The Diamondbacks

Viewing this page on desktop is recommended for formatting reasons.

• The World
• The Characters
• The Writer
• Art

• The Characters
• The Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

The World

The story starts all the way back in 1610 and continues into the modern day. I prefer to write in the modern day but am open to including historical accents, as history is a very important aspect of the universe in question.

Factions:

• Diamondbacks
• Apollos
• Huntsmen
• Outsiders

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

The Diamondback Gang

Founded in 1610 by Elias Turner and his wife Agnes, the Diamondbacks are a smuggling gang that is paradoxically both highly traditional and exceptionally adaptible. They ran gunpowder during the American Revolution, alcohol during Prohibition, and now move firearms primarily while occasionally dabbling in other items should the compensation be worth it. Due to their love of deep wilderness and their penchant for traversing precarious high-rise ledges, it's difficult to even see a Diamondback, let alone catch one. Among the public, little is known about their culture because of this evasiveness.

Table of Contents

1. Ranks

2. Regalia

3. Gear

4. Culture

1. Ranks

1a. King Cobra

The King (or sometimes Queen) Cobra is the mythical leader of the Diamondback gang. Diamondback rulers are incredibly lethal warriors that have an undying loyalty to their people. They will stop at nothing to defend their people's way of life, so it is in one's best interests to not appear threatening in any manner. Urban legends claim that the leader has supernatural powers by way of an occult ritual, but such claims have never been confirmed publicly.Abilities:
- Access to all memories of previous Cobras
- Greatly augmented stamina and hearing
- Slightly augmented speed, strength, agility
- Highly deadly venom
- Ability to supernaturally heal others Highly Draining
- Ability to resurrect the dead Highly Draining

1b. Kingsnake

Each Chapter is led by a Kingsnake, who is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations.Abilities:
- Slightly augmented stamina and hearing

1c. Taipan

The most elite warriors of a Chapter, composed of Keelbacks who meet criteria concerning combat ability. One of them is picked by the Kingsnake to succeed them.

1d. Fang

The lowest and most common enlisted Diamondback rank.
Roles include:

1e. Snakelet

Diamondbacks-in-training. They are mentored under a Keelback (or higher) typically for one year before becoming a Fang.

2. Regalia

2a. Tattooing

Diamondback tattoos are scaled snake’s coils wrapped around a Diamondback’s neck. Tattoos tie a Diamondback to the Cobra and to the afterlife the gang’s members believe all Diamondbacks enter when they die. They reveal a Diamondback’s rank, home chapter, and the length of time they have been with the gang. Damaging or altering the tattoo is considered to be bad luck — when you die, if you have previously intentionally defaced your tattoo, it’s believed you enter a sort of limbo.

2b. Pins

Lapel pins are another way Diamondbacks denote their rank.

3. Gear

3a. Clothing

Diamondbacks typically wear rather formal clothes for their forest dwellings. Clothing is climate-appropriate; fewer layers are worn in the summer months and more in the winter. As Diamondbacks are awake and roaming during the night, gray or dark navy are very popular colors and white is almost taboo unless heavy snow is present. Pins are always worn on the left lapel and should be kept polished and clean. Occasionally, Diamondbacks will remove them on nights when the moon is bright.

3b. Weaponry

Knives and bows are the primary weapons of any Diamondback. Diamondbacks are extensively trained in knife fighting, archery, and melee combat, and rarely if ever use firearms. Although a good number of Diamondbacks know how to shoot, guns are considered inelegant and dishonorable and are therefore only used when there are no other options.Special knives:
- Ropecutter — Sharpest knife a Diamondback owns. Its name reveals its function — it was used to cut through bindings and almost never used in a fight. Historically used by Diamondbacks known as “Ropecutters” to free fellow gang members from the gallows.
- Silvertongue — Pure silver knife. Not every Diamondback carries one because of cost, but most acquire one at some point in their careers. It’s also not a fighting weapon — instead, it's used for impromptu medical procedures by virtue of the antimicrobial nature of silver.
- Officer's blade — A twisted knife with three edges. It has strange, irregular serrations on it so it can act as a key to various safehouses. It's issued to all Taipans and above.

3c. Other

Most Diamondbacks also carry with them survival gear, bandages, and the like. What is carried differs from Diamondback to Diamondback.

4. Culture

4a. Code

Diamondbacks are not completely lawless. Though they frequently flout the laws of the country they inhabit, they do follow their own code. Punishments for breaking the code are severe.- Follow the orders of a superior unless the order explicitly breaks the Code.
- Fight when required. Fleeing a fight out of cowardice will not be tolerated.
- Fight only when required. Violence is a last resort.
- Kill only when there is a clear and present danger to your life or another's.
- Civilians are never to be harmed without just cause.
- Teaching the Diamondback language and way of life to anyone other than a Snakelet is forbidden.
- Say nothing under interrogation.
- Vengeance is sacred and taken by the one scorned.

4b. Language

The spoken Diamondback language consists of whistles and clicks, while the written one consists of dots and dashes that represent the different sounds. The language is made to be easily transmittable over hard terrain as well as difficult to understand for outsiders. It takes quite some time to learn to speak fluently. Also important to Diamondback language and oral history is music — songs are often sung by members and many have historical significance.

4c. Important Places

- Cobra's Keep

- Chapter Houses

- Safehouses

4d. Chapters

A chapter is a parcel of Diamondback territory governed over by a Kingsnake. It can be totally wilderness or totally urban or some mixture of both. Each Chapter is operated out of a Chapter House, in which most of the Diamondbacks belonging to that Chapter live.Most major metropolitan areas have a Diamondback Chapter attached to them.

4e. Food

Although a supply chain exists to source materials and supplies that can’t be gained from the land, a good portion of food is hunted or foraged. Deer, rodents, and even lizards make up a Diamondback diet, though Diamondbacks are careful not to over-hunt. Eating snakes except in dire circumstances is also understandably frowned upon.

4f. Rest

Diamondbacks have a tendency to sleep communally due to space constraints within chapter houses. Most Diamondbacks are considered nocturnal — it’s much safer for them to roam and operate at night than it is during the day. The exception is vipers who, while upholding appearances of being a normal citizen, must also conform to normal sleeping patterns.
Many Diamondbacks prefer sleeping outside, but generally only on clear-weather nights under dense underbrush for camouflage.

4g. Typical Greetings

Diamondbacks are pretty physical and so are their greetings. Handshakes are seen as “civvie” greetings; instead, Diamondbacks touch foreheads or grab one another by the forearm. Forehead-touches are typically done by close Diamondbacks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they like one another. Close rivals will also butt heads. Staring into one another’s eyes is seen as a measure of health and strength, and this can be interpreted as loved ones checking up on each other or rivals sizing one another up.

4h. Warpaint

Designs vary by individual, but paint is typically worn on the face. The neck is avoided in order to not obstruct the Diamondback tattooing. Paint is never applied by a Diamondback onto their own face — it’s a sort of bonding session between warriors to paint one another. It’s a great honor to paint a Kingsnake or King Cobra’s face.War paint is typically only worn before planned engagements against rival gangs. Since Diamondbacks rarely instigate fights, usually these battles are for revenge.

4i. Familial Relations

Though there are Diamondbacks who are born into the gang and so have a 'traditional' family structure, Diamondbacks have a novel approach to family and who is considered family.Traditionally, the apprentices of a Diamondback are considered to be their children. The mentor will refer to their apprentice as a son or daughter and, likewise, the apprentice refers to their mentor as their father or mother.This creates something similar to academic genealogy, where even first-generation Diamondbacks can trace their 'lineage' back to the start of the gang.

4j. Marriage

Instead of rings, Diamondbacks use pendants and necklaces. The pendants are wood, carved by each partner for the other. Traditionally, the pendants have a carving of an animal that represents the person it will be presented to. The pendants are worn as long as the marriage survives.On the occasion that one of the partners in a marriage dies, the pendant is returned to the widow or widower.To accept a proposal, the receiving partner must wear the pendant and, at some later date, present a pendant to the one who proposed. At that point, they are married.To refuse a proposal or to dissolve an engagement or marriage, the pendant(s) must be burned. There is no other fanfare or legal proceeding.

4k. Bluebloods

Bluebloods are Diamondbacks who were born into the gang and who have at least one biological parent that is or was a full-fledged Diamondback. It’s customary to bow to a Diamondback who is more blue-blooded upon meeting them for the first time, no matter the blueblooded Diamondback’s rank. The two main advantages to being blueblooded are gaining a head start on training and being able to stay in Diamondback territory after retirement.

4l. Retirement

Retirement is seen as a symbolic death in Diamondback eyes. The ceremony consists of… some rites (haven’t decided on specifics) and the smearing of red dye over the retiree’s throat. Once you retire you usually can’t come back onto Diamondback territory ever again. Exceptions are if you’re dying/an apprentice is dying (a temporary stay) or if you’re a blueblood (and then can stay as long as you wish).

4m. Funerals

Diamondbacks are typically buried in wilderness areas. In the event that a Diamondback died in a completely urban chapter, their body will typically be transported to the nearest Diamondback-controlled wilderness area for burial.Chapters within forests tend to mark graves with sapling trees. In the oldest wooded chapters, most trees in the forest mark Diamondback graves. Chapters without forests may pick native plants to mark graves with, but some do not mark graves at all for fear of someone else tampering with it.The traditional color to wear to a funeral or to signify mourning is a deep red.The weapons of the deceased are given out to the family members in a particular order. Children come first, in the order of induction into the gang. Blueblooded children do not skip ahead of apprentices. After the children come the deceased's partner. Then come siblings, in order of induction. Last are parents. If there are weapons remaining, friends may step forward.

4n. Parties

- First Blood

- First Kill

- Thirtieth Birthday

- Census — Jan. 1-2

- Day of the Dead — Jan. 3

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

The Apollo Gang

The Apollos were once Diamondbacks, but a civil war caused a schism in the mid-1800s. The Apollos are more aggressive than Diamondbacks, more isolated, and have more restrictive recruiting policies, which results in most of their membership being people born into the ranks. Apollos also tend to inhabit more remote areas farther from conventional civilization, which means sightings of them by the civilian population are limited. There are areas where Apollo and Diamondback territories and smuggling routes overlap, which causes conflict.Law enforcement and the public know even less about Apollos than they do about Diamondbacks. They are very, very rarely spotted by anyone outside of other Apollos and occasionally Diamondbacks and Huntsmen.

Table of Contents

1. Ranks

2. Regalia

3. Gear

4. Culture

1. Ranks

1a. Sunhawk

The Sunhawk is the Apollo counterpart to the King Cobra of the Diamondbacks. It is the duty of the Sunhawk to lead their people. Sunhawks tend to take a less active role than King Cobras do — very few Sunhawks have ever been perceived by an outsider. This, however, does not mean that they are any less ferocious and lethal... they simply trend to the more conservative side in terms of visibility.Sunhawks are also granted abilities:
- Precognition (Limited, in bursts) Highly Draining
- Greatly augmented stamina
- Greatly augmented eyesight
- Slightly augmented speed, strength, agility
- Ability to supernaturally heal others Highly Draining

1b. Hawk

A Hawk is responsible for leading a chapter of Apollos and overseeing day-to-day operations.Abilities:
- Slightly augmented stamina and eyesight

1c. Nighthawk

Nighthawks are the most capable and trusted Apollo warriors. They are permitted to venture into the outside world and act as spies, informing the Sunhawk of developments beyond Apollo territories. They are able to be picked to become a successor of their Hawk.

1d. Kite

Kites are elite Apollo warriors — the cream of the crop in their respective chapters. They are able to be picked to become a successor of their Hawk as well, but Nighthawks are more frequently chosen due to their extensive experience in the outside world.

1e. Kestrel

Kestrels are the rank-and-file warriors and are responsible for training the young ones as well as patrolling Apollo territories.

1f. Swift

Swifts act as messengers between chapters, similar to a Diamondback Racer.

1g. Sparrow

Sparrows haul contraband from point A to point B, protected by Kestrels on their routes.

1h. Eyas

Eyas are young Apollos that are still in training. They have a less rigid timetable than Diamondbacks and graduate when they are deemed ready, which takes a different amount of time for each student.

2. Regalia

2a. Tattooing

Apollos kept the Diamondback tradition of tattoos to show membership. However, all Apollos have the same tattoo, and rank is shown only by pins.The Apollo tattoo is a golden sun on the back of the neck — hair is typically kept short to show it off. In the case that an Apollo has longer hair, it’s usually tied or braided so as not to obstruct the tattoo too badly.

2b. Pins

The pins of each rank are images of the bird that the rank takes its name from.The pin of the Sunhawk is an image of a hawk, crowned with the sun, with talons poised to strike.

3. Gear

3a. Clothing

They dress as formally and practically as Diamondbacks do but are less stringent about colors. You won’t catch an Apollo wearing hunter’s orange, but they are free to wear colors other than navies and grays within reason.

3b. Weaponry

Apollos have a much heavier emphasis on archery than Diamondbacks. Apollos also rely more on unarmed hand-to-hand combat and typically do not carry as many bladed weapons as Diamondbacks do.

3c. Other

Apollos frequently carry survival gear with them, though what is carried differs from one person to another.

4. Culture

4a. Code

Does not differ in any significant matter to Diamondback Code. Apollos were once Diamondbacks, after all.

4b. Language

Sounds a lot like the Diamondback language (whistled), but is choppier and has different slang.

4c. Important Places

- Hawk's Aerie (Also just called the Aerie)

- Chapter Houses

4d. Chapters

A chapter is a parcel of Apollo territory governed over by a Hawk. They are usually a hundred percent wilderness, though each chapter generally has Nighthawks feeding them intel from surrounding urban areas. Each Chapter is operated out of a Chapter House, in which most of the Apollos belonging to that Chapter live.Apollo chapters are not as widespread as Diamondback chapters considering the wilderness requirement.

4e. Food

Apollos eat whatever they can hunt or smuggle in through supply lines. Hunting birds is not discouraged.

4f. Rest

Unlike Diamondbacks, who typically sleep close together on the ground, Apollos prefer sleeping far off the ground. When sleeping outside, they tend to rest in trees or high rocky outcrops. Instead of sleeping in numbers for safety, they prefer being inaccessible to enemies.

4g. Typical Greetings

All but the closest Apollos tend to dip their head to one another briefly in greeting. Closer ones, such as family members, may embrace or maybe touch foreheads as Diamondbacks do.

4h. Warpaint

Apollos tend not to paint themselves. They seldom go to war and do not want to be seen when they do. Most often, a group that angers the Apollos will just wind up dead one day with no witnesses. Their killings have occasionally been misattributed as Diamondback violence.

4i. Familial Relations

Apollos like having big families, in most cases. While Apollos will recruit from outside the gang occasionally, and adopt those they take in, a majority of the membership is born into the life. Most adults have at least one child, often more.

4j. Marriage

Instead of wood pendants, an Apollo marriage bond is symbolized by a bird feather or feathers, often dyed. They can be worn any way the partners like — in hair, as a necklace or bracelet, or pinned to clothing.

4k. Bluebloods

Being blueblooded isn’t as big a deal to Apollos as it is to the Diamondbacks. Most of their population is considered blueblooded. The fact of the matter is, because of their relative isolation from civilians and by extension law enforcement, more of their members make it to the age where they decide to settle down and have children. Diamondbacks by comparison live fast and die young.

4l. Retirement

Apollos generally don't retire. Those that live to old age that cannot really contribute much physically tend to move on to tending to the young ones, telling stories and passing on knowledge.

4m. Funerals

These carry on much in the same way as Diamondback funerals. Apollos are buried in the wilderness without traditional grave markers. Forest Apollos will sometimes use trees to mark graves, but generally marking a grave isn't seen as important.All personal effects of the deceased are split among their children equally.There is no traditional funeral color — attendees often come in whatever clothing they consider their sharpest.

4n. Parties

- First Hunt

- First Blood and First Kill

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

The Huntsmen

The Huntsmen are archers both daring and stealthy enough to take down their incredibly risky, dangerous prey: Diamondback and Apollo warriors. They have hunted the strongest of those gangs for more than a century and employ all manners of traps and tricks to bag their quarry. Money is on the line — Huntsmen are paid a flat rate per head culled by the government. It’s cheaper than all the legal hullabaloo that surrounds actually catching and trying a Diamondback or an Apollo.Huntsmen, however, do not typically live in the forest — most have normal lives other than being Huntsmen. A vast majority of Huntsmen come from Huntsmen familial backgrounds.

Table of Contents

1. Ranks

2. Regalia

3. Gear

4. Culture

1. Ranks

Huntsmen hierarchy is much less rigid than that of the Diamondbacks or Apollos. There are apprentices who are still learning to hunt and those who have hunted. Standing in a chapter is decided by how many successful hunts and takedowns a Huntsman has taken credit for. The leader is typically the most successful or most respected hunter of the group. Huntsmen keep track of kills by collecting the pin of each Diamondback or Apollo they fell after the kill has been verified by another member.That being said, there are some relatively loosely defined titles that are not always used.

1a. Elder

Typically the oldest individuals among a group of Huntsmen. Once they become too old to hunt, they pass on knowledge and advice to those younger than them.

1b. Patriarch / Matriarch

Typically this is the oldest or most accomplished hunter in a family unit.

1c. Hunter

Everyone who has hunted successfully, but is not considered a Patriarch, Matriarch, or Elder.

1d. Apprentice

The young who have not yet had a successful hunt.

2. Regalia

2a. Pendant

All Huntsmen wear an owl talon pendant. Materials vary, but typically it is made of bronze or brass.

2b. Tattooing

Huntsmen do not have tattoos that identify the individual's affiliation or rank.However, though not universal among Huntsmen, some will tattoo some kind of tally on their bodies (typically their right arm) signifying how many Diamondbacks they've felled. They'll also usually designate the rank of each individual they took down.

3. Gear

3a. Clothing

Huntsmen do not wear formal clothes like their prey, as they typically wear synthetic, camouflaged clothing, which makes them more difficult to spot.

3b. Weaponry

Huntsmen, unlike Diamondback and Apollo archers who use wooden bows, typically hunt with synthetic, more modern gear. Huntsmen’s bows and Huntsmen’s arrows are easily distinguishable from Diamondback and Apollo weapons — Huntsmen generally do not paint or embellish their bows, which are often compound, and their arrows are sleek carbon fiber rather than wood with feather fletching.

4. Culture

3a. Familial Relations

Huntsmen are largely organized through family units. Very, very few Huntsmen are recruited — the vast majority are born into Huntsmen families and trained to hunt by their parents.

3b. Hunting

A Huntsman's primary quarry is the Diamondback. Apollos are generally much more difficult to find, so most Huntsmen don't bother.A Huntsman who slays a King Cobra is called a Mongoose. A Huntsman who slays a Sunhawk has no term in Huntsman culture because it has never happened before.

3c. Trophies

Huntsmen keep trophy cases, generally consisting of a picture of each of their kills, the pin from each of the bodies, and sometimes a lock of hair as well.

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Outsiders

This encompasses all who are not Diamondback, Apollo, or Huntsmen-affiliated. In other words, this is everyone else — your corner store clerks, eccentric but determined reporters, waitresses at upscale restaurants, scrappy cops... the list goes on. This is all the normal (or maybe just as abnormal) people just going about their day, largely ignorant to the goings-on of Diamondback and Apollo life, as well as the lives of those who hunt them.

What do Outsiders know?

Outsider Knowledge about Diamondbacks

- Law Enforcement Knowledge

- Civilian Knowledge

Outsider Knowledge about Apollos

- Law Enforcement Knowledge

- Civilian Knowledge

Outsider Knowledge about Huntsmen

- Law Enforcement Knowledge

- Civilian Knowledge

• The World
• The Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

The Characters

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Zazriel Cormick

King Cobra — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Zazriel is a pragmatic man who is steeped in Diamondback tradition. He believes his duty to his people comes above all else. Zaz is cold and clinical towards outsiders, whom he views as largely untrustworthy. However, towards those he does trust, he exhibits exceptional loyalty and a rare gentleness when needed. Zazriel's strong convictions and quiet confidence make him a fine leader — he is one that does not buckle under stress.Career
Inducted into the Diamondbacks at the age of 14, then killed his first man at the age of 15. His away year was spent in New York City. He served 3 years as a Fang, 3 years as a Taipan, 4 years as a Kingsnake, and is in his third year as King Cobra.Relationships
- Valentín Lupul — Father (Deceased)
- Sabina Lupul — Mother (Deceased)
- Ibamiah Lupul — Brother (Estranged)- Jacob Cormick — Adoptive Father (Estranged)
- Natalie Cormick — Adoptive Mother (Estranged)
- Nathanael Cormick — Adoptive Brother- Santiago Gonzalez — Adoptive Father
- María Gonzalez — Adoptive Mother
- Javier Gonzalez — Adoptive Brother- Astrid Cross — Daughter (Apprentice)Skills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand Fighter
- Archer (including mounted archery)
- Horseback Rider
- SurvivalistProficient
- Swimmer
- Wood Whittler
- SingerGear
- Long, navy-blue, heavy trench coat
- Weaponized gloves — metal retractable claws. Unsheathe automatically above 60 BPM
- 3 combat blades (in coat, left flank)
- 3 utility blades (in coat, right flank)
- 3 throwing knives (right sleeve)
- Wire garrote (concealed under belt)
- Weaponized shoes — switchblades concealed in sole. Deploy/sheathe with heel click.
- Recurve bow — Wood, inherited from Santiago. Arrows fletched with black feathers

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Oct. 31, 1994———————————————————————Age
27———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Caucasian, Romanian———————————————————————Sex
Male———————————————————————Height
6'2"———————————————————————Weight
~175 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Gray———————————————————————Hair Color
Black———————————————————————Birthplace
Slatina, Romania———————————————————————Current Residence
St. Louis, MO———————————————————————Languages
Romanian
English
Diamondback
Apollo———————————————————————Sexuality
Bisexual

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Javier Gonzalez

Kingsnake — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Javier is a prideful, (over)confident Diamondback who fully believes in the superiority of his way of life. He's about as much of a showboat as he could be without getting himself killed, and that definitely shows in his rapid but flashy fighting style. While he takes his duties and his people's traditions seriously, that's pretty much where his seriousness ends. Though he's only a couple of months younger than Zazriel, he often gets teased about acting years younger than he should. Javier also tends to be kind of a flirt, but he hadn't chosen to settle down with anyone just yet as he enjoys flirting like it's a game.Career
Javier was born to two Diamondback warriors. His father, Santiago, comes from an extremely prestigious and honored blue-blooded family. He started training early and was inducted at the age of 14 alongside his adoptive brother Zazriel. His away year was spent in Corpus Christi. He served 3 years as a Fang, 7 years as a Taipan, and is currently in his third year as Kingsnake of the St. Louis Diamondback Chapter.Relationships
- Santiago Gonzalez — Father
- María Gonzalez — Mother- Zazriel Cormick — Adoptive BrotherSkills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand Fighter
- Horseback Rider
- SurvivalistProficient
- Archer
- Swimmer
- Guitarist
- SingerGear
- Short gray coat
- 3 combat blades — inherited from Santiago (in coat, left flank)
- 3 utility blades (in coat, right flank)
- 3 throwing blades (right sleeve)

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Dec. 29, 1994———————————————————————Age
26———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Hispanic, Mexican———————————————————————Sex
Male———————————————————————Height
6'0"———————————————————————Weight
~170 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Brown———————————————————————Hair Color
Dark Brown———————————————————————Birthplace
St. Louis, MO———————————————————————Current Residence
St. Louis, MO———————————————————————Languages
Spanish
English
Diamondback
Apollo———————————————————————Sexuality
Gay

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Astrid Cross

Viper — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Astrid is a proud and traditional Diamondback. She has incredible disdain for civilian life and turns her nose up at the soft, weak civvies in the city whenever she escorts the Cobra on business. She loves how people cower when they see her red diamond pin and the ink around her throat. However, her elitist, stuck-up mentality means she doesn’t have very many friends. She is devoted to the Diamondbacks and is most loyal to those close to her, namely her father, Zazriel. She hasn't opened up to many outside of her very small inner circle.Career
She was inducted at the age of 13 after a year studying under Zazriel's tutelage. Despite her dislike of outsiders, she decided to go on track to become a Viper, to the surprise of her father, and spent her away year in Chicago. Now, she lives in a modest apartment in St. Louis, keeping the King Cobra informed of any interesting developments among the various street gangs, crime families, illicit operations, and police patrols going on in the metropolitan area. She currently has no plans to try for a Taipan role, and is comfortable in her place in the city.Relationships
- Elliot Cross — Father (Estranged)
- Deborah Cross — Mother (Estranged)- Zazriel Cormick — Father (Mentor)Skills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand Fighter
- Photographer
- ClimberProficient
- Archer
- Horseback Rider
- SwimmerGear
- Long gray coat
- Weaponized gloves — metal retractable claws. Unsheathe automatically above 60 BPM
- 3 combat blades (in coat, left flank)
- 2 utility blades (in coat, right flank)
- 3 throwing knives (right sleeve)

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Apr. 18, 2001———————————————————————Age
20———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Caucasian, English———————————————————————Sex
Female———————————————————————Height
5'8"———————————————————————Weight
~135 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Blue———————————————————————
Hair Color
Blonde———————————————————————Birthplace
St. Louis, MO———————————————————————Current Residence
St. Louis, MO———————————————————————Languages
English
Diamondback———————————————————————Sexuality
Straight

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Nathanael Cormick

Taipan — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Nathanael is no-nonsense and gruff — even more so than his adoptive brother Zazriel. He takes a long, long time to form interpersonal connections and never quite felt at home in Diamondback territories. He's a bit of an outcast among the Diamondbacks but frankly doesn't mind this at all. Nate feels he does his best work alone and so doesn't seek companionship or acceptance from his fellow Diamondbacks in the least.Career
Inducted at the age of 17, served his away year in Baltimore, then spent 3 years as a Fang before rising to the rank of Taipan. He never culturally participated very much, and once he was given a little more free rein he branched out much farther than other Taipans tended to go. Now, he acts as pretty much an assassin for hire. While he financially supports the Diamondbacks and does lend his skills to the cause when needed, he is very far removed from the gang, to the point that many don't believe he deserves to wear the Snake's Coils. Most hold their tongue because of his familial ties to the King Cobra, however.Relationships
- Jacob Cormick — Adoptive Father (Estranged)
- Natalie Cormick — Adoptive Mother (Estranged)
- Zazriel Cormick — Adoptive BrotherSkills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand Fighter
- Marksman
- ClimberProficient
- Tracker
- Horseback RiderGear
- Dark suit
- 2 combat blades (in suit, right flank)
- 1 utility blade (in suit, left flank)
- Pistol (Glock 17), 3 10 round magazines (gun on his right flank, magazines on his left)

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Aug. 4, 1991———————————————————————Age
30———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Caucasian, Irish———————————————————————Sex
Male———————————————————————Height
6'3"———————————————————————Weight
~190 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Blue———————————————————————
Hair Color
Blond———————————————————————Birthplace
St. Louis, MO———————————————————————Current Residence
N/A — Moves frequently
———————————————————————Languages
English
Diamondback———————————————————————Sexuality
Straight

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Raleigh Monaghan

King Cobra — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Raleigh has always been warm and inviting. As a child, he was a limitless ball of energy who was occasionally forgetful and quite clumsy. As he grew up, he had to lose many of his childish traits quite quickly, but he never shed his kindness. He was always one to extend an olive branch before raising a weapon and avoided conflict if at all possible. That did not mean, however, that he did not understand that conflict was sometimes an unfortunate necessity.Career
He was inducted into the Diamondbacks at the age of 15 after a few years as a petty delinquent. He spent his away year in St. Louis, spending a little more time in the metropolitan areas than in the forests. He spent 2 years as a Fang, 2 years as a Taipan, 3 years as a Kingsnake, and 11 years as King Cobra. During his reign he managed to forge an alliance with the rival Apollo Gang, but ultimately failed in his campaign against law enforcement. He gave himself up in a bargain to save his people and was hanged publicly in St. Louis.Relationships
- Alexander Monaghan — Brother (Deceased)- Aila Kerr — Mother (Mentor, Deceased)- Iris Monaghan, née Swan — Wife (Deceased)Skills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand Fighter
- Horseback Rider
- Archer (including mounted archery)
- NavigatorProficient
- Hunter
- NegotiatorGear
- Mid-length buckskin coat
- 2 combat blades (in coat, left flank)
- 3 utility blades (in coat, right flank)
- Wooden recurve bowAll of this remains on display in the Museum of the American Gangster in New York City under minimal security. Diamondbacks have not yet recovered his belongings due to the potential for backlash from law enforcement being too great a risk.

DECEASED

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Jun. 29, 1899D.O.D.
May 15, 1932———————————————————————Age
32———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Caucasian, Irish———————————————————————Sex
Male———————————————————————Height
6'0"———————————————————————Weight
~180 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Brown———————————————————————
Hair Color
Light Brown———————————————————————Birthplace
Helena, MT———————————————————————Current Residence
N/A———————————————————————Languages
English
Diamondback
Apollo———————————————————————Sexuality
Straight

• World
• Characters
• Writer
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

Higashi Akumi

Queen Cobra — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Akumi was blunt and quite the spitfire as a child, and those personality traits followed her into adulthood. She was never afraid to let someone know that she disagreed with them. She often felt her grievance deserved to be heard, and quite explosively if the other person didn't share her sentiment. She had a highly strategic mind and that lent itself well to her role as Commander-in-Chief of all Diamondback forces. She had a low tolerance for mischief and pointless shenanigans in most cases but had one person she made frequent but begrudging exceptions for.Career
Born to two distinguished Diamondback warriors, Akumi was inducted into the Diamondbacks at the age of 11 in San Francisco. She spent her away year in Sunnyslope, Washington — the alpine forest teaching her wilderness survival. She spent 8 years as a Fang, and 4 years as a Taipan before being imprisoned at the Tule Lake internment camp for three years. After a daring escape enabled by her mother, she served for 5 years as Queen Cobra. Interestingly enough, she never served as a Kingsnake, so does not have a third coil. During her reign, she took back the land that the Diamondbacks once ruled over before they were wiped out at the end of the Second World War and revived the Diamondback culture with the help of a handful of survivors. She died honorably in battle.Relationships
- Higashi Kenzo — Father (Deceased)
- Higashi Nagisa — Mother (Deceased)- Michael Vaughn — Best friend (Deceased)Skills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand Fighter
- Horseback Rider
- Archer (including mounted archery)
- Practitioner of Tessenjutsu
- TacticianProficient
- Hunter
- Singer
- PainterGear
- Suit with red floral accents
- 3 combat blades (in suit, left flank)
- 3 utility blades (in suit, right flank)
- A tessen, but she doesn't typically carry it with her.

DECEASED

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Mar. 17, 1922D.O.D.
Oct. 21, 1953———————————————————————Age
31———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Asian, Japanese———————————————————————Sex
Female———————————————————————Height
5'8"———————————————————————Weight
~140 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Very dark brown———————————————————————
Hair Color
Black———————————————————————Birthplace
San Francisco, CA———————————————————————Current Residence
N/A———————————————————————Languages
English
Diamondback
Apollo———————————————————————Sexuality
Straight

Michael Vaughn

Taipan — Diamondback Gang

Personality
Michael took very little seriously. It was a wonder he was promoted to Kingsnake, but with the Diamondbacks beleaguered by law enforcement in the time before his promotion, he was pretty much the only choice and was seen as an interim Kingsnake until a more suitable candidate could be identified. Michael would much rather have fun than work and often shirked his responsibilities. He was seen as a bad influence on other Diamondbacks and so many parents and mentors refused to let their children associate with him when he was a young Snakelet.Career
Michael was inducted into the Diamondbacks at the age of 12 — he was a second-generation Diamondback and his parents thought that maybe getting him involved rather early would curb some of his... issues with responsibility and work ethic. Unfortunately, it did not.He spent 6 years as a Fang, 5 years as a Taipan, and a year as a Kingsnake, though he later abdicated. He deserted his post when the Diamondbacks were shipped off to Europe during the Second World War and spent the entirety of the war mired in alcoholism, using the deserted Cobra's Keep as his own personal place to crash. The future queen Akumi found him, and together they rebuilt the Diamondback kingdom. At his request, she executed him in 1948 for his earlier wartime desertion.Relationships
- Jacob Vaughn — Father (Deceased)
- Abigail Vaughn — Mother (Deceased)- Higashi Akumi — Friend (Deceased)Skills
Expert
- Knife Fighter
- Hand-to-Hand FighterProficient
- Horseback Rider
- Archer
- DrinkerGear
- Short navy coat
- 2 combat blades (in coat, left flank)
- 3 utility blades (in coat, right flank)All of his gear was destroyed after he was killed, in keeping with the traditional manner of dealing with a deserter. However, Akumi made sure his body was at least buried instead of being discarded. He was laid to rest in an empty field which is now the entranceway to a golf course.

DECEASED

———————————————————————D.O.B.
Jan. 16, 1920D.O.D.
Jan. 4, 1948———————————————————————Age
27———————————————————————Race and Ethnicity
Caucasian, Welsh———————————————————————Sex
Male———————————————————————Height
6'0"———————————————————————Weight
~180 lbs.———————————————————————Eye Color
Brown———————————————————————
Hair Color
Light Brown———————————————————————Birthplace
Helena, MT———————————————————————Current Residence
N/A———————————————————————Languages
English
Diamondback
Apollo———————————————————————Sexuality
Straight

• The World
• The Characters
• The Writer
• Plots
• Samples

Art

Images link to artist pages. Thank you to the wonderful people I've commissioned!

• The World
• The Characters
• Art
• Plots
• Samples

The Writer

Hi! I'm Angela.

About Me:

- She/her pronouns
- 24 years old
- Writing for 16 years
- Loves tropical fishkeeping!

Preferences:

- Usually writes 500-1000 words
- Will match length. I don't mind if you write less.
- Prefers writing male mains
- Can write any gender side or background characters
- I like OOC chat! Please let me know if you don't, though.
- I'm typically a pretty speedy replier and I will let you know if something comes up that would change that. I'd like it if you would do the same — thanks!
- I tend to get bored if replies take too long without forewarning. I will give you a nudge after 2 weeks have passed and after that point if I receive nothing back I'll assume I've been ghosted.

Limits:

- Typical ones — no pedophilia, rape, incest, graphic sexual abuse, etc.
- Please ask before including anything sexual. I only write smut with people I am comfortable with.

• The World
• The Characters
• The Writer
• Art
• Samples

Plots

Note:- This list is not exhaustive. If you have an idea that's not here, definitely don't hesitate to ask! Worst I could say is no — and in that case please don't freak out on me about it.For all of these I am assuming I will play Zazriel, who is usually my main, in a modern setting. If you've fallen in love with any of the other characters or would like a different time period, again, you can ask.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————But first,Plots I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT consider:
(like, seriously, do not come to me with any of these.)
- ERP / Porn without plot / with little plot
- Thinly veiled fetish stuff, in a similar vein to the above. Trust me, it's not as well-disguised as you think, dude.
- Arranged marriage — Just not my thing.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Plots I will LIKELY NOT consider:
- A plot where you play a Diamondback or Apollo.No hard feelings, I've just found that it's a huge hassle and a lot of frontloaded work explaining cultural nuances, which ultimately holds up plotting. It also can cause quite a bit of (understandable) friction if I'm constantly correcting someone.If you're okay with the above STEEP learning curve and possibly annoying corrections every 2 seconds, then by all means ask, but don't say I didn't warn you.
-- Pre-existing romantic relationshipI've found it's hard to make believable. However, I'm willing to consider it for more minor characters of mine (Nathanael, Astrid) or if you'd be alright with me making a completely new character. This is still an iffy element for me, so don't be surprised if it doesn't work out.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Plots I am CURRENTLY CRAVING (in order of importance)

• The World
• The Characters
• The Writer
• Art
• Plots

Writing Samples

I've written a sample with each character at the fore. Click their pictures to read! They are not from previous roleplays and were written expressly to appear on this site. You can expect similar length and quality from my posts.Thanks for stopping by!Note: Only one is finished so far (so only one portrait actually leads anywhere). Stay tuned for the rest!

• The World
• The Characters
• The Writer
• Art
• Plots

• Back to Samples

Writing Sample — Zazriel

"So, what am I going to learn first?" It was Astrid's first day as a Snakelet — the first day of her new life. It was her second birthday, so to speak, despite it being her eleventh year, and she clearly did not know what to expect."Is it gonna be something exciting? Like... like... fighting! Or shooting! Or... uhh... what about..."Zaz sighed. To be painfully honest, he didn't want the burden of bringing up this young one. He was only eighteen, for God's sake. The Kingsnake Tessa had insisted on it, though, despite his protestations and his argument that he wasn't the one for the job. There were several other eligible teachers. Hell, his own father could have taught the girl. For some reason, though, Tessa chose him and would not let him back out of it, saying that it would be good for him. So, there being no way out, he took a breath, closed his eyes, and thought back to his own lessons, several years ago."Tonight," Zaz could hear his father's voice, clear as day, transposed over his own. Astrid listened intently, absolutely enraptured, practically vibrating with excitement."... You learn how to be quiet."There was a pause where it seemed she had started taking this task to heart. It was short-lived."What? You're playing a trick on me, aren't you?" she accused, pouting."You won't understand until you're silent.""But—""Ah, ah—""What if—""Shh—""What about—""Astrid!""Hmm?""Just... trust me. Ask questions later. Here, let's sit down."They sat together on the forest floor, Zaz sweeping his coattails under himself to give him something to sit on other than bare ground. Astrid, not yet having a coat of her own, just plopped down in the leaf litter and squished up against Zaz's side. It was early spring and still a little nippy at night. He was warm."Now... just quiet down. Close your eyes if you need to." Zaz looked over at his student for a moment and saw her screw her eyes shut as if her life depended on it."...And relax. No tension."She relaxed."Deep breath in," he said, taking one of his own. She was starting to get it — she thankfully didn't suck down air like she was slurping pasta or something. When he told her to release, it all didn't come out in a giant puff either. They sat there and repeated this until he felt she was calm enough to move on."Now," he continued, his voice much lower, "you will learn how to listen. Tell me what you hear.""Um... I hear... the wind. It makes the trees rustle." She opened her eyes and saw the canopy dancing about above her, occasionally being brushed very briefly aside to reveal the twinkling stars above her. She liked this sound."Good. The leaves sometimes make it hard to hear much else, for you and for others who might be looking for you. Remember that." Those were his father's words. He was thankful for his father's words."Now try again. Try to hear something despite the leaves.""I hear..." she fell silent for a time, concentrating. "I hear... it's like... a... an animal. Like a chattering noise." The sound wasn't too far off and there was something a little bit unnerving about it. It was accompanied by a rustling of a different kind... like the creature was trying to dig something up that it had found in the leaf litter."That's a raccoon.""Oh. That's what they sound like?" She tilted her head. She'd never really heard raccoons make any sort of noises before, besides maybe banging noises from inside of city dumpsters.They repeated the exercise for as long as they were able — in other words, as long as Astrid was able to stay awake. She heard graceful deer and hooting owls and curious foxes. Occasionally, there was even the sound of a Diamondback passing through that she picked up on. It certainly wasn't as exciting a first day as she thought it would be, Zaz felt, but she did well.The two returned to the chapter house near midnight and Astrid bedded down for the night. A nocturnal circadian rhythm would come in time.With his student asleep, and nothing better to do, Zaz chose to fletch arrows, the repetitive task bringing him comfort until it was time for him to go to sleep as well.

Writing Sample — Javier

Text

Writing Sample — Astrid

Text

Writing Sample — Nathanael

Text

Writing Sample — Raleigh

Text

Writing Sample — Akumi

Text

Writing Sample — Michael

Text