#only roar

[mafaldaknows]

“DO NOT WHINE ONLY ROAR” ~ Manners for Monsters, Tyler Ramsey

[onlyroar]

Planets of Ixaniad: D2

Only a short warp jump from Ceravar, Obdoza is a cool, pleasant pleasure world with remarkably liberal attitudes. An appointed diktat rules in theory, but in practise, power is divested almost entirely into an elected Planetary Council. With a series of hunting lodges, ski slopes and unusual wildlife across its expansive ice caps, tourism booms but occupies a dangerously-large space within its overall economy. Even the slightest hint of war entering the Sector is enough to drive its privileged patrons into panic and lead to years or possibly decades of ruin.

Political power on Ondoza is unusually well-distributed among its citizens thanks to the Council and largely able to maintain a strong culture of hospitality and restraint. The planet’s Arbites’ successes in addressing corruption have even made it something of a haven for those fleeing more oppressive regimes in the region, much to the chagrin of its neighbours. Tithes of beasts and fauna alongside patronage by convalescing Imperial Guard have kept the planet in good standing, but with its population booming, maintaining its unique culture and self-governance will be an immense challenge. It is only a matter of time before the Empire seeks its pound of human flesh and blood. Classification: Pleasure World Planet Type: Medium, Terrestrial Tech Level: Mid-Imperial Population: 7 million Atmosphere: very thin Average Daily Temperature: 18°C Gravity: Above Average Relief: Standard Strongest Imperial organisation: Arbites

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Oh Hey This Still Exists I should Probably Post Something Here Huh

So, this kinda died. Main reason was a double wipe of personal data at the time, which was compounded by a a bunch of personal RL shit, both of which also wiped out my momentum in College (to this day, incidentally - the data loss included entire assessments). The data loss wiped out all background data for Only War, apart from some old stuff and a few files I had duplicates of on a different device. I’m considering a restart. If so, I will retain posts here for posterity. Since the adventure never really started, most of the details will probably be the same, except for the characters already revealed, which will be once again at the whims of RNG and suggestions.

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Sector Map Complete!

It’s exams. I haven’t been able to get back on World-Building June or Only Roar, but I did manage to make this kickass thing. Worlds in yellow are canon worlds that are located or placeable within the region/sector. There’s little written about them so plenty of room for creativity and their stats are generated using my RNG tables like the rest of them. Mandragora is a really odd topic. It’s one of those parts of FFG lore hat has clashed at times with stuff outside it. Sometimes it’s a Sector, sometimes it’s a subsector, sometimes it’s on the other side of the Galaxy. But I feel this fits best. There’s more than 30 unique worlds to write about and I’m sure we’ll be able to get through them in two weeks time.

[onlyroar]

Ixaniad Sector pt 6: Gender & Sexuality

The nature of gender and sexuality in the 41st Millennium is shaped by three factors. First, there is the traditions and culture of the Imperium. Second, the fear of Chaos and corruption. Third (but not least), pragmatic adaptation to the pressures and requirements of constant warfare.

Imperial Culture

The culture of the Imperium is diverse; its regions and worlds vary wildly in what is acceptable or unacceptable. However, there are core facets of sexism ingrained within its very fabric. Most notable is the Space Marines, whom all know are all male and have only ever been such. Whether this is by design or accident is a question few would dare even ask. Their creation in the image of the Emperor does suggest it was intentional; their masculine identity and form would encourage obedience, fear and awe. While women do serve, the majority of Imperial Guard are male, either by regimental policy or request. In most cases, whatever the local norm is, all are encouraged to abide by it (unless it slides towards Heresy, of course). Individuals or communities favouring ‘deviant’ forms of sexuality may also be subject to greater scrutiny and discrimination by the Ordo Hereticus at large, despite any local policies to the contrary.

Fear

Fear is the currency by which the Imperium operates. Fear of the outside, fear of punishment and fear of damnation. The nature of Slaanesh as the Lord of Excess naturally causes the Inquisition and the Imperial Creed to vehemently rail against hedonism and greedy lust. While once again variation exists from world to world, fear of feeding Slaanesh fuels conservative doctrines of sexual conduct. Some worlds may even forbid it, relying instead on government-controlled breeding programs and cloning rather than corporeal acts of reproduction. For most however, it is simply about avoiding outright extremes. Homosexuality and intersexual orientation are of lesser importance in the eyes of the Ixanaid Ecclesiarchy as say, a Rogue Trader surrounding themselves with a harem of harlots. The identity and orientation that matters most to them is loyalty to the Emperor.

Pragmatism

Of course, while many in the upper echelons may favour militaries led and controlled by men, the reality is that such a policy is unsustainable. How can they ensure repopulation? If the men are massacred on the front lines, who will be left behind to rule? Can the unwashed masses really be cowed into celibacy when their lives are bereft of other pleasures? The simple answers to such dilemmas are obvious. Female representation in the Imperium is most prominent among the professions outside the front lines, be it as Governors and logistical officers, or members of the Inquisition. Where male tithes are strongest, it is women that forge arms and administer the lands in their absence, amassing great power in the procecss. As male tithes are exhausted, all-female regiments may be pushed into service to replace them. Mixed regiments are the most common form on worlds with smaller available pools of recruits. While it may be the all-male units that receive preferential placements (which in the eyes of the Empire, means the most dangerous appointments) they are not as common as the Imperium may make it seem. Overall, women are more secure than men, live longer lives and for some, this is enough in a galaxy awash with spilt blood. That said, there are many stories of women fleeing to pursue war and glory where they are unable to do so or enlisting despite all prohibitions. At the very top, silent wars against discrimination are fought by women struggling to receive deserved postings beyond the odd planetary governorship. When it comes to sexual norms, there are always means of hiding the truth, be it the blind eye turned towards the unwashed masses in a Hive World or the bribes regularly paid by the nobility to ensure their actions go without reprimand.

[onlyroar]

Planets of Ixaniad: D6

D6: Jerobia

The story of Jerobia is one best told from the perspective of its natives.

Long ago, Jerobia was a very small world of mountains and archipelagos. Across its islands were many peoples, each possessing barely the power to bang two rocks together. This began to change as the metal birds descended. These noisy birds brought men in white with the power to shoot fire from their hands. They gave the tribes many things; some valuable to them, some not so. With them came metal men with tentacles that stared at them with hundreds of red and green eyes and poked them with odd instruments. Some people disappeared but they returned with tales of the strange metal men and their many questions. Eventually, the visitor left, with nary a trace.

The second coming of the birds saw many changes. The white men offered many things; food, of many colours, new tools and strange teachings of a man in the sky. They taught the wise men about this Star God, Empor-Ra and many things in the new arts of science and mathematics. In return, the white and metal men sought warriors and strange items the wise men found in the caves. They did not say why they coveted the items, only that they were of great interest and value. The trinkets were part of a great spell they said, one the metal men hoped to solve.

By the time the next metal birds arrived, the gifts of the men in white had been used for many things. There were tools made of melted rocks, weapons that fires small darts that pierced the flesh and many more. But this time, they did not come to give gifts to the tribes of Jerobia. And among the birds there was a terrifying black bird. That night, all the wise men were taken into the black bird, while almost all the rest were also removed the next day. Men, women and children alike were pulled and dragged, at times by force. Those that resisted were chained and bound. Some tried to cast spells on the white men but no sooner had the incantation begun than a rain of shrieks and terrifying lights hit them, tearing apart with an unseen power. Those that survived were never seen again.

As they left, strange things began to happen in the caves. From where the artefacts has been, there was now only water. The torrents continued, the waters rose and rose.

They never stopped. Now, only a few eke out an existence on what were once the tallest peaks, descending from trading families that built their homes near the site where the metal birds used to land. The rest were tithed or drowned. Fearful and forgotten, they remain alive. For now. Name:Jerobia Class:Feudal  World Star Size:Large Planet Type:Mesoplanet Population:66 Government:Corporate Democracy Atmosphere Density:Standard Seasons:Standard Gravity:Standard Relief:Montane Hydrosphere:Moist Cryosphere:Ice Age Temperature:Frosty Tech Rating: Steel Age Administratum: None Arbites: None Telepathica: None Astronomica: None Inquisition: None Mechanicus: None Ministorum: Token

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Ixaniad Sector pt 5: Architecture

The Imperium is a huge realm of many sectors, each with their own history, heritage and traditions, but there are some commonalities between them all. The Imperial Gothic architectural style is one of these, though not so much by mandate as by ease of construction. The spires and milk decorations of Imperial Gothic may seem unsuited to mas production, but the use of Standard Template Construct (STC) buildings has transformed the process. Due to almost all the STCs used for Imperial settlements being in the Imperial Gothic style, it has been applied across the Galaxy and even enshrined to a certain extent as a sign of religious fervour and devotion. The style also varies; whilst most Imperial Gothic buildings approach on utilitarian form, Imperial Gothic churches and cathedrals are resplendent and glorious sights to behold.

Within the Ixaniad Sector, Imperial Gothic is most common, but not the only architectural style to be found. The others can be roughly forced into four categories; Old Mandragoran/Aegisan, Xenoform, Modern Imperial and Archaeoform.

Old Mandragoran is a style confined mostly to the Mandragora Subsector and oldest worlds in the neighbouring Ptolemaic Reach. This form pre-dates Imperial resettlement, with a contrasting style that features far more sweeping arches and domes than spires. Some STCs documenting these styles have been found but are rarely produced in place of their Gothic equivalents outside the region. Their spread roughly overlaps with the path taken by Terentius’ armies during the Great Crusade.

Xenoform is not so much a style as a collection of styles deemed to be either of alien origin or ‘deviant’ from common forms of human architecture. This catch-all label is often derisive more than anything and an easy way to lambast those fools that would dare innovate on existing designs. Most of the Xenoform buildings in the Sector are of Eldar origins; many of the worlds here were once Maiden Worlds or otherwise aligned with them in the past and were of such sound construction that human conquerors preferred to adapt their form and build along complementing lines that engage in full reconstruction. Nowadays such practises would be almost blatantly heretical, but this style persists on many worlds closer to the heart of the Sector.

Modern Imperial is a derivative of Imperial Gothic produced via modifications in the STCs that were generated by chance. These forms dispense with many of the decorations and vaulted ceilings for a more utilitarian form, saving copious amounts of resources at the cost of beauty. Their deviance from the norm has been shunned by the Ecclesiarchy even as the Mechanicus lauds the closer approximation to mechanical perfection. Rarely would a building serving the Imperial Creed dare approach this form, with most cities of the Modern form reverting to the older templates for such constructs. Almost all hives are a blend of forms, with Modern Imperial used most commonly at their base or midsection, depending on age.

Lastly, Archaeoform is another umbrella grouping. Any form considered primitive compared to Imperial Gothic is Archaeoform, as are all styles that predate it, wherever they may be found. Sometimes, these styles are copied in more modern buildings as a stylistic choice or adapted on worlds that have rapidly industrialised since humble, feral origins.

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Planets of Ixaniad: D5

D5: Ceqar

A recent addition to the Sector, Ceqar was purchased only recently by an incredibly wealthy Rogue Trader as both a safe base of operations and a vanity project. Within only a few years, tens of millions arrived; most willingly, some… perhaps less so. The planet’s hoards are rich with plunder accumulated over ten generations. Before arrival, it was a pristine, tropical hunting reserve. Now, STC buildings blossom like flowers from each settlement, but the beautiful biosphere has already begun to see small signs of damage, as it struggles to accommodate hundreds of thousands of migrants per year.

The biggest draw to Ceqar is its separation from local politics and ordinary governance structure. While the Trader House maintains absolute de jure control and certainly exploits the populace, day-to-day operations were long ago shifted to a select number of his more intellectual associates. As ‘Directors’ of the planet, they were given strict instructions to limit franchise to those ‘worthy’ of the honour, ruling in his name as their vessels prowl the Galaxy. The politics and culture of Ceqar have been shaped by this directive.

Education is the primary measure of status on Ceqar; those that excel are lauded, while those failing to meet the Directorate’s testing regimes are doomed to lifelong drudgery. Strict controls on military technology have ensured that a monopoly on force rests with its leadership; those that find themselves on the bottom have little hope of advancement after adulthood, nor of insurrection against the well-armed troops at the Directorate’s disposal. Life on Ceqar is not easy; there are trade goods to craft and refine, buildings to construct and loot to protect. Despite all these caveats, it remains freer and safer than the Ixaniad Sector at large. Name:Ceqar Class:Frontier World Star Size:Medium Planet Type:Small Terrestrial Population:59,000,000 Government:Logocratic Oligarchy Atmosphere Density:High Seasons:None Gravity:Standard Relief:Standard Hydrosphere:Wet Cryosphere:Iceless Temperature:Hot Tech Rating:Warp Space Administratum:Token Arbites:None Telepathica:Token Astronomica:None Inquisition:Token Mechanicus:None Ministorum:None