Thread "Races" in forum "the unnamed comic"

Posted at 5:05PM, May. 2, 2010

LOL, that must have been painstaking! Awesome!

Posted at 4:07PM, Jul. 18, 2010

a possible design for a set of armor used by the grey army… not so sure i like it as a main set, but maybe an old version of the armor, or a specialized set or something like that. Grey Army Armor

i don't expect the grey army to have a single themed armor or military. since Alamesh is pretty open to foreign culture and ideas, the grey army recruits people from the towns and villages they pass through, incorporating many styles of armor and weaponry into their ranks as they go. Probably their is an official armor set, but as you get further away from Alamesh, even this set is likely to take on different styles as it is modified.

some of the emblems used in the grey army. Emblems of the grey army

the top left is likely a war banner of sorts, the rightmost is a universal sign of the people of the dawn, and the lower emblem is associated with the church of the dawn.

Posted at 11:07PM, Jul. 30, 2010

Unkhavi(oon-kah-vee)

Pictured here - Unkhavi (female)

Appearance- Medium to dark skinned, dark hair, eyes typically black, brown or yellow. Average height of 5â8â to 6â4â. Stout build.
Location- The step lakes of Kallenâdesh. The Unkhavi inhabit the broken ruins scattered about the area.
History- thought to be remnants of a once civilized people that were nearly wiped out when Kallenâdesh fell from the sky. The Unkhavi have clung to old ideas that have grown into a whole new way of life in the aftermath, adapting to live in the harsh wilds of the broken lakes and forests. They worship Gorramalt, the frog god, who once sat at the edge of the world like a great mountain, devouring the stars in the evening sky until he was full and fat, exploding into mist and shadow. Now he hunts the spirits of shadow, the ghosts of men and gods that haunt the ruins of Kallenâdesh. Gorramalt demands courage and cunning from the Unkhavi, and thus, they have developed poisons and weapons that benefit them in the wild forests of the step lakes.
Beliefs- Worship the frog god, Gorramalt, said to live depths of Kallenâdesh. A firm idea of a realm of shadow and mist called Nabtun, where Gorramalt resides. They perform rituals among the ruins, using poisons to âwalkâ in the shadow and commune with their god. The Tamaâgrik, as it is called, is a stance like state, their sweat quickly evaporating like a thick fog off of their bodies as they experience something akin to a waking dream. Blood sacrifices, and other rituals dealing with the wavering mists of Kallenâdesh are also a part of Unkhavi life, however, the ritual and repetition in their religion is more important then internalizing the ideas and myths of Gorramalt. The idea that actions weigh heavier then personal belief is an underlying theme of Unkhavi thought. Nabtun (the shadow realm) is feared as much as revered by the people.
Taboos- Fleeing from honorable combat is looked down upon. Many of the poisons used to enhance Unkhavi ability during battle are fatal, and as such, victory must be achieved so that the warriors can return home and receive the antidotes.
Magic/Tech- Use poisons collected from the wildlife of Kallenâdesh to enhance their abilities. Unkhavi generally have a necklace of claws or sharpened bones about their neck, each talon dipped in a poison that can be used for various effects (simply by sticking themselves with the point). One poison numbs all pain (or the individuals concern thereof). Perhaps a very old poison, mixed with verbal queues, that makes the body secrete a fog or mist, making them appear to have transformed into air and shadow. This is known as the Nabtun Ninn, or âBreath of sleeping shadowâ, sometimes referred to as the âRasp of Ninnâ by outsiders. Also use poisons to see into the âshadow worldâ, where they believe their frog godâs true form exists. Many of the poisons will kill the user if they do not take the antidote in time. For tribal battles, a potent toxin is given to the warriors, heightening their reflexes and numbing pain, but should they not return to their villages after the battle, the poison will kill them. There are stories outsiders tell of battles with the Unkhavi- of Unkhavi warriors turning into shadow and hunting them from the dark of Kallenâdeshâ¦ of Unkhavi warriors disemboweled that kept fighting, charging at their enemies with crazed eyes.
Language- Primitive language and pictograph writings.
Food/Clothing/Shelter- mild temperatures year round mean clothing is minimal. Animal skins, furs, leather, feathers. Tattoos, jewelry, beads, cords, with a focus on the bits that are deadly about their prey, the claws, the eyes, the teeth. Often take pebbles and imbed them beneath the skin to produce raised skin art, meant to mimic the rough skin of a toad or frog. Will cover themselves in a thick dye that helps to ward off insects. Also use dyes in their hair. The Unkhavi use staffs and bows, typically tipped in poison. Unkhavi diet consists of berries and fruits from the forest jungle, fish and meats. Usually found living in the many stone ruins scattered throughout Kallenâdesh.
Customs â Duality of poison and antidote, man and woman, the mist and the shadow. Commune with the shadow world. The Unkhavi believe that the thick mists that fall over Kallenâdesh are the spirit of Gorramalt manifesting in the physical world, like a link between this world and the shadow realm.
Relations- The Unkhavi are typically hostile toward outsiders. No trade or commerce. They are one of the dangerous parts of Kallenâdesh. They do not stray far from the step lakes and its forests.

Posted at 12:08PM, Aug. 5, 2010

below are some of j's designs. i'll list them with numbers so that you can add another post that describes them.

1. Gilgadune Female

2. Gilgadune Male

3. [url=http://www.drunkduck.com/eliada/gfx/t\'troyamin_race_sm.jpg][color=blue]T'troyamin

4. Quin Sallo

5. Quin Sallo 2

6. Red Army Heavy Infantry

7. Madeline Shae

Posted at 11:08PM, Aug. 22, 2010

The Marduki

Appearance: Bodies range from slender and lean to plump and soft , average height of 6', dark skinned, brown eyes.

Location: The Joni Delta. The Joni River flows from the north of the lower continent to the delta area on the west side of the continent. The Delta has created a lush environment, thick jungle and towering canopies cover the entire area. The tributaries of the Joni are impossible to navigate without a guide. The sea side portion of the Delta would best be described as sub tropic beach. At night the jungle is pitch black, chattering with the sound of animals. The most recognizable sound is the cry of Marduk's daughters Gauisus Lala. Their distinct high pitched wailing rebounds across the Joni at night, comforting the residents and frightening the traveler who happened to stray too close to the Joni. Needless to say, the Joni houses hundreds of different types of Marduk's children.

History: The Marduki, as their history tells it, were found by the worm-god Marduk in his search for his lost son. Marduk settled his people in the Joni delta so that they were in a hospitable environment for any many of his children (other worms)as possible. They have always lived in the Joni Delta as a scattering of tribal villages throughout the region. There was no real organization to the differing villages and their relationships. Sometimes one or another villager would travel to other villages for festivals, supplies, help, etc. Rarely, different village's residents would intermarry after falling in love during a trip. They never fought amongst each other, but all the villagers were extremely wary of outsiders, and usually would try to scare away foreigners, and if they had to would attack outsiders. Luckily, this didn't happen much, the Joni Delta is surrounded by harsh desert, and rapids near where the river splits are treacherous to navigate.

The Joni Delta: The Joni splits into several main tributaries. Each is named for the immediate sons and daughters of Marduk. The most enigmatic of these breaks is the lost river, which represents the lost son, which plummets deep within the each. No Marduki knows where it emerges. The other main branches of the Joni are all considered holy representations of the Marduki faith, and their waters are used in conjunction with numerous rituals of the corresponding Marduk offspring. If an outsider ever touches any of the waters within the Joni Delta they are to immediately sacrificed to the the offspring which guards that portions of the river. Deep within the heart of the delta is the palace of Marduk himself. The location is hidden, and even the most devote Marduki do not know it's location. Religious texts state that if it is even disturbed a holy war would immediately follow.

Daily Life: All the different Marduki villages are based on a pastoral lifestyle. The differing villages all have the same family structure. Typically the eldest man governs the immediate family (children, grandchildren) on a day to day basis. This includes the distribution of daily chores, domestic projects, and village business. The eldest woman leads the family in all holiday and religious affairs. Every family owns a flock/herd of domesticated animals, and has a personal garden. Typically houses and buildings are constructed from river mud mixed with straw, and baked in the sun to become a hard brown brick. However, villages constructed in the treetops are made from hearty wood and vines, while coastal villages build their structures out of natural stone and coral. All the furnishings within the home are made out of wood, plant material, and animal parts ( such as bone, shell, etc). Metals are never used in any part of Marduki buildings, clothes, or daily life. There are many rich gold and silver veins that have been uncovered throughout the Joni. Vast tin and iron deposits have also been found. Marduk forbids the use of any ore on the grounds that metals have come from beyond Mosk. The Lost Son was meant to govern over the vast heaven, and it would be blasphemy to harness metal's power without his Son.

Religion: The term Marduki refers to the people of the Joni Delta, but also refers to the fanatic shamans of the the Worm-god. Not all followers of Marduk are deemed Marduki. The title is given when an individual discovers the name of a unique worm. For example, all of the earthworms that help the villagers till their soil are all referred, spoken of, and called with the name Gi Termis. However, Marduk's family also consists of many unique worms. If a particular worm gives his/her name to a person he is then a Marduki. A good example of this would be when Rhagoletis introduced himself to Kalim (see previous narrative). Once a relationship is made with a worm, the new Marduki typically begins to undertake the great task of searching for Marduk's Lost Son. This means traveling far beyond the Joni's territory. Marduki can know the name of many worms. But none of them will ever respond to his call unless he offers them the proper sacrifice. The sacrifice needed to call forth the worms could be anything from refuse to precious metals, and also incredibly specific. The First Grandson of Marduk, Mollis Rope, can only be summoned with the sacrifice of a firstborn son's baby teeth.
The basis of the Marduki faith is to reunited Marduk with his Lost Son, so that an era of peace and harmony can come to all people. Inevitably there are tribe members that lose faith, or choose simply to ignore the worm/man relationship. These individuals are quickly isolated from the rest of the village, and given as a sacrifice to Vusosus, The One that Keeps the List. All trace of this individuals disappears within one day of the sacrifice, as Vusosus' servants wipe all trace of the heathen from the village.

Important Personalities:
Kalim - This passionate Marduki travels with the colossal Rhagoletis Maw-Worm. Kalim is curently rallying support from the Joni tribes in a belief that he has found the location of the Lost Son's prison deep within the desert.
Huleeset - He grew up in one of the coastal villages of the Joni. Huleeset is a fisherman by birth and trade. He would dive deep within the clear waters to harvest pearls during the summer. During one dive he found a black pearl the size of a fist, on it was written the name Ingens Colobrine Hydrophis. Now Huleeset guards the coast along with the Father of the Sea. They have destroyed many landing parties, but attacks have been coming more frequent lately.

Posted at 10:09PM, Sep. 4, 2010

The Treazian empire (Red Army nations)

Capital city: Renslad, Nation of Treaza

Location: North east of Alamesh two continents over.

Climate: Varies from coast to coast making for several different environments

Outlook: The Nation Of Treaza is, of course,imperialistic. It started as a single devoutly religious country located north east of alamesh. An old civilization that lived their lives around the Sun Goddess ,Ashur and her loyal Gaurdians. In their earliest stages they were content to live off the land as one unified tribe most often marking themselves with the sigil of ashur either as a brand or tattoo. As they delevoped and expanded their territory only slightly , they began to have "spin off tribes". These tribes began to develope new rules and values amongst their particular people and often imposed them on the natives of their new land In honor of their goddess. Around the time of industry , the old rituals and Goddess were all but forgotten. Even seen more as fairy tales to draw important lessons from. Still they brought with them the idea of theirselves being the goddess's chosen people. And since their goddess is "the greatest of them all" Then by default they were too. The gaurdians were forgotten and thought of as myths. All of this fueled their desire to spread about the planet and shine Ashur's light about the world.

Current Political conflict: Constant battles with homeland terrorist group " Order of Golden Dawn" which seek to bring down the empire for its blasphemy about the ages. As well as waring with the grey army.

Taboo: The Ejani (night folk) are considered very taboo. On the surface The Treazian people are racist and spiteful even though a good majority of their vices, technology and fashion came from them. Liberalism is frowned upon especially with the issues concerning the Golden dawn. Magic is taboo, as they have decided they achieve "magical workings" through technology. Often capturing luxxites and other potentially magical beings to harness their energy into their machines.

Technology: Treazians have an interesting mix of hi-tech gizmos and "organic technologies" in order to prove their supiriority. What point they're trying to prove dicates what manner of technology they use. Still they dont accept ancient tech since it was largely powered by spiritual energy even though they do exactley the same thing with a slightly more modern twist.

Religion: The people of Treaza are generally athiest even though there are gods who are clearly present. They consider these higher beings to be scientific Anomolies. Still, the people of the Treazian Empire have preserved a good ammount of their customs and beliefs in their own ways depeneding on circumstance.

( The tale Of Ashur is currently in progress)

Posted at 1:09PM, Sep. 5, 2010

very cool, can't wait to see more on both of these cultures (marduki and red army)

j, i'm not sure how set you are on the "north east" part. i'll have to see where on the world map you are talking about. its not that we have anything planned for that area, its more that the merkarian wastes are a particularly tricky boundary between grey and red armies if that is the direction we are coming from. we'd have some work arounds as to why the red or grey armies would even trek through that place, much less happen upon one another.

the reason i'd said "southern" or "south-east" continent is because mosk-ald (the southern mapped continent) would act as a "neutral" zone between the two armies, allowing them an area for the skirmishes and things to start.

granted, i haven't fleshed out a lot of the grey armies expansion directions and goals and things. i may not have even put anything up about the merkarian wastes (though i thought i did, oops). i imagine the grey army using the merkarian wastes as a natural "wall" to the north, so they have expanded west and south across mosk, and placed very little of their resources toward the wastes. while this would make it an ideal direction from which to mount an attack on alamesh, it doesn't really work so well with the ideas of skirmishes and such errupting between our two main armies.

adam, seems all good, you have a lot of names to start coming up with. i think i was asking you about the salt flats being so close to the joni river earlier and how that might impact the delta. i think we can say it doesn't have too much effect. looking at the map again, i'd guess that the salt flat was once a great lake, fed by some of the tributaries of the joni river (perhaps) but mostly by that very large (yet unnamed) river just on the side of mosk-ohm. continental plates shifting from the west are acting like a wedge, splitting mosk-ohm and mosk-ald apart, so probably, that river once flowed down through the desert and deposited into the salt flat, and has since been cut off by the shifting earth.

though, for the sake of marduki/pithe conflict, the salt bed would be a great way for the pithe to "poison" some of the water flowing down through the joni delta, causing all kinds of trouble.