Ages had passed since the great calamity. So long that even forefathers' fathers could not remember the world before. Even still, the traces were still there, littered throughout the world. Scars of great conflicts carved into the very bone of the earth beneath, naught but ashes and ruins left in the wake of some grand catastrophe that not even history was entitled to remember. Still, life and people found a way to continue after, as they had done before, and as they would inevitably do again.
Though as great and knowledgeable as those that came before were, they were not infallible. Amongst the ruins and wastes left behind by their passing, even their greatest creations could not withstand what they had faced. Grand constructs people had long since called Steel Ancestors- towering things built in the shape of man, meant to be controlled by man. Yet all that power was left in shambles- some of them twisted, others shattered and broken. Even still, some left scorched and melted.
But just as those were left as a monument to the feats and power of those that had come before, did they also serve as inspiration for those that came after. While not a fitting replication, the steel ancestors gave way to the Iron Knights. Arcane Machina that imitated their predecessors, a fusion of both magic and metal. Expensive to make and maintain, noble houses lucky to even be in possession of two them, but more than worth the cost as both a deterrent, and in warfare.
Still, even just that attempt at recovering their former glory was not enough to sate the curiosity of the people that spread across the once ruined landscape. Even if it was only a slight bit, everyone wondered where they had truly come from. What parts of their history was hidden behind that elusive calamity, what had truly happened that could topple an empire.
And, of course, what could still be hidden under the surface. Slumbering and waiting for the right time to shake the world to its very core once more.
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Heya! So, first and foremost, thank you to those of you that have made it down this far past my set dressing and minor worldbuilding! I wasn't sure how to start writing this prompt, and I eventually landed on setting the tone first, and explaining after. Hopefully you won't be confused after this, but hey, I'm always willing to chatter your ears off with my crazy and sometimes weird ideas.
Okay, alright. Onto the business part of the post. As you might be able to tell, this setting is a weird fusion of a couple of themes- post post-apocalyptic, fantasy, with a nice little garnish of science fiction thrown in there. Already that's a lot up front, so allow me to explain the vibe a little more clearly. I love, looooove fantasy worlds built on top of the skeleton of something else. Swords and magic being the default, but with that weird artifact or tale or creature that the people's current understanding of the world can't explain. That mystery of what happened to the previous society lurking in the background, sometimes eventually explained, sometimes not. A world that has recovered past a type of apocalyptic event, and is on the rise again, rather than rummaging around in the wastes.
Long winded explanation aside, there's already an example of a leftover from the previous round alluded to in the above set dressing- the Steel Ancestors. Machines that were created by the people that came before, presumably for combat but there's so little actually known about them it's impossible to tell, except for the fact that they were crudely reverse engineered into the Iron Knights.
Which is to say, as a short version, I like Mechs with my fantasy sometimes. Granted, powered by magic and dozens of other things, but still piloted and controlled by a person. It's fun, it's dumb, and it can be interesting in a few ways.
Regardless, I like to think of them as a sort of....unholy amalgamation of knights and siege weaponry. Plus the imagery of massive, metal humanoids marching alongside an army off to war tickles something in my head, or duels between the constructs in a weird twisted sense of chivalry and other knight themes.
Okay, okay, I'm rambling, sorry. That happens sometimes, especially when creating new ideas. Regardless, I'm looking to build and explore this world with someone preferably 21+. There's likely to be drama, political intrigue, alongside lighter moments and pure adventure if I can help it. Alongside that, I'm very keen (honestly it's a light requirement) on romance, as well, between the two main characters at least, just to add to the intercharacter dynamics.
To follow that up- this is a fantasy world, and I absolutely intend for their to be a myriad of humanoid races running around. Humans, Elves, dwarves, demon-y people, animal eared folks- I'm even open to furries. The world is our oyster, so let's have a little fun with it, yeah? Spice it up some, rather than sticking with bland and normal. Stick some contrast into the potential pairings, some enemies to lovers thanks to an age old feud between peoples, you get the idea.
For actual prompts, well, these I've only got a vague idea on, and nothing is concrete. I'm happy to talk and see where we land if nothing appeals to you out of these options, but hey, they're also open to change too. For some vague ideas, we have:
-An excavation site reveals a steel tomb. Someone that can understand and interpret ancient words is brought in to guide the exploration into it, and they happen upon an intact Steel Ancestor inside. Perhaps even with a pilot on ice, still alive and relatively well once thawed out. An early glance into the world before, and people of import/kingdoms all vying to earn the allegiance of said recovered ancient, or steal away the priceless, working, piece of history that was recovered.
-An Iron Knight, or Iron Squire becoming a Banneret. A knight under their own banner, and technically a free agent. Going through all the challenges of no longer being supported or bound to a noble house, and needing to find a support system of their own outside of the metal monstrosity they control, not to mention learning how the world really works. Very keen on the pairing here being the Knight and a mechanic/artificer/whatever.
-The goings on of a mercenary company in this setting. A handful of iron knights, fighting for coin rather than country. Probably seen as disgraceful, I'd imagine, because they don't stick to the usualy chivalrous values and all that, not to mention they could have enough military power to rival some noble houses.
-Not really a plot idea, but just doubling up on the whole mechanic/engineer x Pilot dynamic. Someone that'd get a little uppity over an Iron Knight and similar getting banged up, and so on.
-Similar to the above idea, but a bit of a different take. An Artificer/Engineer being sponsored by a kingdom/Nobility to toss together a prototype iron knight, with technology and/or magic that nobody will tell them where it's from. Of course, there'll also need to be a pilot- and it just so happens they have someone expendable/some sort of prisoner just for that role, though said person is admittedly more reasonable than initially let on.
Anywho, again, I'm not married to any of those, so please, don't feel chained to anything if you reach out.
Moving on, the housekeeping. I'm looking to roleplay this over discord, in third person perspective, past tense. I tend to stick around the 3-5 paragraph range, but I've been known to frequently hit the character cap. Often enough that it annoys me, at least. Preferably, I'd be looking for a partner that I can be friendly with. Chatting about the roleplay as it unfolds, coming up with deranged ideas, and so on. I'll more than likely hit you with music and inspiration if it pops up, too, so hey, if you're into that, I'm your guy.
Which, on the note of inspiration- a lot of this post is coming from an amalgamation of Xenogears, Xenoblade, gundam, break blade, and about a dozen smaller bits and pieces here and there. That being said you don't need to know much at all about the above, just have some enthusiasm! And if you don't know but are curious to know, oh man, I hope you're prepared for a scatterbrained chattering.
And finally, the adult themes segment. I'll keep it short, as I'm here for story and narrative, but it is relevant info in my opinion. On the topic of smut, I'm open and okay with it- romance often comes with it, after all. That being said, I won't pressure or turn it into the focus, so no need to worry about that. I'm also very, very intent on making sure we're both comfortable with things, so that might be a conversation to be had just to make sure we both know the do's and don'ts.
H'okay. Almost done. If this absolutely massive post of condensed nerdom has caught your eye, feel free to reach out! Seriously, at any time, I'm always looking for partners. Even if I'm not awake, if I see a message I like when I wake up, you can bet I'll jump right on replying as soon as I can. I'm sure this post is missing something, but hey, what can ya do when you're hopped up on caffeine and mecha vibes? Either way, I don't bite, so don't be shy to reach out.
As a final aside, please bring some ideas and/or your thoughts in your first message. Without something along those lines, I'm very unlikely to respond.