The Setup

“They’re alive! By the sky above, I know, I saw them! They’re still there - it’s just like I told you! They’re trapped! We have to send help!”

The words of a crazy man, ringing through the center of town as he swings like a wild baboon from the bannisters on the Central Gazebo. People laughed, they threw tomatoes. They told him he was insane, but of course he’d heard it a thousand times. Soon people grew bored, and they wandered off, leaving the man to scream into the dark night with nobody to listen to him. They were there. He had seen it - he remembered now. He spoke it aloud, over and over, but nobody came to listen or to pretend to be interested. His voice was lost by morning, and he wandered home with no idea where home was.

It was so long ago, longer than they could remember, that they had real heroes. Not superheroes, not heroes who went on epic quests, but heroes who were more than merely people. They were beloved and the world swarmed to them with wants and desires. And they never batted a lash - they were kind and patient enough for the entire world. Everyone rejoiced at the sight of them . . . and all shed tears when they disappeared. There were a million theories as to what had happened, but all that is known is that they left the city and went onto land to see what was beyond. They never returned. That was thirty years ago.

Years later, a man named Zeno Herceg went onto land and came out with glazed-over eyes and a mindless stupor from which he never recovered - never except for those moments when he seemed to suddenly remember something, and he’d go screaming through the streets about the six heroes and where they’d gone. People started to call him crazy, and soon nobody listened to a word he had to say.

Until two weeks ago.

Zeno died quietly in his sleep, and without a single heir to inherit anything of his, the government seized his property - and found the map. Nobody has seen the map, but they say it’s the map the six heroes themselves followed, the route across the land and to - to whatever lies across it. With a great outcry from the people, the government swore to follow this map and track down their heroes. So a group was sent out, with more supplies than they could ever need and a great cheering crown backing them - but you weren’t one of them. You may have wished them well, or been riddled with jealousy, or simply not cared. And after a few days, you probably moved on with your life. Until you received the letter.

It may have started with a simple request: please agree to aid on a quest to find the six heroes and come meet me alone at The Desperado to discuss details. If you refused this request, it might have been followed up with threats, bribery, or blackmail. No matter who you showed or whether you kept it to yourself, the authorities brushed it off with alarming indifference and the letters were untraceable. And so you had no choice - you came. Alone, or with backup, whatever it was, you’re here now and it’s time to find out who wants you and why - and meet the others.

The Setting

The city has floated across the sea aimlessly for as far back as anyone can remember. The wooden frame rots from the inside, and many say a day will come when the whole city of Victory will sink into the ocean, and all of its people with it. Of course, many believe this is poppycock. Sink? Victory? As if it could. The city is huge and mostly wooden, with the slums on the lower half, and the fancy establishments hauling in more fish than any ship ever could. Pirates and sailors tie their ships to the docks and go drinking, telling tales of the land that have grown so tall nobody knows any longer which are true. People save seeds like precious gems and fight over good soil and crops, so scarce here. But one thing always remains the same: every person, big or small, has heard of land, though few have ever been there. Once in a blue moon, every ten or so years, there will be an earth-splitting shake and everyone will rush to their homes, trying to figure out which side it came from. Those who are bold - and lucky - can jump from Victory to the land it’s bumped up against, but government officials are quick to cast off again, and many people miss and are drowned, trampled, or severely injured. Riots and fights with government officials are common, and the most deaths of one day in Victory history have always been on Landing Days. Those who leave don’t come back, and the best you can hope to see if you don’t jump is a few rocks, mountains, hilly tussocks.

This is a medieval city made almost entirely of wood - and thus highly discouraging fire - and based entirely upon the sea. The fishing industry is booming, farming is difficult and laborious, and all water must be boiled before being drunk. The names here are almost all after items or ideas. Higher-class citizens might name their child after a virtue they want them to embody. Lower-class kids are often named after simple items. Some hopefuls might name their kids after nature in hopes of them seeing land, and some might give them elegant names to carry them through life. Surnames apply only to higher-class people, and may be any kind. The government is known to be very strict about land and the distribution of resources, and very lax about crime. That, in fact, is why the heroes were so widely honored: they were the law in some ways, the ones who kept things running smoothly and who punished lawbreakers. Accounts of six such figures are known throughout history, and some people believe they're the same people coming back again and again in different forms, unaware of their connection with their previous selves. Though the idea of organized religion is uncommon in the city, many places and people leave offerings to their favorite hero, wishing for them to return home safely.

I encourage each of you to add to the culture and worldbuilding of Victory. More information on careers, religion, the government, cultures, and the heroes is always welcome. Just either PM me or put it on the discussion page.

The Heroes

Sage

Sage, the leader of the heroes by many accounts, was a leader by every definition of the word. She was very much in control of her team, and they in return had great faith in her. She was also vain and very young. People say she came from the land, though nobody can prove it, and she was known to reject the idea of magic outside of Victory. She’s one of the most popular heroes, and a great many books, comics, and ballads have been written about her.

Valor

Though the firecest, Valor was far from the muscle of the team. He was quick-thinking, clever, and always thought of unusual solutions. He was the unattainable lover, never interested in anyone, and is considered by some to be shallow because of people’s romantic interest in him. He is, however, also known as the embodiment of the balance between might and mind.

Demure

At first glance, Demure was a snappy, tough-love kind of gal, the opposite of her name. But her renown is for her kindness towards everyone, those more or less fortunate, though who were cruel or too kind for their own good. Her sarcasm didn’t undermine her genuine compassion for everyone around her. She was convinced of magic outside of Victory, and was badly scarred. She was known for loving her hometown of Try, which is where she’s mostly honored.

Haven

She was the only one to follow one of the old religions, despite them being out of fashion. She was devoted, quiet, and stoic, and many went to her for advice or help with domestic issues. Everything she had she gave away, though her shy nature was well-known as well. She’s the second most honored besides Sage.

Bluejay

This person was of no particular gender, the one considered least helpful because of their fun-loving and emotional nature. They are often dismissed, but those who do honor them realize the importance of the laughter they brought. They never had fun at the expense of others, and in places that were hit the hardest they could always make people feel happy again, if just for a little while. They’re the least commonly honored.

Fable

Fable was the one who brought order to the group, and fairness to the law. He was known for hating the idea of law without empathy, and who viewed each case differently, considering them as a unique case each time. This made him the most controversial. His rough history with his own crime in youth has also lost him followers, but he’s considered the greatest example of a redemptive arc.

The Characters

For your character, I ask that you choose a type of character and a trait to embody. You may mix and match any and may request that new ones be made (which I will discuss with you), but nobody may have the same archetype or trait. For the traits, these only reflect why your character in particular was chosen and may not even be true: for instance, if you had courage, your character might have been known for saving someone’s life and be hiding the fact that they are in fact not particularly brave. You can play around with this however you want, so long as it’s conceivable that somebody would think your character displays that trait. PM me if you have an idea for this and aren’t sure if you can use it.

Note: The types are meant to reflect reasons that the characters would be considered unlikely heroes, and is no reflections on any people of those types - in fact, the point is the exact opposite.

Types

Elderly

This character is somewhere over seventy years of age. They may be in great shape and not care how old they are, but the fact remains that they’re still elderly. They’re the most likely to have seen the heroes in person - perhaps they’ve even met one or more.

Physically Disabled

This character is physically disabled in some way, leading many people to underestimate them. They may be perfectly able to get along in the world, but they are generally considered not the type of person who could become a hero.

Bad Reputation

People in your character’s town or area have a real, genuine reason to dislike your character. It may be an incident or just a general attitude, and maybe they regret it or maybe they don’t. Whatever the reason, your character is generally unwelcome in many places.

Incompetent

However sweet your character may be, they are completely incompetent. They might have bungled stuff up long ago and not tried since, or may continuously get everything wrong. They simply can’t seem to do anything right, or if they do have a skill, it’s pretty much useless.

Outsider

This person may be from outside of Victory, or belong to a very specific subgroup. Whatever the reason is, their viewpoint on common human experiences is so different that people find it hard to relate to them. Maybe they’re tried to change, but they continue to be shunned no matter what.

Attachment

This person has a very strong attachment to another person that they feel the need to protect, beyond anything else they feel the need to do. This could be a pregnant woman or new mother, or maybe someone who looks after a family member or friend who can’t look after themselves.

Traits

Courage

Wisdom

Compassion

Generosity

Mirth

Honor

Rules

1. There may be only one trait and archetype per character, and no two people may have the same

2. Don’t add traits/archetypes without asking me first

3. If we run out of room, you’re free to suggest an archetype, hero, and corresponding trait so that you may join

4. Be kind to one another - you know, just be nice people

5. Reservations last one day, and posting a WIP will extend that two more days

6. This is all medieval, though you may add flavor that’s not necessarily consistent with medieval culture if you want to - just ask me first

7. Though not a rule, I strongly suggest you pick an archetype and trait you’re not familiar with so you can expand your roleplaying abilities

8. Have fun. That’s right, this is a rule. All those who do not have fun will be unceremoniously booted out of the RP ;)

Bio

Name

Age

Gender

Archetype

Trait

Sexuality (optional)

Religion (optional)

Appearance

Personality

Likes

Dislikes

Strengths

Weaknesses

Hobbies

Greatest Goal (optional)

Greatest Fear (optional)

Family

Relationships

Backstory

Other

RP Example

Activity Level