Nocturne Character Sheets

[Verse Zero]

My Character (more will follow)

Name: Amelia
Titles: Duchess of Transylvania, The Elder Princess (not to her face)
Race: Vampire (Elder)
Age: Over 700 years old but allegedly over 800.
Physical Appearance: (If you don't have an image or simply wish to add more detail)
Biography:
Not much is known of Amelia in her early life. Her history only accurately beginning after the founding of Nocturne, of course even then the Vampire Elders did much to rewrite history in their own image, so even then much may be conjecture or outright lies. Much of her history is told in the Annum Vampirum and the Annals of Nocturne.
In the Annum Vampirum which gives a timeline of her life states she was born in the 'Old World' and was one of the original Vampire Elders. Helping lead the Vampire race and their newfound Human allies into driving back the hordes at their doors. Helping found Valeria and ultimately forming Nocturne. Personality wise Amelia is well received by Vampires and Humans alike. Being held as beautiful and just in her duties. Able to lead men into battle but not much into politicking. Caring little for legislation but will take Court cases should they fancy her.
Amelia is also the only Elder to be the head of a Province. Holding the title of Duchess of Transylvania and as such is usually engaged in protecting the Eastern Frontier and prosecuting campaigns into the endless wilderness there. At the start of the role play Amelia is the reigning Vampire Elder for the last thirty-three years.
Being the only female Elder her hand in marriage is much sought after, and the tale of many a minstrel.
Additional Information:
As the Duchess of Translyvania she has control over its military forces. The Athanatoi or Deathless Ones is the military order dedicated to her.
Athanatoi Warrior
If a Provincial Lord
Name of Province: Transylvania
Name of Provincial Capital: Drakenberg
Population: 125,000
Military Size: 10,000
Military Info: The Athanatoi prefer to fight as heavy infantry, cavalry, and missile troops organized into companies of 100-250 warriors.
Economy Info: Transylvania is economically mediocre with its primary industry being mines and woodworking. Most of its people outside of Drakenberg live in small hamlets and villages.

History/Information of Province:
Transylvania is the Easternmost province of the Realm of Nocturne. Bording Magyan to the West and Balkora to the South-West. To the East it is bordered by the Kingdom of Rumova while its Northern marches give way to the Ukrainian plains and the mutant tribes that call those lands home. Border raids and sorties from the provinces military are commonplace. Though the Mountains provide a natural barrier they are not impervious. The mountain passes must be watched and while the communities in the Carpathians are few and far between they are a hardy bunch. Often the first line of defense should a foe seek to penetrate the mountains and enter the Transylvanian basin.
Transylvania's provincial capital is the City of Targon Minas (former Targu Mures), population of 28,000, and situated within the Transylvanian basin. It is from here that the provincial government reigns in Amelia's stead when she is not present. As such the Province can be seen as a Oligarchy made up of appointed officers while Amelia is away, and then transitioning into a feudal monarchy when she is present and reigning as Duchess.
Transylvania, before Nocturne, was a land of vast forests giving way to snowy mountains. It's people scarce and constantly at war with the beasts of the forests. When the Elders took power and began building Valeria, they also expanded Nocturne. In the Provinces own history Amelia led an army of Nocturne into the Transylvania and drove the beasts from the forests. The people in joy crowned her as their overlord. A more fanciful story is that Amelia alone wandered into Transylvania, and following the call of a raven climbed the highest mountain. Slayed the Dragon Durogast, and with that deed the land bent to her will, proclaiming her Lord of all Transylvania.

 

[SedentaryCobra]

Spoiler: Jagannath Empire

"Sunder those who defy the Primalpunk Testament.
Scorch those who curse our litany.
Hold fast, for the future is ours to take." --Calux Deathmantle
Anthem
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Capitol: New Essen
Location: Rhineland, Luxumborg and parts of Belgium and the Netherlands
Colors: Orange-Red and Black
Current Leader: Davot Deathmantle
Government Type: Absolute Nationalist Monarchy
Population (Approx): ~192 Thousand (63% Jagannath, 35% Human, 2% Other)
Standing Army: 2,500
Maximum Supportable Army: 20,000
Military Info: The Jagannath maintain a low standing army, but can raise a large one in a short amount of time due to a united people and a warring and industrious culture. In war, they abide by a "He who protects everything, protects nothing." policy. They will abide losing ground if it means striking back with an unstoppable retaliation. However, when pushed to a limit, they will force an opponent to bleed for every inch of ground.
Economy: Stagnant. Limited reserves of gold and silver and lack of trading partners hinders overall wealth in the country.
Industrial Output: Extreme. Advanced forging techniques, vast coal and iron reserves, and a religiously industrious people make the Empire able to produce arms, armor, and tools at a frightening pace.
Agricultural Output: Good. Most trees have been removed for extra arable land, which, in addition to steel plows, allow for a sizable surplus harvest.
Currency: Electrum Coin : ~55% gold, 45% sliver, 10% strengthening metals. Impressed with an anvil insignia.
Steel Coin : small disc Jagannath steel, pressed with a hammer insignia. 20 to an electrum coin
Brass Coin : small disc of brass, pressed with a ingot insignia. 10 to a steel coin.
Population Distribution: Most Jagannath live in one of the six fortress-cities of the Empire, while the ordinary humans tend to sprawl over the countryside in small farming villages.

Spoiler: The Jagannath Race

The Jagannath are a race of human like mutants, originating approximately three to four hundred years ago from the mutant wastes as a strain of normal human.
Height range is, on average, an inch or two shorter than that of a human. Weight range is, on average, 50-70% more than a human of the same height, with number going to as much as double that, in extreme cases. Jagannath reach maturity around the same time as a human, but often die around the age of 50-60 from heart failure.

The explanation for the Jagannath condition is fairly simple. A mutation within their body increases tissue and bone density by an astonishing amount, rendering them stronger and tougher than a normal human by a fair margin. While still injured by swords and claw, they take considerably more effort to kill, given the increased tissue density creates additional resistance when being struck. The increase in density, however, tends to stunt growth, leading to shorter individuals. The increase in tissue density also leads to major issues later in life, causing the heart to work incredibly hard at give out at an early age, relative to humans. The longest lived Jagannath was recorded to by 66 years old before dying of heart failure. Their body, however, ages at the same rate as humans, meaning their strength is generally maintained throughout their shorter lived life. Their hair and eyes are almost always grey, and their blood is a brighter shade of red than normal for humans.

Spoiler: Combat

Jagannath shock troops (above) and linesman (below)

Due to their strength and bulk, Jagannath use their coveted steel forging techniques to create heavy armor and weapons for their troops. The cumbersome weapons and armor used are generally considered impractical due to their weight by other races, but are effectively used by the Jagannath troops as effectively as ordinary soldiers in their gear. Due to their size and preferred weapons, Jagannath generally eschew cavalry, often simply too heavy to ride them, especially in full gear. This lends to their standard weapon of choice often being a heavy glaive, due to its anti cavalry ability as well as being an weapon in melee. The Jagannath are also proficient in ranged weaponry, matching the devastating effectiveness of their melee. Wielding their unique compound bows and utilizing their great strength, the amount of energy behind a single arrow is often more than enough to heavily damage, if not outright penetrate completely, most conventional armor.

Primary Jagannath Troops
Shock Troops: Light armor, glaive
Linesman: Medium armor, war axe, large shields, guisarmes
Knights: Heavy armor, heavy weapons. Well trained veterans.
Greatbows: Light armor, large compound bow, arrow and quiver, glaive

Spoiler: Culture

Traits: Industrious, Nationalist, Zealous, Religious, Militaristic

The Jagannath are a united people. Having been beset on all sides for many years, they have developed an unparalleled cultural unity, and a unique culture at that. Basing their society around a tome known as the Primalpunk Testament. In it, it speaks of the forge as a way of connecting to ancestors, and the reforging of old technology as a path to the future. Over time, the Jagannath have expanded industry, forges and temples doubling as one, and with artisans (Forgemasters) therein dedicating their lives to the study of metallurgy. Jagannath products almost always serve a functional purpose, haven spent years having to make every scrap of resources count. Jewelry and other forms of art or decoration are nearly nonexistent. Most Jagannath do, however, have a family ring, unique to their bloodline. The products of the forge they do produce, however, are often intricately designed or carved. It's unusual for anything, be it a set of armor, a piece of pottery, or a family ring to not have fine and detailed designs etched into the surfaces. Even items as simple as a brazier or a button are often delicately carved metal.

In society, most everyone trains in combat in some form, be it from a military instructor or a warrior in the family. Everyone knows how to fight. Given that, soldiers are never held in high regard (not to say they are held in low regard, either.) The top of the cultural hierarchy is the Deathmantle family, who have tremendous support from the people from their previous actions. Following that, is the forgemasters. Both smiths and priests, they are the great craftsmen of the Jagannath, as well as the spiritual leaders of communities. No Jagannath community is complete without a forgemaster. Behind the forgemasters in social standing are other types of artisans, followed by the soldiers, then most other professions somewhere behind that.

In terms of men to women, gender roles are similar to that of pre war society, with men often being the more dominant sex in most roles. Women can still occupy high positions such as forgemaster, but are few and far between compared to their male counterparts. In the military, women who choose to serve are trained and fight separate from men. The number of women in the military, however, is a small fraction.

The Jagannath, strangely enough, consider themselves to be human. While carrying a vehement hatred for the werewolves, and an age old grudge against Orcs, they find regular humans to be an agreeable folk, and in general, treat them with a degree of respect, and acknowledge them for their struggle to survive as a weaker race in the harsh world. Although knowledgeable of their existence, the Jagannath have had few interactions with vampire-folk, and are cautious of the powers they posses, but far from fearful of them.

Spoiler: History

The Empire of East Germany began as a tribe of the Ural wastes several hundred years ago, (although the first of the race were seen some time before that) a powerful mutant tribe of the barbarian wastes, strong and well resolved in their determination to conquer. Driven from the wastes by the larger Orc warbands, they forged west, seeking lands to settle. Led by their first leader, Vulkus Deathmantle, they carved a path through the weaker Germanic states, seeking out a fertile and rich land to settle. What they found was the Rhineland. Trapped by angry Germanic States and lycanthrope tribes, The Jagannath Empire was founded through blood and iron. Tapping into natural resources of coal and iron left largely untouched by the old state of Germany in their quest for renewable energy, they were able to produce weapons and armor enough to keep themselves armed. In their darkest hour, however, first High Forgemaster Azreal Black discovered secrets of the old world. The secrets of steel. In a vision given to him by the Forge Spirits, he wrote the holy text of the Jagannath, the Primalpunk Testament. The litany detailed the Forge Spirits, and the awakening and reuniting of mankind through the reclamation of the technology of the old world.

Searching across the ruins of old cities, they sought out what knowledge they could. Nothing they could use remained, save the scattered metals of the old world. Metallurgy became the chief concern of the Jagannath. Learning how to reforge and create new alloys, their new weapons and natural tenacity and strength allowed them to undergo a bloody baptism to forge their own nation. It was as the initial wars ended that the first king, Vulkus, died. His place was taken by his son, Asmodeus Deathmantle. He began the transition from a tribe into a nation, and began forming the warriors of his people to soldiers and craftsmen. Building up from the capitol of New Essen, he began the incorporation of the Primalpunk Testament into society in totality, and the establishment of the Forgemasters and preist-smiths, who would commune with the forge spirits to make incredible suits of armor and incredible weapons. Farms were cultivated, and industry was expanded under his reign. The Jagannath population rose quickly with a surplus of food. Still under pressure, however, the Jagannath people became a close knit race, extremely proud, deeply stubborn, and incredibly resolute. Asmodeus was killed while defending a werewolf incursion with an greatly outnumbered force.

The third king, Corbuvaan Deathmantle, proved himself to be a military prodigy. With a populous nurturing a deep seated rage against the lycan peoples, he began several campaigns, expanding into lycan territory, driving out or exterminating those who tried to stay in the path of their army. A new city was founded by him. Named Corbuvaan, it sat atop the ruins of old Cologne, and was built into another major stronghold over the course of his reign.

The fourth king, Andran Deathmantle, continued the expansionist policies of his father, Corbuvaan. Moving eastward and southward into the warring German kingdoms, he established a precedent that would be followed by all future kings. Ordinary humans would be allowed the opportunity to live under Jagannath rule. Those who accepted would be given land to cultivate, and the tools to do so, and expected to pay the Empire. In return, they would be given full protection, and allowed to live as full fledged citizens of the Jagannath Empire. They would, however, be forbidden from the military and Forgemasters, which hold great cultural significance to the Jagannath. The precedent proved to be remarkably effective, the people of the Germanic states, tiring of constant changes in borders, kings, and alliances, as well as lycan attacks, capitulated willingly in many situations. Eventually throughout Andran's reign, humans grew to become a major sect of the Empire's population. With the ordinary humans farming the land, the Jagannath were able to spare more men for the military than previously, without weakening the overall quality of their forces.

Subsequent kings followed the precedent set by their forefathers, and expanded the Jagannath empire to where it is at present. Reaching a size to become a power in Europa, the Jagannath Empire stands with six strong fortress-cities, a veteran, well equipped military, and their ruler, Davot Deathmantle.

Spoiler: King

Name: Davot Deathmantle
Race: Human (Jagannoth)
Titles: King of the Jagannoths
Age: 34
Physical Appearance: 265lbs, 5'9", many scars across body,
Personality: Calculating, Competitive, Resolute, Scheming, Blunt, Inventive
Interests: Strategy, Puzzles, Machines, Design
Skills: Analyzing, Managing, Speaking, Patience, Combat
History: Davot, the middle child of the seven brothers in line for the throne, came to the throne by both circumstance and tenacity. The eldest brother, Calux, left to become a forgemaster, abdicating his right to the throne. His elder two brothers, twins, engaged in a bitter struggle for the throne, which Davot engaged in from the sidelines, gathering his support through charisma and strategy, more cunning and deceptive than his two older, more hotheaded brothers. As Davot's father, Pyriel, assigned a task for the two older brothers to complete to see who would take the crown, Davot had ears to the ground to hear it. The challenge was simple. A lesser tribe of werewolves had been raiding outlying villages, no more than fifty at the most. Destroy them. Davot, who had thought ahead, and gathered support beforehand, quickly amassed some of his allies to exterminate the werewolves. He managed to persuade on of Pyriel's trusted advisors to come along as a witness, so neither of the twins would take the credit. With bow and sword, they drove the werewolves away. Several injuries, but none dead on his side.

Davot made no mention of this, biding his time for the correct moment to break the news. As the brothers, almost simultaneously, gathered their soldiers and set out, they found the lycans were dead. Both attempted to take credit. Neither would back down. Davot watched silently as his brothers dueled one another to the death. As the battle begun, he said to the twins, as they donned their armor, that he had killed the werewolves. The twins, beleiving Davot to have been persuaded by the other to try and get them to back down, took to the field with all the more zeal. As twins, they knew each other well, and had the same skill and strength. They inflicted mortal wounds upon each other in the duel. Davot lay next in line for the throne. He was crowned at 19, as his father Pyriel died in his sleep. As of his younger brothers, one became a forgemaster, and the other two he named as Warmasters of his army, to command divisions of the military to protect the people.

Davot's reign was marked with expansion northward, towards the ocean. Managing affairs at home, deliberating between various guilds and factions, working on taxes and policy. He was a natural leader and politician, with the skills of an administrator. As his brothers conquered land to the north with small expeditionary forces, carving it out piece by piece, he strengthened and built up his homeland.

He has a single son, Kardos, whose mother was lost in childbirth.