Spoiler:
In a World very like our own, in a past not too far fetched to be unbelievable... something extraordinary is brewing. A setting not too far from the 18th century England and America of our times forgotten, it is here that the stage is set for a tale of wonder, excitement and mystery all.
The small town of Bellson, located on the outskirts of the country of Amittia, is running on hard times. The economy has not been kind and a lack of trade routes seems to have the town on a path to disaster. Jobs are dwindling quickly and families are starting to struggle. Even the tired old mayor, once a beacon of hope for his home, has fallen out of glory and now sits depressed in his office. The people are all but accepting of their fate and in bitter contentment they work their every day lives, all the while silently praying that a silver lining comes down and provides an escape or salvation for themselves or them all.
Perhaps it was those wishes that caused the apparent magic that happened on that one fateful night.
The residents awoke to the lazy rooster of the farm, crying out in a dulcet tone as always, but things were far from lazy, as they usually were those days. The streets were abuzz with interest and talk. A lively atmosphere filled the air, something thought gone from the little rural area.
For along the buildings, the shops, even the town hall itself... were posters.
The small town of Bellson, located on the outskirts of the country of Amittia, is running on hard times. The economy has not been kind and a lack of trade routes seems to have the town on a path to disaster. Jobs are dwindling quickly and families are starting to struggle. Even the tired old mayor, once a beacon of hope for his home, has fallen out of glory and now sits depressed in his office. The people are all but accepting of their fate and in bitter contentment they work their every day lives, all the while silently praying that a silver lining comes down and provides an escape or salvation for themselves or them all.
Perhaps it was those wishes that caused the apparent magic that happened on that one fateful night.
The residents awoke to the lazy rooster of the farm, crying out in a dulcet tone as always, but things were far from lazy, as they usually were those days. The streets were abuzz with interest and talk. A lively atmosphere filled the air, something thought gone from the little rural area.
For along the buildings, the shops, even the town hall itself... were posters.
"To the residents of a town now wishing for more, the Ironwood Express welcomes you to chances beyond what your futures hold!
Come one, come all, to the edge of your fair town, South of the farm and West of the church, on the outskirts of a place where roads fear to tread is the station built! Within and ready to leave in a week from today is the carriages of Ironwood itself! The destination? Riches beyond your wildest dreams, at the very edge of the World you know... a trip of length unknown, from days to years, it is uncertain even to a conductor like me just what might await on a journey so vast!
If nothing else, I can promise you that the beauty of the Ironwood will take you to places you've only ever dreamed of visiting... and that in the end your journey and the experiences you share may be greater than any riches you lust after today.
And the best part is that I ask for not a penny in return, only that you give me your company on the adventure soon to come. All may sit in the booths prepared, all may sleep in the living quarters and eat at the tables ready and waiting.
You have till the end of the week to board... it is then that the doors will open, but not for very long.
I am required to warn you, this trip will not be easy, even with the comfort I provide. So make sure you only come with the preparation of one willing to risk everything for their desires.~
You will not return for some time... and once on the journey one does not simply leave until the end. Like life, there are no immediate stops unless you throw yourself away.
Until I see you aboard, I bid you adieu.~
-The Conductor."
In mere moments, the town exploded into excitement and intrigue. People flocked to the location described and like a miracle, overnight it had indeed sprung up. A grand train station to marvel those of the biggest cities and a strange railway leading off into the distance and to places unknown. It defied all logic for such a thing to even exist and yet here it was. Within the miraculous structure stood the grandest and most intricate train any present had ever perceived.
The seemingly pure iron and glittering front engine reflected light like mirrors and the fifteen black wooden carriages that followed it were sleek and refined. Blinds pulled down and covered the many windows of the vehicle. The doors were sealed tight and no indication of how to get inside was present. All those from the village bearing witness could only gaze in awe at the creation of modern technology before them... and the lone sign that stood before it all, with a single sentence inscribed.
"Seven days until departure."
***
***
In the days that followed, rumors of the miracle train said to deliver those whom rode upon it to riches spread, however talk of somewhat ominous implications at a horrible price did spread as well.
You, for whatever personal reasons, have arrived in the humble town of Bellson with the intention of being one of the brave few to ride the Ironwood Express on its long journey to its destination. Be you a humble villager from the town itself, a noble lord from a distant city, a vagabound scoundrel looking for a quick buck or even a runaway servant looking for a new place in life. Regardless, you are here. The risks implied are too great for some, but not for you... and when the doors to the train open you will boldly step inside.
As the cast is lined up on stage, it's finally time for the curtains to be pulled back and for this show to get on the road, or more, in this case, the Railway.
"One day until departure. Prepare to board."
Railways is an RP that bases its story telling around an unpredictable and constantly shifting train moving between locations. The RP will transition often between posts taking part on the train itself, hereafter referred to as "The Ironwood", and the various stops the train takes on its journey to its ultimate destination. The supposed "end of the World" where the grandest of riches lie.
To put it simply, posts taking place on the train will be aimed more towards character development and player to player interaction. It gives players a chance to have their characters interact, progress individual plots and to explore the Ironwood and slowly discover more about the enigmatic train, its staff and its true purpose in the journey at hand. The Ironwood will also have shifting carriages with varying interiors apart from the front five, these five carriages and the mechanics of the shifting carriages will be explained near during the RP, but as a brief overview the five stationary carts are;
Dining, Recreational, Passenger, Bedrooms and Lounge. The front carriage is the engine and it is not counted among the fifteen carriages following it.
The remaining ten carriages can contain anything from comic relief for fun moments to serious rooms of information and intrigue containing information and items that relate to the Ironwood and its past.
I will be shifting the carriages around after every "Train Stop" section is complete.
The train will often stop at various spots around the World created for this RP. A world that is very similar to 18th century America and England. The RP will spend the majority of its time in these locations and each location will contain its own sub-plots for characters to interact in. The conductor will also assign characters a goal to complete upon arriving in an area, in order to give everyone a starting point.
New locations will be posted on a travel guide aboard the train by the conductor IC whenever a "Train Stop" section ends and a "Train" section begins (basically, every time the players get back on the train). I will post this information both OOC and IC for everyone to react to on both fronts. But for the most part players won't know where the next location is until the journey there begins.
Consider it all an actual adventure and mystery as to what comes next, both IC and even OOC to a reasonable extent. Do not worry, I assure you that each new location will be varied and interesting compared to the last!
Unlike many RPs you may have been in, this RP isn't designed to have badass fighters and mysterious rogues... while that type of character might be accepted if done well, the characters story wise in Railways are most likely normal people of varying social status. Maybe a retired soldier here or a devious scoundrel there at most, but no super powered or magic beings exist in this World at all. The only thing that's magical in any way is the Ironwood itself.
Finally, the RP will begin on the last day before the characters board the train and leave the town of Bellson behind. The posts in question should tell how your character arrived in the town, if they weren't there already, and should detail them arriving at the train station to board the Ironwood and depart on their adventure.
The travel log is a record of all of the places visited thus far by the Ironwood and its party of travelers throughout the course of the RP. While this list may seem barren at first it will fill up over time as new locations are visited.
~Bellson~
Bellson is a quaint and poor town struggling on the borders of the world in which the RP is based. It has very little money and income, yet even in its most desperate times it retains an excitable atmosphere and pleasant energy bustling in its streets. Especially with the arrival of the first station and the Ironwood express itself within its boundaries over night.
~More to Come~
***
Name:
(What is this characters full name?)
Age:
(There are no limits to his number, anybody can jump onto the Ironwood if they're truly willing to. From the youngest to the oldest. All I'll say is try to be realistic, no babies or incredibly old people who shouldn't really still be alive in this time period.)
Appearance and Attire:
(Your characters physical appearance and clothing choice. Try to make the clothing as time appropriate as you can manage. If you can provide appropriate images then this section may be ignored. If images are not provided, then two to three paragraphs minimum should do instead.)
Hometown:
(Where is your character from? They can be from the town of Bellson or you can make up your very own location! So long as it roughly fits the setting it will be fine... perhaps the Ironwood may even visit such a place on its travels. If you are making your own location then please include a few lines to a paragraph worth of description. If not? Then simply type "Bellson" for this field instead.)
Personality:
(What is this person like personally? Describe their thought processes and general mannerisms. Two paragraphs minimum required, but three or more is encouraged.)
Strengths:
(What does your character have going for them? A minimum of three with at least one or two lines explaining each, preferably.)
Weaknesses:
(What really holds your character back? The same rules for strengths apply here.)
The Reason Why:
(Why has your character decided, despite the somewhat shady nature and presumed risks, to board the Ironwood and set out on their adventure? One paragraph should be enough for this.)
Background:
(What was your characters life like before the events of the RP? Please explain your characters life, social class and whatever else you feel fit to include. Peasant or Noble? Servant or Working man? Loner or lover? You decide. A minimum of three paragraphs is appreciated, but I always love reading more. Still, don't feel pressured to write more than three if you don't wish to.)
Personal Effects:
(Does your character carry any trinkets? Objects of personal value? Good luck charms worth mentioning? If your character is carrying a weapon then you can include it here as well, but do remember that most normal folks would not be doing as such. Also, pay attention to the time period, no mobile phones or the like... and weaponry has not advanced past the point of flintlock fire-arms.)
Other:
(Is there any relevant information you can think of that doesn't fit into the categories above? Write it here!)
RP Sample:
(Give me an idea as to your skills as an RP'er by posting a sample of your abilities, be it an original piece or a post from another RP. Pick something that really shows your stuff!)
***
- Follow all of the already established RPC and PC rules and guidelines.
- Do not insult others by doing things like bunny, godmodding or autohitting. This is a fairly obvious one.
- I am the GM, I am a nice GM, but I am a GM. The password is "I like Trains", try to mention it casually somewhere in your SU or reservation. Feel free to address me with any ideas or problems but remember that what I say goes.
- Consider what is required of you as a person and an RPer. Do not attempt to join this RP if you will be incapable of posting once every two weeks minimum.
- Everybody loves joint posts. Feel free to do as many as you like here!
- Reserves last for five days before you get a question about your SU. Two more days and your reservation is cancelled and you will have to remake it. If somebody reserves your empty spot before you can re-reserve, well tough bananas I'm afraid.
- This RP is T rated. Don't get too gorey or descriptive about mature themes. Brawls, Romance and Dark situations are encouraged heavily, but don't take it too far.
- Have fun! No seriously, do, that's the point. If you feel like you're not having fun then tell me and I'll do my best to fix that for you.
~ Accepted - Rowin Odo, The Conductor - Deceptio
~~~~~~~~~~
~ Accepted - Aria Eliza Dominique - Deceptio
~ Accepted - James Bentley - gimmepie
~ Accepted - Carl Burk - MorallyIncorrect
~ Accepted - Cassandra Nightingale - Carnivore Chie
~ Accepted - Genevieve "Jenny" Abbot - The Last Sentinel
~ Accepted - Elizabeth "Beth" Marston - Sir Bastian
~ Accepted - Arsenè Grigori II - DreamOrDestruction
~ Reserved - GreyBidoof
~ Accepted - Elliot Temperley - Foxrally
~ Accepted - Lance Raleigh - Churaka
~ Accepted - Jane Folett - Sweet_Dreams
~ Accepted - Isaac Shearer - Raikiri
~~~~~~~~~~
~More spots MAY be added later in the story, if the demand is there for them. However twelve is currently the limit.~
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