Welcome to Surrender Dawn. Before starting your journey, make sure that you read everything that's on the Beginner's Guide Board:
First, make sure that you get to know the rules by which we manage our site and community.
For this, visit the Guide to Rules.
After that, it's fundamental to read all that there is to know about the world your character will be inserted into.
In order to do so, go to the Guide to Lore.
Lastly, please take a close look at all the mechanics that dictate our roleplay and its characters.
You can do this by checking out the Guide to Mechanics.
When you've done all of the above, you'll most likely be ready to start creating your character:
Create your Application Thread on the Character Creation Board.
To do so, follow the instructions on the Character Application Template Thread.
Once you're done, just copy the link of the thread and head over to the Grading Center.
To submit your application for review, use the General Submissions Thread.
We hope you enjoy your time with us! Happy Roleplaying!
Updates
11/11/19: Open for Beta Testing! Feel free to explore the site and start creating your characters! If you have any doubt feel free to contact a member of the Staff Team.
Hair: Straight, black, reaches to the small of her back.
Eyes: Shrewd, stormy grey.
Skin and Scars: Olive skin, freckled in places from the sun. No noteworthy scars, but possesses a myriad of marks from a very rough-and-tumble childhood. Most notable are the diamond shards encrusted in her forearms (from her Affliction).
Details
Ythabel is well-muscled and buxom. A warmth hangs about her, a sort of easygoing vibe that invites people in. She seems to always be smiling, right down to her hoarse, laughter-tinged voice and dancing grey eyes. If you’re a dear friend, it’s likely that she’ll genially pat you on the shoulder, put an arm around you, or various other cajoling gestures.
When the situation calls for it, Ythabel can sober-up, and her demeanor shifts, starting with the eyes-- if her eyes go steely, you know you’ve fucked-up. In these situations, her smile goes more wry at the edges.
Although many people find her demeanor to be inviting, she isn’t conventionally pretty. She has a distinct nose, her eyes are too small, and her eyebrows are sparse. For that matter, she also has a very angular bone structure, giving her a very angular appearance. An earthy smell, mingled with the faint scent of sweet tobacco, hang about her.
Ythabel prefers more practical, almost masculine work outfits-- knee-high boots, pants, a tank top, and an overcoat tied at the waist are her preferred attire.Two fabric armbands, fastened to her forearms by a belt, that extend past her wrists. If she’s out in the field, she’ll often have a satchel for collecting herbs and fungi.
She usually ties her long, thick black hair into a bun, up off of her neck. Loose strands are often wrangled into braids to keep them out of her face. Here-and-there, beads and bits of metal adorn her hair, woven into the multiplicity of braids she has. She scarcely cuts it, but almost always keeps it up.
✖ stubborn ⤋ other stubborn people ✖ violent ⤋ being told what to do ✖ droll ⤋ sexism ✖ abrupt ⤋ womens' clothes ✖ self-sacrificing ⤋ bullies
Behaviour
Ythabel was a rowdy youth. Becoming a medicine woman, or doctor, helped to placate the more uproarious parts of personality, but left behind some of the snark and rude humor. She isn’t cocky, or cruel-- but her love of banter leads people to believe that Ythabel is impolite.They aren’t entirely wrong, in that regard.
Ythabel’s upbringing has granted her a number of other strange quirks, as well. At worst, she can violently protective. She seems much more forgiving of women and children than she does of men. She drinks and smokes with relative regularity, and periodically picks fights she has no hope of winning. Cynical, stubborn, sharp-tongued… it’s easy to assume there are no redeeming features to the young woman.
But at her core, Ythabel is very kind. It’s part of what led her to become a doctor, however back-alley her practices may be. She helps women who have nowhere else to go, she helps ruffians and wayfarers and the scum that most people turn a cold shoulder towards. It takes a certain tenacity when one works with the people Ythabel works with, who are in the situations that they’re in.
Ythabel has a mezzo-soprano voice that always seems to carry a note of sarcasm, and goes hoarse around the edges.
She, as she terms it, is "one who lives outside", which is a polite way of saying that she is predominantly homeless, but can sometimes find a warm place to stay thanks to the kindness of others.
Ythabel spends winters in Haven with Aleksandr.
History
Ythabel was the child of a courtesan. One of many babies born to the working women in this Fumehat brothel-- a child who was never wanted, only kept. That, on its own, was not unusual. At all times there was a gaggle of children in the brothel, used for menial tasks around the property. Retired former whores and the owner's mother would mind the children throughout the day, directing them to do various chores while their mothers slept. They'd see their mothers in the evening, when their mothers rose to do work. Then the children would collectively go to the living quarters and sleep. For as long as Ythabel could remember, she served the brothel.
Ythabel's Affliction set her apart from a young age. On principle, the brothel did not serve Eme's, nor did it provide Eme whores. Something about "planting bad seeds in society". So, in that sense, the pervasive bias against Eme's saved Ythabel from the usual fate of adolescent girls in the brothel. Some envied her, but most hated her. All agreed that she needed to earn her keep if her mother wished to keep her there.
As such, when Ythabel grew old enough to know the nature of the business in the brothel (around ten to twelve years old), she became a sort of attendant there-- bringing food and drinks to the appropriate rooms, fetching whores whatever they needed.
Ythabel became familiar with violence and disease-- she saw women turned away into the streets once they'd spent their usefulness. For young Ythabel, this made her realize the lack of security in her life, fostering a strong sense of self-preservation and protectiveness of the working women.
On a night like any other, Ythabel interrupted an attempted assault in the hallway. A client had grabbed one of the courtesans but the hair, and was yelling at her. The prostitute's face was bruised and bloody. Over what, Ythabel never knew. The thirteen year old moved mechanically, using a knife from the tray of food to slice the man's throat. Within moments he bled out.
Ythabel and the whore stood, frightened, in the hall. The young teen touched the older woman's face her Vel activated, healing her.
Tearful, the whore kissed her face and thanked her, urging Ythabel to flee. The man was with the government, and with friends. If Ythabel was found out, she'd likely be put to death. Without the time to gather what few possessions she had, Ythabel took off into the night, never to return.
She was ill-prepared for the chill of the night, barefoot and clad only in a dress. Ythabel stole boots and a cloak off of an unconscious drunkard, walked until exhaustion got the better of her, and fell asleep at the edge of the slums.
For months, young Ythabel lived like that-- stealing to survive, sleeping in whatever niches she could find. She became more adept at thievery, and at wielding a knife. Summer turned to Fall, and days began to grow shorter and colder. Winter was upon Fumehat, clammy and cold, and with the turn of the seasons, sickness befell the young teen.
When it all was beginning to seem quite hopeless, a kindly man happened upon her-- wheezing and gaunt with hunger, she barely registered that he was there. His name was Aleksandr Arzt. He was a blonde, severe-looking man, a doctor by trade.
"Child, who are you with?" were his first words to young Ythabel, "Do they know how sick you are?"
"Stay away from me."
He didn't. Despite the scratching and biting and feeble struggling, he took Ythabel in. Within weeks, she had recovered, thanks to the constant care from Aleksandr. Ythabel threw things at him, spoke coldly, trying to get a rise out of him. Nothing worked. Any antagonism was met by kindness and a level voice.
After a month, Ythabel exhausted her anger. After two months, when Aleksandr made her an offer--to join him as an apprentice. She'd have a place to sleep, food to eat, and the opportunity to travel, in exchange for learning his trade.
He never asked Ythabel her story, though this was revealed after a time once he'd garnered the girl's trust. Aleksandr revealed that he was a doctor from Haven, staying in Fumehat to learn more about medicinal herbs. He had chosen a life of travel, and a life of serving the unfortunate. He'd been to all of the major cities, and would likely continue to travel until he died.
With the coming of the Spring, the two left Fumehat. For years, the two would travel. Ythabel grew from apprentice to assistant to co-practitioner. Five years back, Aleksandr broke the news to his young companion-- he was getting old and wanted to retire in Haven, his hometown. Ythabel was welcome to stay with him, he explained, but the woman declined.
Ythabel wanted to continue his legacy, by traveling and helping those in need.
The two said their farewells in Haven. Aleksandr was insistent that Ythabel visit him whenever she was in-town. The young woman agreed.
She has since been traveling all across the lands, serving whoever she can.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ of THQ
★MEULK OF THQ
[/div]
Last Edit: Nov 26, 2019 6:20:25 GMT by Ythabel Arzt
Polaris stands at approximately two meters, curving just above Ythabel's head. Tapered at the base, it widens into a gnarled, wood-like structure before curving at the end. Most would assume that it's wood, but when they lift the staff they'll realize that it's actually metal.
Ability
Polaris is really good for bonking people on the head or knocking their legs out from under them, but Ythabel primarily uses it when she's walking or hiking. Its name heralds from the guiding star, Polaris, and hearkens to the staff's gimmick. When wielded by Ythabel it can emit a light from the center of its crook. The light is typically in the form of an orb, either small enough to fit within the crook, or large enough to encase the head of the staff. It can be as dim as a candlelight, or as bright as an explosion. It can simmer for hours or flash spontaneously. Ythabel is most grateful for Polaris's gimmick because it allows her to work late into the night, even if she's sleeping outside. If necessary, however, a quick flash of light could be sufficient to blind any unsavory sorts who may approach in the night.
Diamond in the Rough
Rank 1 - Emitting
Power
Encrusted in Ythabel’s lower arms and legs are shards of diamond of varying sizes. These rise slightly above her skin, and are present at all times. When Ythabel activates her Vel, the diamonds from plates that protect her arms and lower legs, much like pieces of armor. It’s as durable as wood, and can be shattered by a few blows from a heavy or metallic implement.
While he diamond armor is limited to her lower limbs, it can take a number of shapes, mostly around the arms. She can manipulate how thick, thin, long, or short the armor is.
Disadvantages
Utilizing any aspect of Diamond in the Rough requires stamina—the more elaborate the construction, or the longer it’s utilized, the more energy Ythabel must spend. As the woman has utilized it every now and again, she’s realized that the strength of this power hinges greatly on how much sleep she’s gotten, and how well she’s eaten.
She can only create gems that are attached to her body.
Gems do not fade or break-off on their own. They must be painstakingly chipped away after use.
Overuse can lead to muscle pain and acute hunger. (Much like exertion typical to any sort of extreme physical activity.)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ of THQ
★MEULK OF THQ
Last Edit: Nov 27, 2019 21:00:42 GMT by Ythabel Arzt
Star Rank: ★ Description: If Ythabel activates her Vel while at least one hand is touching another person, gems will graft onto them and start to mend the wounds that they have. At this rank, it takes one post to heal minor wounds By spamming this ability repeatedly, she can heal more severe wounds, at the expense of feeling nauseous and dizzy. This ability only works on other people.
Military Ability Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Military Ability Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Military Ability Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Military Ability Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Military Ability Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Talents
Medicine Woman
Star Rank: ★ Description: Thanks to her years and years of working as an apprentice to an accomplished medicine man, Ythabel has become a rather accomplished medicine woman. This gives her an encyclopedic knowledge of the medicinal (and recreational) uses of many flora, and a field-medic's understanding of treating wounds and illness. She won't treat people for extended periods of time, but she will brace a broken bone or give you a salve to help get rid of that cough.
Talent Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Talent Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Talent Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Talent Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Talent Name
Star Rank: Number. Description: n/a
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ of THQ
★MEULK OF THQ
Last Edit: Nov 26, 2019 4:15:06 GMT by Ythabel Arzt
I'm incredibly glad to see that your previous life hasn't shackled you from reaching for your future. I can't wait to see what miracles you are able to achieve with your pristine ability!
