Hello again. I've been working on our NES quite a bit lately. Here are some new tidbits of information to savor or discuss or both:
Each player will control a family -- this much we know. The land is currently called Suenos, but that might very well change by the time the NES starts. Suenos can be described as a continent composed of two major "islands" (though these islands are more the size of Mexico and Arabia, respectively). To give a brief history of Suenos: it was occupied by a diminutive, nomadic native population for quite some time, most of them found in the thick wilderness of the central part of the continent. After a series of violent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes shook the northern section of the continent of Uedos (a continent north and east of Suenos), a bronze-working peoples called the Alyusians were forced to flee, led by a powerful chieftain who was under the advice and sway of the mysterious "nine philosophers" (all of whom, including the chieftain, would become important symbolic religious and political figures/icons). Lacking food, they essentially followed herds of animals out of Uedos and across a land bridge, to the considerably smaller continent Suenos. From there, you can pretty much guess that with the Alyusians' bronze weaponry and their knowledge of domestication, along with their sheer numbers (despite heavy losses in a lengthy migration period), they were able to adequately subjugate the native peoples of Suenos.
So begins the first part of the history of our land.
Suenos is essentially split into two parts: the western sphere (which is where the Alyusian landfall occurred) and the eastern sphere. Over centuries, the Alyusians established firm hegemony over the western sphere, and a variety of kingdoms and lesser states were hammered out from the fertile land. Due to Suenos' abundance of oceanic and fresh-water fish, the Alyusians became master seafarers and shipbuilders (of course, over time -- the migration itself took place ~4,000 years before the start of our NES).
The eastern sphere of Suenos was untouched for a time, though the channel between the two spheres is narrow, and it did not take long for the Alyusians to cross that strait and subjugate the small and primitive fishing villages dotting its coastline (of peoples related to the eastern sphere's natives, though different in some respects). The entire nature of Alyusian dominance was finally "threatened" (put in quotes because it actually only provided a minimal threat) by an extremely violent warrior culture of the eastern sphere's steppe (akin in climate and geography to, say, Turkey -- but you'll see how that is quite different). The Alyusians were more established as a civilization, despite their fragmentation into various kingdoms, and the "main" kingdom (more on this later) eventually defeated those indigenous peoples after a series of bloody wars. And so, the Alyusians spread also to the eastern sphere.
Fast forward a little bit -- the Alyusians discover Uedos (not the far north that is now a cold wasteland, but the coastal regions on the eastern side of that continent). Trade opens with far-off, exotic lands (all this only a few centuries before we begin).
And, all of those kingdoms of varying power and wealth have since conquered each other, married into each other, or otherwise. Perhaps the most "unifying" event was that of the first Executor, who I will talk about more later.
-> There is the Emperor, who claims lineage from the man who led the Alyusians from Uedos. He acts more as the Pope than a true head of state. However, he appoints guardians, regents, the Executor, and others. His power is well-respected, and he is considered an important religious figure. Like thousands of years ago, there are still "nine philosophers", who are essentially eunuch sages who guide the Emperor -- appointed due to their exceptional "insights" (though often their appointments are a struggle within themselves). Imagine a mix between cardinals and advisers. I'm thinking they are appointed for life.
-> There is the Executor, who is head of state, appointed by the Emperor.
-> There are 6 or 7 major families, the most powerful, who are usually also the most pureblood Alyusians. It is important to note that most within the Empire are of mixed blood -- it is extremely rare to be pureblood Alyusian. The most "muddied" blood occurs near the central wilderness of the west-sphere, or the steppes of the east-sphere -- they are called "pioneers" in a derogatory sense. The majority of the populace is of mixed blood, though predominately Alyusian (for a time, interbreeding was encouraged, as it cemented a series of truces with the natives, especially those of the steppe -- but the most stubborn families eventually became the most highly regarded through their strict policies).
-> There are dozens of minor families, either retainers of the major ones or independent in their own right, though not powerful or wealthy enough to hold major sway (though, perhaps, capable of disturbing the balance with a host of allies or otherwise).
-> Noble families can trace their lineage back to the migration, and this creates an almost religious sway over elements of the populace.
-> There is a growing merchant class, trading exotic goods from the various polities of Uedos. Of course, I'll need to elaborate.
-> There are a variety of religious customs, the most dominant being the revering of the original chieftain as a god figure (thus, the Emperor is a god of sorts). Additionally, some indigenous customs from both the western and eastern spheres have contributed to a mythos of the land, in which the most exceptional natural barriers or sites are regarded as holy (though human sacrifice and general druidic practices have been phased out). Some of the peoples of the steppe likewise adopted some of the gods of the warrior natives as saints, and have added them to their traditions, sometimes going so far as to believing in eleven philosophers instead of nine. And, in just the last 500-600 years, a religion from Uedos has been imported to Suenos, one which advocates enlightenment and "one path" (more on this later).
-> There were several kingdoms throughout Suenos, all descended from Alyusians, but most have merged under the banner of the Emperor and Executor, figures who came about a few centuries after the initial migrations, but did not gain as much power until a few hundred years ago. More on this later.
-> So, I reiterate, players will control families in such a setting. There is no single goal or even a single setting drive, though of course the land is teetering on civil war, as it often is, due to some scheming here and there and the goals of ambitious lords. Only 6, maybe 7 players will be major lords. The rest will be minor, but that can very well be more interesting any way. There are lesser families that are becoming more wealthy, trade guilds, and even mercenary groups.
-> "Magic" is all but dead. This will be a low fantasy NES. What fantasy there is, I am keeping vague and mysterious (for your benefit).
-> However, I am
thinking it would be interesting for the capital city of Suenos, the most important city, to host a sort of bound "spirit", which assists in economic dealings somehow (perhaps originally bound thousands of years ago by the first emperor and the oracles). This spirit would not do anything cool and amazing like kill all foes or anything. Rather, something simple but extremely beneficial, such as magic which makes silkworm cocoons produced in the vicinity have extremely soft sericin, so as to make silk production easier and more convenient in that city, or something similar. Still thinking on this, and might not include it at all.
There is more, but let's relax on this for a while.
-----
All of that said, I have a few questions for all of you. I think it is best to make a cohesive and consistent world here, so I don't want to willy-nilly accept all families you submit and put them into an unorganized, nonsensical hodgepodge. Therefore, how should I go about this? I don't want to eliminate your hand altogether from the creation process. So perhaps I take proposals, and filter through them, edit them, and mesh them into a unified world, or something along those lines?