Concept:
This thread is simply to work out how much interest there is in a concept like this, and if it's there, I'll be writing up descriptions of each of the various kingdoms, races and mythical sights of the land!
Of Hearts and Men is a mild-fantasy, character-based Role-Play. Set in the fictional land of Sola. In this RP, you’ll be playing as one of the numerous Barons, Counts and Dukes of the Heartlands - a region comprised of hundreds, if not thousands of independent states, who’ve only been able to maintain their sovereignty due to the conflicting interests of the neighbouring great powers, and the direct, sworn protection of the Reichgard in the north. In an almost Holy Roman Empire esque system. In this world, magic is a rarity - almost mythical in nature - with the number of people able to wield it, countable on a single hand. Mythical beasts such as Wyverns, Gryphons and other such creatures of legend continue to walk the Earth, with the most fearsome and rarest of them being larger creatures, such as: The mighty Dragon, or Kraken.
The technology level of this RP can be best described as ‘High Middle Ages’ with Crossbows just beginning to come into mainstream usage and plate-armour more common than ever. Unlike our world’s high middle ages, however, the population of this land is exponentially larger, due to increased fertility, long-periods of peace, abundance of farmland and the lack of any seriously devastating diseases. Though, soon - much of this will change, and the world of Sola will be plunged into anarchy. With the increasingly militant White-Star in the South mobilizing, rumours of a lethal plague spreading throughout the Aldori Confederation and wild beasts growing bolder by the day, all across the Heartlands.
The focus of the RP will largely revolve around the intrigue and diplomacy leading up to the Great War, which will commence when the White Star’s armies march against the Heartlands, many of the Heartlanders will likely betray their own and join the invading forces in hopes of gaining spoils in the aftermath. While many others, will choose to march alongside Reichgard and whatever other allies they’ve amassed to defend their homeland. The war playing out in the second chapter of the RP.
Recent History:
The Empire of the White Star has seen rapid expansion in recent years, her armies making quick work of the small border-kingdoms that once separated her from the Confederation Aldori’s mainland holdings, as well as the immensely wealthy Rhodia. Her territory said to have grown by 10% in the last six years. Her fresh levies and reinforcements from the East, following her subjugation of the Eastern steppes and deserts giving her an immense and highly experienced force believed to be numbering in the hundreds of thousands, if not just breaching a Million. At first, many thought little of it - the White Star’s territorial claims to the East had long been known, and few were surprised when she mobilized her forces against the Sultanates and Nomads.
What did take people by surprise, however - was when those very same armies took a swing at the North. First devouring the Kingdom of Potsk, then the Kingdom of Felraven and finally the Republic of Toulasse. Alarm quickly spread, for now the Empire’s armies stood fully mobilized and primed to strike at Auchland, Rhodia and the Confederation - in a hurried panic, treaties were signed, the Rhodians and Auchlanders pledging to rally to one another’s aid should either of them be attacked by the Empire, but sadly, the Confederation was not to be so lucky - for as the Emissaries made their way to her lands, to sign a similar treaty. They found her fate was to be the same as Toulasse, Potsk and Felraven. Imperial troops had crossed the Dalmere river and decisively defeated the 12,000 strong Confederation Army garrisoned there. The war had already begun.
Quickly Auchland and Rhodia called their banners, rallying their forces - but something was wrong. The Duke of Helvanthia never sent the troops he’d pledged to his king in Auchland, instead his armies quickly crossed the borders of his Duchy and seized three key fortresses just outside his forest from the Auchlander royal forces. And now continue marching north, looting the land and setting ablaze to any settlement they encounter, threatening to cut the Auchlanders off from their Rhodian allies. Many suspect, the Helvanthian duke may have been given assurances by his White Star neighbours in the south. And perhaps even support in the form of a vast Mercenary Army.
In the North, Reichgard has reiterated its support of the Heartlanders, stating that should the Empire march beyond the mountains and into their lands, the full might of the Reich will be at their backs to meet the threat, and put an end to it - once and for all.
In the East, another war brews - with Rustania laying claim to Ostland’s southern woodlands and mountains, with each side’s allies at one another’s throats too: Konigsant, a dedicated ally to Rustania urging them to strike, so that they have the Casus Belli they’ve long awaited to move into the Ostland tributary Ostant’s territories. Meanwhile Telant pushes both sides towards war, so that the great powers are distracted with one another, leaving them free to march into Coplant and annex the fledgling Kingdom, who’d only recently found unity, after a twenty-year civil war.
Further information on the two key regions:
![[Border Map]](https://i.imgur.com/ZGVMqUe.png){kind=link}
![[Terrain Map]](https://i.imgur.com/r8KaTR3.png){kind=link}
