EchoingPewter

Hello everyone, this RP is probably one of my favorites I’ve pulled together to this day. It allows creativity in the characters while at the same time being in a relatively easy world to work with, our own! This RP is based off one of my top three anime, Darker Than Black. I hope this RP inspires anyone to watch this incredible anime. I will say now that while this uses some of the characters and elements of the original anime, the execution has all been structured through my own ideas. “A night sky full of cries Hearts filled with lies The contract—is it worth the price? A soul pledged to the darkness Now I’ve lost it, I know I can kill The truth exists beyond the gate.” Five years ago, inscrutable and abnormal territories known as Heaven’s Gate and Hell’s Gate appeared in South America and Japan respectively. They altered the skies over the world and devastated the landscapes with it. The heavenly stars disappeared, and with it were replaced by false replicas. The sun is no longer in sight, day is just brightness. With this event, those with various special abilities were born into the world. Kept secret from the public eye, these individuals, or Contractors, are able to murder in cold blood. Many nations around the world have adopted the use of Contractors as spies and agents. This leads to many violent skirmishes in order to seek information. In South America, a group known as Evening Primrose has managed to start a war on the scale of World Wide. This has become known as Heaven’s War. And this is where the setting begins. I’ll get to explaining everything in a moment. First off, I’m going to say that this is a three part RP. Below this is the explanation to each part. Part One – Heaven’s War: This part takes place during the aforementioned war above. In South America a World scale War has broke out between Great Britain and Argentina. The use of Contractors is extremely common. However, there are some humans in the fray, some managing quite the reputation amongst their supernatural friends. During this part everyone is allowed a MAXIMUM of two characters. NOT REQUIRED. Why? Well, there’s a couple reasons, but let’s just say it’s easier to keep up with for the beginning. Part Two – Purgatory: This part will star a completely new cast for the RPers. Five years after Heaven’s War resolved itself, Japan’s activity has picked up trying to explain the anomalies of the gates. Several agencies have also been quite busy dealing with crimes committed by Contractors as well. The public is still generally kept on a need to know basis. This part will have a little less action but still enough to keep things interesting. There’s no limit on characters here, just don’t over exert yourself here. I know a lot of people that get screwed because they sign up too many. This used to include myself before I got better at my writing. Part Three – ???: The cast will remain this time, but new additions are still welcome. Information beyond this is presently withheld. Informatory: As this RP progresses, more information below will be expanded on, added, or removed as needed. I will notify during updates in the RP topic. Contractor: The beings with various special abilities that changed with the gates are known as Contractors. Contractors did not choose to become contractors, they were either one at birth or unexplainably obtained it the night the sky’s face became a lie. This “contract” allows the person to perform a type of “superpower” if you will at the cost of a price, or remuneration. People normally can’t tell Contractors from any other human unless they deliberately see the power used. When the ability is activated, Contractors seem to “glow” with a blue outline around their body and their pupils gain a reddish hue for the duration of the ability being used. Each Contractor has only one ability. For example, you could have the power to summon hurricanes, but every time you use this power, you must break your nose. The remuneration is known to be compulsive or automatic, depending on the context of the remuneration (like automatically aging, or compulsively making yourself smoke). If you don’t pay your remuneration, it’s said you’ll fade into dust. Each star in the false sky corresponds with the life of a Contractor. When one is born, a star rises. If one dies, their star falls. It is also highly rumored that Contractors are highly rational, amoral, emotionless shells. However, this is only the rumor by humans, and most if not all seem to believe it without question (even though there are even humans that show these characteristics too). Doll: Emotionless "mediums" created to mimic the forms of humans. Dolls can form a variety of functions; the most commonly known is their use of observer spirits, which serve as reconnaissance. Important Characters: Codename: Hei – Also known as the Black Reaper, Hei is very lethal and highly dangerous. Even though he is only human he is capable of taking down Contractors with precision skill. Be very cautious around him. Hei: http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/6224/183091-10_hei_by_kai_yasuyuki_super.jpg Codename: Amber – This is one of the Contractors in Hei’s team. Her power isn’t completely clear as none have actually witnessed it. Regardless of the situation, she is paired with the Black Reaper, so do not take her lightly. Amber: http://hvo.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/08/12/vlcsnap7834463.jpg Codename: Bai – Bai is the final member in Hei’s unit and another Contractor. She seems to be able to conduct electricity, but not everything is known about her. It has been confirmed that her remuneration is a deep slumber for a duration. Bai: http://media.photobucket.com/image/Darker%20Than%20Black%20Bai/brian_blogger/black2302.jpg http://media-wallpapers.theotaku.com/caption-594949-20090614073607.jpg Evening Primrose (EPR): No information is available right now. Agencies: Most agencies these days use Contractors as their spies or assassins since they’re practically fit for the job. PANDORA: The cross-international research organization developed by countries across the world that conducts their research at the facilities surrounding Hell’s Gates. They also have a special operations force to serve several purposes. The Syndicate: Typical syndicate as you’d expect, operates with both Contractors and humans across the board. Hei’s unit is a part of this syndicate. Meteor Shard: No present information available. Heaven’s Gate & Hell’s Gate: These gates are the result of a strange anomaly that occurred Five years ago prior to the start of Heaven’s War. Entering these areas is known to have extremely strange twisted laws of the world and even possibly drive someone mad. Much is unknown beyond that. Manmade research facilities surround the structures to search for information. Heaven’s Gate spawned on the Argentina/Bolivia/Paraguay border in South America, it is surrounded by a heavily forested area with some small lagoons, ponds and the like. Few roads lead into it from far off towns or villages. Hell’s Gate spawned on the outskirts of Tokyo in Japan, just outside an industrial district. The start of Heaven’s War: At the appearance of the gates five years ago, a war triggered between Argentina and Great Britain through unknown reasons. It is believed that Argentina withheld any information on Heaven’s Gate, causing Great Britain to take action. Unknowingly, the Syndicate seems involved as well. Part One Sign-Up Sheet: What we’ve all been waiting for, right? Please make sure you read the above information first, especially “Contractor”. If I can tell you did not listen to what I’m telling you now, I will not be a happy Echo. Name: Um…I’m going to hit you if you seriously need an explanation out of sheer amazement you made it to this board without this knowledge. Age: See above. Description: How do they look? Writing or picture will suffice; both will make me love you. Human or Contractor: Well? Which is it? Personality: What’s your character like? Does the fact they are (now) a/know about Contractors change the way they view others? Affiliation: Are they on the side of Great Britain or Argentina? If you want to be with the Syndicate, you MUST contact me personally about it before signing the character up. Preferably on MSN if possible, otherwise I guess through whatever other means are available to you. Yes, the team you are in depends on the mission path you go down. Inventory: What does your character carry that is of importance? This includes weapons, important possessions, any medical devices, you get the idea. Ability: If you’re a Contractor, what is your special ability? Put N/A if human. Remuneration: This will be selected at a future date, so if you’re a Contractor just put “Pending” here. If human, put N/A. Backstory: What’s brought your character up to this point? What’ve they gone through? If a Contractor, they have had their powers for five years, how’s this changed their life? Contacts: Contact information in case I need to speak with you about something. Whether you wish it be by email, instant messenger, or whatever the cause. This is all optional though, you don’t have to fill this part out if you don’t want to. If you wish to contact me about anything related to this RP, you can either: A. Find me on darkmyst when I'm around, B. use MSN or AIM to speak with me, or C. email me. If you would like any of these forms of contacts, please ask and I will be happy to add them.

Howdy there everyone. Two days ago I started visiting darkmyst again. I decided since school's no longer biting me in the butt I have much more time on my hands to be around here. For all that joined as late as three months ago or so, hello, I'm Echo. I was here for a brief time and joined one RP and attempted to run one. None of that went too well because of a few things. I ended up leaving because of school for the most part. One more announcement for everyone here. I will be starting up another RP that'll hopefully go over much better than my previous attempt. I expect the Sign-Up/Discussion Topic to be up either by the end of this week or beginning of next.

Hello everyone. I'm sorry this notice comes without a warning, but I believe I must withdraw myself from this RP. School is taking priority right now, and thinking about this is getting in my way. Apologies for any inconviences. Do whatever you want with Wolfgang and Hans, they never existed, send them off, whatever, but I've got to leave this RP (even if for the time being, it's likely I won't rejoin until March at the earliest if then). EchoingPewter RESIGNS.

"Raquel." Wolfgang went passed everyone without consideration as he hastily made his way back to his employer. "There's something you should see." Wolfgang said, handing the girl the note he found. "It contains a list of names. I recognize a few here in Ursium, as for the others, I don't know exactly where they may be." He added in. ~~~~ Hans saw Wolfgang return to Raquel's side, so his orders were alleviated for now. He stretched for a good half minute before giving a big sigh. "Ohhhh yeah, I needed that one." Hans proceeded to walk over to Jeanne, who he could tell seemed down with how things were going. "You going to pitch a fit because you're not helping much?" Hans said with a goofy laugh following it. "Relax Jeanne, soldiers aren't always going to contribute the exact same amount towards the war effort, the same goes for mercenaries. You've just gotta get better, and you'll be slaying targets and raking in cash like crazy!" Hans shouted in excitement as he tried to cheer the girl up. His goofy yet comforting smile was still spread wide over his face.

"Jeanne, wait." Hans walked after her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about the chief. You guys have fought well out here, let him clean up. He can handle himself." Hans said with a smile. He didn't want these people to get their hands dirty again when their wounds might just reopen. It wouldn't be good for their complextion, especially this young woman. ~~~~ Wolfgang searched everywhere within the fortress that he could. He'd slaughtered the sole brigand that figured to remain within the fortress to possibly surprise the group if they entered. Clearly they were being underestimated, or the bandits were being used quite effectively. Finally he came to what he could only guess to be Jethro's holding room. There was a chair in the middle of the room with a large pile of ashes near the door he entered through. There were many signs of overgrow in the fort's structure, this building was beginning to grow old. He figured that Jethro was a rather smart individual having been underestimated based off what Wallace had told him. His best friend said the man seemed to be a former soldier. He observed the entire room, searching every inch he could. When he came to one of the corners, left and to the back from the entrance, he noticed a difference. There were glass shards and dirt piled together differently than the others. It was this way on purpose. He brushed it all aside and found a piece of paper. Wolfgang took it up and looked it over. There were many names, some he even recognized, most of them he guessed to be within Ursium. He rolled the paper up like a scroll and began his way back out. Raquel needs to see this. We've got a deeper lead now.

"Right." Hans worked rather quickly patching up Jeanne. When he was sure he'd done a good job, he walked over to Magaera and looked her over. He spent another few minutes patching her up. "Alright, there we go! You're both good to go!" Hans said with a goofy smile spread over his face.

"When she says she has a different idea, I'll listen. I didn't hear her reject my idea. I didn't hear her tell me otherwise. As for sinking the ship, you'd be surprised what options sole survivors will consider. And you say I shouldn't have agreed to this contract if I care about my life? Quite frankly, I couldn't care less about my life. But if Raquel dies because I wasn't careful, no pay day. And if all of you die, her chances of survival dwindle. And I, want, the money. And I'm also curious to the job in its entirety. Simple as that." Wolfgang said to her before he managed out of earshot and entered the fortress doors. Now, time to work.

"...Hahahaha." Wolfgang had stopped to laugh at the woman's comment. He turned to her with a grin that was filled with excitement. "No, she didn't. But you think I'm going to risk us getting ambushed? Would you sit back on a ship just after an attack and not search the ship if someone's stowed away in disguise to make sure they don't try and take your ship down as revenge? It's called being careful. Take the lead if you want, I didn't demand to be the leader. And another thing..." Wolfgang paced a couple of steps forward to her. His grin remained. "You're probably thinking "Why am I not following my employer's orders?", eh? It's called lifestyle. She's an innocent young girl, a merchant's daughter, that happened to be dragged into a conflict she honestly probably doesn't deserve to be in. I'm a mercenary like you, and everyone else here, seen battle much more than her like all of you most likely. If I let her give me orders every second, she may hesitate, or give a bad order. And cost you, me, everyone's lives. I've given her my consideration all before now, and that's because those situations had nothing extreme occurring. I feel she does not have the experience yet to worry about orders over the lives of her protectors. It's the line of command, common sense. And I am my own commander after my contractor. How do you meriners do it? Sit back and let a stow away attack you before being told to aprihand them? Quit acting like you don't have a warrior's instinct, sea fairer." With that, Wolfgang turned and proceeded back on his route to the fortress. ~~~~ "Shoot, don't lie to me. Orders can wait, we're on the ground now." Hans said, leaping off the pegasus and pulling out his own medicine again. "Let me see where you're hurt, I'll treat it how I can." Hans said with a hand waving toward him.

"Just get him a healer. It's nothing instantly fatal. He won't pass out for another five minutes or so if a healer doesn't get here in time. Make sure he's taken care of within the hour or else his injury may be permenant or fatal after all." Wolfgang as he looked at the man with complete apathy in his gaze. He was only trying to calm Raquel down, this man's life meant little to him. Especially since he seemed to be after the Fire Emblem. That alone could jeprodize his entire contract. So all he did was offer his advice, then looked up to the sky far the pegasus Hans was riding. When he spotted him, he broke his silence. "Hans, get down here immediately and look over Raquel! I'm moving in to secure the fortress and assure that there are no enemies remaining!" He shouted, before drawing his sword and walking past everyone to the fortess with not even a glance at any wounded. ~~~~ "Jeanne, Magaera, are you two okay!? We've got to land and get you guys treated up! I've also got orders to follow." Hans stated quickly. He would've helped Jeanne out, but her constant movements on the pegasus made him try to keep both himself and her on Magaera's back. His hands were even shaking around her waist because he wasn't enjoying the sight he'd watched. "Come on, please, before you get infected." He pressed on.

OOC: This is likely to be my last post until Sunday. I'll be away all of tomorrow and later tonight. If it's necessary, I give CC to Phoenix if Wolfgang and Hans need moved. Wolfgang spent most of the trip in thought. Not only was Raquel's father kidnapped, now Lady Rusayev's fiance was also missing and could only be presumed to be a member of the Guardian Corps. This situation was growing onto Wolfgang's nerves. "Well..." Wolfgang leaned back against the side of the wagon, looking at the covers flap around while they travelled. He was still speaking Neviskotian for the time being. It helped him relax when he was struck without not knowing what to do. "Next time Wallace reports to me, Lady Rusayev, tell him everything you know about this. Tell him his name, description, and anything else you know about it. I'll make him scout out some information on him as well, see if we can dig something up." Wolfgang said, folding his arms. "I've only had one job with the Guardian Corps ever. I'm amazed they asked even for my help. But it was only me and another of my associates. I know what their work is like. His status is safe with me, I know what's on the line for him." Wolfgang said while he continued to stare at the cover. "Veronika," he started again with her first name surprisingly, this time turning his face to hers again. "I know you are aware that I stated I will be repaying that bonus by assisting you in the affairs with your fiance. Luckily they coincide with Raquel's motives. However, you are capable of fighting, Raquel does not seem as experienced, as well as more pacifistic than yourself. She is my priority, your life is second to hers and Hans. Is that fully understandable? I will not take the field just to watch over you." Wolfgang stated bluntly, his scarred eye trying to immitate the stare of his other but failing. ~~~~ "Flying is so much more fun when on the back of a majestic pegasus. Sure beats out scaley wyverns when we're travelling fast." Hans stated as he kept looking out both ways over the landscape. He enjoyed all of this, it was such an amazing site. A nice bonus coupling with his request to ride this woman's pegasus. That reminded him. "What's her name? And yours. I'm Hans." He said quickly, not entirely focused on one thing or another.

"Yes, we're ready when you are, Raquel." Wolfgang said, switching back to the common language while he waited for Veronika to respond to him. He returned his gaze to her, still wondering if his suspicion was correct.

"YES!" Hans shouted as he jumped several feet into the air again as he stood up. Hans walked up to the pegasus and gently patted her neck. "Don't worry, girl, I'm not very heavy. I'm just glad I get the chance to ride another one of you!" Hans said, going so far as to even hugging the pegasus gently. When he was ready he lightly hopped up onto the back behind Jeanne. He let out a little chuckle. "Eheh, sorry about that. Ever since I was a kid, I always thought pegasi were really cool. I've only gotten to ride one once before, so this is really awesome to me." Hans told her. "If I make you uncomfortable, let me know and I'll get off right away." Hans informed the young woman. ~~~~ "Then he is of the Guardian Crops?" Wolfgang said, using the Neviskotian's native language to speak with her further, and lowering his voice. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees as he looked at her. "Forgive me if I am intruding, but I don't think a regular officer would be tasked with such a mission without a platoon supporting him. Is my estimation accurate?" He asked, hoping Raquel wasn't accustomed to the Neviskotian words if she overheard this.

Hans patted the wyvern's neck gently until he could reach the scratch. He took some of his medicine and applied it to the wound, then grabbed a small bit of gauze and wrapped it up. "There you go." Hans said as he gently patted the wyvern's snout. "Behave now! I've gotta find a ride!" Hans said. He almost took off again but he stopped as his eyes caught glimpse of...a pegasus. His eyes lit up and he made a mad dash over to the pegasus and its rider. He jumped several feet in the air. "Whoo! Finally I get to see another pegasus! It's so pretty. Excuse me, miss, would you mind if I rode with you to the bandit fort!? Please, please, please-please-please!?" Hans said, having gotten down on his knees half way through his begging. He would've said it a lot more if Wolfgang likely wouldn't have called him to say he was acting too excited again.

Wolfgang shook his head with a smile as he watched Hans try to help the wyvern out. Damn it, Hans, you need that. Oh well, trying to talk you out of helping someone will be pointless. Wolfgang hopped onto the cart and proceeded into the back to find Veronika already sitting there. "Lady Rusayev, would you mind if I sat back here with you? If no one else joins you, I'd like to ask about who you're fiance is, exactly." Wolfgang said with a friendly yet serious notion in his tone. What could the man possibly be doing to get himself caught? Was he also looking for the Fire Emblem? Why? He had many questions to ask Veronika on this matter. Outside the cart, Hans cautiously took one more step, since he had not gotten a reply from the wyvern yet.

"Hey, chief!" Hans ran up to Wolfgang to catch his attention. He redirected his gaze from Domovoi to look at his friend. "Did you get Jack up?" Wolfgang asked. "Yeah, I got him. He should be running up soon, I kinda took a spring out of the inn the moment I made sure he was up'n hussli'n." Hans said with a salute. "Good, he should be able to remember where we met yesterday anyways. At ease, Hans, you have no orders until our next conflict." Wolfgang said. "You got it, chief!" Hans said, instantly noticing the cat attacking the wyvern. He rushed over and stepped between the two animals without disregard to the others at the moment. He noticed the wyvern had backed away, but he could still see it was glaring at the little cat now behind him. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down, mister wyvern. I know getting scratched by a cat hurts like hell, but don't take your rage out on the little guy! I mean, look at you, you're menacing to something that small, heck, I'm amazed we can tame guys like you! Now listen, I know it hurts, but I've got some medicine that'll fix it up good as new! Of course, if you'd rather your rider worry about it-wherever he is-that's understandable." Hans said, reaching into one of the pouches at the back of his waist line and pulling out some of his own medicine. "I'm a little low, but hey, I'd rather get infected than a rider's trusted friend." Hans stated before taking a small step towards the wyvern. He slightly raised the medicine and pointed to the wyvern's scratch. "Give me a, well, preferably quiet screech if you don't mind me helping ya." Hans hadn't bothered to notice the people around him during this, he was more focused with the problem that was occurring.