Anarion

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Hey all. I realized yesterday that I was struggling a bit with how the overall party was forming up (the main thing being that everyone was too disconnected in one way or another from Uther's kingdom). I chatted with a couple folks and we're going to run a bit of an experiment with Thanqol changing his character to one prepared for him to explore how he can play with being typecast.

For Stveje, I'd like to ask if we can start Nin's story with her already having explored the kingdom a bit. I think the game will flow better if the characters aren't completely new to the world they're exploring (and anyway the premise is that they all start the game knowing that Uther is a problem and they're the ones to stop him). I know you're not as familiar with the overall Arthurian setting, so here are a few ideas of ways that Nin might be connected to the bigger kingdom. Feel free to modify these or do something different, they're just for inspiration.

• Nin was attacked by a wild beast/bandits/something when she was first traveling and rescued by a knight. The knight took Nin back to her keep to recover, and in gratitude, Nin did odd jobs for the family and returned there several times after her travels. She's seeing the fortunes of that family suffer under Uther and taken it on herself to stop him.
• Nin has actually been traveling for a while and was inspired by a younger, healthier Uther and the beautiful kingdom that he had, perhaps even visiting Camelot and emulating some of the chivalry of his court. She's started to see changes though and hear dark things and is resolved to fix the problem.
• Nin has been to several villages and loves the kind of simple life that many of the peasant farmers lead, so different from the frustration she's had with her own people. Maybe she even dreams of getting her own piece of land and settling down somewhere, eventually. But with the way things are going, she's worried about the villages she knows.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Tatters, the answer to your question is how much weight you want to be able to put behind that strength. You can say "my character is strong" and do strong character things, but if that's just part of the description, you don't have much backing if I tell you later that an NPC is stronger than Constance, or that she's not positioned to overcome a problem with strength. If you list a trait, it's more fixed, you get to mark it over damage and tell us how it protected you without narrative interference from anyone else. So if you want the last word on being able to say "I lift that boulder and heave it away" without anybody being able to contradict it, that's what the mechanical trait is for.

Also, answer the questions I asked you, Tatters. =P

Stveje, these are great, love the hidden castle. I kind of just want you to name the goat goddess Romme or Rom (as in the middle English for Ram). That description of their land and practices is very clearly Scotland, so they'll be from past the Northernmost part of the kingdom, and the castle will be a place of power there. I expect things are a bit more wild and chaotic in their homeland, but also less corrupted and dying than near Camelot.

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 4. Insecure]

[Unleash powers: 6+2+3=11]

So it was a game of hide and go seek. Set could do that sort of trick even without portals. Perception was nothing but a trick of the mind, after all. She laughed silently to herself, nothing but the softest rustle of colorful skirts on stone. Or were they colorful? Her own aura was muted, her jewels seeming to suck up the light of her clothing until she melded into the stone around her, dancing through the library.

Oh Tia, Tia, at least you had the good graces to pick the Seneschal of Marduk's library for your foolishness. The only better place to play would have been a lab of one of the Ab-Enkiji, those mad scientists who didn't know half the forces they tampered with.

Set slipped from the statue where she had been crouched with Tia, circled the upper tier with her soft sandals no more than a whisper on the stone. The guards were pounding their loud boots, but they weren't here yet and her search wasn't long.

Let's see, let's see. Adumbrian star rod, seized in battle, useless for a disturbance because it would be either silent or the entire room would be alight with celestial fire. Zhianku anti-gravity orb, oh that one was a fake she could see the magnets embedded in the base, that was cute, wonder why the Seneschal had that out on display. Hmm, maybe the Annunaki mesh generator, presumably on display as some of the Seneschal's old gear in a past campaign. Hmm, no no that would have been more obvious, it would be confusing if they looked around the room and saw it now but not before when the psychic disturbance happened. Ah! Ah, there, a necklace of sapphires in a display case. Most of the guests probably thought this one decorative, but Anathet recognized a gem meant to trap psychic energy, the Zhianku had thousands of them. This wasn't in their style, but perhaps it was captured from another group? It didn't matter either way, this was absolutely perfect. She could make it seem like the psychic energy from Tia had been the first sign of the artifact malfunctioning. Pump in a little more energy, let it start feeding on the perceptions of people coming into the room, and they'd all think it was just some thing that had broken for one reason or another. If it got blamed on some hapless cleaning slave, she'd have to see about mounting a rescue later.

Set raises her own bracelet, lapis gemstone humming in harmony with the sapphires, and the lights in the room flicker and darken. Or maybe people only see them darken? In come the guards through the door where the statue had been, and Set's bracelet shines once with a bright flash, transferring its energy to the dormant necklace. Now count heartbeats with Set

One

She leaps from the balcony to the lower level, nothing but a shadow fading into all the other shadows. The suddenly much darker shadows. Marianne would love it here.

Two

She circles again, the light linens cling to her thighs and outline her legs as she dashes, but nobody sees it because her whole energy is focused on suppressing her own aura. Nobody is looking at her, they're looking up at the flash of light that reached them later than it should have, as though it were swimming through water, not shining through air.

Three

She's behind a shelf, bringing herself closer to the reading nobles than she managed before Tia had pushed her back. She's pressed up flat, nothing but a piece of the stonework herself, just one more in a long line of pointless trophies to an insatiable ego.

Four

The room is bathed in darkness, but the lights haven't gone out. The guards are stumbling, pushing forward as though they're brushing thick foliage out of their way. It's nearly pitch black, just wait for it.

Five

The glass case shatters, the energy that Anathet had embedded in the sapphires, that had sucked away the perception of everyone in the room bursts forth in a blazing light. Everyone is blind, the artifact has gone wild! A little ghost wearing rainbows runs past a central table and picks up a tablet dropped by an advisor to the Seneschal. She passes within a few feet of his face, but he never sees her.

Then it's out the lower doors and into the hallways as our little ghost bounds of the room. She needs only find some shadows and wait for her bracelet to finish its attunement and then she will be out and gone with none the wiser.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Rules note. We were discussing info moves, and as a house rule for making PBP flow better, we're going to experiment a bit with Look Closely and Speak Softly. Instead of getting a whole bunch of questions, treat them as one question. Just, any question whatever is fictionally appropriate. If you roll a 10+, you'll get a clear answer and maybe even info volunteered to let you know if something is amiss so you don't get sucker punched for not asking the right question. If you get a 7-9, you get some info that helps you move forward but you might find out the hard way or be in a tight spot. If you miss the move, they'll lie, refuse to answer, you'll misunderstand the situation, or some other similar kinda bad thing that drives the plot.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

High King Uther Pendragon

Old Fellowship Stats

Profile: Watch the World Burn
Extra Cut: Leave chaos in the Overlord's wake.

Agendas
Create Opportunities To Do Good
Play To Find Out What Happens
Fill the world with strange and painful events

Stats
High King: The people of the land owe him fealty and will not betray their oaths to him so long as he is true to them.
Pendragon: Even in age, Uther is blessed by a combination of martial power, luck, and magic of various sorts. A knight lacking similar blessings cannot defeat him (or a group he commands) in direct combat
Corrupted: Uther is one with the land and so his illness and madness are always reflected around him. Attempts to use magic in his presence are rolled with despair and healing may not be used at all.

As with all Overlords, Uther is also a Threat to the World

Sources of Power
The Throne at Camelot
The Crown of the High King

Weakness
The Blessing of the Lady of the Lake. Any weapon charmed with her favor is particularly suited to Uther's undoing.

Foibles (a reminder)
Uther is arrogant, busy, and bound by honor.

Generals
Pellinore, King of Isles
Threat to the World
Unrivaled: Pellinore's reputation precedes her, and she will only appear with advance warning
Unbeatable: Pellinore cannot be damaged (she can still be destroyed). When she deals damage, she will send the target flying out of her way.

Army
The Organization (with some flavoring from the Scourage at times)

Gear
Typically a powerful lance and sword, though Uther does not possess Excalibur or any similar enchanted blade at present
A clever plan (1 use): reveal a trap or escape route right when you need it
A trick up your sleeve (1 use): Produce anything you could possibly need right now

Bonds
King Pellinore has sworn an oath to me as high king and serves loyally

Possible Fellowship bonds
I destroyed _______ 's hometown.
I have caused great harm to _______ 's people.
I killed someone important to _______ .
_______ killed someone important to me.
_______ knows the details of my previous defeat.
_______ 's people serve me now.
Only _______ knows my Weaknesses.
I have fought _______ before, and left a wound upon them. It burns in my
presence.
_______ was once my friend.
_______ secretly admires me and the things I do.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Tatters, this is very cool and I love the poetry! Couple questions for each.

Stveje: What sort of place are your people tied to? Traditionally, the small folk might have been viewed as connected to druidism, perhaps worshipping a nature goddess. What kind of sacred space do your people protect? How closely connected are they to nature? To the traditional stories of the Fae and changelings? Do they hide their powers when interacting with other folk or make themselves seem more like spirits than physical beings with all their size changing and tricks?

Tatters: What has happened to the glen and the knightly home? Are the ruins of fire built upon, or left as they were? What of the glen? What secrets do your father's folk still protect?

Thanqol, at the moment I don't have any questions because we chatted separately about where Sir Selzi may be now and the nature of the cathedral, but if you have other notes, this is a good time for them.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Wise words from the Stag knight
I’ve ridden the length and breadth of the kingdom. When I was young and my hair the tawny color of fresh wheat, I fought with King Uther in his vanguard. Let me tell you, the land has seen a lot of good from his peace, however he got it. If you ask me, we have Merlin to thank for much of that, a shame he’s missing now, so I’ve heard.

Times may be hard, but people haven’t forgotten that they were once harder. The difference between having a fire and a roof and being out in the cold is a real one, these old bones know it.

But I’ll tell you this, if I tell you anything. A roof without bread is a frail shelter indeed.

Think on that when you travel. Remember your humility and your knightly oaths. Remember that generosity, not force of arms will be your greatest strength. If you take your due and depart, you’ll be no better than bandits, and you’ll have nary a soul come to join your banner when Uther comes to find you.

He will at that, mark my words. Don’t think you can ride about sowing dissent with your theories that it’s his fault the wheat’s shriveled and the mead’s bitter. Best then, to show some nobility on your parts. Show the people that there’s a better choice for them than old King Uther and prove to them before you need them that they can rely on you to honor your oaths.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Hi Stveje and welcome! I think this is quite neat, I really like the feel of the character, being both a trickster who wants honor and a grumpy but idealistic personality. That's a neat set of contrasts.

In context of the setting, I imagine her people to be a small group of unusual Fae living probably in the central forests of Briton. Probably, if we're conserving detail, not too far off from where the dragon in Thanqol's story wound up when it flew its way into Britain and found a place to make a den.

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 4. Insecure]

Set (quietly) slams a frustrated fist into the ground behind the statute. [Tia! Tia, we are going to need to talk about boundaries! You can't just root around in my mind when you get upset, and you can't put me in danger when you're trying to keep me safe either!]

She only had a few minutes before guards arrived and she was in a circular library, no time for being angry. She still had her blasters, so she could cause damage or blind her opponents. She rubbed a hand over her jewelry, feeling the slow growing pulse of the rift generators. They wouldn't be ready to use before the guards arrived. She'd practiced attuning them when the Zhianku had first gifted them to her, and a handful of times when she'd been training and when she had to travel. It would go faster if she could run the palace grounds a bit, the more space she took in herself, the faster they'd get back in sync with the area.

She looked down at the library, the senior Annunaki suddenly looking alert, but...she still wanted to get something out of this. If she could do some kind of snatch and grab, maybe a hostage. She didn't have Marrianne's strength, but she could probably knock one of these ones out, they were in the library in the heart of their estate, not armed or expecting combat. Maybe that could stall the guards if she attacked, stole something, and slipped out a side door. They'd give chase but...hmm. What if she doubled back instead, tried to loop a circle through the area?

Set tried to recollect her memories of the estate. She had been through here a few times. There wouldn't be that many guards, not immediately at least, just a handful coming from nearby posts in the first few minutes. How many entrances and exits did she have to choose from, was it more than they could cover all at once?

[Assess the Situation: 4+4+3=11.
What here can I use to get something out of this little expedition without being captured?
What here is the greatest danger?]

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

The Setting

In the Kingdom of Britain, ruled by High King Uther Pendragon, King of Logres, the following things are true, insofar as anything in the world can be said to be true.

Magic is real, but it is not strong. Magic is harmony. It arises from a connection to the land or the feelings of the heart. It is intensely personal, in emotion and in scope. It can move a single warrior, perhaps a handful. It can offer a small place of stability, perhaps heal a wound. It cannot heal the land nor reverse a blight. It cannot stop armies nor change the minds of kings.

The Fae are real and they have not yet hidden themselves from the world. They live among humans and at times on their own. They are small in number and do not gather in large settlements of their own. At most, a Fae lord may keep her own household and a handful of retainers. To be Fae is to have a connection to the land and to magic, but the forms it takes are myriad.

Armies are not large, and not even so large as when Uther was in his prime. The whole of Uther's forces, if gathered to his banner, would number perhaps 5,000 foot and 1,000 knights. If he called them today, they would not all come. Despite that, his is by far the greatest concentration of power present and the kingdom lives under his peace, such as it is.

Villages and Keeps are the center of life for nearly everyone. There are a handful of towns and even fewer places that could properly be called a city. Camelot has been built into a seat of power, but it is better to think in terms of kingdoms and duchies. Uther is High King of Britain, and rules Logres. King Lot rules in Lothian. If one cares as to the state of other kings and dukes, they may exist or perhaps most of the leaders are not found in the traditional histories.

Religion exists and is important in daily life, but there is not a dominant practice as between Christian and Druidic traditions. Both have rituals that are effective for the use of magic. Both focus primarily on tending to the people and the land under their care, at least insofar as they live up to their ideals.

Nobles and Kings are judged by their loyalty for the people under their care, their prowess in warfare, and their learning and culture, though the last is in some decline. Anyone can hold roles of leadership, regardless of gender, and indeed this version of Uther's kingdom has notably more women in knightly roles than men.