NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I've been sitting on this idea for a while, much to the frustration of my co-conspirator. The two of us would like to start an rp that spans the history of a small region - the development of one, then several city-states from roaming barbarian tribes. The interactions among the city-states and with their barbaric neighbours, the first contact with an outside and hostile kingdom, etc. There will be a loose plotline encompassing a number of threads, progressing from the founding of the first city-state to the probable dissolution of individual societies into larger, more homogenous empires.

Yes, this will be a bit epic, but here's where it gets a little more interesting. We need your help. The more people who play, war, politik and backstab, the more fun this will be.

The basic setup will resemble early human forays into civilization: nomadic tribes; ancestor worship, animism and massive polytheism; and relatively primitive city-states. You can go all-out creating your own faction, so long as it's not too technologically advanced. This thread is for signing up, and for discussing factions and the over-arching plot.

I'll post a quick bio of Biao Qiang, "Shining Walls", later.

This looks like a real terrific idea, and one that I'd like to take a stab at with you. I'll post my own faction's bio as soon as yours is up (so I have something to go off of).

This is a highly interesting idea, count me in!

I'm really interested in this. So, count me in! I guess I have to get to work creating a tribe then... maybe I'll make them the ancestors of my current nation or something of that sort.

Sounds like a great idea. I'd love to join.

*waits... and bumps*

My tribe will be named Kulkara, the ancestor tribe which set in motions the founding and rise of Kulikovia.

Bump

Not to be a jerk or anything, but this is a fantastic idea and the thread starter has already mustered a good deal of participation for it. I would hate to see this thing die. With that said, if the original poster doesn't show up (as sometimes is the case with rp's) later in the week, I would still like to carry this idea out.

Seconded.

Hopefully, he'll show up, though...

Sounds fun. I'd like to join in as well.

Souds fun.
Ill join.

I second the notion. If he doesn't show up, let's continue on the idea.

My tribe will be called the Isandrinar Tribe and they will be the branch of Slavic ancestors of the equally Slavic Valerians. :p

And, I'll post a bio on them a little later.

Bump for the save!

My tribe will be Tribe Altaica. They'll be the Eastern Slavic (Siberian) ancestors of many of my people.

Alright, it's almost been a week since the original thread starter has posted, and still no word from him. His profile says he hasn't been active for 4 days, so I'm going to go ahead and assume he's: a)too busy, b)no longer interested, or c)forgotten about us. Regardless, I think this roleplay has mounted enough interest to continue on without him (unless he chooses to show up again). If we let it sit any longer, we'll be lucky if there's three of us to participate.

With that said, I think it's high time we all started posting our tribe biographies. I'm going to go ahead and post mine tonight. I don't think the format should really matter. As long as the tribe's culture, religion, and level of technology is accurately defined, we should all be good to go. Also, it's only logical that we have a map, but I don't really have the most superb map-making abilities. Does anybody have any suggestions? If not, I'll just throw together a small, regional map in paint that we can use to pin-pint our tribe camps/city-states.

Just to clarify, I believe the original intention was for all of us to start as tribes (and than later on maybe some of us will progress into city-states, while others may stay nomadic).

Count me in!

I was wondering if possibly there could be one Emperor , (Being myself) which controlls an empire to a certian extent...because i could see this working with Osteia's history, this reminds me of Rome Total war, all the factions and what not..

Around the time of these barbaric tribes Osteia was civilized and resembled the Roman empire as i have rp'd soooo many times in the past with PT rps..over and over again...

Please consider this..i think it would be cool to have at least 1 civilized power to be present

Count me in!

I was wondering if possibly there could be one Emperor , (Being myself) which controlls an empire to a certian extent...because i could see this working with Osteia's history, this reminds me of Rome Total war, all the factions and what not..

Around the time of these barbaric tribes Osteia was civilized and resembled the Roman empire as i have rp'd soooo many times in the past with PT rps..over and over again...

Please consider this..i think it would be cool to have at least 1 civilized power to be present

Well, first of all I don't feel comfortable taking on the role of GM here. Personally, I think this should be a joint effort by all involved. So I'd like to hear what some of the other players think first.

I will give you my opinion, though. This rp is supposed to be epic...it's supposed to span the birth of barbarian tribes to the emergence of entire empires. I think by relegating all the other players to barbarian tribes and having one technologically advanced empire (or even having multiple powers) defeats the original intent. I think it'd be fine if you roleplayed the development of your tribe into a city-state, and than into an empire. But your proposal (at least I feel) takes away from the appeal of the roleplay.

I'd rather if we all started as loose barbarian tribes (some more populous or intelligent or even a little more technologically advanced than others) and expanded from there. That's just my two cents.

Here are the nations currently interested in participating:
Kulikovia
Magnus Valerius
Ghost Tigers Rise
Braveria
Eralineta
Shakal
Osteia

I'm going to be sending out telegrams to remind people we're still doing this. Also, the more I think about it, the more logical it seems to make a map first. That way when we start writing our tribe bio's, we can incorporate the use of certain rivers or mountains (or whatever) into our tribe's everyday culture and religion. Thoughts?

I see what your saying yes...but the thing is...i never went THAT far back in my history...hehehe, i suppose i could though....so yeah, i'll do it...first time for everything eh..

So long as there is no "OMG I GOT DEAFTH RAY LOL BOOOOM!!!!" tribes when I'm starting off with a Neolithic-era tribe... I'm still down to play.

Speaking of which, can we make these tribes start in the Stone Age at sometime around 8,000-10,000 B.C.? It would be more fun (for me at least). I think that was the author's original intention of having us start off as animistic hunter-gatherers. I'm really thinking of Skara Brae, etc. Maybe even a little further back in time would be cool as well, in the Upper Paleolithic Era (up to 40,000 years ago, although that is too excessive; maybe pushing the start date to 12,000 B.C. would be nice).

I think maybe 8,000 BC would be acceptable, but I'm not sure if I'd like to go back any further than that. I know this is supposed to be epic, but I'd like to be a city-state eventually.

Yeah. Brav has a point, to some extent. A map would be nice. I'd rather you guys sort out the little details in that regard, though-I can even have a little text map that only I and the other person/guy/horrible spawn of the abyss will have, if you lot want it. Could make things more interesting, but again, that's up to you.

Buuuut to be the unfun GM here..I'm sorry if you guys have done a lot of work on your bio's up till now, but I dun really want you to have tribes, groups, whatever that are the ancestors of your current nations. It doesn't work that way! Have some fun, people, without being tied to anything that's already happened in NS.

And to that end, it's a setting, people, it can span multiple threads, if you so choose. I'd rather avoid anything from the 'normal'(ha, as if) NS jumping in on this. I'm sure none of you would like some random coming in and claiming of your stuff just because you have people who OOC dislike you in the rest of NS!

And uh, why the tying this down to real life happenings? <Random_Villager> What's a neolithic era?
It isn't real life, there's no 'this is ten thousand years ago', obviously, because to them, whatever happens is in their own little time. You people can even come up with your own way of keeping time, if you want! There's no reason to have the real life BC, etc.

I'm more than happy for in character backstabbing and treachery to happen, that makes it more fun!...for the person doing the backstabbing! <.<

All that said, if it's reasonable(ie doesn't break suspension of disbelief) given the capabilities of your culture/people at that time, it'll probably be allowed. And knowing my friend, he'd probably throw in something to shake events up!

And huh. Given that I've said all that, I'll poke my friend here to sort this out, but who here would want to deviate from the more real stuff, magic, superstition, spiritual stuff? gods, etc.

I'll let you people sort that out for the most part!
And remember, have fun!

And don't forget, either, that I haven't disappeared, I've just been watching in my own way! Not so sure about the OP/other guy, he's probably lost in his own fantasy land by now <.< [/silly]

Buuuut to be the unfun GM here..I'm sorry if you guys have done a lot of work on your bio's up till now, but I dun really want you to have tribes, groups, whatever that are the ancestors of your current nations. It doesn't work that way! Have some fun, people, without being tied to anything that's already happened in NS.

I'm sorry to say that the mods started deleting any thread that didn't have to do with NS nations.

And uh, why the tying this down to real life happenings?
Because it sounds like fun to RP a tribe from the neolithic era to... well, today, or wherever the RP ends.

I'm sorry to say that the mods started deleting any thread that didn't have to do with NS nations.


Because it sounds like fun to RP a tribe from the neolithic era to... well, today, or wherever the RP ends.

Heh. Well, this is 'in' NS insofar as you're more than able to create stand alone nations for this setting/thread, and it's really up to you what you do with them after this setting for some reason expires or is 'completed' in a sense we all agree on. And to put it simply...come up with your own 'eras' :P whatever seems reasonable. If you think it's at all questionable, then poke me or me friend, but otherwise..go for it! and any editing will be done, if there is to be any done, later!

I'd like to join in some RPing and this sounds pretty interesting. I can assemble a good bio and post it tomorrow in the evening.

I hope this takes off the ground. >.>

Bump

Nalococas Tribe

The Nalococas tribe is tribe which dwells in the central and southern regions within a thriving forest filled with splendor. The section of forest is bordered by a wide section of river that slices through the landscape. In the middle of the forest, the vegetation begins to thin and the terrain rises and rises until it hits the summit of an extinct stratovolcano. The Nalococas tribe’s ancestors have been slowly moving across the landscape but have started to become almost tethered to the volcano as it’s a vital source of obsidian used to make spears, knives and arrowheads for hunting. However, the Nalococas are still largely nomadic in nature and set up tents for a few months in one area and then move on when the Nalococas elders, hunters, warriors and shamen have convened with the village’s chief and think that the area’s resources need to be left to replenish.

The decisions made in the Nalococas villages are made by the chief (who is believed to be possessed by “good” animal spirits and gods). While the chief has the final say on matters, he does listen intently to his council of shamen, hunters, elders and warriors equally. The chiefs of the Nalococas villages meet to discuss matters relating to their tribe every three full moons (roughly three months) and will gather when their villages are threatened by a rival tribe. Each village is made up of roughly four to eight families. To help identify people as part of the Nalococas tribe, all in the Nalococas tribe have the outline of a bird inside a circle ritually scarred onto their foreheads. The bird inside a circle, symbolizing an eagle rising into the heavens and covering the sun, is an important religious symbol for the Nalococas. The Nalococan pantheon includes several animal spirits (the most powerful of which being the spirits of the eagle and the stag), the spirits of fallen warriors, chiefs, shamen, hunters, village elders and important ancestors who are deified by their descendants.

Individual Nalococan families have specific symbols, such as the symbol of the Karkai family; the outline of an obsidian knife over a four-pointed star (the obsidian knife is associated with warriors and shamen and the four-pointed star usually has to do with shamen, so the Karkai family is a family which has many shamen for ancestors). These symbols are ritually scarred onto the cheeks of the average Nalococas villagers so that they can easily be identified as being part of a certain family.

Nalococan society frowns upon waste, so nearly every part of the animal is used. A religious belief has emerged that by wasting parts of animals and plants, you disrespect the spirits of said animals and plants and those spirits will possess you or try to kill you or one of your family members. It is believed that every four moons (roughly four months), all of the Nalococan people must offer a sacrifice, usually some sort of material item such as special stones or gems to nature spirits and ancestors. Nalococan shamen will gather the village sacrifices and then scatter the sacrificed items throughout the forest as they go. The shamen will then go on a trek to a nearby shrine (most of which are located near the stratovolcano) and worship their ancestors and various animal and a few plant spirits.

* * *

I'll try to add more/get rid of some stuff tomorrow or Wednesday. If you have any suggestions or problems with things (such as the description of the terrain), then tell me.

EDIT: Can't think of much else at the moment, so I'll leave it as is for now.

Bump

Sorry for not posting, there's a giant war going on in another game, and I got wrapped up in it. AVE LEGIO - ACCK LET GO OF MY THROAT


This RP should be based on the pattern of early human history, not on specific periods of history. Inspired by a true story, perhaps, but not based on, if you understand my meaning. So if it'll help to refer to things like scientific epochs and the common era timeline OOC, whatever, but this RP should be its own thing.

A quick bio of Biao Qiang:

Biao Qiang, meaning "Shining Walls" in the local tongue, sits astride one of the region's many rivers, in a valley to the east of the central open plains. Its tall walls are covered with polished white stone and capped with bronze, so that in the valley's brief noon they literally shine, a beacon of human settlement.

Outlying villages and settlements support the city with crops, game- and herdbeasts, as well as stone and metal mined crudely from the surrounding mountains. In exchange, the city defends outlying hamlets from nearby hostile tribes, and gives access to markets for trade. Trade is booming, especially in the stone and metal from the mountains, and has given rise to a new democratic merchant council that is threatening the balance of power between the city's secular king and religious leadership.

Religious worship in the city centers around the temple complex that dominates the city's skyline, where the god of the river is worshipped as the ruler of all other gods and the patron spirit of Biao Qiang.

The military of Biao Qiang suffers from a lack of strong cavalry, and the recent development of chariots by their nomadic hereditary enemies is making matters worse. On the other hand, there is no lack of tin and copper for crafting bronze weapons, and experiments with iron have begun, but remain largely fruitless. Soldiers tend to be plentiful and fairly trained, but have a tendency to rely on defensive fortifications such as the city's walls in battle.

Short bio of Kulkara

Kulkara was founded by a warrior named Kujara who, with 200 followers etsablished a trading town located in a natural harbor. The town quickly spred and proepred for many years. The Kulkarians are a sea farers by trade with well crafted boats designed to sail large distances for the time and stay out to sea longer. The symbol of Kulkara is a horse astride a wave, for it is the sea and the horse that the Kulkarians praise the most. The outlying towns and countryside grow crops, herding, fishing, and trade. Minining is also developing as a trade but still in early stages.

The religious aspect revolves around a mythical sea horse that protects the fishermen. Pagan rituals involving sacrifices as well as multiple religious festivals celebrating the numerous gods, the chief of them being Hyda, Goddess of the Sea.

There is a king who is elected from the Council of Citizens, the chief ruling body of Kulkara. The king reigns for several years until a new one is chosen or replaced by popular vote. Guilds also hold great sway as trading is a major element.

The military revolves around mobility. Triremes and swift galleys patrol the waters and conduct raids from time to time to gather more riches and impose on tribes located on the islands. The army consists of cavalry and light infantry with a small core of heavy infantry known as the "Vanguard". The primary striking force is the cavalry whose mobility has proven invaluable in battle. Kulkarians from the outlying territories are horsemen by trade and nature, breeding top horses.

Bravo Uniform Mike Papa