The Armies of Spam: A Medieval Fantasy Spamfic [Interest Check]

[Foxxie]

I'll enclose a little bit of backstory below, but if you don't really care to read it, I'll sum up the present plot in a few lines after the hider. More history will likely be provided in the actual Spamfic, as this might be a little muddy in its current form.

The actual story thread is now here.

History

Two hundred years ago, the two dominant kingdoms on the island of Alspmar became embroiled in a bloody conflict that would last nearly a century. Börsegeld, in the north, had grown tired of Ensis's constant border threats and imposed a trade embargo, effectively denying the south access to their rich farms and bustling trade ports. At this, the entire continent bristled and the Kyrien River that formed the border between the two mighty empires soon ran red with gore. The narrow, rocky expanses that once housed trade became choked up with men at arms and caravans of spies. The warrior kings of Ensis gained the upper hand once they seized the fertile plains around the shores of the Petol lake after decades of stalemate, and Börsegeld soon relented once its major harbors were burned to the ground. While onlookers could never see a different outcome in a power struggle between skilled commanders and pompous, worldly aristocrats, those in power knew that a victory from any means besides total annihilation of one side or the other would inevitably result in yet another conflict in the years to come. The reigning monarch of loosely-structured Ensis carved out the majority of the farmland from Börsegeld and from Ensis and created a separate kingdom along the other side of the profitable gulf that Börsegeld once monopolized. Naming this small tract of land after her father, Tilrive, Queen Tamsin ruled for fifty long years, ensuring that the prosperous new kingdom acted as a mediator by regulating trade, offering themselves out as ambassadors to the tense meetings between the bilstering rivals, and by enforcing borders with those knights still loyal to Tamsin.

After Tamsin ruled similar peaceful monarchs, those content with tempering the harsh history between the diametrically opposed lands that spread out on either side of them. Tilrive was never seen as a threat, but it was never a kingdom to be ignored, not with its resources and intimate knowledge of both Ensis and Börsegeld. As a new ruler ascends to the throne, all citizens of Alspmar sit in anxious anticipation, as there have been rumors that another war could be just waiting to unfurl. Both Börsegeld and Ensis distrust each other immensely, but they share a common interest in Tilrive's land and keep an ear to the ground for signs that the newest ruler might be one to rouse an army or attempt to dominate the continent with its strategic minds and location, as any reason to launch an offensive while Börsegeld's coffers are full and Ensis's warriors are restless would unite the two great powers unlike any cause in thousands of years.

Meanwhile, as old wounds started to heal on Alspmar and it seemed that old enemies might even join together to abolish a symbol of their sullied past, a curious band of foreigners docked on the coast of Ensis and start a settlement of sorts on the southwest peninsula. Claiming to be friars, but armed to the teeth like knights, Le Pauvroi were a group of well-kempt men who aspired to be nobles and spouted nonsense about such concepts as "chivalry", "fraternity", and "equality". They proved themselves to be worthy fighters by clearing out and defending the expanse of land they decided to call home, uprooting a fairly old clan and claiming their towers to be theirs. They now amble around all three kingdoms, recruiting talented bladesmen to join their quest to search for fae relics and spread the teachings of their sovereign lord. Their presence is met with suspicion from those deeply ensworn to the old gods, and with annoyance by those who believe that war and manners have no place being taught in the same hall.

Our story begins on the brink of war, with two ancient kingdoms, one ruled by ambassadors, merchants, and coin (Börsegeld) and the other held together by military heroes and powerful clan leaders (Ensis), willing to put aside the bloodiest conflict that they had ever seen in order to conquer the small, crafty, and fairly unpredictable new kingdom of Tilrive. While Tilrive has been quiet and beneficent in the past, a peacekeeper of sorts, it was built out of valuable pieces of both kingdoms and a sudden change in leadership has sent the entire island into a panic, as nobody knows what this new king will do with the bountiful resources and valuable knowledge stored within the tiny kingdom. To make matters worse, a group of deeply spiritual, socially-learned, and swashbuckling knights has made a corner of Ensis their new home and is doing nothing to ease the tensions felt among the three major powers. These friar-knights, called Le Pauvroi, seek fae artifacts, and will roam the lands on a quest that may well become the impetus to a conflict that will hold no clear victor among these deeply entangled lands.

And Map

So, if you have any interest in this endeavor (it might be funny, it will definitely have lots of stuff going on, it will result in battles!), feel free to fill out this brief sheet so that I can insert you into this tale. Or just say something vague that suggests your interest and I'll be all over that.

Name: If you want to give yourself a title, feel free. I'll see if I can make it stick.
Affiliation: Do you want to be loyal to Börsegeld, Ensis, or Tilrive? Or perhaps you'd rather be a roving knight? It's your choice.
Special Trait: If you really want me to know that your character is incredibly amazing at something, I can probably fit it in. Or a historical detail, a nervous tic, anything, really. Just something that'll make your character unique that you want total control over.
Names of Towns: I don't want to name a bunch of towns on my own, thanks. These will be used.
Prose/Verse: Totally optional. I want to know if anyone would be down with me writing this in rime royale (a-b-a-b-b-c-c rhyme scheme), bob and wheel stanzas (long stanzas with a short, rhyming ending to each one, much harder to note on paper without an example) or ballade format or if you just want me to write the damn thing as prose.

[Shy]

Name: Sir Shy.
Affiliation: Tilvire
Special Trait: Can I just wander off and get lost every time someone needs me? That's basically what I do in life.
Names of Towns: Straton, Crowden, Sanstal, Rockbend, Trois-Riviere, South Canter.
Prose/Verse: Challenge yourself go for the verse.

I'm not really around to post anymore but I definitely check in enough to read.

[aza]

Mmmmmm

Do I have to make a sheet?
Just write me
k cool <3

[Derpestein]

Oooooohhh.
Expect something from me that vaguely looks like a sheet.

[Cpt Toellner]

Name: Toellus Maximus Verrucosus Cunctator (Toellus)
Affiliation: Ensis
Traits: An experienced general when it comes to land battles, cautious to begin a fight, but ruthless once in battle. He cares very little for morales, and civilian casualties mean nothing to him. Liked by his men, considered a monster by the Börsegeld, and a necessary evil by the Ensis.
Town Name: Arxis.

[BrobyDDark]

Name: Broby Gangritch
Affiliation: No affiliation. Just a wandering warrior.
Special Trait: Blacks out around 7:30 Am and wakes up at 1:30 PM with no memory of anything he did when he blacked out. This could make for some interesting moments.
Names of Towns: Vorvelade
Prose/Verse: Prose

[Alphakoka]

Name: Koka Reisender
Affiliation: Adventurer!
Special Trait: Knows all the paths and shortcuts to and from all the places for one reason or another even if it doesn't make sense. Good fighter with staff and polearm, decent brawler, runaway artist.
Names of Towns: Elpolis, Fellhall, Porto-di-Angela.

[Halo]

Name: Extasis Veritas (yay4Latin)
Affiliation: Börsegeld, just to balance the affiliations of current sheets out.
Special Trait: Neither a grand conspirator nor a pawn to be used; he is crafty enough not to put himself at risk by aiming too high or too low. A skilled orator, his primary weapon lies in the art of persuasion and in his ability to convincingly adopt a charismatic air of charm. He generally wants to avoid war, both for his own purposes and for the good of the people. He is not oily and slick as many characters of this type stereotypically are; instead, he is actually rather genuine and earnest, which aids his persuasive ability, although his motivations (and what lies he may or may not be telling at any one time) are not always clear. In other words, he uses the power of speech, diplomacy, lies and guile towards the good of the nation (and, if possible, his own ends), but believes that he knows best how to do that - he's always playing his own game, not acting on anyone else's behalves or thoughts/beliefs.
Names of Towns: I'll come back to this!
Prose/Verse: Personally I'd prefer prose. This isn't a writing exercise for university; it's more a piece of entertainment. Therefore the challenge is to entertain your audience, not to stretch your writing ability to the maximum, which personally I believe will be easier and better-achieved if you're not forced to conform to some set of rules or limits on how you can write (such as rhyme/rhythm schemes, etc.) Prose is easier to write and read, as it's so much more freeform.

[Foxxie]

Azarthes said
MmmmmmDo I have to make a sheet?Just write me k cool <3

I figured this would be your response, so I clearly have something in mind for you.

As for Halo's point, I don't mind if the factions get imbalanced, as these wandering adventurers can always swear fealty at some moment in the story if need be. Plus, I figured that Börsegeld would be small and unpopular, but who knows what more sheets will bring?

[Halo]

Foxxie said
I figured this would be your response, so I clearly have something in mind for you.As for Halo's point, I don't mind if the factions get imbalanced, as these wandering adventurers can always swear fealty at some moment in the story if need be. Plus, I figured that Börsegeld would be small and unpopular, but who knows what more sheets will bring?

My character fits more with the "ambassador/merchant" type anyway, so it works out. ^^

[aza]

Foxxie said
I figured this would be your response, so I clearly have something in mind for you.

Good.
I'm glad.

[Holmishire]

Name: Holmishire, Holmi, or Shire.
Affiliation: Börsegeld
Special Trait: I like making people believe I'm something I'm not.
Names of Towns: Erebor, Yttria, Irisjen, Oklah, Hither, Marithax, Welfin.
Prose/Verse: While I love ballads, depending on how long you make this, it might become annoying after a while. Perhaps a mixture might be ideal, with a ballad introducing each section of prose? Ultimately up to you, though.

[Dervish]

Name: Sir Dervish Dervington
Affiliation: Ensis
Special Trait: Has a reputation for such incredible stamina, he never seems to tire and his men never seem to know when he sleeps. Outside of battle, he is good natured and is known for having a sense of humour, but in battle a much different beast comes alive as he is thrilled by combat and the spectacle of destruction and takes pride in the martial prowess of himself and his men.
Names of Towns: Avalon, Teraxium, Spearhead, Highwater, Goslin, Heilund
Prose/Verse: Whichever works for the character.

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

Name: Clirkus of Pickleberg
Affiliation: Börsegeld, I have an affinity for the north
Special Trait: Soulful violin player/storyteller. Soulful.
Names of Towns: Surda, Halmar, Tihr, Uxhal, Praven
Prose/Verse: Haiku but for srs I'm not good at this poetry thing so I guess it's up to you.

[Dervish]

Raxacoricofallapatorius said
Name: Clirkus of Pickleberg Affiliation: Börsegeld, I have an affinity for the northSpecial Trait: Soulful violin player/storyteller. .Names of Towns: Surda, Halmar, Tihr, Uxhal, PravenProse/Verse: but for srs I'm not good at this poetry thing so I guess it's up to you.

Swadian scum. :[

[Elendra]

Name: Ashra-el
Affiliation: Banditry
Special Trait: Has a powerful Fae Artefact. Rules an either very mobile or well defended bandit clan (likely due to power from the aforementioned artefact). You can pick where they're centred on the map~ UPDATE: Requests, this and being somewhere along this. Also not knowing the full power of the Artefact, maybe?
Names of Towns: Eshar, Halhaltumari, Askastai, Aggatar, Wesuirya, Zaluganu, Wesrites
Prose/Verse: make it read good

[genghismike]

Took a further glance into this, and damn those naval battles. I want to see more. Locations of harbors, forts, etc? Tilrive is completely protected on all sides by bodies of water ( The lake, river border, bay, and deep water ) thus making me presume that it would have good naval capabilities. It also allows for the quick transport of troops and supplies. And considering it's a small piece of land, it wouldn't take very long to send troops to reinforce various key points at whim. It's nigh suicide to cross a body of water to attack an opposing force.

[idlehands]

Aza said
Mmmmmm

Do I have to make a sheet?
Just write me
k cool <3

^
I'm so behind on all my RPs but I want in. Make Aza and I adorable and witty little jesters that make tongue and cheek observations about all the goings on.

[Doivid]

hi

[Sole]

Name: Mr. Floyd

Affiliation: None
Special Trait: No one can notice this character aside from the author and readers, making this character untouchable by the other characters. On the same token, this character does not have the ability to do anything of significance that would not be considered neutral.

Names of Towns: Names Town, Town of Names, and the Town of Many Names

Prose/Verse: Every new posts starts with an inspirational haiku regarding Taco Bell. Every mid section of a post requires a ballad of the letter "E." Every conclusion of a post requires a soliloquy focusing on the hardships the white male American faces because of reverse racism. And every post must include a poll that gives players absolute control over what a random character will eat in your post. Before those polls can be conducted, another poll will be done to determine this character. You must request character submissions by your readers.