Happy New Year, New Game, New Players (Finished: Dojango/Mictlan Wins!)

[Excist]

Where does everybody else fall regarding the start time? To be honest I am flexible and the soonest I can see this getting started considering the current pace and Xmas vacations is the few days between Xmas and New Years. If we all want to start this game off with a new years day hangover I'm down.

[dojango]

I am open about the start date; just got eliminated from a couple of games so I'm itching to start a new one, but then, I also have regular internet access over the holidays, and I understand that a lot of people might not.

[Baldr]

I'm fine with starting after the holidays. Consider me flexible.

[Excist]

Okay, judging by the trend I'm seeing developing I am going to rephrase the question to: does anybody object to holding off until 1/2/2012 for getting this started?

Also, keep those nation/pretender descriptions flowing in! No reason not to have this ready to go before Xmas even if we won't actually start until after the break.

[Dogged57]

The second is fine for a start date. Working on pretender and write-up currently.

[Iron Duke]

It's ok for me as well, I'll write the background soon enough.

[HoleyDooley]

The Hinnom may be tall of stature but it is to a diminutive creature they bow their heads in prayer and obedience.

Alvira, Lord of the Hinnom earned this lofty office through the power of his mind. He spent his valuable time as a youth in the learned halls of the outcast mages in lands long since gone. This time was well spent and he emerged from his studies a mage of incredible power and knowledge.

His travels amongst the lands of the people led him to the Hinnom who were obedient to Tangst the Strong Arm. In a battle lasting little more than 30 seconds Alvira cast down the giant Tangst with a powerful mind blast and took his place as the new God of the Hinnom.

Once his position of power was secure he set about building an army of giants backed by a solid core of magics provided by many willing students of his arts. Alvira has promised his new congregation a return to their powerful status among the earthly. A promise the Hinnom were eager to accept.

Thus it has come to pass that the time of reckoning has arrived. Alvira has embarked upon his quest of world domination but he knows that force of arms will not be enough. Diplomacy and subterfuge will also be needed.

A man of his word, Alvira will seek willing allies whom he shall reward greatly for their assistance, but in the end, there can be only one!

[Excist]

These are some very cool introductions to nations and Pretenders!

[Immaculate]

Sauromatia

It began with a voice, slithering, serpentine, between the overhanging moss and vines, quietly, predatory, along the mist-crested waters, gently stroking the minds of beast and men alike as it spread.

It came before the sun, as the darkness only began to give way, sulkily, to the grey-violet of tomorrow on the horizon. Its whisper was slight, barely perceptible amidst the drum of each of our thoughts, our worries over our family squabbles, the daily hunger, our nets, traps, and bows. And as quietly and imperceptivity as it came, it was gone, the waters still but for the ripples of a serpent amidst the reeds as the mists began to burn away in the early morning sun.

But not all of us were deaf to its silken whispers. Amongst every tribe a select few, awake at the early hour, detangling our nets or sharpening our arrows, or feeding our infant children felt the quiet voice and in the clearness of our thoughts, heard its message: “It” had come. “It” would unite us, lead us, teach us the ways of our ancestors and future children. Those that heard were the first of its disciples.

Over the months and years, more and more awoke before the dawn, sitting quietly in small groups, preparing tea or gruel, waiting for the stillness in the trees, the hushing of the frogs and bird, and the quiet, a sort of pre-battle dread, that would descend upon the swamp before “Its” coming. We learned to clear our minds and be patient, to strain a sort of ear within us and to listen, truly listen. And as we did, day after day, we were united, we were taught an ancient law that would first be taught to our grand-children, we learned to share the wisdom of the departed and the very plants and animals of the swamp whispered their secrets to us.

Days, months, and even years went by. Our hunters learned to milk the white viper who swam only under the full moon. Our warriors learned to tame and even ride the great grey lizards the hid in the deep swamp. Even the many-headed wyrms of the great choking bog were brought under our sway by the whispered secrets. We learned not only to make the best of the swamp’s bounty but of our own. Our enemies we flayed and eviscerated. Their viscera we mixed with viper venom and grew in clay pots buried in the deep reeds until the mixture grew foul and putrid. These we dipped our arrows in and those scratched would die a painful agonizing death. The skins we raised, untanned and bloody on great standards to bring terror to our enemies and courage to ourselves. Their flesh we feasted upon that we might grow strong and many. After death, even the spirits and bones we learned to master, calling them back to serve us in death as they did not in life.

The Whisper that Came Before the Dawn called to us, bade us forge a great machine of war that was our people, the Sauromatia.

And we heeded that call, the Voice.

[TigerBlood]

Spooky.