RE: SIGMA

Synopsis​

It all began centuries ago, when the nations of Gaeus fell into disgrace. The eight nations fought amongst themselves for resources and land, to gain power over one another. They all converged, causing a schism amongst their peoples. These people, in the midst of war, fought against their government. Due to the war, due to the vexation of the people, the world was thrown into chaos for the second time... the first was at the birth of Man.

The people had learned from a passing Sage the Forbidden Arts. Because of the Forbidden Arts, the world was thrown into chaos, causing many to go insane and many others to start their own smaller nations. In the end, it was the first Cataclysm to befall the people of Gaeus. The dead walked, men and women and children weep and laughed, and many others were suffering from plagues... never allowed to die. This era of pain and misery was pulled to a halt when eight wise scientists, one from each country, found the solution for peace. Those who knew the Forbidden Arts were housed in prisons and asylums. Those who suffered by the forsaken magic were placed in hospitals and asylums. And those who were oppressed and afraid were given homes.

However, their methods were never recorded, for Man was thrown into a Dark Age; the scientists had lived in seclusion far beneath Gaeus's surface.

In the end, these scientists, men of both the Arcane Arts and Technology, had brought unto the people a new peace. As the darkness receded, the golden sun arose for the people under their gaze. In hopes to hold back the darkness, the scientists had created a school, not only for education... but to exercise martial control.

This school exists upon the Crossroads of the eight nations. It was named SIGMA ((Scientific Institute of Guardianship through Mastery of Weaponry And Arcane Arts)) by the BSD ((Bureau of Scientific Development)), the organization formed by the eight scientists.

As of now, the school exists as a mercenary company created by the BSD, Gaeus's new government, to keep the world in place and to disrupt anything that threatens the peace. Despite the BSD's grip on the world, it is not strong enough to control the will of others... or those that are savage.

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Base Magic​

Pyromancy: Fire magic. This element symbolizes power and passion. Pyromancy is commonly used for weapon augmentation and mid-range combat. Fire spells are weak against aquamancy, strong against aeromancy, and nulled by geomancy.

Aquamancy: Water magic. This element symbolizes serenity and flexibility. Aquamancy is commonly used for healing and area-attacks. It is weak against geomancy, strong against pyromancy, and nulled by aeromancy.

Geomancy: Earth magic. This element symbolizes strength and protection. It is commonly used for protection and close-combat. It is weak against aeromancy, strong against aquamancy, and nulled by pyromancy.

Aeromancy: Wind magic. It symbolizes tranquility and harmony. It is commonly used for close-to-mid-range-combat and speed-augmentation. It is weak against pyromancy, strong against geomancy, and nulled by aquamancy.

The basis of magic is founded around the four elements of creation. So much so, that those born have a peculiar affinity towards one of the elements and is capable of casting spells of said element. This is a natural talent.

*One area of magic per person. (More may be learned later).

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Specialization​

CQC: Close-Quarter-Combat specialization. Those who use aeromancy, pyromancy, and geomancy are most adept at this. (This involves melee weapons, or simple hand-to-hand combat). Despite being able to use magic, CQC fighters aren't as proficient in magic as Healers or Spellcasters.

Healer: Healers are commonly medics who use both magic and first-aid. They are more proficient in magic than CQC and Support, but weaker in direct combat. Aquamancers and, at times, geomancers are likely to choose this route.

Support: Support fighters are the defenders and, if clever enough, decoys of the group. They aren't as good as CQC combatants, and not as great at magic like Healers and Spellcasters, but they are proficient at what they do. They are commonly mid-to-long range fighters capable of arousing shields or barrier of their particular element. Any field of magic can do.

Spellcaster: Spellcasters are the best at what they do. They can use their magic to extreme heights, but are immensely fragile when in combat. Though they lack a fighter's reflexes, they possess a swift, calculating mind that allows them to cast a spell faster than the ordinary spell-user (CQC, Support). Unlike Healers, they are capable of doing damage from a decent range. However, alone, they are pitiful... unless they have enough distance between themselves and their enemy. Aside from their weakness, spellcasters are the only ones who are powerful enough to make a pact with the Elementals. This pact allows them to conjure their respected elementals to assist them in battle. However, this takes a lot of magic, and the magic that links conjurer and the conjured takes a toll depending on the amount of time the elemental has been summoned. Any field of magic can do.

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The Four Taboos of Magic​

Sangromancy: Blood magic. Blood magic is known for its use to cast dark spells of the various elements, tainted with their own blood. Not only can it cast elemental spells, but it can also cast non-elemental spells. To further this, sangromancy is capable of many things, ranging from conjuration to target manipulation. It is a cruel form of magic.

Umbramancy: Shadow magic. It is a vile form of magic that creates illusions. These illusions can be physical or psychological. Not only are the illusions mind-breaking, but they can be powerful enough to literally manipulate the shadows around the caster of victim. It is considered the most sadistic of the four taboos.

Pathomancy: Plague magic. Pathomancy causes rot, decay, and death. Magic becomes tainted, and as a result, it destroys everything in its path. Pathomancy is the most complex out of the four taboos of magic.

Necromancy: Black magic. Necromancy is considered the most sacrilegious form of magic. It taints the Nexus, the source of all magic and creation, and brings the dead to life in the most darkest sense. It is the most powerful of the four and has a common relationship of the other three.

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Rules​

1. No Godmodding or Power-Playing. I reserve the right to do so if I need something to be pushed for in the story of this RP.
2. If I grow weary of a problem I did not foresee (or expect to happen), I will add rules to prevent further issues of the problem. To add, I may change rules in the future as I see fit... but this is only when I think I can take the story into a different, more interesting path.
3. I will allow only one character per person, and one specialization per character. As stated above, only one element per character... until I see fit that you can handle another form of magic.
4. The Four Taboos of Magic are OFF-LIMITS.
5. I’m going to kill your character off if you cause frequent problems or have been gone for more than 1 week without notice.
6. Related to the previous rule, if you’re gone for about three days or so in the middle of interacting with another character the other character will be allowed to ignore you. Two days max for something more important.
7. Your character can’t be all-knowing.
8. I encourage you to ask questions! Even if you aren't part of the RP!
9. Ask me anything in the OOC or in PM.
10. I expect some descriptive detail. If I find something amiss, I will "ask" (more like demand) that you fix it (or explain further).
11. Have fun.

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Character Sheet​

Username:
Name:
Gender:
Age:
Magic:
Specialization:
Appearance:
Personality: [Explain their personalities]
Equipment:
Other: [Optional]

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*Note: I may limit the amount of "specializations" depending on the circumstances.
**Note: I prefer if you ask questions before you jump the gun. I may have missed a few things.

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Accepted Characters​

Spoiler: Midnight Star/Tahlia

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Classes​

Magic 101 - Professor Rosette
Weapon Mastery 101 - Professor-General 1st Class Plissken
Art of War 101 - Professor-General 1st Class Malyce
Astronomy - Professor Tsuna
Science and Magic - Professor J.G. Faust
The History of Magic and Magic Theory - Professor J.G. Faust

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OOC​

Please post CSes in the OOC!

 

Prelude​

High above Gaeus, deep in the realm of stars, was a large globe of violet with obsidian swirls and scarlet cracks. It glowed brightly and was twice the size of the moon... and yet the moon and sun pass it during its cycle. The world above was dubbed 'Grande Mundus', and with each passing year did it grow... and every day did it pulse with life.

It was ominous, but many ignore its massive bulk as the years went on. It had not threatened to devour their world. Yet. But with each passing day, a large black star would pass through the sky, arcing across Grande Mundus, to remind the people that it existed... and that it was growing near. Even the disappearance of other stars emphasized this point.

And so, the Headmaster of SIGMA dedicated his studies to this astronomical phenomenon... occasionally leaving the Academy. Scarcely seen, he soon became an enigma... an enigma who applied much to the school, to let it thrive and to let its purpose flourish. Grande Mundus was thus the Headmaster's obsession... and that obsession attributed to the studies of the school. All were indebted to him...

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Arc I: Snarl, the Daemon Lord of the Inferno​

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SIGMA was a beautiful piece of architecture, a place of many spires and grand towers, a city of its own divided into thirteen districts, all web-like if looked upon from the sky. The school was located in the Crossroad, which was nothing but empty plains, making it a land of neutrality. Legends once stated that the Crossroad was used for treaties to end wars. It was also said to be blessed land, a place where blood was forbidden to be spilled... or face the wrath of the Old Gods, who were known to throw flaming mountains, to raise oceans, and to cast darkness when angered.​

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But SIGMA, the beautiful ivory castle-town of thirteen tiers, was a place of neutrality... and power. The BSD ruled strongly here, for the school was heavily fortified with weapons of science and magic. Its soldiers, ranging from simple infantry to elite warrior-wizards, were housed here; to protect the most powerful institution and government from anarchists.​

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The heart of the castle-town was where SIGMA truly lay, where the dorms and the school were one. The students ran about, scurrying to find their classrooms. However, there was a particularly interesting and unique group of first year students who sought Professor Rosette's Magic 101. Upon finding the room, they would realize it was the size of an auditorium, purely clad in white with a large chalkboard at its base which opposed the raised tiers of desks and chairs. In front of the chalkboard was a large throne-like chair of black iron, of a graceful and eerie design, and a massive oak desk crafted by a grandmaster of steady hand... and perhaps a shattered mind as the design was, like the chair, eerie and beautiful. There was a skull and candle at the top-right-hand corner of the desk, with paper on the opposite side. A pen sat atop it.​

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The teacher was nowhere to be seen, but the students were free to enter and do as they wish. After all, class did not start for another five minutes...​

 

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~ Changing the World ~ One Smile at a time ~​

Tahlia clutched her books to her chest as she slowly entered the room for her class. She wasn't nervous, well maybe a little but it was her first day, she didn't know anybody and she had no idea what was going to come. This place was so different to home, it was quite overwhelming. The entire place was incredible, it was so huge, like nothing she'd seen before. She bet it had tons of hidden secrets and mysteries if you just took the time to look and couldn't wait to have an explore later. It was a little intimidating but despite this she wore a smile proudly on her face, she was determined to make this day good, have a great start to her time at the school ahead.​

The classroom was quite empty, she was one of the first people there, probably because she was a little early. She was keen to make a good start and didn't want to mess anything up by being late. She sat down in a random seat where she'd be able see everything and had a look around. It was certainly an interesting classroom that intrigued her, what could the teacher be like to have a room like this? The teacher wasn't there yet, so she couldn't tell but there was just a trickle of students gradually entering the room. She smiled at them as she sat back in her chair. It was weird, it was actually calmer and more relaxing than she was used to, but then she guessed that was the result of growing up in a war zone. It possibly wouldn't last but only time would tell. It made her wonder though, did she belong here? Would she make friends? That possibly scared her most of all.​

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Once he found his way to the classroom, Kai walked in through the door and took a look around. It look pretty different from a regular class, but what really stood out to him was the throne in the room. It didn't really fit in with the rest of the class. Hopefully it's not foreshadowing what the teacher is like. That would indeed suck for them. Removing himself from his thoughts, he noticed hat he wasn't the only student who'd beaten the teacher to class. Although he had no intentions of speaking to her, unless she spoke to him first, he was somewhat glad to know that he wasn't the only person here.

 

[In the Mountains of Madness...]

Five hundred kilometers away from SIGMA, deep in the caverns of the Mountains of Madness, was a tall, slender figure clad in scarlet, velveteen robes with black flames at the hems and sleeves. His features were clad in the purest of shadows, forbidding any source of light from revealing his identity despite the overwhelming solitude. The cavern itself ran deep and allowed no light to enter, save for the black candles and their gentle flames. The candles themselves were set on a circle at five points of an inverted pentagram, which were painted on the smooth stone floors in blood. The circle itself wasn't a simple, smooth thing... rather, the circle was made up of graceful runes, all gentle and curvaceous and alien. The entirety of the cavern hummed with raw, primal power unbeknownst to mankind. It was practically primordial; archaic, maddening... omnipotent.

The figure knelt before the circle, murmuring a mantra too old and unbefitting the throats of humans to be understood. The air crackled as the power was being concentrated in the heart of the runic circle, the magnitude of it creating a greater gravity that would send even the most strongest animal to its belly. The murmur began to shift in volume, increasing subtly and with added ecstasy. The candles gentle orange-and-yellow flame became sickly, shifting to red, to violet, to black with a green center. The air had a heavy scent of sulfur and brimstone, a smell that would remind many of spoiled eggs. The buzzing of electricity, too, eliminated the near-silence, causing a euphoric crescendo in the ancient rune being sung by the man in the weird robes.

The cavern began to pulsate with life as eldritch lightning struck the heart of the circle, forming a perfect orb of alien light of no known color. The electricity, summoned from nowhere in particular as it struck the center of the circle, began to turn into an multi-dimensional vortex of strange light, reaching into a realm inaccessible to mankind. The cavern became unbearably hot and dry as the chanting reached its climax, a ghoulish howl escaping the strange two-dimensional, spiral doorway. Tongues and spittle of flame entered the human realm, and so too did a strange, alien entity.

It was a gargantuan thing, far too large to conceivably exit the time-space bending vortex, forced to hunch over on its four knees and six elbows, whilst bowing its massive, dog-like head, its black-ivory bull horns brushing against the cavern ceiling (destroying the stalactites with barely an effort). It had a Mohawk-like mane of fire, shifting colors in a subtle fashion. Its upper torso was hideous, with a bloated belly and emaciated ribs, its six arms sculpted into god-like perfection; large and as hard as stone. Its lower body was divided into two parts: its forelegs were covered in wool with goat-like hoofs and its hind legs were dragon-esque, covered in scales and complete with razor-sharp talons. It even had a long tail, which was neither amphibian, simian, or even reptilian in appearance. If one were to look at its tail and even touch it, it would be reminiscent to fungus. The tail, however, was similar in shape and mass to that of a very, very, very large lizard, regardless. It was even complete with a single candle-like flame of eternal darkness... and it froze everything that was within a six inches of its narrow circumference. Overall, the otherworldly "visitor" was in varying shades of red; its upper torso was a rich bloody-bronze, its wool forelegs were a rusty-red, its dragon-like hind legs were a rich crimson, and its alien tail was a pale scarlet. Its eyes had obsidian sclera, fiery orange irises, and milky white pupils with cobalt sunbursts. Its sharp fingernails, razor-like talons, and ordinary hoofs were as black as coals, with a light tone of ash coating their otherwise hellish sheen.

"Who dares summon Snarl, the Daemon Lord of the Inferno?" Demanded the Daemon, a powerful, near-diabolical entity of unimaginable power. "Why hast thou disturb mine slumber?"

The man in scarlet arose and crossed his arms confidently, an air of absolute power surrounding him. Though Snarl could not see his face, he knew the man must wear a haughty smile. A moments silence stole the cavern and Snarl's eyes narrowed, its large tail swishing to and fro radically with impatience. His black, dog-like lips curled back, revealing yellow canines and jagged shark-like teeth. After another set of heartbeats, the conjurer of the dark arts finally spoke.​

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"Power."​

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[SIGMA; Magic 101]​

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The students continued to pour into the classroom, and Ulrich arrived just as early as everyone else. He wore a confident smile. He analyzed the classroom, nodded, and sat down next to Tahlia. He yawned and laid his head down, his arms acting as pillows for his head.​