Discuss SD: Reapers Enclave

[Rachmaninoff]

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Welcome to the revamped backstage for [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=57789"][u]Shinigami Dance[/u][/url]. The original thread can be found here: [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=57763"][u]Shinigami Dance: Playground of Deities[/u][/url] However since the original creator handed creative control over to the remaining four players over three months ago, the original thread is more of a reference and not to be taken as how the story will now progress. Most concepts and the original history have been altered and many cases completely left out. So though it might be fun to read, it is no longer accurate.

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[b][size=4]Current Cast[/size][/b][/center]


[url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=785505&postcount=3"][u]Alexander Ma'Shala[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Scythe01.jpg"][u]Scythe[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Nall__The_White_Dragon.jpg"][u]Nall[/u][/url] smaller form | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Lunar__White_Dragon_by_Dragonmistra.jpg"][u]Nall[/u][/url] true form [size=2]~Played by Rachmaninoff[/size]

[url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=785531&postcount=4"][u]Lucia[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/WIP___Fantasy_Scythes_Kick_Ass_by_A.jpg"][u]Scythe[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Card-Ruby-frame.jpg"][u]Ruby[/u][/url] smaller form | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Red_Dragon_srs_bznz_colored_by_tess.jpg"][u]Ruby[/u][/url] true form [size=2]~Played by SunfallE[/size]

[url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=786799&postcount=10"][u]Nathan[/u][/url] | [url="http://www.realmcollections.com/images/pl/_Hanwei_Kama_Right_Hand_HAN-XH1041_6027.jpg"][u]Scythe[/u][/url] | [url="https://www.themartialartsstore.com/Catalog/graphics/tiger_claw/tc-45-84wu_lg.jpg"][u]Scythe 2[/u][/url] | [url="http://tn3-2.deviantart.com/fs20/300W/i/2007/306/1/3/Adrianne_by_FreneticAmnesic.jpg"][u]Isen[/u][/url] | [url="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z158/Allamorph/RP%20pics/SD/IsenHuman.jpg"][u]Isen[/u][/url] human form | [url="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z158/Allamorph/RP%20pics/SD/KatanaSilverDragon.jpg"][u]Weapon[/u][/url] [size=2]~Played by Allamorph[/size]

[url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=788335&postcount=18"][u]Adrian[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Oriental_Swords_Hanwei_Naginat_HAN-.jpg"][u]Scythe[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Astera01.jpg"][u]Astera[/u][/url] [size=2]~Played by indi[/size]

[url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=809941&postcount=21"][u]Phaidra[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/PhaidraScytheStaff001.jpg"][u]Scythe[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Sarvel002.jpg"][u]Sarvel[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Sarvel001.jpg"][u]Sarvel[/u][/url] human form[size=2] ~Played by Sabrina[/size]
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[b][size=4]NPC's[/size][/b][/center]


[url="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z158/Allamorph/RP%20pics/SD/svlenvers.jpg"][u]Victor[/u][/url]

[url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Gavrie01.jpg"][u]Gavrie & Karl[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Scythe03.png"][u]Scythe[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/Karl.jpg"][u]Karl[/u][/url] human form

[url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/PatrickTerryFiero02.jpg"][u]Patrick, Terry & Fiero[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/PatrickTerryFiero01.jpg"][u]Patrick, Terry & Fiero[/u][/url] | [url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/PatrickScythe.jpg"][u]Scythe[/u][/url]

[url="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/SunfallE/Shinigami%20Dance/The_Seagull_by_rei_i.jpg"][u]Christine[/u][/url]


[center][b][size=4]History[/size][/b][/center]

[center][size=3][url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=815789&postcount=65"]Excerpt drawn from A Study of the Vampire and its History, an essay.[/url]


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[size=3]The exact date that the vampire emerged into being is unknown. Since the evolutionary process that resulted in their species was originally deemed freak accident, no detailed reports exist that document their rise. That they are, or were, human is certain: it was humanity's craving for eternal life combined with a small innate sense of the so-called -spiritual- realm which allowed for the species' evolution. Furthermore, though both shinigami and vampire may mask their presence to normal humans through the manipulation and control of spiritual energies, the act is not natural for the vampire and requires some small degree of effort, indicating that the vampire is fundamentally tied to the mortal realm, and not the spiritual. By contrast, the shinigami is required to expend a similar effort in order to become corporeal and interact with mortals, and thus the conclusion is drawn.

Further difficulty in determining the vampire's origins arises when examining their records and lore, for though the vampire can boast one of the most extensively recorded histories known to exist on Earth-second only to the shinigami and perhaps the Hebrews-no two sets of records or journals can agree on a single common ancestor. Rather, the vampire as a species appears to have begun as multiple isolated incidents within the span of around thirty years, with sporadic repeat occurrences every few centuries, followed by a gradual but steady proliferation.

Also of note is the singular failure of the shinigami in catching and preventing the vampire's evolution. Certainly the error is due in part to the encasement of the vampire's soul, which would have prevented any shinigami from sensing the human's approaching death; but even so, death is the business of the shinigami, so it follows that some sort of advance knowledge of death must have been present. Any speculation on the reason for the oversight is ultimately futile, however. With so many different instances, it is highly unlikely that any more than two or three occurred under similar circumstances. Whatever the case, the first vampires managed to escape the eye of the shinigami for long enough to ensure their continued survival, allowing their bodies to slowly adapt to their newfound attunement.

Not being true creatures of the spiritual, the first vampires underwent several major physiological changes shortly after turning, as it came to be called-the most prominent being a marked increase in strength, speed, and endurance. In most cases, this change was accompanied by a period of intense physical pain, either in a single excruciating session or as a series of sporadic fits. The few who escaped this side effect were instead subjected to severe psychological torture, invariably rendering them insane madmen or in the worst cases psychotic masterminds. The journal of one such person noted briefly that several of his comrades did not survive the torture; those who suffered physically commonly died from organ failure or internal bleeding, and those who suffered mentally became brain-dead.

Those who survived the transition, as stated above, became stronger and faster, with noticeably superior reflexes. Early on, these changes only manifested openly as instinct, in circumstances when the vampire might be under mild stress or other cases which require thoughtless reaction, but as the vampire aged the difference became decidedly more pronounced. Vampires as young as a decade can achieve an average running speed of twenty-five miles per hour and can sustain these speeds for nearly twenty minutes. They are also easily able in a single leap to clear horizontal distances of over thirty feet starting from an easy jog, and can generally jump over twice their height from a standing position. All vampires continue to grow stronger as they age, though the rate at which they mature gradually decreases over time, meaning that the difference in strength between vampires of twenty-five and fifty years is more pronounced than is the difference between vampires of seventy-five and one hundred years, though the age difference is the same.

Other changes to the species were much less beneficial. The vampire almost immediately developed an extraordinary allergic sensitivity to sunlight, for reasons that even now remain unclear. The initial reaction was, in fact, so violent that direct exposure for even a few seconds would cause the vampire's internal body temperature to literally skyrocket, often resulting in spontaneous immolation. Even indirect exposure was extremely painful-especially, it appears, to the eye and the sinus regions, for if light were streaming into a darkened room the vampire would not be able to even look near the source without their eyes watering.

Because of this side effect of the evolution, vampires naturally became nocturnal in habit, transitioning to their new lifestyle within a matter of decades. Their still-adapting physiology allowed their night vision to adapt rapidly in individual cases, and the traits were cemented and enhanced into the species by successive generations. The vision of modern vampires rivals and in some cases surpasses that of most predatory felines for distance and clarity, and they are only truly blind in the complete absence of light.

Interestingly, vampires seem to suffer no ill effects from exposure to moonlight, though it is in essence merely sunlight reflected off the moon's surface. Cause for the selective photosensitivity could be certain types of direct radiation that is absorbed by the moon's surface, but very little significant testing has been done to ascertain the truth of this supposition-though it has been consistently observed that light from the full moon seems to have a pronounced euphoric, almost drug-like effect on the vampire.

Human myth mentions that the vampire is also susceptible to various other items, including such disassociated objects as crosses and wooden stakes and even venturing to such absurd lengths as garlic and -holy- wafers. However, most of these myths are merely that, and only one or two hold any real truth. The wooden stake, for example, is believed to be fatal to the vampire once plunged through its heart-but the same outcome would naturally be expected if one stabbed any living creature in the same location. Likewise, legends that an arbitrary herb or other foodstuff possesses the ability to subdue a creature for no discernable reason are almost certainly derived only from pagan rituals and lore; the concept of crosses, or -holy- water or wafers, bringing the vampire harm is also pagan in root, having become inextricably entwined with Judeo-Christian beliefs during the Catholic empire in the millennia following the fall of Rome.

The myth of the vampire's aversion to crosses does hold a kernel of truth. Numerous cases of vampires recoiling from or being burned by certain crucifixes have been documented and verified, but the reason does not lie with the notion of divine blessing or the power of faith since there have also been recorded instances where such objects elicited no reaction at all. Instead, the truth in the myth is held in the material which makes up the item: silver.

Vampires are essentially humans who have partially crossed into the dimension inhabited by the shinigami-also dubbed the -spiritual- realm-and because this state is unnatural their core being draws heavily on the energies of that realm in order to sustain them. Silver seems to act as a ground for this draw of energy, causing it to be dispersed back into its natural environment without being absorbed by the vampire, should a vampire come into contact with it. This siphoning-away of energy is harmful to the vampire, and manifests outwardly in severe burns at the point of contact, even occasionally through articles of clothing, and prolonged exposure is thought to be fatal.

Silver also seems to react violently with the vampire's blood, disintegrating and oxidizing within seconds of exposure and preventing the vampire's blood from carrying oxygen to the rest of its body while still acting as an energy ground. The reason for this reaction remains unclear; perhaps the transfer of -spiritual- energy acts as a catalyst for the chemical process, but again, no significant studies have been done concerning the matter.

The last of the vampire's physiological changes were the canines, or fangs. Contrary to popular culture, a vampire's canines are not obviously lengthened, but merely sharpened to fine points that extrude a few millimeters beyond the normal plane of the teeth. The difference is almost imperceptible, and only those who know what they are looking for may see it-and sometimes the change escapes even them.

The purpose of the unique canines is, naturally, the means to satisfy the mythical bloodlust. As has been mentioned before, the vampire's body draws heavily upon the energies of the -spiritual- realm for sustenance; however, the relationship is more akin to breathing than actual feeding. To continue its survival, the vampire requires another form of -spiritual- energy: one found almost exclusively in the blood of humans. A vampire may be able to go a span of some years without -feeding-, as they call it, but unless its hunger is at some point satisfied it will gradually become more sluggish, and its body will weaken to a degree.

As of now, no records exist of any vampire succumbing to starvation from blood, but the possibility has not been ruled out.

In the process of feeding, a vampire possesses the ability to pass its nature on to its victim, like a sort of spiritual seeding. Every vampire while feeding enters a state of moderately heightened spiritual attunement to which their victims are exposed through direct contact, and this exposure begins to prepare the human for the transition to vampire via the gradual formation of the soul sac unique to the species. The sac, which exists in the same plane as the soul, effectively compensates for its loosening connection to the body and prevents the shinigami from sensing when the connection is weakest, when death would normally occur. After the brief window of weakness the connection gradually becomes stronger again, making the separation of the soul from the body of a mature vampire a more arduous task than the separation from a vampire of merely a few decades.

This change, though never immediate, can occur under one of several circumstances, all of which require a feeding to occur. First, a vampire may turn its victim after a succession of feedings, in which the victim's soul is gradually encased in the singular spiritual sac while they are still alive. Younger vampires must engage in multiple feedings to achieve a live turn, and mature vampires may only need as little as three for the same result; it is also rumored that vampires of a sufficient age may be able to turn a victim in a single feeding, but this rumor is unconfirmed.

The other two methods share the common factor of the victim's physical death. In the more common case, a vampire can turn its victim by feeding just before the human's death, its own spiritual aura combined with the trauma of death amplifying the seeding effect to the point that only the single feeding is required-although in most instances of this case the human has been the subject of at least one prior feeding. In the absence of another vampire, however, an infected human will only turn if they have been fed upon sufficiently for the shock of dying to serve as sufficient impetus, and in this alternative scenario the human was typically one or two feedings away from turning anyway.

Once the soul is completely encased, the fledgling vampire will experience the same torment described above, but the harsh effects are softened to a degree by the gradual turning process, and dying partially prepares the vampire to endure the ensuing pain. Because of this difference, the survival rate of turned vampires is much higher than that of the natural vampire, and it is commonly viewed with some small measure of contempt or disdain which manifests on a social level. Natural vampires, who are rarely found living in the modern era, hold higher stations in the vampiric social strata than turned vampires, almost without exception. Additionally, born vampires-humans who are the offspring of at least one vampire, and who go through their transitionary ordeals during adolescence-typically hold themselves in higher regard than turned vampires, though this social stigma has long been under dispute.

One final change that accompanied the vampire-s shift to the -supernatural- spectrum was the ability to employ forces known as magic, forces which humans have the capacity to merely sense....[/size]

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Okay, the history is up and yes I'm stating the obvious here. =P Edited March 30, 2012 by Rachmaninoff

[Horendithas]

[COLOR="Indigo"]Hmmm, other than to add who is playing as which character, the initial format is fine by me. Since as you said Darren, the edit button is your friend. Anyway, as for graphics for the thread, unless someone has an idea as to what to make, I have nothing in mind to suggest.

I'm about to head out, but point of reference for Allamorph, I do have further information on Gavrie and his familiar Karl that you'll want to know before you follow up on my post. I'll get it to Rach to add to the NPC section since it will be in the form of a picture of Gavrie and his familiar along with the scythe he uses. :p [/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

Okay, I fixed it to indicate who is played by who. XP As well as adding the picture of Gavrie & Karl along with his scythe. Crystia says she'll explain the deployment factor as to why one end of the scythe has additional spiritual blades. Though it seems clear to me that it means, normally it's like the lower bottom left corner and deploys with the additional blades whenever Gavrie wishes it.

I was going to do a post... but I wasted myself on my last post for Almagest. Just under 2500 words no less. XP I'll do a post for this probably later today or tomorrow. Once my brain recovers. Heh.

[Allamorph]

[FONT=Arial]I just now realized that Astera has the Princess Leia side-hair. =P

Still working on the history. It's been intermittent, due to music and Fire Emblem. But it's coming! [I]*dramatic point-in-the-air*[/I][/FONT]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Rachmaninoff'] Though it seems clear to me that it means, normally it's like the lower bottom left corner and deploys with the additional blades whenever Gavrie wishes it.[/QUOTE]That's what I thought when I looked at the picture. Anyway... I'm toying with some ideas for graphics, but at the same time I also getting use to the new version of theO on account of being a moderator there too. So I've got a lot going on right now. I am going to at least give it a try though. Once I have something ready, I'll send it to all of you so we can decide which one we like the best.

Until then... *waits for the revision to the history she sent everyone* :p[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Allamorph]

[FONT=Arial]Sorry, guys, but the computer here crashed yesterday afternoon; I'm using my father's "girl's softball board of directors" laptop right now to check on stuff and check in with people, but that's about it. Again, sorry about random crud interfering, but don't expect [I]anything[/I] from me until Sunday evening at the earliest.

Later.[/FONT]

[Rachmaninoff]

I'm thinking that spar the two of you have going is fun. I like how you left it off Crystia, I can so see that being something to force Nathan to put up a hasty block, but since it's a rather weak strike... I can see Gavrie's blade merely glancing off the block as he follows up with the real strike.

I mean a block would give him more than enough time to get his other hand back on the staff to guide it so the left can concentrate on the power behind the next hit. Unless I'm seeing how the play is running incorrectly, that's what I see. And as Gavrie is thinking, a missed block at that speed is gonna hurt.

Though I'm sure Nathan won't miss or he'll see what Gavrie is doing. :p

[Horendithas]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Rachmaninoff;807766] Unless I'm seeing how the play is running incorrectly, that's what I see. And as Gavrie is thinking, a missed block at that speed is gonna hurt.[/QUOTE]No, you're seeing it right. Though I was missing two critical words indicating movement on Gavrie's part at first. That was a total head desk moment sorting that out so it would work for Allamorph.[quote name='Rachmaninoff'']Though I'm sure Nathan won't miss or he'll see what Gavrie is doing. :p[/quote]Oh I'm sure Allamorph will have fun with that since I can't see Nathan falling for [I]that [/I]trick. :p Though this whole thing brings to mind... how the hell did you manage to write such a long action scene for Almagest? I was ready to kill my post and it wasn't even a third of the length or description that you did for Alexander and Grants. Bah![/COLOR]

[Allamorph]

[font=Arial]All right, so spar finished. [color=DarkRed]Indi[/color], feel free to conclude whatever business we discussed previously, unless you don't remember—in which case we'll probably talk, since I can't either. :p

[color=DarkRed]Rach[/color], play with the scene with Isen for a few; Nathan's comin' back,so it shouldn't be long there.

Other than that, I think the only thing I forgot to do was link the weapon to the post.

So [url="https://www.themartialartsstore.com/Catalog/graphics/tiger_claw/tc-45-84wu_lg.jpg"][color=Blue]here[/color][/url] it is. But you people already know this. :p

[b]Edit:[/b] Almost forgot. The phrase Nathan uses to restore his scythe is [i]natai[/i], as you saw. The phrase he uses to return it is, for some odd reason, [i]isfahan terenya[/i]. Don't ask; I just heard him say it. [/font][font=Arial] [/font]

[font=Arial][b]Edit 2:[/b] Just for grins, I checked our word count on page six. 14,704. Around 30 pages in Word. (Give or take.)[/font] Edited March 25, 2012 by Allamorph

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Allamorph;808424][FONT=Arial][COLOR="DarkRed"]Rach[/COLOR], play with the scene with Isen for a few; Nathan's comin' back,so it shouldn't be long there.[/FONT][/QUOTE]That's my plan, I've already got a bit of an idea running though my mind for a post. I just hope I read Isen correctly. Heh.[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial][B]Edit 2:[/B'] Just for grins, I checked our word count on page six. 14,704. Around 30 pages in Word. (Give or take.)[/FONT][/quote]o_O Damn, we've been busy haven't we?

[B]EDIT:[/B] Okay, and I finally posted. >_> I hope I got Isen right. I also wrote Shaula further out of the story since she's not a part of it anymore. I figured that would work, having her essentially moved to another city.

Oh and I'm including the second scythe form for Nathan in the first post. :p

[Allamorph]

[FONT=Arial]Question: where does Nathan need to head first after he comes back through?

Obviously he wants to see Alex, but he'll get Lucia's message as soon as he's fully through, and I assume she said something like "at your earliest convenience" or sommat similar.

I'm trying to decide whether to have Nathan hunt his charge down or take a detour in the meantime; either way he has to reconnoiter with Isen first, so it'd be merely a direction and intent indicator towards the end of the next post.

Also, Beth needs to post. :D[/FONT]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Allamorph;808636][FONT=Arial]Question: where does Nathan need to head first after he comes back through?[/FONT][/QUOTE]I'd say Alex or rather Isen first. [quote name='Allamorph;808636][FONT=Arial']Obviously he wants to see Alex, but he'll get Lucia's message as soon as he's fully through, and I assume she said something like "at your earliest convenience" or sommat similar.[/FONT][/quote]Well yeah, but considering that they are eternal, she's not as impatient as humans are. So in all honesty, she's not expecting that 'earliest convenience' to happen quickly. She's not even expecting a quick response to her message either. If say a couple of weeks go by with nothing, then she'll likely make a point of tracking Nathan down. But until then, she's got plenty of things to attempt to do between assignments. [QUOTE=Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]I'm trying to decide whether to have Nathan hunt his charge down or take a detour in the meantime; either way he has to reconnoiter with Isen first, so it'd be merely a direction and intent indicator towards the end of the next post.

Also, Beth needs to post. :D[/FONT][/QUOTE]So, I'd stick to working with Nathan and Alex getting things sorted out, I've got plenty to do with Lucia investigating Vampires and such. She'll get caught up in that and on some level forget about her message to Nathan. Not completely of course, but still.

Also... my post is up and it seems we have another topic or rather detail to work out when we get the chance on AIM. And I have another aspect of Shinigami history or rather details as to how they come about to work on. Should be fun! [/FONT][/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]Question: where does Nathan need to head first after he comes back through?

Obviously he wants to see Alex, but he'll get Lucia's message as soon as he's fully through, and I assume she said something like "at your earliest convenience" or sommat similar.

I'm trying to decide whether to have Nathan hunt his charge down or take a detour in the meantime; either way he has to reconnoiter with Isen first, so it'd be merely a direction and intent indicator towards the end of the next post.[/FONT][/QUOTE]Well considering what Beth said... You could have Nathan at Alex's place, talking with Isen when Alex gets back from handling his assignment. I don't have any plans for that since it's just normal routine work. If you're worried about timing, you could have Alex indicate that it took longer than expected on account of getting another job while he was out handling the first one. You know... the one that Lucia refused to accept. Heh.

[B]EDIT:[/B] Okay as discussed in our chat the other night, here is the pictures for Alex's mentor, Patrick and his two familiars Terry and Fiero. I'll explain after the links.

[URL="http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8946/patrickterryfiero02ie5.jpg"][U]Patrick Terry Fiero[/U][/URL]
[URL="http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2900/patrickterryfiero01in7.jpg"][U]Patrick Terry Fiero[/U][/URL]
[URL="http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2538/patrickscytheaa4.jpg"][U]Patricks' Scythe[/U][/URL]

Okay, and there you have it, I'm sure the names for the familiars give away which is which. And no I don't know why they have such dorky names, you can ask them if you want. It's not like they really tell me anything. Anyway...

The two are sea dragons. Most of the time they stay in a smaller form on Patrick's shoulders, but like Nall, they get a lot bigger in full form, hence the two pictures to sort of give you a hint as to how that would look. For them, being partnered to a Shinigami means they gained the ability to move through air as if it were water and they no longer need or require it to survive.

Key notes about Patrick's personality... He never takes anything seriously and his skills are rather basic since he is not a veteran like Nathan and Gavrie. He does have the basics down good, but not much more than that.

Oh and before I forget, the main post has been edited to include them in the npc section.

[Allamorph]

Due to extensive conversations I have had with [COLOR=Indigo]Indi[/COLOR], and to a lesser degree with Rach, I think it would be wise to begin expanding on the different types of familiars. At present, we have two dragon species (land and sea); as well as faerie-folk; and Karl and Isen, whom Indi and I firmly believe are werecats.

Given recent glimpses of characters to come, and also some further exploration into certain characters' pasts, I feel we may be drawing even more extensively on various creatures of lore to include. Elemental spirits, for instance, have come up, and where there are werecats there surely must be werewolves. Also, we have the options to include naiads, dryads, gryphons, and so on, and we may also let the vampires have their chance at copyingâ??the banshee, incubus, and succubus present themselves, and we can surely not forget the witch coven(s), or other creatures of nightmares. The major idea there is similar to Tolkien's idea on how the goblin, orc and troll were introduced as bastardizations of the hafling (hobbit), elf, and dwarf respectively; vampires would have seen the advantage the Shinigami had by taking familiars, and would conceivably have tried to either rip off copies, force subjugation, or make their own versions.

I believe I have gained a remarkable insight into the sociological tendencies of Karl and Isen's species, just from bouncing ideas around with Indi about our similar characters. Knowing these others, and whether we wish to incorporate them, seems only logical, and also might be great fun.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Allamorph

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial] Knowing these others, and whether we wish to incorporate them, seems only logical, and also might be great fun.[/FONT][/QUOTE]Agreed, just as I imagine that on account of the wars with the Vampires and then later on human wars, some of those species may now be gone. Or like Nall and Terry and Fiero, living in the Shinigami world since there are so few of them left. It would be interesting to determine which ones are no longer around or thought to be gone since neither side seems to have one as a familiar or living in either world.

[Horendithas]

[COLOR="Indigo"]If you're in here reading this before the post... *Thwack!* Go read the post and then come back.

Anyway, I'm sure the rest of you guessed that Karl could [spoiler]assume a human form[/spoiler] And to make that easier to visualize I have a picture for it here: [URL="http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5779/karlxb9.jpg"][U]Karl[/U][/URL] Something for you to add to the first post Rach.

Also, to explain things a little, when becoming partnered to a Shinigami, most familiars gain some sort of ability, like being able to ghost through walls. In the case of werecats, they also get a limited ability to summon a non-scythe weapon. They do not have the ability to use them like Shinigami can. They cannot use a weapon to base a spiritual attack on, since they cannot wield the flames of purification; nor can they change them like Nathan did his.

So it's more like they gained the ability to have them with them at all times, or rather in a state that lets them summon the weapon at need. It can ghost through walls as well, but nothing else is special about it. No separating of souls since that is something only the Shinigami can do. So basically becoming a familiar would only allow them the weapon, the ability to fly, and the ability to ghost.

The actual ability of course would depend on the familiar, obviously Astera would not gain such a thing since her tiny size makes using a weapon impractical, plus her nature is more defensive instead of offensive so it wouldn't suit her at all.[/COLOR]

[Allamorph]

[FONT=Arial]To clarify, [COLOR="indigo"]Indi[/COLOR] and I have spent a good deal of time developing the werecats, and we reason that being able to call out a weapon for their human form falls in line with the species' traits. Like the dragons, their feline form is their vulnerable form, and when human they do not have the advantages a rough hide, or even their claws or teeth, and I do not believe they take to magic, so in order to be of any use (which was kind of a prerequisite for Nathan and Isen) the werecats had to have something with which to defend themselves.

You other two should be on more at night; [COLOR="indigo"]Indi[/COLOR] and I have been doing massive brainstorming without you. =P

Impending finals aside, of course. This time of year gets nastie.[/FONT]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]You other two should be on more at night; [COLOR="indigo"]Indi[/COLOR] and I have been doing massive brainstorming without you. =P

Impending finals aside, of course. This time of year gets nastie.[/FONT][/QUOTE]I know, we should. I may not have finals... but lately my work has moved into evening hours, even tonight, I have stuff coming up in just forty five minutes no less. XP

Anyway, it makes perfect sense to me, especially since both Karl and Isen were around during the war. Without some form of ability, they'd be useless and a hindrance instead of helpful. Also, another question, are werecats immortal? Or is that something else that they also gain from becoming a familiar?

I'm thinking that though long lived, they are not, though that's up to debate. But it does lend more credit to why many of the other species/races would want to work with the Shinigami. Protection from extinction. Regardless, it's something to hash out.

Also, as soon as I get done with my work this evening, provided nothing comes up that demands further attention... I'll be getting a post in soon. If not tonight then certainly tomorrow, based on what you and I discussed Allamorph.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]You other two should be on more at night; [COLOR="indigo"]Indi[/COLOR] and I have been doing massive brainstorming without you. =P

Impending finals aside, of course. This time of year gets nastie.[/FONT][/QUOTE]Crystia's been filling me in a little on some of it so I'm not completely lost, but... School has been beyond busy lately. XP Finals may still be a little ways off, but some of the preparations I'm required to do are not. The past week has been brutal. I will have more time this upcoming weekend though so perhaps we should look to do a massive IM session, all things considered.

Oh and I agree with the concept of werecats having that ability, makes perfect sense to me. That and Adrian's dumbfounded response was fun. :p

[Allamorph]

Also, another question, are werecats immortal? Or is that something else that they also gain from becoming a familiar?

As far as the myths I'm familiar with run, no werebeasts are immortal. I can't say the same about faeries; I know dragons' lifespans are so great that they might as well be, but since they were hunted extensively during the Medieval/Feudal period, their desire to preserve their species is completely understandable.

If anything, werebeasts would normally have lifespans close to that of normal humans...if perhaps a decade or two longer. That of course means that becoming a familiar does grant the creature immortality, because Nathan and Isen have been together for at least three-thousand years.

Also, as soon as I get done with my work this evening, provided nothing comes up that demands further attention... I'll be getting a post in soon. If not tonight then certainly tomorrow, based on what you and I discussed Allamorph.

That reminds me: we should probably figure out how shinigami obtain their funds. You and I know what Lucia does, but it stands to reason that certain others of her kind would be more occupationally reclusive, if you guys know what I mean.

So are shinigami required to find jobs in the living world; do they receive a stipend; do they or someone (involving the Council, probably) generate currency "artificially".....?

I will have more time this upcoming weekend though so perhaps we should look to do a massive IM session, all things considered.

Oh, most definitely. *wink wink* Edited November 25, 2013 by Allamorph

[Sabrina]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Quick note before I begin here... to anyone curious as to why I am posting in this thread, I was invited to join this rpg by the current players. ^_~

Anyway, as discussed in our last AIM session guys, here is my sign up with my characters and such. Hopefully I'll have a post for the main thread ready soon. >_> The sign up and other stuff took a whole lot longer than I expected.

[CENTER]*************************[/CENTER]
How long had it been since she filled out the form? The one requesting to work as a Shinigami on Earth? Phaidra ran the calculation through her mind, comparing it how the humans measured time. It was a concept that was both amusing and whimsical for it was also very different from how they perceived time. What was it again? A year? Her mind drifted back to the memory of the page as she filled it out, that too a concept that made no sense, the information requested; frivolous?

[CENTER]*************************[/CENTER]
[I]They want me to fill this out? What kind of joke is this? She held the piece of paper loosely before starting to fill it out.[/I]

[B]Name:[/B] Phaidra
[B]Gender:[/B] Female
[B]Apparent Age: [/B]26

[I]What in the world is that for? My information is already available as a registered researcher and student of the different magic?s we use. Is it too difficult for someone to simply pull my file, in a format that actually makes sense? And why would my apparent age matter? I won?t be working for humans, I?ll be sending them on their way! Whose bright idea was it to have us fill this out?[/I]

[B]Personality: [/B]

[INDENT]Phaidra is driven and very focused. However, she is also quite social and enjoys contact with others... [/INDENT]

She set the pen, an odd contraption, down. [I]And we?re done with that? how in the world would I really know my personality anyway? That?s subjective and not something I would really know. It would be better if someone else filled this part out.[/I]

[B]Eccentricities:[/B]

[INDENT]I like human food.[/INDENT]

[I]There, as if they need more.[/I] A sigh escaped her lips as she moved to the next part of the silly form.

[B]Familiar:[/B] [URL="http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2002/sarvel002nq0.jpg"][U]Sarvel[/U][/URL] [B]| [/B][URL="http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2451/sarvel001li1.jpg"][U]Sarvel[/U][/URL] - human form

[INDENT]Sarvel is an Earth elemental, generally keeping to a fox like form. She has on occasion taken a human one as well though she prefers the other. She too is very focused but unlike Phaidra she is very calm. Sarvel is a bit mischievous at times though; she enjoys the fun to be had with simple pranks.[/INDENT]

[I]Did I write that? What am I thinking? They know all about her as well, that?s part of my file at the school. This is a waste of my time.[/I]

[B]Appearance: [/B] [URL="http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9985/phaidra001zb9.jpg"][U]Phaidra[/U][/URL] [B]| [/B][URL="http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4625/phaidra002no3.jpg"][U]Phaidra[/U][/URL] - second picture[B] | [/B][URL="http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/9295/phaidrascythestaff001vp9.jpg"][U]Phaidra's[/U][/URL] scythe

[I]Oh fine, I suppose requesting something to show our physical appearance is reasonable.[/I] With a snap of her fingers, she called forth what looked like electrical sparks that danced at the end of her fingers before tracing a pattern on the paper with her forefinger, next to where the request was. Yellow gold energy flared slightly, racing along the glyph before fading, leaving the symbol etched into the paper. [I]There, that should do it.[/I]

[CENTER]*************************[/CENTER]
She shook her head at the memory, it had been a year, though by their pace, it was but a brief moment. Phaidra gathered her things, sparing a quick glance at the tiny room that had been hers during that time. A tiny smile and then she went to meet Sarvel who was waiting at the entrance to their mentor?s abode. They set out for the capitol and incidentally the gate to the human world. Her training was done, it was time to put it to use.

[CENTER]*************************[/CENTER]
And there you have it. Let me know if I got anything off. I plan on handling the actual description of the capitol in my first post. :catgirl:[/FONT]

[Rachmaninoff]

Everything looks good Sabrina, I went ahead and updated the first post to include the relevant information. I also discovered something rather interesting... Nathan and Patrick... I swear, those two just refused to cooperate. It was like a staring contest of... like I'd talk to you. XP So that awkwardness kind of went into the post as well...

[Sabrina]

[FONT="Tahoma"]That post of yours was fun Crystia; I really enjoyed how you portrayed Karl. For someone who didn?t want to be involved, he sure is smug! And in a totally unrelated tangent? >_> [spoiler]As cute as Victor is, Karl is much cuter.[/spoiler] <_< And we?re done with that particular tangent. XP

Anyway, I am interested in defining the nature of how magic works a little better since I have some really clear ideas on how Phaidra would go about doing things. I intend to present one of them in my next post since I figure if it contradicts things too much? that?s what the edit button is for!

So? post Beth! Post! :catgirl:[/FONT]

[Allamorph]

Soâ?¦ post Beth! Post! :catgirl:

Speaking of which:

SunfallE: No wonder you were saying Victor would floor her
SunfallE: XP
SunfallE: >_<
SunfallE: She's screwed.
SunfallE: uh
SunfallE: I mean
SunfallE: *dies*
Allamorph: O_O

Edited June 4, 2014 by Allamorph

[SunfallE]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Sabrina;810376][FONT="Tahoma"]That post of yours was fun Crystia; I really enjoyed how you portrayed Karl. For someone who didn’t want to be involved, he sure is smug! And in a totally unrelated tangent… >_> [spoiler]As cute as Victor is, Karl is much cuter.[/spoiler] <_< And we’re done with that particular tangent. XP[/FONT][/QUOTE]Seems like we have our own SD bishounen. And yes, Karl was wonderfully smug. Heh.[quote name='Sabrina;810376][FONT="Tahoma"]Anyway, I am interested in defining the nature of how magic works a little better since I have some really clear ideas on how Phaidra would go about doing things. I intend to present one of them in my next post since I figure if it contradicts things too much… that’s what the edit button is for! [/FONT][/QUOTE]Something to cover in our next IM meeting, though we haven't really talked about it a lot so there isn't much to contradict or worry about. [QUOTE=Sabrina'][FONT="Tahoma"']So… post Beth! Post! :catgirl:[/FONT][/quote]And posted oh impatient bossy one. :p

[B]EDIT:[/B] Allamorph! You horrible little! XP [/FONT][/COLOR]