Hello fellow RPGuilders! Welcome to the world of Terra Inreperta, a fantastical version of Earth where magic could exist and humans aren't the sole sentient race on the planet. The era is somewhere the 15-16th century, the age of exploration and discoveries. The point of time where knightly romances and swashbuckler tales can exist together. This is the basic setting. The rest? They are all up to the players. As it goes with most NRPs the spirit of the game is chiefly determined by what kind of nations the players generate. The only difference will be that I try my best to keep this consistent. If you create a new race then neighbors or maybe even other countries can have some people from your species. You have a fancy unique technology? Chances are high others already tried to copy you. Nations living close to each other also form a cultural block. This gives you advantages like helping to improve your technology by borrowing from others. But this also limits the style of your nation somewhat. Unless you have a specific reason nations that stick out from the rest like a sore thumb either need to move or conform. The first aim is to create an unique, fun but consistent world. I warn you in advance that this means you probably need to adjust your profile a few times before the RP even starts. It can be a bit annoying but believe me, I only give you constructive criticism. I only mean you well.
Okay, so how this thing goes? Well, to join you'd need to fill up a typical NS format.
NATION NAME
(your crest, symbol or flag can go here)
Location
(Pick a real life or historical country/landmass name to claim, alternatively you can supply a picture, don't be too greedy!)
General Introduction
(because history may change depending on the final concensus on the setting I'm just satisfied with a short intro. What is your nation? What they do? How they live? etc...)
History
(You can ignore this part for now because the game's setting is ambigious at the beginning. Once it took shape you can work on your background more. Albeit if your General Intro already covers the history we need you can just skip this)
Government & Society
(I decided to combine these two and maybe even several other categories because I feel they are often related. You can detail here the type of your government, who are your important people. How the people live and what's their mentality like. You can talk about minorities, demographics, population. If you have an unique judicial system you may also want to detail it here. And of course you can mention what is your unique races are like. First come first serve. If a player already made elves then they have priority. You can of coure discuss things with that person and come to an agreement. Race/species descriptions must be always put in seperate hiders so they can be easily found. Think of something like this:
Garden Gnomes are tiny humanoids at average 10-14 inches in height.
Economy & Industry
(What are your primary exports and imports? How much you trade? How are your craftsmen organized? How developed is your technology? What kind of unique creations you have? etc...)
Military Overview
(Yeah, of course you also need to tell us some about your military. Try to avoid number games and unhealthy arms races. We play this game for fun and that needs balance and sensible approach. One of the main guidelines is that your nation's military shouldn't be much better than a historical 15-16th century army. Don't worry, I don't ask you historical accuracy. So-called "super units" can be okay if they are rather rare and may have other limitations. The point is to let you do cool things and explore your creativity but at the same time don't do it at the expense of others.)
That's about it. Locations not claimed by any players will become NPCs based after the historical nations in the region. If nobody claims the Iberian Peninsula then you'll be hearing about the Spanish Armada, for example. Also like player nations these NPCs will be influenced by the other nations nearby. If you have magic users then maybe the Spanish also develop magical means for themselves (or chase mages to the ends of the Earth with a new kind of Inquisition) Or Genovese may employ Elven Archers as mercenaries. The possibilities are endless.
Interested. I always liked the time period, but I never see it much represented in RPs or in fiction in general. Do I need to post a nation here, or is there going to be a move to an OOC where that shit will start?
Interested. I always liked the time period, but I never see it much represented in RPs or in fiction in general. Do I need to post a nation here, or is there going to be a move to an OOC where that shit will start?
Of course there'll be an OOC/IC and such like for any other thread. Of course you can also post your NS here until the actual thread starts. We can start building this setting in the interest thread.
Another thing, I'm sure I'm going to need at least one co-GM.
I could Co-GM, if need be, but apart from an obsessive knowledge of military history I'm not sure there is a great deal I'd bring to the table. If that's what you need, though, then I'm right here.
Also, are we to just carve out bits and pieces of that there map you've got? And is that map meant to be accurate, or is it in the game as it is in real life, a warped, incorrect version of reality?
Anyways, perhaps it's better to explain why I'm already looking for a Co-GM. I have lots of ideas and can organize things well. But if I have to choose between being a player or GM I'd chose the former practically any day. It might be slightly selfish but I'm looking for somebody who would carry this game in case my activity would decline. That and I'm already participating in a numbr of RPs so I don't have too much time to be a GM. I know this is a bit selfish but basically I plan to help getting this game off the ground and then let another user inherit it.
I could Co-GM, if need be, but apart from an obsessive knowledge of military history I'm not sure there is a great deal I'd bring to the table. If that's what you need, though, then I'm right here.
Also, are we to just carve out bits and pieces of that there map you've got? And is that map meant to be accurate, or is it in the game as it is in real life, a warped, incorrect version of reality?
My knowledge on 15-16th century military history has some gaps in it, so help on that is of course appreciated. Otherwise wording it as Co-GM might be even incorrect. I'm looking for a GM who can carry the concept with me and I can leave managing this game in his/her hands.
As for the map, of course that's just an illustration. The actual map I'll be using is a blank modern world map. Albeit if everybody picks countries instead of drawing borders, I may not even need the map but a nice summary.
Well, I'll put my name in for tentative consideration, if anyone else wants the they are more than welcome to it, but I'd be happy to take the mantle.
Also, not sure I have the energy for a full nation sheet right now, but I'd like to reserve most/all of Scandinavia, including or excluding Denmark, for my odd viking/mongol/carthaginian hybrid, if folks are OK with that.
Wondering how Kosher a group of big stompy Zuni/Hopi inspired Gila Monster men would be living in the region of the American Southwest/North of Mexico. I'm hesitant about the idea just because of the geography may make it hard to interact with others because I feel a Euro-focus coming on, but its the first of a bunch of ideas I've got so far. Just wanted to run it by y'all first.
I would like to reserve lower-mid east coast of US, as well as some of the Gold Coast (historical). A small piece of coastline Portugal would also be ideal.
Also, along the lines of Co-GMing, I meet all but one of the requirements in that I do like taking a more contributive/administrative role. I am also fairly active if I get into something, in fact to a very high decree.
Wondering how Kosher a group of big stompy Zuni/Hopi inspired Gila Monster men would be living in the region of the American Southwest/North of Mexico. I'm hesitant about the idea just because of the geography may make it hard to interact with others because I feel a Euro-focus coming on, but its the first of a bunch of ideas I've got so far. Just wanted to run it by y'all first.
I chose the age of exploration partially because it gives people a chance to contact players on other continents. Still, you'd be in all likelyhood be left out from the typical European developments. Unless we set up a lore where American nations also develop a culture on par with Europe. Albeit you need more people for that. I for one is in support turning America into a "monster continent" populated by many different races.
I am going for pan-continental empire, which is why I asked for various territories. Figured I can hop toward or away from the monster continent once I know what it is.
I played EU3 and EU4, which of course makes me fully qualified to partake in this.
In seriousness, though: Do we make our own nations, or adapt existing ones to fantasy? For example, if I want to play in Russia, will I be Muscovy by necessity, or would I be able to make my own country there?
Not the GM or Co(though I guess I could be) but as far as I can tell you can do either or. You can be something totally original or pull from history with a twist.
Throwing out dibs on Spain. I plan to have had them hit especially hard by the black death, squeezed against their Portuguese neighbors thanks to a French 'cordon sanitaire'. In this rendition of history Spain never became the worlds first colonial super-power. They 'don't' have holdings in the Americas and they are not the worlds leading maritime power, nor are they exceedingly wealthy or command a massive trade empire.
The Segremony of Spain stretches from the Balearic Sea in the east to the North Atlantic Ocean in the west, bordered by the Bay of Biscay in the north and separated from its Moroccan and Algerian neighbors by the Mediterranean to the south. With a French stranglehold cutting them off from expansion into Europe more and more of Portugal cedes to Spanish influence, the small nation unable to resist the tide of illegal immigrants pressured out from overpopulation. Impoverished the peasantry ekes out what subsistence can be found amid the densest and most ethnically diverse population in the world.
History
By the time the black death began to ravish Europe Spain was already leading the world in medicine and in their hubris boasted of a treatment they'd yet perfected. Word of this 'miracle cure' spread nearly as fast as the disease itself, leading to a great exodus of the sick and dying. As a result the plague funneled itself towards Spain and smashed the country like an irresistible wave; galley after galley, cart after cart of the infirmed would arrive, in time their wasn't a healthy soul in all the Kingdom.
To their credit Spain truly was and remains the mecca of medical knowledge, even if it was taxed to the breaking point thanks to a seemingly infinite supply of infectees. Without a cure and with most of the arrivals too far gone to save had they had one all that science and magic could achieve was a sort of stasis--a near death that did nothing to ease one's suffering or render them any less contagious. Now a once proud Spain--previously on the cusp of becoming an empire--leads the world in crime, drug abuse and suicides. Newly dubbed a 'Segremony' their national policy is one of extreme isolationism and limited trade as the disgraced royal line seeks to contain any future outbreaks.
Government & Society
The Segremony exists in a state of collapse and while the royal family still technically governs the nation most if not all of the real power rests with the Fraternidad de Médicos, a sort of medical mafia if you will. Comprised of the most learned doctors and mages the country has to offer they exert their influence indirectly through the subtle understanding that without their stewardship the black death would quickly rise to swallow Spain anew. A representative from the Fraternidad sits on any council of import--up to and including the King's court--serving as spies rather than advisors.
Roughly read as 'the blotch marked', such is the Segremony's largest demographic. A hodge-podge of any and all races that were susceptible to the black death and desperate for a cure/forcibly exiled to Spain. Each would be but a typical example of their ilk were it not for the patches of blackened skin, hideous buboes and slick gloss of fever sweat. Betided by woe they are the very backbone of the drug-economy and listless workforce.
Literally 'imposters or imitators', a racial slur bestowed with contempt upon any nonliving that come to reside within Spain. While not expressly a crime to be undead or some manner of construct/mystical creature many harbor fear and hatred for them, feeling they've somehow profited from the black death. In actuality however many of these poor souls are merely victims of sickness themselves. Imitadores live so far below the poverty line they may as well be slaves or livestock.
Economy & Industry (What are your primary exports and imports? How much you trade? How are your craftsmen organized? How developed is your technology? What kind of unique creations you have? etc...)
Military Overview (Yeah, of course you also need to tell us some about your military. Try to avoid number games and unhealthy arms races. We play this game for fun and that needs balance and sensible approach. One of the main guidelines is that your nation's military shouldn't be much better than a historical 15-16th century army. Don't worry, I don't ask you historical accuracy. So-called "super units" can be okay if they are rather rare and may have other limitations. The point is to let you do cool things and explore your creativity but at the same time don't do it at the expense of others.)
