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In the eight hundred and third marked lunar year two countries clashed together. Amalgi to the north was a hodge podge country of tribes and clans that had formed an unsteady conference. Working together the northern people named a leader and built cities for the first time. Inner conflict drove them to extremes at first, however over decades the disdain towards countrymen dwindled. Strong on both land and sea the Amalgians were renowned as farmers and sailors. Abundant forestry on their lands gave way to superior lumber for trade and soon southern ports adorned the barren rocky coast. These northern tribesmen whom had come under a unified name were finally instead of being cursed.

To the south, across the choppy waves of the Eagian Sea, was Elmire. A longstanding trade partner of the tribes and an affluent country among others Elmire had watched her trade partners slowly become one. Relying on the northern lands for lumber, as their own country was mostly grasslands, Elmire was ecstatic of a unified trade partner. Greater loads of lumber began to make their way south and both parties flourished from it.

Both would have continued to flourish had Amalgi not began claiming lands that Elmire believed to be theirs. Tensions grew. Over a short period of six years these tensions festered and swelled until finally an Elmire warship ransacked a port. The northern men and women retaliated immediately and viciously claiming four flagships in under a month. Though Elmire had magic at their will and the Amalgians feared such powers, that alone was not enough to sway the determination of the men and women whose homes had been burned.

Violence spread across the sea, neither side gaining any true headway in the war until finally Amalgi treasuries began to fall short of what was required. The people could not be taxed as embargo left them without coin to gather, and soon Amalgi fell to bankruptcy. Without funds for her armies and navies she struck a deal with Elmire and signed the Eagian Treaty in the eight hundred and sixth lunar year. Denoting that southern Amalgi lands be annexed to pay off their damages against Elmire. Unmentioned was that Elmire would refuse the right of the defeated people to stay in their homes and they were forced northward. Rebellion brewed, but was quickly quieted.

Faced with such a loss of territory and people Amalgi shattered and her provinces stood their ground alone. Iern was one of the more renowned provinces and also one most affected by the foul treaty. With no capabilities to defend their lands against organized armies the people hurried westward to venture towards new lands. This wasn't done without difficulty though as only stories and wive's tales spoke of lands to the west across the great oceans. Telling of eels that would swipe bad children from the banks and take them far away and lands where great giants roamed about was hardly reliable, but with little other choice it was at least a hope.


Our Part

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The storyline of the roleplay will center around our characters as well as NPC's leaving Iern in search of new lands. Groups may be either from inland or the coast, but will be sailing to the West regardless of upbringing. From then all manners of things will begin to happen, some good, most bad. Characters will be required to do more than bash their way through obstacles as new lands and creatures will test them.

Players are welcome to, and even encouraged, to suggest ideas for future courses of the story. These ideas should have some significance and involve as many characters as possible.



Characters

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Characters in this roleplay can be of either gender and age. I suggest that ages be kept above children, and under a senile old bat unless it isn't a main character . Though Iern is the mentioned province in the roleplay characters from outside this province are accepted as well and I leave their specific ideals, culture and beliefs up to you so long as it fits the setting. That being said, if it's unreasonable I will say so and we'll work something out. Magic falls under this stipulation as well. If anyone wishes to have a character that uses it they may, but I would appreciate that a strong understanding of exactly what I think ought to be capable is present. As far as races go I'm limiting it only to humans and that's absolute. Characters may have fought in the war against Elmire, however as this roleplay is intended to focus on more than just combat I suggest they be well rounded.


Character Sheet

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I do not want a typical character sheet to be written up. I would rather you tell me about your character. What are they good at and why? Where are they from? What's happened to them? Those are the three biggest questions I like to ask myself, but more is always better. That said, I would rather a good short story, than a dreadful long one.



The World

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A warm ocean current wraps around the coast of what was Amalgi. Because of this snow only rests on the ground about six months of the year allowing for a strong growing season. Trees are abundant but because of the general rocky and hilly terrain they grow in large swaths. This makes farming somewhat difficult, but stubborn as they are the men refused to move to new lands and coined techniques to work the land. With easily available lumber building ships came naturally as did trade. Homes are dug into the ground a few feet until large stones began to appear which are then smashed smooth. The leftover stone was used to build the foundation of the homes they are then topped with thick wood, and covered with dirt to insulate. This creates resilient and very liveable homes even in the most extreme temperature.

As far as communities were concerned they ranged from less than a hundred to over ten thousand. In greater cities political figures were enacted, whether through choice or force, and a general political structure was in effect. Men held the higher moral ground in affairs, but women managed everything for them. The men didn't choose how much to sell livestock for, just as the women didn't openly act in politics. This give and take so to speak worked well and no gender was really known as less than the other day to day. The exception to this was in battle where the first born son was always expected to fight for the family. Often women took up arms in place of their sons or brothers and although it was uncommon to see them in large numbers they did grace the battlefield.

Religion and culture among the Amalgi people differed from place to place. Some held to a tribe like structure praying to gods of their own creation, and others to more known gods. This created internal conflict among the parties though it never escalated to full conflict. Regardless of beliefs all people held confidence in their leaders and were stalwart in their duty no matter what it was. Magic is thoroughly untrusted by everyone because of past grievances with users, particularly during the war against Elmire.

Trade, particularly naval trade, was one of the most common incomes of the country. Because of their superior lumber the Amalgi ships could sail faster and farther than others, granting them an almost monopoly of the Eagia Sea. Currency was counted in metal coins made of iron or brass, though when lacking bartering was common. Metal was expensive because it lacked abundance and the difficulty of refining it.

Lastly the technological standpoint of the roleplay will be an early medieval time setting. This basically boils down to swords being in existence, but expensive, and spears being far more common as weapons. Full plate armour adorns only kings and the like and leather protects the common wealth. Horses are the fastest travel on land, and ships by all other means. Though magic throws a bit of a wrench into what exists, such as reusable lighting, the general rule of thumb would be nothing that couldn't be replicated at the time. Light can be made with fire so having a lantern that uses magic is acceptable by my terms. Crafting thousands of swords with magic because magic, is not.

In combat magic is somewhat different. Though fire and ice can be conjured, most magic used to harm others is in forms of hexes or curses. Often men were poisoned from clean water after a witch had tainted it with her powers. Other times ships ropes would fray and snap throwing the vessel about and sailors into the sea. Only the strongest users could control magic to the point of creating fire that didn't spread further then they wanted and even then most abstained. On land many magic users can sense and control, to a degree, the weather. This becomes difficult at sea because magical energy is drawn from the earth itself, or so it is widely believed.