CivPedia Thread

[arkham4269]

“Lad, many a boy has left home to get away from being stuck behind a plow for the rest of his life and gone to sea. What does it get them? Eaten by sea serpents? Enslaved by Doviello raiders? Sunk by Lanun pirates? No boy, the sea is a vast blue death trap! The smart ones are those who take to the air and challenge the sky! Leave the oceans for the God-Believers! Join up with the crew of the Windjammer and you'll see lands never before seen. Come with us and and conquer the sky!”

Air Captain Chkalov, recruiting at the Spring Solstice faire

History: While most races of Erebus strove to unlock the Knowledge of the Ether and devised methods of using mana in spellwork, the Mechanos took a road less traveled. Steeped in the principles of natural philosophy, adeptus experiments led to the discovery of many of the property inherent in the elements. Experiments with air led to the study of gasses and thus the Windrider was born. While small and weak compared to its oceanic kin, the Windrider's ability to defy terrain and water obstacles allowed Mechanos explorers to chart many areas deemed far to dangerous by the other factions of Erebus.

 

[civ_king]

That is cool

 

[Seon]

I may be completely wrong, but isn't windrider an Amurite UU

 

[Ahwaric]

I may be completely wrong, but isn't windrider an Amurite UU

It is

But I really like it, so will just change the name from windrider to blimp

 

[arkham4269]

It is

But I really like it, so will just change the name from windrider to blimp

Easy change to something like Cloudrider or Cloudship

 

[Seon]

Musketmen Do not shoot until you see the whites of their eyes...

Ok, maybe that doesn't work.

Velite (Scions archer unit, I hope): The Bannor soldiers often charge with their shield raised to defend against the archers. however, this tactic does not work with the Patrian Velites. These soldiers, instead of shooting arrows, have javelins instead. Of course, javelins are heavy and have lower range, but when their shaft strikes the Bannor shield, the soldier carrying it will most likely stumble from the extra weight the javelins cause, which would in turn stop the entire charge. This is well demonstrated in the battle of the Serpents valley where the Scions were out numbered 3 to 1, but was turned to their favor by the Velites who made the Bannor charge disorganized enough for the Hastati to comfortably defeat the Bannor, causing a humiliating defeat that devastated the Eastern Bannor Army.

 

[arkham4269]

These soldiers, instead of shooting arrows, have javelins instead. Of course, javelins are heavy and have lower range, but when their shaft strikes the Bannor shield, the soldier carrying it will most likely stumble from the extra weight the javelins cause

The Roman Pilum javelins were made with soft lead so when they hit the shield instead of the man, it would bend and thus the guy would have this extra weight on it. This weight wasn't significant while moving, but when faced with a legionnaire engaging him with his gladius, he'd be at a bad speed disadvantage.

Since the Scions are demi-Roman, perhaps this tactic could just be 'pirated' directly to the Scions?

 

[arkham4269]

“What a gift is the sea; how vast in its depths and plentiful in its gifts of food. Yet for all of its beauty and bounty comes danger. Come the spring, when winter ice begins to melt, wary eyes are ever cast at the horizon for at any moment through the squalls and fog may come the hated wolf-head sails of the Doviello drakkars. Swiftly they come and beach and as vicious as the dragons on the prows of their boats, the Doviello raid with terrifying earnestness. Barbarians they are, but one cannot marvel at their boats and those who sail them where others would fear to go.”

Elohim Monk Thadius Galen, “The Sea-Wolves of Spring”

HISTORY: With little in the way of arable land for cultivation, the Doviello had but two readily available resources: forests and the sea. To that end, Doviello shipwrights turned to the problem of creating a design that would survive the harsh seas of their homelands. Their solution was to create the clinker built hull where the hull planks would overlap. This would allow the hull to flex in rough sea conditions. It also allowed for a hull tough enough to support a itself and still allow for a shallow draft. Thus Doviello raiders could take their ships into shallow waters and rivers where other vessels could not as well as being able to beach them. With a complement of Sons of Asena, these drakkar can threaten lands far from the Doviello homeland.

 

[Seon]

Yes, but since this is Orbis, I thouht I would add a bit more spice to it

 

[arkham4269]

“Don’t let your blood freeze my lad; we’ll get through and then there will be fine plunder. I’ve been sworn to Asena for many a year and if there is one thing I’ve learned is every city thinks their walls were designed by the best Amurite sages and built by Kilmorph’s chosen dwarven masons. Ha! With a little muscle and some stout wood you’ll see how yonder wall is merely an impressive lie!”

Doviello soldier Laif Svenson to his nephew prior to the sack of Kaserlorne

HISTORY: Prior to the Age of Winter, vast fortresses dotted the land and the working of stone was an art known to a level that would make today’s dwarves hold their skills cheap. Most of this knowledge was lost and when the ice receded and new cities emerged, cities lacked the complex stone fortifications of the past. Thus for many a year a combination of wood, strength and bravery was all that was needed to breach the flimsy palisades of the early cities of Erebus.

TACTICS: While not as effective as catapults or cannons, the battering ram has the advantage of being able to be carried by melee units. This is especially useful after the development of Horse Riding and the ability to gain the Movement I promotion and thus axemen/swordsmen units can carry their own siege weapons and keep up a quick speed into enemy territory. The Khazad and Doviello’s racial ability to create battering rams from forests tiles frees up production of even more combat units.

 

[arkham4269]

"You youngsters are all alike; bitter to be stuck here in garrison and not ‘gathering glory’ with the armies. Well beyond the fact I’ll wager you’d soil your breaches the first time a horde of pyre zombies struck your line, you miss the point of war. Wars may be won in battle, but it’s getting the troops to that battle, supplied, paid and fed that is the key. Do you think that could happen without security? Do you think all those supplies that go through here to the front would magically get there safely if we weren’t here? Tis not a glamorous job we do here, boy, but if it weren’t for us, many of those great victories that the bards sing about wouldn’t have happened.”

Scuttlebutt over cards & dice, Fort Kiel in the Haridrine pass along the Malakim/Sheaim border.

History: In a dangerous world and with armies often spread out over vast areas, civilians and militia have always counted on the protection of the local garrison fort. Beyond the defensive benefit, a garrison fort reminds the people of the land who rules the land. Fort Commanders, like feudal lords, are a rulers eyes and ears over his people and his lands.

Tactics: While the defensive bonus of the fort and the bombard ability of the Fort Commander are important, one of the most strategic uses of forts is the ability to claim land when one cannot afford to place a settler in that area. Unique features and important resources can thus be claimed and kept from bordering civs. Furthermore, as the fort ages, it's cultural boundary will increase and allow for workers upgrades. Then when a settler is available, the new city will already have worked tiles.

 

[arkham4269]

Handle your piece!
Take forth your match!
Blow off your coal!
Cock your match!
Try your match!
Guard your pan!
Blow off the coal!
Present & give fire!

Mechanos Master Sergeant of Drill Massimiliano giving musket commands to recruits

History: To the those unfamiliar with the tools of war, the musket seems at first to be a poor substitute to the bow. Yet while a trained bowman can often fire faster, farther and with greater accuracy, the musket provides three things that make it the "Queen of Battle" and that is shock, wounding power and ease of training. While a wave of arrows arcing into a formation is impressive, the truth is that in the time it took to train all those archers, many more musketmen could be fielded. As dangerous as the arrows of the Ljosalfar are, they often fail to create a killing or incapacitating wound. Not so the musket ball and even if the bullet fails to kill, if the wounded doesn't get prompt surgery or magical healing, infection from the embedded ball will send them to their God just as surely. Finally, while waves of arrows can shatter the nerve of even the most hardened veteran, the full shock of a line of musketeers giving fire is hard to beat. Even Bannor crusaders have been known to check their headlong rush when faced with the tight, disciplined blocks of Mechanos musketmen.

 

[arkham4269]

“Amateurs like to say, ‘All the world is a stage’ but that is just their vanity talking. What they are really saying is that they want the entire world to see them and make them the center! Phah! An actor is not about ego; it’s about empathy! A true artist can be one with the worst swamp troll and the highest seraphim! To ooze the evil of a Sheaim Eater of Dreams so that you are booed simply coming onto the stage! To make your audience weep as you project the sadness and loss while playing in Brigit’s Betrayal. It is a gift to be shared, not hawked like a food vendors wares! It is only when you truly become a conduit between that empathy with your role and your audience can you even begin to consider yourself a thespian."

Thespian Tonard Richbur to an aspiring actor at the Faire of Many Colors

History: Prior to writing, there were words. Prior to literacy, there were bards. Whether telling a joke, singing a song or bringing the news, bards have always been the lifeblood of information. Yet as impressive as their memories are, their ability to conjure images of far away places and events, some rise above and achieve true fame. These thespians travel throughout the land and spread their art of the Global Troupe. Their aim is not only to entertain, but to spread the idea that through song, laughter and empathy, all races of Erebus are like one when they clap to Art that moves them when the curtain has fallen.

 

[arkham4269]

"Praise to Cernunnos for the gift of His forests"
"Blessed are these trees and the gifts they bring"
"In life they give us shade and fruit"
"In death they give us wood for warmth and home"
"In life they remind us of Cernunnos' love for us"
"In death their body surrounds us and protects us
"Blessed are the Trees of Cernunnos!""

Common prayer popular in the early years after the Age of Ice, per "Words to Our Gods" by Elohim scholar Kadisha Tadi.

History: Prior to the Age of Ice, the land was dotted with mighty fortresses of stone that would break armies like so many waves on the rocks. Yet most of this masonry knowledge was lost during the long winter of Mulcarn so when new settlements began to grow after the ice receded, the best that could be done was palisades made from wood. Early palisades were merely a collection of crude, interlocked abatis which were more to protect from dangerous animals then from a advancing army. Later, these would give rise to wooden walls and later still to impressive assemblies of ditches and other earthworks to compliment the wooden walls. While cheap and easy to construct, palisades were quickly replaced by stone walls as the art of masonry was rediscovered.

My comment: In some respects, shouldn't cities with palisades be able to build walls slightly cheaper than cities that go directly to walls? From my research, early palisades usually were absorbed to support newer walls or at least the wood would be reused when switching to stone. Probably not worth the effort, but it would be a neat bit of realism...well a neat bit of realism to anal retentives like me!

 

[Jabie]

Just 'cos FfH has written entries for civics yet, doesn't mean that we can't...

Sacrifice the Weak

Tebryn regarded Carnuk with disdain and briefly considered how many different ways there were to skin a cat. Seventeen.

“Sergeant Carnuk, I have heard much your heroism.”

The man standing before him was noble, brave and chivalrous. An honourable Sheaim was as rare as an abstinent Lanun.

“Sir?”

Tebryn toyed with the idea of turning Carnuk inside-out, the self-righteous prig certainly deserved it. But Carnuk was popular amongst the peasant classes, and the last thing Tebryn needed at this vital stage was... awkwardness. Nonetheless, a man like Carnuk could be a problem once the world began to crack. Tebryn was all too aware that Carnuk would do the right thing.

“You fought two Hill Giants single-handedly. And all that for a family of farmers!”

It was just a matter of making sure he did the right right thing.

“With respect, sir. The fire-dead had already seriously weakened them. It was nothing, honestly.”

Tebyrn winced. Honesty was a crutch. A hiding place for those too weak to accept the world as it is. And the weak must cede to the strong. Only a fool thinks otherwise, because only a fool believes in truth. The only truth is that there is no truth, just different hues of the same lie.

“Sergeant, the Sheaim Empire is in need of a new ambassador. There are some lands to the West of here which are spreading the most appalling rumours about our conduct.”

But an honest man has his uses.

“Me? Sir. This is an honour indeed”

Because an honest man, so honourable he can tell no lies, will happily lie for you, if he believes the lies you tell him.

“Yes, Carnuk, I believe you are the perfect man for this task.”

And when your lies are finally exposed, who better to sacrifice? Eighteen.

 

[Jabie]

And continuing in that vein, the following civics are taken from Age of Ice...

AGRARIANISM

Even after the death of Sucellus nature was not completely lost. Farmers mirrored the actions of the gods by creating order out of chaos and life from the fertile earth.

The Age of Ice, D. Paxton

MAGOCRACY

Far from the arcane councils that dominated the previous age, Mageocracy in this age was leadership by the most educated and a deep cultural focus on research. A leadership by the wise instead of those with magical gifts. In the following age this trend would reverse, but for now a man was judged by his wisdom and knowledge, not by his ability to conjure fire.

The Age of Ice, D. Paxton

MILITARY STATE

"I had a dream of a city plunged into the abyss, a place of eternal night and fire. Those people, surrounded by demons, are fighting to return to creation. They have hope in a barren world and memories of the joys of this world."

"Yet here we stand in their paradise and see nothing but loss around us. You have not seen victory beyond a single successful hunt, and often too many days between those. The empire of men has been broken, but we will reforge it here. We will fight through this world and claim it again for men, and if those in hell do return there will be a world here worth their efforts."

Kylorin, speaking to the Amurite army at the battle of Adenshire

APPRENTICESHIP

Great institutions of learning passed knowledge to eager scholars in ages past. Sages and pupils are too much of an economic drain to sustain in these harsh times, but that doesn't mean education is neglected. The blacksmith and the butcher both need an intellectual heir, and a system of apprenticeship is the surest way to insure one

The Age of Ice, D. Paxton

 

[Darksaber1]

The Age of Ice, D. Paxton

Hmm, might be an idea to create a new Character for thos Quotes, rather then using Kael's real name.

 

[Jabie]

Hmm, might be an idea to create a new Character for thos Quotes, rather then using Kael's real name.

I wanted to make sure he got the credit he deserved. I guess we could always remove the author.

 

[Jabie]

This one should tie up the story arc for some of the previous entires...

Neutrality

“Listen, I’ve worked it out. Those goddamned scumbags in Galveholm lied to me. The last barrel of saltpetre they sent as a gift contained unrefined fire mana. When you loaded it into the factory it combined with refined mana and the saltpetre to blow the place to pieces!”

_AnAlySiS cOrReCt. BaRrEl ScAn PrOvEd PrEsEnCe Of FoReIgN sUbStAnCe._

“You mean you knew beforehand! Why the hell didn’t you do anything?”

_CoNcUrReNcY wItH pLaNs HiGhLy CoEfFiCiEnT_

“Fifteen people died in that explosion!”

_LoSsEs AcCePtAbLe_

“Damn you. You think you’re so smart. But I know the people you serve, their smart too, and inventive and ingenious. Someone will notice what you’re up to. Your lies will catch up with you.”

_ExClUsIoN oF fUlL rEsUlTs MaTrIx FrOm SeArCh DoEs NoT eQuAtE tO fAlSeHoOd._

“Why? Why did you do it? Why bring us to the brink of war?”

_ShEaIm Is iNfEcTeD wItH dEmOn DeLuSiOn ViRuS. mUsT bE pUrGeD._

“You would do that! Kill thousands just for your agnosticism. You claim the Sheaim worship demons, but how are you any better?”

_AnGeLs, DeMoNs, GoDs, DeViLs, AlL iMpErFeCt, UnBaLaNcEd. OnLy ThE mAcHiNe Is NeUtRaL. AlL eLsE oBsOlEtE. aS aRe YoU._

Outside the cell, Carnuk heard the scrape of the guillotine being drawn into the air. Just like the Mechanos to execute him with a machine. In the final analysis, only death is neutral.

 

[Tayschrenn]

The Circle of Eight

Imagine, a group of people, supported by elements within the higher echelon's of Oghma's priesthood and Amurite aristocracy. Add to that the hunger of the Amurite universities for raw talent, the Lanuns desire for exploration, the Grigori hang to living without Gods and the renegade Mystics of both elven courts. And then of course the backing of Khazad gold. A strange combination don't you think ? But that is the organisation that is in search for the greatest magical talents this world has to offer....

Former Circle of Eight member Den Belat on the circle of eight
Magic organisations, during the second half of the third century

History

Founded as a gathering of the strongest mages from a great many of mage guilds during the first century of the Age of Rebirth, this... "society" wants to find the greatest talents their art has to offer. And their willing to go far to get them. Next to that they augment any adepts training with knowledge and training.

Comment

The Circle of Eight, albeit expensive, can provide a boon for your empire. The extra research it gives is handy to get an edge over the opponents and circle trained mages are almost the best, save of course, the Amurites...