I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. –Albert Einstein
The Dark Age is a dark fantasy roleplay with an odd twist: the setting is during a nuclear winter; long after the bombs have fallen. Over the hundreds of years since modern civilization has been wiped out, the remnants of mankind now reside in pockets of tillable land and temperate climates; while most of the world has been transformed into a frozen wasteland. Due to the destruction of modern technology and knowledge, humanity has reverted to a more base state: living in feudal societies based around agriculture.
Of course, life can never be peaceful; due to dangers on all sides of these settlements. Bandits roam the wastelands, preying on merchants or travelers moving from one city-state to another; wars are fought between different governing bodies over territory rights; and horrible creatures mutated from the wastes attack. These dangers have led to a call for mercenaries to deal with these threats.
There are seven city-states, each lying on the southern side of the continent of Alora, spanning east to west. They are:
Magic does exist in the world of Alora; those who live in the wastes and have been changed by the cold winter and radioactive wind are deemed heretics and demons by the church. Witches are humans who have slight magical powers, while the Fae are humans who have been further altered, showing qualities not too far from what fantasy writers deem as "elves", the Fae possess far greater magical affinity than any other creature.
Benora: The western-most city state; Benora is a mainly agrarian community beset on three sides by desert. The city has an oasis at its center; and has one of the largest marketplaces in the entire continent of Alora. Their military might resides in their horsemen and archers; however their martial prowess is much weaker than other city-states. The Papal Office of the Papacy of Pacifica is located here. Benora is also known as the Desert Gem.
Khaal: Less a city-state and more a huge fortress, Khaal resides east of Benora, at the edge of the desert and the frozen wastes. The main “castle” that the rest of the city is built around is actually a giant satellite facility. A huge dish sits atop the structure; creating an odd industrial view of the city. Due to the cold weather, the city resides inside the complex; with additions jutting out the sides. Countless smokestacks emerge from the rooftops; due to this city’s main contribution: smithing. Khaal is known as the Iron Fortress.
Invar: The city-state on Invar is located on a river basin; Invar is known for its fertile land and its beautiful foliage, however the city is constantly plagued with sickness due to the hot and muggy climate and swamplands bordering it. Invar hires out its defenses, keeping a mercenary guard; since mercenaries are easily replaced once they come down with swamp fever. Invar has a huge garden surrounding it’s manor house; and is known as the Garden City.
Mara: The central city-state, and also the center of commerce between the other six city-states. Mara is also home to the central church, where the “Holy Father” of the Holy Evangelical Church resides. Mara is known for its huge market, its bustling industry and the large difference between wealth and poverty in the city. The richest people in Alora live in Mara, as do the poorest. Mara is known as the Grand City.
Korris: The most militaristic city-state; Korris is home to the majority of the mercenary factions, as well as a military academy. Korris is built on rocky, barren land, and the only export of the city is soldiers. The harsh environment has better preparation on soldiers than other city states, where life is tailored around safety and comfort. Korris is known as the Blade City.
Porrum: The newest established city-state, Porrum is located on the coast; and is primarily based around fishing and hunting. Porrum is also the first port city, and has been able to service Korris, Mara and Invar with its ships. Porrum has the weakest military, but due to its relative age and lack of resources save fish, Porrum is mainly ignored by the larger city states.
Magic
ReligionThe two religions of Alora share a tense relationship, due to their views on the calamity and ancient artifacts. The Pacifica Papacy views the artifacts as evil, and seeks to destroy them, as they were the tools of the apocalypse. The papacy is ruled by a group of cardinals, who reside in the city states. Priests travel from city-states and to villages, offering funeral rites and other services. The Papacy has cares little about Witches and Fae, and rarely pays for the heads of such creatures. The Papacy has little military might, but does make use of a specialized group they call Inquisitors, whose sole purpose is to seek out and destroy any and all ancient technology. The Papacy does not care what the technology does; if its use is benevolent or not. For the Papacy, all ancient technology must be purged from this world. The Papacy looks to the city states of Benora and Khaal to educate its citizens.
The Holy Evangelical church seeks to recover and use the artifacts to reclaim the wastelands and undo the calamity that has befallen the world. At least; that's what the doctrine preaches. Truthfully, the Evangelical Church seeks to control as many of the artifacts as possible, to hold dominion over the majority of the city states, and to eventually eliminate the splinter religion of the papacy. They view the artifacts as divine, and view any human who has been altered by the wastelands as a form of demon that must be purged. While the Evangelical church has many pastors in its employ among the city states and the villages; the main power of the church resides in the vestments of the "Holy Father". The Evangelical Church is the main educating body in the Eastern City States as well; giving more providence to their teachings being "true". The Evangelical Church hires Mercenaries that they dub as "Wardens" to hunt any creature altered by the wastes. Wardens are paid on the head of the creatures they slay, and are paid handsomely for any Fae or Witches they find. In certain cases, Wardens may be called in to capture a Witch or a Fae. What goes on when the living specimen is delivered is unknown. There is also a special faction within the Church known as the Templars; who search for ancient technology to be used by the Church's magisters. Templars are funded by the church, and are known as devout and powerful warriors who can brave the deepest parts of the wastelands. Templars view Witches and Fae as abominations, but view their deaths as secondary to finding and retrieving artifacts.
Weapons and ArmorWeapons and armor in the world of Alora range from the pay grade of who wears it. For most soldiers and mercenaries, they stick to leather armor or scrap metal armor. Scrap metal armor is made from scavenged materials from the wastes; a tower shield could be what was once a car door, for instance. Scrap metal armor and weapons are not very durable, but they still provide protection for the common man.
Iron and Steel armor is reserved for the more powerful and wealthy mercenaries and private armies. Most town guards, for instance, only receive leather and scrap metal armor. High Templars (the personal honor guard of pastors and the Holy Father) in the employ of the Holy Evangelical Church, wear full steel plate armor.
Ancient armor is the rarest form of armor; found deep within the ruins of great cities, these armors were both lightweight and durable. The price for such armor is incredibly high; the few sets that remain are in the ownership of the Lord of Korris, and in the Halls of the Evangelical Church.
Jobs, Careers, LivelihoodThe most common profession in Alorra is subsistence farming. The second most common profession is in the military, be it town guard, mercenary work or higher martial professions. However, many people do live as hunters, scouts, herbalists, and other specialized professions.
The most common fighting career is a mercenary; usually with a smaller group or as a solo mercenary. The more famous mercenary groups are Tarin's Hand, The Blackskull Legion and The Bannermen.
Profile Skeleton
Character Name:
Gender:
Age:
Class/Job:
Home: (City state, village, wastes)
Appearance: Images OR text (I use text because i'm weird)
Character History:
Personality:
- - - Updated - - -
Character Profiles
Annnd the IC Thread: http://roleplayerguild.com/showthrea...e-A-Fantasy-RP
Feel free to post questions, suggestions and ideas here!

