O L D G L O R Y

They say in ancient times, long before the Reckoning claimed the Earth of yore, Grand America had an empire from sea to shining sea, horizon to endless horizon. The Founders rose a line of President-Kings who brought American knights to distant lands to destroy the demons beyond the sea and American bards to spread the American Way. They founded castles across the world and conquered the very stars themselves. Now we are all that are left. Five Kingdoms all claiming to be the heirs to an empire none of us really know much about nor can ever hope to matching alone.

I pity Old America. Tis good that she has died long ago, less she saw what has become of her children.

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Discord here.
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Old Glory is a story of nobles and knights set in America nearly 2000 years after an apocalypses destroyed the world. Inspired by the CK2 mod "After the End" and Game of Thrones, its central theme is similar to how GoT dispels the rosier ideals of chivalry and the medieval era in that in this RP, America has been completely misunderstood by people who only know of it from stories and stories of fragments of knowledge from generations ago. The Founding Fathers have been deified into Gods, the entire government structure has been turned into a clergy, American imagery of liberty and freedom are used by noble houses and monarchs and the American Dream conjures up images of a glorious past without any trouble or hardship, full of romantic ideas and wistful thinking.

Despite it being 2000 years after an unspecified (but probably nuclear) apocolpyse, the world is still very medieval and feudal, just like GoT. In character, this is because people simply lost the knowledge on how to make or do things and even if they did, the fact they longer had access to the materials needed to make it meant that their knowledge was also lost over time. Even if you knew how to make an electric motor, unless you had the metals, components and wiring to actually make one, that knowledge isn't helping anyone. Out of character, its just to keep a theme. Just like how After the End makes some sacrifices since its ultimately an excuse for having knights in America, here too its just an excuse to keep to a theme.

As for players, I'd like at least one for each of the major houses/crowns. If there are no more crowns available or if you just want to do so, I encourage players to who live in a particular area to play as a vassal house in that area sworn to a higher liege. Alternatively just playing as a singular character or cadet branch of a house is also cool. Posting requirements aren't strict, just post enough for other people to work off of. The level is "high casual" as there's a good bit of lore and background planning despite more lax posting. I encourage people to go to GoT levels of intrigue and plots but there is one major rule to follow: Secrets should only be IC, not OOC. You can Red Wedding another house as long as everyone involved has agreed upon it. Secret plots and assassinations should only be a surprise to the characters, not the players.

It has been nearly 2000 years since the Reckoning that destroyed the world and little over a 1000 years since the squabbling tribes and clans formed into kingdoms who were then united into a single crown: Atlantica, the Five Kingdoms. 300 years ago, House Ironwit deposed the last Demervan king, Joran the Mad, and claimed the crown for themselves. But now, President-King Franklin Ironwit has suddenly died of illness and his two children claim the throne.

His eldest child is Abigale, an slightly unhinged warrior princess who claims the throne as the eldest child. Her brother Alexander however, a sickly young man with an astute mind, claims the throne as the only surviving son of his father. Neither side are willing to relinquish their claims and both call upon the Lords of the Five Kingdoms -the Lakelands, the Northern Marches, the Old Dominion, Appalachia and the Sunbelt- to rally to their side as the true, legitimate heir to the Ivory Throne of the Oval Court.

Yet trouble brews across the border. The tribes and nomads raid across the Mississippi in ever greater numbers with whispers of a Prairie King rising in endless plains. The Canuck Wintermen and Quebecois Ursuline Princes have formed some kind of unthinkable pact as something unholy stirs in the far north. A new Azteqa God-King promises to soothe the gods with the blood of prisoners captured from raids. Strange iron ship have been spotted by fishermen and whalers far off the coast. Whispers speak of unnatural forces seeping into the world, not seen since Old America and the ambitions if the many houses of Atlantica will jump at the opportunity presented by this new war for the throne.

A House Divided cannot stand and the Ivory Throne of America can only seat one: the one with enough will, skill and luck to claim the Old Glory of America.

The main setting is the Five Kingdoms located in what's known in-character as "Atlantica". Each is ruled by monarchy who all swear loyalty to the Ivory Throne in Washentown. They each claim legacy from America or some part of it. The main faith in the Five Kingdoms is the Faith of the Founders, a deification of the Founding Fathers into a sort of polytheist pantheon.

The currency of the Five Kingdoms are Dollar coins, typically of silver or bronze and thus called "Silver Eagles" and "Bronze Pennies"; gold is a lot harder to come by due it a much more limited supply and most of it having to come from elsewhere.

The Five Crowns [+]

The Northern Marches is made of the New England states as well as New York and portions of northern Pennsylvania; known in shorthand as "Yankee", "the March" or "the North". They boast a strong industry of fishing, whaling and forestry among others and commonly viewed as having a cold exterior with a warmer interior and being more superstitious of the paranormal, sometimes to the point of heresy. As the northern most kingdom, they regularly deal with the Prince and Princesses of Quebecois and the Ursuline Church and while usually on good terms, the North has been the target of more than a few Ursuline crusades, once having even been completely conquered. Their bastards are given the surname of Frost.

The Old Dominion is made of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and parts of North Carolina; also called "Keystone", "the Midlands" or just "the Dominion". They are often seen as the capital realm of the Five Kingdoms and one of its breadbaskets for wheat and livestock as well as having the second strongest mining economy in the realm. It comes as no surprise that many "Dominioners" are seen as self righteous and self important, often being the first to intervene in another kingdom's affairs for better or for worse. As the White Palace and the Ivory Throne are located within its borders, those who control the Old Dominion and more specifically the ancient city of Washentown are often the rulers of the Five Kingdoms. Their bastards are called Woods.

The Lakelands is made of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconson; sometimes referred to as either "the Great Lakes" or "Laurentinia". Many outside the Lakelands believe that Lakelanders are immune to the cold, very polite (although "polite" doesn't always mean "nice") and more than a little warlike due to the regular raids from the Canuck Wintermen from across the Great Lakes. While they farm and craft like any other, the Lakeland is known for one thing: Marine at Arms. Sworn knights specialized in river and water-based combat, it is Lakelanders who make up most of the Mississippi Water Watch and fight the Wintermen or the Ursuline when needed. Their bastards are called Rivers.

Appalachia is made of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, southern bits of the Great Lake states and the northern bits of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi; they're called "the Great Mountains" or (more derisively), "Hillmen". While outsiders see them as simple minded, Appalachians see themselves as industrious, hearty and loyal for as children they are taught to never break an oath once made and to never take oaths lightly. They mostly keep to themselves in their clan hillocks and mountain villages and mine the bounty beneath the earth for metals and coal while also making some of the finest alcohol in the Five Kingdoms. Of which they often like to use in battle as fire bombs against the Ozark Tribes who sometimes raid across the river. Their bastards are called Stone.

The Sunbelt is made of the states of Florida and the southern portions of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina; some call them "the South", "Dixon" or "the Stormlands" for the hurricanes that sometimes arrives in the area. Of all the kingdoms, the Sunbelt takes honor and chivalry the most serious, its knights are held to a strict code that is beyond what most of the other kingdoms demand. And while their love of family is sometimes overexaggerated, it is true that to a Sunbelter, duty to the family is more important than duty to others which sometimes results in maddeningly no-win scenarios. The finest warhorses come from the south, and they grow rich on farming and trade with the Carib kingdoms to their south. They also boast the most impressive castle in the realm, that of Cinderrel Castle. Their bastards are called Sun.

Faith of the Founders [+]

The Faith of the Founders (also known as Founderism, Americanism or just the Founders) is the primary faith of the Five Kingdoms. According to Congressional Canon, the Founders first found the world while sailing through the stairs and created America to enact their will. Priest and priestesses are called "Representatives" as they represent the will of the Founders on earth and the high ranking Representative is called the Speaker for the Founders speak through them. Collectively the clergy is known as the "Congress" and the temples to the Founders are also called Congresses. There are five officially recognized Founders along with the Champions who represented them in Old America.

The Six Divine Founders [+]

Washington, the Father is considered to be the King of the Founders who delegates his power to both other Founders and mortal men. He is the Founder of honor, honesty, virtue and. He has no Champions as the everyone from the common lowfolk to the President-King are supposed to embody his ideals.

Lincoln, the Liberator is considered to the the Founder of change, commoners and laborers. He is very popular among the peasantry but less so among the upper class with many invoking his name when confronting unjust lords and unfair decrees. His champions are King Martin and Prince Kennedy, both great nobles who were martyred in his service.

Roosevelt, the Warrior is the Founder of battle, courage, nature and expansion and is considered the patrons of soldiers. Antlers are considered his holy symbol and thus many professional soldiers often carry a trinket of antler or animal bone in the hopes of gaining his strength in battle. His champions were Master MacArthur, who conquered the seas for America, and Cathay the Maid, a woman who disguised herself as a man to become a Rough Rider Knight.

Jefferson, the Scribe is the Fonder of writing, law, bards and community. His likeness is often found before the gates of a town and his statues and busts are the second most popular ones installed in town squares and meeting places after Founder Washington. His champions were Marquis Twain, a noble playwright, and Earnest of Hemmingway, a lowborn playwright.

Lady Liberty, the Guardian is the Founder of defense, women and the poor. Like Lincoln she is often seen to be popular among the lower classes but unlike him, she is also found near noble castles and upon house banners. Where as the previous four were said to have been first discovered upon a cliff face beyond the Mississippi, the monument to Lady Liberty was found in the harbor of Yorick. Where as Roosevelt expanded America, it was Lady Liberty who defended it and its people. Her Champions were Norton the First, a mad but devoted emperor, and Lord Monroe who saw to extend the guardianship of Lady Liberty beyond America's borders to its neighbors.

Franklin, the Inventor is the Founder of innovation, knowledge and tradesmen. It is said that he created the wonders of Old America that the faithful used in their crusades against the Red Demon and the Black Shadow. Scholars pray to him for inspiration while smiths invoke his name while working metal and any good tutor worth their salt has a medallion of his lenses on them. His Champions are Edison Lightbringer, who illuminated the darkness, and Maiden Airheart who flew across the world on wings of iron. However, some believe that Edison is a false champion and instead praise one known as Tesla of the East as his champion instead.

Zealots of the faith are called Patriots and holy order knights are often called Patriot Legion Knights. The main force which opposes the Founders are the insidious forces of the Red Demon and the Black Shadow, lead by the Arch-Traitor Benedict, who was cast out of Heaven for betraying the Founders. July 4th is a holy day known as Ascention Day, where it is believed the Founders ascended to heaven and left behind a line of great President-Kings to rule in their place. Lords and kings are coronated in the name of the Founders, sometimes all of them, sometimes just one (most often Washington).

The Court Council [+]

The President-King while powerful, does not rule alone and so has a council of individuals to advise and delegate tasks for him. Being appointed to the Court Council is usually seen as a great honor and recognition for either skill, trust or power within the realm. Being on the Court Council however demands that the individual live within Wasentown, sometimes even within the White Palace or the Grand Courthouse, forcing those on the Council to hand control of their holdings over to someone else who can manage it while they are away.

Vice Prince

The Vice Prince/Princess is the most powerful position behind the President King and is directly appointed by them. They speak and act with the authority of the President themselves in their place. Such an office is incredibly prestigious and grants a person great power with Houses boasting about ancestors with the assignment. If the President is strong, the VP is an agent of their will who can let them execute multiple plans at once without being present everywhere. If the President is weak, it is often the VP who is the true power in the Five Kingdoms. Beyond their duties as right hand of the king, the VP is also the chief diplomat who speaks on behalf of the President with other lords of the realm or with outsiders.

Master at Arms

Also known as the Chief Commander, they are responsible for organizing and training the militay forces of Atlantics. They organize muster rolls, manage levies, keep track of all the mercenaries, free companies, men at arms and knights in the kingdom. Workshop and smithies that produce the weapons of war are also under their preview as armories and the strongholds of the River Guard must be kept at fighting condition. They also are responsible for the Honor Guard, sworn bodyguards of the President King. While many Masters at Arms have been exceptional fighters in their own right, it is not required for the office; there have been Masters at Arms who could barely hold a sword but proved incredibly adept at their job regardless.

Master of Law

The chief minster of laws and regulations. They are usually well studied individuals who give advice on legal matters, managing the dungeon, organizing feudal contracts, keeping track of bloodlines and claims and giving the king reminders on local customs when they visit the different crowns of the realm. Although at a first glance it seems like a simple job, claims to the throne can very quickly become very messy and local lords are sometimes known to implement laws that are wildly different than their surroundings. Sometimes the best skill for a Master of Law to have isn't reading or even knowledge of law, but patience and willpower to get through all of the bullshit their job inevitably runs into.

Master of Coin

Although rich in its own right, the kingdom still requires an individual skilled with money to manage its finances. Anything related to the economy and resources is the domain of the Master of Coin who manages the king's household finances, internal and external trading, public works projects, maintaining resource stockpiles and managing harvest quotas. Becoming the Master of Coin is notoriously difficult and usually a sign of great trust as there is a common (if not well founded) fear of the Master of Coin syphoning off the king's coffers to enrich themselves.

Director of Information

The Spymaster who lurks in the shadows like a spider. They inform the king on matters of sensitive information and espionage, both foreign and domestic, and are always on the look out for plots and schemes as well as more nefarious secrets which can be used for blackmail. The Director of Information is the King's ears although sometimes they go just a little bit deaf. They command the Secret Service although they're also called the "Black Orchestra". The Director can be the single most powerful individual on the council, even more so than the VP or king themselves, so great trust is invested into the position and more than once it has been filled by the President's spouse or secret lover.

Court Representative

The religious advisor of the Faith for the king who represents the Congress of Founders in court. They serve equal parts spiritual advisor and scholarly record keeper and unlike the other positions, it is not directly filled by the king. Instead, the Speaker of the Faith presents a list of candidates that he believes are pious and suitable for a life at court advising the king. While most of the time the candidates are Representatives, sometimes an especially devout noble or lord can also become a candidate.

Questions and Answers [+]

Q: Why are there no guns and electrity and other modern stuff?
A: For themeatic reasons and just like in After the End, its just a justification to have knights in plate armor running around in a somewhat familiar setting of America.

Q: What about other modern ideas, beliefs, thoughts, etc?
A: Same as above, keep that medieval low fantasy theme.

Q: What do you mean by low fantasy?
A: Again, think of GoT, "magic" doesn't really exist according to most people who believe magic died with Old America. However you still have stuff like near-magical not!Valyrian swords, one on one duels in combat, questing, "magical" creatures/monsters that are actually just mutants and everyone speaking the same language.

Q: What exists beyond the Five Kingdoms?
A: The Mississippi River divides "civilization" from the rest of America which most believe to be filled with wandering nomads and petty tribal kings among vast stretches of nothingness but there are rumors of a "Celestial Empire of California" in the west filled with riches and wonders. Only a few have made the journey and even fewer have returned. Canada is divided up between the Canuck Wintermen tribes and the Quebecois Princes along with the Ursuline Church. To the south there is the Carib islands rich for trade and then the kingdoms of Mextiqa. Rumors say that even further south there is an empire born from the jungles that never truly fell during the Reckoning.

Q: Can I play as these? Why are we limited to east of the Mississippi?
A: No you can't play as them, they're basically world building and fleshing out. If you're in the northern kingdoms you could have had some ties to Canada like blood or relationship or trade, ditto with the southern kingdoms and the Caribbean. I'm limiting the playable area to keep things focused on one area and the conflict within it.

Q: What happens to cities and other major constructions? How long as it been since the Reckoning?
A: Its been close to 2,000 years since the end of the world happened. The only thing that might remain of a city or high way would be especially stony ground filled with concrete and asphalt. Of course, new cities have been built on the remains or ruins and still serve as major centers.

Q: Why did you spell Washington as "Wasentown"?
A: Something I want to try out and I'm not fully on board with just yet. Basically it would be changing names to show that their original names have degraded over the years. So New York might become Yorik, Atlanta might become Atalana, Richmond might become Rikmount and so on. In addition you might have new phrases or words like "gunning" someone would just mean "to kill from range", baseball would become strikeball, football could become bloodbowl, President could mean "high king", and a jayfekayer might mean "an assassin" among other things.

Q: I am from one of the irl areas of the Five Kingdoms/I have lore ideas I'd like to contribute, can I do that?
A: Yes! Please! Do contribute your own lore whether that before for interactions between Houses, possible history, local customs or whatever. I wrote this mostly based on stereotypes I could find and stuff from After the End.

Map of the Five Kingdoms

@Ordsmed Nah its okay, you can change the Sovereign of Maine to whatever, I used it just as an example

Northern Marches

House of Martin [+]

House Name: House of Martin
House Words: Loyal in thought and deed.
Coat of Arms:


Seat: Stronghold of Portland
Titles:

• Lady of Northern Marches
• Sovereign of the Maine Lands
• Warden of the North
• Chiefadmiral of the Trident Armada
• Lady of Portland Stronghold

History:
The House of Martin is an old house. It’s lineage can be traced back over five hundred years. All that time the Martin’s have been a strong presence in the lands around the coastlines of Massachusetts and Maine. The bloodline originated in Boston.

The Martin house consistently made a name throughout history as a strong military presence. Brutish at first, more strategic later on. As it supported House Ironwit in winning the throne from the Deverams, the new king granted them the sovereignty of the Maine Lands. As a result the Martins moved their seat of power to Portland, 286 years ago. At first it took some convincing, but after a few hundred years of gripping the Maine Lands in an iron grip, Martin house has convinced the barons to respect it.

A tentative cooperation between barons ensured that most Ursuline expeditions were countered effectively. As Martins thrive in battle, they now can be found from New New York to Moosehead Lake, bound together by the house motto: loyal in thought and deed.

Head:
Margaret ‘The Iron Widow’ Martin - Ironwit
Heirloom: (Every great house has at least one valued artifact from a mythic weapon to a crown to something exotic. Try not to have too many.)
Traits:
A Martin typically has a wild, curly mop of deep black hair, dark brown eyes and a sinewy but tough physique.

Civil and collected is how they present themselves, but beneath that mannerly exterior smolders the hot temper of the berserk warrior of old. One never knows what will spark eruption of that temper, and what shape or form it will have. So, members of the Martin bloodline are potentially strategic, calculating even, and uncontrollable. In both cases they are not shy to be aggressive about it.

Misc:

Current ruler
After the demise of her husband, Barry Martin III, Margaret took over the reign of the Martin territory. Sister to King Franklin, she knows how to rule.

Red Socks
Initially the Martin’s were notorious for their brutality. Many a great warrior of foregone years bore the family name Martin. The image of a Martin slashing and hacking their way towards you fueled many a nightmare. What stuck about this image was the way blood, intestines and gore plastered to a Martin’s feet and calves, as they waded through their victims.

This terrible sight, often seen, translated to a nickname, which House Martin grudgingly adopted as an honorary title: Red Socks. A name which has been slumbering in the collective memory of Bostonians from before the Reckoning. Throughout Martin’s recorded history the worst...best warriors were named Red Socks. Today’s household elites are now named thus.

Quote: “I dreaded being wed off to Barry. Every time he visited the court he acted so distant and unapproachable. Who would’ve thought this frosty facade hid a heart brimming with passion and energy. After I managed to crack Barry’s icy shell, we made a true connection. I haven’t seen a more faithful and loving man in all my life. I do so miss him!” - The Iron Widow

“Booooring...they’re so goddamn’ boring! Always polite goody two-shoes. Those Martins seldom let their reins slacken. Uptight, that’s the right word - and boring! Truth be told, it becomes a completely different ball game when these ol’ Red Socks have some liquor in them bellies. Night and day, I say, day and night...what a difference. Many a boy or girl of mine couldn’t walk for a day and a night, after having serviced a boozed up Martin. One way or ‘nother those Martins are bad for business!” - Madam Mona Moody, proprietor of guesthouse ‘The Poofy Pettycoat’ in Portland harbor