They Live in the Forest... (Open & Accepting!)

[Consulting_Angel]

You drive past the sign that reads Welcome to Ashenthorne! and as you drive into the town, realise just how shrouded by a thick forest it is - more so than you expected from the outside. Judging from this, though, you know that you're in the right place. You find the agency to collect your key from, and then you go and find the apartment that you're renting, ready to move in. You won't be staying long - perhaps no more than a month or two - but an apartment would be a lot more comfortable than a hotel.

Now for the reason you're here - research. More specifically, research into a mysterious group known as the Beornen that are said to reside in a mini-village inside the thick forest that surrounds this town. From the background research you already have, you know that the group worships a mysterious deity that requires sacrifices that are burned. It is said to be very secretive, and this town, Ashenthorne, is the sole place that members of the group reside and practice their craft. However you intend to document your findings - or whatever you hope to gain - there is a lot to uncover, much more than you might have expected. Unbeknownst to you as well, things are about to get a lot more dangerous for yourself as well - but we'll get to that later!

For now, connect with the other researchers that you find yourself crossing the paths with. Perhaps you could join forces and figure the secrets of the Beornen and Ashenthorne together? Just... don't go into the forest alone.
---
Ashenthorne Case File #1274 - Missing Person
Name: Damian Jackson
Damian Jackson went missing two weeks ago, and was last seen in the town of Ashenthorne. Jackson is noted to be a prolific researcher in mysterious groups, conspiracies and dark forces, collecting information through not always ethical methods. Stayed in Apartment 39 in the Alder Estate building, which has remained locked and untouched. No comment from officials.

[Consulting_Angel]

Base Information

- If you skimmed through the plot, then the basis of the roleplay is essentially characters are researchers - each having something they're known for, as per the roles. They are looking into the mysterious group known as the Beornen, who are said to live in a settlement within the forest they consider sacred and home to their deity, which mostly surrounds the town of Ashenthorne. This is of particular interest because well-known researcher, Damian Jackson, has gone missing in the town while also researching the Beornen. Damian was known to be somewhat unethical with his research methods, breaking into places, stealing and threatening for information, but still very successful.

As we progress through the roleplay, more information will be uncovered about the Beornen, their deity and Damian's disappearance, as well as Ashenthorne. However, please do not meta-game with the information given outside of the roleplay (for example, if you're playing a townsperson that might be able to give some information to the researchers, or one of the Beornen), or if another character(s) discover information that your character is not present for.

[Consulting_Angel]

You may have up to three characters. You can only have one of each Beornen and researcher, but you may have as many townspeople as you'd like (up to the three limit).
Townspeople and regular Beornen members can also be NPCs to use as and when needed. PM me to reserve roles, they will last for 24 hours, though you can ask for an extension.

Discussion thread

Researchers
The Veteran
Has the most experience when it comes to researching conspiracies, dark magic, mysterious groups and the like. Perhaps jaded from experiences, but very wise and sensible. Has documented findings and helped solve mysteries in the past.
Name | Age | User

The Author
A writer that has published several books about their research and findings. Likes to have solid data and experiences to write about. Can be a little reckless in their quest for a good story to write about, but still fairly experienced and well-known among researchers.
Elias Fletcher | 25 | Consulting_Angel

The Videographer
They have a YouTube channel, Instagram and most other social medias that they can post videos on. They tend to prefer a good shot and providing a good viewing experience for their followers. Despite seeming vain and only interested in views, they are intelligent and inspiring.
Aehrs Zim | 21 | AsherAtRisk

The Reseller
Not particularly well-liked, the Reseller mainly has profit on their mind. Mysterious artefacts and trinkets are their life blood, acquiring them to resell to the highest bidder - and boy, do people pay for them! They are courageous and perhaps have a hidden depth to them, though.
Kenta Carvalho | 27 | FoePaw

The Debunker
Cynical and critical, the Debunker travels to debunk myths and local legends. Any story and evidence that can be picked apart will be - and people love them for it. In fact, most legends they have investigated have been debunked - and they're expecting the same result now. Unfortunately, they're in for a surprise.
Name | Age | User

The Beornen
The Leader
Said to have been personally chosen by their deity, the Leader of the Beornen ensures the secrecy and protection of the group. He is said to be able to communicate directly with the deity, as well as have visions of dangers that they have to defend the group against.
Alex Darkman | 34 | TheRegularTerrarian

The Vice
The Leader's right hand, the Vice helps the Leader wherever possible, and may have some responsibilities if the Leader is unable to do some of them. They are also said to be close to the deity, though only in the way of occasionally receiving visions, and are in charge of any supply runs.
Name | Age | User

Ritual Runner
They take the lead when the Beornen perform rituals, ensuring the right supplies, artefacts and runes are used, as well as the procedure for the rituals are followed, such as the building of pyres. After all, they don't want an angry deity to confront them if things aren't followed correctly!
Name | Age | User

Artefact Archivist
Responsible for keeping track of the Beornen artefacts, they are aware of each one, what they do, and how to use them. Only they - and the Leader and Vice - are allowed to touch them, unless special permission has been given. They're trying to hide the fact that one of the artefacts is currently missing.
Vivianna Stoker | 24 | Consulting_Angel

Rune Keeper
Inscriber of the runes, translating texts about the Beornen and their deity, rituals, and the like. They keep the texts safe, to ensure they do not fall into the hands of outsiders. They can be very strict with even other Beornen handling them.
Cordelia Remmington | 27 | tawneypelt0504

Townspeople
- Alzedore Albus | 101 | TheRegularTerrarian
- Maisie Walker | 26 | King Roscoe
- Name | Age | User
- Name | Age | User
- Name | Age | User
- Name | Age | User

[Consulting_Angel]

Here's the character form, if you'd like one to use. Otherwise, you may use your own, provided it has all the required information.

Code: Select all

[left][img]Image/FC[/img][/left][size=85][b]Full Name:[/b]
[b]Nickname[/b] (if any):
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Pronouns:[/b]
[b]Sexuality:[/b]
[b]Role:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] (written description, optional)

[b]Personality:[/b] (at least 5-6 sentences)

[b]Short Bio:[/b] (include how they became a researcher/part of the Beornen, if they are either)

[b]Other[/b]:[/size]

Rules
- As per usual, all of Tess' rules apply (it should go without saying, but there's always someone...)
- PM to reserve - they last for 24 hours.
- Roleplay post lengths must be 5-6 sentences, at the least, for each character. No one- or two-liners.
- Please use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, so that other roleplayers can understand your posts.
- No romantic relations between your own characters.
- All characters must be 21 or older. Certain roles, such at The Veteran and The Leader should, of course, be much older. Typically, younger characters would not have a lot of experience.
- Please disable signatures in the roleplay thread.
- If you have a question, then let me know!
- Keep OOC chat and character forms to the discussion thread.

[Consulting_Angel]

Information that has been gathered (and who knows it) will go here!
(If I remember to use this)

[Consulting_Angel]

Elias Fletcher
25 | Male | Bisexual
The Author
Location: Antique Shop
Tagged: Open

Elias had arrived in Ashenthorne the previous evening, so today was the first real opportunity he had to explore the town and see what he could find. He wasn't expecting any huge revelations just yet, but he did have a plan. First, he wanted to see what the antique shops in the town had to offer - perhaps something would give him some insight into whatever was going on here? And then, he also wanted to see if he could access the apartment Damian Jackson had stayed in before disappearing - as far as Elias knew, nothing much in the way of progress had been made on the case, and he wanted to investigate further. After all, no one like Damian Jackson would just up and leave... right? It didn't make sense. Something must have happened, and Elias wanted to know what - it would be perfect to write about in his next book.

He soon came across an antique store - it was quiet and empty of customers, so Elias pushed the door open and went inside. Time to begin his search.

Vivianna Stoker
24 | Female | Lesbian
Artefact Archivist
Location: Ashenthorne Streets
Tagged: Open

Vivianna had just finished visiting her father, who lived close to the centre of Ashenthorne. She was always grateful to be allowed to visit him, and she knew he was as well. Visiting and the like wasn't particularly strict in the Beornen, but it was a tentative subject - especially if the person knew about them. But she knew her father would never speak a word about them, and trusted him completely.
The other reason she was in Ashenthorne was to see if she could figure out anything at all about the artefact that had gone missing. She hadn't told anyone it was missing, and it has been for at least a year now, but still, it was important she found it. No one had picked it up - at least, if they had, then the Mark must have faded from them so the Leader and Vice couldn't track them. Which meant it must still be around Ashenthorne. And, less importantly, she was picking up a few supplies for the settlement - just some sugar, bread and oranges.

Lost in thought about this (the artefact, not the supplies), Vivianna walked the streets of Ashenthorne, not particularly paying much attention to where she was going. In her mind, she knew the town well enough to not need to pay attention, she just knew where to go.

[doggo !]

Aehrs Zim| 21| Demiboy| Pansro-Aceflux| Videographer|
Location: Apartments
Tags: Open

Aehrs was pulling his stuff from the taxi, struggling obviously. The driver appeared impatient, snapping to get the small boy's attention. They looked to him, who tapped the dashboard where it showed he was still timing. They rolled their eyes and continued until they got their bags out finally. He pulled out his wallet and paid the driver with a quiet "thank you." They hid their anger well as he drove off and carried their stuff up to their room. He looked around to the basic furnishings and shrugged. It's more than I'm used to. I should just be thankful, not like I'll be here a lot. He thought. He began to sort the suitcases to where they'd be going.

[Foe Paw]

Cᴇsᴀʀ Cɪᴘʜᴇʀ
---- he/they • 27 • the reseller • werewolf • location. apartments• tags. open

Cesar had been chatting with the receptionist of the agency for the last half an hour. He'd arrived earlier, collected his key for the apartment and casually asked the woman at the front desk about whether there were any good coffeeshops nearby. He kept the charm turned on all the while, was friendly and interested, and the conversation took off. He let almost fifteen minutes of casual talk pass by before mentioning his friend Damian had been the one to tell him about Ashenthorne, charming little town. had to be seen to be believed.The man was infamous enough in their field of study that Cesar managed to pull up a good couple of very specific details to bluff about his 'good friend' to the woman, pulling on the appropriately sad expression when she commented about the missing persons case.
Cesar was starting to wind up to the end of his pitch - hey, he told me he was staying here, would you pretty please let me take a look at his room? - when the ringing of a bell alerted them to the entry of another customer. Cesar moved to the side to let her do her job, feeling a bit annoyed at the awful timing of the interruption, but there was no rush. He pulled up his phone and pretended to be busy with it, waiting for the man to leave.

[TheRegularTerrarian]

Alex was sitting alone in his room. He had his eyes closed and head tilted towards a statue of the deity. From the statue he was receiving a vision. In it, he saw a small statue of the deity in a robe, with the ram skull head showing, and runes engraved into the base. In the vision he saw it fade out of existence from a shelf in the archive. However, that wasn't all. Next, it showed the shadowy outline of a man, 6'0" with an athletic build. The shadow reached out to touch the statue that had previously faded away, and once the figure touched it, a glowing white Beornen mark engraved itself onto its chest. He was told nothing, and shortly after, the vision faded. Alex had many questions. Who was that figure? It certainly wasn't anyone he knew... And the statue? He could've sworn that Vivianna had kept it safe in the Archives. Still, he went to sense for any... unusual Beornen marks, but nothing out of the ordinary showed up. Had the deity given him a vision of the future? He knew that the deity would never waste his time, however he knew who to tell about the vision. Vivianna had gone out, so he'd talk to her later. For now, he had to find the Vice. He left his room wearing his "casual" robes. As he walked to Ryker's house, he stood tall and took broad steps. Eventually, he finally knocks on the door to the Vice's house, and awaited a response.

[tawneypelt0504]

Cordelia Remmington|27 years old|She/Her|Bisexual|Rune keeper|Loc:Ashenthorne Library--->Street|Tags/Mentions:Vivianna

Cordelia made her way between the library shelves, holding a large stack of books, and hummed contentedly to herself as she shelved books enjoying the quiet. She had been reshelving books most of the morning and was just about finished. Just as Cora was about to finish putting that last stack of books in the Folklore and Mythology section she raised an eyebrow noticing a technology book sitting on the shelf. Cora finished re-shelving the books in her hands before picking up the technology book "Well that's certainly not where you should be" Cora remarked while looking at the spine, and heading towards the section where it should be. After she finally finished re-shelving the books, Cora stretched and looked at the time, "Hmm I could do with some lunch" Cora murmured to herself before walking to her office and grabbing her coat.

Before she left Cora made sure the door to her office was locked and that she left a note on the front desk to the library saying she'd left and about time she'd be back. Cora didn't mind leaving the library unguarded while she was away, anything that she would be concerned about going missing was locked inside her office in a secret room. Besides Cora doubted the townsfolk would steal from her anyways. Cora walked down the streets thinking about where she should stop for lunch, as she walked she noticed a familiar figure on the sidewalk ahead of her. Realizing it was Vivianna Cora made her way over to the young woman with a bright smile"Vivianna darling, how are you" Cora purred sweetly as she greeted her fellow Beornen member.