Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
PreSLNES I: Masters of Ethereal
- Thread starter Starlife
- Start date
Terrance888
Discord Reigns
List of Products in the Marburg Confederacy
Marburg Fords
-Fruits from Orchards are well known, especially those with grafts grown from saplings from Horace's Point. There are many of varieties between the various low hills, the plains and the woods. Cidar, made famous by the Dwarves, was first made in this region.
Wheat and Vegetables are often in surplus in this fertie region. The land just downstream from the Fords branch out into a wide flood plain before draining. This makes the soil of the nearby woods and plains extremely productive.
Cloth is also a product from this region, often using flax or wool instead of cotton. The wool comes mostly from the hills north of the Ford and the flax in the valleys between the hills. The Cloth is usually woven in small burrow-villages and dyed near the down next to the Citadel and traded at the Fords.
Coins Marburg currency are being turned out, mostly in copper and bronze, but some silver and electrum coins from Prodos Burrows or trade with Lord Athurdin's Dwarves. They are made in molds and have ridges to prevent stealing. Their direct worth is accepted north to Lord Arthurdin, South to Stabilia and even to the Barbarian Bandits, who capture wallets in their raids.
Pordos Burrows
Fish- An underground creek was found directly under the city, and so exotic fish is regulary salted and traded away, with things like Cave Octopi, Blind Sturgeon and others. The hills and ridges provide perfect fishing spots over the Bluebane river.
Stone-Fine crafting stone is also found here under its various hills. Burrows that reach under the soil layer often carve out the blocks piece by piece to build the houses above ground. The easiest way to trade the various stones is to float by the Blue Bane to the flat Marburg Fords.
Metal-Crafting-As a city it solidified various villages, and soon became a center of Halfling Metalwork. Their skilled fingers carve intricate figures on their proud results, and are even finer to giants that sometimes come to trade. The fine metal work suppliments those of the various villages as high-class gear, as well as well made metal-working tools to the local blacksmiths as well.
Ale Although not as heavy drinkers as the Dwarves, the city of Pordos Burrows does take on Ale tasting as well as they do. Brewing contests that last for a week are often sights in this city, as are rivaries between various pubs and brewaries. Their ale is very clear, and hold complex flavors, often with touches of fruit normally more attributed to wine.
Solace
Figures of Leaf Serpants/Puzzles-Although much a local god, these figures of intertwining serpents are keen puzzles and philosophical pieces. It is said taht Wendell himself puzzles over one when he takes a rest from his endless spell-work and administration.
Dyes Rich forest dyes that color Halfling Cloth at Marburg originated from here. Bright shades of green of many flavors are common, but so are ruddy browns and a strange, brilliant red made from crushed Beatles that must be picked one by one from certain, giant trees.
Spices of the exotic forest is also traded, although at a smaller rate. Most of them are collected from wild strands of various sweet-smelling groves or planted orchards where forest fires raged an area.
Deer The elves and the Solacian humans do eat meat, but often as a smaller, and well cooked portions than elsewhere. The outside world found their richly spiced, and honeyed marinades and their thick, woody smokes irresistible on their Deer Jerky. Although trade has increased hunting, small herds of tamed deer are forming near clearings south of the delta.
More to come! I want to use this to store my ideas and post inthread when I finish. Is this fine with Arthurdin's Player?
Marburg Fords
-Fruits from Orchards are well known, especially those with grafts grown from saplings from Horace's Point. There are many of varieties between the various low hills, the plains and the woods. Cidar, made famous by the Dwarves, was first made in this region.
Wheat and Vegetables are often in surplus in this fertie region. The land just downstream from the Fords branch out into a wide flood plain before draining. This makes the soil of the nearby woods and plains extremely productive.
Cloth is also a product from this region, often using flax or wool instead of cotton. The wool comes mostly from the hills north of the Ford and the flax in the valleys between the hills. The Cloth is usually woven in small burrow-villages and dyed near the down next to the Citadel and traded at the Fords.
Coins Marburg currency are being turned out, mostly in copper and bronze, but some silver and electrum coins from Prodos Burrows or trade with Lord Athurdin's Dwarves. They are made in molds and have ridges to prevent stealing. Their direct worth is accepted north to Lord Arthurdin, South to Stabilia and even to the Barbarian Bandits, who capture wallets in their raids.
Pordos Burrows
Fish- An underground creek was found directly under the city, and so exotic fish is regulary salted and traded away, with things like Cave Octopi, Blind Sturgeon and others. The hills and ridges provide perfect fishing spots over the Bluebane river.
Stone-Fine crafting stone is also found here under its various hills. Burrows that reach under the soil layer often carve out the blocks piece by piece to build the houses above ground. The easiest way to trade the various stones is to float by the Blue Bane to the flat Marburg Fords.
Metal-Crafting-As a city it solidified various villages, and soon became a center of Halfling Metalwork. Their skilled fingers carve intricate figures on their proud results, and are even finer to giants that sometimes come to trade. The fine metal work suppliments those of the various villages as high-class gear, as well as well made metal-working tools to the local blacksmiths as well.
Ale Although not as heavy drinkers as the Dwarves, the city of Pordos Burrows does take on Ale tasting as well as they do. Brewing contests that last for a week are often sights in this city, as are rivaries between various pubs and brewaries. Their ale is very clear, and hold complex flavors, often with touches of fruit normally more attributed to wine.
Solace
Figures of Leaf Serpants/Puzzles-Although much a local god, these figures of intertwining serpents are keen puzzles and philosophical pieces. It is said taht Wendell himself puzzles over one when he takes a rest from his endless spell-work and administration.
Dyes Rich forest dyes that color Halfling Cloth at Marburg originated from here. Bright shades of green of many flavors are common, but so are ruddy browns and a strange, brilliant red made from crushed Beatles that must be picked one by one from certain, giant trees.
Spices of the exotic forest is also traded, although at a smaller rate. Most of them are collected from wild strands of various sweet-smelling groves or planted orchards where forest fires raged an area.
Deer The elves and the Solacian humans do eat meat, but often as a smaller, and well cooked portions than elsewhere. The outside world found their richly spiced, and honeyed marinades and their thick, woody smokes irresistible on their Deer Jerky. Although trade has increased hunting, small herds of tamed deer are forming near clearings south of the delta.
More to come! I want to use this to store my ideas and post inthread when I finish. Is this fine with Arthurdin's Player?
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
Sounds like a very delicious region. 
I'm interested to hear about some specific types of fruit. Remember, I think it was Horace's Point that brought you tons of delicious fruit.
EDIT: By the way, posted a story. Going to do that to sort of create some sub-plots every now and then. Woo.
I'm interested to hear about some specific types of fruit. Remember, I think it was Horace's Point that brought you tons of delicious fruit.EDIT: By the way, posted a story. Going to do that to sort of create some sub-plots every now and then. Woo.
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
@LDiCesare: Nice story.
@Everyone: One point of my recent story was for each Wizard to have a shared vision or dream. Now that all Wizards are sure the Nether Sphere is closed off forever, they will desire to create cultures in their lands that support their personal views and really solidify them - really make their followers into a living, breathing society instead of just people the Wizard can command. Because now the Wizard is stuck with these followers and stuck in this land. The vision should inspire the Wizard - the vision was of a power greater than all the Wizards combined, and somehow omnipresent in Ethereal. It should somehow allow you to easily create a religion or society or culture based on the fact that you have traveled to many places, but Ethereal is the only one that currently exists. As a general template, I invite you to think about the following:
Culture/Society: What traditions are your followers adopting? Which of these are new, introduced by your Wizards, and which are traditional according to the region your people hail from? What is this combination of new and old creating in your society? Is your society centered around the warrior, or the farmer? And so on.
Religion: What does your Wizard interpret the vision as? Some sort of god? Perhaps another, more powerful Wizard somewhere else? Demons? And how will this drive your people?
Values: Because of this combination of your Wizard's beliefs and the traditional beliefs of your people, what sort of values is your society adopting? Do they strive for green, well-tilled earth and a mug of beer? Or do they strive for machines, warfare, and the occupation of foreign lands? Do they aim for personal wealth, or are they more in it for the greater good of the society at large? Descriptions or short words/phrases are sufficient here.
@Everyone: One point of my recent story was for each Wizard to have a shared vision or dream. Now that all Wizards are sure the Nether Sphere is closed off forever, they will desire to create cultures in their lands that support their personal views and really solidify them - really make their followers into a living, breathing society instead of just people the Wizard can command. Because now the Wizard is stuck with these followers and stuck in this land. The vision should inspire the Wizard - the vision was of a power greater than all the Wizards combined, and somehow omnipresent in Ethereal. It should somehow allow you to easily create a religion or society or culture based on the fact that you have traveled to many places, but Ethereal is the only one that currently exists. As a general template, I invite you to think about the following:
Culture/Society: What traditions are your followers adopting? Which of these are new, introduced by your Wizards, and which are traditional according to the region your people hail from? What is this combination of new and old creating in your society? Is your society centered around the warrior, or the farmer? And so on.
Religion: What does your Wizard interpret the vision as? Some sort of god? Perhaps another, more powerful Wizard somewhere else? Demons? And how will this drive your people?
Values: Because of this combination of your Wizard's beliefs and the traditional beliefs of your people, what sort of values is your society adopting? Do they strive for green, well-tilled earth and a mug of beer? Or do they strive for machines, warfare, and the occupation of foreign lands? Do they aim for personal wealth, or are they more in it for the greater good of the society at large? Descriptions or short words/phrases are sufficient here.
Do you expect us to write something in the format you described, or just to think about it? I have quite clear ideas. Namely, my Wizard's a bard and is bringing a love of poetry and music the local barbarians didn't really have. It's a culture of clansmen, celebrating seamen more than farmers, but where trade, exploration, curiosity are held in high esteem. They may end up singing in bars at some point instead of brawling for a passtime. Or they might do both.
As for the vision, how he interprets it is Gwydion's private opinion. He doesn't reveal anything about it to anybody. But anyone who comes into his land to preach anything will be slaughtered, killed, tortured and maimed mercilessly if Gwydion dislikes what they say (99% chance to happen with just about anything different from ancestor worship).
As for the vision, how he interprets it is Gwydion's private opinion. He doesn't reveal anything about it to anybody. But anyone who comes into his land to preach anything will be slaughtered, killed, tortured and maimed mercilessly if Gwydion dislikes what they say (99% chance to happen with just about anything different from ancestor worship).
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
That sounds interesting. For now, thinking about it will suffice. But in the next Update, I will provide an actual template with which you can begin to fill out those categories. I might take it one step further and provide certain cultural advantages depending on the description you provide.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Or link a wiki to our nations and let us edit the wiki?
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
I was toying with creating a blog, but that wasn't working out so well because I'm an idiot at programming.
A wiki would be excellent, if people want to get that into it. I would love that. But I'd also like the cliff-notes version of everyone's culture so that I can compile it.
Another thing we can do, if we want to keep it all on Civfanatics, is post our cultures in a single post - I can provide a link to that post on the main rules - and you can edit that single post as you wish.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Yeah, do that...^
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
Indeed, everyone should look at Immaculate's post for a fine example of what I am talking about.
By the way, Immaculate: LDiCesare indicated to me over chat that trade with Palinan is acceptable. So as you state in your description, your two kingdoms are linked via a fairly strong trade relationship.
EDIT: And the Chinese references in Immac's culture are humorous.
By the way, Immaculate: LDiCesare indicated to me over chat that trade with Palinan is acceptable. So as you state in your description, your two kingdoms are linked via a fairly strong trade relationship.
EDIT: And the Chinese references in Immac's culture are humorous.
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
I want to run something by everyone to spark some discussion. As we progress in this NES, would a "Heroes" system be something that you all would be interested in?
I was thinking such a system could be implemented in two ways: 1. NPC heroes and 2. player heroes. The first way would be that your kingdom can find, or perhaps even hire, special characters that will have certain effects on your kingdom. This can range from a military effect to an economic effect. It would be a constant thing, for however long you keep that hero. This wouldn't really be an adventurer, though I suppose one type of character could be a questing/explorer type of character that gives you a bonus in searching areas of the map.
Another example of this would be heroes who help your economy somehow. Maybe one hero has a green thumb and so your crop yield is excellent for a few seasons. And other heroes you could attach to military units to provide a certain bonus to that unit (or even, a group of units - so the hero could effectively act as a general of sorts).
So the second option I said above would be all of this that I wrote, but heroes would actually be controlled by separate players from the kingdoms. This would not only allow us to surpass our 15-player limit, but would also allow interactions between players (those who are kingdoms/Wizards and those who are heroes). Players who are heroes would be able to either choose a kingdom to align themselves with or just go at an independent pace - perhaps doing nothing relating to the kingdoms. I want the focus of this NES to be the Wizards, kingdoms, and their cultures - so writing this seems a little bit counter-intuitive. But I think having kingdoms providing incentive to heroes to join them is intriguing (though it could also be extremely unfair - I might have to strictly moderate such a concept). Heroes as players would be more questing/D&D-oriented.
Obviously the heroes as NPCs option is significantly simpler and easier to implement. Though I think the other option could be interesting, too.
I don't know. This is just a thought. I want to have a healthy discussion about it. So discuss it.
Oh and by the way, your Wizard would not be a hero.
I was thinking such a system could be implemented in two ways: 1. NPC heroes and 2. player heroes. The first way would be that your kingdom can find, or perhaps even hire, special characters that will have certain effects on your kingdom. This can range from a military effect to an economic effect. It would be a constant thing, for however long you keep that hero. This wouldn't really be an adventurer, though I suppose one type of character could be a questing/explorer type of character that gives you a bonus in searching areas of the map.
Another example of this would be heroes who help your economy somehow. Maybe one hero has a green thumb and so your crop yield is excellent for a few seasons. And other heroes you could attach to military units to provide a certain bonus to that unit (or even, a group of units - so the hero could effectively act as a general of sorts).
So the second option I said above would be all of this that I wrote, but heroes would actually be controlled by separate players from the kingdoms. This would not only allow us to surpass our 15-player limit, but would also allow interactions between players (those who are kingdoms/Wizards and those who are heroes). Players who are heroes would be able to either choose a kingdom to align themselves with or just go at an independent pace - perhaps doing nothing relating to the kingdoms. I want the focus of this NES to be the Wizards, kingdoms, and their cultures - so writing this seems a little bit counter-intuitive. But I think having kingdoms providing incentive to heroes to join them is intriguing (though it could also be extremely unfair - I might have to strictly moderate such a concept). Heroes as players would be more questing/D&D-oriented.
Obviously the heroes as NPCs option is significantly simpler and easier to implement. Though I think the other option could be interesting, too.
I don't know. This is just a thought. I want to have a healthy discussion about it. So discuss it.
Oh and by the way, your Wizard would not be a hero.Massive Attack
Warlord
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2007
- Messages
- 162
One of my units is specifically designed to be a Hero--a single champion. So, adding a hero category would make that unit superfluous.
As for general comments, I am not particular for this, at least not now. For example, on the second option, player heroes, allowing extra players as heros for certain factions will put other factions at a significant disadvantage as they don't not have their own hero. So I don't think this will work evenly. Thus it should be that if you do heroes, every faction gets 1 hero--NPC or PC--as a default. That would be more fair.
Anyways, I think we should let the game run a few more turns before making substantial design changes.
As for general comments, I am not particular for this, at least not now. For example, on the second option, player heroes, allowing extra players as heros for certain factions will put other factions at a significant disadvantage as they don't not have their own hero. So I don't think this will work evenly. Thus it should be that if you do heroes, every faction gets 1 hero--NPC or PC--as a default. That would be more fair.
Anyways, I think we should let the game run a few more turns before making substantial design changes.
vruchten
Found serenity in torture
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2009
- Messages
- 385
My bard unit is a single individual too, so heroes I feel would be redundant a bit.
Also, hero units would be subject to assassination etc. and on the other hand are likely story material, so you'd have to be careful because if a hero dies while a player wantd to tell a tale about him, that's can be pretty frustrating.
Regarding player-controlled heroes, have a look at Immac's FFHNESII. He did something like that, albeit for a limited period of time. Actually, players were playing factions, not necessarily heroes, but I had picked a hero with a small retinue of undead commandos. The result might not have been much more interaction between players:
One of the players controlled a band of elves who could have been used as mercenaries, with some nice background story, but was mostly ignored and had little or no impact on the world.
Another one plotted some stuff and was a thorn in one player's side but interacted with only one or two kingdoms.
The last one didn't get answers from the player he would have helped in the first place, then did some mischief like thwarting a ritual aimed to get rid of a zombie invasion on the continent with annoying effects to the other players.
Overall, the idea is nice, but I'm not sure it increases interactions that much. It's also very easy for a sneaky player to unbalance a given situation and possibly make a big mess.
Also, hero units would be subject to assassination etc. and on the other hand are likely story material, so you'd have to be careful because if a hero dies while a player wantd to tell a tale about him, that's can be pretty frustrating.
Regarding player-controlled heroes, have a look at Immac's FFHNESII. He did something like that, albeit for a limited period of time. Actually, players were playing factions, not necessarily heroes, but I had picked a hero with a small retinue of undead commandos. The result might not have been much more interaction between players:
One of the players controlled a band of elves who could have been used as mercenaries, with some nice background story, but was mostly ignored and had little or no impact on the world.
Another one plotted some stuff and was a thorn in one player's side but interacted with only one or two kingdoms.
The last one didn't get answers from the player he would have helped in the first place, then did some mischief like thwarting a ritual aimed to get rid of a zombie invasion on the continent with annoying effects to the other players.
Overall, the idea is nice, but I'm not sure it increases interactions that much. It's also very easy for a sneaky player to unbalance a given situation and possibly make a big mess.
Terrance888
Discord Reigns
I have a Hero! His name is Belkar and he is an Adventurer! His alignment is still Chaotic Neutral! (anyone here read OOTS?)
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I wasn't planning on making any game changes soon or anything, I just wanted to run it by everyone to see what they think about the concept. I know some of your units are heroes, but the concept I was thinking of was an individual who is more like a politician or a special leader, not really someone that goes into the field alone. They would provide your kingdom with certain bonuses. So your units who are single heroes would not be obsolete.
However, now I am thinking that heroes might be a little bit redundant as well. If I want to provide a kingdom with some special bonuses or something, that can always be in the form of a magical item.
However, now I am thinking that heroes might be a little bit redundant as well. If I want to provide a kingdom with some special bonuses or something, that can always be in the form of a magical item.
Starlife
de la terre à la lune
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,498
I just added a collection of everyone's Spellbooks in a Listing on the main rules page. Just to make it easier if you need to navigate through a bunch of spells.
And where is everyone? Sonereal? Arya? Seems there has been little response to my update. Was I missing something in my update?? Since I am pretty new to this whole thing, you guys have to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Even wrote a story for everyone.
Though I have received a few orders. Tomorrow is the deadline if you want a bonus.
And where is everyone? Sonereal? Arya? Seems there has been little response to my update. Was I missing something in my update?? Since I am pretty new to this whole thing, you guys have to tell me what I'm doing wrong.
Even wrote a story for everyone.Though I have received a few orders. Tomorrow is the deadline if you want a bonus.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
starlife- go on #nes if you have time for a bit.
