Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (Finished: Dojango/Mictlan Wins!)
 

Welcome all. This will be an RP game on llamaserver with CBM 1.92.
Map and victory conditions will be decided after number of applicants are determined. Most settings at default.

RP means after nations are set I'll request each god to be provided with a short backstory that should add some flavor as well as some indication of where they fall on the archetypical alignment compass Lawful, Neutral, Chaotic and Good, Neutral, Evil. These should be indicative of what other gods can expect in dealing with your god when it comes to honoring diplomatic agreements (lawful vs chaotic) and how helpful they will be to their neighbors and allies (good) and how self-centered or power-hungry they are (evil).

Diplo should be RP-based but all trades and missent gems/items should be handle honorably and in good faith regardless of alignment. Political backstabbing can be justified but Nigerian mail-order scams cannot).

Corre and trades should be negotiated between prophets and/or gods or a suitable surrogate when no god or prophet is available.

Having fun is the goal and I'm looking for people that enjoy an element of atmosphere with their strategy gaming. With that in mind, no fun-ruining game exploits like mail bombing useless magic items.


Excist - Agartha
Immaculate - Helheim
Nosantee - Tir na n'Og
Dogged57 - Marverni
Torgon - Fomoria
Iron Duke - Arcoscephale
HoleyDooley - Hinnom
Tigercub - Niefelheim
Dojango - Mictlan
TigerBlood - Pangaea

Map: Shadowshore

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

IN- i love the RP aspect of some games.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

****in' in. I play D&D and would love to try this out.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I'd love to get in on this.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Count me in. Will have a think about nation.

-Baldr

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I'm in too, will be taking Arcoscephale...

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Okay, we've hit the minimum number I wanted to start with, so I'll give another 24 hours for open applications and then set up the map on llamaserver and request pretenders to start being sent in. Good to see some like-minded players on here.

I'll take Agartha.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Sounds good. I'm in as well. Get back to you shortly re a nation.

Dooley

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Hinnom for me thanks.

Roughly how many words are you looking for re the nation write up?

Dooley

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

ok put me in....

Tiger:)

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

If we're choosing nations at the moment I'll take Tir na n'Og

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I'll take Helheim.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

ill take niefelheim

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I'm in; I'll play EA Mictlan.

As for a map, I'd suggest shadowshore; it's got a nice RP-ish flavor to it.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

i didn't realize we were picking nations yet. My impression from the first post was that we would wait to see how many players we had and on what map we would play.

Anyway, 1st pick is helheim. 2nd is sauromatia. And 3rd is yomi. In order of preference.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

If you would like another player, I am interested.

My nation picks would be

1. Pangaea
2. Lanka
3. Fomoria

Chaotic. Maybe Chaotic Evil depending on the nation.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Just got back from a holiday party late and almost 3 here, so I won't be making a final choice on the map until the morning. Here's some answers to some questions in the meantime:

HoleyDooley: As far as I'm concerned if you exceed the maximum number of characters in the forum post then that's probably a little overboard for this, but let's say that it should include as a minimum:

How they spent their life prior to ascending (or being chosen) to become a Pretender.
What their motives are for becoming a Pretender (or the motives of their followers, if they are thrust into this)
An indication of where they fall on the Good/Evil Axis
An indication of where they fall on the Lawful/Chaotic Axis

Short essay format is preferred and if it is hard to discern any of that information then, don't worry, we can single you out publicly :)

I was planning on having mine completed quickly this weekend to have up as an example, but this weekend is turning out to be considerably more busy than I had anticipated and I have not chosen a Pretender for this game yet.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Natural Selection

Survival of the fittest. This philosphy pervades all aspects of Pangaean society; in the home, in trade, in revelry and especially in warfare. To the Pangaean, existance is not a fundamental right. Existance is an incessant struggle; only those with advantageous traits and the ruthless determination to use those traits to their fullest are deserving of survival. All others exist only to service the strong until they are discarded or predated into extinction.

Every citizen of Pangaea lives each day as though it may be their last, for it may well be. Prior achievements and social obligations mean nothing. Any open display of weakness is an invitation for exploitation by your peers. Today's champion can easily be tommorow's sacrifice, and Pangaea's need for sacrifice is great. All blood spilled in the name of Natural Selection strengthens Pangaea. Each new generation is more ruthless, cunning and physically capable. Once all trace of weakness has been stripped away from the world, the Pangaeans will be as gods.


I hope this OK. Not set on the name of my Pretender yet. Natural Selection will probably be fine though.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

TigerBlood: Your nation concept is good, although slightly more focused on fleshing out the nation than the Pretender as I had originally envisioned. I am getting a strong Chaotic Neutral or possibly even Chaotic Evil impression from the description which is kind of what we are aiming for rather than specifically stating Chaotic Neutral/Chaotic Evil (since sometimes the descriptions can describe how those chaotic decisions are going to be made) To use your nation description as an example: as a player I will get the impression that the strong and independent will find a stalwart and fairly reliable ally in your nation and the weak that cannot stand on their own may find their support evaporate at the time its needed most as your nation helps cull the weak to benefit the strong.

Perhaps the only edit I would recommend is to add a little bit more into your description on how your God came to be worshiped by this cult. Is it his impressive strength that has drawn their worship or is this an entity that manifested itself as the very embodiment of the ideals that this nation had so fervently believed in. Or perhaps this is some mortal philosopher that has taught this concept to the once peaceful Pangaean citizens and has shed his birth name in favor of the very ideal that he has coined when they chose to worship him.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Fair enough. I can't figure out how to edit my previous post, so I'll just tack this on.

Natural Selection

Survival of the fittest. This philosophy pervades all aspects of Pangaean society; in the home, in trade, in revelry and especially in warfare. To the Pangaean, existance is not a fundamental right. Existance is an incessant struggle; only those with advantageous traits and the ruthless determination to use those traits to their fullest are deserving of survival. All others exist only to service the strong until they are discarded or predated into extinction.

Every citizen of Pangaea lives each day as though it may be their last, for it may well be. Prior achievements and social obligations mean nothing. Any open display of weakness is an invitation for exploitation by your peers. Today's champion can easily be tommorow's sacrifice, and Pangaea's need for sacrifice is great. All blood spilled in the name of Natural Selection strengthens Pangaea. Each new generation is more ruthless, cunning and physically capable than the last. Once all trace of weakness has been stripped away from the world, the Pangaeans will be as gods.

Natural Selection is the embodiment of an ideal. Perhaps it is just an exceptionally cunning Pangaean, manipulating the nation in order to bring about it's own personal evolution into the position of Pantokrator, caring nothing about the ultimate fate of the Pangaean people. It may also be a primal concept that has been made manifest via the collective will of a nation and thousands upon thousands of blood sacrifices. None can say for sure. The only certainty is that Natural Selection acts with a singular drive and purpose, sometimes calculating, often uncomromising, always without remorse.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Very. Very. Cool.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

So what map? start date?

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

In the beginning, there was chaos. Gods and demons fought for aeons, creating and destroying without regard or malice.
Eventually, the Maker, Tepeu, formed the pillar of the world out of the roiling waters, and set forth life upon the worlds.
Where the sweet water mingled with the new formed earth, the Maker mixed cornmeal with his blood, and formed the first men; six men and six women.
The six tribes of the people spread over the face of the earth. Jaguar, Eagle, Quetzal, Deer, Serpent and Vulture.
But the world was an evil place, and demons and monster and giants hunted the people, and slew the leaders of the tribes, all except for the leaders of the Jaguar and Deer tribes.
The people hid in the mountains and wastelands and starved. They cried out to their maker, who had abandoned them on this cruel world.
The twin sons of the Jaguar king took up their clubs and went on a great journey to find the Maker and plead with him to save them.
After a long and arduous journey, fighting demons, escaping evil giants, travelling through the terrible haunted forests, they found the Maker.
They saw that the Maker was fighting a terrible battle against the unending forces of Chaos, keeping them from devouring the earth.
When they asked the Maker to save them, he gave them six gifts, and told them to use the gifts to save themselves.
The secrets of obsidian, the way of corn, the codex of the law, the nature of the gods of the sun and the moon and the earth, and the way to harness the primal power of the jaguar.
Finally, he laid the mantle of the king on the elder brother, and told the younger brother the secret of using blood to protect the people and provide sustenance to the god.
"For if I fall in combat, the world falls," said the Maker.
The brothers returned to where the people were hiding and showed them the great gifts they had been given.
The people hailed the elder brother as the king of legend.
The younger brother took the elder of the Deer tribe, one of the first men, and made from him a great sacrifice to strengthen the god.

Many ages passed. The people warred against the demons and the giants and the monsters of this earth. They sacrificed their foes and their childern on the altar to strengthen the god.
But the people grew lazy and decadent. No longer the great armies went forth to gather tribute for the people and the gods. The altars decayed and fell silent.
The people fought amongst themselves, the great cities of the people knew no peace and hailed no king. The people had failed their Maker.
And so, once day, the Maker fell silent. No longer were the omens and signs felt by the priests. No longer would the blessings of the Maker be felt.
Now, the people of the city of Mictlan turned to their guardian spirit, Xtapolapocetl, who had been bound by blood to watch over the city in ages past, and begged him to defend them against the hordes of chaos.
And he answered. The armies of Mictlan are marching forth, desperate to find the power to set Xtapolapocetl upon the throne of heaven. For if he falls, the world falls.
And the hordes of chaos will descend upon the world again.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

good RP posts both of you!

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Chalk me down for Marverni.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I am leaning towards the Cradle of Dominion map (its about the size to nation ratio that would be good for 10 nations), but I wanted to check out Shadowshore first, but wasn't able to find it in the maps section. Does anybody have a link for it?

Also, I would like to get this kicked off this week. As soon as the map is finalized it will be hosted on llamaserver and Pretenders may be submitted.

The only non-standard setting will be score graphs off. Any intelligence will have to be gathered manually.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I thought we were starting in the new year- hence the name of the thread. I am away for christmas and won't be able to game- if you plan on gaming over christmas i have to drop out and will pick up the next RP game you launch.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Link is here. It looks like an old map, I believe the landmarks have a higher chance of magic sites, etc.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I like the story of Mictlan. It starts off as the heroic struggle of a people to establish themselves in a hostile world, but the end of the story hints at the tragedy and desperation of a great civilisation on the verge of catastrophe.

I think I'll read it again!

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

As much as I would like to start soon myself I have to go with Immaculate and would prefer to start it after the new year (X-mas exodus woo)

However I can start this week or anytime really if necessary. Plus it'd give me some more time to come up with some kind of backstory.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Where does everybody else fall regarding the start time? To be honest I am flexible and the soonest I can see this getting started considering the current pace and Xmas vacations is the few days between Xmas and New Years. If we all want to start this game off with a new years day hangover I'm down.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I am open about the start date; just got eliminated from a couple of games so I'm itching to start a new one, but then, I also have regular internet access over the holidays, and I understand that a lot of people might not.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

I'm fine with starting after the holidays. Consider me flexible.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Okay, judging by the trend I'm seeing developing I am going to rephrase the question to: does anybody object to holding off until 1/2/2012 for getting this started?

Also, keep those nation/pretender descriptions flowing in! No reason not to have this ready to go before Xmas even if we won't actually start until after the break.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

The second is fine for a start date. Working on pretender and write-up currently.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

It's ok for me as well, I'll write the background soon enough.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

The Hinnom may be tall of stature but it is to a diminutive creature they bow their heads in prayer and obedience.

Alvira, Lord of the Hinnom earned this lofty office through the power of his mind. He spent his valuable time as a youth in the learned halls of the outcast mages in lands long since gone. This time was well spent and he emerged from his studies a mage of incredible power and knowledge.

His travels amongst the lands of the people led him to the Hinnom who were obedient to Tangst the Strong Arm. In a battle lasting little more than 30 seconds Alvira cast down the giant Tangst with a powerful mind blast and took his place as the new God of the Hinnom.

Once his position of power was secure he set about building an army of giants backed by a solid core of magics provided by many willing students of his arts. Alvira has promised his new congregation a return to their powerful status among the earthly. A promise the Hinnom were eager to accept.

Thus it has come to pass that the time of reckoning has arrived. Alvira has embarked upon his quest of world domination but he knows that force of arms will not be enough. Diplomacy and subterfuge will also be needed.

A man of his word, Alvira will seek willing allies whom he shall reward greatly for their assistance, but in the end, there can be only one!

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

These are some very cool introductions to nations and Pretenders!

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Sauromatia

It began with a voice, slithering, serpentine, between the overhanging moss and vines, quietly, predatory, along the mist-crested waters, gently stroking the minds of beast and men alike as it spread.

It came before the sun, as the darkness only began to give way, sulkily, to the grey-violet of tomorrow on the horizon. Its whisper was slight, barely perceptible amidst the drum of each of our thoughts, our worries over our family squabbles, the daily hunger, our nets, traps, and bows. And as quietly and imperceptivity as it came, it was gone, the waters still but for the ripples of a serpent amidst the reeds as the mists began to burn away in the early morning sun.

But not all of us were deaf to its silken whispers. Amongst every tribe a select few, awake at the early hour, detangling our nets or sharpening our arrows, or feeding our infant children felt the quiet voice and in the clearness of our thoughts, heard its message: “It” had come. “It” would unite us, lead us, teach us the ways of our ancestors and future children. Those that heard were the first of its disciples.

Over the months and years, more and more awoke before the dawn, sitting quietly in small groups, preparing tea or gruel, waiting for the stillness in the trees, the hushing of the frogs and bird, and the quiet, a sort of pre-battle dread, that would descend upon the swamp before “Its” coming. We learned to clear our minds and be patient, to strain a sort of ear within us and to listen, truly listen. And as we did, day after day, we were united, we were taught an ancient law that would first be taught to our grand-children, we learned to share the wisdom of the departed and the very plants and animals of the swamp whispered their secrets to us.

Days, months, and even years went by. Our hunters learned to milk the white viper who swam only under the full moon. Our warriors learned to tame and even ride the great grey lizards the hid in the deep swamp. Even the many-headed wyrms of the great choking bog were brought under our sway by the whispered secrets. We learned not only to make the best of the swamp’s bounty but of our own. Our enemies we flayed and eviscerated. Their viscera we mixed with viper venom and grew in clay pots buried in the deep reeds until the mixture grew foul and putrid. These we dipped our arrows in and those scratched would die a painful agonizing death. The skins we raised, untanned and bloody on great standards to bring terror to our enemies and courage to ourselves. Their flesh we feasted upon that we might grow strong and many. After death, even the spirits and bones we learned to master, calling them back to serve us in death as they did not in life.

The Whisper that Came Before the Dawn called to us, bade us forge a great machine of war that was our people, the Sauromatia.

And we heeded that call, the Voice.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Spooky.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Tir na n'Og

Forgive some impossible things that can't actually happen in game, I'm telling a story con-sarnit!

The tide of the war had turned, and the Tuatha found themselves slowly overwhelmed. Their God having left them, blamed for the loss their faith left undone and hanging. The final retreat was forced as the Sidhe fell out behind the fleeing Tuatha. The Formorians biting at their feet every step as they forced to retreat to their frigid isle of mist.

Relief came in the form of a horned serpent, powerful beyond imagination. It came from the forrest void and spoke to them, to aide them and bring spiritual balance back to their cause. For months the Tuatha battled along side their new general whom protected them, sheltered them and brought might and fury back into their hearts. Slowly the flow began to return to them as every slither closer to them it took was like a wave of victory rushing over the people.

Horror befell the people of Tir na n'Og when the nightmare occured. Traitorous Firbolg and Nemedians revealed the secrets of their lands, weaknesses, and ways to home. Quickly surrounded the information abused, their path to retreat cut off, the Army was left in the heart of enemy lands. Soon to be slaughtered, honour determined. Giants approached with the stench of death following. Fear and panic spread, but The Serpent would not allow his people to fall. To him they turned, halo glowing and benevolence humming The Serpent raised his body. "Pray unto me and give me strength, I will return." Unaware what was to come they stared wide eye'd as their God's form faded and the world became a blur. The forest seemed to move itself around them, the earth beneath their feet carrying them.

They were back home on their blessed isle. Army intact but no Serpent in sight. Left behind to fight the Formorians with the last of its power.

Many were outraged, bereft, and utterly crushed. Others, ran and gathered the cities, all men and women. Together they forged helm and spear. Tuatha raised and Sidhe called.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

How's the map search going?

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

The Saga Continues......

Alvira knew he was mortal and that there would come a time when he would depart this world for the next. His long years of studies had revealed to him another possibility other than death.

Thus it came to pass that he did indeed breath his last just as his plans for the Hinnom were coming to fruition. He had however left strict instructions with his most trusted and gifted acolytes as to what should be done with his remains when the time came.

His acolytes prepared their masters remains in accordance with his instructions and thus it was that the Hinnom were not left without a God, but indeed beheld a new and more powerful version of their lord.

He pulsated with life and they could feel his power, not only emanating from him, but within themselves.

They bowed their heads in awe and wonder at his new magnificence, the Blood Lord.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

The Saga Continues......

Alvira knew he was mortal and that there would come a time when he would depart this world for the next. His long years of studies had revealed to him another possibility other than death.

Thus it came to pass that he did indeed breath his last just as his plans for the Hinnom were coming to fruition. He had however left strict instructions with his most trusted and gifted acolytes as to what should be done with his remains when the time came.

His acolytes prepared their masters remains in accordance with his instructions and thus it was that the Hinnom were not left without a God, but indeed beheld a new and more powerful version of their lord.

He pulsated with life and they could feel his power, not only emanating from him, but within themselves.

They bowed their heads in awe and wonder at his new magnificence, the Blood Lord.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Hey All,

I have to drop out of this game. I have recently begun planning a vacation that will put me away for awhile soon after the game starts. Sorry about this. I think you all still have plenty of time to find new person if you want.

Happy Holidays,
Baldr (Helheim)

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

switching to helheim

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Groundworm, you need to change the heading, we need one more player to recruit.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Hey,

If you're still looking for another player, I'll take fomoria.

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Where is the game being hosted? Don't see it in the initial post? Llama Server?

Re: Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (noob EA game: Recruiting)
 

Was the is price of victory? Balor and the Fomorians had defeated invasion after invasion into their once beautiful homeland. Now the land was ravaged, their people nearly destroyed. The dark magic required to defeat the vile armies of the Tuatha had interacted with the old power of the curse in unpredictable ways. Now even more of the children of Fomoria were born with horrific afflictions and monstrous appearance. The kingdom had emerged victorious, but at what price. One more such 'victory' and the blesses giants would not survive into the new age.

The sages saw the worsening of the curse and despaired, seeing it as an sign of the end of all they had fought to preserve. Only a few among them held out any hope for salvation. Balor, king of the Fomorians, was one of the few leaders who believed that salvation for his people was possible. He began a desperate search for a new power, a power that could turn aside the evil of the curse, and return the land of the giant to fertility and prosperity.

His hope was answered in a vision of a new god. One night, while walking through one of the dying forests, he heard a call. A call that brought him to a temple deep within the ancient wood. The temple was deserted, an place of magic dedicated to an old god. The god was unknown to the Fomorians, since any worship had stopped ages ago, even before the time of the Partholonians.

However, Balor heard a call. A soft urging, a hope that he could free this god from its prison. A prison constructed by an evil power ages ago in another war for supremacy. The god that called Balor was a god of healing and mercy, a power that could deliver the Fomorians from the curse that afflicted them.