Riddles: Tales from Tailte OOC {Reboot}
Riddles: Tales from Tailte
(Now this is a lot of writing, but bear with)
Tailte is an ancient land filled with magic and mythical creatures. It is a beautiful place, covered with forests and vast green plains. The lands in the northern and western regions are the warmest parts of Tailte. The rest of the land is often plagued with unpredictable weather, ranging from clear sunny days to bitter snowstorms and gales.
Near the dawn of men the five nations were at ease with themselves and each other. Then the Olc came. It was a great evil that invested itself into every man, woman and child that lived in Diabhal. It forced them to do whatever it willed them to do. Be it to kill each other or even kill themselves.
Eventually the Olc’s grew to be too much of a threat, so the remaining four nations forged a treaty which would become known as the alliance. The war lasted for decades and eventually became known as The Exodus of Diabhal.
The Olc was almost destroyed but the restlessness of the Atonians was too great and the battle was almost lost. Thankfully the mighty sorcerer Draoi was able to end the Olc once and for all. Or so it is thought. Diabhal is now a wasteland of ash and ruin, no-one dares to venture there, not anymore.
Tailte has gone through three ages since the Exodus and much has changed. The alliance between the four nations still stands but the bonds of trust are beginning to weaken and break. It won’t be long now, not long until a new war breaks out.
Lands and Races
Atoni
Atoni is now a wasteland filled with wild in-hospitable forests. It was once a peaceful elegant place. The Atonians inhabited the forests with ease building settlements that eventually grew into cities. However when the exodus of Diabhal began the Olc’s tore through the country killing and destroying anything that came into their path. Surprisingly a fair amount of Atonians survived. However the Atonians were foolish. During the exodus they ruined the chances of the Alliance cleansing Diabhal of Olc’s completely. The reasons for the Atonians impatience have been forgotten by all except the Atonians themselves.
Now there are only a few hundred Atonians still in existence. They roam their homeland in a large convoy of horses and caravans. They keep their own matters to themselves and do not get involved with the other countries quarrels. The other lands see the Atonians as complete and utter barbarians, they are often spat upon and treated unfairly. However it doesn't cause them too much hassle, as many Atonians don't even leave Atoni in their lifetime.
Atonians usually have pale skin and wild curly hair. They are excellent climbers and horse riders. Most of them make good marksmen. They cover themselves with the furs and pelts of the creatures that live among the Forrest. They have gained a reputation as being traitors and un-trustworthy among the other nations.
Spoiler: Quick OOC note
Saibhreas
Saibhreas is the wealthiest of the four nations, due to its central location and access to the Northern seas. Poverty is almost non-existent. King Cadman rules over the nation with his thirty advisors, each advisor chosen from a predominant household of Saibhreas. The King himself is a wise kind ruler who tries to rule fairly but is often blocked by his greedy advisors each only wanting more gold and riches. All of them fail to see the watchful eyes of the Raincs who wait patiently for their time to strike.
The people of Saibhreas are referred to as Saibs. The often have tanned skin with darker hair. Most of them are used to a life of luxury and it is rare to find a Saib warrior, but they do exsist in small numbers. You will more likely find Saib politicians.
Spoiler: Quick OOC note
Fhrainc
There is one word to describe the people of Fhrainc: (Referred to as Raincs) sleazy. They were once as wealthy as the Saibs but they lost all of their riches in the exodus. Too lazy to fight for themselves the Raincs threw money at the Saibs, Atonians and Bhreatains. The cheek of the Raincs knew no bounds. After the exodus and the loss of so many lives of the paid countries the Raincs still demanded to be paid back the money they had invested. Obviously the paid countries refused and Fhrainc became a poverty ridden nation full of tricksters and liars.
The nation is just about kept together by the wealthiest man in the land, Lord Truco whose family somehow kept their riches throughout and after the exodus. Lord Truco dictates what happens in the land, as long as it benefits him. The citizens don’t bother to rebel though as it would mean having to put actual effort into something.
The land of Fhrainc is the coldest in Tailte and incredibly unforgiving. The place seems eerie and unnatural, it's full of natural oddities. For example, Fhrainc has a frozen Jungle, The Jungle of Calor is seemingly made entirely of ice and snow.
Raincs are usually short and stout with an almost sickly pale skin and oily brown hair.
In younger life Raincs are muscly but as they progress to middle age they often go bald and grow fat. Surprisingly fighters are not uncommon in Fhrainc, fist fights are a common place to earn money through bets or fighting itself.
Spoiler: Quick OOC note
Bhreatain
The Bhreatains are a simple yet hardy folk that know the land like the back of their hand. If they do not grow up to farm then they will become warriors, protecting wealthy noblemen or joining another nation’s guard.
Bhreatain is not ruled by any king or lord, instead a council of forty farmers from across the land decide what is best for the country in general. Bhreatain often takes pity on the Atonians and gives them aid whenever they need it. In return the Atonians have given the Bhreatains spiritual insight and most of the Bhreatains believe in the same spirits as the Atonians. There is a strong bond between Atoni and Bhreatain.
Bhreatains are often tall and fair, with very pale skin and blonde hair. Many Bhreatain men are brutes and giants making excellent swordsmen and warriors.
Spoiler: Quick OOC note
Different forms of the Olc
The olc takes the form of any creature that dares to cross into its realm, dead or alive. After the exodus, the Olc had the opportunitty to take on the forms of the dead bodies that now littered its borders. The Olc can take the form of three creature that the people of the alliance know of: Man, dragon and griffins, (Though the latter is rare)
The Olcs true form has rarely been seen by man, there has only been one recording of their physical appearance and that was by the mighty sorcerer Draoi. This is what the doccument said:
The Olc have no real physical appearance, they resemble a pitch black cloud in the vauge shape of a human. They have no features that I can see but they seem to recognise each other well enough.
Places of Interest
Saibhreas
Sareas - The capital city of Saibhreas
The village of Vale - A costal village that thrives on fishing
The MistTop Mountins - A group of small mountins that become shrouded in mist in the long inter months
The abandoned Watchtower - Simply an old un-used watchtower that has become a Saibhreas landmark
Woolton Town - Just a simple working town
Westwich Town - A town once plauged by the Olc, still being re-built after the destruction the Olc caused.
Blacktrade Market - A black market
Padgate woods - A small nestle of trees used for hunting and catching game by many locals
Atoni
The forgotten Aisles - Islands once owned by the Atonians, now lost to the Olc.
The ruins of Neamh - The remains of the once great Atonian capital city.
Celtica Settlement - A patch of land where the Atonian Convoy settle regularly.
The white coast - A huge stretch of white sandy beaches
The island of Ariett - The home of the temple of Ean. The most sacred building the Atonians still have standing.
Bhreatain
Cyfalaf - The capital City of Bhreatain, though its not much bigger than a town
Tref Town - A trading town with strong connections to Saibhreas.
Oed woods - A old wood rotted away by time
Fasnach town - A fishing town.
Llyn Lake - A large lake which is used for fun as a skating rink in the long winter months
Dociau Docks - Collecting supplies and other items from Fhrainc
The Hall of Ffrindiau - Where the council of farmers meet to rule Bhreatain.
Afon ferry - A ferry across to Atoni
Fhrainc
Ganancia - The capital city of Fhrainc, and the place where Lord Truco calls home.
Pobreza - A slimy fishing town
Knothole Nook - A tavern known for its conmen and thugs.
The jungle of Calor - A hot humid place known for its man-eating plants
Trucos - A town dedicated to his lordship ... even though he isn't dead yet.
Tailtes Eye - The first sight of Tailte a returning ship will see.
Oceans & Rivers
The mist Gates - A sea named for the mist that shrouds the waters in secrecy constantly. No-one knows who lives beneath the waves.
The River of riches - The main river of Saibhreas, named for the wealth that flows through it.
The river of glass - The river seperating Atoni from Bhreatain. In the winter the river freezes over, hard enough to walk on.
The channel of peace - The shallow river that seperates Atoni from Ariett The convoy usually ford the river to get across.
Creatures
Griffins
Griffins are native to Saibhreas and refuse to breed or populate anywhere else. They became tamed by the Saibs after the exodus. They serve as fighting animals in the Saibhreas army but some are kept as pets by the wealthiest families. They have become a symbol of Saibs power and feature on the nation’s flag.
Dragons
Dragons are the smartest of any of Tailte’s creatures. They are clever and can understand and speak some of man’s languages. They used to live in Diabal before the days of the Olc. But like so many others they too were overcome and became prey to the Olc’s will. There is a rumour that some dragons not under the influence of the Olc still roam the northern hemisphere. Dragons cannot be tamed. That does not mean they can't be your friend.
Selkies
Selkies thrive in the seas surrounding Tailte, favouring the warmer seas near Fhrainc. It is difficult to spot a selkie as they can change into a human form at will. When in human or seal form they can breathe underwater. They possess no other magical powers.
Blaidd
The Blaidds are giant wolves that roam the woods of Bhreatain. Like the dragons they have a mind of their own and can speak some of the languages of men. They move in one large pack devouring any meat they can find including man meat. If their numbers grow too large then the Bhreatains will order a cull against them. Because of this the Blaidd have a bitterness against mankind.
Peryton
Perytons populated the fields of Tailte before the days of the exodus. In the years after the exodus however they disappeared. There are rumours that the Raincs hunted them down for riches and reputation, but some still believe they exsist and that they are simply hiding themselves until the days of peace return.
Perytons look similar to stags but with the addition of powerful eagle wings. Near the dawn of man it is said the Atonians rode these elegant creatures instead of horses, but it has been so long the Atonians themselves cannot be sure of this.
Jackalope
Jackalopes are the failed experiment of the great wizard Draoi that escaped into the wilds and spread like wildfire. They are basically fluffy rabbits (Smaller than the usual kinds) with small pointy antlers. They are often captured and domesticated for use as pets due to their "cuteness"
Phoenix
Phoenix's once followed the daughters of Ean wherever they went. Now though, they have become rare and almost non-exsistent. They are large birds, usually four foot in height with a wingspan of about a metre in length. They can ignite at whim and are incredibly powerful.
Religions
The Ean bloodline of Atoni
Kyna was the first of the Ean bloodline. She was a warrior in the exodus and was the Atonian believed to ruin the cleansing of Diabhal. While shunned by the other nations the Atonians surprisingly worshipped her, for reasons again known only to themselves. A prophecy was made about the bloodline. According to Atonian law the tenth generation of Ean would “Bring death and destruction to all but the good with the rage of fire”. However the ninth daughter disappeared and had no apparent children, and so the bloodline ends there.
The Atonians still worship the “Nine daughters” each daughter a different strength.
Kyna – Strength
Caoimhe – Kindness
Ruari – Spirit
Seren – Elegance
Jilleen – Youth
Laoise – Joy
Naomh - Peace
Shaira – Sacrifice
Coira-Wit
The teachings of Draoi
The sorcerer Draoi left many teachings before his death which many Saibs now believe and follow.
The first teaching
If you are kind to a fellow man or beast then fate will reward you and your kin
The second teaching
If you kill another man out of spite or greed fate will punish you until the end of your days
The third teaching
There is always a time and place for redemption
Magic
Magic once exsisted in abundancein Tailte. However after the death of the great Socerer Draoi, magic became used less and less. It still exsists within the world but is now treasured and revered, often used by priests and other religious icons. The magic that does still exsist however has no real limits.
There is destruction magic used in combat to kill enemies. This may be by burning your enemies by magical flames or freezing them in ice for eternity.
Healing magic is used for healing (Funnily enough)
Practical magic are the type of spells used to do everyday things like levitation or telekinesis.
THE RULES
1. My word is law
2. If you want to create something new within the world please PM me first and we’ll make sure it fits ok (Same if you want to do something secret with your character).
3. No giant plot twists without my approval.
4. You can be anyone you like a prince, a bandit, even a certain part of the olc if you really wanted.
5. 3. Committed players only, please. I really don't want this to die
6. To check you've read this, add the word popadopolus into the other section.
Other than that Have fun!
Notes
You can play as a form of the olc if you want, just check it with me first to be sure
You can play as a selkie too as they are humanoid
Character Sheet
Name: (please include any nicknames or titles)
Age:
Gender:
Race:
Personality:
History:
Strengths & Skills:
Weaknesses:
Fears:
Appearance: (Picture and/or description. please include equipment and clothing)
Other:
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