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!
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiratext] It had been a long time since Mira Higashi had stepped foot in any of Lorsette's AP haunts, and upon returning she quickly learned that that old name of hers, Sullivan, still followed her around despite the years that had passed. Since she was a child that name had chained her down with so many expectations she could never hope to meet. That was why she had changed it as soon as she'd gotten the chance. In London and France her new name had been accepted and she had grown accustomed to being her own person and building her own reputation. In Canada, however, she found her past being dug up far more than she'd expected. [break][break] Of course, not everything was the same. She was no longer set to be some great soldier. Rather, she was the wayward child of Edward and Sophia Sullivan, leaving her very loyalty in question. She didn't particularly care what they thought of Mirabella Sullivan. As long as people associated her with that name they would never see who she had truly become. So she took away the face they thought they knew. Wearing a mask couldn't stop everyone from recognizing her, but it was better to be herself for some people than none. [break][break] She had worn the mask for two previous AP events and already she heard the name whispered around the streets. The Masked Phantom. She didn't particularly care what people called her as long as it wasn't a Sullivan, but she was glad she had a reputation catching on. If people had already accepted her as some masked figure they would be less likely to press into her life outside of the AP. She couldn't afford to have her actual work mixing with her extracurriculars. [break][break] The familiar click of her heels echoed around her as she walked through the emptied streets towards the Dark King's Castle, but that was the only think about herself that felt familiar. The weight of her mask, the way her loose hair brushed against the back of her plain red dress, even her very posture did not feel like they belonged to her. She remembered when she had begun her legal work. The tight fit of her clothing and bareness of her neck had been as unfamiliar then as the lack thereof was now. It had served as a reminder that she was not herself, and she had to be careful. She knew it would serve the same purpose now, but that didn't make the feeling any less strange. [break][break] As the castle came into site, Mira was struck with the sudden urge to turn and flee. She had only been to the castle with her family and it held nothing but bad memories. Nonetheless, she made herself keep moving forward at a steady pace. She was not naive enough to believe she could ignore the head of her old family forever. Noah Sullivan was a prominent member of the AP, and whether it was by random assignment or him getting impatient and pulling some strings she was sure she'd end up working with him eventually. Plus, if talking to him went well the way she wanted it would mean she wouldn't have to worry about talking to the rest of her family for a while. [break][break] It was late, but not late enough that she would expect her second cousin to have retired for bed. As she knocked on the door and a servant answered, she lifted her mask for a moment to show who she was but didn't wait for permission before sweeping in. It had been half a decade since she'd walked the halls, but they were still as familiar as the back of her hand. As a child she had always been so terrified of slipping up, especially here. There was no way she ever would have allowed herself to get lost in the maze of corridors. At the memory, her heart began pounding in her chest. She should have avoided this place as long as possible. [break][break] Her first external sign of hesitance came when she found herself outside the door of Noah's study. As a child she had cowered away from many things, but Noah Sullivan had been at the top of that list. He was undeniably in charge of the family, whether it was her own immediate one or the fifth and sixth cousins she had never met. She didn't care about that family now, but he still held an immense amount of power and if he wasn't an ally he would be a powerful enemy. Now she understood what her parents had been feeling when they had made her act on her best behavior visiting this place. [break][break] Mira lifted her chin and knocked on the door. She was not the same child she had been then and she wasn't as eager to conform as her parents had been. She knew that she had option outside of the AP. The easiest way to get her certification to practice law was to have her immediate family play along, but if she lost her support there were still messier ways that would get the job done just as well. So, rather than waiting obediently for permission, the turned the knob and slipped in. [break][break] "Noah," she greeted coolly, glad for the confidence the mask covering her face provided. "I figured it would be safer to talk to you sooner rather than later."
[attr=class,punkisavelightmirasecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiratopslant]
selling nightmares to the ones in need
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiracredit]template by punki
cleanse me with those shadows, take me into the dark where I belong, show me my vile black heart.
[attr="class","aodmain"]
Fingers drummed on the wooden table as the navy-haired man stared out the clear window. The regular beat of his tapping fingertips was a soothing rhythm to Noah’s ears. Instances, where the ancient wraith stared out the study’s massive window, were never uncommon. Resigning himself to the silence of this location always assisted with the clearing of thoughts and introduction of newer ones. The man’s silvery eyes narrowly absorbed the scene beyond the window. A clear, starry night in late September with a waxing moon hanging proudly amidst its distant servants. Clouds danced in the darkness above, occasionally blocking moonlight for the forest settled in the horizon.
[break][break]
The steady movements of dark figures walking along the castle wall, rigid and prepared for action, played in the dim lighting. The background waves as a gentle breeze played with the forest trees at every opportunity. A regular autumn eve, however, was irregular were Noah’s behaviours. Under normal circumstances, the navy-haired man discovered himself a partner for the evening. Flings were a common association with Noah Sullivan, the man staving off loneliness with the companionship of those searching for sex. The fabrication of care was an improvement compared to the emptiness caused by lonesomeness. Alas, today his mind fixated on the lonesomeness to devastating degrees.
[break][break]
Centuries passed since his husband’s departure from the living, yet, the burden of pain remained an anchor on his heart. Every fibre of his heart ached for the man he was forced to kill and was later abandoned by... In the greyscaled lands of Purgatory, Carter discovered his soulmate, leaving the navy-haired Noah the odd man out. The clouding sorrow in his silvery hues stared through the glass, uncertain and wrapped in wretched thoughts. However, the long-haired Assembly soldier was required to shove away errant thoughts of better times as somebody rapped upon the study door. The wraith blinked at the window a couple of times before rotating the chair slightly.
[break][break]
There were no expected visitors for the evening, suggesting the potential for an emergency or an unexpected visit from the lower ends of the Sullivan Family chain. A long sigh escaped his lips, leaving them parted as he turned to entirely face the closed threshold. Before he could grant permission for the individual to enter, the door opened, allowing entrance. A woman slipped through the crack of the doorway, a “newer face” amidst the Assembly recruits. The familiar mask of the Masked Phantom entered Noah’s gaze, and as she spoke, the eldest member of their family sighed and leaned back.
[break][break]
“I see you truly have returned, Mirabella,” the Dark King began, voice firm and strong. His tone shifted to something more stern. “You did disappear for a long time before your return without informing your family and upholding the traditions of the family. Am I right to assume that you have arrived here to sell an explanation?”
[break][break]
The remnants of a man suffering from loneliness were shoved away, leaving him confident and stern head of the family everybody grew familiar with. His brows were stiff, unwavering as he narrowed his eyes at one of the many children from the varying branches. There would be more adequate moments to submit himself to the turmoils of memories and wretched thoughts. History always remained, however, the present and future were ever-changing and required the utmost attention.
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiratext] In that moment, Mira felt very small. Nonetheless, she kept her chin high and regarded her distant cousin with a steady gaze as he spoke, knowing that was the only thing he'd be able to see. Behind the mask, the soft set of her jaw and her chewing at the inside of her cheek would be hidden. 'You truly have returned.' The words rang in her ears and nudged their way into what had previously been a firmly set plan. She had returned. Not just to Canada, but to this life. What made her any different than the mere child who had run away? It was only four years ago that even questioning the order of things would have been crossing a line she was terrified of. [break][break] Except, she had already crossed that line. He was wrong, she hadn't returned. She could never return to the life she once had. When she had moved and put an ocean between her and this family, she had left it behind. Just because she was back and had to interact with her former life didn't mean anything had changed. "Why would I go so far out of my way just do that?" she mused, surprised by the lack of fear in her voice. She forced herself to stop thinking of him as the figure that had loomed as her childhood. He was only a person. A powerful one, maybe, but she had plenty of experience standing up to powerful people, and she knew that succumbing to fear was the worst thing she could do. "I made my own decisions. You may think what you will of them, but no one else had any influence on my choice to leave, nor does my return to this country have anything to do with this family. My reasoning beyond that is my own business, and I have no interest in selling you any further explanation, nor am I looking to buy your forgiveness." [break][break] She may have been there to negotiate, but if she started with that immediately she'd be forced to show her hand. She had never been in any sort of argument with the so called king of darkness, but his reputation alone warranted a fair amount of caution. "That being said, my choices have bought me plenty of enemies. Are you one of them?" It was a blunt question, but it was also an important one. She would be a fool to continue on blindly.
[attr=class,punkisavelightmirasecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiratopslant]
selling nightmares to the ones in need
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiracredit]template by punki
cleanse me with those shadows, take me into the dark where I belong, show me my vile black heart.
[attr="class","aodmain"]
At the highest end of the family line, Noah consistently discovered himself at the top of the patriarchy. A man responsible for preserving the safety of their lengthy lineage. He promised the notion to his brother who perished centuries ago that he would safeguard the family. Every choice was tailored for the protection of their bloodline and the numerous branches beneath him. The ever-sprawling nature of a family around since the war of traitors was something valued and preserved for the purpose of a promising future.
[break][break]
However, there were always people who strayed from the assigned path of the bloodline. Those who believed in a safer option and endangered themselves in the process. Their connection to the Assembly of Phantoms was a sensitive one, questionable and potentially leading to death should they betray their leads. A false move meant AP breathing down their necks and watching them closer than Noah would care for. He managed to create a proper barrier between his and his family's duties to AP and the castle's inner functions.
[break][break]
However, the ruling for family members was a stern connection to the organization. Their stray threw everything worked for to detriment. From suspicions towards their guards and castle staff's quiet compliance to new expectations being laid upon them. The AP captain wanted to give those not considered family the choice, including the familiars that worked for him. Her words prompted him to lift a brow. Her words appeared in an exhibition for the purpose of proving she successfully spaced herself from the family.
[break][break]
The long-haired man's eyelids narrowed, clearly unimpressed with the provided words. A sigh escaped his lips as he propped an elbow atop his desk and rested his chin into it.
[break][break]
"I never stated you were searching for forgiveness," the navy-haired man grumbled before turning stern. "You clearly have no intentions of respecting the wishes of your family and the traditions implemented for the safety and security of our future. If anything, Mira, you prove to be a selfish child in lieu of your return."
[break][break]
While selfishness was required in certain circumstances, Noah considered working for AP a crucial portion of the family. A straying member meant an enemy because of AP's command. The last desire the navy-haired captain held was another Tessa, straying away from the safety of shadows for traitorous pursuits. The mention of enemies brought a groan to Noah's lips as he sat up fully.
[break][break]
"Depends, if you step in the path of this family's progress, there will be no choices, now will there?" Noah began, his gaze locked onto Mira. "If you step in our way, there would be no choices, but to cast you aside like another traitor."
[break][break]
The firmness of his posture arrived with the words. Never would Noah fear his family, rather, as the highest-ranking member, he would lead them to safety.
Beneath her mask, Mira’s lips tightened. In her chosen profession, getting pissed off by every little insult would leave her with a very short career. She had developed a thick skin to the words and opinions of others long ago, except for one. Child. She’d been forced to grow up fast and coming from a member of the family that had made sure that happened she couldn’t make herself brush it aside. [break][break] ”Selfish child that I am, I cannot make any promises.” she snapped, ”My loyalty lies with the Assembly of Phantoms, and whatever actions I take will be in the direction of what will make me the most useful to the cause.” That statement wasn’t completely true, but she felt certain that her actual interests lined up well enough that the difference wouldn’t be noticeable. ”I trust that should line up with your family’s cause well enough.” There was an edge to her voice, unintentionally adding a layer of threat to the statement. There were more diplomatic ways to make sure her old family left her alone, but she had grown up walking on eggshells around these people and she was done with it. [break][break] ”My parents wishes were for me to die on the battlefield so they could at least say their youngest daughter died serving the assembly. As a soldier or an informant that is the best I could manage. I cannot say that their wishes reflect the wishes of your entire family, but I do know that they’re not worth my respect.” Mira knew that her parents were hardly representatives for the large enterprise that was the Sullivan family, but they were the ones she had the most experience with and, proud of their position within the family as they were, her anger towards the family as a whole. ”Whether they be successes or failures, I don’t want my actions to reflect on this family. I haven’t been a part of it for years now and if I had any intention of returning it would be under different conditions.”
[attr=class,punkisavelightmirasecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiratopslant]
selling nightmares to the ones in need
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiracredit]template by punki
cleanse me with those shadows, take me into the dark where I belong, show me my vile black heart.
[attr="class","aodmain"]
The direction of Noah’s plans for their family consisted of the primary goal of safety. A failure in the happenings of those goals meant a loss of family, which he refused. Everything already crumbled around him once, and the notion of second devastation meant a downfall into the shadows lurking deep within his mind. Hence, the ancient wraith was hard on the young girl, his choices being aligned with safety before anything else. The safeguarding of what remained was a crucial piece to the life he wished to promise his descendants.
[break][break]
Safety and happiness, two concepts he wished to conjoin hands with intertwining fingers. The navy-haired man's eyes remained narrowed at the silvery-haired woman. He believed her foolish nonetheless, jeopardizing the safety of their family and stressing the connection between themselves and the Assembly. Every traitor summoned a new bout of stresses atop the navy-haired captain of AP. Fortunately, his sway in the organization allowed him to escape any consequences brought about by those who made foolish decisions... such as Tessa Harmon.
[break][break]
A grumble rose from the long-haired man's throats as Mirabella snapped back in return. There were times his descendants bothered the navy-haired man. After handling the number of people he did on a daily, Noah found stupidity ridiculous.
[break][break]
"Such as running off? How were we supposed to be aware you would return and that you still even aligned with the Assembly," the wraith growled. "You could have gotten yourself killed!"
[break][break]
The Assembly of Phantoms never took kindly to deserters, and Mirabella could have easily been classified by those terms. Their worries about secrets leaking out and plans becoming vanquished were a constant concern. Fewer people entered their cause and supported the Assembly than people who backed the TRS. It was a dangerous game tempting fate's cruel hand, and this woman, in what Noah would call foolishness managed that and had gotten lucky. She could have been chased between countries, with weapons brandished against her with no beliefs of her words of loyalty... it was a dangerous game.
[break][break]
The wraith's eyes hardened as they locked upon her, silvery and guarded. There was a chance with a recklessness that Mira could endanger herself or fellow family members, however, at the day's end the woman was family. A long sigh escaped Noah's lips as he leaned back, crossing his arms. He listened to her words, staying silent as she continued, explaining her parents' expectations in comparison to her own. Though, Noah hardly cared at the point. There were always options, and while the navy-haired man would deliver his verdict upon Mira's parents in due time, it could have been earlier.
[break][break]
"Just don't drag anybody in this family into your reckless actions," his had closed for a moment before returning to her. "You had options, but you never recognized them. You ran. I will look into the matter regarding your parents but do not get anyone in trouble. Understood?"
[break][break]
Even if Mirabella considered herself separated from the Sullivan family, Noah still held power. As a captain within the Assembly ranks, the navy-haired wraith held plenty of authority over those below him. While his silvery-haired descendant joined the information ranks, Noah still possessed that shred of power in specific circumstances. He was a captain, a man charged with the offense and defense of the Assembly of Phantoms and a warrior.
Mira did her best to keep her posture straight instead of bristling at the wraith’s words. What gave him the right to sit over everyone else that happened to share a drop of blood with him? She had long since given up any illusion that family was bound together by anything by falsely crafted fallacies so she didn’t see why she had to be so tightly bound to it. [break][break] “And what would you have cared if I was killed? It wouldn’t effect you at all. If you’re really saying you’re upset because I risked my own safety then you can stop right now because I’m not buying it.” Her tone remained icy as she spoke. People weren’t there for her. Maybe there were some cases where families could really depend on each other, but she wasn’t one of them. She was on her own, regardless of what anyone else claimed. [break][break] She bit the inside of her cheek as he continued speaking. She felt like a child being chastised. She hated it. She’d been scorned by professors who she actually cared about the opinion of back in university, but even then she hadn’t felt this sort of… guilt. Like she should care that she supposedly let him down. That he thought so little of her. It made it difficult to keep her temper in check. [break][break] “There is nothing for you to look into. It’s not your problem, and I’m not going to feel any sense of debt to you if you try to fix it.” she replied to him. The last thing she wanted was to be indebted to this family. She could deal with her parents on her own, especially if it was just for the short amount of time it would take to get her full license. “I recognised that I had other options but I was a child and I was scared that if I chose to fall back on any of them I would end up in a worse position. Removing myself from this place entirely felt the safest. But I’m not that same child anymore, and my actions aren’t so reckless as they once were.”
[attr=class,punkisavelightmirasecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiratopslant]
selling nightmares to the ones in need
[attr=class,punkisavelightmiracredit]template by punki
cleanse me with those shadows, take me into the dark where I belong, show me my vile black heart.
[attr="class","aodmain"]
An unspoken duty hung heavy around Noah’s shoulders, one of protection and unity. After perpetual loss through his extensive years of life, he considered it a duty crucial. He came to AP out of necessity over genuine conviction over their beliefs. His brother led a dangerous path before his subsequent demise and Noah was left to piece everything back together. The decision to align his family entirely with the Assembly of Phantoms was a decision birthed out of a requirement to survive. His duty was protecting those of his bloodline and he would accomplish it until the bitter end.
[break][break]
A single straying individual placed their loyalties into question, the paranoia was a powerful thing. The crushing weight of the Assembly’s expectations was perpetually placed upon the shoulders of the family head. His responsibility was protecting his kin, assuring danger from outside forces only occurred in limited bursts. Protection was crucial and while the Assembly arrived with risks, it was better than being hunted down by the ruthless. Thorny words escaped her rose-red lips, the cruelty of her believed reality spiking the head of the family.
[break][break]
He worked endlessly to place the requirements of their safety ahead of everything. Alas, every shred of effort was ignored in favour of fruitless bickering.
[break][break]
“You’re making assumptions that are not appreciated,” Noah grumbled. “I place this family first and if you do not wish to believe that, then so be it.”
[break][break]
The wraith was unimpressed with Mirabella's accusations of a lack of care. Her icy attitude towards him was noticed and disliked. Endless sacrifices were made in favour of a lifestyle he was not immensely attached to. Alas, everything he accomplished was in honour of his brother and to preserve what remained of his family, however, those decisions were long hidden beneath the sands of time.
[break][break]
“Not my problem?” He echoed, voice edging with subtle annoyance. “And if they were to have more children and place them in peril too? As the head of this family, that would make it my problem. Perhaps you picked the most immediate solution, but it does not change the risk the Assembly poses should you turn your back on them.”
[break][break]
The Assembly of Phantoms acted similar to coyotes. Turning your back on them was a death wish, for a separate path that failed to adhere to the future Zeredah sought was given little thought. Loyalty was demanded, and for that alone, would the Assembly of Phantoms gleefully slay those who opposed it.
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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.
