Background Story

The background story that brings Carpe Diem to life is explained

Welcome.

Carpe Diem is a new MMO game with several new and different gameplay ideas.

The first of these is that the game is story driven and a real person plays the main protagonist online in real time. So if you feel that there is a malevolent hand guiding your opponents, then you are probably right! Secondly, the action is mostly mounted. All characters can choose to get a mount from early in the game and thus the gameplay is faster and the combat more tactical. There are many other new gameplay ideas (such as the possession system and the weapons of legend) so if you are interested the check out www.carpediemgame.com.

Today I would like to tell you about the background story to Carpe Diem.

Many centuries ago a war raged across the continent between an alliance of men and the hordes of the Demon prince. The alliance was crushed and the few remaining humans fled westwards to escape annihilation. They fought a desperate rearguard all the way to a small country known as Gilead. In a final bid for survival they formed an alliance with the indigenous race, the beautiful and magical Fey. It was at this stage that the great Fey leader, Shimei of the forest, came to the fore. She discovered the secret of soul possession that allowed a human and a Fey to combine their powers as one fighting unit. Between them they managed to hold back the Demon Prince and his many hordes on the borders of the land. However the Demon Prince grew stronger by the day and it seemed that it would not be long before all was lost and that Gilead would be over run

In their despair the Humans and the Fey turned westwards to the kingdom of Ithalamar where the fearsome race the Dragonbloods lived. The Dragonbloods realised that if Gilead fell, their turn was next. So in a marriage of convenience they joined the alliance of the humans and the Fey. However the Dragonbloods were a fragmented race that co-existed in a range of competing tribes. Only a few were willing to join the alliance.

Drastic action was required if the Demon Prince was to be defeated. Shimei of the forest, and four of the greatest Feys captured the four mythical creatures of the west: The Dragon of Fire; The Dragon of Stone; The Nightwalker and the Meralith. Unfortunately three of the Fey were killed completing this quest but before they died, they were able to combine these powers to make four magical weapons. These weapons are called the Weapons of Legend. With these weapons the Humans, the Fey and the Dragonbloods were able to drive back the Demon Prince out of the lands of Gilead and Ithalamar.

Centuries pass…

We move forward in time and return to the kingdom of Gilead, which is now ruled by the great King David. Ithalamar is now united under the War Lord Shab Anath and there is a signed treaty between the two kingdoms agreeing to join together against any future threat from the Demon Prince. However the main threat came from within. One of King David’s closest advisors, an evoker called Uzziel, became ambitious and plotted to assassinate King David. Clouzer, commander of the king’s regiments, discovered the plot. As a consequence Uzziel and his traitors were banished from the kingdom. Uzziel wandered through various lands before one dark night coming into the Demon princes lair. Together they realised that an unholy alliance could be beneficial to both parties, Uzziel could claim the kingdom and the Demon Prince could exact revenge on his previous humiliation. In exchange for his soul Uzziel was made the greatest Evoker that has ever been and he started on his journey of revenge.

The first attack occurred in the dead of night. Uzziel ambushed the Warlord Shab Anath capturing him and in the process slaughtering all his bodyguards. Nothing has been seen of Shab Anath but the rumour is that he is being held prisoner until he reveals the hiding place of the Weapons of Legend.

It is here that the story of Carpe Diem really begins. On one side there is the evil Uzziel and his followers who are searching for the Weapons of Legend. On the other side are the followers of King David who are looking to protect the Kingdom and rescue Shab Anath. The Weapons of Legend hold the balance of power in the game.

That was the background story to Carpe Diem, but of course it is the characters that bring the game to life.

Uzziel the great evoker is played by a real person and is constantly online attempting to create mayhem.

Humans are known for their skills at warfare and take the form of fearsome knights. At the start of the game the choice is between two professions-knights and archers. As the game progresses the knights can become Paladins or Sword Masters whilst the archers become Rangers or Hawkeyes.

Humans are renowned for their horsemanship, right from the beginning of the game they have to find and tame their steed. It then becomes their faithful companion in battle trampling all before them.

Fey on the other hand are a beautiful race and possess natural magic. At the beginning of the game a Fey character can be either a Flamespirite or a Healer. The former has devastating magical powers whilst the latter has defensice and healing powers. As the game develops flamespirites can become Flamedarks ( with greater attacking magics) whilst healers become Guardian Spirits (with defensive and group powers).

The Fey have also learnt to capture the wild bears of the forest and they use them as mounts and to be their protector on the battle field. Armoured bears are enough to make even Uzziel’s followers afraid.

The last of the races, the Dragonbloods, are independent and aggressive. They can become great warriors, assassins and even sorcerers. During the game warrior Dragonbloods can evolve into Bloodblades or Monks of Ithalamar. Bloodblades are superb martial warriors with huge double-handed swords. They possess great close range speed and strength. Monks of Ithalamar on the other hand use the exotic weapons of the Dragonbloods such as dual wielded daggers and throwing stars.

Assassin Dragonbloods either develop into Dark Assassins or Soul Hunters. Dark Assassins have great stealth and get close to you before you realise they are there. Soul Hunters deliver their deathblows unseen from a distance using ranged weapons.

Sorcerer Dragonbloods develop into Necromancers or Dark Lords. The former summon Golems or the dead to attack their foes while Dark Lords prey on the inherent fears of their enemies to destroy them.

All Dragonbloods harness the natural powers of the Minotaurs who roam wild in the forest. Together they form a ferocious partnership.

So that is the game and the characters, we hope that you will join us in the battles ahead. Ultimately together we should be able to defeat Uzziel.

Thank you for reading so far, hopefully you will find Carpe Diem a spontaneous and unpredictable game. If you would like to be involved in the Beta testing we are registering interest at: www.carpediemgame.com

- Ken Johnston, Persistent Worlds

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