legends to be found across Aria.​

• Folklore: Knights Republic
• Folklore: Astara

• 
  Folklore within Knights Republic is a vibrant mix and jumble of all the lore people brought in when they immigrated to the Republic. However, after five hundred years of being established, some more local lore has sprung up, especially surrounding the Floating City.
  
  
  
  Roan, Spirit of Fertility
  A place of bounty and plenty, the Floating City is said to be governed over by the local Spirit/God of Fertility, known by the name of Roan/Rhone/Rone (spelling, terminology, lore, etc. varies widely, and players are welcome to make their own interpretations of what is a very loose 'myth'). Roan is envisioned as a shapeshifter, at once all genders, all sexualities, all lovers, and all light; They are said to walk among the people of the Floating City, drifting between parties, orgies, rituals, and quiet scenes, sowing fresh seeds of new life, growth, and plenty. Those who believe will frequently pray to them and their shrines (dotted throughout the city, all constructed within the last century or so) in hopes of gaining childbirth, love, wealth, and pleasure. Worship of Roan is not considered a religion, and is often incorporated into all faiths and practices.
  
  Roan's symbols are the cornucopia, grapes, the chalice, wine, serpants, the hourglass, grain, and the lotus flower.
  
  Their most commonly depicted form in artwork is that of a heavy-built, tall, androgynous individual of with long hair who is typically depicted as nude, with stretched ear lobes and a crown of grain/blossoms worn around their head. However, alterations are often made to reflect what specific aspects of Roan the shrines/paintings are dedicated to, e.g. luxurious robes and jewelry is added for wealth shrines, statues to encourage sexual pleasure may exaggerate sexual organs, etc.
  
• 
  Astara folklore once revered the Wolf Queen, the Guardian of The Black Forest, who was held as a kind of patron of humanity. However, since eternal winter set in, she has changed from a figure of reverence to one hated and reviled by the aristocracy and the majority of the public, who blame her for cursing those she once protected out of what they believe to be jealousy. More and more, The Black Forest is no longer regarded as sacred. Fear of intruding upon it is seen as a relic of past, silly superstitious times, though the poor of the realm still fear it (with good reason).
  
  Old Folklore [Short Version]:
  
  
  
  To Astara's populace, The Dark Forest is held as the most terrible, powerful, and magical place imaginable; it is the afterlife, a frequent source of death, and also a source of awakening, rebirth, and great knowledge. The Black Forest is ruled by The Wolf Queen, an enormous wolf spirit who is the embodiment of the forest itself— guardian, protector, and killer.
  
  Key to Astara's folklore is The Wolf Queen's 'Court' - spirit attendees who serve her, act as her companions, or play lover to her whims. They are (with details given down below): The Twin Ravens (Morrigan and Rhysand), The Gold-Pawed Tiger, The Maggots, and The Rats. Like the Wolf Queen, they were once worshiped and treated as divine by Astara's populace. Like her, they are now despised.
  
  The Wolf Queen is said to be eternally pregnant with The Snow Child; to this child she gives birth, gives the child to the forest to bring change and growth, and then she devours this child to come give birth to them once more.
  
  The Royal Bloodline of Astara is said to be the product of copulation between The Snow Child and The First King of Astara, and thus they were considered demi-gods by those who worship the Wolf Queen and/or her Child. The bloodline is considered to have a deep, innate spiritual connection to The Dark Forest and it is believed that only they can safely commune with those within.
  
  Citizens of Astara would often pray to, make sacrifices/offerings to, or cast spells imploring the aid of whichever Spirit corresponds to their needs. E.g. Those seeking good employment as servants pray to The Rats, whilst those seeking courage in love might make an offering to The Gold-Pawed Tiger.
  
  Folklore [Long Version]:
  
  At first, there was only The Black Forest; Magic governed all, and over this magic The Wolf Queen ruled as a benevolent guardian and protector, but also a creature of fierce vengeance and righteousness. She - child, sister, and mother of the Forest and Magic - brought into being more spirits like her to govern over their respective planes of magic and to aid her in keeping balance in the forest.
  
  First, she created the Twin Ravens: Morrigan, Spirit of Death, Guardian of The Past; and Rhysand, Spirit of Rebirth, Guardian of The Future. To the first, The Wolf Queen imparted knowledge over all that has been, wisdom, and the realms of kindness and patience. Morrigan was equal parts fury and temperance, but always inevitable and unwavering. To the latter, she trusted all truth, all foresight and insight, the realms of courage, perseverance, and hope. Rhysand was equal parts wavering and certain, but always there for those in desperate need.
  
  Next she forged herself a lover, The Tigeress Bride. She was golden, ever burning brighter than any sun could hope for, and was all things passion and love and emotion. But, made as she was, she could not have her heart dictated; she loved and mated with The Morrigan, for which she was punished by The Wolf Queen, cursed with a front paw of solid gold, heavy and cumbersome; but, thus reprimanded for the betrayal, she and her lover were united, and came to govern over all marriage and affairs of the heart within Astara and the forest.
  
  Seeking affection elsewhere, The Wolf Queen created servants and dependents. The Rats she made to swarm about her paws and do her bidding, unyielding loyal and abundant. The Maggots she buried in her fur so that she might always have life with her, and to remind herself that even as The Rats sang her praises and called her omnipotent, she had a duty to that life which depended upon her.
  
  But loneliness persisted. The Wolf Queen roamed the forest in search of companionship until she came across the humans, the weakest and most pitiful of races at the time. She conversed with and fell deeply in love with a human man, and on the night of the new moon, they mated. At the next full moon, she gave birth to a human child blessed with all the magic and protection of The Black Forest, who is said to be the ancestor of the Astara royal bloodline.
  
  This human man and child, who could not live for all eternity as she did, were driven out from the forest so that she might not see them age and wither and die, and thus avoid the breaking of her heart. For them, so that they might know peace at last, she created Astara, a land protected by her and the forest from the rest of Aria's species. Her human lover became the First King of Astara, and the child of the Wolf Queen succeeded him, and carried on the blessing of that guardian.
  

 

[Bang Bang]

K E Y ✤ N P C S

Characters played only by the GMs whom you may wish to have knowledge of. If a player would like to claim an NPC to play for themselves, they are welcome to PM the GMs to discuss ideas. Though the rough sketches of character given below have to be adhered to for the most part, players are welcome to expand on the characters and their backgrounds.

(N.B. Characters with an * next to their tab title cannot be claimed by players)

W E S T

​

• Queen Lucia
• Queen's Consort*
• The Wolf Queen*
• Forest Witch*
• City Guard Captain
• Hanged Prince Barkeep
• Mad Cavern Mayor
• Hallows Leader
• The Ragged King

• 
  
  
  Full Name: Queen Lucia Lammas Astara
  Role: Queen of Astara
  Species: Human
  Place of Residence: Heavensreach, Ursuna
  Description:
  The Immortal Witch Queen of Astara, Lucia has lived for as long as the eternal winter has been present. Originally hailing from the East, Lucia married into the Astara bloodline, and as they are always prone to do in Astara when discussing outsiders, rumors whisper about her as unfit for the throne, along with tales that the nobility of the Astara bloodline died with her late husband. Feasting on the hearts of dragons to keep herself forever young, she is infamous for her beauty, but also for her cruelty. She appears to be willing to stop at nothing to break the curse of winter, having done everything, from sacrificing the virgin women of the kingdom at alters and rituals too dark to describe here. Now, she has finally placed a bounty on the head of the Wolf Queen in the hopes that destroying the old gods of their kingdom will bring about the death of old customs and curses, allowing her to restart the Astara line. The fact that in all of two-hundred years, she has been unable to produce an heir to the throne, is cause for much gossiping.
  
  It should be noted that all conversation considered treasonous or unflattering of the Queen can be punished by indefinite imprisonment and/or execution.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Rhysand, Raven Twin, Spirit of Rebirth, Guardian of The Future
  Role: Consort to Queen Lucia
  Species: Spirit
  Place of Residence: Heavensreach (present); The Black Forest (past)
  Description: Once a mighty Spirit worshipped by the masses, Rhysand, a legend in local folklore, was enslaved by the late King of Astara and now serves as oracle and adviser to the court. In addition to these roles, she is also known for being consort to the Queen. Her guidance and knowledge is being offered freely to all those who wish to take on the bounty of the Wolf Queen, though where her loyalties lie in this matter remains a matter of debate, with many of the nobility theorizing that she remains loyal to her old ways and life.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name:
  Role: Guardian of The Black Forest, target of The Hunt
  Species: Guardian
  Place of Residence: The Black Forest
  Description: More myth than tangible fact, The Wolf Queen was once perceived as the patron of humanity and Astara, a protective guide who watched other them and their progress. When the eternal winter failed to ebb, she slowly became a figure of villainy and spite for the locals. Her appearance, traits, abilities, and nature change depending on what myth or tale you heed; some paint her as benevolent, some as a wrathful beast. She is depicted as a wolf the size of of a castle in some stories, whilst others see her as human, a warrior, a beautiful young maiden, or an old crone. With such changeable information to go on, finding her shall not be easy, much less killing her. Nonetheless, the Queen demands her head, and the bounty more than makes it worth the risk.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Unknown
  Role: Local Witch
  Species: Unknown
  Place of Residence: Astara Drifts, the border of The Black Forest
  Description:
  According to rumor, the witch who set up shop ten or so years ago along the forest's edge is in fact the Morrigan, Spirit of the Dead, Guardian of the Past. She has been willing to provide assistance to locals in return for information on the Court and its happenings, charging steeper prices for information in return. Thus far, she has presented herself as peaceful. No one has yet to confront her about her suspected identity.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Lily Soran
  Role: Captain of Ursuna's City Guard
  Species: Elf
  Place of Residence: Ursuna, Astara
  Description: One of the warmer, softer aspects of Astara, Lily is a rare break from the harsh winter hardiness that permeates the people of Astara. Known for her lenient influence on the law enforcement in Ursuna, Lily is well respected among the non-humans of Astara for climbing so high in terms of the career ladder, and for aiding in dissuading adverse opinions of non-humans. At present, she is ensuring her guardsmen gather as much information as possible from Heavensreach so that the general populace can stay informed on the negotiations, as well as trying to ensure the visiting populace comes to no harm. With so many non-humans flooding Ursuna for the Hunt, she is having a tough time keeping racial tensions to minimum, and would be likely to reward any aid handsomely.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Alexandre 'Andre' de Carmine
  Role: Barkeep and Owner of 'The Hanged Prince' Tavern
  Species: Human
  Place of Residence: The Hanged Prince, Ursuna
  Description: Hailing originally from Republic Isle, Andre is one of the rare few who make the reverse of the usual journey, instead travelling back to the now withering Astara. Well-connected to The Mad Cavern thanks to his half brother Dorian, Andre is one of the few who is able to keep a steady supply of liquor available that is not manufactured from suspicious origins. Known for serving warm, fine ales and wines from the Republic itself, Andre is one of the most successful tavern keeps in Ursuna, and is well-regarded for his cheerful demeanor. If you want local city gossip or to be put in contact with certain characters of less salubrious note, he is always a good ear to consult. Spending his days loosening the tongues of peasants and nobles alike, he is perhaps the only one is Astara who knows more secrets than Dorian.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Dorian Darmine
  Role: Unofficial 'mayor' of The Mad Cavern, he knows everything there is to know about the comings and goings there, and is always willing to help out a pretty face— for a price, of course.
  Species: Human
  Place of Residence: The Mad Cavern, Astara
  Description: Though not the founder of the black market and settlement that dwells within The Mad Cavern, Dorian's knack with information, haggling, and keeping people happy has landed him in the position of ensuring the place runs smoothly, all in return for everyone else making sure his palms stay well greased with coin. Rumors, guidance, and secrets can all be found stored within his skull, though getting them out of him is always fairly simple; everything comes down to coin.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Demetria Brock
  Role: Leader of Hallows Guild
  Species: Human
  Place of Residence: Hallowed Hall
  Description: Strong as an Orc and twice as ferocious, Demetria is notorious around Ursuna even without being a guild leader, able to drink anyone under the table and prone to getting into fights. With seemingly bottomless ambitious, she took over the guild two years ago and began expanding its horizons into the less-than-legal territories of assassinations, smuggling, and bedlam jobs. Though the Thieves Guild has tolerated her so far, they have been growing more and more restless with the intrusion, and have already sent the Hallows Guild their final warning.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Jeremiah Corvo. Known to guild members as 'King', or known to the rest of the world as 'Crow' or 'The Ragged King'. Particularly brave members of the guild call him 'Beaky' behind his back.
  Role: Leader of Astara's Thieves Guild
  Species: Unknown. Theorized to be some kind of Nosferatu.
  Place of Residence: The Trickle
  Description: Having been a member of the thieves guild for over a century, Crow has shown no sign of aging and thus is unlikely to be human. He is a shrewd businessman, has demonstrated himself on multiple occasions to be utterly devoid of pity, and rivals the people of the Republic in his tight running of a business. The only people he demonstrates any shred of humanity towards his those of his own guild, whom he protects diligently so long as they prove themselves worthy of the loyalty. His face has supposedly never been seen, and he appears to have no personal life to speak of. He rarely ventures outside of The Trickle during daylight hours, leading to the assumption of his Nosferatu status.
  

N O R T H

• Knightor
• Council Advisor
• Captain of Republic Watch
• The Summer Queen
• Form

• 
  
  
  Full Name: Benjamin Descart
  Role: Current Knightor of Knights Republic
  Species: Elf
  Place of Residence: The Floating City
  Description: Benjamin is the epitome of everything the Knights Republic has become in the modern era. Charming, suave, and yet an astute and devious businessman, Benjamin owns and runs almost all of the whorehouses, opium dens, and pleasure gardens in the Floating city. With fingers in too many pies to count, he's an economic powerhouse as a sole individual. With the wealth of the Knights Republic behind him, he fully intends to solidify the Republic's domination of Aria. Equipped with enough ambition for a thousand men, it is no surprise that people believe he intends to bring about war, for a victory would not only secure the Republic's future, but given them near total control over Aria, the Wilds an easy target once Astara has been quelled.
  
  At present, he is an honored guest in Heavensreach, staying for the duration of negotiations. He is delightfully intrigued by the local folklore and this little quest to hunt the Wolf Queen, and has expressed a desire to stay until the Hunt takes on form and completion.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Markus Thoth
  Role: Though not an official member of either, Markus serves as the adviser to the Two Councils and the Knightor.
  Species: Human
  Place of Residence: The Floating City
  Description: Markus has traveled with Knightor Benjamin for the negotiations, and like his master, has expressed interested in seeing the Wolf Queen's head. He has gone so far as to offer aid to those who prove they stand a real chance against the Wolf Queen, and given his reputation as a powerful magician, it is an offer likely worth accepting.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Saccardigo 'Diego' Marnipus
  Role: Captain of the Floating City Guard, Republic Watch
  Species: Half-Elf, Half-Human
  Place of Residence: The Floating City, Watch Barracks
  Description: Usually in charge of keeping the peace in the Floating City, as well as managing the daily running of law enforcement across the Republic, Saccardigo has brought himself and a select party of trusted Watch members with him to accompany the Knightor and the Two Councils to Astara for negotiations. No finer archer can be found throughout the land, though he has an unsavory reputation for being something of a homewrecker.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name: Na'ajune Myan
  Role: Leader of the Republic Thieves Guild
  Species: Deimos
  Place of Residence: Crow's Peak, Floating City
  Description: Leader of the Republic-based Thieves Guild, 'June', as she is more commonly known, is as much a part of high society as she is the criminal underbelly of the Floating City. Dining with lords and ladies by day and cutting deals with smugglers and cutthroats by night, she plays both sides of the world with equal precision and deft care. Rumor has it she and her Astara counterpart, The Ragged King, are lovers, though the two have never been seen in the same room together. She is a close personal friend of the Knightor, and always at the disposal of the Republic's wealthy for carrying out whatever underhand tasks they might have need of.
  
• 
  
  
  Full Name:
  Role:
  Species:
  Place of Residence:
  Description:
  

 

[Bang Bang]

N O N - P L A Y A B L E ✤ S P E C I E S

Species of characters you may encounter elsewhere, played by the GMs only. If you wish for us to make an exception, you must make a request before making a CS, detailing your intentions for the character.​

• The Maggots
• The Rats
• Spirits
• Guardians
• Sprites
• Faeries

• 
  
  
  The Maggots of Folklore are the most tangible part of the Wolf Queen legend. For centuries, they have been perfectly benign. Tree-dwellers, they nurse themselves and fatten within the base of large trees, whilst simultaneously fertilising the forest floor for the slighter flora that struggle to obtain nutrients around such giants.
  
  Maggots then infect the seeds of their host tree, and thus when new trees grow, they foster new Maggots in their roots. Despite their parasitic nature, Maggots were considered helpful spirits up until about a century or so ago. Before this change, they were similar to their prettier tree-dwelling counterparts, Dryads, and often aided travellers in navigating the forest, or in finding safe nutrients.
  
  Lately, however, they have been known to attack any and all wanderers. They do so in groups of about six or so, using numbers to overwhelm stronger foes. They are not particularly strong, but once they have latched onto a target it is extremely difficult to shake them, especially since they are capable of rapidly growing their own ‘root’ like extensions from all over their body to bind a victim. They will then drag the body with the back into the earth and speed up the process of decomposition to fertilise the ground.
  
  Maggots shape is malleable and varied; Some are similar to serpents, though made from woody, knobbled bodies, whilst others walk on all fours in either crab or spider like fashion. They have no visible eyeballs, but rather hollows for eyes. They are capable of rapidly vanishing beneath the ground, and move surprisingly quickly. They do not tend to attack ‘locals’ of the forest, unless said locals seem to be harming the trees. However, more recently, in the last decade or so, they seem to be attacking on sight should they have enough numbers to pose a real threat to the target.
  
• 
  
  
  Rats were once the squires, servants, and soldiers of The Wolf Queen, or so they claim. Emerging into the public eye some five centuries ago, the Rats claimed that it was seeing the fleeing founders of Knights Republic escaping through their land that inspired them to rebel against their mistress. Ever since going rogue, they have proven to be a far more nebulous, enigmatic, and terrifying threat than the Maggots could ever hope to be.
  
  All Rats have one thing in common: They can take the form of beautiful young men, boys on the cusp between boyhood and adolescence. As such, they’ve had a history of seducing their way into fine houses, either by playing to noble women’s maternal instincts or by romancing her vanities.
  
  It should go without saying that these cherubic boy-masks they wear are not their true form.
  
  
  
  Supposedly fashioned from the corpses of the dead, enchanted to give them new life and new purpose, Rats' true forms consist of a seemingly never-ending variety of nightmare shapes. From their boy-masks, they can shift into millipedes with human faces; over-sized, malnourished giants with grotesque, bulbous heads; great beastly things or simply strange, spindly near-people that give the term ‘uncanny valley’ new depths. Their physical forms do not seem to obey logic, physics, or common decency; they can walk on their backs with their hands and feet, heads can twist thrice round, and their jaws have a habit of distending like a snake’s.
  
  This diversity once made them excellent citizens and workers, but now they use their skills for intimidation, slaughter, and harvest. Rats dwell on decaying flesh, and were once said to serve to ‘clean’ the forest of plague bearer corpses and help prevent the spread of infection. Nowadays, they kill their own food and leave it out in damp caverns to rot until they are satisfied. Or, if rumour is true, they’ve taken to burying people half-alive with room to breathe, in order to let the worms do what death is too slow for whilst allowing them to enjoy the squirming of live prey.
  
  
  
  Some towns even have Rats offering their services as bounty hunters, mercenaries, offering to terrify foes and haunt spurning lovers. They are enormously greedy, ambitious, and seemingly without loyalty or morals. They covet gold, or anything which they think could bring them power. They are also one of the most arrogant races in Faen, and insulting their pride or abilities is a cunning way to gode them into actions you wish them to take. However, they are moody, irritable, and tempramental, so always be cautious when handling.
  
  
  Should one hunt the Wolf Queen, they are always eager to, as they say, ‘see the bitch dead’. Just make sure when they lead you out into the forest, it is to serve your purposes, not their own.
  
• 
  
  

  
  
  Spirits are the embodiment of concepts, emotions, and events. For example, a particularly horrific battle may result in the manifestation of a spirit who embodies and contains these residual energies; in this sense, they are similar to the Verian, except they are not bound to tangible physical forms, do not have set lifespans, and have far greater magical influence. Some have localised domains, and their influence extends over only a small area, whilst others are so powerful and ancient that they are interwoven with the fabric of all of Aria and reality itself.
  
  Some Spirits are worshiped as Gods whilst others are seen as monsters; they are as varied as people in their behavior, some benevolent, some mischievous tricksters, whilst others appear cruel to the core. Their magic is slow and gradual in nature, only influencing the course of things rather than changing it, and they are most useful for their guidance and wisdom. As always with such things, their words are cryptic to mortal ears and often misinterpreted. They can be killed by removing their 'totem', an item or organ that is their center or origin point (e.g. a heart or a spear), although the fallout of such an act is poorly understood and undocumented.
  
  Whatever a Spirit's domain is influences its form and power/influence; they are geographically tied to wherever their concept originated from, with the exception of those that are Aria/reality-wide. Reverence for a Spirit bolsters its powers, whilst destruction/forgetting of its domain results in its diminishing and eventual vanishing. Once the concept a Spirit emerged from is forgotten, it can never again return. Many, many Spirits have been and gone over the millennia, though where they go, no one knows.
  
• 
  
  

  
  
  Similar to Spirits, Guardians are the spiritual embodiment of a place. The very fabric of reality in that place is interwoven with their existence and experience. The most well known example of a Guardian is The Wolf Queen, the Guardian of The Black Forest. They typically take on the form of wildlife native to their location, though they are master shape-shifters, and can assume whatever form they wish to address travellers with. They cannot leave their homes, but within their territory, the very nature of existence and reality bends to their will. No one has ever killed a Guardian before, though the destruction of a Guardian's home results in their disappearance and presumed death. Typically, guardians only manifest in natural geographical features, e.g. forests and mountains, although some are believed to exist to watch other man-made landmarks such as cities and civilizations. Roan is frequently interpreted as the Guardian of The Floating City.
  
• 
  
  

  
  
  In The Wilds, almost everything is sentient; mushrooms chatter, frogs shall engage you in conversations of politics, and leaves don't just sound as if they're whispering, but are genuinely gossiping behind your back. Though 'regular' animals do exist, sprites are just as common, though often shy, especially of humans, and as such they can be harder to locate. All Sprites are sorted into elemental categories (fire, air, earth, and water) and, if you befriend them, can provide small acts of magical assistance in the elemental magic they correspond to, e.g. a salamander can aid you in lighting your pathetic attempt at a campfire. Most Astara and Republic natives are unfamiliar with Sprites and are untrained in tracking and locating them; only locals of the Wilds are adept in uncovering and beguiling these little magical helpers.
  
• 
  
  

  
  Older than even the Deimos and supposedly even more ancient than the Giants, the Faery People are said to be the children of divinity/the universe's creative force. Like Sprites, they are elemental creatures, but unlike the Sprites with their comparatively pitiful sneezes of magic, all faeries are master magicians. Not technically a species, the Faery People are just that, a people. Once the sole inhabitants of Aria, then the companions of the Giants, they have since dwindled in numbers, but can still be found haunting the glimmers and shadows of the Fairy Lands.
  
  Known by many names (The Fair Folk, the Fae, Seelies, among half a dozen others) the Faery People are composed of two factions: The Seelie Court, otherwise known as The Southern Fae, and The Unseelie Court, aka The Northern Fae. [For more information, see the Faery tab in Societies and Cultures].
  
  Across the four elements, the uniting characteristics of all faeries are:
  ✤ Their deep love for trickery, deceit, riddles, and illusion
  ✤ Their magpie like tendency to horde wealth and luxuries, whatever that may mean to them, from material wealth or people
  ✤ Regardless of the element they are born into, all faery magic is capable of distorting perception, altering the mind and emotions, and entering into dreams. One of the most well known members of the Southern Fae/Seelie Court is 'The Sandman', a dream walker who is enigmatic even to the Faery People.
  
  The Fair Folk are universally feared for their power and their tendency to abduct, trap, and manslaughter mortals for recreational pleasure. They are one of the few species capable of 'dimension' hopping, and a popular subject for storytellers and bard is that of the Faery Realm, though few if an mortals have ever returned from there to come back home [See Folklore, Faery Doors].
  

 

[Bang Bang]

B E S T I A R Y

Beasts, monsters, and oddities you may counter in the land of Aria.​

 

[Bang Bang]

C H A R M S ✤ A N D ✤ C U R S E S ✤ C O M P E N D I U M

All Charms/Curses/Unknowns known thus far, listed A-Z.​

• Charms
• Curses

• 
  ✤ Ancient Mariner: You are now the property of She, Life in death. As such, you seem to be unable to die, and all those you meet whom you should wish to communicate with shall be bound to listen until your tale is done.
  ✤ A Tale of Misfortune: Your story so far has been one of ill-tidings. Neutral characters will be pre-disposed to pity you and will treat you more favorably for it.
  ✤ Brothers of The Shadows: Rogues such as you face enough trouble from the law and citizens. All other petty criminals shall be inclined to help you and give you opportunities.
  ✤ Charitable: Known for aiding your fellow man, people are inclined to trust you. You shall find it easier to befriend neutral characters.
  ✤ Dead Parents: As we all know from stories, those with dead parents are destined for greatness. Opportunities for power shall occur more frequently for you.
  ✤ Erl King: A creature of the forest, nature is a part of you, and you of it. You will never go hungry nor without shelter when in the woods or forest, and its creatures are naturally drawn to you despite whether or not that may be safe.
  ✤ Laughing in the Face of Wolves: Despite what you were told to believe and do, you defied warnings. Werewolves, who rely on fear, cannot harm you.
  ✤ Magic Creation: You are the child of magic, one way or another. All magic casters will be more likely to shelter or befriend you out of curiosity for your tales.
  ✤ Maiden: You are a young woman in a land of fairy tales; The magic of The Wilds is predisposed to help you when you are in need.
  ✤ Marquise: You are a lady naive to the ways of the world. As such, all mother figures will give you aid when you are in trouble.
  ✤ Pious: A creature of faith, you may well be rewarded. Benevolent spirits, sprites, and dryads are more likely to aid you.
  ✤ Repentant: For sins of the past you are now attempting to atone. Those who have committed sins they carry guilt for shall find solace in your presence, and random instances shall be inclined to give you opportunities to atone for that which you regret.
  ✤ Savior: You once saved many lives. Those who have heard of your tale will often give you something to reward your benevolence.
  ✤ Severed Hands: Due to a physical disfigurement you are viewed as having been cursed with bad luck - thus, those around you will supposedly be avoided by the unkind hand of fate. Your companions are always uncommonly lucky.
  ✤ Theatrical Childhood: You seem to have endured a tale entirely in your childhood; As such, negative random events are less likely yo befall you, for you have done your time.
  ✤ The Truth of The Forest: Unjustly accused of evil you did not do or intend, you face many grievances for this. However, your moral goodness and purity of intent protect you; Nature seems to be on your side, and when among it, you shall have unusual good luck.
  ✤ Titled: Once a person of a great title, now no longer, you are destined to reclaim your former glory; Or, meet a terrible end to mark the end of your descent. Either way, a life of peace is out of the question for you. Random instances will thus occur more frequently for you.
  ✤ Vengeance Bearer: You carry the craving for revenge of your blood. This is a strong bond, which simultaneously drives you to rages, but also grants you power when facing your natural enemies; In this case, men of the species of your father.
  ✤ Wolf Alice: Slowly, you are becoming human in some way. As such, should you choose, you can aid those with 'liminal' status or those who are 'beastly' to transcend their curses, though it is rarely obvious how this may be done. Your evolution is valued by these individuals, and they are more likely to befriend and aid you for your value.
  ✤ Wolf Heart: Though you may not always look as one, you have the heart or soul of a wolf. As such, wolves shall always be inclined to aid you in times of trouble, lick your wounds and shelter you when you are near them. If you befriend them, you can even have them run errands or assist you in matters.
  
  
• 
  ✤ Ancient Mariner: Life in Death comes with consequences. You are unable to stay in one place for long, and must constantly rove for all of your immortal days, compelled by forces beyond your control.
  ✤ Beastly: Your appearance is considered beastly by all humanoids; They will all be predisposed to treat you as a wretch and a fiend if they can see your true form.
  ✤ Blaspheme: You oppose the Wolf Queen herself, or another local spirit. Whilst in The Wilds, tragedy and enemies shall seek you with vigor.
  ✤ Bloody Chamber: You collect people, in one way or another, and thus can never form true, meaningful relationships. Those you are close to sicken of you quickly as they realize your intentions.
  ✤ Criminal Scum Guards are your worst enemy. Whilst in civilisation, you are at constant risk of arrest, and shall find obtaining shelter and aid from normal citizens more difficult.
  ✤ Curiosity Kills The Cat: Satisfaction may bring it back in the cat's tale, but for you, you may not be so lucky. You have a curious disposition, and thus you are naturally drawn to whatever may do you harm in your surroundings, even if you know of their nature.
  ✤ Dishonest: A life of crime rarely goes unpunished in such tales, at least by magic where the law proves to be incompetent. Negative magic events shall befall you more frequently.
  ✤ Flower Over The Garden Wall: Unfortunately for you, you possess a quality coveted by many. As such, creatures of magic who can sense this will be naturally drawn to hunting you. Civilisation poses an increased threat to your well-being.
  ✤ Fool: Either due to ignorance or stupidity, you cause great pain for many. As such, those who have heard of your tale shall fear and resent you. Finding shelter or aid at their hands shall be difficult.
  ✤ Gothic Double: You are a doppelganger, a manifestation of the double, a mirror and a shadow all at once - you are Frankenstein's creature and Gilman's woman in the wallpaper. As such, you have a habit of embodying the repressed desires, rage, and emotions of those around you, and acting out their secret wishes.
  ✤ Hubris: You dared to try defy the natural order of the world, and as such, nature resents you. Survival in The Wilds shall be more difficult for you.
  ✤ In Need of a Lesson You refuse to learn a lesson of morals. As such, magic is inclined to teach you some. Magic events and influences shall serve to guide you in the direction of learning your misgivings.
  ✤ Liminal: For one reason or another, you are a creature of a liminal state, not one thing nor another but something in-between. As a result, you never fit in, and are frequently spurred by all save those of a similar condition.
  ✤ Lost to Parents: For one reason or another, your parents have abandoned you. You will be drawn to traps as a result, and less likely to be able to perceive their true nature.
  ✤ Maiden Though blessed by magic for it, your maidenhood also attracts the ill-will of others. Werewolves, beasts, malicious creatures, and at times those you would consider countrymen are drawn to you with ill intentions.
  ✤ Monstrous: You have made yourself monstrous by the blood on your hands. This has forever 'othered' you from society, and thus you shall always be gnawed away at by a lack of companionship or kinship. You will only experience true happiness from connection around your fellow 'Monstrous' creatures.
  ✤ Pious: Piety of you kind comes from a life lived on certain grounds. In areas you are unfamiliar with, you will experienced increased magical random events. Additionally, fairies, malevolent spirits, and monsters are drawn to you to challenge your faith.
  ✤ Pride Binds The Tiger: You are a creature of civilization and a proud one at that. You will struggle to communicate or ally with the bestial in the world.
  ✤ Tragic Hero: You are in a position of great power, or possess great power; In a world were pathos is everything, and irony great, you are destined for a tragic fall. Negative magic and random instances shall befall you often.
  ✤ Wild to The Wilds: Unfamiliar with The Wilds, you are numb to magic. Unexpected magical happenings will occur in your path more often when out of civilization than for most folk.
  ✤ Witch Slayer You are a witch slayer, either by habit or by trade, and as such, you carry the stench of severed magic. All witches will be extremely cautious around you, and can 'notice' you more easily for this scent.
  ✤ Wolf Alice's Patron: Your life is characterised by killing for a living, though it is not born of malice, rather necessity. Intention matters not, however, for it marks you as an outsider to 'the normal'. You will be shunned by civilisation and are unlikely to find aid or shelter there.
  ✤ Untroubled: Thus far, your life has been unmarked by great hardship or tragedy. Random events affecting you are significantly inclined to be negative, for no fairy tale is complete without obstacles.
  

 

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F A C T I O N S

Factions across Aria that players may encounter, wish to join, or take up arms against, etc.​

• Astara: Hallows Guild
• Astara: City Guard
• Thieves Guild
• Nobility
• The Wilds: Orcish Rebellion
• Republic: Republic Watch
• Republic: The Two Councils
• Form

• 
  
  
  Base of Operations: Hallowed Hall, Ursuna
  Role: Mercenary Guild
  Description: One of the few remaining legal mercenary guilds in Astara. Despite this, thanks to tough times the Hallows Guild has been rumored to be encroaching on criminal operations and becoming a competitor to the Thieves Guild.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  
  
  Base of Operations: Guards Barracks, Ursuna
  Role: Law enforcement of Ursuna
  Description: As the name rather implies, the City Guard is the group of individuals in charge of keeping the peace in Ursuna. With so many non-humans flooding the city to come and join The Hunt, their hands are overflowing with dealing with racial tensions and subsequent hate crimes. It does not help that several members of the guard have gone off to join the hunt, an act sanctioned and permitted by the Queen herself.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  
  
  Base of Operations: The Trickle, Ursuna; Crow's Peak, Floating City
  Role: Thieves Guild
  Description: Sister factions operating in both of the major civilisations, the Thieves Guild defies usual prejudices and as a result of the partnership, it is thriving on the smuggling market that Astara's starvation calls for. War between the two superpowers would cause major losses for the guild, and they wish to avoid it at all costs.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  Base of Operations: Ursuna and The Floating City
  Role: The decadently wealthy members of Aria.
  Description: The 'nobility' varies depending on if you are in Astara or the Republic.
  
  In Astara, one cannot buy into the nobility, but rather you must be of noble blood and/or relation to the royal line. The truly wealthy can forge documents to claim noble heritage, but it is a risky endeavour. However, being of the nobility in Astara permits you access to education, most private libraries, along with private audiences with the Queen and the ability to own large quantities of land. Without a noble deed, this is otherwise impossible (legally speaking).
  
  In Republic, the nobility is rarely thought of as such, though we might refer to it for ease of categorisation. Given how the Republic abhors tyranny and/or nepotism, its hierarchy runs on who is rich and who is poor. However, wealth affords you access to the people and gatherings required to gain a certain social standing. From here, you gain access to secret societies, political conspiracies, and use of the Thieves Guild. Whilst education is permitted and encouraged to all, rich and poor, only the rich are able to afford to pursue in-depth studies. Being known for your wealth also leads to you being invited to events and political occasions, in which the negotiations at present are included.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  
  
  Base of Operations: The Floating City
  Base of Operations: Fort Lock
  Role: Anti-slavery rebellion and freedom fighters
  Description: Composed almost solely of Orcs, the Orcish Rebellion is a faction focused on freeing enslaved Orcs in Astara and the Republic. Though their numbers are small, steady excursions with frequent retreats and patience have enabled them to liberate numbers well into the hundreds. With mounting tensions between the two superpowers of Aria, they hope to make use of the turmoil to gather external allies and unite against the two whilst they quarrel among themselves.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  
  
  Base of Operations: The Floating City
  Role: Law enforcement in The Floating City
  Description: It is a well-known fact that the Republic Watch is as corrupt as the wealthy elite. As bad as the thieves guild at times, they turn their eyes to whatever you might get up to if you pay them well enough, with a few rare exceptions when it comes to idealists who think they'll make a difference by going against the grain; more often than not, these wide-eyed wunderkinds end up floating dead in a river, but well, at least they tried. The Republic Watch largely only bothers keeping an eye on the rabble and commoners to ensure they keep in line and don't interfere with the workings of businesses and trade, and serve as guards to the capitalist paradise that is the Republic.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  
  
  Base of Operations: The Floating City
  Role: Creation of Laws, Decrees, and Economic Management within the Republic
  Description: Composed of two councils of twelve (The Knights Council, compiled of the heads of the founding families, and The People's Council, compiled of an elected campaigner from each of the twelve districts of The Floating City), the Two Councils cast votes on all ideas put forth by the Knightor, and only with a majority from both can any bill be passed. Though in theory this ensures perfect democracy, corruption runs rampant in both, in particular the Knights Council. Money, alliances, extortion, and blackmail have all ensured that for the past five years, every bill Knightor Benjamin has put through has been passed. Of course, the Council members are well compensated, so few really mind this arrangement.
  Status: Open to player characters
  
• 
  Base of Operations:
  Role:
  Description:
  Status: Open to player characters
  

 

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C R E D I T S

Media, concepts, etc that were major sources of information/inspiration for this RP

Atmosphere and Concept Inspiration - The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, Snow White and the Hunstman (film starring Kristen Steward, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron)
Charms and Curses Sources - Transformations by Anne Sexton, The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Myths + Legends Podcast, All of Shakespeare's Work, Aristotle on Tragedy, Greek Myth, among many, many others
Cats With Hands - Cat With Hands by Robert Morgan
Werewolves mechanics - The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
Elvish Dynamics - A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Rebecca Chambers

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L I N K S

Links to elsewhere.

Player-Created Lore

Items Shops

Looking For Pinboard

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