Post by K Man on Jun 5, 2007 10:52:16 GMT -5
{Alright, let's kick this thing off. A few house-keeping rules;
We will handle the rest as they develop as a group. The game posts will be divided by color, so follow along and read your part of the story to respond accordingly. I don't want seperate boards because others might enjoy the storyline. In the event you are all in the same place at the same time, the post will be one long single post.
Finally, this game will be more role-playing than mechanics, always remember that!}
SEA GREEN
Ahh...New Ravenshead.
You've never really been able to fathom what was so great about an 'Old Ravenshead'--if there was one--that it warranted an entirely new city. Especially one that is as grimy and dirty as this one...
You have lived in this city for some time, a few years at least, and the magic of this arcanic metropolis wore off quickly. Sure, the first time you set eyes on the lightning rails and floating transport discs they were magical, even awe-inspiring, but now they are commonplace. They take the lofty elite to their castles high in the upper city, floating well above the wretched under-city and its destitute denizens.
You've managed to meek out an existence in this, the lower portion of New Ravenshead. Be it entertaining travelers on the street for a few coin, or lifting it off them while they weren't looking, you've managed to live comfortably. Even the poor in New Ravenshead are wealthy by world standards. The immense wealth flows from the upper city, lifting even the beggars out poverty.
But still, you yearn for something different. |
Each night you find yourself wandering between street entertainers, thugs and worse, looking for work or a lead to adventure. Some nights are more prosperous than others, but usually its nothing more than cleaning out a sewer infestation, entertaining at a party or some other menial task...but hey, at least you've been meeting some new people.
Perhaps tonight will be different, you think as you step into the Glimmering Goose, one of the thousands of taverns in the under city. It's been some time since you've crossed this threshold and maybe time has dug up something for you to do. You open the door, step inside, and are suddenly disappointed.
A fire burns lazily in a hearth to your right against the center of the North wall. The bar runs the length of the Southern wall, three drunken patrons stuck like mold to its wooden stools. Seven tables are scattered about the floor, each with an eclectic group of chairs tucked underneath. There are only about twenty other people in the Goose, barkeep and waitresses included.
What a sad night.
You turn to leave, knowing you will find nothing here, when a dark-cloaked figure bumps into you and forces you a few steps back. Before you can even ask for an apology, another dark-cloaked figure forces their way into the tavern...and another...and another. Ten figures in all push their way into the Glimmering Goose and line the Eastern wall, blocking off the only door to the street.
A figure in the center reaches up hastily and unclasps its cloak, letting the fabric fall to the floor. Underneath is a man, probably in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven and trying very hard to get the 'swashbuckler' look to work for him. He wears a puffy white shirt, held down by only a leather frog filled with a rapier. A dagger is stuffed into his boot cuff and a red bandanna is wrapped tightly around his skull.
He bows low and dramatic.
"Greetings and salutations. I am Roberto, guildmaster of the Raven-knights."
"We are here to rob you."
The dark-cloaked figures remove burlaps sacks from beneath their garments and hold them open. They advance from the Eastern wall...
DARK RED
The campfire sputters in the wind, trying so hard to stay live.
You can't help but draw a parallel to your homeland, Tertia. The war has been long, hard and full of pain. Much like this campfire, Tertia is struggling to stay alive, running out of fuel and fighting against the wind. The barbarian hordes of Yexuhl have taken their toll and the fire of Tertia is almost out.
A small spark flares up on one of the logs, forcing the fire up a little higher despite the wind and blackened wood.
Ironic you think, noticing this fire has become more symbolic by the second--the small spark of hope that keeps us alive. You heard the rumor first three days ago, when your seargeant came to you and ordered the march to Rose Canyon, far from your current battle-front. He spoke of an artifact, an item of great power that would turn the tide of this war for Tertia.
And that was all it took, just mention of this battle, this war turning tide to keep your hope alive. You packed your things quickly and marched with your regiment to Rose Canyon. You took the time to get to know some of those in your regiment, for eventhough you had served with them for the past few week, you knew nearly none of them. All too often, battles would go so poorly for Tertia that entire platoons would be almost destroyed, then mixed with others, given new leaders and sent out again.
Hell, you can't even remember what this regiment is called.
But that didn't matter. You were going away from the fighting, away from the pain and death, away from seeing faces with names taking arrows to the gut. You're not sure why your regiment was selected along with the others you've passed headed to Rose Canyon, but you could've care less. You arrived last night in Rose Canyon, having not lifted your blade once during the journey.
Dawn has come and your watch is over, the sun lighting up the quartz walls in a brilliant mixture of ruby and pink. The fire can be extinguished, and you can report for your orders...finally find out why your regiment has come to the canyon, find out if the rumors are true. You stamp out the fire, pack up what little things you had out during the night, and report to your sergeant. You find him, along with dozens of other commanders, standing in a semi-circle. Tall blades of grass sway lazily between them, driven by a stiff morning breeze.
Your sergeant notices you and calls you over. You feel awkward jogging across the semi-circle, but orders are orders. Once you reach your commander, he leans in close and addresses you in a hushed tone.
"We are here waiting for the General, he has some new orders for the army."
"However, I have something different for you. Each of us were asked to pick someone, someone we trust and someone we know has special skills and send them to that tent over there."He points with a gauntleted hand to a dull crimson tent topped with the flag of Tertia. "I don't know what they have in mind, but it sounded important."
"I'd suggest getting cleaned up and heading over there immediately."
The sergeant extends his hand for a firm shake. "From the sounds of it, you're being re-assigned. It's been an honor to fight by your side..."
- Players can roll their own dice when needed. Saves, secretive rolls (search, spot, disable etc) and random effects will be rolled by the DM. Also those that don't want to or can't roll their own dice will have it rolled for them.
- Don't ever be afraid to do your own thing in this game. As stated before, the power of play-by-post is the slow progression and detail we can afford. I would prefer that all players NOT go against the storyline, but never be afraid to voice your opinion or do your own thing. Don't ever feel rail-roaded.
- Along those lines, I am one DM running (now) 4 games. If I miss something or have some glaring oversight, call me on it. I rely on the data on your character sheet, so keep it up to date. The players should be responsible for remembering all their conditional effects, modifiers etc.
- This game will run/progress a little differently. There will be no calculating of XP, just sudden advancement of levels when I feel it's necessary in terms of challenge, storyline etc. The challenges may seem out of class too, but realize you need not 'beat' everything. Side-stepping, out-thinking and unique ways to defeat something are all possible.
We will handle the rest as they develop as a group. The game posts will be divided by color, so follow along and read your part of the story to respond accordingly. I don't want seperate boards because others might enjoy the storyline. In the event you are all in the same place at the same time, the post will be one long single post.
Finally, this game will be more role-playing than mechanics, always remember that!}
SEA GREEN
Ahh...New Ravenshead.
You've never really been able to fathom what was so great about an 'Old Ravenshead'--if there was one--that it warranted an entirely new city. Especially one that is as grimy and dirty as this one...
You have lived in this city for some time, a few years at least, and the magic of this arcanic metropolis wore off quickly. Sure, the first time you set eyes on the lightning rails and floating transport discs they were magical, even awe-inspiring, but now they are commonplace. They take the lofty elite to their castles high in the upper city, floating well above the wretched under-city and its destitute denizens.
You've managed to meek out an existence in this, the lower portion of New Ravenshead. Be it entertaining travelers on the street for a few coin, or lifting it off them while they weren't looking, you've managed to live comfortably. Even the poor in New Ravenshead are wealthy by world standards. The immense wealth flows from the upper city, lifting even the beggars out poverty.
But still, you yearn for something different. |
Each night you find yourself wandering between street entertainers, thugs and worse, looking for work or a lead to adventure. Some nights are more prosperous than others, but usually its nothing more than cleaning out a sewer infestation, entertaining at a party or some other menial task...but hey, at least you've been meeting some new people.
Perhaps tonight will be different, you think as you step into the Glimmering Goose, one of the thousands of taverns in the under city. It's been some time since you've crossed this threshold and maybe time has dug up something for you to do. You open the door, step inside, and are suddenly disappointed.
A fire burns lazily in a hearth to your right against the center of the North wall. The bar runs the length of the Southern wall, three drunken patrons stuck like mold to its wooden stools. Seven tables are scattered about the floor, each with an eclectic group of chairs tucked underneath. There are only about twenty other people in the Goose, barkeep and waitresses included.
What a sad night.
You turn to leave, knowing you will find nothing here, when a dark-cloaked figure bumps into you and forces you a few steps back. Before you can even ask for an apology, another dark-cloaked figure forces their way into the tavern...and another...and another. Ten figures in all push their way into the Glimmering Goose and line the Eastern wall, blocking off the only door to the street.
A figure in the center reaches up hastily and unclasps its cloak, letting the fabric fall to the floor. Underneath is a man, probably in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven and trying very hard to get the 'swashbuckler' look to work for him. He wears a puffy white shirt, held down by only a leather frog filled with a rapier. A dagger is stuffed into his boot cuff and a red bandanna is wrapped tightly around his skull.
He bows low and dramatic.
"Greetings and salutations. I am Roberto, guildmaster of the Raven-knights."
"We are here to rob you."
The dark-cloaked figures remove burlaps sacks from beneath their garments and hold them open. They advance from the Eastern wall...
DARK RED
The campfire sputters in the wind, trying so hard to stay live.
You can't help but draw a parallel to your homeland, Tertia. The war has been long, hard and full of pain. Much like this campfire, Tertia is struggling to stay alive, running out of fuel and fighting against the wind. The barbarian hordes of Yexuhl have taken their toll and the fire of Tertia is almost out.
A small spark flares up on one of the logs, forcing the fire up a little higher despite the wind and blackened wood.
Ironic you think, noticing this fire has become more symbolic by the second--the small spark of hope that keeps us alive. You heard the rumor first three days ago, when your seargeant came to you and ordered the march to Rose Canyon, far from your current battle-front. He spoke of an artifact, an item of great power that would turn the tide of this war for Tertia.
And that was all it took, just mention of this battle, this war turning tide to keep your hope alive. You packed your things quickly and marched with your regiment to Rose Canyon. You took the time to get to know some of those in your regiment, for eventhough you had served with them for the past few week, you knew nearly none of them. All too often, battles would go so poorly for Tertia that entire platoons would be almost destroyed, then mixed with others, given new leaders and sent out again.
Hell, you can't even remember what this regiment is called.
But that didn't matter. You were going away from the fighting, away from the pain and death, away from seeing faces with names taking arrows to the gut. You're not sure why your regiment was selected along with the others you've passed headed to Rose Canyon, but you could've care less. You arrived last night in Rose Canyon, having not lifted your blade once during the journey.
Dawn has come and your watch is over, the sun lighting up the quartz walls in a brilliant mixture of ruby and pink. The fire can be extinguished, and you can report for your orders...finally find out why your regiment has come to the canyon, find out if the rumors are true. You stamp out the fire, pack up what little things you had out during the night, and report to your sergeant. You find him, along with dozens of other commanders, standing in a semi-circle. Tall blades of grass sway lazily between them, driven by a stiff morning breeze.
Your sergeant notices you and calls you over. You feel awkward jogging across the semi-circle, but orders are orders. Once you reach your commander, he leans in close and addresses you in a hushed tone.
"We are here waiting for the General, he has some new orders for the army."
"However, I have something different for you. Each of us were asked to pick someone, someone we trust and someone we know has special skills and send them to that tent over there."He points with a gauntleted hand to a dull crimson tent topped with the flag of Tertia. "I don't know what they have in mind, but it sounded important."
"I'd suggest getting cleaned up and heading over there immediately."
The sergeant extends his hand for a firm shake. "From the sounds of it, you're being re-assigned. It's been an honor to fight by your side..."
