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TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:23 pm | |
| Everyone's feedback is valued and helpful to me! Since I have a limited background in magic and fantasy, I'm sure I'll be proposing a few ideas that need to be modified in order to work in Felarya. Ideas for Iracal Island and Torin moved here.=========================================================================== - Old stuff here:
Sections
- Brief Description of the Torinians - Brief Descriptions of the Setting - The Story of the Torinians (needs update) - Architecture & Major Locales - Torinian Harpies - The Art of War - Culture - Government - Environment - Timeline - Prominent Characters
[A Brief Description of the Torinians]
Said to live on a mountain summit on Iracal Island, very little fact is known about the Torinians primarily because the many explorers and cartographers traveling to the island have yet to return from their journies. Their fate, like the Island, is shrouded in mystery. All that is known about the Torinian people came from the mouths of alleged natives of the Island.
The Torinians are a very tight knit group of people said to be living in relative harmony along with an array of Harpies in the sky high city of Torin. The first century together since the invasion of Harpies was especially tumultuous for the two races, but they eventually found peace between them; it can even be said that the Harpies consider the Torinians to be part of their flock now. Apparently, the Island has a power that yields changes in lifeforms similar to the effects of the Miragia Forest, though not quite to the same extent. Years of living through the often harsh weather conditions and living along side Harpies have contributed to the changes still taking place in these humans. The most common of the physical changes are avian eyes, a lighter bone structure, and plumage mixed in with hair. The Torinians have also developed innate magic. This store of raw magical energy inside their bodies is often referred to as "psiki" and can be focused in many ways but is usually manifested externally in the form of elements. As it turns out, they require the use of Iracal Crystal to manifest their innate magic externally but this isn't a problem since the crystal is found in abundance all over Iracal Island, sometimes in 80 foot tall monoliths.
One way the Torinians focus their innate magic is in physical enhancement; increasing attributes such as speed, strength, and awareness by two or three times. The ability to increase durability in battle is very helpful to the Torinians because their lighter bone structure is more prone to breaks than the normal human skeleton. However, it is impossible for anyone to maintain that focus for an extended period of time; during those periods in a battle when the focus of their magic is lost their lighter skeleton is becomes a weakpoint. A second way their magic, or psiki, is focused is through weapons crafted with shards of Iracal Crystal that allow them to fire off energy in the form of elements. A third way, as the famed young healer Gabrielle Epidaurus had discovered, is to focus their magic into healing power. This ability is very difficult to become proficient at.
The Torinians and Harpies are currently in a fragile truce with the Sphinxes after decades of war but still face many threats from Iracal Islands other inhabitants.
[Brief Descriptions of the Setting]
=============== Iracal Island =============== Danger: Normal Major Inhabitants: Humans, Inus, Elves, Harpies, Sphinxes, *Reindeertaurs, Chlaenas, Dryads, and Dridders Notable Minor Inhabitants: Small Nagas, Chilotaurs, Genies, Squamataurs, *Gigan-meras
One of "the vanishing islands," Iracal Island has a mysterious nature that can be linked to a mythical civilization of giantess called the Oiriopata that were said to have based their kingdom on the island thousands of years ago. Whether there is any truth to the myth has yet to be seen, but it is possible that the marvelous structures they are believed to have created have been burried by nature over the many years since their disappearance. The fact that Island lies in one of Felarya's most stable zones in terms of dimensional shifting is said to be one of the ways the Oiripata impacted Iracal Island and the rest of the archipelago.
The island is said to be surrounded by a field of distorted space, time, and light that is created by a mysterious power hidden somewhere within the archipelago of the Shimmering Sea. The radius of the field is said to reach about half way to the Felaryan main land. The mysterious power hidden within the archipelago isolates the islands from the chaotic dimensional shifting of the rest of Felarya, while keeping the ground forever rooted in Felarya. In other words, Iracal Island will not be disconnected from Felarya even when it links up with a totally different dimension. The field of distortion is the boundary of its power and it keeps the island chain shifting dimensions in a consistent rotation. During the time when the islands are not sharing dimensions with Felarya, no one from the Felaryan mainland will be able to see the islands of the Shimmering Sea because of the dimensional field surrounding them. Should someone unwittingly pass through the field they will be surprised to see the island chain appear before them. Many ships have wrecked after sailing through the dimensional field, often running into a storm that lied on the other side.
-------------------------- Mount Litocoro -------------------------- Danger: Normal Inhabitants: Humans, Harpies, Dryads
The taller of Iracal Islands two mountains at nearly 6 kilometers above sea level, Mount Litocoro has been the site of many battles between Sphinxes and Harpies. Litocoro's impressive size and virtually flat top make it an ideal location for the giant predators to call home. Many signs point to the mountain's flat summit being unnaturally formed, which has spurred the belief that it was once occupied by the mythical Oiriopatan civilization. There may very well be many wonders and even dangers to be discovered within the mountain, left by the Oiriopata before their mysterious disappearance. Interestingly, it was not the Harpies that laid claim the summit first, but it was the humans that were the sole owners of this mountain top for many years.
------------------ - Torin City ------------------ Danger: Low Inhabitants: Humans, Harpies
Torin is a very large city with a population of about 200,000 humans and an uncertain number of harpies, both giant and human sized. While many harpies leave the city limits and take up residence anywhere from Mount Litocoro to the Pyrale Mountains, Torin is still considered their home so it becomes hard to guage the number that come and go on a daily basis. The enormous city walls are gaurded heavily by both humans and harpies from the many predators that roam the island, especially the airborne variety. The inhabitants of Torin have devoloped a tight knit flock mentality under the leadership of the quiet, yet intimidating, harpy Ourana. They have become protective of each other, though the humans and harpies have endured quite a few growing pains from their originally clashing cultures.
[The Story of the Torinians] (Story requires update)
While the majority of their predators were hunting below, the humans had established a city on a mountain summit and lived by the rule of King Cretes Torin. The great fear held by many was that the giant predators would eventually discover their presence. That dreaded thought pushed to the back of their minds would one day be realized when a giant harpy named Ourana ascended from below to claim mountain's peak, having grown tired of fighting the Sphinxes over the lower areas. The bronze skinned predator gazed upon the panicked humans with irises of gold that shined with burning energy like the Sun. Her long white hair blew in the wind and her feathers were as pure and bright. The splendid beauty of the uncommon Flare Harpy was lost on the inhabitants of Torin however; for she was enormous even by giant standards, which made her a fearful sight to behold. Ourana was followed shortly after by more Harpies. The ensuing battle saw the humans defeated and the city nearly ruined. Given the unusual workings of her mind, Ourana saw other uses for her typical prey and decided not to wipe the humans out. Her fellow harpies found this strange but rarely has her logic ever proven flawed so there was little argument. Without Ourana's leadership the harpies would have lost many past battles to the Sphinxes and may even have been run off the Highlands. At the end of the day, very few humans were allowed to stay within the walls of the city and were granted a protected status. In exchange for protection, the citizens became enslaved to Ourana and the other harpies, having to meet their every need. As for those that were put out of the city, they were declared prey and most were immediately devoured by the Harpies.
Over the next hundred years, the humans and harpies of Torin endured a tumultuous coexistence. Bare in mind that Harpies are not known for being kind, especially towards prey. It has only been possible through the harpies' loyalty to Ourana.
For the most part, the Harpies are aloof and the Torinian citizens govern themselves. They have maintained some small semblance of their old way of life; rebuilding their schools and even their judicial system. Yes, even in a harpy occupied city, humans still prey on humans. Punishments for criminal misdemeanors are usually in the form of fines and jail time. Felonies are punishable by expulsion from the city, where the criminal will have to descend the mountain side to seek safety in another city below before the harpies find him/her during their hunting. In the event of a more serious offense, which are very rare, the criminal is given the death penalty; in which case a harpy usually requests to be the executioner. Another way harpies occasionally contribute to human society is they will escort workers outside the city to allow them to work. These duties are divided equally among the harpies and they don't like them much, but Ourana's instructions are carried out to keep chaos from disturbing the order which keeps their flock strong against the Sphinxes. Not so surprisingly, during these times a worker or two may "mysteriously vanish" while on the job.
As mentioned, the Sphinxes are not on friendly terms with the current ownership of the mountain summit, but there are many other threats that occupy the skies as well. The humans have an army ready to guard the city and aid the harpies in battle. Although they lack the power to take on a predator alone, they show strength as a unit or simply when they man the defenses at the city walls. The men and women of the city realize that they must defend their home to the best of their ability, lest the many threats come in and wipe away all traces of the previous occupation.
Interaction between the citizens of Torin and harpies go beyond law and order. Young harpies and the Torinian youth grow up in close proximity and are even educated together so rare friendships have been known to come out of it. Sure there are "accidental" eatings amongst the youth, but this is to be expected when predators and prey are raised together. A natural result of these close upbringings is that the latest generation of Torinians have absorbed the harpy language. The cross culturalization has also led to citizens going to watch harpies play their games, usually involving a prisoner in a colesseum-like arena fighting for his life. On the flip side, some harpies have become fans of stage plays and human sporting events.
A number of Torinians have come to accept the harpies' rule and never want to see the status quo changed. Then there are some that feel oppressed and bullied by the Harpies, constantly having their lives dangled above their heads by the high and mighty predators. King Torin, the former ruler of Torin, was the first and last of a group called the Revolutionaries. Tired of living in fear for their lives, the Revolutionaries marched up to Ourana and raised their voices demanding that the Harpies treat them with dignity and respect... their memory will live on forever in the hearts of the Torinians.
The many, long years have brought both hardship and joy for the people of this mountain top city. The Torinians still manage to find some shred of comfort in each other and in the labor of love that is Torin. But everyday there are many more reminders that the harpies beside them are still very much predators; growing up with them will not change that fact. To those who hopelessly yearn to be free from this fearful existence, it seems the only freedom within grasp lies in the wilderness outside the city gates.
[Architecture & Major Locales]
A city on a flat mountain top large enough to accomodate a number of giant harpies and thousands of people seems inconceivable, but that's what you have in Torin. The harpies have areas where they are able to reside within the city walls but they are understandably not going to be able to move anywhere they please. Most will have to spend the majority of their time outside the city walls to keep from over crowding and damaging the marvelously constructed buildings of the Torinians. No one knows the entire background of those who had the vision for the city's architecture, but the fingerprint of Greco-Roman design is clearly visible in the city. The craftsman turned grand-architect, Amardes Archeladon, had always claimed to be inspired by the "dreams of a great city," which he described being as vivid as day.
The Torinian Forum is an expansive district full of marketplaces. Some might call it Torin's "downtown." It is a significant social meeting place offering many activities, even philosophical debates. One of the Forum's most prominent frequenters was Heseodorus, affectionately known as the Great Storyteller. When he spoke, the Torinian humans and harpies alike would stop to hear what he had to say. Some of his many stories were told in the form of poems or songs while he played a melody on his lyre, sometimes creating a party-like atmosphere. Whether in the streets, in the Forum, or in the Theatre of Torin, Heseodorus drew crowds in the thousands. As he was famously quoted at a party long ago, "I do not create these stories of giants, heroes, and villains... nor do I know if they are true or not. I'm only sharing with you what was shared with me."
The Temple of Elysia is very large and reminiscent of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Thousands of faithful make the journey to the temple daily to give thanks to those that watch over them.
The Hall of Elysia is a temple dedicated to all the Torinians that fell in defense of the city, the Hall of Elysia is constructed of stone, marble, crystal, and gold. In the center of the round building stands an enormous sculpture of crystal and gold depicting Prince Rhodes Torin and Pyros Taio bravely leading a unit of fierce warriors into battle. Along the walls are etched the names of all those soldiers that gave their lives to protect the Torinians. The names of the Elite soldiers, or those that passed away taking the final test to become an Elite, are placed higher. The Hall has a large, gold trimmed, circular opening in the ceiling called the Sacred Gate that is directly under the land in Heaven where the fallen Torinians are believed to reside. They are able to ascend and descend to and from Heaven through this opening.
The Asclepeion of Gabrielle Epidaurus is the medical center dedicated to the young girl who had lived her life serving the sick and wounded. It is a hospital, a spa center, and shelter.
Ourana's Palace is the tallest structure in Torin and dominates the sky line. It also extends deep into the ground and features open levels so that humans are able to meet with her, standing about even with her nose. Naturally the palace emmense and was not built over night.
Priscilla's Temple is much like Ourana's Palace in that it was not built over night and is very large. The people are able to seek the Wrath Maiden's wisdom and have their fortunes read. Priscilla often has days when she isn't in the mood to give consultations and has to cut off visitations for fear of infecting the people of Torin with her particular mood.
The Theater of Torin is where dance, concerts, stageplays, and even stand-up comedy can be enjoyed by thousands at a time. Popular draws at the Theater of Torin are the comedic antics of Mocking Harpies, Dione and Eva, the performances by the gorgeous actress Nike.
The Gladitorium is the Colesseum-styled arena that seats up to 60,000 people as they are entertained by sports, Hypogryph races, fights, and even battle reinactments. Here, the multi-talented Nike is also a big draw as she is one of the most popular gladiators in the history of the arena. Trademarked by her long spiral hair, the elite warrior rarely loses a battle. She is quite the celebrity. Most would call Nike the most beautiful female in Torin, behind Eris who happens to be a giant harpy.
Although it doesn't happen as often now, many years ago, the biggest draws were always the contests between a Torinian warrior and a small predator that had been captured near the city. The predator was often injured or inhibited in some way, putting it at a serious disadvantage that the warrior would exploit. There was no sympathy for the predator, only a spectacular death before the eyes of a cheering blood thirsty audience. After Torin was conquered by the Harpies, the arena was still used by the Torinians for arts, sports, fights, and even predator vs prey contests; except now the tables had been turned by the Harpies. At first they were randomly selecting humans to participate in their "games." The terrified man would be given an array of weapons and places to hide. As the crowd of on-lookers watched with morbid curiosity, the human scrambled around the limited space he had left to escape the giant Harpy. Other Harpies watched from afar, laughing as they kept track of the time it took to catch the human. The longer it took, the more the Harpy was going to get razzed by her flock.
It wasn't uncommon to see the Harpy snatch a person or two from the crowed out of frustration. Needless to say, a riot erupted. One day, the ensuing chaos threatened to destroy what was left of Torin. Even though the citizens were supposed to be protected inside the walls of the city, the Harpies had still been gulping people down at a ridiculous rate. Ourana was forced to take a firmer stance with her flock to keep them from eating what was left of the people. After reassuring the people of their... well, not so guaranteed safety, the people settled down and the fires were put out. From that point on, only prisoners were allowed to take part in the Harpy games. Most Torinians swore off watching those spectacles, but the allure of watching some prisoner get his come uppins was too much to resist. And some were admittedly attracted by the thrill of another possible riot breaking out.
//yeah, I know... that probably makes no sense XP
[Torinian Harpies]
A very young Harpy is close in size to a human therefore feeding them was at one point problematic for the Harpies. The humans had the bright idea to give them a taste of Torinian home cooking. Great relief fell upon everyone when they saw that the chicks enjoyed the human food. Such relief would only last for so long, however. Each young Harpy had to grow up and the friendships forged with the Torinians didn't always survive her coming-of-age.
The difficult transition usually starts around a Harpy's preteen years when her size has multiplied many times over. The human food slowly starts to lose its flavor and the Harpy finds herself feeling less satisfied. Before long she notices strange urges to taste her human friends. It can be frightening at first, but curiosity usually gets the better of her and she finds a way to discover the taste of a human being. A sly way of going about it is to disguise it as a game, perhaps the Harpy is trying to convince herself of the same. If the trust between the Harpy and the human is strong enough, he/she might voluntarily climb into the Harpy's mouth to play along. At this point, the many different sensations and flavors that excite her tongue often proves too much for the Harpy to resist sending the human down her throat. Even if she is able to regain control of herself and spit the human out, the fragile trust that might have bonded them is broken once they realize the deadly line that was nearly crossed.
The end result depends heavily on the strength of the bond between the Harpy and her friends, or even her adopted human family. Strengthening the bond early on would ensure that the Harpy never sees the family or friend as food after her predatory instincts fully awaken. Torinians smartly go out of their way to make a positive impact on the lives of impressionable young Harpies. Because of the limited space within Torin's walls, when Harpies reach the age when they can fend for themselves they are encouraged to search for a place to reside outside the city. Very few put up much of a fuss about it and find a place to stay on or near the mountain. It's rather common for their human friend to move out with them. Seeing how many humans and harpies have been raised and educated together, some unbreakable bonds are formed. Some pairs have been known to branch out as far as the Tolmeshal Forest and the Topazial Sea. In the end, no matter where they settle down they will always consider Torin home and can return to visit anytime.
Their attitudes towards eating non-Torinian humans can usually be narrowed down to three types. The first type, "the free eaters," have absolutely no qualms about eating humans. The second type, "the remorseful eaters," swears to never eat a Torinian and are usually hesitant to eat other humans because Torinians are also humans, so naturally they always feel guilty after giving into their hunger. The third type "the non-eaters," refuse to eat humans at all and stick to eating either elves, nekos, or inus.
Since Torinian harpies are known to exist all over Felarya, the traits that distinguish them from other Felaryan harpies becomes more apparent; often these traits get them picked on by those other harpies. Torinian harpies tend to wear jewelry or other accessories with designs too small to be crafted by giants, lending to the idea that they were created by humans or creatures of similar size. They are also more at ease with toning down their dialect when speaking to humans, something that is considered very difficult among harpies. Finally, most will always take a brief moment to ensure their potential prey does not have any Torinian traits before swooping in to grab a meal. A big reason for this is that they prefer to avoid eating a possible friend, or a friend of a friend. These little nuances may go unnoticed by most other predator species, but harpies can spot them almost immediately.
[The Torinian Art of War]
(a) The Torinian Army: There are two main divisions of the military force. The Standard Soldiers and the Torinian Elites. Boys, and occasionaly girls, are drafted into the army at age 12 then enter the Torinian Military Academy. They must make a vow of loyalty to Ourana and know that laying down their life to defend Torin is the greatest of honors. Those with Elite potential are filtered out of the classes and put through an intensified program. Their training is grueling and borders cruelty at times. For the Elites, the final test before graduation at age 18 requires them to leave the relative safety of the city and descend the mountain side engage a giant predator in battle. They must return with proof of slaying said predator, or not return at all. A class of 100 in seperate groups of 5, may see only 20 return successfully. Sometimes this test can take up to weeks. This Final Test is optional but must be taken in order to join the ranks of the Elites.
(b) Magic: There is a store of raw magical energy inside the Torinian's bodies that they believe is linked to their souls, it is sometimes refer to as Psiki, or soul force. The psiki can be shaped or focused in many ways but usually manifested as elemental magic. Because Torinians don't possess any knowledge of anything but innate magic, they are generally intrigued by any magical artifacts that they might come across.
The Torinians were not magical by culture, so discovering the ability to generate fire, wind, and lightning came by accident. Not long before the arrival of the Harpies, a skilled young craftsman named Archeladon had been collecting materials for the creation of a sculpture to present as a gift to King Cretes Torin for the birth of Prince Rhodes Torin. He gathered some Iracal Crystals for decoration. Being the fierce perfectionist that he was, he frowned upon his creation and cast it against a wall in frustration. To his surprise, the sculpture exploded into flames and blew a gaping hole in his sturdy stone wall. After experimenting with the pieces of the sculpture, the young artist found that the Iracal Crystals were the source of the fiery blast. He took his discovery to the King who wasn't overly pleased with Archeladon's gift, that was until the military applications occurred to him. After more experimentation, it was learned that the abundant crystals unique properties that harnessed the elemental energies within a person's body. They didn't actually grant the user any additional power at all. More research fount that only the recent generations were born with the innate elemental magic within them and each Torinian seemed to have a particular affinity. When one of the test subjects channeled their energy through the transparent crystal it would glow either red for fire, yellow for lightning, white for wind, blue for water, and green for earth. Although each had the ability to use any of the elements, the element of their affinity was by far the strongest.
- Internal Magic Uses; Physical Enhancement: The focusing of their psiki (innate magic) can multiply attributes such as speed, strength, durability, and awareness by two or three times. This is especially helpful because the Torinians have a lighter bone structure that is slightly more prone to suffer breaks.
- External Uses; Weapons, Artifacts, and Transport: Much research went into the engineering of weapons to utilize the Iracal Crystals. Although there were a wide range of weapons developed, for the most part the soldiers rely on four basic weapons; the bow, the spear, the sword, the shield.
The Sky Glider, a transport device, is basically a smaller version of a hang-glider. It's built with a metal frame and Iracal Crystal handles, then fitted with light but durable cloth to form the wings. The gliders were engineered to be propelled by wind magic but were rarely used because of the airborne predators. Even though their excellent vision and lighter weight enhanced the Torinians' abilities to pilot the gliders, the only pilots capable of out flying a predator were those with a natural affinity for wind magic.
The Ballistas were large scale bow and arrows with a huge crystal mounted as the firing rod. The Ballista required at least four soldiers to power it and it's force was lethal to a large predator.
(d) Tactics: The Torinians have extraordinary vision which is well suited for long range weapons such as the bow. While guarding the city, they stand in large formations and fire hundreds, or thousands of arrows into the sky at the invading predators. In the wilderness, they use their sight to their advantage by stealthily striking from a distance, then using their swiftness to either evacuate the area or move for another shot. Living on a mountain summit, the Torinians have adapted well to hiking and climbing. The best of them take to the incline with astonishing speed and stamina. Outrunning a predator on a mountain side may not be out of the question for them. If they lack a long range weapon, the sword and shield are called upon. When facing an opponent in hand to hand combat, so to speak, they rely on a very kick-oriented fighting style, which was adopted to suit their skills.
[More on Culture]
(a) The Sacred Torinian Figures (aka The Torinian Pantheon)
The Torinian Pantheon may be unconventional in the sense that it contains only one actual God, Somah. The other members are Torinians that have attained a sort of higher sainthood, being God-like in some ways; so incredible were their accomplishments that they were believed to be divinely driven and thus resulted in them becoming regarded this way. Beautiful stone, bronze, and crystal monuments depicting them in their most of glorious of moments grace the cityscape; some standing 40 feet tall, and some statues serving as pillars on buildings. In the Temple of Somah, statues line the walls with inscriptions describing their notoriety.
Somah, chief among the three crowned figures of the pantheon. Somah is portrayed in artwork as a humanoid figure with a hundred wings and radiant light in place of his head. Somah is believed to embody karma and destiny, a force that can cause or prevent any event. The people pray that Somah brings good events and protects them from the worst. Although none will say that the day Ourana and the Harpies conquered their city was a positive event in their history, they all admit that it may have prevented an even worse fate. Such is the way of Somah. It is also believed that he can be pursuaded by positive energy released in the thoughts and actions of Torinian people; in other words karma. Furthermore, living or dying surrounded by negative Karma brings terrible events to those that remain behind. If a man cares for the well being of his family and friends, he should create as much good karma as possible so that they will be protected after he is gone.
Cretes Torin, the founder of Torin and benevolent King who once ruled over the city. The Torinians believe Cretes Torin still watches over his beloved city and its citizens. He grants wisdom and fortitude to leaders or those in positions of power. He is a loving father figure to all. He is the second highest among three crowns wearers. Ironically, it was Ourana, the Harpy who ate Cretes and his son Rhodes, who proposed the idea of the three crowned figures and their inclusion among them. His statue in the Temple of Somah portraits Cretes Torin in his Kingly attire with a scepter in his right hand and Torinian people sitting in his open left hand.
Rhodes Torin I, the courageous and chivalrous warrior who was known among the conquering Harpies as the "moral backbone" of the Torinian army. Rhodes is the third crowned figure in the pantheon. He represents the virtuous; upholding honor, courage, ambition, and dedication. He helps people during difficult trials, encouraging them to face the trials proactively with optimism and resilience. He is portraited in art work as a young man wearing light armor, with a shield in one hand and a sword bravely pointed forward in the other hand.
Archeladon, the skilled craftsman who became a grand architect responsible for many wondrously designed structures, such as the Theatre of Torin and Priscilla's Temple. He was also an engineering genius and designed the tools, machines, and weapons that the Torinians thrive on. After his passing and injection into the pantheon, Archeladon has been viewed by the faithful as a bestower of creativity and an inspiration to both artists and engineers. He is most often portraited painting, sculpting, or drawing; but he is also portraited in a thinking position over a new invention.
Pyros the Giant Slayer, the elite warrior who was said to have once brought down a Sphinx by choking her from inside her throat. He was a towering mass of muscle who preferred his uniquely designed sword over the bow for the thrill of close range combat. The ferocity of his heart was palpable in the intensity of the fire he wielded. Though many bare witness that he was eventually eaten by a Blue Sphinx, the Torinians would rather conjure up romanticized tales of why he vanished. As a sacred figure, it is believed that Pyros grants bravery and might to warriors in battle. He is portraited in full Torinian armor; either battling, slaying, or standing victoriously over a predator of some sort.
The Deceiver, the one who's name is forbidden to be spoken, Torin's infamous traitor. The youthful female warrior with enticing beauty was once a jewel in the eyes of the Torinians before she sided with a Sphinx. Now she is often depicted in murals and paintings of various scenarios with one hand always hidden behind her back to portrait her dishonesty. Whether this demonization was rightful, or not, this is what the Torinians believe her to truly be. A statue of the Deceiver stands outside the Temple of Somah looking for any righteous soul to corrupt, beckoning them forward with one hand while the other is hidden in her usual manner. She is the one who whispers into ears of every Torinian man and woman, soliciting the thoughts they must not give in to. Snaring the upstanding and misleading them down a dark path to destruction. Sewing discord where ever walks. She is the protector of liars, thieves, and murderers.
The Great Storyteller, Heseodorus, a man just as legendary as the characters in the stories he told; Heseodorus was more than a master of story telling, to some he was a bona fide historian. The Torinians believed that their primary God, Somah, would show Heseodorus visions of significant events from all over the world the moment they happened. Heseodorus would then sit, open his book, and write the visions that appeared before him. As a sacred figure, Heseodorus watches over the Torinians and writes their deeds in a book that shines like a star. Torinians actually point to the brightest star in the sky and believe that it's the Great Storyteller watching from Heaven; recording every single act of kindness, every humorous moment, and every heroic feat. No good deed goes unseen. When a Torinian passes on and ascends to Heaven, his or her legend will already be well known. Heseodorus will then tell those stories to King Torin and all those that now live in their city in Heaven; there will be a party where a wonderful time is had by all. (Heseodorus is the narrator of my future stories)
Gabrielle the Healer, merely a child at her passing at the beginning of the war with the Sphinxes, Gabrielle was renowned for her inspiring selflessness. She “put grown men and women to shame” with her countless displays of compassion; caring for the sick, wounded, and broken hearted. Gabrielle was said to be the first Torinian to ever discover the ability to heal others through touch, and even hugs. The raw magical energy within her was transformed into a healing power through her immense desire to help the wounded. Adults became her pupil, hoping to release their own healing powers which were badly needed during the conflicts with the Sphinxes. At 13 years old, Gabrielle was crushed while rescuing an injured soldier trapped in a collapsing hospital. She is quoted to have said with her last breath, “I only wish that I could see our enemies right now, so that I could tell them that I love them.” As a Sacred Figure, Gabrielle descends from Heaven and comes to the aid of the sick, wounded, and broken hearted. She encourages Torinians to follow the love in their hearts to help others and forgive others, even their enemies. She is depicted in art work as a young girl wearing a dress with a crown of Crystal Blossoms on her head. She is often caring for a person in need, or delivering gifts and hugs to a grateful person. At the base of the statue of Gabrielle that stands outside of the hospital named after her is inscribed, “Love is what created us. Love is what heals us. Love is what will save us.”
(b) Faith
The Torinians believe that once they pass on they will all be reunited in a city in Heaven that King Cretes Torin has built specifically for his beloved people. Whether this is allowed by any other powers that may exist in Heaven is irrelevant to the Torinians because they are convinced that a large city of people have the power to create anything by believing in it hard enough. This is also why they believe that souls that they hold sacred can become bona fide deities. It also explains why they believe that souls of fallen soldiers can return to the land of the living and defend those that call upon them, even in spirit form, before returning to their Torinian city in Heaven.
(c) The Celebration of History
The last day of every calendar year, which the Torinians recognize as the end of the snowy quarter, the people of Torin gather in their enormous garden for a festival called the Celebration of History. With many delicious foods made using leaves and berries from the Crystal Blossoms in the garden, the Torinians have a massive picnic to reflect on their history and express appreciation for each other; each and every Torinian has contributed to the building of their great city. The people pray to the founders and all those that have given their lives for the city to descend from Heaven and join in the festivities. There are special, and very large dishes prepared for the harpies. It's also an opportunity for the harpy Harriet to display her divine singing voice within the city limits, which she isn't allowed to do very often. The celebration goes well into the wintry night until the rain begins to fall, signaling the beginning of the new calendar year.
[Government]
With the deaths of King Cretes and his son Prince Rhodes, the people of Torin threatened to lay down their weapons and let the attacking Sphinxes destroy their city unless Ourana and her flock left. To avert a complete collapse from within, Ourana expressed her remorse over eating the two most central figures of the Torinian people. She then went a step further by relinquishing some of her control over the citizens; promising to honor the requests made by a group of people chosen by the Torinians to speak for them. This select group became Torin's first senate.
The Queen
As the head of her flock of giant harpies, Ourana was recognized as an immovable figure among the Torinian people. She had emmense power and with that control, much to the dismay of Torinians in the early years of the harpy occupation. With the passing decades, she had a change of heart and her image went from "overbearing tyrant" to "firm ruler." In the present, the people generally have no issue with referring to Ourana as "the Queen."
The Senate Led by a descendant of King Cretes Torin named Cornelius Torin, this elite collection of citizens consists of military members, scholars, doctors, and more. They hold Ourana to her promise to give the people a voice and relinquish almost half of her authority to them.
[The Evironment and Time]
While the Island may have shifted at random in the beginning, it is now locked in a rotation between the same four dimensions. The first dimension is either constantly seeing rain or it just happens to be rainy when the Island links up with it. The second dimension is incredibly cold and snowy. The third dimension is like the first in that it brings plenty of rainfall. Then finally, the fourth dimension which may not count technically because the Island simply synchronizes with the rest of Felarya. For some inexplicable reason, during this time period the Island seems to get very little precipitation. Temperate coniferous forests and Temperate rainforests cover the majority of the mountainous Iracal Island's peaks and valleys. Torin City sits on the highest mountain summit at about 6 kilometers above sea level, thus it does require some acclimatization for anyone planning on visiting. Even given Felarya's expanded atmosphere, the city is at such an altitude that air becomes noticeably thinner. The Torinians' bodies have become very oxygen efficient and they find conditions there more comfortable than at normal sea level.
The Clock of Aian, the mysterious power, allows dimensional shifting to occur at the end of every quarter which is made up of 127 chronological days. As indicated by artifacts left behind by the Oiriopata, a day consists of 32 hours of 64 minutes of 32 seconds. Though most civilizations in the archipelago have their own names for the quarters, they were originally named after *The Four Horae; Bori in the north, Eure in the east, Notul in the south, and Zehyr in the west.
*The Four Horae: The only four components of the Clock of Aian that are positively known to be working. Constructed out of stone and Iracal Crystal by the ancient Oiriopatan civilization, the Horae are four colossal statues that stand on islets in the north, east, south, and west of the Shimmering Sea surrounding the archipelago. Each resembles a female warrior with three faces, six wings, and stands about 300 feet (91.4 meters) high. The reason behind the appearance of the Horae is the object of much speculation. Some have theorized that the three face and four wings are symbolic, but of what, no one knows. At their base which is firmly planted on islets is engraved, "In the name of the Oiriopata, we stand watch over this domain now and forever more."
There have been rumors of the Horae moving and even speaking, but these reports come from sailors who were either intoxicated, or just so many kilometers away that they could have been fooled by atmospheric illusions. What may not be so far-fetched is the myth about the Horae marking the border of a field of highly unstable space-time that can have unpredictable affects on those that pass through it.
[Water storage/treatment/recreation]
Through the center of the city and circling around the Palace is a large irrigation canal. During periods of high rainfall and even snow, the water from around the city will follow a sophisticated system of drains into the canal. To prevent stagnation, the water is kept in circulation by wind powered pumps with components similar to windmills. Pipes carry portions of the water to the small Torinian farms that can be found in certain areas of the city. The water is also filtered by nets in the canal. Water drawn from the canal is further filtered and boiled before use. Water for recreation appears in the form of a hot spring that was discovered while the city was being built over 200 years ago. While Humans and Harpies both enjoy the enormous spring, they rarely do at the same time for understandable reasons. During the often rainy seasons, the spring overflows and the water is funneled into the canal. If the capacity of the canal is exceeded, the excess water will flow into a drain that travels down the mountain side.
...and the spamming of ideas for Torin city continues... Feel free to tell me how bad these ideas are before I consider using them in stories. Names of characters are subject to change.
The Zoological Institute of Torin
Founded by a "flea bitten twit of a hairless monkey" named Sophethia Logos, the Zoological Society collects fauna for research, preservation, and sometimes to be put on display for Torinian children. The veterinarians there are also known for treating the ailments of Torin's resident harpies, though many have suggested ending this service as a few dentists have been victims of accidental swallowings.
Sophethia was inspired to start the Zoological Society during her time as an Elite soldier in the Torinian Army. She had recruited other former Elites to aid her in capturing more species. They had managed to rescue a lost young Reindeertaur, whom they named Nona, and she has grown to giant size in captivity. Make no mistake, the Torinians consider Nona to be a predator, not a person, so she isn't treated well at all. Nona accepts her life in captivity as she has known nothing else.
The Golden Harpy Circus
Named after the circus' official mascot, the Golden Harpy Circus features a number of fauna from Torin's zoo that have been trained to perform astonishing acrobatics and hilarious pranks on the audience. Torinians flock to the Gladitorium, as it's the only venue large enough to facilitate such shows, where the ringmaster Julius often performs the final act with the star of the circus, Alexus the Golden Harpy. While it's a known fact that Alexus is a native of Torin and not one of the fauna from the zoo, the audience can't help but fear for Julius' life as the ringmaster allows himself to be swallowed by Alexus. Alexus continues to perform minor acts to prove Julius has been swallowed, and that he's not simply hiding somewhere in her mouth. After five nerve racking minutes, Alexus spits Julius up and he somersaults into a net held by circus clowns to the sound of a standing ovation. Alexus is among the most popular persons in the city. The Golden Harpy Circus has been and will continue to be a staple in Torinian culture as people never seem to grow out of it.
[Flora: Crystal Blossom]
Resembling the Cherry Blossom, a tree rumored to exist in another world, the Crystal Blossom blooms only in cold weather. It can be found in various lands in the Shimmering Sea. Its beauty and sweet petals makes its blooming a special occasion in many cultures. The petals of the Crystal Blossom are actually formations of sugar crystals that are very light and soft but also hold together well when frozen. The bright red berries that grow on the Crystal Blossom are very juicy but slightly tart. When the berries are eaten with the petals of the Crystal Blossom it is said to create an icy symphony of flavors on the tongue. These berries and petals are highly sought after. Many humanoid species have come to the Shimmering Sea in search of Crystal Blossoms only to be intercepted by patiently waiting predators that know of their taste for sweets.
[Mineral: Iracal Crystal] Rarity: Abundant
One of the most conductive materials in Felarya, Iracal Crystal is exceedingly good at storing and transmitting energies; energies such as sound, light, heat, cold, electricity, and even kinetic energy. Energies can be stored for months or years before it fades or is discharged by an outside force. The 50 to 80 foot (15 to 24 m) high monoliths found in the area resonate melodiously in high wind and stay charged with sunlight throughout the night. Because the crystal doesn't grant the holder any power it is not very sought after by explorers, even though it has many uses. To innately magical people, such as those that reside in Torin, the crystal is very much appreciated as a medium to manifest the magic within their bodies. It's also used to light buildings, power machines, keep food cold, and craft weapons and artifacts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ((Timeline and characters are below))
Last edited by gt500x on Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:34 pm; edited 89 times in total (Reason for editing : I'm still here! We doomed!) | |
| | | Archmage_Bael Mara's snack
Posts : 4158 Join date : 2009-05-05 Age : 36 Location : Shatterock Caldera
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:00 pm | |
| this is good, though im a bit wary how many ideas threads are being put up now. the first one, silent_eric's zany ideas was put up because karbo asked him to, same with pen (i think) but now there's like a zillion different idea threads pertaining to a single person. i think that one needs to post quite a few ideas separately before having a thread dedicated to your own ideas. | |
| | | Karbo Evil admin
Posts : 3812 Join date : 2007-12-08
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:21 pm | |
| Those are nice additions to your general idea about that city ^^ The mutation one is interesting. it could be something in the island that accelerate natural evolution, a bit like in Miragia forest. Personnaly I like those idea threads, I find them more practical to keep track of different suggestions | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Mon Nov 15, 2010 3:03 am | |
| Wow, that description of Mirigia did help. The mutation, or evolution idea makes more sense now. Thanks/
I'm thinking my crystal and weapons ideas might need a bit more refining. And I think it might be good to point out that the relationships between Harpies and Torinians will definately become more harmonious in the future, but in the present there is still room for improvement.
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| | | Karbo Evil admin
Posts : 3812 Join date : 2007-12-08
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:00 am | |
| I think the idea is developping nicely but there is a point I really don't understand very much it's the coming of age ^^;
As I see it, it would be something very counter-productive for the harpies to encourage. That would create a lot of anger, ressentment and instability among the humans population and during a war you don't really want some insurrection taking place in your city... I mean I understand that harpies doesn't care very much about the well-beings of the human citizens in general, but I imagine they still see them as an asset ? something that can help them against sphinxes ?
And I imagine after a short while, there wouldn't be any human children trying to befriend a harpy. the parents would do all they can to prevent it.. | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:55 am | |
| Lol, that "coming of age" idea didn't slip through the cracks. I suppose I was trying just a little too hard to distinguish this idea from Kortiki town. I just don't want to be too predictable, I guess.
Anyway, I'll be giving this "coming of age" some very careful thought, among other things. Hopefully, I'll figure out what to do with it.
.......
If this seems like a solid idea for a location to everyone, I'll start thinking a story that takes place here. I'll be needing a critique on the plot when I figure it out. | |
| | | Shady Knight Lord of the Elements
Posts : 4580 Join date : 2008-01-20 Age : 34
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:15 am | |
| Finally! Someone else who wants to dive into the Harpy and Sphinxes feud! Although, IMO, it really boils down to Order vs Chaos ideology. Harpies are Chaos and Sphinxes are Order, since they view justice and honor in high regards. | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:04 pm | |
| - Please refer to the ideas related to Torin on my DA account for the updated chronology:
I think I better work harder at developing this city... Hmmmmm....
The timeline probably has a bunch of wacky wholes.. I better hammer those out. Of course, a lot of character ages will have to change depending on what this timeline looks like in the end.
Torin's Chronology
- (1681 AU) Cretes Torin founds the city of Torin at the summit of Mount Litocoro.
- (1686 AU) Khein Torin, brother of Cretes, is imprisoned after a fight that arose over authority.
- (1704 AU) Khein escapes while the city is rebuilt after surviving a Tanngiosts attack during "The Great Storm."
- (1725 AU) Rhodes Torin, son of King Cretes Torin is born.
- (1725 AU) New generations of Torinians discover a magical power within themselves.
- (1737 AU) Prince Rhodes Torin slays the Shimmering White Dragon with a mighty lightning bolt, saving the city from destruction.
- (1749 AU) "The war that stole the Sun"... In this year long war, dark clouds dominated the skies as a cloaked man with mysterious power accompanied by a *Rogue Angel named Nemesi and a large army of grotesques nearly destroys the city. King Torin is wounded and his wife Ida is killed.
- (1781 AU) A rainbow appears in the winter sky followed by the first sproutings of Crystal Blossoms all over the city.
- (1786 AU) A young boy named Heseodorus awakens from a powerful dream. The next day he fascinates the people of Torin with the story of his vision.
- (1794 AU) The city suffers significant damage during an attack from a herd of migrating Taurogryphs.
- (1800 AU) Torin is conquered! Ourana and her flock of harpies swoop in and crush the Torinian Army in a flash. Instead of devouring all the humans, Ourana subjugates them.
- (1805 AU) A pride of Sphinxes led by Jax ascend Mount Litocoro and calls out Ourana. When Ourana refuses to engage, the Sphinxes attack, continuing their war that began at Ourana's betrayal.
- (1899 AU) During years of turmoil, Cretes Torin and his son Rhodes Torin formed "the Revolutionaries." Along with a number of Torinians from the older generation, they marched up to Ourana and demanded she relinquish authority; she ate them. Ourana later became very remorseful and "changed." Torinians suggested that the change was brought about by the overwhelming good that was in Cretes and Rhodes.
- (1981 AU) A young warrior named Pyros Taio reaches legendary status when he allegedly chokes a Sphinx to death from inside her throat. He went on to accomplish many more amazing feats and became known as "The Giant Slayer."
- (2037 AU) A famously beautiful young warrior named Kitane Khaminari becomes known as "The Next Great" because of her heroics and vast potential for power. A jewel in the eyes of the Torinians, many believed that she was actually more powerful than Pyros but was too humble to prove it.
- (2062 AU) "The Fall From Grace"... Many Torinians lost their lives because Kitane Khaminari, the pride of the Torinian people, befriended a Sphinx named Elpida and led many Torinians to follow her "path to peace." With the division and discord among the Torinian people they were unprepared to face the next wave of attacks from Jax's pride; it was one of the deadliest days in Torinian history. As a result, the Torinians put Kitane to death and her name was forbidden to be spoken ever again.
- (2063 AU) Pyros Taio is rumored to have been swallowed by a mysterious blue and white predator with orange stripes not far from the city.
- (2064 AU). The Sphinxes called a truce because they were unwilling to harm anymore humans in their pursuit of vengeance against Ourana.
- (2068 AU) Present.
* Rogue Angels and DemonsIn short, Rogue Angels and Demons can be described as unaligned supernatural beings of the Underworld that have chosen not to abide by the laws of Heaven nor Hell. A theory on the origin of these beings suggests that while most Angels and Demons are typically born with their respective Holy or Unholy affinities, a very small number are born without a definitive affinity. They have the luxury of choosing their affinity, or side, and can strengthen it through years of dedicated training. Some have been known to completely change their minds and choose the opposite side, even after centuries of trying to build a Holy or Unholy affinity; these beings are often referred to as Fallen Angels and Ascended Demons. In the most uncommon case scenarios, Angels or Demons born without a definitive affinity will refuse to choose sides at all; opting instead to roam the Upperworld and Underworld independently. This path is frowned upon by the Hosts of the Underworld even more than "Ascending" or "Falling." Those that choose rule themselves are branded as Rogues and are ordered to be killed on sight, thus they typically roam various realms as discretely as possible. In the past, Rogues have caused both Holy and Unholy psychopomps much trouble. Being that Rogues have no particular "tastes," they will devour any soul that they find wandering unclaimed regardless of the amount of light or darkness within them. For natural beings that possessed balanced or neutral souls at their time of death, Angels and Demons will allow them time to "sort themselves out" before taking them to their appropriate resting place in the Underworld. The psychopomps designated to collect the balanced souls have had their hands full with keeping the Rogues at bay. Countless battles have been fought to defend souls of all affinities from their threat.
Last edited by gt500x on Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:13 pm; edited 42 times in total (Reason for editing : Name change) | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:13 pm | |
| Character List:Prominent HumansAtreus Khaminari Rhea Taio Bia Terme Daphne Althea (Belongs to Bonazaigirl) Nike Cornelius Torin (Senator and son of Prince Torin) Prominent HarpiesOurana Priscilla Ailo Dion Eva Harriet Eris Helia Gale Esna (Belongs to Bonazaigirl) My Character Bios -> HERE! Please see page 2 for the continuation of my ideas.
Last edited by gt500x on Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:33 pm; edited 27 times in total | |
| | | Karbo Evil admin
Posts : 3812 Join date : 2007-12-08
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:16 am | |
| I'm really liking all those idea you have on Iracal island so far You managed to create something really interesting and you have a great imagination I'm looking forward to your story on it ^_^ | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:00 pm | |
| Thanks for the feedback. To be perfectly honest, I don't think I'm a good writer. :/ In fact, the reason I haven't started a story because I'm intimidated by all the other great writers around here.
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Last edited by gt500x on Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:12 pm; edited 16 times in total | |
| | | Anime-Junkie Loremaster
Posts : 2690 Join date : 2007-12-16 Age : 31 Location : The Country of Kangaroos and Criminal Scum
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:24 pm | |
| The sky dancers are nice, however I don't think they should be a race. More like a title that any species of harpy can earn though amazing feats of flight. | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:29 pm | |
| I'll consider that. Thanks A.J.
Edit: I made the change. The idea still needs a bit more fine tuning.
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Last edited by gt500x on Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:12 pm; edited 8 times in total (Reason for editing : bios) | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:06 am | |
|
Last edited by gt500x on Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:17 pm; edited 8 times in total | |
| | | Karbo Evil admin
Posts : 3812 Join date : 2007-12-08
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:05 pm | |
| Very nice job on these bios and ideas I really like what you did with the pantheon ^^ The deceiver looks especially interesting to me. that idea of a hand behind the back is a nice one | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Fri Dec 17, 2010 7:56 am | |
| Thank you. I like the Deceiver too because the character that she represents never had a chance to tell her side of the story. Its really unfair to her.
Hmmm. Brainstorming more ideas... I wanna come up with some flying fauna to make the skies a bit more dangerous Edit: Unless I specify a location for a creature or group, the idea is open for use across all Felarya.
Species Occurrence Scale:
Very Rare... A one of a kind encounter Rare......... Requires a bit of searching (or luck) Common..... Can be found easily High.......... Population out of control
(Note: I used a made up word "aero-buoyancy." It just means that these creatures have the natural tendency to float on air. I've also been considering using anti-gravity)
There are many flying life forms that are attracted to Iracal Island for reasons unknown. Some fly by flapping their wings and some do not require physical mechanics to become airborne.
Types of Flyers
Low........... Usually flying below the tree canopy High.......... Above the trees, below the clouds Super High.... Above the clouds, very rarely below
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Dryash (or Felaryan Flying Fish) Danger Level: Minimal Occurrence: Common
The Dryash are photosynthetic Flying Fish that occupy the skies above the clouds. Their lives begin in the eggs that are burried in the Felaryan soil. They develop underground until they are ready to hatch. They egg then sprouts a plant that opens up to release the fully developed Dryash. The blue-greenish creatures almost instinctively know to head upwards to catch as much of the Sun's rays as possible. Their bodies are naturally aero-buoyant so they don't need to rest on land, they only return to the ground to lay eggs. Since they are also eaten by giant Angel Rays, they tend to reproduce in high numbers.
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Aerial Jellyfish Danger Level: Moderate Occurrence: Rare
Much like the sea variants, Flying Jellyfish are translucent, making their tentacles very difficult to see even for avian races. They range in length anywhere from 5 feet to 30 feet and their bodies are also very light and durable. By heating gases within themselves they become airborne in similar fashion to a hot-air balloon. These creatures tend to float in schools which can resemble a cloud at a distance. To flying creatures such as giant Harpies, their trailing tentacles loaded with stingers are more of a painful nuisance than a serious threat. But to creatures of Human size, they can be lethal. They typically feed on the Flying Fish in the sky.
--------------------------------------- (Flying Jellyfish are another reason the Torinian Humans should stay within the safe-fly zone unless they absolutely have to fly above it. The Torinian Harpies hate to see a human foolishly take risks with his/her life and would rather eat them before any of the outside predators do. As Helia would say, "There's no point in letting good food go to waste." )
Whoops: It's come to my attention that there is an entry in the Wiki for Flying Squids :< Oh well, I think I'll still use these Flying Jellyfish in future stories anyway.
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Angel Rays Danger Level: Minimal (Moderate to giant creatures) Occurrence: Rare
The Angel Rays are truly majestic flying creatures. They are most favorably compared in appearance to a Devil Ray but are large enough to block out the sun and swallow a giant creature whole, which they will do given the chance. They are rumored to have migrated from a gaseous planet such as Jupiter. The Angel Rays are photosythetic and can produce gasses at such a high rate that they become enveloped in a cloud if they remain in place for a long period of time. Due to the sheer size of these creatures, movement requires much energy so they don't spend many hours flying. They tend to drift with the wind most of the day and become almost indistinquishable from the other clouds in the sky.
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Gotdam Dolphin Danger Level: Varies Occurrence: Rare
The Gotdam Dolphin is believed to have migrated from a sea to the far west. These Dolphins live in the sky but hunt in the sea by diving in and out of the water, the reverse of what most dolphins that leap out of the water do. Their length is typically aroung 35 feet ( 10.6 meters ) so they don't dive into the water for very long or they might become prey to the larger Mermaids. The Gotdam Dolphins are interesting not only because of their aero-buoyancy, but because they have the ability to bend light around their bodies and camouflage themselves. Occasionaly the Dolphins can be seen putting on rainbow-like light displays to attract mates. It is especially impressive at night.
The Gotdam Dolphins mainly eat air and sea creatures but have been known to eat land animals when they migrate over land. They have very playful demeanors and will play with almost any creature that doesn't see them as prey. Unfortunately, their style of play has proven to be a little too rough for small humanoids and some have been either seriously injured or killed. Some Gotdam Dolphins have even swallowed humans, not fully understanding the consequences of their actions. To them, the world is full of little "toys" just begging to be played with. This has caused the Gotdam Dolphins to be feared by veteran sailors and explorers.
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Flying Sea Unicorn (need a better name) Danger Level: Medium Occurrence: Rare
The Flying Sea Unicorn gets it's name from it's resemblance to a Sea Horse, only with very large fin-like wings and a horn on it's head like that of a Unicorn. The Flying Sea Unicorn can grow up to 70 ft in height and have the ability to slip the limitations of spacetime in short bursts, much like a teleport. One second the creature will be flying at a seemingly safe distance then the next second they will be within feet of you. They possess strong suction by which they devour their prey, though not nearly as strong as a Rock Harpy's suction. These creatures typically make their homes in clouds and come out only when it's time to hunt or mate. They are usually white in color and their extravagant fins resemble a type of lace. It's hard to resist admiring these gorgeous creatures at a distance, but it's important to remember that they can be on you in the blink of an eye.
===================================================================================== Updated 16 Apr 2011
Oumai Gaud (sometimes written Oumaigaud) Danger Level: Critical Occurrence: Mythical
Most believe that Oumai Gaud was nothing more than a creature of ancient legend. Some are convinced of it's authenticity. The mythical creature was essentially a gigantic flying squirrel, seemingly harmless in nature. But that seemingly harmless creature was said to have laid waste to many ancient civilizations and pushed sentient species to the brink of extinction. Furthermore, Oumai Gaud spawned many smaller variations of herself that immediately began ravaging Felarya. The spawn of Oumai Gaud have become known across the multiverse by one name, but according to experts this name was a result of an error in the translation of hieroglyphics on temple walls. The ancient writing describing the "creatures that would screw-your-world," was misinterpreted as "the creatures called squirrels."
So "the mother of all Squirrels" and her offspring wreaked havoc as they burrowed through the very foundations of cities to find their "precious," though no one is sure what the "precious" refered to. The Guardians of that time had to take action and managed to imprison Oumai Gaud in a magic box. This magic box was burried deep within the Felaryan soil and its magic caused a great tree to sprout above it. There was only one tale of Oumai Gaud being released from her prison but she was promptly resealed after a tremendous battle. Sadly, much of the records regarding this fantastic creature have been lost as vandels have badly damaged the temple walls. Recently discovered fragments of these walls have been put together to decipher a warning for future generations. It says, "Watch the little creatures that scurry below and fly above, for those little ones will quietly orchestrate the end of all."
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Last edited by gt500x on Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:33 am; edited 30 times in total (Reason for editing : Typos, typos, typos... XP) | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:12 am | |
| [idea moved to page 1]
Lava Elemental: Monarch Fireflies Danger Level: ? Occurance: Very rare
Volcanic eruptions sometimes sprout Butterfly shaped Elementals that some have called Monarch Fireflies. The Fireflies had short lifespans and would initially destroy whatever they touched but in time something beautiful would grow there. Maybe a garden of unique flowers with legendary medicinal powers or a tree with fruit so sweet that men would kill for it.
[character bio moved to page 1]
Last edited by gt500x on Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:10 am; edited 9 times in total | |
| | | Jætte_Troll Friend of the Jotun
Posts : 2769 Join date : 2009-02-02 Age : 33 Location : Over There
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:12 am | |
| Rather late, and this is for all of your stuff, but I think its all quite good. I like the level of detail into culture and history and development of a kingdom or culture. | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Sun Dec 19, 2010 6:55 am | |
| - Jætte_Troll wrote:
- Rather late, and this is for all of your stuff, but I think its all quite good. I like the level of detail into culture and history and development of a kingdom or culture.
Thanks. Not all of it is specifically for this Island, I should point those particular ideas out from now on. This whole Island idea came about because I was failing so hard coming up with any good ideas for the lands that already existed. It came down to me having to carve my own niche. I'll admit though, I do feel like I've gone a bit overboard with it.
Last edited by gt500x on Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:34 pm; edited 1 time in total | |
| | | Karbo Evil admin
Posts : 3812 Join date : 2007-12-08
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Mon Dec 20, 2010 2:05 am | |
| "the mother of all squirels" Really great work on those additions ! those air-based creatures are really interesting. I'm going to add plenty of your ideas when I finally work on Iracal island | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:33 pm | |
| That would be sweet. No rush of course. I think there are still some problems in these ideas that need to be worked out.Iracal Island subzone: Rainbow Mountain Gets its name from the spectrum of colors that surround it due to sunlight refracting off the crystal large formations that cover it. There is metallic ore of several colors found deep within the mountain that the Elves of Atomata have tried to mine; each ore has its own properties that it is highly valued for. The Elves of the Atomata Valley are on the east side of the mountain while the Laiko Inus of Arimas Piinu are situated on the west side of the mountain and are very protective of it, considering themselves to be children of nature. Many conflicts have arisen between the Atomatan Elves and the Laiko Inus over this moutain on Iracal Islands western half. Fauna: Giant TaurogryphsDanger Level: Medium Occurance: Rare (Previously thought to be extinct) Sometimes spelled Torogriffs; it is uncertain where the Giant Taurogryphs originated from but there is a fair number of them that have herded together on Iracal Island. The Giant Taurogryphs are brown and white, bull-eagle hybrid creatures that average around 60 feet ( 18.3m ) in height. They are basically bulls with large eagle wings, beaks instead of mouths, and feathers covering the front half of their bodies. They are hunted by poachers for their solid gold horns and hooves. The Giant Taurogryphs are extremely powerful and possess excellent speed in straight-line flight, but they severely lack agility. The horns on their heads are very intimidating and can take the fight out of an enemy before the battle even begins. Like their name indicates, there are smaller versions of these creatures. It is very rare to see many giants in one place. The Giant Taurogryphs are moderately intelligent. They can speak the common language, but don't ask them to solve any complex word problems. The Laiko Nation of Arimas Piinu:Occupying the Arimas Piinu foothills on the western side of Iracal Island, the Laikos are an incredibly strong willed nation of Inu's that have survived some of the worst dangers the world has to offer. Battles with the giant Taurogryphs of the neighboring mountains threatened to destroy their civilation but they were saved by the heroic self-sacrifice of a Laiko shaman named Riphean. By giving up his physical body, Riphean was able to ascend to a higher level of exhistence and tame the raging spirits of the giant Taurogryphs. Since that time, the enormous Bull-Eagle hybrid creatures have been fiercely loyal to the Laikos and have faught beside them in battles against Elves, Harpies, and Sphinxes. The Laikos have developed the ability to spiritually connect with the Taurogryphs. One Laiko warrior pairs up with one Taurogryph and work on their connection. During battles, the Laiko will ride on the back of the gigantic beast; they become as one and are able to know each others thoughts and feelings. The Laikos are deeply spiritual and in-tuned with nature. They view the mighty predators that tower above them as beings to be feared and respected, not to be hated, even if a member of their family is eaten alive. These Inus also strongly disapprove of the Elves' building of constructs and giving them life through magic. To the Laiko, this practice not only wastes resources stripped from the land but it is offensive to nature. (I'll update as more ideas come to me) ======================================================================================= The Valley of Atomata Walking and scurrying about the forests in the Valley of Atomata are a vast array of splendid Constructs. It is a mechanical wilderness of creations ranging in size and shape from a insects to 50ft giant sentries. These marvels of magic and mechanical engineering are created by Elves that have migrated from a land to the west of Iracal Island and now reside in a city hidden in the valley. These Elves have woven expression through arts and crafts into their cultural identity. Magic is also a vital part of their lives and is used to animate their creations. These Elves take great pride in the quality of their work. Every detail of every artistic creation is finely crafted, even on the tiny insect constructs that scurry around the forest. The Elves of Atomata also have constructs that make their lives easier and some to make them more secure. Some of the Elven constructs are capable of reason, communication, and even showing curiosity; but none are sentient. The Elves are against granting any construct the ability to feel emotions. These Elves have fought more than a few battles with the Laiko Nation over the mountain containing an abundance of valuable building material. The Laikos wouldn't allow the Elves to "rape" their land just to build more of their "abominations." The Elves weren't too fond of the uncivilized savages hoarding precious minerals and bad mouthing their works of art. In these past battles with the Laiko Nation, the Elves of Automata deployed colossal constructs with the main body being Elven and some parts modeled off a the bodies of various creatures. The conflicts were brief but significant. With the help of giant Taurogryphs, the "primitive" Laiko gave the haughty Elves far more trouble than they had anticipated and forced a retreat. The proud Elves of Atomata never declared an official truce with the Laiko Nation but the two sides haven't threatened each other much since then. Distrought over their inability to catch the tasty Laikos of the Arimas Piinu foothills, the Reindeertaurs sulked and resorted to preying on the Elves of the Atomata Valley. Upon learning of the Reindeertaurs craving for inus, the Elves offered to help them invade Arimas Piinu so that the Reindeertaurs could gorge themselves to their hearts' content while the Elves seize control of the foothills. (I'll be thinking of ways to develop this group of Elves more) - "Atomatan Culture: The Smith Guardian":
The Lipari Temple in the Valley of Atomata (Atomata, formerly Automata)
In the elven city which lies in the valley between Rainbow Mountain and Mount Litocoro, stands a temple devoted to the mythological figure named Lipari. The Atomatans believe themselves to be descendants of the legendary smith. In and around the temple are various forms of artwork depicting Lipari at different points of his life, many portraying the famous labors that he had to complete on his way to becoming the Guardian Blacksmith that Atomatans believe he is.
He lived in a period of relative safety for non-giant humanoids; the era of great beast was ending and the age of giant hybrid predators was in its early dawn. The elf is said to have met Volkan the lava elemental during his journey to the Pyrale mountains on a homemade electric-motorbike. Volkan was intrigued by the riding contraption and inquired about its creation and Lipari's reasons for coming to the mountains. The teenaged Lipari explained that he was the son of an inventor and a skilled blacksmith himself, and he was in search of Tedrek metals. Volkan became more intrigued and revealed that he too was a great blacksmith and invited Lipari to see his works. Lipari was so taken that he begged Volkan to mentor him. Volkan turned the request down, citing that he was uninterested in teaching a tiny humanoid, as their potential was limited. But Lipari was persistent. He returned to the Pyrale mountains again and again until Volkan agreed to take him on as an apprentice, but only after Lipari completes seven trials, or labors.
Each labor was said to be harder than the one before it. Lipari bravely faced the decade of challenges ahead of him. The first labor was to fetch a fish from the Topazial Sea, which Lipari is said to have completed after harpooning a mermaid’s tongue. The second labor was to charm a naga, which Lipari did with a custom made flute. The third labor was to make a harpy laugh, which Lipari did by trying to insult her. The fourth labor was to prank a fairy, Lipari accomplished this by holding up a mirror in front of a fairy that tried to shrink him; the fairy was most displeased to see her ample breasted reduced to almost nothing. The fifth labor involved stealing a nut from a squirrel, so Lipari crafted a giant acorn out of metal and offered it to a squirrel. When the squirrel went for the fake giant acorn Lipari ran off with the squirrel’s stash of real acorns, but he was plagued by nightmares ever since. The sixth labor was to forge an object of his choosing out of Tedrek steel; Lipari built a vehicle that was at least 20 feet long. At first, this baffled Volkan, the lava elemental, but it made sense once Lipari reminded him of his seventh and final labor to spend one night with a succubus. The final test was passed with flying colors, as the succubus put it, and so was the elf’s journey into manhood. Never in his wildest dreams did Volkan expect Lipari to accomplish such ridiculous tasks but somehow the elf made it happen over the course of a decade. It was clear then to Volkan that Lipari was much greater a being than his small size indicated and he followed through with his promise to become the elf’s mentor.
As legend goes, Lipari one day surpassed Volkan as a blacksmith and was called upon by the Guardians when Felarya came under siege by a mysterious threat. This threat seemed to have no end to their numbers and the Guardians were in search of an army to match, so Lipari went to work on a creation that he’d always dreamed of, but unlike anything he’d ever attempted. During the following years of war, Lipari's creation served the Guardians well kept the threat at bay, but then things took an unexpected turn for the worse; the creation turned on the Guardians. It was a regrettable event but not as regrettable as the descision to give the creation the power to reproduce on its own. When Lipari came into possession of a weapon that might prove devastating to his creation, he suddenly found himself targeted by many gigantic and dangerous forces. He was eventually captured by one of the armor clad giantesses with long luminous hair and was crushed in her hands. Some believe this to be the death of Lipari, but the Elves of Atomata believe that Lipari lived on, eventually joining the ranks of the Guardians. Whether this legend is true or not, its importance to the Atomatans can’t be overstated. Every form of art they create, whether wooden or metallic, is inspired by Lipari’s greatness. Every construct that walks the forest surrounding their city, from the tiny beetles to the giant sentries, are powered by Lipari's magic.
Lipari's Forge and the Legion of Creations
Colosal structures move about somewhere in uncharted territory; they search a land riddled with scars for the remains of stone and metal warriors of an era gone by. This is both a clean up effort and an effort to bring fallen brethren home to be reborn. Further north they travel to a volcanic crater the size of a city. In this crater stands an incredible amount of constructs patiently awaiting the orders of their creator. Marvelous machines work tirelessly together, shaping and assembling, increasing the size of the mighty army. In their varied forms, armed with varied weapons, they are ready for the event their master calls upon them or his life is somehow threatened. There is no sentience about them, only the drive to serve the ancient elf drafting ideas for new additions to his gallery of living art. Surrounded by metals of many sorts, covered in dirt and sweat, the elf never grows weary of this labor of love which he has been at for thousands upon thousands of years. Such a fantastic tale... in the end, it's still just a tale.
================================================================================= Developing character ideas: Lemno (Young male Elf), Laelan (Female Inu)
Last edited by gt500x on Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:53 pm; edited 10 times in total | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:19 pm | |
| Siren
Siren is a term that has become identified with the flow of magic through sound and those that practice it. In years gone by, a Siren was identified as bird-women that lured mariners into shipwrecks with their enchanting voices. These bird-women described by the sea farers may have been Harpies since magic through singing appears to be innate to some, but the term Siren became increasingly synonymous with mermaids because of the occurance of these famous events near the sea. Recent discoveries have shown that a member of any species can channel magic through sound with sufficient training and a wide enough vocal range. It was decided, after much resistance from traditionalists, that the definition of Siren would describe magic flow through sound and expand to include all those that practice it, being added as a title.
Khamin Atasiero
Named by an ancient race, currently nicknamed the "walking skies," the Khamin Atasiero are unfathomably tall spirits that walk the Felaryan plane. Their heads are said to breach the limits of the sky. It is believed that only four of these legendary giraffe-shaped beings exist and they are extremely hard to find, even being as big as they are. Their bodies are light blue and transparent, and their graceful footsteps are so gentle that they couldn't crush a blade of grass. The Khamin Atasiero are said to consume the evil energies released in the world, which prevents the build-up from materializing into something that could threaten Felarya. The ancient spirits can not be harmed by any attacks dealt by one with evil intent, but someone acting purely on duty or without evil intent could bring one of these spirits down; an act that is ill-advised because the sudden release of concentrated evil into the area could produce regrettable results.
Whiplash Phenomenon
Experienced as deja vu, the whiplash phenomenon is caused by a disruption in the spacetime continuum as a result of dimensional shifting. Like waves rippling through water, these disruptions are constantly flowing through Felarya. The inhabitants of the world experience the effects as reliving a moment in time, ranging anywhere from 5 minutes in the past to years in the past, before being whipped back into the present. More extreme experiences have been reported, including rumors of people vanishing entirely.
One who realizes that they are caught in a whiplash could concievable alter the course of his/her future by making a different choice in the brief moment they have to act. But few are perceptive enough, or educated on the matter enough to know that the phenomenon is occuring.
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Hmmm. It seems all I do is think of ideas. I suppose I should actually try writing a story for once. Not really my strong suit though :/
Last edited by gt500x on Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:33 pm; edited 1 time in total | |
| | | Jætte_Troll Friend of the Jotun
Posts : 2769 Join date : 2009-02-02 Age : 33 Location : Over There
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:31 pm | |
| I think you should write a story. Sometimes its the best way of developing ideas - bringing them to life in a real sense. If you're intimidated at bringing your characters and ideas into a full-fledged story right away, organizing an RP with them can sometimes really help.
Still, I hope you do a story. I'd be happy to help edit if you wanted. | |
| | | TheLightLost Survivor
Posts : 965 Join date : 2010-10-18 Location : Who cares anymore
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:47 pm | |
| Appreciated. I may lean on you for editing. The biggest thing that worries me is the critiques I'll get. I don't have much of a background in magic and fantasy, so the way I interpret it all may differ from the way everyone else here does. The role play suggestion interests me. I think I'll look into that after the holidays are done.
Last edited by gt500x on Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:17 pm; edited 18 times in total | |
| | | Karbo Evil admin
Posts : 3812 Join date : 2007-12-08
| Subject: Re: My post-rapture, left behind ideas Fri Dec 24, 2010 5:53 am | |
| Some more great idea here ^^ I like what you imagined with the Taurogryphs and Laikos. I'm definitely going to add some of your ideas for Iracal island | |
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