I tried to start off a Game of Thrones style RP recently but it didn't go anywhere; it was convoluted and I could not settle on a system I wanted. So now I'm back with a different idea. It's called Two Kings, in a setting based heavily off of the British Isles. The storyline uses inspiration from ancient Britain, Roman occupation in that region, the construction of Hadrian's Wall, and the conflicts between the peoples there.
The setting takes place on a small Isle, and for the sake of this thread I'll simply call it 'the Isle'. This Isle is very similar to England, and is home to many different groups of people.
Long ago the entire Isle was divided into many small tribes, which grew into small kingdoms who fought for whatever reason (typical Dark Age warlords). Eventually the northern region came to be united under the Northern King, while the south was united under the Southern King. The north is very nordic in nature, while the south is more varied. Since then there has been a strong, heated rivalry between the north and the south; so much so that it is legendary. Eventually however a Southern King managed to pull the north into its fold, when one of the Northern Kings swore fealty to him. This united the entire land, but only for a few generations.
The Empire (*ahem*Rome*ahem*) invaded the Isle and took the south by surprise; it quickly fell and was subdued. By the time the Empire reached the north, however, they were prepared and ready and the Empire didn't manage to make any forays into their land. To separate the more 'civilized' region from the north they constructed a stone wall (Hadrian's Wall?). The then-Southern King fled south in exile, across the sea, and has become known as the 'Exiled King', a humiliating namesake for him.
Imperial occupation didn't last, as the empire soon fell after a few generations. The southerners gradually wrested control from the Empire and this resulted in the creation of multiple kingdoms throughout that region; there was no longer a single Southern King, but many.
In recent years, however, a young man claiming to be the descendant of the Exiled King (and has proof, as he has the family armor, sword, dedication, and charisma the Southern King's have wielded for generations); we will call him Will (William the Conqueror?). 'Borrowing' a large army from the foreign kingdom (France?) that sheltered the Exiled King, young Will sailed back to the Isle and gathered the support of several kingdoms; he then set about conquering and subduing the other southern kingdoms, which was rather easy since he had a very large army. King Will, the 'new' Southern King, sets his eyes on the north now, since it technically belongs to him by oath (remember, the Northern Kings swore fealty to his family before the Empire invaded).
The Northern King, who we will call Edward for now, has heard these tales. The north does not want to be ruled by the south again, and does not want the Southern King, King Will, to reign over them - whether or not his bloodline permits it. Two great armies have gathered near the Empire's Wall and prepare to face off.
You will fight for the north or the south. Or you might fight for yourself. You may choose to remain neutral, or destroy your enemies. Betray your allies, befriend your foes - it's up to you.
The North believes in individualism, a localized government, and believes the King should only be called upon when absolutely necessary. They're not obliged to do anything the Northern King does, but by honor, nobility, and tradition they do it anyway. The Northern King may say "I ask for 500 soldiers from my vassals"; the Northern Vassals are not required to send anyone, and will not be punished for it; but by honor, they may end up sending the good king 1,000 soldiers. These kingdoms may worship anyone freely, pass their own laws, live their own way, and make their own decisions.
The South believes in a strong, centralized government, where the King says and does whatever he wants for the good of the realm. His vassals are required to do as he commands, or be deemed a traitor, tried for treason, and can be promptly executed. The Southern King may say "I require 500 soldiers form my vassals"; the Southern Vassals are required to send exactly 500 men (or more), and if they refuse they can and will be punished for it - usually by having their entire family executed for treason. The kingdoms are required to worship the King's religion, must strictly follow the King's laws, and are required to follow everything the King says.
The setting takes place on a small Isle, and for the sake of this thread I'll simply call it 'the Isle'. This Isle is very similar to England, and is home to many different groups of people.
Long ago the entire Isle was divided into many small tribes, which grew into small kingdoms who fought for whatever reason (typical Dark Age warlords). Eventually the northern region came to be united under the Northern King, while the south was united under the Southern King. The north is very nordic in nature, while the south is more varied. Since then there has been a strong, heated rivalry between the north and the south; so much so that it is legendary. Eventually however a Southern King managed to pull the north into its fold, when one of the Northern Kings swore fealty to him. This united the entire land, but only for a few generations.
The Empire (*ahem*Rome*ahem*) invaded the Isle and took the south by surprise; it quickly fell and was subdued. By the time the Empire reached the north, however, they were prepared and ready and the Empire didn't manage to make any forays into their land. To separate the more 'civilized' region from the north they constructed a stone wall (Hadrian's Wall?). The then-Southern King fled south in exile, across the sea, and has become known as the 'Exiled King', a humiliating namesake for him.
Imperial occupation didn't last, as the empire soon fell after a few generations. The southerners gradually wrested control from the Empire and this resulted in the creation of multiple kingdoms throughout that region; there was no longer a single Southern King, but many.
In recent years, however, a young man claiming to be the descendant of the Exiled King (and has proof, as he has the family armor, sword, dedication, and charisma the Southern King's have wielded for generations); we will call him Will (William the Conqueror?). 'Borrowing' a large army from the foreign kingdom (France?) that sheltered the Exiled King, young Will sailed back to the Isle and gathered the support of several kingdoms; he then set about conquering and subduing the other southern kingdoms, which was rather easy since he had a very large army. King Will, the 'new' Southern King, sets his eyes on the north now, since it technically belongs to him by oath (remember, the Northern Kings swore fealty to his family before the Empire invaded).
The Northern King, who we will call Edward for now, has heard these tales. The north does not want to be ruled by the south again, and does not want the Southern King, King Will, to reign over them - whether or not his bloodline permits it. Two great armies have gathered near the Empire's Wall and prepare to face off.
You will fight for the north or the south. Or you might fight for yourself. You may choose to remain neutral, or destroy your enemies. Betray your allies, befriend your foes - it's up to you.
The North believes in individualism, a localized government, and believes the King should only be called upon when absolutely necessary. They're not obliged to do anything the Northern King does, but by honor, nobility, and tradition they do it anyway. The Northern King may say "I ask for 500 soldiers from my vassals"; the Northern Vassals are not required to send anyone, and will not be punished for it; but by honor, they may end up sending the good king 1,000 soldiers. These kingdoms may worship anyone freely, pass their own laws, live their own way, and make their own decisions.
The South believes in a strong, centralized government, where the King says and does whatever he wants for the good of the realm. His vassals are required to do as he commands, or be deemed a traitor, tried for treason, and can be promptly executed. The Southern King may say "I require 500 soldiers form my vassals"; the Southern Vassals are required to send exactly 500 men (or more), and if they refuse they can and will be punished for it - usually by having their entire family executed for treason. The kingdoms are required to worship the King's religion, must strictly follow the King's laws, and are required to follow everything the King says.
