pale skin and silver bells « Thread Started on Apr 29, 2008, 4:46am »
This is a slightly scatty one-on-one idea I've cooked up that I reckon could end up as a lot of fun, so I figure I'll see if anyone's interested.
Set many years after the events of Nix's trilogy, the land is at a point of relative stability. The Old Kingdom is prosperous, retaining at least polite ties with neighbouring Ancelstierre. The royal family manages things adeptly, the Abhorsen does their job, the Wallmakers build and the Clayr watches. Years of quiet have added a touch of complacency to the mixture, and this may be their downfall.
For how much longer this stability will last is cast into doubt in light of increasing restlessness from those of Death and Free Magic. Rivalries and independent temperaments have kept them from rallying together before, but there is worry that their desperation will force an alliance. If they were to find a leader, someone to unite and guide them, it could spell yet another violent war, and it is uncertain as to whether the softened forces of Life and Charter will be able to turn back the tide.
And there are whispers, rumours and murmurings and speculation. None of these are quite as potent as those provided by the Clayr, the ice witches with the gift to see futures. They speak of change. Of flaws. Of a system that cannot succeed. Of a turning point that surpasses any other. Of choices that will tip the struggling balance and send all of the Old Kingdom into a peace that will last forever...or a war that will never cease.
Amidst the brewing tension, life still goes on; and for two youngsters in particular, the troubling backdrop will have an immense effect on their lives. Not that they are particularly aware of this - there is far more on their minds. One is the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, the child of the one who keeps the Dead in their place, striving to become the next near-legendary lone warrior and protector of all that lives. They have a lot to live up to, and though a little mixed blood gives them an edge in the market, there is still so much to learn, and not necessarily much time. The other is an anomaly, an apprentice to a necromancer, even though necromancers rarely have any interest in taking on assistants. It is no doubt their as-of-yet unreached but still astounding potential that has spurred the unusual circumstance, and they are well on their way to growing into a deadly threat. Two very different lives, but very similar goals - to reach the top, and to wield the bells.
However, their respective paths are derailed sharply when they just so happen to collide. The necromancer has not been entirely inactive, despite his tagalong, and the Abhorsen still has a job to do as well as instructing their child - the meeting is vicious to say the least. The respective trainees are unable to be of much assistance up against this level and skill, and for the most part try to stay out of the way while facing each other down, but a misjudged spell throws the situation into chaos when they are ripped off their feet and teleported miles away.
Away from allies. Away from their mentors. Away from anyone who might harbour friendly feelings for either of them.
In another few years the pair would likely have been mortal enemies, and even now they are hostile. Their magics clash, their motives war, and the only thing they have in common is the ability to walk in Death, some meager control over the Dead, and a desperate desire to get the flaming hell out of here. Unfortunately, there is a lot standing in their way.
There are Free Magic beings who would leap at the chance to get ahold of the young Abhorsen-in-Waiting, and others who know something about the necromancer-to-be that even they are not yet aware of. Politics beyond their comprehension are preparing for war.
The turning point is coming on fast.
I have an idea of the general direction it could go (ie, what the Abhorsen-in-Waiting knows of that the beings what, what it is about the necromancer-in-training has about them, what the prophecy is talking about) but there's still a lot of room to move. I've also got vague character sketches prepared for either character, so I'm fine with playing whoever. (If you play the A-i-W, the 'mixed blood' reference was meant to say that you could maybe say they had a bit of Wallmaker skill with Charter, or a little Clayr skill to see the future, etc.)
Re: pale skin and silver bells « Reply #3 on May 2, 2008, 5:28am »
I have plotted some ideas for a character, and I can't wait to play, bonesong. You can open a roleplay in On, To Adventure. make sure you remember a code, RPG 6
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I love this idea. Will make character asap. Would love the necromancer, you?