Welcome to The Duality of Man, an original animanga role-play that features numerous supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, these various species have distanced themselves because of the war that occurred thousands of years ago, plaguing some with eyes that only see their dualism. While others meddle themself with their differences, two groups fight, each attempting to eliminate the other in for their definition of worldly peace. These two groups of the Terror Response Syndicate (TRS) and the Assembly of Phantoms (AP). With individuals fighting merely over their differences, it brings uncertainty to the outcome of this war.
We happily accept all role-players as long as they obey the rules and are capable of meeting our word count of 50. This does include those who are unfamiliar with this style of role-playing. The staff of The Duality of Man are willing to happily help those who are new to the role-playing world so they feel comfortable on site. Feel free to message the staff if you need help, they can be found here or in the site Discord and will gladly answer questions alongside calm concerns. If you have any suggestions we would love to hear them; guests may use the support board as a suggestion area as well. Should you decide to join, may I say welcome to the site and we all hope you enjoy your time here.
Yours Truely,
The Staff
season
Summer 2024
Heat has broken through into a glorious summer. The snow has entirely dried through the spring, leaving to the brilliance of the warmer months. Terror activity has risen as people are brought out of their homes, leaving the TRS in a position of consistent work. Each are attempting to maintain victory in the endless struggle for power.
Since the wonderful members of TDOM enjoy the site enough to play around on it, this thread is to assist with the site's tidying! Functionality is important and we want to make the site functional even if its activity will be minimal at best!
Alfonse's first day of public school was... well.... okay. All of his determined attempts of persuading, convincing, and arguing to his parents how he would benefit much more from continuing his academics the way they'd been presented to him before didn't work. His father, with his ruling iron fist, told him that whatever he says he wants him to do, he will do.... a-and it wasn't fair! I-It made him, so... so--! So mad! Whenever his father was stubborn with his decision, though, Alfonse knew that there was a limit on how much he could press and plead before hitting a nerve. With great disappointment, he was forced to attend Lorsette High whether if he liked it or not. Apparently the 'exposure' would be good for him and his future as a well-rounded individual.[break][break]
His first day of being stuck in prison was finally just about over, though, and it took forever to get through all the mundane classes. Time went by painfully slow. He was introduced in front of the class on more than one occasion and it didn't take long for him to have a strong sense that a lot of the students in his freshman level were already well-established with one another. It was already difficult for him to feel at ease in his new academic environment... but seeing as how so many students were already friends and having accustomed themselves to everything made it all the more alienating for him. The boy kept mostly to himself, only finding solace with the company of one other quiet and reserved individual named Preston whom had been his tour guide. The only other youth his age whom was recognizable here to him, not surrounded by a multitude of others, and had the familiar sent of pine and winter essence cologne that lulled him away from stale aromas of bodies crammed into closed-off rooms. Don't even get him started on how awful the designated 'cafeteria' smelled.... e-ew....[break][break]
The industrial classrooms felt unnatural and unnerving, much like when he was on tour the week prior, and the numerous scents his sensitive nose picked up were still very unpleasant to him... it was still overwhelming... and nothing like what was home to him. H-he really didn't like it here... at all.... and missed having his private studies, roaming wherever he desired and having all the time possible during daylight hours to practice his craft with mentors and fellow magically inclined children. Everything was just... cold and dull here. It made him nervous... and the sensation of not fitting in, or belonging, didn't once cease. A-and he didn't care for the topics discussed, either. Only when he was introduced to his first elective did something catch his wandering drifting thoughts that daydreamed of when he'd finally be able to leave after the long, boring, awkward day. [break][break]
The school offered an Alchemy elective that Alfonse's parents convinced the Principal to allow him to join, and it was the only class out of his whole day he enjoyed. The teacher was passionate, quirky and odd in a way that intrigued Alfonse's interest all the more when hearing of their own stories behind certain gathering expeditions and experiments of all kinds of potions. The learning material was provided in a much more hands on and creative way, too, which differed greatly from his classes earlier on in the day. It was like a fresh breath of air for his mind... though a lot of what they went over were things Alfonse already knew. It was easy but still more fun than anything else today. The class was smaller, too, which was quite consoling to him and he even found himself raising his hand a couple times.[break][break]
By the end of the class, they were given a group project to work on for the week. While everyone had quickly found their friends to pair up with, one girl named Ivory saved him from the sheepish anxiety of being all alone without anyone to work with. She was very friendly and nice, asking him if they could be partners, and Alfonse agreed in gratitude and relief. The teacher showed them a few possible alchemist potions, what they would look like when done correctly and if performed improperly, and also showed a variety of possible approaches that would be allowed for their project. Students, for the most part, would have the freedom to conduct what they desired to so long as it was safe and Alfonse's imagination was pleasantly peeked with such freedom. He was kind of excited to work with Ivory and make something... it was at least something fun in the midst of everything else.[break][break]
When class was over, it signified the end of the day and a time when Alfonse could finally go home. He had been miserable for most of his first normal school experience but it ended on a good note... he was definitely thankful for that fact, and how there was a glimmer of hope that he could still practice something he cared about while attending this institution. Th-that is, until his parents changed their minds... he didn't give up yet on that happening![break][break]
With a weary yawn, Alfonse had left class a little later than his peers. The chaos of students in the halls intimidated him and weren't worth getting caught up in. He waited before the hallways sounded quieter before he slipped his button-up cloak on and ventured out. His book bag neatly laid over one shoulder with a hand grasping its strap, tired Aquamarine eyes gazing in front of him as he navigated his way towards the building's exit. He was drained... and he felt a light headache starting to occur within the top of his skull. It would be nice when he could finally hide himself away in a drawn bath at home... where he could rejuvenate his energy and remedy away the tension in his head. The thought encouraged him to speed up in his walking. As he stepped outside he paused at the top of the stairs, where the entrance of the school yards unveiled. The flecks of green and blue swam within his irises as his eyes narrowed through the sunlight, trying to see if he could spot his escort. Ezriel was supposed to be waiting for him outside of a vehicle.
Because of her history, schools always gave off bad vibes for the eighteen year old. Alida Honora stood at the outer gates of Lorsette’s high school, one leg bent and her boot pressed against the brick wall, arms folded over her chest, head low, and eyes closed honey blond hair draped over a shoulder. A few of the students whispered about her as they passed; some in awe, others assuming she was some sort of badass, and of course there had been a few sexist remarks from some males. She ignored them all and simply waited for Ivory to arrive. It was strange being on the other side of the gates, rather than apart of the student body. She was officially an “adult”, although she didn’t feel like one. Eighteen was supposed to be the year of awakening and revelation, but it had skipped over her.
A handful of minute later, a commotion at the top of the stairs was what finally drew Alida’s undivided attention. Ivory Sheppard had exited the double doors of the school’s entrance, in an obvious hurry and careless as usual, stumbling over herself, books tumbling from her arms and scattering amongst the gray cement. Her sneakered foot caught one of the many, sent her forward and at a ginger haired male who had been unluck enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Alida watched, deadpan, as Ivory flailed about, grasping onto the younger male’s black overcoat, at first looking as though her mishap was going to send the ginger barrelling down the flight of stairs. However, Ivory realised this as well, and ended up jerking him backward, in fright, and the two landed on top of one another in a heap on the ground, surrounded by her scattered schoolbooks.
A silent, barely audible groan left the young teen when not seeing one of his family's escort vehicles in clear view. A sea of other cars surrounding the front entrance yards of the school, and the parking lot... but either in the midst of other bustle he was missing his own form of transportation, or for whatever reason Ezriel was late. Which... Ezriel was never late... but for all he knew something else regarding his father's private affairs with him may have kept his hands tied. Then again, it wasn't like he had that much time to double-glance around.[break][break]
Before that could happen, a loud commotion hustled behind him. A multitude of items crashing behind him, and a loud squeak of a sneaker sharply reached his ears, arising a mild startled look of surprise within his large orbs. In a millisecond a hand had grabbed him, pressure pushing him forward.... before just as lightning-fast, whomever grabbed him yanked him backwards as though defying gravity by pulling him the exact opposite way he could have fallen forward. It all happened too fast for him to as much as turn around and see what even happened behind him. Without much need for any extra strength, the light weight of his body was practically flung backwards and swept right off his feet. [break][break]
His heart leaped in shock as his back fell atop of another body, the impact causing him to lean mid-ways onto his side. "Wh-what the--!?" His voice blurted in the very shock, if not secretly fright, that overtook him as he quickly squirmed up and off the girl. His frantic movements were swift in getting him off her, and instead beside her as he lightly fell onto his knees and jerked his head to look at the culprit. Among the clear shock that captivated his widened eyes, his eyebrows had lightly knitted in a defensive annoyance.... which only lightened up a bit when seeing it was Ivory. "I-Ivory...? What just happened, are-- are you okay?" He asked her, eyebrows knitting closer as his Aquamarine glaze flicked from her, to the books, to... more books that cluttered around them, then back to her....
Ivory’s long white hair had spilled down her shoulders and back in an unruly mess, her large, but cat-like, blue eyes bubbling with a set of tears as she dusted one of her knees off. “I’m so sorry,” She wept, clearly upset by her blunder, but had also scraped one of her knees in the fall. “All of my books fell, and I tripped over them, and then I was scared you were going to tumble down the stairs.” The fifteen year old shifter sniffled and wiped away at her tears, looking toward Alfonse, whom she had brought down in her own demise, and she felt just terrible. What a horribly embarrassing and ninny thing to do. Why couldn’t she be graceful like her animal shift? Or her angel ancestry? At least she was beautiful like them, she thought with another sniff, as brought her hand through her hair, attempting to fix it.
Alida climbed the staircase and ventured over to the two, stopping a few feet shy of them to cock an eyebrow in their direction. “Do you make a habit of this?” She asked Ivory, but offered the ginger haired kid an outstretched hand to help him back up to his feet. He looked rather young, almost not even high school age; definitely a freshman. She wasn’t used to the softer looking boys. Living and growing up in Corner Brook had surrounded her with a bunch of demon boy brutes.
“No!” Ivory whined and began to scramble to her feet, favoring her scraped knee.
Ivory's frazzled appearance and teary blue eyes succeeded in softening Alfonse's expression much more. He still felt a pang of irritation a moment ago, since... she'd taken him down with her during her clumsy spiel, but when seeing how upset she was and how she was apologizing... it was difficult for him to stay annoyed with her. He lightly sucked in his lower lip as he listened to her, sympathy beginning to show within his expression.[break][break]
Another presence appeared near them near the last few sniffling words of Ivory's explanation and Alfonse's eyes rose from Ivory, uplifting to see a darkly-dressed blonde girl.... one that stood out like a lone shadow in the middle of daylight. His youthful eyes gleamed in a less startled surprise than before, one of which that instead resonated from intrigue... before his gaze fell upon the obvious set of horns upon the girl's head. They were even decorated in long, flashy chain-like jewelry... i-it was hard not to notice.[break][break]
I-It was kind of.... well, honestly, h-he was a little startled by seeing a Demon like her in broad daylight. He'd only ever encountered them on a rare circumstance when being brought along to affairs involving Dawn of Shadowstride, and... he had one very unpleasant experience with them not too long ago. Alfonse was... intimidated by being presented with someone of her caliber, but... her jewelry around her horns... was also... really cool. The hues of his eyes nearly brightened in their momentary distracted fascination, almost failing to pay any attention to the brief exchange of words between her and Ivory. They seemed to know each other... so that must have meant a good thing.[break][break]
The demon extended a hand out to him, and Alfonse's large Aquamarine eyes lowered in a shy manner as he reached to grasp her hand. His hold was gentle, but firm enough to allow him some of his own leverage to lift himself up and onto his feet. "U-Um, thank you..." He murmured in the same shy mannerism, a sheepish smile crossing his face as his gaze still remained lowered off elsewhere before they fixated on Ivory. Briefly, he smoothed a hand over the front of his cloak to help it retrieve its meticulous cleanliness. "And, it's okay, Ivory," Alfonse attempted to offer in a supportive manner, not wanting her to feel too guilty or embarrassed with the situation, "Accidents happen... I'll help with picking up your books, okay? It really is fine," He flashed her soft, but more so encouraging smile in further attempts of trying to soothe over her feelings, reaching to collect the few scattered books that were closest to his feet.
A small but amused smile had graced Alida’s lips, her mahogany gaze drawn to Ivory upon hearing her outburst. The girl was certainly a bizarre, yet refreshing, breath of fresh air. Although, their large gap in age difference left Alida feeling more often like an older sister than a potential friend. Beside her, the young male stood and stammered out a shy thank you. The sound of his timid voice brought Alida's attention to him, her arms folding across her chest as she studied him for a mute second. It hadn't gone unnoticed how his gaze roamed to everywhere but her. The discrimination was something she was still getting used to. In Corner Brook, practically everyone was from Hell, and mostly demon. Lorsette was a melting pot of diversity and at times felt rather chaotic. Just the other day her and Ivory had been at the Crescent Moon Cafe, and within the first ten minutes the establishment had occupied two shifters, a, well, “demon”, and a reaper.
Alida certainly held no understanding of it. But, eh, she would rather be feared for being a demon than be attacked and ridiculed for being a fallen. “It’s okay, Ivory. Accidents happen… I’ll help with picking up your books, okay? It really is fine.” The kid spoke to Ivory, and even flashed her a supportive smile, and a nefarious idea came to Alida. Ivory was clearly reluctant to start bending with her knee scraped up and bleeding, and had grown awkward with the predicament. However, a wily smirk had come to grace Alida’s mouth and it had caught Ivory's attention. While the boy busied himself with her scattered books, Alida had ignited a flare of solid blackness to flicker and spark within the palm of her hand. Alida cocked her head, her mahogany gaze gleaming, brows high, as she stared directly at Ivory, whom in turn began frantically waving her hands and shaking her head.
When Alida burst out laughing, and put her darkness away, Ivory gave her a dirty look for her dirty trick. Alida easily leaning over and scooped up a few of the books as well before inquiring, “You two seem to know each other. Classmates?”
“Why yes we are, thank you very much,” Ivory retorted with an exaggerated sigh of relief, but then squeaked when Alida tossed a book her way. She caught it ungracefully, and had to pause to smooth her hair down, tossing it over her shoulder before she began to brush the book off.
The few books Alfonse collected weren't a difficult feat to bring into his arms. One was heavier than the other, definitely being a class textbook given its larger size and hardback covers. When he'd already brought them within his grasp he reached for a couple others that he knew would be able to balance among the others he had with him. [break][break]
Goodness, Ivory had dropped a lot of her books... the more he observed and tried helping her, the more he realized that this girl had spilled what looked like a whole academic day's worth of reading material. Realistically, he couldn't collect all of them for her... and he did notice that Ivory seemed stagnant. [break][break]
Through his light auburn, wavy bangs he peered up at her, seeing one of her hands tightly cupping her knee. The observation was one he silently noted, once more glancing down to gather what else he could before reaching what was a comfortable limit of what he could help her with in terms of book-weight. A burst of laughter, not one belonging to Ivory, resounded before the demon's black-coat arms came reaching down near him to offer her own assistance. The laughter was enough to bring his gaze to look up at her, having missed whatever ordeal happened... and had clearly made Ivory all the more jumpy. The look on the demon's face seemed... almost menacing? An eyebrow lightly arched in confused apprehension, but Alfonse remained silent, standing up with a good amount of books in his arms.[break][break]
At the back of his mind, Alfonse wanted to use shadow magic to levitate some of the works... but, he could hear his mother's warning words of caution lingering within his thoughts. Warnings that it was better to lay low for awhile on his true species while getting a feel on the type of environment surrounded the high school and Lorsette itself. Back in his last homeland, it was more so common knowledge that he was a Nymph, and one thing he liked about being in a new place like this so far was that he didn't have that facade defining him. He was a clear slate. The demon's question shifted his thoughts back over to them, and he offered a light but uncomfortable smile strongly driven by Ivory's own uncertain aura surrounding her and whatever relationship she had with the older girl. "We have Alchemy together," He answered in his natural quieter voice, before another sheepish smile crossed his face, "W-well, we just met though. This is my first day at school,"[break][break]
Awkwardness tugged at him and mildly strengthened the light headache he encountered from the draining day of school. "Are you... related...?" He asked, attempting to be both polite and not... visibly awkward. He was still trying to re-compose himself after the literal collision from a few seconds again and now being met with a Demonness... who smelled very strongly of shampoo and hair product, of which he was noticing more. The abruptness of everything had prevented Alfonse from realizing how much Ivory had scraped her knee up.
“We have Alchemy together,” the younger boy supplied a bit more helpfully than Ivory had. “W-well, we just met though. This is my first day at school.”
His boyish appearance, light voice, and awkward stammer made Alida feel pity well up in the depths of her stomach. Volos-almighty, how was this boy going to survive? Was life in Lorsette really that different than Corner Brook? If he had lived in her city, he would have been eaten alive.
“Are you… related…?”
Alida had finished with the remainder of the books — the ginger having actually picked up the majority of them. She had made her way to Ivory and had handed the books to her.
“Nah,” She was the first to supply while Ivory moved forward to accept the remainder of books that her classmate had collected. “Thank you,” she supplied all good-mannerly, but Alida ventered forward to step into place beside them as they started to head down the stairs.
“First day of school, huh? So, how’d that go?” Alida asked out of pure morbid curiosity.
Alfonse offered her a light smile when Ivory stepped forward and collected the books he gathered up. Once the textbooks were no longer entrusted within his own arms he was able to allow them to relax by his sides at the same time the demon provided a straight-forward response that offered nothing to work from conversation-wise. A simple "nah" was all that was said and the awkwardness Alfonse felt.... lingered. It didn't lessen whatsoever. His Aquamarine gaze briefly met with the blonde's after she'd spoken. For a second he thought one of the two girls were going to mention what they're relation was but nothing else was elaborated. H-he felt even more uncomfortable than before... it caused his gaze to avert away from her with a quiet answer of, "Oh," [break][break] His smile became softer and more sincere when Ivory thanked him. These two... gave off a very different impression than the other. Within a matter of a couple minutes they exhibited stark differences between each other and their temperaments. From what he already had seen between the two of them, he didn't have a strong feeling that they got along well... it partially was what led him to wonder if they may have been related, such as them being sisters. Siblings acted standoffish with each other, didn't they? He wouldn't really know from personal experience, but he'd seen how some brothers and sisters acted with each other.... [break][break] As the three continued down the stairway together, he felt his stomach becoming more uneasy and anxious about getting home. Cautiously, Alfonse's gaze scanned over the vehicles parked in the nearby lot and those that were waiting near the front courtyard, hoping to see his own transportation. The fabric of his cloak gently swayed behind him as he continued downward with the two girls, and upon the demon's question, his gaze continued seeking out the vehicle. He assumed the question was for Ivory since the two were... somehow affiliated, and didn't catch the full context of the question. When Ivory didn't speak up, however, Alfonse's eyes were brought back to them. "It was all right," He answered truthfully but vaguely. His smile turned sheepish and his shoulders initiated a slight shrug, "Alchemy was the most fun. Ivory and I are going to work on a potion together," He added with a growing optimism in his face, glancing over to the young girl.
However, Ginger’s attention had been drawn elsewhere as he looked out toward the parking lot while they headed down the steps of the high school’s front entrance. It took him a moment, but he seemed to do a double-take when he finally realized that her question had been directed at him. Her smile widened, her eyebrows both arched, as she gave him a look that made it clear she had caught his blunder. Still, his response was surprising but felt genuine enough for her to continue to question the lifestyle of Lorsette.
“It was all right. Alchemy was the most fun. Ivory and I are going to work on a potion together.” He revealed and Alida could see the detail of enthusiasm he had over the subject. He had to be a Freshman all sparkling eyes and filled with wander. A sidelong glance toward Ivory had the white-haired teen huffing and squeezing her stack of books more closely to her chest.
“See?” Ivory pointed out knowingly. “I told you. Lorsette is different.”
With that cryptic remark, Alida straightened and crossed her arms over her chest, giving a light hmm in contemplation of her remark. Would she have really been accepted in the high school if she had grown up in Lorsette? Maybe Corner Brook really had been a hell hole; literally.
I'm perfectly fine with this thread being on the shorter side with Alfonse heading off for his ride and then they can meet up again in the next thread. ^^
When he looked towards Ivory, he could see her huffing while trying to keep her books secured tightly up against her with each step down the flight of stairs. Her comment about Lorsette being different caught Alfonse in confusion as to what she meant. His eyebrows somewhat lifted in wonderment... though before the teen had an opportunity to put more thought into what she said, the sunlight brightly reflected upon the surface of a sleek black vehicle from the corner of his eye.[break][break] Instantly, he jerked his face to look towards the courtyard's street entrance. Merely by the cleanly, shiny dark exterior and the driver's hasty speeding around a couple stalled vehicles along the sidewalk was he able to identify it as his escort. [break][break]The vehicle slowed once entering a more so pedestrian-risk zone, and Alfonse's face instantly brightened with immense happiness and relief. "Oh, my escort is here...! I have to go now," He sped down the last couple steps before swiftly turning on his feet with a smile upon his face when looking at the two girls, "I'll see you tomorrow, Ivory! It was nice meeting you, um..." His Aquamarine hues gazed at the wild-haired blonde, his smile falling a bit sheepish when realizing they actually didn't exchange names yet. "I-I'm sorry, what's your name? Mine's Alfonse," [break][break]
((OOC: Sorry this is a short post! I think we're just about at a good stopping point if you're fine with it ^^ Then we can talk about where to go with them next~.))
Alida’s mahogany gaze shifted to the ginger when he abruptly darted down the stairs. “Oh, my escort is here…! I have to go now,” He called after them, turning around a few feet down the sidewalk to bid them a goodbye. However, his hasty departure toward his ride faltered when he realized that he hadn’t introduced himself and neither had he gotten her name.
“I-I’m sorry, what’s your name? Mine’s Alfonse.”
Alida and Ivory both ventured down the remainder of stairs and began down the same path as him, catching up to him in mere seconds as she answered; “Alida.” Her gaze lifted from Alfonse and toward the sleek, black, car who had pulled up at the front of the school, and the sight along with the boy referring to it as his “escort” had both of her brows raising high.
“Well, it was nice meeting you, Alfonse.” She returned coolly, lifting one of her hands to press it against her forehead, and then gave a casul, dismissive, salute.
“See you tomorrow,” Ivory added with a wave, and then her and Alida headed off down the sidewalk while Alfonse would presumably head to his escort.
Do not use drama to get attention in the chat. Nobody appreciates it.
2
No advertising, we have a perfectly fine board for that.
3
Please try and keep swearing to a minimum in the chat.
4
All chat usernames should be PG-13 and not break the ProBoards ToS or site rules.
5
A Chatango account is not required, but it is encouraged.
6
Please avoid spamming the chat; accidents are understandable.
7
You may use the in-character chat prior to acceptance.
8
Be respectful to anybody who enters the chat, including guest, fellow members and staff.
9
Guests may speak in chat at anytime to ask questions or get a taste of our community~!
resource sites
affiliates
credits
The skin is created by Wolf of Adoxography and Gangnam Style. The thread and conversation remodels are by Kagney. The Strange Reality board list, Heal My Soul info center, I Remember Now mini profile and Electric Requiem profile remodel is made by Pharoah Leap. The Who's That Member member list remodel was made by Tictactoe. The Cbox.ws Shoutbox remodel was made by Trinity Blair. All templates used for claims, information sheets, applications, etc are credited to their owners; credits for these can be found in the threads the templates are use on. Images that are used on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners, however, they have been edited by Zac with a few being edited by Chibi Magician. The plot, rules and various other information pieces for The Duality of Man are written by Chibi Magician with the assistence of her co-admins, Finnegan and Dremulf, alongside other unlisted people who were kind enough to give their input. The TRS, AP and face claim were all created by Fleur for specifically the use of TDOM. All plugins used on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners. The templates my members use are credited to their maker, if you find a template that belongs to you, but is uncredited, please speak to Chibi Magician or the member themself. Characters created on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners and should not be used elsewhere without the creator's permission.
Special thanks for the members of TDOM who make suggestions to help make this site better. Even though we can not accept all suggestions, we immensely appreciate it. Thus, we give credit to any additions that you thought of and were later implimented by the staff, because we are glad you give us these excellent ideas.
