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Post by Sayn on Jun 1, 2010 19:50:28 GMT 1
The title is only temporary. I simply don't know what else to name this game. Welcome one and all, to Total War! This time the rules are a bit different from previous installations. First of all, you are not in charge of a nation, but a state. This state is a part of an Empire, in the same manner as the Holy Roman Empire. You will be surrounded by large, powerful nations who really would love to grab a couple of states for themselves. So, you'll have to cooperate with the other players to survive. Of course, you'll want to become the strongest, most influential state in the Empire. The Empire is about 150ish years old, so try to remember that when writing how they joined together with the rest of the states. The Empire will be run by a council, with one representative from every state. The representative is usually the leader of your state, but it doesn't have to be. Non-humans are allowed, but they have to be human-ish. No monsters or too strange creatures. Orcs, Lizard men and stuff like that is fine, but expect to be less liked by the other populations if you play something like this. The two largest nations bordering the Empire is nearly entirely human populated and ruled. Just a word of caution. In addition to this, the stats have changed slightly: Foreign Opinion doesn't exist for a single state. It will instead be applied to the whole of your Empire. Military has been split into two. It is now Ground forces and Navy. In addition to Tech, there's Magic. Magic rates the strength and size of your mage force. The magic will be kind of weak and uninteresting at the start. So no "MY ARCHMAGE WILL BURN YOU ALL ALIVE!" stuff, OK? Here's the form: State Name: Government type: History: (More is better, but quality wins the day.) Strengths/Weaknesses: (Try to keep it even between the two. No super-states.) VIPs: (You can have as many or as few as you want.) As per usual I will give you the stats. I reserve the right to refuse certain states and players. I had a pretty full load the last time I GM'd, so I'm gonna limit the amount of players to 8. Maybe more if I feel that I get a lot of really good states and can't choose between them. I'm giving you guys here on the forum "first dibs" of sorts. I'll start a thread on GITP to recruit more players in a day or two. Oh, and the game will probably not start for at least one and a half weeks. I'm going to Spain on Friday, and won't come back until Saturday next week. I'll be slightly too busy to GM, but I'll have time to look through applications and stuff. I'll also let you guys figure our a name on your Empire. Now go crazy, and post some nations! edit: New title.
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Post by Rationalgoblin on Jun 1, 2010 23:13:01 GMT 1
What sort of culture will the Empire have?
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Post by krennel on Jun 2, 2010 2:14:18 GMT 1
State Name: Wulfstein Government type: Puppet senator History: A group of barbarians from the north crossed a treacherous mountain range to the south of their villages. What they found was a veritable utopia of technology. They made contact, and destroyed a small village. This was not their first contact with the outside world. The empire to the east claimed dominion over their mineral, and ore, rich land for years. All of their government forces had a tendency to disappear however. Once the barbarian leader was captured, a man by the name of Olgak Ironskin, Negotiations opened up. It was a start to reprisals, but turned into a bid for power. Olgak had been thrown out and dethroned by the eastern empire. He made a deal, and with the technological backing of the Empire he took back his ancestral home, and soon a large chunk of teh Eastern empire. Wulfstein is the farthest north settlement, and produces a large amount of the empires ore, as well as raiding the eastern and western borders. They also produce the hardiest soldiers, all under the direction of Consul Solson, who is a puppet controlled by Olgak Ironskin. Recently the state has been getting into shape. A capital has been established, run by Olgak, where imperial currency is accepted. It is also named Wulfstein. Strengths: Their weapons are the finest in the empire, and almost unweildable by anybody else. The average Viking (yes, they are vikings) stands six to six and a half feet tall, with a three foot shoulder width. Wulfstein is not a forgiving place, though it's food is very healthy. Rigorous discipline and the previously mentioned make them a finely honed military force kept in constant practice by the East and Western Empires. Their battleclerics are powerful men as good with swords as with magic, and are well organized. They are also numerous. They have very few ships due to a mostly land locked area, but those they do have, which primarily sail rivers, are well crafted and sea worthy. Weaknesses:They have no economy, imperial currency is little more than pretty rocks through most of the state, despite how much is mined out and exported. The rest of the Empire looks down on the dirty barbarians and the spineless Solson, barely nobility. Most choose to deal directly with Ironskin. Education is at an all time low, even most battle clerics are illiterate. VIPs: Consul Solson: A spineless weasel of a man, he fears and respects Olgak. He takes the figurehead outside of Wulstein, pretending to have control. Olgak Ironskin: A man who is loved and feared. Like all Vikings he is huge, and wields a deadly spear, a longsword, a shield, and a broadsword. He rides a massive furred beast native to Wulfstein called a Glick, which has claws as long as daggers, and can climb most surfaces, even ice, easily. He doesn't like fools, though has a small amount of admiration for Solson, who play politics far better than he could. Still, given the chance he'd rend the man in two. [hope I haven't forgotten anything]
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Post by Sayn on Jun 2, 2010 6:46:48 GMT 1
What sort of culture will the Empire have? Could you please clarify? The Wulfstein looks good.
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Post by Rationalgoblin on Jun 2, 2010 16:34:46 GMT 1
What sort of culture will the Empire have? Could you please clarify? The Wulfstein looks good. I mean, is it a Germanic/Frankish sort of empire; a Slavic one; Asian; or something else? For example, the Empire in Warhammer is clearly Germanic/Frankish. Is it like that?
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Murska
Officer
But I thought we were friends...
Posts: 155
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Post by Murska on Jun 2, 2010 16:39:37 GMT 1
Hmm. Since someone took my Northerners, and even my wolf-based name...
Argentum
Government: Emperor, though in practice led by a council of influential figures. Flag: A silver panther on black background.
History: The Silver Lands, named so by the nomads living there before civilized times and adopted, though translated to their own language, by the creators of the current empire, reside in the far south of the Empire. They have been named for the heartland of the area, where two rivers pass close to each other 'like streams of silver' in the middle of the land's wide deserts. The fertile area in between the rivers is the innermost heartland of Argentum, and it is there where Argentum itself, the City of Silver, has been built. During the past centuries it has sprawled and now reaches even over the rivers, but the greatest buildings and landmarks, feats of civilization outlasting everything around them, still stand in the very center.
The area is home to an old culture, which has during it's time as a part of the Empire has left an impression in their own. (Think Greece for Rome.) However, they were conquered by a great military strategist from the Empire, which marks the first time someone has managed to march a respectable force over the deserts. After that, the corrupted and stagnant government has been brought into into line by the more efficient and advanced system of the Empire. The area has, during it's ninety years as a part of the Empire, grown into a center of learning and culture thanks to it's old universities and libraries.
They're still thought of as somewhat 'exotic' in the other parts of the Empire, for they've kept their old culture strong. They have odd habits, spicy foods, incense, beautifully exotic women and such. This is part by chance and part on purpose, for they have not yet forgotten their own heritage even though they're a part of a larger state now.
Strengths: They have centers of learning and are advanced by the Empire's standards. They have respected magicians, though more scholars than fireball-flinging madmen, who among other things preserve the silver in their greatest monuments. They have strong trade-routes, selling exotics and luxuries to the other parts of the Empire, as well as fertile farmland around the rivers. They are thought of in other lands as sneaky and cunning, which is true at least among their agents.
Weaknesses: They have no navy, unless camels count, and their military consists mainly of ambushing light spearmen, skirmishers, light cavalry and archers, unable to offer a proper battle against an opponent strong enough to attack through the desert in force. They're somewhat distrusted by outsiders, and they aren't perfectly unified amongst themselves either, with long-standing disputes and feuds among some families. The corruption has still not completely been rooted out despite the best attempts by Empire's officials. And, despite their silver mines, they're in a desert so certain natural resources such as, for instance, timber, are scarce.
VIPs: Kharon the Sixth, Great King of the Southern Lands, the Panther of the Sands, etc. etc. - The Emperor. He has more say in the matters of Argentum than many before him, but he still works with the Council. He isn't seen very often, but the populace likes him.
Visil Turand - The leading political figure, as the head of the Council, Visil is quite possibly the most influential man of Argentum. He comes from a long-standing noble family with control over a few of the most lucrative trade routes, and is a soft-spoken manipulator who has a tight grip on the internal politics of the nation. Oh, and he has a goatee.
Sura Mahar - Quite possibly the only female general of the states, only able to reach the position due to the Argentum habit of giving women a more equal position than many other areas, she has still had to fight her way to the top against all odds. Now she is one of the six Generals of the Argentum forces and by far the most proficient. Even her most stubborn enemies recognize her talent, and nobody has seriously tried to supplant her for quite a while, especially since she seems to have no ambition for positions in politics other than the commander of the army.
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Post by Sayn on Jun 2, 2010 19:20:00 GMT 1
Looks good. I was thinking about using a map of Europe for this game, but it's looking like we'll have to resort to paint or something similar.
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Post by krennel on Jun 3, 2010 2:36:49 GMT 1
Hmm. Since someone took my Northerners, and even my wolf-based name... Sorry but... I had asked about the same thing before you. The name was purely coincidental though.
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Post by daelrog on Jun 3, 2010 7:52:58 GMT 1
I'm interested. I'll seee if I can't think of something over the next few days.
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Post by Mursk on Jun 3, 2010 8:48:41 GMT 1
Hmm. Since someone took my Northerners, and even my wolf-based name... Sorry but... I had asked about the same thing before you. The name was purely coincidental though. You only asked about 'barbarians, like a german tribe', or 'whatever passes as vikings', neither of which necessarily has anything to do with the north. Anyway, I guess it'll be interesting in this way aswell.
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Murska
Officer
But I thought we were friends...
Posts: 155
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Post by Murska on Jun 3, 2010 14:11:47 GMT 1
Oh, Sayn. Am I supposed to figure out a secret to PM over?
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Post by Sayn on Jun 3, 2010 15:53:21 GMT 1
Well, if you have any secrets that I need to know then you should PM them to me. But it's not a requirement to have secrets.
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Post by daelrog on Jun 5, 2010 1:18:10 GMT 1
The Celestial Domain
Government Type:Theocracy Symbol: A white dimaond surrounded by golden fire
History: The Celestial DOmain's origins can be found about seven hundred years ago when a few hundred displaced monks from some far off land came to an island that was at the time ootuside the Empire's influence. After a few years of bitter fighting, the monks won out against the fell races that had inhabited the island, building a great sancuary with which to worship their foreign deity, Saris, Goddess of the Sky.
Over the centuries more people came to inhabit the island, welcomed by the monks and their descndants. Eventually, the island turned into a prosperous city-state, home to thousands. About one century ago, the Empire's borders reach the Celestial Domain, prepared for war. However, in one single act, the then High Priest Alluelle offered for the island to become annexed peacefully. Though some of the states were not pleased with this decision, none could justify warring with an island that was willing to join without conflict.
Strengths: Their library is matched by few, and their faith is absolute. They are masters at diplomacy and their sancuary is built much like a fortress. The geography of their island is moutainous and there are very few safe places a ship can land, making it a very defensible realm.
Weaknesses: Their population is fairly small, only about eighty thousand. Also, their military is made up of only about a thousand regular warrior-monks, six thousand soldiers serving seven years term, and an additional three-thousand reserves. Also, though they have little ability or desire to expand, many in the Empire do not care for the foreign religion they worship, waiting for an excuse to enlighten them.
VIPs: High Priest Dominus : A man at the erly age of seventy, he keeps a quiet life tending the gardens around the Sanctuary. However, when called for, he attends the assumbly, and helps out with the Empire when needed, known for his powerful words, when he bothers to speak.
He has few friends, but those that are tend to be his close retainers, the villagers from whom he shops at, and a couple higher ups within the Empire that have weathered much of the storm as other states seek gains over the Celestial Domain. If Dominus is concerned, he does not show it.
Sea Master Vollus Wrenn : Sea Master is the greatest title that a non-priest can obtain. Because the priesthood must spend its time in study, leading the fiath, or learning the unique form of combat privy only to the monks, naval warfar is something beyond their reach. Therefore, the role of Sea Master is chosen from the most capable sailors and mariners. However, rarely does the navy do anything besides fend off occasional pirates and corsairs, for the true military power of the Celestial Domain is the hazardous rocks and reefs, not a sizeable navy.
Vollus Wrenn has been one of the more successful Sea Masters, winning over the people and the Priesthood with recent successes againt raiders, even going so far as to commit a day long siege to the port from which they came, more to send a message than to actually cause damage.
Fallen Shole : Over seven centuries there have been those that have fallen off the path. Some for greed, others for desire, but it has been quite rare. This is a special case though, one that has led to a serious division within the Celestial Domain. When travelling across the sea in search of some lost relic, Shole encountered a powerful demon. Of those that left, Shole was the only survivor. How he escaped the demon, none know save that he is now a tainted man. Small horns now portrude from his forehead, his eyes glow with bale fire, and he can perform feats that humans cannot.
Upon his arrival, all alone and half dead, he was brought back to health and put in front of Dominius. Whatever the two said is only known to them, but when their week long conversation ended, it was determined that Shole was no longer capable of being a priest, but for the first time, a fallen priest would be allowed to stay on the island.
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Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on Jun 6, 2010 4:53:50 GMT 1
Benutia
Just Benutia, the one and only. O' shining city, o' glorious, high towered jewel on the sea. Favorite haunt of artists and elves, assasins and merchants, . Benutia is one of the longest integrated parts of the empire, and yet also a most independant province. The city was never conquered, rather it chose to join the Empire to benifit from its combined armies and the free trade zone. Though politics in the city have always been fluid, the Triumvirate Families generally keep most political intrigue in house, as it were.
Strengths: Very large trade fleet a navy to protect it, and lots of capital to keep the cycle turning.
Strong cultural base for he patronage of art, magic, and high learning.
The major players in the city are no strangers to intrigue.
Weaknesses: Has no real standing ground military at all. The three Houses maintain a few guards, but they mostly rely on the geography of their peninsular city and the goodwill of the other Empire states.
For all its glory the Benutian 'national culture' doesn't particularly exalt sacrifice for the city or anything. Unity can sometimes seem to extend only to acting snobby as hell to outsiders.
There is very little organization to the patronage.
VIP's:
Sir Donatos Sipwornth, an olde, more distiguished leader. Handles his family affairs with an iron hand, and is generally the big man in the city, and dictates much of the naval affairs of the city.
Lady Aliashan Domoras, premire patron and mistress of the social world in the city.
Sir Matteo Par'Lishen, young but a competent House leader, and the city's representative to the Empire. Gets all the fangirls with his elvish derived good looks.
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Post by Sayn on Jun 6, 2010 8:40:18 GMT 1
Looks interesting. Looks like we have 5 nations posted here now. If we're lucky we might reach 8 even without me recruiting on GITP.
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