Keywords: realism, politics, trade/economics, intrigue, crime, gore, war, marriages, racism, mature themes, low magic, plot twists, ...
Influences: From Babylonia and Assyria, medieval Europe, to Mongolia and China, and in-between.




This will be a nation rp. I’m sure most of you have already been in one before. If you like manoeuvring your little pawns in a political game of intrigue and shadowplay, you’ve come to the right place. The setting will be low-fantasy with predominately human civilisations.

However, the concept deviates somewhat from the beaten path. Instead of working out the entire nation or country, participants would be provided with elements and prompts. These contain basic information concerning that nation, and should be taken into account. However, that doesn't mean that everything will be filled out. The information will range from an important point in a nation's history, domestic developments, demographics, landscape/geography, to economic strength, military tradtion, etc.

I realise this might sound weird to the veterans among you, and seem as if I'm taking away loads of freedom. Yet, I see this a means to deal out certain 'boons' and balance the game. Additionally it can provide certain players with the necessary structure and/or inspiration. However, I will always be open to suggestions, requests and such. First and foremost this is a game of reason. Keep in mind I will be using a random roll system (credit and kudos to Elendra and HeySeuss) and so any and all arbitrarity will be left to fate. What it basically comes down to, is that the dice will determine a large part of the makeup of your nation/civilisation. You work with what you have, not with everything you wished for. Not to say I am unreasonable and will not work things out with a player. This mechanic is simply in place to avoid unsurmountalbe "God Nations".

I want every participant to be realistic in both their nations, as well as their characters' personalities, traits (AND flaws) and ambitions as well as take external and internal developments into account. No nation will be self-sufficient or all-powerful. Interaction is encouraged. As a rule, consider tech-level to be anything prior to weaponised blasting powder.

Focus of the RP is not to lose ourselves in game mechanics, instead this is a game of logic, reason and collaborative writing. Our goal is not to have an overly competitive game, but to immerse into a nice creative experience for all parties. We write a story with each other, not against each other. Does that mean there will not be any competition? No, but keep it civil and reasonable. War makes for an excellent story, but let us not limit ourselves to that.


Tanis is a continent divided, covered in vast steppes, thick forests, lush jungle, imposing mountains and fertile flatlands - as diverse as it is brutal to the weak. Fortune is indeed a fickle mistress, as relations between nations develop against a background of famine, disease and war though trade, friendship and faith are of equal strength. Civilisations rise and fall, while people are subject to tyrants or benevolent rulers, yet others govern themselves or follow a divine will. Power, after all, is only for those who are willing to go to great lengths to seize it.

A delicate and complex political balance has held for years. Piracy, assassination, torture, raids and racial strife spread chaos as the fragile balance of peace tips toward war. Has diplomacy run its course, any and all goodwill depleted? Monsters stalk the land as portents of strife.

Dominated by humans of all shapes and sizes, the old race of elves watches with disdain from their last bastions and vestiges. What course will they take? How hard are the obstacles to overcome that stand in the way of peaceful resolution? What of the other non-humans? Orcish hordes converge, and there is no telling what these savages will settle for, while the dwarves preach gloom and doom from their mountain strongholds and condemn their kinsmen who have chosen to live in the cities of the surface-dwellers.

One thing is for certain: all races are strangers to Tanis. The indigenous civlisations having died out long ago. The dwarves and orcs have lost all memory of coming to the continent, yet after them the elves in their sleek swan-ships arrived and settled the coast. Mankind, though newest and youngest of all, now holds sway of practically all of Tanis. After a series of bloody conflicts with humans, the elvish cities were ruined, and the elves themselves forced to retreat to the defensible regions, into unapproachable mountains and lush forests and jungles, or to recognize human domination and accept their lot.

• GM word is final.
• Advanced standards; common sense approach; game of logic and collaboration.
• Sheets should be posted on the OOC (though they can be sent via pm as well) for approval/disapproval. Not all decisions will be made public. These sheets adhere to the traits/provisos/rolls made my the OP in dialogue with the player.
• Play to enjoy, not to win.
• You are assumed to be an adult by submitting a nation/character for this game; please act like one.
• Applications may take a few days before a decision can be made. Generally, issues will be resolved over pm.
• Players are encouraged to play typically one-on-one scenarios, large battle scenarios, cloak-and-dagger scenarios, small plots and large plots. To be creative, and to interactive with their fellow players on their own to plot. Take initiative but don't be a dick.
• 'Meta-gaming' is evil (just don't be a-holes).
• Tech levels range from stone to steel (though full plate is a rarity), anything pre-gunpowder is a rule of fist.
• More rules can be added per GM leisure.

Compendium of monsters (for fluff reasons, courtesy of Terminal)

Tentative interests. May post NS. EDIT: Is this claim alright?

I suppose I'll request a roll.

roll request

Roll for me, too.

roll pls

Reserving this spot for nation profile, to be posted shortly.

Interested! Roll request.

Looks interesting. That map looks fantastic- Did you make it, or find it?

Looks interesting. That map looks fantastic- Did you make it, or find it?

I found it on devart. The only maps I make myself are in MS paint :P. Rolls are coming soon fellas.

Tentative interests. May post NS. EDIT: Is this claim alright?

Location requests are welcome, and I will take them into account as much as possible. Is that a roll request as well, Ultikana? :)

Also...is there a limit on the races other than human. Obviously you have said low fantasy..and I want a human nation, but would some dwarf and elf immigrants that are racially trodden on be acceptable.

I suppose I'll request a roll.

Do or do not, there is no try. First Roll, feel free to ask questions. I have left boons and flaws out of this for now, figuring I'd ask you lot first. Do you want me to roll nation flaws for you or leave that up to your own sick brains? Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive. Keep in mind that for some elements rolls did not turn out. For instance, in this case geography was left to the player. However, from the amount of mineral deposits, it would be a fair assumption to go with a mountainous/hilly country or region with a few forests. In this case there is some domestic disturbance present in the country, particularly in the cities. However, whether that is due to religious unrest, racial strife, poverty or something else, only Ethan knows. ESSENTIALS Population Density (Population - 6,000,000) -Adequately Populated; Some manpower for economic, public and military purposes, and social infrastructure (housing, roads, public buildings, sanitation) is only under some pressure. Civic projects are affordable. Economy -Rapid Growth - The economy is performing well according either to design or accident, or a happy coincidence of both, and this situation puts money in the coffers of the nation and confidence in its citizens. Urbanisation -Semi-urbanised: There are several towns and a few cities present, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand inhabitants. Technology -Modernizing: The industrial infrastructure is in the process of improvement, and this is a teething process. But the economy is seeing increased activity because of this investment. New technologies are becoming domestically available. However, there is a degree of dependence on imports, including in terms of the expertise to modernize the economy. Metallurgy is limited to iron products. Domestic Political Stability - Widespread Protests Common, particularly in large communities. RESOURCES Mineral Deposits - Moderate deposits of metals and minerals, iron, tin, copper, salt and the like. Valuable Mineral Deposits - Trace deposits of rare earth metals, predominately silver and gold. Unique Materials - Magnificent furs Agriculture - cattle based, slight food surplus that is decreasing over time MILITARY Military Focus - land oriented, good infantry and cavalry ratio (4:1) Military Recruitment - Volunteer Force Military, large component of mercenaries (3:1 ratio) Reliability - Racially Homogenous troops are reliable, mercenary components subject to some doubt Military Size - Large, relative to population: requires considerable upkeep, harder to equip/supply quickly. Military Technology - Rapid Modernization, your nation does not lag behind the rest of the world, and even sets the standard on some levels. Military Training and Morale - Decently Trained; High Morale Military Leadership - Semi-Competent; Rose to their positions through experience and battlefield exploits Military Reputation - Unpopular domestically; considered uncouth but capable by foreigners Siege Equipment - Undeveloped; Loyal

Also...is there a limit on the races other than human. Obviously you have said low fantasy..and I want a human nation, but would some dwarf and elf immigrants that are racially trodden on be acceptable.

That is what the demographic section is for. You're more than welcome to think up your own minorities/ethnicities which include non-human races. I would like that you stick to the classic elves, dwarves and orcs (possibly halflings) and respective hybrids, just for ease.

Thanks for the clarification, i just wanted to know how much freedom we had with demographics.

roll request

This time geography did come up with a result. Keep in mind that for example agriculture gives crops and small livestock as a result, it does not exclude you from growing olives, grapes or whatnot. These products are simply not cultivated to such an extent to make a massive difference. ESSENTIALS Population Density (Population - 7,200,000) - Regionally Dense; A good amount of manpower for the military and economic purposes, with social infrastructure strained more at a regional basis. Civic projects range from affordable to expensive. The nation requires a stronger economy to sustain itself. Economy - Stagnation - The economy is performing adequately, though there is room for improvement. There are certain limitations on the economy that are bottlenecking real growth, such as a restriction in investment capital or insufficient demand, however. There is some unemployment and economic unhappiness among people in the lower income brackets, and there is a degree of criticism in what can go wrong, even if it hasn't gone wrong yet. Urbanisation - Semi-urbanised: There are several towns and a few cities present, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand inhabitants. Technology - Modernizing: The industrial infrastructure is in the process of improvement, and this is a teething process. But the economy is seeing increased activity because of this investment. New technologies are becoming domestically available. However, there is a degree of dependence on imports, including in terms of the expertise to modernize the economy. Metallurgy is limited to iron products. Domestic Political Stability - Growing unrest in cities GEOGRAPHY Largely consists of plains and hills, with tropical areas RESOURCES Mineral Deposits - Minimal deposits of metals and minerals. Valuable Mineral Deposits - Trace deposits of rare earth metals, predominately silver, some marble quarries. Unique Materials - Spices, hardwood Agriculture - crop and small livestock based, food surplus that is decreasing over time MILITARY Military Focus - Decent army and navy, good infantry and cavalry ratio (5:1) Military Recruitment - Volunteer Force Military, levies in wartime Reliability - Levies are of decent quality, generals play politics Military Size - small core of professional units: requires some upkeep, easy to equip/supply quickly, seasonal levies Military Technology - Rapid Modernization, your nation does not lag behind the rest of the world, and even sets the standard on some levels. Military Training and Morale - Highly Trained; High Morale, levies are of good quality but low morale Military Leadership - Competent; Rose to their positions through experience and battlefield exploits Military Reputation - Popular domestically; considered small but capable by foreigners Siege Equipment - Developed, seasoned corps of engineers and sappers; Loyal and capable

I'd quite like a roll.

Just for the record, I'm fine with having flaws and boons being rolled. Makes things more interesting that way. Oh, and thanks for the roll.

A basic start is up, please feel free to give feedback it is always useful. Plus I am open to develop a history with people. Please PM me.

I'm fine with other people getting rolls, but I really don't want to be subject to that myself. I mean, I have my nation idea already all fleshed out already, there's no need to randomize it.