Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

The Yalta family are an old and well respected member of the Videnese aristocracy, having been part of it for at least the last six generations. This is a family steeped in history and tradition, their wealth comes from the slave trade and they have thrived in Viden for many an arc. As the family owns a number of slave-related businesses, they are one of the wealthier members of the Videnese Aristocracy. Furthermore, they are known for ensuring that their slaves are well trained and suitable for other members of the Aristocracy or the Masters of Videnese society - to own a Yalta- Trained Slave is to own the best.

The family has close links with the FRA, for obvious reasons and with the Academy.

Current Family Members:

A man who took a rap which had him exiled from Blackbrine, and another that forced him from Scalvoris, Parman "Knots" Strakely still has decades of experience in "maritime larceny". Enough so that his hand is found with alarming frequency in most of the more lucrative games in town. Dismissed speculation that his ejections from these more globally-recognized pirate communities were part of bigger deals that required a "fall guy", have given way to near unanimous acceptance that "Old Knots" got the best of both deals.

He runs The Hidden Hold, an extensive storehouse of maritime paraphernalia, located near the perpetually frigid Viden Docks, that will rarely fail to turn up whatever item a customer would like quietly obtained. Somehow, hard-to-find equipment and non-local specialties are to be found regularly in The Hidden Hold. It is almost as if those two Pirate conclaves are honoring some bargain to keep Old Knots' venture provided in exchange for keeping quiet about a thing or two...or three......or four.

This is not to say that such items as would be ruled "illegal" are going to be sitting out on one of the numerous shelves in plain sight. But damned if the old pirate doesn't find a way to get what's needed where it's needed. Nor would it be fair to say that Knots never stocks perfectly legal and commercially viable items on those shelves either. There are dozens of shelves in the place; fully stocked with everything from anchors to augers, log books to baldrics, and anything else you may be needing.

However, it would be fair to say that The Hidden Hold keeps irregular breaks, as Strakely is a wiley man, not given to being predictable, or easily found. More than one deal has been concluded at the end of a blade. But he always hears when someone is looking for him. So if he's not found down by the docks, regaling young sailors with bold tales that are less exaggerated than one might believe, he'll probably be found warming a seat at The Devil's Advocate.
Self-moderation be fine by the likes o' me, so long as you don't be goin' overboard on the 'Yarr's and 'Arrr's. If'n ya'd like an example o' how Ol' Knots'd be turnin' a phrase, ya'd best be readin' up on this thread here.

Name: Florens Glev
Created by: Seren Fahe
Race: Human
Birthday/Age: 41
Title: Dean of Viden Infirmary



Skills:

• Surgery - Master
• Medicine - Master
• Research - Expert
• Psycology - Expert
• Detection - Competent
• Persuasion - Novice

Details: Florens is an energetic, humorous, and caring man. He started his career as a doctor at a young age and worked his way up the ladder to become the head of the infirmary, the youngest known to hold the position. His many years of schooling and experience has earned him the reputation of one of the greatest doctors. His main job is to manage the infirmary - from staff management to finances - but he also serves as one of the doctors. In the infirmary, he can be found roaming around and reading, catering to different patients, or in his office reviewing paperwork.

Name: Elsie Crowther
Created by: Seren Fahe
Race: Eidisi
Birthday/Age: 25
Title: Nurse in Infirmary



Skills:

• Caretaking - Competent
• Medicine - Competent
• Seduction - Novice
• Socialization - Novice
• Sociology - Novice

Details: Elsie is a nurse often found helping patients. Sometimes, she even flirts with patients she finds attractive. Her beauty is admired by many people who see the young nurse, and she definitely flaunts it. Despite her constant flirting, she is a great nurse who cherishes her job of helping others.

Name: Adeline Naelor
Created by: Seren Fahe
Race: Human
Birthday/Age: 73
Title: Secretary in Infirmary



Skills:

• Medicine - Expert
• Linguistics - Competent
• Socialization - Competent
• Poisons - Competent
• Gardening - Competent

Details: Adeline is a kindly old woman who usually works from her desk at the entrance of the infirmary. She is responsible for greeting patients as they enter the building, helping manage records, checking if a patient is a citizen/student/visitor, and for transporting patients to their designated room. Adeline’s personality makes her liked by many. Much of her time is spent at the infirmary or at home, living out the rest of her life.

Habitat: Viden snowfields
Lifespan and Development: The life cycle of a Tanner Mantis begins in the egg stage. When an adult consumes it’s prey, it gathers the viscera left over after its feeding, and reproduces hermaphroditically. Afterward, it will lay a cluster of eggs beneath the surface of the snow, nested in the leftover viscera of its former prey.

The eggs tend to lay dorman beneath the snow either until the snow thaws enough for the eggs to be exposed (Which kills them) or until an animal’s body warmth activates the latent eggs, immediately hatching and inserting itself into the subcutaneous layer of the creature’s skin.

From there, it proceeds to feed on the blood sugar of the creature it inhabits, until it absorbs the bloodline memory of its host. Once it has attained a certain level of ‘familiarity’ with it’s host’s bloodline, it will take that memory with it to the next stage, pupae.

The pupae stage can go one of a few ways. Either it will exit the host through one of it’s orifices without much damage done, or it will tear out of the skin violently causing wounds that are difficult to heal, because the toxic slime it leaves behind complicates healing, encouraging the growth of disease.

In any case, the host creature is rendered with a less capable immune reaction for at least a season before they are able to recover, if they survive.

The Tanner Mantis then seeks out the snowfields, and from there lies in wait beneath the snows, insulated from the freezing winds by a surrounding layer of snow and whatever hide or skin it was able to tear off its former host.

It has deadly pincers and scythe-like appendages that are capable of ripping and tearing, more than capable of taking down local herds or stray wanderers. With every kill, it collects parts and pieces, covering itself with the hide of it’s kills and laying eggs as it will.
Diet: carnivorous in pupae stage. Parasitic in larval.
Temperament: Hostile trapper.
Abilities: The properties of the larval slime of the Tanner Mantis are said to have certain benefits, when it comes to speeding up the rotting process of materials, whether it be for mulching materials, or the processing of flax, and other processes.

It can also be used as a toxin when insinuated into a wound. Injested, it’s mostly harmless.

Price: Price Declared by Moderator. Their pelt is super thick. Meat is something to be desired.
Habitat: The white forrests, Murk Pass, and The Dead Hills
Lifespan and Development: Average lifespan is 19-21 arcs. With adult males growing to the size of 2.5 meters from ground to shoulder. and 5.7 meters tall standing on their hind limbs. The bears will have a weight of nearly 2000 kilograms. This means after adulthood the only threat to their lives is man, and time. They take around 1 arc to mature into adolescence. Then at 2.5 arcs of age they are sexually mature.
Diet: Omnivorous, The Vel'ky Bear will eat anything it can get its hands on.
Temperament: Territorial. Will not hunt humans unless in dire straights.
Abilities: It is a giant bear. IT doesn't need anything special. The raw power of this bear can knock down trees.

Price: It is Illegal to hunt theses beasts.
Habitat: Devanti Mountains, Champion's Pass, Murk Pass
Lifespan and Development: The Lietajúci Pardus resembles a leopard in appearance, but don't let that fool you. This beast has a wingspans of 9 meters from tip to tip. They are know to ambush pray from above, and going for their neck. Some rare sightings are disclosed in the mythical texts, where they speech telepathically to men. These myths have not been proven true though. Because of their coat and beautiful horns, these animals are hunted for trophies, due to this their numbers have dwindle to endangered. Despite this people still hunt the animals closer to extinction. They are around 10 meters long and a weight of 200-230kgs. Despite this size humans are not on their prey item list. Except during hard times, or when under threat. Attempts to domesticate these animals are ill advised. Stories of circuses being destroyed from stealing cubs are no myth. Rangers are sent out in squads of no less then 10 when needing to take on one of these beasts. Luckily attacks are rare just like their sightings.
Diet: Carnivorous
Temperament: Cautious
Abilities: Flight bombing: Diving and breaking the neck of its prey.

Price: Their fur is wanted for it's quality.
Habitat: Through out the Viden area
Lifespan and Development: The Snow Fox Owl Is known for its thick coat and sharp senses. Only the most skilled of hunters can sneak up on the beast, and claim it's coat as a prize. It is nocturnal and sees in thermal. Its ears are so keen that it can pick up a mouse, miles away. The growths on their head are to help with finding mates. And can also be used as an Alchemical ingredient. They are 65cm long, and weigh 9.5kg. During mating season the males sing songs. This is a tourist attraction for Viden. The songs are known to sound of flutes played by masters.
Diet: Predatory Small animals.
Temperament: Skittish
Abilities:

Price: Pending Approvial
Habitat: The open areas in Videnese wilderness
Lifespan and Development:
This terrifying beast of the cold reaches of Viden, may look like a mammalian predator. But in truth they are of the species of Non-avian Dinosaurs. The warm blooded reptilian relatives hunt the flat lands near forests and rivers. With a size of of 5 m and 1400kg. This animal is known for it's large bite and destructive claws. When digging a burrow they use the claws as shovels. The have amazing eyesight even in blizzards. Egg laying season for the mothers happens twice a year, once in Ashen the second in Vhalar, during this time the high pitched clicking of mating calls can be heard. The creatures take 20 trials to hatch, in which they start having a rapid growth. Being independent from their mother after only 30 trials of life. Though not fully grown, it will take a full arc to get to full size. Even though the youth is small, they tend to be just as aggressive, using faster attacks then the adults, as they are a bit more frail then the adult. A full den for a Terralagoisrex is dug into mountains and hill sides, piles of rubble and a hole in the earth being the only signs of it. They only tolerate each other's company during mating season, and only very rarely would they hunt together, within their 20 arc lifespan.

In a encounter, it is best that you try and run. IF this is not possible in your situation, you should avoid their sharp teeth and diamond like claws. One wrong move could turn you into ribbons. They do not have a ranged method of striking, though sightings of trained creatures are thought to be able to throw boulders.

The Terralagoisrex were used by the people of Black Peak to form a tunnel through the mountains, making it the easiest way through the mountains. Though, keeping control of any of them requires almost legendary ability.

Diet: Carnivorous
Temperament: Very Aggressive attacks on sight in most cases.
Abilities: Moving earth in a fast manner. A loud roar that induces fear into animals and man alike. (Treat it as an Intimidation expert without knowledge bonuses)

Price: Pending
Habitat: The Skies of Viden
Lifespan and Development:
This majestic animal flies through out the skies around Viden. They are known to bring the sun when they first fly over a settlement. Their meat is some of the best you can find. They are encouraged to be hunted, due to their primary predator, The Lietajúci Pardus, being near extinction. Their lives are 15 arcs long with a 2 arc maturity period.

The Rehsarkans go through mating season once a arc during the rebirth cycle. Normally in Ashan. During this time the males will fight each other for the females of the species. They will then mate with the winner of the battle, before going their separate ways to raise the offspring on their own.

If threatened they may use their antlers in a charge, though they will most often try and fly away from such encounters. Choosing to stay in large herds of up to 30 individuals, with a large male at the head of the flight pattern. Sleeping in turns in open fields, with a few awake as look outs.

Diet: Herbivorous
Temperament: Shy
Abilities: A fast flight when spooked.