Efelix
Theme Designer
not a cultist, may be a communist
Posts: 845
|
Post by Efelix on Apr 3, 2017 21:44:54 GMT -6
Antique LandThe work of the ancients is everywhere. Their ruined cities are our homes, their chimeric will runs in our blood, and their blade is that which shaped and rent the land in their collapse. They are gone, now, and new peoples have risen from whatever crumbs were left after the great fall to fill the vacuum. As they work to exploit half-functioning hardware from bygone days lacking in comprehensive documentation and patch together the true history of the fall from what bits and pieces of ancient lore they can stumble across, new states adhering to old doctrines hope to assert their own wills on a world scarred by its past. Antique Land is a civilization based role play set in a post-apocalyptic world, where myriad states with mutated populations and ancient artifacts vie for a place in the new world order. RulesArtifacts1. Up to 10 major artifacts or mutations. These include things like books, anomalous regions, powerful ancient technologies, genetically modified organisms, etc. 2. Minor mutations count as 1 mutation/artifact per 33% of the population, such as scales or night vision. (Think things that happen in nature!) 3. Major mutations count as 1 mutation/artifact per .1% of the population, such as immortality or telekinesis. (Think fantasy!) Nationbuilding1. Nations are capped out at 2.5 million people in total population, and 300,000 people for the population of the capital 2. The allowed technological era is 0 - 1000AD 3. Describe your nation and mark out a location on the political map in the OOC thread. 4. This isn't GC; nations will most likely have some history with each other if they're on the same land mass, and it's still pretty likely if the ocean distance isn't that great either. OOC ThreadPolitical MapTopographic MapClimate Map
|
|
|
Post by Pierre Bezukhov on Apr 8, 2017 21:55:48 GMT -6
The waves crashed against the numerous jetties of Veldashen. Thirty ships flying the flag of the Kingdom of Ochemshi were moored in port - some made up an exploration fleet some 8 ships and several hundred soldiers strong. The rest made up the first of numerous planned colonization expeditions. Barrels were rolled along the cobble paths, crates hoisted onto ships by massive wooden cranes. The port was a bustle of activity - even when you exclude the numerous merchant vessels in the port. On the deck of one of the exploration vessels - one named The Immortal's Hand - stood Admiral Theobald Skevar. A known explorer and adventurer and high-ranking member of the Ochemshi Army. He looked over the port as his expedition was shored up - an expedition to find new lands and peoples to bring into the fold of the beloved God-King.
|
|
Efelix
Theme Designer
not a cultist, may be a communist
Posts: 845
|
Post by Efelix on Apr 8, 2017 23:09:15 GMT -6
Garrison Commander Zigskil took the binoculars away from his eyes. There were no Vaio-blessed in the tribes to the north, so the column of men approaching his fort would have to be Pokayyaens; really, it was the green that gave them away. The mail was a big hint too, because the tribesmen didn't wear metal. He called down from the battlement. "The syzygyriors are back! Open the salted gates!" "Yessir!" came the reply, and the gates of the fort slowly creaked open. The syzygyrior column entered. Zigskil estimated there were about two hundred men there. He took the stairs down into the courtyard, in which the syzygyriors were now milling about, socializing. "Where's your Captain?" Zigskil called to the crowd. The sounds from the crowd did not quiet, but one of the Vaio-blessed turned their focus to Zigskil and walked towards him. "You're the Captain?" Zigskil asked. "Yes, I am. Are you the Commander of this fort?" Zigskil nodded. "Good. That means you're Zigskil, if my memory serves me right. The messenger must have gotten here pretty fast, if you knew to look for us."
|
|
|
Post by Pierre Bezukhov on Apr 9, 2017 0:23:54 GMT -6
The caravan plodded along the road. Though safer than in recent years, there was always the risk of having a large caravan on the Steel Road. The caravan commander grumbled as he turned back - between the added cost of supplies and the near-constant attacks from tribesmen that the massive caravan caused them, he wondered why they even agreed to merge with the Royal Caravan. All of the steel carried by them had been purchased by the Crown - intended as a gift to the ruler of Pokayyae. His thoughts, however, were cut short by the arrow of a tribesman landing itself right in his head. Slumping to the ground, hundreds of primitive tribesmen rushed from the trees. Those not killed in the initial volley of arrows would converge on the Royal Carriage. With all the commotion and alarm, King Alstar himself would step out - fully equipped with royal mail, sword and shield. "Protect the steel! They're primitive tribesmen - not soldiers!" He bellowed out, splitting the group in half with the motion of his sword - sending each group in one direction down the caravan.
Leading one group of guards himself, King Alstar pushed himself to the forefront of the fighting. Though quick and over in what seemed like moments, he would personally slay three of the raiders. "Take note of our losses, throw the raiders to the ride of the road. Make sure none of the steel of the caravan was lost." He ordered once the group converged again, wiping his bloodied sword on a cloth and sheathing it.
|
|
|
Post by Chonicler on Apr 9, 2017 6:27:29 GMT -6
"Gah!" Captain Varno Clintar wiped the water from his face before pushing aside the large leaf that had just hit him in the face. "Sorry sir!" the ranger in front of him yelped, "I didn't mean-" "Shut up..." Varno replied, stepping past the young ranger, "if we apologized every time we hit our fellow soldiers with leaves or branches we'd never get anywhere, now keep moving." "Yes, sir!" the Ranger replied, obviously relieved. Captain Varno rolled his eyes as he pushed forward through the thick foliage, the new soldiers were always amusing on their first official mission into the jungle. A branch snapping up ahead caused the captain to look up, only to see Gatlin Yarno, the Druid which Lord Sepastian had insisted accompany them, looking back over the line of soldiers from his position atop a large rock. "Oi, Gatlin," Varno barked, "this isn't the time to be dilly-dallying, we need to keep moving." the Druid laughed as he slid down from atop the rock, "Honestly, Captain," he said, "you military types are all the same, so anxious to finish the job without stopping to to enjoy the scenery." "You can enjoy the scenery on our way back." Varno grumbled as the Druid started walking back up the column, Varno knew he had no authority over the Druid, they were outside the jurisdiction of the army thanks to Lord Sepastian's support for them. Muttering to himself he pushed forward towards the front of the contingent, they had a job to do, this was the first exploration expedition to the south of Ishtar in over 20 years, not some stroll along the road to Malachar, who knew what might lie just beyond their sight this deep into the jungle?
|
|
Efelix
Theme Designer
not a cultist, may be a communist
Posts: 845
|
Post by Efelix on Apr 9, 2017 14:31:37 GMT -6
"Yes, he did. Yesterday. Rode in on his horse, passed the letter on to a guard, and blew on out of here as quickly as he showed up. So, how went the raid?" Zigskil asked. "Fine, fine. There's some.. aspects of it that I'd like to discuss in private." Zigskil raised an eyebrow, and lead the Captain into the fort proper. It was dim, lit by torches in sconces. The thick walls kept the inside of the fort cold at all times of the year, and the humid climate meant the inhabitants were in a constant battle with mold. Zigskil and the Captain entered the fort's command center, a fairly large room with a circular wooden table and a decent stock of maps. A few small windows let some natural light in. Zigskil shut the door behind himself and the Captain, the sound echoing through the halls.
"This should be private enough, I think. What's the matter?" Zigskil asked, pulling out a chair and sitting at the table. The Captain sat across from him. "As I said before, the raid was successful. It was over a tree, of all things. One of our logging gangs cut down a tree that some of those tribal cults held sacred, and sent down a band of warriors to kill them all. We found whoever was responsible, easily defeated them, and performed the crimson oak on their leaders to set an example. When my men were searching the battlefield for anything useful, they found a few odd bodies." "What was so odd about them?" Zigskil asked. "They were covered in scars, all up and down their arms. They'd ritually maimed themselves." "Could be for anything. Some sort of test of strength, a coming of age ritual?" Zigskil proposed. "That's what I thought, before one of my men brought back these." The Captain fished two objects out of his pocket, and put them on the table. One was an incredibly ornate knife, with its handle embellished in gold leaf and rubies. Its blade was a piece of volcanic glass. The other object was a ring with a serrated edge. Zigskil recognized the significance of both immediately. "Sanguinites? With the tribesmen?" he asked, shocked. The Captain nodded. "They've been proselytizing."
|
|
|
Post by lunaswaxing on Apr 9, 2017 15:11:15 GMT -6
Ostap the Tunneler, King of Kolm's Wall, leaned over the map that had just been brought to his desk. On it was laid out the newly excavated tunnel of the Sub Rail that ran away north into the mountains. News had reached yesterday that they had reached their target distance along the route and were proceeding on building the surface accessway and fortifications necessary to exploit and protect the Sub Rail. Ostap knew this was good news, but he couldn't help but be worried. Trouble always followed the successful completion of a project, unless his men's energy could once again be directed to the pursuit of some new goal. "this should be fine" he announced, rolling up the map and handing it off to a clerk for filing, "The mountains might not be suited for much, but we could use the increased security there anyway. Who knows, perhaps the goatherders can make use of it, too."
Sitting back down, Ostap again considered the problem he was once again facing. He had managed to keep his men occupied with these tunnels for some time now, but there was only so far he could take it before they began to realize it was busy work. He needed something new, a construction truly worthy of his men's labor. If he failed there would be grumbling, and when the men grumble, work-gang leaders, engineers, or even the king can end up in danger.
|
|
|
Post by Pierre Bezukhov on Apr 9, 2017 16:04:15 GMT -6
Eventually everything was tallied up and tied back down - with no steel lost and minimal casualties. The caravan continued plodding along the road, only miles from the Pokayyaean border and days from the capital. Though they didn't expect much to happen, guard was kept up just in case.
Meanwhile in the port of Veldashen, two expeditions were launched. The first one - a short colonization expedition to the southern tip of the island of Pekshari - packed to the brim with tools, settlers and food. The second - an exploration expedition to the lands around the south of the continent - packed with soldiers and supplies. They were launched into calm seas, the sun beating down on short waves that lightly lipped against the jetties of the port.
|
|
|
Post by Chonicler on Apr 9, 2017 17:02:19 GMT -6
"Captain!" Captain Varno frowned as one of the rangers who had been sent ahead jogged back to where the rest of the group was waiting, "What is it?" he asked, "please don't tell me you angered another Cougar..." The Ranger shook his head, "No, sir," he said, "there's a lake up ahead, not as large as Lake Jarin, but still quite large nonetheless." Varno's face lit up, this mission might get interesting after all. "Could you see anything of note along the shore?" he asked, the ranger shook his head, "we haven't had a chance to explore the entirety of the shoreline," the ranger said, "Ulrok and Drin stayed behind to explore down the shoreline." Varno nodded, "Well then," he said, "Let's get going." he signaled his contingent to keep moving.
|
|
|
Post by lunaswaxing on Apr 9, 2017 20:11:13 GMT -6
Ostap awoke one night in a sweat. He had dreamed of death, but with anxiety comes inspiration. Kolm's Hammer would be put to work again, this time on an extension of the cities fortifications, to surround and protect Sub Rail's center, the access point where they had first struck into the tunnels and the root of his city's prosperity. At the same time, a portion of the men would be sent out on an expedition. You never know when i would be useful to know where the river goes, or who lives near it.
If only there was a way to expand the Sub Rail whichever way we liked...
Attempts had been made before to lay tracks like those the Ancients left behind, but it seemed impossible to create the perfectly hard, perfectly shaped lengths of steel that made it all possible. Even their best efforts were too brittle, too warped at that size, and too much work.
Ostep put that oft considered idea back on the shelf in his mind. He had a plan now. He just had to sell it to the men.
|
|
Efelix
Theme Designer
not a cultist, may be a communist
Posts: 845
|
Post by Efelix on Apr 10, 2017 17:01:35 GMT -6
"There was another detail that was out of the ordinary. You, most likely from experience, know that the tribes use iron, and perhaps some of our crucible steel if they can get their hands on it." Zigskil nodded in agreement. "This time around, their elite units were equipped with Ochemshi steel." "How'd you know it was from Ochemshi?" Zigskil asked. "The stuff is totally smooth, incredible really. None of the patterns you see in ours." Zigskil again nodded, not up to date on his metallurgical advancements. "What does it all mean?" he asked. "That's what I'm trying to understand myself," said the Captain. "They could have raided an Ochemshi steel caravan, and some Sanguinites could have convinced a few of them on the benefits of blood worship. Or, the Sanguinites have organized, started expanding, and they're looking for allies in the tribes by bribing them with arms they've bought. Plenty of variables in all of this. Stay vigilant, Commander. On another note, might we stay here for a night? My men have been on the march for quite a while." "Of course," Zigskil responded. "A convoy came in recently, so our non-perishables are well stocked, and the men have taken to farming in their downtime so we've got plenty of fresh food. There's plenty of space left in the barracks, running under-staffed and all. No problem at all to fit you and your men here."
|
|
|
Post by Sliprunner on Apr 10, 2017 17:48:37 GMT -6
Galis, one of the chiefs of the Council, stood on a watch tower near Scal, overseeing the main pass through the mountains. With him was two of his aides, The first was Jenik who acted as chief for Scal in the absence of Galis. The second was Donri, who was considered the champion of Scal and usually oversaw the nearby military fort. Galis just commented "I stand here and I look out, I see the sky passing overhead, the sun gliding by, the clouds rolling along. Yet it seems every year there is yet more plant growth, more trees, hindering the sight of the pass". Jenik said simply "The loggers and harvesters clear out parts of it, but we try not to clear all of the trees, lest the workers have to venture farther and farther for wood". Galis responded "For convenience like that I see no reason to limit our warnings of impending forces". Donri speaking up "As much as the sight is limited, there is still little to limit our warnings of an impending attack. Foreigners rarely come through here, usually stray travelers at best. Most rarely realize where they've stumbled into until we remove them from our borders...Save the Traders, but that is normally a problem for Igil"
|
|
|
Post by lunaswaxing on Apr 10, 2017 21:02:26 GMT -6
Logistics were always the starting point of these construction projects. Fortunately, Dukloraine has some of the best. Soon the foundations of 3 new towers were being dug out around the Sub Rail, as suitable rocks and concrete mix were stockpiled nearby. Away to the southeast, in the farming town which as usual had sprung up around the Sub Rail station there, a select group of the heartiest and most levelheaded men from the overzealous volunteers that had stepped forth to participate in the expedition was gathered. Under the direction of Overseer Senton, they would march down out of the hills, following the river, and see where it lead them. 500 men, carving their way into the unknown, establishing roads and forts as a show of force to the surrounding kingdoms. These men would make their achievements known in history.
|
|