13th Century City States (RP Group, Open, OOC-Signups)

[Routcher]

Welcome, friends, to an RP group taking place in the 13th century, in which we all control fictional city states.
As you may have seen on the interest thread, this is not a one-off RP. Events that happen in this group will create an over-arching lore (that has nothing to do with your NS nation- usually) and members will be free to create their own threads, even ones that do not effect the entire group. However, it is not a region, and anyone can sign up to play.

While this does take place in a historical time period, with no magic or fantasy creatures, this is very much a fiction universe. The map will be inspired by real-life Italy, but it is not Italy at all. You can do anything with your city that you like, so long as it feels realistic.

ACTIVE THREADS: Diplomatic Feast

{A map will be made after a few signups have occurred, so those who apply before the map is made will get to describe what the area around the city is like so when the map is made, your spot will feel custom made for you!}

Code: Select all

SIGN-UP:

NS Username:

City-State Name:

City-State Government Form:

Ruler's Name:

Brief History:

Describe the area around the City-State:

Briefly describe your culture:

Other Information:

FACTBOOK THREAD: https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=418135

[Shwe Tu Colony]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Shwe Tu Colony

City-State Name: Nerak

City-State Government Form: Oligarchy

Ruler's Name: Karen Kresha

Brief History: Nerak was once a simple collection of towns & villages, but with a combination of force & diplomacy, they soon united themselves as the mercantile city-state of Nerak, rapidly trading throughout the region & potentially becoming wealthy.

Describe the area around the City-State: Mountains to the north & north-east, sea to the east, natural harbor in the sea, slightly hilly terrain, small amounts of iron in the mountains, slightly arable land, some forests nearby, some gem deposits in the area

Briefly describe your culture:
City-state: Nerak's location was not particularly blessed in resources, so even as disunited towns & villages, constant trade flowed in & out of them. Usually, they were artisans that used what little resources near them to create items that other city-states likely would have wanted to buy.
Culture's culture: The city-state's culture borrows small amounts from most other civilizations nearby due to Nerak's constant trades. Otherwise, the culture is one rich with folktales & folklore, each village & town having its own distinct culture.

Other Information:
Nerak's army makes use of high-quality bows
Has a quick fleet of ships that are usually in constant trade with many locations
Not particularly acceptive of refugees

[The Arks]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: The Arks

City-State Name: Santa del Sud

City-State Government Form: Holy Order (Rule by a holy order of knights, like the Knights of Malta)

Ruler's Name: Laurent de Beaune

Brief History: Santa del Sud was formerly known as Isola a Sud, or the Island to the South. It served as a major trading port between the north and the south, and thus became one of the first cities conquered by any kingdom or empire seeking to cross the inland sea. With the fall of the Roman Empire, it obtained and fiercely held onto it's independence, using it's ancient castles and economic power to fight off would-be conquerors. As a result, it remained independent until 1178 AD, when the still primarily pagan city was captured by a holy order of knights during a crusade. The city's famed Temple of Zeus was converted into a massive cathedral, with the pagan decor destroyed, and the city's Oracle turned into the capital of the Holy Order. The Inquisition quickly followed, and purged the city, turning it into a stronghold for the Catholic church. Due to the Timothy's visits to the island in the New Testament, Isola a Sud was renamed Santa del Sud, or Holy South.

Describe the area around the City-State: Primarily a Mediterranean climate on the coast, with rocky and mountainous terrain in the center of the island. A dormant volcano is present on the island.

Briefly describe your culture: The city is officially Catholic, however there are still hidden Muslim worshipers and those secretly who follow pagan deities. The people are seafaring and known to be fierce but patient hagglers, making them famed merchants. Due to the city's location, there are a variety of races and cultures present, but the government is quick to stamp out any heresy or blasphemous behavior. Every few months there is at least one good riot, but they seem to be occurring more often, as the people have never been fond of invaders.

Other Information: Santa del Sud is one of the few nations to allow women to own land-- likely due to it's pagan heritage. It has very little in the way of natural resources outside of domesticated animals, iron, ores, and agriculture. It does have a large waterfront, however, and aside from trade it's main industry is shipbuilding.

[Routcher]

I will have an app of my own up soon as well.

[Routcher]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Shwe Tu Colony

City-State Name: Nerak

City-State Government Form: Oligarchy

Ruler's Name: Karen Kresha

Brief History: Nerak was once a simple collection of towns & villages, but with a combination of force & diplomacy, they soon united themselves as the mercantile city-state of Nerak, rapidly trading throughout the region & potentially becoming wealthy.

Describe the area around the City-State: Mountains to the north & north-east, sea to the east, natural harbor in the sea, slightly hilly terrain, small amounts of iron in the mountains, slightly arable land, some forests nearby, some gem deposits in the area

Briefly describe your culture:
City-state: Nerak's location was not particularly blessed in resources, so even as disunited towns & villages, constant trade flowed in & out of them. Usually, they were artisans that used what little resources near them to create items that other city-states likely would have wanted to buy.
Culture's culture: The city-state's culture borrows small amounts from most other civilizations nearby due to Nerak's constant trades. Otherwise, the culture is one rice with folktales & folklore, each village & town having its own distinct culture.

Other Information:
Nerak's army makes use of high-quality bows
Has a quick fleet of ships that are usually in constant trade with many locations
Not particularly acceptive of refugees

Approved!

[The Vrree Nations]

Question: just how historical is this setting? Is it set in a fictional region of our world in the 13th century, or is it a completely fictional world that happens to resemble 13th century Italy?

[Routcher]

Question: just how historical is this setting? Is it set in a fictional region of our world in the 13th century, or is it a completely fictional world that happens to resemble 13th century Italy?

It is the latter. The intent is for us to have a lore that doesn't have to feel crammed into the real world.

[The Vrree Nations]

Question: just how historical is this setting? Is it set in a fictional region of our world in the 13th century, or is it a completely fictional world that happens to resemble 13th century Italy?

It is the latter. The intent is for us to have a lore that doesn't have to feel crammed into the real world.

I see, thank you. I think I might use one of my alts for this that I rarely get to use, but would be an excellent fit for this I think.

[Cuprum]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Cuprum

City-State Name: Vitellia

City-State Government Form: Republic

Ruler's Name: Podestà Livia Drusilla

Brief History: The city was gradually born through the aggregation ("synoecism") of several villages around the largest one, placed above a mountain where the acropolis wa This aggregation, signalling the passage from a proto-urban to an urban situation, was allowed by the increase of agricultural productivity above the subsistence level, which allowed the establishment of secondary and tertiary activities, these boosted the development of trade and increased the population of the city considerably.

Describe the area around the City-State: The city covers an entire hill, the Hill of the People, and was built on seven levels, culminating in the Citadel at the summit. Each level was about 30 m higher than the one below it, and each surrounded by a white wall, with the exception of the wall of the First Circle (the lowest level), which was black. The outer face of this outer wall, the lowest, was made of black stone; it was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.

Each wall held a gate, and each gate faced a different direction from the one in the next lower wall. The city's main street snaked up the hill and through each of the gates.

Briefly describe your culture: The citizen live their lifes without a repressed and closeted and deeply ingrained sociopathic attitude towards freedom in all aspects to escape from the political, social and religious anxieties of current era.

Other Information: N/a

[Keftios]

Note: this is the same player as the Vrree Nations above.

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Keftios

City-State Name: Mallia

City-State Government Form: Oligarchic Republic (but very monarchical in its trappings)

Ruler's Name: Navvia Xakro, Dogessa of Mallia

Brief History: Mallia has been a trading city since as long as anyone can remember. Taking advantage of their strategic location on a major trading route, Mallia was soon able to build a robust trading network. They also built up a large and skilled navy to protect themselves from pirates and rival nations.
Mallia used to be a monarchy, but that came to an end about 500 years ago when the last king of Mallia went mad and was overthrown. Today, government is shared by the Grand Families, who between them control most things worth controlling in Mallia.

Describe the area around the City-State: Mallia is located on the eastern end of a large island that it does not completely control, located in the southern part of the region near an important sea passage. Much of the terrain is rugged and mountainous. The slopes are heavily forested with stands of poplar, cypress, oak, and cedar. Mallia does not have much arable land, but what it does have is very fertile. The city of Mallia is located around a small bay into which a short river flows. Located on a plateau overlooking the city from the south is the palace of Mallia, which serves as the seat of government. Outside the city are a few farming and fishing villages.

Briefly describe your culture:
Mallians are not a warlike people, preferring trade and living the good life to making war. However, they will defend their honour and property when they must. Indeed, Mallians are stereotyped as a hot-blooded and contentious lot. Most of the time they are easy-going (if a bit pompous) and are known to be a very tolerant and cosmopolitan people. The Mallians are known for the many unique aspects of their culture, of which they are very proud.
Mallia is a culture centred on seafaring and all that goes with it, including fishing, trade, shipbuilding, and of course naval concerns. This influences Mallian culture in numerous ways, from food, to metaphors, to the concept of civic duty.
In addition to their nautical prowess, the Mallians are known for their fine crafts, including woodwork, pottery, painting, fine red wines, and richly-patterned fabrics.
Most Mallians are polytheists who worship a pantheon of gods similar but not identical to many of the deities worshipped in other city-states of the region.

Other Information:
Mallia is poor in mineral resources and must import them.
Women are allowed great power and independence.
The much of the culture of Mallia is based on the ancient Minoans.
The head of state is called the Doge (fem. Dogessa).

[Routcher]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Cuprum

City-State Name: Vitellia

City-State Government Form: Republic

Ruler's Name: Podestà Livia Drusilla

Brief History: The city was gradually born through the aggregation ("synoecism") of several villages around the largest one, placed above a mountain where the acropolis wa This aggregation, signalling the passage from a proto-urban to an urban situation, was allowed by the increase of agricultural productivity above the subsistence level, which allowed the establishment of secondary and tertiary activities, these boosted the development of trade and increased the population of the city considerably.

Describe the area around the City-State: The city covers an entire hill, the Hill of the People, and was built on seven levels, culminating in the Citadel at the summit. Each level was about 30 m higher than the one below it, and each surrounded by a white wall, with the exception of the wall of the First Circle (the lowest level), which was black. The outer face of this outer wall, the lowest, was made of black stone; it was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.

Each wall held a gate, and each gate faced a different direction from the one in the next lower wall. The city's main street snaked up the hill and through each of the gates.

Briefly describe your culture: The citizen live their lifes without a repressed and closeted and deeply ingrained sociopathic attitude towards freedom in all aspects to escape from the political, social and religious anxieties of current era.

Other Information: N/a

Approved!

[Routcher]

The Arks and Keftios have been approved. We have enough to get started, so tonight when I am off work, I will put in my app and start the IC thread.

[Vietmihn]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Vietmihn

City-State Name: Nariti

City-State Government Form: Kingdom with an elected Advisor

Ruler's Name: King Hevti Nariti

Brief History: We started as a small city with 100 people by the river, and it grew and grew, so now we have 60,000 people. We love to trade and build things.

Describe the area around the City-State: Plains in the center and west, hilly in the east, river through the middle that leads to the ocean.

Briefly describe your culture: Respects Elders, Respects those in a higher social ranking then you, we are a very water based culture. We have a lot of ships that trade and fight, and we love to build.

Other Information: We have coal and gold in the hills.

[Routcher]

NS Username: Routcher

CS Name: Rafigan

Government Form: Military Oligarchy (Council of Warlords headed by the Supreme General)

Ruler: Supreme General Alfonso Bega

History: A group of settlers made their way to the mountains to avoid war and persecution at home. Eventually, bandits and raiders became such a problem that they militarized to cleanse the mountains of the menace. Now, centuries later, they seek aggressive expansion.

Area: Rafigan sits in the middle of a mountain range in the north part of the region.

Culture: Very militarized. Think of Sparta in real life in terms of military life. However, the arts scene is also pretty big, and if it were richer, it may even become an important contributor to art and literature.

Other-Information: Given it's location in the northern mountains, any kingdom that wants access to the region will most likely have to enter with Rafigan's blessing. Rafigan has repelled invasions of the region in the past. That said, any city state that wishes to access the north must either do so by sea or with Rafigan's blessing, which usually involves a lot of money.

[Routcher]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Vietmihn

City-State Name: Nariti

City-State Government Form: Kingdom with an elected Advisor

Ruler's Name: King Hevti Nariti

Brief History: We started as a small city with 100 people by the river, and it grew and grew, so now we have 60,000 people. We love to trade and build things.

Describe the area around the City-State: Plains in the center and west, hilly in the east, river through the middle that leads to the ocean.

Briefly describe your culture: Respects Elders, Respects those in a higher social ranking then you, we are a very water based culture. We have a lot of ships that trade and fight, and we love to build.

Other Information: We have coal and gold in the hills.

Approved and welcome!

[Routcher]

For our first IC thread, I was thinking a regional feast, where every body could get involved and have a chance to make friends and enemies before wars start happening. Not every rp will involve every member of the group, but it is important for the first rp to involve everyone.

That said, who wants the opportunity to be the ones to host this feast? I can still write the IC thread, but I don't think my militarized brutes in the north care for hosting such things!

[Nelmezzo]

Tag. If I decide to use this nation again at some point I might make an app...

[Cuprum]

For our first IC thread, I was thinking a regional feast, where every body could get involved and have a chance to make friends and enemies before wars start happening. Not every rp will involve every member of the group, but it is important for the first rp to involve everyone.

That said, who wants the opportunity to be the ones to host this feast? I can still write the IC thread, but I don't think my militarized brutes in the north care for hosting such things!

Some kind of Olympic games without the religious background?

[The Arks]

My city could host such an event-- although non catholic Nations would be understandably hesitant.

[Cuprum]

My city could host such an event-- although non catholic Nations would be understandably hesitant.

Is a fictional universe, so there is no pope or catholics unless someone creates them.

[Keftios]

I would be willing to host such an event. Mallians love good food, drink, and music, as well as feats of athleticism. They are also no stranger to hosting foreigners, but some visitors might be uncomfortable for the opposite reasons as in Santa del Sud.

Also, it might be nice to have a factbook thread where we can describe our city-states more.

[Routcher]

My city could host such an event-- although non catholic Nations would be understandably hesitant.

Is a fictional universe, so there is no pope or catholics unless someone creates them.

Indeed, although I did approve his app without bearing that in mind, so we can safely assume some forms of Christianity exist, although maybe not as we know it today.

Keftios will host the event, IC will come soon, as will a factbook thread. Thank you for bearing with the slow beginning, I've been working evenings all week, and on Wednesday and Thursday I will finally be off and give this the attention I want.

[Keftios]

Keftios will host the event, IC will come soon, as will a factbook thread. Thank you for bearing with the slow beginning, I've been working evenings all week, and on Wednesday and Thursday I will finally be off and give this the attention I want.

Alright then, I'll start planning for the event. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

[Routcher]

FACTBOOK THREAD

Will be added to the OP for easier access.

[Cuban Syria]

SIGN-UP:

NS Username: Cuban Syria

City-State Name: Vudon

City-State Government Form: Republic // Constitutional Monarchy

Ruler's Name: Grand Duke Théophile Calvet // Matthieu Bessette

Brief History: Ever since the founding of Vudon by a group of settlers, the wealthy city of almost 40,000 was built on two values- peace and prosperity. The relatively kind people are very religious, with there religious beliefs stemming back into the 4th century- making it a very new religion!

Describe the area around the City-State: Next to a very long river which leads into a large lake, surrounded by mountain ranges to the north, east, and west.

Briefly describe your culture: Very religious, respectful, wise citizens who take nothing for granted. Elders are the most respected peoples of Vudon, and held to a high standard.

Other Information: Natural-resource rich. Very free. Wealthy residents and citizens.