PureNES: Years of Excelsior

[carmen510]

Garanthormia
King Ronald Froogle/ Player:
Government: Monarchy w/Council (See Spoiler #1)
Religion: Atheist
Technology: Early Bronze Age
Culture: The main reason of atheism is the thirst for knowledge, particularly about science and the military. The people in this nation are normally rational, and try to do the best course of action. There is no thing really 'evil', although there are laws forbidding certain things. There are few laws for fear of complication, but the few laws are severe.
Economy: (leave blank)
Military: (leave blank)
Infrastructure: (leave blank)
History: Originally a band of tribes, they were brought together by a philosopher by the name of Jawel Froogle. He sought knowledge, and the tribes were intrigued by him and his relentless quest. Eventually, he tried proving there was no god. This angered priests, although the commoners protected him. Eventually, he was killed by a fanatical priest. That priest was killed, and all religion was shunned. Eventually, Jawel's son, Ronald, took the throne. Ronald has been leading the nation since. Despite the death of his father in the hands of religion, Ronald has allowed some priests to stay, and even allowed them to set up shrines in the palace.

Start me on the peninsula on the far left that looks like a middle-finger.

Spoiler Government :

Head of State: This is the part like Monarchy. A ruling family controls the throne. However, this family is changed every 50 years or so.

The Great Council: Basically, it is the Parliament. People elect representatives. These members then vote on laws, passing or rejecting them. If rejected, there could be a compromise. The Head of State can step in, and count as 3 votes. There must be a majority for a law to pass. The Great Council may change the Head of State (But the ruling family must stay in power until transition) in a 2/3 vote. Then, the impeachment trial goes to the Great Court.

The Grand Court: Basically, the Supreme Court. There are 13 members of the court. To impeach a Head of state, at least 7 judges must decide to impeach the Head of State. Other than that, they are like the Supreme Court.

 

[fantasmo]

Herleif and The Drake​

Word was that they were headed north. No-one knew. All Herleif knew was that the Drake himself had come to visit this village. Herleif was not one of The People. Quite the contrary, he was a member of a tribe that had been brought into the confederacy by force, but he was a follower of the Drake. Herleif's people, however, had been the most powerful force in the region, ruling over dozens of villages. The Drake, however, had subjugated them with ease. Traditionally, all the dwellers of the Marsh used boats to get around. The People had adapted their religion to their warfare, it seemed. Seeing dragons loom out of the fog, rowed along through poisonous marshwaters, and then unloading men, usually only two or three on the boats, due to the shallow waters and the small size of the boats, onto the islands on which villages were generally based had been one of the most terrifying sights Herleif had ever seen.

The People soon proved to be very adaptive, taking large portions of the culture of those they conquered, and their innovations. The People had lived on their boats since a population boom after the arrival of the First Drake, not knowing how to expand their villages off the small portions of land into the poisonous waters without collapsing them. Herleif's family was credited with having sold that problem for their tribe, finding a lightweight but strong wood deep in the marshes and using it to build stilts and floats to support houses built on the marshes. That had been the first thing taken by The People. The next had been the lives of many of Herleif's tribe. The invasion had come after trading and partial assimilation, and had left the former dominant powers in the Marsh horribly weakened, and easily defeated and absorbed by The People. Now, the Drake had returned, to see Herleif, the youngest Chief in the Marsh.

"Herleif? I am the Drake. I have come to ask a favour." The Drake was a colossal man. Tall, with long red hair, clean-shaven and blue-eyed, he represented what The People had become, going from blonde-haired and blue-eyed to darker colours, but retaining the blue eyes. The Drake and his people had muddied the "purity" of The People, but had added a lot of strength. Truly, and imposing man, and a frightening group to antagonise.
"A favour, my lord? I am but a humble chief, not one to be telling The Drake that he cannot have what he wishes. You are, after all invested with all the authority of Lord Dragon and Lady Wyrm..." Lord Dragon and Lady Wyrm, conceits of The People. But no man would deny them, chief or otherwise, particularly not when The Drake represented an entire race of people hell-bent on recovering an ancient empire. Fools. If Herleif's people couldn't hold even the Marsh, why should followers of The Drake conquer a land beyond the Marsh?
"You are a powerful chief, and I would have your support in this matter. I seek to march north-east, and I want you at my side, and all the men you can muster from your former territory. You will be my second in command. The People are already committed, with or without their allies and vassals." By the Gods! A war! A chance, at long last, to prove his strength, his ability...it suddenly occured to Herleif that if The Drake really was descended from the sort of colossal, green-eyed stock that he was meant to be, then he could well be linked to Herleif...The People were the fiercest warriors ever seen in The Marsh...could it be that The Drake could return them to that? That he could lead all of the Marsh-dwellers to greatness? To victory? To an empire?
"My Drake, you have my fullest support. I pledge every man and woman, and all our resources to your campaign. The Marsh will be the land of The People and their allies." Herleif would need to pray tonight. Plead with the Gods that this choice be the right one. Maybe he would even try asking Lord Dragon and Lady Wyrm...never hurts to hedge one's bets...
"Then on this day, you are no longer an ally. You are kin. Your tribe, Herleif, are among The People, now. I lack an heir, and I have heard that you are a powerful warrior, and influential in the Council of the Chiefs. Prove yourself, and I will name you my intended successor, if only you prove your belief in Lord Dragon and Lady Wyrm." Herleif could only stare. Him? The Seventh Drake? It seemed someone was looking out for him up in the heavens. The only question was who. He was going to offend some Gods, either his or those of The People, but then, he would lead the greatest military force ever to exist in The Marsh. Surely, the pros outweigh the cons. Surely.




Orders

In case you didn't pick up from that what I want to do, and I know it's a bit jumpy, because I wrote it as I went, no planning or nothing, I'll give some orders. Trust me, next turn I'll have better stuffs.

- Expand to the Northeast, using all the troops mustered from through the territory of The People.

 

[carmen510]

Garanthormia Story

"Call together my advisors. Its time I tell them of my secret plan..."

"Yes m'lord. I'll fetch them right away."

"You rang?"

"Yes Pjor. I did. We need to improve our glorious cities. But, I have not been able to think about how we can improve them."

"Well, we could begin government-owned schools, although we would need to spend funding on it"

"Excellent idea! However, we need to know what subjects to teach. Fetch the Minister of Education."

Several minutes later...

"I've made a list of what to teach, although materials will be entirely up to the teachers"

Language Arts:
Philosophy
Everyday Life
Myths and Legends

Math:
Everyday Math (Counting, etc.)
Algebra
Theories on Math

Science:
Biology (Including Reproduction)
Herbal Medicines

Social Studies:
Government
History
Foreign Relationships
Diplomacy

PE

Optional:

The Arts (Dance, painting, drawing, crafting, molding, etc.)

"Excellent! Put this in action right away!"

"Yessir."

"Now, we should also improve our roads for trade and travel. Perhaps we should 'pave' them"

"Hmm... That would be a tad expensive..."

"I know! We'll offer free education for labor of pertaining jobs! PE would be labor, science for scientists, etc."

"Smashing! Alright, that'll work. Finally, I intend to send our armies southwest, for the purpose of assimilating tribes into our empire."

"Here's my plan: We first send out propaganda to convince tribes to join us. In exchange, they can be considered citizens and will get all the rights of a citizen. If this doesn't work, try to use our army and convince them by showing our army size. Finally, destroy their military if they still refuse. I have a book on tactics that is currently in workings"

"Excellent, start the plan..."

Orders: Easy to understand.

Increase education, infrastructure, and use the plan above to expand southwest.

 

[Jason The King]

Here I am. NK, you remember where I started?

Im pressed for time, im at work, so I will write only a short paragraph to hold me over until tonight.

Kingdom of Alezar
Ruler / Player: King Gutame IV / Jason the King
Government: Absolute Monarchy - the King as a fatherly figure.
Religion: Noxism
Technology: Early Bronze Age
Culture: Culture stems from religion - people are in the pursuit of attaining an afterlife. Architecture is important. Most are sheep (or equivalent) herders or wheat farmers. People are very expansionistic and very integrated, not to mention trustfull, of the state.
Economy: (leave blank)
Military: (leave blank)
Infrastructure: (leave blank)
History: The people of Alezar were once nomadic tribes from the heartland of the Cradle. Being driven by numerous tribes and people, Alezarians found refuge in the Golden Highlands (hills just north of starting location). Here the Alezar set aside their own differences and united under Gutame I. With new found strength in unity, the Alezar descended from the hills to the river valley and founded the present day civilization of Alezar, driving the natives from the Sacred River.





A light mist floated from the heavens, giving the night an especially chilly feel. Soratego thought it as a gift from the gods, the whole of the planting season had been unprecedently warm. His own skin looked as if it were made from the dirt the wheat grew from, as did all the other planters of Terra fel Sur. Despite the weather, the crop had not been effected, giving reason for Soratego to attend the temple each night in worship to Terradia. It was because of her that he was now carting the heaviest load he had ever had to the market. It was because of her that he would leave his farm next season. It was because of her that King Gutame was wealthy enough to form an army and march to the Great Waters.





.

 

[LightFang]

Built on Lies

"And, well, that's what happened."
-Famous last words uttered by many a people.

"...and, well, that's what happened. That's the grand history of our people. Our religion is a lie. Everything you believe in."

The Prophet sat down calmly in his chair by the hole in the wall. It was the best spot in his house. It was nice and sunny there. He was feeling oddly calm and content, the mirror opposite of his pupil.

The Teacher had, by this time, hunched down on the floor, back arched like a bridge, hands covering his head (his eyes were already on the floor, no need to cover those). His hands spasmed, making the hair move as well. He twitched, and peeked up at The Prophet, to look for a sign, any sign, that he was lying. He wasn't.

"Am I? I'll let you judge that." He smiled cryptically.

"No, no, no!" His pupil dilated to an impossible size. He laughed. "You've been possessed. You're feeding me lies. You told me, long ago, that we were to work harder, to make ourselves stronger! And now you tell me it's all a lie! You've been possessed!"

He rolled over on his back now, hands alternatively clawing at his face and covering his ears. "Liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar..." he said, in rapid succession, until his words blended into each other and it was like the steady chatter of cicadas.

The Prophet shrugged. He had calculated this all out beforehand. He knew it was all necessary. He had to say this, had to tell his true intentions, had to die.

God herself had told me so.

It was divine punishment for lying. He had always had dreams when he was little, dreams of incomprehensible things. He had buried them away, far, far, away. He used to wake up at night, gibbering in a cold sweat, talking of things he didn't understand, in a rapid clip, much like the Teacher was doing now. When he was older, he deluded himself into thinking that it was all a lie, and that he had made everything up on the spot. When talking with the Teacher that fateful day, he had said everything that God had told him, so long ago.

Then why, was he to die? Because he pretended that was a lie. She did not like blasphemers. He would be the first evil person, the example for everybody. They would write, and he would be the man whom many people would know as why one shouldn't lie.

It was too distracting to think, when the constant chatter of "Liar, liar, liar, liar, liar" kept cutting through the background. He wondered if anybody from the village would come. The Teacher was pretty loud. The Prophet shrugged and touched the Teacher's shoulder.

And then, all of a sudden, it stopped. The Teacher stood up, panting, tears streaming down his face.

"I was told what to do. It is...beautiful."

He staggered over to the side of the room and grabbed a chair. The Prophet looked at him amusedly.

"I will destroy the liars; that is Her word."

The Final stage is complete; the Gift has been passed on for the last time. After him come no more prophets.

"Any last words, heathen?" He held the chair, more of a log, actually, in two hands, breathing heavily.

"You are the last Prophet. May you guide the nation to greatness." The Prophet closed his eyes and grinned.

--

All this, of course, would be significantly cleaned up over the years, reduced to stale words on stale pages. But the general gist still remains the same. Here's a quick blurb about the religion:

Jykmorum. The head god is named Jykmor. He rules over everything in the background. He created everything and then stepped back. His wife, the Nameless One, is the one who does most of the action. People pray to both, but they pray directly to Her when they need things to get done.

The basis of the religion is that not all people were created equal. The strong rule over the weak, since that is the natural order. However, even Jykmor needed a wife, and so a council, rather than a single person, rules over the people.

Despite the stratified society, social mobility is indeed possible. Since the people's basic goal is to get even and dominate all, if a lower class member is able to determine that he/she is proficient, he/she can "bump" an upper class member out of his/her place. Fighting is very common and in fact encouraged, as it breeds strength.

Exilia
Ruler / Player: The Council/LightFang
Government: A religious monarchy. The leader of the religion leads his people along with his council, all of whom are devout followers of said religion.
Religion: Jykmorum
Technology: Early Bronze Age
Culture: They are obsessed with regaining what was lost and becoming stronger at any cost. Life is also stratified, with three basic levels of existence, although social mobility is possible with strong traits.
Economy: (leave blank)
Military: (leave blank)
Infrastructure: (leave blank)
History: They were chased out of fertile lands centuries ago. Ever since then, they have been obsessed with bettering themselves to reclaim the land. They have settled an arid wasteland, but it has access to water enough for their needs.

 

[North King]

Excellent. Update shall be begun in the next couple of hours. When it shall be finished, only God knows, but I hope it is not too long.

 

[Grombar]

Good to hear, I want to see what direction you take my stuff so I can start working on the next set of stories!

 

[Kal'thzar]

nuts, and I still havn't finished some background stories...will continue to write (well you know).

 

[Nylan]

I know how you feel...

 

[Silver Steak]

I was supposed to edit my nation, and now it's too late...

 

[Grombar]

Id think if you edit it soon enough that NK and Thy can edit your stuff in since its still fairly early, but thats kinda up to you to get on it or not.

 

[North King]

Oh, stop moaning and edit in what you want edited in. Updating takes a while under the best of circumstances, and I'm very tired, so you have time.

 

[Jason The King]

As the mass of men moved across the empty plains, Soratego dreamt of his quiet home. The little stream that provided water for his crops would be at its greatest height right now, probably overflowing into the drainage ducts he had dug to protect his wheat. He would need to improve the ducts next season, before the waters come again. Lucky for him though, the King had made the call for warriors soon after the crop had been picked. It would be another three or four months before Soratego would have to tend to his farm again, and by that time he would be home. He hoped.

"My cousin told me of a Mahazi raid on a farm just a few miles up the river from him. Killed a man and two of his daughters. I can’t wait to kill some of that barbarian scum,” one of the younger ones who walked near Soratego exclaimed. He carried with him a small spear, about 3 feet long, tipped with a bronze head. The others around him nodded, some threw their arms up at his statement. There had been similar attacks all along the frontier, where the land was inhabited sparsely with farmers and herders. Soratego knew that not all the attacks had come from the Mahazi, but that didn’t matter to the men here. All men who were not Alezar were considered the same.

The group of men had grown to a couple hundred now, one of the largest gatherings Soratego had seen. He noticed immediately that the group was prone to attack from behind and the sides, given the messy order that the men were in. In fact, they weren’t in any order at all. An orderly line or two, with all men behind another, Soratego believed would be best for marching. That would give a good clean view around the entirety of the army. But who was he to suggest change? He was just a lonely farmer. An unmarried, unrelated farmer at that.

Just ahead the army began to stop. Silence fell upon the ragged group of men. A high, bird like shriek pierced the silence. The Mahazi were here.

 

[Silver Steak]

OK, cool. I'll make it super brief.

Yuzoi

Ruler / Player: Yuzarchs / Silver Steak
Government: Tribal Council consisting of family chiefs
Religion: Harmonism/Yuzuism
Technology: Early Bronze Age
Culture: The Yuzoi were a nomadic herding people, migrating all over the northwestern peninsula. They followed the seasons, drifting south to the savannas during the rainy months, and back north to the warm forests for the winter. Being constantly on the move, they became quintessential survivalists, known for getting the most out of any situation. Tough, mobile and excellent scouts, the Yuzoi are also a force to be reckoned with in battle.
Economy: (leave blank)
Military: (leave blank)
Infrastructure: (leave blank)
History: The Yuzoi have been herding their cattle for centuries, constantly moving to new grazing fields. They have lived on the northwestern edges of the cradle for half a millennium, the area being particularly fertile and spacious enough for their huge herds. In the past century, the once nomads have gradually founded permanent settlements along the river Arkh.

 

[Jason The King]

Dont happen to have a named map, do you North King? Id like to see where these nations are that people are writing about.

 

[Nylan]

I think it will be coming with the update. I do agree that it would be usefull though, some of this is quite confusing.

 

[Contempt]

"It is strange, is it not? That sound before a battle?"

His lord's voice spoke quietly in the small, enclosed tent. He did not speak. He did not dare interrupt his lord. He was known quite well for killing men for lesser sins. In the two years since the third clan fell underneath the Teacher's leadership, he had warred constantly with the other clans. An alliance had formed between the Teacher's main opponents, the Disik and Havlar clans.

"It it is like an echo, just on the edge of your senses, yet never reaching you until the battle is won."

The Teacher often taught of the feelings and ways of battle. Indeed, that was why he followed him. The Teacher did not believe in the spirits of the land. The Teacher believed that the Sky God himself had merely created humans in his image to test them. And what greater test than the crucible of death itself? What greater sacrifice was there but death?

"That echo, that sound; it is the sound of death fast approaching. Not the sound of death itself, truly, but merely the fear of it. You hear the sound of death only in dying. But if you survive battle, you merely hear the sound of fear passing by."

The teacher, while young, had learned this fact at a young age. He dedicated himself to battle, to conquer death whenever it reared its head. He taught this to all that listened, and many did. Many more believed his words, and followed him into battle. The Disik and Havlar clans held no such belief, praying to the God's for victory, rather than believing in the strength of themselves, rather than proving themselves worthy of the Gods.

So the Teacher warred with them, and won battle after battle against the foolish clans. It was now, mere hours away from another battle with the alliance of Clans that the Teacher spoke to him now, teaching him of the philosophy of war. At a mere eight years old, he was being groomed to become the next 'Teacher' already.

The Teacher no doubt knew his death would be quite young, given his obsession with battle and war. He was only fifteen years old, but what did age matter on the field of battle? Only skill, and the Teacher's skill more than made up for his weaker body and shorter reach. He seemed as if a God upon the field of battle.

The Teacher moved to the flap of the tent, and opened it. A red sun was rising far in the east. The Teacher smiled.

"A red sun is rising. This battle will be quite bloody, I suspect."

"Teacher," the young boy began, "our forces have been looking for a name for this army. Perhaps we should name it for this sun? A representation for the bloody battles that will be fought, in the future to come?"

The Teacher did not turn, but he merely laughed.

"Yes, I think that will do. The Armies of Draklor will be named the Red Dawn. Come, I think it is finally time for battle. Whose will be found lacking today...?"

*****​

 

[Kal'thzar]

The Autarchs Kingdom

The Autarch governs by decree. However an advisory council of Grandmasters of the seperate paths is usually formed. And generally this council has the usual hangers ons; wives, poets and other learned men etc are present in the Autarchs Palace and his Royal Court.

The Royal Title is passed down via the male line, although female rulers are not unknown such precedent has not been clearly established, although it is likly that if such an occurance would happen again to preserve Order, and stave off Chaos.

The Grandmasters of the Houses, are the best of their respective paths. A Grand collection of the best minds. Although some are not present at court, as they may be off perfecting themselves, or tending to their estate [and needless to say, some despicable types exist who wish to further their own power, either under the guise of stablity and order or more blatently....].

The Houses themselves, are the main political units outwith the Religious Temples[1] and the Autarch himself. The More important Houses govern the more powerfull paths; the Path of the Warrior [technically controlled by the Autarch, but a Grandmaster usually exists that is sometimes better than the King], The Path of the Merchant, The Path of the Scholar, then various crafting paths and so on. The structure of these Houses vary but inevitably the more powerfull Houses will demand a payment for your training, thus only the wealthy have access, and such is the 'aristocracy' perpetuated.

However, the wealthy famalies able to produce multiple sons, and put them into different Houses, are often able to make use of their blood relations, and are asked to carry diplomatic communications between Houses; as it is assumed that the family members in the other guild will ensure that nothing will become of the envoy. Moreover if the two relatives are powerfull, or nearing perfection in their respective paths, it can be considered a strong alliance. Indeed sometimes too strong, the largeist and most succesfull rebellion against the Autarch was when a 3 Brothers managed to gain control of 3 Great Houses, each becoming Grandmaster, and then attempting to put their 4th brother on the Throne, as a puppet. They failed, but it was with much bloodshed, and after which the Autarch has proven to be more vigilant against such occurances, and has gained more power over the inner workings of the Houses, As a Man cannot safely ensure that he is able to eat by merely controlling his mouth, his hands must function too.

[1] Technically the Religious temples are also a House, following the path of the priest and various sub paths collected together. Its just grown powerfull enough to be treated as a seperate entity, the last attempt by an Autarch to subdue it completly to his Authority failed, although the High Priest swore to abstain from power plays, and other petty secular matters.

OOC: I have to do a story about what I wanna do as well

expect some stories describing the structures of the various Houses. (the house of the 'peasant' (better name?) is very different from the structure of the house of the warrior etc).

 

[Kal'thzar]

The Second Age of the Autarchs, is generally thought to have began with The Autarch Gader'el. Whom expanded against the meek barbarians to the North and established a new capital, called Kais [1]. To releive pressure from various nations along the River, and allow him to act with more impunity with regards to the safety of his central administration. Allowing him to vassalise a few nations in a rather more loose "House" [2].

Thereafter he was forced to consolodate as a revolt broke out amoung the peoples of the Old capital, embittered by their loss of wealth and infulence.
[3] In the process of consolodation he began creating a network of "Autarchs Roads", stone Roads, to allow faster movement of troops to crush the various revolts. In addition to the securing of a competant river force to protect from pirates and ensure the collection of the tithes from the various vassals.

[1] because I like Irony
[2] The Path of Leadership with the Autarch as the Grandmaster
[3] Allowing NK to ensure that my 'story' isn't allowing me too much and/or makeing me look like an idiot when he updates and such

OOC: Much shorter but it was more an order story as opposed to a descriptive background one, it will do.

 

[North King]

I count at least three or four people who had nations confirmed in the preview thread but failed to post a template or repost a story here. While I do like players, the update will be long enough without putting in people who aren't necessarily here. So if you haven't confirmed yet, please at least say your still in, and I will try to have your place unoccupied.