I managed to pick up the Iron Kingdoms hardcover when I was back in Australia recently on a holiday. The rules system has intrigued me and the setting has always had a great potential for a wide and varied amount of adventuring content. I know that there are a few devotees of the Iron Kingdoms floating around on the boards - but was wondering exactly how many there are and whom they would actually be in the general community.
I am considering whether I have the time and drive to put together a PbP in the Iron Kingdoms personally, though would need to have a few disclaimers on file to start with:
- I don't have much history in the setting, so it might be a bit of a bumpy start before I get that nailed out.
- I don't have my rulebook at work, so my post rate would be significantly limited by that fact. I also DM four other campaigns here, and they would get precedence for updates if I got time limited. I'm confident that I'd still manage a good 4-7 updates a week, but it wouldn't be a fast moving game in the slightest.
- Reading the system I see that there are probably a few minor points that need to be ironed out for PbP compatibility and ease.
- Lastly, the bestiary in the core book is woefully small - so I would be leaning on the kindness of strangers to help build up a databank of NPC antagonists.
If that hasn't tempered your desire or interest, then please put your hand up and give me an idea of what sort of game you'd be interested in. The questions I've got floating in my head are roughly:
- Have you got the new IK RPG core book?
- How much experience with the setting do you have - and is it from the minis game or the previous RPG ruleset?
- Would you prefer a military or non-military bent? and is there a preference of which major power's side you'd prefer to work for / around?
- What is your favorite feature of the IK RPG setting - both on the fluff as well as crunch side?
Disclaimer: This is not a recruitment thread at this stage - so please don't try and pitch specific characters.
I did not know about a new setting book I only have the older 3.0 Witchfire triogy modules for Iron Kingdoms setting.
Hey Voice. I'm definitely interested. I've never gotten to play in an Iron Kingdom game, but I'm a huge fan of the Heavy Metal Fantasy feel.
• I do have the book, as well as the bestiary (though I haven't spent much time in the beastiary)
• Not much, and it's not part of the minis game at all.... only read through the RPG ruleset a time or three.
• Military/Non-military.... eh, I could go either way on this one, as well as for the question of national/major power.
• The setting felt like it had a really well-developed sense of mechanical/magic balance. I love the gritty feel of the setting (Soot, Steam, and Strife!), and I love the effect that technology has had on the societies. And I love that magic can be dark and dangerous.
Will definitely watch to see if you feel like you get any traction on this one, Voice. :)
I have been playing Warmachines for awhile now and absolutely love the system. I use to use it for everything back in the old D20 era, but I think the new book ("Second Edition") is quite possibly the best product I have seen in awhile. To answer your questions...
1) Yes, the book is amazing and there is a huge amount of history in the new book as well as the new system rules. I am really excited to see the new things that they do with it and counting days to the other 4 books in the line.
2) I have a lot of familiarity with it from the D20 ERA and I still play the minis game.
3) No real preference as long as I can smite people in the name of Menoth.
4) Warjacks. Hands down Warjacks.
Would you be using Pathfinder classes/mechanics? Or would you be using teh material straight out of the book(s)?
Javi / Eben - I would be looking to use the new system from the recently released book. For clarity it was only released in the last month or two, and involves a career and archetype driven system with a much flatter power curve.
I'll look into it, then. I'll let you know my interest level when I get a chance to look it over.
There's an expanded bestiary that can be found here.
I'm curious when more setting books and rule supplements will be published...
[RANT]Currently, there's very little support for arcanists and priests (my biggest complaint about the system). The selection of spells available are very limited, and priests must choose between one of two gods (Morrow and Menoth). Thamarite priests are left wanting, as are priests of other gods. Though, Dhunia's shamans can easily be represented by the Sorcerer career, which is very elemental-focused.[/RANT]
i have one of the books somewhere, not sure which one or if it is current or not. if you do start a game i will buy the book on pdf so i can give it a good hard look, as the book i had is older than a few months so it probably isnt the one youre looking at
no experience other than a cursory glance ( i was looking through for some things to cherry pick for a steampunk setting)
i am good with either idea but i would say i prefer military just a tiny bit more since i can understand it better.
i would have to say the Iron Lich. that is just such a cool idea in my book, and a badass enemy to face
Afternoon DMVoV... its your pbp stalker again lol
In all seriousness I've been pretty vocal in my interest in playing in an Iron Kingdoms pbp. Like Tenro above I'd buy the pdf if selected :)
I've no experience of playing the system, but I've done alot of digging on the setting (love the miniatures - particularly trollkin...)
No real leaning towards military or non; merc group would be fun tho'.
Favourite part: Trollkin... Scottish/Norse hydrid troll-men... that use rune power... What's not to love! Steam-powered undead are also very cool...
I can't actually seem to find the .pdf for the book we're discussing. Is it available?
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Very interested in playing this game. I have the book and have played and run a few Iron Kingdom games (old edition) and have all the books from that. I would like to maybe start out as military, then transition to civilian. Gives the group a reason to be together...my last game had the group on their last military mission, then mustered out and left to go wherever they wished.
I don't believe that the core rules are available as a PDF at this point in time - mine are a hard-copy version.
Waves to Balodek and BD ;)
Ooh, Ooh, ooh! Me, me, me!!!
Yes, YES, YES!!!
Ahem,
Why yes, I would be interested, now that you ask.
I have followed the Iron Kingdoms line since the Witchfire Trilogy.
Always loved the feel of the place.
Was very happy to learn the new edition was it's own rules set.
My personal interests RP/wise have generally been Khador/Oroborous, which likely inclines me more towards non-military, or at least more towards Merc than national.
Don't have a Hardcopy of the rules, did download the pdf quickstart guide, as well as the pdf Bestiary.
Hmmm... I'm not gonna shell out the cash for the hardback right now. It looks like you have interest, anyway, though, Voice.
Hope you guys get your game. :)
Just as well my birthday, wedding anniversary and festives are incoming...
Waves back at DMVoV - happy to get the hardback Mark, small price to pay for adventuring in the IK wrapped in plaid ;)
Presume there must be some forums with additional Bestiary content - but if not am more than happy to contribute with some world building...
For instance... if (by chance) I was running a troll-kin PC (cough) yes please (cough) - then more than willing to flesh out Trollkin side of the bestiary etc
EDIT: Also slow moving would work fine for me...
Yeah, the Trollkin are in the prime book, along with the Fell Caster career.
Menoth all the way for me! Priest/Warcaster!
So the list of interested parties currently stands as:
- DundjinnMasta - has book
- Tenro - no book
- Black Dow - getting the book
- Daniel Stewart - has book
- Balodek - has book
- Irnk, Dead-Eye's Prodigal - no book
So we've the makings of a merry band of adventurers. As Irnk intimated, there are some quick-start rules available here (down the bottom of the link, in the Fools Rush In adventure)
My plan once we move forward is to reverse build the party - as in decide on where to set the game first, then choose the unifying feature for the party (ie. mercs or soldiers or bandits) and then move onto individual characters at the end of that.
I've not any of the miniature books myself, though I've read around the edges of the game for a while. Being in Malaysia can make it difficult to get hardcopy books for RPGs, etc.
I'll leave this thread open for a while longer at least to see if there are any other interested parties that come out of the woodwork.
Oh, I'm interested, but I'm not sure I have the time at the moment. I'll probably just lurk :)
Is the Runeshaper a career for Trollkin?
Book ordered btw :)
Runeshaper isn't a career yet - the only Trollkin specific one is Fell Caller. But I'm sure that you could likely use one of the other magic careers to get close to the effect you're after.
Well I've managed to convince myself that there are at least enough folks here and interested to at least move on to putting an actual game together.
As mentioned above before individual characters are made I'd like to get the location and general type of game locked down. To that end I've looked over the Iron Kingdoms, and figured that the tastiest place to set up the PbP will be in the area near to the Thornwood Forest. That puts it on the border of Ord, Cygnar and Khador.
The initial responses indicated Khador and Menoth were points of interest (though BD's trollkin predeliction has been noted) - so I think that the location should indulge those desires.
The next step is to choose the type of campaign - which in the IK RPG does have a tangible effect on the crunch side of things. For those with the book already if you flip to the back of the character generation - it's the Adventuring Companies bit. For those without the book - it's a choice as to what the common thread is that binds you all together.
The choices (from memory) include Soldiers, Bounty Hunters, Bandits, Spy Ring, etc. Please select one and let me know why you'd prefer that one.
If no-one gives me a tangible decision, then I select from the DM pool - which includes Trench Diggers, Manure Sniffers, etc.... so please speak up and be heard.
I'm going to leave the discussion here in the Recruitment thread for now, just to provide visibility to anyone else who might jump on the bandwagon as well.
Disclaimer: You can now consider this recruitment active - but keep in mind the method that is being used for character creation.
I am partial to Arcane Order, Mercenary Charter, or Spy Ring honestly which is also the order of preference!
I've got the book, but am away on a business trip right now. Definitely interested, as I'm thinking of running this in the future in my tabletop game, and would love to get a feel for it first. I'll have a chance to check my books this weekend, and get back to you with answers to your questions. In all likely hood I'd be good with where ever we decide to play, as PbP is more about the group of players than the where, when or why?
i will order the book tonight, i have ideas for each mentioned idea except manure sniffer! haha
Howdy scranford :)
Given the responses so far to the charter question and the thoughts forming in my own head - I've got the following pitch:
The adventure will begin in a small farming hamlet on the North West edge of the Thornwood. The people that till the land are simple rustic folk, though numbering among them are some veterans of Khador's wars - forced into rural-retirement by either injury or age. The Khadoran military is focused elsewhere, so the defense of the hamlet falls upon those that live there.
Recently the amount of lawlessness has increased as the continuing war between Khador and Cygnar grinds on. Occasional raids from pirates and bandits operating out of Ord cross the border and need to be dealt with, as well as the occasional band of murderous deserters. Combined with that there are stirrings within the Thornwood that are forcing some of the native wildlife out and into clashes with the village.
After a recent raid resulted in the slaughter and defilement of an outlying farm, the town elders have had enough - calling for a group to take the fight back to those that threaten the village. That group will be yourselves.
So with that, please go ahead and build a character that fits into that broad narrative. Don't feel constrained by the Adventuring Company restrictions - and instead just build the character that resonates best with yourself. We can work on moulding a complete party once everyone has their cards on the table.
Any questions / clarification requests are welcome.
Not too late at all drayen - I haven't made any explicit selections and am even still mulling over exactly how many would make for a good party.
, - again for clarity the rules system that I'm intending to use is the recently released (as in released last month) IK RPG 2nd Edition. This is a standalone system that is currently only available in hard-cover and does not bear any links or similarity to the d20 system of the past.
The character building will be 'standard' as presented in the IK RPG book with the characters starting on 0xp. All races and careers in the Core book are open - as long as a reasonable story can be put together as to why they are in a rural town in Khador.
can you post a link to what and where you bought the book you have precisely so i order the right one? or PM it to me if posting links to other merchant sites violates ToS
As to the where - you'll have to track it down yourself. I'm fairly sure you don't want a link to an Australian bricks and mortar store ;)
ah i will order that one. but it may take awhile to ship to South Korea.
I have Character Guide - Full Metal Fantasy Volume One. are any of those rules applicable or were they all changed in the new guide?
Rulebook imminent
(waves to Drayen, Scranford & Balodek) Fit like lads! We game again lol...
Meantime I'll hoping to run either a Trollkin Runeshaper or Fellcaller, will be channeling my Scottish blood into this one :)
Back to my tartan lined lab of ideas...
i figure i will go with some sort of tinkerer
It is unlikely I will be able to pick up the book before this weekend, possibly not for more than a month. Consequently, I am going to bow out of play. I will still be following you guys as I have always been fond of the setting & am interested in seeing how it rolls.
Good Luck & have fun all!
yes i too wont be able to get the book before this weekend, it might be up to two weeks before i can get it (thanks to international shipping being so slow)
As I intimated before, a slowish start is not a problem here. As soon as I've got a few moments without our 6 month old sleeping on my chest (ie - regain the use of both arms) I'll throw up some guidance on Character generation for those that are bookless.
Balodek - I believe so, yes - though shall double check when I can get at my book.
Quick question for DMVoV, if I do build an IFP/Warcaster can I take the IFP armor as bonded?
After checking I can confirm - yes, but the stats will be as per Heavy Warcaster Armor and I'd ask you to spend your Warcaster Starting Asset choice on the warcaster armor (and allow you to sell off the Iron Fang armor at list price to spend on something else).
Make sense?
For those that are presently bookless:
Choice 1 - Race: Human or Dwarf or Gobber or Iosan or Nyss or Ogrun or Trollkin
Choice 2 - Archetype: Gifted (can use magic) or Intellectual (best for command) or Mighty (hits harder) or Skilled (quick, nimble and dextrous).
Choice 3 - Career:
Pick two of the following:
Alchemist, Arcane Mechanik, Arcanist, Aristocrat, Bounty Hunter, Cutthroat, Duelist, Explorer, Fell Caller, Field Mechanik, Gun Mage, Highwayman, Investigator, Iron Fang, Knight, Mage Hunter, Man-at-Arms, Military Officer, Pirate, Pistoleer, Priest (Menoth or Morrow), Ranger, Rifleman, Soldier, Sorcerer, Spy, Stormblade, Thief, Trencher, Warcaster.
Some have specific requirements as well - either to be paired with specific second careers, or specific race, or the arcane ones require the gifted archetype.
BD - for a Runecaster type, you're likely looking at either Arcanist (general magic) or Sorcerer (elemental)
Tenro - for a Tinkerer, you're likely looking at Alchemist (alchemical items), Arcane Mechanik (mechanika), Field Mechanik (starts with a laborjack)