It is finally here! Thank you for the wait. I am very sorry for some of the delays, but now we can officially start.
I will be closing the admissions to this game for a bit of time- no new players can join as of now. This WILL change in the future, but, as in most stories, new characters are added along the course of the tale. This is no different, except the players will be playing AS the characters in the stories. You probably already knew this, but I say it anyways. How will this game be played? Im glad you asked. Essentially, right off the bat, we are splitting the players into two groups. This is known in the world of rpgs as railroading, and it is our goal not to do this frequently. (Railroading Is when the GM gives you little room for choices outside the ones he has in mind). We are creating this split because we have two GMs- myself and @feathers34 . This does not mean that you can join forces later, but for right now, you will be forced to take a side. This game will be run in a party system, where the GM will reply to you individually as well as a collective group.
If you have any questions, please contact me at my profile, or, preferably, in the CoK OOC thread (Chronicles of Katlega Out of Character)
For Every Ending There Is A Separate Beginning....
Memories. You aren't sure where you are. Are you alive? You are not sure. Memories....surge through your mind in violent pulses, bringing nausea to you. One moment you were on the cruise ship. Then,
Screaming.
Chaos.
Darkness.
But now, your eyes are opening. You let your eyes adjust to your surroundings. There is a painful amount of noise where you are, people shouting. You take a moment to look around.
You are inside of a building. It seems to be some sort of.. temple? It is in a different style than what you are use to. In fact....
It seems you just came surging out of pond.
('A pond indoors?' you might think)
There are about ten of you. Different ages and sizes, but all wet from the water. The pond is about 30 ft in diameter. A polished oak table meets two sides of this pond, as if they cut out a part of the table to put the pond in.
How strange.
The voices continues, "Yah hesdui' revyp! Passydemb dui Wodilr ah Piovi!"
On one side of the table there are about ten people... maybe more. Men dressed in heavy armor that resembles that of ancient Sparta...or some Greek land. They are armed with bows, and swords, and many other types of weaponry.
The other side is a an array of twenty people. These people are not all uniform. Some don red chainmail, others wearing Scarlett robes. These people seemed to be armed with more strange weaponry, such as quarterstaffs, chains, and rapiers.
There seem to be loud shouting from both ends.
"Tuiri God-sent oli uili da gaem ayl maxsi voyri!" shouts the side with larger numbers.
A large man on the Spartan-looking side stands up, furious with what the other side said."Ibmalomd dloedalr!" He stomps his giant fist on the table. "Tuii' vess mad sid i'ay... LEN ah ayl uapisomk!"
On both sides, weapons are drawn. You are confused and very scared. When it seems both sides would end up charging, a third group interrupts, shouting louder than anyone else in the room. The voice of one Grey-bearded man, coming from directly in front of you.
This third group (monks, by the looks of it) silences everyone in the room. They speak loudly, and everyone seems to listen. To you, it sounds like a foreign language, but you have no idea what.
These men approach your small group of 10, who are sitting silently. What I going on?
The leader, the grey bearded one, speaks in gentle words.
"Follow me, Special Ones".
You do not know what else to do but obey. You are escorted by the monks down a large passageway til you are led into a room. You are told to sit.
This graybeard man clears his voice.
"It was told in famous prophecy that you would arrive. You are Godsent. 'Tis your title. Your people have arrived in time of dire importance numerous times throughout our history.
"But lets back up. I am Luka of the Silver Order. We are an organization dedicated to serving the people of Frej, (this lovely city), and all of Katlega itself.
"Katlega is the world you know live in. I know it may come as a bit of shock, but I have faith in you. You are all very special, even if you do not realize it. The people of this land idolize you and you are very important. Why?
"Our land is named Katlega. It is named so to honor a mighty warrior and leader in our history, a man by the name of Katlego. Katlego appeared through the same pond that you did moments ago- the Waters of Life- over thousands of years ago. Katlego united our people to defeat a mighty beast, and later an army of demons.
"Your people, the Godsent, are natural heroes. Never before has such a large group appeared. Your timing has a great significance as well.
"Alton the White, a Godsent, was a holy man that proclaimed the teachings of Christ, converting many parts of Katlega. It is because of him that many are able to speak the tongue you call 'Englysh'- it was popularized after his death.
"Alton the White, in his final days, left Katlega with a prophecy- that the Fourth Era would be marked by the arrival of more of his kin. Through the Christ, Alton knew that there would be ten to arrive. And here you are.
"You couldn't have arrived at a more stressed time. I hate to have you pick sides, but it is inevitable. There are two armies at war.
"This is not some petty disagreement. This war has the potential for incredible bloodshed- more than our land has ever seen before. Both sides mean well, but their pride gets in the way. You must choose one to join. Baralus- is a city in the southern woods of Katlega. is a city built by the strong and for the strong. They a hardy people of warriors and tradespeople, though perhaps a bit stubborn. They are very conservative, and that is the reason this was sparked. Zenen is a city known for technological advancements. They accept Foreigners- those who live past the Sea of Sand, and their practice of Magic.
Why are they fighting?
The main cause for the civil war is the presence of foreign influence within Katlega. Although most of the city states are loosely held together by traditional alliance, Baralus and some other states agree that magic is not something that should be a common influence in Katlegan culture. Katlegans should be focusing on domestic products instead of foreign magics. Although the Western Province States (the Foreigners) are not directly involved in the war, they send aid to Zenen. Zenen is a city state that openly embraces the infusion of technology and magic and has opened up factories and a small college for Techmaturgy. Baralus is afraid of Zenen growing industrial power and needs it to be stopped. Baralus and Zenen hold a conference to discuss some sort of agreement on restricting this magic, before they turn aggressive and try to conquer Katlega.
Do you have any questions to ask Luka, or the members of the Silver Order? You all may have one question. Use it wisely.
I reply again to the blacksmith. "I never said we have to pledge our heart and soul to this dubious quest, I just said we should stick with these men for now. They obviously know more about this land than us, and they are all we've currently got. It's definetly better than waltzing off into a potentially dangerous new land. We can choose to leave once we know a bit more about this place, and can make informed decisions."
"And if they do shouldn't they tell us? Is that not fair. According to them we cannot leave, according to them it is our fate to fight. So I want to know everything I can before this war kicks off."
"I don't know about you, but if I someone had the power to change the fate of a nation for the better, I would not be content with them sitting around with noncompliance. We are the ones they have been waiting for. This, of course, is assuming they are not lying, and I will make that decision once I see their motives."
"Don't you remember? He said we weren't even expected, that we were a surprise. If they would tell me what I want to know then I could make a decision but they refuse to tell us these things so I will abstain from this war until they do. The people don't even know we are here, the only ones that do are these guys and the guys in the temple." I say to him, "You bring something up which I did not consider, what if they are lying to us? How can we trust them? They have done nothing for us and they have told us little. Trust is a two way street priest and you have given me little reason to trust you."
"Calm down, both of you! We have little information, ad we are in a strange land. if we can't trust these people, and that priest is whispering too much for him to be trusted , then we can only trust ourselves and each other. If we argue, then how can we work together for any end at all, never mind peace or getting out of here,or anything!"
"I agree with you but if we are going to trust one another then we need to get to know one another, away, from them. Unless they want to start talking."
Luka listens to all of this. "I can give you that time. I realize that your all confused. I know you may be frightened."
He scans the room. One of the monks abruptly enters the room. All eyes flick to him. He feels the tension and quickly gives a message to Luka, who mutters something under his breath.
"Small talk is over. Those of you who want to come with me, say 'I'. Forget the signatures. They are marching soldiers into my city. That is something I bet you've never done, smith. Try being responsible for thousands of people. Now who's coming with?"
"Time is not what we desire, it is for you to tell us all the facts, something you are failing to do making it impossible for me to trust you old man, and I for one am intrigued by this world, not frightened. No I haven't simply because I am a normal man, I do not posses the knowledge to lead a city and that is fine by me, there are better men to do it then me." I quickly look to the child saying I, I kneel beside him so our eyes are level, "Are you sure that is a wise decision child? You cannot be more then fifteen and yet you wish to march against trained men, men whose lives are to kill others. You would surely be killed." I say in a soft tone, worry creeping into my voice. "Is this what you truly want to do?"
"I hope my mum is okay. I hope that there is a way to get back home....When are we going to see these kings? we seam to be doing nothing but argue. I can't do much in the area of combat, but I don't think this is how we get back home, bring peace, or get answers! You all just seem to be going round in circles!"
