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Oct 15, 2011 15:56:13 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 15, 2011 15:56:13 GMT -6
"The King is dead! Long live the King! Freed from the grip of mad King Aerys II, Westros emerges from a bloody civil war as Robert Baratheon attempts to bring a lasting peace to the Seven Kingdoms. In spite of the promises of justice and prosperity for all, this perilous time is marked by the political maneuvering of ambitious nobles and foul plots hatched in secret councils. Villains are rewarded for dark deeds and honest men are brought low for old loyalties. Conspiracies abound, the wind carries rumors of war, and houses great and small struggle to find their places in this new regime. And all the while an ancient evil stirs in the far-flung reaches of the north.
Will your House find itself among the Starks and Lannisters, gaining the favor of the king, and securing its place in history? Or will you fail, your rivals destroying you on their own desperate climb to greatness?"
Okay, I have one maybe so I am going ahead and getting things set up. If anyone else is interested in joining or just participating in house generation and perhaps creating a character, just let me know.
We will start about 10 years before Game of Thrones and you will all be in service to the same noble house(members of the house, sworn swords, banner men, wards, etc.) Once we generate a House and characters I will see what we have and let the story flow from there.
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Oct 15, 2011 17:18:50 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 15, 2011 17:18:50 GMT -6
I'm interested, though I expect I'll be pretty inconsistent during November, what with Nanowrimo and all.
Looking at the PDF, I actually kind of like several of the pre-gen characters ...
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Oct 15, 2011 21:40:38 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 15, 2011 21:40:38 GMT -6
I'm interested, though I expect I'll be pretty inconsistent during November, what with Nanowrimo and all. Not a problem at all. I can't promise I will be 100% consistent either. Yeah they are pretty cool. You can create some interesting characters of several different types with the character generation rules in SIFRP.
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Oct 15, 2011 21:58:54 GMT -6
Post by Gigermann on Oct 15, 2011 21:58:54 GMT -6
Might consider opening this up to Mark's group as well(?)
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Oct 15, 2011 22:01:58 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 15, 2011 22:01:58 GMT -6
Might consider opening this up to Mark's group as well(?) Definitely. If any of them are interested I would be willing to give it a shot. I want to keep the total number of players from creeping too high (simply from an PbP logistics standpoint) but another couple of players would be welcome.
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Post by Mike E. on Oct 16, 2011 7:13:22 GMT -6
I'm interested...
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Oct 16, 2011 17:00:55 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 17:00:55 GMT -6
Some thoughts: - We probably need to give some thought to characters here. Unless we're planning on there being a lot of backstabbing within the group - I'd prefer otherwise - I'd recommend a single PC who is the heir and then we build the group around him with like a bastard cousin or a childhood friend turned soldier, etc. It might be a good idea to have certain roles in mind - the RELUCTANT HEIR, the BASTARD, the LOYAL KNIGHT, etc.
- Also, in the SoI&F setting, bastard children of highborn have specific surnames (e.g., Jon SNOW in the North.) In our region, that surname is STONE.
- Does anyone have any ideas about characters? Does the GM have any requests?
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Oct 16, 2011 17:48:35 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 17:48:35 GMT -6
Some thoughts: - We probably need to give some thought to characters here. Unless we're planning on there being a lot of backstabbing within the group - I'd prefer otherwise - I'd recommend a single PC who is the heir and then we build the group around him with like a bastard cousin or a childhood friend turned soldier, etc. It might be a good idea to have certain roles in mind - the RELUCTANT HEIR, the BASTARD, the LOYAL KNIGHT, etc.
- Also, in the SoI&F setting, bastard children of highborn have specific surnames (e.g., Jon SNOW in the North.) In our region, that surname is STONE.
- Does anyone have any ideas about characters? Does the GM have any requests?
Yeah having an heir is a pretty good place to start. Other than that I am open to whatever people want to play. That said the rulebook does have "roles" of a sort (Schemer, Leader, Fighter, Rogue, and Expert) But they are more guideposts than "classes" and we can get along fine without all roles being filled. Working together and being more or less loyal to one another is how I view the party mechanic. There will be enough double dealing and intrigue with NPCs to have to be worried about it with PCs lol. Of course, if the group wants to go the other direction I will roll with it.
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Oct 16, 2011 17:59:15 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 17:59:15 GMT -6
One other thing to be thinking about is the House name.
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Oct 16, 2011 18:10:28 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 18:10:28 GMT -6
WAYN! Seriously ... founded by a mean dude considered to be a Villain by many, and the lands are pretty close to lawless...
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Oct 16, 2011 18:34:51 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 18:34:51 GMT -6
Before we can really put some thought to characters, we need to know what kind of game are you planning on this being? Will it be combat heavy? Other? I'm presuming that you're intending on trying to emulate the series, so there will be lots of fighting, lots of intriguing, lots of backstabbing (rhetorically and legitimately), and so on, but knowing what it is you're thinking will assist.
If no one else is interested, I'm more than willing to play the Heir character ...
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Oct 16, 2011 18:45:15 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 18:45:15 GMT -6
Before we can really put some thought to characters, we need to know what kind of game are you planning on this being? Will it be combat heavy? Other? I'm presuming that you're intending on trying to emulate the series, so there will be lots of fighting, lots of intriguing, lots of backstabbing (rhetorically and legitimately), and so on, but knowing what it is you're thinking will assist. Yeah a little of everything, and emulating the series. Not heavy on any one aspect. It will be pretty character driven like the series, so I am willing to adapt to the actions of your characters. Kingdom management, intrigue, war, tourneys, personal drama, etc. I have a few ideas on plot threads, but nothing concrete yet. Already the house creation process is starting to stir creative juices, so feel free to make some characters and the story may start to emerge of its own accord. Also keep in mind that combat can be quite deadly so have a backup character in mind, especially if you plan on picking a lot of fights.
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Oct 16, 2011 18:52:01 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 18:52:01 GMT -6
OK, follow-up question. According to what I know about the SoI&F setting, bastards can't inherit. Is that set in stone? Because I was thinking of playing a bastard who becomes the heir simply because the actual heir dies - is murdered? Is poisoned? Illness? - and the Lord simply declares that the PC is to inherit.
Also leaning toward the character being something of a fish out of water - a fighter type who has suddenly found himself in charge and he has little training in that regard since he was a bastard, so he has to learn and fast ... so rather than use an archetype, I'll probably build him entirely...
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Oct 16, 2011 19:06:25 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 19:06:25 GMT -6
OK, follow-up question. According to what I know about the SoI&F setting, bastards can't inherit. Is that set in stone? Because I was thinking of playing a bastard who becomes the heir simply because the actual heir dies - is murdered? Is poisoned? Illness? - and the Lord simply declares that the PC is to inherit. Also leaning toward the character being something of a fish out of water - a fighter type who has suddenly found himself in charge and he has little training in that regard since he was a bastard, so he has to learn and fast ... so rather than use an archetype, I'll probably build him entirely... Bastards cannot inherit unless they are legitimized by a King. Once they are legitimized they are considered true born (name changes from "Stone" to "Wayne(?)" for example) and take their place in the succession order. So if the heir died and the Lord didn't like or trust his remaining children or he considered you the one he truly wants to inherit then he would have to solicit the king. Lots of story potential in this. With potential backstabbing within the family itself(though not necessarily between PCs).
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Oct 16, 2011 19:13:29 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 19:13:29 GMT -6
Ah, so such a character wouldn't start out with the Heir benefit then.
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Oct 16, 2011 19:18:20 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 19:18:20 GMT -6
Ah, so such a character wouldn't start out with the Heir benefit then. Depends on if you want to play out all of that in-game or start play soon after you have been legitimized. It's up to you, it works story-wise either way.
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Oct 16, 2011 19:22:41 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 19:22:41 GMT -6
Do you have a starting point in mind? That's the important thing. Whichever way works best for you as the GM...
Personally, I lean toward resolving that in-game, like perhaps the opening session has the other PCs - the Loyal Knight, the Master of Knives, etc. - escort the Pseudo-Heir to the castle (me and Giger were thinking "Stormhold" as the castle name), and then we have to get him "legitimized."
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Oct 16, 2011 19:35:54 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 19:35:54 GMT -6
Personally, I lean toward resolving that in-game, like perhaps the opening session has the other PCs - the Loyal Knight, the Master of Knives, etc. - escort the Pseudo-Heir to the castle (me and Giger were thinking "Stormhold" as the castle name), and then we have to get him "legitimized." I really like that idea. Ideas are flying through my mind as I type. And "Stormhold" works quite well.
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Oct 16, 2011 19:46:17 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 19:46:17 GMT -6
So how would Status work in this case? Presumably, as House Wayn is a minor House, the Lord is 6, but the heir would be 5. Where would Tomas Stone, bastard son and would-be heir fall? 4?
As to character concept, more is coalescing for me. Bastard son, raised by one of his father's knights out of the castle (as is proper), he is among those sent by Lord Wayn to aid in Robert's Rebellion so he's actually got combat experience. Has interacted with his father's family - wife, son (heir), daughter(s) - only a few times but doesn't like them mostly because they're indifferent toward the smallfolk (thinking he'll pick up the Favoured of the Smallfolk benefit) and don't seem to care about the lawlessness of the land.
Visually, I'm thinking James D'Arcy (the XO with the cool facial scar) in "Master and Commander."
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Oct 16, 2011 19:59:54 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 16, 2011 19:59:54 GMT -6
So how would Status work in this case? Presumably, as House Wayn is a minor House, the Lord is 6, but the heir would be 5. Where would Tomas Stone, bastard son and would-be heir fall? 4? according to table 6-5, with a infulence score of 46 Lord Wayn would be Status 5 and his son would be 4. You could definitely argue for a Status 4 since you will be taking the place of the first born son. Also You should definitely consider taking the drawback Bastard born which give you a penalty on persuasion against those of higher status. I like it. What age are you thinking? Robert's rebellion ended about 5 years ago, just FYI.
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Oct 16, 2011 20:22:12 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 16, 2011 20:22:12 GMT -6
Early to mid 20s ...
Tentative...
Tomas Stone - Adult Leader Abilities Agility - 3 Animal Handling - 3 - Ride 1B Athletics - 3- Strength 1B Awareness - 3 Endurance - 4 - Resilience 1B Fighting - 4 - Long Blades 2B Persuasion - 3 Status - 4 - Breeding 1B Warfare - 4D+1 - Command 1B, Tactics 1B All Others 2
Attributes Combat Defense - 9 Intrigue Defense - 9 Health - 12 Composure - 6 Destiny Points -3 Benefits: Leader of Men; Sponsor (Ultimately to be replaced with Heir); Talented (Warfare) Drawbacks: Bastard Born; Flaw - Thievery; Nemesis
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Oct 17, 2011 8:13:11 GMT -6
Post by Gigermann on Oct 17, 2011 8:13:11 GMT -6
Current plan for me is to reprise the role of Garrett (this time, a bit of a combo of Thief: The Dark Project and Assassin's Creed) Given the generally lawless nature of the House, it seems appropriate to have a Thieves' Guild representative on staff
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Oct 17, 2011 8:50:18 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 17, 2011 8:50:18 GMT -6
Nice. You can be my Minister of Sneaky Stuff! Visual of TOMAS below...
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Oct 17, 2011 15:28:31 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 17, 2011 15:28:31 GMT -6
a bit of a combo of Thief: The Dark Project and Assassin's Creed) Given the generally lawless nature of the House, it seems appropriate to have a Thieves' Guild representative on staff A bit of setting to be aware of, there is a group of assassin's known as the Faceless men *Warning minor spoilers in link... spoilers are for the fourth and fifth book mostly. If you choose to have this as part of your background you didn't complete your training (because to become a full-fledged Faceless Man would take more skill points than are available I'm sure). Instead you left at some point because a.) You failed your training b.) It was too religious for your liking c.) You refused to give up your identity and past completely Also Stormhold and the nearby town/hamlet probably couldn't support a thieves guild. Probably more likely to be based out of Gulltown or King's Landing's Flea Bottom district. I like the concept though. ;D
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Oct 17, 2011 15:45:31 GMT -6
Post by Gigermann on Oct 17, 2011 15:45:31 GMT -6
No, Garrett isn't an assassin—don't recall if he's ever expressed any distaste for it or not in the game. I just mentioned AC for the "feel."
Don't know if he is a member-in-good-standing of the Guild, but it seems reasonable that he would've been Guild-trained. I'll have to find a reason for him to be operating out of the Big City™ if Stormhold doesn't have one of its own.
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Oct 17, 2011 16:45:55 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 17, 2011 16:45:55 GMT -6
No, Garrett isn't an assassin—don't recall if he's ever expressed any distaste for it or not in the game. I just mentioned AC for the "feel." Ah, Got ya.
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Oct 18, 2011 15:28:17 GMT -6
Post by zenwolf on Oct 18, 2011 15:28:17 GMT -6
So I have and idea for the history that will help you with some potential upward mobility. Your house is an offshoot of House Arynn. The split occurred approximately 5500 years ago. Identical twin boys were born to the King of the Mountains and the Vale. One of them was favored, though it was not known which one was truly born first. The favored one told his brother that he would rule nothing and that the "darkness would blanket the world in eternal night" before his brother would have an inkling of power. They lived their separate lives while the non favored son won several glories in battle (though he was quite brutal and it was rumored that he drank the blood of his enemies from their severed heads.) As a reward for his victories against their enemies, the father declared that he would award the "second" son lordship. For his sigil he copied the design of house arryn, but changed a few details. Instead of a falcon he chose a bat and the moon was "waning" into a crescent. He changed the colors to black and something else. For the word I was thinking something like "Darkness shall fall" or "Darkness always comes". Over the years there have been those in the family that have clamored for them to retake their birthright, but it hasn't happened yet. Mostly House Wayne and House Arryn get along well. Just some thoughts.
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Oct 18, 2011 16:29:01 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 18, 2011 16:29:01 GMT -6
It's WAYN ... no E. And I like. It totally works. Still thinking about the words though - from what I recall, Stark stood out because their motto was so understated and bleak, whereas everyone else's was bright and shiny and silly ... I lean toward something like "Duty Above All" which is pretty harsh in and of itself if you think about it.
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Oct 18, 2011 16:45:48 GMT -6
Post by Gigermann on Oct 18, 2011 16:45:48 GMT -6
I wasn't thinking of being so literal with the Batman stuff. The blazon has been on my mind, though. That link wasn't working for me, but I've found the Arryn blazon anyway. Kinda leaning toward a raven ATM.
"We fear not the night" (?)
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Oct 19, 2011 10:54:43 GMT -6
Post by Rigil Kent on Oct 19, 2011 10:54:43 GMT -6
That works for me. And a raven works too.
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