[CHAR] Legacy - Warhammer Fantasy-inspired War NRP

[ClocktowerEchos]

Beastmen Warherd of the Moon Caller

The Beastmen Warherd of
Varkex the Moon Caller

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Overview

The Beastmen, a once proud race that claim rule over all the lands long before any other had. But with the rise of the Empires of other races, they were forced to abandon their old claims and hide in the forest and mountains. These new savage creatures fight not for honor, land or gold, but for vengeance for the humiliation their forefathers suffered at the hands of the other races.

Geography

Map Claim

Draw your borders on the map to lay your claim. Describe the environment and geography as you wish within reasonable limits. Some important notes is that we're all somewhat in the northern hemisphere of the planet barring the southern regions so take that as you will. The west is largely cut off from us due to the World's End Mountains.

If you play a nation with multiple smaller administrative zones (ie Fiefs, Baronies, Chiefdoms, Kingdoms, etc), you might want to list them here as well as any other important zones like major cities, fortifications and of course, your capital, if you have one.

History

Long before the Empires of men, elves and dwarves arose, beastmen roamed free upon the land, the world as their grazing field. The people were happy and content as they formed the first large scale gatherings and even permeant tribe locations. Then, the other races, despising the beastmen for their "savage appearance and primitive ways" and took to eradicate them. In this new age of violence, the beastmen were forced to become the brutal warriors they are known as today just to survive but even then, they were still killed off or pushed back into the deep forests that would protect them and shelter their kind. Now, they sense the time is right to come out in full, no more small raiding parties but great warherds. Reckoning is upon the Old World, and with the fire of vengeance, the beastmen shall either resettle their civilization or raze it to ash.

Government

The beastmen employ a brutal but simple method to determine leadership, survival of the fittest. As long as one beastmen can best the current Alpha, he will become the new one which will command the respect and loyalty of the rest of the herd he is a part of. Different herds are referred to by the name of their Alphagor. Varax the Moon Caller is the currently Alphagor of the Herd of the Moon Caller.

Race Description

Beastmen are most well known for appear as humans with animalistic legs and heads, commonly that of a sheep or goat. Many other races consider the beastmen to be stupid barbaric savages in the wilderness. The beastmen may be brutal, but they are far more cunning than many believe or even want to believe, savagery and cunning makes for a deadly combination. The term beastmen is actually just an umbrella term however as there are a few variants or "breeds" of beastmen.

• Gors - The most common and well known type of beastmen, these are the horned creatures with animal legs and heads that the beastmen are known for.
• Ungors - These beastmen are at the bottom of the heriarchy, their horns either no large enough be considered Gors or they may not even have horns at all. They make up much of the "civilian" part of the herds as they do much of the cooking, crafting and general labor. Ungors can either be naturally born from existing beastmen or children of other races who've been born with unholy mutations and rejected by their parents.
• Beastwomen - Rarer than their male counterparts, Beastwomen are noted to be very docile, calm, submissive and even shy in comparison to the trademark aggressiveness of their race, all of them either Gors or Ungors.
• Harpies - Spindly flying creatures which often accompany beastmen, they are scavengers that pick at and help loot the bodies of the fallen although their sharp talons and mischievous ways makes them a foe worthy of caution in a fight.
• Centigors - Perhaps the most noble (and arrogant) of beastmen, Centigors have human torso connected to the body of a horse or oxen. They like to see themselves as the "best" beastmen, but they're all wise enough not to mention that around Minogors or the Alphas. Their hatred of the other races is the greatest as they have terrific memories and love telling stories of past battles.
• Minogors - The largest breed of beastmen with the head and bottom half of a bull. They stand taller than any normal person at around 10 feet, intimidating and brutish with massive muscles. Needless to say, Minogors tend to have some of the higher positions within a herd. A special sub-class of Minogors are Warbulls, Minogors who've grown so large and strong that they are almost always chosen as Alphas.
• Alphagor - While not technically a special breed, Alphas are the leaders of Beastmen herds and are almost always extremely tough, durable and strong but more importantly, they're cunning. While many Alphas are Minogors, there have been instances of Centigors or even normal Gors obtaining this rank.

Culture

The life of a beastmen is more often than not a very, very rough life with martial strength being prized above all else, forcing people into a strict hierarchy. Many live in roaming hordes that live off the land and raid for a living. Others living in well hidden encampments and settlements. With the strength-based hierarchy, Ungors are typically given the worse equipment for battle while also being treated the worse with each rung on the ladder above them being treated better and better.

The moon also plays a great role in the religion of the Beastmen which is also tied to battle through the their beastly rituals and one of their lores of magic, Lore of Beasts.

Given their innate connection to nature, the Beastmen are also capable of using various Beast Paths to quickly go through dense forests and even some mountains that are otherwise not passable by nearly all other races.

Economy/Industry

The beastmen are a fairly primative race, lacking the ability to make gunpowder as well as most forms of complex artillery. However, what they do make is sturdy enough to protect while also being simple enough to pump out on the scale a herd needs. No where near as fancy as the armor seen in use with the other races, Beastmen armor is characterized by being simple and effective if not crude and relying mostly on the user's natural durability and stubbornness. To the surprise of many outsiders, the Beastmen do have something resembling a crude barter system as many Gors and Ungors are a thing for tokens, pendants and various other little fetishes, a taste that has slowly made its way up to even Alphagors.

Magic

The Beastmen use two primary lores fairly unique to them: Lore of Beasts and Lore of Wild. Lore of Beasts relates heavily to the moon while Lore of Wild relates largely to that of the Wilderness. Mages of the beastmen are commonly referred to as Witchdoctors. Interestingly enough, there is a single spell from the Lore of Light which the beastmen use: Homeward Bound.

Lore of Beasts

Name: Call of the Moon
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Buff
Short Description: A common spell known by all those who study the Lore of Beasts, it taps and increases the beastly rage within beastmen making them fighter harder, dealing more damage and ignoring causality and wounds.

Name: Ramsteed's Ironpelt
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Buff
Short Description: Ramsteed was a legendary Minogor, famous for being able to shrug off volley after volley of arrows. His spirit hide blesses those under it with similar effects, effectively increasing their armor and durability especially against ranged.

Name: Heart of Darkness
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Debuff
Short Description: Evolution leaves its marks, this spell exploits those marks, driving those affected by it mad to the point they attack anyone and everyone one, even their comrades.

Name: Skyfather's Lance
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Direct Damage
Short Description: Summoning out a great magical lance, the Witchdoctor throws it towards the enemy, leaving deep holes in their ranks as it tears through them in a straight line.

Name: Roar of Glurrag
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Debuff
Short Description: A short ranged spell used for self defense in a way, the magical roar is loud enough to stun if not outright kill those too close to the caster.

Name: Anchor Howl
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Buff
Short Description: A rarity amongst Beastmen spells that typically increase offensive capabilities, this spell actually increases the defensiveness of units especially against a charge where their braying can disturb the enemy charge enough to further weaken its affect.

Lore of Wild

Name: Call of the Wild
Lore: Lore of Wild
Type: Buff
Short Description: A common spell known by all Witchdoctors of the Lore of Wild, it increases the speed at which Beastmen do their actions ranging from attack speed to charge speed.

Name: The Endless Hunt
Lore: Lore of Wild
Type: Buff
Short Description: The hunt never ends, units affected by this spell will not tire and can detect any hidden or hiding units or persons while being dead silent themselves.

Name: Savage Dominion
Lore: Lore of Wild
Type: Debuff
Short Description: Casted upon enemies, Savage Dominion opens the eyes of those affected to the true, unhinged world, tapping into their fear to weaken them.

Name: Murkrow's Mantle
Lore: Lore of Wild
Type: Buff
Short Description: Murkrow was a legendary Gor warrior whose skills and abilities impressed even Minogors; those who don his mantle are given a taste of his strength and fighting prowess making them hard hitting and savage fighters.

Name: Entanglement
Lore: Lore of Wild
Type: Offensive Support
Short Description: Summoning thick roots from the very earth to snarl on and catch the feet of enemies, this spell is favored as it increases the damage dealt by charging forces. Its hard to dodge something when you can't move after all.

Name: Spirit Beast Froyord
Lore: Lore of Wild
Type: Offensive Summon
Short Description: Collecting the wild animal souls and forming them into a single entity and adding the very essence of the earth to it, this spell is known to but a few Witchdoctors. Froyord was once a great wild wolf-like beast that was bested by the legendary Alphagor Alcorr the White and then used the beast as his mount. Froyord will run around wildly upon being summon, crashing into friend and foe alike leaving carnage in his wake. Legends speak that one day, an Alphagor chosen to lead the beastmen to greatness will be able to mount this spirit beast and use its corporeal form in the real world.

Lore of Light

Name: Homeward Bound
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Support
Short Description: A rarity even amongst the races who practice the Lore of Light regularly, there are few Witchdoctors who know this spell but its use is unquestionable. Besides being the only healing spell that Witchdoctors know, it also increases the stamina and resolve to fight for the Beastmen, especially if they are location they fell is important.

Military

Strengths and Weaknesses:

+ High Charge Damage
+ Fast Movement Speed over any and all terrain
+ Can Easily stalk, ambush and hide

- Lacks Ranges Units
- Lacks Artillery
- Low Armor

Tier 1 Units

Name: Ungor Scouts
Type: Light Archers
Short Description: While Ungors are considered the lowest breed of beastmen, their smaller size makes them ideal as light troops. They are excellent trackers as they often serve as the main hunting and scouting unit of herds.

Name: Ungor Spearmen
Type: Light Spear Infantry
Short Description: While Ungors are considered the lowest breed of beastmen, their smaller size makes them ideal as light troops. Surprisingly, they are the few members of their race who commonly use spears.

Name: Ungor Warherd
Type: Light Melee Infantry
Short Description: While Ungors are considered the lowest breed of beastmen, their smaller size makes them ideal as light troops. All beastmen seek glory and bloodshed of their enemies who cast them down from their paradise generations ago, Ungors are no different.

Name: Warbeast Pack
Type: Light Creatures
Short Description: Living so close to nature, some beastmen learn how to get very familiar with animals to the point they can command packs and groups of wild wolves, foxes, hounds and other feral animals.

Tier 2 Units

Name: Gor Warriors
Type: Light Melee Infantry
Short Description: Gors are the iconic "average" beastmen, known and feared by many who live near woods. Many of them carry two axes, clubs or warpicks to battle to savagely bring down their enemies. While some say that their lack of defense is concerning, Gors are more than willing to show that their speed negates the need of such frivolous things.

Name: Gor Warriors (Sheilds)
Type: Light Melee Infantry
Short Description: Gors are the iconic "average" beastmen, known and feared by many who live near woods. Some carry crude wooden shields to hide themselves from arrows and parry blows. Cowardly? Perhaps. Cunning? Very much.

Name: Gor Warriors (Great Weapons)
Type: Medium Melee Infantry
Short Description: Gors are the iconic "average" beastmen, known and feared by many who live near woods. Although their horns are killer enough on the charge, some still insist on carrying great swords or large ages to further increase the damage they will do upon impact.

Name: Harpies
Type: Light Flying Melee Infantry
Short Description: Although frail, Harpies are commonly used as ariel reconnaissance and tactical units, able to take out guards from guard towers and haunt exposed artillery crews and units. While they mostly attack with their sharp talons and claws, they are known to pick up enemies in small groups and drop them from extreme heights.

Name: Razorgors
Type: Medium Creatures
Short Description: Resembling a cross between a boar and a bear with a whole lot of spikes added on. These creatures are bred and raised to be tough and aggressive, their legendary metabolism and tough digestive system letting them devour a horseman and his horse in under a minute. If you ever wanted to know what a ball of sharp would look like going at you faster than you can run, a charging Razorgor is a good example.

Tier 3 Units

Name: Ungor Chosen
Type: Medium Melee Infantry
Short Description: While Ungors are typically seen as the weakest of their kind, there are still a select few who impress and outclass even Gors. Such are often said to have been chosen by the moon to be great warriors and given various trinkets and tattoos as a result. These Ungors are often person of great respect to other Ungors who look up to them as some of these Chosen lead their own Ungor herds into battle.

Name: Centigors
Type: Medium Melee Cavalry
Short Description: Proud and prideful, Centigors see themselves as valiantly fighting a great crusade against an dishonorable enemy that stole their homes away. Armed with lances and shields, they bravely charge the enemy in their quest for glory. Some outsiders consider them a mockery of horseback noble knights, a comparison that Centigors happily accept.

Name: Blackhands
Type: Light Ranged Infantry
Short Description: Experts at fire starting and exploiting natural flammable materials, Blackhands carry clay earthen jars and pots of natural tar mixed with other flammable materials to create deadly fire bombs, often used to clear out hidden enemies or put villages to the torch. These pyromaniacs also have the best understanding of fear tactics and exploit it ruthlessly.

Tier 4 Units

Name: Bestigors
Type: Medium Melee Infantry
Short Description: Elite Gor veterans who get the best equipment available, unlike many other beastmen warriors, they understand the value of discipline and training to the point that some might even consider them an actual professional military unit.

Name: Minogors
Type: Large Heavy Melee Infantry
Short Description: Exceptionally large and strong, there brutish Beastmen strike fear with every blow as they tear through ranks to sate their primal bloodlust. Like Gors, Minogors often favor dual axes to case the most chaos as they can, charging head first into the enemy before cutting them up into bloody chunks with their axes.

Name: Minogors (Sheilds)
Type: Large Heavy Melee Infantry
Short Description: Exceptionally large and strong, there brutish Beastmen strike fear with every blow as they tear through ranks to sate their primal bloodlust. While some Gors may use shields to protect themselves, Minogors use them primarily to show off their grizzly war trophies; bodies without legs chained to the front, carved skulls with bloody paint, it takes a brave man not to be intimidated by these thick shields.

Name: Minogors Executioners
Type: Large Heavy Melee Infantry
Short Description: Exceptionally large and strong, there brutish Beastmen strike fear with every blow as they tear through ranks to sate their primal bloodlust. Executioners are more often than not, Warbulls who weild massive great axes that can cut multiple men in half with a single mighty swing. These behemoths take as much pleasure in slaughter as they do in raiding and pillaging.

Name: Centigor Rider
Type: Medium Melee Cavalry
Short Description: While often too haughty and prideful to do so, sometimes female Centigors will form close relationships with Gors and even Ungors, allowing them to ride on their back, an act that's almost like sex in their culture. The two beastmen would have shared a very close and trusting relationship at this point, even deadlier than they were separated as the Centigor uses her lance and shield to charge into the enemy while her rider swings axes and blades once locked in combat.

Varkex the Moon Caller (Lord)

Name: Beastlord Alphagor Varkex the Moon Caller, Elf Slayer
Position: Alphagor of the Herd, Beastlord of the Beastmen,

Powers: Varkex is a rarity amongst Alphagors and Beastmen in general as he prefers the use of the bow over much else. He carries a legendary bow that is the size of a normal man and fires enchanted arrows more akin to spears, the Moon Caller Greatbow. How Varkex obtained such a weapon has spawned numerous rumors and stories ranging from it being made for him to it being a gift from the moon itself. What is known is that the bow can only be drawn by him and can even be used as artillery. However, to underestimate his melee abilities would be foolish as numerous rivals have learned the hard way.

Short Bio/Personality: Born to a Minotaur and a Ungor Beastwoman, Varkex seemed to be destant for greatness since the day he was born as his birth was hailed by a full, pale moon. Over the years he would distingush himself from others in his brave (if not extraordinary) acts of battle and savagry like forcing an entire village into a pit he dug himself to cover them in pitch and setting them on fire as they desperately tried to claw their way out. However, Varkex was always a clever and cunning one, leaving one to live to tell the tale and letting his name grew. His fame would grow as he began to hold greater and greater power in his tribe until the Alphagor banished him out of fear. A moon phase would pass but Varkex would return, his Moon Caller Greatbow in hand before he pierced the heart of the Alphagor, ripped his head off and mounted it on a stake, taking control of the tribe and the Alphagor's breeding stock. Since then, Varkex's raids have only become more daring and brutal but now it seems he prepares for full scale war against the other races for vengeance of his forefathers as he seeks to unite more and more beastmen herds under his bloody banner..

[RisenDead]

Empire of Rhune

The Empire of Rhune

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Overview

The Empire of Rhune is a nation of Humans who have, through the necessity to survive, turned themselves into an army with a nation. The young are raised from birth to fight in the Great Orruk War. The war to preserve the human species. Beset on all borders, and even from within, by enemies, the people of Rhune are a tough and hardy race that have made it their goal to die with honour, in the service of their nation and of the Emperor. No enemy is to great. Ever eager to strengthen their forces they stand shoulder to shoulder with their allies and send armies far afield when needed. These are a desperate people who believe that only through bloody sacrifice, will they be able to save their homeland and the world beyond their borders.

Geography

Map Claim

The Imperial City, Ruarden (Shown Above), during the Great Orruk Siege. This is the seat of the Empress and her power in the world. Sprawling above the Lake of Stars, this massive city is perhaps one of the largest and greatest in the world. Its population is beyond count and it produces many of the Empires greatest soldiers.

From the ocean to the Worlds End Mountains, the Empire spans across a vast landscape of mountains, rushing rivers, deep canyons, and glacier fed lakes. Mountain peaks thrust high into the air while the valleys below them are thick with rich soil and lush vegetation that provides ample growing season and life to the Empire. Rivers run swiftly to lakes filled with great fish and the ocean teems with life. The Mountains themselves are thick with resources needed for the Imperial war machine and the trees are alive with silk worms that allow even the poorest of the Empire to cloth themselves in comfort.

The climate is temperate in the valleys for much of the year, though winters are brief they can be harsh. Heavy rains and snows are frequent in the north of the country. The south on the other hand is dry and almost arid. Horses are a common sight in the Empire, along with several other beasts, some of which have been pressed into the service of the Empire.

History

There was a time in which the Empire of Yore spanned more of the world, reaching from its present day location and into the West of the world. It founded colonies, established trade networks, and expanded like no other race had before. In time it became so large that the Emperor decreed the West would be ruled by a second man of equal rank.

For a time this proved ideal and the Empire prospered. The East maintained its place as the wealthier trade hub of the Empire while the West produced many brilliant technological minds.

Then, a thousand years ago, things began to collapse in the West. The Emperor of the time, Styrius, was mad, or so some say. He wantonly executed thousands, took whatever women he wanted into his bed, levied cruel taxes, and so became the most hated man in the Empire. When he was assassinated it was not by an angry father but by his wife, the Empress Avinmore. Already separated from the East by many cultural differences and jealousy of the wealth that never seemed to make it West, the people of the Western Empire followed Avinmore into independence and so the Empire of Rhune was born.

Civil War is a terrible thing and the battles between the two sides were vicious and the war would last for a hundred years. The Rhune, though not as wealthy, populated, or Magical, found their strength in technology and the blessings of a little known Goddess from the Worlds End Mountains, Rhaetia.

The war would end with both sides bloodied but with the former Empire firmly split into two separate nations, Rhune and Yore. 900 years has passed since the peace was signed and the two Empires are closer together than ever as they seek to battle looming threats of a non-human nature.

Since the assassination of the Emperor, the Avinmore Family Line has ruled for a thousand years, warring, fighting, manipulating, assassinating, always battling, to raise their people to be the greatest Empire the world has ever seen. They have fought with every species to walk the planet and consider none their equal. They have learned from their enemies as humans, highly adaptable race that they are, are want to do.

They have waged war with the Elves, the Orruks, the Dwarves, even their fellow Humans, and have absorbed their knowledge. They have imitated their enemies and built a massive well armed and armoured Imperial Army. Technology is their ultimate weapon and it allows them to carve out a niche in the world that would otherwise be over run with Orruks and Beastmen.

There was a time when the Race of Rhune was very nearly wiped from the face of the Earth in the Great Orruk War. The Orruks, long a powerful and industrious race, waged war upon the Empire and two hundred years ago they fought their way to the gates of of the Imperial Capital. Only through great loss of life, including the reigning Empress, and the late arrival of giant allies, were the Orruks driven back.

Government

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The Rhune are ruled by a Warrior Empress, the 32nd of her name. She rules by divine mandate handed down by the living god, Rhaetia. She is a fearsome warrior and battle leader, renowned for her fighting skill. It is said no weapon can pierce her armour and she is protected from the magic of her enemies by the Hand of Rhaetia herself.

Race Description

The Rhune are a race of humans.

Culture

The Empire of Rhune is a nation of hard working and hard fighting humans. They worship Rhaetia, with a ruthless devotion and draw much of their power in her name. Ever since their war with the Orruks they have learned to build impressive fortresses and cities that would awe any who visit them.

When it comes to day to day work and skills, the Rhune tend to be good at most, but master one completely. All can fight if called upon but the soldiers of the realm are numerous and skilled at their trade.

Like many other human nations, the Rhune are numerous and breed quickly. Already the losses they suffered at the hands of the Orruks some two hundred years ago have been made up and a new army prepares to march to war.

Economy/Industry

The Rhune have found all they need within their borders to survive. Having said that, there are certainly higher grade items to be found in other regions of the world. Human smiths, using materials mined by the Dwarves, smith some of the finest weapons and armour in the known world. Trade with their Dwarven allies is brisk in any manner of items.

Magic

Magic in Rhune comes from two major sources. The first, like any other race, is drawn from the world around the Magic user and comes in the form of mages. As humans are not restricted in their creed to any particular vein of Magic, Mages of any type can be found.

More focused however, and possibly more dangerous, is the Will of Rhaetia. Her will is done by chosen men, the Warrior Priests of Rhune. These men, trained from a young age, are the living weapons of the Goddess on earth and can call down her power to aid them and their allies in battle.

The Lore of Light

The Lore of Light is an interesting mix of augment spells, with a couple of magic missiles and a hex for good measure. Exorcism, the Lore Attribute, makes the magic missiles more dangerous against Undead and Daemons, which is obviously highly situational – great if you happen to be facing these enemies, but otherwise useless. However, the magic missiles are probably not the reason you would choose the Lore anyway.

Name: Shem’s Burning Gaze
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Offensive
Short Description: It’s a basic, Flaming magic missile. Of course, if your target happens to be a Daemon or Undead unit, the damage you put out will be considerable.

Name: Pha’s Protection
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Defensive Buff
Short Description: A basic augment spell, making it more difficult for an enemy to hit the unit it has been cast upon.

Name: The Speed of Light
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Offensive Buff
Short Description: A higher level spell that grants greater speed to the unit it is cast upon, allowing them to strike faster than their enemy.

Name: Light of Battle
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Offensive Buff
Short Description: A higher level spell that renders a unit unbreakable. This means they will not retreat, which can both win a battle, or lead to the units destruction.

Name: Net of Amyntok
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Offensive Spell
Short Description: This spell renders an enemy unit unable to charge your own troops.

Name: Banishment
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Offensive Spell
Short Description: An upgraded magic missile that can banish demons or undead from the battlefield.

Name: Birona’s Timewarp
Lore: Lore of Light
Type: Offensive Spell
Short Description: A top level spell that requires plenty of Mana but can not only make a unit faster, but stronger as well, thereby rendering a potential battle decidedly in the users favour.

Military

The Rhune Military is highly trained, well armed, and in huge numbers. They operate siege equipment similar to the Orruks and rely on natural allies within their borders to provide heavy hitting support. It is not uncommon to find Ogres, Giants, and other great beasts in their ranks.

Human armies are highly versatile and while the majority of the soldiers are of the common fighting stock (Tier 2) the Empire relies heavily on technology to even the playing field, so to speak. They are highly organized and in large numbers, which gives them a heavy advantage over their enemies.

However, they are Human. They are given to fatigue, fear, hunger, and disease. Imperial Armies are not fast moving when in full formation and have consistently been forced to wait for the supply train to catch up to them. They're physically weaker than most of their opponents and rely on close formations to try and make up the difference. Many of the core units of the army can be given to fear or retreat if their leadership is killed or wounded.

Core Units

Core Units

Name: Musketeers
Type: Infantry (Ranged)
Tier: Tier 2
Category: Light
Short Description: Lightly armed but highly mobile, Musketeers are armed with muskets and assorted hand weapons.


Name: Pikemen
Type: Infantry (Melee)
Tier: Tier 2
Category: Medium
Short Description: Armed with medium armour, sixteen foot pikes, and assorted hand weapons.


Name: Pistoleer
Type: Infantry (Melee/Ranged)
Tier: Tier 2
Category: Medium
Short Description: Armed with medium armour, musket, six pistols and assorted hand weapons.


Name: Greatswords
Type: Infantry (Melee)
Tier: Tier 3
Category: Medium
Short Description: Armed with heavy armour, and two handed swords.


Name: Grenadiers
Type: Infantry (Melee/Ranged)
Tier: Tier 3
Category: Medium
Short Description: Armed with medium armour, rifles, and assorted hand weapons. These highly soldiers also carry mobile metal shields that can be planted to protect them while they reload.


Name: Engineers
Type: Infantry (Siege/Support)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Light
Short Description: The Engineers carry short swords, daggers, and a whole lot of explosives. This unit acts to support the main military body through building fortifications, bridges, gun emplacements, and, when needed, to blow up enemy structures.

Speciality Units

Speciality Units

Name: Swordmasters of Rhune
Type: Infantry (Melee)
Tier: Tier 3
Category: Heavy
Short Description: Wearing heavy armour and carrying two-handed swords imbued with regeneration charms, these are a true heavy hitting unit.


Name: Star Guard
Type: Infantry (Melee)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Heavy
Short Description: Wearing heavy armour, carrying assorted hand weapons, and a tower shield. This unit is highly magical and the elite of Rhune's ground units.


Name: Daughters of Rhaetia
Type: Markswoman (Melee/Ranged)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Light
Short Description: Wearing light armour, carrying magically imbued rifles, two pistols, sword and dagger. This unit is highly magical, female only, and the elite ranged unit of Rhune.


Name: Warrior Priests of Rhune
Type: Heavy Infantry (Melee/Magical)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Heavy
Short Description: Warrior Priests of Rhune always wear heavy armour and carry a hand two handed mace or hammer. They call upon the Will of Rhaetia to imbue themselves and nearby allies with power.


Name: The Heavies
Type: Cavalry (Melee)
Tier: Tier 3
Category: Heavy
Short Description: Mounted on large horses, this unit carries lances, assorted hand weapons, two pistols, and large shields.


Name: Dragoons
Type: Cavalry (Melee/Ranged)
Tier: Tier 3
Category: Heavy
Short Description: Mounted on large horses, this unit carries lances, assorted hand weapons, two pistols, and a short carbine.


Name: Gryphon Rider
Type: Cavalry (Melee/Ranged/Air)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Heavy
Short Description: Mounted on Gryphons, this unit carries lances, assorted hand weapons and longbows.


Name: Giants
Type: Infantry (Melee/Ranged)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Heavy
Short Description: These massive creatures, humanoid in appearance, come from the deepest mountains controlled by the empire. Armed with any assortment of hand weapons or giant ranged weapons. Many wear armour and some are covered head to toe, making them a formidable enemy indeed.


Name: Cannon
Type: Siege (Ranged)
Tier: Tier 3
Category: Medium
Short Description: This weapon is devastating against individual units, buildings, and monsters. It can fire solid shot or exploding shells that shatter the heaviest armour.


Name: Great Cannon
Type: Siege (Ranged)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Heavy
Short Description: This weapon is devastating against large units, and buildings. It can fire solid shot or exploding shells that shatter the heaviest armour.

Name: Puckle Gun
Type: Infantry (Ranged Support)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Light
Short Description: The Pickle Gun is a muzzle loaded gun with seven barrels, firing a 2 pound musket type ball. They are deployed in conjunction with infantry to provide close fire support.


Name: Steamtank
Type: Siege (Ranged)
Tier: Tier 4
Category: Haevy
Short Description: The Steamtank is the pinnacle of Imperial technology. It is a mobile turret on top of a wheeled chassis driven by a steam engine. The turret mounts a cannon inside of it.


Name: Human Mage
Type: Mage (Ranged Magic)
Tier: Tier 2-4
Category: Light
Short Description: These mages are either well versed in the Lore of Life or the Lore of Light. They are poor melee fighters.

Hero Units

Hero Units

Name: Avinmore of Rhune
Position: Empress of Rhune
Mount: Summoned Horse
Powers: The Empress wears armour and carries weapon imbued with runes of regeneration, and fire damage. A powerful mage in her own right she summons an eight legged horse. When mounted she and horse both appear to grow in size.
Short Bio/Personality: The Empress is well liked and supported by her people. She is a renowned military commander and fighter, rumoured to have killed thousands of enemy soldiers on her own.


Name: Arch Lector Sadaos
Position: Grand Master of the Hand of Rhaetia
Mount: None
Powers: Arch Lector Sadaos is perhaps the most magically powerful person in the Empire. As the direct link between Rhaetia and the people of Rhune he can call upon her powers to aid him in battle. He is responsible for the training of the Warrior Priests of Rhune.
Short Bio/Personality: WIP

Important Figures

Name: Field Marshal Aoyne
Position: Field Marshal of the Empire - Commander of the Southern Reaches
Mount: Gryphon
Powers: Aoyne is a skilled battle commander and tactician. She has limited magical abilities and relies on Mages for assistance.

[Lauder]

Red Fang Orruks

The Red Fang Orruks

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Overview

The Red Fang Orruk "empire" is truly on massive Orruk clan that has conquered most of its surrounding competition and has enslaved a large population of lizardmen known as the Kashar. They mainly live in a harsh desert climate though the populated centers are along the river that strikes the nation in half.

Geography

Map Claim

Blood red portion

The Red Fang Orruks inhabit a very large portion of desert that has a large river cutting through the center of it that leads to a rather large delta at the end. The river sports wetlands that branch off of it, the wetlands have some trees and many reeds growing. The wetlands are often converted into farmlands for the Orruks. The south bears mountains, often which the Orruks set small mining outpost in though there is one fortress there known as Vaxibra where most of the metal is forced into the weapons that are used.

There are many small settlements dotting the deserts that the Orruks so happen to inhabit. The settlements within the delta and along the river so happen to be the largest and most fortified. The capital, Orizagoth, is the largest settlement ever created and it became so because the Red Fangs are the leading force of the Orruks.

History

Over two hundred years ago, the Orruks were united against one particular Empire in which they would forever hold a grudge against. The Empire of Rhune, an empire of man which seemingly did the impossible and pushed the Orruk horde back. The final battle had been lost and the Orruk horde only sight to move back south in order to come up with a cunning plan. However, no plan would come to rise as infighting separated this sprawling Empire and fragmented it. Leading to the created of the Red Fang Clan.

The Red Fang Orruks originally started out as a small clan that acted like the rest of the sounding clans that inhabited the delta. They fought and killed each other like the savages that they were, they were merciless and bloodthirsty just as all other races saw the Orruks. However, the Red Fangs were a special breed of Orruk, not physically, as they cannibalized on other Orruk clans constantly believing that more power would be gotten from this. Eventually there came a time where the Red Fangs had began raiding others without break, miraculously they were winning.

With the birth of Zing-Zing Blood Fang, the Red Fangs began to conquer more land by practicing their savage ways through his cunning and merciless combat tactics. Instead of charging blindly into combat like most other Orruks, he would bait other clans into traps where he would slaughter them with an army of untrained militia. It was through his training that the Red Fangs conceived the concept of taking other clans to bolster their forces.

Zing-Zing became chieftain by popular vote of the entire clan at the age of 25, resulting in the death of the previous chieftain and the the ritual cannibalization of the body by Zing-Zing. A day of remembrance was declared for the new chieftain, a day of celebration that resulted in the death and conception of many Orruks. It was a day that two other clans were brought under control of the Red Fangs purely due to how bloody the celebration was. Needless to say, Zing-Zing showed amazing promise as a cheiftan for the Orruks.

Zing-Zing reign began with an advantage because the Orruks were finally becoming unified under one banner which was nearly impossible for others to do. It forever changed the local culture and way of war, two other empires formed as a result and seemed to reap bloody vengeance against each other. Zing-Zing would have none of this and began the large warpath that any Orruck had ever seen. This warpath number in almost ten-thousand that overtook the entire delta in less than a month. New tactics were developed, new technologies had come into play such as the ballista which destroyed any fortification that had been put up against the warpath and it destroyed infantry lines. It took years, decades for the warpath to conquer the final holding of the known Orruks. This brought a time of unneeded peace to the Orruks who did not desire such things.

Naturally, they began expanding into the surrounding deserts and made settlements on the frontier where the Orruks would constantly hunt the wildlife to satisfy the bloodlust. That was before they met a more docile race that only wished peace for the entire world to know. The first meeting went a little like this... Blood and carnage upon the peaceful race. This began the first of many wars which was merged under one war called "The Century War" which gradually ceded land to the Red Fangs. Zing-Zing led battles against the unknown enemy himself, finding his tactics to be a bit outdated as the lizardmen held their own through their quick Calvary strikes and hidden camouflage.

This was the first time that Zing-Zing's leadership had been questioned, bringing the Orruks to began squabbling amongst one another. However, they were rallied by Zing-Zing's son, Zippy Blood Fang, through the words of "Da enemy foight, den we bring da foight ta' dem!" It was not the best speech, but for the Orruks it was something to celebrate about and that celebration began the downfall to the lizardmen known as the Kashar. The ballistas had been repurposed to be defensive tools of war to fire nets which would tie up the Kashar Calvary, literally.

Zing-Zing began another warpath against the Kashar, fighting them himself and destroying their armies before they would eventually surrender everything they owned to the Orruks. The Kashar would get one final action before the end, they killed Zing-Zing. The one who did so was only known as Giresh the Bloodthirsty who killed Zing-Zing with an arrow to the back and a spear thrust through the skull of the Orruk. Afterwards, Zippy would become chieftain due to how rallying he was to the people. He enslaved the Kashar, making a food source out of them and having them annually hunted and slaughtered. Zippy is the current leader of the Red Fangs.

Government

The Red Fangs are led by a singular cheiftan who essentially makes all the executive decisions for the entire kingdom as well as have the honor of leading a warpath. The cheiftan rules for as long as lives, when the cheiftan dies a new one is elected through popular vote. This vote tends to include whoever draws in the largest shouting crowd. Whoever has the noisiest crowd becomes the cheiftan, man or woman. The current cheiftan would be Zippy Blood Fang, son of Zing-Zing Blood Fang.

Race Description

The Orruks are a large and muscular race, even the females of this race are large and muscular. They are naturally colored to be green or black, they're eyes often being red, brown, green, or blue. The Orruks sport an underbite with two rather large incisors poking out from the bottom. This race is rather strong, having the strength of five men and having the endurance of the same amount. Of course, they take this for granted and do not rely on the intelligence as much even though they are as smart as humans. The Orruks are savage and often prey upon the dead who get in their path, even their own kind if they did in battle.

Orruks are incredibly fast breeders, able to sustain an army off pure man power alone if they truly wanted to. It takes only ten years before an Orruk has reached maturity and the cycle can repeat once more.

The slaves

The Kashar are a slave race that are put into eternal servitude by the Orruks. They are a frail and weak race of lizardmen that are close to being considered endangered due to how often they are set loose for hunting by the Orruks.

Culture

Orruks are constantly seen as savage beasts who want nothing more than to fight the good fight, which is not far from the truth. Orruk life is built around the mentality that fighting is the only thing that will make you grow stronger and get you any popularity if the cheiftan dies. Granted, they are exceptionally prideful of the fact that they are Orruks and regard themselves as "da best fightas in da worl'". Whether this hold any truth or not has yet to be seen as Orruks find training without death to be useless. The only good teacher for fighting is the battlefield.

The Red Fangs have several holidays, all of which put a warpath on race that so happens to be nearby though those are the smaller holidays. "Zing-Zing's crowning" is a rather popular holiday that gets the Orruks to begin fighting one another or doing less than appropriate things with one another. The is so much alcohol involved that even the Dwarves would be jealous.

Economy/Industry

The Red Fangs are known to trade away their brutish weapons in exchange for food or the likes as the desert does not support much land for farming, though this does not mean the populous is starving by any means. They are known to hold extensive amounts of slaves from any race that gets raided by them though the largest in number would be the Kashar. A majority of their wealth comes from loot that they procure through raids that they hold annually on anyone who gets to close to their lands or whenever they feel like it. They raid with a specially made ballista that can fire just about anything and make it deadly with the exception of pillows... though that is still being tested.

Magic

Lore of Flames

Name: Fireball
Lore: Flames
Type: Offensive, AOE
Short Description: This is a generic fireball spell that is cast at an enemy at far or short range, it may exploded on contact to damage nearby enemies.

Name: Flaming Body
Lore: Flames
Type: Offensive, Buff
Short Description: The Flaming Bodies spell may be cast on many people all at once, allowing the receiver to becoming englulfed in fire. The fire is harmless to those who bare it, however, it will hurt anyone that that person is charging at. This makes melee combat especially hard for the defender.

Name: Wave of Fire
Lore: Flames
Type: Offensive, AOE
Short Description: The Wave of Fire is exactly how it sounds, the spell unleashes a big wave of fire that washes over enemies and generally sets everything on fire before the wave itself dissipates after a few meters from the target.

Lore of da Raid

Name: Gotta move right fast!
Lore: Lore of da Raid
Type: Buff
Short Description: This buff makes a person or persons move exceptionally quickly, allowing for a charge to get to its target quicker or in case a group needs to run away from a fight.

Name: Squigs
Lore: Lore of da Raid
Type: Debuff, AOE, Offensive
Short Description: This particular spell melts armor of a unit from a ball special acid that also makes the unit a target to the Orruks who will stop at nothing to get to who is coated in this, primarily to devour them.

Name: Chompa
Lore: Lore of da Raid
Type: Offensive, AOE, Debuff
Short Description: This spell makes the very earth itself hungry for blood, the earth unleashes its teeth and swallows up anyone that is in the target location. Of course, those who aren't killed will have a bit of a time getting out.

Name: Get frothin' ya gits!
Lore: Lore of da Raid
Type: Support, Buff
Short Description: This spell can enrage a person, allowing the targeted person to ignore some wounds and continue to fight on. You would not want an enraged Orruk charging you.

Name: Take der' skin!
Lore: Lore of da Raid
Type: Offensive, Support, AOE
Short Description: This spell transfers the life force of another unit to someone else of the caster's choice, often healing an allied unit of the caster themselves.

Military

-Heavy Range Damage
-Heavy Charge Damage
-High Defense
-Low Mobility
-Lacking Arial Units
-Lacking Magical units

Tier 1

Name: Grotz
Type: Light Axemen
Short Description: Grotz are often considered the first path that new recruits go into. They wear little armor and they are equipped with makeshift axes, maybe even some wooden shields, that the recruits have made themselves.

Name: Zingas
Type: Light Archers
Short Description: Zingers are another path that newer recruits go into, granted it is smaller than the Grotz. They also wear little armor and are equipped with makeshift bows with crude arrows.

Name: Ridaz
Type: Light Calvary
Short Description: Ridaz are the final path that recruits go into, the smallest path due to the rarity of Orruks that want to ride horses. They wear little to no armor and are equipped with crude swords or axes, they ride horses.

Tier Two

Name: Skulltakaz
Type: Medium Axemen
Short Description: This is the step up from the Grotz, they actually wear some decent armor with a metal chestplate while leather covers the rest. They wield two hand axes with a backup pair, allowing this unit to harass at a range.

Name: Skulltakaz (shields)
Type: Medium Axemen
Short Description: This is the step up from the Grotz, they actually wear some decent armor with a metal chestplate while leather covers the rest. They wield a hand axe and a metal shield, they have a backup axe incase the first is lost

Name: Horsestoppaz
Type: Light Spearmen
Short Description: Whule having leather armor and a wooden shield, this unit does have rather large spears that it constantly boasts. If the spear is lost the unit also has a secondary short sword.

Name: Shootaz
Type: Light Archers
Short Description: A direct upgrade from the Zingas, they where leather armor and are equipped with professionally made short bows. They are trained a bit better than the Zingas with combat experience.

Name: Grognaks
Type: Heavy Infantry
Short Description: Grognaks are a sort of shock infantry meant to take an enemy charge. While they have heavy armor, a shield, and shortsword; they lack the skill to be a tier higher.

Tier 3

Name: Dakkas
Type: Heavy Spearmen
Short Description: Dakkas are heavily armored shock troopers meant to fully stop an enemy charge, even heavy Calvary if they position themselves right. They are armed with strong spears, a large metal shield, and a shortsword.

Name: Dakkas (Greatweapons)
Type: Heavy Infantry
Short Description: Dakkas are heavily armored shock troopers meant to break an enemy quickly and effectively. They are armed with greatswords, great axes, and warhammers.

Name: Cross Shootaz
Type: Medium Archers
Short Description: Cross Shootaz have an exceptional range and are protected with same armor as Skulltakaz. Their weapons include crossbows and a backup longsword for melee combat.

Name: Shamanz
Type: Light Mages
Short Description: Shamanz are the core magic units that are often in short supply. They wear robes made of furs and are equipped with a shortsword and staff.

Name: Throwaz
Type: Artillery
Short Description: Throwaz are ballistas that are able to fire literally anything or anyone, they especially like setting the ammunition on fire or they fire just plain bolts.

Tier 4

Name: Barkaz
Type: Heavy Calvary
Short Description: Barkaz are the heavy Calvary responsible for shattering enemies with a flank. The Barkaz are mounted on heavily armored dire wolves, they themselves also heavily armored. They have lances, short swords, and shields. They know discipline and war very well.

Name: Wrekaz
Type: Heavy Infantry
Short Description: Wrekaz are an elite fighting unit equipped with a metal shield and flaming swords. They are meant to deter enemies more than actually fight, but that does not mean they can't handle themselves in a fight.

Name: Destroyaz
Type: Heavy Artillery
Short Description: The Destroya is a devastating artillery unit that excels at destroying an enemy charge. It is a ballista that is able to fire multiple bolt at once in a hail.

Name: Sistaz of the Raid
Type: Heavy Infantry/Archers
Short Description: The Sistaz are the one core of only women in the Orruk army, they have their breasts removed to gain more honour. They are heavily armored, highly skilled, and ruthless. They are equipped with a magical great axes that can send lightning at an their enemies.

Lord/Hero Format

Name: Zippy, Son of Zing-Zing
Position: Cheiftan of the Orruks
Powers: Being the Chieftan, Zippy has wields a great axe, Whompa, that makes him abnormally stronger than any Orruk conceived, even when not wielding the axe.
Short Bio/Personality:
Zippy is a rather charismatic Orruk who can gather a Warband within hours purely through his words, he is just as bloodthirsty and savage as any Orruk, however, he is as polite as his biology allows. He came into power through the election by the Orruk people, meaning he had to devour his father's corpse.

[TemplarKnight07]

The Under-Republic of Rodents

The Under-Republic of Rodents

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Overview:

A Republic of mutated, evolved, and escaped Rodents that dwells underground beneath the World's End Mountains and its surrounding territory. They share a hatred for most species above the world, as their ancestors and kin were and continue to be oppressed and reviled by many of them, and they possess a cunning and ingenius mind to match their impressive numbers.

Geography:

Map Claim

Marked in Grey

The Under-Republic is found beneath the World's End Mountains and surrounding environs. Numerous caves and tunnel entrances exist all throughout the range that act as gateways into the labyrinth of carved out tunnels to the Underworld of the rodents, and while the biggest entrances are well known by other races (and heavily barricaded off by the Under-Republic and its regular Vermin army), dozens if not potentially hundreds of entrances have never been located by other races, or have simply been dug out in the intervening time.

The underworld itself is lit by a mix of fires, natural lava flows in some places, mirrored beams of sunlight from holes carved out far above, and luminous crystals depending on where exactly one is located, as the more Under-Republic proper regions, the core of whose foundations were laid centuries ago, is outfitted with "modern" conveniences, whereas the more fringe and frontier corners of the Rodents' underworld have to make do with natural light sources or fire. The caverns and tunnels are a mix of naturally occurring that the rodents simply appropriated for themselves, and of hand-dug tunnels and caverns for strategic purposes. The great Rat-Way dominates maps of the Under-Republic as a massive high way linking up all of the various corners of the thirteen regions of the Under-Republic, and is the main underground road from the Under-Republic's capital, Verminia (Commonly mythologized by outsiders as The City of Rats), to the biggest gateway out of the Under-Republic, Petrus' Maw.




In terms of the geography of the underground, though it is very dull in terms of scenery, there are some choice locales and sights that break up the endless tunnels. With underground rivers, hollowed out Cinotes and other types of caverns carved out by water flow, magma rivers and chambers, mega-crystal-filled halls, chasms that not even the rodents know how far down they go, and underground grottos add some flavour to the otherwise rocky depths. They are also filled with all manner of creatures and monsters besides the rodents that also hide from the world above, and the rodents routinely have to go on rounds of tunnel-checking to ensure that some paths remain safe, though its a constant task.

History:

Nobody is really sure exactly how the first Rattus Faber came into being, not even the Rodents themselves are entirely clear on their origins with several different myths floating around both above and below the world as to how and why they became as they are. Some say they're the practical joke or curse of a twisted God upon the world, others say they're the result of escaped magical experiments by rogue Mages, while others say that they're spawned from the Underworld itself and that the Dwarves freed them from their stone prisons. All that is known for certain is that the Rattus Faber are not natural to the world, they were not born from it necessarily, they were made into being.

Their organization into the Under-Republic of Rodents however can be traced back with a fairly high degree of certainty by the Rodents themselves, as it was from the legendary Rattus Faber Petrus Verminius called "The Liberator" by future Rattus Faber, who first organized his kin both intelligent and bestial among himself into an organized capacity resembling the civilized nations of old. Though his first experiments at government were crude and unorganized, and hostile neighbours above ground were a constant issue, he eventually settled on a situation that worked, was adaptable to various situations, and seemed fair, that of the Republic, and with the great exodus underground into the plethora of caves and tunnels left abandoned beneath the World's End mountains with plenty of room to expand, Petrus turned the Republic into an Under-Republic of Rodents.

For several centuries the Rodents of their various Familia and Clans grew and multiplied in the darkness which they conquered through lights of crystal and fire and with increasingly sophisticated tools mimicking those of the world above to carve out the underground for themselves. They carved out massive cities out of winding tunnels and alcoves, filled with all the refuse they gathered from the elder races into massive ramshackle constructions that had method to their madness. Huge rat-ways were cut through the mountains to link the growing regions together with the help of their larger but dumber kin and by the massive number of slaves from other races. For the Under-Republic became known for their almost annual raids on the surface, where dozens of swarms would set out in search of loot, slaves, fellow rodents, and stories of the world above to bring back to their underworld.

For several centuries this has been the case, with only a few times in history that the entire Vermintide has been called forth to all-out war, a sea of evolved and intelligent rodents ready to sweep away all who lay in their path as they carry out their vengeful scourge upon the world. Few living have gazed upon such a terrifying sight, its been so long. Though now the Vermintide is being called once again, and this time it'll be the greatest one the world has yet seen, and led by the best and brightest rodents of their brood to spread plague, fear, and terror upon the surface for having oppressed them and their kind for so long.

Government:

The ruling bodies of the Under-Republic are in consecutive series of Committees and and Councils each going up in rank as follows from lowest to highest:

Pack Committees (All Vermin and Rodent-kin are eligible and obligated to attend, as all are members. They called to assembly to decide on local grievances or punishments that the magistrates do not possess the power to do alone (such as exile), and mostly when mass votes are called to serve as easy means to organize Rodents. These bodies also vote who represents their packs on Clan Councils. These committees vary widely in size and can be as many as several hundred to several tens of thousands of members)

Clan Councils (Smaller Councils unique to each Clan, with each of its packs having a representative. They meet for deciding on coordinated approaches for their clan, and what proposals to bring forth to the Conclave, either on their own problems or updates. This is largely an intermediary body that compiles data and tries to make sense of it all, as well as resolving major internal clan conflicts. They also vote to select a member among them to represent their clan at a Conclave of Clans. Usually the membership of these councils is several hundred, but it varies from clan to clan, as some may only have 50 or less.)

Regional Councils or Conclaves of Clans (A gathering of the representatives of all clans in a region of the Under-Republic. Normally they're a couple dozen in members, though a couple of the larger provinces can boast nearly 100 members. These Conclaves convene to deal with matters of regional importance: major internal strife, large-scale stagnation in economics or supplies, decisions on mustering swarms for raids, and the general overseeing of a region's well-being. These Conclaves vote for a member among themselves to become a member of The Ring of Rodents)

The Pack of 13, or The Ring of Rodents (The highest Council of all of the Under-Republic, with a member from each of the 13 provinces. These 13 rodents decide on matters of Underworld-wide importance: total war against a rival nation, diplomacy, and Under-Republican wide laws. They are usually the leaders of The Vermintide, the assembled host of the entire army of Rodents, each leading a different legion from a different region. These 13 Rodents have executive power over all of the other Councils and Conclaves in the Under-Republic, and their word is final in all things, though they often call mass votes in order to gauge their kin's feelings on a particular subject, they are never obligated to follow through with what the masses want, not that the Pack Committees on the lowest levels necessarily know that anyway. From among their number, the Rattus Regius is chosen for life. They are distinguished by their rings of bright green jade on each claw and ceremonial robes denoting the colour of their province with elaborate bone headpieces)

Rattus Regius (The leader of The Ring of Rodents, and effectively the face of the Under-Republic. Despite the regal title, the Rattus Regius does not hold much effective power in times of peace, as they represent the spiritual health of the Republic and often are merely the figure who deals with foreign emissaries or goes on diplomatic missions (to those who'll even accept the Rodent-kin). In times of war, the Rattus Regius becomes the Commander-in-Chief of all of the Under-Republic, with the Ring of Rodents as their council of generals and advisors, basically. They do not become full autocrats, but they essentially then lead the Ring of Rodents in war whereas before they directed the Rattus Regius in peace. It is a highly prestigious office, and much is expected of the Rattus Regius in terms of their behaviour that they do not strictly act selfish, but often can be extremely boring when a conflict is not ongoing, leaving past Rattuses often to amuse themselves with other things.)

Complex voting and lot systems as well as strict voting rules meticulously recorded in scrolls abound in the earlier three conclaves and councils to try and avoid corruption of the system or favouritism, so as to ensure that the same clans do not constantly dominate the Ring of Rodents, or that the Rattus Regius is never constantly of a particular clan, but also so that it is basically impossible for one clan to rig an election or decision.

Race Description:

The Rodents of the Under-Republic come in all shapes and sizes, though its most iconic and second most numerous individuals are the Rattus Faber, the evolved humanoid-Rodents that can be perpetually bipedal, stand roughly as high as Dwarves, possess the ability to speak, and have fully developed brains capable of extremely complex thought. They are also the ones among their kind to commonly dress and adorn themselves, and possess green-flecked irises with pupils. Most Rattus Faber are short-lived compared to most races, but they develop quickly into adulthood and bred huge broods, with single mothers being able to produce usually up to 12 offspring at least in a single birthing. The downside to this is that Rattus Faber over 30 are a rarity, and venerable is the rodent indeed who manages to reach or surpass the fabled, if decrepit age of 40.

All of them also possess the ability to speak in "Rodent-tongue", enabling them to actually communicate with even their fellow Rodents who are not capable of normal speech, as well as an immunity to almost all disease.

Other variants of their kind can be even larger or far smaller, and be quadrupeds or bipeds, but none of them possess the same intellectual capacities as the Rattus Faber, with those of their other kin either possessing child-like intellectual capacities, or merely bestial ones.

Rattus Gigantus are their larger and stronger cousins, with them standing as tall as humans if not even taller, but their mental capacities are child-like and their breeding patterns far slower than their Faber cousins making them fewer. Their eyes are nearly completely bright green with extremely small pupils, if any. They are accompanied by Rattus Faber handlers who guide and direct them in most cases.

While their smaller cousins, Rattus Commenus, are basically identical to common rats above ground, and although are many, possess no real intelligence at all besides that of beasts. They are often shepherded and guided by Rattus Faber who train in commanding large swarms of these cousins of theirs.

Slaves of all races can also be found within the Under-Republic, though they are often malnourished and beaten. Most that manage to survive the conditions are remarkably hardy for physical labour and resilient to disease, though thousands usually die before that happens.

Culture:

The culture of the Under-Republic is chaotic, often confusing, and at some times contradictory, but the effort is made to make a most egalitarian culture with meritocratic and technocratic strains. The loyalty of a Rattus Faber is to their fellow Rodents and their pack and clan especially, and are encouraged to work together to solve problems. Those that strive to prove their worth via skill, wit, and ambition are those that rise through the ranks of the Under-Republic, and there are no restrictions on who among the Rattus Faber can cast their name to claim a position within or for their clan or region in terms of material status (though there are restrictions on getting the same Committee and Council positions consecutively). Rivalries are common, and inter-clan or clan-to-clan blood feuds can effectively cause civil wars within the Republic if the parties involved have a wide support base, and if the situation is not resolved amicably. Though if faced with an external enemy, most grudges are put aside for the betterment of all Rodents in the Under-Republic (even though there have been cases of internal conflicts spilling over into such situation).

Economy/Industry:

The Under-Republic Economy is very much a barter economy for the most part, though they do have standardized systems of weights and measures for coinage, they do not actually use any coins of their own, they merely recycle and use the coins and currencies of other races and use weighs and purity tests to keep consistent values, and they are therefore the most highly valued form of good to trade with next to pure ore or gems because are actual can be easily applied to them, though other goods can be traded as well. Therefore it is mostly an exchange in material goods that takes place for a transaction. Such as giving 2 pounds of silver for a freshly forged iron cleaver.

As for industries, the Under-Republic has a booming industry in mining and they go through tons of ore and stone and minerals every year. Though their skills do not match those of the Dwarves or other races, they make up for in sheer mass production of war material and reappropriation. Tens of thousands of weapons and pieces of armour can be made in two weeks out of either fresh ore or repurposed material taken from raids if they're operating at full capacity, and many weapons stolen or looted are repurposed here.

Underground farming takes place in the form of mushroom harvesting, from which alcohol is distilled, though the Rodents will often steal tons of food and alcohol in the raids as well, even the scraps, as they can consume far more spoiled food than other races. Bats and other cave beasts are hunted as the Rodents periodically clear out tunnels.

Every rodent is entitled to what they take from the surface above to use to barter or craft down below.

Magic:

Not strictly magic, the Under-Republic does have a cadre of Rodents that practice Alchemy, Chemistry, Natural Sciences, and the especially study of Plagues which they have assembled into a Lore in mockery of spell-casters, their own handcrafted Lore of Plagues. Its practitioners are known as The Bubonic Philosophers, and their primary purpose is developing new and intriguing ways to spread death among the ranks of the enemies of the Under-Republic, whether it is in trying to harness black powder, crafting stimulants for the Packs, or a new plague to have their kin spread upon the world above, they're always up to something new.

Lore of Plagues

Name: Festering Bombs
Lore: Plague
Type: AOE
Short Description: Not really explosive bombs, these are large shells filled with a particularly virulent decoction that when burst releases an orange mist. All who come into contact with the drifting mist experience extreme rashes on any exposed flesh within a minute, with painful sores beginning within 4, before bursting into bloody and painful messes upon the person. Not designed to kill immediate so much as incapacitate a force when utilized. Requires Plague Engines to use properly.

Name: The Red Plague
Lore: Plague
Type: Offensive
Short Description: Borne from manipulating and changing the classic Black Plague and amplifying some of its particular effects, making the effects even more terrifying and painful as not only will its victims experience painful Buboes, be able to spread the disease by their breath, blood, and touch, but it will also cause excessive and profound bleeding within less than two hours of contraction. Normally it is given to fleas which are then spread amongst the immune Rattus Commenus, or onto Slave who can serve a deadly purpose for the Under-Republic.

Name: Virulent Coating
Lore: Plague
Type: Buff
Short Description: A coating of filthy and pestilent substances onto the blades and arrows of a unit can make them extremely effective implements of murder even after its wielder only succeeds in wounding its target.

Name: Fevered Blood
Lore: Plague
Type: Single Target Buff
Short Description: A distilled concoction from the blood of incredibly diseased subjects, this potion puts its user into a euphoric state where they can feel no pain and become even more enraged as their blood literally becomes even hotter in their veins and their system pulses even faster.

Military:

The Vermintide:

The name of the entire assembled host of the Under-Republic, in all of its great and terrible glory.

The Harbingers and the Meat-Shield

These sets of Units are used by the Vermintide as the first wave, or are the heralds of the coming of the Under-Republic's forces if they're sent far ahead. They're often used to try and soften enemy forces ahead of the main army's arrival or to take the arrows and swords striking at them at first in place of the Rattus Faber.


Rattus Commenus Swarms
Tier 1 - Light Swarm Unit
Description: Large swarms of common rats and rodents, shepherded by Rattus Faber into doing their bidding. They serve many purposes as swarm based attack units, but also plague-bearers and therefore the heralds of the Vermintide, being able to sneak into places where their much larger kin cannot.

Under-Republic Slaves
Tier 1- Light Infantry
Description: Press-ganged units of various races with shoddy equipment and barely any armour, these are the "meat-shield" of the Vermintide. They are usually placed at the front of the armies with the Rodent right behind them, waiting to kill them if they try and turn on their masters. They often stand out from the enemies due to their distinct lack of much equipment, the various plague scars or simply scars and brands on their bodies, or the fact that they are visibly plague-stricken. They could also serve as plague-bearers along the Rattus Commenus, and often sent towards enemy territory, "released" in handfuls as heralds of the coming army.

The Clan Pack Levies

Every time a Clan goes to war or simply on raids, they call up fresh levies from amongst all able-bodied rodents who haven't served in combat above ground and in enemy territory before. These units are the greenhorns of the Vermintide, and usually make up the second wave of the assault following hard on the heels of the first. Untried and untested, but with numbers and the foolish courage brought along with it to back them up, their tactic is the same as the first wave: swarm and kill until nobody fighting who isn't a rodent is left standing. Such units serve directly under Clan leaders, whom in turn answer to their regional commanders.


Rattus Faber Clan Irregulars
Tier 1 - Light Infantry
Description: Fresh Rattus Faber Infantry with free looted gear provided to them by the Under-Republic's armouries, or Rattus Faber separated from their clan packs. Usually they have next to no combat experience, but they're put into large units to make up for their lack of experience. Wielding crude shields, swords, cleavers, spears, axes, daggers, clubs, anything they can get their hands on, they're a rag-tag mess of a unit whose tactic is to swarm in and try and overwhelm the enemy with their numbers.



Rattus Faber Clan Milita
Tier 2 - Light Infantry
Description: The heart of the Vermintide. These are Rattus Faber Infantry that have been able to buy their own gear, and have trained and organized as a Clan Unit. With hundreds of Clans both great and small making up the Under-Republic, a great many of these packs can be assembled. They all have at least basic training by their Clan Pack leaders so that they might be able to last a few seconds longer so that their superior numbers can overwhelm and kill enemy forces. Their gear is better made since its not just the discount bin stuff given to Irregulars, though they still wield a wide variety of melee weapons.


Rattus Faber Clan Ironclaws
Tier 2 - Medium Infantry
Description: The "Heavier" Infantry of the Rattus Faber Clans. These are Rodents who have managed to get higher quality gear and better quality armour, but simply lack the extent of experience that Vermin Guard have. They are called Ironclaws for their signature fresh and heavy iron-forged weapons, and for the higher amount of iron armour they usually have on their bodies compared to their fellows. These medium infantry are often spread out in bunches amongst the Militia in order to bolster the swarm in a charge.


Rattus Faber Clan Hunters
Tier 2 - Light Archer-shooter Mix
Description: The fresh recruits to the ranged division of the Vermintide, these Rattus Faber specialize in making thing die from a distance rather than at close range. They wield appropriated bows, crossbows, crude firearms, slings, bolas, throwing knives, whatever they can use to try and kill an enemy at range. They wear next to no effective armour in order to maintain their mobility on a battlefield, and usually stick in their packs in order to fire off a near constant stream of mixed projectiles at targets.

The Vermin

The standing army of the Under-Republic, these soldiers are the third wave of the Vermintide. Veterans of at least one prolonged raid, they proved themselves capable of surviving against the onslaught and proving their worth in the pack, they earned the right to better, more standardized equipment and better training. All Rattus Faber within the Vermin are organized into standard units under the command of their regional Conclave member who answers to their member of the Ring of Rodents, their clan ties mostly put aside for the sake of a more professional army.


Rattus Faber Vermin Guard
Tier 2 - Medium Veteran Infantry
Description: All veterans of at least one long raiding campaign earn the right to call themselves Vermin within the Vermintide. These are the backbone behind the shaky exterior the Vermintide shows, the experienced veterans of conflicts, charges, and the loot that came with has afforded them gear of near top-quality (as much as top-quality is in the Under-Republic). They are also the standing army of the Under-Republic, as the survivors of raids all become inducted into it, and become Rodents-in-arms regardless of clan distinctions. They have a standardized uniform bearing the colours of their assigned regional division, and have a standardized kit of of a long spear of solid iron, a shield of wood and iron reinforcements bearing the Under-Republic's crest, and an freshly forged iron cleaver. They're well disciplined units, and can even form phalanxes to fend off against cavalry.



Rattus Faber Vermin Marksmen
Tier 2 - Medium Veteran Archer-Shooter Mix
Description: Like their Guard fellows, these are the veterans who survive a campaign and become inducted into the standing army of the Under-Republic. With much more stringent regulations on gear, they are restricted to carrying a firearm, bow, or crossbow, though the mix of ranged units is still maintained. Their accuracy is usually much better than their inexperienced fellows that comes with both experience and better maintained gear, and they are capable of coordinated volleys.


Rattus Faber Vermin Steel-Fanged
Tier 3 - Heavy Bodyguards and Shock Troops
Description: The Vermin Steel-Fanged are the hand-selected Vermin Guard units of the members of the Ring of Rodents, usually the most capable of their Vermin packs, they become the personal guard of their charges, and are funded by them to wear some of the heaviest and top quality gear and weapons that the Under-Republic can make. Modelled off of the infamous Knights of the human races, they were made to stand out from the normal Vermin. Their purposes are usually either to protect their charge, who is often a commander of the Vermintide, at all costs, or cut a path for them through an enemy line. Their heavier gear makes them less mobile and therefore places them usually at the back of the lines, but with their armour and swords forged of steel rather than iron, and being the veterans of several conflicts, these units do not need to move especially fast to make their presence known.

Siege Corps

Rattus Gigantus Packs
Tier 3 - Large Monstrous Unit
Description: The tallest and strongest of the Rattus species, these creatures stand slightly taller than your average human and possess great strength, if lesser intelligence than their smaller Kin. They do most of the heavy-lifting for the armies with moving Plague engines and wagon trains and carving throung tunnels, but some of them in fitted in massive (by Rodent standards) suits of of armour and carry enormous morningstars of solid metal and tower shields of iron. They are easy to enrage when wounded and can take an immense amount of damage.

Plague Engines
Tier 4 - Large Seige Equipment
Description: The generic name for the siege equipment that the Rodents build, with catapults, ballistas, and even some stolen cannons capable of throwing all kind of plague-focused ammunition to rain upon a settlement or army depending on the situation. These are usually operated by the Rattus Gigantus under the close supervision and direction of Bubonic Philosophers.

Specialists and Commanders

The Bubonic Philosophers
Tier 4 Light Specialists
Description: The most technically and scientifically adept minds among the Rodents, the Bubonic Philosophers are professional Alchemists, Natural Scientists, and Engineers all in one. They serve in a support capacity, crafting the Plague Engines, potions, and diseases that that be utilized by their kin on the war path.

The Ring of Rodents
Tier 4 Medium-Heavy Commanders and Generals
Description: Not counting the Rattus Regius himself whom is the 13th member of the Ring of Rodents, these are the 12 Generals and Commanders of the Vermintide, each commanding a section of the massive army beneath the authority of the Rattus Regius, they have ascended to their positions by being the most cunning, brutal, and capable of their kin. Their positions earn them the right to access to some of the more exotic armour and weapons in the Under-Republic's armouries, though its up to them whether or not they actually fight or not, as some are more well-suited to command rather than fighting in their older age. Either way, these are veterans of dozens of campaigns and raids with the cunning and brains to position themselves at the top of the Under-Republic, and therefore the top of the army.

Master of the Vermintide

Name: Rattus Regius Ignatius Fell-Eye
Position: He is the official leader of the Under-Republic of Rodents, highest member of the Ring of Rodents, and the Commander in Chief of the Vermintide in its totality.
Powers: He wields the legendary cutlass "Retribution", a weapon said to have been made for the first raid upon above ground lands that Petrus Verminius ever led. Forged by a captured Dwarven blacksmith out of the powerful and rare metal Adamanthine, it is a symbol of the Rattus Faber's resilience and unbreakable will to fight against those who once oppressed them as much as it is a powerful weapon.
Short Bio/Personality: A ruthless commander and vehement hater of most species who dwell on the surface, Ignatius rose through the ranks of the Under-Republic through his ambition and will to make him and his people powerful and feared throughout the world. He is a pragmatic person, not caring so much how something is done, so long as it is accomplished, making him an unpredictable and dangerous foe to cross, and now with full command of the entire Rodent army, he's only all the more dangerous.

Pros and Cons:

+ Massive numbers of Infantry
+ Plague special abilities
+ Fairly mobile and easily divisible

- No cavalry or aerial units
- No real magic users
- No effective navy
- Extremely dependent upon its strong leaders
- Mostly weak individual units

[Supreme Commander]

The Empire of Yore

THE EMPIRE OF YORE

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Overview

The Empire of Yore is an Absolute Imperial Diarchy that has stood the test of time and warded off countless raids and incursions from beastmen and Orruk alike. Without any accurate records to constitute the founding of this vast, imperial realm of mankind, the Empire of Yore gains it's influence amongst the other human nations due to it's vast empire, resources, military, treasure, and most importantly from time immemorial. As such the citizens of the Empire are credulous, proud, nationalistic, and traditionalistic, with only nobles and high-ranking officials understanding the importance of progressivism needed to further their goals of maintaining human dominance.

Geography

Map Claim

The Empire of Yore is an incredibly expansive nation, however as far as legends tell, it was once nothing but a small city-state. Over time, the Empire of Yore has thus expanded, from City-state to Kingdom; Kingdom to Empire. throughout the course of this process, the Empire has annexed, assimilated, and conquered vast swaths of land, some of which only fairy tales may bring justice.

Within the lands of the Empire there're the vast forests of Vhal, situated on top of the mountain Khan, south of the river Mhaine and the Imperial Capital of Türmstadt, forests where beasts of mythos come to life and roam amongst the forests which extend high, high into the sky to reach out and touch the clouds. It's also home to the majestic Imperial Palace on the peak of the Mountain Khan, home to the senior family members of the Imperial Diarchs. Further south beyond that, to the Thaerian Penninsula, lies flatlands which extend for miles, full of cities and castles and forts of various families and nobility. The Royal Woods, forests of unspeakable beauty, lie here and bloom pink, red, and purple leafs when the sun is the brightest.

To the North and West of the river Mhaine lie the lands beyond the Yore heartlands; here the provinces of Thaermark, Volkstadt, Febenreich, and Üsterlandt lie, each governed by an Imperial Cardinal (also refered to as a Paramount). The provinces of the Empire of Yore are large enough to each be considered an Empire, and act with extreme autonomy due to the size of the Empire itself (but still answer to the two Emperors of the Empire), with the Diarchs governing the Yorite Heartlands around the Thaerian Penninsula.

Provincial Information

Thaermark's Capital is the City of Müriche, a vast mercantile city which acts as the main hub for all commerce within the Empire. Here vast markets, companies, guilds, and socities gather to trade, barter, and buy new wares. Müriche is also home to the second largest harbour of the Empire. Whilst mostly used to dock merchant vessels, there's also an exclusively military zone capable of fitting 25 Bannerships of the largest size. Such ships are mostly used for the naval transportation of troops for the standing army of the Empire.

Beyond Müriche are the vast farmlands of Thaermark with sprawling cities interwoven by a highly complex network of roads and pathways through fields and farmland. These flatlands mimic those of the Thaerian Penninsula, but are far more expansive in size. Therefore, the standing military of the Empire uses these lands extensively in military practices and mock battles. There're no forests in Thaermark, most of them having been cut down to supply the province and the prosperous trade of the province. Mostly constructed quaries are being built, supplying mostly the army, but also the markets of Müriche.

Volkstadt, the neighbouring province of Thaermark, is a very fictitous country with high mountains, expansive forests, mist, and active wildlife. Whilst the coastlines of Volkstadt are full of sprawling cities, villages, and farmland, the further towards the north one journies the further from civilization you go. Volkstadt's capital city, Volkstadt, lies in this wilderness. Volkstadt is an incredibly large city. Accompanied by high walls and impressive defenses, this fortress city is the only settlement capable of surviving in the wilderness of the province of Volkstadt.

Serving as the main supplier of ore, minerals, and building material in the entire Empire, the city of Volkstadt is detrimental to the economic and military survival of the Empire. Therefore the city of Volkstadt sees an enormous amount of bandit raids, brigand attacks, and even tribal incursions from the Volkstadt province's wilderness. With no desire to see the supply of minerals, marble, stone, and other building materials fall, the Diarchs and the Imperial Cardinal both have a vested military interest in the defense of the largest mines of the Empire.

Febenreich is most commonly known throughout the world for being the Empire's largest supplier of crafts, weapons and arms, and recruits for the standing Imperial Army. Filled with Highlands, Febenreich is also home to the best military and civil academies of the Empire, with only the Royal Academy of Türmstadt challenging this legacy. The cities of Febenreich are rich in culture, well kept, and encourage sociality. As the home of the brightest scholars of the Empire, Febenreich's Imperial Cardinal has invested heavily in public forums, plazas, and places to encourage debate, discussion, and interaction between his citizens.

This is mostly to encourage the idea of progressivism amongst the common folk that is mostly uniformally agreed upon by the high-ranking to be ideal. Febenreich is the most progressive and forward thinking province of the Empire and acts as a center for all mankind to discuss and educate themselves in the most prestigeful and effective manner on the continent by using locations like, for example, the Library of Time Immemorial, the oldest and largest library of the Empire.

Üsterlandt, funnily enough, lies far from the east of the Empire, and instead is the western-most imperial province to date. As such, Üsterlandt has been plagued by raiders, beastmen, and other animalia sacking it's villages and looting it's cities. Only in recent times have countermeasures finally taken root, and an imperial garrison constructed. With a standing military presence in Üsterlandt, the thriving logging- and hunting industry of the region can finally take off.

As thanks for assisting their local problem, the Diarchs are highly approved of in the imperial province, and the Imperial Cardinal was decorated with the Medal of Exceptional Statesmanship, an imperial decoration granted to skillful Imperial Knight-Barons, Lord-Counts, Knightgraves, Archdukes, and Cardinals in remarks of their servitude. Although this was probably to satisfy the province and the ego of their Imperial Cardinal, because there is no doubt that Üsterlandt is the least important imperial province of the Empire.

History

War has long been in the story of The Empire of Yore, in fact, it saw it's founding in the greatest war of it's history. There once lived a race known only today as the Kabal, they ruled the lands of mortal men with iron fists, using their far superior magics to enslave and dominate the minds of mankind. We saw them as rulers, overlords, Gods. However, no ruler rules forever, and therefore these immortal terrors of the world would inevitably come to see their thrones usurped from under them. That was the hope of all slaves of the Kabal shared, a united front of which all could agree. It would take years, and hope would come to slowly run out before a man capable of defeating them would rise, but he did rise, and he did unite man. Prabat Valakyr was his name, or so he proclaimed. He united all men under slavery of the Kabal, and forged a grand rebellion against their masters.

The Kabal saw a century long conflict with the humans which, initially, they thought little of. The defeat of the Kabal were found in their arrogance, for when mankind finally reached to upper spires of the Kabals' strongholds, they found nothing but pride and disbelief upon the faces of these ember warriors. When invading the Royal Quarters of the Kabal royalty it would later be revealed to Prabat Valakyr that the Kabal were once Warriors of the Sun, cursed with arrogance, to have later fallen from grace, and turned their radiant bodies into ember and then ash.

Prabat Valakyr, together with his most loyal lieutenants, orchestrated the founding of several nations of man. These allied nations would maintain each others' realms, engage in trade, and see to it that no man would fall as lowly as the Kabal. Prabat Valakyr, as the leader of the rebellion, was urged by his lieutenants, to forge his own Empire from within the husk of the Ember towers and black spires of the Kabals' heartlands. He accepted the request and founded the Empire of Yore, a nation which would stand against arrogance for eternity.

Throughout the many millenia of which the Empire has stood, maintained, it has seen cataclysmic battles and wars. Beastmen and Norscan tribes wrecking havoc, only to later incite rebellion within otherwise fair kingdoms. It has maintained the realms of continental mankind through sheer determination and willpower, it's rulers growing ever younger thanks to the stress of losing and gaining ground on the daily.

The initial millenia of the Empire of Yore were incredibly tumultuous, with supposed static realm borders being far more dynamic than any map maker could deal with. However, with several massive wars against beastmen, Norscan, Elven, and various other mainland continental races, the races of man claimed prevelance over the central continent, and borders became rigid, settlements became permanent, and people dared to venture into otherwise wild lands. With the immortal battle between the Beastmen of the continents and man growing ever slower, peace becomes more prevalent.

It was at this time when The Empire of Yore would expand far into the west as the first nation of man to reach towards western lands where, for the longest time, people believed that the world would end. The Empire expanded thanks to intrigue and explorer's curiosity. The nation became far more large than any other kingdom of man before it, reaching from the now Yorite Heartlands far into the western lands of the Worlds End Mountains.

So expansive was the Empire that the current Emperor at the time, Tybathon Prabat Valakyr, had an incredibly difficult time maintaining the Empire of Yore. As such, he orchestrated the divide of the Empire of Yore into two lesser Empires, each administrating their own realms and their own populations.

It was propserous for a long time, but the cultural divide became all the more prevalent and nationalists had become far more active in the west as the wealth didn't seem to circulate thanks to the power hunger of Emperor Styrius Prabat Valakyr, the Leacher, the Mad Emperor, the Imperial Travesty. His corruption was unending, his investment in women otherwordly, and his desire to rule the Empire nonexistant. It created a permanent divide that would, ultimately, escalate upon his death at the hands of his wife, Empress Kyhena.

Whilst the effects of the divide were massive, and the insuing civil war massive, the blessed warriors of Yore fought long and rigorously against the technologically superior Rhunemen of the west whom they'd once call allies. As former battle-brothers waged their swords for their respective Empires, the blood became ever richer and the fields ever bloodier.

The war would ensue for an entire century with no clear winner at hand, and only through the diplomatic pride of the Thebas lineage of the Prabat Valakyr bloodline did the Eastern Empire of Yore see peace with it's former pseudo-vassal.

Skip forwards for almost yet another millenia of Yorite history and peace has been maintained with the Empire of Rhune and the respective rulers stand closer to each other than ever before, as they try to maintain vigilance for humankind in a world where otherwordly concerns take presedence. As such the Empire of Yore is a battle-tested Empire with a capable army having fought Norscans at the northern most extents of their Human allies, and Beastmen tribes all across the forested continent. However, it still remains rather quiet and peaceful compared to the Empire of Rhune to the western-most continent, although the two allies stand as a united bulwark against the horrors of the south.

Government

The Empire of Yore is governed by Absolute Imperial Diarchy; ruled by two Emperors, with equal, absolute power over the Empire and it's subjects. Each Diarch has the ability to veto the respective Diarch in their decisions or commands, with debates taking place within the Forum of the Immortal Sun situated in the center of Türmstadt. In the event of a veto, each Diarch must immediately race towards the Forum of the Sun, otherwise they're subject to summary execution at the hands of their royal guards, the Order of Soldiers of the Phoenix Immortal (In case of Emperor Plutaros Theba Prabat Valakyr) and the Immortal Order of the Divine Favour of the Sun Goddess (In the case of Emperor Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr).

Whilst technically the Diarchs are supposed to rule the nation, since the entire Empire is under their submission, they're free to do whatever they wish. As such, a tradition has been set to create Imperial Provinces, five, whereas the Diarchs each rule the Yorite Heartlands, and thereby appoint loyal Imperial Cardinals to maintain and take care of their given province. This system was de facto for several thousand years, although only recently has a de jure law been made and enforced to maintain this system.

The Empire is a Feudal nation, and as such operates with titles and nobility, granting certain people land in exchange for various services. Knight-Barons, Lord-Counts, Knightgraves, Archdukes, and Imperial Cardinals representing the typical Baron, Count, Duke, King, Emperor titles, with the Diarchs acting as the Emperor of Emperors with power to remove anyone and everyone from any given ministry, title, or office should they have an acceptable reason for doing so.

Diarchs are chosen out of the most capable offspring of the two branch-families of the original Valakyr royal bloodline. Due to the country being incredibly polarised between the two Emperors and their families, the two branch-families of the Valakyr bloodline refrain from wedding people outside of their respective families, leading their offspring to have quite the personalities, especially inevitable Emperors.

As such the Diarchs are each chosen by their individual branch family's imperial guard. The Imperial Guard of each selected Emperor is also allowed to summarily execute their ruler should they behave inappropriate in reference to The Empire's wellbeing. If this were to occure, the Grandmaster will be selected as a Temporary Diarch, taking over all elected titles of the fallen Diarch until another generation is ready to be selected. This also occures should an Imperial Diarch fall in battle.

Culture

When a country has existed as long as this one, people tend to become at least a little bit prideful as to who they are and what their roll is in the world. As for the case of the people of Yore, Yorites are incredibly proud folk, and are more than happy to make it known to the world. With the common person's ego being the size of the moon, even High Elves will find a hard time to overwhelm a Yorite's pride, stubborness, and braggy attitude. This behaviour seems to disappear the further up the ladder of the hierachy of the Empire you come, with each Diarch often times being incredibly humble, at least outwardly, and acting with compassion, understanding, wisdom, and logic to fuel the welfare of the Empire.

Whilst the longevity of the Empire is nothing but pride fuel for those who have no obligations, the longevity of the Empire and the pressure it gives those who have to rule it's many facets is incredibly humbling, maybe even frightening. As such ambition within the upper echelons are often low, and more focused on maintaining the status quo more than making daring attempts to reform or conquer.

Places like Febenreich are rather exempt from all those aspects, as it's a center for culture from all over the Empire, and far beyond it as well, reaching even the furthest of mankind's realms to desire learning in this prestigeful academic paradise. Prior Emperors realized this, and started to educate all officials exclusively in Febenreich. The result lead to the next generation of officials being more modern, ambitious, and open minded (as opposed to the close-minded, traditionalist officals of the generations prior).

This developement expanded under the reign of Emperor Maldavian Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr, who founded the Royal Valakyrian Academy within the heart of Türmstadt. Today it surrounds the massive Forum of the Sun and acts as the most prestigeful institution in the Empire, if not the entire human world. As a result, this generation of Diarchs are much alike their fellow next-generation officials, simply more cunning, knowledgeable, and intelligent.

Economy/Industry

The Empire is a large economic powerhouse with vast access to exotic ores, minerals, crops, materials, and crafts exclusive only to the mediterranean lands of which they inhabit and the skills that their craftsmen have developed. As such, they thrive off of healthy trade with sensible societies regardless of faith or ethnicity. The Empire of Yore has built up their trade empire over countless milennia of turmoil and golden ages; civil war and prosperity. The result is an Empire that acts as a hub for most human nations to interact with each other within the many trade cities of the Empire, most specifically those of Thaermark. Thanks to this trade and economic focus companies from all acrossthe continent are moving into the various trade centers of the Empire, benefiting both the Empire's military and general economic welfare.

Magic

The Academies of the Empire teach spells of various lores, mostly elemental. Although never those of the undead, whom are considered sacrilege to the Divine Favour of Life granted upon man by the Sun Goddess Saelos. However, there're some lores exclusive to that of the Royal Bloodline, the Lore of the Sun, in the case of the Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr Bloodline, and the Lore of the Heavens, in the case of the Theba Prabat Valakyr Bloodline. Originally, the Prabat Valakyr Bloodline had access to the two of these lores, however at some unknown point the blood was mixed, and the family branched.

Lore of Fire: Fireball

Name: Fireball
Lore: Lore of Fire
Type: Offensive; Single Targeted.
Short Description: The Mage conjours a fireball from the Aether and then hurls it at an opponent; a sufficiently powerful mage is capable of controlling the Fireball enroute to it's target, and maintain it's manifestation after a target has been hit in forms of immolation.

Lore of Water: Hydrokinesis

Name: Hydrokinesis
Lore: Lore of Water
Type: Offensive, Single Target, AOE, Buff, Support.
Short Description: Through connection with the Aether, a mage is capable of interacting and shaping water to suit ones needs. This can mean anything from using water's healing attributes to cleanse a target of evil, or to use water to drown evil itself. Sufficiently powerful mages are capable of using Hydrokinesis to manipulate and maintain two, or more, seperate instances of manipulation.

Lore of the Elements: Change

Name: Change
Lore: Lore of the Elements
Type: Offensive, Support, AOE, Single Target.
Short Description: By harnessing ones connection with the Aether to connect with the Terra, mages are capable of manipulating earth in all manners of concievable and inconievable ways. Anything from making a tower of small sand shards to ripping out, and then hurling pieces of bedrock at your opponents. Sufficient mages are able to maintain several instances of manipulation, as well as manipulate larger pieces of land.

Lore of Storm: Destruction

Name: Destruction
Lore: Lore of Storm
Type: Offensive, AOE.
Short Description: By forcing a connection between the Aether and the Terra, mages are capable of conjuring destructive bursts of energy refered to as lightning. Whilst the nature between these bursts of energy and actual lightning is rather extensive, they look alike, and is thus easier to refer to. These bursts of energy can be increased or decreased given sufficient prowess of the Lore, however the difficulty of this branch of the Lore of Storm, that being the brute force used to connect Aether and Terra to produce a violent reaction, leads to enormous destruction should it be done by an incapable practitioner.

Lore of Storm: Aetherial Storm

Name: Aetherial Storm
Lore: Lore of Storm
Type: Offensive, AOE.
Short Description: By forcing a connection between the Aether, the Terra, and the Aero, mages are capable of conjuring massive storms amongst the clouds that can affect an entire battlefield. Whilst this spell is rather unreliable, as multiple connections between the Aether and the physical world will result in instability, the storm (should it not disappear entirely) will lash out at the closest thing to it, using these bursts of Aetherial energy to incinerate anyone caught in it's path.

Lore of the Sun: Sun Made Manifest

Name: Sun Made Manifest
Lore: Lore of the Sun (Divine Lore)
Type: Buff.
Short Description: The spell Sun Made Manifest works by forging a direct connection between the Ipsum, the Aether, and the Sol. Through this direct connection the Sun Goddess Saelos, Bride of Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr, blesses her beloved with the ability to banish the wicked through the might of the Sun. Otherwise, if someone sufficient of the Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr bloodline summoned this spell, they would conjure a great ray of Sunlight to burn the wicked within a certain static radius.

Lore of the Heavens: Ye Shall Bow

Name: Ye Shall Bow
Lore: Lore of the Heavens (Divine Lore)
Type: Debuff, Buff, Offensive.
Short Description: By conjuring the Aero, The Terra, The Aether, and the Ipsum within oneself, those skilled in magic of the Thebas Prabat Ubalyz bloodline may enforce their will upon others through the might of storms, Earthquakes, and Will within a certain radius around themselves. Proficiency extends this radius.

Military

The standing Imperial Army is one of impressive capacity, numbering beyond the multi-millions as patriotic recruits line up amongst even the smallest of recruiting stations. With the army well supplied by the innumerable amounts of equipment and weaponry found within circualtion in the Empire, the Military is also supplied with well educated commanders and officers from the finest Fedenreich academies. As such the military is orderly, well supplied, well equipped, loyal, obedient, albeit often times physically weak in comparison to other races, with few exceptions.

The Yorite Imperial Warmachine has seen countless bloody battles with other human forces, mostly insurectionists and seperatists of allied nations, which have lasted for years, decades, and even centuries in few cases. Whilst they're skilled in combating fellow humans, the Imperial Army is far less testing in combating other, more beastly races. Beastmen are the mainstay of humanity's threat amongst the mainland continent, and the shores of the Empire are occupied with Orruk raiding parties, however other threats are thus far highly untested against, with the mainstay of attacks going against the Empire of Rhune to the far west.

+ Well Equipped
+ Experienced Officers
+ Good Moral
- Weak Physique
- Lackluster Grunts
- Lacking Ranged Units

Army Roster

Yorite Militiamen

Name: Yorite Militiamen
Tier: Tier 1.
Type: Infantry.
Short Description: The Yorite Militiamen are simple farmers, commoners, and low-born nobles who gathered up arms in defense of the Empire in times of great strife when there were no one else that could, equipped with lackluster arms and armour, the Yorite Militiamen make up their forces mostly of mixed experienced troops to provide a rather balanced amount of fighting power.

Üsterlandt Hunters' Legionaires

Name: Üsterlandt Hunters' Legionaires
Tier: Tier 1.
Type: Light Shock Infantry.
Short Description: The Hunters' Legion is a band of Üsterlandt hunters all gathered into one guild known as the Hunters' Legion. Legionaires of the legion are supplied with rudimentary arms and armour, and are allowed to have their animal companion to accompany their company in hunts and potential battles. Whilst skilled, the Hunters' Legionaires are capable swordsmen, bowmen, and hunters, only falling short on the equipment provided to them.

Imperial Recruits

Name: Imperial Recruits.
Tier: Tier 1.
Type: Light Infantry.
Short Description: The Imperial Recruits are bands of recently recruited warriors, often directly from local garrisons, gathered to fight on the battlefield either in desperation, or to acquire experience the one true way. Whilst Imperial Recruits are often resolute and loyal, not knowing any different, they lack the ability or experience to effectively defeat their opponents, even when they may fight to the death to dispose of them.

Imperial Soldiers

Name: Imperial Soldiers.
Tier: Tier 2.
Type: Medium Infantry.
Short Description: The Imperial Soldiers are recently recruited warriors of the standing Imperial Army, often times trained with both bow and arrow, as well as sword and shield, most recruits adapt better to the latter option as opposed to the prior. Imperial Soldiers are often orderly, but due to their nature, do not fight with the same ferocity or resolve of that of veteran soldiers. As such, Imperial officers tend to lead these units from the front, as opposed to a more advantageous position in the back. Imperial Soldiers not using the bow and arrow, alternate between Spear and shield, and sword and shield, within their units.

Imperial Soldiers (Bow & Arrow)

Name: Imperial Soldiers (Bow & Arrow).
Tier: Tier 2.
Type: Medium Infantry.
Short Description: The Imperial Soldiers are recently recruited warriors of the standing Imperial Army, often times trained with both bow and arrow, as well as sword and shield, most recruits adapt better to the latter option as opposed to the prior. Imperial Soldiers are often orderly, but due to their nature, do not fight with the same ferocity or resolve of that of veteran soldiers. As such, Imperial officers tend to lead these units from the front, as opposed to a more advantageous position in the back.

Imperial Freeknights

Name: Imperial Freeknights.
Tier: Tier 2.
Type: Heavy Infantry.
Short Description: The Imperial Freeknights are a band of knights serving the standing imperial army without any land, titles, or positions to their name. Freeknights are often times knights banished from the personal service of their host families, forced to roam the world under the mantle of a lordless servant. Many knights grow tired of thise farce, seeing their skills wasted in their pursuit for a new liege, therefore they join the army, and use their skills to serve the Empire in whatever ways they need to. Freeknights are equipped with either sword and shield, or sword and spear, with units alternating equally between the two.

Mounted Imperial Gladiators

Name: Mounted Imperial Gladiators.
Tier: Tier 2.
Type: Medium Shock Cavalry.
Short Description: The Imperial Gladiators are the common term for the basic cavalry unit amongst the Empire, most notably known for it's fast shock and awe tactics, the Gladiators are actually extinguished Freeknights granted their own Thaerian Hrodger to ride into battle. The Thaerian Hrodger is the fastest, largest, and strognest of all Hrodgers throughout the Empire, and as such acts as the perfect mount for its soldiers.

Imperial Knights

Name: Imperial Knights
Tier: Tier 2.
Type: Heavy Infantry.
Short Description: Imperial Knights are warriors of all walks of life, sworn to service under the official banner of the Empire of Yore. Often times exceptional and veteran fighters, Imperial Knights are also the ideal personification of human values and prowess, challenging the very fabric of what a man can become. These exceptional warriors take up arms with Swords and shields, as well as Spears and shields with a ratio of 1:1 in a typical unit.

Sunblessed Imperial Knights

Name: Sunblessed Imperial Knights.
Tier: Tier 3.
Type: Heavy Shock Infantry.
Short Description: The Sunblessed Imperial Knights are renowned and extinguished knights and freeknights alike who've served the Empire for their entire lives that, when fallen, they rise up reborn under the grace of the Sun, empowered with the Sun's holy radiance to once more continue the fight against the wicked with their sunlaced swords and empowered shields.

Imperial Custodians

Name: Imperial Custodians
Tier: Tier 3.
Type: Heavy Cavalry.
Short Description: Imperial Custodians are the epitome of Imperial mobile cavalry, by using doemsticated Volkstadt Phaerons, mighty beasts equipped with wings capable of propelling them forwards at speeds unbeknownst to other cavalry units, and claws more than able to rip enemies apart. The Imperial Custodians themselves, whilst equipped with runic Lances and Shields, are still equipped with swords should they ever need to dismount.

Imperial Custodians (Dismounted)

Name: Imperial Custodians (Dismounted).
Tier: Tier 3.
Type: Heavy Infantry.
Short Description: Imperial Custodians are the epitome of Imperial mobile cavalry, however sometimes the need comes where they need to drop their lances and take up sword to fight off the enemies of the Empire, should this happen, there is still not much to fear, for Imperial Custodians are some of the finest human soldiers known to man, being able to subdue multiple opponents all the whilst keeping their sectors cleared.

Venerated Imperial Archers

Name: Venerated Imperial Archers.
Tier: Tier 3.
Type: Heavy Ranged Infantry.
Short Description: Some Imperial archers reach a point where their body will simply not tolerate anymore, however, there're even fewer who manage to cross that barrier, and thereby make themselves deserving of the title of Venerated Archers. When this barrier is surpassed, Archers of any kind will be granted the exact same equipment, arms and armour, and privileges as those of their fellow Venerated Archers. All the Empire asks of in return is to use their unfathomable prowess.

Venerated Imperial Soldiers

Name: Venerated Imperial Soldiers.
Tier: Tier 3.
Type: Heavy Shock Infantry.
Short Description: Much like their fellows with bow and arrow, there comes a point where every soldier, should he survive, becomes a veteran of the battlefield and capable combatant beyond equal. Not because he is strong, but because he is battle smart, capable, logical, and brutish against his enemies; compassionate against his equales; brotherly towards his fellow soldiers in arms. Those who've survived campaigns and conquests are always granted the title of Venerated Imperial Soldier, and it gives the same privileges of the bowed variant.

Imperial Champions

Name: Imperial Champions.
Tier: Tier 3.
Type: Winged Shock Infantry.
Short Description: Imperial Champions are men and women whose deeds have been recognized by the Sun Goddess Saelos, and granted the privilege of ascendancy beyond what means to be human. These warriors of the Sun Goddess are often times incredibly devoted, but also caring, compassionate, sympathetic, and otherwise loving towards one another, and their fellow man. Whilst these Champions of Man fight with their strenght of sword and shield at hand, they also live as equals within the gates of the Imperial Capital.

Order of Soldiers of the Phoenix Immortal

Name: Order of Soldiers of the Phoenix Immortal.
Tier: Tier 4.
Type: Heavy Shock Infantry
Short Description: Warriors of the Order of Soldiers of the Phoenix Immortal are some of the most legendary knights of the Empire. Blessed, by Saelos in the image of the Phoenix Immortal, with undeath, the Patron-guard of the Thebas Prabat Valakyr bloodline have yet to know defeat. Having lived for such a long time, and through many generations of diarchs, the soldiers of the Phoenix Immortal are so old that their flesh is mummified, but they still retain their strenght through magic blessed unto their flesh by the Phoenix. The Warriors of the Order of Soldiers of the Phoenix Immortal are characterized by their aetherial hook along their upper shoulder pad, this is a direct connection with the Aether and gives them the appearance of a one-winged angel. The Warriors of the Phoenix Immortal prefer sword and shield, but due to their condition, no weapon is without grace should the need arise, even taking up arms with their hands has occured with surprising effectiveness.

Immortal Order of the Divine Favour of the Sun Goddess

Name: Immortal Order of the Divine Favour of the Sun Goddess.
Tier: Tier 4.
Type: Large Heavy Shock Infantry
Short Description: The Immortal Order of the Divine Favour of the Sun Goddess is a recently established Order taking over the ancient role of the Order of Umbraen, a long since fallen Diarch. The Immortal Order was created by Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr to show the world the favours he'd recieved by the Sun Goddess Saelos, it is proper to mention that at the time of the Order's creation Khaar was not yet wed to Saelos. Warriors of the most extinguished qualities and renown were granted the titles of a Knight of the Immortal Order and blessed by the sun directly to forever bask in it's grandeur. With their blessing, warriors of the Immortal Order were granted the Lore of Light, making the capable of utilizing the Sun's radiance to eradicate evil on a level only a demi-god would be capable of. Whilst consisting only of 10 humansized demigods, 10 is far more than enough when they're winged with the rays of the Sun and capable of devastating the enemy with bolts of light.

Imperial Diarch/Emperor Plutaros Theba Prabat Valakyr

Name: Plutaros Theba Prabat Valakyr/Plutaros of the Moon.

Position: Supreme Imperial Diarch of the Yorite Heartlands and all of the Empire of Yore, Patron Leader of Üsterlandt and Volkstadt, Grand Strategos of the Standing Imperial Army.

Powers: The Duo Emperors of the Empire of Yore have been exceptional even amongst millenia of documentation, as such both Plutaros and Khaar are incredibly skillful of mind and tact. The clear superior in terms of intellect, however, is Plutaros. Clearly overshadowed by his exceptional equal Khaar, Plutaros is of no way incapable on his own, acting as the supreme strategist of the Army, his mind is capable of incredible feats which his demigod body is able to enforce. Blessed by the Phoenix Immortal, he has acquired the same biological immortality as those of his patron guard, but stands as a clearly superior warrior in battle. Plutaros specializes in leadership and battles with a commanding manner so as to break the moral of his enemies with terror, employing brutish tactics in battle.

Short Bio/Personality: Born to the Thebas Lineage of the Prabat Valakyr bloodline, Plutaros was quick to make his mark on the world. As first shown in his rapid desire to brutalize colonial insects in the gardens of the Imperial Palace, but soon after in the Imperial Academies where he quickly gained renown as a capable mathematician and linguist. As he grew so did his talents, by the age of 20 he was already overshadowing his equals with the shades of mountains, having written and read an exceptional number of books on strategy, culture, mathematics, and philosophy which marveled even the most skilled masters in each craft. At the age of 25 he was taken under the wing of Pyron Manda, a renowned professor within the Academies of Febenreich. By 28 he had finished his education and was thereafter assigned to the military by request of his family hierarchs as an officer. He quickly adapted, and adapted well, having completed his first operation by 29 as a commander.

By 34 he was a general, and 35 he was granted the title of Grand Strategos in the Imperial War Council. When he was 36 his father had fallen, and the cycle of the Diarch Selection had once again initiated. He was a clear superior to his siblings who seemed to suffer everything from narcolepsy to the occational seizure. Having suffered no such illments himself, he was the only logical choice for the Thebas legacy. 20 years later, when he was 56, having been woken in the dead of night, Plutaros recieved a visitor.

It was the Phoenix of tales long since passed, the beast which had yet to be sighted for two thousand years prior. He was caught up in a state of awe, unable to notice how the magnificent beast sitting at his window stared right at him. Suddenly, as if a bolt, the Phoenix Immortal flew at him and then disappeared, when in contact with his body, in a cloud of flame followed by ash and ember. His body began to light up, his veins embewed with the fire of the Immortal bird. His body grew in size to the point where his room felt more like a small cage than the room of an Imperial Diarch.

With his Patron-guardsmen outside, they informed him of his condition with their millenia worth of wisdom and knowledge. They welcomed him into their ranks as a brother, and had crafted an armour piece which fit his new giant-esque size, dwarfing those even of the Immortal Order of the Divine Favour of the Sun Goddess.

It would take many years before he'd accepted his new self, and many more years to build a proper habitat to house his new form. He had built a new palace, The Palace-Citadel of the Moon, where we would henceforth live in solitude, secluded from all but his patron-guard. He continues to rule the realm from there, and has seen to it that the War Council takes place within his halls, they respectfully comply.

Imperial Diarch/Emperor Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr

Name: Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr/Khaar, Husband of the Sun.

Position: Supreme Imperial Diarch of the Yorite Heartlands and all of the Empire of Yore, Patron Leader of Febenreich and Thaermark, Grand Tacticos of the Standing Imperial Army.

Powers: Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr has always been the more venerated, respected, and battle capable of the two Diarchs. Without mind for his equal Plutaros' jealousy, he retains his prestige by maintaining a confident Empire and a proud people whilst still keeping the aristocratic principle of progressiveness to heart, implementing whatever reform he can with as little drawbacks as possible. His skills are highly Statesmanship dependent, but thanks to his skills as a mortal warrior on the battlefield, when engaged to the Sun Goddes Saelos, he was granted "Godhood" and is now worshipped within the Church of the Sun as the embodiment of Saelos.

This title of "God-Emperor" does not only grant him the majority of the population in popularity vote, but also makes him far more skillful in combat. Equiped with the Armour of the Sun forged by Saelos in her infatuation with him, he accepted it respectfully when she first appeared to him within his personal chambers. Now married to the Sun Goddess, his armour takes shape in the likes of an Archangel, and compliment the colours and abilities of his personal guard.

Short Bio/Personality: Khaar Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr was, upon his birth, a normal child who suffered from nothing too severe regarding the nature of his family, much like Plutaros. However, whilst not intellectually superior, he was prone to physical ability quite rapidly, and showed extreme prowess in fencing classes within the Imperial Palace.

His father saw this prowess as a blessing and quickly shoved him in the direction of military and statesman education. By 18 he completed his education and was now fully equipped with the proper background to become a ruler in proper Ubalyz spirit. He joined up with the army in respect of a promise made with his friend Pondus Korpyr, and quickly showed his prowess. Recruiters were awed at his skills and, without realizing his background, put him up in a Custodian position, far outranking his best friend.

It would take no fewer than seven days before his father realized this and had the recruiter executed and a new position suited for his son, that of a General. Khaar enjoyed his new position, and showed incredible battle tact when engaging the enemy, using unconventional and revolutionary battle tactics and doctrines to win against his enemies with as few loses as possible.

He was appointed the title of Diarch at 22, following an extreme debate with his brother Kontor Ubalyz Prabat Valakyr regarding the role of culture in the realm of the Empire. He won, barely, by acknowledging the importance of cultural heritage as a weapon to not only fuel the pockets of the Empire, but also it's prestige and stability.

At the night of being granted the title of Diarch together with his equal, Plutaros, he was visited by a rather strange anomaly. He woke up, disturbed, and huddled back in his bed. He did not, however, feel freightened of fearful of this bright light at the other end of his room, slowly edging forwards towards his bed. The encounter was quickly cut short, however, when his Guard came in to check up on him. He argued that he'd seen a ray of light zooming into the Diarch's chambers.

Awestruck, Khaar had no reply but to lie, stating that the Guard must've seen something, and that he was woken up by his running up the stairs. It would take several weeks before the next randevouz with this light entity, at which Khaar felt more familiar with it during the next encounter. He engaged it in conversation, and it reluctantly complied by using the voice of his maid, Heina. Khaar was fine with this mimicry, as he'd always found her voice soothing and calming. They'd spend the night together, engaged in conversations, only parting ways when the sun was just about to show it's first rays of light upon the night sky.

The next day they'd continue, and this would continue for many months after, only really escalating several years after the coronation. When Plutaros had returned from his campaign in Üsterlandt he demanded to recieve command of all the Empire for but a month, stating that he wanted a personal check on the state of the Empire. Khaar had always been a compassionate man, and complied without any disagreements. He knew that Plutaros was eager to show his skills, wanting fame and glory that Khaar had already acquired in his many years in the military.

He'd come to discuss this with the light entity. He made his opinions and emotions clear, puttign them out in the open where no other person had ever seen them. He showed his fear of losing the Empire, of damning it for eternity ever onwards. That was when the entity made itself shown in proper form, taking on the appearance of the most beautiful, majestic, and elegant woman any man had ever described or witnessed. Her body was pale, seemingly luminesscent in the night. She embraced him as he sobbed, his eyes too preoccupied to actually notice the transformation thanks to his hands covering them. The woman was silent, for the most part, and only ever uttered her voice after a long silence of compassion and empathy. When she spoke, it was like the sound of a million rainbows, like an orchestra of uncomparable beauty. He glanced up, suddenly, and laced his eyes with the beauty of the woman before him.

For some unknown reason he knew who she was, she was the Goddes Saelos, The Sun itself. He felt his body rejuvenate, and he felt the dripping nose dry and his tears evaporate. Reason, purpose filled his head, and he was struck by ambitions which no man could've previous had before him. He embraced Saelos, thanking her compassion. Their embrace would last silently until just before the lights of the sun's rays would show, as per the usual, but the silence was not truly mute, it was full of emotion and understanding.

It would take many more months before she would show herself again, at a point where Khaar had already completed his ambitions, and finally began to turn lonely and cold. He had established the Immortal Order in Saelos' honour, reformed the lands and crafted an all-time increase in industry and economic growth, the Khaarite Golden Age had commenced at the great envy of his equal, Plutaros. When she revealed herself to him in the dead of night as Saelos, his eyes teared and his body reached out for her. He realized how much she meant to him, and declared his love for the Goddess. Upon blushing in return, she accepted, and declared her own feelings for the man.

She revealed that no man before him had captivated her more, none had proven themselves so capable and yet compassionate to his brothers and friends. She said that, when she had met him the first time, it was after many years of contemplation. She said it was love at first sight, and in reply Khaar grew increasingly humble as she continued on. His face redder than fire itself. They continued talking for hours thereafter, to the point where the night itself was far longer than recorded history.

Their latest encounter concluded with Khaar declaring that, if he would succeed in his Grand Campaign against the Seperatist forces of four neighbour human nations, he'd openly declare his love for her upon the Forum of the Sun in the largest parade known to the Empire, and Man. She blushed and disappeared, allowing the sun's rays to pierce the seemingly everlong night sky.

And so it went, that upon his success twelve years later, he declared with all his heart, he told his story, and his love for Saelos. He publicly declared, at the top of his lungs, that he wished to wed her and thereby becoming her Husband. When the sun darkened, eclipsed by the moon on this midday thuesday, Saelos made herself known to man in physical form, standing besides Khaar, and accepting his proposal. Upon their kiss, sealing their vows, his veins were empowered, and "godhood" was granted unto him. The public, jawless after the debaucle, awestruck after witnessing this encounter, could do nothing but cheer. They cheered until they couldn't cheer any more, at which point they clapped their hands.

It remains publicly unknown if they continue to meet, but Khaar simply blushes at the notion.

[Woundwort]

*Ignore this, posted early*

[Slamurai]

The Korczynian-Astaran Commonwealth

The Korczynian-Astaran Commonwealth

The arms of the Kingdom of Korczyn and Grand Duchy of Astarac, respectively. The official arms of the Commonwealth combines the heraldry of both.

Overview

The Commonwealth is a bi-confederation, consisting of the Kingdom of Korczyn and the Grand Duchy of Astarac. The dual state is ruled by a single monarch, who takes the formal title of King of Korczyn and the Grand Duke of Astarac. The bond of both nations, though formalized only in recent years, has been a de-facto unity since over two centuries ago. The Commonwealth is characteristically multi-ethnic and enjoys a high religious tolerance. Combined with a limited monarchy and largely autonomous, decentralized territories, the Commonwealth is atypical of other sovereign states.

Geography

Map Claim

In red.

History

WIP

Government

A famous saying - “The king reigns but does not govern,” sheds a great deal of light on the role of the Commonwealth monarchy. The king's power is limited, compared to that of neighboring states, and he is obligated to respect his citizen subjects. Upon his coronation, the king vows to uphold a series of articles that constitute the political doctrine of the state. These essentially put him on even ground with the nobility, and under the scrutiny of parliament. The parliament, if it wishes, can veto most of the king's actions – legislation, foreign affairs, declarations of war, and taxation. It is made of representatives sent from both Korczyn and Astarac.

The Commonwealth nobility is large for a state of its time. Ten percent of Korczyn's population can consider itself of this class, although the wealth of noble families varies considerably. Regardless whether one is among the well-to-do or nearly as poor as a farmer, all nobles consider themselves equals. This attitude – that the Korczyn state stands to serve the nobility – is a guiding element of the Commonwealth's political structure.

Race Description

WIP

Culture

WIP

Economy/Industry

WIP

Magic

The kingdoms of the Commonwealth have never been renowned for magical prowess, unlike the empires of Yore or Rune. For centuries, the flow of magic was thought to be naturally weak in this part of the world. However, study in recent years has shown this to be untrue. There is indeed some extra-planar force in the Commonwealth, although this sorcery is not the kind as the rest of the world knows. The Commonwealth's mages, rather than master the elements or conjure illusions, practice a unique school – Anti-magic.
For reasons unknown, the winds of magic that ebb between Korczyn and Astarac repel the energies of other lores, like magnets with the same polarity pushing away from each other. This phenomenon is strongest the closer one gets to the heart of the Commonwealth, but can be replicated by years of study and practice. When unleashed, fireballs fizzle to sparks, storms scatter before the sun, illusions dissipate and the world reverts to its natural form.
As a result of anti-magic, Commonwealth's military revolves strictly around human skill, technology and mundane tactics. By negating magic employed by its enemies, the army ensures that battles are fought on even ground, between men, not wizards.
One disadvantage to this doctrine is that no distinction can be made between benign and harmful magics. Arcane missiles may wither in flight, but the power to heal wounds and disease is also lost. Any medical procedures must be performed by hand.

Name: Dispelling Aura
Lore: Anti-magic
Type: Aura, Debuff
Short Description: Anti-magic dispels instances of other magics in the same vicinity. The naturally-occurring effect is gradual at the periphery of the Commonwealth, becoming stronger and more immediate closer to the center. When replicated by the Commonwealth's mages, the phenomenon can be instantaneous. Whereas other mages harness 'true' magic, anti-mages learn to imbue themselves with this unique energy. They do not cast spells in the traditional sense, but instead act as living conduits of anti-magic. Their bodies become vessels for the latent power of dispelling magic, and they can regulate the intensity of the effects. Their ability makes them valuable in military contexts, when the enemy is sure to trust in their own mages.

Military

The armies of Korczyn and Astarac are functionally separate entities, though technically both are under the command of the monarch. Both share near-identical tactics, organizational structure and equipment, though Astarac's numbers are often only a third of what Korczyn can field. Much of the armies draw recruits from noble volunteers, a result of the decree that no man may hold secular or ecclesiastical office without having served in the military. Other means include general levies or monetary compensation from the ecclesiastical or royal treasuries, and also the recruiting of foreign mercenaries or vassals.

The infantry of the Commonwealth is regarded secondhand to the cavalry, as chivalric ideals still resonate among the ranks of the nobility. Nevertheless, they are still required to do the dirty work of the army. They are recruited by rotameisters into troops of around 200 men, and armed with sabers, matchlocks and axes. The most reliable footmen fielded by the Commonwealth are raised from foreign sources. These volunteers are paid, and organized in styles similar to that of other human states – regiments of 600, divided into four companies and armed with muskets and pikes and led by a colonel. They wear munitions-grade armor of blackened plate and morion-style helms.

Cavalry is the dominant military arm of the Commonwealth, with the most prestige enjoyed by the Winged Hussars. Originating from foreign light cavalry and wearing no armor, they began to replace the dying knightly class and wear mail, helms and plate armor. The present-day hussars are employed as heavy cavalry, and each carries a lance, a saber and a pair of swords and pistols. Their most striking feature is their wings – wooden frames to which feathers of various kinds of birds are affixed. Famous both at home and abroad, these cavalrymen number some 4,000 and are organized into companies led by state officials. Each company is a highly individual fighting component, and has its own traditions and historic records that span decades.
Cossacks are recruited from all over the Commonwealth to form the army's light cavalry component. The vast majority of Cossacks are unarmored, though armed similarly to the hussars, and are used to great effect when their speed is combined with the firepower delivered by their guns. They make use of the caracole maneuver, whereby a deep cavalry formation approaches the enemy at a slow gallop, and each rank discharges their guns, moving to the rear of the formation to reload and clear the way for the next rank.
Other cavalry is largely foreign in origin, and organized into conventional designations of dragoons and curiassiers.

Commonwealth artillery was once in poor shape, but reforms have brought it up to modern standards. Most artillery crews are foreigners, operating cannon of dwarven or Imperial design.

+ Strong cavalry
+ Well-trained and equipped army
+ Potent gunpowder weapons
- No offensive or healing magic
- Lacks diverse infantry
- Negligible naval presence

Units

Tier 2:

Haiduk Infantry

Name: Haiduk Infantry
Type: Light
Short Description: The antiquated infantry of the Commonwealth infantry are the haiduks – men armed with arquebuses and equipped with sabers, sometimes spears and utility axes. Once the mainstay of the infantry, most of these men have quickly been retired in favor of more modern pike and musket troops. Some commanders still maintain units of haiduks as bodyguards, but their role has largely been reduced to a ceremonial one.

Kulvar Horse Archers

Name: Kulvar Horse Archers
Type: Light
Short Description:From the west frontier of the Commonwealth come the Kulvar, a nomadic people. Their lifestyle revolves around their sturdy horses; the infants are tied to the saddle and learn to ride before they can walk. Forgoing armor, they are fast and nimble, and train all their lives to be excellent marksmen on the move. They wear a simple sheepskin coat and fur hat over their everyday clothes, carrying a bow and quiver of arrows, a sword, dagger and sometimes a shield. The heads of these arrows vary in design and function, and in some instances, may be poisoned. While archery is their primary forte, light horsemen can easily transition to hand-to-hand. When the enemy is sufficiently demoralized or crippled by arrows, the riders sheathe their bows and charge with blades drawn.

Tier 3:

'Foreign-style' Pike Infantry

Name: 'Foreign-style' Pike Infantry
Type: Light-Medium
Short Description: The Commonwealth's effort to replace its aging haiduk infantry with more modern counterparts has seen recruitment of foreign soldiers, armed and trained in the Rhune style. These soldiers include musketeers and pikemen – a superior combination of troops, whose battlefield prowess is evident in Rhune's military victories. Both infantry types complement each other on the field; wings of musketeers screening and supporting formations with shot, while pikemen bring their 16-foot-long weapons to bear on the enemy. Though deployed together in close-ranked tercios, smaller elements can be pulled away to support each other and the main body.

A pair of pikemen share a laugh alongside a musketeer (see below).

'Foreign-style' Musket Infantry

Name: 'Foreign-style' Musket Infantry
Type: Light-Medium
Short Description: The Commonwealth's effort to replace its aging haiduk infantry with more modern counterparts has seen recruitment of foreign soldiers, armed and trained in the Rhune style. These soldiers include musketeers and pikemen – a superior combination of troops, whose battlefield prowess is evident in Rhune's military victories. Both infantry types complement each other on the field; wings of musketeers screening and supporting formations with shot, while pikemen bring their 16-foot-long weapons to bear on the enemy. Though deployed together in close-ranked tercios, smaller elements can be pulled away to support each other and the main body.

Winged Hussars

Name: Winged Hussars
Type: Heavy
Short Description: Regarded as the epitome of the Commonwealth's mounted soldiery, the hussars form the backbone of its heavy cavalry. Armed to the teeth with lance, saber, swords and pistols, they are more than a match for other cavalry, and their charge is devastating to infantry. They are protected by steel plate, mail and helms. Over their heads tower wings of feathers that rattle as they charge, creating a deafening murmur. It is right that they should be held in esteem – and feared – by any soldier opposite them on the field.

Cossack Cavalry

Name: Cossack Cavalry
Type: Light
Short Description:Cossacks act as a versatile light cavalry element, able to supplement hussars in a mass charge, harass slower enemies, or run down fleeing troops. They wear little or no armor, but carry an arsenal comparable to the hussars. They use their guns to great effect, able to harry the ranks of enemy formations with shot and retreat to safety when necessary. They are fierce and independent, however, and the excitement of battle and the prospect of loot can make them difficult to control. Still, they are a valuable counterpart to the Commonwealth's hussars.

Cuirassiers

Name: Cuirassiers
Type: Heavy
Short Description: Cuirassiers are recruited from foreign sources, and like the hussars, they fulfill the role of heavy cavalry. Lacking lances, they make greater use of firearms. They are armed with sabers and a pair of pistols, and sometimes carbines. Cuirassiers are versatile cavalrymen, capable both in melee and harassing foes at range. This they do with caracole maneuvers, and combine both elements by firing off their guns at point-blank during a charge. For protection, they are clad in three-quarter armor, from head to knee.

Harquebusiers

Name: Harquebusiers
Type: Medium
Short Description: A significant portion of the Commonwealth's cavalry is equipped as harquebusiers. They carry a carbine, sword and a pair of pistols. They are armored lighter than reiters or the hussars, wearing a lobster-tail pot helmet and chest and back plates over buff coats. They fight much like curiassiers, although are lighter, and faster.

Dragoons

Name: Dragoons
Type: Light
Short Description:Dragoons are essentially musketeers on horseback. Though classified as cavalry, they fight like infantry, using their horses to travel distances on the field and bring their guns where needed. They wear no armor, save for the officers. They are often used to protect flanks or guard positions ahead of the main body.

Tier 4:

Ordnance

Name: Ordnance
Type: Heavy
Short Description: The Commonwealth utilizes a range of calibers and makes of artillery, including dwarven and Imperial designs. Its artillery crews are usually recruited from foreigners. Ordnance is broadly divided into three types: siege guns, heavy field guns and light field guns. Each of these categories loosely describes artillery pieces of different sizes. Siege guns include mortars and cannons, heavy field guns are mostly culverins, and lighter pieces include falcons, minions or robinets. They are made of bronze or iron and are smooth-bore, muzzle-loading weapons.

Drabant Guard

Name: Drabant Guard
Type: Heavy
Short Description: The Drabant Guard, also called the King's Reiters, are an elite formation of foreign cavalry that have the honor of serving as the king's personal bodyguard. They number 1,000 in six squadrons, all gentlemen and veterans that are personally appointed. They wear blackened three-quarter armor, and carry two pistols, a sword and sometimes a carbine. While not in the field, a number of reiters act as personal guards and attendants, carrying halberds.

King's Footguard

Name: King's Footguard
Type: Medium
Short Description: The King's Footguards are a regiment within the parent Royal Guard – a personal army funded by the king's household treasury, and raised independent of the state army. The Footguards are about 1,200 strong, composed half of pikemen and half of musketeers. To distinguish them from other pike units, they wear uniforms of blue lined with gold. Identical units exist for the queen and the prince; the Queen's and Prince's Footguard, respectively.

An arquebusier of the King's Footguard alongside a Court Hussar in classic ceremonial armor (see below).

Court Hussars

Name: Court Hussars
Type: Heavy
Short Description: The Court Hussars are a unit within the Royal Guard, comprised of young and eager nobles more concerned with glory than coin. Each nobleman provides a retinue of household troops, all dressed in the most splendid uniforms they can afford, and of any color. These men are a prominent feature of royal ceremonies, their gaudy clothing easily drawing the eye of onlookers.

King's Dragoons

Name:King's Dragoons
Type: Light-Medium
Short Description: The King's Dragoons are a Royal Guard regiment consisting of mounted infantry. They are equipped as musketeers, with guns and swords. Being mounted, they can quickly deploy where needed to provide additional firepower. In a pinch, they can also hold their own as regular cavalry. They wear uniforms of red lined with gold. Most within the regiment are foreign soldiers.

Lords & Heroes

Name: Ladislav IV
Title: King of Korczyn and Grand Duke of Astarac
Powers: N/A
Short Bio/Personality: Ladislav IV is the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth, having inherited the throne six years ago. He has recently celebrated his twenty-fifth birthday – still young in many respects, but he has shown himself to be a shrewd military commander and a well-learned scholar. His tactful demeanor has kept him in good graces with parliament and the nobility. However, he has not yet taken a wife. His delay in marriage and securing himself an heir gives his peers cause for concern; even an illegitimate son would be better than none.

[POOHEAD189]

The High Kingdrom of Thundrim Kadrin

The High Kingdom of Thundrim Kadrin

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Overview

The High Kingdom is a nation comprised of the hardy, skilled, and venerable Dwarven race. Comprised of various Thanes beholden to a High King within the mountains of their sea-locked nation. They're master artisans, soldiers, miners, engineers, and brewmasters.

Geography

Map Claim

Thundrim Kadrin is a land of Jagged and tall mountains, with forested foothills and farmlands. That is, above ground. Below, the Kingdom is far vaster, filled with towering cities of bronze, iron, and stone. The Low ways are vigilantly guarded, and finely wrought into the earth.

History

One of the oldest races in the world, the Dwarf histories stretch back over 10,000 years. It would take too long for it all to be spake in such a small amount of space as 150,000 characters! Needless to say, they were once a great and prosperous empire, spanning across the continent with Thundrims in almost every mountains, as well as Farms and lands all across the foothills.
It was when a chain of earthquakes wracked the continent 5,000 years ago that their decline began, for their enemies began to grow in number as well, the foul Orcs and pathetic Vermin. The Elves and Men claimed land as well, and for the last 2,000 years they have declined even further until now the once prosperous race is in one mountain chain. The 12 Kings of Dwarfs had to retreat or were slain, and now reside as the 12 Thanes along the mountain, beholden to the High King.

Government

All Dwarves are governed by High King Bagrick Grimbeard, who has 12 lesser Thanes that rule great Dwarf holds, and Stewards that rule lesser regions and outposts. While Thundrim Kadrin has a strong central government, there is a checks and balances system provided with the High Council, comprised of the nations Thanes, War heroes, Honored Longbeards, and the High Priest. Every Thane has a small number of retainers, included but not limited to an Honored Scribe (who records grudges in the Book of Reckoning), a Rune Priest, and a Master of Economics.

Race Description

A Dwarf stands 4 to 4 1/2 feet tall. Males are typically 180-200 pounds, while females weigh between 140 and 160. The males have well groomed and long facial hair. Contrary to popular belief, females do not have beards. Though they pride themselves on their long braids of hair as the males do with facial hair. A Dwarf has a life expectancy close to 400 years. While some Elves might use magic to increase their lifespan, some Dwarves do so out of sheer willpower. They are organized, brilliant tacticians, ingenuitive, strong willed, strong of arm, enduring, and resistant to magic and poison (though not immune). They can smell freshly cut stone, can spot imperfections of metal and stone as 2nd nature, and have a 6th sense of knowing where they are at all times underground, within a mountain, or great structure of stone.

Culture

Dwarf culture revolves around honor, wealth, wisdom, skill, and determination. If you have all of these, congratulations, you're a fine addition to the kingdom. Dwarfs enjoy past times like the brewing and drinking of ale, hunting, crafting, forging, axe throwing, wrestling, and counting gold. The culture is also big on vengeance, so woe to any who pisses them off.

Economy/Industry

The Dwarf economy revolves around metal (both precious and utility), stone, skilled craftsmen, explorers, and the brewing of potent ale.

Magic

Dwarfs use Runic Magic. They do not ignite the fuel of the Winds of Magic. Instead, they trap it inside a rune to bind it and hold it. When so confined, the magic can be used safely. Runesmiths treat magic like any other Dwarf craft. Mastery takes patience, hard work, and dedication. While this gives them less versatility in battle with spells, it also means that the spells that are wrought are effective and reliable. This also means their runic weapons will stay magically enhanced until the world's ending.

Spell Format

Name: What is the spell called?
Lore: What Lore (type) of magic is it? Fire, Storm, Beast, etc. Feel free to make up your own lore if you feel inclined.
Type: (Offensive, Support, AOE, Single Target, Debuff, Buff, etc)
Short Description: Tell us a little about your spell, enough to wrap our heads around it.

Dwarf/Military Overview (Pros and Cons)

A Dwarf is a natural fighter. Though shorter than men, they are far bulkier and considerably stronger and tougher than the average manling. Even if there were a man that was the size of a Dwarf in width and height, a Dwarf would innately be stronger due to their natural physiology of an extremely physical, mountainish race. Their strength pales in comparison to their endurance however. You would be hard pressed to find any creature on this vast world more enduring physically, mentally, and even magically, than a Dwarf. These traits, coupled with them being psychologically unable to not strive for perfection in what they set their mind to, have made them one of the most effective militaries in the land. They have powerful and disciplined infantry, terrifying ranged weaponry, the highest caliber weapons/armor (most likely powerfully enchanted with runes), with the most advanced technology and artillery to date. Their weaknesses lie in their lack of any light units or. They only have one unit that can effectively commit anything close to guerrilla warfare. This, in addition to no light cavalry, means they have very little options when it comes to fighting an enemy outside of a true engagement (other than traps, rangers, and Thunder Wasps). Their rune magic, while undoubtedly powerful, is also less versatile than Elvish and Mannish spells, for instance. The last failing of this hearty race is numbers. The Dwarfs, while not endangered as of yet, are a race that is on the decline. The destruction of their vast empire has left them with a fraction of the numbers they used to have. An example: The Great Hold/City of Barak-Kazul, that once boasted nearly half a million Dwarfs in its heyday, and another half a million in the surrounding area, now holds a skeleton population of 50,000.

Melee Units

Name: Dwarf Warrior/Soldier
Type: Tier 2/Medium Melee Unit (short distance range unit)
Short Description: The average Dwarf warrior, well supplied with Axes, Hammers, Pikes, and even broad swords every now and then. All Dwarfs are trained as soldiers, and have a single minded determination to defend their lands and honor. This might be the most common unit, but never underestimate their prowess. Dwarf warriors can form effective shield walls and are legendary for their enduring morale and stamina. Many soften up their targets with throwing axes.


Name: Greatbeard
Type: Tier 3-4/Medium Melee Unit
Short Description: Veteran Dwarf Warriors that have fought and bled upon the battlefield for centuries. They have seen it all. Demons, Orcs, Elvish arrows coming their way, you name it. They're bigger and tougher than other Dwarfs, with skin as thick as leather, and finely wrought armor and weapons. Their huge beards and scars show how wise, dangerous, and tough they are to have survived until their twilight years. Many of them wield runic weaponry.


Name: Anvil Guard
Type: Tier 4/Heavy Melee Unit
Short Description: The Anvils are living walls of defense, that hit back. They are expert tunnel fighters, but serve just as well above ground as a near un-breachable wall of Baldr and Iron metal encasing Dwarf slabs of muscle. They are armed with full plate armor, helms, and shields, and wield well forged Axes and Hammers with well disciplined efficiency. They are the greatest line of defense the Dwarfs have, and for such a well defended army, that is saying something.



Name: Dwarf Sapper
Type: Tier 2/ Armor Piercing, Anti-Fortification
Short Description: The Miner's guild contributes to the war effort as any honorable guild would. These Dwarfs use large, double headed Picks that can punch through enemy armor. They also have spades as secondary weapons, and for use of digging under (or towards) enemy fortifications to plant explosives or pave the way for other warriors. They carry explosive charges than can also be thrown, if need be.


Name: Berserkers
Type: Tier 3-4 Melee
Short Description: Armed with any weapons they can find (generally a large hammer or axe, and many throwing axes) these Dwarfs have channeled their hatred for the enemies of the Dwarfs to insane levels, giving in to their bloodthrist and reveling in combat.


Name: Iron Guard
Type: Tier 3 Melee/Anti-Large, Armor, Cavalry.
Short Description: These Dwarfs are nearly as heavily armored as the Anvil guard, but trade shields for the two handed PoleAxe. They're known for their stalwart determination and wicked efficiency in their attacks and Polearm wall.

Hider

Hider

Name: Dwarfen Honorguard (Great Weapons)
Type: Tier 3-4/ Great Weapon Melee unit
Short Description: Known for their loyalty and skill, the Honorguard are well equipped in the finest of armor to protect them as they wield their huge Axes and Hammers with practiced ease, knocking aside enemy shields and formations and cleaving their way through enemy lines. They are deadly and proficient at what they do, and what they do is hit very very hard.

Ranged Units

While the Dwarfs do not have the natural affinity for bows like the Elves, the Dwarfen hunting tradition, as well as their perfectionist and determined tendencies, have made their ranged units efficiently disciplined and terrifyingly accurate. The fact that they also carry axes, well wrought mail, and shield on the backs also makes them effective in melee as a last resort.


Name: Bolters
Type: Tier 2-3/Armored Ranged Unit
Short Description: Despite the discovery and manipulation of Gunpowder, the use and making of Crossbows is a time honored tradition, and the Dwarfs prove it's still a deadly weapon on the battlefield. With moderate stopping power that can pierce all but the finest armor, quick reload time, and unerring reliability, the Crossbow is just as effective as ever. It also has the added ability to use 'special' quarrels that can contain alchemical effects.


Name: Caplock Infantry/RifleDwarfs
Type: Tier 2-3/Armored Ranged Unit
Short Description: In recent centuries, the Dwarf armies have upgraded from the Flintlock firing mechanism to the Caplock/Percussion firing system, making their Dwarf rifles of Iron, bronze, and wood more reliable to be used even in rain, and quicker to reload. While the rifle has slightly less range than a crossbow, it is still long firing, with even larger stopping power, and a demoralizing crack that can unnerve the enemy. If the Dwarf is efficient (and any Dwarf worth his beard is!) then they can fire 5 times a minute unless they are interrupted. The Dwarfs are armored in mail and half plate armor, with shields on their backs, and Axes at their hips. They have stout bayonets mounted on their rifles as well to repel charges.


Name: Hammergun Infantry
Type: Tier 3/ Anti-Large (or Infantry with Grenades)/Fortification ranged unit
Short Description: A cross between the Rifle and the Cannon, these miniature launchers fire heavy shells (or even grenades to attack infantry) at the enemy to kill bigger monsters or to bash through fortified walls/enemy lines. The faceless, helmeted Dwarfs wielding these weapons don't carry any other weapon, but are armored in mail and can swing these iron weapons like makeshift bludgeons.


Name: Dragonfire/Dragonbreath Infantry
Type: Tier 3/Flamer Ranged Unit
Short Description: Dragonfire/Dragonbreath Dwarfs are armored similarly to their Hammergun brethren, only instead they wield great guns that shoot deadly alchemical fire. Their guns have two settings. A spray of flame that can incinerate enemy lines, or firebreath buckshot that are more accurate but less wide ranging for more personal shots so as not to harm their own lines.


Name: Dwarf Rangers/Pathfinders
Type: Tier 3/Moderately tough/quick Ranged Unit
Short Description: Over 1,500 years ago, the great Hunter and Pathfinder Nargim Orcslayer had acclaimed over 1,000 Grobi kills before his first century of life with crossbow and axe, using his previous knowledge of hunting Elk, Boars, and Mountain cats. The Elders of the Hold decided that he should teach students to fight within the foothills of the forest as he would, and so the Ranger tradition was born. These Dwarfs are armored in iron chain mail and leather, wearing green cloaks and wielding crossbows and hand axes. While they are still well armored, they are the lightest and quickest Dwarf troops, able to set traps, cause ambushes, and flee into forests. Their legs are as short as any Dwarfs however, and use their woodland knowledge and green cloaks to escape more than their (relatively) fast speed.

Artillery Units

Name: Dwarf Stone Launcher/Catapult
Type: Tier 2 Artillery/ Anti-Fortification & Anti-Infantry
Short Description: Despite the Cannon becoming popular the last thousand years or so, the Catapult is still a reliable and effective way to reduce structures to rubble and disrupt enemy formations. Their ammo is generally unlimited as well.


Name: Dwarf Cannon
Type: Tier 3 Artillery/ Anti Fortification & Anti Large
Short Description:Dwarfs are the finest engineers in the world, honing their Cannon making craft to near perfection. While there is the occasional malfunction, their Cannons are superb in range, firepower, and reliability.


Name: Multi Shot Cannon
Type: Tier 3 Artillery/ Anti-Fortification & Anti-Infantry/Morale
Short Description: A smaller caliber cannon used to kill infantry and disrupt infantry, and to soften walls for Dwarf attackers.

Cavalry Units

Dwarfs are not a race of Cavalry. They prefer reliability and solid footing rather than speed, and they have no light cavalry units. What they do have, is one unit of heavy Cavalry that strikes like an avalanche.

Name: Ram/Boar Riders
Type: Tier 3/Heavy Cavalry Unit
Short Description: The Dwarfs have made use of the great Boars and Rams of the mountains, the beasts growing large enough for a Dwarf to ride upon them for battle. They are not used as scouting units, and in fact most of the time they are not used at all unless the strategies of their Generals demand it. This unit is essentially an avalanche of heavily armored Dwarf and Beast, very good for mowing down infantry and slamming into other Cavalry. While not as fast as horses generally, the Rams and Boars are able to carry their riders into the mountains and out of reach from horseman.

Special Units

Hider

Name: Dwarf Steam Tank
Type: Tier 4/Large Armored Unit
Short Description:A steam powered Tank set on tracks, with a main cannon. It's just as effective ramming into troops and monsters as it is firing its cannon. The Enginners inside that pilot it also wield pistols they can fire out of the side slots.

My Hider

Name: Dwarf Gyrocopters
Type: Tier 3/Anti Infantry/Scout Unit
Short Description: A recent invention, made 400 years ago, the Gyrocopter is a reliable and safe flying unit used for transportation and scouting. The Dwarf inside has two Rifles, a dozen grenades he could drop on troops, and a makeshift parachute. They are very limited in number.


Name: Runepriest
Type: Tier 3 Magic User
Short Description: Dwarf magic users than wield rune staves in battle to cast spells and beat enemies, they're armored with light chainmail, sturdy leather, and cloth robes with runes of protection.

Lord/Hero

Name: Bagrik Grimbeard the Reclaimer, King of Thundrim Kadrin
Position: What spot do they occupy in your faction?
Powers: The King carries the Twin Hammers of Fate, runes blazing along it powerful enough to bypass any armor and slay any Demon. It is said these hammers will deal the blow that decides the world.
Short Bio/Personality: When the last King was killed 60 years ago by a greater Demon who mocked the line of Kings, proclaiming the Dwarfs would never regain their lost glory, Bagrik was sworn in as High King of Thundrim Kadrin. His first act was to swear that he would regain the lost Thundrims one after the other, though not at the expense of his people. The Elders agreed that they were with him, and the past 60 years he has been fortifying his Kingdom for war. He is well loved by the Dwarfs.


Name: Ragni FelAxe, brother to the King.
Position: High General and (considered to be) Greatest Warrior
Powers: Axe of Felling (can cut through any armor) and Hammer of Godrikk (can banish foul sorcery and return to Ragni's grasp when thrown).
Short Bio/Personality: The King's younger brother and protector of the realm, Ragni has the most kills in single combat than any Dwarf in the Kingdom. He seeks only to protect the King and their Kingdom from all foreign invaders, and sissy Elves.


Name: Grimbold Ironhammer
Position: High Thane of the Ironhammer Hold
Powers: Wields an unbreakable runic Axe, and Valdium shield.
Short Bio/Personality: Last descendant of an ancient line of lesser Kings, now called Thanes, Grimbold wishes to regain his lost Thundrim in the east. He has a particular distaste for Skaven, having fought them many times in the past (Greenskins have been his foe many a time too).


Name: Sketti Hammerhand
Position: Engineer
Powers: Fair Melee combatant, also has various bombs, pistols, and has turned his missing left forearm into a multipurpose weapon/tool.
Short Bio/Personality: Initially one of the best Engineers in the guild, he quit to become freelance and experiment on what he deemed worthy. He lost his forearm from a great Wolf ridden by a Goblin. He killed both, but had to sacrifice the limb. He's known as an eccentric and insane, but damned good Engineer.


Name: Geradin Farforger
Position: High Rune Priest
Powers: Do they have anything of note about them or use any spells or carry any unique weapons?
Short Bio/Personality: Known for his wisdom and skill in runes, Geradin of the Farforger clan has been a Rune priest for over 250 years and is well respected as one of the greatest Priests in this age.

[Temporary]

13th Vulpin Colonisation Party

The 13th Vulpin Colonisation and Eradication Party

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Overview

Falreti Prime, and the land the Vulpins control, has been locked in constant war for a long time - longer than most remember. Hundreds of years at least, the war looks to have no end in sight. As much as the military is keeping up with holding back the enemy, it cant last long. News from scouts and spies show that the enemy is building something with stolen technology that will soon bring about the end of the Vulpins, set to be ready some time in the next year.

And so, under orders from the King and his Advisers, the 13th Colonisation and Expedition Party set it. They headed in one direction across the sea, searching for some kind of land that they could take over, and move the Motherland too. There was no ability to cast recon on the mission, considering how last minute it really was. Spanning over 300 ships, containing the remnants of what could be spared, soldiers, farmers, mechanics, medics, pharmacists set sail, without direction or solid orders, in hope of finding free lands.

And they almost did. After a week of sailing, leaving rations low, and the seeds close to dead, they came across land. It was already overtaken, though, and so they went to sail around it. They passed many areas that would have done just fine as they headed North, but soon found something that worked just was well. A relatively tall cliff crossed their view, and as they sailed around it, they saw large fields of seemingly unclaimed land. In desperation to both get of the boats and finish the mission, they docked, and headed on land. From there, they set up camp, and slowly began building. This place would do, hopefully.

Geography

In Pink

The base camp for the 13th Colonisation and Eradication Party was set up on an island just off the coast on the mainland towards the East, on the edge of the forest. When it was realised that this simple island couldn't hold all the resources they had brought along, they sent ships onto the mainland to set up another camp, which will later become the town. Both areas were fertile, with wood easily available with the forests nearby.

History

As far as The 13th Vulpin Colonisation and Eradication Party goes, hardly anything of note has happened as of yet. There were few issues crossing the ocean from Vulpin to Salvus, and making base on the land was simple. Whether the Vampires or Dwarves noticed or cared that ships were crossing the waters before being hoisted up a cliff is another matter.

Government

The 13th Vulpin Colonisation and Eradication Party is led by Yulai Izla, 3rd Prince of King Izla, and leader of the Vulpin Royal Guard. He was originally the head of Military Strategy, before requesting to head the XIIIVCEP.

Under him are the so called "Winds of Change"; devout holy warriors following the Order of Seven. They are some of the finest, most powerful, and most religious soldiers, who hold extremely strong Sangshio to their names. The higher tiers of the Royal Guard are filled with these Vulpins, whom are hand picked by King Izla and Yulai himself. Only few are permitted to go on Colonisation and Eradication missions, due to the constant threat Falreti Prime is under.

Alongside Yulai is his sister, the 5th Princess to the Vulpin Throne Valan Izla, the Beserker Queen. She doesn't help much with the logistics of the colonisation, or the military formations or anything, but she is a formidable power on the field, and a necessity for leading the Beserkers.

Race Description

Vulpin's are a race of mostly humanoid creatures, with fox ears and a number of tails varying from 1 to 9. The number of tails appears to be completely random, though those with 9 tails are more likely to have gained them if one of both of their parents had 9 tails as well - the chances almost 100% should both parents have them, though those with 9 tails are quite rare.

The height and weight of a Vulpin is very similar to a human. In fact, the entire race would be indistinguishable from humanity if they did not have the tails and ears they possess. However, one thing is always present throughout the ages, and that is that Vulpins never look bad or ugly in any way. Whether it be through genetics or sheer luck, there has been no Vulpin that has grown up and not looked pretty damn fine.

The race, in general, has a high pain tolerance, which has developed over years of both war and the manifestation of Sangshio. The Sangshio, when it manifests for the first time, has a chance of causing extreme pain - depending on how powerful it is, and where it manifests.

Speaking of the Sangshio, it is a genetic mutation created from exposure to unknown energy. It is completely random how it forms and where, with parental factors playing no role. It uses the blood of the Vulpin, but a separate stem of blood that stays around in the area of their Sangshio. This blood contains the gene that allows for the power to be used, but kills off the blood, and turns it into a kind of gel. The area its located in is often more squishy, and is harder to penetrate than regular flesh. It then, upon activation, rips through the skin. When its deactivated, it folds back into their body, and seals the wound.

Culture

Almost all members of the Colonisation and Eradication Party follow the "Order of Seven", the unofficial name for the Religion most Vulpin's follow. It has a base of Seven principles, said to have come directly from the siblings Sang and Shio.

• Use your strength to make bonds, for those bonds are your strength.
• Your lord stands above all, not for his blood nor for his skill, but for his strength in the eyes of everything.
• If your weapon fails, and so does your blood, use all at your disposal to accomplish that which tools could not.
• Be not afraid to turn to words in times when weapons fail, and be not afraid to turn to weapons when words fail.
• Should your comrade fall on the field, know that he has passed soundly. Fight not for their safety now, but so that their memory may be passed on without their sacrifce being in vain.
• Change and death is as natural as blood and life.
• Should your sword shatter, and your body crumble, your blood will make its mark forever; in the enemies it kills, the landscapes it sees, and the people it is shared to. All men and women have blood, blood that flows and spills, and in that single sense it is shared to everyone and marked as such. Do not forget that your blood is your own tool of life and weapon of death. And that your blood is yours.

A large part of Vulpin society is their Sangshio. Since the race is rather militaristic, and a Sangshio is often a Vulpins main weapon, having a strong one can quickly place you quite high up in both the military and society. Parents often rest their names and legacies on their children to have a strong power, and will more often than not have multiple children in the hopes of having one that will have a high standing. That isn't to say that Vulpins wont love all their children, but they rest their family on those with strong powers. If anything, its more of a pain to have a strong Sangshio.

Another thing is that Vulpins are very faithful. They will usually fall in love with one person, and spend their life with them. The very act of having multiple, casual sexual partners is deemed unfaithful, even if the two aren't in a relationship bar being rid of lust. Other Vulpins often times see others like this with disdain, especially if they are a relative - more so than humans.

Due to the wars that have been fought in the past, as well as the war currently going on, Vulpins changed in the way they viewed the world. At one time, they were friendly, loving, passive and cultured. However, as time passed, and the commodities known as peace and culture vanished, they grew very militaristic. The power a child was born with, their Sangshio, became less a badge of coolness, and more a badge of war. Even if you didn't have a strong power, you were more often than not drafted into the army regardless. Military training was enforced in schools so that young Vulpins could prepare, and all funding that could be diverted were.

Now, though, Vulpins fear war more than anything. Their history has been filled with war for hundreds of years, causing countless casualties and tragedies. They are tired, but still want to live. Their morale is low, but is stable enough for them to want to fight for their lives and freedom. Any military efforts now are fuelled not by the promise of glory or death, but out of fear for their lives and a desire to break out of the concept of war in general.

Economy/Industry

For the most part, the 13th Colonisation and Eradication party is funded by the Motherland. At the beginning, as many resources as possible were set aside so that a stable base could be set up when suitable land was found. Should resources run low, though, they are almost on their own. Most of all soldiers and resources are expended fighting the unwinnable war, forcing the Party to trade or hope they can manage without. They can, of course, request for aid from the Motherland, but only the scraps of war will be saved.

Along with standard military equipment for a persons rank, each soldier with the capability to use a Sangshio is given a small, syringe like object containing a single dose of an experimental drug known only as 0X47B. It has about a 75% chance of creating the desired effect, that effect being a forced enhancement of a Vulpin's abilities and Sangshio strength - known as Overdrive. The other 25% creates a state known simply as "Over Exertion", and is referred to as such. It causes a Sangshio to destabilise, creating an immense boost in power for a short time, but is guaranteed to be fatal within less than a minute. All soldiers, not including the Winds, are ordered to use the drug should the battle turn for the worst with almost no chance of victory.

With their genius intellect, Vulpins have begun using gears and the like to create basic machines like Ballistas. Most use clockwork mechanisms that automatically reload, and they are usually quite lightweight; allowing for ease of transport and aiming on the field. The invention of this kind of technology opened the doors to autoreloading crossbows, artillery type weapons, and other such heavy weapons.

Magic

Lore of False Blood

Name: Sangshio
Lore: Within all technicality, it doesn't fall under any type of lore, but is instead a genetic trait unique to a portion of Vulpins.
Type: If it exists, Sangshio can take up that role, provided the genetic code within a person created it that way.
Short Description: A Sangshio manifested after long exposure to an unknown form of energy long ago. It mutated a gene within Vulpin's, which only seems to activate in certain people or under special conditions. Everyone is born with a Sangshio, but whether it manifests or not is complete luck of the draw. Those that do manifest it, however, are seen with great praise. A Sangshio's abilities are completely random, all stemming from and using blood, with seemingly no factors making any difference to the way they form. They can be defensive, offensive, utilising both, used for healing or other such types of buffing. What is known about them is that they are powerful, take years to master, and stem (theoretically) from the Gods Sang and Shio.

Sangshio has a second form, known as Overdrive, which unhances its abilities as well as the possessors physical and mental capabilities. For years it was thought to be completely emotion based, until it was discovered that certain chemicals could bring out effects similar, leading to the creation of 0X47B, which stimulates the body and creates an identical effect to Overdrive.

Lore of Iron Fire

Lore of Iron Fire: Cold Born

Name: Cold Born
Lore: Lore of Iron Fire
Type: Buff, Support, Possession, Creation
Short Description: With the proper chants, materials, and wizard BS, the Vulpin Mages can use their own essence to bring metal constructs to life, in a sense. By infusing it with the energy of Sang, objects like suits of armour, ballista's, or even simple weapons, can be given existence, thought, and to a lesser degree, will. Weapons like Falgras Breath use this to function.

Lore of Iron Fire: Seventh Wind

Name: Seventh Wind
Lore: Lore of Iron Fire
Type: Buff, Support, Possession, Creation
Short Description: More like a curse than a spell, any object under the effects of Cold Born are technically unable to be destroyed. So long as the life force of the caster does not die out, a Cold Born object will rebuild itself indefinitely should it be destroyed.

Lore of Iron Fire: Steel Shadow

Name: Steel Shadow
Lore: Lore of Iron Fire
Type: Buff, Support, Single Target
Short Description: Steel Shadow allows a mage to become one with a Cold Born object, granting it power and skill and resistance. Within a Steel Shadow users mind, they see what the Cold Born sees, and can control it as if it was their own body. Few Vulpins can even use the Lore of Iron Fire, let alone use Steel Shadow - the strongest of spells in a mages arsenal.

Military

Despite the desperate situation the Vulpins have found themselves in, their militant might is nothing to be doubted. Their troops fight for their lives and their freedom, and have lost any ability to care for the lives of their enemies. War is their biggest strength, which has forced them to fight and driven them to fear it above all else; even death.

They want to live, they want to expand, and they want, more than anything, to exist in peace. Despite their lives devotion to combat, never will they initiate war again. The less blood spilt on the lands of their people the better. There is no glory in combat, and no glory in death. The only glory left is to help a comrades memory live on by protecting it with your own life. No man is alone on a Vulpin battlefield.

+ Well Equipped
+ Strong Units
+ Fueld by Fear and Desire
- No Mounted Soldiers
- Low, and unstable morale
- Lacking Tank/Armoured Units

Tier 1

Vulpin Swordsman

Name: Vulpin Swordsman
Type: Light Melee
Short Description: Some of the very basic soldiers, making up the lowest ranks in Vulpin Military. They use whatever type of sword they are proficient with - whether it be shortswords, longswords, katanas - and wear light and medium armour.

Vulpin Archer

Name: Vulpin Archer
Type: Light Archer
Short Description: Some of the most basic soldiers, making up some of the lower ranks in Vulpin Military. They use long and short bows, and wear light armour.

Vulpin Gunhandler

Name: Vulpin Gunhandler
Type: Light Mid-Ranged
Short Description: Fast, mid to close range fighters focused primarily on speed. They wear no armour as to not weigh them down, and carry crossbows.

Order of Seven Devotee

Name: Order of Seven Devotee
Type: Light Mid-Ranged
Short Description: The lowest rank of Sangshio users, these soldiers are devoted to the Order of Seven more so than the other grunts, giving them a higher amount of focus on the field. They have weak Sangshio, and wear light armour.

Tier 2

Light Ballista

Name: Light Ballista
Type: Light Medium-Long Range Artillery
Short Description: A small, lightweight wooden artillery that fires both arrows and bolts. It uses gears and rope for hands free reloading, and is easy to move/aim. It is rather fragile, though, due to the lightweight materials it is made of.

Sangshio Soldier

Name: Sangshio User
Type: Medium Long-Mid-Close Range Soldier
Short Description: A Vulpin soldier with the ability to use a Sangshio recognised as useful in battle. They usually wear Light and Medium armour, but with more of a focus on evading and deflecting attacks.

Vulpin Beserker

Name: Vulpin Beserker
Type: Medium Melee
Short Description: A soldier trained to use two swords, placed on the front lines just to clear out cannon fodder. They wear either light or no armour, and use two swords of random types. They know not the meaning of mercy.

Tier 3

Bloodfang Raptor

Name: Bloodfang Raptor
Type: Medium Creature
Short Description: Courtesy of the jungles around Falreti Prime, Bloodfang Raptors are brought in to... Thin out the front line. They're tortured trained for years not to attack Vulpins. They look a lot like velociraptors, except a bit bigger, and with black scales marked with blood red patterns. Their fangs contain a venom that causes Blood Rot, a painful disease which causes nausea, darkening of blood, vomitting, weakness, dehydration, trouble breathing, loss of speech, inability to create lcoherent thoughts, and eventually death.

Sangshio Veteran

Name: Sangshio Veteran
Type: Medium Sangshio User
Short Description: A Sangshio user who's power is not powerful enough to be a Wind, but is powerful enough for them to have fought battles on either the frontlines or other before. They usually where no armour, light, or medium, and utilise their Sangshio as their primary weapon - occasionally falling back to conventional weaponry.

The Firecracker

Name: The Firecracker
Type: Medium Artillery
Short Description: A quite heavy, stationary artillery which fires of multiple small exposive pellets similar to a shotgun blast. It takes a long time to aim, and is usually kept in one place for the entire battle, but reloads very quickly.

Iron Fire Mage

Name: Iron Fire Mage
Type: Light Support Mage
Short Description: The Iron Fire Mages, an elite group of Vulpins who's Sangshio withered an tainted their blood with the magic. These such Mages are often genius's, able to understand the ins and outs of the clockwork and other types of technology developed by Vulpins. They wear light, ornate armour, and often times carry multiple Cold Born weapons. As well, most have a large object as their primary offensive measure, for use of Steel Shadow.

Tier 4

The Winds

Name: The Winds
Type: Light Sangshio Experts
Short Description: Four of the greatest warriors, hand picked by Yulai and King Izla. Their power, skill and speed on the battlefield is unmatched by any soldier in the Vulin Military, and their wide diversity of combat techniques are truly formidable. They wear robes that mask their entire bodies, including their face, and use their Sangshio's as well as daggers and wristbows.

Beserker Champions

Name: Beserker Champions
Type: Medium Melee
Short Description: The finest, most ruthless Beserkers on the field are known as the Beserker Champions, a title feared through the kingdom. These men and women know no mercy, nor fear, and take on the front lines knowing they will most likely die, but before they do they'll take every enemy to hell with them. They wear light weight but defensive armour, and carry multiple varieties of swords as well as countless daggers. As with all Beserkers, they dual wield at all times.

Falgras Breath

Name: Falgras Breath
Type: Large Death Machine
Short Description: A last resort weapon, Falgras Breath was named after the pet of the God Shio; a huge, stone dragon who's very presence disolved matter. This weapon is a huge cannon like object, which fires a massive burst of energy into the field. The resulting explosion is enormous, causing a huge number of casualties on both sides. It takes days to move, hours to reload, and only two are currently in existence - the first being on the front lines of Falreti Prime. Very strict orders are placed over this weapon, though, all of which were decreed by the King and his closest advisors.

#1: You must has probable cause to use Falgras Breath.
#2: All resources and tactics must have been used up before Falgras Breath may be permitted for use.
#3: At least a 2 days notice must be sent to the King for permission before Falgras Breath may be used.

Third Prince Yulai Izla, War Tactician and Cruel Warrior

Name: Third Prince Yulai Izla
Position: Tactician, Head of the 13th Colonisation and Eradication Party.

Powers: Fairy Lights - The name of Yulai's Sangshio has come to be known as the "Fairy Lights". It takes the form of seven purple-red balls of blood, which can form into a defensive shield, and can solidfy to fire out razor sharp crystals - the act of doing so completely expends one of the balls, limiting defense in turn. They do not require hand movements, simply thoughts, making it extremely fast.

Tactitian - Yulai is an excellent military tactician, being the current head of tactics in the Vulpin empire. It doesn't just extend to military tactics, mind you, but tactics for anything in general. This makes him a brilliant leader; able to develop plans for expansion and war quickly and efficiently.

Corpse Grass - The distant, analytical and intelligent personality Yulai bears is on strengthened on the fields of battle. The cold look in his eyes is amplified, and the distance in his voice doubled. Blood, death, nothing phases him any longer. This personality change often times leads into his plans, sometimes coming across as suicide attacks with no care for the well being of his troops.

Short Bio/Personality: Yulai was born into the royal family, and quickly demonstated extremely high intelligence. even for Vulpins - a naturally genius race. As with all children born of the King, his Sangshio was guaranteed to be very powerful as well.

As he grew up, he was seen as the smartest of the 12 Royal children, and became the Head Tactician for the Military. He spent a while as the head, producing repeatedly solid results. When Falreti Prime was attacked, and the borders were pushed back, Yulai went onto the front lines along with several of his brothers and sisters, proving that he, too, was more than capable in combat.

A short time ago, he volunteered as head of the 13th Colonisation and Eradication Party. The King strongly opposed, but Yulai quickly convinced him that he was the best choice. He hand picked the 5 Winds that would accompany as his advisors, and set off to Salvus.

Beserker Queen Valan Izla, 5th Vulpin Princess

Name: Fifth Princess Valan Izla
Position: Beserker Queen

Powers: Wings of Baator - Across the ranks of the Vulpin military, the term "Wings of Baator" has become feared. Soldiers use it to refer to the Sangshio possessed by Valan Izla. As the name suggests, her Sangshio takes the shape of two wings - one light red, and the other dark red and purple. One acts as a shield, being able to move, but also able to instantly harden. The second acts as offence, having a razor sharp edge which can slice through enemies. However, the shield is mostly stuck on her back - acting as a shield from behind - and the offensive one is surprisingly delicate, able to be cut through in a single swing of a sword provided you get the angle right.

Beserker Queen - The skill of Valan Izla is known across the Vulpin military. She wields two katanas, which, with her skill and Sangshio, creates a lethal combination. Her speed is unmatched too, being able to dash through enemy lines, cutting and slicing through anyone in her path.

Blood Dawn - Valan has lost what empathy she had due to her time on the battlefield. She has seen blood soaked field countless times, and watched the sun rise over a pile of bodies even more. Her cruelty on the lines is well known, as is her emotionless eyes and wicked smirk. Blood on her clothes or skin doesn't bother her, nor does the stench of freshly dead men and women.

Short Bio/Personality: In childhood, Valan showed a keen interest in weaponry before even being inducted into combat training. Her Sangshio was identified as powerful the moment it developed, being placed at a Wind's level not long after its manifestation.

As she grew, and partook in strenuous military training, it became obvious that she had a forte for fighting. Any spare time she had was spent honing her skills and learning new techniques, quickly adapting the fighting style of a Beserker. Her speed in spars was unparalleled, and her techinque close to flawless.

During the wars, she rose to the rank of Beserker Queen - leader of the Beserker forces. Her fighting style was adopted by many, proving to be both challenging to learn and rewarding to use. Those without strong defensive Sangshio found it slightly difficult to learn, but soon dozens of Beserkers were mimicking her ways of fighting.

Colonisation and Eradication Wind Leader, Yulus Veltra

Name: Yulus Veltra
Position: The 13th Colonisation and Eradication Wind of Change Captain, Royal Guard Captain

Powers: Wounded Swarm - Unofficially, the Sangshion belonging to the Captain of the Winds of Change has been named the "Wounded Swarm", which doesn't sound threatening, but truly is. If he is cut, the blood that would have come from the wound instead becomes a swarm of millions of tiny crystals. Should it come in contact with an enemy, they'll be shredded in seconds, leaving not even ribbons behind. However, they are far from sentient, only able to move in one direction of his choosing. It's more likely for it to soar off into the distance or ground rather than actually hit an enemy. Plus, it is passive; him cutting himself consciously wont activate it.

Order of Seven - Being a Wind of Change, Yulus is extremely devouted to the Order of Seven. This makes his morale incredibly hard to be rid of, especially on the battlefield, where the death of an ally is ones chance to help a friend live on.

Bringer of Death - As a Captain of the Royal Guard, Yulus has seen many battles. He's killed thousands, and honed his skills with every war. Bringing him out onto the battlefield is a guarantee for more death, mostly on the enemies side. Even with his Sangshio being passive, his skill in varying forms of combat make him a huge force to be reckoned with.

Short Bio/Personality: From a young age Yulus was destined to be a great warrior. His Sangshio was recognised with the potential to become very powerful, which thrust him into a life of military training and religious devotion early on.

During the first great wars, he rose to the position of Royal Guard Captain for his fighting prowess, as well as his demeanour on the battlefield. He upholds the Order of Seven with his entire being, and all who have heard of him trust him to keep the memory of them in tact should they fall in battle.

[SomeChap]

The Tomb-Empires of the Harri'Kan



"To have died once...is enough."

Overview

Overview
The ancient dead of a once proud desert empire stir from their aeons-long slumbering. Composed of the long-dead remnants of the ancient Rimal-Mutaharrika, the nation owes it's fealty to it's skeletal overlord and his cabals of Dark Hierophants. They may not be masters of anything in particular, but the dead do not dawdle like the living do...

Geography

Rimal-Mutaharrika, the ancient homeland of the Harri'Kan people, is a land of scorching heat and relentless sunlight. It is comprised of rolling desert dunes and of sandy mountains stretching high into the air, rivalled only by the imposing stone monolith-cities of the Harri'Kan, as their millennia-old gold artwork glitters in the harsh sun.

Little grows within these wastelands, as all the plant life simply can not sustain itself without the vitalising waters of a coastline or the rain, and no real fauna other the most heinously horrific would dwell within a place so harsh...

Annals of History

History

Ancient beyond belief, perhaps even the oldest of all human civilisations in the Old World, the hallowed history of the Harri'Kan goes back nearly several millennia. In their heyday they were a behemoth of an empire, stretching from coastline to coastline, incorporating numerous different races under the iron fist of their Maliks. Entire cities made almost entirely from shimmering gold with the titanic Tombs of long-dead monarchs casting dark shadows over the land.

The Empire was first founded by the Malik, Sottrom The Flawless in the dawn of humanity in that region of the world. Sottrom was, as his name suggests, counted amongst the holiest of all Harri'Kan gods – a tradition that has since held true. His rule was one of warfare and of conquest. He saw a bedraggled mess of tribal desert-savages and transformed them into a mighty nation easily rivalling even the most dastardly of foes. Their imperial rule over these lands lasted for millennia...until fate decided otherwise...

All was not merry forever, however, as civil wars and upstarts plunged the nation into a never-ending pit of warfare wit itself as both, insurrectionists from other races and the ever-looming peasant resentment reached it's fever pitch. The old Empire of Harri'Kan died in those years, replaced with a nation that simply wore it's skin like a poorly fitting visage. All hope had been lost for the nation, until a day wherein the Great Malik Tosars III was approached by a man in strange, tribal, robes and festooned with alien trinkets from foreign lands.
The mysterious stranger spun a tale of lies so deep it truly did kill the old Empire of Harri'Kan, not in the sense of a nation, but in a far more literal sense. In accepting the man's offers of unlimited power and stability in his lands, the Malik signed away his life – and the lives of all his followers. That night, many thousands died as a once proud nation of skilled humans became something resembling a nightmare, as flesh fell from bones and screeching persisted long into the night.

Harri'Kan emerged from that time as a changed land. No longer was it the powerhouse it once was, nor was it normal in any sense of the term. In all his shame and all his grief the newly undead Malik turned himself upon the mysterious strange,r only to find that the stranger was, in fact, far worse than even he could have assumed.
The stranger was not the feeble old man, and pedaller of lies that he was assumed to be. A vivified ancient of a human, but something far more than a mere man. Horsophkekh Ekochen Fashke Anos The Glorious Hierpohant and scourge of a thousand souls, a necromancer of such power and terror. The new Tomb-King was swiftly slain, his body soon reanimated into a mindless puppet...his kingdom, his people, his very mortality, all taken from him.
Horsophkekh Anos, the Lich-King of the Harri'Kan crowned himself that day, his rule lasting ever since.

Government

Government

In some sense of the word, the Empire of Harri'Kan is a mixture between an Absolute Monarchy and a Theocracy. A long and lonely ruler sits on the throne now as he did several hundreds of years ago, a dreaded and vile man who rules this nation of the dead and damned with an iron fist. Horsophkekh Ekochen Fashke Anos, first of his name and household sits upon that throne, though he holds no right to do so. All power in the nation flows through him.
There is some significance of religion and magic, as the next step down in society is that of the Hierpohant. These, Kahin, fulfil the duel-roles of priests and as necromancers for they keep the masses of Harri'Kan animated and working their jobs. These priests all owe direct fealty to the Lich-King himself.

Below these priests are the Alnnubla, or nobles, they serve as the district and small-time rulers of smaller settlements and singular forts. As a cruel trick of irony the Lich-King has made most of these nobles be of the same dynasty that he replaced all those years ago. The nobles are mostly free-willed but they are normally suppressed into a point of being unable to strike a member of their own race, all the better to ensure they can't dawdle around.

Race Description

Race Description:
In their day, the ancients of Harri'Kan were tall, beautiful Humans with tanned skin and captivating brown eyes. They wore garments of finery, of silks and of precious metals. Their people were a race as rich as could be, with a people as proud as could be. All has since changed.

The average citizen of Harri'Kan is now a literal skeleton. An alabaster-boned undead with little sentience aside from doing their job and the basics of protecting themselves. They see all living beings as hostile, though there are very few mortals who prove themselves useful. They bear no real traits, aside from unnatural toughness and strength due to their magical nature, aside from this, they are beings of necromantic origins. Terrible to behold.

The nobles of Harri'kan are far greater in nature than the peasantry. Their skin, while dry and cracked from the scorching sun, still retains some level of beauty to it as the necromantic energies propelling them onwards is far grander in scale than anything a normal citizen could hope to have. They are festooned with gold and garments, of silk. The nobles, and really any of the more important people in the society are also far larger and more robust than the citizenry, standing a proud height amongst their hunched skeleton-minions.

Culture

Culture:
The culture, what remains of it, is heavily suited towards the fulfilment of duty. Be that in the army or in hard labour. The nobles do still practice all their ancient traditions, from grandiose chariot racing events to live gladiatorial combat in huge arenas. The nobles enjoy nothing more than hunting the various game animals they have managed to reanimate into unlife, or perhaps even indulge in the artworks and music of their near-dead empire.
Economy/Industry

Despite their lack of need for food and drink, the Harri'Kan do make a fortune out of their magical aptitude and use of mortal slaves. They make constant use of their civilian population – the never tiring legions of the undead, to run most of their economy and industry however, as their untiring nature makes them incredibly useful when compared to the fleshy workers of other races. The unthinking populace works 24/7 and then some, mining, and fulfilling all manner of tasks that would be needed of them.

Some even say that the Harri'Kan deal with the elusive Vampires, but no mortal has yet to confirm that.

Magic

Magic:

The Harri'Kan do not use magic in the normal sense of the word, their magic being so weird and personal as to be almost called unique in nature – or so any of their priests would tell you. Their magic is a blending of the undead, necromancy, and death lores of magic, mixing debilitating curses with the ability to reanimate their vast armies and bring them back into fighting shape. These spells, as powerful as they, are doubly terrifying for they reanimate any mortal corpse not protected in some special manner, as the fell powers imbue even enemy corpses with the power to fight back against the former allies in life.

Military

Military:

The Empire of Harri'Kan has a rather sizeable standing army of rather good quality, each man having been a soldier in life and now also in undeath. The army can be, in times of war, multiple hundreds of thousands as the very dead themselves are conscripted into the vast necromantic ranks of the undead, a tide of lurching bones and rusted old swords that are certain to crush the foe through sheer force of numbers if nothing else. Given that their entire industry is almost always running at full capacity, all their soldiers are well equipped, well-maintained, and highly effective at their job, their nature itself is fear incarnate to most as well. Their lack of mortal pain and terror is a sight to behold, as they do not hold back like a normal man would do, they do not flinch like a normal man does, they are soulless killing machines that only seek to destroy the living.

The Harri'Kan war machine is a terrifying thing to even think about, as their number of soldiers can – theoretically – scale to be as large as the number of casualties the conflict has sustained...and nothing gives the priests merit to their arrogance quite like winning a fight and technically suffering zero casualties...

Pros:
-Stronger and tougher than normal humans.
-Extremely high numbers.
-Undead: Causes huge amounts of fear, needs no food/water, and takes no attrition.
-Powerful mages.
-Powerful cavalry/chariots.
Cons:
-No navy.
-Extreme emphasis on the officers.
-Crumbles without magical support.
-Antiquated tactics.

Tier 1, Here Be Meatshields.

Name: Rajil, footmen.
Type: Tier 1, Light Infantry.
Short Description: The very basic foot soldiers of the Empire, these are literally just skeletons of the dead with little in the way of armour or weapons. Most carry rusted spears alongside shields.



Name: Siad, huntsmen.
Type: Tier 1, Light Archers.
Short Description: The common born who were hunters in life, they are rather inaccurate but make up for it with their recurved bows and immense volleys of fire.



Name: Faris, horsemen.
Type: Tier 1, Light Cavalry.
Short Description: Poorly armed and armoured men riding upon skeletal steeds, they are rather terrifying against lightly armoured soldiers but mediocre otherwise.



Name: Miqlae, skirmishers.
Type: Tier 1, Skirmishers/Archers.
Short Description: Armed with slings and javelins, they wreak havoc amongst the lightly armoured, but little else. They are often used as bait.



Name: Ramah, pikemen.
Type: Tier 1, Pikemen.
Short Description: Armed with long and heavy spears designed to stop charges, these men are often the bulwark at the front of the armed force, stopping cavalry and charges alike.

Tier 2, Professional Army

Name: Asrab, ranged cavalry.
Type: Tier 2, Skirmisher Cavalry.
Short Description: Thundering skeletal steeds matched with the power of a recurved bow.

Name: The Walking Corpses, swarms.
Type: Tier 2, Swarm.
Short Descrption: The freshly risen dead of all fleshy types with corpreal bodies.



Name: Hisan, melee cavalry.
Type: Tier 2, Medium Cavalry.
Short Description: Thundering skeletal steeds matched with the power of a recurved bow.



Name: Almuharibun, Warriors.
Type: Tier 2, Medium Swordsmen.
Short Description: Armed and armoured, they are the truly first decent melee unit in the army. Armed with longswords, metal shields, and armour.



Name: Harba, Spearmen.
Type: Tier 2, Medium Spearmen.
Short Description: Wearing armour and wielding shields alongside their spears.



Name: Tamthal Living Stone Phalanxes
Type: Tier 2, Large Infantry.
Short Description: Literal living statues, they are armed with huge halberds and rely on their stone-flesh to stay alive.



Name: Jifa Carrion-Eaters.
Type: Tier 2, Large Beasts.
Short Description: Flying vultures that have been tamed by the common folk, they are terrifying.

Tier 3, Specials

Name: Shifting Sands Scorpions
Type: Tier 3, Large.
Short Description: Monstrously huge scorpion statues brought to life through fell magic.



Name: Shock Cavalry.
Type: Tier 3, Heavy Cavalry.
Short Description: Armed with immense swords and full plate armour.



Name: Temple Guard
Type: Tier 3, Heavy Halberd Infantry.
Short Description: Equipped with ornate armour and well-maintained halberds.



Name: Heavy Chariot
Type: Tier 3, Heavy Chariot.
Short Description: Single chariot pulled by two skeleton steeds, has a single archer and a single spearman onboard. They are all equipped with knee-high wheel spikes.



Name: Heavy Crossbowmen
Type: Tier 3, Heavy Crossbow men.
Short Description: Armed with relatively newly designed crossbows stolen from Dwarven settlements near the edge of their lands.



Name: Living Warsphinx
Type: Tier 3, Large.
Short Description: A literal sphinx. Brought into foul unlife through necromancy.



Name: Sand Stalkers
Type: Tier 3, Large
Short Description: Stalkers and assassins resembling grotesque, hunched, snake-like humanoids.

Tier 4, Here Be Monsters

Name: Knights of the Black Pit
Type: Tier 4, Heavy Infantry.
Short Description: The premiere heavy infantry of the Harri'Kan empire, they are terrifying to behold as many of them possess some innate magical abilities to compliment their horrifically potent melee abilities.



Name: Bone Titans
Type: Tier 4. Large
Short Description: A race of giants now long extinct, they stand two dozen foot tall and can crush formations of less beings underfoot.



Name: Chariots of the Gods
Type: Tier 4, Heavy Chariot
Short Description: The premiere of the chariots of the Harri'Kan, they pulled by multiple horses and have a sizeable war platform at their backs.



Name: Onyx Warsphinx
Type: Tier 4, Large
Short Description: An even larger version of the Harb 'abu alhul, designed to slay the largest of the enemy's ranks.



Name: Phalanx of the Iron Spines
Type: Tier 4, Light Infantry, Magical
Short Description: These are the awe-inspiring mage priests of the Harri'kan. They are the reason their armies fight on despite horrible casualties, they are the reason why the Harri'kan armies are nigh impossible to kill.



Name: Assassins of The Guided Pyramids
Type: Tier 4, Heavy
Short Description: Living relics from a time long passed, these men are the be all and end all when it comes to multi-purpose fighters in the whole of the empire.

Heroes and Lords

Heroes and Lords:



Name: Horsophkekh Ekochen Fashke Anos
Position: Grand Lich-King of the Empire of Harri'Kan
Powers: An awesomely powerful sorcerer drawing from Death, Darkness, and Fire. No slouch in close combat either. Has a phylactery somewhere, preventing death from being permanent...until someone destroys the device that is. He carries a scythe, the “Musabbib lilmawt“ - Bringer of death, an immensely powerful artefact.
Short Bio/Personality: The great betrayer, the grand vizier of lies, and yet now their overlord. He came to power though his manipulation of the dire situation of the Empire several hundred years ago, betraying the current Malik. He is a manipulative, scheming, horrid person, but he isn't a moron. He knows a potential ally when he sees one, even if they have flesh on their bones...



Name: Sottom, Al'aqwia' al'asad min alllainihayiy alssahra' The Perfect
Position: High General.
Powers: Extremely powerful melee combatant and personal right-hand man to the Lich-King.
Short Bio/Personality: Sottom the Perfect was the first great Malik of the Harri'Kan people, he was instrumental in making their empire as grand as it once was – seeing this chance for irony and power, the Lich-King brought him back for another go.



Name: Hæssan'sh 'iimbratur rimal mutaharrika
Position: Grand Vizier, Ruler of the Priests.
Powers: Second most powerful sorcerer in the empire.
Short Bio/Personality: Eccentric and erratic, constantly moving and constantly acting. Hæssan'sh is a timeless old man from the old days before the Lich-King. He is perceived well by his peers, but not the Lich-King himself.



Name: Omhen, 'innah aldhy yahmil alssulijan
Position: Lord of Horses.
Powers: N/A.
Short Bio/Personality: A valiant and stoic warhero.



Name: Tetmi kabir huk alssamawat
Position: Mistress of Enchantment
Powers: Charming and supremely manipulative. Half decent sorcerer.
Short Bio/Personality: Vivified by her peers for a reckless and covetous nature. She acts as the primary diplomat to the living-world.



Name: Asotham, almulk alhudad
Position: Master of the Watch.
Powers: The mourning king – fuelled by the death around himself.
Short Bio/Personality: No one is entirely sure about this man, he tok a vow of silence many thousands of years ago...his crimes, forgotten.

[KremeSupreme]

Paganist Legion

Circles of Paganland

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Overview

The Dark Elves of the Paganlands were once the highest Kingdom of Elves. For a time, the other races in the world were mere children to them. But then, the Beastmen attacked in overwhelming numbers, forcing the Elven King Elric to destroy the Soul of Nature, which gave life to the magical forests of Lombilar. Without the Soul of Nature, the Elves, Treants, and other forests spirits all went mad, defending the remnants of their dark kingdom.

Geography

The Forests of Lombilar were once grand and majestic. Now, with their souls shattered, the once-proud forest spirits vie for power. The Paganland forests are dark and always misty, with an eerie cold and silence. Some
parts of the Paganland have been so twisted, they terraformed into mires and swamps. The wildlife too was effected. Even gentle creatures such as deer became territorial and aggressive, and several Blights roam the land. Near the Western Border, four Circle Cities stand as bastions against the hordes of Beastmen, though roads connect each one to the Circle of Aeius, the Warden. The capital city of the Paganlands is Paganea, the meeting city of all Paganist Circles. Eight grand castles circle the main districts, which themselves surround a single circular garden, where each of the Paganist Circle Leaders meet.
Not all of the Warped Groves are controlled by the Dark Elves. Old Lombilar itself has yet to be rediscovered, though the lack of constant Dark Elf rule is a blessing to the uncontested forests, which are little more than aggravatedwealds.

History

Long ago, the Elven Kingdom of Lombilar was one of the highest of any to exist before, and even outshines some that came after it. As the empire expanded, so did lush and pristine forests. All was well, and the Elven Population had reached the Millions. All of this prosperity was thanks to the Soul of Nature, an artifact that radiated with life and vibrant energy, attracting thousands of spirits to inhabit the many trees of many forests. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Lombilar was suddenly attacked by dozens of neighboring Beastman tribes. It was a long and gruesome war, which the Elves steadily lost. The people of Lombilar sought safety over honor, and fled from their capital. The prestigious Lombilar Phoenix Knights fought hard and with honor against the Beastmen, but without the support of their people, hope begun to melt. The King, Eldric, saw the one way to defeat their enemies was to shatter their supply line. He sent a good few
legions to disrupt the invaders link to their home kingdom, yet they still survived off of the bounty of nature surrounding them. In order to defeat that, Eldric made a grave decision. He ordered the last of his loyal knights to follow their evacuating people to the more secluded cities, while he himself became a powerful Avatar of Nature to hold off the invaders.
Once the last of his knights left the city, Eldric channeled his magic into an extravagant bolt of power, which he used to shatter the Soul of Nature. With the soul destroyed, the surrounding groves invading soldiers supplied themselves with suddenly withered and died. Within days the Beastmen invaders were starved by the massess. As penance for his crimes, Eldric ventured away, and was never seen again.
With the lack of the Soul of Nature, the spirits of the forests began to become deprived. The madness deep within their calm minds took root, completely whiping away the memory of their previous selves, and became the Pagans. The Elves of Lombilar were maddened too, as their once beautiful forests were now cold and barren. For his betrayal, Eldric was branded a Traitor, and the once mighty Lombilar empire was divided into dozens of Circles, each devoted to one of the eight Great Pagans.
The Dark Elves are harshly territorial, as the invasion of the Beastmen could have been prevented if they were to be more wary. They begin to lash at their neighboring kingdoms as well as participate in exterminating wild Beastmen tribes, to spread their suffering with the rest of Salvus.

Government

The overall Paganist Legion is divided into hundreds of Circles, though each of the smaller ones answer to each of the seven Circles devoted to the Great Pagans. For the first few years, each of the eight Circles were independent of each other, but to defend and spread their territory, they have united. Each of the eight Circles leaders form a council. If one of the Greater Circles has a desire, then it must be agreed or allowed by the rest of the circles. If a Lesser Circle would like to carry out a motion, then they must be allowed by their Greater Circle.

The Great Pagan Circles are as follows

Sporebeard, Father of the Blights
Treants were once a proud, wise, perhaps even jovial race that enjoyed the presence of the smaller-ones. When the Soul of Nature was crushed, they were driven mad, lashing out at any who dare near without reverence. Whenever a creature is diseased by fungus, it is said that Sporebeard himself curses them.

Aeius, the Warden
When Beastmen Tribes crushed Lombilar hundreds of years ago, the Elven God of Vigilance was crushed by his failure. Swearing to never falter in his watch, Aeius now watches his woods with Paranoia. Any who dare enter the Old Woods of Lombilar are almost always immediately attacked by loose tribes of Werebears, regardless of their race. It is said that the various wards across the Paganlands were planted by Aeius himself, to keep close watch of any other trespassers.

Revus, who Torments
Hundreds of Phoenix Knights are constantly plagued by visions of their failure, and the Elves and Forest Spirits they failed to protect. Poking at the mind of Warriors, and warbeasts, driving them into grief-driven rage until nothing of their opponents remain.

Slah'na, Queen of Pleasures
The only avoidance of despair is pleasure. Drugs, Sex, and Merrymaking, anything to avoid the true pain of failure. Slah'na, once the goddess of beauty, became a figure of perversion and corruption of purity. several "Priestesses" of this cult offer themselves to Pagans, to birth monstrous abominations who stomp, rampage, and kill.

Meron, King of Trauma
Once the Elven God of protection, now Meron constantly provides the aura of dread throughout the Paganlands, constantly reminding the people of what they have done. He is revered by Warlocks of Despair, who channel Pagan Magic to extremify the weight of failure on invaders who lost battles against the Dark Elves.

The Hidden Princess
She is the only Old Elven God of Lombilar not twisted by the Soul of Lombilar. In the days of Old Lombilar, she rarely showed her face, and was revered by rogues and assassins alike. Now, she is even more timid, wiping her name from the slates of Dark Elf History.

Loth'gar, Scion of Rage
While Aeius may occasionally control Ravens and Werebears, their true master is Loth'gar, the Old Bear King, who perished defending the Elven city of Rothac. Now, warped by madness, he unchained his primal rage and let his kin spread their seed far and wide, infesting the entire Paganlands with Werebear tribes.

Race Description

Dark Elves appear different from their Elven Cousins. Instead of radiant, beautiful skin, Dark Elven skin is dark grey and their bodies are cold. They are not as tall as other elves, but are more sly and observant. Their eyes are as red as the blood of a dying man, and in their mouths, sharp fangs glow a clean pearl white. What estranges them most, is their short lifespans. While most elves may live thousands of years, and compared to humans their own lifespans are impressible, they still only live an average of 200-250 years.

Another race under the Paganist Legion's banner are Werebears. in Old Lombilar, the Furbolg tribe left their beastmen roots, taking more calm and serenity. When the Soul of Lombilar shattered, they too became warped. Now, having grown into several tribes, most are independent. Some, however, fight for the Paganist Legion, either as slaves or mercenaries.
Blights also fight in the Paganist Legion. Treants that have become depraved and selfish. Abandoned by their great-father Tanglebrute, these Treants battle each other for survival, or exchange their services for sustenance from the Dark Elves. Some go willingly. Others, become enslaved or die off.

Culture

Dark Elves revere their forests, however corrupted they may be. They do it partially out of awe, and partially fear, as the Great Pagans can easily turn the tides of fortune, dooming them to pestilence and starvation. Their cities are not heavily industrialized, allowing trees to grow roots around the walls and between houses.
Spiritualism is practiced in practically every household. As the Paganlands are possessed by dark spirits, Blights, and the great pagans, many learn at young ages to commune with such geists.
Witches and Warlocks are valued over soldiers. They have the power to command lesser pagans and bring fortune, as well as raise Blights to defend their cities.

Economy/Industry

The Paganlands officially forbid trade with the outside kingdoms. However, some treasure hunters that venture into the old bastions of Lombilarian cities risk life and sanity for trinkets and gems, which they sell to other nations illegaly. However, the punishment for such crimes is extremely low, so long as treasure hunters pay some tax to the Circles under the table.
Most lumberjacks aren't harvesters, they're hunters. Most trees in the Warped Groves are too brittle, and make poor lumber. To get the good material, they must hunt down wild Blights, taking massive axes meant to pierce metal armor.
Gold is mined from deep haunted mines, filled with Pagans and Goatmen Tribes.
While trade with other kingdoms is forbidden under normal circumstances, the Paganist Circles graciously accept trading with slavers, to offer slaves as sacrifice to the Pagans, or experimentation.

Magic

Magic unique to the Paganlands comes in the form of Lore of the Pagans. A warped version of divine magic, where in an extremely powerful being grants power to a follower, Pagan Magic is granted to devout Warlocks and Witches, or given to Witch Knights and Dark Phoenix Knights to assist with combat. The more Pagan Magic a Witch is given, the more powerful she becomes. However, there is no limit on how much Pagan Magic a Witch can be infused with, other than her willpower. As Pagan Magic builds up in her stomach(the actual place Pagan Magic become stored), the more warped her mind becomes. As her madness begins to overwhelm her willpower, her form will begin to change too. She will grow tentacles, massive horns, or other deformities. If her willpower becomes completely shattered, then she shall become an Abomination, an incoherent mass of flesh that will attack any surrounding her. Currently, the carrier of the most Pagan Magic other than
an actual Pagan is Arrak. His amount of magic dwarfs any before him, and his mind is still ripe. He may be a bit cruel, but as are all Dark Elves, no?
A cleaner alternative to Pagan Magic is Shadow Magic. Thieves and Assassins of the Dark Elves warp the very light around them to create dark shadows of which to meld themselves. Shadow Magic performs very badly in combat, and may only be used for espionage and assassination.

Dark Elf Spell List

Lore of the Pagans

Name: Pagancall
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Summoning
Short Description: After a ritual of variable time, a Pagan of a certain level of power is summoned in a physical form for a short period of time. When summoned in their physical form, Pagan's may only bring a small amount of their powerful magic.

Name: Witch Bolt
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Single Target Damage
Short Description: A large bolt of Paganistic energy is fired at a target, temporarily filling them with Paganistic Magic. Unlike Warlock's who gain empowerment from such, any tagets who do not train in channeling the chaotic magic of the Pagan's feel extremely nautious, and, if enough bolts are fired at a certain target, it will transform into a powerful Abomination that cannot discern friend or foe.

Name: Grotesque Party
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Summoning
Short Description: A miniature black star appears over an area. For a brief moment, it blinds all creatures that look directly at it, before becoming dim enough to look at. It will then shoot dozens of dark beams at the earth, seeking out any corpses as a priority. Any corpses hit will transform into Grotesque Abominations, and attempt to attack all targets willed by the caster, being animate until the black star disappears. If no corpses are present in the nearby area, it will instead strike living creatures. If any living thing is killed by the dark beams, they will suffer the effect they have on corpses.

Name: Abominate
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Transformation
Short Description: A target is transformed into a moderately powerful Abomination, that attacks all foes and friends. If used on a creature willing to be transformed, it is done almost instantaneously. If a creature not willing is the target, they may attempt to resist the transformation.

Name: Create Blight
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Summoning
Short Description: Pagan Magic is infused into a cluster of nearby trees, creating living, walking treants of darkness, known as Blights. The exact quantity and quality of such depend on the independent trees, and the amount of magic expressed by the caster.

Lore of Shadow

Name: Mistbring
Lore: Lore of Shadow
Type: Support
Short Description A thick mist rolls in, obscuring vision further than the nose of anybody trapped in it. Duration only lasts about 15 seconds.

Name: Shrouded Dagger
Lore: Lore of Shadow
Type: Offensive
Short Description The caster infuses a dagger with Shadow, turning it invisible. The dagger is thrown much faster, and loses the cloak when it hits something.

Name: Shadow Walk
Lore: Lore of Shadow
Type: Stealth
Short Description The caster becomes invisible for a short period of time. They can still be heard, smelled, and felt.

Name: Blink
Lore: Lore of Shadow
Type: Mobility
Short Description The user appears to disappear for half a second, and reappear 15 feet away from where they originally were.

Military

The Paganist Circles each supply a yearly supply of soldiers to the overall Paganist Legion, the united army of all circles. The amount of soldiers needed to be provided vary, depending on size and quality of soldiers.
Common footsoldiers, popularily named Lunatics or Psycho's, are usually insane. Either by constant supplies of combat drugs or regular infusions of Pagan Magic, most soldiers would charge alone against an entire army, howling with crazed laughter.
More common soldiers are more sensible, though some may be driven as mad as Lunatics on despair alone. Several Werebear tribes are conscripted. Despite their less than human treatment, these Beastmen can make or break a battle.
Warlocks that refuse to act as priests are made into battle casters, warping the battlefield by summoning lesser Pagans and Blights to the battlefield.
Usually entire armies are led by high ranking warlocks. If an army is led directly by Arrak, however they are not needed. By using Mirror image, Arrak can create multiple duplicates that can give orders to a handful of units.
+Great Magical Capabilities
+Durable Soldiers
+Loyalty
-Poor Control of Soldiers
-Poor Fortifications
-Poor Charge Attacks

Military List

Name: Dark Elf Lunatic

Tier: Tier 1
Type: Light Infantry
Short Description: With minds completely shattered by the Pagans, Dark Elf Lunatics are strong frontline soldiers who lack the capacity to fear, charging headfirst against the enemy.

Name: Dark Elf Ranger
Tier: Tier 1
Type: Light Archers
Short Description: Dark Elf Archers train themselves in the way of the bow. While their range is deadly enough, some may be haunted by Pagans that increase their aim even more.

Name: Werebear Fighter
Tier: Tier 1
Type: Medium Infantry
Short Description: Werebear Fighters are very durable, armed with crudely made wooden armor, ruggedly forged blades, and barrel-top shields.

Name: Blight Sapling

Tier: Tier 1
Type: Medium Infantry
Short Description: Treants that have been corrupted by Paganistic energy are known as Blights. The smallest of Blights are known as saplings. Plentiful in number, they are able to disguise themselves as single trees, and then animate when they surround an enemy patrol. They also perform well at espionage and tracking.

Name: Blight Hound
Tier: Tier 1
Type: Light Infantry
Short Description: Blights in the shape of wolves, with twice the speed and ferocity.

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Name: Dark Elf Psycho
Tier: Tier 2
Type: Medium Infantry
Short Description: An upgrade from the usual Lunatics, Dark Elf Psycho's are even more mentally depraved, and drugged up with toxin made from sap from hollow trees. They are difficult to control however, as every moment not spilling blood builds a terrible itch to Psycho's.

Name: Ironbark Blight

Tier: Tier 2
Type: Heavy Siege-Weapon
Short Description: Regular trees transformed by Paganistic magic, creating maddened treants that take their anger and despair out on the structures that deny nature.

Name: Dark Phoenix Knight
Tier: Tier 2
Type: Heavy Cavalry
Short Description: The Phoenix Knights were once the trusted elite of Lombilar King Eldric. When he betrayed them by shattering the world soul, they were maddened and confused. They still don their radiant blue armor, though over the years, the Warped Groves have taken their toll on covering their armor in rust and dried mud. They are extremely durable, fast, and powerful, though they appear in small numbers.

Name: Werebear Berserker

Tier: Tier 2
Type: Heavy Infantry
Short Description: Werebears with very little thought; just rage.

Name: Dark Elf Assassin
Tier Tier 2
Type: Light Espionage
Short Description: Masters of Stealth, Dark Elf Assassins are capable of basic Lore of Shadow magic.

Name: Slinking Abomination
Tier: Tier 2
Type: Light Monster
Short Description: Slime-like piles of flesh. Inside of slits on their underbody are several spear-like barbs, which can impale several troops at once. They are extremely slow, their primary strength being to block the proceed of soldiers.

Name: Dark Elf Witch/Warlock
Tier: Tier 2
Type: Light Caster
Short Description: Witches are those who study in the magic of the Pagans, allowing themselves to be infused with their magic. While capable of casting spells that warp the battlefield, they are extremely vulnerable, and it would only take a single well-aimed arrow to fell them.

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Name: Hidden Retainer
Tier: Tier 3
Type: Light Espionage
Short Description: True priestesses of the Hidden Princess, Hidden Retainers are the highest users of the Lore of Shadow. They are hardly seen by outsiders, even the Circle Leaders may only see one or two in his lifetime.

Name: Witch Knight
Tier: Tier 3
Type: Heavy Cavalry
Short Description: Not all who become pupils of the Pagan are Witches or Warlocks, some take the way of the sword and horse, becoming the fearsome Witch Knights. The steeds they ride are maddened by constant irritation, and their armor is infused with enchantments by Pagans.

Name: Stoneroot Blight
Tier: Tier 3
Type: Large Siege Weaponry
Short Description: One of the largest of all Blights, that tower over the walls of cities. They are extremely slow moving, and may delay a Dark Elven army from reaching it's destination by weeks even; Though when they see a large cluster of buildings, it triggers the deepened madness inside of them.

Name: Pagan of Battle
Tier: Tier 3
Type: Large Infantry
Short Description: Pagans that take physical forms, prepared to slaughter entire armies. Even upon death, they infuse multiple soldiers, friend and foe alike, transforming them into mindless Abominations.

Name: Voracious Abomination
Tier: Tier 3
Type: Heavy Monster
Short Description: Incoherent masses of flesh that hunger constantly. When unleashed into battle, they greedily charge towards the nearest unit, regardless of alignment, and begin devouring their troops en masse, recovering some health with each soldier devoured. They are extremely vulnerable to arrows, as they lack any armor.

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Name: Pagan Knight
Tier: Tier 4
Type: Large Cavalry
Short Description: Pagan Spirits incarnated into giant knights, that ride large steeds. The blades they hold are as tall as two humans tall, and their steeds may occasionally devour regular sized horses from time to time.

Name: Child of Tanglebrute
Tier: Tier 4
Type: Colossal Siege Weaponry
Short Description: Blights spawned directly from Tanglebrute himself, the father of all Blights. They are large enough to toss galeons and crush watch towers, while being capable of a seismic stomp that can send entire units flying. They move at a snails pace, though occasionally, seeds from them may drop and spawn Tier 1 Blights.

Name: Leper of Eldric
Tier: Tier 4
Type: Large Infantry
Short Description: Phantasms created from Eldric's grief. When made physical, they are imprisoned and punished until they are needed in war, in which case they take the battlefield in the form of giants with burnt flesh, wielding giant crude swords, screaming constantly.

Heroes of the Paganistic Legion

Arrak, Son of the Pagan

Name: Arrak, Son of the Pagan
Position: General of the Paganist Legion

Powers

Name: Warplade
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Weapon
Short Description: Arrak's sword, Warplade, is infused with Pagan energies. He can summon and dismiss it at will, and use it to fire Witch Bolts.

Name: Mirror Image
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Illusion
Short Description: Several false versions of Arrak are created from Paganistic magic. For all purposes, they can attack and deal damage just as he can, and can be controlled by Arrak. Unfortunately, they are extremely fragile and dissipate with one hit. Arrak feels whenever one dies, as if he himself had just died.

Short Bio/Personality: Arrak was born between an orgy between the Circle Rulers. Since birth he has been trained by each circle at a different point in his life to be able to channel Paganistic energy more than any Dark Elf before him. He is cold and refined, hardly ever concerning himself with his own soldiers personal well being.

Ser'yea, the Lady of the Hidden

Name: Ser'yea, the Lady of the Hidden
Position: Spymaster

Powers

Name: Erase Existence
Lore: Lore of Stealth
Type: Cloak
Short Description: Ser'yea becomes invisible for a period of about four hours. If her concentration is ruined, then she will lose her cloak.

Name: Cloud Image
Lore: Lore of Stealth
Type: Illusion
Short Description: Ser'yea creates 4 false images of herself. When each one is struck, they will dissipate into a cloud of smoke that will blind of vision of nearby enemies.

Name: Strike Without Mark
Lore: Lore of Stealth
Type: Contingent Buff
Short Description: When Ser'yea attacks a foe while under the effects of Erase Existence, her blades make no physical marks until an hour after each attack.

Short Bio/Personality: Ser'yea was born in the woods, all on her own. To survive against the terrors of the Warped Groves, she would need to hide herself. By the time she was a grown woman, she was discovered by Dark Elf Rangers, who had patrolled through the area she lived for dozens of years. Because they had not ever seen her despite countless times patrolling that area, she was believed to be a daughter of The Hidden Princess, and was placed into the position of Spymaster, where she perfected the craft of Dark Elven spies and Hidden Retainers.

Tanglebrute

Name: Tanglebrute
Position: Warden

Powers

Name: Rootsnare
Lore: Lore of Nature
Type: Debuff
Short Description: A cluster of roots burst from the earth, and bind a group of opponents.

Name: Blightbrood
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Channeled Summoning
Short Description: After channeling for several hours, a cluster of several trees becomes animated as Blight Hounds. Rather than a single area of effect, the spell will remain active for several hours, animating each tree Tanglebrute crosses until 30 trees have been raised in total.
of 60 Blight Hounds have been created.

Short Bio/Personality: Vengeance. Vengeance against those who shattered his forest burns in Tanglebanes cold wooden heart. Once King of the Treants, Tanglebane was forced to watch as his kin descended into madness. While for awhile he attempted to retain sanity, he soon gave into his rage, going as far as to slaughter millions of Beastmen. His rage was cured, but all that was left was a bitter hatred for life. Impressed by his devotion to the crusade against Beastmen, Tanglebane was made a Warden, forever hunting down those who wander into his ruined kingdom, the Hollow Grieve.

Lusar, the Vengeant

Name: Lusar, the Vengeant
Position: Warden

Powers

Name: Packhowl
Lore: Lore of Beasts
Type: Buff
Short Description: Lusar lets out a mighty roar, inspiring Werebears and Goatmen to drive greater assault against
their prey

Name: Weeping Roar
Lore: Lore of the Pagans
Type: Buff
Short Description: Lusar, unable to contain his further grief, lets out a roar. Not one of rage, but of hatred, despair, and torment. This greatly increases his resilience to pain, both physical and mental.

Short Bio/Personality: Amongst the thousands of Furbolgs involuntarily transformed into beastmen by Pagan Magic, Lusar was enslaved by Dark Elves, and forced to fight in an arena. After defeating countless opponents, and breaking free many more, he was granted freedom, and protection of his people, so long as he patrol the borders of the Paganlands.

[Willy Vereb]

The Golden Horde

THE GOLDEN HORDE

Overview

The Golden Horde is an emerging power in the southeastern corner of Salvus. Also referred as the Uruk Empire the chief power within these lands are the semi-nomadic Uruk people. Once split into numerous tribes the Uruks came united and began their conquest and still continuing. They are a warlike race and their raids already earned them dread and infamy along the borders. The territories of the Golden Horde are surprisingly diverse, mixing various races and cultures together. Unlike other nations the Uruk do not assimilate people into their culture and rather allow them to retain their integrity and safely continue their lifestyle as long they accept the rule of the Uruk. A strange approach without a doubt yet so far it works for the Golden Empire.

Geography

Map Claim

Yellow = Golden Horde
Yellow = Golden Horde

Territorial details - WIP

History

Uruk were one of the numerous nomadic races living and traveling Gijak'Tor (also known as the Plains of Viridia). They were wanderers with no permanent holdings split into numerous tribes. These tribes were frequently fighting, both among themselves and in service of neighboring nations. That was until 300 years ago when a young and charismatic leader Orakgash Khagn united the Uruk under a single tribe, creating what would be latter be referred as the Golden Horde. Lifetimes of fighting and mercenary background steeled them and the Uruk began their long conquest. Their methods seemed savage yet hid surprising level of planning and discipline. The nations sharing the plains with the Uruk quickly fell to their might and became subservient to the emerging empire. The news spread like wildfire and the "horde of black orcs" were became known and feared.

Orakgash established the Uruk nation and set down the foundation of the empire. Yet his early death prevented him to see it reaching full maturity. In honor of him all supreme leaders adopted the title Khagn (often mistranslated as Khan) and continued to direct the Horde to their destiny of conquests. The Uruk also adopted a more sedimentary lifestyle with military leaders becoming nobles and owning lands gifted by the Khagn for their achievements.

[To be continued...]

Government and Society

The Golden Horde is a large empire of diverse cultures united under the Uruk's rule. They became the lords and masters of these lands, their chieftains and military leaders often gaining ownership over a piece of land. They demand money, resources and manpower while also having the ultimate say in any matter. This might seem pretty tyranical at first but in effect so long a community pays their tribute and don't resist the Uruk they are pretty much left alone. Indeed, practically every nation conquered by the Uruk kept their culture and resumed their lifestyle mostly unchanged. Rebellions do occasionally happen but these are quickly put down by the dreadful might of the Uruk army. In addition the presence of Uruk brought unified law and trade to these lands, making their economy flourish like never before.

As mentioned before the Uruk did not replace the existing governments more than they found necessary. Uruk generals and other nobles may have became their new masters but overall life went on as usual. What the Uruk changed was the elimination of borders and most internal conflicts. By the law of the Uruk all subjects were equal and must be treated the same regardless of their nationality (with the exception of the Uruks themselves). Laws that were imposed on the subjects are few yet violating any of them has severe consequences. Death penalty is common and certain violations may either risk killing one's entire family in retribution. This resulted in drastic reduction in crime rate as whoever foolish enough to disobey the Uruk were found dead. Of course the Uruk have their own laws applying to themselves. If anything these are even more strict, constructed in a way to both keep the hordes in the line and also to prevent the Uruk fighting strength to ever degrade. People are allowed to participate in any religion within the Empire. Not the Uruk, though. They traditionally follow their ancient shamanistic beliefs and unless one suffers through the difficult process to receive the proper papers they are punished under the threat of death if they are caught participating for other faiths. Shamans in general enjoy a particular renown within the Uruk. They are their religious leaders, magicians, scholars or even artisans.

The leadership structure of the Uruk nation is unique. First, they don't have a distinction between rulers/nobles and military leaders. A lord of a province is also the owner of the army of Uruks stationing in that region. The Khagn in particular is both the ruler of the Uruk Empire and the supreme commander of all the Uruk Hordes. Just like nobles for other cultures the right to be a commander is often hereditary. Those of higher birth are often guaranteed to lead armies by the time they reach maturity. Yet as practical as they are the Uruk does not bear with incompetence and those proven unfit to command are stripped of their rank and shame their family. In turn those with exemplary deeds can advance in ranks and further their family even if they were originally of "commoner" birth. There are even rare cases of members from non-Uruk races being granted the honor. Of course these "rulers" can't really spare much time to govern their country (barring a few exceptions). Instead there exist another social structure within the Uruk culture, the shamans. These people often belong to particular families and receive different upbringing from the rest. Shamans are all part of the religious caste of the Uruks but their duty doesn't end there. They are the scholars and intellectuals of the Uruk race. They can be teachers, healers, administrators, engineers and at times even the magicians of the Uruk. They keep records of their race and maintain knowledge. Shamans are a tightly knit society and perhaps the secret behind the Golden Horde's success.

Race Description

The Golden Horde encompasses multiple nations and thus sports a rather diverse ethnicity. As their rulers and conquerors the Uruk are the first among them. Uruk language is mandatory to learn for anyone within the empire. In the same language they refer to the subservient races as Snaga. While certain people make connection between Snaga and slaves the word long lost such meaning. Since the time of Orakgash the term Snaga referred to those non-Uruk who aided the horde, often in matters outside of fighting. Granted, this did not stop certain people to use Snaga as a degrading term, highlighting the part about them serving the Uruk. Unsurprisingly enough the Uruk are actually in relative minority compared to the total number non-Uruk races. There are a diverse number of human cultures, lizardmen, dwarves, cyclops tribes and even an elven forest. These societies are largely undisturbed by the Uruk.

Uruk

Uruks are tall (2-2.5 meters at average) and muscular humanoid creatures with skin tone ranging from pale brown to pitch black. They have snake-like eyes which can see well even in low-light conditions and can sense infrared at short ranges to somewhat navigate even within the darkness. Their physique makes the Uruk considerably stronger than human and more enduring. On the other hand their powerful bodies require more food to be kept healthy. Uruk are omnivorous and their tough stomach can allow them to eat almost anything albeit they prefer standard cuisines. Due to their body makeup the Uruk are more resistant to poisons and diseases than humans. Uruk are unique in that they don't grow weak until they reach venerable age which is around 80 years. With some luck Uruks can even live for 120 years albeit a warrior is far more likely to die after half or even just quarter of that. Uruks have high birthing rates and reach maturity somewhat faster than humans. This leads to them currently struggling with rapid population growth, one of the main reasons for the Uruk conquests.

Uruks bear many resemblance to the Orruk and this lead them to be termed as "black orcs". Yet the Uruk are more somewhat weaker and definitely more humanoid in appearance. Some scholars theorize that Orruk and Uruk originate from a common ancestor but currently the two are definitely belong to a different species. Orruks and Uruk cannot interbreed. Albeit curiously enough Uruks can be crossed by other humanoid races, especially humans. Elf-Uruk hybrids are plausible in theory but the two races find each other mutually repulsive. Speaking of which while considered ugly to humans and number of other races, Uruks think the opposite and find certain "beauty marks" hilarious or disgusting. Uruk females are built as tough as their male brethren if not even tougher. They regularly fight alongside their male partner and only stop for the 4 months when carrying their child. Uruk male and female divide the job of rearing their child equally between each other.

Uruk Shamans - Laguurz

Uruk religion is based on their tribal shamanistic roots. They believe in the "gods" representing the four elements as well as respecting the spirits of the land, the forest, the rivers and the mountains. Their religious figures are the Laguurz which roughly translates "to do magical". They were chosen from the brightest most gifted members of the tribe and aside from listening to the spirits they also conduct numerous studies and experiments.

They were priests, scientists and even magicians. Even in the present this didn't change. Laguurz are all taught in the Uruk religion of the four elements but then they specialize to study other arts. Not all Laguurz are gifted in the art of magic and rather most of them study as scholars, healers or even scientists. Laguurz represents the intellectual class within the Uruk society and indeed the word is used interchangeably with the meaning of genius. As such rather than shaman they are nowadays much closer to scholars and wise men who seek knowledge.

Wargs

Wargs are ferocious creatures seemingly borrowing the characeristic of large bears and oversized wolves.

Humans - WIP

TBA

Druegar

Druegar or deep dwarves refer to the inhabitants of Yngvar. In the long past they had abandoned their reverence to the ancients and instead chose a new religion centering on a singular deity, Yngvi. For their disrespectful behavior the dwarves had excommunicated them and the Yngvi-beleivers accepted that willingly. They went for a long journey until they settled down in prosperous mountain chains of the east. They dubbed the territory Yngvar ("protected by Yngvi") and built a new society. Druegar shares much of the same characteristics as their Thudrim Kadrim counterparts. They are short yet strudy averaging around 4 feet in height. Their skin darker due to them spending most of their lives underground. Their lifespan is strangely shorter, most of them never living past 200. Their tolerance to heat and toxic fumes is notably higher and spells that directly effect Druegar are notably having difficulties.

Culture-wise the Druegar are incredibly shrewd and mercantile, enough that orthodox dwarves would cry for bloody immorality. They think in practicalities and often also greedy. They openly trade with anyone if they see a benefit. On the other hand Druegar religiously keep the law. They have a complex legal system which pretty much no self-respecting Druegar would ever violate. They keep their contracts to the word. Albeit Druegar are never above abusing loopholes if the laws or papers allow them to do so. Since life to a Druegar is more precious than honor or sticking to customs, Druegars aren't nearly as fearless in battle like their orthodox dwarven counterparts.

Elves

Elves within the Golden Horde are in a rather peculiar situation. Found almost exclusively within their country of Yllendthyr, the elves technically were never conquered by the Uruk. As strange as this might sound the Queen of Yllendthyr joined the Uruk Empire to maintain their peace and autonomy. In return for supporting the Uruk military machine the Khagn promised to not bother the forests of Yllendthyr and prohibit the intrusion of anyone not explicitly allowed by the Queen.

As an amazing case of realpolitik that was a win-win situation for both nations and there's no sign for this to change anytime soon. The situation is different on the individual basis, though. Elves are arrogant and don't mingle with other races. They especially hate the Uruk, whose aesthetics are the radical opposite of theirs. Elves see Uruk as ugly, and Uruk see elves as ugly. As such whenever fighting the Uruks and elves interact as little as possible.

Kashgar

The Kashar are a race of reptilian beings that stand about five feet tall and six inches, males typically are bigger than the females who stand about two inches shorter. They typically have green scales with yellow underbellies. They are typically very thin so that they can maneuver about the savannahs without being seen. Kashar hold a high metabolism so they remain a thin frame, but it slows significantly if the body has not eaten over two days. Their diet mainly consists of meat, small nuts and leaves. Their mouth holds many fangs within the front half of their mouth with molars at the very back to crack nuts and chew the occasional leaf.

Kashgar are a tribal culture with most of them nowadays living in slavery under the Red-Fang Orruk's rule. Yet those brave enough to flee their lands might find sanctuary within the Uruk Empire. Over the time the Kashgar built their own settlements within the vast lands of Gijak'tor and made friends with various nomadic cultures. While effectively subjects to the Uruk the Kashgar enjoys autonomy and fair treatment which they return with their support to the empire.

Cyclops

Humanoid creatures of large stature and the distinctive looks of having a huge singular eye. They live in mountains with tribal communities and used to only interact with races very rarely. Their strength and size made them feared and Cyclopses were the common part of tales to scare children. When the Uruk came to prominence the Cyclops tribes made an agreement which involved trade and support in return for periodically lending some of their members to the Uruk's cause. With this the Cyclops tribes gained a more stable lifestyle and previously frequent wars between neighboring tribes soon ceased to be. As such both sides of the agreement are perfectly content.

Cyclops are at average 6 meters tall and always heavily muscular in build. Their thick hide can grow hairy during the winter and differ in coloration like human hair does. Their intelligence is below average albeit it's partially for cultural reasons. Their one giant eye grants them incredible sight albeit at the cost of lacking stereo vision. As such they are great at spotting people from a distance yet clumsy to judge the position of somebody on the move.

Beasts:

Warg

Wargs are giant wolf-like creatures and the most important animal with the Uruk culture. As said their features are mostly resembling a giant wolf with size approaching a large bear. Yet the similarities almost end there. Wargs are omnivorous capable of eating grass or hunting for prey. They have a prominent musculature which also grants them explosive strength on the sprint. When well-fed Wargs are very enduring, capable of traveling over a hundred miles within a day. Also unlike horses wargs are equipped with a fangs and claws as their own dangerous weapons in combat. Giant wolf creatures tearing apart men is a chaotic and very demoralizing sight. In addition wargs can literally feed off the remains of the slain enemies. Wargs are also surprisingly intelligent, borderline sapient. They are easy to train and they are capable to fight on their own without any supervision. Overall the versatility of the Warg what made Uruk a force to be reckoned with. Outside of battle wargs are also great hunters and guards of homes. Ancient Uruk tradition is to own a warg cub as a pet which latter will grow up to be a loyal mount for the would be Uruk warrior. Wargs are not just used by the Uruk but also respected. Killing a Warg is a crime equal to murdering its owner and a relationship with a Warg usually lasts for life, often being described like friendship.

Askari

Large terrestrial bird brought in by the Kashgar. They are fast and ferocious creatures that serve as the Kashgar's mounts and beasts of burden. Because they are difficult to catch in the wild the Kashgar had to domesticate them and train the Askari from birth.

Mumalk

Huge beasts akin to massively scaled up elephants found in the savannahs of Malibderan. Taming them is a difficult art and those who can are rewarded handsomely.

Rhinoxen

Giant hairy rhino-like creatures domesticated by the Cyclops. They live in mountains and colder climates which makes them a good alternative to regions where the Mumalk transport is not feasible.

Economy/Industry

As mentioned prior the Uruk conquests unexpectedly helped the economy on the long run. No borders, unified laws, streamlined trade and prohibition of enmities went a long way to boost the wealth of all countries involved. Being the main trading partners with the Yngvar's Druegar or the Nihongo from Jidor are also something which shouldn't be ignored. Altogether the Uruk's focus on stability and trade benefited the region tremendously. The Khagn's palace is famous for its luxury and there are numerous tales of how the rulers find more and more ridiculous uses for their excess gold (even if most of these are exaggerations).

Development-wise the Uruk Empire is far more mixed. Huge swathes of their area are rural lands with sparsely any towns or cities. Albeit there are numerous exceptions like the mountains of Yngvar or the port region of Malibderan. Also most Khagns (or to be precise the shaman advisors guiding them) took considerable effort at developing their domain and dozens of Uruk-founded cities exist thriving with life. Industry-wise they borrowed both from Jidor an Yngvar to further improve on their technology. Naturally their main focus was on military and war. Furnances are a common sight even in the rural settlements. Karikabuum (Uruk's own take on gunpowder) in particular went through a massive improvement from wet substandard burning oil to a decent rival to even the gunpowder made in Thudrim Kadrin.

Karikabuum

Karikasard is the namesake of this mixture. As the young god of violent fires the entity is part of the Uruk Pantheon and can also considered a war god. His name combined with the word "Buum" (Herbs) can together be translated as "herbs causing violent fires of war" which is a rather apt description for an explosive. Karikabuum (alternatively Kabuum or Kaboom for the noise it generates) is an unique Uruk invention, a balm like mixture of certain herbs and soil with function similar to gunpowder. It was first developed by shamans in order to reach a closer connection to the spirits of fire but it soon found use as a weapon. With sufficient knowledge it's possible to produce low-grade Karikabuum (also called Palsvaj AKA Blasting Jelly) without any special equipment which made it popular and widespread by the time of Orakgash Khagn's conquest. Better mixtures are dried of water and formed into either grains, balls or stalks for better combustion while also using purer and more refined ingredients. While many other kinds of gunpowder mixtures are known the Uruk Empire relies the most extensively on Karikabuum.

Magic

The Uruk does not rely on the Lores of Magic like most other cultures do. Instead the most gifted of their shamans can communicate with the spirits, generally those attuned with the nature or the four elements. Rather than commanding magic by influencing the flow of mana they use magic indirectly through the aid of spirits. Unlike mages a shaman doesn't need to worry about exhausting himself or losing control. On the other hand their magic is pretty much bound by complex rules and basically depend on the goodwill of spirits. Abusing their connection might enrage the spirits who either deny help or screw them over out of spite. Thus every shaman makes sure to only rely on spirits when needed and cautiously tend to the whims of spirits. This also means that most magic cast by shamans is bound to be supportive.

Albeit the Kastuurz (magic using shamans) are not the only source of magic within the Golden Horde. Dwarves and their rune-smithing is well-known so is alchemy. Albeit these effects are less prominent and generally not listed among spells. On the other hand Viziers from Malibderan are an example of classic mages even if they ask for a hefty price to be hired. There are also mystics from the far southern continent of Nippon who rely on an unique source of energy. This power is usually referred as "ki" and originates from the body alone. Their effects are less pronounced but unlike magic they are far less risky on the user and can be utilized more often. Mystics from the faraway continent can be occasionally hired from Jidor, the Nippon-owned colony lying on a large island next to the Uruk Empire.

[Spell List will be added later]

Military

The core of the Golden Horde is compromised from their Uruk warriors. They are trained in warfare from youth and traditionally fight on their dreaded Warg mounts. Even after numerous military reforms the Wargs are the most valuable asset to the semi-nomadic Orcs. In top condition the Warg and its rider can traverse over a hundred miles within a single day and can survive on almost anything. This kind of mobility allows the Uruk to choose their battles and strike the enemy before they could gather their troops. Uruk are also surprisingly disciplined, their raiders are well-trained and very well coordinated in their movements, utilizing their mobility to the fullest. They are well aware of the benefits of a good command structure and unlike other nations where the leaders seek glory and lead their army from the front, Uruk leadership is far more reserved. They are savage where it's needed and pragmatical where it benefits them.

That being said, The Golden Horde's reliance on cavalry has its own drawbacks. Uruks themselves don't have much culture on infantry warfare and must recruit other races to cover that. In addition the high mobility of their cavalry cannot be matched by the rest of their army. There are semi-effective methods to carry artillery with the raiders but in general if faced with castles or large armies the Uruk cavalry must retreat and wait for the rest of the army to catch up with them. That and while mercenaries or levies from other races can compliment their forces well the availability of these units fluctuates massively. You can recruit Bolters from Yngvar to invade the eastern borders next to their home but expecting a large force of dwarves following you to fight Orruks to the West is often unreasonable.

Pros:
- Focus on cavalry and mobility warfare
- Decent choice of firearms and artillery
- Diverse selection of units from various races and cultures

Cons:
- Light equipment for the raiders while the rest of the army can't keep up
- Needs non-Uruk levies and mercenaries to make up for most of its unit types.
- Availability of non-Uruk units depends on location and nature of the campaign

Core Uruk Units

Sulmuurz

Name: Sulmuurz, Uruk Raider
Type: Light Cavalry, Skirmisher
Tier: 1-2
Short Description: Sulmuurz AKA the raiders are the backbone of any Uruk advance army. They are common warriors riding on wargs equipped with guns, basic armor, war sabers and essentials. They specialize in mobility, harrasment and expected to operate without the support of their country. As such their equipment is low quality to preserve their combat power even under the worst conditions. In particular they simple, short and large bore firearms which fire stone bullets (though they can cast a limited number of lead bullets) or fire buckshot of numerous smaller projectiles (or sometimes just random junk stuffed into the barrel). Added with the fact they are usually limited to low quality Karikabuum this makes their guns inferior to most firearm equipped forces yet their shock value is still unquestionable in battle.

Shatiuurz

Name: Shatiuurz, Uruk Lancers
Type: Shock Cavalry
Tier: 2
Description: Shatiuurz AKA the lancers are highly mobile assault cavalry generally made up of wealthier Uruk.They have relatively heavy armor, shields, lances and assortment of side weapons (daggers, war sabers and occasionally even pistols). They form the core of the advance army tasked with the role of crushing the enemy formations after the raiders softened up the enemy. While they are decent the Shatiuurz are less powerful than knights and actual well-equipped heavy cavalry. This is both due to their commonality and because as a raiding force they can't allow themselves to be slowed down by excess weight.

Strigzuurz

Name: Strigzuurz, Uruk Warriors
Type: Heavy Skirmisher Cavalry
Tier: 2-3
Description: Mainline Uruk combatants with professional equipment. They have decent armor, multiple good-quality guns with high-quality Karikabuum, grenades and of course daggers and melee weapons of their choice (mostly war sabers). Sometimes they also exchange their guns for specially made Yngvarian bolters but due to its cost they are rarely given to the entire army.

Dashuurz

Name: Dashuurz, Uruk Heavy Lancers
Type: Heavy Shock Cavalry
Tier: 3
Description: Dashuurz or as approximately translated as heavy lancers are effectively the shock cavalry force of the Uruk main army. Comparable to Knights and especially Man-at-Arms these warriors are among the wealthiest and most skilled combatants within the horde. They wear thick dwarven-made heavy armor, reinforced lances and side armaments of their choice (including a pair of blunderbusses and occasional grenades). Their wargs are from the best breed and the animals wear armor for extra protection.

Gothrandaluurz

Name: Gothrandaluurz, Uruk Royal Guard
Type: Elite Shock Cavalry
Tier: 4
Description: Elite force hand-picked by the Khagn only from the strongest, toughest and most skilled warriors within the Golden Horde. Being chosen for the Gothrandaluurz is one of the greatest honors within the Uruk society and considered every warrior's dream to elevate in ranks. Gothrandaluurz enjoys great status as the personal guards of the Khagn in battle. They are wealthy and extremely well equipped. They ride on magically bred Dire Wargs that are far more powerful than their natural counterparts. They wear exquisitely crafted adamantine plate armors enchanted with dwarven runes and undisclosed mystic measures. They carry supremely crafted weapons which often have some magical property to them and their adamantine lances were said to be unbreakable. They also carry several pepperbox pistols and their iconic 8-shot revolver musket. Thanks to their extensive equipment the Gothrandaluurz are a dreadful force in battle which can take on large numerical odds.

Artillery:

Karija'vok

Name: Karija'vok, light rockets
Type: Cavalry-portable light rocket artillery
Tier: 2
Description: Uruks have centuries of familiarity with rockets and along with guns they were an iconic part of their military. Simple rockets were easy to create on the field and they are part of Uruk siege methods from the beginning. Thanks to centuries of development and Druegar assistance many raiding parties now can also carry rockets straight to battle. Light rockets are barely thicker than a spear shaft and limited to the range of 200-400 meters. Yet they can compensate with sheer volume, a single Karija'vok frame can carry as much as 40 rockets with the capability to unleash it all in a rapid volley, making them a demoralizing sight in combat and capable of spreading fire everywhere. Nowadays Karija'vok are built in a way for easy disassembling to be carried by the unit of 2-3 riders. Setting up the Karija'vok usually takes only a single hour.

Druba

Name: Druba, Wooden Cannon
Type: Improvised Artillery
Tier: 2
Description: Cannon made of a hollowed out log reinforced with steel bands and brass lining. These improvised weapons are created on the field under the shamans' instructions to provide fire support and siege weapons for the advance party when they need it. Due to their inferior construction, improvised projectiles and often low grade Karikabuum the Druba is no match for actual field cannons. Yet they can make an okay substitute until the Uruk don't get their hands on anything better.

Gajarkal

Name: Gajarkal (Uruk name), Drakon (Druegar name), Serpentine
Type: Portable Light Artillery
Tier: 3
Description: Invented to provide more firepower for the Uruk the Gajarkal is a small and portable artillery with the weight of only 80kg. It can be disassembled and the parts(along with Karikabuum and projectiles) can be carried by just 4 warg riders into battle. After less than a hour of assembly the cannon is operational and the 4 riders make up the gun's crew. Gajarkal is a breech-loaded light cannon in the 3-pounder category. It lacks the power of field cannons yet its range and precision can make it invaluable. As found out the well-designed mounting of the gun allows the Gajarkal to be employed against monstrous creatures, be they are on land or even in the air. The drawback is that the advanced Druegar metallurgy and craftsmanship makes this weapon nearly as much as field cannons.

Kalabukol

Name: Kalabukol, Cavalry Cannon
Type: Cavalry-drawn medium cannon
Tier: 3
Description: To preserve their mobility the Uruk prefers lighter cannons mounted on a carriage system for easier transportation. Unlike heavy carts which travel at walking pace the so-called "cavalry cannons" can be towed by several wargs at gallop speed, allowing it to keep pace with the rest of the army. The drawback is obviously that Uruk artillery are somewhat weaker than contemporaries yet the benefits are also obvious. The majority of the time the carriage mounts a field cannon in the 24-pounder variety but howitzers or light mortars are also plausible.

Karija'strigz

Name: Karija'strigzz, medium rocket (literally it means "war rocket)
Type: Medium Rocket Artillery
Tier: 3
Description: More advanced rockets using steel-casings and better burning Karikabuum. They are light and can be mounted on a carriage system similar to horse artillery. It has decent range combined with respectable amount of explosive power. On the other hand they lack the penetrative power of cannons and like all rockets they suffer from inaccuracy which requires them to be unleashed in volleys.

Bumballum

Name: Bumballum, Great Bombard (though share more similarities with the Basilisk)
Type: Heavy Siege Artillery
Tier: 4
Description: Extremely heavy gun made for breaking the heaviest fortifications. They are transported to battle by heavily reinforced carriages drawn by either a Mumlak or Rhinoxen and usually accompanied with carts hoarding ammunition, crew and tools for their operation. Bumballum possess awesome firepower but they are difficult to aim at anything but stationary targets.

Zadukuurz

Name: Karija'rand (heavy rockets), Zadukuurz (Destroyer)
Role: Heavy Rocket Artillery
Tier: 4
Description: Oversized rockets used for siege and large scale battles. Zadukuurz literally means destroyer and these weapons certainly live up to their name. Due to their size carrying a mounting for the rocket are impossible and instead it's built on the field. Each rocket carries massive amount of explosives enough to break an entire line of infantry...provided they hit. If anything Zadukuurz are often even less reliable and even prone to explode on their operators.

Specialists:

Zonguurz

Name: Zonguurz, Uruk Engineer
Type: Combat Engineer
Tier: 2-3
Description: Laguurz (shamans) are essential to maintain the Uruk warmachines. Their knowledge and skills are perhaps the reason behind the Horde's success. Zonguurz go a step further and study combat engineering to directly contribute to war. They are experts in demolitions, earthworks and explosives and tend to carry over ten times as much Karikabuum than normal. In combat they have lighter equipment than normal but regardless put up a decent fight. They also often carry rockets they can release from hollow metal tubes like an improvised minor artillery.

Kastuurz

Name: Kastuurz, Uruk Spirit Seer
Type: Magic User
Tier: 2-4
Description: Kastuurz are the rare shamans who born with the ability to communicate with spirits. Those with the ability are taken from their family and nurtured by other Kastuurz in order to become mighty spirit-seers. They are taught in seclusion but after reaching maturity they began wandering the world to discover the realm of spirits on their own. During such wanders they can often join the Uruk army and fight on their side. Unlike mages an Uruk shaman is never negligent to hi/her combat training and they are often able fighters even if their focus is always with the spirits. When not supporting the army with magic (which is <90% of the time) they act as religious support and enjoy luxurious treatment.

[Further additions will be made later]