The Land of Islan OOC

[Voice Elessar]

This thread is open for the sharing of ideas and ooc story development for The Land of Islan. As was stated in Voice Jade's thread this forum will focus mainly on Angelique. If you wish to have her interact with your storyline in anyway this is the place to request it. Be sure to have a quick summary of what you want her to do and why and we'll discuss it with the Admin.

Heres a quick synopsis of what is known of Angelique at this point:

Angelique, the self-proclaimed Queen of Islan, rules her land with a steady grip. The rule of law permeated every aspect of her method. On occasion, the rumors would speak of harsh responses, oppression and deft cruelty. But with those rumors also came the ringing endorsements of those who believed in the compassion of blind justice.

[Dark Horse]

Currently we are working on a thread for Calael in which we'd love for Angelique to interact. Essentially well.. it's very complicated but yes we'd like that very much so we can stay Kosher an all.

[Reylan Talonspyre]

Here are some thoughts about Islan. I think we should have big ass statues of elder kings/queens surrounding the island itself ... or on one coast, where sailors and shit come by and see it and are like, "OooooooooOOOhhhh .... AhhhhHHHHH" and then move on their merry way ... we can call it the Cape of Monarchs.

Then there would be a big ass mountain range that runs along the north, where it is colder. That would be cool too ... we can call them the Dragonspyne Mountains.

I can do geographical features all day. Maybe a magical swampland called the Black Morass ... unless that is taken already.

I am thinking Gondor like cities.

Ohs hell yeah.

Image link ...
http://www.freewebs.com/thegondorsvengeance/432_2_MPframe210_4k_v01.jpg

[Voice Elessar]

We are throwing some ideas around about establishing cities in each realm. They won't be the only cities but will have a description and a background for people to use if they wish, I'll keep your suggestions in mind and see what I can do, but by all means if you want to rp a city or location like the one you described go right on ahead.

[Dyvim Tvar]

Here are some thoughts about Islan. I think we should have big ass statues of elder kings/queens surrounding the island itself ... or on one coast, where sailors and shit come by and see it and are like, "OooooooooOOOhhhh .... AhhhhHHHHH" and then move on their merry way ... we can call it the Cape of Monarchs.

Then there would be a big ass mountain range that runs along the north, where it is colder. That would be cool too ... we can call them the Dragonspyne Mountains.

I can do geographical features all day. Maybe a magical swampland called the Black Morass ... unless that is taken already.

I am thinking Gondor like cities.

Ohs hell yeah.

Image link ...
http://www.freewebs.com/thegondorsvengeance/432_2_MPframe210_4k_v01.jpg

Mmmm, generica!!;-p

[Reylan Talonspyre]

I will try and do that Voice E.

Dyvim, I eat generic food, drink generic wine, sleep with generic women, and read generic books.

I am generic.

[Dyvim Tvar]

Doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer for your sins.

Although I almost liked the Cape of Monarchs idea. Throw in a sea maze and thriving slavery business out of the ports and, baby, you got a stew goin'!

[Dark Horse]

How about a great fortress along the coast with a drydock, headquarters of her majesties royal navy! On the wall stand a thosand archers and men manning siege weaponry to ward off any attemt at an attack from sea.

[Reylan Talonspyre]

Idea: Cape of Monarchs and Monarch's Bay

Although I almost liked the Cape of Monarchs idea. Throw in a sea maze and thriving slavery business out of the ports and, baby, you got a stew goin'!

How about a great fortress along the coast with a drydock, headquarters of her majesties royal navy! On the wall stand a thosand archers and men manning siege weaponry to ward off any attemt at an attack from sea.

The Cape of Monarchs is hundreds of miles of free standing statues, ten to twenty stories in height, all depicting the great kings and queens of the Isle of Islan. In addition, because some of these statues are further from shore and so many have been erected using great magics and what not, natural and man made mazes have been created with various hazards such as reefs, large collections of kelp that act like quicksand to sailing ships because of the way it stops movement in particularly restricted areas between statues.

The Cape of Monarchs is also home to Her Highness' Imperial Navy, in a massive fortress that abuts a steep cliff. The fortress, also known as Monarch's Bay, is a huge installment that protects the Cape and its environs. The Harbor, as it is called in more colloquial terms, is furnished with a dry dock and metal/stone sea doors that protect the harbor from raiders and enemy ships. Inside the large harbor, behind the sea doors lies the Imperial Navy. Atop the parapets, towers, solid stone walls, and the sea doors themselves run the soldiers who protect the Harbor from attack. Thousands of archers and siege engineers operate the catapults, ballista, and other more ingenious magical devices designed to sink enemy ships that get too close. A single statue sits further back, rising fifty stories in height and adorned in brass and tin ... the visage of her Holiness, Queen Angelique of Islan. At certain points during the day, her statue shadows the entire Harbor a sign from the slavers that it is time to begin to sell their wares.

Slavery is the main export and import of the Harbor, mainly because captured sailors and goods are brought there by Her Highness' Navy before being sent inland. Over the years, scores of battles have ravaged the outer sea walls of the Harbor, but none have made it through.

[Dyvim Tvar]

It could be ripped straight from the Elric series of novels.
Needless to say, I approve of that tactic!

[Voice Elessar]

I have one city in the works, i'm going to go ahead and post what I have so far, feel free to comment on what you think.

Salis

A Bustling city straddling the Tanir River, its unique layout and buildings are attributed to the blind and some what crazed architech Syris who modled the city after a bizzare pendant he claims he was given by a shrouded woman he met in the forest of Ulgrah that lies to the north. With the river as its focal point running through the center of the city, the streets and allyways form ever growing rings each ring expanding in size as you move out from the center. The City is broken into 3 sectors.


The Water Front Sector as it's refered to by the upper class denotes the center ring and the two outlying rings. The sector consists mainly of docks and warehouses used in the daily trading of the city with other regions. It also contains sewer tunnels long since abandoned after the introduction of a more advanced aquaduct. The more refined patrons of the city tend to avoid this area after dusk as its known for its various thieves guilds.

The next 8 rings are known as the Bazzarr sector. The inner 4 rings are made up of taverns, Inns and various shops offering a vast array of goods. If you are willing to pay, you can find anything here. The outer 4 rings of this sector house the middle and lower class. The buildings are old, tall and cramed together with multiple families living in them with one family group per lvl.

The outer 3 rings are known as the Eilte sector. The inner layer of this sector resides on a ridge that rises 80 feet above the lower sectors and encloses the entire city. The only road that leads out of the Bazzarr sector and into the Elite sector snakes it's way around the city twice as it makes it's way up the ridge. Gaurd posts litter the road for those in the Elite sector are ever weary of those that dwell below them. It's tall manors and marbul monuments of leaders cast an ever lasting shadow on the lower sectors, save for midday. The outer two rings are made up of mostly vinyards, and sweeping plains.

[Reylan Talonspyre]

I like the city Voice E. I kind of see Islan as somewhat like the lands of Reidra/Sarlona from Keith Baker's Eberron series (in paperback and D&D source book). The best way to describe it is a place of order and law, but less personal liberty and freedom. Of course, it would also be a place nearing the Renaissance era, but not in the same manner it was reached in the Real World, instead it was reached in a different way ... through magic.

Now actually, this might fit more with the Empire and Barnabas' realm, since they would be a large enough entity to actually plan and execute these sorts of things, but Islan could also have benefited from them. Examples of this Renaissance-Magic era would be things such as "lightning rails" which are trains for the most part that glide upon elemental lightning between destinations. No steam, no coal burning, just clean, pure, magic.

The problem is, things like the lightning rail are trademarked to Eberron, so using things like that would be tricky and require some renaming, I am guessing. But similar devices could be fathomed using train cars being held aloof by spells that allow flight and general routes with large elementals or demons running the cars down the lines. Like huge horse drawn wagons or something similar.

[Dark Horse]

We need to have a city where scholars, mages and scribes inhabit. With a School of war arts in the center thereof. All the greatest and brightest wish to go their to be trained by and learn from the greatest masters of battle, the arts, and Magics.

[Voice Elessar]

suggestions have been noted, and a new city is in the works. Keep the suggestions coming guys.


I was thinkg of a costal city set along a bay, in the middle of the bay theres a large island that houses manors, religous buildings, and schools. The island would be connected to the main land by a man made land bridge that is lined on both sides with massive statues and monuments of various military and religous figures. The coast line of the main land would of course be lined with docks and warehouses and the various market sectors. The only problem i'm having is figuring out where to place the homes of the lower class.

[Reylan Talonspyre]

Actually, the homes for the lower class is not a problem. They can just live in work encampments.

*waits for the boos and hisses to stop*

Here is the thing, I tend to see Angelique's law and order as somewhat cold and uncaring about the harsh realities of life. Therefore, work encampments where the poor are given work to do for menial wages and sections of almost all cities devoted to low-income housing would be perfect.

The law in these areas is less strict, but still harsh and cold. The poor are ignored or forgotten. So kind of like the real world. The point is, I think it would also make a great RP area for people to create characters from these poor neighborhoods, because it is there that heroes are truly born, like assassins, thieves, etc.

Now what about the capital?

I am thinking grandiose and with copious amounts of marble.

[Voice Elessar]

Actually Reylan this is the capital that i'm speaking of. Here is a pic to give you a basic idea of the image I have in my head.


Syris

[Reylan Talonspyre]

I like it, but wouldn't the capital be situated more inland?

Then again, that place is very pretty, probably a good place for a sitting Queen to hang out.

Maybe her fortress of solitude can be located more inland, like a winter-retreat or something of that sort.

Ooooh, she can have heavily armed ice elementals.

[Dyvim Tvar]

If the next idea out of your mouth isn't for an annual icetravaganza involving said elementals, then I never want you to post again!

[Voice Jade]

Elessar came up with a perfect concept of something befitting Angelique in my opinion. I have always believed Angelique and her followers have this façade of being serene and stately, while at the same time a bit extravagant.

As for it being more inland, not necessarily. You can protect the seat of power alot more easily if it's hard to reach.

I'd also like to remind everyone that is is an OOC thread to help with developing city (cities). Please do try to refrain yourself from just taking potshots at other posters.

[Voice Elessar]

The way I see it is that the sea outside of the bay could either be surrounded by a coral reef or large rocks that reach from the sea bed to the surface. The palace would be on top of a large hill in the center of the island surrounded then by either the schools or religous buildings.


If you would like a Secluded location by all means develope it and share it.

[Reylan Talonspyre]

Sounds awesome Voice E! Seriously, I agree, the capital is well set up in the way you describe it. As for a summer retreat (winter is kind of silly since the mainland would be hit harder by the winter, I would guess) I will get to work on it.

[Le Countess]

I was just thinking of a trade outpost of sorts built into a series of caves near the oceanfront. Maybe a place where sailors come to trade and to get drunk. A little bit of a shady place for this island but still nothing too riotous. A sort of darker side to the island and maybe just a shade more out of the reach of Angeliques iron fist.

[Reylan Talonspyre]

Can Nicole Kidman play Angelique?

Or maybe Gabrielle Anwar!

[Voice Elessar]

I’m leaving some facts vague for a reason will add them in at a later date when I have more time.


Syris



Syris, also known as the Jade Mountain, is an island that sits in the middle of the bay of Cinas on the northern shores of Tonan. The island is a product of a dormant volcano long since sealed by an unknown force; its surface is covered with thick trees with hardly any underbrush. The center of the island rises high above the base with its side’s sloping downward at an extreme angle before gradually leveling off at the bottom.

On top of the peak sits Elnor Tir, the Royal Palace of Islan and home of the Queen. With the view of the palace obscured from below by a dense forest Very few people have actually been close enough to the Palace to give its true description, however, rumor has it that the walls are made of pure white marble, with turrets that spiral around a central spire that reaches into the clouds.

The only road leading from the palace winds down around the peak with several guarded checkpoints along the way. Halfway down the peak rests the Religious Sector of the island. Three main temples exist here positioned around the island on the northern, south western and southeastern sides. Constructed of magically imbued granite each temple seems to radiate a different color at night (white, green, and red respectfully) while appearing white during the day. The rest of this sector consists of housing for the priests and pilgrims that dominate the populace.

At the bottom of the road is seated the academic sector. This sector over looks the bay and is dominated by libraries and learning institutions.

As it reaches the bottom of the peak it winds to the southern side of the island and connects to a man made land bridge that connects the island to the main land. Stretching for two miles the bridge is lined on both sides by massive marble statues of various religious and military figures.


To be continued….

[Voice Jade]

Just a reminder that all players are welcomed and encouraged to submit ideas for city(ies).