[OOC] World Building Project

[VitaVitaAR]

That's a good point, um... I'm trying to think of a place that a Rome-ish culture feels like it makes sense to me in is the thing, hm.

[Billsomething]

@VitaVitaAR you know i am trying to think of what sort culture that can be considered roman-ish and the only one that pops up is Greek or Italy (and i know that Rome is or was in Italy)

[Raineh Daze]

There's a lot that can be derived from the Roman Empire without a Mediterranean climate, though. XD

[VitaVitaAR]

Hmm, they'd probably have heavier armor, wouldn't they? I... think warm climate was one of the reasons they didn't develop heavier armor?

[VitaVitaAR]

Aaaand I've learned a bit more and figured out that's not the case. ^^;

Anyway, um, is there anything that needs work out I can help with? I want to contribute more.

[Rin]

Might try and write something out after I've slept but we'll see how that turns out.

Might also drop the vague ideas I had for the undead kingdom and see if that's workable with the others who mentioned interest with it I guess but we'll see.

[Rin]

Might also drop the vague ideas I had for the undead kingdom and see if that's workable with the others who mentioned interest with it I guess but we'll see.

@Rin

So let's see... My basic concept was making them be Tudor England, honestly. Mostly because the only other idea I could think of was making them Egyptian, and I felt doing something different with an undead kingdom might be interesting. Probably all turned into undead due to a curse or something, and their territory (which I've given the placeholder name "Regnum Mortis" but that can easily be changed) is considered... Well, cursed by other races. And... That's mostly what I had so far; when I write stuff up I tend to just have a basic idea to begin with and then make stuff up as I go along so yeah. ^^;

@Billsomething@JGBPhone@Joegreenbeen both expressed interest in working on the undead kingdom, so is any of that workable with your ideas? ^^; Also any word on the people who expressed interest in filling up our depleted ranks, Joe?

[Raineh Daze]

... does this include the absolute hilarity of Tudor fashion?

[Rin]

Why wouldn't it? >.> <.<

[Billsomething]

@Rin well one of the ideas i had wasn't really specific to the kingdom but instead a kind of undead that are called "Reawakened" there a kind of undead that have risen on there own without any aid. they tend to be much more recently deceased so there is very little decomposition, so they could in theory be mistaken for someone still living from a distance.

Also i had idea what the undead king is called, there refereed to has the Underking or queen. also a bit of an odd idea its based off an Icelandic folk-tale, and its that ghosts can't say the word God instead they Gah (just thought i would bring up due to some of us wanting to have a much more of a folktale feel to Marduk)

[VitaVitaAR]

So I was thinking something that might be fun to work on for this is gods maybe?

Um, just a suggestion.

[Billsomething]

@VitaVitaAR i don't really get the question

[VitaVitaAR]

... Um, not sure how you don't. ^^; I mean it might be fun while we're waiting for @Joegreenbeen to get back to us on stuff to work on gods for this setting.

It's the only think I can think of to contribute for the moment too. ^^;

[Billsomething]

@VitaVitaAR sorry the wording just seemed a bit off to me sorry my mistake

[VitaVitaAR]

I'm thinking one of the best things to do would make a non-malignant Death-related deity?

Like, not have death worshipped or anything, but have it so the deity related to it is all about ferrying the souls of the dead and worship would be based around "If I have to die, let me die loved and peacefully" sort of things.

[Billsomething]

@VitaVitaAR Don't know if this fits your idea but here is an idea for god of death

his name is Varamikus, he's the god of death and The Ruler of his Kingdom of Ever-Resting (it sorta looks like the land of the remembered from the movie "the book of life") which is surrounded by Gigantic desert of burning white sand which the souls must wander for an uncertain amount years (Depends on how much regret they had when they died (The regret can sometimes take on the appearance of a boulder that the souls must carry on there back, through out the entire journey)

he has the appearance of a Twenty-foot tall bipedal Dragon made out of skeletons from all the races on Marduk, he wares a long Purple robe underneath a bronze shoulder cape that reaches all the way to his thigh.

he views mortals with much disinterest he only shows interest in those who have passed on and entered his kingdom, he has three children, his two son Reaf (the lord of fear and madness (More info in later post) and Wanplaga (God of plagues and parasites (Much like with his brother i will give you guys more info on him in a later post)

and his only daughter Giyakalag She's the one who greets you when you pass on and guides you to the desert when you reach it she leaves you to travel it alone, however she has been known to give assistance to those who bring her gifts (Nothing extravagant just things from the mortal realm (things such as leafs, Coins, flowers, even simple children's toys will do). unlike her father, her appearance is a bit more simple, she appears as a woman of a indeterminable race with snow white skin, she hides her eyes and ears underneath a hood, her arms are skeletal up two her elbows with the rest of her appearing more living she wears a blue robe that lacks sleeves, she usually carries her scythe with her which she has decorated with the gifts she has received.

unlike her father she cares more deeply for the mortal realm and a bit of jealousy for the mortals

[PaulHaynek]

'Ello! I saw that the 'Orcs' had a 'Needs a Makeover/Improvement' verdict and so...

Our Orcs Are Different

Orcs

A warmongering, humanoid creature that can be found in all of Marduk. It is unknown where they originated from as they seem to predate even the earliest of records. What is currently known is that they terrorize the people of Marduk and will likely continue to do so until, perhaps, the end of time.

Regular Orcs resemble well-built human males save for the pale skin, the lack of genitalia and the faceless visages; no mouth, no nose, no eyes. The last one a mystery that baffles scholars since the creatures function like they have eyes. Some speculate that they have an advanced sense of hearing while others say a magical cause is the reason. The absence of the nose also is also a question posed and speculations range from magical causes to comparisons to plants. The lack of a mouth means one can only hear silence from these creatures. Until they are 'raised', that is.

Another mystery is their reproduction since Orcs lack any sort of reproductive parts. They also do not produce seeds nor spores to grow from. The only sources the civilized world of Marduk has are the stories and reports of adventurers which most, if not all, point one common detail: Orcs emerge from caves, particularly those that lead very far down underground. Some of the caves contain the ruins of an ancient but unknown civilization or at least in close proximity of one leading some to believe that the Orcs may be a product of said civilization or at the very least, connected to them but it is not certain yet.

Orcish culture and behavior is simple yet brutal. The Orcs' entire lives revolve around slaughtering any sentient being that's not them. Save for a couple of races, not one race in Marduk is exempt from their wrath and they kill indiscriminately, no matter who they are nor how powerful (in all senses of the word). With such aims, the Orcs travel in warbands wandering around Marduk and razing any unfortunate village or tribe that stood in their way. Fortunately, such warbands are uncommon in territories within, even just near, a civilization thanks to its organized forces dealing with the rampage.

However, fighting the Orcs is no easy task as those who had fought them would admit. If one thing can be agreed upon, it is that the Orcs are good at what they do, whether in combat or in battle plans and strategies. Ambushes, feigns, formations, these are all viable tactics for the Orcs and much more since it does not matter how they defeat their enemies, only that they defeat them. The Orcs are also creative in their endeavors as a wall of a human city sunk to the ground since the earth where it stood was made hollow by the creatures.

Outside of combat, the Orcs do very little besides train and refine with their chosen weapons and forge weapons. If one can observe an Orcish camp without being seen, all they would see is the formation of targets and weapons then the weapons striking the targets. This routine seldomly changes and it happens day and night without rest. However, one regular break from the routine is when a group of Orcs gather and 'talk' to each other. This usually meant that a major action was going to be done soon and such information is vital for any nearby villages.

A specialty of the Orcs are the Raisers, the dark-robed mages of the race. Besides casting regular defensive and offensive spells, Raisers have the special ability to raise any fallen but physically intact Orc back to life but with significant changes. Raised Orcs' bodies become more muscular as their behavior becomes more feral. They also grow a mouth filled with jagged, sharp teeth with which they can growl with to intimidate enemies. Raised Orcs do not use weapons but instead lunges at their enemies like wolves, biting and chomping with their newly-acquired mouths. Heavy armor is usually enough to stave off the bite attacks but the Raised Orcs' increased muscle mass can pull off worn armor.

The next question is what would happen if fallen Raisers are raised. Unlike regular Orcs, raised Raisers gain eyes instead which are pitch black in color and seem to be leaking blood. It is not advised to let these type of Orcs to escape which they will try if possible for when they return, they now wield magical crossbows which automatically superheat the metal bolts it is primed with. By then they are now Orcish Snipers and true to their name, their skill and accuracy with the crossbow is comparable to the most elite archers of Marduk. The crossbows are not magical themselves as they will lose their heating ability if pilfered from a dead Sniper and therefore, it is agreed that the Snipers are the ones that magically charge the crossbows.

Besides the special Orcs mentioned above, there are several varieties of Orcs like a sufficiently experienced Orc usually becomes a master of a chosen weapon. Swordmasters, Spearmasters, Bowmasters are some examples and these warriors join the battlefield topless, showing their well-toned muscles, as it is theorized that armor impedes their graceful yet deadly dance in the field. Soldiers who have seen these Orcs in action are usually struck with awe and fear as the faceless warriors make short work of their allies in a quick but elegant way, likening them to theater performers with the well-timed spins, ducks and jumps.

Orcs, again, only care for slaughter and not much else, even then they do not seem to express any visible joy in what they do. They do not offer their victims to any deity nor do they take anything (besides weapons and usable items) from the villages or cities they raze. Diplomacy is an impossibility but Orcs take advantage of those who do not know that, often via ambush. The creatures are, unsurprisingly, generous to anyone who seeks release from the hellish prison of life and to strange cults who happily throw themselves to be slaughtered.

Savvy thieves and vagabonds can lead Orcish warbands to villages so they could take loot the place clean with little trouble. Such tactics are frowned upon by many the criminal underworld but a trove of goods await those who can pull this off perfectly. People who could use these tactics include strategists and generals seeking the destruction or weakening of a town or army and people with a vengeance who want to deliver 'justice' to a village or city who had wronged him. Again, pulling off these feats requires luck and skill so as not to be caught upon the Orcs' rampage.

Orcs are strangely friendly with the massive Trolls and the enigmatic Ghosts. (<-----This line is subject to change.)

If y'all want a non-warlike Orcs then that's fine. We can call these guys 'Faceless'. You know, if it gets approved...

Also, if it isn't clear yet, I'd like to stay and write the sequel. If it's alright with you guys, that is.

[Dark Light]

Alright so I'm gonna start gettin involved,
Is there a map happening?
Where can I see the collection of created stuff?

Lastly the one thing I think most write ups are needing is the 'why'. Why are they or things that way. Unless a god has just dropped it there and told them to act a certain way it has got to have developed over time in their interest.

I think magic system and divine influence should be sorted before you are able to flesh out any races and their purpose.

It's easy to say dwarfs live north and elf south but a good world write up will tell you 'why'. How long did it take to mine out the hills, where did they live before that?

Just my opinion...

[Raineh Daze]

@PaulHaynek @Dark Light Not to put too fine a point on it, but the join status? It says 'full'. Neither of you asked to take part or join, so your opinions are all in all completely irrelevant.

[Billsomething]

@PaulHaynek i prefer if these weren't the orcs but something of a mook