The War of Existence

[Ceraas]

Eons ago, life was confined to a single Plane of Existence. All that was and would be was contained to that Plane. Naturally animosity, bitterness, hatred, and countless other negative feelings and emotions contributed to an equally countless number of wars and deaths. Then the Ancients, powerful entities and the creators of Existence, decided that enough was enough.

What is now commonly know as the Great Split was a cataclysmic event, orchestrated by the Ancients. The Great Split, as its name suggests, split Existence, and with it, all forms of life. Contending that Existence could not exist alone, the Ancients created nine Planes and seeded the remains of Existence and let it grow. Millennia would pass before any Plane took a dominant force. The top three Planes became the Light Planes, aligned to good and service [VERY Lawful Good, if I had to rip a page from D&D]. The middle three became the Grey Mist Planes, aligned only to their freedom and personal choices. The last three Planes were the Red Planes, aligned to evil, cruelty, and all forms of negativity [Chaotic VERY Evil, again if I referenced D&D].

The Ancients settled on the First Plane of Existence, which , came to be known as Sanctuary. Here, all forms of Existence are allows to visit, talk, and generally mingle in a setting devoid of any method of violence. The Ancients are benevolent and abstain from whole-sale interference. They believe fiercely in free-will, and as such, provided a haven for all those who would seek it.

The Second Plane of Existence, generally called the Citadel of Light, possessed a noble race referred to as Ish'dori, or Seraphim to the Humans. The Ish'dori are the closest natural evolution to the Ancients valuing many of their ideals and beliefs in fashion, though the Ish'dori are no strangers to war. Ish'dori are tall by Human standards, ranging anywhere from six to seven feet tall. They possess a slim frame, fair skin, a vast assortment of hair colors, and predisposition for blue eyes.

The Third Plane of Existence was home to the Kin'tharil, or the Order of Animus as the Humans called them. Their Plane became known as the Green Region, famous for the nature between the Kin'tharil and their nature. Little was wasted, and little was harmed, if it could be avoided. To a Human, Kin'tharil appear to be any number of animals, but in humanoid form. Kin'tharil possess qualities similar to their animal cousin from the Human Plane. As such, some Humans look down upon the Kin'tharil, seeing them little better than the dumb beasts they drive.

The Grey Mist Planes were the most unusual of the nine Planes. While the rest of the planes were whole and vast, the Grey Mist Planes were fractured. Large floating islands housed cities and strongholds, with long, broad stairs linking the closer ones for a better sense of wholeness. Even the farthest flung island is connected the rest in it's Plane by a chain. In the Grey Mist Planes, there are no sunrise or sunset. All the light required for navigation came from the gray mist that filled the void, some hundred meters under the islands, hence the name. Yet for the fractured nature, the Grey Mist Planes are the most inter-woven, with all three groups visiting each other's Plane with regularity.

The Fourth Plane was called the Eternal Twilight, and housed the mage-cousins of the Humans; the Tal Mek, or Magus. The Magus were physically similar and diverse as a Human, save for their innate ability to wield magick, their shorter life spans, and their lack of technology. To a Tal Mek, magick is superior to technology. And indeed, in many cases, this is so. Magus have access to many higher forms of magick that even elude Seraphim or Demons. Yet for this, Magus are frail and cannot withstand terrible pain or torture.

The Fifth Plane, Purgatory, home of the Humans. Humans represent a cultural blend of all the other races and Planes. Humans possess low power in magick, a fair knowledge of technology, and a curiosity unmatched by any other form of Existence. War is no stranger to Humans. Indeed, Humans have fought with each other almost as much as the Myrmidons have fought with anyone else.

The Sixth Plane, the Halls of Glory, is the home of the mighty warriors known as Myrmidons. Like the Magus, Myrmidons are Planar-cousins of Humans. They possess increased senses, muscle mass, aggression, and a complete barrier against magick. While many know of war, to a Myrmidon, war is a lover. Myrmidons frequently fight with themselves, if for no other reason than to beat the shit out of each other.

The Red Planes; a place few Outsiders journey to. While the other Planes have a semblance of time, in the Red Planes, time all but stops. Their light stems from glowing red orbs. Their pleasure comes with peeling flesh and drinking the Existence from others. Truly miserable, wretched creatures.

On the Seven Plane of Existence, known as the Catacombs to many, dwells the Retik'tu; the Mantises. Fierce and vastly xenophobic, the Retik'tu value nothing Humans do, and even less than that of the Seraphim or Kin'tharil. While the Kin'tharil were the equivalent of an anthropomorphic Human, the Retik'tu were insectoid and arachnoid. Few Grey Misters or Light visitors survive the encounter on Retik'tu soil.

The Eight Plane is the wretched home of the Grisk'kah; Demons. They call their Plane Hell, and truly any Human who had laid eyes upon it would agree with the name. Pools of blood and fire, twisted and corrupted forms of nature, staggering spires of rock and bone. Even the Demons themselves seemed to come from Human nightmares, and far worse. To a Demon, all other life is food, slaughter, and objects of rape and worse.

The Ninth Plane is the complete anti-form of Sanctuary. While the Ancients promoted free-will and pacifism, the beings of the UnderPlane promote anarchy, death, and ruthless violence. No one or thing has every stepped foot inside the Plane and come back. All the knowledge known of the Plane, short of it exists, stems from the Ancients.

For millennia after the Great Split, every being lived together in relative peace. Any wars that were fought stayed on one Plane of Existence. For the most part, few traveled outside their natural Plane, save for the Humans and their cousins, who frequently visited each other. In the end, Existence decided to return to what-was, if in a somewhat different form.

With the exception of the Ninth Plane, when the other Planes reached maturity, each was given two seats in the Council of Sanctuary, a body designed to mediate disputes between Planes. To prevent a dead-lock, only one Ancient sat on the Council. Many crimes and disputes were settled with little blood, but the Council was ill equipped for the approaching storm.

It started when the Demons launched a raid on a Myrmidon camp, claiming they were retaking what had been stolen from them. The Council never could confirm the goods in the Myrmidon camp were stolen. Still, the damage was done. A Magus peddler and a group of Human refugees were killed in the raid, as were several Myrmidons.

The Council was in an uproar immediately. The Myrmidons and Magus called for the deaths of the surviving Demon raiders and those behind the attack. The Demon representatives simply stated that the Royal Demon Houses had no knowledge of such an attack. The Retik'tu also support the Demon claims, and further stated that any attacks against the Demons would result in Retik'tu intervention. From there, it escalated.

With the Council in shambles, the doors of Sanctuary were closed, and access to it restricted to all others, save through an Ancient representative. The Demons and Retik'tu were preparing for war, as were the Myrmidons and Angels. The Humans, Magus, and Kin'tharil decided to remain neutral in the conflict. Unfortunately, neutrality is rarely respected.

The Great Planar War began in 3647 A.S. (After Split). Within eighteen months, the Demons and Retik'tu had reduced the Human Plane to ashes, and began to attack Myrmidon territory on two Planar fronts.

The Great Planar War is still raging. What side will you pick?

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Character Sheet

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Plane of Origin:

Physical Appearance:

Personality:

Equipment: (Weaponry and technology varies within the Planes. Weapons are mostly archaic, swords, spears, and the like. Bolt-action rifles and revolvers are not unknown, but they are uncommon, and usually only found within the possession of Myrmidons, Ish'dori, and Grish'kah. Potions of all sorts exist. One of the few found almost anywhere are the Planar Protection potions. Moving above the natural Planar order is hazardous. A Seraphim can move into the Grey Mist Planes with no trouble, but a Human or Myrmidon entering one of the Light Planes would be scorched to ashes within five minutes. Likewise, any Demon moving into a Light or Grey Mist Plane would be incinerated.)

Bio:

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A few extra tidbits of info. For a lack of a better descriptive, Ish'dori, Kin'tharil, Tal Mek, Humans, and Myrmidons are considerd "good". Likewise, Retik'tu and Grish'kah are "evil".

Unless you PM with a very good reason, I will not be accepting Ancients or UnderBeings. Perhaps at a later date, I might ask someone to introduce one, but at the start, no Ancients or UnderBeings.

Other than the restrictions I've put in, you have complete artistic liberty and freedom. While Magus have very powerful magic, they are not the sole users. The only races completely devoid of using magic arts would be the Myrmidons and Retik'tu.

Any questions, just PM me.

[Avankiri]

Name: Amaranthius, Avankiri

Age: Appears to be 21

Gender: Male

Plane of Origin: Supposedly the Citadel of Light

Physical Appearance: Hair the color of gold, eyes blue and deep as an ocean. True to his peaceful but defensively agressive nature, he wears a white kimono and black hakama, symbolizing that all people have a good and dark side, and life is about keeping those sides in balance. His left cheek has an X-shaped scar across it.

Personality: Gentle and good natured by heart and habit, Avankiri, or Avan as he prefers to be called, is a normally silent person. Sweet and tender to women, a bit tougher on men, and ever graceful to strangers, Avan is quite the charmer according to many people. Usually labeled as a loner.

Equipment: A single, double-edged oversized katana of unknown origin.

Bio: Here is the truth as he gives it. "I was born in the Citadel and pronounced to be an Oracle. Oracles are given special treatment, and I was no different. After all, it is said that Oracles are prophets whose fortunes are 100% accurate, if a little vague. It is also said that Oracles are to be the vessels of the Ancients when they stop the war between Light and Dark. I never believed that part, but I do give 100% accurate fortunes...Anyway, though, I was about 25 when I decided to learn the teachings of the sword. I've been training myself for 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 to 366 days a year, for every year since then. That gives me a full 8 hours of rest to devote myself to recovering for the next day. Sure, I am still weary from time to time, but I don't care...To protect them, I will sacrifice my life if need be, and join the mighty ancients who conceived of us, their children."

[AutumnAvarice]

Name:Ameena
Age:9
Gender:Female
Plane of Origin:Ninth Plane

Physical Appearance: Appears to be an innocent little girl. She uses her cunning mind to lure her target adn when they least expect it, she stabs them in the back...literally.

Personality: Vicious and ruthless. Ameena cannot wait to kill off her enemies.

Equipment: Twin Daggers

Bio: Just like the Plane itself, not much is known about Ameena. What is known however, is that her conscience was beaten out of her and after she killed her first target she felt like she needed to kill more. It was...addicting.

[Avankiri]

((Omg, that's so cute! *sees that Ameena kills people* 80!?*faints*))

[Poparteeb]

Name: Loki

Age: 14

Gender: Male

Plane of Origin: The Fourth Plane (Eternal Twilight)

Appearance: Slender and elf like, much like one would imagine Chopin or others similar. Has a chronic cough similar to tuberculosis, one that cannot be cured. Due to this he has long white hair done up in a ponytail. Green flecked with gold eyes much like a hawk, his persona, or spiritual entity that protects him is somewhat like a giant humanoid eagle in full armor. Due to his fraility, he wears a mithril coat of fine mail with a traditional kimono.

Personality: Quiet, softspoken. Rarely speaks and is never fooled. Doesn't behold himself to anyone, except he has the weakness like all guys to beautiful women.

Equipment: He can use any weapon with a skill unparalleled, however, due to his physical fraility, he cannot do any kind of physical combat for any period of time. Thus he relies on his mage staff. However, he carries a longbow with no arrow sheath, due to his ability to summon elemental arrows which he uses a last resort. Brilliant at magic, he is the youngest professor of the most prestigious academy in his plane.

Bio: Unknown.

[Avankiri]

Whistling the Crei'ki Kobin Hi'ner, a galdr that very few Seraphim know, Avan sat back and watched as many young doves flew into their trees to feed their young. Softly, he sat back on his silk pillow and sighed, laying his head against the wall as his young attendant rubbed a special healing balm over his right shoulder. "That feels wonderful, Kris." Kris, of course, was short for Kris'mok Tenigen'sumai, a name that, in the language of the Seraphim, meant "Beautiful, but Brutish, Maiden", a name that Kris only filled when it came to the beautiful maiden part. She was so gentle, that even the giant snakes that filled the forests to the west of the Inner Sanctum of the Citadel would refuse to harm her or anyone who traveled with her.

Kris giggled and smiled. "You're welcome, Avan...Oh, that reminds me, Ren'mu Ramuh requested that you assist him tomorrow when he goes to the Plum Fields to pick the ripened fruit for the ceremony in a few days."

"I'll make sure to do that, then." He smiled and closed his eyes as a bird rested on his small table, pecking curiously but gently at the Chess pieces on the board.

[Ceraas]

The noise of drinking and laughter filtered throughout the large guild hall that served as a Myrmidon headquarters. It carried with it the sound of music and the smell of blood. The building sat on a huge island, with a large meadow, forestry, and a small lake surrounding it. A score of Myrmidons patrolled the grounds, four by the bridge leading to the island, four in the forest, and two performing random patrol routes.

"Helyus." The Myrmidon looked up from behind his desk as a woman opened the door a stepped in. She stood in front of the desk with her hands folded in front of her, violet eyes staring at the leader of the group.

"What's on your mind, Zena?" Helyus looked up from the bundle of papers he was filling out.

"Warlord Achyth has propsed we attack a Demon camp in Purgatory." Zena spoke with a touch of scorn. In her opinion, the man had been promoted too soon, and it only inflated his ego more.

"You know as well as I do, Zena, that if Achyth presents me with the proper plans and follows everything accordingly, then I will consider it." The scowl on the female Myrmidon could have frozen the small lake. "Why do you not like him?"

"Because he is arrogant, self-centered, and YOU PROMOTED HIM BEFORE ME!" Zena finished screaming. Xerise sat there for a moment in contemplating silence.

"So you think you're ready?" Helyus looked at her with a level look for a Myrmidon, one that would be a look of sheer fury and hatred on any other being.

Zena faltered for a moment before standing tall, even if she was still half a foot shorter than the man. "Yes sir."

"Good. Gather up a squad of twenty Grunts, four Gladiators, and you can come with me on our annual assault run." Helyus turned over to a heavy Darkwood cabinet, unlocked it, and opened it to reveal four long-barreled rifles, four revolvers, and all manners of melee weaponry.

Helyus selected a rifle, a revolver, a stout short sword, a runic leaf blade, and a zwiehander. Looking over at Zena, Helyus frowned. "Go already. We'll be running through Purgatory. You know how to prepare for an assault run. Twenty-seven hour none-stop run, full assault gear and pack."

Zena nodded and hurried out to gather her men. Helyus grinned to himself. Two birds, with one stone.

---

^-- Leaf Blade

[Avankiri]

Avan sat up abruptly, startling his attendant. She blinked. "Master? Is something wrong?"

Avan never heard her, he was swept away instantly into his mind, Tsuriga calling out to him. With swiftness, he took the beautiful gold with ruby encrusted and runic symbol carved hilt in hand. He stood. "Kris, wait here. I have...business to attend to, with the others of the Citadel." He jumped and was gone, rushing out the door of his large villa, the largest and most conspicuous of the Seraphim homes. With haste, he rushed to the Council of 3 and knelt before a small altar. "Oh, powerful and wise elders, I beseech you. Harken now and I shall speak of that which is a vision I have had mere moments ago."

The three elders were all women, and they all looked the same age as Avan, 21 years old. Due to their ability to stop aging and sense the direction of negative energy in the lower worlds, Oracles and Elders were highly needed in times of disturbance. It was peaceful men like Avan and loving women like the three Elders who could control the negative energy and stop it from affecting their minds and driving them to commit horrible crimes.

The three elders looked down at Avan with what one could call the glance a mother gave her child when he clung to her leg and told her "I wof you, Mommy!". Indeed, these were the mothers of the oracles, who were born once every 400 years. One mother gave birth to the spirit, another to the body, and the third to the voice and mind.

The first of the elders, Sol'Racht, had purple hair, black eyes, and a smile on her face as usual. She was the Elder of Love. "I have foreseen this vision as well, my child. Doth thou wish to traverse the lower Planes and accencuate your power by helping decide who is good and who is evil in this minor skirmish?"

The second elder, Anu'Racht, had pink hair and green eyes. She was the Elder of Nature. "Sweet Avan. You, who would protect the Humans from anything, wish to protect other races, as well?"

The third and youngest elder, Ren'Racht, had blue hair and red eyes. She was the Elder of Peace. Her gaze fell on Avan. "Let us see his true intentions before we make guesses, sisters."

Avan bowed his head. "Glorious Ones, I do wish to go to them...To protect the lower worlds just as I, the Oracle, was born to do...But I do not know how I should go about doing so..."

"Hide your wings, sweet one..." Said Sol'Racht.

"...protect the people of the Lower Planes, dearest one..." Whispered Anu'Racht.

"...and give us your word you will come home when this war is finally over, beloved one..." Muttered Ren'Racht.

Avan bowed once more, and was gone, walking to a hole in the ground. "Wish me luck." He whispered to himself, then he jumped through the hole and awaited his hitting the ground.

[Poparteeb]

Loki surveyed his class serenely.

"And that...is why one must never lose concentration while doing magic."

In front of the large summoning altar, where he was teaching advanced summoning, Paige, one of his many students had attempted to summon a griffin. Instead, a large blob like slime mold had appeared.

"Now class, clean up after yourself and make sure you read the chapters 1-19 tonight, thats 300 pages but if you listened to what I've said, you'll be able to finish it in 1/2 an hour. Class dismissed!"

Loki stayed to put up his papers. It amused him that every single student was older than he was, however, it was impossible to be disrespected in the fourth plane.

"Loki-sama, his apprentice, the archmage Lavinthus, a beautfiful fey human remarkably resembling the most striking elf, "there has been further reports of discontent and assault in the lower planes. Should I request for the sending of more of your wireless golems?"

"No, Lavinthus" He looked at her appraisingly, "I will go myself. You sub for me."

[Avankiri]

He'd dropped a little further thn he'd expected, Avan had. Luckily, he'd landed in a forest. Avan hid his wings, then walked into a small town, looking around. The native people here appeared friendly, dressed in business suits and such. One appeared to be leaving his classroom. A university professor, perhaps? Avan decided not to investigate the matter.

As he walked, he entered the downtown area, the poorest place in town. A little girl walked up to him. "A peash uh bwed, pweash?" She looked up at him. She looked horribly starved and dehydrated. This must be close to the human plane, he supposed.

Avan knelt and smiled at the girl, pulling off his kimono and handing it to the little girl. Inside one of the inner pockets was a piece of bread, just as the girl had asked. "Someday, you will grow up to be a beautiful young girl, and everyone will love you."
{kimono: a shirt like top, usually worn by feudal era Japanese, Samurai, martial artists, or just people who like comfort mixed with fashion}

The girl blinked and her eyes widened. "Weally?"

"Really." He smiled lightly, pat her head and knelt further, kissing the top of her head softly. He'd left his mark, and he knew it, as he left that girl with her bread. He continued walking, shirtless now, proving his worth by giving people his food until he had none for himself, just to see their smiles.

[Poparteeb]

(Eh, the mages wear like cloaks and stuff, since its not the human plane, rather the eternal plane, so maybe some business suits, but whatever )

Loki spied a glow that his consciousness detected. And knew. An Ish'dori was here.

"Remarkable, said Loki, "what speed."

With that, he summoned his eagle and followed the Ish'dori.

[Avankiri]

((I just figured that the closer you get to a certain plane, the more the planes close to it look like it, people included.))

Avan yawned and sat down on a bench next to a bum whom he had just given two apples. He picked up a small cat who'd wandered near and smiled. "Well, hello there, Neko-san." He stroked the cat's head softly, humming as the cat purred.

When he looked up, his senses noticed someone behind him. Instantly, he was up, holding the cat with one hand and his sword drawn, the blade glowing a soft white. "Who is there and what is your intention? Give the right answer and I shall spare thy life."

[Poparteeb]

"Sure, sure, don't be hasty. Ohayo Avan. I've heard and observed Ish'dori being fast, but not as fast as you yet."

Crossing the street, he took hold of the Ish'dori's arm and said, "You are in more danger than you know. I have a feeling the lowest planes have infiltrated the plane of eternal, and are on the lookout for Ish'dori. Go where you must, but I will come also."