[OOC] Blood on the Sands: Azoth at War (Open!)

[Flagg]

I would also be against a Discord - I've seen a lot of RPs sputter and die out as soon as one is introduced, simply because everyone is talking too much about the things that their characters might do or the places the story might go and nobody's actually posting, as well as the fact that the discussion can move so fast that less active people tend to be left behind and drift away from the RP. Just my two cents, though.

@Cairo

Alright well put. Case closed on the discord.

[Slamurai]

Barsabbas, the "Phantom General"

Barsabbas wears armor and wields weapons of Soulsteel, crafted in the pits of the Claws by unknown means.

Barsabbas Ahsaz

Description:
Barsabbas commands the Firebrands, a rogue warband that operates from the north of the Red Desert. Once, Barsabbas was an esteemed Salished cavalry officer; now he operates independently under no jurisdiction but his own. Attempts by the Shashul to bring him to heel have met in failure, as his warband eludes capture between the Claws' twisted maze of rock. This notoriety has earned him the moniker of the “Phantom General.”

The theories as to why Barsabbas broke away from the Empire are many, but only he and a number of close confidants know the truth. Three years ago, Barsabbas journeyed into the Godsfang Mountains, the lands of the Saliszis' ancestors. He claimed to be led by visions of the Forge Gods, and took an entourage of six of his most trusted advisers with him on the journey. For months they disappeared from the public eye, until it was reported that a number of Barsabbas's ranks had deserted their posts, taking with them valuable Soulsteel ingots and weapons, and several of the smaller, mobile counterparts to the great Soul Forges.

Whether Barsabbas and his men communed with their hungry Forge Gods at the peak of the Godsfangs, or learned some awful truth from the Crone Wisdoms, or made a pact with another entity entirely, no one can be sure. All that can be said with some certainty is Barsabbas has the means to produce his own Soulsteel, without the fires of the true Soul Forges, and has the support of several desert tribes: Avanagashans and Varyonese.

Race: Human: Saliszi
Faction/Unit: The Firebrands
Location: The Claws

The Firebrands

Massed tribal cavalry makes up the core of the Firebrands' fighting force.

The Firebrands

Type: Warband
Faction/Unit: Loyal to Barsabbas
Description:
The Firebrands, as they have come to be called, were elements of the Salished war machine under Barsabbas's command. Many followed their commander as he went rogue, either out of personal loyalty or an intent to see his plans realized. They operate from the shadow of the Claws, having carved their domain out of the narrow passes and treacherous crags. This provides them with a natural defense and hiding place with which to undertake their machinations in secrecy.

Deep inside the Claws, one can sometimes see towers of smoke churning from the makeshift forges Barsabbas uses to craft his own Soulsteel. How he's managed to replicate the process without the holy Soul Forges is beyond the Salished's comprehension, but the weapons made in this manner are not a one-to-one match with those that emerge from the fires of the true forges. These are no less effective, but glow with baleful energies and are known to shriek as they kill. Attempts to follow the trail of the smoke to the Firebrands' whereabouts is a treacherous prospect, as booby traps and hidden fortifications are strewn throughout the passes.

From the Claws, Barsabbas stages raids on weaker factions to gain valuable supplies and offers the defeated a place under his banner. With every victory his losses are replenished with new bodies, yet he keeps his ranks compact enough to conceal and maneuver without great difficulty. Though the Firebrands retains a sizable core of cataphract cavalry, most of its numbers are light horsemen and skirmishers drawn from local tribes. Befitting of their leader's nickname, they appear suddenly, harrying their enemies from unexpected directions before picking off disorganized elements piecemeal. Then, they will steal away whatever assets and valuables they can find before vanishing as quickly as they arrived.

Heavily-armored cataphracts act as Barsabbas's elite soldiers.

[Nib]

@Flagg Does this work?

Hider

[Nieszka]

If Barsabbas spent any time in the Godsfangs at all, he probably had some interaction with the strong people that make that land their home.

[Slamurai]

If Barsabbas spent any time in the Godsfangs at all, he probably had some interaction with the strong people that make that land their home.

@Nieszka

The Saliszis' ancestors came from the Godsfangs when they conquered the Rainlanders, so I wonder what the Saliszi think about other people living there now.

[Nieszka]

Since the Saliszi came from a single tribe of mountain folk, the Arakkai living there now predate the Saliszi empire.

Edit: @Aristo Perhaps the original Saliszi were exiled for their practice of human sacrifice by the other tribes of the Godsfang mountains.

[Flagg]

Barsabbas, the "Phantom General"

Barsabbas wears armor and wields weapons of Soulsteel, crafted in the pits of the Claws by unknown means.

Barsabbas Ahsaz

Description:
Barsabbas commands the Firebrands, a rogue warband that operates from the north of the Red Desert. Once, Barsabbas was an esteemed Salished cavalry officer; now he operates independently under no jurisdiction but his own. Attempts by the Shashul to bring him to heel have met in failure, as his warband eludes capture between the Claws' twisted maze of rock. This notoriety has earned him the moniker of the “Phantom General.”

The theories as to why Barsabbas broke away from the Empire are many, but only he and a number of close confidants know the truth. Three years ago, Barsabbas journeyed into the Godsfang Mountains, the lands of the Saliszis' ancestors. He claimed to be led by visions of the Forge Gods, and took an entourage of six of his most trusted advisers with him on the journey. For months they disappeared from the public eye, until it was reported that a number of Barsabbas's ranks had deserted their posts, taking with them valuable Soulsteel ingots and weapons, and several of the smaller, mobile counterparts to the great Soul Forges.

Whether Barsabbas and his men communed with their hungry Forge Gods at the peak of the Godsfangs, or learned some awful truth from the Crone Wisdoms, or made a pact with another entity entirely, no one can be sure. All that can be said with some certainty is Barsabbas has the means to produce his own Soulsteel, without the fires of the true Soul Forges, and has the support of several desert tribes: Avanagashans and Varyonese.

Race: Human: Saliszi
Faction/Unit: The Firebrands
Location: The Claws

The Firebrands

Massed tribal cavalry makes up the core of the Firebrands' fighting force.

The Firebrands

Type: Warband
Faction/Unit: Loyal to Barsabbas
Description:
The Firebrands, as they have come to be called, were elements of the Salished war machine under Barsabbas's command. Many followed their commander as he went rogue, either out of personal loyalty or an intent to see his plans realized. They operate from the shadow of the Claws, having carved their domain out of the narrow passes and treacherous crags. This provides them with a natural defense and hiding place with which to undertake their machinations in secrecy.

Deep inside the Claws, one can sometimes see towers of smoke churning from the makeshift forges Barsabbas uses to craft his own Soulsteel. How he's managed to replicate the process without the holy Soul Forges is beyond the Salished's comprehension, but the weapons made in this manner are not a one-to-one match with those that emerge from the fires of the true forges. These are no less effective, but glow with baleful energies and are known to shriek as they kill. Attempts to follow the trail of the smoke to the Firebrands' whereabouts is a treacherous prospect, as booby traps and hidden fortifications are strewn throughout the passes.

From the Claws, Barsabbas stages raids on weaker factions to gain valuable supplies and offers the defeated a place under his banner. With every victory his losses are replenished with new bodies, yet he keeps his ranks compact enough to conceal and maneuver without great difficulty. Though the Firebrands retains a sizable core of cataphract cavalry, most of its numbers are light horsemen and skirmishers drawn from local tribes. Befitting of their leader's nickname, they appear suddenly, harrying their enemies from unexpected directions before picking off disorganized elements piecemeal. Then, they will steal away whatever assets and valuables they can find before vanishing as quickly as they arrived.

Heavily-armored cataphracts act as Barsabbas's elite soldiers.

@Aristo

Love it, accepted!

[Slamurai]

Since the Saliszi came from a single tribe of mountain folk, the Arakkai living there now predate the Saliszi empire.

Edit: @Aristo Perhaps the original Saliszi were exiled for their practice of human sacrifice by the other tribes of the Godsfang mountains.

@Nieszka

That's fine; I guess there could be numerous tribes of people that have called the Godsfangs their home.
Though it might be a stretch for the Saliszi to have been kicked out - as written in the OP history, they already had Soulsteel by the time they conquered the Rainland, which likely means they were the dominant power in the Godsfangs beforehand. That's open to interpretation, of course.

I'd imagine the Arakkai have lived under the shadow of the Salished since its founding, and either are too elusive or aren't worth the Empire's time to try and conquer.

[Nieszka]

If the Saliszi had soulsteel in the Godsfang mountains, it likely wouldn't be too far of a stretch to say that the secret of its making still lies in that region, unless of course, they acquired it after leaving the peaks. If they did find it after leaving, then who's to say why they left? I am warming up to the idea that the secret lies within the mountains themselves, however.

And as for living under the Saliszi Empire, well the Godsfangs are as much in Drathan territory as they are in the Saliszi's, and the Saliszi Empire has not been able to conquer the Dratha. Maybe they weren't able to make any offensive move against the people of the mountains.

[Flagg]

<Snipped quote by Nieszka>

That's fine; I guess there could be numerous tribes of people that have called the Godsfangs their home.
Though it might be a stretch for the Saliszi to have been kicked out - as written in the OP history, they already had Soulsteel by the time they conquered the Rainland, which likely means they were the dominant power in the Godsfangs beforehand. That's open to interpretation, of course.

I'd imagine the Arakkai have lived under the shadow of the Salished since its founding, and either are too elusive or aren't worth the Empire's time to try and conquer.

@Aristo

Just to note that the Godfangs are considerably more extensive than what is on the map. You could have conflicted stories about the origins of the Saliszi- some saying they were exiled, others that they just straight up left to go and conquer. Would be interesting if there were 'good' saliszi left in the mountains, those that didnt fall to the worship of the forge-gods and the cult of human sacrifice.

I imagine the Salished Empire would continually skirmish with the mountain tribes and send in raiding parties for sacrifices, as the Drathans do for slaves.

[Nieszka]

I can certainly work with that, though I don't know how to work good Salizsi into my tribal lore. What say you to the origin of Soulsteel? @Flagg

[Nib]

Any tribes from the Godsfang would probably know about The Hermit and maybe some would have sought him out at some point.

[Nieszka]

Hmmm... The Tribes people worship the Wanderer and the Pantheon, which includes the Wisdoms, creatures important especially to the lore of their priestesses, their wise women. It'd be interesting to work out how they would view a character who thinks himself cursed by them.

[Flagg]

I can certainly work with that, though I don't know how to work good Salizsi into my tribal lore. What say you to the origin of Soulsteel? @Flagg

@Nieszka

It's up to you about what tribes are currently up in the mountains- was just a thought. As for Soulsteel, I am open to suggestions. I had a vague notion that the Saliszi were menaced by a warlord possessed by the Gore Lord and made a pact with the Forge Gods and their priests to save themselves, but the bargain turned out to be faustian. But I'm not dedicated to that idea. thoughts?

[Nieszka]

That idea is a cool one to me. How would the bargain affect everyday users of soulsteel? Is there a price for using the superior weapons?

[Flagg]

That idea is a cool one to me. How would the bargain affect everyday users of soulsteel? Is there a price for using the superior weapons?

@Nieszka

Use would progressively open users to possession. The cult has elite fanatics who are basically controlled by their weapons. Saliszi nobles only wear their weapons in battle to avoid such a fate. Only extremely strong willed or otherwise protected individuals could resist the demonic influence over time.

[Darkspleen]

I would love to join if you still have an open slot.

[Slamurai]

<Snipped quote by Nieszka>

Use would progressively open users to possession. The cult has elite fanatics who are basically controlled by their weapons. Saliszi nobles only wear their weapons in battle to avoid such a fate. Only extremely strong willed or otherwise protected individuals could resist the demonic influence over time.

@Flagg

I wonder what this means for my knockoff-Soulsteel?

[DracoLunaris]

took me long enough

The Long Fangs

Description: A band of bounty hunters, bound by blood
Faction: The Lawbringers
Location: The Red Desert
Synopsis of Role: the long fangs formed after 12 mercenaries took a contract to defend one of the last Nyr'kiin hives in the red desert from a marauding tribe demanding tribute from them. The 5 survivors have stuck together since and one by one became followers of the red god Iustitia. They wander the Red Desert fighting for just causes while the thirst slowly takes hold of their bodies and minds.

---

Artizian Morthimer

Race: Bloodhunter/human
Faction: The Long Fangs
Location: The Red Desert
Description: Leader of the long fangs and source of their thirst. Once a Saliszi of high renowned in his youth the now aging warrior fled into the desert after slaying his lord for a crime that changes every time he retells the story.

---

Rak-Trakin

Race: Bloodhunter/Nyr'kiin
Faction: The Long Fangs
Location: The Red Desert
Description: A rare instance of a freethinking Nyr'kiin, Rak left his his home hive to wander the wastes, only to return to defend it years later. There he finally found belonging, not with his kin but with the other warriors who came to their defence.

---

Sett

Race: Bloodhunter/Mutant
Faction: The Long Fangs
Location: The Red Desert
Description: A former Drathan slave soldier the seldom spoken Sett was the first to accept the faith of Iustitia into her heart. She has sworn an oath of vengeance against all slavers and her transformation is the furthest along as a result, interacting with her pre existing mutations in strange and terrifying ways.

---

Sophia Salruned

Race: Bloodhunter/human
Faction: The Long Fangs
Location: The Red Desert
Description: A former monster hunter who captured or hunted the horrors of the desert for a Drathan patron who collected them for study. She joined the 12 in an attempt to get close enough to add Artizian to her patrons collection but found herself unable to kill the noble monster so after weeks of battling by his side.

---

Doctor Crosain

Race: Bloodhunter/human/mutant
Faction: The Long Fangs
Location: The Red Desert
Description: A man seeking a method of harnessing the powers of raw icor for medicinal purposes. So far, no medicinal breakthroughs have been achieved but plenty of very dangerous, and sometimes explosive, concoctions have been created from the failures. Bounty hunting and common medicine pay for supplies to continue his work, the thirst a potential for an eternity of study.

[Slamurai]

@Flagg I was thinking that the sacrifice of warriors would be preferred for soulsteel, as some of their essence is embedded in the weapon. The user could call upon the prowess of said warrior in battle, making them stronger, giving them the wisdom of of fallen generals or the knowledge of enemies. Soulsteel weapons with the essence of long-dead heroes would be especially prized, maybe hereditary. Maybe it'd even be an honor for an esteemed commander to 'donate' himself to a blade at his time of death.