Khadoran Vodka Bonfire - Iron Kingdoms OOC Thread


Play-by-Post Discussion

1 to 50 of 292 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | next > last >>

Minor Crab-beast

As the recruitment thread still seems to be suffering from a glitch - I figured we can keep the ball rolling in a Discussion thread as we prepare for the game.

The town where you will be starting out is called Pochva - and sits in the South East corner of Khador, nestled near to the Ord-ish border and on the North West fringe of the Thornwood forest. The ground near to the town is relatively flat, though there are some small hills.

The town itself is arrayed like a sunburst around a central plaza. Most of the population does not live in the town center, and instead stays in the workhouses attached to the many farms that surround the town. The ring of houses and industrial buildings in the town proper is only three or four deep, though some of the heavy industry (such as the tannery and blacksmith) and more questionable businesses (such as the mechanik workshop and alchemist) sit a short distance away and standalone.

The community is very close knit, and goverened by a council made up of the patriarchs and matriarchs of the major land / buisiness holders. In keeping with it's traditional leanings the town follows the Old Faith of Menoth. Technology has reached the town to a varying degree of depth, as some hold to the old ways even as the younger tend to embrace the new. Population is overwhelmingly Khardic, though persons of most races live within the town without overt persecution. There are no Iosans, though a few Nyss do work as farmhands or hunters.

The Khards that live there tend to be young, crippled or old. Most of the men and women of fighting age have been sent to be part of the Khadoran military. Many of the older residents are veterans of war and have a very strong patriotic streak, even if they cling to the worship of Menoth.

Those of you who are native (such as Sasha) will know a bit more that I'll fill you in on soonish. Those who are more recent arrivals will be responding to a request for men with a stout arm to assist the town with some problems coming from the Thornwood (the PbP will open at the council meeting where said problems are discussed).

Please ask whatever questions pop into your head about the town - as it will help me put it together properly.


M Humanborn

I don't have my book yet (should have it hopefully within the week) but I was wondering where a character such as mine is most likely to have come from.


Minor Crab-beast

Tenro - your character could really have come from anywhere. They have a mechanik workshop in town, so you could be a local apprentice or worker. If you've come from outside of the town, then you're likely a mercenary looking for work and could be from any of the major powers in Western Immoren.


I know that I am from out of town. Is there anything you need from me or anything that I should know?


Minor Crab-beast

Havelock - don't need too much. I'll likely ask for some beefing up of profiles (to include short hand summary of what abilities do, etc) and I'd also request a little bit of detail on what sort of relationship Havelock has with his clan (as it's a Connection you have).


Male Daytona 500 DM / 12

Dot...I'll post later tonight.


Male Aasimar Paladin/7

Yay, a thread I can post in! And drink wodka.


M Humanborn

when i get my book i will flesh out my character fully including a profile with a name and all stats once i get the new system figured out


Minor Crab-beast

We have a theme song too ;)


Male Human Investigator

Hurah...Milo is back!! Glad to see you all again. DMVotV you have my background and character sheet...was there anything I should change or that you wanted to add. I did not purchase gear yet, but with his background, I do not think he would have too much...but he does have some money!! I was looking to purchase perhaps a personal weapon or two and basic armor...and maybe a few 'specialist' items as well...


Minor Crab-beast

Milo - if you can update your sheet with a shorthand summary of what each of your abilities do that would be grand. And feel free to spend your cash as well.

All - note I won't be tracking minor purchases like ale and food.


DM - Voice of the Voiceless wrote:
Havelock - don't need too much. I'll likely ask for some beefing up of profiles (to include short hand summary of what abilities do, etc) and I'd also request a little bit of detail on what sort of relationship Havelock has with his clan (as it's a Connection you have).

Don't have my book with me so I entered the ability descriptions from memory... Nailed it!


Minor Crab-beast

Correct! - though after I read your entry for Ambidextrous I couldn't help but think the others could be written in the same way... Load Bearing, Quick Draw and what not ;)


DM - Voice of the Voiceless wrote:
Correct! - though after I read your entry for Ambidextrous I couldn't help but think the others could be written in the same way... Load Bearing, Quick Draw and what not ;)

One reference is witty; seven references lets slip too much of your sexually deviant personality. It's a fine line.


Minor Crab-beast

You are in good company...


DM - Voice of the Voiceless wrote:
You are in good company...

In the immortal words of Minsc, "That's not right. That's not right!"


Male Aasimar Paladin/7

I'll get my descriptions updated when I get home tonight.


Male Hairy Highlander Halfbreed (ThirdSwede) Barbarian 9/King O' The North 5/Staffy Dad 7

Alrighty then - am also still waiting to get my mitts on the book, and work and RL are painful busy right now, so time to flesh out my trollkin is a premium.

My thought is that "Gus" was just passing through, sampling the local dram or three when the call goes up, and what self respecting Fell Caller won't lead the charge?


Minor Crab-beast

No worries BD - passing through is ok, though I'd still like to know which kriel Gus came from originally and why he left?

Sasha - if you'd like to suggest some connections to the local families (maybe an old flame you left behind when you went to war?) feel free to suggest, otherwise I'll tie in a few points myself.

I think the Recruitment thread is back in action... but we'll continue in here anyways.


With the other thread broken I hadn't gotten a chance to really look over my character options, but I will see what I can get together before the weekend.


Male Daytona 500 DM / 12

I should have time to work on my character tomorrow.


Male Human Investigator

Ok ability descriptions now done..just need to buy some equipment!


M Humanborn

went to the mail room just now and alas, no book yet.


Male Aasimar Paladin/7

Sasha is updated. I've still some left over gold but I've no idea what to spend it on right now. I have my Great Weapon and a backup Hand Weapon, I'll just hang on to the rest for now I think.


Male Hairy Highlander Halfbreed (ThirdSwede) Barbarian 9/King O' The North 5/Staffy Dad 7

I can heartily recommend googling the town... an insight into DMVoVs thought process lol...


M Humanborn
Black Dow wrote:

I can heartily recommend googling the town... an insight into DMVoVs thought process lol...

hahaha


Male Human Investigator

LOL...Oh my..its gonna be one of THOSE games...hehe


Minor Crab-beast

I can actually say in honesty that wasn't where I picked the name from... but it is amusing ;)

All I did was a google translate from English to Russian for the word soil - and the phonetic spelling of the translation is pochva.


Minor Crab-beast

Righto fellows - I've opened up the Gameplay thread for dotting purposes and given a brief blurb as well.

By my count we've got three mostly finished: Sasha, Havelock and Milo;
and four pending: BD, scranford, tenro and Dundjinn.

It's my hope that we'll get the fluffy part of the grand opening kicked off over the weekend sometime - and get knee deep in the borscht next week. Does that sound doable?


DM - Voice of the Voiceless wrote:
It's my hope that we'll get the fluffy part of the grand opening kicked off over the weekend sometime - and get knee deep in the borscht next week. Does that sound doable?

I thought we were going to be knee deep in Pochva.


Male Hairy Highlander Halfbreed (ThirdSwede) Barbarian 9/King O' The North 5/Staffy Dad 7
Havelock Wroughthammer wrote:
DM - Voice of the Voiceless wrote:
It's my hope that we'll get the fluffy part of the grand opening kicked off over the weekend sometime - and get knee deep in the borscht next week. Does that sound doable?
I thought we were going to be knee deep in Pochva.

Shouldn't that be "up to our elbows in..." ;)

Aye will get my trollkin up and running over the next few days so you lucky peeps with the book and vet etc


Minor Crab-beast

Steady on like, ease in me mucker... soon enough ye'll be callin yerself ÓENGUS MAC QUIM ;)


Minor Crab-beast

I've been working on my Gazetteer for the town as well, and have the unpolished and unfinished fruits of that labor below for you to take a look at. Everything is open to suggestions and updates, and while those who aren't locals might not know this up front - you'll learn soon enough.

Pokhva Town and Surrounds:

Town Proper:
Grand Ploshchad: A wide open circular area that serves as the focal center of the town and is the only area that is cobbled. Has a statue made from a war-damaged heavy warjack in the center.
The Tri Kol’tsa: name for the three rings of houses and industry that circle the grand plaza. Most of the citizenry and all of the light industry are housed within these three rings. Most houses are close to each other in terms of grandeur, with little sign of wealth shown on the outside.
Traktir Kol’tsa: the main tavern and inn for the village run by Srodnitsa Orlovsky. There is but a single large common room and there is a choice of wodka or pivo (beer) but nothing else from beyond the borders of Khard. The common room is used for Soviet meetings, and no citizen is barred from attending if they wish to.
Mesto Uglya: the ‘place of coal’, where Pokhva’s heavy industry is situated. The district is a short distance to the North East of town and is linked by a dirt road well worn with wagon wheel ruts.

Town Surrounds:
The Vosem Veny: the eight ‘veins’ of Pokhva and the main reason for it’s existence. Arrayed around the town like the blood vessels connecting the heart to the rest of the body are the eight farms that produce the food that helps to feed Khador’s Armies.
The Thornwood: to the South and East lies the ragged fringe of the Thornwood. For much of Pokhva’s history the wood has been quiet – the Trollbloods and other denizens leaving the town much alone, but of late the wood has been stirring with trouble.
The Railroad: a goodly distance North is a railway depot complete with grain silos that is the final destination of most of Pokhva’s bounty. The depot is fed by other towns also, and also houses a small fort defended by Khadoran troops.
The Border: again a goodly distance to the South and West lies the Ordish border. The line is held by scattered border forts and patrols, but they have been lax of late and more and more dregs of humanity have oozed over the border to stain the Motherland.

Dramatis Personae:

Families of Agriculture:
Farm to the North: Yermakova – Matriarch is Anastasiya, younger though suffering from a slow wasting disease.
Farm to the Northeast: Bogrov – Patriarch is Dmitry, rakish and thin with glasses
Farm to the East: Zarubin – Patriarch is Roman, strong and proud, suffered a bad explosion that burned his right side and arm to a useless husk.
Farm to the Far East: Vasov – Patriarch is Ivan, world weary face and hard eyes with a big bushy mustache
Farm to the South East: Kutepov – Patriarch is Ihor, ill liked and a bitten man after losing his wife. Keeps Ogroun slave workers.
Farm to the South: Grishin - Matriarch
Farm to the Southwest: Churkin – Patriarch is Vitaly, a quiet and retired veteran with a long if not distinguished service.
Large Farm to the West: Tolstoy – Patriarch is Lev, aging bachelor but in good health. Wealthy but still respected as he takes in those with no home to work for him on the farm.

Families of Industry:
TBC - Alchemist, Dwarven lass who settled with Ogrun workers. No nonsense
Sergei Dorofeyev – Mechanik, boisterous Khard who lost his left leg at the knee. The workshop is staffed by a menagerie of Gobbers, Dwarfs and Humans.
Petravik – Blacksmith. With the disappearance of Sasha’s father, the smithy is run by his assistants.
Bekhterev – Apothecary: an aging Khard with no family. Also serves as the spiritual leader and major devotee of Menoth.

Other Persons of Interest:
Erika Ostrovsky – runs the local inn while her sister has gone for military service. Young, but no less able for it.
Kseniya Sobchak – works the general store while her husband is gone for military service. A beauty unmatched by any other in this part of Khador.
Semion Mogilevich – a man of ill repute. Is of military age, but has not yet served. Lives in the outskirts of the town and keeps pigeons.

Khadoran Familial Terms:Reference
Sem’ya – Family
Srodnik – Kinsman
Srodnitsa – Kinswoman
Soviet - Council

---

Sasha: I was thinking that despite your obvious ties to the smithy, your father would have served with Vitaly Churkin - and you'd be well known and on good terms with his family. Up to you if you want to thread in some more ties and details.

Havelock: no hitting on the dwarf chick until we get underway... I want to shoot down your advances in person :P

Milo: check your PMs ;)


Male Human Gifted Warcaster / Arcane Mechanik

this is Tenro's submission. Don't have the book yet so stats are TBD but my idea is that he was a field mechanik first, and then later his arcane nature began to show itself to him in his work, where he could just take things apart and put them back together in his mind and understand their inner workings more fully. when he got into his work, what he could do was almost like magic (and actually was, he was to find out later).


Male Aasimar Paladin/7

Works for me, I'll get my backstory into my profile and work up some town ties (kids I knew) today.


Male Trollkin Mighty Fell Caller/Pugilist

This is Black Dow's long mooted trollkin. Bare bones only at present - no book as yet, so chunking away with bits and boabs from online.

Will flesh him oot good an proper.


Male Daytona 500 DM / 12

I think I'm going to go with the Magehunter/Alchemist. Got a pretty cool back story floating around in my head. I'll try to get it on paper tonight.


Minor Crab-beast

Excellent scranford - I really like the alchemy rules in the book, so am suitably chuffed that we'll get to try those out as well.


I definitely decided to go with an Aristocrat/Warcaster and will put the profile up tomorrow after work.


M Humanborn

unfortunately my book has not yet come in the mail, and tomorrow is sunday so it will be closed tomorrow as well. I hope it arrives on monday (but that is also the day that my wife flies in to visit, but maybe i can look over things on the train if the book arrives)

i understand if you want to start without my character though.


Male Human Gifted Aristocrat/Warcaster

Started to work on my profile. Need to get stats, and see if the GM has any idea for how to implement a Aristocrat/Warcaster so I can get some ideas for the histories tomorrow. I am also looking for a last name so I wanted to see if the GM had any ideas for any Khadoran families as well.


Minor Crab-beast

Tenro - no issues, you can still engage in the early discussions and whatnot without a fully built character. It'll take a few days at least real time to play out the initial set-up. (goes for scranford and BD too)

Casimir - A small nit-pick - 'the GM' does have a name, and Voice, VoV or Mark all work fine as a term of address. As to background - I got all my names from a google search for Russian Surnames, so that could be a source. Or refer to wikipedia for inspiration.
You will be a minor noble only - as being sent out to Pokhva is hardly a task for someone of import. I'd suggest a reason for your house to want you out of their seat of power - say an unfortunate dalliance, or duel / threat of gone wrong or the like.
Lastly, the reason you were sent is likely due to some concern about output of a farm your house has invested in dropping and you've been sent / banished to look into the issue.


Male Human Gifted Aristocrat/Warcaster

Voice - I got my name from the babynames website for Slavic names (Vladimir), so I can find a russian/slavic surname of my own but I figured as an Aristocrat that you may want to place me connected to a family in the town so I held back on the last name.

The problem with being some exiled noble from a minor house is the fact that I am a Warcaster which are few and far between so the countries do not just send them off to backwoods places without a reason. A countries military might is partially measured by their Warcaster so unless I am an old retired caster or one that hasn't been discovered by the country yet then the background will heavily involve the military. I may go the Mercenary Warcaster route, but then I am probably involved in a contract of some type as well.

I am considering forgoing a "last name" and going with a title like most Warcasters. 'The Butcher', 'The Harbinger', etc... but I doubt I will stick with 'The Bound'!


Male Trollkin Mighty Fell Caller/Pugilist

Iron Bound?

CASIMIR Жестокий (last name means cruel, brutal, severe, fierce, ruthless, iron in Soviet...)


Male Human Gifted Aristocrat/Warcaster

Actually I really like "The Iron Bound" for some reason. Bond with a suit of armor at the start as my Bond Item.


Minor Crab-beast

Casimir:
None of the farms here are run by the nobility, so you wouldn't have direct familial ties to any of them. I may choose to work in some ties as I intimated, or you can always pose some yourself for me to ok... but they are likely to be minor.

As to your issue with the background, I'm just going to be blunt. I am not going to write your background for you - I view that as one of the responsibilities of the player first, and DM second. I'm comfortable that I've provided more than enough detail about the village, surrounds and initial set-up that you should be able to make a background either as complicated or simple as it needs to be.

I disagree with your interpretation that and Aristocrat / Warcaster has to be a powerful and important figure (which is implied in your seeming assertion that you cannot be from a minor house or 'exiled'). In my opinion the setting fluff does not require every single warcaster to be held on a pedestal as a precious resource - so if you can't reconcile that view with your own quite narrow view of acceptability within the setting then perhaps I'm not going to work out as your DM.


Male Human Gifted Aristocrat/Warcaster

I think I agree that this isn't going to work out. I don't think our interpretation of the Iron Kingdom are matched up and twice now it has seemed that your tone is condensing (though I am probably off-base as forums are not easy to read the tone of the conversation) but I am going to go ahead and bow out.

The write-up for Warcaster is very clear that they are valuable military assets. The setting fluff has put the most importance on them and it is clearly stated that the might of any country is measured by their Warcasters.

For the record I was not attempting to get someone to write the background for me. I just like to ingrain my character as smoothly as possible and was giving the opportunity for you to use the character as you wanted too before I wrote up the background.

Have a good game.


Minor Crab-beast

Understood and wish you the best in your future gaming DundjinnMasta.


M Humanborn

as for my character, if all the able bodied people are sent to war, why would my character be here? what is the upper age limit of those sent to war? sorry but i still dont have access to much fluff, even the IK wiki leaves much to be desired.


Minor Crab-beast

Tenro - it is correct that military service for Khards is compulsory, but it is similar to the real world where military service does not have to be continuous.

You could have done your service and returned home; you could still be in active service and been sent to assist, or you could be a tad young. Or you could even be a draft dodger.

Alternatively - you could just not be a native Khard, and therefore you would not need to serve. Up to you how you want to setup initially.

1 to 50 of 292 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post Discussion / Khadoran Vodka Bonfire - Iron Kingdoms OOC Thread All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.