The pre-AFSNES I.

[Azale]

Eskander is fine, it still serves the purpose I want it to serve.

 

[LightFang]

Holy holy holy crap I am late!

ORDERS WRITING RIGHT NOW SORRY

 

[Dachs]

To all that I didn't include in the story: I didn't notice you in the thread. Sorry......if I write another one next update, I'll be sure to include everyone who's made a post in this thread, and a few who haven't...

Dis: BLACKADDER RULES! "Tally ho, pip pip and Bob's your uncle." "In English we say, 'Good morning'."

 

[das]

Don't worry LightFang, your orders are fine. And not as late as some others.

~Darkening~, do you have any intentions of sending orders? The description you submitted should be sufficient, but if you have some specific plans, then do state them.

 

[Luckymoose]

So das any idea when this BT will be ready? I am really hoping today. Cause I need something to read.

 

[das]

Overwhelmingly unlikely, unless it is very early in the morning where you live at the moment of this post.

 

[Dachs]

Try almost exactly noon. Just like me.

Hey, Moose, I'm going to be in Atlanta on the night of the 5th-6th. What a world, eh?

 

[Luckymoose]

Try almost exactly noon. Just like me.

Hey, Moose, I'm going to be in Atlanta on the night of the 5th-6th. What a world, eh?

What part of Atlanta?

 

[Dachs]

Technically, just north of it, in Buford.

 

[Luckymoose]

Technically, just north of it, in Buford.

Ah. Atlanta is the best city in America to me at least, have fun.

@ das: So you think you will have it in today my time? Which ends in 12 hours? If not I can wait. Just really enjoy your NESes and haven't seen one in a while.

 

[das]

Most probably not, so yeah, you should wait.

 

[JosefStalinator]

Too late for story bonuses?

 

[das]

Indeterminate.

 

[Kal'thzar]

Story begins;
das rocks;
Story ends;

 

[Daftpanzer]

@Das, I wrote all this out early today, only to realise ive missed the official orders deadline by three hours (18:00 GMT is the absolute earliest i can ever get online), and Joseph has already reserved the whole of sicily

Waiting for one BT turn will probably be too late for what I wanted, even if there is a space on sicily.

<- lots.

Ive decided to post it anyway, along with a brief orders PM. If you do anything with it at any stage, is up to you, obviously. If you do use any of it, even for background for the rise of other civs, I give you full authority to change anything you wish

---

The Elymites

The desired starting point is a small, muddy, primitive, stone-walled town called &#8216;Oenotra&#8217;, from which a proto-civilisation will hopefully emerge.

Sicily, as I understand it, is an island rich in fertile land and other goodies, with a great central position in the mediterranean. It seems like a great place for a civilisation to spring up. I guess there is some good reason why it didn&#8217;t in OTL (at least not before the Carths/Greeks took over). But I want to attempt it anyway.

From what I can gather historically, the people of Sicily at this time were mainly an extension of southern Italian cultures, but with possible influxes of people (occurring in very ancient times) from as far away as the Aegean sea and Iberia.

---

The founding myth of Oenotra

The story revolves around two brothers, Tycel and Tharo, joint leaders of the scattered Elymite peoples in eastern Sicily (or Cielas as the island was known to the Elymites). Tharo had a vision, in which Aurutim (the god of health and healing) instructed him to found a new town, on a small hill by the coast. Traditionally, severed human heads were needed to consecrate the ground on which new settlements would be built. So Tycel and Tharo set out with their to battle with the rival Sicel peoples (who lived in the west of the island).

The brothers were victorious, and each returned with a severed head of a Sicel chieftain. Both had fought so valiantly and honourably that they were greatly blessed by both Vorska (the goddess of battle) and Chalscon (god of virtue, husband of Vorska and father of the other gods). This made the goddess Roenima (goddess of the hunt, mistress of wild beasts, also known as the night goddess) extremely jealous.

The brothers gathered their families and headed to the future site of Oenotra. But the night before the consecration ceremony, while the brothers were sleeping, Roenima made serpents grow from the eye sockets of the severed Sicel heads, which then slowly slithered away into the night&#8230;

The next day, the brothers noticed they were lacking in the necessary items to proceed. Rather than give up, Tharo bravely offered his own head to the high priest, so that the consecration could go ahead. For this noble sacrifice, Chalscon made Tharo into one of the &#8216;Aesarcs&#8217; &#8211; the gods who had ascended from amongst the most noble of earthly, mortal men. Tharo thus became the patron god and protector of Oenotra. A primitive temple to Tharo was built in the heart of the town, said to be on the exact site where his head was originally buried in the ground.

Tycel, meanwhile, was heartbroken by the loss of his brother, and set out to get revenge on the goddess Roenima. The various intrigues and misadventures between Tycel and Roenima make up most of the Elymite mythology - their many stories served as moral examples for the Elymites. Tycel&#8217;s life ended in tragedy and redemption, before finally being elevated to the status of godhood himself.

---

The early Elymites believed in two main principles &#8211; the first and foremost being the accumulation of blessings from Chalscon, by doing noble deeds and aiding others (harming others without justification would result in Chalscon&#8217;s blessings being removed &#8211; or even a divine curse). Intelligence, eloquence, and all kinds of artistic talents were considered signs of Chalscon&#8217;s blessings.

The second was the accumulation of blessings from Vorska, through daring and bravery in battle. Similarly, cowardice would result in being cursed by Vorska. Though women would rarely take any part in war, mothers who raised their sons into great warriors could also receive Vorska&#8217;s blessings. Physical strength, health, beauty and virility were considered signs of Vorska&#8217;s blessings.

Bands of Elymite warriors would conduct the rite of &#8216;blood brotherhood&#8217;, the objective being a kind of spiritual union recognised by Vorska, through which each would share in the blessings or curses of the others.

 

[JosefStalinator]

OOC: Ugh, wonderful...

 

[das]

Yes, I fear it is a bit too late. Sorry. There are many other open spots in the world, though.

 

[Daftpanzer]

Ugh, wonderful...

Dont worry, I dont think they will be appearing in the NES. I had fun writing the mythology anyway. Even if they do appear, its probably going to be as a province of your nation.

Most likely i'll attempt to rejoin as some kind of Illyrian (can never spell that right) civ.

 

[Daftpanzer]

Yes, I fear it is a bit too late. Sorry. There are many other open spots in the world, though.

Very well. I'll take this as a sign not to join this for a while. Ill be watching though.

 

[das]

I mean that there are many other open spots in this specific NES world. But yes, you - and any other people that might want to join - really should wait for an update or two as more regions become available.