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The Penance March
In fearful day and night dire
Our hearts be filled with blight,
When all is lost in darkest fire
When sorrow be we bedight
In this hour lost
Wolf, Eagle , Shield we Bee
Care we not, the final cost
For of fear be we free
For in the Darkest hour
Does hope burn bright
For with this brand of power
We stand and fight!
~Premise~
“The War has ended. We have lost. Our groves have been torched and our warriors felled. We who stand here today are the last of the Vuha. The enemy has shown no quarter, they hunt us, kill us, every man woman and child they find. We were once a great people, once masters of our domain. We were a peaceful people once friends of the land.
We are all that remain, we are all that remain. But there is hope, the Greatarch has found definitive proof that beyond the Vydr lies a place where the enemy cannot reach. It is a safe place. It is a place where the Grove can grow, it is a place where we the Vuha can grow.
We will set route for the Vydr, travel through what remains of our lands. Yes my people we will brave the Scarred Forest. It is a necessary risk, a necessary evil, many of us will die, but some of us will survive, and that is all we need.
I tell you this first to be prepared. However this is not all I wish ask of you. In the war most of our warriors are dead or dying, the few who survived stand with you in this place. They have served us with honor and at great price. Still their task is not over, they will continue to protect us as we begin our journey. They will continue to thwart the huntsmen of the enemy and protect us from the creatures of the Scarred Forest. Nevertheless they are few in number, and not enough for the task ahead. So I ask who amongst you will join us the final warriors of the Vuha, who will join the Penance March. I cannot promise you much, but know this with your lives, the Vuha will survive”
~The General
~The Burning War~
Most of us do not remember why the war started, most of those who knew were already consumed by it. The war raged for so long that we even forgot the name of our enemy. It was said that once we even spoke the same language, however I shudder to think what speaking to such repulsive creatures would ever gain us.
However, I have been able to find some Relics in my dives into the scarred forest. Through them I unearthed some of the truth that had been lost. As we Vuha were masters of the forest, the enemy was the master of his deserts, beyond the pastures of Sur. The Enemy lived in a harsh clime where they battled against the forces of nature, and its offspring. The local flora and fauna were also adapted to this clime each a predator in its own right. Each contested with each other, and in this the Enemy came to win.
Unlike us the enemy mastered his lands through the power of blood and fire, destroying anything that opposed them. Still they were fractured internally, until a great warlord appeared in their midst. Conquering all and uniting their peoples, however his hunger for power wasn’t satisfied.
The conqueror turned his gaze to the east, to the great pastures of Sur, and he was jealous. He saw that their land was rich, their soil fertile. It was a peaceful place without much danger, the climate was good and water easy. He coveted this land hence he invaded it..
The kingdoms of Sur were no match to the Enemy, they were fat and lazy, most of them only ever fought in their knightly jousts. They knew nothing of battle. At first they scoffed at the enemy. What could these savages do to us they said, by the time they realized their error they had already lost. They came to us then, with what remained of their armies. But we did not helped them, it was not our place to meddle with the outer lands we thought. We were so wrong. Maybe we could have defeated them of we had fought with them on the pastures maybe not. Nevertheless in the end Sur was conquered and its people enslaved.
For a time the Enemy was sated, busy assimilating the lands of the Sur to their own desires. They slowly expanded their lands, building their fortresses. They learned of magic from the Sur and absorbed and corrupted the Magistry. They developed their weapons and anchored themselves in the land, leaching the very life from the it, with their machines and oil.
We do not know why the Enemy then set its eyes on us, maybe the wished our wealth, maybe our knowledge or maybe they simply saw us as a threat. They began massing their troops once more, but we paid no heed, what did we have to worry, none could penetrate the Forest without our permission. It was a truth, for when they began their first assault on our lands they were hopelessly consumed by the forest. The tried many things, setting fire to the forest, cutting it down. However no matter what they tried the forest grew faster than it died. Yet still they persisted trying with a dogged stubbornness.
Finally they found a weakness, a glaring hole in our defenses. The fools tainted the wild magics that ran free in the forests, poisoning it from within. WIth this the balance within the forest was destroyed, our magics ineffective. Drawing power from the forest would poison ourselves as well. On that day many of our Archs died, poisoned from something they believed unquestionably pure. Next when they tried burning the forest it did not grow back. The leapt in joy and pride. We wept mourning the death of so many of our wisest and greatest. So began the Burning Wars….
~On the Vuha~
Vuha
The Vuha, at current are a mere shadow of what they were. The war had not only destroyed their homeland but also their knowledge. At their prime the Vuha were masters of magic, biology and chemistry. In their prime they were as gods amongst men. Their magic so great, that the weather was at their beck and call. Their knowledge so great that they could create new life to suit their needs.
It is said that all the life in the Forest was at least touched by Vuha, modifications. The Vuha were a people of harmony and peace. Even with all their power, they were only interested with maintaining their groves and collecting more knowledge about nature.THe Vuha rarely dealt with the peoples outside the groves, believing that by trying to help their brethren they might do even greater harm.
The Vuha never did have anything like warriors at least they didnt have before the Burning wars. After all they did not have anything even close to a threat...
The Groves
The Vuha did not have cities in the natural sense of the word, the entirety of the Great Forest was their home. However their were certain places that had a far greater concentration than the rest of the Forest. These places were places of powerful magic, centered around a world tree, massive trees that produced enormous amounts of natural magic. The world trees were the heart of the Forest, giving the magic that supported the forest.
The groves where also the place where the Archs converged, for they would synchronize themselves with the forest, melding their consciousness into the forest, becoming for a small time a part of something much greater than them selves. It is in this small ritual that the histories say is the root of the power of the Vuha.
These places where called Groves and were the center of Vuha culture. The Groves served more than a mere magical nexus for the Vuha, it was also the place where children were raised. The were great centers of trade and commerce within the Vuha. The groves were the central to Vuha culture, in more than one aspects.
The People
Although the Vuha are humans, nevertheless continuous proximity to large amounts of nature magics cause most of the Vuha, to develop slightly different than normal people. Amongst this is that after a certain age all Vuha develop glowing eyes, as the magic in their bodies leaks from their eyes, as well as pointed ears. They grant certain advantages in terms of sharpened senses, and heightened reflexes.
The Vuha also naturally live much longer lives than normal humans, and the older of the Vuha develop skin with a green tint. This is called the blessing of the leaf and is considered to be a great honor.
However this also means that the Vuha have become very dependant on their magic rich surroundings, and become starved when they have to live without. It is due to this that loss of the Groves became such a loss to the Vuha, many died just by being starved of the magic their body needed.
Although the Vuha seem to wear simple tribal clothing, almost primitive compared to the more complex clothing worn by the people who live outside the forest. This is merely an extension of the Vuha belief to be in harmony with nature.
Archs
The Archs are the leaders, wisemen, teachers and priests of the Vuha. They are the pride of their people. The Archs are those who have given their life to make sure the Vuha persist and grow. The Archs often start their training from very early in their life, often being the best in their generation. Best in any field, art, science, magic , medicine and even hunting.
During their training the Archen, as the trainees are known, are taken to the center fo the groves, to the roots of the worldtrees, where they are trained. The training takes little more than thirty years, during which the Archen are tutored heavily in nearly all aspects of Vuhari life. They are also specifically tutored in their specialty.
The Archs are essentially the best of the best, and for that honor they also have the responsibilty of acting as leaders for the rest of the Vuha. Most administrative tasks were done by a council of archs.
Even among the archs their are those who are uniquely spectacular, and are given the honor of being a Greatarch, the greatest amongst the Vuha.
On the Day of the bruning, over half of the Arch and Archen died during their morning ritual, taking in to themselves , the magics poisoned by the Enemy. As the war progressed more and more of the Archen died out. Eventually coming to the current situation that their being only one Greatarch, 20 Arch and only one hundred Archen.
~The Paragon~
In the initial years of the wars, the Vuha suffered much, after all they were a peaceful people with no experience in the matters of war. They didn't even have warriors as such. The Vuha never had needed them before, for centuries the Forest was the greatest of defenses, nothing could penetrate it. So when the Burning began many of the Vuha were simply slaughtered.
Still many were able to survive, thanks to their immense knowledge but only just. The first hundred years was a dark time indeed for the Vuha, a time when most had to go into hiding. Attacking only from the shadows. Nevertheless, the Vuha learned their lessons the hard way, but learn they did.
From the ashes of the Burning did they rise, the branded, the Paragons. Using the hallowed magic of the Vuha for a new purpose. Although it was not their way to bring harm to another, they had to do whatever was necessary to survive, it is from this that they created their strongest weapon against the Enemy, The Brand.
The Brand
The Brand is the most powerful weapon that the Vuha have against the enemy. It turns the Vuha themselves into the greatest of weapons. The Brand is a magic that is imprinted onto the warrior changing him/her in an intrinsic manner, depending on the type of the brand the changes differ however they all make the warrior something more, something greater. At first there was only one kind one kind of brand, however the brands evolved as did the Vuha’s knowledge of warfare, eventually splitting into three main branches. Each suited for a particular kind warrior, each holding a particular aspect of Vuha wisdom.
Although the Brand imparts power to the warrior, it turns him into a being of magic and in doing so, also imparts weakness. Users of the Brand gain a weakness to cold iron, the very touch of which burns their skin, though not fatal it is very painful. There is also a limit to how much the strength the brand can supply, draw to deeply and the branded can burn through one's very soul….
The Brand of Body
The brand of body is for those Paragons who desire the most direct approach to battle to fight head to head with the forces of the Enemy. The brand changes their bodies on an intrinsic level, pushing them far beyond the limits of normal humans. The brand allows the user to reach super human levels of strength, speed and dexterity. It literally gives the user almost perfect control over his/her body. Another aspect of the Brand are the regenerative properties imparted to the user, being able to regenerate from even the most serious of wound given enough time. The users of the brand of body make for excellent practitioners of the martial arts, this is partly due to their enhanced body but also due to the overflowing vigor that courses through their body thanks to the brand...
The Brand of Spirit
The Brand of Spirit turns the Paragons body into the vessel for the spirits of Id. The Paragon then draws the spirits power, becoming one with nature. The brand allows the user to draw on the power of the spirit contained within, giving him control over a certain aspect of nature(wind, water, earth). However the Branded may also manifest the power of the spirit straight into their bodies. This allows the Paragon to exhibit or transform into certain aspects of the spirit itself. Some of the stronger of the paragons are able to hold more than one of the spirits within their body, and are often treated with awe. These are known as Chimera...
The Brand of Mind
However some Paragon, prefer to use another tool. The human mind, considered to be the most important development in human evolution. The brand of mind, unlocks the power in the human undermind and amplifies it furthermore. Firstly the unleashes and amplifies the mind itself, increasing one's perception, being so acute so as to be able to pick out a lie just by picking out subtle cues from anothers body. Their minds also become stronger, gaining a focus and will not possible for normal humans. In fact their wills are so strong that they can use raw force at their beck and call, being able to push and pull objects with great force at a mere thought.
The branded also gain something akin to a third sight, called scrying. With scrying the a skilled user can see literal miles into the distance, even pierce things that may be hidden from normal view. Finally the branded may enter another's mind, this may be in the form of simple telepathy but may even escalate to the breaking into anothers mind, however this has its own dangers for both. Often a branded is skilled enough that he can simply touch the minds of those around and feed the them illusions so real that the victims can never know the difference unless he wishes it.
~The Penance Corps~
The Silver Wolves They are the strike force of the Penance March. This Corps generally specializes in taking the fight to the enemy. The Wolves are always right at the forefront of the battle charging in and going straight for their mission objectives. It is said that there is nothing that can stop the Wolves when they set their sights on a target.The Wolves fight like a well oiled machine, relying on each other and maximizing their effectiveness through discipline and teamwork… The Black Bees The Covert Ops specialists of the Penance march. They are the ones who do the jobs no , one else will or can. In a way the Black Bees can be considered to be amongst the most ruthless military outfit in the Vuha military, they are ready to do what needs to be done in order to ensure the safety of their people. The Black Bees specializes in espionage, assassination and sabotage and generally send out small well trained squads… The Indigo Eagles The Eagles provide recon , support to the Penance March. The Eagles can be considered the backbone of the Penance March, specializing in reconnaissance, air support and long range weapon support. It is said there is nothing quite as awe inspiring as the devastation the Eagles can cause when they decided to unleash their weapons. Without the Indigo Eagles the command and control structure would quickly fall apart.. The Crimson Foxes The rearguard for the Penance March. The Foxes are in a way the last resort, they are always the last to leave the fight . They are highly mobile jumping straight into those lost causes and making sure their brethren get out alive. The Crimson Foxes know only one thing and that is survival, they will do anything to ensure the survival of the Penance March, even if it means paying the ultimate price. The Emerald Aegis The emerald aegis are a special case, and are directly under the command of the the General. They are in many aways the military police as well as the final defense of the Vuha peoples. Although the Emerald Aegis rarely takes part in military operations, they are just as crucial to the running of the Penance Force, after all how can anyone fight without knowing that their loved ones are undefended.
~The Lands~
The Deadlands- The Deadlands once home to the Vuha. Their Forest grew in these lands, life filled it and overflowed. However during the wars the enemy ceaselessly burned the land, even beyond the the rate at which the Vuha could regenerate it. It was said that the fires burned so bright that night shone like day.Now all that remains is the few petrified trunks of the thickest trees of the forest, and a soil layered in ash. A thick and permanent fog, covers the land. The fog hides the last remnants of the Vuha, however they cannot live here for long, the land is dead and dying, the very magic of the land is polluted and suffocated The Plains of Sur- The Plains of Sur once home to a free and relatively peaceful people. Now it is a conquered land, and its people enslaved. Vuha do not know much of the Plains of Sur, they never so any reason to look beyond their forest. But the records say it is a wide land of green pastures and small forests, with a spread of cris-crossing rivers and tributaries all sourced from the Vydyr mountains. It was once a land of proud kingdoms, with beautiful castles and a chivalrous people. At that time the Magistry was one of the foremost centers of knowledge outside the Vuha lands. Among the many castle cities it is said that the City of Midgol is first, a center of commerce and art… The Scarred Forest- During the war massive energies were released by both sides. As they pelted enormous magical forces against each other. The collision of these energies, made a region where reality itself began to thin, causing strange and often horrifying things to happen. It also made a place in space where ‘things’ from outside our reality could enter the world. It also muted the the nearby flora and fauna beyond recognition. The Vydyr-
Mountains so massive that they can be seen from any point in the lower lands. The Vydyr are a constant landmark marking the northeast corner of the horizon. Their have been many who have tried to traverse the Vydyr but most have failed for the Vydyr is the home of spirits and none can step foot upon it without their permission….
~NPC~
RP Mechanics: The System
Character Sheet:
[put picture here if any] Name: what do you call yourself? Theme:[what’s your beat] Age: your age... Gender: so…. Description:[if you’re not using a picture][also things like height, weight and musculature go here] Personality: emotional stuff... History: tell me about yourself, why you joined the penance march. All that kind of stuff... Traits: [Attributes I’ll be using for this RP are strength, constitution, dexterity, agility, focus and will] [two free traits including the brand you use, if any] [one more traits can be bought with a negative] Status: Healthy
Pretty much done, only some of the NPC's remain...
Also a shout out to Diabolical Raphsody for being a great help !
Edited by Anathema Flow, 24 October 2013 - 08:53 PM.
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