Monday, 21 January 2019

Pre-Production - The Last Breath - Location Ideas

The Last Breath - Location Ideas
9th January 2019
Axia
Axia is the continent in which the Last Breath is set, the Capital City is Elondria, which is protected by tall mountains with a large area of fields and plains surrounding the approach to the city.

Axia has many interesting features such as the sprawling forests in the north and south containing huge trees and occupied by strange beasts and bands of rebels and bandits. A river runs through a large portion of the southern part of the country from the Bleakpeak mountains, along this river small towns dot the shores.

Axia is ruled by King Thomas, who has been king for the past 150 years, his immense power and strength due to the countless breaths he has allowing to slow his aging until he appears just over 40 years old. 8 Noble houses with various large cities surrounding them are spread around the continent each house commands its own force and has its chosen export.
House Ito - commands a small city, whose main export are Agricultral and clothing goods.

House Briarwood - Commands a large city, whose main export is military and weapons.

House Muldir - Commands several small settlements, Main export is farmed animals and goods.

House Rottaugen - Commands a medium city, main export is ores and fine jewlery

House Vigilburn - Commands a small City, main exports are timber and artwork

House Mercus - Commands two small cities, main exports are crops and medicine

House Decan - Commands a Small city, Main export wooden weapons and timber

House Alastair - Commands a single mine, Main export Braxite.



King’s Castle - Situated to the west of Elondria, King Thomas resides in his castle, what was once a regal and aweinspring feat of architecture has now become a grandiose and threatening structure looming over the city of Elondria.
Upper District -Within the City walls, Contains merchant shops, high end goods and supplies, noble’s typically own a house in the upper district for their visit to the kingdom.

Buildings are clean and well made, wooden beams with white stone is the prominent style.

The populace in this area are well off and dress in high end clothing. Parties and Balls are a common occurrence between nobles and high borns.


Lower District - Outside the city walls lies the lower district, slums inns and taverns make up most of this area, poverty and crime are rampant with little to no interest of the well being of the people outside Elondria’s walls.

The buildings are hastily made at the outer edges, made from scraps of timber and cloths, Closer to the upper district the buildings are timber and better made, but still look dirty and unmaintained.

The populace here wear ragged clothing, patched and frayed, beggars line street corners and care needs to be taken if one is walking through a dark alleyway.

The Dressmaker’s Shop - This is where the main protagonist Arthur grew up, this shop is placed just on the interior of the Upper District, poorer compared to the center of the Upper district this area contains many smaller craftsmen and stores. The building is well made and tall, the bottom floor acts as the shop and the upper floors act as Arthur and his mothers rooms and work area.

King’s Castlehttps://www.goodfreephotos.com/albums/art-and-illustrations/moon-behind-the-castle.jpg


https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/06/22/18/27/castle-2431974_960_720.jpghttps://get.pxhere.com/photo/building-chateau-tower-castle-fortification-medieval-fortress-monastery-portugal-history-middle-ages-medieval-castle-historic-site-water-castle-santa-maria-of-the-fair-1065438.jpg

Upper Districthttps://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/82/20/2822088_a95252dd.jpg



https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4062/4554138294_e155357c6e_b.jpg







Lower District








The King’s Orphanage - Mineshaft

Dimly lit and cramped this mineshaft serves as the kingdoms main source of Braxite, a rare ore which when alloyed with iron allows a user to channel their breaths into the metal.

This mine serves as Arthur and James’ home for two years, there are a few notable features of the mine system, there are the “Dorms”  a large cavern with only one door where the workers sleep , the “food hall” where the workers are fed tasteless soups and porridges. The mineshafts are sprawling cavern systems, black veins of ore mark the stone walls.

Braxite is typically found in caverns, when the vein is depleted in one cavern the workers begin making tunnels hoping to intersect a new cavern. These are typically boarded up if they are a dead end.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1893/44026783004_800c822339_b.jpg











Duskwood Forest





https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Trees_and_sunshine.JPG
The Duskwood forest is a large expanse of trees, these trees grown to extraordinary heights, sometimes hundreds of feet tall and up to twenty feet wide, the canopy above turns the daylight into an almost perpetually twilight glow.

The forests are rumoured to be haunted by strange beasts and monsters, it actually holds the main force of the rebellion against King Thomas, they live inside a large clearing following a path at the foot of the mountains.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/01/31/07/36/secret-3120483_960_720.jpg





The Rebel’s Camphttps://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/04/08/18/50/medieval-1316792_960_720.jpg


The rebellion is stationed in a clearing surrounded by large mountains, watches guard the entrance and when the alarm is sounded there is an escape route through a cave system in the corner of the clearing.

Trees surround this clearing and mountains loom on all sides, Tents and Marquees dot the area and training areas are set up for Archery, Sword fighting etc.

The largest tent contains the leader of the rebellion.





https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/05/06/21/31/target-755801_960_720.jpg

Western Axia

Western Axia is influenced the a continent to the west of Axia called Sukomi, similar to Japanese culture these buildings tend to be oriental and vastly different to the designs of Elondria which represents more european type designs.


https://cdn12.picryl.com/photo/2016/12/31/the-chshukaku-japanese-house-traditional-architecture-buildings-bd0b06-1024.jpghttps://images.pexels.com/photos/290102/pexels-photo-290102.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=ancient-architecture-asia-290102.jpg&fm=jpg

Pre-Production - The Last Breath - Character Generation

Arthur Gregory

Age - 18

Gender- Male

Hair Color - Dark Green

Eye Color - Blue

Height - 5ft 6”

Build - Slim but muscled

Appearance - Pale skin from being underground for so long, has a long scar across his face from a whip, wears a green coat which once was well looked after and stylish, now however its patched and dirty.

Personality - Arthur has lived his life not being the strongest, he still strives to do the best he can and live to the ideals his mother taught him, to do right by others, to help people if he can and to stand up for himself. Arthur hates to fight and while he becomes a talented fighter he starts to fear his strength and the almost trance like state his falls into when he fights because he doesn’t feel in control.

Best Trait - Noble hearted and loyal, Arthur never wants to let his friends down.

Worst Trait - When in battle he can fall into a trance like state where his body seems to moves on its own, this leads to him killing a group of enemy soldiers and when he can't remember what happened he is overcome with guilt

What is most important to them - Arthur’s mother promised to give her last breath to him, however the Church of the Last Breath, manipulated her into giving it to the King instead via a potion. Arthur wants to take down the King and the Church of the Last Breath to end to misery and poverty that they have brought to Axia. He also cherishes his friends James and Riku and would stop at nothing to protect them.


Secrets - He is actually the son of Lord Briarwood, he does not find this out until Lord Briarwood dies and mistakenly gives his last breath to “His first born son” he keeps this secret because of the stigma that comes with the Briarwood name.

Family - Mother - Alice Gregory (Deceased), Father - Lord Briarwood (Deceased), Half-Brother - Julian Briarwood

Friends  - James Thomason, Riku Ito

Acquaintances - George Mattson(Blacksmith), Otto

Enemies - King Thomas, Lord Salrias, Julian Briarwood, Lord Alastair, Carrack

Skills - Tailoring, Blacksmithing, Woodcarving, Various combat styles.

Occupation - Tailor





James Thomason

Age - 221

Gender- Male

Hair Color - Silver

Eye Color - Silver

Height - 5ft 8”

Build - Average build, slouched and relaxed posture

Appearance - Constantly has stubble on his face and messy hair

Personality - James is a loyal friend, he blames himself for the kings rise to power and hides his pain behind a laid back cheerful attitude

Best Trait - Helps people without wanting anything in return, sees the best in people and willingly makes sacrifices for others, whether its giving the last of his food to someone who is starving or getting in the way of a speeding arrow.

Worst Trait - He blames himself for the crimes of his son, rather than face his problems he would rather hide away and pretend they dont exist.

What is most important to them - Having spent the last 150 years in self imposed exile with no real friends, Arthur and Riku are very dear to him, Arthur especially James views as his best friend. After Arthur is given his powers James see’s it as a sign to put aside his “Atonement” and join the fight against the King.

Secrets - James is actually King Thomas, 150 years ago when his wife grew sick, his son used her last breath to curse King Thomas, swapping his body and causing his power to become difficult to use. James fled in his sons body and “King Thomas” began his new rule, distraught that his wife’s soul had been torn apart for the curse the true king blamed himself and went into exile, taking on the name of his traitorous son James Thomason.

Family - Wife - Astoria Greenwoods (Deceased), Son - James Thomason (Now King Thomas)

Friends  - Arthur Gregory, Riku Ito, George Mattson (Blacksmith)

Acquaintances - Lord Salrias, Otto

Enemies - King Thomas, Lord Alastair, Carrack

Skills - Lockpicking, Pickpocketing, Sketching, Cards, Various Combat styles

Occupation - Ex-King








Riku Ito

Age - 22

Gender- Neutral

Hair Color - Red

Eye Color - Green

Height - 6ft 2”

Build - Tall and strong, holds themself with strong regal posture

Appearance - Typically wearing a scowl, Small scars on face from previous battles, usually wears a baggy cloak which hides several weapons.

Personality - Brusque and upfront Riku doesn't suffer fools gladly, will rather sort a problem without violence but takes joy in a tough fight.

Best Trait - Will always have your back in a fight, loyal to their friends and family, kind hearted but strong willed.

Worst Trait - Quick to anger, Riku hates feeling insulted or like they are being mocked, their desire to test their strength and prove themselves to their family can lead to difficulties sometimes.

What is most important to them - Riku’s uncle was a noble in Sukomi, the continent to the east of Axia, Riku was ostracised from their family after refusing to follow the path of their sisters, Their parents kicked them to the curb, Riku’s uncle took them in as he saw the strength of a warrior in them. Training them in martial arts and swordplay when Riku’s uncle is killed by an Elondrian assassin he gives them his last breath, throwing aside their family name Riku tracked down the assassin and after extracting the information that the king ordered the attack. They killed the assassin and made their way to Axia, they wish to avenge their uncles death and to prove to their family that they chose their path correctly.

Secrets - They tend to be very open with their past, the only thing Riku keeps secret is that they are the child of the Ito Family.

Family - Father - Hiro Ito, Mother - Aiko Ito, Sisters - Haruno/Haruyo Ito, Uncle - Hidehito (Deceased)

Friends  - Arthur Gregory,James Thomason

Acquaintances - George Mattson (Blacksmith), Otto,

Enemies -  King Thomas, Lord Salrias, House Ito

Skills - Martial arts, Various Combat Styles, Reading, Cards

Occupation - None









King Thomas


Age - 175

Gender- Male

Hair Color - Black with hints of grey

Eye Color - Brown

Height - 6ft 2”

Build - Strong and tall,

Appearance - King Thomas looks like a man in his early forties, they are lines under his eyes and grey in his hair but he still looks strong, a noble beard adornes his face and he doesn't go anywhere without his sword.

Personality - Merciless and cruel King Thomas is known to be unpredictable at times, a hint of madness lurks in his brain, a by product of the magic he used to swap bodies with James. To his people he likes to appear benevolent and generous, but commonly uses fear to guide the masses. He sentences people to death for small matters and goes into rages when things don’t go his way

Best Trait - Whilst he may act irrationally and erratic, he is a great strategist on the battlefield, his navy has repelled many attacks from Sukomi over the years, Rebellions are quashed easily by his military might.

Worst Trait - His cruelty at those he sees as inferior to him, with the breaths he extorts from his people he has become the strongest man in Axia, if not the world, He is greedy and delights in lavish balls and feasts, raising the taxes of his people to pay for such luxuries. He will sacrifice his people in a heartbeat for his own survival and will stop at nothing to achieve more power.

What is most important to them - His continued power and survival, he accumulates wealth and power and hordes it in his castle.

Secrets - He is actually the son of King Thomas, he used his mothers soul to fuel a magic which swapped his body with his father’s to gain access to the crown. The curse had and effect on him as well however, Prolonged use of his power causes him to fatigue and extended use causes his own soul to free itself from his body.

Family - Father - King Thomas, Mother - Astoria Greenwoods (Deceased)

Friends  - closest to one would be Lord Salrias

Acquaintances - Lord Salrias, Lord Ito, Lord Briarwood, Lord Muldir, Lord Rottaugen, Lord Vigilburn, Lord Mercus, Lord Decan, Lord Alastair.

Enemies - James Thomason, Arthur Gregory, Riku Ito, Rebellion

Skills - Persuasive, Various martial Arts, Sword Play, Magics

Occupation - King



Lord Briarwood


Age - 105

Gender- Male

Hair Color - Black

Eye Color - Blue

Height - 6ft 6”

Build - Strong and tall

Appearance -  Well dressed and imposing, Lord Briarwood has swept back black hair and a goatee

Personality - Vindictive and manipulative Lord Briarwood will lie, cheat and steal to achieve his goals of power, Constantly raising taxes on his people and using trickery and legal loopholes to steal land he has sent many people and families into poverty and starvation. With an appetite for pleasures of the flesh, Lord Briarwood uses his wealth and fame to manipulate and coerce others into his bed.

Best Trait - Extremely Intelligent he has protected the Briarwood legacy since a young age, adding many breaths he pressured his subjects into giving him.

Worst Trait - Selfish, Greedy and Cold-hearted. Briarwood is constantly on the lookout for things that can augment his life in some way whether its Money, Land or Breaths.
What is most important to them - His family name and legacy, he strives to maintain the title of strongest noble bloodline.

Secrets - He has had numerous affairs around the kingdom, his merciless solution of killing those who come to him carrying his unborn child would dishonour his family name and strip his title away from him.

Family - Wife - Cordellia Briarwood, Son - Arthur Gregory, Son - Julian Briarwood

Friends  - Lord Alastair, Father Davry

Acquaintances - Lord Salrias, Lord Ito, Father Davry, Lord Muldir, Lord Rottaugen, Lord Vigilburn, Lord Mercus, Lord Decan, Lord Alastair.

Enemies - Other Noble houses are seen as threats and treated with such under the veil of friendship.

Skills - Persuasive, Various martial Arts, Sword Play

Occupation - Noble