Post by Aphelyon on Sept 22, 2016 0:54:56 GMT -5
[I'm not gonna bother making this all fancy rn, I don't really feel like it. Maybe later]
In another world and another time, there came to be a society ruled not by humans. Creatures of the night- vampires- were hunted for hundreds of years, but eventually the most cunning and powerful of them came together and formed an alliance with the goal to gather the others of their kind and rise up against humans. Their revolution was successful, and now able to move freely, they called their new society the Shadow Empire. Still, all was not lost for humans. The vampires depended on their blood for survival, and so could not wipe them out. Instead, they were subjugated and enslaved, and for many generations they were hunted and treated cruelly by their bloodthirsty masters.
Times now are better for both species. While humans are still second to vampires, they are allowed far more freedom. In most places, humans live in their own villages, allowed to go about their lives under the mostly-objective watch of vampire governors. In other places, humans are controlled more actively by their masters, acting as household servants to the Clans. Some are even kept much like pets: companions, who are chosen at a young age for their beauty, obedience, and- most importantly- savory blood.
Within the vampire Clans- the various families and houses that rule the Empire- there is much strife and bloodshed. Each Clan is always vying for its own power above the others, and even within, many members are not above spilling blood for political and social gain. As always, there is much at stake, and no one wants to lose, whether human or vampire.
Now, the empress of the vampires grows old and frail. Young vampires from every Clan are called forth to take part in the Blood Trials, a deadly contest that will take place for the next year at the empress's palace where she will determine the one child worthy of taking her place. As vampires pledge their allegiances, make their deals, and plot in the shadows, humans too are making their moves. The Sanguine Empire is at a pivotal point in its history, and here you are in the center of it all.
Times now are better for both species. While humans are still second to vampires, they are allowed far more freedom. In most places, humans live in their own villages, allowed to go about their lives under the mostly-objective watch of vampire governors. In other places, humans are controlled more actively by their masters, acting as household servants to the Clans. Some are even kept much like pets: companions, who are chosen at a young age for their beauty, obedience, and- most importantly- savory blood.
Within the vampire Clans- the various families and houses that rule the Empire- there is much strife and bloodshed. Each Clan is always vying for its own power above the others, and even within, many members are not above spilling blood for political and social gain. As always, there is much at stake, and no one wants to lose, whether human or vampire.
Now, the empress of the vampires grows old and frail. Young vampires from every Clan are called forth to take part in the Blood Trials, a deadly contest that will take place for the next year at the empress's palace where she will determine the one child worthy of taking her place. As vampires pledge their allegiances, make their deals, and plot in the shadows, humans too are making their moves. The Sanguine Empire is at a pivotal point in its history, and here you are in the center of it all.
So in summary, this is a roleplay where vampires control humans. The theme is somewhere between Victorian and medieval; the style in the vampire manors is more Victorian, while the human villages are far more medieval. An explanation of the vampire Clans, their biology, and the humans' roles in society can be found on this thread.
THE BLOOD TRIALS
The Blood Trials is an event held approximately every 1000 years, when the Emperor or Empress of the vampires grows old and knows they are nearing death. Each Clan chooses a young member between 100 and 200 years of age who travels to a place known as the Citadel: the capital of the Shadow Empire, where the Emperor/Empress lives. These young vampires are known as Heirs, and though only one of them will be chosen to become the leader of the vampires, it is a great honor to become an Heir. Each Heir is allowed to choose two "escorts"; two people (human or vampire) to accompany them to the Citadel- often friends, advisors, guards, or a human companion to whom they are attached.
All Heirs and their escorts (with the exception of humans) are allowed to bring only two weapons or weapon sets of their choosing (a set would be something like a pair of daggers or a set of six throwing knives, or a bow and quiver of arrows); any additional weapons must be made during the Trials in the Citadel. Each Heir is also allowed one useful arcane item, such as a potion or enchanted item, or something that may be used to create a powerful item such as a rare potion ingredient or enchanting scroll. Basic materials and crafting stations can be found around the Citadel for use in things such as alchemy or blacksmithing, so long as the Heir has the skills to use them. Other than that, Heirs may only bring their choice of clothing, all of which is checked before the Trials to make sure it is not hiding weapons, enchantments, or anything else that may give undue advantage to the Heir.
Once the Trials begin, the only contact the Heirs have with the outside are through letters, all of which are checked to prevent cheating. Only the Emperor/Empress, their personal attendants, and the Citadel servants will be present during the Trials, all of whom are sworn to neutrality. It is against the spirit of the contest to coerce or otherwise influence any of them into helping you during the Trial. Other Heirs and their escorts, however, are fair game. For the next year, the Heirs play a game of plotting and deal-making, attempting to win over as many others as they can into supporting them, and killing off the rest. It is technically against the rules to murder the other Heirs- or their escorts- but so long as an Heir (or escort) is not caught in the act and leave obvious traces, it is generally allowed as an understood danger of the game. In many Trials, as many as half the Heirs and escorts will be killed or maimed at some point, and almost all will be at least mildly injured.
The Emperor/Empress, for the most part, will watch the contest passively from a distance, though they may very well walk among and converse with the Heirs or their escorts. At times, they may also decide to hold additional, more formal contests to test the abilities of the Heirs. These could be anything from archery or sword fighting to a chess tournament or crafting contest; it depends on what aspect of the Heirs' abilities and personalities the Emperor/Empress wants to reveal at the time. There may be many, few, or none of these additional contests; it is up to the discretion of the reigning monarch. They may be held with as much or little notice as the Emperor/Empress decides, to the degree that Heirs may show up to dinner and be confronted with a dueling challenge, or may be given weeks' warning.
At the end of the trials- exactly one year from their start- the final gathering is held. Here, each remaining Heir and escort makes a vote as to who the new Emperor/Empress will be, with Heirs' votes counting for twice as much as escorts. The Emperor/Empress makes the final say, with his/her vote counting twice as much as an Heir's. Generally, the Emperor/Empress's vote is the deciding, as most Heirs make a habit of voting for themselves, with their escorts also voting for them, which leaves most remaining Heirs wil 2-4 votes total, which means no matter who the Emperor/Empress votes for, they will win. However, there have been times in history where there is overwhelming support for only one or two Heirs and the Emperor/Empress's vote matters little.
Once the True Heir has been chosen, they will remain at the Citadel with the Emperor/Empress to be mentored by them until their death, prepared to take their place. The time between the Blood Trials and the death of the monarch can be anywhere from 1 or 2 to another 50 years. The rest of the Heirs will simply return home, though they are often well-respected for the remainder of their lives simply by virtue of being chosen for the Blood Trials and surviving.
THE CITADEL
The Citadel is something like a small city, something like a large, sprawling castle. It is hidden away deep in the mountains, protected by the difficulty of even getting there. There is a place where the mountain overhangs, forming a deep, shadowed alcove into the stony side of the hill. At the back of said overhang, the Fortress- where the Emperor/Empress lives- is built into the stone itself. A massive stone wall surrounds it, extending to the edge of where the shadow of the outcrop extends. Within this wall are several more buildings, most in the style of small Victorian manor houses. There are 13 of them total, one for each Clan. Most of the time, they are set up for important visitors and ambassadors to the Citadel, but during the Trials, they house the Heirs and their escorts.
The good thing about the Citadel is the fact that is entirely shaded, which means that vampires can be outside during the day with no fear of burning. The grounds have many very nice and unique locations besides the manor houses.
The main gate to the Citadel is directly across from the entrance to the Fortress. It is a gigantic wrought-iron gate, with living-stone gargoyles guarding either side. These gargoyles are generally inanimate, but should they smell ill-intent or contraband, they will attack and subdue, though they are instructed to avoid killing unless necessary. Several of these gargoyles are placed along the Citadel wall.
Just inside the main gate are the Citadel Stables, where the horses and other carriage and pack animals are kept and cared from. From the main gate, a cobblestone road meanders through the grounds to the Fortress, wrapping in a circle around the large pond which sits in front of the front doors. The thirteen houses are set around this circle as well.
Feeding the pond are two small streams, which flow out of the rocks on either side of the Fortress in small waterfalls, snaking under the road and into the pond. Another, larger stream then flows out of the pond and through the grounds. Much of the grounds is somewhat-tamed wilderness, with well-kept fir forests and manicured meadows. A few walking and riding trails zig-zag through the trees as well. None of them are especially noteworthy, though most present beautiful and isolated scenery.
Within each manor house, there is a small entrance hall with a staircase leading to the second floor, where the Heirs' and escorts' quarters are. There are six bedrooms, each of which with its own small bathroom. Downstairs, there is a small kitchen and dining room, as well as a study. There is another staircase in the kitchen which leads to a cellar, which has a brewing station and enchanting altar. While each Heir and escort gets their own room, they unfortunately have to share the rest of the living space.
Nearby, down a short trail, there is another small area with some more buildings, straddling the river. A gazebo/bridge crosses it. On the near side of the river, there is a small arena which can be used for sword fighting or any other sort of physical contest. On the far side is a blacksmith's forge, set so that should something catch on fire, the river will stop it from spreading to the houses. There is also a small greenhouse, but it has not been used for a long time and so much of the glass is cracked and broken, and the interior is somewhat overgrown.
Within the Fortress, there is a large entrance hall/throne room. A door to the left enters a large and majestic dining hall. This is all the Heirs will ever see of the Fortress, unless they are chosen as the True Heir. Generally, the Fortress is off-limits, except when invited to dinner or some other event by the Emperor/Empress.
JOINING FORM
Vampires:
Vampires:
Name [first & family]:
Clan:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality:
Kin:
Role [Heir, Escort, Etc.]:
Other:
Clan:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality:
Kin:
Role [Heir, Escort, Etc.]:
Other:
Humans:
Name [first & last]:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality:
Kin:
Role [Servant, Companion, Villager, Etc.]:
Other:
Name [first & last]:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality:
Kin:
Role [Servant, Companion, Villager, Etc.]:
Other:
CLAIMED ROLES
HEIRS:
Alecsandri - 0/1
Drahgescu - 0/1
Mircea - 0/1
Dimiris - 0/1
Vasilescu - 0/1
Amanar - 0/1
Vlaicu - 0/1
Moldovanu - 0/1
Cosovei - 0/1
Cardeimir - 0/1
Racescu - 1/1
Orine - 1/1
Ioveanu - 0/1
ESCORTS:
Alecsandri - 0/2
Drahgescu - 0/2
Mircea - 0/2
Dimiris - 0/2
Vasilescu - 0/2
Amanar - 0/2
Vlaicu - 0/2
Moldovanu - 0/2
Cosovei - 0/2
Cardeimir - 0/2
Racescu - 1/2
Orine - 0/2
Ioveanu - 0/2