This roleplay is inspired by the Hunnic Invasions, the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. It is a fictional setting, so you will have the freedom to create your own faction that will add to the lore of the world. Your goal will be to work with other players to defend an area against a superior army for as long as you can. Some of these names may be placeholders.
For centuries the Empire has ruled much of the known world, ruling it militarily, culturally, and religiously. There are few who do not know the influence and greatness of the Empire. In the east, however, a terrible foe rises who could challenge their hegemony. Led by the King of the Horse-lords, he rules a horde known as the Scourge of the East. King and horde are both known as "the Scourge".
The Scourge has defeated tribes, kingdoms, and a faltering empire in the east. Their enemies are either utterly destroyed or forced to serve him. The lucky few who escape his wrath are forced to flee westward. There the migrators clash with settled peoples and the Imperials along the border. Some tribes join the Empire as border guards, others force their way through, while some are kept at bay. But the Scourge expands ever westward, and soon pressure from within and without will see the Empire fall. Something must be done.
Salvation is found in Aetian, an Imperial general. Aetian has lived amongst 'the barbarians' for many years, and fought in their wars as an observer, mercenary, and adviser. He has seen the destruction caused by the Scourge, and knows that the Empire will fall when it reaches their borders. To counter this Aetian has rallied what troops he can to defend the Ven Valley, a chokepoint between east and west. He hopes he can stem the tide of the Scourge long enough for the west to prepare suitable defenses for the coming invasion.
Calls for aid are sent out across the Empire, to kingdoms and tribes, and beyond. For this plan to work Aetian needs allies. Detachments are sent to aid this Imperial general in Ven Valley.
As a player you will be commanding a small force that has arrived to help Aetian. The allies will not be able to hold Ven Valley forever, but Aetian hopes to delay the advance of the Scourge for as long as he can - until proper defenses elsewhere are put into place. First you will fight the vanguard, and then the Scourge's forces will get larger and stronger, as reinforcements from across the horde's empire arrive every day. Their army is varied and composed of many different warriors and cultures.
Your forces can hail from a faction of your choosing. The setting is pre-medieval or late Roman, so there are no knights, steel plate, etc. Inspiration should be taken from barbarian groups like Goths, Vandals, Sarmatians, Celts etc. Also, early medieval kingdoms like the Franks and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms are to be used for inspiration as well. I will also accept Roman, Greek, and Sassanid inspirations too.
You will have up to 500 troops. They can be infantry, cavalry, archers, skirmishers, etc - or a combination of these types. Each 'day' a player will be chosen as the commander, who will organize the forces into a formation and attempt to defend the valley. I, or rather Aetian, cannot be the commander. For lore purposes, Aetian wants the allied commanders to work together so they realize how much stronger they are united; he hopes this will be a 'bonding' opportunity of sorts, and hopes their respective factions will replicate it in the larger war to come.
So, that's it. If you're the commander you will determine the formation and plan, and give orders as needed. If you're not the commander you will attempt to lead your detachment as best as you can according to the commander's plan, but you have autonomy in how you want to act during battle. You will take casualties, and no reinforcements are coming; the horde will grow larger and eventually you will be defeated and must leave the valley or be destroyed.
Notes: I work full-time. There will be posting orders (you take turns), and posting frequency will be roughly weekly.
Plot Setup
For centuries the Empire has ruled much of the known world, ruling it militarily, culturally, and religiously. There are few who do not know the influence and greatness of the Empire. In the east, however, a terrible foe rises who could challenge their hegemony. Led by the King of the Horse-lords, he rules a horde known as the Scourge of the East. King and horde are both known as "the Scourge".
The Scourge has defeated tribes, kingdoms, and a faltering empire in the east. Their enemies are either utterly destroyed or forced to serve him. The lucky few who escape his wrath are forced to flee westward. There the migrators clash with settled peoples and the Imperials along the border. Some tribes join the Empire as border guards, others force their way through, while some are kept at bay. But the Scourge expands ever westward, and soon pressure from within and without will see the Empire fall. Something must be done.
Salvation is found in Aetian, an Imperial general. Aetian has lived amongst 'the barbarians' for many years, and fought in their wars as an observer, mercenary, and adviser. He has seen the destruction caused by the Scourge, and knows that the Empire will fall when it reaches their borders. To counter this Aetian has rallied what troops he can to defend the Ven Valley, a chokepoint between east and west. He hopes he can stem the tide of the Scourge long enough for the west to prepare suitable defenses for the coming invasion.
Calls for aid are sent out across the Empire, to kingdoms and tribes, and beyond. For this plan to work Aetian needs allies. Detachments are sent to aid this Imperial general in Ven Valley.
Player Setup
As a player you will be commanding a small force that has arrived to help Aetian. The allies will not be able to hold Ven Valley forever, but Aetian hopes to delay the advance of the Scourge for as long as he can - until proper defenses elsewhere are put into place. First you will fight the vanguard, and then the Scourge's forces will get larger and stronger, as reinforcements from across the horde's empire arrive every day. Their army is varied and composed of many different warriors and cultures.
Your forces can hail from a faction of your choosing. The setting is pre-medieval or late Roman, so there are no knights, steel plate, etc. Inspiration should be taken from barbarian groups like Goths, Vandals, Sarmatians, Celts etc. Also, early medieval kingdoms like the Franks and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms are to be used for inspiration as well. I will also accept Roman, Greek, and Sassanid inspirations too.
You will have up to 500 troops. They can be infantry, cavalry, archers, skirmishers, etc - or a combination of these types. Each 'day' a player will be chosen as the commander, who will organize the forces into a formation and attempt to defend the valley. I, or rather Aetian, cannot be the commander. For lore purposes, Aetian wants the allied commanders to work together so they realize how much stronger they are united; he hopes this will be a 'bonding' opportunity of sorts, and hopes their respective factions will replicate it in the larger war to come.
So, that's it. If you're the commander you will determine the formation and plan, and give orders as needed. If you're not the commander you will attempt to lead your detachment as best as you can according to the commander's plan, but you have autonomy in how you want to act during battle. You will take casualties, and no reinforcements are coming; the horde will grow larger and eventually you will be defeated and must leave the valley or be destroyed.
Notes: I work full-time. There will be posting orders (you take turns), and posting frequency will be roughly weekly.
1x Like
