I finally managed to find a way to get these saving again :3
ToC:
-Overview
-What is a curiosity?
-The Cabinets (intro)
-The Order of the Gilded Rose
-The Knowledge Seekers
-The Eventide Society
-The White-Blood Coterie
-Types of Curiosity Keeps (intro)
-The Collectors
-The Cabinet Keepers
-The Curiosity Spirits
-Plot
-Character list
-OC records
-Glossary of terms
-Request forms
Overview
Welcome to the world of the Curiosities, where magic is real and more dangerous then you could ever imagine. In this life "trust" is a relative term-- one moment you have an ally, the next an enemy. It seems the only way to ensure your own safety is to collect and protect the world's magical artifacts, and hope they give you what you need to keep one step ahead of those that desire you ill.
If a life of adventure and mystery is what you seek, then come, join our ranks. But be warned, once you step inside this hidden life, there can be no looking back...
Curiosity Keepers is a collaborative story made especially for DD. I will be writing chapters for the "main" story and posting them here.
It is set in pseudo-victorian Europe, and centers around four secret societies ("Cabinets") that gather and protect magical objects. Magic is not known by the outside world, and all four of these Cabinets claim that it is better this way. Their first and formost goal, therefor, is to keep magic hidden away (wether it truely is for the good of society or for selfish reasons remains unclear).
Each Cabinet has its own select set of rules, values, and traditions. The Cabinets have a policy of barely getting along, and small fights or "raids" occur from time to time. While none are outwardly antagonistic as a whole, some of their members have dark intentions. Also, there is a rumor that some outside force is trying to b.reak their ranks and take power for themselves.
Danger lurks with every step in this world, so tread with caution.
What is a curiosity?
A curiosity (sometimes refered to as a "curious object") is simply an enchanted or otherwhise magical item. They can be just about anything: teapots, rings, books, works of art, etc... Everything from the smallest grain of sand to massive items such as towers, foutains, and huge sculptures can be magical.
Their exact properties can vary just as much as their physical appearences. Some can blast out energy, heat, wind, water, or fire. Others can form shields or other barriers, heal, or create illusions. Some even perform tasks for their user, such as cooking or cleaning. More rare types include those that can summon objects or give their users some sort of special ability (psychic powers, temporary freezing of time or objects within a small area, control over elements/weather, levitaion, enhanced senses, quicker movement/reaction time, prediction of the possible future, telekinesis, etc...) when they are in one's possession.
Even more uncommon (and the most highly coveted) are those that can transport their controller to other places, not only within this world but also in parallel ones where magic is more abundent. The most rare and powerful of these even allow the user to go to any place in time.
The Cabinets-- an introduction
There are many Cabinets scattered throught the world, but the four main ones (which this story will focus on) are the Order of the Gilded Rose, the Knowledge Seekers, the Eventide Society, and the White-Blood Coterie. They are the oldest and most respected Cabinets, and in truth the world's minor ones are just offshoots of these.
Their core beliefs and goals are more or less the same: keep magic from being exposed to the outside world, collect curiosities, and find those that can harness & use the power of curious objects. However, from there on they split into different areas of interest, makeing each Cabinet unique.
-The Order of the Gilded Rose
The Order of the Gilded Rose is based in La Rochelle, France. It values beauty, strength, power, loyalty, and b.ravery. The Order has a long history of seeking out people with "interesting stories" and good connections. They have many political ties around the world, and therefor have quite a say in world events.
Order members can be easily identified by the tattoos they sport, generaly on their arms or shoulders. Also, as their name suggests, they tend to wear noticable touches of gold quite frequently.
One of the more "relaxed" Cabinets, the Order tends to not have many firmly set rules or regulations. However, they still have a few things they are sticklers about: no outsiders (especialy members of other Cabinets) should be allowed in their main facilities at any time, if asked they are not allowed to say outright that they are in the Order, and all rookie Collectors are not allowed to handle curiosities without a Curiosity Spirit or Cabinet Keeper present. Not to say that even these can't be bended, though...
-The Knowledge Seekers
The Knowledge Seekers are based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They put emphasis on learning ability, wit, science, determination, and adventurousness. Their main reason for being is to study magic: what it is, how it works, why only some people can harness it, and it's effects on the human body. Don't let this academic prominence fool you, however, because they are more than capable to hold their own in a fight.
Seekers tend to have a somewhat strict dress code that makes them easier to spot if you know what you're looking for. Generaly, they are required to dress in (at least some) whites, blacks, creams, greys, some b.rowns, blues, teals, and some violets at all times. Additionaly, each member is given a piece of jewelry uppon their induction that depicts (in some way) the Cabinet's coat of arms.
In general, Seekers are very competitive with the other Cabinets. However, they are also known for being among the more "friendly" ones. Some of their facilities are open to non-Cabinet members, and in times of disaster they try to use their knowlege to help others. They still have rules, however; newer members are paired with a more experenced one after their induction, and they are required to stick together at all times.
-The Eventide Society
The Eventide Society is based in Bari, Italy. They value tradition, secrecy, ritualism, agility, and quick thinking. Most members come from around the Mediterranean area, though some are from other areas in south-eastern europe. They are a hightly secretive Cabinet, and outsiders know very little about them.
Eventiders are probably the hardest to identify, as they are very strict about being able to blend in. However, they generaly tend to dress in darker colors most of the time (for reasons unclear).
All in all, the Eventiders are a mysterious group of people. Eventiders are under strict orders to hide the Cabinet's secrets, with severe punishments for disobeying. They are said to have strange rituals for gathering Collector candidates, inductions, curiosity use, and more. Not to say that these rituals are "bad" in any way-- The Eventide Society is a peaceful Cabinet (most of the time, anyways; you do not want to get them angry) that only wants to help the world, albeit very secretly.
-The White-Blood Coterie
The White-Blood Coterie is based primarily in San Sebastán, Spain, thought its worth noting that there is also a very significant facility in Montpellier, France. The Coterie puts emphasis on history, geneology, manners, strong mindedness, noticing details, and problem solving. They only allow people who can trace their ansestry (however distantly) to specific regions in France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy to join their ranks, and they generaly show a preference for women. In fact, over 70% of their members are female.
Members of the Coterie are given a red and white cloth armband after their induction. They are generaly worn over any sleeves, though in some occasions members may cover them. However, it is extremely rare for a Coterie member not to have their armband on their person at any given time. Additionaly, the Coterie's Cabinet Keepers specifically wear only very light green or white jade.
Given their obsession with geneology, it's not uncommon to find members in their ranks who strongly champion eugenics. So yes, some Coterie members are a little on the racist side. However, like the Knowlege Seekers, their research into family histories of Collectors has had important impact on figuring out why magic works the way it does.
Types of Curiosity Keeps-- an introduction
Every member in a Cabinet can fall under one of three catagories: Collectors, Cabinet Keepers, and Curiosity Spirits. Each of these groups tend to have different skills, weaknesses, and origins. They all are an important part of what keeps their Cabinet going, as they each play a vital and unique role.
While no two in any catagory are exactly alike, many have simillar traits that help define what they are and what they do. To put it b.riefly, Collectors gather, Cabinet Keepers protect, and Curiosity Spirits aid in any ways they can.
-Collectors
Collectors find and b.ring back curiosities to their Cabinets. It is their job not only to keep magical items out of the hands of the normal world, but also to get to them before a member of another Cabinet does.
More importantly, Collectors are the only people who can effectivly use curiosities. Why remains unclear, but both the Knowlege Seekers and the White-Blood Coterie hope to get to the bottom of it. What they have discovered is that it usually runs in families. So, if a child is born into a family with ties to a magic user, that child has a one-in-six chance (give or take) of being able to use magic as well.
Ability levels vary from Collector to Collector; some only just barily can be classified as such, while others are massivly powerful with little training. Over time their abilities can grow, but it does seem that some are innately more able than others.
Potential Collectors ("candidates") are found by Cabinets through a variety of means, though most are through complete accident. Sometimes a candidate will come to the attention of multiple Cabinets, in which case who ever get to them first is usually where they end up.
Candidates are tested for ability by being shown a variety of items. Some are curiosities, while others are not; the goal here is to see if the candidate has any luck at telling the difference. Next, they are asked to handle the object they are most attracted to. If they cause a noticable reaction, they are then trained as Collectors. If they cause a very small reaction or no reaction at all, they are either released back into normal society or are instead trained as Cabinet Keepers.
-Cabinet Keepers
Cabinet Keepers are their Cabinet's protectors. They do what ever is needed to defend, aid, and hide their Cabinet and its curiosities. Most Cabinet Keepers were former Collector candidates that failed to show much or-- more commonly-- any abilities. Some are aquired through other means, such as being a child of another member of a Cabinet. What unites them all is their inability to use magic.
However, lacking the use of curiosities doesn't hold them back; most Cabinet Keepers have at least one fairly elite skill. These generaly are combative skills or health care knowlege, but there are many other usefull talents that Cabinet Keepers can put to good use. Additionally, many Cabinet Keepers hold administrative possitions with in their Cabinet, to keep things running smoothly.
In the event of a raid (by another Cabinet), accident, or other emergency, Cabinet Keepers are expected to firstly protect the curiosities their Cabinet posseses and get their own to safety. In the event that someone gets injured, Cabinet Keepers with medical knowlege will try to help as soon as everything else is secure.
Cabinet Keepers are much more susceptible to injury from magic, however. Their bodies are less equipt to handle large ammount of energy. This not only can make emergencies dangerous for them, but also the everyday exposer to magic they get from simply being around large ammounts of curiosities. To help protect themselves, they try to incorperate jade or malachite stones into their outfits (or simply carry around the stones-- it's a matter of personal preference). For whatever reason, these materials absorb magical energy, so it keeps them safer (Side note: these stones can also be used to dampen the abilities of Collectors or Curiosity Spirits).
-Curiosity Spirits
Curiosity Spirits are essentially magical beings that are directly connected to a curious object. Long story short, Curiosity Spirits are the physical manifestations of the power a curiosity holds, which were "drawn out" by a skilled Collector into this world.
Curiosity Spirits can only be b.rought out of "helper" (those that perform a certain task) or "traveler" (those that can transport their user) curiosities, and still retain the same abilities as the object the came from. So, if a Curiosity Spirit was drawn from a traveler, then both that curiosity and the Curiosity Spirit can be used to transport people and objects from one place to the other.
However, Curiosity Spirits do have some serious weaknesses. While they don't exactly appear to age, they can be "killed"; the Collector that drew them into this world is like their tether. They are very intimately tied to the Collector that b.rought them into this reality. Therfore, if anything happens to their tether, it likewise happens to the Curiosity Spirit. So, if their tether dies, they cease to exist. Likewise, any pain or injury their tether feels they will also experence, which makes them all but useless in a fight.
Curiosity Spirits' appearences are usually quite wide ranging, so if you can imagine it chances are it's possible. Somethings they do have in common though is that all are in humanoid form and sport markings or scars. No one knows why they have such markings, though they sometime may resemble their curiosity's appearences or patterns.
Plot
Ixchel and Cade have always had a complicated relashionship. They come from different Cabinets, and by all expectations shouldn't get along. But by some chance of fate, they've always been friends. Competetive, yes, but always friends.
But when Cade and Ixchel begin the quest to find the same object for their respective Cabinets, things start to get worrisome. Under intense pressure from his Cabinet, Cade is forced to turn against his friend and reluctantly begins working with a mysterious woman.
Ixchel and her companion, a Curiosity Spirit named Maayan, are overjoyed when they finally find the object, hopeful that they can now work past the personal issues this job had caused. But when Cade and the mysterious Spanish Lady attack them and steal the curiosity, Ixchel is crushed and knows this isn't the way Cade would normaly act.
As Cade's actions become increasingly uncharacteristic, Ixchel comes to the conclusion that something must be terribly wrong. With the help of her friends, she uncovers a threat not only to those she cares for, but also the world as she knows it. In order to save her friend and the rest of human kind, Ixchel must do the impossible: unite the Cabinets against this threat.
Characters
Main Protagonists
Ixchel Aquino, 22
Order of the Gilded Rose, Collector
Ixchel's family can proudly trace their ansestry all the way back to a Spanish conquistador and his native wife (who, according to family legend, was a princess of some sort)... and not so proudly to one their decendants who was chased out of the New World, back to Spain.
Unlike many of her family though, Ixchel has been to the Americas. Her father was a traveling performer who fell in love with an American woman while touring. Ixchel spent the first few years of her life living with her mother in the US, but when her mother dissapeared her father took her back to Europe.
They lived happily for many years, until her father died when she was nineteen. Soon after, Ixchel was found by the Order and began working for them. All these years later, she is still labled as "inexperienced" and is forced to always work with either Pax or Maayan.
The main curiosity she uses is a pair of copper and turquoise earrings that allow her to create illusions, and she hopes to one day find a traveler curiosity that allows its user to go elsewhere in time, so that she can see her father again.
Cade Baines, 23
Knowlege Seekers, Collector
Cade is the only child of two of archaeologists that, though they were never around, gave him a love for ancient history and scientific study. When his parents were away, which was more often than not, it was his middle aged uncle that kept any eye on him.
His uncle was a kind man, and like Cade's parents he was a man of science. His interests were in entomology and other b.ranches of zoology, but try as he might he was never able to get Cade to share his passion. The closest thing to zoological study his uncle got him into was the art of diatom arrangment, which is Cade's personal hobby.
Anyway, Cade was very fond of his sweet old uncle... Untill the man was arrested for murder. This shattered Cade's view of him, and lead to a deep distrust of parental and authority figures.
Cade was recruted by the Knowlagde Seekers while working in a museum in Wales. While handleing a newly aquired item, he accidentaly caused it to react. A senior Collector for the Seekers who was sent to steal the artifact happened to witness the occurence, and Cade was quickly taken into their fold. His main curiosity is the ancient Roman coin that the museum formerely had which can summon most objects.
Paxton Arriola, 26
Order of the Gilded Rose, Cabinet Keeper
Paxton and his cousin, Julie, were raised by their grandfather. When Pax was about eight, his parents were killed in a boating accident while on holiday in Italy. From that point on he moved in with his grandfather, who was a lib.rarian. Pax and Julie practicaly grew up between the shelves of their grandfather's massive lib.rary.
The days spent in the lib.rary gave him an interest in medical knowladge, and when he was old enough he enrolled in a medical school. He spent around a year and a half at the school before becoming the target of the Cabinets.
You see, Pax enjoys collecting porcelain plates. He has a very massive collection of them, some of which were family hierlooms. One such plate belonged to a foggy ancestor that was a Collector for one of the Cabinets. When one day his appartmet was b.roken into, and the plate was stolen. It wasn't until law inforcement was notified that the Cabinets realized Pax and Julie were descendants of a magic user. They all imediatly tried to get ther hands on them, and in the end Pax was b.rought in by the Order as a Collector candidate. He was found to not have any abilities, but they decided to keep him on as a Cabinet Keeper.
Julie-Terese Arriola, 24
White Blood Coterie, Cabinet Keeper
Julie and her cousin, Paxton, were raised by their grandfather. Her parents were completly irrisponcible and didn't really want children, so they left her with her grandfather when she was very young. Their grandfather was the head lib.rarian in a major lib.rary, so she spent a lot of her time around books. She was quick to snatch up any book on Arthurian legend, fantastical creatures such as dragons or sea serpents, or mythology. In addition, Julie is very interested in world religions and secular art. She boasts a great knowledge on the subjects, and even was able to study art history at a university for a b.rief period of time.
After her cousin's appartment was b.roken into, the Cabinets likewise began persuing her. Due to her distant Basque ancestry, the Coterie was especialy interested in her. They were able to recrute her, and though she showed some abilites, they were far too weak to be used. They kept her on as a Cabinet Keeper, and she quickly rose through the ranks. Her main duty is to keep an eye on the other cabinets, which she usually acomplishes by gleening off information from friends who are members of other Cabinets, such as Pax and her fiancé, Ilias.
Ilias Sanna, 25
Eventide Society, Cabinet Keeper
Ilias comes from a long line of Eventiders. His mother was a cabinet keeper, like himself, and his father was a low ranking collector. He has twelve cousins and three sets of aunts and uncles as well as many other more distant relatives who also are cabinet members. His job is mainly to research "lost" curiosities, theorize their locations, and decide if recovering them will be worth the cabinet's time and effort.
He met Julie at an ordinary lib.rary while trying to find information his cabinet's records didn't have. Neither of them realizing who the other was, Ilias and Julie began combing through the lib.rary's documents together. Even after discovering that she worked for a rival cabinet, Ilias continued to see her and eventually proposed.
Maayan, N/A
Order of the Gilded Rose, Curiosity Spirit
Maayan is a traveler curiosity spirit tethered to Ixchel. He was drawn from a small b.rass oil lamp that Ixchel took without orders and has since been commitioned to keep a close eye on his trouble-making creator. He often accompanies Ixchel on assignments that require use of his abilities and is known for being epsecially insistant on following rules to the letter.
Though easily frustrated by Ixchel, he cares deeply for her. When she is upset, he is usually the first person she confides in.
Aina, N/A
Knowledge Seekers, Curiosity Spirit
.
Jurian, N/A
Eventide Society, Curiosity Spirit
.
Other characters, in order of appearence
Aurelius Mathieu Gagnon, 58
Order of the Gilded Rose, Collector
High Chancellor of the Order.
Perrine Herriot, 22*
Order of the Gilded Rose, Collector
Former friend of Ixchel.
Evadne, N/A
Order of the Gilded Rose, Curiosity Spirit
High Chancellor Gagnon's personal curiosity spirit, drawn from a helper curiosity which was a lantern.
Shamus Dex Caldwell, 33*
Order of the Gilded Rose, Cabinet Keeper
Head of recruitment for the Order.
Hadley Royceston, 29*
Knowledge Seekers, Collector
Head of the Department of Acquisitions.
Lemoine Norman, 31
Knowledge Seekers, Collector
Skilled thief, recruted Cade.
Ravid, N/A*
Knowedge Seekers, Curiosity Spirit
Aina's friend, a Curiosity Spirit drawn from a helper which was a damask necklace.
Kent Howland, 48
Knowledge Seekers, Cabinet Keeper
Head of the Department of Assignments.
Abraham 'Bram' Fleming, 30
Order of the Gilded Rose, Collector
Chief Curator and friend of Ixchel.
The Mysterious Spanish Lady, unknown (roughly 30-45)
Unknown
A mysterious woman amongst the Seekers, who replaces Aina as Cade's partner.
OC records
This is where I will keep a directory of all CK OCs I'm aware of.
Key:
-A: came from an adoptable
-R: was requested
-G: made from OC creation game
-C: was otherwise created
-P: a minor cannon character raffled off as a prize
- Otilie Isa Maybury-Lewis belonging to Mytherva (A)
An Eventider Collector whose parents were killed by a family friend. Untrusting and reserved, good with puzzles/problem solving.
- Alistair Cal Brew belonging to Dollie (A)
(Info to be added as it is created)
- ??? belonging to Pugsneedhugs27 (A)
(Info to be added as it is created)
- ??? belonging to Glassfille (A/P)
(Info to be added as it is created)
-Aileas Lyne beloning to Glassfille (A)
(Info to be added as it is created)
- ??? belonging to Glassfille (A/P)
(Info to be added as it is created)
- Alexander belonging to owliegirl (C)
A frenchman and Collector for the Order.
- Penelope belonging to owliegirl (C)
A traveler Curiosity Spirit drawn from a tea pot.
- Perrine Herriot belonging to Glassfille (P)
See above. More info to be added as created.
- Shamus Dex Caldwell belonging to owliegirl (P)
See above. More info to be added as created
-Hadley Royceston belonging to Dollie (P)
See above. More info to be added as created.
- Ravid belonging to Mytherva (P)
See above. More info to be added as created.
-Nadave belonging to Glassfille (R)
Curiosity spirit for the Eventiders
- Aurum Chrysos belonging to Dollie (R)
Curiosity spirit for the Order
- Aris Levidis belonging to Glassfille (R)
Collector for the Eventiders
- ??? belonging to Mytherva (R)
Curiosity spirit for the Eventiders
- Mr. Sensato belonging to Dollie (R)
Collector for the Seekers
- ??? belonging to owliegirl (R)
Curiosity spirit for the Seekers
- ??? belonging to PinkRobin (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Seekers
- ??? belonging to SailorDione (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Order
- Lyall Morgen belonging to 2BlueWizards (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Seekers
- Ixchel beloning to HamatoMiwa (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Coterie
- ??? belonging to Glassfille (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Order
- ??? belonging to rose-renee (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Order
- ??? belonging to silver_kitten (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Eventiders
- ??? belonging to owliegirl (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Eventiders
- ??? belonging to Mytherva (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Seekers
- Saasil belonging to Hestia (A)
Curiosity spirit for the Coterie
Glossary of Terms
In no particular order
Curiosity: A magical or enchanted item, normal in the hands of everyone but Collectors or unclaimed magic users.
Cabinet: A group of people and objects devoted to the search for and protection of curiosities, united by common goals and beliefs.
Traveler: A type of curiosity that can transport its users to other places, worlds, and/or times. They are very rare, and are one of the only two types curiosity spirits can be drawn out of.
Helper: A type of curiosity that performs a task for its users, such as creating meals, cleaning, etc... They are uncommon, and are one of the only two types that curiosity spirits can be drawn out of.
Enhancer: A general term for a variety of curiosity types that give its users a special ability.
Mentals: A general term used to describe enhancers that give their users psychic powers, foresight into possible events, improved senses, or a decrease in reaction / movement time. Occasionaly, this term is also used for curiosities that can create illusions.
Physicals: A general term used to describe enhancers that give their users control over elements or weather, allow time to temporaraly freeze, grant levitation, or allow for telekineis.
Psychic attack: The act of useing or haveing someone else use on you psychic powers granted by psychic-power giving mentals, with the intent of causing harm or betraying privacy. This can include both the more simple power levels (mind reading, mind control, inter-thoughts communication) as well as being able to cause physical harm (pain, nausea/vomiting, fainting, seizures, etc...) through psychic control.
Out-world: Any other world/reality that can be traveled to with the help of a traveler curiosity or curiosity spirit.
In-world: The main reality, home to the cabinets.
Off-world: Anything on a different world from the speaker. Alternitivly, a synonym of out-world.
Detector: An extremely rare type of helper curiosity that can be used to identify other curiosities, as well as their properties. Detectors are roughly as rare as travelers that can move through time, and are highly coveted. NOTE: NO OCs may be created that are curiosity spirits drawn from detectors!
**To be added later**
Request Forms
Collectors~
Cabinet:
Gender:
Skin tone: (natural colors only)
Hair color: (natural colors only)
Eye color: (natural colors only)
Main curiosity: (description of item or reference pic)*
Other:
Cabinet Keepers~
Cabinet:
Gender:
Skin tone: (natural colors only)
Hair color: (natural colors only)
Eye color: (natural colors only)
Protection stone: (type-- jade or malachite, incorporation-- jewelry or carving)*
Other:
Curiosity Spirits~
Cabinet:
Pseudo-gender: (male body, female body, or androgynous)
Skin tone: (any color, though non natural ones are very rare)
Hair color(s): (any color or colors)
Eye color: (any color)
Curiosity drawn from: (item description or reference pic)**
Or
Markings: (pattern, placement on body, color)**
Scars: (yes/no, placement on body):*
Other:
* Optional
** Fill out one or the other, not both. Pic either to have an inspiration item or fully custom markings.
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