[Discussion] City Profile - Jaedaxia

[Wynd]

Having read your gallows description in Midpoint, I feel very confident that your write up for Jaedaxia's execution place will be gruesomely delightful =)

[Wynd]

Everyone should go check out Jaedaxia's new City Profile

We can continue to use this as a co-ordination and discussion thread, but that's the city profile.

[Alexis Sapientia]

Hey, Wynd, as an aside...wasn't there a description of the Chateau Richelieu de Mer in the years back? Wouldn't you agree that it would be the best digs in town, and thereby have Craelius have his official residence there?

Also, I did a search for Gladria, and you were right, he's dead. I also came across some interesting stuff here dealing with the occupation...I'll see if I can come up with a codex of existing rules that should be in effect, as well as a listing of npcs.

Who is Count Vladimir de Bourbauge, Madam Collene?

http://www.alleria.com/forums/showth...248#post836248

Amala had requested that all the flags be kept in safety for her own later use. What better way to remove someone from a position of influence and incriminate them then to have a rogue flag ‘found’ in their adobe…

Interesting...the way I see it this Amala is striking out to be the De Gaulle of the lot. Tell me, what roles would the Duchess Kenasoya de Lyon and Amala have to play?

More interesting discussion re the naval part:

http://www.alleria.com/forums/showth...threadid=42038
http://www.alleria.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42075

This is also interesting:

"The Second Imperial Legion is camping here for the night, under the command of Lt. Gen. Arokan Craelius... not the brightest of men that I have met, but he means what he says, and that's saying more than most for the top brass," continued the gnome, "and they have all of the heavy siege equipment that you can feast your eyes upon. Our orders are simple. The Second Imperial Fleet takes its orders from light-signals being sent from the camp south of Jaedaxia. If Jaedaxia surrenders, and complies, we are to tighten the blockade around its Eastern Port, while the Prelatine navy from Trilia tightens the Western Port. The Imperial Legions will occupy the city and begin the detoxification process under an Imperial Protectorate. However, should Jaedaxia resist, our orders are to intercept any outgoing vessels - civilian or military - and destroy them, as well as all hands on board. Civilians have been ordered to depart the city by the South and surrender to the Imperial Legions, where they can be processed and interrogated, so those trying to flee by sea will likely be traitors or rebel leaders. And with the number of ships that you have brought, I think we'll be well equipped to intercept just about anything that tries to get past us."

The Grencheks went back to Port Const...so the Archadoon Admiral, Gubur Ironside, a dwarf (who commands the Fifth Archadoon Imperial Fleet), is the one in overall charge atm, even over the Imperial Second Fleet from Port Const.

I also noticed that 3 peeps replied to the apps for Council members. Wanna see if they're still interested?

[Mekare Taryn]

.....

You make it very tempting to start a business venture in Jaedaxia now, Jason. Unfortunately, I think I might pass on it even though I'd love to do it... don't want to be accused of using my *personal* relationship with you to an unfair advantage.

Still, looks like everything is well in hand. I've never been good with military stuffs, so I'm glad to see you fellas are taking it over. In the meantime, I'm curious... with the occupation, how is traffic into the city handled? Same as always (but with the Legion taking the place of Le Protectorat), or are people being scrutinized more heavily?

[Rukahn]

Well now that Alleria is back (hooray!) I can post my write-ups. We have here the Second Legion Headquarters and the guillotine.

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Château Rosé

When the Second Imperial Legion defeated and subsequently occupied Jaedaxia, they were forced to find a location that would act as headquarters and that had room to house the multitudinous soldiers. After quickly surveying the city’s possibilities, including all of the castles, Lieutenant General Craelius found a suitable fortress in the Libertas Arrondissement: Château Rosé, aptly named for its beautiful circular stained glass window that adorned the front of the keep.

Since the castle was located on flat land, the builders compensated with ample stonework for defense. It was a concentric design, one square wall contained entirely within another. A wide and deep ditch surrounded the outer curtain, a waterless moat, and access to the first gate was granted through a drawbridge. The thick gatehouse was pierced by an arching portcullis, flanked on either side by fat, round towers. As one passed through, the eye was drawn immediately upwards to the massive window of the keep, decorated with a warm rose flower. The inside must have been breathtaking, with a soft glow that filled its room like an ethereal fog. That lucky room was none other than the great hall.

The keep itself was built as part of the inner wall, and all the other windows were thin and meager, slits like the pupil of a cat, for purposes of defense. To get further inside meant a trip around the inner wall, for the next gate stood on the opposite side of the keep—if an intruding force managed its way through the first gate, then it would be forced to travel a distance between both walls as arrows rained down from each side. The walls of the inner curtain were taller than those of the outer, to protect it; both were spotted with round towers. The second gate closely resembled the first, and behind it stood the last, most secure defense—the keep, a massive and thick construction turreted at each corner, with a single entrance reached by a stone ramp running along the side of the wall. Around it, scattered below, were hastily constructed wooden buildings, found between the walls as well—barracks to house the soldiers, stables for the horses, armories for the weapons. The only other stone building was connected to the keep, cropping off the side of it; it was a chapel for the collective gods of Aetheria.

No troops walked the walls. With nearly as many soldiers as civilians in the city, it was quite unnecessary. Moreover, guarding the castle with soldiers would only cast the occupying force with an air of defense, separating it from the city itself. Craelius was wise enough to try and integrate his forces within the city as much as possible, spreading his influence throughout and discouraging further rebellion. With this same strategy in mind, the single gateway into Château Rosé, the first one on the outer wall, always remained open, though soldiers did guard it and stand upon its towers.

In actuality, a large portion of Imperial soldiers—not the entire collective military—took residence in the castle, though this number alone counted thousands; many of the Legion’s constituents appropriated homes near Château Rosé, yet outside of it. Families were ejected and left with only two options: either find housing elsewhere, within or without the city, or make use of the camp north of Jaedaxia, kept specifically for that purpose. Where previously prisoners of the rebellion were held, homeless families and city natives found needed shelter, thanks to the seizure of Château Valerian as permanent prison.

This castle’s history was a dynamic one: the property changed hands many times, while also changing appearances. Its construction began some time ago with the noble Rosé family, which had changed its name to suit the flower in an act that many would consider more than slightly pretentious. At first there was only the keep, with the signature stained glass, costing nearly as much as all the original stone work. At that time, the only other protection was a wooden palisade circling around; after such a costly endeavor, once the keep was completed, timber was all that the family could afford. During the Jaedaxian civil wars, the turbulence of the times proved too much for the Rosé small family as they were easily defeated, existing afterwards only in the title of their namesake. Since that time, nobility and wealthy alike bought or conquered the castle, adding their own touches as it gradually became a true fortress. And throughout all that time, from the defeat of the original house of nobility to the entrance of the Second Imperial Legion, despite the official names given by any of the many owners, outlasting times of war and peace alike, the château had always been called the same by the local citizens, always considered by that beautiful, red flower.

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I took some liberty with the history on this one. If I need to change that, or anything else for that matter, then I have no problem.

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The Guillotine

In the Quadratique du Ville, or Town Square, in the Arrondissement Résidence, the bane of the Jaedaxian insurgency rested like a cancer, a hellish contraption of wood, rope, and metal. When a traitor was marked for execution, he would be transported from Château Valerian, the castle-made-prison, hands bound, contained in a caged cart pulled by an aging ox. As his—or her, for that matter—last vehicle shambled slowly down the roads, guards flanked him on either side bearing the uniforms of the Second Imperial Legion, some on horses, most on their feet. The doomed prisoner could see the onlookers gazing back at him with curiosity or pity or contempt or sympathy. His family or his loved ones might tag along, crying incoherently and restrained by the guards, or following grimly in silent mourning.

Most of the crowd waited around the square itself. A small tower stood higher than their heads as they gave it a wide berth. At the top was framed a blade, stained red; fresh blood dripped off and old blood could never be removed. Below was a hard bench, a deathbed of sorts that ended at a board with a curve to hold the neck. Immediately after this laid a bucket, large enough to hold a head, stained even deeper than the blade or wood of the lethal contraption, saturated through-and-through with the blood of its luggage. The paved stones beneath it were no different, of course, adorned with a permanent shade of crimson. And the layer of snow was red, too, like a colorful carpet. Beside the guillotine, its operator would stand as the prison cart approached, and do his work when required. The man’s face was dark and lined, expressionless, and he wore a thick apron much like that of a butcher or a smith. He lived nearby and he did not have many friends.

When the prisoner was brought to his fate, he might struggle or he might comply. In case of resistance, the guards would use force. Another block of wood was locked over his neck, preventing escape, whether or not he caused any trouble—one never knew what could happen. Man or woman, regardless of race or status, all were treated the same because they all truly were the same in death. Jalat did not make distinctions.

Some said that the freshly severed heads, in the first few moments after execution, were still alive. Some claimed to see the eyes or the mouth move, or to hear it speak. In any case, the guillotine had indisputably become a familiar feature in Jaedaxia, an example for all eyes to see and to learn from.

This was the fate of traitors to the Empire.

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I chose the Town Square as the location for convenience really; it's already there. Also, it seems like a popular spot, so a lot of people get to see the executions. The more the merrier. *likes this new smilie*

This means that the Town Square might have to change a bit if you plan to keep it as an open location. I checked the old description to make sure it would fit. Of course, if you accept the location of the guillotine as is, and if you plan to post the town square location for use, the guillotine would have to mentioned in it, and I somehow doubt that the people would be as happy as before.

[Wynd]

Aastr

That's sexy. =D Thanks so much for the two write ups, I'll post them right away. I've got no problems with anything. I especially like that you've added history into the Chateau Rosé location, it's been my intention to throw in history into every/most write ups, so that's awesome. Like you read my mind.

Mekare

Still, looks like everything is well in hand. I've never been good with military stuffs, so I'm glad to see you fellas are taking it over. In the meantime, I'm curious... with the occupation, how is traffic into the city handled? Same as always (but with the Legion taking the place of Le Protectorat), or are people being scrutinized more heavily?

The traffic into the city would be heavily scrutinized. The Legion has got 50 000 soldiers, they can afford to dedicate a few hundred (or thousand) just to scrutinizing incoming and outgoing traffic.

As for the businesses, I'm hoping to get at least one player to come start a business in Jaedaxia. Plenty of incentives. Cheapest labour in the Empire AND subsidies, meaning guaranteed money.

Alexis

Yes, the Palais du Richelieu de Mer (only three castles, the Richelieu de Mer residence has to be a palace!), would be the best residence in town, but as dealt with in the Ice Gardens location, they have an alternative use. I did contemplate having Craelius take it, but I want to keep the Imperial Army administration and locations all in the Libertas arrondissement. I'm thinking Craelius would either take a suit in Chateau Rose (now we have it) or another manor in Libertas.

Who is Madam Collene? No idea, an NPC Amala made up. Who is Vladimir de Bourbauge? Ah, while Alleria was down, I did write ups for the Richelieu de Mer and the County de Bourbauge family. They're currently saved on a computer I can't get to until Monday or Tuesday or so, so you'll have to wait until then. In the mean times, be satisifed knowing Vladimir de Bourbauge is the count of a fiefdom in the Trident Isle, with many investments in Jaedaxia. He is, quite possibly, at present, the wealthiest man in Jaedaxia, as the de Bourbauge family managed to avoid the economic devastation that befell most of the city. He also commissioned the Quest of the Serewood.

Regarding the navy, I need to work out with GM Morrigan what remains of Archadoon's presence in Jaedaxia. Actually, in speaking with another player, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in heading the creation of an outpost of the Imperial Navy in Jaedaxia, supported by the Legion? I'm not going to take any action myself, but if a PC were to develop it, I'd be all for it.

Finally, with the Council Members, I've revamped the council a bit (just new names, slightly different duties). Jacques is the only PC who applied that's still around. Theying is gone, and Andropov is retired, though the player is still, say, at large. I'm going to continue with the council, though. Perhaps Alexis would be interested in applying?

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Lt. General Arokan Craelius - Information from Juan:

- Educated at the Narim Castellum, part of arresting the Caperio crime family in Narim.

- Ambiguous place of origin, probably Sherian, possibly Enamoria or Prime, but definitely "Sherian-educated"

- Began career under Alyssa Chrysinaria as Captain

- Became an Adjutant for his valour at the Battle of Castellum Keep, which was destroyed by Xet-backed brigands

- Known as very contemplative, and socially awkward

- earned a commission as Major after serving with Maj. Gen. Bonratty in the Midlands, joined most soldiers in desertion

- Became Lt. General on special assignment from Maj. Gen. Konn

- His assignment, before desertion, Metropolitan Occupation Tactics, which was got him the assignment of occupying Jaedaxia from Valerian

- Archnemesis (in the sense that they are socially opposite and don't care for each other, not directly competing) is Lt. Gen. Dervan, a half-elf that has been serving since the Second Empire (Dervan, I'm told, is quite the lady's man)

- No political objective

- Cold, calculating, socially awkward, takes orders rather literally (When Valerian said to "undo Jaedaxia" he took it to mean mass annihilation of the population if they resisted)

- Reluctant to turn local control over to civilian government

- Weird sort of romantic, once had a crush on Lt. Commander Rak'kel, who at the time was dating Captain Boreal of the AFS Glorious

- Ambitionless

[Rukahn]

Yeah, forgot to mention that I have special powers.

Actually, I just checked out Chateau Valerian, which had a history, so I figured I'd do the same. So while I don't have special powers, I'm extremely intelligent and intuitive, almost unnaturally so.

Oh, I read that Borthanas temple of yours. Love the imagery.

Hmm, business opportunity . . . As a matter of fact, I've been wanting to have Aastr kind of stumble into the hunting business. Things were slow in and around Midpoint, but perhaps I may realize the dream in Jaedaxia?

[Wynd]

Thanks about the Church of Borthanas. I was going for a Lovecraftian feel - don't know if I got it or not, but Lovecraftian feel or no, I still thought it came out well.

As for the hunting business, we do export furs. So there's a source of furs somewhere (sea otters and beavers, I'm thinking, possibly some other furred creatures in some woods on the peninsula or the Trident). Since Jaedaxia's export industry has been slashed to bits, there's plenty of opportunities, and really cheap labour, which means tons of profits if you're selling the furs in places with stable economies.

[Wynd]

Update on the Archadoon navy:

From Crazy Scotsman:

The 5th Imperial Fleet is still there with Admiral Gubur Ironside with 100 ships from the fleet.

There you have it, folks, 100 ships from the 5th Imperial Fleet, under Gubur Ironside, is still occupying Jaedaxia's harbours. Man, Gubur Ironside. What a name. Must've had one hell of a time going through school with a name like Gubur. Oh the names!

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Also, Alexis, I believe there were a few parts to your last post I forgot to address.

Regarding Duchess Kenasoya de Lyon and Amala Dore, both were PCs, and both have disappeared (I don't expect Kenasoya de Lyon coming back at all, Amala's player MIGHT come back, but I'd be surprised if he did so as Amala). Anyway, because they're both PCs, I'm going to let them lie, you know, just in case, despite my expectations, they do return. Kenasoya de Lyon, the lover (and I believe recent wife) of King Andrei, (that would make her QUeen Kenasoya de Lyon, non?) was in New Coldmoon at the time all this happened.

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Oh, and another thing about Craelius, he's the best guy in the Imperial Army for taking down urban insurgencies. Couldn't have picked anyone better.

[Wynd]

Correction! The 5th Imperial Navy is being withdrawn back to Archadoon, which means any PC that's interested in establishing another Imperial Navy in Jaedaxia to fill the gap left by the Defiance Fleet is more than welcome.

Also! Today, while packing fish for 9 hours (that's my job, I pack fish), I'd been thinking about Jaedaxia's Arcana Academy. Initially I wasn't too big on the idea. I mean, EVERY city's got an Arcana Academy, just about, and I wasn't too keen on Jaedaxia getting one as well. However, it's been in Jaedaxia longer than I have, so rather than remove it, I commenced a policy of "pretend it's not there until there's a PC who wants Arcana training in Jaedaxia." I wasn't actively promoting it to attract PCs, but it was still available. I was more than happy when former Prefect Roland Moonstar issued the Writ of Malfeasance, and had the Academy "vanish." For those unfamiliar, the Jaedaxian Universitas of Arcane Science has no physical location that can be found (it's hidden, possibly inside the city but disguised and maybe enchanted, or outside the city, maybe masquerading as an abandoned castle). The only entrance was a magical portal in the Socrates de Ambergois University, but with the Writ of Malfeasance that accused the academy of plotting to establish a Rakrya-like government in Jaedaxia, the portal was removed and they vanished.

However, I've decided that these days, I would prefer to add than to subtract. I'm going to end my policy of "ignoring" the Academy, and instead develop it. Give it a write up, even! (Insane, no?) And I will use it to attract PCs.

***HOWEVER*** (and this is important), the Arcana Academy will NOT be used primarily for training. I'm not going to try to attract PCs by offering training at the Arcana Academy. No, it will remain secretive and underground, PCs will still have to expend effort just to find it. In fact, I'm toying with the idea of only letting PCs that already have completed Initiate enter the Academy, unless the PC is native or committed to Jaedaxia.

I want training to be secondary, perhaps tertiary to the Academy. I want the FOCUS to be on Researching Arcana, an Immersive Environment (making it so it's like it's own domain. Players involved in it would be immersed in an entire and complete setting, like it's own city), Politics, and Plots.

Let's make an acronym out of that, shall we? RAIEPP. Wow, I really wasn't expecting that. I swear that was not at all intentional. Maybe we shouldn't have an acronym. At the behest of someone in chat, I'm rehashing the acronym as AFHONTES. Don't ask me why. Ask Lanning, he, apparently, came up with the acronym. I don't know what it stands for.

Ok, let's remember, Researching Arcana, Immerisve Environment, Politics, Plots.

The Arcana Academy (consisting of about 80-100 mages, broken down like this:

40 Initiates
30 Apprentices
20 Journeyman
5-10 Masters - Not sure, give me a few minutes, I need to go check the new limitations on Master mages, if there are any. My memory is foggy about this)

What does all this mean?

1. Researching Arcana

Rather than training, I want to bring mage PCs in to research Arcana. This will primarily be in the form of spell crafting, meaning it'll focus on Journeyman and up. Jaedaxia becoming an attractive place for Journeyman to come make their Masterpiece would be fun. But also developing... anything else any crazed mage PC can come up with. I really like the idea of Jaedaxia doing a lot of research, thus the Soc U Research Institute, why not implement this in Arcana, too?

2. Immersive Environment

The Arcana Academy would be it's own little world. It already is rather isolated from the rest of Jaedaxia, except Jaedaxia Beneath. Basically, a player that involved with the Academy would not go in, do their stuff, and leave. They'd have to become part of it, committed to it, immersed in it, the same way a PC gets involved in a city.

3. Politics

So, good old Roland Moonstar kind of gave me the inspiration for the Academy's political aspirations. He made the Writ of Malfeasance, saying they were plotting to establish a Rakrya-like government in Jaedaxia. Well, they weren't, but in the chaos and bedlam that is Jaedaxia, why not now? Ok, yes, the Legion's not going to let anyone set up any government in Jaedaxia if it's not them, but the mages can still carve their influence into Jaedaxia. Their expansion and imperialism over Jaedaxia Beneath has given them a taste of power, and Jaedaxia Beneath only has a little to offer.

4. Plots

The Academy is involved in a lot of plots that have only been partially revealed in roleplaying in Jaedaxia. I want to use it more often. It's involved with Jaedaxia Beneath, and in a feud with the vampires. It's a hotbed of activity. PCs who get involved with the Academy are going to get involved with all of this activity. This ties in with the Immersive Environment.

[Honets]

Wynd -
Since you mentioned it above, I have to ask. Are you planning on reviving and continuing the Serewood Quest, or at least bringing it to some sort of IC conclusion? I'd love to go on with it, but I think Kour and I are the only active PC's still alive and involved.

[Rukahn]

Lovely ideas on the Arcana Academy you have, Wynd. Simple, yet original. Elite, yet accessible. Isolated, yet immersive.

Okay, you mentioned checkpoints, and Mekare inquired about srutinizing traffic in Jaedaxia. I'd be willing to develop this thing or these things. Which leads into my question: Do you need multiple write-ups for those multiple checkpoints? I like the idea of gates for each subforum--checkpoints, where one must post first. But there are only two subforums, and if I remember correctly, you mentioned more than one district. There's nine, right? I may be wrong, but I'm just curious about how that would be organized.

Secondly, you also wanted a write-up for the displaced persons camp. I wouldn't mind taking that one on either, mainly because I can describe how much crap the civilians have to endure. Hooray deprivation! My initial image of that camp was along the lines a refugee camp. No?

[Wynd]

Originally Posted by Honets

Wynd -
Since you mentioned it above, I have to ask. Are you planning on reviving and continuing the Serewood Quest, or at least bringing it to some sort of IC conclusion? I'd love to go on with it, but I think Kour and I are the only active PC's still alive and involved.

If the two of you are still interested in either continuing or concluding it, I would be delighted. I'd have to take a while to read through what all the other mods who've had it have done, but if the two of you want, I'd be more than glad to continue/finish it.

Originally Posted by Aastr Kar'Qhen

Lovely ideas on the Arcana Academy you have, Wynd. Simple, yet original. Elite, yet accessible. Isolated, yet immersive.

Okay, you mentioned checkpoints, and Mekare inquired about srutinizing traffic in Jaedaxia. I'd be willing to develop this thing or these things. Which leads into my question: Do you need multiple write-ups for those multiple checkpoints? I like the idea of gates for each subforum--checkpoints, where one must post first. But there are only two subforums, and if I remember correctly, you mentioned more than one district. There's nine, right? I may be wrong, but I'm just curious about how that would be organized.

Secondly, you also wanted a write-up for the displaced persons camp. I wouldn't mind taking that one on either, mainly because I can describe how much crap the civilians have to endure. Hooray deprivation! My initial image of that camp was along the lines a refugee camp. No?

No, I don't need multiple write ups for those multiple checkpoints, just one write would suffice. Now, you could do it in one of two ways (that I see), either generally describing them and saying where they are, or detailing each one but all in the same post. Feel free to organize it however you like, be it by arrondissement (district) or by subforum, or by major thoroughfare, or any way you like.

Now, I don't necessarily like the idea of forcing PCs to post at these checkpoints before using that subforum or arrondissement. In fact, if I were a PC and had to do it, I'd be quite pissed off and not come to Jaedaxia (; I abhor gate threads, making gate threads just for moving about in a city would be terrible. I think it would suffice just to have it for PCs that either a) want some fun or b) PCs are doing something illegal, in which case they'd be obliged to go through the checkpoint.

As for the displaced persons camp, I'd been planning on doing it, but as I've not come up with any inspiration for it, feel free to take it on! Yes, it would be exactly like a refugee camp. Just some things to keep in mind:

1. It was formerly used to hold the political prisoners

2. I was thinking, perhaps it could also have been used for the Tirisfalian refugees when they were in Jaedaxia? Allow me to explain: after the Church of the Faith sacked Tirisfal, (apparently) 20 000 Tirisfalians came to Jaedaxia as refugees. It makes sense for me if many of them were housed in a refugee camp north of the city, now being used to house Jaedaxians since the Tirisfalians returned to Tirisfal.

[Wynd]

The following is an index of NPCs who have been or should and will be recurring in various plots and threads in Jaedaxia. Where there are blanks is information that I prefer to reveal through those threads, and will add them here once it has been revealed.

Recurring NPCs in Jaedaxia

Constable Jack
Role: Constable of the Protectorate of Peace.
Origins: A Medonian human.
Age: ~22

Brief history: Born in the northern part of Prime province, in the hinterlands of Abestat, Jack’s family migrated to Jaedaxia when he was still young because his father was an aspiring poet attracted by the inspiration of Jaedaxia’s beautiful landscape and by the artistic culture. Jack became attached to the city and found a job as a watchman with the Protectorate.

Personality: Polite and cordial, very friendly, very lawful.

Relationships: Jack is well liked in the Protectorate and by many of the people on his beat, due to his mannerism and courtesy. Him and his partner, Corporal Ajheed, are eternally bickering over issues political and trivial, about how to handle criminals or how to conduct an investigation or their opinions about Tirisfalians. They’re always arguing about something. However, after the partnership was split up due to their constant arguments, both eventually requested that they become partners again, beyond the understanding of the Protectorate administration.

Corporal Ajheed
Role: Corporal of the Protectorate of Peace.
Origins: An Arakmatan human.
Age: ~30

Brief history: Born in the city of Arakmat, he still speaks with a thick Aramatan accent. He was drawn to Jaedaxia by a love attraction. He met the daughter of a Jaedaxia merchant, who bought Arakmatian spices and sold them in Jaedaxia. In hopes of winning her over, Ajheed moved to Jaedaxia and found a job as a watchman. The girl, unfortunately, was married off to a minor Jaedaxian aristocrat, and Ajheed became disillusioned with romance. While once he had been a hopeless romantic, he became jaded, mean-spirited, and fiercely proud of his homeland.

Personality: Jaded, mean-spirited, argumentative, and fiercely proud of Arakmat.

Relationships: Since the merchant’s daughter was married off to the aristocrat, Ajheed has avoided romantic relationships, fearing the pain of losing someone again. His abrasive attitude has also deterred many friendships, forcing Ajheed into a rather lonely life. Although he once possessed a wide social circle, it has been reduced to Constable Jack, his beat partner, and a few minor acquaintances.

Count Vladimir de Bourbauge
Role: Count
Origins: Trident Isle, Vagaran human
Age: ~55

Brief history: Born as the heir to the County de Bourbauge, Vladimir was raised to be an aristocrat, being taught all the courtly necessities in addition to how to run the estate he was to inherit. His father, Count Grim XII de Bourbauge died of age, and he inherited the estate. Vladimir married Zoya Usjak, the daughter of the Lord Usjak, a minor Jaedaxian noble of pure Vagaran blood (something Vladimir puts much store in). With Ekaterina he had one son, Ivan. Ekaterina died at Ivan’s birth, and Vladimir married Rifka Alsaille, the elder sister of Captain Alsaille of the Protectorate of Peace. With Rifka he sired two daughters and three sons. Only the eldest and the youngest of the five, the daughters Natalya and Ekaterina, remain alive.

Personality: Vladimir is an intelligent man, and while the rest of the bourgeoisie and aristocratic families of Jaedaxia suffered due to the depression and blockade, he kept the County de Bourbauge afloat, and as a result, the County is now the most powerful and wealthiest Jaedaxian noble family. However, he, like any noble, thrills in opulence, and will spare no expense. He is incredibly proud, arrogant, and prejudiced against Charismeans. Though he does not mind Medonian humans as long as they’re Jaedaxian, he prefers to keep the de Bourbauge lineage free of Medonians (although there are some Medonians in the de Bourbauge genealogy already).

Relationships: His relationship with his wife, Rifka, has become a placid one. It is not cold, but there is no love, and hardly any affection, remaining. He deeply loves his son and heir, Ivan, and is incredibly protective of his elder daughter, Natalya. These are his two favourites, ultimately preferring Ivan of the two, and Ekaterina is the forgotten one, frequently ignored.

Mazal Calivotha
Role: Nosferatu



Viscount Viktor de Bourbauge
Role: Revenant, Brother of Grim XII de Bourbauge, Uncle of Vladimir de Bourbauge
Origins: Trident Isle, Vagaran human.

Brief history: Viktor is the second son and third child of Count Grim XI de Bourbauge. His older brother, Grim XII, was always the favourite of their father, as Grim was the heir. While Grim was educated and trained to replace their father, Viktor was sent to join l’Armée du Royaume of Jaedaxia. The practice of aristocrats sending second and later sons to join the Kingdom’s Army was a common one, as it only accepted “superior” blood. Later in life, after Grim had inherited the estate, Viktor made many attempts to acquiring it for himself. Covertly he made several assassination attempts, which Grim suspected he was behind, but could never prove.

Grim, however, discovered a way to dispose of Viktor without staining his own hands. Rumours claim that for a few days, decades ago, the Nosferatu Mazal Calivotha arrived on the Trident Isle, and Grim made the vampire his guest for several days. When Mazal left, Viktor vanished, presumed killed by the Nosferatu. In truth, he’d been made a Revenant, the perpetual servant of Mazal Calivotha.

Personality: Viktor is bitter and vengeful. He loathes his brother, and the de Bourbauge family, and has sworn to have revenge on. With his brother dead, Viktor targets the entire family, particularly Grim’s son, Vladimir. Viktor has become consumed by hatred for his nephew. Often bouts of extreme hatred and obsession over his nephew will rando