Bloodshed: The Third Crusade

[King Acunasti ●]

This is just to keep both you and I occupied while we wait for Veck and Goldy to return.

1191
The Holy Land

The Holy Land…It’s the Land of God, they say - the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. A place of destruction, war and chaos. Noble Christian leaders such as Richard I, Philip II, and Frederick I marched down into the lands with armies of men who sought the purification of God’s lands. They met resistance, of course, from Saladin and his Saracen followers. But you know of this tale, and mock me for retelling it.

But what if there was something you didn’t know of? A separate war charring the Holy Land during the Third Crusade? During the dawn of 1191, at the nightfall of the Third Crusade, an army of creatures spawned across the lands of the crusade. Where exactly they hailed from, who (or what) they followed, or what they had called themselves was unknown to the people. But they were figures of which were thought to have only existed within nightmares. These “demons” have gained the title of the “Unkown” by the people of the holy Land. If they are not stopped…the entire Holy land may collapse, and its people left to suffer and die.

Factions

Factions will be extremely important in this roleplay. It will effect the way your character fights, what he/she worships (if anything at all), and even their views on life or death. In other words, it will effect their existence as a whole. So choose carefully…

Crusader Factions

Knightly Orders

-Knights Templar - A highly renowned order of knights. They were among the most skilled fighters of the Third Crusade, and possess a high political standing in the Holy Land.
Leader(s): Robert de Sable
Major Strongholds: Acre, an encampment outside Jerusalem

-Teutonic Knights - A knightly order of nobility and righteousness. They balance the practices of both combat and medical care.
Leader(s): Meister Sibrand
Major Strongholds: Acre, an encampment outside Jerusalem (the same one occupied by the Knights Templar)

-Knights Hospitaller - A set of healer-knights. While their main focus was medical care, they were known to be quite capable of defending themselves.
Leader(s): Garnier de Nablus
Major Strongholds: Acre

-Knights Mythisch - A knightly order of great skill. They are the greatest rivals of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, and are often at odds with them. While they do support the Crusade, a major side goal of theirs is to bring about the downfall of the Unknown.
Leader(s): Jarvis Helsphere
Major Strongholds: Acre

Kingdom of England

-Army of England - The army of England
Leader(s): Richard I of England (Richard “the Lionheart”)
Major Strongholds: Acre

Kingdom of France

-Army of France - The army of France
Leader(s): Philip II of France
Major Strongholds: Acre

Holy Roman Empire

-United Army of the Holy Roman Empire - An army made up of the forces of Swabia, Austria, Montferrat, and Hungary (The Holy Roman Empire)
Leader(s): Henry VI, Leopold V, Conrad I of Jerusalem, Géza of Hungary
Major Strongholds: Acre

Religious Orders

-Catholic Church - The renowned worshipers of the Hebrew God. Their former leader, Pope Gregory VIII, called for the Crusade before his demise. Members of the church are restricted from any form of direct violence. But there are always those who tend to break the rules…
Leader(s): Pope Clement III, other [unmentioned] Catholic Bishops
Major Strongholds: Acre

Saracen Factions

United Syria

-Army of Syria - The highly trained military force of the Muslims.
Leader(s): Saladin, Kilij Arslan II
Major Strongholds: Damascus, Jerusalem

-Saladin’s Hands - An elite brotherhood of soldiers who are few in numbers, yet nearly unmatched in the arts of combat.
Leader(s): Saladin, Abd al Kadir
Major Strongholds: Damascus

Other Factions

-Hashshashin - Also known as the “Assassins”, this order of warriors spread their beliefs across much of the Holy Land. The group brought terror to both the Crusader and Saracen principles, assassinating many important figures of the Holy Land.
Leader(s): Rashid ad-Din Sinan
Major Strongholds: Masyaf

-Thieves’ Guild - This organization of Middle Eastern thieves and burglars flourished during the days of the Crusades. Following only one rule - never steal from a fellow thief - this faction of criminals kept the citizens of the Holy Land gripping every one of their possessions with all of their might.
Leader(s): William Klar (Acre), Maad al-Sab (Damascus, Jerusalem)
Major Strongholds: Acre, Damascus, Jerusalem

-Civilians - This isn’t really an organized faction. It’s just where any of you common people of the Holy Land who are destined to become more belong.





The Setting

Yes, the setting of this roleplay is highly similar to that of Assassin’s Creed. But be warned - THIS IS NOT AN ASSASSIN’S CREED ROLEPLAY. Yes, there are Assassins and Templars in this roleplay, and you can be either one. But this isn’t an Assassin’s Creed roleplay. However, there were tensions between the two group in real life, and therefore in this roleplay as well. Keep that in mind.

Also note that not all of this is historically correct. Beside the satanic demons wreaking havoc upon the land, there are several factions listed above which aren’t (and have never been) real.

To top it off, remember that life in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade wasn’t happy and full of celebration. It was a time of economic downfall, plague, and religious warfare.

The Condition of the Holy Land

During this roleplay, times during the Third Crusade are extremely difficult. Since the Christian capturing of the city, Acre has become the host of numerous diseases and various acts of crime. It has also been the prime target attacks from the “Unknown”. The whereabouts of their victims are still unknown.

Damascus is the sight of corruption. Under the reign of the Saracens, the city has become blackened by the clouds of sin. Guards harass the civilians regularly. The people have been driven poor. Many have disappeared due to the actions of the wicked demons that scour the land.

The Teutonic and Templar orders of knights have planned an attack on Jerusalem in order to recapture it from the Muslims, despite their rivalry. They have created a small base outside of the city walls. Jerusalem has been attacked by the monsters on many occasions. The city’s great size prevents the attackers’ capturing.

Masyaf has entered a state of chaos. The Assassins - highly skilled killers who are trained in the arts of both offense and defense - are being eliminated one by one. The creatures have entered the city walls. Yet none have been seen.

Nonetheless, through all of this war and terror, the Third Crusade carries on, each side determined to eliminate the other. If the war is not stopped…great harm will befall not only the land of God…but the world as well.

Character Sheet
Sorry ‘bout the long character sheet, everyone.

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Nationality:

Ethnicity:

Height:

Weight:

Hair Color:

Eye Color:

Faction (choose one from above - you can only be a member of one faction):

Specialty (swordsman, archer, thief, scholar, etc…):

Appearance:

Bio:

Personality (You are not bound to your personality. Your character may change throughout the roleplay):

Religious Views:

Faction Rivalry

Faction rivalry is permitted and in fact encouraged in this roleplay. There is a fair amount of tension between the knightly orders, a great amount between the kingdoms of France and England, and an incredible amount between the knightly orders and the Hashshashin. The Crusaders and Saracen are at war, so if Bob is a Crusader, and Tim is a Saracen, they’re not likely to be best friends. There are always exceptions, of course. You can get a general idea of the relationships between the factions just by knowing history or reading their descriptions above.

Rules

1. I’m the boss. If I want a flaming centaur to fall from the sky with a gorilla in his right hand an MP-40 in his left, it will happen.

2. Be realistic. This one isn’t a comedy roleplay.

3. No characters under the age of 17. Kids only save the world in stupid movies.

4. Use good grammar.

5. No god-modding.

6. With the introduction of Mary/Gary Sues…Try to avoid them.

7. Romance is permitted.

8. Put the phrase “All hail King Acunasti, Master of Monkeys” in your post if you read all of these.

9. Your character must start in one of his/her faction’s stronghold. Only characters that are members of the “Civilian” faction can choose which city they start of at.

10. Remember - This is not an Assassin’s Creed roleplay!

11. Have fun.

[The Raven ●]

((Sounds interesting. Might join up. Tomorrow.))

edit: ““All hail King Acunasti, Master of Monkeys””

Last edited by The Raven on Fri Aug 06, 2010 12:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

[I_am_one ●]

I take it I can't be myself then? (Richard )

I'm post a character sheet soon.

Edit: “All hail Monkeys, Master of King Acunasti”

Last edited by I_am_one on Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Vivec's Tears ●]

I will post my sheet tonight ^_^

[King Acunasti ●]

I take it I can't be myself then? (Richard )

I'm post a character sheet soon.

Haha
Sure, as long as he's not the King of England.

If all goes well here, I may create a sequel.

[I_am_one ●]

I take it I can't be myself then? (Richard )

I'm post a character sheet soon.

Haha
Sure, as long as he's not the King of England.

Aww...


Character Sheet
Sorry ‘bout the long character sheet, everyone.

Name: Anne (How original)
Age: 28

Gender: female (My first female character... )

Nationality: French

Ethnicity:N/A

Height: 5'6

Weight: 120lbs.

Hair Color: Brunette

Eye Color: Blue

Faction (choose one from above - you can only be a member of one faction): Knights Hospitaller

Specialty (swords man, archer, thief, scholar, etc…): Medic

Appearance: Not very tall, nor short, she is skinny due to all the exercise she gets doing her daily duties, such as collecting water for patients, or gathering other supplies. Her hair isn't very long, about shoulder length, but she puts it in a small ponytail to keep it entirely out of her face. (I'm not sure what kind of armor or clothes they would wear.)

Bio: She grew up on a small farm as an only child in France. They had many animals who got sick a lot, so Anne had taken cure of sick patients her whole life, even though human patients are very different from animals. When the Crusade started, Anne knew they would need many medics, so she joined the Knights as such. She never picked up a weapon in her life, which is why she practices as a medic.

Personality (You are not bound to your personality. Your character may change throughout the roleplay): She tries to keep happy to keep her patients happy, but like most, she is sad being surrounded by death, and not family.

Religious Views: N/A

Hopes that's good enough.

[matt314hew ●]

I am thinking of joining. I need to think of a good character. Will get back to you tomorrow with a character.

[Vivec's Tears ●]

Name: Angelique Desmarais

Age: 29, but she looks younger

Gender: Female

Nationality: French

Ethnicity: Er...white?

Height: 5'8

Weight: 135 lbs

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: brown

Faction (choose one from above - you can only be a member of one faction): Knights Mythisch

Specialty (swordsman, archer, thief, scholar, etc…): Finesse swordsman (uses two rapiers at once)

Appearance: Angelique is a tall and lithe Frenchwoman. Her build is one of speed, agility, and constitution. She keeps her long black hair in a long ponytail draping down her back. Her face is heart-shaped, framed by her obsidian locks when they are loose. Her soft brown eyes are piercing when they wander through something, though when she blinks, her dark lashes seem to erase any conspicuous malevolent looks. Her features are very-eye pleasing, her skin somewhat tanned from sparring in the sun. Her fingers are long and pale, curling around her twin rapiers with deadly accuracy. She wears a loose-fitting shirt with tighter sleeves, and a pair of black brown leggings and padded boots.

Bio: Angelique was raised in an honorable, noble home, located near the palace. Honor and valor were subjects drilled into her as often, if not moreso, than her core subjects. She had a relatively uneventful childhood until the age of 19, when her father was killed in a duel. After that, she took to the streets, leaving her distraught mother, coping with her emotions by hiring herself out as a mercenary and killing with swift accuracy that pleased her employers.

Personality (You are not bound to your personality. Your character may change throughout the roleplay): She is very witty, his tongue generally sharp around other women, but she is generally an honorable and guarded lady around those she respects or does not know well. She speaks English very well, with only a hint of an accent. She rarely holds her tongue when it comes to matters concerning her own welfare. She does not uphold himself to fighting for particular causes, despite how she was raised, but duty and honor are still her main values, and she will faithfully follow a companion or employer until the end.

Religious Views: Unknown, presumably Christian but she almost never mentions it.

Last edited by Vivec's Tears on Sat Aug 07, 2010 4:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[King Acunasti ●]

I_am_one: Nice character. Playing a female character sounds fun in an odd way.

VT: Noice. The closest faction to Kingdom of France is the French Army. A soldier, perhaps?

[Vivec's Tears ●]

Edit'd

Also, male characters ftw.

[Duh ●]

I'm really gettin' into this one!!!!!

Name: Ubel Tyrannarzt (Nicknamed “The Butcher-Doctor”, “King of Torture”, and “Satan’s Healer”)

Age: 37

Gender: Male

Nationality: Germany

Ethnicity: German, Hungarian, Syrian, and Jewish mix

Height: 6’1

Weight: 150 lbs

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Grey

Faction: Knights Hospitaller

Specialty: Surgeon

Appearance: A dark, wrinkled face with a head of black hair (which he always keeps combed back). He wears a suit of chainmail armor with a black surcoat bearing the white cross of the Knights Hospitaller on the chest. Over his surcoat is a white apron that is stained with blood. His eyes are said to be as grey as stone. It is rumored by the people of Acre that when his eyes meet yours, you are struck with a feeling of incredible lifelessness that lasts until he turns away.

Bio: Born in rural Germany, Ubel’s mother was raped to death by his drunken father and his gang of criminals. After his mother’s death, his father turned his abuse to his son. Ubel was constantly beaten and strangled as he grew. A tale spread across his village that when he was born, his eyes were as blue as the sky. But as he was beaten and neglected by his father, they slowly turned grey. Ubel always laughed at the tale, but he never revealed whether it was true or fictitious. At age twelve, when his father ordered him to chop down three oaks within the hour, he plunged the axe into his father’s gut, and repeatedly slashed him with a dagger, leaving him to bleed to death on his own doorstep. Fleeing his former life, Ubel joined the monastery (although he never devoted himself to the Christians’ beliefs), and eventually the Knights Hospitaller. Mentally effected by his childhood, he came to abuse his patients by conducting operations of which he called the “Purified Methods”. These “Purified Methods” included unnecessary amputation of limbs, the removal of working eyes, drilling holes into heads, whip lashings, the removal of nails, and other horrific operations. During the Siege of Acre, Ubel opened a hospital and mental asylum at the edge of the city where he offered employment to fellow doctors and Knights Hospitaller, and “medical care” to wounded soldiers and civilians. The people of Acre have granted him the nicknames “The Butcher-Doctor”, “King of Torture”, and “Satan’s Healer”. It is a well-known fact that any who enter the hospital for medical care will never see the light of day again. Its floors and walls are covered with crimson blood, as well as limbs, organs, and objects of torture. Only three patients attempted to escape, all of which were captured and had their legs amputated in the aftermath. The second died during the amputation.

Personality: Ubel is a truly sadistic and merciless being. It is ironic that he opened a mental asylum, when it is he who is truly mentally ill. He is incredibly abusive to not only his patients, but his employees as well. He calls his female employees “filthy [&@%!]” and often beats and rapes them. His male employees are known as “verlangsamte [&@%!]” (look it up in a German dictionary to find the meaning), and are often locked within tiny stone closets Ubel calls “Disinfection Rooms” that apparently rid them of the patients’ diseases. The longest he had ever kept one of his employees within one of these rooms was three months. The employee’s body was found in skeletal form when the closet was opened. Ubel speaks with an incredibly heavy German accent. But he knows English vocabulary well, and is a cunning trickster. He shows no mercy in any case, be it in battle or within his hospital/asylum.

Religious Views: He claims he is Christian, but is truly an atheist.

[Tiber Septim25 ●]

Name: Ana

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Nationality: Syrian

Ethnicity: Arabian

Height: 5'2"

Weight: 95 lbs.

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Eye Color: Green

Faction (choose one from above - you can only be a member of one faction): Hashshashin

Specialty (swordsman, archer, thief, scholar, etc…): Assassin

Appearance: A very small woman with very striking and attractive features. She's got dark, tanned skin She's got some really "killer" beauty (haha...not). She'll almost always wear the standard white hooded Hashshashin uniform, with a small 2" dagger visibly strapped to one of her boots. She has an assassin's blade on her wrist (of course) that only shows when she goes to use it.

Bio: She was taken at a very young age (as with most assassins) to be trained in their ways. She dedicated all of her adolescence towards her training, and once she reached 18 she was allowed to leave. She decided to forgo further advanced training to perform small assassination jobs & spying to gain information for larger jobs in other outlying cities (Acre, Damascus, Jerusalem). She now waits in Masyaf to be sent to a job in another city.

Personality (You are not bound to your personality. Your character may change throughout the roleplay): She is very gentle, but dark, and has yet to develop a personal personality...Such as maintaining friendship, or even any type of relationship with anyone (more kind & loving traits will come out as story progresses).

Religious Views: Very slight Islamic (may change throughout story)

[Vivec's Tears ●]

Lawl, I love how this is the crusades and all of us are pretty much non religious xD

[The Raven ●]

Spoiler:

Character Sheet

Name: Altaïr ibn La-Ahad Drake

Age: 23

Gender: Male

Nationality: Scotland

Ethnicity: Scot

Height: 183,5 cm tall

Weight: 70,2 kg

Hair Color: Dark brown

Eye Color: Green, with a hint of brown

Faction: Knights Hospitalier

Specialty: Medic (can still fight, mind you lolz.)

Appearance: Drake is a tall, well built Scot. He's standard tall and weight. Attractive, but nothing stunning.
his armor: think DA:O Templars

Bio: He never believed in any religion. Since he was 12, he decided he was atheist, but he still went to church, because of his religious family.
He always pretended to be Christian, to avoid violence.
He never wanted to join the Crusades, but his family forced him to join it.

Personality: He's very nervous about the war against the Unknown. He's not very experienced in war, so it frightens him a bit. He tends to hide it, and tries to act like he doesn't care.
He's serious at most, but can make a joke if he sees the opportunity.

Religious Views: N/A

Char sheet, tell me if I did anything wrong.

Last edited by The Raven on Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Duh ●]

A couple of them are slightly religious, though. Good enough.

3 Knights Hospitaller.

[Generalno1 ●]

I'll post mine tomorrow.(Which is near mid-night today for you guys)

[King Acunasti ●]

A couple of them are slightly religious, though. Good enough.

3 Knights Hospitaller.

Not everyone in the Crusade was religious. Are there many soldiers today who don't support the war? Sure, but they still become part of it. It was the same deal back then.

And yes, many Hospitallers.
I'm diggin' these characters though. Should I make a character in this one, or not?

[Vivec's Tears ●]

A couple of them are slightly religious, though. Good enough.

3 Knights Hospitaller.

Not everyone in the Crusade was religious. Are there many soldiers today who don't support the war? Sure, but they still become part of it. It was the same deal back then.

And yes, many Hospitallers.
I'm diggin' these characters though. Should I make a character in this one, or not?

Yes.

[Generalno1 ●]

Oh what the hell?I'll post mine, but i'll only be able to post regularly from tomorrow(mine)

Name:Aaqib

Age: 20

Gender: male

Nationality:Israeli

Ethnicity: Arabian

Height: 6'0

Weight: 65 KG

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color:Brown

Faction (choose one from above - you can only be a member of one faction): Saladin's Hand

Specialty (swordsman, archer, thief, scholar, etc…): Swordsman

Appearance: He a tall built man with muscles. He wears the armour of the hand, and wears it proudly.He has a gaunt face and stubble. his eyes are keen. He has thin lips. His armour consists of a chest piece, leg and arm guards, Shoulder plates and boots.(he isn't fully cover with plate, the arm guards go till his elbows, his leg guards don't cover his thighs, and the chest armour is a shape that covers his upper left side diagnolly with the symbol of saladin's hand on it) His Scimitar is visible quite clearly as he wants it to be. His armour/robes are green and white with a white cowl

Bio: Aaqib was a soldier before he was taken as a member of the hand. He was very honured, as his family was a simple one, who taught him to be loyal to country and Religion. As he is. His skill with the sword is great, but the same cannot be said for his experiance, as he has only seen a few battles, but enough so that his membership into the hand was assured. He is still new to the Hand, Although he had respect in the army, he still had to earn it in this elite group. As he is sure he will. he has just come to the head quaters of the hand in Damascus, and is awaiting his first orders

Personality (You are not bound to your personality. Your character may change throughout the roleplay):He is vey religious, so his loyalty To Saladin and his side of the crusades is something close to fanatical. He will not be deterred from completing his objectives,serving Saladin and Beating the foreigners. He is dark, but friendly to people he trusts

Religious Views: Islamic (I think you know the level)
I was going to create an Anti-crusades Crusader but i think we have enough of those

Last edited by Generalno1 on Fri Aug 06, 2010 4:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[The Raven ●]

Actually, I decided to go for Knights Hospitalier when I first read about the faction. Sound more interesting than the others.

[Duh ●]

I was just into playing an evil character. Knights Hospitaller sounded perfect for my idea as a mad doctor.
This is gonna be fun!

[Duh ●]

I have recieved news that I_am_one's character shall be working for mine at his hospital-asylum.

[Generalno1 ●]

looks like i'm against everybody else

[King Acunasti ●]

looks like i'm against everybody else

Do not worry. You'll have many NPC's on your side, and crusaders do have the option to switch from their side to yours. Plus, my character will likely create a form of "Civil war" between the crusaders.

Speaking of my character, here he is! A Templar...
I created this character to kind of counter my cousin's. Beware, Ubel - Rudolph will know of your corruption!

Name: Rudolph le Chevalier

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Nationality: Austrian

Ethnicity: French-German

Height: 6’3

Weight: 185 lbs

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Eye Color: Blue

Faction: Knights Templar

Specialty: Knight

Appearance: An extremely broad figure with a head of extremely short, dark brown hair and a trimmed beard of the same color. He has a pronounced face with a scar running down through his right eye all the way to his chin. This wound has prevented him from seeing through his right eye, which effects his combat skills. He wears a complete suit of chain mail, as well as a pair of steel gauntlets and boots with a white surcoat presenting the red cross of the Knights Templar. He also wears a long white cape that bears the same emblem. He often wears a steel helm with a pair of metal-crafted antlers sprouting out from the sides, which strikes fear into his enemies.

Bio: Born to a French father and a German mother in Vienna, Austria, he was introduced to a difficult life composed of hard work. He lived in a peasant village, farming for food and money to support his family. When he was sixteen, his mother and father died of a lethal disease, and he could only afford to support his land for a month or two. Leaving his beloved home behind, he joined the Templar Order before the Crusade. He quickly arose in their ranks, and became a renowned member of the Knights Templar. This led to a challenge proposed by a fellow [jealous] knight. During the duel, Rudolph’s opponent sliced through his face. While he ultimately won the duel, he nearly died. He was restored, though, but lost his right eye in the process. This heavily effected his skill in combat, but he remained a valuable member of the order. During the Crusade, he was directed to Acre by Robert de Sable himself. Robert put him in charge of managing the city while he focused on the attack on Jerusalem. Since Rudolph has been in the general control of Acre, tensions between the other knightly orders have reached an all-time high, especially between the Templars and Hospitallers, which has had a negative effect on the Christian side of the war.

Personality: Large, intelligent, kind, and a loyal Christian, Rudolph is the ideal Templar commander. Robert de Sable himself has described his personality as “kind an noble - a character fit for a knight”. He is the classical hero figure…to the crusaders. He is one of the least respected men of the war when looked at from the Saracens’ point of view. While fit for a knight, is is an extremely poor governor. Acre has entered the high stages of a depression. Rudolph harbors a personal disliking for the high-ranking members of the Knights Hospitaller. He has a unique way of speech that sounds like a combination between a French and German accent. This makes sense, as he was taught both languages as a child.

Religious Views: A Christian extremist. He supports the Crusade in any possible way.

[Generalno1 ●]

I suppose "extremist" is the way to describe mine as well
when do we start?
edit-I think i'll edit my appearence