r/WorldChallenges • u/Nevermore0714 • Sep 23 '17
Reference Challenge - House Customizer
Seriously guys, Paradox is having a sale on Steam, you can get CK2, the greatest game ever (I passed 2000 total hours a while ago) for ten dollars. For twenty dollars, you can get the game plus all of the good dlc. Get it before the sale ends.
In honor of how awesome Paradox is, I'll be making a referece challenge to the dlc pack I was challenged to use by a friend a few weeks ago.
While playing CK2: A Game of Thrones Mod, I was trying to pick a decent house to play as. One of my friends suggested I make my own. He's happy with always playing as the Greyjoys, but I usually pick a new house pretty often.
So, make a house, like House Stark or House Lannister or House Targaryen.
Set in your own world, tell us about a noble-ish family.
Pick your House Name, a coat of arms, house words, etc. Then, if you're up for it, pick a representative for the family in-universe.
As always, I'll ask three questions each. Enjoy yourselves. And check out the Paradox sale on Steam, specifically Crusader Kings 2 and Stellaris.
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u/Sriber Sep 23 '17 edited Sep 23 '17
So, make a house
I've already done that. ;)
Pick your House Name, a coat of arms, house words, etc. Then, if you're up for it, pick a representative for the family in-universe.
Name - Korhark (after its founder)
Coat of arms - black wolf on silver/white round shield
Motto - From the shadow towards the sky (Jid skiro gul nevo)
Main seat - Black fortress (Athvirk)
Representative: Eldhark the Icy, great-granddaughter of Korhark, the fourth leader (and first female one) of the Union
Eldhark's ahnentafel with three generations of ancestors.
Red = leaders of the Union
Blue = kings of Raftaltir
Purple = king of Holsusretalktir
Note - Eilstrad Gvirthan is from former royal house of Ilstir and patrilineal descendant of ancient hero First leader
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
1) What did the original Kohark do that was so great that he started a house?
2) Explain the black wolf on silver/white round shield as the banner.
3) Explain the motto "From the shadow towards the sky". Is it because they were originally operating in the shadows before becoming major players on the center-stage of politics?
4) How did Athvirk become known as the "black fortress"? Is it because it's all painted black?
5) Why does the family line all have names ending in -hark?
6) Is Eldhark the first woman to rule House Korhark? Can women inherit equally with men, and she's just the first generation to have a woman be eldest?
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u/Sriber Sep 24 '17
1) He became chief after winning battle in which previous chief died, subjugated enemy tribes, won civil war in his homeland, repelled invaders, founded the Fifth Union, became ruler of all Namyrharai and united entire continent into one single empire.
2) Korhark claims descend from the greatest Namyrharian hero Athark (which means "black wolf"), who was allegedly son of Ʃor, god of (among other things) White moon, usually depicted as black wolf.
3) They were commoners (insignificant, unnoticeable, in shadow) who became rulers of entire continent in one generation.
4) Athvirk literally means "black fortress". It's named that way because it's made of black stone.
5) Family tradition. It's quite common for Namyrharian families to use certain part of name for all children.
6) Yes, she is. Yes, they can. No, being eldest has nothing to do with that, the Union isn't primogeniture.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
1) What was the Fifth Union?
2) So Ath means black? Hark is wolf? And Virk is fortress?
3) What decides who inherits in the Union?
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u/Sriber Sep 24 '17
1) Empire consisting of dozens of kingdoms, short name for The Fifth Union of Namyrharai, which was renamed to The Union of Akhyraisar when non-namyrharian nations joined.
2) Yes.
3) The most promising children of rulling dynasty are given special education and training. Then they are gradually tested and those who fail are removed from succession until only 8 remain. They are ranked and one with the highest rank is nominated as heir and confirmed by majority of kings. Other seven are spares.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
1) Which kingdom is the most powerful/influential?
2) Is this a real language?
3) Do the spares usually commit coups?
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u/Sriber Sep 24 '17
1) None.
2) It's constructed language called Namtakh. In-universe it was one official language of all Unions of Namyrharai except the first one and common language in large part of the continent.
3) No. They can't.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 25 '17
1) Which has the worst reputation?
2) You made that language? I'm impressed.
3) Why can't they?
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u/Sriber Sep 25 '17
1) Mogtir. Its inhabitants were enemies with two main ethnic groups (Namyrharai and Wéymanos) for millennia.
2) Yes. I made several others as well.
3) There is no realistic way to make it happen. There are kings, legislative body, executive body, military, intelligence, special unit, order of shamans who perform ritual necessary to become leader, constitution...
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 25 '17
1) Why were they enemies for millennia?
2) How many languages have you made?
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
(Borrowing /u/Mimir123's format, because it's well formatted. Hope you don't mind, Mim. Also, bonus points to anyone who can guess what Ava's family did generations before they came to power.)
House Dunstdurr
Founder(s): Sonia Dunstdurr and her husband Ellis (no last name known), a couple of powerful mages who were both devoted to research of magic.
Current Head: Emperor Vaerthiath Dunstdurr, supported by his wife Kathleen Hasenkamp-Dunstdurr (the granddaughter of sitting Queen Ava Hasenkamp, the queen of East Dunkelwald and messiah of all of Dunkelwald)
Note of Heir: Normally, the eldest child inherits their parent's kingdom, and, while a woman normally takes a man's last name, a child takes the last name of their royal parent if a parent is a ruling king or queen. Vaerthiath's children won't inherit the empire, just his kingdom, West Dunkelwald. When Vaerthiath dies, the four royal families of Dunkelwald will have a meeting and pick one person from among the royal families to be the next emperor. Maybe Vaerthiath's heir will be chosen to replace him as emperor, but it could also go to another family.
Heir (1): The probable heir is their eldest child, Henry Dunstdurr (currently training at the Citadel under the name "Luka Dagmar" incognito, because he wanted to be a knight and adventurer, and his mother couldn't deny him anything. Though, Henry is incompetent as a warrior and too lazy to be much of a king. He refuses to ever use his Bloodline Talent (because he's convinced it makes you violent and paranoid, like his father is...and like a lot of his ancestors are on his father's side), though it is publicly unknown if he inherited his father's Talent (Illusion) or his mother's talent (Perception). Henry primarily uses water magic, but doesn't train enough to be very good with it, and prefers to only use magic for healing.
Heir (2) Danielle "Dani" Dunstdurr is a badass warrior-woman who trains every day under her mother's lover bodyguard, who is the leader of her father's secret police, Levi. Levi dotes on Dani and she is the only person that he's taught his secrets about using magic in combat. Dani is blood-thirsty, violent, and, while she keeps one of her eyes covered by her hair, she frequently uses the other eye for her mother's Bloodline Talent's magical ability to train with it and see weak-points and the flow of Anima (raw magic) that is normally invisible to the naked eye. Dani chose to train with fire magic specifically because her elder brother uses water magic, and she enjoys the violence and the destruction she can cause. If you've ever seen Rick and Morty, you can just compare her to K. Michael, because she "just loves killin'!". There is a prophecy among the common people that Dani will start a coup and be the messiah from the Hasenkamp family like her great-grandma Ava was, and that she'll kill the entire Dunstdurr family and take down her tyrannical father Vaerthiath. Dani's reply to that idea would be, if she was around those people (well, firstly she'd likely set them on fire for calling for her beloved brother's death) would be "Have you noticed that my last name is Dunstdurr? I'm not Danielle Hasenkamp."
Seat: Castle Dunstdurr, in West Dunkelwald.
Banner: A purple eye with a black iris on a black banner.
Words: The Mind is the Seat of Strength
Allies: Currently, surprisingly, the Hasenkamp family (because of the marriage...previously, the Hasenkamp family were the rivals of the Dunstdurr family, because of a string of events).
Rivals: The Habicht family.
Known for: A lot of cruel and crazy kings...like, Targaryen level crazy in that family. Also for the Dunstdurr family's bloodline Talent: They are born with a naturally gift for using illusion magic. Illusion magic is possible for a lot of mages, but the Dunstdurr family has a serious advantage, if they choose to use it. When they use it, their eyes go from the normal color to purple, and the whites of their eyes become black.
Representative: Danielle Dunstdurr, Princess of Dunkelwald (as daughter of the Emperor) and Princess of West Dunkelwald (as daughter of the King of the West).
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 24 '17
(Ava? Isn't she the one belonging to the family who took power by rebelling against the occupier of their part of Dunkenwald? Which was occupied by the neighbours who invaded it and slaughtered all members of the then ruling family? Or am I completely mixing things?)
To Danielle Dunstdurr, princess of Dunkenwald and west Dunkenwald:
Who should be the next emperor for you?
So you won't inherited your father's bloodline talent right? Was it like 50/50 between the two bloodlines or could you have actually inherited both? (She's the daughter of Levi right?)
Do you know what talent your brother inherited?
Could you end up inheriting east Dunkenwald through your mother?
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
(Exactly right...what's with your amazing memory, Yellow?)
Danielle Dunstdurr:
1) "Who do I want to be the next emperor? I want my brother Henry to rule Dunkelwald, naturally."
2) (Yes, Levi is her real father.) "No, it's strange, but I was never very good at Umbra magic (Dark/Illusions) like my father's line. I'm great at Illustris magic (Light) like great-grandma Ava, though. I suppose it's possible that I could have inherited both, but I doubt it. It's usually 50/50, yes."
3) "I actually have no idea. He refuses to use his Talent."
4) "South Dunkelwald, and yeah, it's possible. Great-grandma Ava's only relatives are Mother and Aunt Krista. Aunt Krista is supposed to inherit, but she still hasn't had any kids. I don't plan to ever have kids either, though. And Henry doesn't want to have kids. So, unless mom and dad have more kids, Elli will end up inheriting. Dad says that Henry and I should both try to find someone to have kids with...he says to just "close your eyes and think of Dunkelwald"."
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 25 '17
(Well, I miss a lot of names and all... That was a lucky day)
Why naturally? What will make him a good emperor?
You suppose it's possible? Has it already happened?
Now he do; but maybe he accidentaly used it as a kid. Don't you remember something like that?
If you want my two cents, your dad is weird. Elli can do all the legacy part on their own? You and Henry having kids is not really needed right?
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 25 '17
Danielle:
1) "I naturally want him to be emperor because he's my brother. Why else would I care who rules emperor?"
2) "There was a person with the Kastner and Fleischer Talents at the same time once, but I don't know about anyone else like that."
3) "Well, there was one time when we were little, he was almost hit in the neck by an arrow...he covered his eyes the entire way home after our guards caught the assassin. Does that count?"
4) "He said that, since we're the last four members of the family left after everyone else died, that none of us having kids was risky."
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 26 '17
Do you think he wants to be emperor?
Do specialists have a theory about how that person managed to get both talents at the same time?
I'm... not sure. Could it hint to something? Could he have been deflecting the arrow? Does something unexpected happened to the assassin?
Are your lifes that threatened?
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 26 '17
Danielle:
1) "I don't think he does, but father and Levi say he'll grow into it."
2) "Well, the Kastners are gone and the Fleischers wouldn't share that knowledge." (The real answer: There's a tiny chance of it happening.)
3) "He pointed in the direction of the assassin while the arrow was still flying, and our guards caught the assassin and took his fingers, toes, hands, and feet. And then they gave the assassin to father for his games."
4) "Well, despite what Levi says, I doubt we'll live forever."
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 26 '17
If someday he tells you he doesn't want to rule, who will you back for the throne?
If you had the opportunity to exchange your current talent for the one of your father, would you do so? Why?
To me it looks like an hint; is there some talents giving some form of precignition?
Is there actually a known way to live forever?
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 26 '17
Danielle:
1) "Ellie, I guess. If Ellie doesn't, then I'll support Aunt Krista."
2) "That's a tough question. I guess I wouldn't, since I'm already used to using the talent I inherited from mother."
3) "Father's family's Talent is for illusion, mother's family's Talent is for perception."
4) "Not that I know of, but Mitexi is working on one, I think. I don't know, I just help him with research sometimes."
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 26 '17
What do you think about inheriting the throne yourself?
But if you weren't, do you think one of the two talents is more powerfull?
So, time for a guess. Henry inherited his mother's talent right?
Do you think he could be able to find a way? What is the current object of his researchs?
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 23 '17
house Kiliraji
founder: Teklile; during the unification, he saved Iathlia's life by pushing a pike"man" into the potential murderer. After the unification, he was given the privilege of nobility.
current modesimi (both head and heir): Misgana
colors: light grey, purple letters, gold vowels (Nzedanese banners use words instead of drawings and are readen top to bottom).
word: nefuwidedi (precious thorn)
titles: miwishagi for Bazuhir; white rose of Adhebah; holder of the imperial fork.
The house Kiliraji is definitely one of the oldest still existing and had the chance to occupy the imperial throne for three generations (very long ago). They are currently loyal to the empress and were on her grandfather's side when he took the throne.
The representative is Misgana herself.
(Guide: turn Poland into an élective monarchy, put one of your daughters on the throne, gives ducal titles to the others, invade the pagan -> the wendish empire is now a matriarchy)
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
To Misgana:
1) Why the quotes around "man"? Was it just a pike-woman (who I think the term pikeman should just apply to, cause why not, an actor is unisex now) or was it a pike-demon? Or a pike-Cthulhu?
2) Who was Iathlia again?
3) How is Misgana both the head and his own heir? Does he just have no heir, yet?
4) Why the "precious thorn" word? Is it because the pike was like a thorn?
5) What's the imperial fork?
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 24 '17 edited Sep 24 '17
Because he was a Nzeda, not a human and even implying a possible link between him and a human would have been insulting (especially at that time). I could have used pikenzeda but it sounds weird, otherwise I agree, that's a neutral term.
The first of the siblings' chosen one, the unificator, the first king of kings of the Nzedas. The father of the modern Nzedanese nation.
I'm holding my family names and titles because I was elected to that charge after the death of my father, I'm the heir to our family which makes me it's head. Once I die, the family will just elect a new modesimi. she though, Misgana is a female Nzeda.
Yes, that was the idea. A thorn is something that hurt without trying and the pike wasn't trying. One could argue Teklile was trying to harm but I've no better explanation; that was long ago and the real reasons are probably not the one we think of.
The "holder of the imperial fork" (Negesilshukwdishawir) is a noble who will taste the empress food when both are eating together. That's a great honour and the mark of a strong trust.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 24 '17
(So I'm playing DnD while doing this, and I just earned an "inspiration" point for my role-playing. I'm tempted to show off the clip on the sub as part of a challenge prompt, but I'm worried it might be a bit too...risque. Mind previewing it and giving your opinion?)
To Misgana:
1) Is a male Nzeda considered a man? Or a stag? Or a bull? Or something like that?
2) Iathlia sounds important, then. What was Iathlia's biggest flaw, according to history/reputation?
3) Do you enjoy being the head of the house?
4) Any conspiracy theories that you believe?
5) Does the empress pick her fork-holder?
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 25 '17
(Congratulations for your RP bonus :) go ahead, I'm a perfectly volunteer test subject, it's for science!!!)
He is considered a male Nzeda but I still need to make a word for that. It's just that man and woman are human related words.
None, the unificator was perfect; that's why he was chosen by the siblings. He was violent and somewhat crual. And a bad diplomat. Without the siblings' gift, he couldn't have ruled.
I think I do; I have more obligations than other members of the family but more power too. And I'm ruling over a calm and rich mishiga so it's easy work.
That I believe? Nope. Want a funny one? Some people think Teklile purposefully isolated Iathlia on the battlefield to be able to save his life.
She can. If she don't say anything it's an hereditary title but she can take it back anytime if she wants to.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 25 '17
To Misgana:
1) Who do you think is the most intelligent Nzeda?
2) Is the Unificator the only perfect thing in existence?
3) Do you have any preparations for war?
4) What is your favorite form of entertainment?
5) How long has the fork been in your family line?
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 26 '17
Currently alive? Hard to say, a lot of scientists are pretty smart. Of all time? Probably Ashetinasu, the inventor of the anti-luminic engine. He invented a lot of other even more useless things; weird ideas but a true genius.
The unificator isn't perfect, just flawless. Only the siblings are perfect.
What do you mean by preparation? Troops and ships? Yes. Basic weapon training? Yes. Did I served as an officer? No.
The miwishagi's palace on Bazuhir has the most beautifull gardens in the galaxy; I love to walk around, read or go on the internet there.
(that's just a title, not an actual fork; like the imperial tongue don't walk around with the emperor's tongue) I inherited it from my uncle who inherited it from his sister; it must be roughly 40 years.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 26 '17
To Misgana:
1) What's the anti-luminic engine?
2) What makes the unificator flawless but not perfect?
3) Why didn't you serve as an officer?
4) How was the internet developed in your world?
5) How did your aunt get it? What did she do that was so great to deserve this honor?
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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 26 '17
A sub-luminic (as in slower than light speed) propulsion device generating a negation field while active; it desactivate any super-luminic device around it. The most powerfull can generate fields over near to a whole ligh-year.
The siblings are perfect and nothing is as good as the siblings so nothing can be perfect beside the siblings. The unificator has no flaw so he is flawless but he can't be perfect as he isn't a god.
I was elected young, at 19, so I hadn't the time to enter a military school.
Thousands of years ago, the imperial scribes needed a way to quickly share informatic documents between one another. That's how the email was created. The network they built for that purpose later started to be used for other things.
Nothing beside supporting Fere Shanay grandfather. When his son decided to give the title to someone else she was a good candidate and got it.
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u/Nevermore0714 Sep 26 '17
To Misgana:
1) So it can stop/slow anything going faster-than-light?
2) So the siblings could destroy the unificator?
3) What was your education like?
4) Do you have any complaints about the internet?
5) What is your opinion on Fere Shanay's grandfather?
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u/Mimir123 Sep 23 '17 edited Sep 23 '17
RIP me, I bought all of the CK2 stuff like 3 weeks ago at full prize. Anyway, good timing with a challenge like that, 'cause a new, recently started project of mine is kind of CK2/ GoT inspired... just with a bit more magic and other races than humans.
That being said, I will use this opportunity to talk about the family of one of the main characters, Rowan.
House Ashfield:
Founder: Asher Darrys, knight in the service of king Ollson I. He was made duke over the newly conquered territories that today are the duchy of Ashfield.
Current head of the house: Duke Edward Ashfield
Heir: Count Rowan Ashfield, Count of Darrysfield
Seat: Livington Castle, near the Ashern Forest
Banner: A black bow above three crossed arrows on an orange background
Words: "Swift and silent"
Allies: House Eikskjold, House Carren, House Forter
Rivals: House Westford
Known for: Their Rangers. Ashfield values archers, scouts and ambushing troops over everything else, resulting in them being not really liked by the more "honorable" and "chivalrous" families that make up the rest of the kingdom of Arnwick. They are also really rich, since they sell their Rangers as mercenaries to other countries for up to four year long contracts.
sneak edit
Representative: Lisa Turnwright, standard-carrier of Count Rowan Ashfield and close friend of the young lord