Welcome to Gaia! ::

I just want everyone to know, that none of these photos are mine, the photos I have up now are just temporary until I find the time to draw what I really want.

Also, all of the posts in this thread are separate from the main thread because it seemed like it was too much to sift through.

Table of Contents:

I. Title
II. Story
III. Different Species List
IV. Character Positions
V. Profile Layout
VI. Pre-Made Profiles
VII. Accepted Profiles
VIII. Character Positions
IX. Profile Layout
X. Pre-Mades
XI. Accepted Profiles
XII. Reserved

((A lot of my references are from Wikipedia and the links that are under Resources ((Also, I'm sorry if you don't agree with my mixing of mythologies.))))

1. Berserker
Berserkers were Norse warriors who are reported in the Old Norse literature to have fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk. Berserkers are attested to in numerous Old Norse sources. Most historians believe that berserkers worked themselves into a rage before battle, but some think that they might have consumed drugged foods. It's been said that they wear the pelt of a wolf or bear when they entered battle.

2. Centaur-
In Greek mythology, a centaur is a member of a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse. They carry spears and shields and whatever other weapons they can make themselves or have made by the dwarves.

3. Changelings-
It is typically described as being the offspring of a fairy, troll, elf or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child. The apparent changeling could also be a stock or fetch, an enchanted piece of wood that would soon appear to grow sick and die. A human child might be taken due to many factors: to act as a servant, the love of a human child, or malice. Most often it was thought that fairies exchanged the children. Some Norwegian tales tell that the change was made to prevent inbreeding: to give trolls and humans new blood, humans were given children with enormous strength as a reward. In some rare cases, the very elderly of the Fairy people would be exchanged in the place of a human baby, and then the old fairy could live in comfort, being coddled by its human parents. Simple charms, such as an inverted coat or open iron scissors left where the child sleeps, were thought to ward them off; other measures included a constant watch over the child.

4. Cyclops-
In Greek mythology, a cyclops was a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single eye in the middle of his forehead. They have an immense amount of strength.

5. Draugr-
A draugr (plural draugar), is an undead creature from Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology. The original Norse meaning of the word is ghost, and older literature makes clear distinctions between sea-draug and land-draug. Draugar were believed to live in the graves of the dead, with a draugr being the animated body of the dead. As the graves of important men often contained a good amount of wealth, the draugr jealously guards his treasures, even after death. They wander around all of the worlds of Yggdrasil.

6. Dvergar (Dwarf)-
They are described to have skin color of Dvergar as 'pale' as a corpse. The hair color is 'black' (svartr). Dvergar or Norse dwarves are entities in Norse mythology associated with rocks, the earth, deathliness, luck, technology, craft, metal work, wisdom, and greed. They are sometimes identified with Svartálfar ('black elves'), and Døkkálfar ('dark elves'). Dwarves have some magic, they use runes and some of the dwarves that live amongst the stones have they own language that sounds similar to a bunch of echoes.

7. Dwarf Tribes:
((Lead firstly by Mótsognir their first ruler, secondly by Durinn, and finally by Dvalinn.))

7a. Motosognir:
Mótosognir is the creation of Odin and his brothers, Vili and Vé, who fashioned him out of Ymir's blood and bones in the form of a maggot. These Aesir later gave him a roughly humanoid appearance and a human-like intelligence, which the rest of the dvergar later inherited.

7b. Durinn:
In Norse mythology, Durinn is the name of a dwarf. He was the second created after the first and foremost dwarf Mótsognir. Durinn forged the magic sword Tyrfing with the help of Dvalin. Durin the Deathless, a character based on the Norse figure, is one of the founding fathers of the Dwarves.

7c. Dvalinn:
In Norse mythology, Dvalin is a dwarf who appears in several Old Norse tales. The name translates as "the dormant one" or "the one slumbering." Dvalin is listed as one of the four stags of Yggdrasil.

8. Elves-
Elves were originally thought of as ambivalent beings with certain magical abilities capable of helping or hindering humans, but in later traditions became increasingly sinister and were believed to afflict humans and livestock in various ways. Crossbreeding was possible between elves and humans in the Old Norse belief. In addition to these human aspects, they are commonly described as semi-divine beings associated with fertility and the cult of the ancestors and ancestor worship. The notion of elves thus appears similar to the animistic belief in spirits of nature and of the deceased, common to nearly all human religions. Like spirits, the elves were not bound by physical limitations and could pass through walls and doors in the manner of ghosts. The Icelandic mythographer and historian Snorri Sturluson referred to dwarves (dvergar) as "dark-elves" (dökkálfar) or "black-elves" (svartálfar). He referred to other elves as "light-elves" (ljósálfar), which has often been associated with elves' connection with Freyr, the god of fertility. There is one place there that is called the Elf Home (Álfheimr which is the elven city). People live there that are named the light elves (Ljósálfar). But the dark elves (Dökkálfar) live below in earth,in caves and the dark forest and they are unlike them in appearance – and more unlike them in reality. The Light Elves are brighter than the sun in appearance, but the Dark Elves are blacker than pitch. From the time of year (close to the autumnal equinox) and the elves' association with fertility and the ancestors, it might be assumed that it had to do with the ancestor cult and the life force of the family. A sacrifice to elves was apparently believed able to heal a severe battle wound. Depending on the person, they can use galdr, seidr, or runic magic.

9. Erkling-
The Erlking is depicted in a number of German poems and ballads as a malevolent creature who haunts forests and carries off travellers to their deaths. They are basically the evil version of an elf, but more seductive.

10. Fairies-
A considerable amount of lore about fairies revolves around changelings, fairy children left in the place of stolen human babies. Older people could also be abducted; a woman who had just given birth and had yet to be churched was considered to be in particular danger. A common thread in folklore is that eating the fairy food would trap the captive, this warning is often given to captives who escape by other people in the fairies' power, who are often described as captives who had eaten and so could not be freed. Folklore differed about the state of the captives: some held that they lived a merry life, others that they always pined for their old friends. Depending on the person, they can use galdr, seidr, runic magic, and/or their own special kind of magic.

11. Jotunns (Giants)-yaw-toon
The Jötunn are a mythological race, separate from the Æsir and Vanir but of comparable strength and ability. A number of Jötunn intermarry with the Æsir and Vanir or interact with them in a non-hostile manner. Their otherworldly homeland is Jötunheim, one of the nine worlds of Norse cosmology, separated from Midgard, the world of humans, by high mountains or dense forests. Other place names are also associated with them, including Niflheimr (land of ice, mist and fog occupied by Hrimthurs or Frost Giants), Utgarðr (Jötnar stronghold within the giants' realm) and Járnviðr (A heavily wooded area inhabited by troll-women who bear giants). Some of the jötnar are attributed with hideous appearances – claws, fangs, and deformed features, apart from a generally hideous size. Some of them may even have many heads, such as Thrivaldi who had nine of them, or an overall non-humanoid shape; so were Jörmungandr and Fenrir, two of the children of Loki. There are 3 main different types of giants: Fire, Sea, and Rime. Yet when jötnar are named and more closely described, they are often given the opposite characteristics. Many of the jötnar are described as beautiful, Skaði being described as "the shining bride of the gods". Although some jötnar are said to have been of considerable size, many were of no difference in size then that of the Æsir or Vanir. The Jötunn do appear to have some shared characteristics between a few of them. The Jötunn are an ancient race, being the first beings created, they carry wisdom from bygone times.

12. Gnome-
Its characteristics have been reinterpreted to suit the needs of various story-tellers, but it is typically said to be a small, humanoid creature that lives underground. They have been known to steal crops.

13. Goblins-
They are attributed with various abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin. In some cases, goblins have been classified as constantly annoying little creatures somewhat related to the brownie and gnome. They are usually depicted as small, sometimes only a few inches tall, sometimes the size of a dwarf. They also often are said to possess various magical abilities. In books they are portrayed as evil and are never sympathetic. They usually only care about themselves and their idea of fun is by upsetting or annoying others. They also sometimes acts as assistants to witches and they themselves do have a little bit of magic.

14. Huldra-hool-drey
The Huldra, is a seductive forest creature found in Scandinavian folklore. A male hulder is called a huldu. This being is closely related to other underground dwellers, usually called tusser. Like the female counterpart, the huldrkall is a shapeshifter who often lures girls under a fair countenance. The huldra is a stunningly beautiful, sometimes naked woman with long hair; though from behind she is hollow like an old tree trunk, and has an animal's tail. In Norway, she has a cow's tail, and in Sweden she may have that of a cow or a fox. Further in the north of Sweden, the tail can be entirely omitted in favor of her hollow or bark-covered back.

15. Humans-
They make their own weapons, have no magical abilities, and their strength doesn't compare to most of the races in Yggdrasil. Some people are berserkers. Some would think they would be the most vulnerable, however they are actually one of the most powerful people and have one of the biggest populations, able to adapt to any situation, they often find a way to survive. Some have their own boats, or livestock. Humans aren't very organized. They do have a monarchy for a government. Also, some humans, not most, use a form of alchemy.

16. Norn-
The Norns in Norse mythology are female beings who rule the destiny of gods and men, a kind of dísir comparable to the Fates in Greek mythology. The three most important norns are: Urdr, Verdandi and Skuld come out from a hall standing at the Well of Urd (well of fate) and they draw water from the well and take sand that lies around it, which they pour over Yggdrasill so that its branches will not rot. These norns are described as three powerful maiden giantesses (Jotunns) whose arrival from Jötunheim ended the golden age of the gods. Beside these three norns, there are many other norns who arrive when a person is born in order to determine his or her future. There were both malevolent and benevolent norns, and the former caused all the malevolent and tragic events in the world while the latter were kind and protective goddesses.

17. Orc-
Orc is a race of mythical human-like creatures, generally described as fierce and combative, with grotesque features and often black, grey or greenish skin ((they are basically the norse version of an ogre)). Orcs are generally seen as repulsive and are sometimes thought to not be able to handle direct sunlight just as many other monsters were in history as to show that people could not be harmed by them in sunlight. An aversion to sunlight is also used to signify something as evil by representing it as an enemy of light, and all that is good/holy/acceptable/pure/true. They often ride boars, wolves and wargs. Usually, in contrast with other fantasy races such as Elves, orcs use shamanistic magic, sometimes demonic, or no magic at all.

18. Roc-
The Roc is an enormous legendary bird of prey, often said to be white.

19. Sleipnir-sleyp-nir
In Norse mythology, Sleipnir is an eight-legged horse. Sleipnir is Odin's steed, is the best of all horses, and he is grey in color. One day a Jotunn had gotten a hold of Sleipnir, and bred Sleipnir with a regular horse. Now, years later the lands run free with Sleipnirs, but they are not as strong and not as fast.

20. Tomte-tom-tey
A Tomte is a humanoid mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore. The tomte or nisse was believed to take care of a farmer's home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night, when the housefolk were asleep. The tomte/nisse was often imagined as a small, elderly man (size varies from a few inches to about half the height of an adult man), often with a full beard; dressed in the everyday clothing of a farmer. However, there are also folktales where he is believed to be a shapeshifter able to take a shape far larger than an adult man, and other tales where the tomte/nisse is believed to have a single, cyclopean eye. In modern Denmark, nisses are often seen as beardless, wearing grey and red woolens with a red cap. Since nisses are thought to be skilled in illusions and sometimes able to make themselves invisible, one was unlikely to get more than brief glimpses of him no matter what he looked like. Norwegian folklore states that he has four fingers, and sometimes with pointed ears. His eyes glow in the dark.

21. Trolls-
Trolls dwell in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings. where they live far from human habitation, are not Christianized, and are considered dangerous to human beings. Depending on the region from which accounts of trolls stem, their appearance varies greatly; trolls may be ugly and slow-witted or look and behave exactly like human beings, with no particularly grotesque characteristic about them. Trolls are sometimes associated with particular landmarks, which at times may be explained as formed from a troll exposed to sunlight.

22. Warges-varg
Warges are wolf-like creatures of a particularly evil kind.

23. Witches-
Witches can either be a seeress or prophetess, they use rune magic, Seidr, and/or Baldr, or become a volva where they use a magical wand or staff. They typically have Goblins as assistants or a student apprentice. They used to live in Midgard, but now most hide in Alfheim. Some can talk to the dead.

24. Valkyries-
In Norse mythology, a valkyrie is one of a host of female figures who decide who dies and wins in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr), the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar. When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans or horses.

25. Valravn-vel-ruhn
In Danish folklore, a Valravn is a supernatural raven. The ravens appear in traditional Danish folksongs, where they are described as originating from ravens who consume the bodies of the dead on the battlefield, as capable of turning into the form of a knight after consuming the heart of a child, and, alternately, as half-wolf and half-raven creatures.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Population:
Note: This is just a general mapping of the land, you aren't required to live in any of these places. You can live wherever you want, but this is just where the majority of people should think about living. Sorry if that doesn't make sense sweatdrop
Aesir- Gods
Alfheim- Light Elves, Witches with Goblins, Fairies
Jarnvidr- Giantesses, witches, wolves, erklings, fairies, sleipnir, cyclops, roc, griffins, deer, eagle, horse, rooster, boar, warg, orc, livestock, squirrels, other forest-like animals.
Jotunheim- Giants, fish, trolls, goblins, orc
Niflheim- Frost Giants, Bears
Muspelheim- Fire giants, fire demons
Ginnungagap- Midgard Serpent
Midgard- Humns, valravn, berserker, livestock
Vanir- Ancient Gods
Svartalfarheim- Dark Elves, Erklings, dwarves
Nidavellir- Dwarves, trolls
Helheim- Dead, Nidhugg

Witches Association-
Note: Witches Association encompasses all witches and then some of them can be independent or have their own coven and the ranks would be similar to the associations.
Elders- ones in the association or coven that have served their purpose and are highly respected. (males and females)
High Priestess- leader of the entire tribe, generally the most powerful (males and females)
High Priest- chief that gives orders in war and is in charge of all the fighters is war. Must run everything by the chief first. (males and females)
Sorcerer- tells of the ancestors wishes, is highly respected and honored. Only one in a tribe. (Typically Male)
Volva- Shamanic Seeress-can see the future, powerful (typically female)
Healers-ones that help heal the wounded
Gatherers- ones that gather food and other supplies. This job can also be done by warriors or other tribe members. (mostly women and children)
Hunters- ones that hunt. Can also be warriors. (males and occasionally females)
Recruiters-Witches who recruit others to start learning about witchcraft
Initiate-Upon the successful completion of the year and a day of study required of a dedicant, a student witch is evaluated by members of the coven. This evaluation is done to determine if the student should be invited to become a full member of the coven or asked to leave.
Dedicant-A person who commits themselves to the study and learning of the practices of witchcraft for a year and a day.

Dwarf Tribes-
Note: There are three tribes: Mótosognir, Dvalinn, and Durinn
Elders- ones in the tribe that have served their purpose and are highly respected. (males and females)
Chief- leader of the entire tribe (males and females)
Warchief- chief that gives orders in war and is in charge of all the fighters is war. Must run everything by the chief first. (males and females)
3rd Degree Blacksmiths-Most skilled Blacksmiths, typically make weapons for the gods
2nd Degree Blacksmiths-Typically makes weapons for war or when they are hired by someone else
1st Degree Blacksmiths-Basic skill level, makes everyday weapons
Warriors- the fighters of a tribe. (males and occasionally females, no children)
Gatherers- ones that gather food and other supplies. This job can also be done by warriors or other tribe members. (mostly women and children)
Hunters- ones that hunt. Can also be warriors. (males and occasionally females)

Elven Council-
Elders- ones in the tribe that have served their purpose and are highly respected. (males and females)
Chief- leader of the entire tribe (males and females)
Warchief- chief that gives orders in war and is in charge of all the fighters is war. Must run everything by the chief first. (males and females)
Sorcerer- tells of the ancestors wishes, is highly respected and honored. Only one in a tribe.
Volvas- Shamanic Seeress (typically female)
Warriors- the fighters of a tribe. (males and occasionally females, no children)
Farmers-((they make more than enough to feed a few worlds, they basically have the ultimate green thumbs)) ones that gather food and other supplies. This job can also be done by warriors or other tribe members. (mostly women and children)
Cooks-ones that take the crops, cleans and prepare them, and they cook for the elders, when there are celebrations, and for those that don't have food.
Hunters- ones that hunt. Can also be warriors. (males and occasionally females)

Humans
((There could be multiple kingdoms, it's up to you guys.))
King:
Queen:
Grand Duke:
Arch Duke:
Duke:
Duchess:
Prince:
Princess:
Count:
Noble:
Knight:

Note: Any other race doesn't really have a hierarchy system, for most people it will just be a leader and his followers. Ultimately this is all up to you guys.



Seidr:It is a type of sorcery, usually done by females.

Galdr:Spells and singing incantations which are usually performed in combination with certain rites. It was mastered by both women and men.

Runic Magic:There is some evidence that, in addition to being a writing system, runes historically served purposes of magic. Sometimes "victory runes" are carved into a sword, "some on the grasp and some on the inlay. In early modern and modern times, related folklore and superstition is recorded in the form of the Icelandic magical staves.

Volva:Uses a magic wand or staff, shamanic seeress or prophetess.

Grogaldr: Very rarely can anyone achieve this kind of level of magic, it is the spell of groa and invovles necromantic practice.

Ouroboros: In alchemy, the Ouroboros is a sigil.

Icelandic magical staves: (sigils) are symbols credited with magical effect. Most subsistence farmers (people who make enough food for themselves) used sigils because they had to deal with harsh climatic conditions.

[Title][Story][Different Species List][Character Positions][Profile Layout][Pre-Made Profiles][Accepted Profiles][Reserved]

Please use this profile skeleton:



Also, please do not just post your profile here, you have to send it to me.

[Title][Story][Different Species List][Character Positions][Profile Layout][Pre-Made Profiles][Accepted Profiles][Reserved]

Gaia Username: Aurora_Wilkes
Name: Adela-Rae Blomgren
Age: 16
Race: Elf/Human
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 120 lbs.
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Straight
Likes: Cooking, singing, taking care of others, gardening.
Dislikes: She doesn't like harming other people in anyway unless they harm her or people she cares about. She doesn't like that the council has given her the task of carrying off dead bodies to the giants and trolls.
Fears: Losing her family, having her crops and plants destroyed, and having the council find out what she has planned out for them.
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Green
Appearance: ((this photo is temporary, I didn't have time to draw anything)) http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/Anime_Fanatic_004/Everlasting Struggle/cn_18.jpg
Personality: Sweet, caring, considerate, helpful, athletic, friendly, smart, determined.
Background: Adela has always missed her mother, when she was about 5 years old her mother was killed. Her mother was on the way home one day and some of the other villages thought that she was there to harm everyone. She tried to reassure them that she was just going home to her family, and that she has been living in Alfheim peacefully for several years. Not knowing what she was saying was true, the elves had brought her in front of the Elven Council The council had decided that it was the right thing to do for the community to kill her. For a long time, Adela never knew why or how here mother was killed and when she finally found out, she made it her goal to take down the council from the inside out. She has become an apprentice to the cooker and is friends with the farmers. She is currently looking for ways to contaminate the food without seriously harming everyone outside of the Elven Council. Her father has no idea about what she is plotting to do. Adela has dipped her hands in many different types of magic, she is very skilled in runic magic and she is somewhat decent as a volva, but she has trouble with everything else. It's almost like something is stopping her from fully reaching her potential.
Location: Alfheim
Powers/Special Abilities: Botanist, semi-skilled swordsman.
Weapons: Orb, plants, trees, runic magic, a bit of galdr to go along with her runic magic, and last but not least she is a volva so she uses a staff that can double as a sword.
Pet(s): She has a deer and a griffin that she takes very good care of.
Vulnerability: Even though she is athletic, she can't really compete with the strength of other species. She is defenseless if she can't cast spells on plants, trees, any type of nature really and when she can't channel her magic through her staff.
Posting Color: 000000
Other: Her father is active in the community and he taught her everything she knows.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Gaia Username: Aurora_Wilkes
Name: Liv-Elin Skovgaard
Alias(es): Maeva-Hanne, Nova-Dyre, Asta-Zwi, Saeud-Ane
Age: She's 18 but disguises herself as someone at the age of 25.
Race: Witch/Fairy
Height: 4'6" but when she changes her appearance it can range anywhere from 5' to 5'6"
Weight: 96 lbs., in disguise: 110 lbs
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Straight
Likes: Flying when she can actually get off the ground, learning new spells, being outside, she also likes it when people won't bother her for a whole day.
Dislikes: Overly optimistic people, people trying to use her, staying in one place for too long.
Fears: Falling off of her broom, losing her magic, breaking her back. What she is most afraid of is having someone find out her secret identity and having people go after her and her family.
Hair color: Brown, In disguise: Blonde
Eye color: Bluish-Gray, In disguise: Green
Appearance:((these photos are temporary, I didn't have time to draw anything)) http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/Anime_Fanatic_004/Everlasting Struggle/anime-1.jpg
wings are like: http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/Anime_Fanatic_004/Everlasting Struggle/NEM5890.jpg
Disguise: http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/Anime_Fanatic_004/Everlasting Struggle/chelsea-1.jpg
Personality: Liv-Elin is introverted, distrustful, intelligent, poised, resourceful, quick-witted, austere; even though she doesn't like other people, she is respectful of others.
Background: Ever since Liv was a little child, she had to hide who she truly was from the people around her. For a long time she could always depend on her parents and her parents' coven, but one after the other had been attacked and they were either killed or went into hiding and never seen again. She never had a place she could call home, her parents made sure that she had enough to eat and a place to rest her head but because of the various different types of people that threatened their household, they were in fact nomadic. Eventually after few years of being on the run, Liv's parents had sent her off to become an apprentice to another witch. Within that time, Liv had to fend for herself, she picked up a few aliases; one for each place she would go back and forth from: Maeva-Hanne in Alfheim, Nova-Dyre in Midgard, Asta-Zwi in Jarnvidr and sometimes in other places that she isn't familiar with, and finally Saeud-Ane in Jotunheim. When she finished her apprenticeship, her parents had managed to settle down in a home not too deep in Jotunheim. The home was just far enough that it was past the barrier of mountains but not too deep into Jotunheim where they would be at the hands of the Giants. Liv-Elin still has a lot to learn, so she has gone off on her own journey to find what she really wants out of life. She was pushed into magic by her parents and although she is grateful for everything she has learned,she still wants to know if there is anything else out there for her.
Location: Goes back and forth between Alfheim, Midgard, Jarnvidr, and Jotunheim.
Powers/Special Abilities: Herbalist, skilled with poisons, and knows a tiny bit of alchemy.
Weapons: Poisons, herbs, small dagger, spells, she uses seidr and galdr.
Pet(s): None
Vulnerability: She isn't safe from her own poisons, the smells are harmful and even when touched they have damaging effects. She suffered from an injury when she fell off of her broom when she was younger and now has trouble with her back. She can't see into the future and when she isn't in disguise she can't use here wings.
Posting Color: 736AFF
Other: During the time that Liv had fallen, she had broken her wings and severely hurt her back. Even though her wounds have healed, her wings don't really work and she can't really fly on her broom. Also, her father is a sorcerer and her mother is half witch, half fairy. Her parents had forgotten about the other half of her mother because she had never gotten her wings.

[Title][Story][Different Species List][Character Positions][Profile Layout][Pre-Made Profiles][Accepted Profiles][Reserved]