Slamurai

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

If it's not too late, I'd like to show my interest in this role-play. I should however note that I have never posted in the Advanced section. I was told it might be a good idea however to try and head to the Advanced section to see if I can uncover flaws in my writing and improve. I'm more than open to advice and criticism. If you'll have me that is, and after I've put in an application, that being approved/denied, etc.

@Gendarme

I say go for it, if you're feeling confident! I don't think the jump to advanced is as huge as it seems to be. In reality, this Nation section is distinct from the Casual/Advanced sections, but tends to follow the guidelines of the latter. It's true that the posts tend to be 'fuller' and lengthier, but everyone has their own style and is comfortable with different levels of writing. In short, don't feel pressured to match veterans or burn yourself out; just give it your best shot! I'm glad you're interested; stick around if this is something you'd like to be a part of and see through.

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

Hey @Aristo, it seems pretty obvious that the Ambrusian Church is sort of a Catholic Church expy but are we going to get a more detailed explanation of what exactly their religious beliefs are?

@TheSovereignGrave

They're very comparable; there's one god who's responsible for creation and all the things we usually associate with the Judeo-Christian god. But there's no 'son of god,' figure; instead, Fiorentino is God's earthly representative and first saint, much more comparable to a figure like Moses or even Muhammed. There's a clear expectation of reaching heaven upon death - less so of a hell or Satan; dammned souls are simply lost to time and forgotten.

I can write up more in the OOC, if you wish. In general, the nuance of the religion isn't as important as the consequence of the Church's activity on earth, and how your characters/nation deal with it. For now, know that its core tenets are comparable to Judeo-Christian beliefs; most worldly religions promise heavenly deliverance for the devout and good souls, in any case.

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

Cool :)

As well, given that they're basically the Antovan Bosnia, my plan was for them to be overrun by Timluks and mostly vassalized and converted to their religion (whatever the not-Islam is called) due to being more or less crippled from it's division, as well as it's rebels converting as a political statement and for support. I'm curious if that would be okay in the later game?

@Nerevarine

The Guild is so uncooperative today; it gave you a like while I've been trying to refresh the error page to reply!
But that's definitely within the realm of possibility for the RP. The Timluks will be an NPC story element that I'll periodically throw at the west. How you handle them and what your plans are for your nation will decide how they do in their offense. I have a rough idea of their progression, but I'll need more western powers on the table to decide for sure.

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

Could I be a Papal States like nation?

@Theodorable

Actually, as GM, I'll be playing the Vatican-equivalent of the Ambrusian Church and directing their activities, but you are all free to play the respective prelates or bishops that represent your nations. Expect them to convene frequently at the church's political center.

However, some folks have been interested in playing knightly orders or crusader state-type factions, which I'll allow on a case by case basis. The real focus should be on the nations and how they tread the political and religious waters at their throats. That said, I do need somebody on the borders with the Timluks to have a Constantinople-esque city; a spiritual Fiorentinan headquarters, so to speak.

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

-Double post; disregard-

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

@Nerevarine
I like what you've got; seems like it will have a nice dynamic on the Fiorentian political sphere.
I had wanted to set land claims aside for the OOC, but yours doesn't conflict with any plans I had, so its all good.

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

A kingdom that's primarily agrarian in nature, and which is very much trying to hold onto the ideals of chivalry and knighthood in the face of an evolving world. And which is likely going to end up with the very real possibility of facing a succession crisis upon his death because he has 3 children: the eldest son who is unfit to rule because he is mentally retarded, the second son who many consider unfit because he's incredibly frail and sickly, and a deformed infant daughter.

@TheSovereignGrave

I do love backwater states. God forbid they're on the frontlines of the war with the Timluks!

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

I could be interested in this, and I actually already have an idea for my nation.

@TheSovereignGrave

Glad to hear it! What've you got in mind?

God and Country - A low-fantasy renaissance NRP of religion and discovery

God & Country

The continent of Antova: a collection of kingdoms, principalities and duchies loosely united through faith and beset by fire. The High Pontiff is dead, and the Prelates of the kingdoms convene to elect a new religious leader. In his absence, religious strife threatens to divide the bond between church and state. Every day, souls are lost to the pyre as the Ambrusian Order cleanses the "wicked" from the earth in its bid to maintain order. In the east, the drums of war beat and the muezzins rouse the devout to arms with prayer-song from their minarets. Sultans pray, bidding their prophet for blessings on their holy war against the unbelievers. It is a time of uncertainty, where war with the eastern world looms on the horizon, where even kings tread the thin line between salvation and excommunication, and where prayers for deliverance can be heard on the lips of every soul across the known world.

Welcome to God and Country, an NRP set in the continent of Antova - a pseudo-Renaissance Europe at a chaotic time where the Ambrusian Church reigns nearly supreme, and the borders of the easternmost kingdoms are threatened by the looming armies of the Timluks. Antova's monarchies are connected through their belief in God and His ascended Saint Fiorentino. However, the Fiorentinan world is embroiled in disorder, following the untimely death of the High Pontiff Brutellus. The iron gauntlet of the Ambrusian Church can be felt across the continent as thousands burn on the pyres; a political statement, as much as a religious one. The Fiorentian kings are divided in their loyalty to their country and to the church; and with the Timluks on the verge of invasion, such schism could not come at a worse time.

Players will control their own Fiorentian state and the characters within, vying against or cooperating with one another for leverage as the Ambrusians continue their purges. The loyalties of your monarchs and their subjects is up to you, although excommunication is a very real and present danger, which can be faced together, or alone. Meanwhile, the Timluk Sultanates stir to the east, and the call for war is a loud one. Although trade with the Timluks has enriched many aspects of the Antovan kingdoms, the two worlds have clashed time and time again in wars of religion. Untouched from the chaos of the east, virgin lands far across sea are rumored to await the blessings of Fiorentino, or perhaps to shelter those escaping the Ambrusian pyres.

Technologically and culturally, the world is equivalent to the late 1500s. Pike and arquebus have dimmed the candle of knightly dominance, and feudalism is becoming a thing of the past. Printing has led to increased literacy rates, and society has enamored itself with the arts and sciences. Yet, the masses' faith in God has never diminished, and the Church enjoys a seat outside the jurisdiction of secular powers. The setting is low-fantasy: there is magic, but it is hard to define and even harder to master. Practitioners are few and far in-between, but many have found employment in the courts of kings. However, wizards are also usually the first to bear the brunt of the Ambrusians' wrath when the purge swells. It is a discrete and indirect art - a wizard searching for a wind to manipulate a ship out of a lull looks no different than a devout man at prayer, to the average man. There are also no elves, no dwarves - humanity is supreme, much as in the real world, but there may be fantastical beasts and animals that dwell here.

Rules & Regulations

• I am the Lord, and my Word is Law. Not quite, but I am still GM and I will have the final say in the arbitration of disputes or rulings.
• You will respect and appreciate thy neighbor. There is no contest, no prize to be won. I have only provided a backdrop for a narrative, and I would like the story to come first. I hope players desire the same. I expect player nations will have long-standing history with each other, and encourage collaboration between them, if not declare it outright mandatory.
• Do not abandon thy countrymen to death or despair. Where high turnover rates and abandoned NRPs are commonplace, I aim to welcome players who are also invested in a long-term narrative and who have the drive to see it through. If you will be away for a time, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.

The Map

Political Map

This is the map of the geographic regions most significant to the narrative. The continent of Antova comprises roughly the western half of the map. The east half is made up of the realms of the Timluks and other foreign peoples. A good practice might be to stick to where it's green. There is also the possibility of sailing far westwards, across the ocean and landing on an uncharted continent. That will be dealt with when we cross that bridge.

Nation Sheet

NS skeleton

Nation Name

Flag or coat of arms here.

Nation Overview

Give us a concise summary of your nation: what is is known for? What is it all about? This should set the tone for other sections and how others will perceive your state. Also, tell us what form of government you have. Most will be kingdoms, but duchies, principalities, even small republics are fair game. Also name important characters and the current head of state.

Geography

Map Claim

Choose a color and draw your borders on the map. You are also at liberty to describe the geography, weather, flora and fauna of your nation here. Also to be mentioned are important cities or locations within your nation.

History

Self-explanatory. This doesn't need to be long; just informative. I encourage players to collaborate and create shared history.

Society

What are the people in your nation like? How closely do they adhere to the Church? What is notable about their culture and how they do things? Feel free to elaborate, but keep it reasonable. History may play a large role in this section, and vice-versa.

Economy/Industry

What resources do you import and export? How is your industrial capacity? Are you more agricultural? Do you make anything especially coveted or unique? Geography will play a role here. No Fiorentian state is wholly self-sufficient.

Military

I do not require numbers or pinpoint-accurate troop demographics, but give us an overview of your military. What does your nation do well? Has it embraced gunpowder and tercio, or does it cling to the past and field vast ranks of mounted ment-at-arms? What kind of equipment do you use? Many Fiorentian militaries will be similar, in appearance and/or equipment, but you don't have to be identical. You are free to embellish this section with famous regiments or historical commanders. How is your army organized? Do you have a color scheme? Have fun, but be sensible.

Now, with that on the table, who might be interested? I will answer any and all questions that come my way. I ask that land claims be withheld until the OOC is up, as I will need to establish the territory of the Timluks, other foreign lands and the Vatican-equivalent of the Ambrusian Church.

Mechs & Megacorps | Scenario 1: Project Deep Water

I didn't even know the OOC was up; is the link in the IntCheck?