Voyages of the Faehithdili✦ Year 701 of the Second Age ✦ 111th Regnal Year of Tar-Elendil
(Huge credit to @Retrojapan for the graphics and formatting!)
This RP is an adventure/action tale, with the vessel Faehith journeying to the far southern and eastern parts of Middle-Earth unseen in the books, but said to have been explored by the Númenóreans in full, even settling and inhabiting those lands. Our vessel will be among the first of their race to visit these lands, meeting locals who know nothing of elves and dark lords, meeting supernatural creatures such as selkies, vampires, and ogres, perhaps being antagonized by Avarin elves who refused their own summons to the west and remained, disliking humans for usurping their lands, and other minor evils yet unknown that escaped the fall of Angband at the end of the First Age. Along with such external obstacles, the characters will face numerous internal issues with their inner cohesion, philosophies, and other conflicts that might arise. Together, they must coalesce as a crew and team, being among the first of their kind who ever dared such adventures into the vast, unknown world.
Theme
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✦ "Everybody fights. Nobody quits." Any role not taken will be assumed by an NPC. However, any human in a role will be involved in onshore expeditions and treks. No excuses. Helps everyone be involved in the RP.
✦ Smut. I prefer the invisible smut rule when it comes to groups, either end if off with a fade-to-black transition and/or move it to PMs. Romances are still permitted and encouraged, though not everyone might be guaranteed a pairing.
✦ On a meta note. While Tolkien's tale was originally written from an Anglo-Saxon/Northern European aesthetic, I am one hundred percent down with colorblind casting in regards to looks and appearances. As long as you retain Númenórean culture, any character resembling any ethnicity on our earth is fully accepted by me.
𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪
At the end of the First Age and devastation wrought by the War of Wrath, the surviving descendants of the Three Houses of the Edain, the Dúnedain, were granted high honor and esteem by the Lord of the West and the Powers that be, granting unto them the raised land and island of Númenor. Here, the survivors for nearly six hundred years found peace and prosperity, away from the tumults and dangers of Middle-Earth save their own mortality, which they still perceived as a Gift.
Those who lived through the calamitous events of the prior Age have long since passed on, taking their memories and experiences with them beyond the confines of the world, leaving only tales and legends. It wasn't long before those of the Island sought out their ancestral beginnings in Middle-Earth, reaching its shores through perilous voyages and journeys, until at last returning to that vast continent. There they met not only the elves who dwelt therein since before Man's own awakening, but also their distant kin and kind who were left behind, either fearing or not knowing of the great struggles against the vanquished Dark Lord.
In the Year 600 of the Second Age, it was Vëantur, Captain of the King's Ships, who made this first round journey, and with his successful return and news of Middle Earth sparked the first of many generations of mariners and sailors, who sought not only the elves, their friends, but to seek out the secrets of Middle-Earth, and return some of that prosperity and goodwill which they received upon their own distant folk, still encased within the bounds of ignorance and uncertainty and the lies of the Enemy. Many now wish to undertake such voyages across the vast seas, to bear witness to the undiscovered marvels that Arda still held, and to behold lands and species unseen by any other living mortal.
Captain Angrenor, son of the Heir of Hyarrostar, has leveraged his influence and wealth to obtain himself one such sea-worthy vessel, the Faehith (sn. Spirit of Mist), and sailing from his home at Nindamos in the south to the haven at Rómenna, there seeking a crew of able and knowledgeable men and women, with whom to embark upon their own great voyage.
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Númenóreans are the descendants of the Three Houses of the Edain, who rejected the darkness and fought bravely, albeit futilely, against the first Dark Lord, Morgoth. Their noble and glorious service and aid to the doomed elven kingdoms were not forgotten by the mighty Lords of the West, who took up the mantle to overthrow the Dark Lord and toppled him in his cruel regime. As payment for their dedicated service, the Edain were granted a home away from the perils of Middle-Earth and ennobled far above their common kindred who did not participate. Here, they were empowered beyond the average mortal, with greater strength of limb, and of the senses, and given unnaturally long life, with the average Númenórean living up to three hundred years of age, and their royalty reaching the count of four to five centuries.
This longevity has been a blessing for Númenóreans, allowing them to more cherish and appreciate the beauty of their land, but it has also made them restless, for the threshold of death is never far, and always present, and the desire for legacy, or immortality, as seen in both the elves and the Powers, gnaws at their minds.
Númenóreans therefore age more slowly than an average mortal, retaining their youth for far longer, and only beginning to age into the later stages of life near their second century. A Númenórean is also not considered of age until their twenty-fifth year.
It is also important to note that Númenóreans have not engaged in any intensive warfare or combat in centuries. The worst is probably the odd bandit group in the interior, by those who are dissatisfied or opportunist in nature. There are probably guardsmen in the King's household, or any of the nobles, but other than training I highly doubt there was much chance for intensive combat experience. That being said, the majority of fighters in this tale would probably be local hunters or hardy fisherfolk, abandoning their lives to embark upon a more fulfilling journey.
Númenóreans speak many languages. Most commoners would speak Adûnaic, the mother language of all humans living in Númenór. Those of nobility would speak Sindarin, the language of the elves of Middle-Earth, commonly used for writing and learning, though that is not to say that commoners cannot learn the language either. Quenya, the language of the high elves, is only used in matters of grave importance, such as for blessings, in legal precedence, and matters of deep lore and knowledge. Akin to perhaps someone speaking Roman Latin or Ancient Greek in our modern times, it is most generally used by the learned in studious and scholarly matters. All characters would speak Adûnaic, which is our in-universe English, so to speak. Sindarin and Quenya are optional and compartmental for whatever profession one's character might have (a herbalist would known Quenya terms for flora and fauna, a blacksmith knows rare metals by their Quenya names, one of noble background can probably recite a poem in that language, etc.).
*We use a Gondorian dialect of Sindarin, even though it’s a language and kingdom that will not be founded for another three millennia in-universe, because it’s probably nearest to how a race of Men would speak the elvish language.
Here are some ideas for onboard roles and positions that could be filled, if it might assist with character creation.
How many I’m looking for to participate? Roughly ~5 players, in addition to myself.
The Captaincy, played by me
First Mate (Taken)
Second Mate/Night Captain (Open)
Shipwright (Open)
Herbalist/Gatherer. (Open)
Doctor/Surgeon (Open)
Chief Scout (Open)
Chief Marine (Open)
Cook/Hunter. (Open)
Blacksmith (Open)
Loremaster (Open)
Tourney of the King’s Fiftieth Name Day
A century and more after Aegon’s Conquest (Alternate-Universe)
King’s Landing, Westeros, Seven Kingdoms
To all the Lords and Ladies of the Seven Kingdoms,
From the Last Hearth in the North to the Sea of Dorne, Aeranor I Targaryen, First of His Name,
King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm,
Along with his wife, Daehna Targaryen,
Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men,
And their family and court, do cordially invite you,
To King’s Landing for the celebration of the King’s Fiftieth Name Day,
On this joyous occasion, a Tourney will be held,
For all Knights and Men of valour, to showcase their prowess,
As well an invitation, to banquet and feasting, for a period of two weeks,
The King and Queen, and their family and court, do hope to see you,
Farewell, and may the Light of the Seven keep you.
The Lore.
This RP is to be an Alternate Universe scenario, in which a different lineage gained the throne in the aftermath of the Great Council of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, in 101 AC (One hundred and one years after Aegon’s Conquest of Westeros). The present day Targaryens are simply descendants of that succession claim, several decades into the future. The state of Westeros in this AU is much the same, with the Wall in the North and Dorne finally incorporated in the south. All major Houses still rule in their respective territories, under new, original characters to be made for this RP, and thus open to player use and control.
Targaryen characters however remain at the discretion of the GM, myself, who will be selective in regards to applications for such. I will be playing the King and Queen, though not as primary or pivotal characters.
The Plot.
This RP is an action tale to start with, centering around the jousting tournament held in honor of the King’s name day (his birthday). Player characters may be participants (and not just male characters, I’m hoping to see a female character competing in disguise perhaps) or observers, there to enjoy food and drink at the Crown’s expense. There will be a small setting created just outside King’s Landing in the Kingswood, including threads for the Jousting Grounds, the King’s Pavilion, Banqueting Pavilion, Hunting Grounds, Stables & Services, and others. In regards to jousting competitions, outcomes may be determined beforehand between writers, or decided by chance through various means of RNG games, like dice rolling. Non-player controlled participants in the Tourney will be controlled by the GM, myself, and will lose to player controlled characters, for the advancement of the plot and matchmaking between other player characters.
If the Tournament plot proves to be a success, the plot can be further advanced to more dramatic scenes, perhaps a succession crisis upon the death of the Targaryen King or a separatist movement by various Kingdoms to break away from a suddenly weakened Targaryen court.
What roles are being sought out for the King’s Tourney.
Here are some ideas for potential roles both as participants in the tourney, around the King’s court, or simply observer roles. How many I'm looking to participate. Roughly ~5 players, in addition to myself.
The King and Queen (relax, they’re cousins not siblings), played by me.
Children of the King and Queen, perhaps a son and daughter (Open).
A brother or sister of the King (Open).
A brother or sister of the Queen (Open).
A female participant under disguise (Open).
Knights of various Houses, great and small.
Hand of the King.
Other Small Council members.
Ladies-In-Waiting.
Squires.
*Smut. I prefer the invisible smut rule when it comes to groups, either end if off with a fade-to-black transition and/or move it to PMs. Romances are still permitted and encouraged, though not everyone might be guaranteed a pairing.
*On a meta note. While GRRM's Westeros setting was written with a mostly European aesthetic, I am one hundred percent down with colorblind casting in regards to looks and appearances. As long as you retain Westerosi culture, any character resembling any ethnicity on our earth is fully accepted by me.
STAR WARS: Your Rebellion Starts Here
1 Before the Battle of Yavin
The Lore. Origin. The Vesotiyan system is located within the inner boundary of the Colonies Region of the Galaxy, inhabited by Core World-origin sleeper ships some time before the founding of the Galactic Republic. Due to communication and travel difficulties at the time, the fledgling Vesotiya colony managed to break free of it's colonizing mother-world and form an independent polity. While not a founding member of the Galactic Republic, Vesotiya enrolled soon afterwards in the following centuries. By then, it had blossomed in population and power projection, establishing a small area of control within it's spatial region, colonizing many lesser worlds and subjugating other minor colonies and local worlds, including a secondary, tidal-locked world, Tolneon, in it's home system as well as establishing bases on the Vesotiyan moon, Vedreon. Around this time, it abandoned a citizen-democracy form of government for a monarchical form of rule.
Coming to rule over two dozen other distinct human and xeno cultures, the modern-day boundaries of the Vesotiyan Sector as a representative entity in the Republic were established and founded and remained generally unchanged throughout the course of galactic history, encompassing several thousand star-systems, with a hundred inhabited worlds of all sizes and thousands more barren and uninhabitable worlds. The balance of power shifted often among the various worlds of the Sector, with dynasties both human and xeno coming to power at various times, alongside eras of racial unity intermittent with prejudice and injustice.
During the various conflicts between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empires, and all it's variations, Vesotiya often aligned with the Republic, facing many raids and attempted conquests by the successive Empires. Over the course of the following millennia, it's form of government shifted between democratic and monarchical, with occasional forms of anarchy and civil strife.
In the centuries prior to the Galactic Civil War, Vesotiya adopted a constitutional presidency, elected for ten-year terms, who also represented the Sector as it's Senator in the Galactic Republic.
The Clone Wars. The collapse of Republic unity due to corruption and succession of thousands of member star-systems led to the eruption of the Clone Wars. Many xeno worlds in the Vesotiyan Sector, stirred up by Separatist agents and subterfuge into reinvigorating old hatreds and jealousies, seceded from Vesotiyan control and became host worlds to the Separatist droid armies, who launched numerous campaigns across the Sector, including an attempted occupation of the capital system. The Donbra Administration requested Republican assistance, who sent the 207th Clone Battalion led by a Jedi Master, and Apprentice, as General and commander. The Republic and Separatist armies were supplemented by millions of sentients across the Sector who aided their respective allies in waging a devastating war across many worlds.
Decades of peace created an atmosphere of complacency and inexperience among the sentient divisions of the Republic forces, leading to tremendous loss of Vesotiyan and loyalist life during the first year of war through bungling of tactics and supplies, causing the collapse of the Donbra Administration. A new snap-election was held even as Separatist droid armies brutalized their way across the surface of Vesotiya, the planet itself a shifting battlefield between the two sides. The election led to the triumph of the Ronakol Administration, an alliance of militarists, industrialists, and intelligentsia. Alongside the Clone Armies, they managed to reform the local Vesotiyan military and naval forces and properly fight the Separatists for the remaining two years of war.
During this time, Jedi Master Javi Barach, his Padawan Tajair Trediss, Republic Admiral Denyose Lionhyde and the entire 207th Clone Battalion became regional heroes, lauded by the loyalist Vesotiyan populace.
The War ended abruptly after three years through a succession of extraordinary events, ending with the declaration of the Empire. The local Jedi commanders "disappeared" and the Clone forces turned into a protective Imperial garrison, under Imperial Admiral Lionhyde, who in the following years conducted expeditions to reduce and subjugate many of the worlds that seceded, who found themselves betrayed and without their droid allies, realizing too late they had just been pawns in a greater game. President and Senator Cayam Ronakol went to Coruscant to protest the treatment of these surrendered worlds, as well as argue the brandishing of Jedi as enemies of the state, and was promptly arrested by Imperial authorities. He later "perished" during an "assassination" attempt by Vesotiyan Separatist elements, according to Imperial authorities.
An interim election was held, with famous ace starfighter pilot Darnikh Artaxias, a scion of Vesotiyan nobility who's family held the Presidency decades prior, acquiring the nomination and winning the vote.
The Imperial Era.The Artaxias Administration found itself in a precarious state, as before under the Republic they had been granted much autonomy in the governance and ordering of it's domestic policies, including it's own defense. Under the Empire, much of it's foreign policy such as trade and security came under Imperial purview, with out-of-Sectors bureaucrats and commanders coming to control various sections of the Vesotiyan system of government and public life. Little by little, Vesotiyan President and Imperial Senator Artaxias found legal rights and privileges of his home world and Sector eroded by Imperial greed and power. He found himself helpless in losing control of security, with the once disciplined and massive Vesotiyan armed military in the aftermath of the Clone Wars now reduced to a glorified police force, while also being unable to not only prevent the vengeful punishments of former Separatist worlds, but unable to prevent Imperial scrutiny and oppression of loyalist xeno worlds in the Sector, due to the Empire's pro-human/anti-alien stance.
It has been nearly two decades of constitutional failures and a tightening of Imperial grip, while promises of things returning to the "old ways" now increasingly becoming moot. Imperial Senator Artaxias, through various talks and hints with some of his colleagues, has decided the time for compromise with the Empire is over.
And that the time for action, and a restoration of old rights and legal distinctions, are now a priority.
Through whatever means necessary. Even Rebellion.
The Plot.
This RP is an action/adventure tale, centering around the targeted elimination of Imperial high command in the Vesotiyan Sector with a backdrop of rising tensions and brewing Rebellion. Characters will form an elite squadron of hunter-killers, who will perform high profile missions, assassinations of Imperial leadership, brisk gun-battles with Imperial forces in an attempt to weaken their stranglehold over the Sector, funneling material and wealth from Vesotiyan sources to local rebel cells, smuggling medicine and other supplies to oppressed xeno cultures, and helping to prop up an official Alliance to Restore the Republic battle fleet in the Sector. The Imperial Senator and his staff, as well as other Imperial leadership individuals, will be played by me. One player-character can start off as an Imperial agent or soldier with sympathies towards the old Republic/Rebel Alliance, eventually defecting to join the squadron.
The Vesotiyan Sector.
The Vesotiyan Sector is centered around it's namesake capital, Vesotiya, an ancient, continually inhabited world in the Colonies Region of the Galaxy since before the Founding of the Galactic Republic. Vesotiya has a single moon, Tolneon, and a secondary, tidal-locked world in it's home system, Vedreon, which is the agricultural breadbasket for the Sector, as well as exporting foodstuffs to neighbouring Sector as well. Included within this Sector is two dozen other distinctive cultures and worlds, some human and others alien, who have been brought under Vesotiyan rule through the millennia of it's existence.
Vesotiyan is a Type I rocky world with lush environs and vast oceans and at the time of it's colonization possessed no sentient or civilized life beyond basic fauna and flora. By the era of the Galactic Empire, it has become a full fledged ecumenopolis, it's entire surface a single city consisting of sprawls of industrial, residential, and commercial districts, mingling with broad mountain ranges and divided by oceans and seas. It has a population of roughly fifty billion and being an intergalactic hub, is home to humans of many cultures, as well as many species of aliens and xenos, who form a quarter of the total population. Vesotiya, long depleted of any natural resources, is an import-economy, obtaining all commodities through trade and shipment from fellow Sector worlds or through galactic trade. Vesotiya's rotation is proximity twenty-five standard hours and it's orbit around it's prime star is just under four hundred days.
Tolneon, Vesotiya's only moon, while mostly barren and uninhabitable possesses Vesotiya's chief starport and maintenance facilities for capital ships and bulk cruisers. It is currently seat to the local Imperial Starfleet headquarters.
Vedreon is a tidal-locked (no rotational rate) moon of a large gas giant, meaning one side is always facing the sun and another locked in perpetual darkness towards the gas giant. This moon was terraformed in earlier Vesotiyan history and because of it's constant sunlight, turned into an agricultural breadbasket, which imports enough foodstuff. The far side of the planet is cast in perpetual darkness, though the night sky is lit up by the nearby presence of Vedreon Prime, a bluish gas giant world. The far side of Vedreon while possessing a breathable atmosphere, is relatively barren and rocky, with flat fields and mountainous ranges, the deep valleys shrouded in shadow. The far side of Vedreon has long been a smuggler's hub, with many cartels and criminal organizations possessing bases and warehouses therein, and is home to a small population of desperados, outlaws, exiles, and other such persons outside the law.
The Vesotiyan Administration.
Vesotiyan President and Imperial Senator, Darnikh Artaxias, former ace starfighter pilot of the Vesotiyan 1077th Fighter Squadron. His great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather served as President/Senator decades ago and his family is an ancient lineage of the Sector. He is favored by the Militarists/Nobility.
Vesotiyan First Lady, Vorasun Artaxias, former Republic Intelligence Officer on the Vesotiyan front during the Clone Wars. She manages secretly what scarce little resources and budget the mostly defunct Vesotiyan military wing possesses. She is favored by the Intelligentsia.
Mon Calamari Admiral, Giggra Rua, Supreme Rebel Commander of all organized Alliance to Restore the Republic forces in the Vesotiyan Sector, recipient of funneled Vesotiyan goods and armaments while organizing a sufficient fighting force to take on the Empire.
The Imperial Administration.
Imperial Moff [], appointed Military Governor of the Vesotiyan Sector.
Imperial Starfleet Admiral Denyose Lionhyde, commander of all Imperial naval assets and forces.
What roles are being sought out for Your Rebellion Starts Here.
Here are some ideas for roles and positions that could be filled, if it might assist with character creation. How many I’m looking for to participate? Roughly ~5 players, in addition to myself.
The Imperial Senator, played by me.
The Senator's wife, played by me.
The Imperial Moff, played by me.
2-4 Agents of the Rebellion.
Possible Imperial Defector.
Some resources to help. *Smut. I prefer the invisible smut rule when it comes to groups, either end if off with a fade-to-black transition and/or move it to PMs. Romances are still permitted and encouraged, though not everyone might be guaranteed a pairing.
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