Story - Revision history

Oborseth at 05:57, 23 August 2012

2012-08-23T05:57:54Z

Oborseth: /* World */

2012-08-23T05:46:02Z

World

Oborseth: /* World */

2012-08-23T05:34:42Z

World

Snowdrop at 22:22, 3 August 2012

2012-08-03T22:22:57Z

Snowdrop: Reverted edits by Mudskipper (talk) to last revision by Jojo

2012-08-03T22:22:07Z

Reverted edits by Mudskipper (talk) to last revision by Jojo

Mudskipper: /* The Empire */

2012-08-03T00:04:35Z

The Empire

Mudskipper: /* The Reaver Lords */

2012-08-02T23:18:36Z

The Reaver Lords

Mudskipper at 23:15, 2 August 2012

2012-08-02T23:15:39Z

Mudskipper at 02:21, 31 July 2012

2012-07-31T02:21:10Z

Jojo: /* The Lord of the Shadows */

2011-11-24T16:33:13Z

The Lord of the Shadows

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:57, 23 August 2012
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	It's said that who controls the land controls those that dwell upon it and who controls the most land controls the world. In the epic ongoing saga that is Irdiya, what has already happened in history can never be undone. The future; however, is in your hands. Whether or not those hands end up covered in blood may not be entirely up to you, but the path you take is yours to bear alone.		It's said that who controls the land controls those that dwell upon it and who controls the most land controls the world. In the epic ongoing saga that is Irdiya, what has already happened in history can never be undone. The future; however, is in your hands. Whether or not those hands end up covered in blood may not be entirely up to you, but the path you take is yours to bear alone.
		+
		+	=== Major Historical Events ===
		+
		+	==== The Enlightenment ====
		+
		+	Comment: For these major events that get mentioned it would be awesome to have a more detailed explanation of what they were, etc. I found two but there are probably others.
		+
		+	==== The Rebellion ====

	== Factions ==		== Factions ==

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 The reasons for conflict varies. For some it's the right to exist, for others it's better living conditions and freedom, and for what seems to be a great majority it's about pure greed. Battles are fought between religious faiths, for ideological and ethical conviction, for land, for pride, in some cases love, in other cases lust, and in all cases when one foe meets another on the battlefield; survival. Reasons put aside, one thing remains certain - the winners reap the rewards while the losers are devoured into historical oblivion.
-It's said that who controls the land controls those that dwell upon it and who controls the most land controls the world. In the epic ongoing saga that is Irdiya, what has already happened in history can never be undone. The future; however, is in your hands. Whether or not those hands end up covered in blood may not be entirely up to you, but the path you take is yours to bare alone.
+It's said that who controls the land controls those that dwell upon it and who controls the most land controls the world. In the epic ongoing saga that is Irdiya, what has already happened in history can never be undone. The future; however, is in your hands. Whether or not those hands end up covered in blood may not be entirely up to you, but the path you take is yours to bear alone.
 == Factions ==

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 == World ==
-Once upon a time there was a great continent. Together with the mighty ocean surrounding it, it gave shape to the world of Irdiya. It was a distant planet in a quiet corner of the universe where little technological advancements had been made compared with the systems not far away.
+In a quiet corner of the known universe a distant planet orbits its star just like any other might. A single yet diverse vast continent, surrounded by a mighty ocean, makes up the bulk of the known traversable terrain. There are islands of course, scattered about along the coastlines and some even further out to sea, but most known life dwells on the one large landmass that most refer to as Yote; an old word lost in time. When compared to other planetary systems not far away, the world of Irdiya has been slow when it comes to technological advancements. When it comes to the progression of mystic knowledge and an awareness of the elements of magic; however, the civilizations of Irdiya could be said to know no equal.
-How the world came to be is not known. Neither is it's history as anthropology and archeology are newly born disciplines which are yet to unveil the background. Life on the planet is as on any average world in it's middle ages. There is nothing special about it even if it does have it's distinct cultures and sentient species. Due to the worlds vast size there are many different people and ways of life.
+How the world came to be is not known and the ancient history of Irdiya remains a mystery still. There are many myths and theories of course, depending on what particular sect or individual you may happen to ask, but since studies of both anthropology and archaeology are only yet emerging disciplines the secrets of the great planet's past have yet to be fully unveiled. Life on Irdiya is much as it is on any other world experiencing its middle ages. There's nothing particularly special about it, even if it does have its own distinct cultures and unique sentient species.
-There are those that worship the gods, while other resort to science. For some the acquisition of wealth itself is the sole meaning of life while yet others believe it is living for the collective. Mathematics, mythical rituals, primitive machinery, the wielding of the steel and casting of magic all co-exist. Even though some species see the world as black and white most of the peoples have come to understand that cultural diversity blends right and wrong into the purest shade of grey. On Irdiya anything goes from somebody's perspective: Morality is a matter of belief and conviction, or the proper lack of it.
+Due to the world's vast size there are many varied peoples, civilizations, and ways of life. There are those that worship the gods, others that resort to science, and even those that find an amicable coexistence between the two. For some the acquisition of wealth itself is the sole meaning of life while others still believe it is living for the greater good of society as a whole. Mathematics, mythical rituals, primitive machinery, the wielding of steel and the casting of magic all coexist. Even though some species may see the world as black and white most of the peoples have come to understand that cultural diversity blends right and wrong into the purest shade of grey. On Irdiya all forms of morality seem to exist. Depending on ones perspective, it is either a matter of belief and conviction or the proper lack thereof.
-The world, like any other, had it's times of peace and conflict. Different confrontations still arise between the factions, and there are even alliances which are made up of armies from several species. Loyalty is earned or bought. Every warrior is ready to fight for something. Every heart has it's destiny.
+The world of Irdiya, like any other, has had its times of peace and its times of conflict. Through the ages the smaller wars have long been forgotten and the greater ones are still sung about by bards, acted out by performers, and bragged about by boastful men who no longer know which side their long dead ancestors fought for. Confrontations still arise between the factions. Alliances have come and gone and new ones are still made between the various species and cultures. Loyalty is earned through blood and iron or bought with coin and skin. Every warrior is ready to die for something, every lady prepared to feign love for a cause, every heart has its destiny, and even the meekest of Irdiya's creatures can sway the course of history.
-Time served the world with scientific advancements in the fields of medicine, agriculture and technology. The once deserted and spatial world has now entered a new era where every inch of land counts. It's overpopulated and as a result resources are scarce and the survival of the fittest has become the guiding star. Some say the ancient prophecies are about to come true as new conflicts are colouring the skies red with fire. The worrying signs that the dead have begun to walk the earth again has fueled the already wide spread chaos: Conflicts between as well as within city states and kingdoms are in abundance.
+Time has served Irdiya with the gifts of some scientific advancements in the fields of medicine, agriculture and crude mechanical know how. The once desolate world has entered a new era where every tract of hospitable land, and some not so hospitable, is contested. Habitable space is becoming overpopulated and as a result resources are scarce and the survival of the fittest has become the guiding star. Some say the ancient prophecies are about to come true as new conflicts color the skies red with fire and paint the land crimson with blood. Troubling signs, like the dead having begun to walk the land again, have fueled the already wide spread chaos. Conflicts between, as well as within, city states and kingdoms have become commonplace and more than one brother has been forced to kill another in the seemingly never ending strife among even families.
-The reasons for conflict vary. In some cases it's for the right to exist, for better living conditions and freedom. In others it's about pure greed, or a battle between religious faith, ideology and ethical conviction. Reasons put aside, one thing remains certain - the winners reap the awards while the losing parties are devoured into historical oblivion.
+The reasons for conflict varies. For some it's the right to exist, for others it's better living conditions and freedom, and for what seems to be a great majority it's about pure greed. Battles are fought between religious faiths, for ideological and ethical conviction, for land, for pride, in some cases love, in other cases lust, and in all cases when one foe meets another on the battlefield; survival. Reasons put aside, one thing remains certain - the winners reap the rewards while the losers are devoured into historical oblivion.
-It's said that he, or she, who controls the land controls the universe. In conclusion, this is the saga of Irdiya. What has already happend to the world can't ever be undone. The future however, is in your hands.
+It's said that who controls the land controls those that dwell upon it and who controls the most land controls the world. In the epic ongoing saga that is Irdiya, what has already happened in history can never be undone. The future; however, is in your hands. Whether or not those hands end up covered in blood may not be entirely up to you, but the path you take is yours to bare alone.
 == Factions ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 3 August 2012
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	Currently the		Currently the
−
−	~~===Shadowguild===~~
−	Every society has it's outcasts: Thieves, murderers and dark mages. And no one else will stand up, speaking in their defence. Life is cruel and dangerous. The only way to survive is to seek the camps of the Shadowguild. The guild itself intends to protect those who are willing to accept their rules. Even the greatest criminals are admitted if they swear the oath of the Shadowguild.
−
−	The most important principle of the Shadowguild is respect among it's members. There are no known reports of any traitor or breakers of the oath. The members are strictly loyal. This remains true despite several attempts to gain knowlegde of the secrets of the shadowguild by infiltration. Spies either failed to hide their real intentions or became loyal members of the Shadowguild. This is due to the way the society of the Shadowguild works. It is impossible to live between the Shadows (as the members are sometimes called) if you live a lie.
−
−	While dark magic and especially conjurations are frowned upon in most societies in WTactics, the Shadowguild has a long tradition of tolerating and using the dark powers for their own protection. Every camp has skeleton guards and in times or war great armies are conjured to serve in battle.
−
−	While the Shadows are very respectful to other members, they don't hesitate to take valuables and treasures away from other factions. They are feared and prosecuted by other factions as criminals. It should be noted that the ShadowGuild has no own territory. They travel across the lands and supply themselves from stolen goods of nearby cities.
−
−	Cruel executions of criminals had also led to open warfare in the past. In their anger the ShadowGuild brought terror upon cities as the skeletons and other summoned creatures fought their way through the streets avenging those members who had been killed.
−
−	~~====The five circles====~~
−	~~There are 5 circles that form the hierachy of the shadowguild:~~
−
−	~~=====The Lord of the Shadows=====~~
−	Usually the eldest member of the ShadowGuild and a master of necromancy. The shadowguild has studied the workings of life and death intensively enougth to prevent it's most valuable members from aging. However, this magic is too powerful for most humans. To obtain immortality, the subject is required to fight a great magical force and to subdue it by assimilation - an act that has ended deadly for many candidates. And while the Lord of the Shadows does not age, he is still vulnerable to ordinary weapons. His body may heal severe wounds but there are still ways to kill a Lord of the Shadows. As it had happend in the past.
−
−	The Lord of the Shadows is responsible making global decisions on the future of the Shadowguild. Because of his age he is well aware of the consequences that his decisions may result in. He has seen how Empires have risen and fallen and he has learned from their mistakes: One of them is creating an empire in the first place. The Shadowguild will therefore remain a faction of nomads until there is very good reason to change it.
−
−	~~=====The Keepers of Silence=====~~
−	A group of ancient and knowledgable mages that are immortal in the same way the Lord of the Shadows is. Together with him they form the Shadow Council to debate upon political questions of greater impact and the overal development of the world.
−
−	The Keepers of Silence are educated on the darkest of all secrets of the world. They consider themselves to be responsible for revealing and keeping those secrets when appropriate. This is the origin of their name. They pass on parts of their knowlegde to (normal) mages who travel with the Keepers for some time until they return to their tribes.
−
−	~~=====The Leaders of the Tribes=====~~
−	~~The Shadowguild is organized in tribes and they have tribes in most parts of the world. A tribe leader is responsible for choosing the travel routes and making minor political decisions.~~
−
−	~~=====The Shadowmages=====~~
−	The members that have studied the dark sciences and who are able to summon creatures for protection and direct warfare. They traveled several months togehter with the Keepers of the Silence to obtain their basic education. After that they are asked to serve and protect their tribe and to become more experienced.
−
−	The shadowmages use magic to call other shadowmages or even the Keepers of the Silence. Therefore it's possible for the Shadow Council to coordinate their tribes across the entire world, despite the global distribution of the Shadowguild.
−
−	~~=====Citizens=====~~
−	The normal members of the ShadowGuild. They are usually requested to provide the tribe with food and other goods by stealing from nearby cities. Despite the support of the Shadowguild, this is still a risky business and many citizens strive to become a Shadowmage. Yet it should be noted that normal citizens are not considered as less valuable than mages. They receive the same amount of respect for doing their part of the work to keep the Tribe alive.
−
−	~~=====Minions=====~~
−	They are not really part of the hierachy (or a circle) but are listed for completeness. Skeletons and other conjurations do not have an own personality. They follow the orders of their masters and do not fear death. They are usually used as cannon fodder to preserve human lives.

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 ===The Empire===
-[[File:Story_empire.png|right]]Ages ago, before the enlightenment, most lands were struck by a mysterious curse. Thousands upon thousands of people died in the cities. Whole villages were abandoned due to their population dying and people scattered out everywhere in panic and a desperate attempt to protect themselves from the horrific spell that struck down thousands. Eventually, a band of men decided to scout out these quarantined villages for survivors. When they returned, they were practically insane with fright, screaming about seeing the dead walking with hellhounds and demons. This prompted many of the local clerics to denonce the sinful ways of their people, blaming the spread of the curse on adultrey, greed, murder and the supposed existance of underground cults among them, justifying a great inquisition of the people.
+[[File:Story_empire.png|right]]Ages ago, before the enlightenment, most lands were struck by the ''Variola Vera''. Thousands upon thousands of people died in the cities. Whole villages were abandoned due to their population dying and people scattered out everywhere in panic and a desperate attempt to protect themselves from the sickness. In the shadow of the pandemic many nations lacked functioning governments and the aftermath in many cases equaled either war or a state of civil unrest. The political struggles spread into neighboring regions. The world lapsed into a troublesome phase where nobody was safe and chaos reigned.
-When the horrific monsters were discovered to have an aversion to holy relics, holly branches and blessed water, the clerics of Wesnoth gathered their greatest warriors and formed the first Imperial Guard, appointing the noble warrior Deros Revlyn as the Holy Emperor. Those that pledged their loyalty to him would receive the protection of the Royal Guard and Imperial Clerics, as well as a structured law enforcment system, a voice in a true court of law, and an overall better quality of life. To most people, this seemed like an end to a horrible nightmare, but their newfound masters soon showed their true colors. Under the authority of the Royal Guard and their sheriffs, the Empire robbed the poor and needy through taxation and public "tithing". Those with opposing or varying religious views were fined or even killed, the latter of which became a public event involving burnings, decapitation and drowning. Eventually, the religious paranoia reached its' zenith, prompting the Empire to form a branch of secret police who would search the houses of ordinary citizens of anything deemed "sinful".
+With time some lands perished while others got occupied or joined forces together. Eventually they all became controlled under the flag of a single army. And with that The Empire was born. Outward it was justified  with a grand vision of a united world in peace. The Emperor declared that an end of all wars had come, that there was only one nation, one people and one law. Many followed, but there were regions where the inhabitants never gave up on their cultural diversity, religion or politics. They experienced the Empire as an uninvited oppression. They saw it as a false freedom, a rule that wasn't better than the famine, chaos or civil wars. The taxes sent to the Emperor were high, the work camps were full with prisoners and voices started questioning the situation.
-The religious oppression of the Inperial Inquisitors led to the formation of many underground resistance movements, many of which found allies in the form of foreign financers. Princes, Pirates and Nobles outside of Wesnoth were all eager to see the now-mighty Imperial forces crumble from within, resulting in many spies even among the revered Inperial Clerics. As time went on, the influence of the Empire steadily eroded, a fact not helped by the rise of the *Shadow Guild.
+At first the people formed a loose resistance. Noticing that there were others across the continent that were opposing the Empire the resistance fighters soon began to get more organized. Although the resistance had some initial success it began to diminish as soon as the Emperor turned his attention to the matter. Out manned and out armored the resistance began to turn to disgruntled members of the aristocracy, former kings and ex-members of the imperial court to acquire more resources and funding. The resistance grew as a result of it's new financiers and the forces of the Empire began to deteriorate in the far away territories.
-In order to quell the allegations of corruption, bribery and graft spread by the resistance, the Royal Guard and Clerics declared another Inquisition, this time against the newly-formed Shadow Guild and the various races associated with it. The "Pagan" elves and "Bugs" (Lepimorphs) came under fire in particular, and even the resitance leaders and their followers joined the Clerics in voicing their dissaproval of them. Known Shadow Guild encampments were looted and razed, and no life was spared, not even the children or livestock. Retaliation by the SG fanatics known as the "Priesthood of Nightmares" only furthered the rift between the two factions, prompting the SG leader Jorrath Morneau and his people to flee.
+Currently the
 ===Shadowguild===
@@ Line 129: / Line 125: @@
 =====Minions=====
 They are not really part of the hierachy (or a circle) but are listed for completeness. Skeletons and other conjurations do not have an own personality. They follow the orders of their masters and do not fear death. They are usually used as cannon fodder to preserve human lives.

@@ Line 142: / Line 142: @@
 Reavers are divided into:
-Assaults
+'''Assaults'''
 The most common strain of the Reaver curse, Assaults are created for the purpose of combat and pillaging, and are often seen wearing long black robes with bits and peices of their slain foes' armor. Their skin is pale, grey and shrivelled, and they can regenerate easily, making them a formidable enemy. Some Assaults are seen leading two summoned hellhounds on chains, which they use as their "eyes" in combat.
-Infiltrators
+'''Infiltrators'''
 Infiltators are reavers designed to resemble ordinary humans, although they may occasionally appear to have certain deformities such as shrivelled skin or blackened gums. Though they are not created for combat, they make up for it with the ability to spread the curse through their blood, resulting in them occasionaly using their power to blow themselves up. Infiltrators are most commonly used to access quarantined areas designed to keep people safe from Reavers, and are affected less by holy items, holly and platinum weapons.
-Demigods
+'''Demigods'''
 Second in power only to the Reaver Master himself, Reaver Demigods are created by infecting trolls, giants or cyclopses, which then act as "generals", leading Assaults into battle and taking hits for them. They are often fully armored and adorned with shreds or sashes of black cloth, and often carry a shield or giant mace as their weapon of choice.

@@ Line 129: / Line 129: @@
 ===Other Factions===
 =====Reaver Lords=====
 Powerful mages who wield dark and terrible curses, Reaver Lords are able to transform humans, orcs, elves, animals and monsters into shambling abominations called "reavers". Once infected with the curse, the infected individual loses its sense of vision and smell, while gaining a psychic link to the Reaver Master who controls them. The more reavers a master creates, the longer he can live, eventually becoming immortal and eternally young.
@@ Line 136: / Line 140: @@
 Though the Reaver Lords are some of the most powerful beings in Irdiya, their power comes with several glaring weaknesses. The presence of holly, salt water, holy magic and platinum will ward off and easily kill a Reaver, which in turn will damage its' controlling lord.
-=====Assault Reaver=====
+Assaults
 The most common strain of the Reaver curse, Assaults are created for the purpose of combat and pillaging, and are often seen wearing long black robes with bits and peices of their slain foes' armor. Their skin is pale, grey and shrivelled, and they can regenerate easily, making them a formidable enemy. Some Assaults are seen leading two summoned hellhounds on chains, which they use as their "eyes" in combat.
-=====Infiltrator=====
+Demigods
-Infiltators are reavers designed to resemble ordinary humans, although they may occasionally appear to have certain deformities such as shrivelled skin or blackened gums. Though they are not created for combat, they make up for it with the ability to spread the curse through their blood, resulting in them occasionaly using their power to blow themselves up. Infiltrators are most commonly used to access quarantined areas designed to keep people safe from Reavers, and are affected less by holy items, holly and platinum weapons.
+Second in power only to the Reaver Master himself, Reaver Demigods are created by infecting trolls, giants or cyclopses, which then act as "generals", leading Assaults into battle and taking hits for them. They are often fully armored and adorned with shreds or sashes of black cloth, and often carry a shield or giant mace as their weapon of choice.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:21, 31 July 2012
Line 125:		Line 125:
	=====Minions=====		=====Minions=====
	They are not really part of the hierachy (or a circle) but are listed for completeness. Skeletons and other conjurations do not have an own personality. They follow the orders of their masters and do not fear death. They are usually used as cannon fodder to preserve human lives.		They are not really part of the hierachy (or a circle) but are listed for completeness. Skeletons and other conjurations do not have an own personality. They follow the orders of their masters and do not fear death. They are usually used as cannon fodder to preserve human lives.
		+
		+
		+	===Other Factions===
		+
		+
		+	=====Reaver Lords=====
		+
		+	Powerful mages who wield dark and terrible curses, Reaver Lords are able to transform humans, orcs, elves, animals and monsters into shambling abominations called "reavers". Once infected with the curse, the infected individual loses its sense of vision and smell, while gaining a psychic link to the Reaver Master who controls them. The more reavers a master creates, the longer he can live, eventually becoming immortal and eternally young.
		+
		+	Though the Reaver Lords are some of the most powerful beings in Irdiya, their power comes with several glaring weaknesses. The presence of holly, salt water, holy magic and platinum will ward off and easily kill a Reaver, which in turn will damage its' controlling lord.
		+
		+
		+	=====Assault Reaver=====
		+
		+	The most common strain of the Reaver curse, Assaults are created for the purpose of combat and pillaging, and are often seen wearing long black robes with bits and peices of their slain foes' armor. Their skin is pale, grey and shrivelled, and they can regenerate easily, making them a formidable enemy. Some Assaults are seen leading two summoned hellhounds on chains, which they use as their "eyes" in combat.
		+
		+
		+
		+	=====Infiltrator=====
		+
		+	Infiltators are reavers designed to resemble ordinary humans, although they may occasionally appear to have certain deformities such as shrivelled skin or blackened gums. Though they are not created for combat, they make up for it with the ability to spread the curse through their blood, resulting in them occasionaly using their power to blow themselves up. Infiltrators are most commonly used to access quarantined areas designed to keep people safe from Reavers, and are affected less by holy items, holly and platinum weapons.

@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 =====The Lord of the Shadows=====
-Usually the eldest member of the ShadowGuild and a master of necromancy. The shadowguild has studied the workings of life and death intensively enougth to prevent it's most valuable members from aging. However, this magic is too powerful for most humans. To obtain imortality, the subject is required to fight a great magical force and to subdue it by assimilation - an act that has ended deadly for many candidates. And while the Lord of the Shadows does not age, he is still vulnerable to ordinary weapons. His body may heal severe wounds but there are still ways to kill a Lord of the Shadows. As it had happend in the past.
+Usually the eldest member of the ShadowGuild and a master of necromancy. The shadowguild has studied the workings of life and death intensively enougth to prevent it's most valuable members from aging. However, this magic is too powerful for most humans. To obtain immortality, the subject is required to fight a great magical force and to subdue it by assimilation - an act that has ended deadly for many candidates. And while the Lord of the Shadows does not age, he is still vulnerable to ordinary weapons. His body may heal severe wounds but there are still ways to kill a Lord of the Shadows. As it had happend in the past.
 The Lord of the Shadows is responsible making global decisions on the future of the Shadowguild. Because of his age he is well aware of the consequences that his decisions may result in. He has seen how Empires have risen and fallen and he has learned from their mistakes: One of them is creating an empire in the first place. The Shadowguild will therefore remain a faction of nomads until there is very good reason to change it.