"Right ok we'll take a five minute break and then continue"
Jack took a sip from his water bottle and replaced it in his coat. He contemplated sitting on the ground but his curiousity of the farmhouse was greater than the weariness of walking all day. Jack climbed over the fence walking around to the back of the building. Jack walked into to the barn and looked around picking up a withered stick to look at. It could have been an arrow or maybe a piece of some other tool; a plow or rake. The building was old and Jack wondered what had destroyed it? Why? Was this place so close to earth as to have wars of sorts? It seemed to be at least as civilized as earth. Fields, fences, what if they had just stumble back in time not into another world? The troll the German police had seen came back to him. No that must not be it. If the building was newer he could tell more he was no expert on this... He was egar to continue on up onto the mountains standing on the path lookin up seeing if anything coul. Be discerned by the little path.
Jack walked along behind his commander carrying his HK416 on his shoulder. He spotted the decrepit fence noticing it coul be a pasture of some sort. Maybe it wasn't so far off from Kansas as he thought..exploring the field could be quite an experience. Why not? They would still fulfill their mission. "Sir, Why not? Let's follow the fence" Jack glanced toward either end of the fence he could see nothing seemed to be wrong.
Jack was uneasy the woods and mountains of this land seemed less orderly and much more alien than his hills and plains of Kansas. None of the other places he had gone felt so different as if the air had a chemical his body was not used to in it. He checked his pistol resting in the holster by his leg, it was secure and leaving his assault rifle on his back, pulled it out. A long day ahead of walking he realized no point carrying this the whole time. He slid in back into his leg, but not without the others noticing he had taken it out. Estimating quickly, he had no doubt that they could make it to the mountains and back in one days time, but what was this place really? "Permission to speak, sir" Karl nodded an acquiesce and Jack spoke on, "What do you expect to find in these mountains?"
Name: Jack Weirden Age: 22 Nationality: American Gear/Weapons: Glock 17 handgun (4 clips x 17 bullets each) HK416 assault rifle (4 clips x 30 bullet s each) hand grenade (2) water bottle (2) Swiss Army knife
Appearance: Jack is 5'9" and about 155 lb. He is built as a mid distance runner but not with very muscular arms. He has blonde hair cut short In Military style with a small goatee growing a darker blond on his face. His eyes are brown or sometimes green. He has very fair skin burning easily in the sunlight. Freckles are visible on his face but not a huge feature.
Bio: Jack grew up in Kansas on a beef farm. His parents and grandparents worked the land before him but he wanted a different profession and thought the army would suit him. Going through high school Jack ran the 800 meter run breaking two minutes his senior year he enrolled to Army ROTC in college and majored in mathematics, choosing the military over what could have been a promising athletic career. Just out of college, NWRTF was a good opportunity to prove himself for his country and the world so he left America and traveled to Germany (only after given leave by his CO and vowing to send reports back of the new land).
Personality: Jack enjoys new places and opportunity part of the reason he joined the military in the first place. He is good at math, although not a genius level he was in the top 10 of his graduating class. Jack doesn't listen to music much or play an instrument of any kind. His days would rather be spent reading or exploring. Jack has a good sense of humor-when not on duty of course. Loyalty to his country and comrades in arms is important. Jack will work hard to achieve his goals. If he had not joined the military he could be a professional class athlete or possibly even an astronaut. While not terribly religious, Jack is a conservative.
Other: Jack can drive and fix cars well having done so since 12 years old. Jack also has shot shotguns and pistols since a young age, Albeit not automatic assault rifles. Jack thinks parts of the land should definitely belong to the land of the free and the brave.
Id be interested in joinin assumin there are still slots
Name: Jack Weirden Age: 22 Nationality: American Gear/Weapons: Glock 17 handgun (4 clips x 17 bullets each) HK416 assault rifle (4 clips x 30 bullet s each) hand grenade (2) water bottle (2) Swiss Army knife
Appearance: Jack is 5'9" and about 155 lb. He is built as a mid distance runner but not with very muscular arms. He has blonde hair cut short In Military style with a small goatee growing a darker blond on his face. His eyes are brown or sometimes green. He has very fair skin burning easily in the sunlight. Freckles are visible on his face but not a huge feature.
Bio: Jack grew up in Kansas on a beef farm. His parents and grandparents worked the land before him but he wanted a different profession and thought the army would suit him. Going through high school Jack ran the 800 meter run breaking two minutes his senior year he enrolled to Army ROTC in college and majored in mathematics, choosing the military over what could have been a promising athletic career. Just out of college, NWRTF was a good opportunity to prove himself for his country and the world so he left America and traveled to Germany (only after given leave by his CO and vowing to send reports back of the new land).
Personality: Jack enjoys new places and opportunity part of the reason he joined the military in the first place. He is good at math, although not a genius level he was in the top 10 of his graduating class. Jack doesn't listen to music much or play an instrument of any kind. His days would rather be spent reading or exploring. Jack has a good sense of humor-when not on duty of course. Loyalty to his country and comrades in arms is important. Jack will work hard to achieve his goals. If he had not joined the military he could be a professional class athlete or possibly even an astronaut.
Other: Jack can drive and fix cars well having done so since 12 years old. Jack also has shot shotguns and pistols since a young age, Albeit not automatic assault rifles. Jack thinks parts of the land should definitely belong to the land of the free and the brave.
If theres still open seats here is my sheet any suggestions would be gladly accepted
Culture
Nation Name Aratona (eh-ruh-toe-nuh)
Ethnic Peoples
Aratonians Grenoles (native name for people living by the river Grend)
Ethnic Description Aratonians have long lived in places of heat and sunlight especially near their beloved river Grend. Although they may have once been fair skinned, the entire population now has darker skin and tends not to burn in the sun. Some do and get dark red burns anywhere they are exposed. Hair color is almost uniform in Aratonians being a dark brown that most kept very short to avoid the heat. Eye color, however, is not a shared trait in Aratona as varies from brown to blue to shades of green. Brown is the most common color of eyes but blue eyes are found on almost every aristocrat. Many people in Aratona are also color-blind, males and females alike.
Aratonians are by no means a small people, as height generally falls into the 5'6" to 5'11" category, but they are not known for having large amounts of muscle. Their builds reflect this being thinner and more lithe, not stocky or strapping. They are quick-fingered and fast but do not have the brute strength of some peoples. They tend to run and swim well over long distance although do not compete in sprints. This could be helped by the fact that Aratonians never ride horses or engage in combat with vehicles (ships aside of course). Some Aratonians who ancestors have fed from the sea for hundreds of years and have little exposure to red meat have trouble digesting beef, venison, pork, and other large mammals products preferring simple fish and carbohydrates grow in Aratona. These natives also have much trouble being in drier climates suffering severe headaches and dryness of throat.
Culture The history of Aratona centers around the river Grend and its link to the sea. The largest cities all lie on the river. Every year in honor of Elonar, citizens from all over Aratona travel to take part in the biggest observance-the festival of boats. Aratonians love the water, and the festival goes on for days with swimming and sailing. Contests for speed and beauty of ships are held with the people being the judge. The awards for these contests are taken seriously and given out at the Hall of Kings, the only temple in Aratona. Receiving an award of the festival of boats brings great joy to a family.
Their ships are built to be fast and are not large. Trading vessels are designed to combat the seasonal winds so are lateen rigged. These seasonal winds can be so severe they would deter normal sailors coming up the river. Grenoles even ordinary people have adapted to them. Citizens in cities near the river Grend generally own boats similar to canoes which can accommodate up to 5 people. Aratonians swim and ride these boats almost from birth. Bigger vessels owned by the Great house bring mail up and down the river. These are usually treated with great applause as when a ship bearing the Royal sigil comes to town mail from relatives is delivered. Middle class and wealthy merchants also have the option of sending their mail a quicker way-by bird. Green pigeons are most commonly used and fly messages across the country; between these two systems, news spreads very quickly in Aratona and hence the expression "gossip in Aratona" refers to something everyone knows.
The food of Aratona almost entitled comes from the river and ocean. A commoners diet consists of freshwater fish, shellfish, sea plants, wine and if trading and growing has gone well recently: bread, cheese, and vegetables. Red meat is not eaten at all by the common people. Growing crops is not very common in the parts of Aratona near the sea but further inland vegetables, fruits, and sugar cane can be grown plentifully. These are mainly shipped away to the royalty or traded to other nations, unless a surplus is made. Foods such as red meat and dairy products come to Aratona exclusively by trade as no large animals are found naturally near the river Grend. Some small rodents and birds can be killed as well and sold for a great profit-meat is considered a delicacy. When traveling to foreign countries, anyone who has an abundance of meat is usually regarded as a glutton or untrustworthy.
The land within 5-12 miles of the river is generally populated or used as farm land but farther away from the river on the southern side a desert stretches on to where the commoners know not. Aratona is known for being flat, hot, and humid. The northern parts of the river and far inland in the south have forests of deciduous trees providing wood to sell and build ships. Fruit trees are not uncommon. Wood and fish are the main exports of Aratona accompanied by small amounts of sugar, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and a small fruit known as Aratona fruit that only grows in Aratona and is used for making wine.
Common dress consists of a simple robe or cloak of a drab color and a wide brimmed hat or hood covering the face. A persons place in society can be guessed by the brightness of their garment: brown and tan for workers; yellow or blue for merchants, soldiers, priests, and lower level officials; red for aristocrats; and purple for royalty. The working class people are fishers, farmers, lumberjacks, sailors, or in times of need men-at-arms.
Trading is a big part of Aratona's income and the wealthy are usually merchants. Because of this and common interaction with other nations and other nations selling materials along the Grend, people tend to be open to foreigners and foreign men of higher class are welcomed as guests at the palace and taken on a welcoming cruise down the Grend. After this, they are asked about their reasons for coming to Aratona. As long as intentions seem honest and the houses of Aratona the homeland of the guest are at peace, the guest is free to travel the country.
Worship of Elonar and Eitru are generally looked on as private things in Aratona so priests are rare. The only large celebration honoring the gods is the festival of boats. After Eirtu was destroyed, more minor sects formed around Aratona but the festival of boats did not stop. Some worship the river god "Grend" of the river Grend and those join in the festivities of festival of boats as well agreeing with the bigger church that the river gives life to the population. Another minor sect with some power believes Elonar will be destroyed soon as well and the worship of man should be to the sun.
Social gatherings of the Aratonians are usually centered around the thing all people around Ardacia share: music. Aratonians tend to focus on only two kinds of art: ship building and decorating, but also playing instruments usually drums and strings without frets. Playing music is not seen as a career, it is common for everyone to play or sing. Any other religious ceremonies that take place focus on music as well.
Fighting on both land and sea, Aratonians tend to use projectile weapons typically the bow or crossbow. Some soldiers also train with swords and scimitars, the value and protection of armor is dependent on economic class, so most soldiers only wear chain mail. Aratonians' ships are not designed for war, but with speed outflanking or outrunning the enemy can almost always be achieved. The Royal houses during war will inplement the use of crescent arrowheads, which can cut sails and rigging of enemy ships. Another tactic is using ballista mounted on ships with flaming tips dipped in tar imported from northern Ardacia.
History The History of Aratona revolves around its main resource-the river Grend itself. The first outpost, now replaced by the Grendgate, was built by none other than Shamar Hadad, Ardall the Great's best naval commander. Not needing to fight the Earthmen on the water, Shamar took a lesser cavalry command under his brother Axxel Hadad one of Ardall's Generals. Together they routed the native Earthmen from the river claimed it for their own and placed the outpost on the Grend knowing how valuable it could be-it teemed with life, was deep enough for ships to enter, and was surrounded by fertile land.
With the protection of the royal name as a safeguard people came to settle the river: Earthmen who learned common tougue as well as Men and Women from Ardall's homelands. Under the rule of the empire, Aratona had nothing but prosperity in trade and built itself to be a notable name in shipbuilding all around Aratona. The people picked the natural berries and experimented planting crops found on different parts of Aratona they had traded with.
The grandson of Shamar (Samuel I) owned quite a large amount of land and named himself of the land. He built the keep of Grendgate and established House Canmore. Two minor houses (House Forener and another that disappeared) agreed to follow Canmore and they conquered the other houses making Aratona.
The Great Uprising stirred up the empire and House Canmore, as they came to call themselves, was called to help overthrow the emperor. The current seat (King Oliver II) thought long about it and realized he could make a bigger profit without the empires' taxes, so he sent ships to blockade two of the empires main ports and after the war took possession of many of the empires trading vessels. People who opposed the movements against the empire realized they were wrong after how easily the great houses of Aratona took down the empire and how much independence gave them freedom. Oliver II set few rules other than minor tariffs and oaths of loyalty from the lesser houses of Aratona.
The people of Aratona rely on the sea and by controlling the sea's entrance (the mouth of the Grend), House Canmore controls its people. This control has gone on for generations with the people content and power passing from father to son or until the current monarch Oliver XI ruled. Many citizens suspect he does not actually relate to the original founders the brothers Shamar and Axxel under Ardall but he controls Grendgate and rules with unchallenged control.
House
House Name House Canmore
House Members
King Oliver XI Queen Helen Prince Oliver XII Prince Howard Lady Cordelia Sir Alfred
House Words "Swiftness of the wind" Due to Aratona's heavy seasonal winds, navigating the Grend and surrounding ocean can be very tough. For experienced sailors, however, the winds can be used as an advantage instead of a hindrance. House Canmore has led naval engagements and navigated the winds for generations leading to their boasts and claiming to master the wind, being as swift as it.
House Sigil (Blue and white background, black border, green pigeon, house motto)
House Seat The house Canmore rules from Grendgate at the mouth of the Grend. It is a traditional enough looking 5-tower castle with wooden doors opening at a cart road, leading to the heart of the castle. From the real entrance however, is something much more impressive. The ships' gate or Grendgate has a wide canal running into a large archway with a portcullis suspended high enough ships could enter. The high towers on either side of the ships' gate light beacons for those entering the Grend, seen from miles around. These are kept lit year in and year out. Upon entering the gate the inner keep is visible with the standard of house Canmore flying high on each of its 4 towers. About 1/3 of the area within the outer walls is covered with water-a huge man made lake (construction started under OliverIII) capable of holding a portion of the lords fleet. There always seems to be activity going on in the castle, ships coming and leaving the Grendgate and soldiers training. The castle opens up to the sky and sea, allowing one to feel free but protected still. The walls of the inner keep are impressive, made with marble from a far away part of Arcadia and are hundreds of years old. The castle is kept rather clean as waste is dumped into the ocean. No one could miss that this is the political center of Aratona or feel as if it was abandoned .
House Heirloom A small black covered disk that when opens reveal its true nature-a compass. How exactly it finds direction is unknown, but it unfailingly points south as all Aratonian maps have south facing up. Not only does it function but it is a thing of beauty. West, north, and east are inlaid with gems and south has a large emerald which glitters in the sunlight. The arrow itself is played in gold and spins smoothly to point south.
House Themes
Capital City Lumi is the name of the city surrounding Grendgate. It is large stretching for miles down the Grend. The center of town is the docks where the trading ships bring their goods after paying tariffs to the royalty. The dwellings in Lumi are generally are built with only one floor but a cellar as well, a cool place to sleep at night and to store food. Markets are common around the city, small booths set up to sell today's import from Ardacia or from farms inland. The most notable building is the only temple in Aratona-the Hall of Kings they call it because all kings since Oliver III were buried within. The hall was built in honor of Oliver III by his son Oliver IV. The largest tapestries owned by House Canmore are in this hall and are of the oceans. On one side the night with the two moons of Ardacia, and the opposite end of the hall the ocean at morning with the sun just rising. Two roads run out of Lumi. One leads to the docks and up to the north winding to the center of House Mak. The other leads to Grendgate and runs parallel for miles down the Grend.
Banner Houses House Mak The most independent lesser house of Aratona and the only one to not be situated on the river Grend. It is farther north and is led by Lord Nicolo who is a Suberb shot with the short bow.
House Forener The most powerful of the lesser houses-Forener Castle sits in the mouth of the Grends biggest tributary. It is called the River Rachele or sometimes the Little Grend. About 2/3 the lumber industry is within their domain. House Thoman Boasts having the queen from their house. House Loushi House Forehall
Royalty King Oliver XI [-]
King Oliver XI King Oliver has reigned for over 25 years claiming an age of 46 years old. He reigned after his father died leaving him in charge of the kingdom. Finances were Oliver's biggest concern and through many good judgments and the evasion of war, Oliver doubled the wealth of the Royal house. Aratonians love their kind King who asks nothing but a few pennies from them. Aratona has not seen a major war since Oliver VIII ruled years ago. Oliver enjoys nothing more than to sit by the waterside of the Grend with his wife Helen and enjoy his Aratona berry wine and with cheese from northern parts of Ardacia. He is a large man roughly 5'9" and very overweight. His blue-grey eyes let anyone see that he is content with his life, happy with his kingdom, and proud of his sons. He is bald, his hair not having grown on the top of his head since he turned 36. He does not have a beard keeping it well trimmed to avoid the heat. He will die on the day Eirtu is destroyed.
Queen Helen [-]
Queen Helen The wife of King Oliver and mother of Oliver XII and Howard. She is soon to be a widow. Helen was born into the house Thoman and there her loyalty lies after it being to her husband and then to House Canmore. She is 3 years younger than Oliver at 43, too old to bear more children she still faithfully sits with him through diplomatic meetings and sails on cruises with him when he desires her. Helen was loved by Oliver her whole life, he never cheated on her or had concubines to serve him preferring her company. When he dies she will be devastated and unable to help her sons rule the kingdom. Helen is tall for a female of Aratona standing 5'7". She has the blue eyes that passed to her sons. A green-blue like the ocean. She is calm and brings a peace to the royal court.
Prince Oliver XII [-]
Prince Oliver XII
Age 22 years almost to become 23 in a few months.
Loyalty House Canmore (No other loyalties currently)
Appearance Oliver stands a 5'8" a little bit shorter than his father and bit shorter than his brother. Oliver has eyes similar to his brother and mother although a little less green and a darker blue. His beard is short and head hair shorter. Brown hair being common in his family, he is no exception. His fingers are long and kept noticeably clean. Oliver wears the purple robes of royalty, proud of his heritage and position. When outside he wears a wide tan hat blocking the sun from his face and covering it in shadow. He carries his long sword everywhere with him. It is nothing extraordinary to look at with a black leather handle and simple hand guard. Hider [-]
Personality Oliver has almost no friends taking special care before trusting people or developing relationships. It is no surprise he has not found a wife while his younger brother Howard has become betrothed. Oliver is formal but a good speaker with command over common tougue only a man who reads constantly could attain. His swordplay is also magnificent and he spends an hour a day fencing his courtiers in turn. He bathes more frequently than anyone else in the royalty having read it can improve health. Oliver is arrogant, proud of his own skills and his house unwilling to believe they could beaten, unwilling to believe much that comes from others than his trusted bird-message carrying system from all houses in Aratona. Oliver strays from social gatherings and music preferring his books, or the sea. Oliver has a formal relationship at best with his brother Howard. Oliver knows Howard challenges his right to the throne, after his marriage especially.
History Prince Oliver learned to read at a young age and enjoyed reading tales of the empire before his father. The ships of Aratona coming to the blockade the emperor and pictures of Oliver II grew imprinted in his mind from a young age and he knew he could be a great naval commander as well. Growing up he also gained the desire to be a masterful swordsman convincing his father to hire a tutor to teach him. The tutor taught him for years until one day taking him away from the castle and trying to kill Oliver. Oliver was only 13 at the time, and still managed to draw his own weapon and strike down the tutor. Oliver studied in his own after that and waited until the throne would be his and he could Aratona and reintroduce its military tradition.
Prince Howard [-]
Prince Howard Of the two sons, Howard is the most like his father choosing a life where monetary gain and indulgences are a priority and ruling the kingdom comes after food, drink, women, and fine clothing. Howard is a decent shot with the bow, but spends most of his time playing music on his fiddle or singing to his betrothed (lady Cordelia of house Forener). Howard enjoys the river as do all Aratonians, occasionally taking a ship down to House Mak or House Loushi to collect taxes. Howard has his mother's eyes and unusual height. He is taller than his brother by 2 inches, adding clarity to the claims that he should be king.
Lady Cordelia [-]
Lady Cordelia Cordelia comes from house Forener being engaged to Howard to assure ties between the Greater and lesser house. Although their marriage is arranged, Cordelia finds joy in it as Howard is kind to her and she could be queen over Aratona some day, something she always dreamed of doing. Cordelia does not entertain the thought of being subservient to Howard, and thinks the power belongs in her hands as well as anyone else's. Cordelia would spend her time on the water all day if she could rowing or swimming near the banks of the Grend. Cordelia is a little fairer skinned than most Aratonians and does not have the characteristic blue eyes of royalty. Instead, her eyes are brown like her hair. She cuts it short although not as short as the men of the Royal house do. Cordelia is short herself but no man would look down to her-she is royalty after all.
Sir Alfred
Sir Alfred Sir Alfred was from a house so minor, it's name does not matter as no one would recognize it. He was the capital of a ship trading for House Canmore that was seized by pirates, but he fought back killing the pirate leader and freeing his crewmates to actually take over the Pirates ship and sail home with both laden with cargo. King Oliver XI was so impressed he set as second in command of the naval fleet. As King Oliver never fought wars or even had the slightest idea commanding ships in battle, Alfred essentially commanded all of the navy. Although trying to bring the navy up to par with other fighting ships of the world he was almost as oblivious to naval combat as his Leige. His loyalty lays to his shipmates with whom he almost died and had worked with for a decade, then to the house Canmore. Sir Alfred is a short man with no features of royalty. He has more strength than is typical for an Aratonian man of 39. Alfred shaves his head, although keeping a thick brown beard from ear to ear. His eyes are a brown and his nose is crooked with scars running across his face from the legendary fight with pirates.
