[b][center][u]Playing as Humans[/u][/center][/b]

Human players, and NPC nations, will start off at a disadvantage due to the races of Gorika having access to magic. However, they grossly outnumber the Gorikans, and already have established naval assets (for those countries with access to the sea, that is). Their tech tree is aimed at negating the Gorikan’s magical advantage, as well as improving the masses of their armies to better cope against their superior foes. 

Whilst the Gorikans must deal with subduing the humans that they rule over, the Kings and Lords of Europe need not worry about such matters. As far as the commonfolk are concerned, the Devil has sent forth his legions to reap the souls of the innocent, and all stand behind their leader in this difficult time. The High Elves slaughtering the Pope has only stiffened public resolve, giving a King, Sultan or Emperor more or less free will over civil matters without fear of reprisal. 

 [b][center][u]Playing as Gorikans[/u][/center][/b]

Gorikan players have the early game advantage. The humans, whilst universally hostile to them, are terrified and paralysed by their arrival. The magic borne by the Gorikan races, ranging from flinging fire balls to shooting spears of ice, will not only deal out casualties to early human armies, but it will also rout them easily. 

However, your people are the last of their kind, and the majority of them have perished on your home planet. Your base adult population starts at 50,000 strong, with only 10,000 eligible to form an army. You will find yourself able to cut through the early human masses, but mid-late game will require you to utilise the humans you rule over to bolster your forces. You will also face human rebellions, if you are not quick to quell them with garrisons or other means. 

Bolstering your magical powers or increasing your population via the tech tree are sure fire ways for a Gorikan race to go solo, but it is a narrow tightrope to walk. For every human felled, ten more rise up to replace them. Perhaps it will be best to live with them? To forge alliances with the human nations, convert to their religions and use these newly found friendships to wage war against your enemies. Merge your blood with the feeble race of men, to create a lesser but unpredictable half beed – attainable through the tech tree.

Ultimately the choice is yours, but always remember, yours is a dying race, and numbers are not on your side. 

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I'll frequently post new parts of the OOC here, so you can monitor my progress.