Didos

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

Well, the region would just be scattered nomadic tribes and minor city-states who generally keep to each other. Saba's interests lie more in the world economy, and the connections between Saba and the rest of the region are primarily diplomatic and cultural. There are a lot of resources and there is potential in its markets, but it still remains unorganized and pretty much refuses to comply with the global order at the moment.

It's just Saba's cultural connection and its prosperity that would facilitate its growing influence over the region.

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

Fair. I was just thinking that since Saba is clearly the dominant force in the region, and pretty much the only medium between the Desert Peoples and the rest of the world, it could be a sort of pseudo-empire with a globally untapped economy teeming with culture.

The entire region may not actively play a part in global politics as a whole, but Saba surely does.

Age of Man: Return of The Ancients

Character Sheet

Name: Rafael Torop

Gender: Male

Age: 21

Appearance: Rafa stands at 5'10 with a slim, lean build. His skin is tanned, and he shaves his head and face, feeling that they only work to block his senses. He wears a pitch-black thwab, accompanied by a pitch-black head wrap, covering the entirety of his face except his eyes.

Affinity: Dark

Bio: Rafa was born to a prostitute in Begua. He never knew his father. He was often bullied, and put up with constant torment by both children and adults. At age 9, his mother passed away from disease and Rafa was left orphaned. He crossed the border to Sadan and resorted to theft to get by. Rafa slept under bridges, in alleyways, or wherever was made available to him during his ventures. At age 14, he took part in more serious crimes alongside more experienced criminals. He learned to smith and maintain weapons, as well as fish.

When he was 16, Rafa killed his first man. As his peers began to take notice, they began assisting in honing his fighting skills. Rafa became proficient in blade wielding, especially with spears and daggers. He continued with this, and improved cleaning up after himself. He grew lighter on his feet, bettered his dexterity, trained his eyes and reflexes, and even gained better control of his own physiology.

Rafa improved on his bodily control through meditation, even reaching the point where he was able to adjust his internal temperature. He has high flexibility, proportional strength, endurance, and reflex. He's able to maintain his near-physical perfection through both isometrics and yoga. Although he continued a life of crime, he became more exclusive and notorious throughout his career. He became a professional assassin, then spy, then enforcer before approaching the Ironwolves.

Skills:

• Dexterity: pickpocketing, etc.


• Finesse: fishing, blade wielding, etc.


• Exceptional flexibility, endurance, and stamina.


• Manipulation of physiological equilibrium: changing body temperature, blocking out pain, etc.


• Heightened senses, primarily sight, hearing, and touch.

Equipment:

• Large halberd with disproportionately large axe head long before the tip, with black cloth wrapping the handle.


• Large black fur satchel.


• Small dagger with black cloth handle.


• Handled sharpening tool.


• Undisclosed amount of gold coins.

Age of Man: Return of The Ancients

No worries. You still have my attention.

This has a lot of potential.

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

Kenny1 said
I do wish to ask if anyone would be interested in making an empire? If you can promise to be neutral I'll allow a player to have two, simply because a large empire to balance out Procellia would be a positive asset.

I don't know about an empire, but I was planning on the Desert People's territory to be scattered with nomadic tribes and other city-states. Would you be OK with defining the territory on the map? The Desert People would be in the same ethnic group, and although the population may not match up, the region itself may be formidable for Procellia.

Sabaeans are a group of Desert People, and have significant influence in the region. They may all very well lie in Saba's sphere of influence.

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

Sounds good. I'm sure my people have some way to cope with the heat.

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

Iran would work. I'd be fine with anywhere you place me, really.

Diplomacy for the New Age- OOC Page

Nation CS

Formal Name: Tama Financial Group's Administered Incultan Confederation

Casual Name: Inculta

Government: Corporate Structure / Aristocracy in the Capitol, extremely loose confederation bordering on anarchy throughout the rest of the region.

Tama Financial Group's Board of Directors is filled exclusively with Tama family members, with the Chairman being of direct lineage.

Constitution: Various deeds and contracts held by Tama Financial Group, stating legal private proprietorship of land and resources. No documentation on obligations between Tama Financial Group and residents.

Population: ~20,000 in Saba, ~450 million scattered across the region

Currency: Gold and silver coins, minted in 1 Troy ounce denominations. Gold to silver value set at 2:1.

Geographic Location: Incultan Desert (Barbary Coast, Saharan Desert, Arabian Peninsula, Syrian Desert)

Capitol: Saba, Far West Inculta (on the southern Pillar of Hercules)

Language: Sabaean, various Incultan dialects, English

Major Religion: Incultans are historically water worshipers, praying towards bodies of water and practicing cloud-reading and hydromancy. They construct no idols, but rather choose to pray to water itself. Many others choose to be non-spiritual, which often does not conflict with regional beliefs.

Culture:

• Nomadic lifestyle: Incultans are a generally nomadic people. Settling and forming civilization is not optimal in their endless search for water and food throughout the desert. They live in portable tents, which they can assemble and disassemble at east. Very few tribes, like the Sabaeans, form their own city-states across bodies of waters, and sometimes even sanctuaries surrounded by desert. However, even these city-states only number in the double-digits.


• Domestication of horses and camels: Camels are the most used animals in transportation across the Desert. Incultan horses, however, have also adapted to traverse great lengths under the Desert heat. They are very effective, matching in sand any other horses' speed on solid ground.


• Health maintenence: Incultans hold a tradition of keeping themselves in peak physical condition. They do not care for indulgence, and pride themselves in their own physical maintenance.


• Clothing: Incultans don thwabs and headdresses to provide themselves shade in the constant Desert heat. They come in a variety of colors and designs, depending on the tribe and individual.


• Education: Incultans are historically pioneers in the fields of philosophy, mathematics, and sciences. Hundreds of schools of thought exist in the region, and Incultans are open-minded towards ideas conceived within the region. They also often undertake research opportunities in the fields of sciences to better improve their own living conditions.


• Navigation: Incultans have also explored the fields of astronomy and environmental conditions. They are aware of the desert's geography. They read the sand dunes and wind patterns during the day, and observe the stars at night.


• Military tradition: Incultans have always been a race of warriors. Combat is taught beginning at a young age, and hunting is necessary for basic Incultan survival. Incultans pride themselves on their lifetime of training and continued development of combat strategy as their region faces continual threat from colonialism and neighboring aggressors.


• Xenophobia: Over time, Incultans have adopted a xenophobic mindset due to constant aggression by their neighbors and colonial powers. They often kill trespassers into the region, and even go so far as to shoot down airships above the Desert. The saying "Saba is all you'll see" comes from Saba's exception in welcoming foreigners.

History: The Incultan Desert has been inhabited as far back as Incultan history knows. Thousands of Incultan tribes scour the desert, only slightly varying in dialect and culture. The endless search for necessary resources for survival has kept them nomadic. Very few have successfully been able to settle and set up city-states, but even then they center around tribal tradition and refuse to integrate into the global scene.

Centuries back, the Tama family of the Sabaean tribe purchased a piece of land in the far West, lying along the Northern coast of the Incultan Desert. The land was surrounded by mountains on all sides, and the Tamas allowed the entirety of the Sabaean tribe to settle there with them. They found it to be a strategic trade stop, and Saba became an integral point in global trade. As their wealth grew, the Tamas formed the Tama Financial Group, which held land and parented several other businesses headquartered in Saba.

A point of the global stock exchange was situated in Saba, and traffic allowed Saba to retain cultures that flowed in and out of the city. It became a cultural hub, with people of all ethnicities conducting in business with the Tamas. The Tamas also began to provide their own private military service, diplomatic contracting, and various other services in fields of international affairs.

Philosophy is one of the largest studies in Saba, with most other liberal arts being researched extensively. Military training is considered a cornerstone in academia, taught in all public education, but service is left up to the individual. Universities teach a spectrum of fields, with foreign professors available to provide a wide array of views. Religious centers are also embraced, being thought of as merely applied philosophy.

The overflow of money in Saba allowed for the Tamas to better provide for their people. In a very Socialist trend, the Tamas provided quality education and housing for all Sabaeans. They provided all amenities for Sabaeans, and gave its citizenship exclusively to all Sabaean peoples. They were able to effectively eliminate poverty, while building Sabaean pride through corporate-funded aesthetics combined with traditional upbringings.

As their money grew, the Tamas took into consideration the rest of Inculta. Citizenship into Saba was limited to Sabaeans, and Incultans were no exception to the wave of demand for jobs in Saba. With this in mind, the Tamas began purchasing and drafting deeds to pieces of the Incultan Desert over several decades until they took globally-recognized control of it all. The Tamas decided to keep a hands-off approach towards the rest of Inculta, allowing them to preserve their culture and lifestyles under the protection of the Tamas. Some tribes adapted their lifestyles in the Desert, but most still maintain a nomadic lifestyle with modern accents as Saba dilutes global innovation into the region.

If the Tama Financial Group was a recognized nation, it would place in the Top 10 GDPs. They are also the largest private landowner worldwide. Maritime Futures, a think tank funded by the Tama Financial Group, annually publishes global statistics, including the National Power Index, the National Domestic Product rankings, the Human Development Index, and various other lists and figures.

Strengths:

• Sabaean financial security: Sabaean banks cater to anyone and everyone, no matter the status of the money. They also often negotiate transnational trade deals, and offer economic advising to foreign entities.


• Sabaean foreign relations: Saba itself is considered diplomatically neutral, and often mediates transnational contracts, as well as consultation for international affairs.


• Sabaean cosmopolitanism: Saba's acceptance of all cultures and all schools of thought allow for a great mix of ideas and experimentation. This has translated to a wide array of civil liberties, and a consensus of happiness among the population.


• Incultan guerilla: Tribes are typically armed and supplied through the Tama Financial Group. Heavy rifles, ATVs, and even anti-aircraft weapons can be found in Incultan tribal camps. Since they are lightly equipped, they are very mobile in the Incultan Desert.

Weaknesses:

• Extremely hot climate (150+ F average): With the entire region resting across the equator, the Desert is naturally extremely hot and dry. Incultan summers can exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and sandstorms are prevalent. Although Incultans have physiologically adapted to the climate over several ages, without proper hydration and attire, anyone and everyone is left vulnerable to heat exhaustion.


• Scattered population, and difficulty of communication: Incultans outside of Saba are mostly nomadic, with the exception of a few city-states scattered throughout the region. The nature of the Incultan desert makes sending communication signals difficult, as they tend to get lost and disappear entirely.

ECT: Incultan skin ranges from a light tan to much darker hues. Average height is around 6'2.

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Leader CS

Name: Awargathal Tama

Title: Chairman

Gender: Male

Age: 32

Biography: Firstborn son to previous Chairman, Rafael Tama, Awargathal Tama grew up integrated into common Sabaean culture at the insistance of his father. Rafael did not believe in spoiling his family and leaving them ignorant to everyday social aspects among citizens. Tama was placed in public education, and grew up with strict military training. Over time, he took an interest in Sabaean culture, and soon embraced the overarching Incultan pride. He studied the cultures of other Incultan tribes, learned their dialects, and studied under several professors across the Incultan Desert.

At 25, he began training to become Chairman of Tama Financial Group, honing skills in international politics and business. At 27, his father stepped down, and Tama continued the long-standing traditions of his cosmopolitan state. He shifted over focus from private military contracts to military research, and placed further restrictions on contracting Incultan soldiers. Instead, he supported military consultation for foreign entities, as well as military research.

Personality: Tama has a very abrasive personality, often coming off as aggressive or intimidating towards those he speaks to. He is a traditionalist, but holds rationalism in a higher regard. He is very outspoken, and has learned to not fear being wrong. He holds a lot of national pride, evident by his frequent prioritizing of Saba before all else in his leadership.

Appearance: Tama is 6'8 with a wide muscular build. He shaves his head and facial hair regularly, believing grooming on such a trivial level only serves to distract in social and professional interaction. He is of fairly dark skin, with large yellow teeth and wide-set eyes. His skin is rough and scarred from his military training during his younger years.

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

Yeah, I was envisioning around Lebanon or Syria.

And thanks!

Diplomatic/Steampunk Roleplay

I hope you don't mind if I jump in on this.

Nation CS

Formal Name: Tama Financial Group

Casual Name: Saba

Government: Corporate Structure / Aristocracy. Saba is a privately owned territory administrated exclusively by the Tama family.

Constitution: No.

Population: ~20,000 Citizens + ~30,000 registered migrant workers

Currency: Standard 1 Troy ounce gold and silver coins. The value of gold to silver is 2:1 in Saba. All coins minted in Saba display the crest of the ruling family.

Geographic Location: Saba lies on the coast to its West, with mountains framing its borders on all other sides.

Capitol: Saba (nation is essentially a city-state)

Language: Sabaean, English

Major Religion: Saba does not designate an official religion for the state. Rather, it is both accepting and critical of all beliefs that pass through its borders. The Tama family themselves are non-religious and non-spiritual. However, the Sabaean people are primarily water-worshipers. Everybody is allowed to worship their respective beliefs, so long as it does not interfere with work for Tama Financial.

Culture: The Tamas are large proponents of the "Saba First" mindset, where Sabaean welfare takes precedent over all else in their realm. However, they've also begun a trend of accepting all cultures. Their galleries and libraries are filled with works from foreign lands, on display for most anyone to view. Their governance is substantially socialist, where a cut of profits go towards providing for Sabaean welfare, ensuring no Sabaean sinks to some lowly socioeconomic status. They embrace the values of pride, honor, and duty, but also have a willingness to progress forward.

Philosophy is one of the largest studies in Saba, with hundreds of schools of thought being promoted and critiqued in such a small, dense area. Education has become a staple, as well as proprietorship and public service. Military training is a cornerstone in academia, but service is left up to the individual. Universities in themselves teach a spectrum of fields, with foreign professors available to provide a wide array of input. Religious centers are also embraced, being thought of as merely applied philosophy.

In accordance to marriage, Sabaeans are encouraged to race-mix, as they believe in with strengthen the Sabaean race as a whole. The Tamas themselves make an effort to keep their bloodlines Sabaean, but they do accept their children taking on spouses of wealthy, prominent families. Incest is somewhat accepted, although looked down upon as it is seen as closed-mindedness.

Aesthetics plays a major role in maintaining Saba's pride. There are no slums in Saba, and the Tamas have ensured that Sabaeans retain their dignity, even in public housing. All construction projects are overseen by Tama Financial, and standards are put in place to ensure no inch of Saba is disgraced by poor architecture or planning.

History: Several decades ago, Sabaeans were a nomadic people in desert regions further South and East. They were a scattered people, and few actually lived in cities, albeit those cities were set up by other nations. After a time, the Sabaean family of Tama began the process of purchasing sections of land by the coast, hoping to set up a sort of tourist destination. The Tamas used to exclusively employ Sabaeans, and allowed them to settle in their territory. As years passed, the region flourished as a melting pot for world arts. The collections of Saba generated a lot of interest, and spectacular libraries and galleries were constructed to feed this growing interest.

With the world situated on their culture, the Tamas began organizing their financial system, with their central bank and its openness to international money. With its new found wealth, the Tamas took on more land in the region and consolidated their land into a single deed, and documented all Sabaeans as official residences, whether or not it was actually the case. They set up their own trained military, which also became available for private contracts on the transnational level. They began to set up public education for Sabaeans, and they sent their children to Universities in foreign lands, as well as accepting high-profile students to their own renowned Universities.

The Tamas became one of the largest private landowners in the region, and their corporate state found great success for the Sabaean people. Outsiders began flooding in for work, and Saba took only those most qualified to cater to it. Both immigration and tourism became incredibly strict, and corporate money was being primarily allocated towards the Sabaean public, effectively ending poverty among its people.

Strengths:

• Financial stability / trading power: Saba's increasing wealth, and the Tama's profound business tradition, has facilitated Saba's prosperity.


• Highly trained military: Saba's military tradition, and small population, allow for more focused and specialized training.


• Cosmopolitan education: Because Saba embraces all cultures and beliefs, it allows for better exploration into all schools of thought. Diversified mindsets have proven effective in Sabaean education, with many Sabaeans finding employment in fields of transnational affairs or transnational studies.

Weaknesses:

• Fairly small population: There are only ~20,000 ethnic Sabaeans, and Saba does not allow non-Sabaeans to have anything higher than a permanent resident's license. This is seen as the most effective way in managing the population.


• Professional obligations: Many of Saba's services, including financial and military, are often contracted and implemented by foreign entities. Although Sabaeans are taught to retain loyalty to Saba, their professional obligation to their work in Saba conflicts when they are hired to serve these foreign entities.

ECT: Sabaean skin ranged from deep tan to a darker hue. Average height is around 6'2, although race-mixing has slightly affected this. They embrace healthy lifestyles, and many actually make careers in achieving physical perfection.