Rebirth of the Forgotten Continent

[quicksabre]

Correct, all characters are members of congress. And the limit applies to Imperatar only.

OK, thanks. Two more questions as I write my backstory -
1) to what extent do the Atlanteans know about the rest of the world? You said they are beginning to realize they are not the center of the universe, but do they have stories of other continents similar to the story of Atlantis, or are they actually aware of other places? I guess, practically, my question is what is the map spread?
2) what is the current political climate in Azlanxo and Atlantis more generally? ie, what are our slider settings (especi, and are there any political arrangements or historical rivalries/friendships at the start?

[Magnive]

((Two quick questions first, will there be NPC votes? And in the mod, we do not gain any colonists at the moment, will this be changed?))

Name: Erodel Krispin

Date of birth: August the 18th, 1325 (30 at game start)

Patron Deity: N/A

Culture: Azlanti

Job/business: Merchant

Political leaning: Erodel believes that the future of Azlanxo is to be found within trade. This future should be accomplished by becoming a Republic of Merchants, and then establishing Azlanxo as the dominant Merchant Republic in Atlantis. Erodel it, however, not that biased as to how this is done. If it is though war, so be it. In his eyes war and trade is just two sides of the same coin.

Background: Erodel was born to a merchant, and so he became one as well. While visiting the north-eastern states of Atlantis, he discovered that they used a system which favoured merchants over aristocrats more than the system of Azlanxo, something which was only fair, since landowners generally just inherited their lands, while merchants had to work hard to maintain their trading empires.


Advisor type: Trader

[Mr. Capiatlist]

OK, thanks. Two more questions as I write my backstory -
1) to what extent do the Atlanteans know about the rest of the world? You said they are beginning to realize they are not the center of the universe, but do they have stories of other continents similar to the story of Atlantis, or are they actually aware of other places? I guess, practically, my question is what is the map spread?
2) what is the current political climate in Azlanxo and Atlantis more generally? ie, what are our slider settings (especi, and are there any political arrangements or historical rivalries/friendships at the start?

This will be answered in my post tonight after work.

((Two quick questions first, will there be NPC votes? And in the mod, we do not gain any colonists at the moment, will this be changed?))

Name: Erodel Krispin

Date of birth: August the 18th, 1325 (30 at game start)

Patron Deity: N/A

Culture: Azlanti

Job/business: Merchant

Political leaning: Erodel believes that the future of Azlanxo is to be found within trade. This future should be accomplished by becoming a Republic of Merchants, and then establishing Azlanxo as the dominant Merchant Republic in Atlantis. Erodel it, however, not that biased as to how this is done. If it is though war, so be it. In his eyes war and trade is just two sides of the same coin.

Background: Erodel was born to a merchant, and so be became one as well. While visiting the north-eastern states of Atlantis, he discovered that they used a system which favoured merchants more than the system of Azlanxo, something which was only fair, since landowners generally just inherited their lands, while merchants had to work hard to maintain their trading empires.


Advisor type: Trader

There will be no NPC voters. I will not have a character either, instead I shall be DM. I don't believe we currently get colonists though this can be changed.

[Magnive]

((Since some of the provinces belonging to the hordes are pretty good, I hope so))

[Prince of Savoy]

Ostarian Llan (Pronounced y-ann)
Male, 27
Culture: Ollan
Patron deity: Deznon

Ostarian was born, rather humorously, on a fishing boat in the middle of the sea while his father and his pregnant mother were on a fishing trip. Ostarian, born to a large fishing family of 12, he grew up a simple man, not really caring for luxury or complexities that so many of the Azlanti seem to enjoy. So when he decided to join in politics, it came as a shock to his family and to many of Azlanti. Ostarian is no political storm by any means of the word, but is often seen as a "breath of fresh air" for the Azlanti who enjoy simplicity and normalcy, and not the politics and drama that tend to dominate Azlanti's congress.

Political leanings: Simply, more liberties for the common man, and a simple, centralized state. May be seen as "un-democratic" by some, but he sees it as simply removing the ineffective variables in the Azlanti government.

[cavebear3000]

((Thanks for the template ncm. PS: Viva HBO Rome!))

Attachment 55538

Name: Graetius Tauronian

Date of Birth: November 11th 1320 (aged 36).

Place of Birth: unknown (he claims that his grandfather was born of the God Ozur)

Height: 6ft 1in.

Weight: 200 lbs. Brawny

Ethnic Origin: Norran-Urollan. Graetius was raised by his father, a hunter turned outlaw, and grew up in a mercenary group which he would later go on to lead.

Social Class: Think of the lowest lowborn in Atlantis City... then go lower... now you have some idea of just how lowborn Graetius Tauronian is. He represents everything the merchant and aristocratic classes hate.

Education: Has until recently been limited to the battlefield. Upon his arrival in Atlantis city, Graetius was able to acquire an Azlanti tutor so as to begin learning how to read and write.

Background: After becoming captain of the Red Lance, Graetius, seeing opportunity in the Azlanti civil war, marched his troupe of fighters to front-lines of battle and then began fighting (unbidden) the Oligarchists and Aristocrats on behalf of the revolters. After proving instrumental in several victories, the Red Lance was officially hired by the revolters and bid to disrupt supply lines and lower enemy moral with guerilla warfare. Graetius had a different plan however: to march to Atlantic City itself. Tacticians today can't figure out exactly whyGraetius marched his band of mercenaries (numbering 3,000) to Atlantic City... and some interesting questions arise... Did Graetius know that the city was left undefended and could be sacked by his marauding band? Did Graetius know of the Aristocrat army coming to re-take the city from the revolters? Whether or not Graetius knew of either the lack of defenses or the coming enemy army is unclear but, regardless, Graetius entered Atlantic City as a savior and subsequently defended the city from enemy invaders, fighting street by street to oust the much larger Aristocratic army (numbering 13,000) once they broke through the high walls of Atlantic City. After the siege was lifted, Graetius pursued enemy forces, cut down the last of their number, and captured several venerable aristocrats. Graetius marched these men back to Atlantic City and was once again hailed as a hero by the Azlanti people. In the wake of victory, Graetius and his men threw a weeklong festival and, to fund the festivities, "dipped into" the state vaults of Atlantic City. After a particularly long night, Graetius, spurred on by the urgings of his fellow mercenaries, declared to the people of Atlantic City that he would be run for the senate on behalf of the people. The lower classes, enchanted by Graetius's charismatic oration, literally carried him to the steps of the senate and hailed him as Imperator. Once this news reached the rebel leaders, they rushed back to Atlantic City. After meeting in private with the leaders of the rebellion (almost all of which were relatively highborn), Graetius emerged, reportedly shouting "For the people... a senator I'll be!" Even after the civil war ended, Graetius retained his lofty position in government.

Political Beliefs: Until recently, Graetius had never met a senator and had never even thought about entering the political field. After his meteoric rise to fame after Red Lance's brave defense of Atlantic City, Graetius became a senator and immediately aligned himself with the lower classes. When the highborn leaders of the revolution returned from the field of battle, they were distressed to learn that Graetius had already begun creating a political party: the Populares, who were staunchly egalitarian (some might say socialist) and jingoistic.

Occupation: A Senator and self-proclaimed leader of the Populares

Community Status: As an apt captain and charismatic, if blunt, public speaker, Graetius is loved by most of the military (excluding the more xenophobic Northerners) and is known as "the Gatekeeper" by the lower classes, who . He is detested as a common thug by the established Azlanti merchant, aristocratic, and military families that control the Senate.

Skills: While Graetius prides himself on his swordsmanship and strength, the man's greatest talent is his ability to inspire and invigorate the troops on and off the field of battle. Graetius spent some years as the young captain of the Red Lance, a mercenary group. His experience fighting in both the hill country of inner-Atlantis and the streets of Atlantic City have given Graetius a very profound mastery of the art of guerilla and urban warfare.

Political Beliefs: Until recently, Graetius had never met a senator and had never even thought about entering the political field. After his meteoric rise to fame after Red Lance's brave defense of Atlantic City, Graetius became a senator and immediately aligned himself with the lower classes. When the highborn leaders of the revolution returned from the field of battle, they were distressed to learn that Graetius had already begun creating a political party: the Populares, who were staunchly egalitarian (some might say socialist) and pro-war.

Religious Beliefs: Graetius is a patron deity is Ozur. While Ozur is known as a tyrant, he is also represented by a closed gate and therefore immediately attracted the attention of Graetius, who wanted the people to remember his valiant defense of Atlantic City. Once, in the midst of a night of festivities, Graetius claimed that he was descended from Ozur himself. Graetius has also given a small fortune to the Goddess Nohar so that "I may be treated fairly if I die protecting Atlantis on the battlefield!"

Hobbies/Entertainment:To be brief, Graetius enjoys feasting, fighting, and f***ing.

Strengths: Graetius's bravery in battle, charisma in the senate, and unmatched drinking ability have all contributed to his rise in popularity among the lower classes.

Ambitions: Who knows?

Fears/Phobias: Fears the Gods

Type of Humour: Lowbrow

General Health: In good shape

Distinguishing Marks: Scarring across the chest and distinctly southern tattoos on right arm

Advisor type: Grand Captain

[viola]

Name: Katalin Belatz (F)

Date of Birth: 1327 (29)
Place of Birth: A village in the outskirts of Atlantis City
Culture: Azlanti
Patron Deity: Tordem

Job: Military commander

Background: Katalin was born to a poor family of farmers, once adult she entered in the army in order to feed her relatives. She become an officer, leading one of the garrison of the capital. When the revolution came she, and her soldiers, sided with the rebels, considering the oligarchy a corrupt and inefficent system. After the overthrown of the old regime she become one of the most important commanders of the young republic.

Political leanings: She is hawkish and militarist; her dream is to unify the Continent and build a new Atlantean Empire. She disrusts the merchant class, considering the merchants egoistical and treacherouses, while has sympathy for the commoners and popular classes, mostly for her origins.
In the congress she represent the interest of the army and the soldiers.

Advisor Type: Commandant

[cavebear3000]

Ahh, Katalin Belatz my militant minded friend... I know we'll work closely together in the future... soldiers like us 'av got to stick together, eh? Come by sometime, we'll share a drink...

---Graetius---

[Mr. Capiatlist]

History is up; feel free to continue submitting characters if you haven't already and enjoy the game. Graetius has broken the ice, don't leave him hanging.

[Anjwalker]

((Haha, way too used to playing Victoria II - I must have been thinking about its start date x_x And colonists would be good, It'd be funny to see Columbus come over the horizon and find someone else had already colonized the Americas XD))

[Kaioo]

"I see you're already making friends Graetius, I hope that offer is open to one such as me, because, as you said, those of a similar mind must stick together. Atlantis will rise again, and it shall start with Azlanxo and its mighty military!"- Auron Desimodius

[quicksabre]

Name: Pontia Krupt (F)
Date of birth: 20.4.28 (27 years old; 28 in 3 months)
Culture: Cosmopolitan

Place of birth and family:
Pontia is the 4th child of a minor noble family in the southwest of Aranxo, near the border of Ilunleher and Osson. Due to their proximity to one of Azlanxo's chief rivals and the warrior nomads of the west, the Krupt family were traditionally knights and minor commanders, leading levys, defending fortresses and protecting the frontier against incursions. They are, traditionally, also staunch monarchists, believing that a strong leader is necessary to protect and restore the divinity of Atlantis. Outside of daily training, however, their children are given a great deal of freedom at a young age, in order to strengthen their bodies and wits for their future careers as soldiers. The 4th child of their family, however, is traditionally sent to Atlantis to serve Tordem in exchange for his protection for the family.

Backstory:
Pontia's life was thrown into turmoil (at least for an 8-year-old) in in 1336, when her father, fearing the democratic ethos sweeping the northern parts of the country, decided to send her to serve Ozur rather than Tordem. To an 8-year-old used to the freedom of play and exploration, taught from birth that her purpose in life was to protect her older brother and sisters in the halls of Tordem, the strict discipline in Ozur's temples and the feeling of futility at being unable to worship Tordem tore at her spirit. In 1339 she devised her escape, fleeing to the temple of Tordem where she hoped to be taken in.

The Paladins of Tordem were unwilling to help Pontia in her flight from their patron's brother, and only their complacency in the face of the troubles of a little girl allowed the 11-year-old to escape before the servants of Ozur arrived to reclaim her. She ran through Atlantis for the better part of 24 hours before collapsing from thirst and exhaustion at the foot of the temple of Randa. The High Priestess of Randa, seeing an opportunity to antagonize her patron's fiance, took Pontia in and refused to turn her over to her Ozur's followers. For seven years, Pontia served in the temple Randa, flourishing and hardening her wits in the turbulent halls of the Great Mantis where she earned the respect of her peers and elders alike.

At 18, she chose the life of a journeyman over that of a priestess, and spent eight months traveling Azlanxo working the traditional Randan jobs such as spying and smuggling, seeking her calling. In the end she found it back where she started, in the port of Atlantis, working for an eccentric shipbuilder. She studied under her mistress for eight years, learning about the sea and joining the contest to provide the resurgent navy with the most advanced ships in the world. After the death of Taxom the Great, the High Priestess of Randa saw the opportunity presented by having one of their own in the congress. At first internal bickering prevented the selection of candidates, but by 1355 Pontia had been chosen, recalled, and, with her Temple's backing, elected into the halls of Congress.

Politics:
Major Issues:
Pro-religious
Pro-naval

Leanings:
Pro-free subjects
Pro-military (but anti-jingoist)
Pro-mercantile
Pro-defensive
Pro-innovative
Pro-aristocracy

Patron deity: Randa

Advisor Type: Naval Reformer

[quicksabre]

Dear Friends - Merchants and hawks, nobles and commoners! Today we come together in a great experiment of Democracy, Progress, and Tradition. Soon, an Imperatar will be elected from among our oldest and most experienced members, and will guide our country for the next 8 years. So come! All who share ambition, tell us your vision for our rising Nation! Let us choose the most worthy to be our next leader.

[cavebear3000]

"I see you're already making friends Graetius, I hope that offer is open to one such as me, because, as you said, those of a similar mind must stick together. Atlantis will rise again, and it shall start with Azlanxo and its mighty military!"- Auron Desimodius

but o' course, me fellow senator! It would be an honor to count ye as an ally of the Populares and o' the people themselves. As a militant man meself, I can appreciate your brave service to Azlanxo in the recent popular revolution and I hope that, even as senators, yew and I can hold between us enough influence in the military to subdue those who would seek to promote serfdom and aristocracy. I know that, together, we can oust any oligarchist reactionaries and lead Azlanxo into a new era of power, prosperity, and equality. Yew are welcome in my mead hall any time. Please stop by... we can talk of warfare, women, and maybe even politics!

---Graetius---

[Magnive]

"I will personally vote for Pavo, for he and I share a vision of a Merchants' Republic. I believe in this because while a good business can be inherited, it cannot be maintained without certain skills, unlike many nobels, who merely inherited their lands.
However, this Merchants' Republic would not only favour merchants, of course. It should be heavily plutocratic, relying on those who have the required skills to rule a country, not on some general who just happened to win a war and thus gain the favor of the people, and neither should it be ruled by the aristocrats, who are used to having servants bringing them everything they desire, without working for any of it.
After sorting out our form of government, we should strive to unite all of Atlantis, like it was once. Thereafter, we shall rule the seas, and use that naval superiority to once more establish colonies in our lost lands. This navy would be funded mainly by the profits of our merchants, when they bring some all kinds of valuable goods.
Please, citizens of Azlanxo. We merchants wish to bring you into a golden age of prosperity. Please help us do so"

[Kaioo]

"And if you merchants are making no profits, how would our navy be funded? A Merchants' Republic is doomed to fail if the Merchants cannot make a profit, and you can not make any guarantees that you would actually make a profit."- Auron Desimodius

[Magnive]

"But we do have a guarantee that we make profits, just look at our capital city! It is the center of trade of the entire island! Add to that the fact that merchants all over Atlantis will flock to us should we become one such republic ((OOC: Merchants are cheaper (Maybe better as well? I can't remember if the special Atlantis merchant republic had TE as well))), which would do nothing but increase our profits!"
Erodel Krispin

[Chlorna]

Name: Solangus Balvaksin (M)
From: Brundyka
Culture: Eurpan
Patron Deity: Ara
Occupation: Former Shepard, Now Aspiring Senator
Age: 29
Appearance: A short olive-colored man with short black hair and a short beard, Solangus, while not ugly, is also not seen as handsome by Atlantian standards. His skin is somewhat wrinkled despite his rather young age, largely in part due to the stress and troubles of herding sheep in the hot Atlantian sun for most of his life. If it hadn't been for the revolution he might have stayed a shepard, but as things change, so must people. He is new to the senate, and while he cannot become Imperatar just yet, his ambitions are unlimited.

He believes firmly in keeping things simple and this is reflected in both his speech, and his political views. Due to his previously lower class status, he despises nobles for his mistreatment at their hands, and is in favor of a merchant ran form of government, believing that a man who makes his own fortune, is a better man than those who inherits it. While he loves and lives in Azlanxo, his heart still remains in Brundyka.

Political Views: Pro-merchant, anti-aristocracy, expansionist, and while not pro-war, he isn't against its use to acheive goals.

Advisior Type: Collector

[Mr. Capiatlist]

((I'll have to double check the government awards, I based them off of pre-existing governments. Azlanxo starts off as an Atlantean Republic while some of the neighboring countries start off as Atlantean Merchant Republics. I can post the exacts later tonight.))

[ncm]

Pavo Tsharthagion rose, nodding to his supporters and callously avoiding the varied opposition.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," he began, his hands outstretched as wide as his smile. "It's good to see, no matter our differences, the torch of true political debate alight once again in Atlantis. My hope, our shared hope, is that such liberty is a permanent condition."

"My good friend, Senator Krispin, has voiced the need for a republic of trade and commerce in Atlantis, a republic where men are free to sell and buy with the full endorsement of the state. Commerce is an essential trait of humanity: the dream of wealth eludes no man, gentlemen. We cannot impose limitations on this right of trade, for in doing so we would be compromising the very ideals this republic rests upon: liberty, justice, freedom from tyranny and oppression," Pavo coughed lightly, turning to Auron Desimodius. "Senator Desimodius, your concerns are valid: if commerce somehow fails, how will our armies and navies stand in defence of Atlantis? I assure you, Senator, that Krispin is right: Azlanxo is a bustling hub of trade, and on no human timespan does it appear this situation will expire, for it never will."

"The western badlands hold the two Urollan hordes of Osson and Heras, the savage beasts who roam our forests and farms, marauders and pillagers," he said, addressing the entire Senate. "These wild-men deserve no less than enslavement, and I assure this Senate that slavery is a very profitable trade. Our course of action must be thus: Azlanxo must extract a generous tithe of Urollans from their chieftains and fully subjugating them if they refuse. Either way, gentlemen, commerce will wield such massive profits from this slave trade that our military will be more than capable of defending the republic, and our people more than happy under such just rule. Either way, the Urollan lands will depopulate so rapidly that our colonisation of it is a certainty: a further source of income and commerce, as we tame the lands of wild beasts."

"Why must a tithe be preferable? It will take some time for the Urollan numbers to decrease, and in that time - a hundred years, say - slave-merchants will secure a life time's flow of produce, and create even greater profits from selling domestically and abroad. If we simply conquer their lands, we will secure a gargantuan quantity of slaves, though a quantity that will decline much faster. Perhaps lasting only a generation, and a fifteen-year income is, in the scale of nations, not a stable one, nevermind the devastating effect of oversupplying the slave market."

"I call for this Senate to elect a delegation to the Urollans, to negotiate this ultimatum."