[Omnirizon]

concept:

A nation based off the Haitian politics and folklore from 1500 - 1700. The concept is a little odd, as it would be largely comprised of mages and assissins with the Heretic ability, similar to Pyth; inspiration for these is obviously the African slaves in Haiti, especially the voodoo and other folklore. Other commander recruits would be weak priests and mounted commanders, as well as stealthy 'mulatto' mounted commanders who aren't heretics. All heretic troops are stealthy and most use poison of some sort.

I know this sounds odd, but keep in mind that Haiti was a French colony with very little French. It was separated from the crown and courts, and no French actually wanted to spend time there. Slaves then were treated with brutal violence by whatever sadist landlords would want to be there, and the only people that wanted to be there were the ones who found some pleasure in this. Additionally, without much French presence, slaves were able to roam freely and often obtain freedom by simply running away to a neighboring town; along they way they would steal clothes, pistols, and a horse so that they could ride into town. Doing this they would hope to convince the townspeople that they were a freeman who could afford these things. Additionally, the lack of French meant the few whites there would often take African mistresses, and birth many mulatto children, who were often in a torn position between white master and black slave. voodoo formed as a means of resistance among the slaves, and largely involved the parodying of French Catholicism. Slaves would often sacrifice animals, place them in a coffin, and have white priests perform rights on the slaughtered animal (the priest wouldn't bother opening the coffin, because it was just a slave, and would be fooled into doing what was essentially an unholy act by their own standards). voodoo was also a means of slaves 'fighting back', even if they were only fighting the spirit world. totems and dolls were a large part of this in the religion, of which the 'voodoo doll' is a somewhat overdrawn cliche. herbalism was also a very integral part of the religion, and voodoo practitioners were supposed to be able to make deadly poisons from herbs, although it is likely the toxicity of their concoctions came not from the herbalism, but from arsenic, which was often supplied to them by free blacks. ritual dancing was also part of voodoo, and blacks would often leave plantations at night to participate.

I want these types of themes to figure into this nation. the only way i can think of doing it is as a 'heretic' nation. that seems somewhat paradoxical, but it was pulled off with Pyth, so it is what I would like to do with this nation. i've tried to begin drawing up some commanders, starting the the more powerful voodoo mage priests. however, i will need to pull out my books on haitian history and look up some details and get some ideas for names.