das
Regeneration In Process
Mhm. Now that you gave away your element of surprise, I just might launch a preemptive attack. 
stJNES: Low Tide
- Thread starter Jason The King
- Start date
From: King Chandragupta of the Mauryan Empire
To: Kam Dynasty
I have founded the grand Mauryan Empire on a doctrine of valor and honor. We see why we should share quarrel with the Kam, and wish to sign an everlasting peace. Perhaps we can negotiate land divisions up to a certain point, to avoid any possible conflicts.
To: Kam Dynasty
I have founded the grand Mauryan Empire on a doctrine of valor and honor. We see why we should share quarrel with the Kam, and wish to sign an everlasting peace. Perhaps we can negotiate land divisions up to a certain point, to avoid any possible conflicts.
flamingzaroc121
Emperor
Jason, in my signup post, i meant for it to be spelled, Grease and Thens, i want it like that
Name: Scotland
Capital: Glasgow
Location: Scotland
Preferred color: greenish of some sort
Been a while since playing an NES. Let's give it a shot then.
Capital: Glasgow
Location: Scotland
Preferred color: greenish of some sort
Been a while since playing an NES. Let's give it a shot then.
Pharaoh Kesh strode confidently out of his pillared palace, towards the temple complex. The nation was thriving, growing along the eternal Nile. The gods had guided his predecessors well, and continued to lead his every action with their perfection.
Once again, the time for thanks had come.
While it was light a short distance outside, the open-air temples had a way of making all seem dark within them.
The Pharaoh knealt down before a smoothly-carved stone figure. Several servants et out gifts before the altar.
"Amun, Master of Air, Breather of Life, I thank you. The winds of fate blow kindly in Egypt's direction."
The Pharaoh bowed down in silent prayer, before rising, and striding purposefully to the next temple, where he repeated his offerings.
"Ra, Lord of the Sun, let your tempered light grant my farmers a bounteous harvest."
"Horus, guardian of the throne, my protector, may I be guided to lead my nation to greatness."
"Osiris, lord of the dead, defend my forefathers."
"Sekhmet, lady of the bloody blade, a thousand thanks for your aid, may the spears of Egypt stand uncontested in any battle."
Lastly, Kesh came to Thoth.
"Master of Wisdom, Loremaster, Judge of All, I would surrender all to you upon a command. An eternity of thankfulness for the knowledge which you have delivered to my people, and I pray that such blessings should carry on until the end of time."
After a long pause, the Pharaoh rose and backed out of the temple. For now, the heavens were satiated. Now, the mortal realm's demands called for attention.
Once again, the time for thanks had come.
While it was light a short distance outside, the open-air temples had a way of making all seem dark within them.
The Pharaoh knealt down before a smoothly-carved stone figure. Several servants et out gifts before the altar.
"Amun, Master of Air, Breather of Life, I thank you. The winds of fate blow kindly in Egypt's direction."
The Pharaoh bowed down in silent prayer, before rising, and striding purposefully to the next temple, where he repeated his offerings.
"Ra, Lord of the Sun, let your tempered light grant my farmers a bounteous harvest."
"Horus, guardian of the throne, my protector, may I be guided to lead my nation to greatness."
"Osiris, lord of the dead, defend my forefathers."
"Sekhmet, lady of the bloody blade, a thousand thanks for your aid, may the spears of Egypt stand uncontested in any battle."
Lastly, Kesh came to Thoth.
"Master of Wisdom, Loremaster, Judge of All, I would surrender all to you upon a command. An eternity of thankfulness for the knowledge which you have delivered to my people, and I pray that such blessings should carry on until the end of time."
After a long pause, the Pharaoh rose and backed out of the temple. For now, the heavens were satiated. Now, the mortal realm's demands called for attention.
das
Regeneration In Process
I'll bet Thoth's distant but noticeable similarity to a penguin will come into play. 
Anonymous2U
Deadly Serious
To: The Council of Elders and Merchants of Gai Nal
From: Shen Zou Foreign Ambassador of China on behalf of Shi Huangdi
Many years ago, a group of brave traders from a far away land reached our borders. They told us that they originated from a great civilization to south of China. After many long years we have reach your great lands. Shi Huangdi wishes to establish good will and trade between our people. Shi Huangdi invites you to send some of your scholars back to Xianyang so that we may learn more about your people. We also ask that you open your lands to Taoist missionaries. I present this chest of precious stones as a sign of Shi Huangdi’s good will.
From: Shen Zou Foreign Ambassador of China on behalf of Shi Huangdi
Many years ago, a group of brave traders from a far away land reached our borders. They told us that they originated from a great civilization to south of China. After many long years we have reach your great lands. Shi Huangdi wishes to establish good will and trade between our people. Shi Huangdi invites you to send some of your scholars back to Xianyang so that we may learn more about your people. We also ask that you open your lands to Taoist missionaries. I present this chest of precious stones as a sign of Shi Huangdi’s good will.
From the Queendom of Racadonia
to the Tribes bordering Racadonia
Greetings! I, Empress Alexandria the Creative, offer you and your peoples, protection provided by the armies of the Queendom of Racadonia. In return, you will submit to me, and all my heirs. You will become lords and dukes and knights, and all very powerful. I eagerly await your response.
Signed Empress Alexandria the Creative
to the Tribes bordering Racadonia
Greetings! I, Empress Alexandria the Creative, offer you and your peoples, protection provided by the armies of the Queendom of Racadonia. In return, you will submit to me, and all my heirs. You will become lords and dukes and knights, and all very powerful. I eagerly await your response.
Signed Empress Alexandria the Creative
Ibises and Penguins are like, TOTALLY different.
Nah, Thoth is just IMHO one of the coolest Egyptian gods, plus he's one of my favourites from Age of Mythology. And he outlines a lot of the things that the nation is, at the moment.
Nah, Thoth is just IMHO one of the coolest Egyptian gods, plus he's one of my favourites from Age of Mythology. And he outlines a lot of the things that the nation is, at the moment.
das
Regeneration In Process
Yes-yes. He still looks like a penguin (well, a freakish, emaciated, mutant penguin) and that's what really matters.
Jason The King
Deity
The tribes bordering Racadonia send back the messengers head.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
Name: The Zu Dominion
Capital: Zu, The City of Storms
Location: Southern coast closest to the Yangtze river (Shanghai)
Preferred Color: Golden Yellow
Joining. More to come in a while, describing the Zu Dominion's religion and government.
Capital: Zu, The City of Storms
Location: Southern coast closest to the Yangtze river (Shanghai)
Preferred Color: Golden Yellow
Joining. More to come in a while, describing the Zu Dominion's religion and government.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
On the Zu Dominion
Edited several times for understandability
(latest edit: added recent history and a quote in the government section)
Zu Perfectionism
"In another place, outside the mortal world, the Majesty of the Most Magnificent Magical Flying Chicken engulfs the entirety of Everything. Its greatness spanned never-ending distances, its understanding of and its power upon the Million Worlds beyond all imagining.
At one point in time, at one point in the vast and countless eternities it had stayed in its infinitely magnificent home, it bore the Great World-Egg. It contained the essences of Strength and Intellect, which struggled within the Egg's golden shell.
After another span of countless eternities, the Great World-Egg hatched. The magnitude of the event born of the power that lied within the Egg shattered the boundaries of Truth and The Perceivable. The essences of Strength and Intellect had poured out into all of the various Worlds, bringing forth peace and prosperity to life which had received its blessings."
–From The Book of Intellect
"Strength is not just a measure of the body, but of the mind as well. Know this, and do well to meditate, read, and think. Know this, and hone the mind as well as the body, for it is as the Essences dictate."
–From The Book of Everyday Virtue, by Garth Qi-shu
The Zu people do not believe in a supreme being per se–rather, they believe in the Magical Flying Chicken and the laying of the Great World-Egg. The latter, upon hatching, gave the multitude of worlds the gifts of strength and intellect, the supreme virtues of the fowl religion (most of the time called "Zu Perfectionism").
During the early years of the religion, it became clear that, in order for the Great Magical Chicken to lay an egg, it had to be a hen–a female. Various "hermaphroditic rooster" cults or even "rooster laying eggs" cults sprung up during this time, but were considered detrimental to the unity of the Dominion. In time, it became a widely accepted practice to simply call the Chicken a "chicken," and calling it a "rooster" or "hen" (indeed, any mention if its gender) was considered taboo.
The "Holy Books," namely The Book of Strength and The Book of Intellect, are vaguely written and were anonymously penned. They are less of absolute truths and more of guide books, with only a few brief chapters touching on the natural world. Most of the Books, and their derivatives, describe how to live life with the virtues of personal and communal perfection in mind.
Although Zu Perfectionism is more of a handbook religion than an explanatory and worshiping one, it does have a central form of interpretation through the Scholars of the Books (in fact, they hold much power in their own right for mere scholars, but not as directly as priests). They have much influence in the interpretation of the Books, though they are not as shut-in as other priestly classes. Even a lowly commoner (male or female, but the Scholars have been mostly male by tradition) may join the ranks of the Scholars, as long as they prove themselves knowledgeable of the Books and live a life of strong virtue.
Zu Perfectionism condemns superstition and other religions (especially those that involve deities or even those that deify the Magical Flying Chicken), but this does not stop people from believing in signs, especially those from assimilated cultures. This is because the Scholars of the Books have agreed that many superstitions prevent exploration out of curiosity, and exploration of the unknown and the search for knowledge is a basic tenet from The Book of Intellect.
The meritocratic hereditary monarchy
"In the case of a city-wide fire or a massive storm that threatens to break down the order of the way of life within the borders of Zu, what is to be your plan of action?"
–Taken from one examination for minister of state
The Lord-Magistrate is in charge of the Dominion's growth and prosperity as a state. He has the power to add ranks and specializations beneath him as he wishes to aid in governance (as well as the sole authority–with the intervention of the Scholars–to place people in office), as long as the Scholars of the Books agree. He is also the highest official of the Imperial Army, though he may have several generals underneath him. The Lord-Magistrate is always succeeded by his most able child, as seen fit by custom (more on this later).
The Scholars of the Books, with many of its members coming from the peasant classes, provide a balance of power against the monarchy. They, as a moderately large unanimous body, always judge the Lord-Magistrate's ability to rule and hold the Dominion's integrity. The Scholars themselves are bound to certain traditions to avoid its growth as a political superpower. Older scholars become masters and new members apprentices; when the new members finish their apprenticeship, the master-scholar must turn over his title as a Scholar to his student lest he be ostracized and thrown out by his peers.
All government officials, including the successors of the Lord-Magistrate and the officials he plans to place into position, are required to take exams issued by the Scholars of the Books. The exams (issued yearly) test the leaders' skills in management and knowledge of other worldly matters, ensuring that the Dominion is always in the most capable of hands. Failure in the exams is not final; a leader may prove himself after years of repeated testing, and they are given merit for their persistence.
If no leaders qualify, the Scholars are given temporary power as they accept applications from every free man from the Dominion. In the extreme case that all a Lord-Magistrate's sons and daughters fail the exam for succession, the Scholars have the power to pick a new noble family (outside the Scholars' own ranks, of course) as the Imperial Family.
In summary, the Lord-Magistrate is the supreme authority over all matters of the state, with several governors underneath him and his children in line for succession. However, before any of these people get into office, however, they are given tests by the Scholars of the Books which they need to pass with flying colors (which is partly a branch of the state, but the line between spiritual guidance and political guidance is greatly blurred here).
Brief history of the Zu Dominion
There is much evidence that supports the notion that the early Zu people were a mix of boat-riding people from the east, ancestors of the Chinese from the west, and nomads from the steppes. Early pottery is distinctly Chinese, while the bows of war are fashioned in steppe-people styles. The early boats that the Zu use for their trade are similar to large family-boats that the islanders all the way to Hawaii use. This mix of styles created a Zu culture that has distinctly sturdy, yet well-decorated feel to it.
The early Zu settlers were divided into several ethnically-separated tribes who fought one another for access to the river which provided fresh water and easily-farmed land. The domination of one tribe over another was usually a dynamic matter, with no one tribe truly having any control over the others. This continued for many years until the birth of the first iron-fisted strongman who tried to bring the various peoples together.
The story of Gao Sung of the Zu'kotai is widely regarded as myth, but it gives some idea of how the Zu state was formed seemingly out of nothing. The summary of his tale is this: emphasizing right conduct, proper virtue and a thirst for ideas, he had formed the first order of scholars who interpreted the extensive Tablets of Strength and Intellect (books whose authorship was long lost). After his exit from the order (nobody was sure whether he was expelled or if he left for an apprentice as modern custom implies), Gao Sung the Orderly led a bloody preaching war as the leader of the Zu'ko'tai tribe which unified all the Zu tribes under one, bloody rule. Gao Sung's son, Bao-Olzov Sung the Great, is considered to be the founder of the mercantile port-city of Zu, but it was on the foundation of his father's actions that Bao-Olzov Sung was able to do this.
In effect, one man had created the blueprints of order within Zu society. Gao Sung was the first Lord-Magistrate (though he did not adopt the title), the first Scholar of the Books, and the the unifier of different cultures throughout the small province. Even if this does not hold entirely true, evidence makes it certain that there was a Zu monarch by the name of Gao Sung at around the founding of the city of Zu, and that it was during that time that the Zu people had begun to organize into a single political body.
In recent years, the Zu people have risen from simple farmers, fishers and hunters into an orderly society with a class of skilled craftsmen and wealthy merchants. The benefits of traditional trade with local tribes have increased several-fold as the centralized economic order made it that any gain of a Zu individual was a gain of the state.
Edited several times for understandability
(latest edit: added recent history and a quote in the government section)
Zu Perfectionism
"In another place, outside the mortal world, the Majesty of the Most Magnificent Magical Flying Chicken engulfs the entirety of Everything. Its greatness spanned never-ending distances, its understanding of and its power upon the Million Worlds beyond all imagining.
At one point in time, at one point in the vast and countless eternities it had stayed in its infinitely magnificent home, it bore the Great World-Egg. It contained the essences of Strength and Intellect, which struggled within the Egg's golden shell.
After another span of countless eternities, the Great World-Egg hatched. The magnitude of the event born of the power that lied within the Egg shattered the boundaries of Truth and The Perceivable. The essences of Strength and Intellect had poured out into all of the various Worlds, bringing forth peace and prosperity to life which had received its blessings."
–From The Book of Intellect
"Strength is not just a measure of the body, but of the mind as well. Know this, and do well to meditate, read, and think. Know this, and hone the mind as well as the body, for it is as the Essences dictate."
–From The Book of Everyday Virtue, by Garth Qi-shu
The Zu people do not believe in a supreme being per se–rather, they believe in the Magical Flying Chicken and the laying of the Great World-Egg. The latter, upon hatching, gave the multitude of worlds the gifts of strength and intellect, the supreme virtues of the fowl religion (most of the time called "Zu Perfectionism").
During the early years of the religion, it became clear that, in order for the Great Magical Chicken to lay an egg, it had to be a hen–a female. Various "hermaphroditic rooster" cults or even "rooster laying eggs" cults sprung up during this time, but were considered detrimental to the unity of the Dominion. In time, it became a widely accepted practice to simply call the Chicken a "chicken," and calling it a "rooster" or "hen" (indeed, any mention if its gender) was considered taboo.
The "Holy Books," namely The Book of Strength and The Book of Intellect, are vaguely written and were anonymously penned. They are less of absolute truths and more of guide books, with only a few brief chapters touching on the natural world. Most of the Books, and their derivatives, describe how to live life with the virtues of personal and communal perfection in mind.
Although Zu Perfectionism is more of a handbook religion than an explanatory and worshiping one, it does have a central form of interpretation through the Scholars of the Books (in fact, they hold much power in their own right for mere scholars, but not as directly as priests). They have much influence in the interpretation of the Books, though they are not as shut-in as other priestly classes. Even a lowly commoner (male or female, but the Scholars have been mostly male by tradition) may join the ranks of the Scholars, as long as they prove themselves knowledgeable of the Books and live a life of strong virtue.
Zu Perfectionism condemns superstition and other religions (especially those that involve deities or even those that deify the Magical Flying Chicken), but this does not stop people from believing in signs, especially those from assimilated cultures. This is because the Scholars of the Books have agreed that many superstitions prevent exploration out of curiosity, and exploration of the unknown and the search for knowledge is a basic tenet from The Book of Intellect.
The meritocratic hereditary monarchy
"In the case of a city-wide fire or a massive storm that threatens to break down the order of the way of life within the borders of Zu, what is to be your plan of action?"
–Taken from one examination for minister of state
The Lord-Magistrate is in charge of the Dominion's growth and prosperity as a state. He has the power to add ranks and specializations beneath him as he wishes to aid in governance (as well as the sole authority–with the intervention of the Scholars–to place people in office), as long as the Scholars of the Books agree. He is also the highest official of the Imperial Army, though he may have several generals underneath him. The Lord-Magistrate is always succeeded by his most able child, as seen fit by custom (more on this later).
The Scholars of the Books, with many of its members coming from the peasant classes, provide a balance of power against the monarchy. They, as a moderately large unanimous body, always judge the Lord-Magistrate's ability to rule and hold the Dominion's integrity. The Scholars themselves are bound to certain traditions to avoid its growth as a political superpower. Older scholars become masters and new members apprentices; when the new members finish their apprenticeship, the master-scholar must turn over his title as a Scholar to his student lest he be ostracized and thrown out by his peers.
All government officials, including the successors of the Lord-Magistrate and the officials he plans to place into position, are required to take exams issued by the Scholars of the Books. The exams (issued yearly) test the leaders' skills in management and knowledge of other worldly matters, ensuring that the Dominion is always in the most capable of hands. Failure in the exams is not final; a leader may prove himself after years of repeated testing, and they are given merit for their persistence.
If no leaders qualify, the Scholars are given temporary power as they accept applications from every free man from the Dominion. In the extreme case that all a Lord-Magistrate's sons and daughters fail the exam for succession, the Scholars have the power to pick a new noble family (outside the Scholars' own ranks, of course) as the Imperial Family.
In summary, the Lord-Magistrate is the supreme authority over all matters of the state, with several governors underneath him and his children in line for succession. However, before any of these people get into office, however, they are given tests by the Scholars of the Books which they need to pass with flying colors (which is partly a branch of the state, but the line between spiritual guidance and political guidance is greatly blurred here).
Brief history of the Zu Dominion
There is much evidence that supports the notion that the early Zu people were a mix of boat-riding people from the east, ancestors of the Chinese from the west, and nomads from the steppes. Early pottery is distinctly Chinese, while the bows of war are fashioned in steppe-people styles. The early boats that the Zu use for their trade are similar to large family-boats that the islanders all the way to Hawaii use. This mix of styles created a Zu culture that has distinctly sturdy, yet well-decorated feel to it.
The early Zu settlers were divided into several ethnically-separated tribes who fought one another for access to the river which provided fresh water and easily-farmed land. The domination of one tribe over another was usually a dynamic matter, with no one tribe truly having any control over the others. This continued for many years until the birth of the first iron-fisted strongman who tried to bring the various peoples together.
The story of Gao Sung of the Zu'kotai is widely regarded as myth, but it gives some idea of how the Zu state was formed seemingly out of nothing. The summary of his tale is this: emphasizing right conduct, proper virtue and a thirst for ideas, he had formed the first order of scholars who interpreted the extensive Tablets of Strength and Intellect (books whose authorship was long lost). After his exit from the order (nobody was sure whether he was expelled or if he left for an apprentice as modern custom implies), Gao Sung the Orderly led a bloody preaching war as the leader of the Zu'ko'tai tribe which unified all the Zu tribes under one, bloody rule. Gao Sung's son, Bao-Olzov Sung the Great, is considered to be the founder of the mercantile port-city of Zu, but it was on the foundation of his father's actions that Bao-Olzov Sung was able to do this.
In effect, one man had created the blueprints of order within Zu society. Gao Sung was the first Lord-Magistrate (though he did not adopt the title), the first Scholar of the Books, and the the unifier of different cultures throughout the small province. Even if this does not hold entirely true, evidence makes it certain that there was a Zu monarch by the name of Gao Sung at around the founding of the city of Zu, and that it was during that time that the Zu people had begun to organize into a single political body.
In recent years, the Zu people have risen from simple farmers, fishers and hunters into an orderly society with a class of skilled craftsmen and wealthy merchants. The benefits of traditional trade with local tribes have increased several-fold as the centralized economic order made it that any gain of a Zu individual was a gain of the state.
das
Regeneration In Process
Hopefully 10 or 12 hours from now still won't be too late to send orders (I'm pretty sure); otherwise, however, just go on a conquering spree.
Jason The King
Deity
orders should be PMed to make my job easier.
and I am extending the update...Thursday night by 20:00 GMT+2 should be good, since i am going on a "field trip" to Weimar all day tomorrow.
and I am extending the update...Thursday night by 20:00 GMT+2 should be good, since i am going on a "field trip" to Weimar all day tomorrow.
e350tb
Stupendously Illogical Englishman
This seems alright. I'll join as Great Britain, in the British Isles.
Name: Great Britain
Capitol: London
Start: England
Colour: Royal Red
Name: Great Britain
Capitol: London
Start: England
Colour: Royal Red
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