Fantasy Iron Tide. Fantasy Adventure and Diplomacy (Submissions Open)

[Avouleance]

It’s been 30 years. Since the last Empress marched over the western mountains leading the combined might of her nations into the unknown. They’ve not returned.

It’s been 30 years. The nations are no longer united, unbound by the empresses peace they now seek to their own interests. They’re weak, fractures still reeling from the loss of so much power over the mountains, but when everyone is weak anyone could be strong. It just takes a little tip in someone's favour.

No one else has ever been over the western mountains to the west. Nor to the north past the endless desert, or sunless south or churning eastern storms. The Western Wall was the only way out. Could it also be a way in?

The current Empress, not that anyone calls her that, insists from her ancestral seat in the eastern forests that she has reason to believe something is stirring over the wall again. She’s setting out, to tour the Kingdoms her bloodline once bound together, though her intentions are unclear.

Spoiler: CS

Name-

Titles- If you have any.

Race- No humans, be descriptive


Life story and Age- Remember, 30 years ago is they key date for when the Iron Tide disappeared. So they’ll be quite a difference in experience between people who have and haven’t lived before then.

Kingdom- Where are you from and who do you represent?

Perks- Start with 2. Perks are good, they can include skills or powers your character has or access and training with specialist equipment. As we progress you’ll be able to pick out new ones.

Traits- Also start with 1. Traits have an upside and downside (that need to be related). You’ll also collect more of these as we go but you won’t necessarily control what you get or when.

Gear- Remember the economy and infrastructure aren’t exactly alive at the moment.

Problems- What's bothering you?

Quests- What are you trying to accomplish?

Spoiler: Kingdom Sheet

Name-


Lands- What’s the environment like there?

Power- Who's in charge? How have they kept power when most of their resources would have been sent over the mountains? What are they capable of.


Strengths-


Weaknesses-


History- The only fixed point is that your Kingdom was part of the empire 30 years ago. So tell us about how that came to happen? And what’s happened since?

News- Apart from the fall of the empire and possibly a reverse Iron Tide what’s bothering your people?

How's this look to people?

If this get's interest I'll keep filling it up with info but I want a lot of the lore to be collaborative. I'll be happy to answer any questions as well.
There's room for 5 to 8 players, with more people favouring me taking up a Co-Gm to help manage workload.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

I like it!

 

[ThisUsernameIsALie]

I'm up for it

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

A question. What is the iron tide

 

[Enemy Standoo]

I'm digging it.

 

[Avouleance]

Cool to see interest already.

A question. What is the iron tide

The Iron Tide refers to the armies going over the western mountains, and maybe any response coming back.

 

[Avouleance]

Made a small edit, you now only start with 1 of your choice.

 

[Kent]

may be interested

 

[Avouleance]

Spoiler: Religion and Magic of the old Empire

With the spread of the Empire came the dominance of their primary faith.

The Faith is a bi-deistic religion. They believe in the two gods, Phesoglais the Shattered and Hornless Ursanix.
These were the only two.
Phesoglais sought to fill the void, but to do this they fractured themselves.
Each piece of the divine was given its own role but had only a fraction of the power.
Eventually, Phesoglais was too broken to survive leaving the pieces as separate entities.
Everything but Ursanix is a fragment of Phesoglais. While most fragments aren’t conscious anymore the Faith believes it’s possible for some with the right skills to contact the dormant fragments of Phesoglais within the world.

This is related to how the Empire tries to explain magic, a mage is one able to connect with dormant parts of Phesoglais in the world. This is why magic relies on communication, you have to convince the piece of Phesoglais to work with you. This is also used to explain why magic is more difficult to perform on other minds, people have an innate sense normality inertia to work against. And the key problem of having to translate between cultures and languages as a mage and having to constantly invent new phrasing to avoid diminishing returns.

 

[Lumen]

Ooo, this seems interesting.

 

[Avouleance]

For the people that expressed Interest, I'm happy for you to start submitting sheets or submitting other lore and world building suggestions.
If anyone's up for being a Co-Gm or anyone knows how to draw that would also be great.

 

[Avouleance]

Sorry this is late but have a sample character to look over.

Spoiler: Vask Vanardy

Titles- Empress’ Eternal

Race- Elven Deer
The elves haven’t existed as an independent race for a long time and it’s unclear if they ever did. They say the old elves once ruled the world, but foresaw their own inevitable destruction and tried to escape in two ways, the Red Rain and the Soul Hole.

The Red Rain tore the elven bodies apart, soaked the earth and all life on it in Elven Blood. Within new life they could lie dormant. There aren’t species, civil or beast, left untainted. Any newborn has the potential to hybridise with the dormant elf within. The most common signs are their eyes, made of pure light, and their metallic horns. From what we can gather, the elves were humanoid, though we’ve had to piece that together by removing the recognisable parts of other species from the hybrids. Skin texture and colouration aren’t known as Elves tend to adopt the fur and features of their host. The elves are at least sentient, capable of reasoning, if raised properly. Those that grow up in the wild are mostly savages. They are rather rare so conclusive information is hard to come by.

Elves themselves can’t reproduce, but they can fuse with other individuals, though the process is periment. It’s used as an attempt to refine the elven parts of an individual and dilute down the contamination.

The Soul Hole, if it exists, is how the elves minds were stored. Believed to be deep below the Crown Country. It’s a swirling stormy soup of souls.They say one day an elf will come, able to make sense of it but its secrets are lost for now.


Life story and Age- Vask is about 20. She was born in the forests of the crown islands, a mixture of elf and deer resembling a centaur. Luckily she was found by the Empress's daughter. At the time the child was hunting while she awaited her mother's return. The two became friends. When the child was declared the new empress Vask was their to serve, learning quickly to fight and taking an oath of loyalty.

Kingdom- The Elves don’t have a kingdom of their own, they’re too spread out and rare for their own government. But Vask grew up in the court of the Empress in the Crown Country.

Perks
Stampede: With four hooves to carry her Vask is fast and agile even when wearing and wielding heavy armour and weapons. She’s a skilled fighter with equipment that she shouldn’t really be able to even carry.

Eternal: Vask knows how to take a hit and she’s not going to let a little things like broken bones or a bloody beating stop her. While it hurts like hell she can quickly regenerate and heal provided she can take a break from combat and rest.

Traits-
Psychotic: Vask is used to seeing violence, not to mention experiencing and inflicting it. She’s not too adversely affected by being around violence but she tends to see brutality as a easy solution to problems and can easily be provoked.

Gear- She wields the mercurial marks, tattoos covering her body that she can telekinetically shape into different weapons or armour. This give her a range of options though the nature of their attachment means she’s stuck to melee combat.

Problems- The Empress is having visions and those that should serve her have forgotten their place.

Quests- Restoration of the old ways through reunification of the empire.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

So elves do not exist. That is awkward

 

[Avouleance]

So elves do not exist. That is awkward

Well they used to, now they sort of exist as a collection of mutations across multiple different species.
Were you planning on playing an elf? If so could you create a new race for a similar effect?

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Well they used to, now they sort of exist as a collection of mutations across multiple different species.
Were you planning on playing an elf? If so could you create a new race for a similar effect?

Yeah, was planning on playing as an elf. I could make a new race though. Just some similar group, although they would likely be more similar to cliche elves in appearance, as I am a lazy shitlord. Perhaps a race whose identity completely merged with that of the elves, becoming something new. I could also just use the giant mantis people if I needed to.

 

[Maxilgal]

totally interested. would it be ok to have a sort of giant race? Not like 3 story tall giants but like 6-8 foot tall giants.

 

[Avouleance]

totally interested. would it be ok to have a sort of giant race? Not like 3 story tall giants but like 6-8 foot tall giants.

Sounds like it could be a really good start to the idea. What else would you add to flesh them out?

And thanks for your interest.

 

[Maxilgal]

Sounds like it could be a really good start to the idea. What else would you add to flesh them out?

And thanks for your interest.

Well they have weird tattoos all over their body, but they have a strong sense of loyalty to the land the come from. They rarely if ever leave, only to protect their land. They're highly defensive but don't know how to work offensively. They also ae more earthly, not having a lot of wealth concentrated in their area.

 

[Avouleance]

I like it!

I'm up for it

I'm digging it.

may be interested

Ooo, this seems interesting.

Snip.

Would people like me to start a message conversation to pass around ideas without growing the interest thread too much?

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

I am up for that

 

[Maxilgal]

Spoiler: Supes Long

Name- Hecate Barrach Osa-Uskadun

Titles- Emperor of the Highland Hills, the Shepherd Queen, Chieftain of the Bosque


Race- Bosque. Large humanoid creatures resembling giants. They are usually 5 and half to 8 feet tall with large feet and strong muscles. Their skin is a variant of colors with tattoo like markings running down their body.


Life story and Age- 21 years old. Hecate was named Emperor of the Highlands at the age of 18, making this her third year of rule. A very young leader, she is still learning the basics of diplomacy and law making. But, as a chieftain, she has her role down. She is known for settling disputes quickly, and is loved by the Bosque people. She was raised as a normal child, with no special treatment or training. It was only at 18 she was elected to take her place as Emperor and Chieftain of the Bosque. Because of this upbringing is that she is known as the Shepherd Queen, as she tended animals from a young age.


Kingdom- The Highlands


Perks-

Animal Husbandry - Can care for and handle almost every domesticated animal.

Natural Navigation - Does not need a map to understand the directions she is heading. Can use visual cues like the sun and the stars to dictate where to go.


Traits-

Loyal: You will stand by people you believe in, even if it may get you in trouble.

Defiant: You've never liked being under other people, you are harder to manipulate or dominate but people see you as a natural upstart and trouble maker.


Gear-

-One spear for melee combat decorated with feathers and crude jewelry where the blade is connected to the staff. A round wooden

-One set of hide armor with large metal buckles.

-A symbol of her people in the form of a necklace

~An iron ring with her seal on it.


Problems- The ancient Giant Boars that once roamed the Western wall have disappeared, creating fear among her people. The Wise Ones say it is a bad omen.


Quests- To make sure her people continue living on the land they have owned for millenia.


________________________________________________________________________________________

The Highlands


Lands- Very hilly. It is difficult to farm large crops, but easy to herd animals or fish in the many streams and rivers. The Highlands stretch along the Western wall with the main ‘city’, Bailao, being towards the southern edges of the mountain range.


Power- The Emperor and Chieftain of the Bosque is the elected leader for life. They are chosen at the age of Adulthood by a gathering of Wise Ones from throughout the land from those who are of age, who also make the pilgrimage to Bailao. Because they refused to join the Iron Tide, their resources have stayed stagnant, neither rich nor poor. Their leaders have been passed down peacefully every generation and the people respect them. Each Chieftain has a council that informs them on what the issues are. The Emperor’s council is made of Wise Ones and Chieftains from throughout their kingdom.


Strengths- Production of Iron, Animal Herding, Defense


Weaknesses- Offensive efforts, moving outside their own territory, domination


History- The Bosque are a proud race. They refused to enter any kingdom until the Maitanabuekt (which translates Empress of Years Past, what they called the old Empress) invited them, understanding the great pride the Bosque had. They welcomed her to their table, and she the same to them. While others were terrified or hated the Bosque, the Maitanabuekt treated them with respect. They helped show her the best path to the Western Wall. But after her disappearance, the other kingdoms despied who they seemed to be, barbaric, tribal dangers to civilization. Any offense made against them was easily crushed, but the stigma of uncivilized people still clings to the Bosque wherever they go.


News- The Great Boars that once roamed their lands have disappeared. These symbols of strength and peace are central to the lives of many small hunter gatherer villages in the Highlands. The Healers and Wise Ones detect this as a bad omen.​

​

 

[Avouleance]

Spoiler: Supes Long

Name- Hecate Barrach Osa-Uskadun

Titles- Emperor of the Highland Hills, the Shepherd Queen, Chieftain of the Bosque


Race- Bosque. Large humanoid creatures resembling giants. They are usually 5 and half to 8 feet tall with large feet and strong muscles. Their skin is a variant of colors with tattoo like markings running down their body.


Life story and Age- 21 years old. Hecate was named Emperor of the Highlands at the age of 18, making this her third year of rule. A very young leader, she is still learning the basics of diplomacy and law making. But, as a chieftain, she has her role down. She is known for settling disputes quickly, and is loved by the Bosque people. She was raised as a normal child, with no special treatment or training. It was only at 18 she was elected to take her place as Emperor and Chieftain of the Bosque. Because of this upbringing is that she is known as the Shepherd Queen, as she tended animals from a young age.


Kingdom- The Highlands


Perks-

Animal Husbandry - Can care for and handle almost every domesticated animal.

Natural Navigation - Does not need a map to understand the directions she is heading. Can use visual cues like the sun and the stars to dictate where to go.


Traits-

Loyal: You will stand by people you believe in, even if it may get you in trouble.

Defiant: You've never liked being under other people, you are harder to manipulate or dominate but people see you as a natural upstart and trouble maker.


Gear-

-One spear for melee combat decorated with feathers and crude jewelry where the blade is connected to the staff. A round wooden

-One set of hide armor with large metal buckles.

-A symbol of her people in the form of a necklace

~An iron ring with her seal on it.


Problems- The ancient Giant Boars that once roamed the Western wall have disappeared, creating fear among her people. The Wise Ones say it is a bad omen.


Quests- To make sure her people continue living on the land they have owned for millenia.


_________________________


Name- The Highlands


Lands- Very hilly. It is difficult to farm large crops, but easy to herd animals or fish in the many streams and rivers. The Highlands stretch along the Western wall with the main ‘city’, Bailao, being towards the southern edges of the mountain range.


Power- The Emperor and Chieftain of the Bosque is the elected leader for life. They are chosen at the age of Adulthood by a gathering of Wise Ones from throughout the land from those who are of age, who also make the pilgrimage to Bailao. Because they refused to join the Iron Tide, their resources have stayed stagnant, neither rich nor poor. Their leaders have been passed down peacefully every generation and the people respect them. Each Chieftain has a council that informs them on what the issues are. The Emperor’s council is made of Wise Ones and Chieftains from throughout their kingdom.


Strengths- Production of Iron, Animal Herding, Defense


Weaknesses- Offensive efforts, moving outside their own territory, domination


History- The Bosque are a proud race. They refused to enter any kingdom until the Maitanabuekt (which translates Empress of Years Past, what they called the old Empress) invited them, understanding the great pride the Bosque had. They welcomed her to their table, and she the same to them. While others were terrified or hated the Bosque, the Maitanabuekt treated them with respect. They helped show her the best path to the Western Wall. But after her disappearance, the other kingdoms despied who they seemed to be, barbaric, tribal dangers to civilization. Any offense made against them was easily crushed, but the stigma of uncivilized people still clings to the Bosque wherever they go.


News- The Great Boars that once roamed their lands have disappeared. These symbols of strength and peace are central to the lives of many small hunter gatherer villages in the Highlands. The Healers and Wise Ones detect this as a bad omen.

It's all good.
I should point out the second trait was assigned by me, which is why I only let people pick 1 more.

 

[Lumen]

Would people like me to start a message conversation to pass around ideas without growing the interest thread too much?

Sure, that sounds good.

 

[Dragon221]

I'm interested but I have two questions. When I rp it's usually in 2 to 3 sentences but gives others the ability to still post and my characters are a bit shaddy in their bio due to their background coming out in story so if your okay with that is love to join. Plus I have a dragon character that I would like to implement but he's young and very mischievous liking to get into things so if that's interesting to everyone to have in the group of also like to play him

 

[Kent]

I may be interested in some roman themed humans