[center]WIP[/center] [b]Accepted Nations:[/b] - [hider=Races of Avara] WIP [/hider] [hider=History Timeline of Avara] WIP [i](Note: the below is meant not to be a constraint but a spur to creativity, in your own histories pls feel free to add to, embellish, ignore, expand on, or reinterpret anything listed here.)[/i] Year In Darkness 100 (YD 100): the Fall of the Pharazon Empire into a thousand feuding kingdoms and petty empires, most centered on Tityos near the old Imperial capital. The Seven Cities reassert their independence from the Empire. YD 50: the Council of Augurs foretells of a coming catastrophe. 1 Y of the Law (1 YL): The Breaking of the Moon, also known as the Red Night. The moon shatters in the sky, leading to panic and religious ferment across Avara. Justinian appears in southern Geryon, claiming he has defeated the Old Gods in battle and portends a new chapter for humanity. 10 YL: The Foundation of Sacrosanctum and the Justinian Conquest begins. The Kingdoms of Geryon enter 100 years of war. 118 YL: The Justinian Conquest ends, with most of Geryon divided between kingdoms and empires loyal to the God-King and his Temple-City of Sacrosanctum. 200 YL: IC begins [/hider] [hider=Religions of Avara] [b]Justinianism[/b] Justinian emerged onto the scene a mere two hundred years ago, to the far south of Geryon, but his religion is now one of the most dominant faiths in the world. According to the official theology of the Clerisy, Justinian was originally a human hero frustrated at the arbitrary fates handed down to men from the indifferent heavens. Possessed of righteous zeal for Humanity, Justinian did battle with the tyrannous Old Gods. Through a combination of wits and might, he overcame the Astral Powers and broke their throne in a cosmic battle known as the Breaking of the Moon. His task completed, he descended back down to earth to lead Humanity in person and forge a new world order. Whatever the truth of these stories, it is clear the Justinian's ascension to godhood is in some way tied to the Breaking of the Moon, since it was shortly after that event that he established his shrine-city of Sacrosanctum and the Justinian Cult. He led the Justinian Jihad and conquered much of Geryon, but has remained relatively quiescent for about a hundred years, and has never tried to lead a military campaign over the Spine. His is a warlike and political religion, with strict codes of honor, justice and duty to Humanity. Veneration of ancestors and of great figures from Humanity's past is commonplace and encouraged by the Clerisy. Non-humans and practitioners of magic are generally despised by Justinians, who at any rate have little need of the arcane, since they can count on the direct and frequent intervention of their deity and his powerful blessings. Justinians are equally hostile to followers of the Old Gods and followers of the Red Pantheon. Justinianism absolutely prohibits slavery. Uniquely, Justinians are led in-person by their god. Justinian himself resides in his temple-palace in the massive holy city of Sacrosanctum, far to the south of the continent Geryon, and occasionally comes forth to lead holy wars or settle disputes among his followers. Kings and Emperors loyal to the New God make frequent pilgrimages to him, to hear his divine counsel and receive his blessing, and the god's devoted Clerisy are omnipresent in Justinian nations. Justinianism is suited to: humans, holy warriors, militaristic nations, strong centralized governments, heroes. [b]The Old Ways[/b] The Old Ways are a collection the astrological/magical religions that predominated before the Breaking of the Moon. It is less a unified cult than a collection of folk religions and more sophisticated theologies, philosophies and magical practices surrounding dieties variously known as the Celestial Powers, the Fates, the Astral Hierarchy, or the Old Gods. Much of Old Way practice revolves around dream interpretation and reading the stars for portents of the future and command over nature. The Old Ways are thoroughly non-moralistic, and societies that adhere to the Old Gods can differ widely in their political arrangements. Among the Old Gods, the chief deity worshiped is the goddess Uwan, Queen of the Moon. Justinians claim she is overthrown and her power broken, but devotees of the Old Ways claim she rules still from the Shattered Throne, divining the fate of all, even the upjumped Pretender God in Sacrosanctum. The closest thing Uwanists have to chief religious authority is the Circle of Augurs, an itinerant council of sixteen seers and astrologers. The Old Ways are suited to: wizards, sages, philosophers. It is also the religion of ancient societies and cultures and is generally favored by aristocrats and reactionaries. These societies will generally have an aristocracy comfortable with and often skilled in magical practice, as well as in discerning portents and signs. [b]The Red Pantheon[/b] Though the 'divinities' which make it up are ever changing, the so-called Red Pantheon has existed since time immemorial. Avara is a world filled with lurking spirits, mysterious intelligences, and haunted sites of power. Some of these- out of vanity or ambition or for other, more inscrutable motives- have set themselves up as gods. Many of these spirits are bloodthirsty, warlike, and feuding, often devouring each other when they become strong enough to do so. Many grant their followers boons in exchange for blood sacrifices. The gods and demons making up the Red Pantheon are innumerable, and most peoples and tribes who follow the pantheon worship one or a select few of the deities, though some worship the Pantheon as a whole, which they take to be symbolic of the fundamental nature of the cosmos- one of constant battle and unending appetite. Some of the red gods communicate and interact frequently with their devotees, while others remain aloof, answering prayers and rewarding sacrifices only occasionally and indirectly. Likewise, while some of the gods are tied to one specific holy site, others roam the world freely, manifesting themselves wheresoever they please. They are frequently the adopted patrons of the Beastkin races. Additionally, they are frequently sought out by the ambitious or the desperate, who seek to create pacts with them in exchange for material gain, victory on the battlefield, success in love, magical power, or other boons. The Red Pantheon is hostile to the Old Ways. Its deities despise the celestial and untouchable Old Gods, though the two faiths usually pay little attention to one another and individuals who honor both the Old Gods and the red gods are common. The red gods, likewise, are quite wary and often contemptuous of Justinian, but some are also quite keen to ally themselves with him and his devotees. The deities most commonly worshiped include: the Scorpion Mother, the Gore Lord, the Mountain Wisdoms, Yzazgrul the Wise, and the Conqueror Worm. The Red Pantheon is suited to: the ambitious, warlords, shamans, the desperate or vengeful, beastkin, beserkers and warriors, assassins. OOC Note: alot of diversity is tolerated in the Red Pantheon. You can even create a demon/demigod that will lead your nation or be worshiped by it. I'll need to approve it, obviously. Feel free to expand on the god names given above and make them your own. [/hider] [hider=Geography & Map of the Spine] Map Coming Soon! Geographical features of the Dragon's Spine The Bones: the common name for the mountain range running the length of the isthmus. (Note: feel free to differentiate the mountains in the region of your city. Different sections of the mountains may have different names. Some possible names: the Claws, the Broken Bones, the Crooked Bones, the Blades) [/hider] [hider=NS Form] [b]Please check out the religion and history timeline tabs above before making your NS. Please also stick your WIP NSes in the Character Tab with WIP on top of the post, outside the hider[/b] [i]Note: Non City-State factions are allowed, from merchant guilds, transnational religions, etc. I am also willing to consider one or two more players to play as major powers on one or other side of the Spine.[/i] -City/Realm name: -Flag/Banner: NATIONAL -Capital: -Government Type: -Currency: -Population: (one million [humans] is max, and is a very, very large city which will demand a lot of food and have a lot of internal unrest problems. For other races there might be other cases, which I will judge individually.) -Unique Trait #1: -Unique Trait #2: -Unique Flaw #1 -Unique Flaw #2 GEOGRAPHICAL -Major Towns/Colonies: Please describe any smaller cities, towns, villages, or colonies under your city's control. -Major Castles/Fortresses: -Buildings of Interest: -Geographic Features of Interest: -Territory Description: RACIAL -Majority Race: -Majority Race Appearance: -Majority Race Characteristics: -Minority Races: (If any) -Minority Race Characteristics: RELIGION & MAGIC -State Religion: (If applicable. Either create your own religion or take on a major religion. If you design your own religion, I will add it to the religion tab above so other players might choose it. More than one religion in a state is ofc very possible) -Religious Information: -Religion Demographics: -Holy Relics In Possession: -Holy Sites Under Control: -Magical Schools and Curriculum: (What forms of magic are common?) MILITARY -Military Details (Focus on unit types, ect. You can keep numbers vague) NATIONAL DRAMATIS PERSONAE -Head of State/Monarch: -Ruling Dynasty (If applicable): -Military Chief (If applicable): -Religious Head (If Applicable): -Persons of interest: CULTURAL -History: (I will add key historical episodes to the history timeline above.) -Historical Relations and Greivances -Cultural Notes [/hider]