Good vs Evil

[overbringer]

I'm going to basically just copy/paste Avshar's setting, and then update this post as people offer suggestions.

In a distant land, two kingdoms warred: Videssos and Makuran. They were very different lands, but both honorable and civilized nations. About a generation ago, however, Makuran was invaded and conquered by the barbarian nomad hordes known as Yezd. Makuran now struggles under their new overlords, who have their sights set on Videssos. The most feared general of Yezd is the Wizard-Prince Avshar, who has led Yezd's armies in victory after victory, first against Makuran, and now against Videssos in stinging raids.

The last few months have been quiet, however. Avshar has not been seen along the borders. Rather, he has been seen in Videssos's capital itself, acting as an emissary for prisoner exchanges, arguments over who owns towns on the border, and other such business. He has so far minded his manners enough that he has not forfeited diplomatic immunity, but the Videssian officers and troops are just waiting for an excuse, especially since Avshar saw fit to bring his retinue of "aids", as unsavory a lot as ever there were who are causing no end of complaints amongst the citizens.

With open war on the horizon and an ambassador who's very presence is an open insult, tensions are at the breaking point. The only question is who will snap first.

Comments

[blossominghero]

Tsubomi is the grand-daughter of a famous sorceress named Kaoruko, and she's wanted to do nothing more than follow in her grandmother's footsteps. Unfortunately, she's not the best study of magic, and as such, has been struggling to master her abilities. After training with her grandmother, Tsubomi was sent to study under Dietrich, in order to gain more confidence in her abilities and become more worldly.

Unlike other characters, Tsubomi's story is more or less just beginning. She's enthusiastic, is all about the love and justice, but she has issues with shyness and self-confidence. She's also young and very naive, and hasn't seen much of what the harsher world has to offer.

Plot hooks:
-- Maybe your character knows her grandmother. Maybe your character knows OF her grandmother. I'd be willing to flesh this out with anybody who wants it.
-- People who can test Tsubomi or help her grow as a sorceress would be much appreciated.
-- At the same time, villains might target her as a weak link. But I would like this to lead to eventual growth, not final defeat.
-- Less scrupulous types manipulating or stealing from her might be fun, and would help with being naive.

[princeofskotos]

If Kaoruko was seriously a badass, she probably gave Avshar a headache or two during her career. It's not like he wasn't around, after all. He is not above seeking revenge on her granddaughter to satisfy his own feelings, should he realize who she is.

Obviously he won't kill her outright, for plot reasons, but if anyone was to show her what harshness the world has to offer, it could certainly be him.

[blossominghero]

That sounds fine to me. I was kinda worried about making Kaoruko too much of a bad ass, but if other people are receptive to it, I'm good with it. ^^ and that sounds fun for Tsubomi too.

[princeofskotos]

"Fun for Tsubomi"...

Yes...

[blossominghero]

so much fun

[have_hat_will_travel]

Pidonus would definitely be the sort to manipulate Tsubomi towards an end, most likely trying to isolate her from her party and convince her to come to the dark side. (Literal, probably uncursed cookies may be involved.) Terribly unsuccessfully other than maybe a short-lived conflict or two.

Tsubomi's idealism could easily wear down at Pidonus should the demoness be captured, possibly setting up for Pidonus being purified, as well.

[blossominghero]

Tsubomi's very much in favor of love and justice, but she'd need a reason to actively think someone should be reformed, I think. Also, I don't think she'd have purification magic here, just attack spells and summoning.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Would finding out that Pidonus was a human who was warped by a demon be enough?

[blossominghero]

I suppose, yeah, but she wouldn't really have the agency to do it herself.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Just wearing down Pidonus enough that she agrees would be rather big, IMO. Reminding her, on some level, of the idealism she once had.

Just a thought, really. There's also Pidonus trying to get Tsubomi to surrender to the darkness in her heart. (... Pfft, like there's much of that.)

[blossominghero]

Yeah, looking like there's not gonna be any shortage of that from multiple sides.

[1000yearsstoned]

Targeted for emotional growth you say?

[blossominghero]

Yeees. You had something in mind?

[1000yearsstoned]

Weeeell I suppose Discord could have a hand in messing with Tsubomi and have her see that love and justice really aren't all that strong in the grand scheme of things.

[blossominghero]

and by that you mean making her more sure of it than ever in the end

[unmasked_nihilism]

Well, if we do go with Kaoruko defeating and banishing him years before Ulquiorra will almost certainly have some interest in her granddaghter, though after seeing her in action he'll likely be pretty dismissive toward her low level of skill. So, if you want somebody around to hurl barbs at her about her weakness and how she can't possibly overcome them, he's your guy.

Plus if Tsubomi does hold onto that idealistic optimism of hers he might take interest in that, if only to attempt to extinguish it because what she's saying can't possibly be the truth. I'm open to Tsubomi playing a part in ultimately defeating him and maaaybe getting him to rethink his outlook... right before his total death, naturally.

[blossominghero]

That all sounds fantastic. I'm definitely for it.