[OOC] Of Salt and Powder (A Fantasy-Renaissance NRP)

[LloydTurquoise]

Of Salt and Powder

A Fantasy-Renaissance Nation RP

Art done by ethicallychallenged.deviantart.com

This is a nation RP set in a low-fantasy world. There aren't any elves or dwarves or orcs etc. There is magic however and fantastic creatures. Below is all of the lore and sheets so if you're really interested, you can get a head start on your sheet.

Eras of History

The Leaving of God Era -0 AE

This is the time that ancient scholars say god once walked with men. Before returning to the stars. Very little is known about this time. Although ruins can still be found from that time. The Apourean calendar starts (0 AE) on the year that god actually left.

The Many Shields Era 0 - 400 AE

The Many Shields era is a time through with inter tribal conflicts, between the ethnic and cultural groups of the continent. Many peoples in this time period were nomadic, although settled peoples could be found along the various rivers and coastlines. It is also an era of bronze tools and weapons. Although towards the late Many Shields era, iron is introduced and spreads across the communities of the world. Mainly by the islanders of Suu.

The Suuban Imperial Era 400 - 900 AE

It's these Suuban's use of iron, from their Island Capital of Suu, that they begin to vassalise and conquer those around them. Culminating into the Suuban Empire. The Suuban Imperial Era is the time that the Suuban were the dominant authority, across the continent. With very few lands and peoples outside of their direct influence. The Suuban conquered much of Aporue, through the strength of their iron clad phalanxes and their heavy scaled cataphracts. After their conquests came subjugation, through either assimilation or slavery.
The Suuban empire built many cities and ports around the continent, forced the suub language and alphabet on the peoples of Aporue and grew to be the most powerful empire in the world at the time.
Until their capital island sunk into the sea.

The Chainmail Era 900 - 1100 AE

The sinking of the island of Suu, which was probably caused by an earthquake or perhaps the anger of god, through the rest of the empire into collapse and civil war. The empress and all her direct successors died in the sinking, so cousins and governors from across the empire started making power grabs and squabbled amongst themselves. While enslaved populations revolted and barbarians invaded and retook ancestral lands and even new ones.
The Chainmail Era is called such due to the use of chainmail by many of the armies and warbands at the time. It's flexible movements mirrored the ebb and flow of the times as lands were captured, razed, captured and then razed again. This era only began to end once powerful kingdoms rose to stabilise their lands and define the new borders of the Aporuean continent.

The Plate and Fire Era 1100 - 1500 AB

The Plate and Fire Era is the time of landed knights and nobles ruling the continent in the names of their kings and tyrants. The settling of the feudal system across Aporue and the struggles of all the classes through wars, plagues and famines. The continent went through a period of warfare dominated by heavily armoured knights supported by levied peasants and men at arms. Usually fighting in the territorial and religious disputes of the royal dynasties of Aporue.

The Salt and Powder Era 1500 - Present (1570 AB)

The Salt and Powder Era is the current era that this NRP is taking place in. This time period is similar to the renaissance period of Europe in our world.

The World

Aporuean Climate and Enviroment

The further north you are in Aurope, the colder the climate. That's the general rule of thumb used by peasants and royals alike. The southern islands are warm and Mediterranean. While the further north you go, the more temperate and eventually the more boreal it becomes. It's not uncommon for sea ice to break on the islands and coasts of the north during winter.
The flora and fauna will respond accordingly. Widespread there will be animals like deer, wolves, bears, boars, wisent etc. The further north however, there are more musk ox, reindeer, cave lions and woolly rhinoceros. While in the south there are more antelopes, dholes, giant sloths and sabre-toothed cats.

Technology

The Salt and Powder Era isn't necessarily a time of progress. Rather it is an age pioneering new technologies, such as gunpowder weapons and new naval designs.
Ideas that were once challenged by the aristocracies and religions are being opened up. Economics has shifted with a growing middle class and demand for goods from around the continent and the world has opened new markets.
Matchlock muskets have changed the battlefield forever. The knights of the plate and fire era are being made redundant, as pikes are utilised more and more on the battlefield.
Naval advances have not yet taken the galley out of coastal conflicts. Though the cog has been replaced by the heavy carrack and the agile caravel. The bows and ballistae of aft and fore castles have been replaced with cannons great and small.

Fantasy Elements

The world isn't devoid of fantasy creatures. However, they are either found in remote areas of Aurope, the sea or have succumbed to extinction. I'm going to give some leeway on his. If you include a fantasy creature in your NS then it exists. However, these creatures have to behave and act like animals. No talking dragons, no anthropomorphic beings. By all means write some fantastic and creepy stuff, but I'd like to apply real-world constraints on them.
Magic is alright, but I'd like to keep it on the down low.
There aren't sorcerers in towers, there aren't wizards in the tavern to go out on a quest with you. I'd like to go for more of a, witch in the woods who might actually know more about biology and herbs rather than hydromancy. A lodge or coven up in the woods or in a city's underbelly. I'd like to muddy the water a bit. Have characters thinking "Does this guy actually do magic or is he just using science?" Sorta thing.
That doesn't mean that magic doesn't exist. It does in this world. But someone resorting to magic is seen as desperate in this world. Even then, I'd like you to be dark with your magic i.e. Cure a man's impotency by ritually sacrificing a peasant. Exploiting the dead souls of a battlefield to enrich one's own magical energy. Gain the use of pyromancy in one hand by cutting off the other. If you have any queries, feel free to ask.

The Wider World

Beyond the ocean surrounding Aporue, there are strange and unknown lands. The only clear path are the Southway Islands, that lead south east. There is encountered the land of Sahrappa. A hot and monsoon drenched land, a land of spices and silks. Sahrappa is dominated by the Techakava Raj, surrounded by small coastal princedoms and tribal kings.
Sahrappan traders talk of a land further east, though a dangerous reef and foul sea monsters roam that strait of water.
That's all that is currently known to the peoples of Auropeans. Maybe there is a land to the west? Maybe there is a way to the mysterious eastern land through the west?

Map of Aporue

Religions

Aporue, despite its progress in sciences and arts, is still a very religious continent. These three are the major, overbearing ones.

Abandonitte

- A religion introduced by the Suuban Empire.
- They believe that God abandoned mankind onto the world.
- Particularly they believe in the Sentences of God, a strict code left by the almighty himself.
- Breaking any of the Sentences of God means that their souls will not be released upon death.
- So either stick with the rules or your soul will suffer in pain and anguish on the world.
- (Think of the old testament's Ten Commandments)
- Abandonitte clergy are called Priests, Arch-Priests, Cardinals.
- Abandonitte's don't have a central figure in their religion.
- Rather the state's highest ranking clergyman is the supreme religious authority in that nation.
- Abandonittes believe miracles can be achieved by anyone if they are true to the Sentences of God.
- Worship in Temples.

Strandistant

- A religion created in the late suuban imperial era - early chainmail era.
- Strandistants believe that God stranded mankind on the world and that they are completely cut off.
- Strandistants don't believe that the Sentences of God were actually written by God.
- They believe eternal salvation can be achieved simply by being a good person.
- The definition of good however changes by the word of each central figure head, the Grand Bishop.
- The Grand Bishop is usually elected amongst clergyman who have experienced a "memory" of God.(A hallucination/dream/episode, that they believe was an ancestral memory of the Leaving of God Era)
- The Grand Bishop and his retinue of hundreds, usually move between the many monasteries of the Strandistant Church.
- The hierarchy of the Strandistant church is as follows = Vicar, Bishop, Grand Bishop.
- Miracles can only be performed by people of certain ancestral bloodlines, usually noble/royal.(Although, with the number of bastards over the centuries, a commoner performing a miracle isn't unheard of. Assuming they have evidence to back up their heritage)
- Worship in Churches.

Usurprian

- Usurprianism started as movements in both Strandistant and Abandonitte nations. Mainly in the Plate and Fire Era.
- Complaints begin mainly with being against the granting of indulgences in both religions. As well as the selling of relics, nepotism, the extravagant wealth of supposedly meek clergymen.
- Usurprian pastors claim that the Sentences of God are a mortal written piece, manufactured by the Suuban to control their slaves. Thus not the true word of God.
- They also claimed that all men are descendants of the Leaving of God era, so therefore all people have memories of god and can perform miracles.
- Usurprian doctrine mainly focuses on the idea that God's relationship with man is individual.
- Pastors are the only clergy of the Usurprian religion.
- There is no central figure head. Although individual pastors can attain wealth and political influence, they are (supposed to be) all equal.
- Usurprians don't have buildings of worship. Communal religion is usually regulated to certain times of the year in public spaces.
- Usurprian royalty and nobles usually build chapels into their palaces/castles. While poorer folk have shrines in their homes.

Something Else

- Maybe none of these religions suit your people. There are plenty of cults and offshoots of these three religions that a nation could embrace instead. Although it might be lonely. Maybe your nation has never embraced any of the three. In which case, prepare to write in several holy wars into your history aimed at you.

(Please bare in mind, these aren't categories and traits that you have to fall into. You can be a Abandonitte that completely ignores the Sentences of God. Or a Strandistant that doesn't let the Grand Bishop waddle through your lands. These religions are here to help people ground their nations into the world's lore and help outline friends from foes)

Characters and their traits

The character sheet for this NRP is literally this.
Name:

Description:

Personality:

History:

It's not a lot I know. But considering the volume of characters that NRPs have, the simple the better.
As a rule of thumb for this. When you give a character two good traits, you have to give them one bad trait.

For Example.
Rolf is a very good sailor and an experienced and learned admiral. However, he doesn't like guns, barely likes cannons.

Nation Sheet

Nation name = (What your nation is called)

Flag/sigil = (The flag/symbol that represents your nation)

Ruler's Name = (Your Monarch/Grand Duke/Elector/Tyrant etc. Along with a description of the character)

Territory = (Where your nation is on the map, and a summary and description of it's regions and climate)

Capital & Major Settlements = (The names and quick summaries of the capital and other major settlements in your nation)

Population = (The Suuban empire at it's peak had 40 million people in it. Use that as a bar)

Religion = (Either one of the three Aporuean religions. Or an independent religion, which will require a description)

History = (The history of your nation, covering each of the eras of Aporuean history ((Excluding the Leaving of God Era))

Cultural traits = (A description of the cultural traits and lifestyle of your people that separate your nation from others)

Military = (A brief description of the military overall. Along with sub-descriptions of the following categories: Melee Infantry, Ranged Infantry, Cavalry, Warships)

Characters = (Stick any extra characters other than your ruler here)

[bloonewb]

The Bishopric State

Ruler's Name = Grand Bishop Suheyl Raydir. He is a shrewd, conniving man who does not understand the concept of mercy. His miraculous vision came to him in his late teens, when he dreamed of a bright light in humanoid shape standing before a bowing crowd. He became an candidate for Grand Bishop in his early twenties, and ascended that year by assassinating all those more qualified than he. He believes that the most important thing for a Strandistant is strength, and assembled an army of fanatics to conquer and raid territories belonging to those of the other faiths. He repurposed a grand castle for his capital church.



Capital & Major Settlements =
Church of the Head: The capital of the Bishopric State, formerly Castle Ilkate
Church of the Arm: A large city built on a range of hills with a church atop the largest one. It also houses the Holy Army
Church of the Foot: A seaport nearest to the mainland with a church on the beach. It also houses the Holy Navy.

Population = 1400000

Religion = Strandistant

History = Before Suheyl, the Strandistant Order had no lands to speak of. Certainly, they had a few churches courtesy of faithful kings, but this was the first time that the Church had any real land to govern. Before the church invasion, the large island belonged to the Kingdom of Ilkate, an Abandonitte kingdom. With the church invasion, the royal family was butchered, with each piece sent to a different Abandonitte nation as a warning. Once established, Bishop Raydir called a holy war on the Usurprians.

Cultural traits = The Bishopric State under Suheyl has become something of a military nation. Men, once reaching adulthood, are required by law to serve in the military for a minimum of two years. They also have a responsibility to follow the Grand Bishop's word and to teach their faith to their children and those they've captured. Such things as consummation before marriage are strictly forbidden, but torture is acceptable for members of the other faiths. In most aspects, the culture is somewhat reflective of Suuban ways.

Military = Most of the Holy Army consists of young men conscripted upon adulthood. Officers are required to be part of the clergy or be well versed in theology. The military also imitates the Suuban Empire's, with a heavy emphasis on phalanxing and heavy cavalry. Ranged combat and artillery are almost nonexistent.

Characters = None as yet.

[Serpentine88]

This is WIP. I have placed it in the OOC so that anyone who is joining can see what I am doing before I fully post in in the character sheet. When this is finished as well as accepted, I will remove the sheet from the OOC.

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THE HOLY GRAND REPUBLIC OF THE AUTUMNLANDS

Formerly, The Empire of Autumn

Governing Body: The Imperial Congress of His Majesty, “Not Applicable” (Parliamentarian-Revolutionary Oligarchy)

The Imperial Congress is the de jure head of the grand republic, made up of 153 members, previously only aristocrats and clergy but since the Great Revolution also now includes peasant commune leaders and merchants. The Imperial Congress was formerly a council that answered to the Emperor and represented the interests of 12 imperial regions (now 40 republican states, since the redistribution of land), however now is the executive power in the newly formed republic. The Imperial Congress is also currently in a transition due to the sudden changes made to the government, this ranging from the fact that it is still legally representative of a non-existent monarch (Unless you count “Emperor Chester I, the horse that was crowned emperor by the congress during the civil war in jest) to its very name, as there is currently a movement to rename itself to something more fitting, such as the People's Congress...

The most important member of the Imperial Congress is Gastov Krumwater, the man credited with winning the war for the Congressists. While he does not officially act as head of state, there is much talk that he may as well be one (And may be one, once the head of state role is officially created for the republic).

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Capital & Major Settlements:
-Capital: Auturholm, once the Suuban Empire’s northern regional capital, now greatly expanded into a sprawling city. Once referred to as Autumntium, Auturholm only has vestiges of old Suuban culture, such as a ruined aqueduct (that leads from the city to northern territories). Auturholm sits on the northern side of the great river Augurdim that reaches west to east across nearly the entire country, the river having artificial canals cut through it to create a moat for the cities Steinkrest Citadel, the fortified seat of the now deposed and deceased emperor and now temporary seat of the Imperial Congress and thus the Grand Republic’s government. The great Strandistant church for the city was burned down during the civil war and is now a ruined carcass of stone and splintered and burned wood.

-Major City, Aeterholmening: The “winter city” of the Grand Republic’s far north, while smaller and less populated than the Grand Republics southern cities, Aeterholmening is famous for its rich architecture and aristocratic palaces, including the Azure Palace, the blue and marble white palace retreat of the former imperial family, still technically their residence (With its last surviving member living there under house arrest), though the Imperial Congress still debates if it should be repurposed as a public library. Aeterholmening was the last bastion of defence for the Imperials during the civil war due to being the historical birthplace of the imperial family. Imperial sympathizers and Strandistant followers have mostly been driven out when the city was overrun by Congressist forces, however some royalism still remains there. The great church of the city still stands, though its religious icons and symbols within were pillaged or burned by the assaulting forces.

Ursahelt
Oakholmening
Osraholm
WIP (Others to come)

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Population = 12 million, mostly situated in the southern temperate region of the Grand Republic.

Religion = Radical Usurprian

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History

WIP
Many Shields Era/Tribal Auturgotts & Osragelts:

Suuban Imperial Era/Pax Suubanica:

Chainmail Era/Strandistant Northern Holy War:

Plate and Fire Era/Autumn Empire:

Salt and Powder Era/The Great Revolution:
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Cultural traits

Martyr Dannis: Dannis, a former Strandistant Vicar turned heretic, the man was and still is a significant religious and cultural icon of the Usurprian Autumnlanders and perhaps the root to the all of the following events in the North. A man that preached that god is in fact became an omnipresent spiritual force that is split evenly between all people and thus all people are not only in possession of both heavenly memories and potential powers, but also equal distribution of responsibility over the mortal world. With this simple concept came the conception of the world's greatest heresies. The denial of divine right. Refuting the righteousness of feudalism. The beginning of the age of republicanism.

While Martyr Dannis himself was snuffed out early on into his preaching, burned at the stake by Strandistant clerical authorities, his words and ideas spread like wildfire. Martyr Dannis posthumously led the North to eventually revolt against its own governments and now with the Grand Republic, against the entire world.

Radical Usurprian Egalitarianism: The (Usurprian) Autumnlanders believe that all people are inherently born equally, each divinely distributed responsibility of the world by god. While in practice this has not completely destroyed classes (The aristocrats are still above the merchants, who are still above the peasants), the Autumnlanders have created a culture that is very anachronistic with the rest of the world they reside in. Serfdom since the civil war has been abolished. Since so many aristocrats backed the defeated Strandistant Emperor (The Imperials), much of their land was taken off them and distributed into peasant communes. Many old exceptions to laws given to the aristocracy have been abolished. The Imperial Congress is no longer a rubber-stamp committee for the emperor but a genuine ruling body. That said, while the country is currently ruled by a republican government with a culture focused on egalitarianism, the country is not yet a genuine democracy, instead being a kind of oligarchy mostly dominated by rebellious (idealistic) aristocrats, Usurprian clergy and the most powerful and ambitious peasant commune leaders or merchants, having overthrown their former noble landlords as regional powerbrokers.

Nationalism: With the fall of feudalism and the old order comes a new method of controlling the people and maintaining control. The Grand Republic has one of the most developed sense of nationstates on the planet, with the concept of citizenship now gradually replacing serfdom, the earliest whispers of the concept of a ‘social contract’ and the obligation of citizens to wage war as conscripts rather than peasant levies. While there is no capitalism/socialism due to there being no industrial revolution, a social reformation has drastically altered the Autumnlands. Also of note with this shift is a plethora of interesting ‘modern’ concepts. The Grand Republic has only one national flag, instead of many house flags. The Grand Republic is one of the first nations (if not the first) in the world to possess a national anthem: “Blessed Hymn of the Baseny Fields”. The Grand Republic is renown for its national patriotism, something that serfs and aristocrats have difficulty comprehending.

New World Order: Along with their nationalism, the Autumnlanders are renown for their aggressive militarism and sense of ‘manifest destiny’, the idea that it is their duty to bring the truth of god to the corrupt southerners, by any means necessary. Krumwater has promised a new age, one where the Grand Bishop will beg for forgiveness for the southern clerics filthy decadence. The northern people are prepared to wage a new kind of war. A prolonged decades long war (Which they have already been fighting for 9 years), a national war, pitting entire nations and faiths against each other, not just feuding households over things as meaningless as blood or marriages.

Meritocracy: The Grand Republic has also adopted a sense of meritocracy, that is to say the belief that positions in government, military and other parts of society should be selected via merit rather than blood. In practice, there is still significant nepotism and favoritism (either via blood or influence/money), however the culture and particularly military reformism have taken root enough where there are occasional incidents of nobody farmers becoming renown commanders or highly intelligent lower level aristocrats now gaining access to once restricted information controlled by the church. There is also talk of deregulating the guilds to allow skilled journeymen access to trade secrets, however said guilds fight fiercely against these attempts in the Imperial Congress.

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Military of the Holy Grand Republic

WIP

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Characters

Characters

Gastov ‘Lion of the Republic” Krumwater, Minister-General of the New Model Army. Krumwater is considered the true leader of the Grand Republic, even if he himself does not say as such. A foreign prince of the now non-existent Kingdom of Osraland (itself collapsing and now annexed by the Grand Republic), he launched an invasion on the Autumn Empire during its civil war as an intervention in favour of the Congressists, defeating the Imperials at the Battle of Baseny and slaying the Strandistant Emperor Arthun III. Krumwater was offered the crown, however as a staunch Usurprian egalitarian and republican declined, instead joining the Imperial Congress as a minister. Krumwater is now (in)famous across the world as a military conqueror and genius, the great usurper of monarchies and liberating hero of republicans worldwide. He has since been made Minister-General of the Army. Here, with his trusted aide-de-camps and retinue have begun designing a “New Model Army” that will march south, bringing the Strandistant and Abandonite monarchs to their knees.

Emperor Chester I: Actually a white stallion and a former stead of the actual former ruler, Emperor Arthun III of House Wylester-Cottingham. Chester is not sentient or such and is simply a dumb animal. The Congress ‘elected’ Chester to replace Arthun III during the early days of the civil war as a jest, insult against monarchs in general and the technical issue of who would be emperor during this period of strife. Chester is a very friendly emperor-horse and enjoys eating carrots, he is currently in a tense succession crisis and will likely have to give up the throne soon as the monarchy is fully abolished. A good friend of Princess Astoria and adored political icon/mascot of the Grand Republic.

Princess Astoria Claudia Wylester-Cottingham: The last of the Wylester-Cottingham bloodline with the death of her father Emperor Arthun III at the battle of Baseny and the execution and assassination of her brothers by the Congressists. She currently lives under house arrest in the Azure Palace, and the Imperial Congress even now hotly debates the princess's fate.

Leman Carrot: Aristocrat, mathematician, amateur astronomer and military bureaucrat, Carrot is a man of vital importance to the Grand Republic due to his work on reforming the army as part of creating the New Model Army and the Citizen-Soldiery. Among his most important innovations is the (re)invention of civic conscription and the New Model Armies use of professional soldiers, a matter of extreme importance now that serfdom has been abolished, thus needing an immediate replacement for the ranks of peasant levies that make up most armies. His reorganisation of the army has seen armour and swords rapidly give way to muskets, knights give way to said citizen-soldiers and the professionalisation and conversion of the military to a meritocratic organisation.

More to be added.

[Claw2k11]

@LloydTurquoise

Question, can I make a more far southern nation? I mean, they would still have the technology of the rest of continent, but also a more fantastic and exotic feel with many animals such as giant sloths and many others being tamed to be used by the people of said nation. They could be used in combat as well, but with the advent of fire-arms I imagine their usefulness would be very limited.

[LloydTurquoise]

@Claw2k11 Sure, I mean, stay on the map obviously. But yeah go for it :D

[LloydTurquoise]

@bloonewb Your NS looks good, but maybe you should bump up your population a bit. Just so there is an equal footing amongst all nations.

[neogreggory]

Hmm... I'll consider joining this and decide within a few days if there's no trouble in that.

[neogreggory]

}-----The Boros Kingdom-----{

Leader

Lord-Commander Tajic Boros

The reserved, stoic leader of the Boros Kingdom. Previously the Chief-Commander of the Infantry Legions, Tajic took up the mantle of Lord-Commander and the name of Boros a mere four years ago after the death of the previous Lord-Commander. Known as a unyielding patron of justice and protector of his people, he has been fighting for the Boros Kingdom for nearly twenty-six years, having joined the military at fourteen, two years before the legal age in the Kingdom. In his brief time ruling Tajic has enacted even greater military defenses, walling many of the cities in his domain, and even a few outside.

---

Territory

Hider

Capital & Major Settlements

Capitol City-Fortress of Sunhome

Ancestral home of the Boros, even before the fortress Sunhome stood there it had been a place of power. When the barbaric tribes of the area were united by the man Boros the new nation needed a capitol and Sunhome itself was established. Over the six hundred years the site became home to a truly impressive fortress of stone and wood. The fortress houses the offices of three of the five Chief-Commanders, along with store houses holding enough food to feed the fortress for six months, dungeons containing several of the Kingdoms greatest criminals, and a grand chapel housing the sacred remains of the spear of Aurelia.

Ravna

A major city and the greatest population center in the Boros Kingdom. Sat on a lake connecting to the sea, nestled between two rivers and sitting on three hills the city towers over the nearby areas. Due to it's sea connection and central location in the kingdom Ravna has become the center of trade and commerce in the kingdom. Within the great city also lies the offices and stables of the Chief-Commander of Calvary.

Joffrey Cove

A large city in the north of the kingdom, once the capitol of the Annaster Kingdom, among the cities highlights are its sitting on the sea, the grand walls it boasts, and it housing of the Chief-Commander of the Naval forces of the Kingdom. The people of Joffrey Cove are fiercely Strandistants, and in the center of the city is a grand Church, which once also was a mighty fortress though now it is but only a place of worship.

Population

Approximately Nine Million

---

Religion

Usurprian

The Boros Kingdom has been following Usurprianism for generations, save for Joffrey Cove. The religious beliefs of the Boros don't differ much from other Usurprians aside from their near worship of past heroes, a trait retained from when they were warring clans of nomads. The Boros have several hero saints whom they honor which include...
Boros the Father: The founder of the Boros nation, whom all Lord-Commanders take the name of in order to preserve his great legacy. Often depicted as a wise old man holding a large tome and a heavy mace he is invoked whenever one needs wisdom.
Aurelia the Warrior: A women who, pretending to be a man, joined the military and gained some small amount of rank. In a massive battle her lie was revealed by a enemy commander who had learned himself through spies. The battle was near lost, until in a fit of rage at the prospect of failing the Boros Aurelia created a great wall of fire over the enemy line. However, as she burned away the enemy so did she burn, becoming naught but ash while the Boros soldiers pressed the attack against the routing enemy. Made the patron saint of women and soldiers, her demise marked the beginning of the Boros army allowing female soldiers. The charred remains of Aurelia's spear is kept in the chapel of Sunhome for any to see. Often depicted as an angelic being she is invoked in times of great need, be it childbirth or a battlefield.

History of the Boros

Hider

Many Shields Era:

The people who would in time be known as the Boros were little more than warring tribes united by nothing but a shared culture of conflict and ancestral worship. the various small tribes were mostly nomadic, fighting one another with bronze swords and axes wearing nothing of armor. No one tribe could at any point overpower the others, until the Suuban arrived in 417 AE.

Suuban Imperial Era:

Though the local people fought with ferocity and fury they were no match for the Suuban armies. This time born several mighty heroes who fought in the name of independence, ranging from Hemdel the mighty, who with an ancient witch's magic removed one of his arms, and in the other gained the strength of ten men, and Gall the Hawk, who it is said could fell a man riding on horseback from two hills away. However even with men like those the ironclad legions of Suu rolled over the natives. Building the city that would become Ravna the Suuban enslaved many of the local people, however when Suu sunk into the sea it would not take long for the remnants of the local tribes to take up arms against their masters again.

Chainmail Era:

The city that would become Ravna was sacked and ruined, the before long the locals were returning to their semi-nomadic lifestyles from before. However one Suuban general decided that he would not be lost in time like his home. Boros was not a physically imposing man, but he was of noble birth and with that claim he took hold of the remaining Suuban in the land and forged his own tribe. Declaring war on some tribes while bargaining with others Boros' cunning and stubborn will to unite the areas allowed him to, after three decades of fighting, unite the people he would call his. Before his death 941 AE he founded Sunhome, organized the military and, when his death was approaching and he without children, set up a system of succession so that the Boros would always have a leader. When he did die, the next leader took up the family name of Boros so that the founder would always live on, as has every Lord-Commander since.

Plate and Fire Era:

The age of Plate and Fire was a time of expansion and refinement for the Boros Kingdom. Early into the age the borders of the Boros Kingdom met the Annaster Kingdom, ruled by a vain and decadent king named Joffrey the Great. Adam Boros, the Lord-Commander of the time was, after a meeting with the Annasterian King was reputed to say, "Never have I met a man more devoid of righteousness, of honor, I will have his lands and give his people justice." Thus began four decades of war. It was during this time that Aurelia lived and died. After the war, now known as the Just War, the number of Chief-Commanders extended from three to five, the addition of a Navy with the taking of the port cities of Annaster and the creation of a formal Siege branch to the military. Since then the Boros Kingdom has been slowly expanding, annexing smaller kingdoms nearby in an attempt to ensure justice for everyone.

Salt and Powder Era:

In recent years the Boros have been preforming little in aggressive actions, instead focusing on internal affairs, researching the uses of gunpowder and ensuring the common men are fed and happy.

---

Cultural Traits

Justice for Everyone
If one is able to preform the work, then clearly they are just as worthy to do the work as anyone else. In the Boros Kingdom everyone is equal, so long as they are ready to prove as such. As a result the people of Boros are particularly tolerant both to their own and to strangers, however if one proves lazy and unwilling to preform what they can to aid the Kingdom then they are clearly undeserving and unfit to be of Boros
Military Tradition
Since the days of the founding of the Boros the military has been the among the most important aspect of the nation. People look up to the military, relying on the armed forces for everything from protection from other kingdoms to acting as law enforcement in the cities to even helping till the fields during peace-times. The military in ordered so that when one joins they are given a basic training before being placed in one of five distinct branches, and the longer they remain in service the greater their pay, with funds being provided once they leave as a retirement fund should they remain in the army for thirty years, however even afterwords they can sign on as after the retirement age of fifty as military advisers.
Power of the Councils
While the Chief-Commanders and Lord-Commander above them stand supreme, they do not alone govern the people. Below them, and unattached to the military structure, is several councils of common non-military officials who govern the common people, set the laws and punishments with the consent of the Chief-Commanders, and debate the role of the commoners outside of the military. The greatest of these Councils is the United Councils of Ravna, a body made up of the greatest minds of the great city, numbering three hundred in total.

Military

Hider

The Boros military is broken up into five branches led by the five Chief-Commanders, those five branches being-
The Infantry Legions: The front line of the Kingdom's armies, the Infantry Legions are the largest branch of the Boros army. Every soldier of the Legion, from the lowliest recruit to the Chief-Commander is trained for discipline. The typical soldier of the Infantry Legions marches onto the field with a hauberk of chain mail covered by a metal breastplate then covered by a tabard of white with red edging, armed with a large round shield of wood lined with steel and a mace or sword. Infantry can also be found fighting with heavier armor and pikes, so as to fight off cavalry. Among the Infantry Legions is also the Boros military's battlefield medics.
The Forces of Cavalry: The mounted warriors of the Boros Kingdom, the Forces of Cavalry are the backbone of Boros offensives. Often seen in the center of the action adorned in gleaming armor of steel and gold the soldiers of the cavalry are among the Boros army's most prideful and reckless. With horses armored almost as heavily as they are in chain and plate cavalry soldiers ride onto the field with heavy wooden lances tipped in steel, wielding long curved blades once the lances are discarded. Among the Forces of Cavalry are also the Boros messengers and scouts, less armored and less gleaming than their counterparts but no less filled with noble pride.
The Skirmisher and Archery Collective: The ranged forces of the Boros legion, with the advent of gunpowder the Collective has had a surge in relevance in recent years, with rifles being easy to train with and punching holes in armor, with shorter less accurate firearms being used on horseback en-mass in hails of hit and run volleys. The Skirmisher and Archery Collective soldiers wear the least amount of armor among the front line branches, however they face a lower mortality rate due to their ranged fighting and mobility.
The Siege Offices: The builders of siege engines and fortifications both, the Siege Offices face open conflict the least among the branches, often being behind the other soldiers away from battles, and as a result are sometimes ridiculed by the soldiers of more front-line branches, however without the Siege Offices the armies of the Boros could not function. Responsible for the construction of camps while on march, and proper forts and walls when not, and the weapons to fell both when meeting the enemy. The advent of gunpowder has also changed the Siege Offices, which are testing the destructive power of the cannon, with both the Siege Offices and the Skirmisher and Archer Collective conflicting with one another for the exclusive rights to gunpowder.
The Boros Navy: The newest and weakest of the Boros military branches the Navy is based out of Joffrey Cove and has been slowly scouting out the coastlines near the Kingdoms borders, patrolling for enemies and seeking potential allies for the future. Boros ships often tend to be large ungainly affairs, however what they lack in speed and grace they make up for in pure power, being loaded to the brim with marines armed with axes and bows. With two other Branches fighting for the sole rights to gunpowder few Boros ships have cannons however a few have been obtained and grace the largest Boros vessals.

Characters

Hider

Tajic Boros: Lord-Commander of the Boros

Description: Tajic is a tall fit man with olive skin and black hair. Physically powerful he is none the less nearing the end of his prime, with specks of grey appearing in his short black hair and hearty goatee. Fond of simple clothing of whites and reds. Tajic is never found without his curved bastard sword. (He also happens to be my avatar)
Personality: A reserved man Tajic, while confident on the battlefield, has great fear of his ability to lead the country, and so often relies on his advisers and counselors. Stoic and thoughtful Tajic always attempts to act in a just and kind manner, even should it bring harm to him.
History: Born into a family of farmers Tajic always aspired to join the military. When he was fourteen Tajic decided to run away from home and join the military despite the fact that the army required those joining to be sixteen of age. Serving for half a year before his true age was discovered Tajic was placed in the Sunhome dungeons for a year and a half, while his family was paid as if he was still in the army. Once Tajic was of age he was released and allowed into the army again, where he excelled until he reached the rank of Chief-Commander. When the Lord-Commander died the Chief-Commanders debated it and decided that Tajic was to rule. It has been four years since that day and Tajic is still getting the hang of ruling a country.

Gharti Vict: Chief-Commander of the Infantry Legions

Description: A large man with a larger presence, Gharti dominates any room he stands in. He wears heavy metal armor nearly everywhere he goes. Possessing a long blond beard and, while not quite as much so, long hair nearly white. Nearly too old to be in acting military service Gharti maintains his physicality with intense training every day, though even so his body is failing him and his stamina has decreased a great deal over the years.
Personality: A stern man Gharti was once known as the terror of the Legion, but with age he has mellowed somewhat. While no longer able to keep up on a battlefield for long Vict makes up for it in the war room with his knowledge of battlefields and his aggressive manner of thinking and speaking.
History: Born a smith Gharti joined the military and was known as a unstoppable force on the battlefield. Garnering a reputation for ruthlessness and aggression. Despite his prowess in battle, and because of it, he did not quickly climb into the higher ranks of the hierarchy, only attaining the rank of Chief-Commander after he slowed down on the battlefield. He has become one of Tajic's most trusted aides.

Razia Veri: Chief-Commander of the Forces of Cavalry

Description: Known as the beauty of the army and the fire of justice Razia is a tall, thin women with long white hair and stunning blue eyes. Trained from childhood in the ways of battle and horse riding Razia's body is lean and muscular. Never seen out of her armor she none the less always looks stunning, be it the long white robes with gold weave, the red jewels adorning her breastplate, or the fine leather of her boots.
Personality: Razia has great pride, both in herself and her nation, and dreams of bringing the justice of Boros to all corners of Aporue. Often seen as the bigger sister of everyone in the cavalry branch Razia would fight tooth and nail for her soldiers, though perhaps less so for soldiers of other branches.
History: Born into a family of soldiers Razia was trained from an early age to fight and lead. When she was of age she joined the military and ascended through the ranks with great speed. Before long she was the Chief-Commander of the Forces of Cavalry, and the youngest Chief-Commander to date. Since her attaining of rank she has lead the soldiers under her command with great skill and is known as one of the finest commander in the Kingdom.

Agrus Kosi: Chief-Commander of the Skirmisher and Archer Collective

Description: An old man, Argus has sun tanned skin and grey hair with only a speck of grey in it, cut short. His body is showing wrinkles from age and bears many scars from combat.
Personality: Argus is a gruff and unapproachable man, beaten down by years of fighting. However despite this he genuinely cares for every soldier under him, though he is remarkably rough on fresh recruits. Possessing a drinking problem Argus' mood can sometimes also vary quite a bit.
History: An orphan on the streets of Ravna Agrus had nothing save his name. He grew up among street roughs and criminals, Idolizing the army until he was old enough to join them. Ending up in the Collective Kosi and his unit were frequently on guard duty acting as law enforcement in Ravna. After many years he was promoted into the command hierarchy, even though he hated being off the streets he took up the job nonetheless. In the years since he has aided in protecting the common people of the Kingdom, and continues doing so in his blunt way.

Migellic Kell: Chief-Commander of the Siege Offices

Description: A short scrawny women with short brown hair and green eyes Migellic is of the Chief-Commanders the smallest and meekest physically. Kell typically wearing red clothes and a heavy leather coat, along with glasses to aid in her eyesight.
Personality: A natural born genius Kell has always found what other's consider complex simplicity itself. However she has a hard time communicating with others, oftentimes being talked over and unable and unwilling to assert herself. Despite this she has found herself in charge of the Siege Offices. She still has trouble understanding how she got to such a position, but she is intent to fulfill her duties best she can.
History: Born in Joffrey's Cove Migellic grew up surrounded by merchants and sailors. Finding herself unable to talk with people she grew up practically alone, spending all her time in the Grand Church reading anything she could find. In time she was convinced to join the military by a friend, with the hope it would help her at making more friends. With her intellect and distaste for combat she was put into the Siege Offices and has been dutifully working her way up the ranks, barely noticing her ascending position until she was a Chief-Commander.

Wenslauv Soko: Chief-Commander of the Boros Navy

Description: A sailor in the middle of her prime, Wenslauv is a thick set muscular women with windswept grey hair and brown eyes. A practical women Wenslauv wears simple clothes of wool, often grey or blue and only placing on a leather jerkin when entering battle. Can almost always found with a hatchet on her belt.
Personality: A mother bear of a women, Wenslauv cares deeply about everyone around her, be they friend foe or complete stranger. Always giving advice and help, Soko is deadly serious regarding the sea-trade and it's rigors.
History: Born on the open sea's Soko's parent's taught her everything they knew of the seas. Growing up in the Navy, it was only logical that Wenslauv join the Navy formally when she was of age. Since then she has explored the coasts and shores all the way to the Republic of the Autumnlands. Her experiance and skill on the sea has granted Wenslauv the rank of Chief-Commander, though it grounds her in the Kingdom more than she would like.

Gideon Jura: Army Recruit

Description: A young man, Gideon is tall and has skin tanned by the sun. Brown hair worn long and sculpted muttonchops Jura wears the simple clothes allowed to a fresh recruit, a white uniform expected to be kept clean and leather pads worn on the chest and shoulders.
Personality: Eager and battle hungry Gideon is much akin to a chunk of red iron awaiting the smith's hammer. Confident in his abilities he is nonetheless inexperienced and cocky. A fierce sense of justice burns in Gideon's heart, and he seeks to both deliver justice to the foul, and attain glory for himself.
History: Gideon grew up on the streets of Joffrey's Cove. Joining in a gang of street toughs he was a trouble maker from an early age. However after a particularly rough bar fight he was placed in the dungeons nestled in the bowels of the Great Church. It was there he met the warden, a wise man who whipped Gideon back into shape, molding the youth into a just law defending warrior before Gideon was released and he entered the military.

Bilbos Eric: Pastor of Sunhome

Description: A portly man reaching the end of his days he is despite that quite springy for his years, having surges of energy one would hardly expect from his age. However these spurts are quite rare in recent days. Possessing long grey hair and a longer yet beard. Often wearing simple clothes of brown with his only piece of jewelry being a pendant with an image of Aurelia, a badge of office passed down from one pastor of Sunhome to the next.
Personality: A genuinely kind and humble man possessing of humor and wit he can feel his mind beginning to slip from him. While he puts up a front of calm peace and laughs he none the less is terrified of his leaving, and what it may mean for the Chapel of Aurelia.
History: Bilbos grew up in Sunhome, a child of a pair of guards. Of all the places in the fortress, Bilbos found the most joy in the Chapel, reading tomes and listening to the stories of the Pastor. Before long he ended up apprenticed to the Pastor, learning even more of theology and even taking a long trip around the continent to learn more of other's beliefs. When the previous Pastor finally died Bilbos took his place. He has since dedicated his free time to further reading and research, learning what he can of magic and while he believes he could theoretically preform a spell skin to one like Aurelia's miracle, however self-doubt tells him otherwise and he keeps hope that due to his position and advanced age he would not ever be required to preform such an act in fact he has kept his knowledge a secret to all save his journal.

Kellie Fell: Lowland Farmer

Description: A middle-aged women with tan skin and hazel eyes, Kellie wears her black hair in a bun on her head and wears clothes of a functional make, though she does keep some fancier fare in her wardrobe should such an occasion come up. She does however wear golden bands in her ears.
Personality: A gentle mother and caring wife Kellie is known by her neighbors as the sweetest women many of them know. However within Kellie hides a raging fire, unleashed whenever her simple life is disrupted.
History: Born a noble women in the city of Ravna she lived an easy life of parties and relaxation until one day she met the love of her life, a simple farmer called Gaff. Her family opposed the idea, and so Kellie ran away taking only some colorful clothes and jewels. Adjusting to a farmers life was hard, but like all Boros Kellie put into it a great fervor. Now growing older she has three children and a loving husband, and while she may not be waited upon hand and foot or dancing with captains and generals she still considers herself the luckiest women in the world.

Ardaic June: Councilor of Ravna

Description: A tall powerful man with a stern complexion and a powerful mustache Ardaic's presence in a room is one of gentle yet firm protection. Often wearing the reds and whites of the nation he keeps his brown hair clean and parted down the middle.
Personality: Ardaic has committed his life to the people, and lives every moment in an effort to improve their lives. To this end he has lived as humbly as he could, an effort to allow more for others. He is kind, but if the choice was the right thing and the legal thing he would choose without hesitation the legal thing.
History: Born in Ravna Ardaic lived a regular childhood, he made friends and loss them, made mistakes and learned. He joined the military when he was off age, and there he found the love of his life. Serving alongside her he stood guard in the fortress of Sunhome, until the day of a great prison break. In the confusion his fiancee died as did many of his friends. Feeling lost Ardaic left the military and returned to Ravna. Seeking meaning he vowed to serve the people, and has in an effort to do that has joined the United Councils of Ravna, becoming a valued member of the council and an avid speaker in the name of the Boros Kingdom.

Of course, more characters may come in time with the need of additional viewpoints.

---

[LloydTurquoise]

@neogreggory No problem mate, I'm still working on my NS so I not going to judge.

[King of Spades]

Nation name = The Confederated Tribes of Dayak



Ruler's Name = Grand Chief Hormun IV of the Kongal dynasty.
Hormun IV was elected from the Gurlin tribe, which is the northern-most tribe on the island. He is generally festive and kind-hearted but becomes intense when it comes to the defense of the Dayak People. He is 35 years old and has been reigning since he was 16, with the early demise of his father, Hormun III. (A quick note about the government: it may seem like a monarchy, but a Grand Chief is elected from all of the chiefs of the five tribes of Dayak. Each chief of a single tribe is a hereditary title, the population votes on which chief they would like to lead the country once the current Grand Chief dies. The elected Grand Chief's tribal council and advisors become the national council, while the other tribes' council stay at a state-like level. The Kongal dynasty has retained its leadership for so long due to Gurlin's large population and Hormun the Great's lasting impression, moving some other tribes to vote for the dynasty too.)



Capital & Major Settlements = Current Capital: Juliat of the Gurlin tribe.
Other tribes and capitals: (Ordered by tribe population)
Relis of the Mahiria tribe
Zon of the Gishni tribe
Rayna of the Deran tribe
Vulkincity of the Vulkin tribe

Population = ~1.2 million

Religion =

Dayakism

(Feel free to use this in any other nations, but if no one else adopts it, it will stay as a minority language only really in Dayak)
Dayakism:
- A religion that appeared either during or shortly after the Suubs were kicked out of Dayak.
- Dayakists believe that God left this planet here as a gift for us. There is less of a Godly-feeling towards God, rather a fatherly feeling.
- Dayakists don't believe that the Sentences of God were actually written by God.
- They believe you can become at peace and fully take advantage of God's Gift by meditating, caring for the environment, and befriending local fauna.
- They believe that once a person reaches the age of 18 they should embark on a journey dubbed a "Spiritista" to tame their 'spirit animal' from the wild that will accompany them until one of the two dies.
- Most Dayakists feel that believing in God as a being that is still actively involved in our lives is foolish.
- They do not believe in miracles, however, they believe if you achieve peace with God's Gift that you will be able to tame and live in harmony with beasts and nature alike.
- There is no centralized religion, it is completely individual with meditation and self-improvement. However, you can often find more enlightened Dayakists who will be happy to help you with your questions.
- Worship wherever they want, customarily outside.

Old Dayakism, an animistic, polytheistic, pagan religion, is believed to have merged with Abandonitte to produce a reformed, monotheistic religion, Dayakism. Also, don't get me wrong, military peace is not one of their principles. They will defend to the last man whenever possible and fight off any foe to preserve their culture.

History =
Many Sheilds Era:
Many tribes were established and conquered in a bloodbath of constant wars going on on the Dayak Isle. Old Dayakism was worshiped, but not frequently. The tribes did not like each other and held feuds and decades-long wars to settle disputes. There were an estimated 5 million Dayaks on the island at this point.
Suubian Imperial Era:
This was a hard era for the Dayaks. Not long after the first traders arrived from the Empire, armies came and rained death upon the people of Dayak. Most were forced into slavery and forced to worship Abandonitte. Much of the population was either brutally killed, forced into slavery on the island, or taken off-island to be a slave somewhere. More than 4/5 of the Dayak population vanished from the island because of the genocide and slave trade. Resistance was futile, and most Dayaks lost hope that their lands would ever be reclaimed. There was a silver lining, though, the Conquest of Dayak allowed wealth, goods, and technology to come to their island under Suub rule. If the Conquest did not happen, it is not known whether the Dayaks would have ever caught up with the rest of the world.
Chainmail Era:
The Dayak's Chainmail Era was the opposite of their Suuban Imperial Era. When word arrived that the capital had fallen, the Suub leaders and commanders fled the island for fear of revolt. They made the right decision, as coordinated slave revolts appeared all across the island, slaughtering and forcing the Suuban nobles out. When all nobility was eradicated, self-proclaimed First Great Chief Markus the Liberator formed the Union of Dayak Tribes. Dayaks forced into slavery around the world eventually settled down into small pockets in other countries, destined to forever be a minority. Upon Markus the Liberator's death, the Union of Dayak Tribes' stability was shaken greatly, but the Confederation Pact was signed in 1024 uniting the tribes while also keeping tribal identity. The first election was held and Great Chief Jutan was the first elected Great Chief. Suub peasants that did not own slaves continued living on the island, now the minority. They were treated with great hatred and never really fully integrated.
Era of Plate and Fire:
A (mostly) quiet era for the Dayaks, peaceful transfer of power meant the Confederation pact worked. This was mostly an era of reconstruction and improvement as a nation, with the beginnings of many infrastructure plans.
Present Era/Salt and Powder Era:
At the dawn of the era, 1500, Hormun of Gurlin won the Dayak election. Shortly after assuming power, Hormun immediately delivered an ultimatum to the remaining Suubs who has lived peacefully since the Conquest: Leave this island or be executed. While gruesome, Hormun won the support of most Dayaks who still harbored hatred towards their former 'masters' and slaughterers. In 1505 the executions began. Over half of the Suubs had fled the nation fearing execution, but nearly 10,000 Suubs either couldn't leave because of monetary issues or believed it was a bluff. 9,500 Suubs were executed. 1505 lives forever on as the Year of Cleansing, and the Dayak population celebrated Hormun, now Hormun the Great.

Cultural traits = Dedicated Worshipers or Dayakism. Because of the island's large Sabretooth population, and the naturistic ways of Dayakism, a Sabretooth is the commonly chosen spirit animal of Dayak. The population still harbors some underlying hate for Suuban people, but since they are not reminded of their atrocities as often as when they lived with the Suubs it has started to die down.
(WIP for the culture and tabs below here:)

Military = Will work on this soon.

Characters = Will work on this soon.

[neogreggory]

Tried uploading images for map and flag, not certain if not working or just not working for me so... Does my app have a map in it or a huge failure that I can't find a good solution for?

[Willy Vereb]

So what time period I should be thinking? 16th century?
Anyways, I might be interested to join, too.

[neogreggory]

Ah, figured out the image problem, I'll just need to fix it Monday. Tomorrow should have time to write up a healthy pile of stuff as well.

[Fashy]

I am quite interested, while this wouldn't be my first NRP, it would be my first on this site, so please be leniant if I do something that isn't normally done on this site.

Just as a question, is my territory that I claimed too large? (Or if anyone else claimed it because I can't see the territory for the Boros Kingdom application)

[Willy Vereb]

@King of SpadesI might claim the weird looking peninsula right next to your island.
It's possible then that our nations shared history. Any input on that?

[LloydTurquoise]

@King of Spades Looks good so far!

@Willy Vereb Yeah 16th Century definitely. I would like some shared history between peoples yeah, but if you can't I'm cool with that too.

@Fashy Nah, considering that it mostly small islands, I'll allow it.

[Willy Vereb]

I either choose that claim that I previously mentioned. It'd be the equivalent of Italy in many ways. Except united.
Another idea I am thinking of is Mongols riding wargs. The only issue is that the main continent seems to be Europe equivalent and there are perhaps not enough landmass to make that style to work. I don't mean I want an area as large as the Mongol Empire was but nomadic lifestyle needs tons of space. So maybe I axe that.

[King of Spades]

@King of SpadesI might claim the weird looking peninsula right next to your island.
It's possible then that our nations shared history. Any input on that?

@Willy Vereb

I'd be open to that, sounds cool.

[ZB1996]

Still very much a WIP. I need some worthy crusaders to have declared war on me in the past.

The Kingdom of Attis

Ruler’s Name: King Tyrgen III



Population: 7,000,000

Capital and Major Settlements

Syros: The capital of the country, as well as the largest settlement in the Kingdom. It is noted for its large, sturdy, and recently built stone walls. This was to keep the city safe from the new technologies that were discovered by the outsiders. It lies inland, behind a thick forest, so generally it is safe from invasion. Its population prospers from trade and goods from the provinces, and it is noted for its many temples that are filled with many riches.
Calipa: A very old city, known for its tall wooden walls and structures, as well as it religious and historical significance. It was the home of both Pithias and Kaergyn. It has a number of military bases situated here, and the venerable Society of Gariniys, a sort of military academy, is situated her.
Synerze: The most westward major city, as well as the main port-town of Attis. Though it is known as a port town and center of trade in Attis, to outsiders it is better known as the center of Attian piracy.

Religion

The religion of Attis is simply called Attianism. Attians themselves simply call in “religion.” They deny all the doctrines and precepts of the Abandonittes, Strandistants, and Usurpians, and accuse these religions of blasphemy and atheism. Attianism is at its core polytheistic, and they assert that, contrary to the claims of the doctrines of the outsiders, the divine has never left. If pressed to prove this, they would merely point to a tree or a river, and would see that as sufficient proof of the continued providence of the gods.
The creator deity is none other Chaos. All other beings sprung from the primordial chaos. The mother of the gods was Haia, but the chief deity of the pantheon is Iviruna. However, among the populace another goddess is highly worshipped, and her number of shrines surely outnumbers that of Iviruna. Her name is Atargatis, and she is a goddess of fertility, as well as the goddess of piety and protection. The famous great temple at Syros is dedicated to Atargatis.
There are aspects of Attianism considered incredible to outsiders. The priestly duties are in general considered to have a womanly aspect to this. This has the result of a creating many female priests, but it also has other results as well. The priestess’ of Atargatis are men who castrated themselves and cross-dress. The priestess’ of the love goddess Lyeana meanwhile engage in sacred prostitution. Attians know outsiders abhore these practices, and this is one of the reasons Attians believe that they and outsiders can never peacefully co-exist.

History

Cultural Traits

Pagan Culture – Unlike other countries, Attis still holds strong to its roots of paganism. This, of course, has the consequences of attracting a lot of unwanted attention from unsympathetic neighbors, who have declared holy wars on them in the past. This goes hand in hand with their generally more rustic culture.

Permeation of Religion – Religion permeates most areas of society. All art, poetry, and the like is of course religious in nature. The Pithian Societies, which all men of political prominence join in order to engage in politics, are religious in nature. Ostensibly devoted to the teachings of the legendary sage Pithis, they are actually quite syncretic in nature, and are more of political councils. Even in mathematics and in the sciences (or what is known of them) things are cast in the veil of religion. All art, poetry, and the like are intensely religious in subject.

A More Magical Society – Magic tends to survive better in places that are relatively isolated from the metropolises of civilizations. Attis has plenty of places like this, so it is little wonder then that there are more witches here than in other lands, and its strange beasts run wild.

Curious Culture – To the few westerners who have seen it, Attian cultural norms are a shocking sight. The Attians still practice paganism, they disbelieve in the “Leaving God” concept, and they scoff at the notion that divinity is not still with humanity. This, however, only scratches the surface of what would shock a westerner. More shocking to westerners is the castrated and cross-dressing Priests of the goddess Atargatis, and the existence of sacred prostitution. Sometimes these two things overlap, though in general they do not, for they apply to different deities. In general there are many women and transgender of the priestly class, for it is considered a womanish task, but there are many men who take up the task as well. An Attian would point out that the two societies are so different only because they went in different directions, but in reality a real Attian would never bother to tell a foreigner so. A real Attian does not believe that a foreigner has any place among them, for the Westerners and the Attians are so incompatible that they may as well be different sorts of animals, though they are both men.

Knowledge of Medicine – Attis has advanced (for the time) medicine. This occurred through a combination of coincidence, necessity, and the veneration of the medical profession. Pithis was a physician as well as a mystic and theologian. Nowadays, the Western countries have (presumably) about equaled Attis in medical technology.

Oral Society – In the past in general Attian cities and towns were not terribly large places, and so sages, poets, theologians, and other teachers would instruct and discuss orally. Storytellers have done likewise. It has only been in the last couple centuries that, in reaction to western influences, that a move towards a more literary society has been taken. This does not mean that there was not a written language or written records in the distant past, however.

Xenophobia – There may have been friendly encounters in the past with outsiders, but that is far in the past now. Now Attians can only recall hostilities when they think of foreigners. In the past Westerners have tried to conquer Attis and convert them to their peculiar and blasphemous religion, though they have so far failed. Currently it is only their shared xenophobia that is keeping the kingdom together as one coherent whole.

Laconic – One of the great sages of the distant past, Pithis, valued silence and a quiet demeanor. Many others have fallen suit, and as a result a quiet and reserved demeanor and attitude is noted in many Attians. This does not mean they are shy, however, for they regard directness as a virtue and shyness as a vice. As a result of this, they are not known to be the most talkative of fellows. However, they have turned sarcasm into an art form, and it is the Kingdom’s most popular pastime.

Sea Expertise – Attians know how to build great longboats, and use their expertise at shipbuilding, navigation, and piracy to raid for more guns.

Military

Character

[Slamurai]

Told myself I'd take a break from NRP, but that break just might have gotten cut short.