MISTHAVEN
(NON-EPIC Board Battle Suggestion) NOTE: THIS SUGGESTION WILL REMAIN OPEN TIL APRIL 30TH. If no interest is shown I will save the idea for a fictional setting for story writing.
First I must ask you; do you ever wonder what life would be like to Fantasy fiction races like Elves, Dwarves, Orks and the corruptible Humans if say drastic advances in technology were to form and change the way of life for all. I'm not familiar with all aspects of much fantasy literature and of D&D and only vaguely aware of other genres so if this is "Steam Punk" or if this is "Ebberon" let me know but imagine this as you will an Age of Steam, an Age of Gunpowder, an Age of Reason, and an Age of War for the classic fantasy races. A meshing of old and new. Dwarves in Gyro-Copters, and Humans in prop-driven aeroplanes akin to rustic World War One Bi-planes, Imagine Elves in majestic airships, and Orks bastardizing all these to make choking black smoke spewing dirigibles that transcend the skies above bristling cities miles apart. Imagine, steam ships with great Mississippi River Mark Twain style side paddle wheels chugging across vast seas and into battle. Great sea fairing ships that wage battles with broadsides of cannon fire where the mettle of the free races is tested with wood, iron and steam. This is the world of the Five Realms and the World of Misthaven.
Misthaven, where men are much like Musketeers of the Renaissance with archaic gunpowder muskets and where the Pike is the dominant weapon on the battlefield. Where Dwarves are tinkering machinists creating new devices of wonder, Gyrocopters, Steam-Drills, Cannons, Land Warships(Wooden Steamtanks). Elves, who develop great airships and elegant aeroplanes to command the skies majestically. Orks covered in rusty armor menacing all; raiding and pillaging from grimy zeppelins, foul copters, and a multitude of pieced together flying deathtraps.
The old fantasy world of yesteryear is shed for the technological advances of steam, gunpowder, air power. By pasted is the Age of Rail, with great flying planes and airships traversing the skies in caravans knowledge is quickly acquired, goods are traded, and new wars are waged. Soon flying machines are outfitted for war. Air pirates take to the skies to raid and plunder. Flying caravans are attacked and airships captured and pillaged. Soon caravans stick to flying in great convoys with aeroplane escorts.
Cities which still do not have speedy means to traverse on ground must rely on squadrons of defensive aerial vehicles to repel raiders. Misthaven has the most famous in the Realms, the Red Guard. An aero force of Elves, Dwarves, and Men who are employed by the Lord of Misthaven to defend against all threats. The Red Guard whose aeroplanes have wings of red cloth attached to skeletons of wood and upon the wings the great crest of Misthaven the Eagle with its wings outstretched in a circle of white. Many a battle have the aero force of the Red Guard fought and countless brave souls fell in burning hulks from the sky. The flying machines are frail and many do not return back to the Aerodromes. Only the most daring and courageous dare temp the fury of clouds and wind. Great watchtowers have benn constructed to count the planes as they return and to pan the skies for enemy aero forces.
Nestled in the snow capped mountains of of the Five Realms lies the captivating city-state of Misthaven. A sanctuary for the free folk of the Realms from the ever growing menace of the greenskin, the marauder and other fiendish folk. The city has many great watchtowers as the threats come now from the sky more than from the ground, these towers also act as docking points for the many airships that dock to drop passengers and cargo.
Misthaven is a typical city with an elaborate and ornate Keep at its center where the Lord Dominik sits atop a jade throne. The citizens are an amalgamation of cultures and species not always living in harmony but with the Red Guard in the skies and the Black Wardens watching the streets life in Misthaven is peaceful and jovial. In every city there is always a tucked away spot where the ruffians of society can plot, thieve and brood, namely this would be the bristling warehouse, and wharf districts where the seafaring ship masters are looked upon with less respect than their aerial brethren.
Misthaven is considered one of the most beautiful citystates in the Realms by all whom pass through its mist enshrouded walls. Great tapestries hang from all the buildings as long have the years been since man, dwarf and elf have spent toiling most of their lives fighting to survive. This is an age of artistic expression. One can not find a building top without an ornate Gargoyle or grand statue. Great Gothic arches and tall columns hold vast structures of granite and limestone up from the earth. Great buttressed cathedrals and mosques intersperse the city with shimmering stained glass depicting the deities of many races. The wide cobblestone streets are interspersed with great canals of water that flow with fresh water from the great Misty Falls for which the city-state gets its name. Gondolas take many through the city with great poles pushed into the water bed to gently glide along peacefully, or you could take a less luxurious trip on a dwarf steamboat. Splendor greats the eyes at every turn of the head and many who visit refuse to leave becoming one of the many tradesmen or artists employed by the Royal Court to imbue it with a magnificence unseen in all the realms.
From the Snow capped mountains pours the entrancing waterfalls that fall around the citystate throwing great plumes of mist and creating a natural defensive moat around the city before it swells into great tributaries that flow away from the granite walls. The Misthaven is a city of trade and as such has the largest Aerodrome in the Realms. To the south whence the water flows away to the sea and the great peaks open in a valley and forms the only approach for aeroplanes. To either side of this southern expanse lies great watchtowers guarded round the clock by men of the Black Wardens. The sacred order of Wardens who have pledged their services to the Crown to defend the Lord of the Royal Court. The men of the Black Warden are armed with the Pistol and the rapier and are never afraid to use one or the other to defend the city or the Lord.
Misthaven has not been at war for sometime and many feel that possibly the Red Guard should be disbanded but always dark clouds loom and wolves roam beyond the light of campfire. Several believe that the old and feeble Lord Dominik's mind is becoming weak or that he is obsessed with his gradiose city. Plotting lesser lords have already begun secretly posturing to make moves once the Lord's life fails or when an assassin's blade is driven into his unsuspecting back. Misthaven for all its grandeur is filled with intrigue, danger, and most of all adventure.
Long have you journeyed on calloused feet my friend, spread a new set of wings and take flight over the majestic skies of Misthaven.
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Characters could be almost anything. Steam Mechanics, Loner Pilots, Aero pirates, Red Guard(Without being the leader), Black Wardens, Soldiers or Aero mercenaires.
The Setting is Light magical... No characters can start with magical powers although magical items may end up the hands of the characters they will not start with them.
Characters can have medieval style weapons and/or single shot Blackpowder weapons, pistols, Muskets, although if u can create a more creative type of weapon that may fit your character's persona that also works but needs to be approved by me. Armor is allowed and can be as interesting as you like it to be but must fit the story line. Magic isn't the focus of the story and neither are uber characters, the story will be plot driven and with a world like Misthaven anything can happen.
The main goal is to get characters to explore Misthaven and solve problems(or create them) , get into the air for some exhilerating aerial dogfights, sneak into Ork lands to steal a necessary piece of stolen technology or any number of plots to have fun with. Let me know if you like the idea of this Board Battle and Post a reply. I didn't want to do fantasy and I didn't want to do Sci-Fi so I figured what the hell and tried to do something slightly original. This is only the suggestion, I would create a more expansive history and populate the world with NPCs if battlers are interested in the setting. Well let me know.