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Turning Point

A war is coming. Can you feel it? The world is ready to heave its heavy shoulders and cast what is left into Chaos. But this is no small feat. Humanity is left with no options; and the future looks grim as one by one, cities fall to plague, or famine, or strife.

And yet, in one quiet city, the war will begin. Among peace and plenty, the center of all, war would begin. But first, those who feel its tug must choose what it is they will do. Six champions deemed worthy by the elements, will lead the six other races in combat, to save or destroy this world as they see fit.

But first these champions must discover themselves, and, after they have discovered themselves, must decide for whom they fight: the Mother Earth, with her sadness and pain, or Humanity, and all its vices and destruction.

This is the Turning Point. Welcome to Balance.

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Welcome to Balance, one of the few cities left unmarred by the destruction about. Here is where the six champions will arise, to finish the destruction of the world, or to save it, and rebuild it in glory.

Balance is a city poised at the center of the world, to the South are oceans, to the North, mountains, to the South East, the open desert, to the North West, the forests, to the South West, the sweeping plains, to the North East, swamp land. The city is temperate always, unless moved by an element, but for the most part, the weather is almost always perfect, sickness is nearly non-existent, and life goes on.

Each character here in has the potential to be a champion of an element. Also open for use is the incarnation of Mother Earth, the only super-human character available. All others must be mortal.

The character sheet is as follows:

Name:
Physical Appearance:
Weapon of Choice:
Elemental Alignment: This needs explaining, Elemental Alignment is basically the element your character is most closely attuned to. Please note: No element is good, and no element is evil, it is up to the Champion to decide what its element will do. See below.
Short History: Make up a town, where they're from, Note: if you're from the oceans, you're either from an island or you're from the beaches, nothing else. Write why they came to Balance. Please, no divine missions, one you think is divine perhaps, but becoming a champion seems more chance than divine order.

Post your character in the Character page for this RP and then start posting.

For those who wish to know, the elements are the traditional fantasy six, technically seven if you count Mother Earth in her unique way. They are as follows:

Air: Breezy, Air alignment usually means you prefer knowledge and information, and seek out amusements of more mental qualities. It is generally accepted that the forests contain the race that will be directed by the Air.

Fire: Intense, Fire alignment usually means action and doing over sitting and meditating, your amusements include physical actions, movement, dance. It is generally accepted that the mountains are the home of the Race of Fire.

Water: Serene, Water alignment usually means meditation and forethought, actions taken to greatest effect, if taken little. Your amusements include philosophy, and theology, a seeking into the meaning and motion of life. The oceans are said to house the Water People.

Earth: Serious, Earth alignment usually means seeking reality over anything higher. What you can touch is what is real. Your amusements are simple, and straightforward, life is its own reward. The desert is said to be where the people of the Earth reside.

Dark: Fear, Dark alignment is for torturers and those who enjoy dealing pain. Usually taking amusement from another's fall, this does not mean they are without Order or honor codes. The swamps are said to house the people led by the Dark.

Light: Grace, Light alignment is altruism. Action and meditation in balance, Light must be aware of themselves and others at all times. To take pain from another, even if it means pain for ones self is the epitome of Light. Amusements come both simply and complexly. The plains are to be the home of the Light, though no one has seen this mythic race.

Mother Earth, Spirit: What defines spirit? Who can truly know?

The sun split the violet sky, bursting forth a fountain of reds and orange and is showed itself in the east. Jeremiah marched along the road, looking forward, the sky blossoming at his back. He used his metal staff as a walking stick, each time it hit the ground, another scratch appeared on the surface. The staff itself was nearly half covered in such small scratches, marking runes that could be read in a spiral down the staff. What it said, few could tell, but the knowing smile that came to the young man's face every time he let another examine it let them know he knew.

He stood in the East gate to Balance and grinned broadly. Empty for now, it seemed, but not long, he knew. As he stood there, the final mark appeared, creating one more word on the staff. He looked down and shifted it as it stood erect in his hand, and spoke out loud.

"Balance, the errant finds his place." He frowned, unsure of the meaning of the riddle, but he knew it would be true. As had every small quotation upon his staff. He stepped forward as the door of the buisnesses flew open, people rushed from their homes, and the sun took its place in the azure sky and began it's long climb to noon-day.

He pushed inward, and onward. Setting his staff before him and approaching it with brisk step. His grin was catching, and every person he passed with a 'Good Morning' or 'Blessed Greeting' continued on their way with a smile. The market was bustling and alive, those markedly from different places mixing and mingling to do buisness and live their lives.

The soft leather and loose outfits of the sailors of the South. The rough, heavy clothing of the North. The working clothes of the plains. The wonderfully simple, and yet greatly patterned clothing of the woodlands. The swamplands waterproofed leathers and slight of clothing for movement through tough terrain. The desert peoples robes covering from head to foot.

He breathed in the air and took in the sights, aware for once, that he had found a home he could enjoy. He gripped the staff tighter, his head swiveling around to see everything he could, each yell and cry of the city drawing his attention. He moved slowly onward, toward the center of the city, and stopped suddenly, looking into a wonderful artwork that was the fountain at the center of the world.

It towered above him, nearly ten feet tall, a large marble ball on top of a natural spring, floating as if by magic there. It spun slowly and held the patterns of the world itself, a world split into six sections.

He stood in awe of the beauty of the thing, unsure if he was in the norm, of if this wonder was just 'part of the day' here in Balance. And frankly, he didn't care.

He started as a man bumped him from behind.

"'Ey, move it along there!" The yell was harsh and brought the young priest from his reverie. He moved on, seeking lodging, or food, or something that resembled a place to stay. Without money he'd be forced to work for it, not that he minded that one bit. He tapped his staff on the ground and another message made its first little scratch. How long this time? He wondered. Each riddle came in its own time, each one told of an experience. His life was written on the silver metal.

He walked along, scanning the city, drawing stares with his unique appearance. Was it that rare that a priest came through these parts? He shrugged at the question, not caring if they considered him a being of good, or ill, just seeking something to do.

He stumbled suddenly into a crowd. With wonder he looked over there heads, catching the sight of a large tent prepared in the square. Many people were complaining, murming about the inconvenience, and the curses muttered were almost painful. Ducking under an arm, he wondered who had set up this tent in such an odd location, and hoping to dispell the furvor with which the crowd was growing tighter around the small dwelling.

Perhaps I can help this hapless soul and prevent further thoughts of the type I have heard?

He stumbled carefully through the crowd, a few curses muttered at him as he finally got clear of the mass of bodies. After straightening his robes and making sure he had sure grip of his staff, he bowed to those he had apparently insulted on his way in. "Excuse me." He turned then and approached the tent, rapping gently on the side of the door.

He was wondering why there was a five foot clear area around the tent when the crowd was so intent on watching. He made sure his staff was in a position to protect himself if the inhabitant was unruly about his visit as well.

He cocked his head at the first sight of her. He had not expected a woman, though it was hardly a negative thing to discover. He wiped he hand down his unique outfit to smooth out the flowing garment.

"May I step inside to speak with you." He made a single motion with his eyes, glances outward to the crowd, explaining, he hoped, why he wished the privacy to speak with her. Something about her pale face offset by the black hair drew his stare, and he hoped it wasn't obvious. He clenched his staff a bit tighter, his knuckles turning white with nervousness.

He stepped inside, ducking the tent flap carefully. The murmur of malcontent that followed his action accented his mouth with a frown. He straightened his robes again, looking around in wonder as he approached the center of the tent.

He then moved his eyes downward and focused on her as she finished her chore. With a clearing of his voice he spoke up. "The... crowd out there has been whispering against you..." He frowned for a moment before seeking an eloquent way to place his suggestion.

"Perhaps it would be better for everyone if we moved your lodging to a more suitable location?" His voice held a slight concern for her comfort, but also a nervousness for what she would think of his suggestion.

He sighed and though over his memory of the place. He had seen a few spots just outside the city good for tents, but nothing within. He heaved an exasperated sigh and shook his head.

"Unless we move out from the city, there is nothing. Inside is only the places for the people to walk and do buisness." He glanced at her fire and then back into her eyes, a sudden wariness about him. Something about her air concerned him, but he wasn't sure what. He felt the magic in his staff as a few more lines etched into the metal. Was it a complete message? Or just another few nonsensical lines that would make sense in the future?