[OOC] Summerland

[Kurotsune]

Setting:

Welcome to the newest virtual reality game, Summerland! In this game, all characters play the role of wizards and witches. Choose from several different schools of magic and mold your character to your tastes with our unique magic system! Weave unique spells by manipulating the Arcane forces of the world to create catastrophic storms or strengthen your allies with the power of ten thousand men! Enjoy our unique radiant event system where random events can and will occur through your character's journey, from the very beginning, and alter your experience as you go along!

Band together with your friends! Create a Magic Association and invite all your companions to partake in large-scale battles for control over the magic crystals of the Summerland, known to grant unlimited power to those that possess them!

Create your own unique character thanks to our persona-digitalization system, which instantly provides instant analysis on your DNA, giving you an unique character appearance no one has! Not content with how you look? No problem! Summerland lets you alter your character's appearance however you choose, allowing you be unique and still look the way you want to!

Join us now, in Summerland Online, the world were magic never ends!

Premise:

With the boom of virtual-reality consoles, the video game industry reached it's peak. At it's height, Summerland Online was born. Considered by many to be the ultimate virtual-reality game, Summerland was conceived by the joint unison of several different video-game companies, now banded together to form the new, massive corporation known as Eternia Industries.

Eternia industries completely dominates the video-game market, giving most smaller companies the chance to either be assimilated to the publisher, or fall. Several different rumors about Eternia's leadership employing shady methods, including blackmail and murder, to convince their opposition begin to arise, but nothing is ever proven.

It's been ten years since Summerland was created, and yet even now the game remains famous. Since Eternia has focused in other projects, but the game was still largely popular, it offered the players a choice:

Summerland would continue to operate for free, and be maintained by Eternia, with sporadic updates to fix glitches and add content whenever an employee wished to dedicate time to it. However, so servers costs wouldn't increase, no new players would be allowed to join, and if any player was inactive for over a month, their account would be deleted.

It's been five years since this decision has been made - Summerland hasn't seen a new player in half a decade, and former veterans from the game describe a dwindling community, dying off from the lack of fresh blood.

However, a change in Eternia's management caused the company to turn it's eyes to Summerland Online once again, and announce the coming of it's sequel - Summerland Online Reborn.

To promote the new game, Eternia has released a massive ad campaign. VR Gears with access to Summerland Online were sent to several random contestants around the world, and it was said that those who reached a distinctive objective within the game would be given unique access to Summerland Online Reborn as an alpha tester, as well as be given the new game for free.

To be fair with the veterans, they were allowed to participate, and a clause was instated: The number of allowed spots for Summerland Online Reborn's alpha testing team was the exact number of veterans currently playing the game, plus one hundred. The number of sent VR Gears was also the exact number of veterans playing the game.

You are one of the new players of Summerland Online, having participated and won in the contest for the right of entry. Enter the Summerland, with your friends at your side, and discover the hidden world of magic.

Embark on a journey to fulfill your objective and be granted access to Summerland Online Reborn!

Schools of magic:

Note: The descriptions are short because how a particular magic type is wield is left to the player. This gives you an idea of how each school of magic works, while still leaving space for a player's own interpretation of how to best utilize it.

Praetego - The Mage's Shield

Also known as the school of Abjuration, mages specialized in Praetego are known as Exorcists. They specialize in exorcising magic - Repelling spells and objects, as well as protecting allies and as creating barriers and erecting veritable walls of magic.

Conepllo - The Mage's Call

Also known as the school of Conjuration, mages specialized in Conepllo are known as Callers. They specialize in a magic that's known as the Call, an unique spell that can summon creatures and objects to the user.

Hariolatio - The Mage's Sight

Also known as the school of Divination, mages specialized in Hariolatio are known as Seers. They specialize in probability, and excel at predicting and manipulating it.

Incanto - The Mage's Word

Also known as the school of Enchantment, mages specialized in Incanto are known as Tinkerers. They specialize in enchanting objects, granting them magical properties.

Conmuto - The Mage's Will

Also known as the school of Thaumaturgy, mages specialized in Conmuto are known as Elementalists. They specialize in manipulating nature and it's forces to alter their enviroment, as well as themselves.

Inludo - The Mage's Trick

Also known as the school of Illusion, mages specialized in Inludo are known as Manipulators. They specialize in altering someone's perception of reality.

Magic Style:

The Summerland's unique feature is the "style" system. The game's highly advanced AI tracks down your individual preferences when using your magic and groups them together in something called a "style". The more your style of play reveals itself, the more detailed your character's own magic style becomes. Sticking to your style gives you extra experience points in this style, and learning new abilities related to your style is much easier than other skills.

A player can change styles if they dedicate themselves towards it. At such a time, experience is carried over to the new style. This is called a Mastery swap and is something incredibly difficult to achieve (it's only going to happen through character development)

Although magic styles can be swapped, magic schools can't.

Races:

Aelurus

The most widely-spread race of the Summerland, Aelurus are charismatic individuals that prize technology and live in industrialized cities. The Aelurus were the ones to discover Tinkering, and it is said their exposure to this magic is what caused them to, over generations, gain their feline attributes. The Aelurus are known to be highly social individuals, and their unique racial trait is charisma, which makes NPCs more keen to share information with them. These characters are, however, incapable of keeping a low profile.

The Aelurus do not get along with the Lupus.

Lupus

The highly religious Lupus spread word of their god, Judex, wherever they go. They live in the deserts of the Summerland. The Lupus were the ones to discover Exorcism, and it is said their exposure to this magic is what caused them, over generations, to gain their lupine attributes. Their unique racial trait is Pack Mentality, which makes Lupus NPCs much more willing to assist them. The characters are, however, unable to refuse a quest from a Lupine NPC.

The Lupus do not get along with the Aelurus.

Vulpes

The highly intelligent Vulpes are natural scholars. They are nomadic, and have no real habitat of their own. They were the ones to discover Manipulation, and it is said their exposure to this magic is what caused them, over generations, to gain their vulpine attributes. Their unique racial trait is Wit, which allows them to see through traps, puzzles and lies with more ease. However, their nomadic nature makes the Vulpes easily bored, and they will get progressively larger negative bonuses if they do not amuse themselves.

The Vulpes do not get along with the Lepus.

Lepus

The barbaric Lepus are ruthless savages. They live in the forests of the Summerland, and dislike any who trespass upon their territory. They were the ones to discover Elementalism, and it is said their exposure to this magic is what caused them, over generations, to gain their lepine attributes. Their unique racial trait is Speed. The Lepus are naturally nimble and acrobatic, and can navigate even the most dangerous terrain with ease. However, the Lepus are highly territorial, and will not accept anyone who invades what they see as their territory - Be it their home, or their personal space.

The Lepus do not get along with the Vulpes.

Aquila

The elusive Aquila are antisocial hermits. They live in their secluded cities build in the peak of mountains that cannot be reached by any means other than flying. They're highly misanthropic individuals and tend to dislike even the company of their own. They were the ones to discover Soothsaying, and it is said their exposure to this magic is what caused them, over generations, to gain their aquiline attributes. Their unique racial trait is Flight. The Aquila have functional wings at their backs, and can use it to fly. However, their behavior makes unable to stay in a city or any other highly populated area for too long. Doing so will get them in a progressively worse mood.

The Aquila do not get along with anyone.

Nereides

The aloof Nereides are cheerful deviants. They live in islands and underwater grottos. While they're highly social and enjoy the company of other species, they're aloof and indifferent to the issues of the Summerland, only really caring about their own lives and goals. They were the ones to discover Calling, and it is said their exposure to this magic is what caused them, over generations, to gain their aquiline attributes. Their unique racial trait is Dive. When they enter water they can swim in, they can turn their legs into a tail to maneuver more quickly and aptly underwater. They can also breathe underwater. They cannot, however, stay out of water for too long, or their skin begins to crack and blister. This is worse in deserts.

The Nereides get along with everyone.

Concept example:

So the idea behind the magic system is to allow player freedom. A character doesn't have to be a mage that attacks from afar and dies the second anything touches it. The magic schools are left vague on purpose, so different interpretations can be made.

For example, let's take the school of Praetego. Let's examine what the school is about:

Also known as the school of Abjuration, mages specialized in Praetego are known as Exorcists. They specialize in exorcising magic - Repelling spells and objects, as well as protecting allies and as creating barriers and erecting veritable walls of magic.

So it's a school focused on "repelling spells and objects, as well as protecting allies and creating walls."

I can think of three character concepts based off of this, all based on only one of the school's concepts.

Let's call the first character Acht. Acht specializes in the "repelling" aspect of abjuration. Acht "repels" objects to hurl them at his foes, as well as "repelling" himself to make him move faster. As Acht grows in experience - Specifically, his "style" grows in experience. This will be expanded upon in the gameplay systems - He will be able to repell more and larger objects, as well as achieve flight by "repelling" himself, or even gravity.

Let's call the second characer Alyssa. Alyssa specializes in the "repelling" aspect of abjuration. Alyssa wields a sword and a shield, as well as heavy armor, and "repels" enemy attacks and spells, bostering her own defenses. As her style grows in experience, Alyssa will be able to withstand heavier attacks, maybe one day achieving enough defensive capabilities that her armor and shield become useless by comparison.

Let's call the third character Alenak. Alenak specializes in the "repelling" aspect of abjuration. Alenak "repels" wounds from himself as well as from his allies. As he grows in strength, he may even become as strong as momentarily "repel" death from a friend, effectively making them immortal for a period of time. Because of his lack of offensive spells, Alenak trained to use a bow and arrow to attack from afar, and combines that with his ability to "repel" his wounds to make himself an apt combatant.

That's basically it. Take each school's definition as a metaphor. Go full-on "fairy tale" magic with your character, and twist the meanings of the schools to create your own casting "style".

...Just don't make your character capable of using multiple schools of magic. That one won't fly.

Character Creation:

SUPER IMPORTANT READ-ME:

DO NOT post profiles in this thread. Send them to me via PM.

In-game

As you slide the visor into your head you feel a chill down your spine as the cortex-interface connection is estabilished. Soon, your sense of reality drifts to black, and you awaken to find yourself in a pitch-black room, with only you, and a being fully covered in a cloak.

"Welcome to the Summerland!", the person exclaims. "Before we begin, how do you wish to be called?"

Name:

The being applauds. "What a beautiful name! Tell me, what species do you belong to?"

As soon as the words leave their lips, a drop-off menu appears in front of you seemingly out of nowhere. In it, the options "Aerulus, Lupus, Vulpes, Lepus, Aquila and Nereid" are listed.

Race:

"Ah, I see, I see! Indeed, you're clearly a member of such a noble tribe." They pause, seemingly peering you up and down for a moment, then continue. "Are you a boy, or a girl?"

Gender:

As soon as you're done explaining to the seemingly-oblivious creature, they remove their cloak. They look just like you - Only with the physical attributes (ears and tail, or scales) of the race you've chosen. "Hi, me!" the character exclaims. "Please, adjust how you'd like us to look like!" Several different slide bars appear next to the character, allowing you to manipulate it's appearance as you please.

Appearance:

The character claps. "Incredible! What a visage! So, tell me... Are the rumors true? You're a magic user? If I may, what school is your mastery?"

School:

"I see. Well, then, without further ado, allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Summerland!"

As you fade out of consciousness again, you wake up to find yourself in a small room, only this time you're inside the body of the character that was talking to you previously. What an odd way to start a game.

Out-of-game

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Ethnicity:

Country:

Physical Description: > Remember your characters' out-of-game appearance should at least resemble their in-game character slightly.

Personality:

OOC:

Magic Style:

Here are the five approved profiles:

Jory - Kizaru Shoze

In-game
As you slide the visor into your head you feel a chill down your spine as the cortex-interface connection is estabilished. Soon, your sense of reality drifts to black, and you awaken to find yourself in a pitch-black room, with only you, and a being fully covered in a cloak.
"Welcome to the Summerland!", the person exclaims. "Before we begin, how do you wish to be called?"
Name: Kizaru Shoze (pronounced "Kaizar-oo Show-zee")
The being applauds. "What a beautiful name! Tell me, what species do you belong to?"
As soon as the words leave their lips, a drop-off menu appears in front of you seemingly out of nowhere. In it, the options "Aerulus, Lupus, Vulpes, Lepus, Aquila and Nereid" are listed.
Race: Lepus
"Ah, I see, I see! Indeed, you're clearly a member of such a noble tribe." They pause, seemingly peering you up and down for a moment, then continue. "Are you a boy, or a girl?"
Gender: Male
As soon as you're done explaining to the seemingly-oblivious creature, they remove their cloak. They look just like you - Only with the physical attributes (ears and tail, or scales) of the race you've chosen. "Hi, me!" the character exclaims. "Please, adjust how you'd like us to look like!" Several different slide bars appear next to the character, allowing you to manipulate it's appearance as you please.
Appearance: Lithe build, roughly 5'8". Startling green eyes, a prominent nose, and a mud-brown coat that is useful for concealing himself. Generally wears robes with tightly fitted leggings underneath.
The character claps. "Incredible! What a visage! So, tell me... Are the rumors true? You're a magic user? If I may, what school is your mastery?"
School: Conmuto
"I see. Well, then, without further ado, allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Summerland!"
As you fade out of consciousness again, you wake up to find yourself in a small room, only this time you're inside the body of the character that was talking to you previously. What an odd way to start a game.

Out-of-game
Name:
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Japanese-American (half Asian)
Country: American
Physical Description: Lithe build, startling green eyes and a prominent nose. Mud-brown hair
Personality: An extrovert who lacks social graces and tends to be much too blunt with people, he speaks his mind to people. This endears him to those who enjoy it and makes others hate him

OOC:
Magic Style: Utilizes Plant Magic in combination with his acrobatic fighting style. As a user of Plant magic he alters the field around him and creates weapons throughout his environment. As he becomes stronger he will be able to control more plants and be able to use them to block powerful attacks.

Stratos - Fayth

In-game

As you slide the visor into your head you feel a chill down your spine as the cortex-interface connection is estabilished. Soon, your sense of reality drifts to black, and you awaken to find yourself in a pitch-black room, with only you, and a being fully covered in a cloak.

"Welcome to the Summerland!", the person exclaims. "Before we begin, how do you wish to be called?"

Name: Fayth

The being applauds. "What a beautiful name! Tell me, what species do you belong to?"

As soon as the words leave their lips, a drop-off menu appears in front of you seemingly out of nowhere. In it, the options "Aerulus, Lupus, Vulpes, Lepus, Aquila and Nereid" are listed.

Race: Vulpes

"Ah, I see, I see! Indeed, you're clearly a member of such a noble tribe." They pause, seemingly peering you up and down for a moment, then continue. "Are you a boy, or a girl?"

Gender: Female

As soon as you're done explaining to the seemingly-oblivious creature, they remove their cloak. They look just like you - Only with the physical attributes (ears and tail, or scales) of the race you've chosen. "Hi, me!" the character exclaims. "Please, adjust how you'd like us to look like!" Several different slide bars appear next to the character, allowing you to manipulate it's appearance as you please.

Appearance: 5"7, A lean and slender build. complexion is relatively fair with a high cheek boned, heart faced shape and a straight, Roman nose with a slightly pointed chin and wispy, thin eyebrows. Has Platinum curls that come down to about shoulder length. Eyes are a deep violet in color

The character claps. "Incredible! What a visage! So, tell me... Are the rumors true? You're a magic user? If I may, what school is your mastery?"

School: Incanto

"I see. Well, then, without further ado, allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Summerland!"

As you fade out of consciousness again, you wake up to find yourself in a small room, only this time you're inside the body of the character that was talking to you previously. What an odd way to start a game.

Out-of-game

Name: Faith ("Fay" for short) Gallows

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Ethnicity: White

Country: United States of America

Physical Description: 5"7, A lean and slender build. complexion is relatively fair with a high cheekboned, heart faced shape and a straight, Roman nose with a slightly pointed chin and wispy, thin eyebrows. Has dark auburn, nearly red curls that come down to about shoulder length. Eyes are a Heterochromia Iridum, with the left one being a light Hazel that looks almost gold in certain lights while the right is a Dark brown. typical attire is jeans and shirts/ blouses of bright color

Personality: a true ENFP and a free spirited people person; Faith has a highly creative flare that often manifests itself in the form of fiction writing. She tends to look past the obvious and mundane in order to find a deeper meaning in things, however, this at times can lead to her occasionally becoming lost in her own thoughts and forgetting that practicality is just as important as the idea's concept. She values other's opinions, but ultimately isn't dependent on them for actual confidence. Her loyalty and devotion to those close to her coupled with a rather trusting nature serves as a double edged sword at times; when a trust is betrayed or an expectation let down, she feels it especially hard. She has a tendency to wear her emotions on her sleeves.

Faith values originality and prefers to improvise and adapt rather than follow complex plans, which serves either as a strength or a weakness depending on the situation. She enjoys trying to push what can be rather than simply accepting what is, and tends to keep her eyes on the future rather than the past.

OOC

Magic Style: Specializes in Incanto and utilizes balanced Knives along side a Bow and Arrow. She "Enchants" her body to increase her own physical muscle strength, thus allowing her to move faster, jump higher, hit harder, etcetera, and also use this increased strength to throw her knives with greater speed and impact force or handle them at faster speeds. The more proficient in the style she becomes, the more she will be able to increase her strength by, in increments going up from a x1.25 boost, x1.50 boost, x1.75 boost, and finally a x2.0 boost. With her archery she can either use the enchantment on her Strength to increase the firing rate and impact force of her arrows, or instead "Enchant" the arrows themselves to have some improvised magic effect such as creating a bright light for a signal, setting an enemy alight, etc., but never both increase fire power and give a magic effect at the same time.

TacosAndFlowers - Oliver

In Game
Name: Oliver
Race:Aquila
Gender:Male
Appearance: "All right, the body I always dreamed of." The words echoed in Oliver's head as he slid through the options, selecting a character with slightly enlarged pectorals, arms, and durable legs. He kept, however, his hair style and a face almost identical to his own. He replaced his usual sight glasses for sunglasses as he found the appearance more appealing.
School:Inludo

Name:Oliver Strazdakien
Age:17
Gender:Male
Ethnicity:Caucasian
Country:United States
Physical Description: Oliver considers himself cursed with his family's genetics, finding himself at a mere 5'2". He's incredibly slim and lacks almost any sort of muscle mass. His hair is light brown with dark blue streaks on the bangs that slip over his eyes, which are a lighter form of blue, almost a cerulean. He wears incredibly thick rimmed glasses. He cleans them so often, in fact, that in any sort of lighting, they give off an incredible shine, that he very much appreciates due to his hatred towards his own eye color. His skin is free of pimples or blemishes.
Personality:Oliver, on the outside, can easily be considered your average social outcast, spending his time locked inside of his bedroom, clicking away at his computer. He considers himself a gaming enthusiast. At school, he would barely talk, but the second he got online and pulled up his chatrooms and video calling services, he was practically the social butterfly of the internet. He's incredibly obnoxious and is what one would consider a narcissistic, pompous asshole. He also is looked down upon by his female friends for being incredibly perverted. However, he still finds a way to be incredibly loyal to his friends.

OOC: Not sure what you mean? Could you tell me so I can fill it out appropriately?

Magic Style: He's an appealer. He uses his deceptive magic to create images and scenarios that would appeal to the target, for better or for worse. On friends, he would be willing to use his abilities to comfort, such as materializing a small puppy to bring joy, or to perhaps ease physical pain by giving off the illusion that they are ok. On enemies, he often uses attractive things to lure or deceive them, then taking advantage of their distraction to strike when necessary He always struggles with causing negative things, such as pain.

Pyon Pyon Kyuu - Squiggly Doodle

In-game

Name: Squiggly Doodle

Race: Aerulus

Gender: Female

Appearance: Squiggly Doodle's hair stretches to her shoulder, is colored pink, and her skin is lightly tanned. She is slim and tall, curvy, but her features are not very defined. She wears a red wool scarf around her neck, a white shoulder less shirt, and a red coat over it. Doodle wears leather pants, and a sword accompanied with a sheathe at her side. Her cat ears and tail are colored black, and on her left cheek she has three "whiskers" painted in black. Her right eye is a dark brown while the other one is a ghostly blue.

School: Incanto

Out-of-game

Name: Sylvia Dailey

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Ethnicity: American/Mexican

Country: America

Physical Description: Like her avatar, her skin is tanned and her features aren't large. Her hair is short, pitch black, and usually kept in a bun. She wears a pair of red frameless glasses. Her eyes are dark brown.

Personality: Sylvia is easily bored, easy to entertain, easily distracted, and hard to get rid of. She sticks to people often, and likes to demand their full attention. She doesn't always succeed in this, but the friends she makes are for life. Her normally energetic self can easily be thrown aside when the boredom kicks in and she becomes more mellow. She is also very trendy, going with what is "hip" and liking to stay "cool".

OOC:

Magic Style: Squiggly focuses her incantation on her clothing: being a bit of a fashion freak, she channels her magic through it and gives it living properties. One example is turning her scarf into a snake, and using it to drag an enemy back. Or asking her coat to turn into a hedgehog, and throwing it. She can also command it to take on properties of more resilient living creatures for protection to act as armor. Applying it to her scarf makes it a bludgeoning weapon. She can throw her coat and ask for it to wrap around her opponent ensnaring them. She can apply the same to her weapon, a katana, and to power it up. Hurling clothing has never been more deadly!

King Murdoc - Sattari Dawnwanderer

Name: Sattari Dawnwanderer

Race: Vulpes
Gender: Male
Appearance: On the tall and lanky side, but not extremely so. Covered in orange fur with bright green eyes. He has a definite snout that is fairly long and narrow, with foxlike teeth. His face usually has a curious cast to it, and appears such even when he is at rest. Usually wears light clothing that doesn't restrict his motion and wields a simply-designed naginata, with an equally plain dagger as a backup. The clothing tends toward natural colors, such as greens and browns. He has a few white spots on the lower side of his face, which continues to white fur on his belly. His hands have darker, thinner fur that approaches black.
School: Hariolatio

Name: Alexander Nordstrom
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Country: Sweden
Physical Description: Middling height and a bit skinny. Blonde hair and green eyes, with a fairly flat tone to the former. He keeps his hair a couple inches long. Has a somewhat light bone structure in his face, with a somewhat longer than normal nose. He keeps clean-shaven for the most part. He has a small mole on his right cheek.
Personality: Pretty laid back and fun loving. Very curious, willing to learn and experience new things, but has a tendency to quickly grow bored if not constantly being presented with something new. Friendly, but doesn't feel a particularly strong pull to help others or stay loyal at significant cost to himself. A bit of a drifter.

OOC:
Magic Style: Focuses on the "manipulating probability part" by subtly modifying pretty much everything that goes on around him. Arrows will happen to get caught in the wind just enough to miss, and blows will end up landing at bad angles (if they land at all). If you've ever read significantly into the Wheel of Time series, think sort of like Mat's luck, except with more conscious manipulation.

About the narration:

You'll undoubtedly find that Summerland's writing style in regards to narration is a lot less... Verbose than Gaelach Basm and most other RPs I'll be hosting. This is because of the nature of the RP, and my own desire to try my hand at a lighter narration style. Because I'm also doing this for the first time, expect it to change a lot as I adapt it to better suit my tastes.

[Kurotsune]

To the ones who weren't accepted, the criteria for choosing the five profiles was simple:

A) Diversity.

Originality.

C) Unique power.

D) Unique magic school.

E) Interesting character personality

If I'm to be 100% honest, Stratos was the only profile fully up to my standards. That said, I've no interest in being too rigorous with the judgement for now; The five profiles were considered the most interesting ones that I could use better to weave an interesting storyline, and at the end of the day that was the main reason to define if the profile would get chosen or not.

Either way, I appreciate all the profile submissions, and hope your interest in the Summerland hasn't died off yet - There may be more to come.

[K_H]

I am sad that I was not accepted, but I shall read along, trying to Join when possible.