Enlil
03-29-2005, 05:40 PM
I am starting a BW campaign in a couple of weeks (I know, great timing - I have had to use the classic character burner with a couple of minor alterations that I hope bring it closer to the revision). Here is the background I gave the players:
Since the founding of the Kingdom of Althia, nearly 500 years ago, the new King has on the occasion of his coronation put forth a call for heroes to quest for the Sturnseax, the sword of ages that was used to consecrate the kingdom and the first king, and disappeared shortly thereafter. In practice, this quest is used to send a horde of questors after any problems that the kingdom may have. Since the kingdom has fought in a major war that ended five years ago, and more recently a coup attempt when the old king died a year ago, there are many problem this time around. The kings have used the Quest to find the most talented men and women of the kingdom. People quest for honor, glory, fame, ambition, and any number of other reasons.
Recent History
20 years ago – Kharazom invades Mirakim kingdoms of Magog, Acharan, and Hagan. Initially very successful, conquering about 1/3 of Mirakim kingdoms before winter. However, the invasion did the seemingly impossible - the Mirakim sovereigns, a fracticious, backstabbing lot, prepared a combined defense, and sued Kalitos and Althia for aid. Kalitos initially refused, but seeing the Mirakim-Althian alliance slowly losing, joined 3 years into the invasion. 8 years ago, the tide finally turned, with tendrils of the Kharazom invasion having reached both Kalitos and Althia. 6 years ago, the Kharazom grand army was crushed at the battle of Osogo. By the the end of the next summer, a year later, the Kharazom forces had retreated from the continent. Mirakim alliance breaks down in a frenzy of backstabbing, Kalitos and Althia withdraw their forces from the area.
Old king died 1 year ago – an archduke attempted to seize the throne, taking the capital city and killing the heir apparent. The king’s younger son, a war hero, gathered a far larger coalition and quickly defeated the archduke.
The nation has fallen into disrepair with the recent troubles, with bandits and monsters in the outlying regions.
The coronation of the new king and attendant Quest for the Sturnseax, the Sword of Ages, symbol of Althia, though lost since sometime during the reign of the first king.
Geography
The Kingdom of Althia is the largest kingdom in the area.
To the south lie the Kingdoms of the Mirakim, many tiny kingdom ruled by the Mirakim, an ancient, fading race of mad, decadent, nearly immortal sorcerer-kings. Though most recently allies, historically, the Mirakim have been the major enemy of Althia.
To the north lies several medium-sized kingdoms, which are allies or at least at peace with Althia
To the southeast lies the Kingdom of Kalitos, a kingdom that 100 years ago threw off it’s Mirakim rulers and became independent. It is Althia’s major rival.
Althis is bounded on the west by the ocean, which are to the Althians knowledge boundless. There is a largish island kingdom to the north, as well as an island confederation to the southwest.
The eastern border of Althia is marked by the Worldspin Mountains. Beyond lies a vast wasteland inhabited by barbarians and monsters, the result of some ancient war.
Far to the East, beyond the wastes, lies Far Kalifi, from which exotic spices, fine metalwork, and condensed liquors make there way slowly across the wasteland to Althia’s markets.
Far to the South, beyond the Turtle Sea lies fabled Kharazom, a huge, rich empire with massive armed forces. It is a land of Ziggurats, vast gold mines, and untold riches. A God-King rules with an iron fist. Unsuccessfully invaded Mirakim Kingdoms 20 years ago, requiring an alliance of the Mirakim, Althians, and Kalitos to unite against them. War ended 5 years ago with Kharazom’s defeat.
Details of Althia
Knightly Orders are common. Most have a god or goddess they venerate.
The Iron Torcs are a major mercenary organization that was formed in the aftermath of the Kharazom invasion. A rapidly growing organization they may soon outnumber the traditional mercenaries, the Blank Shields. The Blank Shields are regarded as less bloodthirsty and more trustworthy
Most people worship all the gods on there feast days. Major gods are those of the sea and sun, and the dragonslayer. Major goddesses are those of the earth and stars, and the goddess of war.
Capital, Port city largest cities.
Kingdom is made up of 4 Provinces, 3 Archduchies, 5 Duchies, 2 Principalities, 4 Free Cities.
Starting parameters
Characters must want to become a questor, whether for glory, ambition, or whatever. The highest starting combat skill or sorcery should be 4, other skills are limited to 5. Grey stats and skills are fine.
Given that two players so far have a sea or nautical theme, things are going to turn out more sea based than I had initially planned. Has anyone worked out rules for ships in BW? I don't think the players will be sea-borne for a while, but I intend to go there eventually . . .
Christian
Since the founding of the Kingdom of Althia, nearly 500 years ago, the new King has on the occasion of his coronation put forth a call for heroes to quest for the Sturnseax, the sword of ages that was used to consecrate the kingdom and the first king, and disappeared shortly thereafter. In practice, this quest is used to send a horde of questors after any problems that the kingdom may have. Since the kingdom has fought in a major war that ended five years ago, and more recently a coup attempt when the old king died a year ago, there are many problem this time around. The kings have used the Quest to find the most talented men and women of the kingdom. People quest for honor, glory, fame, ambition, and any number of other reasons.
Recent History
20 years ago – Kharazom invades Mirakim kingdoms of Magog, Acharan, and Hagan. Initially very successful, conquering about 1/3 of Mirakim kingdoms before winter. However, the invasion did the seemingly impossible - the Mirakim sovereigns, a fracticious, backstabbing lot, prepared a combined defense, and sued Kalitos and Althia for aid. Kalitos initially refused, but seeing the Mirakim-Althian alliance slowly losing, joined 3 years into the invasion. 8 years ago, the tide finally turned, with tendrils of the Kharazom invasion having reached both Kalitos and Althia. 6 years ago, the Kharazom grand army was crushed at the battle of Osogo. By the the end of the next summer, a year later, the Kharazom forces had retreated from the continent. Mirakim alliance breaks down in a frenzy of backstabbing, Kalitos and Althia withdraw their forces from the area.
Old king died 1 year ago – an archduke attempted to seize the throne, taking the capital city and killing the heir apparent. The king’s younger son, a war hero, gathered a far larger coalition and quickly defeated the archduke.
The nation has fallen into disrepair with the recent troubles, with bandits and monsters in the outlying regions.
The coronation of the new king and attendant Quest for the Sturnseax, the Sword of Ages, symbol of Althia, though lost since sometime during the reign of the first king.
Geography
The Kingdom of Althia is the largest kingdom in the area.
To the south lie the Kingdoms of the Mirakim, many tiny kingdom ruled by the Mirakim, an ancient, fading race of mad, decadent, nearly immortal sorcerer-kings. Though most recently allies, historically, the Mirakim have been the major enemy of Althia.
To the north lies several medium-sized kingdoms, which are allies or at least at peace with Althia
To the southeast lies the Kingdom of Kalitos, a kingdom that 100 years ago threw off it’s Mirakim rulers and became independent. It is Althia’s major rival.
Althis is bounded on the west by the ocean, which are to the Althians knowledge boundless. There is a largish island kingdom to the north, as well as an island confederation to the southwest.
The eastern border of Althia is marked by the Worldspin Mountains. Beyond lies a vast wasteland inhabited by barbarians and monsters, the result of some ancient war.
Far to the East, beyond the wastes, lies Far Kalifi, from which exotic spices, fine metalwork, and condensed liquors make there way slowly across the wasteland to Althia’s markets.
Far to the South, beyond the Turtle Sea lies fabled Kharazom, a huge, rich empire with massive armed forces. It is a land of Ziggurats, vast gold mines, and untold riches. A God-King rules with an iron fist. Unsuccessfully invaded Mirakim Kingdoms 20 years ago, requiring an alliance of the Mirakim, Althians, and Kalitos to unite against them. War ended 5 years ago with Kharazom’s defeat.
Details of Althia
Knightly Orders are common. Most have a god or goddess they venerate.
The Iron Torcs are a major mercenary organization that was formed in the aftermath of the Kharazom invasion. A rapidly growing organization they may soon outnumber the traditional mercenaries, the Blank Shields. The Blank Shields are regarded as less bloodthirsty and more trustworthy
Most people worship all the gods on there feast days. Major gods are those of the sea and sun, and the dragonslayer. Major goddesses are those of the earth and stars, and the goddess of war.
Capital, Port city largest cities.
Kingdom is made up of 4 Provinces, 3 Archduchies, 5 Duchies, 2 Principalities, 4 Free Cities.
Starting parameters
Characters must want to become a questor, whether for glory, ambition, or whatever. The highest starting combat skill or sorcery should be 4, other skills are limited to 5. Grey stats and skills are fine.
Given that two players so far have a sea or nautical theme, things are going to turn out more sea based than I had initially planned. Has anyone worked out rules for ships in BW? I don't think the players will be sea-borne for a while, but I intend to go there eventually . . .
Christian