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Neo Lemuria
Version 1.2 (Sept 2008)


I.  Introduction

a.  Foreword
b. Ancient Myths of Lemuria
c.  The Arrival of Guana Sigone
d.  Modern History of Lemuria
e.  The Watinolibumoawna Visitors
f.  The Present Day


a.  Foreword

Neo Lemuria (New Paradise) is a simplified version of MomoRPG.  The author assumes that the reader is already familiar with Role-playing Games.  You need several 6 and 10 sided dice to play.

The Greeks called Lemuria "Elysian Fields," a paradise of vast prairie and fertile land.  The Egyptians called Lemuria "Sekhet Aaru" (Field of Reeds). (1)


Atlantis_MapAtlantis_world
See footnote (2)


Neo Lemuria is set in an alternate world, where Atlantis civilization exists and spread from Indus Valley to the area of Indonesia and Southern China.  The entire area of South China Sea is above-water, and the land is a luxurious tropical Paradise.  Imagine a happy place like Hawaii, bigger than the size of Western Europe.

Unlike our own world, the evolution of Neo Lemuria produced many intelligent species, and fantastic creatures.  Neo Lemuria is a place where Elves, Fairies, and Dragons exist; in addition to talking cows and flying goldfish.  :-)

The Northern part of Neo Lemuria world is covered with a huge ice cap, and the area immediately South of the ice cap (Europe, Eurasia) is mostly uninhabited.  The areas of North and South America are mostly covered in ice, except for a small strip near Central America.  A new continent exists in the area of Indonesia to South China, connecting Asia mainland to Australia by a huge land bridge.


b.  Ancient Myths of Lemuria

According to ancient Lemurian myth, Achoron (Earth) was created by the God-Mother Achimayek 18,000 years ago.  A great civilization of Nephilim (Giants) existed in Armenine (area of Indus Valley).  The inhabitants of Armenine named their city Atlantis.  Atlantis is described as having triple walls, plated with bronze, tin, and orichal.  The city had towers, giant pylons, watered gardens, canals, wide streets, and many city districts.

guancheThe sons of Atlantian giants migrated to Archurun (area of Indonesia and Southern China), "land of marsh and jungle," where they married daughters of the Earth -- Nymphs, Yakshis, Dryads.  Their offspring  formed  the three tribes of Titans: Raphaim, Gibborim, and Anakim.  The largest and most powerful settlement of Titans in Archurun was named Lemuria.

The inhabitants of Atlantis offended the Gods, children of God-Mother Achimayek, 11,600 years ago.  The Gods struck Mount Atlas with vajra (flail of the Gods), and the mountains erupted in a huge volcanic explosion that buried the sky under a cloud of darkness.

Temperature rose rapidly, and the ice capped mountains melted to form huge rivers that swept away the once mighty Atlantis city.  Sea level rose, and giant tidal waves swallowed the Atlantian colony of Lemuria.  The lands of Archurun sank under the seas, and survivors from the cataclysm were forced to scatter to the far corners of the world.

A different version of the myth claim the Gods unleashed another flood 4,800 years ago, and then drained the sea to the polar regions.  The ice caps reformed, sea level lowered, and the ancient land of Archurun was raised above water.


c.  The Arrival of Guana Sigone

ra-boatLegends say 2,160 years ago, a Half-Elven Guana Sigone (Heroine Captain) sailed from a far away place to the lands of Archurun, where the colony of Lemuria used to reside.  Guana Sigone battled the local primitive tribes who took residence there, then united the tribes to form a great Guanac (Kingdom), which she named New Lemuria.  Guana Sigone was made Guana-Teme (Queen-Ruler) of New Lemuria, and given the title of Mencey (3) of all tribes.

Before the arrival of Guana Sigone, the tribes that took residence in Archurun were hunter gatherers.  Traces of the old Atlantian colony of Lemuria was near nonexistent.  Temperature changes caused the area to turn into a vast tropical jungle, where vegetation covered everything.

Guana Sigone needed a stable civilization, so she could build a stable kingdom.  She introduced many crops,  and instructed the local tribes in their harvest.  Ahoren (barley), Hachichey (peas), Achik-kay (beans), Tano (grain),  Taro (rice), and Panna-asmen (fruits) were grown and harvested.  Guana Sigone taught the tribes how to bake Gofio (bread) and Guvi-u (sweet cake).

guanche2Seeing the benefits of good harvest, many tribes submitted to Guana Sigone willingly.  Some tribes even developed religions to worship the Queen-Ruler as a deity, centuries after her death.  The beach where Guana Sigone's ship landed was named Anaza (beautiful beach), the first settlement built by Guana Sigone near freshwater streams was named Acentjo (falling waters).  The burial place of Guana Sigone was named Akar-e (celestial heights).

Through the centuries, influence of New Lemuria Kingdom declined.  The surrounding tribes evolved to present day,  independent Mencey (Kingdoms) of Anaga, Adeje, Abona, Daute, Güimar, Icod, Tacoronte, Taoro, Tegueste, Tribal Union of Ita-Maram, and the Republic of Benahoare (Ben-Ajuar).  The Tribal Union of Benahoare is ruled by a Tagoror (Council) of Tribal Chiefs.  The Republic of Ita-Maram elects Takkor (worthy persons), or Senators, to their Senate.

What was once known as the lands of Archurun, is now called the Lands of Lemuria.  The lands (Continent) of Lemuria include the Kingdom of New Lemuria, and its 11 neighboring nations.  The neighboring nations no longer pay tribute to New Lemuria Kingdom, but, still pay respects to the Quevehi (Queen).  Quevehi is a honorary title, given to a female decedent of Guana Sigone.

Presently, the Kingdom of New Lemuria is a constitutional Monarchy.  The Palace of  is located in the province of Arautapola, and the capital city is named Arayata (Royal City).  The official language of New Lemuria Kingdom, Guanche (4), is used as a common language of trade and diplomacy among the different peoples

LothsmThe old Palace, built over 1,200 years ago in the province of Orotava, is now the headquarters of the Atidamane Church.  The Atidamane Church worships Guana Sigone as Atti-Tamman, "Mother of the People".  All high ranking officials of the church are female, referred to as Order of the Faithful.

The Church of Atidamane believes a great catastrophe will come if the people fail to follow the teachings of Guana Sigone.  The great Tenerife (White Mountains, meaning the ice caps) will melt to cover the lands with water, and the volcanoes will erupt again to cover the skies in darkness..

The calendar of Lemuria starts with the founding of New Lemuria Kingdom as year 0, referred to as NL 0 (New Lemuria, Year 0).  Achano (year) is measured like our solar-cycle calendar, except  time of the day is measured in 2-hour Ajja-no's.  Thus, there are 12 Ajja-no's in a 24 hour day.


d.  Modern History of Lemuria

By NL:2000, the many Kingdoms and tribes of Lemuria has developed to the technology level equivalent to early Ming Dynasty China & Italian Renaissance.  Printing press, silk, ceramics, glass, paper, steel-casting, and primitive explosives had been invented.  Early firearms such as the blunderbuss and ishibiyashi existed, but were dangerous to use due to frequent accidents.

In NL 2110, a mysterious ship appeared over the skies of Arayata (Royal) City, in the Kingdom of New Lemuria.  The ship descended to the port of Arayata, and a female human named Mikko Jovi Hämäläinen set foot on the docks.  Mikko J.H. tried to communicate with locals inhabitants with hand gestures and sign language.  It didn't take long for the local population to figure the ship was there to trade, since the idea of bartering is a common cultural factor for all races.

The ship from the sky is named Hooseki ("unpolished gemstone").  Hooseki is a trader ship; it travels between different dimensions and alternate realities (Realms) through dimensional rifts called Himmelorkans (5), "Sky Hurricane".  A strange combination of advanced technology and magic is used to power the ship.

The trader ship Hooseki was on its way to another alternate reality Earth-Sphere named "Kotus," when it accidentally bumped into New Lemuria.  The captain of Hooseki, a human named Miro Pihkanen of Watinolibumoawna (6), later named the new world "Realm of Neo Lemuria." (7)

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e.  The Watinolibumoawna Visitors

The Watinolibumoawna world is an alternate-reality Earth Sphere, just like Realm of Neo Lemuria.  The Watinolibumoawna government claims their people discovered the means of travel in Himmelorkans (Sky Hurricane) by accident.  Watinolibumoawna explorers have so far found four other worlds inhabited by sentient beings.

On Watinolibumoawna's world, the area of Northern Europe (Finland, Norway, and Sweden) is warm and fertile land, while the Southern continents (Africa, India, South Asia, South America) are covered with giant ice caps.  The Union of Watinolibumoawna Kingdoms (UWK) is the only major power on their planet.  Other nations exist as minor kingdoms and republics.  The UWK dominates commerce, and is considered an economic empire.  Combined wealth of the UWK is approximately 65% of the total GDP on their planet.

The Watinolibumoawna world is more advanced than Neo Lemuria.  The technology of the UWK is equivalent to 1950-1960's level (subsonic jet, color TV).  The population of UWK enjoys high standards of living, while people in other nations on their planet have lower GNP per capita.

Presently, Kingdoms in UWK have low birth rate (1.4 per couple on average) and a declining population.  Thus, the Watinolibumoawna people consider mass immigration and colonization of other worlds to be a silly idea. They can't even persuade their own people to have more children.

The UWK government is composed of three branches:  The House of Lords, the Upper House, and the Lower House.  The House of Lords is a council of monarch leaders from over 500 kingdoms and principalities in the UWK, with 2 figurehead Kings.  The Upper House is composed of the 60 most powerful Kansainvalisyys (Guilds) in the UWK.  The Lower House is composed of over 3,000 minor Guilds, representing the interests of the common people.

In present day UWK, the House of Lords is a rubber stamp entity.  The real power resides with the Upper House Guilds.  By constitution, decisions made by the Upper House must be ratified by the Lower House, reviewed by the House of Lords, and then signed into law by the 2 Kings.  The Upper House is powerful and the Kings rarely challenge their decisions.  The Lower House has adopted the tactic of "appending conditions" to make certain that any laws passed will benefit them as well.

One year after the discovery of Neo Lemuria, a meeting between 12 powerful UWK Kansainvalisyys (Guilds) of Arkkitehtikilta (Architects), Fyysikkokilta (Physicists & Scientists), Kemistikilta (Alchemists), Koneinsinöörikilta (Mechanical), Maanmittarikilta (Natural Resource Management), Puunjalostajakilta (Publishing), Rakennusinsinöörikilta (Civil Engineers), Sähköinsinöörikilta (Electrical & Energy), Tietokilta (Computer Scientists), Tuotantotalouden  Kilta (Industrial Managers), Ares Magica  (Magicians), and Himmelorkans (Sky Hurricane Travel & Affairs) took place in NL 2111 to discuss what to do with their discovery.

The 12 powerful guilds concluded a “benevolent” policy proposal.  To prevent catastrophic changes to the native culture and conditions on Neo Lemuria, the Kansainvalisyys (Guilds) of UWK will limit technological exports.  Advanced weapons, ships, and potentially dangerous technology (atomic energy) will not be exported to Neo Lemuria.  This suggestion was accepted by the Upper House, and presented to the other branches of government.

The decision of the Upper House was ratified by the Lower House, with conditions attached.  The Lower House demands trade with Neo Lemuria to be limited with registered UWK Guilds only, effectively establishing a monopoly and shutting out competitors from other nations.  In the following decades, UWK guilds sent engineers, scholars, scientists, and doctors to Lemuria as part of a friendly exchange program to improve infrastructure, living standards, education, and medicine.


f.  The Present Day (NL 2160), Continent of Lemuria

50 years after the arrival of Himmelorkans trader ship Hooseki, much has changed in Lemuria, with population reaching near 9 million.  Instead of dirt roads and stone castles, more developed cities have office buildings, cars, and electric power.  A hydroelectric power plant has been built in Güimar.  Train tracks are being laid to reach from city to city, and there are plans to build the first subway in Arayata.

The UWK Guilds agreed to assist in the development of Lemurian nations, in exchange for profitable trade concessions.  The high concentration of Manna (Magic) energy present on Neo Lemuria Realm prevents the operation of many advanced technology products.  While steam and gas powered vehicles worked, computers and many electronic devices did not.  Scientists from both realms are currently working on workaround solutions by combining Magic with technology.

The Guilds of UWK permit export of a small number of advanced firearms, to Lemuria's Nations for self-defense.  Only the Royal guards and elite forces have rifles.  Other branches of the armed forces still use the traditional lance, saber, bow, and muskets.  Of course, pirates and smugglers never abide by any legal framework, and the police are not happy at being outgunned by the criminals.

Due to increased influence from UWK, the native languages of Lemuria now include many borrowed words from Isänmaa.  Isänmaa is the popular language of trade and commerce on Watinolibumoawna.  Isänmaa has many long words that have been shortened in its borrowed form.  Examples include "Watino", "Watinoawa" (short Watinolibumoawna), and "Kansin" (short for Kansainvalisyys, Guild).  Secondary education (7th-12th grade) in Kingdom of New Lemuria now teach Isänmaa as a required course

Public education system was established in Lemuria 20 years ago, and has since expanded from primary education (1st-6th grade) to secondary education (7th-9th grade).  Government subsidized high schools (10th-12th grade) exist in major cities.  Students must take an entrance exam to enter Jr. High and High School.  Many private trade schools also exist, sponsored by guilds and business associations.

Life hasn’t been the same for the kids in Lemuria.  Pressure from their parents to do well in school, and pass the entrance exams for higher education caused a rise in the popularity of "cram schools."  Only 33% of the Jr. High school graduates pass the High School entrance examination on their first try.  About 12% of High School graduates enter college, and only the best are sent abroad to UWK Universities on government scholarship.  The life of a high school student who wants to attend college can be described as "not having a life."

On the flip side, for those with no desire to attend college, High School is one big PARTY!  They worked so hard to pass the entrance exam, and you can't get kicked out of High School unless if you flunk out.  Life in a High School dormitory breaks down to beer, playing RPG's, and chasing the opposite sex.  Like, chug a lug!

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Footnotes:

(1)
Mythology information used here are borrowed from the Atlantis Home page at www.atlan.org
(2) Maps of the World shown above are  borrowed from the
National Geographic Magazine.
(3) Guanche language references taken from
Guanches Information and La Palma History site
(4) Mencey means "Grand Chief" in ancient times.  When Monarchy was more established in NL:200~NL:800, Mencey was used for "King".  By NL:1200, Mencey had replaced Guanac for "Kingdom."
(5) Legends of the Sky Hurricane created by Ellie Olson

(6) Finnish references borrowed from Watinolibumoawna.
(7)  He asked the local people for the name of their planet was.  The local inhabitants assumed he was asking for the name of their country.  Thus, this alter-reality world was named "Neo Lemuria" by mistake.