[OOC] An Age Of Glory - Industrial Era RP set in a Pseudo-Europe

[null123]

“Edoniras, a beautiful continent with vast and varying cultures. The Norian Empire sought to make all of it’s domain, and succeeded. Those who did not fall to the vast armies of the Norians found themselves bowing to the Empire’s many Emperors, constantly giving up money, political power, and authority to the Norians to keep their realms intact. However the Norian Empire began collapsing under it’s own weight, as corruption, crime, economic troubles, and even disease all led to the downfall of the Empire. Noble Houses and other groups of power in the Empire began carving their own nations out of the collapsing remnants, as those nations who had bowed to the Empire began to grow in power in their absence. With new technologies allowing for the start of a Industrial Revolution, the power of firearms, and new naval technologies developed the newly formed states began fighting for dominance, and rumors of a untouched lands on the horizon spread. Only one thing is certain, a Age of Glory has begun.”

Welcome to Age of Glory! Age of Glory is a freeform advanced RP set in a Pseudo-Europe in the early 19th Century. The Industrial Revolution is beginning as explorers set out to see if the rumors of new lands are true, while competition on Edoniras gears up.

Rules
1.Standard RP rules. No godmodding, meta-gaming, or power-playing
2. My decisions are final. If you have issues with them, take it to a PM.
3.Keep arguments(not discussions) out of the OOC. If its RP related and enough of a issue, add me and the involved parties to a PM and I will handle it there
4. 5 paragraphs is the minimum I expect per a post
5. Limit the amount of wars you declare. International relations aren’t entirely about conquering
6.Colonies are to not begin at the start of the RP. I will make a callout in OOC when I am ready to open that up.

Nation Sheet and Guidelines

1. Don't mention any numbers at all. The exact amount of GDP, troops, or ships should only be mentioned when it actually becomes relevant. Economy should describe what your nation is most focused on and military your nation’s organization and military structure.

2.Filling out territory will be done later when I have a map.

Nation Sheet

Name of Nation:
Government:
Economy
Military:
Description of Culture:
History:
Territory
Other:

[gorgenmast]

Name of Nation: Nýumash Hatai, the Last Horde
Government: Elective monarchy
Economy: Mostly pastoral

Military: The Nýumashen are, despite their perceived backwardness and barbarity, a highly disciplined fighting force. They are the finest horsemen in all the world, and their hosts are massive indeed. In earlier centuries, the Nýumashen conquered much of the Earth, and their riders made expeditions throughout the lands. The arrival of gunpowder on the battlefield nearly destroyed the Nýumashen. But what does not kill one makes one stronger.

Description of Culture: The endonym 'Nýumashen' refers to a confederation of steppe nomads living beyond the continent of Edoniras. The steppe is a hard place. To the tukuren - outlanders - the steppe is a vast, barren realm of inconsistent rains. Sedentary agriculture is impossible here, and so the hardy inhabitants of this land earn their sustenance by means of herding sheep, horses, cattle, and camels. Cities in the traditional sense do not exist, but seasonal/permanent trade camps exist at oases and other landmarks.

History: The Nýumashen are known to Norian history as the last great barbarian uprising against civilized people. A thousand years ago, their horse warriors stormed across Edoniras, laying low a generation of kingdoms in a tide of cavalry. And as quickly as they came, the horse warriors returned to the steppes. This wave of unbridled devastation weakened established kingdoms, clearing the way for the upstart Norians in their own wave of conquest.

While the fledgling Norian Empire expanded across Edoniras, the Nýumashen diverted their attention in conquering a vast empire on the far side of the world. The hordes of the steppe devoted their full and undivided attention in bringing down this great and exotic civilization. This conquest lasted four hundred years, culminating in a century-long siege of the greatest city in the world at that time. The Nýumashen were victorious, but utterly spent.

And as generations of new warriors grew to replace those lost in the war on the far side of the world, a new weapon had been created that would put halt the horses warriors in their tracks: gunpowder firearms. At the beginning, cannons and bombs were too limited to be of much use against the massed cavalry charges of the Nýumashen. But massed fusillades of thunderous shot, paired with razor walls of pikes and halberds, were enough to inflict the first great defeats against the the steppe hordes.

From then on, the Dominion of the Horde withered, infighting within the previously united tribes allowed opportunists to whittle away at the lands of the horse people. Captured Nýumashen were always repaid for the butchery of their forefathers with slavery and death. With the confederation in tatters, and distant colonizers encroaching upon the steppes, the historical footnote that was the Nýumashen seemed set. But the people of the steppe are as hardy as they are adaptable. The horsemen have learned to hold their own against firearms, and in some cases, wield them with devastating effect.

Scholars today might shudder to wonder, upon reading the histories of the Nýumashen, what these warriors - armed with modern flintlocks and commanded by another generation of capable leaders - might accomplish.

Territory: On the endless plains on the edge of Edoniras.

[null123]

Accepted, Gorgen shall be doing our map as well.

And his app has given me a idea. Edoniras is separated(from our yet to be named) Pseudo-Africa and Asia by the Steppes he mentioned. The Steppes have made contact with the far-east nations difficult however.

Players may drop apps for these nations, however do note that as such you will not be touched by the Industrial Revolution or firearms of Edoniras.

[White Feather]

Sérénissime République Ambrosienne de la Sarcelle

Most Serene Ambrosian Republic of Sarcelle

"No gods, no masters!"

Name of Nation:
Republic of Sarcelle

Government:
Two-Chamber Aristocratic/Democratic Republic - An unusual way of working things, the Ambrosian Republic works with two separate chambers, the Chamber of Lords and the Chamber of Commons. The Chamber of Lords is a remnant of the feudal days, and is comprised of landed aristocrats. Every landed aristo, from lowly barons and viscounts to high-ranking dukes marquis, is given a seat in the Lords. Each owns an area of land and is supposed to represent the people in that area of land. However, to prevent the aristos from getting too much power, every barony, county and duchy has an equivalent in the Commons, which is elected from unlanded, everyday schmucks, typically merchants. The election system is weighed heavily towards the Commons, since there are three or four representatives in the Commons for every one aristo in the Lords. However, a Lord is in power till they die, whilst re-elections for Commons happen every six years, unless one somehow loses their post between elections. A Lord's vote also counts for two Common votes. A Lord, any member of his dynasty and all of their courtiers may not vote for a Common representative nor run for Common representation, however an Aristocrat may sacrifice their high status to run for Common.
Interestingly, the feudal system of the Lords is heavily limited. For example, if a Lord should die with no heirs of his dynasty, the equivalent Common who received the most votes may be promoted to the Lords in their stead and remain in power as a Lord until their own death. A new election will be held in the region to re-elect a member of the Commons. Also, since no-one is allowed to hold two seats in any chamber, a Lord who inherits two titles must pass his lowest title on to a member of his dynasty. If there is no eligible member, the contested title is passed on to the most popular Common. In any other circumstance, however, Lord titles may be passed on from parent to child. Changing succession laws requires the approval of a majority of one's respective rank.
The Two Chambers only really handle national and international matters and each Lord and his respective Commons are also in charge of the region they were voted in to represent. For example, the County of Emeraude is lead by the Noble Count of Emeraude and three Common Counts of Emeraude. The four are to meet on a regular basis to discuss regional matters. Any Barons in the county, Common or Noble, may also be privy to these meetings, since they represent regions within that county. This means that the higher up the ranks you go, and thus the more people you effect, the longer it takes to pass a law. A Barony may see a change overnight once the four or five Barons who represent the area agree on a law, but a County will have to find support not only amongst the Counts, but amongst the Barons too. Whilst technically the Counts could over-rule their Barons decisions, this rarely happens as it is an unpopular use of power that could see the Common Counts impeached and replaced. Dukes have an even harder time, as they must consult their Counts, who must consult their Barons before any radical decisions can be made.
There is no one ruler of the nation. Feudal countries may wish to negotiate with the Chamber of Lords whilst republican countries will prefer the Chamber of Commons.

Economy:
The Sarcellen Republic's wealth relies heavily on foreign trade and investment. It retains an important role as an Edonirasan transport and trading hub and contains some of the largest ports on the continent, allowing it to reach far-away lands with little trouble.
Investment banking is an immense business, due to minimal interest rates and high economic stability. Both local and foreign businessmen enjoy low interest and lengthy loans, which encourages foreign trade. The banks, however, are notoriously strict with their funds and expect significant profit from any business they support.
As well as trading, the nation also relies heavily on maritime businesses - catching fish, shipbuilding and the like. However, this is limited to coastal cities and towns.
If one happens to be inland, there is plenty of agrarian work to be done, especially in tending vineyards. Sarcellian wine is a major export and is renowned for it's rich, full-bodied flavour. If one isn't particularly happy being a farmer, there are always the refinement industries - turning wool into cloth, wood into furniture, metal into armour etc.
And of course, like many rich merchant republics, there is a good deal to be made from the creative industries and tourism. Whether one is attracted to the marble sculptures and oil paintings of the coastal cities or the peace and quiet of the inland country, tourism does add a little more to the nation's economy.

Military:
The Republic of Sarcelle military is almost entirely naval. Being a coastal country with a rich maritime tradition, the Sarcellene Navy is a total powerhouse and certainly something to be feared. Well funded, well trained and well staffed, this heavy navy dominates the area around the Republic and most merchant ships will pass by a detachment or two. Their presence is a warning to any potential pirates or privateers, but also carries dangerous connotations for other nations that the Navy is not to be messed with.
Likewise, the sailors on board are not afraid to get their hands dirty and engage in the swirling melee. On the seas, the Sarcellene navy is king
On land, the Republic is less of a powerhouse. Outside of city guards, their land force is pretty much negligible. Although it is a very well trained and well funded military, number-wise it is not comparable to it's peers.

Description of Culture:
The Sarcelle Republic's culture has been influenced little by it's occupation, and remains fiercely independent of any foreign ways.
Republican tradition is geared heavily towards economy. Everyone is a cog in a machine with their own specialisation needed to keep the machine ticking over. What you add is not the important part, as long as you are adding as much as you can. Merchants are thus inclined to look after their workers and in return the workers are to work as hard as they can for their employers.
You would expect with a two-chamber parliament there would be some divisions between Royalists and Republicans. However, the closest to a division of this nature has been between "Old Money" and "New Money" Aristos: the landed elite and the Commons who are elected to become Lords. In fact, there have been next to no calls to remove either Chamber.
Religion is welcomed, as long as their commands do not clash with local law. The culture is traditionally very liberal and very accepting, so the more conservative and strict religions may struggle to grow in such a hostile environment.
Essentially, it all comes to how much money you are worth, or potentially worth. Above all, the Sarcallene value industrialism, prudence and economics. Everything else is merely a distraction.

History:
It is hard to believe that prior to the Rise of the Norian Empire, the Sarcellene people were wandering nomads. They roamed without cause or goal, living off the land they wandered on and for the most part ignoring civilisation.
When the territory they were dwelling on was captured by the Norians, the first reaction of every Sarcellene was a resounding "meh". They saw nothing different about their new overlords in comparison to all the other Kingdoms they had stayed at, only this one liked to call itself an Empire. However, when they were forced to settle and forbidden from continuing their nomadic traditions, then there was a problem. It was in their blood to wander and explore, to seek foreign lands and adventure. However, they were to be settled in the lands now known as Sarcelle, and ruled over by a chosen representative of the Norian Empire.
Desperate to find some loophole in the system, they turned to the oceans. Sarcellene people took the seas like a fish to water, aptly enough, and could now labour under the guise that they were to become a trading nation. As their culture demanded, they were free to explore and travel the world as they saw fit - as long as they brought back a few souvenirs for their overlords. They became quite good at it, constantly developing knew technologies that would aid their seafaring voyages so they could see more foreign lands for longer periods of time and with less risk. Though they ended up generating a small fortune for the Empire, they didn't care. It was all about the adventure.
After the fall of the Norian Empire, Sarcelle found itself without a leader. The only system they had known was the one introduced to them by the Empire, the Feudal System. Norian nobles were weeded out and replaced by "native" Sarcellene leaders. But the newly-appointed Lords didn't have a clue what to do. The concept of absolute power was new to them and they were rather wisely scared of introducing radical changes in case of revolt.
So they struck upon the bright idea of bringing in some of the old methods from the nomadic days. The result was the First Ambrosian Republic

Territory:

Coastal. Broken up by many small rivers. Temperate, flat grasslands and plains, with the occasional marsh. Very few major hills.

Other:
N/A

WIP, because History and Culture will depend on whatever empire it broke away from.

[TheSage]

Empire of Hypnosia

Empire of Hypnosia

Glaia Theóga kai tijczy chórazyć walgonizómaste (For God and Country We Fight)

Name of Nation:
Empire of Hypnosia (Hypnosian Empire also works)

Government:
Absolute Monarchy
The Empire of Hypnosia is ruled by a Basileia. The Basileia appoints three governors to rule the smaller regions of the Empire. Majority of the time these governors are distant relatives or members from other nations dynasties to form Alliances.

Current Royal Family:
Jan Makosieski, Basileia (Emperor) of the Hyponosian Empire by the Grace of Luminos
Theodora Makosieski, Basiliana (Emperor's Wife) of the Hyponisian Empire
Graecous Makosieski, Supremo Basilance (Emperor's Elder Son) of the Hyponosian Empire
Theo Makosieski, Basilance (Emperor's Middle Son) of the Hypnosian Empire
Constantine Makoieski, Minor Basilance (Emperor's Youngest Son) of the Hypnosian Empire
Consantina Makoieski, Basilianance (Emperor's Daughter) of the Hypnosian Empire
Jason Makosieski, Governor of Lancos (Emperor's Second Cousin) of the Hypnosian Empire by Grace of the Basileia
Justinian Makosieski, Governor of Syrios (Emperor's Nephew) of the Hypnosian Empire by Grace of the Basileia
Paligius Makosieski, Governor of Thrakos (Emperor's Half-Brother) of the Hypnosian Empire and Head-General of the Legions by Grace of the Basileia
Royal Standard that is on the Crown of the Basileia


Economy:
Mostly agriculture though recently the Basileia is encouraging factories to be built, he hopes to make the economy of the Empire mostly based on construction of goods within 50 years.

Military:
The Hypnosian military fights in legions. They have successfully mixed the strategies and formations of old with the new weapons. Each base member of the legion is equipped with a musket and Gladius that can be equipped onto the Musket. The higher ranking soldiers are equipped with a Musket and a Gladius Superior, a longer Gladius made from a stronger material. The Calvary troops are armed with Muskets, armored Horses bread from the leftover ones of the Horde conquerers, and a large spear.

The Hypnosian Military also has an elite group of soldiers named the Winged Varangars, a royal guard that has been around since the foundation of the Second Empire. The Winged Varangars are put into two groups, the Calvary Maximos and the Infantry Maximos. The Infantry Maximos are armed with a Musket and a Gladius Maximos, the strongest Gladius made by the Hypnosian Empire. The Calvary Maximos are armed with horses that are bred and trained for war, these horses are descendants from Horses they acquired during the revolts and trades between them and the Hordes. The Calvary Mimos are also armed with a Musket and a spear named the Polis Maximos. Varangarian armor is bulky with wings growing out of the side of it. The sound the wings make when the charge begins has earned the Calvary Maximos with the nickname Wings of Deaf.

Description of Culture:
The Hypnosian race has seemed to have existed since the rise of the first duchies of Spatos and Byzton. The Hypnosians are a Caucasian looking race. They typically have black hair and green eyes. The Hypnosians are a very warlike people, with its religion also promoting that a battle of the four Gods of Creation and the four Gods of Destruction are always in eternal warfare to decide the fate of the Universe.

The Hypnosian Religion goes as follows. In the beginning, the Gods where one united creature named Kroniast, eventually rebellious humans successfully stole the Scythe of Creation and the Shield of Destruction and they split Kroniast into 8 different gods, each one representing something different. Four of the gods took the Scythe of Creation and gave it to Luminos the God of Light. The other four gods took the Shield of Destruction and gave it to Lunos the God of Darkness. The Sides are drawn like this.

The Quanitarchy of Creation
Luminos the God of Light
Queos the Goddess of Love
Gaius the God of Earth
Liqos the Goddess of Water

The Anti-Quanitarchy of Destruction
Lunos the God of Darkness
Malus the Goddess of Hatred
Tetrios the God of the Sky
Flarios the Goddess of Fire

Since the day that the two sides where drawn an eternal war between the Gods have been fought. The Hypnosian religion has evolved over time. When under the reign of the hordes of the Steppes they started to believe that the hordes where Chosen by the Anti-Quanitarchy of Destruction while the Hypnosian people where chosen by the Quanitarchy of Creation. The leader of the Hypnosian Religion is also the Basileia.

History:
The Hyponosian people can be called ancient by some, stretching far back into the days of old when the large Empire of Sorip attempted to unite the world. The Proto-Hypnosian Empire, an alliance made up of all Hypnosian nations successfully beat back the Empire of Sorip and soon after it fell. The First Hypnosian Empire was formed around one thousand years ago by the Alexandros Makosieski the Great. He successfully took the throne from the corrupt ruler at the time and he then began an attempt to unite Edoniras under one Empire. It seemed that his conquests where going to succeed until he suddenly died from a fever at the age of 32. From there his empire was split up by different generals and family members and the First Hypnosian Empire was weakened. What was left of the actual First Hypnosian Empire was the land where the Hyponisan people come from, with the rest of the land being ruled by false emperors.
Soon after the collapse of majority of the First Hypnosian Empire one of the first hordes from the Steppes rose up and conquered it, nearly ending the legacy of Alexandros. Different hordes ruled over the Hypnosian Lands for a total of 500 years but the Hypnosian people did not get assimilated. Led by a descendant of Alexandros, the Hypnosian People revolted against the Horde and began the Second Hypnosian Empire.
Led by Joth Makosieski the Hero the Horde was pushed out and the a Hypnosian Nation was independent once again. Joth focused on stabilizing the Empire so it would not fall like the first one did. Joth died peacefully when he was 50 and his son, Seleucus, took the throne. Seleucus, unlike his father, wanted to make the Hypnosian Empire great again so he focused his conquests on the little tribes around his Empire. The tribes he conquered where Barbarian Republics ruled by Lords. Seleucus looked down on these fools for clinging to this ruled by the people stature and he began an attempt to destroy him. His opinions did not represent that of the people of the Hypnosian Empire so when Seleucus died they successfully took the throne and formed a brief Hypnosian Republic.
It only lasted for a total of 25 years until the son of Seleucus managed to take back control of the Empire and he forged the Third Hypnosian Empire. By the time Seleucus finally died at the age of 75 the Norian Empire had began to outshine Hypnosia, and it seemed like once again the Hypnosian Empire would fall.
The Norians gave the Hypnosian Empire a choice, peacefully become a vassal under the Norian Empire or be conquered. Seleucus the Second accepted the offer to become a vassal. The Norian Emperor took the sister of Seleucus the Second as a concubine, and when they eventually had a child he would be made the heir of the Hypnosian Kingdom as a vassal under the Norian Empire.
The other Makosieski where all high ranking officials in the Norian Empire because of the wealth they got for being high ranking people in the Hypnosian Empire. The Makosieski dynasty, while not ruling the Norian Empire, were still powerful in the nation.
When Seleucus the Second died without a child Norios, the son of the sister of Seleucus the Second and the Norian Emperor took the throne. Norio's older brother, son of the true wife of the Norian Emperor and heir to the Norian Empire had bad relations with Norios. The Hypnosian Kingdom and the Makosieski dynasty stayed a vassal of the Norian Empire until the successful revolt against the weakened Empire was led by Alexandros II the Great. The Fourth and current Hypnosian Empire was founded. Currently the grandson of Alexandros II is the leader of the Hypnosian Empire.

Territory:

The Empires territory has small hills in the west, plains in the middle, and a large mountain chain in the east.

[WilsonTurner]

WIP

Empire of Hypnosia

Name of Nation:

Government:

Economy

Military:

Description of Culture:

History:

Territory

Other:

@TheSage

Didja accidentally post? Or is it just a reserved spot?

[TheSage]

<Snipped quote by TheSage>



Didja accidentally post? Or is it just a reserved spot?

@WilsonTurner

I said WIP, I don't have a lot of time on my hands ATM so I will work on it in short bursts until I do have time.
And that gif is now going into my reaction folder.

[babbysama]

I'm here!

I will start working on a CS later tonight or tomorrow, I have kind of a full plate today and I'm not even getting back to my apartment until 9. But I will try and get CS up asap

[Spar kSully]

Name of Nation:
The Kingdom of Ravensgard
Government:
Absolute Monarchy
Economy:
Mostly trade-based, with some mining in the Wildlands to the east, and agriculture to the south. Far to the east, there is mostly unexplored tundra for thousands of miles until the ocean on the other side.
In the Wildlands, the Ravensgardian Guard train.
Military:The Ravesnsgardian Guard is a major force in keeping the peace both within Ravensgard, and in its colonies in the north, along the polar ocean.the armies are tens of thousands strong, including the famed Raven Guard shock troops. There have been whispers about the Raven Guard, saying that these are not mere mortals, but something more. However, the bulk of the Guard is built of [expendable] troops, but these are no less effective.
The Ravensgardian Navy is much smaller than their army, numbering 3 score ships, but its crew are trained to sacrifice their lives for each other, if need be. Also, the crew build the ships themselves, thus ensuring those onboard do not abandon ship.
Description of Culture: Ravensgardian Culture is built upon the individual. this individualistic nation is surprisingly tolerant of minorities and foreigners.Among the noble families, arranged marriages are almost unheard of, due to the first decree of its king, Ivan IV. The merchants virtually rule Ravensgard, with their congress's leader the king's personal mercantile adviser. Only the military adviser is more trusted.
History: Ever since the Norian Empire fell, the Fromansgard dynasty has ruled. Ivan I was a knight who fought for the people of this country to free them from the Hans. Ivan I enjoyed a long life filled with prosperity after he died, Ivan II took up the throne. Like his father, he had a period of prosperity, but a relatively short life, Ivan III went insane over his rein, until he was killed by one of his brother's assassins. then Ivan IV took the throne, and Ravensgard has flourished ever since. It was under Ivan IV weho started thec prject to physicqall enhance humans through harsh training. this project created the Raven Guard shock troops.
Territory:

Other:TBD

[TheSage]

Also just going to say something here is that my nations Culture is a mix of Greek and Polish, so if anyone plans on using something similar (For Example, a Republic that broke away from my Empire) I'd advise you to do the same with cultures.

[White Feather]

@TheSage

Bugger. I was thinking a more Dutch-French feel

That said, the Ottoman Turks did occupy Greece for years without making a dent in their culture. And then the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain, or the Scots under English rule. Maybe the reason there was a revolt was because they felt native culture was trying to be swept away.

[gorgenmast]

Coastline map of Edoniras up. Yes, it is supposed to resemble Europe.

[Willy Vereb]

@gorgenmastI call dibs on the not-Italy part of this not-Europe.


BTW, can we get an impression on the scale? Same as Europe?
If not then the height and length dimensions of this map in kilometers?
It'd be quite helpful to me.

[gorgenmast]

Being a psuedo-Europe, I drew the map to achieve a scale similar to that of Europe.

Therefore each pixel represents roughly one square mile, or a kilometer and a half^2. The distance between the far western tip to the eastern edge of the map is about 2.3k pixels, which is comparable to the distance between Portugal and Ukraine.

[Willy Vereb]

Being a psuedo-Europe, I drew the map to achieve a scale similar to that of Europe.

Therefore each pixel represents roughly one square mile, or a kilometer and a half^2. The distance between the far western tip to the eastern edge of the map is about 2.3k pixels, which is comparable to the distance between Portugal and Ukraine.

@gorgenmast

1 square mile is actually around 2.59 square kilometer albeit when measuring length the typical mile to kilometer conversion works out, too.

[Zugzwang]

Kingdom of Venbrad

Name of Nation: Kingdom of Venbrad (Color Blue)
Government: Elective Monarchy

Economy: The gilded academic philosophies on matters pecuniary are in as fluctuating a state as any other theory in these tumultuous intellectual times, and the Venbradians, as usual, are quick to adopt the newest credible theories. As such, broad changes enabled by the devastation wrought by the civil war, the King has begun shifting his policies away from the static mercantilist creeds and towards the new fashions of “let-do capitalism”. With the manufacturing sector recovering from the civil war, protective tariffs are being lowered, and regulations on buying and selling goods are being paired away. With the abolition of serfdom deep in history, yeomen farmers make up the majority of the rural population, small farmers focusing mostly on subsistence and forestry, reaping the benefits of the deep Venbradian forests. With the climate too cold to grow the truly lucrative cash crops that have been fueling this new industrial boom, the kingdom of Venbrad relies on its mineral wealth and manufactured goods to fuel its expanding industrial base.

Military: With the ascension of General Fairfax to Army Commander in Chief, and with the aftereffects of the Civil War still keenly being felt, the Army has become the premier focus of the Kingdom’s defense spending. The Civil War taught hard lessons, lessons that are refined and processed every day as the blocks of blue-and-grey maneuver, preparing for hypothetical future conflicts that threaten the crown. The attack has become the fetish of the Generals, “Fairfaxian” tactics focusing on her belief in fire-and-advance, charges with bayonets fixed, and skillful use of cannon. Artillery has become the favorite of the commanders, defilade fire and canister replacing the cavalry charges and lances of the past. In accordance with the Treaty of Newmede, armies are de jure led by members of the nobility, but the reforms have left true command in the hands of the Chiefs of Staff, who can bring matters to the attention of the Commander in Chief, a power which keeps their hold over armies solid.

Description of Culture: Venbrad is a land which prizes the individual, and their triumphs. Competition is highly valued, their religion deems success as holy, ordained and permitted by a higher power. Might does not make right, but is right retroactively. Wealth is virtuous; charity is expected; hostile dealings with enemies acceptable. The nation still feels the wounds of their civil war, but is more united than ever behind their government and their teenage king, unified in spirit and will. Hero worship is common, and the new press media fan the flames of idealizing the great figures of the nation. Sexes are seen as equal, but tradition expects women and men to stick to their own traditional spheres beyond the extraordinary. Nuclear families are the basis of the society, and diversion from this structure more than diversion from societal gender expectations is met with disgust. After the civil war and the rapid decrease in population, large families are prized. Military tradition is newly emphasized, soldiering has become an avenue to status, if not wealth. The new government is classically liberal and becoming more so, the trend having started with this new system of popularly elected, life-serving monarchs.

History: The kingdom of Venbrad is old, stretching far back into the mists of history hundreds of years in one form or another. A band of united tribes which formed a nation, it existed as a player, major or minor, on the world stage throughout the centuries. Then, catching the world by complete surprise, a civil war broke out, one that would last for four years and utterly devastate the nation. Tensions over taxation and the imprisonment of a popular opposition noble, fueled by decades of frustration at an oppressive and absolutist monarchy, soldiers led by a firebrand military mind fed up with nobility threatening the nation’s defense with their incompetence, led to a catastrophic war fought over the means of government and the role of the individual within the state, the ideas of individualism of the Venbradians not meshing with the despotic rule of an increasingly senile king who refused to die.
The war could have lasted longer, Fairfax’s rebels only having recently gained an upper hand on the Royalist troops, but the King died. In his place, the interim ruler, his son, sued for peace, and Fairfax agreed. She sat down with the nobles and drafted a constitution, one which placed absolute power in the hands of an individual, elected by the people and serving for life, to restore order to the newly-nationalistic nation. The nobility demanded Fairfax not offer herself as a candidate. Fairfax demanded reforms in the military. The grandson of the king, a precocious, handsome and well-spoken youth took the crown, an appeasement between the two warring factions that could be loved by the people.

Five years into the reign of King Geoffrey II, the Kingdom rebuilds and thrives, made lean and ambitious after its near-death experience, ready to take its near-forgotten place as a major member of the world community.

Territory: A moderately small pocket on the north-west coast, mediocre soil and good mineral deposits. Highly forested, which in the past proved difficult and now is a precious commodity.
Other:

[gorgenmast]

<Snipped quote by gorgenmast>1 square mile is actually around 2.59 square kilometer albeit when measuring length the typical mile to kilometer conversion works out, too.

@Willy Vereb

^ is the lazy person symbol for exponents.

[Willy Vereb]

My only problem here is that while I like the Europe map, making it so that we can't have colonies or even contact with not-Asia would mean HUGE changes to what went on during this time period.
Seriously, for starters @ClocktowerEchos can't play as his beloved not-Japan faction.
Relations with nations outside Europe were also always important.
Axing them would be a serious blow to complex politics we know Europe for.
Really, this is a narrative based RPG so I can't see why it's necessary to fear "powergaming" which is the only reason I think colonies are banned.

Of course this game is still playable and all but I would be happy if the GMs at least put my above thoughts into consideration.

[gorgenmast]

Duck's already asked me if I could make a not-North America map and maybe one of the lands on the far side of the world. He just hasn't asked me to pull the trigger on those yet. Don't worry, there will be plenty of colonial territory to go around.

[ClocktowerEchos]

Seriously, for starters @ClocktowerEchos can't play as his beloved not-Japan faction.

@Willy Vereb

Can you hear the voices of millions of people crying out in pain and agony because their god-emperor is not allowed, nor is their very existence? Do you not notice the lack of the derpiest intelligent idiots you'll ever see? Or the lack of a very, very promiscuous culture? The wannabe Asian cry every time :<

#Fuso-Ryukyu-YamataiEmpireHasRightToo
#JusticeNeededPlz