Not my own words, but: "Enjoy memes and have a good time online, but develop a solid sense of self-worth that is rooted in a reality that doesn't disappear when the battery charge is empty."
@VahirWell, I'm not quite sure why we are posting in the OOC section which is used for discussion rather than the character board
See the first post:
I would ask that new players restrict the characters tab to content that I have approved, so that we can keep a clear distinction between what is and is not yet cannon.
The Characters tab is restricted to approved material, at least for the moment.
Not to put @BlackBishop's map work to waste, but there's also the option of choosing a pre-generated map via Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator. It's pretty customizable; you can choose how many regions the map has, add hills and islands, select a few different views (topographical, poltiical etc.), customize location labels and it can auto-generate borders. In short, it does a lot of the work for you and you can tweak to taste, giving you more time to focus on the writing.
Anyway; it's just a possible option to consider. As far as the cosmology goes, I like Bishop's ideas of having the current reigning gods be conquerors of an ancient pantheon, who then created the world separate from the ruined one they left behind. We don't have to explain the intricacies of how the universe works - only that which concerns us in the present, with our current pantheon. The conqueror route also gives our world a kind of classic 'bad guys' in the form of ancient races that followed the Old Gods, maybe some kind of demons that arose from their ashes, or what-have-you.
I wish I had seen this thread earlier. Quite frankly, I love world-building as a hobby. The maps, the history, the background, et cetera. So care to catch me up on what is going on and what we've concluded?
We haven't concluded much at the moment. Consensus seems to favor a world in which the gods are real, but are fickle and not infallible, inspired by Greco-Roman myth. I'm assuming their feuds will extend to and greatly shape the mortal world and influence the interactions between different peoples. I fear that such a black-and-white, 'our gods vs. your gods' outlook will make religion a more prominent factor than secular politics, limiting opportunity for political intrigue and games, if we desire it. Having an entire people beholden to particular gods might hamper their freedom of choice, limiting individual agency. Unless the gods don't care at all about mortal political or cultural divisions.
A procession of clerics during a service at the Temple of Providence in Zurqar.
-Population: 16.2 million (legal residents, according to census) -Faction: Yuwanism -Capital: Zurqar -Government Type: Theocratic Monarchy
-Government Description: The Sukhrabid Dynasty governs through a system of checks and balances. At the pinnacle of its hierarchy is the Shah, who exercises total power over the state. His rule is legitimized by his bloodline: a descendant of the Proto-Lamashi warlords that first brought Yuwanism to Eudaz, and those that defeated the adherents of the Old Pantheon's dead gods. Below the Shah is a system of bureaucracy and departments, put in place to prevent fraud and ensure transparency. Most importantly, this 'safety net' ensures decisions are not made that circumvent the Shah's approval. Every office is managed by a deputy, who reports directly to the Shah and keeps records of all actions of the state's officials. The Shah keeps his ministers under control by encouraging a competitive environment among his bureaucrats. This has led to a meritocratic society, rather than one based on heritage. Officials are pressured to govern in the best interest of their leader and the state, rather than their own.
-Head of State: Shah Baraz II -Currency: Tuman -Language: Eudazeans speak a language derived from Old Edukar, with many loanwords and characteristics borrowed from Lamashi and Gushawar. With some hurdles and omitting more exotic words, a speaker can converse with a speaker of Uudhinite Edukar. Pure Gushawari is commonly spoken in the east, and Lamashi is used regularly by the ruling dynasty and its administration.
UNIQUE ATTRIBUTE INFORMATION
WIP
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
WIP
-Major Locations of Interest:
Zurqar: The capital of Eudaz and powerbase of the Sukhrabids. This sprawling metropolis has always been the seat of Eudaz's rulers, from the ancient Edukeshans to its Yuwanist overlords. As a result, it boasts an array of cosmopolitan features in its architecture and culture. Eudazans can buy goods from Gushawar and beyond from vendors on streets hundreds of thousands years old. The Royal Palace sits at the epicenter of the city, a tangle of sharp spires that pierce the sky. Servant homonculi roost among the towers and can commonly be seen darting to and from the palace to other parts of the city. Zurqar also hosts the headquarters of the Sanguine Circle, Eudaz's most prominent coven of wizards. Within the confines of their halls, they conduct clandestine rituals and weave spells in Yuwan's name.
Sarnassa:
Caburh:
More to come.
RACIAL INFORMATION
-Majority race:
Humans: Eudazean humans are ethnically related to the Uudhinites and Ouroborasians, all having a common Edukeshan background. The Edukeshan archetype is dark of hair and olive-skinned. Occupation of Eudaz by Yuwanist peoples has created an abundance of diversity in its genetic stock. Eudazenas place little emphasis on race, concerned more with nationality and tribal affiliation. Other ethnicities are also common, most of them being Yuwanist peoples. Gushawari populations are numerous in the east. Refugees from Ouroborasia and Aberys have settled in Eudaz throughout the last few centuries. Justinian minorities and Red God worshipers can be found in small numbers. The latter usually hide away from public eye, in the wilds.
-Minority race(s): WIP
RELIGION INFORMATION
Pilgrims gather to lay offerings and receive Yuwan's blessing at a remote shrine in Sarnassa.
-State Religion: Yuwanism -Patron Deities: Worship of Yuwan was introduced to Eudaz over a thousand years ago, after Eudeye's celestial servants failed in their rebellion. Yuwanist warlords brought with them their religion, converting the defeated masses while laying claim to their lands. In the time after the rebellion, when Eudeye had been long dead and Yitizer imprisoned, the Edukeshans had few to no active gods to call upon. Many gladly turned to Yuwanism to fill this void of faith.
-Religion Demographics:
87% Yuwanism
10% Red Pantheonism (Axohaan, Ephemem, Ishnanneh)
2% Justinianism
1% Other
-Holy Relics in Possession: -Holy Sites under Control: -Notable Magical Institutions: -Religious Interpretations/Culture: With the rest of the Old Pantheon dead, popular belief maintains that Yuwan is the defacto head of the pantheon and deserves to be Materia's one true god. Because of her survival, she is thought to be the only one capable of standing against Justinain and other rogue gods.
MILITARY INFORMATION
-Total Military Size: Approximately 81,000 (standing), 243,000 (in wartime) -List of Heroes: -Military Doctrine, Equipment, etc.: WIP
-Military Units: (including air cavalry and navy)
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Shah Baraz II
Grand Vizier Behnam
More to come.
CULTURAL INFORMATION
-History:
The Ancient Edukeshan Empire shown in grey, with Eudaz's original borders outlined.
Eudaz was once part of the greater Edukeshan Empire, which encompassed a significant portion of the south-central world over 1,300 years ago. It's borders included present-day Ouroborasia and Uudhin. Chief among the deities worshiped by this civilization was Eudeye, god of prophecy. Eudeye was an ancient god, having survived many Millennial Cycles. With his patronage, the Edukeshans studied and cataloged libraries full of magical lore: millennia of ancient knowledge nearly lost to time. Besides its vast collections of wisdom, the pride of the empire was Eudeye’s own Holy City: a literal seat of his power on the material plane. This sacred capital was built on an offshore island, as Eudeye's Lodestar directed.
Yitizer, a lesser god of Eudeye's pantheon, was also held in high esteem by the Edukeshans. However, his reputation would be tarnished by the goddess Yuwan. According to legend, Yitizer was framed by Yuwan for a crime he didn't commit. For this, his spirit was exiled to Ashmedairus, a barren, heavenly prison at the edge of the Celestial Plane. He was eager to prove his innocence, looking for any opportunity to redeem his name. That chance came when Yuwan usurped and killed Eudeye. Yitizer swore to avenge his old master and make Yuwan pay for her crimes. To achieve this aim, he would kindle a number of divine rebellions on the Celestial and Material Planes. In the turmoil of Eudeye's death, the Edukeshan Empire fell into religious strife. Panic at the loss of the peoples' greatest deity swept across its provinces. Some Edukeshans turned to other gods in desperation, including lesser deities and red gods formerly of Eudeye’s pantheon.
The goddess Ephemem freed Yitizer and a number of other gods from Ashemdairus. The masterless deities divided their spheres of influence on the Material Plane: Ephemem was to be Master of Moon, Ishigahnun Master of Earth, Eidolona Master of Sky and Yitizer Master of Sea. Together, they appeared to the despairing Edukeshans, making known their intentions to bring justice to Yuwan and her allies. The northernmost province of Eudaz rallied under the patronage of Ishigahnun. Following the lead of this “Shadow Pantheon,” the Edukeshans launched the First Rebellion on the material plane, approximately twelve centuries ago. They directed their attacks on neighboring kingdoms under the influences of Yuwan and Ashenlur.
While mortals battled in the Material Plane, the gods followed suit in their Celestial homeland. The tide of battle fell in favor of Yuwan and Ashenlur, once the latter slew Eidolona with the sword, Agur. Ephemem abandoned the Shadow Pantheon's cause and vanished into hiding. Yitizer and Ishigahnun were driven once again into Ashmedairus. There Yuwan trapped them both, putting an end to the First Rebellion. Without the might of their patrons, the Eudukenshans were defeated. The Ouroborasian city of Xur became the last bastion of Edukeshan resistance before giving out. Eudaz was occupied by Proto-Lamashi warlords, who converted the population to Yuwanism.
In the climax of the First Rebellion, Eudeye’s Holy City fell prey to the elements without the magic of the god to sustain it. This loss bore deep in the hearts of the Edukeshans, coming to the realization that their god was truly gone.
In Ashmedairus, Yitizer and Ishigahnun fought, bitter over their loss and eager to cast blame back and forth. After they exhausted themselves quarreling, Yitizer realized he could never conquer the Celestial Plane in a direct confrontation, especially not in his current state. So he decided to turn his effort to the Material Plane. Yitizer found a wizard named Ithemarun Ys, an Ouroborasian and a Yuwanist. He sought to deceive him in the form of an angel sent by Yuwan, calling himself "Axohaan" for the first time.
In his guise, Yitizer convinced Ys he was Yuwan’s champion, and duty demanded he raise a Yuwanist dynasty in Ouroborasia, or the land would fall to cataclysm. Yitizer told Ys that he was sent to personally assist in this endeavor, and persuaded him to craft a homunculus-like vessel for Yitizer to inhabit in the Material Realm. Texts describe the vessel as such: A golem white as salt – strong exceedingly, a man with two faces on both sides of the same head, both with great iron teeth within mouths resembling those of lions, but without eyes - the top of the head adorned with a purple jagged crown consisting of ten great horns. At the centre of the crown is a smaller eleventh horn, and this horn had two eyes of a man. This vessel was called the Prince of Salt, and Yitizer possessed it. And all who beheld him were struck with awe.
Once Yitizer possessed this vessel, he was able to conjure a great spell upon Ouroborasia. He sent visions to the minds of its people, claiming, "I am Heir of Eudeye; Yitizer!" Having no more use for Ithemarun Ys, he betrayed the wizard, accusing him of a plot to usurp Ouroborasia. Ithermarun Ys’s palace was stormed by rioters and he was arrested. In his final hour, Ys sent a psychic message to his colleagues in Lamash and the rest of the Yuwanist world; warning them of the "Deceiver Angel of Yuwan, whose name is Axohaan." From then onwards, Yitizer was known to the Material Plane as Axohaan, the Salt Prince.
With Ys disposed of, Axohaan transformed the wizard's palace into his base of operations: the Citadel of Xur. From there, he sent word to the Edukeshan people, believing that Eudeye's former followers would flock to and worship him. This was not the case, as many either refused to join or weren't able. Insulted, Axohaan raised and personally led an army to subdue the former Eudeyans that refused to follow him. In so doing, Axohaan only brought more destruction to a people that had suffered already during the First Rebellion. In the meantime, the Yuwanist kingdoms heeded Ithemarun Ys’ warning and were already mobilizing to put a stop to Axohaan's activities. Eudaz, having been converted by its Yuwanist rulers, neglected Axohaan's message and was pressed to take up arms against his offensive. By this time, its warlords had intermingled with the local Edukeshan-speaking population, taking on many of their customs and their language.
To replace losses in manpower from the First Rebellion and to make up for his lack of followers, Axohaan created the Yitizites, or Ghouls. Intended to be angelic servants and warriors surpassing human abilities, these creations took on demonic reflections of Ithermarun Ys’s tortured soul. The end product was a legion of abominations, enslaved to Axohaan's will. Most of his mortal followers shunned what he had become, disillusioned by his reliance on the Ghouls and the increasingly tyrannic nature of his conquests. But a few remained - most of them diehards from Ouroborasia, possessed of a lust for vengeance and corrupted by Axohaan's influence. Again, Axohaan would lead remnants of the Edukeshans against the forces of Yuwan and Ashenlur. His Second Rebellion spanned a series of battles that saw his ghoulish armies cut swathes across Eudaz and Gushawar, who have since developed a lifelong hatred for the creatures.
While legions of Ghouls kept the Yuwanist Eudazean and Gushawari armies occupied, Axohaan sent more into Drahkma. His intent was to create an earthly vessel for Ishigahnun to possess, as he had done with Ys's creation. To do so, he required Drahkma's Dragon eggs. His initial push was met with fierce resistance: the combined strength of the Dragons. With direct force no longer an option, Axohaan opted for a subtle approach, as he had done with Ys. He planted visions in the Dragon Lord Karkarth's head, preying upon his insecurities and paranoia. Using this, Axohaan made a deal with Karkarth: A curse upon the Dragon eggs would bind them all to him, giving him the power to control the breeding of his kind. This would create a legitimacy of his lordship over all Dragons. In exchange for this curse, Axohaan desired three eggs. His judgment clouded, Karkarth agreed to the terms, but neglected his promise to deliver any of the eggs. At the same time, the Dragons learned of this plot and orchestrated a revolt. With Axohaan's plan ruined, he exacted vengeance on Dragonkind. His curse forced the eggs to produce miserable Kobold hatchlings instead of Dragons: Wingless, parasitic creatures doomed to reproduce like insects. This hex led to the gradual downfall and extinction of the Dragons.
With no eggs to call his own, Axohaan decided to fabricate a member of their species for his ends. Like the Ghouls, his attempts ended in grotesque results. His creation was a hideous, ten-legged serpent with a set of horns. Axohaan forced a defeated Ishigahnun to possess this form as his mount, signifying his lordship over the land and the sea. Ishigahnun was now called Kiefra. The combined strength of Axohaan and Kiefra shocked the Yuwanist world. The fighting in Gushawar and Eudaz was tipping in his favor, and it seemed that defeat was inevitable.
Despite the odds, a glimmer of hope shone in the darkness. Yuwan and Ashenlur's generals devised a plan to lure and trap Axohaan, taking advantage of his brutish and reckless behavior. The wizards of Lamash created an extremely potent magic weapon: The Pantokrator Pike. It was imbued with Yuwan's most powerful magics, strong enough to not only destroy a material avatar, but also maim the god within. A Champion of Ashenlur texts refer to as Deustithiyll wielded this weapon, and with it destroyed Kiefra, sending Axohaan to the ground. Axohaan narrowly avoided a similar end, but disarmed Deustithiyll during the fighting. He then sought to claim the Pantokrator Pike for himself, but the weapon exploded in his grip, tearing apart his right hand. Suffering from injuries sustained during the battle, Axohaan retreated to his Citadel of Xur.
Axohaan's enemies capitalized on the death of Kiefra and the wounds he'd sustained. An army encompassing races from all the world over marched and laid siege to Xur, many of its soldiers having Edukesh-Lamashi origin. After years of battles, the citadel was razed to the ground and Axohaan’s forces routed. He narrowly escaped, willing his broken body back to Ashmedairus. In the century that followed, Axohaan's influence over Edukeshan lands disintegrated and these were absorbed by Yuwanist armies. What few of Axohaan's mortal followers remained made a desperate retreat; They fled into the swamps of Ouroborasia, the steppes of Eudaz and the wastes of Uudhin, where they remain. The Second Rebellion was over.
Four hundred years ago, Gushawari tribes on the north and eastern frontiers began to settle in Eudaz proper. The most prominent of these was the Jendiq Gushawari, who conquered most other local rulers and established a dynasty that would last until the War in Heaven, a hundred years after their reign. At their height, the Jendiqs would control a vast area stretching from the Mibari Desert to the edge of Ouroborasia and Uudhin, and from Aberys to the westernmost provinces of Gushawar.
The Jendiq dynasty would meet its end during the cataclysm known as the War in Heaven. It shook the Yuwanist world, as Justinian came into being and murdered the entire Old Pantheon, save for Yuwan and a handful of independent Red Gods. Civilizations across Materia lost their magic, the blessings of their gods and ultimately, their faith. Justinian manifested in the west, and war engulfed the world wherever his armies went. The Jendiqs, traditionally followers of the now-deceased Ashenlur, fragmented.
In their place, the descendants of Eudaz's original Proto-Lamashi warlords rose up, defeating the tribes of now-dead gods and uniting the region. These descendants, now Edukeshified, would combine the Gushawari cultures of the tribes with the Eudaz's Edukeshan ancestry. This intermingling birthed the first dynasty of Edukesh-Gushawari lineage. At its head was Emir Sukhrab, who's descendants still rule over modern-day Eudaz.
-List of Historical Grievances: (Who are your historical enemies at the start of the RP) -Relations: (What are the established relations at the start of the RP; this can either be simple as “Hostile, Cold, Neutral, Warm, Friendly” or a detailed explanation of each relationship per nation) -Cultural Notes:
Who else chose to embrace their new self and leave their old life behind? I still need to whip up a SPI power and don't want to step on anyone's toes with something redundant.
The piratepad is a tool, nothing more. I only suggested it as an alternative to slowly posting in this thread.
I've been pondering this setup, and I wonder if I've made it too open in scope. We all have different ideas on which it's difficult to build a consensus. If you guys are open to it, I'd propose that I cut to the chase and impose a set geographical world, a set magic system and a group of deities. We could then add features, such as physical landmarks, animal species, and different races, on a one by one basis. You guys okay with that?
That might not be a bad idea. It'd certainly give us a solid starting point other than sitting around, going "Got any ideas?" back and forth. Feel like we could use a little push. As for Piratepad, I prefer other means of communication myself, like Discord or Chatzy.
@RyuShuraQuick question! Reading post 0 in the characters tab, it says that most essence points will be awarded 1:1. Can they be split into two halves and assigned to different stats? I realized that a "whole" character only needs to gain one point to have 1 across the board, while a "rejection" character is still at a deficiency after the first.
Member
AP Ottovan
