Serpentine88

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Flagg said
Can we get a sense of the major religions?

@Flagg: Today I am going to be writing up the official information for the four main religions and which holy city is for which religion.

@Greivous/LoneWanderer: Lol

@People concerning maps: When adding your territory, please do so by using the paint bucket tool to 'fill in' the blocks with your colour. Not only does this make it easier for me but it allows you to keep a record on your own number of blocks. For example, @Rex: Your nation (If the black line is your border) has what appears to be around 39 blocks, not 16 (Its hard to see because of the small size and low quality)

Otherwise, @Rex/Wernher: Very good start ups for nations

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

You make a sound point.

Right, I will re-phrase the requirements for custom species. I require players to substantially detail their creations CHARACTERISTICS (not necessarily strengths and weaknesses, just what they are), I can then determine if it is acceptable for the RP or not. I think this should remove a significant amount of the clutter on the sheets (I was a bit annoyed about that).

---

Edit done. Please look over modified race category on sheet.

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

ASTA said
Looked like an excellent roleplay until I started seeing flaws/traits/strengths/weaknesses/ect slots in the 'Host/Species' template.

Personally I actually agree with you (Excessive Flaws/trait systems nearly always stifle creativity), but I require a means to stop min-maxing species (otherwise I deal with problems of species that are high in value and also high in numbers). I consider it a necessary weasel to make the RP functional, however if you have a better idea I am listening for any alternatives for race statistics (Or at least a means to stop min-maxing).

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Goldeagle1221 said
AS aspiring to be a Host, would I be better off waiting for a few realms to be accepted?

You can start creating your host before the realms are accepted, although I would suggest holding off on parts of it (Strongholds, patrons, etc obviously) until we have some idea of what the realms will look like. I mostly put this information out here in the interest check so we can begin work while I wait for more people to have interest and finish up with the game mechanics.

Enalais said
Also what are limitations on magic?

A good question as this is a matter that is still currently having its game mechanics worked on! xD, though to sum it up, standard nameless magic users are capable of using 'standard' fantasy magic attacks and abilities (Fireballs, healing, etc) while heroes are capable of the more ridiculous abilities. One thing to take into account is that unlike most RP's that use magic, magic is not only determined by deities but also location. The closer a magic user is to a holy site, holy object (Like a relic) or one of the holy cities the more powerful they become (Though a concrete system will have to be written down to actually determine what that means objectively).

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Here are the current prototype version of the realm and host sheets and associated guides, note that they are subject to change.
Note 1: I will probably streamline the sheet by the official OOC version so its not as cumbersome.

Realm Sheet

-Realm name:
-Flag/Banner:

NATIONAL
-Capital:
-Government Type:
-Currency:
-Population: (See Guide For Info)
-Realm Size: (See Guide For Info)
-Unique Trait #1: (Created by the player, needs to be approved by me)
-Unique Trait #2: (Created by me, mostly to reduce min-maxing)
-Unique Flaw #1 (Created by the player, needs to be approved by me)
-Unique Flaw #2 (Created by me, mostly to reduce min-maxing)

GEOGRAPHICAL
-World-Realm Map: (Fill in desired blocks on world map)
-Internal-Realm Map: (A zoomed in map of your controlled blocks and major cities/castles/locations within it)
-Major Cities:
-Major Castles:
-Buildings of Interest:
-Geographic Features of Interest:

RACIAL
-Majority Race: (See Guide For Info for standard race list or create your own)
-Majority Race Appearance:
-Majority Race Characteristics (Things like height, species type, biology, etc. Note that due to things like sub-races and cousin species, you can modify the standard races)
-Minority Races: (If any, these are typically standard races or races created by other players, however you can still create your own. Note that minority does not necessarily mean insignificant)
-Minority Race Apearance(s):
-Minority Race Characteristics: (Things like height, species type, biology, etc. Note that due to things like sub-races and cousin species, you can modify the standard races)

RELIGION & MAGIC
-State Religion: (Either create your own local religion or take on a major religion)
-Religious Information (If creating your own local religion, information here)
-Religion Demographics:
-Holy Relics In Possession:
-Holy Sites Under Control:
-Magical Schools and Curriculum: (What forms of magic are common? Note worshiped deity)

MILITARY
-Total Military Size (See Guide For Info)
-Military Details (Unit Types and distribution of numbers)

NATIONAL DRAMATIS PERSONAE
-Head of State/Monarch:
-Ruling Dynasty (If applicable):
-Constable Of The Army (If applicable):
-Religious Head (If Applicable):
-Persons of interest:

HEROIC DRAMATIS PERSONAE
-Insert hero characters here

CULTURAL
-History
-List of Historical Grievances
-Relations
-Cultural Notes

Host sheet

THE HOST
-Holy City Benefactor: (If applicable)
-Original Primary Objective:
-Original Secondary Objectives:
-Host Size: (See Guide)
-Unique Trait #1: (Created by the player, needs to be approved by me)
-Unique Trait #2: (Created by me, mostly to reduce min-maxing)
-Unique Flaw #1 (Created by the player, needs to be approved by me)
-Unique Flaw #2 (Created by me, mostly to reduce min-maxing)

PATRONAGE & GEOGRAPHIC
-Host Map: (Place founding location, current objectives, former objectives, current position of Host and the route it has so far taken from its founding location)
-Founding Location: (Where did the Host first begin its march)
-Patron Realms:
-Host Headquarters Location:
-Major Host Strongholds:
-Buildings of Interest:

RACIAL
-Majority Race: (See Guide For Info for standard race list or create your own)
-Majority Race Appearance:
-Majority Race Characteristics (Things like height, species type, biology, etc. Note that due to things like sub-races and cousin species, you can modify the standard races)
-Minority Races: (If any, these are typically standard races or races created by other players, however you can still create your own. Note that minority does not necessarily mean insignificant)
-Minority Race Apearance(s):
-Minority Race Characteristics (Things like height, species type, biology, etc. Note that due to things like sub-races and cousin species, you can modify the standard races)

RELIGION & MAGIC
-Host Religion (Note: If the Host is of the religious crusader variety, it is suggested to use one of the major religions, otherwise the host would have inadequate funding to launch)
-Holy Relics In Possession:
-Holy Sites Under Control: (Requires either land or donations from patrons)
-Hosts Magical Arsenal: (Common magic forms used by host magic users)

MILITARY
-Total Military Size (See Guide For Info)
-Military Details (Unit Types and distribution of numbers)

LEADERSHIP DRAMATIS PERSONAE
-Host Leader
-Host Religious Head (Note: Typically a direct underling of religions overall leader)
-Persons of Interest

HEROIC DRAMATIS PERSONAE
-Insert heroes here

CULTURAL
-History of the Host (This includes how it was founded and why)
-Relations (This is very important for hosts as hosts have to pass through realms)
-Customs and Traditions (Cultural quirks of the host)

Sheet Creation Guide

-Empire:
1: 80 blocks maximum without modifiers
2: 18 million people maximum without modifiers (10-15 average. 18 million = 1300's pre-black death France's population roughly)
3: 260,000 maximum soldiers without modifiers
4: 1000 practical magic users without modifiers
5: 10 heroes maximum without modifiers
6: 260 warships maximum without modifiers (Requires water)

-Major Kingdom:
1: 40 blocks maximum without modifiers
2: 8 million people maximum without modifiers (3-5 average. 3 million = 1200's England's population)
3: 120,000 maximum soldiers without modifiers
4: 500 practical magic users without modifiers
5: 5 heroes maximum without modifiers
6: 120 warships maximum without modifiers (Requires water)

-Minor Kingdom:
1: 20 blocks maximum without modifiers
2: 2 million people maximum without modifiers
3: 65,000 maximum soldiers without modifiers
4: 200 practical magic users without modifiers
5: 3 heroes maximum without modifiers
6: 65 warships maximum without modifiers (Requires water)

-Principality:
1: 10 blocks maximum without modifiers
2: 500,000 people maximum without modifiers
3: 20,000 maximum soldiers without modifiers
4: 50 practical magic users without modifiers
5: 1 hero maximum without modifiers
6: 20 warships maximum without modifiers (Requires water)

-Host/Crusade/Order/Horde/Reclamation Army/etc:
1: 0 blocks (MUST CONQUER OR HAVE LAND APPOINTED)
2: Strongholds determined by patrons
3: 500,000 maximum members of the host without modifiers
4: 5000 magic users without modifiers
5: unlimited maximum heroes (Within reason... This also means no spamming legendary creatures)
6: ??? warships maximum without modifiers (Appointed by holy cities and gifted by patrons)
NOTE: The suggested average host size is 200,000, around the size of Emperor Barbarossa's Host during the Third Crusade

Standard Races List

(Note: This list are typical races found in fantasy, players are not obligated to use these races and may make their own, however they must submit the race info to me first so I can determine its characteristics and as such statistics. Also note that the traits/flaws are more guidelines than absolute facts and players can modify them so long as the results are balanced and approved by me, this is particularly notable in the case of sub-races and cousin species. The statistical numbers can not be modified however)

~~~Standard Races:
Humanoids (Human):
1: Standard army numbers
2: Jack-Of-All-Stats, No traits beyond setting the standard for everything else
3: Jack-Of-All-Stats, No flaws beyond setting the standard for everything else

Orcoids (Orcs)
1: Standard army numbers
2: Typical Traits of Orcoids: High strength, large size, high stamina, high pain-threshold, high adrenaline, Berserker capabilities
2: Typical Flaws of Orcoids: Hyper-aggressive, Prone to infighting, Low flexibility,

Great Orcoids (Ogres, Trolls)
1: For every Great Orcoid in army added, remove 100 soldiers from maximum.
2: Typical Traits of Great Orcoids: Huge size, extremely high strength, extremely high stamina, high pain-threshold
2: Typical Flaws of Great Orcoids: Very low flexibility, low mobility, low intelligence, high living costs

Lesser Orcoids (Goblins)
1: For every Goblin in army added, add an additional soldier to maximum (x2)
2: Typical Traits of Lesser Orcoids: High terrain mobility(Wall-climbing), high mobility, high resistance to cold, ability to see in dark, high birth rate
3: Typical Flaws of Lesser Orcoids: Low strength, poor day sight, prone to infighting

Elven (High,Wood,Dark,etc)
1: Standard army numbers
2: Typical Traits of Elves: High perception, high mobility, high intelligence, long life
3: Typical Flaws of Elves: Low stamina, low strength, strict hierarchical social groups, low fertility

Dwarfish (Dwarves, Gnomes, Hobbits, Half-men, etc)
1: Standard army numbers
2: Typical Traits of Dwarves: High stamina, high strength, high intelligence, long life
3: Typical Flaws of Dwarves: Low perception, low mobility, strict hierarchical social groups, low fertility

Giants (Giants)
1: For every Giant in army added, remove 100 soldiers from maximum.
2: Typical Traits of Giants: Huge Size, extremely-high strength, passive when not in combat
3: Typical Flaws of Giants: Low magical capacity, low perception, low flexibility, high living costs

~~~Beastoid Races
Centauroids (Centaurs)
1: For every Centaur in army added, remove 4 soldiers from maximum.
2: Typical Traits of Centuars: Extremely high mobility, cavalry supremacy, large size
3: Typical Flaws of Centuars: High living costs, poor siege capabilities, poor terrain mobility

Reptilians (Lizard-Folk, Draconians, etc)
1: For every Reptilian in army added, remove 2 soldiers from maximum.
2: Typical Traits of Reptilians: Large size, high strength, resistant to poison/disease, natural armour,
3: Typical Flaws of Reptilians: Territorial society, strict hierarchical social groups, weakness to cold

~~~Legendary/Divine Races (One-man-army hero races, generally requires divine intervention or intent)
Dragons
1: For every dragon in army added, remove either 1 hero from maximum for a extremely powerful dragon or 10 magic users from maximum for an average dragon
2: Typical Traits of Dragons: Huge size, can fly, breath attacks, extremely-high strength, resistant to poison/disease, natural armour, long life, high perception, high intelligence, high pain-threshold, Gold hoarder, vast knowledge
3: Typical Flaws of Dragons: Extremely high living costs, low flexibility, territorial society, ingrained superiority complex, prone to infighting

Phoenixes
1: For every phoenix in army added, remove 1 hero from maximum
2: Typical Traits of Phoenixes: Huge size, can fly, high perception, high intelligence, immortal, resistance to physical attacks, fire attacks, vast knowledge, high flexibility, healing abilities, extremely high magical capabilities, fearless
3: Typical Flaws of Phoenixes: Passive in combat, vulnerable in regions occupied by darkness, fearless, prone to suicide attacks

Celestial Embodiment (Avatars, Angels, Demi-Gods, Messiahs, Prophets, Saints, Reborn Heroes, Divine Intervention)
1: REQUIRES SPECIAL EVENTS TO APPEAR
2: Typical Traits of Celestial Embodiment: Nigh-Invincible to conventional weapons, Literal instrument of god/ess/s, aura of strength/morale/vitality/healing/willpower, fearless, variable physical traits however usually overpowered.
3: Typical Flaws of Celestial Embodiment: Requires special events, requires allied army to be losing, some have very limited life span, fearless, prone to suicide attacks/martyrdom

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Yes to both.

1: A host if it successfully captures land can form into a realm (Though doing so may piss off people if the land did not originally belong to you) similar to the first crusade forming the kingdom of Jerusalem. ALSO, the reverse is possible, if a realm is taken over by the darkness (And is likely to happen), a realm player can continue playing as a host of their realms remaining soldiers and/or refugee's. Note that a host does not HAVE to form a realm if it retakes land and continue on crusading (Usually resulting in the land going back to its original owner) or if a host is defensive it simply continues on with its mission.

2: Hosts can recruit from realms through two means.
Officially: Through "Patron Realms" (Realms that officially sponsor hosts), a host can build chapter houses/strongholds/forts/whatever to act as bases of operations. Similar to how the Knights Templar owned numerous facilities across Europe, a host can use these strongholds as bases of operations, mustering area's, recruitment, training and civilian headquarters for branches of the host that deal with things like logistics, finances and negotiations.
Unofficially: By hiring mercenary bands, hiring specialized mercenary companies, or if the host is particularly religiously motivated, convince members of their faith to join up. Unofficial recruitment also includes antagonistic acts against the nation they are passing through, like directly recruiting peasants or soldiers without permission from the lords of the land. This kind of recruitment behavior can escalate into infighting (Note: Fighting between realms and hosts is very possible and may be a chief factor in the forces of darkness expanding)

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Goldeagle1221 said
Host obviously don't fill out the NS, am I correct?

Indeed, Hosts will have their own separate sheet, they will also have a separate section detailing the game mechanics between realms and hosts (It is mostly simple stuff like maximum numbers and such, my game mechanics are going to be relatively simplistic and are mostly there to avoid powergaming issues)

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

@Captain: Right, makes sense

@Khan: I think that definition also fits semi-nomadic, moving around in a localized repeated area due to either limited grazing area's or seasonal factors.

@Titanic: I may well have to I think.

@Everyone: Today I will be posting a form of beta nationsheet (And possibly the host sheet as well) and some basic game mechanic rules so people can start working on their NS before we officially begin the OOC (I still want to collect enough people to have a functional IC start up as well as I have to work on some more things)

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Good to see all the interest! (Though we are still going to need a LOT of players if we are going to fill up enough territory for the Darkness to fight, so keep it coming!)

@TheCaptain: Hmmm.. Semi-nomadic's... Now if I have the definition right, a semi-nomadic people are those who remain nomadic but in a strict region of territory, mostly to rotate grazing area's (Like the Mongolian steppe-nomads) in contrast to the fully mobile nomads like the pre-settlement Huns, Magyars and such... with that in mind, would your people be a host or a realm?

@Concerning Ork-elves: lol, it is funny that is brought up, because I was talking to Grijs about him having a race of mutated ork-like elves (In the style of Tolkien orcs)

Sacrilege War (Apocalyptic Grimdark Fantasy - Interest Check)

Right, I am currently working on expanding the preset religions, setting up the OOC and setting up game mechanics (Do not worry, the game mechanics will be mostly light).

We will need a lot of players however because the nature of the RP requires a lot of land to be taken up as Greivous will be expanding in all directions and we will need opposition to fight him everywhere.

While we wait...
@Everyone interested so far: What kind of races will you be aiming for with your nation or host? I know that Wernher will be doing dwarves and I will be doing elves, however there are no restrictions and you can make custom races, so I would like to know what is the general idea for races.