Coinage and Courts (Fantasy RP)

[setzer]

In this game, you make up a fantasy country and play it. You can create individual characters as well, but most will probably be rulers of their countries.

The various kingdoms of the realm are ruled by magical families. Having magic comes with noble blood.
The noble families all marry each other to ensure their children will keep the magical monopoly on power, but there have been cases where commoners have ben born with magic...

- You can play as a standard fantasy race (Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Orcs) or one you made up. But PM me with the details of a race you create, for the sake of game balance.

Humans are humans. 'nough Said. Elves are longer lived and more magically powerful then humans, but are physically weaker and cannot have as many offspring.
Orcs are shortlived and nonmagical, but are stronger then elves or humans, and they breed like pond scum.
Dwarves have no magic, but are capable fighters and live in impregnable mountain castles. They dig deeper and mine more then any other race, and a single dwarf city will often be richer then a whole kingdom of non dwarfs. They also have the most advanced technology.


RULES
- No gunpowder weapons. No rifles, cannons, gatling guns, or explosives. Keep it at pre-gunpowder technology.
- You have to declare the size of your military forces. You can't play the game like you have an endless supply of soldiers.
- If magic users are on opposing sides, one must defeat the other before major magical spells can be used.
- Major magical spells can wipe out hundreds of soldiers at a time, but each magic user can only cast 3 major spells per battle.
- If a magic user casts a major spell three times, they faint and are no longer able to participate in a battle.
- The usual prohibitions on godmodding apply.

GUIDELINES (optional rules)

- These armies are supposed to be smaller then modern ones. Think of Lord of the Rings, where 200,000 soldiers was an unbelievable large force.
- If you want add more to your National Profile, go ahead. Don't worry that you're saying too much.
- if you have an idea, but aren't sure how to bring it into the game, PM me. I'll be happy to help.

National Profile

Name: What your country is called.
Population: How many people live there. One in 5000 will be magical
History: How your country got the way it is
Territory: how much land it controls. If you want to make a map, this thread has a lot of blank ones you can draw on at will.
www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=25312
Type of Government: What sort of government runs your country, a monarchy, a democracy, whatever.
Ruler: The ruler's title and name.

Here's my country:

Name: Raian Empire
Population: 40,000,000 (8,000 magical)
History: Raia was one of many city states that lined the coast of the Aegean Sea. Their city's location controlled access to the Black Sea, and it grew rich from all the trade passing through. The citizens of Raia were able to devote their time to literature, the arts, and music. But they were also mighty conquerors, and they were able to create a mighty army and navy. They used to be one of many kingdoms in the region, but now they are a dominating superpower.
Territory: i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/Setzer2500/gamemap.png
Type of Government: Absolute Monarchy
Ruling Family: House Tar Carnehil

The immediate family of the Emperor consists of:

Emperor Trasaric I Tar Carnehil
Empress Erfuinen I Tar Carnehil
Crown Princess Nausicaa Tar Carnehil
Prince Palom Tar Carnehil
Princess Porom Tar Carnehil
Princess Erfore Tar Carnehil
Prince Lontus Tar Carnehil

[Liamane]

Name: The Empire of Lydio
Population: 20,000,000 (4,000 Magical)
History: Legend states that Lydon, the Aeon of Salvation, discovered the empire over three thousand years ago with a handful of his disciples. It wasn't until a thousand years later that his nation became truly established as Lydio. According to its history, it was an ancestor of the current ruler, King Elake Rywald, who founded Lydon's grand empire. The Lydionians are a militaristic based nation. However, over time, they have become agriculturally advanced, and the citizens incorporate nature in the daily surroundings.
Territory: Surrounded by the mysterious Sun Plains, the Lydion Empire is located in modern day Spain where it has thrived for over two thousand years. A large sixty foot wall serves as a border to their capital city, Auridale.
Type of Government: Monarchy
Ruler: House of Rywald

Rywald family consists of:

King Elake Rywald of Salvation
Queen Neimon Rywald
Crowned Prince Moren Rywald
Crowned Princess Oriana Cutseer

[setzer]

And why does Oriana have a different name then the rest of House Rywald?

Oriana is actually married to Moren. Upon their marriage, she chose to keep her family name, and her husband complied without hesitation.

[Sarcasmic Canadian]

OOC: going for something a bit different

Name: The Lycion {La-Cone-in} Expedition force. {their empire is called Lycionia {Lie-Cone-e-a}

Population: The invaders are 1 million strong, but their empire is 10 000 000 strong {500 of the strongest spell casters were chosen for the expedition} {only about 400 thousand strong is the army right now}

History: My country has a unique skill that each baby is born with. When they become of legal age {16} their unique trait will bond with their blood and they will be able to turn into werewolves. They only move faster their average humans and their fur serves as an armor, so no improvement there.
South America is invading North America. SA is about 50 times NA's size of army. The Lycans have a limited time to move. They sent a small force over and conquered Ireland. They then sent more over and took over UK. Then now have bases in Europe.

Territory: My land will be the continent currently known as North America. However, I have an invasion force that will be my main force. They own Ireland and United Kingdom, so far. Numbers will grow if I gain more land, or lose too many troops.

Type of Government: Lycionia is spread out among a vast area. So, in order to keep the peace, there are many chieftains spread out to govern the 43 tribes of Lycionia. However, in times of need, they will appoint a Alpha male to lead them. However, only the strongest Chieftain can be appointed and the others will die, allowing the Alpha Male to choose a new 43 chieftains.

Ruler: The current Alpha male is Chieftain Jacona
His possible successors are:
His 2nd in command: Chieftain Agothroian
His 3 sons: Bartalamun {Plots against his father}, Jacal {follows his father loyally}, and Triston {Triston can use magic}
And one of the 43 other Chieftains, whose names I will not mention, save for 3:
Armantis, childhood friend of Jacona, now hates his guts, but pretends to be completely loyal to him.
Lantis, youngest of the chieftains. Is friends to all 3 sons of Jacona.
Ralgus, one of Jacona's most trust advisers and taught Triston had to use magic. He can use magic himself. The tribe he governs over does not like him.


OOC: is it possible to have thier fur weaken spells, liek something might to kill them would only injury them greatly... or small spells would have no effect on them?

[setzer]

hmm..... I think it would weaken some spells., and strengthen others. After all, being covered in hair isn't going to help you with a fire spell, but it might make Ice attacks weaker.

[setzer]

Alright, quick writeup of my fleet here:


Army

The Raian Army is split between its territories in Europe and Asia. The European armies possess about 9,000 cavalry and 36,000 infantry.
The Asian armies have 18,000 cavalry and 72,000 infantry.

The capital itself is home to the Elite Tagma units, regiments of armored cavalry that are made up of the Empire's best troops. There are 5 Tagma, each with 4000 cavalry.

Individual Raian soldiers are nothing special. Their training focuses on cooperation and teamwork rather then individual strength. In time of war, the Raian Empire relies on means such as attrition or ambushes to wear down their enemies over time. The Raian Empire is as likely to win a war through bribery, assassination, or other intrigues as through combat.

Because of their geographical location, the Raian Army combines two different styles of combat. There are heavy armored lancers as well as horse archers. A typical cavalry unit will use the archers to force their enemies to disperse, making them vulnerable to a cavalry charge.

Cavalry are usually organized in groups numbering anywhere from 200 to 400, though they are sometimes smaller. The Raians take great care to keep this units differing in size, so the enemy will have a harder time determining the size of an army.

Raian Infantry are organized in battalions of 1,000. There are 400 hoplitoi, 300 toxotai, 200 peltastoi, and 100 menavlatoi.

Hoplitoi are the bulk of the Raian infantry.
They wear a steel spiked helmet, a chainmail or lamellar hauberk, splinted metal greaves, and leather gloves.
Each hoplitos has a teardrop shapped shield, a 3 meter spear, and a longsword. They fight in tightly packed formations, using their spears to attack the enemy in formation, and their swords when dispersed.

Toxotai are archers. They wear steel helmets, studded leather or padded cloth vests, and a small round shield strapped to one arm. Their weapon is a composite bow made of horn and animal sinew, capable of sending an arrow through chainmail at 300 yards. They carry a small dagger or hand axe as well.

Peltastoi are equipped the same as Toxotai, butthey throw javelins instead of shooting arrows.

Menavlatoi are equipped the same as Hoplitai, but with a 4 meter long spear, used for halting charges from enemy cavalry. They go to different places in the battleline, wherever they are needed.

Raian Navy

The Raian Navy has 40,000 oarsmen and 10,000 marines. It operates 3 types of ships. The Dromon is their main ship, a boat with three banks of oars. These carry about 250 rowers and 80 marines. Deceres have ballistas that let the crew fire at enemy ships, and some can even carry catapults. Deceres also have a spout that lets them blast liquid fire onto enemies. This substance is a very important Raian military secret, and only a few inside the Empire know how it is made.

The next type of vessel is the Pamphylos, usually with 160 men. They have no liquid fire spouts, but they do have 2 ballistas mounted on deck.

The Ousiakon is the smallest type of ship, with a crew of 100 men. It carries no marines, so the top row of oarsmen fight when the ship is boarded. Its only weapon is its ram, and the armed crew.

The Raian Navy has 20 Deceres, 120 Pamphyloi, and 240 Ousiakoi.

There are 4 major commands, the Imperial Fleet at the capital, the Adriatic Fleet, the Black Sea Fleet, and the Mediterranean fleet.

[setzer]

And we'll start...

Emperor Trasaric had finished with his weekly levy, and was in a hurry to pursue other matters. Hearing petitions was tedious at best, a criminal waste of time at worst. It wasn't nearly as bad as it had been in years past, before he had appointed a special office to hear the majority of petitions. He still had to hear a few. It was his duty as Emperor.

A servant notified him that the Empress was waiting for him in the Imperial Dining Room. Lunch was prepared, a simple meal, consisting simply of bread, a pot of honey, spiced chicken, white wine, and some onion soup. Empress Erfuinen was waiting for him, looking radiant as usual. They both began eating once Trasaric sat down, and she was the first to speak. "Nausicaa has a birthday coming up. She'll be 16."
"And you want my advice on a gift?" he asked?
"I was thinking more long term. We should begin looking at prospective husbands." She took a sip of her wine.
"Did you have any in mind?" Trasaric knew his daughter would make a fine Empress Regnant, and didn't want his heir wasted ruling a foreign court.
"Not at the moment. You know most foreigners don't stop to think about which family a bride will be joining. We can't pick some hidebound fool who will insist on Nausicaa taking his name." Erfuinen was clearly thinking along similar lines as her husband.
"It'll have to be someone Raian then." Trasaric said. "Perhaps the Tar Thaurbals? They have a suitable lad, name of Isaakios. He commands a squadron based out of Crete."
"He might be better off there. You remember the reports we saw yesterday. They say the Lycion raiders are going further south. It's only a matter of time before they try sailing into the Mediterranean." Unlike most Raian women, Erfuinen had studied military subjects. Her family, House Tar Inilzur, was one of many responsible for holding the frontier out east. Established customs were not as solid there, and no one would think it odd that a woman would have knowledge of strategy.
"That'll be something we can discuss at this evening's meeting. Perhaps it would be best if we just made a general announcement. Let the suitors line up and Nausicaa can pick whichever one pleases her best. Men will say a lot to impress a woman."
"Excellent idea, Trasaric." She paused for a moment, finishing the last of her soup. "I have to be going. I'll get started on that letter of introduction for our trip to Lydio. Hopefully, the twins will be able to stay for a few months." She called servants to clear away her part of the table.
"Of course, dear. Make sure you present it to the council first. We don't want to appear too eager."