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Over Under- or why the city sways and no one will do anything about it

Started by Mason, August 03, 2011, 01:28:24 PM

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Mason

#15
August 16, 2011, 11:53:42 PM
[ooc=Gargoyles]

I see these pop up a lot in settings. Or at least they always catch my eye. I really like the idea of Gargoyles. I think for Over Under they will not be inherently magical...in fact in Over Under they are just masterful stone carvings of grotesque creatures. Then I started thinking about why people would go to the trouble of carving them, placing them way up on the outsides of their towers. Nobles being nobles...it is a sort of game for them.

[/ooc]

Gargoyles became popular shortly after the God-Queen Medb took power. In the old ages, when the 8 gods influenced the world, Gargoyles were used to protect the dwelling from evil spirits. People generally don't believe in evil spirits these days. Why should they care? The God-Queen protects all from supernatural power...

Anyways. Gargoyles are a nobles way of telling a rival that he thinks poorly of him. Late at night...teams of men will scale a rival families tower with a statue in tow. Using various techniques they hoist the gargoyles up as far as they can on the opponents tower. The carvings are often caricatures of the Master of the tower. If a noble has large ears for instance this will be exaggerated. The nobles take this all very seriously. Over the years it has become customary for houses to routinely check the balconies and ledges for any new gargoyles that may have 'appeared' over night.

It has become unlawful to remove a gargoyle, some statue feuds have lasted for decades, each family spending a fortune on grander and more masterful statues, all aimed at ridiculing the matriarch or patriarch of the other family. It is however, very lawful to attack any trespassers putting statues on ones tower. Just an idea.

Mason

#16
August 17, 2011, 11:54:50 AM Last Edit: January 08, 2012, 11:00:40 AM by Sarisa
[ic]
This is a Razi (half-human/half-spider) creature. Note the Niff head on the pommel of his sword. Cropped because I lost interest in the drawing and didn't feel like finishing the background. His arms seem odd because he has an extra joint in them. Also not the ridiculous jewelry and the ceremonial belly armor. I gave up on this drawing when I realized I added a cuff to the right arm (but not the left).  



[/ic]

LD

#18
August 17, 2011, 08:54:03 PM
Quote from: SarisaAnyways. Gargoyles are a nobles way of telling a rival that he thinks poorly of him. Late at night...teams of men will scale a rival families tower with a statue in tow. Using various techniques they hoist the gargoyles up as far as they can on the opponents tower. The carvings are often caricatures of the Master of the tower. If a noble has large ears for instance this will be exaggerated. The nobles take this all very seriously. Over the years it has become customary for houses to routinely check the balconies and ledges for any new gargoyles that may have 'appeared' over night.

It has become unlawful to remove a gargoyle, some statue feuds have lasted for decades, each family spending a fortune on grander and more masterful statues, all aimed at ridiculing the matriarch or patriarch of the other family. It is however, very lawful to attack any trespassers putting statues on ones tower. Just an idea.


That's hilarious.

Mason

#19
August 17, 2011, 10:52:42 PM
Quote from: SteerpikeWow, that is amazing!  I love your artistic style... somewhere between Edward Gorey and Mervyn Peake.  Gorgeous!

Thank you. I just googled Edward Gorey and I'm really freaked out. I've seen Mervyn Peake's sketches in the Gormenghast books...very strange as well. Thanks for taking a look!

Xathan

#20
August 18, 2011, 12:35:40 AM
Okay, this setting looks absolutely awesome - I've never seen an absurdist setting done so well. It's hard for me to comment because there's so much... weird (in a good way), but figured I'd at least offer up a props for the sexyness of this setting.

BTW, that spider person was a bit jarring (again, in a good way) scrolling down slowly the way I do - "Oh, look, a person from this setting OH GOD HE HAS FOUR EYES!" was my initial reaction. :P I love the artwork, it just took me by surprise.
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Mason

#21
August 21, 2011, 12:19:34 PM
Thanks for the props Xathan.


[ic]

Flight is absolutely necessary in the city. I have decided that extra large insects as well as birds help facilitate this transportation need. Having birds and insects zipping around the city would make for interesting encounters (imagine a hungry, ill treated bird mount snapping at a beetle carrying a noble dandy, half stoned on psychadelia)

Beetle breeding and dragonfly wrangling are two of the industries supported by the need for mounts. Trainers, groomers,feeders etc all inhabit the city.

Dragonfly's are particularly dangerous to other mounts as they feed on any insect smaller than themselves. They are reserved for military sorts. (not sure if dragonfly's will be man-eaters)


Another idea: Since we have giant insects in mass use, it would make sense that most armors, garments and weapons are made from various insect parts. Beetle armor, spider fang swords etc. Metals would be used in construction mostly...I suppose this ties into the economy as well..will have to look at how industry plays out...precious metals would be found in mining for construction materials(the all important tower construction). Unless I simply removed things like silver,gold etc. But what then is the adventurer after? Will have to look at this as well.
[/ic]

LoA

#22
August 25, 2011, 03:45:09 AM
Why can't I come up with crap like this?! Awesome is the only word for this. And I also take it you were influenced by british fantasy humor?

Mason

#23
September 02, 2011, 11:40:20 PM
Quote from: Newb ClarinetistWhy can't I come up with crap like this?! Awesome is the only word for this. And I also take it you were influenced by British fantasy humor?

 Thanks Newb Clarinetist, I certainly like the ironic/dry/absurd humor that pops up in Hitchhikers...don't know of any other British fantasy/sci-fi humor that I've read....any suggestions for that genre? Might give me some more ideas(which suddenly seem in short supply-hows that for alliteration?)


[ic=About Day/Night Cycles]

 To make better use of game mechanics involving vision (low-light etc) I've decided that the world of Over Under experiences a different cycle of day and night.

   A daily cycle involves two sunsets. The early morning sun rises and then wanes. A small moon rises and then wanes (this is called Middle-Night). The sun reappears for Second-Day and then True-Night comes. I have not worked out the hours/exact mechanics of the solar/lunar cycle but it was an idea I wanted to work on (for the mechanics use) Essentially twilight would happen two times in a day. In addition, certain parts of the city experience almost perpetual twilight. Elaborate lighting systems have been constructed and could make for interesting locales.

So the cycles are:
Twilight                  
Morning
Twilight
Middle Night(Crestfall)
Twilight
Day
Twilight
True Night
Twilight
Morning

 Each twilight has a supernatural looking flash or sometimes an eerie day glow that lasts for a good twenty minutes (depending on the time of year) Any thoughts about day/night cycles?
[/ic]

Moloch(ie)
[/b]

[ic=Inspiration]

Moloch! Solitude! Filth! Ugliness!
Moloch whose mind is pure machinery!
Moloch the incomprehensible prison! Moloch the crossbone soulless jailhouse and Congress of sorrows!  
Moloch whose name is the Mind!
-from Allen Ginsberg's Howl(selected parts)
[/ic]

 The Molochie are humanoids from Ever Far..."the city that once was and will be again" is how they usually explain it. They are on average taller than humans (about 7-8 ft. tall) and all wear metallic masks that are apparently 'imposed' upon them at birth-or more likely-upon being hatched. All of the masks have four faces on them. Each face is contorted into a different dramatic emotion. Happy, sad, angry etc.
It is unknown exactly what the Molochie look like underneath the masks, but it is assumed that they are horrible to look at (hence the masks). Molochie are subject to racial prejudice in Over Under and keep to themselves in small districts scattered around the city. They prefer to run errands during Crestfall (middle night)

The Molochie have no ears and so depend upon reading lips.
They can see out of all four of their faces. It is supposed they can smell as well, but no one has ever asked a Molochie if they can smell something.
They can sense movement through vibration.
They have an inexplicably complex language that is still mostly untranslated by humans.
From the head down they appear to have all the parts of a human, i.e. two legs, two arms etc.
They never reveal their skin. They wear ornately patterned gloves and pants, with a dark colored long cloak wrapped around their bodies. They never wear bright colors.

Their religion is a mixture of night and earth worship, this religion has been outlawed in Over Under(along with every other religion-see the bit about the God-Queen imprisoning the gods) but they still practice in secret. It involves long mantra-like chants and repetitive dance-like movements.

For sustenance they liquify everything. They are vegetarian enjoying weeds as much as ripe, expensive fruit. They always carry with them a device which liquidates their food and a cup/straw combination thing. This has something to do with their religion as well. (A Molochie will never except food from another persons cup, even another Molochie)

Molochies never group up in more than four or five, and this is often in extreme cases. More often you might see one or two walking together.

Despite the dramatic expressions of their metallic masks, a Molochie's speech is monotone. It is impossible to trigger an emotional response from a Molochie.
Some nobles employ them as thugs and torturers. Molochies are incredible poets. It is said the God-Queen employs one for each day of the year to recite poetry for her.  

Ever Far
I have not worked out much for this place. What I do know is that A)Molochie come from this place B)It was either a city (think sister city to Over Under) or a region or a metaphysical plane of existence. It is still possible to get to Ever Far and certain items of great value are located there.

 The Unveiling of the Molochie is a festival filled with drunken lunacy which crescendos with a play involving the unmasking of a pretend-Molochie, an actor (or actors) portraying a very large Molochie involving an elaborate mechanical costume...each year the horror that is unveiled is greater and greater. The festival goers enjoy the grotesque display with fervor. Nobles are known to hold 'after-parties' in which they unveil their own mock-Molochies, usually captives or slaves that have had horrible mutilations imposed upon them. These parties are held in dimly lit parlors and only very trusted and prominent nobles are invited.  

self note: Molochies reproduce by kidnapping children and 'transforming' them somehow.
  [/size]

LD

#24
September 02, 2011, 11:59:29 PM
>>Thanks Newb Clarinetist, I certainly like the ironic/dry/absurd humor that pops up in Hitchhikers...don't know of any other British fantasy/sci-fi humor that I've read....any suggestions for that genre? Might give me some more ideas(which suddenly seem in short supply-hows that for alliteration?)

-Terry Prachett.
-C.S. Lewis (Screwtape Letters)
-G.K. Chesterton (Not really fantasy, but it could apply)
-Mervyn Peake (maybe?)

O Senhor Leetz

#25
September 04, 2011, 12:19:39 PM
monty python.
Let's go teach these monkeys about evolution.
-Mark Wahlberg

Superfluous Crow

#26
September 04, 2011, 10:53:37 PM
This might be a too serious/rational question for Over Under, but how do Molochie speak if they can't hear? You say they read lips, but obviously they can't read another Molochies lips as there is the mask to contend with.
Also, are they in any way related to morlocks? :p
Currently...
Writing: Broken Verge v. 207
Reading: the Black Sea: a History by Charles King
Watching: Farscape and Arrested Development

Mason

#27
September 04, 2011, 11:56:32 PM
Quote from: Superfluous CrowThis might be a too serious/rational question for Over Under, but how do Molochie speak if they can't hear? You say they read lips, but obviously they can't read another Molochies lips as there is the mask to contend with.
Also, are they in any way related to morlocks? :p

 Questions! Finally!

 Morlocks-like from The Time Machine? No.

 As for Molochie not being able to read each other's lips that might explain why they rarely pair up. Why should they? They reproduce by luring children away...their really is no reason for them to actually need to be 'social'. The only reason they might actually have to communicate is for religious purposes...but these are rituals that are well known. I personally know a few deaf people who speak just fine...not to mention Helen Keller...she communicated just fine.

 I suppose when I was writing that bit I was really trying to play up the 'isolation' bit. Dulling of the senses is a sure way to isolate a person/thing/creature/moloch. Does that work?

Weave

#28
September 05, 2011, 12:25:06 AM
Quote from: SarisaThe only reason they might actually have to communicate is for religious purposes...but these are rituals that are well known. I personally know a few deaf people who speak just fine...not to mention Helen Keller...she communicated just fine.
Speaking as a Deaf Studies minor, I'd just like to add that there are many deaf individuals I know who can actually speak English (and other languages!) just fine (they might sound a little funny here and there, but otherwise are entirely legible). It's actually pretty amazing, given the circumstances and all. Of course, sign language, being linguistic kung fu, is way more awesome ;).

Also, the setting looks awesome! I apologize for not having much more to say just yet. :)

Superfluous Crow

#29
September 05, 2011, 01:47:56 AM
My question was based on the following:
Quote from: Sarisa...They have an inexplicably complex language that is still mostly untranslated by humans.
... The Molochie have no ears and so depend upon reading lips.
You say they have a complex language, yet they don't speak to each other? Maybe it is body language-based? or can they feel sound/vibrations in the air in a sense even though they can't hear? A chant language.
Currently...
Writing: Broken Verge v. 207
Reading: the Black Sea: a History by Charles King
Watching: Farscape and Arrested Development
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