Fantasy Sword, Honor, Strength (CS)

[Tattletale]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

We are at Greystone, the most important port of the Empire. Built across the sheer cliffs that give it its name, the city is home to dozens of thousands of souls. Its bridges and walkways are fuller than usual, however: the Tournament of the Emperor is starting in a few days, and the whole city is bustling with activity. Traders, travelers, tourists, thieves, and many other people from every walk of life are arriving, and the ambient is vibrant. And of course, the aspirants! Whoever you are, there's something in Greystone for you.

Not only that, but this year's tournament is special! To reinforce the tenuous peace negotiations that the Empire is conducting, two participants are guests from the new allied countries. Amir al Qasimi, the second prince of Sharak, and Andre Shieldbreaker, the right hand of the Jothum tribe chieftain. The situation is delicate, but if it goes well, it could foster a lot of goodwill.

The tournament has a preliminary phase that will start tomorrow and last until the end of the week, before the start of the real deal. Eight aspirants will be selected during this time. The other eight are selected beforehand, invited from prestigious schools or noble houses. These sixteen will be the ones who fight in the Tournament.
Consider the following when creating your character: Are you a participant or a spectator? Or perhaps you are not interested in the tournament itself, but in the opportunities it brings? Were you invited or do you intend to climb through the ranks? Perhaps you are an agent of a foreign power, sent to cause instability, a guard who is looking to change his life, maybe a thief or pirate looking for a quick buck.

-

Think about where you come from, your country, and your life before coming here. The description of the ethnics from each country is a mere suggestion. Mixed ancestry is common, and variations exist, so do not feel constrained by the listed "standard" complexions.

If you are a combatant, think about your weapon and style, this will be important. If not, what are your talents and skills?

CHARACTER SHEET

General Information

Name:
Nicknames/Aliases:
Appearance: (A picture, a description, or both)
Height:
Weight:
Gender:

Background

Age/Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Residence:
Occupation:
Sexual Orientation:

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: (Can be more than one)
Fighting Style: (Either a description of an original or one of the schools listed in the lore page)

(The following can be ranked from 1 to 5, 1 being abysmal, and 5 peak human. In some cases, the rating can be 0, like an especially clumsy non-combatant's Technique. In the same way, some exceptional individuals can reach 6. Please DM me first if you want to put any stat at 6. This is not a hard RPG system, but it will make it easier understanding the capabilities of your character as a fighter.)

Power: (Physical strength and the ability to leverage it effectively)
Flexibility: (The ability to react and respond to other's strategy and style, as well as quick thinking and creativity in battle)
Endurance: (Pain tolerance and stamina)
Technique: (Ability to perform complex maneuvers and understand others', be it through intensive training, experience, or sheer talent)
Speed: (Reflexes, agility, and quickness with blade and feet.)
Steel Sense: (Similar to instinct, further explained in the lore page)

Non-combat skills:

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths:
Personality weaknesses:
Fears:
Interests/Hobbies:
Likes:
Dislikes:

Long-term Goal(s):

History
(A brief paragraph explaining your character's circumstances is enough, but feel free to expand on it as much as you like)

Extra
(Quirks, habits, pets... Whatever you want to share!)


Character Examples

In case you are looking for inspiration or are confused about what to fill in.

Spoiler: Example 1: Amir al Qasimi

General Information

Name: Amir al Qasimi
Nicknames/Aliases: Ami
Appearance:
























Height: 186cm, 6'1
Weight: 82kg, 180lbs.
Gender: Male

Background

Age/Date of Birth: 25 - November 21st
Place of Birth: 'Aqdam Sadiq (Sharakian Capital)
Residence: 'Aqdam Sadiq
Occupation: Second Prince of the Sultanate of Shakar
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: Scimitar
Fighting Style: Raqsat Alma' (Dance of the Water)

Power: 2/5
Flexibility: 3/5
Endurance: 2/5
Technique: 3/5
Speed: 4/5
Steel Sense: 2/5

Non-combat skills:
- Skilled orator and diplomat
- Skilled rider
- Decent administrative skills
- Great oud player, good singing voice

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths: A generous, cheerful man, always ready to lend a helping hand. Cool-headed in the face of danger. Polite to a fault. Determined and quite intelligent.
Personality weaknesses: Overtrusting and innocent, inexperienced. Can get a bit cocky.
Fears: Losing his sister or father. Centipedes.
Interests/Hobbies: Music and dance, riding, Laurean theatre.
Likes: Literature, rainy days, spicy food, shatranj.
Dislikes: Bullies, overly sweet or bland food, condescension.

Long-term Goal(s): Foster peace between Sharak and the Laurean Empire and other foreign nations.

History
As the second son of Sharak's royal family, Amir had a happy childhood. He never envied his older sister Malika, the heir, as he rather disliked being in positions of authority. He gave himself to his passion, art, and literature, encouraged by his father. As he grew older, he also showed talent in diplomacy and swordplay and learned both as best as he could. When he was 17, however, his mother passed from illness, and his father tried to numb the pain redoubling the effort to drive out the lands claimed by the Laureans, and was wounded in one of the battles, leaving him unable to fight again. This allowed Amir and her sister to convince their father to strive for peace. After years of negotiations and tense exchanges, the peace is about to be signed, and Amir sees this as an opportunity to serve his country and end the violence.

Extra
Amir is left-handed and has terrible handwriting.

Spoiler: Example 1: Andre Shieldbreaker

General Information

Name: Andre
Nicknames/Aliases: The Avalanche, Ann
Appearance:

Height: 192cm, 6'2
Weight: 89kg, 196lbs.
Gender: Female

Background

Age/Date of Birth: 30, January 13th
Place of Birth: Village of Hun'ok
Residence: Jothumstadt
Occupation: Warrior, Right hand of the chieftain
Sexual Orientation: Asexual

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: Zweihander
Fighting Style: Wilde Seele (Wild Soul)

Power: 4/5
Flexibility: 2/5
Endurance: 5/5
Technique: 2/5
Speed: 3/5
Steel Sense: 2/5

Non-combat skills:
- Competent war leader
- Competent paramedic
- Great scout

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths: Focused, honorable, and resolute, Andre doesn't concede defeat even in the direst situations. She is considered one of the bravest Branhel warriors.
Personality weaknesses: Hard-headed like few, she would rather eat her armor than admit a mistake. She is rooted in the old ways, and resists, new ideas and methods, even when they are demonstrably better.
Fears: Growing old and losing the ability to fight.
Interests/Hobbies: Blacksmithing, drinking, cartography.
Likes: A pitched battle, her hometown tavern, challenges.
Dislikes: Cowards, people who talk too much,

Long-term Goal(s): Her chieftain's goals are her own.

History
WIP

Extra
WIP

 

[SRUNewman]

WIP
BASIC INFORMATION
Name: Arielle Bri'Marth
Aliases: Torvash
Gender: Female
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 150bs
Appearance:

Age/Date of Birth: 23
Place of Birth:
Residence:
Occupation: Bounty Hunter
Sexual Orientation: Lesbian

Weapon of choice:

• Grey Ash Staff - A long staff made of very strong material. It's able to withstand fighting and someone swinging around it on the battlefield as Arielle does.

Fighting Style: (Either a description of an original or one of the schools listed in the lore page)
Power: 2
Flexibility: 4
Endurance: 2
Technique: 5
Speed: 5
Steel Sense: 5
Non-combat skills:

• Picking pockets
• Picking Locks
• Fishing
• Sewing, making jewelry, and making traps
• Great Swimmer

Personality strengths:
Personality weaknesses:
Fears:
Interests/Hobbies:
Likes:
Dislikes:

Long-term Goal(s):

History
(A brief paragraph explaining your character's circumstances is enough, but feel free to expand on it as much as you like)

Extra
(Quirks, habits, pets... Whatever you want to share!)

 

[Vudukudu]

General Information

Name: Darien Lugoci
Nicknames/Aliases: The Reaper of Red Hills, Lord Captain of the West Marches

Spoiler: Appearance:

Height: 6'2
Weight: 180
Gender: Male

Background

Age/Date of Birth: 25
Place of Birth: Red Hills, Pasang
Residence: Red Hills, Westwatch Fortress
Occupation: Lord Captain of the West Marches
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: Short swords, arming swords, daggers.
Fighting Style: Verdadera Destreza


Power: 4
Flexibility: 5
Endurance: 4
Technique: 5
Speed: 4
Steel Sense: 4

Non-combat skills:
Strategy and Tactics: Darien's tenure as Lord Captain of the West Marches is not unearned - the man practically has an eagle eye's view of warfare, and is a virtually unparalleled commander of men and supply chains. His training program has turned the Army of the West Marches from a force of backwater militiamen into a band that strikes fear into the hearts of Sharak.

Sailor: No self-respecting Pasangian would dare be caught unable to handle his own aboard a vessel. While Darien's preference is to fight on land, the naval sciences are familiar to him.

Lyrist and Singer: Pasangians hold music to be among the finest of the arts and have constructed great theaters to hear it in. As a nobleman, Darien was taught early in life about the fine arts of singing and the lyre. He's also held in great esteem as a poet.

Horsemanship: Darien is a friend to beasts but especially dogs and horses. Dogs for their utility, and horses for their beauty. He owns a stable where he breeds racing horses, is the patron of the West Marches Blitz, a horse race for ambitious peasants, and knows the finer parts of horsemanship better than most.

Survivalist: One does not survive the dreaded swamps of the West Marches against the forces of Sharak without learning to provide for oneself.

Historian: Darien has always believed that the greatest lessons found off of the battlefield are those found in the library. He knows a great deal of history, particularly as it relates to warfare and politics.

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths: Cunning, intelligent, endlessly polite, humorous, commanding charisma. Fierce patriot.
Personality weaknesses: Utterly without honor and will do what must be done to win at any cost. Untrusting towards all outside his inner circle. Fierce patriot.
Fears: Dying with his duty not yet done.
Interests/Hobbies: Horsemanship, music, theater.
Likes: His country, his horses, his dogs, redheaded women, stargazing, Brenhelian mead and warrior-women, Laurean white wine.
Dislikes: Sharakians, archers, jungles, deserts, false bravado, arrogance.

Long-term Goal(s): Lay such waste to the tribes of Sharak that none dares approach his home for a thousand years.

History
Darien Lugoci, fifth son of the esteemed Lugoci name of Pasang, was born to a life of wealth and power. His parents jointly command one of the world's largest merchant sailing enterprises, their lineage practically drips power and glory, and he was provided with the absolute best available tutoring and training that gold can buy. His youth was the sort of intense upbringing that most cannot imagine: awaken early for physical drills, spend hours under tutors, practice swordplay, more tutoring, more exercise, and then an evening to relax and recover before the next day. By puberty, a deep sense of familial pride and patriotism had inured him to the stresses of his life and made him a warrior-prince fit for his country.

One problem remained - Darien was, after all, the fifth son. The first would inherit command of the house, the second its fleets, the third and fourth given other important roles. The fifth child of Pasangian nobility, if they have that many, is customarily sent to the West Marches to serve on the border patrols keeping Sharakian wukir off their land. It is a necessary, but ill-thought of, posting. Far from the sea that Pasangians love so dearly, life on the West Marches is a dreadful slog, living in any one of a dozen keeps and occasionally patrolling its inhospitable hills and swamps. Darien had higher ambitions.

His first year of service on the West Marches was quiet save for roaming bandits and exiles from Sharak. In the second year, however, his scouts informed him of a Wukir wandering closer to the Red Hills, an often contested territory commanding one of the primary passes between Pasang and Sharakian lands. Flouting orders from above to merely ward off the Wukir and its inhabitants, Darien mustered volunteer forces from the West Marches to supplement his own meager troops and marched on the Red Hills. There, his name became legend to Pasang and reviled to Sharak. The Red Hills bubble with swamp gas leaking from crevices that occasionally catch flame, giving the hills their name. When the Wukir settled for the night, Darien made his move. A skirmisher force moved forward to bait the Wukir's defenders out and then his men set flame to the Hills, synchronized explosions detonating across the hillsides just before a company of archers let arrows fly. His troops set upon the rest with a fury worked up by their Lord Captain, sending the survivors fleeing for the swamp, their Wukir dying in the flames behind them.

For the first time, Pasang had truly triumphed in sending a message across the border - you may call Quilame yours, but there are those who disagree. Darien's star quickly continued its ascension, as his actions merited revenge from allied Sharakian tribes. Each was beaten back with cunning and brutality where merited, and Darien has revolutionized the Army of the West Marches with the aid of a contingent of Verdadera Destreza masters hired from the Laurean Empire. Analyzing Sharakian swordplay, they have devised a new approach to training and tactics built on heavy infantry to match the Murunate Wukir and marksmen to handle the unshielded Water Dancers. Skirmishers backed by war-hounds, trained to disrupt Murunate Wukir fighters and inspire terror in Sharakian light troops, harass the flanks. A matter of years into his command, he was elevated to Lord Captain of the West Marches, one of three such Lord Captains under the command of Pol Lufenzi, the High Commander. Darien has led the brunt of the war from Westwatch using a signalling system developed with the help of Pasangian lighthouse masters - a system of lighthouses constructed along the borderlands can send simple warning messages back and forth, transmitting information like troop numbers, distance, and warnings for miles to give advance warning to the Army of the West Marches. The war thus far has been defensive, and almost entirely in Pasang's favor as the other Lord Captains adapt to the new tactics.

Darien is unmarried (or married to his job, perhaps) but considers himself the father of every Pasangian child orphaned by war on the West Marches. Westwatch Fortress, his headquarters, is a short ride from Summerholm Manor, a Lugoci family home that he has converted into an orphanage and dedicates most of his salary to, as the family takes care of him personally.

Extra
Querec, his favorite horse.
Beregar, Lorn, Halavo, and Agatha, his war-hounds.

 

[Synergy JADE]

General Information

Name: Eria of Cal-Veniza
Nicknames/Aliases: Ria
Appearance: Long, braided red hair worn in braids, blue/green eyes. She wears long sleeves and often cloaks or capes to thin scars across her back and arms.

Height: 5' 9"
Weight: (she'll blush then poison you if you ask)
Gender: Female

Background

Age/Date of Birth: 20, February 25
Place of Birth: "Lost Cordoba" in a dwelling not far from where the first battle between the old kingdoms of Jaen and Cordoba took place
Residence: Venizai Keep
Occupation: Keeping her family out of trouble
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: Being underestimated
Fighting Style: She goes out of her way to not carry any weapons in plain sight so she people don't think of her as a warrior. Her brother taught her how to use a bow, sword, and spear. She prefers poisoned daggers but that is also none of your business.



Power: 2
Flexibility: 3
Endurance: 3
Technique: 4
Speed: 5
Steel Sense: 2 (in training)

Non-combat skills:
-especially sharp memory
-family used to be known for their ancient weapons craft knowledge (make of that what you will)
-dance
-accomplished horseback rider

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths: Loves her family, keeper of family secrets, stubborn, seeing beauty in the word, and focused
Personality weaknesses: Loves her family, has to keep the family secrets, stubborn, and focused
Fears: Losing her brother and herself
Interests/Hobbies: Loves the freedom of horseback riding, dancing, and exploring unrecognized. She has spent a lot of time studying weapon craft and strategy though remains pretty unpracticed
Likes: Dancing, riding, following family codes, and winning
Dislikes: attention, loss, and confusion

Long-term Goal(s): Use the tournament and her brother's part in it to gain power for her family and recover what has been taken from them.

History
Eria of Cal-Veniza was the second and last child born to a noble family in what is now know as Lost Cordoba. Though her father was once a skilled smith and swordsman, an attack several years prior left him robbed of his sight, his wife, and more than a few secrets he had planned to keep hidden. The two Cal-Veniza heirs were forced to grow up rather quickly, both being formally educated, the daughter, Eria being trained in secret for combat as to protect her from the same fate as her mother. She loves her home, and grew up exploring old ruins and eerie battlefields with her older brother, Erzan. The death of her mother and near-death of her father left its mark, however, and as much as she tries to see the beauty in the world, she has a developed a taste for vengeance that she still has yet to understand herself.

Extra
Eria hates wearing shoes and takes them off whenever she thinks no one can see.
Atasi-Ria's constant companion... her horse

 

[Spencypoo]

Name: Shakira
Nicknames/Aliases: Kira

Height: 5'6ft
Weight: 146lbs
Gender: Female


Age/Date of Birth: Shakira is 19 and was born on August 25th
Place of Birth: Jamarco, A place outside most kingdoms that only her relatives know of
Residence: Nowhere exactly shes nomadic and moves from place to place
Occupation: None but spends most of her time helping those who need it most and giving them temporary protection
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: Spatha Sword with runes engraved on it
Fighting Style: Shes well adjusted to and uses a sword often but can make pretty much anything a weapon

Power: 3
Flexibility: 2
Endurance: 5
Technique: 3
Speed: 4
Steel Sense: 2

Non-combat skills: Shakira is very creative, observational, and good with her hands

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths: She pays close attention to her environment and is both fair and intelligent
Personality weaknesses: She doesn't hold anything back and can tend to provoke people since she can't hold her tongue, especially in fights even if she knows that she could die by that person's hands
Fears: Relationships. Friendly or romantic she doesn't want to get close to anyone and have to protect them or see them get hurt because of her
Interests/Hobbies: Cooking and baking food
Likes: Socializing and helping
Dislikes: Being shouted at and deer (She hates deer with a passion)

Long-term Goal(s): End the suffering of others

History: (Will update later today sorry)


Extra: She often faces internal conflicts with herself and tries to hide away her compassionate side

 

[Synergy JADE]

I decided to create a profile for Ria's brother as well since I want have him in the tournament.
General Information

Name: Erzan of Cal-Veniza
Nicknames/Aliases: Zani for Ria, Lord of the Lost Souls (for being heir to the lands known for an especially bloody battle)
Appearance: Much like his sister, Erzan favors speed over brute strength. He has dark brown/redish hair and a dusting of freckles on his nose and hazel eyes. While he carries himself like the family heir, he has yet to "come into his own" as a leader and warrior.

Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 180 lbs
Gender: Male

Background

Age/Date of Birth: 22, July 3
Place of Birth: "Lost Cordoba" in a dwelling not far from where the first battle between the old kingdoms of Jaen and Cordoba took place
Residence: Venizai Keep
Occupation: Heir to family Keep, 10/10 big brother
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Abilities and Skills

Weapon of choice: For some reason is partial to a spear though he trained in many others
Fighting Style: One-v-one, evenly matched opponent for fairness and challenge. He spent a great deal of time training but has one ever been in one real fight. Pretty quick on his feet but a little naive in the ways of the world, especially when unprepared or outmatched.

Power: 3.5
Flexibility: 5 (in organized combat) and 3 (in a chaotic/unplanned fight)
Endurance: 3
Technique: 4 (in organized combat) and 3 (in a chaotic/unplanned/uneven fight)
Speed: 4
Steel Sense: 4 (in training)

Non-combat skills:

Personality and Goals

Personality strengths: Loyal, straightforward/honest, 10/10 big brother, hard working, and genuinely wants to do the right thing
Personality weaknesses: Naive that the world isn't as justice as he thinks it should be. Because he was the only heir to his house, he is really well educated and trained, but has always had supervision so he hasn't made as many mistakes to learn from.
Fears: That his family will fail because of him. That something will happen to his sister. Not being good enough when the time comes.
Interests/Hobbies: Reading, training with different weapons, and has an obsession with ancient weaponcraft his family was known for.
Likes: A good weapon, a grand feast, and when his family is safe. Also not too bad with the ladies if Ria isn't paying attention.
Dislikes: Injustice, bullies, and the color red.

Long-term Goal(s): Erzan wants to earn a place in the tournament that will help make his family stronger and keep his sister safe.

History
As opposed to Eria, Erzan was born at a time that was properous and peaceful, the first heir to an old and mysterious line of Lords and keeper of ancient secrets. About the time his sister Eria was born however, their luck began to turn. Crops began to fail and rumors of a curse on their house began to cirrulate. When Erzan was 12 and his sister 10, a close family advisor betrayed their family, almost succeeding in deposing Erzan's father and killing his mother. After that, Erzan threw himself into his studies and became a master with the sword and spear. Though his skills became reowned, he rarely put them to use outside his family's land as his father was afriad to lose his only son. His sister Eria was left much less uspervised and was famous for sneaking out to the point where only Erzan seemed to remember the other child of the Cal-Veniza family and was often the one to bring her home. Despite his naivity, Erzan is set on becoming the best leader he can, as well as seeking justice for the ill fate that has followed his family.

Extra
Hadrian- his loyal horse
Callan- Captain of the Guard and the man who trained Erzan. Though his mentor is now quite old, Erzan looks to him constantly for advice.