Description of Races, Gods and Storyline Phases for Concepts

[Kaz]

Foret

Foret was the first born of the 'New Gods' and was known as the god of Justice. He (like the Elder Gods before him) is made up of the other aspects from Olandar and Adrastia. From Olandar, Justice and Purity, from Adrastria, Pride and Righteousness. Like the moon Numi, Foret's colour was grey (#cccccc). First born, he was also the first to be destroyed in the war with the returned Elder Gods. He was described as follows

“Foret was born with a smile. His eyes gleaming with the goodness that was his making and his hands held the mighty staff of justice. Pride was his pedestal; he was righteous above all others. He was first born, he was - the eldest. Each of his followers instantly fell in love, aligning himself with his pureness. ”

[Kaz]

Isonia

Isonia is another of the 'New Gods', she is the Goddess of War and her colour was purple like the moon Soma (#9966cc). From Olandar she inherited Equality, from Adrastra, War and Self-Importance. Second born and second to die. She was describe as

“Next evolved Isonia. Beautiful Isonia. Her gentle hands grasped the handle of a double-sided battle-axe. The goddess of equality was simply exquisite in her beauty contrasted so brightly with the stark implement of war in her hand. Her eyes displayed a dark brooding sense that portrayed an inner struggle never to truly be won. She ignored Foret and later Darden because to her, they were of no importance. She was the great one, her followers understood immediately that she was the true and only goddess. ”

[Kaz]

Darden

Darden was the last of the 'New Gods', the Demon of Tismad with orange like the sun Intop as his colour (#cc6600). His aspects were Caring and Charity, but also Despair and Depression. In his hands, he carried a bowl filled with despair, a bowl he smashed as his final act, causing his own destruction and banished the returned Elder Gods to be reborn as mortals. He was described as

“Darden the clever one was born with a bowl in his hand. The bowl was hidden from view and many a legend were concocted of its contents. The truth is known alone in this scroll, the bowl was full of despair. The world about him was one of vibrant life and ingenious discovery. Each day a child learning, a baby crawling, a man finding new and better ways, and this was his world. The despair came from their constant deaths, so quick to claim a newborn or an innocent. No rhyme, no reason. His bowl was fabled to become larger, fuller, and darker as time plodded forth. In truth, his despair began to overflow the bowl, causing him to drink from it. The results would be showered amongst his people. They had known him as Darden the caring, and on his good days that still rang true, but on his malignant days, he became known as the Demon of Tismad. ”.

[Kaz]

Murder in Heaven

The earliest stories from the long-lived Elves tell of a time when all races and creeds worshipped Olandar above all else - the god who sculpted the world and created all who walk upon it. His children stood together beneath his throne, foremost amongst them Barnabas, the first born, the keeper of Traditions and Rulership. To Barnabas' right stood Angelique, the maker of Laws for a world that had none, and to his left, Leto - the bringer of Freedom for those without voice. The world was at peace, and civilisation flourished.

This golden age ended abruptly when the Heavens were shaken by Olandar's death.

The creator god was found slumped against his throne, discovered by Barnabas who let out an almighty cry of anguish which drew his siblings to the throne. Angelique was quick to accuse Barnabas of patricide, for he held the weapon when she came upon the scene. Leto, sensing opportunity, echoed her accusation. Barnabas attempted to proclaim his innocence, but the combined power of his equals was too great. Disfigured and blinded by his siblings, he was cast from Heaven to the Earth below. Freed from their brother's balance, the remaining two fell upon each other like wolves and all the heavens and all the waters and the entire firmament shuddered with the force of their conflict; a war which found its way to the mortal realms, where huge armies raised the banner of their gods and entire civilisations fell under the sword.

But even with Barnabas banished, there is no peace. Angelique, Goddess of Justice, is unwilling to share her authority with Leto, God of Chaos. Their distrust of each other poisons the gardens. Soon rumours arise linking both of them to Olandar's murder.

When the dust settled in heaven and in the mortal realm, each of Olandar's children found that he or she was not strong enough to defeat the others - though their pride, arrogance and jealousy dictated that no stand off could be negotiated. Instead, their mortal followers ground themselves into a bitter stalemate on battlefield after battlefield with nothing of any permanence gained. And so the Seat of Heaven stood vacant, with none of the triumvirate able to claim their father's throne. The death of wise Olandar in heaven brought centuries of senseless slaughter to his world of Tonan, and the war continues to this day - a war into which you yourself will shortly be plunged under your chosen banner.

Murder in Heaven – Death of Olandar

This image should depict the scene where Barnabas first discovers his Father Olandar lying dead on the throne of heaven, and letting a cry of anguish draws Angelique and Leto to the scene. Olanadar should be dead on his throne, Barnabas should be on his knees devastated by what he has found, and Angelique and Leto should be on the sides with looks of accusation, finger pointing etc.

Murder in Heaven - Barnabas Cast Out

This image should depict Barnabas being disfigured and cast out of heaven by Angelique and Leto.

[Kaz]

Goddess Ascendant

So it came to pass, that a Saint of Angelique and a Saint of Leto remembered why Barnabas was first cast from heaven. During this period of hostility came the rise of Oleana. Known to her people as the Gypsy Queen, she helped steer them to greatness, before being killed by an unnamed man using poison and stealth.

In the aftermath of Oleana's death, something occurred that had never happened before. Her death was not death, and the love of her people sustained and uplifted her, transforming her into something completely new. A spark of divinity ignited into a great flame, and a Goddess was born to Tonan.

Some were quick to claim her as pretender or an usurper, some that she was no deity at all, while still others claimed her to be Olandar reborn. Her followers call her the Mother of Earth, the bringer of peace and the one that will end the wars. But her arrival brings with it a new storm of war, for none of the three siblings could accept her place among them.

Records of the sudden end of this era are vague, and hard to come by. Those that have been found seem do differ wildly in their facts, but all contain a single element of truth. The old gods were gone. Some rumours told of Oleana sacrificing herself to destroy the other gods. Others spoke of Olandar returning to punish his wayward children for his death. Another story taught that in their eternal struggle the gods had finally destroyed each other.


Oleana's Death

This image should depict the moment of Oleana's death and ascension. She was murdered

[Kaz]

Interim : Prophecy of Redemption

Whatever the truth, Priests started to question their devotion to gods who were no longer there. The desire to continue the eternal fight to kill in the name of religion, faded. For the first time since Olandars death, peace reigned over Tonan.

However, like all things good, this peace could not last forever. In the vacuum left by the disappearance of Tonan's gods, the people soon turned to three prophets who had claimed visions of a new trinity of powerful Gods emerging from the void.

Diman, the Aristocrat, argued that soon a god would arise and judge those who did not fall in line behind the nobility. Mina, the General, claimed that the Goddess of War would soon show herself and slaughter the unbelievers. Solas, the boy sorceror prophesised the birth of a nuturing god who would fix the woes plaguing Tonan.

Quickly they gained followers and worshippers for the Gods they prophesised.


The Prophets

This scene should have the three prophets (Mina, Diman, Solas) centre stage, telling the masses that gods are returning

[Kaz]

The New Trinity

Foret was born with a smile. His eyes gleaming with the goodness that was his making, and his hands held the mighty staff of justice. Next evolved Isonia. Beautiful Isonia. Her gentle hands grasped the handle of a double-sided battle-axe. Darden the clever one was born with a bowl in his hand. The bowl was hidden from view and many a legend were concocted of its contents. The truth, known to few, the bowl was full of despair.

At first the emergence of the new trinity brought centuries of peace from the fighting instigated by the prophets. But this was also destined not to last. Foret had begun to notice that the people were so used to peace, so used to love, and so used to tranquillity and contentment that they no longer knew what life without it was. They had never seen evil, or its more gentle signs, lies and greed. He could feel his power slowly draining into the void again, the need that had created it had been used and now he was no longer needed.

He was not alone, for both Isonia and Darden were experiencing the same in their own ways. Each of them became uneasy, as this discovery became the truth; their power was waning. Unbeknownst to the others, each of them began the plans for a growth in power. Each of them was finding ways to survive this certain death.

The first death, what is now called the Simple Sin, occurred when a follower of Foret was manipulated into murdering a follower of Darden over a woman. The rage spread through the realms as the gods fed the fuel for their own selfish needs. The Last Sin was the true breaking of the gods' unity. It is the first clash known to us and involved all three. They were seen directly battling over the skies of Tismad.

War once again erupted in heaven, and on Tonan below. Ages passed, and for those who were neither long lived nor scholar of history, all that had come before was forgotten.


New Gods

This scene should contain the new trinity (Foret, Isonia Darden), perhaps each seated on their own thrones, with Olandars throne still unoccupied in the background behind them.

[Kaz]

The War in Heaven

Small groups remained, scattered throughout the lands of Tonan. The prayers of those who had not forgotten, who still prayed to the old gods, went unanswered by these new gods. In the void, Barnabas, Angelique and Leto bided their time, gaining strength slowly from generations of prayers from the few faithful. Finally they were able to break free, undiscovered by the new gods, back into Tonan.

Angered that new gods had taken their place in the minds of the people, the three united to find and destroy these pretenders. On Tonan below, the lands of Maxim took the burden of this first colossal battle. For the people it started as just a feeling of unease, but soon came the drought, the earthquakes and the plagues. When the battle had ended, maxim burned.

The destruction of Maxim had not destroyed the new trinity. Although weakened by the loss of so many worshippers, Foret, Isonia and Darden endured. Not strong enough to overpower the combined might of the new gods, Olandar's children turned to hunting them one by one.

The wars below raged on. None knew of the goings on in heaven, banners of grey, purple and orange were still held high above the castles proclaiming allegiance to Foret, Isonia and Darden. When Foret fell empires on the continent of Valid were obliterated in an instant. Next to be destroyed were the guildlands, which burned in the fires of Isonia's demise.

Finally just Darden remained, cleverest of the younger gods. He fled Olandar's children and hid, but he was unable to hide forever. Wherever he went they found him, forcing him to flee again and again, until he was finally cornered. In a final act of desperation, he smashed his bowl.

Heaven flooded with despair, washing over the elder gods, driving them backwards... downwards... to Tonan, to be born again.


The War in Heaven – Death of Foret

This scene should depict the death of Foret, at the hands of the combine power of Angelique, Barnabas and Leto.

The War in Heaven – Death of Isonia

Like the scene before, but this time Isonia dies

The War in Heaven – Death of Darden

The final scene from the war in heaven, Darden, cornered, smashes his bowl.

[Kaz]

Prologue : Good and Evil

[Kaz]

The Dark Lady Returns

[Kaz]

Unusual Weapons

Duelling Shields

One of the weapons in use by the Tonan races are duelling shields. I first learnt of these from a documentary called Medieval Fight Book, based around an old document. The following page contains a basic summary of the documentary including quite a few combat photos including duelling shields.
http://www.thearma.org/spotlight.htm
If you want to watch the entire documentary it can be found broken into three chunks here :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh5aey ... shortfilms
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh5lak ... shortfilms
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh5lw2 ... shortfilms
On the video, the duelling shields are flat with a lump sticking out along the middle containing the pole arm to hold onto. I don’t actually like that design. The shields I have imagined have a curved surface enabling the pole-arm to sit behind without requiring a big lump. Both sides would be curved aerodynamically (a bit like a plan wing), with a groove on the back side to hold the pole-arm.
http://www.monarchygame.com/images/figh ... namics.png

[Kaz]

Reserved

[Kaz]

Reserved

[Kaz]

I'll be adding to the previous posts over the next day or so, feel free to comment and make any suggestions.

I have a month until I need to give the descriptive info over to an artist, so plenty of time for tweaks here and there.

[Dauthi]

Goblin

Scamps are the goblins thievery troop type. They stand 4 foot tall like the kobolds, but are more traditionally goblinoid in appearance. Having not seen many images of small caped goblinoids, I'm not 100% sure how best to depict them and get the thief nature over. They definitely need to be armed with the classic thief weapons and tools (as per the human and elven thief troops)

Going with the idea that Goblinoid race is war like a portion of their race to do something not war like would mean they would have to be part something else. Correct?

So why not make scamps Goblin/(human or elven) mix. Basicly they would appear more human then the traditional goblin race but still hold similar characters such as pointer or fatter noises, with less head hair, smaller but wider then human skulls. With a human or elven gentic code they would to other Goblins seem unworthy of war so they take up the only other aspect they can which is stealing, and killing peasants. Due also to their genetic difference they are the only of the goblinoids not from eggs deep in the earth but rather born from victoms of their conquest(IE rape of human/elven women).

Just a suggestion/idea to explain why they are going against their nature of war.