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

[Reverend Norv]

In the first exercise of my new position, I'm going to say that I'd be willing to see what you come up with. All the city-states should be in some sense Telenian, but we already have two (Almaria and Propylea) that are the result of substantial cultural fusion with non-Telenian peoples. Your city-state could likewise have some quasi-Babylonian features due to this kind of Hellenistic cultural fusion.

In terms of location, I'd suggest Rheas. We are starting, in a fairly organic way, to develop some cultural coding for our continents: while both Rheas and Sidonia have non-Telenian or barbarian peoples, they're not at all the same. Consider, again, Almaria and Propylea. The influence of Rhean barbarians on Almaria renders it a caste-based, theocratic, reincarnationist polity. This makes sense, because Rheas in general is coded as ancient, stratified, somewhat esoteric: very much the way the Ancient Greeks thought of the "East." The influence of Sidonian barbarians on Propylea, on the other hand, makes it a bilingual, monotheistic, pragmatic state. This too makes sense, because Sidonia in general is coded as young, egalitarian, unconventional: very much the way the ancient Greeks thought of the "West." Pelagia, of course, represents Aristotle's Golden Mean between the two.

There could obviously be exceptions to the rule, but given this cultural coding, it makes sense that you might find in Rheas a Telenian state with strong influences inspired by the Middle East.

To specify, perhaps western Rheas might be the best place. I'm kind of thinking that the peninsula on the Eastern edge of the map is the homeland of the Telenians, so the West would be opened up for other cultures. I'll see if I can get some more specific regions sorted out today.

That makes a lot of sense: that peninsula, with all its bays and inlets, is a natural home for a seafaring people who would go on to colonize Pelagia.

[Reverend Norv]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Toaslandia
CITY NAME: Erlend (Dominion of Erlend)
POPULATION: 50,000

Excellent. ACCEPTED! I'll add you to the roster and map in the morning, as I suddenly realise I've been asleep in my chair for the past hour, and I need more sleep.

On another note, I'll probably start the IC tomorrow also, and after that, I'll give people two to three days to post before I start adding dragons ( ).

I just want to point out that the numbers on this app don't work. You can't raise 35,000 hoplites out of a total population of 50,000.

[Robo-Nixon]

Hmm, I wonder if dragons will be a more immediate threat to Sidonian cities than those further North or if these beasts will manage to make it more or less everywhere once properly 'unleashed' upon this world. How big are they in the sort of common Telenian mythology, considering that most would be religious but the actual existence of dragons is doubted?

[Nea Byzantia]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Nea Byzantia
CITY NAME: Phylesia
POPULATION: 750,000 (250,000 in the city, 500,000 spread in the vast rural farmlands inland)
SYMBOL OF CITY:
LOCATION OF CITY: At the mouth of the lower bay near the Eastern Peninsula where Telenian culture originated

MAJOR COLOURS OF CITY: Gold and White
GOVERNMENT TYPE:Absolute Monarchy (ruled by King Phanarios V)


(King Phanarios V, in the 56th year of his reign)


CULTURE OF CITY: The descendants of an Ancient Empire that once dominated almost all of Rheas; speak their own language (a cousin of Telenian, but not quite Telenian; think Latin vs Greek), Very Aristocratic, vertical social structure, Agrarian society, strong distrust of Merchants and Bankers; seen by the other Telenian civilizations as "backwards" and "stuffy".

CIVIC SPECIALISATIONS: Road-building, Hydraulics, Civil Engineering in general, Agriculture (known as the "Bread-basket of the region")

MILITARY SPECIALISATIONS: Land Warfare; very reliant on hoplite style infantry, with a decent amount of Cavalry provided by nomadic barbarian tribes incorporated into Imperial territory; very weak at sea


(typical Phylesian citizen-hoplite)


COMPOSITION OF ARMY: Citizen Soldiers, Auxiliary Cavalry
NUMBER OF SHIPS: 62 galleys

HISTORY OF CITY: One of the ancient of the Old Telenian cities, Phylesia lies at the mouth of the Photias Bay; a region known for its fertile lands, and vast vineyards. Originally, Phylesia was the capital of the mighty Rhean Empire, a vast superpower which gave its name to the northern continent. Roads and settlements criss-crossed the continents, and the Emperors in Phylesia sent out colonies into the Sea. Gradually, the outer regions and colonies developed their own culture and ways of life; but the Imperial Center at Phylesia maintained its pedigree of Old Telenian culture.

However, all good things come to an end. Eventually, the Empire grew decadent and collapsed. The last of the Emperors was deposed some centuries ago, and Phylesia fell to the rapacious and oligarchic rule of the Kantakounid Family, who gradually transitioned from bankers to barons. The Kantakounids impoverished and robbed the farmers and landowners of the vineyards, and sold off most of the city's assets to the wealthy merchants of former colonies abroad. They lived like kings and built grandiose palaces, while their subjects out in the country starved. The city had become adump, a shadow of its former self.

Finally, after some 150 years of Kantakounid rule, the oppressed and heavily-indebted farmers rose up and installed Phanarios Pandelion as King of Phylesia. The King quashed the Kantakounid Oligarchs and seized all their wealth and assets. The Pandelion Dynasty has ruled the City ever since, exporting grain, olives and the famous Phylesian Red Wine to other cities. Due to previous experience of being ruled by rapacious Oligarchs, the Phylesian lands and assets are all owned by the King, and leased to the Farmers and wine-growers, who are allowed to keep most of their produce for themselves while the rest is given to the King to sell abroad. The City is also renowned for its very large and impressive defensive walls, the Phanarian Wall, built by King Phanarios III (grandfather of the current King). Since that time, Phylesia has been expanding its holdings inland, establishing settlements and connecting them via roads to the Capital. The Phylesian Monarchy also has a ban on usury (enforced religiously due to previous Oligarchic rule), and view foreign merchants in general, with suspicion, though it trades with them on a regular basis. The Pandelionid Kingdom of Phylesia is predominatly a land-power, and a major exporter of wine, olive oil and grain.

#OIAF app - DO NOT DELETE

[Toaslandia]

Excellent. ACCEPTED! I'll add you to the roster and map in the morning, as I suddenly realise I've been asleep in my chair for the past hour, and I need more sleep.

On another note, I'll probably start the IC tomorrow also, and after that, I'll give people two to three days to post before I start adding dragons ( ).

I just want to point out that the numbers on this app don't work. You can't raise 35,000 hoplites out of a total population of 50,000.

Hopilites are citizen-soldiers. They're not professionals, wear only armor they can afford, and are only strong in a phalanx, which if broken would leave them them utterly useless.

[Robo-Nixon]

I just want to point out that the numbers on this app don't work. You can't raise 35,000 hoplites out of a total population of 50,000.

Hopilites are citizen-soldiers. They're not professionals, wear only armor they can afford, and are only strong in a phalanx, which if broken would leave them them utterly useless.

I think what Norv means is that your army is 70% of your population. It doesn't make sense. Is it supposed to say that your population is 500,000?

[Reverend Norv]

Hopilites are citizen-soldiers. They're not professionals, wear only armor they can afford, and are only strong in a phalanx, which if broken would leave them them utterly useless.

I think what Norv means is that your army is 70% of your population. It doesn't make sense. Is it supposed to say that your population is 500,000?

Correct. Even if every military-age man was a hoplite - which is unlikely, since the equipment is costly - that could still only add up to maybe 30 percent of your population. The rest are children, women, or old folks.

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

So this is old tech or MT?

[Nea Byzantia]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Nea Byzantia
CITY NAME: Phylesia
POPULATION: 750,000 (250,000 in the city, 500,000 spread in the vast rural farmlands inland)
SYMBOL OF CITY: (Image)
LOCATION OF CITY: At the mouth of the river Photias (far northern river), surrounded by lush farmland suitable for the growing of wheat, olives and grapes for wine-making

MAJOR COLOURS OF CITY: Gold and Red
GOVERNMENT TYPE: Monarchy (ruled by King Phanarios V)

(Image)
(King Phanarios V, in the 56th year of his reign)


CULTURE OF CITY: Harvest Ball (think Venetian-style Masked Ball)

CIVIC SPECIALISATIONS: Road-building, Hydraulics, Civil Engineering in general, Agriculture (known as the "Bread-basket of the region")
MILITARY SPECIALISATIONS: Land Warfare; very reliant on hoplite style infantry, with a decent amount of Cavalry; very weak at sea

(Image)
(typical Phylesian citizen-hoplite)


COMPOSITION OF ARMY: Citizen Soldiers
NUMBER OF SHIPS: 62 galleys

HISTORY OF CITY: One of the ancient of the Old Telenian cities, Phylesia lies at the mouth of the Photias river; a region known for its fertile lands, and vast vineyards. Originally, an Oligarchy ruled by the powerful and oppressive Kantakounid Family, the oppressed and heavily-indebted farmers rose up and installed Phanarios Pandelion as King of Phylesia. The King quashed the Kantakounid Oligarchs and seized all their wealth and assets. The Pandelion Dynasty has ruled the City ever since, exporting grain, olives and the famous Phylesian Red Wine to other cities. Due to previous experience of being ruled by rapacious Oligarchs, the Phylesian lands and assets are all owned by the King, and leased to the Farmers and wine-growers, who are allowed to keep most of their produce for themselves while the rest is given to the King to sell abroad. The City is also renowned for its very large and impressive defensive walls, the Phanarian Wall, built by King Phanarios III (grandfather of the current King). Since that time, Phylesia has been expanding its holdings inland, along the Photias river, establishing more farms, and even in the far-north, gold mines. The City also became renowned for the vast aqueducts and roads, linking the distant inland settlements to Phylesia itself. The Phylesian Monarchy also has a ban on usury (enforced religiously due to previous Oligarchic rule), and view foreign merchants in general, with suspicion, though it trades with them on a regular basis.

#OIAF app - DO NOT DELETE

I know this RP has a very Classical aesthetic, but would it be alright if I model Phylesia on Byzantine/Muscovite lines, politically...as in a Land-based, Autocratic empire?

[Nea Byzantia]

In the first exercise of my new position, I'm going to say that I'd be willing to see what you come up with. All the city-states should be in some sense Telenian, but we already have two (Almaria and Propylea) that are the result of substantial cultural fusion with non-Telenian peoples. Your city-state could likewise have some quasi-Babylonian features due to this kind of Hellenistic cultural fusion.

In terms of location, I'd suggest Rheas. We are starting, in a fairly organic way, to develop some cultural coding for our continents: while both Rheas and Sidonia have non-Telenian or barbarian peoples, they're not at all the same. Consider, again, Almaria and Propylea. The influence of Rhean barbarians on Almaria renders it a caste-based, theocratic, reincarnationist polity. This makes sense, because Rheas in general is coded as ancient, stratified, somewhat esoteric: very much the way the Ancient Greeks thought of the "East." The influence of Sidonian barbarians on Propylea, on the other hand, makes it a bilingual, monotheistic, pragmatic state. This too makes sense, because Sidonia in general is coded as young, egalitarian, unconventional: very much the way the ancient Greeks thought of the "West." Pelagia, of course, represents Aristotle's Golden Mean between the two.

There could obviously be exceptions to the rule, but given this cultural coding, it makes sense that you might find in Rheas a Telenian state with strong influences inspired by the Middle East.

To specify, perhaps western Rheas might be the best place. I'm kind of thinking that the peninsula on the Eastern edge of the map is the homeland of the Telenians, so the West would be opened up for other cultures. I'll see if I can get some more specific regions sorted out today.

I guess this helps my point, then?

[Nea Byzantia]

In the first exercise of my new position, I'm going to say that I'd be willing to see what you come up with. All the city-states should be in some sense Telenian, but we already have two (Almaria and Propylea) that are the result of substantial cultural fusion with non-Telenian peoples. Your city-state could likewise have some quasi-Babylonian features due to this kind of Hellenistic cultural fusion.

In terms of location, I'd suggest Rheas. We are starting, in a fairly organic way, to develop some cultural coding for our continents: while both Rheas and Sidonia have non-Telenian or barbarian peoples, they're not at all the same. Consider, again, Almaria and Propylea. The influence of Rhean barbarians on Almaria renders it a caste-based, theocratic, reincarnationist polity. This makes sense, because Rheas in general is coded as ancient, stratified, somewhat esoteric: very much the way the Ancient Greeks thought of the "East." The influence of Sidonian barbarians on Propylea, on the other hand, makes it a bilingual, monotheistic, pragmatic state. This too makes sense, because Sidonia in general is coded as young, egalitarian, unconventional: very much the way the ancient Greeks thought of the "West." Pelagia, of course, represents Aristotle's Golden Mean between the two.

There could obviously be exceptions to the rule, but given this cultural coding, it makes sense that you might find in Rheas a Telenian state with strong influences inspired by the Middle East.

To specify, perhaps western Rheas might be the best place. I'm kind of thinking that the peninsula on the Eastern edge of the map is the homeland of the Telenians, so the West would be opened up for other cultures. I'll see if I can get some more specific regions sorted out today.

I can change the name to a specifically non-Telenian name, if you wish?

[Jade Confederacy]

Hmm, I wonder if dragons will be a more immediate threat to Sidonian cities than those further North or if these beasts will manage to make it more or less everywhere once properly 'unleashed' upon this world. How big are they in the sort of common Telenian mythology, considering that most would be religious but the actual existence of dragons is doubted?

I think the threat level would depend upon their size. If its Game of Thrones dragons, then it won't be too bad. If its LoTR Smaug big then we'll have major problems. Also if the city is build using wood or other flammable material then the secondary fires set by the dragons could end up more devastating then the beasts themselves.

[Nea Byzantia]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Nea Byzantia
CITY NAME: Phylesia
POPULATION: 750,000 (250,000 in the city, 500,000 spread in the vast rural farmlands inland)
SYMBOL OF CITY: (Image)
LOCATION OF CITY: At the mouth of the river Photias (far northern river), surrounded by lush farmland suitable for the growing of wheat, olives and grapes for wine-making

MAJOR COLOURS OF CITY: Gold and Red
GOVERNMENT TYPE: Monarchy (ruled by King Phanarios V)

(Image)
(King Phanarios V, in the 56th year of his reign)


CULTURE OF CITY: Harvest Ball (think Venetian-style Masked Ball)

CIVIC SPECIALISATIONS: Road-building, Hydraulics, Civil Engineering in general, Agriculture (known as the "Bread-basket of the region")
MILITARY SPECIALISATIONS: Land Warfare; very reliant on hoplite style infantry, with a decent amount of Cavalry; very weak at sea

(Image)
(typical Phylesian citizen-hoplite)


COMPOSITION OF ARMY: Citizen Soldiers
NUMBER OF SHIPS: 62 galleys

HISTORY OF CITY: One of the ancient of the Old Telenian cities, Phylesia lies at the mouth of the Photias river; a region known for its fertile lands, and vast vineyards. Originally, an Oligarchy ruled by the powerful and oppressive Kantakounid Family, the oppressed and heavily-indebted farmers rose up and installed Phanarios Pandelion as King of Phylesia. The King quashed the Kantakounid Oligarchs and seized all their wealth and assets. The Pandelion Dynasty has ruled the City ever since, exporting grain, olives and the famous Phylesian Red Wine to other cities. Due to previous experience of being ruled by rapacious Oligarchs, the Phylesian lands and assets are all owned by the King, and leased to the Farmers and wine-growers, who are allowed to keep most of their produce for themselves while the rest is given to the King to sell abroad. The City is also renowned for its very large and impressive defensive walls, the Phanarian Wall, built by King Phanarios III (grandfather of the current King). Since that time, Phylesia has been expanding its holdings inland, along the Photias river, establishing more farms, and even in the far-north, gold mines. The City also became renowned for the vast aqueducts and roads, linking the distant inland settlements to Phylesia itself. The Phylesian Monarchy also has a ban on usury (enforced religiously due to previous Oligarchic rule), and view foreign merchants in general, with suspicion, though it trades with them on a regular basis.

#OIAF app - DO NOT DELETE

Could I have Phylesia be a massive Empire in the West, very much land-based, with the only major coastal city being Phylesia itself. Phylesia being closely modelled on Constantinople or Moscow (except by the Sea). Essentially most of the inland territory in the West of Rheas could be under the King's authority. The Telenians could view the Phylesians as backwards and autocratic ala the Hellenistic view of the Persians, or the 19th century British view of Imperial Russia. The Empire could be very autocratic and bureaucratized ala the Persian, Byzantine and Russian Empires, but almost exclusively land-based. I ask in return to be able to increase population to 1 million. Does that work with the overall narrative of the RP?

[Nea Byzantia]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Toaslandia
CITY NAME: Erlend (Dominion of Erlend)
POPULATION: 50,000
SYMBOL OF CITY:

(Image)

LOCATION OF CITY: On Rheas and to the East bay of where the Northernmost river meets the sea.

MAJOR COLORS OF CITY: Dark green, gold, and dark blue.
GOVERNMENT TYPE: Erlend clings to a heavy military focused aristocracy, with a complex hierarchy of titles and noble houses. The Lord of the Dominion acts as the sovereign lord of Erlend, but the many ministers have large amounts of influence in the government as well.
CULTURE OF CITY: Erlend's culture is heavily militaristic, with children being taken at a young age to be trained either as a soldier or ranger. Erlend citizens wear their colors in almost all their clothes, which are made to be useful in combat, not fashionable or comfortable.

CIVIC SPECIALIZATIONS: Members of the Erlend nobility are excellent at political subterfuge, and power has passed between the hands of many because of it.
MILITARY SPECIALIZATIONS: Erlend soldiers use long spears and shields to march in a phalanx, while the Erlend cavalry use short swords and smaller shields to charge enemy lines faster. The elite Erlend rangers fight with bows, knives, and hand to hand combat. The Erlend military prefers land combat, but professional soldiers and rangers have some training in the basics of the navy.
COMPOSITION OF ARMY: The entire populace is the military, with 5,000 being professional cavalry, 500 being the rangers, and 35,000 being Erlend levies trained with long spears and shields to form phalanxes.
NUMBER OF SHIPS: The trading fleet of Erlend consists of 100 ships, while the navvy consists of 150 ships.
HISTORY OF CITY: Erlend has not always been Erlend. Originally, Erlend was called the Kingdom of Eredan, and was embroiled in civil war, eventually forming the Republic of Alona for a short while, before Alona being replaced by the Viscounty of Nacea, and eventually descendants of the old Eredan nobles retook their city and renamed it Erlend. To prevent another series of bloody civil wars, Erlend began a large propaganda campaign, established mandatory conscription, and cracked down on dissenters, using their vast propaganda machine to brand them as traitors. Also to try and establish peace among the nobles, the people could elect Ministers to keep the nobles in check, but in reality most Ministers were related to nobles in one way or another or were bribed by the nobles. Erlend mainly kept to itself and built up their army and dismissing diplomacy as a useless tactic. Eventually, Erlend allowed foreigners to immigrate to the city, but forced them to be molded into Erlend traditions. The only diplomatic message they sent to any city was a name of their city and to stay out of their business.

#OIAF app - DO NOT DELETE

Are we neighbors?

[Robo-Nixon]

Hmm, I wonder if dragons will be a more immediate threat to Sidonian cities than those further North or if these beasts will manage to make it more or less everywhere once properly 'unleashed' upon this world. How big are they in the sort of common Telenian mythology, considering that most would be religious but the actual existence of dragons is doubted?

I think the threat level would depend upon their size. If its Game of Thrones dragons, then it won't be too bad. If its LoTR Smaug big then we'll have major problems. Also if the city is build using wood or other flammable material then the secondary fires set by the dragons could end up more devastating then the beasts themselves.

I would assume parts of cities, particularly suburbs that provide residence for lower classes and slaves may be built of wood, not necessarily entire cities though. My big worry is still navies and how a dragon could wipe out an entire fleet more or less.

[Reverend Norv]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Nea Byzantia
CITY NAME: Phylesia
POPULATION: 750,000 (250,000 in the city, 500,000 spread in the vast rural farmlands inland)
SYMBOL OF CITY: (Image)
LOCATION OF CITY: At the mouth of the river Photias (far northern river), surrounded by lush farmland suitable for the growing of wheat, olives and grapes for wine-making

MAJOR COLOURS OF CITY: Gold and Red
GOVERNMENT TYPE: Monarchy (ruled by King Phanarios V)

(Image)
(King Phanarios V, in the 56th year of his reign)


CULTURE OF CITY: Harvest Ball (think Venetian-style Masked Ball)

CIVIC SPECIALISATIONS: Road-building, Hydraulics, Civil Engineering in general, Agriculture (known as the "Bread-basket of the region")
MILITARY SPECIALISATIONS: Land Warfare; very reliant on hoplite style infantry, with a decent amount of Cavalry; very weak at sea

(Image)
(typical Phylesian citizen-hoplite)


COMPOSITION OF ARMY: Citizen Soldiers
NUMBER OF SHIPS: 62 galleys

HISTORY OF CITY: One of the ancient of the Old Telenian cities, Phylesia lies at the mouth of the Photias river; a region known for its fertile lands, and vast vineyards. Originally, an Oligarchy ruled by the powerful and oppressive Kantakounid Family, the oppressed and heavily-indebted farmers rose up and installed Phanarios Pandelion as King of Phylesia. The King quashed the Kantakounid Oligarchs and seized all their wealth and assets. The Pandelion Dynasty has ruled the City ever since, exporting grain, olives and the famous Phylesian Red Wine to other cities. Due to previous experience of being ruled by rapacious Oligarchs, the Phylesian lands and assets are all owned by the King, and leased to the Farmers and wine-growers, who are allowed to keep most of their produce for themselves while the rest is given to the King to sell abroad. The City is also renowned for its very large and impressive defensive walls, the Phanarian Wall, built by King Phanarios III (grandfather of the current King). Since that time, Phylesia has been expanding its holdings inland, along the Photias river, establishing more farms, and even in the far-north, gold mines. The City also became renowned for the vast aqueducts and roads, linking the distant inland settlements to Phylesia itself. The Phylesian Monarchy also has a ban on usury (enforced religiously due to previous Oligarchic rule), and view foreign merchants in general, with suspicion, though it trades with them on a regular basis.

#OIAF app - DO NOT DELETE

Could I have Phylesia be a massive Empire in the West, very much land-based, with the only major coastal city being Phylesia itself. Phylesia being closely modelled on Constantinople or Moscow (except by the Sea). Essentially most of the inland territory in the West of Rheas could be under the King's authority. The Telenians could view the Phylesians as backwards and autocratic ala the Hellenistic view of the Persians, or the 19th century British view of Imperial Russia. The Empire could be very autocratic and bureaucratized ala the Persian, Byzantine and Russian Empires, but almost exclusively land-based. I ask in return to be able to increase population to 1 million. Does that work with the overall narrative of the RP?

I think this is a step too far. Telenian city-states influenced by other peoples are one thing. An entire foreign empire is very different, and would radically upset the RP’s balance of power. Unless Tasuirin overrules me, as co-OP, I have to say no.

[Nea Byzantia]

Could I have Phylesia be a massive Empire in the West, very much land-based, with the only major coastal city being Phylesia itself. Phylesia being closely modelled on Constantinople or Moscow (except by the Sea). Essentially most of the inland territory in the West of Rheas could be under the King's authority. The Telenians could view the Phylesians as backwards and autocratic ala the Hellenistic view of the Persians, or the 19th century British view of Imperial Russia. The Empire could be very autocratic and bureaucratized ala the Persian, Byzantine and Russian Empires, but almost exclusively land-based. I ask in return to be able to increase population to 1 million. Does that work with the overall narrative of the RP?

I think this is a step too far. Telenian city-states influenced by other peoples are one thing. An entire foreign empire is very different, and would radically upset the RP’s balance of power. Unless Tasuirin overrules me, as co-OP, I have to say no.

Ah, ok...Can I still be a large land-based agricultural city-state in the north?

[Toaslandia]

Hopilites are citizen-soldiers. They're not professionals, wear only armor they can afford, and are only strong in a phalanx, which if broken would leave them them utterly useless.

I think what Norv means is that your army is 70% of your population. It doesn't make sense. Is it supposed to say that your population is 500,000?

What I mean by it being that large amount is that children are conscripted at a young age, and members of the military stay in it until death.

[Reverend Norv]

I think this is a step too far. Telenian city-states influenced by other peoples are one thing. An entire foreign empire is very different, and would radically upset the RP’s balance of power. Unless Tasuirin overrules me, as co-OP, I have to say no.

Ah, ok...Can I still be a large land-based agricultural city-state in the north?

Sure. But if you want to justify having any pseudo-Byzantine influences - much less pseudo-Muscovite - you need to explain where they come from in your culture section. I need to see something more than a very un-Classical allusion to a masked ball.

[Reverend Norv]

I think what Norv means is that your army is 70% of your population. It doesn't make sense. Is it supposed to say that your population is 500,000?

What I mean by it being that large amount is that children are conscripted at a young age, and members of the military stay in it until death.

Still: even if every able-bodied, military age male could afford hoplite armor - which was not the case anywhere in Ancient Greece - that would still only total maybe thirty percent of your total population. The rest are children, women, very old, or invalids. Some of those may have some amount of military training, but nine-year-olds and toothless old men don’t count as soldiers. No society in history has ever been able to call seventy percent of its population for military service. It is demographically impossible.

[Nea Byzantia]

Ah, ok...Can I still be a large land-based agricultural city-state in the north?

Sure. But if you want to justify having any pseudo-Byzantine influences - much less pseudo-Muscovite - you need to explain where they come from in your culture section. I need to see something more than a very un-Classical allusion to a masked ball.

Fair enough...Could they be an "older", "stuffier" version of Telenian culture? Perhaps the Old Empire based there collapsed and was taken over by Oligarchs, the Kantakounids, and then Phanarios Pandelion takes over as King (read the History). This could've been centuries ago.

[Nea Byzantia]

Sure. But if you want to justify having any pseudo-Byzantine influences - much less pseudo-Muscovite - you need to explain where they come from in your culture section. I need to see something more than a very un-Classical allusion to a masked ball.

Fair enough...Could they be an "older", "stuffier" version of Telenian culture? Perhaps the Old Empire based there collapsed and was taken over by Oligarchs, the Kantakounids, and then Phanarios Pandelion takes over as King (read the History). This could've been centuries ago.

Perhaps the Old Empire was called the Rhean Empire? And its collapse centuries ago, spurred the colonization of these other lands? And then Phylesia, the Old Capital languished for centuries under the corrupt reign of the Kantakounid Oligarchs, who built grandiose palaces, and allowed their people to suffer and starve, selling most of the grain and wine to outside cities. Then the Pandelions took over, and the City has been recovering ever since; rebuilding a lot of the old roads inland, and settling fertile lands.

[Reverend Norv]

I’m actually okay with that idea, if it works for the OP. This would sort of make Phylesia Telen’s equivalent of a Mycenaean rump state, which is a pretty cool idea. I’d like you to move your territory to Rhea’s eastern peninsula, which is the ancient Telenian heartland, and expand your app to give me some historical and cultural details of how Phylesia’s ancient Telenian culture differs from the more modern Telenian society elsewhere. But in principle, I think it’s a cool idea.

[Nea Byzantia]

I’m actually okay with that idea, if it works for the OP. This would sort of make Phylesia Telen’s equivalent of a Mycenaean rump state, which is a pretty cool idea. I’d like you to move your territory to Rhea’s eastern peninsula, which is the ancient Telenian heartland, and expand your app to give me some historical and cultural details of how Phylesia’s ancient Telenian culture differs from the more modern Telenian society elsewhere. But in principle, I think it’s a cool idea.

Think of Spain vs Latin America...that's kind of where I'm going with this, I guess.

[Nea Byzantia]

OF IRON AND FIRE APPLICATION

NS NAME: Nea Byzantia
CITY NAME: Phylesia
POPULATION: 750,000 (250,000 in the city, 500,000 spread in the vast rural farmlands inland)
SYMBOL OF CITY: (Image)
LOCATION OF CITY: At the mouth of the lower bay near the Eastern Peninsula where Telenian culture originated

MAJOR COLOURS OF CITY: Gold and Red
GOVERNMENT TYPE:Absolute Monarchy (ruled by King Phanarios V)

(Image)
(King Phanarios V, in the 56th year of his reign)


CULTURE OF CITY: The descendants of an Ancient Empire that once dominated almost all of Rheas; speak their own language (a cousin of Telenian, but not quite Telenian; think Latin vs Greek), Very Aristocratic, vertical social structure, Agrarian society, strong distrust of Merchants and Bankers; seen by the other Telenian civilizations as "backwards" and "stuffy".

CIVIC SPECIALISATIONS: Road-building, Hydraulics, Civil Engineering in general, Agriculture (known as the "Bread-basket of the region")

MILITARY SPECIALISATIONS: Land Warfare; very reliant on hoplite style infantry, with a decent amount of Cavalry provided by nomadic barbarian tribes incorporated into Imperial territory; very weak at sea

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(typical Phylesian citizen-hoplite)


COMPOSITION OF ARMY: Citizen Soldiers, Auxiliary Cavalry
NUMBER OF SHIPS: 62 galleys

HISTORY OF CITY: One of the ancient of the Old Telenian cities, Phylesia lies at the mouth of the Photias Bay; a region known for its fertile lands, and vast vineyards. Originally, Phylesia was the capital of the mighty Rhean Empire, a vast superpower which gave its name to the northern continent. Roads and settlements criss-crossed the continents, and the Emperors in Phylesia sent out colonies into the Sea. Gradually, the outer regions and colonies developed their own culture and ways of life; but the Imperial Center at Phylesia maintained its pedigree of Old Telenian culture.

However, all good things come to an end. Eventually, the Empire grew decadent and collapsed. The last of the Emperors was deposed some centuries ago, and Phylesia fell to the rapacious and oligarchic rule of the Kantakounid Family, who gradually transitioned from bankers to barons. The Kantakounids impoverished and robbed the farmers and landowners of the vineyards, and sold off most of the city's assets to the wealthy merchants of former colonies abroad. They lived like kings and built grandiose palaces, while their subjects out in the country starved. The city had become adump, a shadow of its former self.

Finally, after some 150 years of Kantakounid rule, the oppressed and heavily-indebted farmers rose up and installed Phanarios Pandelion as King of Phylesia. The King quashed the Kantakounid Oligarchs and seized all their wealth and assets. The Pandelion Dynasty has ruled the City ever since, exporting grain, olives and the famous Phylesian Red Wine to other cities. Due to previous experience of being ruled by rapacious Oligarchs, the Phylesian lands and assets are all owned by the King, and leased to the Farmers and wine-growers, who are allowed to keep most of their produce for themselves while the rest is given to the King to sell abroad. The City is also renowned for its very large and impressive defensive walls, the Phanarian Wall, built by King Phanarios III (grandfather of the current King). Since that time, Phylesia has been expanding its holdings inland, establishing settlements and connecting them via roads to the Capital. The Phylesian Monarchy also has a ban on usury (enforced religiously due to previous Oligarchic rule), and view foreign merchants in general, with suspicion, though it trades with them on a regular basis. The Pandelionid Kingdom of Phylesia is predominatly a land-power, and a major exporter of wine, olive oil and grain.

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What do you think, added some details. I don't want to go too much into the Old Empire, cause I want to give others a chance to develop lore too.