Of Iron and Fire (Ancient/City-State/Fantasy, OOC, OPEN)

[Reverend Norv]

Good post, Nu-Amerika. Gylian-Propylean relations are going to be hilariously awkward: the two cities are cultural opposites in basically ever conceivable way. It's going to be great when they have to work together against the dragons.

[Former Citizens of the Nimbus System]

Hurrah! (I've been fascinated by the military evolution of the Roman Republic for several years now and am currently aiming to make studying it [among related things] my career, so... Mmm!)

Well, given that fact, if you still wanted to play as a Sidonian tribe, I'd be more than happy to try to accommodate you. The risk of breaking the mold of the application is always that people will use it as a power-grab. I don't think that would be an issue for you, and your actual historical knowledge is really valuable, so I'm willing to make an exception if the OP is.

While I might try it in future (if people are willing) I think that I'll stick with the new ideas that I'm having for now. Knowing me, I'd form a tribal confederacy at the earliest possible opportunity and go Parthian/Hun/Mongol on the Sidonian colonies. Probably better that that doesn't happen just yet.

Thinking I'll finish the profile for my current entry tomorrow; I need sleep. Still, as a taster:

Welcome to Syros.

Expect slings.

[Tasuirin]

Well, given that fact, if you still wanted to play as a Sidonian tribe, I'd be more than happy to try to accommodate you. The risk of breaking the mold of the application is always that people will use it as a power-grab. I don't think that would be an issue for you, and your actual historical knowledge is really valuable, so I'm willing to make an exception if the OP is.

While I might try it in future (if people are willing) I think that I'll stick with the new ideas that I'm having for now. Knowing me, I'd form a tribal confederacy at the earliest possible opportunity and go Parthian/Hun/Mongol on the Sidonian colonies. Probably better that that doesn't happen just yet.

Thinking I'll finish the profile for my current entry tomorrow; I need sleep. Still, as a taster:

Welcome to Syros.

Expect slings.

Oof. Syros and Thassalos are going to have some real talks, methinks.

Consider having that central island as a condominium?

[Nu-Amerika]

Good post, Nu-Amerika. Gylian-Propylean relations are going to be hilariously awkward: the two cities are cultural opposites in basically ever conceivable way. It's going to be great when they have to work together against the dragons.

Oh I look forward to it

[The Imperial Reach]

Thanks!

I was influenced primarily by the Scytho-Sarmatians, the Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism, and the Amazons when it came to it's creation with some additional influences from Ancient Egypt and Sparta. As much as I am a Grecophile, I wanted to do something more Iranian-based because I was afraid I might end up just being a copy-cut of an actual Ancient Greek city-state and I wanted to avoid that. I also chose an inland location since everybody else was doing a coastal territory, just to make it a bit more unique (and also to discourage most potential attackers ).

Something I forgot to clarify is that they lack any semblance of heavy armor or heavy cavalry; relying on speed, mobility, and agility in combat.

I thought as much. It's a very well designed city you have there. And as you say, the position is advantageous despite not being necessarily coastal, thanks to the presence of two rivers, and all of the trade-ish advantages that brings.

And yeah, the lack of heavy armour in preference of speed is fine. Out of interest, will you have wicker shields? I love the idea of wicker used for armour..

Wicker shields for the lowlier troops, yes, but the average rank-and-file will have standard wood while officers get metal shields.

I'll try to get a post up tomorrow. Oh, and you haven't added me to the map yet.

[Jade Confederacy]

I'll try to get a post up tomorrow. Oh, and you haven't added me to the map yet.

Yes and we should have an official trade route map to couple with the geographical map since trade will play an important role

[Kowloon-California]

Thanks to the advice of the others here, I will proceed as suggested and construct a city-state to the West of Rhea, with some non-Telenian influence in its roots. This was supposed to be finished a few days earlier, but since then there has also been a few other less Telenian city-states. I have since tried to re-emphasize the Telenian influences within my city to compensate. At any rate, I hope this attempt at building some Western Rhea lore will be appreciated.

I mainly tried to build this app around the mystery of several larger inland lakes in Western Rhea without the presence of a correspondingly large river. My idea Masroi and its environs is that it is almost a cross between Tenochtitlan and Babylon, with rich garden towns weaving themselves into the waterscape.

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Kowloon-California

CITY NAME: Masroi

POPULATION: 600,000 - 300,000 urban, 300,000 in the surrounding countryside

SYMBOL OF CITY:
The Winged Lion is a revered symbol of the city, and is regarded as the arch enemy of the Dragon. It is said that in Masroi's hour of need, the Winged Lions will once again return as the city's guardians.


LOCATION OF CITY:

MAJOR COLOURS OF CITY: Royal Purple and Gold, as on the banner of the city.

GOVERNMENT TYPE: Masroi is a consultative monarchy with some theocratic elements. The King is theoretically the chief intermediary between the people and Masroi's pantheon of gods, but practically the King delegates most of the regular religious functions to a removed clergy class. Below the King is the "Council of 1000," which forms Masroi's chief governing body. It is from this pool of talent that administrators are chosen to govern Masroi with the consent of the King. While ostensibly most free men are eligible to participate in the Council of 1000, participation has been limited to those citizens with a respectable name, and wealth to spare. In times of governmental instability, the Kings of Masroi have at times been controlled by a quasi noble class from established families within Masroi.

CULTURE OF CITY:
Masroi is for the most part, a Telenian city state like most others in its oligarchic system of administration. Despite its positioning on the Rhean mainland, it is still fundamentally a colonist city much like the other Telenian city-states spread throughout Sidonia. Founded upon the foundations of a declining barbarian civilization, Masroi's culture is predominantly a Telenian one that has been combined with the way of life enjoyed by the previous inhabitants of the city.

Indeed, it is the unique geography of Masroi that gives rise to its most unique culture quirks. The city itself is situated between the Ocean to the south and a freshwater lake to its north. The rest of the city-state's population live along the network of small freshwater lakes that stretch to the north of Masroi. Once believed to be part of the greater Tigra River Valley, the lakes now feed Masroi's people, and are responsible for the remarkable diversity in plant species in the state.

Over the centuries the people of Masroi have interwoven themselves into the land, building canals, terraces, and farms along the waterfront, and creating a true garden city. Masroi culture revolves around the city's rich spices, fine wines, and colorful dyed fabrics. The musicians and courtesans of Masroi are believed to be among the best in the world, and the city acts as a trade gateway for more exotic goods that flow into the region from the west. An appreciation for beauty is one of the most important traits for a young gentleman to have in Masroi.

Religiously, the city shares the same gods as many other Telenian cities, with the exception of one. The Haxamanid god Xathalos, the god of mercy, is widely worshipped in Masroi. The ancient inhabitants of Masroi believed that it was Xathalos alone who spared them from the same fate as the rest of the Empire, and generations of Telenian colonists have adopted this god as their own. Represented by a winged lion, Xathalos is the arch-rival of serpents, and adorns many buildings and designs in Masroi. While not tremendously more popular than other gods in the Pantheon, Xathalos is the one which all Masroi's citizens return to in their time of need.

CIVIC SPECIALISATIONS:
Masroi's agriculture and terraforming capabilities are the envy of the world. Known as the "Garden City," Masroi is blessed with canals, terraces, gardens, and orchards at every corner. It's markets offer a variety of herbs and spices that are unmatched anywhere else. Subsequently, Masroi's markets are also a major source for dyes, textiles, and spices for other Telenian cities. Furthermore, the city has very competent agricultural engineers and architects, but its technological development is rather lopsided and does not have great command of superb metalworking or a sophisticated philosophical tradition.

MILITARY SPECIALISATIONS: Despite their origins as seafaring colonists, the Telenians of Masroi are only competent sailors at best, and only possess a fleet sufficient to protect its sea trade. Instead, Masroi enjoys a focus on the cultivation of the land. Masroi's citizen phalanxes prefer to use light wicker shields made of fibrous plants and use scale and lamellar armor in order to make up for their deficiencies in metalworking. Masroi's military specialization lies in its archery and ranged implements of war.

In battle, Masroi prefer to allow its phalanxes to provide cover for its archers, who weaken the enemy before its chariot corps close in for the final kill. Indeed, aside from archery, Masroi has a general fascination for ranged combat, from javelins to ballistae. Most well-off citizens in Masroi have practiced archery since a young age, and the typical order of battle is to allow the poor to fight in the front ranks of the phalanx while the wealthy support with archery. While it is still considered honorable to fight for one's city-state in the confines of a phalanx, it is considered eminently more refined to kill your opponent from affar with a well placed arrow.

COMPOSITION OF ARMY: 45,000 men under arms total. 25,000 citizen levy hoplites, 8,000 archers and other skirmishers, 5,000 heavy archers (heavily armored members of the upper class who are also armed with spears and shields), 5,000 charioteers, 2,000 light cavalry scouts.

NUMBER OF SHIPS: 10 Ocean-going triremes, 20 smaller galleys and biremes, 40 merchant galleys.

HISTORY OF CITY:
Masroi, or Masr as it is known in the old tongue, owes its foundations not to the Telenians, but to the people of the Haxamana Xšassa, or Haxamanid Empire in contemporary speech. While regarded as a barbarian people by the Telenians, the Haxamanids laid the groundwork of their civilization long before the Telenian people left their homelands in Eastern Rhea. Nestled along the lush floodplains of the Tigra River, the Haxamanes Empire dominated Western Rhea for eons, with its great capital of Aram built along the shores of the massive Lake Khazar. At the time, Masr was merely a minor city of the Empire, and sent regular tribute to Aram via the Tigra river. The Haxamanid Empire tamed the waters of the Tigra through an elaborate system of canals and aqueducts, giving rise to mighty cities all along the Tigra River Valley.

Some centuries into the reign of the Haxamanid Shahs, a great calamity befell the Empire as the waters of the Tigra River dried up. In the tales of the Old Empire, it was said that during the 4th year of Emperor Cispis, great serpents descended from the skies and waged a war of apocalyptic proportions against the Empire. The fire of the serpents raged so hellishly, that the waters of the Tigra River itself vaporized, and plunged the land into a deep drought. Modern scholars often disregard this explanation and point to other environmental factors that caused the Tigra River to run dry. Regardless of the cause, the calamity destroyed the Haxamanid Empire.

Yet even as the Tigra River's disappearance led to the demise of the interior cities, Masr quickly became one of the most important surviving remnants of the Haxamanid legacy, as the changing watersheds still allowed Masr to flourish alongside a series of large freshwater lakes that were once fed by the Tigra River. Furthermore, Masr's close proximity to the sea also allowed it access to trade with Telenian civilization. Approximately three hundred years before the present period, Masr's ruling classes willingly invited an army under Telenian adventurer Dorus II to pacify a slave uprising and repel invading barbarian tribes.

After the arrival of Dorus II, the Telenians refused to leave and firmly established themselves as the new ruling hierarchs of Masroi. The aristocratic classes of Masr, regretful of their own actions, attempted to rebel. The Telenians were already in control of too much, however, and quickly disarmed the would-be rebellion in a swift night of violence. Soon thereafter, they sent for their families and introduced their own colonists into the city. Before the natives had realized it, they soon found themselves squeezed gradually out of public life as the city began to take a distinctly Telenian character. The aristocratic system of governance was replaced by the Council of 1000, and the new Telenian Kings ruled with the input of their loyal colonists. Despite some unrest, the more egalitarian rule of the Doric quickly won over the locals, and the two populations assimilated into one.

For the last few centuries, the Kings of the Doric Dynasty have kept to themselves, as their relatively removed position has allowed them to stay out of the way of other Telenian power struggles while also offering the city the freedom to participate in trade at their convenience. Thus, generations have lived peacefully as the Masroi has focused on cultivating their oasis, while occasionally fighting barbarian incursions from the north, the now arid lands of the former Haxamanid Empire.

While Masroi is content to continue being the garden city of the known world, the legends of the old Haxamanids have never been forgotten by the Telenian colonists. The calamity which had once allowed them the opportunity to settle upon the ruins of the last ancient empire could happen again, and unless they were prepared, Masroi could fall into despair as well.

#OIAF app - DO NOT DELETE

[The Imperial Reach]

Oh, question in regards to my upcoming post: are oracles an acceptable "fantasy" element? They were a big deal in Ancient Greece, so I'd like to give the queen of my city a "Court Seer" which basically functions as her own private oracle.

[Reverend Norv]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Kowloon-California

CITY NAME: Masroi

Given that we explicitly authorized you to incorporate some non-Telenian influences, that you then pared back those influences back unbidden and of your own accord, and that this is a very good application that shows obvious historical research, I think there's no question that Tasuirin will confirm that you are ACCEPTED.

Oh, question in regards to my upcoming post: are oracles an acceptable "fantasy" element? They were a big deal in Ancient Greece, so I'd like to give the queen of my city a "Court Seer" which basically functions as her own private oracle.

Sure, oracles are everywhere: Propylea has one too, the Roeh of the Crag, adopted from the Sidonians. But like the actual Greek oracles, their prophecies should be exceedingly cryptic and therefore often unreliable and unhelpful. If Tasuirin has a different idea, of course, the OP's views take precedence. But I think that seems a fair approach.

[Jade Confederacy]

I'll try to get a post up tomorrow. Oh, and you haven't added me to the map yet.

Yes and we should have an official trade route map to couple with the geographical map since trade will play an important role

I've made an updated map with trade routes. The red are land routes which are less profitable and the blue are shipping lanes. Cities either with three or more trade links or directly control a trade route is marked with a star, indicating that it is a trade hub.

[Tasuirin]

I thought as much. It's a very well designed city you have there. And as you say, the position is advantageous despite not being necessarily coastal, thanks to the presence of two rivers, and all of the trade-ish advantages that brings.

And yeah, the lack of heavy armour in preference of speed is fine. Out of interest, will you have wicker shields? I love the idea of wicker used for armour..

Wicker shields for the lowlier troops, yes, but the average rank-and-file will have standard wood while officers get metal shields.

I'll try to get a post up tomorrow. Oh, and you haven't added me to the map yet.

Nah, mate, I've broken down in the bush, so it'll be a few hours before I can get you on the map. I'll try my hardest to, though.

[Toaslandia]

Yes and we should have an official trade route map to couple with the geographical map since trade will play an important role

I've made an updated map with trade routes. The red are land routes which are less profitable and the blue are shipping lanes. Cities either with three or more trade links or directly control a trade route is marked with a star, indicating that it is a trade hub.

I can understand why trading with Erlend wouldn't be profitable since they kill people just for wearing foreign clothes.

[Tasuirin]

Yes and we should have an official trade route map to couple with the geographical map since trade will play an important role

I've made an updated map with trade routes. The red are land routes which are less profitable and the blue are shipping lanes. Cities either with three or more trade links or directly control a trade route is marked with a star, indicating that it is a trade hub.

Very good trade map, though at the moment, I doubt many traders would see value in going the long way around Sidonia to reach Erethios. Just not worth it. Though some might go upriver from Propylea to travel less across the land to reach the Sapphire Sea.

[The Imperial Reach]

Oh, question in regards to my upcoming post: are oracles an acceptable "fantasy" element? They were a big deal in Ancient Greece, so I'd like to give the queen of my city a "Court Seer" which basically functions as her own private oracle.

Sure, oracles are everywhere: Propylea has one too, the Roeh of the Crag, adopted from the Sidonians. But like the actual Greek oracles, their prophecies should be exceedingly cryptic and therefore often unreliable and unhelpful. If Tasuirin has a different idea, of course, the OP's views take precedence. But I think that seems a fair approach.

Cool. I'll of course stick to source material in regards to their cryptic and vague prophecies. I was thinking the Ol' Switcheroo specifically: she says one thing which is interpreted as it seems, only for it to in fact mean something entirely different but with roughly the same outcome - yet in this case, the outcome is undesirable.

Say for example the story of King Croesus of Lydia being told at Delphi that if he goes to war with Persia, an empire will fall; he assuming she meant the Persians' but in fact it was his own that fell. Basically like that.

Wicker shields for the lowlier troops, yes, but the average rank-and-file will have standard wood while officers get metal shields.

I'll try to get a post up tomorrow. Oh, and you haven't added me to the map yet.

Nah, mate, I've broken down in the bush, so it'll be a few hours before I can get you on the map. I'll try my hardest to, though.

No worries! Take your time, I'm in no rush.

[St George Territory]

I've made an updated map with trade routes. The red are land routes which are less profitable and the blue are shipping lanes. Cities either with three or more trade links or directly control a trade route is marked with a star, indicating that it is a trade hub.

Very good trade map, though at the moment, I doubt many traders would see value in going the long way around Sidonia to reach Erethios. Just not worth it. Though some might go upriver from Propylea to travel less across the land to reach the Sapphire Sea.

Yeah, I've been working on another trade map, I'll post it if you'd like

[Kowloon-California]

Good to be accepted! Looking at the trade map, I imagine that Masroi would be the furthest most western trade destination, perhaps carrying goods from further beyond the region west inwards towards the regional hub in Thassalos.

EDIT: Can't spell city names right

[Tasuirin]

Right. Work finished, car fixed, back home, done maps and roster. Let me know if I've missed anyone.

Good to be accepted! Looking at the trade map, I imagine that Masroi would be the furthest most western trade destination, perhaps carrying goods from further beyond the region west inwards towards the regional hub in Thalassos.

On that note, I don't see any reason why trade wouldn't go through Thassalos also, so...

[Farahdeen]

Yes and we should have an official trade route map to couple with the geographical map since trade will play an important role

I've made an updated map with trade routes. The red are land routes which are less profitable and the blue are shipping lanes. Cities either with three or more trade links or directly control a trade route is marked with a star, indicating that it is a trade hub.

Alternatively, there's this:

[Tasuirin]

I've made an updated map with trade routes. The red are land routes which are less profitable and the blue are shipping lanes. Cities either with three or more trade links or directly control a trade route is marked with a star, indicating that it is a trade hub.

Alternatively, there's this:

...
No...
Plez...
Nooo...

[Robo-Nixon]

Why, with all my respect laid before me, do you, oh suppository of wisdom beyond my imagination, not prevail in this fight?"

Was that an intentional reference to Tony Abbott?

RIGHT haha. Not intentional, but I do realize now where that particular phrasing came from. It seemed so savvy when I wrote it and now it really does not.

@Nu-Amerika is Gylead known to share its expertise with other States? I may send off an envoy asking to employ/borrow engineers for siege weapon construction.

@Farahdeen Sypria will definitely receive an envoy that I'll set-up for my next post. Any clues as to what the City's interests are?

And while my scheming proceeds I'm completely forgetting about dragons. Maybe I'll think up some omen about fire and have my people interpret it as a prophecy of ensuing victory.

[Tasuirin]

I can accept if this is taken badly (me being OP, so it may be seen as me trying to further my position) but would anyone mind if I made Thassalos' 300,000 population be citizenry, while the rest are non-citizens, relegated to outside of the walls? It won't change current military numbers - in-line with my very elitist view of Thassalos, they won't even be considered fit for military service. Just wanted to check here if anyone had any issue with me adding, perhaps, 250,000 non-citizens. Looking back, it kind of doesn't make sense for the supposed de facto trade capital (at least historically) to have such a low population comparatively.

[Robo-Nixon]

I can accept if this is taken badly (me being OP, so it may be seen as me trying to further my position) but would anyone mind if I made Thassalos' 300,000 population be citizenry, while the rest are non-citizens, relegated to outside of the walls? It won't change current military numbers - in-line with my very elitist view of Thassalos, they won't even be considered fit for military service. Just wanted to check here if anyone had any issue with me adding, perhaps, 250,000 non-citizens. Looking back, it kind of doesn't make sense for the supposed de facto trade capital (at least historically) to have such a low population comparatively.

I would not mind at all, I just hope I wasn't part in starting a population arms race with cities. But I would like if you did this because I've sort of wanted Thassalos to be the equal rival of Salenippos in terms of foremost great power in Pelagia.

[Tasuirin]

I can accept if this is taken badly (me being OP, so it may be seen as me trying to further my position) but would anyone mind if I made Thassalos' 300,000 population be citizenry, while the rest are non-citizens, relegated to outside of the walls? It won't change current military numbers - in-line with my very elitist view of Thassalos, they won't even be considered fit for military service. Just wanted to check here if anyone had any issue with me adding, perhaps, 250,000 non-citizens. Looking back, it kind of doesn't make sense for the supposed de facto trade capital (at least historically) to have such a low population comparatively.

I would not mind at all, I just hope I wasn't part in starting a population arms race with cities. But I would like if you did this because I've sort of wanted Thassalos to be the equal rival of Salenippos in terms of foremost great power in Pelagia.

Ach, I think, in retrospect, maybe I should have capped population at 500,000 to make the 300,000 more in-line with a major-sized power in the region. I think a lot of people went higher, which is fine, but I underestimated said higher numbers. But no, not necessarily an arms race. I won't go higher than this. If you're okay with it, I'm not sure too many others will have issue with it.

[Robo-Nixon]

I would not mind at all, I just hope I wasn't part in starting a population arms race with cities. But I would like if you did this because I've sort of wanted Thassalos to be the equal rival of Salenippos in terms of foremost great power in Pelagia.

Ach, I think, in retrospect, maybe I should have capped population at 500,000 to make the 300,000 more in-line with a major-sized power in the region. I think a lot of people went higher, which is fine, but I underestimated said higher numbers. But no, not necessarily an arms race. I won't go higher than this. If you're okay with it, I'm not sure too many others will have issue with it.

I say go for it. I've also sort interpreted population as not only city population but population of the city state as a whole.

[Tasuirin]

Ach, I think, in retrospect, maybe I should have capped population at 500,000 to make the 300,000 more in-line with a major-sized power in the region. I think a lot of people went higher, which is fine, but I underestimated said higher numbers. But no, not necessarily an arms race. I won't go higher than this. If you're okay with it, I'm not sure too many others will have issue with it.

I say go for it. I've also sort interpreted population as not only city population but population of the city state as a whole.

Eh, I s'pose. Right. Gonna do it!