|
Post by Sayn on May 16, 2010 3:23:37 GMT 1
Well, the thing is, we both have relatively similar domains, only mine is more ordered, so I don't think we'll be able to coexist for long. There is always the possibility of joining together in a pantheon, though.
|
|
|
Post by Rationalgoblin on May 16, 2010 3:45:38 GMT 1
Well, the thing is, we both have relatively similar domains, only mine is more ordered, so I don't think we'll be able to coexist for long. There is always the possibility of joining together in a pantheon, though. A Pantheon of the Earth, perhaps? Hmm...
|
|
|
Post by puppyavenger on May 16, 2010 3:53:14 GMT 1
Well, how do you differentiate? I mean, if you have a pantheon, you need to make sure different deities aren't competing for worship over the same domains.
|
|
odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
|
Post by odin on May 16, 2010 6:48:49 GMT 1
Cerak, Nazhedriam and Ferra all look good. Also Stats: (In no particular order.) If you have any questions let me know here of via PM. The Wanderer Morale:++++ Economy:++ Military:++++ Espionage:++++ Magic:++ Mass Appeal:+++ The Hood Morale:++++ Economy:++ Military:++ Espionage:++++ Magic:+++++ Mass Appeal:++ The Shapers Morale:+++ Economy:+++ Military:++++ Espionage:++ Magic:+++++ Mass Appeal:++ Cerrak Morale:+++ Economy:+++++ Military:+++ Espionage:++ Magic:++++ Mass Appeal:++ Nazhedria Morale:++ Economy:++++ Military:+++++ Espionage:++ Magic:+++++ Mass Appeal:+ The Divinity Morale:+++++ Economy:+ Military:++++ Espionage:+++ Magic:+++ Mass Appeal:+++ Farra Morale:+++ Economy:+++++ Military:+++++ Espionage:++ Magic:+ Mass Appeal:+++ If everyone could copy their stats into their nation profile that would be a huge help with housekeeping. So what exactly does the Imperial cult do? act as a beuracracy for Umberto or what? I'll post the Imperial cult as a faction in the OP, in a second. Hopefully it'll clear up what exactly it is they do.
|
|
|
Post by dargon on May 16, 2010 8:43:50 GMT 1
Alright the answers to some of those questions. Kristialin does have a lair on a deserted island in the ocean but only stays around there for small periods. The rest of the time he is traveling the world looking for other worthy people to raise to dragonborn level. (after a little coaching if necessary)
The first dragonborn was actrually Kristialin's apprentice and is a master of magic as a result.
None of the cells control any sort of city though they may influence one or two. Due to each dragonborn traveling to a new location after being raised and Kristialin's efforts the cells are all pretty scattered. If the locals aren't happy about a cell being set up then the dragonborn in charge does its best to keep the cell a secret.
How many cells would exist to start?
|
|
|
Post by sinistral on May 16, 2010 9:08:06 GMT 1
X'yogg'thoth*It is said that there are things that exist beyond the four realms. Great and terrible things that can rend your mind just by looking at you, who view us the way you or I look at insects. They say that they are trying to get into our world, tearing at the wall between realities. But we don’t have to worry about them, the Pankrator sorts them out no trouble! --- Some poor sod the day before the Pankrator went missing. History: Since the dawn of time the creatures outside the universe have bided their time, waiting for the opportunity. With the Pankrator gone, they finally have their chance. They struck at barrier holding them back, and without the Pankrator to maintain it, cracks began to appear, their very essence bleeding through to the material realm. The insane, those who have had their minds warped and broken, and the power mad, those so consumed with the lust for power that the distinction between them and the insane as to be almost negligible, felt their call. Cults devoted to the worship of what became known The Elder Ones began to form. Their bizarre rituals and the occasional sacrifice led to a few of these cults being eradicated by worried locals, but the majority of them were able to go about their work undetected. They infiltrated many different nations, gathering the knowledge and materials they needed to better serve their insidious masters.
When they were ready, the greatest and most powerful of the servants of the Elder Ones made their south, to the Howling Pits where the barrier between worlds was weakest. The cyclopean ruins of a forgotten civilization lie buried in the dust there, left alone by the world because things from the other side would sometimes find their way through. It was there that the Servants found the final piece of the puzzle, and succeeded in summoning X’yogg’thoth, the Harbinger, from the Other Side. He crashed through the barrier, weakening it ever further, a seething mass of tentacles, eyes, and teeth. Though it had succeeded in crossing over, it used up much of it’s power. It needed time to recuperate, and entered a state of hibernation, hidden in the depths of the Howling Pits.
While X’yogg’thoth slumbered, his worshippers continued their effort to expand the power of the Elder Ones. They further infiltrated the rising powers of the world and performed ritual sacrifices to increase the power of the Harbinger. Even though X’yogg’thoth sleeps, he still has influence over the world. His very presence has strengthened the magicians that serve him, giving them power never before seen in the world, and just by existing he weakens reality around him, allowing more lesser beings from the Other Side to be allowed into the world. The greatest of his Servants can tap into his unconscious mind and communicate with other Servants strong or simply insane enough to survive brushing with the mind of an Elder One. In times of great peril, X’yogg’thoth can be awakened from his slumber to smite the foolish beings who dare face him, though his anger at being awakened would be great indeed, and the Servants would rather avoid incurring their lord’s wrath.
The Harbinger’s ultimate goal is the final destruction of the barrier holding his brethren back, and his Servants are fanatically devoted to achieving that goal. In order to bring this about, the other lesser ‘Pretenders’ must be destroyed. If they must work with some of those lesser beings to achieve this larger goal, then so be it, but they never forget that these are inferior beings to be used and disposed of when appropriate. Servants of the Harbinger look forward to the day when their lord awakens, and they can cleanse the lesser races from the Four Realms Territory: About half of the Servants of the Elder Ones reside in the ancient ruins in the Howling Pits, slowly rebuilding the fallen buildings in their efforts to recreate the fallen city of Azog. They have already succeeded in building a mighty citadel around X’yogg’thoth’s pit.
The rest of the Servants reside in isolated cults all over the world, hidden to all but their unearthly master. Advantages: The Servants have a vast spy network in the nations all over the world. The ability of some to talk to each other through X’yogg’thoths’s unconscious mind allows them to transfer information vital information almost instantaneously gives them a great advantage.
The Servants are fanatically loyal to the Elder Ones, quite literally to the point of insanity.
Many great archmagi were tempted into X’yogg’thoth’s service with the promise of great power, and they were not disappointed. He has gifted his Servants with a vast and powerful source of magic far beyond what most being are capable of reaching.
Among the Servants magical talents is the ability to tear rifts in reality to summon lesser creatures from the Other Side to serve them. The number and power of these creatures is limited by how far away they are summoned away from X’yogg’thoth, though lengthy rituals can help to mitigate this disadvantage . Disadvantage: X’yogg’thoth, being a horrid and terrible being whose stated goal is nothing short of the complete extermination of all life, is not really popular with most rational, sane people.
The Servants are fairly poor. They can manage to keep their main stronghold supplied, but that’s about as far as their money goes.
The Servants standing army is small, but dedicated. Worship of X’yogg’thoth has given the soldiers unnatural physical abilities, but the soldiers are mainly charged with the defense of the Howling Pits. VIPS: There are three leaders of the Servants of the Elder Ones, and they have each given up their names in exchange for becoming even closer with their God.
The Champion: She was a mighty swords master who wielded her blade in service to the Pankrator, before being captured and tortured to the point of insanity. X’yogg’thoth reached out to her damaged mind, and offered her the power to destroy her captors in exchange for service. She agreed, and escaped from where she was being held, slaughtering all who stood in her way. She made her way to her saviors side, and now uses her preternatural swordsmanship to destroy those who have earned her saviors wrath.
The Sage: He was an arch sage of no small renown, who wielded many magics some would call unnatural. He earned the anger of the Pankrator with his forays into the forbidden arts, and he found himself sealed underground for a century. When the Pankrator disappeared, he was able to free himself. He was among the first to hear the call of the Elder Ones, and was the driving force behind the ritual of summoning that brought X’yogg’thoth into the world. He is the leader of the Servants, and what time he does not spend administrating the Servants is spent discovering the ancient secretes buried in the fallen city he resides in.
The Child: She was nothing more then an ordinary seven year old girl, who had an uncanny talent for weakening the barrier between worlds. When a savage bandit attack led to her parents being murdered in front of her, her cry of anguish tore a hole in the world, and let something in. Changed, she swiftly revenged herself on the bandits. With no where to go, she found herself drawn to the foundling city of Azog. Her ability to rend the fabric of reality and her bizarre knowledge of the Elder Ones won her the admiration of the other cultists. Now this mysterious child is in charge of the religious rituals of the Servants, as well as their vast spy network. *May be changed to something suitably Lovecraftian, but less sucky I went with a Lovecraftian theme, obviously. I fear I may have taken too many liberties with the setting, so let me know if you want me to tone it down.
|
|
|
Post by Sayn on May 16, 2010 13:06:39 GMT 1
Perhaps you should start a Total War : The Ascension Wars thread in the Nation Index so we can gather up all the nations into one thread?
|
|
|
Post by Rationalgoblin on May 16, 2010 14:29:37 GMT 1
Well, how do you differentiate? I mean, if you have a pantheon, you need to make sure different deities aren't competing for worship over the same domains. Exactly what I was thinking. Ferra and Cerrak's domains are too similar, and they would compete. At best, we would have a truce while we destroy the other Pretenders. After that, peace couldn't last.
|
|
|
Post by greystone on May 16, 2010 19:30:53 GMT 1
Hi, I'll be applying for this game just as soon as I... get done with this essay.
|
|
odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
|
Post by odin on May 16, 2010 20:16:40 GMT 1
dargonI'd assume that there is a cell in just a bout every major city, and a few in every major province. Although the relative strength of cells will vary wildly. The density of cells will increase as you get closer to the Imperial City, since that's where the cultural center of the world used to be, and as such where the largest numbers of practitioners of the high arts could be found. sinistralLooks good to me. Since both you and Puppy have a similar background namely, escaped elder weirdness, you might want to collaborate and see if you couldn't get backgrounds that are similar or interconnected. Other then that it looks good. You might want to add a few "X'yogg'thoth's followers calim..."s in. Since people other then the Pankrator and other Elder Ones would have a hard time verifying whether it was the truth or not. Perhaps you should start a Total War : The Ascension Wars thread in the Nation Index so we can gather up all the nations into one thread? That's a great idea... Done! greystoneIt'd would be great to have you, it looks like allot of the originals are already here.
|
|
|
Post by puppyavenger on May 16, 2010 20:40:05 GMT 1
So, will you even need to start a recruiting thread at giantitp?
also, I think the difference between my and Dargons Pretenders is mine is a primal Behemoth, while his is an alien. My Kronus to his Cthulu as it were.
|
|
odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
|
Post by odin on May 16, 2010 21:12:45 GMT 1
So, will you even need to start a recruiting thread at giantitp? also, I think the difference between my and Dargons Pretenders is mine is a primal Behemoth, while his is an alien. My Kronus to his Cthulu as it were. I don't think I actually will. It seems like there are already a good number of players in. If players drop off or I want to add more factions later I'll probably put a thread up on the giant. I kinda want to help get fresh blood in. A game where all the other players are vets would probably make it easier for them to pick up the game. Also more stats: X'yogg'thoth Morale:+++++ Economy:+ Military:++ Espionage:++++ Magic:+++++ Mass Appeal:+
Kristialin Morale:+++ Economy:++ Military:+++ (Mostly the Pretender) Espionage:++++ Magic:++++ Mass Appeal:+++ (Actually more appealing, but limited to stringent selection process)
|
|
|
Post by puppyavenger on May 16, 2010 21:29:44 GMT 1
Ok then. also, you might want to move the last two stats for Kristialin into the spoiler
|
|
odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
|
Post by odin on May 16, 2010 21:50:30 GMT 1
Shhh! Not so loud. Do you want people to start questioning my infallibility? On a related note, I spent all of TotalWar:2125 misspelling Morale. Yeah that's right. Bad news, your moral stat went down.
|
|
|
Post by greystone on May 16, 2010 22:12:49 GMT 1
Kyrieon the Ever-Known
Cult of the Lost Knowledge
History:
Kyrieon had long been a ally to the Pankrator, ever since anyone can remember. The earliest records were of him finding the way to aid his master to seal the outsiders out. But now the Pankrator is gone, and Kyrieon found itself in a bit of a problem.
Using signs and knowledge known only to itself, the pretender sensed the weakening in the walls of the universe. Kyrieon felt fear for the first time in centuries. It knew the rituals to lock the creatures out, but no being left living had enough energy to make any fix permanent.
So, Kyrieon gathered its cults and worshippers and... impressed upon several city leaders Kyrieons right to rulership. To the world, Kyrieon seems like a petty pretender hoarding knowledge. Only Kyrieon knows the truth, only Kyrieon or his cult can stop it.
Strengths: Eldritch Knowledge- The mages of the cult aren't better mages inherently than anyone else. What they have is more knowledge than anywhere else in the known world- books and texts and items that contain ancient magiks.
Cloaked Unseen- The Cult has infiltrated practically every known organization for two purposes. To watch and to gather. To watch/observe events occuring, and to write it down. To gather ancient texts and items from within.
Weaknesses: Our import is Knowledge- When your're entire culture is designed to gather knowledge, and hoard it, money tends to be a problem.
To much knowledge- The people hold little direct loyalty to their pretender. And those in a position to learn as much as they want occasionally learn something that breaks their minds and backfires on the entire cult.
Average Knowledge is my blade- The Order of the Ebon Flame, and their levies, are the countries entire defense. The Order is a group of Knights and they are good soldiers, but they rely on the poorly trained militias to add size to their force.
My enemy's respect- Few love Kyrien, but few hate him also. He has, this far, been little more than a distraction to most, and he causes little trouble... so far.
Territory: The area of Kyreis is about the size of Belgium.
VIPs: Kyrieon the Ever-Known- The Pretender of this faction. Kyrieon is old, it is unclear how old. Long ago Kyrieon gave up a permanent physical form, and is now ever-changing. Sometimes an old white-haired man, other times a buxom blonde, other times a dragon... and sometimes something nobody has ever seen.
Kyrieon has been collecting knowledge for its entire existence, and it has shown some care for its worshippers. Kyrieon remains to most a mystery.
Damus Vetar- He is grand Loremaster for the cult, and the head of state. A man entering his sixties, he is completely bald and has pale green eyes. His duties are to run the country and solves disputes which Kyrieon refuses to see (which is most of them). While very knowledgable, he is only an average mage.
Sir Velina Draynor- Current Champion of the Order of the Ebon Flame. Sir Velina is serious about protecting Kyries's people and the knowledge. She is 27 years old, muscular, with short black hair a purple eyes. Her favored weapon is the hand and a half sword, and always wears the blakened steel plate of her order.
|
|