Taveruun

[Nick the Nevermet]

Just some ideas. If others want to pick up other territories, there's still 5 left totally unclaimed. East, of course is the biggie, and probably has the most threat from Ottamarluk (I'd think that they'd want to take Longstone as a site to stage from). Southeast has the border with the mysterious land of Savastra. The Northeast borders Helena. The Southwest has the border with the warring state of Dardanet. (Brian indicated an interest in the naval affairs of the West province).

That last one is interesting. Under the listing for Ottamarluk, IIRC, it says that they've invaded Dardanet in the past. It's possible that they do this by seaborne invasion, but what makes most sense to me is that they just march across Taveruun to get there. This would not be without historical prescident as I've discussed before.

I've only detailed one-eighth of Taveruun. Still a lot of work to be done.

Mike

When I get around to it, I may as well do one of the other northern provinces, be it northeast or northwest.  (Maybe even both...but if that happens, detail will suffer)  My guess is that all the mountainous provinces are survived war better than the flatter provinces.  Also, Duke Alzenar's plans aside, I doubt Komas is far and away the dominant province.

[Mike Holmes]

Nick, that's really good stuff. I mean, exceptional. Lots of depth there.

If we keep this up, it'll be an awesome netbook. With some editing it might even make a good supplement (assuming Jake is interested).

Hmm.

Mike

[Jake Norwood]

Color me interested.

Jake

[Nick the Nevermet]

Nick, that's really good stuff. I mean, exceptional. Lots of depth there.

Thanks.  I tried.  Your stuff was cool as well, as I already said.

If we keep this up, it'll be an awesome netbook. With some editing it might even make a good supplement (assuming Jake is interested).

Hmm.

At this rate, you're right: with some editing we could make a very good netbook.  I suspect that when we get done with Taveruun, we'll move on to other countries.  

Jake, if you want to throw some guidance on what you'd want, then guide away fearless leader.  Otherwise, I suspect Mike, Brian and I are just going to start detailing everything in sight.   Hmm... actually, if it is ok with people, I think the idea of netbooks and how supplements should work is worth its own thread.



Anyways, back to Taveruun, so far we have 2 of the provinces done (North and south), and two more reserved (Brian wants the west, and I want the northwest).  That leaves southwest, southeast, east, and northeast.  With the exception of maybe the southeast, those provinces are guaranteed to be having all types of fun with Otamarluk.

We're getting to a point where there is some structure to build off of.  I highly encourage everyone to throw in ideas, be it for the other provinces or for the ones already written about a bit.  However, we also have to start thinking in terms of connecting the dots, making some kind of cohesive whole that is Taveruun.

We already know some themes.  First, Taveruun is too big to be culturally unified.  We have a native people (the Taveruu), the Maruzin, and the Komasian hybrid of Cyrinthian and Taveru.

So, for example, I know I want to write up the Northwestern province.  I should to incorporate something about the Maruzin clans into that, as the mountains around here may be where the Maruzin came from.  

I think my main question is does anyone else want to come out & play with Mike & I?  We're happy to have the company, and the rules for the Taveruun game are pretty simple.


*sigh* This thread is also making me want to go buy Campaign cartographer.  It is also making want to make a 'rule nation' mechanic, like Birthright.

[Nick the Nevermet]

Here is a quick sketch of what I have planned for the Northeast Province:

1) Close ties with Helena.  Church missionaries and iron traders going in, wine and pagans coming out.

2) Weak ruling family, strong but fragmented nobility.  Current Highlord is rumored to be mad.  He isn't, though; he's only an idiot.

3) Disregards Otomarluk.  Believes on the whole that Otamarluk's success has been caused by other Highlord's either being corrupt or poor leaders.

4) Racism between the Taveruu who live in the lower elevations and the Maruzin in the mountains.  The Taveruu are generally in charge.

The Northern province is a thriving place.  The northwest, while not under siege like some parts of Taveruun, is not a thriving place.  It has stumbled over its diversity, become unbalanced by the different people & cultures in and around it.

[Jake Norwood]

I may have missed all this (it's a big thread), but don't forget about Imperial settlers and their descendants from previous centuries.

Jake

[Morfedel]

This is a REALLY long thread.... I'll have to go back and read through it carefully. I have some things I might try and add in....

[Gary_Bingham]

Sword Captain Nathan Kalorgai braced himself against the buffeting wind that came in powerful waves of pure force and looked out over the killing fields. His position on the highest wall of the easternmost Citadel of the fortress commanded a most impressive view. However the knight was not impressed. And he would not be impressed until the sweeping semi-desert in front of him was filled with Marmaluk banners and men.

"They will come, my son. They will come", a voice called from behind him, fighting to be heard above the wind, "But your watchfulness will not hasten their arrival".

Kalorgai did not turn to face the newcomer, "No Father. It appears not".

"Are you so impatient to meet your fate?"

"I have waited patiently for ten years for the hordes to come, Father. Ten long years. And those who served before me have waited much longer", then he did turn to face the priest,

"Is my death so certain?"

"I said fate, Sword Captain, not death, though many of my flock are fated to die when the heathen's come", the priest was dressed in voluminous black robes which were whipping to and fro violently and was holding a hand up to ward off the sand being driven at him on the wind, "Perhaps, if it is his will, we will all die".

"Bettlerskrone will not fall, Greifer", turned to face the east, "No Marmaluk will ever stand here in my place. The walls are too high and too strong."

Father Antonial Griefer smiled. "Stone is only as strong as the men who hold it. And pride is a capricious ally", he warned.

"We will hold Father. You can be sure of that."

"But for how long, Sword Captain, how long".

+++
Imperial East County of Taveruun
The Imperial East County of Taveruun is a proud frontier against the Heretic Horde, a tense place where the citizens enjoy peace but a drawn sword is but a moment away.  The county is large and wealthy stretching from the iron-rich central mountains to the fertile farmlands of the mighty Cathedral river valley. A number of military orders are established in the county and the inquisition has a strong base. The Imperial Church of the Three Gods Become One is highly active and visible in the county with many extravagant churches, monasteries and cathedrals. Also a number of military orders are established in the county and the Inquisition has a strong base.

Notable Locations

Longstone.
The capital of not only the Imperial East County but the entire country of Taveruun, Longstone is a sprawling city of stone. The castle of Duke Pallori is a dramatic sight perched along a long spur of rock at the heart of the city. The bulk of the city is split into distinctly diverse quarters both in population and architecture, they themselves telling the story of the city's checkered past. The city hosts many famous buildings,  the magnificent Cathedral of the Three Gods become One is central to the Imperial quarter, and the sprawling Chapter House of the Sons of the Righteous War dominates the Old Quarter.

The Eastern Wall
The wall is the largest man made structure in the world and forms Taveruun's first line of defense against the Marmaluk threat. The wall is in effect a fortified and elevated road running the entire length of the border with Otarmaluk. On average the wall is 15 feet high faced with stone and castellated along the ridge with a 10-foot ditch on the eastern face for a total embankment of up to 30 feet (10 metres). The wall though impressive is more of a psychological barrier than a physical one as there are not enough warriors in all of Taveruun to man it effectively. The wall requires a large portion of the countries national product to maintain and in recent years a toll has been imposed on travel along the wall and through the wall collected at the League Forts along the wall's length.

Bettlerskrone
The most secure fortress in all Taveruun is located near the Eastern Wall in the south of the county. Built on a commanding rock outcrop in the shape of bear's claw by the Holy Knights of the Shard order of knighthood shortly after the First Crusade against Otarmarluk. The Founder of the order, Lord Arlyman the Begger, joined the crusade in Xanarium where legend has it he lived as a beggar but returned from the east one the Empire's richest men. The order made it's home in the land they help to conquer and built a mighty castle to defend it. Some of the fortifications pre-date the Eastern wall while others have been rebuilt over the years to include a 30 foot deep trench dug into the very bedrock of the hill baring entry to the main fortress, and four imposing citadels on the fingers of the bear claw dividing the approach to the main fortress into 3 walled gullies. Though the fortress has been besieged many times in it's long history it has never been taken.

Peoples

Mainlunders
The elite of Taveruun are predominantly in the group known as the Mainlunders by the native Taveru. Whilst most are generations removed from the Imperial settlers who swept into Taveruun in search of land and glory during the Imperial crusades, the term is used as a derogatively in some quarters to indicate unwanted interlopers. The majority of this group reside in the cities of the Imperial East County, though a smaller portion form the landed nobility residing in the countryside in fortified farmsteads.

Taveruu
The bulk of the population is made up of a mixed bag of native Taveruu, with both aboriginal and nomadic blood, who form the working classes of the county. Whilst adherence to the doctrines of the Imperial Church is expected, many covertly follow the religions of their ancestors. Unrest is uncommon in this group given that the standard of living is noticeably higher in Taveruun than it's eastern and northern neighbors and crime is kept to a minimum though the establishment of a highly structured and well-equipped Town Watch system.

Maruzin Clansmen
A small population of Maruzin exists in the Imperial East county, mostly in the mountainous west, though their ability to raid their neighbors in curtailed somewhat by the large number of military units in the county. This has led to a great deal of resentment amongst the clans and mercantile passage through the mountains must by necessity be heavily escorted.

[Nick the Nevermet]

I may have missed all this (it's a big thread), but don't forget about Imperial settlers and their descendants from previous centuries.

Jake

GAH!  How the Hell did I forget them?!?  Thanks Jake.

ok.... lessee...  time for a hack-job cultural history of Taveruun.  

Before Recorded Time: Xanar conquers Taveruun.  Due to the existence of things like the Statue of Xanar and his unknown companion, the archeologist is willing to say there is historical evidence Xanar did actually come here.

1 WEYR: Xanar dies, the Sea of Fallen Gods is created, and time begins.  At this point, the cultural traditions of Taveruun begin to take shape.

550-608 WEYR:  The early expansion under the fourth moon is primarily towards Maraia.  As Taveruun is not specifically mentioned in the timeline, I will suggest that this is about when the Empire absorbs Taveruun, primarily through missionary work (that part is in the book).  Let's say Imperial authority was established by... 590 WEYR?

608-957: Increased trade with Xanarium, settlers come and help found or develop the cities of Taveruun.

Pre-957:  Taveruun has most likely always had tensions Otamarluk and the followers of the Seven Vows.

957 WEYR: The first official aid by Xanarium to aid its vassal Taveruun in its Otamarluk dealings.  Taveruun sends lobbyists far and wide telling Mainlund how evil the Seven Vows is, and how savage the people to the east can be.

1000 WEYR:  Using the millenium, Taveruun gets its wish and the Crusades begin.  

1000-1200 WEYR:  The Crusades start off as a mixed blessing and get worse from there.  At its best, the Crusades were a vast amount of military aid by a horde of roving knights.  Their behavior often caused problems, the most glaring of which was the peasant rebellion in Komas, leading to the establishment of foriegn nobles as its rulers.  At its worst, the Crusades were a time when self righteous fanatics stampeded across the landscape, trampling everything on their way to glory.  "Glory" was occasionally defined as attacking Taveruun highlords, not only the Otamarluks.

1200-1275 WEYR: Increased problems throughout the Empire leaves Taveruun increasingly independent.  

1360 WEYR: My arbitrary date for the independence of Taveruun.  It stayed loyal longer than Helena or Dardanet, but not by much.  The shift was relatively quiet because Taveruun's ties to Xanarium were always based in faith first.

1400-1467: Otamarluk launches several raids into Taveruun.  thanks to the open spaces within Taveruun & its road system, the raiders consistently move deep within the country, often getting to Dardanet.

1467 Weyr: The Sul'taan of Otamarluk finally believes he is strong enough and declares a counter-crusade against Taveruun and beyond.  Taveruun, while confident in its military power, is preparing for this ultimate test.


Now, as for settlers from Xanarium and other parts of Mainlund...
The Taveruu are the dominant group currently in Taveruun.  This may not have always been the case, but iit certainly became that way soon after Xanarium started poking around (Hence the name, Taveruun).  This tells me that the Taveruu were among the first and biggest Church supporters, and they were then supported by Xanarium to unify their country.  

Over the next 870 years, the Taveruu had the ability to create an ethnic identity which they are still running on.  I am sure that what is currently called the Taveruu include bloodlines from the first wave of Xanarian settlers.  I suspect that most settling groups that came before the Crusades have been partially assimilated into Taveruu culture.  So, then, the spectrum would be on one end, Very traditional Taveruu (probably called a different name by now) who have had minimal dealings with Mainlunders.  In the middle, you would have the 'normal' Taveruu, whose heritage is actually a blend of Xanarian tradition and Taveruu culture.  And on the other end, you have relatively new settlers that came during the Crusades or after (such as the Sursatays), or Mainlund groups that for whatever reason did not mix with the native population.

[Nick the Nevermet]

Imperial East County of Taveruun
The Imperial East County of Taveruun is a proud frontier against the Heretic Horde, a tense place where the citizens enjoy peace but a drawn sword is but a moment away.  The county is large and wealthy stretching from the iron-rich central mountains to the fertile farmlands of the mighty Cathedral river valley. A number of military orders are established in the county and the inquisition has a strong base. The Imperial Church of the Three Gods Become One is highly active and visible in the county with many extravagant churches, monasteries and cathedrals. Also a number of military orders are established in the county and the Inquisition has a strong base.

Hiya.
I guess I have two questions to yank some more setting out of you :)

First, How well do you see the East faring against Otamarluk?  You described the East as a very militaristic place, something I think most of us would have done as well.  However, I could see the East as being the most prepared for Otamarluk, or the most strained.  Which one do you think it is?

And second, what is the Highlord of the East like?  Good, evil?  Effective, incompetent?  How ambitious is he?  Is he young or old?

[Mike Holmes]

Nick, you're description of the Taveru is perfect. I agree that in all that time that most of the Imperial bloodlines are going to get lost in the gene pool.

What's cool, however, is that noble houses tend to intermarry as a rule. If we follow that, then it's likely that the nobility is Taveru-like, but has more hints of the Imperial in them. Often this will set standards of beauty in fact where this phenopmenon occurs (meaning that the noble's appearance is seen as more beautiful than the common folk). This would be reinforced over the long haul (and it'll need reinforcing over the course of more than a millenium), by intermariage with the nobility of Cyrinthmeir, which I assume has the same phenomenon, and the Imperial Seat itself.

Here's a better question. Is there a "Hapsburg-esque" family in this world? If so, then we're talking even more similarities in rulers from country to country in Mainlund and places like Taveruun.


Gary, welcome aboard. Great stuff.

You give me an opportunity to broach a subject. In my description of the relationship between South and East, I described East as a Barony, not a County. There are other little "continuity" problems as well, but I'm not particularly interested in discussing them in particular, so much as discussing how to handle them.

Nick and I have given this some thought in PM, before you posted. I think we see four options:

[*]Ignore it. Folks can adjust things as they come across discrepancies.
[*]Make changes by committee. Basically just discuss things out in the open, and adjust when there are problems. Vote if neccessary.
[*]Appoint a continutity editor, and have them propose changes that are dicussed.  
[*]Appoint a continuity editor who will discuss options, but will have final authority.[/list:u]
What are the pros and cons? Keep it short, and let's decide quickly. Here's what I see:
I like a single person to be in charge. It ensures a single vision. I can't stand the idea of just allowing in contiuity problems, no matter how much easier it is. I also like that person to have final authority, beacause it's simpler, and means that the vision is tighter, and I don't mind being over-ruled. But I understand that some won't like giving up that kind of control, and for those, perhaps the editor who discusses option is more palatable.

Thoughts?

Mike

[Nick the Nevermet]

I'm personally against committees.  I'm in academia.  Committees do a lot of interesting things.  A unified vision in a timely fashion... isn't quite one of them.

I am in favor of some kind of editor.  My ideal would be someone who is in charge of 'the big picture' of Taveruun, the vast country with a lot of cultural influences, big cities, huge tracts of wilderness, and a constant threat of religious war.  He'd be the whistle-blower if somone does something really against the general feel of Taveruun.  He & the individual contributor would talk it through.  There should be an effort to get consensus, but if push comes to shove, the editor wins.

The guy also would be in charge of saying, "the write-ups for these two provinces don't match.  The guys who wrote them need to work it out."

[Nick the Nevermet]

What's cool, however, is that noble houses tend to intermarry as a rule. If we follow that, then it's likely that the nobility is Taveru-like, but has more hints of the Imperial in them. Often this will set standards of beauty in fact where this phenopmenon occurs (meaning that the noble's appearance is seen as more beautiful than the common folk). This would be reinforced over the long haul (and it'll need reinforcing over the course of more than a millenium), by intermariage with the nobility of Cyrinthmeir, which I assume has the same phenomenon, and the Imperial Seat itself.

Here's a better question. Is there a "Hapsburg-esque" family in this world? If so, then we're talking even more similarities in rulers from country to country in Mainlund and places like Taveruun.

Let's have some fun and say 'no, but it's coming.'  What I mean by this is that the rulers of some countries are becoming more networked at this moment in time.  It would make sense that it would start happening now, about a century after Xanarium's polity shrank.

Taveruun is an interesting case because I can see the nobility of it going in opposite directions.  Some will marry into the nobility of Mainlund.  Stahl, Cyrinthmeir, Xanarium and Sarmatov.  Other Taveruu nobles, however, would marry south into Dardenet, Yone, and Fauth.  After the current war with Otamarluk, assuming Taveruun still exists, that is going to be a cute little civil war.

[Gary_Bingham]

I am also in favor of an editor, with final authority over content. To start with we may treat the counties as little islands or sandpits of our own, but when we start join the dots , as Nick called it, we will need someone to stop us standing on each others toes.

BTW I think in hindsight I have gotten the rivers wrong when I named the Cathedral river. I meant the long river which forms the border with Otamarluk and Svarastra which after consulting the rulebook I consider to be the Galadonian River. I do you concur?

I think we need to decide on the Political structure for Taveruun as a whole. Maybe we need a whole new thread to discuss it. I am particular interested in the relationships between the individual Highlords and how they decide on National policy. Is there a single ruler of Taveruun or a Council of Highlords?

[Mike Holmes]

I am also in favor of an editor, with final authority over content. To start with we may treat the counties as little islands or sandpits of our own, but when we start join the dots , as Nick called it, we will need someone to stop us standing on each others toes.

Cool.

I think we need to consult with Brian, too, BTW, who's interested in the project before making any decision.

BTW I think in hindsight I have gotten the rivers wrong when I named the Cathedral river. I meant the long river which forms the border with Otamarluk and Svarastra which after consulting the rulebook I consider to be the Galadonian River. I do you concur?

I do concur indeed. Have you checked out my little map? I suggest that we vote on accepting or rejecting it at some point (there's a continuity error with Nick's North and how my border looks). We need an agreed to map of where the provinces lie as we start. And major Geographical features would be good, too.

I think we need to decide on the Political structure for Taveruun as a whole. Maybe we need a whole new thread to discuss it. I am particular interested in the relationships between the individual Highlords and how they decide on National policy. Is there a single ruler of Taveruun or a Council of Highlords?

Good point. On a more general note, do we want to do several more threads? If we do, will that be disruptive to the forum? Is there another venue that we should consider?

Mike