A Different World: Age of Darkness [OOC|Open]

[Olthenia]

Well, heck.

I'm guessing Fastaqui, Sofala and Three Brothers are all dust?

[Piscina]

Out of curiosity, who rules the area marked as Hou Cheng on the map? I was thinking of perhaps setting up an empire just to the south of Rivermouth.

[G-Tech Corporation]

This broadly seems to be in order - a minor issue though. The river valley you have earmarked for your people was, until a hundred years ago, occupied by a different power known as the Pennenthelli. Their kindreds were scattered and destroyed by warfare at that hundred year point in the past, but that directly conflicts with your national history of having established the city two hundred years ago.

I have no qualms if you want to edit that to be only a hundred years ago - you could even bill it as migrating to occupy the ruins of their cities, which would give you a perk to starting infrastructure. Alternatively I have plenty of places out in the "fog of war" of the current known world where you could be placed with Huang influences but your own narrative.

Would those places though give me access to river, sea and plain? I would prefer to not be placed on a desert or away from river & sea or some jungle where rice production will be in short order (and so will be cities).

Otherwise, I will probably edit it but could you give me a recommendation of how to make it so Pennendthelli influences do not survive and my history that is going back 400 years is somehow retained in a form? How exactly I would structure that migration? And from where would my people migrate from?

Sure, we're only working with a small part of the world at present, after all. Plenty of city sites that fill those criterion, even near the latitudes of the Huang.

[Sao Nova Europa]

So, I am bit confused. Is my app accepted or do I have to move somewhere else?

EDIT: Never mind. Question answered.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Updated my history. Is this alright?

The beginnings of Koshiizu history are lost in time. The oldest historical records date back about four hundred years ago. The primitive Koshiizu civilization was really a scattering of warlike city-states and tribes led by Daimyo - men who acted as both civil and military leaders. Eventually, a legendary Daimyo called Sawano Teinosuke unified the Realm about two hundred years and took the prestigious title of Supreme Emperor - he also claimed to be the Son of Miyazaki; the Goddess of Water. He established the capital of Nadaka, burning down previous city-states and moving forcibly their population to this new city. This served to effectively destroy previous local loyalties.

The Supreme Emperor established an effective civilian government staffed by educated bureaucrats - based on the dynasties of the Huang people. At the same time, he retained the institution of Daimyos as military commanders ruling over the outer provinces of the empire. A hundred years ago, the Koshiizu Realm found itself facing an invasion from the Dark Cults, which ravaged their lands. Supreme Emperor Sawano Nobuyoshi claimed to have a vision from Goddess Miyazaki instructing him to leave their civilizational cradle behind and migrate to a new blessed land. The Koshiizu people took with themselves whatever they could carry, burned down the rest and left behind their homeland.

They arrived at the lands formerly occupied by the Pennenthelli, settling in their former cities and towns, and massacring any of the Pennenthelli who had managed to survive. The first city to be reconstructed was Nadaka, based on the old Imperial Capital. Others soon emerged as settlers settled down in the land. At first the Supreme Emperor was able to exert great control over the Daimyos, who had far less influence than they had during the old empire. But corruption and incompetent rulers meant that Daimyos managed to become essentially autonomous rulers in the following decades. The two most powerful Daimyo families are the Oda ruling over the settlement of Waibata and the Moriya ruling over the settlement of Imishi. Aside from those two, there are tens of Daimyos who rule small villages and farming communities.

The Daimyos pay an annual tax and are responsible for providing troops to the central government, but for the most part are left to their own devices. Meanwhile, in the capital Nadaka the central government still rules supreme and exercises centralized control through an ever increasing caste of bureaucrats. The Imperial Court has become increasingly decadent and the Supreme Emperors secluded to private hobbies, leaving everyday governance in the hands of a Grand Chancellor - drawn from among the eunuchs of the Palace.

Edit: I also updated the description section.

I have no qualms with this history, if this is your preference compared to being off the map.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Updated my history. Is this alright?

The beginnings of Koshiizu history are lost in time. The oldest historical records date back about four hundred years ago. The primitive Koshiizu civilization was really a scattering of warlike city-states and tribes led by Daimyo - men who acted as both civil and military leaders. Eventually, a legendary Daimyo called Sawano Teinosuke unified the Realm about two hundred years and took the prestigious title of Supreme Emperor - he also claimed to be the Son of Miyazaki; the Goddess of Water. He established the capital of Nadaka, burning down previous city-states and moving forcibly their population to this new city. This served to effectively destroy previous local loyalties.

The Supreme Emperor established an effective civilian government staffed by educated bureaucrats - based on the dynasties of the Huang people. At the same time, he retained the institution of Daimyos as military commanders ruling over the outer provinces of the empire. A hundred years ago, the Koshiizu Realm found itself facing an invasion from the Dark Cults, which ravaged their lands. Supreme Emperor Sawano Nobuyoshi claimed to have a vision from Goddess Miyazaki instructing him to leave their civilizational cradle behind and migrate to a new blessed land. The Koshiizu people took with themselves whatever they could carry, burned down the rest and left behind their homeland.

They arrived at the lands formerly occupied by the Pennenthelli, settling in their former cities and towns, and massacring any of the Pennenthelli who had managed to survive. The first city to be reconstructed was Nadaka, based on the old Imperial Capital. Others soon emerged as settlers settled down in the land. At first the Supreme Emperor was able to exert great control over the Daimyos, who had far less influence than they had during the old empire. But corruption and incompetent rulers meant that Daimyos managed to become essentially autonomous rulers in the following decades. The two most powerful Daimyo families are the Oda ruling over the settlement of Waibata and the Moriya ruling over the settlement of Imishi. Aside from those two, there are tens of Daimyos who rule small villages and farming communities.

The Daimyos pay an annual tax and are responsible for providing troops to the central government, but for the most part are left to their own devices. Meanwhile, in the capital Nadaka the central government still rules supreme and exercises centralized control through an ever increasing caste of bureaucrats. The Imperial Court has become increasingly decadent and the Supreme Emperors secluded to private hobbies, leaving everyday governance in the hands of a Grand Chancellor - drawn from among the eunuchs of the Palace.

Edit: I also updated the description section.

I have no qualms with this history, if this is your preference compared to being off the map.

Great.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Hmm, so, awkward matter - this map is a Northern Hemisphere map, which means the jungles and hot mountains are in the south, not the north. If you don't mind me interpreting that geographical data as necessary for the world, everything else here appears to be in order.

Yup, map wasn't up yet so I wasn't sure. But I'm fine being in the south. Just want that type of geography
I have Haajkazkaan which is along the ocean coast in the jungle. Perhaps it could be located on that river jungle tile right next to the water.
I also have my Capital: Vanzjkaan which is in the mountains surrounded by jungle. Perhaps, down one and to the right four from Haajkazkaan in the mountain.
I haven't named my third settlement, but it would likely be in the jungle. Less prominent than the other two.

How could I upload a map to the forum of where these places are located? I'm thinking they would be located right to the south of Cavon.
Btw is Cavon and these other places the names of the cities in nations? If so, what determines their sizes?
Thanks!

If you can pull together a map, that would be great. The size of the region a city controls is generically determined based on their influence, but also includes the establishment of outskirt regions and of course, overlapping with nearby settlements.

South of Cavon in the jungles certainly works for me.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Well, heck.

I'm guessing Fastaqui, Sofala and Three Brothers are all dust?

Given that Fastaqui is still on the map, I should hope it isn't dust. Sofala and Three Brohers, however... not so much on the survival train.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Out of curiosity, who rules the area marked as Hou Cheng on the map? I was thinking of perhaps setting up an empire just to the south of Rivermouth.

So, there's someone else who is currently apped for that area- but don't let that stop you. There's a vast world out in the white areas of the map which is pristine and unspoiled, and your kingdom can absolutely start out there.

Hou Cheng is ruled by the Taiyang Dynasty of the Huang, who have their capitol there now.

[Novas Arcanum]

I've actually decided to keep Yuzhou has the capital for now

[Khalji]

Yup, map wasn't up yet so I wasn't sure. But I'm fine being in the south. Just want that type of geography
I have Haajkazkaan which is along the ocean coast in the jungle. Perhaps it could be located on that river jungle tile right next to the water.
I also have my Capital: Vanzjkaan which is in the mountains surrounded by jungle. Perhaps, down one and to the right four from Haajkazkaan in the mountain.
I haven't named my third settlement, but it would likely be in the jungle. Less prominent than the other two.

How could I upload a map to the forum of where these places are located? I'm thinking they would be located right to the south of Cavon.
Btw is Cavon and these other places the names of the cities in nations? If so, what determines their sizes?
Thanks!

If you can pull together a map, that would be great. The size of the region a city controls is generically determined based on their influence, but also includes the establishment of outskirt regions and of course, overlapping with nearby settlements.

South of Cavon in the jungles certainly works for me.

Yeah, just how do imbed the map in a post if I have it saved as a png or jpg?

[G-Tech Corporation]

If you can pull together a map, that would be great. The size of the region a city controls is generically determined based on their influence, but also includes the establishment of outskirt regions and of course, overlapping with nearby settlements.

South of Cavon in the jungles certainly works for me.

Yeah, just how do imbed the map in a post if I have it saved as a png or jpg?

'tis difficult. Uploading to an imagehost like Imgur is my usual go-to, then embedding the link using the img tag

[The Empire of Tau]

Can a city be both a Capitol City and Metropolis?

[G-Tech Corporation]

Can a city be both a Capitol City and Metropolis?

That'd be a negative! But, of course, there are plenty of other things which can make a Capitol City into something very spicy indeed.

[The Empire of Tau]

We got any eta on when the mechanics will be done?

[G-Tech Corporation]

We got any eta on when the mechanics will be done?

Though to say. I’ve got a big chunk of backend sketches I’m working through, which should be done in a day or two. But then comes generating statblocks…

[Khalji]

Yeah, just how do imbed the map in a post if I have it saved as a png or jpg?

'tis difficult. Uploading to an imagehost like Imgur is my usual go-to, then embedding the link using the img tag

Hmm. Do you mind if I give you coordinates for the three settlements? I've never used Imgur.

Also, just curious. There's no way to just upload a file? I've hosted forums before and it's a pretty easy feature and this forum seems to have more features than the forums I've hosted had so I expected there would be some mechanism.

[Novas Arcanum]

Actually I've decided to keep Hou Cheng has the capitol I'm going to have to rename it though.

[Sao Nova Europa]

So, after talking to Novas Arcanum, I might be moving out of that location in a new area in the fog-of-war.

In order to move out though, I would like to request an area that fills four criteria:

A) Is bordered by sea so my civilization is coastal
B) is located upon a river valley so my civilization's settlements are build on top of river tiles
C) terrain is plains, not jungle or desert or etch
D) is close enough to 'Chinese' so I can have my civilization influenced from them

Basically I would like to have a replica - if possible - of my current location. If this is not possible, I will probably not be moving out.

[G-Tech Corporation]

So, after talking to Novas Arcanum, I might be moving out of that location in a new area in the fog-of-war.

In order to move out though, I would like to request an area that fills four criteria:

A) Is bordered by sea so my civilization is coastal
B) is located upon a river valley so my civilization's settlements are build on top of river tiles
C) terrain is plains, not jungle or desert or etch
D) is close enough to 'Chinese' so I can have my civilization influenced from them

Basically I would like to have a replica - if possible - of my current location. If this is not possible, I will probably not be moving out.

Sure, that shouldn’t be an issue.

[Sao Nova Europa]

So, after talking to Novas Arcanum, I might be moving out of that location in a new area in the fog-of-war.

In order to move out though, I would like to request an area that fills four criteria:

A) Is bordered by sea so my civilization is coastal
B) is located upon a river valley so my civilization's settlements are build on top of river tiles
C) terrain is plains, not jungle or desert or etch
D) is close enough to 'Chinese' so I can have my civilization influenced from them

Basically I would like to have a replica - if possible - of my current location. If this is not possible, I will probably not be moving out.

Sure, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Great. Will then be updating my app soon.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Sure, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Great. Will then be updating my app soon.

Amusingly someone else in the past has requested essentially those parameters, so the world already accommodates such a location.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Empire Application
Name: Koshiizu Realm
Short History:

The beginnings of Koshiizu history are lost in time. The oldest historical records date back about four hundred years ago. The primitive Koshiizu civilization was really a scattering of warlike city-states and tribes led by Daimyo - men who acted as both civil and military leaders. Eventually, a legendary Daimyo called Sawano Teinosuke unified the Realm about two hundred years and took the prestigious title of Supreme Emperor - he also claimed to be the Son of Miyazaki; the Goddess of Water. He established the capital of Nadaka, burning down previous city-states and moving forcibly their population to this new city. This served to effectively destroy previous local loyalties.

The Supreme Emperor established an effective civilian government staffed by educated bureaucrats - based on the dynasties of the Huang people. At the same time, he retained the institution of Daimyos as military commanders ruling over the outer provinces of the empire. While in the first decades the empire was able to exert close control over the Daimyos, eventually the costs of the religious wars against the Dark Cults, corruption and incompetent rulers meant that Daimyos have managed to become essentially autonomous rulers. The two most powerful Daimyo families are the Oda ruling over the settlement of Waibata and the Moriya ruling over the settlement of Imishi. Aside from those two, there are tens of Daimyos who rule small villages and farming communities.

The Daimyos pay an annual tax and are responsible for providing troops to the central government, but for the most part are left to their own devices. Meanwhile, in the capital Nadaka the central government still rules supreme and exercises centralized control through an ever increasing caste of bureaucrats. The Imperial Court has become increasingly decadent and the Supreme Emperors secluded to private hobbies, leaving everyday governance in the hands of a Grand Chancellor - drawn from among the eunuchs of the Palace.

The current Supreme Emperor Sawano Nobuyoshi is an unusually energetic man. Whether he can restore the Imperial Throne to prominence once more remains to be seen.

Starting Location:

Physical description: river valley, fertile plain and bordered by a great ocean.

Capital - Nadaka
Northern settlement - Waibata
Southern settlement - Imishi
River - Onkashe
Sea - Endless Sea

Advantage:

The Koshiizu Realm has the advantage of a favorable geographic position. Controlling the Onkashe river, bordering the Endless Sea and situated on plains, it is able to produce great quantities of food (mostly rice and fish). The river also facilitates commerce and makes travel easier.

Description:

The Koshiizu culture places much value on martial prowess and literati knowledge. The 'ideal gentleman' is one who is wise in his words but also skilled with his sword. As a result of this martial culture, a number of Martial Sects have been founded. Those Sects are led usually by a Grandmaster and teach martial arts to their students. In turn, those students are expected to follow certain rules. A number of the biggest Martial Sects have officially been recognized by the Imperial Court, and the government can turn to them for assistance against bandits or rebels. There is always, however, a problem of a Sect turning against the Imperial Court - so far twelve 'Sect Wars' have been fought.

The Koshiizu religion is polytheistic, venerating more than a hundred deities. The greatest deity is the Goddess of Water Miyazaki, as it is believed she is responsible for the Onkashe River and the Endless Sea blessing the Realm. The Koshiizu also venerate the spirits of their ancestors. They are expected to make annual sacrifices and offerings to both Gods and Spirits, and the religion is highly ritualistic. A caste of priests has developed, led by Bishops. Those priests conduct the rituals to please Gods and Spirits, and offer blessings to the Imperial Court and private citizens. Monasteries have also been established away from settlements, led by a Grand Monk. Both Bishops and Grand Monks are chosen for their offices by the Imperial Court, though in practice in areas controlled by the Daimyos it is the Daimyos that choose the Bishops and Grand Monks while the Imperial Court simply confirms those decisions.

The most holy place in the entirety of Koshiizu is the Pagoda of Light, a huge wooden pagoda containing all the sacred texts and artifacts of the Koshiizu people. The Pagoda houses a number of priests - who study and guard the texts and artifacts - who are headed by the Archpriest of Light. The holiest book is the Book of Revelations, detailing the visions Goddess Miyazaki revealed to Supreme Emperor Sawano Teinosuke, who first unified the Realm.

The economy of Koshiizu is in large part agricultural: peasants work in rice fields and fishermen fish at the river or the sea, and they pay portion of the production/fish to the Jitō (steward) of a Daimyo (or directly to the central government in the case of the capital and its immediate surroundings). The Daimyo uses that rice and fish to feed his men (indeed, soldiers are mostly paid in food). The capital of Nadaka and the two important settlements of Waibata and Imishi are places of commerce, where peasants sell their products while craftsmen and artisans offer their services. This commerce has created a rather vibrant urban economy and has enable the circulation of copper coinage.

Koshiizu has a small standing army: the Imperial Guards, who are commanded by the Supreme Emperor directly (though in practice by the Paladin of the Palace). Instead, the vast majority of men-at-arms are commanded by the Daimyo and levied from amongst the populace under their command. They are divided into a tiny elite class of Samurai, highly trained warriors whose martial prowess goes far beyond that of an average warriors, and peasant levies, which are of substandard quality and training and mostly act in a supporting role.

[Ralnis]

If I have a new neighbor, then I express trade and all of that.

[The Empire of Tau]

How big is the landmass we're on?