[center][img]http://www.3planesoft.com/img/clock_screen01.jpg[/img][/center] [color=fff200]The invention of machines and steam engines have revolutionized industry while producing far-reaching results. The world of Arda itself was changing! Traditions broke, feudal systems were crumbling and new powers were on the rise. Empires born, kingdoms fell while yet isolated nations were suddenly connected to the rest of the world. The Gears of Change are turning. The world was changing yet ever so slowly. Those who embraced change saw a world of opportunities, an universe governed by logic and science. Those who were pampered by the old world only perceived the change as madness and tightened their grip on power. The world approaches turmoil between these two forces in the sea of countless small fights. As we have approached the turn of the next century it seemed as if even the world flipped on its head. We experienced the age of both wonders and horrors, a dangerous time of ideas and ambitions. The Gears of Change are turning![/color] [b][color=f26522]Welcome everyone to Turning Gears![/color][/b] This is effectively the successor of the previous Age of Steam game. Those who participated in the last game are welcome back and can repost their NS here. For those not familiar with Age of Steam or just forgot this is set in the fantasy world roughly the equivalent of the late-mid 19th century. As a fantasy game you can have elves, wargs, fantasy materials or even magic. The difference is that the game is set in an early modern steampunk world so there'd be a heavy focus on technology and its effect on society. Yes, steampunk. Did you like the spider mech from Wild Wild West? You can build it. Would like to have ironclads in the skies? You can have them. But keep in mind the world has yet to truly catch up with technology. Cavalry charging war engines of steam would certainly not be out of place in this setting. In a way you can imagine this as a weird world caught between the Napoleonic era and World War One. Yes, the sharp contrast between the new and old will be actually one of the game's charms. [b][color=f26522]Races[/color][/b] You can have dwarves, elves, orcs, halflings and anything else you imagine. Humans are preferably the dominant species in the setting but I am willing to leave this to the playerbase. Also while this is fantasy it's also steampunk so more rational explanations are generally preferable than mythological creation stories. More often than not fantastical races represent a stereotype, a nationality, an ethnic or even a social group. Fantastical racism, indeed. While far from a clear requirement it's always easier to draw up a conflict between two different races. [b][color=f26522]Creatures[/color][/b] You can have various non-intelligent fantastical creatures to enrich the game. They can range from weird looking equivalents of regular animals to truly mighty creatures. In case of the latter though try to think of the balance, even retroactively. If your mighty dragon can shrug off bullets then how did anyone defeat them during the medieval times? I am not against weird creatures but think of how they would fit into the setting, too. [b][color=f26522]Magic[/color][/b] In the ages of old there had been mysterious wise men treasured by all nations. They were the magicians who turned for ancient mystic arts to perform what often could be only considered a miracle. Yet with the Age of Steam their position faltered and magicians became an increasingly rare sight. Magic had almost disappeared from this world, enough that most commoners believe their existence is a myth. Yet they exist. Magic is an old art with only a limited number of practitioners. Spells, potions, enchantments and curses are all plausible to those with money and the right connections. Magic can do things impossible with science yet in general technology provides similar results at more affordable cost. Magic is the most popular in nations haven't yet experienced the full effects of industrial revolution. [b][color=f26522]Technology/Materials[/color][/b] Again, I mentioned steampunk. You can have various amazing inventions which might seem fit to the 19th century Victorian theme at first but in real life they would be impossible. For example it'll be generally accepted that steam engines can be made lighter and more compact than they historically were. You can have walkers, airships and so on. Same way you can invent fantasy metals and unique elements so long you can insert them into the setting well. Lastly, keep in mind that more often than not all these technologies would be new and very expensive. Again, the contrast between these amazing machines and the relative mediocrity of anything else is one of the points. Also note that there'll be airships and competing to develop these could be a game all major nations may want to play. [hider=Aetherum] Aetherite is a strange and rare mineral gaining increasing importance. It can be refined into Aetherum which has the curious ability to negate gravity. It's commonly used in skyships, replacing the previous hot air and hydrogen gas balloons. Aetherum requires a low but constant electric current to operate. As a side effect it's possible to change altitude by just raising or lowering the current's power. On the other hand electricity generation is difficult which usually limits Aetherum to the size of skyships. [/hider] [color=f26522][b]World Map[/b][/color][hider=World Map] [img]http://i35.tinypic.com/11i3knk.png[/img] [/hider] [color=f26522][b]Nation Submission Guide[/b][/color] [hider=Nation Profile Scheme][center][h1][b]Name of Your Nation Goes Here![/b][/h1](Image of your flag/insignia/symbol - optional)[/center] [b][h2]Nation Intro[/h2][/b]Talk to us about your nation in brief. Anything which can give a quick impression to other players what your nation is like. [b][h2]Geography[/h2][/b][hider=Map Claim][img]http://i35.tinypic.com/11i3knk.png[/img] [/hider] (Choose a color and draw your borders on the map. Also you get the freedom to describe the environment and geography of your nation here, within reasonable limits. You can even talk about the important zones or places within your borders.) [b][h2]History[/h2][/b](Talk about the history of your nation. You can make it barebones if you want or collaborate with other players to establish a shared history.) [b][h2]Society[/h2][/b](What is your nation is like. You can describe your demographics (special mention to the various races), culture, religion and even your government. It's a bit complex category so if you feel like it you can split this up.) [b][h2]Economy/Industry[/h2][/b](What is your economy like? What do you mine, produce, trade? How developed is your nation in terms of technology? Anything unique you invented or even make?) [b][h2]Military[/h2][/b](Unsurprisingly you must also talk about your military. How militarized are you? What is your army like in general? What kind of equipment you use? Any special units or machines worth mentioning? I think you already know how this goes.) [/hider] Are you ready for the Age of Steam?