Here I Stand
"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other, may God help me. Amen." - Martin Luther
"You know that I am born of the most Christian Emperors of the most noble German nation, of the Catholic kings of Spain…true sons of the Roman church, defenders of the Catholic Faith of the sacred decrees and customs of its worship, who bequeathed all this to me as my heritage and according to whose example I have hitherto lived. Therefore I am determined to hold fast to all that has happened since the Council of Constance. For it is certain that a single monk must err if he stands against the opinion of all Christendom, otherwise Christendom itself would have erred for over a thousand years."- Emperor Charles V
It is the Year of Our Lord Fifteen Twenty One, and Christendom has been cloven asunder. Beginning as a protest against the corruptions present within the Clergy of the Catholic Church, has now flared into a full revolt. Pope Leo X has excommunicated the rogue monk Martin Luther, whose posting of his 95 Theses sparked the beginning of the religious strife that now divides Europe. Attempts for a peaceful settlement led by Emperor Charles V failed at the Diet of Worms, and religious turmoil in Germany may soon break out into full scale war. But the young emperor, ruler of the largest demesne in Christendom, has even greater troubles on the horizon. King Francis I, the King of France, greedily eyes the Habsburg holdings in Italy, and seeks to enrich France at the expense of all others. The German Princes bicker among themselves, some earnestly adopting Luther's teachings, while others support the Protestant cause for personal gain. Little is done to correct the abuses of the clergy, simony and nepotism run wild even in the Vatican itself, despite the efforts of men such as John Eck and Thomas More. The cracks in the unity of Christendom may soon well grow to be great gulfs, and alas, soon all Europe shall now the fury of the Wars of Religion. It is too late for resolution by words, despite the efforts of some noble few. Now cometh the sword.
Greetings, and welcome to Here I Stand, a Roleplay of the turbulent years of the early 16th Century. Players will take control of the nations of Europe and the Near East. Rulers will have to face the political and religious strife of the great upheavals as a result of Martin Luther's defiance of the Catholic Church. Furthermore, one can also sponser artists, scientists, and philosophers who appear in the various courts of Europe from time to time. In this Age of Discovery, one can also fund expeditions to the New World, from which tales of veritable cities of gold have trickled back to to Europe. Indeed, Spanish Conquistadors led by Hernan Cortez are already conquering the Aztec Empire, allying themselves with the numerous enemies of the Aztecs. The Princes of this age have many paths to glory, but also to ruin. The choice is yours.
Political Map
Religion Map
IC
OP - Austria and Bavaria
Co-OP - Of the Quendi
~ Nations ~
United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg - Austria and Bavaria
Holy Roman Empire - Of the Quendi
Kingdom of England - The Clockwork Cities
Kingdom of Portugal - Greater Liverpool
Kingdom of France - Kargintina
Kingdom of Sweden - Soviet Chernarus
Republic of Venice - Reserved for Aleyskia
Canton and Free Imperial City of Zurich - Reverend Norv
Electorate of Brandenburg - Guimar
Ottoman Empire - Oprain
Scotland - Duestchstien
~ Rules ~
1. The word of the OP (Me) and Co-OP (None atm) is law.
2. No Powergaming, Metagaming, etc.
3. Be polite, rudeness is not appreciated. Be considerate and kind towards your fellow players
4. Be reasonable and retain historical accuracy and realism.
5. Please, post regularly. Inactivity is what kills RPs.
6. Don't be too fast. Rome wasn't built in a day, and major changes do not happen overnight.
7. Please, use proper grammar and spelling. Typos and other errors are tolerable from time to time, but consistent poor spelling/ grammar is not acceptable.
Please apply only for nations of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.
Application Format:
- Code: Select all
[b]Nation:[/b]
[b]Coat of Arms, Emblem, or Sigil:[/b]
[b]Leader:[/b]
[b]Royal Family:[/b]
[b]Ruling Royal House or Dynasty:[/b]
[b]Location:[/b]
[b]Capital:[/b]
[b]Religion:[/b]
[b]Allies:[/b]
[b]Enemies:[/b]
[b]Size and Quality of Military:[/b]
[b]History of Nation:[/b]
