Fus ro dah
Lorekeeper
Introduction
“The darkness has lasted for almost two weeks now. Two weeks! Our candle supply is all but starved, we’re down to relying on what wood we can salvage from the town. Everyone is scared, scared because the sun and the moon have abandoned us. There’s no stars in the skies to guide us.
The ground keeps shuddering, at first it was faint... but now. Now it’s getting stronger. The wind rarely blows in this darkness, it always seems to happen around the time of the tremors, which is when it rains and our flames go out. Even the ones indoors.
What’s going on?
When will this darkness end?”
~
“One month has passed and people are falling ill, at least we think it’s been a month. Everyone is exhausted all the time and fights keep breaking out over light sources. We spend our waking hours huddled around the small fires we have lit. Are we going to die like this? They’re all miserable and a few just seem to cry all the time. We've had to resort to burning spare furniture to keep the lights burning.
A few of the braver folks have taken some supplies and gone in search of some more wood from the forest, no one knows if they’ll ever return.
It’s hard to write in this light, but it’s the only thing that’s keeping my sanity somewhat intact.”
- Author unknown
Everything is still and silent, the only sounds that of the people gathered in the city of Redmerrow as they huddle around the dying fires dotted in the streets. Those who aren't awake are nearby in buildings that have been re-purposed as bedrooms, to keep everyone close; to ensure nobody gets lost in the endless darkness.
The earth shudders, the vibrations more violent than before and those who were sleeping as jerked awake by the sudden shaking. The flames of the dotted fires spark and burst into life; the flames climbing higher than the rooftops of the houses as the wind starts to whistle across the land. Loose branches are tossed about, sent tumbling across the hills.
In a brilliant flash of light, the world is once again illuminated in a brilliant, unnatural crimson as large droplets of rain crash to the ground; sending villagers scuttling for cover. The flames are not doused, but continue to dance and lick at the sky, undaunted as the earth heaves an almighty shudder that knocks several people over.
Then as if nothing happened, the wind and flames settle and the world stops shuddering as the rain slowly ceases its downpour. The only thing that remains is the crimson sky. The warmth of the sun once again shines down onto the world, people run out into the streets and with a new-found energy, jump around happily. It seems almost everything is back to normal, except for the land of Faarstrad; it remains shrouded in that unnatural darkness..
A sound echos across the landscape from within that darkness, sending birds flying from the treetops. A roaring screech, tinged with the sounds of crackling lightning explodes across the landscape; followed by three more bestial screeches, each one accompanied by a different sound.
Crackling lightning.
Burning flames.
Gusting wind.
Tumbling rocks.
Something has been unleashed upon the earth.
Hundreds of Royal albino courier rooks are sent from the castle to each of the main cities. A call to arms for any willing and able to go forth on a grand adventure, to seek the source of the sounds that echo from Faarstrad; the only part of the land still shrouded in darkness, the forest filled with danger and stolen riches. Bandits frequent the woods there, whether they still remain is yet to be determined.
Those interested should come to the castle immediately and sign their name on the charter for the grand adventure. People from all walks of life are sought and accepted, there is no pay, but any riches you find on your journey you are allowed to keep.
It’s time to return to the darkness.
The Races
- Typically, humans are pretty numerous. They are quite welcoming and hard working. They can do almost anything they put their minds to, and are employed in all manner of positions around the Realm. The bandits of Faarstrad tend to be made up of mostly humans. Their skin comes in many shades of pinks and browns, their hair can be any colour; as can their eyes. Their penchant for greed can land them in hot water quite quickly. They can live for up to 90 years.
I’m going to welcome characters from all walks of life in this grand adventure! Sure, we can all play the mage who can kill a cow and cook it perfectly for dinner with one spell, or the archer who can shoot a fly at 500 feet onto the head of a needle... But what about those wannabe adventurers? The alchemist whose best creation was a delightful cup of tea? Or the swordsman who can barely carry their weapon? I want these characters too! I want healers who will faint at the sight of blood! They’ll need a thirst for adventure, but we can’t all be seasoned heroes! Lose your sword? Panic and steal one from a fellow adventurer, or grab a stick and start swinging!
Notes: The God of the Realm is Kha'nashi, the Sun God. Depicted as a bronzed, well muscled man with golden hair and silver eyes.
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- No Godmodding/God-Moding/Bunnying/Whatever you know it as. Please, don't control/kill other characters without permission!
- Yes! You can play more than one character if you think you can manage it.
- Please be literate and use punctuation, it makes it easier to understand you.
- No Mary Sues/Gary Stus
- Half breeds exist, but they are shunned and are not allowed in any towns.
- No one-liners please. They don't help move the story forward at all.
- I prefer terrible adventurers over seasoned awesome fighters.
- Be believable. We can't all be badasses that killed our parents at 6 because they wouldn't give us a pony.
--
A few days have passed since the Crown called for assistance, and now you stand in the Royal city; Eldressa. The city is old, with towering stone walls and shimmering canals that run with clean, cool water. The streets are lined with cobblestone, the main road is wide and leads up to the castle which sits on a rise; watching down over Eldressa. White towers reach into the sky, albino rooks circle the Rook Tower; cawing early in the morning and late into the evening.
People mill about the castle courtyard, most of them are here from curiosity. To see who will be going into Faarstrad. A lot of them look tired and worried, a young girl naps on her mother’s lap as she sits by the fountain. A stray dog runs around the courtyard, chasing a large rat which scuttles towards the safety of some thick bushes against the castle wall. The doors swing open and a man strides from the inside, accompanied from a fanfare played within. He wears a crimson coat and he stands atop the stairs; waiting for the general chatter to die down.
“Those who are here for the expedition into the Faarstrad forest, please follow me.” He announces in a booming, clear voice.
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