Knifeblossom

[Kodama]

Ok, i will respond to each number.
But first, about the Tsaesci killing those dragons, that has cost them a lot of their warriors, and fighting against Ka Po Tun, Tang Mo, kamal and eachother, and the forces from Tamriel.
They have had their glory days, they are just not that powerfull anymore, and Ka Po Tun is getting very powerfull.
And i have seen lore about a Dragon that wiped out an entire Tsaesci army, they are just not that tough

1: Knifeblossom is indeed within Kamal borders (or so the Tsaesci and Ka Po think).
There are a vew valuables to plunder, but nothing worth keeping in the long run.
They have some rice paddies and maybe a mine, they are valuable to the humans, but not to the Tsaesci or the Ka Po.
And the Kamal need to be defeated every time they crawl out of their caves, the Tsaesci have a long wall to protect them, Knifeblossom is surrounded by deep canyons and steep cliffs, the landscape of knifeblossom is already shaped, i used the betamap to see how it should look like.

2: There is nothing secret about Knifeblossom, it's in open view, but the other empires don't even notice Knifblossom, they are too busy defending their own borders against eachother.
If you really like the whole hidden underground idea, i got that planned already.
There will be two or three hidden villages in the south of Kamal, close to the Tsaesci wall, they might have connecting tunnels.
I think that the rat/canine races will live there.
These guys would have too hide from everyone because they have no armies.
So your idea would fit right in with those villages

3: They will have a great fort, and about their history, they would be the left overs from the old empire.
About the old history that was lost to the humans, well...we have to think of something to make it fit, maybe Knifeblossom lost all their ancient history records in the fires af war.

4: yeah, we could make that work, the princess could be their friend.

5: yes, i agree with the slaves and all that

[Cogidubnus]

Explosive events? Check out the main quest. Explosive is an understatement. *Evil laughter*

[sphr]

Something that may need further discussion.

There are some stuff in my WIP (not released fully yet) which makes it a little tough to be resolved if Knifeblossom isn't "secret".

Firstly, let me clarify : "secret" here doesn't have to be underground and such. It is not because I like underground stuff that I suggest that (I have no preference for underground or above ground designs. Actually, if I were playing, I'd prefer an above ground settlement for the scenery! but this isn't about my preference ). I merely simulated the psychology and development of the survivors of the human empire. They have to be extremely careful to stay hidden especially during the earlier times in the Tsaesci Era where it is extremely turbulent. In addition, as a second level of security, it will be dangerous if they put all the eggs in one basket, which is why ideally, there should be many smaller settlements which are secretly connected (nobody should be able to see the traffic between settlements, at least not moderately easy). And in the event that a settlement gets discovered, they will have to cut it off (sadly, along with the inhabitants) to protect the rest. This created a people that is wary of outsiders but incredibly united and willing to sacrifice themselves for the "greater" good (e.g. those discovered inhabitants will gladly cut themselves off from the rest to protect them. agents will rather kill themselves than have secrets being tortured out of them etc)

Why I feel that the Tsaesci shouldn;t even know of its confirmed existence or general location if Knifebossom is more politcal. For a great political faction, there are somethings that HAD to be done regardless of the cost (lots of examples in real life... but I shall not draw any links here ) Let me recite several "events" of the past (wip).

1) Tsaesci enslaved human for their blood. Among all the races of Akavir, human is important to Tsaesci as a "food source". Cos if human dies out or are gone, Tsaesci will have to turn on each other.

2) The former naga-human empire is one of the greatest empire Akavir has known, and extremely steep in culture. A nation steep in culture can be defeated and occupied, but its people cannot be conquered that easily. Following the Tsaesci's initial expansion that conquered the entire Central Plains, there were many uprisings among its slaves, most of which is due to incitation by the remnants of the human empire. Two most major uprisings (temporarily termed the First Uprising and the Second Uprising) seriously disrupted the Tasesci's plans of expansion (in fact, it was the Second Uprising that forced the Tsaesci to stop its expansion and turn its attention inwards to the already conquered lands, that spared the survivors of the Anti-Tsaesci-Alliance which will later split and develop into Ka Po-Tun and Tang Mo). In other words, Tsaesci became VERY wary of rebellious elements among its slaves.

3) To cease the matter once and for all, the Tsaesci put into motion what will be known as The Great Cleansing. Basically, to reduce the human into docile livestock, the Tsaesci attempted to wipe out the Shinryu culture that is still prevalent among the conquered people. First, all written records from the Shinryu empire are destroyed (they probably kept copies in some secret libraries somewhere though... quest opportunity!!!). All (human) slaves are denied education. Any "educated" people, especially those well versed in history, are the first to be executed (blood probably end up in some bottle or on the dinner table. no point in wasting food). All Shinryu cultural practices are banned and anybody caught writing or speaking the Shinryu tongue will earn a one way trip to nobody-knows-where. Many existing Shinryu architecture (less those that the Tsaesci are using themselves) are also destroyed/left in ruins. Due to these extreme measures, and the great difference in the lifespan of human and Tsaesci, after several human generations, the Tsaesci have achieved what they wanted. The blood slaves no longer show any signs (at least outwardly) of relation to their Shinryu roots.

Why I point out the above will sort of explain why, imo, should the Tsaesci knows the confirmed existence of Knifeblossom, they will go all out of their way to destroy it. Even rumors of its existence will at least cause at least scouts to be dispatched to investigate. Scouts can be flying (perhaps on enslaved Yi-Lung~winged-dragons). The mentality is sort of like this analagous example: you've spent an INCREDIBLE amount of effort to craft out a BIG lie, one that everybody believed to be true. Then along comes a person whom you know knew the truth.... The truth that could destroy you along with all you've labored for. The natural response ? probably : silence the person AT ALL COST!!!! The same can be applied to the Tsaeci Empire. Any remaining knowledge of Shinryu culture is a GREAT threat to the whole empire (They remember well the two great Uprisings). Thus should they learn even just the approximate region where Knifeblossom lies in, direct gains or no, Ka Po-Tun or no, Kamal or no, they will proabably turn out in force to obliterate its existence even if it is just to sleep a little easier.

Must reiterate, I'm not trying to simply "push my point". I'm just trying to resolve this anomaly (doesn't work out in my mental simulations) that I am currently unable to iron out in a satisfying way. Anybody who can help with ideas on how to resolve this, do contribute. I typed this in a hurry so I hope that this is clear enough to carry over my points. But if there is any clarifications needed or mistakes I've made, pls point out.

Cog, where'd the main quest thread moved to? Is it in a sticky?

[Ysne]

I put the main quest in the general lore section.

[Ysne]

Knifeblossom is not Zion.

I think, sphr, that you are probably confusing the Tsaesci lords with the entire Tsaesci race. The only Tsaesci that are immortal are the 7 who actually drank their god's blood. The rest of the race isn't any longer lived than any other mortal race.

The 7 lords don't like eachother, they don't trust eachother, they are are not a unity the way the machines are in the Matrix.

The Zion concept simply doesn't fit into the landscape or the Knifeblossom lore.

[Cogidubnus]

Ysne, I think that Sphr knows that. He wrote that, in fact.


Sorry about the absense, but writers block often takes introspection and highly illegal stimulants to get rid of. Every time I make a deadline, I miss it - so I won't.

I think that we might be jumping the gun a bit here - I don't think Sphr actually means ZION, with Keanu Reeves and very large machine guns. I think, he means the idea of Zion - the last stronghold of humanity in the midst of a sea of foes. It's a metaphor, saavy?

And yeah, the main quest is in the General lore question.

[Kodama]

The human Samurai would never hide from their enemies, the same goes for the Sohei.
They would fight the Tsaesci untill one of them looses the war.

The landscape of Knifblossom can be seen from the Tsaesci border, Knifeblossom can not hide.

[Cogidubnus]

While true, my motto has always been 'discretion is the better part of valor'.

Knifeblossom may be able to be seen from the Tsaseci border, but then again, this is more of an excuse than a real barrier. There could be an old growth forest, breaking the line of sight. There could be one of the legendary bamboo foestest there: certainly, not even the most powerful of Tsaesci magicks could kill bamboo! Physically, there are many options. If Knifeblossom is located sufficiently high on a mountian, there could be a barrier of mist or fog. There are myriad ways that it could be hid.

About Samurai always fighting and never running - I would take issue only somewhat. I am no expert of the ways of the Samurai - my experince only goes from what I've read in the Book of Five Rings to my minor experince in the Dojo. I've never trained in Japan, and have written no books on Japanese history. But, I would say this - merely because the Samurai would not, does not mean the Sohei would not. We have flexibility in either issue.

All to say - I think that the idea is viable. It may not be what we decide, but, it could be done.

[Kodama]

These people have their back to the wall, they have no choice but to fight the Tsaesci to the death, they cant run from them (nowhere to go) they can't hide from them (a large human city could not survive underground) and they can't surrender to the Tsaesci.

About the bamboo paddy, yeah...i had that planned a long time ago, but it can not hide Knifeblossom.

[Remux Dreadfire]

I think they should have a hidden valley it is hidden by a bamboo forest and ots like a maze. to find there way throygh the forest the knifeblossom have several subtle "pointers" maybe fallen bamboo or skeletons with there heads pointing the correct way. in the valley it should be lush and like a really small counrty inside a country with all those lovely japenese buildings for towns