Twilight Empire

[Megamanfan]

Just so you know, I'm cross-posting this for maximum feedback. I've been hammering away at my idea for a few weeks and I've come up with some stuff for your perusal. Feel free to add your thoughts. So far I'm liking the direction things are taking for the most part. I'm not really a fan of some of the names I have and the map really doesn't have the large, Rome-like scale I'm seeking. I'd next like to start working on a hex map in the Mystara style as my own little tribute: now if I can only find some way to DO it.
Please also note that these are mental regurgitation and haven't been edited. I'm still in the birthing phase of things.

Enjoy.

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Twilight Empire
Purpose: Twilight Empire is a game where humanity is based off the Roman Empire near it's waning years. While it's based on the politics and structure of the day, it may not really be a Bronze Age setting and may indeed be based on a more Middle Ages, Renaissance or even Victorian period. The goal is to create a massive, sprawling empire full of not only external but internal strife. Players will be able to tip the balance of order and chaos and will, during a very key part of the campaign, be able to either save the empire or damn it to destruction.

The goal of the game is to give the players a chance to build a hero up from more or less a no one to someone who will eventually preform epic heroics. The game will have lots of action and since dice rolls from the GM will be made out in the open, lethality will be a factor. No NPC cleric will be readily found with a resurrection spell and finding one will be as difficult find as a Lifewell (see Elves). Another feature that's desired is for players to take a role in creating their own lands, cities, towns, cultures, etc. PCs should have the option to have a hand in making a little bit of the world their own to give them a more engaging experience and to give them more of a stake in what happens to the world.
Humans - Most prevalent race in the world. The Thaleesian Empire is in dire straights. The Broken Legion hammers at her borders, the senate is a powerless figurehead and the emperor spends obscene amounts of the treasury on his own whims of excess and debauchery. It's said that humans get their magical talents from cross-breeding with elves eons ago. Once in a great while a human is born with pointed ears (half elves), leading some experts to claim that this theory is valid. To Thaleesians, the number 3 is sacred and its often used in their daily lives from construction to worship to trade.

Emperor Kaius mother, Mephrita, is the real power behind the throne. She has sold her soul to the dark gods of the Underworld for powerful magic which she uses to mentally enslave her son. There is another son, Pious, whose memories have been wiped by his mothers magic. He lives as a blacksmith in a far off town and is highly regarded for his skill. The spell also makes it so no one recognizes him, even those who were once close to the prince. It is possible to break Mephritas magic, but it will require even more powerful magic. There is a sage at the far edge of the empire who will know but his tower in the Eastern Wastes; his power is greatly feared by Kragg and his Broken Legion and they do no antagonize him, for he has bested them many times before.
The Khalarian Emirates is directly south of Thaleesia, the Empires capital, and sits on one of the continents massive peninsulas. Situated in the massive Kalphen Desert, the Emirates depends on the trade of food for goods from the Empire across the Ulan Bay to survive. The government is run by massively rich merchant sheiks who rule over each town and gather once a year to choose a new king (or reappoint a new one). This king is often the most respected and most powerful merchant and is the one who breaks any and all ties and has the final say on any issue facing the Emirates. The Emirates are protected by a massive volcanic mountain range to the east known as the Hellscrag Mountains. Theres also an ancient pyramid in the northeastern reaches of the Emirates rumored to hold many powerful Elven, Dwarven and even ancient Human artifacts but is guarded by terrible demons.
Dwarves - A proud warrior race who, since the dawn of humanity, have been tutors to the whole of the human race and making sure they don't repeat the mistakes of their past. Dwarves caution on the misuse of magic (most Dwarves refuse to partake in it's practice) and the virtues of hard work, self-reliance and ingenuity. They are humanities foremost ally in the battle against the Broken Legion.

Dwarves are the patriarchal teachers of humanity, being left the role by the Elves upon they're leaving this world. They are the closest demihuman allies to humans but in the Empire, they have stepped back from humanity after Emperor Kaius, under his mother's control, kicked them out and told them that they were basically no longer needed. So, to teach humanity a lesson, they're refusing to help as the Broken Legion begins it's march across the Empire. In reality, King Fairblade, the Dwarven leader, was killed months ago and his place taken by a shapeshifter. There's a large group of Dwarves who suspect something is very wrong and are working to undermine the king.
Elves - Believed to have died out centuries ago. In reality no one knows what for certain what actually happened. Some say they have left this world by "sailing beyond the vale; the ocean that never ends". Their ancient relics are considered priceless and are coveted by adventurers the world over. Some say they've left the very seeds of humanity's salvation...or destruction; the folly of one race and lessons for another. The most legendary of these relics is known as "The Throne of the Last King", said to be a powerful political tool, used to save or damn a nation.

Elves have long since left the world, but the artifacts they have left behind can still be found all over the world in various nooks and crannies of the world. Ancient pools scattered across the world are capable of bringing the dead back to life. These Lifewells were created and left behind by the Elves and, as fate would have it, are always in remote and very dangerous areas. Once a Lifewell is used to bring a person back from the dead, it can never be used again.
Gnomes - An offshoot of the Dwarven race created from the aftermath of "The Wasting", a magical disease that robs a Dwarf of his or her strength and shortens their lifespan. They are extremely curious and love to tinker and trade. In Dwarven society they are considered second class citizens who mostly do drudge work. Most leave their mountain home and take up a new life in human cities, making various creations for their caregivers who help them with various treatments for their disease, slowing it's progress.

Gnomes are the shame of the Dwarven people. Long ago, when Dwarves toyed with magic, they unleashed a magical plague that nearly wiped out their race. The ones who did not die eventually became Gnomes and were cast out by Dwarvenkind, for they reminded the Dwarven people of their great shame. The event also caused Dwarves to swear off of magic forever and only the most diabolical Dwarf will practice it. Since they're exodus, the Gnomes have found a home among humans. Their tinkering ways have led to several innovations that have been adopted by the Empire. Chief among these creations are the massive airships employed by the Thaleesian Navy.
Felinae - Horned cat people from a far off land. Spiritual and nature based; they live in a variety of environments and come in an equal variety of species. Outsiders believe them to be demon-touched though they are fairly peaceful. (NOTE: This is the girlfriend's race so I don't know too much about them yet)
The Broken Legion - Orcs, Gnolls, Goblinoids and Trolls who come from the Eastern Wastes, a desert surrounded by a ring of vast mountains. A decade ago, these vastly different and violent creatures ceased their age old war and became united under an Orcish Warchief named Kragg. Now they want nothing more than to destroy the Thaleesian Empire and it's allies for the gloty of the Broken. The Broken have been nipping at the far boundaries of the Empire for the last several years, only recently bringing major attacks upon three keeps on the far southern border known as The Three Shields. Its believed that its only a matter of time (a month or less) before the Shields are broken and the Legion pushes on towards the frontier towns to the north. Kragg, leader of the Broken Legion, is a heartless dictator who bas brought some semblance of order, albeit a brutal order, to the once unfocused and warring races that make up the Legion. What prisoners the Legion takes is mostly used as slaves but they are, on occasion, used for food by Trolls and some cannibalistic Orcs and Trolle. Kraggs goal is the destruction of the Thaleesian Empire and then plans to use the lands as a stepping stone to taking over the rest of the world; with the Khalarian Protectorate as step two.
Years

Ago
1000000 The world is created.
900000 Elves are born of the world.
850000 Dwarves walk the world.
65000 Humans are born. Elves take interest and tutor them, even breeding with them.
30000 Elves take leave of the world, leaving humanity in the Dwarves hands.
2900 Dwarven mages, experimenting on Elven relics uncovered at an ancient grove accidentally unleashes a magical disease that would be known as "The Wasting". The first Gnome is born, followed by many more as The Wasting" infects nearly half the Dwarven population.
2300 Gnomes, looked upon by Dwarves as second-class citizens, leave their homes and migrate to human lands, finding a lukewarm reaction at first. But their gift for gadgets quickly win them an honored spot in human societies.
2000 The Thaleesian Empire is founded, slowly conquering city-states and barbarian lands.
600 The Eastern Wastes become occupied by various evil humanoids. Warring begins soon after.
100 The Thaleesian Empire reaches it's current height of power.
20 Emperor Kaius is crowned emperor after his brothers mysterious disappearance. The emperor removes all power from the senate, begins an epic spending spree, nearly draining the coffers in a few months.
10 After centuries of fighting, Warchief Kragg unites the "Broken Legion". Skirmishes on the Empire's eastern borders begin.
0 Constant border wars and Emperor Kaius' extravagant expenditures have left the army strained, with some units even abandoning their posts after not being paid or fed for months. The Broken Legion makes constant advances and some speculate that the Empire will be lost if something isn't done soon.

[Treebore]

I just discovered a nice little hex mapping program on the internet, free! Inspired by the very maps your talking about!
http://inkwellideas.com/?page_id=160
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The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

[Megamanfan]

Treebore wrote:
I just discovered a nice little hex mapping program on the internet, free! Inspired by the very maps your talking about!
http://inkwellideas.com/?page_id=160

That's pretty sweet, thanks! I'll have to play with this more.