Iluvatar

Two Billion Lives on the Brink

@Keyguyperson I see no reason why not.

Two Billion Lives on the Brink

@Iluvatar
Okay, good NS however couple of nitpicks...firstly automobiles are still very expensive to produce and run so they wouldn't be all that common. Its fine you mentioning research into tanks and an air presence, however these inventions etc. will happen on my say so, just to be clear. Also your traits add to -2, need rebalancing.

@gowia

I'll edit it to make it clear that automobiles are a rare sight - I tried to do that, but probably confused the issue by saying they are becoming more common. I'll also change it to show that aircraft and tanks (I guess they could end up being called something else in this different world) have not yet left the drawing board.

However, the traits do, in fact, come to 0. Did you forget the initial +3 we were given?

UPDATE: Rechecked the trait value, it is 0 if the initial +3 is included. Reworded the app slightly to make it clear that neither aircraft nor tanks have yet been developed, and that automobiles are still rare. I'll wait for conformation before putting it into the Characters tab.

Two Billion Lives on the Brink

Feel free to put in the Character Tab, it will require editing there if I say so. Let me know with a mention when you feel you have finished your NS

@gowia

I think it's pretty much done, but I think I need to refine it. Is there anything in particular that people think need improving/changing?

I'll transfer it over to 'Characters' tomorrow when I have my laptop.

Two Billion Lives on the Brink

<Snipped quote by Iluvatar>

Just pointing this out, you kinda took a majority of the Islands on the map. Other people might want some.

I know there is a certain Brit who needs a group of isles

Edit:Nevermind, he found a set he wanted.

@duck55223

I am happy to give up some of them, the map I put up is the maximum I would like.

I chose the islands because I have a weak army and am therefore unable to easily hold onto vast tracts of land, but have a powerful navy and can therefore fairly simply control islands.

However, I can certainly give up some of my islands, especially for a fellow Brit :)

Islands are cool. Ask any British, Japanese, Irish, Indonesian, Madagascan, Sri Lanka, Icelandic or New Zealand person :D

And someone put their NS into the Characters tab. Should I do the same, or do I have to wait until it is accepted (or not)? And do I need to PM it to gowia?

Two Billion Lives on the Brink

Dunno if this should be in the Characters tab until it is accepted (or not) , so I'll put it here for now.

The Unified Realm of Albia and Terosa

Nations Name: The Unified Realm of Albia and Terosa/The Albian Empire (a.k.a Albia, Unified Realm, Albia and Terosa)

Flag:

Flag of the Unified Realm

The trident is a symbol of the sea, while the two dots represent the two Realms of Albia and Terosa

Form of Government: Federal Parliamentary Democracy, Constitutional Oligarchy, Colonial Empire, Thalassocracy

Describe the System: Albia and Terosa are run by two separate parliaments but are unified as one Realm under the Oligarchy. The Albian parliament is centred in the overall capital of the Albian Empire, Kyvern, while the Terosan parliament is seated in Defteros, capital only of Terosa. The two Supreme Princes of the Oligarchy, elected from within their number, by their own number, form a Diarchy and are joint heads of state. One must always be Albian, and the other Terosan. The Albian head of government is the Chancellor, elected directly by the general public in the Chancellorship Election every 5 years. Chancellors may run for a maximum of 5 terms, though this is a rare occurrence. The Albian Chancellor serves as the spokesperson for the entire Albian Empire, but Terosa and the colonies that have been granted Provincial status all have their own Chancellors. Said Provinces are colonies of the Unified Realm that have high degrees of autonomy, but are forced to have the same foreign policy and are all integrated into the Imperial Albian Preferential Trading System. Also in the system are the lesser colonial holdings of the Unified Realm, simply colonies, that are each governed by a Colonial Delegation under the control of Kyvern.

Location on Map Desired:

Albian Empire

Capital: Kyvern, on the southern coast of the small island in the large inlet on the Albian mainland.

Other Important Settlements:
- Defteros, capital of Terosa. Situated on the east coast of the largest island of the Terosan archipelago.
- Macra, capital of the Province of Makria. Situated at the westernmost point of the inlet of the largest Makrian island.
- Ryza, capital of the Province of Pollo. Situated at the westernmost point of the largest Pollon island.
- Epipa, capital of the Province of Tinea. Situated on the Tinean mainland, on the coast of the channel between the landmass and the medium-sized island close to shore (it should be fairly obvious).

Description: Albia was one of the 'middle' nations to industrialise, not being one of the pioneers but adopting the new technology somewhat later. The cities are old and not best designed for the more modern modes of transport, but adaptions are being made to accommodate the rapidly progressing technology. Railways are now commonplace and automobiles are a new sight on the roads of Albia, but horse-drawn carts and other traditional technologies and industries are still to be found in both large cities and elsewhere.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are declining in much of Albia and Terosa due to imports from the provinces and colonies, but new industries are growing exponentially. The iron and coal deposits formerly to be found on the Albian and Terosan archipelagos have fueled the iron and steel industry, locomotive manufacture and, importantly, shipbuilding. Shipbuilding is the new major employer of the Unified Realm, producing en masse primitive sloops, cruisers, and battleships, amongst others. In addition, research into the feasibility of powered flight for military and commercial purposes is underway. Designs for strange, rolling metal vehicles with artillery mounted on their roofs to be used on warfare are on the drawing board, but no real need is seen for them as Albia is an archipelago of islands. Neither have yet been developed.

The culture of Albia is one of pomp and tradition - Albians are both practical and delight in their history. One of the symbols of their past is the Oligarchy - though retaining little of its former power, it is a unifying factor that bonds the Albian and Terosan people together.

The Albian people have enjoyed great power for many years, having been a strong mercantile and naval power. The Royal Albanian Navy is still powerful and the nation is still a centre of international trade and commerce, but its time as a global power may be brought to an untimely end should the inevitable war become too costly.

Albian is the official language of the entire Empire, but in Terosa and the colonies, original language is still upheld and preserved. Native Terosan is still widely spoken as a second language in the western part of the archipelago.

The chrima is the currency of the Unified Realm and the Empire, a disk of copper overlaid in a thin coat of steel in imitation of silver. Lower value coins include the pia and the toula.

Important Characters:
- Co-Prince Kinsa
- Co-Prince Allos
- Chancellor Larios
- Governor Nitor (of Pollo, the most important Province)
-
Traits:

Small Army: Only a relatively small army is employed by your nation. +2 (Archipelagos need no big army)

Outdated Army: Your men are armed poorly, with weapons that misfire and break, and sometimes they aren’t even armed with guns at all, shortages being common place. +3 (Spending on the army is seen as unnecessary)

King of the Seas: Your nation has a glorious Maritime history and many grand ships fill your docks and sailors are viewed as heroes in the eye of the public. -3 (Navys, however, are needed for security)

Sealegs: Your sailors have spent some time at sea and so can deal with storms and rough weather better than those of other nations. -1 (Albia is a nation of experienced seamen)

Trading Hub: Your country is a home for trade and many ships either pass through or make birth in your ports. -3 (The Albian Empire and other nations bring in wealth from across the world)

Depleted Resources: After years of exploitation your mines are dry, woods levelled and ground dead. Your land now only produces enough for the most rural of workshops to provide for itself. +2 (The iron and coal of the former days have run out, Albia now relies on foreign imports, keeping trade routes open via its navy)

Major Colonial Empire: Your nation epitomises ‘Colonial Power’ with large swathes of land under your control on different continents. -3 (Albia's vast navy has allowed it to seize control of islands across the globe, although mainland holdings are more vulnerable)

Army: (I will roll this, population, navy, GDP and stability.)
Navy:
GDP:
Stability:
Population:

The Calm Before the Storm

Hm. It just seems suspicious that they are both WW1, but seeing that there is no plagiarism, i am interested.

@UltikanaRe

This is WW1 because everyone Gowia first contacted about it and replied voted unanimously for it in a PM thread.

Just to set it straight :)

The Calm Before the Storm

I fancy doing a British-like island nation kind of thing, but not the foremost world power as Britain was at the time.

The Calm Before the Storm

Most definitely interested :)

The Nations of Tethys

<Snipped quote by Nerevarine>You're better to just give us a date.
Seasons change depending on where you're on the planet (plus other factors).
My Dwarves for example are going to live in a mountainous area with moderate weather.

@Willy Vereb

And the League will have a Mediterranean climate, so winter could come late there.

The Nations of Tethys

Full Name of Nation: League of Free Maritime Cities
Common Name: The League
Important cities:

Cities

- Igetia (I-gee-sha): De facto most powerful and influential city-state in the league. With a population of approximately 80’000, the city has the capability to project its power throughout the League and beyond, and works with other powerful cities to control the nation. Igetia’s population is primarily composed of native Igetians, but immigration from other city-states within the League have introduced significant minorities of Defterosians and Asimians into the mix, along with a number of ethnic and cultural groups from smaller, satellite cities. It is primarily a city of merchants, with food coming primarily from fishing and limited agriculture.

- Defteros (def-ter-oss): The second most powerful city of the League. Originally a colony of Asimi, it overtook its founder and was granted independence. It now maintains a population of approximately 65’000, primarily Defterosian Asimians and immigrant Asimians, as well as smaller numbers of Igetian merchants and others from smaller city-states within the League. The economy of the city is based on fishing and a rare form of blue dye, found in the shells of the Sapphire Mussel. It is this product that has made Defteros grow in wealth and power (similarly to how the power of Phoenicia came from their supplies of purple dye.

- Asimi (ass-im-ee): The oldest city of the League. Originally operating much like Phoenician cities in our world, its leaders recognised the benefits of having strong and willing allies as opposed to rebellious and unreliable subjects. For this reason, it granted its colonies (such as Defteros) equal status within the League, a concept created by the Asimians to maintain the influence of Asimi and benefit from strong alliances. Today it maintains a population of around 60’000 citizens, most of whom are employed in silver mining and semi-nomadic animal husbandry, particularly that of sheep, from which Asimi gains wool for exports.

- There are a number of other cities in the League, but the above are the three most important. Others include: Chrysos, Marmaro, Lina (from which the League’s supplies of linen come, making it the fourth most important city), Derma, and Aposchi.
Empire Alignment: The central government of the League has a policy of neutrality on outside affairs, but does occasionally hold votes on direct intervention if the interests of the League are believed to be under threat. However, individual cities are not prohibited from going to war on their own, but are not permitted to seek or expect aid of either humanitarian or military form from the central government (see the governmental structure below).

Government Type: Loose confederacy of city-states, united with each other by a common ethnicity and a central government
- Central government: Elective monarchy (de facto), oligarchic republic (de jure)
- City governments: Varied, no absolute monarchies, but many constitutional monarchies, oligarchies, republics and even one or two proto-democracies.
Technological Level: Sophisticated iron-age civilisation - science and philosophy are practised often and encouraged. Education is deemed to be of great importance.
Demonym: Usually people of the League are referred to by their city's demonym, but phrases such as 'a fleet of League ships' or 'a flock of League sheep' are used, making the unofficial demonym of the entire League simply 'League'.
Dominant Species: Human, mostly tall, with European-white skin and varying eye and hair colours.
Cultural Traits:
- Clothing: White robes and togas are commonplace, and blue mantles and cloaks are a popular accessory.
- Architecture: Marble, a material highly prised by most League cities, is a common building material. Buildings mostly resemble ancient Greek or Roman structures.
- Society: As all constituent cities of the league are coastal, the ocean is very important in League society. Fishing is a major industry, and the dye of the sapphire mussel is one of the League's main exports.
Language: Asimian
Population: Approximately 450'000
History:

History

•Founding: The origins of the League of Free Maritime Cities come from the ancient Asimian Empire. Asimi, one of the oldest cities in the region, established a number of colonies and fought several wars with the surrounding powers, eventually dominating the coastline of much of its home continent. However, because of Asimi’s extensive diplomatic and mercantile relationships with other ancient nations and tribes, several far sighted members of the government (there is no record of their ever having been an absolute monarch in ancient Asimian texts) were able to predict the unrest and rebellion caused by exerting direct control over a political entity’s possessions and were instead able to promote more autonomy for the colonies as an alternative. This culminated in the First Treaty of Asimi, in which important colonies such as Defteros and Chrysos (a gold-mining colony) were granted practical independence under a strong alliance and free-trading pact. All signatories of the Treaty, a total of 7 different cities, were given seats in the central government (the Maritime High Council) and the Asimian Empire was divided into zones of influence. Although the Treaty was viewed by some as a bad deal for the Asimians, the city was able to retain the highest level of control over its ‘equal’ counterparts, almost total monopoly over internal trade for around 150 years, and received the largest zone of direct control.

The earliest internal conflict came about when the southern portion of the direct zone of control of the city of Derma attempted to achieve recognition as a separate entity within the League, under the leadership of the city of Aposchi (app-oss-chee). This resulted in the League Civil War, with supporters of Aposchi (including Asimi, as the internal government of Asimi believe a more divided League would be easier to control) on one side, and cities which were attempting to exert more direct control over their respective zones on the other (including Derma and Marmaro). Eventually embargoes and blockades of Derma’s supporters forced them to withdraw support for the suppression of Aposchi, and a direct assault upon Derma by Asimian-led coalition forces caused the Derman government to capitulate. A new government was put in place and made to recognise Aposchi as an independent city, with its own zone lines being draw at an emergency Maritime High Council meeting in Defteros. To this day, this conflict remains the greatest dividing influence within the League.

Modern Igetian historians attribute the continued survival of the League to the unifying force imposed by the period of League history known as the Great Insurgency, when barbarian tribes from the surrounding lands migrated into League-held territory. Just 1 year after the establishment of Aposchi, these barbarian invaded both it and its northern neighbour Derma, besieging both cities and overrunning much of their zones. However, a decisive joint victory by Aposchian and Derman ships over the barbarian fleet off the small town of Symvivasei in the northern part of the Aposchi-governed zone secured time for a coalition of Asimian, Defterosian and Marmaron reinforcements to arrive. A year later, the Treaty of Symvivasei was signed with the barbarians, which, in a clever diplomatic move by the Asimian Supreme Doge, secured the withdrawal of the barbarian tribes from the League’s territories by covertly convoying them south towards the lands of another regional rival, the larger and more militaristic Hillic Empire (long since extinct by now).

As the League at this point predominantly spoke Asimian, cultural development of language was slow and relatively unimportant. Some cities developed an accent, or different common phrases and nicknames for different things, but overall language was not an issue.

The religious aspects of the culture refined itself during this period, with the ancient scriptures of the Asimian faith being shared and produced in greater quantity. During the Civil War, an attempt was made by Derma to alienate Aposchi from the other cities by accusing their minor doctrinal differences of being heretic, but this did not result in any kind of schism or divide in the Asimian (religion) faith.

During the middle period of League history, the accession of Ignetia in the Ignetian Accession Crisis caused a great deal of internal strife, almost culminating in a second civil war. The constitution of the League permitted the accession of other cities with their own zones, but Ignetia was already a rising power and it was thought by many that the inclusion of such an entity within the League would destabilise the balance of power. Asimi in particular opposed its accession. However, as Ignetia was strongly influence with Asimian culture and had long held strong trade agreements with individual cities in the League, the vote in the Maritime High Council resulted in a narrow ‘yes’ decision. Asimi was prepared to intervene with military force, but this only served to alienate the other cities as the threat was deemed unconstitutional. Defteros and the similarly rising Lina in particular supported Ignetian accession, hoping to challenge Asimian hegemony and achieve their own dominance.
This eventually culminated in the Treaty of Marmaron, where Asimi assented to the inclusion of Ignetia on the condition that a 50-year limit to 60 ships be imposed upon the new zone.
The Ignetian Accession Crisis is deemed to be the main reason for the decline of Asimi as the foremost power in the League – with population decline coupled with an overstretched naval force, Defteros, Lina and Ignetia rose to fill the power vacuum.

At the crucial point during the power transfer from Asimi to Defteros and Ignetia when their militaries and trading fleet were approximately equal, the decision to acquire the iron-rich lands on the coast of the Hillic Empire by military force was made. However, despite the collapsing of the Hillic civilisation coupled with the force of the League’s fleet, internal division between Asimi and Ignetia and poor, inexperienced leadership resulted in a catastrophic failure and embarrassing withdrawal. The Hillics, suffering from their own internal division and foreign invasion unknown to the League, were unable to militarily respond, especially with the League-aligned tribes on their northern border breathing down their neck.

A cultural revolution occurred during the middle period of League history, with the decline in Asimian influence and the growth of Ignetia’s. Ignetian culture, though heavily influence by Asimi, nevertheless exhibited several differences. These included shoes turned-up at the toe and shorter tunics and robes, sharply different to the traditional long robes and mantles of Asimi.
Religion changed little during this time, though minor doctrinal differences increased in size and distribution. A small sect based in Chrysos did attempt to split off from the Asimian faith, but it was largely marginalised and became increasingly unpopular as time went on.

Military Type: The League relies heavily on its navy to protect its trade, and it therefore unable to sustain a long land-based campaign. To maintain its land territories, bowmen are patrolled around most cities as scouts or guards. If trouble is noticed, the guard reports back to the city and summons aid, although this aid is often too weak or few in number to repel the invasion. If such an event occurs, the navy delivers supplies and more aid to the besieged city while attempting to cut off any naval supply lines to the attackers. Land-based supply routes are also targets for interception, although attempts to disrupt such routes are far less successful.
Population in Military (%): Varies from city to city, but overall around 0.05%.

By the way, I didn't just write out all that history, it was from another rp that fell through :)