Antediluvian Secrets (official POC worldbuilding thread)

[Nature-Spirits]

That's going to be interesting, to say the least.

Yeah... so, when will the IC be up, and how do we know what unit we'll be with?

Look in the OP. Everything's there.

[Ayreonia]

Right, so we still need one AT gunner and a driver. Any takers? You only have one character, right, Nature?

[Palonitr and Howland]

Ayre, can you expand on what re the UNMETA commandos and the aircraft tech right in the rp's time?

[Nature-Spirits]

Right, so we still need one AT gunner and a driver. Any takers? You only have one character, right, Nature?

I do, and if you'd like I could make another. The reason I haven't yet is because I'm not completely sure I have enough time to maintain two at the moment, but I would be more than willing to if we need another character and there are no takers.

[The GAmeTopians]

Right, so we still need one AT gunner and a driver. Any takers? You only have one character, right, Nature?

I only have 1 but I dunno if I should make another.

[The Carlisle]

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

[Toishima]

I got one more unfilled char. slot, a second levy AT gunner can make Charlie Squad into the newguy dumping ground, thematically.

[Gvozdevsk]

I could possibly make a second character because after tonight I only have one paper left this semester, but then I also have finals and then I'll be going home for Christmas break, where I'm not sure if I'll have any access to a computer until I get my new gaming rig some time during the Christmas break, although I'll still be able to post from my phone and tablet, as difficult as that's going to be. So maybe I shouldn't take on two characters.

[Grenartia]

Well Farley was just transferred in. With wild stories about his unit spontaneously combusting while he's the only survivor. So mucho mysterioso and stuff. Hey stoner dude wanna be friends with new mysterious guy?

The thinner man grabs Farley with both hands, his eyes red and somewhat crazed. His hair is uncombed, uncut and unwashed, with greasy streaks blackening the wayward golden hair. With a trembling voice that rapidly rises into a crescendo, the man alternates between pulling himself extremely close to Farley and pushing Farley away, shaking the Corporal physically, obviously with little care for any rank or etiquette rules he may be breaking.

"Spontaneous combustion, you say? Hellllll, I'll show you what spontaneity of combustion... combustionating is out here in the mother... fucking! Fourth!"

The Lance Corporal falls silent, releases Farley, and bends down, talking over his shoulder, "Check this shit out, man."

He reaches down into an ammo container, on which red tape with odd markings- "332nd UNMETA HQ Coy. GOVERNMENT ORDER DO NOT OPEN"- is scrawled on the top with a black marker, and pulls out what Farley first assumes is a 25mm shell. Upon closer inspection, however, he realises that it's not a 25mm shell.

It's a monster blunt.

Farley steps back slightly, taken aback by this strange turn of events. His new "friend" holds out the joint for a moment before shoving it into Farley's astonished hands, giving a shrill yell that would be sure to rouse the entire camp.

"420 BLAZE IT FAGGOT!"

---

EDIT: With no OOC intent to insult or otherwise hurt the Homosexual community, of course.

Yes. All of my yes.

Is there any treaties such as the Geneva Convention in place between the two sides that prevents certain actions between the two groups? Such as looting and pillaging?

Also, I created up an cheap, mass produced IFV roughly based around the BMP series, I don't know much about IFVs so add anything or removing anything you guys want to.

type 13 IFV

With the front-lines gridlocked for almost thirty years, the Antediluvian army needed something to quickly transport troops safely through hostile territory in the great forest and provide heavy firepower at the same time. The type 13 IFV does just that, with a eight person transport capacity in the rear of the vehicle, a powerful and reliable V8 engine powering the tracks, sloped thick front armor plating capable of stopping most things thrown at it, A low profile turret, with the option of either a 100 mm gun or 30 mm auto cannon as the main armament, as well two 7.62 GPMG coaxial guns and an optional top mount for extra firepower, it fills the gap that Antediluvian army wanted to fill.

First produced twelve years ago, it is controlled by a three man crew, a driver, who controls the IFV from the front, has a coaxial machine-gun at his/hers disposal and uses three periscope vision-block for basic visibility whilst under fire and a open-able hatch for full visibility . The gunner, operates the vehicles gun turret which rests at the center of the vehicle, using either a one hundred millimeter smoothbore gun or a thirty millimeter auto loading cannon, with the added extra of a coaxial 7.62 GPMG. a 6x/6.7x magnification image intensifying monocular periscope sight device, an optical rangefinder, four day-use periscope vision blocks is also used by the gunner. And the commander, operates from the Commander's station which rests adjacent to the gunners station, commands the vehicle, with a basic radio setup, periscope vision-blocks which provides a (very limited) 360 degree view around the tank, and a binocular vision device at his/her disposal.

While the vehicle could be considered reliable and fast, it has a few problems, notably with the lack of visibility, particularly with the vehicles commander and driver. While periscope vision blocks offer a 360 degree visibility in the for the commander, however its still very limited, often forcing him/her to pop the hatch to properly observe his/her surroundings. Another problem is the armor, while the front armor is excellent, the side armor is a weak point, its can still effectively deflect small arms fire and light anti tank fire, but a hit from a launcher will effectively disable the vehicle and will almost always result in casualties inside the vehicle due to troop transport being extremely cramped, which is also uncomfortable, especially for those who are tall. The biggest weakness with the vehicle is its fuel source, while extremely cheap, its extremely flammable. On a number of occasions when the engine or internal fuel tanks have hit by any sort of round, fire tends rapidly breaks out within the vehicle, effectively frying the crew and passengers within the vehicle, causing some to refer to them as cookers or toasters (due to the sight of crew members bailing out of the hatches, usually ablaze.)

Edit: Just noticed the post about not being based around BMP. Damn.

Oh, notBMP means it's basically based on one, just not called it for reasons. Worry not.

I'll get to work on the model shortly.

Is the... Is the driver compartment separate from the rest of the vehicle?

I didn't intend on it, but if you want to have that just add it in(Unless there a reason not to.)

My modelling program is fairly limited, so I won't be able to provide an interior view. I'll leave that up to anybody good at drawing things from the inside.

I guess it's a bit trivial, but we could start discussing the camo pattern used by the Antediluvian Army. Both for warm and cold weather.

I'll just leave my designs unpainted (easier that way, given the limitations of my program).

Hey, if anyone knows a lot about biology/zoology/botany, could you perhaps come up with lists of animals and plants that would live in each geographical zone (specifically in the Forest, but also maybe in Antediluvia and in the world as a whole)? Make them up from scratch or just say what RL animals/plants would live in each area; it doesn't matter too much for my purposes (which are, by the way, incorporating some of said names into the spelling alphabet). Of course, if you do come up with original species (which, of course, you should only do if you want to), feel free to name them, but Trans or I might alter some of the names to fit more with the sound of the languages we've developed (of course, the names will sound pretty English-y, and should be easy to remember, but the etymology would likely change depending on their region of origin).

I'm not that good with that stuff, but I would like to be consulted by whoever takes up that duty, since I made the map and have some ideas about the climate of each area.

... Shut up, Classical Studies.

Also, if anyone has any ideas for popular food items (such as a specific type of stew, or another dish) and beverages (specifically alcoholic), that would be good. Again, feel free to name them (though again, they may be altered to reflect etymology and sound changes).

Also, if you include names with your animals/plants/dishes/drinks, and you would like to specify which linguistic group it originates from, that could also be helpful. Only if you feel comfortable with that, of course.

I'll get our beverages together, though it'd be helpful to have more cultural information.

I'll throw in some food ideas. I'm from the American South. I know food.

I'll get our beverages together, though it'd be helpful to have more cultural information.

Thanks. Regarding culture, it seems that the RP takes place in a temperate region, if that helps at all. Honestly, the kind of info I think you want isn't my area of expertise, so I wouldn't know. Personally, I'm thinking more working-class drinks than high-class drinks, though both work.

If you do have a bit of trouble with names, feel free to consult with me.

Actually, humid subtropical (think American Southeast). Though the winters have been established as being extremely cold (I have at least one climactic explanation for this).

Made up a vehicle we'll be seeing a lot. Thoughts?

14T 'Crawler' armored personnel carrier

As unlikely it sounds now, the Crawler started its journey as a humble off-road truck, designed for increased mobility over broken terrain. A wheeled, a half-tracked and a fully tracked variant later, the 14T was fielded in its modern incarnation, a tracked multipurpose APC that can cross any terrain safely and quickly. It's fully amphibious and its light armor can withstand infantry weapons up to a machine gun, but any larger and it's toast - then again, it's not meant to be a frontline combat vehicle.

The Crawler is crewed by two soldiers, a commander and a driver, although both are cross-trained to take over the other's duties if need be. It can carry up to eight passengers, but usually transports three to six plus specialist equipment. In mechanized units, it's usually attached to mortar sections (it can easily hold two teams) and that's exactly what it does in Werebear company. The mortars themselves are easily towed in a wagon - the Crawler can pull a six-ton load with zero difficulty.

The commander's cupola carries a 14,5mm M174/h_14.5 machine gun, the vehicle's only piece of armament. The troop compartment has firing ports beside every seat and in the back hatch. Although these are measures meant for self-defense, the Crawler has been used in foolhardy attacks, so-called "Crawler rushes," where a large number of these vehicles surprise the enemy with their speed and quite formidable machine guns, then dismount their troops right on top of the stunned enemy. Needless to say, these attacks are highly discouraged.

I'll work on this, too.

Another region idea:

Revaalsbandt is the southernmost habitable area on the main continent, and is evenly divided in half between Antediluvian and Precambrian troops, each vying for control of the massive rhenium and tungsten mines. The population hovers at about 3,400 ,not including the occupying troops.

It is said to be the polar opposite of Altaflor, with temperatures rarely going above freezing, hurricane strength blizzards, two months of sun a year and endless tracks of enormous Ice Cedar trees. The main exports are Cedar Bear meat, winter-proof soldiers, general misery for the stationed troops, and neigh invincible Ice Cedar lumber. The people from Revaalsbandt have a an aptitude for magic, and have a unusually high percent of magic users, and can be told from others by their eye color. Magic users from this region have light purple or vibrant green eyes, but are otherwise just impossible to tell apart.

The area used to be ruled by a elected chieftain, each voted for by the representatives of each of the twelve native tribes, each differentiated by a worshipped deity in their 12 god pantheon. They are extremely friendly between each tribe and are united against the invading troops, who used their armored support and superior numbers to grab the region 3 generations ago.

Recruits from this region wear a light purple-red scarf tied around their helmet so they can identify each other. There is an unwritten rule that they don't shoot each other people from
Revaalsbandt, even in the face of court martial.

Doesn't inherently conflict with the map, so it sounds ok.

Nice to see someone else pitching town and region ideas. Really makes the RP world feel like a living one.

Say, Ayre, is Antediluvia a monarchy? A constitutional or absolute one? Do we bow down in front of his majesty or her majesty?

Like I said before, just give me some coordinates and names, and I'll see if I can't make a new map.

My main focus right now, though, is making vehicle models.

Cause I'd like to be crew commander of an LT rather than IFV.
TLT-15 Light Tank

The LT-15 was designed originally to be a light assault vehicle made to carry out raids on enemy supply lines. But due to failing design options and a lack of significant power plan to make it fast enough to keep up with a mission. Due to the medium depth of the armor it was resigned to an infantry support role, it was essentially used to run alongside infantry and keep enemy infantry from overrunning certain positions.

At 15 tons, 7.7m hull and a 5.5m long 50mm gun; it is mainly stocked with high explosive ammunition but has a very low amount of armor piercing. Using the LT-15 to counter anything other than IFVs is discouraged if not plain stupid. It is crewed by a loader, a driver who doubles as the gunner, and a commander. Their is a coaxial 7.62mm gun, and in the commanders cupola mounts the M175/H the heavy barreled version of the M174/s, it is adapted to fire from a box.

The Commanders cupola sits high up in the turret where his hatch has small observation slits armored with high density glass. Lower and to the left the loader sits where he can reach shells from the magazine to the rear of the crew compartment. This area is not armored well, so avoid getting hit in the rear middle. A fast and capable tank, avoid getting hit at all, there is no emergency hatch all crew have to scramble out the top hatch or driver door. The compartment is fairly small as well, large tankers not recommended.


[Medium and heavy designs to come]

Another description for me to design based off of. Thanks.

Rialtum, Vester and Alessia's home duchy. Name is a placeholder, do feel free to suggest a better one, my linguistically inclined friends.

Rialtum, home to the influential House Rialto, is located at the northernmost point of Antediluvia. It is a thriving port city and duchy that sees vessels from all ports of the country, from Erathemon, even Reioni and the mysterious outer islands.

Rialtum is a place of historical significance: it is where conflict first broke out during the Technological Revolution between local whaling facility personnel and the city's Mages' Guild. Unrest continued all through this civil war, only ending when the government officially took the side of the Industrials. As a result, Rialtum has both a large industrial sector and a culture of borderline-heretical mysticism.

The defining feature and main tourist attraction of Rialtum are its massive docks and wharves with their huge cranes, silos and warehouses. Other than that, there's not much to see in the totally utilitarian city, although some enjoy its red brick-and-brass architectural style.

Rialtum's arms depict a sail emblazoned with three gears, and troops raised there bear either the full arms or simply a single brass-colored gear.

Just quoting to let you know I've seen this.

Apparently, magic was real, but it appears Antediluvia is either covering it up or just purged it.

Exactly.

If you want, I'll also come up with a "laws of physics" of magic. Basically, what magic can and can't do, and how it basically works.

Gammar Gammura

Gammar Gammura is one of the dozens of religions that are practiced throughout this world. It is important to note, however, that Gammar Gammura is the most prevalent and popular, by far, of any set of religious beliefs that still exist on the continent today. This religion, which is practised throughout both the Ezeric and Thornorgisilic Worlds, is followed by millions, though in the modern times, less so than in previous ages, and has influenced countless hundreds of literary, cultural, and artistic movements, as well has having been the motivation for a large amount of inward and outward conflicts and wars throughout the history of the continent. So, without further ado, I present to you Gammar Gammura: The Religion of the Antediluvians, Precambrians, and most other Ezeric and Thornorgisil people of the continent. First, I will delve into a brief history of the religion, mostly concerning the founding of the religion, before going into the beliefs that those who follow the religion.

Gammar Gammura has its roots in the Easternmost part of the world, past the limits of the Ezeric world. Here, an independent, unrelated group of languages and cultures holds serious cultural sway, and have done so ever since their records can permit. No culture, Ezeric or otherwise, has been able to supplant the Easternmost Culture, ever since they emerged from whichever primordial crack in the world they came from. From here, the original ideals of Evil and Good are said to have originated. Not, however, evil and good themselves, but the terms and definitions of them. From this eastern corner of the continent came the first organized religion: Priya Rukmeni. This religion was really just a codified version of the beliefs of a single tribe that had been the first to write down their myths, legends, and beliefs so they spread far and wide among the Eastern Tribes. Priya Rukmeni was a religion that focused mostly on a codified pantheon of shamanistic Gods and Goddesses, essentially having a God or Goddess for every single thing on this Earth, believing that they were simply manifestations of the Gods' divine power. Now, this religion survived and thrived among the Eastern People, but it failed to catch on to their Ezeric and Thorn neighbours, who preferred their own Pantheons,some Thorn going so far as to burn any Priya Rukmeni believer who transgressed into their borders. After the Fall of the Nahumian Empire, however, something strange happened.

During the Razing of Nahumia, the capital of the former Nahumian Empire (Who, if any of you remember, wasn't even ethnically Nahumic.) there appeared a being from the Market Quarter of the city who seemed to be enveloped by fire, yet failed to be burned. The legend goes that this figure carried out eight hundred people from the city as it was being burned to the ground. When questioned on his identity by those that he had saved, He gave them the name Kama Kumara, which in a dialect of the Eastern Languages translates into "The Saved One who Saves". Kama Kumara and many of those that he saved began preaching at the ruins of Nahumia. Kama preached the existence of a single God, equating it to the Ezeric Pantheon Head Shealta, Deity of the Sun, as well as Obialta, Deity of the Moon. This God was known simply as Uriyah, and had two split personalities, Uri' and Yah', Uri' being the personality of Light, Good, and Order, and Yah' being the personality of Darkness, Evil, and Chaos. Uriyah was a necessary combination of the two, which came together when the universe was formed. When this universe was formed, the two beings merged with such force that millions of shards littered the Earth, which became the seeds of the beings that would eventually become Man. Because of the syncretization of the two so opposite forces, Uriyah is constantly in turmoil with itself. Since all beings on Earth are made up of the Shards that were once a part of Uriyah, Uri' and Yah' are not only fighting one another in the cosmos, but in the souls of Man as well.

However, as the movement gained more and more followers, the more zealous factions of the Ezeric pantheon began to persecute the believers, some to such an extent as to burn them alive. However, it was said that for every believer of Uriyah burnt, Kama Kumara gained an inch in height. The preaching continued, and Kama Kumara set up serious communities in the Western parts of the mainland and the eastern parts of the Western Isle.

I have a sort of Familial Emergency right now so I have to stop working on this for the time being.

Sounds pretty kickass. Also, hope your emergency clears up swiftly and with no complications.

It's just painful writing on a tablet.

House zu Heltzer

Linvale is home to Alrick zu Heltzer and the rest of House zu Heltzer. House zu Heltzer established itself in Linvale after the success defense of the (then) village from destruction. Linvale has seen it's share of conflicts and prosperity that has left its citizens to look at life with a healthy sardonic and cynical view, a view still shared in current times. Growing steadily through the centuries from village to a burgeoning city, the House is known throughout the lands for its medical and pharmaceutical products.

House zu Heltzer is a pious one (at least on the surface): to them everything is a sign, a warning, a portent of things to come. In the old days it was not uncommon for members of zu Heltzer to confide in priests and 'oracles', so much so that the house built a grand cathedral in the city that has since become synonymous with the city itself. Today however, they look upon their religion as one to uphold spiritually... and politically. The cathedral is something of a misnomer itself as it stands as the seat of power of House zu Heltzer and main stage where most of its internal and external court politicking take place.

Where is Linvale?

On magic, mages and pseudomages

Magic has permeated Soil for as long as there has been a Soil. Its exact origins are unknown, but Cambrian philosophy argues that it's residual energy from the forming of Uriyah during the birth of the universe. Its practitioners are known by many names: mages, wizards, magicians, sorcerers, et cetera. To a layman, these terms are synonymous, but to practitioners, each carries a different meaning. More on that later.

Through the ages, magic has always been a tool of the few seemingly random individuals who have simply grasped it naturally. It wasn't until three decades ago that Precambrian scientists discovered a gene that controlled affinity for magic. Further research proved that every single human being had this gene, but it was "dormant" in most. This discovery allowed the development of magical techniques for non-affinites, but the results were underwhelming: people with the dormant gene were, and still are, exceedingly hard to train, and even if they do learn, they cannot hope to reach the power, precision or finesse of affinites.

This is where pseudomages come in: the same Precambrian scientists came up with a way to forcibly mutate the gene through magical therapy. This "wakes" the gene up and makes it absorb some of the therapist mage's energy, resulting in the receiver of the therapy becoming a so-called "pseudomage." Pseudomages are still non-affinites and thus learn much more slowly than natural mages, but they can easily reach and even surpass affinites in pure power, while still lagging behind in precision. For example, while an affinite sorcerer can light a roomful of candles one by one or at the same time, a pseudomage sorcerer can light the entire neighborhood on fire. An affinite wizard can manipulate an enemy scout so that they return with false information without realizing anything is wrong, while a pseudomage wizard simply makes the entire scouting party kill each other.

Wizards? Sorcerers? Allow me to explain. The differences between the various classes of magic users are purely semantic, but professional pride runs high among them and there exists a fierce rivalry between the groups. We've already covered pseudomage. Mage is a catch-all term that includes all affinites who are trained in the arts. A sorcerer is a mage or pseudomage who focuses on direct energy manipulation: temperature, sound, even light and movement. Most beginning magic users receive training in sorcery, since its basics are arguably the easiest to grasp, and many of its teachings are applied in other fields of magic. Wizards practice wizardry, the art of bridging the five basic senses with magical effects, creating and manipulating illusions and emotions. Magician is a portmanteau of "mage" and "technician," and their art is called magicraft. Magicraft is combining the physical with the magical; the "super armor" effect described in the OP is an example of highly developed magicraft.

I can work this into the laws. Thanks.

Possibly, but that would then require an explanation as to how and why the ethnic group from that island migrated to the continent and their language remained (at least somewhat) intact even with the linguistic domination of the Nahumic and Thorn cultures. The survival of such a minority language even in names (especially in given names) is fairly unlikely, IMHO.

Well, if the mountains to the south aren't dominated by either of those two major cultures, the Uralics could be from there.

I'm pretty sure somebody else already said something about a culture being in the southern mountains.

Also, as for that island in the far north of Soil, lets just say its more or less uninhabited.

Duchy of Verstact

Encompasses the high mountains and the bowl shaped Verstact (Hidden) Valley. Capital and largest city is Oorburg, which is one of the largest cities in Antedeluvia and the largest city in the Northern Ranges. Ruled over by the Family Oorburg. For centuries the realm had been independent, Ruled over by the Hidden King. Back then, the realm could fight of Ezeric incursions by using its large population and defensive positions. It wasn't until when gunpowder was invented that they fell to Ezeric rule. Because of it's isolation and fiercely stubborn culture, the Thornorgisil language spoken there is still alive and well, although there is a lot of loanword from the modern Nahumic language. In saying this, most denizens speak modern nahumic fluently as a second language, though there are pockets in the fringes that speak solely Thornorgisil. The main trade in the duchy is the mining and smelting industry. The rivers are too shallow for boat travel, but this is made up by a well connected rail and road system. It's also a burgeoning cultural center, as many famous artists were born and/or raised there. Beauty is a secondary export, as many lesser and noblemen vacation in the beautiful mountain valleys of Verstact.

Soldiers from this area would have the insignia of a farming valley with a large city in the distance tucked between two mountain peaks, with a mine on the left and a cabin on the right.

House Von Oorburg (Of Ear-Town)

House Von Oorburg is a major noble house who rule over the Duchy of Verstact. An ancient and prestigious house, whose roots extend back to over a millenium. It has ruled over the Duchy of Verstact for over 700 years, when the Ezeric King finally conquered and thrown down the Verstact King. Instead of appointing an Ezeric, they appointed a local Thorn branch that was loyal. And that is how house Von Oorburg was promoted from being barons of a wealthy castle to duke of Verstact, which is equivalent to the old kingdom.

Von Oorburg's title is not only prestigious, but also extremely wealthy. They own several steel smelteries and the entire rail system in the duchy rail system. They even hold the oldest aluminum smeltery in the entire world, which still operates to this day. The wealth of Von Oorburg equates to about $25,000,000,000. Of course, they reinvest a good amount of their gains back into the public sector, making the Von Oorburg family well loved among the populous.

Von Oorburg rule has been a lot more independent than other dukes. This is mostly due to the fiercely stubborn culture of the Thorn people in the Verstact Valley. For one, language laws are different in Verstact than other duchies due to Von Oorburg influence. This helped preserve the Thorn language and culture in Verstact. Another is special zones, often villages and towns on the fringes, where pure Thorn is spoken only, preserving the local culture. Another is the different tax Von Oorburg pays to the king, which is less than other dukes. This is mainly due to Von Oorburg unbroken dedication to reinvesting their wealth back into their duchy.

Von Oorburg has married into several noble branches throughout the years, mostly in the Central Mountains. But they have married several times into the King's dynasty, the most recent on being a generation ago. They have claims throughout the entire mountain ranges, even in Precambrian territory. Some Thornophobes state that they can go independent with the entire mountains and no one can contest it, though this is just a propagandist story with no real feasibility.

Von Oorburg family, while still mostly Thorn, is also Ezericized a bit. For one, the first names of the children are always Ezeric. This is because of an ancient pact between the first duke of Verstact and the Ezeric king where the king allowed him to rule as long as he proved his loyalty by naming his children with the names of his kingdom. Von Oorburg dynasty members all speak High Nahumic and Modern Nahumic alongside their original tongue of Highland Thorn.

House Oorburg holds great influence throughout the realm. Their prestige, dynastic ties, and wealth allows them to influence many organizations. The most recent, but hidden, act of influence was the prevention of corporal Maximilian Von Oorburg's promotion to to the rank of sergeant and his moving to squad leader into the Fourth. This was headed by the Dynastic head and ruler of the duchy of Verstact, Julian Apollonian Von Oorburg.

The Von Oorburg Coat of Arms is a man with a horn sticking into his ear, listening to the wind which carries words and music from all across the valley.

City of Oorburg (Ear-Town)

Oorburg is an ancient and largest city in the Duchy of Verstact, largest city in the Northern Ranges, and one of the largest cities in Antediluvia. The name means Ear-town in Thorn. This name comes from the loud, fast winds that blow throughout the town since ancient times, which makes it hard to hear. A more modern version is the smelteries make it difficult to hear anything, though not the origin still holds true. Locals joke that one needs good ears to hear anything in Oorburg.

Oorburg since ancient times was mostly a farming settlement. Situated in the fertile lower valley of Verstact, it became a center for agricultural goods. After the adoption of feudalism, rulers of Oorburg have been exceptionally wealthy because of the agricultural output of the lands surrounding the town. When the Ezerics finally conquered the region, it became the capital of the new duchy of Verstact. From then on, Oorburg became a trade capital, from where the goods of Verstact culminated to be bought by traders from outside the valley.

When the technological revolution came to Verstact, Oorburg exploded with growth. It shot up from its sizable population to one of the largest cities in the kingdom within fifty years. Oorburg experienced a golden age, where wealth, science, and culture grew exponentially. Dozens of mines opened up in the mountains, whose ore went down new roads to the new smelteries on Oorburg. People from inside and outside the valley moved to Oorburg to fill in jobs in the smelteries, turning Oorburg into a multicultural metropolis.

To this day, Oorburg is still growing. While still heavily smelting based, there is also a number of universities, services, and manufacturing industries within the city that also supplements the economy. There is also a healthy tourism industry, where people come all over to see the cathedrals, buildings and museums.

(To visualize, Oorburg looks like Munich)

Sounds good.

May I propose something as an addition to this?

Some ethnic groups are more prone to Mage abilities than others, as the gene for strong magic affinity is recessive, and would propagate through groups that would need the extra edge to stay alive, like steadying a gun barrel to kill a boar or helping a fire stay alight longer. The more prolonged stress, like rough winters or flooding, a group goes through, the more magically aligned they become.

Example: two hunters from Revaalsbandt are hunting Cedar Bear, one has the strong magic gene and the other with weak magic gene. They both fire and hit the same spot on two different bears. The weak magic users bullet hits the bear, but doesn't kill it instantly and the hunter killed. The strong magic users bullet hits the bear and fails to kill it, like the first bear, but the bear bleeds faster than he should and dies before he can maul the hunter.

In other words, some groups are more latently magical than others. This may translate in something as minor as better luck when hunting and gambling all the way up to full magic affinity in most of the population.

That's a great idea. Only problem I have with it is that I wanted to make magic something tangible that can be explained by science. However, the magical "energy" I described could play a role in what you wrote... I'll consider it. Thanks for the input!

Yeah, I like the idea of scientific magic. Less wank-y than unexplained magic.

That's a great idea. Only problem I have with it is that I wanted to make magic something tangible that can be explained by science. However, the magical "energy" I described could play a role in what you wrote... I'll consider it. Thanks for the input!

Well, I can have an idea of how it can be explained. I think that it doesn't violate the laws of physics, and is like electromagnetic radiation, but instead of photons, the Mage is subconsciously lying to the universe and convincing it something is a certain way.

Basically, they are telling the universe that it's wrong and convincing the universe it is, so it corrects to the mage's wishes. However, thermodynamics demands that the energy to make this change come from somewhere, and usually it's the caster's body. E.g. , a man keeping a fire burning will expend his own energy, the man's body heat in this case, to allow the fire to continue burning.

As for the transfer, my comparison to electromagnetic radiation comes here. People with the dominant gene emit 'magic' signals like an antenna, in order to transfer the needed energy to change the universe at the demanded moment and space. This energy comes from their body or a connected energy source. No energy is lost or created, just transferred. People without the affinity cannot transfer the energy much in the same way you cannot build a radio antenna out of a material that doesn't conduct electricity.

Actually, I was thinking that the gene for magic acts as a sort of 'antenna' (for lack of a better term), that allows the user to mentally access another plane of existence, where objects in our plane are "tagged". The 'tags' are susceptible to willpower from the user. Magic only works as long as the user is focusing on doing whatever they're wanting the magic to do (i.e., you can't have magic do something while you're focusing on something else). The more efficient your antenna (i.e., whether or not the gene is activated), the less you have to focus on doing something in order to actually do it.

I'll go more in depth later.

[The Carlisle]

I could possibly make a second character because after tonight I only have one paper left this semester, but then I also have finals and then I'll be going home for Christmas break, where I'm not sure if I'll have any access to a computer until I get my new gaming rig some time during the Christmas break, although I'll still be able to post from my phone and tablet, as difficult as that's going to be. So maybe I shouldn't take on two characters.

How big is your tablet. It's pretty easy to type on a tablet. But maybe that's just me.

[Ayreonia]

Ayre, can you expand on what re the UNMETA commandos and the aircraft tech right in the rp's time?

UNMETA, or Unconventional Methods and Tactics, are the Royal Army's special forces brigade. They do covert stuff behind enemy lines and are rumored to be the Army's only mages. They totally aren't, of course...

As for aircraft, no idea! Probably something similar from the real Sixties. They won't be a big deal for us, since the Forest is hell to operate in for aircraft. Oh, and assault blimps. Definitely assault blimps.

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

She'd better not go around tossing shells. Someone might notice.

[Ayreonia]

Thanks, Gren.

I got one more unfilled char. slot, a second levy AT gunner can make Charlie Squad into the newguy dumping ground, thematically.

Dunno, I think the squads are pretty balanced. Except for Alpha, for some reason they have all the experienced guys.

And Delta. Two Recruits out of six members? Bodes ill.

[Pan Asian Amercian Coalition]

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

Most people from Revaalsbandt are. I think Amalia and Artyom will get along really well.

Also, question:

Would it be fine to use Artyom's hunting rifle IC? It makes sense; he's used to the rifle and it's probably more accurate than the standard issue.

[Ayreonia]

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

Most people from Revaalsbandt are. I think Amalia and Artyom will get along really well.

Also, question:

Would it be fine to use Artyom's hunting rifle IC? It makes sense; he's used to the rifle and it's probably more accurate than the standard issue.

Sure. Check the rules: own equipment is permitted, but issued gear has to be carried, too. If Artyom thinks it's worth it, sure.

And with that, I'm off to bed. At this rate, I might even have the IC up tomorrow. Later, gentlepeople.

[Palonitr and Howland]

Ayre, can you expand on what re the UNMETA commandos and the aircraft tech right in the rp's time?

UNMETA, or Unconventional Methods and Tactics, are the Royal Army's special forces brigade. They do covert stuff behind enemy lines and are rumored to be the Army's only mages. They totally aren't, of course...

As for aircraft, no idea! Probably something similar from the real Sixties. They won't be a big deal for us, since the Forest is hell to operate in for aircraft. Oh, and assault blimps. Definitely assault blimps.

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

She'd better not go around tossing shells. Someone might notice.

I assume that we will encounter these assault blimps one time or another? I have a idea that involves a belt of grenades, butter and soldifying the mysteriousness behind Farley and Spontaneous Combustion.

[The Carlisle]

Ayre, can you expand on what re the UNMETA commandos and the aircraft tech right in the rp's time?

UNMETA, or Unconventional Methods and Tactics, are the Royal Army's special forces brigade. They do covert stuff behind enemy lines and are rumored to be the Army's only mages. They totally aren't, of course...

As for aircraft, no idea! Probably something similar from the real Sixties. They won't be a big deal for us, since the Forest is hell to operate in for aircraft. Oh, and assault blimps. Definitely assault blimps.

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

She'd better not go around tossing shells. Someone might notice.

If she becomes adept, it might be better to let her toss them. Plus, she's got a quarterback's arm.

[The Carlisle]

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

Most people from Revaalsbandt are. I think Amalia and Artyom will get along really well.

Also, question:

Would it be fine to use Artyom's hunting rifle IC? It makes sense; he's used to the rifle and it's probably more accurate than the standard issue.

*looks at ARtyom's app*

*Squees*

They'll get along very fine~!

[Republic of Hasgriu]

I could make Asian-y food, though I don't think we have any Asian ethnic groups. Otherwise, I can't contribute to the world building. Sorry.

Thanks, Gren.

I got one more unfilled char. slot, a second levy AT gunner can make Charlie Squad into the newguy dumping ground, thematically.

Dunno, I think the squads are pretty balanced. Except for Alpha, for some reason they have all the experienced guys.

And Delta. Two Recruits out of six members? Bodes ill.

Bravo has 3 recruits out of 8, so I think they'll fare even worse.

[Gvozdevsk]

I could possibly make a second character because after tonight I only have one paper left this semester, but then I also have finals and then I'll be going home for Christmas break, where I'm not sure if I'll have any access to a computer until I get my new gaming rig some time during the Christmas break, although I'll still be able to post from my phone and tablet, as difficult as that's going to be. So maybe I shouldn't take on two characters.

How big is your tablet. It's pretty easy to type on a tablet. But maybe that's just me.

It's a 7 inch tablet. I don't find it too difficult to type with it, I'm just used to having a physical keyboard so that makes it weird for me.

[The Carlisle]

I could make Asian-y food, though I don't think we have any Asian ethnic groups. Otherwise, I can't contribute to the world building. Sorry.

Thanks, Gren.


Dunno, I think the squads are pretty balanced. Except for Alpha, for some reason they have all the experienced guys.

And Delta. Two Recruits out of six members? Bodes ill.

Bravo has 3 recruits out of 8, so I think they'll fare even worse.

It's quite possible that the islands far north or Reioni to the east are Asiatic. Though, I don't know if someone is covering that area.

[Nature-Spirits]

How big is your tablet. It's pretty easy to type on a tablet. But maybe that's just me.

It's a 7 inch tablet. I don't find it too difficult to type with it, I'm just used to having a physical keyboard so that makes it weird for me.

Personally, I prefer keyboards because I can type much faster on them. I don't use tablets nearly enough to have refined my tablet typing skills to such speed.

[Gvozdevsk]

Charlie squad has more women than any other squad. This could be either glorious or terrifying. Or both at the same time.

[Nature-Spirits]

I could make Asian-y food, though I don't think we have any Asian ethnic groups. Otherwise, I can't contribute to the world building. Sorry.
Bravo has 3 recruits out of 8, so I think they'll fare even worse.

It's quite possible that the islands far north or Reioni to the east are Asiatic. Though, I don't know if someone is covering that area.

Honestly, I don't think we should overload ourselves with ethnic groups. Not only is it unnecessary, but it makes much more work for those doing a lot of worldbuilding.

[Grenartia]

Well, I can have an idea of how it can be explained. I think that it doesn't violate the laws of physics, and is like electromagnetic radiation, but instead of photons, the Mage is subconsciously lying to the universe and convincing it something is a certain way.

Basically, they are telling the universe that it's wrong and convincing the universe it is, so it corrects to the mage's wishes. However, thermodynamics demands that the energy to make this change come from somewhere, and usually it's the caster's body. E.g. , a man keeping a fire burning will expend his own energy, the man's body heat in this case, to allow the fire to continue burning.

As for the transfer, my comparison to electromagnetic radiation comes here. People with the dominant gene emit 'magic' signals like an antenna, in order to transfer the needed energy to change the universe at the demanded moment and space. This energy comes from their body or a connected energy source. No energy is lost or created, just transferred. People without the affinity cannot transfer the energy much in the same way you cannot build a radio antenna out of a material that doesn't conduct electricity.

Brilliant.

Okay, folks, as much as worldbuilding is fun, we still have a couple positions open that I'd like filled before we get the IC rolling. These are:

2x AT gunners for Charlie
Medic for Charlie
Mortar leader for Delta
Mortar operator for Delta
Driver for Golf.

Tell me if any of these catch your fancy. I'll pick one myself if need be. I'll leave the CO and XO as NPCs until we decide they're needed. They probably won't be called Dickwit and Fuckstick, though.

I'll see if I can't do a driver for Golf.

Official Name: County of Hugeleg (Rolling Hills)
Local Name: Slatina (Moors)

A temperate climate dominated by rolling hills and plains. The area used to be moorish all over, but land clearance and new technology gave way to clearing of many of the marshes, turning it into a large agricultural area.

The place is unique because it has a high amount of names, surnames, and words related to the long dead Vyoroney culture. While the people are very Hengistic, there is a noticeable difference in accent, wording, and names between other Hengistic people. There are even different festivals and cultural interpretation between the people here and other Hengistics. The locals even call the county by a different name, Slatina, and go a different name called Slatina-lide. Because of this, archaeologists and anthropologists flock to this area to study the people and dig out older villages.

Despite the differences, the people are heavily mixed. In the north, its more Hengistic, in the center its more pure with the purity better as you go to the center, and more Ezeric in the south.

The people, despite there differences, are very united. A Hengistic speaking Slatina-lide and an Ezeric Slatina-lide feel more connected to each other than with the hengistic or Ezeric in the next county, even if the distance is so minimal.

Ah shoot I forgot the picture!

Here it is:

(Image)

I'll see what I can do. I might have to go back to the numbering system, and just label the numbers in plaintext.

Ayre, can you expand on what re the UNMETA commandos and the aircraft tech right in the rp's time?

UNMETA, or Unconventional Methods and Tactics, are the Royal Army's special forces brigade. They do covert stuff behind enemy lines and are rumored to be the Army's only mages. They totally aren't, of course...

As for aircraft, no idea! Probably something similar from the real Sixties. They won't be a big deal for us, since the Forest is hell to operate in for aircraft. Oh, and assault blimps. Definitely assault blimps.

Also, I would like to say that Amalia is an unrealized mage. I thought I implied that well enough in her app. I mean, throwing a mortar round better than using the actual mortar and being from Revaalsbandt is pretty telling.

She'd better not go around tossing shells. Someone might notice.

Wait, why's the forest hell to operate aircraft in? Maybe CAS aircraft, but I don't see how it would be much different from a colder Vietnam.

I'll do aircraft (including blimps) later.

[Palonitr and Howland]

It's a 7 inch tablet. I don't find it too difficult to type with it, I'm just used to having a physical keyboard so that makes it weird for me.

Personally, I prefer keyboards because I can type much faster on them. I don't use tablets nearly enough to have refined my tablet typing skills to such speed.

Plus it seems that on a tablet, typographical errors are easier to commit. I support this keyboard need. Though to tell you the truth, I use my phone to post most of the time.