demonology
𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒚𝒕𝒉.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.
𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙖'𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙭 𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚
THE WORLD.EGRESS. *:･ﾟ✧ population of 821,533
Strings of fairy-lit lanterns line a ballroom. A buffet of delicacies, the kind an Echo chef slaves over, all consumed only to be spat back up to further the gluttony. A chaise perfect for lounging and spilling your darkest desires, your illest of sins. Normal fan-fare for Egressian socialites, who have grown up under the snotty nose of opulence and the musky smell of aristocracy. Of course, they are not villains (some of them, that is), but their country is.
A country marred by a less-than-clean history, Egress is known for its over abundance, ancient housing, black and white stylings, and even starker opinions. The land is lush and grand, free from the tar and smoke of 'disgusting' factories. Classism runs deep in the country, and its nowhere near as subtle as the residents would like to believe. The affluent are a VIP club, filled with trust-fun heirs, suspicious new comers judged for their lack of status, and of course, the generationally wealthy, while the proletariat stand at the opposite end of the spectrum. Egress contains pockets of shanty towns, carefully hidden from many maps of the country. The two biggest towns include Devil's Kettle and Leninbog. They contain prisons spanning whole blocks, carefully avoided by many of the residents. These prisons make up the majority of the country's monetary gain and nationalized workforce. For obvious reasons, Egress tends to glamorize their main industry, also specializing in weapons production and policing. The country advertises itself as the greatest practitioner of justice and safety, while truthfully, it practices anything but.
QUICK FACTS. *:･ﾟ✧
Currency ⁂ For simplicity's sake, money is referred to as dollars or cents.
Main Product and Services ⁂ Many other countries utilize Egress for their massive prison system. Additionally, Egress has the man-hours to construct and manage prisons in other countries, making it an exported service. Weapons development, manufacturing, and management are also amongst Egress's most common exports.
Size ⁂ Egress is a small country, with an equally small population. It is about the size of Croatia.
Other Countries ⁂ There are surrounding countries, six of them, but due to a desire to not overwhelm anyone with mountains of information, we will be focusing solely on Egress. However, in the Discord, I will provide a thread with all the countries and some quick facts about them, if anyone ever feels the need to reference them in their writing!
Social Hierarchy ⁂ By and large, Egress would be considered an oligarchy, primarily due to how it provides social status and power to those who are most wealthy. Additionally, the scale of power determines one's ability to attain monetary success. The Nobility, such as the residents of Lazarus Alley, are given more political power and a monthly stipend by the Empire in show of support. The Gentry, a more broad term, includes the lesser members of the Nobility who reside in towns throughout the country of Egress to operate the local governments. The Common are simply that: the most often-found members in Egressian society, likely living what we would refer to as lower middle class to impoverished. The lowest of the low are the Criminals, though they are primarily used for labor and are not discussed.
ANTOINETTA. *:･ﾟ✧ the septic heart of Egress.
A gated community sits in the core of Antoinetta, resting place to the grandest homes, some spanning miles. Victorian and Art Deco architecture make up the gilded estates, often times laden in carrying shades of black, white, blues, silvers, and golds. Old meets new in Egress, especially in Antoinetta, where the upper echelon prides itself on maintaining a fashion-forward attitude. Consumers at heart, it appears that only the structure of the building remain the same, with ever changing coats of paint, lawn ornaments, and interior decor. All other aspects of Antoinetta life fall under a similar category, with only antiquated rules about propriety reigning in any sense of oddity and impracticality.
One street in Antoinetta is where our stage sets itself. On the corner sits the historical white Victorian, known as Holhorse House. Recently opened to the public (truthfully, for the oligarchical gentry who can afford the price) for tourism. Rumored to be home to the ghost of Edvard Holhorse, many Antoinetta natives avoid the home. There, the hunters set up surveillance and false identities as a group of gentry heirs, looking to rub elbows with the elite under the guise of finding spouses, status, and harmless fun.
Across the street, spanning almost two miles, is the wealthiest block in Antoinetta. Not all who reside are amongst the most powerful, but they either once were or have enough money to buy the title of one. Many are politicians, academics, celebrities, nepotism babies, slimy business men, etc. While the Prime Minister’s house is a hidden secret to many, rumors detail that their family lives on Lazarus Alley. Others of note include: Madame Heatherstone, infamous for her spinsterhood and unethical research projects, Killjoy Nerv, a musician and rumored drug dealer from Leninbog, Cyrus Polyps, a man who offers a bright smile, a ‘helpful’ deal, and twisted fingers behind his back, along with many more. Most importantly, the mysterious hacker worth $7 billion in coin resides within the neighborhood. While the street seems sleepy, coming alive solely for a good party, tea time, or tennis match, it houses secrets beyond just the identities of Ramiel, Themis, and Verona. A soft, grimy underbelly sits protected under the hard earth of Lazarus Alley, threatening to unveil itself with the constant prodding of the newcomers.
QUICK FACTS. *:･ﾟ✧
Lazarus Alley ⁂ the street on which all will unfold. Characterized by its art deco and Victorian architecture, sprawling estates, and host of leisure activities, one would be hard-pressed to find themself bored, even with the towering concrete walls. The main hot-spots include: Kerwin's Chipped Ice Parlor, the Parquette Country Club, the competing outfitters known as Opphenmeir's Tailor, Millinery, Repairs, and Etc. and Junemeir's Boutique and Alterations, Flyleaf Books, the Lazarus Menagerie, Musicopolis, and the crowning jewel, Central Park
Holhorse House ⁂ Abandoned for quite some time, no one expected Holhorse House to revive itself. Within its walls is the ghost of Holhorse, himself. Anyone on Lazarus Alley will tell you the home is haunted. Why any developer with half a skull would want to revitalize the home and open it to the unsightly public remains a mystery. However, the bounty hunters have taken it as their opportunity to investigate the residents covertly. Of course, none of them know of the ghost that haunts the halls, nor the unspent treasures Holhorse supposed hid within...
Culture Overview ⁂ Of course, Lazarus Alley is highly exclusive. Anyone with a bit of dough turns snobbish in Egress, and Lazarus Alley takes sad sentiment to the extreme. Beyond this, of course, there are themes of purity, status, and success. Find all three, and anyone in Lazarus will be forced to respect you.
Purity *:･ﾟ✧ Pre-ascertained matches, including courting, are preferred, and balls are offered in order to support said desire. Of course, this does not stop people from dating or harmless fun, but any serious relationship is frowned upon unless approved by the masses and found under proper circumstances. The Debutante Ball indicates the beginning of the next matchmaking season by celebrating all of the new young ones joining the ranks of adults. However, despite these traditions, many have opted for unorthodox manners, revealing that with a bit of money and an emphasis on the other two values, anyone can break this rule.
Status *:･ﾟ✧ Familial history is, at times, more important than the dollars in one's bank accounts. With a long line of up-standing citizenry and a strong prescence amongst the Prime Minister and other oligarchs, one is set-up for life. A handful of families who have fallen into a lot of prominence in recent years rely upon this sense of status, opting to up-hold it in any manner possible. Oftentimes, this is through marriage (aka purity) or through money (aka success). Of course, status can also be bought or won. Many families who have only recently came into Lazarus Alley are just as highly regarded as those who have lived in the community for centuries. It is simply a matter of throwing spectacular parties, maintaining an agreeable social presence, climbing the success ladder, and a whole lot of ass-kissing.
Success *:･ﾟ✧ Out of the three key values upheld by Lazarus Alley, success is surprisingly the easiest to garner weight in. Typically, this implies monetary gain, consistent and prevalent enough to allow for an overabundance. However, social honor is also key to success. Fame, critical fanfare, academic idolization, etc. can all contribute to a sense of power, ultimately giving one success even if they are only able to afford the eight-course meal, instead of the ten, at a party.
Visuals ⁂ found here.
The Families ⁂ coming soon!
OTHERWORLDLINESS.The world of Egress contains a host of supernatural, fantastical, and even mildly scientific creatures. Much of these concepts blend together, meaning much of the scientific elements derive from fantasy and vice versa.
With the roles, I took the liberty of writing down which mystical quality might fit the character best. Of course, if the one listed doesn't suit your fancy, you are welcome to pick another. However, in order to prevent too many repeats, please DM me. I doubt there will be issues with this, but it helps me to keep track!
ECHOES. *:･ﾟ✧ human-shaped and sized, usually ranging in the smaller size. Sometimes as short as 4’5, though this is rare. They are known to dwell around cavernous and watery regions, especially near beaches and in valleys.
Abilities ⁂ Can only repeat the latest thing that others say to them. They can control tone, which is their primary form of communication amongst each other. They cannot repeat words that they say to each other, though it is common that they all have heard the same word last, given most creatures with the ability to speak freely usually avoid Echos, for they are often seen as an annoyance.
Misc ⁂ Echoes are often regarded for their beauty and inability to speak unless spoken to. Thus, they oftentimes work as servants, handmaidens, etc. Lazarus Alley is infamous for its workforce made up of primarily Echoes.
THE WOLFSBANE VIRUS. *:･ﾟ✧ Created in a lab on accident, the virus was created through an experiment designed to alter the temperament of wolves, hoping to domesticate them in order to make them pets for the Egressian elite. Like any unmonitored experiment that defies the laws of nature, the virus has spread to humans. Since then, research has been done to investigate and divulge a cure. No such one exists yet, and the experiments have only added to the number ill. Of course, healthy compensation has been met, but it is pennies compared to a life where one’s own body becomes a battle zone. Furthermore, if a person gets bitten by a person with the virus and survives, they will contract it too.
Abilities ⁂ In its earliest case, the virus meant death. Oftentimes, it made the infected appear deathly, a walking corpse covered in tufts of fur. Inhuman. Medications have proven affective, allowing one to avoid most of the repercussions and nastier effects. However, increased agility, durability, and a temperamental mood are common. About once a month, the virus tends to peak in terms of cell count, resulting in the appearance of some symptoms, which can appear on demand through effort and practice. These include: sharpened fangs, sharpened claws, an increase in body hair, increase in durability (near bullet-proof), increased agility, a thirst for blood, and insatiable rage. Best if used sparingly, and only in life-or-death situations.
THE ACCURSÉD. *:･ﾟ✧ Vampire. It is the word most commonly used, but it is incorrect. Oftentimes referred to more accurately as the Nephilim, the Accurséd are the decedents of daemons, of Him from The Lower. Many do not realize they are Curséd, especially because blatant symptoms only arise in the children and grandchildren. [think of them like demigods but for daemon spawn]
Abilities ⁂ Besides blood-sucking, the Accurséd have increased durability, agility, etc. Furthermore, some have specialities, usually in mild forms, including: pyrokinesis, telekinesis, mind control, and shapeshifting (specifically into Hellish creatures, such as bats, Baphomet, etc.)
Misc ⁂ Due to their daemonic origins, cults worshipping the Accurséd along with cults made up of the self-described Nephilim are common.
THE BLESSÉD. *:･ﾟ✧ Much like their Curséd counterparts, the Blesséd are the spawn of otherworldly beings, specifically the angels from The Above. They appear much like the Curséd, feeding off of blood, except they have managed to be more discreet. Many humans do not know that Blesséd exist, as even the Blesséd do not know themselves. Their bloodlust appears to be lessened, primarily due to a lack of feeding material. Contrary to common folklore, angels, just like daemons, crave the blood of the pure, though for different purposes. Only the most pure of heart may be consumed by a Blesséd.
Abilities ⁂ All of the same abilities as the Curséd apply. They can also have specialities, including: levitation, pyrokinesis (using Divine Light), telepathy, and invisibility.
NIMMS. *:･ﾟ✧ 1 in. to 6 in. pixies that roam the forests. They are often spoken of in folklore, unbelieved by many to be of reality. They’re generally very sweet, endearing creatures, though they do not appreciate humans eating them for extended life. Not very fun at all.
Abilities ⁂ A Nimm’s primary purpose is to guard the trees, for they are their friends. Additionally, they can speak to the trees and divine their thoughts and feelings. Because of their connection to the trees, they tend to have extended lifespans of about 100 years longer than humans. They also have little, translucent wings that help them avoid capture. Lastly, their bodies contain pixie dust, which they use to fertilize, prepare for winter, and heal the trees. It can also prolong anything’s lifespan, including fix inanimate objects.
The Trees ⁂ By and large, a Nimm receives a new tree under their care every five to ten years following their 20th year. The decision making involved in this process is very vague, with there being no real council for the Nimms. Generally, the creatures talk to the trees, hearing their thoughts, and when they hear a new voice in the chatter, they must decide who will guard it. Usually, the job goes to either a newly twenty year-old Nimm or a Nimm who guards another tree close by and hasn’t had a new friend in awhile. Generally, Nimms enjoy the company of trees, even over themselves, and as a result, many Nimms are envious or downright greedy when a new sapling comes to be. Nimms are supposed to leave the planting of trees to Lyrs, another creature much like mice and of considerably less human-like qualities. Nimms are protectors, guardians, and most of all, best friends to the trees, who are often lonely. They can never touch each other, at least not beyond the brushing of a branch, without guaranteeing their mutual end. With Nimms, however, they will always have a friend and vice versa.
Due to this special bond, there is always a ceremony when a sapling comes into the hands of a Nimm. Naming of the tree, which is usually a collaborative effort between the Nimm and the tree, is the center focus of the event. Then, there is food and spirits. It happens quite often, at least once every few months, so it isn’t seen as a special occasion. Still, it is regarded with fanfare, however undeserving it is.
HALF-NIMMS. *:･ﾟ✧ Despite their size, there are cases of witches cursing Nimms to be human-sized, often as a means of defense against the humans who wish to eat them. As a result, romance has blossomed between the two species, and Half-Nimms were created. Many cannot tell when a person is a Half-Nimm due to how human-like their stature and life-spans are. In fact, some Half-Nimms may go their whole life without the knowledge of their magical endowment.
Abilities ⁂ Much like their Nimm-parents, Half-Nimms have a slightly longer lifespan. Of course, this is only about 10 to 30 years longer than the average human’s, and due to their rarity, this is often remarked as a fluke. Around trees, Half-Nimms feel more lively, and some even believe they are hearing voices as the trees sense their presence and attempt to speak to them. Some Half-Nimms have been reported to float and others have even sprouted wings.
WITCHES. *:･ﾟ✧ Humans blessed with the ability to harness the energy of the spirits. Like angels and demons, witches have access to the same energy they do, though to a lesser degree. Witches are known to practice and perfect their capacity to wield energy utilizing various methods commonly found in modern paganism and Wicca.
Abilities ⁂ Witches have the ability to wield energy and utilize it for their desires, much like angels and demons can. However, witches have to use a wide array of techniques and methods. These include: potion brewing, crystals, channeling their energy through arcane objects such as wands, scrying, sigil drawing, etc.
Using magic, witches can do a variety of things. Most commonly, they utilize it for protection, good fortune, controlling others, transfiguration, and in cases of demonic-based magic, raising things from the dead. They can move objects with their magic, though these objects cannot be bigger than a boulder.
It should be noted that while witches are never fully good or evil, some choose to rely more on daemonic energy-based magic over angelic energy-based magic.
Types ⁂ There are specialities to witches, as no witch is powerful enough to wield the whole gambit of magical abilities.
Glamours ⁂ Witches who can alter their appearances, sometimes able to appear as other creatures or people.
Shifters ⁂ Witches who can change into an animal of their choosing. Only the most powerful witches can turn into multiple creatures.
Elementals ⁂ These witches include plant-based witches, fire-based and light-based witches, either derived from Divine Light or Hellfire, water-based, or air-based.
ORACLES. *:･ﾟ✧ Oracles have the capacity to read the future and the souls of others. They are the ultimate sages, highly regarded for their ability to read the tone and messages of the energy around them and within others. However, often Oracles do not know they are capable of such abilities, as they are innate and subtle.
Abilities ⁂ Oracles can divine the future, though usually it is by chance unless through tarot, scrying, etc. They often go unaware of their abilities until they experience their first Foretelling, a possession-like experience where they reveal a Prophecy.
SUCCUBI. *:･ﾟ✧ Upon being cut and drank from by a daemon, a succubus is born. What once was a normal human is now an otherworldly creature with beauty beyond comprehension. Irresistible, succubi exist to entrap do-gooders who work against Him’s Mission. They are cannibals, consuming their victims after killing their with their bodies.
Abilities ⁂ Succubi have unnatural, charming looks that suck any human in. Their bodies are death traps, making any kiss a sedative and any sexual encounter deadly.
VEELA. *:･ﾟ✧ Similar to a succubus. A human kissed by an angel, endowed with The Divine Goal innately. Using their unnatural beauty, gifted by the angel, they use their looks and sensuality to entrap ne’er-do-wells, cannibalizing them.
Abilities ⁂ Veelas are naturally enchanting with looks that literally kill. Like Succubi, they consume their prey, particularly their soul, which is given to the angel that kissed them.
GHOSTS. *:･ﾟ✧ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc sit amet nisi dolor. Vivamus hendrerit ut risus semper maximus. Pellentesque lobortis consectetur velit, in pretium arcu hendrerit in. Ut rhoncus ipsum metus, auctor pulvinar erat hendrerit ut.
THE FALLEN 20. *:･ﾟ✧ A governmentally-funded research project looking to enhance humans beyond evolution. What is not understood by any of the twenty participants is that the serums they were injected with were the blood of angels and daemons, and the massive, still-oozing scars on their backs are from the wings that were cut-off from them. Many participants died, and those who did not were tortured due to their uncontrollable tendencies to maim. All angels and daemons are created with the endowed need to complete either the Divine Goal or Him’s Mission, the opposing ideologies that led to the separation between Heaven and Hell, the Above and the Lower. As a result, all those injected with their blood attempt to execute these intentions, which the subsequent torture and brainwashing of the survivors attempted (mostly successfully) to rid the subjects of this tendency. In the end, the experiment is marked as a total failure, and most participants, particularly those of less prominence, were killed to hide said fact.
Abilities ⁂ Not much is clear in regards to the abilities of the Fallen, as a medication is prescribed to all survivors, similar to the one given to Wolfsbane patients, to prevent any outbreaks of peculiarities.
According to any researcher from the project, the Fallen all showed symptoms of enhanced durability, the sprouting of wings and horns, a smattering of characteristics akin to the specialities of the Curséd and Blesséd, and uncontrollable rage. It is the last characteristic that allowed them to repurpose the Wolfsbane medications, as both illnesses are tied to the inability to control one’s emotions, in addition to emotional disregularity activating the diseases.
PANDORA'S BOX.The project began as a way to cope with the person they all lost. Then, it turned into an obsession. A blood-thirst to not only make Egress pay for its transgressions against the trio, but also for all its crimes. Their planning and attempts to unveil The Fallen 20 Experiments resulted in discovering not only how the Wolfsbane virus came to be, but also much of the current spendings and incomes by the Egress Empire, particularly through use of the prison system. For the three privileged descendants of the Egress gentry, this came as a shock and only boldened their passion. The project was dubbed Pandora’s Box as a result of these discoveries.
THE ORIGINS. *:･ﾟ✧ Though their insurmountable access to knowledge, the three learned how to hack through simply finding the right literature. Furthermore, Verona utilized their supreme intellect to garner enough of an understanding to teach the other two, resulting in a hastened learning curve. After almost seven years, they have mastered a majority of the most common coding languages, along with beginning the initial stages of their plans.
THE PLAN. *:･ﾟ✧ coming soon in full; just know they have a BIG STORM COMIN’
THE HUNTERS. *:･ﾟ✧ While much of the particulars regarding the bounty hunters will be decided post-auditions, it’s important to understand how they discovered Pandora’s Box is hiding amongst the elite of Lazarus Alley. Simply put, Darcy discovered the data leak while examining the work of their first hack, the one which crashed the stock market for two days. While normally Pandora’s Box are good about hiding their location, there was a slip-up with the first hack, a mistake at the hands of an overzealous Ramiel. While it didn’t release their exact location, the IP address was linked to the general area. This poonted them in the right direction, especially since no other location information can be devised from their other hacks, and not even the Empire itself discovered the leak, implying it was well-hidden and a mistake.
THE SIGNATURE. *:･ﾟ✧ Every successful hack ends in the same fashion: a black screen with old-style Command Prompt font across the middle. Instead of green, the text is a pastel blue. It reads as follows:
The Box is open. Reckoning is nigh.
You have been weighed.
You have been measured.
And you have been found wanting.
See you soon,
Pandora’s Box
THERE ARE DAGGERS IN MEN'S SMILES.
𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖓𝖉
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.
𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙖'𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙭 𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚
THE WORLD.EGRESS. *:･ﾟ✧ population of 821,533
Strings of fairy-lit lanterns line a ballroom. A buffet of delicacies, the kind an Echo chef slaves over, all consumed only to be spat back up to further the gluttony. A chaise perfect for lounging and spilling your darkest desires, your illest of sins. Normal fan-fare for Egressian socialites, who have grown up under the snotty nose of opulence and the musky smell of aristocracy. Of course, they are not villains (some of them, that is), but their country is.
A country marred by a less-than-clean history, Egress is known for its over abundance, ancient housing, black and white stylings, and even starker opinions. The land is lush and grand, free from the tar and smoke of 'disgusting' factories. Classism runs deep in the country, and its nowhere near as subtle as the residents would like to believe. The affluent are a VIP club, filled with trust-fun heirs, suspicious new comers judged for their lack of status, and of course, the generationally wealthy, while the proletariat stand at the opposite end of the spectrum. Egress contains pockets of shanty towns, carefully hidden from many maps of the country. The two biggest towns include Devil's Kettle and Leninbog. They contain prisons spanning whole blocks, carefully avoided by many of the residents. These prisons make up the majority of the country's monetary gain and nationalized workforce. For obvious reasons, Egress tends to glamorize their main industry, also specializing in weapons production and policing. The country advertises itself as the greatest practitioner of justice and safety, while truthfully, it practices anything but.
QUICK FACTS. *:･ﾟ✧
Currency ⁂ For simplicity's sake, money is referred to as dollars or cents.
Main Product and Services ⁂ Many other countries utilize Egress for their massive prison system. Additionally, Egress has the man-hours to construct and manage prisons in other countries, making it an exported service. Weapons development, manufacturing, and management are also amongst Egress's most common exports.
Size ⁂ Egress is a small country, with an equally small population. It is about the size of Croatia.
Other Countries ⁂ There are surrounding countries, six of them, but due to a desire to not overwhelm anyone with mountains of information, we will be focusing solely on Egress. However, in the Discord, I will provide a thread with all the countries and some quick facts about them, if anyone ever feels the need to reference them in their writing!
Social Hierarchy ⁂ By and large, Egress would be considered an oligarchy, primarily due to how it provides social status and power to those who are most wealthy. Additionally, the scale of power determines one's ability to attain monetary success. The Nobility, such as the residents of Lazarus Alley, are given more political power and a monthly stipend by the Empire in show of support. The Gentry, a more broad term, includes the lesser members of the Nobility who reside in towns throughout the country of Egress to operate the local governments. The Common are simply that: the most often-found members in Egressian society, likely living what we would refer to as lower middle class to impoverished. The lowest of the low are the Criminals, though they are primarily used for labor and are not discussed.
ANTOINETTA. *:･ﾟ✧ the septic heart of Egress.
A gated community sits in the core of Antoinetta, resting place to the grandest homes, some spanning miles. Victorian and Art Deco architecture make up the gilded estates, often times laden in carrying shades of black, white, blues, silvers, and golds. Old meets new in Egress, especially in Antoinetta, where the upper echelon prides itself on maintaining a fashion-forward attitude. Consumers at heart, it appears that only the structure of the building remain the same, with ever changing coats of paint, lawn ornaments, and interior decor. All other aspects of Antoinetta life fall under a similar category, with only antiquated rules about propriety reigning in any sense of oddity and impracticality.
One street in Antoinetta is where our stage sets itself. On the corner sits the historical white Victorian, known as Holhorse House. Recently opened to the public (truthfully, for the oligarchical gentry who can afford the price) for tourism. Rumored to be home to the ghost of Edvard Holhorse, many Antoinetta natives avoid the home. There, the hunters set up surveillance and false identities as a group of gentry heirs, looking to rub elbows with the elite under the guise of finding spouses, status, and harmless fun.
Across the street, spanning almost two miles, is the wealthiest block in Antoinetta. Not all who reside are amongst the most powerful, but they either once were or have enough money to buy the title of one. Many are politicians, academics, celebrities, nepotism babies, slimy business men, etc. While the Prime Minister’s house is a hidden secret to many, rumors detail that their family lives on Lazarus Alley. Others of note include: Madame Heatherstone, infamous for her spinsterhood and unethical research projects, Killjoy Nerv, a musician and rumored drug dealer from Leninbog, Cyrus Polyps, a man who offers a bright smile, a ‘helpful’ deal, and twisted fingers behind his back, along with many more. Most importantly, the mysterious hacker worth $7 billion in coin resides within the neighborhood. While the street seems sleepy, coming alive solely for a good party, tea time, or tennis match, it houses secrets beyond just the identities of Ramiel, Themis, and Verona. A soft, grimy underbelly sits protected under the hard earth of Lazarus Alley, threatening to unveil itself with the constant prodding of the newcomers.
QUICK FACTS. *:･ﾟ✧
Lazarus Alley ⁂ the street on which all will unfold. Characterized by its art deco and Victorian architecture, sprawling estates, and host of leisure activities, one would be hard-pressed to find themself bored, even with the towering concrete walls. The main hot-spots include: Kerwin's Chipped Ice Parlor, the Parquette Country Club, the competing outfitters known as Opphenmeir's Tailor, Millinery, Repairs, and Etc. and Junemeir's Boutique and Alterations, Flyleaf Books, the Lazarus Menagerie, Musicopolis, and the crowning jewel, Central Park
Holhorse House ⁂ Abandoned for quite some time, no one expected Holhorse House to revive itself. Within its walls is the ghost of Holhorse, himself. Anyone on Lazarus Alley will tell you the home is haunted. Why any developer with half a skull would want to revitalize the home and open it to the unsightly public remains a mystery. However, the bounty hunters have taken it as their opportunity to investigate the residents covertly. Of course, none of them know of the ghost that haunts the halls, nor the unspent treasures Holhorse supposed hid within...
Culture Overview ⁂ Of course, Lazarus Alley is highly exclusive. Anyone with a bit of dough turns snobbish in Egress, and Lazarus Alley takes sad sentiment to the extreme. Beyond this, of course, there are themes of purity, status, and success. Find all three, and anyone in Lazarus will be forced to respect you.
Purity *:･ﾟ✧ Pre-ascertained matches, including courting, are preferred, and balls are offered in order to support said desire. Of course, this does not stop people from dating or harmless fun, but any serious relationship is frowned upon unless approved by the masses and found under proper circumstances. The Debutante Ball indicates the beginning of the next matchmaking season by celebrating all of the new young ones joining the ranks of adults. However, despite these traditions, many have opted for unorthodox manners, revealing that with a bit of money and an emphasis on the other two values, anyone can break this rule.
Status *:･ﾟ✧ Familial history is, at times, more important than the dollars in one's bank accounts. With a long line of up-standing citizenry and a strong prescence amongst the Prime Minister and other oligarchs, one is set-up for life. A handful of families who have fallen into a lot of prominence in recent years rely upon this sense of status, opting to up-hold it in any manner possible. Oftentimes, this is through marriage (aka purity) or through money (aka success). Of course, status can also be bought or won. Many families who have only recently came into Lazarus Alley are just as highly regarded as those who have lived in the community for centuries. It is simply a matter of throwing spectacular parties, maintaining an agreeable social presence, climbing the success ladder, and a whole lot of ass-kissing.
Success *:･ﾟ✧ Out of the three key values upheld by Lazarus Alley, success is surprisingly the easiest to garner weight in. Typically, this implies monetary gain, consistent and prevalent enough to allow for an overabundance. However, social honor is also key to success. Fame, critical fanfare, academic idolization, etc. can all contribute to a sense of power, ultimately giving one success even if they are only able to afford the eight-course meal, instead of the ten, at a party.
Visuals ⁂ found here.
The Families ⁂ coming soon!
OTHERWORLDLINESS.The world of Egress contains a host of supernatural, fantastical, and even mildly scientific creatures. Much of these concepts blend together, meaning much of the scientific elements derive from fantasy and vice versa.
With the roles, I took the liberty of writing down which mystical quality might fit the character best. Of course, if the one listed doesn't suit your fancy, you are welcome to pick another. However, in order to prevent too many repeats, please DM me. I doubt there will be issues with this, but it helps me to keep track!
ECHOES. *:･ﾟ✧ human-shaped and sized, usually ranging in the smaller size. Sometimes as short as 4’5, though this is rare. They are known to dwell around cavernous and watery regions, especially near beaches and in valleys.
Abilities ⁂ Can only repeat the latest thing that others say to them. They can control tone, which is their primary form of communication amongst each other. They cannot repeat words that they say to each other, though it is common that they all have heard the same word last, given most creatures with the ability to speak freely usually avoid Echos, for they are often seen as an annoyance.
Misc ⁂ Echoes are often regarded for their beauty and inability to speak unless spoken to. Thus, they oftentimes work as servants, handmaidens, etc. Lazarus Alley is infamous for its workforce made up of primarily Echoes.
THE WOLFSBANE VIRUS. *:･ﾟ✧ Created in a lab on accident, the virus was created through an experiment designed to alter the temperament of wolves, hoping to domesticate them in order to make them pets for the Egressian elite. Like any unmonitored experiment that defies the laws of nature, the virus has spread to humans. Since then, research has been done to investigate and divulge a cure. No such one exists yet, and the experiments have only added to the number ill. Of course, healthy compensation has been met, but it is pennies compared to a life where one’s own body becomes a battle zone. Furthermore, if a person gets bitten by a person with the virus and survives, they will contract it too.
Abilities ⁂ In its earliest case, the virus meant death. Oftentimes, it made the infected appear deathly, a walking corpse covered in tufts of fur. Inhuman. Medications have proven affective, allowing one to avoid most of the repercussions and nastier effects. However, increased agility, durability, and a temperamental mood are common. About once a month, the virus tends to peak in terms of cell count, resulting in the appearance of some symptoms, which can appear on demand through effort and practice. These include: sharpened fangs, sharpened claws, an increase in body hair, increase in durability (near bullet-proof), increased agility, a thirst for blood, and insatiable rage. Best if used sparingly, and only in life-or-death situations.
THE ACCURSÉD. *:･ﾟ✧ Vampire. It is the word most commonly used, but it is incorrect. Oftentimes referred to more accurately as the Nephilim, the Accurséd are the decedents of daemons, of Him from The Lower. Many do not realize they are Curséd, especially because blatant symptoms only arise in the children and grandchildren. [think of them like demigods but for daemon spawn]
Abilities ⁂ Besides blood-sucking, the Accurséd have increased durability, agility, etc. Furthermore, some have specialities, usually in mild forms, including: pyrokinesis, telekinesis, mind control, and shapeshifting (specifically into Hellish creatures, such as bats, Baphomet, etc.)
Misc ⁂ Due to their daemonic origins, cults worshipping the Accurséd along with cults made up of the self-described Nephilim are common.
THE BLESSÉD. *:･ﾟ✧ Much like their Curséd counterparts, the Blesséd are the spawn of otherworldly beings, specifically the angels from The Above. They appear much like the Curséd, feeding off of blood, except they have managed to be more discreet. Many humans do not know that Blesséd exist, as even the Blesséd do not know themselves. Their bloodlust appears to be lessened, primarily due to a lack of feeding material. Contrary to common folklore, angels, just like daemons, crave the blood of the pure, though for different purposes. Only the most pure of heart may be consumed by a Blesséd.
Abilities ⁂ All of the same abilities as the Curséd apply. They can also have specialities, including: levitation, pyrokinesis (using Divine Light), telepathy, and invisibility.
NIMMS. *:･ﾟ✧ 1 in. to 6 in. pixies that roam the forests. They are often spoken of in folklore, unbelieved by many to be of reality. They’re generally very sweet, endearing creatures, though they do not appreciate humans eating them for extended life. Not very fun at all.
Abilities ⁂ A Nimm’s primary purpose is to guard the trees, for they are their friends. Additionally, they can speak to the trees and divine their thoughts and feelings. Because of their connection to the trees, they tend to have extended lifespans of about 100 years longer than humans. They also have little, translucent wings that help them avoid capture. Lastly, their bodies contain pixie dust, which they use to fertilize, prepare for winter, and heal the trees. It can also prolong anything’s lifespan, including fix inanimate objects.
The Trees ⁂ By and large, a Nimm receives a new tree under their care every five to ten years following their 20th year. The decision making involved in this process is very vague, with there being no real council for the Nimms. Generally, the creatures talk to the trees, hearing their thoughts, and when they hear a new voice in the chatter, they must decide who will guard it. Usually, the job goes to either a newly twenty year-old Nimm or a Nimm who guards another tree close by and hasn’t had a new friend in awhile. Generally, Nimms enjoy the company of trees, even over themselves, and as a result, many Nimms are envious or downright greedy when a new sapling comes to be. Nimms are supposed to leave the planting of trees to Lyrs, another creature much like mice and of considerably less human-like qualities. Nimms are protectors, guardians, and most of all, best friends to the trees, who are often lonely. They can never touch each other, at least not beyond the brushing of a branch, without guaranteeing their mutual end. With Nimms, however, they will always have a friend and vice versa.
Due to this special bond, there is always a ceremony when a sapling comes into the hands of a Nimm. Naming of the tree, which is usually a collaborative effort between the Nimm and the tree, is the center focus of the event. Then, there is food and spirits. It happens quite often, at least once every few months, so it isn’t seen as a special occasion. Still, it is regarded with fanfare, however undeserving it is.
HALF-NIMMS. *:･ﾟ✧ Despite their size, there are cases of witches cursing Nimms to be human-sized, often as a means of defense against the humans who wish to eat them. As a result, romance has blossomed between the two species, and Half-Nimms were created. Many cannot tell when a person is a Half-Nimm due to how human-like their stature and life-spans are. In fact, some Half-Nimms may go their whole life without the knowledge of their magical endowment.
Abilities ⁂ Much like their Nimm-parents, Half-Nimms have a slightly longer lifespan. Of course, this is only about 10 to 30 years longer than the average human’s, and due to their rarity, this is often remarked as a fluke. Around trees, Half-Nimms feel more lively, and some even believe they are hearing voices as the trees sense their presence and attempt to speak to them. Some Half-Nimms have been reported to float and others have even sprouted wings.
WITCHES. *:･ﾟ✧ Humans blessed with the ability to harness the energy of the spirits. Like angels and demons, witches have access to the same energy they do, though to a lesser degree. Witches are known to practice and perfect their capacity to wield energy utilizing various methods commonly found in modern paganism and Wicca.
Abilities ⁂ Witches have the ability to wield energy and utilize it for their desires, much like angels and demons can. However, witches have to use a wide array of techniques and methods. These include: potion brewing, crystals, channeling their energy through arcane objects such as wands, scrying, sigil drawing, etc.
Using magic, witches can do a variety of things. Most commonly, they utilize it for protection, good fortune, controlling others, transfiguration, and in cases of demonic-based magic, raising things from the dead. They can move objects with their magic, though these objects cannot be bigger than a boulder.
It should be noted that while witches are never fully good or evil, some choose to rely more on daemonic energy-based magic over angelic energy-based magic.
Types ⁂ There are specialities to witches, as no witch is powerful enough to wield the whole gambit of magical abilities.
Glamours ⁂ Witches who can alter their appearances, sometimes able to appear as other creatures or people.
Shifters ⁂ Witches who can change into an animal of their choosing. Only the most powerful witches can turn into multiple creatures.
Elementals ⁂ These witches include plant-based witches, fire-based and light-based witches, either derived from Divine Light or Hellfire, water-based, or air-based.
ORACLES. *:･ﾟ✧ Oracles have the capacity to read the future and the souls of others. They are the ultimate sages, highly regarded for their ability to read the tone and messages of the energy around them and within others. However, often Oracles do not know they are capable of such abilities, as they are innate and subtle.
Abilities ⁂ Oracles can divine the future, though usually it is by chance unless through tarot, scrying, etc. They often go unaware of their abilities until they experience their first Foretelling, a possession-like experience where they reveal a Prophecy.
SUCCUBI. *:･ﾟ✧ Upon being cut and drank from by a daemon, a succubus is born. What once was a normal human is now an otherworldly creature with beauty beyond comprehension. Irresistible, succubi exist to entrap do-gooders who work against Him’s Mission. They are cannibals, consuming their victims after killing their with their bodies.
Abilities ⁂ Succubi have unnatural, charming looks that suck any human in. Their bodies are death traps, making any kiss a sedative and any sexual encounter deadly.
VEELA. *:･ﾟ✧ Similar to a succubus. A human kissed by an angel, endowed with The Divine Goal innately. Using their unnatural beauty, gifted by the angel, they use their looks and sensuality to entrap ne’er-do-wells, cannibalizing them.
Abilities ⁂ Veelas are naturally enchanting with looks that literally kill. Like Succubi, they consume their prey, particularly their soul, which is given to the angel that kissed them.
GHOSTS. *:･ﾟ✧ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc sit amet nisi dolor. Vivamus hendrerit ut risus semper maximus. Pellentesque lobortis consectetur velit, in pretium arcu hendrerit in. Ut rhoncus ipsum metus, auctor pulvinar erat hendrerit ut.
THE FALLEN 20. *:･ﾟ✧ A governmentally-funded research project looking to enhance humans beyond evolution. What is not understood by any of the twenty participants is that the serums they were injected with were the blood of angels and daemons, and the massive, still-oozing scars on their backs are from the wings that were cut-off from them. Many participants died, and those who did not were tortured due to their uncontrollable tendencies to maim. All angels and daemons are created with the endowed need to complete either the Divine Goal or Him’s Mission, the opposing ideologies that led to the separation between Heaven and Hell, the Above and the Lower. As a result, all those injected with their blood attempt to execute these intentions, which the subsequent torture and brainwashing of the survivors attempted (mostly successfully) to rid the subjects of this tendency. In the end, the experiment is marked as a total failure, and most participants, particularly those of less prominence, were killed to hide said fact.
Abilities ⁂ Not much is clear in regards to the abilities of the Fallen, as a medication is prescribed to all survivors, similar to the one given to Wolfsbane patients, to prevent any outbreaks of peculiarities.
According to any researcher from the project, the Fallen all showed symptoms of enhanced durability, the sprouting of wings and horns, a smattering of characteristics akin to the specialities of the Curséd and Blesséd, and uncontrollable rage. It is the last characteristic that allowed them to repurpose the Wolfsbane medications, as both illnesses are tied to the inability to control one’s emotions, in addition to emotional disregularity activating the diseases.
PANDORA'S BOX.The project began as a way to cope with the person they all lost. Then, it turned into an obsession. A blood-thirst to not only make Egress pay for its transgressions against the trio, but also for all its crimes. Their planning and attempts to unveil The Fallen 20 Experiments resulted in discovering not only how the Wolfsbane virus came to be, but also much of the current spendings and incomes by the Egress Empire, particularly through use of the prison system. For the three privileged descendants of the Egress gentry, this came as a shock and only boldened their passion. The project was dubbed Pandora’s Box as a result of these discoveries.
THE ORIGINS. *:･ﾟ✧ Though their insurmountable access to knowledge, the three learned how to hack through simply finding the right literature. Furthermore, Verona utilized their supreme intellect to garner enough of an understanding to teach the other two, resulting in a hastened learning curve. After almost seven years, they have mastered a majority of the most common coding languages, along with beginning the initial stages of their plans.
THE PLAN. *:･ﾟ✧ coming soon in full; just know they have a BIG STORM COMIN’
THE HUNTERS. *:･ﾟ✧ While much of the particulars regarding the bounty hunters will be decided post-auditions, it’s important to understand how they discovered Pandora’s Box is hiding amongst the elite of Lazarus Alley. Simply put, Darcy discovered the data leak while examining the work of their first hack, the one which crashed the stock market for two days. While normally Pandora’s Box are good about hiding their location, there was a slip-up with the first hack, a mistake at the hands of an overzealous Ramiel. While it didn’t release their exact location, the IP address was linked to the general area. This poonted them in the right direction, especially since no other location information can be devised from their other hacks, and not even the Empire itself discovered the leak, implying it was well-hidden and a mistake.
THE SIGNATURE. *:･ﾟ✧ Every successful hack ends in the same fashion: a black screen with old-style Command Prompt font across the middle. Instead of green, the text is a pastel blue. It reads as follows:
The Box is open. Reckoning is nigh.
You have been weighed.
You have been measured.
And you have been found wanting.
See you soon,
Pandora’s Box
THERE ARE DAGGERS IN MEN'S SMILES.
𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖓𝖉