Times have changed and years have passed. The year in which people live, is a mystery. With the world, Verue, nearly destroyed, a new calendar was crafted. A year consists of thirteen months and each month has four weeks, which are nine days long. In total, a month is thirty-six days long. The year is further broken down into three seasons – Rebirth, Harvest, and Stagnation.
After the civilization collapse that was caused by nuclear fallout, the remaining survivors were entrusted with the gift of recreating the earth. Although most forgot the old ways of life, a few were able to remember broken pieces. Most of the planet’s history was lost and technology is a foreign sounding word to the ears of the people.
It has been two hundred years since that tragic day when the earth was ghosted with an eerie white light. A sonic boom rippled the planet’s surface, destroying everything in its wake. It is now the dawn of a new era, an era that is on the brink of war. Three main clans rule over the planet, with each holding a fair chunk of land. To the west is the clan of Ethor. To the south and east is Castel. The Ono have laid claim to the lands of the north.
In an attempt to lighten the misery that causes much grievance, each clan planned to change the economy to help alleviate the pain. Ethor sought to do this by becoming a people that seeks truth, knowledge, and wisdom. For Castel, imperialistic ways seemed to be ideal, so the clan decided to take a militaristic approach to fixing the economy. The last clan, Ono, decided to focus on religion and finding inner peace and happiness.
As one might guess, the Ethor Clan became scientists; the Castel Clan became soldiers; and the Ono Clan became priests. It was about fifty years ago that the Ethor and Castel Clans decided to forge a bond that would allow the two to work together to create super soldiers. But why would there be such a need to create super soldiers? The reason is quite simple. The humans were not alone.
The Castel’s idea was to create a superior race, a race of people that held a special genetic code that, once enough is created, could get rid of all illnesses and diseases. The only problem was, it was experimental and expensive. Expensive enough that the clan couldn’t create enough of this gene in their first go. They had their first ‘test subjects’ as we were called, but that was all there was enough for.
Just when things started to look up, people started disappearing. It was a bit bizarre, but no one put my thought into it, as kidnapping, rape, and murder were a typical part of daily affairs. It wasn’t until bodies started showing up that the Castel Clan realized there was going to be a serious issue.
Panicking, the clan turned to the Ono’s, hoping that they could help them in their time of shock. It was then when the Ono Clan turned their shoulder to the Castel Clam, claiming, “The spirits are not pleased with your godly creatures.” To the Ono, everything on the planet was meant to be. If the spirits wanted there to be demons, this is what they called the “others,” then the humans were to live with these creatures.
Not pleased by the Ono’s rude comment, the Castel Clan fled to the Ethor Clan with the hopes that their ally would assist them with the mystery that shrouded the disappearance of their “super humans.”
A scientist of Ethor discovered something that would forever taunt the minds of the humans. He ascertained that another race was responsible. The demons, as they were called, could practically ingest the gene used to create the super soldiers through consumption of the bodily fluids of those with said gene. When these demons ingest this gene, they gain full invulnerability from modern day weapons as well as gained abilities and strength.
Not wanting to let their money and research go to waste on the project of super soldiers, the Castel Clan decided it was time to hire some muscle to protect them from the demons. This muscle can from a small hoard of warriors known as the Horonosenshi, or wandering warriors. These wandering warriors were unified under a sect that was called the Tamotsu Cult.
Although they did not believe in the ill ways of the Castel, the Tamotsu needed the money to keep their culture alive. The Tamotsu are a rare and dying breed of people. They hail from the age of the samurai, wielding swords and other bladed weapons into the heat of a battle. The guns not coming into play for another ten years, the people had no choice but to rely on the misfit set of soldiers, as they were the only ones with the capability to ward off the demons.
With the Horonosenshi, or Honoshi, employed to serve the Castel and Ethor people, it was also decided that the Honoshi would also take up a new duty. This job brought forth a new branch, a branch that left the Tamotsu Cult due to a drastic change of belief. This new group of warriors were called the Rukun. Unlike the Honoshi who were, simply put, killing machines, the Rukun were far more peaceful and often sought to protect the peace rather than engage in violence.
It was soon discovered that the Rukun actually possessed the same altered gene the super soldiers had; only, unlike the demons these inhuman beings were able to suppress the need for bloodlust. Nonetheless, each protector had to go through training, an extensive background check, and received a very lengthy list of extremely strict rules. Because most hailed from the Tamotsu Clan, very few had an issue passing the physical tests.
Although the Honoshi weren’t needed to protect the few remaining super soldiers, the Castel and Ethor Clans decided it was a wise move to keep the cult employed. After all, it is better safe than sorry, right?
The Rebirth Season accounts for the first five months of the year. This is when crops are planted and all of life goes into bloom. This season tends to have mild temperatures. The middle of this season is called “The Flooding” and it is when the skies open up and dump water on the planet for about a month.
The Harvest Season runs for the next four months. During this time, the crops are to be harvested and sold. The first two months are dedicated to picking the food. The “Festival of Harvests” happens at the end of the first two month of this season and lasts for a week. After that week-long event, the last two months of the Harvest Season are solely for selling the product. This season is, typically, very warm. Whether or not it is dry or humid is dependent of the city’s location to the water.
The Stagnation Season is the season of rest. This season wraps up the year and lasts for four months. This is the coldest and darkest of all the seasons. Night falls quickly and the temperature never rises over the melting point of water. Ice and snow are usually found everywhere. There is a famous holiday celebrated during this month called, “The Kiss of Death Day.” It makes the longest and darkest day of the year and it is a day of tears and sorrow. It falls in the second month during the fourth week on the seventh day.
The months, in order, are as follows: Vorad, Orina, Belw, Dreim, Rayuld, Tenus, Barufe, Lousk, Lerr, Wikim, Notal, Emots, and Schyinedan.
Holidays and Festivals
As one might have guessed, the year is littered with a fair number of special days. However, there are some holidays and traditions that are not respected worldwide. Such holidays will include an asterisk to later call out the holiday practicing culture.
First of the Year 1st Day of Vorad of the Rebirth Season
It is held the first day of the New Year. It is custom to engage in tomfoolery and be merry and gay. People often drink elegant liquors to help welcome the beginning of a new year. This day typically involves children putting on plays and there are often parades to attend throughout the day. It is a part of the tradition to don oneself in the color purple.
Koibito* 32nd Day of Orina of the Rebirth Season
This day is a day of love and romance. People often confess their love and adoration to someone on this day as doing so is believed to bless the relationship. Even if someone is single on this day, it is a part of the culture to find a mate for the evening. *This day is practiced by those who believe in the spirit of love.
The Flooding All of Belw of the Rebirth Season
The skies open up and dump water on the planet. Although this is not a ‘holiday’ is it still marked on the calendar to remind people to heed the high rising waters that are sure to come.
Fool’s Day* 7th Day of Dreim of the Rebirth Season
As the name suggests, this is a day to act foolish. Men will sometimes where women’s clothing just as women will dress in a menswear. It is customary to pull pranks and be a bit foolish. Usually the person who pulls the most pranks is crowned “King of Fools” and is given a special dish that is usually laced with hallucinogenic drugs. *This day is not celebrated by all. People choose to partake in this one.
Day of Worship* 36th Day of Dreim of the Rebirth Season
This is a day where families celebrate their culture’s deities. *It is not a well-practiced holiday. The Ono Clan is about the only group of people to follow this holiday.
Bunka* 24st Day of Rayuld of the Rebirth Season
This is a day where families celebrate their culture’s traditions. *It is not a well-practiced holiday. The Ono Clan is about the only group of people to follow this holiday.
Festival of Harvests 27th to the 36th Day of Tenus of the Rebirth Season
It is pretty much a week of festivities and eating fine foods. Some clans will fast before this so they can enjoy in the fine foods brought before them (as you could guess, this is an Ono Clan tradition). For the most part, people will rejoice over the harvest and be merry. Parades, festivals, and carnivals happen during this week. To celebrate the plentiful amounts of food, people often wear bold colors while attending public events.
Burakkudōn* 21st Day of Lerr of the Rebirth Season
This day is a day when people will go without sleep for a whole day. It is customary to watch the spirits pass between the worlds this day. *This is an Ono Clan holiday.
Kiss of Death Day 34th Day of Notal of the Rebirth Season
It marks the longest and darkest day of the year and it is a day of tears and sorrow. People will often stay home and grieve with loved ones over all the lives that have been lost. People, although not always true, will reflect on what life would be like had the nuclear blast not happened.
Birth of Tamotsu Day* 13th Day of Schyinedan of the Rebirth Season
It celebrates the birth of the creator of the sect and it is a day were the warriors honor the departed. *This is a Tamotsu Cult holiday.
SPOILERX
This sect is composed of rogue warriors called the Horonosenshi or Honoshi. They are master swordsmen and, yes, this cult is only for men and not just anyone can be a Honoshi Warrior. The first way of joining is through applying, which requires partaking in some rigorous tests. If able to past four tests – the test of the mind, body, soul, and character – then he is given the title Honoshi Warrior. The other option is far nobler, but very few get in via this method – special selection. It is rumored that there were only five men ever selected through this process.
One man runs the Tamotsu Cult, the Captain. However, he has a left and a right hand, where both offer assistance. One serves as a guard and a voice of agreement. This man gets the title of Captain’s Assistant. The other man’s role is to be the voice of reason and he is to represent the men. This role, being more strenuous, is given the title of Vice-Captain. The Vice-Captain got to hand appoints his men, the Black Knights. This group of five is composed of the second most elite group of people in the cult. Under each of these five, the rest of the warriors fall into rank. Within this ranking, there are three Commanders, each receiving their own division. Each group under them is assigned a number – First Division, Second, Third, … Fifteen Division.
In the past, there were more warriors, but, due to recent causalities because of the demons, the Honoshi numbers have dwindled into the lower hundreds. Nonetheless, these master warriors still fight with the courage of a thousand dragons, obeying the Code of Tamotsu. This code is broken down into five simple oaths.
The Oath of Brotherhood – If at any point, one of my brethren falls, it is my duty to protect them to the end, unless instructed otherwise. My body is not only a sword, but it is also a shield. Fellowship comes before our own life, just as the people come before the Horonosenshi. The Oath of Honor – At no point will I steal, lie, cheat, or inflict pain on another without just cause. Any form of sinning is punishable by death. It is the Horonosenshi Warrior’s promise to be a selfless vessel for the people of Verue. The Oath of Protection – I shall not forget that my commitment is to the people, as it is my duty to protect those that require the help of my blade. The Oath of Vigor – Throughout the time enrolled by the Horonosenshi, I will fight my hardest until death takes my soul to the afterlife. Each battle I enter, I will enter with my heart, soul, and fighting spirit. My courage will not waver and I shall set an example and make a name for the Horonosenshi Warriors. I will fight to the death to protect those that require my service. The Oath of Virtue – Should I, at any point, ever stray for the course of the Horonosenshi Warriors by committing the act of treason, it is my vow that I will take my own life with my blade, as betrayal is the worst of the sins.
Left to Right
Varun the Fourth Black Knight
Melik the Fifth Black Knight
Fritz the Third Black Knight
Arvin the Second Black Knight
Rroy the Vice-Captain
Nieko the First Black Knight
So I'm going to stop posting all the details. When the roleplay is eventually set up, you'll be able to see more information on there. For now, Wifey (ISOS_Duke) and I can answer questions and just hang out. Is there anyone interested? Does anyone have any questions? What about suggestions? :]
Well, five is a good number to get it going and get it's name out there, you know? I'm sure that people will be lining up in PM form to try to get in it once it goes.
A little bit of both. Your character will have his/her own role in the story and then he/she will also interact with other characters and affect the course of time.
