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.
Here you will find the Jobs that exist within the world of Surrender Dawn. These 'jobs' are a little different from what you might inherently be used to and they are not to be understood as being the same as, say, a baker or a merchant. No, these jobs function much alike classes, or even factions, if you will. These jobs are what keep the world functioning and may very well be the very first thing you think of when making a new character. Here you will find the description of said jobs - the lore behind them, the position they have within society and the many functions and responsibilities these positions hold.
Whether it is in history books or fiction, there has always been made mention of a very select group of people. These people usually possessed strength and authority. They held power within their grasps and were looked up to by many, whether it was in awe or terror. Protect and serve has always been their motto, and it is this very same dogma that the diligent warriors known within the cities as Enforcers follow. These Enforcers, however, were not always referred to as such. Still in the early ages when Vantalux was in its early stages, an event unfolded in the ever rising city that shook it to its foundations. Anarchy erupted and protests and riots broke out, very often turning out extremely violent. With an organized army of anarchists at their doorstep it was almost a definite fall for the still young government. Their police forces felt insignificant in comparison, yet their will to protect the city and its people did not falter. With the light and guidance from a nameless recruit the forces of the city held their own in a final stand where they managed to beat down the anarchism. It was a hard fought battle but the recruit and the forces of the city made it possible for Vantalux to continue its rise to prominence. It was said that the nameless recruit had the strength of 50 men and the will of a titan from legend, inspiring those living in Vantalux to give rise to law and order. After him came the rise of the super solidified Enforcer army in honor of the recruit's many contributions and sacrifices.
The job of an Enforcer is to maintain order within the city, be it in the streets or on the walls themselves. They are the one true guard, the law and order. In terms of authority, they are the ones regarded as having the highest command within the walls of any given city and, in certain cases, disobeying them can be considered akin to treason. Donning a navy blue uniform, an Enforcer can easily be noticed within a group of people, yet this isn't only because of their look, but also because of the aura of absolute authority that many of them posses.
It's only been relatively recently that the government decided to start accepting Emes - whether Afflicters or Afflicted - into the ranks of the Enforcers. Because of this, the ones that take up this job are often side-eyed by their human colleagues and partners. This makes it so that Emes Enforcers are used mostly as 'attack dogs', even if such denomination isn't officially recognized: they can still operate as a regular Enforcer, but due their minority status they need to operate much more carefully and be strict to the rules to avoid severe repercussions.
Enforcers posses certain traditions, and while not every Enforcer adheres to them, every single one is aware of them:
Titles - Within the Enforcer community titles are the thing they often use to address one another. Very much similar to the militaristic systems they adhere to, they have ranks, or more specifically, bigger respect for those who are more experienced and stronger, and the stars they have earned display their stance in the Enforcer community. Titles are often just customary, but for each city there is an elite Enforcer that is the General. The General is the Enforcer that makes sure every other Enforcer does their job, and also is the one that reports to the highest of authorities personally.
Guardian Day - Every year the Enforcers are put up to a challenge by the Government itself to see how their performance quality stands. They obtain volunteers from the other jobs to act like city threat criminals. This first started as a normal safety check that the Government created to make sure the Enforcers did not become stagnant in their duties. Now it has become a traditional day where Enforcers get to show off their skills to both authorities and the common folk. The perfect opportunity to gain respect.
Tournament of Might - While the Colosseum has its fair share of tournaments approved by the Colosseum committee, there is one major tournament that brings the most audience in comparison to any other event, even those in Haven. The Tournament of Might is formed and hosted by the Enforcer community. All the Enforcer Generals and both highly respected Hunters and Vagrants act like judges to score the contestants' performance and ability in fighting. It is a show to be enjoyed by everyone and is one of the most highly touted events within the year.
When the City of Vantalux first begun rising to power, there was an intrinsic need for an exodus beyond its walls despite internal progression. It was the core belief of a select few that salvation could not be found if the people relied solely on hiding behind the walls that they began erecting around each city. These people, who would soon begin to be referred to as Hunters, ventured into the Outlands. Much alike the aloof nature that many a Hunter of today possesses, they disobeyed the strict orders of the newly forming Government to focus on the development of the city and began the first expedition into a world now foreign to them. This would soon be remembered in history books as the Great Hunt, an event that is close to the heart of many Hunters even today. This event brought back a bounty that made it impossible for the Central Government of Vantalux to refuse those who found refuge outside what they considered the stifling walls of a dull metallic city, and as a result the role of Hunter was made as an official position of power within the working system of Vantalux. These Hunters were issued 'coins' that allowed them free passage in and out of every city without much of a fuss, yet as time went on these coins were replaced by official documentation. However even as the Hunter numbers grew and their community took on a life of notoriety all on its own, the coins still remained even if they held no real meaning. To a Hunter, however, the coin is something of a reminder of why they are able to venture into the Outlands and explore a world that was now in ruin. This has also become a thing of Mentorship. An idea of traditions being passed on to the next generation.
Generally speaking the Hunter is viewed as a scout. They are often fast on their feet, some may even call them shifty, and possess a keener knowledge of the Outlands than any other position that is under the rule of the Central Government of Vantalux. In the Outlands, the expertise of a Hunter can mean the difference between life and death even for the Generals of the Enforcers, and as such, outside the protection of a city's rule, the word of a Hunter is law, superseded only by the Government itself. Hunters have their own hunting grounds, knowledge of how to go from point A to B fast and safe, and some may even have their own safehouses built all around the known map for times of need. Being a Hunter means to be free; to not be bound by the walls or the regulations that so many follow. To be a Hunter means to seek adventure, to discover that which was lost. To pave the way for others in the hopes that, one day, the world might be as great as it once was.
Much alike the Enforcers, the Hunters also have their very own traditions. While not every Hunter follows them, with some considering them a waste of time altogether, there are many who hold them in very high regard:
Ace - Ace is a name given to the tradition of mentorship. Originally, Hunters had golden coins that were issued to them instead of legal documentation. This coin signified them as a Hunter and was used as a 'badge' that allowed them free entry in and out of cities. Nowadays these coins are replaced with legal documents, yet Hunters have never really let go of them. Now the coins are used as a rite of passage. Each Hunter has their own coin which they later give to their pupil as a sign of mentorship. This pupil is required to keep this coin until they themselves become a Hunter and take on a trainee, by which point they would pass the coin along to them. If the coin is lost for whatever reason, be it for reasons of the pupil simply misplacing it or them outright dying, it is the job of the mentor to retrieve it. This is seen as a matter of pride and honor and any Hunter still in the possession of a coin is viewed as 'not having come of age.'
The Hunter's Dare - The Hunter's dare is exactly that - a dare. The dare. A challenge one Hunter issues another. It can be absolutely anything, but a Hunter's Dare, if large enough, can become something of a show. It is a matter of pride and honor. And if both parties agree to it, it has to be carried out. Your life is now aligned with the dare. Every breath you breathe is now considered for the dare. And if a Hunter should back away after having accepted the dare, they are generally looked down upon by the rest of the Hunter community. (For example, one Hunter issues a Dare to another to kill a certain monster. That monster has to be killed on the agreed upon terms otherwise the Dare is lost or abandoned.)
The Great Hunt - The Great Hunt is something of a joke between Hunters. It's something that references the ways of old - how every single Hunt was viewed as something incredibly and unnecessarily large in scale and was made to seem dramatic. Now the Great Hunt is something of a competition between Hunters. If two or more Hunters are on a Hunt together, they may begin 'The Great Hunt.' It's essentially just a competition to see who is better. A better haul. More enemies slain. More ground covered. Etc.
Vagrants came about as a necessity of a newly established society claiming its spot in a hostile world. While Hunters were the ones who explored the wilderness of a now strange world, it fell to Vagrants to introduce civilization to the newly discovered and remote parts of the world. The construction of roads, railways, outposts and even the foundations which would later become cities were laid under the guidance of the very first Vagrants. Enforcers, kept peace in the cities, Hunters called the wilderness their domain. Vagrants found themselves responsible for all that was in between, all the places where the infrastructure of society and the dangers of the Outlands meet. It is a role they perform to this day, albeit with a far greater focus on the safety of transportation and mobility between cities rather than the safekeeping of diminutive outposts.
It wasn't always the case that Vagrants were seen in the same light as Enforces and Hunters however. With cities established most expected Vagrants to either slowly fade away or to become Enforcers or Hunters themselves. However, those who had helped build up society refused to abandon the responsibilities that came with their duty. Luckily for them, they wouldn't have to. With the establishment of the robust railway system also came a far more heightened level of danger. While people rarely made long distance journeys in the past, with several cities and a transportation method, travel became more commonplace. Not only that, but the need and want to effectively transport goods between the cities was fundamental. The early days of the railway system are often referred to as the age of banditry. Though wild animals sometimes made journeys perilous, coming across highwaymen and scoundrels of all sorts was far more likely. The trains and convoys transporting goods were easy pickings, to the point that the enthusiasm for inter-city transportation died down just as quickly as it had risen. It was Vagrants who stepped in and solidified their place in society. Individual groups of Vagrants quickly took it upon themselves to guarding particular convoys or trains. They made it a point of competition and a point of pride between themselves on who would do a better job protecting their chosen vessel. Although both beasts and robbers remained a menace, the age of banditry came to a halt once it became clear that every train robbed and every convoy raided would be a struggle for the would be robbers with a firm Vagrant presence established.
Vagrants have proudly held onto their title as protectors of movement between the cities ever since.
Over the years some conventions have developed which some Vagrants follow to this day:
Book of Journeys - A small booklet kept by most Vagrants as a way of recording all the journeys they've been on. It functions somewhat like a journal or diary, recounting each and every travel a Vagrant has completed. While the number of travels alone is impressive, notations of bandit raids fought off or monsters slain tend to draw even more attention. The older and fuller this small booklet is, the more respect a Vagrant usually demands.
Guilds - Vagrants have a habit of organizing themselves into guilds. Usually this means that a single senior Vagrant with one or two partners will take a number of less experienced Vagrants under their wing. The idea largely came up as a way of partnering with the various companies which may request the services of a Vagrant, but has since become almost a tradition. It's not unusual to see a Vagrant working solo, but many do choose to become part of a guild for the connections one can offer. Of course much like the profession itself, guilds are all regulated under the watchful eye of the Government. It is not unusual for guilds to specialize in a certain kind of work. It also happens often that a sort of friendly rivalry develops between guilds and their members leading to fiercer competition.
Vessel of Pride - Most Vagrants with age tend to pick one vessel of transportation that they're particularly attached to. Of course they can never fully devote themselves to just guarding a single vessel but there usually is one which they share a connection with more strongly than with any other. It is not unusually for the Vagrant to become associated with the vehicle in question. As a result, making sure it runs on time and ensuring the safe passage of the vessel becomes a top priority for Vagrants who see it as a testament to their skill and expertise. It is not unusual for Vagrants to be granted their own compartment or room on these vessels as a sort of mobile office. Furthermore, Vagrants will often compare their accomplishment, specifically in relation to how well the vessel they are associated with does. Making sure a particular train always arrives on time. Having no stowaways get past their notice. These are all things Vagrants boast about, and if they managed to accomplish all of this despite constant attacks and robbery attempts on the vessel, it only makes them more eager to do so.
As much as we want to keep ourselves safe, we can't protect ourselves from everything. If we want to embrace life, we also have to embrace chaos. This was perhaps the idea behind the birth of the Mercenaries. Ever since the Siege of the Wall, the Southern lands had been laid waste to by the barbaric Northerners who were led by then Northern war hero Lord Matthias Gisborn. Even after humanity begun to slowly get back up on its feet after the events of Dawnbreak, the looming threat of wild men like these was always present. It was then, many many years ago, that the First Contract, something that encapsulates every Mercenary out there, had been struct. The then council of Vantalux and the son of Matthias struck a deal - murder your father, receive treasure. The son agreed, seeing this as an opportunity not only for financial profit, but to seize control of a now headless snake. He then shaped the group that had been known until then as "The Horde" in his own image, creating a militia that would soon become the very first Mercenary Corp, paying respect to their former strength while seeking profit with their particular set of lethal skills. Now they roam the lands as nomads, abiding by the law of none. Take what you want and show no mercy to anybody who gets in your way - that is a dogma that most Mercenaries lead their lives by.
To be a Mercenary means to work for yourself. You are the muscle. You are the brawn. You are the towering fear that any who stand against you should fear more than any God that the idiotic churches shoved down the people's throats. Mercenaries accept any and all jobs, no matter the danger: assassination, outright combat, siege, search and destroy - to a Mercenary, the job description comes secondary to the reward. Mercenary dens exist within the known world, even if in obvious hiding from the Government - places where Mercenaries can seen refuge and obtain a variety of contracts for a variety of jobs. No job is too big or too small for the Mercenary.
Mercenaries, despite being considered a lawless group of criminals, too have their own set of traditions that some follow to the letter:
Mark of the Marauder- Each initiate of the Corps is branded with the Mark of the Marauder somewhere upon their person. Revealing this to fellow Mercs will offer you their assistance or likewise it can be used to intimidate someone into submission. Remember thar the government is aware of this mark, so don't go flashing it willy nilly!
Walk of the Wall - Upon becoming an apprentice of the Corps, an initiate must make a trek to the ruins of the Great Wall where Matthias Gisborn's cunning wreaked havoc in the days of the Dark Age. Upon reaching the Wall, collect a stone that 'speaks to your heart' and your parent (or guardian) will carve a symbol that shall represent your life. This stone symbol will be on your person at all times until your death in the form of a necklace or other such accessory.
Sins of the Parent - Much like the First Mercenary, an apprentice is raised from childhood by their respective Mother, Father or Guardian. They pass down their knowledge, offer sanctuary to the child, and take responsibility for them. The child must always keep in their mind, however, that their mentor must be defeated by their hand before their fifteenth birthday. If the mentor is killed by another, then the child will receive their first contract to avenge their parent. Regardless, the mentor's symbol must be retrieved, carried as a burden of their sins and passed on to the next generation.
This is, most likely, the job which origin dates the longest. Whether it was before or after Dawnbreak, individuals known as Scavengers have always existed. Those who seek treasure - whether lost or claimed by others did not matter to them - to sell them to the highest bidder for their own common interests. However, it perhaps wasn't until the Great Hunt of the Hunters that the Scavengers became a unified group, their 'organization' developing some form of infrastructure. During the Great Hunt, a small group of Scavengers were prowling the area that the Hunters found themselves in. It was then that a deal was struck by the two forces - explore the ruin that they found and whatever profits they find would be shared among themselves. Yet the Hunters didn't hold their end of the bargain, instead choosing to massacre the larger portion of the Scavenger group. Left without a hall, their numbers dwindling, the Scavengers quickly realized that something had to be done. They didn't possess the strength that the Mercenaries did, nor did they have the cunning that of the Operatives. No, what they had are numbers, and it was in that way that they shaped their organization. Now, many many years later, the Scavengers are high in number and very rarely working alone, rather in bands of outlaws, often attributed to animals from old - packs of hyenas.
To be a Scavenger means to take what you can by any means necessary. As a Scavenger, you are what you choose to be without much other than your own name holding you down. The endgame for any Scavenger is to have more riches than the eye can see, regardless of how they do it. Many Scavengers work in crews of quite a few people, which means that some often have to adhere to the rules set by a group, be it commission, sharing of intelligence, profit, etc. Others work alone, though it is highly considered that Scavengers working on their own limit their own potential. Much alike the Mercenary, the Scavenger also has access to a variety of nefarious dens where they gather for sanctuary and to attain intelligence on the location of their next haul.
Surprisingly enough, even the Scavengers have a couple of traditions that some choose follow:
First Come - First Serve - While this 'tradition' is slowly dying due to the dwindling amount of resources easily accessible in the Outlands, some still adhere to it to this day. While, in the scavengers' eyes, everything outside the cities is up for grabs, this tradition was meant to bring in some order to the way things were handled. The premise of this tradition is simple - the scavenger who first finds some kind of treasure now has laid their claim on it; it is their property and should anybody contest it it would be considered theft.
The Final Heist - It has always been rumored that, before the Wall that separated the North and South fell, the southern lords rushed to hide all of their most valuable treasures in a secret location before the northerners had a chance to attack. Many tales are told about what was actually hidden: some talk of almost infinite amounts of gold, others write about rare minerals that since then have gone extinct; there are even a bold few that speak of materials with magical properties, which, in this version, would be the reason as to why the South had not been affected harshly by the winters. But, whatever the truth of what's still to be found is, many Scavengers believe it to be of such magnitude that whoever finds it would never need to work a single day in their life - nor would their sons, nor their grandsons, nor their great-grandsons. It would be The Final Heist, the biggest trophy that any Scavenger could dream of taking.
Operatives are considered to be one of the newer classifications for individuals who operate in our world. Generally, their origin is shrouded in mystery and unknown to the general public, however many believe that the original operatives were contracted by the Central Government of Vantalux to deal with problems without anyone knowing. These dealings would be those that should never see the light of day as they might very well put the integrity of the government into question. A black ops division, if you would. The initial project was simple: an Enforcer by the name of Harry Ozwald had been overstepping his bounds. This man, drunk on power and confident that the government would turn a blind eye to one of its highly touted warriors, ran a group of Enforcers almost like they were official bandits. They confiscated legal wares, consuming said wares themselves or selling them off to the highest bidder. They beat up people who entered their territory, frisked them for suspicious behavior, all for their own amusement. With the number of members under his banner, a direct confrontation would have caused serious damage not only to the surrounding area, but it would put the faith the people had in the Government and its Enforcers into question. As such, individuals were gathered. Individuals who the government believed would be able to deal with the problem Quietly. Effectively.
And they did, with none the wiser. Ozwald and his men were never heard from or seen again. It was like they had simply vanished.
This was the core on which the profession was built. A profession that was never recognized by the Government as lawful. A profession which the government would keep it's hands clean of, yet often turn to if severe and urgent problems needed to simply disappear. Organization-wise, the Operatives spread themselves out. Yet they all kept somewhat in touch with one another. They all found their own ways of receiving information and jobs. Most Operatives adhere to this system, claiming the existence of something called The Spire, the place (or thing, or people...) from where all information comes from, connected to everything in society in one way or another. Somehow, someway, The Spire will always have jobs to offer, information to hand out, and that is the only thing that matters to the Operatives. They are master manipulators and hitmen - the end result is the only thing that matters to them and not the means they used to reach it. Operatives walk in the shadows, shadows that not many could even begin dreaming of.
Operatives, of course, have their own set of traditions and quirks, and while not every Operative is bound to them, these traditions are are:
Operative's Code - Each and every operative is taught a secret language. This involves gestures and spoken words, allowing them to communicate out in the open, without others having any chance to catch wind of their actual conversation. Unfortunately, this code has it's own dialects and tics, meaning every generation is a slight bit different. It's not the chosen tongue for most conversations, though it does let you identify a potential ally in a crowd.
First Blood - First Blood is a rite of passage. To become an Operative, most mentors set a parameter: you will have to kill another human being and temporarily impersonate them. There are however, a few extremely strict rules to this. The body cannot be discovered, period. During the impersonation period, the operative cannot be discovered as an imposter.
Clean - Each operative gains renown with The Spire for jobs well done. However, Operatives will occasionally go rogue as well. It befalls to the ones closest to said individual to erase their existence. All evidence must be destroyed. All links to The Spire must be broken. Operatives function somewhat like a dysfunctional family who keep secrets close to their body.
Civilians are just that - civilians. They hold no true authority within or without the city walls, yet they are not bound by any of the responsibilities that the other classifications of individuals are. Civilians are, of course, able to become any of the given classifications should they strive or have the skillset for it. The civilian is the true neutral class - your every day person who you would see out on the streets. Perhaps they are a merchant? A healer, maybe? An engineer? Or maybe they're just your average Joe here to make some friends? Who knows? That's for you to decide.
