Exploring the Blightlands

[Ulysses]

When Corrin is accepted, I plan to have him lead an expedition into the Blightlands to find an ancient shrine from the first age.

But the thing is? Are we ready for this? I think all of us agree that the Blightlands will be very, if not extremely hostile. Most characters are fairly young and inexperienced and are thus not very well suited to venture into the Blightlands.

So what do you guys think? Is the RP'ing part of the forum ready to take a peek in the Blightlands? Or do we need more experienced characters first?

[Jig]

I'm both a yes and no for this idea.
Yes because it would certainly cause a plot peak and has lots of other plots to add onto this, and then no because I do think it's a bit too early. But then I think I heard something before about 'don't hold back plots because it's 'too early'' or something so that still leaves me stuck 50/50.

[Ulysses]

The same thing goes for me, it's basically why I'm asking :V

Possibly, we could just let a lot happen on our way to the Blightlands. The starting point will be pretty far south, and the Blightlands are all the way north. Who knows what shenanigans we might encounter.

[Jig]

Well I'm thinking it's a good idea, and can spawn some random events ideas too so. But I also think there has to be some elements added on to it. I have a few ideas.

[Ulysses]

It may take forever before we're actually at the borderline. Enough room for anyone with cool ideas, I'd say.

What kinds of elements would you like to see added?

[Jig]

Well I'm thinking of maybe having a spy for the Thieves Guild on with the group because you know, they'd want what ever their looking for too. Also so that the Thieves Guild can actually do stuff and build up a reputation.

But frankly I don't want to play a spy at the moment, I may just make a 'Casting Call' board here for people who need a character in a plot they make but don't want to rp that character.

[Draco]

I enjoy this idea. The thought of old shrines and temples in the Blightlands is a good idea. I hadn't thought of it. But where there are shrines and temples, there are probably also towns.
What else could be uncovered other than old weapons and knowledge?

You bring up the point that most of the characters are fairly young, which is a good thing to bring up. I always pictured the Blightlands to be a lot like the banner up on the top of each page: a really large system of canyons with natural caves and bridges and fairly easy to get lost in, and that's forgetting the smoke from the presumably volcanic activity. I don't know how many fairly young people would be able to make it through things like that.

There are also a ton of things you could do. The hero Sealros officially went missing, but perhaps someone would be willing to give away her location for the good of the expedition? There's so much you can decide to do here. And I love it.

In other words.
DRACO APPROVES.
/yes, caps were necessary

[Ulysses]

Placing a casting call board could save our inexperience problem. If the characters placed on there are experienced enough to actually survive, we can get the expedition running. Corrin himself is a tough cookie, so he'd manage (kinda obligatory for an expedition leader).

If we're setting up that board, I think there should be a few rules. Of course, it's not up to me to make all of them, but there's one thing that I'd want to have clear: the characters posted there for application should be temporarily, made for the mission/plot at hand and discarded in one way or another.

About cities in the Blightlands. If they're there, they've probably been razed by the ghouls. But then again, if it's as complex as you say, some places probably skipped the ghouls' radar... So that would explain why things like this shrine would still be intact. But entire cities? I doubt it. But then again, I'm not the one making the decisions here

[Jig]

Yeah, none of my characters except Raz would be willing to go, but then if Raz is going against them, then that can't happen.

[Draco]

About cities in the Blightlands. If they're there, they've probably been razed by the ghouls. But then again, if it's as complex as you say, some places probably skipped the ghouls' radar... So that would explain why things like this shrine would still be intact. But entire cities? I doubt it. But then again, I'm not the one making the decisions here

Good point.
But would ghouls and spiders have any use for ruining the cities?
I'm going to pick on Dragon Age for a minute. The Deep Roads were a connection between... a number of dwarven cities/kingdoms. The cities fell because of the first blight, but the cities themselves remained mostly in tact.
/end picking on Dragon Age

I'd say let Jig decide on this.
Because I'm too lazy to actually debate with myself about this.

[Jig]

I say yes to this plot since I'm amusing any of those tiny, less important, holes will be filled during roleplay. Also plots like this make the forum seem more developed and join-worthy to guestyfish.

You can start roleplaying for this after someone takes bait on our casting call for the spy

[Ulysses]

Yes, the Thaigs and cities remained mostly intact, but the entire population has been exterminated. The big difference with the Blightlands here is that it's above the ground. It's been a thousand years since the ghouls have taken their home there, and even if they, like the Darkspawn, spare the architecture, there's the big factor of nature. All buildings will be left unatended and as such, nature will turn them into ruins over the years. So whatever is left, it won't be much more than a pile of rubble if not sheltered correctly. Constructions made in caves will probably be more intact, though. So we can still see some stuff from ancient civilisations

As for Raz... It wouldn't make much sense if the guild master of the thieves guild would be the one to spy. Sending an underling would make more sense. Other than that, he would fit the bill quite nicely.

[Jig]

I don't think Raz would want to be the spy himself frankly. He might take it as risky for himself or something like that.

[Ulysses]

Exactly my point. Raz can't be the one. But someone like Raz is the person we're looking for.

[Draco]

Derp ok I agree.
Cave cities = OK
Not cave cities = Not ok.

/shot

Also I'm pretty sure Aculli would go if someone twisted his arm convinced him.
xD;;