Forum Thread

"After ascending to godhood, Alice Beaumontt-Devereux, the Resplendent Weaver of Seven-Colored Illusions, became obsessed with power and domination. She assembled the Legion of Alice, an army of lost souls seeking to enter Elysium, to aid her in her quest to conquer other realms. Her sights eventually fell on the realm of the Necromancer of the Ghastly Rose, Anastasia Blackthorne.

Once, Anastasia, the Necromancer of the Ghastly Rose, had taken Alice under her wing and taught her the ways of magic. But when Alice was discovered practicing light magic, Anastasia banished her from her realm. Now, Alice saw an opportunity to exact revenge and claim the realm for herself.

With the immense power of the lost souls in her hands, Alice has planned an invasion on Anastasia's realm, the Black Garden. Unbeknownst to her, however, Anastasia has learned of her plans, and has assembled a group of powerful people to defend her kingdom.

You are one of the Lost Souls, pledging allegiance to the Legion of Alice. Alice has commanded the Legion to leave the Elysian Plain and cross the Acheron and Ekuto rivers, then scale the Iteruna mountain ranges, and finally cut through the Blackthorn Forests to reach the elusive lands belonging to Anastasia. Then, an attack will be made to infiltrate the ranks of the Cult of the Ghastly Rose and tear the discordant realm apart from the inside.

OR

You are a member of Le Monde Rouge, Anastasia's mercenary defense force. You are preparing for the Legion's invasion of the Black Garden, and will have to train in physical and magical combat inside the Cathedral of the Ghastly Rose (see description below in Landmarks), as well as plan a strategy with your fellow mercenaries to defeat Alice's army of lost souls.

Magic in Elysium is different from other places in Otherworld. Being situated at the highest layer, Elysian magic relies on the power of the three constellations and each of the constellations' three resonant gemstones, with each one of them granting their wielder different magical capabilities.

Lyra Nocturna - The Night Harp
Lyra Nocturna, The Night Harp, shines in the sky with a constellation resembling a harp. It is believed that the harp's melodies can put restless souls to sleep and bring peace to their wandering spirits. Spirits who are blessed by this constellation may find themselves lulled into a deep, dreamless sleep, allowing them to recharge and rejuvenate their essence.

- Sleep magic, knowledge, healing
- Spell enhancement and mastery; spell creation

= Resonant gems:
Moonstone
[Enhances the user's ability to view the dreams of others, allowing them to enter others' dreams as well and experience parts of their past experiences when doing so. It can also amplify the user's healing abilities, allowing them to heal more effectively.]
Spectrolite
[Enhances the user's psychic and telepathic abilities, allowing them to communicate with spirits and astral entities more easily. It can also increase the potency of the user's spells, making them more effective and longer-lasting.]
Lapis Lazuli
[Enhances the user's ability to gain and retain knowledge, making it easier for them to learn and remember spells, incantations, and rituals. It can also enhance the user's healing abilities, allowing them to heal physical wounds more effectively.]

---

Serpens Aeternus - The Eternal Serpent
Serpens Aeternus, The Eternal Serpent, is a constellation that is believed to represent the balance between creation and destruction. It is said that spirits blessed by this constellation are bestowed with the power to control the arcane essences of the astral tapestry, granting them the ability to use elemental magic.

- Elemental magic: Fire, water, earth, wind, and other miscellaneous elements
- Pacts with life and death, such as binding one's soul or offering it to a deity

= Resonant gems:
Obsidian
[Enhances the user's control over fire and allows them to manipulate its properties, such as intensity, shape, and temperature. It can also aid in the creation and maintenance of magical wards and protective barriers.]
Emerald
[Enhances the user's control over water, allowing them to manipulate its properties, such as flow, volume, and temperature. It can also aid in the summoning and banishment of spirits and astral entities.]
Garnet
[Enhances the user's control over earth and allows them to manipulate its properties, such as density, texture, and hardness. It can also aid in the transmutation of matter and the creation of golems and constructs.]

---

Veridians - The Truth-Speaking Blossom
Veridians, The Truth-Speaking Blossom, is a constellation that appears as a delicate flower blooming in the night sky. The constellation is said to hold the power to reveal the truth, and spirits blessed by this constellation are said to be able to see through lies and deception.

- Nature magic, communication with animals, etc.
- Intuition, premonition, clairvoyant dreams, minor polygraphy

= Resonant gems:
Citrine
[Enhances the user's ability to communicate with animals, plants, and the natural world. It can also aid in the creation and maintenance of gardens and natural sanctuaries.]
Aquamarine
[Enhances the user's intuition and premonition abilities, allowing them to sense danger, deception, and other threats before they manifest. It can also aid in the creation and maintenance of magical mirrors and scrying pools.]
Amethyst
[Enhances the user's ability to detect lies and falsehoods, making them a skilled polygraphist. It can also aid in the creation and maintenance of magical talismans and amulets that protect against psychic attacks and negative energies.]

The Elysian Plain

A sprawling, lush landscape of rolling hills, verdant forests, and colorful meadows, the Plain is the birthplace of all Elysian deities and a true paradise. The air is thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of buzzing insects. The fields are dotted with grazing animals, and clear streams babble through the countryside. It is a place of unparalleled beauty and abundance, where life flourishes in all its forms.

Acheron and Ekuto

The Acheron and Ekuto rivers are the natural borders that separate the Elysian Plain from the Iteruna Mountain Ranges. The Acheron river is a wide and deep river with murky waters that run slowly but steadily. It is fed by many small streams and tributaries that flow down from the mountains, and it winds its way through the valley, cutting a deep channel in the earth.

The Ekuto river, on the other hand, is a much smaller river with a faster current. It runs parallel to the Acheron, and its waters are clear and sparkling. It is also fed by mountain streams and small tributaries, but its flow is more turbulent and erratic than the Acheron.

Together, the Acheron and Ekuto rivers create a natural boundary that separates the lush and fertile Elysian Plain from the rugged and unforgiving terrain of the Iteruna Mountain Ranges. The rivers are flanked by dense forests, rocky cliffs, and steep mountainsides, providing a stark contrast between the two regions. Despite their differences, both rivers are revered by the local inhabitants for their natural beauty and the life-giving resources they provide.

The Iteruna Mountain Ranges

The Iteruna Mountain Ranges are a vast, rugged expanse of peaks and valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see. The mountains are imposing and majestic, with their snow-capped peaks reaching towards the very top of Otherworld. The landscape is characterized by steep cliffs, treacherous ravines, and deep crevasses, making it a challenging terrain to navigate. The climate is harsh, with strong winds and biting cold temperatures that can last for months on end.

However, despite its inhospitable environment, the Iteruna Mountain Ranges are home to a variety of hardy flora and fauna that have adapted to the harsh conditions. The local nomadic tribes believe that the mountains are the dwelling place of powerful spirits and elemental forces, making them a place of great reverence and awe. For those brave enough to venture into its depths, the Iteruna Mountain Ranges hold the promise of discovery and adventure, but also danger and peril.

Blackthorn Forests

The Blackthorn Forests are a dark and foreboding place, shrouded in mist and mystery. Towering trees with gnarled, twisted branches loom overhead, casting deep shadows on the forest floor. The air is heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation, and the only sounds are the rustling of leaves and the occasional haunting cry of a nocturnal bird. The forest is named after the blackthorn bushes that thrive in the undergrowth, their sharp, thorny branches a testament to the hostile nature of this place.

Legend has it that the Blackthorn Forests were once home to Anastasia Blackthorne, the Necromancer of the Ghastly Rose. It is said that she retreated to these woods to hone her craft, seeking the solitude and darkness that they provided. Some even claim that she made a pact with the spirits of the forest, trading her own ichor for their aid in her spells and rituals. Whatever the truth may be, the forest bears the mark of her presence, with dark symbols etched into the bark of the trees and eerie whispers that seem to emanate from the shadows.

The Black Garden

The Black Garden is a city unlike any other, ruled by the Necromancer of the Ghastly Rose herself, Anastasia Blackthorne. Its massive black wall looms high above, separating the city from the outside world and creating an air of mystery and foreboding. Despite the turmoil that simmers beneath the surface, the city bustles with life and activity.

Most of the city's inhabitants rarely venture beyond the walls of the Cult of the Ghastly Rose's cathedral, where they seek refuge from the chaos of the outside world. But for those brave enough to venture out, the city's black brick streets and stained glass buildings offer a unique beauty. Flowers of every kind adorn every corner, their colorful blooms a stark contrast to the city's dark exterior. The scent of sacred plants fills the air, a reminder of the power that Anastasia wields over both the living and the dead.

Despite the beauty of the Black Garden, a sense of unease permeates the city. Whispers of the Necromancer's dark magic and hushed whispers of her plans echo through the streets. The Black Garden may be beautiful, but it is a city on the brink of destruction, ruled by a goddess who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Arcadia

Flourishing between the Acheron and Ekuto rivers lies Arcadia, a small town specializing in the lore of herbs and botanical magic. This idyllic town is known for its abundance of greenery and colorful gardens, where skilled botanists and herbalists grow and cultivate rare plants for their potent properties. The town is often shrouded in a misty veil, giving it a mystical and enchanting atmosphere that draws visitors from far and wide.

Despite its small size, Arcadia is a bustling hub of magical activity, where alchemists and apothecaries create potent potions and remedies for a variety of ailments. The locals are fiercely protective of their town's secrets and traditions, making it a difficult place to penetrate for outsiders.

Glaize

Nestled deep in the heart of the Iteruna Mountain Ranges lies Glaize, a small town that specializes in the art of crafting idols imbued with powerful magic. The locals here are expert hunters and miners, skilled at extracting valuable materials such as iron, copper, quartz, marble, and gold from the treacherous terrain, as well as hunting down the local animals for bones and skins. Using these materials, they create intricate and ornate idols that can inhabit incredible magical properties.

The town is known for its hardy and resourceful people, who have learned to thrive in the harsh and unforgiving mountain environment. Glaize is a place of legends and mystery, where ancient traditions and arcane knowledge are passed down through the generations.

Mysterious Pagoda

Deep in the heart of the Blackthorn Forests lies an abandoned, eerie pagoda. Once belonging to a long-forgotten cult of the Kami-no-Tokoyo, the pagoda has since fallen into disrepair and been claimed by the forest. Its ornate, red roof tiles have faded to a dull orange, and the wooden walls have been eaten away by time and the elements.

Despite its dilapidated state, the pagoda still holds an air of mystery and power. Strange symbols and carvings adorn its walls, hinting at the dark rituals that were once performed within its walls. Whispers can be heard on the wind, as if the spirits of the cult's long-dead members still linger in the shadows. It is said that those who dare to enter the pagoda risk becoming trapped within its walls, unable to escape the remnants of the cult's various experiments.

Cathedral of the Ghastly Rose

The Cathedral of the Ghastly Rose stands tall and proud, its exterior made of jet black stones that gleam in the sun. But as you step inside, the contrast between the darkness outside and the colorful interior takes your breath away. The walls are lined with intricate stained glass art depicting scenes from the Cult's lore, and silk banners of every color adorn the ceiling, making it look like a vibrant, living tapestry.

The Cult of the Ghastly Rose has a strict hierarchy, with neophytes being at the bottom of the order, and the goddess Anastasia Blackthorne herself at the very top. The priests and priestesses come next, followed by the initiates and then the acolytes. Each tier has its own set of rights and duties, with the neophytes being responsible for the most menial tasks such as cleaning and cooking. As one rises in the ranks, they gain access to more knowledge and privileges, but also more responsibilities and tasks that are expected to be fulfilled with utmost diligence. Anastasia herself is the ultimate authority, revered by the followers, and her word is law.

Alice Beaumontt-Devereux

Alice, the Resplendent Weaver of Seven-Colored Illusions, possesses an enchanting appearance that captures the essence of her magical prowess. Her long, flowing blonde hair cascades down her back, shimmering with an iridescent quality as if touched by the very light of the heavens. Her fair complexion, accentuated by piercing blue eyes, radiates an otherworldly charm.

Alice adorns herself in a simple yet elegant blue and white dress, symbolizing her connection to both the ethereal and earthly realms. However, what truly sets her apart are the bolts and tapestries of color-changing rainbow cloth that envelop her, as if they are manifestations of the illusions she weaves. Long strands of prismatic string, intricately connected to magical needles, trail behind her, weaving an ever-shifting dance of vibrant hues in her wake.

To complement her title, Alice wears accessories befitting her role. A delicate tiara adorned with shimmering gemstones rests upon her brow, catching the light and reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. She carries a small pouch filled with enchanting dust, shimmering like stardust, which she uses to enhance her illusions. Bracelets crafted from crystalline beads encircle her wrists, resonating with the magic she commands.

Anastasia Blackthorne

Anastasia, the Necromancer of the Ghastly Rose, exudes an air of dark elegance and mystique. Her lustrous black hair frames her face, contrasting against her medium-toned skin. Intense scarlet eyes, harboring secrets and ancient knowledge, peer out from beneath her brows, captivating all who dare to meet her gaze.

Cloaked in an elaborate gown that blends the colors of night and blood, Anastasia embodies the essence of her dark arts. The gown, predominantly black, is adorned with intricate patterns of deep red roses, representing her dominion over necromantic forces. She wields a long magical staff, crafted with meticulous detail and entwined with thorny rose vines that evoke both beauty and danger. The staff serves as a conduit for her necromantic and dark spells, channeling her formidable powers.

Anastasia's accessories mirror her title, enhancing her enigmatic presence. A pendant in the shape of a black rose hangs from a silver chain around her neck, a talisman infused with the essence of her necromantic abilities. Dark, fingerless gloves accentuate her hands, the fingertips adorned with delicate silver that glimmers ominously. As she moves, a cloak of shadow seems to follow her, an ethereal reminder of her mastery over the Ghastly Rose's secrets.