Choose Your Own Empire

Shadowbound · May 31, 2019

Lo, Prince of Men, I tell of beginnings
When we stood at the edge of the world and
came with our great strength towards the center.

It is a tale of glory and triumph.
Of obeisance paid by kings and great lords
After great victory achieved in battle.

An empire unchallenged and eternal
underneath many great golden princes.
Like a summer dream, before winter came.

It is a tale of tragedy and woe.
Of folly brought on by great arrogance
bringing disgrace and defeat and worse still.

Lo, Ruler of Men, I tell of endings
When we stood at the center of the world
and were overcome by the edge of destiny.

Choose Your Own Empire is a semi-cooperative game that begins at the dawn of recorded history. Players will guide and shape a single civilization through voting and other methods. Votes will be recorded and eventually stats for individual players will be created, reflecting how they've influenced the game in the past.

Player participation is intended to have a minimal floor. Players do not need to participate every turn, and that participation need only be a single vote on whatever options are pending. More complex roles may be available later. Elaboration beyond the bare minimum for a vote is always welcomed. Votes should be posted publicly in the thread.

Update 0 will consist of fourteen votes to establish background information. These votes will be of two types: either a simple multiple choice, or an open ended answer. Whichever outcome gains a plurality will win, while close contenders may also influence the update. Many open ended answers are related to names: ideally I want some consistent naming scheme to draw from.

Shadowbound · May 31, 2019

Update 0

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?

Open

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?

Open

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by

a) An enemy invasion
b) Changing climate
c) Civil War

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by

a) an eagle.
b) the herds, whom we followed like wolves.
c) the stars in the sky at night.

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon

a) strong and secure mountain valleys.
b) a great sea.
c) a fertile river valley.

6) What did we call this land?

Open

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader

Open

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.

a) We worked tin and copper into bronze.
b) We knew of writing and recording on bone and stone.
c) We fashioned spoked wheels for our carts and chariots.

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by

a) interbreeding and assimilation.
b) ruling over them as conquerors.
c) driving them out.

10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died

a) peacefully of old age.
b) in battle with our enemies.
c) when he was struck down by a god for his hubris.

11) After our great leader's death

a) we fragmented into many tribes and cities.
b) we split into several kingdoms.
c) we remained unified.

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by

a) earthen temples and secret rituals.
b) bloody sacrifice.
c) great constructions and deification of our kings.

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by

a) the priests.
b) the warriors.
c) the merchants.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from

a) Barbarians in the lands around us.
b) Kin-strife from within our lands.
c) A rival nation that sought to dominate us.

Spoiler FAQ :

tobiisagoodboy · May 31, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?

The God of warfare and conflict, Donar the Phoenix

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?

Vestans, the people of the holy Phoenixflame

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by

c) Civil War, a horrible conflict, between the faithful of Donars flame and the Purple Rebellion. THe Purple Rebellion struck unannounced and without honor, killing half of the faithful before they knew what happend.

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by

An Eagle, the servants of the great Phoenix, they guided the surviving faithful to a new home

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon
c) a fertile river valley, a land of green and plenty. We could live here and never fear hunger or shortage.

6) What did we call this land?

Urbyoto, The city on the Dragon river.

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader

Hikon the Great, leader of the Faithful, a man of unparalled intelligence and skill

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.

a) We worked tin and copper into bronze. Arm ourself and our knight with Spears, Swords, Shields and breastplates of bronze. So that we may never be ambushed again

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by

a) The Satsun and Tacci lived on either side of the valley. They were fierce warriors, but few in number. Hikkon the Great made an alliance and friendship with them and together we founded our first city

10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died
a) peacefully of old age, after ruling for 43 years.

11) After our great leader's death
c) we remained unified, for we are one people united under the Phoenix banner.

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by

c) great constructions and deification of our kings. We build roads, statues and castles fopr out kings and made the country our own

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by
b) the warriors. (An order of Knights). When Hikkon died, there was strife between our people. But the Knights of the Phoenix kept us united and stil guide and protect our people. For they are the people and any man of conviction can join them.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from
c) A rival nation that sought to dominate us. The Purple Rebellion, now calling themself the Purple Kings, have after many generations found us. They are out to finish their horrible deed, but we will not yield.

Crezth · May 31, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?

Malzoxis, King of the Sun, Lord of the Sacred Light

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?

Vesloiai

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by

b) Changing climate -- In punishment for our sins, Malzoxis turned our once fertile homeland into a barren wasteland, and our tribe and all other tribes of this ancient paradise split away.

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by

a) an eagle. -- who traverses the space between heaven and earth, and whose path is lighted by the sun.

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon

c) a fertile river valley -- the land Chosen for us by Malzoxis when our wandering could end.

6) What did we call this land?

Malzaris

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader

Mikon

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.

b) We knew of writing and recording on bone and stone. -- We wrote yearly of the times of harvest and the quantities harvested and of the sacrifices and offerings made to Malzoxis.

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by

a) interbreeding and assimilation. -- Man, who unique in all of creation is not a Beast, possesses the blessing of civilization, and learning thereof.

10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died

c) when he was struck down by a god for his hubris. -- Malzoxis became jealous of his subjects when Mikon endeavored to build a tower so tall he could place a throne at the top from where he could overlook the clouds. Mikon considered himself unto Malzoxis, a God, and also King, and Malzoxis with a single mighty breath sent a great storm to collapse Mikon's construction, whereof the falling bricks and stones crushed Mikon and buried him within the earth.

11) After our great leader's death

a) we fragmented into many tribes and cities. -- every city and great tribe of Malzaris remembers and observes dutifully the teachings of Malzoxis and his heavenly lieutenants, as it was prophesized many kings would rise and fall but the cities may yet stand if they are pious.

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by

a) earthen temples and secret rituals. -- In each temple and mound, windows were specially made to admit the light of day and mark the solstices.

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by

a) the priests. -- Their rituals and teachings served as the basis of our society and governance.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from

c) A rival nation that sought to dominate us. -- Lands to the east, a kingdom known as Noëtaiai, crossed the mountain thresholds to send armies against us, coveting the homeland given to us by Malzoxis.

Marcher Jovian · Jun 1, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?
Batai; Lord of the Skies; Father to Rain, Wind, Snow, and Storm; Keeper of the Seasons and of Time

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?
For many: the Hademo
For one: a Hademe

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by
c) Civil War -- The legends tell of the death of the great old king keTenami, and of a feud between the twin sons and brothers and kings kePahena and keSetuva. The two fought long and hard, and after many years of battle, the stronger kePahena was on the verge of victory over the weaker keSetuva. But keSetuva was clever, and could read the stars well, and he knew that a mighty flood would soon arrive. So the night before, he and all his supporters fled across a great river. And when the storm came the next morning, the river engorged to ten times its size, and no boat could cross it and no bridge could be built over it, and the waters raged for twelve days without ceasing. So keSetuva escaped and with his followers wandered in search of a new home.

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by
c) the stars in the sky at night.

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon
a) strong and secure mountain valleys.

6) What did we call this land?
Lademai

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader
keTorema, son of keDakuna, son of keYedova, son of keSetuva

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.
a) We worked tin and copper into bronze.

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by
c) driving them out.
10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died
a) peacefully of old age.

11) After our great leader's death
b) we split into several kingdoms.

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by
b) bloody sacrifice. -- Whenever many are gathered, whether for celebration or mourning or the arbitration of feuds, it is custom to first give a suitable sacrifice, a share together in sacrificial meal.

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by
a) the priests. -- Only the wisest can look to the stars and divine the future, can tell when to feast and enjoy in bounty or save and prepare for famine.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from
a) Barbarians in the lands around us.

Omega124 · Jun 1, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?

Nikartos - The King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Sword of the Righteous, Slayer of Evil, Creator of the Land, the Seas, and the Heavens Above.

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?

We called ourselves the Lucanites.

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by

b) Changing climate - Our crops, once plentiful, began to fail after a great drought. We begged and pleaded to Nikartos for rain, but none hence came. We had to abandon our homes, or we would have surely starved under the scorching heat.

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by

a) an eagle. - Nikartos' traditional symbol was an eagle, and he guided those whom remained faithful to him to a better land, one where water was more than plentiful.

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon

b) a great sea. - Nikartos worked in mysterious ways. We prayed for water, and he showed us a realm of water, that streched beyond the horizion. The water was too saline to drink from, but basic distilling allowed us to reclaim the water from the salt and finally quench our thirst. There may not have been land to sow, but the sea offered its own bounties of fish and other resources that we began to rely on.

6) What did we call this land?

Nubetune (New-bay-tune)

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader

The Great Sea Queen, Mina

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.

a) We worked tin and copper into bronze. - Our weapons were strong, and we were able to easily take the seas from the less advanced natives.

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by

b) ruling over them as conquerors. - The great Nubetune was promised to us by Nikartos, and we were unashamed of taking over the area by force. Those tribes that we vanquished, as long as they recognized the Sea Queen and paid her tribute, were allowed to remain under the protection of our god. Those who resisted, we turned into slaves and made their homes ours.

10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died

b) in battle with our enemies. - She who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. Near the edge of the Nubetune, we found a great landmass, filled with infinite bounty and wealth. The promise of more land and resources captivated Mina, who led a great expedition to conquer the land and add it to her empire. The inhabitants were peaceful, but clever. Far more clever than we. They lured Mina into the mainland, after abandoning the coasts to her raid. Cut off from her navy, they surrounded Mina's force, and starved her army out. Mina and her most loyal followers fought long and hard, but not even her ferocity and bronze could save her in the end.

11) After our great leader's death

a) we fragmented into many tribes and cities. - After the Great Sea Queen's death, numerous warlords that once followed the great conqueror claimed her legacy. They were a jealous lot, and continiously fought amongst each other for controls of islands and fishing spots. Our people were no longer unified, and constant warfare became the norm of our society.

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by

a) earthen temples and secret rituals. - Our architecture remained modest, and our faith with Nikartos expressed itself in increasingly esoteric ways, focused on rituals involving the sea itself. Great warriors were buried on their ship, which was then cast out at sea, allowed to take its course that the winds and waves of Nikartos demanded the boat take.

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by

b) the warriors. - As Mina's realm collasped under the infighting of the warlords, our society quickly found itself dominated by all afairs martial. Life was often short, brutal, and violent on the high seas, as limited resources meant every cache of food, every fresh forest, every motherlode of gold, was worth fighting for.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from

b) Kin-strife from within our lands. - While there is always the threat of the Queenkillers at the edge of the Nubetune reverse engineering our boats and bronze, and seeking revenge for the havok we set upon their land, we are doing more to kill ourselves than any other peoples could. If we do not find a way to end the constant wars of the seas, there will not be a people of the Nubetune left. Whether it is unification under a new great leader, or finding a way to peacefully co-exist amongst ourselves, up to abandoning our life at sea entirely and retiring on one of the great landmasses, the future is uncertain.

erez87 · Jun 2, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?
Ogeloth the Namer who gave order to all things
2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?
Sueli
3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by
b) Changing climate
4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by
c) the stars in the sky at night.
5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon
c) a fertile river valley.
6) What did we call this land?
Gala
7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader
Somolokiti
8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.
b) We knew of writing and recording on bone and stone.
9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by
a) interbreeding and assimilation.
10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died
c) when he was struck down by a god for his hubris.
11) After our great leader's death
b) we split into several kingdoms.
12) Our worship in our new home was marked by
c) great constructions and deification of our kings.
13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by
a) the priests.
14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from
c) A rival nation that sought to dominate us.

jackelgull · Jun 6, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?
Gaia, the Earth Mother

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?
Nefarati

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by
Changing climate: The great rivers that made our civilization possible dried and ceased to nourish our farms. Without food we starved and were forced to leave

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by
the stars in the sky at night.: our people followed the signs of the Sky Father, the great protector and believed he would deliver us from our tragedy

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon
a fertile river valley: We found a new homeland much like our old, a lush river valley where the wheat spilled over in the fields as numberless as stars in the sky

6) What did we call this land?
We named this land after the home that had been taken from us, Arkos.

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader
The Prophet united us in a new convenant between us and the Earth Mother and the Sky Father. We swore to abide by the Law of Peace and we were richly rewarded.

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.
. We knew of writing and recording on bone and stone: In our old lands the priests wrote divine prophecies from the Sky Father and of our great deeds on stone tablets and in those tablets all knowledge of the past present and future was held. In our great migration we held onto the knowledge of how to decipher these tablets and with it kept our knowledge.

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by
interbreeding and assimilation: We became known for the richness of our industry, the great skill of our merchants, the trustworthiness of our leadership and the strength of our arms. The region looked to us for leadership, and soon our gods had a temple in every city, our bards welcome in every hall and our woman became highly sought after.

10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died
peacefully of old age: The Sky Father and Earth Mother lifted our leader up into the heavens for he had accomplished his task and brought their Law upon the land and enforced the richly desired social harmony between men.

11) After our great leader's death
we remained unified: The Law of Peace and a complex web of social institutions and relationships bound us together as a society and our empire prevailed after the Prophet's death

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by
earthen temples and secret rituals: the priests remained cloistered in earthen temples dedicating their lives in worship to the great earth mother who brings fertility to the land

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by
the priests: After the death of the Prophet his disciples argued that it was the Gods and the Law that brought our prosperity, so those who spoke to the Gods and could write the Law should rule, as was proper and natural.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from
Barbarians in the lands around us: Barbarian hordes sweep through the land on horseback from the north from time to time and demand tribute in gold and flesh, and are rebuffed at every turn.

Nuka-sama · Jun 8, 2019

1) Before the sun rose and the land dried, we were created by a great god. Who was he? Which aspect of creation did he embody?
Althus, who embodiment of time and life

2) We lived in an ancient homeland after this. What did we call ourselves?
The Urusai

3) Paradise cannot last forever however. We were driven from this land by
b) Changing climate

4) For decades we wandered the great steppe and hardship was our existence. Our travel was guided by
c) the stars in the sky at night.

5) Our wandering came to an end and we reached a new land that could sustain us. We came upon
c) a fertile river valley.

6) What did we call this land?
Ursa Sola

7) We organized in this new land under our first great leader
Open

8) Our people brought great advancements with us that were unknown to the local inhabitants.
a) We worked tin and copper into bronze.

9) These advances gave us a great advantage over those who already lived here. We dealt with the native inhabitants by
b) ruling over them as conquerors.
10) All men are mortal. Our great leader eventually died
b) in battle with our enemies.

11) After our great leader's death
c) we remained unified.

12) Our worship in our new home was marked by
c) great constructions and deification of our kings.

13) How we organized ourselves became more complex. Our government came to be controlled by
b) the warriors.

14) We were not uncontested in these lands. Our chief threat comes from
b) Kin-strife from within our lands.

Shadowbound · Jun 9, 2019

Update 1

We followed the path laid out in the stars
written by gods and read by mortal men
across the endless grasses of the steppe.
Why, o' King, did we not think only we
could read what was laid out plainly to see?

Spoiler Vote Results :

The fertile river valley of Malzaris, inhabited by a less organized, less advanced culture, scarcely knew what him them in Update 0. The Vesloiai were a bronze-working civilization that had departed their homeland across the Great Steppe as a result of changing climate. Under their legendary king, Mikon, they conquered the lands of the Satsun and Tacci and established themselves there. They were aided in their conquest by their superior knowledge of metallurgy, knowledge that was soon put to more use in agriculture and construction than war. After Mikon's death they maintained their unity through reliance on their priesthood and two generations of relative plenty ensued.

But that time is coming to an end. Much as the Vesloiai did before them, a new tribal kingdom has entered Malzaris. The Noëtaiai have followed the same route laid out by the stars, and speak a similar language, but where the Vesloiai intermixed with the Satsun the Noëtaiai rule over them and remain distinct. Relations with them are as yet unsettled and you do not know their long-term intent.

Several great dilemmas face the Vesloiai. First, their religion is torn in two directions: a humbler and more esoteric tradition of mystery cults and smaller congregations is at odds with a trend towards increasing grandiosity and massive public works. As of yet neither tendency has won out, but both offer significant benefits if fully committed to.

The second are the Noëtaiai. They are (relative) newcomers to Malzaris, and lack the numbers of the Vesloiai. But they are more recently hardened by the Great Steppe and more unified, as they have had less of a tendency to assimilate into the native Malzaran culture. Is Malzaris big enough for both cultures?

The third is the river itself. With great, but not quite regular, frequency it overflows its banks. This makes the flood plains rich for farming but over the long-term the damage caused by the flooding compensates for much of the benefit. A proposal to construct barriers against flooding, levees, to protect our homes and fields would have immense cost however.

Spoiler Votes :

Spoiler Stats :

Map ~~Later~~

Marcher Jovian · Jun 11, 2019

1. Mystery Cults
2. Trade with them
3. Build the levees

jackelgull · Jun 20, 2019

1) In generations of peace where the grip of the government was secure it was both correct and proper for priests to honor the Gods with monuments of grandiosity to display the glory of the people to the heavens but such times are not now. Now the vesloiai are in a struggle for their lives and so the resources to devote to great works are not there and in order to find the nomadic strength we had while wandering the steppes we return to the ancient ways of worship, mystery rites in secret places open only to those worthy of the gods.

2) The Noetalaia are invaders, a pestilence upon this land. They will destroy us and sow our bones into their salt if we let them. And therefore we shall not. We are many and mighty and they are weak so we shall crush them. We are children of the rolling steppes and we have not forgotten the power in our blood. It is time once again for the legions of the Vesloiai to sound the drums of war and for the forges of our blacksmith to bellow and groan under the weight of the weapons we shall make.

3)build the levees

Danwar · Aug 2, 2019

1. With much resources being spent on the great Leeves, there was simply too little wealth left to be spent on other great projects besides them. Being left with no choice, the Vesloiai turned to secrecy, honoring the Lord of the Sacred Light in secret lest they be targets for raids from barbarians or the Noetalaia.

2. The Noetalaia were a danger, that every Vesloian king knew, and simply hiding behind their city walls would not quell it, only stall it. the Vesolians would have to strike first, catch the invaders by surprise, and conquer them before they could threaten the Vesolian kingdom with their wicked ways.

3. The great Levees would take much time and energy to be raised, and so in the face of the Noetalaian threat wealth was distributed to more immediate concerns - preparation for war with the Noetalaians. Armies would be raised, weapons forged, and men trained to do battle with these new invaders - only once they were made to kneel before the divinely-guided Vesolians could the Vesolians hope to turn their attention to other matters. (Both Wealth points to Military)

Radagandruman · Aug 4, 2019

1. The gods must be appeased! Only through the construction of mighty works can we Vesloiai truly gain their favor.
2. We do not yet have the military strength to face the Noëtaiai. We must bide our time and utilize our economic advantage to eventually outstrip their military capacity. Peace should for now prevail.
3. Build the levees!

Choose Your Own Empire

Shadowbound

Incorrugible

Shadowbound

Incorrugible

tobiisagoodboy

Prince

Crezth

i knew you were a real man of the left

Marcher Jovian

Emperor

Omega124

Challenging Fate

erez87

Lord of Random

jackelgull

An aberration of nature

Nuka-sama

See ya! It has been a fun decade!

Shadowbound

Incorrugible

Attachments

Marcher Jovian

Emperor

jackelgull

An aberration of nature

Danwar

Augustus

Radagandruman

Chieftain

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