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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Military

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

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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.






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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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


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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.

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

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.

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.


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

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.



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.



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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.


Beasts:

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.

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



[Further additions will be made later]