The Burning Post II is a dark medieval fantasy RP-enforced MUD about mages and the people who arrest and burn them. The Knights and the Church persecute mages, allegedly, to save their souls from the horrors of Abyss. The Burning Post II takes place in a small principality, separated from the rest of the planet by a mysterious purple barrier. Mages and demons are very real, and everyone knows it. The game's setting strongly resembles medieval Europe during the time of the Inquisitions, although there are Victorian elements as well.
Organizations found in the small principality of Linden include the Holy Order of King Dav and its military branch, the Knights Lithmorran. Secular law enforcement is provided by the Reeves. There are merchants and bards (Troubadours), of course, as well as a group of scholars known as the Chimerists. While the Holy Order holds ultimate ecclesiastical authority, the ruling class is the royalty and nobility, under which the gentry, freemen, peasants, and slaves serve in varying ways.
This game provides examples of:
- A House Divided: The Knights and Reeves are often at one another's throats, while the nobility and the Church don't always agree regarding who has the most authority over the lands.
- Action Girl: Any female Knight pretty much has to be one of these.
- Alien Sky: Urth has several moons, all different in color.
- Anyone Can Die: Player-killing is somewhat restricted, but it happens. Sometimes, it happens a lot.
- Affably Evil: Characters can certainly be portrayed this way, and they often are.
- A Taste of the Lash: This type of corporal punishment exists, and it isn’t pleasant!
- Blue Blood: Noble characters are afforded certain exclusive privileges.
- Burn the Witch!: One of the themes in the game is the persecution of magery.
- The Casanova: Many male players try to be this, often with little success.
- Character Development: The MUD encourages fully fleshing out your characters and has an intricate character creation system in place.
- The Chosen One: King Dav was chosen by the Lord of the Springs to bring the Declarations to the people of Urth.
- Church Militant: The Knights Lithmorran comprise the military branch of the Holy Order of King Dav.
- City Guards: The Reeves are the game's secular law enforcement agency.
- Condescending Compassion: A way in which classist and racist undertones in Lithmorran society can be manifested. Admittedly, this is the gentler approach.
- Crapsack World: A recent plot has made the world even more crapsack than it was before. Let's just say there are a lot of demons.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: Mages, according to Holy Order doctrine, must be burned to death to save their souls from the game's version of Hell. It's for their own good!
- Cruel to Be Kind: Burning mages is never fun, but it is for the greater good, says the Holy Order.
- Crystal Dragon Jesus: The Holy Order of King Dav has a lot in common with Catholicism.
- Eldritch Abomination: Lamiae, amongst others.
- Everyone Is a Suspect: How authority figures, especially the Inquisitors, can make even innocent characters feel sometimes.
- Fantastic Racism: The Vavardi are intensely disliked by the Lithmorrans for their rebellion, while the Daravi are universally loathed. The Hillmen and, to a slightly lesser extent the Charali, are looked down upon.
- Fantastic Slurs: "Vavver!" "Arien!" "Lunare!"
- Grey-and-Gray Morality: The Holy Order burns mages to save them from the Abyss. While this sounds cruel and persecutory, mages can be, and often are, very dangerous. Mages summon demons, and sacrifice flesh and memories in order to cast their spells. The Order makes sure people see the world in black and white... but is it, really?
- Item Crafting: How many player characters make their living. There is a merchant guild for crafters.
- Kill It with Fire!: The only way to ensure mages are properly cleansed is by burning.
- Low Fantasy
- Magic Is Evil: What the Holy Order believes. Most player characters should believe this, and almost all Non Player Characters do.
- Money Spider: Averted. If you kill a squirrel or a doe, it won't be carrying silver.
- Mysterious Waif: So many female player characters have been one of these.
- Took a Level in Badass: Player characters often start with mediocre skills, but often become legendary fighters, musicians, merchants, etc. over time.
