[CHAR] The City in the Sea: New Anathagos [Fantasy politics! Intrigue! Sea Monsters! Pirates & More!]

[Polybius]

House Zaripov

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House Zaripov

House Zaripov

Bear Merchant Co., New Anathagos, Jos

The Bear on the Mountain, The Kings in Exile

Theme

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Faction Type: Noble Merchant House
Faction Specie(s): The Zaripovs are Humans, originally from the Kingdom of Estephore.
Species Descriptions:

Location:

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Papa Zari rules his merchant empire from a fortified manor house in the Cloud District. He purchased the villa from an exiledmerchant shortly after Old Lord Zaripov died. After exploring the derelict manor, Zari discovered several smugglers chambers beneath the home.

Faction Description:

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Exile Theme

The branch of Zaripov's that managed to flee Estephore in the wake of revolution soon found themselves destitue in New Anathagos. As their remaining gold slowly dwindled, old Lord Zaripov ordered his heirs to rid themselves of any ideas that they may return to the Kingdom of Estephore or seek revenge. The current Patriarch, Papa Zaripov banished the notion of returning to Estephore and set to work building a business. With what little gold remained he bought some goods bound for Tripantos and hired a small merchant ship. That was **** years ago.

The Zaripovs are now a Noble Trading House, with 3 galleys, two warehouses and 10,000 acres of fertile plantation land. They have representatives in Parliament and are beginning to infililtrate the criminal underworld, and yet the company teeters on the brink of ruin. Papa Zaripov-who once rejected (and even promised his dying father-old Lord Zaripov-on his death bed) the notion of returning to Estephore-is suspected to be funneling money to counter-revolutionaries and free armies in Estephore that have plagued the Intermediate Military Government of Estephore for **** years.

Faction History:

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The Zaripovs hail from the Kingdom of Estephore, near the (now) Free city of Tripantos. **** years ago revolution rocked the Kingdom of Estephore. The masses (with the help of a handful of rogue noble families) overthrew King Josper Zaripov IV and threw the region into chaos. The powerful Zaripov family was shattered, with many members fleeing the country altogether. A military tribunal seized power and sentenced the few remaining Zaripovs (including King Josper & his family) to death.

Important Characters:

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Old Lord Zaripov (deceased)

It is long rumored that the Old Lord Zaripov that fled Estephore with his family and eventually died penniless, in New Anathagos was in fact King Josper IV, having been known for using impersonators and doubles at court. Regardless, only Papa Zari would know the truth as he is the last of that generation of Zaripovs. Papa Zari has carefully molded the Old Lords legend and deeds among the younger Zaripovas, greatly embellishing tales of his exploits. Old Lord Zaripov is greatly revered in the family and is held in highest respect-even among distant relatives and house courtiers. Were offense given to anyone living, it would be taken lightly-not so with the Old Lord.

Papa Zari

64 years old. The Patriarch of the Zaripov clan. A clever and resourceful man. Moral.

Sir Fizel (Zel)

Nephew to Papa Zari. Ambitious sea-captain and merchant.

Sir Ernest, Master-at-Arms (Ernheinst )

Sought out the Zaripovs after the initial exile. 48 years old. From a small, rural region in Estephore, he is a great classically trained swordsman. Ernest trains all of the Zaripovs in martial combat, including the women.

Lord Bori (-)

Politician in the Pocket of The Zaripov Family-minor Parliamentary Standing, no political stance (yet)

Lady Alma

WIP either religious/magical ambition or for marrying into another House WIP
others from Anathagos
Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions:
Pelna Tos (Two Eyes) Merchant Fleet Flagship, Galley
Pater Est (Eastern Father) Galley
Cloud Killer Galley

Relation to other Factions: WIP

[Flagg]

WIPs

House Gwent

The Venerable House of Gwent
Lords of the Deep

Faction Type: Noble House
Faction Species: Human, though with non-human employees

Locations:

The Scrimshaw Palace is the main residence for members of the Gwent family. It is located in St. Dagov's Quarter along with the mansions and townhouses of many of New Anathagos' great and good. The Palace overlooks the Gwent Pleasure Gardens- beautifully maintained park lands nominally open to the public, but in practice the preserve of the rich and well-bred.

House Gwent owns a significant portion of the warehouses, fisheries and dockyards along Bloody Harbor, one of New Anathagos' main whaling & fishing harbors. It is here that the Gwent House Fleet of fishing trawlers and whaling and beast-hunting ships unload their catch for processing, and where the carcasses of whales and great beasts dragged in from the Deep are flensed and rendered down for their blubber, bones, meat, skin or scales, and other valuable bits.

Notable among the many ships owned by Gwent are the sisterships Broadsword and Lord Tembo, a pair formidable beast-hunting frigates capable of catching some of the Deep's most fearsome denizens.

Faction Description: WIP

Faction Religion/Ideology: Like many old Anathagan noble houses, House Gwent keeps to the Cult of the Ancestors, venerating Saint Exguin and other heroes of the city's past, though some members follow other faiths as well.

Faction History: WIP

Important Characters:

WIP

Lord Derin Gwent, Patriarch of House Gwent

Lady Iassa Gwent

Sir Adavail Gwent

Sir Gavyn Gwent, Prime Minister of New Anathagos

Master Ulego

Relation to other Factions: WIP

[AdobeFlash]

Disciples of Flame

Faction Name: Disciples of Fire

Alias: The Burning Ones, DOF

Faction Type: Religion

Location: Places of worship scattered across the city; Volcana District holds headquarters

Faction Species: All

Faction Description: A church that wishes to spread the love of the burning god to all who dwell in the city; Recent corruption scandals have rocked the Church has a whole.

Faction History: It is stated in ancient scriptures that the Disciples of Fire began in a far away land, in a time lost to history. A farmer, poor in status, was tending to his crops on a fiery summer afternoon. Suddenly, the sky around him turned red, and an unmeasurable heat began to radiate from all around him. A holy voice spoke from the heavens

“I am the Fire, he who burns within all. The spirit of Me, the Eternal, Hath been lost. GO forth, and spread my teachings, so that the world may be redeemed before Armageddon, and thou may enter Heaven when the Rapture comes across Earth”

The farmer awoke in his house, dressed in an unfamiliar cloth, holding a book with a sun inscribed in the leather cover. He went about, teaching the peasants of the land what was good and what was unholy. The name of the farmer was Modiah. The religion took off, and it soon became cemented in culture as a whole. Missionaries were sent out, and every nation in the world had a least one functioning House of Flame. Almost as soon as the city was established, the Fire of Faith came to New Anathagos. The religion spread quickly, remaining in the center of the city. They rejected the sea, and wished for all to be educated under the guiding light of the Lord.

Come modern times, and the Disciples are filled with corruption. Officials giving out ‘free passes to heaven’, otherwise known as Torches, was commonplace. The Inferno, head of the Disciples, released statements denying this. Many priests fell to the corruption, with some leaving to create radical sects. One in particular has created catastrophe known to nearly the whole city. The Disciple leaders operate under complete secrecy, lest their real names be unleashed unto the world.

The Disciples principles are easy for the everyday man to follow, and so they are one of the predominant religions of the city. They have been around since the founding, leading to almost an entire neighborhood dedicated to the religion. The more devout are rare, since according to the Scripture, at a certain age one must ‘self ignite’ to find the Lord. This has lead to many reform Churches.

Important Characters/ Church Hierarchy:

Modiah: Founder
The Inferno: Chief Disciple, real name Unknown
The 5 Lights: Seers, real names unknown
The Eternal Ember: The head of the Disciple Orphanage
Various Archflames: Bureaucrats
Various Heatseekers: Members of the Disciples
Various Guiding Lights: Priests
Important Territory: Volcana, where the primary Church is located. The Eternal Torch, headquarters of the Church, was moved here due to the cities’ relative safety. Various Churches are scattered across the city, each with their own varying degrees of belief.


Relation to Other Factions: The Disciples tend to remain neutral, so that all feel welcome within their ranks. Some Guiding Lights are more harsh than others, when it comes to rules

Burned Earth

Faction Name: Burned Earth

Alias: The Untouchables, Crazed Zealots.

Faction Type: Revolutionary group

Faction Specie(s): Human

Species Descriptions: N/A

Location: Series of abandoned buildings and warehouses; the faction is extremely small. Very few are allowed into it’s covert operations.

Faction Description: Led by a man disillusioned by current society, Burned Earth wishes for the utter destruction of society, so that nothing may be rebuilt. Currently working to dismantle the government via strategic attacks

Faction History: Burned Earth started with a message from God. A priest, lowly in the order he represented, was tired of the ideals the higher ups. He figured they had lost the way of the Church, and so left. He had lost his faith, the most important thing in his life. He was about to jump to his certain death, when lightning struck the wooden bridge, rickety in it’s nature, he had been standing on. It was ablaze, but the fires parted when the priest tried to walk. Suddenly filled with a purpose, he went on to create one of the most feared organizations in New Anathagos.

Various terror acts have been committed by Atlas, the founder of Burned Earth. The bombing of a major trade market, the arson of one of the largest Churches of the Disciples, the list goes on. Here are some of their more...notable ventures

Disciple Arson: The Eyes of Flame, one of the largest Disciple Congregations, was recently completely destroyed in a fire. Evidence suggests Burned Earth was behind this, due to their signature pile of soil on top of the ruins

Ashton Square Bombing: Using rudimentary explosive devices, this was the first known sighting of the group. On a hot, crowded afternoon in Ashton Square market, several explosive devices went off around the square, by far the most devastating being located in the central fountain. There were no known survivors. A pile of dirt was found where the fountain once stood.

Clock Tower Hijack: The central clock tower in the Volcana district was taken over, with graffiti plastered across the walls and soil filled the machinery. When workers went in to clear the mess, poisonous snake like creatures, known as Kilns, jumped out, killing all 4 of them.

Important Characters: Atlas, founder.

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions: A sector of the sewage system is currently being used as a base of operations

Relation to other Factions:Hostile

[RisenDead]

Island of Tears

Jazirat Alddumue

Alias:The Island of Tears, The Tears

Faction Type: Commercial Enterprise
Leadership: The Tears, as it is locally known, is controlled by a commercial syndicate originating in the Drathan Union.
Faction Specie(s): The upper management of the Island of Tears are of all races, as are the enforcers it controls and the slaves it sells. Those in the highest positions of power are from the Drathan Union itself and would simply call themselves "Undead" when pressed to classify their species.

Location: Off the coast of Jos lies a small Island, its actual name long forgotten. Over the past decades it has been developed into the thriving centre of the slave trade and bears more in common with the architecture from the Union than from Jos. The thriving settlement is now known as the Island of Tears, or more simply as The Tears.

Map of The Tears

Faction Religion/Ideology: The Drathan Union is well known for its practices in Magic, particularly Undead magic. Religion is based around a pantheon of gods, all of whom demand sacrifice. Slaves are good for more than just working.

Faction Description: A loose confederation of desert city states along the River Velym, mostly ruled by mage-lords, many rumored to be vampires and liches. The greatest of these cities is the vast port of Zar Dratha, located East of New Anathagos along the Bay of Teeth. The Union is a powerful but backwards place, usually aloof to concerns beyond its borders and protected by the vast deserts that isolate it from most other nations. Among important Union exports are crocodile skins, enchanted and magical goods, educated or trained slaves, and foodstuffs from the hyperfertile river valleys of the desert. It imports gunpowder, metals, maritime products and, above all, slaves of every kind.

Those on their first visit to The Tears have often expected filthy and squalid conditions but the Drathan's know that filth causes disease, and disease kills merchandise. As a result The Tears is kept clean and well maintained, perhaps even more so that New Anathagos. Regulations exist to provide proper care, food and basics to slaves. Not out of kindness, but because a healthy slave is worth far more. There is a section of the Island referred to as "The Barns" where long low barn looking structures hold the cheapest and most pathetic of slaves. Misery and suffering is a way of life here, but any slave purchased here is meant to be worked to death, or whatever its master has in store for it.

Faction History: Once home to little more than a few farmers and their pathetic crops the island was purchased generations ago by a Liche Lord from the Drathan Union when he was unable to land his slave ship in the city proper. Thinking quickly on his feet, he purchased the virtually worthless island from its few inhabitants and built the first slave market in order to sell his wares. Over the generations the slave markets have grown and expanded until they took over the entire island. Permanent structures grew, then Drathian investors arrived in greater numbers until it was a thriving commercial venture. The Drathians still hold sway over the island and it looks much like their own homeland, a testament to the influence they have had in the region.

Important Characters:

Musharraf Jamila Sayidat

The Musharraf, or Overseer in the common tongue, is the ultimate authority on the Island of Tears. It is through her that permits to sell slaves are issued, slave pens leased, and a percentage of all sales collected. She of course moves in the social circles of New Anathagos, ensuring that no interference is forth coming from the Parliament, most of whom own at least a few slaves. The current Musharraf, Jamila Sayidat, is an Undead Mage of generous beauty who is said to have Vampiric tendencies, given that she doesn't appear to have aged in the past fifty years, it could easily be true.

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions: The Island of Tears does not project power beyond its own coastline.

Relation to other Factions: The Island of Tears is neutral and will do business with anyone.

[babbysama]

The Hafza

Alias

“The Twinned”, “The Vermillion Dancers”

Faction Type

Religious order/assassins/spies

Faction Specie(s)

No species is prohibited

Species Descriptions

N/A

Location

A small chapterhouse can be found in a nondescript laneway of St. Odo’s Precinct, and a further safehouse outside of the city limits. A vast brothel, known as The Knuckle, is likewise connected to the order, a shambling manse of ill-repute frequented by the sailors of the Quayside (from whence it rises, glittering with a hundred-hundred lights and shaded by the knotted eaves of two venerable baobab trees) and the more well-to-do; it is honeycombed with hidden passageways and secreted alcoves.

Faction Description

The Hafza is a guild of whores. It is a coven of spies. It is an order of sacred assassins, who strike with fingers of steel as well as flesh. The Hafza is dedicated to the worship of the Twin God Sesh-Hatta, the high prince of Sex and of Murder, who revels both in the pleasures of the flesh and in sacred violence. Thus, the Hafza plies both trades--prostituting both body and blade for the greater glory of their dread lady. In New Anathagos, where merchant houses and criminal orders vie for supremacy and the perversities of the flesh manifest in most peculiar forms, the services of the Hafza are in high demand. Whether it be gaining the ear of a business rival by mastering him in the bedchamber, poisoning an indignant underling with venomous massage oil, or other acts of subterfuge, the adherents of the order are masters of sexual manipulation, secret murder, and, above all, discretion. As of yet, their subtle arts have kept them hidden from most eyes save for interested parties, but suspicions gather.

New members of the order are taken at an early age, most commonly being foundlings left to moulder or whore’s whelps willing donated due to circumstance. They wear no guild motley nor bear a tattoo to mark themselves. Their pride, and, indeed, fanaticism, is inspired ultimately their gratitude---gratitude to their masters, and to the dread Doyenne for granting them life while taking it from so many others. Irregardless of gender, race, or ethnicity, the Twin God accepts indiscriminately those who would offer up their devotion without pretense.

An idol of Sesh-Hatta

Formed of knotted wood, painted with menstrual blood and caked with ash, the idol represents clearly Sesh-Hatta's dualistic nature.

Faction History

The order was established, at least, according to myth, in far-flung Isseh-of-the-Lotus, when the catamite body-slave of the Suzerain Umunhomi was visited (as the legend recounts, in dreams) by the god Sesh-Hatta and induced to murder his master whilst abed. History, of course, tends to abstract itself into such romantic shapes---the existence of this catamite is dubious, but he nevertheless remains an icon of the order. What is known is that a cult of Sesh-Hatta, an ancestral desert deity who assumes a number of noms-de-plume in a variety of cultures, did exist in Isseh-of-the-Lotus, many centuries past, and that, although they did not perform the selfsame services the Hafza now provides, their temples offered sacred prostitutes to those desirous of currying favor with the Twin God; likewise, remnants of human sacrifices have been discovered in the blasted carapaces of their ancient chapels, petrified by the sands. From the outset, the Hafza have, understandably, gleaned few allies, especially beyond the desert’s ambit. Their history, including their arrival in New Anathagos, can be described as a series of exiles, precipitated by bedlam and massacre which leave few of their number alive. It is unknown when this cult, obscured by posterity’s dusted lens, assumed the name of Hafza (meaning, in Old Tchanu, “Vermillion Dancers”); neither is it certain when the order began to offer their signature dispensations. Much of the Hafza’s history has been lost, or is unknown due to its relative obscurity and the nature of that obscurity.

Important Characters

The leader of the Hafza is known as “The Grand Harlot”, a post held until death (or assassination), and whose purpose is both religious, serving as cleric of the Twin God, and administrative; currently, the office is occupied by Aibarsa, a native of the Free City of Tripantos. Her six year reign has already seen much blood shed in the Twin God’s name. There exists a very loose hierarchy of rank in the order, but specific titles there are not. Promotion, if it can be called such, is doled out meritocratically.

Aibarsa in clerical garb

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions

They possess no holdings or territory of note.

Relation to other Factions

Neutral, though they are naturally averse to other religious institutions.

[The Survivor]

Steel Sail Hunting Co.

The symbol of the Steel Sail Hunting Co. which flies on the sails of their vessels.

Faction Name: Steel Sail Hunting Co.
Faction Type: Monster Hunting/ Monster Protection Company
Faction Specie(s): Any and all with enough balls to take on the monstrosities of the deep.
Location:
Port of Hajon, on the farthest edges in the western part of the city, giving easy access to the Sea of Beasts. Privately owned by Commander Jaune Stoli, it houses three ships so far.

Faction Description:
The Steel Sail hunting company specializes in hunting sea monsters, delivering cargo through dangerous waters for speedy result, as well as protecting and escorting vessels who don't particularly trust the New Anathagos Navy. From pirates as well as monsters. It's owned by Commander Jaune Stoli, who is the skipper of the Company's flag ship and toughest vessel, The Iron Lass. The Lass is a Frigate, fitted with iron plating and top of the line cannons. It's crewed with the best sailors and marksman and it's the lass that takes on the largest monsters.

The second vessel is a schooner, also fitted with top of the line weapons and plating. Lady Luck, Captain Lana Isoona commands this vessel, often taking on the moderate sized monsters and tougher small monsters. Lady Luck is also the most selected for escort jobs, it's size a perfect mix between power and speed.

Finally, The Feline Fatale, a schooner commanded by Captain Eddard Raspon. The youngest and weakest of the company, The Feline Fatale often supports one of the other two vessels in assaulting a large beast. Captain Raspon hopes to increase the fatale's standing in the company, but for now he has to be content with small monster jobs and escort jobs.

Faction History:
The Steel Sail Hunting Company was founded 12 years ago, by a 24 year old Jaune Stoli, funded by a small fortune from his noble inheritance. He bought a port and a frigate and hired 65 men to crew and started hunting monsters. Over the years he gained reputation and crew, buying new ships and slaying more monsters, delivering cargo through dangerous waters. He now has three ships under his command and his company is the one place to go if someone wants something big dead, protected, or delivered.

Important Characters:


Commander Jaune Stoli-

Born to a declining house of nobility, Jaune Stoli was always interested in exploring the world. His elderly father, having had four sons before himself, two dying in various wars, one crippled from disease, and the other only God knows where, Jaune was the heir to his fortune in his will. Passing away when Jaune was 17, Jaune left his brother the family properties and nobility of the name as he struck out to the open seas as a sailor, sailing with many different captains and even skippering a few of his own. Finally he washed up in New Anathagos, with his inheritance (plus some from his years of adventure) and started up a company of monster-hunting, noble protecting, goods delivering mercenaries. He's now 36 and some future deals could render him a fourth ship and about 75 new crew members, plus a new captain. But that remains to be seen.



Captain Lana Isoona-

The Captain of Lady Luck and Commander Stoli's former lover, Lana Isoona is a fierce woman that turns heads as well as takes them off. A woman of power in a man's world makes her intimidating to all who meet her. She's an excellent business woman, fighter, and monster hunter. She's also second in command of the company when Jaune needs her to be.


Captain Eddard Raspon-

Young, brave, headstrong, Captain of the Feline Fatale, Eddard Raspon is a fledgling captain looking to make his way in the world. 22 years old, he's the nephew of an old friend and mentor of Jaune's who assured the commander that Raspon had the heart of a sailor. So Jaune took him on with the purchase of the schooner and put Raspon in charge of it. He has yet to actually prove himself. only being with the company for a few months and slow months at that.

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions: The Port of Hajon, on the farthest edges of West New Anathagos, allowing easy access to the Sea of Beasts.
Relation to other Factions: Supplied by Green Trading and Protection@Sovi3t