bakerstreet | Swords and shields

Swords and shields

WARRIOR/GUARDIAN AU MEME

In a world rife with war against monstrous fiends, there are those praised for their natural strength and healing abilities. Marked with a symbol which represents either a sword or shield, these individuals are further powered when contracted with those bearing the opposite symbol. Because of this, contracts are deemed mandatory once an individual turns eighteen years of age.

While contracted, Warriors (sword) and Guardians (shield) become sensitive to one another's emotional and physical states. The stronger the bond between them, the more power and abilities can be unlocked. While it's possible to form and break contracts at any given time, the result is a numb and draining sensation which takes time to recover from, making it in everyone's best interest to keep a lifelong contract. After all, the most legendary pairs are the ones who've been together for many years. And with monstrous armies constantly on the attack, the world needs all the help it can get.

Due to Warriors and Guardians being so vital to the city's survival, they are simultaneously treated as royalty by society and kept under close watch by the government. Powered individuals are assigned large and lavish living spaces within a closed community while Commoners, those who lack powers, are situated in surrounding mediocre homes. A vast shield around the city is among the greatest protection against monsters of the outside world, second to the combined power of brave Warrior and Guardian citizens.

But everything couldn't possibly run as smoothly as they do now without the help of Commoners. Everyone has an important role to play in the world. Which one have you been born into?

HOW TO PLAY -

Post with your character and preferences.
Choose their role and feel free to include a brief summary of ideal partner personalities, job duties, etc.
Pick a prompt and tag around!

ROLES

Warrior: Those whose supernatural abilities lie in offensive attacks, physical strength, debuffing the enemy, etc.
Guardian: Those whose supernatural abilities lie in defensive attacks, support, healing, buffing allies, etc.
Commoner: Those who are born without any supernatural abilities. Commoners are viewed as second-class citizens, as their duties revolve around aiding Warriors and Guardians however they can. i.e. Maids, cooks, weaponsmiths, entertainers, etc.
Monster: Those who are the greatest threat to humankind. Because they also possesses supernatural abilities, it's been rumored that they share ancestral ties with Warriors and Guardians. Though Monsters are at war with humans, there are some who are indifferent to them altogether and choose a life of peace.

PROMPTS

The Contract - Could this be your very first or possibly even your thirtieth? Whatever the case, you've trusted them enough to give them a glimpse into your soul so long as you're together. Will you take advantage of that vulnerability? Or use it to build a healthy relationship? Unfortunately, not all contracts are as perfect as they may seem on the surface.

Training - Good teamwork is the difference between life and death so it's important to ensure you and your partner are focused and in sync, especially before a mission.

Bonding - Physical intimacy between Warriors and Guardians is an experience unlike any other, but emotional intimacy is where it all begins. Spend some time together outside of combat, share in each other's interests, get to know their likes and dislikes. It might not seem important at first but in the long run it will make you both stronger.

Mission Time - Is it a long and perilous journey outside the barrier to slay Monsters? A short and simple quest to gather special materials from a specific region? A reconnaissance mission to survey unexplored territory? Whatever you two were assigned, just remember what comes first: keeping each other alive.

Aftercare - The aftermath of a mission can be incredibly taxing, both on the mind and body. Injuries may need to be tended to, emotional states may need to be realigned - especially if you or your partner came close to facing death. But hopefully your partner is there to provide the comfort you'll likely need in this time of vulnerability.

Downtime - When you're busy training or working all the time, it's easy to forget just how lively the city can be. How do you choose to spend your free time in it? Partying the night away? Visiting friends and family? Or maybe you're the type who just likes to stay in for a quiet night.

Different Classes - Whether they're a maid, tailor, or even family, Commoners make up the majority of the city's population. But even if society might see them as lesser doesn't mean they should be treated that way. Over the years, some may despise or be fearful of the supernaturally powered, but there are also some who've developed or maintained close relationships in spite of it all.

Forbidden Love - It's illegal for Warriors and Guardians to develop romantic relations with Commoners, extremely taboo with those they aren't currently contracted to, and utterly unthinkable to even speak to Monsters. But love doesn't discriminate. If you have to sneak around to see your lover then so be it, but sooner or later your partner or the government is bound to find out, right?

On the Run - For whatever reason, you and someone else have decided to start a new life far away from the city and its strict rules. It wasn't easy slipping away from under the government's watchful eye and it won't get any easier with monsters around every corner, but maybe you can find a way to make it work and live happily ever after. Just know that the government always finds a way to get what they want in the end.

Wildcard - Mix and match or choose your own adventure!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[ooc: Scenario I had in mind is that Rezo is a Guardian who has been protecting the city for over a hundred years, is well beloved by the citizens, and is known for his incredible healing powers. Unfortunately, the Warrior he's contracted with is secretly a piece of the Monster King Shabranigdu, and the two of them are doing a lot of shady shit behind the scenes.

Willing to be flexible if you have an idea that doesn't work with this specific scenario though!]]

((Warrior for certain. Looking for a Guardian to temper his more savage instincts))

[She would absolutely be a guardian, and has a fondness for that face. If you don't mind cross cannon.]

[I don't mind it at all! Any thoughts on how you'd like to set it up, or any prompts you like?]

[either 2 or 3? I'm game to handwave some of the world build or whatever.]

Bonding is not a skill that Khan has ever excelled in. For years he had drifted from one Guardian to another, contracts usually broken because they could not temper the cold fury that seized him in battle.

Christine was better suited for him. Well enough that she had been the one to heal Khan after a skirmish beyond the city walls that had very nearly killed him.

He could not train, not for another day at least. There were no more excuses to avoid deepening his bond with her.

Christine is steadfast and calm; it's why she's been contracted with Khan. There is hope that she will finally be the guardian to keep him a bit more level headed.

She has given him some space after healing him, but with nothing to do it was inevitable she would eventually check on him.

"How are you feeling?" She pokes around the doorframe.

He can sense her nearby and forces himself to relax. They need to deepen their bond, even if the idea of it worries him. No other Guardian has been able to tolerate him. He doesn't like to think that Christine will break the contract and leave him feeling empty again.

"Better." Tired, annoyed at being forced into rest, but he's alive. That's what matters.

"I hate sitting around too." She admits as she steps into the room with him.

Her senses already pick up with his proximity. She has had a few warriors, though she has lasted years with them. She is good at what she does.

"Your color looks much better." Now that he isn't on the bring of death.

Khan makes a quiet sound of agreement. He rubs his palm down his leg. "I would have died out there if you hadn't intervened."

"I apologize if I frightened you." It wouldn't surprise him if she was here to break the contract rather than bind herself to a savage monster.

"I'm here to keep you safe." She offers a hand to him. "You are an intense fighter, I was worried I wouldn't be able to help you in time."

He's intimidating when in battle, nothing but icy rage that makes her wonder what has happened to him in the past.

"You did keep that one from getting close to me, so I owe you a little thanks as well."

"I am a Warrior. It is what I was made to do." The whole of his life he has known nothing else.

Christine is different, her strength comes from her heart, from the way she gives care so freely.

"I have never been successful at bonding." The admission is a difficult one, but he owes her the truth.

"You're very skilled." She's seen her share of Warriors and he is a natural.

But their strength will come with being together more. They're still very newly contracted.

"Well, we don't need to rush it. A good bond takes time. Our skills are very complimentary and that will help." Her shields and healing work especially well with his fury.

"Would you walk with me?" Khan is restless from enforced rest following the battle and being healed. He can remain still for long periods of time when the fight calls for it, but he prefers motion.

"Our powers flow together well. That's never happened to me before."

"I'd love to. I want to get outside as well." She stands and offers a hand to help him up if he wishes it.

"It seems easier with you than my past Warriors, if I'm honest." They had an immediate sort of rapport when fighting.

While he must swallow his pride to do so, Khan accepts her hand. The touch sends a frisson of power across his skin, a sure sign of how their powers are already growing together.

They are always watched, monitored and it grates on him. Khan flicks his wrist, sending a trio of silver darts to scatter the drones that had been following.

The touch feels very nice. Part of the allure of bonding is getting the pleasant sensations that come along with it.

The darts make contact with the drones, and Christine laughs as they fall out of the sky.

"They get so fucking annoying."

Her laughter is bright and shining, and Khan immediately decides that he will do whatever it takes to hear it again. To protect it.

She's also got a sense of trouble, which only helps pull his expression into a small smile. "I do not like how closely we are followed."

"It's not as if we could run away if we wanted to." It is taxing to know you are always being followed.

"Tell me about you. Something mundane; what's your favorite food?" She stays close to him, she can feel the hum of his proximity and she likes it.

It's a simple question, one that distracts him from his frustration. Khan sketches a shrug. "I prefer tea to coffee. Simple foods that remind me of home."

Before he was taken behind the wall and driven into the life of a Warrior.

"Fresh breads, cheeses. We didn't have access to much fruit." It is one of the luxuries he's come to appreciate.

"A loaf a bread that's still warm is heavenly."

She likes to start with simple questions, to get to know the basics.

"So if I want to treat you I should bring you some fruit."

Khan smiles, a small fleeting thing at her suggestion. "It is not necessary." But not unwelcome.

"What is it that you like, Christine?"

[ she'd perform well as a warrior or a commoner providing weapons to the cause. i'm up for playing off any roles. ]

[Barely even an AU.]

[Burliest, brawniest, bar-fighting-est Guardian you ever did see. From a long line of Warriors, though they don't treat him any differently for being a Guardian. He also isn't the kind of person to half-ass anything, whatever he's doing, he's all in.]

[Warrior through and through. Yes, she fights to defend and to protect, but she doesn't back down and doesn't let anyone get away with being scum. If it comes to blows, she will absolutely hit first.]

[Former/retired Warrior turned arms and armaments specialist. The City keeps her close because obviously they can't let even their retired Warriors out in the world to be monster-bait.]

[Every time I think I've settled on Warrior vs. Guardian (or the other way around) I come up with another argument as to why the other makes more sense.
So yeah, either/or. Hit me.]

[Guardian, though not one with any formal training, as he's been in the dubious employ (read: prisoner of) a former Guardian turned Monster. The Powers That Be only found/identified him after she was killed in a raid.]

[She's a Guardian through and through. Don't let that fool you, though, she'll still kick a monster's head in if necessary.]

[Commoner from a family of Warriors, potentially secret Guardian, she likes being a stylist more than she likes having powers, and selfish though it may be, her family needs her hale and intact.]

[Monster? No, what? He's just a little guy...]

[Guardian, one that's had a contract broken before, not by choice, or, rather, not by his choice.]

[Reasonably sure this one's a Guardian, but if you think otherwise, I'm still game.]

[Commoner, a medic, but the thing is, she'll treat Monsters the same as she treats anyone else, just as long as they aren't an open threat to her or any of her other patients. As you can guess, this means she operates outside of City limits, and isn't well-liked by City officials.]

[Newest Warrior to be added to the garrison, only survivor from her prior garrison, she doesn't like to talk about it.]

[Guardian from a family of Warriors. He recently lost his contracted Warrior in a battle and hasn't really gotten over it.]

[Guardian is pretty much Marc's entire ethos. But the question is: Khonshu. Monster? Corrupt City official? Regular City official? The thought of Marc moonlighting (ha) as a Guardian at the whims of a Monster while Steven is a Guardian in the employ of a City seems all kinds of complicated and honestly I'm okay with that.]

[A Monster given his deal with Orthax, perhaps he was meant to be a Guardian and the demon twisted it into something horrible, at least Percy thinks he is something horrible.]

[Caleb is a Warrior whose mentor attempted to twist his ability to his own ends and ended up causing Caleb to break. He struggles to stay present without a Guardian to help and yet he is terrified to seek one.]

( basic info. she's definetly a commoner. )

[ either a guardian or commoner ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Swords and shields

Rezo the Red Priest | Slayers | OTA

Khan - Star Trek

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ashe | overwatch | ota

Xiao Xingchen | The Untamed | Inmate

Thor | MCU | OTA

Layla | Moon Knight | OTA

The Tinker + Star Wars OC + OTA

Nicky | The Old Guard | OTA

Techie | Dredd | OTA

Ariel 'Cap' Wilson | MCU (rule 63) | OTA

Torii + OC + OTA

Sebastian | nu!Suicide Squad | OTA

Gabreel King | OC | OTA

Joe + The Old Guard + OTA

Claire Temple | MCU | OTA

Nile Freeman + The Old Guard + OTA

Klaus | Umbrella Academy | OTA

Steven &/or Marc | Moon Knight | OTA

Percy De Rolo | Critical Role | ota

Caleb Widowgast | Critical Role | ota

emily chandler | original character

anna of arendelle | frozen | ota