[ic]Where was he? His eyes refused to work, no digit, no limb would move. With great effort he trembled and shook. He vomited, a sweet release as his body crumpled.
"Rise"
Without comprehension, without assent from his body, he climbed to a kneeling position. He realized he could hear. The sound that thus alerted him was a throbbing, a swelling of voices, speaking all at once and over each other. But each speaking the same thing. Instinctively he tried to move back from the foul sounds.
"What man can stand among us
Sinless?
Without a stain to mar his untouched
Soul?
What man can pray to the Gods
Riskless?
Without confessing his deeds black as
Coal?
They say He listens and Knows
So why do we pray?
We think that there is something in us
That wants Him to listen to what we've done with our day
And our night.
Each time.
What man can kneel before us
Pure?
Without a black mark upon his wretched
Face?
What man can press his palms without
Fear?
What man beseeches us for merciful
Grace?"
Shaking in spiritual agony he tried to call out. To will his tongue unslack, his body to move. Instead, he broke.[/ic]
The Veil is unraveling. Man has known before that he is not alone. In whispers he has told others what he has seen. The angels and the dragons the things from the unquiet grave. But heavy lay the blindfold of Truth. In a bold voice man proclaimed there was nothing to be afraid of in the dark. There were no lurking terrors, no blinding lights. With the Veil in place this was possible to believe. The simplest explanation is the Truth. No more.
[ic]"The Veil is tearing little one. Things are stirring in there caves. Things like me. Your heart beats faster...but it can not outrun me child."[/ic]
[ooc]Taking the themes and mood presented in World of Darkness and mixing in a large dash of good old fashion fantasy. I'm going to be careful not to tread on the toes of nWoD, Vilydunn, or Ravenloft and still present my take on a horror-based campaign world.[/ooc]
The scientists of the day will tell you that there was Singularity and then with a Bang the universe started. Witch's have they're own theories about the Gates between the Worlds. Followers of the One God speak in psalms about The Beginning and the might of the Lord. Men who pray to other gods tell tales of their deities role in creation.
They all live in ultimate heresy, though shades of the truth bleed through each. Everything is wrapped in wheels and rings and mystery. And there can be no truth until all men believe the same thing. That's what most who are UnVeiled will tell you. Simply because that is how it seems, with so much proof for each. One can see look into Mirrors and see the past, see a void and a spark and a beginning. One can hear the voice of G-D tell that he created all. One can dig deep into the Earth and not be consumed in the core, but rather fall into chasms of the dead flesh of Ymir and swim in seas of his blood and find his marrow in the mountain. Or one can go Outside and see the Turtle and Elephants in the Endless Ocean of Milk. One dance lightly on Spider Womans web. Or lose your sanity to the Ancient Fathers. How can one do all these, they contradict each other. The cannot all be True.
They are wrong too. The problem is not with reality. Life and death and the thousand grays between and blacks beyond and whites above are simply the lenses through which we perceive creation. Each being does so differently and each is innately correct. Don't be mistaken Reality doesn't bend to the whims of It's inhabitants. Antara simply lets them play out their shadow shows inside it's walls. The TRUTH is not beyond the Veil and you won't find it in your soul. The TRUTH is Antara...or perhaps not.
wow.
seriously. wow.
well begun there man. Got some nice imagination skills goin there. a hearty high five to you. hmm... we don't have a high-five :fluffy:
i have to echo Captian Obvious' post
Wow.
Well done. Keep it up :)
Tantalising, especially so for me because you use the foremost conceit I employ in my own work: paradoxes and cosmic contradictions, as well as more than one's fair share of madness.
Is G-D "God" with the omission of the 'O', kind of like the Tetragrammaton (YHWH)?
Wow...
Wow wow wow...
Wow...
*cough*
Keep it up! Just, one thing...
[spoiler=Grammar Reminder]
apostrophe ess ('s) equals possession.
no apostrophe ess (s) equals plural.
sometimes, ee ess (es) equals plural, depending on the sound the word ends in.
This holds true for all words except it, where 's means instead that it is a shortened form of 'it is', and a simple 's' indicates possession.
So, witch's have their own beliefs should be witches have their own beliefs.
And on 'their, there', you also made a small mistake by putting 'in there caves' instead of 'in their caves'.[/spoiler]
;) anyway, great writing, keep up the good work!
Hey, thanks for all the encouragement.
Grammar and I war a lot late at night.
G-D is how God is typically spelled in English by the Jewish community. So yeah, it's pretty much an extension of Tetragrammaton.
I'll probably check this one more time before I'm gone for three weeks. It'll come along though, I promise.
*nods* Still, amazing writing.
Quote from: Captain Obviouswow.
seriously. wow.
well begun there man. Got some nice imagination skills goin there. a hearty high five to you. hmm... we don't have a high-five :fluffy:
What he said :huh:
[ic]The old factory creaked and groaned from the pressure put on it. Rust flaking to shower the ground in an eerie parody of snow gave a screeing sound as it fell. In the abandoned lot below, beneath the reddish full moon an old man smiled. His style of clothing could only be described as Victorian, his suit clipped and grey, and his sword-cane clutched tightly between shaking white-knuckled hands. He remembered then, as he gazed skyward through the smoke of the city, that they called it a Blood Moon.
How fitting.[/ic]
"Only a fool humbles himself when the world is so full of men eager to do that job for him."
Those who are UnVeiled are begining to take note that their actions are not so easily hidden in the shadows any longer.
There are many players who wish to exploit the unraveling of the Veil to their benefit. It is no coincidence that seven men, flesh carved with runes, are found swinging from an oak tree the day after a series of lightening storms rocks the English coast. Score a point for general belief in Odin. Nor that a dragon allows itself to be captured on tape...and strangely the 'experts' can't prove that it's a hoax. Score for dragons existing. Not even when an UnVeiled doctor belonging to the Skaidan demonstrates a new theory about pink noise. 1-UP for science.
But there are just as many who would prefer that the world remains torn, in it's multifaceted realities. Who want to see Saturn on Monday and Olympia on Wednesday and don't mind going through a crack using vampire clan on Tuesday to do it.
And there are those who want only to survive the unraveling and are willing to do anything to make sure they continue to exist. Because how many people really remember He Who Makes Things Sprout?
Since there's no link to a discussion thread, I can only assume this is the place to talk about Antara.
I'm really liking it a lot. Especially the latest scene, with the older gentlemen in the abandoned factory. It seems similar to the Urban Arcana setting, but with far more horrific and disturbing elements to the Unveiled. That also brings up another question: does this take place on Earth (or an alternate Earth of some kind), or another world entirely?
I'd like to hear more about the Skaidan. A race or species of hominid? or merely a political entity? and He Who Makes Things Sprout sounds very interesting. I can't wait to read more of Antara.
Since I have so little worked out about Antara at the moment I decided an auxiliary discussion thread would be unnecessary. Maybe a division will come in a latter version.
You pose an excellent question. To be perfectly honest I have yet to decide that for myself. I'm leaning pretty strongly toward Earth, although a somewhat alternate Earth is also a possibility.
Skaidan: Those Who Rend
The Skaidan are a cabal of UnVeiled scientists from all walks of life, all countries, and all fields. They are united in believing that only a scientific world is rational and worth living in, despite evidence to the contrary. While some truly are in disbelief, the majority realize that in order to "restore balance" to the world they must make everyone believe fully in science (and essentially the Old Truth), while simultaneously discrediting and destroying any other Ideas that appear.
Led by the Seven, and based in an eco-friendly university town near the northern reaches the Skaidan are among the largest and most unified factions of UnVeiled in the world. A Skaidan agent is likely to approach any reasonably traceable member of the scientific community if they suspect that person is free of the Veil. On some occasions Skaidan operatives will even attempt to UnViel prominant scientific members before wooing them to their own cause.
<more if desired>
Very very interesting. While it is evocative of similar ideas I like the fact that it has no tone apart from mystery. It is not submerged in the doomlike horror of Call of Cthulhu or the overwhelming sense of personal responsibility and personal terror of Kult or the weird mishmash that is Mage. While I enjoyed exploring the other three your last entry is a good indicator of how different it is. By the way I would like to hear more about the Skaidan.
Wow cool! Proof that mixed fantasy can be both as intriguing and original as high fantasy. Well done! I got an impression of oldschool occult and victorian-age horror (personal favorite, sword canes!) as well. That was terribly explained sorry. Nice job! Are you going to spend some time discussing the strange tech of your world, like Mirrors?
First of all: Thanks!
Tybalt: At this point Antara is free floating tone-wise. As more is revealed, more elements of "doom" will definitely become apparent. Ultimately the world may end up closer to MtA (which I just got my hands on yesterday) than the others you mentioned, but a lot more internally consistent (even though that means cosmic inconsistency).
Korumaine: Old school occult and Victorian horror certainly have their place in Antara, but will not dominate it. Sword-canes are indeed rockin'. I will give more detail on the technology and magic of the world at a later time...for now be content with the fact that Mirrors are not what you think. ;)
I'm a little late, but what I've seen so far can make we only say one thing.
Wow. (seems to be common around here.)
PLEASE tell me that this will be built for d20 modern. It would be great to see that get some love around here, especially with something this freaking awesome.
Better late than never, Mister Howitzer.
I hate to ruin your dreams but at the moment this poor little setting doesn't have a system to call home. I'm considering a tweaked version of d20 Modern but I feel there are some problems with it in general.
For instance, in the d20 system it is rather impossible to represent someone who is very specialized in one thing and terrible with all others. The higher level you are: the better you are at everything. Absolutely incredible at casting spells? Check. And good at fighting too? check.
For most games that's a good thing. Antara...not so much.
And the way d20M handles magic is abhorrent. Next we come to the HP system which isn't evocative of an "urban fantasy". As much as Gaiman and Miéville love RPGs, they weren't envisioning HP in their works.
I've considered nWoD, but frankly as cool as the fluff is, I not only hate their combat system, I am also not too keen on the way skills are represented. oCoC leaves everyone as weak bitches just waiting to die, and Tri-Stat suffers from lack of conceptual clarity.
I suppose I could us WP/VP and rewrite magic and a dozen other things to make d20M work but for now...I'm not convinced. Wanna try to change that?
Quote from: JaercFor instance, in the d20 system it is rather impossible to represent someone who is very specialized in one thing and terrible with all others. The higher level you are: the better you are at everything. Absolutely incredible at casting spells? Check. And good at fighting too? check.
For most games that's a good thing. Antara...not so much.
And the way d20M handles magic is abhorrent. Next we come to the HP system which isn't evocative of an "urban fantasy". As much as Gaiman and Miéville love RPGs, they weren't envisioning HP in their works.
I don't understand what you mean by the first part. Trust me, specialized characters such as wizards or fighters will not be good at something else. Unless you multiclass and use the combination classes, I really never see this as a problem. I am, of course, talking about creatures of the appropriate level. I'm sure an 8th mage could kick a 1st level commoner's butt simply because of his experience. I don't know what you can do about that.
For HP, the only way you can really go with VP/WP, as that's the only variant I've seen for it.
As far as magic is concerned, I really don't know what you invision for the setting in this regard. Having some more information might let me help better.
Quote from: stargate525Quote from: JaercFor instance, in the d20 system it is rather impossible to represent someone who is very specialized in one thing and terrible with all others. The higher level you are: the better you are at everything. Absolutely incredible at casting spells? Check. And good at fighting too? check.
For most games that's a good thing. Antara...not so much.
I don't understand what you mean by the first part. Trust me, specialized characters such as wizards or fighters will not be good at something else. Unless you multiclass and use the combination classes, I really never see this as a problem. I am, of course, talking about creatures of the appropriate level. I'm sure an 8th mage could kick a 1st level commoner's butt simply because of his experience. I don't know what you can do about that.
I believe he was referring to d20 Modern on that comment?
Quote from: KorumaineQuote from: stargate525Quote from: JaercFor instance, in the d20 system it is rather impossible to represent someone who is very specialized in one thing and terrible with all others. The higher level you are: the better you are at everything. Absolutely incredible at casting spells? Check. And good at fighting too? check.
For most games that's a good thing. Antara...not so much.
I don't understand what you mean by the first part. Trust me, specialized characters such as wizards or fighters will not be good at something else. Unless you multiclass and use the combination classes, I really never see this as a problem. I am, of course, talking about creatures of the appropriate level. I'm sure an 8th mage could kick a 1st level commoner's butt simply because of his experience. I don't know what you can do about that.
I believe he was referring to d20 Modern on that comment?
My comment holds true, but I understand a bit more. Since d20M has more generic classes, there really isn't a whole lot separating them.
Yeah that was exactly the problem I had when trying to use d20M. Jaerc, have you ever though about the generic classes as discussed on the Wizards forums, leveless and with points-buy system (keeps it so you can't be good at everything)?
Mister Howitzer,
I would generally trust you, but specialized characters definitely can be (at least) good at something else. An 8th level mage can also kick an 4th level fighters butt. Usually chalk-up-able to experience, but it doesn't seem to work that way in RL. Using d20, there isn't anything I can do about it and I don't see that as a flaw in the system, simply that it doesn't portray this setting very well.
The problem is somewhat mitigated by the generic classes of d20M, but an 8th level Dedicated Hero will still beat up a 1st level Strong Hero. See above.
VP/WP using Feanaro's variants will be the way I go, if I do end up with d20.
When I have a firmer grip on what PCs are capable of, magic-wise, you'll be the first to know (unless someone else reads it first, and I know you wouldn't let that happen :P).
Ex-So-Keher,
Generic classes are in my mind a design stumble step. Either use classes or go the full route and use pure point-buy for abilities. The latter of which I have seen a multitude of ideas for on the WotC boards. Unless there is something brand new and innovative over there, which I doubt I won't go that route. (though I haven't been there for about a month- time for a cursory check, methinks)
Instead if I decide on some PB system I'll design it myself to work for Antara. Hrmmm...
Oh and thanks for playing folks.
Quote from: JaercMister Howitzer,
I would generally trust you, but specialized characters definitely can be (at least) good at something else. An 8th level mage can also kick an 4th level fighters butt. Usually chalk-up-able to experience, but it doesn't seem to work that way in RL. Using d20, there isn't anything I can do about it and I don't see that as a flaw in the system, simply that it doesn't portray this setting very well.
The problem is somewhat mitigated by the generic classes of d20M, but an 8th level Dedicated Hero will still beat up a 1st level Strong Hero. See above.
So you want classes that are better at what they do, and worse at what they shouldn't? Man, I'd hate to run out of spells in this setting...
Nothing really says that "running out of spells" is really possible in every system. We've discussed variants around here that allow spell casting to regenerate fairly quickly. One option had a delay after casting before you can cast again. Another had spell points that are fairly limited in number but recover quite quickly. In such systems, the number of spells cast is essentially unlimited without giving unlimited power.
But for Antara - it seems like the essential thing is to enforce your own vision of reality on your enemies. So you'd be strong within your own paradigm, but weak if forced to fight on someone else's terms. That's a whole different kind of system. Not sure how it would work, but it could be pretty interesting.
Snakefing said it better than I could have, yay!
[ic]Fafnir slept restlessly in the nearly empty tenamant building, a wild and disarrayed pile of credit cards, themselves hailing from thirty nations and well over two-hundred backs, could not sooth him tonight. The eerie, phosphorescent quality that seemed to accompany him, everytime he awoke, a lingering maddening reminder of dreams he could not remember, nor will himself to forget.
When he mentioned the dream, the man in the long shabby coat had said that it was post-traumatic-stress-disorder. After some quick research Fafnir found that he couldn't discount the theory, but neither was it something he would dwell upon. Certainly he wouldn't take any pills for it.
The smog of the city enlightened as the dawn came, and Fafnir threw any notion of true rest to the wind. In the next few minutes the birds would awake and when they did, he would be subject to their cruel taunting and idle chatter for the morning hours.
Sighing, and prying his skin from the sweating plastic cards that made his bed, he stood up and scratched idly at the ragged scar below his breast, staggering into the kitchen to pour some orange juice.[/ic]
Fafnir? As in the dragon? Funny, I never pictured him with orange juice...And with PTS, that's great! Oh wait, I'm guessing your fafnir isn't a dragon...oh.
Quote from: snakefingBut for Antara - it seems like the essential thing is to enforce your own vision of reality on your enemies. So you'd be strong within your own paradigm, but weak if forced to fight on someone else's terms. That's a whole different kind of system. Not sure how it would work, but it could be pretty interesting.
Agreed. Sounds like the kind of system I might enjoy.
Quote from: Phoenix KnightFafnir? As in the dragon? Funny, I never pictured him with orange juice...And with PTS, that's great! Oh wait, I'm guessing your fafnir isn't a dragon...oh.
Although I could definately see a modern-day dragon hording credit cards and checkbooks instead of gold and silver... I wonder how many of those have been canceled due to theft?
Quote from: Phoenix KnightFafnir? As in the dragon? Funny, I never pictured him with orange juice...And with PTS, that's great! Oh wait, I'm guessing your fafnir isn't a dragon...oh.
Or is he...? :D
QuoteAlthough I could definately see a modern-day dragon hording credit cards and checkbooks instead of gold and silver... I wonder how many of those have been canceled due to theft?
Definitely. As to the latter, lots probably. Poor Fafnir, his wealth is an illusion.
The spiders whisper: "More, more, more". I...I can not obey. Instead a brief...interlude...
With sun's warmth wasted on a stone,
Gray the cloud-like oaks
snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled
Away from their profundity of surface.
One flash of eye, or blow one clarion-blast;
III. Earliest Recorded Northern Explorers: The Greeks and the Vikings
Snow haze gleams like sand.
More beautiful than anything in this world.
Covering the land�br> My only thought is for what has
Lucky the bellë¾±till full and deep of throat,
The weight of being born into exile is lifted.
That desire has ever built, have approached
P�e and M�e Chose could be in conversation
With its lament, it often sounds, instead,
That neither the motionless farm couple trudging
With a hand freed from weight,
Right, and appears from here to be overcome
Place of absorbing snow, itself to be
My hands are stained now, with the Bloodink...God no!
Disturbing material below...both to read and write. You've been warned.
___________________________________________
Sometimes it seems as if the world itself lashes out...
â,¬Å"Come childrenâ,¬Â, she said ushering the twelve or so dirty orphans hurriedly into the Waifâ,¬,,¢s Home. Her hands shook as she stole a final glance back into that black sky. The sky she would never forget, the sky she would never speak of again. With a shudder, the heat in her spine finally reaching her skin the matron locked the massive oaken door. â,¬Å"Go to bed childrenâ,¬Â.
The sky itself turned black that day, not the rumbling darkness of storm clouds or the deep satin of midnight, but a glossy almost obsidian black. Like an ugly mirror it showed all those that looked peered up that day their darkest desires, panned across the heavens like a twisted painting.
She sighed and forced herself not to watch as the orphans stripped off their ragged clothes and climbed into their twelve or so little beds. To see that would only make her crave them more.
What caused the â,¬Å"Lecherâ,¬,,¢s Lidâ,¬Â that afflicted the whole Northern Hemisphere on that deathly day is yet unknown. With dawn, it was dispelled and never again came. And yet on that one night crime rates tripled across the afflicted countries. The most twisted dreams of ten million people, shown only to them, were at last acted upon.
She could contain herself no more, and throwing back the curtains to gaze at the mirror of her secrets in the sky. The matron turned from the window and shifted out of jacket and coat, in moments, her caution abandoned her as completely as her clothes. With a last tremble she slipped under the covers of the youngest boy.
Disturbing indeed, but I'm actually glad to see that someone is willing to tackle things that are truly sickening for the sake of realism and expanding a setting's repetoire of darkness.
Keep it up.
Disturbing and yet it has all the creepy implications of a Brother's Grimm tale.
... before they cleaned them all up.
Bastards.
[ooc]Antara has become more of a mind exercise and less of a setting to me. It's just not holding my interest. If somehow, someone is interested enough just bug me and I'll spill the dark on Antara. But it's pretty much lights out.[/ooc]