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.

Meritocracy

Basic Information Meritocracy is a form of government where political power is based on proven ability. Usually, there will be exams and other tests before any given individual is granted more power,...

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.

Guild

Basic Information A guild is a type of private members association that rose to prevalence during the European middle ages - although similar institutions existed in other places and times. Craft and...

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.

Harriet Quimby

The men flyers have given out the impression that aeroplaning is very perilous work, something that an ordinary mortal should not dream of attempting. But when I saw how easily the man flyers...

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.

Police - U.S. teens were hit men for Mexican cartel

Summary March 13, 2009: Three American teenagers were initiated as assassins for the Mexican Gulf Cartel, one of Mexico's two major drug cartels. They were recruited into a group called Los Zetas ...

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.

Bullion Coin

Basic Information A bullion coin is a form of commodity money consisting of a coin struck (or more rarely carved) from a precious material. This will normally be a precious metal and historically this...

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.

Sheep

I have wood for sheep - (archetypal Settlers of Catan player) Basic Information Sheep (singular also sheep) are ruminating, quadruped ungulates kept as livestock. The archaeological record suggests...

Water

Basic Information Water is the liquid version of the substance also known as ice when solid, or steam when heated into a mist. Water is also often used as a general term to refer to that substance in...

Garlic

Basic Information Garlic is a herb of the allium family, closely related to onions and shallots, which is used almost world wide as a seasoning, a food in its own right or for medical or spiritual...

Copper

Basic Information Copper is a soft, reddish metallic element, prone to forming blueish or greenish salts on weathering. Being an (entry level) noble metal it is one of the few that occur in nature in...

Tinder

Basic Information Tinder is an essential part of the fire-lighting process - it is the material that is ignited by the initial spark and from which the fire lighter expects the flame to propagate to...

Mummia

Basic Information Mummia is a form of bitumen (a resource similar to pitch or resin) that was available long ago in Persia. It's a dark viscous liquid that was used as a form of medicine or folk...

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.

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...

Silver

Basic Information Silver is an elemental metal, white and lustrous in its pure form and closely related to both copper and gold. Historically, silver has been considered a precious metal - typically...

Truffle (fungus)

Basic Information A Truffle is a type of fungus which grows underground, generally feeding on the roots of trees. As a truffle matures and its spores ripen, it emits a powerful smell which attracts...

Plantain

Basic Information Confusingly the name plantain is shared by two very different generae of plants - plantago and musa. The genus plantago consists of a group of rather unimpressive looking herbaceous...

Sheep

I have wood for sheep - (archetypal Settlers of Catan player) Basic Information Sheep (singular also sheep) are ruminating, quadruped ungulates kept as livestock. The archaeological record suggests...

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...

Chicken

Basic Information The chicken was domesticated from wild jungle fowl in India and Asia about 7,000 years ago. This bird is particularly noteworthy for its ability to lay an egg a day, making it a...

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...

Fish

Basic Information Fish are aquatic animals with gills. There are very many species of fish, with a great deal of variety between them, including eels, rays, and sharks as well as scaly things you...

Water

Basic Information Water is the liquid version of the substance also known as ice when solid, or steam when heated into a mist. Water is also often used as a general term to refer to that substance in...


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:

Syncretism

Basic Information Syncretism is the blending of two traditions or schools of thought. The term is used most commonly in regards to Theology, Mythology and Religion. One of the oldest example of...

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:

Mesopotamia

This is my last stick of gum I'm gonna cut it up so everybody Else gets some Except for Ashurbanipal Who says my haircut Make me look like A Mohenjo Daroin Hey Ashurbanipal! I'm a Mesopotamian! - The...

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.

Oprichnik

Basic Information An Oprichnik is a member of the secret police and death squads in service of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. Fun facts about the Oprichniks Oprichniks dressed in black monastic habits, and...


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.

Island

Basic Information An island is a piece of land which is entirely surrounded by water for the majority of the day - if a link to the mainland is dry except at high tide then it's a peninsula, if it's...

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.

Fungus Humongous

Basic Information While some fungi can grow fairly large, a Fungus Humongous is a fungus that is truly gigantic - as large as people or even trees, leading to entire forests consisting entirely out of...

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