"A single stab with a knife, ended a dynasty that has ruled since the dawn of time. A murder, that will set Zengrav aflame.."
Play a Warlord in an Russian/China-esque dieslpunk country, fighting for Nationalism, Monarchy, Communism or Democracy in an great internal war inspired by the Boshin, the Spanish, the Russian and the Chines civil war! You are a member of a greater faction, with the potential of rising through the ranks, gaining International support and even ending up taking the nation for yourself! Glory awaits, comrade!
Ten years have passed, since the last Heavenly Emperor was murdered on the steps of his palace. Ten years, that have seen the most deadly war, this world has ever seen. The Heavenly Empire has fractured into hundred of small realms of petty warlords. Even the crownation of a new emperor, could not end the unleashed madness of war, brought about by the end of the heavenly dynasty. Ten years of bitter fighting later, four factions have emerged from the ashes, all with a new vision for Zengrav, determinate to shape the nation into their ideal state...
-The Whites [The Nationalists]: Founded during the White-Shirt uprising in the capital city of Zang-Quin, the Whites have been considered all but defeated, after their catastrophic loss in the steppes near the border city of Saraat, by the Royalists. With most of its leaders either executed or forced to endure the horrible "two-sides" torture, salvation came, from an unlikely source. The fascist state of Lavania sized the City in one quick sweep, liberating the Whites inside, and providing them with arms, equipment and training. Owning the least amount of territory, the Whites had a whole winter, to regain their strength, and muster the best equipped and trained army of all the four factions. Yet, with Yesui Olya, their great leader, turned into an morphine addled mutilated shadow of her former self,by the vile blades and glowing irons of the blacks, the once so united White-Shirts begin to wonder, who may take her place, should she succumb to her injuries
Will they restore Zengrav to old glory, reforge it to a modern nation, lead by the principles of fascism and nationalism?
-The Blacks [The Royalists]: The old Minga nobility has mostly rallied to the banner of the newly crowned child emperor Otgonbayar the V. Holding the most land, their grip is loose, as their support by the people is dwindling, as ideas about new ways spread. But their Banners, award to them during the golden age of the Heavenly Empire itself, still inspire men of honor to join the cause of the empire, and while others rely on outside help, they still hold the armories of old, fortresses build in days of glory and thousands of minor nobles, ready to take up the sword, to defend the honor of the emperor to fight a war in the age of Machine guns? Their main weakness lies in their own squabbles, as many of the more powerful warlords themselves harbor ambitions for the thrown, able to provide a claim, just as legitimate as the child emperors himself. Will they unite behind the old banner of the Heavenly Empire? Or will they cruble to the tide of new ideas?
-The Blues [The Republicans]: During the decline of the empire, many looked at the nation of the world for inspiration of reform. Called "the blue vests" they were mostly students of minor nobility and the merchant class, reviving educations in the universities of the world. The idea of democracy spread with them, and soon "Blue-Idea clubs" would form all over the major cities of Zengrav. The crumbling empire was in no state to stop them, and with the death of the emperor, they saw their chance. Storming the old academies and newly build Universities, they began to proclaim the "United Peoples-State of Zengrav", with the young and charismatic Heegon Wu, elected as first chancellor of the new republic. And while the nations of the world are skeptical over the legitimacy of the election held in the territory held by the blues, many intellectuals, artists and students all celebrating Chancellor Wu, and an endless stream of donations and volunteers have arrived, forming the Liberation Brigades to bring the light of democracy all over the ruins of the heavenly empire!
Will their struggle end in the formation of a modern republic, a beacon of light in a world driving towards the conflict of freedom and order?
-The Reds [The Communists]: Zengrav was humiliated during the time of the unjust treaties, and few deny that it what finally lead to the decline of the empire itself. Yet, the League of seven still enforces its power with an iron grip, demanding its payments and sizing major cities along the Zeng-Sea as international territory. It was this step, that provoked the radicals of the blues to split off, and form their own faction, the reds. Following a radical Ideology under the leadership of the "Wise old Brother" Reg-ahn, their Red-Turban uprising took control of the heavily industrialized three river region, nationalizing outside factories and plantations. Split between countless factions, with the red turbans believing in empowering the worker and soldier unions, while others believe in the "Wise old Brother doctrine", proclaiming an total control of all means of production by the peoples state. Radicals, Anarchists, Syndicalists and Communists alike are following the call to arms and the Reds can rely on a huge mass of international support.
Will the workers, farmers and sailors of Zengrav finally be liberated from their chains? Will the people rise and bring the nation into the future as a peoples Republic?
So whats the base idea?
Great that you ask, Jimmy! Base idea is an nation rp, in which you are not playing a nation! You are playing a clique, a warlord serving a greater cause. There will be an NPC leader above you, a bigger fish, able to cut you off from your supply, should you decide to go fully against your factions will!
-Does that mean i am just a grunt with no free will?
Not at all! You still play a sub-faction, with substantial power inside your faction. Dont get the wrong impression, even the Blues are far from unified and the chaos that Zengrav is in, is a breeding ground for ambition. Over the length of the rp, your clique will gain more and more influence inside your faction, have to deal with rivals and may get to a point, at which it may even take over.
-What will the Setting be? Fantasy?
The setting will be a 1920-40s world, quite similar to ours in a few aspects, with a few exceptions! There are no elves, dragons or the like. Fauna and Flora can be different from our world, but please, keep it in the realm of reasonable! (Yes, Mammoth and other mega-fauna cavalry can potentially be a thing...)
- Radio, newspapers and cinema already have conquered the cities of the "civilized" world, and as such, recordings of the Zengravi Civil War are common around the world.
-Will i have no amount of liberty to make my faction unique?
Oh Jimmy, you are in for a treat! Zengrav has twelve distinguished people for eight i will provide lore and background, with the rest are left open for grabs by the players. You are more then welcome to create a sub-people among them, unique to your faction!
Who is your warlord? Where does he come from? Who follows him and why? How is his army armed, how are they payed? Where is his base of operation? All that, i leave up to you, the player!
