T
The Philosoraptor
Guest
Original poster
World of opportunity... And bloodshed. A bastard hybrid of swords and mechanical sorcery, Alteira has suffered through a dozen world wars in just as many years. And plenty more seem on the horizon. The techno-centric and ethically hollow Protera war with the honor-bound and socially backwards Arcturii, as a new breed of genetically honed demons form their own hordes in the northern territories. But that's not what this story is about.
Instead, we go beyond social boundaries. Beyond war. To the seediest corners of the world, to farthest extremes. And here we come across the most ragtag of congregations: The rogue lawmen of Alteira, hunting war criminals and outlaws for a living. Among them, creed and race and gender is irrelevant... For the most part. As long as you can swing a sword or shoot a cannon, you're welcome among their ranks.
And this year, the bounty hunters are having a field day. The infamous Cardin Marcinos, the Butcher of Ymora, has fled into the Far Territories. The price on his head? 5,000,000,000 Ilyans, a joint bounty put up by the leadership of both the Protera and the Arcturii for his crimes. And it's attracted the attention of almost every hunter in the world. Including you.
Instead, we go beyond social boundaries. Beyond war. To the seediest corners of the world, to farthest extremes. And here we come across the most ragtag of congregations: The rogue lawmen of Alteira, hunting war criminals and outlaws for a living. Among them, creed and race and gender is irrelevant... For the most part. As long as you can swing a sword or shoot a cannon, you're welcome among their ranks.
And this year, the bounty hunters are having a field day. The infamous Cardin Marcinos, the Butcher of Ymora, has fled into the Far Territories. The price on his head? 5,000,000,000 Ilyans, a joint bounty put up by the leadership of both the Protera and the Arcturii for his crimes. And it's attracted the attention of almost every hunter in the world. Including you.
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Some additional information:
- The Arcturii are basically medieval, culturally, fighting with swords and bows. However, to accompany their increased physique and senses, they wield far deadlier, and far larger, weaponry whan normal humans can wield, as well as a form of magic created from Rift Crystals. Their society, as mentioned, is far closer to medieval Earth than the modern day. Women are largely still stuck in a supportive role, with few exceptions. They are lead by an oligarchy known as the Circle, comprised of the Seven Lords, powerful warriors who rule over the seven subdivisions of the Arcturii Empire, the Imperia Arcturus.
- The Protera are far more advanced technologically than the Arcturii, but are physically closer to normal humans than the Arcturii. They typically use energy-based projectile weapons, typically of excessive size. Ruled by the Technocrat, a mysterious overlord, the Protera Dominion is divided into various genetically-engineered castes, with each caste pertaining to a certain role.
- Bounty Hunters are rejected by both factions, discarded from militant forces for varying reasons or entering into the business for their own gain. The Empire and Dominion tolerate their existence as a necessary role in society, taking care of loose ends left by both without wasting government resources.
- Technology varies based on location. Within the Dominion, hovercraft and energy-based weaponry is common. The Empire, however, is far more primitive. The most advanced technology is synonymous with 1890s North America. Most Arcturii fight with large melee weapons, some altered with their limited technology.
- The Hollowed, the collective name for the cryptic creatures dominating the Far Territories, are demonic and ever-evolving monsters. They are infinite in number, and can never be killed the same way twice. There is no uniformity, but all of the Hollowed are united by a theoretical hive mind. Enemy to the Protera and Arcturii, only one man has been known to walk among them safely. And his life is already forfeit...