Flagg

New Anathagos: Politics and Adventure in a Fantasy City

@POOHEAD189@Tsar Gatto@ethanjory@polybius@sakurasan

Great to see some interest- just a few more folks and I'll put up the OOC.

New Anathagos: Politics and Adventure in a Fantasy City

New Anathagos

To Carthage then I came, where there sang all around me in my ears a cauldron of unholy loves.
St. Augustine, Confessions Book III

Hello!

The idea of this RP is simple: it will be a faction/character RP in a fantasy setting based in the single, massive, mercantile city-state of New Anathagos. Through designing their characters and factions, players will help to flesh out the city and the wider world together. There will be a central plot, the rough outline of which I have in mind, that participants are welcome to join or ignore as they wish. People can design any type of faction they wish: crime syndicates, mercantile guilds, noble houses, foreign embassies, assassin brotherhoods, etc etc.

A few details on the setting:

New Anathagos

New Anathagos is one of the greatest cities in the world of Phlegethon- and certainly one of the richest. Located on the subtropical island of Jos in the middle of the Sea of Beasts, the maritime power is ideally situated between major nations, and has grown rich over its nearly 700 year history as a hub of commerce. Ruled by a bicameral Parliament divided between an aristocratic upper house known as the House of Wisdom and an elected lower house known as the Chamber of Noise, in practice New Anathagos is a fairly anarchic place, with its myriad districts de facto governed by influential factions, syndicates, noble houses, religious orders and other centers of authority.

New Anathagos was founded by exiles, and has received many tides of migrants from distant lands over its long existence. As such, and a commercial center, it is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world, home to practically every race, sentient species, creed and culture that can be found on Phlegethon.

And on the RP generally:

WHAT IS THIS RP?

- It is a character-centric faction RP. Players will design and write as the different factions of New Anathagos, but the focus of the RP will be on the characters.
-It is dark fantasy set in a bustling renaissance era city state.
-This to be an exercise in collaborative world building. That means that we want factions and characters that feel like they inhabit a shared world. Players should collaborate heavily in designing their factions and characters.
-It is low-medium fantasy: magic exists. It is powerful, dangerous, and uncommon.

More on Magic, Races and Cosmology

A note on Magic: I am not a big fan on fixed magic rules or magic systems. I do want to stress that this is low(ish) fantasy. That means no armies of reanimated dead or golems, no legions of fireball casters, balrogs, etc. We're going to err on the side of how the LotR handled magic rather than say, D&D. Meaning, it is present and powerful, but mysterious and often indirect.

I prefer what I call the Tolkien/GRR Martin approach to magic and religion. Magic is real, mysterious, and powerful, but for the most part takes place 'off-screen', and is for aesthetic purposes somewhat subdued or indirect (eg- no undead armies or mages throwing fireballs around). Likewise, the RP will take the GRR Martin approach to religion: there are as many religions as we can come up with here, but we will leave it an open question as to whether any of them are true. Conflicting mythos and cosmologies and visions of god(s) are encouraged.

-It is vaguely Renaissance tech. Cannons and arquebus are new military technology. There are a few exceptions to this.
-It has original fantasy races. We're going to try to stay away from orcs/dwarves/elves/halflings. If you want a version of a classic fantasy race, try to give it a unique spin.
-It is inspired by Tolkien, Dune, Warhammer fantasy, Lovecraft, China Mieville, & Morrowind.

RULES
- Writing standards are advanced
- Have fun, act like a human being, and remember this is a vehicle for story telling and world building and not a competitive strategy game. If you want that, try Civ or Total War. They're fun.
- Respect the judgment of the GMs.
- Please try to post once a week. If you can't, that's no big deal at all, but check in here to let the GMs know you're still with us.
- One more note on posting: everybody gets writers block, or burned out, or is unsure how to proceed once in awhile. If that happens, nbd- but maybe try to find other ways to stay active? Help flesh out the history of the world, or invent a new subfaction or religion. Worldbuilding might prompt a solid IC post. Let's keep this alive and awesome.

OK! That's enough for a Int. Check I think- anyone in?

New Anathagos: Politics and Adventure in a Fantasy City

New Anathagos

To Carthage then I came, where there sang all around me in my ears a cauldron of unholy loves.
St. Augustine, Confessions Book III

Hello!

The idea of this RP is simple: it will be a faction/character RP in a fantasy setting based in the single, massive, mercantile city-state of New Anathagos. Through designing their characters and factions, players will help to flesh out the city and the wider world together. There will be a central plot, the rough outline of which I have in mind, that participants are welcome to join or ignore as they wish. People can design any type of faction they wish: crime syndicates, mercantile guilds, noble houses, foreign embassies, assassin brotherhoods, etc etc.

A few details on the setting:

New Anathagos

New Anathagos is one of the greatest cities in the world of Phlegethon- and certainly one of the richest. Located on the subtropical island of Jos in the middle of the Sea of Beasts, the maritime power is ideally situated between major nations, and has grown rich over its nearly 700 year history as a hub of commerce. Ruled by a bicameral Parliament divided between an aristocratic upper house known as the House of Wisdom and an elected lower house known as the Chamber of Noise, in practice New Anathagos is a fairly anarchic place, with its myriad districts de facto governed by influential factions, syndicates, noble houses, religious orders and other centers of authority.

New Anathagos was founded by exiles, and has received many tides of migrants from distant lands over its long existence. As such, and a commercial center, it is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world, home to practically every race, sentient species, creed and culture that can be found on Phlegethon.

And on the RP generally:

WHAT IS THIS RP?

- It is a character-centric faction RP. Players will design and write as the different factions of New Anathagos, but the focus of the RP will be on the characters.
-It is dark fantasy set in a bustling renaissance era city state.
-This to be an exercise in collaborative world building. That means that we want factions and characters that feel like they inhabit a shared world. Players should collaborate heavily in designing their factions and characters.
-It is low-medium fantasy: magic exists. It is powerful, dangerous, and uncommon.

More on Magic, Races and Cosmology

A note on Magic: I am not a big fan on fixed magic rules or magic systems. I do want to stress that this is low(ish) fantasy. That means no armies of reanimated dead or golems, no legions of fireball casters, balrogs, etc. We're going to err on the side of how the LotR handled magic rather than say, D&D. Meaning, it is present and powerful, but mysterious and often indirect.

I prefer what I call the Tolkien/GRR Martin approach to magic and religion. Magic is real, mysterious, and powerful, but for the most part takes place 'off-screen', and is for aesthetic purposes somewhat subdued or indirect (eg- no undead armies or mages throwing fireballs around). Likewise, the RP will take the GRR Martin approach to religion: there are as many religions as we can come up with here, but we will leave it an open question as to whether any of them are true. Conflicting mythos and cosmologies and visions of god(s) are encouraged.

-It is vaguely Renaissance tech. Cannons and arquebus are new military technology. There are a few exceptions to this.
-It has original fantasy races. We're going to try to stay away from orcs/dwarves/elves/halflings. If you want a version of a classic fantasy race, try to give it a unique spin.
-It is inspired by Tolkien, Dune, Warhammer fantasy, Lovecraft, China Mieville, & Morrowind.

RULES
- Writing standards are advanced
- Have fun, act like a human being, and remember this is a vehicle for story telling and world building and not a competitive strategy game. If you want that, try Civ or Total War. They're fun.
- Respect the judgment of the GMs.
- Please try to post once a week. If you can't, that's no big deal at all, but check in here to let the GMs know you're still with us.
- One more note on posting: everybody gets writers block, or burned out, or is unsure how to proceed once in awhile. If that happens, nbd- but maybe try to find other ways to stay active? Help flesh out the history of the world, or invent a new subfaction or religion. Worldbuilding might prompt a solid IC post. Let's keep this alive and awesome.

OK! That's enough for a Int. Check I think- anyone in?

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

Castle Ghomyre, Present Day

"Your Majesty did...what?" asked Daigon.

King Harold snorted disdainfully, leaning forward in Baron Whul's surrendered throne.

"I. sent." he said slowly, addressing the assembled soldiery as though they were dim children, "for. the. ranger's... corpse."

Veredict Daigon was one of over a dozen captains assembled before the king, and he was not the only one wearing an expression of mild alarm.

"What do you want with a body? Decided this miserable little castle doesn't smell enough like shit?" asked Forrestor Thalmy, the burly mass of muscle and scar tissue that captained the Honorable Men, a free company with a reputation twice as bloody -and half as honorable- as any mercenary band east of Sour Fenn.

Daigon suspected that Thalmy and his horde of rapers and cutthroats were one pay day away from leaving the royal service and looting what remained of Vendland on their way home. Which was a shame, since Forrestor was awfully fun to get drunk with. But Daigon didn't blame him. Victory had not made His Majesty any better company, nor made payment more regular.

"I've heard disquieting rumors," said the King. There was an long silence as the commanders waited for further information. His Majesty did not deign to elaborate.

"What sort of rumors, my lord?" asked a cadaverous man to Daigon's left. His voice was soft, almost girlish, and his pale face ornately tattooed with the swirling sigils of the Kin. To those who could read such barbarous script, the tattoos marked him as one of the Boros tribe. And they marked him out as an exile. As a murderer. As a warlock.

Rikmand, perched next to the throne, twitched like he'd been bitten. "I've not seen you before- who are you, to address the King?!"

"I lost my name when I lost my clan," said the tattooed stranger in his soft voice.

Daigon smiled, "But we know and love him as the Tally Man. He is the paymaster for my company. Keeps the Red Fangs' accounts in order. I've decided to bring him to these little, errr...what's the word? Not gatherings. Certainly not parties, or we'd be drinking. Audiences from now on. Given the, ah, complexity of the pay schedule, it's easier to have the money-men on hand, no?"

A general murmur of dissatisfaction went up from the captains. Harold signaled for quiet.

"Your pay is on the way, along with Brand of Nightwood. It will arrive before nightfall next."

"Why'd you stash a body with our pay? I don't want no cursed gold," said Thalmy.

"My men won't take payment in corpses, Majesty," said Daigon, "Well...except for the ghouls. We do have a few ghouls."

"Your japery is not appreciated," said the King, "When the body arrives, I wish you, Captain Daigon, to conjure Brand's spirit. I wish to question the ranger."

"Oh," said Daigon, "Your Majesty...."

"Ridiculous, unnatural," said Thalmy, echoed by several of the other captains- even the ones from the royal guard, "All this witchery will have a bad end. What information do you need that only a body can tell?"

"I am tired of being questioned. Constant insolence," said Harold, "You are all dismissed. Daigon stay."

"Highness, may I again-" began Rikmand.

"Get out," said Harold through gritted teeth.

Daigon exchanged a muttered word with Thalmy as the latter trudged from the crowded throne room along with the other courtiers and captains. He motioned for the Tally Man to stay.

"This one is always by your side these days," said the king.

"My own personal Rikmand," said Daigon, "Everyone needs one."

Harold sneered. "Brand of Nightwood was a cult figure. He had a circle of devotees and lickspittles. Some of them are known to be dangerous."

"I am aware of Brand's reputation," said Daigon, "Though none of these 'dangerous' devotees showed up to protect him in the end."

"Several men were killed in Bosfryd the other day, and the captain there reported back in a daze. Bewitched, seemed like. Talking about war. Vengeance for Brand. William's corpse spoke of it too."

"A few dead sellswords isn't a war."

"I want the town razed, the smallfolk put to the question."

"That, Your Majesty," said Daigon, "is more likely to rekindle a war. One you can ill afford."

"Then question this corpse like you did the other. Find out about these rangers."

"The Art is more fickle than that, Majesty. And too dangerous for cavalier use."

"Cavalier?! This is my kingdom. My reign, Daigon, my legacy. Risks everywhere. You could have extracted more from Barkstead's corpse. The ritual need not have been so brief- when the ranger's corpse arrives you will not release the bindlings until I allow it. Until I have my questions answered. All of them."

Daigon and the Tally Man shared a wordless glance.

"Your Majesty seems....newly well informed regarding augury," he said.

"I know more of the dark arts than you imagine, Captain."

"Someone sending you suggested reading?"

"I am King. If I need information, I can obtain it."

"I see," said Daigon, "Well, when the body arrives, we'll see what can be done with it."

"Good. You may go."

Daigon and the Tally Man left the throne room in silence. Once outside in the bustling outer court, Daigon turned to his apprentice.

"Find out who is whispering in the King's ear, telling him about augury and the Art," said Daigon, "Last thing we need is Harry becoming a half-assed sorcerer. Or a real sorcerer using the King for their ends. We want him for our ends, after all."

"I'll look into it," said the Tally Man.

"Good, and tell Zarak to get a foraging party together."

"Going raiding?"

"No, going to Bosfryd. Going to find out what in Azoth's name is going on."

@Heyseuss @Naril @R31GN @Gunther @Airbender @POOHEAD189 @NickTrano @Noxious

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

Thank you for advancing the story, HeySeuss. It appears I can now get onto the site without receiving the error message every time. I did read the logs of information posted on Skype, but alas, everyone logged off by the time I was able to look at it.

It appears, I need to post Sachevia's Raven coming to me and saying the location of Brand's body? I know she tried to leave it vague, but since that is where we are taking the story. Also, that Brand's body is being transported by the King's men or Flagg's mercenaries (?) in a column that is also carrying the payroll? If so, I can post tomorrow sometime.

@Gunther

My mercenaries are going to show up later. I think most of the baddies you'll face now are generic mercs/royal soldiers.

Nemesis: Star Wars meets Hunt for Red October

Pirate captain

WIP

The Arrogance

Vessel Name: Arrogance
Vessel Type: Pirate Battlecruiser
Vessel Class: Kraken Class Warship, heavily modified
Armament:

- Six flank-mounted heavy "Backbreaker" batteries, extremely effective against capital sized vessels at all ranges.

- modified Vorqhul stealth drive

- anti-missile/strikecraft point defenses along the hull.

- forward-facing, prow-mounted plasma batteries, designed to inflict shield failure and catastrophic hull damage as the Arrogance closes at ramming speed

Support Ships:

- Torpedo Frigates: Vampire and Ghost
- Heavy Flak Frigates: Hammer, Al-Hazred, Xenocide

Crew: (Number of total crew. Might also break down of officer/conscript ratio, describe any marine contingents aboard, list other important crew members, etc.)

Overview: (Description of the vessel, its combat role, brief summary of its history if it is a seasoned warship. Treat this like the ship's bio field.)

Captain: Anathagos Surl
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Rank: Mercenary/Pirate Captain
Bio: (Brief history of your captain. The point is not to recount their life story, but to sow the seeds for your captain's motivations and aims by grounding them in a backstory.)

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

Incidentally, if we are floundering on where to take this, please let me know so I can devise a transition to the Nightwood away from Bosfyrd. I can do a five paragraph setup for another scene.

@HeySeuss

If you move everyone to the Nightwood and set up a new scene for the main group, I'll step in a fill in what's going on with King Harold and his pal Daigon.

@R31GN@Naril@Gunther@AirBender@HeySeuss@NickTrano@Flagg@Noxious

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

I think that rangers and sieges should be mutually exclusive and that any fight should involve violence of action in order to create an opportunity to get out of there. Otherwise, sitting ducks.

<Snipped quote by Flagg>

Solid fuckin' post. Keep them coming like that, I love what you're doing to flesh out Bloody Harold. You're a co-GM as of this moment.

@Gunther @NickTrano @Flagg @R31GN @POOHEAD189 @AirBender @Naril

@HeySeuss

Very nice of you to say, and thanks for letting me take liberties with our poor misunderstood monarch.

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

Excellent post, Flagg. Very well written.

@Gunther

thanks!

Blood Debt (Medieval/Fantasy, Rangers)

@Gunther @NickTrano @HeySeuss @R31GN @POOHEAD189 @AirBender @Naril

Posted. Sweet flashback action, batman!