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OOC--Monks and Knights

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That's what I'm saying, like the pig statue. It's just sitting in the kitchen, and anyone who knows how to use it, is probably allowed to.
 
That is, until the horrible microscopic demon worms inside the food the pig defecates awaken from their hibernation and eat us all from the inside out.

GOOD WORK KILLING US ALL, SHADESLAYER!!!
 
I've been getting some questions on setting, as well as realizing perhaps the setting itself isn't really as fleshed out as it should be (at least outside of the back of my head anyways) so this is an attempt to fix that.

On: Artifacts
This is a big one, so I'll try and sum it up nicely. An artifact is an item imbued with the soul of a demon, a prison harnessing its ward's abilities for usage. No one knows the process of how artifacts are created, but there are things that are known. Generally, an artifact is made when one Demon Lord conquers another in whatever realm it is they dwell in, turning ones foes into an artifact being considered one of the greatest signs of a Demon Lords power over his conquered foe. As such, most Demons contained in artifacts are very powerful and very eager to break free.

For some examples of the general abilities of artifacts, see here

On: The World
The world in which the Forbidden Temple of the Great Falls takes place is a vast realm that doesn't really have a name, or at least not one that the different cultures and regions can agree on. So for the purpose of explanations I'll just refer to it as earth, though that's by no means the only thing characters can call it. Speaking of cultures and regions, we should start an explanation at the beginning, yes?

The earliest records show numerous civilizations dotting the land. Then everything is lost in fire and destruction as the Age of Demons begins and things sort of, well, go to hell. No one knows how it began, but numerous portals to infernal realms are ripped open across the world, invading nightmares obliterating all before them. The various civilizations break, reform, and break again, though they eventually manage to push the invading hosts back across the holes punched in reality and seal these gateways. All that is left however is ruins, people going back to pick up the scraps and start anew.

So ends the First Age of Demons, and begins what will be known as the Age of Artifacts. For you see, though the demonic forces are defeated, they left definite impressions behind in the form of odd and unsettling devices of almost solely dark designs. Chaos breaks out as the devices corrupt their users towards dark ends and some are broken, releasing the demons trapped within to do as they please. Eventually, two seperate orders form with the sole intent of gathering and preventing the misuse of these items. The Monks of the Great Falls gather knowledge and skills in their efforts to secure, contain, and protect the word from these items. Meanwhile, an order of Knights who are referred to eventually as The Hellguard, and later just The Guard, form to seek out and slay rogue demons and attempt to destroy artifacts in order to elimante the monsters contained within as well. This all takes place over the course of several hundred years, the world shoring itself up after the nightmare of what will soon become known as the First Age of Demons.

For it is only the first. Another invasion occurs, more gateways to an unholy realm opening with all manner of vile beasts pouring out, laying waste to everything before them. But this time they lack the full advantage of surprise. The Monks of the Great Falls have learned much from the artifacts they have gathered, and in some cases the dark devices are turned against their kin, though never without great cost. The Hellguard meanwhile is always at the forefront of every fight and battle they can be, putting all the knowledge their order has gained to full use against these foes. The world cracks under the combat, but is not entirely shattered as it once was. Eventually, the demonic horde is pushed back and their infernal portals shut. The Knights of the Hellguard and the Monks of the Great Falls, once having a current of animosity towards one another, join their orders in the aftermath. For if the demons can invade twice, what is to say a third time is impossible?

The Knights, having no central location themselves, make headquarters at the Forbidden Temple of the Great Falls, where the Monks have built and studied for hundreds of years. The Monks meanwhile, having lacked 'field support' make usage of the various waystations the Knights have used for centuries in their battle against rogue demons, converting them to the numerous sister temples from which both orders draw members.

Thus begins the Age of Calm, which has lasted for 487 years until the present day.


On: Demons, Holes, and Magicks
The world in the setting is rather mundane, all things considered. The exception of course is where demons are concerned. All that is known of Demons is that they can come in almost any form, but are almost always a mockery of something mundane. Wolves covered in razor spines, spiders the size of horses, man shaped creatures formed in grotesque beastlike forms. And when not a mockery, they are forms only a madman could conceive; limbs and mouths and eyes in places that make no sense, moving in ways that could drive a man mad trying to puzzle out. The general consensus is, the less known about demons, the better.

Furthermore, it is known that demons can, somehow, open rends inbetween this world and their own. A stable gateway of any real size however is unheard of outside of grand invasions however. Rather, occassionaly a demon might somehow...slip through the cracks, arriving in this world where it seeks only to spread chaos, destruction, and the dark embrace of death. Most demons that 'slip through' are mindless monsters, doing little more than killing everything that crosses their path. Others, others are devious manipulators, often in a human like form. They speak dark whispers to appeal to individuals hidden desires, working misery from behind the scenes.

In many cases, some of the more intelligent demons have been known to...twist, or warp reality at times. This dark effect is referred to as magic, and demons use it to lethal effect. They might twist their image to appear more normal and so pass human eyes undetected, or in some cases warp a man's thoughts to bleak or black intentions. Whatever their usage, it is never a good thing. Some humans have attempted to study these magics, and some have even claimed to learn these powers, but in almost every case a stray demon or artifact is proven to be behind the cause, even if the so called magician did not know it. And just as much, almost always only chaos is left in these individuals wakes.
 
artifact: A suit of armor that conforms to fit snugly over one's skin. However, its user can still feel all stimuli, including pain. Curiously, its users with missing digits can still move that piece of the armor like normal. The armor can be put on and off, and have pieces worn separately, like normal armor.
Edit: In addition to the above, The influence of past owners can cause the armor itself to move without the wearer's consent, attempting any number of things. If a person with low willpower were to wear the full suit, they could be completely controlled by the spirits of the dead.
 
I have a quick question! What is the general temperament and disposition of the Guard? Do they tend to be dour and zealous, or chivalrous, or does it vary between individuals or locales? It was suggested my character be a former Guard that was transformed by an artifact and I want to make sure I don't get his personality all askew.
 
They tend to be highly zealous in duty due to them having to fight the worst of the worst, but personality beyond that varies.
 
Pretty much. No matter what threats they face or what horrors await, the one thing true among all of them at least is that each member of the Guard always holds the line, as they have for hundreds of years.
 
Excellent! I haven't hopped in yet because there seems to be quite a crisis going down with the spilled poison, and I do not want to swoop in all dramatically and try to divert the urgency of the situation, or else force your characters to deal with two dangerous and improbable events in tandem. When there is a suitable opening, however, I will participate!
 
Oh yes, I almost forgot. If anyone wants anything else clarified about anything in the setting, just ask in here and I'll be more than willing to elaborate on whatever you want.
 
I have several questions that I feel it would be beneficial for everyone to know the answers to, as well as several regarding the sciences.

Regarding the temple.
1. Approximate square footage of temple?
2. Approximate full time residents of the temple?
3. Approximate age of temple?
4. Nearest population center?
5. Nearest major population center?
6. Climate and Temperature?

Regarding the rest of the world.
1. Approximate level of metallurgic development? (Wrought Iron/Cast Iron/Steel/Bessemer Steel)
2. Level of global (international) trade?
3. Global Literacy rate?
4. General political atmosphere between nations?
5. Average Lifespan?
6. Infant mortality rate?
7. Approximate world population?
8. System of currency, and rough purchasing power equivalency to modern currency?
9. Are industrial processes (e.g., swordmaking, weaving, etc.) considered “trade secrets,” or are they common knowledge?
10. Do different regions/cities specialize in specific crafts, processes, or products (examples: Damascus steel, Bordeaux wines, Chinese silk, Wisconsin cheese)?
11. What is transportation like? Are there good roads? Who built them? Who is responsible for maintaining them?
12. How are books produced? Are they common (has the printing press been invented) or are they rare, valuable, expensive, hand-written objects?
13. Where is scientific research done — universities, private labs, under the auspices of the ruler/government, etc.?
14. What is the status of the arts (dance, music, theater, etc.) in this society?
15. What games are commonly known — chess, dice, poker? Which are common among everyone, and which are limited to the peasantry or nobility?
16. What sports or pastimes are common (hawking, hunting, skiing, baseball)?
17. What is the most common building material? Why is it used (availability, cheapness, legal requirement)?
18. What kinds of catastrophic weather are common — tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, waterspouts, dust storms?

I realize this is a lot to more or less think up on the spot, but any clarification on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Regarding the Temple
1. The Temple contain over 5 million square feet of floorspace, taking up three floors aboveground and a massive chamber beneath constituting the Reliquary.
2. While built to house a massive force should the need arise, the Temple currently houses between 2-300 people, depending on who you ask. In any case, there are around 150 members of the Guard in residence patrolling the surrounding region, no more than 100 Brothers, and possibly 50 full time servants or guests who live within and work about the Temple.
3. Agewise, most members of the Temple are those of senior age and experience, averaging between 30-50, with the Guard being ten years lower maxon average due to their nature.
4. There is a small town near the base of the mountain path that leads to the Temple, popular with cattle farmers (since the Temple cannot produce its own meats), as well as visitors and those related to but unwilling to visit the temple themselves. It is about a half-day's journey up or down the Great Falls.
5. The nearest major population center is the port city of Pikewall, a major trade center for the region and the last city on the pilgrimage route to the Temple. It has a population of around 1500, not counting travellers. It is almost a week and a half's journey from the Temple by foot, a week by horse, and a half-week if one can run their mounts into the ground. There areof course small Guard outposts along the road should emergencies arise.
6. The temperature of the region around the Temple is almost mediterranean, the closest real-world geographical equivalent being Spain. The Temple itself though due to its altitude, abundant water from a massive underground river flowing beneath the rock, and general forested terrain maes it more similar to a Northern Alpine Forest.

Regarding the rest of the world
1. General steel usage. Think your average mundane fantasy in regards to technological development.
2. Middling trade. Most trade is done in caravans.
3. Dependent on class. Peasantry = Low, Merchants = Medium, Nobility = High
4. Tense. There are no current wars of any note, but many countries have recently begun building their military forces up. On this note since it's relevant but you didn't ask, members of the Guard hold the same rank as minor lords for political purposes, and Brothers can range in political power from middling lords to a step below the local ruler depending on the country.
5. Most people don't live past 70, max. Take from that what you will, as different social classes have different averages.
6. Roughly 40-60% do no reach 3 years of age.
7. Around 650 million
8. Most trade is bartering, though copper and silver are the prevaling forms of currency where used. Gold is almost unheard of. It is difficult to establish a baseline average. In small villages, one or two silver might buy a horse. In a large city, one or two silver might get you a basic meal.
9. Trade secrets, though as effectively the world's repository of knowledge the Temple has books on just about anything.
10. Yes this does occur. Pikewall for example specializes in ships and horses, and is known for these.
11. Most roads are dirt, though there are stone roads built maintained by countries that can afford them. Sea travel is reasonably fast.
12. Paper can be produced with reasonable efficiency, but the printing press has not been developed nor will it be by any PC >__>. So yes, books are expensive, rare, and valuable. The Temple has the largest repository of knowledge in the world, and destroying any of it is practically a crime...
13. Most research is independently done, or with the aid of others of a similar training.
14. The arts are admired, respected, and a valuable trade commodity.
15. The main forms of gambling are dice among lower classes and cards among the upper. There are a handful of games of skill, but since I'm not feeling particularly exotic let's stick with chess, checkers, etc.
16. Hawking, hunting, archery, and the like are common most everywhere, but other sportslike events vary by country.
17. Stone is used where available and affordable, otherwise wood, clay or mud if one has nothing else. The world is expansive and varied, but the country of Teigee ususally utilize a rich, natural stone of reddish gold coloration that is plentiful. Much of the Temple is built from it, for example.
18. Depends on region. Earthquakes are not unheard of in Teigee, and the coastal regions may experience hurricanes or other bad seastorms.

In regards to any question answered generally due to regional differences, that is because the Temple is made up of a wide variety of members with differing customs and preferences.
 
Thanks for being so prompt in responding, here's another batch for you.

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. What is the worse crime one could commit?
3. Is the death penalty practiced?
4. How do court systems deal with debtors?
5. Do people have a reasonable expectation of privacy?
6. What is the status of gunpowder?
7. What is the status of lighter than air flight? (Hypothetical, Experimental, Common)
8. What is the status of heavier than air flight? (Hypothetical, Experimental, Common)
9. What is the richest nation?
10. What is the most powerful nation?
11. What is the most militant nation?
12. Who is the most famous man in history? What is he known for?
13. Who is the most famous woman in history? What is she known for?
14. Who is the most famous living man? What is he known for?
15. Who is the most famous living woman? What is she known for?
16. Who is the richest person in the world?
17. Who is the most well known person in the world?
18. Who is the most powerful person in the world?
19. What, if any, real world religions exist or have an analogue in this setting?
20. Why do you like dick so much?
21. What is the most common form of long distance communication?
22. Do most nations have standing armies, or levies?
23. How do most people view their leaders?
24. How are the poor viewed, with contempt or pity?
25. What is the status of eugenics in this setting?
26. What was the last major war between nations? Why was it fought? Who won?
27. Is the institution of slavery still practiced? If not, when was it ended, and how?
28. Same question, indentured servitude.
29. Are populations concentrated in primarily urban or rural areas?
30. Has there been any population concentration shifts or trends?
31. Are cities built with an eye towards defense, or commerce (Walls and twisty, confusing streets, or wide avenues)
32. Is industry primarily putting out, or factory?
33. Did you ask for this?
34. How is homosexuality treated by society?
35. How are the mentally ill treated by society?
36. How prepared are most nations for a sudden outbreak of plague?
37. When was the most recent outbreak of a highly infectious disease? What disease was it?
38. When was the worst outbreak of a highly infectious disease? What disease was it?
39. How are left handed people treated by society?
40. What is the most common form of government?
41. What is the most common of economic system?
42. What is considered sexually deviant?
43. What is the most common crop?
44. What days are common Secular or Religious holidays? Why?
45. What is the legality of prostitution?
46. Who is the most hated group of humans?
47. What is the considered the age of majority?
48. How common is the idea of natural rights of man?
49. Has the concept of Triage been invented yet?
50. Is that your final answer?
 
1. Assuming Teigee, the King. Though of course this varies by nation.
2. Almost universally, consorting with demons.
3. Yes.
4. A man in debt is entitled to paying whomever he is in debt to however the loan holder chooses, though the court has the final say on whether his choice is agreeable.
5. To a degree. There is no legal need for warrants, but intruding in someone's home for no reason is usually a bad idea.
6. Not invented outside of fireworks, a secret guarded closely by the Skyflower Guild. They have full legal right like any tradesman's guild to guard there secrets with anything short of obvious murder in most places, as they refuse to work where they do not.
7. Barely theoretical.
8. Purely hypothetical. Not even to the degree of da Vinci works.
9. Arnsold, a nation that was relatively untouched by the Second Age and had a head start working trade agreements and with its central location along with plentiful rivers and roads. Think France geographically. Actually, for the most part consider this analogous to a shrunken, off kilter Europe in regards to locations and geography. eg, Teigee most matches Spain.
10. Arguably Teigee, because of the Temple. The Temple does not often meddle in politics, but when necessary a Brother or Guard knight can make most nobles jump on command if need be.
11. Toldare. Geographically Greece. They, along with many other nations of late have been increasing their military size for some time. There's even rumors of them having artifacts used among their commanders, to which several nearby platoons of Guards and almost twenty Brothers have been sent to investigate.
12. Utor Demonsbane, the leader of the combined foces that ened the First Age. Little is known of him beyond that fact and that he died to end the invasion, but endless stories abound about him
13. Uzera Demonsbane, Utor's wife, secret lover, or mortal enemy depending on the story. The Temple believes she died with Utor if she ever existed at all, since his death also ends all mention of her.
14. Alfain, son of Hulfain, Gentleman Warrior; a wandering hugeman who's varied exploits have spread like wildfire the past decade.
15. Queen Rosanna Delmattica Toldare, for obvious reasons.
16. A toss up between Lord Heracleon, otherwise known as the Purse of Toldare, or His Majesty And Most Illumated Graenwold Arnswold, titles mandatory.
17. Is this a trick question? Not well-eough explained to answer in context of already asking the most famous of famous people.
18. Depends entirely on your definition of power. Queen Toldare or Lord Heracleon depending on who one thinks holds Toldare in truth hold the most raw military might and positioning to use it. But arguably Teigee has the Temple, which has the reliquary, which has insturments of death and destruction that if ever used could level most any country with ease. Not that they ever would be.
19. There is a general belief in a Heavenly plane in analogue to the Demonic one, but there are few if any widespread organized religions outside of one or two nationally backed ones. It is hard to hold faith when hell invades and heaven stands silent.
20. Because my grandfather's name is Richard.
21. Horseback travel, messenger ships, or signal fire relays.
22. Usually levies, but the past years have seen a surge in standing military. Thankfully they are standing for now, rather than moving.
23. Most people are loyal but don't care so long as the world doesn't fall down around them.
24. That is a question of individual preferences.
25. Outside of Nobility sticking to Nobility, it's not a formal idea.
26. Toldare and Volskin were at war not a decade ago, Volskin having been a bitter rival that Toldare had fought border wars with for centuries over a wide river and farmland region. Toldare won the war with broad tactics, lethal determination, and Volskin being weak due to a plague, practically swallowing Volskin in the end.
27. Slavery is incredibly rare and usually illegal, almost having vanished by the end of the Second Age
28. It's not widespread, but not unheard of. Usually a debtor's recourse for payment.
29. Mostly rural, but cities have their size.
30. Some shift towards cities, but farmlands are always being expanded and in need of hands to work.
31. Defense. Nearly all the major cities were built in the wake of the Second Age of Demons, and those memories burnt bright. Outer parts of cities added later may be more commercial, but every city heart is made of steel and iron.
32. I... that's not grammatically a proper set of options. Putting out what? Factories are unheard of though.
33. I did, actually.
34. Depends on region. Every population differs slightly on what is acceptable or not.
35. If the child has issues before age 3, they are often...taken care of. Otherwise, it depends on the nation.
36. Cities? Not so well. The spread of disease is roughly understood after experences with biological weapons of a sort were noticed during demonic invasions, but the supplies to curb a plague in most cities after it has a foothold are unlikely to hold.
37. The Creeping Blood appeared in Volskin around 10 years ago, devestating the assembled military camps on their side of the river. Toldare was mostly unaffected, as were the surrounding countries, due to knowledge of it spreading quickly as one began to sweat blood before dying slowly.
38. It is usually referred to as Demon Sight, and it can start from contact with demons. It is not highly infectious, and the Guard has methods to handle and detect it, but it is subtle and lethal. The last major outbreak was, unsurprisingly, at the end of the Second Age, taking almost a third of the world's population with a tide of creeping black irises that consumed the eye entirely before death.
39. The same as everyone else. Utor is historically depicted as left handed, and the Temple would love to know how that started.
40. Monarchy or elected councils, depending on region.
41. Market, Barter, or Traditional, depending on region.
42. Varies. The big ones are usually standard. Generally; keep it outside of the family, the barn, the children, the dead. Other than that, keep it down and lock the door and no one will usually care what two consenting people do behind closed doors.
43. Depends on region. Teigee mostly markets wheat.
44. Varies incredibly by country and region. Usually broad traditional festivals occur on the last, middle and first days of the year, seasonal equinoxes, and the third day of the eighth month is celebrated as the closing of the last gateway during the Second Age.
45. Depends on region. Usually state-sponsored and controlled where legal.
46. Depends on region. Most regions have hatred for another for one reason or another, but no one can agree on who to hate.
47. A child is an adult most commonly at 16 years of age. This applies to both men and women.
48. Rather widespread. Having a cultural boiling pot filled with the collective knowledge of the world with enough politcal and military clout to bend most national policies should the need ever arise helps that sort of thing.
49. Yes, but it is not yet consitently put to practie outside of Toldare.
50. I hope not, because that would imply you are out of questions.
 
Ok, so I've gotten pm's from two of you guys, and I've given things more thought since I last spoke to Mary.

1. I understand that new people seem to be running the thread.
2. I also understand you think it might be easier to manage if you had a separate thread for questing
3. You don't think members will want to read through all your pages.

These are valid points. Unfortunately I don't really think your rp is complex enough to really warrant a subforum and I think DA will agree with me on that. You're welcome to ask her for it if you like, but you don't really need multiple threads for this particular rp.

That said, I know you all wanted to make another thread. So here's what I'm going to suggest: If you have new rules/explanations you would like to be included in this rp, just start it over again. *nods*

It's a fairly simple matter of creating a new interest/coordination and OOC page. I would allow you all to use the same character profile thread, but you MUST link it to your main rp thread. It's simple enough to add a hyperlink. Just select the text you want to be linked like "profiles" for example, then click the little icon on the text box that looks like a planet with a chain in front of it, and paste the url for your current profile thread into the url slot. Then you're done. :D

You can start it off on this quest if you like, and if you really want, you can link back to your old thread (which I will lock if you all agree on this solution, so it can't be posted in) and just keep it in the new thread once the quest is over.

If you want people to keep joining, I would recommend having this all moved over to open rp. I explained the pros and cons of group and open to Mary in the pm I sent her, so she can share that with you all. Anyway, I don't see the point of creating a new thread for a phase in an rp and I don't think it's going to do much to help you anyway. So If you'd like to revamp everything and start up a new thread, that's fine. If not, please just keep this one and use your interest/coordination thread to bring in new blood. You can also invite people via pm's if you should so choose.

Anyway these are my thoughts for solutions for you all. Please let me know what you decide so I know to expect it.
 
Just a heads up, gonna be away for about 4-5 hours starting now. I'll be on when I get back, though.
 
I can't help but wonder if we should have posted this info in the Interest thread. In the OOC, they may assume our game is already closed.
 
Right you are indeed, sir Shadeslayer, reposting what you said:

CALLING ALL PLAYERS
We're recruiting new players now that our characters are venturing outside the temple. We're posting this now because RIGHT NOW is a perfect time to join without needing to get caught up on the game up until now.
We're very accepting of virtually any character so long as the player can cooperate a bit to make sure it can fit into the setting.
If you want to join, please let us know here!
If you need help creating a character or don't know if it fits, PM me or Traveler's Guide, or drop a question here!

and from me:

As said, now would be the best time to join because you don't really need prior knowledge about anything that happened in the temple so far. The venture, rather quest, outside the temple allows new players to join the existing group without much quarrel.
 
Have to go now, unfortunately, but I promise that tomorrow I will stay much much longer and finally get some shit done. Until then, we are mostly on hold. I shall return tomorrow, as always 4 PM US Eastern time.
 
I will not have much time during the week, unfortunately, duty calls.

To be precise, this week is the one where duty calls most, I may not be here for several days, but after this week and the monday of the next week, I will be able to serve at my best again and with greatest motivation.
 
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