Pride.
Local Mushroom
intro
Middle
DJ SNAKE
overview.
Hello everyone! It's Pride here, and I am back with a friend this time. Love you Terror! This story is actually a blast from the past that Terror and I wanted to reboot. We are looking to keep this group rather small, there are only four labeled roles (gods and vessels) left, but many chances to make an Awakened. The roles taken by Terror and I are noted. This story is a modern fantasy that is mostly character driven, but will include plot arcs with terror and action. We will also be hosting the OOC part of the thread on Discord. If these are things that won't work for you this may not be for you.
Now onto the fun part, the story! We hope you will enjoy it and possibly stick around!
EDIT TO ADD: PLEASE THANK THE BEAUTIFUL TERRORKITTY FOR REWRITING THE INTRO!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(This is based on The Four Symbols, I love exploring other religions and have been reading about these four mythical beasts for some time. To make the story interesting I have made some twists and changes)
_____________________________________________
The Four Symbols, also known as the Four Guardians, Four Gods, or Four Auspicious Beasts, are mythological creatures in Eastern Asian culture that are believed to be the guardians of the four cardinal directions. These symbols play an important role in religious and spiritual beliefs, with each having its own origin story and unique personality. However, it is important to note that there may be inaccuracies in our understanding of these ancient legends. Our story delves into the true nature of these beings and how they fell from grace.
To begin, the Four Symbols include:
The Azure Dragon of the East, a young Yang spirit representing spring and the element of wood and wind.
The Vermilion Bird of the South, an elder Yang spirit representing Summer and the element of fire.
The White Tiger of the West, a young Yin spirit representing autumn and the element of metal.
The Black Tortoise of the North whose symbol also includes the Black Snake, eternally intertwined with the Black Tortoise, together they are the elder Yin who represent Winter and the element of water and ice.
It is worth noting that there is often an overlooked fifth symbol; the Golden Dragon in the center who watches over the other earthly God, represented by the Earth itself.
The Four Symbols not only represent the cardinal directions, but also rule over their respective seasons and the transitions between them, ensuring that nature stays in balance. A responsibility which included giving their divine protection to the people of their territories.
Though today we only have depictions of them as beasts, in the ancient past, the gods were known to take on human form and would even walk among mortals, but of course these details have faded into whispers of myths and legends until no longer remembered.
During these ancient times the Gods often revealed themselves to humans in order to receive offerings and attend festivals held in their honor. The gods would bestow their blessings and offer aid in battle or other various matters. Though eventually Demons left festering the underworld since they had been separated from the heavens managed to slip between realms to Earth. Spreading their corruption in contest to the Gods, as they would stop at nothing to reach the heavenly realm and claim it for their own.
Earth became a battleground of a holy war for balance in the universe, and humans were caught in the middle. Most sided with the divine gods who they worshiped, raising armies to fight alongside their deities. Yet many fell to the temptations of the Demons, either by trickery or by luring in those who protested the Gods interference with their affairs.
The fighting was a struggle lasting hundreds of years, countless generations of Humans came and went, but the Gods and the Demons remained constant. At least until the Demons unleashed a long awaited plan, when the faith in the gods was weakest they managed to manipulate the Black Tortoise’s own followers against them, a devastating betrayal leading to the first true death of an immortal God in milenia. The Black Snake survived however, and alongside the other four beasts, lashed out in a vicious rage against any and all Humans, those they had sworn to protect. Exactly as the Demons predicted, as their ultimate goal was to spur enough negative energy to corrupt and demonize them.
The other Gods would not let this happen at any cost. So they came up with a plan to subdue the turned gods by sealing their powers in human vessels who were pure of heart, forcing them to protect humans partly for their own survival. The plan was successful, but the relationship between the gods and humans was forever changed. Humans continued to worship the gods, but began to distance themselves, eventually forgetting about them almost entirely as time passed and magic faded from the Earth after the remaining deities finished the war, and sealed the underworld once more. As the mortal realm healed, it began to lose its magic and the Gods were left unable to return aside from answering minor prayers and enacting occasional miracles from the heavens.
In fear that the Four Symbols could not be released from their bindings, as they would only try to harm humans again, the beasts were forbidden from returning to heaven and fully sealed away by the humans they were bound to. This allowed Humans to pretend that none of these fantastical events ever happened.
In the present day, the gods are still respected, and people are still aware of the Four Auspicious Beasts among the other Gods, but they do not know the true story. The four chosen families who became the vessels of the Four Symbols have never forgotten their role in helping humanity recover. Each generation was taught about where their gifts come from. As when they became the vessels for the four gods' powers, they also gained abilities of their own through their respective Gods. These abilities were primarily a resistance, control, and immunity to the elements of their God, so when called forth to aid, they would be unable to harm their Humans they were bound to protect.
There is only one vessel in each generation, and another vessel can be born only when the previous one passes away. The current vessels do not fully believe in the Four Symbols story that their ancestors have been telling for generations, until an event triggers the release of the heavenly beasts.
Demons had somehow found a way back into the mortal realm, leaving the Golden Dragon, the only God in heaven with a strong connection to the Earth, no other choice but to end his disciples' punishment as even He is unable to return in order to deal with the new rising threat of corruption and chaos. Leaving the Four Auspicious Beasts and their vessels as Earth’s last defense against the destruction of everything.
_____________________________________________
roles
roles.
The Black Snake
Taken
He hates humans more than the other gods. He was married to the Tortoise, she was his world. The two of them could control the element of water. When he has full access to his powers, not only can he control water, he can shape ice and even manipulate some aspects of the weather. He is the ruler of the north and winter. When his vessel permits it he can take the shape of a giant, black snake.
The Vermilion Bird
open
She is often confused for a Fenghuang because when she changes her shape, she looks very similar to the symbol of the Empress. But she loathes when people compare her to the Fenghuang. She is often described as the elegant and noble ruler of the south. It is only fitting that the Queen of Summer can control fire. With her full power, she can level nations with her flames and can even absorb fire to heal herself.
The Azure Dragon
Taken
A powerful general of the East who can take the shape of a dragon, when his vessel allows it. He is the calmest of the four gods and people have always kind of assumed that he was the leader. Seeing as though he used to be one of the Dragon gods. Not only can he control spring, but he can also control the air. This control can range from the breeze to full-on tornados. But his power is limited like all the others.
The White Tiger
Taken
She is a powerful warrior, representing not only the “King” of animals but also power. It pissed her off when humans tried to manipulate her image into that of a man to fit their desires. She can control the Earth and deserves to be represented correctly. Seeing as though she has all of her power, she is capable of splitting cities with earthquakes. She misses that she can’t show off all her power or run around as a giant white tiger without a human's permission.
The North Vessel
Taken
(Female) As the North’s vessel, they contain the power of the Black Tortoise, or more accurately the Black Snake. Because they have the water god’s power in them they can do things like breathe underwater. They do not know everything they are capable of, but they have noticed that they are basically immune to feeling cold.
The South Vessel
Taken
(Female) Because of the Vermilion Bird’s power, they are protected from all things fire and heat. Though figuring that out comes out with quite the story. It comes in handy because they can’t get burnt. They also have never minded the warmer temperatures and humidity in the summer.
The East Vessel
Taken
(Female) They are not sure what to do with their gift. It is hard to explain, but it always seemed like the wind moved around them. Protecting them and keeping them safe. Another gift of theirs they don’t know of is that they have breath just fine in even the most oxygen-low situations.
The West Vessel
taken
(Male) They have always felt at home in nature. Because of the power that resides in them, their gift manifests in them being able to heal, both plants and people. No one is quite sure why their gift manifests like that. They also have a way of calming both animals and people.
The Awakened
open
Spirits who had gone dormant either by inhabiting the soul of the human or pretending to be one, had long since forgotten what they really are. Faded with both time and the rest of the mystical energy of the earthly realm, they had in many ways, become an average human themselves.
However, as the Golden Dragon released the Four Guardian Gods from their divine punishment, so too was their godly energy; A spark which jumpstarted the stalled chi of the Earth, ushering in a new era of gods and myths.
Those spirits who'd survived the demon wars and hid amongst humans, who had become mortals themselves, could feel change in balance. Sparking memories, abilities and forms they'd long forgotten, even if they conflict with their new Human identity. They know who they are.
Written by Terror
rules
rules.
rule one.
We ask that you are 18+, there will be mature themes involved, and I personally don't feel comfortable writing with minors.
rule two.
Looking for people who are comfortable with writing semi-adv. to advanced writing. Meaning 2+ paragraphs per post, good grammar, etc etc. No-liners, please.
rule three.
No god-modding. No Mary or Gary sues. Everyone has flaws and you are not allowed to control other characters unless given permission by the owner.
rule four.
I ask that you are comfortable with romance, this thread leans more toward romance and character development.
rule five.
We are LGBTQ+ friendly! Make those gay gods and whatever else may be calling you.
rule six.
The classic ‘hate the character, not the player’. We will not tolerate bullying or fighting between players. Just in-character drama, please.
rule seven.
We ask that you have discord, or are willing to make one because OOC will be done on a discord server.
rule eight.
Realistic FCs only, keep in mind that this is taking place in Korea.
rule nine.
Please feel free to make the characters your own and add and change things. If you are worried about something making me upset, please just ask.
rule ten.
We are no longer requiring you to make two characters, you can now just apply for one role. So you can now apply for a vessel, god, or Awakened. For know the character limit is two per player.
rule eleven.
This is not 'first come first serve', everyone will be judged fairly based on the sheet they submit.
intro
roles
rules
We were Gods,
Respected, Powerful,
Loved
genre
KRP, Fantasy, Romance
status
accepting
Gods & Vessels open
3/8
questions?
Feel free to ask any questions
♡coded by uxie♡
Last edited:
