Aether Wings - A Science Fantasy RP.

Welcome, valued explorer! You have been contracted by the "Aether Wings" Guild, within the port city of Athacrin for the grand purpose of exploring the other moons of Ethiedes! As you know, despite our best efforts we have been unable to broadcast any wireless transmission past the 10km barrier due to heavy interference from Ethiedes's magnetosphere - which means that we rely on brave explorers like you to, well... actually live up to your titles and explore.

We've been exploring for a few years now, so we know some basics, but beyond that? You're going in blind. Within the following part of the transmission you will be brought up to speed about what we do know about the Ethiedes system.

First, just to get it out of the way; all of the moons seem to have sentient life - same species you find on Athalenes, even. While the non-sapient species are much more varied, there are a couple that have been found regardless of moon. Ships capable of travelling the Aether are a relatively new invention, so how this is possible baffles even our best scientists. Maybe you can find out? ...Ehh, who am I kidding, you're good, but you're just another group of explorers.

So. Let's move onto the actual Ethiedes system, shall we?

Ethiedes is the big ball of gas that we all orbit. It has a powerful magnetosphere that keeps us all safe from Heracles's deadly radiation, and it is believed to be the major source of magic amongst our system. But it is not completely benevolent - the various fields it emits, the same ones that protect us - have made any form of long range data transmission, whether electronic or thaumaturgical, impossible. Wanna send a message? I hope you're prepared to do it in person.

We'll go down the list in order of distance from Ethiedes.

First, we have Atraxus. Err... this is going to be a little hard. You see... very few people return from Atraxus, so our information is a bit... sparse. What we do know is that it is highly tropical, with a large amount of jungles, and deserts banding the equator. The temperature is high, and the levels of magic are even higher. Not only does it experience normal storms as a result, but a phenomenon known as "Warp Storms" - these violent weather events are thaumaturgical in nature and pose a threat to be avoided at all costs. The high latent mana has also caused unchecked mutations to run wild amongst the native lifeforms. Many species are one-offs which you may never see again, and worse, some are huge. We've got reports of one that was over 100 metres tall... yeah. Between the storms, the harsh climate, and the violent wildlife, this is not a moon that many sane people visit. We were unable to locate any natives beyond nomads, but it is fairly popular amongst large game hunters, pirates, crazy people-

...Apologies, I have been informed I have to refer to them as "Mages", and salvage operators. Trust me, you don't wanna know how many ships have already been lost there.

Then there's Polisudys. This one is kind of interesting - water covers 90% of its surface. With only some scattered islands making up its landmass, the temperature is tropical at the equator to temperate at the poles. This is another world where we've been unable to locate many civilizations, leading us to suspect they may be seafaring at this point, and mobile. If you do travel here, we recommend looking for some surface fleets.

Next up we have Athalenes, our homeworld. To be honest, I've got no idea why they thought you'd need a briefing on her, but hey, money's money, so we might as well get this covered, right? We live on the third of five moons orbiting Ethiedes. Temperature is varied, with a tropical equator and frozen poles. Fresh water covers 40% of the surface, and salt water an additional 10%. Don't drink the salt water. We've got a decent amount of cities, but then again, from the reports returning so far this is nothing special.

Galides is... quite a bit like our moon, as far as we can tell, to the point where I don't know if it's even worth detailing. The differences here will likely be mostly cultural in nature. It might make a very valid first destination for your ship's shakedown cruise.

Calixus is definitely interesting. The moon is only warm at the equator. You have a continent with massive canyons, giant stone pillars, rivers and lakes of acid... Another one in the north is excessively cold, with deserts of metallic sand, among other things. If you go there, be sure to pack water - the majority of the water there is salty or acidic, and what little freshwater there is tends to be snow-locked.

Well... that's all we've got right now. Please, pack your gear and fill out your application form below.

Welp. If you've read this far, or just skipped to this point, I think you probably want to know a bit more about what exactly you've got to work with here. The simple answer; this is a science fantasy themed RP, hopefully drawing inspiration from the Age of Sail. But just because that's the style, doesn't necessarily mean the tech has to match.

Due to the environment being... well, not Earth, and magic being an actual thing, the technology of this world has evolved differently from here on Earth.

First; magi-tech is a real thing. You have normal advanced technology, yes, but quite a bit of it also relies on magic to function. How you want to take this is up to you, I kinda want to encourage creativity, but I do reserve the right to veto it if it gets too absurd, okay?

Next, even though the tech level of the setting is higher (hence science fantasy), the massive interference from the planet overhead precludes any advanced forms of communications. The most advanced communicators anywhere are WWII-style radio backpacks capable of transmitting a couple of kilometres at most and are mostly used by the military to transmit information from units back to their respective base of operations. Although I'm sure you'll all want to find some use for them, their bulk prevents any form of hand-held communicators you could use to stay in touch eith each other.

The other major difference lies in weapon and defensive technology. Rather than weapons outstripping defenses, like in real life, force-fields are a real thing. Produced by modern magi-tech, they're cheap, mass-produced, and the size of an iPad. These handy little devices are very good at soaking up massive amounts of damage from a singular source, meaning that even the railguns dominating the modern firearms trade have a hard time penetrating them; other weapons have become viable as a result.

For instance, since a shield can be instantly shorted out by completing a circuit from it to the ground, and people make a damn good magic conductor, melee weapons are still viable. A shield that may take 20-30 bullets to drop can be dropped in a single blow from a well placed melee strike.

Bows are also legitimate weapons. They may rack the fire rate of modern railguns, and take a lot more effort to use correctly, and can be reasonably dodged even by unaugmented individuals, but an arrow can be used to carry a variety of payloads, and if they trail a thin wire behind them, they'll be as effective at shield-killing as a gun.

Note that while all this lets you get creative with your armaments, since you aren't just going to get shot dead if you try to charge, guns are still deadly, and predominate the modern battlefield for a reason. They're easy to use, and while it takes more than one bullet to kill, they do have decent fire rate. This is really more "whatever you want to use is viable" instead of "firearms suck".

As for magic? It has the same restrictions as remote communication. Summoning only creates temporary, ethereal items (think Skyrim's bound weapons), and teleporting is a flat-out no-go. Beyond that, go wild with your spells. Magic is magic. Have fun.

The source of magic, for anyone who cares (or plays a magic intellectual) is an alternate dimension called "The Rift", which is somehow connected to the main dimension through Ethiedes. Magic is pulled from the Rift to affect the environment around you, and any tangible thing pulled from the Rift will eventually return to it, even if the aftereffects of it remain. If the energy and mass cannot be returned in the form it was used, it'll be pulled back in whatever form it can, well, form elsewhere in the universe. Magic allows the laws of entropy to be violated, but conservation of mass and energy are maintained, and the universe and the rift exist in a balance they try to maintain as well. Don't worry about it too much, though, it's still magic, and this is mostly just background.

Gods do exist in this setting. They are very much real, and very much worshipped. However, they aren't really gods as we know them - they're more akin to literal forces of nature than any aware beings - even if people treat them like sapients.

The moon, Athalenes, your homeworld? I was kinda unable to describe it better IC, I'm afraid. This is because it is very... earthlike. Temperature, gravity, size, every thing physically is earth like. Civilizations are a bit sparser, but they are denser, but in general, it just so similar to earth it makes it awkward to describe due to the fact there's no Earth in-setting. There is one very un-Earthlike feature present - fields of giant crystals, found in certain places on the surface like cracked geodes. In these places the magic presence is very, very high, and strange things can happen. Overall, though, you all pretty much have free reign to make up city names, sizes, and general locations as you see fit. It is your homeworld, not one of the locations that I'm going to detail through exploration.

The last thing to cover are the species. It's pretty simple; a fantasy setting with specific technology, so play any fantasy race you want. Just remember - they're a race, not an individual. You aren't the only one, and you aren't special, even if you're the only one on the crew. Be sure to describe your race if you're the first person to take a character from that one, as only a few characteristics are set.

Some examples include;

• Humans, the most populous race.
• Kitsune and beastmen, artificially created through magic long ago.
• Elfs, who are plants. Think the Orks from Warhammer 40K. It doesn't exactly affect much unless you want it to, but the biggest difference is that they photosynthesize their food.

That's it. I can answer questions if you have them, and creativity is encouraged, so I'll try not to say no too much.

You'll find a character sheet below.

• Name/Aliases: A name is required. If they have any callsigns/aliases they go by, put that here too.
• Sex/Gender: Sex is required, as it may be used for things like spells or the reaction of wildlife. If your gender differs from your sex, put it here too.
• Race: If you're the first one to send in a member of a race, please put a description of them here.
• Appearance: This is what you look like, you can use descriptions, pictures, or even both.
• Gear: Any weapons, equipment, and magitech go here.
• Skills: So what can you do?
• Magical Powers: This category only needs to be filled out if you have magic powers, and consists of the spells you know. Categories are available, but magic requires lots of learning - so please don't use any more than two, or one and a few specialized spells from other categories.
• Cyberrnetic Augments: Again, this category only needs to be filled out if you have them. And yes, magitech cybernetics exist.
• Personality: How do you act?
• Background: As sparse or as in-depth as you want, but please include background.
• Class: How do you intend to play your character? Healer? Tank? Brawler? Mage?

Oh by the way, if you have a better name for the guild, please let me know, just using the RP title until I can come up with a better one. >.<

edited 26th May '15 5:56:38 PM by Imca

Interest!

Sweet!

Also I have noticed that I accidently gave the first moon the stars name do to a sloppy replace use. -_-

And after checking it is not in my notes due to even more idiocy, the actual name will be edited in soon.

You forgot to include appearance!

(flies away)

I'm also interested. I'll see what I can come up with later.

Yup, I have been informed of that too Starbound, it is also bein edited in.

Sorry people, its been a long time since I started a new thing.

Tis fine. Also Im in

I'm intrigued. And pondering characters. And right now leaning towards magitek golem. Assuming that's allowable. But I don't know what I want to play yet for sure.

Yup Synthetic life is fine, I like synths myself... Though some people might see them as just machines.... Errr as a warning, since not every moon will have the same tech level.

Neat. Sadly, I just realized the backstory I was planning on for said character probably doesn't mesh too well with being an explorer. Oh well. I could rewrite it, but I'm kind of keen on the way the character already is in my head so not going to. I will ponder a different character instead.

• Name/Aliases: Roar (pronounced "Roh-are") Sanda
• Sex/Gender: Male
• Race: Kitsune
• Appearance: Roar appears rogueish and conventionally attractive, like many Kitsune. He tries to keep himself well-groomed and professional-looking, and brings along a wide variety of clothing for any occasion. He keeps his tail closely trimmed and subdued, out of anyone's way.
• Gear:
  • A basic forensics kit—fingerprint dusting, a microscope, a blacklight, and a chemical kit to analyze the makeup of most foreign compounds.
  • 30 feet of chain—10 feet of steel, 10 feet of iron, and 10 feet of silver.
  • A low-caliber "Porker" handgun, used by many police forces to subdue criminals.
  • A forcefield projector.
  • A motorcycle, with the appropriate safety gear.
  • A collection of technical manuals for most modern military and constabulary technology.
• Skills:
  • Roar's police training hasn't atrophied at all. He is a good shot and is highly trained with both his fists and his saw, but is not trained to kill, only to neutralize, knocking someone into unconsciousness at the worst. He understands escalation of force, and follows it as best he can. His training also grants him knowledge of basic crime scene investigation, including a basic forensics kit, though he rarely brings such stuff into the field.
• Magical Powers:
  • Light: A really basic charm learned as a child, Roar can touch an object to make it emit bright light out to thirty feet in all directions.
• Cybernetic Augments:
  • Roar's right arm is a prosthetic and can flip open to reveal a buzzsaw capable of cutting through most modern metals if given enough time.
  • Roar's left ear is actually fake as well, though it looks real enough and is usable as a real ear. He can detach it and have it still work through a five-foot wire running into his head; it is also highly adaptable, and can also plug into most communications wires if an input is needed. Alternatively, he can unplug his ear and plug in an output wire if an audio output is needed, running it directly into his head.
• Personality: Roar is heavily disillusioned with institutional authority, and that his experiences validate his right to arbitrate the use of force with other people. He believes that most violent altercations don't have to be solved with violence, and can in fact be dealt with through negotiation or at worst entirely nonlethal measures. He thinks that training is necessary for the proper use of violence, and that people who "taught themselves" to fight are absolute jokes and losers who need a real teacher before they so much as sneeze on another living thing in his presence. He sees romance as a bit of a distraction, but not an unwelcome one; he knows kitsune have a reputation for passion or whatever, and he believes it would be dishonest to completely deny that.
• Background: Roar was raised on Athalenes in the heavily populated trade city of Sehanine. Mom and dad were both cops, and in his opinion damn fine ones. When someone was in need, Mom and Dad were always the first to volunteer. Roar saw his family and the police as a whole as role models, and joined the force as soon as he turned 18. He found a great aptitude for keeping the peace in part due to his ability to remain cool under all circumstances—this also lead to a few serious injuries at times, but it also meant that he hardly ever fired a shot in the line of duty. However, as he stayed in the police force, the glamour wore off and he realized that what he saw as "upholding the peace" didn't actually fly so well in the actual, practical police force. Kickbacks, intimidation, and compromise was rampant in the police force's dealings with crime, and Roar didn't appreciate it. He turned in his gun and his badge and left the force at age 24, and made his living as a private investigator for a few years before coming across the Guild.
• Class: Muscle, Technical Support

edited 26th May '15 7:11:24 PM by Taco

• Name/Aliases: Becca. No last name. (That she tells anyone, anyway.)
• Sex/Gender: Female
• Race: Moon Rabbit- Moon Rabbits were originally humanoids who were altered by their region's magic fields. They originated in a remote region of Athalenes, though have begun to migrate to the more populous cities. The magic field had a slight sentience, and the Moon Rabbits worshipped it as a goddess. They are mostly human, with rabbit-like ears and tails, advanced senses and bodily strength. Additionally, they tend to have paler coloring- with hair colors ranging from dark grey to white. In rare cases, an individual will be born with pure black or multi gradient hair. They age a little slowly, with a fully developed Moon Rabbit being about 30-40.
• Appearance: (I might be able to get a picture up later.) Appears to be a 16 year old girl, but is actually about 23. She's slightly muscular, and stands at 5'7". Her hair is waist length and silver, though she ties it back sometimes. Her ears and tail are white. She'll usually prefer to wear simple form fitting black and blue clothing.
• Gear:
  • A quarterstaff made of a heavy duty synthetic material. One end has a small shock point that can be powered by magic. (Note that the shock point can be retracted in, specifically during times when Becca's using Gravitas so it won't get damaged.)
  • A pouch that clips around her waist, containing water, rations, bandages, antiseptic, and a lighter.
  • Light body armor.
• Skills:
  • Moderate knowledge of medicinal or edible plants.
  • Very basic first aid
  • A style of combat taught to her by her mother that involves heavy use of kicks and staves.
  • Almost completely useless in this scenario, but she can make decent mochi.
• Magical Powers:
  • Super Strength: Basic body enhancement spell. The effects can be stacked or used on another person, however, too much recasting on a single target will cause damage. A spell taught to her along with the aforementioned fighting style.
  • Gravitas: Can increase or decrease the pull of gravity on a person or thing. This magic is quite complicated, so she is usually only able to cast it on one thing at once. She usually casts it on her weapon for enhanced strikes. A more skilled mage than her would be able to use it more effectively. Using it on multiple targets will drain a person more quickly. She found it in a book owned by her mother, and when she was caught trying to learn it she was reprimanded and told how to do it properly to avoid hurting herself.
• Personality: She's energetic to say the least. Having been trained to fight from a young age, Becca enjoys a good fight. Though she doesn't like losing, she admits it's necessary for growth. Becca's not exactly dumb... But she's not the smartest either. She's actually kind of behind in this era, only barely able to follow explanations involving tech. She's not a long term thinker- however, she shines in short term battles and personal confrontations. Though she hides it well, she also suffers from some self confidence issues.
• Background: Raised in a slightly less technologically advanced mountain town called Lunavilao, Becca grew up not knowing what the outside world was like. One day, her mom took her into the nearest city to see her father, who was frequently away there for his job. She never forgot the feeling of wonder she felt as she traversed the city with her mother. This is part of the reason she jumped at the chance to join the Guild. The other part isn't so happy. She didn't go into urban areas often, but even then she noticed something. People looked down on her, sometimes unknowingly, because she was one step behind when it came to technology and such. Part of her wants to travel in the hope that not all people are like this.
• Class: Mostly front gaurd, though she can also function as a scout.

edited 26th May '15 9:06:30 PM by Daydre

@ Taco: Your good.

@ Daydre: Interplanetary is kind of a no no, ships are kind of new enough that even the jump from moon to moon is a pretty impressive feet of engineering, and outside contact is kinda unheard of.

Sorry.

Okay, I'll fix it. Sorry about that.

Nope, its no problem at all, sorry just trying to keep this on a relatively small scale due to things that will be explored more once it actually gets rolling. >.<

Is that better?

Kinda interested, lesee if I can come up with something

Yes, yes it is, gods are kinda non sentient, but the actions they take can very much seem they are, and I am more interested in trying to work with people then being assinine, so yes, that works very well.

Good Luck.

edited 26th May '15 5:30:25 PM by Imca

Interesting. Therefore, interested.

Detailed Athalenes a bit more in the intro post, and will be making my own sheet pretty soon.

Those crystal fields...can they affect people in strange ways?

... I want to make a living crystal being now. Yes, I think I will do that. (No clue what I'm doing beyond that at the moment, but whatevs)

Sheet is finished. Hmm... Time to make up some city names.

Yes, but it is not... common per-say.

Your average person is not likely to wander in and suddenly grow another set of arms, but they CAN.

There basically a spawning point for magical anomalies, which are the kinda thing your average person wants to avoid.

On one hand, I said I would cut back on RPs.

On another hand, I want to play Victor again, (witch's curse optional).

Danf it.