(IR) The 5th IR - 3rd OOC Thread (OPEN)

[azmodean]

The area formerly known as the Barbarian Seameast will now be known as Burundi.

to Album Cover X/Pharaoh Duamutef:
[sblock]
A foreign Androsphinx enters your capitol and requests an audience with Pharaoh Dumutef.
If the audience is granted:

The Androsphinx introduces himself as an ambassador from the kingdom of Burundi which is led by N'grath. "Greetings from N'grath, leader of the dwarves and allied creatures of Burundi. N'grath has watched Ta Neteru from his home in Burundi for many, many years, and has gained respect for the effeciency and good husbandry of nature practiced here."

"N'grath has also been watching the leaders of other nations, and their disregard for the well being of their homelands. N'grath has now decided that the time has come when those who respect nature can no longer stand by while destruction on a massive scale is perpertrated upon the lands of Oreth. Those who destroy must be stopped."

"N'grath wishes to discuss with your Majesty (OOC: don't know the proper honorific for a Pharaoh) what measures should be enacted to protect the land upon which we live and rely for our very lives. N'grath eagerly awaits your Majesties reply."

The Androsphynx waits for a reply to the message or dismissal.
[/sblock]

To Bugbear/King Seth Rhiannon of Nyrond
[sblock]
A foreign Treant enters your capitol and requests an audience with King Rhiannon.
If the audience is granted:

The Treant introduces himself as an ambassador from the kingdom of Burundi which is led by N'grath. "Greetings from N'grath, leader of the dwarves and allied creatures of Burundi. N'grath has watched Nyrond from his home in Burundi for many, many years, and has gained respect for the effeciency and good husbandry of nature practiced here."

"N'grath has also been watching the leaders of other nations, and their disregard for the well being of their homelands. N'grath has now decided that the time has come when those who respect nature can no longer stand by while destruction on a massive scale is perpertrated upon the lands of Oreth. Those who destroy must be stopped."

"N'grath wishes to discuss with your Majesty what measures should be enacted to protect the land upon which we live and rely for our very lives. N'grath eagerly awaits your Majesties reply."

The Treant waits for a reply to the message or dismissal.
[/sblock]

To Eluvan/King Arden of Keoland:
[sblock]
A foreign Treant enters your capitol and requests an audience with King Arden.
If the audience is granted:

The Treant introduces himself as an ambassador from the kingdom of Burundi which is led by N'grath. "Greetings from N'grath, leader of the dwarves and allied creatures of Burundi. N'grath has watched Keoland from his home in Burundi for many, many years, and has gained respect for the effeciency and good husbandry of nature practiced here."

"N'grath has also been watching the leaders of other nations, and their disregard for the well being of their homelands. N'grath has now decided that the time has come when those who respect nature can no longer stand by while destruction on a massive scale is perpertrated upon the lands of Oreth. Those who destroy must be stopped."

"N'grath wishes to discuss with your Majesty what measures should be enacted to protect the land upon which we live and rely for our very lives. N'grath eagerly awaits your Majesties reply."

The Treant waits for a reply to the message or dismissal.
[/sblock]

To Fiesty dog/Emperor of Nippon?:
[sblock]
A foreign Nymph (hiding her visage to aviod harming bystanders) enters your capitol and requests an audience with King Rhiannon. She suppresses her abilities once she identifies herself.
If the audience is granted:

The Nymph introduces herself as an ambassador from the kingdom of Burundi which is led by N'grath. "Greetings from N'grath, leader of the dwarves and allied creatures of Burundi. N'grath has watched the Nippon Dominion from his home in Burundi for many, many years, and has gained respect for the effeciency and good husbandry of nature practiced here."

"N'grath has also been watching the leaders of other nations, and their disregard for the well being of their homelands. N'grath has now decided that the time has come when those who respect nature can no longer stand by while destruction on a massive scale is perpertrated upon the lands of Oreth. Those who destroy must be stopped."

"N'grath wishes to discuss with your Majesty (OOC: not sure of the proper honorific, or who is actually being addressed for that matter) what measures should be enacted to protect the land upon which we live and rely for our very lives. N'grath eagerly awaits your Majesties reply."

The Nymph waits for a reply to the message or dismissal.
[/sblock]

To James Heard/leader of Polaria/Aquaria:
[sblock]
A foreign Tojanida enters your capitol and requests an audience with your leader.
If the audience is granted:

The Tojanida introduces himself as an ambassador from the kingdom of Burundi which is led by N'grath. "Greetings from N'grath, leader of the dwarves and allied creatures of Burundi. N'grath has watched Polaria and Aquaria from his home in Burundi for many, many years, and has gained respect for the effeciency and good husbandry of nature practiced here."

"N'grath has also been watching the leaders of other nations, and their disregard for the well being of their homelands. N'grath has now decided that the time has come when those who respect nature can no longer stand by while destruction on a massive scale is perpertrated upon the lands of Oreth. Those who destroy must be stopped."

"N'grath wishes to discuss with your Majesty what measures should be enacted to protect the land upon which we live and rely for our very lives. N'grath eagerly awaits your Majesties reply."

The Tojanida waits for a reply to the message or dismissal.
[/sblock]

I've run out of time, so I'll send my missives to the rest of the people who will be getting them later, no offence intended to anyone, I was sending in the order presented in the megapost, yea, that's it, blame Edena(just kidding Edena, you're doing a great job).

 

[Rikandur Azebol]

Edena, I would like You to put this flavour text in my info.
Thank You for the great job in advance.

Notable NPC's:
Iuz's mother, Iggvilw the Epic Conjurer, she posses Baba Yaga Hut.
Drelzna Darkblade, his seventeen years old Suel sister who is Epic Soulblade.
Captain Ripp O'Hezrou, Elite Hezrou Demon, freshly promoted.
General Sindol, leader of the Black Death legion, Cambion Fighter renowned for his cool efficiency and emotionaless calculating.

Player Notes (Replacement ):

Geographically characterized by lakes, forest, and grasslands, one would think this
place ideal if it wasn't dominated by an evil demi-god. Iuz, Lord of Pain, God of Evil
rules this region from the small kingdom that bears his name and he has subsequently
snatched up his neighbors -- the Horned Society, the Rovers of the Barrens, the Shield
Lands, and the Bandit Kingdoms. Lands further east and west were under his sway for a
short time, but the greedy half-demon has not been able to hold them. Two lands closer
to home, so to speak, that have not been under his sway bear mentioning. To the north
of the Land of Iuz is Blackmoor. Though seemingly little more than a desolate tundra
with few inhabitants, this Blackmoor is just the shadow of a larger, more important
Blackmoor on another world. The secrets of the other Blackmoor, including the City of
the Gods, arouse both curiosity and fear in the old demi-god. Lastly, nestled into the
Yatil Mountains is Perrenland. Whether the fierce-fighting Perrenlanders are too tough
for Iuz, or he holds back because Perrenland was once the capital of his mother's
empire (she is Iggwilv, the arch-witch), none but Iuz can say for certain.

The first to fall was the Horned Society, a land to the southeast of Iuz inhabited by
hobgoblins that had been ruled by devil-worshipping humans. To the northeast, the
nomadic Flan known as the Rovers of the Barrens also came into his domain. Quick to
follow were the Bandit Kingdoms, a chaotic land of shifting political alliances, south
of the Barrens. The last to fall were the Shield Lands, the northern reaches of Old
Ferrond. Iuz covets all of Old Ferrond, particularly Furyondy.

The Rovers of the Barrens, the men of Blackmoor, and the Perrenlanders (though the
latter are not so pure-blooded) are all Flannae. The Flannae are the oldest human race
native to the Flanaess, a people with deep bronze skin (though the Rovers are
copper-toned), round eyes, and dark wavy or curly hair. The men of the Shield Lands
and Bandit Kingdoms are Oerdians. The Oerdians are believed to have migrated to the
Flanaess from Kara-Tur centuries ago, but actually those early Oerdian tribes had been
expelled from the Celestial Imperium as undesirables (ironic, considering what a
lasting presence the Oerdians have had everywhere else on Oerik). The Land of Iuz is
populated mainly by orcs, goblins, and other humanoid monsters.

The Empire of Iuz is bordered to the north by the Barren Wastes that make up the coast
of the Icy Sea. To the east, beyond the Fellreev Forest are the Flan lands surrounding
the Thillonrian Peninsula. To the southeast, beyond the Nyr Dyv (Lake of Unknown
Depths) are the Urnst states that were once the frontier of the Great Kingdom. To the
south is Furyondy, one-time capital of Old Ferrond, and Iuz's fiercest enemies. To the
west is the Vesve Forest and the Yatil Mountains, where elves and men respectively
resist Iuz's forces. To the northwest, beyond the coniferous Burneal Forest, is the
Land of Black Ice (a magically frozen landbridge to the arctic, literally made of
black ice).

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Eclavdra smiles warmly at Khana, curtsies to her, and then ... giggles like a girl.
There is glee and delight in her face, joy in her eyes, and fiery passion in the tight grip she maintains on the signed document.
She whispers, a whisper of husky delight and passion, triumph and gleeful abandonment:

Bless the Wolf God.
May his Hunt be swift and sure.
May the World echo to the cries of his prey.
May he revel in the glorious Feast.

Eclavdra hugs Khana then, tightly, then sends her on her way back to the Wolf.

Eclavdra regards the document. Iuz and the Wolf have signed it. Eclavdra has herself signed it.
Now, to continue with the arduous task of convincing others to sign.

Eclavdra muses, smiling wryly, and she whispers:

I hope King Rhynnon signs. He must sign it. He must! I must somehow convince him to do so!

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

I'll update the roster.

(sighs)

Well, Forrester, Maudlin, John Brown, and Draco_of_Zeradiath apparently won't be joining us.

Maudlin might have joined, but he didn't find an interesting power to play. Perhaps someone could talk to him, and help him find an interesting power?

It would have been great if Forrester had joined. You'all would have loved his aggressive style and ardent roleplaying. Forrester is a living legend in the IRs, for all you new people: in the 1st and 2nd IRs he completely exterminated all of the elves of Realmspace, except the elves of Evermeet who became his willing subjects (the eldest daughter of the Queen Amlaruil of Evermeet became his willing concubine.)
Under Forrester, humanoids became a mighty, intelligent starfaring race.

It would have been great if John Brown had joined us. He was very good at roleplaying, and creating believable fantasy societies. He ran the Empire of Iuz for a while in the 3rd IR, and created a Dark Byzantium out of it.

Draco_of_Zeradiath is an old friend. His favorite character is a dragon, and a dragon power probably would have been his choice. His characters are very deep, powerful, and involved. He is very enthusiastic about his games, and that enthusiasm is infectious. Did I mention he's extremely friendly and likeable?

-

I am beginning to wonder if Thomas is still with us? I have had no contact with him. I hope Nac Mac Feegle was able to get ahold of him.

And Dralonxitz is with us, but he has submitted no information whatsoever to me. I hope he isn't going to drop out.

(sighs)

Festy Dog says he has a friend interested in joining. Maybe he will join in, and we'll have a new player we can get to know, and chat with, and enjoy the company of. I hope so.

I mean, yes, it's been tiring setting up the roster and recruiting people.
But it's also been fun. Quite a lot of fun.
It's been neat, meeting all the new people, and reuniting with old friends.
If the IR goes nowhere else, at least there has been fun and joy in this, the setting up, in meeting all of you who are new, and in reuniting with my old IR friends.

I'm not in this to win. I'll try to win, but winning isn't the point in an IR.
I'm here to play. The joy is in the journey. The joy is in the playing.
If I win, great. If I don't win, great.

I'll post all that my power does publicly, because that way it will be saved for posterity, and that is what Serpenteye wants, and how it should be. Secret messages will be in sblocks, I'll hope the honor system holds, and thus everything my power did will eventually be known. Only material inappropriate to ENWorld will be withheld.
Don't worry about me peeking at secret sblock messages. That makes about as much sense to me as playing a chess game where I insist on starting the game with 5 queens, and about as unfun as such a game.

Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith

 

[Knight Otu]

Overking Jahren speaks...

"Repeatedly now, we have been insulted. We have been called not trustworthy. King Rhynnon of Greater Nyrond has said these words. He claims we desire his lands, that our armies would swoop over them like a dragon over a hoard given the chance to do so.

We do not desire his lands. Greater threats are manifest in our world that should demand all our attention. Yet he insists on our perceived lack of honor. In this obvious attempt of hate-mongering, what are his goals? Why would he want to goad us into a war that neither of us could benefit from without outside intervention?

It seems to us that he seeks a scapegoat. He seeks us to declare a war to prove his point, and have all nations united against us, to wipe Aerdi from the face of Oerth, and claim our lands for himself.

King Rhynnon shows great wisdom, though. He proposed the Apocalypse pact, to protect the world from this horrid spell. This noble pact would have our agreement, but the insults stand between the pact and our agreement. We would gladly participate in the Apocalypse pact should King Rhynnon, or one of his representants, apologize to our representant, Advisor Ashardalon, in front of Al'Akbar, or one of Al'Akbar's representatives. Advisor Ashardalon is on his way to Ekbir, and should arrive shortly."


"Velsharess Eclavdra of the Drow,
Your worries have not gone unnoticed in our halls. These days, we are to believe that the grand word is "trust." We are not trusted by King Rhynnon of Greater Nyrond. We all are to believe we can trust a group of psionic mercenaries that literally came out of nowhere. Can the drow trust us? Can we trust your assessment of the situation you proposed?

Are we to expect an attack from those who would call themself the forces of good? Certainly, there will be assaults. But we cannot be certain that we will see such tactics as you describe. In these days, anyone may be a danger. Should we not extend the pact you propose, into something greater?

As such we propose a grand alliance, one force to punish aggression, against members of the alliance, as well as those outside the alliance, if they wish. Open to anyone who wishes to join. And obviously, agression among alliance members shall cease.

In these days, should we not look beyond those ultimately meaningless designators of good and evil, law and chaos? Should we be blinded by those outdated notions? King Rhynnon tried to goad us, yet we extend our hands to him. Should he attack us regardless, we are ready to repel him. Should he accept our hands, we shall aid him if he suffers blights."


At the gates of Ekbir, a large man clad in fine attire appears. Anyone looking at him with the power of true sight realizes that the man in reality is a great dragon.
"I am Advisor Ashardalon of the United Kingdom of Aerdi. I wish it to be known that this is not my true form. I am, in reality, a dragon. I chose to take the shape of a human for the time being out of convenience and respect for the people of Ekbir, not out of a desire for trickery. These days, Ekbir is close to be the center of Oerth, and only with great sadness Overking Jahren remains in Aerdi. But trust me that as long as I am in Ekbir, it is as though the Overking was here, and if you speak to me, it is as though you speak to the Overking."

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Eclavdra replies, a simple reply:

We the drow welcome the Grand Alliance proposal of Aerdi.
We don't know if the others who have already signed the TEC Pact will agree to it, but we will agree to it.

 

[Bugbear]

Well, Well, Well, looks like I stirred up the hornets nest.

Not that such was my intent
Replies for everyone (open posts by the way, sblocked to save space)
First Guilt Puppy:
[sblock]

Oif... Responded in fine detail (IC) to all of Bugbear/Rhynnon's points, but it appears to have been eaten by some elder god... Rather than spending two more hours of my dumb life retyping it (and trying to remember just how I made it appear logically justified to make the accusation that Rhynnon was in fact the one making a power play), I'm just going to rescind the offer for the accord and just vote to ban the frickin' spell. Anyway, it looks like this TEC Pact will accomplish the same objectives (binary division & mutually assured destruction... not because it benefits the Brotherhood particularly, but because it's fun )

I'll make the same argument regarding vague terms for retribution here, though:

In smaller alliances between two or three powers, it is reasonable to expect that terms such as "considered an attack against all of us" and "required to respond against the aggressor" can be interpreted in good faith as the need arises, and that any dispute over their interpretation can be resolved easily and quietly.

In larger alliances, however, such terminology grows into a larger and larger weakness: The non-specific term "response" gives no measure to the quality of response, allowing any power to commit an essentially insignificant amount of military might to any given act of retribution, without violating the treaty. This fact may be taken advantage of by foreign aggressors, who may target unpopular or remote nations under the assumption that the retaliatory response will be weak or apathetic. Indeed, foreign powers may even seek agreement beforehand from major powers in the alliance, that there will be no truly significant response to an attack against a specific ally. In all this, there is a looseness in interpretation which limits the security provided by the pact, and makes it overall less convincing as a deterrent.

For these reasons, the Brotherhood will not enter into this pact if it does not clearly state the obligations of its members, and likewise states the penalty for failure to meet these obligations.

As a starting point, we would like to propose a practice of multiple equal response: Which is to say, whatever attack is made upon a power in this pact, all members of the pact will respond with a retaliatory strike of equal force to that original attack. For instance, if a foreign power sends ten thousand men into a protected power, then every member of the pact would be obligated to commit ten thousand men of their own to an invasion of that foreign power, or some other equivalent response. In an alliance of ten powers, this would ensure that any attack would be met tenfold: A compelling deterrent, indeed.

This, of course, does not consider the possibility of exemption should a member lack the capacity to deliver such forces, nor does it consider what action should be taken should a power fail to respond. It is intended only as a basic example of the sort of specificity we speak.

I am sorry that your post was eaten, I would have like to have read it. Of course the Apocalypse Pact is a power-play on my part, The IR is all about power-plays right
Personaly I don't think that AFTS needs to be banned, though it is grossly overpowered as written for the IR. I have some ideas to make it more ballenced, which if I ever get around to typing up, I'll share.
I intended the Apocalypse Pact as a sort of gentlemens agreement rather than a formal treaty. As you will note, nothing keeps a member from using the spell other than the risk of retribution. It is meant to provide some security while allowing the player maximum freedom.
[/sblock]

Next Rikandur Azebol:
[sblock]

I belive You, and I understand differences between Greyhawk and Our Medieval. I'm not that deluded. I weren't intending on picking up the fight over the topic. I'm not Iuz.

I wasn't trying get a fight going either You asked for examples and explanations and I went into Lecture mode. I do that sometimes and I can come off sounding rather pissy when I do.

Great ! Thank You for the link !
And I would say ... Druids are secretive lot. They are master herbalists, and their knowledge of herbs is great. And I would doubt that any other group would devolp herbalism to such extent. Maybe clerics of the god of healing ? But clerical research is slow one, for example Egyptian medical science was devolped during the course of thousands of years of peaceful existnce of Two Kingdoms. The same with Chinese herbal medicine. Catholic church wiped out druids and other herbalists from Europe in a strike of overzealous witch-hunt. Result ? Black Death reducing european population by huge percentage every fev decades.

Certanly, enjoy If i should come upon any other interesting tidbits I'll be sure to share.
Of course you are right, Druids tend to be secretive but they are IMO more approachible to the common man than wizards and clerics. The good and neutral ones are also likely to assist in controling disease as a major outbreak is seldom good for the local ecosystem.

Typical D&D commoner's contact with magic is then when evil wizard burn his house

In my experience it's the good adventures who burn down the commoner's house while trying to kill the evil wizard. I have never met a player who understood how big a fireball is.

And Bugbear wrote about trust. I would like to pick up this topic, so we would explain some misunderstandings before flames erupt.
You wrote that King Rhynnon distrust Iuz, why ? They never met before, and Iuz never broke his word, ... I know that is because he give promises like : "I will skin You alive !"

Though Iuz and Rhynnon have never met face to face, he has seen your work. He fought in the sheild lands during the greyhawk wars. Also he is a foe hunter whos chosen prey is demons. Rhynon is quite predjediuced against Iuz because of his demonic ancestry and his time in the sheild lands. The regalia of neutrality has mellowed him somewhat however, So perhaps through diplomacy, you could convince him otherwise.

Maybe Rhynnon should speak privately with Iuz and thus make his own opinion, without beliving every gossip and Fuoryndian propaganda. Iuz will even take prozac, tenfold dose, if it make Rhynnon feel more comfortable

This is certanly acceptible, Rhynnon is open to diplomacy from all parties. Even Iuz.[/sblock]

And now Edena_of_Neith
[sblock]

Eclavdra responds to King Rhynnon of Nyrond:

(said with unusual solemnity and bluntness.)

National security is about national security, not 'trust.'
I'm trying to protect your nation and your people, your Lordship. I know, and you know, that you are ringed with enemies, that help from the Baklunish and others is far away, that they may or may not be able to save your people ... and that I offer you a way out of a dire situation.
The drow are capable of quickly placing great military force on the ground in Nyrond to protect it. I'm offering the blood of my people to protect your country.
You dismiss this out of 'trust' ?
You stated you offered your hand to me, and I appreciate that. Now I extend my hand to you, and to your people, so that they will not be butchered as I have foreseen will happen.
Take my hand, your Lordship.
When the TEC Pact is readied, sign it, and join us.

(grim look from Eclavdra, her voice soft and hard)

If anyone signs the TEC Pact, then breaks it, they will pay.
If such oathbreakers do not appreciate what the Wrath of the Drow means, they will quickly learn.

(Rhynnon considers for a moment and then responds)
Your argument has some logic to it.
National Security is indeed about national Security. But when you bring other nations into the buisness of keeping your nation secure, knowing that you can trust you allies is of paramount importance. I cannot join into this grand alliance you propose. The TEC Pact I must reject. Alliance with the Mordheil may yet happen though, once we are more comfortible with each other.
I wish no harm to befall the Mordheil, and if they were attacked without provocation, I would come to their aid, and ask the Orcreich and the Baklunim to also aid you, if they accept my offer of alliance. I would hope that you would do the same for me, under those circumstances. And if Nyrond were to attack another power without cause, simply to increase it's own power at the expense of another, I would hope that you would stand against me. I would stand against you if you were to do such a thing. But I do not know if you will stand with me or against me, for I haven't known you or your people long enough.
I hope that we will, in time have more agreements than disagreements and that we will be able to work together to build a better life for both our people.
Know this, that when The King of Secrets returns to our world, Nyrond will oppose him. I will oppose him. So, in a way, we are allready allies.[/sblock]

Paxus Asclepius:
[sblock]

IC message to Bugbear, sent by human courier, bearing a Magic Mouth trigger:

King Rhynnon, though I am insulted by your characterizations of my empire, still I feel that it is my duty as a sovereign to respond with reason and measured words. You fear that my intent is to bring anarchy, when I have stated time and time again that it is order I seek. This Treaty of Erelhei-Cinlu represents exactly the order I desire, the strong united to protect their own interests. Despite any personal dislike which you or I might harbor against each other, I know well that war against you will weaken me, and you know equally well the human cost that such a war would have for the people of Nyrond. Why, then, do you believe I would violate such a treaty? There are indeed forces who seek to destroy civilization, but I am not among them; I offer you assurance that I will abide by the terms of any treaty I sign, and urge you to overlook your personal distaste for the benefit of your people, as I do for mine.

OOC:Keep in mind, that in the civilized world, little is known about the wolf god or his goals and that you have made no attempt to parley with Nyrond. Rhynnon's opinions are only that, opinions. If they are wrong, present evidence which will convince him otherwise. Rhynnon is a rational man who will readily admit when he is wrong or when he has wronged another. If the wolf god is working to bring order to the unruly goblin hordes, then Rhynnon may even seek to give you aide. Rhynnon respects order, and respects those who promote it over the anarchy which seems to reign accross the Flaneass. [/sblock]

And to dear Abby (Anabstercorian):
[sblock]

The Triumvirate Rebellious is, as of yet, unprepared to commit to any form of defense pact with another national faction.

I certanly can't blame you I just wanted to tell you that until you claimed your Succubi, you were at the top of my list for alliances. But you know how Rhynnon feels about demons. [/sblock]

 

[Knight Otu]

(For whom is the fourth sblock? I'd assume it's a reply to me, but I don't want to click unless I'm sure...)

 

[Bugbear]

Knight Otu

It was for paxus. You hadn't posted yet when I started writing that. Feel free to read them if you wish. they are public and mostly OCC. You may find some explanations as to my comments in there too.

I will write a response to your post once I have collected my thoughts, though I may wait to post it until Rhynnon and Ashy meet face to face

 

[Kalanyr]

My roster is correct at the moment, thanks Edena! (I want to rewrite my Eladrin introduction information but that can wait until I've actually rewritten it).