» Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:39 am The New Pact RP
An RP created by ThePompousAltmer, Henvoraak and Disturbing
GM'ed by Schmuty Buncis, WD40 and ThoseTolerableNoobs
-----------The Plight of Tamriel------------
It has been thirty years since the end of the Great War, and the disease of conflict still grips tightly around Tamriel's hopelessly diverse peoples. From the land hungry, 'noble' warlords in west, to the proud and alien gurilleas in the east - turmoil never sleeps poorly. In Valenwood, it is no different. The province itself is hoarded close by its fascist Thalmor caretakers, but no sooner had word of an uprising, however unsuccessful, in the ancient home of the Nords been recieved than had the Wood Elves drafted up a mockery of it.
The New Pact - born, if this is not a tautology, anew - with the final goal of driving the Thalmor out of Valenwood and firmly across the Blue Divide, began coalescing in the forrests of SIlvenar, and the ears of the teetering Empire were peaked long enough for them to lend a few, discrete hands. Though the rebels began as little more than lauded burgalars, they soon grew when the decorated General Rammel Acilibus came to their helm. With the help of a seasoned human commander, the Pact began to become ever more successful, coming nerve-rackingly close to secreting territory away from the Aldmeri opressors.
But, needless to say, the mightest Empire in all the known world would not stand idly-by whilst a few Imperial backed bandits ravaged the peace in their Elven utopia. No - instead, they sent their own answer. Under General Tarene, and a host of the finest Aldmeri sword the New Pact was beaten and whittled away, such that they had risen and been felled in no less rythmic a fashion that the wheat-great of the Summerset fields. No doubt owing the Thalmor's control of their human neighbours halting any supply lines, within six years the Pact had waned from a formidible force,to a cowering set of outlaws held up once more in their cubby - Bal Fall Hideout.
But it has not all been ill for the rebels. Not a month ago, in the midst of a firece Skrimish, New Pact blades cut down the second most senior commander of the Thalmor task force - Captain Armion - noteable only for the fact that he was the son of one of the most powerful councilors throughout the whole Dominion - and in the political fallout Tarene was swiftly recalled. Better, the commander has been replaced with a mer whose name rings about the provinces, on the lips of any Aldmeri sympathisers, in sentences laced with shame. DIsgraced with violating a crucial tenet of Dominion life and punished with this futile, honourless task - Iachesis Jorus now seeks to destroy the Pact and in so doing reclaim the respect of a state for which his respect is dwindling. Poised now agaist Anin, and his subordinate Engaer, fierce Bosmer and Imperial loyalists, there may be hope for the New Pact yet...
-----------Introduction and Administration------------
Welcome to the New Pact RP, a roleplay idea dreamt up by The Pompous Altmer and catered to by Schmuty Buncis, WD40 and I, ThoseTolerableNoobs. We're a conflict or 'PvP' RP, pitting the forces of the Aldmeri Dominion against the dwindling rebels of the New Pact - an insurgency trying to get rid of those pesky neighbourhood fascists, The Thalmor, from Valenwood. The RP is set six years after the events of The Elder Scrolls V:Skyrim, in which the Empire was victorious, both in their civil war and in preserving the exsistance of the Mede Dynasty and their Emperor. The Dragonborn keeps him (or her) self to him (or her) self, and really doesn't bother anyone.
In the RP you will play as a soldier in , or someone otherwise tied up in the conflict between, The New Pact or the Thalmor. We want to keep this RP as open ended as possible, and so there is a chance for your character to permenantly die (if we deem it dramatic enough), so we welcome you to create alternates. The RP takes place in Valenwood, a map of which you can familiarise youself with here:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a177/SilgradTower/ForumAttachments/vw/valenwoodregions.jpg
So, here's how to get involved:
Character Sheet Template:
Gender:
Race:
Age:
Height:
Faction:
Rank:
Appearance:
Equipment:
Personality:
Background:
Motives:
Hideouts for the two factions will be very important in the RP, so here's a bit of detail on each of them:
Bal Fall Hideout - New Pact:
Name: Bal Fall Leader: Rammel Acilibus (Imperial) Description: The 'Hideout' is, in its present state, comprises of a few lofted wood-huts (imported wood, of course) tied loosley together by a series of knotted ropes and crude ladders, designed to crucially improve defensibility under attack, but nonetheless requiring a level of competence in agility few but the bosmer possess in order to navigate safely. Above and surrounding the huts are finely trimmed trees, and the ground below is littered with mercifully cushioning shrubs, such that the hideout is perhaps only visible in the extremes of the day, when whisps of smoke can be seen bellowing from the carfully hidden chimmneys amongst the trees. Little light penetrates into the complex's core - little more than a large treehouse with a few armourments lined up near useless murder holes - but by that same token little light escapes, and one might only spot the location if they came within a few hundred metres of its base. Access is provided by shouting a passphrase, upon which a rope is lowered from the trees and the Pact member pulled up to safety.
Second-in-Command: Anin (Bosmer)
Location: Bal Fall, Silvenar province, Valenwood
Silvenar City Headquarters - Thalmor:
Name: Justiciar Domaciles - Silvenar ruling district Leader: Iachesis Jorus (Altmer) Location: In the centre of Silvenar City, near admisitrive offices Description: Since the Aldmeri Dominion comprise the de-jure government of Valenwood, they have no need for the sorts of secrecy that the New Pact make use of. They co-ordinate their operations from deep within the city of Silvenar, which already has its own guard to protect Justiiciars when they have their guard down. The justiciar headquarters are a purpose built affair - a splash of Altmeri architechture splintered oddly amonst the naturalistic style of the wood elves. It is built mainly from sturdy, white stone, with decorative vines growing up its sides, though glass has been substituted, typically, for the finest of crystals. The place functions as an attractive, minaturised castle. Inside are all of the provisions for a lavish Summerset lifestyle. Cellars are kept stocked with wine, every minor offical has his or her own dignified office stacked with numerable classic novels, and even the garrisoned soldiers eat fine fruit, and sleep on the most comfortable of matrasses. There is even a crude, oven driven system of underfloor heating in the bathing areas - installed to keep the soldiers in peak physical condition. Needless to say, the armoury is staffed by methodically trained blacksmiths, working with moonstone and steel shipped from Summerset's remarkable supply stores. The Altmer live a life of comfort, though some may say they have become too comfortable for their own good...
Second-in-Command: Synrus (Altmer)
Relevant Lore (Thanks to Firelight for compiling this list):
The following lore highlights are courtesy of ThoseTolerableNoobs. Links to the UESP have been added for convenience and additional reference.
As to the lore you need to know for this RP, it's fairly straight forward:
1) As of now, http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Valenwood is under the rule of a Thalmor puppet-king, a member of the http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Camoran_Dynasty. The Camorans are basically the ticket to controlling Valenwood, an old clan whose crowning began the first era.
2) Valenwood was once a confederation of kingdoms created by the Imperials to weaken and split the http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Bosmer. The concept of feudal monarchies is a human one, and under Thalmor rule these kingdoms, and their significance, are reduced.
3) The http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Thalmor is the governing body of the http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Aldmeri_Dominion and they take the form of a council. Since, as I said, kingdoms within kingdoms is a human concept, and that the http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Altmer value magical-intellect or religious fervour most, the council comprises of accomplished, and no doubt feverishly fascist, mages, traders, generals and public figures more so than hereditary rulers.
4) Valenwood's culture can be summed up to the http://uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Green_Pact. Best if you http://www.imperial-library.info/content/rp-bosmer.
5) Altmer tend to be obsessed with purity - Thalmor officials will quite happily kill "undesirables".
Want to read more about any of these or other Elder Scrolls subjects? http://www.imperial-library.info/ is a wonderful place to start your search, as is the http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1112211-how-to-become-a-lore-buff/ here.
If you'd rather not sift through articles to learn the lore involved with this RP, then these links are for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98_5vQn36ms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjSHw_4KeY8
(A note about the above. The ShoddyCast and seem to have a strange penchant for fascism. The Altmer are not the noble and opressed people portrayed in the video, but they are not evil in the majority, either. Watch this for a feel of their culture rather than for solid-lore knowledge. Also, ALTMER DO NOT LIVE FOR 1000 YEARS - THEY'RE LUCKY TO HIT 300!)
The Aldmeri Dominion : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDNL9i4FYRE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EOnccRkfWY
-----------Rules and Accepted Characters------------
Rules:
1. No OP characters.
2. Be respectful to one another and follow the advice of the GMs. If we ask you to change something about your character, please do it.
3. Make sure your posts have a fair amount of detail in them and try not make them too short. This will help eliminate super short posts and keep the RP from going to fast.
4. If you haven't made a post for your character within one month, we as GMs have the right to do whatever we want with your character.
5. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Accepted Characters:
Thalmor:
Tausig2 - Tyinen Grint:
Gender: Male
Race: Bosmer
Age: 19
Height: 5'8
Faction: Thalmor
Rank: Private
Appearance: Tyinen is gaunt with long limbs. His cheekbones rise high, almost to his eye sockets. His hair is short and even, with peach fuzz most of the time. Veins and striations protrude his neck.
Equipment: long bow w/ iron arrows, steel dagger, poison.
Personality: He has an upbeat, can-do personality. He is sociable with people of similar social standing to him, but is reserved around his superiors. He tries to stay positive most of the time, and gives compliments when he senses things are not going well as a way to convince himself that things are better than they are. He seeks order whenever possible and is susceptible to anxiety.
Background: His father was a tailor in Haven. They did not have much, but still managed to get by. Much of his childhood and adolescence was spent helping his parents, with minimal schooling.He wanted to join a military to escape his monotonous life. He sided with the Thalmor, because it seemed like a safer, more practical option.
Motives: He sees the military as an alternative to his boring, lower-class life.
Lexicon - Synrus:
Gender: Male
Race: Altmer
Age: 173 and a half
Height: 7 foot six inches
Faction: Thalmor
Rank: Justicar (that's what goes here, right?)
Appearance: Tall and slender, with an imposing posture. Wears the robes of the Thalmor, with the hood typically obscuring half his face. Green eyes, jutting jaw, gaunt face and pronounced cheekbones, with the typical elfish ears common amongst most mer. Dark grey hair (when the hood is down, it's shoulder-length tied in a pituful ponytail) with a silver beard extending down to collar bone level. Pale gold skin, with wizened looking hands, the veins so pronounced in them.
Equipment: A scepter of mithril make, the head of a serpent with emerald eyes sitting on top of the sleek black pole. His official Justicar robes and a small spellbook to review spells on, along with the cane are the only things he keeps on his person, other than a decent sized coinpurse, of course.
Personality: Arrogant and brutally merciless. This mer is determined to take orders from his superiors and do everything in his power to act them out better than the best he can. Despite appearances, he is not old and is quite swift, both physically and mentally. Able to think for himself and solve problems. Has no respect for and is short tempered with humans, vagrants or those that stand against the Thalmor, and is Oblivion-bent to bring every last one of his enemies to their knees when they witness the awesome power of the Thalmor.
Background: Born in Dusk, lived relatively well, joined the Altmeri military when he was 110 (was a scholar beforehand), climbed the ranks and became a Justicar shortly before the Dragon Outbreak. Was assigned to Skyrim to root out Talos worshippers during Skyrim's Civil War, he worked mostly in the southern parts of Skyrim. Was soon recalled to Alinor to quell the Bosmeri rebellion. He now awaits further orders at the Silvenar Forest, for better insight on how to eradicate the rebels most effectively.
Motive: He will enforce the laws of the Thalmor onto those who chose to disobey them. He will make others see the truth that the Thalmor know, and bring world peace by removing those that would preach otherwise. He will help those who prove their loyalty to the Thalmor like he has proven his loyalty to his superiors. He will display his superiority to the inferior races that dare oppose the Thalmor. He is a Justicar, sworn to obey his superiors, and be one amongst others.
Sch - Sirilonwe:
Gender: Female
Race: Bosmer
Age: 77
Height: 5‘9
Faction: Thalmor
Rank: Scout
Appearance: Lithe and angular physique, with a longish, very vulpine facial structure. She looks for all the world like a short Altmer, albeit a feral one, more emotive and with sharper teeth. Her eyes are liquid copper, and her hair is dark blonde.
Equipment: A thin wool pair of pants and shirt, a bonemold bow, a small satchel full of potions and ingredients, foot wraps, leather bracers and two steel daggers. A pair of mortars and pestles, one set of which is smaller and lower quality to bring on missions, and the other which stays with her calcinator, retort and alembic at the Thalmor camp. The alchemy equipment at the camp has been more-or-less commandeered for the war effort, and is treated as common military property.
Motives: She recognizes that her Bosmeri ancestors strayed from Auriel’s teachings, and are now genetically deficient as compared to the Altmer. She believes this weakness allowed the Imperials to overrun them, which further corrupted their way of life, and compromised the defense of Summerset against Tiber Septim.
As a result, she is very penitent for her race’s perceived sins, and very adoring of High Elves. She does not hate men, or even beast races, but thinks they have gotten out of control. The Thalmor are only perceived as violent and terrible because they are trying to reverse the process of colonisation, degradation and exploitation, which most Bosmer are simply used to by now.
Background: She grew up in Falinesti, after the Thalmor liberation. The Imperials she met were kind as individuals, but she knew that as a nation they coveted Bosmeri resources and wouldn’t be able to stop themselves from trying to get them. At the young age of 18 she began a training regimen specifically in hopes to join the army. She was accepted at twenty-five and began training in subterfuge, living off the land, alchemy, armour and weapon repair, archery, and cleanup.
At 36, she was one of many young patriots to help root out the Blades agents in Valenwood, personally killing one in his sleep, and offering information that led to the 'capture' of two more. She helped infiltrate Bravil in the Great War, and anxiously waited in the city the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, at which point she resumed her training regimen and awaited new orders.
SchmutyBuncis - Lorana :
Gender: Female
Race: Altmer
Age: 109
Height: 6’3”
Faction: Thalmor
Rank: Battlemage
Appearance: Standing at a height of 6’3”, sporting a lean build, Lorana is short for an Altmer her age. With skin a light, golden complexion, she has high cheekbones, a narrow jaw, thin lips and a pair of hard, amber eyes. Her sharp features give her a look of firmness, a stern stare underlined with a hint of cynicism. She is a person who smirks when she smiles and grimaces when she frowns. Her hair is a chestnut brown, tidy and only passing her shoulders.
Equipment: A red gambeson, worn with a leather gorget, vambraces, greaves and a pair of gloves. Under that, she wears a simple tan shirt and trousers, with a pair of leather boots. Her only weapon is a steel shortsword.
Personality: Candid, she is direct and forthright. Lorana does not appreciate people who hint what they want, or ‘beat-around-the-bush’ so to speak. A critical thinker, she enjoys solving puzzles but also finds the fault in things. Determined and tenacious, Lorana likes to get things done, and done correctly. She values order, discipline, and structure. Loyal to the Aldmeri Dominion, she holds high respect for her superiors and follows orders without hesitation. That being said, she genuinely cares for her people and comrades and is quite the superficial joker.
Background: Born to a wealthy family in Cloudrest, Lorana grew up well and educated, comfortable under a social hierarchy. Leaving Cloudrest at twenty-five, she travelled to Dusk where she befriended a merchant. At fifty-three, she joined the military with a wave of the hand, really only joining because her merchant friend had. Having finished her rigorous military training, she specialised in becoming a battlemage, taking further training in Destruction. When the Great War broke out, her parents and siblings expressed their concern, but also their opinions against the Dominion. However, Lorana was too stubborn to listen. Holding very black-and-white views, she believed the Dominion was doing good, staying loyal to them. By 4E 172, she took part in the advance towards Cyrodiil, serving in the War until the end.
Meeting up with her parents once more, they had become so against the Dominion and the war, wishing to leave. Still, she helped them escape, where (to her knowledge) they now live in High Rock. She now awaits orders with the counter insurgency in the Silvenar Forest.
Motives: Perceives the rebels to be a threat to her people. She believes that the Thalmor are the only ones who can keep the peace, and keep things right.
ThoseTolerableNoobs - Iachesis Jorus:
Gender: Male
Race: Altmer
Age: 170
Height: 7ft 9inches
Faction: Aldmeri Dominion
Rank: Justiciar
Appearance: Sports a paler variety of the typically golden skin of the Altmer, a condition no doubt-owing to his advancing years, offset by bright orange eyes which set him out as being strikingly unusual looking. He has mottled and unkempt, though thoroughly clean, grey hair dusting above his shoulders, though little other facial hair, even eyebrows, which are strangely thin. Other than this he maintains and athletic build, muscular in the arms and thin around the torso, and is well equipped for the kind of athletic mobility required for life in Valenwood's forests.
Equipment: Wears typical Justiciar robes, even in spite of the lack of practical functionality in Valenwood's jungles, though mainly keeps the hood down. Beneath this he wears a thin plate of elven armour to protect from any wry blows that get past his remarkable sword-work. On his right thigh he carry two swords, the top of Ebony-make, and glistening with a fervour that reeks of lack-of-use. Beneath this is a more battered model of steel - almost imperial kind - which has the mark of frequent use.
Skills: Extremely seasoned dualist, having trained for many years with his fellow Justiciars, though will tend to prefer single or small group combat to large scale warfare. Is also proficient in magic, knowing many adept and quite a few expert spells in the restoration and destruction schools - though detests and refuses to use the conjuration school. Is athletic, though not as young as he once was, and will probably have difficulty adapting to the speed and agility to combat effectively in the forests. However, Iachesis is markedly intelligent, and would be well suited to turning combat to his favour.
Personality: Typically condescending and erudite, Iachesis talks quickly, and often expects other people to keep up with his lines of thought, taking little time to explain things. Though he prefers quite introspection in his free time, he can be quite chatty when pinned down to a topic he enjoys - especially concerning his passion, tea.
Background: Iachesis was born as their heir to some modestly wealthy lords in the northern isles, just as the first of the political upheavals began to shape Summerset into the Thalmor-police state that has harried the Empire since it's birth. The Jorus family, well integrated into the Imperialised economy and profiting greatly from it, were turned overnight from respected traders to detestable public enemies, and Iachesis began to fear greatly for his life. To the dismay of his parents, who were staunchly morally inclined against the Thalmor's purism, he signed up with the Justiciars and left his family to their inevitable prosecution.
Whilst in the Thalmor he became ferverously anti-imperial. This resentment, however, was not found in any form of disgust with the race of man, but the great irony their attitude to the dominion represented. Most Imperials spoke of the evil of the Thalmor's ambition to bring Tamriel under absolute elven control. To Iachesis' chagrin, they often failed to account for the fact that for four-hundred years the races of men had complete dominance over the elven lands of Morrowind, Summerset and Valenwood, and that at no point had the hereditary Septim line afforded any other race to take the Throne.
Recognising the fervour, the Justiciars decided to assign Iachesis to the skirmish forces in Valenwood, to help train the local population to drive out the a Empire whilst other operatives lured the Camoran's to their side with political cloak and dagger. Whilst here Iachesis was promoted to a commanding position, and told to oversee the removal of "undesirables". This was the first taste of Thalmor fascism, but fear and indoctrination overrode his better judgement, and he passed the atrocious orders expected of him, including levelling several farmer villages containing deformed citizens.
This turned out to be ironic, as many years later after the Great War, the loss of life in which bumped Iachesis to a senior position in the Justiciars in Alinor City, Iachesis came to be on the recieving end of the Thalmor's intolerance. For the past twenty years, the seasoned Justiciar had been harbouring a secret, a son. The infant had been born healthy, and with a slightly uncivilised ability to squeal - nothing out of place - save for a small, but nonetheless damning, cleft pallet streaking down his cheek. This defect, in the child of a senior government member would have demanded its rejection, but Iachesis allowed a compassionate flaw to overtake him, and he raised the son as he would have a complete one, though suitably in the dark.
However, this tactic could not last forever. The child was discovered, and Iachesis, upon trying to defend him, was arrested. His son was taken away, no doubt executed, and Iachesis assigned to Valenwood as a punishment, and to make a point of his fall from grace.
Motives: - Iachesis has mixed motives. On one hand, he dislikes the Empire for the hippocrisy, and for the years he spent fighting them, and resents their interference in Elven affairs. This should lead him to fight against the pact. On the other, the "death" of his son has left him jaded as to the Thalmor's true purpose, and with a sense of self loathing, as in his capacity as a Justiciar he has caused similar pain to other families. He is torn between staying true to his life, and what he has fought for, and a growing need for atonement.
The New Pact:
Sir_Ravd - Finglos:
Gender: Male
Race: Bosmer
Age: 50
Height: 5'8"
Faction: The New Pact
Rank: Volunteer/Ranger
Appearance: Has a wiry build, short black hair with a military cut, tanned skin. Green eyes and a permanent frown.
Equipment: Standard gear for wilderness survival, some trail rations, travel clothes and a mottled cloak for camoflage, For combat he has a very worn set of studded leather, a handaxe, short sword, long knife, and a yew shortbow, with 20 steel arrows.
Personality: The New Pact's situation has made him a dour individual and he can be gruff, although he tries to be team player when all is said and done. In battle he becomes a cold and merciless being, a real lone wolf.
Background: He and his had a nomadic existence, however after his family got caught up in the chaos of the civil war in Skyrim, he came to Valenwood alone with only his gear and bitter lessons. He immediatly joined the New Pact and is ready to put his skills at their disposal.
Motives: He wants to destroy the Thalmor for their part in his family's death and wants to see how the New Pact will function, as they may become his next target. He has suspicions of rebel groups after the Stormcloaks forced his family to shelter them under threat of violence, so if the New Pact causes too much collateral damage he may betray them.
{TWC}Mithrandir - :Seldryn Indoril
Name: Seldryn Indoril
Gender: Male
Race: Dunmer
Age: 43
Height: 5'11
Faction: The New Pact
Rank: Volunteer/Duelist
Appearance: Very fit, but of lean muscle rather than bulk and strength. He is bald, with what always seems like a few days' stubble on his face. His skin is of the typical ash color of the common Dunmer and he has several small scars across his body, most due to accidents of his own fault than wounds in battle, with the exception of two parallel scars running across his nose and his right brow at a slight angle.
Equipment: Dark gray trousers and shirt, and a tunic that splits at the waist and falls to just below the knees. Above this he wears a battered bonemold cuirass, bracers, and boots. On top of all of this he wears a dark red sash at the waist and a scarf of the same color around his neck, both of a worn, knitted cloth. He carries an unadorned ebony longsword of Dunmer make with a hand-and-a-half hilt, sheathed on his back, and a dagger made from chitin of Morrowind.
Personality: Ever seeking a challenge, Seldryn is amiable and carefree in manner, working hard not to let things stress him out. He is quick to share his dry wit with both friend and foe, and while he speaks recklessly and often crudely, he does not set himself above those he comes into contact with.
Background: A native of the city of Blacklight in Morrowind, Seldryn was born too late to take part in what he saw were the heroic conflicts of the Oblivion Crisis, the Argonian invasion of Morrowind, and the Great War. He sees this as a disappointment, and left his homeland after briefly serving as a footsoldier for House Redoran to aid in challenging causes. His participation in the Skyrim Civil War as a Stormcloak volunteer made him a certified freedom fighter in his mind, and he travels now to find more worthy fights.
Motives: Ever seeking a challenge, Seldryn was drawn to the New Pact by their enemies rather than their own motives. He has yet to pit himself against the Aldmeri Dominion, now arguably the most powerful faction on Tamriel, and sees the New Pact as the perfect way to test them - and himself - in the contest of arms. Seldryn also is eager to share in hardship nobly endured wherever he can find it, and he sees this in the Bosmer and Imperials of the New Pact. He spurns coin and anything but temporary titles, taking fulfillment in this war from challenging fights, camaraderie, and the spoils of war.
VeryAngryFairy - Psylia
Gender: Female
Race: Altmer
Age: 112
Height: 6' 5"
Faction: The New Pact (oh, yes)
Rank: Spy (for the pact)
Appearance: Though still taller than a lot of the people she calls friends, she's fairly short her race considered. Even so, she is from a fine line of Altmer, purely bred. Her light hair reaches the middle of her back when loose, but is almost always carried in a practical bun. Her eyes are a pale grey, and her skin the typical golden.
Equipment: Depending on the mission, that is for sure. But she prefers her long, dark green robe, hood down. She relies on her knowledge of Destruction, and a bit of Illusion. She is absolutely hopeless with a melee weapon, though she does carry a steel dagger.
Personality: Psylia is cautios, especially around new faces. She's aware that her being an Altmer fighting for The New Pact probably doesn't makes sense to some of her fellow members, but she is willing to go a long way to prove her loyalty. She does have a bit of the typical arrogant air about her at first glance, but it is easy to make her smile.
Background: Having been born into a wealthy Altmer family, loyal to the Thalmor, she was brought up that way. For many years she didn't dare say it, but she never could get herself to hate others based solely on their race, and she never thought herself and her kin to be particularly better than others. When she did break the "news" to her mother, at the age of 37, she was obviously banished. What was said about her disappearance, Psylia has never found out, but she's never regretted the decision, and never looked back. For years she travelled, seeking places of Tamriel that could teach her more about herself and Destruction. She was not far from the border to Skyrim, in Cyrodiil, when she heard about the dragons, and decided that Skyrim could wait. Instead she headed toward Valenwood. When she heard word of The New Pact, she knew exactly what to do.
Motives: To wipe out the Thalmor, or at least teach the Altmer some respect for others and the world around them. If that means spying on them and even taking them down from the inside, so be it.
Blak'ika - Gauis Aurelius Valclinius:
Gender - Male
Race - Imperial
Age - 20
Height 5'10"
Faction - The New Pact
Rank - Optio (NCO appointed by the Centurion within a Century)
Appearance - He is fit, having spent his teenage years training for the legion. He keeps his dark hair short -but not shaved-, and goes clean shaven, as per legion requirements. His skin is a tanned olive tone and his eyes are a piercing green.
Equipment - Black Leather armor that has no affiliation in appearance to Legionary armor. He has a mottled grey and brown cloak which is worn over the armor. While trained and proficient with the his longbow, he prefers his sword; a balanced medium length blade that can be used with either one or both hands.
Personality - Gaius is a driven individual, relentless to the point of brutality. He harbors disgust for Altmer and their kind. Back in camp he finds it difficult to unwind and enjoy recreation with the other fighters, preferring solitude, books, and quiet contemplation.
Background - He was born to a well-to-do merchant and his wife in the Imperial City. He was sent to school to follow in his father's footsteps. While he was capable in business, he wanted nothing else than to study war. This was against his father's wishes. As a result, he learned to study and train in secret, learning the ways of deceit as much as combat. When he turned 18, his father believe him to have joined a trade caravan to Elsewyr. Gaius had, in fact, joined up with the legion, learning his way from the bottom up. In time, his skill with conversation manipulation convinced his commanding officers that he was ready for more "discreet" work than marching. He was officially "discharged" from the legion and ordered to join up with General Rammel Acilibus in his efforts to battle the Thalmor.
Motives - None other than to make a name for himself and to prove to his father that as a warrior, he would be greater than any merchant.
Dovahkiin - Basil Palaiologos:
Gender: Male
Race: Imperial
Age: 27
Height: 6'0"
Faction: New Pact
Rank: Sergeant in Penitus Oculatus
Equipment: Long steel knife, which he wields expertly, light armor of thick leather and chain mail, commoner clothes, some gold, a few books on military theory. A second, smaller knife for labor or to conceal.
Appearance: Tall and athletic, he shaves his scalp as well as his beard. He has wide set green eyes, firm jaw, and arching cheekbones, giving him a vaguely majestic look.
Background: Born to a prestigious military family, Basil was from a young age educated in military and intelligence. Graduating with excellent marks from an academy, he was recruited as an officer. Keenly interested in military technology and application of magic, he has taken classes from the Arcane University to learn theory in magic, but knows no practical magic. Patriotic towards the ideal of the empire, he feels only a grudging amount of loyalty to the emperor, and would support an ambitious general, should one emerge more capable of guiding the empire. Ambitious, methodical, and unyielding, Basil will focus on a certain field and not rest until he has overcome the obstacle. In Valenwood, he has painstakingly learned local customs, the terrain, and the Thalmor political structure. Though reasonably athletic from his childhood and school requirements, he is not particularly quick and his little endurance. He is strong mainly thanks to his height. He wants to prevent the New Pact from becoming a marginalized, radical group without support from amongst the populous, and so will often try to recruit more members and aide isolated villages. Ambitious and devoted, he will often do things of questionable morality to achieve his goal, albeit with a guilty conscience.
Personality: Strict, obedient, patriotic, and ambitious. He wants what's best for his country, and is willing to carry out less than noble plans to achieve it. Strong, but ultimately prefers deception and subversion. If he were to fight a battle, he would try to win with tricks and psychological warfare.
Motive: He is a patriot eager for glory; both personal and that of the empires.
Firelight - Athrahil:
Gender: Female
Race: Bosmer
Age: 38
Height: 5’9”
Faction: The New Pact
Rank: Scout and Healer
Appearance: At first glance she appears to be a pretty little thing; with her large golden eyes, high cheekbones, soft-pink lips, and delicate scooped noise, she seems almost better suited for a life of luxury instead of one in the wilds. On closer inspection however, her teeth are disquietingly sharp, her keen eyes too much like a wolf’s, and her movements somehow predatory in their deliberateness. She keeps her lean and light skinned frame painted in red ocher, completely covering her hands, arms, feet, legs and neck. Her rich-brown hair hangs a mere inch above her shoulders in a cascade of waves, adorned with a scattering of assorted feathers tied into it.
Equipment: Blowpipe, poisoned blow darts, steel khukuri, hide shield, medic’s kit (contains gauze, needles, thread, truncates, etc.), a couple poultices, several strange tonics, a waterskin, animal fat, flint, and a mixture of red ocher in a sturdy jar.
(Apparel) Mended fur cuirass complete with shawl, leather greaves that end just below the knees, a belt with several wolf and foxtails hanging off the back, leather bracers, and huntsman’s moccasins with a small fringe of feathers sewn around the ankles.
When not in her armour --which is rare-- she usually runs about in a tattered woad robe.
Personality: Athrahil’s best described as spirited and a touch eccentric. Free with her affections and opinions, she’s known to be teasing and audacious with friends or strangers alike, regardless of their social standing, and is always ready for a good laugh, especially if it involves irony. Athrahil also adores nature and is something of a follower of Y’ffre; though she doesn't adhere strictly to his teachings, they do usually influence her ideas and actions to some degree. Despite her wild appearance and participation in the rebellion, she hates needless bloodshed and death, going so far as to be an advocate of fair treatment for the New Pact’s prisoners.
Background: Born just outside Elden Root to environmentally minded Bosmeri parents (aren't they all?), Athrahil was brought up to live in harmony with the land, hunting and taking only what she needed. As a result, she has quite the knowledge of local flora and fauna, and is more than capable of hiding or moving stealthily amid forest. At the age of 24 she decided to become a guide to the wilds of Valenwood, sharing her love and knowledge of nature --she also saw it as a way to protect the uninitiated from the dangers of the forest while protecting the forests from their ignorance.
Around age 36 the Thalmor took an interest in Athrahil’s work as a guide and began to question her about it. This shortly escalated to accusations of treason, resulting in Athrahil’s detainment for several weeks and a full search and seizer of her property. Of course, at this time she was completely innocent --as statements from locals proved-- and was pardoned with her belongs returned to her, but Athrahil’s stay in prison had already done its damage.
Between the abuse and the thinly veiled threats she endured at the hands of the Thalmor, she realised she would've been tortured or put to death had no evidence been found to prove her innocent or guilty. It was at this revelation that she began to truly appreciate the state of fear many already felt living under Dominion rule, unable to ignore it any longer. The truth, as she was convinced, was that the Thalmor were out of control. Someone had to act.
In a desperate attempt to protect her family and friends, Athrahil cut off all ties with them in the most unpleasant of terms, praying the bad blood would distance them from her. She then waited a few months before slipping away to join the New Pact, a resistance group she’d heard whispers about.
Motives: She simply seeks freedom. To do what she wants with whom she wants without fear of making herself or her loved ones a target for harm. Since she’s unwilling to leave Valenwood to lead such a life, there was just one other option left...
WD40 - Anin :
Gender – Male
Race – Bosmer
Age – 63
Height – 5’9
Faction – The New Pact
Rank – Scout
Appearance – Anin is very skinny, even for elven standards. His body looks fragile and weak from his apparent lack of nutrition. His face is gaunt, almost ghoulish and his eyes are slightly sunken. He has shoulder length dark brown hair, with one thick braid on the left and right sides, framing his face. His eyes are steel blue, but somewhat faded. Into battle, he paints his face to match the forest floor.
Equipment – Anin carries a long bow, a quiver with steel arrows, a steel dagger and two small vials of poison. He wears very light sack cloth pants and top, which he’s covered in leaves and sticks to act as camouflage.
Personality – Out of battle, Anin is nice, but somewhat reserved. He prefers the company of small numbers only, never putting himself into large gatherings. Though reserved, he isn’t shy. When he feels his opinion needs to be expressed he is vocal and stubborn. In battle, Anin is cunning and ruthless, showing no mercy for the enemy.
Background – Anin was born to poor parents working as indentured servants under a rich Breton family from Cyrodil. From a young age, he had wanted to travel to the Bosmer homelands, to live as his ancestors had. When he became of age he ran away from the life of servitude meant for him, and arrived in Silvenar.
Upon learning of the New Pact, Anin trained to become a scout, learning to live without supplies for weeks at a time, and perfecting the arts of stealth and archery. He became adept in the use of his surroundings as concealment, and in the gathering of poisons of the area.
Motives – Anin is motivated by his love of his homeland, and to see it brought back to its rightful holders.
Souperintendent - Dominic Vesuvius (I'm putting you in New Pact - seems logical. The Thalmorcha a fairly decent spy network - certainly better than the Imperials)
Gender: Male
Race: Imperial
Age: 37
Height: 5'7"
Faction: Penitus Oculatus, Imperial Legion
Rank: Inspector
Appearance: Here's reference images of the more original, artistically licensed character:
-http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo66/Dimentio343/2013-09-22_00005_zps8411f967.jpg
-http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo66/Dimentio343/2013-09-22_00003_zps9401ef68.jpg[/size]
-http://s362.photobucket.com/user/Dimentio343/media/2013-09-22_00004_zps378ff15e.jpg.html[/size]
-http://s362.photobucket.com/user/Dimentio343/media/2013-09-22_00006_zpseb2a3f1e.jpg.html[/size]
And here's some of a more conformed, canonical version (whichever is preferred):
-http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo66/Dimentio343/2013-09-02_00001_zpsa1a93c81.jpg
-http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo66/Dimentio343/2013-09-02_00002_zpsd81df089.jpg
Equipment: (Relative to the above options)Personality:[/size]Imperial to the core. Intelligent, strategic, and swift, Dominic prefers precision to brute force. He is very logical and rational, but also very passionate about his work--his work being fighting for the good of the Empire. He often comes up with his own ideas and plans, but honors the chain of command and follows his orders. He is also quite religious, showing great reverence for all the Eight Divines, Akatosh in particular. In his past, he was quite warm, upbeat, and friendly, but after an occasion where he gravely failed in his duties, he became a cold, aloof soldier, whose only focus is on the mission at hand. He insists on wearing full body armor,Background: Dominic was born and raised in the Imperial City to a fair couple, his father being a Legionairre and his mother being a seamstress. He never really knew them, however, because when he was only two years old, the Great War broke out, and his father was away on duty, while his mother had to work harder than ever to raise a child and make enough money to do so. When he was five, the Thalmor invaded the Imperial City. His mother hid him in their cellar, but she was murdered by the Thalmor invaders, and Dominic's father was slain trying to defend them. They never found Dominic, who, despite being scarred, scared, and alone, managed to survive on his own, scavenging food and water long enough for the Empire to retake the city. It was later in his life that he came to believe that Akatosh had guided him through the ordeal and saved him, as his mother was a devout worshiper of the deity. However, he came out with a split outlook on life; one half wished to do good in the world and be charitable in the name of the Divines, and the other wanted to butcher every Mer on Tamriel.
Now an orphan, he grew up in a crowded orphanage full of children whose family was lost to the war. He was quite a loner in his first weeks, but eventually came to make friends, enjoying their company, but also enemies. Having survived on his own through the most heated part of the Great War, Dominic was no pushover. He fought with those who antagonized him relentlessly, eventually commanding the respect of all the children in the orphanage, whether he wanted it or not. Unadopted, he was forced to leave once he reached advlthood, but all his family's wealth had been destroyed along with his mother and father. But during his time, he did much reading on Tamriel's history, especially that concerning the Empire. Realizing that he was not meant for civilian life, Dominic joined the Imperial Legion immediately, following in his father's footsteps, just as much to honor him as much as he wished to avenge him.
Dominic's discipline, along with his natural agility, stealth, and survival skills which he had developed during the invasion of the Imperial City, earned him quick progression through the ranks of the Legion. It gave him a new identity--a new family. For the first time in his life, he had a purpose to serve, and for what the Legion had given him, he swore to fight for the Empire until his dying breath. This conviction was not missed by thorough eyes, as within a few years of service, Dominic was asked to join the Penitus Oculatus. The opportunity to join such a prestigious organization under the Emperor himself was an incredible honor, so he did so without hesitation. However, his initiation gave him his first moral dilemma, as he was required to kill a young girl. It took him hours of deliberation before coming to the conclusion that this was for the greater good of the Empire, and therefore Tamriel. Once the decision had been made, he carried out his mission without hesitation.
Being an Inspector, Dominic now engaged in many assassination and espionage missions throughout Tamriel. It was through his tours that he came across Thalmor for the first time since the Battle of the Red Ring. Every fiber of his being yearned to slit their yellow throats and watch the life fade from their eyes, but, knowing his place and the current political climate, he left his sword in its place. However, he grew a habit of keeping an eye on the elves, whether out of suspicion or to fantasize them burning alive. In order to mask his eyes as to not raise suspicion of himself, he adopted a full-head, closed Imperial helmet to mask his face. Eventually, after wearing it for many years, it became almost like a second skin. He wore it day and night, on and off duty. It was his new identity; a fierce Inspector of one of the deadliest military organizations in Tamriel.
Much like in his Legion days, Dominic was met with success. This eventually earned him a seat as one of Emperor Titus Mede II's personal guards. He took it as a great honor, but did not see much action. The Emperor's company was enjoyable, and they often talked about political matters, but their relationship was strictly professional. It was during this time that the Emperor was due for a visit in Skyrim. Dominic had yearned to be stationed there, as the growing Stormcloak rebellion was making his blood boil with every mention of them. The idea that such a mindless, irresponsible group of barbarians would dare to disrupt the peace and fight with the Empire instead of the real enemy, the Thalmor, made him despise them almost as much as the Thalmor themselves. However, he was strictly on guard duty, not being able to deal with the crisis whatsoever, which made him very disappointed. Instead, he was sent to investigate rumors of a Dark Brotherhood assassination plot, which he found as grave a matter as the Civil War, and instantly wished to help with. Once Commander Maro located their hideout, Dominic was sent with a regiment of agents to go and wipe them out. He did so with extreme prejudice, burning the place to the ground.
When he returned to the Katariah to celebrate with his comrades, he boasted with his friends about the pitiful Dark Brotherhood and the glory of the Empire. This was the first time in his service that he felt a kinship with his fellow men. In fact, it was the first time he felt kinship with anyone since the orphanage. However, he found the celebration to be short-lived. An assassin, likely from the Dark Brotherhood, had infiltrated the ship and murdered the Emperor. All while he was on board. He was unharmed physically, but mentally, he felt that he had failed in his duty in the greatest way possible. He went many sleepless days contemplating whether or not he should resign from the Penitus Oculatus or not. After great deliberation, he resolved to stay, but now he would be a man with only one purpose and one alone: serve the Empire. No friends, no emotion. He and his uniform were now one entity.
His life was from then on one mission after another. He carried them out with ruthless efficiency, caring not for how many casualties he inflicted or suffered, nor to whom. This mindset and absolute loyalty meant that he would be perfect for the mission he now has to complete. A revered Imperial general, Rammel Acilibus, had defected to Valenwood and started his own militant group there to fight for independence from the Aldmeri Dominion. The Empire, troubled greatly by one of their own being the cause of this, seeing it as a threat to both their tenuous relationship with the Thalmor, as well as with the possibility that he could end up divulging important Imperial secrets.
It was then decided that Dominic should be sent to Valenwood to assist the Thalmor in capturing the leader of the New Pact, as a sign that the Empire was not behind this insurrection and that they wanted it to end as well. However, the Thalmor denied this request and shut out all Imperial eyes, ears, and mouths from the province. As much as Dominic wanted to bring this traitor to justice, the idea of working with the damned elves almost made him vomit inside his helmet.
The risk still remained that Rammel Acilibus would be captured and give the Thalmor information that the Empire would desperately wish to keep confidential. Deciding that the risk of this happening was greater than the risk of secretly intervening, the Penitus Oculatus resolved to send Dominic in anyways, in secret, to spy on how things unfold. The possibility that the New Pact could win was always a possibility, so the mission was purely espionage. But if worse came to worse, he'd have to assassinate Acilibus with absolute secrecy before he fell into Thalmor hands.
Motives: Dominic Vesuvius wishes for nothing more than to serve the Empire. He despises all Mer, Altmer and Bosmer alike, especially the Thalmor. However, despite his desire to butcher them, he must restrain himself and follow his orders. His primary objective is to ensure that Rammel Acilibus is not captured and to not be seen by either side. He's at a quandary with the battle, however. He does not want the Thalmor to win, as he'd rather seem them fail and not get their hands on any Imperial secrets, but he also despises Acilibus for his disloyalty to the Empire and feels that he should be killed for his crimes. However, these are merely tiny voices in the mind of a man so absolutely committed to duty and mission that he blocks out all personal impulse from his actions.
-----------Where we are so far!------------
Recent events in the RP:
In the wake of Captain Arminion's death, the new Thalmor leadership has been honour-bound to search for blood. Though not particularly enthusiastic about persuing his foe into territory known exceedingly well to their troops, and poorly to the Thalmor's own, Iachesis Jorus has marched with a sortie of around thirty justiciars and begun burning a firely path through the forest in an attempt to quite literally smoke the New Pact out and into a direct confrontation on open ground. Given their recent success, General Rammel had authorised the contruction of further Pact hideouts in the outlying brambles, and this has proven to be his undoing.
It is at one of these outlying hideouts that our factions meet - deprived of each other's blood for nigh on a month and eager for conflict. The disrespectful Dominion forces, in complete violation of the Green Pact, have torched the forest surrounding the New Pact's construction site and set upon the scattered rebels with deadly force. Iachesis intends to drag Rammel fromthe embers and take him back to Silvenar, but not before dealing a deathly blow to the insurgents - revenge for Arminion's death - whom he knew in youth. Rammel, however, intends to fight to the last to find a way out.
This is where we begin our RP!
