Lightly Stepping In?

[Falcon Red]

Once upon a time, I was a pretty avid roleplayer. I needed to step away for many, many reasons. These days I'm very much thirsting for some creativity but I've run into a roadblock. I tried coming back to aim and be a solo writer, and I'm not quite convinced that I am not set in that direction, so I'll admit I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for with this post, but I'm open to some discussion.

I can imagine specific scenarios. I can see a world, and I know exactly whom I would like to write into an existence. I actually have two specific character ideas. What I am lacking here is a plot... A goal, a quest, a purpose. It's the lifeblood of any story.

I think I get trapped in a loop of not wanting to do anything cliche, but also wanting to do everything. I can't really get started if I don't take one step in a new adventure though. I'd love to discuss ideas with someone, and I think I am open to having a writing partner/group to help me relearn the art of roleplay and explore new worlds with.

I know a lot is happening on this forum so maybe it's a long shot, but maybe it's a poetic rendition of a new start for a forum and it's members.

Thanks for reading!

[Falcon Red]

Because I'm stepping back in, I'm not getting too crazy on the details at the moment, but if I end up writing with a partner or group, then I am all for creative brainstorming and coming up with new ideas. I just may try to keep this character as close to the original design as possible since he is already largely built.

Most of the concepts here are based in DnD, and the world setting is based off of DnD concepts but is an original design by a friend of mine. The location can definitely be changed with a partner, in order to come up with something a little more developmentally and creatively free for the flow of writing.

The world of Lahlia:
Lahlia is a magical world with floating islands, some of which can travel, dragons, and various races of the world. Humans are somewhat of a dominating race and demi humans have little opportunity within their domain. Still, different cities, towns, and kingdoms flourish with Elves and Dwarves and some are even able to trade with the capital city of Arcadia. Some of the cities and towns within Arcadia's kingdom are even sympathetic to those who aren't human.

At the heart of Lahlia is Arcadia, a giant floating island set in that very spot. You'll find no other place with the richest access to the various resources, religions, and academia in the rest of the world.

A pantheon of gods and goddesses don't directly interact with the peoples of the worlds, but instead choose champions to represent them in various endeavors.

Knightly orders protect the realm, their orders tied to the gods/goddesses of the realm, though one does not need to take religious oaths to be a part of the order, they just must exemplify the traits and values of the order.

Explore Lahlia for all it has to offer, and be the one to keep it safe, bring it to a new age, or overthrow it into chaos and darkness.

The character I want to play.

Valour Einar Greycoat - Errant Knight of Havenbrook

Species - Shifter - Shifters are a largely nomadic race within the world of Lahlia. While this is still largely true, some factions of Shifters chose to settle down in various towns, cities, and villages. Einar's family is part of one such group that settled within Arcadia hoping to build a better, more stable life. They had settled a few generations before Einar was born, and his parents serve as Wardens. They are leaders of the "tribe" and head of the hunt. The shifters act as hunters to provide meat and forage for berries and herbs and other such wild agriculture for the various vendors around town. Settled Shifters are generally more civilized and intelligent than their Nomadic cousins.

Occupation - Einar did not want to be a Warden. Titles amongst the settled Shifters have somewhat changed over time. A warden is the tribal leader amongst the nomadic tribes, they protect, guide, and lead the pack, but in the settlements, they only lead the hunt and serve as council leaders amongst their people so that the different vocations amongst the tribe all have a say. Einar chose to be a soldier and a guardsman within Arcadia. To serve the realm in hopes of finding success by expanding outside of the slums. It was difficult and dangerous, but he never felt at peace by being a hunter under the Warden's (his parents). While patrolling the walls of the kingdom one day, he'd noticed a commotion, and his Elven partner and he disrupted an attempt on the King's sister's life, the Duchess of Havenbrook. Because of his actions and bravery chasing off the bandits, the Duchess Knighted Einar under Havenbrook's banner. She provided him a house outside of the city, training, and a squireship until he earned the title he had been given. While 'Sir' or 'Lady' are the general terms of Knights within the realm, the Shifters have a different title from their histories. 'Valour.' This title amongst the Nomadic histories serves as the guardian's and protectors of the tribes. They are highly revered and hold the position with pride. Within the Settled Shifter's, the title is withheld from everyone except those who distinguish themselves as nobles and knights and are able to elevate their status higher than what is expected of the average Shifter.

A turn for the worse - After years of training, Einar has become a knight. Shortly after it was all made official, he was out riding, returning home from the main Duche of Havenbrook when a dragon attacked. It had come for him with malice and hate in it's eyes. Snatching him up, he was able to maneuver around the dragon and avoid it's teeth and claws. Just as he'd climbed up on the neck, something slammed into the side of the dragon's neck, hard enough to make it "stumble" in it's flight and bring them both back down to earth. The crash landing knocked Einar to the ground, hurting him pretty bad, but he was able to stand himself up. He noticed the object that impacted the dragon lodged between it's scales. An axe... Einar grabbed the axe from the scales and poised himself to defend himself from the dragon. When he grabbed the axe, it spoke in his mind "That was fun! Let's do it again!" It caught Einar off guard, but he didn't have time to contemplate. The Dragon stirred, a strange focus in it's eyes... it was like it stared past Einar but directly at him at the same time, and an otherworldly voice spoke through it. "You abomination, how dare you turn against your own kind. You are meant as part of my legion, if this is your chosen path, then I will choose for you another." With the end of those words, a searing pain began in Einar's hand and coursed up his arm then throughout his body, causing him to pass out. When he awoke some time later, the dragon's body was gone, the axe laid on the ground next to him, and a single red scale manifested itself on the backside of his hand.

The red mark on Einar's hand is a curse. I know that within the story I want to write for Einar is him discovering what exactly this curse is and how to get rid of it potentially... or maybe he doesn't and it fully manifests? But bigger picture... I know who/what gave him the mark (he doesn't obviously) but why did they do it? What is the motivation. I guess that's where I am stuck and need help in coming up with ideas. And of course if someone wishes to write it out with me, we can always adjust some things so that the story isn't centered on a single person. It's always a little more fun when we write together as opposed to for another.

As always, thanks for reading!

[Falcon Red]

I had an idea for a plot, and I think I would like to move forward and get an interest check for anyone who would like to do a one on one with me for a fantasy adventure! I'll keep this plot simple as I'm at work but I'll likely be thinking about it on the side and if anyone is interested we can brainstorm deeper into it!

One character is transported to Lahlia from our world and is met with the dangers but also beauties of the world. They meet up with a dutiful local seeking to help them get back to their world. What encounters do they make, how far do they have to travel, what lies in the end for them? Does the visitor gain new powers and abilities, or are they to be protected by the stranger escorting them?