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Author Topic: Enipel  (Read 34665 times)
Megatron0
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« on: May 03, 2011, 03:00:20 pm »

Clan name: Enipel
Clan leader:Tor Aran. The great Lanak- An absent minded bohemian, Lanak has built his clan on the principles of individual science and the discovery of all things. He was become a wealthy Fubarnii through trade and export of various medicines and contraptions over the years and he is often seen in his palace’s great library with an expertly crafted opium pipe by his side.  

Capital city- not sure...
This area is situated around, underneath and across a colossal tree that provides shelter and water for the cities inhabitants. The tree itself is ancient with deep roots that extend far beyond what Fubarnii engineers have managed to dig. During the excavations under the tree it was found that its roots are home to a variety of fungi and medicinal herbs that are harvested for medicines and other unscrupulous ‘consumptions’ and re-distributed across Anyaral.
Transport around the city would be difficult if not for the engineers who built an overly complex system of pulleys and lifts that would allow Fubarnii to ascend the heights or depth of the tree, while on the ground clockwork tramps escort traders and the elite through the gateways into the palace.


Info and culture.

The Enipel take pride in the Fubarnii’s ability to overcome any obstacle, whether it is in the battlefield or in the cities, and because of this ethos the cities of the Enipel are home to many unique inventions all designed to help the inhabitants with their daily lives. (whether it actually helps the people is another matter entirely!). This has led to several inventions being incorporated into Enipel culture from clockwork tram systems to large artificial lakes that are occupied by the smaller villages and towns of the Enipel people.
The inhabitants of the clan all worship/praise Engineer Gehran as the remover of obstacles and there are several shrines throughout its territory where offerings are placed and young engineers come for inspiration during lunar rituals.
Back at the capital city, atop the great tree rests an academic centre where the Fubarnii conduct all manner of scientific experiments and as such it is not an uncommon sight to see mad Fubarnii leap from the great branches in their abstract flying machines.
Conveniently the academic centre of herbalists is located at the bottom of the great tree often ready to see the effects of their concoctions on the injured Fubarnii that has just crashed from the skies. The institute holds many secrets about what they do but it is alleged by empire officials that they are responsible for the increasing amount of narcotics found throughout the smaller cities surrounding Enipolis.
The buildings of the Enipel are simple mud-brick and timber and the capital sprawls across the roots and around the trunk. The entrance is well built and defended as Trade is am important factor in keeping this city well funded and often heavily laden caravans will depart from the city and rich traders will return, though all are to pay a tithe to the Lanak.

Surrounding towns/villages

The small villages and towns situated around the capital are dominated by huge artificial lakes, which supply fish, salt and building materials to the capital. The waters are a deep and rich blue and on bright and windy days engineers will travel down from the capital and try out new boats and aqua contraptions, from wind sails to steam the Fubarnii of the Enipel rule nothing out.

History.

The culture is heavily based around the idea that a single Fubarnii can change the fate of millions such as Gehran did. And since its founding has always aspired to the ideals of the original freedom fighters of liberation and ingenuity.
References to the city in empire archives note, through its many pages, that the Enipel culture only contributes the minimum amount of military resources to the empire while preferring to have a standing guard in the capital at all times.
Leadership of the clan is hereditary and has been since it was founded by fleeing slaves liberated by Dimor and his rebels.
The land was once a dry and arid place (no doubt caused by the great tree) when the slaves arrived but the tree provided shelter and from the depths the Fubarnii were able to draw moisture from its roots. Soon engineers, inspired by the stories of Gehran, began the construction of the lakes and by mixing chemicals found on the fungi of the tree they are able to create vast smoke clouds by burning them. This in turn bought the rain. Which through an ingenious method of aqueducts and man-power the engineers were able to fill the lakes. Later these were then populated by several species of fish.
 
Well thats what I was going for, I hope its not to different from the twilight world.
As for a unit suggestion I posted a Fubarnii herbalist in the 'game' section Which I think would go great with this Clan...Also If mike would like to Sculpt Lanak (opium pipe and all) My birthday is coming up in a couple of months Tongue
Anyway Anything to develop the rich story in this game :3
« Last Edit: March 05, 2014, 07:50:34 pm by Megatron0 » Logged

Carcharoth
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« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2011, 05:14:55 pm »

I think the tree would simply have to be toooo big to make sense. Maybe we can keep the essence of the idea in some form... Possibly the town is built into a small wood, or the big 'tree' is actually a mass of interconnecting organisms...
I wouldn't go for Enipolis for the capital - the polis section is too human in origin.

Artificial lakes? An intriguing idea. How big, and why did they build them? How old are they? How were they actually built? Large dams?

Are narcotics seen as illegal, or perfectly acceptable?

Is Lanak a name or a title? I quite like it as a title, passed down through the family since the town's creation.

Strikes me that this is actually quite a way from the centre of the empire. The large tree suggests quite a warm region.

Great ideas  Smiley
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Megatron0
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« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2011, 05:44:12 pm »

Ah to answer a few questions Cheesy
Enipolis should of had a question mark by it, I just couldn't think of a good name so I thought stick polis at the end of the clan name xD
A wood or perhaps a fabricated tree created by enhancing regular wood trees is a good idea. As long as there are trees for plant/medicine harvest.
I imagine the lakes to vary in size, though maybe not big enough to change any immediate geography but certainly the biggest ones have a small pier/port for larger fishing boats and engineer contraptions while the smaller ones could be swam across easily. Since they were almost immanently built by the freed slaves knowledge of the original construction is lost ( I like the idea that the Fubarnii are unable to decipher other Fubarnii's creations. For me it makes a world of arcane mystery where there could literally be any invention out there just people dont know how to use it). I haven't thought of a date in case I got it wrong but it was built only a few decades after Dimor freed this particular group from the Devanu.
They were filled by mixing chemicals together and burning them to create vast smoke clouds in the sky, bringing the rain. Water is scarce prior to the building of these 'vats' so it was important that they would be able to hold enough to support the population. Since then various other methods have been attempted to taping the roots of the tree to trying to divert rivers into new lakes. All have been met with mixed results.

Lanak indulges in narcotics and sees them as perfectly acceptable hence his opium pipe of authority Cheesy and since the Enipel culture has developed round them its considered acceptable in the capital only. The smaller towns surrounding are dubious of the product. No doubt to redistribute the narcotics to other clans in the empire I imagine there are certainly a few back-handers and illegal narcotic dens ( I think of them like opium dens with thick hazy smog and luxurious pillows and drapes).

Title is a really cool idea. You take the name of Lanak when you ascend the throne/leadership
Yeah i want it to be far away from the cynical eyes of the empire. The warm climate lends itself to beautiful lakes but also the humidity from the heat and the great tree is prefect for the growing of plants/fungi etc...That and I love the idea of Lanak sitting cross-legged in a howdah marching through the heat/sand across his capital perhaps towards his lake house retreat.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2011, 05:51:48 pm by Megatron0 » Logged

Lost Egg
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« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2011, 06:38:10 pm »

What if instead of a large tree its a tree growing on top of a large rocky outcrop with the roots growing down the outside of the rock and down into the ground. The rocky outcrop would give the tree height and make it very imposing. It does make me think of the Banyan tree.

http://cdn.simonseeks.com/blogs/posts/Oldest%20Trees/banyan-tree2.jpg

HN
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Megatron0
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« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2011, 07:03:25 pm »

That idea to is equally good! Though I would still like it to be striking in size or something otherwise the Fubarnii would have never settled there in the first place. That Tree is almost exactly what im thinking! though with a longer trunk. The problem is the city is built around the tree, perhaps it the giant tree is a no-go I will settle for a forest with large trees. Enough to build settlements on/around Smiley
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Carcharoth
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« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2011, 10:13:23 pm »

I've been doodling... Will share at some point...
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Megatron0
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« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2011, 11:00:34 pm »

AWESOME!!! i will look forward to seeing Smiley
« Last Edit: May 04, 2011, 01:00:20 am by Megatron0 » Logged

Megatron0
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« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2011, 10:38:58 pm »

More Enipel.

Every year the grand bazaar is held to coincide with lunar travels and thousands of tents sprawl across the landscape in a patchwork of colours and the sound of market stalls being assembled ring long into the early hours of the morning.
When the sun rises the great Lanak appears and offers his blessing to all the traders and merchants that take part. After his departure, both slow and exuberant, the market place beings to bustle with life.
Traders from all corners of Anyaral will attend this grand festival especially since the academy of herbalists opens its doors and its products are available to all (for the right price).
Everything that can be bought and sold is. Fubarnii shout out prices declaring them the cheapest in the whole region or others shout the great Lanak himself approves their wares, all in a bid to attract attention.
The selling of goods is not the only way to make money during the bizarre and chariot races are common around the outside of the market, where a young jenta is often strapped to a single passenger chariot pulled by a single enuk and let loose across shanty made tracks.
Finally after three days the Lanak will descend from the heights of his palace and decree that the Bizarre is over. Soon the tents are packed up, stalls dismantled and the Fubarnii return home and with it the infamy of the Lanak’s bazaar spreading even further across the empire.

The Enipel.
As a race the Enipel stand no taller or shorter then any other Fubarnii, yet their skin is a lighter/brighter colour leaving them easily distinguishable outside Enipel lands.
A second trait of the Enipel is that they are extremely fast talkers. Coming from years of trade and export they have become notorious barterers and some traders will try to avoid the Enipel for fear of being swindled.
A decidedly liberal race the Enipel are not quick to dismiss anything and that which makes a sizeable profit is more then enough to catch Lanak’s interest.

Diet-
Most Fubarnii live off the fish caught in the lakes. These are then dried and salted and shipped to the capital (Fresh fish being a delicacy there, not so much in the towns/villages). Beside from this vegetables and other plant matter are grown and consumed in the city and the surrounding towns.

Buildings.
Though the outer shell of the lower class Enipels house is mud-brick the inside will be painted bright colours and decorated with painted frescos of animals and trader voyages.
A rich merchant will have a house built of timber higher on the tree. These buildings vary with the taste of the trader but all have multiple rooms with courtyards to play host in.
The Lanak lives in a building aptly named the ‘merchant palace’. Made completely from stone, save the timber roof, it consists of at least twelve dozen rooms from the great library to rooms filled with nothing but wealth gathered by the Lanaks over the years.
The merchant court is located at the base of the great tree and it is where the cities richest and ‘finest’ traders come to do business and divulge in other pleasures. The building plays host to these Fubarnii all year round but is particularly busy during the grand Bizarre.

Notable buildings include
Merchant Palace
Merchant court
Engineers’ guild
Herbalist Academy

Military structure.
The capital is well guarded by militia; with the towering gates being manned both day and night. This militia do not form a standing army for the clan of Enipel but are instead contracted to serve a fixed amount of time (either these Fubarnii are paid from other clans or willing Enipel recruits). Payment for these are paid for by the merchants and the Lanak in order to protect ‘investments’ and do doubt to overlook particular trades while policing others heavily.
As such the Fubanii of the Enipel clan pay no tax as all means of income are gained through various trades/businesses and currently the Lanak rather likes the idea of a ‘free city’
The guard wear a standard empire red with the only variation being the weapons. Each speak is of ceramic white colour and inlaid with gold. These act not only as weapons but also as status symbols when the guards are not on duty.

Knights are uncommon as rambunctious Fubarnii causes the majority of problems but the order is occasionally used if the Grishak problem becomes to great for the militia patrol.

Villages/towns

The military structure is less formal in the rural districts with only weekly sweeping patrols taking place. This has led to a number of village Fubarnii training themselves with slings to fend off scavenging Grishaks.
 

Death.

Death in the Enipel culture is treated with great ritual celebration, and the body of a deceased Lanak is paraded throughout the streets with musicians and triumphant shouting. This is not because the Lanak is hated but instead because they are joyous that their leader has joined the Enarii as they are assured that for every Lanak on the moon the easier it is for the rest of the Enipel to make the journey.
After the body is paraded and flowers thrown and music played the body is taken to the front of the city and cremated, allowing the spirit to leave his home and find a new one.
For the less wealthy this is done on a much smaller scale and might not involve a parade but certainly the body will be on display (unless the deceased body is badly damaged) in which case a small casket is prepared.  The body is then cremated.
The villages have a more sombre outlook as work involves water every Fubarnii is very cautious of drowning, as they fear their souls will be lost. Their deaths are celebrated and the body cremated. Often the families will carve small wooden effigies of the recently deceased and keep them enshrined to bring good fortune in the next fishing trip or market day.
 
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Lost Egg
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« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2011, 08:15:03 am »

It's fleshing out well. Any sketches of the notable buildings?

HN
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Carcharoth
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« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2011, 08:47:46 am »

Definitely fleshing out well. Would the Lanak be cremated atop the Academic centre? That would fit nicely with the traditions, and it is better to carry out the rituals as close to Enar as possible.

With a well defended gate, does that mean it is a walled city? In other parts of the Empire the cities often rely on the defences of the individual dwellings, rather than a central wall (but that does depend). Or is the main boundary protected by the lakes themselves?
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Megatron0
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« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2011, 11:37:46 am »

Definitely fleshing out well. Would the Lanak be cremated atop the Academic centre? That would fit nicely with the traditions, and it is better to carry out the rituals as close to Enar as possible.

Ah ok so the closer the better! In which case I'll change the funeral rites to the top of the city.

With a well defended gate, does that mean it is a walled city? In other parts of the Empire the cities often rely on the defences of the individual dwellings, rather than a central wall (but that does depend). Or is the main boundary protected by the lakes themselves?

The city is walled but the territory of the clan is not. The gate is designed to be large and impressive to set the atmosphere for new traders approaching the city. I imagine like the lion gates on Mycenae (which would have been impressive at the time). I shall do more information on the cities defenses. The rural districts of the clan are empty and really undefended, the vast lakes perhaps being the only defence (if any!). 
I would like to do some sketches of the buildings but I have the artistic talent of a three year old. I havnt really progressed past stick figures :/
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Carcharoth
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« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2011, 11:41:26 am »

You could always have a look for pictures of buildings that reflect the style that you imagine for Enipel? I'll have a go at more sketches at some point, as well as sharing my first sketch of the city itself...
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Megatron0
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« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2011, 11:45:27 am »

Excellent! I shall try and gather a few pictures of things that come to mind.
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Megatron0
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« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2011, 12:57:33 pm »

Just a quick bout of googling has produced some basic concepts of what i was going for. obviously they need to be 'fubarnii-ed up'



Academy of Herbalists. I like the idea of a built in institution, thousands of odd shaped rooms and a large courtyard. I imagine the Merchant court would look a bit like this but with less rooms and more halls.


Grand Bazaar. Images from different countries showing how crowded the Grand bazaar would be.







Opium den/rooms in the merchant palace. Ignore the human. I chose this picture because I liked the drapes over the room. and the rich indulgent nature of it



Room in the Engineers guild



Chariot racing. A good image of what the actual chariot could be like.


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Lost Egg
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« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2011, 03:44:32 pm »

Nice set of pics to help bring the city to life.

HN
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