Utterly Mad

Yeah, can't come up with a good subtitle for this so...yeah, onto set up.
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Rules (though I doubt I need these...)
No godmoding
No killing another PC instantly without the players prior consent (I'll seek clarification from both players involved in this situation)
will add more if needed
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Story/setting
It is the Second Era, Year of Ice. The Human empire is still in it's fledgling years, and the sentient undead have yet to form a larger nation, instead roving the land in large bands. The Dwarves have yet to consolidate into a unified empire, instead existing in several different kingdoms spread over a wide area. The Elves live as a single unified people, largely remaining in the woods that are their ancestral homes, however a few still go out to explore the world and see the state of things with the other races.
Still other races have begun consolidating into larger civilizations, but there are far too many for me to list in this simple tome of history. ((You can make your own races))

The magi of all disciplines, even the death tongues, have put aside their differences in an attempt to increase their understanding of magic, and with this agreement the final chapter of the Magi war closed. However the reprecusions of the war still resonate through out the land, and some subsects of the different disciplines still seek to fight a war that is now dead. And as always, there will be Magi who use their power for their own gain.


(((and that's what I can come up with for now. As always this universe is up for expansion by players and others, though I do retain the ability to declare something none cannon if it's too out there.)))
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Story (what we as players are doing...well at least for the start...yeah, trying to think this up is taking a while...)

Our adventurers were assembled by a member of the Red Hands to explore ruins recently purchased by the mysterious guild. They were to search the ruins and bring back any valuables, for which they would be compensated for with an additional bonus to go with their contract fee. However there is something odd about these ruins.
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basic set up done, nothing to in depth as this is going to be majorly free form.
CS
Name:
Race:
Age:
Appearance:
Armor/clothes:
Weapons:
Background: ((Not required))

yep, it's free form. I'm just waiting to see if there's interest before I make my character.

It's high fantasy. There's magik, with a bunch of different 'disciplines', such as Mage Tongue, Death Tongue, and Scholar, though as I've said, it's pretty well free form.
On the steampunk: Not really, though since I allow primitive muskets you could have a steampunk version of those I guess.

Name: Restari Un Rasputaty de Musk. (Musk for short)
Race: Ratman
Age: 8
Appearance: Short 3 ft tall rat, he moves about mostly on all fours but stands and fights on two legs. Black stripe along the back and bright red eyes, he seems unhappy in direct sunlight and tends to wear a hood and mask to disguise his species.
Clothes: Elongated dog mask, brown and grey hood, black gloves and boots and a long leather overcoat.
Weapons: Ceremonial Rune Dagger, vial of instant smoke. Teeth and claws, bone dart blower and 12 bone darts, each with a bronze cap.
Backstory: To be revealed in story.

Its a rat...short lifespan, probs only about 15 to 20 yrs.

Name: Cobalt
Race: Suit of Armor
Age: ?
Appearance: the hell is wrong with this picture?
Armor/clothes: Made of steel
Weapons: BIG FUCKING GREATSWORD, Tower shield
Background: Born from the soul and armor of a man named Ricard, who tried to overthrow his king but was cast into the void by the very powers he commanded. He stewed away, until he was offered the chance to return to the waking world in his old armor. He was found by a group of mages, and many years in the void changes a mans worldview, and as such he is currently running jobs for them until he can find his old king, and desecrate the shit out of his grave.

Quick question: How does magic work in this universe? Does it require ingredients to cast, or a mana pool, can it be done verbally, does it need a focus like a staff or wand or just your hands?

Time to begin the dance of a thousand skeletons.