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TheTome /
FlowerWarOverviewYou are on the archive wiki. The new wiki is here. http://gaming.inkwell.za.net/flowerwar/fw-title-screen.png An introduction to the Flower War mini-campaign LARP (also available as a spiffy PDF). Feel free to ask questions in the comments, email d@vid, or speak to Tim on campus (room M417). If you are interested but can't make the meeting (this Friday), leave your name at FlowerWarPlayers.
(:toc:) HistoryIn the year 3-Calli the Mexicatl (Aztec) empire pre-empted the Caxtiltecatl (European) invasion, flying across the sea on great cocoah to their northern homeland. Rather than wage a bloody campaign, Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin sought the favour of the gods by engaging in a flower war, conquering rather than destroying the feeble Caxtiltecatl so that they might be offered as sacrifices later. The gods blessed the tlatoani with victory, and with the promised sacrifices his dominion grew to include the entire Caxtiltecatl continent, as far as the barbarian East. A hundred years later, Motecuhzoma's grandson, Cuauhtemotzin, sits on the throne. The boy-tlatoani demands only tribute from his people, the details of rule are left to his sage council, as well as native representatives of the Caxtiltecatl provinces (the Coconeh, "council of children"). Cuauhtemotzin has chosen the auspicious 52nd anniversary of the lesser council's founding to invite its members to New Tenochtitlan for the annual sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli, god of war. Quick reference
DetailsLARP mini-campaign (one LARP per quarter) set at successive annual meetings during the Huitzilopochtli festival (when Caxtiltecatl are sacrificed to the god of war). Player created characters are members of the Coconeh. (For more details read the Setting notes.)
Setting sketchThe setting revolves around the annual festival of Huitzilopochtli, god of war, in New Tenochtitlan and the meetings of the Coconeh held from the year 13-Tochtli. Essential details: an alternate history where the Mexicatl (Aztec) empire conquered Caxtiltecatl (Europe) in 1521; history, including technology and personalities, has followed roughly the same course in the ensuing 100 years, except with an Aztec flavour. Of course, there has been no Age of European colonization (and the Mexicatl are happy with one new continent for now), and the Aztecs cross the ocean on their cocoah (flying serpents). There is low magic (specifically as limited by the LARP medium), acknowledged as boons granted by the gods. Mexicatl deities are revered as forces rather than as personalities, but this worship is taken most seriously, e.g. mass human sacrifice. Other religions have fragmented or disappeared, mostly due to imperial pressure on native culture. Player characters are members of a council (the Coconeh) chosen because of their mystical birthmarks. The Coconeh represents (but does not govern) the provinces of the empire. The emphasis in the LARPs is on courtly intrigue between opposing birthmark factions. A special note about combatCombat specifically takes place in a courtly fashion. In this game and setting the only combat allowed is formal duelling. There are special rules for challenges, and duels to first blood (by sword) and to the death (by pistol). No other combat options will be entertained. NaeviA naevus is a group of people with the same mystical birthmark. There will be four or five naevi in the LARP, dependant on the number of players. Further details of what a particular naevus stands for will be determined in Character Creation.
ProvincesThe expanse of the Mexicatl empire will also be dependant on the number of players. These are the provinces, each of which has three birth-marked representatives.
Groovy linksComment: w00t!! (by MyrdemInggala on 2004-11-01 17:27:04)ElfBoy and I are interested. Hooray for alternative-history Aztec empires! :-D There's a really cool short story like that which I read recently. I'll post the name when I've checked at home. Comment: w00t 4 w00t :) (by d@vid on 2004-11-02 12:56:47)groovy - we're finalising structure at the moment, and trying not to create too much backstory (I'm aiming for not more than two pages of "in character" setting/history) is all of the mexicatl terminology too much? there won't be much more than has already been presented, and there will be a lexicon :-) Comment: Re: w00t 4 w00t :) (by Acuteapathy? on 2004-11-02 17:12:13)That Aztec -still- doesn't look like an F. Comment: cool (by FuzzyTeddy? on 2005-01-17 19:34:51)Would be keen to play, but not an experienced role player, (I do learn quickly though:-D) Comment: beginners, was re: cool (by d@vid on 2005-01-22 15:10:42)well, we've decided that if beginners want to play... why not? we do recommend that you |
