Random Nations
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This page serves as a quick and convenient way to create a random nation, similar to the way the Random Characters generator creates a character. Each nation consists of certain random elements within specific categories. These random elements in turn link to specific Arcana Wiki pages which have the appropriate tag (so that the Random Generator can find them).

This Random Generator is intended to get your creative juices flowing, not restrain you. Thus, discard anything that doesn't fit your own ideas!

As an example on how to use it, see the essay "Using the Random Nations Generator". Further examples ranging from constructing small villages to whole planets can be found on this blog

Note: The Random Page function presently does not refresh very often, so wait one or more minutes before reloading the page.


Government

This section covers the government and major organizations that exert power over the nation and the way people live.

Type of Government

All societies have some way of getting things done as a whole, and the type of government describes this aspect. However, few societies are examples of "pure" government types, so aspects of two or more government forms might be evident.

Choose this tab to give your nation a single government type, that's (relatively) easy to understand and envision.

Feudalism

Basic Information Feudalism is a blanket term used to describe the forms of government common to Europe during the middle ages] (although similar forms existed in other places at other times). Central...

Powerful Organizations

This category lists powerful and/or famous organizations of the nation. As many of the possible entries are real world organizations, alter them to make them fit into your setting.

If you choose this tab, this organization holds tremendous power. They may control the government, the church, or other major aspects of society, either openly or covertly.

World Trade Organization

Basic Information The Swiss-based WTO encourages International trade by establishing trade agreements between countries. With 153 member countries and consisting more than 97% of entire world trade,...

Major Personalities

Each nation has its share of powerful or famous individuals.

Use the entries in the following tabs as inspiration for such individuals. Only a very weird dimension-hopping or time-travel game would feature the actual people mentioned here. Instead, use the listings here as a inspirational concept to emulate when designing your own NPCs.

Count of St. Germain

One evening, M. de Saint-Germain was telling a story in which, as usual, he had played the principal part, but not remembering well all the details, he turned towards his valet de chambre: Am I not...

Major Political Issues

Each nation has "hot" political issues which are argued and fought over (physically or not). Use the entries in the following tabs as inspiration for what issues could divide your nation - or which are simply in the minds of the public at the moment.

Somalia’s Pirates Flourish in a Lawless Nation

Summary October 30, 2008: Piracy based in the Puntland province of Somalia preying on ships passing near the Horn of Africa has become rampant, disrupting regular commerce and leading to numerous...

Major Projects

Some nations have major national projects they pursue towards specific goals. There is some overlap with Organizations above, but projects are more about achieving certain goals than a general political, ideological, or economic motivation. Use the entries in the following tabs as inspiration.


Economy

This section covers the commerce, artisans, technology, and economic system of the nation.

Tech Level

To be added later.

Type of Economy

This category lists the type of economy the nation has.

King's Imprimatur

Basic Information The King's Imprimatur refers to a monarch's Royal Seal or guarantee. The term may refer to a Royal Decree, or official approval, or just the symbol of such. On Money: The King's...

Major Products and Exports

No nation exists in a vacuum. This part of the generator lists various trade goods - whether raw resources or advanced machinery. It is subdivided into several categories: raw resources, pre-industrial items, modern trade goods, sci-fi or futuristic items, and fantasy items. Use the tabs appropriate to your genre and setting. It helps make your nation more "real" if you use to use a few (d6?) items from earlier and simpler categories, as well. For example, a modern nation might mostly export modern items, but no doubt also has some natural resources to exploit.

Antimatter

Basic Information Antimatter is a bizarre form of matter that is often used in science fiction for fuel, explosives, robot brains, and other forms of applied phlebotinum. Each antiparticle of...

Mandrake

Basic Information Mandrake, also known as mandragora is a herb of the solanacea family (and thus related to the nightshades and Datura) with a long and arguably infamous reputation in relation to the...

Cattle

Basic Information Cattle (colloquially cows) are large domesticated ungulates. They are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, most commonly classified as Bos primigenius. Cattle are raised as...

Linen

Basic Information Linen is a textile made from flax - historically the main alternative to cotton cloth for those parts of the world where cotton was less available. Evidence suggests that it may be...

Mana

Basic Information Mana (not to be confused with manna) is a concept of mystical energy found amongst the peoples of the Pacific Ocean and similar to the Oriental idea of chi (qi/ki/whatever). Mana...

Yak

Basic Information A Yak is a cloven-hoofed animal similar to cattle, but with very long hair. They are native to the mountainous and plateau regions of Tibet, Nepal, Myanmar, China, and Siberia. They...

Major Imports

These categories are identical to those listed under "Exports", except that the nation has sufficient need of these trade goods to import them in significant quantities instead of exporting them.

Wolfsbane

Basic Information Wolfsbane, more properly known as Aconitum, but also as monk's hood or blue rocket (after its flowers) and as the -bane of a variety of other creatures, is a group of roughly 250...

Cold Iron

Gold is for the mistress silver for the maid Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade. Good! said the Baron, sitting in his hall, But Iron Cold Iron is master of them all. (from)...

Narwhal

Basic Information The narwhal is a species of whale most noteworthy for it's horn . A single tooth on the left side of the mouth of male narwhals grows very long (~10 feet / 3 meters!), and has a...

Salt

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. MAT5:13 (NIV) ...

Silk

Basic Information Silk is a natural fibre produced by invertebrates which can be woven into ropes and cloths with a high strength to mass ratio, pleasant texture and good insulating properties. In the...

Silphium

Basic Information Silphium was (being now extinct) a herb, probably similar to giant fennel (but with large heart-shaped seeds), which was much regarded in the classical Mediterranean and near East,...

Metal

Basic Information Metal is a category of element, material or chemical with the following properties: Metals conduct heat and electricity relatively well (and some specific metals do so extremely...

Cattle

Basic Information Cattle (colloquially cows) are large domesticated ungulates. They are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, most commonly classified as Bos primigenius. Cattle are raised as...

Mandrake

Basic Information Mandrake, also known as mandragora is a herb of the solanacea family (and thus related to the nightshades and Datura) with a long and arguably infamous reputation in relation to the...

Woad

Basic Information Isatis Tinctoria is a yellow flowering plant, native to Europe and related to cabbage and mustard. When the leaves of the plant are dried, powdered and fermented, they create a blue...


Religion

This section will help you choose or create the dominant religion(s) of your nation.

Forms of Worship

This aspect does not cover which entity is worshiped, but how - it describes the form religion takes in a society, whether the overall structure of the faith or specific observances which are of great cultural significance.

If you choose this tab, the single most important form of worship (or religious principle) in the nation's dominant religion is:

Five Elements

Basic Information In addition to the four-elements system that many of our readers may be familiar with, there are several different five elements systems from a variety of cultures around the globe....

Worshiped Entities

This category lists the various entities that are worshiped by the people.


People

This section covers the demographics, culture, history, and even (if needed) species of the inhabitants of the random nation.

Major Races/Species

Many settings have an all-human population. If you permit different races, open this tab to add various non-human species or races. Naturally, since this random generator will widely mix races from mythology and fiction, the results will require some interpretation. Use the beings listed here as a base model and don't be afraid to alter the descriptions for your own campaign. For example, if you want to run a science fiction setting but come up with "Elf" as one of the species, then make a Recycled In Space variant of elves with similar traits but a science fiction veneer.

Assumed to be humans unless the nature of your campaign dictates otherwise.

Significant Creatures

This category lists the major "monsters" which might appear in this nation. If you want such monsters to appear in it, open the tab at the appropriate number and use it to build your encounter tables. Again, use these creatures as inspiration instead of trying to adhere to them slavishly - alter or throw out anything that doesn't fit into your campaign.

Sapient creatures might also appear here, in addition to the "Major race/species" category above. In this case, it means that those creatures are either solitary threats or at best live together in small family units instead of forming true societies of their own. For example, "Elves" under major races means there are entire cities of elves within the nation, or elves can be found in almost every city in the nation. "Elves" under significant creatures are probably more sinister fairy-tale folk, who exist in hidden enclaves or live as deranged hermits in the deep wilds.

Cultural Influences

This category gives you various real world or fictional cultures you can model your nation after.

If you choose this tab, the primary influence / model for your culture will be:

Malay Mythology

Basic Information Malay Mythology refers to the folklore and mythology of Maritime Southeast Asia. Not just Malaysia, but (according to Wikipedia[1]) also Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and...

History

This category lists famous past events of the nation. Most of these events are real world historic entries from the List of Centuries, so it is again necessary to adjust them to come up with something appropriate for your own campaign. Others are "generic events" (such as War) from elsewhere in the wiki.

SS Edmund Fitzgerald

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead When the skies of November turn gloomy. Gordon Lightfoot, The...


Geography

This section deals with the land, biosphere, and geography, but also any man-made places of significant history and importance.

Dominant Terrain

This category lists the major terrain types of the nation.

Grand Canyon

Basic Information The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the U.S. state of Arizona in North America. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29...

Famous Locations

This category lists famous locations located within the nation. Again, use these entries as base models instead of using them directly - it won't work as well if your players recognize the landmarks from the real world.

Kur

Basic Information Kur is the Sumerian word for Mountain. The word was also used both as the name of the realm of the gods (most of whom lived at the top of a mountain) and as the name of the...

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