On the History of the God War
Long ago, before mankind built its cities, before the Draconians smelted the first sword, before the Elves cast the fist magic, there existed two most powerful races. The Angels, and the White Ones.
Both were superbly advanced in their times, with earth-shifting machines, and ships that dominated the skies. They ruled seperatly, but each had a personal grudge against the other; how it first began, not even Elven scripture can tell. They fought fiercely and relentlessly, over land and sea, in skies and underground. It lasted decades without end. They kept both at bay, never seeming to gain the upper hand over the other. To all, it seemed like an endless war all for naught. But the people also did not relinquish thier hatred for the other. And thus, the fighting continued. Lakes were evaporated, and mountains decimated. A true War of the Gods.
To the North, the White Ones stirred like a million insects in the blizzards of Kamui. Their lands never ceasing the endless permafrost and snowcaps. It was a land of the uttermost abyss; but they lived thier happily.
Upon the central land of Harq, the Angels built cities of steel and glass. Towering beautiful cities surrounded by natural magnificence. They lived as kings and queens; all of them. No one Angel was poorer than the next, and no single one was ever unhappy with thier lives. A Utopia in the purest respect.
But these lives without worry were soon crushed under the newly immense weight of Kamui. Where Angels exceeded in technology and bravery, the White Ones outnumbered each and every one. Over 20 to 1. Soon, the forefronts of the Angels defense lines crumbled like thatched roofs under the ash of a volcano. The White Ones dominated the seas as they approached the quivering lands of Kamui. Then, came the shorelines. For nearly three long months, the Angels fought back the enomous vanguard ships of the North. But finally, utterly exhausted, they too crippled. The Angels era of domination was over, and the White Ones were to be the inheritors of all.
But one man wouldnt accept this. Grand Magi Titan was a firm believer in the Laws of Succesorship; the documents proposed by an old philosopher that the tribes' people across Somnia were the true inheritors of the lands. Through this, he presented the Council of Magi with his ideas. As a final stand, and through the mutual acceptance of all Angels throughout, they would erect an eternal barrier by using the souls of Angels. The barrier would destroy all White Ones outside of Kamui, and lock those inside the frozen land in a suspended animation forever. An inpenetrable sheild would gaurd the North land from all wishing to enter, never to let loose the evils of the White Ones again. At the behest of some, and the acceptance of others, Titan began the week-long sermon and chant, slowly forming this godly shield in existence. For the entire week, the most valiant of all Angels defended the last stronghold of Angels. Now known only as "The Tower," Grand Magi Titan and his most experienced magicians continued the chant as the warriors below defended from tides of the White Ones.
The week gone, and so began the new era of Somnia. Angelkind was wiped from the face of the land of Somnia, their only remnants hidden across the lands. The warriors that fought so bravely during the last battle's armors sunk deep into the Hidden Lake, only reanimating to protect the stronghold once more when the time comes. The White Ones were sealed away and fell into a deep sleep in the sealed Northern Lands, never known to any of the emerging races across the lands. From this most divine war, sprouted lores, legends, and even religions in the hearts and minds of the other seven races.
Humankind soon adopted a religion based on the doctrine guarded by the Elves. The Elves learned of the Angels magic in great abundance. The Aquarians discovered the ancient technology of the past, easily surpassing all other races in advancement. The Chalybdi developed a small belief system, based on the nearby Angel Tomb of thier lands.
As the Angels died, their ashes brought forth the guarantee of the others survival.
On the Geography of Somnia
http://i51.tinypic.com/2ytpmcp.jpg
Key: Dark Blue: Sea
Ligh Blue: Arctic/Tundra
Light Green: Coniferous Forest
Blue Green: Grassland/Marsh/Meadow
Dark Green: Jungle
Orange: Desert/Semi-Arid
Brown: Mountainous
Tan: Volcanic
Black: "Uninhabitable"
Grey Dot: Major City/Urbanized
Pink: Angel Stronghold
Purple: Angel Remnant
Red Line: Nation Border
On the Races of Somnia
-Romania
Land of the human race and home to the Pope City of Granida. Largest landmass in Somnia. Romania is dominated by large grassland expanses, producing copious amounts of rain, and a plethora of rivers. Romania's far south is drenched in an eternal hurricane, with wind-swept plains and heavily muddy grounds. Very few actually live near this arduous area. Romania's northern coast is dotted ewith hundreds of coastal towns. They transport and export en masse with such other nations as Windia and Volcanus. After the rise of the Pope, and the Unity Bill of 1200 AA, the government became largely monarchial, with the religious Pope as head. After a diminishing supply trade with the western cities of Romania, bands of warriors and nobles came together and fought for equal treatment. However, this escalated fully into war until in 1278, when Romania was split into two nations. The Seperatists (also known as the Union) to the west, and Pope Romania to the East. The Seperatists still grow extensively, but live in constant fear of an invasion by the Inquisitors (the Popes army).
The Pope Romania holds very dearly its fickle religious beliefs. Essentially stated in a nutshell, the Almighty Writings Artera dictate that the Angels were demigods, who built a Tower of Ascension in the far north of Kamui (which in reality is a misinterpreted view of what is actually the White Ones ancient stronghold). Through the studies of Elven scriptures, Artera was developed and edited to better explain the peoples way to "ascension". However, there is a darker side to this religion...
Artera also states that the northern lands are sealed off to keep the unworthy out and away from the Tower. The only way to release this seal is to be pure and enter the Angels Tower in Harq. Artera states that,
"The key of worthiness keeps the way to the Gods contained. Only one that which has the purest of hearts can use this key and make thier way to the Gods."
In some ways, this is true. There is a seal in the last Angel Stronghold, deep within the Forbidden Forest of Harq. Once this "key" is taken from its pedestal, the seal across Kamui is lifted. However, there is only one way to take the key. Fortunately, this way is completely uknown to all of the races in existence. Regardless, Pope Romania holds grudges against the Elves, and in the first months of 1250, Romania declared war on the land of Harq, claiming,
"The Elves are a delinquent race with no clue as to how to use the power of the Angels. We must take what is rightfully ours!" Thus began the War of the South. Thus far, the Elves have -somewhat- easily fended off human attacks. Besides the Great Burning in thier southern forest, the Elves have kept mankind from reaching its shores. Since 1280, Pope romania has lessened its war efforts in response to a recent dip in the economy, mostly due to the Civil War with the Seperatists.
Romania has a very Medieval Europe feel to it, using many forms of steel weaponry and makeshift catapults. They are ruled directly under the Church and the Pope. Before the Unity Bill was made, Romania was ruled by a parliamentary monarchy. The parliament is now dissolved. The Seperatist Union of the West is ruled by a High Council, each member of which is elected by several towns councils themselves. The Seperatists Union capital is Fernon, a large port town on the eastern edge of the penninsula. Fernon is widely known for being a very tolerant city in Romania, accepting all kinds of races around Somnia. Weir are particularly abundant (in terms of non-humans) due to the viscious civil war in their lands.
One of the few Angel Remnants nearby is The Great Bridge. A several mile-long link between Romania and Harq. It was made by the Angels, but is frequently used as a trading mechanism between Elves and Seperatists. A small bridge town is located about halfway throught the long trip.
-Harq
Home of the great Elves. Harq is the central land of Somnia but also one of the most reserved and non-inclusive of them all. Elves tend to keep other races out and dont initiate trade with anyone. Due to the recent battles with Romania -and the superiority complex of some Elven leaders- Elves live single-handedly upon the heavily forested island. The central capital city of Eurona supports most of the Elf population and is known for its Wonder, The Great Root. Great Root is a tremendous tree of an epic scale, standing miles high into the sky and covering 1/50 of the land with its canopy. The government and most of Eurona is actually located within this monstrous enitity. The other smaller towns and cities are scattered around the coniferous forests of Harq, but tend to stray away from the south due to the battles.
Being the inheritors of that last lands of the Angels, Elves naturally developed the ability to understand and produce magic. Thier prowess exceeds all other civilizations -save for maybe the Sorcerors of the Pope- and comes in many forms. From elemental control to the preservation or restoration of life itself. Elves are extremely capable beings. Due to the magical properties of the lands around them, Elf-kin naturally live to be well over 200 years old, with some even reaching 300. They are however slightly shorter than the average human. Most males are capable of only growing to 5"9. They are slim, lithe, and very fast. Elves arent as strong as humans, but can augment thier muscles with magic to match or even exceed that of any human soldier. Elves tend to stick to light clothing even during a heated battle; again, they augment the clothing with magic to make it more hardy.
Upon the west coast of Harq, lies the last remnant of the Angels stronghold. Deep within the Forbidden Forest lies The Tower. None know exactly what it looks like, and only know of its existence through Elven scripture, found and restored long ago in the libraries of Angels ruins. None have ventured into the forest and returned. It is a expansive forest, thick wiht a deep fog that one could nearly cut through. Those that enter are thrown into a confusing labrynth of madness-induxing magic, never to escape alive.
Elves live under a loose collection of noble councils, which are detirmined by power and birthright rather than the peoples. However, due to thier inherint wisdom, leaders are never corrupt or unsatisfying to the public. Unlike Romania's dictatorial Pope, the councils of the Elves are fair and just to its people. Since the battle with Romania began, transportation across the Great Bridge has been cut off from reaching any further into Harq than the horizontal longitude across The Great Burning.
-Windia
The great mountains of Windia are home to the free wings of the Harpies. A very young race upon the land of Somnia, the Harpies are considered still tribal in some respects. Harpies lack magic and advanced war machines like catapults, but are still very capable of winning. Due to thier supposed "weakness" many Romanian bands of thieves or mercenaries frequently sail over the Grey Inlet to Windia in hopes of pillaging Harpy villages on the coast. However, these expeditions usually go horribly wrong. Strong winds blow the sailors of course and those that manage to reach shores have to face long and treacherous journeys across mountains and cliffsides. Due to the flight capability of Harpies, villages easily defend from these brutes.
Harpies live very quiet lives atop wooden villages in the mountains. They have a society very similar to that of the Native Americans, with "nature spirits" as thier dieties and indulge in frequent festivals or parties. Villages are each led by Chieftans, and most tribes are tolerant of others. The largest tribe, Keesog, also harbors the Wonder known as Nanepaushat. Nanepaushat is an enormous wooden building with a size that rivals even the great Pope Cities buildings. What is truly amazing is its precariousness upon the cliffside of Mt. Ayim.
Harpies look much like Humans, but tend to be taller and stronger than most. All Harpies have arms with thousands of thick, long feathers used for flight. Harpies are generally tailored for long drawn out flights with little flapping, but some of the lower tribes are accustomed to faster and more animated flight.
-Hihend
The dense jungles of Hihend are home to the elusive Weir. Hihend is covered from head-to-toe and left-to-right with thick and enormous jungle trees. Each tree stands at well over a mile high, and thier canopies create an almost inpenetrable cieling of leaves and wood. Due to this, the bottom of Hihend is pitch black; one cannot even see thier hands right in front of thier faces. The forest floor is dominated by fungi and decomposers, while the tops are lively and much more hospitable. Giant insects patrol the upper ends of the jungle like the equivalent of dragons in Volcanus. Hihend is a very dangerous place to live in, especially for outsiders.
The Weir of Hihend are highly accustomed to the brutal life on the jungle trees, but even then, it is dangerous. Weir cities and towns are built out of wood, encircling the trunks of trees and linked by rickety bridges and suspended high above the forest floor; so far, that if one were to look below, they wopuld only see black. Cities tend to be located 3/4 up the tree, far from the unihabitable bottom, and fairly far from the voracious top. The citie are lit up brightly with the persistent glow of fungi brought from the bottom. Blue nad green glows of cities are visible from very far away in the trees confines. Weir are ruled by kings and queens, but never both at the same time. Currently, two king rules both sides of the Weir Civil War.
The Weir Civil War is a long-standing battle between opposing views on Weir culture and traditions. Though many view it as silly to fight over such things, the truth is much more important and dire for the survival of the entire forest itself. The Wonder of Hihend is its Great Remover; an enoumrous fungi visible even from space itself. It covers almost 1/25 of the entire Hihend land, and regulates the decomposition and restoration of the entire forest. It controls the nutrients in the soil and decomposes the enourmous trees faster than normal fungi can handle themselves. Now, the Great Remover wasnt always present...
There exists a Great Beast in Hihend known only as "Shell." An insect of equally epic proportions that hibernates in its shell was once known for the consumption of the Great Remover. When the Angels were still around, the tribespeople of Hihend viewed Shell as the destruction God, and came to resent it for the removal of thier Wonder. However, the Great Remover grew back with enough time and was just as large as before. On the West side of Hihend however, tradition dictates that all must die and be brought to life once more. Thus, even the Great Remover must dissapapear and come back to life. The East side believes in much the opposite; that only the Great Remover is eternal, and that Shell must never be revived again. Due to fear of this potential revival, East declared war upon the West and split Hihend down the middle. Many refugees from both sides escape to parts of Romania and Crescent in hopes of a better life.
Weir are considered brutes by the peoples of Romania, due to thier large size and tremendous strength. Weir males and females easily reach over 6" at the smallest. They sport canine-like fangs and are a very tan peoples, considered exotic by noble Humans. They dress in very light silk clothing due to the humidity of Hihend, and tend to use spears instead of sabers and bows. What few bowmen they have, actualyl weild what are known to Romania as, "Grand Launchers." Enormous bows with arrows that could pierce a brick wall!
Weir tradition dictates that couples are to have a single child, but fortunately, niether gender is preffered over the other. Parents devote extreme attention and care to children, as well as create closely-nit communities in the cities they reside in. Depending on the individual traditions of the families, children are destined to become hunters, foragers, or builders. Hunters band with other great fighters to prey on the many species living in the canopy. Foragers harvest fungi and plants growing on the sides of trees in specially built greenhouses. Builders create the housing and structures of cities, as well as manufacture clothing and pottery.
-Volcanus
This toxic and barren wateland filled with ahsen clouds and spewing lava by the second is home to the race of Dracon. Despite the obvious dangers of Volcanus, Dracon live happily in thier fiery civilization. Dracon are highly resitant to heat -capable of running through fire without any discomfort even- and can breath carbon air without choking on thier own lungs. Due to thier hardy adaptability, Dracon are never bothered by outside races. If they were, the invaders would be sluaghtered easily before they even took a few steps; thier eyes would be blinded and thier boots would melt under thier own feet. They would not be able to breathe and would die of heat stroke by the waves of lava.
But its quite nothing to the Dracon! Cities are made of black iron and boats float on rivers of lava. The Dracon live in a single city that stretches from the North Ravine End all the way to the South Ravine End. Along the entire way, city buildings and structures pervade. On both sides, volcanoes spew magma from thier depths and create rivers of fire for transportation. Due to the heat of the lands, the only water source comes from the coastline, which is brought by the prasied "Water Bearers." These specially chosen individuals run from dawn till dusk -and sometimes days- to carry gallons of water from the north or south coasts. Dracon live on very little water, and as such are capable of building up eough water in heavily shielded water tanks. When they are filled, it is considered "Hardening," a season in Draconian culture when the Water Bearers are left to live very comfortably in grand mansions filled with women and drink. Other hardy creatures -like the Tempest Vulture- are what the Dracon have domesticated, much like Romanian cows.
Volcanus is ruled by a single monarch, much like Hihends Weir government. Currently, it is Queen Aithne, considered the most iron-fisted of all. Under her rule, production was increased ten-fold -much to the peoples gratitude- and trade with such civilizations as Romania and Hihend have prospered. Draconians are known for thier powerful and extravagant weaponry, with heavily smelted swords and shields that can stop even a Weir Arrow. They are the true masters of warfare in Somnia.
In 1278, A secret Harq noble council and Volcanus made a pact to ally if the war with Romania escalated once more. With Volcanus as thier ally, Romania was sure to lose. Unbeknownst to these secret allies however, the entire reason the war effort died down in Romania was because of this "secret" pact. The civil war in Romania was merely an excuse to back down.
Draconians are humans with demon-like horns. No pair of horns is the same as the next, and many attractions are based on horn preference in individuals. Draconians grow to the same size as Humans, and are just slightly stronger. They wear heavy head-to-toe armor in battle, but civilian clothing is attired with medium-thick cotton and designed with intiricate patterns.
2011-01-01, 15:19
Author
Isn't that illegal? Also he (assuming you mean ugly-dude) doesn't have to pay for the damages when he is the victim. In particular when he's nearly killed, which is what would be required for the surgery scenario.
