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PnP online game anyone?

Major_Blackhart

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I'd be interested in GM'ing a low fantasy game online. First time really GM'ing. Figure once or twice a week for a few hours in the evening. No idea what system to use though so I'm really open to suggestions.

Emphasis would be most likely on roleplaying and less on combat, and while there would be rules, it would be mostly flying low and loose, allowing for just about whatever if it is fun.

If you're interested, just reply to the thread. If you want to know about the game world as well, let me know.
 

Luckmann

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You might want to cover times in an international sense, because scheduling is always a hassle and your "evening" is going to be very different from most others'.
 

Major_Blackhart

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Well, I'm working from home right now and there's flexibility there, and my weekends are generally free due to Covid NJ nightmare crap closure. I'm honestly pretty flexible at this point.
 

Major_Blackhart

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Ok, so if anyone is interested in this, I've been working on background details for the game world, etc. Essentially a human only world, but humans are more diverse in some ways than those fantasy BS races.

There are five main gods, called the Great Pantheon. Other deities are demi-gods or lesser spirits, and are primarily regional. Additionally, each race of humanity recognizes at least one of the major deities, just under a different name.

The head of the Big 5:
The Creator and Conqueror

upload_2020-8-27_11-29-27.png
 

Bester

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I'm tempted to try, although I'd be a crippled player, because my spoken English sucks ass.

Some thoughts.
Maybe there's too much exposition at this point? You'd think this would be a small campaign, since it's the first one. So there's no way all this material can come into play. It's all probably irrelevant to players right now.
And after all this Sawyeresque wall of text, there's still no mention of the level of technological advancement in this world.

the symbol of Novgorad is avian raptor
Raptor is short for velociraptor, which is latin for "swift catcher". Besides the fact that it's latin, it's also a modern word, which would indicate the level of technological progress similar to at least early XX century, which may not have been intended?
Any large, feathered, fantasy reptile would fit better.

[history]
Xanthippe's knowledge of all nations either indicates high magic, or technological advancements beyond middle ages, because how else is she supposed to know all this?
Roman Empire at its height had some vague ideas of who lived outside its borders. And during middle ages, most people had no clue what exists outside a 30 mile radius, the knowable world radius shrunk a considerable amount at the time.
So either Xanthippe should have considerably less knowledge, or her knowledge likely indicates easy teleportation, magical flying or scrying.

Not to mention that the concept of nations is a rather modern one itself. For example, 12 century slavs had no clue that they were "slavs". They could have the language and religion in common, but if they belonged to a different principality, then that's what dictated their lives.
 
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Major_Blackhart

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Raptor means Bird of Prey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_of_prey)

Additionally, it's all background information mostly. As you read, you'd get an idea of Xanthippe's true age, as well as her origins. She's a lot older. The first campaign would be relatively short, in the Novgory region, and I'm fairly certain it would be starting in Western Novgorad, specifically Sorvoya.

Western Novgorad nations would be from Sorvoya, which spans Imperial Aegia's eastern border, to as far north as the Suzdal March (the Suzdal Voivodeship is held by Vlad III Palachomboga), as far south as the Khozar Khaganate, and as far west as the Dulebi League, which borders more central Novgory nation-states.

Status of Novgorad, now known as the Shattered Star
Size: The Grand Kingdom of Novgorad
It bordered Old Aegia, Hunnyar, the petty Kingdoms of the Kalsdammen Lands, and had prime access to the great land bridge and the Headland Border Kingdoms, which connect to the steppe and the mountain tribes, The Khanate and the Satrapy of Qatyr.​

Current Political Status
The Former Grand Kingdom of Novgorad has broken up into dozens of independent states, city states, and free cities.
The death of the Grand Monarch and King of Novgorad, along with the subsequent murder of the Regent Primus, his chosen successor as Regent Segundas, and the ill-timed and sudden death of the King's only child by his legitimate wife, and her subsequent murder, threw the vast nation into chaos.
Invasion of the Red Horde helped further destabilize the country.

Language
Novgorad Common or Central Novgorad
Eastern-Novgorad is a dialect of Novgorad, understood by many but spoken exclusively by the old nobility.
Old Varyan is the ancient tongue of the entire region that was once the Grand Kingdom of Novgorad. There are now dozens of different dialects of this language. Considered a dead language, it is used historically.

Essentially, 50 years ago, the top dogs in Novgorad attempted to take the great land bridge via conquest. In doing so they stirred up a fucking hornets nest with the Mazrandi khanate, which is a large region of tribal confederations (think Genghis Khan's Mongolia). Their armies were driven back, and the Monarch and his family were blamed for this defeat. The king dropped over dead, and the Regent Primus got into a pissing match with some of the big nobles, and everyone was murdered. Novgorad was thrown into political chaos without central leadership holding it all together as a unifying force. The Mazrandi sensed weakness, and the Red Horde basically mass-migrated and invaded the entire nation. A shit load of the tribal peoples stuck around as the horde pulled back, basically the lower-end shit kicker types. That's how you have something like the Khozar Khaganate in what used to be Western Novgorad (think eastern Europe).
 

Major_Blackhart

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Location: The former Grand Kingdom of Novgorad
Specifically the Principality of Sorvoya (Novgorad Spelling) Servea (Hunnyar spelling) Sorvya (Aegian spelling) Sorvoia (Doccazni spelling)
Formerly known as the Principality of Sorvoya
Current name is the Duchy of Free Sorvoya

Size: Sorvoya
A stretch of country that borders Aegia on one side and it's own brother and sister states on the other. What it lacks in width, which is not insignificant, it makes up for in length. It spans much of the border of Old Aegia.
As a result, Aegians fleeing the Empire's civil war often pass through Sorvoya first. They are looked down upon as cowardly by many, and vulture-like by others, as if attempting to profit from the supposed lack of security of the broken nation states of what once made up Novgorad.

Sorvoya Political Status
The Duke of Sorvoya and his ruling family have strong control over the nation's great cities, but not all of the countryside. Indeed, because the newly formed state borders Aegia, with whom the Grand Kingdom had an uneasy and often volatile peace with, and because of the wars and instability that surround Sorvoya, the countryside is rife with rebellion and banditry.
The Duke has a great distrust of many native Sorvoyans, as his family is not pure Sorvoya blood but a mix of various heritages, and as such he puts more faith in hired foreign blades than he does native swords sworn (something the Duke's brother acknowledges to Konrad and Janos during the great feast). The Duke is eager to see his lands expand further, to capitalize upon the chaos embroiling his neighbors, but finds himself with his back to the wall in his own country because of a few men who plot his family's downfall, including the Baron.
The Baron openly hungers and lusts for the Duchy of Sorvoya and sees the daughter of the merchant prince, an ennobled Doccazni who can give him control over one of the powerful centers of trade, adding much needed wealth to his vault.
While the baron wishes to control the Duchy, he cannot dare move openly. He has many enemies, including competitors for the throne who would unite against him would he ignite the flames of war. Indeed, despite his influence, he does not have the manpower to actually move against the Duke. This would certainly change with a union with the merchant prince, and tip the scales in his favor thereby upsetting the delicate political landscape.
In short, Sorvoya is on the brink of being embroiled in a civil war of it's own, and once word of his kidnapping spreads, nobles will choose sides and there will be little chance for peace and stability.
While the number of conspirators against the Duke are many, the real threats to his power are three: The Baron, a Prince of the Southern Bastion, and a count of one of the eastern cities.

Demographics: Immigrants of Sorvoya
Merchants from all over, including the famous Doccazni strain, are taking advantage of the chaos to set up powerful cartels and ally themselves with nobles that still survive, gaining title through marriage to add prestige and legitimacy to their houses. An interesting note, Doccazni language is quickly becoming the trade tongue for major trading companies and cartels.
Mercenary companies are fairly prevalent, varying in size and discipline. Their employers vary from merchants to nobles to even local towns and magisters employing a few for any reason. The terms are almost always the length of the conflict.
Mazrandian peoples, either employed or outlaws, still dot the countryside. It is not uncommon to find groups of up to one hundred, including families. They bring much of their tribal heritage and culture with them, but also adopt various Novgorad cultures if they settle in a region.
Hunnyars are rare. They don't often travel outside their own lands except for revenge raids, and those are most often against the Aegian Empire for colonies polluting their land.
Aegians are the most common group of foreigners, due to the location of the two nations bordering one another. They are both refugees escaping the long-running civil war to settle in Sorvoya or neighboring lands, or former soldiers selling their services to the highest bidder.
Kalsdammen are another common group, in part due to their mercenary nature, and in part due to trade and closeness. However, they are primarily merchants and mercenaries, and as such are common in ports but less so in landlocked areas.

Languages of Sorvoya
The main language of the common class is Sorvoyan-Novgorad Common, or simply Sorvoyan Common, a local dialect spoken throughout the country by all peoples and understood by everyone. This language is the primary language of the False Knights and low-borne nobles, those that are primarily imported by the Duke to bolster his own forces.
Eastern-Novgorad is a dialect of Novgorad, understood by many but spoken exclusively by the Sorvoya-born nobility. It serves as a stumbling block for non-Sorvoyan nobility and knights, and acts to separate the two groups and antagonize them further.
East-Aegian is growing in popularity, and is more common in the cities than in the countryside, and is spoken as the major language in districts that are occupied by Aegian refugees.
Isle-Doccazni or Il Lingo so Arcipelago is quickly becoming the unofficial trade tongue of the nation-state, due to the influence of Doccazni merchants.
Old Varyan is the ancient tongue of the entire region that was once the Grand Kingdom of Novgorad. There are now dozens of different dialects of this language. Considered a dead language, it is used historically.
Northern Mazrandi or Hill Mazrandi is the native tongue of the Mazrandian peoples who were invaders and ultimately responsible for the breakup of the ancient thousand year old kingdom.
The number of languages present in this country is due in no small part to the Duke himself, who is taking advantage of the state of affairs to import loyalty and create divisions with the existing nobility that he can easily exploit in order to rpeserve his own powerbase and even grow it as time shows.
Note: The House of the Duke speaks all the above languages, but primarily speaks eastern novgorad and sorvoyan common tongue. As a result they can communicate to all subjects effectively and have enough knowledge to protect themselves.

Landscape of Sorvoya
Terrain for Sorvoya is quite varied between the north and the south. In the north, the lands are often hilly and of a colder climate, mistier even, and sometimes under heavy clouds and fog. Still, the soil is rich and farming is hard but possible. In the south the climate is warmer and the lands flatter. Throughout the nation are forests, conifer towards the north and leafy trees to the south.
The western half of the nation-state is dotted with fortresses of varying style and age, all dating back to the time of the Grand Kingdom due to Sorvoya bordering the Aegian Empire. These fortresses are still used, but now less for preventing invasion from the west and now for solidifying the holdings of various petty lords. Some are converted outposts, made up of a stone tower or two surrounded by a high wood palisade, a simple thing that can house maybe fifty men, while others are more like the Ashen Keep, fortresses that can hold out against thousands and house hundreds with comfort.
The Baron holds much political influence in the western lands in part due to the size of his holdings, and by extension the number of fortresses under his direct control and manned by his men. The Ashen Keep and the surrounding lands are a peninsula in his sphere of influence, akin to a dagger thrust into his belly, according to the son of the lord who hires them, as he explains to the brothers the reason he is hiring them.
The eastern half of the nation state has fewer fortress by a large margin, but mostly manors and farming estates. It also holds the bulk of the cities, three in the east to the one in the west. And while the westernmost city, ruled by the Doccazni merchant prince, is near the baron's sphere of influence, its nobility is loyal to the Duke, which vexes the baron to no end. Those few fortresses in the east are impressive, certainly more so than a majority of all the western half has to offer, in size, age, prestige, and even protective ability. In addition, the eastern cities themselves are fortified monstrosities, with huge walls protecting the core portions of the cities. The parts of the cities outside the main stone walls are protected in turn by smaller walls, with great moats, dry or filled, surrounding them further.

The Court of the Duke of Sorvoya and the Nobility
Known as a nest of vipers by more honest knights and lords, though that is a relative term. Many of these so-called honest men are violent sell-swords who simply fail to grasp the concepts of political underhanded maneuvers and backstabbing, or refuse to, rather attacking head on.
The cities are ruled by Princes and Counts. The title of Count is actually higher in rank than Prince.
The Duke rules all of the nation, seconded by his wife, children, brother, and brother's family.
The Duke's wife is the Duchess. His children are Ducal Heirs.
  • Because of Sorvoya's size, the number of noble titles are thusly stunted.
  • The degrees of separation between the ranks are officially great, but REAL power matters more than title, and some lower ranks by virtue of what they control hold more power than others.
  • Best example is the Baron, who holds as much influence as many Princes and Counts due to what he controls.
Noble Rank (by order of importance): Duke, Count, Prince, Earl, Baron, Hereditary Knight, Knight, Squire
  • Here are several denominations of nobility within the system, specifically related to land and family.
    • Magnate is a title given to a family, not an individual, though usually the patriarch or lord of a noble household is also the Magnate, meaning clan representative to the court.
    • Mark is an addendum to a specific noble title, be it Baron, Earl, Prince, or Count. It is rare for anyone above Earl to be granted the title, because it means they control a significant swath of land along the border and as such are entrusted with a sizeable number of soldiers. The Baron's full title is Mark-Baron
    • War Lord is not a hereditary position, but rather a military rank. However, it is never referred to as Warlord. Oftentimes, individuals who have this rank have the war title attached to some noble rank as well. It is rarely used outside of clan hierarchies, and only awarded during times of war or in preparation for war. For instance War Chief (Voyotar) of the Zapadi Host, which is comprised of all heavy and light cavalry west of the Varanev River. This means other knights in that region, which would normally be loyal to their own lords and barons, are subservient to him in times of war.

Wealth of Sorvoya
Monetary Unit: Coins (silver & gold)
Wealth: Primarily through farming and herding. Major exports are grain, wool, and leather. Herders are more common in the northern hills, while in the southern flatlands farms are the primary earners. There are several mines in the west, but the amount of ore pulled from them is paltry compared to the ore that can be bought from their farms.
Trade Guilds: they are allowed to exist and are popular.
Merchant Lords: There are some, mostly of Doccazni origins, that have been ennobled by the Duke in order to increase the noble control over trade and ensure wealth flows to the Ducal Treasury, as well as ensure the mercantile loyalties lie with the crown.

Religions of Sorvoya
The common people of Sorvoya are relatively pious types, paying homage to gods and praying for safety. The nobility is also religious, but many are far too obsessed about their own status and individual power to allow a rival like a religious institution to thrive too greatly.
In the previous years, the Church of Marduk held tremendous sway over the Grand Kingdom of Novgorad, when the nation was whole. The Hierarch was in fact a member of the Royal Family more often than not. However, as the nation fell and splintered, so too did the Novgorad Church of Marduk. The Hierarch is in fact master of the Church only in the existing state of Novgorad itself, while various prelates and curates tend to their own flocks, serving the states they live in.
  • The Sorvoyan Church of Marduk is the dominant religion within the Duchy of Sorvoya. It is headed by a powerful Prelate who is aligned with the Duke, but is a power within his own right. The Prelate's full title is Prince-Prelate, and he is in fact the chief secular power within one of the western cities of Sorvoya.
  • The Cult of Triglav is gaining some popularity to the dismay of the Prelate. It is popular in the southernmost reaches of Sorvoya along the border with the Buzhanie Kingdom. Triglav is the primary deity of the Buzhanie people. Prayers are in fact conducted in Buzhannic tongue.
    • The Prince-Prelate and other members of the nobility believe the Cult to be an attempted infiltration by the Buzhanie Kingdom into Sorvoya, essentially a precursor to an invasion and rebellion.
  • Minor Religions: The Black Door, the Children of the Sun. The Novgorad Deity of Dazbog is worshipped only in Eastern Novgorad, far from Sorvoya. The Black Door of Nyx is a secretive society that was once outlawed by the Grand Kingdom of Novgorad. Since the nation broke up, it was decreed legal in Sorvoya, but the church is still highly secretive. It is said that not even the Duke knows where all the meeting houses are.
    • The Whisper-Lord, the head of the secret police, is the Archon (High Priest) of the Black Door. This is known only to the Duke, Duchess, and several other family members.
    • The Children of the Sun, of Sethra, was the second most popular faith in southern Sorvoya, due to the God's association with the land and the sun, both beneficial to farming. Now that religion is challenged by the Cult of Triglav.
    • Pogroms are uncommon within Sorvoya, though there is tension between several faiths. The only reigion that is at times persecuted by the populace is the Black Door of Nyx, whom many incorrectly believe to be a black cult of demon worshippers and murderers. Members of the faith are so secretive that they are in fact rarely killed by a mob. Instead, many are falsely accused of being part of the Black Door.
      • While officially denounced by the Church of Marduk as being unlawful and unjust, some lesser Curates do in fact support these pogroms as a way of gaining power over the populace.
 

Bester

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I have to say that the incorrectness of the names is so cringy, it's like scratching with fingernails on a blackboard for a slavic ear. It's like if I started a campaign in "Pakris, Fronce" with the king living in "Versoille". It's too much.
 

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