PÓLEMOS
(Greek: Πόλεμος Pólemos; "war")
The Great War is finally over. The realm is left in nothing more than shattered pieces, reeking like treachery and greed. I have heard children and babies crying. I have seen more blood than ever before. I have touched wounded flesh. There is finally peace in Pólemos, but this is not the end. I sense that an even tougher storm is coming which will exhaust the Kingdom even more. This was not the last fight. There may be peace in Pólemos for the moment, but it will not last. Beware, I can feel it in my old bones. – Taken from
Prophecies by Sage Grant Williams
STORY PREMISESet in a medieval and fantasy-themed world, this story combines both the traditional plot of two diverged families and the wonder of witches (for more information, please see the timeline and power explanation below). The story will revolve around the central conflict, spiced with a bit of fantasy, intrigues and sex. I can say that I hope for it to be as exciting as Game of Thrones, though if that is not the case, I am fine with it. This is a sandbox role play, and I thus gladly ask for your input and even a Co-GM if you’re interested. The two families mentioned below will fight for dominance in Pólemos and your character can be part of their royal court or take the role of a witch/warlock. I welcome your ideas of new cities, places or cultural aspect of this story. Main places like the royal courts still have to be made!
That being said, this role play will be considered EXTREME, including everything that word connotates; rape, sub-con, blood etc. This story will deal with war and that means no shyness towards violence or ‘foul’ play. But since creating such a world on my own has proven difficult over the years, I am inclined to accept someone as my Co-GM. We will make sure that there are no Mary-Sues or people trying to change the game right into their favor. This also means, that despite the label ‘extreme’, everything which is not consensual, either sexual or in other ways, should be discussed beforehand. The GMs will make sure that the fun over the course of the story remains!
TIMELINEYear Zero The Year Pólemos is believed to have been created by powerful witches
Year 67First dated human-written scroll found
Year 245 Emergence of House Vasselle in the Northern Sphere
Year 260 Emergence of House Fairwood in the Southern Sphere
Year 274 Both Great Houses sign the first treaty which seals the land boundaries, as well as the sovereignty of the other. Land boundaries are left fairly open for trade, but the unity Pólemos once enjoyed is thus forgotten
Year 428“
Doom Day”. House Vasselle, led by King Zaro, marches south to invade the Southern Sphere. Whispers of hidden gold resources under the String Mountains caused this invasion upon the former ally. Being unprepared for war, House Fairwood loses the fight within weeks. King Yiuh of House Fairwood swore his allegiance upon a dagger being held to his throat, promising to share the gold underneath the String Mountains. Another treaty is signed, forcing House Fairwood’s submission. King Zaro is crowned Emperor.
Year 429 True to their family device,
The South prevails, the reluctance and defiance in the noble houses to obey the Vasselle’s laws grew. Unbeknownst to King Yiuh, the Fairwood nobility began to deliberately keep masses of gold for themselves, transporting and spreading it evenly to the great names. Their smuggling abilities proved to be astounding, so next to gold, the nobility started to smuggle other things, such as spices, books and other metal.
Year 431Hatred and treachery manifests itself in both Houses. Emperor Zaro rules with an iron fist, demanding more and more tributes from the Fairwood family. It is commonly believed that Zaro was under the influence of a woman with magical abilities – a witch – who compelled him to do everything to her bidding. Zaro soon earned the nickname ‘The Impulsive’ in the ranks of his own nobility. Zaro began to spread lies about House Fairwood, which he demanded to be written down and be kept in books.
Year 475With both Emperor Zaro and King Yiuh dead, Pólemos flourished under a new emperor. Smuggling never stopped. Lies of the Fairwoods imprinted themselves in the heads of the Vasselle’s, so that the mistrust between the families grew, despite a new age.
Year 548 Character Traits of the Fairwoods – the book commissioned by Emperor Zaro – finds its way into the Southern Sphere in a smuggling act. Queen Reila of Fairwood, appalled by the words on the page, calls for the noble houses to come together to discuss further actions. Altogether, they come to the agreement to shut the border completely and cancel the contract which makes King Paulus the legal Emperor of Pólemos. With all trade stopped, both Spheres experienced the dark times.
Years 548 – 576With the borders shut, the Northern Sphere survived by fishing but suffered from severe starvation periods during winter nevertheless. Even with a hotter climate, the Southern Sphere could not rely on fishing, as their shores were mostly too dangerous for any ships to be set into the sear. But with a better climate, they harvested more and were able to save some for the winter. It was hardly enough. Only the smuggled gold kept the nobility nourished, but the Kingdom suffered great losses.
Year 583 Queen Reila is assassinated while being on a diplomatic mission to the Northern Sphere. With both King Paulus (who died only days before under precarious circumstances) and Queen Reila dead, the realm is left in ruins. The Fairwoods declare war on the Vasselles. The Great War begins.
Year 615The Peace Treaty is signed. After heavy losses on both sides, the Vasselles and the Fairwoods agree on their sovereignty once more. Open trade is re-introduced, but the tensions and old issues had not been addressed. Pólemos’ history seems to be repeated again and again, but this time, the peace lasts longer than anyone expected.
Year 797The Game begins.
Ecology, economics and other informationPólemos’ ecology equals the climate we can find on earth. It is colder in the Northern Sphere, though not necessarily unbearable. The temperate along the String Mountains, though, can sometimes exceed over 45° Celsius and can make life in the far south impossible in those weeks. Heavy storms can plague the coastline in the Southern Sphere, which makes sailing deadly. For roughly 9 months in a year, the climate is well enough for crops to grow.
The main currency is gold, though trading dominates the most part of Pólemos. Economically, the Southern Sphere profits from the gold resources under the String Mountains but the Northern Sphere can compete with its extraordinary plantations of potatoes. Though, the positive economic position of the Fairwood House mostly developed from the illegal smuggling of the nobility. Smuggling includes everything, even humans.
Education is only offered to nobility or to people of high status. Books are highly valued in both Spheres.
A Role in The House VasselleHouse Vasselle – the pride and joy of the Northern Sphere – is the oldest noble house which emerged in the north. It has earned prestige and power over the years, always overpowering other smaller houses in the Northern Sphere. No other house ever doubts the legality of the next King or Queen in line. Despite some questionable Emperors in the history of the great house, Zaro and other successors, House Vasselle had always managed to manipulate its subjects into submission. Will this tradition continue? Or is the precarious connection to witchcraft of the northern houses going to be their downfall?
A Role in The House FairwoodThe royal bloodline, the Fairwoods, has never been the house’s greatest forte. Instead, the King or Queen have always relied on the powerful noble houses, which were holding more power in their hands than the houses in the north. The Fairwoods are considered to be just, careful and sometimes, weak, leaders. Over the course of history, royalty was influenced by the rich and powerful, but the noble houses have never dared to overthrow the dynasty. The South will only prevail if they all stand together. Or are the noble houses gathering together to plan a coup? Are there secret admirers of Zaro’s dynasty in their ranks?
The Role of Witches/warlocks and their powersWitches or warlocks draw powers from earth. Their existence is a mystery for the inhabitants of Pólemos but their mystery is also a reason for the great interest in their powers. However, their powers are limited (I will only allow very limited powers as the most interesting thing about witches is their struggle and their manipulation techniques). Witches/warlock possess the power of manipulation of those who trust them through small mind tricks. Their voice, let alone their existence, can be enough for a victim to fall for the smallest of orders. Witches/warlocks have had a hard time living over the almost 800 years, for people hunted them down in fear of their powers. It seems that all witchcraft was removed from the Southern Sphere, and that the Vasselle bloodline was uncannily more affected by witches than any other house. Is the origin of this peculiar gift in the Northern Sphere? Was the first Vasselle King a warlock?
Character Sheet[floatright][img height=350] Insert url for a picture of your character here[/img][/floatright]
[center][font=impact][size=24pt]NAME OF YOUR CHARACTER[/size][/font][/center]
[font=impact][size=12pt]Title(s):[/size][/font] Sir/ Mistress/ Prince/ King/ Queen/ Princess etc.
[font=impact][size=12pt]Age:[/size][/font]
[font=impact][size=12pt]Political Position[/size][/font] King/ Queen/ Prince/ Princess/ Noble/ War Master/ Witch etc.
[font=impact][size=12pt]Physical Appearance[/size][/font]
(please insert the physical appearance of your character here)
[font=impact][size=12pt]Personality[/size][/font]
(please insert personality traits here)
[font=impact][size=12pt]Backstory[/size][/font]
(insert backstory here)
[font=impact][size=12pt]Intentions[/size][/font]
(please insert your character’s intentions to make clear on which side of the conflict YC stands)
[font=impact][size=12pt]Possible connections/scenes[/size][/font]
(insert possible connections/ scenes you would like your character to take part in)
[font=impact][size=12pt]Ons/ offs[/size][/font]
(Character’s O/Os)
[url] Insert your own O/Os here [/url]
[font=impact][size=12pt]Faceclaim[/size][/font]
(name of your faceclaim)
This is an interest check! Please do ask any questions you might have below. I'd be only too happy to answer!
Topic: PÓLEMOS - A Medieval/ Fantasy Game (Sandbox, Extreme, Interest Check) (Read 353 times)