Shy

[quote name='Boo'][size=1]Now I feel bad for being the only [b]No[/b] vote so far. :([/size][/QUOTE][size=1]I also said no. I'll say it again if you'd like, Boo. No. It certainly won't ruin the boards or anything, but I certainly don't see what benefit post counts or a rep system have. The only one here who should have any gold stars is Lady Asphyxia. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]How do you guys feel about [url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/ideas-commentary/more-anger-about-avatar.html][b]the controversy surrounding the upcoming live-action Avatar film[/b][/url]? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I don't see the point of a rep system. It just seems like another popularity contest to me. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Nerdsy'][color=deeppink]Killing anyone is wrong, no matter how you try to justify it. I am vehemently against the death penalty.[/color][/QUOTE][size=1]Can you write a few thousand more words to explain your point of view? I fail to see how your opinion is a valid one unless it's forty-pages long. Um, I'm in support of the death penalty for especially heinous crimes. It's a difficult decision to make, but there are those who are beyond any redemption or help. Any opposition I have towards the death penalty is really towards the complicated judicial system which convicts a man to death, only to allow him to spend the next 20 years making appeals. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Just to remind people, sign-ups will remain open throughout the course of the entire RPG. [i]However[/i], anyone who signs up from this point on will not be considered for the opening of the RPG; as the story progresses and peeps drop out I will be letting in additional players. Thanks to everyone for the overwhelming response! I honestly don't have a clue where to begin sorting through all of the rich characters you guys have created... -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Mr. Blonde']Well that went off pretty well.[/QUOTE][size=1]Not for [url=http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/news/20090120/sen-ted-kennedy-suffers-seizure]Ted Kennedy[/url]. Poor guy. I woke up early to watch the ceremonies, and even though a lot of the time was filled with newsmen blathering about equality, I enjoyed it greatly. This is an important milestone in my nation's history, and I'm glad it happened within my lifetime. [strike]Twenty[/strike] even five years ago this sort of thing would have been impossible. Fun fact: There are exactly four black people in the entire world who were not interviewed on camera about the inauguration today. Hello television, this is an important day not just for blacks but for all minorities. Diversity is a two-way street... -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Malkav']Two sky captains named Jonathan? I smell a sitcom![/QUOTE][size=1]Well, your character is nicknamed Jack, Maybe there's a story there... Maybe 'Jack' lost his name in a bet? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Oh man I hated those old post count-based titles. Now I'm going to have to become a mod again! -Shy[/size] :(

[size=1]Both pieces were good, but it would be hard not to reward Vicky for taking such an unusual idea and executing it well. Mr. Blonde's suicide note was interesting, but I felt like it didn't tell a complete story. It was so formal and eloquent that it felt difficult to connect with the 'author.' My vote goes to the Vickster. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]The fact that someone couldn't find time to participate in the six fiction challenge just boggles my mind. Wow. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Fabricate. Yeah, I wouldn't worry about changing your character's relationship to the Achard family yet. We don't know how many people are going to sign-up, so I'm not going to be asking for any changes until that becomes more clear. The more the merrier, though. Everyone is welcome! -Shy[/size]

[size=3][font=garamond][b]Your name:[/b] Fauntleroy "Fonty" Almagest [b]Your age:[/b] 36 [b]Your connection to the Almagest family:[/b] Eldest son of Leonhart Almagest. [center][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/joshalmagest.png[/img][/center] [b]Your occupation:[/b] Fonty works closely with his father at Magitechnology Industries. [b]Your story:[/b][indent]For much of his life Fauntleroy Almagest struggled to escape the shadow cast by his famous father. After graduating from CHAOS he took on a variety of jobs, with each of them ending in disaster. Between this and his much-publicized partying Fonty had become a source of shame for his family. With his lack of direction and spending habits he was the prime example of waste and arrogance among the upper class in Czenovia. During the Czenovian Revolution Leonhart Almagest had disappeared, and was presumed dead. As a result Fauntleroy was thrust into a leadership role within the family business, Magitechnology Industries. At the same time, a failed attempt by revolutionaries to blow up the family estate ended with a near-fatal attack on Fonty's life. This was a wake-up call for the young man, and he came to finally acknowledge his family's large role in causing the Revolution. Since then, Fonty has become incredibly vocal about the rights of workers in Czenovia, working tirelessly to erase the bad reputation of his family name. He is currently working with his father on the reconstruction and modernization of High Czenoble and New Czenoble, and is expected to assume the title of Magitech's President and CEO once again someday. Whether he will be more prepared for the role this time around is anyone's guess. Thankfully Fauntleroy has Charles Cornwall-Almagest, his close friend, working by his side as a trusted aide. Also Fonty has in his possession a unique artifact, a camera which takes photographs of the future. Once belonging to his late mother, the camera's true origins remain shrouded in mystery.[/font][/size][/indent]

[size=1]Jeremy Piven from Entourage has always bugged me. Actually, anyone even vaguely associated with that show should probably get a nomination. Ugh. Malcolm in the Middle holds up really well in reruns, though. It's good times. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]I signed up yesterday. I never really got around to reading the original, so there may be some minor inconsistencies with my character's background. I hope not, but let me know if anyone spots anything.[/FONT][/QUOTE][size=1]I imagine that some of the sign-ups have inconsistencies, and based on who we include they may have to make some minor alterations in order to straighten up the timeline. My biggest concern with your sign-up Ace is that your character is a 17 year-old slacker who is studying at Eshe Rehema. As a medical school it is just as, if not more exclusive than CHAOS. Also, it's more like a university. Students go on from CHAOS to Eshe Rehema, it's not one or the other. Your character would be too young really. Just a minor tweak here or there would probably fix things. I'll likely contact all of the players who have signed up about what (if anything) might need to be changed about their character. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]My story is up! Sorry about the delay, Mykul. My online time has just been incredibly... full as of late. I had a lot of fun writing this, though, and if I advance to future rounds I'll be much more prompt. Now I'm looking forward to reading and voting on all of the other entries. :whoops: -Shy[/size]

[size=1][indent]I arrived to pick up Jeremy from soccer practice five minutes late. There was still plenty of light out, but as I pulled up to the park my little boy looked at me as if he had been stranded in the desert. How a seven-year old can learn to instill so much guilt is beyond me; he must have learned it from his father. Speaking of which, it wouldn’t kill the man to pick up his own child from the park every once and a while. I rolled down my window, “[b]I’m sorry I’m late, sweetie. Are you okay?[/b]” “[b]Mom, can we give Dewey a ride home?[/b]” Jeremy asked me as he slid open the door to the van, motioning towards a little boy I had never even seen before. He had pale skin, curly brown hair, and a runny nose. “[b]That’s fine. Hello Dewey.[/b]” “[b]Hi Mrs. Jones,[/b]” he replied sheepishly. I pulled a box of Kleenex from under the passenger seat and handed it to the boy, “[b]Here, blow your nose before you get in the car. [/b]” The two boys sat in the second row of seats, nestled on either side of my briefcase. My eyes widened as Jeremy ran his hands all over it. “[b]I’ve told you a thousand times not to touch things from my work,[/b]” I said as I snatched it from his hands and placed it on the passenger seat, “[b]Marielle… left this here in the carpool…[/b]” I looked at the time, 5:45. Dammit. I’m going to miss him. Dewey nodded. Soon we were on the road. The two boys whispered amongst themselves as I listened to the police scanner. “[b]How was soccer, Jeremy?[/b]” “[b]….Good. Coach says everyone has to wear an orange shirt for the game tomorrow...[/b]” I turned my rear view mirror towards the boy, and glared, “[b]You have a game tomorrow?! Why didn’t you tell your father or I?[/b]” There was an awkward pause, “[b]Sorry… I just forgot.[/b]” “[b]That’s no excuse, Jeremy Jones. You need to show more responsibility![/b]” I said as I made a sharp right into an empty office parking lot, “[b]This is just like your project on Thomas Jefferson you forgot about until the night before. I bet Dewey’s parents knew about the soccer game for weeks; weren’t you supposed to bring home a paper with all of your games listed so that we could bring invite grandmother?[/b]” The lot was abandoned, save for one other car, just as I had been told. I parked the car towards the backside of the office to avoid street traffic, and turned up the radio. “[b]Mommy needs to do something real quick,[/b]” I said as I exited the car, taking the briefcase with me, “[b]You two boys stay here, and I’ll be right back.[/b]” “[b]Okay Mom,[/b]” Jeremy replied, rolling his eyes. I approached the building, and opened my briefcase, withdrawing a small pistol. After I made dinner I was going to have to give Jeremy a stern lecture about respect.[/indent][/size]

[size=1]Everything looks great so far guys. I haven't had the chance to read most of the sign-ups so far, but I'm really pleased with the response! I can't wait to get this started. -Shy[/size] :whoops:

[size=3][font=garamond][b]Your name:[/b] Belmonda "Bella" Montgomery Achard [b]Your age:[/b] 30 [b]Your connection to the Achard family:[/b] Daughter of Olivier. Sister of Vincent. [center][img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=26795&stc=1&d=1232153566[/img][/center] [b]Your occupation:[/b] Assistant Curator of Archeology. Bourgade National Museum. [b]Your story:[/b][indent]Belmonda Achard is a brilliant young woman whose life has been defined by her passion for Anova. Born into a life of privilege, Bella grew up in the posh Bourgade district, a bohemian pocket of Le Monde which plays home to Anova's wealthiest businessmen and most talented artists. It was there she became enamored with the culture of her homeland, taking an active interest in museums and art galleries even as a young girl. On many of these trips she would be accompanied by her older brother Vincent, who she looked up to as a father figure. Bella's own relationship with her parents is strained, largely due to their differing political views. Majoring in Anovan History at a major university, Bella rarely turned away from her studies to socialize or date. She finds that few men value her for her intellect, and even fewer can match it. Also, Bella is socially quite awkward. Only when discussing her field of expertise does the young woman ever display any confidence. Politically, Belmonda is fiercely patriotic, almost to the point of being a Xenophobe. Since Vincent's unexpected murder during the Revolution Belmonda has become especially critical of both Czenovia and the Almagest family.[/font][/size][/indent]

[size=1]Okay, the Auditions thread is up. I'm sure there are a zillion typos, but I'll have to address them over the weekend. Thank you to everyone for their help in getting this underway (it was no small undertaking!) We'll keep using this thread to discuss the RPG, and probably to bicker back and forth. I miss Sandy already! -Shy[/size]

[center][img]http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4499/aelogofinalph0.jpg[/img][/center][right][b][font=Garamond][size=5]Prologue[/size][/font][/b][/right][size=1][indent]Leonhart Almagest was greeted by a lone figure on the night he visited the Villette Mines. The Moon was full, casting a brilliant light over the enormous complex. Gargantuan cranes and mechanical drills could be seen for as far as the horizon line. As the old man walked across the grounds, he passed a small army of clockwork men, still as statues after being shut down for a night?s ?rest.? Brigit Town was a city with rolling hills and vast resources; his grandfather had mined there for gems, and it was likely that his grandchildren would one day to the same. But no longer were the Almagests drilling in Brigit Town; that responsibility had been passed on to the infamous Cole Dreadnaught, Leonhart?s host for the evening. ?[b]Thank you for seeing me so late in the evening, Lord Almagest.[/b]? Cole said with a firm handshake. ?[b]But of course,[/b]? Leonhart replied, ?[b]It is good to see you again, old friend,[/b]? Although the two men were born only thirteen years apart, their physical appearances could not be any more different. Leonhart was once larger-than-life figure, the most powerful businessman of the modern age, but it was clear from his gaunt appearance that his health was declining. The trials of the Czenovian Revolution three years ago had transformed him into a weak, frail man who never fully recovered. Cole, on the other hand, was full of life. Muscles bulged beneath his casual attire, and were it not for the gray streaks in his hair he could pass for a man half his age. Years of travel and adventure had been kind to him; by leaving his homeland of Anova at an early age he had learned to make the most of his life, and profit from it. They entered a small elevator towards the entrance to one of the mines, and were soon descending several stories below. ?[b]I would not have called for you if it weren?t urgent,[/b]? Cole said apologetically, ?[b]But we?ve made a truly remarkable discovery.[/b]? Leonhart nodded, ?[b]I believe it. Only something remarkable could have pulled you away from the festivities. I only hope Beatriste Elyse isn?t too upset that you went back to work the night before you are to be married.[/b]? ?[b]As much as it bothered her, she wasn?t able to hold a grudge once she learned that I meeting with her father.[/b]? The elevator stopped, revealing a narrow tunnel, dimly lit by lanterns along the wall. Leonhart paused for a moment before exiting. Cole turned to the man. ?[b]Is everything alright?[/b]? ?[b]I just?[/b]? Leonhart stopped himself for a moment, ?[b]I just realized that I hadn?t been in one of these tunnels since I had been held prisoner during the Revolution.[/b]? ?[b]Damn! I?m sorry Lord Almagest. It hadn?t even occurred to me how foolish of me ?[/b]? Leonhart shook his head, ?[b]I?ll be fine, Cole. Now, please, what is it you are meaning to show me?[/b]? ?[b]Yes. We had just begun mining on this level, and it is custom to send a group of archeologists before any real excavation work is done. Generally what they find is old bones, but every so often we stumble across something?[/b]? They reached an end in the tunnel, blocked by a thick stone wall. Dozens of strange symbols were neatly carved into its? surface. ?[b]This is it. My team stumbled across it this morning.[/b]? ?[b]My word?[/b]? Leonhart said as he moved in closely to inspect it, ?[b]I recognize some of these symbols?[/b]? ?[b]They?re from the language of the ancient Xear culture. All day my team has been trying to decipher it; not only is it written in a dead language but it was coded as well...[/b]? "[b]What we could learn from Xear technology would change the face of the Globe forever. Do you have any translations yet?[/b]? ?[b]In parts, yes.[/b]" Cole said with a nod, "[b]The inscriptions make up a detailed map of the Globe.[/b]" "[b]A map?[/b]" "[b]...A treasure map, to be specific. We believe they will lead us to the famed Lost Cities of the Xear. Imagine what fortunes we might unearth.[/b]? Leonhart shook his head, "[b]It's not the treasure that concerns me, Cole, but what secrets might be buried along with it.[/b]"[/size][/indent] [center][size=7][font=garamond][b]The Almagest Expedition[/b][/font][/size][/center] [size=1][indent]Welcome to the auditions of The Almagest Expedition, the next chapter in the ongoing Almagest saga originally created by Sandy and Shy. This is a story of two aristocratic families from two very different worlds: the [b]Almagests[/b] of [b]Czenovia[/b], and the [b]Achards[/b] of [b]Anova[/b]. Czenovia is a kingdom of steampower and science. Following a bloody revolution, the nation has worked tirelessly to unify its? divided people, including the establishment of a new constitutional monarchy. Anova is a nation of culture and rich tradition. With a long-held emphasis on education and the arts, Anova has long been a pacifist democracy. However, the firepower displayed during the [b]Czenovian Revolution[/b] has alerted all nations that a new age of weaponry is fast approaching. Although they work in secrecy, the Anovan people seek to maintain independence in the wake of an international arms race. An important discovery has been made in [b]Brigit Town[/b], the Czenovian mining village which borders both nations. What has been found there will not only rekindle a longstanding rivalry between Czenovia and Anova, but launch a dangerous search for treasure that will draw the attention of pirates, world governments, and fortune hunters the world over.[/indent][/size] [right][b][font=Garamond][size=5]Sign-Ups[/size][/font][/b][/right][size=1] [i]Players who were involved in the original RPG[/i] : If wish to continue writing as their character, please fill out a sign-up for them as well. This will help get new players up-to-speed. Also players who were involved in the first RPG are welcome to take on writing as a second, new character as well if they would like.[/size] [font=garamond][size=3][b]Your name:[/b][/size][/font][indent][size=1]It is likely that you will be either an Almagest or an Achard, so your last name should fit in with that. However, if you married into either family it is possible that you chose to keep your original last name.[/size][/indent] [font=garamond][size=3][b]Your age:[/b][/size][/font][indent][size=1]There are no real limitations to your character?s age. Given that this will be primarily an adventure story, I wouldn?t try to create anyone older than 70 or younger than 10.[/size][/indent] [font=garamond][size=3][b]Your connection to the Almagest OR Achard family:[/b][/size][/font][size=1][indent]The two most prominent families within the story are the Almagests of Czenovia, and the Achards of Anova. The easiest way for you to establish your place in the story is by defining your relationship to either, or both families. Your character can be a distant relative, a spouse or a fiancé of someone in the family, a close family friend, or a business associate/rival. [/size][list][*][b]Leonhart Almagest[/b] is the patriarch of the Almagest clan. He is the current president of Magitech Industries, the largest and most powerful business in Czenovia. A veteran of the Mine War with Anova several decades ago, Leonhart?s family was terrorized in the events leading up to and following Czenovian Revolution. A complete family tree of the Almagests can be viewed [url=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/almagest-familytree.png]here[/url]. The Almagest family estate, Rosengard, is located on the outskirts of High Czenoble, and has recently played home to the poorest refugees affected by the Czenovian Revolution. As a result, the already large Almagest family has added several new faces. Although they may not be related by blood, these familial bonds run deep. [*][b]Olivier Achard[/b] is the patriarch of Anova?s infamous Achards. The Achards? wealth is the result of several decades of ownership in Brigit Town?s mines, which were ultimately lost to Czenovia in the Mine War. In recent years the Achards have invested much of their fortune back into Anovan society as philanthropists. Olivier is also Chairman of Cobalt Silverworks, which continues to grow the Achard fortune. The family homestead is a spacious mansion, Achard Hall, which rests in Le Monde's Bourgade district. Olivier is recently widowed to his first wife, Evangeline Achard. He has a number of children, nieces and nephews, including his eldest son Vincent, who was killed during the Czenovian revolution. The Achard family tree has yet to be defined within the story, so there is plenty of room for new characters here.[/list][/indent] [font=garamond][size=3][b]Your portrait:[/b][/font][/size][indent][size=1]The picture of your character should be a realistic drawing or painting of a human, nothing too photorealistic or cartoony. Anime or manga characters are fine just as long they don?t have super deformed features. This image will be used to create a posting avatar for your character.[/indent][/size] [font=garamond][size=3][b]Your occupation/location:[/b][/size][/font][indent][size=1]Besides the two families, your character should also be tied to the world of the game. Here is a list of potential places where your character can work and live at. If your character works with alchemy, please specify his or her specialty, as well. Czenovia and Anova rest on the [b]Northern Continent[/b], commonly referred to as the [b]New Globe.[/b] Across the [b]Sea of Sorrows[/b] rests the [b]Western Continent[/b] (The ?[b]Old Globe[/b]?) which is home to several smaller, distinct nations. [b]Czenovia[/b] is a mountainous, industrial nation with countless small villages scattered throughout. There are three major cities: [b]High Czenoble[/b], the capital, which rests on the top of Mount Grail, the factory town [b]New Czenoble[/b], which sits at the base of the mountain, and [b]Brigit Town[/b], the mining town which sits on the edge Czenovia?s border with Anova. [/size][list][*]Magitech Corporation: a company founded by the House of Almagest. It owns several massive factories in the Czenovian industrial town of New Czenoble, which were once used to produce weaponry. Magitech has recently stopped producing weaponry, and refocused their business towards the reconstruction of Czenovia following the devastating revolution. The President of the company is Leonhart Almagest, although in recent years he has passed on some responsibilities to his eldest son, Fauntleroy Almagest. [*]Artemis Air Transports: Although branches are scattered throughout the world, Artemis Air Transports are headquartered in New Czenoble. This company is responsible for manufacturing and running airships powered by alchemical science. They are also in charge of the Old Globe?s Aerodromes (airship stations,) and have many secret expansion projects in development. Lady Morphia Markham is president of the company, having inherited it from the late Meredyne Artemis following the Battle of High Czenoble. [*]Czenoble High Academy of Sciences (CHAOS): Located in High Czenoble, CHAOS is the most prestigious school in all Czenovia. The headmaster is [i]noted historian[/i], Lector Moebius. Students of CHAOS are known to take many exciting field trips throughout their education, visiting locations such as Brigit Town and portions of the Old Globe. [*]Mirror Palace: Located in High Czenoble and home to Dynast King Primas Generous, the Mirror Palace is now the official meeting place for Czenovia?s newly formed parliament. In addition, the Dynast King has expanded his nation?s diplomacy in recent years by appointing new ambassadors to Al-Ahmar, Anova, Moresang, and other neighboring countries. [*]Eshe Rehema: The most modern medical center in the New Globe, Eshe Rehema is a teaching hospital which experiments in the medical applications of magitechnology. It is located in New Czenoble. [*]Czenovian Police: Formerly the Royal Police Guard, the Czenovian Police are the militia responsible for keeping the law and order throughout Czenovia. They guard the gates and factories and aerodromes, patrol the streets and maintain the prisons. Alexander Edward Almagest is current head of the police force, and works to ensure that all citizens of Czenovia receive equal protection under the law. [*]High Czenoble Downs: A racing track in High Czenoble, where monstrous creatures are constructed from different animal species using alchemy, and fiercely compete against each other to amuse the madded. It?s also a popular hobby of reckless young aristocrats to become Chimaera Jockeys. The latest fashion is to combine machines to the beasts with the aid of Magitechnology. The Chimaera Circuit is kept up by the cunning Thames Dreadnaught. In recent years Dreadnaught has struggled to maintain the reputation of his track after many of his jockeys staged an attack against the Royal Police Guard during the Czenovian Revolution. [*]Villette Mines: Located in Brigit Town, the Villette Mines were once subsidiary of Magitech Industries. Following the Czenovian Revolution Leonhart Almagest was forced to sell them off in order to help fund the extensive reconstruction projects of both High Czenoble and New Czenoble. Cole Dreadnaught, Anova's famed explorer and aristocrat, now maintains ownership and oversees daily operations. [/list][size=1][b]Anova[/b] is a nation covered in grassy plains and dense forests, save for a desert on its eastern border with Czenovia. Its economy is deeply rooted in agriculture and trade with other countries. Unlike its neighbor, Anova does not have serious class distinctions, and its population has a far better living standard per capita. Anova has two major cities: the capital [b]Le Monde[/b] in the central plains, and the port town of [b]Cobalt Bay[/b] to the north west. [/size][list][*]Icarus: Founded by Dawlish Almagest, estranged nephew to Leonhart Almagest, Icarus produces advanced weaponry and other alchemy-based technology for whoever is willing to pay for it. In order to maintain secrecy Icarus is based in a remote complex, located on the desert which partially borders Anova and Czenovia. Although Icarus is not directly affiliated with any government, Dawlish is well-connected to the Anovan government and maintains an office in Le Monde. [*]House of Grimoire: Located in the art district of Le Monde, the House of Grimoire has defined fashion in the New Globe for decades. Founded by the reclusive Edith Grimoire, the talented designer has passed on most responsibilities of running her successful business to others. Boutiques and department stores sell House of Grimoire clothing throughout the world, although only the elite can maintain that they own an 'Edith Grimoire Original." [*]The Island Citadel: Off the coast of Cobalt Bay rests an enormous fortress constructed by the Church of the Phoenix. The Citadel serves as headquarters for the large organization, as well as playing home to the leader of the church, Sief Davos Frost, and her personal army, the Citadel Guards. Although Anova and Czenovia are largely atheist, the church still wields enormous influence over its? followers throughout the world. Given the political power of the church, the small island is considered an independent nation, and does not answer to the sovereignty of Anova. [*]The Citadel Guard: Throughout Anova and Czenovia the Citadel Guard is recognized as the legion of the Church of the Phoenix. They are hand picked by the church?s Cardinals throughout the world for their dedication to their faith, and skill in battle. The Guard is useful in many other fields, including rescue and recovery, and the personal protection of High Priests and the Sief. Service in the Citadel Guard is always until old age, death, or sickness prevents otherwise, the honor of service is too great to expect any less. [*]The Nord Centre: The Nord Centre is an enormous outdoor amphitheater which sits along the shoreline of Cobalt Bay overlooking the Sea of Sorrows. During the summer months it is home to concerts, sporting events, plays, and public speaking engagements. Outside of the amphitheater is an expansive outdoor mall, which is used year round by sailor merchants offering all types of goods and services. [*]Fort Blanc: Fort Blanc is the home of the Special Security Force (SSF), Anova's national military and policing organization. Since the Czenovian Revolution, Fort Blanc has modernized greatly, due to its purchases from Icarus. The Fort's principle responsibility today is to monitor potential overseas threats and to police the streets of Anova. [*]Cobalt Silverworks: After the Czenovian Revolution, the East-West Airship Corridor was closed and Anova regained full control of its silver deposits from foreign business interests. These mines were amalgamated into a new corporation called Cobalt Silverworks (a merger between Achard & Co., and the Anovan Silver Mining Company.) The silverworks now mines and processes silver within Anova, with much of it being sent back to Le Monde to be turned into a variety of products (mostly jewellery, machine parts and so on). These silver-based products are now exported worldwide. Some types of Anovan silver are said to contain magical properties. [*]Chimaera Junction: Czenovian Chimaera trainer Berthold Black traveled the New Globe looking for a place to establish a new Chimaera racing and training school. He created the Chimaera Junction in the south-west region of Anova. The Junction (as it's known locally) which sits among miles of rolling green hills. It has become an elite training school for Chimaera and it also runs successful Chimaera breeding and rider training programs.. [*]Lumière Academy: Located in the southwestern district of Le Monde, Lumière Academy (LA) is one of the oldest schools in the New Globe. LA was established initially as a foster home for orphans of the The Purge of 220 by Madame Angelique Laroche. However, throughout the years as she began teaching the children art and history, it slowly transformed into a prestigious academy. Because of its old roots, LA's curriculum is centralized around the arts and is often credited as "The Light of Anova," as it ushered in the massive art movement of Anova. [*]If there isn?t a type of business listed that you think should be, make one![/list][/indent] [font=garamond][size=3][b]Your story:[/b][/size][/font][indent][size=1] Please write a short history and description of your character. The story should reflect your character?s personality, position in the family and in the case of characters outside the bloodline(s), his or her background.[/indent] Questions about the RPG can be asked here, over PM, or in the [url=http://otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=59940]Almagest Expedition Backstage[/url] thread. Sign-ups will remain open over the course of the RPG, however I be launching the RPG on [i]January 29th.[/i] - Shy[/size]

[size=1]"So long and thanks for all the [i]sea kittens[/i]?" Doesn't have the same ring to it. PETA fails once again. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Hm. Like in all religions I think Church followers' individual views on magitechnology run across the full spectrum. There are traditionalists who see no value to it at all, while more progressive followers are probably indifferent. Mount Grail, which is now home to the Czenovian capital of High Czenoble, was essentially hollowed out by Gem Hunters looking for metals and stones that could be used with Magitechnology. It is this extreme greed and disregard for nature which continues to worry members of the Church, nearly a century since Lord Celcius Almagest first developed the technology. They are certainly not foolish enough to avoid all technology, though. Despite their opposition to using magitechnology Sief Frost understands that compromises must be reached in order for the church to remain modern and relevant. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='DeLarge'][SIZE=1]It's nothing too urgent at this stage, but if anyone could supply me with whatever information exists about the Old Globe then that would be great - I was planning for my character to have been travelling there for a few years, so a little supplantory information would be really helpful. If there's a problem with him travelling there (if there was anything to do with the Old Globe you wanted to save for later, for example), then please don't hesitate to tell me. [/SIZE][/QUOTE][size=1]The Old Globe nations are located on another continent from Anova and Czenovia entirely. The largest is Al-Ahmar, which is an enormous desert expanse, but there are countless others. Whereas Czenovia and Anova were both established by settlers in the past several hundred years, the 'Old Globe' nations are each many thousands of years old. They are lands where nature and superstition reign. Technology is not nearly as advanced as it is in the New Globe, nor are the governments as centralized. Religion is much more prominent, and this is where the Church of the Phoenix maintains an enormous and devoted following. As a result, these places are generally looked upon down by citizens of Czenovia and Anova as being inferior.The aristocracy regularly travels to the Old Globe to visit lavish island resorts, or go on safari, but few are knowledgeable about the world beyond the Sea of Sorrows, and even fewer care. Several of these nations have been at war with one another for hundreds of years, but due to the geographic distance between the Old and New Globe the two areas have almost always been on friendly terms. Feel free to come up with whatever else you want, DeLarge. No doubt I'll be 'feeding' certain players information about the Old Globe when the time is right. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Mr. Blonde'](Are the hulls of the zeppelins made of metal? How about wood, like a brig?)[/quote][size=1]Heck if I know. For all intents and purposes let us say they are made of wood. There are some situations where using metal is a necessity, for sure, but I imagine the church is very clever about avoiding the use of metals whenever possible. I like the 'musketeer' look of the Guard a lot too. Great find, Sunfall. The light leather armor definitely makes more sense here. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='SunfallE'][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]I'm assuming it's a typo Shy but wouldn't that be Cardinals instead of Clerics? Just a tiny detail there since the other doesn't make any sense at all. o_O Also, since I have already spoken to you about a potential interest in playing a new character associated with the church I'd like to offer a different suggestion for how the guard is dressed. I'd like to present an alternative view over the total secrecy one that Mr. Blonde has suggested. [URL="http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2118/digikyng5556gd2.jpg"]Image[/URL] If the church disapproves of technology so much, I'm not so sure they'd be so quick to mine the earth for the materials needed to create so much armor for their guards. That seems to be hypocritical of the minimalist approach that they would take in my opinion. Where fancy clothing and slim blades seems more reasonable and would fit the church image better in my opinion. It would give them protection and yet fit neatly withing the views they seek to uphold.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE][size=1]Hm. Cardinals sounds fine instead of clerics. My biggest concern with naming them 'cardinals' was the association with the Catholic Church, but I'll change it right away. See how flexible I am? I'm awesome. As for the guard, perhaps there can be a compromise. Those directly assigned with guarding the Sief will have their identities concealed, while lower ranking Guard members will be in the less conservative uniform Sunfall has suggested. I like the ideas behind both an awful lot. Armor would certainly be a necessity in certain situations, but it wouldn't make sense for a regular Guard to be walking around in such bulky armor. -Shy[/size]