<hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 22pt;"><strong>Chapter One: A Grand Escape</strong></span></span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">The Kingdom of Caerduja</span></span><br/><hr/><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/W6kxvaI.png)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Caerduja</strong> was once a small kingdom that shared the continent with other great kingdoms—the ruins of one being Odobori. Written in the kingdom’s history books, Caerduja was always unrivaled and believed its true purpose was to spread and claim the continent as its own. Caerduja’s king, <strong>King Erasmus Armlow Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a7/4c/93/a74c936b33a9879586d44cabe952aaf9.jpg), known as <em>The Immortal King</em>, was the first of the Fruit-Eaters. So greedy and unwilling to part with power, Erasmus made a wish upon the fruit, which has given him his other title. Addicted and enraptured by the fruit, when Erasmus began to transform his kingdom with it, it is believed only by a few survivors of the royal court that the queen, <strong>Queen Trellarin Natalya Caerduja</strong> was against eating the fruit. It has been a decade since the queen was seen. Only paintings on the wall document her beauty and grace, and supposedly, she still exists along with the first Prince, <strong>Prince Famin Draven Caerduja</strong>; but the first prince hasn’t been seen in years either.<br/><br/>King Erasmus sits on the throne, and his elite Kingsguard is comprised of his superhuman sons and daughters. There are seven:<br/>1. <strong>Prince Tharn Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/c0/ab/ec/c0abec7196d0c74b5502bbf78a809671.jpg): Supposedly, the king’s first son, but some legacy members of the court remember another to be the first. He is arrogant and believes himself to be the strongest of the seven. He is completely vain and everyone else is beneath him, but his father and mother. He is also very much so a psychopath. Perhaps driven into madness by his self-grandeur.<br/>2. <strong>Prince Land Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3e/ef/a7/3eefa7104a00a483233f0594765adceb.jpg): He runs the kingdom’s treasury, and is quite the shrewd businessman. He has his sticky fingers in everything, whether it be material or information. His hobby is collecting things, and there are several valuable objects and gems hoarded away in his chambers and treasure rooms. His rooms are always under armed guard. He spends his time maintaining the kingdom’s account and hunting for more priceless relics that he often doesn’t even eat or care for himself.<br/>3. <strong>Prince Darril Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/28/eb/41/28eb41b34f978381307b7c78f0fdeb95.jpg): “The Cannibal.” His appetite is unending. He doesn’t only eat food, but he has eaten objects and other materials that normal beings can’t digest. He has even consumed magic. As long as he is awake, he is hungry, and when he isn’t awake, he is believed to be eating in his dreams.<br/>4. <strong>Princess Ciri Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a4/aa/38/a4aa380f03aefdcea632f0e91af40ffd.jpg): She is Erasmus’s most beautiful daughter and more frightening than her sister, Ina. There is an unusual allure that palpably hangs about her like a spider’s web. It has granted her many lovers, mates, and meals. However, her children will never hatch to be as beautiful as her. Instead, they are all spiders. Your mind sees the horror she is and tells you to steer clear, but your loins yearn for her.<br/>5. <strong>Princess Ina Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b4/04/22/b4042224c885405ef04fa92ec0766804.jpg): Despite her appearance, Ina is perhaps the most normal of the Kingsgguard. However, she is also the most envious of others. She passes destructive whispers behind the backs of her kin, hoping to destroy their reputation or destroy them outright. Unfortunately, they always find out and bully her. Ina may seem useless on the kingsguard and placed there solely because she is a princess, but she is the best collector of information, deceiver, and weaver of lies.<br/>6. <strong>Prince Kraven Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/00/40/29/0040291e274d5901f1473e46bd966056.jpg): Kraven is the one who Erasmus will send alone to annihilate any army that dare contest Caerduja’s shores. Kraven loves killing and destroying things. He is an eight-foot-four giant of muscle so large it splits his flesh. Anyone who sees him advancing runs in terror. Kraven is always seeking an excuse to fight, kill, and ruin something. It is his main hobby, and if he isn’t engaged in destruction, then he is whining like a child who wants to play.<br/>7. <strong>Prince Desmond Caerduja</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/80/24/c5/8024c5e1c952aca1a4f9947e6ac9072e.jpg): Out of all the kingsguardmen, Desmond was the most skilled and reputed prince knight. He was hardworking, always in battle, and always loyal to his father’s every need. Erasmus trusted Desmond for most of his political missions where he needed an intelligent and sound mind to handle situations. Eventually, Desmond grew tired of his life and wished to have nothing more to do with it. Like his father, Desmond is immortal, but unlike the other kingsguardmen, he does what he wants. He answers to no one.<br/><br/><br/>Beneath the kingsguard is a garrison of fruit-eater soldiers commanded by <strong>General Sern Ralot</strong> (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/77/f9/29/77f929559ce745d29d3506f4fb34488f.jpg). Sern and Kraven are not fond of each other. Sern finds Kraven to be an insubordinate meathead, and will often disobey the prince’s orders whenever he tries to use his soldiers as fodder for his bloodlusting games. Sern is the most seen on the battlefield and has served the kingdom since the king first discovered altar fruit. No one has ever seen him without his armor, and the king is the only one who remembers Sern’s face. Because of this, Sern has a respect and unusual loyalty to the king.</span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Trellarin Castle, The City, and The Arena</span></span><br/><hr/><div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/4c/8e/df/4c8edf5bc346ef090fa460a01a289c43.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">The castle was named after the queen. The monument of ivory-white glows in the light of Chronus, shining above the bustling city at its feet. Guard walls surround the castle and city, patrolled by archers and winged sentries. Visitors are screened and recorded at the city’s gates, and would be screened again at the royal gates, but very few have an invitation to the castle. In town, the vendors and shops post ridiculously expensive prices. For the average Caerdujan, it is affordable, but to visitors coming from not so privileged backgrounds, they may leave the city a beggar. What visitors will notice over time is that Caerduja doesn’t have a poverty problem. Every Caerdujan is well-off, making the city seem like a paradise despite its superhuman freaks.<br/><br/>The Grand Tournament is hosted at the city’s main arena, <strong>Kraven’s Arena</strong>. It is a circular coliseum with warded walls high enough to contain most magic splash. The competitors are required to bathe and reside in the sleeping bays at the arena, which are separated by sex, and the king has arranged for all meals to be prepared by the court’s Ramdunan chefs. Guards monitor and patrol the arena, ensuring none of the competitors are up to no good. During the tournament, vendors (GM-run) selling affordable items will be present as a courtesy (<del>pity</del>) for those who can’t afford the prices in the city.</span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">News &amp; Rumors</span></span><br/><hr/><ul class="bbc_list"><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(<strong>Confirmed</strong>) The Grand Tournament is taking place at Kraven's arena. Hundreds of non-Caerdujan warriors have gathered to compete.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(Rumor) The king and his kingsguard will be in attendance.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: gerogia;">(News) The winner of the tournament will take home 500,000 gil and an altar fruit.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(News) Kraven is the undefeated champion.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(<strong>False</strong>) General Ralot is competing.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(Rumor) The queen is sick, dead, or missing.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(Rumor) The kingsguard are not really brothers and sisters.</span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">(<strong>Confirmed</strong>) Famed bard <strong>Nisime</strong> will be present for the opening show accompanied by dancers.</span></li></ul><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">NPCs</span></span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><em>These are either created by the GM or players. These are "named" NPCs who other characters can encounter.</em></span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Matches</span></span><br/><hr/><ul class="bbc_list" style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Chemist vs. Archer</strong></span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Dragoon vs. Monk</strong></span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Archer vs. Samurai</strong></span></li><li><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Fighter vs. Ninja</strong></span></li></ul><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">IC Rules</span></span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">1. <strong>Information.</strong> You cannot create NPCs for the sole purpose of gaining access to information, specifically and pertaining to the Royal Family. The only information that players readily have access to are news and rumors. Please refer to the "News and Rumors" section. This section grows as situations happen in game. Players can freely create NPCs to gain access to news and rumors if they wish.<br/>2. <strong>Shops.</strong> All shops are GM-run. They will appear with a GM post at random times, but the shop itself will be a separate thread for the purpose of recording what characters buy and sell.<br/>3. <strong>Conflict.</strong> If you choose to spar another player, then inform the GM before you begin a fight. Otherwise, all other conflict will happen throughout the story. As mentioned in the Battle System section, players are free to have their characters fight NPCs in free form. However, they will not gain any XP or loot.<br/>4. <strong>Stealing.</strong> You must be either a thief character, have the steal skill, and have luck to be able to steal. If your character doesn't have those three things, then your character will always fail at stealing. Stealing can only be performed in either battles or at GM-granted opportunities. These opportunities are also revealed in a GM post.<br/>5. <strong>GM Games.</strong> There are other ways to gain XP. Sometimes, a game will randomly appear in the game, allowing players to earn XP without fighting. They can also acquire items as rewards. Watch for these because they are random. However, they may not include everyone. It is all about being in the right place at the right time.<br/>6. <strong>Trading.</strong> Characters can trade items and gear with each other. Trades will be recorded in the same thread used for tracking bought and sold items.<br/>7. <strong>Plot Destruction.</strong> Don't do anything that would end your role in the plot so soon. If it is something that could get your character kicked out of the arena, then your involvement may be short, and we probably won't see you until later in the chapter.</span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Tag</span></span><br/><hr/><div class="codeheader">Code: <a class="codeoperation" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="return smfSelectText(this);">[Select]</a></div><pre style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><code class="bbc_code">[hr]<br/>[floatleft][img height=150 padding=3]https://i.imgur.com/oJHkbtB.jpg[/img][/floatleft]<br/>[b]Name:[/b]<br/>[b]Tier:[/b]<br/>[b]Level:[/b]<br/>[b]Job Class:[/b]<br/>[b]Date/Time:[/b] Day 1, Late Morning<br/>[b]Location:[/b]<br/>[b]Tagging:[/b] [b]Mentioned:[/b]<br/>[hr]</code></pre><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Links</span></span><br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">Recruitment Thread (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332519.0)<br/>Character Creation Guide (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332517.0)<br/>Battle System Explained (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332524.0)<br/>Character Thread (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332525.0)<br/>OOC (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332663.0)<br/>Ming Ming's Shop &amp; Smithy (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=333080.0)</span>