The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (Full Version)

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Reaper Sigma -> The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/9/2016 16:39:16)

Here's the game

Application Format: 

[b]Character Name:[/b] 
[b]Age: [/b]
[b]Race:[/b]
[b]Occupation:[/b]
[b]Skills:[/b]
[b]Abilities:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b]
[b]Character Bio:[/b]


(I'm just going to skip name and age)

Race:

Just a few things to note: This is a typical medieval-fantasy world, but this particular region of the world is pretty much exclusively humans. If you choose another race, keep in mind that you will be scrutinized and almost certainly discriminated against.

Occupation:

Whatever craft your character is trained in or whatever they do for a living. If it's something people won't be familiar with, briefly explain it in a few sentences.

Skills:

Mundane skills, any sort of physical or academic training, things that pertain to your craft, etc.

Abilities:

Supernatural skills, things that deal with the arcane or other such realms. Note: Magic and other stuff abilities are pretty much forgotten lore in this setting, and magic users are few and far between, so please build your character accordingly.

Inventory:

Anything your character has on hand. Please keep this down to basic tools necessary for their occupation and a few personal items.

Character Bio:

You pretty much have free reign here: apply your artistic license as liberally as you desire. Your only limitation is that your character will be in the city under siege when the game begins. Other than that, make this as long or as short as you want, I just need enough to get a grasp of your character.



Superemo -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/9/2016 20:41:33)

Character Name: Locke Smith
Age: 25
Race: Human
Occupation: Thief/Spy/Assassin
Skills: Lockpicking, value appraisal, trap detection/disarmament, pickpocketing, sleight of hand, escape artistry, high agility, free-running, throwing weapon proficiency, knife fighting, unarmed fighting, improvised weaponry, bartering, fluent in common languages (written and spoken).
Abilities: Sneaky (Locke naturally moves in a way that makes very little sound, and he doesn't leave a trail when moving), Natural Camouflage (Locke's appearance is plain enough that he is nearly impossible to pick out of a crowd, lineup, or any other group of humans), Infiltration Expert (Locke can easily infiltrate any group of humans).
Inventory: Knife (5), Lockpicks, Torch.
Character Bio:
"I've always been the guy who doesn't like the spotlight. Spotlight doesn't like me much, either. I'm more than fine with that.
"My life was always somewhat... uneventful. I grew up the only child to my parents. My father was... well, he was a middleman. A deal organizer. The guy who works out the details of the arrangements between farmers, merchants, and the trade caravans, to make sure everyone makes money off of the deal. My mother was an actress. Minor roles, but she was fine with that. She enjoyed being on stage, around people, and she liked that she didn't have to put herself under the insane stress that the leads had to.
"We were happy and well-off. I was in school for the majority of my youth. No complaints about that, I learned a lot. A bit more than most people, because I spent quite a bit of my time reading on practical matters. My parents hired a few tutors on some more matters: self-defense, finances, negotiation, languages. It was... dull.
"When I mentioned those 'practical matters' that I read up on, I was speaking more about their use for my current profession. I studied the construction of locks, various common security systems, ways to break out of various confinements... simple things. A few of the tutors my parents hired actually encouraged these studies, mostly the ones involved in my self-defense training. 'It's a logical extension of the skills. Besides, it's not like I'm the one teaching him this', they said.
"Shortly after I turned twenty, I decided to try my hand at my father's business. A few deals weren't exactly what I had expected them to be. A few people decided to attempt to withhold payment. I made sure the payment was received. A few people attempted to sabotage a related deal. I infiltrated their sabotage attempt, and made the attempt fall through. A few times, the person they attempted to have negotiate with me was unwilling to agree to the terms. I made sure they had to send a new representative.
"Eventually, some of the merchants and traders caught wind of my methods. Some saw them as problematic. Others... not so much. Those that saw me as an asset decided that I was worth giving some more regular business. I was doing contract work, acquiring various objects, ensuring people had access to information, and removing various obstacles to my employers.
"This was somewhat fulfilling, but it still had me working as a middleman. So, I became my own boss. I made sure I had whatever I wanted, whether it was knowledge or something more... corporeal. I still took up contract work, but only work that I agreed with. Some people are just problematic.
"That said, I still live somewhat simply. I have a house, sparsely decorated. I finance a few farmers, who make sure I always have my choice of food. I stay in shape, mostly due to my work. I stay knowledgeable of current events. Life is good. I enjoy being in the background. The most interesting things take place when people are paying attention to the person in the spotlight. I just try to make sure that's never me."



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/9/2016 21:20:12)

Accepted. Good to see a familiar face here, Super.

Regarding you application, the only thing I need to know about your character is if he is a resident of the city or one of the many people who were caught up the evacuation of the towns.



Heroic Necro -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/9/2016 23:59:44)

I'm having some trouble getting a feel for your setting. How is supernatural different then magic? Your app implies they are separate things. Are you saying I could have Fire Elemental blood in me and that lets me shoot fire? Is that more common then people learning fire spells?

What's the tech level of this world?



liamliam1234liam -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/10/2016 1:40:35)

I will add the other elements later. Let me know what you think of the biography, though. I know I was rather vague at points, but that was intentional. I would rather the specifics be left to the imagination.
Nice to see you GMing again, Reaper.

Character Name: Cyrus Lestol
Age: 22
Race: Human
Occupation: Scholar, I guess.
Skills: Advanced Unarmed Combat Training; Prodigious Swordsmanship; Extensive General Weapons Expertise; Expansive Base of Knowledge (within the context of the game, specifically regarding the city)
Abilities: Intuition; Perspicacity; Limited Persuasion; Enhanced Physique (Strength/Speed/Reflexes/Constitution/Vitality/Endurance/Agility)
Inventory: Leather plating; long dagger (hidden); jian (sheathed); longsword; studded gauntlets
Character Bio:
"People liked to tell me I was bright. They were correct - and still are correct, for that matter - but not all aspects of a person need to be highlighted, you know?
"People also liked to tell me how I had immense potential. That was accurate, too, yet I never felt it was much of a compliment. It struck me as more of an obligation, as if achieving 'only' as much as a normal person would be some massive disappointment. Even still, I tried to meet the lofty expectations placed upon me. I rapidly absorbed information and advanced through my studies at a rate which of course only increased the gravity of people's predictions for my future. I was told if I continued at my pace and truly worked for it, I could probably be the youngest member of the City Guard in history. My qualification for the role of Protector was assumed. Any time I spent as a Protector would be perceived as a necessary but ultimately needless minimisation of my full capabilities. I do not know what it says about our society for that to be the peak. Well, I guess maybe that perspective overlooks the Watchers of the Glade, but the Watchers to a certain extent exist beyond most people's ideas of employment... Sorry; I know that was not an especially important digression, but I felt I needed to mention them because perhaps if I had been more clerically inclined no one would have bothered to exert pressure upon me to use my talents the way they felt best.
"I will not pretend I was similarly prodigious at the physical element of Protector training, but I told myself I would simply be more of a scholarly Protector. I do not mean to imply I was inadequate at combat; just by comparison, it was certainly of lesser appeal. I was good, though. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say I was effective. Part of the problem was my lack of inclination to fight. I learned how, and as a result I would feel confident handling almost anyone outside the Protector clique (and a fair proportion of the people trained as Protectors), but I always preferred to resolve conflicts as quickly as possible. See the origin of the problem and address it. If need be, highlight a few weak points and strike quickly. Make sure fights are over before they can truly start. Always search for the most immediate logical means of success. It might not have been a method which looked impressive to an outsider, but it was a certainly a reliable method. Even still, I do not think at my core I was every meant to fulfill that role. If only I had accepted that sooner.
"Look, I know the Protectors are beloved. However, no group of people is always perfect. Even in a discipline with stringent ethical standards, some of the wrong people can slip through. I know. I watched it happen. People like to play it off as an accident, but accidents like that... Well, how about we just say those types of 'accidents' tend to not be wholly accidental. It is just easier to pretend otherwise. To pretend there are no flaws in the system. I guess now we are all seeing the inevitable results of that mentality, huh? Sorry, I... actually, no, I am going to stand by that statement. This was always going to happen at some point. We were just unlikely enough to be the ones to experience it.
"After all, nothing lasts forever.
"Anyway, to get back on topic, the added insult was the sheer needlessness of the tragedy. I... I am sorry, but could you please give me a moment. ... Okay. I do not... No, I cannot do this. I would rather not revisit these memories too much. I try to block them out. I did not handle it well for the first while, and I know acceptance is the final stage of grief or whatever, but some things hurt too much to accept. Maybe in a few more years. (Assuming I even have a few more years left.)
"Some pricks tried to comfort me by using that bromide about 'being in the wrong place at the wrong time'. No, that... that cretin was the one who acted. Yes, if she had been elsewhere at that precise moment, it probably does not happen. But he did it, and you cannot tell me he could not have NOT done it. Even that is brushed under the rug, saying it was one 'mistake', and in the grand scheme of the organisation it does not matter. Well, it matters to me. How can you be part of that group when you experienced what I did? How could you join them after knowing they were responsible for... for that.
"No one blamed me for leaving. Few people are that insensitive. You can sense it, though: the disappointment, on my behalf! As if the real tragedy were how such a 'freak occurrence' prevented me from achieving my true potential. They were supposed to be better. They were supposed to be better, and they failed. He was never even tried. At least he was removed from his position; in other careers, that is hardly a guarantee. He deserved worse, though. Maybe they knew he deserved worse, but again, it is much better to appear as if they are on some higher moral level. I could never be a part of that. Not now.
"After that, I returned solely to my studies. At least that offered some comfort. I never forgot the training. I might even be better now than I was. Now, though, I keep myself in shape for me. Not for them. Never for them.
"The first months were the worst. Of course, they usually are. At my nadir - and I am not proud of this, but by now you are probably curious about the voice anyway, so I may as well tell you - I tried to poison myself. I just wanted to remove the crushing weight upon me, regarding my future, my past, my feelings at what was the present... Obviously, it did not work. My attempt was admittedly halfhearted; I had barely paid attention to the effects of the herbs I tried to used, and I was mostly just leaving things up to fate at that point.
"As far as consequences go, mine were externally minimal. My vocal chords bore the brunt of any damage; I find myself unable to adequately project my voice (at least, not without considerable pain), and I speak more softly than before. A stranger probably would not think much of it, and frankly the change kind-of suits me. On a more serious note, I was also told quite unequivocally my 'rash decision' had left certain toxins in my body which would gradually kill me anyway. Most estimates were that I took several decades off what would have been my normal lifespan. Still, it could have been worse. I have never told anyone this, but there were other imperceptible effects. You could even go so far to call them benefits, as morbid as that idea seems in context. I wish I could find the herbalist who initially sold those herbs to me (although my memory goes strangely blank whenever I attempt to picture his visage), because perhaps he could explain the other side effects I experienced. My mind seems sharper now (which is saying quite a bit), and I do not think I have ever felt this healthy, this vital, this quick, or this strong. It was not until the invasion that I began to perceive a certain sense of purpose in this extraordinary circumstance. Before, I felt lost, yet again feeling a responsibility to properly use my attributes while not knowing how. Now? Well, I already managed to save a few people during the mass exodus; I have a feeling I will end up needing to save a few more."



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/10/2016 11:07:44)

@Necro: The supernatural would be anything that falls outside of arcane or divine magic. There's nothing that differentiates it from magic in terms of function, but if you're not drawing from, say, a pool of arcane energy or divine favor (such as with a psychic, for example), it would fall under supernatural. The tech level is strictly medieval tech; gunpowder does exist, but knowledge of its existence is confined to small circles of chemists, and its military application has yet to be explored.

I suppose the nature of the setting is rather restricting in regards to building one's character, so here's a brief summary of the greater setting:

The game takes place on the Continent, a vast body of land that stretches far in every direction. It is the home of a great number of countries, some older and more powerful than others, and the political situation remains at a level of tension high enough that borders change every few years: on occasion, entire kingdoms disappear, swallowed up by their larger neighbors. As far as the historians of the Continent are concerned, there has never been a particularly large, unifying power in the history of this realm.

Melos is unique various different reasons: its dedication to a particular deity and the synthesis of worship with everyday life, universally available education, mandatory military training for both men and women, a standard of living that rises high above any other country, and a disregard for the practice of feudalism. That, coupled with a diplomatic shrewdness that diverts prying eyes to grander matters than the affairs of this isolated kingdom, has resulted in generations of uninterrupted prosperity.

I have purposely left out the names of the other countries, as I want people to have the ability to craft a background suitable for them. You, as the player, are free to fill in the blank narrative space I have left. I hope that clears it up for you, but if it doesn't, feel free to ask away.

@liam: So far, the application looks fine. I'll approve it when you finish the rest.

It's good to see some familiar faces in the old stomping ground. One thing I have failed to mention is that the game will be divided into three acts. As I believe most of you are familiar with Aristeo Draamos' backstory, you'll know that canonically, this story ends with Draamos' victory and the eradication of the kingdom of Melos. However, I will not be railroading you into that ending; you have the ability to steer the story away from that based on the choices you make.



Heroic Necro -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/10/2016 14:49:09)

Was Aristo the angel fire guy with the grey wings?

And could I get an example of some of the supernatural stuff you had in mind? Do you mean things like ghosts?



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/10/2016 15:45:12)

No, that was Dene. Aristeo is the illiterate but incredibly shrewd military tactician.

I suppose ghosts and the like are the easiest examples of the supernatural. Say, for instance, your character has the ability to call upon the knowledge of past ancestors, sort of like a genetic memory, or that they are bound to a spirit or something of spiritual significance. Any relevant powers are drawn from the strength of that bond, not from a mana pool or divine favor. But "supernatural" is sort of just an umbrella term, in this case. A kineticist would also fall under supernatural, as their abilities are drawn from mental strength, rather than magic.



DA Holder67 -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/10/2016 16:10:12)

Character Name: Gerin Faustus
Age: 40
Race: Human
Occupation: Tavern Proprietor
Skills: Vast knowledge of intoxicants, Combat experience, Charismatic
Abilities: N/A
Inventory: Knife, Set of Keys
Character Bio: The proud proprietor of the Mottled Fawn, a popular tavern in Melos. Gerin was born in a neighboring country to a fortune teller mother and a merchant father. An imposing figure even as a child, Gerin reached a height of seven feet at the age of 17 and was quickly recruited by a mercenary troupe. Gerin spent over a decade with the troupe escorting trade caravans and travelling the continent, but grew tired of the constant movement and settled in Melos. While in Melos, Gerin was hired on by the former proprietor of the Mottled Fawn as a guard when a gang began troubling the tavern. Gerin was able to solve the issues he faced and developed a strong friendship with the proprietor. The proprietor had no family of his own, and the Mottled Fawn was ultimately left to Gerin when the old man died. A bit of a community hub among veterans and mercenaries, when news first broke of the armies of Aristeo Draamos' approach many flocked to the Mottled Fawn to discuss what had to be done. Most agreed that the city would inevitably fall and a guerilla defense force of able civilians began to assemble in the cellar of the Mottled Fawn, lead by Gerin.




Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/10/2016 16:27:43)

@DA: Accepted.

I'll see how many others express interest/apply. I planned for a smaller pool of players, anyhow. Keep in mind that Melos is a big city, which means it may be some time before any of you interact directly.



Superemo -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/11/2016 5:04:10)

@Reaper: Locke is a resident of Melos.



Heroic Necro -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/12/2016 4:37:48)

Character Name: Marcus
Age: 27
Race: Human
Occupation: Alchemist
Skills: Wide knowledge of a variety of plants, minerals, and fungi and the properties they contain, Combat prowess (Was previously apart of the Protectors, decided to leave when he was eighteen)
Abilities:
Inventory: A salesmen's cart full of ingredients too numerous and obscure to list here, various materials related to academical crafting, a horse named Matilda, coffers holding the setting equivalent of 200 american dollars, Completely Legitimate Legal Papers™, Blackmail reciepts for town mayor's extensive "Vitality Enhancement Vigors," Love Potion, and hair growth salve purchases.
Personal Items: Potion of Haste (disguised as a bottle of Whisky), Powder of Visions (Quick-Acting hallucination. Inhaled.) Flask of Fool's Fire (Ignites on contact with the air. Burns at a cool 85 degrees), Vampire's Vigor (Duel purpose. Allows user to momentarily ignore injury and replenishes lost blood), and a saber
Character Bio: Come one, come all, to Marcus's Marvelous Market! We can treat ailments you didn't even know you had! Your guard captain getting onto you for your poor form in combat training? Just take some shock salts! You'll be swinging as fast as a bolt of lightning! Got an annoying neighbor? Just release some of Marcus's patented Eau de Bleuh in his house. Guaranteed to make his living quarters unlivable for at least six weeks! Some jerkwad neighbor release a stink cloud in your house? Why, just come up to good 'ol Marcus and get my wide arrangement of odor eliminating perfumes! If you can think of it, Marcus has a solution for ya!






Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/12/2016 13:16:22)

@Necro: Accepted, and I very much appreciate your finishing touch.

Alright, I'll be able to work with four players. Liam, I'm just going to accept your application. I'll change the game to "Complete" and await approval.



kkutwar -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/15/2016 1:23:19)

What's the power level for this? Of the two ideas I'm debating, I'll either go with a Mentalist/Mage whose two abilitity sources badly interact, or a "half-ghost" (a conception more in the soul with a meaty anchor for her worldly being) girl that's more or less a priestess of some kind.



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/15/2016 23:39:19)

Good to see you, kkut. I'm been back and forth about how powerful magic and other abilities are, as they are a decisively foreign element to the setting. If you do choose to play a caster, however, you will have to a) not be a resident of Melos or pretty much any kingdom on the continent and b) be willing to accept a certain scrutiny because of your powers/your foreigner status. In terms of power, think of a caster being a "glass cannon": on your own, you'll be outmatched by even a single competent fighter, but in a group, you could bolster say, a squad of ten men enough so that they can find off thirty.



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/20/2016 0:40:18)

Update #1 is up. Apologies if I any felt I took liberties with their characters. Any and all feedback is welcome.



Heroic Necro -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/23/2016 0:01:43)

How long would it take to brew a potion like this, and do I still have any old contacts with the Protectors?



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/23/2016 1:24:59)

Ten hours for an experienced alchemist, eight if they are sufficiently familiar with the recipe. You remember the names of some of your old teachers, but you are unsure whether or not they are in the city; Protectors are trained outside the capital, and it's possible that your former tutors were cut down during the initial invasion. You'd have to get in contact with the Protectors that are garrisoned in the city, and even then, it may be some time before they find them, assuming they are alive.



DA Holder67 -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/24/2016 1:57:52)

Do the men I'm meeting with already know about the defense force?



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/24/2016 11:13:58)

They most likely know, or surmise at least, that you're working outside the confines of the law: your militant group is not an approved part of the garrison forces. Whoever has been in contact with them probably implied some sort of fighting, but the true nature of the defense force is probably unknown to them.



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/26/2016 21:44:41)

Just posting to let everyone know that I'm working on the update. It'll be up in a couple of days.



Heroic Necro -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/29/2016 0:55:11)

How much would all this stuff be worth if I had sold it all at once, and how much was the 75% I sold him worth? The guy missed the fact that I offered to give him the rest of it for free and I'm really debating on if I want to correct him if "a handful" of that entire bag is 10 obel.



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (6/29/2016 2:35:43)

What you're selling him is maybe worth 110-125 chalkoi.



liamliam1234liam -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (7/1/2016 19:05:10)

Okay, I am going out of town for the holiday weekend. I took a look at the update to respond before I left, but I am struggling for a narrative with these updates. I know some people like open-ended options, but this is a little too broad for me.

Feel free to post updates for the others; I would rather not slow them down, and obviously my actions at the moment are not affecting their plots. However, I truly would appreciate a little more direction. Your writing for my character right now makes for a fine read, as if in a novel, but as a player I would like something more clear-cut to do.

In one sense I could just say, "I explore the manor," but I feel as if my character already has a relative understanding of the manor, and ultimately that is only acting as an effective "punt" action to the next update. If that is how you want to advance the plot, by all means act as if I actually posted for my character to perform that general exploration. As I am seeing it now, though, I just have the sense I am stuck in stasis. Again, that makes some narrative sense, but it does not make for the most engaging gameplay.

Thanks.



Reaper Sigma -> RE: The Last Light of Autumn: The Siege of Melos OOC (Slots Open) (7/1/2016 22:39:51)

Noted. I'll keep that in mind for future update. If the rest of you feel the same, I can cut back on the prose. Otherwise, I'll have the update up in a few days.



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