[OOC] The Empty Throne: War in the Broken Lands

[DELETED32084]

@ArisenMoonI believe it is still open as we just got cracking.

[Flagg]

Hello, too late to join?

@ArisenMoon

Nope, you're more than welcome!

[Flagg]

@Arisenmoon could you keep your ns here till it's accepted? Just to help me keep track of things, thanks.

[Grammatic]

Clan Name: Trenor Clan
Jarl/Chief/King Name & Description: Jarl Rasgar is of regular height, though he is built very broadly across the chest. He has light red hair, like most of his tribe, which he keeps cut very short to his head. Dark green eyes glare at anything that gets too close, friend or foe alike.

Government Type: Jarldom
Non Human Species Descriptions: The Trenor Clan goes out of their way to exterminate all non-human races within their border, believing in the purity of the human race.
Location:
Religion: [gods will likely be shared across Clans, but some clans may be devoted to some gods more than others. Please work with your fellow RPers to design the religious traditions of the Broken Lands]
Clan Description:
Clan History: [pls work with other players- our clans are all part of a single confederation, there will be a lot of shared history]
Regional Geography/Resources/Economy Details:
Important Characters:
Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions: [describe your settlements, limited to 3-4 cities, max, plus as many lesser holdings as make sense for your Clan]
Relation to other Factions:

WIP

[AtomicNut]

(WIP)

Hmm, interesting. Lemme throw an idea... Excuse me if it's completely barebones, but I need to test the waters First.

Clan Name: Clan Runecarver
Jarl/Chief/King Name & Description: Jarl Erik Runecarver
Alias: The Listener
Government Type: Puppet Jarldom, backed by the matriarchal Trowe.
Non Human Species Descriptions:

Trowe: Said by many to be related to elves (although Trowe take offense to be compared to them, much like a human takes offense to being compared to a monkey), the Trowe are a secretive, long-lived race of abhumans who are indistinguishable from people at first glance save their pointed ears. They are usually fair-skinned and considered beatiful by human standards, although they are anything but (as the own Trowe claim). The trowe bleed blue blood, and their thoughts and whims are usually poorly understood by humans.

Trow society is matriarchal, and they consider most races in contemptuous regard as mindless beasts, with the notable exceptions of the Dratha and sometimes, human. They are specially disgusted with Pale Men, and hatred runs deep towards the degenerate creatures. Before these Pale scourges, Trowe will gladly set aside their pride and unite against the common foe.

Trowe are considered unusually skilled, due to their long lives and the opportunities to learn and master different fares. After all if a human lived for three hundred years or more without suffering the ailments of old age, they would be as skilled as Trowe. They have a certain affinity to manipulate Ichor and Old Ones' technology, but they are loath to admit it in front of strangers. Trowe believe they are the true inheritors of the Old ones and guard their secrets with zeal.

A Trow Woman

Halfbloods: Among the Runecarver clan, the term refers to the hybrid offspring between Trow and Human. Halfbloods are usually indistinguishable from normal human with the exception of having a darker, murkier blood color and extended lifespan. Trow employ halfbloods as emissaries frequently to manipulate things behind the scenes, and it is rumoured that even the Jarls of the Clan are halfbloods.

Leviathans: It is said that only the most stout of men tangle with the Pale Ones, giants and trolls, but none are so foolish to tangle with the Terror of the Seas incarnate. Leviathans do not care about men. They do not care about Pale Men, Gods or Demons. The oceans are their home, and everything that crosses their waters is for them to ignore or devour. Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly enough, Leviathans are actually known to leave humans for the most part alone, as long as they are left to their own devices. Indeed, even a longship would be insignificant for these great beasts. However, these fierce creatures are known to attack humans if they are roused or one stumbles upon their breeding grounds.

One of such places is located west of Windcaller's Folly, and makes the exploration westward into the great beyond a treacherous voyage of no Return.

Leviathans are related to Whales and Dolphins, are highly intelligent, and can form bonds with humans, thus allowing them to be trained, technically. However in order to do so, a leviathan calf must be separated from their mother and trained for decades, which implies that only someone really foolish or longlived could ever hope to achieve such a feat.

Leviathan

Location: Tempest Isles

Tempest Isles

Religion: The Runecarvers, although not the most religious sort, pay homage to the Gods of the Broken Land. Worth noting that the cults of Harkon and Ylwan are the most prominent among this clan.

Trowe religion, if it exists, is even more mysterious than the abhumans.

Clan Description: Clan Runecarver is not as old as many clans in the Broken Islands, having supplanted the fallen clan Stormraven in mysterious circunstamces. Fundamentally islanders, they are politely indifferent and neutral to most affairs, and rarely do seek out active war or to press on vendettas. Most if not all clan members are literate, and a sizable fraction of them have a passing knowledge of several subjects. They favour intellectual pursuits and exploration rather than reaving.

As such, Runecarvers have a small, but rather versatile flotilla of longboats as well as longer more ocean-worthy ships, and they spread themselves far and wide through the Broken Lands, always keen to exchange information or barter. Runecarver clan has served the High King with effectiveness...outside the battlefields. Indeed, while not a particulary mighty clan, the Runecarvers have been Royal Scribes, Tax collectors, Lawmen, Skalds and Healers. Clan Runecarvers are also excellent builders and masons, and have been commissioned in the past to create some of the structures throughout the domains of the High King.

Runecarver society is extremely influenced by their non-human allies, the Trowe, and such, women are at least equal if not more powerful than men, and Halfbloods are considered in good regard, albeit sinister in certain ways. Likewise, they see battle as a necessary evil, rather than a glorious endeavour. This makes them poor frontline warriors, but dreaded as spies, scouts, siege engineers and tacticians. The Runecarver clansmen also have high quality weapons and armor, thanks to their own hoarding of technology as well their non-human allies.

Clan History:

Regional Geography/Resources/Economy Details: Situated in a rather isolated but fairly well supplied island, the Runecarver cannot boast a wealth of resources, nor of military manpower. Indeed, while the lands have enough to maintain a sustained population and even a modest army, the only remarkable thing is that they're more or less self-sufficient in their basic needs, and they receive enough trade to supply the rarer fare. Runecarver clansmen, however, are known for their vast hoard of knowledge, both modern and past. Their runic scriptures, which can be seen all throughout the stones of the islands and, more recently, in the books of their vast library in the keep, are a comprehensive overview of the history of the Broken Lands.

One could say that the major Runecarver trade is runes, scriptures, and knowledge, both new and ancient. Runecarver clansmen even wage wars to obtain new artifacts, learn new techniques or implement new technologies.

Important Characters: The Runecarver are an ancient, eerie clan who value privacy.

Jarl Erik Runecarver "the Listener": The latest Jarl to be chosen and leader of the clan, Erik is a young-looking but amicable and level-headed man. While he is no craven nor weakling, Erik prefers using the diplomacy of the tongue rather than the blade. His ability to keep his politeness and composture even in the most brazen of provocations is well known.

Headmistress Halja Trowe: A known halfblood, Halja is the most important scholar and the head of the vast library and runic knowledge compendium that exists in Runestone Keep. She is even privy to some of the Old Ones knowledge that Trowe have access to, and usually one of the few humans most Trowe would dare to listen besides the Jarl.

"Longshanks": The Trow nicknamed "Longshanks" is the one most likely responsible for Trow sightings both inside the lands of the Runecarver and outside. A reputed male Trow, a rarity among his kind, he is a seasoned explorer and adventurer, always running about to gather information and get a pulse of the world. It is rumoured that alongside the Rune Witch, participated in the war against the empire by aiding the Dratha.

"Rune Witch": The de facto leader of the Trowe and the oldest of them all (some say of the entire clan, given how much sway she has over the Jarl), it is the second most sighted Trow of the Runecarver land. A woman of great wisdom and knowledge, she is no stranger to the dark arts, and her wrath is rumoured to be only equal to her beauty. Some say that many a RuneCarver Jarl has been an hybrid get of hers, and that she likes to keep young burly men as pets like one would keep dogs. She is also rumoured to have participated alongside Longshanks in a joint venture aiding the Union.

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions:

Runestone Keep/The Vault of Secrets:Runestone Keep and the adjoining town settlement and port accumulates a great deal of the entire population of the islands. The seat of the Jarl, Runestone is an ancient towering castle built upon a dead volcano, and heavily ornated with Runic scriptures, hence the name. It is said that the settlement had been continuously inhabited for centuries, and that the Runecarvers are the newest lords of such a place. Atypically for a Northern settlement, the Runestone Keep hosts an University and Library, where scholars impart and gather knowledge of all known things to man. However, underneath the Keep and the settlement, another exists. The Vault of Secrets of the Trowe, a veritable underground citadel situated inside the massive cave that was the magma chamber of the volcano. Here, guarded by thick, titanic walls of hard stone, the Trowe dedicate themselves to their fare,conscious than the underground complex keeps the danger of Ichor and the Old Ones relics inside as much as it keeps the meddlesome humans outside.

Windcaller's Folly: The second most important settlement of the Tempest Islands. Originally a whaler and fishermen town, the settlement came to importance as the Trowe erected a monument to their lost Queen, Windcaller, who once set sail from that point to never come back. Nowadays it is a place of solemn acts, and it hosts the major religious cults of the islands. The Greater Ossary, made entirely of the bones of dead Leviathans and humans alike, host the deceased Jarls of the Runecarver clan, as well as their Trowe allies. The ground is believed to be hallowed, and it is here that the priests and priestess of Harkon and Ilwan have their place.

Relation to other Factions:

[Slamurai]

@AtomicNutHey there! Feel free to join us in the Discord chat, where most of our OOC banter and worldbuilding takes place.

[Flagg]

New post up here: roleplayerguild.com/posts/4579049

[Flagg]

Alrighty folks. In a day or two I'm winding the Moot down, so get your posts in before we fast forward to newer and better things (more killing)!

[Flagg]

@Aristo @The Wyrm @Dogematix @Nerevarine @Ashgan @gorgenmast @captainbritton @atomicnut

Ok, I'm ending the moot in my next post, which will come early next week. We're going to time-jump forward: Clan Stonecutter is going to send forces south to put down the rebellious Clan Varvudda. The Salished Empire is going to launch its initial strikes at the north. And the Pale Men...well...

If you want to declare for Clan Varvudda's side of things, now's the time. I invite people to do so! a full blown civil war will be fun, and we are interested in awesome stories, so no worries about 'losing' or the 'balance of power' please. We will make sure the story works out so that players always have things to do.

Otherwise, everyone who doesnt post will have accepted Clan Red Knots regency. Unless any of you expressly wish otherwise, the only forces going south to deal with Varvudda are going to be Stonecutter NPC forces.

(Correction: I may sneak a flashback post in tomorrow or Monday that doesnt impinge on the moot. If so, the post after that will end the moot.)

[Flagg]

Hey all. Sorry for the slow down, I've been sick with a nasty cold all week and not in a writing frame of mind. Will try to get a post up tomorrow or Friday to move us along.

[Slamurai]

Hopefully the site cooperates!

[Flagg]

@Aristo @The Wyrm @Dogematix @Nerevarine @Ashgan @gorgenmast @captainbritton @atomicnut

Okay! The site seems to be working again and I dont feel like death. Expect a post beginning Chapter II of our saga tomorrow! Let's keep this rolling!

[gorgenmast]

Excellent. Looking forward to it

[Slamurai]

Guild's back!

[Flagg]

Guild's back!

@Aristo

Roll call? Who's still with us? This RP will def continue!

[DELETED32084]

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

Roll call? Who's still with us? This RP will def continue!

@Flagg

I liiiiive!

[Ashgan]

No reason to quit, so I'm still around.

[Flagg]

Alright kids, I posted a little blurb to keep us moving. Will have a more substantial post later this week. Let us fast forward to a month after the Moot. Please fill in what your character/clan has been up to! If anyone has sent boats south, they will have seen the gathering Salished armada in the southern port cities.

[Blueskin]

Is there room for one more? The Wyrm referred me to you fine bunch. I have a vague idea of current events.

The Knarrlings

My Hider

Clan Name: the Knarrlings
King Name: King Halvard Storstrand
Aliases: The Fisher King, Krakenkiller, Bonewhisper, Farsailer, Quickaxe, Seascorn, Manyfather

Government Type: More of a cultural identity then a government. Each community has its own chief, but amongst them they elect their 'King,' whose primary duty is collecting the tribute from each community that the Knarrlings then would pay to the High King. This position lasts for nine years and King Halvard has held this role for the last eight.

Non Human Species Descriptions: The Knarrlings trade with an aquatic people they call the Merrow. While roughly humanoid in shape they are far from it, with long powerful tails and monstrous heads they are inscrutable neighbours, as likely to attack a fishing vessel as leave it alone. The Merrow will often trade precious metals such as gold and silver or gems in exchange for steel and iron goods, usually weapons. There's a suspicion that the Merrow undertake their own wars deep beneath the water, though the Knarrlings dare not whisper of who they fight.

Location: To be decided.

Religion: Similar enough to other clans of the Broken Lands, though with an emphasis on sea and weather deities and spirits.

Clan Description: The Knarrlings take their name from the knarre, a particular design of longboat they prefer to fish and trade in. Smaller then the monster headed longships that many other clans prefer, they're well suited to then shallower waters between their islands and traversing up waterways inland. As a people, they are short and thin but wiry strong with hair bleached and skin darkened by the sun on the water.

Due to their homes being built into strange ancient depressions left by the Old Ones, the Knarrlings tattoo themselves with strange diagram-like lines that have been found there, the men favouring their arms and chests while the women prefer their legs and faces. The older members of their clan are covered in these strange markings, and also possessed of many names, given to them by their peers.

Until the peace brought by the first High King, the Knarrlings took up the favoured occupation of the Broken Lands: raiding their neighbours. While capable warriors, as a people they now prefer trade with their neighbours both human and otherwise, as well as gaining a great bounty from the sea. In the last decade, growing wealth has enabled them to grow in population and spread through their lands. Having never been a great people, they now have the chance to seize the opportunities available from this chaos, and a King ambitious enough to try.

Clan History: To be decided, dependant on neighbours. Raiding in the past, but peaceful trading most recently.

Regional Geography/Resources/Economy Details: The Knarrlings live on rocky coastlines and wind scoured islands. They make their homes in square rocklike depressions said to be left by the Old Ones with roofs made of driftwood and dry seaweed. Despite their coastal nature and lack of mining, the Knarrlings are rich in gold and silver from their trade with the Merrow. They then buy rough iron, smith it into what their watery allies desire and exchange it for treasures found from sunken ships or Old One relics.

Important Characters: Halvard Storstrad is the elected King of the Knarrlings and patriarch of a large family. Currently on his last year of his Kingship, the Knarrlings have grown wealthy under his leadership. He is known as an excellent seaman and fisherman; a dangerous profession on seas full of monsters.

Ingvild Storstrad is Halvard's eldest child and likely to be his heir. She is a powerful warrior and charismatic leader, though straightforward in her thinking. She's in her early thirties at the prime of her life.

Hjalmar Storstrad is the second child of Halvard's first wife. A serious and thoughtful man, Hjalmar has always stood behind his sister. Much less of a warrior, Hjalmar is studious and meticulous and takes to all intellectual pursuits quickly.

Knute Storstrad is the first child of Halvard's second wife. He is a sailer born and bred, perhaps even wiser then his father in the ways of the sea. He has a good relationship with the Merrow and counts himself a godly man, fearful and respectful of the capricious natures of the water gods.

Important Holdings: The Knarrlings hold only one grand settlement and are otherwise spread thinly throughout their lands. Oskandr is built over a large underground ruin from the days of the old ones. Three layers of great pillared halls linked by ramps form the central hub of the city, all of it made of smooth seamless stone. A more contemporary stone hall has been erected over top, and it is here the King resides and the chiefs meet.

The Laggard Tower is their most accomplished construction. It's a stone and mortar lighthouse, with a squat base to ward against the sea. The lantern room is a wonder, fuelled by by whale oil and built of panels of reflective material scavenged from Old One ruins.

Relation to other Factions: To be decided.

[Flagg]

Is there room for one more? The Wyrm referred me to you fine bunch. I have a vague idea of current events.

The Knarrlings

My Hider

Clan Name: the Knarrlings
King Name: King Halvard Storstrand
Aliases: The Fisher King, Krakenkiller, Bonewhisper, Farsailer, Quickaxe, Seascorn, Manyfather

Government Type: More of a cultural identity then a government. Each community has its own chief, but amongst them they elect their 'King,' whose primary duty is collecting the tribute from each community that the Knarrlings then would pay to the High King. This position lasts for nine years and King Halvard has held this role for the last eight.

Non Human Species Descriptions: The Knarrlings trade with an aquatic people they call the Merrow. While roughly humanoid in shape they are far from it, with long powerful tails and monstrous heads they are inscrutable neighbours, as likely to attack a fishing vessel as leave it alone. The Merrow will often trade precious metals such as gold and silver or gems in exchange for steel and iron goods, usually weapons. There's a suspicion that the Merrow undertake their own wars deep beneath the water, though the Knarrlings dare not whisper of who they fight.

Location: To be decided.

Religion: Similar enough to other clans of the Broken Lands, though with an emphasis on sea and weather deities and spirits.

Clan Description: The Knarrlings take their name from the knarre, a particular design of longboat they prefer to fish and trade in. Smaller then the monster headed longships that many other clans prefer, they're well suited to then shallower waters between their islands and traversing up waterways inland. As a people, they are short and thin but wiry strong with hair bleached and skin darkened by the sun on the water.

Due to their homes being built into strange ancient depressions left by the Old Ones, the Knarrlings tattoo themselves with strange diagram-like lines that have been found there, the men favouring their arms and chests while the women prefer their legs and faces. The older members of their clan are covered in these strange markings, and also possessed of many names, given to them by their peers.

Until the peace brought by the first High King, the Knarrlings took up the favoured occupation of the Broken Lands: raiding their neighbours. While capable warriors, as a people they now prefer trade with their neighbours both human and otherwise, as well as gaining a great bounty from the sea. In the last decade, growing wealth has enabled them to grow in population and spread through their lands. Having never been a great people, they now have the chance to seize the opportunities available from this chaos, and a King ambitious enough to try.

Clan History: To be decided, dependant on neighbours. Raiding in the past, but peaceful trading most recently.

Regional Geography/Resources/Economy Details: The Knarrlings live on rocky coastlines and wind scoured islands. They make their homes in square rocklike depressions said to be left by the Old Ones with roofs made of driftwood and dry seaweed. Despite their coastal nature and lack of mining, the Knarrlings are rich in gold and silver from their trade with the Merrow. They then buy rough iron, smith it into what their watery allies desire and exchange it for treasures found from sunken ships or Old One relics.

Important Characters: Halvard Storstrad is the elected King of the Knarrlings and patriarch of a large family. Currently on his last year of his Kingship, the Knarrlings have grown wealthy under his leadership. He is known as an excellent seaman and fisherman; a dangerous profession on seas full of monsters.

Ingvild Storstrad is Halvard's eldest child and likely to be his heir. She is a powerful warrior and charismatic leader, though straightforward in her thinking. She's in her early thirties at the prime of her life.

Hjalmar Storstrad is the second child of Halvard's first wife. A serious and thoughtful man, Hjalmar has always stood behind his sister. Much less of a warrior, Hjalmar is studious and meticulous and takes to all intellectual pursuits quickly.

Knute Storstrad is the first child of Halvard's second wife. He is a sailer born and bred, perhaps even wiser then his father in the ways of the sea. He has a good relationship with the Merrow and counts himself a godly man, fearful and respectful of the capricious natures of the water gods.

Important Holdings: The Knarrlings hold only one grand settlement and are otherwise spread thinly throughout their lands. Oskandr is built over a large underground ruin from the days of the old ones. Three layers of great pillared halls linked by ramps form the central hub of the city, all of it made of smooth seamless stone. A more contemporary stone hall has been erected over top, and it is here the King resides and the chiefs meet.

The Laggard Tower is their most accomplished construction. It's a stone and mortar lighthouse, with a squat base to ward against the sea. The lantern room is a wonder, fuelled by by whale oil and built of panels of reflective material scavenged from Old One ruins.

Relation to other Factions: To be decided.

@Blueskin

Welcome aboard! You can stick your CS in the char tab as you work on it, but you're accepted.