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 2022
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.
With April, an activity check has arrived for members to do! Please post on the AC and tag all your accounts, including WIPs and OOC accounts. Failure to post on this AC will result in your accounts being marked inactive or deleted. Please note, due to a late start, the due date for this check has been adjusted for one time and one time only.
”Nova why don’t you come with me for a few days? You’re overworking yourself and your mentor said that you need a breather.” Astreia’s smile was kind as she put a hand on his shoulder and for a moment, Nova almost automatically refused because he doesn’t need a break. He is doing perfectly fine on his own. Something about her smile, though, told him that refusal wouldn’t be taken well.
Taking a deep breath and sighing along with a nod of his head, Nova agreed. ”Okay. Just for a little bit.” With that, Nova found himself in a blur of packing a travel bag and being lead off towards his coworker’s house. The place was ... comfier than he had imagined where she might have lived. Maybe it was due to not living alone? Her brother seemed to live with her as well.
Setting his bag down in the guest bedroom, he looked over the cushy looking bed and sighed for a moment, hands reaching behind his head to tug his hair free of where he had it up. The pale strands tickled against his neck as they were released and the door cracked open just a little. A silver flash of locks and a pair of intense eyes heralded Astreia’s brother as he checked up on the head medic. ”Sister says feel free to stay as long as you need. If you need to talk we’ll be here. We’ll feed you too, so don’t worry too much.” The face retreated and the door was pushed closed again.
Nova glanced back towards the bed, before making his way to it and laying down. Closing his eyes for a moment - he allowed himself to sink into his thoughts. While not particularly close to the Luna siblings - they seemed worried about him. Was this just because of his mentor, or were there other things at play here? Rolling over onto his side and opening his eyes to stare at the wall- he wondered. How and why were they worried?
Some hours later - Astreia opened the door to mention that there was food made - but paused when she noticed that Nova had fallen asleep. She would set aside a portion for later - if he awoke and found himself hungry. She didn’t particularly know the head medic’s eating habits after all. He could simply grab it from the refrigerator if he wanted it.
—-
Moonlight filtered through the window and Nova blinked. The pale breath of the moon pooled on his pillow and around his face, breaking up slightly as his fingers moved as if to grasp it. Pushing himself up to a seated position, he stared out the window with an only partially awake expression. The world looked peaceful, as it should.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, his feet move with carpet as he gets up. He hadn’t intended to fall asleep while thinking back on things - but he had probably needed it. Padding down the hallway and towards the porch, the hum of the kitchen appliances barely registered as he flipped the lock and opened the door to cold, fresh air.
Leaving the door cracked open a little, Nova leaned his arms on the porch railing and looked over the silver-washed landscape. The full moon hung silently in the velvety darkness of the sky, casting it’s ashen hues over everything it touched. Taking in a deep breath, and releasing it slowly, Nova started to feel himself naturally relax.
He turned his head at the sound of a plank creaking to see Heitiare stepping out the door. Heitiare’s cold silver hair looked almost like it matched the moonlight - he looked almost like a ghost with that pale complexion that glowed in the light. ”You okay?” Heitiare’s voice was deep as those sharp eyes glanced at him, and Nova nodded. ”It just gets hard when I think about him sometimes.” Heitiare put a hand on his shoulder.
”One day you’ll move on. It’ll get better.” Nova swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to curl in on himself like a miserable child. Moving on when it’s someone you love ... is that even possible? Nova’s eyes are distant for a moment, doubting that it’s ever going to be so easy. ”Also - heads up - Astreia plans on dragging you to the fair tomorrow. Says you need a dose of something upbeat for once.” Retracting his hand, Heitiare turns to go, but pauses when Nova turns to face him.
”Do you really think I can move on?” Heitiare stills as his hand came to rest on the wood of the door. Turning his head to regard Nova for a moment - he nods. ”I never said it would be easy, but I do. If things get hard - just lean on us a little, okay? You’re not Atlas - the world isn’t on your shoulders.”
Well, that was to be expected. While he was sure the medical division wouldn’t collapse without his help if he missed just one day, he didn’t want to take the chance either. If he really needed to he could just get another drink, and take another break. He hadn’t really checked in just yet - meaning there was probably someone looking for him. Nova’s eyes softened as the other spoke, wondering slightly about the other’s personal story. ”Thank you for that. I’ll probably be needing it.”
Beginning the trek to the building, his bag was a comfortable weight at his side. Today he needed every ounce of familiarity, to keep him as grounded as possible. Humming lowly under his breath as he considered the question. ”Been one for a long time. I’m the head medic around here.” He paused, his smile curling around his lips more. ”Well, welcome to the TRS, Gray. I’m Nova Morgenstern.”
The self introduction came easy, as he was far used to it by now. Countless meetings to gain more medicines, as well as having seen new faces come and go. This wasn’t the first time he had to have this conversation, and it wouldn’t be the last. More new faces would come and go, with time passing ceaselessly by. Time waited for nobody, waited for nothing. No matter how much anyone desired it ... it wouldn’t happen. ”How new is new anyways? Have you heard the rumors yet?”
Well, that was to be expected. His drink had slipped from his grasp and crashed to the ground - though thankfully it wasn’t really that big of a loss. Looking over at the other, Nova shrugs, showing that it really wasn’t that big of a deal. Worse could have happened, and at the very least nobody had ended up hurt by the entire thing. It could have been another light-bulb, or they could have both been knocked over.
”It’s okay, not that big of a deal. Everyone has stuff to think about these days.” Nova’s voice is calm despite what day it was, perhaps lending just a little hint of chill to the situation. It was probably about time he stopped wallowing because of the significance of the date - and actually went about doing some of what his job actually entailed. Not that he was particularly enthused about it, let alone motivated.
Picking his own bag up from the space besides him, he motioned his head towards the building. ”Really, I’m fine. If this was all it took to get at me what kind of two-bit medic would I be? I was about to get up anyways.” The invitation to escort him was there, but also no pressure to should it not be wanted. Slipping his bag over one shoulder he stands up, making it clear his intent at going inside.
He wouldn’t be offended or hurt if the subtle invitation was declined. There were any number of reasons for a declining answer, all of them that he could think of were quite understandable. Anything from already having plans, to someone not wanting to be around the curse that plagues his presence. It was possible that the curse had bene what causes the loss of balance anyways, if the other knew about his curse at all.
Today was the marking point of another year since the first time his best friend had cursed him. This day was always rather rough, and he didn’t ever really expect it to get any better. He exhales slowly as he leans his back against the bench, steam from the lid of a mocha coffee distorting the air slightly. The pressure against his back is comforting on a day like this, something to ground him in and remind him that he was still okay. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he can allow himself some kind of brief reprieve.
It’s been a long time since that happened. A lot has changed, a lot of days and years blending together until it became hard to pick out any one thing. It’s been a long time since his laughs had turned from desperate and hollow, to genuine again. Nova had made mistakes while learning to come to grips with his new reality, maybe more mistakes than anyone else he has ever know. Yet, he had done it. Even if his dreams had gotten shifted slightly, he has made something of himself. You don’t always get to accomplish your first choice dream, anyways.
His luck had already seemed to have quite a bit of fun this week - two bulbs shattered, though at least only one was at work. Tuesday his car had refused to start, and Thursday an apprentice tripped and sent all their paperwork flying. Thankfully the apprentice hadn’t been hurt and the papers hadn’t been damaged, though they had needed to be sorted back into the correct order. Someone made another joke about how he must have broken a mirror. Fairly standard stuff.
Green eyes open again as he lifts the warm drink to his lips, the steam a hissing warmth against his face as he took a drink. He wouldn’t normally indulge in something as sweet as this one was, but he always needed all the help he could get on this day. He had a few different meetings throughout the week - medical reports to file, and a few medicines in need of replenishing. Glancing up at the sound of footsteps, he lifted his free hand in a friendly wave, the corners of his mouth curled up in a slightly more subdued version of his usual smile.
Nova is a decently tall person, with long legs and a generally athletic and toned frame. He has long, fluffy, and soft peach hair. He has a smooth complexion, and soft green eyes. He has a slight scar on his left shoulder, left from childhood where his mother tried to clip one of his wings out of sheer jealousy. Often wears some sort of gloves to work, though not outside of it.
personality
POSITIVE - intuitive - empathetic - supportive - live-for-today mindset - doesn’t dwell on the negative
Natural: Immune to electrocution, can create holy water, will not physically age any further.
Light Manipulation: Intermediate. Nova can make some use of this ability, but it is not his strong point.
Electricity Manipulation: Intermediate. Nova can use this ability to an extent, but it is not his strongest asset.
Healing Touch: Mastered. Nova’s most used ability, and boy is it useful. He can heal lots of problematic injuries, and has been known to be quite through, even to an extent that it saps him of his energy.
Wing Manifestation: Intermediate. Nova has large white wings, however, he tends not to generally call on these unless its an emergency.
Blessing: Mastered. Nova has gotten used to conferring strong blessings onto the fellow TRS members who do more of the fighting. These are usually boosts in fighting related abilities, though he also does ones that are intended to keep them safe.
Wards: Intermediate. Nova can create wards where they might be needed, however these are best served as temporary until someone who can create stronger ones comes along.
backstory
I heard a song the other day; it reminded me of the way I love you and how I never got to say that to you
You’ve never been the smartest. You already know that. You were foolish enough to fall in love with him when you were sixteen and reckless. You joined the TRS together, partners, saying that you’d be the heroes that slew all the monsters. It was foolish, stupid, and you should have known better than to think things would go the way you wanted them to.
At first you were unstoppable, and even the mentor that trained the pair of you was surprised, not that you didn’t cause your fair share of headaches for him. You were young, fearless, daring. You spent many nights with your partner, stargazing, just generally hanging out, and haunting the city as night. You really were unstoppable ... or at least, you thought so.
Out on a patrol together one day was where that false security was shattered into pieces. The pair of you were ambushed by a pair of AP members, and they were sharp as a knife, and older and more experienced than the both of you. You froze as your partner tried to fend them off, only managing to snap out of it once he had been cornered. They had seemed to paralyze him somehow, holding him over their shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
You run just as they start moving, grabbing onto one of his hands. “I fucking hate you Nova...if you had been able to fight with me since the beginning we could’ve...” You duck beneath a blow and block another with your free hand, just as you hear, “I curse the day I ever met you.” Your gut wrenches as you’re flung to the aide by a heavy boot colliding with your side. You don’t remember much of what happened after that, but reports say they found you on your hands and knees coughing up blood, your partner gone and a single dead AP member nearby. You had been cursed by the person you loved.
After that, you decided to switch occupations. If you can’t fight anymore, then you would heal those that could. You dove head-first into it, and your mentor became worried, yet still you did not cease. You rose the ranks even faster than you had before. You needed to make up for your failings.
Walking home at night, you didn’t expect to be yanked unceremoniously into an alleyway by your old partner. He tried to convince you to turn on TRS and join AP. You still love him, but you refuse. “You’re my family, Nova you don’t have a ch-“ he didn’t get to finish, he was looking towards the entrance of the alley. Your mentor was there. “How unfortunate that I’m interrupted.” Releasing a bruising grip on your throat, he vanishes like smoke into the night. Your head spins, you stumble against a brick wall, you can breathe again. But you recognize this sensation. He’s cursed you again.
Your old mentor doesn’t let you leave his sight for a good few months after that. Everyone who knows you can’t look at you without pity on their faces for even longer. All you can do is smile and hope they stop it sooner or later. You’re not dead, you’re not broken, and you won’t be treated like some dog kicked to the curb by a cruel owner.
Eventually it gets better. You’ve learned to not freeze, you’ve learned to shrug away the curses that once left you emotionally miserable. You are the head medic now, and being at the top has never felt so lonely. But you pretend that doesn’t matter. They will always see your smile.
So many things I wanted to do; so many dreams left for dead in the water drowned and gone; just smile and let them go
I wanted so much more than a game we were born to lose I wanted so much more so much more for you
misc
*Nova is twice-cursed, much to his own chagrin. *Nova’s first curse makes it perilous for him to ever enter battle. Every time he fights it harms him and drains his life-force. *Nova’s second curse is always active, and actives at completely random points. It is a curse of bad luck. *Nova is a Pisces. *Nova hates it when people pity him or apologize for something they had nothing to do with. *Nova is actually very adept in swordsmanship, even having mastered the art of the quick draw, otherwise known as Iai. He was also proficient in lances and spears.
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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.