Legacy [Medieval/Dark Fantasy/OOC]

[Ascium]

So we can start putting together our characters home kingdom?

[The Flame Dawn]

Does that mean no elves? I'm not much for playing humans truly :3

I'd rather this story be the farthest from run-of-the-mill fantasy that it can get, so, no traditional fantasy races such as dwarves, elves, or orcs. That's not to say you can't make an extremely elegant and stuck-up people like the standard Tolkien elf.

In fact, I may have just the idea to suit your needs. That is, if I can find it in the inescapable void that is my writing-doc folder in Word.

I have a question about races. Since we can't use garden variety fantasy stuff, would it still be okay to use more obscure stuff? I was thinking about a kobold.

[Aelosia]

Does that mean no elves? I'm not much for playing humans truly :3

I'd rather this story be the farthest from run-of-the-mill fantasy that it can get, so, no traditional fantasy races such as dwarves, elves, or orcs. That's not to say you can't make an extremely elegant and stuck-up people like the standard Tolkien elf.

In fact, I may have just the idea to suit your needs. That is, if I can find it in the inescapable void that is my writing-doc folder in Word.

I wanted to make a refined, oriental-aesthetics civilization, based on islands, and oriented on trade. Elfy in a way, but human anyway.

[The Nameless Wayfarer]

So we can start putting together our characters home kingdom?

Indeed. The applications for characters and more supplementary information will be on their way as soon as possible.

I'd rather this story be the farthest from run-of-the-mill fantasy that it can get, so, no traditional fantasy races such as dwarves, elves, or orcs. That's not to say you can't make an extremely elegant and stuck-up people like the standard Tolkien elf.

In fact, I may have just the idea to suit your needs. That is, if I can find it in the inescapable void that is my writing-doc folder in Word.

I have a question about races. Since we can't use garden variety fantasy stuff, would it still be okay to use more obscure stuff? I was thinking about a kobold.

Sadly, no repto-men, werewolves, or anything of the sort. Look at the ethnicity/race creation through the lens of a scientist, developing possible real-world explanations as to why they evolved to have more peculiar attributes like strange hair colors, eye colors, or enhanced bone or muscle structure.

[The Flame Dawn]

huh, so this is a realism dark fantasy. cool... so then, human it is

[Illan]

really though, how far from human can I go?

[Ascium]

So we can start putting together our characters home kingdom?

Indeed. The applications for characters and more supplementary information will be on their way as soon as possible.

I have a question about races. Since we can't use garden variety fantasy stuff, would it still be okay to use more obscure stuff? I was thinking about a kobold.

Sadly, no repto-men, werewolves, or anything of the sort. Look at the ethnicity/race creation through the lens of a scientist, developing possible real-world explanations as to why they evolved to have more peculiar attributes like strange hair colors, eye colors, or enhanced bone or muscle structure.

I was thinking kind of a viking based kingdom lol what do you think?

[The Nameless Wayfarer]

I was thinking kind of a viking based kingdom lol what do you think?

Perhaps. I assume you'll be thinking along the lines of Norse culture, then?

[Ascium]

I was thinking kind of a viking based kingdom lol what do you think?

Perhaps. I assume you'll be thinking along the lines of Norse culture, then?

Yep, that was the idea

[Illan]

I was thinking kind of a viking based kingdom lol what do you think?

Perhaps. I assume you'll be thinking along the lines of Norse culture, then?

Hey, what was that idea you mentioned I might like on the last page?

[Illan]

Also, is there magic in some form? I'd love that.

[Ascium]

Kingdom of Valkasia

Important Figures:
High King Valk (34AW-current)
Queen bronca (30AW-current)
High Prince Danr (19AW-current)
Princess Sarana (16AW-current)
Marshal Victor (29AW-current)
Valtar Danes (200BW-130BW)
Bjorn Rai (100BW-40BW)
Strjorn Clagisave (30BW-30AW)
Jorn Danr (450BW-400BW)

Notable traits of
Varkasians:
Muscular(men only), cocky, rash, aggressive, tradition oriented, hairy(men only), xenophobic, family orientated, Religious, knowledge of seafaring, territorial, honor bound, and hardy

Culture

The Varkasians are ruled by a High King who leads the kingdom and its many houses. The jarls are chosen in battle the strongest warrior in the village. Once a better warrior appears he has the right to challenge the Jarl to single combat. If the challenger kills the Jarl then he is the new Jarl of the territory. It's common practice that the former Jarl’s family to be killed so that they don't take revenge on the new Jarl.

Though not all people kill the former Jarl’s family. There are few full-time warriors that live outside of the capital. Several times a year people from all over take up arms in the raiding season. People from farms come to join the raids on the islands to the south of the kingdom. Women regularly join the raids and fight alongside the men. Though men control the society. Women have some say in the day to day matters on the farm and in their households.

There are several coming of age rites throughout a man's and woman's life. At the age of 13 comes the Rite of Arm. Where young men fight the local guards and other young men and the ones who survive may then join the raiding parties and join the guard. Women have the Rite of Womanhood, a rite in which young girls go up to the village shrine for 10 days and seek guidance to their future and on who they will marry. Men at the age of 16 have the Rite of Birth, which the men may now pick a wife. The women at the age of 15 right before they turn 16 go through the Rite of Fertility which gives them blessings and informs them about the Rite of Birth.

They are deeply religious and look to their gods for the answer. Each territory has their patron god. But with each new Jarl they are changed. There are four major gods Aladi, Rogakar, bonca, and Cicla. Aladi is the king of the gods and the patron god of the High King and god of law and order. Rogakar is the god of war, bonca is the goddess of entertainment and fertility. Cicla is the goddess of love and wisdom. Among these there are several smaller gods that arnt very important and are starting to die out.

People:

The Varkasians are a honorable, family orientated, and a religious people. They are strict on traditions and don't stray far from them. They tend to view other people people from other lands as threatening their way of life and something they can raid. They see other countries and nations as corrupt and materialistic. From birth the men are raised to be warriors though not all become warriors. Some work on farms and other jobs that require manual labor. Weaker men do the jobs that require not a lot of heavy lifting.

After the age of 13 men and women are allowed to join the raiding parties and go to the Zarban islands where a small group up indigenous people live. They are raised several times a year. Once they raid, they burn the buildings and kill anyone who resists them. They do not show mercy to the weak. The weak have little to no place in their society. Much of the world refers to them as savages and brutes.

The standing army is 30,000 with another 15,000 in militia and citizens that are ready to take up arms.

That's is what I have so far what do you guys think?

[Badafar]

Kingdom of Valkasia

Important Figures:
High King Valk (34AW-current)
Queen bronca (30AW-current)
High Prince Danr (19AW-current)
Princess Sarana (16AW-current)
Marshal Victor (29AW-current)
Valtar Danes (200BW-130BW)
Bjorn Rai (100BW-40BW)
Strjorn Clagisave (30BW-30AW)
Jorn Danr (450BW-400BW)

Notable traits of
Varkasians:
Muscular(men only), cocky, rash, aggressive, tradition oriented, hairy(men only), xenophobic, family orientated, Religious, knowledge of seafaring, territorial, honor bound, and hardy

Culture

The Varkasians are ruled by a High King who leads the kingdom and its many houses. The jarls are chosen in battle the strongest warrior in the village. Once a better warrior appears he has the right to challenge the Jarl to single combat. If the challenger kills the Jarl then he is the new Jarl of the territory. It's common practice that the former Jarl’s family to be killed so that they don't take revenge on the new Jarl.

Though not all people kill the former Jarl’s family. There are few full-time warriors that live outside of the capital. Several times a year people from all over take up arms in the raiding season. People from farms come to join the raids on the islands to the south of the kingdom. Women regularly join the raids and fight alongside the men. Though men control the society. Women have some say in the day to day matters on the farm and in their households.

There are several coming of age rites throughout a man's and woman's life. At the age of 13 comes the Rite of Arm. Where young men fight the local guards and other young men and the ones who survive may then join the raiding parties and join the guard. Women have the Rite of Womanhood, a rite in which young girls go up to the village shrine for 10 days and seek guidance to their future and on who they will marry. Men at the age of 16 have the Rite of Birth, which the men may now pick a wife. The women at the age of 15 right before they turn 16 go through the Rite of Fertility which gives them blessings and informs them about the Rite of Birth.

They are deeply religious and look to their gods for the answer. Each territory has their patron god. But with each new Jarl they are changed. There are four major gods Aladi, Rogakar, bonca, and Cicla. Aladi is the king of the gods and the patron god of the High King and god of law and order. Rogakar is the god of war, bonca is the goddess of entertainment and fertility. Cicla is the goddess of love and wisdom. Among these there are several smaller gods that arnt very important and are starting to die out.

People:

The Varkasians are a honorable, family orientated, and a religious people. They are strict on traditions and don't stray far from them. They tend to view other people people from other lands as threatening their way of life and something they can raid. They see other countries and nations as corrupt and materialistic. From birth the men are raised to be warriors though not all become warriors. Some work on farms and other jobs that require manual labor. Weaker men do the jobs that require not a lot of heavy lifting.

After the age of 13 men and women are allowed to join the raiding parties and go to the Zarban islands where a small group up indigenous people live. They are raised several times a year. Once they raid, they burn the buildings and kill anyone who resists them. They do not show mercy to the weak. The weak have little to no place in their society. Much of the world refers to them as savages and brutes.

The standing army is 30,000 with another 15,000 in militia and citizens that are ready to take up arms.

That's is what I have so far what do you guys think?

Sounds good from a cultural standpoint, but if we're going in terms of realism I think 30,000 soldiers is a little too high for a medieval era roleplay, same goes for Militia. Around the hundred years war era in Western Europe, you'd expect an army to be around 10-20,000 at its strongest.

[The Flame Dawn]

So Nameless, would it be possible to create a kingdom loosely based around feudal Japan. It would be an off to the side country ravaged by civil war between three faction, each owning a claim to the throne.

[Aelosia]

So Nameless, would it be possible to create a kingdom loosely based around feudal Japan. It would be an off to the side country ravaged by civil war between three faction, each owning a claim to the throne.

If you are going to do THAT, I want to reserve the right to make one of those factions. After all, I had almost the same idea. That way we can present it as a only one "feudal Japan" faction instead of two. Simplifies stuff.

Or you can do your three factions and I do mine as a fourth, integrated in the same culture.

Let me know what you think.

[The Flame Dawn]

So Nameless, would it be possible to create a kingdom loosely based around feudal Japan. It would be an off to the side country ravaged by civil war between three faction, each owning a claim to the throne.

If you are going to do THAT, I want to reserve the right to make one of those factions. After all, I had almost the same idea. That way we can present it as a only one "feudal Japan" faction instead of two. Simplifies stuff.

Or you can do your three factions and I do mine as a fourth, integrated in the same culture.

Let me know what you think.

I think we could each control a faction. They would make the most sense. Now if only we found a third player and got the idea green lit... maybe void?

[Ascium]

Ok did some more work changed a few things, what do you guys think?

Kingdom of Valkasia

Important Figures:
High King Valk (34AW-current)
Queen bronca (30AW-current)
High Prince Danr (54AW-current)
Princess Sarana (57AW-current)
Marshal Victor (29AW-current)
Valtar Danes (200BW-130BW)
Bjorn Rai (100BW-40BW)
Strjorn Clagisave (30BW-30AW)
Jorn Danr (450BW-400BW)
Flok Xvastr (400BW-340BW)
High Priest fanki (1BW-current)

Notable traits of
Varkasians:
Muscular(men only), cocky, rash, aggressive, tradition oriented, hairy(men only), xenophobic, family orientated, Religious, knowledge of seafaring, territorial, honor bound, and hardy

Culture

The Varkasians are ruled by a High King who leads the kingdom and its many houses. The jarls are chosen in battle the strongest warrior in the village. Once a better warrior appears he has the right to challenge the Jarl to single combat. If the challenger kills the Jarl then he is the new Jarl of the territory. It's common practice that the former Jarl’s family to be killed so that they don't take revenge on the new Jarl.

Though not all people kill the former Jarl’s family. There are few full-time warriors that live outside of the capital. Several times a year people from all over take up arms in the raiding season. People from farms come to join the raids on the islands to the south of the kingdom. Women regularly join the raids and fight alongside the men. Though men control the society. Women have some say in the day to day matters on the farm and in their households.

There are several coming of age rites throughout a man's and woman's life. At the age of 13 comes the Rite of Arm. Where young men fight the local guards and other young men and the ones who survive may then join the raiding parties and join the guard. Women have the Rite of Womanhood, a rite in which young girls go up to the village shrine for 10 days and seek guidance to their future and on who they will marry. Men at the age of 16 have the Rite of Birth, which the men may now pick a wife. The women at the age of 15 right before they turn 16 go through the Rite of Fertility which gives them blessings and informs them about the Rite of Birth.

They are deeply religious and look to their gods for the answer. Each territory has their patron god. But with each new Jarl they are changed. There are four major gods Aladi, Rogakar, bonca, and Cicla. Aladi is the king of the gods and the patron god of the High King and god of law and order. Rogakar is the god of war, bonca is the goddess of entertainment and fertility. Cicla is the goddess of love and wisdom. Among these there are several smaller gods that arnt very important and are starting to die out.

People:

The Varkasians are a honorable, family orientated, and a religious people. They are strict on traditions and don't stray far from them. They tend to view other people people from other lands as threatening their way of life and something they can raid. They see other countries and nations as corrupt and materialistic. From birth the men are raised to be warriors though not all become warriors. Some work on farms and other jobs that require manual labor. Weaker men do the jobs that require not a lot of heavy lifting.

After the age of 13 men and women are allowed to join the raiding parties and go to the Zarban islands where a small group up indigenous people live. They are raised several times a year. Once they raid, they burn the buildings and kill anyone who resists them. They do not show mercy to the weak. The weak have little to no place in their society. Much of the world refers to them as savages and brutes. Raiding season is spagli-sulsti.

Calendar and date system

The Varkasians run on a 15 month year which is about 24 days for each month. Sulsti (summer) is 3 months long. autari (Autumn) is 2 months long. Winatri (winter)is 6 months and Spagli (spring) is 4 months.

The date system goes by day/year/month so it would look like 4/34/6

Years are split into two times BW and AW which AW means after war and BW means before War. This refers to the Great War.

The Army

The standing army is 15,000 with another 5,000 in militia and citizens that are ready to take up arms.

History

The founding of the kingdom has been passed down generation to generation. It has been written down and kept in the palace in order to ensure the safety of the only written record in the kingdom that is up to date. It all started with Jorn Danr the first high king or that what he called himself. He made it his mission to ensure the survival of his house.

He started to wage war with his weakest neighbors first. These wars became known as the Unification Wars (435BW-410BW). These wars started the kingdom, though expansion to the entire area wouldn't happen for several more years. As the period after the Unification Wars was filled revolts from provinces and the kingdom was focused on staying together. This period lasted up until the death of Jorn Danr in 400BW.

His adoptive son Flok Xvastr ascended to the throne in 385 BW. He was often referred to as Flok Ironfist. In the battle of Fallen Tiber (375BW). Flok expanded the kingdom by adding two houses lands to his own. He was a respected ruler and eventually lead the kingdom to war against the kingdom of Garstan which was to the east of the current held territory at the time. This war would later be known as the Vark war (379-375). The war ended with a standstill at the Garstanian Capital of Vaolkan. Which the seige lasted for six months these until the Garstan crown surrenders.

Over the next couple centuries no ambitious High Kings came about until Stijorn Clagisave. Who expanded the kingdom into the size it is today. An era of peace after the Great War (25BW-1BW). Was a civil war where the high king had to defend his crown against the recent annexed territories.

After the War was won by the crown it was decided to not expand its borders again and focus on the development of current territories and focus on the defense of it.

[Nova Sodor]

Firstly, thank you all for showing such interest in the thread!

Some may possess attributes that we in reality would call strange or mutated, like predominantly white hair and tan skin, more profound canine teeth, or even gigantism and dwarfism to a degree.

Are you allowing psionics under 'strange or mutated'?

I'm not necessarily thinking of the power to melt someone's brain but the more light touch stuff like ESP, 6th sense etc

[Kaidou]

Looks like fun; I think I'll keep an eye on this.

[Nova Sodor]

The city State of Brigstowe

Located on the west coast of Erideon Brigstowe Is a cosmopolitan city state at the intersection of a north south trading route. It also serves as a major port and terminus for the western end of an east/west route.

Brigstowe was a trading port even during the time of the Empire. After the Empire collapsed however it was squabbled over by any number of warlords, each of whom were strong enough to take it but not clever enough to hold onto it. This changed however with coming of Magnus Lorikson who in twenty years united the warring factions, fortified the trading centre and established Brigstow as a trading hub for goods as varied as silk, grain, steel, sugar and spices. Lorikson also established a powerful navy with which to guarantee safe passge to both merchants based at Brigstowe or indeed those wishing to trade with it.

A hundred years later and Brigstow has gone from strength to strength becoming a centre for trade and learning. Within its fortified walls one can expect to find any number of diversions from the legitimate to the not so legitimate. A well organised militia keeps the peace - most of the time.

Brigstowe's current ruler William Chepstow hails from a prosperous Brigstowe merchant family. Prior to assuming the elected office Caerleon had been there and done it. He is a shrewd negotiator and no ones fool. A wry and worldly wise sense of humour endears him to both nobleman and commoner alike both of whom he meets on a regular basis.

One would think that Brigstowe's prosperity would make the city state a ripe target but the fortified walls, militia and powerful navy tends to deter most. There also seems to be an awareness amongst many local warlords that they are better of and more prosperous allowing the status quo to remain.

There may of course come a day when someone does try to take Brigstowe but the city state remains ready for such an eventuality.

Caerleon

Hailing from the city state of Brigstowe Caerleon is the younger son of a minor aristocratic family.

A graduate from Abbey - one of the City's more prestigious schools Caerleon is well educated and possess a working knowledge of history, geography, literacy, mathematics, science (such as it is) and humanities.

After graduation he became an officer in the Militia's Long Range Scouts - a position which tasked him with undertaking patrols far beyond the safety of the city walls to gather intelligence on the military and mercantile manoeuvres of neighbouring states. After six years in service to the city Caerleon honourably resigned his commission.

These days Caerleon is a Courier and procurement agent conducting his business throughout Erideon and beyond. Items he has been rumoured to procure and/courier include a crystal chess set for Canopius the Merchant, a fabled gemstone for Osor the barbarian king, an ancient book of Edison philosophy for Bartholomew the sage and an obscure potion for Sargon the Alchemist.

Caerleon Is a member of the Brigstowe Couriers guild. It is the guild which provides him with food, lodging and support and it is through the guild that he obtains his commissions. His business has given him a comprehensive network of contacts throughout the known world.

Caerleon Is to some extent, a rogue, but then in the shattered land that is Erideon one has to be to survive a walk down Market Street with your money pouch intact. Despite this Caerleon isn't a bad sort. He won't accept commissions from those he knows to be bad, he'll never undertake an action that disadvantages the poor or innocent and his word is known throughout the land as being his bond

Just short of six feet Caerleon is smart, worldly wise and physically fit. Possessed of black hair, blue eyes and a constant stubble, he is often clad in a soft brown leather jerkin and warm dark green travelling robes, he will nevertheless dress appropriately for the circumstances in which he finds himself.

Caerleon is not a warrior but can handle himself well enough. He carries a short sword, dagger and cross bow all of which he is capable of using. If deprived of these he has an understanding of practical unarmed combat and can put any number of improvised weapons to good use as well.

Caerleon's self confidence and down to earth charisma lets him be at ease whether discussing latest skull ball results at the local ale house or negotiating over coffee with a senior member of the merchant's guild.

Caerleon is equally happy and able to survive in urban and wilderness environments and is adept at a range of skills that enable him to do so. Broadly speaking these include carousing, negotiating, gambling, picking locks, disarming traps, sleight of hand, free running/scaling walls, fishing, hunting, camouflage, horsemanship, swimming and healing.

He is also possessed of a sixth sense that whilst not consistent has on occasion warned him of imminent danger.

Starting possessions

Clothes
Short sword
Dagger
Crossbow with ten bolts
Secure money pouch with a number of silver pieces
Deck of playing cards
Several sets of clothes

In well kept lodgings

Lock picks (secreted)
Small library with books on a number of subjects
A number of maps
Supply of silver pieces (secreted)
Food for several days
Assorted paraphernalia (cleaning kit etc)

At bank

Significant sum of silver pieces