Drunken Conquistador

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

Should have a post ready by Friday. But everyone else feel free to interact with Tigranes if you want, might give me enough juice to add a paragraph or two to my next post :p

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

And finally, a post.

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

The whole waiting time had Tigranes' heart beating madly in his chest as if it would escape through his throat. What if they didn't accept him? What if his crime was judged too heinous for redemption? What if he hadn't volunteered fast enough? Suddenly the possibility of losing his only shot at redemption seemed all too real and all that Tigranes could do was recite the litany of St. Attal the Miner in silence to keep himself from panicking.

Then the guards came and Tigranes had never felt so relieved to be shouted at. He was in the Legion now, no matter what happened from this point on, at least he had managed to snatch this chance of redemption and salvation, as slim as it prove to be. For the first time in years he dared to hope.

The processing wasn't pleasant by any measure of the word. But Tigranes was still riding that wave of warm and fuzzy feelings that came when the hope of escaping this hellhole became a reality. And so he continued, dripping wet and shivering slightly due to the cold water as he approached the table with a quartermaster that was more machine than man by this point.

"Name and crime." The servitor asked in its mechanic monotone.

"Tigranes, heretical dealings and murder." The former miner replied promptly as he forced himself to stop fidgeting in his eagerness to get this whole thing over with.

Tigranes obeyed the order to proceed with an almost spring in his step. He took the gear handed to him without protest, even if the flak armor looked like it had seen more battles than him, struggling to put everything inside the rucksack while trying to keep up his pace, take the next set of equipment and not slow down the line behind him.

Once he got to the last table Tigranes offered no resistance. Not that he liked the idea of having an explosive conveniently placed right below his head. But it was just standard protocol, and he was too far to back down now. Not that he thought he could, even if he wished. Besides, it wasn't like he was actually planning to give them any reason to activate the collar.

And then someone further along tried to shoot the quartermaster. The resulting explosion showered Tigranes with his leftover. And for one mad second the prisoner thought he was back in Hayk when Boran had her head blown off by a Mihranid sniper. He had no time for that however as he shook the memories away and continued onward, wondering when he would have the time to finally put on some clothes. The idea of being exposed in the middle of so many maniacs wasn't something that appealed to him.

When he was eventually shoved into the hangar Tigranes seized the opportunity to finally dress himself. By the time his name was finally called, Tigranes, now officially a Penal Legionnaire, had had the time to at least put the jumpsuit on.

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

Indeed, and don't sweat it, we're all busy - I've been working nights for example. I shall get a post up later today however. If you want to post, @Drunken Conquistador, then you can do so as well.

@Jbcool

Sorry, had a rough week. Should have at least a couple of paragraphs ready by the weekend

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

I should have a post up by tomorrow

SACRILEGE WAR (Grimdark Fantasy NRP)

294 years ago. Sadra Piresh.

Sadra Piresh stood on the delta of the Salmen river, Mahdidi to its soon to be Lamashi rulers. A city built in three rings. The inner section being of planned streets, sumptuous palaces, amazing theaters and arenas, large temple-gardens and beautiful parks surrounded by an imposing dark green wall decorated with frescoes and statues of heroes and legends from the Naga's rich history. There lived the great generals, high priests and nobles of the Ugalli Kingdom, lording over their social inferiors, each one of them owning vast estates and veritable legions of slaves spread across the Kingdom.

The second ring was where the dwellings of the free citizens stood. Nagas who did not had notable titles or estates, foreigners and great merchant lords. None of these groups were as powerful as the inhabitants of the Inner Ring, but their opinions and wishes still carried some weight inside Ugalli. The Middle Ring was a far cry from the wealth and opulence of the Inner Ring, but what it lacked in outward, conventional opulence it more than made up in size and colorfulness, "as many colors as a Naga's scales" the saying went, even the wall surrounding it was painted in literally dozens of colors. Contemporary travelers also claimed that the area had an innate "charm" of its own.

The Outer Ring sat between two sets of walls, inhabited by the poor and the slaves. A sorry clump of slums, wrecks and ruin. There lived the poor and desperate who worked themselves to death in the port of the Middle Ring or in the large farms and plantations that hugged the banks of the Salman. There was little of positive that could be said about the Outer Ring of Sadra Piresh or its inhabitants, except that it provided those in the bottom rung of society a place to sleep away their suffering during the few hours in which they weren't being worked to death by their serpentine masters.

But that was before the War in Heaven and the destruction of the Old Pantheon, when the Naga could count on the protection and guidance of gods and their celestial servants to empower the Kingdom. Now, the only true divine being active in the East was Yuwan, and her armies marched against the Naga. Ranks upon rank of soldiers marching under the Golden Lion of Lamash descended upon Ugalli and washed away its hosts and defenses like a storm coming upon a fishing boat in the open sea.

Truth be told, both slaver empires were already at war by the time the Western Abomination killed the gods. Just the latest round of skirmishes between two hated neighbors that would probably end indecisively, like so many other conflicts between both in the past centuries, had Justinian never ascended. When it did however, the situation changed. The Naga lost their divine patron, depriving them of their greatest source of Theurgia while the Lamashi now had a Goddess free of the need to appease fellow divines and desperate enough to give Her faithful worshipers an extra hand in this war.

And so the Lamashi finally achieved the final triumph in this final war against Ugalli. The Naga queen for her part had firmly refused any notion of negotiation with Lamash. At first it would mean bowing to their oldest enemy, something the prideful Naga would never accept. But as more and more armies were crushed by Padishah Zirgun and the earthly avatar of the Bright Angel, the terms evolved, and by the time Zirgun's army laid siege to Sadra Piresh he wasn't even pretending to entertain the notion of a negotiated peace. The Lamashi had gone too far to accept anything less than total victory. Ugalli would be destroyed once and for all and the arrogant Naga put in their proper place.

Now, the city burns. The Outer Ring fell fast, the Naga couldn't and wouldn't spare the troops for a proper defense. The teeming, impoverished masses of the Outer Ring, further bolstered by waves of refugees seeking illusory safety from the war, now served their new Lamashi masters. Thousands upon thousands reduced to slavery and used to fuel the Lamashi war machine, either as cannon fodder to sap the strength of the Middle Ring wall or sacrificed by the hundreds to fuel the Lamashi Magi.

The Middle Ring was by far the bloodiest to take. Three weeks of struggle to breach the walls and fight through the cobblestone streets before treason won the day. Not all Naga were willing to throw away their lives in a doomed last stand, specially those not belonging to the ruling class, instead they turned upon their fellows and sped up the fall of the Middle Ring. For their troubles they would be raised in station and many would intermarry with the Lamashi, their descendants would become the staunchest supporters of the new Lamashi overlords, for they knew that if ever the Golden Lion fell, they would fall along with them.

The fall of the Inner Ring was anticlimactic. By this point the Naga lacked both the numbers and the will to put up a proper fight. Specially against the Avatar of the Bright Angel and the Lamashi magi powered by so much blood sacrifices. The royal palace was taken rather easily and the great temples defiled with much gusto by the conquering humans. The very presence of a non-Naga in these streets was sin and heresy to the Naga, but why stop there? Their centuries old enemy was finally vanquished. It was time to enjoy the moment before the Goddess' took the Lamashi to fight the real enemy in the West.

Sadra Piresh would not survive the night. Hordes of footmen walked away with their arms laden with loot, Lamassu ripped apart snake priests while using their magic to tear down the temples and relics of the Naga, the Peris gave in to their bloodlust and fell upon the cowering masses like giant birds of prey, Aswarans sent lines of chained Naga back to their camp while bragging among themselves to see who had managed to claim the better bed slave (more than a few ended up poisoned). Even the turncoats joined the orgy of rape, theft and murder, most of them having grown resentful of the nobility that had led the nation to ruin and wishing to show their new masters just how dedicated they were to the cause. The sack spread from the Inner Ring into the Middle one, the Outer Ring was only spared in the sense that there wasn't anything worth to take from there to start with, and the Lamashi themselves had already razed the place.

The only area truly spared from the sack was the eastern wing of the royal palace. Though that was no comfort for the hundreds of prisoners gathered there. All that could be snatched from the highest stratas of Naga society, nobles, priests and any surviving member of the royal family had been placed there by direct orders of the Angel. In life they had been Lamash's staunchest enemies, and for that they would pay with their souls.

The earthly avatar of Arkshtrân, the Bright Angel, had gathered to him the highest ranking members of the Lamashi force. Lamassu priests, Peris sorceresses, human magis and of course, the flower of the Lamashi nobility. They had been ordered to gather around one of the recreational pools of the palace. Arkshtrân stood at one, flanked by the mages and priests while Padishah Zirgun himself stood at the head of the nobles on the opposite side of the Angel. All had been made to strip while the ritual was being carried out.

Slaves and apprentices dragged the Naga to the edge of the pool, cutting their throats and letting the poisonous blood mix with the water while the mages sung and played their instrument. Arkshtrân acted as the conductor of this macabre choir, his heavenly voice eclipsing even that of the Peris. All the while more and more blood continued to be added to the pool. Halfway through the singing, the magic started acting. Searing winds tore apart the chained Naga, siphoning their blood straight into the pool, whose water had long since turned viscous and black due to the blood.

The music reached a thunderous crescendo as the last Naga was ripped apart and his blood added to the pool. Then the Angel motioned for the Padishah to step forward. And that Zirgun did without any hesitation, Arkshtrân had given him the general idea of what was about to happen, but even if he hadn't, the Padishah would still do it. For if he couldn't trust the Angel, then who could be trusted?

He walked into the pool, letting himself be submerged by the magically-enhanced mixture. The assembled nobles waited with baited breath for their ruler to reappear while the Angel continued to lead the magical choir. Bright golden light shone from beneath the viscous surface of the liquid, allowing the onlookers to track the progress of their ruler. And then he emerged to the shocked gasps and muttered praises to Yuwan. For what emerged on the other side clearly wasn't a simple man anymore.

Zirgun now stood tall, as tall as the Angel's avatar, who towered over all men of Lamash. His skin was smooth and golden, all signs of age and wounds of war gone with magic. His hair, once gray and balding was now black as the void, lustrous and silken and full on his head. His eyes shone like scarlet coals and his teeth had never been whiter as he turned and smiled to his assembled vassals. And when he called his daughter Suh and his son Bahram to join him in the Goddess' blessing, his voice echoed like the rolling thunder.

And so brother and sister stepped forward, adoration clear in their eyes while their hearts were overtaken by the sheer, irresistible lust for that power they had seen granted so freely before their eyes. The two stepped into the pool, hands clasped tight and the process was repeated. And then again and again as noble after noble received Arkshtrân's Gift. The Angel's choir sang through the night as the city burned and died around them. In her place a new city would rise; Tari-Illim, the City of Ascension. Second only to Oracheos itself in holiness to the Lamashi.

The process would not stop there however, for there were still many the Angel thought worthy of Ascension. Over the following months and years many Lamashi made the pilgrimage to the holy pool. Great nobles, heroes, priests and anyone with any meaningful power in the Empire would step into the pool to receive the Gift, so that they and their descendants would stand above common men as Yuwan's chosen people.

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

I'm still in! I haven't posted again as it felt like this stage in the movement of the story was more dependent on a DM post than the interactions between our characters. My bad!

@Laduguer

Same here

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

I'm still in

SACRILEGE WAR (Grimdark Fantasy NRP)

PENDING MAJOR REWRITE

[The Empire of Lamash]

NATIONAL INFORMATION:

My Hider

-Population: 80 000 000
-Faction: Yuwanists
-Capital: Tari-Salummattu (The Radiant City)
-Government Type: Absolute Monarchy
-Government Description:

The Padishah sits atop the pyramid, his will is second only to that of the Goddess and his legitimacy derives from his role as chosen of Yuwan and guardian of the holy city. He is advised by a "Council of the Wise", whose size and composition is left to the whims of the ruling Padishah. Below the Padishah and his wisemen, there is a well established bureaucracy tasked with carrying out his wishes and the day to day ruling of the Empire.

Provinces are ruled by governors (Shardars) appointed by the Padishah, who can also remove the Shardars from their positions at his leisure, in theory of course. In reality, the Padishah has to juggle the wishes of the powerful noble families who inhabit the realm. Its from these families that a good portion of the higher echelons of the priesthood and military, alongside a good number of the Shardars. The bureaucracy, however, is firmly under the Padishah's authority.

The clergy is also an integral part of the government apparatus. For the Padishah's authority is also very dependent on the legitimacy granted to him by the support of the priesthood and his wardenship of the Holy City. As such, every Shardar is also accompanied by a Lamassu Mobad (Archbishop equivalent), while lesser priests also help fill the ranks of the bureaucracy and march alongside the Imperial regiments. The rank of Moabadan-Mobad (High Priest) has been held by the Bright Angel ever since the Empire's creation.

-Head of State:

-Zirgun Agazi-Haster, Padishah-i-Lamash, Master of Kings, Guardian and Protector of the Holy Sites, The Lion King, The Shining Overlord, Most Exalted of the Goddess' Children, Bright and Kind Master of Tari-Mitas and Tari-Salummattu, The First Among the Lamashi, Shah of Lumilu, Shahrdar of Nablu, Tamer of the Mushussu, The One Who Brings Benefit, He Who has Reached the Unattainable, The Lord of All, Protector of Evil, Consort of Peris, Who Does not Gets Angry, Completely Good Natured, Who Cannot Be Deceived, The Victorious, Wise Lord, With No Fear, The Generous, Warden and Wielder of the Sacred Fire.

-Currency: Darishis (Golden coins) Xigris (Silver coins). Minting is under the official control of the central government, who either mints the coins themselves or grants the right of minting to particularly powerful allies and supporters. The coin themselves are minted bearing the name of the ruling Padishah, with his image or a variety of religious symbols. Such as the Holy Fire, the peacock or the lion.

-Language(s):
The nobility speaks Lamashi, a language created after the establishment of the Empire for the solely purpose of being used by the newly created Lamashi aristocracy, so as to better distance them from the commoners and slaves they ruled over. The language itself is a mix of Edhelywlin Elvish and the Hulagu dialect of Ummiri, spoken by the early rulers of the Empire.

Slaves and peasants are forbidden from learning the language. And one cannot advance to the upper levels of Imperial hierarchy without full mastery of it.

The official language of the bureaucracy and the clergy is High Ummiri, another artificial language created to unify the many regional dialects of the Empire. Though it has little actual use beyond the great urban centers and temple halls. The masses themselves continue to speak in common Ummiri and its regional dialects. Who themselves were influenced by neighboring tongues.

Edhelywlin Elvish still holds a place as the unofficial lingua franca of the realm. Everyone else speaks it and it would be too much trouble suppressing it.

[Short-History Here]

The Lamashi have always been faithful servants and worshipers of Yuwan. Their love for the Goddess stretching back for over 13 centuries, for even during the days of the Old Pantheon, did the Lamashi worship Yuwan above all else. So, with this in mind, it was to the surprise of no one that they eagerly rallied to answer her call at the aftermath of the War in Heaven. Striking out from their former capital at the banks of the great river Mahdidi, the hosts of the faithful, then led by Padishah Zirgun and the Angel Arkshtrân, moved first against the Naga of Astel-Ligir. Who had refused to submit to Yuwan, instead foolishly persisting in their loyalty to their now dead god.

That first war culminated in the sack of Sadra-Piresh, the Naga capital, that saw innumerable thousands sacrificed to the glory of the Goddess, their blood used to fill the Holy Goblet and grant the heroes and leaders of the Lamashi the blessings of the Goddess. With the Naga humbled and Yuwan clearly approving of their actions, the emboldened Lamashi wasted no time in continuing their conquests.

Unbeknownst to the Lamashi, the artifact used to grant them ascension was a thing of utmost evil. An unholy thing bonded not with Yuwan, but with the Bright Angel itself, who managed to convince its mistress to allow this boon so that the Lamashi could be made ready for the future wars against the West. And mighty they became, stronger in both body and mind than the common man. But as their power grew so did their hunger, the Ascension gave them all a small taste of divine power, and as mortals, who could blame them for wanting more?

Yuwan certainly didn't. Or at least not enough to interfere as Her servants spent the next centuries using magic to improve their bodies and minds, in a desperate attempt to once again feel that divine power flowing through their veins. All the while waging bloody wars in her name.

UNIQUE ATTRIBUTE INFORMATION:

My Hider

-They need to know their place: Alas, despite the centuries they had to adapt, it seems that many serfs do not truly appreciate the privilege of living under the most noble of peoples. As a matter of fact they seem to resent our enlightened rule...how odd.

-The Blessed Children of Yuwan: The Lamashis consider themselves the greatest among Yuwan's servants, for who else has been as blessed as them? Unfortunately, this opinion isn't shared by all of the faithful outside Lamash's borders.

-The Magi of the White Tower: For all their arrogance and condescension, the Lamashi are indeed blessed by Yuwan. And as such their domain of magic is second to none among the servants of the Worthy of Thanksgiving. Furthermore, their own efforts to improve and build upon the gifts of the One Without Fault have also made them much more knowledgeable about the subject. The libraries and academies of Lamash are without an equal in the accumulated lore they hold. And the magi and sorcerers of the Empire are among the best trained in the East.



-The Flesh is ours to command: Flesh altering magic has always been a subject of interest for the Lamashi. And ever since the start of the Sacrilege War and their own Ascension, the Lamashi magi, under the Angel's guidance, have made great strides in the field, creating great wonders and abominations in the Goddess' name

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

My Hider

Lamash's north is covered by humid jungle and rivers. The greatest of which is the Mahdidi that flows from the Holy City of Oracheos into the northern seas. Along its banks sit Tari-Mittas, former capital of the Lamashi Empire while further north is the land of the Naga, once its own thriving slaver empire. The land there is fertile, covered by vast plantations fed by the great river and its many tributaries while the tropical forest is exploited to feed the ever growing needs of the Empire, magic ensures that the land remains bountiful and that the trees regrow fast. The eastern coast is straddled by the Luwasa mountain range, where innumerable slaves toil in the dark tunnels.

In the center of Lamash, one will find vast meadows and irrigated plains. What was once a arid desert became the breadbasket of the nation thanks to massive infrastructure projects and magic that reshaped the land. The terrain is flat and the vast farming estates of the aristocrats are the norm. Endless fields as far as the eye can see in the interior while the coast is home to many fishing villages, military docks, coastal towns and the Empire's largest port, Tari-Dankuis, the Black City.

Further to the south the terrain turns rugged and uneven. Eventually turning into outright mountains as one gets closer to the border before turning into green pastures.

-Major Locations of Interest

The Great Imperial Roads.

Tari-Salummattu (Capital city. Crimson diamond)

Oracheos (The holy city of Yuwan. Joint administration with Yllendthyr Crimson dot)

Major cities marked as crimson stars






Major fortifications marked as purple dots.

RACIAL INFORMATION:

My Hider

-Majority race:

-Humans: The human population of Lamashi is made up of several different peoples, brought together under the Empire's rule at the dawn of the Sacrilege War and subjugated for the glory of Yuwan.

The last 300 years saw considerable ethnic and cultural mixing. Partially caused by the unification of the region and partially on design, as the Lamashi overlords organized massive population transfers inside the Empire, uprooting entire cities and tribes from their established homelands. Either to suppress a rebellious populace or simply because that particular lord or lady desired to increase the population of his or her estates somewhere else.

Common humans in Lamash are found in almost all levels of society. Though the laws of the land stop them from reaching high positions within the military and bureaucracy, they still dominate the lower and mid levels of these institutions, as well as making up most of the slave population by the sheer number of humans inside Lamash.

Those of mixed Lamashi heritage occupy an interesting position in the social ladder. Almost all of them are bastards, either sons of concubines, courtesans or servants (for a Lamashi marrying a common human would be social suicide, as it would be admitting that a mere servant is your equal), they are nevertheless valued slightly more than the average human. For despite their stained origins, they do still possess some of the blood that makes the Lamashi a superior breed. As such, they are brought up to fill up subordinate positions within the wider framework of the Empire. Trusted adjutants and courtiers, dependable administrators and auxiliary officers. Who, once stripped of any silly notions about their station, can be exploited to their full potential.

They compose roughly 60% of the population. 45% if you discount those with mixed Lamashi blood.

-Minority race(s):

The Lamashi: Originally normal humans, the early Lamashi were simply the noble families, petty chiefs and warlords who first threw their lot with Yuwan right after the Astralmachy. Initially blessed with longer lifespans, greater strength and magical affinity by the Goddess, putting them above their fellow men but still recognizably human. Then, the Lamashi decided to take things a step further by appealing to magic. Using powerful sorcery and shedding oceans of sacrificial blood to further refine their gifts and give them an even greater edge. As it stands today, the Lamashi nobility is so far removed from their subjects that they can now be classified as a subspecies of humanity.

This meddling did not came without consequences however. Though the magic flowing through their veins is strong enough to keep their bodies working and stable, for the majority of cases, their souls were simply not made for their longer lifespans. And once they reach a certain age, the Lamashis tend to degenerate mentally and physically at an incredible speed. Which has led to patricide and matricide becoming a common practice among their families, as no one wants an senile old madman calling the shots. The most merciful ones, however, just lock away their parents and rule in their names.

Another common trait among the Lamashis is their vanity and arrogance. They are, as far as the official rhetoric is concerned, the Goddess' chosen children, which places them above all others. Their servants are sheeps to be guided by their superior wisdom, while their slaves are nothing more than cattle to use and abuse.



Roughly 10% of the population

The Naga: Six armed humanoids with the lower body of a snake, a Naga's entire body is covered with multicolored scales and skin which they regularly shed. Purebreed Nagas also have poisonous fangs and jet black eyes. Fertilization happens internally, with females giving birth to a pack of live young at the end of the gestation period.

Once rulers of their own slaving empire, the Naga were one of Lamashi's staunchest foes during the early days of the Sacrilege War. Defeated and subjugated roughly 250 years ago, they nonetheless maintain some measure of influence in the very north of Lamash, where the remnants of their population live, ruled by a caste of mixed Lamashi-Naga blood. The results of this mixture tend to be, interesting.

Roughly 15% of the population.

The Elves: Living mostly in the border with Yllenthyr. There are very few Elven slaves in Lamash, mostly because they themselves are very few and because they tend to keep to themselves, giving the authorities little reason to punish them.

Those Elves that are slaves however, are highly prized by the Lamashi.

7% of the population.

Lamassu: Blessed creatures birthed by Yuwan herself. These beings have the body of a winged lion and the head of a man or woman. Standing taller than even a Lamashi, they have an exclusive role within the Yuwanist priesthood, being the only ones allowed to hold the rank of Mobad, directly below the Bright Angel in the religious hierarchy and charged with ensuring the loyalty of every Sharhdar to the Goddess. The remaining Lamassu also tend to make part of the religious hierarchy, as lower ranking priests and temple guardians and servants.

Due to their position as clergymen, Lamassu may not be enslaved.

5% of the population
Peri: Exquisite, winged, fairy-like spirits, the Peris are Yuwan's handmaidens. They inhabit the city of Oracheos and hold all important administrative, military and religious positions there. Thus holding a rather privileged position inside the Lamashi Empire. And like the Lamassu, Peris cannot be enslaved.

3% of the population.

RELIGIOUS INFORMATION:

My Hider

-State Religion: Yuwanist
-Patron Deity: Arkshtrân, the Bright Angel.
-Religion Demographics: Lamash is the birthplace of Yuwanism. As such the faith in the Empire is very strong and the authorities make a concerted effort to root out any heretics and infidels.
-Major Holy Relics/Artefacts in Possession:

-The Tablets of the Pact: A set of stone tablets inscribed and enchanted during the early days of Lamash, 13 centuries ago. Pledging the loyalty of the land and people to Yuwan and swearing the Lamashi's eternal love to the Goddess. They are housed in the Orange Temple, and as long as they remain within the borders of Lamash, the land and its people will be blessed with fertility and bountiful harvests.

-The Pool of Arkshtrân: Located in the former Naga capital city, this pool was the Lamashi's instrument of ascension. Crafted by the Bright Angel himself as the city burned around him in one of the palace's pleasure garden. Initially filled with poisonous Naga blood, the Pool's inherent magic, however turned the deadly toxin into the magic concoction that made the Lamashi into an ascended race. Now, the pool is the center of a heavily guarded temple. Only those with the Angel's favor may gaze upon it, and even if one were to sneak into the chambers, he would only find death, for the Pool knows to not bless those who aren't liked by Arkshtrân.

-The Goddess' Goblets: Gilded obsidian goblets. Highly valued in Lamash for their ability to preserve the properties of the holy liquids of the Pool for an essentially infinite amount of time until its drunk.

-Holy Sites under Control:

The Holy City of Yuwan, Oracheos.

The Orange Temple, a massive complex located within the walls of Tari-Salummatu, utterly dedicated to the worship of Yuwan and Arkshtrân.



-Religious Interpretations/Culture : The Lamashi believe Yuwan to be the head of the new pantheon, the one fit to lead the world into an age of enlightenment and wisdom. Below her are the many angels and celestial servants who recognize her authority.

MILITARY INFORMATION:

My Hider

Total Military Size: 800 000
Listed Heroes:
Military Doctrine:

Using a mix of "common" infantry sprinkled with the occasional battalion of full blooded Lamashi to "stiffen" the line, the battle line's main task is to protect the skirmishers and pin down the enemy while the skirmishers and magi pepper them from a distance and the cavalry (both land bound and flying variety) maneuvers to disrupt and flank their formation, opening the way for the heavy shock infantry of full blooded Lamashi who are kept in the reserve until the moment comes to deliver the glorious blow that will shatter the enemy army.

More recently, the advent of gunpowder has added a new branch to the Lamashi army, as battalions of arquebusiers and cannon batteries are added to the skirmisher line.

Gund-i-Lamash:

Air

Lamassu: Winged lions with the head of a man, the Lamassu are priests and temple servants in civil society. In the Imperial army, they fly above the battlefield, casting powerful spells to bolster the resolve of the Lamashi and to wreck havoc upon the enemy battalions. And when all else is done, fall upon the disorganized mess to smash and rip apart with their bulk and sharp claws and teeth.

Peri: Spirits that take the form of winged women of ethereal beauty. Whike most Peris are involved in the running of the holy city, the Imperial army still fields several volunteer battalions. Armored in gilded red scale armor and fighting with arrows and magic, the Peris rarely involve themselves in the melee aspect of combat, descending only to cut down or capture the fleeing enemy.

Flying Aswaran: The knights of Lamash fly to battle in a multitude of beasts. Winged pegasi, flying sphinxes, Simurghs (large peacocks with the heads of lions or men, and the claws of lions) or any other creature the magi have managed to create in their quest for further knowledge. What they have in common however, is the heavy armor wore by both rider and beast. In battle they use a multitude of weapons, arrow and javelin, spell and lance, sword and axe.



Land:

Aswaran-i-Karkadann: Only the most exalted and well trained Lamashi can join this corp. Usually one must first serve years in the Savaran before even being considered for the honor of mounting one of the mighty domesticated, magically enhanced rhinoceros. But those who do can bask in the adoration and privilege that comes with being part of the most renowned and infamous part of the Lamashi war machine. In battle they are the hammer which the Padishah wields to smash his enemies. Let it be driving straight into the enemy's flanks right after scattering their cavalry by themselves or breaking a shield wall with a head on charge, nothing says "Lamashi at war" better than the Karkadann.



Aswaran: Though not as famous as the Karkadann, the Savaran are the "bread and butter" of the Lamashi heavy cavalry. And perhaps the most diverse of the corps, as it is composed of common humans, half bloods and pure Lamashi, even a few Elves have somehow found themselves riding in the ranks of the shock cavalry.

In battle both rider and horse are completely encased in steel. Centuries of selective breeding and some minor magical tampering have created breeds of horses capable of sustaining the weight of heavy armor and armored rider for long periods of time. Like the Kardakanns, the Aswaran are also equipped with bows, arrows and javelins to complement their long lances, maces, axes and swords.



Deqhan: Medium cavalry. Equipped with both lance and bow, their task in the battle is to harass the enemy and support the Aswaran and Karkadann in chasing our the enemy's riders and skirmishers before shifting their focus to their main battle line.

Asabaran: Light cavalry. Wearing little armor and armed with javelins and bows, the Asabaran's role in the Lamashi war machine is to harass the enemy without engaging anything heavier than light skirmishers and cavalry. And even then, they would prefer to be cutting down routing units.



Sublugali: The heavy infantry of the Gund-i-Lamash. Composed of full blooded Lamashi who, like those in other branches, must have had at least one child by this point to continue their bloodline. Armored in heavy plate, often gilded and decorated with gems, jewels and personal heraldry or holy texts.



In battle they are held in reserve. Waiting for the enemy formation to be properly softened by the rest of the army before moving in to deliver a devastating charge to break the enemy. Or if the situation proves to be less than auspicious, closing holes in the Lamashi own battle line and engaging the enemy's own heavier forces.

Paighan: Medium infantry, the Paighan is composed mostly of common humans and half bloods. Their role in battle is to hold the line and keep the enemy busy while the other units maneuver and carry out their own missions. A bloody and thankless task, buy extremely necessary, nonetheless.

Tofangchi: One of the newest additions to the Gund-i-Lamash, the Tofangchi are soldiers armed with handheld gunpowder weapons.

Kamandaran: Originally only archers, the term has grown to encompass all types of skirmishers in the Army of Lamash, save for the gunpowder soldiers. Most of the Kamandaran is composed of common humans, with a few elite units of heavily armored archers made up of full blooded Lamashi.

In battle, their role is to disrupt the enemy cohesion and formation through a relentless hail of missile fire.

Sparabara: Conscripts, levies and slaves. Armed with shield, spear and bow. Wearing very little armor. Their training is minimal and morale weak. Supposed to simply present a wall of flesh to the enemy be stuck into and usually deployed alongside the Paighan to ensure the line doesn't breaks at the first breeze.

Siege train: As with other civilized nations, Lamash fields a permanent siege train.

Magi: The Lamashi battle mages, drawn from the many magical institutions and orders spread across the Empire. Their entire education is focused on warfare and they are vital pillar of the Imperial Army. Deployed in the rear and away from the fight, where they can focus on casting their rituals unperturbed.

In the field, Magi are accompanied by their own band of bodyguards. Mostly a mix of trained slaves, familiars and homunculi.



Navy:

The Lamashi navy is the only body of the Empire in which the Naga retain any kind of prominence. Though most of the crews are composed by simple humans and many Lamashi still hold officer positions in the ships, it's the Naga who are the most skilled sailors of the Empire. Not only that, but pure Naga are also excellent swimmers, able to traverse large distances underwater and still fight by the end of the trip. Add to that their natural speed, strength and poison and one can see just why the best marine regiments of Lamash are composed entirely of serpentine soldiers.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

My Hider

Arkshtrân, the Bright Angel:

Almost a thousand years ago, the man who would become the Bright Angel was born to one of the Lamashi Shah's concubines. Ever the ambitious one, he schemed and plotted his way to the throne. Eventually leading Lamash into an age of greatness and becoming its first Padishah. After his death, his deeds in life and dedication to Yuwan were enough to earn him a place in her celestial retinue. Over the centuries he continued to watch Lamash, intervening when necessary but otherwise keeping his distance, for he feared succumbing to his own ambition and not resisting the urge to sit on the throne again.

That changed when Justinian started the war. The faithful had to be strengthened if the world was to be saved from the Western Abomination. And so Arkshtrân was given leave to take a more hands on approach in regards to his charges. The opportunity did not go to waste, and from the moment his avatar descended from the heavens atop a golden horse, the Angel set his mind on how to turn Lamash into the mightiest bastion of Yuwanism in the world. With him at its helm, even if indirectly.

The Lamashi themselves proved eager followers of the shape-shifting avatar. Obeying his commands to the letter and all but bowing themselves to him for his divine favor. For he was the Goddess' emissary, wasn't he? Worthy of love, respect and adoration.

In the current days, the avatar still remains in Lamash. For he has taken the position of High Priest, presiding over all religious matters in the capital and holding much influence in court, for his word is the word of Yuwan.

Zirgun Agazi-Haster:

Zirgun was already an established ruler by the time the Sacrilege War started, ascending to the throne 15 years before the War in Heaven, the Padishah was all too eager to heed the Goddess' commands and take his people in the great undertaking that would become the Sacrilege War.

His faith would prove to be his undoing however, for though his hand guided the Lamashi through the Path of Ascension (even if he himself was being led by the Angel), his unquestioning trust of the Celestial Servant led to his eventual enthrallment. Out of necessity if nothing else, the harsh years of war and exposure to the foulest of magics would destroy a mortal's mind. But instead of letting him pass on and maybe become a Celestial Servant himself, Arkshtrân thought better to keep the Padishah alive, even if but a former shell of himself.

Though Zirgun still looks the same way as when he first stepped out of the Pool (a fact that few Lamashi have been able to claim, for even the Ascended do tend to age, even if far slower and much more gracefully) his mind has been bent and twisted to desire only victory over the Western barbarians and to love only the Angel.

Veranthreb Azadi-Koren

A somewhat experienced commander and administrator, Veranthreb hails from the House of Koren, an influential military family with substantial estates in the mountains of Mashirv. His education started early and there was no doubt of which path he would follow in his future. As a scion of an established and wealthy house, a prestigious military command was all that waited for him in his future.

Now, he leads the Lamashi forces in support of Evernyx. And though he chafes at being relegated to this distant theater, far from his homeland and the light of Yuwan, the distance from the cutthroat courtly politics and the chance to earn glory in his own name are rather welcome changes.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

My Hider

Full History: (Your nation’s history following the major eras/cycles. Remember to align it with the settings history, as it is hard for nations to live in an isolated bubble here)
List of Historical Grievances: (Who are your historical enemies at the start of the RP)
Relations:

-Drakma: Drakma recognizes Lamash as the Protector of Faith, along with the authority of the central chapter of the Eyes of Yuwan. In practical terms however, the wretched Lizards can be rather obnoxious, recalcitrant and stubborn when it comes to actually obeying the Padishah and the Bright Angel.
-Evernyx: Former heathens they may be, but at least they have turned to the light. As it stands that little realm is the Goddess' major bastion in the northern theater and a such they hold some importance in the eyes of Lamash. Enough to justify constant support over the years to the "Land of Princes". After the disastrous defeat to the Empireof Zul five years ago, the Padishah, in his boundless mercy saw fit to send a small contingent of 25 000 men to reinforce the battered Princes.
-Gushawar: A land of decadent degenerates, Gushawar is an example of how even the mighty can be brought low by their own complacency and lack of self-control. Still, for all their faults, and they are many, Gushawar remains one of the few nations that the Lamashi can accept as their equals. If only someone were to burn away the rot corrupting the Holy Raja...
Yllendthyr: The Celestial Empire holds Oracheos in joint dominion with Lamash. That the Lamashi themselves don't feel insulted by this compromise speaks great lengths of the respect they hold for their southern neighbors.

Cultural Notes: The Lamashi Church is also responsible for the "Eyes of Yuwan", an institution created to combat heresy, apostasy, heathenism and protect the Empire from foreign infiltrators. Fielding their own agents and soldiers drawn from the wider Lamashi clergy, they are under the Bright Angel's direct command, and a such, their authority inside Lamash is almost unchallenged.

Magic is wide spread in Lamash. Homunculi and other beasts, like manticores, are a common sight in most Lamashi metropolises. Usually complementing the household of a particular noble or merchant. Who also has easy access to a host of enchanted objects. From knives that never lose their edge to mirrors who can almost pass for a sentient being.

Another interesting tidbit that sets Lamash apart from other Yuwanist powers is their militant behavior. The Chosen People isn't content with simply sitting by and waiting as the armies of the Western Abomination burn their way through the Faithful. If the Goddess is to triumph Her servants must act together in a concerted effort to first stop the Western barbarians and then take back what rightfully belongs to the Mistress of Magic.

Warhammer 40k: The Eternal Fight for Freedom - Penal Legion RP (Looking for cannon fodder!)

Tigranes sighed in relief as the guards merely beat up the poor, deluded lunatic. Still, that little stunt could have killed them all. Emperor knew just how many trigger happy guards patrolled the halls of Redemption. Maybe the beating would be enough to finally set him straight. But Tigranes didn't dare to really believe it. By the looks of it, the only solution to Hall's madness was the Emperor's Mercy or a miracle. The former being much more likely in a place like this.

The Captain's words about the Crusade and the chance of redemption, however, were enough to take his mid off the pathetic spectacle on the floor. That's exactly what he was hoping for! An opportunity to wash away the stain of heresy and the crimes he had committed against the God Emperor. Even death in battle would be better than wasting away in this hellhole. The former miner didn't need any further prodding after that as he rushed alongside the mob. Pushing and shoving other convicts away in his hurry to get in line.

Once in line, Tigranes could barely contain his excitement, blurting out his name and droning on about his years in the Haykan Royal Army to a disinterested guard who motioned him forwards. The soon to be Penal Legionary made his way through the cramped halls and corridors as fast as he could in the middle of the mob of volunteers before finally reaching the cell in the Eastern Wing.

There, he found himself stopping close to several familiar faces from the canteen. None that he knew by name for Tigranes had just been recently transferred from one of the other holding sectors. Thinking about it, maybe one of his fellows from Hayk spread around the planet would also take the offer? It would be good to have some familiar faces to face the coming challenges.