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Pilgrim59

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GROZNYVERSE:
That One Time The Daemon Lord Married The Hero​
...from the creator of RPN Fantasia

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Episode iii: Wanderjahre

"When your back is laden with preempted daggers, gaze upon the dawning horizon and march forth.
The shining truth at the edge of the world will set ablaze your assailants."
- Principles of Men, Lucius II Aurelian (223 AC)

Premise
Grozny, one of the Creator’s pet projects, left to its own devices ever since the Garden fell to the Daemon Lord Sertek. Magic and technology, woven by the ingenuity of men and perhaps the Creator's own patents of subtlety. The war between good and evil, like many before them, was written and forgotten with the fleeting years. But mankind’s light has yet to be extinguished, for the prophesied hero had emerged from the cinders of chaos. This would mark the beginning of the end for the Dark Lord Sertek.

With the Haven Expeditionary Fleet bound for home after spending almost a year campaigning on Saarema, the Hero eventually settled in Dragonsreach alongside their companions. Yet, a certain unexpected encounter entailed - the hero had inadvertently fallen in love with the very being she had dedicated most of her youth fighting. Unbeknownst to both the gloomy hero and the amnesiac demon lord, they were married to one another - beckoning the start of a new adventure. As they learn of each other's woes, external threats and their companions encroach upon their life, as the impending revelation abides by its time. With the Iris Company and Harbingers' past encounters as the source of tension, the Hero and the Daemon Lord must now learn to compromise in more ways than they could imagine. Will love find a way? Or will the Prophecy be truly fulfilled in blood?

Previously on TOTTDLMTH...
Following up on the investigation at Nova Heights Prison, the Hero Sylvia took matters into her own hands to look into the incident - against the advisement of the Black Watch's Grandmaster, Friedhelm of Brecourt. Framed for a crime they did not commit, the Iris Company consequentially resisted arrest and was forced to leave the city. The Companions took to the sewers, in order to avoid Friedhelm's might and the elite wyvern sky patrols. There, they stumbled upon an ancient evil, designate Vulture, that confirmed the continued existence of the Harbingers. Under the combined might of Sylvia's leadership and their sturdy bond, the Company was able to defeat the Vulture, albeit at the cost of their Vice Commander's life.

On the ground, the Companion Irelia stood her ground alone against Friedhelm's forces, but not before being aided by a Black Watch member, Sigismund of the Fifth Breaching Troops. In the subsequent development of the ordeal, Sigismund was slain by Friedhelm. In his dying breath, Sigismund made an enemy of the Iris by mentioning their involvements with the Harbingers. The explosive demise of the Vulture beneath the scene caused a collapse, giving Irelia a chance to escape and regroup with the Companions below.

Meanwhile, the Harbingers rallied under Sylvia's husband - Rael, at the behest of Hershey, his trusted confidant. In a turn of event, the Harbingers were able to retrieve a piece of Rael's old armor from the Starline Magecraft Institutions. Despite this, Rael deemed himself incapable of achieving what is expected of him, ultimately passing his leadership to the Thousand Swordsman Harbinger Hassan, his now-estranged friend and right-hand during the war. During the ensuing skirmish with the mages and their formidable autonomous Star Sentinels, Hershey vanished from the scene without a trace. The Harbingers, under the leadership of Hassan, entrusted by the amnesiac Daemon Lord himself, took to the sewers in hopes of finding Hershey and escape Dragonsreach together.

As the Harbingers and the Companions stumbled upon one another in the underground waterways of Dragonsreach, they managed to corner a mysterious trenchcoated figure with Hershey in his custody. With Sylvia and Rael reunited, the couple and their associates were poised on another battle to retrieve Hershey from the grasps of the trenchcoated man. Before a fight could break out between the Iris-Harbinger coalition and that of their mysterious assailant, another figure appeared on scene. It is revealed that their identities were Five and Eleven. Their purpose and actions were authorized by their presumed master - the Director, whose real identity is not known.

Plagued with questions, the Iris Company and their Harbingers counterpart are forced to leave Dragonsreach. Tensions arise between the disavowed heroes of Grozny and that of their archnemesis during the Fourth Daemonic War. With the recent delegation of duties to apprehend the Iris fugitives and their Harbinger associates, the Grandmaster of the Black Watch is poised on bringing them to justice and unravel the mystery of Sigismund's cryptic last words. Given a limited window to redeem themselves in different light, the Companions and Harbingers are now forced to take the high road together - in hopes of pursuing Five and Eleven. For better or for worse, the two must make amend with one another in order to rid Grozny of its new evils.

(New) Conestoga Wagon
Due to the recent developments, the Iris Company and Harbingers are forced to take to the arduous high road. With Sertek's armor pieces scattered across Grozny, the Harbingers must be swift in their actions should they wish to bring about the former glory of their master's will. The Companions, on the other hand, have a limited window of opportunity to clear their name and uproot the unknown evils that plague Grozny, even if it means they must form a coalition with their sworn enemies in these turbulent times. A method of transportation, provisional logistics and ease of temporary respite. Introducing the Conestoga Wagon, an affordable supply station and mobile armory. Sturdy and spacious, the Conestoga's design is built as a mobile home and makeshift shop for artisans during their journeyman years. The Conestoga has an augmented void expansion, with pocket-dimension spacing and compartmentalized furnishing - enabling the needs of storage and cozy refuge from unrelenting weather. This includes a spacious living area and kitchen, while retaining a compact profile. The Conestoga has externally-enchanted beams for personal customizations and improvised attachment to complement defensive emplacements, a sniper's hatch or camouflaged tenting - a mobile war wagon. Until the Iris and Harbingers short-term plans are realized, they now have access to a Conestoga Wagon to facilitate their long travels across Grozny, while acting as a mobile headquarters. All the foreseeable briefing, debriefing and loadout sequences will take place at the Conestoga. Courtesy of the pharmaceutical billionaire Lady Sofia of House Nowak.

(New) Roadrunner Initiative
Throughout Episode 3's travelling endeavors, the players will have the opportunity to vote on immediate locations to conduct their search for clues, while unravelling the history of Grozny via certain GM-prompted encounters. This is the Roadrunner Initiative. Different outcomes and encounters are dependent on your votes. Travelling plans will be dictated solely on the players' popular votes, facilitating a variety of different quests and intrigues. This will shift immediate attentions towards certain locales, methods of clue collection, means of conditioned battles, acquisition of new gears, as well as exploration of pivotal character arcs. The Roadrunner Initiative mechanic is only available in this Episode, alongside the Conestoga Wagon system.

Tags
Action, Adventure, Alternate-Fantasy, Anime, Comedy, Drama, Fantasia, Romance, Slice of Life, Tragedy, Vigilantism, War

Participation Expectations
- (Casual) Literary Level, comprehensible grammar and spelling mandatory. No one-liners!
- If you wish to develop a piece of Grozny's lore, talk to me and we'll work through it together.
- Co-GMs have execute authority on unruly personnel that disrupts the RP. Have yet to happen thus far, but try to behave.
- Please file an absent-notice prior to dropping or taking a break. Common courtesy.
- RPNation rules and common sense apply.

✧ Honor Call ✧
A warm welcome to my returning players and their reprising roles! <3
Malphaestus Malphaestus Celestial Speck Celestial Speck Soviet Panda Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3 Huntertabbysandshark3 ElenaIsCool ElenaIsCool Worthlessplebian Worthlessplebian Doctor Nope Doctor Nope Nessi Nessi Midrick Midrick Zariel Zariel Remembrance Remembrance Larry Larry NinetaiIsIX NinetaiIsIX

Special Attendance:
xAlter xAlter PerSephy PerSephy

Groznyverse Lore​
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Races

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Astrian
Lifespan: 100 - 120 years

Children of Astra, those that were born from the stars are individuals with distinctive physical features that set them apart from the Solarians (such as horns, animal ears, and tails). Astrians possess high magical affinities that let them practice magic drawn directly from the Aethers. As they are watered-down descendants of Astra, they must regulate their arcane practices to avoid magic corruption, despite the fact that they can withstand aetherial radiation far better than most Solarians.
Astrian lifespans are varied by their subphylums. Draconian is a rare case of Astrial sub-race that could live up to a thousand year.

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Solarian
Lifespan: 70 - 90 years

Children of Sola, those that were born from the pure light of the sun are individuals with fair skin and complexion. Solarians are mediocre in physique and possess little to no magical affinities. As such, they are weaker than Astrians in terms of arcane practices. As they are less dependent on pure Aetherian magic, however, Solarians have higher intelligence capacity. To compensate for their lesser affinities, Solarians practice artificial magic known as Savros. This enables them to be more innovative with technology over reliance on Aetherian powers.


Playable Factions

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Iris Company
- IRC -


Leader: Sylvia of Verdan "the Fourth Sygis"

Formed during the Fourth Daemonic War to combat the Daemon Lord's Harbingers, the Iris Company is in essence a special response team. The Iris Company is composed of diverse personnel that accompanied the hero during the war. As such, they possess particular sets of skills that make them a force to be reckoned with. Despite their official status as a joint-special operation command group, the Company also engages in humanitarian affairs such as catastrophe relief, and any short-term operations that require immediate attention. Iris Companions distinguish themselves by an iris badge that they wear in the field, of which grants them authority over other agencies and branches when dealing with Harbingers. The badge also acts as an exalted passport to traverse across Grozny. In recent turns of events, however, their service is disavowed and branded as fugitives on the run.

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Harbingers
- HAR -


Leader: Rael/Sertek "the One Beyond The Stars"

Originally called the Chosen Six in the previous Daemonic Wars, the Harbingers have expanded since the outbreak of the Fourth Daemonic War. Harbingers are powerful individuals, selected by the Daemon Lord Sertek to micromanage his Legion. Their skillsets are diverse, ranging from necromancy to vampirism. Harbingers are the counterparts of Iris Company, if not more powerful. With the supposed death of Sertek, the Harbingers are currently operating independently, and are scattered across Grozny. Some still remained on Saarema, waiting for the return of the Daemon Lord, while others plan on taking command of the Legion of Darkness. In recent turns of events, Harbingers are forced into a temporary coalition with the Iris Company to unravel the mysteries of the Phantoms.
Imperial House of Commerce Maps
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Prophecy of the Sigil
A mysterious figure came into the dreams of Solarians and Astrians during Sertek’s conquest of Grozny. They proclaimed themselves as the messenger of the heavens, remarking the rise of a hero to deliver the Groznyans from the tyranny of the Daemon Lord. The prophecy would be fulfilled some three hundred years later for the first time. Those that bear the sigil tattoo on their body are known since as a Sygis, or Sigil Bearer. Throughout Grozny's history, there have been four Sygis that fought against Sertek. The chosen defenders of Grozny, selected at random by the Prophecy. A Sygis is able to wield an artifact without training, and most of the time inadvertently acquire them during their journeys against the Daemon Lord.

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Imperial Accord of Grozny
Following the victory of Empress Arisha the Dark over the Coalition forces in 782 AC, the Kingdom of Haven hegemony over the continent finally solidified her supremacy as the one and true Imperial Accord of Grozny. Even after more than four hundred and thirty years later, the Imperial supremacy is still threatened both externally and internally. Dragonsreach is the current capital of Havenite administration over all of Grozny. The residents of Dragonsreach and their surrounding provinces west of the Lachian Mountains are generally referred to as Havenites. Most international flights are concentrated in Nryx International Airport, about five miles from the main city.

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Setting
Current Timeline of Grozny is set in the year 1210 Astorian Calendar, known as The Great Era following the defeat of Sertek at Mount Hornet a year prior. Major cities are powered by grozium plants, couriers racing against the latest trends of grozium transceivers. Private businesses are booming, infrastructural projects laid out, and the renovation of the Nryx International Airport. Despite these changes for the better, Astro-Solarian racial divide is often times overlooked, as well as the internal struggles of those that survived the war. Grozny's west coast have seen an influx of veterans returning home from abroad in search of purpose, carrying what they brought with them home. Families finally united after nine long years of war. The heroes are honored briefly, but are also desperate to cling onto what they did best - war. The Daemon Lord's kindling almost snuffed out after his defeat, but there are those that still fight on in his name.

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Aegys Magic System (AMS)
Aetherium (Mana Pool)
Aegys Magic System relies on an individual's ability to tap into the Aether Well - the heavenly energy of the boundless sky. Astrians and Solarians practice different methods to utilize the Aetherium, as the very process of harnessing astral energies is equivalent to exposing one's self to astral radiation. Subsequently, Astrians are able to tap into the Aetherium directly, while Solarians must create a bypass method to utilize Aetherial energy. Aetheric potentials in each individual is based on their vitality and natural affinities. Some sub-racial traits are more potent than others, as defined and measured by the Aegys Magic System.

Astartes Alignment (Pure Magic)
Astartes is a branch of magic that draws direct power from the Aethers. Typically used by Astrians to conjure spells, as they themselves possess an innate ability to draw power from the stars. Astartes is oftentimes considered a pure form of magic. Its sub-practices are usually dedicated to natural restoration, enchantments and elemental prospects.

Savros Alignment (Artificial Magic)
Savros is an artificial practice of magic in Grozny, catering to those with lesser compatibility with the Aether. As such, Savros users usually depend on harnessed energies and enchanted items rather than drawing direct power from the Aetherium spring. Enchanted items help to compensate for their limited potentials and act as a medium to conjure spells, as well as regulate the user's limitations. This form of magic is considered less pure compared to Astartes. Where they fall short on potentials, however, Savros users complement their arcane practices with technology that diversify their crafts and methods. Its sub-practices include runecrafting, magitech, loremastering, and relic enhancements.

Grozium (Starline Crystals)
Lightstones are recorded minerals to have fallen from the skies during the Mythic Era. They have since been used as a medium for Solarians to practice Savros. These shards are distinguished from other rare earth minerals by their cyan glow. Lightstones are generally refined to create grozium - a battery catalyst that enables Savros practices. Grozium are also standard valuable items in exchanges next to gold, albeit far more valuable than the latter. Grozium is highly sought after by many scholars and mage for their arcane research. In advanced smithing operations, grozium are sometimes embedded in weapons or equipment to facilitate Savros practices. Ultimately grozium is used on a daily basis by Solarians, and its qualities are often varied by different runemasters.

Artifacts
Relics refer to shards or pieces of untainted extraterrestrial weapons used by Astra and Sola during the Fall of the Garden. Relic hunters seek after these artifacts, of which are scattered all around Grozny. Incomplete pieces proved to be powerful individual items, with greater potential when the entire gear is assembled. Relic properties are as complex in nature as they are powerful in the hand of an individual. In a way, Relic Hunters pride themselves as archeologists that sought to recover ancient parts of history. There are some that persist on the harness of the relics' dormant powers. Ultimately, some of these recovered artifacts are secured by different nations, reprising its role as a symbol of power or sanctity. Following the Eibsee Convention of 419, nations in possession of relics are banned from deploying them in war, lest risking an unified retaliation from the consented parties.

Corruption
Corruption refers to the detrimental effects upon an individual when using magic. Oftentimes, magic users must regulate their practice, lest they be exposed to the imperceivable radiation of the Aethers. Most arcane arts draw power from the Aethers one way or another - including the advent of grozium. The feeble physique of Groznyans are likely to succumb to pure radiation of the Aetherial Realm since the destruction of the Garden. Insanity, physical deformation, mutations, as well as many other effects may afflict an individual should they expose themselves to raw Aetherial energy for a prolonged period of time. The most visible aspect of corruption is the crystallization of the afflicted's flesh, hardened like dragon scales.

Dragonsreach Registration Office​
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Home

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EPISODE IIICOMPANIONSSOCIALWIKI
Continue the story of TOTTDLMTHCreate & customize your characterEngage with our online communityCatch up on the lore of Grozny


Episode III Opening



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