Fantasy Voyage To The End [OOC]

[Kloudy]

Sounds like a fun plan! I'll iron it out a bit more once I do the actual background writing, but if 2 or so years after they arrived and began their studies (which would be 7ish years before the expedition) they were recognized and recruited by Cicero to conduct special lectures about magic structure and theory, as well as what they knew of magic from their home, even if they can't actually use that magic. Maybe later they essentially become a graduate student under Cicero, teaching a few classes while continuing honing their capabilities. Something akin to that?

Sure thing! You can always have it that they were teaching what they know with their preferred magic while continuing their studies in other arts and history. Cicero is currently trying to create his own new magic, for example.

I'd imagine she'd also have picked up some of his psyker arts given that its within the same realm as her spells.

 

[Echocoa]

Sure thing! You can always have it that they were teaching what they know with their preferred magic while continuing their studies in other arts and history. Cicero is currently trying to create his own new magic, for example.

I'd imagine she'd also have picked up some of his psyker arts given that its within the same realm as her spells.

Oh they would be  very interested if he's trying create new types of magic. They would love to help with that ^^

As for picking up his magic.. they can't actually use magic in the normal sense, by my planning. Their weakness of body and mind since birth makes it  extremely taxing to channel magic through them. Their Metamagic works because it manipulates the framework and structure, rather than the energetic substance, of the magic, which is why I say they would seem very knowledgeable about theory but not with practice. If that makes sense?

Edit: I suppose the one exception to this is the self-styled weak divination magic they use for Download, View, and Scan. I mostly saw those as internal effects, though, rather than spells cast, that didn't require much energy expenditure. I may have to think about that more.

 

[Kloudy]

Oh they would be  very interested if he's trying create new types of magic. They would love to help with that ^^

As for picking up his magic.. they can't actually use magic in the normal sense, by my planning. Their weakness of body and mind since birth makes it  extremely taxing to channel magic through them. Their Metamagic works because it manipulates the framework and structure, rather than the energetic substance, of the magic, which is why I say they would seem very knowledgeable about theory but not with practice. If that makes sense?

Edit: I suppose the one exception to this is the self-styled weak divination magic they use for Download, View, and Scan. I mostly saw those as internal effects, though, rather than spells cast, that didn't require much energy expenditure. I may have to think about that more.

If I were to view all the types of magicks as being from different branches of certain elements or types, I would view your Metamagic as being of the same branch as Cicero's Psyker Arts. The reason for that is they both interact with conceptual ideas on a mental/psychic level. They aren't the same thing, but they exist within the same area of concentration and desire.

We could even say that this was part of the reason Vaimi joined Cicero's institution in the first place - she heard of his reputation as a master of psychics and thought he would be able to help her.

In regards to her weakness regarding practical magic, I think it'd be helpful to get specific there. Technically when one casts a spell they would still need magical energy to fuel the manipulation, regardless of what they are manipulating. Perhaps if it were the case that Vaimi has poor control with channeling energies connoting raw, physical substances like fire or earth, but inversely excels at finer energies revolving around mental or conceptual manipulation? Then she could still have pros and cons you want, but could also pick up a few of Cicero's more basic psyker spells like calming the mind, or even Communion?

 

[Echocoa]

If I were to view all the types of magicks as being from different branches of certain elements or types, I would view your Metamagic as being of the same branch as Cicero's Psyker Arts. The reason for that is they both interact with conceptual ideas on a mental/psychic level. They aren't the same thing, but they exist within the same area of concentration and desire.

We could even say that this was part of the reason Vaimi joined Cicero's institution in the first place - she heard of his reputation as a master of psychics and thought he would be able to help her.

In regards to her weakness regarding practical magic, I think it'd be helpful to get specific there. Technically when one casts a spell they would still need magical energy to fuel the manipulation, regardless of what they are manipulating. Perhaps if it were the case that Vaimi has poor control with channeling energies connoting raw, physical substances like fire or earth, but inversely excels at finer energies revolving around mental or conceptual manipulation? Then she could still have pros and cons you want, but could also pick up a few of Cicero's more basic psyker spells like calming the mind, or even Communion?

You know, sure, why not. They are exceptionally skilled at working the fine energies but can't do so in more than minute quantities, limiting the spells within their capability to simple mental magics like weak psyker arts or divinations. I was mostly using it as a reason for them not using any normal magic, but this does work more concretely, plus with their weak lungs having a form of Communion would be a blessing to them ^^;

 

[Kloudy]

You know, sure, why not. They are exceptionally skilled at working the fine energies but can't do so in more than minute quantities, limiting the spells within their capability to simple mental magics like weak psyker arts or divinations. I was mostly using it as a reason for them not using any normal magic, but this does work more concretely, plus with their weak lungs having a form of Communion would be a blessing to them ^^;

I'm glad you agree, I just suddenly realised I may be coming on too strong again~

 

[Echocoa]

I'm glad you agree, I just suddenly realised I may be coming on too strong again~

It's really alright, I don't think it's too strong, just clear and constructive thoughts. And they usually help me find things to improve ^^

 

[Kloudy]

It's really alright, I don't think it's too strong, just clear and constructive thoughts. And they usually help me find things to improve ^^

Aww thanks, I appreciate that. I like to help but sometimes I focus a little too much on the analysis >u<''

Another thought back to what we were just discussing: instead of not being able to use any other magic at least you now have the option to be able to expand into other areas of magic as we go, rather than being solely limited to only what you've chosen.

 

[RaiAthar]

I actually have a character semi-finished that specialises in mental enhancement and protection, so I think I understand what you mean in regards to the empowered reaction-speed ability. If you're worried about getting mind-hacked then don't worry, I gotchu brother~

Thanks brother! I hope your guy feels the same way once he gets know my guy, heh.

Ultimately, I accept that mind-hackey stuff exists and will never go away...so I begrudgingly tolerate it...kind of like how everyone will begrudgingly tolerate my character...hopefully.

Scaleless I was actually thinking to add a glaring weakness to his powers: electrical attacks make them unusable for some significant length of time...but I like your idea better since it's a good reason for why he's always mixing up or forgetting womens' names.

Will try to get a decent CS up tomorrow in the evening sometime.

 

[Kloudy]

Thanks brother! I hope your guy feels the same way once he gets know my guy, heh.

Ultimately, I accept that mind-hackey stuff exists and will never go away...so I begrudgingly tolerate it...kind of like how everyone will begrudgingly tolerate my character...hopefully.

I don't begrudge any of the cast ideas we've got. Solid stuff as far as I'm concerned.

To be fair, we don't have any high-mobility types I think. So having someone that can travel short-moderate distances swiftly (perhaps with the addition of even being able to take someone with them?) would be great for the skillsets we already have in the team. Teleportation can be quite an easily-abused ability, but you seem to be mindful of the limitations needed to keep it fair. Keep at it!

 

[Scaleless]

Yup. That weight limit seems to be too much though, it's not even enough earth to fill a sack. I want her to at least be able to conjure a decent earth spike to skewer enemies.
Her necromancy is mostly for religious stuffs like unanimating the undead and maybe later she can construct a skeletal familiar.

Ok then, checks out with me.

 

[Ayama]

Mkay, my derps are up (minus their magic and gear, which I am still pondering somewhat as characters come in)- hope y'all like them and I can do them justice once this kicks off!

I picture most of their comedic potential lying in how they interact with each other and the other characters in the story, so let me know if you guys have any ideas of character dynamics that could be fun to explore~

Also, feel free to toss out plot ideas with them &/or NPC members of their family (I listed a few); can't promise I'll bite, but you all will probably have ideas I wouldn't have thought of~

For quick motivational reference, Rel is basically out to prove himself a brave knight (even though he's a total fraud), Ria is out to reclaim her family's honor (and crush anyone who gets in her way), Fia wants to study the plants, bugs and fungi of the Abyss (and probably become famous for it), and Dia's just there for the fun, excitement and adventure of it all (what else? ;P ).

I look forward to getting our completed cast and all pre-plotting done and ready to go! ^^

 

[Scaleless]

When you said two magical henchpeople I was expecting something like having two magical summons, not 4 separate characters! It is a bit overwhelming, I will admit—albeit a fun idea. It will make any group with them in it pretty big and harder to navigate. Also may be hard on you to keep up with!

The sisters do seem rather specialized in their magical prowess, with Rel being more of a leader figure. It helps me to think of Rel as the main character and his sisters as more like ‘summons’ as far as practicality goes.

I think right off the bat, to make it a bit less chaotic, that you will have to axe one of his sisters. Having one deny his request for help will be fine in the way of achieving this. Which one that is, is up to you. May allow them to come in later on, but for now 4-characters-in-1 a bit too much to track Sorry if that kills your muse at all, I do appreciate the creativity for sure. I just can predict it being too much work on both of our ends for the full concept.

Ayama

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Mkay, my derps are up (minus their magic and gear, which I am still pondering somewhat as characters come in)- hope y'all like them and I can do them justice once this kicks off!

I picture most of their comedic potential lying in how they interact with each other and the other characters in the story, so let me know if you guys have any ideas of character dynamics that could be fun to explore~

Also, feel free to toss out plot ideas with them &/or NPC members of their family (I listed a few); can't promise I'll bite, but you all will probably have ideas I wouldn't have thought of~

For quick motivational reference, Rel is basically out to prove himself a brave knight (even though he's a total fraud), Ria is out to reclaim her family's honor (and crush anyone who gets in her way), Fia wants to study the plants, bugs and fungi of the Abyss (and probably become famous for it), and Dia's just there for the fun, excitement and adventure of it all (what else? ;P ).

I look forward to getting our completed cast and all pre-plotting done and ready to go! ^^

Gunhild can help Fia with her quest
Join the ecosystem!

 

[Echocoa]

Been working on getting more up for Vaimi and most of what's left is just the backstory. Though I like some of the extra personality tidbits that Ayama included like quirks, goals, fears, etc. so I may add some of those too since I do think they really help flesh out things more ^^

 

[Tellussoil]

working on profile. i hope it will be good >x<

 

[Ayama]

When you said two magical henchpeople I was expecting something like having two magical summons, not 4 separate characters! It is a bit overwhelming, I will admit—albeit a fun idea. It will make any group with them in it pretty big and harder to navigate. Also may be hard on you to keep up with!

The sisters do seem rather specialized in their magical prowess, with Rel being more of a leader figure. It helps me to think of Rel as the main character and his sisters as more like ‘summons’ as far as practicality goes.

I think right off the bat, to make it a bit less chaotic, that you will have to axe one of his sisters. Having one deny his request for help will be fine in the way of achieving this. Which one that is, is up to you. May allow them to come in later on, but for now 4-characters-in-1 a bit too much to track Sorry if that kills your muse at all, I do appreciate the creativity for sure. I just can predict it being too much work on both of our ends for the full concept.

Ayama

I wasn't planning to have separate posts for each character xD I was just gonna post for Rel, with lines from the cousins thrown in. The point of them was more to make his idiotic ass surviving in there slightly more believable (and more fun). Also I figured, as NPCs, they might be useful if we need someone to get kidnapped, injured, killed, hypnotized, converted to the dark side... ;P

 

[Scaleless]

I wasn't planning to have separate posts for each character xD I was just gonna post for Rel, with lines from the cousins thrown in. The point of them was more to make his idiotic ass surviving in there slightly more believable (and more fun). Also I figured, as NPCs, they might be useful if we need someone to get kidnapped, injured, killed, hypnotized, converted to the dark side... ;P

They’re cousins, my mistake, I knew they were related but somehow didn’t retain that detail. At the current size, they are basically a single party by themselves..

I did figure as much in regards to 1 post, hence why treating them like ‘summons.’ But, they are still there and they are bodies that take up space—other players can’t just ignore them. I do like their backstory and it can make for some fun times.

You’ll have to be writing a lot of dialogue as they all interact, I’ll have to be keeping track of all of them narratively. It’s a bit more complicated than that. I like to give characters more specific obstacles, rewards, temptations based on their desires / history and I can’t just leave out his cousins. I can treat them as a single unit, but 4 is a lil much, that’s all.

If you want them to be unimportant fodder…I mean we could just kill one at the start. Either that or my prior ask.

 

[Echocoa]

Backstory is up, though it may still be updated. Almost done with the sheet now! ^^

Edit: And because I forgot to say, I'd be happy to work together for connections between Vaimi and anyone if they want ^^

 

[Ayama]

They’re cousins, my mistake, I knew they were related but somehow didn’t retain that detail. At the current size, they are basically a single party by themselves..

I did figure as much in regards to 1 post, hence why treating them like ‘summons.’ But, they are still there and they are bodies that take up space—other players can’t just ignore them. I do like their backstory and it can make for some fun times.

You’ll have to be writing a lot of dialogue as they all interact, I’ll have to be keeping track of all of them narratively. It’s a bit more complicated than that. I like to give characters more specific obstacles, rewards, temptations based on their desires / history and I can’t just leave out his cousins. I can treat them as a single unit, but 4 is a lil much, that’s all.

If you want them to be unimportant fodder…I mean we could just kill one at the start. Either that or my prior ask.

Probably gonna go for a different concept then. I'd like to request an extension on my CS, since I spent most of the week working on these and I have a few other irons in the fire that need tending to ._.

 

[Scaleless]

Ayama Man I promise I usually don’t send a sea of paragraphs in objection to an idea when I try and gm, you guys just been particularly inspired. I don’t mean to make you feel dejected! We can make it work if you wanna stick with it, but I won’t push too much if you wanna pursue smthing else.

Echocoa Kloudy Both characters are accepted. And to think you were worried Echo… I love the thought you put into Vaimi. It was a pleasure to read and I’m happy we get to have you for one of your first rps on RP Nation.

 

[Ayama]

Ayama Man I promise I usually don’t send a sea of paragraphs in objection to an idea when I try and gm, you guys just been particularly inspired. I don’t mean to make you feel dejected! We can make it work if you wanna stick with it, but I won’t push too much if you wanna pursue smthing else.

Echocoa Kloudy Both characters are accepted. And to think you were worried Echo… I love the thought you put into Vaimi. It was a pleasure to read and I’m happy we get to have you for one of your first rps on RP Nation.

Honestly, the fact that you put so much clear effort into your worldbuilding and lore and that you have clear, solid boundaries as a GM (plus the awesome cast of players and characters) is what gives me confidence that this is an endeavor worth participating in, and worth finding a good character concept for.

I think you make a good point that the setup could be considered to be 4 characters rather than just one with add-ons- maybe I'll be able to find an RP that's a more appropriate setting for this bunch in the future, but for this one I think I wanna try to pivot to finding something that fits a little better; just gonna need that extra time to figure it out and come up with something that clicks and that I'm happy with.

I guess in the spirit of takeways and always learning something, I know now to ask more precise questions on these kinds of things, and maybe you'll consider adding a rule in your future RPs about 'only one character per player- up to 2 pets/summons/NPC companions allowed as long as -insert stipulations here-', to prevent a possible repeat situation ;P

 

[Kloudy]

Backstory is up, though it may still be updated. Almost done with the sheet now! ^^

Edit: And because I forgot to say, I'd be happy to work together for connections between Vaimi and anyone if they want ^^

Nice backstory! I enjoyed the read, very mysterious and fantastical stuff. Their mother was a badass.

I notice you make a few assumptions about the Valerius Institute, so I wanted to clear a few things up so we're all on the same page~

1. Cicero owns and wholly controls the broad strokes of what happens within the institute. If anything needs approval above the clearance of the normal scope of examination, it falls to him. So if there were any queries as to Vaimi's fit for the school, it would have been him to push her application through.
2. Outsiders are not turned away. The age of Kyserias is a decade behind us and there isn't enough centralised influence in the Kingdom (as far as I'm aware) to extend any control over Cicero's school. Besides, he doesn't really rock the royal boat ever. He intends to accept all as students so long as their intentions align with good-natured curiosity and a simple desire to learn. Well, and as long as they can pay for it. Ain't nothing free in a dystopic fantasy world.
3. From your backstory, it seems as though Vaimi has no knowledge of Cicero prior to visiting the institute. Just wanted to check this was a conscious choice as he's essentially widely famous thanks to his direct affiliation with Kyserias. I also thought there was going to be something regarding her knowing of his reputation as a powerful psychic mage - perhaps lending weight as to her decision to choose his school over others? If not that's fine, just thought I'd ask~

Aside from all that, wanna plan EVEN MORE backstory? xD

I read what you wrote about Vaimi's mother and I had an idea. Cicero at one point was begrudgingly joining Kyserias on the battlefield against the other races (along with Remus) before getting sent off to teach Carolus. Vaimi's mother goes on a sort of mindless rampage and I wondered if we could collaborate there. Perhaps she tried to kill Kyserias herself and Cicero stepped in her path, as he would have had to, and afflicted her with one of his taboo Corrosion spells? It can be kept a secret from everyone else still of course, but maybe the cause for her rampage leading to her comatose state could have in part been induced by Cicero?

Vaimi herself wouldn't be privy to this knowledge however, meaning we could set up a really cool scene later on where she finds out that the person that's been guiding and teaching her all these years is also directly responsible for what happened to her mother. If you want, of course, just a thought I had that sounded cool in my head~

 

[Scaleless]

Ayama Thank ya! And I get what you mean on the clearer boundaries there. It is kind of a unique situation where they are more than npcs but not quite full characters? A hard scenario to anticipate. I would allow for 2 characters max typically, but they’d have to be two separate, full characters, that can exist on there own. Meaning making two separate posts for ‘‘em more often than not. And only after giving giving their first character a decent amount of attention.

 

[Echocoa]

Nice backstory! I enjoyed the read, very mysterious and fantastical stuff. Their mother was a badass.

I notice you make a few assumptions about the Valerius Institute, so I wanted to clear a few things up so we're all on the same page~

1. Cicero owns and wholly controls the broad strokes of what happens within the institute. If anything needs approval above the clearance of the normal scope of examination, it falls to him. So if there were any queries as to Vaimi's fit for the school, it would have been him to push her application through.
2. Outsiders are not turned away. The age of Kyserias is a decade behind us and there isn't enough centralised influence in the Kingdom (as far as I'm aware) to extend any control over Cicero's school. Besides, he doesn't really rock the royal boat ever. He intends to accept all as students so long as their intentions align with good-natured curiosity and a simple desire to learn. Well, and as long as they can pay for it. Ain't nothing free in a dystopic fantasy world.
3. From your backstory, it seems as though Vaimi has no knowledge of Cicero prior to visiting the institute. Just wanted to check this was a conscious choice as he's essentially widely famous thanks to his direct affiliation with Kyserias. I also thought there was going to be something regarding her knowing of his reputation as a powerful psychic mage - perhaps lending weight as to her decision to choose his school over others? If not that's fine, just thought I'd ask~

Aside from all that, wanna plan EVEN MORE backstory? xD

I read what you wrote about Vaimi's mother and I had an idea. Cicero at one point was begrudgingly joining Kyserias on the battlefield against the other races (along with Remus) before getting sent off to teach Carolus. Vaimi's mother goes on a sort of mindless rampage and I wondered if we could collaborate there. Perhaps she tried to kill Kyserias herself and Cicero stepped in her path, as he would have had to, and afflicted her with one of his taboo Corrosion spells? It can be kept a secret from everyone else still of course, but maybe the cause for her rampage leading to her comatose state could have in part been induced by Cicero?

Vaimi herself wouldn't be privy to this knowledge however, meaning we could set up a really cool scene later on where she finds out that the person that's been guiding and teaching her all these years is also directly responsible for what happened to her mother. If you want, of course, just a thought I had that sounded cool in my head~

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions! Let me go through this..

1. Good to know, I'll adjust that section to work more with that. I assumed he wouldn't have been maintaining quite that level of hands-on control but if he is then I would place their meeting earlier.
2. Yeah, that's fair, honestly I'm not sure why I included that. I'll adjust that as well.
3. I wasn't exactly sure about how much they would know of Cicero, given that not much information wound it's way back to their village. I would have guessed they may have passingly heard of them during the war, at least that they were a powerful mage that eventually left the battlefield, but only gotten familiar with him after leaving for their journey. Though it would make sense that learning about him and the Institute would have informed their choice to seek it out.

As for the history involving their mother, I do like that! Initially she really wouldn't have ventured outside of the Northern Reaches since her primary goal would have been protecting their homeland, but it might make sense for her to have ventured towards bigger battlegrounds at the fighting became more desperate and she sought a more direct, if reckless, solution.

A direct blow from strong corrosion magic would certainly have both facilitated and hastened her descent into their final rampaging state, though it wouldn't solely be responsible given how much intensely powerful magic they had been drawing on more and more fervently. What kind of magic that would be I'll have to think about a little more. Though I did imagine brutal destructive force as being her thing. It probably would have made her pretty infamous and feared once she started going on her furious offensive, but how much so I might leave to others doing the world building ^^

 

[Kloudy]

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions! Let me go through this..

1. Good to know, I'll adjust that section to work more with that. I assumed he wouldn't have been maintaining quite that level of hands-on control but if he is then I would place their meeting earlier.
2. Yeah, that's fair, honestly I'm not sure why I included that. I'll adjust that as well.
3. I wasn't exactly sure about how much they would know of Cicero, given that not much information wound it's way back to their village. I would have guessed they may have passingly heard of them during the war, at least that they were a powerful mage that eventually left the battlefield, but only gotten familiar with him after leaving for their journey. Though it would make sense that learning about him and the Institute would have informed their choice to seek it out.

As for the history involving their mother, I do like that! Initially she really wouldn't have ventured outside of the Northern Reaches since her primary goal would have been protecting their homeland, but it might make sense for her to have ventured towards bigger battlegrounds at the fighting became more desperate and she sought a more direct, if reckless, solution.

A direct blow from strong corrosion magic would certainly have both facilitated and hastened her descent into their final rampaging state, though it wouldn't solely be responsible given how much intensely powerful magic they had been drawing on more and more fervently. What kind of magic that would be I'll have to think about a little more. Though I did imagine brutal destructive force as being her thing. It probably would have made her pretty infamous and feared once she started going on her furious offensive, but how much so I might leave to others doing the world building ^^

Cicero has lived his life at the mercy of others and since strives for any self-control he can get.That's part of the reason why he took to teaching so well: so he could position himself in such a way that he doesn't have to take orders anymore.

Yeah, I imagine Vaimi's mother eventually decided that it would be a more valuable use of her time cutting the head off the snake than endlessly blowing up Kyserias' soldiers. Perhaps she planned to ambush him somewhere with her intimate knowledge of the land, but Cicero detected this and stopped her right before she could because of his skills/race/experience/etc. They had a grand old fight where it basically boiled down to her being the unstoppable force to cicero's immovable object. Eventually he decided he had no choice but to use the Corrosion magic, damaging her mind and being partly responsible for all that happened after?