A Fantasy Dynasty

merkros said:
I could set it up in a guide form with a numbered table of contents, so people can jump to a specific topic with ctrl+f. this would be the easiest to set up. However, It would still just be a single page and it would only really just make navigating it easier.
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But it's a good start. If the blob gets too large, we can seperate the general information from more specific information (say on the regions).

What would be most useful however is perhaps an overview over the story archs and their variables (and how they are supposed to be used), either here or in the writer's information. That would be writer stuff to do, not your responsibility. Example for such a block:

Hedonism
Size: Major storyline
From: The Rouge Countess
State: work in progress
Authors: Alexandra, merkos, SonOfDusk
Synopsis: Under the influence of the succubus that possessed Countess Marissa, Bryce slips deeper and deeper into a cycle of hedonism, corruption and debauchery.
Possible outcomes: The Ursupation, Tyranny, Disappearance of King Bryce, Civil War, Assassination
Dramatis Personae: Bryce (King, Human, m), Marissa (Queen, Succubus, ?), Vessa (Mage, Half-Elf, m), Sarah (Chambermaid, Human, f), Fiona (Chambermaid, Human, f), Annika (Librarian, Human, f), Maria (Merchant's Daughter, Human, f), Akina (Spymaster, Catkin, f), Ursha (Spy, Catkin, f), Lord Gilbert (King's Council, Human, m)
Use of Variables: No (but planned)
Variables: -

The Merchant Consortium
Size: Minor
From: Hedonism (is part of)
State: Work in progress
Authors: SonOfDusk
Synopsis: Bryce comes across a trader whose corrupt behavior warrants closer investigation.
Possible outcomes: Death of Akina, Disappearance of King Bryce, Sizing all the merchant's assets
Dramatis Personae: Maria (Merchant's Daughter, Human, f)
Use of Variables: No (but planned to be integrated into the kingdom's variables)
Variables: -

Perhaps these storylines could be marked in the chapters as well, e.g. Yes (Hedonism, Conditional Variables used), Stimulate the trade (The Merchant Consortium). Additionally, collecting information on the protagonist would be sweet, e.g. noting his crush on Lady Vessa in his youth etc


dearnise said:
I wonder what people are thinking about my "Amazon Raiders" arc, and if people want to see me move it forward a little faster, or if I should work out the plot branches & links first.
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I like the story so far, however I'd prefer that you use no ampersands in your writing. It does nothing for the flow of reading but disrupt it. There is also a missmatch between your description of Lady Vessa and merkos' description. I am not so sure about the usage of succubus in your storyline and am excited to see where you will develop the story in this regard. Working on your branches that lead to the relevation of the amazon queen's secret would be good, other than that, it seems best to drive the story forward. If you want, I can have a look at some chapters and proof-read them.
 
SonOfDusk said:
I like the story so far, however I'd prefer that you use no ampersands in your writing. It does nothing for the flow of reading but disrupt it. There is also a missmatch between your description of Lady Vessa and merkos' description. I am not so sure about the usage of succubus in your storyline and am excited to see where you will develop the story in this regard. Working on your branches that lead to the relevation of the amazon queen's secret would be good, other than that, it seems best to drive the story forward. If you want, I can have a look at some chapters and proof-read them.
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I did as much research into how Mekros gave Vessa's appearance as I could. At the time of that particular writing, I felt the description he gave had enough room for me to come up with my detailed appearance of Bryce's court mage. My arcs will likely have a diverse array of characters--not just in backgrounds, but of various body shapes & sizes.

As for your desires to see me drive the story forward, I am planning on doing that, as soon as I finish working out a last option for the latest progress, and add a few optional paths that will link to existing threads.
 
Honestly, As long as the reader can go from the beginning of the story to the end of the story with characters having the same consistent appearance...I don't mind if there's a bit of a difference between dearnise's Vessa and my Vessa. I know many people here read all of the chapters as they come out, but I like to visualize it as a book(with choices) and no take-backs. If people can get from Chapter 1 to the end and the story is consistent, that's the important part.

I'm not expecting 100% accuracy of facts across all of the aspiring writers. That would be...implausible at this point. I would be getting into contact with people constantly about one little thing after another and I think it would end up frustrating them as well as me.
 
I'm planning to draft a group marriage/consummation scene for King Bryce's alternative where he decides to take initiation into the King's Own Regiment following the chapter where Bryce disguises himself as a soldier: "Get Pinch's help to mingle with the soldiers". Bryce's bodyguard says that his father the King did the same, so it'll be tempting despite the political and personal risks.

I was figuring on the soldiers' collective brides being a mixed group of commoners, refugees, foreigners, ex-slaves and a displaced gentlewoman or two who have found working for The King's Own to be a supportive refuge and are now ready to marry the regiment in a literal sense, joining with the newly inducted soldiers of this favored military order. Maybe the assortment would reflect whoever's around Itheria's capital and/or whoever might have tagged along with the army during the regency period (when the troops were mostly within Itheria's borders keeping order). Maybe there would be a couple of soldiers' widows rejoining the "family" this way.

Suggestions for who should be part of the group of brides? Any sort of character in particular who might be interesting to write about? Would The King's Own accept beastfolk in this role?
 
Zingiber said:
Suggestions for who should be part of the group of brides? Any sort of character in particular who might be interesting to write about? Would The King's Own accept beastfolk in this role?
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I would imagine that something like that would be a thing where women who want a better life and don't really have too many other options would go to...perhaps through an application process or they only accept a limited number of ladies or something.

Just a couple of things off the top of my head that I can think of...Perhaps an exiled noble lady from another country with no other place to go. Like say the loser of a civil war or something. Obviously this could be a big deal depending on the stature of the lady involved. Or perhaps one of the brides is not just an ex-slave, but was actually still technically a slave and was bought/sold/given to The King's Own either as a gift, or bought and freed by whatever member of The King's Own might do that, or bought and forced to be one of the brides by one of the more seedy members. Slavery is illegal in Itheria, but there are pockets of it within the kingdom. She may enlighten the king that while it may not be legal, it's still a problem.

As for whether The King's Own would accept beastfolk, that really depends on how progressive you wish for them to be. I could honestly see it both ways. It's been a fairly recent development that beastfolk have gotten basic societal rights and most people still treat them as second-class citizens. So being an organization that's mostly commoners in some form or another, they may not have had access to the education or knowledge necessary to overcome their prejudices, or see them as weak and impure creatures. However, they also seem like they're an "of the people" kind of group. Many of them may have decided to attempt to become part of The King's Own because they had no place else to go and wanted to have a better life..even if that better life was rigorous training and combat. They may sympathize with the Beastfolk's plight of being misfits and outcasts.
 
merkros said:
Perhaps an exiled noble lady from another country with no other place to go. Like say the loser of a civil war or something. Obviously this could be a big deal depending on the stature of the lady involved.
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That could spin out another plot arc related to her home country. Good suggestion!
merkros said:
As for whether The King's Own would accept beastfolk, that really depends on how progressive you wish for them to be. I could honestly see it both ways.
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Yes, either they're guardians of their sense of Itherian traditions and thus not yet open, or (if Bryce's father willed it) they've been early to be progressive on this point. King Bryce's influence could tilt their preferences. I'm guessing it's more likely they'll start out as more traditional and specifically welcome to humans in the ranks, though there might be Beastfolk working to support the regiment.
 
Hearing you guys talk about ideas for brides also has me thinking about the next Bryce story arc that I want to do, and it is definitely in the area of finding his ideal bride. I am thinking about writing up at least 3 choices for Bryce:
  • A Phebian princess. Maybe the adult sons were killed in the "Amazon Raiders" arc, and in the time between the arcs, the aging king & queen have also died. So maybe Bryce takes the eldest princess as a bride because the Phebian people do not want a woman to rule, and he can either keep Phebis as a vassal, or annex it into Itheria.
  • Queen Cielina. I think regardless of the outcome of the "Amazon Raiders" arc, Cielina becomes wiser with age, and her mind, body, & soul have become open to what Motania could offer. She would also be in the "prime" of her young adult life, and her sex drive is at its peak. Whether of not she already gave birth to a son, daughter, or fraternal twins after the first arc, is yet to be decided.
  • A young, champion, female Frost Knight. (Based on what Omegah2o has written, so far.) After Phebis, Bryce likely turned his attention to what has been going on in the Frostpeaks, especially about what Duke Magus has done since taking over. In an effort to strengthen or reforge ties, Bryce either chooses a female Frost Knight, or Magus appoints one.
  • A maiden from a land East of Phebis, but north of Al-Anashab. This would be a new region to introduce, and it would likely have a Medieval Spanish or Byzantine culture. Regardless of the culture, given its ties to the trade route that connects Itheria & Phebis, Bryce could take the move to bring the corresponding kingdom into the Itherian fold. Details TBD.
  • An Elf from Elilethiel. Maybe the female Elf in question is part of the Elves' effort to forge some ties with potential allies because of threats further out from Itheria. She could also be an independent merchant with a very strong knowledge of economics & trade, or someone that can provide the training needed for Itheria to be better suited for an expedition into either The Great Forest, or the Kirsten Crags.
I also had a wild idea for Bryce's heir to the throne. Maybe during the time he is growing up, he has forged a friendship with 7 different young girls. So when he becomes of age, those 7 women are also of age, and it becomes a "battle" over who would become his bride.
 
I'll be honest when I say that I don't know exactly where Al-Anashab or Elilethiel are. Based on the descriptions that have been added to the story and talk here. I sort of guess that with Phebis being east and southeast along the coast from Itheria, which is a pretty on the nose description of where it is in most branches. Al-Anashab would be even farther east/southeast than that beyond Phebis. Meanwhile Elilethiel would be sort of northwest of Phebis and Northeast of Itheria on the other side of The Great Forest(which is probably separate from Elilethiel's forests somehow).

They actually seem to have ended up in a different location from where I had envisioned. Originally I was going to have Elilethiel be on the opposite side of the continent from Itheria(eastward) and then Al-Anashab would then be like Northwest of the Kirsten Crags. However, I never specified where Elilethiel was and Alexandra never specified where Al-Anashab was. So I can't really complain. I did say that people could cement elements into place as long as they haven't already been.

Also since everyone else is talking about their plans. I figured I may as well. I've been working a bit on getting some Bad Endings that I've been sitting on for awhile tidied up...Mostly involving Princess Anna. However, Cantalope's chapter To The Capital did give me an idea for a branch where Prince Donmal becomes a bit more influenced by his demonic nature and becomes more lustful, alienates Tara, then either attempts to force Tara or go on to deal with his demon/mother alone in whatever way he wishes. Attempting to force Tara will probably end with the sorceress incinerating him...

Of course, as the summer months is my busy time for work. I have little time to write like I had back in February-May. So my timeframe is tentative at best.
 
I was figuring Al-Anashab would be somewhere in the center of the realms we're creating, given its "Arabic nature". Combine that with Itheria being a temperate mix of grassy plains, hills, and forests, and my head placed it somewhere East/Southeast of Itheria. So the Amazon Islands, to me, would definitely be well to the South, in a part of the realms that would allow for a tropical or "Greek Mediterranean" climate. Given all of that, I also considered giving the lands to the immediate East of Phebis similar temperate climates, with a culture similar to Medieval Catalan, Italy, or Germany.

This is where it gets interesting, at least on my end. What if the lands East of Al-Anashab is similar to what you find in Medieval India, or the Far East during its Feudal Dynasties? I'm figuring that it would be either its own separate continent, or it's kept separate from lands like Itheria because of terrain that would be too difficult to travel regularly, like a vast desert, and some rugged mountain terrain.

Then there's lands that could lay further North & Northwest from the Goldfields. It could have a mix of Nordic & Celtic culture. Maybe further Northeast, we could have plains inhabited by Orcs, or mountain ranges that serve as the latest home for the Dwarves and Gnomes, with valleys that serve as fertile farmlands for Hobbits/Halflings.

Just one of many ideas that can be spun around.
 
Considering how Far East nations deified their rulers(Mainly Japan and China), it could lead to some interesting scenarios.

The hurdle with putting realms in a very distant context is giving them a reason to interact with Itheria and the nobles involved.
 
merkros said:
Considering how Far East nations deified their rulers(Mainly Japan and China), it could lead to some interesting scenarios.

The hurdle with putting realms in a very distant context is giving them a reason to interact with Itheria and the nobles involved.
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I think some of the overland trade routes that Itheria & Phebis are connected to could lead all the way to the Far East nations. I also thought about playing out a scene, where a grand armada from one of those Far East nations could visit, but that is for another story arc.

Speaking of story arc, I don't know which arc to play out next. Should I have Bryce strengthen or forge ties with the Frostpeaks and/or Goldfields people? Or should I have him go bride-searching?
 
Well, I definitely think from a political position where Bryce is currently the only member of his dynasty...Marriage should probably be a pretty high priority. How he goes about this is largely up to you, but marriage was often a tool used to strengthen ties between people. So perhaps he could go bride-searching and become friends with people within his realm.
 
I have gone ahead and updated the writer's resource page with the latest information. With that said, I haven't been the most attentive over the last month or so. So If i have missed something go ahead and let me know, or if you have anything that you want to add, do the same and let me know and i'll add it. I believe the big additions was a segment about The King's Own and the Duchy of Hightree. I was also going to add something about The Frost Knights, but I think that's mentioned under Duchy of The Frostpeaks well enough...At least until Omegah2o adds more about them. I also added a request for anyone who wishes to write long-term to join our discussions here.

I've been working on an updated version of the resource page for awhile to make it easier to manage and to put it back on the bottom of the list of choices where it belongs. However, Despite a few iterations; I have not managed to get one that i'm happy with. So that's still a work in progress.
 
merkros said:
I have gone ahead and updated the writer's resource page with the latest information. With that said, I haven't been the most attentive over the last month or so. So If i have missed something go ahead and let me know, or if you have anything that you want to add, do the same and let me know and i'll add it. I believe the big additions was a segment about The King's Own and the Duchy of Hightree. I was also going to add something about The Frost Knights, but I think that's mentioned under Duchy of The Frostpeaks well enough...At least until Omegah2o adds more about them. I also added a request for anyone who wishes to write long-term to join our discussions here.

I've been working on an updated version of the resource page for awhile to make it easier to manage and to put it back on the bottom of the list of choices where it belongs. However, Despite a few iterations; I have not managed to get one that i'm happy with. So that's still a work in progress.
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Thanks!

I've been weighing options for Bryce and The King's Own (or his other choices of staying aloof, or setting up a strong base in the capital). There are some dire consequences in store if he doesn't govern seriously.

-Z.
 
I find myself very fascinated by this Al-Anashab. I would be very eager to start writing an adventure there if someone hanst already. I could use a little context just to make sure I don't make to many obvious mistakes, like climate, culture government, and established characters of note to utilize.
 
Well, there hasn't really been that much establishing information on the place within the context of the story. It was only mentioned briefly in one of Alexandra's posts here. With this in mind, i believe that general consensus in this thread is that it comprises a desert region probably somewhere in the center of the continent to the east. Whether that would mean that it would be directly east of Phebis, or if there would be more in between would be up for debate. I would imagine the answer to that question would decide whether Itheria is located more in the western part of the continent like say an equivalent of medieval France, or is in more of a central nation like say Italy, or Greece.

I, for one, would say that there is probably at least one other nation between Phebis and Al-Anashab. Either a larger nation which would explain why Phebis sees its friendship with Itheria so important, or 2 or 3 smaller ones. However, there does have to be some sort of transitory region between the lush fields of Itheria and Phebis and the deserts of Al-Anashab.
 
merkros said:
Well, there hasn't really been that much establishing information on the place within the context of the story. It was only mentioned briefly in one of Alexandra's posts here. With this in mind, i believe that general consensus in this thread is that it comprises a desert region probably somewhere in the center of the continent to the east. Whether that would mean that it would be directly east of Phebis, or if there would be more in between would be up for debate. I would imagine the answer to that question would decide whether Itheria is located more in the western part of the continent like say an equivalent of medieval France, or is in more of a central nation like say Italy, or Greece.

I, for one, would say that there is probably at least one other nation between Phebis and Al-Anashab. Either a larger nation which would explain why Phebis sees its friendship with Itheria so important, or 2 or 3 smaller ones. However, there does have to be some sort of transitory region between the lush fields of Itheria and Phebis and the deserts of Al-Anashab.
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I was personally thinking that Al-Anashab would lay to the South & East of Itheria, putting it in a part of the planet, where conditions tend to make such areas a desert. There could also be a high mountain region to the East of Itheria & Phebis, similar to the Frostpeak Mountains, that casts a rain shadow over Al-Anashab, helping to give Al-Anashab its desert-like climate. In my story arc, I've sort of given Al-Anashab a mix of Turkish and Saracen/Arabic culture, so that it would more accurately reflect it as a region for where the latest technological advancements can spread Westward, or Eastward.

So based on what is already being depicted for Itheria, I would probably give it a Medieval France environment, and save the Italian/Greek-like culture for a region East of Phebis. So maybe the lower valley regions in the Frostpeak Mountains area could have a Spanish/Portuguese-like culture?
 
If Dearnise and Ultrasound's Al-Anashab are a bit different, that's fine as long as they're consistent through their respective stories.

As i mentioned, I'm not expecting 100% accuracy of facts across everyone.Considering that I've moved from accepting posts not just from people who have ideas for large overarching stories, but accepting any posts that are well written and of a reasonable length(with few exceptions).

This may lead to more dead ends in the long run, but we'll see. I'm not one to leave plot lines hanging, but I already have a lot on my plate with all of the plot lines that I have going.

dearnise said:
I was personally thinking that Al-Anashab would lay to the South & East of Itheria, putting it in a part of the planet, where conditions tend to make such areas a desert. There could also be a high mountain region to the East of Itheria & Phebis, similar to the Frostpeak Mountains, that casts a rain shadow over Al-Anashab, helping to give Al-Anashab its desert-like climate. In my story arc, I've sort of given Al-Anashab a mix of Turkish and Saracen/Arabic culture, so that it would more accurately reflect it as a region for where the latest technological advancements can spread Westward, or Eastward.
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The Frostpeaks could split off with one part of it continuing to extend along the southern border of Phebis and the other part curving up northward and turning into hills fairly quickly as described by Omegah2o in his first chapter. Then Al-Anashab could be south of that. If there wasn't a clear path through the mountains until you get to Phebis, then it could explain why Phebis is so lucrative as the only nation nearby with access through the mountains.
 
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