Andreyich

Empire of the Empty Throne

Andy

Name and Title of Vassal State: The Egyszer Incursion
Ruler: Incursor Vaulosz
Race: Egyszers are - if one was forced to admit - human. They are naturally paler, but by exposure to the sun even amongst nobility tend to end up darker. Their hair is typically black or brown, their eyes amber or green; other colourations are distrusted. Their features often tend to the extreme, tending away from the mean and median with men either tall, strong or short, lanky. However centuries of negative relations have had many other races and realms come up with wildly exaggerated stereotypes of them from devious slanted eyes to hook shaped noses and clubbed feet.
Location:

History:
The arrival of the Gaulletics swept the entire geopolitical scene of the continent. Their destruction of the old order was swift and effective, but incomplete. The Egyszers were one of the few proud peoples that withstood their onslaughts. Though they had to surrender much of their ancestral lands, they left a trail of Gaulletic heads mounted on stakes culminating in a great wall of them by the mountains. Retreating over them to the plains beyond, the Egyszers split into two main groups; the Mountaineers and Plainsfolk. They drifted apart for years with their culture growing into two ever more distinct ones.

These people feuded amongst themselves, uniting only to destroy hapless punitive expeditions. They lived a harsh life, but a happy, free one. They killed one another in droves, they starved every decade, but they were not shackled and that made them better than all else.

But in the last century, it came to be that youth could hardly remember the old animosities as they were pursued ever less. Trade spread through the mountains, and ever more it came to be considered among the Egyszers that freedom and bounties of the mainland aren't mutually exclusive. Mountaineers and Plainsfolk alike crossed to enjoy newfound bounties amongst the mainlanders, eventually growing fond of the continent and what it had grown into. But the trouble was that they were not truly of it, only appearing briefly in troupes to trade before fleeing back lest any one bearing a grudge hunt them down.

This changed some twenty years ago when a boy in one of these troupes, a young Vaulosz thought after one such trip that the fate of his people was on the mainland. The son of one of the chiefs of the disparate bands of Egyszers among the plainsfolk, he set out to do much work. Duelling his father for rule of his kin was a first step, securing him a base from which to spring his growing political career off of. From then on he spent several years fighting and convincing fellow tribes that under him they could ascend to be conquerors of the mainland, enjoying both freedom of their current state and the wealth they were robbed of all those decades ago when forced to flee. Using traders to bring examples of the great things that could await the Egyszers he began a gradual reform of their society to prepare them for their new goal of returning to their ancestral homeland.

His greatest obstacle thus far has been the complete unity of his people, wherein he was to convince the Mountaineers to region their now estranged kin. Though for the most part they did not want his greater goal of settling down away from their mountains, they whole-heartedly agreed with his menacing cries for vengeance. Combined with a marriage to the daughter of one of their dying chiefs and a promise to several of their own fiefdoms under him, Vaulosz narrowly secured the unity of the Egyszers.

If he had made his move at any other time, the Egyszer Incursion as it came to be known would have been slaughtered by far larger, better prepared armies. But the growing grip of the Gaulletics combined with their recent plague had created the perfect time for the Egyszers to arrive in the land with violence in mind.

Overnight entire villages and cities disappeared. Any Gaulletic that did not have useful knowledge from medicine to smithing was beheaded with the rest conscripted, humans formed into collaborators, and remaining races enslaved. It was when the beautiful city of Pallare was sacked, that the people of the continent found couriers carrying a surprising message. Vaulosz was now on the throne of the city's governor using the seat's previous occupant as a footrest, and as ashes rained down on him he wrote letters to the powers of the land that he simply wanted equal recognition for his people in the selection of The Throne. Though many laughed at his message, the laughter dissipated as the news spread of the city's taking.

Though yet nobody has replied yet, the Egyszers will push hard to get a seat at the table.

Special Note:
Imperial Intelligence on the Egyszer

Population
12-13 million including local peasants or minor nobles

Economic production

Wheat
Domesticated animals (horse, primarily)
Barley
Fish (anchovies, hake, eel, shrimp, crab)
Hardwoods
Grapes
Iron
Nut trees
Copper
Silver

The Egyszer have the status of a foreign envoy in Garnalaña

TES: The Second Great War

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.

TES: The Second Great War

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.

N.E.O. - New Earth Oracle

A forest of forklifts moved about the shipyard, their cockpits filled simply with boxes studded by blinking LEDs. Captain Pavliashvili leaned on the wall with his arms crossed, rejecting the cigarette his Marine counterpart removed from his plate carrier. “You think this is going to last?” he asked.

“Robots in the navy?”

“Well what the fuck else?”

The Marine shrugged. “You’ve been deployed mostly to warm water, yes? The easy stations near home, Sakartvelo, yes? I can tell you now, the Soviet Navy and the Russian one before that never had a good reputation. Command put it to you guys being losers. If they take out th e human out of the matter then they can perhaps fix it, stop other fleets from laughing at ours.

“What? Who are you talking to Private?”

The Marine laughed. “Someone who’s going to lose his job in a few years it looks to me. I’d be more smug if I didn’t think there’s a good chance they’ll be cutting out the Marines after they cut you out. But hey, I’m still young, I can join OMON or something. Maybe you can go to the Space Corps!”

Pavliashvili growled. The little shit was right. First it was the sailors, then the officers. But he wasn’t just going to take it from the kid. “Who’s your commanding officer?” The Marine chuckled, turning around and walking off without reply. The Captain almost chased his counterpart, but decided against it and simply boarded his vessel, closing his eyes from the flash of NLCs that authenticated his keycard.

The vessel already felt… lonely. He knew this sail wouldn’t be a long one, but for future ones, the thought of being all alone on his ship terrified the man. Six, ten months with just machines and video calls to keep him company. He did not think he could stand it. With this business the Americans got themselves into, it was a scenario that was getting all the more probable. With the French biting off Quebec, it was no secret that there were discussions of an Aleutian Soviet Socialist Republic, and of Communist States of America.

That was propaganda of course. Pavliashvili has spoken to enough Admirals and once even the Minister of Defence that he knew there would most likely be no CSA. Far more likely was a deployment of Soviet troops around the zones, a kidnapping of all the scientists around, and a plundering of all the research facilities; the people therein would be left to fend for themselves. The luckiest might end living in Californian, Bajan, and similar such Democratic Peoples’ Republics. But for now, preparations were being made. The Soviet Union was not prepared to do any such land-grabs that the second NATO had done. However, it could lay the ground for some ambitious plays of its own. The vessels to be deployed this day were to go to the Americas and discretely deploy supplies, zone-suits, and even some infiltrators and Engineers to prepare for Soviet boots on the ground to take critical sites in the Americas with a great buffer of supplies to prevent the issues of maintaining such a force across the Pacific Ocean for a long time.

He supposed this is why they replaced the sailors with computers first. This was a delicate matter, as delicate as the Spetsnaz working to co-opt the many workers movements into seeing the Soviet Union as synonymous with liberation of the proletariat. There was no room for human error; when it would come time to throw in conscripts with orders to shoot whoever didn’t comply, such delicacy wouldn’t be needed, hence no automation for the army.

TES: The Second Great War

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.

TES: The Second Great War

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.

TES: The Second Great War

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!

~ Emperor Kuno Azariah "The Cyclops", Son of the Dovahkiin, declaring war upon the Aldmeri Dominion

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.

Rough Timeline

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.

CS

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 that, I hope to hear from everyone!

TES: The Second Great War

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!

~ Emperor Kuno Azariah "The Cyclops", Son of the Dovahkiin, declaring war upon the Aldmeri Dominion

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.

Rough Timeline

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.

CS

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 that, I hope to hear from everyone!

Andy's hunt for kin-spirit dreggs

Empire of the Empty Throne

So I told Aaron elsewhere the only real thing I'd note is how they relate to other realms but otherwise I'm done. Any people interested in the RP feel free to hit me up to talk about potential relations between our realms; stuff like potential participation in punitive expeditions, potential of agreeing to recognize the Egyszers as electors for the crown, etc.