Clockwork Voyage
Introduction
Spoiler
Welcome to Clockwork Voyage, a Steampunk-era RP based on exploration and progress. You're in Aetheria, a world where civilizations have undergone through rapid technological advancements, competing with each other to gain advantage in exploration to unknown lands for colonization. The world is very naval-intensive, as most of the continents are separated by some amount of ocean. However, the technology has improved to the point that sky travelling and even sky cities are possible, so Aeronavigation is also a nice alternative if you want to take small amounts of cargo fast between two places. Land-travel between city-states and empires are also popular, as you can carry a lot more than Aeronavigation and is faster than naval trade.
20 years ago, an infamous pirate called Captain Verdelion plundered both the sea and the sky route of trade between major city-states and empires, amassing so much money it became the stuff of legends. After Captain Verdelion died with his treasure in an unknown location, many explorers sought out to find this massive booty, but everyone has either returned, gave up, or failed and perished out in the ocean.
You are an ambitious man/woman living in this world, looking for the treasure left by the dead Captain Verdelion. Will you be the one to find this magnificent treasure that can sustain you, your family, and several generations after of luxurious living? Or will you find something else of interest as you journey onward?
It is up to you to decide.
Settings
Spoiler
This is Aetheria. The whole world is 2000 miles in diameter.
Mollweide
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Aetheria hosts 4 major empires with 8 city states.
Ravendale:
An empire ruled under a constitutional monarchy, Ravendale promotes justice and morality through the iron fist. Located in the center of the world map, Ravendale has a lot of plains and rivers flowing through, making agriculture the strongest suit of the empire.
Notable cities
- Lumines
Capital of Ravendale. Characterized mostly by the White Castle, the king's palace at the center of the city. The buildings also take the theme of white, using marble that is quarried in the outskirts.
- Rainy Port
Ravendale's biggest port city. It is most likely raining when you visit the city, hence the name Rainy Port. The city has a very well-regulated irrigation system and a certain architectural style that combats the rainy weather the best, such as clustered buildings with wide roofs to redirect the rainwater towards canals.
- Irongate
A center of railroad transportation, Irongate used to be the military center of Ravendale during its war against a neighboring empire, Wolfholt. This place also produces a lot of coal from the mines.
- Rollan
A town covered in thick forests. Center of lumber industry and home of the largest estate in Ravendale, the Wilcox Mansion.
- Oceanside
The direct opposite of Rainy Port, Oceanside is a port-city that always has good weather. Oceanside may not be as large as Rainy Port, but the residents are more diverse and the mayor is more progressive. The largest naval trading guild in the world, the Winged Whales, reside here.
- Heaven's Gate
Ravendale's only sky city, this city was constructed not so long ago and therefore is not as large as other sky cities. However, as it is sitting on such a pivotal point, a lot of trading caravans stop by here and therefore the growth rate of this city is very high.
Wolfholt:
Neighboring Ravendale to the east is Wolfholt, a militaristic empire ruled by a totalitarian ruler. A few years ago, Wolfholt and Ravendale waged war against each other, but a peace treaty allowed the two empires to amend the wounds. Of course, the deep scar of hatred still remains. Believing in military might, Wolfholt utilizes its mountainous lands to gain advantage in terms of coals and other useful minerals such as iron, copper, and aluminum, just to name a few.
Notable Cities
- Utgard
Also known as the Red Citadel, Utgard is the indomitable fortress capital of Wolfholt. The walls made of red brick-and-mortar still stand even after the war is over.
- Aensel
Trading center between Wolfholt and the rest of the world towards the West, the floating city of Aensel was rebuilt after Ravendale destroyed it during their war many years ago. Therefore, most of the residents are rather new to the town.
- Baratone
A historical city with lots of ancient ruins nearby, Baratone attracts a lot of explorers looking for treasures in the ruins, and has grown into a lawless town.
- The Backbone
Responsible for handling almost 20% of the total production of iron for Wolfholt, this mining city was built even before the capital.
- St. Gallas
A town by the tranquil Lake Aria. Retired people, regardless of their nationality, loves the town's beauty of nature.
Esteracre:
An expansionist empire ruled under a council of 9 elders, Esteracre boasts its superior tradition, culture, and religion. The world's largest mountain, the Deep South, is in this empire.
Notable Cities
- Esmeralda
A city that mysteriously shines green during a certain time of day, Esmeralda is the capital of Esteracre. The city's entrancing beauty invites a lot of tourists to this city.
- Granicia
Known as the Holy city of the Zetra, Granicia holds the temple where the god Zetra is worshipped. However, the true fanatics of this religion does not live here, but they live closer and closer to the Deep South, believing that Zetra lives high up at the peak of the mountain and that they tok can receive holy power by living near him.
- Pietus
Not much is known about Pietus. The only few information that we ever hear of the place is that one, it is still yet to be industrialized, two, it is filled with fanatics of the Zetrism, and three, non believers travelling to the city never come back.
- Horax
A diplomatic city set up to appease the Wolfholt during their invasion. A lot of oil is produced here.
Skylands Republic:
A democratic empire with only sky cities and ports, Skylands Republic was formed by the enlightened minds of merchants and trade leaders who were sick of the oppression of the empires' kings and councillors. This empire boasts superior scientific progress, trade and commerce, and education.
Notable Cities
- Jefferson
Named after the first president of the empire, Robert Wellings Jefferson, this sky city has the largest University in Aetheria, making it the hub of education that accepts bright-minded students from all over the world.
- Wakehold
One of two port cities in Skylands Republic, Wakehold served as the host city for the first World Convention two years ago. It also serves as a refueling station for airplanes traveling from Ravendale and Esteracre to the sky cities of Skylands Republic and vice versa.
- Blackledge
A city named aptly because of the cliff of black marble it sits on, Blackledge serves as a refueling station for airplanes travelling from Wolfholt and city states near the area to the sky cities of Skylands Republic and vice versa.
- Piltover
Known as the City of Progress, the extremely progressive of the government allows scientific progress and commerce to skyrocket in this sky city.
The major city-states goes as follows:
1. Moroz Drakon
The northern islands above Skylands Republic. The abundance of natural resources here are contradicted by very little people living in the lands, due to the legend of the ice dragon that lives near.
2. Sardhin
A desert city-state west of Esteracre that plead independence as its own separate empire.
3. Freljand
The unforgiving frozen wasteland north of Wolfholt. People are rugged and battle-hardened. The fiercest mercenaries often take their guilds here.
4. Wolfhunter
After the war between Ravendale and Wolfholt came to a halt, some Ravendale war-fanatics decided that Ravendale is too peaceful for their nature. Therefore, they created their own independent city-state and perform guerilla warfare against Wolfholt trade caravans, ships, and airplanes.
5. Fenix
A city-state situated near Wolfholt. This city-state is always on war-like term with its neighboring city-state, Abencar.
6. Abencar
A city-state next to Fenix, it fights for the control over the small bay with Fenix.
7. Namishima
An oriental city-state situated far to the east of Wolfholt, the cultural and religious advancement of Namishima is only rivaled by Esteracre.
8. Clockwork Town
Where it all began. This city-state marked the birth of Steampunk era in Aetheria, and therefore is a pilgrimage site for many aspiring Steampunk engineers, businessmen, and scientists.
[ADDED - 07/07/2014]
There are quite a lot of religion in a world of developed science.
- Galesm
Originally posted by Major Mario
Galesm as a religion does not exist to answer questions such as 'why are we here' and 'what is the meaning of life'. It holds that there are no gods and no masters, only nothingness penetrated by the constant ebb and flow of the wind, hence the first four letters of the religion being 'gale'. All life is filled with suffering, Galesm explains, and there is no denying that. This is the first noble truth. The second noble truth is that suffering stems from humanity's cravings and aversions, be it overindulgence to alcohol or complete dismissal of sensual pleasures. The third truth is that suffering can be overcome by overcoming desire and aversion, by living one day at a time. The fourth and final truth is that to overcome suffering, one must follow the eightfold current which is a set of eight ideas that focus the mind on being fully aware of one's thoughts and actions, acquiring wisdom, and building compassion.
There are no prerequisites for Galest followers to achieve, and the religion does not demand anything from them. Instead, Galesm is more of a philosophy than anything else. It encourages others to lead a moral life, to be mindful and aware of one's thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding with compassion underlining all.
- Zetrism
Local religion of the Esteracre, followers of this religion believe that the god Zetra has created the world and he watches over the world he created atop Deep South, the tallest mountain in Aetheria. They believe that Zetra is omnipotent, and that using more technology than is deemed necessary will anger Zetra as the balance of nature will be distorted.
Technology, Science, and Magic
Spoiler
So what extent of technological advancement has Aetheria achieved? As the introduction tells you, this is a Steampunk RP. In case you did not know, Steampunk is sub-genre of science fiction where steam-powered machines are used in a world setting of industrialized Western civilization in the 19th century. Often times, machines that are used in Steampunk settings are anachronistic, or inconsistent with the time period, but as long as it is operated by steam, clockwork, or something of that nature, it is acceptable.
Some common inventions of Steampunk era are...
- Steam-powered vehicles, such as cars, trains, ships
Spoiler
- Zeppelins
Spoiler
- Prosthetic limbs
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- Automated robots
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- Steam-powered Computer?
Spoiler
There are three kinds of magics in Aetheria.
- Alchemy
Spoiler
Magic that explores the potential of the material, alchemists explore the chemistry to understand the world around them. Defining objectives of alchemy is turning regular metal into more valuable metals or discovering eternal youth by finding the recipe for the fabled philosopher's stone... or you can use the knowledge of the chemistry for more corporeal uses.
- Elementalism
Spoiler
Magic that delves into the six basic characteristics of the world: Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, Metal, and Air, Elementalists can channel the energies of those six elements to both launch deadly attacks and perform miraculous work such as healing wounds, curing diseases, or constructing large buildings faster than any regular architect can. Very few people can actually use this magic.
- Techmaturgy
Spoiler
Combination of technology and thaumaturgy, practitioners of this branch of magic uses technology to perform miraculous works. Some examples include bringing a dead man back to life using nanomachines and body parts or creating an automated robot. Slang term for this "magic" is called Hextech.
So what can I become?
Spoiler
Here are some character archetypes you can consider.
Scientist/Engineer/Inventor or whatever you want to call yourself
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Intrigued by the never-ending technological progress, you are a well-educated gentleman/lady who strives to invent new things for the name of science. You are curious, eccentric, and maybe even prodigal. You either own your own lab, or you work for another scientist as an apprentice, building your skill and wealth so one day you too can become a full-fledged engineer that can contribute to the world of science.
Pirate
Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all. - Johnny Depp
Bored of the regular life, you are a pirate who plunders the world's trade routes, following the route of legendary pirate, Captain Verdelion. You can choose to pillage the small villages on land, intercept the cargo ships on sea routes, or raid the sky. You are not bound by any rules but your own, and the freedom of the world is yours. But if you are caught by the empires' army, then your days of bliss are over.
Soldier
If we're doing this, better do it thoroughly. If, by any chance, even a single scholar was hiding on that ship, every single sacrifice made today would have been wasted. Evil must be completely eradicated! - Admiral Akainu
You are a soldier for an empire of your choice. Loyal to your country, you serve as either the Army, Navy or the Air Force to keep your empire safe from the pirates. You are given superior training and equipment, but you are bound by strict military code and conduct. Your goal right now is to secure the treasure of Captain Verdelion before any pirates or explorers grab them and use them for their own good.
[ADDED]
The ranks used in this RP follows closely to the British Navy and Royal Air Force.
Naval Rank (highest to lowest)
Fleet Admiral
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant
Shipman
Air Force Rank (highest to lowest)
Chief Marshal
Marshal
Vice Marshal
Colonel
Air Commodore
Air Captain
Air Commander
Squadron Leader
Air Lieutenant
Air Master Sergeant
Air Staff Sergeant
Air Sergeant
Pilot Officer
Of course, these are not the only archetypes you can choose to work with. You can be anything you want in this RP, as long as your goal is set.
Rules
Spoiler
1. Character Limitation
- You can have up to 3 characters. No exceptions.
- There are mythical creatures in Aetheria. Does not mean you can apply as one without my permission.
2. Post Length
- A lot of people make excuses such as "Oh I was feeling tired today so I made my post short. Sorryz". NONE OF THAT BULLSHIT HERE. If your character is not in a conversation, and you don't feel like posting some descriptions, don't even post. We can wait until you feel better. I don't want the outsiders to think that I am lenient on small, half-assed posts. I may be casual in Hoenn, but not here. This is as serious of an RP as AtWaG or TSU.
- That being said, I want to establish a general rule that a conversational post is at least 2 sentences long, and descriptive post is at least 4 - 5 sentences long. Longer the better.
3. Contribution
- Did your character make something? Invented a new technology? Discover a new location? Maybe you want to add a particular city to the map. Let me know through PM and I will see if it's acceptable or not. As long as you don't go overboard, you should be fine.
4. Post etiquette
- Respond only to the things a character says, not what he/she thinks.
- Don't just have your character jump into a scene.
- Don't take control of other characters unless you're allowed to.
5. Other
- I'm gonna try and make this RP leaning more towards R than PG-13. However, there are still some things that are not allowed:
> Blatant Sex scenes. You can have your little romantic scene if you want, but no ero.
> No Ad Hominem. In case you don't know what that is, it's a type of fallacy, or false argument, that attacks the person instead of his argument. In this case, it means insult the character, not the player.
> Extremely cruel scenes. I never said you can't have gore, as there might be action scenes in this RP. However, plz no guro.
- Regarding post activity, I will give a player max. 5 days to post. If the player do not post within that time period, the player's character can and will be controlled by users affected by the player's inactivity to keep the plotline going and the player will given a strike. The player may regain the control by pleading in the OOC. If the player is given three strikes, the player is banned from posting in the RP and the player's character will be up for grabs. If no one grabs the character, then the GM will control him/her.
Cool beans. So can I make a character?
Spoiler
Did you read everything above?
You sure?
ARE YOU TRIPLE SURE?
Okay good.
Follow the template below
Name: Straightforward. Your character's name.
Age: Straightforward as well. Put your character's age here. There is no limit to how young or how old your character can get in this RP. Let's put some age diversity in this.
Gender: Again...
Occupation: What does your character do for a living? Is he a pirate that raids the skies of Ravendale, or a ruin explorer in Baratone? Is she an alchemist who is aiming to create a homunculus, or a captain of the Esteracre Navy?
Appearance: Post the image of your character's appearance here. If you can't find an image, just give us the textual description.
*Protip: Use imgur, minus, tinypic, or whatever media sharing website you can find if you want to use an image from websites that block hotlinking, such as Danbooru and Zerochan.
Skill: Any special skills your character can do.
Bio: Your character's history and what he/she is doing now. I won't ask for it to be super-long. Short and concise will do.
Personality: Is your character active? Extroverted? Maybe he/she is shy and doesn't like big crowds. Whatever it is, it goes here.
Other: Anything else you want to put here.
