Settlers of a New Land (OOC - Early Medieval Semi-Fantasy)

[Rastrian]

⌘ Terrain Map (courtesy of Razzgriz) ⌘ • ⌘ Political Map (no terrain) ⌘ • ⌘ Discord ⌘ • ⌘ IC ⌘

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It has been generations since the fall of the Rhosan Empire.

The Cassanian Isles have seen nothing but stagnation since then, with the petty nations of the Thonoci bickering amongst themselves.

The Garcani from the mainland, emboldened by the fall of their once-strong oppressor, seek to carve out land for themselves by conquest.

Meanwhile, threats from the North; the nomadic Pitaci, and the foreign Skalvi, threaten Thonoci, Garcani and Rhosan alike.

As inhabitants of this virgin land, nations can rise, individuals gain prestige, or perhaps civilisation will fall to the threats it faces.

You are Settlers of a New Land. The isles lie at your fingertips.

[Rastrian]

CASSANIA


Map courtesy of Razzgriz.
Darkest green is forest, lighter green is swampland, lightest is plains. Mountains marked.

The isles of Cassania are large. Stretching from the cool temperate south up towards the frozen wild lands of the north, Cassania is inhabited by numerous species of game animal, many forests, swamps, river systems and rolling grasslands, which gives Cassania its second name - the Verdant Isle. For many years, the Thonoci people of Cassania had lived peacefully. Tribes and nations on both sides of the Ancerian Strait had seen eye to eye. Some passing men had sought to own parts of the Verdant Isle, but few ever had the troops, ever less the resources, to mount more than a raid on the Thonoci of the Isle, who, in times of crisis, banded together to repel invaders and threats to their lands.

However, then came Thresu. He was a general of the Rhosan Empire, an emergent power in the south, who had invaded Anceria, across from the isles themselves, and eyed Cassania with lust for her fertile lands. Thresu boarded some canoes with his army, built by local Thonoci for fishing, and stepped onto the shores of Cassania. From there, his army raided all over the island, before turning their raids into conquests. The technological advances of the Thonoci meant that they never stood a chance. Within mere years, the Rhosan Empire controlled the east, south and centre of the island.

Many times, they tried to push westwards, to mop up the last Thonoci left on the isle, but every time, no matter where they attacked, they were repelled, sometimes by the swamps, other times by the mountains. The Thonoci west of the mountains retained their independence. But the Rhosans continued to try invading the whole island. They travelled north, finding a hostile group known as the Pitaci. Unlike many other Thonoci, the Pitaci were far more barbaric, simply swamping the invading Rhosans with numbers, as well as stealing their precious cavalry horses.

Suitably rattled by the Thonoci, the Rhosan army kept fortifications across the northern border of their lands, keeping them safe, while they spread their influence around the isles, native Thonoci in their occupied lands adopting their traditions, language and culture. It was not to last forever. A century after they first landed, many of the Rhosans in the army were called back to the city of Rhosa, to defend from barbarians, some of the soldiers having never even been to Rhosa. None of these departed soldiers were seen again, and three years after they left, the Rhosan Empire had collapsed.

The Rhosanised Thonoci, known as the Cartaci, soon split up again into warring factions, barely able to keep their disparate lords together. This continued for years, with occasional raids from the other Thonoci nations, aghast at their cousins' abandonment of their ways. And, of course, the Pitaci presented a lingering threat.

However, the collapse of the Rhosan Empire emboldened the Garcani tribes, far away from Cassania, who began raiding in their ships two hundred years ago. However, they soon learnt of the prosperity and fertility of Cassania. Many landed, invading the isles and their disparate populations, even more disparate than before the Rhosans had invaded, and, in three waves, took land from south-eastern Cassania. These three Garcani nations became the Acli, the Sassani and the Joti. Each one of them set up their own petty fiefdoms. That is the state of Cassania now. Small groups, some tribal villages, others single cities, yet others nomadic tribes of Pitaci undertaking sporadic raids into the southern lands on horseback. And with the introduction of the ever-raiding Skalvi, even further north across the seas, Cassania has become a land of opportunity - opportunity to carve out land for oneself.

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NATIONS

When thinking of the nations of Cassania, one must not think in terms of unified states, nor even judicial areas. No, the nations of Cassania are merely lands unified by similar culture. They are disparate, squabbling, disunited, and without a strong figure to unite them, will remain as such until the day when civilisation on Cassania falls. However, these are the nations of Cassania:

THONOCI NATIONS:

The Thonoci are, as far as can be attained, the original inhabitants of the Cassanian Isle. Since the oldest records, Thonoci have organised themselves into clans and tribes, each one nominally independent from the ones around it, with only the briefest periods of confederation, often in the wake of socio-political challenges to their lands. Possessing rather egalitarian social systems, most Thonoci have a tendency towards equality between males and females, as well as equality upwards, with lords of clans being on good terms with peasants.

Cartaci:
Language: Cartaci
Religion: Rhosanism
Specialisation: Sword infantry, heavy cavalry
The Cartaci are the prosperous descendants of the Thonoci tribes who submitted, willingly or not, to Rhosan rule during the Imperial era. As such, they gained much knowledge from the Rhosan Empire. They learnt to build larger stone structures, such as forts and castles, in their territory, and adopted somewhat the Rhosan military traditions of a semi-professional army. While now organised into petty fiefdoms, the Cartaci way has always been to defer to Rhosan beliefs where it would not disregard their own culture too heavily. Their language is softer than Caithri, but they can understand some of it. They specialise in sword infantry and heavy cavalry. They follow the Rhosanic religion, unlike their

Caithri:
Language: Caithri
Religion: Thonoci Shamanism
Specialisation: Spear infantry, bowmen
The Caithri are the wild cousins of the Cartaci, from the western lands over the mountains, never tamed by the Rhosan Empire in its day. Crimes of Rhosan aggression, however, still play on the hearts and minds of the Caithri people, as their culture was pushed to the edge of the continent by war and bloodshed, and their Cartaci counterparts still launch raids into Caithri territory from time to time. Their language is harsher than Cartaci, though they can understand some words from each other in passing. Caithri are entirely tribalistic, organising into villages and small towns with only the most basic hillforts for defence, and specialise in spear infantry and bowmen, most lightly armoured.

Vaithi:
Language: Vaithi
Religion: Thonoci Shamanism
Specialisation: Boats, spearmen
The Vaithi are similar to the Caithri in many respects, descended from similar Thonoci to they. However, the Vaithi were relegated to far southern lands, separated from the main Thonoci tribes and never fully overtaken by the Rhosan Empire. As such, they are similarly wild, but with a history of living on the coast, rely more on the sea for trade, resources and warfare, Vaithi navies being comprised of primitive warships and fishing vessels. The Vaithi tongue is almost identical to Caithri. They specialise in primitive naval warfare, as well as spearmen.

Pitaci:
Language: Pitaci
Religion: Thonoci Shamanism
Specialisation: Light cavalry
The Pitaci are less settled even than the Caithri. Contacted by the early Rhosan Empire, early attempts to invade their lands resulted in spectacular failure, as the Pitaci, now infuriated, raided Rhosan camps in retaliation, moving down South for the first time, and finding horses, which now make up a major part of their culture and military. The Pitaci have been nomads from then on, moving camps whenever possible and never staying too long in one place, raiding as they go and razing settlements. The Pitaci tongue is far further removed from Caithri and Cartaci, though the odd word here or there can be understood. The Pitaci specialise in light cavalry, arming themselves mostly with stolen weaponry, and seldom wearing armour, or some even clothes at all, while riding on horseback.

GARCANI NATIONS:

The Garcani are newcomers to the land, arriving only after the last of the Rhosans left. They brought with them odd customs, already existent clan and tribe divisions and a sheer ferocity that made them formidable in the early years of their conquests. They do keep slaves, though of late have not gone for many raids to take any from nearby lands, instead raising a slave caste below theirs descended largely from the original Thonoci inhabitants of the land, while the men and women of the Garcani tribes remain largely equal, but with lords having a high status amongst the tribe.

Acli:
Language: Acli
Religion: Garcani Paganism/Rhosanism
Specialisation: Spearmen, heavy cavalry
The Acli are the most civilised Garcani nation on Cassania. They arrived first, taking land from the native Thonoci tribes and pockets of Rhosan influence still present. They inhabited fertile plains, soon coming into contact with the Kingdom of Anceria. They adopted much from the Ancerians, including cavalry, castles, and some (but by no means all) have even adopted the Rhosanic Faith. Their language is has a certain sing-song quality to it, though they can understand most other Garcani well enough. They specialise in spearmen and heavy cavalry.

Sassani:
Language: Sassani
Religion: Garcani Paganism
Specialisation: Swordsmen with shields, bowmen
The Sassani arrived a while after the Acli, and settled further south, avoiding much contact with the Anceri to the east. They continued to develop even so, however. They copied some basic ideas of Acli castle-building and architecture, but never quite to their extent, and they maintain their tribal lifestyles moreso than the Acli. The Sassani tongue sounds harsh and powerful, but they too can understand most other Garcani tongues. They specialise in swordsmen with shields.

Joti:
Language: Joti
Religion: Garcani Paganism
Specialisation: Axe infantry, bowmen
The least prosperous Garcani nation, the Joti were the last to arrive in Cassania. They have settled with the basic necessities, but are known for their ferocity. Much of the land they now call home had already been taken by the Sassani when they arrived, and so they fought them for it rather than local Thonoci tribes, making them unlikely allies to the Cartaci groups nearby. They are the most conservative of the Garcani also, preserving their traditions fiercely, including a heavily oral tradition. Their language is surprisingly soft for such a harsh people, though they understand other Garcani languages fairly easily. They specialise in axe infantry and bowmen.

RHOSAN NATIONS:

The Rhosan people are descendants of the citizens of the Rhosan Empire which came to Cassania centuries ago. They came as conquerors and statesmen, possessing complex systems of governance still extant within the Cartaci lands to this day, though not to the same extent. They came to the island, raised the Cartaci to rulers within their lands, expanded north, met the Pitaci who quickly made them very afraid, and the rest of the Rhosan presence was largely an attempt to mitigate Pitaci raids. Eventually, they departed back for their homeland, finding it in ruins after invasions and raids, with the few Rhosans who remained clinging hard to their traditions. They have a hierarchical structure, with lords, priests, citizens, freemen and slaves all part of the established system, as well as a stratified distinction between males and females.

Anceri:
Language: Anceri
Religion: Rhosanism
Specialisation: Heavy cavalry, heavy infantry
The Anceri are the cousins of the Garcani who were subjugated by the Rhosan Empire centuries ago, who also colonised the land which is now Anceria and left it as they collapsed. The Empire left the Anceri with many great structures and a system of ruling. An individual named Cholesrith united the disparate Ancerians, and formed the Kingdom of Anceria, with a feudal monarchy, as well as adopting a far more Rhosan tongue. Anceri is now a major language of learning within the Kingdom. They specialise in heavy cavalry and infantry, though are more sedentary and cautious than the Cassanian nations. To this day, the Ancerian nation is the only one with any form of unity.

Low Rhosan:
Language: Low-Rhosan
Religion: Rhosanism
Specialisation: Heavy cavalry, heavy infantry
The Low-Rhosans are the descendants of Rhosan freemen and citizens who settled far into Northern lands, yet were not recalled back to Rhosa as the Empire fell. They now inhabit tiny pockets within Cassania and Anceria, preserving their traditions in a lesser form. The term 'lower' implies their status - not as "true" Rhosans in the eyes of anyone, despite the fact that they have preserved a lot that the Rhosan-descended populations have lost elsewhere. Regardless, they exist in such low numbers that, without a miracle, they might simply die out as a people. They specialise in heavy cavalry and infantry, making them a very efficient fighting force, should they survive and spread their dying culture.

NOSARI NATIONS:

From some far off northern continent, the Nosari are descendants of those who could deal with the cold temperatures and did not choose to immediately return south after venturing so far north. That cold climate, in some places it being always winter, has hardened the Nosari, who continued to thrive in their region away from intrusions. However, as their population increased, they found it ever more necessary to raid into southern lands. Men and women are equal, with women often being the ones to choose a spouse, not men, and the penalty for rape is death.

Skalvi
Language: Skalvi
Religion: Nosari Paganism
Specialisation: Boats, axe infantry
The Skalvi arrived to Cassania only recently from somewhere across the sea. They arrived in longships, originally coming to trade with locals and engage in diplomacy with Garcani and Thonoci alike. They brought strange ways, but were tolerant of the ways of others. Some remain that way. However, tales of Skalvi arriving in their longships, burning down villages and murdering many are becoming much more common, and one cannot truly tell whether a ship on the horizon brings good tidings or ill. Their language is incomprehensible on its own, though many Skalvi make effort to learn the tongues of others, as they travel more than most. They specialise in ship design and axe infantry.

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RELIGIONS

There are various religious traditions throughout the entirety of Cassania. Most nations have their own ethnic religions, that are held simply by virtue of population, while the prosperous religion of Rhosanism has a large following throughout the known world, and has a presence on Cassania throughout many groups.

ORGANISED RELIGION:

Rhosanism:

Rhosanism, or Rhosan Kuric, is the faith brought by the Rhosan Empire to the people of Cassania. Founded in the lands of the Rhosan people, an advanced civilisation who had made great advances in philosophy, the Rhosanist faith revolves around four cardinal virtues, said to be universal - wisdom, temperance, fortitude and justice. All of these are aspects of the soul, with the hierarchy thus placing soul above the others in that regard. They have a defined priestly class, and build great temples in their lands, standing tall over the landscape. They have a holy text, known as The Liber. 'Kur' is the Rhosan word for 'faith', and so 'Kuric' refers to that.

The following gods make up the Rhosanic pantheon:

• Aesus - God of the soul, the natural world, all humans and animals.
• Euetus - God of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, literacy and art.
• Inuatus - God of temperance, preservation, safety and good deeds.
• Siualus - God of fortitude, determination, war and human endeavour.
• Teisus - God of justice, fate, duty and the right to rule.

ETHNIC RELIGIONS:

Thonoci Shamanism:
Thonoci Shamanism refers to the ethnic religion practiced by the Thonoci people. Practiced in all of the Thonoci lands, which have been reduced to mainly in Cassania, the faith includes many aspects unusual to others, such as the veneration of animal and tree spirits, believe in reincarnation, sacrifice both humans and animals to appease their gods (often burying these offerings in the ground), and has a defined priestly class, many of which act as healers, prophets and other vocations of a somewhat "mystic" nature. The veneration of various spirits has discouraged some Thonoci from settling at all, fearing that they would damage, and thus anger, the tree spirits of forests by doing so.

There are no gods in the Thonoci faith, instead with spirits playing roles of various importance. Generally, the Wolf Spirit is considered most important, though that is largely because of the connotations it brings to the minds of many Thonoci people.

Garcani Paganism:
Garcani Paganism refers to the ethnic religion practiced by the Garcani people. Practiced in Old Garcania, where the three Garcani peoples in Cassania were from, the Garcani faith revolves around numerous gods pertaining to aspects of the natural world. They do not commit sacrifices to their gods, nor do they have a particularly distinguished priestly class. They consider temples far too menial to dedicate to gods, instead dedicating forests and trees, often by inscribing runes upon the trees as they dedicate them.

The following gods are the ones which most Garcani tribes consistently worship, though it can vary drastically.

• Hreoh: God of thunder, storms, tides, sea travel, war, humanity, weather in general and the Head God.
• Gleawn: God of wisdom, sight, understanding, knowledge and the giver of writing.
• Cynden: God of nature, hunting and feasting.
• Bisceoth: God of labour, work and duty.
• Elyna: Goddess of love, fertility and agriculture.
• Aldora: Goddess of fate, truth, law and justice.
• Fritha: Goddess of the sun, bringer of the dawn and goddess of time.
• Beada: Goddess of death, Lady of the Under-realm.

Nosari Paganism:
Nosari Paganism is the ethnic religion of the Nosari people. Practiced in the ice-bitten northern lands that the Nosari call their home, the Nosari faith is based on the worship of gods of natural forces. The Nosari belief is of a single great god with two aspects that begat all other lesser gods, which govern over many varied aspects of nature, often with a male and female counterpart for these concepts. Nosari people venerate their ancestors, burying them with many honours. They tend to build great stone barrows into the ground where their ancestors lie, as well as monuments to their gods across the landscape.

The following gods are the ones which most Nosari tribes consistently worship, though it can vary drastically.

• Bjaupan: Progenitor of the gods, god of snow and ice.
• Charnipan: Dark aspect of Bjaupan, god of rain and thunder.
• Prava: Goddess of justice, fate and punishment.
• Pravmazh: God of lawmaking, duty and reward.
• Maka: Goddess of fertility, love and family.
• Oichen: God of parental duty and courtship.
• Zhika: Goddess of life and rebirth.
• Shekim: God of death and necessary loss.
• Tokie: God of the three realms - the underworld, where the dead live, the world of humanity, and the land of the gods.
• Obrona: Goddess of protection, fire, safety and sanctuary.

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RULES

1. Applications are for tribes, settlements and individual characters only. I define a settlement as between 2,000-10,000 in population, with very few being as high as 10,000 people. If there is a distinct reason in the app to go above that, I may consider it.
2. To begin with, there will only be one (1) space for a Low-Rhosan settlement. That may grow over time, but remember that Low-Rhosans are a dying culture in Cassania, and without player intervention, will die out entirely.
3. No-one roleplays as any King or high lord of a large tract of land from the beginning. That includes the King of Anceria, who will be an NPC until such point as they die. People can RP as lords with ambitions to become Kings of places, but not from the get-go.
4. Exploration may be possible, but that will probably occur later.
5. If roleplaying as a current-invader (i.e: Skalvi or Pitaci), then keep in mind that your population will not be permanent so far. You may settle, but for both, may lose out on some of those cultures' unique features.
6. Technology is to be strictly limited to 5th-7th Century Western/Northern European, other than for Low-Rhosans, who have some influence from Roman-era.
7. To begin with, I will accept one independent settlement/tribe app per person. If that person makes three decent-length-and-quality posts in the IC, that limit will be lifted.

CULTURE EQUIVALENTS:
Each culture and nation has its roots in a real-life culture, for ease of use:

• THONOCI
  • Cartaci: Romano-British
  • Caithri: Mix of Irish and Welsh
  • Vaithi: Cornish/Breton
  • Pitaci: Picts mainly
• GARCANI
  • Acli: Angles
  • Sassani: Saxons
  • Joti: Jutes
• RHOSAN
  • Low-Rhosan: Mix of Latin, with Etruscan flavour
  • Anceri: Early French
• NOSARI
  • Skalvi: Mix of various Slavic cultures, with Viking influences

[Rastrian]

ACCEPTED APPS

Settlement/Tribe	Player	Culture/Nation	Religion
Dzyarka	Theyra	Skalvi	Nosari Paganism
Gwaed am Ddim	Research Outpost 31	Caithri	Thonoci Shamanism
Hreastowe	Rastrian	Acli	Garcani Paganism
Trimontium	Reverend Norv	Cartaci	Rhosanism
Velurcion	The Knights of Azorea	Cartaci	Rhosanism

Character	Player	Culture	Religion	Role	Status
Erlfara Hirrocsson	Rastrian	Acli	Garcani Pagan	Thegn of Hreastowe	ALIVE
Urien ap Brenin	The Knights of Azorea	Cartaci	Rhosanism	Dux Velloricus	ALIVE
Yasen Vlaeva	Theyra	Skalvi	Nosari Paganism	Zupan of Dzyarka	ALIVE
Ychydig o Graig Galed	Research Outpost 31	Caithri	Thonoci Shamanism	Chief of Gwaed am Ddim	ALIVE

APPLICATIONS

SETTLEMENT APP

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(delete anything in parentheses)
[align=center][img]SYMBOL-HERE[/img]
(not all settlements would have symbols, but some will, so post that, or describe in detail)[/align]
[b]Name of Settlement:[/b]
[b]Culture/Nation of Settlement:[/b] (choose from the above)
[b]Main Religion of Settlement:[/b] (choose from the above)
[b]Leader of Settlement:[/b] (preferably a name to go with the culture. Random name generators exist for the cultures here)
[b]Location of Settlement:[/b] (post a map, or if you can describe in enough detail or don't really care, specify that)
[spoiler=Map][img]MAP-HERE[/img][/spoiler]

[b]History of Settlement:[/b]
(detail the history up to this point. Bearing in mind that newer settlements will be less developed, and older ones tend to be more developed. Detail how a tribe arrived if they did, how it was settled, whether the settlement is now a city or more like a tribal village)

[b]Description of Settlement:[/b]
(detail what the settlement is made of, what are general sites around the settlement, does it have defences, and if so, how does it use them?)

[b]Population of Settlement:[/b] (2,000-6,000 are average town sizes, with up to 10,000 being reserved for very special cases. Above, if there is reason, may be allowed)
[b]Resources of Settlement:[/b] (is it in farmland, or in a good spot for hunting? Is there some metalworking going on, and if so, how much?)
[b]Warriors and Soldiers:[/b] (how much of the population is fit for serving in an army? What would the army be comprised of? Bearing in mind that most soldiers of the time would be levied troops, even town guards)
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NOMADIC TRIBE/RAIDER FLEET APP

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[box][align=center][b][size=170]⌘ S[/size][size=150]ETTLERS OF A [/size][size=170]N[/size][size=150]EW [/size][size=170]L[/size][size=150]AND [/size][size=170]⌘[/size][/b][/align]

(delete anything in parentheses)
[align=center][img]SYMBOL-HERE[/img]
(not all tribes would have symbols, but some will, so post that, or describe in detail)[/align]
[b]Name of Tribe:[/b]
[b]Culture/Nation of Tribe:[/b] (choose from the above)
[b]Main Religion of Tribe:[/b] (choose from the above)
[b]Leader of Tribe:[/b] (preferably a name to go with the culture. Random name generators exist for the cultures here)
[b]Rough Location of Tribe:[/b] (they would travel around a lot, so just give a rough estimate)

[b]History of Tribe:[/b]
(detail the history up to this point. Did they raid regularly, or have they been largely sedentary? Did they come with the pretence of traders, or have they always been warlike?)

[b]Description of Tribe:[/b]
(detail what the tribe is like, do they have a regular village where they camp, or if it is a ship or fleet, what are the ships like?)

[b]Population of Tribe:[/b] (tribes can vary wildly in size from around 100-2,500. Anywhere larger than that is a tad unwieldy)
[b]Warriors and Soldiers:[/b] (how much of the population is fit for serving in an army? What would the army be comprised of?)
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CHARACTER APP

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[box][align=center][b][size=170]⌘ S[/size][size=150]ETTLERS OF A [/size][size=170]N[/size][size=150]EW [/size][size=170]L[/size][size=150]AND [/size][size=170]⌘[/size][/b][/align]

(delete anything in parentheses)
[align=center][img]PICTURE-HERE (if you have or want one)[/img][/align]
[b]Name of Character:[/b]
[b]Culture/Nation of Character:[/b] (choose from the above)
[b]Religion of Character:[/b] (choose from the above)
[b]Age of Character:[/b]
[b]Title of Character:[/b] (preferably a title to go with the culture. Thegns are generally heads of cities and towns, and chiefs and captains heads of tribes and ships.)

[b]Backstory of Character:[/b]
(detail the character backstory)

[b]Description of Character:[/b]
(what do they wear, what do they enjoy, what are their ambitions, do they like the Wolf Spirit or the Badger Spirit more, anything you like about this character in as much detail as you want.)

[b]Languages Known:[/b] (bearing in mind that some languages are mutually intelligible and others are not, what languages can they speak?)
[b]Other Skills:[/b] (include fighting skills if any, diplomacy skills, money management, anything really)
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Sample app:

⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Name of Settlement: Hreastowe
Culture/Nation of Settlement: Acli
Main Religion of Settlement: Garcani Pagan
Leader of Settlement: Thegn Erlfara Hirrocsson
Location of Settlement:

History of Settlement:
The town of Hreastowe started out simply, just as a sanctuary for some ships from storms. The Acli who inhabited those ships found themselves unwilling to move. It had been the Acli way for a while to find land on Cassan to settle, and so soon finding the land to be both fertile and quite safe from storms, as well as a good spot close to the mouth of some rivers further inland, it soon became a trading settlement. It was quickly dedicated to Hreoh, so as to keep the land safe from storms, and to bless them with rain as needed during harvests. Eventually, as the settlement grew and began to develop its own farmlands, this patronage proved very good for the people, with the land around it proving to be very fertile. It began to produce wheat, bread and beer as standard in its lands, with fishing being another source of food for the populace. Trading for goods such as metal, they produce very little in the way of their own armour, much preferring to subsist as they can in trade and diplomacy. They've had little conflict with surrounding Thonoci, though do own some Thonoci slaves between the major Lords of the settlement. They have had some trade with the Skalvi, though never had a raid from them, up until this point believing such things to be inconceivable.

Description of Settlement:
The town is definitely not small for settlements in Cassania. Though never the largest, it has a fairly well established trading presence, often trading with Sassani, other Acli, and even Anceri across the sea. As such, with the requirement for such trade, the docks of the city, located right on the mouth of the River Drunac as it pours into the large bay to the south of the town, are large, able to accommodate ships of all kinds. The town itself is largely made of wood, a few stone buildings around the richer portions, where most merchants live and stay while in the city, with a wooden wall on the north and east faces of the town, with the west face being on the river, allowing a wall around the bridge to be the main source of defence. The town is divided into four - a large residential district, where most churls of the city reside, a marketplace, with the wares of many merchants for sale throughout it, the upper-class residences, where inns and larger buildings generally are, and a production district, which houses bakeries, breweries and fish processing huts, for smoking, salting or otherwise preparing for consumption. Outside the town walls lie acres of farmland, as well as a fishery on the river itself, and land for a small number of other agricultural animals.

Population of Settlement: 4,000
Resources of Settlement: Farmland (wheat), fish, small number of farm animals.
Warriors and Soldiers:

• 200 spearmen levies
• 40 heavy cavalry (largely nobles of the city)

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⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Name of Character: Thegn Erlfara Hirrocsson
Culture/Nation of Character: Acli
Religion of Character: Garcani Pagan
Age of Character: 31
Title of Character: Thegn of Hreastowe

Backstory of Character:
Erlfara was born to Hirroc, the then-Thegn of the town of Hreastowe in its infancy. Hirroc had overseen the growth of the city from a small port to a major town in the bay, known for its trade and able to support many ships from other nations in its harbours. As such, Hirroc stressed to Erlfara that good stewardship and resource and money management was key, and taught him how to read and write in Garcani runes as assistance in this. Hirroc always took an interest in the lessons about the Rhosan Empire, and attempted to learn Rhosan from traders in the harbour. He later discovered, of course, that this was Anceri, not Rhosan, but his time spent learning the language was useful for future trade negotiations. When he was 23, his father died, leaving him Hreastowe and the money he had accrued from trade and accommodating merchants, making Erlfara a very rich man. From then on, he has ruled the town fairly, giving the merchants a lot of free reign throughout the town.

Description of Character:
Erlfara largely wears robes. He enjoys his hair short, and has a money purse which is seemingly always on his belt and always full. He has ambitions to make Hreastowe one of the greatest trading cities in Cassania, and wants to learn everything there is to know about stewardship. Of course, to do that, it requires a knowledge of Rhosan, so he wants to find out where to learn that.

Languages Known: Acli, Anceri.
Other Skills: Good at managing money, can read runes and the Rhosan alphabet, excellent trade nous, good at diplomacy.
[742 - PLEASE DO NOT DELETE]

[The Great Swedish Empire]

This looks like it has potential...

[Nea Byzantia]

I'm interested...How do I app?

[Rastrian]

I'm interested...How do I app?

Well, it depends. Are you wanting to app as a nomadic tribe or a settlement.
Settlement app is the first one on the app post, tribes are the second.

[Nea Byzantia]

⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Name of Settlement: Porphyria
Culture/Nation of Settlement: Low-Rhosan
Main Religion of Settlement: Rhosanism
Leader of Settlement: Magnate Lycurgus III Louharius
Location of Settlement: Small Island in the Mouth of the southeastern bay.

[img]MAP-HERE[/img]

History of Settlement: Porphyria was formerly the Provincial Capital of the Rhosan Empire, built several centuries ago, and named after the Empress Porphyria. Due to its location, it rapidly burdgeoned into a large trading metropolis, and was the largest city in the Province, with the area around it becoming famous for its vineyards and olive groves. When the Empire retreated from the Island, they left a portion of their garrisons and Fleet in the City so as to control access to and from the Island; when the Empire collapsed, some of these chose to return home or travel elsewhere, and make their own fortunes, while others chose to remain in Porphyria and its environs. Their peaceful and prosperous existence was short-lived, however. The Wealth of the City attracted Gracani Raiders, the way a beehive attracts bears. A large fleet of Garcani, led by the Warlord Omhrer, raided the coastline, sacking the villages, and destroying the vineyards, wheat fields and live groves. The Porphyrians were successful in preventing the seizure of their City itself, but at considerable loss to themselves, with their population falling from 10,000 to about half of that size. Omhrer refused to leave the city and built a stout wooden keep on the coast of across from the island-city; planning to lay siege to the city and starve it out. Meanwhile, in the City, the Garrison Commander, Lycurgus, seized control of the Town, and began a regimen of harsh military training. He waited until the eve of Cynden's Feast Day, when he knew the barbarians would be drunk and groggy after a long day of feasting. He crossed from the city with an army of 100 of his best trained men, and set fire to Omhrer's keep, and shutting them inside, burning the warlord and most of his warriors to death. The remainder of his tribe, who tried to escape, were seized by the Porphyrians and enslaved. This day is still celebrated as the Lycurgan Feast, on the last day of which, an effigy of Omhrer is burned. Lycurgus founded his iron-constitution, and began his reign as Magnate of Porphyria after this.

Description of Settlement: Porphyria is built primarily of Marble and Stone, and is surrounded by thick stone walls (which are crumbling); with the fact that its an Island further enhancing its defensive capabilities. The mainland to the north of the city is covered with small farming settlements, olive groves, vineyards, and military forts. Piracy and Slave-Trading are as much a part of the City's economy as anything else. The Rhosan inhabitants of the city are trained from the age of 7 to be elite infantry fighters, and pirates, using their martial prowess to capture slaves from nearby towns and use these to maintain the vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields; slaves are also used to row the Porphyrian Galleys. However, despite their capable military and strong fleet, the Porphyrians, like most of the other Low-Rhosans remaining on Cassania, are facing an uphill battle, not only against the Gracani and Thonoci nations; but against other newcomers, such as the Skalvi, as well.



Population of Settlement: 3,000 (1,000 Low-Rhosans, 2,000 slaves, primarily Acli and other Gracani)
Resources of Settlement: Farmland (especially Olives, Wine, Wheat)
Warriors and Soldiers: 550 troops (primarily Infantry)
20 ships (5 Triremes, 15 Galleys)

[726 - PLEASE DO NOT DELETE]

[Nea Byzantia]

I'm interested...How do I app?

Well, it depends. Are you wanting to app as a nomadic tribe or a settlement.
Settlement app is the first one on the app post, tribes are the second.

Thanks...I didn't see the App section at the time I asked.

[Rastrian]

~snip~

I do want to say that I see some issues with this app that would need to be rectified if I were to accept it.
Firstly, while it's not impossible for a Low Rhosan city to remain, the fact is that the Rhosans on Cassania are, indeed, a dying culture. If there were a burgeoning metropolis present there, then that'd be less "teetering on the edge", and more... Well, burgeoning culture.
That said, as it's not impossible, I will mention the other things which are somewhat problematic.
You have an army that's 1/5 of your total city's size, for starters. I'd recommend reading this guide on accurate population-manpower size.
Secondly, this is very definitely Greek. While the Roman Empire in IRL was definitely very hellenicised, the Rhosan Empire is much more a mix of Latin and Etruscan, so that may need to be amended.
I generally saw the idea of a Rhosan culture on the edge as being maybe a couple of fortifications with groups of Rhosan soldiers still manning the garrison, and maybe I should have been more specific on that front. Perhaps if you were to do that instead, that would give you both a better reason to have a higher percentage army, while also being more in line with a culture that isn't thriving particularly.
It's a lot to change, so I'll give it to you to do with as you will. If you still wanted a city there, perhaps Cartaci is a better culture. Even then, military needs to be downsized.

Well, it depends. Are you wanting to app as a nomadic tribe or a settlement.
Settlement app is the first one on the app post, tribes are the second.

Thanks...I didn't see the App section at the time I asked.

That's all good, it may not have been up by the time you posted.

[Nea Byzantia]

~snip~

I do want to say that I see some issues with this app that would need to be rectified if I were to accept it.
Firstly, while it's not impossible for a Low Rhosan city to remain, the fact is that the Rhosans on Cassania are, indeed, a dying culture. If there were a burgeoning metropolis present there, then that'd be less "teetering on the edge", and more... Well, burgeoning culture.
That said, as it's not impossible, I will mention the other things which are somewhat problematic.
You have an army that's 1/5 of your total city's size, for starters. I'd recommend reading this guide on accurate population-manpower size.
Secondly, this is very definitely Greek. While the Roman Empire in IRL was definitely very hellenicised, the Rhosan Empire is much more a mix of Latin and Etruscan, so that may need to be amended.
I generally saw the idea of a Rhosan culture on the edge as being maybe a couple of fortifications with groups of Rhosan soldiers still manning the garrison, and maybe I should have been more specific on that front. Perhaps if you were to do that instead, that would give you both a better reason to have a higher percentage army, while also being more in line with a culture that isn't thriving particularly.
It's a lot to change, so I'll give it to you to do with as you will. If you still wanted a city there, perhaps Cartaci is a better culture. Even then, military needs to be downsized.

Thanks...I didn't see the App section at the time I asked.

That's all good, it may not have been up by the time you posted.

Thank you for your constructive criticism, could I make it a small city of Rhosans modelled off ancient Sparta in terms of social-structure, who have turned to Piracy and Slavery to eke out a living on the island?

[Rastrian]

Thank you for your constructive criticism, could I make it a small city of Rhosans modelled off ancient Sparta in terms of social-structure, who have turned to Piracy and Slavery to eke out a living on the island?

See, you're right that that particular island is one quite likely to be an important area. So perhaps one of the smaller islands, and as long as the other info is up to scratch, sure!

[Sarderistan]

Im gonna make Murabad 2.0 but there is no desert in sight

Anyways tag, app coming in hot!

[Sudbrazil]

Forſooð þiſ þred haſ draȝen myn intereſt. þerfor, I do proclaim:

Tagge.

[Rastrian]

Im gonna make Murabad 2.0 but there is no desert in sight

Anyways tag, app coming in hot!

Or rather, app coming in dreary and cold!

Forſooð þiſ þred haſ draȝen myn intereſt. þerfor, I do proclaim:

Tagge.

Possibly the best tag message I've ever seen...

[Nea Byzantia]

⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

(Image)

Name of Settlement: Porphyria
Culture/Nation of Settlement: Low-Rhosan
Main Religion of Settlement: Rhosanism
Leader of Settlement: King Lycurgus III Louharius
Location of Settlement: Small Island in the Mouth of the southeastern bay.

([url=MAP-HERE]Image[/url])

History of Settlement: Porphyria was formerly the Provincial Capital of the Rhosan Empire, built several centuries ago, and named after the Empress Porphyria. Due to its location, it rapidly burdgeoned into a large trading metropolis, and was the largest city in the Province, with the area around it becoming famous for its vineyards and olive groves. When the Empire retreated from the Island, they left a portion of their garrisons and Fleet in the City so as to control access to and from the Island; when the Empire collapsed, some of these chose to return home or travel elsewhere, and make their own fortunes, while others chose to remain in Porphyria and its environs. Their peaceful and prosperous existence was short-lived, however. The Wealth of the City attracted Gracani Raiders, the way a beehive attracts bears. A large fleet of Garcani, led by the Warlord Omhrer, raided the coastline, sacking the villages, and destroying the vineyards, wheat fields and live groves. The Porphyrians were successful in preventing the seizure of their City itself, but at considerable loss to themselves, with their population falling from 10,000 to about half of that size. Omhrer refused to leave the city and built a stout wooden keep on the coast of across from the island-city; planning to lay siege to the city and starve it out. Meanwhile, in the City, the Garrison Commander, Lycurgus, seized control of the Town, and began a regimen of harsh military training. He waited until the eve of Cynden's Feast Day, when he knew the barbarians would be drunk and groggy after a long day of feasting. He crossed from the city with an army of 100 of his best trained men, and set fire to Omhrer's keep, and shutting them inside, burning the warlord and most of his warriors to death. The remainder of his tribe, who tried to escape, were seized by the Porphyrians and enslaved. This day is still celebrated as the Lycurgan Feast, on the last day of which, an effigy of Omhrer is burned. Lycurgus founded his iron-constitution, and began his reign as King of Porphyria after this.

Description of Settlement: Porphyria is built primarily of Marble and Stone, and is surrounded by thick stone walls; with the fact that its an Island further enhancing its defensive capabilities. The mainland to the north of the city is covered with small farming settlements, olive groves, vineyards, and military forts. Piracy and Slave-Trading are as much a part of the City's economy as anything else. The Rhosan inhabitants of the city are trained from the age of 7 to be elite infantry fighters, and pirates, using their martial prowess to capture slaves from nearby towns and use these to maintain the vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields.



Population of Settlement: 6,000 (2,000 Low-Rhosans, 4,000 slaves, primarily ____)
Resources of Settlement: Farmland (especially Olives, Wine, Wheat)
Warriors and Soldiers: 550 troops (primarily Infantry)
20 ships (5 Triremes, 15 Galleys)

(Image)

[726 - PLEASE DO NOT DELETE]

Please see the new, improved app...Let me know what else, if anything, I need to fix.

[Rastrian]

~snip~

Okay, not trying to be sassy, but I do need to ask if you've read the OP stuff. The continued use of Greek, the naming of your leader a "king" (despite me basically saying "no Kings off the bat" in the rules), have a still very large city, and couldn't name a culture for use as slaves.
I'm going to reject this one. If for no other reason than the same "Provincial Capital" and "large trading metropolis", despite the Low Rhosan culture being one right on the edge of life in Cassania. Some changes definitely need to be made for me to accept this.
I don't want to reject your app out of hand, but it's not fitting the fact that Low Rhosans are a really small minority, not very powerful on the Isles at all.

[Danceria]

Forſooð þiſ þred haſ draȝen myn intereſt. þerfor, I do proclaim:

Tagge.

*Insert witty sabre-rattling in Olde French/Tag*

[Nea Byzantia]

~snip~

Okay, not trying to be sassy, but I do need to ask if you've read the OP stuff. The continued use of Greek, the naming of your leader a "king" (despite me basically saying "no Kings off the bat" in the rules), have a still very large city, and couldn't name a culture for use as slaves.
I'm going to reject this one. If for no other reason than the same "Provincial Capital" and "large trading metropolis", despite the Low Rhosan culture being one right on the edge of life in Cassania. Some changes definitely need to be made for me to accept this.
I don't want to reject your app out of hand, but it's not fitting the fact that Low Rhosans are a really small minority, not very powerful on the Isles at all.

Please don't reject, I will continue to work on it,this is why I'm asking for your input. I meant "large trading metropolis" for the region, and again "Provincial Capital" for the region, basically saying it used to be the largest and most prosperous city in Cassania, back when the Rhosan Empire ruled, but it fell on very hard time thanks to Omhrer and his Garcani warriors, and so it essentially reinvented itself, from a trading city to a town built on piracy and slavery. I can lower the population some more, if you want, as the main point is that there are very few of them - but they are very well-trained warriors. And can I replace the word "King" with another word perhaps "Magnate" or another Rhosan word for "Lord" or "Ruler" or "Sovereign"? Also, what Garcani Nation would best fit Omhrer and his raiding band, who immediately after burning and enslaving the mainland off the coast of Porphyria, built a wooden keep there? The Acli, perhaps?

[Rastrian]

Okay, not trying to be sassy, but I do need to ask if you've read the OP stuff. The continued use of Greek, the naming of your leader a "king" (despite me basically saying "no Kings off the bat" in the rules), have a still very large city, and couldn't name a culture for use as slaves.
I'm going to reject this one. If for no other reason than the same "Provincial Capital" and "large trading metropolis", despite the Low Rhosan culture being one right on the edge of life in Cassania. Some changes definitely need to be made for me to accept this.
I don't want to reject your app out of hand, but it's not fitting the fact that Low Rhosans are a really small minority, not very powerful on the Isles at all.

Please don't reject, I will continue to work on it,this is why I'm asking for your input. I meant "large trading metropolis" for the region, and again "Provincial Capital" for the region, basically saying it used to be the largest and most prosperous city in Cassania, back when the Rhosan Empire ruled, but it fell on very hard time thanks to Omhrer and his Garcani warriors, and so it essentially reinvented itself, from a trading city to a town built on piracy and slavery. I can lower the population some more, if you want, as the main point is that there are very few of them - but they are very well-trained warriors. And can I replace the word "King" with another word perhaps "Magnate" or another Rhosan word for "Lord" or "Ruler" or "Sovereign"? Also, what Garcani Nation would best fit Omhrer and his raiding band, who immediately after burning and enslaving the mainland off the coast of Porphyria, built a wooden keep there? The Acli, perhaps?

Okay. You're re-redone app's numbers are definitely better.
As for the word for a ruler, I'm going to suggest Atran as a good word for that, based off the Etruscan. Either that or something based on Latin. But yeah, no kings at the beginning, just some people with the desire to be kings in the future, and that desire has to be RP'ed.
The Acli would be a good candidate for who could have raided you.
I'll also say that the picture of the soldier at the bottom... It really is very byzantine. The whole thing with the Low Rhosans is that they're clinging onto every part of their prosperous past. I'd recommend changing that.
Other than that, it's looking a lot better, but I'll give you a chance to change those things, and I'll read the app with a fresh mind tomorrow morning. See how it goes from there.

[Nea Byzantia]

Please don't reject, I will continue to work on it,this is why I'm asking for your input. I meant "large trading metropolis" for the region, and again "Provincial Capital" for the region, basically saying it used to be the largest and most prosperous city in Cassania, back when the Rhosan Empire ruled, but it fell on very hard time thanks to Omhrer and his Garcani warriors, and so it essentially reinvented itself, from a trading city to a town built on piracy and slavery. I can lower the population some more, if you want, as the main point is that there are very few of them - but they are very well-trained warriors. And can I replace the word "King" with another word perhaps "Magnate" or another Rhosan word for "Lord" or "Ruler" or "Sovereign"? Also, what Garcani Nation would best fit Omhrer and his raiding band, who immediately after burning and enslaving the mainland off the coast of Porphyria, built a wooden keep there? The Acli, perhaps?

Okay. You're re-redone app's numbers are definitely better.
As for the word for a ruler, I'm going to suggest Atran as a good word for that, based off the Etruscan. Either that or something based on Latin. But yeah, no kings at the beginning, just some people with the desire to be kings in the future, and that desire has to be RP'ed.
The Acli would be a good candidate for who could have raided you.
I'll also say that the picture of the soldier at the bottom... It really is very byzantine. The whole thing with the Low Rhosans is that they're clinging onto every part of their prosperous past. I'd recommend changing that.
Other than that, it's looking a lot better, but I'll give you a chance to change those things, and I'll read the app with a fresh mind tomorrow morning. See how it goes from there.

Excellent, thanks. I changed the photo to that of a Roman Legionary.

[Research Outpost 31]

⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Symbol: A mountain shattered asunder by a spear.
Name of Tribe: Gwaed am Ddim
Culture/Nation of Tribe: Caithri.
Main Religion of Tribe: Thonoci Shamanism
Leader of Tribe: Ychydig o Graig Galed
Rough Location of Tribe: Southwest Cartarcia.

History of Tribe:
Ychydig was once a proud warrior of a powerful clan in the south of Caithria. His tribe became locked in a brutal struggle with a nearby Cartarci kingdom, and Ychydig was enslaved and many of his companions either killed or also enslaved. For a year him and his compatriots were beaten and mistreated, until he lead a brutal slave rebellion that earned him and his remaining tribesmen their freedom at a incredibly high cost. They now wander in search of what they lost, their homes and their glory.

Description of Tribe: They roam the land, barely ekeing out a life in the countryside, and form primitive, makeshift camps. They seek to establish or find a settlement, and regain their pride.

Population of Tribe: Roughly around 100, maybe less.
Warriors and Soldiers: Every man, woman and even child is expected to fight if necessary, wielding a array of equipment that was frantically gathered during the rebellion.
[738 - PLEASE DO NOT DELETE]

[Research Outpost 31]

⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Name of Character: Ychydig o Graig Galed
Culture/Nation of Character: Caithri
Religion of Character: Thonoci Shamanism
Age of Character: 40
Title of Character: Chief

Backstory of Character:
He is was born to a strong lineage of warriors, and grew to become a ruthless, highly-skilled fighter. He wrestled with several mental and social struggles to become a prestigious figure in his community. He became a commander whose brutal campaigns against rival Caithri and Cartaci polities brought glory and power to his clan. But as the brutal wars grew increasingly bloody and intense, and as Ychydig's mental disorders caused him to undertake increasingly risky and harsh battles that saw increasingly pyrrhic victories, a cataclysmic Cartaci surprise attack saw his and his companions' home annihilated in a battle that caused heavy casualties on both sides. The remaining few were enslaved, beaten, and cruelly mistreated for a long period of time, until Ychydig led a violent rebellion that saw the Cartaci town that captured destroyed, at high cost to the Ychydig's compatriots. They looted the town for weaponry, armour, food, and carts, before razing it. Now they attempt to come to terms with the devastation, and carve a new home, with Ychydig leading them.

Description of Character:
He wears makeshift tribal armour, and wields a spear and shield. He is a quite short(less than 5"0), has a large beard, and long, unkempt auburn hair, has dark brown eyes, is quite lean and muscular, and has many scars and bruises, including, a sliced eyelobe, several healed broken ribs, a sliced lip, a large scar on his cheek, and many other injuries. He has a seemingly cold personality, he is incredibly ruthless, stubborn, and single-minded; he talks rarely, and when he does, it's coarse, laconic, and rough; he can be both shockingly stoic, and very aggressive. He does, behind his facade, care deeply for his companions. He is a incredibly dogged worshiper of the Wolf Spirit.
Languages Known: Caithri
Other Skills: He is incredibly masterful at using a spear and shield, is relatively good at hunting, and is a highly-skilled, if quite rigid, tactician. He is not the best at diplomacy however. He is good at making detailed plans.

[742 - PLEASE DO NOT DELETE]

[Kazarogkai]

I was thinking of some sort of Caithrian Muhammad esque prophet trying to unify the Cathri tribes via religion and purge all foreign influence from the island at the tip of a sword. Religion wise he would be somewhat like Zoroaster lobbying for the idea of dualistic cosmology centered around a conflict between a force of heavenly lawful-good centered around a godly couple(one man, one woman) and a force of earthly chaotic-evil centered around a singular godlike one(A wicked Shemale). They obviously worship the former. All other beings would be allied with or theoretically neutral with one of the two sides who in the case of existing nature spirits and mythical beings would be elevated to minor godhood being referred to as Angels(good), Demons(evil), and Numens(Neutral). It would also incorporate ancestor worship in the form of Saints and the Proscribed who are permanently bound into the war halls of the greater respective gods. All this being set forth in his various holy texts: The Heavenly-Testament which sets fourth his religious beliefs, and the Creed which sets fourth rules relating towards members of the religion.

Could something like that work in your eyes? The reason I went so deep into explaining their religious beliefs primarily is because I want to make sure it all looks cool to you, nothing too weird and out there something considering the conditions that could have been plausible and makes sure to incorporate existing beliefs and synthesize it into something a bit more organized and consistent. The prophet in question would be leading a settlement derived from a smaller existing settlement which took him and his followers in and which has seen it's population bolstered via refugees fleeing religious persecution in their lands. So hope your cool with all that.

Tag Regardless.

[The Knights of Azorea]

⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Name of Settlement: Velurcion
Culture/Nation of Settlement: Cartaci
Main Religion of Settlement: Rhosanism, though in an insular form with cultural references made to Thonoci pagan heroes.
Leader of Settlement: Dux Velluricus, Urien ap Brenhin
Location of Settlement:

History of Settlement:
Velurcion has been inhabited since before the Rhosans crossed the sea. Back when Cassania was free under the Thonoci, the site was home to a small hill-fort, sitting along an ancient chalk-path into the mountains and managing local trade. When the Rhosani found it, there was fierce fighting to take it, with a Rhosan general whose name is not remembered snuck a force of legionaries across the confluence of the rivers and snuck into the hilltop fort, openning the gates and taking the town. At first, Velurcion remained quiet under a client king, but the excesses of Rhosan rule and the closeness of the fortress to the unconquered lands beyond the mountains encouraged the king, Brennoc the Bold, to revolt and attempt to cast the Rhosans off the island. At its height, the revolt spread all across the south-east, and nearly found success, before being brutally put down by the better trained and better equipped occupiers.

In punishment, the Rhosan governor tore down the old town, and built a legionary fortress in its place, requiring the locals to provision their occupiers. As the occupation was relaxed and the local Thonoci came to accept life under the Rhosan yoke, the fortress was turned into a veteran's colony, and then, finally, into a civil municipia (a city with its own Ordo or ruling council). For centuries, the city prospered, profiting from trade along the chalk-way into the mountains and from the local pottery and livestock industries. The prosperity of the city brought it many of the amenities of Rhosan life, including baths, stone walls and its central basilica, home to the ordo and later to the Rhosanist Bishop.

When the empire retreated, Velurcion was caught utterly off guard. In an instant, its protectors had been wrenched away, and the great cattle ranches it relied upon for its industry, along with the demand for Velurcian pottery, went with them. Industry broke apart over the next years, along with all order. The city council, comprised of what wealthy notables could hold on to sufficient numbers of armed men to garrison the city, was forced to retreat within the walls and attempt to weather the storm of raids and confused brigandry that followed the fall of Rhosan. Several self-proclaimed lords attempted to take the city, but none found success, dashing themselves on the walls, until the Garcani conquests began in earnest, and the fears of the citizens rose to a fever pitch.

With so much of their homeland seized by the invaders, the ordo realized they could not defend the city by themselves, that they would have to call upon a protector from outside. The first man to present himself and to prove worthy, the young princeling Urien, son of Brenin, was admitted with open arms, and bestowed by the Bishop and the ordo at once the title of Dux Velluricus, Duke/Commander of Veluria. As the Garcani conquests continued, and Velurcion proved herself a bastion of law and Rhosanist order in the darkness, even if heavily diminished, families began to flee to the city. Victims of the Garcani swelled Velurcion, filling it as full as it had been at the fall and leaving it bloated, as many refugees dwell in the ruins of houses abandoned decades ago for a lack of dwellers. Faced with the Garcani without and discontent within, the city of Velur sees before it a time of strife, but perhaps too, gods willing, a time of triumph.
Description of Settlement:
Velurcion sits on a raised promontory, overlooking the confluence of the rivers Avern and Madross. Surrounded by rain-washed and windblown fields, the city sits to the south of the forested mountains and besides the ford taken across the Avern by the chalk way, an old trade route into the mountains and beyond. To the south, the land is marshy, and especially to the west the fens flow out to the sea. The city itself is immediately surrounded by an increasingly sparse area of hinterland, in which the heavy soil is planted with rye, barley, turnips and onions to feed the city. Further afield, the land grows rougher, suited best for the herding of cows, sheep and a few herds of semi-wild ponies and horses.

Velurcion herself is perhaps typical of the old Rhosan provincial city after the empire's collapse. Guarded by stone-and-earth ramparts, designed around two main streets and a fairly rational system of square insulae, culminating in the city center at a forum, now used most often as a livestock market, and the desperately maintained basilica, heart of the city's administration and home to its ordo. Across the forum sits the building now called the Dux's Castrum, in reality a heavily fortified old chapel and the adjacent vacant houses, used as a household for Urien and to keep close to his best men. The city has three gates, unusually for a Rhosan construction, since it is shaped like a diamond rather than a regular square. The largest gate sits at the end of a stone bridge across the Madross, while on the opposite side of the city is the gate leading to the suburban "port" of the city, the beach upon which a cluster of river-boats sits to manage trade and communication along the Avern. At the tip of the diamond is the so called Land-Gate, the smallest in the city, which leads out into the hinterlands.

The city baths are barely kept running nowadays, though they are used on ceremonial occasions and for mass baptisms into the faith, while the other amenities of Rhosan life are similarly scarce. Compared to the countryside, however, the city is practically luxuriant, with plentiful and easily accessible water, stone houses with tiled rooves and markets with access, along the Arvern, to a continued supply of continental goods. There are even a few men wealthy enough still living in the city for luxuries to still, on occasion, be purchased. The further one goes from the Basilica, however, into the quarters of the city around the land gate, the less optimistic the picture, as only one in every three houses still holds a resident, the rest falling into disrepair without owners or being squatted in by urchins and refugees fleeing the Garcani. Guarded by the arms of the new Dux, the city is a pale imitation of a true Rhosan metropolis. It is no diamond, not any longer, but still it shines in the mud and the dark, when so many others have been buried.

Population of Settlement: 5,000 permanent dwellers, a further 1,500 newly arrived refugees fleeing the Garcani.
Resources of Settlement: The city is surrounded by heavy soils. Not exceptionally fertile but highly stable. Sufficient pastureland is easy to find, if livestock can be kept safe to dwell in it. The mountains to the north used to provide a steady stream of lead, iron and even some silver, a central reason for the Rhosan settlement of the region, but now the mines are empty, with none willing or even able to re-start their operations in such dangerous times. Some blacksmiths still operate, but little metalworking industry yet remains. As ever, the city relies on its tanneries and its potters to produce its major exports, along with fishermen, farmers and herders.
Warriors and Soldiers: 100 Cartaci Spearmen (Levied), 100 Cartaci Sword-bearers (Levied), 50 Cartaci Skirmishers (Levied, equipped with javelins, shortswords and slings), 30 Cartaci Palatini(Trained soldiers, employed by the Duke) 20 Cartaci Scholariae (The wealthiest men of the city and the personal guard of the Dux/ordo)
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⌘ SETTLERS OF A NEW LAND ⌘

Name of Character:Dux Velloricus, Urien ap Brenin
Culture/Nation of Character: Cartaci, though he maintains pretenses of Rhosan culture
Religion of Character: Rhosanism.
Age of Character: 30
Title of Character: Dux Velloricus. He personally claims by right of birth the title of Princeps Cartaciae, claiming that his father was rightful ruler of all those Cartaci who remained loyal to Rhosa, since his father was one of the many warlords to claim the title of Governor and to be slain by the Garcani.

Backstory of Character: Urien's father, Brenin, was a general of local forces in the closing days of Rhosan rule, used to manage auxilliary and fixed defense forces in the fight against Garcani raiders. When the Rhosans abandoned the island, Brenin was left as one of the few men in control of sufficient forces to do much about it in the oncoming chaos. Claiming by right that he should be governor of the province in the absence of Imperial representatives, Brenin went to war across the south with the other men claiming title to the position. These wars were the source of much of the chaos and disorder that immediately followed the departure of the occupiers, but ultimately they became a secondary concern when the Garcani arrived in force. At their approach, Brenin put aside the civil wars and marched to defend the province. He fought for years with them, and during one stay in the marshes after his army had been shattered and before it could be reformed, he and a local girl produced his only child; a black-haired and quiet boy named Urien by his father, who thought the boy worthy of being named for the Raven.

Brenin took the boy with him and had him legitimized by a bishop, swearing that his claim would pass on at his death if he should die before taking his rightful place. Urien marched with his father for years as a lad, until Brenin was slain at the battle of Withiel with the Jotes, and his army collapsed into the countryside, only an honour guard of loyal men and kin staying with the young Urien. Cast at so young an age into the crucible of war, Urien had little choice but to find his feet quickly. For years more he lead his men and built for himself a new warband, fighting the gradual expansion of the newly settled barbarian realms. Almost every major city seized by the foreigners in battle saw Urien's men come to its defence, and after each one Urien was forced to escape with his life and the core of his army as the foe took the city. When the city of Velurcion put out the call for defenders, then, the battle-hardened Urien was the first man to ride to its gates and offer his aid, promising to keep the city safe if he were named its Dux and if his legitimacy in the title was anointed by the Bishop of Velurcion himself.

Description of Character:
Urien is a tall, relatively broad man with high features, pale skin and dark hair, his eyes deep green. Born to war and spending his life among soldiers, he is a warrior in his heart, well blooded by his thirteenth winter and a general by his seventeenth. He was born a princeps, and not one of the defeats he has suffered, nor any of the times he has been forced to flee back to the marshes to rebuild his army have left him any less certain of this view. His conviction is ironclad; it is his destiny and the purpose of the gods that he should be the ruler and protector of Cassania, and he is more than willing to die for his native land and to push the invaders back into the sea. All other purposes are secondary beyond these three; to defeat the invaders, bring peace to the realm and establish justice and order once again. His self-belief and the intensity of his conviction, along with his force of character and his seemingly never-ending drive to continue the fight make him a man who easily inspires loyalty. He utilises Rhosan finery and imagery when it suits him, or even strays towards paganism, all in the pursuit of victory over the invaders.

Languages Known: Cartaci, Low Rhosan, Acli.
Other Skills: Urien is a skilled tactician and leader of men, a well practiced guerilla, an excellent swimmer and a decently skilled swordsman. He is a quite competent administrator and a practiced logistician.
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[Reverend Norv]

This is great. I will work on an app, though I am going to be without internet for about a week or two starting next Wednesday or Thursday. Still: definitely want to be a part of this.