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PostPosted: Wed Jan 22, 2003 11:54 pm 
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Descriptions of your country's history, social structure, environment, etc. should go here. I'll go first.

Demarchia

Demarchia was founded 100 years ago by a Valenzeulan organization calling itself "The Demarchy Foundation". The story of the Valenzeulan exile is an exciting one. Demarchians still recall the persecution that their forefathers faced under Valenzeulan rule.

The Demarchy movement began in Valenzeula 150 years ago. At the time Valenzeula was still under monarchial rule; however, several anti-monarchist movements were gaining strength. It was at this time that Alexander Armanda, who changed his name to Alexander Liberty, developed the philosophy of Demarchism. The three core principles of Demarchism are democracy, decentralization and social economics.

At first the Demarchists aimed for overt revolution within the realm of Valenzeula, but eventually they realized that they should create a community of their own in order to grow, so that some day they would be strong enough to bring freedom to the Valenzeulan people. Thus began the Great Exile.

To the west of Valenzeula was a large, unexplored territory known as The Frontier. This land was pristine, untouched by civilization in any way. Thus The Demarchy Foundation could establish a commune in the middle of the Frontier without the knowledge of the oppressive monarchist government of Valenzeula.

The original commune, named New Promise, prospered, and soon similar communes were popping up all along the outskirts of the Frontier. By the time the Valenzeulan monarchy found out about these settlements, it was too busy fighting revolution within Valenzeula Main to do anything about it. The Valenzeulans got rid of their king and installed in his place a capitalist republican government. Although these far more moderate revolutionaries distrusted the Demarchists, they agreed to give them the land which they had already settled on. Thus the scattered Demarchist communes on the frontiers of Valenzeula became the country of Demarchia.

Today, Demarchia is home to some of the smartest, most compassionate people in all of Expataria. The country is fairly rural; although science has progressed by leaps and bounds in Demarchia, there is no real drive towards industrialization or urbanization. Rather, scientists focus on improving the standard of living, as well as simply understanding the universe. Demarchia is the only place in Expataria where particle accelerators outnumber skyscrapers, and one of the few places in the region where more money is spent on cancer research than nuclear weapons research.

In addition to the descendants of the original radical Valenzeulans, Demarchia is also home to many immigrants, all Demarchists seeking to escape the oppression of their native countries. Demarchia today still holds to the core principles of Demarchism:

1. Democracy - The greatest legislative body in Demarchia, the Demarchian People's Soviet, is composed of delegates from the various communes. Each commune sends .01% of its population in delegates. Thus as of now the Soviet is composed of approximately 7500 members. The delegates of each commune are chosen democratically, and if the majority of the commune is dissatisfied with a delegates' performance, a new election is held immediately. In this way the people have as direct a say as possible in government policy.

2. Decentralization - Demarchia is composed of a network of semi-autonomous communes. The communes are largely self-regulating; however, decisions with far-reaching consequences for the entire nation of Demarchia are handled by the Demarchian People's Soviet.

3. Social Economics - Economics follows a communitarian, decentralized model. Local communes have direct control over their own economies. The people of Demarchia follow a system fairly close to pure communism; the Labor Credit is not a physical form of currency, but rather a symbol of debt for work done.


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 1:01 am 
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The Federation of P51mus

Situated on a node of magical power, all who grow up in P51mus have at least some magical power (note: in RPG terms this would mean at least 2nd level mage...) due to the ease of casting there.
Being in an area of magical power has its benefits, such as being exceptionally good for magical research. But the ease of casting in such a place means magi trained and raised in the area are less powerful when fighting in other areas.
The Magical affinity of the area also has caused an abundance of magical creatures in the area, such as dryads, other protectors of the forest, and dragons.
These creatures, though willing to defend the land against invaders, refuse to leave (either because of choice or inability to leave), except dragons might in exceptional circumstances (that would be, another faction being cruel to dragons or something particularly heinous done to people for the more crusading good types).
(This would translate into a defensive bonus and an offensive penalty)

Evil fantasy creatures are extremely rare partly due to the ancient alliance formed between dragons and magi in the area, but show up occasionally.

The Federation is an alliance of races that was set up ages ago in the region, made up of Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Dragons, Halflings, Gnomes, Sprites... (many were mages) because they were sick of the endless fighting that other members of their races did amongst themselves. They decided amongst themselves to create a peaceful community based on treating the members of its community fairly, and the research of magic. A suitable node of magic energy was found (in a heavily forested area), and these refugees founded their nation. Their most powerful magi then combined their powers to establish a magical field around the nation to obscure it from the rest of the world and subtly direct those trying to enter around the nation away(anyone trying to go straight through ended up going around the borders). A strict rule was made to prevent citizens from leaving the nation in order to keep its existence secret from the rest of the world, though the citizenry enjoys great freedom in every other respect.
The citizenry hold a great deal of respect for each other and nature and it shows in their society. Crime is almost nonexistent due to the country's peaceful nature, and the cities are built so as to minimize impact on the landscape.

The reason for naming the Federation P51mus has been lost through the ages, but is widely thought to be the result of some inane compromise between the groups. Scholars believe the reason may be in an obscure corner of the national archives, but see the point as too trivial to mount a search for it.

Through the ages the populations have mixed and the current population is composed of about 70% mixed races (the vast majority of the other 30% is composed of dragons unable to mate with other species, dryads, and anything else unable to interbreed for whatever reason) of varying parentages. Racial discrimination is nonexistent among the population.


The Federation has been able to keep the lost arts of magic with little adoption of "advanced" machanical tech(lost in other regions anyway) for several reasons: The abundance of magic energy in its territory, the foucs on magic research, and the magic field that kept it obscured from the world until relatively recently. The isolationism helps lead to the extremely fierce patriotism exhibited by the population, along with the general "let the rest of the world do what they will as long as they keep away from us" attitude. The current Grand Magi is trying to gradually move the nation away from isolationism.

Government
The legislative branch of government is the Council of Magi, and the executive branch is the Grand Magi.

Since the most educated and fit to govern are mages, one of the requirements for being an office holder is to be a mage. The Council of Magi is elected by the citizenry every three years in open elections, local officials are elected more frequently (depending on region).

Originally the office of Grand Magi was held by the most powerfulmage mage in the kingdom, but over time the requirement was reduced to just being a magi and the office was made open for elections. The Grand Magi is still usually one of the most powerful mages in the Federation, however.

The Grand Magi and the Council of Magi tend to consult each other heavily on issues concerning the Federation.

The Council and the Grand Magi live in the awe-inspiring Castle of the Magi (located in the capital) during their terms (not a medieval castle mind you....this is a heavily magical country and even buildings are constructed with magic. Things impossible in normal architecture such as floors holding up without support are common....), though the Grand Magi regularly visits other parts of the kingdom and the Council regularly return to the cities they represent.

Small note: The Grand Magi was originally called the Grand Mage, but ever since the first Grand Mage to use "seperation magic" he(or she) has been called the Grand Magi since he can be his own army of Magi....

Economy:

The unit of currency in P51mus is the Shrink, so called because of the amazing property of large amounts of Shrinks to shrink for easily carrying (and enlarge when needed). Well, not quite so amazing to the population as they see it every day.

The Federation is a communist/ capitalist hybrid, having a large amount of social equality with many shared resources yet still allowing for a money system and independent businesses. This unique style tends to confuse outsiders trying to classify the state of the Federation's economy, as trade occurs both formally and informally...
Regulations are in place

Education:
The vast majority of the education system is geared toward teaching students how to cast various magics, but other subjects are taught, of course. The nation is highly educated, with only 5% of the population being unable to complete an equivalent of a college level of education.
Research is geared towards discovering new magic spells and making old ones easier to cast/ more reliable. (Extremely high magical sophistication)


Misc current notes:
The current Grand Magi hopes to start some courses dealing with this "mechanical technology" that the current other countries in the world possess, as soon as enough information is gathered.
He is especially interested at what could result when magic is combined with the tech other nations posess...

_________________
...a figure emerges from the shadows.

"No one says a novel has to be one thing. It can be anything it wants to be, a vaudeville show, the six o'clock news, the mumblings of wild men saddled by demons." -Ishmael Reed

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: P51mus on 2003-01-23 01:40 ]</font>


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 9:18 am 
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A country originally created in the mind of a disturbed young girl, after her parents died, the world manifested. Now a truly frightening place, it has somehow drawn the dreams and nightmares of the world. Also, somehow the original creator of the land has been given the gift to protect those unfortunate enough to have nightmares, and the curse that she can no longer leave in body. Coming into true existence many thousands of years ago, the Wunderland as we know it appeared shortly before World War 1.

Alice was once a little girl, dreaming of a strange land of talking animals and odd adventures. She has grown since her first adventures - she still wears the customary blue and white dress, though it now has dried blood stains and demonic looking runes etched into the cloth. Pale and thin, Alice's large green eyes are commonly fixed behind an object or person - un-focused and tired. Alice also displays an incredible variety of personalities - from the meek Alice to the old-English Queen, Duchess, or any number of others. A body physically and permanently 15, she appears much younger.

Wunderland's geography is diverse - as diverse as the minds that have shaped it. From vast and tall mountains to the flat and windy plains, you can find anything if you look hard enough, and take scale into account. The geography does not make complete sense if drawn on a map - sections overlay eachother, vast acres can be as small as a house, and some sections exist everywhere... It is impossible to measure distances between points, as the land changes, and in some places walking in a straight line will not necessarily get you where you want to go.

"Going forward is easy. It's going sideways you want." "I do not want to go sideways.. just now I want to be -this- small."

Being a dream land, Wunderland contains the remnants of many generations of imagination - from the best and most wonderful dream to the darkest of deluded nightmares. children's dreams tend the be the most potent, as the child grows up they less frequently find themselves within Alice's domain. Though not an evil place in and of itself, Alice is the only being currently able to keep the visitors safe.

Alice, being the child's mind that shaped Wunderland into what it is today, has her dreams firmly entrenched in the lay of the land. many of the creatures that can be seen are of Alice's creation (lesser creatures generally only seen by their creators.) Many are dangerous, others are just odd.

If a visitor (as dreaming folk are referred to) has the ability to control their dreams, they quickly become known, respected, and feared. They are also well tracked, as they can be dangerous to themselves and others. The ones that do not realize they have this ability are isolated, ones that do realize are usually quite helpful. Then there are the ones that wish to use this ability for ill. Luckily, one of the first powers Alice discovered is the ability to move a mind back into their bodies - unharmed or otherwise. Useful... if she can get to them in time...

Several neighboring countries are inherently magical, and have embassies in or around the Castle and surrounding grounds. Interestingly, each country's embassy is held entirely in the mind of the ambassador, and only manifested in Wunderland.

<u>Notable creatures of Wunderland</u><ul>
<li><b>Eb, the Raven</b><br>Alice's constant companion, Eb gives advice and somehow has the same proficiency in invisibility as the Cheshire Cat.
<li><b>Rabbit</b><br>Rabbit is Alice's primary diplomat. Occasionally he is granted the ability to leave Wunderland...
<li><b>The Hatter</b><br>A good friend of Alice, the Hatter is often over for tea. He knows far more than he lets on, and Alice takes his advice quite seriousally.
<li><b>The card Army</b><br>The only real fighting force in Wunderland, they can only effect people <b>within</b> the borders. Though their numbers are great, they are generally quite un-skilled in warfare.
<li><b>The Cheshire Cat</b><br>Vary rarely appearing, this Cat is in the know. With a sharp wit, and an array of scathing replies, this Cat is one you may not want to run into...
<li><b>Jabberwocky</b><br>A creature of pure nightmare, the Jabberwocky lends itself towards nothing but fear and damage. The Jabberwocky roosts somewhere within the Castle, and can be seen overhead around the grounds at night. The Jabberwocky was once a normal Dragon, now unable to leave Wunderland due to its curiosity.</ul>

Please refer to the <a href="http://alice.marginsoftware.com/wunderland.html">World Faqbook entry</a> on Wunderland for any further information. Ask your nearest magical diplomat trained in Astral Projection if you have any questions.


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 10:08 am 
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Before Plebiana was the People's Republic of Plebiana, it was known as the Holy Druidic empire of the Threefolded Leaf. Founded about 500 years ago, it's celebrations were usually accompanied by great feasts. The clergy that got more and more power made the feasts more and more decadent, at great cost to the people. The general faith was weakening, but as the Sacred guard was well equipped, stability was maintained.

86 years ago the death of Arch-druid Trela, and the subsequent infighting about who would succeed him weakened the guard severely though, and in a cataclysm called the day of the broken sickles, referring to the destroyed religous symbols of the druids.

The people had lived in relatively isolated hamelts up til then, technology being kept in check by the druids 'to remain in harmony with nature' The people, inspired by recent happenings in Demarchia, decided to completely abandon any and all forms of rulership, partly because the first peopel that looked at more capitalist countries told stories of the same decadence that they had despised in the druids. A mere year later, all the forest hamlets were abandoned, and the people, who calle dthemselves Plebians, moved to the mountains and the plains near the river that marked the line with Demarchia. The massive migration was tightly organized by representatives from each hamlet, and it were these happeings that formed the basis of Plebiana's system of government.

Above all, the Plebians like to remain informed about the political going ons. Practically every Plebian spends a great deal of time when he's not working at politics. A plebian that attends every meeting of a group he is part of, and is active in all of them, is greatly admired. A lot of time in school is dedicated to the teaching of all the different political structure, as people are expected to be politically active both on a lot of different levels, and councils, commitees and electable offices affect each other in a way that non-Plebians find headache inducing, but results in that the central government, that handles a lot of isseus compared to the neignouring Demarchia, is under constant control.

Economically, Plebiana relies mostly on the industry near the river that is the border with Demarchia for easy trading, and some mining activities at the mountains in the east. The forests in the heartland are undisturbed for three reasons. The Plebians used to live there under the Druids and prefer not to return there even with forests cleared. It would strain relations with Demarchia. The druids DID manage to create an ecosystem that is hazardous to humans, so that people would remain within their village.

While ambitious, Plebiana's economy occasionally lack efficiency, as a lot of councils must be bothered for every decision, and it is considered a serious crime to try to slip something by them. Every factory has an own council, in the same way as every living quarter does, and on occasions problems have arisen when people were called for both councils at the same time.

The coin is the Proletarian Gratitude, called the grat for short, and is used to buy luxuries, as most things (food, education, health care, transport...) are supplied by the government, regardless of person. The minimum income for everyone, even those who cannot find a work to their liking is 2000 grats, while the most dilligent Plebians can make 8000 grats, but not more. (it is forwned upon to put your political duty's lessen to work more though)

The Plebians are known to be a polite people, but have been described by many, among them a lot of Demarchists as having 'no sense of humour at all' The Plebians regard the other countries as frivolous, and consider it their duty to try to spread their own brand of society. Some of the more hawkish circles (as the Plebian politics are MUCH too complicated for things as parties.) even consider the possibility that military forces should be used.

Most Plebians are atheistic or agnostic, with a suspicion of any kind of organized religion or mytsticism. Some Plebians still follow the old druidic religion however, especially in cities nearer to the woods. While not persecuted, they tend to be shunned and viewed with suspicion.


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 11:51 am 
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<i>How many years? How many years has it been, since I came to be 'ruler' of this land? It seems like a lifetime, of endless decisions, meetings, functions... all of it meaningless, anyway. The Council blocks anything I try to do, which would take the power away from them, and give it to the people... Information is kept secret from me, even general statistics are tampered with, for some reason, they want to keep the true history of Elcadia hidden from me.... But I've find fragments, and scraps, slowly piecing them together to reveal the darkness that originally caused the land to fall to what it is.

-Ezelek Raine</i>

Elcadia wasn't always a dark place. Elcadia wasn't always a place full of misery and woe. Elcadia... Wasn't always Elcadia. Once, the land was known El'thalamadia, a land of long rolling plains, and lush green forests. It wasn't a perfect land, of peace and harmony... But it also wasn't a land of dark tyranny and repression. It was... a land. A land of average people, with an average government, and an average economy. It had average relations with the other nations of old, and an average military, which fought in average battles... And then... Something un-average happened. The plates beneath country shifted, forcing mountains to rise where there had been none before, shattering the civilization that had been so carefully laid out for so many years. To aggravate the situation even further, the high concentration of iron in the mountains, which would later be dubbed the "Iron Hills" called to all manner of mystical beasties... The majority of which were not very friendly at all. The people were terrorized and brutalized by the new inhabitants of their land, until one man offered them a solution. They're lives... At the cost of their freedom.

And so began to first reign of the Vampire line of Rheaska, which lasted a thousand years, and ten score. Darkness truly descended, the borders were closed, and the Council, with the current Master at their helm, ruled without question. It wasn't long before the people soon revered the Master as a current incarnation of GOD, but that was only because it was beaten into them so. Old age never destroyed the ruler, but their siblings and spawn did, all scrabbling to become the almighty dictator of this 'Holy Nation'.

<i>Fragments... Fragments in the wind. Vampires... Vampyres, this was something I did not know. I was not born of this land, smuggled in as a child, and was kept rather sheltered of what went on outside, my Guardian only tutoring me in what he say fit for me to know... Sometimes, I wonder if he was playing me a puppet, pulling my strings from the past to manipulate my future... But... The Vampyres. The laws I later read claim that a single bullet to the cranium would not have killed a Vampyre, and yet, I know mine did. Perhaps the line was not un-corrupted, as the Council would like us to think. It is also suprising to note, that after I destroy... executed the current Master for his crimes against the People, the other vampyres did not rise up to strike me down, and take his place... No... in fact, they actually submitted to me, forming the </i>Hand of God<i>, the only vampyre only Military-corp in known existence, that expresses full allegience to their Lord-God.... And I know, they will do as I say. Because besides all the evil, and pain, and suffering that creatures like them have inside their blackened hearts, they also have their honour... Am I to beginning to think of them as nothing more than tools?</i>

Elcadia. A land of darkness. A land of horror, of desolate destruction and waste. And the people were broken, even beyond the point that any mere-dictator could do. Every hundred and one years, the current vampire-deity-lord would have a 'hero' trained, trained to the point where he could cull the lesser vampires, stir the feelings of rebellion up within the people, and finally, die at the hands of the Master, crushing the hopes of the people, one inch at a time.

<i>Could this be true...? Was I just a tool, forged to bring the people further into the darkness? I can't believe... That my Mentor, Ish'kear... But, in some twisted sick way, it makes sense. The holes in my knowledge of Vampyre law, the techniques that I was taught, which would destroy something lesser, but leave me completely open if it was countered. Of course, if this is all true, then how come I did what was not possible to be done? If I'd been trained to die at the hands of the Master, how come he'd died at my hands? It doesn't make any sense... The only variable I can see it the gun, that my father handed to me with his own bloody hands, before the light of life was extinguished from his eyes. Yes, I kept the gun secret from Ish'kear... But such a small thing like this could not have tipped the balance so far. There is so much I do not know, as all the diaries and ancient texts of the vampire-lords are written in their old tongue, that of their great Sire, the one named Cain. I wish to learn it, but I cannot let anyone know that I'm digging through the old texts... It's not yet time. There are still things to do... so much to do.</i>
_________________
<actor_au> You know what might have killed Kyhms server?
<@Phentilus> Ero?
<+Ezelek> Ero?
<+Antenor> Ero

<a href="http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=Ezelek">Embrace the Change</a>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Ezelek on 2003-01-27 21:23 ]</font>


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The Federation of Kestrel

The kestrel that stands today was born out of fire hundreds of years ago.Back then entire nation was mainly a loose collection of clans spread out across the lands.The clans took passive to a whole new level.The clans never fought and when conflicts did arise they were always settled through talks.
The closest clans came to fighting was through trading.But that changed when the invadering hordes came upon their shores.
Leaving a path of destruction the raiders slaughtered the clans on the coast with only a few surivors to escape and spread the news.
The major and strongest clans took to arms at first news of this and united to put a stop to the raiders.They outnumbered the invaders two to one but lacked the training,experience and just the will to fight.The first battle ended in a complete rout of the Clans and from then on every battle took a heavy toll on the coalition.Finally almost every major clan was either destroyed or subjugated by the invaders who decided that staying would prove more profitable.The few surviving clans saw this and made preparations to leave their land for good.But it was at this point a small and minor clan stepped forward,the Kestrel clan.From the lands at the foot of the kestrel mountain ranges they were a oddball amoung the clans,the kestrels loved to fight.From sports to martial arts they just loved to compete.It was this attitude that made most clans shun them but nobody could ignore them when the Kestrels proclaimed that they would drive the invaders from their lands at all costs.Arriving from their lands just in time to see the clans begin to leave they didn't stop long.In the middle of the night they visited the Plainrunner clan,a trading partner of kestrel and put into their care all the children and eldery of the kestrel clan.Then at the crack of dawn the rest of the Kestrels appeared before the raider army camp and attacked.The sheer ferocity of their attack stunned the raiders and they were taken aback but they weren't out of the fight.They surrounded the small clan so as to prevent any escape but what they didn't know was that the clan had no intention of running.Instead the Kestrel army kept fighting inward where the leader of the raider army was.In the end every able bodied man and woman of the kestrel clan lay dead but in death they were victorious.They had taken half of the raider army with them and the leader of the raiders to which legend says was slain by the final surviving kestrel warrior right before the warrior was taken down.Awed but such a selfless act the clans rallied and completely eradicated the surviving raiders.With the raiders destroyed the clans decided to unite to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.
The clans decided to call their new nation the Kestrel Federation to honor the kestrel clan which gave it's all for them.

Presently the federation is in ways still like how it started out.A fierce,competive drive with a quiet but strong feeling of self-confidence is at the heart of the Kestrel population.Self-sufficent and a bit paranoid and very isolationist but willing to talk with others.Their military is not the biggest nor does it have the technology but you can't find soldiers and officers with better training or courage in the region.The military also holds a dominating position in the goverment and it resembles a dictatorship but only to a certain extent.While the President may wield great power strict rules limit his term in office.
There is also not much religion in kestrel.Apparantly the invading armies had found religion and during the invasion had tried to spread it.Ever since then people have been a bit wary of it.

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Sir Winston Churchill, My Early Life, 1930


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 7:26 pm 
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"Ah, honored listeners, you wish to hear of the nation known as the Dominion of Lacerta Mycopa? Then I shall tell you.

Let me first introduce myself: I am Immanio, chosen representative of the Pyronic Council that rules Lacerta Mycopa. I represent my country, both here, in the civil headquarters of Expataria and in the United Nations.

Let me start with the geography. Our nation stretches from the southern end of the great mountain range, south to the sea. It has long been our land, and the surrounding lands belong to peoples not yet present here. The landscape is rather uneven, and not very suitable for conventional farming and infrastructure. Ground-vehicles powered by combustion engines (and thus large roads) are uncommon outside the cities and surrounding areas, and the main routes between them.

Our forebears escaped long ago from a devastating war. They settled in a peaceful spot, far away from anyone else, and decided to create a new society where knowledge and wisdom were valued, rather than money and military power.

Still today, these are the traits held in the highest respect. As such, education is the main priority. Scientists and philospohers are in high regard, and relatively plentiful in our still rather small population. It is common among most our inhabitants to have a streak of philosophical curiosity, and many enjoy debating and discussing. Tending to constantly review a situatiuon for the most beneficial course, we have at times been labeled fickle, as the concept of loyalty is somewhat downplayed.

We have adapted some of Plato's ideas: That the wise are most suited to ruling. This is not, however, due to regulation, but rather how the people votes, for we are a democratic country. Elections are held every 5 year for the 15 seats on the Pyronic Council, split between the regions of the land. Our ingrained beliefs , however, means that the ones who are deemed most knowledgable and wise are usually elected.

In this too we believe more in Plato than more modern political thinkers such as Montesquieu: There is no separation of power, and as such no parlamentarism. The Council is legislative, executive and supreme judicial power rolled into one. Nothing can remove the entire council from power, and only a council majority may remove individual members. A person may be member of the council for a maximum of two periods, but previous members are often valued as councilors.

The government is rather centralized. The council in the capital of Lacopia. Believing firmly in equality through governmental control, taxes are fairly high, especially for the wealthy. Second to education, social welfare is the most important task for the government. The government also controls most of the nations two most important industries: The growing of mushrooms and the breeding of lizards. These two were the primary interests of the original settlers in Lacerta Mycopa.

Our proximity to the sea makes for a moist atmosphere and even temperatures, well suited for our mushrooms. With our many years of experience in the field of mushroom growing, it may come as no surprise that our mushrooms are considered a delicacy by most. They constitute the main staple of our diet, and the main export commodity. It must be noted, though, that our mushrooms are strictly non-narcotic. There is a strong sentiment against narcotic substances among just about the entire population.

The lizards are bred mainly in the mountainous north. Although we do export quite a bit of them as well, they are mainly bred for interior use, for they are a valuable asset. The lizards we breed come in all varinats and sizes. Some we breed for food and some for their skin and scales. These are not the most important, though. Due to our geography, we find the use of large lizards for transport preferrable to cars or similar. We breed pack lizards, capable of carrying large loads for long stretches. We breed lizards capable of carrying people at great speeds though the rocky landscape. Our army consists mainly of warrior lizards, led by humans or magical lizards. (OoC: Does this mean that if I play Brood Wars I should play zerg?) For we do also breed magical lizards, although they are rare. They are far more intelligent than normal lizards, sometimes even capable of speech, and often serve as councillors to important people. My dear Fungus, whom you might have noticed, is a very fine example of such a creature. Some make excellent strategists. They are also capable of some spellcasting, and telepathy, making for excellent companions. In fact, we have almost no human mages, as we leave the magic to the lizards.

I may also mention that our currency, the lacertan pyroscales, is in fact the scales shed by the pyronic lizard, most rare and prized among all rare and prized lizards.

We are not, however, scientifically lagging. As previously stated, scientists are held in high regard. In fact we often combine our technology with our lizards, sometimes making cybernetic implants in both them and us. Our technology, however, is only to a small degree directed at military use, apart from where it is mainly a side-effect of other uses. The mainpriority lies in computers and bioelectronics. Scientific institutions tend to be localized near large communities.

Our desire for enlightenment has also led to most people shunning organized religion. The population and leaders are mainly agnostic, and no major religions are established in Lacerta Mycopa. This does not mean that we are necessarily completely opposed to the idea of something beyond our senses and knowledge, emrely that we wish to keep such things beyond the dogma of religion.

Now, in fact, it has often been stated by outsiders that Lacertamycopans are insane. This is only true to a certain extent. Often we may act in ways that may seem irrational, or suddenly stare into the distance and become vacant. It is true that unlike most other people, we embrace insanity. As we see it, insanity is a source of great inspiration: The mind wandering free of any restrictions put upon it by sanity and reality. Only when released from these can true wisdom, knowledge and enlightenment be reached, and many of the greatest ideas of our scholars, both philosophical and scientific, derive from this. We do, however, fully realize the need to stay within the boundaries of sanity and reality most of the time, and staying in control. Therefore an important aspect of any scholarly training is to be able to temporarily let go of sanity and reality, with temporarily being the key word. Those most adept at this are the most dedicated and respected scholars in our nation. The most important exercise in this temporary insanity is dreaming, which is why we put a lot of importance in our dreams and the preservation of these.

A trait which is common among our people, for reasons unknown, is the fascination with fire. Whether this is a trait we have inherited from our forebears or something developed over the years we do not know. It is a fact, though, that most lacertamycopans have this fascination, which may border on pyromania.

To finish off, I would like to say that we are not isolationist. We welcome trade and the exchange of knowledge between nations, and hope for peaceful cooperation. Generally speaking, we are always willing to further wisdom and spread our views, including aiding and encouraging those with similar views and values to ours."

OoC: Got a bit carried away, there, perhaps. This should sum up Lacerta Mycopa, though.

Edit: Still OoC: Anyone else been having trouble accessing the NationStates website?
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Painfully initiated to these forums and the Realm of Chaos by Veteran Sergeant Antenor.
Shotgun initiated by Kitsune.
Then shot by Shinigami.

Insanity is your friend. It keeps that pesky Real World at a distance.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Immanio on 2003-01-23 18:31 ]</font>


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 24, 2003 7:59 pm 
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Location: Being held upside down over the edge of a bridge somewhere. Oh the suspense!
(ok I know this is damn long. However I would appreciate it if anyone who DOES read it tells me what they think. I’ve read all yours :smile: I know its a little rough at the edges, but i'm now too tired to read it all up and polish the language )


The nation now called, the democratic states of good old uncle tyranny is an ancient one. With roots that can be traced back as far as the first recognition of the region of expataria.

Its people have were originally a war like people. Consisting of warring tribes and factions each hating the other tribes. This however was not a hate born out of discrimination, but a hate born of need. Since the land of the democratic states is generally barren and inhospitable, resources were highly prized and sought. Each water hole and grass plain was only able to support a certain number of people. This amount of people designated the size of the tribe. However after centuries of this war fare one came who was adept in the arts of magic. Using his powers and foresight he taught the people of the democratic states how to use their resources effectively, teaching them skills such as irrigation and crop rotation.

He was not a selfish man however and he shared this knowledge with all the tribes. Eventually the people all felt they owed him a debt of their lively hoods, as people no longer feared having children or had to seek war over the resources. Their bond of fealty to the man was all they needed to unite them in common cause. They all submitted to his wisdom and left the control of all their resources for him to designate. He manipulated the resources deftly and soon the people found anything they wanted was plentiful. The man soon taught them how to manipulated magic as well so as to gain the most from everything.

However not everything was happy in the kingdom. Rumours filtered of how the man never slept. Supposedly, young women submitted themselves freely to him so that he could take their life force. People were already beginning to fear him, as he never seemed to age. He had been a prominent figure in their history since they started recording it. And that was only because he had taught them how to write.

Naturally as people do, they become resentful of power, sure they had all they wanted. But there were those few who craved his power. They spun lies about seduction and sacrifice, unknowing all the while that those who gave their lives did so willingly so as for the benefit of the nation. Now this small group took the magic that he had taught them and began to manipulate it. Shaping it from constructive helpful crops spells, to pestilence and destruction spells. Finally when the group felt that together they held enough power to face this one man they heard that instead of the usual single woman that a large group were coming to him. The man who ruled the nation was elusive. Not out of intention but because of the fact that he avoided public contact, but because he was constantly moving between the now large settlements trying to help those who needed it.

Following this large group they finally came a high council chamber in the main settlement of the nation. Deciding to bide their time they waited outside hoping to catch him unawares as he left the building. Soon however they felt a huge magical build up inside the building. Suddenly they were afraid. Even after all their months of planning they knew that their combined might and specially constructed spell would be no match for the might of the man. However one vital fact caused them to stay. The man had once taught after weaving a spell the caster was vulnerable, the larger the spell the more likely he was to be weak. Although this could be avoided by casting counter spells which helped reduce fatigue or were actually stored energy which left the user while he cast the spell, as soon as the spell was completed the stored energy would be released helping him recover faster. These men had felt no such casting, obviously the man hoped to recuperate after the spell with proper rest. Feeling the summit of the spell being reached the men rushed into the room. What they saw horrified them.

The 30 or so girls had cut their own arteries smearing the blood in arcane patterns, the effect a larger pattern with its focus on the man who stood in the middle. His face shone with rapture as he mumbled the final word of casting, releasing the energy from the girls bodies, amplifying exponentially many times over then plunging it into the man. His body shivered and the men realised what the spell was. It granted the man immortality, lichdom. The man suddenly collapsed still unaware of the intruders as his senses were overloaded. The boys weaved their spell and cast. With the release the man suddenly looked up. They saw the look of triumph on his face melt away into horror, as he realised the people who he had given so much to were using his own skills against him. Suddenly bringing his hands up as if to weave a defensive pattern it only looked like they were raised to shield him from what appeared to be a swarm of the blackest flies, they swarmed like a vortex and flew like lightning. The spell struck his arms and he trembled as it sunk in, passing through his body like a wave.

Heart rending howl of pain, but rather than one lone shout, it seemed to be a chorus of wails. Suddenly the boys looked around and realised what had happened. Rather than killing the women, they had instead given up all their bodily energy to fuel his spell. In return he had granted them all immortality of a sort. They appeared as ghostlike creatures, present yet not present. But it also seemed that they were inexplicably linked to the man. They had also experienced the intense feeling of triumph but now were in agony. The boys dropped to their knees, clutching their ears, as the very sound seemed to tear at their sanity.

"You," the voice as cold as the grave as strong of iron and felt like a tombstone and been crashed over their heads. It demanded their absolute attention. Looking up from their palms they saw the standing figure of the man. The pestilence and destruction spell had stripped the skin from him. He stood as a skeleton, bare before them. His eye sockets still held two pools of the destructive energy, black and boiling. They seemed pits of hatred and judgement. "You have condemned this land. There will be ages of war and strife. Millions will die. Did you think that I would hurt my people when all I have done was, love you? You are my children to, though foolish children. I will let you think of what you have done, for surely the wrong you have done tonight will damn your souls more than any other torture even I could conceive. Even now the shockwaves of your actions spreads throughout this land. All the magics which I have worked have been withdrawn, all the works which I have done over the centuries undone as I must use what power I have left to sustain the spell which would have granted eternal life to myself and consequently to my children. Thee spell is no longer eternal life for me but eternal pain and sustenance. I will return someday, but until that day the land will surely hate you."

Suddenly the skeleton lifted a hand to cast a gate. The boys watched as he walked to what appeared to be a mountain range. As the gate closed the wail stopped and everything was deadly quiet. The wail was taken up by the group of broken men as suddenly they lamented what they had done and realised their foolishness. A few of them immediately turned their magics upon themselves destroying themselves. Others flew crying into the street, crying to everyone what they had done. One other vowed that he had made the right decision and sought to gain control.

When the people learned what had happened all those that had survived were killed by the mob. Suddenly food was in short supply again and the population was larger than ever. Society broke into communities, communities broke into to tribes, and tribes once again warred. This time however they used magics against each other. Great battles took place as the land dissolved into anarchy with groups of mages rending the land and scarring the people. They warped people to their need and the land was torn into a nightmarish hell struggle for survival. Eventually it ended up with two final sides, these sides comprised mostly magicians, and both banked on one last gamble. They both poured their power into a mage each. These two super mages were said to have strength that might have rivalled the man. They entered into a titanic struggle that lasted thirty days, miles around them was cleared as their struggle encompassed spells of huge destructive potential. However they fought to no avail, both finally realising what they were doing. This wisdom led them to know that neither could win, although if they just gave up the sides would resume with another two champions. They considered taking power between them, but they argued over that. Again with surprising wisdom they realised that it would not work. He only way to ensure the survival of the race, was to remove the common factor which held each side together. Magic. They knew that co ordination relied on communication, without magic the sides would not be able to stay together. They would disband into smaller groups. Although they would still war and kill it would not be on a huge scale and there would be no total annihilation. Banding al the magical power in the country they constructed a simple spell. A pure dispel. No more arcane magic could be woven within the country. Their combined power created a ball that was huge and rivalled the brightness of the sun, appearing many times more blinding. Each side exulted, as they believed their mage was about to strike the final blow. However it soon turned to dismay.

The ball was cast and stuck the ground. The blast incinerated both casters as it struck the ground like a droplet of water. It suddenly splashed sending waves of force in ever direction. Each armies spell casters were surprised to regain power, and even more surprised when they were flattened and knocked unconscious. As they awoke the magicians were amazed to once again to feel bereft of power. However this time they also lacked that ability to even sense power. Attempting to reach out with amputated senses they began to despair. Many killed themselves; others were killed by troops as they failed to answer what was happening. Eventually both sides became melees within themselves. Breaking into anarchy everything degenerated to tribal warfare.

After generations of organised war. Then again generations of anarchy as everything went back to tribal squabbling, there were only a number who still remembered those days when things were supposed to have been green and good, and that was only myths in story books. Those who had survived the war were soldiers with no knowledge of farming; so all the ways that initially had founded the nation were lost to the winds of time.

One day however a man entered a town bearing armfuls of fruit and vegetables, these seemed extremely exotic to the villagers, who survived on plain crops. They received the man with suspicion, however he promised them boundless food, drink and peace. After so long many people felt suspicious of this man who promised so much yet had no proof. However the spark of hope he kindled with his enigmatic words led them to follow him anyway, with threats of violence if he was lying. However soon enough he had taught them the basics of agriculture.

The man moved from village to village, moving them forward with tiny baby steps in technology. Whenever a tribe threatened another for war he arrived like a mediator. Threatening the tribes that if they didn’t stop fighting he would stop teaching them. The fear of falling behind in terms of technology to rival tribes kept them in order. They also learned that the skills he trained them in yielded higher gains than those gains they received from raiding. Again the tribes were fruitful and multiplied. Spreading out across the land. When they came to encounter they were wary after so long fighting each other. However the man promised them that if they would band together he would teach them in the ways of even more advanced technology. The trust he had fostered in them for generations paid off and they banded together. Technological advances came daily. From masonry, to wood working, to metallurgy, to electricity.

The people eventually began to discover computer technology. Now is when the man met with the representatives of the people. He said he could leave now at this current level of technology, or submit to him completely and he would take them on even more leaps and bounds. The leaders of the people met together and discussed what they should do. Surely democracy and leading themselves was the best way thought the intellectuals, however the people were offered a referendum. The man now held a cult status. Everyone felt they knew him, as he was not aloof. He walked among them, helping them if they cried out. Caring for them. The people loved him and voted nearly unanimously that they should continue under his guidance. Those who voted against him were asked to leave or stay.

With this new commitment the man revealed his major accomplishment, AI. The people marvelled at the artificial life. Now with the assistance of these mechanical beings it was possible to advance even faster. Soon enough the cities were metropolises. With technology a part of every day life. Energy manipulation was handled and replication and teleportation was possible. The standard of living is high for everyone, however the state recognises that everyone has his or her level. Some people may be common labourers others who are smarter are requested to join the elite. This meritocracy leads to a parliament and judiciary who are filled with knowledgeable wise people. However ultimate power rests with the man. He cares for everyone and uses his ultimate power to shepherd the people.

There are those also who seek to become part of the hive as well. The hive is the main computer mainframe that links all technology in the nation. People may ascend if they want to become beings of energy that add their intelligence and individual intelligence to the whole. These conscious entities within the machine are what run the whole country; working together they keep everything running smoothly. One of the benefits of the hive mind is the fact that you finally learn all of the history it would be impossible for the human brain to comprehend.

What happened after the man left the country was nothing short of extraordinary. Fleeing to a mountain cavern he forsook everything he knew of magic. He predicted that a war with magic would only lead to the extinction of magic. As such he worked back from his original roots, figuring out how to support a society with technology. He spent generations developing it all until finally he created a computer. Into this computer he placed the spirits of those who had originally sacrificed themselves for him and the country. These formed the initial AIs. With their unlimited potential for growth they worked together to advance in technology. Eventually they discovered nano technology. This allowed the construction of extremely small robots that could repair cells. As such these nano cells were used to reconstruct the mans body. Every moment the original destruction spell cast upon him destroys cells and the nano cells immediately rebuild them.

Another thing he found was techno magic. It was said that any technology sufficiently advanced would be indistinguishable from magic. As such certain people are given nano cells, these allow them to manipulate energy, not through arcane means but technologically. These techno magi would be seen as normal magi in other countries but only their non-arcane spell casting could work in the anti magic land in which they live.

And so the people live in a technologically advanced society. Where many have implants to help them in daily life. The social scale is generally accepted that the more human you look, the more advanced you are. Where common labourers may have huge metallic lifter arms those who are at the pinnacle rely on nano technology. However no resentment exists as everyone enjoys their life, allowed to pursue their full potential, as long as they don't violate the rest of society.

The people, who feel completely indebted to the man, refer to him affectionately and sarcastically as Good old uncle Tyranny.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 27, 2003 9:59 pm 
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Guybrush, i read the whole thing, that was AMAZING,you have a real talent for writing and stroy telling, keep it up!!!

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"None sir."
"He probably went swimming and was eaten by a pineapple."

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2003 7:07 pm 
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Addendum:
The Undead Wars

Relatively early in the Federation's history it had to deal with various undead that happened to reside on the region they settled on... Fighting was fierce for both sides, but eventually The Federation triumphed, though the war was not without its toll. A teaching of the horrors/ unholiness of the undead has been passed through the generations. The fact that the nature religion the country follows regards the undead as unholy abominations to be destroyed compounds matters.
The Undead Wars were a series of wars in early Federation history that occured on and off for its first 150 years against varying higher level undead, such as liches and vampires, occupying the mountains on the western border. Few members of the population notice the footnote about the wars which describes a lich that helped the early Federation set up its government and boosted the nations collective magical knowledge considerably, probably the main deciding factor in the wars...
Fewer still know that the lich still lives among the population, albeit using powerful magic to mask his appearance, and is traditionally one of the Grand Magi's advisors.
Those few that know about the lich tend to amend their view of the undead slightly: Okay, so one of them is good. We still kill the rest.
The lich hasn't been very high on the list of magical power for several hundred years at least, though it is content being much much more durable than the rest.

Lower Undead still pop up in the area from time to time, incidents usually happen at least once a year. Some mage scholars think that the massive amount of magical energy in the area sometimes animates corpses by chance, while others believe there might still be some higher undead surviving from the Undead Wars of the past.
Any undead are normally a minor nuisance as any given population member normally learns some type of damaging magical spell in preparation for these semi-regular disturbances. Why more undead pop up near the mountains than any other area is still unknown. In any case it keeps the population from being too complacent from their peaceful nature, and reinforces the distrust of undead in general.

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...a figure emerges from the shadows.

"No one says a novel has to be one thing. It can be anything it wants to be, a vaudeville show, the six o'clock news, the mumblings of wild men saddled by demons." -Ishmael Reed


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