The Year is 450 of the Imperial Calender of Haldia the originator country of the continent of Guardia. There has been peace for the past five hundred or so years since the founding of the High Kingdom of Haldia. Haldia was founded when many different dukedoms, and baronies swore loyalty to King Haldon The First, whom later came to be known as King Haldon the Uniter. Before the unification of Haldia groups of soldiers fought, and killed, and maimed one another for glory while the vandals of the bitter provinces in Qualdia raided, and destroyed the upper mountain lords, and savagely came down upon the southern lords from the sea. The Lords saw bitter fighting, and much blood lost for many generations some being brought to the very brink of doom by the chieftains of the Qualdia who saw them as effeminate fools who sought pleasantries, and trophies over glory, and honor for their clans.

The Conference in Castle Falkar in now southern Haldia saw the unification of the Haldia when King Haldon called for the conference many believed it was doomed to fail. Doomed to die on the board room of the prideful kings of the lands. However through promises to the lords, and action by his knights many of the lords bent the knee to Lord Haldon willing to trust them with their soldiers, and their people as well as their families. Haldia prospered, and fought well with the assistance of Mercenaries from the Protectorate of Handor, now known as the New Empire of Hannes many years down the line. The Raiders unable to find a easy target fled from the newly formed kingdom only returning on days of proving. The Kingdom made a massive fort project along the northern borders to the icy, and dangerous lands of Qualdia forever establishing a military presence against the Chieftains in their barbarous camps.

In the years that followed after that, and the death of their first king the country prospered setting up trade partners in the east. However unable to set up a relationship with the much older Sultanate of Kaldi they tried to settle in place with trading with the Protectorate of Handor. Queen Caeda 'The Shining Star' ascended the throne with much controversy from the council, and the royal family of Haldia at the time of 234. Prince Harold 'Brave Blade' would argue his place for the throne as many of the powerful dukes such as Duke Casmere of the East Borders backed him over the princess. Harold rebelled after tensions broke down and bitter fighting insued which would last until the year 240. Raiders of Qualdia took advantage of this and retook some of the northern border which led to a peace conference. The Kingdom of Durnistan was formed out of the eastern chunk of the Empire.

Durnistan established itself as a military power quickly its knights famed for their glory, and power. However all of that was soon overshadowed as the Protectorate of Handor was soon overthrown its leaders, and dignitaries killed brutally in a military coup around the year 300. The Empire of Hannes formed when Emperor Hannes The Magnificent, formerly known as Duke Hannes The Iron Fist of Handor gathered his soldiers and brutally murdered the people he had worked with for many years in quick, and efficient fashion. However Mayor Monica McConnell of The Upper Isles broke off from Hannes's newly formed empire sheltering her fellow patricians in the land known now as The Republic of High March. The land was heavily fortified due to the raiders of Qualdia being a constant threat, and Hannes chose not to push his luck allowing them to continue on. Durnistan was heavily cautious of its new neighbor, and even now stands at odds with them on many occasions. Though outright war has never happened despite a few border conflicts Durnistan, and Hannes's empire has continued to thrive despite its limitations, and in spite of the Great Sultanate on its borders. It heavily depends on the trade ships from The High Marches.

The Sultanate is ruled by the titular family of Kaldia, and has been since 1000 years before the rise of Haldia itself. The Great Sultanate renown for its bizarre crafts, and armor they are a thing of mystery. They are not known for being aggressive, and they live in a heavily barren land with many minerals but not much in the way of lifestock, and water. Yet they thrive. Strong, glorious, and everlasting the Sultanate worships a different god than the rest of the lands. An enigma the Lands of Kaldi are surely hold many secrets to the outside world.

As of this day the King of Haldia prepares himself...the world shakes, and the citizens whisper in fear...The High Chieftain has risen...war with Qualdia? Open war? Such a thing is dangerous to think about, and fearful if it happens and yet it seems inevitable. For years untold the Qualdia region has not known such as leader. A men above men. A warrior of peerless skill. To unite the warring tribes of Qualdia requires universal acknowledgement of one's honor, power, and military might. High Chieftan Ivar Hallström is said to threaten Haldia once more, and knights prepare for war but many still question whether or not King Sigurd, and his queen Nania are prepared for war. Things seem bleak on the horizon...and even worse for the future.

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Hello everyone this will be a roleplay centering around the Knights of Haldia as they prepare to face the Menace of the North Ivar. I will go into more detail if this receives more interest but for the sake of not over thinking things I will refrain from going into more detail as I would prefer not to waste time with a dead interest check.

However for more details on the story there will be more after Ivar but that will be left to be played out if it gets to that point. Our men will start off as either veteran, or low ranking knights and work our way up into the royal guardsmen of Haldia, a group of elite knights that stand out among all others as elite. We will be taking parts in heavy defensive battles before working our way up north to fight Ivar himself. Haldia takes heavy influence from western Europe, and Qualdia takes heavy influence from viking culture. Hannes would be more like the Balkans, and The High Marches are like Venice during its merchant republic years. The Sultanate of Kaldi is not in fact Muslim in nature but more like Zoroastrianism/Persian. Dukedoms, and Baronies in Haldia will be given names, and such later on.

Their cultures, ideals, and gods can be elaborated more on with interest if given. The other kingdoms won't be a main focus as most of it will be on Haldia. The goal of this roleplay will be to start with the pre-invasion of the North, and work our way up until the deaths of some major characters in the story. Though that is left to be played out if there are any PC's among them.

I know this is all rather vague but this is all brewing from a story I've been building the past few years in my mind. And the map generated above is a randomly generated approximation of what I had in my head. It is as close as I'm likely to get. Well lets see if this gets any interest.

Count me as interested in this!

@Torack Is there anything you want to know about the setting while we're waiting for more interest?

@vancexentan
Quite interested. Would you have us all originate from Haldia, or is starting off as knights or warriors from foreign lands in search of employment also an option? I'd like to make a mystical warrior monk from the Sultanate, in the vein of enlightened yogi-soldiers from Hindu epics.

The majority I would like to be from Haldia. The various small villages, and lords will be sending troops to Lord Sigurd to prepare for the raids. However mercenaries, and volunteers from other nations are welcome due to Qualdia's ever present threat. Magic is a thing in this world but only circumstantial. Most are illusionist, healing, or enchantment. Magic simply is very rare for example the Chancellor of Haldia is known to have magical talent though only to some nobility.

@vancexentan I'm very intrigued by this RP, please consider me interested. I do not yet have any clear idea about what kind of character I'd be making though.

@FetzenThe idea is to have a group of knights meaning standard soldier type characters though as I said a mage may be possible but many lack any real offensive abilities in this world. The noble knights are well trained, and well equipped. While the poor knights, and soldiers typically wear chain armors, and such. The advantage that Haldia has is that even its poor soldiers are at least somewhat experienced as hunters. Children, and poor people can be prospected by knights of Haldia as squires who can then become knights. There are coliseums, and arenas where people fight to earn money so pit fighter characters can be hired on as soldiers.

Armor in this world ranges from extremely heavy full plate armors that cover the body, to simple light weight ones. Standard bows, and crossbows are also weapons.

The hierarchy of things goes Royal Guardsmen, Noble Knights (nobility/elite knights), Ascended Knights (former Squires), Knights in Training (squires), Elite Soldiers, Soldiers,city guardsmen, and finally militia.

If you want to know more about dukedoms, and the counts you may feel free to ask, or even who the current royal guardsmen are. I will also be willing to answer general stuff about the other nations.

@vancexentan
Oh, i didn't mean any sort of overt magical capabilities. More like, stereotypical prowess one can expect from an exotic hermit warrior that can merely create a reputation of being somehow magical. Massive knots on his knuckles and knees with which he can hammer someone's helmet right into their skull or deflect sword blows, incredible reaction times and speed belying his size, capability to control his breathing and heartbeat and ignore even the most excruciating pain, that kind of stuff.

Basically one of these lads if you're familiar with Berserk.

Well in that way its a bit more excessive. I'm going for a bit of more real world vibe maybe if you toned it down from berserk standards it'd be more of what I'd like in this setting.

Tentative interest

I could be interested in this.

Similarly interested. Looks rather interesting, but I am curious about the religion/gods worshipped and what that worship typically looks like. Are there different religious sects or orders? Is worship standard and organized by a Church of sorts?

The Sultanate mostly worship a god known as The Lord of the Light. They believe that the sun is an avatar of light, and that the land being as sandy, and barren as it is at times is a result of his war with the moon which cloaks the land in darkness. The tales say the Lord of Light chooses the rulers of the land in order to peacefully govern the land in his stead and thus the lords reign absolutely until they become 'indoctrinated' by the Lord of Darkness. They follow an absolute monarchy and reign under the Sun Sultan of Kaldi. They are organized into one large church under the Sun Sultan though there are high priests who take daily duties over in his stead for many areas. Church, and State are not very separated.

Hannes's Empire follows no single religion, and is mismatch of various religious cults, and groups as Hannes has since proclaimed himself a deity. Dark magics are said to have given the Emperor his unnaturally long life span, and he rules the land as such.

Durnstan, and Haldia follow a Orthodox Christian style of belief. They believe that one day a messiahs will lead all the land to absolute paradise. They believe there is a single god that should not be named. The fight, die, and struggle through their days worshiping this god in an attempt to live a peaceful life in the life after this one. They are organized by clergy, and patriarchs that govern society. However the church has lost most of its influence in the state as the patriarchs in Haldia have been weakened in influence by the Chancellor, and Sigurd has allowed this as the church had been a bad influence in the research of technology in the past. Durnstan believes more fervently but they are at the foremost warriors who pride themselves in battle. The god is usually described as wearing white, and having long blonde hair.

The Chieftains, and Raiders of Qualdia have no strict church hierarchy. They are separated into numerous shamans, and groups all worshiping their god. Not much is known about their god from outside but it is known that under that god there are many sons, and daughters. They prize courage, skill, and power as signs of devotion to their gods. They raid not only to acquire resources but to praise this man. Their greatest champions are known as Berserkers those who feast upon their gods' many plants, and magical substances to achieve a state of which make them disregard all but the most serious wounds, and allow them unnaturally strong strength at the cost of most of their sanity only few can hold onto their wits. Their primary god is said to be called Naldin.

@Blitzy@vietmyke well I'd give you more info to confirm that but I'd need to know if you have any questions, or what have you.

This looks like a well thought, classic medieval-style RP. I'm definitely interested.

Alright well do you all want me to start a OOC? @Jinxer@webboysurf@Blitzy@vietmyke@Instigator@Fetzen

@vancexentan

If you feel you have enough people for the RP then by all means!

Alright well do you all want me to start a OOC?

At least for my part I can say: Yes :)

@vancexentan absolutely my dude, let's get this started.

I'm intrigued, I must say.