How are Relations in your Castle World

[Hikaro Takayama]

Well, keeping in mind that my setting is a Post-Apocalyptic world that has high-tech "Knights" in Unobtainium armor (among other things), here's how I use the various LEGO Castle factions:

The Crusaders (classic Lion Knights), Royal Knights, current Kingdoms Lion Knights, Blue Samurai and Gray/White Ninjas = The Federal Republic of America's elite Special Operations Command troops.... Basically, the Federal Knights are the most "baseline" unit of the SOCOM, the Federal Samurai are the equivalent of the Navy SEALS or the British SAS, and Ninja Team 7 (the Grey Ninjas led by white Ninja officers) is basically like SEAL Team 7 or the Delta Force... The Federal Republic consists of most of the Eastern US, from Pennsylvania South to South Carolina, and the Mississippi to the Atlantic ocean... The Royal Knights, Crusader or Kingdoms Lion Knight shields are all valid aircraft/vehicle ID emblems (sorta like the British RAF or US Air Force wing roundels). The FRA is a constitutional Federal Republic, with elements of direct democracy... Basically like Switzerland, but without the whole neutrality thing... The Federal Republic is also one of the most accepting nations when it comes to granting citizenship to aliens, orcs, and other non-human races that have arrived since the Final War (mostly through tears in the space-time continuum caused by the anti-matter weapons used in said war)... A particular testiment to this is one of the Federal Army Rangers platoons that has a Dwarf (1sgt Gimli Gloinson) as the Platoon Sergent and an Orcish Heavy Weapons Specialist...

The Knights Kingdom I Lion Knights (I went into my second Dark Age the year after Knights Kingdom I came out and only own one KK1 set, the Catapult Crusher) and Crown Knights (they have similar coloring schemes) are the Barony of Buffalo... A small enclave surrounded by the Longhouse Federation (a.k.a. Six Nations), but relatively wealthy due to controlling and maintaining passage into the Great Lakes (not small feat considering that most of the Saint Larwence River flows through Chaos-controlled territory). The Barony is a steadfast ally of the Six Nations and the Federal Republic of America (who provides military support against the Hordes of Chaos).

The Black Knights, Dragon Masters and Kingdoms Dragon Knights are the Special Forces of the Grand Duchy of New York, which, despite its name, actually controls all of New England, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as well.... Led by the demented Doctor Regis Blackguard, the man responsible for starting the Final War, they were one of the first emerging nations in the North to fall under the sway of Chaos, and have been in an almost constant state of War with the Federal Republic of America, the Barony of Buffalo, the Six Nations and the Republic of New Jersey.

The Black Ninjas are the special forces of the Republic of New Jersey, which also controls Delaware, the Eastern Peninsular part of Maryland, and managed to capture Long Island from the Grand Duchy of New York (which did NOT make the Duke of NY happy in the least!). Basically the Republic of New Jersey is the Post-Apocalyptic era's equivalent to Renaissance Venice, what with similarities in its government (Oligarchic Republic), military (primarily Navy-oriented) and commerce (the Republic's power mostly stems from its massive merchant fleet that is known to trade with locations as far away as Europe and Asia!)

The Fright Knights, Bulls, Wolfpack, Skeltons, Red Ninjas, and Orcs/Trolls (the ones with the Orc Skull emblem) are what Make up the Hordes of Chaos, which are led by Sauron the Black and his nine Nazgûl as well as emissaries of the four Powers of Chaos (whom Sauron manipulated into being his henchmen)... Chaos is at war with the Federal Republic of America and its allies, is allied with the Grand Duchy of New York (although in may respects, New York could be considered a vassal state of Chaos) and neutral towards the various bands of Raiders that inhabit the Wastelands (most of North America between the Mississippi River and the Sierra Nevada mountains is a huge desert thanks to climate change brought about by the Final War)

The Forestmen & the Series 3 Elves = The Elves, most of whom live in the Federal Republic of America.... Unlike most of the other non-humans who settled in the Federal Republic, they tend to keep to their own kind, however, they maintain their own highly-trained militia, which fights alongside the regular Federal Republic Soldiers, SOCOM Commandos and Marines when the need arises. In addition, Senator Galadriel is one of the most respected political leaders in the Federal Republic.

I also use most of the Prince of Persia figures (and elements from the sets) as the Wasteland Raiders, who are basically at war with everybody who has the nerve to build settlements near their territory...

The Wild West Indians and the Tribals from the collectible minifig series = the Six Nations/Longhouse Federation... Basically with the general chaos resulting from the Final War, the Iroquois were able to re-assert their independence and re-establish their ancient nation. Currently they control the Western third of New York State (except the Barony of Buffalo) and the Ontario Peninsula (including Ottawa and Toronto).

The Islanders from the Pirates are the Caribbean League, third most powerful maritime faction after the Republic of New Jersey and the Federal Republic of America... Much of the goods from Central and South America that flow into the Federal Republic and New Jersey ports are shipped in Caribbean League merchant ships.

Finally, the Black Falcons = The Federal Republic of Prussia's (Bundesrepublik Preussen) special forces... Prussia is one of the few Eurozone nations to have the capabilities of sailing accross the Atlantic (what with all the sea monsters around these days)

I'll try to possibly update this post with more info and a map tomorrow.... I'll also admit that this isn't a TYPICAL list of Castle factions, but this is what I use the various LEGO Castle factions for.

[elondisc]

Hikaro,

What about east of the mighty mississippi? Did the tears in space make it un-inhabitable or has news from that region been cut off since the fall or something else?

[Hikaro Takayama]

Hikaro,

What about east of the mighty mississippi? Did the tears in space make it un-inhabitable or has news from that region been cut off since the fall or something else?

I said in the previous, long-winded post that that is where the Federal Republic of America and the Confederacy are... To help clear things up a bit, as they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." NOTE: I'm only listing which Castle themes are used by each faction.


Click thumbnail for a larger image

Color Key (Lighter color is areas in the Wastes that are patrolled/under the influence of the nation in question):

(Good Guys):
RED = Federal Republic of America (Crusaders, Royal Knights & Kingdoms Lions, Blue Samurai and Gray Ninjas. Also includes most of the Elves (Forestmen/Dark Forest)). The FRA enclave on the West coast is the Free State of Redmond, which only joined up recently and is home of BA Heavy Industries who currently supply the bulk of the Federal Republics small arms....

YELLOW = Republic of New Jersey (Black Ninjas)

GREEN = The Six Nations (LEGO Native Americans)

TEAL = The Barony of Buffalo (Crown Knights and KKI Lion Knights)

BLUE = Lone Star Republic (doesn't use any of the Castle elements)

NOT SHOWN = Republic of Prussia (Black Falcons) and Caribbean League (Islanders)

(Bad Guys):
BLACK = Grand Duchy of New York (Black Knights, Dragon Masters & Kingdoms Dragons)

DARK GRAY = Confederate States of America (Doesn't use any Castle elements)

MAGENTA = Hordes of Chaos (Vikings (when/if I get any), Troll Skull Orks, Trolls, Undead (Skellies, CMF Pharaoh, PQ Mummies, CMF Mummies, etc), KKI Bulls, Wolfpack, Red Ninjas, Red Ronin, Avatar the Last Airbender Fire Nation troops (when/if I get any), and the Fright Knights)

DARK YELLOW/MUSTARD = Undead Hordes/Ghouls (Zombies & other undead not directly affiliated with Sauron and the Hordes of Chaos)

LIGHT GRAY = The Wastes, home of various fortified city-states (Prince of Persia city guards and merchants) and roving bands of bandits and marauders (PoP Assassins/Bandits and Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom Thugees)

I hope that cleared things up a bit.

[krzyzak]

Every faction I have right now is pretty much alone except the trolls and skeletons. Of course the dwarfs and crownies are allies.

[Velliscig]

As I just stumbled across this topic again, I suppose I shall continue on from where my previous comments left off... A "brief" synopsis -

My world consists of a handful of small kingdoms (seven of them), which I based off of ideas that my real-life friends have given me. One of them wanted to create a kingdom but never really made an effort into buying any Lego, and the other created a country with me on cybernations.net, so I adapted their nation names and "personalities" as basis for kingdoms I will run in the manner which I think they would run it. Two of the kingdoms are derived from my sister and her friend, and two other kingdoms are derived from KKII (when I first started getting into the castle theme (bad time, I know lol)), and then last but not least my own personal kingdom, which I have progressively made up for over five years.

Kingdoms/Factions:

TYRROHNA - My personal kingdom. It sits in the center of my middle earth, and possesses the most land, troops, wealth, etc. Not purposely the best, it just is because I can't afford to make any other factions stronger at this time. The current Lion knights are used for this faction, along with any other red themed factions from TLG. Mostly though, I custom build my troops.

Colours: Red, Gold, White (and sometimes Black)
Disposition: Aggressively Good

DROHGYNN - My little sister's kingdom. She actually had a king and some castle sets, and back when we were both children (not long ago... just KKII lol) she'd actually play with me. Gradually she lost interest in it (might I say she actually "grew up", where as I didn't? ), and she gave me her Lego and I "annexed" her kingdom into mine as a protectorate. So basically, it currently is not a "kingdom", but a principality. I don't have many troops for any other kingdom than my own, but the handful I have for Drohgynn are spearmen in purple, adorned with dragon emblems.

Colours: Purple, Light Blue, and Black
Disposition: Passively Good

MORVAAS - Essentially "Morcia", from KKII, but renamed. The father kingdom to Tyrrohna, it was the first to exist in the middle earth. It's kings died out, and it gradually became part of Tyrrohna. The majority of the nobility of Tyrrohna are descendants of Morvaasian lords.

Colours: Blue, Gold (Silver), and White. The Crownies fit into this faction, along with any other blue themed minifigs.
Disposition: Good

AYKORZIA - The KKII kingdom of "Ankoria", renamed. "Vladek" was the first king of these lands. This kingdom was short lived, lasting for only 60 years. These lands now belong to Tyrrohna, but are seldom payed attention to. Largely unbeknown to the Tyrrohnens, these lands are crawling with brigands, orcs, and various other unpleasant beings (mostly resentful Aykorzians).

Colours: Black, Gray, White (In the old kingdom, Dark Red/Maroon)
Disposition: Passively Evil

KAZARYNN - Based off my friend Cole's "kingdom". They are the northern-most kingdom, mountainousness and cold. The Dwarves live in the mountains in this region, but keep to themselves and have been hitherto unknown to exist to the rest of the world. I currently have no figures for this faction, but I plan to have Kazarynnen soldiers wield axes (naturally).

Colours: Red, Green, and Black
Disposition: Neutral, Passively Good

RUHZYNN - Based off my friend Ryan's fictional nation. Currently, there is very little communication with this kingdom and the "others", but eventually they will become more important and the map of this kingdom will be filled in. They possess the giant island, which is in part why they can remain isolated from the rest of the continent. The Dragon knights of the current line and any similar of the past fit into this faction. Potentially a future rival of Tyrrohna...

Colours: Red, Green, and Black
Disposition: Unknown

NEZAAN - A peace-loving, trade oriented people, this faction was based off of one of my sister's friend's "nation". I have no figures for this faction yet, and they have not yet started trading or attempting to make contact with Tyrrohna, partially because of Tyrrohna's historically aggressive imperialistic attitude, which Nezaanians find to be in poor taste. Calling this nation a "kingdom" might be innaccurate; they "possibly" have a democratic leader or some form of hippie-like government...or none at all... I don't know... I only know as much as the Tyrrohnens do, and until they make a concerted effort to contact Nezaan, we shan't know what really goes on there.

Colours: Orange, White, and potentially any other fruity, non-traditional colour. Tye dye/rainbow? Perhaps.
Disposition: Neutral, Passively Good

Here is the current map of my middle earth, although I continue to add/modify it regularly.


http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2236/l ... eearth.png

... and there we go, a basic outline of my worlds' layout. This is just the MAP information... I don't think I could present the actual history to you guys, as it would be incredibly extensive. If anyone is interested, though, do feel free to let me know. Suggestions and ideas are always welcome.

[krzyzak]

Well, to me, tolls and skeletons are evil. Forestmen are neutral. The good guys are the crown knights, crusaders, black falcons, and royal knights, but they are not allies. Wolfpack is neutral but leaning towards evil. The new dragon knights and dragon masters are also evil. Kingdoms is a team which constantly harasses the crown knights and other factions. I don't usually mix the crusaders, black falcons, or royal knights too much with the crown knights and other new factions. Forestmen, wolfpack,and black knights are also not mixed too much with the crown knights.

[lord_of_orks]

here's how things are in my castle world

skeletons: evil: the dark sorcerer has been defeated by the crown knights so there no new skeletons. The few that remain have gone into hiding.

orks: neutral/evil: most orks left and returned to there home land after the dark sorcerers defeat those that staid are led by (my avatar) the 4 armed ork lord. they are allied with the skeletons and have gone into hiding with them.

wolf pack: out laws: constantly harass the crown knights but are afraid of the orks and skeletons. allied with the forest men.

forest men: out laws: same as wolf pack.

order of the forsaken:neutral:consists of all factions I have that came before the crown knights(which comes to about 10 members ) good relations with crown knights no contact with orks or skeletons.

crown knights: good: own almost all the land, are constantly searching for the orks and skeletons. allied with dwarfs.

dwarfs: good: the richest of all the factions threw there trade of gold, silver, and steel they are searching for the orks but are afraid of the skeletons. allied with the crown knights.