Vitam et Mortem OOC - The Setting

[BrookeDi]

Sorcery History
​

Magic has always existed, but it has always remained just beneath the surface of society. Religion and people refusing to accept that which was different from them prevented people with magic from stepping into the spotlight.

In this magical underworld there exists two beings. There are the witches and the hunters. For the witches, magic was in their blood. It ran in their family and generation after generation, lessons were passed on from parent to child. On the other side were the hunters. Much like the witches, there was something in their genetic make up. They were stronger than the average human but most importantly they were resistant to magic.

At first these two coexisted; there were other horrors in the world, after all.

In 1692 the famous Salem Witch trials were conducted and that’s when things between the hunters and the witches shifted. Both sides lost members in what would become the Great Magical War. Many were lost to the witch trials that occurred across the New World as well as fighting against each other.

Eventually the witches traveled north to create a safe haven to hide their kind from the hunters. As the hunters began disappearing, dying out was the theory, the haven became more of a school until there were schools cropping out all over the world intent on teaching those with magic about their heritage, how to control it, and how to perform magic.

Those that fled to the north created the Altsoba School of Sorcery. They opted to become sorcerers, hoping to escape the negative connotations associated with the word witch. The school was named by the original founders, translating to “all are at war” which soon became the school’s motto. So they would never forget.

Meanwhile, the Hunters were losing numbers. As a result they began pulling back from the war, letting the humans ostracize and demonize the witches. Eventually the Hunters were showing up less and less until it became widely accepted that they simply did not exist anymore. They had gone extinct in the eyes of sorcerers.

However, that isn’t necessarily the case. Around the world deaths of sorcerers have increased and the Hunters have made their return with a statement. In the past sorcerers were killed by removing the heart and head from the body of the sorcerer. A death like that has not occurred for hundreds of years… until now. Though the Hunters have been working quietly in the shadows for years they have decided that now is the time to announce they are back.

Some sorcerers have taken this as a declaration of war. Others say it’s a call for attention. Hunters have yet to be discovered. The actual number of recent deaths has been low, so many believe that it’s not even Hunters. This happens in the background as sorcerers manage their day to day lives.

 

[BrookeDi]

Within the world outlined above, there are a few settings. There is the school, Altsoba, which many of you are familiar with. The only magic school in North America, the very first of it's kind and the highest rated magic school in the world. Other, new settings are outlined below:

This takes place during the same timeline as Altsoba, however it is set in Philadelphia and Glenside (just on the outskirts of Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. There are two main locations: Arcadia University, located in Glenside, Pennsylvania and Occultatum Alley, located near downtown Philadelphia.

Here is a chance to explore more difficult magic, things that are too advanced for the high school students of Altsoba. There is a chance the world could continue to expand (may have already been thinking of a third location), but I want to start with one additional place, first. I still want to prevent over powered characters, so still understand that depending on the age, your character may still have limitations. Fresh out of high school will not have the same ability as someone in their sixties.

Arcadia University:
There are universities across the world that, along with the mundane classes, offer up degrees in magic topics. Most, though not all, will offer a dual degree program for students to graduate with a major in some human subject and a major in some magical subject (such as potions or magical transportation) so that they are qualified in both worlds. Arcadia is one of such schools, a private university where at least half of the faculty and staff are sorcerers.

Magic oriented classes are offered as evening courses (shies away mundane students from wanting to take them), usually Mon/Wed and Tue/Thu and Fri classes are offered, generally 6-8 if offered one day a week or 6-7:30 if twice a week.

Occultatum Alley:
This is, more or less, a small and completely magical town hidden within downtown Philadelphia. It’s about three blocks worth of shops, restaurants, a hospital for all ailments ranging from the magical and not, as well as many other things.

• Marge’s Potion Emporium
• Wand Repair Shop
• The Bar
  
• Sorcerer’s Police Force precinct
• Dragon's Horde
• Trix of the Trade

Magical Jobs Available to Sorcerers:

• A job within any sorcerer owned business
• Legal jobs
• Positions on the Sorcery Police Force

 

[BrookeDi]

[A list of reviews gathered by current players after nearly two months of playing in this particular sandbox.]

“If Harry Potter actually made sense and was cool.” - CaerBear

“A wizarding world full of insight and intrigue, where anything is possible. From your wildest dreams to your darkest fantasies, all can be explored in this fantastical world.” - Arthus_Vox

“Magic, mystery, and mayhem mingle in modern day society in this fantastic intrigue of a role play.” - Angel2Mars

“In depth and capable of lulling you into it using charm and cheer whilst simultaneously keeping you on the edge of your seat in the name of the safety of your characters.” - TheGreenerGrey

“If you want to break your own heart, this is a great RP for you… As soon as you forget that this RP’s a serious thing, it’ll grab you out of the blue and break your heart.” - Romamaro

 

[BrookeDi]

Vitam et Mortem
Nos Duc Exercitum
~
"We Will Lead the Way"

Background
​

Vitam et Mortem is a secret society that operates, most often, in the background. There are some rumors and conspiracy theories circling the world about their influence in elections, laws, etc. But most are dismissed. There's very little proof that the society exists and even if they do that they are involved in anything more than high school and college shenanigans. Incredibly powerful magic is used to keep from the secrets of VeM from getting out. Unless a character is a part of the society (to be cleared by BrookeDi), then it is unlikely that they will know much, if anything, about the society and it's activities.

Tapping (the process of recruiting new members into the society) generally happens in High School and can happen as early as Ninth Grade or as late as Twelfth Grade. Many may ask what the point is of joining a secret society when you're already a few months into your last semester of high school, but being a member will follow you through life. If you decide to head to a college with a magical tract, there will be a Fraternity (the co-ed kind) on campus for society members to meet other members. Regardless of where you go in life, even the most Podunk towns have a chapter if not within the city limits, then nearby.

History​

The origins begin at Altsoba in the early 1700s. In the beginning, the members cared only about the elite and powerful; they sought more individual power. However, as the society and the world began to grow, their motives changed. They realized, collectively, that they could hold more power together than they ever could attempting to gain more physical and magical power on an individual level.

From then on it became less about tapping people from good names and powerful families and instead members focused on the people themselves. By 1932 being rich and having a decent last name no longer guaranteed your entrance into the society. One thing did remain, though; being a Legend (i.e. having a parent who is in the society) did increase your chances of being included but it is not a guarantee.

Now, members of VeM are all the world. They are involved in governments, many hold high level positions, both magic and mundane alike, in several different countries. Being in the society gives you a connection and opens up many new pathways in life, simply by being a member. These ties to VeM last a lifetime well after the students have graduated from Altsoba. Much like college fraternities of the mundane world, getting in contact with someone from the society can make the difference between a job offer and rejection, because sometimes it really is just about who you know.

Members are chosen for varying reasons. It is typically whoever is in charge of the school’s chapter at the time who makes the decision, though graduated members and the country’s chapter head for education are often consulted based on whatever criteria the Chapter President has decided upon. There are, of course, people in charge and people to answer to. People who make sure that the goals of the society are being worked toward.

Altsoba VeM Officers​

President: Victor Pike, Earth (Grade 12)
Vice President: Victoria Anderson, Water (Grade 12)
Secretary: Delphine Ellis, Fire (Grade 11)
Treasurer: Kevin James, Wind (Grade 10)
Initiate Co-Captain hazing rituals: Raymond Parker, Fire (Grade 11)
Initiate Co-Captain initiate care: Herman Alvarez, Fauna (Grade 11)
Members-at-Large: Kimberly Garcia, Earth (Grade 12)

[Vitam Et Mortem first makes an appearance ICly in Altsoba, page 10]

 

[BrookeDi]

Since Pennsylvania opened up, we have opened another setting with more to come.

Origins focuses on the lives of the arcane and Hunters during the time of Ancient Greece. The preface:

Thousands of years ago, it began; no one knows how it started, just that one day there were people, people with certain abilities who quickly rose above the rest.

They weren't gods, but many believed that they were the product of a human procreating with a god: Demigods. They had many things in common: these people could make what was not there, suddenly appear, they could make things disappear, come to life, change shape. And many of them could control the elements, see the future, or control animals. Then there were others who were stronger, faster, and often the ones behind most discoveries in philosophy and astronomy.

Later these two types of people would be called witches and Hunters, respectively. Together, they improved the quality of life for Ancient Greece. They fought in wars and against rogue creatures that threatened life and livelihood and more of them were maturing into their abilities every day! Many were children of these already special individuals, but not all.

They were heroes.

Lifted onto the highest pedestals, these people were adored and adulated, revered for their abilities... That is, until they could no longer deliver.

Previously they had known the right combination of herbs and words that could heal even the most deadly of all illnesses. Amathea, a talented healer, was faced with an illness she did not recognize, one she could not heal. Worse still, it spread from person to person, nearly impossible to stop. The only ones who weren't affected? These beings they had worshipped for so long.

At the same time, the locusts came in droves. The witches did their best to send and keep them away, but they failed.

Many began to blame these magical beings, shun them even. These demigods had brought disease and famine upon them, they were not to be trusted. None of their kind were.

So high they had been lifted, that by the time they realized they were falling, it was too late. Their pedestals had been snatched from beneath them and when they finally hit the ground? They landed hard.

This is their story:​