DC Universe: Fantasy Empires

[Bone2pick]

This thread will document the building process for my next roleplay. Normally I wouldn't go public with such an unpolished product, but I came around to the notion that revealing my creative methods might be entertaining on a site like ours. So here's hoping someone (including myself) gets something out of this. (^.^)


Roleplay Summary: The concept for this RP is to take many of the beloved characters of the DCU (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, ect) and reset them into a High Fantasy world. Doing that successfully will take a lot of work. I'm going to have to take modern—and in many cases sci-fi—characters, and reimagine them as medieval heroes and villains. In some instances that won't require much tweaking: Wonder Woman is a Classical Greek character by nature, so she can slide into High Fantasy almost effortlessly (minus her invisible jet (> )). But others, like the Green Lantern Corp, they might get reimagined as a ring-wielding wizard order rather than the cosmic police force that comic fans know them as.


Why does this idea for a roleplay excite you? Because I love these characters, and hopefully, if I build the world properly, it will breathe new life into them. Basically I'll be combining some of my favorite RP ingredients: DC heroes and villains, fantasy empires loosely inspired by historical counterparts, and a massive world to have nearly infinite adventures in. In terms of what I like to write about this RP should shape up to be very Bone2pick, very me.

You're invited to post any manner of comment, at any point in time, in this thread. That's part of why I went public with this, to hear from you.

Where To Begin?


I have a laundry list of things to create in order to realize this roleplay. In my notes I've already gathered artwork, maps, faction/empire descriptions, reworks of DC characters, plot seeds, and more. But the first critical piece of this RP that I'd like to nail down is the where, as in, the world.

Spoiler

As you can see, this roleplay will be set on Earth, with the Mediterranean Sea as its centerpiece. Of course I'll be working with an alternate history (an alternate universe to be precise) because, you know, Batman isn't an actual historical figure... And that's a damn shame. (B')


So in future updates I'll be outlining existing empires, creating religions, brewing up political conflict, explaining magic, and showing off amazing artwork. If that's something you'd like to follow along with, then please watch this thread.

 

[White Masquerade]

Okay, so I did a little research for you and I was able to dig up some pretty interesting things. Some are not fully fleshed out, but enough to push you in the right direction. And these things are actually coming from official DC sources.


The first thing I found, is that DC actually already has a real medieval/fantasy parallel, like what you're looking for, with Earth-13. Following is the link.


Earth-13


Here is an excerpt:


Of the 52 Earths that make up the Multiverse, Earth-13 is the only one to orbit in a perpetual state of magical twilight. Its strange combination of heroes and history adds to its uniqueness.


But make no mistake, this is not a place one simply pulls a rabbit from a hat and calls it magic. This is a world of the occult—where the supernatural is real. Where the mystical sorcery is so thick, you breathe it in the air, allowing your senses to tingle with the aroma of witchcraft. No, your eyes haven’t deceived you—that’s exactly what you thought you saw. On Earth-13, the darkness is your light.


Extra:


The only thing is that they haven't expanded on it. I guess this would be the place where your creative freedom comes in, in expanding the world with your creative ideas. Or you can just pull inspiration and do something entirely new.




The second thing I found, is that a game called Infinite Crisis, based off of DC's universe includes two characters from Earth-13, with designs, a short history, and all. They are Arcane Supergirl & Arcane Green Lantern.


Green Lantern:


Arcane Green Lantern - Infinite Crisis Wiki


Supergirl:


Arcane Supergirl - Infinite Crisis Wiki


Zatanna (UNFINISHED):


http://infinitecrisis.gamepedia.com/File:Arcanezatanna.jpg?version=088ef9c53012a4957c2d87ca89da524e


Extra:


The game seems to have unfortunately shut down recently, so that's all they were able to come up with. You can search and browse google for pictures as I'm sure fan art has sprung up for the characters, and other heroes people who have liked to see. Zatanaa has an image but it looks like they weren't able to type up anything on her.




That's it. Hope the info helped and you do well with whatever direction you decide to go in. And no, =/ I really don't know much about the DC universe. I am just interested in superheroes and know how to research really well! I won't know anything you probably don't already

 

[Bone2pick]

And with the first comment @White Masquerade rewards me for going public with this! ( ) Thank you very much taking the time to try and help me, you rock. I'll be sure to tunnel through all the links you posted and plunder everything of value that I come across.


I'm hesitant to use an existing world like Earth-13, just so I never have to worry if my E13 Superman is way out of line with theirs. Same for my magic, history, and religion. But it should be a nice reference even if I decide to create my own Earth from the ground up.

 

[Bone2pick]

Update #1





Superhumans


A catch all term, used in setting, to describe the demigods who walk among mere mortals. There are many different types, and many different origins of superhumans. Queen Diana of Themyscira inherited her powers from her father, Zeus, lord of the gods on Olympus. Warlord Bane grew into the behemoth that he is by drinking a volatile potion of his own creation. And the source of Grand Prince Kal-El's unmatched abilities remain a mystery. All that is known is that he was found as a babe in a wheat field, naked, except for the scarlet cape that he was wrapped in.





The people of Earth are comfortable with the idea of superhumans. They've grown up with them; demigods aren't a new phenomenon. Every culture around the globe has half a dozen or more supers, each one a living legend. Superhumans aren't inherently good or evil, they have free will, and so they choose how they relate to humanity. Some take up the role of a savior, some prefer to try and stay neutral, and some stoop to tyranny. But all of them, should they desire to, can captivate and recruit legions of men in their service. For better or for worse, mankind always follows in the footsteps of superhumans.


Magic


It is the creative power of consciousness. Everything is made from magic, made of it, but few are able to channel it. Superhumans are beings who have achieved a higher state of consciousness, and as a result, unlocked incredible powers. Their muscles, bones, nerves, and blood aren't human—they operate at a higher level.





But some special men and women, through study, religion, and meditation, can bend arcane forces to their will. The Witch Zatanna being one of the most renown. Magicians of her caliber never stop feeling the pull of the arcane tides that ceaselessly flow over the Earth.


And of course, enchanted artifacts exist. They are items with extraordinary consciousness, often forged by beings with extraordinary consciousness. Queen Diana's Lasso of Truth is one such artifact.


Religion


There is no debate if gods exist, they do. There is no confusion about whether or not gods ever meddle in mankind's affairs on Earth, they have. The universe is filled with powerful forces and entities, many of which accept the identity of a god. But different cultures around the globe have their own distinct outlook about man's relationship with the higher powers.


The Greek-Amazonian Empire have the pantheon on Mount Olympus. The Kandor Republic believe gods should be studied and communicated with, but not worshipped. The Grodd Kingdom favors an animal and blood force known simply as The Red. And the Principality of El worship a single, powerful, (but all too often neglectful) spirit named The Spectre.





Magic, gods, and superhumans are all connected. They bend the natural world by commanding the very force that holds it together: consciousness. If only those who wielded immense power would never be corrupted by it...

 

[Bone2pick]

Update #2




Amazons


Many centuries have passed since the Greek gods created the Amazons. Aphrodite, Athena, Demeter, and Hera combined their divine powers for a single purpose: to gather all the souls of women who had been murdered by men—and were never avenged—and resurrect them into new, strong, feminine, mortal forms.


The first woman, the first Amazon, resurrected by the gods was Hippolyta. She become the Queen of her people; she was destined to be so. The city state of Themyscira was born over night. The Amazons wasted little time: they raised a beautiful city that became the epitome of Greek architecture, they zealously trained for combat in order to defend their sovereignty, and they taught each other the virtues of sisterhood. Themyscira prospered, and it never fell to conquerors.





When the unmarried Queen of an all female city state became pregnant, folks started to talk. Who was the father? Hippolyta explained that the pregnancy was a blessing from Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, so that the Amazons could bring a child into the world without a man. It was symbolic triumph for their Queen and their culture.


She named her babe, the first daughter and princess of the Amazons, Diana. The raven-haired girl had great expectations placed on her infant shoulders, and she would surpass them all. Diana excelled in nearly every measurable category: she was clever, relentless, fierce, charismatic, and compassionate. And she was powerful, she was magnificently powerful.


But Diana's mother, the Queen of the Amazons, had lied—her daughter had a father. When Zeus, the lord of Olympus, came calling to Hippolyta one night, she didn't deny him. Of course the Queen had to keep the union a secret, because the love of Zeus was already claimed by another, the goddess Hera. But a secret so destructive would never stay hidden forever.


Hyppolyta, along with several other city state rulers, was invited by King Coronaeus of Phocis to attend the biannual Southern Greece Summit. She never suspected Hera had learned of her night with Zeus. And she failed to prepare for the revenge plans of a goddess.


In the middle of the night, on foreign soil, an assassin struck. The killer was later identified as Nessos, a wicked centaur who often worked for the priests of Hera. When Diana received the news of her mother's murder she took little time to grieve. She was warrior, she was now the supreme commander of the Amazonian army, and she would punish those who betrayed Hippolyta.

Queen Diana of Themyscira


When Diana demanded King Coronaeus be put on trial for conspiracy against their Queen, other Greek kings protested; they would later regret doing so. The Amazons marched against every Greek city state, and none of them—even with blessings and guidance from Hera and Ares—won a single battle against the fierce women. Diana, Queen of the Amazons of Themyscira, conquered all of her enemies captured the title of Empress of Greece.