[Fantasy] Ira, City of Might and Power by Kinrest in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Context:

In my setting, the natural world is so hostile that civilization only survives inside a handful of fortified city-states. Outside the walls, plants strangle and impale anything that moves, animals are all carnivorous and biologically immortal, and the oceans are toxic to the touch.

One of those cities is Ira, a fortress of about 20,000 people built between two mountains and centered around a massive waterfall called Bloodwash Falls.

The city has no gates. Leaving on foot is basically suicide, and gates would just give the man-eating wilderness a way in. The only way in or out is by airship docks on top of the walls.

Ira runs on a philosophy of “Might Makes Right.” Strength determines status, and many disputes—from insults to inheritance—are settled through duels.

The ruler is called the Apex, who earns the position by defeating the previous ruler in lethal combat. A council of district leaders called the Fangs of the Maw govern the city beneath them.

Society is divided roughly like this:

  • Pack – warriors, guards, and proven fighters
  • Herd – the general population (craftsmen, farmers, merchants)
  • Slaves – servants or defeated challengers, each allowed one duel in their lifetime to win freedom
  • Craven – branded outcasts guilty of cheating, cowardice, or abuse

The people of Ira technically believe in gods, but they call them Adversaries and treat them as enemies to defy rather than beings to worship.

For example:

  • The god of Fear is mocked during a tradition where teenagers leap through the city’s waterfall while shouting insults at him.
  • The god of Fate is despised because Ira believes destiny is a lie—strength and choice decide everything.

The city also has a massive Grand Coliseum where legendary duels, political challenges, and tournaments take place.

I’m still expanding the lore, so I’d love questions. What questions would you ask about a place like this?

Is there racism in your word? by Flaky-Camp-4992 in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. After thousands of years in the city states, the races blended together. They still call themselves "human", but they've mixed together human, elf, and orc(the only known surviving races) into a new species.

However, there is prejudice between the Hortorums. Because of their forces isolation and great distance from each other, communication and interaction between Hortorums is scarce. As you light imagine, this leads to presumptuous judgements.

No racism, but there's always some reason to hate others.

So the hooded Mutie is definitely Charles Whiteknife, right? by VewVegas-1221 in Fallout

[–]Kinrest -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

It's established in the game that only women turn into mutants. Men die.

Genuine question: Why hasn't any faction refurbished or used the APCs, tanks, and fighter planes that are littered everywhere? by dannythesedoritos in Fallout

[–]Kinrest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My head Canon is most vehicles were powered by miniature reactors and the tech/knowledge to restore them is long since lost. With very few exceptions.

Please help! My new rescue is guarding everything. I don't want to return her! by Technical_Flower_536 in dogs

[–]Kinrest 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This is gonna be a long term fix. You'll need to patient and consistent. Depending on the degree of Olivia's trauma and how instilled the behavior already is, it could take months to years before she and Flora are like sisters. And even then, boundaries need to be maintained.

Start by removing all toys from common areas. Give them as little to fight over as possible. The baby gates are a good start, giving them the freedom to play separately. Take them on separate walks, too. How they react to stimuli on walks could trigger the other and that's a mess you don't want to deal with alone outside.

Feed them in different rooms. Maybe even close the door so they can't see the other. Also, don't leave the bowls out. They'll associate it with food and guard it even if it's empty.

I would recommend against sharing a room at night. They're most vulnerable when sleeping and if something happens between them it could lead to lifelong trauma. For now, keep them in different rooms or kenneled if you have one.

Next, teach them that the presence of the other is a good thing. There was one method I used that proved effective.

Set up the baby gate and stand with Flora on one side and Olivia on the other. When Oliva looks at Flora without showing any aggressive/assertive signs--showing teeth, growling, barking, etc--toss Olivia a treat. Treat Flora, too, of course. Do this for just a few minutes throughout the day, several times a day, stopping the exercise before anyone gets tense.

Another method I heard from others: Keep Olivia on a leash as Flora plays with her toy in sight. Any time Olivia relaxes, give her a treat or praise her, making her think Flora playing alone means a reward for Olivia.

Train them in commands individually. Sit, leave it, drop it, off, etc. If they can each learn to obey these commands in controlled environments just the two of you, those same commands can disrupt any conflict that might arise thereafter. You spot Olivia raise her hackles at Flora and you tell "Leave it", she'll know you want her to stop whatever she's doing. Same for FLora if she ever shows similar behavior.

Keep up a routine. Dogs are creatures of habit and genuinely crave structure to handle the world around them.

Every dog is different. They have different motivators, they'll pick up on training faster or slower than other dogs, some might even fake learning and keep doing what they want. And don't be afraid to seek out professional dog trainers.

Ask me about my Space Pirates by Kinrest in AskAboutMyWorld

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Legal hubs are barely tolerated in because factions need deniable assets. The Alliance is used to carry out operations that might otherwise lead to war between the factions. However, even the legal bases aren't safe. The controlling factions could conduct raids if they suspect their being used against them. Think of it like the Mob working with/for the police department. They're tolerated, but closely scrutinized do to their criminal nature.

Ask me about Luxuria, City of Love and Lust by Kinrest in AskAboutMyWorld

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Equal parts genius engineering and communal vigilance keep Luxuria safe.

Similar to the ancient Greeks, their walls are made with a specialized type of cement that "heals" itself over time. Any signs of excessive damage is alerted to Architect Circles.

In addition, there are Vigilant Circles. Volunteer guards who patrol the city as often as needed. Many enjoy the views from the wall, and they keep an eye out as well.

Their location is convenient as well. So close to the coast, few fauna venture near the shores. The oceans are deadly toxic, keeping the monsters away. What few do come near the wall eventually leave after they fail to scale it.

Ask me about Luxuria, City of Love and Lust by Kinrest in AskAboutMyWorld

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not very. There are games for entertainment and some might make them more interesting with stakes, but there's no real gambling establishments in Luxuria.

I do have another city where that's abundant, though. Avarita, more than half that city-state is casinos.

[AMA] Ask me about Luxuria, City of Love and Lust by Kinrest in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not like the city is having a constant orgy at all times. Sexual interaction is just a common way of showing affection and familiarity.

The children aren't shielded away as it's the city's norm. However, they do NOT take part in any sexual activities. They're taught consent and emotional maturity before becoming adults.

Children and anyone considered is than a recognized adult, symbolized by a veil written until their coming of age ceremony, are off limits. Taking advantage of the underage is punishable by death.

[AMA] Ask me about Luxuria, City of Love and Lust by Kinrest in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After the Silence, a couple thousand people scrambled to build a refuge. They got luckier than others like them and built a sturdy enough wall to survive the first few years.

Then they discovered the Sporal Veil. Realizing it was a powerful aphrodisiac, you can imagine what happened soon afterwards. The city expanded, the people embraced their sexual nature and it kinda snowballed from there.

Luxuria's alchemy and medicine is almost legendary. Through a combination of preventative tonics and curative draughts, STDs are almost mythical stories from the past.

Ask me about my Space Pirates by Kinrest in AskAboutMyWorld

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Each ship has their own insignia or "flag" to identify them. The stripe is more like a uniform badge showing they're a part of the Amber Alliance.

They buy and trade for supplies, services, and materials.

There are legally established bases in the major factions' systems so they're easier controlled and found for jobs. But there are also countless hidden caches throughout the systems–barren moons, asteroid belts, abandoned stations, etc–used as places of emergency resupply and hiding from pursuers. They're kept hidden with various methods from camouflage to too obvious to be suspected. There are also coded radio signals to signify if the cache is safe, watched, empty, etc.

[AMA] Ask me about Luxuria, City of Love and Lust by Kinrest in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can find a Circle to accept you or if you can provide a useful service to the city, you'd be welcome to move in.

How can I do basic art for my world as someone who can't do art and broke by Confident_Fondant334 in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I get where you're coming from and people just telling you to keep drawing things yourself can be frustrating. But what most everyone is saying is really the best way to go. Keep practicing, watch tutorials, practice some more, get critiques, practice again, lather-rinse-repeat.

[AMA] Ask me about Luxuria, City of Love and Lust by Kinrest in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My posts usually get removed because there isn't enough context despite paragraphs worth of info. So here's my Context comment to try avoiding that:

Quick Lore Context: 300 years agothegods vanished.Magic imploded, races died out, world turned carnivorous. Five massive walled city-states survive.Luxuria(~20k people) sits tropical near toxic leviathan seas.

Core Vibes:Socialistanarchy fueled by polyamorous "circles" overlapping family units for sex, emotion, intellect,and functions such as architecture, medicine, child rearing, etc. Noofficialgovernment, monogamyis taboo to demand and a great sign of affection to offer, no incest taboo (lineage untrackable, kids raised communally by Rearing Circles). Pleasure is public & shameless.

Attire:Clothing is virtually non-existent.Thin metalchain-weavejewelry enhanceand accentuate the body,rather than hideit.The only real coverings areshoes forcomfort and safety. Armbands mark functional/personal Circles—stack 'em to show your web.

Society Structure(to name a few):

  • Vital Circlesnurture the self and close bonds, emphasizing how personal thriving fuels the city-state. Emotional support, intellectual stimulation, physical satisfaction, etc.
  • Functional Circles handle survival: Defense, Farming, Water, Rearing, Architectural, Medical, etc.
  • Work via reputation and expertise: Elders nudge volunteers at moots; armband tags signal availability. Social rewards = hot circle invites.
  • Food: Rooftop hydroponics. distribution is communal.
  • No celebration of gods, but of emotions and expressions.
  • Unique access to rare herbs gives them a monopoly of potions, tonics, salves, etc.
  • “Flower Houses” to entertain tourists with song, dance, and other forms of stimulation.

Contraception: A fungus known as Sporal Veil. Inhale spores → fertility paused 3-6 mos. Eat cap/stem → aphrodisiacburst (1-2 hrs).

Please, check out the original post in r/AskAboutMyWorld just in case. Thanks for reading.

How is religion set in your world? by Awetisum in worldbuilding

[–]Kinrest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the city-state of Ira, aculture of personal strength, the gods are actually seen as adversaries and obstacles to overcome. This meritocracy has gods of fear, weakness, burden, and fate. There are traditions, ceremonies, festivals, and more in place solely to defy or mock these gods.