The Dark Tower (everyone can join)

Caesar · 2012-04-09T07:39:50Z

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Chapter titles taken from Nox Arcana's album- The Dark Tower. Rights reserved to them Hello, all. This is an SB which is divided in 21 different 'Chapters'. 1. Darkness Rising 2. Born of the Night 3. Crimson Thirst 4. Vasaria 5. Vesper Tolls 6. Path of Shadows 7. Banshee 8. Ghost at the Gate 9. Nightwatcher 10. The Dark Tower 11. Haunted 12. Vampire's Kiss 13. Undying Love 14. Masque of Sorrow 15. King of Fools 16. Something Wicked 17. Sinister Forces 18. Immortal Fire 19. Sorrow's End 20. Dark Desire 21. Noctem Aeternus As you can see, it's a very dark SB, and, if you're a Nox Arcana fan, you'd also notice that the chapters are named after a song in their album 'The Dark Tower'. Don't worry, you don't have to be a fan to join, but listening to the album whilst typing this helps :wink: As you might have guessed from the song/chapter titles, this is another take on the vampires, ghosts, and evil sorcerers deal. Joseph Vargo creates a much more suggestive atmosphere here http://www.monolithgraphics.com/music.html NOTE : The tone of this SB must be dark and mysterious, to keep in theme. However, this does not mean that your character needs to be a hooker or with a particularly dark past. Simply the tone and feel to the posts must be noir and stuff(I'd just like to point this out in case of eventualities) ALSO : The posts must be with correct spelling, and there will be ABSOLUTELY NO modern slang or abbreviations. Sorry to be so demanding, but nothing kills a dark theme like "OMG! R U Okay?!" or anything of the sort. Normal YWS rules apply. There can be swearing if in character . No godmodding, no Sues, no killing off others without permission. Graphic sex scenes are forbidden, but there can be particularly suggestive moments if, say, a vamp is doing his/her thing. Again, this must be in character and in tone. In each chapter, something to do with the title should happen (yes, including the 'Undying Love' bit. Again, it must be dark, though- and no, it doesn't mean whips and chains :smt002 ). It's set in a dark land, where vampires haunt the courts of politics and ghosts the attics of the cursed... where necromancer lords raise armies of zombies to slay the innocent... and a lone King, one who rules a kingdom of eerily empty streets and grotesque dolls, must battle against the dark forces that imprison his land. The King of Fools. You can choose to be any race (see character template below, I can come up with more if asked), and each race has a goal of his/her own. However, there is one predominant plot line (which does not necessarily need to be followed by all)- Vasaria, a primordial force of darkness, is stirring, and with her a host of foul entities. She must be stopped, else all that is called civilization will end. However, this is by no means an easy task- there are intricate political affairs backing Vasaria up- there are those, deluded or blinded by power, that would support her, whilst other unsure about what to do. What is certain is that the King of Fools is the only one that possesses the knowledge or power to stop Vasaria, though he can do nothing while his kingdom is frozen... which is precisely why some would keep him in the terrible stasis he is. The magic system Necromancy : A Necromancer can, by chanting latin-esque invocations, re-animate a dead person under the form of a skeleton provided said Necromancer possesses a major bone of that person, like the skull, and it must be cast over that person's actual grave. However, a Necromancer can only use his/her powers when particularly fateful omens are aligned, such as: the full moon, the conjunction of planets, a date where something terrible happened in the past, the place where something terrible happened, and so on. A more powerful Necromancer can also revive the dead under the form of zombies and wraiths, ethereal black spirits that prey on a person's positive thoughts and feelings but dissipates during the day. Sangromancy : The magic which is preferred by vampires, a Sangromancer can exert control over blood, to the point where a supremely skilled Sangromancer can control a person by his blood or drain the blood from a person. However, the blood of the Sangromancer is required as tribute, or else that of babies or young animals. Using Sangromancy also weakens the caster temporarily. Faith (only humans can use it): Don't underestimate this magic- Faith is when a human of pure heart and unswayed belief in God enters a magical trance which may result in the magician achieving the desired results, or may result in nothing at all. The Elemental Magics (werewolves and vampires cannot use these)- Water : a Water Elementalist, like water itself, can change temper and opinion rapidly. Skilled Water Elementalists can do anything they please with water, and even control ice, hail and snow. However, using Water drains the Elementalist, which also cannot be that far away from water without feeling drowsy and ill. Fire : a Fire Elementalist is quick to anger and hard to calm. They rely on the fiery core located in their heart, therefore all their spells are heavily influenced by their emotions. An angry Fire Elementalist risks spontaneously erupting into flames if he/she uses magic. Fire spells are hugely powerful, but using them burns the user as if they were real flames, so beware. Earth : Earth is the most solid and reliable of the elements, and can yield powerful results. A skilled Elementalist can control all that is derived from earth, such as metals and jewels. However, the more an Elementalist uses this, the more he becomes like earth itself, until he/she's thrown in an irreversible coma. Wind : a very rare Element, Wind is also particularly volatile, and these Elementalists can find themselves fully powered one day and without a scrap of Magic the other, depending on the wind conditions. A skilled Wind Elelementalist has full mastery over weather, including lightning. The character templates- Vampires : Vampires are rich, cultured, almost always snobbish and sarcastic, and at many hedonistic- this is because drinking blood, to vampires, not only gives them (temporarily) powers beyond imagining, but it also gives them pleasure, pleasure so great even sex pales by comparison. However, at a price, oh, what a price- drinking blood makes them powerful, yes, but it makes them addicted. If they go one moon-cycle without, they will die, nothing but ashes scattered in the wind. The more they feed, the less time they can go without, and the more they feed the more they want to feed, until they must feed every night or die. Also, drinking human blood dulls their pallet, and is, like drugs, the echo of real sustenance, but like drugs, so irresistibly tempting. Plus, the blood often makes them arrogant and reckless, to the point where the terrified human population can close an eye no more and hunt down the unfortunate vampire. All vampires adore toying with their prey, employing many different methods of seduction. And if they get blood-crazed to the extreme, where they must feed at least twice a day/night, their intellect dims until they are purely carnal beings known as 'Blood Beasts'. At this stage, they become overpowered and a menace to all, including their own kin. Once they reach this stage (and it is almost inevitable they do), every race has liberty to kill on sight. Therefore, there are those who do not partake in human blood (the only one that gives the advantages and drawbacks), and live largely on animal blood and real food. They are known as 'The Twilight Ones' because they themselves live in a trance between life and death, where one wrong meal or move can spell their doom. However, they are also physically weaker than the blood-drinkers. Vampires are naturally weak to garlic, a steak through the heart, pure and unswayed faith, and all that is holy/blessed, which is why they don't like to be anywhere near churches. They're inhumanly strong and fast (this increases with the amount of blood they take), can shift into a bat (or a swarm of them), and can exert influence over the mind, often casting a glamour to make themselves appear more beautiful, or, in the case of those too far addicted to blood, mask their deformities. Vampires are usually in the thick of all politics, and almost always are city or country rulers. They're organized in a monarchy, with vassals and noblemen, ruled by the head family, the Nosferatu. Their capital, Vesper, a city of high fluted buildings and stately constructions is deadly for anything that isn't a vampire or can't be eaten. Also of legendary renown is the Nightwatcher, a superbly skilled vampire assassin that does most of the noblemen's dirty work, which resides in a haunted mansion at the edge of the city. The Nosferatu, reside in a black marble goth cathedral-ish building at the center of Vesper. Name : Age (can be anywhere between regular age and hitting the hundreds, but you'd better explain how he/she survived for that long): Gender : Appearance (if vampires don't feed on human blood, they look much more human. If they feed once a moon-cycle or slightly more, they'll have pale skin and overdeveloped muscles/breasts. If they feed, say, once a week, their eyes will be bloodshot and their lips cherry red. If they're Blood Beasts or nearly, their eyes will be completely red, all their teeth sharp and prominent, all will have muscles (females less), and their tongue will usually be lolling out. They will have claw-like nails, and jutting bones, especially around the elbows and face): Personality (at least one flaw, please): Blood dependence (once a moon-cycle, more, none): Magic (which or none): Background ( most born vampires -they can reproduce- will be high-class, converted vampires will be more like elite servants unless they can make a name for themsleves): Other : Werewolves - Some Werewolf families are also rich, but the majority of them are rebels to the predominant political influence of the vampires and the fear-induced racism of the the humans. They live in the city slums or in outside the city itself, and can be recognized by their fierce, hunted expression, or as it gets closer to the full moon, their increasing savagery and yellow eyes. Some can cast magic, all are extremely fast and strong, their weakness is silver and really big weapons. Whenever it's not the full moon, werewolves lead normal, often civilized and tasteful lives. However, once it's the full moon, all werewolves embark on a night of rampaging destruction and carnage. When they wake, they have little to no recollection of what happened, therefore live in a perennial existential crisis, doubting their every step. Werewolves are organized in clans, or packs, with each clan obeying the supreme pack, but having great autonomy and liberty. The individual clan is governed by the Alpha. There are many rivalries running deep between various clans that prevent a cohesive alliance between the race. The city that is predominantly werewolf-ruled (though werewolves can be found everywhere) is Silverglade, a spartan stone city at the middle of which, on a hill, lies the palace of the werewolf ruling pack, the Bloodclaw. In wolf form, they look like extremely hairy humans with claws and a wolf snout. Werewolves also exercise control over normal wolves. Name : Gender : Age (werewolves can live up to around a hundred-something, but at that point they'd be unable to fight- save a few exceptional circumstances): Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw): Magic (which, if any): Background (nice and detailed please, note unless you're one of they few monarchs, you'll be living as outsiders): Other : Humans What to say... humans are the weakest, physically speaking, but what they lack in strength they make up in numbers and faith. Humans also have a talent for magic, which few however exploit. However, they live in fear of all others, cowering down and weathering the storm as they have done for ages, mistrustful and panicky. And rightfully so, as all other races eat/shun them. But, like a ewe when her lamb is threatened, will fight back viciously if taken to the extreme. Humans are governed by the city rulers, though the highest authority is the Chancellor Luminarch, who represents the embodiment of God, though he has not been seen to leave the church where he lies in decades. The human capital is Cristofera, at the center of the Blessed Plains, and is cut in half by the Silver river. Name : Gender : Age : Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw): Magic (which, if any): Background (nice and detailed please, also specify what social standing you occupy): Other : Elves - Elves, nigh-immortal creatures of delicate beauty, live in the Sylvan Forest to the far East, with many natural harbors and places of beauty. However, they breed extremely slowly, and persecution by humans and dragons decimated their numbers to around a hundred- they live in deep mistrust and in extreme cases hatred of other races. A pity, as they're naturally fast, strong, and adept at magic. Elves wouldn't help another race if they could, even though, albeit they probably don't realize it, they're instrumental to the fall of Vasaria. Elves are ruled under a federal republic-style government, though mostly each city is left to its own devices. The decisions must be made by vote, though those that stipulate the decision are the Elder Council, four great elf sages. The capital is Alfeyra, a coastal city. Name : Gender : Age (this can easily push the thousands): Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw- no, this must be other than 'hatred/mistrust of other races, which is a must for elves): Magic (which, if any- and even ): Background (nice and detailed please): Other : Fae The Fae (plural for faeries) are fickle creatures, up to aeons old- though they age very slowly, that live in a parallel dimension known as Avalon. They reflect earth, therefore some are kind, others (rather more) deliberately malignant, though most are neutral. Are all tall and human-looking, most have exotic hair colors, like their wings. Those that are more evil of nature have darker colors. They have magic, and live in the Fae Queen's Court, those that are malignant are outcasts. They have no real government or order, and their allegiance to the Queen is fractured. They're fast and agile, but not that strong. Their weaknesses are iron and holly bark. They rarely make up their minds about anything, and their promise is void unless they swear by their Queen. They adore games, and many are childish of nature, though they get angry very quickly and are very jealous. They have the gift of tongues, and some are Elementals, usually Water or Wind. Some use Faith. Name : Gender : Age (this can easily push the thousands): Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw- no, this must be other than childish/vain, which is a must for fae): Magic (which, if any- and even ): Background (nice and detailed please): Other : Angels Angels are pure creatures, consisting of emotion and light. In Avalon, they look vaguely human-like, but are made of light and semi-solid. However, if they stay on earth for more than 3 days or, God forbid, fall in love with a human, they 'fall' and assume human shape. In this form, they look like beautiful men/women, and the only sign that they're cursed is a black tatto of a snake biting into an apple above their left breast/over their heart. In pure state, they think of little, only serving 'the greater good'. Time is meaningless, they are literally deathless (when in pure form). They are asexual in pure form, and only assume one when they are in Earth. They have the gift of tongues. They serve as noblemen in the Court of the Queen. There's only a handful of them, Mikael being their leader. Angels wield the supreme force of Faith, and, though they themselves do not know this (or are starting to, in some cases), they are so powerful because, in the absence of a concrete God, the humans worship them. Name : Gender : Age (this can and should easily push the thousands): Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw): Magic (which, if any- and even ): Background (nice and detailed please): Other : Demons Demons are the incarnation of evil- like angels, they are soulless, but represent the evil aspect of Earth. Immortal, they live in their own realm, Hell, and are the principal servants of Vasaria. They exist to tempt, corrupt and kill, without question, but all are greedy and backstabbing. If they fall in love with a human, they 'Rise' and become moral creatures, devoid of most of their powers save super strength. They also have the gift of tongues and can use sangromancy and necromancy, some are Fire Elementals. Name : Gender : Age (this can and should easily push the thousands): Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw): Magic (which, if any- and even ): Background (nice and detailed please): Other : Dragons Dragons are ancient and primeval forces that inhabit the Thunderpeak mountains to the far north. They too are nearly immortal, and have a compulsion to hoard jewels. Arrogant and proud, they bow to no one, and consider all others beneath them. Dragons are masters of multiple magics, very strong, with unbreakable scales and most breathe fire. (They look like the big lizards of medieval myth, but come in many different colors. They can have multiple wing sets and even heads). They can assume a human avatar temporarily and have the gift of tongues. Name : Gender : Age (this can and should easily push the thousands): Appearance : Personality (once again, at least one flaw): Magic (which): Background (nice and detailed please): Other : NOTE Avalon and Hell can only open portals onto Earth at auspicious moments, and only then for 3 consecutive days. It's nigh impossible to get back into either of the two from Earth. Also: there are other races such as mermaids, nereids, sea serpents, orcs, trolls, gargoyles and so on. PM me if you wish to be them or know more about them. PM me if you have any questions :D Enjoy. Link to DT http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/viewtopic.php?f=200&t=93969

Caesar

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Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:16 am

Caesar says... · Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:16 am

I appreciate your enthusiasm. Don't worry, the changes should be very minor. We'll start soon, guys.

vulgus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur

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Threnody

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Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:51 am

Threnody says... · Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:51 am

Speaking of which, I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to withdraw from this storybook, I simply have too many things that, unfortunately, have priority over this, sorry again.

“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes”
~ The Little Prince~

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Caesar

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Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:02 am

Caesar says... · Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:02 am

Not a problem.
Okay, since Threnody's out of the question, guys, Vasaria will be more of a sinister, shadowy force working behind the scenes. The principal adversary will be the horde of demons and Satan, their leader, trying to amplify Vasaria's power on top of a monstrous black marble construction known as the Dark Tower (this will appear later on, in the beginning none of the characters, save maybe Harlequin, know about this).
We'll be starting this Saturday, the 22nd. I'll be making the first (perhaps shortish) post. Failing that, the day afterwards, and failing that the next weekend, and so on.

vulgus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur

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ArahAkachi1

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Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:18 am

ArahAkachi1 says... · Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:18 am

Italian! When are we starting.

Writing your name can lead to writing sentences. And then the next thing you'll be doing is writing paragraphs, and then books. And then you'll be in as much trouble as I am!

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Caesar

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Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:24 am

Caesar says... · Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:24 am

Ah, today, I hope. I have a prologue planned.

vulgus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur

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VampireSenshi

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Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:39 pm

VampireSenshi says... · Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:39 pm

Seriously, are we starting?

<YWS>
<NE1>

NIGHT is always watching...

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Caesar

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Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:45 am

Caesar says... · Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:45 am

Perhaps not. I don't know. It seems all my SB's die for one reason or another.
This SB is on standby. It's not dead, exactly, but I'll see what I can do at odd moments.
All I ask is that you check this thing occasionally.
Sorry for the huge delay.

vulgus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur

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TheDayBeforeTomorrow

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Thu May 10, 2012 8:08 am

TheDayBeforeTomorrow says... · Thu May 10, 2012 8:08 am

Human

Spoiler

Italian: She might be a little like Harlequin, but it's not my fault you took the type of character I wanted to do! So I'm making another one.

Name: Aleph (no last name)
Gender: Female
Age: Looks around 21 or 22 but is actually 1220 years old, give or take a few months (Will be explained)
Appearance : Aleph has an angular face and unevenly cut, waist-length black hair straight as a nail, with streaks of grey and bangs that obscure her face. She has mysterious eyes that change color according to her mood. Normally they are a rich, dark purple, with hints of ruby red. When she is angry, they turn dark red; when sad they turn coal-black; when happy they turn a dazzling blue. She is tall, around 5 feet eight inches, and has an athletic figure. Aleph wears a black, long-sleeved hoodie that hides her face and dark jeans tucked into her combat boots. Her outfit contrasts sharply with her pale skin.

Spoiler

I'll post a pic when I find/create one.

Personality(once again, at least one flaw): Aleph is dark, brooding and mysterious; she stays in the shadows and keeps to herself, disliking too much attention. She doesn't trust anyone of any race; her parents and friends are long gone. She is very good at close combat and hand-to-hand fighting. She has a very volatile temper, fired up very easily by small things. Her defense mechanism is to act arrogant and angry. When ticked, she tends to act rashly and lands in danger. Aleph is also rebellious and intuitive, but cannot be swayed in her beliefs.
Magic(which, if any): Fire, but she only uses it in extreme situations.
Background(nice and detailed please, also specify what social standing you occupy): Aleph was born into a rich and respected Hebrew family, of which she was the sole heir. Her mother named her 'Aleph', the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Her mother was an unusual human; she tried very hard to battle the evil in the world, but was killed by a fierce demon when Aleph was 21. The very same demon came after Aleph, and a short battle later, Aleph was cursed to be his slave for all eternity, and he made her immortal as well. However, when the demon found out she possessed the Blade of Faith, he released her immediately, threatening her with a painful death if she ever came close to him again. It took Aleph a while to understand the true power of the small, six-inch dagger her mother had given her, but once she did, she set out to destroy as much evil as she can, but still staying in the shadows. Now, her reputation is but a whisper amongst vampires, werewolves and demons, but Aleph is feared more then she knows. She has encountered Harlequin once; let's just say she stayed out of the City of Fools after that.
Other: Aleph has a small dagger that her mother gave to her; the blade is made of diamond, with a solid gold hilt, and is enchanted so that it can only be used by those who fight evil: all others will be reduced to ash if they so much as touch it. It is the fabled Blade of Faith; only one with true faith can wield it.She keeps this dagger strapped to her waist, along with a normal knife, and two throwing knives inside her boots. The curse of the demon made her immortal, and capable of surviving long periods with little sustenance. She is distrustful of everyone and everything, and so ideally not up for love, but her mind can be swayed.