Kellehendros
Eternal Wanderer
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Palora is a city under siege. It has always been, and so far as can be discerned, it always shall be. The forces that beset the self-styled Queen of Cities are not merely physical in nature. The malaise that beleaguers Palora is a legend from the days of old, a horror almost beyond conception.
Vermonox, the Eternal Blight, who ravaged uncounted cities, despoiled innumerable kingdoms, found in Palora a force upon which his rampage was broken. Yet it is not without cause that Vermonox is known as the Eternal Blight. Legend holds that Agemon the Acolyte, first Paladin of Palora, struck Vermonox down seventy times, and seventy times the wyrm rose. In the years since, uncounted heroes have claimed to have slain Vermonox, some have even provided proof of the deed, and yet, rumor holds that Vermonox endures.
~Alexander Shiveran, Confluence, Time, and Palora
Welcome to When Heroes Fail. While Rise of Domrius is not quite wrapped up, Ronin was kind enough to permit me to launch this new endeavor, and I thought it might be nice to go on a little wyrm hunt. Of course, nothing is ever quite so simple. What follows is an overview of several subjects pertinent to the RP, and I shall thank you for reviewing them before considering whether or not this is a game for you.
Thus, I welcome you to Palora, Queen of Cities. A jewel set upon a hill, Palora has stood since time immemorial, a city-state ruling over an important confluence of sea and land trade routes that have brought fabulous wealth to her inhabitants, at least, those already well-off enough to be involved in the trade. A sprawling metropolis, Palora is home to the exquisitely rich and the wretchedly poor, to the blessedly pious and the despicably mean, and all sorts in between.
Once, Palora was the capital of a kingdom, almost unfathomable ages ago. The last High King of Palora fell in the Age of Myths, and since that time Palora has been ruled and guided by the Conclave of Archons, a coterie of leaders from the city’s temples. The Conclave is traditionally headed by the Archon of Baan, whose chosen, Agemon, defended the city from the depredations of Vermonox, the Eternal Blight.
Agemon was hailed Paladin, and since the Age of Myths Palora has been defended by a champion holding that title. The Paladin receives orders from the Conclave, and in turn commands the Saints, Palora’s defenders. The Conclave also commands and oversees the various Councils that make up the bureaucracy of the city.
The wyrm is a taboo subject in Palora, discussed only in hushed whispers in back alleys. Any official in the city will insist that Vermonox is dead, and has been for centuries. Blessed Agemon saw to the wyrm’s destruction. Rumors of Vermonox’s survival are just that: rumors and nothing more. The wastes to the north of the city are, to be certain, a dragon breeding ground, but one wyrm is much like another, and Vermonox spawned any number of horrors before he met his end on Agemon’s spear.
And so we come to your role in this. I am looking for three to six players willing to answer the call, to face an ageless horror that has known defeat, but is unacquainted with death. Vermonox is undeterred. Palora was his once, for a brief and shining span, and if the wyrm has his way it shall be again.
But who, then, shall stand in the face of this threat? Heroes in plenty have taken up the sword and sought to end the Eternal Blight.
They have failed.
When heroes fail, those who are left must take up the Spear. You are the Blighted, members of a group of the outcast and persecuted. At some point in your life you swore a sacred vow, an oath made to Baan himself, or his earthly representatives.
The content of that oath is of little matter now, for when it came time to make good on your word, you failed. You broke your word, reneged on your promise, chose the left-hand path. Your reasons are your own, but Baan does not suffer oathbreakers lightly. As such, you were marked by the Dragon-Blight, which manifests as a discoloration of the epidermis of the left hand, causing the skin to blacken. The Blight comes slowly, starting on the back of the hand and spreading in all directions until the arm from elbow to fingertips is the black of charred flesh.
The Blight is not a physical effect alone; its power is metaphysical as well, affecting your powers and abilities. Your connection to the darkness waxes stronger, while your connection to the light sickens and fades. Perhaps you find yourself thinking thoughts you would never have entertained before, dark desires that seem to come from outside yourself. Is it the Blight that pushes these things upon you, or has it merely unearthed something in you that you always kept buried, or never acknowledged in the first place?
Either way, you are Blighted, and this marked you as betrayer, as blasphemer, as foe. Palorans, at least, respectable Palorans, will not associate with the Blighted. They are driven from the city and its lands, or else forced into lives of crushing poverty and scorn, even by those they once knew. The Blight-mark can be hidden, for a time, but eventually someone wonders why you never take off the glove, or why your hand is bound in bandages, and then it is best to move on.
And so you did, leaving Palora, or skulking through the shadows on the margins of Paloran society, until he found you.
The Magister, a shadow beneath a hood of faded gray. Piercing eyes, almost luminescent, of a blue that is somehow just a little more blue than is natural. He found you, wandering and lost, hidden and desperate, and offered you a chance, a mad and desperate chance.
Return home, go back to Palora and be cleansed. “All things are burned away in wyrmflame.” If you agree, if you take up this mad and desperate quest, perhaps you can be redeemed.
But the path to redemption leads through perdition, and you are a weak vessel, to have faltered once upon an easier road already.
Will you answer the call, find redemption, and shine as bright as chosen Agemon? Or will you walk into the darkness and be lost forevermore?
What follows is background information for your perusal. Get to know a bit about Palora, her people, her gods, and her figures of note. This information will be updated as more is revealed over the course of the RP.
The gods
Palorans mainly honor five deific figures. There are innumerable others to cater to any religious taste, but brief notes on the five most commonly worshipped follow:
Phastos - The sponsor of artists and the creative impulse, Phastos is often depicted as a painter or sculptor. Phastos’ symbol is a crossed brush and chisel. Benign and guiding, Phastos favors those with dreaming minds and skilled hands. His priests wear robes blue as the sky.
Greva - Friend of merchants and scribes, Greva is most often depicted as a scholar. Her symbol is the scales of knowledge and judgement. Wise and shrewd, Greva favors those with sharp minds and keen instincts. Her priests wear robes golden as the harvest grain.
Vos - Sometimes called the Grand Marshal, Vos is depicted as a soldier or general. His symbol is a naked blade, without hilt or adornment. Stern and implacable, Vos favors those with brave hearts and unflinching spirits. His priests wear robes red as blood.
Illyra - Giver of aid and succor, Illyra is most often depicted as a healer or physician. Her symbol is a hand open in welcome. Merciful and compassionate, Illyra favors those with gentle hearts and caring dispositions. Her priests wear robes green as the first shoots of spring.
Baan - Palora’s patron, Baan is the great mystery. He never appears in illustration or statuary, and only his presence is ever depicted, falling upon his chosen as a ray of light from the heavens. Baan’s symbol is the sunburst. His priests wear robes white as driven snow.
Palora and Beyond
Rough map of Palora's districts
Expansive as it is, Palora proper is bounded by great stone walls pierced with four gates aligned with the points of the compass. What follows is a general geography of Palora and its various parts. While each section of the city is noted for something (for instance, the Eastern Quarter is generally home for artisans, while the Western Quarter houses nobles), you will find a mixture of all sorts wheresoever you go.
The Stag’s Gate opens into the Eastern Quarter, home of crafters and artisans. This district is host to many of those who maintain and beautify the city. Stonemasons, painters, blacksmiths, weavers, all can be found in the Eastern Quarter. By tradition, the Eastern Quarter is overseen by the Archon of Phastos, known as the Patron.
The Bull’s Gate opens into the Northern Quarter, home of merchants and scholars. This district is host to many of the trading companies and places of learning that have made Palora famous for both wealth and knowledge. Bankers, scribes, scholars of subjects mundane and esoteric, all can be found in the Northern Quarter. By tradition, the Northern Quarter is overseen by the Archon of Greva, known as the Headmistress.
The Oryx’s Gate opens into the Western Quarter, home of Saints and nobles. This district is host to the barracks, supply depots, stables, and parade grounds that are utilized by Palora’s defenders. Nobles and courtiers of all ranks also call the Western Quarter home, secure in the knowledge that the presence of the Saints keeps their homes secure from the more undesirable elements of the city. By tradition, the Western Quarter is overseen by the Archon of Vos, known as the Quartermaster.
The Ram’s Gate opens into the Southern Quarter, home of the common and the destitute. This district is host to the pubs, gambling dens, and houses of ill repute found in all cities. Commoners, unskilled laborers, beggars, all find their way to the Southern Quarter. Rumors persist of an organized ring of thieves operating out of the Southern Quarter, but they have never been substantiated. By tradition, the Southern Quarter is overseen by the Archon of lllyra, known as the Supplicant.
Each quarter of the city, rather than being a full wedge of Palora’s circular footprint, is actually a arch, touching its fellows to either side while bending about the Heart of the City. Thus, for example, the Eastern Quarter shares a border with both the Northern and Southern Quarters, but has no contact at all with the Western Quarter, for the Heart of the City intervenes. The same goes for the other districts, which border each other without touching their cardinal opposite.
It is in the Heart of the City that one finds Palora’s temples. The Heart’s temples soar into the sky, towers holding proudly aloft the great musical bells that ring the hours and call the faithful to worship. Sited at the head of the Plaza of the Paladin, the Temple of Baan is the tallest structure in Palora, its mighty tower a feat of engineering recalling the glory of old Palora and the fabled palace of the High King. It is from this Temple that the Archon of Baan, known as the Will, rules over the Heart of the City.
Across the plaza, a pale reflection of the glory of the Temple of Baan, squats a long rectangular building sporting a wide marble dome. This is the Council Hall, home to Palora’s second army, the force of bureaucrats, scribes, and overseers charged with carrying out the will of the Conclave of Archons.
- Kingsport - Located less than a day's travel southwest of Palora proper, Kingsport is the major trading port providing Palora with access to the rest of the world. A sprawling city in its own right, Kingsport is rather seedy in comparison with fair Palora, but has its own detachment of Saints to enforce law and order.
Organizations
Below are brief notes concerning important organizations within the city of Palora. Unless indicated otherwise, the information here is common knowledge to any Paloran, or is easily gleaned by visitors to the city.
-The Conclave of Archons-
The Conclave is the major ruling body of Palora, responsible for both the city’s survival, as well as the spiritual well-being of her people. Traditionally, the Archons give up their name upon their appointment, generally to a life-long term of office. This is, of course, impractical for record keeping purposes, and while publically the Archons bear only their titles, their names are recorded for posterity by their respective temples.
-The Councils-
The Councils form the backbone of the city’s political life. The Conclave rules, handing down policy from on high, but it is the Councils that are responsible for fleshing out the Conclave’s decisions, for turning policy into practice. The Counsellors, notionally at least, serve at the pleasure of the Conclave. Strictly speaking this is true, but the Archons have found over the years that removing a Counsellor from office, and removing the influence of that Counsellor, in the form of the Counsellor’s appointees and processes, is more time consuming than it seems.
-The Ring of Sparrows-
The Ring of Sparrows is a legend, an urban myth. Any Saint or Paloran official will assure you of this. Rumor holds that the Ring is an organization of footpads, thieves, and catburglars fighting for the common man, supposedly based out of the Southern Quarter. The rumors have never been substantiated, and that is enough for most officials. After all, how could such an organization have lasted for decades without being found out and dismantled by the Saints? Still, rumors persist, despite a lack of confirmed members, and Palora’s rich and powerful whisper that their bad luck is not just luck, but the vendettas of the Ring of Sparrows.
-The Saints-
The Saints of Palora are a holy army. They are both sword and shield, serving as guards in times of peace, and a readily deployed army in times of war. The Saints, like any military organization, are broken into a number of detachments under various commanders of noble birth. Saints are, almost exclusively, adherents of Vos or Baan, and from their ranks the Paladin is generally drawn. It goes to note that the Paladin is often, but not always, from a noble family.
The supreme leader of the Saints is the Paladin, appointed by the Conclave of Archons. Unlike the Counsellors, the Paladin serves until he or she steps down, and while nominally under the aegis of the Conclave, he or she can operate without their approval. Historically, there has been some friction between the Paladin and the Conclave, and recent Paladins have taken freer hands in city politics than most on the Conclave would like. A radical return to form occurred with the end of the Roshon War and the Flight of the Quisling, however, and Paladin Tahir abides by the more formal and archaic roles laid out for the Paladin by the Conclave.
The Paladin is always addressed by his or her title, but is distinguished in the histories of the city by his or her surname.
People of note
Next up are brief notes concerning important figures in the city of Palora. Unless indicated otherwise, the information here is common knowledge to any Paloran, or is easily discovered by visitors to the city.
- Brefon the Will, Archon of Baan - An older man, Brefon has served a quarter century on the Conclave. The Will is consecrated by Baan, whose favor falls upon the elect through a ceremony known only by the highest echelons of Baan’s clergy. Like all previous Wills, Brefon is widely respected because of his office. Faint rumors swirl through the underbelly of the city that Brefon is not so pious as his public appearance suggests. Some claim the Will has political ambitions reaching so loftily as the long lost High Kingship.
- Edrios the Patron, Archon of Phastos - Edrios is an old man, but still hale, having served a full hand of decades in his position as Archon. The Patron’s seniority among the ranks of Phastos’ clerics gained him his seat upon the Conclave when his predecessor passed. Edrios’ robust health may be a blessing of the gods, or it may be due to his continued work as a blacksmith and artisan keeping his body in shape. Either way, he is a venerable and respected member of the Conclave and a staunch proponent of the old ways.
- Gron Tahir, Paladin of Baan - Hailed as the savior of Palora, Tahir ascended to the Paladinship in the closing days of the Roshon War. He is credited with discovering the conspiracy between the Roshon leadership and then Paladin Bhayan, revealing it, and driving back the invading forces. Tahir still enjoys something of a honeymoon with the citizens of Palora, even a decade after the end of the conflict. He is widely respected for his actions during the war, even if many find his peacetime leadership to be ineffectual at best. Then again, as Tahir himself will point out, it was never the Paladin’s job to steer the course of the city. That purpose belongs to the Conclave, and all can agree that Tahir is much more conservative than the Quisling ever was.
- Merkia the Supplicant, Archon of Illyra - Merkia is a middle aged-woman and has served twenty years on the Conclave. The Supplicant was chosen by her peers in the normal fashion for Illyrian clerics: election to a five-year term upon the Conclave, a practice unique to the Church of Illyra. Merkia has been returned to office three times and enjoys a great deal of popularity amongst the poor and downtrodden of the city. Once a joyous woman, Merkia has been markedly more reserved, even sad, since the Roshon War.
- Tajea the Headmistress, Archon of Greva - A young woman of remarkable intelligence, Tajea has served only two years in her position as Archon. The Headmistress assumed the mantle of her predecessor in much the same fashion as always: The former Headmaster retired from his post to pursue his research and experiments, and Tajea was nominated as his replacement. Tajea is respected for her wits and work, but is largely seen as disinterested in the politics and rulership of the city.
- Teretex the Quartermaster, Archon of Vos - Second son of a noble family, Teretex has been sixteen years in his position as Archon. The Quartermaster gained his position upon the death of his predecessor in the Roshon War. Teretex is a divisive figure on the Conclave. His supporters call him fiery, decisive, and proactive. His detractors call him a braggart, a hothead, and a vainglorious cad.
- The Magister - A legendary figure in Palora, little, if anything, is known of the Magister. He might be one man or twenty, a madman or a prophet, harmless or the greatest threat to Palora since the Eternal Blight. Surely the Magister is a title, and it must be passed from one to the next, for all that legends of the Magister vary remarkably little. Always a man, always wearing a deeply hooded cloak, always knowing more than he should. Those who claim to have met this enigmatic figure are few and far between, and they speak in whispers of their encounters, as though afraid to attract the man’s unsettling attention with their words. Without exception, tale-bearers make mention of his eyes: blue orbs that stare out from beneath his hood and bear a faint, unsettling luminosity.
- Strasna Bhayan the Quisling - Reviled and despised, Bhayan ascended to the Paladinship upon the death of her predecessor in the run-up to the conflict that became known as the Roshon War. Bhayan was unusual as a Saint, and even more so as Paladin, in that her primary devotion was to Illyra. The choice of Paladin is made by the Conclave, and it is very rare that the Paladin is not devoted to Baan or Vos. To the downtrodden of the city this seemed a gift from Illyra herself, a Paladin who appeared genuinely concerned with their plight. Paladin Bhayan worked closely with the Archon of Illyra, and the two seemed poised to bring great change to Palora.
And then the Roshon War broke out. Bhayan was a capable soldier, and a duelist of praised skill. She was not, however, a general of note. The war turned against Palora, and the Roshon forced the Saints back battle by battle to the walls of the city. Bhayan directed a desperate defense from the walls themselves, or so it seemed. In the end it was discovered that she had been working with the Roshon all along, weakening the Saints and opening Palora to the invading army. It was only through the heroism of Gron Tahir that Palora was saved and disaster averted. Bhayan, her ambitions thwarted, fled the city during the rout of the Roshon forces.
- Valus, High Counsellor - Valus is unique among the Counsellors. He bears the title High Counsellor, awarded him at the close of the Roshon war. Unlike the other Counsellors, Valus’ position was awarded for life. Rumors swirl regarding this most unusual appointment. The consensus appears to be that the High Counsellor’s position is a reward for service during the Roshon War, but no one can quite agree on what that service was. Valus, as political an animal as the city has ever seen, appears to have his sights set on expanding the power of the Councils. The High Counsellor traces his bloodline unbroken to the mythical High King of the Age of Myth. Perhaps, if rumors are to be believed, Brefon is not the only one with designs upon Palora’s long empty throne.
Bios
Your bio submission should include a general description of your character, his or her abilities, and information about his or her Oath of Baan, and how it was broken. If you would prefer to keep this last bit of information a secret, in order to reveal it at a fitting point during play, you may do so provided you PM this information to me. What follows is a general format if you would like to use it:
Name: Strasna Bhayan the Quisling
Alias: Cendra
Appearance and Gear:
Cendra is a tall woman with a slender, wiry build. Her complexion is fair, though her face is marred by a long and thin scar that carves its way down her left cheek. The scar gives a touch of menace to her aspect, aided or belied by blue eyes that spark with fury or soften with compassion depending on the woman’s mood. Her hair, when visible, is a dull and lusterless red rather inexpertly hacked short to fall in uneven waves that frizz and wisp about the woman’s face.
Her clothes are those such as a commoner might wear: homespun trousers and a cambric shirt that have faded to an indeterminate brown and dingy white respectively. On her feet are thick-soled and much mended leather boots as would be familiar to a soldier, and their appearance attests to the many miles of travel they have seen. Upon Cendra’s back is a traveler’s cloak; black once, but now a faded grey; the cloak’s hood has offered her protection from both the elements and the eyes of her enemies many times over the years. Completing the ensemble are a pair of long leather gloves that vanish up under Cendra’s shirt, reaching to her elbows.
The traveler carries little in the way of equipment, just a backpack, a waterskin, and a rapier in a battered leather sheath. The weapon itself is of masterful craftsmanship, though it is entirely mundane in other ways. At Cendra’s waist are some pouches containing whetstones, coins, and other odds and ends, as well as a sling and another pouch filled with a selection of river stones.
Abilities:
Cendra is a swordswoman, eschewing armor, or perhaps making up for her inability to afford it, by dint of speed and maneuverability. Experienced and capable with her thin blade, Cendra has surprised more than one opponent who has underestimated her ability with the weapon.
While some duelists carry a dagger in their off-hand for parrying purposes, Cendra prefers to keep her right hand open to utilize her magic. Specializing in a magic based on hand gestures rather than incantations, Cendra’s magic was that of fire and light. Beyond the physical mark of her Blight, it is her magic that has been most affected by her affliction. While once she could create bursts of flame, now her abilities have darkened, turning to the creation of ash or smoke, which at least are still useful for manipulating battlefields about herself.
History and Oath:
Information to be revealed during the RP.
Characters
Seiserna the Lost - Remaint
Hendrik Songblade - Apocolypse
Marisa Alexandra - Caststarter
Flannagon "Flagon" the Blind - Vanir
Selene the Black Recluse - Draycos777
Jana Keller (Bhayan) - Ryu Viranesh
Nilch'i - Bastet
Final notes
As usual, the forum rules and RP board specific rules apply. The RP will be considered canon for purposes of the boards. I will enforce ruthlessly, do not mistake me on this.
I’m going to borrow a page from Afina and institute a posting requirement. I understand that everyone has other commitments that require time and attention. If you intend to join the RP I expect you to make the time to participate. As such, I will require that all players post once a week (time to be measured from the last post made by said player). You will have three strikes. Each strike will carry an in-game penalty as determined at the time of the infraction. The third strike will result in your character's death in an interesting and plot-advancing manner (And I hope I never have to do it, but I will). Your application to join the RP is a sign of your willingness to abide by these terms and your acceptance of whatever judgement I render against your character in the event of the issuance of a strike.
I am not, of course, without mercy. Circumstances can sometimes spin out of our control after all, and I am willing to listen to any explanation regarding delays to posts or inability to do so for pressing RL reasons. I will do my utmost to inform you when my posts will be delayed. I expect the same from each of you.
< Message edited by Starflame13 -- 10/20/2019 11:41:12 >
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