Dice Chronicle of the Scavenger Lands (Exalted 3E) - OOC

[ithinkcat]

According to the core book, "Riverspeak: The language of the Scavenger Lands. The Guild has promoted this loanword-filled tongue as the unofficial “trade language” of the Threshold; it is probably the most widely-understood language in Creation..."

 

[Esbilon]

And I have a first version ready too. I need to write the background properly,put words to the Intimacies, and detail her ancestral sword. I should be able to that during the week.

Oh, and all feedback is appreciated

 

[jaydude]

Okay. So, everyone seems to have their characters up. Are there any requests on how to get this RP started? Like, do you all want to start off separate from one another, all in the same room, or something else?

 

[Esbilon]

I'd like to at least work out a shared "why are we here and what do we do?"

 

[ithinkcat]

Maybe Ysandre sent some letters to some people she's gotten wind of that could help her take back her throne (i.e. our characters) and the letter requests that we meet somewhere to discuss employment details? Maybe meet at a shady tavern?

 

[Esbilon]

Ysandre isn't the shady tavern kinda gal, but if you guys' characters are the types to be moved by a letter from a virtual stranger, that works for me.

 

[ithinkcat]

I mean, maybe don't write a letter that literally says "Hey, you don't know me, and I'm not going to tell you who I am, but I got work for you. You can totally trust me. Maybe you'll get paid. Maybe." I'm sure Ysandre knows how write a letter that can play to the ego and greed of a few homeless Solars to at least get them to meet her in person (so she can Presence the crap out of them to get them to help). The tavern was just an aesthetic suggestion.

 

[Esbilon]

I've updated Ysandre's sheet with Intimacies and some BG notes.

I have a map of the Scavenger Lands with more details and I've included the location I imagine for Ysandre's home of Nalia. It's due south of Marita and makes something like an equilateral triangle with Great Forks and Denandsor.

 

[jaydude]

If I might chip in?

My original plan for the start of this story was that each of your characters would, individually, end up getting captured by a large gang of bandits - helped by some Gold Faction Sidereals wanting to manipulate the characters into forming a Solar Circle - and thrown into the same cell of their hideout. Locked up together, your characters would have an excuse and an opportunity to get to know each other, before working together to break out of your cell and destroy the bandits, after which you decide to stick together.

 

[Esbilon]

How do you imagine bandits capture not one, but five solar Exalts, one of whom has Command?

 

[Rykon]

I was just going to suggest we meet in a larger city like Great forks, Nexus or the like.

Ysandre could be away from home making arrangements to dethrone her siblings.
Quill could be doing anything from acquiring supplies, looking for patrons, selling wares, etc.
Miri could be searching for a job more in line with her ethics and skillset.
Zen'th could be in a similar boat as Quill, playing markets, consulting with spirits, etc.
Ryan could be both recruiting and meeting with potential clients.

That'd merely be for the introduction. If jaydude has a warm-up adventure planned, it could be simple enough to lay a trail overt enough for us to engage in within the city, leading where ever fits the narrative until things are ready to move toward the seige of Nalia.

Also fwiw, took a stab at plotting Alsein down at a reasonable distance to expected circle operating areas. Distances are still incredibly vast though, so I am up for alternative suggestions. Still working on a write-up for Ryan's Daiklave as well. While the cascade and nature of the effects is custom, I'm trying not to go too far outside the box. So far I have citations for precedence/inspiration with each effect.

 

[jaydude]

Esbilon Like I said, each Solar would have been caught individually. Essentially, the Sidereals - all of them with enough experience to handle a recently exalted Solar, naturally - would pose as members of the bandit gang, and do all the actual capturing. Namely catching the Solars napping, drugging their food and drink, or just using their charms to KO the Solar and make them forget the entire thing.

Rykon I can buy all our characters being in the same district of the same city at the same time - especially if there are Sidereals involved - but I basically want the Solars to be put into a situation where getting to know each other and working together works to their advantage, with their interactions forming the basis for their future comradeship.

Otherwise, if they're all going to meet one another in a big city, Ryan and Ysandre might want to recruit supporters for their respective causes, Zen'th might try to hire or stick with someone who can help him find his sister, and Miri could choose to help Ryan/Ysandre out of a sense of justice. Not too sure how to get Quill involved at the moment, without more info on the character. Of course, the players would have to do more of the legwork regarding their characters meeting and convincing one another in this scenario.

Also, could you please tell me what font you used for the map? Just so that I can use it when updating it.

 

[Rykon]

Closest I had available was Old English Text MT. I'm on windows, and I think it may have been a default one.

Also, Ryan's vendetta is against a handful of lords I haven't named yet. Their territories would be around Alsein, where ever the final placement is. Given the magnitude of the campaign to stamp each of them out, he's not in a rush to pursue that particular course just yet. Right now he's seeking mastery of his new power while he builds his company's numbers, coffers, and prestige.

 

[Esbilon]

Here's the unaltered (by me anyway) map.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

I can see Quill knowing Ysandre beforehand, or more likely, her knowing of his reputation as a jeweler.

While I haven't finished writing my background, mainly due to having a busy week, what with my nephew undergoing surgery today, and still recovering from it, I can say that part of the character's background is membership in a secret society that studies the Shogunate era ruins, texts, and whatnot, to try and figure out how they might be able to revive these ancient technologies, for the betterment of the Hundred Kingdoms. Being a jeweler was a passion, and a nice cover.

 

[jaydude]

Esbilon I've already got a copy of the map from the interest check, but thanks anyway.

Rykon Okay, fair enough. Would you be down for the whole "captured by Sidereals" plot, with the assumption that your mercs are in the area and planning to break you out?

Red Shadow Claws As long as your background makes sense, it's fine by me. Take as long as you need, and I hope your nephew recovers swiftly.

 

[jaydude]

I've put the map up on the front of the Lore page, everyone.

 

[Esbilon]

Red Shadow Claws I imagine that there's a Manse in Nalia (I haven't taken the Merit since I don't have access to it), so it makes sense for Quill to have been interested in that, and for Ysandre to have been interested in the other's jewelry.

jaydude with Sidereal support, it is doable to make sure the solars are captured by bandits and have an opportunity to work together to get free. I just don't see it as something that's likely to make the solars in question trust the Sidereal.

 

[jaydude]

jaydude with Sidereal support, it is doable to make sure the solars are captured by bandits and have an opportunity to work together to get free. I just don't see it as something that's likely to make the solars in question trust the Sidereal.

True, but the Sidereals wouldn't necessarily have to make themselves or their true natures known to the Solars.

 

[Rykon]

Esbilon I've already got a copy of the map from the interest check, but thanks anyway.

Rykon Okay, fair enough. Would you be down for the whole "captured by Sidereals" plot, with the assumption that your mercs are in the area and planning to break you out?

Red Shadow Claws As long as your background makes sense, it's fine by me. Take as long as you need, and I hope your nephew recovers swiftly.

Given how I imagine things operate in his current circumstances, I could see him being knocked out with a spell or poison and abducted in his sleep. I don't see him being in a position where he'd be too far away from the bulk of his unit for very long otherwise.

Edit: I'm also considering swapping around some secondary abilities in favor of grabbing area knowledge. I could justify declaring facts about nearby kingdoms with it.

Also, rather disappointed there is no longer any charm support for using survival to feed armies even in higher essence levels.

 

[ithinkcat]

Rykon You might just take a resource merit for your armies supplies (when you can). It might even be cheaper that way.

 

[Rykon]

Rykon You might just take a resource merit for your armies supplies (when you can). It might even be cheaper that way.

I did, but there are still situations where you'd need to replenish supplies on a long march. There's a lot of math nerdery involved in successful war campaigns when it comes to the provisions and supply lines game. Distances in this game are friggin immense too.

 

[jaydude]

I did, but there are still situations where you'd need to replenish supplies on a long march. There's a lot of math nerdery involved in successful war campaigns when it comes to the provisions and supply lines game. Distances in this game are friggin immense too.

Are there any, like, official rules for supply lines in this game? Or otherwise, provided you have the means to buy the supplies, I can just handle it on a case-by-case basis; either you have a means of establishing a supply line, or you don't.

 

[Rykon]

Are there any, like, official rules for supply lines in this game? Or otherwise, provided you have the means to buy the supplies, I can just handle it on a case-by-case basis; either you have a means of establishing a supply line, or you don't.

Sort of, they abstracted most tactical advantages to the "Stratagem" rolls of opposing generals. Even still, doesn't address the whole, we have 400 miles to march to get to the next town and that's going to take about a month or more to do.

I suppose I'm am splitting a few hairs here it's just weird that it was something explicitly doable in 2E Core, then they only tease an intro charm in 3E and leave you hanging when it comes to hauling battle groups around.

 

[jaydude]

Hey there, Red Shadow Claws , how're things with your nephew?