FFRPG: Setting Brainstorm

[JohnnyWeird]

A little more on Lavosia:

Religion: Lavosians are not, by and large, a heavily spiritual folk. With their technological prowess and magical ability, little in the universe seems closed off to them. The Church, therefore, assumes a vital but unassuming role in society. Ministering to those without a guild and the spiritually destitute are the priests and paladins of Brautiga, the Gear-Mother. They attribute a beneficent, loving aspect to the mechanical universe, and preach above all other traits the quality of mercy. Quick to forgive and willing to compromise, they aid the needy and solicit charity from the wealthy. Though their congregations are small ' fewer than one Lavosian in twenty attends services regularly ' they command respect from all tiers of society, and those who can contribute considerable amounts of money, resources and time to the Church. White mages and those who practice any amount of white magic are frequently devout worshippers of Brautiga, and her shrines and temples can be found in all corners of the Empire.

Military: The Lavosian military ranks as one of the largest in the Known Worlds, and wherever King Galen's flag flies they stand ready to defend the Empire. The army, consisting mostly of Fighters, emphasizes flexible infantry techniques, the better to win any battle at any time. Swordsmen, Archers and other specialty martial jobs exist in small companies or as complements to larger units. The current Supreme General, Baltus Decar, has also begun to more seamlessly integrate arcanists into the army, though this has caused some friction between the disciplined soldiers and the sometimes eccentric mages. The navy, meanwhile, has used magic for many decades, making Lavosian ships the fastest and mightiest on the Homeworld's seas. Supreme Admiral Clara Hobb has made use of daring strategies and often surprising gambits to give a near-unbreakable tactical advantage over Jing, should war resurge. Members of the armed services in Lavosia are represented by special delegates to the House of Guilds ' one each for the army and navy.

Money: The Lavosian Gil, from an ancient word meaning '˜crown', represents the currency most widely used in the Known Worlds. Minted by the great presses of the Royal Mint, these coins make their way to every planet that trades with the Homeworld. Each Gil coin is stamped with the seal of the reigning monarch on one side and the Lavosian coat of arms on the other. The cycle of trade keeps them in circulation for a long time. A recent story in The Clarion tells of an Elf traveler who paid for a loaf of bread in Oltaer with a coin bearing the seal of Good Queen Octavia. The five-century-old coin, pictured in the paper, is a testament to the stability of Lavosia's economy.

[JohnnyWeird]

Today, Lavosian cities!

Cities: Though it boasts rugged mountains, verdant forests and fertile fields, Lavosia is by nature an urban empire, and its cities reflect the flavors of its diverse and varied subjects.
-Oltaer: The capital of the Empire is a thriving canal city, the finest metropolis in the Known Worlds. Skyshore Rest may be larger and Aia may be older, but Oltaer is unmatched for its wealth and prosperity. From the modern Gunpowder Market to the classical Royal Exchange, items, goods and relics from across the Known Worlds can be bought or sold. Oltaer also boasts the Palace and Parliament Hall, bastions of freedom and civilization renowned for their beauty and history.
-Leib: Few mages or scholars can trace back their training without mentioning Leib, home of the most prestigious colleges of magic and liberal arts on the Homeworld. It was along the cobblestone streets of this city that the first essence-powered carriages first rolled, and it is in the high towers of Ristot College that the greatest mages of the day gather in the Concordia, an annual gathering of the biggest names in the magical world. The Concordia is celebrated by all the citizens of the city, as the elaborate and often ostentatious displays of magic are matched by a carnival atmosphere. It is also here, in the dueling societies and fraternities of students, that some of the finest Swordsmen are trained.
-Ium: This southern city, across the sea near the southern pole of the Homeworld, is one of the newest additions to the Empire, having been subjugated less than a century ago in the War of Fifes and Drums. Before then Ium and the region around it was controlled by the barbarian nation of Ratatosk, which used its proximity to the Kupo caravan routes to try and control the flow of goods from the Known Worlds. Lavosian Essence Gates helped to break their monopoly, and the ensuing violence ended with Ratatosk a subject nation of the Empire. While this change has brought the blessings of civilization to the region, some Ratatosca still chafe at Imperial rule.
-Arles: Not all cities in the Empire are native or conquered. Arles began as an independent city-state in the Thale Archipelago, but as the power of the city's oligarchy began to wane it became a client-nation of Lavosia. More than 250 years later the City of Spices' inhabitants consider themselves Lavosian subjects, for all that their representatives in Parliament are appointed by merchant princes. Arles is famous as a center of art and luxury; the ultra-rich rule over a vast class of artisans and laborers. Backed by the Lavosian military, it is clear that the elite will not suffer challenges to their power.


Next time, Lavosia's primary competitor for global dominance: the mysterious nation of Jing!

[Vardaen]

Hey guys, no one's posted here since October, are you still interested in this Forum? If not I'll move it to the Graveyard. Please reply within a week otherwise, it will get moved regardless.

[JohnnyWeird]

Best to trash it; best case scenario we resurrect it later.

[Illeveun]

Yeah, I would say just move it into the graveyard for now.