Dice Shadows of the Setting Sun (OOC)

[jaydude]

Oh snap. Makuro and Sigrdrífa are not fated to be BFFs.

Same for Toun and Tyree, if you're referring to the Icewalker thing.

That said, I can certainly revise that part of his backstory, and say that the razing thing happened because of the Realm. I mainly just needed an explanation as to how Makuro and his parents ended up in the Spider King's dominion, as well as why they're all loyal to him, and figured it would be a good way to create some more common ground with Toun and Tyree. This was back when I was considering having Makuro spend some time with the two of them pre-game.

 

[Rykon]

Same for Toun and Tyree, if you're referring to the Icewalker thing.

That said, I can certainly revise that part of his backstory, and say that the razing thing happened because of the Realm. I mainly just needed an explanation as to how Makuro and his parents ended up in the Spider King's dominion, as well as why they're all loyal to him, and figured it would be a good way to create some more common ground with Toun and Tyree. This was back when I was considering having Makuro spend some time with the two of them pre-game.

Tyree was an Icewalker captive, not actually part of a tribe. She might be more of a kindred spirit to Makuro.

Toun however is definitely full Icewalker. I can improvise and make it work, so if you want that tension there it's no problem here.

There's also the matter of "Icewalker" being a catch-all term for a group of many tribes. Just like the Native American tribes over here in the states. They may be similar in some ways but each tribe has aspects that set it apart from the others.

 

[jaydude]

Tyree was an Icewalker captive, not actually part of a tribe. She might be more of a kindred spirit to Makuro.

Toun however is definitely full Icewalker. I can improvise and make it work, so if you want that tension there it's no problem here.

There's also the matter of "Icewalker" being a catch-all term for a group of many tribes. Just like the Native American tribes over here in the states. They may be similar in some ways but each tribe has aspects that set it apart from the others.

Was thinking more that they wouldn't be on good terms with Sigrdrífa, given that she's an Icewalker, and my understanding was that Tyree and Toun both had grievances with them.

And yeah, I was planning to have Makuro try and be open-minded with regards to the Icewalkers. He at least didn't lose his parents to them, he knows they're composed of multiple tribes, and he considers the Realm more of an enemy, given his loyalty to the Spider King and the Silver Pact.

 

[Random Word]

No, no, I don't want you to change anything, don't worry about it. I was just pointing out the relationship might be interesting.

I would assume "Icewalker" is not an ethnonym. No Icewalker would refer to themselves as an Icewalker, it's a derogatory term settled peoples use to describe every nomadic or semi-nomadic people that lives on or above the White Sea. As far as Sigrdrífa is concerned she's Snow Leopard, Toun is Arctic Fox, who knows what totem the band who wiped out Arctic Fox worships, and all of them couldn't be more different, but I wasn't sure Makuro would see it that way. Arctic Fox apparently farmed for goodness sake. Sigrdrífa probably considered them halfway to settled weaklings and is amazed they produced a warrior as incredible as Toun.

Sigrdrífa's tribe is absolutely the kind of people who could have wiped out Makuro's village (I'm assuming it was near the south shore of the White Sea), so yeah, I was specifically expecting some drama there. Sigrdrífa's not going to have any antipathy towards Makuro, and has the whole cultural veneration of Lunars thing, but she's also not going to be apologetic about raiding and killing settled people, and I figured that Makuro would have an instinctive negative reaction to her on sight (And yes, Tyree as well, though it's not clear what sort of people captured her - she may just have a general dislike of Icewalkers from being a Whitewall native. Not every barbarian group in the North are Icewalkers.).

 

[Esbilon]

I would assume "Icewalker" is not an ethnonym. No Icewalker would refer to themselves as an Icewalker, it's a derogatory term settled peoples use to describe every nomadic or semi-nomadic people that lives on or above the White Sea.

So much this.

 

[Rykon]

I would assume "Icewalker" is not an ethnonym. No Icewalker would refer to themselves as an Icewalker, it's a derogatory term settled peoples use to describe every nomadic or semi-nomadic people that lives on or above the White Sea. As far as Sigrdrífa is concerned she's Snow Leopard, Toun is Arctic Fox, who knows what totem the band who wiped out Arctic Fox worships, and all of them couldn't be more different, but I wasn't sure Makuro would see it that way. Arctic Fox apparently farmed for goodness sake. Sigrdrífa probably considered them halfway to settled weaklings and is amazed they produced a warrior as incredible as Toun.

Yeah, I'm still conflicted on how to handle their territory. I like the idea that most of the society wanders and hunts across their domain, but they retain a central fortress when some crops are grown but it would also be critical for things like metallurgy. Fae raiders are everywhere and any good hunter would think iron weaponry is a precious thing to have.

So I had to ask myself, would I want his tribe to have professional trade workers? Once you get past a certain level, nomadic life makes it exceedingly difficult to produce things that would require heavier assets like a furnace. Then there's the whole religious altars and shelter from winter blizzards thing.

I'm no expert on such things, but that's what came to mind. Perhaps you guys can let me know where I'm off the mark here.

 

[Random Word]

I agree, metalworking is going to be exceedingly rare amongst Icewalker tribes. They trade for metalwork and other manufactured goods with settled people when they can, but every settlement along the White Sea is going to be wary about selling metal weapons to people who might turn around and use those same weapons against them. I assume that's a big part of what powerful ghosts, spirits, and Fae can offer Icewalkers, beyond just we pinky swear not to eat you: better weapons, and efficacious wards against the supernatural. I think the Icewalkers typically rely on their own rituals, rites, and most of all the blessings of their totems, gods, ancestors, and other spirits they've cut deals with to fight ghosts and wyld things. There's bone and obsidian and flint bound with sinew, and then there's the bone of Arnapkapfaaluk the Mountain's Heart, the Fire Giant your God-blooded ancestor killed centuries ago and worked into a mighty spear. One of those scares the fuck out of the hobgoblins trying to eat you and the other one makes them laugh.

Some worked goods could be created by petitioning gods and spirits that maintained forges. If the god under that mountain over there will accept human sacrifice or lavish tribute in return for forging your tribe a magic sword/spear/whatever of cold iron over a magma furnace, that's a deal you take in a heartbeat.

 

[D. Rex]

WlfSamurai
What say you about starting with a tyrant lizard mount? But perhaps with some stats changed around. Basing it on the nanuqsaurus, which was a smaller cold weather tyranasaurid. And if the size is a problem, could replace the legendary size with the extreme adaptation merit. And removing the incredible might merit(a double eights on bites, essentially) due to its smaller size. Or could remove apex predator instead since moose inhabit the north and they feed on tyrant lizards.

 

[D. Rex]

Sherwood
Also! Was looking in hundred devils night parade. You might be interested in the Northern Ursidae if you wanted a northern pecific bear type.

Edit: its like a berserk polar bear.

Spoiler: Northern ursidae

 

[jaydude]

Sigrdrífa's tribe is absolutely the kind of people who could have wiped out Makuro's village (I'm assuming it was near south shore of the White Sea), so yeah, I was specifically expecting some drama there. Sigrdrífa's not going to have any antipathy towards Makuro, and has the whole cultural veneration of Lunars thing, but she's also not going to be apologetic about raiding and killing settled people, and I figured that Makuro would have an instinctive negative reaction to her on sight (And yes, Tyree as well, though it's not clear what sort of people captured her - she may just have a general dislike of Icewalkers from being a Whitewall native. Not every barbarian group in the North are Icewalkers.).

Kamai was southwest of the Mountain of the Spider King. I don't know if Makuro would care about it too much; the place was destroyed years ago, I don't have him written down as losing anyone important when it happened, and as far as he's concerned, the Spider King's domain is his family's home now. Plus, it would be a bit hypocritical for him to complain about others raiding and pillaging to survive, given that the Spider King's forces have to do the same on occasion.

I imagine that if there is going to be any drama between Makuro and Sigrdrífa, it'll be because the latter's a Solar, and Makuro follows the Pact line with regards to most things. In this case, he's going to accept that the Lunars and Solars have a common enemy in the Shogunate successors, and that the Solars could possibly be of use in the Pact's plans, but he's also going to be wary about throwing his lot in with them, given how much of a wildcard factor they are. Zoya will most likely be the exception, but only because she has the persuasive chops to win him over.

 

[Sherwood]

Sherwood
Also! Was looking in hundred devils night parade. You might be interested in the Northern Ursidae if you wanted a northern pecific bear type.

Edit: its like a berserk polar bear.

Spoiler: Northern ursidae

View attachment 866465

Looks pretty cool! I may have to put down some money and get that download.

 

[D. Rex]

Looks pretty cool! I may have to put down some money and get that download.

I bought it, if you want to use it for her. I thought I shared it with you already, but I can send you the stats if you want, too.

 

[Sherwood]

I bought it, if you want to use it for her. I thought I shared it with you already, but I can send you the stats if you want, too.

Derp. I just double checked, and yes, I do have it. lol

 

[D. Rex]

Derp. I just double checked, and yes, I do have it. lol

Yeah was seeing if had that pre core Simhata sheet around. Ended up seeing that and thougj of you. Especially with the ability that converts wound penalties to attack powah.

 

[Esbilon]

I just wanted to share with you the appearance of Zoya's Daiklave, courtesy of Rykon 's editing skills.

 

[D. Rex]

I just wanted to share with you the appearance of Zoya's Daiklave, courtesy of Rykon 's editing skills.
View attachment 866551

Thats wicked sweet!

Great job Rykon!

 

[Teh Frixz]

Too cool! I love the look of hooked weapons, excellent work!

 

[Sherwood]

Nice work there!

 

[jaydude]

I mean, I kinda share Shadiversity's opinions when it comes to sword design, but that being said, good work.

 

[Teh Frixz]

On the thread of swords and gear and general. The only thing I haven’t really done is panoply. No artifacts or anything fancy for the Evervictor as of yet, I’m going thematically for now that Aeliana doesn’t even really own her own gear, she just makes due with whatever is on hand. Can I add simple mundane things for free or do those have a cost?

 

[D. Rex]

On the thread of swords and gear and general. The only thing I haven’t really done is panoply. No artifacts or anything fancy for the Evervictor as of yet, I’m going thematically for now that Aeliana doesn’t even really own her own gear, she just makes due with whatever is on hand. Can I add simple mundane things for free or do those have a cost?

I'm sure there are plenty of mundane arms with the army! I'm sure for someone as famous as Evervictor, they'd consider it an honor to use their sword. They would probably even ask you to sign it.

 

[Teh Frixz]

“What a wonderfully balanced spear! Sure, I’ll sign it, give it a throw? Of course!”

*Followed by a signed spear being rocketed skyward off into the distance*

 

[D. Rex]

“What a wonderfully balanced spear! Sure, I’ll sign it, give it a throw? Of course!”

*Followed by a signed spear being rocketed skyward off into the distance*

And they would still be excited by just the performance.

And when a barbarian finds that spear years later they get all giddy at such a luck find.

 

[Rykon]

I appreciate the kind words everybody. It was admittedly just an editing job, but among some of the designs considered that one just screamed ghost-devouring blade more than the others to me. It just took a few passes of color changes to get bring it to where it is now. (Before it was basically all different shades of red)

More than anything though, I'm happy with how it turned out, and I'm glad you guys enjoy it.

As for getting Aeliana an artifact... It's funny how convenient a delivery service a cleverly baited Wyld Hunt can be...

EDIT:

I mean, I kinda share Shadiversity's opinions when it comes to sword design, but that being said, good work.

I enjoy the commentary of folks like Shadiversity and Skallagrim on the merits of practical weapon design versus overly fantastical ones.

Form factors definitely play a role in how effective a weapon truly becomes. That said, I've no issue enjoying a fantastical Daiklave aesthetic either.

 

[D. Rex]

Rykon

Oh! Before I forget! I may have learned more of what Ride does. According to mounted combat, there is passing sentence that says that Ride replaces Athletics and Dodge in combat. So it might be more important than anticipated.