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 Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:30 pm
200 years ago...
It was the whitest of winters. The wind stung, the snow swirled and the air forced its way into even the most protected of nests. No creature was safe from the icey deluge. It blew into burrow and bough alike, freezing all life where it quivered. Anything left standing was entombed in a sheath of snow.
Even the ancient mausoleum, crumbling with age, could not bare the sting of the wind and the bite of the cold. Its once fine pillars groaned and creeked in protest to the thrashing given by the ice and the wind and the cold. Finally, with one last roar of crashing stones, it gave itself to the wind. There, it rested, its royal heart crushed by the weight of the load.
And yet a tiny sapling - bleached white with cold - dared raise its noble crown for one grasping move towards the frozen sky.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:33 pm
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:55 pm
(aka, required arseholery)
If you don't like something, tell me and we'll fix it.
If you don't follow the rules you'll be removed.
Absolutely no flaming or bullying. Na ah, not even a little bit.
Don't create more characters than you can handle.
If you have to leave of any reason, post it on the OOC.ProfilesDo not change the profile code. It's there for a reason.
You may use any style of image you wish (anime, photo, drawing, digital, whatever).
You know what, I don't really mind Mary-Sues but don't go over the top. Other people have to put up with your character too.
PM your finished profile and reservation to me. When it is accepted you may post it to the Profile Thread.
No drastic changes.
Post what you have changed on the OOC.
By PMing me your profile you acknowledge that you have read the rules and will follow the ToS. All hail the ToS, Gaia's Bible of Bad News!PostingI don't really care if you swear so long as it's in character and within the Gaia ToS.
No cybering. Romance is cool so long as it doesn't choke the thread to death. If you must include something, timeskip or fade to grey. I do not want to see it. Got it?
No godmoding, autohitting, autoblocking or puppeteering. Your character is not invincible, neither is anyone else's.
It's up to your creative genious how fancy your post styles get but keep images up to 300x300 and don't stretch the page.
Please post at least twice a week.
Don't leave people in post lock.LiteracyThis is a literate thread. Make sure your sentences and paragraphs are legible. I won't grill you but please make an effort. The same goes for length.
Please try to write at least two, well structured paragraphs.
Absolutely no one liners.I reserve the right to change the rules but I will notify everyone on the OOC if I do.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:00 pm
Steadily, the winters grew milder and the lands became habitable once again. Birds, reptiles, beasts and all manner of creature ventured warily into the Tree's domain. In the dead of winter, when no other plant dared share its life, the Tree unfurled its white leaves and offered up the most dazzling, silvery fruit. As the fruit split and dropped its pale nuts to the earth, the creatures ventured out from their burrows, pulled by a dire need to be near the Tree.
The creatures gnawed at the nuts of the tree and birds took the silver husks way back to the safety of the forests. Those that hunted prey ate the mice and voles that sat between the Tree's exposed roots. All those who feasted upon the Winter Tree's bounty became large, and bold, and wily. They were the most noble of creatures and their pelts were drained white as stigmata of their feast.
That spring, a motley caravan of peoples came passing by and rested their steeds by the roots of the Tree. Though neither their steeds nor they were stained by the Tree, they felt rejuvenated, nourished, whole. How surprised they were by the Tree's virtues!
The news soon spread of the marvellous Winter Tree and stories of its powers became known across the lands. People came and were awed by the white creatures and the miracles they saw. Even a sanctuary was built atop the ruins of the old world, in honour of the Winter Tree and soon a thriving town was centred by its beauty.
Last came the scholars and wizards. Drawn by the power of the Tree, they craved to know how such a thing could come to pass and from where it drew its energy. In their findings they became aware that the Tree was in fact sentient, drawing life from the air, the other trees and from the earth itself. What passed from the Tree was in fact a small part of its very spirit.
Alas, that was many years ago. No longer does the Tree bear fruit through the winter. No longer do the leaves cure the ill. No longer do the plains flourish with bountiful crops. No longer do people and their animal companions feel assured of their lives through mild winters. In winter the place is icey, inhospitable and hostile, as are the creatures that once supped upon the Tree's feast. They stir at the edges of the ever-encroaching forest, sneaking out late at night and attacking when the townsfolk seem at their weakest. To the people, it would seem as though the once wily beasts had become wicked, for many a family have known the bite of their tooth and claw.
And so, on the equinox of autumn, the people have decided they can no longer let the issue lay rest. They must act. They have called a Santuary meeting to decide the fate of the Winter Tree. To take up arms against the wicked beasts in order to appease the Tree, to flee the land they have loved for generations, or to quest out the cause of the ill and pray they will survive the winter.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:01 pm
Reservation Code[imgleft](100x100)[/imgleft][color=white]XXX[/color][size=16](Give your character a reservation title, eg. "The Mage")[/size]
[size=11][color=white]XXX[/color](Character's name)
[color=white]XXX[/color](Character's age)
[color=white]XXX[/color](Five words to describe your character)
[color=white]XXX[/color]● ● ● ● ● (At least one posting colour)
[color=white]XXX[/color](Your username)[/size] Profile CodeBare with it. You only have to fill in the (brackets).
[align=center][img](your image)[/img]
[size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR](username)[/color][/b][/size]
[color=POSTING COLOUR][size=16](your reservation title)[/size][/color][/align]
[align=left][size=11]I greet you, fair stranger, and introduce myself as [color=POSTING COLOUR][b](name)[/b][/color].
I am a [color=POSTING COLOUR][b](gender)[/b][/color] who has tread this earth for [color=POSTING COLOUR][b](age)[/b][/color] years.
I have loved and I have lost, but I will always yearn for [color=POSTING COLOUR][b](men/women/anybody/nobody)[/b][/color].
I currently work my way through life as a [b][color=POSTING COLOUR](occupation)[/color][/b].[/size][/align]
[align=right][size=11][color=POSTING COLOUR][b]When my path becomes rocky I will use (your weapons or powers). Hear me out as I explain how I use them...[/b][/color]
(describe your powers, tactics or fighting styles)[/size][/align]
[align=left][size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR]I find them to be...[/color][/b]
(two or more strengths)[/size][/align]
[align=right][size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR]Alas, I am not infalliable...[/color][/b]
(two or more weaknesses, this is important for a well rounded character)[/size][/align]
[align=center][size=11][color=POSTING COLOUR](interesting fact/song lyrics/quote)[/color][/size][/align]
[align=left][size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR]Let me tell you the story...[/color][/b]
(your history)[/size][/align]
[align=right][size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR]Of what I have become...[/color][/b]
(your personality)[/size][/align]
[align=left][size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR]If you listen, you will hear that I like:[/color][/b]
(two or more likes)[/size][/align]
[align=right][size=11][b][color=POSTING COLOUR]If you look, you will see I despise:[/color][/b]
(two or more dislikes)[/size][/align]
[align=center][color=POSTING COLOUR][size=11](interesting fact/song lyrics/quote)[/size][/color][/align] Strengths and WeaknessesA strength is any strong point the character has - intelligence, battle knowledge, great strategist, excellent flute player, speaks three languages, witchcraft, bushcraft, can talk themselves out of any situation. They're things a person can be proud of/do well.
Weaknesses are the opposite. They're things the character fails at or is a hinderance - stammers, physically weak, runs slow, cannot control their powers, cannot swim, no aim or archery skills, short attention span, nervousness, clumsiness, cannot use weapons, susceptible to magic. Having weaknesses means there are things a character still has to learn and develop. It means they won't automatically win every fight they come across.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:03 pm
 XXXThe Witch XXXAdara
XXXTwenty three
XXXSpiritual, reserved, self-reliant, open-minded, confident.
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXAzekal Noxcis XXXThe MessengerXXXShivoran "Tifty" Priest
XXXSixteen
XXXSpeedy, hardworking, spirited, agile, outspoken
XXX● ● ● ●
XXXmdu_ntr XXXThe FighterXXXKaya "KC" Creutz
XXXNineteen
XXXClumsy, loyal, positive, serious, strong
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXAlykia XXXArcher/Herbalist XXXSibina K Donnley
XXX24
XXXNaive, helpful, happy, peppy, talkative
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXDisco NightFreak XXXThe Master ThiefXXXQuinn O'Reilly
XXX34
XXXMysterious, mellow, intelligent, perverted, dedicated
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXAlykia XXXThe Shapeshifter XXXAmbrose Detuso
XXX26
XXXAwkward, friendly, honest, blunt, quiet.
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXBlood Stained Pages XXXThe Possessed XXXDamien Ackart
XXXTwenty Four
XXXRuthless, Twisted, Conflicted, Powerful, Jerk
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXJessie My Love XXXThe HunterXXXNafiah
XXXTwentry-three
XXXSweet, survival orientated, loyal, protective, determined
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXmdu_ntr XXXBadger LordXXXTaxidea Taxus
XXXTen years
XXXProtective, Wise, Strong, Hot-Headed, Curious
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXMilern XXXThe Barbarian XXXMordecai Gorzok
XXX33
XXXIlliterate, Sensible, Protective, Ponderous, Stubborn
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXMilern XXXThe SongbirdXXXRaegan Sol
XXXTwenty-One
XXXMusical, supportive, caring, devoted, determined
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXHero_duuh XXXThe BodyguardXXXKeaton Sol
XXXEighteen
XXXProud, stoic, good-natured, rambunctious, perceptive
XXX● ● ● ● ●
XXXHero_duuh
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:21 pm
 Time of YearEarly Summer ● Mid Summer ● Late Summer ● Early Spring ● Mid Spring ● Late Spring ● Early Autumn ● Mid Autumn ● Late Autumn ● Early Winter ● Mid Winter ● Late WinterTime of DayEarly Sunlight Hours ● Mid Sunlight Hours ● Late Sunlight Hours ● Early Moonlight Hours ● Mid Moonlight Hours ● Late Moonlight HoursWeatherStill ● Breeze ● Wind ● Gale ● Freezing ● Cold ● Cool ● Warm ● Hot ● Clear ● Fog ● Sprinkle ● Rain ● Hail ● Thunder ● Light Snow ● Snow ● Blizzard
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:28 pm
XXX●XXXWed Jan 26, 2011 9:30 pmXXX●XXXThe Winter Tree is now under construction. Feel free to post your reservations and profiles.XXX●XXXWed Jan 26, 2011 10:16 pmXXX●XXXThe OOC is up and running.XXX●XXXThu Jan 27, 2011 5:35 pmXXX●XXXThe IC thread is now open. Post at will.XXX●XXXTue Feb 15, 2011 10:23 pmXXX●XXXThe first poll is up and running. It runs out in three days.XXX●XXXSun Feb 20, 2011 1:35 amXXX●XXXThe first poll has ended. The people will quest out the reason why the Tree is dying.XXX●XXXSun Feb 20, 2011 1:35 amXXX●XXXThe thread is now full. No new character suggestions will be taken.XXX●XXXMon Mar 28, 2011 11:35 pmXXX●XXXThe second poll has ended. There's been a timeskip to the time they meet outside the village.XXX●XXXTue Jun 14, 2011 8:17 pmXXX●XXXThe town finally has a name other that Acaciaston. It's called Netir but the land around it is still called the Lands of the Winter Tree. Anything within the radius of where other trees so not grow is the Lands of the Winter Tree.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:39 pm
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:41 pm
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:44 pm
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:17 am
 ● The Messenger ● Tifty ● Don't shoot the messenger｡｡｡ Today would be a great day! Today would be an exciting day! Shivoran Priest could barely contain his urgency as he dashed through the cottage's flimsy door. As he made it over the threshold, a smooth and sturdy hand grabbed him about the wrist, jerking him to a halt.
HERA'Pop!' the boy exclaimed as he rubbed a now sore shoulder.
HERA'You're not getting away that easily, Tifty. The chickens need feeding,' Thanael Priest said.
HERA'But, but... the town meeting!'
HERA'The Sanctuary won't open for another hour and the town meeting isn't for another two.'
HERATifty groaned and conceded, snatching up a scoop of grain before rushing to the chook pen. He didn’t even slow for the ice-covered puddle that he normally managed to jump. With a groan, he shook off the icy water and leapt the chook yard fence. He flung open the door, threw the grain across the floor and spun on his heel. He was off! Tifty sped off towards the Sanctuary, his head spinning slightly from turning so fast.
HERAThere were few people in the streets as Tifty made his way. It was still early so most people were chasing stubborn children, baking the day's bread or doing chores in their yards. Though few people were outside, the sounds of life hummed through the chilly morning. Those who were out, such as Tifty, could see their breath curl up in little clouds of fog. As it was, Tifty was greatful for the clear sky that shone above him. The meeting would have been terribly uncomfortable with all the town's people dripping onto the polished floors. It was like an omen of good fortune shining down upon the Tree.
HERATwelve and a half minutes, he thought as he saw the broad, snow covered steps the the front of The Sanctuary. Twelve and a half minutes was his record from home to work. If he'd beaten that, maybe he could get his deliveries finished before the town closed up for the meeting. Yep, today was to be one of the greatest days in The Winter Tree’s history: the day the people decided the fate of the all who lived there. ｡｡｡he doesn't mean no harm, honest!
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:48 pm
╔═══▫▪═══
Once the storm begins, no mortal force can halt it.
Adara●●●The WitchTHREE WEEKS! Three bloody weeks had Adara been traveling, and she was starting to get fed up with her guide. Though one couldn't exactly call her guide such, considering it was a bear. Well bear was just as misleading since it was ghost-like and could shrink down to the size of a dog. Infernal thing was trouble sometimes, and Adara wondered how such a creature ended up being her spirit companion. They were incredibly different. While she was reserved, Bear liked to make himself known. When she wanted to rest during the day, it wanted to play! The nerve this spirit had was rather astounding to the Witch...but then again, this could be rather normal. She couldn't exactly judge since she was just recently introduced to the spirit realm.
Sighing to herself as she came to a stop next to the bear, who for some inane reason decided it was time to rest, the Witch looked around slowly. It seemed as if it led her to a town, though something didn't quite sit right with the young woman. Her spirit bear seemed too...too physical for a spirit. If the sight of the bear seeming more real than ghost-like didn't convince her that they were in the right place, what she asked the bear next definitely confirmed it.
"We're hear?! How are you sure?" Adara asked rather plainly as she went to pet the little bear between it's ears. As soon as her hand connected with the ethereal fur, a vision filled her gaze. It was of Adara and her bear, on a path that led to a single white... what looked like a witch light tree. As the young Witch walked along the path towards the witch light tree, something was off. The closer she got the more invigorated she felt... that wasn't a witch light tree, since it was still alive! Despite the fact that she walked up to the tree, she soon came back to reality when it sensed her presence.
Adara had to blink several times as she came to realize the vision passed, and saw the little ghost bear staring up at her with concerned eyes. "Are they all like that?" While her words might've seemed odd to any one else, the spirit bear just nodded in response to her question...which caused her to sigh. Vision's were tiring and if she was going to have more, she'd be asleep before the sun set. Getting back up, for she had somehow fell to her knees, Adara looked around to see if anyone saw her or if she could perhaps find a child...to ask her questions too. Adults, she learned, tended to be guarded around strangers.
Boy were the spirits on her side, as she soon spied a young boy walking up to a building. Maybe he'd be able to tell her about the tree. Glancing at the bear she muttered a command, "Stay hidden...please." A command that it might not follow before running to where the boy was, as she applied a seductive quality to her voice. "I say there, boy! Might you be able to assist me with some things? Do you know if there's a massive tree around here? Appears dead but is pulsing with life?" In my chest beat's the storm's heart, which churns with godlike power.
═══▪▫═══╝
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:38 pm
● The Messenger ● Tifty ● Don't shoot the messenger｡｡｡ The snow under Tifty's feet crunched as he alighted the steps, two at a time. The Sanctuary cleaners and gardeners must have still been getting ready for the day ahead for normally the steps and walkway were swept clean of snow and mud before the Sanctuary opened. I suppose they still have a three-quarter before it opens, the boy thought. It wasn't as if people would be flooding in to the building yet. They were barely leaving their houses.
HERALDAs Tifty scuffled his feet against the large doormat atop the stairs, he heard a voice call to him. At hearing it, the boy pulled a disgruntled look. There went his chance to get his deliveries done before the meeting. Still, he turned and smiled to where a stranger and a bear stood looking at him.
HERALDThe first thing Tifty noted about the out-of-towners was the bear. It took him a moment to decide, no, it wasn't a wild bear. Even better, it wasn't one of the white animals that attacked the people living to the edges of the town. It was something different, friendly and most of all, it didn't look like it would cause trouble for the already distressed villagers.
HERALDThe second thing Tifty noted was the lack of a bow. This relieved the boy to no end. Being a messenger, he'd been victim to having many of those weapons pointed at him. They're safe, he thought before thinking upon the lady's questions.
HERALD'I know the Tree.... but it isn't teeming with life,' Tifty explained to the out-of-towners. After a moment's hesitation he figured it was safe to talk to the strangers. Most everybody who lived there knew about the Tree's ailment. Perhaps these two had come to speak at the meeting or help with the town's plight. It would be rude to ignore helpers! Tifty took a deep breath before speaking. When he did the words came out a mile a minute, for in the back of his mind he knew he couldn't waste time on the most important of days. 'The Tree's dying, y'see? Even the wizards and magical folk say the spirit of the Tree has dulled. Nobody knows why but it's too sick to heal people, our crops are dying in the fields an' the weather too... It shouldn't be this cold so close to autumn.'
HERALDTifty raised his hands to the air, as if the weather itself was proving his point. That gave him an idea! Maybe he could take these strangers to see the Tree. That would prove all! If they could see the Tree, with its lack of flowers in autumn and how the gardens around the Tree had withered, maybe - just maybe - they would agree to help.
HERALD'I'm passing there now, if you like, but I'll have to tell the guards... The Sanctuary isn't open yet and the winter animals -' Tifty glanced at the bear, '- here have become dangerous.' ｡｡｡he doesn't mean no harm, honest!
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:52 pm
╔═══▫▪═══
Once the storm begins, no mortal force can halt it.
Adara●●●The WitchAdara had to raise a curious eyebrow as she saw the lad's gaze shift from her to where her spirit bear... shouldn't've been, but a quick glance over her shoulder caused her to sigh. Why couldn't it listen? It was going to get her in trouble one of these days for not listening! Thankfully she only had to scare off relatively small predators on her journey. Nothing more dangerous than a hungry wolf, which she was actually able to help. Humans were a different matter, they weren't exactly predators, but they tended to be more assumptive than territorial animals.
Especially bandits, though Bear was usually enough to spook the less confidant ones. The more confident ones however returned to the spirit world in various forms from young Witch's magic. Thankfully town's that were suffering from bandit problems, were quite generous with their gifts to Adara. Really it wasn't that great of an accomplishment but it seemed as if townspeople viewed it as such. At least it allowed her to restock on supplies, whenever she needed some.
However her recollection of the past three weeks were interrupted when the boy decided to answer her questions. Albeit in a rather surprising manner. They thought the living witch light tree was dieing? They must not really know the spirits, if they thought such a thing. Then again Adara had to remind herself, that not everyone was in touch with the spirit realm like she was. Sometimes her connection reminded her how out of place she was compared to more normal people. "Yes that'd help me a great deal..."
Adara wasn't surprised by the sudden appearance of the ethereal bear near her side, as she began to follow the boy to the tree or "sanctuary" as he called it. Alas the closer they came to it, the more convinced the young witch was about the witch light tree being alive. Her bear was a prime example of it still being alive, since it became more solid the closer they got to the Winter Tree. In my chest beat's the storm's heart, which churns with godlike power.
═══▪▫═══╝
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