Elementals 3: The White Rose (OOC, FANTASY, OPEN)

by **Constaniana** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:01 am

Elementals: The White Rose

Kassaran wrote:once a semester
so be it as the gods willed
glorious return

Kassaran wrote:I continue to wait with baited breath. Like a fisherman who is happily getting drunk waiting for a nibble on his line.

-Concerning the stately pace that this fine work of fiction progresses at

Elementals 1, in all her weird un-canonical glory.
Elementals 2, which this RP is a continuation of.
Veterans of The Black Beast shall only need to read the "How the World has changed" spoiler unless you lot feel like looking at the new god pictures I put in the first paragraph, or you want a recap, or you're in a nostalgic mood.

Backstory

In the beginning, before the world of mortals was born, there was a cataclysmic war in Heaven. The Loyal Host, made up of Pryastar, god of Fire; Hydrata, goddess of Water; Terestark, god of Earth; Boaltist, god of Lightning; Veridaelia, goddess of Nature; Froenstia, goddess of Ice; Aewiallia, goddess of Wind; and Ferruoston, god of Metal, sided with the god of Creation, Jaehlhadon, against his traitorous and corrupted son, Tenaembra, god of Darkness, Black King in the Void who had been banished from Heaven from trying to use the power of the Void for his own to surpass the other Gods and dominate all of creation. The war was won by the Loyal Host, but only barely. Knowing what needed to be done to stop Tenaembra from starting another war with the power of the Void, Jaehlhadon sacrificed his Divine and Perfect form to bring form and shape to the seething, chaotic void and to transform it into an orderly, peaceful universe that the Loyal Host could fill with their own creations. As a final act before this new universe was created, Jaehlhadon created one last god: Caelstion, the Shining god of Light.

And thus the Universe was born; Terestark and Ferruoston forged the planets, Hydrata filled the basins of the rough spheres with her Water, Pryastar made boiling lakes of lava beneath the earth, and blazing balls of Fire in the unfathomable spaces between the worlds, which Caelstion lit up to ward off darkness and death. Veridaelia covered the land in lush, viridian forests brimming with life, and Aewiallia tenderly pulled the rain clouds across the skies. Froenstia crowned Gaiaca and countless other creations with mighty polar ice caps. Boaltist's Lightning sent divine energies crackling down below. And once the universe was physically formed, there was one last act of creation the Loyal Host undertook; to create man. Taking attributes from all their Elements they combined them into two beings that walked upright the same way the gods and goddesses did. But Tenaembra had not accepted final defeat, and vowed to continue his war against his brothers and sisters.

The Black King in the Void sent his own creations to attack the world of Gaiaca. First came the ferocious, beast-like Demons, commanded by the Daemonnes; beautiful, cunning creatures that looked like men and were far more powerful than their savage counterparts. And for untold thousands of years they fought against the Angels and Angelles of Caelstion, and the magical superhuman servants of the Loyal Eight, the Elementals.

Finally, the cycle of divine war came to a cataclysmic end. Both sides sought a final, supreme advantage over the other, and the winner of the celestial arms race would either save Gaiaca or turn it into a ruined husk. Sacrificing nearly the entirety of his Hellspawn army on Gaiaca, Tenaembra reforged his foul creations into an unholy abomination, the Dæmonic Behemoth. The mindless monstrosity lived only for destruction, obliterating everything in its path. At great cost the monster was stopped by one of the mightiest Elementals and his army, the Scarlet Legion of His Imperial Majesty, Olbruni Villdera the Great, the emperor of Galllia, but at a terrible cost. The emperor, and most of his army, including Olbruni's three remaining heirs were slain by the foul beast. With the end of the Villdera dynasty and the innumerable losses they had suffered in the other parts of the world the age of the Elementals ended; the mythical race of superhuman heroes had been too depleted fighting the war. Caelstion's host continued to guard Gaiaca from the Heavens, stopping any further Demonkind from reaching the world of Men. A thousand years passed, as the Galllian empire slowly stagnated and crumbled without the might of the Villdera dynasty, losing its grasp on the Elcrescian continent and the isle of Eresiln over time. Magic faded away the world as the Elementals that used it found themselves blamed and persecuted by the common men for all the ills of life, and either hid their powers or fled into the wilds, away from civilisation.

The Great Dæmon War faded into the forgotten stories of old men, as the centuries rolled past and the countries of the world began to make war upon one another instead. Nearly 50 years ago tensions between the numerous kingdoms that now covered the face of Galllia flared beyond what anyone had ever seen, and war erupted across the land. Battle after battle dragged on, with cities and provinces constantly changing hands to no avail. No end was in sight; nothing could make the awful war worse, or so the suffering Galllians thought.

From out of the Void came one of Tenaembra's most fearsome servants, with an army at his back: Demon King Kayarost. The most powerful, cruel, remorseless of all the creations of the Black King in the Void, Kayarost quickly went to work pillaging and destroying the land, sweeping aside the technologically sophisticated humans with the sheer might of his innumerable host. As the Demon King marched on Villdernheim, the mighty island fortress-city that had been home to the Galllian emperors so long ago, it seemed there was nothing to stop him. No human army dared fight against Kayarost's dark army; to do so was suicide. Resigned to their inevitable defeat, the defenders of Villdernheim evacuated the civilians of the city while preparing for their deaths. They waited for days, and days, and no army came. The men of Villdernheim sent forth riders to find Kayarost's host. They did not succeed in that endeavour. Instead, they found the crushed remains of the Daemonic army, their foul black blood soaked into the earth like the rainwater of a hurricane. Mountains of Daemonik corpses burnt in pyres, with ash cloaking the ground and choking the air. And in the very epicentre of the carnage lay Schwarterong, Kayarost's dark sword, shattered to pieces. It was the only thing left of the Demon King, as his body was never found. Amazed by whatever divine grace had saved them, the states of Galllia put an end to their war, forming a confederation called the United Galllian Federation, and began rebuilding. Fifteen years passed, and the world seemed at peace.

But peace is always so fleeting, isn't she?

Panic had brought the land together to band against what was expected to be years and years of invasions from Hell. But after it became clear that there were no more hellspawn marching upon the world then the old rivalries and grudges of the Great Galllian War of 1733-63 rose to the surface once again. The South resented the North again, Reldenshire and Galdentonhold went back to utterly despising one another, and everyone else seemed to agree that the Krieghold were bloody menacing. Economic disputes joined the fray, ranging from regional income inequality to slavery and child labour. Isolationism became the Galllian foreign policy by default, as no consensus could be reached as to which of the competing alliances the old states had forged should be kept. Topping it all off was the rise of a revolutionary group known as the Watchtower Society. They preached that the Elementals were responsible for all the ills of the world, and that the nobility, being descended from their magical hierarchy, needed to be violently overthrown. Ridding Gaiaca of her Elementals was the only way to ensure the Hellspawn would never attack again, as they would have finally triumphed over their ancient enemies. Their main activities seemed to be stirring up trouble in town squares, but in secret they carried out horrific biological research.

The board was finally all set. The opening move plucked the unsuspecting Prince Kroisoto Kirschbaum Alschwert Van Aurenheim, third son of the Duke of Auregen, from his holiday home at Bristhill Manor in the spring of 1778. Unknown assailants kidnapped the Aurennian aristocrat without claiming responsibility or demanding a ransom, which fuelled speculation over which faction had done the dirty deed. A few weeks later, on the 22nd of April, another kidnapping took place in Haventown, a settlement in the foothills of central Albrion. This one most certainly did not attract the attention of anyone outside the county at the time, but in time it would perhaps prove to be just as important. The victim in the latter crime was a young maiden named Heilaga Valakreig, a waitress at the Galloping Mare Inn. The culprits were the Watchtower Society, who were in town trying to recruit new followers. Oddly, they were very intent about specifically taking Heilaga, and witnesses later quoted them as saying they had been specifically sent to Haventown to kidnap the blonde lass. The one who actually kidnapped Heilaga was a man named Nyroko, who teleported away using Darkness magic. Guards were summoned, and the other Watchtower agents were arrested.

But a police investigation was not enough to satisfy one person: Aldraniri Alsvidster, the boy across the street who had loved her for all his life. The orphan redhead left his comfortable life as a blacksmith's apprentice to find his best friend and defeat the Watchtower cult. Along the way he discovered his own powers over Fire, and would be joined by various companions; some were valiant and stalwart, like the Ice Elemental Tristan Frost and the wisecracking sage Eric Lumen. Some walked strange paths, like the tragic Ero-San and the slime girl Blue. Others would spend the majority of their time in comas yet somehow manage to occasionally stagger their way back to the group for a few hours before slumbering for another epoch. Another one who joined the Albrian was the missing Kroisoto, who had been in the Galloping Mare and fought against the Watchtower agents during their attack. He sought the aid of the heroes in making his way back to Auregen in safety to try bringing an end to the growing crisis. Together they fought their way through Watchtower bases and delved into an Inferno, a cavern-world between Gaiaca and Hell where another member joined the party: Lisoette the Daemonness, a surprisingly sweet and naive lass who fell in love with Tristan.

The heroes set the Inferno to collapse and escaped through a portal to the port city of Erilhall, in the northeast of Galllia. Several new Elementals joined the band here: Jinmao Temujin and his adoptive sister Guan Aisha, a Wind and a Fire Elemental respectively, and both Sahranjjite aristocrats. A mute Ice Elemental named Trish also became associated with the group after her iceship conveniently landed near some of them. The group discovered Watchtower had a base beneath the College of Bracksbure in the city, where Heilaga was possibly held captive. Guided by a plucky local photographer named Walter, they infiltrated the place by night and discovered the cult had huge stockpiles of human, hellspawn, and even Elemental blood they were using to make twisted monsters. They didn't find Heilaga, but the base was destroyed by a mysterious heavenly blast, and the heroes rode out of the city on horseback.

Three weeks passed before they reached the outskirts of Auregen and met Prince Peorshine, Kroisoto's eldest brother. At last the quest to return the missing prince was at an end, and to celebrate achieving that goal the group split up to do fun stuff in Auregen. Surprise surprise, WATCHTOWER ATTACKED!!1! But more unusually some Daemonne assassins attacked the castle, failing to kill anyone before they were slain. The Lightning Elemental Rachael Shatterhammer aided in the defence of the castle and joined the band of wandering heroes. Duke Bismarke had them all over for dinner, and gave them some intelligence of suspicious robed folk up in the mountains since their Watchtower trail had gone cold. So they set off yet again, without Kroisoto. After a few days and getting lost they found a curious cave with dead bodies outside, and naturally stuck their noses in. They thought it was another Watchtower attack. They didn't suspect they would find actual worshippers of Tenaembra. The wicked priests were driven out in a grim battle that the party spoke little about when people would ask in the years after.

Returning to Auregen, the group gave their report to the duchess and were sent on a different mission to the Fair Hills resort. Technically they were sent as elite bodyguards for Kroisoto and Peorshine, who had diplomatic business there, but everyone saw it as a nice holiday. Sumptuous foods were eaten, sandcastles were built, and a thong was worn by Eric. But things took a dark turn in the meeting between Lord Peorshine and the federal representative when the latter offered to arrange a coup against his father placing Peorshine in control of Aurennia decades earlier in exchange for pledging loyalty and complete deference to the Federation. This enraged Peorshine, who stormed out of the meeting.

At the same time explosions began to rock the resort, as it was revealed it was hiding a Watchtower compound underground. On the beach a 24-foot monster created by the cultists emerged, evidently the cause of the unfolding disaster. Tristan and Kroisito rallied most of the group in a spectacular magical battle against the abomination while a few members, such as Eric and Erosen, delved into the enemy base. The monster was slain with great effort, but when its corpse slammed into the earth and exploded it sent tremors that completed the destruction of the Watchtower base. There was an Inferno portal that the cult had constructed, and when it broke its wibbly-wobbly spatial energies dispersed the main characters across the globe, leaving only Kroisoto and Charlie left on the beach at Fair Hills. The chapter of Aldraniri's band questing to find Heilaga came to a close.

Geography

Map of Galllia and Eresiln
Map of Elcrescia

The old world map was on TinyPic, which went down. Therefore as a quick reference where the continents are in relation to one another: Galllia is the western continent, and Halvefor is near it. Elcrescia is the easternmost continent, Sahranjja is to the south of them both, though closer to Elcrescia, and Yuelkelu is close to the middle of all of them.

With regards to the calendar system in use in Gaiaca, there are 12 months in a year, with a similar pattern of seasons to our northern hemisphere. Coincidentally, their names sound awfully, suspiciously similar to the English names for the months of the year. The years are counted in Galllian Crowning Calendar, which begin with the time that the seed of the Galllian Empire of antiquity was planted with the merger of the ancient kingdoms of Albrion and Aurennia-Erid. The current year is 1781 G.C.C.

Values of the various currencies in Gaiaca

Magic

Magic is split into two tiers based on complexity. An Elemental can cast their magic without speaking, like bending from the Avatar series, but this magic is limited in what it can do. More complex actions require spells with set chants. Further complexity, and therefore power or unique capabilities, may be added through means such as singing the spell, holding certain items, runes drawn on the ground, and so forth. Elementals recharge their magical energy simply by resting, though certain plants or tonics may speed this process along. To be more specific on the capabilities of each Element...

Magic items, a.k.a Mageforged pieces: There are Elementals skilled at enchanting objects, a process referred to as mageforging. Mageforged objects are mostly relics from the Villdera era, although there are still a few who have had the skill passed down from ancient artisans. Mageforged equipment generally serves as a multiplier for an Elemental's own magic, and it can be made from either metal or fabric. Larger pieces of fabric seem exponentially better at containing magic, which would help explain why Elementals like big flowing capes and/or robes. The gods have been known to bestow particularly powerful versions of these items upon their favoured champions.

Races

~~100 yard dash, Monaco Grand Prix~~

Gaiacans/Mortals

Men: Humanity, normal people, and so forth. Usually somewhere between five to six feet tall, depending on all sorts of things from their diet to their ethnic background to random luck. Not able to wield magic, even artefacts enchanted by Elementals. There's an awful lot of them, and they can be surprisingly tough and stubborn, which helps explain how they've avoided being wiped out by the Hellspawn. Can expect to live between approximately 70 to 100 years.

Elemental: Elementals look like humans, though typically are noticeably taller and have hair or eye colour respective to their Element. Other boons include left-handedness, superior senses, greater strength and speed, and resistance to poison and disease, courtesy of their blue blood. An Elemental can easily live to be over a hundred, assuming they don't die in battle as they often do. Some heroes of legend were even said to live for two or three centuries. There also exist a few mental differences, or traits that alter both body and mind, that tend to occur in these magical superhumans. It is worth noting there are always exceptions to these rules.

The Questing Instinct is the name usually used in the sagas to describe a mixture of wanderlust combined a knack for getting mixed up in confrontations of good and evil. Learning fighting styles at an accelerated rate is also part of this attribute, as it enables a naive teenage Elemental adventurer to survive and overcome much more experienced villains. Furthermore, the Questing Instinct often guides lone Elementals to forming parties, as their paths cross and they find themselves fighting the same foe. It varies how much of this is unconscious versus intentional, with these holy warriors sometimes joining forces at the direct behest of their patron gods after being shown a dream, or in a few miraculous cases conversing with a deity face to face. As an Elemental grows in their power they can find others of their kind even more easily as they learn to sense magical auras.

Pheromones are more significant to Elementals than Humans, but there are not nearly as many ancient texts on the subject that survive compared to more easily seen traits. All Elementals have some capability of communicating a few things through scent; the aura sensing ability is said to be as linked to smell as taste is in men. Nature Elementals have the most skill in this area by far, and are capable of broadcasting all sorts of messages through their pheromones with little or no training, compared to the years it may take the bearer of a different Element to attain such a skill. These scents are thought to help fertile, eligible Elementals pair off more quickly, like a prince and princess meeting for the first time in a fairy tale. Another universal pheromone some old texts speak about is one that gives Elementals a significant charisma boost over Men, making them natural leaders.

Hellspawn

Demons: These are the front-line soldiers of Hell. Demons are ferocious beasts who come in many shapes and sizes, usually have horns, and are bred and engineered for a staggering number of different specialities. Depending on the type they may be capable of using some Darkness magic, but it will only be a select few spells specifically related to their function. The most common kind is a red-skinned humanoid with enough brainpower to use pikes, swords, crossbows, and other weapons. Another breed popular with the forces of evil is the crystal demon, a four-legged brute clad in a shell of stone armour embedded with crystals that hone Darkness magic into powerful destructive beams, equally capable of killing a man or blasting down a fortified wall. Countless other types exist, bred for war across Gaiaca and the rest of the universe, or serving various needs of their creators down in Hell.

Daemonnes: A Daemonne or Daemonness has many similarities to an Elemental. After all, both races were made in the image of their creators, and Tenaembra has the same general shape and appearance as the other gods. A Daemonne boasts the same advantages over a human that an Elemental does (greater strength and speed, height, etc.). One difference is that their blood is green instead of blue.

Other physical differences include the presence of horns, wings, and tails, the shape of which can vary from individual to individual. Spaded tails, pointy curved horns, and bat-like wings are the most common type though. In addition to the same more exotic hair and eye colours Elementals can have, Daemonnes have a greater variety of skin colours, such as shades of red or blue. Daemonnes seem incapable of dying from old age.

Daemonnes all wield Darkness magic. Most focus on "pure" styles of dark arts, but some Daemonnes choose to imitate one of the other Elements, conjuring sickly green flames, poison winds, and so on. The one Element they cannot replicate is Light.

Heavenborn

Angels: The celestial counterparts to demons. Angels also take numerous animalistic forms, albeit ones far more pleasing to look upon. These creatures are very rarely seen upon Gaiaca, and practically never without an Angelle there to direct them.

Angelles: Heaven's version of a Daemonne or an Elemental. They have large, feathered wings, and their concentrated magic forms a halo above their heads. Angelles mostly wield Light magic, as they are creations of Caelstion. Some of them will enter the service of one of Caelstion's siblings, gaining usage of their Element. This species bleeds yellow, almost gold. They seem to have less of a Questing Instinct amongst their young people. Like Daemonnes, Angelles are immune to dying of old age.

Science & Technology

Technology, at least in Galllia where the story is set, is generally comparable to the 1840's/50's of Earth. The most noteworthy exception is firearms technology, stunted to a level closer to the early 17th century A.D. because of its relative newness and scarcity. Telegraphs and railway lines are hindered by the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure in a world where the beasts of the wilderness are much tougher to fight off than in ours. Industrial technology has been improving by leaps and bounds in Galllia for the past 50 years, sparked by the 30-year-long Great Galllian War, the prosperous 15 years of peace after the formation of the United Galllian Federation, the Wide Northern War, and now the urgent needs of both Galllian blocs to rearm, rebuild, and seize technological supremacy. It remains to be seen how these new discoveries and machines spreading out to the rest of the world will change the balance of power. A timeline of assorted prominent inventions is listed below:

Modern Canals: first one of the modern era built in southern Galllia in 1705. The Great Kreighold Canal, largest modern canal, completed in 1726. It helped the Kreighold subdue its many smaller neighbours in the Great Galllian War (1733-63), vastly expanding its territory to the west and east.

Steam engine: invented in Galllia in 1736 G.C.C.

Steam locomotive: invented in Galllia in 1760.

Steamboat: invented in Galllia in 1754. Experiencing a boom on both sides of Galllia from investments made during the recent war.

Gunpowder: invented in Sahranjja on an unknown date. Earliest use as weaponry appears to be in 1040's when a Sahranjjite expedition used arrows ignited by gunpowder and a few primitive hand cannons to put down rebelling tribes east of the Iron Wall in the Desert of Damnation. With foreign travellers very rarely having any access to Sahranjjite military technology and the Eternal Empire's isolationist policy at the time, it would be centuries before the weapons spread elsewhere. Not until the mid-1500's did gunpowder first began spreading through the rest of the world after foreign observers discovered them during the course of the War of Beiriu Independence in 1521. Galllia has been the most successful part of the world in developing this technology further.

Rockets: though they have been infrequently used by Sajranjjite forces since the development of other early gunpowder weapons, not much has been made of them, and they were primarily used for fireworks. The Commonwealth of the North is rumoured to be researching them heavily

Telegraph: invented in Galllia (specifically Villdernheim) in 1770. The federal government invested a large amount of resources into setting up telegraph lines to major government and military installations across the continent. The network suffered from similar challenges to railway lines, such as attacks by wild monsters and the inherent difficulty of keeping it all in working condition across such long spans of territory. During the Wide Northern War many of these lines were torn up by troops from both sides depending on who controlled the territory. The Kingdom of Dal Calain is reportedly very interested in building a telegraph network, especially throughout the steep mountains that dominate so much of their land.

Photography: Invented in Eresiln in 1719. The development of the camera has come a long way with regards to miniaturisation, speed, and reduction of cost. A decent photography shop can have a portrait taken, developed, and printed in as little as 45 minutes. There are several varieties of handheld cameras. Flash cubes are one of the latest innovations, being a more compact version of protruding flash bulbs that can be used multiple times before they need changing, and were first devised in the late 1760's. Some inventors are tinkering around with colour photography, though it will probably be several years before those experiments bear fruit.

Characters

Character List:

Katya Kuznetsov, Garmiccian emissary, and her retainers, and Alexei "El Big Boi" Petrov-Lazarian
Eric Lumen the Hippy Knight and Belle Lame the Angelle of Fire, as well as Lucian Brightmore, Son of Eric-Ameriganastan
Aerion d'Autriche, the Tortured One-Woodstovia
Erosen "Ero-San" Arnyek, the Disgraced Darkling-Kassaran
Tristan Frost, Champion of Ice, and Trish Vetrigart, the Prophetess; Hakkon the Prince of the Mountains-Zarkenis Ultima
Everard "Ev" Mallow-Reverend Norv
Ulric "That Weird Man" Graymane, Master of Mageforging-Esternial
Willis Phillips, the Architect of Project Shamballah-Observation Post 13
Kendra Seafarer, the Young Trapmaker-Western Fardelshufflestein

NPC Directory

A helpful discussion on the dangers of hydrogen peroxide. I was perusing the old OOC and thought this was a gem worth sharing.

by **Constaniana** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:01 am

Countries of the the Continent of Galllia

The Continent of Sahranjja

Population: 40,800,000	Language(s): Sahranjjite, Yutvakish	Demonym:Sahranjjite
Government type: Absolute theocratic monarchy	Head of Government: His Holy Imperial Majesty, Emperor Sieurmarr Tzunrin Akhbar Otmixaan XIII	Head of State: His Holy Magnificence, Anointed of Heaven, Sovereign of the Sands and Seas, His Holy Imperial Majesty, Emperor Sieurmarr
National Map	Capital City: Alte-Mehdrus	Religion: Omnsaatism
Currency: Riakuuns	Major exports: Clockworks, rice, gunpowder, slaves, porcelain	Major imports: Silver, sulphur, spices

"Sahranjja was an old empire when Adrathur the Great first brought Albrion and Aurenia-Erid together, and sits down in the south of the world. The only things she borders is the sea and a dirty great desert full of savages, bandits, scorpions, serpents, lost ruins from the days when the whole eastern chunk of their continent wasn't exclusively giant piles of sand or scraggly, cracked earth, and possibly demons. But they've got a giant wall that's 900 feet high and all made of metal with thousands of their giant crossbows along the top that got put up by Elementals thousands and thousands of years ago, so they generally don't have to worry about things getting through. Generally the only time things from the desert get through is when the Sahranjjites want it to, like slaves or exotic animals to sell, and whenever some adventurer comes back claiming to have found wondrous lost artefacts. But I've heard the actual country itself is much more hospitable once you head more westward, where the cactus gets swapped for olive trees, the sand dunes become rice paddies, and every living thing isn't trying to kill you or feast on your soul or whatever happens in that cursed desert. They used to rule Yuelkelu and Beiriuk, but that was hundreds of years ago. And they're reputed to be quite good with mechanical and alchemical matters." -Aldraniri Alsvidster, 1778 G.C.C

As the quote above explains in direct Northemen speech, Sahranjja is an ancient, advanced society. They were once the great rivals of the Galllian Empire of antiquity, though the combination of a declining of their civilisation and the renewal of Tenaembra's offensive against humanity drove the two great powers together into an uneasy alliance for centuries. However, it did not take long for the Sahranjjites to put aside their alliance once the war ended with the deaths of the Demonic Behemoth and the Villdera dynasty, and within seventy years they had conquered Beiriuk from the Galllians. The Sahranjjites set up the client state of Fajji-Beiruk, which lasted until 1521, when the Beirukese threw off the last vestiges of their southern conquerors.

Isles of the Sea

Population:9,050,000	Language(s): Halvefori, Yutvakish	Demonym: Halvefori
Government type: Absolute monarchy	Head of Government: The Crown, currently held by House Haljen	Head of State: King Desphan XII
National Map	Capital City: Ventaregne	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Dulcace	Major exports: Jewellery, pottery, silks and silver	Major imports: Grains, coal, lumber

Generally considered the second-strongest nation in Gaiaca, Halvefor is much stronger than might be expected for a nation of its size. While its army is mostly equal with the other smaller nations of Gaiaca, the real military strength of Halvefor is its impressive navy, which even manages to keep nearly technologically equal to the Federal Galllian Navy and the Commonwealth Allied Navy. Halvefor's strength is not only dependent on its mighty fleets, but through coin and international trade, which is widely conducted through the Grande Merchant Flotilla. The recent unification of Galllian and the consolidation of her trading ships into the Galllian Merchant Navy has the kingdom worried about the potential slip in influence, though there is little Halvefor can do it at the moment without antagonizing her titanic neighbour.

Halvefori are a short, quick-footed people, generally recognisable by curly brown or auburn hair, olive skin, and occasional goldenrod eyes; traits said to have been passed down from the ancient Halfe-Folk that once lived in the western isles of Gaiaca. For most of her history Halvefor has been a fairly homogeneous society, and when individual foreigners came to settle in the kingdom, whether for business or because they had married Halvefori sailors, they generally integrated into Halvefori society without much trouble. Lately though, increasing numbers of escaped slaves, primarily from Sahranjja, have been coming into the kingdom, hoping to find somewhere more out of reach for Sahranjjite slavers than Yuelkelu or Dal Calain. Often coming from the numerous nomadic societies that exist in the deserts beyond Sahranjja's Great Iron Wall, these foreigners have a much more difficult time integrating, which has led to mounting racial tensions in the Glorious Kingdom.

Population: 2,975,000	Language(s): Yuelkelunah, Galllish, Halvefori, Sahranjjite	Demonym:Yuelkelunah
Government type: Federal elective monarchy	Head of Government: Consul Padraktu Akamu Kumoku Va-Oalah'amekonnig	Head of State: Consul Padraktu Akamu Kumoku Va-Oalah'amekonnig
National Map	Capital City: Vasutkiiao	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Island Danethrum	Major exports: Tourism, tropical fruits, salt, shells	Major imports: metals

Yuelkelu is perhaps the most peaceful country in all of Gaiaca. The archipelago has the fewest incidences of Hellspawn incursions of any recorded civilisation, and few wars against man as well. Little is known of the founding of Yuelkelu, aside from myths which vary across the archipelago. Their general arc is the same, consisting of sailing over to the islands from some lost land approximately four or five thousand years ago, but details differ. On some islands they say their distant ancestors came from the south, and others they say it was from the west. Some say they came in giant canoes, others say they were carried by whales or turtles, others say they were brought down from the heavens in a giant pelican. One similarity most of the tales share is that they were led to the isles by a nine-foot tall giant named Yuelkelu, and his people inherited his enormous stature. The average height in Yuelkelu is not quite so high, at least in the modern period, but it is about a whopping 6' for men and 5'10" for women, making the people of that country stand out whenever they go abroad. The high-quality, widely accessible diet of the islands, mainly consisting of abundant fish and fruit, is suggested to play a role in helping the Yuelkelunah grow so big and strong.

For thousands of years Yuelkelu's posterity spread out across the vast number of islands around them with minimal outside interference. Rather than large-scale wars the Yuelkelunah typically fought each other through raids stealing flocks of do'pollodo, perhaps the most famous of Yuelkelu's indigenous species. The do'pollodo is a large, flightless waterfowl resembling a silver chicken, but with longer legs and an elongated, bulbous beak that can smash open a coconut. They have an average height of four feet, and have plenty of delicious meat on them. However, even to the current year the birds remain only somewhat tame, as they live best hunting fish, crustaceans, small reptiles, and fruit over a large range on land and sea. Attempts at raising them entirely in captivity make them overly fat, ruins the quality of their meat, and often ends with the birds dying prematurely from stress or territorial/hierarchical fights provoked by limited space and overcrowding. The Yuelkelunah have accepted that do'pollodos will roost in structures built by man, but come and go as they please. When the time comes to eat one the bird does not meekly go to the slaughter; it has to be tracked in the wild and defeated in combat.

Do'pollodo raids typically occurred in two different ways. Poaching individual fowl as they hunted out on the seas, out of sight from their keepers, was the common way, and could lead to light skirmishes between canoes armed with slings or bows. A more drastic, dangerous tactic, employed either during a time of great starvation or especially bloody feud, was the stealing of eggs during breeding season. Raiders on a mission like this were much more heavily armoured in order to battle two forces. There was the matter of the actual humans of the enemy tribe; sometimes a raiding party would make a surprise attack on them and try to take them all out first. Other times they would try their best to sneak past them unawares. But there was no escaping the bloodbath that would ensue once the do'pollodo realised their nests were under attack. Ordinarily a solitary hunter, do'pollodo have been known to successfully gang up on sharks in packs between six to eight members strong. Overpowering possible hundreds of the birds, fuelled by parental rage, was as daunting a prospect as any. It was unheard of for attacks of this type to be made with no men from the invading force being killed.

by **Constaniana** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:01 am

Countries of the Continent of Elcrescia

Population:28,700,000	Language(s): North Elcrescian Galllish	Demonym: Garmiccian
Government type: Stratocratic feudal monarchy	Head of Government: Emperor Jeremiahde VI and the Imperial Military High Council	Head of State: His Imperial Reclaimant Majesty, Emperor Jeremiahde Ottos Norn-Darekuth VI
National Map	Capital City: Schloersteein	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Garthrum	Major exports: Gemstones, fish, furs	Major imports: Wheat, brass, gunpowder

Elcrescia's northernmost nation is also one of her most militaristic. The discipline and tenacity of the Garamiccian Imperial Army is known throughout the world, and is regarded as one of the finest military forces on Gaiaca, despite the lower amount of cannons and muskets they have in their possession. The Garmiccian Empire is a major world supplier of unrefined gemstones, using the wealth it gains by selling its sapphires, rubies, garnets and topazes to fund their military. They tend to be fervently patriotic, just like the Yelhenneins to the south of them, and this mutual aggressive nationalism causes many minor skirmishes along their border, although thankfully they have not led to war yet recently. Common Garmiccian is a disgusting bastardization of Gallian and the various tribal languages of the North. It's a mess. Northern Garmiccian has a second set of characters (it's Cyrillic script) and is more commonly spoken by peasants, commoners, and Northerners. Common Garmiccian is prominent in the Capital and the larger cities in the South. This is commonly spoken by soldiers, merchants, and the nobility. Most Garmiccians can understand a smattering of both languages, although if you grabbed a fisherman from the north and a merchant from the south, they'd have quite some difficulties communicating. This linguistic pigsty is often viewed as the reason why the name of the country is written as both Garmiccian and Garamiccian, and nobody can figure out what way it is actually supposed to be spelled.

The Garmiccian Empire came into its current state in the year 1135, with the conclusion of the Final Mahine War, when the soldiers of the Kingdom of Garcemus sallied forth past the River Mahine for the third and final time against the last bastion of the Galllian Empire in the continent of Elcrescia. The first two Mahine Wars had been produced scant gains for either side. Garcemus had triumphed in the first Mahine War through a rapid surprise offence, securing more arable farmland and a major trading port, but the Galllian Empire had repelled the second assault and took the opportunity to punish the upstart kingdom by retaking the land it had lost in the previous war and then pressing into Garcemus before the kingdom sued for peace, having underestimated the power the ageing empire could exert upon Elcrescia. But rebellions in Galllia and Ereslin distracted the Imperial army. While the amount of troops withdrawn to assist in suppressing the uprisings seemed like an amount the Elcrescian colonial forces could afford, Garcemus was undergoing a radical change that would alter the course of history.

The shame and anger the people of Garcemus felt over their defeat in the war, from the common folk to the military aristocracy, was inflamed by the efforts of an ambitious commander and soon-to-be revolutionary Viscount Arcadeus Norn, a descendant of the same Lucrais Norn who had become emperor of Galllia and nearly defeated Czcibor the Great, the Tyrnâthmen chieftain who led the first successful revolution in Elcrescia against the Galllian Empire. The king and his supporters, the "cultured" elite, were out of touch with the needs of the people of the nation! Their homeland stood on the brink of being subjected to a corrupt foreign power, and what had saved them? Not an army well supplied by the king's government! His government was more feeble than Galllia's! Only an arrogant wish to have Garcemus humiliated had spared their nation from being absorbed into the empire of red once more. It was time for King Gregory and House Grartin to be removed from the throne, and for a new sovereign to be crowned! Such was the sentiment pervading the common classes and military brass, and Viscount Arcadeus saw himself as the answer to the prayers of his countrymen. He carried out a successful coup, executing King Gregory, as well as his closest relatives and allies, banishing any of the remaining royals who opposed him along with the nobles who had supported the old king and who were unworthy of any power in the eyes of Arcadeus. With his power consolidated, the new king of Garcemus set about expanding and improving his military, exceeding the Galllish expectations of how quickly the kingdom could replenish its soldiers and equipment.

As the year 1134 G.C.C had come to an end so did the power of House Grartin, and the third blitz campaign began in the spring of 1135. The Galllian colony fell before the onslaught of Garcemus, but the war would not come to an end when Arcadeus's dominion spanned the full length of the northern peninsula of Elcrescia. Fearing the upset of power King Arcadeus would bring with the expansion of his nation's power, a coalition army from Tyrnâth, Margnon and Yelhennei marched against Garcemus. But the new king was as crafty in diplomacy as he was strong with a sword, and had entered a pact with Dal Justarn and Ilfalia. The main backer of the anti-Garcemus coalition now found their southern and western borders under attack, and much of the troops intended to march against Arcadeus had to be diverted to the other fronts. Arcadeus repelled the Yelhennei-Margnon invasions, before making various offensive campaigns against them. While he was unable to keep control of much of the territory he took from his enemies it began to wear down their morale. The coalition forces had expected a quick war to punish the expansionist upstarts, and were now constantly under the threat of being conquered. The war ended when Arcadeus seized the territories of Loscverg and Maedkol and offered to arrange a peace treaty between the fighting nations. When the war was over and the snow came again in 1135 G.C.C Arcadeus Norn was firmly the King of Garcemus. But he had held defiant against the combined might of the great powers of Elcrescia. He had defeated the Galllian Empire in battle and driven them from the continent once and for all. By his blood and his glory, Arcadeus felt he deserved more than mere kingship. There would be a new emperor upon Elcrescia, and a new nation. The kingdom of Garcemus had been purged like King Gregory. Now, Arcadeus would be known as Emperor of the Garmiccia!

The current ruler of the Garmiccian Empire is His Imperial Reclaimant Majesty, Emperor Jeremiahde Ottos Norn-Darekuth VI, though he came to power through force. The actual heir to the previous emperor is Prince Siegfried, who is in exile in Norenhall. The new emperor has been working hard to standardise the military and update it for a modern era with muskets and cannons. As such, the Garmiccian Imperial Army is extremely formidable, forged from veterans and techniques adopted during the Civil War twenty years ago. In contrast, their navy is sorely lacking, composed largely of privateer vessels which vary dramatically in quality.

The Garmiccian government is a single Emperor presiding over a stratocratic council of roughly twenty to thirty generals, barons, and dukes. There is no real differentiating factors between these, asides from their rule over a parcel of Garmiccian land. One noteworthy fact is the simplicity of Garmiccian peerage compared to other successor states to the Galllian Empire. One of the reforms made by Emperor Arcadeus was eliminating the noble ranks of viscount, earl, and margrave, as well as the lower rank of baronet. The Emperor is free to issue edicts and laws, which must be obeyed by all members of the council, but asides from that, as long as the council members pay their taxes and abide by the edicts, the Imperial government is relatively lax.

Rural Garmiccian society is largely manorial in nature, with most smaller villages being composed largely of farmers or fishermen dependent on a liege for protection and governance. These minor lords are often chosen by their village and are not officially appointed by the government. These minor lords swear fealty to a Duke or Baron, which in turn swears fealty to the Emperor. Commonfolk are not tied directly to the land, but labor movement is relatively infrequent due to environmental dangers and familial ties. Due to the relatively low amount of resources distributed to the Imperial government, small towns are relatively left alone by both nobles and Emperor alike. Some are communal societies, all sharing land and shelter together - and others are miserable hovels under the boot of a local warlord. Literacy is very low in these areas, and most Gallian stereotypes of Garmiccians come from these simple commoners.

Urban Garmiccian society contrasts dramatically with its rural counterparts. Typically, the governing noble of a region will hold his seat of power in the largest city, running the affairs of the city directly. Cities, unlike villages, operate under a market economy, and the political power within them is typically held by guilds. It is not uncommon for the political elite of the city to also be the economic elite as well. A certain percentage of all resources produced are sent as tribute to the Imperial government, and the Emperor's government has an enormous presence in these urban areas. Despite the existence of a relatively educated middle class, there is no voting nor free speech in the cities. Social mobility is rather low, with apprenticeships guarded closely and often transferred down family bloodlines. The best method of social mobility in Garmiccia is through military service - in periods of peacetime, Imperial soldiers are often town police forces and magistrates. Much of the wealth sent to Jeremiahde's government is used to enforce the Imperial military that sustains the state. "Might makes right" is an oft said phrase. Garmiccian soldiers are known for fighting like dogs down to the last man, due to commonly spread religious beliefs about reincarnation, along with the potential to rise up in status.

A depiction of the Garmiccian Empire, chronicled by scholars at the Imperial College, courtesy of Lazarian

Population:8,210,000	Language(s):Maedric Galllish, Old Tyrnâsh	Demonym: Tyrnâthmen
Government type: Constitutional corporatist monarchy	Head of Government: Duke Olaf Wuoscard, Chancellor of the Breirette	Head of State: His Majesty High King Eizmond Krogos Czcibor Zustel II
National Map	Capital City: Tragask	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Czcicoin	Major exports: Medicinal herbs, timber, walnuts	Major imports: Metals, stone

A troubled nation with a long, dark past. The oldest surviving country on Elcrescia, Tyrnâth first came into being nearly nine centuries ago in the year 893 G.C.C when the Galllian Empire's stagnation after the end of the Villdera dynasty and the great wars with the Demonkind reached a critical point. The people of what is now called Dal Calain, simply referred to as Dalstras in those days, were the first to rebel against the weakening Imperial control, but their efforts were unorganised, and suppressed by the Galllian military. But a Tyrnâthmen chief named Czcibor Musilvak studied what he could of the battles, discreetly gathering information from rebel survivors and Imperial eyewitnesses and reports. Anger and resentment over the harsh treatment of Dalstras in the aftermath of the uprising began spreading amongst the defeated rebel's northern neighbours. Czcibor was keen to use that spirit to his advantage in his efforts to make himself the leader of all Tyrnâthmen clans, drive the Galllians out his lands and establish himself as High King of the new kingdom of Tyrnâth. Czcibor rallied his people to war, winning the initial battles against the Galllian army, led by the veteran General Krustifki. Krustifki's health declined due to illness, and his command post was assumed by a rising star in the Galllian Imperial Army named Lucrais Norn. General Norn was a much more cunning and aggressive commander, turning the tide of the war against Czcibor.

As victory lay within the empire's grasp Lucrais saw his popularity surge within the Empire and the Galllian homeland especially. Though Lucrais was not merely a beloved general; he was eleventh in line for the throne of the Empire. General Norn had gotten into conflicts with his extended family and the imperial bureaucracy over a number of matters relating to the military, ranging from wanting better wages and pensions for the troops to cutting the pay of higher-ranking administrators to fund the improvement of the roads the soldiers walked on to advocating an invasion of Sahranjja as retaliation for a series of privateer raids. Fearing that Lucrais would continue in his defiant course and raise a rebellion to overthrow the current emperor and remove those closer to ascending to the throne once his victory was complete his kin influenced the Emperor to replace General Norn with a commander more loyal to the empire than Lucrais. Prince Norn was ordered to return to the Galllian continent, to "protect him from attempted assassination by sinister and subversive rebellious curs" and given a command post far in the north, commanding the home guard based in what was then known as Brackhall. Lucrais had been putting up with this sort of thing for all 39 years of his life, and this latest incident gave him the opinion that the scheming royals had been hoping to suppress. He raised rebellion in Galllia, drawing away military resources from Elcrescia and allowing Czcibor to triumph in his rebellion. Lucrais would return to Elcrescia to try reconquering the land, but Czcibor's victory inspired rebellions elsewhere in the empire, and Tyrnâth remained independent.

The new kingdom would continue to grow in power and wealth, reaching the height of her power around 1080 G.C.C. During its golden age the high kings in Tragask reigned from the Estwetches to the River Pilipz, and from Orleskvurg, a city they founded, to the southern ends of the great Dalstras Mountains, with Margnovia and petty Serestian states east of Pilipz as vassals. From then on the expanding power of Yelhennei and Garcemus, the forerunner state to the Garmiccian Empire would diminish Tyrnâth's land and influence in the north of Elcrescia, while a rise of Dalstras nationalism would begin to eat away at the kingdom's southern territories through open wars between the rival kingdoms and rebellions by the citizens wishing to join with the nation of their ancestors and kin. As the centuries passed the prominence of Tyrnâth would wane, as the attention of the world was more occupied with the affairs of other nations. Yelhennei and Margnon united with the marriage of their royal families, and the Galllian Empire's last vestigial territory in Elcrescia fell to King and future Emperor Arcadeus.
But in the year 1666 Tyrnâth would soon be thrust into the centre of attention once more.

The Musilvak dynasty had lost power over the kingdom in 1098 after the death of the childless High King Arnthon, and dynastic changes gradually became more and more common in Tyrnâth, though not to the degree that they occurred in the Dalstras, and without effects like changing the name of the entire country whenever a new House took control of the throne. However, the change in power that would happen in 1666 was even less expected than Arcadeus Norn's coup. Who would replace High Queen Annabel upon her death was a complicated question, with numerous competing claims to the throne. Civil war was expected, but the stronger claimants to the throne of Tyrnâth began to be killed off in mysterious circumstances. Through numerous poisonings, hunting accidents and "natural" deaths the heir to the throne became a distant cousin of the queen, an odd woman from the eastern forested regions of the kingdom named Âsuage Frostbirch, who many claimed she was a witch. Her reign began benignly enough, but her laws grew increasingly draconian, and Queen Âsuage's armies grew increasingly large. Tyrnâth invaded the Serestian principality of Olsarynske, thinking it would be a simple matter of absorbing a former territory back into the kingdom.

However, the divided Serestian states had begun the journey towards a unified nation-state, forming a loose confederation following the signing of the Yaldansk Treaty of 1661, which was merely intended to loosen trade restrictions and discourage the usual squabbles between their noble families. The threat of Tyrnâthmen aggression against them all prompted the signatories of the Yaldansk Treaty to merge their armed forces into one organisation under the command of a skilled general from the state of Kiesawv, Earl Siegfried Van Leiskeviretz. More importantly, the united response resulted in the Serestians being able to pull in numerous allies from across Elcrescia who had forged alliances with the individual states as part of the political games they were playing against their larger, more unified neighbours. The infamy of Tyrnâth's dark sovereign had spread across the Elcrescian continent, stirring people up everywhere to begin one of Elcrescia's bloodiest conflicts, the Witch War. The Witch War raged from the winter of 1666 to the autumn of 1671, concluding with the siege of Tragask, where High Queen Ash's remaining supporters surrendered, their mistress having mysteriously vanished. The conflict had a profound effect on the Kingdom of Tyrnâth, and one of the first decrees of the new high king, Joseph Zustel I, was the renouncement of conquest and invasion as a tool of foreign policy; a decree still in force to this day.

The Tyrnâth of the modern day is a peaceful forested nation, renown for producing fine archers and apothecaries. The kingdom has been particularly slow to adapt to the recent technological changes in the world, partly due to the interference of the conservative Breirette, the council of noblemen that advises the monarch. The current high king of Tyrnâth is Eizmond Krogos Czcibor Zustel II, who still rules from the ancient capital of Tragask, despite the bad luck many believe the city now holds.

Population: 4,880,000	Language(s): Galllish	Demonym: Weirinstan
Government type: Constitutional Elective Monarchy	Head of Government: The Magisterial Verngenmoot	Head of State: His Highness, Magistrate-Supreme Yohann Brurghorn
National Map	Capital City: Orleskvurg	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Weirling	Major exports: Whiskey, tourism, zinc	Major imports: Timber, iron, gunpowder

The second-youngest nation on Elcrescia, Weirinsta had long been caught between the armies of Tyrnâth and Ilfalia, and as a result was a territory of one or both of those nations for much of the past three centuries. She owes her present independence to the Treaty of Yehlheim of 1671 that formally ended the Witch War, which forced Tyrnâth to relinquish control of the land. Weirinstans distrust both the Tyrnâthmen and Ilfalians for their historical roles in conquering them. In contrast the Weirinstan have a deep bond of friendship with the Serestid, as they were also a country frequently conquered in parts by Tyrnâth and were the main proponents of Tyrnâth granting Weirinsta independence rather than simply keeping it or giving parcels of it to Ilfalia, as some of the more conservative delegates at Yehlheim had suggested.

Weirinsta is a flat, fertile land rich resources, but perhaps not the most essential ones. The mines of Weirinsta are filled more with zinc and other metals which are best suited for alloys, making them an attractive target throughout the ages for other countries seeking to improve their iron weapons. The trees in Weirinsta are shorter kinds like dogwoods, not especially useful in erecting fortifications like the mighty hornbeams of Tyrnâth. Weirinstan alcohol is legendary, particularly its whisky. Conquerors of the land were aware of how highly sought-after Weirinstan booze was, and would often place heavy taxes on it to buffer the national coffers. Mercantilist policies often mandated it only be shipped through their territories out into the rest of Elcrescia, allowing Ilfalia and Tyrnâth to dramatically raise prices on it while depriving Weirinstan merchants of additional revenue. As a result, the Weirinstans became very talented at hiding their distilleries and smuggling their products out to sea. Most often the smugglers sailed for Yelhennei, though more ambitious ones took their cargoes all the way to Eresiln on their small blockade runners.

Another thing about Weirinsta that is of great interest is the system of government. Like the other nations of Elcrescia it is a monarchy, but the way the leader comes to power is quite unusual. Basing her system of government on Serestid, the Magistrate-Supreme is elected by an assembly of the nobility called the Magisterial Verngenmoot, representing all the provinces of Weirinsta. However, the Verngenmoot has the right to call another election every seven years if they are unsatisfied with the present Magistrate-Supreme's governance, a practice unheard of elsewhere. Additionally, local officials are often elected, though they still ultimately answer to the nobility. The current leader of the United Provinces is His Highness, Magistrate-Supreme Yohann Brurghorn, a sober old man well-liked by his subjects.

Weirinstans have a very relaxed, carefree attitude towards life as they savour their independence, trying their hardest to find occasions worth throwing a party over. Parades are a fairly common sight in most population centres, particularly the ports. These frequent occasions have come to be known as freenfuests, and there is nowhere they are more practised than the capital of Orleskvurg, where foreign merchants sometimes struggle to keep enough sailors from getting caught by the Weirinstan culture to be able to sail out of port. The United Provinces have undergone extensive urbanisation in recent years; Orleskvurg's population has almost doubled in twenty years. Another change has been the government's effort to establish their country as Elcrescia's financial centre. Much of Elcrescia's upper classes have been charmed by the vibrant new city life found there, and so they come on holiday to throw their money around on alcohol, gambling, and other luxuries. Yohann Brurghorn and his subordinates are very eager to get these same rich folk to throw their money into banks and stock exchanges. A common view in the administration is that having money from all over the continent moving through Orleskvurg will make the United Provinces protected by the fact that one country moving against it will incur the wrath of the entire continent's investors.

Population: 9,842,000	Language(s): Maedric Galllish	Demonym: Ilfalian
Government type: Absolute monarchy	Head of Government: Grand Prince Michael Erik Dolphestir XII	Head of State: His Imperial Highness, Grand Prince Michael Erik Dolphestir XII
National Map	Capital City: Wellwick	Religion: The Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Duenthel	Major exports: Ships, timber, fish	Major imports: , coal, nickel

Ifalia is the westernmost nation of the Maedran Peninsula of Elcrescia, and has a troubled relationship with its sole land neighbour, the United Provinces of Weirinsta, due to its frequent historical invasions of the United Provinces. The disarmament of Tyrnâth in the aftermath of the Witch War left Ilfalia lacking its historical main ally, and the Grand Principality would be isolated from the rest of Elcrescia for about a decade before it began rebuilding historical ties to Beiriuk. The two maritime powers work together to police the Maedransuuth Sea, rooting out pirates and smugglers. The Ilfalian galley patrols remain a dominating presence in those waters, despite the introduction of sailing ships, and more recently, steam ships. The Grand Principality begrudgingly recognises the fact that it will need to upgrade or replace its prize fleets at some point soon if it is to remain a respectable naval force. Ilfalia's levels of heavy metals makes it ill-suited for the age of newfangled factories.

Ilfalia is a very watery country, criss-crossed by rivers and canals and dotted with lakes and marshes. The overwhelming abundance of waterways provides ample opportunity for powering watermills, which typically take the form of sawmills manufacturing timber for the construction of ships, Ilfalia's main export. The introduction of bamboo from Beiriuk in the 1610's was a massive success, and the fast-growing plant quickly became as integral to the Ilfalian economy as water and controlling the trade in the Maedransuuth Sea. Aside from powering industry, Ilfalia's rivers and lakes are the main source of recreation for the Ilfalians, with villages and towns competing against each other in competitions of swimming or fishing, as well as rowing leagues.

Ifalia's government has been one of the most stable upon the continent of Elcrescia, barely changed from its conception in 997 G.C.C, with one of the radical things it ever did in domestic matters being the changing of the spelling of the country's name to better match the modern pronunciation in 1321. Ilfalia was late in breaking off from the Galllian Empire, still retaining features of its government to this day.

Population: 18,500,000	Language(s): Maedric Galllish	Demonym: Serestian
Government type: Elective confederate monarchy	Head of Government: Grand Prince Bartłomiej	Head of State: His Serene Majesty, Grand Prince Bartłomiej Van Srevski
National Map	Capital City: Yaldansk	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Zlotren	Major exports: Steel, pork products, salt	Major imports: Fertilisers, lumber, copper, fur

The newest country on the face of Elcrescia, the people of Serestid had spent centuries divided up between Tyrnâth, the Dalstras, and numerous small states in constant competition with each other. The suggestion to a person in the beginning of the 17th century that the Serestians would have their own unified country by the end of the century would be seen as completely ridiculous and would be met with scornful laughter or questions regarding one's mental health. Even in the 1640's a Serestian unification was still a far-off dream that most still doubted would ever come to pass. However, their history took a critical turn when the states of Kiesawv, Walsewus and Bytreina organized a conference at the city of Yaldansk in 1661 with the intent on loosing trade barriers between the competing states and ease the political rivalries among the many Serestian noble houses with the formation of a very loose confederation. The plan had widespread support, and most of the Serestian states signed the treaty immediately. The few holdouts all joined the confederation by 1664, wanting to ensure their security in the event that trouble erupted from Tyrnâth, which was marching towards a royal succession crisis. And trouble certainly did come from the old kingdom, in the form of the armies of Queen Âsuage, more commonly referred to as Queen Ash by many in Elcrescia. The legions of Tyrnâthmen were reputedly strengthened by the witchcraft of their dark mistress, and were thorough and ruthless in their conquest of the state of Olsarynske, a signatory of the Yaldansk Treaty of 1661. Though the treaty had nothing binding regarding military cooperation, except for discouraging Serestian infighting, the states saw the invasion of Olsarynske as a threat to every Serestian. Such a sentiment had been unseen among their people before. They united their forces under the command of Earl Siegfried Van Leiskeviretz, and brought in a coalition of Elcrescian allies against the Witch Queen. The victory in the Witch War showed the Serestian people how powerful they were united, and after three years of negotiations the Yaldansk Confederation formally established the United Principality of Serestid in 1674. The new nation retained the assembly of states it had used for making decisions during the war, granting it the power to elect the monarch of the new nation.

The Serestians still retain cultural differences from their different states, though they are far less prominent now. Their economy is fairly diverse, avoiding the heavy degree of specialisation many of their neighbours engage in. Serestid is well known for having a high number of busty blonde women per capita, though serious academic research has yet to confirm this common stereotype. The current ruler of the nation is His Serene Majesty, Grand Prince Phillip III.

Population: 14,600,000	Language(s): Dalstrasin, South Elcrescian Galllish	Demonym: Calainite, Dalstras
Government type: Feudal Monarchy	Head of Government: His Grace King Renlan Augusto Calain I	Head of State: His Grace King Renlan Augusto Calain I
National Map	Capital City: Castillacai	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Seirnta	Major exports: Goat products, sandstone, metals	Major imports: Timber, cereals

Dal Calain is the decentalised kingdom of the Dalstras, a contentious tribe of tribes. They are believed to have emerged in the Dalstras Mountains (which are named for them) about 1,500 years before Adrathur's coronation. Their mythical founder-hero is an Earth Elemental named Strazsio, who was said to be the last of the royal line of the lost kingdom of Dal Santiavalah. Dal is an ancient word and has acquired several meanings through the millennia. In Galllish it translates to "domain" or "held by heirs of". Thus, the formal name of kingdom, Dal Calain, means to say that the land is the Domain of Calain and his heirs. Dalstras means that all the people, no matter which house currently holds the throne, are the heirs of Strazsio, and all their land was once Strazsio's.

Legends tell of how he was cast onto a raft set adrift in what is now called the Maedransuuth Sea, drifting eastward to the shores of the land his posterity would inhabit while his island birthplace in the centre of the sea sank beneath the waves, destroyed for its iniquity. Stories differ on whether it was one of his parents, a maid, the court wizard, or the captain of the guards who put the young babe in that raft. The different people were said to put different things in Strazsio's raft with him. His parents put in regal tokens, like one of their ancestral crowns or signet rings. The maid packed extra food and warm clothes. The wizard entrusted magic scrolls containing the highest learning of the Santiavalahan civilisation. The captain of the guards gave Strazsio a knife and a spear, with which the babe is said to have fought off a sea monster before he could speak, before he even landed in Elcrescia.

by **Constaniana** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:02 am

Religions of Gaiaca

The dominant religion of Gaiaca was entrenched and expanded by the conquering Galllians, whose ancient sovereigns were as much consecrated saints as they were secular emperors. Saint Helreska, a famed Champion of Light, and his followers had begun codifying the various religious beliefs and practices of northern Galllia approximately forty years before the unification of Albrion and Aurennia-Erid, and received the blessings and support of King Æthredurn, a devout believer of Helreska's teachings and Adrathur the Great's grand-sire. The authority of Saint Helreska's church was widely accepted among the Northemen for the most part, as it had little difference among the ways they already worshipped the gods, merely providing a bit more structure to it. However, isolated mountain clans would continue to persist in their ancestral customs outside the Church's authority. Saint Helreska lived to see Adrathur acquire the thrones of Albrion and Aurennia, and personally consecrated the merger of crowns and countries, helping to ease concerns about such events among the Northemen. St. Helreska designated Archbishop Leofrir of Brenbury (a city long since ruined by wars with Hell) as his successor to the office of Saint-Regent in 2 G.C.C, and legend says his last words before dying that same year were counsel to King Adrathur that he begin his conquests, foretelling the imminent arrival of the Saint-Battlemages.

The Holy Helreskaffen Church came south with the armies of the Northemen, sweeping away the religious factions of the disorganised Southemen as Adrathur and his heirs swept away their kingdoms. The Church spread peacefully to Eresiln before the kingdom's merger with the Galllian Empire, and launched into Elcrescia in the wake of beginning of the Sigurekreigen, the Old Galllish word for "Grand Conquest. It faced resistance in the Dalstras and Tyrnâth initially, but the Galllians were too strong to be thrown out, and the conquered Elcrescians were forced to accept the Galllian interpretation of the Gods, or die. The Church would outlast the Empire it had helped birth, providing comfort and relief to the common people who's lives were thrown into chaos with the centuries-old order's collapse, which it had great success in, and attempting to bring peace to the warring factions that sprang up through Galllia and Elcrescia, having less success in this regard. The relationship between the leadership of the Church and the Federation was always a bit tense at times prior to the Rupture of the North, due to the U.G.F's efforts to make it the most dominant authority of the land. After the war's end its status in the south has grown more uncertain. The Northemen owed many of their victories to their mighty Elemental crusaders, and so accepting that Elementals were the servants of the gods became an increasingly hard truth to take to many vanquished Southemen. This has lead to a decline in piety in those regions, and a less noticeable rise in membership of Watchtower. The Holy Helreskaffen Church has its headquarters in its own section of Villdernheim, a vast compound of cathedrals, storehouses, seminaries, and fortresses named Helreska's Citadel, granted to it by Imperial decree in the first days when Villdernheim was built. Some within the upper clergy now whisper of relocating further north, to take sanctuary within the Commonwealth lest the Federation decide to purge them. The current head of the Church is Saint-Regent Thomas VI, who has served for 20 years now. His being born in the country of Serestid has helped him keep the Church from being too bogged down by Galllian politics.

Several numbers have theological significance within this faith. The number one is associated with the God of Creation, Jaehlhadon, representing his status as the original being, and the most powerful force of all. The number two is associated with morality, the stark binary between the two sides of good and evil. It also sometimes linked with Jaehlhadon as well, representing the precise symmetry that so much of creation is made with. Three can be used as a symbol of completeness, such as the three parts of the world being land, sea, and sky, or the universe having the three parts of Heaven, Gaiaca, and Hell. There have also been a number of historically significant trios in the church's mythology, such as Adrathur and the two Saint-Battlemages that were his mightiest warriors, or the three sons of Emperor Olbruni that gave their lives defeating the Demonic Behemoth. The number four derives its primary significance from being a symmetrical half of eight, which is a particularly significant number. Eight is one of the most auspicious numbers in Helreskaffen doctrine, as that was the number of gods that made up the Loyal Host in the War of Creation. Nine is blessed for a similar reason, that being the number of current good gods in active form. Eleven is sometimes used as another number of completion, as that is the total number of divine beings in Helreskaffen beliefs. Twelve can be formed from most of the other holy numbers, and thus is just generally a good number. Other numbers beyond this that are multiples of the base holy numbers are lucky or auspicious in some way.

The priesthood of the Holy Helreskaffen Church has eight ranks. In order of descending authority, these ranks are:

There are mixed views on celibacy within the church. Many monastic orders will have celibacy as a requirement for joining, and many individual clergymen within the church stay celibate, but there is no law commanding it. In fact, there are even some monastic orders that emphasise having their members marry and procreate.

While the Holy Helreskaffen Church has authority and is the most common religion in Garmiccia as well, it's been steeped in the Northern Garmiccian pagan traditions heavily. It is considered a bad omen in Garmiccia to refer to the gods by their direct names. While it does not necessarily land in the realm of being directly heretical, it is generally avoided. Additionally, the gods are not seen as all good - the canonical faith defines certain gods as evil, and they receive much less worship than others. (They generally do receive offerings out of fear when things are going particularly bad.)

GOOD GODS:
Pryastar, God of Fire, is referred to as "The Great Fire", and is also seen as the god of life, and is probably the most commonly worshipped god.
Aewiallia, Goddess of Wind, "Goddess of the Tides" is the patron goddess of fishermen, a common Garmiccian occupation.
Terestark, God of Earth, is known as "The Groundmaker", and is purported to have created the continents and the land. He is the patron god of architects, stonemasons, and miners.
Hydrata, Goddess of Water, is known as "The Lifebringer", and is the god of healers, doctors, and merchants.
NEUTRAL GODS:
Ferruoston, God of Metal, is known as "The Blacksmith". He is generally considered the god of war and blacksmiths, so opinions are divided dramatically on his position in the gods. Soldiers typically see Ferruoston as a patron deity, and he is well loved on the border and towards the furthest north.
EVIL GODS:
Froenstia, Goddess of Ice, (The Cold One) is seen as an evil deity, as ice and snow make parts of Garmiccia nearly uninhabitable for good portions of the year.
Veridaelia, Goddess of Nature (The Huntress) is seen as generally malicious as well, packs of wolves and roaming bears are significant threats to daily life.
Boaltist, God of Lightning (Heaven's Wrath) is a minor god, responsible for wiping out heretics. It is typically believed that those struck by lightning have offended the gods in one manner or another.

Additionally, the Valkerigan are believed to be angels which escort of the souls of those who die in battle to their next reincarnation, which is considered a heretical belief in most other nations.

There exists no official name for the religion, but it's generally adhered to in the southern regions, most prominently Visalmarch. The origins of the religion are heavily disputed by most scholars interested in the topic. Some believe it extends back to Pre-Galllian invaders who conquered the southern regions that is today known as Visalmarch, Kotenbury, and Liefenshire. Others argue it's a recent invention that merges together several diverse folk elements in reaction to recent attempts to stamp out the local beliefs through conversion.

Very few texts from ancient times have survived, but it is generally deduced from surviving remnants and the believers themselves, that adherents believe there to be one God who is traditionally depicted with traits and characteristics usually assigned to solar and storm deities, leading some scholars to conclude he is the result of two deities from ancient times, one a solar deity and the other a weather god, being merged into a single divinity. The deity is typically referred to as "Nyod," but contrary to popular belief, it is not a personal name and simply means "God". Southemen who have traveled north have been known to refer to him as "Gad," with little to no hesitation.

The remaining texts have survived from ancient times, written in a crude but decipherable language that was translated by Galllian scholars who were acquainted with southern speech. In the majority of the text, Nyod is depicted as defeating demons and evil spirits by displaying miraculous powers that range from manifesting as an infinitely large fire that consumes the world, a cosmic figure reaching up beyond the heavens, having faces and arms of ascetics and warriors (known as "Nyod's best followers,") or even showing his true form, a formless and all compassing spirit.

The southern Pre-Gallians were known for having a heavily sky-centric view of life, not only due to crops which needed rain to furnish them, but also the way weather could be used as a part of strategy on the battlefield. Overtime, worship began to focus solely on a sky god and ignored any other god, as well as the earth and "female principle." thus society became increasingly militant and patriarchal. When the Galllians landed and the two went to war, the southerners fought viciously, but after High King Fingall was killed, they broke rank and fled. Afterwards, the survivors had no choice but to accept the religion of their conquerors, although many continued to worship the deity in secret. The Galllish religion was viewed as inhuman superstitions and their gods nothing more than evil spirits, not even demons.

Most adherents believe that one day, a soul will take birth as a "halfling," part spirit and part human, who will ride a red horse and wield a sword, to destroy all forms of life before him, to purify the world, until there is nothing but blood, fire, and ashes. "Just the way it was before beings took form in this world of illusion."
Thanks to Grey Wolf/Hanafuridake for coming up with this religion.

by **Lazarian** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 7:09 am

A depiction of the Garmiccian Empire, chronicled by scholars at the Imperial College

A map of the Garmiccian Empire in this current year of 1781 G.C.C.

The Snezhny Province is the furthest north province of Garmiccia, located to the northwest of the Zakaleny mountain range. This province is quite possibly the least populated in Garmiccia (approximately 200,000 or less), due to a severe lack of food supplies. Few crops grow in such a cold climate, and this province is landlocked, cutting it off from the rich fish stocks of halibut and cod to the North. The majority of the population is located along the Old Armer Road (which ships goods and tribute from both Northwest provinces to the capital in Schloersteein). The primary occupations of the underclass of Snezhny are miners, builders, and hunters.

The natural resources of the Snezhny province are quartz, lazulite, sapphire, and other gemstones, as well as the larch forests that are split with the Morozov province. As an aside, there are far fewer woodcutters in Snezhny than Morozov, based on the distance of military forces and large settlements to the forest. Mythic creatures still lurk the unexplored depths of the forest, and it is a land fraught with peril for the unwise and foolhardy. The highlight of the province is the capital city of Reznaya, the subterranean city, with a population of approximately 50,000. Carved into the side of a mountain by ancient Earthborn, this city is an architectural marvel. The secrets to its construction have been long lost.

The current ruler is Duke Gavril Sidorov, an Earthborn born and raised in Reznaya. The Sidorov family has ruled Reznaya for generations and are beloved among the populace. Rumor has it that they are descendants of the original Earthborn that carved the mountain city in the first place. Duke Sidorov pledged support to Jeramiahde early into the war, providing many of the soldiers that helped conquer Pryzan and stabilize the Unified North.

Reznaya was originally a city of the ancient Gallian Empire, though it defected to the Garmiccian Empire in 1136 G.C.C after the Fall of Schloersteen and the collapse of the Gallian government in Elcresia.

A depiction of the magnificent city of Reznaya.

Srednmalin Province is located further up the River Maline, upriver of the Ustyereki Province and downriver of the Rzeka Province. The Sredmalin Province consists of highland steppes in between the Hegelian mountain range and the Neoprovd mountain range, as well as part of the vast coniferous forests to the center of the country. To the east of the province lies the rocky cliffs and plateau mesas of the Tal Kheer Hills, an area settled by the nomadic Neyyik peoples and generally left alone by the Garmiccian Empire.

The Srednmalin Province produces an excellent rhubarb crop, along with many goat and Northern Cattle (a shaggy hairy breed of cow, smaller than the typical Gallian heifer) herds. Srednmalin also imports horses to the Emperor’s Province, and some say the best cavalry in the empire comes from this provice. Srednmalin has a culture that embraces horseback riding and archery, and a large target competition during the Feast of the Great Fire is one of the most popular events every year. The population of Srednmalin is around half a million, with the large city of Kazanmalin composing 100,000 of that. The remainder of the population are primarily herders and farmers, relatively poor, but generally good-spirited and easy going. Kazanmalin is a warm water port, and the city receives significant imports of grain from ships going up the River Maline.

The current ruler of Srednmalin Province is Duke Bataan Varruk, a Windborn known particularly for his half-Neyyik bloodline. Bataan was a Neyyik chief who pledged allegiance to Jeramiahde during the Civil War. The prior ruler, Ivan Loshan, had treated the Neyyik minority in the province poorly (taxing them more highly, as well forbidding movement through traditional grazing ranges), and Bataan seized the opportunity created by the chaos of the civil war to lead an popular uprising against him. Baron Loshan was executed in the city square personally by Duke Varruk, and the city fell under Imperial control for the remainder of the war. Varruk has been quite popular among both the Garmecus and Neyyik populations for his low taxes and brokering peace between more aggressive Neyyik tribes and settlers heading into the hills.

Several Neyyik cavalrymen on steppe-horses. While primitive and backwards to our civilized standards, they are loyal subjects to the Emperor.

Rzeka Province is the centermost region of Garmiccia, located in between the Varian Hills and the Hegelian mountain range, at the source of the great River Maline. Rzeka has a population of approximately half a million, with roughly half of that residing in the great city of Pyrzan.

The city of Pyrzan was founded by Gallian settlers thousands of years prior to the emergence of the Garmiccian Empire, though it was renamed by Viscount Arcadeus Norn his victory over the Gallians in 1135, after he raised the First Great Cathedral of Pyrastar in praise after his victory. The city has been the religious heart of Garmiccia since then, with all bishops and arch-bishops of Pyrastar anointed and trained in Pyrzan. A notable feature of the Cathedral is the Everlasting Flame, a hearth which has been kept aflame and alive nonstop for over a thousand years.

The Rzeka province is primarily highland steppe, much like its neighbor to the West, producing similar resources. The Rzeka province also has several mining towns in the Hegelian mountain range, producing gold and rubies, many of which are inlaid in the walls of the Great Cathedral.

The current ruler of Rzeka Province is Fireborn Duke Janos Novak, former Archpriest of Pyrastar. Formerly, Rzeka Province was ruled by House Vodak. However, House Vodak chose to support Emperor Anatoli, whereas House Novak (a rival family in Pyrzan) threw their support behind Lord-General Jeramiahde. Both families were popular among the clergy that dominated the city politics, so the transfer of power was ultimately relatively peaceful once the city surrendered to approaching Imperial forces. In a surprising twist of fate, Istvan Vodak was spared and merely demoted, an unusual departure from protocol from Jeramiahde.

Common thought in scholarly circles is that Jeramiahde wished to avoid bloodshed in the city to avoid being denounced by the Patriarch of the Holy Helreskaffe Church in Garmiccia, which would have been a fatal blow to his legitimacy as a potential emperor. Regardless of whether these were his intentions, the peaceful transfer of Pyrzan was crucial towards uniting the remaining Northern provinces under his banner.

A portrait of a priest of Pyrastar attending to the Everlasting Flame.

The Sukhaya Province is located above the Neoprovd mountain range, spanning the vast dry inland in the midst of the mountains. Most of Sukhaya is a cold desert biome, as very little moisture makes it over the mountain range and into this inland territory. Completely landlocked and with few natural resources, Sukhaya has a population of less than 150,000. Most of said population (90,000) lives in the capital city of Sziklao, a major waypoint on the Orszag Road that delivers thousands of tonnage of wheat and gemstones to and from Schloesteen. Sziklao is a great terraced city, located in a peaceful and shaded mountain valley. The remainder of the population are primarily nomads and Neyyik hillmen, who are largely irrelevant in the eyes of the Empire. The most frequent occupations are miners, blacksmiths, factory workers, and merchants.

Sukhaya, despite its low population and dearth of natural resources, exports large amounts of iron, copper, tin, lead, and silver. The most popular gods are Terestark and Ferruoston, due to the high prevalence of blacksmiths and miners. The Cathedral of Terestark is hewn into a nearby mountain here, and many miners will pray to Terestark and make an offering of a lodestone before braving the depth, a time-honored tradition. Sziklao produces fine metal goods, from armor to doorknobs, exporting them down to the Southern provinces, who lack significant metal deposits. Sziklao is also a prime destination on the largest highway through the Neoprovd mountains. The city imports grain and other foodstuffs from up the Zagyva River and through the mountains. It has strong ties and relations to its sister city of Loscverg to the South, as any interruption of the trade route would immediately start a famine.

The governor of this province is Earthborn Baron Alajos Rezny, (former General of the Fourth Regiment) who replaced the slain lord Baron Miklos Sanyi. Baron Sanyi was a firm supporter of Emperor Anatoli, exporting weapons and iron to the fiercely resistant Southern Provinces. The campaign to unite the fractured South once more was largely unsuccessful until Siege of Sziklao in 1765 G.C.C, in which the city surrendered after a half year. Sanyi was slain whilst attempting to flee the city, cut down by furious citizens who had born the brunt of the struggle whilst he feasted in decadent chambers. Public opinion on Baron Rezny is largely indifferent. House Rezny originates from the Rzeka Province, and Alajos has struggled politically due to his lack of connections in the city. Baron Rezny spends most of his time resting on his laurels, feasting and ignoring the general populace. Due to his lack of lesser noble and industry magnate support, Rezny fears to rock the boat much one way or another.

The frozen desert which composes most of Sukhaya Province, largely uninhabitable.

The Kereske Province is the Easternmost province of Garmiccia, located to the east of the Neoprovd mountains. The province is moderately sized, smaller than the sparsely populated provinces to the North, but larger than the city state provinces that sprung up on the banks of Zagyva River. With a decent population of 400,000, Kereske is a relevant power in the East, greatly overshadowing its neighbor Hegyekoz and the undeveloped Vedma province to the north. The capital city of Karlovmir is a very large port city, with a population of approximately 77,000. The people of Kereske are primarily farmers, fishermen, woodcutters, traders, and sailors, though there is a diverse spread of jobs and industries.

The Kereske Provice consists of coastal plains with moderate temperature due to the sea, as well as the rich temperate mixed forests. Kereske is blessed with arable land, able to grow oats, barley, wheat, and cereal rye near the coast. In the inland, the Kereske have access to many useful types of lumber, such as maple, poplar, elm, and pine. At sea, stocks of salmon, cod, and herring are present. Kereske has few natural ores or minerals, needing to export these from Morozov, Sukhaya or Loscverg.

Kereske is notable for its existence as an independent Kingdom until the year 1658 G.C.C. It was annexed by Emperor Aleksander Norn-Darekuth IV, Jeremiahde’s Great-Grandfather, though it was not a particularly violent annexation. Kereske is much closer to a client state than a legitimate historical province, and the Kerrish people reject most Imperial Edicts and pay the bare minimum of required tribute. They are insular and relatively xenophobic to the Garmecus settlers and merchants who have attempted to make inroads to their lands.

Duke-King Josip Tjesimir the Third is one in a long line of dynastic monarchical kings, though he is quite popular among the Kerrish for successfully staying out of the Civil War. During those troubled times, he successfully appeased the conquering Jeramiahde with tribute, whilst simultaneously preserving the relationships with their wealthy neighbors to the South by never truly pledging allegiance. This was a remarkable feat of diplomacy.

Kereske is also unique in that they separate Caelston and Pyrastar into two separate gods, having temples for both. Pyrastar is still reigned as the foremost and greatest of the gods, but Caelston is his twin, and both work together to form the warmth of the sun.

A view of the city of Karlovmir.

North Maedkol is a province located South of the Neoprovd mountain range and on the coast of the Maedranurth Sea, after which the capital city of Maedkol was named. The city of Maedkol was founded by the Tyrnath Lord Kollaen Asgeir in 977 G.C.C, who conquered the Muryut tribal chieftains which previously occupied the area. The Maedkol territory extended from the southern border of the Kryuchuk Province to a few leagues north of the city of Yehlheim.

However, the territory of Maedkol was conquered by Arcadeus Norn, King of Garcemus and First Emperor of Garmiccia in 1135 G.C.C, signaling a closure to the war against Margnon and Yelhennei. Despite half a millennium under Garmiccian rule, the Tyrnath cultural roots are still very present and alive within the Maedkol provinces. The language spoken in Maedkol still has loan words from Old Tyrnâsh, adding further to the confusing linguistic patchwork of Garmiccia. Additionally, Maedkol clergymen adhere more closely to the teachings Holy Helreskaffen Church, frowning on the portrayal of Froenstia and Veridalia as malevolent. Of course, Maedkolians do not know a true Garmiccian weather, as their climate is moderated by the coast as well.

The population of North Maedkol is approximately 300,000, though nearly two thirds of that live in the capitol of Maedkol. The remainder of the province is rocky and craggy land unsuitable for farming, asides from some tracts to the East. North Maedkol also extends to the coniferous forest and mixed forest above and below the Heglians, so all types of lumber are available for the carpentry guilds in Maedkol. The citizens of Maedkol Province are typically craftsmen, fishermen, with a few woodsmen and farmers mixed in. Maedkolians are noticeably less pale than the Garcem people due to their Muryut/Tyrnathmen ancestry, with tanned skin and thick black hair.

Exceptional furniture is produced in Maedkol, a prime luxury good export of the city. Unlike the other port cities, Maedkol’s port does freeze over from time to time, due to some particular quirk of the inlet.

North Maedkol was the first front in the Reclamation War, and several battles were fought in this province, both on sea and at land. The previous ruler of the province, Waterborn Duke Bjorn Czarne, went down with his ship during a climactic battle with the Imperial Navy, and his successor surrendered to Jermaiahde shortly after. The province is currently ruled by Fireborn Arvid Einar, who was a minor noble who defected from Maedkol and fought for Jeramiahde. The Maedkolian populace is largely indifferent to the change of Emperors and simply grateful that the war is over, as they culturally identify much more strongly with their own province than the nations of Garmiccia or Yelhennei.

A view from the docks of Maedkol. As you can see, Tyrnath cultural influence is clearly visible in the architecture of the city.

Beczka Province is a Southern Province located to the east of the Maedkol Provinces, north of the Zagyva River, extending all the way up to the Neoprovd mountain range. Beczka Province has a population of roughly 240,000, most of which live in small towns along the riverbank, though some are in the forests as well. The capital city of Slodkie is a decently sized city of around 60,000, known for its exceptional breweries and alehouses. Slodkie is also known for the College of Przechowy, a renowned school which has produced many great tradesmen and scholars.

Beczka Province is located mostly in broadleaf forest, though the land near the river has been cleared to make way for farmland. Like the other mid-South provinces, Beczka province has very clear seasons, with frigid winters and cool summers. The land here is decent for farming, and Beczka grows legumes, potatoes, oats, and barley-wheat. Nobody, however, knows Beczka for the potatoes. Beczka Province is primarily known for its master brewers, meadmen, and ale makers. Large vinyards are grown in the forests, and this province has significant Grandbee populations (more akin to birds than insects with their size and ferocity), which create some of the finest honey in the land. Grandbeekeeping is dangerous, with enough stings being lethal, though experienced keepers rarely let such incidents occur. Some argue that the Grandbees are attracted to the Bluebell Flower, a certain flower that grows solely in this forest range.

Regardless, Beczka Province is a respectable province, though some of their orchards are still recovering from the devastation of the Reclaiming War. Natureborn Duke Piotr Kochani fought against Jeramiahde’s forces on the border between Beczka and Maedkol, though he was defeated and captured as a prisoner of war. Incredibly, he lived to tell the tale (and hold onto his council seat), a truly rare occurrence. Some claim that the Kochani Family has passed down a secret recipe that they would take to the grave, and the Emperor loves the sweet distilled beverage so much that he spared Piotr. Of course, this is local legend, and likely a falsehood – though…perhaps the legend is true.

Slodkie was spared due to surrendering promptly when the Emperor’s forces arrived, which has strained relations with their Vasovian neighbors. Though the citizens of Beczka preferred Anatoli, they are not truly opposed to Jeramiahde, with the implementation of the Spellborn Registry being especially popular.

Historically, Beczka Province was inhabited by a mixture of Yelh, Maedkol, Garcem, and Vasovian settlers. Beczka was founded by the Margraves of Yelhheim during the zenith of their power, (around 850 G.C.C) though it was later split between Maedkol and Vasovia in the late 1000s, before being conquered by Garmiccia in the expansionist conquests of the 1400s.

A visual of two Priests of Pyrastar who have snuck up on a brewery owner, preparing to chastize him for his lack of donations.

Ciemny Province is located to the south of the Neoprovd mountains, sandwiched in between Becza and Sosklon, with Vasovia to the south. The border between Ciemny and West Vasovia is simply “where the forest begins”, a natural border that contracts and expands every year. Ciemny has a population of around 240,000, with the capital of Sekwoja located along the banks of the Zaygva. Sekwoja’s population is roughly 45,000 citizens. Most citizens are woodcutters, trappers, and hunters.

The geography of the region is almost entirely the mixed broadleaf forests beneath the Neoprovd. The natural resources of this region are redwoods, oak, pine, and fir trees. The thick woods also have large populations of wild boar and deer, making for good hunting. Dangerous large beasts reside in the woods nearest to the mountains, and these areas are virtually undeveloped. Smaller animals such as mink and beaver are also hunted for furs. The region has cool summers and frigid winters, much like its neighbors.

Ciemny is notable for its Giant Redwoods, which tower up towards the sky and scrape the heavens. The finest masts in Gaiaca are made from these mighty trees, though the Church of Veridalia requires that two be planted for every one felled, ensuring that the goddess’s gifts will remain for time immemorial.

The Healing Cathedral of Veridalia is located in the thick and dark forests of Ciemny, supposedly built in the boughs and branches of eight towering redwoods. The Cathedral is difficult to find, with some claiming that the temple itself turns away those with unsatisfactory or malevolent minds.

Historically, Ciemny was composed of trappers and settlers from the Kingdoms of Vasovia and Yelhennei. Most citizens of Ciemny are either the Vasovian, Yelh, or Garcem peoples, travelling away from the poor peasant farms to the South to make a better life for themselves. Ciemny is notably more pious than their neighbors to the South, with an established Helreskaffen school of theology located in Sekwoja, as well as the Grave of the Saints, a large stonework structure meant to honor the Abbot-Lords who brought order to these wild woods. Ciemny was never an independent state, formerly a province of Vasovia until it was conquered and partitioned in 14167.

In the south, Ciemny fought with their neighbors against Jeramiahde, though primarily through raids on supply convoys and guerilla warfare than any professional army. After the crushing defeats of the Loscverg and Sosklon armies, Ciemny officially surrendered, though there are still attacks on Imperial forces in the region until this day. The current ruler, Wildborn Duke Wojciech Jelen (prior General of the Seventh Battalion, conqueror of this province), is tasked with crushing these remaining Southern Rebels, though this is a fruitless endeavor, as the rebels melt into the woods at the slightest sign of retaliation. Some say that the previous ruler, Wildborn Duchess Ala Odwazny, who disappeared suddenly after the surrender, is still leading the freedom fighters of the Deepwood. Rumor has it that she seeks to slay Wojciech in revenge, a crusade blessed by the chaotic and unpredictable goddess of the wilds.

The Cathedral of Veridalia, hidden in the depths of the woods.

Loscverg Provice, or the Gateway to the North, is a small provice nestled in the eastern Neoprovd mountains. The population is roughly 300,000, half of which reside in the massive capital city of Loscverg (after which the province was named). Loscverg is located at the headwaters of the Zagyva, and exports many goods down the river to both the provinces along the banks and the countries to the South. The people of Loscverg are majority Garmec, though there are a few of Vasovian and Yelh descent.

The Loscverg province is entirely mountainous, with freezing winters extending from September to late May. These lands are very cold year-round, with ice and snow a near permanent feature. When people speak of Garmiccians feeling warm in any temperature above freezing, this legend was likely born in Loscverg.

Loscverg is located around extremely rich ore deposits in the mountains, with a heavy presence of iron, coal, tin, lead, and silver. It exports these ores, as well as weapons and tools, whilst importing grain and other crops from the South. Much like its sister city of Sziklao to the North, Loscverg worships Ferruoston and Terestark with extreme reverence, though Pyrastar is also honored similarly. The Cathedral of Ferruoston is located in Loscverg, an ornate structure with fine gold and silver trimming and inlays, sculpted by many teams of Ironborn architects and craftsmen. Froenstia is particularly reviled in Loscverg, with there being no temples or even shrines in the region. Which, some argue, leads to even colder winters, an unfortunate feedback loop.

Loscverg was a small Yelhennien province located above the Nation of Vasovia from 945 G.C.C to 1135 G.C.C. Founded by the Metal Elemental abbot-lord Magda Scver of Yelhheim in 945 G.C.C, Loscverg was the furthest extent of the Yelhennien territory to the north for roughly two hundred years, a beacon of Yelhennien civilization amongst the barbarous northmen. This was short-lived, as Arcadeus Norn conquered the territory in 1135 G.C.C, cementing his newborn nation as a relevant and long-lasting power in the region.

Loscverg joined the South during the Reclamation War, though its defenders were crushed by the joint forces of the Second and Fourth Battalions after a year-long siege. The former lord, Ironborn Baron Jozef Miedz, was publicly executed after the city was captured to show the consequences of defying Jeramiahde. One would expect that this would drive massive resentment throughout the city to this day - however, the new lord, Earthborn Baron Ruslan Svyatopolk is relatively popular. Ruslan was an appointment from the current noble houses within the city, and Jeramiahde has left Loscverg mostly alone. If anything, the necessary tribute and taxes from Loscverg have decreased from Anatoli to Jeramiahde. Military scholars have oft theorized that Jeramiahde was afraid of dealing with civil unrest in this crucial passageway through the mountains, and did whatever was necessary to keep the wealthy classes indifferent to his rule.

A depiction of the Cathedral of Ferrouston at Loscverg. As you can see, the Cathedral was erected by the ancient Gallian Empire, as such mastery of architectural techniques has been lost for millenia.

The two Vasovia territories, the southernmost territories of Garmiccia, are simultaneously some of the most important territories, whilst also being the least “Garmiccian” territories of all.

West Vasovia is south of Ciemny and Sosklon, and located on the border of the Disputed Lands. The capitol, Jeczmien, is a massive city of 400,000, which lies on the bank of the Zagyva River. With a population of nearly a million citizens, West Vasovia is arguably the second most important state of Garmiccia, the “Southern Schloersteen”, though Emperor Jeramiahde is not fond of this nickname. West Vasovia is located in a temperate broadleaf forest biome, though most of the forest was cleared long ago. Unlike the coastal provinces, West Vasovia has very distinct cool summers and harsh winters, with a very clear beginning and end to the harvest season.

West Vasovia holds the most fertile and arable land in Garmiccia, with rich soil and extensive civil irrigation works along the banks of Zagyva. This has led to a massive relatively self-supporting population, as well as the introduction of factories and the advent of South Gallian industrialization taking place. Despite this advancement and population, though, West Vasovia is a struggling and unpleasant place to live, due to a multitude of factors.

In the latter half of the Civil War (the Reunification War), West Vasovia served as the final holdout to Jeramiahde’s rule, turning to Yelhennei for military assistance and supplies. Needless to say, this did not endear the Vasovian provinces to the remainder of Garmiccia, though the people of Vasovia do not seem to care about the opinion of the scruffy Northern barbarians. After an incredibly bloody and high-casualty battle at the plains surrounding Jeczmien, the city finally surrendered as the Third and Seventh Imperial Battalions marched through the city.

Even thirteen years after the last arrow was fired, tension still runs high in Jeczmien. The current governor, Ironborn Baron Eduard Ostrovsky, is an autocrat of Northern origin running essentially a police state. Imperial troops patrol the streets ceaselessly at night, and a curfew of 10 PM is strictly enforced. Even minor crimes such as petty theft and anti-Imperial speech are harshly punished with public floggings. However, the citizens of Jeczmien do not merely sit down and take this – there are frequent guerilla retaliations, police barracks being set alight, and riots in the streets.

This civil unrest is also on top of massive social stratification, with the gaps between the wealthy and the poor factory workers and farmers widening massively. A single bad harvest could lead to uncontrollable famine in the region, with the Imperial Government having little or no incentive to aid and abate the crisis.

Historically, the Kingdom of Vasovia lasted from 943 G.C.C to 1422 G.C.C, born from the Klast kings which Czibor the Great had armed during the years preceding 1919. The kingdom was toppled by the armies of Emperor Rurik Norn-Vodak II, during the expansionist conquests of the 1400s. However, it had undergone severe decline from 1200 G.C.C to 1300 G.C.C, due to local infighting and political squabbling, with the Maedkolians to the West and Kerrish Kingdom to the North making inroads and frequently plundering Vasovian settlements.

The East Gate of Jeczmien, with the Zagvya River visible to the right.

by **Olthar** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 8:39 am

Posting 19 hours before the end of the year isn't something to brag about, Con.

by **Olthar** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 9:25 am

Veridaelia covered the land in lush, viridian forests brimming with life, ...

Dammit. I better not get poisoned by a Weedle.

Others would spend the majority of their time in comas yet somehow manage to occasionally stagger their way back to the group for a few hours before slumbering for another epoch.

Ooh, shots fired.

I actually remembered more of the last RP than I thought I did.

... a Northemen maiden exemplifying the bustiness women in that part of the country were known for, hiding her head under a full ancient Galllian helmet, ...

I sure hope this isn't supposed to be some sort of mystery.

Cool. I'll make an app later. I have to take down my Christmas tree before my cats destroy it.

by **Constaniana** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 10:00 am

Lazarian wrote:application!
Name: Katya Kuznetsov
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Appearance:
http://i63.tinypic.com/674kty.jpg
Katya is 5’2 and roughly 110 pounds, give or take. While not necessarily ugly, she is rather flat and boyish.
Element: Wind
Skills: Having grown up in the harsh Northernmost Shore of Garamiccia, Katya is many things. She’s a skilled duelist, having been taught fencing from an early age by her father. She also has experience in fishing and sailing, and loves the harsh winds of the seas. Additionally, Katya is a middling hunter - mildly proficient with a bow.
Personality: Katya is generally a woman of few words, leaning towards more cold and detached rather than bubbly and friendly. This isn’t to say she’s naturally unkind - she’s very kind and warm to her retinue and few friends at home. However, in a foreign land, sent on a mission by her father, she’s more than a little withdrawn.
Weaknesses: Katya is stubborn to a fault, having extreme difficulty in bowing to others and losing. Despite this, she has very little confidence in herself and her abilities, and is easily upset.
Equipment, if any: Clothes, a dark blue cloak, thick winter boots, a set of plate armor (sans helmet), a diary, a bow and arrows, a rapier, battleaxe, kite shield, a few spell scrolls, and a large pack containing a tent and a fire-starter.
Bio: Katya is the second child of Baron Kuznetsov, a fearsome Metal Elemental warlord and harsh father. Katya’s mother died in childbirth, and Baron Kuznetsov refuses to speak about her to Katya at any point. Disappointed in the lack of an additional male heir to his lineage, and distraught over the loss of his beloved wife, the Baron regarded Katya poorly, and ignored her for the majority of her early childhood, leaving her under the care of nurses and tutors. However, upon the tragic death of her older brother Ivan in a “dueling accident” with Baron Kuznetsov when Katya was 7, the Baron turned his focus to his sole remaining heir. In a complete change of lifestyle, the Baron took Katya from the gentle nurses and raised her as a son and a potential prince. Gone was learning music and history - replaced by brutal fencing bouts and exhausting physical training. Upon Katya turning 18, the Baron remarried to another woman from the Northerner nobility, and had a legitimate son. He instantly dropped Katya to the side, forgotten again, focusing on his authentic heir. Needless to say, Katya was extremely bitter, and threw herself into her studies and practices, swearing that she would one day impress her father. This, sadly, would never come to fruition. Her father attempted to marry her to other nobles - however, she scornfully rejected every single one, challenging many to duels and brutally beating the potential lovers into the dirt. Increasingly frustrated at his rebellious and openly unruly daughter, the Baron demanded that she leave Garamiccia and depart to the U.G.F with a small retinue of his soldiers to make something of herself, and to do SOMETHING useful for his fiefdom.
RP Sample: EH was a while ago but I have some good ones up in there

Accepted!

Olthar wrote:
Veridaelia covered the land in lush, viridian forests brimming with life, ...

Dammit. I better not get poisoned by a Weedle.

Others would spend the majority of their time in comas yet somehow manage to occasionally stagger their way back to the group for a few hours before slumbering for another epoch.

Ooh, shots fired.

I actually remembered more of the last RP than I thought I did.

... a Northemen maiden exemplifying the bustiness women in that part of the country were known for, hiding her head under a full ancient Galllian helmet, ...

I sure hope this isn't supposed to be some sort of mystery.

Cool. I'll make an app later. I have to take down my Christmas tree before my cats destroy it.

I figured you'd be able to guess it, but the characters can't.

by **Rupudska** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 10:28 am

This is fake. This is fake and you are a bot, this is not a real OOC.

by **Ameriganastan** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 11:01 am

I do like how the thong got a mention in the recap.

by **Constaniana** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 11:09 am

Rupudska wrote:This is fake. This is fake and you are a bot, this is not a real OOC.

Now follow this garbled Hindi link for real pirated films!

Ameriganastan wrote:I do like how the thong got a mention in the recap.

It shows that I care.

by **Ameriganastan** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 11:49 am

...Okay, I suck at math. How long has it been since part 2?

by **Olthar** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 12:12 pm

Name: Gwendolynn "Gwen" Letholdus
Sex: Boobs
Age: 29
Appearance:

Element: Lightning
Skills: Martial combat with a variety of weapons, military tactics, equestrianism, novice smithing and repair, farming, sewing, cooking
Personality: Before the war, Gwen was fierce, passionate, and good-humored. She was a happy-go-lucky kind of gal and greeted every day with a smile. Her greatest attribute, however, was her unwavering loyalty and dedication to her family, her friends, her town, and her nation. She felt that the most honorable and moral thing a person could be was loyal. However, the war changed her dramatically, and she is now quiet, melancholic, and lonely.
Weaknesses: Gwen's greatest weakness is apathy. Her worldview was shattered, and she no longer knows what's right or wrong. So, she often chooses to do nothing at all. She's also never been good at dueling lefties, and she's terrified of mice.
Equipment: Shortbow w/ arrows, arming sword, axe, buckler shield, gambeson armor, silver locket, travel pack w/ bedroll

Bio: Gwen was born on a decently sized farm in the southern reaches of the UGF. She was the youngest daughter of five, so her parents didn't pressure her as much as they did her sisters. Two had already been married by the time she was born. She was, however, her mother's favorite child, and the two spent a lot of time together cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the animals. As she got older, and her other two sisters were married off, Gwen stayed on the farm to care for her aging parents. She learned more about the farm work and how to grow, harvest, and rotate crops, and she figured she'd just live there her entire life. The farm may have been promised to her brother, and the family's only son, but she was the one actually running the place. However, that was not to be the case.

When the war broke out between the UGF and the northern territories, Gwen rushed to join the battle and honorably serve her nation. She had known for years that she was a lightning elemental, but that power was never particularly useful on a farm. As well, her father hated the elementals, so she was forced to hide it from him. Joining the army, though, gave her an opportunity to explore that side of herself while serving her country and fighting the good fight.

Though she started out as a lowly foot soldier, Gwen had a natural talent for fighting and quickly rose through the ranks, receiving many battlefield promotions, eventually even earning a title of knighthood for her service. However, as the war progressed, Gwen began to doubt herself. She grew sick of all the death, both those of her comrades and those she inflicted. In addition, she, like everyone, heard the rumors of a force of light siding with the enemy, and she began to question whether she was truly on the right side. Right at the end of the war, Gwen was tasked with leading her troops to reinforce the soldiers at Champion Field, but the night before they set out, she fled. She had finally had enough of the fighting and simply abandoned her men.

Gwen knew that she could never return home as deserting was a serious crime warranting execution. She also could not go to the new Commonwealth as she had built up quite a reputation on the battlefield and figured they would not be so happy to give her shelter. Thus, she began wandering the land, hiding her identity from everyone.

Theme Song: Stairway to Heaven
RP Sample: Link

by **Hanafuridake** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 12:50 pm

Name: Fumiko Hanafuridake
Sex: ♀
Age: 18
Appearance:

Element: Fire
Skills: Archery, poetry, and fencing
Personality: cold and distant, a life in the imperial palace shielded from the responsibilities that attended her ancestors has made her fragile and indulgent. Despite her selfishness about her current situation, Fumi is mostly free of ill-will toward others and can exercise disinterested charity if it is within her means. Her naiveté from only playing board games and reading military classics hampers her ability to understand actual fighting.
Weaknesses: Spoiled, naive, and short-sighted
Equipment, if any: Kabuto, bow, and hakama
Bio: born on a faraway continent as the firstborn daughter of the shogun, Fumi was made the heir, and after her mother died, succeeded to the throne as the seven year old “Barbarian-expelling generalissimo.” until she came of age, power was to be held in the hands of her relatives who served as her regent. Incompetent and corrupt, the relatives failed to pacify rival clans, and eventually caused a civil war that lead to Fumi's palace being burnt to the ground, and herself having to flee the country to avoid being beheaded as a rebel. She has wandered from continent-to-continent, trying to gain a mass following or patronage for troops to take back her home. After three years of being rejected, she has settled on living in exile in Gallia. She spends her time composing poetry and playing shōgi with her few retainers, who no longer respect her.
Theme Song (Optional): Fumi's theme
RP Sample: なーなんだこれ!!!?

by **Zarkenis Ultima** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:16 pm

the wisecracking sage Eric Lumen

Good to see this is finally up though, I'll put up an app today or tomorrow hopefully. Do you mind if I edit the earliest parts of Tristan's story? To be completely honest they were kind of trashy, even if I like how the character turned out

by **Olthar** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:34 pm

Lazarian wrote:Katya is the second child of Baron Kuznetsov, a fearsome Metal Elemental warlord and harsh father.

Hanafuridake wrote:born on a faraway continent as the firstborn daughter of the shogun, Fumi was made the heir, and after her mother died, succeeded to the throne as the seven year old “Barbarian-expelling generalissimo.”

What's with all these nobles? I sense some Mary Sues.

by **Zarkenis Ultima** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:40 pm

Ameriganastan wrote:...Okay, I suck at math. How long has it been since part 2?

One of Const's TGs said this is set three years after the end of the previous one.

by **Ameriganastan** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:43 pm

Zarkenis Ultima wrote:
Ameriganastan wrote:...Okay, I suck at math. How long has it been since part 2?

One of Const's TGs said this is set three years after the end of the previous one.

So Eric is...61 now. Boy, he's getting long in the tooth for adventuring.

by **Lazarian** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:22 pm

Olthar wrote:
Lazarian wrote:Katya is the second child of Baron Kuznetsov, a fearsome Metal Elemental warlord and harsh father.
Hanafuridake wrote:born on a faraway continent as the firstborn daughter of the shogun, Fumi was made the heir, and after her mother died, succeeded to the throne as the seven year old “Barbarian-expelling generalissimo.”

What's with all these nobles? I sense some Mary Sues.

I mean, Const said that Elemental powers were passed down by blood, with them getting diluted by crossbreeding. It'd be at least a little unusual, if they cropped up in a random peasant.

by **Ameriganastan** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:41 pm

Name: Eric Lumen

Sex: Male

Age: 61

Appearance: Yo.

Skills: Decades of swordsmanship and fighting.

Personality: Loud mouthed and lacking any pretense of subtlety, shame or care of how much his many stories will haunt peoples dreams.

Weaknesses: His age. Now in his 60's, his ever present knee injury is one good battle from shattering like a dinner plate.

Equipment, if any: His armor, his near bottomless fanny pack of wonder and Belle Lame, his ever present (And slightly nagging) sentient sword.

Bio: You probably know the many stories of Eric Lumen. At least you should, if you were the reading sort and picked up a copy of The Many Exciting Quests of Eric Lumen: Adventurer: Vol. 1. Described by many literary critics as "A haunting tome of various things that can fit in various orifices". He's still working on Vol. 2. Anyway, a former solider of Gaiaca, Eric spent 15 years walking to every corner of the continent. Siring untold numbers of bastard children he still doesn't know of, getting a discount named after him in every whorehouse across the land and generally doing whatever he pleased. When he traveled with a gypsy caravan for a time, the resident fortune teller foretold that he would "Rise next to a boy with fires fury, and a girl of the winds grace". One nap on a hillside later, he did just that. And found himself traveling with the Elementals on their little quest. Telling stories, fighting monsters, spitting goo monsters into flasks. That sort of thing. The battle of Fair Hills was the last time he'd see them for some time. He and a psychotic child (Who ran away after about a month of his training) were dumped on a mountainside. Thankfully the mountainside with a nearby monastery so they didn't freeze to death. Eric intended to seek out his friends. But the world is a big place. And the war made things ever more complicated. So Eric returned to his hedonistic travels, avoiding getting wrapped up in the fighting and hoping he'll run across them again someday.

Theme Song (Optional): "The Wanderer"

Name: Belle Lame

Sex: Female

Age: At least 900 (As that's when she was imprisoned in the sword)

Appearance: The long blue thing in his hand.

Skills: Her Angellic powers heal those she chooses (Which is how her old fossil of a wielder is still kicking like he does)

Personality: Slightly nagging, and continually exasperated by the idiot who holds her.

Weaknesses: She's a sword. Not exactly the most mobile of things.

Equipment, if any: She is equipment.

Bio: 900 years ago, an ambitious (or foolhardy) king sought the power of the heavens to tip the scales of a war in his favor. His most powerful sorcerers and wizards gathered together to crack the very boundaries of the heavenly plane. But even with all their combined magic, they could only trap one unlucky Angelle, and sealed her essence inside a blade. Let's just say the various Gods and Goddesses weren't happy about some cocky mortals poking in their domain. The long forgotten kingdom got it from all sides. The Gods themselves raining fire, water and general wrath upon them. The kingdom was destroyed in a night, and the sword washed away in the water. She traded hands with various wielders over time. Bandits, kings, generals, that one circus clown. A wounded soldier held her 300 years ago. Wounded and far from home, he stumbled into an old tower and perished, leaving her to sit there for a few centuries. With not much else to do, she slept, her powers slowly regrowing in her slumber. About 17 years ago, a retired soldier slept in that same tower. And was the first to hear her voice in almost a millennia. They've been bickering companions ever since.

by **Zarkenis Ultima** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:48 pm

So Belle Lame didn't regain her body after all?

by **Hanafuridake** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:48 pm

Olthar wrote:
Lazarian wrote:Katya is the second child of Baron Kuznetsov, a fearsome Metal Elemental warlord and harsh father.
Hanafuridake wrote:born on a faraway continent as the firstborn daughter of the shogun, Fumi was made the heir, and after her mother died, succeeded to the throne as the seven year old “Barbarian-expelling generalissimo.”

What's with all these nobles? I sense some Mary Sues.

I'll leave the matter to Con's discretion, but I don't feel that our characters being aristocrats make them Mary Sues. Fumi is indolent, naive, and pretty much what you'd expect from a child being told that they're rightful ruler of a country without ever having to work for praise or reward. You can blame me for making her nobility on reading too many Heian novels, and not a desire to make her a perfect princess who has absolutely no flaws or character.

by **Ameriganastan** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:50 pm

Zarkenis Ultima wrote:So Belle Lame didn't regain her body after all?

You'll see...

by **Hanafuridake** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:51 pm

Zarkenis Ultima wrote:So Belle Lame didn't regain her body after all?

It's probably for the best. Who knows what kind of animesque shenanigans that would happen between her and Eric.

by **Zarkenis Ultima** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:58 pm

Ameriganastan wrote:
Zarkenis Ultima wrote:So Belle Lame didn't regain her body after all?

You'll see...

Bah, you and your suspense

Hanafuridake wrote:
Zarkenis Ultima wrote:So Belle Lame didn't regain her body after all?

It's probably for the best. Who knows what kind of animesque shenanigans that would happen between her and Eric.

Not like animesque shenanigans are out of place here anyway -nods-

Population: 65,000,000	Language(s): High Galllish, Albrish, Roaphic, Halvefori	Demonym: Galllian, Southemen (informal)
Government type: Federal oligarchy	Head of Government: Executor Jeffron Van Eldharch	Head of State: Executor Jeffron Van Eldharch
What should I put here?	Capital City: Villdernheim	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Danethrum	Major exports: Firearms, wool, refined textiles	Major imports: Spices, sugar, tea

Population: 41,000,000	Language(s): High Galllish, Albrish, Garmiccian	Demonym: Northemen, Aurennian, Erillian, Eresilnian, or Albrish
Government type: Military bloc ruled over by four monarchs	Head of Government:	Head of State: Commander of the Armies of the North, Lord Protector Bismarke Van Aurenheim
National Map	Capital City: Auregen	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Danethrums, Pencelings	Major exports: Wool, ships, horses	Major imports: Glass, furniture, paper

Population: 18,810,000	Language(s): High Galllish	Demonym: Eresilnnian
Government type: Feudal monarchy	Head of Government: His Majesty, King Percival II	Head of State: His Majesty, King Percival Brambur Finnbach Van Bechlunde II
National map	Capital City: Lalschheim	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Pencelings	Major exports: Wool, horses, limestone	Major imports: Grain, hides, coal

Population: 29,370,000	Language(s): North Elcrescian Galllish	Demonym: Yelhennein
Government type:Absolute Monarchy	Head of Government: Her Serene Majesty, Mother-Queen Maria Natalia Kalyutta XII	Head of State: Her Serene Majesty, Mother-Queen Maria Natalia Kalyutta XII
National Map	Capital City: Yelhheim	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church
Currency: Yelkhals	Major exports: Wine, sugar beets, furniture	Major imports: Silver, textiles

Population: 6,250,000	Language(s): Imperial Creole	Demonym: Beiriu
Government type: Absolute monarchy	Head of Government:	Head of State: Grand Duke Fitrriam KatsurriIV
National Map	Capital City: Beiriuhum	Religion: Holy Helreskaffen Church, Omnsaatism
Currency:	Major exports: Bamboo, tea, sugar, glass	Major imports: Iron

Elementals 3: The White Rose (OOC, FANTASY, OPEN)

Other animals that you think would be cool to have domesticated in Gaiaca?

Elementals 3: The White Rose (OOC, FANTASY, OPEN)

Detailed Geography of Gaiaca, Volume I

Detailed Geography of Gaiaca, Volume II

It doesn't hurt having an extra one of these, probably

Who is online

Population:	Language(s): Tsubaki	Demonym: Tsubaki
Government type: Matriarchal military dictatorship	Head of Government:	Head of State:
National map	Capital City:	Religion: Reido
Currency:	Major exports:	Major imports: