Yeah, I’ve had a few ideas about this dragon that I’d like to explore in a possible sequel. That is, if I end up making a sequel at all—still not quite sure how I’d go about it yet
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I’m curious about whether starting your own Empire necessarily means you’re officially abandoning Emberford as a country (i.e. you’re no longer fighting in the name of the nation, it’s just another territory to annex) or if there’s an option to just ignore the royal family in particular, but still wave the old banner and wear the old colors as a rival claimant to the nation. We wouldn’t have a legal claim to the throne but nobody’s gonna be able to stop us from saying we do.
Also are there any remnants of the old Aurelian cities left? I’d assume the dwarves are looking into those if they’re excavating. Or were they all vaporized completely, no ruins to be found?
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Yes, there are still quite a few Aurelian ruins left behind, but most of them are buried deep beneath layers of dirt and stone—or have been claimed by the dragons now living in the region. The dwarves of Obrolk have been excavating the area for centuries, trying to uncover what remains.
As for the kingdom, I plan to let players name it however they like, so if you want to call it Emberford again, you absolutely can. When it comes to reclaiming the banners and positioning yourself as the new ruler of the old kingdom, though—that’s a bit more complicated. With the existing rift between Ecbert and Theresa, people wouldn’t necessarily be able to challenge your claim directly, but I imagine most would view what you’ve created as a new kingdom rather than a continuation of the old one. Still not 100% set on that, but that’s the direction I’m leaning toward for now.
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Just imagining one dwarf accidentally turns on the old Dragon Core network and the mountains start flying.
Ah. Also is their plan to rebuild the city or are we relocating capitals? I know a guy who can help with the former but I gotta pay him in experiments on myself so…
My assumption rn is that Laphis is the default capital for a new empire. Right near the old imperial core, hard to conquer (unless I inadvertently solve our sea people problem), and hopefully a place where we’re already popular barring some members of the leadership who were never expecting the Messiah to return and don’t want to give up their power now that we have. Lots of cool relics in close vicinity. I know Olbrok officially has a monopoly on that but it’s alright if they won’t share. I will soon have a monopoly over them.
Of course, if we’re bringing back the Aurelian Empire, we could check out that last floating island Arael mentioned, though we’d need to asses the situation before assuming they’re friendly, as she mentioned.
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Laphis will serve as the starting point for the new empire, and you’ll likely have the opportunity to rebuild Emberford once the region is secure. It would definitely take years—but empires aren’t built overnight, and if everything goes according to plan, I want the story to span several years.
The early stages will probably focus on solidifying your hold over the region around Laphis: building up your army, possibly developing Laphis further, handling diplomatic (or not-so-diplomatic) matters with the dwarves of Obrolk, and so on.
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Yeah, you mentioned Obrolk probably wouldn’t be as cooperative as Oregate when it comes to sharing knowledge, which is funny since Oregate is allied to an enemy kingdom. Still, if they’re in this close proximity, and have that much knowledge, they’d make for good vassals.
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I can kinda understand why Laphis kept the cult going all these years too. Imagine your god explodes in a magical fireball and your enemy’s whole civilization is obliterated and you’re conveniently untouched.
Am the only one picturing the Aqua cult from KonoSuba when picturing Laphis?
Conversely, it’d be pretty funny if it turns out the dragon cult is a perfectly normal religion these days and Cassiel was right about it being exaggerated. Just a big imposing temple with dragon gargoyles and an entryway shaped like Azgore’s head and a priest wearing a dragon mask, but other than that it’s just a normal religious service.
“Everyone please feel free to put some coins in the dragon horde donation basket. Remember the bake sale is on Friday.”
Everyone is exhausted from standing and kneeling constantly.
Also, when we say they don’t get raided because of sea people. I assume that means like the irl Sea Peoples from the Bronze Age Collapse, right? Or are we talking Deep Ones?
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I plan to flesh out this religion as much as I can since it plays a major role in the story, especially their history and traditions. I also want to give players the chance to influence or even change aspects of it, so hopefully it’ll a fun thing to explore.
As for the sea people—they’re called the Thalassari, a race of aquatic beings who live deep beneath the ocean. Here’s their entry from the codex:
Thalassari
Commonly referred to as “the fish people,” the Thalassari are a mysterious and isolated race that inhabits the depths of the ocean somewhere near the Wastelands. They have humanoid bodies but are distinguished by their vivid color skin and scales, fins along their backs, arms, and legs, as well as webbed fingers and toes, which make them exceptional swimmers. Though unable to breathe outside of water, they can hold their breath for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour before needing to submerge again.
Feared across the seas, the Thalassari are notorious for attacking merchant ships, showing little to no mercy to their victims. When they strike, they usually kill everyone on board, plunder the cargo, and leave the ruined vessel adrift in the open sea. This ruthless nature has made them a menace to sailors and traders alike.
Despite their hostility toward outsiders, rumors persist that the Zealots of Laphis have been gradually earning their trust. It is said that the zealots offer them gifts and tributes, hoping to convert them into followers of the Black Dragon. Whether this is true or just fearful speculation remains uncertain.
Almost nothing is known about Thalassari society. However, many believe that they are not simply scattered raiders, but rather a structured civilization, ruled by a king or some kind of leader who orchestrates their attacks with purpose and precision.
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Hello everyone! This is a very small update, but one I felt was important. I’ve added the option to skip straight to Chapter 2 for those who like to read updates as soon as they’re released. I know how frustrating it can be when save files break, so this should serve as a simple workaround.
It’s still a basic implementation and doesn’t carry over a lot relationship or skill changes since I plan to rework those systems anyway. But it should function without any issues.
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Me every time
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Now this I can get behind! Always been interested in fantasy religions. Especially if you can influence doctrine.
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That is kinda funny for me.
MC: Azgor just revealed to me that human sacrifices are not necessary! Instead of offering your death to him, give your LIFE in service to our Dragon God.
Azgor: I didn’t say shit.
MC’s inner voice: Shut the fuck up
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Azgor would be miffed about that. 
Ooh, we could sell dragon shaped cookies, sandwiches cut to look like a dragon egg shape, cakes decorated like a dragon treasure hoard, chocolate coins, sugar gems…
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This is all fantastic. What would dragon Easter eggs be like I wonder? Gotta dye them in a big vat.
I’m imagining there’d be a ton of animal sacrifices in this religion because dragons eat a ton. But since Azgor was gone it’s become more like a large scale Qurbani.
Everyone’s a tad nervous that they won’t actually get to eat the meat since everyone looks forward to that, but fortunately his new form isn’t so voracious. Just one or two oxen will do to sate mc’s appetite.
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Hello @RGHV
I at last found time to play. Here is my feedback:
First of all thanks for the map. İt’s my request because I’am blind now able to test it. Map is now accessible and fuly and detaily described thank you it’s perfect. Now other thinks:
Story is very good I loved it and you tell and deliver the story very wel. I love the characters they feel good and unique. I’am unsure who wil my RO but I know my most hated character is the general. The story pasing is very balanced and good. Mechanically looks good but steel not fuly unsure.
Keep going and goodluck. I love the game and I’am folowing it.
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Hey, I was really looking forward to your feedback! I’m glad the map description worked out—I wasn’t sure how clearly it would come across. I’m also really happy to hear you’re enjoying the story. If there’s anything on the map that felt unclear or could use more detail, just let me know and I’ll make the improvements!
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Hello @RGHV
Thank you for replying. Map is at the moment perfect. And ahh I forget to talk about world building and lore:
I found world building and the lore very good and unique I hope you wil expent more. And Azgor’s story reminds me Durin’s bane.
PS we have actually no list of ROs. Some are my guests only.
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I have to wonder if the reason he hates the dragonspawn so much is that after our invention, he’s no longer Emberford’s specialest boy. Like, as soon I I heard he was considered the kingdom’s greatest asset before we came along, I was like “ah, now everything adds up”
Plus his “strategy” of stationing the kingdom’s best weapon/warrior on some minor front and not letting them actually do anything to further that campaign makes me suspect he’s in on whatever plot Grafast and Vlorora have going on. It’s the only reason I can think of why he’d forbid taking that fort. Or he just really really didn’t want us having a win under our belt.
If I had to guess, he’s in league with the Aurelian faction backing Vlorora, possibly the ones who got Arael’s mother, and his taking Ecbert further into Grafast is part of the plan. Whether he just convinced Ecbert to march further in yo weaken the country’s defenses and hinder his ability to assert control over the vassals or his plan involves sacrificing Emberford than putting Ecbert in power in Grafast instead as a puppet. I found it rather odd he’s backing the heir that seems to value the dragonspawn more as people.
Of course, given that Ecbert can have us as a backer too, Vadis wanted us to follow his lead, he could have an even stranger agenda. Or he’s just seriously underestimated this guy. I could see Vadis thinking compassionate equals easy to control.
Or a simpler explanation, Vadis is descended from Aurelians as suspected, non-humans have terrible rights in a lot of places, and Ecbert wants to change this, and if that means we get rights too, so be it.
I know Arael, Ruby, Walls, and the heirs are options. No word on Cas or Idus’s sister (I think her name started with a V?) yet.
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The very first thing I created for this story was the world itself. It originally started as the setting for a tabletop RPG I was planning to run with some friends, but that never really took off. Still, I was too attached to the world to let it go, so I decided to write a story set in the same universe—just 300 years after when the RPG would’ve taken place.
As for Azgor, yeah, I definitely took a bit of inspiration from Durin when crafting the version of his origin that most people in the world believe. Whether that version is true or not… well, Azgor never talks about it, and everyone present was killed by him, so who knows what actually happened…
As for the ROs, initially, the planned options were Ruby, Walls, Arael, Zatus, Ecbert, and Theresa. But now I want to include Cassiel and Lyra as well, hopefully it all works out!
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Hello @RGHV
Thanks for answering. Then we wil see. You should add it I think.
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