The Last King of Ireland

Game Master Amergin the Wise

Ireland, 1166

A crier arrives in Largay from Belcoo, and announces that High King Murtach Maclochlain of Ulster is dead, killed at Leitr-Luin. The rider continues South into Cavan, and King Coffey McGovern calls upon the clans to convene immediately.

It is decided that the cattle will be driven into the hills, along with thirty warriors.

As the King of Cavan will inevitably call the tuath to arms, one hundred warriors will travel South to join his forces, likely to join the army of King Tiernan O’Rourke of Breifne and his ally, King Rory O’Connor of Connaught, against King Dermot MacMurrough of Leinster.

Thirty warriors will remain in Largay, to defend the women, children, and elders against raids and brigands.

In order to take advantage of Maclochlain’s defeat and defend against raids from Ulster, the remaining thirty warriors of Largay will be sent East across the river to Fermanagh, to conquer Belcoo, Holywell, and Ballintempo.

LEVEL 1 ADVENTURE: travel to Belcoo to reconnoiter, and engage the enemy if the opportunity arises.

ABILITIES: buy 20
RACES: human
CLASSES: fighter, ranger, cleric, bard, barbarian, rogue
WEAPONS AND ARMOR: limited (historically accurate)
MAGIC: while magic will play a part in driving the story forward, this remains a low magic campaign and choice of spells will need be approved

NOTE: this is to be a roleplaying campaign, and not a roll playing game. Also, bear in mind that while I know the historical setting extremely well, I have not GMed a game for a while, and I am new to pbp. So players may need to be forgiving at first, insofar as rules and game dynamics are concerned.

I would like to express interest in playing I've been tossing around a few ideas, possibly a Barbarian (Beserker) or a Bard (Trumpeteer, Battle Cries) or possible a Rogue (scout).

Also, I found this in reference to arms and armour:

"Two kinds of foot-soldiers are often mentioned in Irish records, the kern and galloglasses. The kern were light-armed soldiers: they wore headpieces, and fought with a skian (a dagger or short sword) and with a javelin.

The galloglasses appear only in later times—after the Anglo-Norman invasion. They are not met with in ancient Irish writings. They were heavy-armed infantry, wearing a coat of mail and an iron helmet, with a long sword by the side, and carrying in the hand a broad, heavy, keen-edged axe."

http://www.libraryireland.com/SocialHistoryAncientIreland/I-III-12.php

Hi there!

I like what you're going for here. And it's not getting enough love, so hopefully we can gin up more interest. =)

You're allowing fighter, and allowing cleric. What about making those two great tastes taste great together? What's your feeling on WarPriest? (By shear coincidence I have an alt with an olde name that would be appropriate.)

Would you care to elaborate on your historical limitations on armor? It might be reasonable to simply say "no heavy armor" since heavy cavalry or high gothic traditions were all but unknown in Ireland until...well I don't think they ever really got that much into it. I doubt one could ever confuse Dublin for medieval France. =)

O_O
Good GM, I like this idea. I want to play this game! XD
So this is my dot for interest, though I do have a question. We're not gender locked correct?

Oooh! A Role Play set in Ireland? Sure I live there! Seems like great craic. I'm in. I'll get up an idea soon.

Times I'll message you now!

Questions:

Is Druid left off this list because the class is being kept for NPC, or is that an oversight?

By the description we are men and women of Leinster, yes?

@Timeskeeper, I'm not the DM but looking at Irish History, I would venture that a woman would be allowed in the group. Especially, a fiery tempered red head with a vengeance for blood. :P
I mean, who's going to stand in her way, right?

@Hyregoth: Hehehe, remember kids, a wide man know when to RUN LIKE A LITTLE B$*!@! XD
Yeah I don't think anyone would stop them simply because they don't want to risk it. And hell it is one more body between me and those that are trying to kill me!

This looks interesting. I'd like to make a support focused ecclesitheurge cleric. Any suggestions/guidelines on God(s) and domains? I'll be honest, I'm not very knowledgeable in the time period.

There was a historically significant Norman Invasion in 1169, so it looks like Amergin is specifically targeting the period right before that.

Um, the history of Ireland can be summed up by calling it a great big ongoing battle royal. It was never really unified, with clans fighting to be High King mixed with significant and constant viking raids.

Thanks for the links. Now I've got some reading to do. By this time, Christianity was the religion if the day, correct? Then the question is what domains would a Catholic priest have? Ideas: Good, Healing, Law, Community, Glory, Protection. Subdomains: Purity, Martyr, Light, Redemption, Restoration. Idk, just some thoughts.

So my character concept is this-

Padraic is a young man, proud and stubborn. He can trace his lineage all the way back to Brian Boru and due to this is cocky and hot headed. He is a proud and fierce son of Leinster who holds to the old traditions of old Ireland, while paying lip service to the Christian faith.

I have built Padraic in three forms, two being Fighter and Ranger, and the 3rd being a Druid, if that would be acceptable.

As a Fighter Padraic fights like the heroes of old, with spear in hand, his backup weapons being that of sword and shield.

As a Ranger I built Padraic to focus on ranged combat, but using thrown weapons, a spear, the javelin and daggers, rather than a bow. Back up weapons include Sword and Shield and Hurl.

Padraic as a Druid is a reclusive man, who would have lived alone in the hills close to the settlement. His weapon of focus is the Scythe, a farmers weapon. He carries a shield and sword as a backup and a hurl, as all three iterations of the character do.

Any questions or comments greatly appreciated.

There was a major invasion in 1169, there was also an even bigger one in 1066 not too far away which may not have influenced the Irish too much at first but who's to say some Irishmen didn't go to fight or some English came to Ireland. Not sure yet, who he is allowing in the group but a hundred years is with the realm of possibility for someone to have access to heavier armor.

Indeed, the campaign takes place before the invasion of the English. So at least at first, amor will limited to leather and hide, along with a leather helmet and a shield.

Daggers, short swords and javelins are the most commonly used weapons. I will also allow: spears, axes, short bows.

You're allowing fighter, and allowing cleric. What about making those two great tastes taste great together? What's your feeling on WarPriest?

Thanks for the interest!

Insofar as clerics are concerned, I want to explore the world of churches and abbeys, so a war priest would be out of the ordinary. That being said, bear in mind that characters start at level 1, which means that they can grow... You could start of as a priest or monk, and then evolve into a war priest?

Is Druid left off this list because the class is being kept for NPC, or is that an oversight?

By the description we are men and women of Leinster, yes?

I believe that the last records of druids date back to the 8th century, but I could be wrong. In any case, yes: the druid class was left out for specific reasons. That being said, there will be the possibility of becoming a druid as the campaign moves forward...

The story takes place in Cavan... So no, you're not from Leinster. But yes, obviously the Leinstermen will play an important role in things to come!

We're not gender locked correct?

Of course, no gender lock. In fact, there is some historical evidence that suggests that women fought alongside men. This was certainly the case among the Danes, who invaded Ireland centuries before... And of course, there were nuns, noble women, etc.

See I knew Cavan was not in Leinster, I'm from Leinster myself, I just confused myself reading your blurb. I thought we were invading Cavan.

Aye the Druids were long gone as a major source of power in Ireland at that stage, I think there were minor sects of them still around but I can not be 100% sure.

Either of my Fighter or Ranger will be the character I apply with then.

Is it acceptable to skin a Club as a Hurl for the sake of this campaign? Hurling is an important part of Irish culture throughout the years and is mentioned in the Ulster Cycle along with the other branches of Irish Mythology.

I'd like to make a support focused ecclesitheurge cleric. Any suggestions/guidelines on God(s) and domains? I'll be honest, I'm not very knowledgeable in the time period.

By this time, Christianity was the religion if the day, correct? Then the question is what domains would a Catholic priest have? Ideas: Good, Healing, Law, Community, Glory, Protection. Subdomains: Purity, Martyr, Light, Redemption, Restoration.

An ecclesitheurge cleric certainly is in the spirit of the campaign. As for domains... I will accept anything that seems reasonable!

Begorrah! S'truth I'd love to be playin' a bard! I'll submit soon.

I have not GMed a game for a while, and I am new to pbp.

That being said, bear in mind that characters start at level 1, which means that they can grow... You could start of as a priest or monk, and then evolve into a war priest?

Hmmmm. Interesting. If you don't mind, there are a couple points of consideration.

This being PbP, many games don't last through 2nd level, even fewer for a suitable number of levels for character development, hence, a promise of "you'll get that later" is often looked at askance. Might we have an approximate ballpark figure of how much later you were thinking?

That being said, the Church and the militant prosecution of the church's interests, have always been at least neighbors, when not even friends.
To that end, what is the difference between a monk and a WarPriest, in terms of worldview? Both mix personal philosophies with martial discipline. (Indeed, the WarPriest is really just a different side of the same coin that lets clerics murder things with morningstars. =)

So too, if you allow monks, are you allowing monk weapons? To not takes away a major class aspect, but allowing WarPriest is simply acknowledging the notion that, yes, sometimes clerics went to war too. ^_^

This is just a thing to consider. IMHO. YMMV. If it totally doesn't fit with what you're going for, then nevermind. X-)

In terms of "Monk" I think the GM meant monk, as in the calling, not the class!

Ok, first draft of Brother Ó Máille is ready.

Should I put points into linguistics? I'm not sure what the language distribution was like then. Looking back, maybe I should just to allow him to know Latin. I tried to make his spell list somewhat realistic, let me know what you think.

Should I put points into linguistics? I'm not sure what the language distribution was like then. Looking back, maybe I should just to allow him to know Latin.

The spoken "common" tongue was Irish. Priests, monks, and nobles would have known latin. And merchants would have spoken English and/or French, as well as other European languages.

This being PbP, many games don't last through 2nd level, even fewer for a suitable number of levels for character development, hence, a promise of "you'll get that later" is often looked at askance. Might we have an approximate ballpark figure of how much later you were thinking?

For the record, I will not be counting XP. Characters will gain levels after plot points. It'll be fairly quickly at first, and then more slowly as the game moves along.

what is the difference between a monk and a WarPriest, in terms of worldview?

As DarkestHeart rightfully assumed, I mean monk as a vocation, not a class. Priests and monks were essentially scholars, not warriors.

Bear in mind also that Norse and Celtic cultures were different, even if the Danes did invade Ireland at the very end of the 8th century.

Thanks, moved a point from knowledge (religion) to linguistics.

Either of my Fighter or Ranger will be the character I apply with then.

Is it acceptable to skin a Club as a Hurl for the sake of this campaign?

Either a fighter or ranger would work. And you can absolutely wield (and hurl) a club if you so wish!

Okay so I have her crunch done, I need to work on her fluff but that shouldn't take me too long...
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I hope. Also yes Aoife is half Welsh. That is why she knows Welsh.

So I have been wanting to play a fighter who specializes in intimidation and I thought of going with the viking archetype but I could never really fit it into a fantasy campaign. What about a Dane who's family came over during the early viking raids and has been working the land in Ireland ever since. His family holds true to some danish customs but considers himself more Irish than Danish and will fight for his Irish King and his land against any who try to take it.

I know slings were around in ancient Ireland, but I'm not sure when they phased completely out of use. What's your take on the sling and staff-sling being around?

Also, would it be possible to nab the Warslinger racial trait on a human somehow? Perhaps trading Skilled for it? (Warslinger is a halfling racial trait that lets you reload slings as a free action.)

EDIT: Current ideas:

1. A shepherd that knows how to use a sling well.
2. A warrior of noble blood with a pet wardog. (Mad Dog Barbarian.)
3. A merchant's son that's been thrust into this war against his will. (Unchained Rogue, but generally NOT built for combat; probably INT-focused.)

I'm leaning toward 1 and 3. Mostly 3, but 1 hinges on slings, so I might as well ask.

What's your take on the sling and staff-sling being around?

Slings were indeed around. And I will consider the warslinger trait...

In any case, I encourage players to consider roleplaying characters (rather than roll playing characters) given that I plan for this campaign is more about story, than combat.

What about a Dane who's family came over during the early viking raids and has been working the land in Ireland ever since. His family holds true to some danish customs but considers himself more Irish than Danish and will fight for his Irish King and his land against any who try to take it.

The Danes have been around for centuries, and were mainly on the coast. There were in fact Danish Kings. That being said, the campaign begins inland, in Cavan. I will consider a Viking character, but backstory would need to be discussed...

Aoife is half Welsh.

I like the character. But is it important to you that she be half Welsh? Yes, the Welsh language will come into play, but it might not be for a while... Latin?

Aoife Ni Mhuruchu wrote:

Aoife is half Welsh.

I like the character. But is it important to you that she be half Welsh? Yes, the Welsh language will come into play, but it might not be for a while... Latin?

Wales is dear to me and where my family came from. Outside of that not really. Why did you have an idea? I'm all ears if so!

I have built Padraic in three forms, two being Fighter and Ranger, and the 3rd being a Druid, if that would be acceptable.

Let's see Padraic as a ranger? Backstory to be discussed...

I would like to express interest in playing I've been tossing around a few ideas, possibly a Barbarian (Beserker) or a Bard (Trumpeteer, Battle Cries) or possible a Rogue (scout).

Would love to see a bard!

I'm trying to work through a backstory for my character, but I'm still not 100% confident in my knowledge of the times. Maybe he is joining a troop of warriors as a chaplain of sorts? I'm not sure how a monk/priest would find himself in such a situation.

Okay. I think I'm going to be an Unchained Rogue Phantom Thief. Basically, I give up sneak attack for a lot of skill bonuses and flexibility in what I can do with my Rogue talents (like taking Combat Trick as often as I please). It's pretty cool.

I'll post a full character soon. This is going to be a rich merchant's son (do you have a suggestion as to what makes a good coastal city/town for him to be from?). He's got a head for business, but no patience for it, and has decided against his father's will to go and join the invasion of Belcoo because it's exciting. He'll be young, probably 17 or 19 or so, and will definitely be the impulsive, wild sort.

Mechanically, I plan on using his Rogue Talents on a mish-mash of social abilities and combat feats. He'll be built like a medium BAB Fighter in a lot of ways. He doesn't get sneak attack or trapfinding, as I already noted, but he can get feats like a fighter and still has 8 skill points a level.

I'll start building him now. I think his name will be Lorcan. Lorcan... Something. I plan to have him start with 14 INT and speak Irish, English, French, and Latin (with the use of a Linguistics point).

I think his stat array will resemble this: 10/18/12/14/8/14.

Have my Bard pretty much ready to go. Let me know when you would like some crunch bits.

Backstory is that he's the resident scholar and has traveled much in his youth with his Merchant/Gypsy/Vagrant parents. He's got a bit of a bad reputation outside of the village due to his parent's lifestyle but he hasn't picked that up. He keeps to himself for the most part but has picked up a few nasty tricks that he uses now and then on folks that misbehave. He is called up now and then to be the musician for events and occasionally to rally the troops with his trumpet.

I'm considering a switch hitter built ranger or maybe slayer if you're willing to allow a hybrid class. Solid in a scrap and gifted with the bow. The backstory is that he is a Welsh slave captured and sold over into Ireland by Henry II's mercenaries during his campaigns against the Welsh princes. He has played up the loyal slave act for the people of Largay long enough to be allowed along on the mission to Belcoo and, if he survives, buy his freedom with the wages. This is not out of any desire to please the people who, while they treat him relatively well, still hold him as a slave but rather because running away puts him alone in a foreign land without useful friends and the law pursuing him.

Okay. I think I'm going to be an Unchained Rogue. This is going to be a rich merchant's son. He has decided against his father's will to go and join the invasion of Belcoo because it's exciting.

While I liked your idea of a sling-using shepherd, a skillful rogue also works in the campaign. However, background need to be a little more local. The son of a local nobleman? Also, I am not sure that anybody really goes to war just because it's exciting. Duty. Loyalty. Need. These are more credible motivations that will force a character to embark on a path for better or for worse, without ever straying. These people are fighting for their lives!

Being motivated by excitement implies that once the excitement has gone, the character could move on...

Backstory is that he's the resident scholar and has traveled much in his youth with his Merchant/Gypsy/Vagrant parents. He's got a bit of a bad reputation outside of the village due to his parent's lifestyle but he hasn't picked that up. He keeps to himself for the most part but has picked up a few nasty tricks that he uses now and then on folks that misbehave. He is called up now and then to be the musician for events and occasionally to rally the troops with his trumpet.

Bards played a crucial and respected role in Irish society. However, they were not merchants, or vagrants, and certainly not gypsies. Bards were advisors, story-tellers, historians... By Brehon law, they had the right to criticize both priests and kings. So they weren't just musicians, and definitely not outsiders!

The common instruments were: Uilleann pipes, drums, tin whistles. Song and poetry were important as they told the history of the people.

I'm considering a switch hitter built ranger or maybe slayer if you're willing to allow a hybrid class...The backstory is that he is a Welsh slave captured and sold over into Ireland by Henry II's mercenaries during his campaigns against the Welsh princes. He has played up the loyal slave act for the people of Largay long enough to be allowed along on the mission to Belcoo..

Why welsh? And why a slave? Is this important to you for specific reasons? In any case, the character should have a real attachment to the people of Belcoo. It'll make the adventure more poignant.

Insofar as the build is concerned, I will favour decisions that are based on story and character, rather than optimization. I want people to have fun building characters, but it has to make sense...

While I liked your idea of a sling-using shepherd, a skillful rogue also works in the campaign. However, background need to be a little more local. The son of a local nobleman?

I could make the shepherd instead if you prefer that. I'm honestly cool with either idea and have been toying with both, though I'm not sure how I want to build the shepherd yet. Do you have a preference between the two concepts?

The son of a local nobleman would work with the character we're discussing. I'm not familiar with the map of Ireland save that I know Leinster has Dublin in it. As far as motivations go, this character would be voicing things like duty and loyalty, but the real reason is they're a kid that doesn't get war yet and thinks they're going to be a legend because of it.

The shepherd would be much more down-to-earth, personality-wise, and would have a skillset revolving around things like Survival, Handle Animal, Perception - outdoorsy skills, not to mention Profession: Shepherd. I'd love the Warslinger racial trait if I played them, but it's not a break or make for me.

I'll defer to your opinion here: son of a nobleman or a humble shepherd? Also, the shepherd would be illiterate, if that's alright.

Braedan wrote:

Backstory is that he's the resident scholar and has traveled much in his youth with his Merchant/Gypsy/Vagrant parents. He's got a bit of a bad reputation outside of the village due to his parent's lifestyle but he hasn't picked that up. He keeps to himself for the most part but has picked up a few nasty tricks that he uses now and then on folks that misbehave. He is called up now and then to be the musician for events and occasionally to rally the troops with his trumpet.

Bards played a crucial and respected role in Irish society. However, they were not merchants, or vagrants, and certainly not gypsies. Bards were advisors, story-tellers, historians... By Brehon law, they had the right to criticize both priests and kings. So they weren't just musicians, and definitely not outsiders!

The common instruments were: Uilleann pipes, drums, tin whistles. Song and poetry were important as they told the history of the people.

I was talking about his parents, not him. He picked up the trade and began to study but his parents reputation is why people doubt him. Except in his own town of course.

Sorry to make a second post in a row, but I think I'll go with the shepherd after all. I argued with myself over how to build him and how exactly I wanted to portray him RP-wise, but here goes. Ahem:

Crunch-related stuff:

Stats will be 16/17/12/8/14/8. Fintan is an Irishman from Largay. He's a Ranger with the Divine Tracker and Skirmisher archetypes, which means that he won't get spells nor an animal companion but will get Warpriest blessings and a series of martial tricks he can use. I'd like to get the Warslinger racial trait, especially since it allows me to get Slipslinger Style. Finally, I'd like to use his Divine Tracker proficiency to take proficiency in the Staff Sling. Fintan will be Lawful Good.

I like both role and roll play, if you couldn't tell. I really like building characters, and I also love getting into their heads.

I intentionally decided to make it so Fintan has family in Belcoo so he has some interest in trying to make sure nothing terrible happens there. I want him to come across as quiet, gentle, and a little dumb, but when he gets angry he'll be angry. He's got a 'follower' personality. He's a working man and a religious man and generally a good guy.

Oh, final crunch note: for blessings I'd like to take Air and Destruction, or Air and Good, if that's alright. I know that's a ways off, but I like being upfront about my intentions.

Let me know if all this sounds alright, and what might need changing. If everything sounds alright, I'll start chewing on the crunch. Again, if stuff is denied (Warslinger racial trait, staff sling proficiency from Divine Tracker, Destruction Domain), I won't fuss too much. It's stuff I'd like to have, not stuff I need. I definitely think Skirmisher is a good archetype for him, however.

EDIT: I might also ignore the staff-sling entirely and go for Startoss Style instead with a regular ol' sling. Besides, I like the image of a guy with a sling, a short sword, and a buckler for his array of combat gear. That could work. Warslinger would still make this way easier, though.

Hm. I'm tempted to grab a trait that gives Knowledge (Religion) as a class skill. He's supposed to be very faithful, so that seems fitting.

Why welsh? And why a slave? Is this important to you for specific reasons? In any case, the character should have a real attachment to the people of Belcoo. It'll make the adventure more poignant.

Insofar as the build is concerned, I will favour decisions that are based on story and character, rather than optimization. I want people to have fun building characters, but it has to make sense...

A few of reasons:

So here is my completed Ranger submission. Padraic is a Falconer / Trapper Ranger with an Eagle companion.

I would like to put forth Rónán "Rowdy" Ó Gallchobhair, bard. Born into a family of well-known warriors, he earned his nickname as a lad by often causing trouble and solving problems with his fists. He became known for his bare-knuckle brawling (this will be represented by the Improved Unarmed Strike feat, even if he never actually uses it), and had every intention of becoming a soldier like his father, brothers, and cousins. He was always a smart lad, and got on well with those around him, as his was a friendly sort of belligerence. His family was not noble, but as highly regarded warriors, they were afforded more opportunity than most commoners, so his education was also of decent quality for the time. He took his studies seriously, as he dreamed of someday becoming a general and it was impressed upon him that learning would be of as much importance as fighting skill if he had any chance at doing so.

As a teenager, an accident stemming from a horse race left him with a badly broken leg that never quite fully healed (lower Dex), giving him a permanent limp. His family convinced him that this would be too much of a hindrance to overcome as a soldier, and would increase his chances of getting killed needlessly. His dream of becoming a great warrior was hard to put aside, though, and he still continued to learn all he could about the great heroes of Irish lore and their battles, and to work on his fighting. He served the family as an adviser, and entertained everyone with rousing stories of battles and myths, of the recent accomplishments of Brian Boru, and tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

His father and uncles took note of this, and arranged an apprenticeship with one of his distant cousins, who was a bard. At first, Rónán resisted the idea, feeling that being a bard was too great a responsibility and was an honor he was not worthy of, but upon urging from the elders and agreement from his cousin, he relented and began his training and apprenticeship in earnest.

He studied history, religion, languages, diplomatic relations, how to pay keen attention to his surroundings and the people therein. He focused on his storytelling, and learned to carry a decent tune with his voice and with a pennywhistle. He learned about healing injuries via some of the herbs of Airmid. He spent time on swordplay and archery, though he had less talent with a bow than he'd have liked. He learned a bit of magic, as gifts from the Tuatha. And so it was that after 10 years of training (now in his late 20s) he set out on a pilgrimage to study some of the places of power and historical landmards he'd told stories of, sometimes traveling alone, and at other times with whatever good company he could find. Which brings us to now...

I'm building a character similar to my last but not the same since it seems like we already have a ranged Ranger in the group. He'll have a similar backstory and attributes, but he'll be a noble's son and a Barbarian (Mounted Fury). Almost done tinkering with him.

My one problem is affording horses. Buying a Combat Trained Light Horse is outside the wealth available to a level 1 character. Should I go ahead and take one anyway?

Currently, my character's weaponry is as follows: a lance, 6 javelins, a shortsword, and a dagger. He won't be using a shield (I thought about it, but a lance wielded two-handed is A) more fitting and B) more damage dealing than a lance held in one hand by an Irish Hobilar).

I haven't seen any mention of Traits, so I assume we're not using Traits in this game? (Notably, I could use a trait on Rich Parents if they're allowed, making me able to afford a combat trained light horse.)

I think I'll take a level of Fighter at level 2, and another level of Fighter at level 7 - if that's alright. For one, bonus feats; but also, Barbarians don't get Profession as a class skill, and I'd very much like to have Profession (Herder) as a class skill.