BattleMaster Community
BattleMaster => BM General Discussion => Topic started by: songqu88@gmail.com on March 07, 2011, 05:53:23 PM
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I have only been playing since late September 2007, and I have encountered relatively few realms. I know that BM is generally based on Medieval Europe, but that certainly doesn't stop people from deviating from such.
What realms, if any, have you encountered that you can look at and immediately think, "No way is that Medieval European. That's not even Medieval anything!". For example, ancient Greek-themed realms, east-Asian, north-African, American, etc. This list is just a very short list of random examples. If possible, please share the realm name and what you best remember was the premise of the realm.
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I think a Roman Empire-esque type realm is fairly common in many realms, complete with Emperor/Prime Minister and Senate, etc. Mostly these are Republican or Democratic realms who have carved out large empires for themselves. The Cagilan Empire comes immediately to mind, though I know little of their actual internal atmosphere/culture.
The various Pirate realms are interesting as well, and probably not exactly "medieval" so much as 17th and 18th century-based. Madina comes to mind, and I think there used to be one on the Far East out of Batesoar.
I don't know of any Asian or African themed realms, though that could be pretty cool if done and thought out well.
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Even though Batesaors part of Zonasa now it still remains loosely Piratical in make up, and likewise we intend try make it more so soon, in the hope turn it into a hot bed of scurrilous, villainous and merrily wicked sorts for chars from "any realm" to RP in ;)
It would be easy and likewise historically correct to have an african or asian themed realm, being as was not just a strong moorish presense in spain, but likewise all frankish and goth culture emanated from at least the near east.
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Not sure how exotic it is, but Darka has a habit of throwing people into the nice volcano we have. Part of the sacrifice rituals for Darkanism too.
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Barony of Makar--Vikings, which means a lot of talk about drinking, and Sordnaz's mother. Sordnaz's Mother (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/File:Sordnaz-mother.jpg)
Assassins--self-explanatory, I think.
Outer Tilog--evil/depraved. See some nice torture descriptions:
Brittiany_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture)
Valion_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture)
Lukon--supposedly barbarian, which I think is mostly an excuse to go attack others. Still, fun for their players, I think.
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Actually, I was wondering, when were the Vikings around? I mean, Scandinavia is still Europe.
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Irombrozia had a fun culture in its early days that slowly died out as it aged.
I find Terran's culture fun as well. I would say it has large similarities to the Roman Republic in terms of mood and power dynamics, as well as ethos of its leaders.
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Sultanate of Asena springs to mind, through from my time there it seems the only things different about it are the names of the realm and the various council positions. Other than that, it has zero culture :P
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I believe Tom has said he would prefer a focus on European style realms, which is why Asian and African type realms are kind of rare. Arcachon has the whole Clan Lords thing going on, which seemed interesting.
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The first incarnation of Vice was pretty interesting, or at least, fairly different. Lots of festivals. Lots of silly RPs about orgies and all manner of other depravities and pleasures one could think of. When Religion was introduced, Vice founded Hedonism, which says it all really. It was a good place.
In Heen, a desert realm, they had a good crack at making the culture and styles more realistic to their position rather than continue to act like a typical European medieval realm which is what it had essentially been founded as. In came some delightful new titles and a re-imagining of Heen culture. All the brainchild of Martana Curs and it was a brilliant idea. Though later it was ruined by a lot of guff about being Celts and the Celtic Order by a few players there which just clashed horribly with the entire realm. I'd gone by the time of all that though. Maybe the players there made it work, but from afar it didn't look too good.
Also, I swear I read somewhere that when Beluaterra was originally formed, the realms in it had, or were supposed to have had an Eastern/Asian theme? Tell me I'm not making it up.
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Also, I swear I read somewhere that when Beluaterra was originally formed, the realms in it had, or were supposed to have had an Eastern/Asian theme? Tell me I'm not making it up.
I heard it was the Far East Island. From what I understand, it didn't last long.
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I heard it was the Far East Island. From what I understand, it didn't last long.
No, he's talking about Old Grekh.
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No, he's talking about Old Grekh.
The lands that make up the eastern and central parts of Morek on Dwilight have Chinese themed names. They were somewhat taken into account with Xinhai, though I'm not sure whether that was in name only. From my time in Morek I recall that the natives there were referred to as Dongese and are based off the Chinese. But I think Morek itself is like a European nation that would have existed during the Crusades.
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Barony of Makar--Vikings, which means a lot of talk about drinking, and Sordnaz's mother. Sordnaz's Mother (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/File:Sordnaz-mother.jpg)
The BoM was an offspring of the Barony of Icegate, a long-dead realm that initiated that culture, including raids across all of the island (which after a loooong time resulted in retribution).
Fond memories... :)
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Melhed is certainly a good example of a roman (pre keasar) themed realm, i've found my characters in the same situation as great historical figures from that time, or characters of there literature.
It's fun and somewhat diferent, allthough sometimes a little frustrating.
Madina is also very difirdent but not so much a ' pirate' realm. it's just a bunch of greedy land owners with lots of individual power and ambitons.
Alot happens but because of that, allot less hapens on realm level, because people just keep fuzing and fighting over there properties.
Theres basicly alot of freedom that alows for funny and intresting situations, there also quite isolative and sometimes cling on to there old colonies as there rightfuly claimed land.
Many lords involve them selve in some other 'criminal' or less honourable business, such as slave trade or prostitution and the nobles drink alot and go to place they shouldn't, to statisfy there lusts.
It's a tropical climate and people are lazy and not as motivated to be imperialistic as the northern realms.
plus they drink, alot.
Every citizen has to right to plunder somewhere, but they simply don't bother anymore...
Then there was thulsoma on dwilight(it still exists under the sumerdale banner.), who offered a really different culture from the rest BM has to offer, with even it's own language.
I always found it very intresting to follow this realm and believe even after it's fall it will stay a cultural center in dwilight and alot of different than the rest.
Than there is also archanon, they seem to be somewhat different from the rest as well, with there exotic religion and there isolation on that northern island on the far east.
I perosnally never been there but heard some good remarks on them.
Also this got me thinking, we acttually don't have a real monarchy in BM.
I have't seen a realm yet that worships it's king and family as decendants from god and have the throne passed from father to son or daughter.
I am brainstorming with a few players on it right now.
That would be the first realm that actually truely resembles a north european monarchy.
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Back when I was King, Old Grehk felt a bit like I imagine the Byzantine Empire did during some of its low points. A once mighty empire, reduced to its capital city, its original heartland lost long ago, and hugely outnumbered by its enemies. But still utterly convinced that they're the centre of the world and if this next plan just succeeds then the whole empire will return to its rightful owners (even though they haven't set foot there in generations) ;D
Different to the above cases because it was just something that happened; I only thought about the similarities afterwards really.
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The various Pirate realms are interesting as well, and probably not exactly "medieval" so much as 17th and 18th century-based. Madina comes to mind, and I think there used to be one on the Far East out of Batesoar.
This is a shame, because there was plenty of piracy in all historical periods, including the middle ages. Of course, the culture and flavor of any group of pirates varied depending upon their origin and time period, and pirates in the ancient Mediterranean were different than late medieval pirates in the north sea, who were different than 1600s/1700s pirates in the Caribbean (which is practically all anyone thinks of when they think 'pirates').
I'm hoping that perhaps some of a medieval piracy feel can be revived in Batesaor, though of course my character disapproves of this as the Duke of the city.
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This is a shame, because there was plenty of piracy in all historical periods, including the middle ages. Of course, the culture and flavor of any group of pirates varied depending upon their origin and time period, and pirates in the ancient Mediterranean were different than late medieval pirates in the north sea, who were different than 1600s/1700s pirates in the Caribbean (which is practically all anyone thinks of when they think 'pirates').
I'm hoping that perhaps some of a medieval piracy feel can be revived in Batesaor, though of course my character disapproves of this as the Duke of the city.
Piracy was certainly prevalent. However, it wasn't so much practiced by nobles.
Tom has explicitly voiced his disapproval of anyone attempting to play their nobles as pirates.
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Actually, I was wondering, when were the Vikings around? I mean, Scandinavia is still Europe.
It varies which specific race your considering, but the last real hurrah for them was around the end of the 13th century, around the time of the Baltic crusades.
I take a keen interest in them myself, as not only are both my chars of Norse origin, but my hometown was actually first settled by them :)
Elcston
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Also this got me thinking, we acttually don't have a real monarchy in BM.
I have't seen a realm yet that worships it's king and family as decendants from god and have the throne passed from father to son or daughter.
I am brainstorming with a few players on it right now.
That would be the first realm that actually truely resembles a north european monarchy.
Irombrozia/Republic of Fwuvoghor. Me and Ban TRIED to do this, and there was (some) limited success to it in RoF, and even more limited success in Irombrozia.
However, you are wrong about worshipping a king. LATE European kingdoms believed in "Divine Right," but Medieval monarchs did not rule by Divine Right. It's really late-Middle-Ages up to the Enlightenment that sees absolutist monarchs. Even theologically steeped, powerful monarchs like Charlemagne or Alfred the Great didn't have anything approaching Divine Right. And they CERTAINLY weren't worshipped.
But, hereditary monarchies would be neat. The issue is an OOC one, however. If the same player is playing all those characters... it's boring for everyone else. Which is why you need multiple players, and marriages, where the same player does not continually get the "heir." You get a "royal family" which includes characters played by five or six players after a few generations.
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Irombrozia/Republic of Fwuvoghor. Me and Ban TRIED to do this, and there was (some) limited success to it in RoF, and even more limited success in Irombrozia.
But, hereditary monarchies would be neat. The issue is an OOC one, however. If the same player is playing all those characters... it's boring for everyone else. Which is why you need multiple players, and marriages, where the same player does not continually get the "heir." You get a "royal family" which includes characters played by five or six players after a few generations.
Kelley (House Kindon) and I are trying to do a variant of this, with other nobles taking Ruler positions in the interim while the kids grow up to prevent the OOC stranglehold problem. We'll see how well it works out.
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Piracy was certainly prevalent. However, it wasn't so much practiced by nobles.
In that nobles generally did not do the actual pirating, yes. However, nobles were certainly involved in piracy, sponsoring groups of pirates that would operate near their lands and give them a portion of their profits. I know this was true in Ireland, and wouldn't be surprised if similar situations existed elsewhere.
One could also think of the Vikings as pirates of a sort, if you stretch definitions a bit.
However, you are wrong about worshipping a king. LATE European kingdoms believed in "Divine Right," but Medieval monarchs did not rule by Divine Right. It's really late-Middle-Ages up to the Enlightenment that sees absolutist monarchs. Even theologically steeped, powerful monarchs like Charlemagne or Alfred the Great didn't have anything approaching Divine Right. And they CERTAINLY weren't worshipped.
In a similar vein, aren't things like 'separation of church and state' a post medieval idea? Seeing so many people supporting more modern ideas like this is one of the exotic things that annoys me. But I could be wrong.
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One could also think of the Vikings as pirates of a sort, if you stretch definitions a bit.
In a similar vein, aren't things like 'separation of church and state' a post medieval idea? Seeing so many people supporting more modern ideas like this is one of the exotic things that annoys me. But I could be wrong.
It's to be expected, though. They don't only do it for modern reasons, they also do it because it's a great way to control religions that the political elite would otherwise have limited control over.
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Piracy was certainly prevalent. However, it wasn't so much practiced by nobles.
Tom has explicitly voiced his disapproval of anyone attempting to play their nobles as pirates.
Uh, that rather depends how you define piracy. Small scale raiding (on land and sea) was more or less constant around the border regions and nobody was going to know if you happened to loot a "friendly" ship or two. That's even before you get onto the Corsairs.
In a similar vein, aren't things like 'separation of church and state' a post medieval idea? Seeing so many people supporting more modern ideas like this is one of the exotic things that annoys me. But I could be wrong.
It was more or less unknown during medieval Europe. Some bits of the ancient world came close though (the Diadochi during the Hellenistic period come to mind).
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Piracy was certainly prevalent. However, it wasn't so much practiced by nobles.
Tom has explicitly voiced his disapproval of anyone attempting to play their nobles as pirates.
I seem to recall this disapproval was stated in the context of Dwilight's SMA, though.
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I seem to recall this disapproval was stated in the context of Dwilight's SMA, though.
No, it predated that.
He may very well have re-stated it for SMA, though.
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No, it predated that.
He may very well have re-stated it for SMA, though.
This must be the case, then, 'cause I remember him saying this when it was pointed out that Madina was starting a pirate realm.
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In a similar vein, aren't things like 'separation of church and state' a post medieval idea? Seeing so many people supporting more modern ideas like this is one of the exotic things that annoys me. But I could be wrong.
Yes, it is.
In Irombrozia, we had very little church-state separation. Then again, we were also very little.
In Terran, we have pretty strong church-state separation, but that's basically a reaction against Astroism. We probably would declare Triunism our state religion if we didn't worry it might force us into uncomfortable political decisions. So we have pretty strong religious freedom, but religion still plays a big role. My character views himself as performing a religious function as Senator of Chesney.
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Yes, it is.
In Irombrozia, we had very little church-state separation. Then again, we were also very little.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Iro's ruler (you) also the founder of the faith? Pretty easy to mix the both of them when it's the same person that leads both.
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Maybe the players there made it work, but from afar it didn't look too good.
Heen was destroyed in the 4th invasion. Pretty quickly by the Daimons.. then went Mesh.. and Hetland. Come to think of it, the undead utterly failed at destroying any realms.
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What are your opinions on Nothoi (the secession from Bara'Khur, which basically means children with questionable parentages)? I think it is some "free state" that has Greek influences.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Iro's ruler (you) also the founder of the faith? Pretty easy to mix the both of them when it's the same person that leads both.
Wrong on every count.
I was not Qyrvaggism's founder; at least not in the technical sense. Another player clicked the button. We were trying to be the first game religion: Path of the Dragon beat us by a few hours I think. However, Qyrvaggism is now, I am almost 100% sure, officially the oldest surviving religion. One of my characters was an early prophet, yes, but that was not while another of my characters was King of Irombrozia. Originally, Marc Keithson was King of Irombrozia, and Amekal was the Prophet of Qyrvaggism. Later on Hireshmont became king, after a few in-betweens, including Baiko Hyral, but it wasn't long into Hireshmont's reign that Amekal passed away. Before he died though, I appointed a successor, Sendan Falcore, who is not my character. Then, later on, Hireshmont was replaced as king by Anselm Recena, who was followed eventually by Scurtingbord Sworde.
Marc, Baiko, and Hireshmont were all very pro-church, though my character Amekal often harassed his cousin Hireshmont about his failures to be a properly warlike Qyrvaggian king. Then once Amekal was replaced by Sendan, a Riombaran (albeit one sympathetic to Irombrozia), dynamics changed. Sendan obviously couldn't condemn the governing power of Qyrvaggism's holiest sites, but he also had to claim spiritual leadership. The end result was... pretty bland. Qyrvaggism started to die well before that, and Sendan's early days saw a resurgence... it was a long decline. There was a brief revival under Anselm, but it didn't last very long, largely because there was a multi-swarm that tore Irombrozia apart.
Scurtingbord was pro-church, but also had no great aversions to surrender. So Iro surrendered to Rio, and it has been constant decline in Qyrvaggism since then.
When daimons conquered Irombro and Bolkenia and destroyed our holy sites, I considered launching a sort of "Jewish diaspora" type feel to it, since the temple in Irombro and Bolkenia is kind of a huge deal for Qyrvaggians. But what with the drama around the Meridian Republic, I never really got around to it. My current character in Rio doesn't really fit with all that yet in RP terms, so we'll see.
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Wrong on every count.
I was not Qyrvaggism's founder; at least not in the technical sense. Another player clicked the button. We were trying to be the first game religion: Path of the Dragon beat us by a few hours I think. However, Qyrvaggism is now, I am almost 100% sure, officially the oldest surviving religion.
Then this line from the wiki leads to confusion:
Hireshmont Vellos- First prophet, converted Baiko, 1st missionary Primus, was excommunicated for heresy, forgiven and allowed to return
Edit: As does every other Qyrvaggism page I stumble upon... They all say Hireshmont Vellos was the first prophet, and imply that this means he was the founder. They even go on to detail how it all stems from his visions from back on the East Continent...
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Ah, yes. He was the first "Prophet of Qyrvaggism," but that was before religion started IG. And that was really only for a fairly short period of time. You will note he was later excommunicated. The highest position he held in the church after that was during Anselm Recena's reign, when he was Missionary Primus.
It is a bit confusing, I guess, but "Beluaterran Qyrvaggism" never had Hireshmont Vellos in a position of enormous ecclesiastical power.
Bethany Darkwaggler was the lord of Bolkenia, and actually founded the religion. Amekal was quickly made its liturgical head.
Hence:
"Bethany- A grand priest and great preacher who converted many, helped define many doctrinal points, legal founder"
It is confusing, however. I'm not very sure how to clarify it, though.
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Ah, yes. He was the first "Prophet of Qyrvaggism," but that was before religion started IG. And that was really only for a fairly short period of time. You will note he was later excommunicated. The highest position he held in the church after that was during Anselm Recena's reign, when he was Missionary Primus.
It is a bit confusing, I guess, but "Beluaterran Qyrvaggism" never had Hireshmont Vellos in a position of enormous ecclesiastical power.
Bethany Darkwaggler was the lord of Bolkenia, and actually founded the religion. Amekal was quickly made its liturgical head.
Hence:
"Bethany- A grand priest and great preacher who converted many, helped define many doctrinal points, legal founder"
It is confusing, however. I'm not very sure how to clarify it, though.
To me, this mostly says that it mattered little that another pressed the link.
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Strange nobody mentioned the Elves of Sirion on East Continent.
Those are the only "magical" or out of this world beings on the whole BM that Tom approves.
Usually they are categorized as "Tree Lovers" or "Tree Huggers" (I love the second one) even thou I'm part of Sirion I play descendants of Oligarch (supposedly half orcs and orcs), just love the dilemma of helping those who are by nature my race enemies.
Who remembers something about Oligarch? they where orcs right?
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Real life age of Vikings was about 800 AD to 1050 AD...
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Strange nobody mentioned the Elves of Sirion on East Continent.
Those are the only "magical" or out of this world beings on the whole BM that Tom approves.
Usually they are categorized as "Tree Lovers" or "Tree Huggers" (I love the second one) even thou I'm part of Sirion I play descendants of Oligarch (supposedly half orcs and orcs), just love the dilemma of helping those who are by nature my race enemies.
Who remembers something about Oligarch? they where orcs right?
I think for that case, it's not so much "exotic" as "fantastic".
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Strange nobody mentioned the Elves of Sirion on East Continent.
Those are the only "magical" or out of this world beings on the whole BM that Tom approves.
Usually they are categorized as "Tree Lovers" or "Tree Huggers" (I love the second one) even thou I'm part of Sirion I play descendants of Oligarch (supposedly half orcs and orcs), just love the dilemma of helping those who are by nature my race enemies.
Who remembers something about Oligarch? they where orcs right?
Actually the Evles are the only non human race that Tom allows, and even they are only allowd by a grandfather clause. My understanding was this clause was supposed to see the elves die out as the old existing elf characters retired, but there has been much debate about this. As far as other races go, they just don't exist anymore.
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There was recently some sort of clarification that characters created in Sirion can be elves, and can only have that status so long as they remain in Sirion. But for the final say, ask Tom. :P
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Come to think of it, the undead utterly failed at destroying any realms.
You can't fail something that isn't one of your goals.
Usually they are categorized as "Tree Lovers" or "Tree Huggers" (I love the second one) even thou I'm part of Sirion I play descendants of Oligarch (supposedly half orcs and orcs), just love the dilemma of helping those who are by nature my race enemies.
Who remembers something about Oligarch? they where orcs right?
Members of Oligarch were called orcs by Sirionite elves as an insult without any reflection on their actual race. Orcs as a race have not existed (to my knowledge) in BM at all, though it is possible they were once around in early '03.
There was recently some sort of clarification that characters created in Sirion can be elves, and can only have that status so long as they remain in Sirion. But for the final say, ask Tom. :P
See the OOC note on the "Elves" page of the wiki. That was all the clarification I was able to glean from Tom on the subject at the time.
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Members of Oligarch were called orcs by Sirionite elves as an insult without any reflection on their actual race. Orcs as a race have not existed (to my knowledge) in BM at all, though it is possible they were once around in early '03.
It was more an epitaph, though strictly speaking they were a 'race' in the sense that they looked different. But just like the 'elves' they're all human. Personally I always loved the 'orcs' versus 'elves' bit. Speaking as the first Orc King after the reboot of course.
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It was more an epitaph,
...you mean epithet?
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...you mean epithet?
:-\ erm yes!
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There are a lot of unique realms in Battlemaster, though more of them go unnoticed than they should do.
Firstly I would mention Thulsoma, though it seems most don't actually know the culture, judging by conversations I've had, when they mostly assume the realm has a Saxon culture, which, ironically it is far removed from. Thulsoma is more of a mish mash of concepts, the devout religious extremism, the complicated belief in honour, combat, loyalty, the Anglo Saxon virtues, it even has quite a few Asian influences and cultural ideals. I still have much of the stuff to put up on the wiki, largely in regards to vast annals of roleplays I have saved on my laptop, all the Saxon Stormland/Anglo Saxon Chronicle stuff, and a lot more of the religious stuff.
Secondly, I would have to mention Averoth, which I notice hasn't been mentioned yet, they have a very interesting realm concept as being a Free State, and what truly makes them a Free State, and what they expect of their nobility, and their stance on things like religion, war, trade and government systems such as monarchies. Averoth is very underrated for this, which is somewhat understandable as its not been a major player for its entire existence, and now it is set to get far more interesting, there is a massive culture clash between the Saxons, and the Averothian's, as we disagree entirely on concepts of religion, honour, virtue, war, trade, soldiering, loyalty, just about everything really. Sextus and Haruka are a strange "couple" as well, they contrast each other well (Sextus being another unique character, that is really under represented) but both absolute rulers of their own Strongholds and realms, with a great deal of loyalty from their followers. Averoth and Thulsoma were confederated, and I always toyed with the idea of Haruka and Sextus doing a pseudo sort of King/Queen thing, with opposing strongholds on either side of the Stormland's. Me and Sextus, did have a wide variety of hilarious and fun Roleplays planned, though most we never actually did.
For a third realm, I have to mention Norland, it may not have been the most unique (As many say its just a copy of Makar) but the realm has always had a vibrant player base and roleplays, I've been in the realm since 2004, till it was destroyed, and it always had some manner of hilarious Roleplays, and it shall always go down as one of my all time favourite realms.
Some people have mentioned Arcachon, and I would agree, but I feel Arcachon has become much more of a "regular" realm, than one with a distinct culture and realm concept, particularly of recent years we have slowly gravitated towards the common sort of realm you find in the game. That said, we have a very well developed religion and Clan culture. Some people also mentioned Nothoi I think, well the realm is some what unique, but we really have not got much in the way of culture or Roleplay sorted. That said, it's quite amusing that Nothoi is the ancient Greek plural for Bastard, and our ruler is called the Diadochi, which means successor.
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Played in Norland for probably a year.
Hated it, but never really knew where else to go.
Guess that, since I hated it, it must have had a unique culture.
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There are a lot of unique realms in Battlemaster, though more of them go unnoticed than they should do.
Firstly I would mention Thulsoma, though it seems most don't actually know the culture, judging by conversations I've had, when they mostly assume the realm has a Saxon culture, which, ironically it is far removed from. Thulsoma is more of a mish mash of concepts, the devout religious extremism, the complicated belief in honour, combat, loyalty, the Anglo Saxon virtues, it even has quite a few Asian influences and cultural ideals. I still have much of the stuff to put up on the wiki, largely in regards to vast annals of roleplays I have saved on my laptop, all the Saxon Stormland/Anglo Saxon Chronicle stuff, and a lot more of the religious stuff.
Secondly, I would have to mention Averoth, which I notice hasn't been mentioned yet, they have a very interesting realm concept as being a Free State, and what truly makes them a Free State, and what they expect of their nobility, and their stance on things like religion, war, trade and government systems such as monarchies. Averoth is very underrated for this, which is somewhat understandable as its not been a major player for its entire existence, and now it is set to get far more interesting, there is a massive culture clash between the Saxons, and the Averothian's, as we disagree entirely on concepts of religion, honour, virtue, war, trade, soldiering, loyalty, just about everything really. Sextus and Haruka are a strange "couple" as well, they contrast each other well (Sextus being another unique character, that is really under represented) but both absolute rulers of their own Strongholds and realms, with a great deal of loyalty from their followers. Averoth and Thulsoma were confederated, and I always toyed with the idea of Haruka and Sextus doing a pseudo sort of King/Queen thing, with opposing strongholds on either side of the Stormland's. Me and Sextus, did have a wide variety of hilarious and fun Roleplays planned, though most we never actually did.
For a third realm, I have to mention Norland, it may not have been the most unique (As many say its just a copy of Makar) but the realm has always had a vibrant player base and roleplays, I've been in the realm since 2004, till it was destroyed, and it always had some manner of hilarious Roleplays, and it shall always go down as one of my all time favourite realms.
Some people have mentioned Arcachon, and I would agree, but I feel Arcachon has become much more of a "regular" realm, than one with a distinct culture and realm concept, particularly of recent years we have slowly gravitated towards the common sort of realm you find in the game. That said, we have a very well developed religion and Clan culture. Some people also mentioned Nothoi I think, well the realm is some what unique, but we really have not got much in the way of culture or Roleplay sorted. That said, it's quite amusing that Nothoi is the ancient Greek plural for Bastard, and our ruler is called the Diadochi, which means successor.
Somewhat tragic that 3 out of 4 realms that you mention as being unique are now dead. Almost like we have to create some sort of government entity that makes sure that we don't make unique cultures extinct ;)
The only two with very unique cultures that I've been in were BoM (still alive! And mentioned before in this thread) and Avamar (long dead).
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Somewhat tragic that 3 out of 4 realms that you mention as being unique are now dead. Almost like we have to create some sort of government entity that makes sure that we don't make unique cultures extinct ;)
The first two were havens for cheaters and exploiters. I should hope that makes them unique. Sadly, I don't think it does.
Norland... Well... They were unique. But I'm not a big fan of their style of "unique". For my money, RedSpan was a better style of unique. (Although I never played there myself.)
As for Arcachon, they're a plucky little realm. They definitely don't have any intentions of rolling over for anyone. And it seems like they're having a lot of fun instigating, and keeping OW and Arcaea on their toes.
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The first two were havens for cheaters and exploiters. I should hope that makes them unique. Sadly, I don't think it does.
Norland... Well... They were unique. But I'm not a big fan of their style of "unique". For my money, RedSpan was a better style of unique. (Although I never played there myself.)
As for Arcachon, they're a plucky little realm. They definitely don't have any intentions of rolling over for anyone. And it seems like they're having a lot of fun instigating, and keeping OW and Arcaea on their toes.
I was thinking about joining Arcachon. My character Jupiter is on an island wide travel quest to the north right now to find a new realm.
Cathay was sadly too quiet for my taste.
Seems like they are a rather popular realm too, player wise. 35 nobles for that small realm with 1 duchy, compared to PoZ's 37 nobles for 5 duchies.
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Are there any evil realms out there? Other than Outer Tilog of course, I haven't really seen an truly evil heartless realm. Is there no one man enough to loot, pillage and torture, just for looting and torturing sake? A realm that maybe possibly rewards people based on assassinations and truly heartless acts.
I can kinda see that any realm like this would find itself with many enemies fast.
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Are there any evil realms out there? Other than Outer Tilog of course, I haven't really seen an truly evil heartless realm. Is there no one man enough to loot, pillage and torture, just for looting and torturing sake? A realm that maybe possibly rewards people based on assassinations and truly heartless acts.
I can kinda see that any realm like this would find itself with many enemies fast.
Monarchist Fwuvoghor was pretty cold-hearted, while it reigned. Infiltrators were quite prized then, too.
You were part of it at the time, I think, but Enweil had some rather strong supremacist sentiments going on during the last war, and looted freely and brutally. It wasn't for the sake of looting, though, but more to crush her foes like the vermin they were seen to be. Torture was used extensively, to gather the information we sought and get a glimpse of what was being said in the enemy realm, and executions were used at every occasion as revenge for Katia.
I don't personally really see Outer Tilog as being an "evil" realm, though. It loses the dread and merciless feel when it becomes so absurd and humor-oriented.
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Are there any evil realms out there? Other than Outer Tilog of course, I haven't really seen an truly evil heartless realm. Is there no one man enough to loot, pillage and torture, just for looting and torturing sake? A realm that maybe possibly rewards people based on assassinations and truly heartless acts.
I can kinda see that any realm like this would find itself with many enemies fast.
Arcachon started out that way. Sort of. Looking back, I kind of regret overthrowing Tom (playing as "Tanaziel", I believe) and his bumbling, patsy ruler character as quickly as we did. But once the initial rebellion was over, we were straight up mean for awhile.
Strategically picked the island specifically for it being easily defensible and we created an "us vs. the world" mentality where rape, loot, and pillage was the name of the game. Anyone within striking distance was a raiding target and we made lots of enemies very quickly. And the roleplay to go with it was ridiculous at times how twisted and demented it could get. Headed by Seraphina (world-renowned assassin dubbed "The Angel of Death") with her psychological warfare that forced other rulers to adopt otherwise unthinkable tactics and politics in order to fight back, and Malus ("The Overlord") whose atrocities, warcrimes, and civil rights violations would make communist China blush. Now that I think about it, if The Dark Knight's Joker ruled a realm in BM, it would have been old school Arcachon.
Outside of that, I remember Svunnetland Empire being a Roman Empire-styled realm. The ruler eschewed the "King" title (prior to custom titles) and was referred to as Caesar, and all the Dukes formed the Senate, who had voting rights on nearly all things pertaining to the realm as a whole. Was kinda fun and really worked with the whole "decadent empire falling apart at the seams" idea that FEI started out with.
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Yeah to bad the player of Einar turned out be become a huge *****
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From the admittedly little that I've seen, Ibladesh is fairly evil when the mood strikes them.
During the War of the Nine Realms, Old Grehk was a bit extreme (torture and executions), but that was more of a case of using every tool available to make up for being badly outnumbered. It didn't last more than a few months.
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Depends on certain definitions of "evil".
Arcaea, for instance, has no difficulty slaughtering thousands or tens of thousands in a war to avenge an insult against the Queen, generally executes all foes possible, rewards and publicly lauds assassins, and the royal thrones are decorated with the skulls of prominent enemies while an auction was held for the bodyparts of a particularly heinous foe. Ask whether Arcaea is evil and the answer would be yes in at least half the island.
But Arcaea disallows torture, was the instigating force behind the Order of the Hawk which sets strict limits on what methods of war are allowed, and is quite ruthless in punishing those who step beyond those boundaries.
Arcachon has gone even farther, torturing frequently and engaging in fairly nasty looting while doing it in the name of protecting the True Faith from the heretics and pawns of Sartan.
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People who do evil things usually dont think of themselves as evil. They have a reason for what they're doing and they think that it justifies their actions.
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People who do evil things usually dont think of themselves as evil. They have a reason for what they're doing and they think that it justifies their actions.
Which is part of why I don't consider Outer Tilog to be truly evil. It's comical relief, dark humour at most.
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Which is part of why I don't consider Outer Tilog to be truly evil. It's comical relief, dark humour at most.
Those whose characters they torture and execute may disagree.
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture)
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture)
Granted, they are old, but I can confirm that they tortured my adventurer when they caught her--I cant remember if they did to my infil.
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Those whose characters they torture and execute may disagree.
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture)
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture)
Granted, they are old, but I can confirm that they tortured my adventurer when they caught her--I cant remember if they did to my infil.
I'm not saying they are nice people. But in my mind, "funny" and "evil" are just completely incompatible. I can think of a ton of different adjectives for comical characters who do bad things, but they are only as "evil" as "evil henchmen" (bland no-name characters that just fight for the big bad guy, rarely see them ever showing they are truly evil and not just stupidly loyal).
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Didn't really enjoy Outer Tilog when I briefly sampled playing there myself, but I still think Outer Tilog is bloody marvellous. They're amazing, their wiki is amazing. Long may they reign in the Colonies!
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Outer Tilog is Disney-evil, nothing more. 8)
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I'm not saying they are nice people. But in my mind, "funny" and "evil" are just completely incompatible. I can think of a ton of different adjectives for comical characters who do bad things, but they are only as "evil" as "evil henchmen" (bland no-name characters that just fight for the big bad guy, rarely see them ever showing they are truly evil and not just stupidly loyal).
Joker from Batman?
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From the admittedly little that I've seen, Ibladesh is fairly evil when the mood strikes them.
Ahahahaa..hahaha..ha..
Ibladesh isn't evil. It tries to be some sort of holier than thou realm that doesn't torture, doesn't execute, doesn't let infiltrators stab government members of enemy realms, tries to love the peasantry etc.
I'm sorry, but Ibladesh is about as evil as a kitten.
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Joker from Batman?
I didn't see the Dark Knight, so I can't say. But the joker isn't an "evil henchman". And there's a difference between doing something for (your own) laughs, and for doing something for (others') laughs.
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If we're using D&D terms, Arcaea strikes me as True Neutral more then evil, though Jenred has some seriously warped standards which can make it appear both very evil and very good, often at the same time. He certainly believes the ends justifies the means, often his means are Really Evil but his goals are Quite Good.
Arcachon is more Lawful Evil then anything else. I'm actually considering lifting from Ravenloft:PotM and having signs reading "If You Walk Adghar's Land, Obey Adghar's Laws." pinned to crow-cages. There are definately a lot of Chaotic Evil players in Arcachon thought and it's by and large ruled by Evil characters (current council 2 LE, 1 NE, 1CE), and one Lawful Good elf from Sirion.
The hilarious thing is that the "evil god" they are always on about in Arcachon does pretty much what they do daily. He's doing it for Evil though, which makes Arcachon Good. That is why our army is filled with crusaders and paladins, because we are good.
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Anyone who proclaims himself evil is all but.
The good/evil axis only applies 'past a certain level of sanity.
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If we're using D&D terms, Arcaea strikes me as True Neutral more then evil, though Jenred has some seriously warped standards which can make it appear both very evil and very good, often at the same time. He certainly believes the ends justifies the means, often his means are Really Evil but his goals are Quite Good.
Arcachon is more Lawful Evil then anything else. I'm actually considering lifting from Ravenloft:PotM and having signs reading "If You Walk Adghar's Land, Obey Adghar's Laws." pinned to crow-cages. There are definately a lot of Chaotic Evil players in Arcachon thought and it's by and large ruled by Evil characters (current council 2 LE, 1 NE, 1CE), and one Lawful Good elf from Sirion.
The hilarious thing is that the "evil god" they are always on about in Arcachon does pretty much what they do daily. He's doing it for Evil though, which makes Arcachon Good. That is why our army is filled with crusaders and paladins, because we are good.
Heheh...Arcaean morals at this point are essentially "follow where Jenred leads". That's the only real unifying part of Arcaea and we've got a number of people at all ends of the spectrum.
Jenred's morals...Well, picture the first Chinese emperor crossed with Constantine of Rome crossed with an extra dose of bat!@#$ crazy. He very much does believe that the ends justify the means, though he distinguishes between ends and Ends, as it were. Note his absolutely ruthless crackdown on food burning now compared to how he sent out the infiltrators to burn every bushel they could find in Mosesadelphia and Soliferum. The Sunset Crusade was a real crusade to him, a religious imperative that he pulled out all the stops on. The wars since then? Secular affairs, and that limits the means he's willing to accept.
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Those whose characters they torture and execute may disagree.
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Brittiany_Torture)
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture (http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Outer_Tilog/Valion_Torture)
Granted, they are old, but I can confirm that they tortured my adventurer when they caught her--I cant remember if they did to my infil.
I was so mad when Valion was baked into a cake. Never was right in the head after that bit was he? Then again it made for interesting times in the FEI as Valion joined the Chaos Req and helped take on ~V~Halls of Blood and Battle~V~ good times..good times...
As for Lukon-- We ARE barbarians dagnabit! Oh sure we get confused some times... every once in a while someone thinks a skirt is a kilt or chooses silk over bearskin attire... but for the most part...well...we like big axes anyway, and stuff dies around us a lot. and we hate furry things! Thats barbaric right??
*scribe enters and wispers something*
Whats that? Valast is dead? Well SONOFA thats me!! why didn't someone tell me! I didn't even get a slice of Valcake!
*falls to floor*
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I was so mad when Valion was baked into a cake. Never was right in the head after that bit was he? Then again it made for interesting times in the FEI as Valion joined the Chaos Req and helped take on ~V~Halls of Blood and Battle~V~ good times..good times...
As for Lukon-- We ARE barbarians dagnabit! Oh sure we get confused some times... every once in a while someone thinks a skirt is a kilt or chooses silk over bearskin attire... but for the most part...well...we like big axes anyway, and stuff dies around us a lot. and we hate furry things! Thats barbaric right??
*scribe enters and wispers something*
Whats that? Valast is dead? Well SONOFA thats me!! why didn't someone tell me! I didn't even get a slice of Valcake!
*falls to floor*
Ah, I didn't remember that name. So why did Valast ally with the killer of his uncle or whatever? Lich King the only reason?
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Joker from Batman?
I wouldn't say the Joker was funny in the Dark Knight.
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I wouldn't say the Joker was funny in the Dark Knight.
Yes, I was trying to make the point that OT is evil like the Joker, not funny like the joker.
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This was in relation to the place with the 'Eastern' type way.
I heard it was the Far East Island. From what I understand, it didn't last long.
(yes, yes, I'm replying to stuff from ages ago... I don't visit here often...)
It was the Far East and it was in all the RP work done for the weeks (months?) before the Island went active for characters to actually be able to do anything. The Island (in the original RPs) was two large realms, one of which was Eastern oriented. Once it all went live though, it didn't last that much longer as the ideal of being an RP island didn't last too long unfortunately.
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Strange nobody mentioned the Elves of Sirion on East Continent.
Those are the only "magical" or out of this world beings on the whole BM that Tom approves.
Usually they are categorized as "Tree Lovers" or "Tree Huggers" (I love the second one) even thou I'm part of Sirion I play descendants of Oligarch (supposedly half orcs and orcs), just love the dilemma of helping those who are by nature my race enemies.
Who remembers something about Oligarch? they where orcs right?
(yes, more old stuff!)
There was a phase when a number of realms on the East Continent started considering the fantasy route. The only things that were ever official (if I recall correctly) was that Sirion had Elves and the Mines of Isadril were mined by Dwarves.
I remember Itorunt having a discussion about starting to RP as Dark Elves but fortunately they were talked out of this before it got started and shortly after that the decision to stop any fantasy races being in BM was taken. Some in Sirion may still claim to be Elves, but they will only be seen as a different sort of human to any of my characters (as Elves don't exist!)
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...and in regard to Outer Tilog...
I've never seen it as an Evil realm, just a place that has a different view on the world and a different way of doing things. It has periods of 'stupid' 'evil' behaviour, but also has occasions where the dark ways (and different thinking) are put into fantastic RPs. (It's quieter than it used to be, but we have a lot of long time players who, as life has gone on, just don't have the time they used to - so the great stuff isn't there as often, but it is still there - and some of the newer blood that's been turning up has brought some fresh life there as well (which helps encourage us oldies to put in some effort again!))
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Is there no one man enough to loot, pillage and torture, just for looting and torturing sake? A realm that maybe possibly rewards people based on assassinations and truly heartless acts.
I can kinda see that any realm like this would find itself with many enemies fast.
You... just described the Barony of Makar. I'm not sure I would call it evil, but the Barony has a very long standing policy regarding prisoners of both sides of a war: "If you get caught in a battle and put in prison the Barony won't pay for you. You are not a slave nor some food nor animal. Try to get out as noisy as you can. On your way out, you can always get some women from the enemy and entertain them."
The result of this policy is that we never form prisoner agreements, which means we can, will, and do torture every hostile (and some others) prisoners in our dungeons. And, being the Barony, looting is considered the national sport, of a sort. As for assassinations, well, infiltrators are... well cared for, to say the least.
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You... just described the Barony of Makar. I'm not sure I would call it evil, but the Barony has a very long standing policy regarding prisoners of both sides of a war: "If you get caught in a battle and put in prison the Barony won't pay for you. You are not a slave nor some food nor animal. Try to get out as noisy as you can. On your way out, you can always get some women from the enemy and entertain them."
The result of this policy is that we never form prisoner agreements, which means we can, will, and do torture every hostile (and some others) prisoners in our dungeons. And, being the Barony, looting is considered the national sport, of a sort. As for assassinations, well, infiltrators are... well cared for, to say the least.
I remember starting in the Barony when I joined the game. I found it to be fantastic. No one cared where I wandered off and looted, hell my Liege and Marshal decided to join me after the first few raids. Nobody tried to force me to run around caring for regions or any other boring stuff, I was simply told if I got myself into trouble I could get myself out of it.