As he ascended the steps to the White-Gold tower behind a cheering crowd, nobody could deny that the Dragonborn had not earned the crown by right of conquest, by mandate of heaven, and any other qualifier. Legate of the Imperial Army, husband of the High Queen of a unified Skyrim, Chosen of Stendarr, liberator of Solstheim, Saviour of all creation from Alduin, the purger of Volikhar, any amount of titles stemming of accomplishments could be said in his name. With the death of Titus Mede II at the hands of the Dark Brotherhood, all it took was the blood of Alduin - Firstborn of Akatosh - being shouted into crystal and forged into a new Amulet of Kings for the Imperial nation to kneel before the Dovahkiin.
Though there was much celebration following the coronation, he knew he had to get to work. The Empire had to be molded into something new, something that would stand the test of time and be worthy of the rule of his children, something that would have the strength to go on its own and at last grant the man respite.
Citizens, countryfolk, kinsmen. I address you now, on the anniversary of the signing of the White-Gold Concordat. With the divines as witness, I have always stood for the path of peace. Where the Thalmor have always pushed the boundaries of the treaty, where the Elves have shown naught but aggression and hatred, I have worked to have the Empire not rise to insults and provocations. But the patience of even holy Talos - yes, holy! - was finite. Today their transgressions will no longer go unpunished! Today the Thalmor will know justice, tomorrow not a single Thalmor will live, and the Aldmeri Dominion will be a footnote in history. For The Empire, for its people, for all Nine Divines, in memory of Alessia and Septim, by the will of our ancestors, Dinok wah Thalmor!
Greets, I'm Andy back at you with another RP. This time its an Elder Scrolls one based on a binge of TES: Skyrim where for the first time I realized the Stormcloaks are the bad guys. This RP is going to be a rather gritty one following the second great war between the Empire and the Thalmor. Some years following the events of TESV: Skyrim the Imperials felt the confidence to right the wrongs of old, and declared war upon Alinor. We will follow the adventures of members of an Imperial Legion that will be sent to many fronts to ensure victory against the foe wherever it may come. While I will not shy away from the beloved esotericism of the elder scrolls series, my focus will still be on the more secular world of geopolitics that our little people will be smack dab in the middle of: war.
Rules would be quite simple, don't be a dick, metagamer, etc. Etc. I come from a more NRP background so I value dedication more than consistency, and so I'll be a bit broader with my post schedule and say at least once a month. I’ll be wanting at least four people to show interest here before I continue to make an OOC; if I only get 3, I will do a small rework of the RP/story so we focus on a squad of the Penitus Oculatus instead.
4E201 following the Markarth incident the Skyrim civil war begins. The Dragonborn - to the public eye - performs all the "lawful good" quests save those done for Daedra (Azura, Meridia) and storylines. He negotiates a ceasefire between Stormcloaks and Imperials to slay Alduin. Resourceful, he used this meeting to make many contacts among the Stormcloaks. In his infinite mercy he spares Parthuurnax before defeating Alduin and saving all creation. Rumours of his membership in the Dark Brotherhood and assistance in the slaughter of Emperor Mede are but Thalmor propaganda, citizen!
4E202 With the truce expiring, Imperial victory is brought by the dragonborn to Skyrim. Using his friendships made with the Stormcloaks at the peace negotiations he ensured that the efforts of their remnants were redirected to other, more productive efforts. With the jagged crown secure, uneasy peace reigns. The events of Skyrim DLC occur. Joining the Dawnguard he felled Lord Harkon, before travelling to Solstheim and defeating Miraak. Returning to Skyrim he obtains the hand of Elisif in marriage. The event is a glorious one with dignitaries from all across Tamriel attending along with Odahviing himself prostrating his frame before the great blood before him The Thalmor seeing the chaos in the North radically increase their presence of Justiciars and other agents to take advantage of the post-war chaos, whilst radically increasing their deployments on the Cyrodiil border. However the Northwatch Keep, base of Thalmor military activity is burned to the ground with a gruesome display of the charred remains within.
4E203 Bearing twins with Elisif of Solitude named Kuno and Pelagia, The Dragonborn arrives in the Imperial city, traversing the place upon the hands of adoring crowds. Though many are skeptical including Potentate Tullius himself, the sheer popularity - and assumed naivete - of the Dragonborn following his stunts at the White-Gold tower ensure the Imperial crown is his. Though there is much celebration as once more reign Dragonborns with a new Amulet of Kings, and a Golden Age as that heralded by Tiber Septim begins. As part of this, the Grey Beards expand their circle to take more students for the Way of the Voice. It is a place many Nords find solace in for their culture with the ban on Talos worship now entrenched.
4E204 Using the good will he garnered by the defeat of Miraak to prevent protest, the Dragonborn places targetted tarriffs and trade laws as well as establishing ports along the Nordic settlements of Solstheim. The aim is to economically strangle House Redoran and the Dunmer as a whole to make Morrowing reintegrate into the Empire de facto in addition to its de jure membership. The guise to justify this however is varied, from public health and safety concerns in skooma traffic prevention to concerns of food security in Skyrim reducing shipments to Solstheim. Though Solstheim buckles, Morrowind stands its ground. The Imperial family has a second son, young Ramil.
4E205 Seeing the Dark Elves state under stress from the Imperials, Black Marsh once more attacks the Dunmer to another refugee wave. Hearing of Brunwulf's promises of more fair treatment in Skyrim compared to Ulfric, most set it as their destination. Their arrival coincides with renewed and more organized strikes by Reachmen upon all Skyrim. Seeing cause and effect, the Nords are not placated by soothing words of Brunwulf and Elisif and a violent ejection of Dunmer from the population centres of Skyrim occurs. The Emperor responds with a legal crackdown upon Skyrim with the promise such will never happen again. However many critics state that it appeared the arrival of Imperial inspectors was only used to curtail corruption and eliminate political enemies of the Dragonborn.
4E206 Struggling to find the camps from the Reachmen, Nordic militias traversed ever wider across Skyrim. Though this yielded many wonders as Dwemer ruins and ancient Nordic burial sites were explored, whilst dragons were pushed to swear fealty to the dragonborn, they likewise trod where they never should have. The Falmer growing ever more intelligent found a concrete foe for themselves in the Nords. Likewise, a hostility between Skyrim’s Nords and Orcs developed as the former saw the entirety of Skyrim as theirs’ to traverse and the latter prevented this. Most surprising perhaps were the vampires covens, largely splinters of those that escaped the wrath of the Dawnguard. Regardless, much to the chagrin of the Forsworn, by trying to best one foe the Nords created far more than they had initially.
4E207 Ever frustrated at their failures to secure their very homeland and ever more feeling strangers within Skyrim, the groundwork for new infighting in Skyrim was being laid. In an effort to bring some unity and calm to the land, the Emperor declared that worship of the God Ysmir aas dragonborn hero of the Nords was not synonymous to worship of Talos and hence was legal. Though the Thalmor much protested, they did not use this as pretext for war amidst their own internal difficulties following Bosmer resistance and proddings from Argonia. In an effort to exert further influence upon the Dunmer, the Emperor sent “relief caravans” for the Dark Elves. However they would only provide their food, water, medicine, coin and other aid in the event that the recipient could either prove Imperial citizenship or was willing to swear undying loyalty to the Emperor and obtain it. Using his friendship with the Alik’r hero Kematu, the Dragonborn was also able to establish a far greater and more personal relationship with Hammerfell.
4E208 The an assassination attempt was had on Kuno that took the boy’s eye earning him the nickname “The Cyclops.” Many were blamed from the Thalmor to remnants of the Dark Brotherhood. A great paranoia overcomes the Emperor as the event happens mere months before the royal family has a second daughter, Zaharia.
4E209 Having resolved many of its issues in Valenwood, the Thalmor were once more prepared to strictly enforce the White-Gold concordat. Though the worship of Ysmir was a more emotional demand, they first forced the more practical one; they demanded that the newly reformed Blades be properly disbanded as first demanded, an ultimatum for the completion of which was given one week. Largely unbeknownst to the Thalmor, the Emperor and the Blades had grown distant over the issue of Parthuurnax, Odahviing and the other dragons spared (or as in the case of Durnevhiir, liberated) by the Dragonborn. However he could not bring himself to betray Esbern, Delphine and the many other faces he brought there and thus upon ejecting them from Sky Haven temple announced to the Thalmor that all was as it should be.
4E210 The relief efforts for Morrowind by the Empire’s hand had enticed some of the small folk of Morrowind, but for any true return of influence the elite needed to be poached. Accordingly the Empire got to work. Offers of grand scholarships in Imperial magical colleges were made to those talented in magic fleeing the Argonian onslaught. Promises were made to displaced House members that they and their followers could be provided with new lands in the undeveloped parts of Cyrodil, High Rock, Skyrim. The effect is mixed as though this does secure the loyalty of many of Morrowind's elite, it also transplants the many existing pro-Imperial Dunmer from the lands where their influence is most needed.
4E211 In an effort to secure more ties and loyalties the Emperor marries off members of his now royal family to powerful names; Orsinium, High Rock, and Hammerfell were the primary targets but House Redoran received a bride as well. The policy was thoroughly critiqued as the work of an inexperienced Emperor creating the groundwork for future succession crises.
4E212 Seeing the Empire reaching out diplomatically, the Thalmor got to work in sowing chaos within the mainland. The most important such activity was the creation of baseless conflict between Orsinium and Hammerfell. Knowing the Imperial intent to reintegrate the Redguard province, they sent many conjurers to make the Orcs believe they had been raided by Alik’r and vice versa. Gortwog IV demanded that the Empire intervene on their behalf. Sensing manipulation but lacking proof, the Emperor put forth vain efforts to find peace. At the same time, he provided coin, resources, food and everything but actual troops to Orsinium to show he was supporting Gortwog whilst avoiding conflict with Hammerfell.
4E213 The royal family has yet another son, Genrik. Far darker of skin, hair and eye than the dragonborn, a rumour spreads that the boy (and even his siblings) are the progeny of unfaithfulness with a redguard, or even Dunmer.
4E214 The Ebony mines of Solstheim are exhausted for a second, a final nail in the coffin of the island's domination by the Empire and complete reintegration.
4E215 The twins of the Imperial family are sent to High Hrothgar to study the way of the shout.
4E216 Following the assassination of Jarl Elisif suspected to be done by vampires taking vengeance for the purging of Volikhar, the Emperor becomes a recluse. Investing millions of gold pieces into the Dawnguard and Vigilants of Stendarr, he gives them near total legal carte-blanche as long as they can prove their efforts are directed to discovering true quarries of their organization.
4E217 The Imperial twins return from high Hrothgar, their comparatively short tenures with the Greybeards spreading further rumour that they are not Dragonborn. Though their father was, and would hypothetically pass on the trait much like the Septim family did, prophecy also stated that he was the Last Dragonborn, implying there would be no more. Pelagia is married to Frothar of Whiterun. She is crowned High Queen following a session of the moot.
4E218 Leaving the affairs of state in the hands of his son Kuno and the councils, the Emperor departs alone on a vessel North claiming to be on a pilgrimage to frozen Atmora, to seek the homeland of the heroes like Talos and Ysgramor. Many debate whether or not it is Kuno or Ramil that should be made Emperor despite the wishes of the dragonborn as Ramil was the calmer, more timid soul that would be more willing to heed the advice of councillors to compensate for his inexperience; an important argument made in favour of Ramil's coronation was the fact that Kuno had spent his last two years amongst the Greyboard, secluded from courtly studies. Nevertheless the fear of public outcry has the councils relent and crown Kuno Azariah I. It is a coronation with many hopes and fears, as the Dragonfires restored by the Dragonborn are alit for the first time since the passing of Martin Septim by a thu’um from Emperor Kuno as he donned the new amulet of Kings. Even within the event there is much contention whispered to its validity as many report the flow of magicka as the Emperor shouted, and many say that the Amulet hung low on his neck, only held in place by the gorget of his breastplate. The former gave further substance to the gossip that he was not dragonborn as his father was, whilst the latter fell into the prophecy that the Amulet of Kings would slip off of the neck of false Emperors. Kuno sends his brother Ramil to High Hrothgar.
4E219 Though many say she is too young, Zaharia is also sent to High Hrothgar. Emperor Kuno declares that the treaties of between the dominion and the Empire allow for Thalmor Justiciars to operate in the Empire to ensure that Talos is not worshipped, but nowhere is it specified that other activities may be done. As well, collaboration with their activities is suppressed among citizenry and elites alike, and assisting staff of the Justiciars such as servants or medical staff are ejected; non-elven agents of the Dominion are sentenced to death given them having no formal status as Justiciars.
4E220 Following apparent continued violations of the White-Gold concordat as interpreted by the Empire, the ban on the worship of Talos is lifted in entirety. By decree of the Emperor, all temples to the divines were to refurbish their ninth pedestal for Talos. Though many take the move well, newer generations that had not grown with Talos worship were confused and skeptical of the forced change. The daughter of Jarl Balgruf dies from apparently botched assassination. The man promptly resigns in favour of his son.
4E221 The Thalmor attempt to force the treaty’s return by moving their troops to occupy border towns and villages. This leads to a declaration of war upon the Aldmeri dominion. Seeing opportunity, many forces take action. Argonia once more strikes upon Morrowind, disparate secessionists and raiders among the Falmer, Forsworn, Orsimer and Dunmer strike for their own states battling with Nordic militias, Imperial Legions and loyalists of their own kind. Thalmor agents continue the false-flag strikes between Orsinium and Hammerfell provoking further reaction from the Empire to defend Gortwog IV; though Imperial troops do not strike upon Hammerfell’s forces they occupy critical positions that the warriors of Hammerfell dare not attack providing the Orcs far safer logistics and strategic movement than their counterparts.
4E222 The RP begins.
Player Name: (tag and what u go by [I.e. I go by Andy as an abbreviation of my username])
Character Name: full name, honorifics, aliases
Race: There will be very different attitudes to your character depending on their race. Imperials will have the most preferential attitude (from leadership anyway), followed by Nords and Bretons, followed by Orcs and Dunmer, followed by Redguard, followed by Argonians, followed by bosmer reachmen and khajit, and at last high elves. Of course there is also regional variance. In the cosmopolitan Cyrodil most people save High Elves will be treated well. In Skyrim, very few people but Nords and Imperials can so much as get a handshake from the friendliest of men.
Age: technology is mostly medieval so even if you are of one of the "immortal races" a life beyond 60 is unlikely, especially for someone that is a (or among them anyway) lowly Legionnaire.
Sex: Nirn is rather egalitarian for its technological progress but there will be variance of attitude to your characters based on their sex.
Physical Description: what does your character look like in things like eyes hair build etc. A picture is helpful but text first
Faith: somewhat important. Though a simple list of Gods your character pays homage to is fine, nuance is much preferred. How seriously do they take their religion? Do they embrace, resist, or have some other reaction to the reintroduction of Talos to the Nine Divines? Stuff like this. Religion is very important in the Elder Scrolls setting as a whole and in the Fourth Empire in particular.
Position: the three main are hastati, ballistarii, and mage. Others like auxilia, two handed warriors, scout, Chaplain, Bard, etc. Are possible but please do note, if your character is in a position where they are far away from the rest of the party or are in greater danger than the rest you will have the correspondingly smaller portion of content to RP, or a higher chance of wound or even mortality to take you out of action. I try to accommodate diverse characters but I am not a God, not to speak of the fact being too easy goes somewhat against the gritty feel I envision for this. A normal squad will look something like five hastatii, three ballistarii and two mages. Better give a good explanation for being outside of these if you want it.
Core: this is the fiddly bits. Let this be a consolidation of your character's personality, backstory, motivation for joining (enlistment or conscription?), and anything else of the sort. It doesn't have to be too long; I prefer "show, don't tell" and find stories better elaborated on in RP then dropped as dump trucks before it begins. I just want enough to go on that I wont be surprised by anything your fellers say IC. This is to give me an overall understanding of the character, naught more.
Misc.: anything else you haven't mentioned thus far but want to. Inspirations for the character or whatever, music, et cetera.
With five people so far having shown interest to me I'm going to stick with us being Legionnaires rather than Penitus members. As well I dropped a an extremely rough timeline of post TESV events and the CS I'll be using come the OOC.
small updates to lore. OOC will be up Friday along with an overview of the situation on our first deployment, Skyrim. first IC post most likely Monday.
