Village Warriors II:War Captain and the Islands of Empire

[Jagged]

It is flattering to hear from people that they like what you write especially when it is from people who like writing with you here on Lit. My writing habits haven't been the best as of late but I wanted to change that and feel the words flowing easier now. That being said I am now ready to bring back one of the forums's most popular threads. For a long time I ran the only roleplay/strategy thread, and now I am launching a new one.....War Captains.


War Captains

Player Tribe Choices:

Asians

Barbarians

Greco-Romans

Norse-Vikings

Egyptian-Arabs

Slavic-Mongols


Start making your picks...more information to follow.

 

[Mantra]

GAH!!!!

Fucking A! (and all that stuff)

The Roman Empire shall rise again!

I am soooo there!

 

[Jagged]

Surprise surprise...Mantra chose the Romans...lol

Welcome aboard...more data to follow people.

 

[rengadeirishman]

well honour demands that i am the antithesis of Mantra, so Barbarians it is.

 

[Jagged]

Two Captains thus far....good good.....I will add more information then.

 

[GHEIST]

vikings rule lol i want them

 

[Jagged]

Three captains...hhhhmmm could be very interesting

 

[Jedi_Khan]

In all likelyhood, I'm going to get my ass kicked if I join. But hell, it's all about having fun, right? Well, sign me up for the Asians. Gotta love those samurai and ninjas.

 

[Jagged]

Ah...four Captains hahaha

Updating today

 

[Mantra]

Surprise surprise...Mantra chose the Romans...lol

Welcome aboard...more data to follow people.

Cause the Romans are all cool and stuff like that!


All shall fall before the might of the Roman Empire (Redux)

alL fEEr mi MaD sKeeLZ!!

 

[Jagged]

Story This Time Around...

Well for all of my veteran writers I will first say war captains is more then village warriors II. It will still have all the flavor of my previous fun and exciting roleplay/strategy game, but some I have decided to make some key changes that will make things easier for everyone and alot more fun. First you will be a on 110 island world like before but the islands are a bit smaller this time around. Think Ireland maybe smaller with many other smaller islands off nearby, but the Ireland size islands will be the starting place for the players. Second is the actual location of the players themselves. You will be only one large island away from another player. So if your on island "A" another player will be on island "C" while island "B" could be empy have NPC's on it whatever. The bottom line is that you will all be much closer. Why you have not had contact previously has to do with the story. For centuries the "110 Island World" was ruled by a highly advanced martial cutlure which was ruled by priests. They ruled over your various cultures brutally but still somewhat fairly. Each small island had a capital which had a fort, ministry building, and housing for the garrison. They collected taxes..fought with renegades and otherwise let the locals (you all) rule yourselves even allowing intertribal warfare. The "player chain" of islands is located in the central part of the world with the "Empire" having most of its home islands in the North. The "Empire" flourished for centuries with many of the home cities growing large through trade and plunder. Then in the last two decades a new enemy emerged from the artic North. Primitive stone age warriors more savage then the barbarian tribes and not even complete human began to invade in mass numbers. The nobles and governors of the Empire ignored the problem and only dispatched mercenaries to deal with the problem. After all the Empire was near Medeival in tech level so it should have been easy.....should have been. "The North Men" began laying waste to the heart of the Empire and took slaves, food, and weapons and destroyed the rest. In the last five to ten years the Empire has recruited units from your homelands to fight, but many believe it is to little far to late. It is believed much of the royal family has been slaughted and many nobles are in hidding or waging small scale wars. At this point in your history the empire outpost on your island is almost completely empty of soldiers. Governors have been left on their own. Some have returned home...some abandoned their post others have declared themselves kings...other have turned int zealous. If you want power back this might be your only opportunity. Perhaps you were the ruling family under the Empire...or you are an Empire family that has chossen to stay. You are a renegade returning home or a fleeing prince? There are many options to play out in storyline wise all I will say is do not think you will inherit all what the empire had on your island and other things come with what you get.


Other Useful facts

During the Empire's rule they gave their people much freedom but they did have some important restrictions. Taxes could be paid in either trade goods, gold, or young people. Poorer communities often had to pay in their young people with boys serving far from home and girls filling harems of the nobles. Also they did restrict travel and that means the type of boats they allowed to be built. There are no long range ships directly in the hands of the subjects. Most are owned by naive merchants who have permits or ties to the Empire. Charts were a closely guarded secret and most sailors know their island alittle else. So sailing even to the next large island isn't easily done, and only the experienced try. The wild life is also not like it is in nature of our world. Most animals will take off at the mere smell of humans but in this world animals are more aggressive. Wolves will regularly attack farms, bears look for humans, and wales have even attacked ships. There is magic in form of religious magic. A shaman may work with a blacksmith and make a blade that is always sharp or a temple priest may bless your troops and help there courage. No lighting bolts or parting of the sea but still small but impressive things. Laying on of hands no...a potion to stop poison yes. Holy banner that strengthens unity yes...an arc holding your relics shooting fire no.

Typical Island Setup

This time I am only giving a guideline for players. Some didn't want the basic package last time....(ahem Mantra) so I am offering something slightly different this time around. Ever player will get the Medium setup (will post it below). You can choose a smaller size in your story and if you do I will give you bonus assests. They won't negate your disadvantage, but they will give you a lot of potential. Now you can choose a larger group and for every bonus you give yourself in your setup story you will get a negative...now negatives are relative but you don't get something for nothing. For example you have an elite royal guard, but they haven't been paid in six months. I am not trying to be a jerk here and if I do say no to something it is more to keep things fair for the others. Most likely though the other player will get another advantage.


"Typical Medium Size Kingdom"

Now as I said if you take disadvantages you will have other good things happen to you. Things like if most of your young men have been drafted when they return they come with foriegn wives boosting your population. Maybe all your wild horses were taken, but there are two empty cargo ships sitting in the harbor. No temple they well just finished work on an imperial temple. Also the many small islands around your home island may have many interesting things to find.

Medium Size Kingdom:
(If you want a large double the numbers if you want a small divide by half)

1,000 Basic foot soldiers (Spears,shields,short swords,armor, clubs,boots,uniforms)(80% of the soldiers will have a wife or prostitute nearby or with the army)

200 Men-at-Arms(sergeant-at-Arms, NCOs, Centurians), (All the same of the above only better and long swords as well. 25% will bring followers including pages, mistresses, craftsmen, cooks,and horses)

100 Officers (tribesmen, veterans, advisors...whatever), (All of the above only they are among the best warriors in the area with the best money can buy. They also bring 2-4 bodyguards (Men-at-Arms without followers) with them. The wealthiest 30%will also bring horses for themselves and their people. 80% will have a household that includes servants, craftsmen, wife and/or mistress, Advisor, random family members, Archers and foot soldiers, local guide(s), Spiritual advisors...there can be 20 to 100 followers for each)

5,000 Peasant families (the backbone of your society.) They can be drafted into the militia with one to two adult males per family on average, but until they're veterans they will need to be provided with weapons (more fights more chance of them taking weapons as booty). Most likely you will be dealing with the family farm setup with the younger sons and daughters working other industries.

2,000 Middle Class (lawyers, merchants, priests, politicians, shamans advicors, landowners,craftsmen) This group is your middle management. They see that everything is running well and often wear many hats. They can serve in the military and 80% will have their own gear and horses. Most likely 50% will become officers with the remained fighting as cavalry or NCOs and unlike the regular militia their loyalty will not waver. While they will willingly fight without pay they expect booty and land in return. They will be the ones most likely to own slaves and land and will be the loudest voices when it comes to change.

8,000 Slaves (Captives,slaves, primative natives, lower caste) Now I haven't had this part of things before, but since slavery has happen historically and is even an issue in fiction I felt a need to added it and since I am into free speach and ideas I have included them as part of the population. Free them...make them full citizens keep them in bondage it is up to you and your ethics and you makeup the back story. And no race or culture gets to take the moral high ground on this one. We have all been scum at one point or another.





Okay I hope that all provides you with more information and please as questions and share your thoughts.

 

[Jagged]

Mongol General: Hao! Dai ye! We won again! This is good, but what is best in life?
Mongol: The open steppe, fleet horse, falcons at your wrist, and the wind in your hair.
Mongol General: Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women.
Mongol General: That is good! That is good.


House Holds...(If you can't trust family...)

In the past I have had a lot of fun seeing people's characters develop and it has been lot of fun but I am encouraging more roleplay between me and the player/writers and myself and within their own writers. Each person can have one to 12 characters under their direct command( you share control with me..most things they will do unquestioningly but aren't under direct control like your main character).

They can be..siblings, parents, cousins, inlaws, trusted advisors, friends, lover, old family friends. These are your most trusted allies and friends. They are the ones who remain loyal during the worst of it or do they....? They are close to you and can have any number of professions and skills. I most strategy games they lead armies and become diplomats, but we aren't that limited here.

Also "family" adds bonuses to your house hold. After all they own their own pocessions and weapons. Priests, soldiers, statesmen and many other skills can help you as well as their assests like horses, training schools...etc


Prospering and Doing better

Your people will do better under many minor things. More food, better housing, and fair taxes will let you nation grow and happy people will be more productive. Be a repressive tyrant and well people will only work hard enough not to get in trouble, but if you give them perks well they might not rebel.

The Super Natural...and death
Well as I have explained before magic is only through holymen and isn't bring back from the dead or bolts of lighting from the sky.

Animals are like what the gun lobby says they are when they beg for their assault weapons.

The ocean is hard to sail most of the time. Sailing around the coast is easy but the further you head out the more dangerous it is. Using a better ship with a skilled and experienced captain and crew only improves your odds but ocean travel is not something to be taken lightly.

Monsters will most likely be things like a giant squid or very large bear or a lion in a area it shouldn't be...still though there is plenty of myth and they will cause a terror.


This lite Sci-fi approach worked well last time around let me know your thoughts and if I should change.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Well, this is all well and good, Jagged, but how the hell do you make it all work? I'm a newb when it comes to this sort of RPG, so you'll have to help me out a little.

 

[GHEIST]

me too i am lost

 

[Jagged]

Not a problem gentlemen...What are your questions?


You are taking on the role as leader of your tribe. I will post the nuts and bolts of what you have to do...but each turn which is roughly two months game time you send out orders. I reply back with results and events.

When your directly roleplaying withing some one...it won't be two months but day by day. Think of films like Dune...Shogun....and other where the character who had the lead role ruled. That is all we are doing here...

This is the first thread...

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=238393

In the past options have been....

Fight
Diplomacy
Explore
Trade
Build
Train
Harvest
Spy

You can do all or none each turn provided you have someone to fight or trade with...you describe the actions. Please PM with questions or if you have one for all please post it here.


I will be writing more here soon, but please let me know how I can thread.

And for those of you who are reading along if a race you were thinking about was picked already you can still pick it as well. I don't care if we have all Romans or Asians. It is about people having fun.

 

[Mantra]

Questions:

So how did the 'empire' control all the multiple cultures? Can we be independant islands of the Empire if we choose to?

Just to be sure I understand correctly, the 'empire' is in ruins, yes?

Are we all still in imminate danger of invasion by the 'north men'?

How much as we allowed to tweak the initial set up? Can we choose our assets and disadvantages?

If a person with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?

That is all for now, thanks.

 

[Jagged]

Mantra Good Freaking Questions...let's see if I can answer them

So how did the 'empire' control all the multiple cultures? Can we be independant islands of the Empire if we choose to?

Largely the Empire controlled thing through force of arms, but they did marry into local noblitiy and clergy. Bribes were paid and often time rulers were allowed to rule independantly on a local level as long as they did what the empire wanted. Local governors ususally loyal nobles were allowed to make many rules, and operate secret police units. Often times they would recruit troops from among the locals and ship them to another island to be the garrison.

Independant....well the short answer is no, but why do you want to be independant? Perhaps something can be worked out.

The Empire is falling apart yes...most of it is in ruins with a handful of strongholds. Some has assimilated with the natives they once ruled while others fight for the bones of the Empire. There are no shortage of those who believe they can restore the Empire, but many have excepted the fall and are trying to keep what they have.


The "North Men" they are busy pillaging and raiding throughout the heart of the Empire which are the Northern Islands which number around 100 that is seperate from the 110 "player chain." Imminate danger....well that is a relative term. They will get to you...how long well nobody can be sure.


Play with the intial setup and we will work something out. Yes you can choose assets and disadvantages.

 

[Jagged]

So have I kept your interest Captains now that I have dumped a pile of Data on you?

This could be very fun so let me know if you all have any questions

 

[rengadeirishman]

im still interested

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Still interested, but trying not to think to hard or else I become confused. But, I trust things will work out as the game progresses.

 

[Jagged]

Exactly once things start moving...What I really need to get us started is your (player/writers) take on the starting package and your main character(s).

It really isn't that confusing. It is just like most strategy games...a few clicks and your there. Here we have to write. More data to come shortly.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Exactly once things start moving...What I really need to get us started is your (player/writers) take on the starting package and your main character(s).

It really isn't that confusing. It is just like most strategy games...a few clicks and your there. Here we have to write. More data to come shortly.

What exactly are you looking for?

And I have another question: with the typical medium sized kingdom, are we allowed to move the numbers around, just as long as the total size stays the same? Example: the current total is 16,300; there are 8,000 slaves; take off 2,000 slaves and then add 1,000 Men-at-Arms (for total 1,200), as well as add 1,000 Middle Class (for total 3,000).

 

[Mantra]

First out of the gate!

Hail the return or the Romans!

Name: Romulas Timero
Sex: Male
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 210
Hair: Short cropped and jet black
Eyes: Green
Age: 26


Roumulas, the son of a Roman noble, was sent into the Roman army, under the empire, very early in life as a way to solidify his families position within the empire. Years later, Romulas was made Tribune of Rome and when the wars against the barbarian North Men began the threaten the heart of the empire, he was made the second in command of the 10th Legion. The best that could have been squeezed out of the Roman islands around them. Naturally, Romulas was subservient to the 'commanding general' a priest lord of the Empire, sent to ensure victory in battle.
The priest quickly prooved to be unsuitable to lead and too cowardly for the temperment for battle against the barbarians. Fortunatly for the 10th, he got himself decapitated early on in the campaign and Romulas took command. Thus began a long campaign, a campaign where the Roman realized that they had been lied to, decieved and sent to die so that fat Imperial nobles could transfer their animal herds or slaves to other islands or otherwise sacrifice their surrogates to protect themselves. The 10th fought a desperate and savage campaign, with no support, no relief and no renforcements against a vastly outnumbering foe with no remorse or mercy.

Three years later, Romulas and the 10th managed to withdraw to the home islands. Of the 3000 legionares, 1600 cavalry, 1000 archers and all the support crew the legion could muster, only a fraction of the proud 10th remained to return home with their Tribune commander...

...and they are really, really pissed off...
************************************************************
**((Edited for clarification))**

I'm going for the 'small' setup for now, organized as so:

500 footmen (legionares)
100 Men-at-arms (centurions, engineers and war machine crews)
--50 Engineers
--40 war machine engineers/crews (15 scorpio-balista and 15 onagers (small catapults))
--10 Centurions
50 elite Cavalry**(( w/150 extra horses))**


All their 'retainers' and the like are either the surviving support crew for the army, wagon train porters, trumpeteers, translators, smiths, cooks, etc. (900 Total)
**((Edited))** 250 'extras' converted into 'upper class' citizens listed in city setup.

Advantages:

Veterans: All are battle-hardedned and seasoned veterans of a hellish campaign. After three years of battle, they are ready to follow their commander into the maw of death itself.

Knowledge: If anyone left in the world knows how to fight the northmen, it would be Romulas. After three years, he knows their tactics, strengths, weaknesses, styles, myths, culture and methods.

Reputation: Romulas has a heroic reputation among the Roman citizens on and around his island. The North Men likewise came to call him 'the Titan of the Tenth' and his Legion as 'The Iron Eagle'. because they always endured, whatever the outcome. Victory or defeat, advancing or retreating, Romulas and his survivors never broke and were never overrun. Both the Romans and the barbarians remember this.

**((Additional Bonus))**
Captured Livestock: On the way back, Romulus managed to locate and raid a North Man farming community. Several scores of chickens, pigs, goats, sheep and even some cows were stolen and spirited away.

Disadvantages:

Reputation: One man's hero is another man's devil. Romulas survived on the field and brough his men back by being the most savage, devious, brutal bastard on the field. For as much as the North men fear him, they hate him all the same. Thousands of tribesmen died by Roman steel and thousands more were maimed. While none might want to face the Iron Eagle and it's Titan on the field, one might only wonder what fame and fortune might come to the one who claimed the eagle topped battle standard for themselves.

Rebel: After his miraculous return, Romulas took command of the town and Sceeded from the Empire. To the empire, he is a criminal, although just one of many in these troubled times. (Don't hold this against me yet, this will be detailed in my opening post)


How's that ?

 

[Jagged]

Well a description of your leader and family, and your cutlure what is your city like and its people. Just background....your plans and ideas. What you have going for you and what is bad. What is the Empire doing in your area? Hold up in their stronghold? Sailing for home? looking to strike a deal?

And I have another question: with the typical medium sized kingdom, are we allowed to move the numbers around, just as long as the total size stays the same? Example: the current total is 16,300; there are 8,000 slaves; take off 2,000 slaves and then add 1,000 Men-at-Arms (for total 1,200), as well as add 1,000 Middle Class (for total 3,000).

You bring up an interesting point....and I will say yes, but there will be a restriction. If you make a change like you propose you cannot take from one group over 50%...So you will be limited from taking more then 4,000 slaves. Also you cannot dump more then one source into another...so you can't put all the slaves and peasants into the military.

Good question you will receive a reward for it

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Well a description of your leader and family, and your cutlure what is your city like and its people. Just background....your plans and ideas. What you have going for you and what is bad. What is the Empire doing in your area? Hold up in their stronghold? Sailing for home? looking to strike a deal?

And I have another question: with the typical medium sized kingdom, are we allowed to move the numbers around, just as long as the total size stays the same? Example: the current total is 16,300; there are 8,000 slaves; take off 2,000 slaves and then add 1,000 Men-at-Arms (for total 1,200), as well as add 1,000 Middle Class (for total 3,000).

You bring up an interesting point....and I will say yes, but there will be a restriction. If you make a change like you propose you cannot take from one group over 50%...So you will be limited from taking more then 4,000 slaves. Also you cannot dump more then one source into another...so you can't put all the slaves and peasants into the military.

Good question you will receive a reward for it

Alrighty, then. The wheels are turning now. You can expect a bio and whatnot from me in the next few days (before the end of the week, for sure).

You see? It's always good to ask questions. Thanks.