Welcome to sunny Los Angeles. The year is 2020. Sun dapples the skin of beachgoers, the seaside breeze rustles the leaves on trees, and the smell of food wafts from vendor's stands and food trucks alike. An elf drives by in a ridiculously expensive car, followed by paparazzi rapidly snapping photos. An Aarakocra policeman swoops by, keeping his sharp eye on a pair of human men. A smiling tiefling welcomes a shivering orc into a dark building. As they both enter, the door closes. The script on the door reads "Dersei Angels" in Elvish runes.
Spoiler: The Dersei Angels
The Dersei Angels is a church/homeless shelter. Most people who come to the church for the shelter generally end up joining the church. The church has chantries in London, Sydney, Hong Kong, even one in the United Arab Emirates. Recently, however, people have been going missing in the church. The police have been called, but nothing came up. Later that night though, the officers that investigated killed themselves in a dual suicide.
Spoiler: /~Rules~\
1. All regular RPA rules apply
2. Try to be creative AND balanced. This is a fantasy world, and I think we all don't want to just be regular ol' humans. You can be almost anything under the races Spoiler
3. Try to use correct grammar and spelling. At least 1 paragraph per post, and write in 3rd person past tense
Spoiler: /~Races~\
As I know there will inevitably be questions on races, I've provided a Handy Dandy Races Spoiler! If you have questions, just ask and I can give you a description of each race.
Spoiler: DwarvesDwarves are short, stout folk who place emphasis on clan and loyalty. They are most often stubborn and self-righteous. They are renowned for their craftsmanship and for their high constitution. There are two ethnicities of dwarves, the Ithim and the Dorram.
Spoiler: IthimThe Ithim are the taller of the two, with the tallest dwarf clocking in at 5'3". They have pale skin, blue, grey, or brown eyes, and blonde or red hair. Historically, they have resided in northern climates, such as the Highlands of Scotland or Scandinavia. Ancient Ithim mines are still being discovered.
Spoiler: DorramDorram dwarves are thicker than their Ithim cousins. They are between 3'6" to 4'6" feet tall, and on average, just as wide. They have dusky skin, brown, black, or golden eyes, and brown or black hair. Their hair naturally forms in dreadlocks. Historically, they have lived as nomads in warmer climes, such as the Middle East or Saharan Africa.
Spoiler: ElvesElves are mystical, supernaturally beautiful people with Fae roots. Elves live in the world, yet are not entirely a part of it. Their ancestral homes are beautiful forests, where soft music fills the air and gentle lights are held aloft by magic. Elves have historically been very secretive, but have come out of their ancient forests to greet the world. They are renowned for their magicks and art, but also for their extraordinarily long lives. There are four widely known ethnicities of elves, the Varic, the Te'lor, the Lenno, and the Quarra.
Spoiler: VaricVaric elves are perhaps the strangest. More in touch with their Fae ancestry, Varic elves are more ethereal than other elves, with flowing silver, golden, or copper hair, bronze skin, and vibrant cobalt, green, or golden eyes. Varic elves are by and far the most innately magical of the elves. Once per day, a Varic elf can teleport within 30 feet. Historically, Varic elves have lived in Eastern Asia.
Spoiler: Te'lorTe'lor elves are the most secretive of the elves. Te'lor elves are highly suspicious of others, not getting close until they have had a nice long while getting to know them. Of course, for an elf, a 'nice long while' is probably up to 100 years. This is no problem for other elves, dwarves, halflings, or gnomes, but for the races that don't live upwards of 150 years, such as human, it can be a hindrance. Te'lor elves have dark skin, straight black hair, and dark brown or black eyes. Historically, they have inhabited the islands to the south of Asia.
Spoiler: LennoLenno elves are the most populous and easily recognizeable. Tan skin, black hair, and almond-shaped shaped eyes define the Lenno elves. Lenno elves spend their hundreds of years learning, studying, and advancing. Lenno elves are one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world. Lenno elves have existed in Asia for millenia, empires rising, falling, and rising again. Currently, their hotspots exist in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Spoiler: QuarraQuarra elves are the most militaristic of the elves, having history as raiders across Mongolia, Russia, and China. Quarra elves have dark blue or purple skin, stark white hair, and yellow eyes. As vicious as they were, Quarra elves have calmed down in recent centuries due to their way of life simply becoming unviable. Now, they are farmers and nomads.
Spoiler: HalflingsShort, fat, lucky, and happy. These four adjectives describe Halflings. Halflings love family and home, hearth and friends. Most Halflings would love to spend their lives working an honest job, coming home to a loving family, and getting a good night's sleep. They are small and practical, only getting up to 3 feet tall. Though short, they are also rather stout, weighing between 40 and 45 pounds. They have tanned skin, curly brown or black hair, and hairy feet. Halfling facial hair is unheard of, but thick sideburns are rather common. Historically, they have inhabited everywhere humans have lived, which is to say, almost everywhere.
Spoiler: Half-ElvesHalf-elves are something of a mystery. They are the rare result of a human and an elf having a child, bringing to term a half-breed. They combine the features of their human parent and their elf parent, though no half-elf has ever retained the ability to teleport from a Varic parent. They crop up wherever humans and elves interact.
Spoiler: GnomeGnomes are sometimes confused with Halflings. It's an easy mistake to make, but Gnomes are slightly taller, sometimes reaching 3'6", something no Halfling could ever hope to do. Gnomes have pale skin, brown or red hair, and green, blue, or brown eyes. Historically, they have inhabited mainland Europe, such as Spain, France, and Italy.
Spoiler: TieflingsTo be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the tiefling. Tiefling skin tone covers the entire human range, along with blue, red, pink, and lavender. Horns sprout from their heads, in any formation. Their eyes are a single color, black, red, white, silver, or gold, with no visible sclera or pupil. Their hair can be almost any color. Historically, Tieflings have inhabited the Mediterranean area, such as Greece, Persia, Morroco, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria.
Spoiler: Half-OrcsHalf-orcs are a strange mixture of orc and human. Their skin ranges from dark brown to a light tan, or rarely, yellow or green. Their hair forms in dreadlocks. They have large tusks jutting from their lower jaw. Half-orcs appear wherever humans and orcs interact.
Spoiler: OrcsOrcs are historically one of the strongest, most vicious peoples in the world. They have historically been raiders, pillagers, and warriors. Ancient orc culture placed value on strength and physical prowess. Orcs are thick and able-bodied, standing anywhere between 6 and 7 feet tall. They are well-muscled, with yellow, green, grey, or any of the human colored skin tones. Their eyes are dark brown, green, yellow, or orange. They have larger tusks than half-orcs, jutting upwards almost to their noses. Historically, orcs have inhabited Africa.
Spoiler: GoliathsGoliaths are huge, even bigger than orcs. They are pale, nearly white as snow, with not a hair on their bodies. Their eyes are slate grey. Goliaths stand between 7 and 8 feet tall, with broad shoulders. Goliaths have inhabited Russia historically.
Spoiler: KenkuKenku are also known as the Ravenfolk. Between 4 and 5 feet tall, Kenku weigh very little. They are covered in glossy black feathers, and their heads resemble large raven heads. Kenku have no wings, as a result of an ancient curse. Kenku also have no voices of their own, instead speaking by mimicing sounds they've heard. Kenku have historically resided alongside elves, and it is widely believed that it was an elf who cursed the Kenku.
Spoiler: TabaxiResembling humanoid jaguars, Tabaxi are a sight to behold. They are slightly smaller and thinner than humans, though it isn't rare for an exceptionally large Tabaxi to be the size of an orc. Tabaxi are also exceptionally fast, natural athletes at their core. They have retractable claws. Tabaxi have historically existed in South America, particularly in the lush rainforests.
Spoiler: TritonsTritons are what would happen if elves lived underwater. Blue, turquoise, or green skin, with greenish-blonde hair, with large eyes almost completely dominated by pupil, Tritons resemble a cross-breed between a mermaid of old and a human. Historically, Tritons have inhabited the waters off the coasts of all the major continents, with the exception of Antarctica.
Spoiler: AarakocraAarakocra are to the sky as the Triton are to the sea. Resembling large humanoid eagles, they are noble protectors of the air. Which means uncontacted tribes try to fight airplanes. Historically, there has been emnity between the Kenku and the Aarakocra. The Kenku, jealous of the Aarakocra's ability to fly, have killed any Aarakocra they have been able to catch. This practice does not continue into the modern day. Aarakocra stand between 4 and 5 feet tall, and weight up to 90 pounds. They have tawny feathers and large talons. Aarakocra have historically resided in Australia.
Spoiler: KecualaKecuala, colloquially known as Lizardfolk, are one of the strangest of the races. Covered in thick scales, with colorful frills, powerful tails, and deadly jaws, they have more in common with iguanas or komodo dragons than humans or elves. They stand between 6 and 7 feet tall, weighing up to 600 pounds. Kecuala scales range from rusty orange to rotting wood brown to forest green to pale white. Kecuala minds are also closer to those of reptiles than of mammals. They don't feel emotion in the same way humans do. Things and events have emotions, yes, but the emotions are closer to qualities like color or temperature. The only real emotions they feel are aggression, pleasure, and fear. Most are simple tribespeople, never advancing because they see no reason to. Historically, they have inhabited anywhere with year-round warm temperatures, such as Sri Lanka, the Saharan Desert, Central American jungles, or Indonesia.
Spoiler: TortlesTortles resemble huge turtles or tortoises. Large shells adorn their backs while long claws sprout from their fingers. They have historically resided in Hawai'i, Fiji, and the Polynesian Islands.
Spoiler: VukVuk are slightly larger than humans, standing between 6 and 7 feet tall, and slightly bulkier. They are covered in thick grey, black, white, or brown fur and resemble humanoid wolves. Historically, the Vuk have kept to themselves, only venturing beyond their own tribes if they were exiled. They have a curious loyalty to their comrades, willing to die should their comrades need it. Historically, they have inhabited Slavic regions, such as the Poland or Russia.
Spoiler: Half-VukHalf-Vuk are the result of a very violent Vuk or a very adventurous Human. If a human and a Vuk bring to term a baby, the child resembles a Human for the most part, though hairier and with more animalistic features, such as a wolfish nose, ears, claws, or fangs. Their hair is the same color as their Vukish parent's fur. They are slightly smaller than humans.
Spoiler: HumansHumans. The simple. The basic. The middle ground. Humans are the most tenacious, the most diverse, and the most determined group of people to inhabit the planet. They have lived everywhere, colonized everything. They have fought endless wars, yet built empires that last centuries. They are everything. Humans stand between 4 and 7 feet tall, weighing anywhere between 100 to 300 pounds. They have the most ethnicities, inhabiting every corner of the globe. Of all the races, Humans have the most mixed societies.
Spoiler: MagicMagic is an interesting thing. It surrounds everything, and the most talented mages can manipulate even the fabric of reality. Most magic that is used every day is utility magic. Simple things, such as making a hand-held trinket, a shower of sparks, or turning on a light is used by almost anyone. These are known as cantrips, and everyone gets two. Professional Mages receive more powerful magic. If you choose to be a Professional Mage, choose 6 1st level spells from the Wizard Spell list of Dungeons & Dragons 5e.
Spoiler: Character Sheets
Use this Handy Dany Guide to create your character!
Name: (For non-human names, a simple name generator should work)
Age: (18 at the youngest)
Race: (Include ethnicity if applicable)
Job: (Your day job)
Skills: (What skills do you have? Are you good at lying, parkour, or hand-to-hand combat? Put those here)
Equipment (Optional): (For instance, a police officer might have handcuffs, or an artist might have paints. Also include things like phone, car keys, etc.)
Languages Spoken: (Common, Elvish, Dwarvish, or Orcish, for instance)
Accent: (Texan drawl, Scottish brogue, etc.)
Personality: (A sentence or two is good enough)
Physical Description: (A picture or a few sentences would be fine)
Backstory: (At least a paragraph, please)
Cantrips:
Spells: (Only is applicable)
Spoiler: Characters
Spoiler: Dungarr Dragonsfoe - SaltyIrishman
Name: Dungarr Dragonsfoe
Age: 270
Race: Ithim Dwarf
Job: Jeweler
Skills: Lying, insight, intimidation, and general world history
Equipment: A pocketknife, a magnifying glass, keys to a beat-up Chevrolet, a flask of dwarven whiskey, and a set of generic tools, such as a screwdriver, a hammer, some nails, some screws, and some twine.
Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Draconic, and Giant
Accent: A gravelly Scottish brogue that has slightly been softened by 60 years of living in America
Personality: Dungarr is stubborn, boisterous, and a hard drinker. He's very careful with his money, almost stingy. He's rather thick-headed and has no scruples with getting into a fight. He relies on his "Dwarven chutzpah" to deal with others if he gets into altercations. If that doesn't work, he keeps a hammer on his belt at all times.
Physical Description: Dungarr is 4'7", weighs about 290 pounds, and has a thick grey beard. His beard is separated into three braids, one large one in the middle and two smaller ones to the sides. His clothes are kind of dirty and his boots are well-worn. His hair is long, grey, and not very well kept.
Backstory: Dungarr was born in 1860. He spent a couple of centuries in Scotland with his clan, until eventually emigrating to America in 1960. He got a job at a car company in Los Angeles, accumulating money until he could open his own business known as Dungarr's Gems. Currently, he cuts and sells jewels. Dungarr's Gems is a block down from a church of the Dersei Angels.
Cantrips: Light and Mage Hand
Spoiler: Garana Riana Viski - Highland Sniper
Name: Garana Riana Viski
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Race: Half-Vuk
Job: Gas station cashier (Casey’s, Kansas, USA).
Skills: basic job skills, intimidate, perception, sense motive, escape artist
Equipment: Pocket knifes, extra clothes, a book, her phone and a charger, her wallet, and a purse (when not wearing pants with actual pockets).
Languages: Vukin, English, Elven, Orc.
Accent: light Kansas Twang with a hint of russian.
Personality: fun loving, but fierce in her loyalty to her friends and family. She is kind and considerate, but is more likely to throw the first punch than the other guy, especially when the problem concerns her friends or family contributing to her protective stance of those she cares for.
Physical about 5’ 4”, she is a little shorter than average and is just under average in curve. Black and grey ears poke out of her waist-long, silky black hair, and a black and grey tail sticks out of her back just above her waist. Her eyes are a brilliant amber. Her features are soft but firm, and she is not without muscle. Her ears are pierced with ruby stud earrings. She has at least three scars on her arms, a faint one above her right eye, and one on her thigh. Some may call her cute, but those beaten by her would call her vicious.
Backstory: Her father’s side was Vuk while her mother’s side was human. How it happened? Her father saved her mom’s life during an especially hectic firefight somewhere in the Middle East and she later went to visit him and a lasting relationship was made. Garana, though, was her father’s daughter with another human just before 9/11 and was only able to stay with her father after a devorce and further evodence of child abuse on her biological mother’s part. She was forced to stay with some of her Vuken relatives until her father got back from the war anyhow. She is still thankful she doesn’t remember half of it.
She is the eldest of 3, the other two being a girl and a boy. Going to school, she made a few friends that she felt a natural attraction to, her best friends being a half-elf named Ela and a half-orc named James. Her siblings were only a few grades below her and ended up getting into more than one fight over their welfare. She even sent a kid to a hospital once when they were messing with her sister.
Some of her friends were always interested in TTRPGs and played them often. After meeting them and learning a little, she ended up getting into it as well. Despite her more nerdy side, has done well in both clay target and martial arts sports respectively, averaging in third place in most competitions.
They decided to visit some relatives on her mother’s side in Los Angeles and had already stayed a few days when her mother disappeared, and then her father and brother. She is still wither her aunt and uncle taking care of her sister as they continue to look for their lost family members.
Cantrips: Guidance & Message
Spoiler: Dorian Holkiir - Nitestrike776Name: Dorian Holkiir
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Race: Half-elf
Job: Fixer (Basically he works as a problem-solver for many different people or groups. Has worked as a PI for individuals, and as a spy for companies who are looking for corruption or illegal activity in their own ranks or in business partners. He will work for most anyone as long as they give him good reason to do what he's doing. He has a good moral compass, and will not tolerate clients lying outright to him. He once secretly screwed over a company that lied about their intentions for the information he got, and were actually trying to cover their own illegal activity. He charged them extra for the work, then turned them over to the authorities secretly. He uses his skills and study of magic to heavily assist in his work)
Skills: Deception, stealth, arcana, perception, investigation, insight, computers, martial arts, basic firearms and weapons training, basic knowledge of law
Equipment (General, won't always have all of these): Smartphone, collapsible baton, Arcane focus (bracelet), keys to late 201X model sport sedan and apartment keys, folding utility knife, wallet, PI License, headphones, notebooks and pen, Laptop and laptop bag with basic assortment of goodies (sticky notes, highlighters, other colored pens, pencils, chargers, headphones, a full set of dice).
Languages Spoken: Common, Elvish, Dwarvish, Undercommon
Accent: West coast accent
Personality: Good-natured, friendly, wry/sarcastic sense of humor. Generally easygoing unless provoked to cool hostility. Tends to think before he acts, tries to be cautious, though his passion can upset this balance, especially in the face of injustice.
Physical Description: Tall (6'0") with dark black hair and ice-blue eyes. A hint of a smile is usually at his mouth. He generally wears a black leather jacket over a charcoal hoodie with black jeans and steel-toe boots. He his of a more slender build, though he has hard wiry muscle from regular exercise.
Backstory: Dorian was born to an elven woman and a human man. His mother is a magic researcher, and had been doing it for several decades before he was even born. His father was her latest human love, though the first one she wed and had a child with. He is a doctor/healer, and is very talented, and with both of their jobs he had a comfortable upbringing. He gained his mother's talent and interest in magic, and his father's desire to help those in need. He studied for multiple careers including both of his parents' chosen professions, as well as a few others like computer science and business.
Eventually he landed in his own profession, helping people from all walks of life, and earning himself a good living doing something he enjoys. This allows him to study and use magic, in addition to using his various other skills in helping others. He likes to travel, and will often take jobs in other locations or countries, and has moved around a few times as needed for work. He enjoys reading, playing games with friends online and in person, and studying and practicing magic in his spare time.
He has a good relationship with his parents and visits them often in San Francisco, but he moved to LA for some continued work for a larger firm in the area within the last few years. He has a few friends and contacts in the area, most notably his friend Dimitri, a Goliath who runs the Peace Knot, a bar Dorian frequents, and some of the other regulars he's made friends with (Marus, a Half-orc in law enforcement; Jessie, a human lawyer who consults for the firm he does work for on and off; and Vers, a Tabaxi reporter for a local paper). A few weekends a month, they have game night at the bar and swap stories and info. They also meet up during the week as time allows when they visit the bar.
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Produce Flame
Spells: Detect Magic, Disguise self, Feather Fall, Mage Armor, Jump, Witchbolt
Bookmarks