Yorick's Iron Gods (DW Style) (Inactive)

Game Master YoricksRequiem

You're not kidding. Hope whoever gets in has a good time.

As Changeling goes about, half patrolling, half watching for amusing happenings, he spots an rather peculiar gathering. A lizardfolk, a dwemer, and...WarMechs. Those things were a symbol of what was wrong here if anything was. Enforcer, guard, debt collector - they did whatever dirty job they were told. Though admittedly, one was of unusual design, and the other was...gardening? This he had to see.

Ensuring his veil was in place, he approached, sliding into the cooking conversation. "If I may make a suggestion, that particular brand of weed actually lends a rather interesting flavour when cooked with mushrooms. Just...don't leave them in for more than 5 minutes." Needless to say, he wasn't making THAT mistake again.

To the gardening Forged, Atlas nods. "Acknowledged. So you are growing these plants so you may consume them?"

The thick neck of the mech swivels to take in the newcombers. By default targeting solutions are plotted for each being, and a tactical assessment ran.
But as neither seems to be immediately hostile, the internal A-TAC spins down and allows inquiries to be made.

"Greetings," he booms out. "I am assaultmech Atlas, unit number two one dash one two. What is your unit designation?"

Not to consume myself, but for Mayella, who asked me to tend her garden.

As Changeling goes about, half patrolling, half watching for amusing happenings, he spots an rather peculiar gathering. A lizardfolk, a dwemer, and...WarMechs. Those things were a symbol of what was wrong here if anything was. Enforcer, guard, debt collector - they did whatever dirty job they were told. Though admittedly, one was of unusual design, and the other was...gardening? This he had to see.

Ensuring his veil was in place, he approached, sliding into the cooking conversation. "If I may make a suggestion, that particular brand of weed actually lends a rather interesting flavour when cooked with mushrooms. Just...don't leave them in for more than 5 minutes." Needless to say, he wasn't making THAT mistake again.

Mayella is allergic to mushrooms, but you're more than welcome to keep anything you pull yourself. He sizes up the small group that has gathered in his garden. In fact, I'm pleased to have the company. If any of you wish to stay and help, you can keep your spoils. You can even have a few beans, if that pleases you.

This one was...rather different. Not in a bad way, though. It seems change even comes to the WarMechs, now. Changeling's face smiles in earnest, above and below the veil. "It was only a suggestion. I'm sure I could come up with alternatives if you're interested. I think I shall take you up on your offer in any case, though I shan't deprive you of your beans."

He sets to work, plucking weeds from the ground with practised ease. Occasionally he can be heard mumbling to himself, and the crop seems a little healthier afterward.

Dhiobdain - Where do you keep the items that you steal? Or is it more about the taking rather than the having? How do you feel about being in Numeria, which is largely barren?

Dhiobdain doesn't really care about stolen stuff. He likes the process, not the result. He may leave it at the town's square, or sell it, or give it away.

Recruitment officially closes in 3 hours, but it'll be another day or so before I make any final selections, so if I asked you questions and you haven't gotten to them, there's still time (and of course, they aren't mandatory anyway).

"Changeling" - Being an orphan, have you met others of your people? Do you know where they've gone now that the forests of Numeria are no more?

James Keegan - How big are trolls typically? How are they viewed by most people, and how do you yourself view them?

The largest male trolls tend to be about 12 feet tall, the average being around 10 feet in height. Females run between 10 feet and 8 feet, so Garl is smaller than even the smallest female troll. Trolls are viewed with wariness but not outright hostility: they will eat you out of house and home and they can be extremely dangerous in a fight but if their odd taboos are respected, they can be dealt with peacefully. Most settlements prefer to keep large groups of them away if possible, preferably in an enemy's territory where they will devour someone else's wild game- but small numbers of them find work as mercenaries.

Garl views them with a cold distance. He sees in them his worst traits that he works to control and reflects their distaste for him right back at them.

From Friday afternoon until Monday evening, I won't have regular wifi access, so if I'm quiet for a while that's the reason. I may be introducing some people to Dungeon World while there, though, so if you have any tips for someone that hasn't run the system before I'm all ears.

From Friday afternoon until Monday evening, I won't have regular wifi access, so if I'm quiet for a while that's the reason. I may be introducing some people to Dungeon World while there, though, so if you have any tips for someone that hasn't run the system before I'm all ears.

Read This and this and this. I also help moderate /r/DungeonWorld and there are a lot of good posts there for new GMs which may be worth looking for. I keep meaning to write a complete FAQ / list of resources but, you know, time.

Nods to the first one. (Can't read other two right now.)

Ya, getting a new player into DW is about getting them to forget that their killing monsters to farm XP, and more that they're "living a book". Not entirely unlike the first edition of Vampire. (Before the dark times... ;)

James Keegan wrote:

From Friday afternoon until Monday evening, I won't have regular wifi access, so if I'm quiet for a while that's the reason. I may be introducing some people to Dungeon World while there, though, so if you have any tips for someone that hasn't run the system before I'm all ears.

Read This and this and this. I also help moderate /r/DungeonWorld and there are a lot of good posts there for new GMs which may be worth looking for. I keep meaning to write a complete FAQ / list of resources but, you know, time.

Great, thanks!

"Changeling" - Being an orphan, have you met others of your people? Do you know where they've gone now that the forests of Numeria are no more?

Not so fortunate, sadly. He's been alone as long as he can remember, and it's probably why he imprinted on the people of Torch so much, even if they don't realise it. Anyone like him would probably have been under a similar kind of veil to that he wears, even if they did come by. Sadly, this currently means he has no idea what he is, other than "Something that would freak out the average person." On top of that, with his first home gone and the threat of the Technic League, the odds are that his people won't come back.

So, he's taken the people of Torch as his family. If he's lucky, one day they might take him as one of theirs as well. Someone might even know what he is...though that's less important. Besides, for all he's asked travellers and merchants, the best match he's gotten is a tale of a vengeful spirit that drove the League from some village they harassed. He'd rather not be an urban legend.

Goromatz looks around all of the suggestions for recipes. Oooh, so many new things to try. On my list of things to gather... He takes out a small notebook he frequently uses to jot down ideas. Mushrooms...and a delicious egg.

To answer your question, my character would just be passing through due to its programming expanding. It only cared for the land within the boundaries of the city it was in originally. Now that it has been fully taken by nature it sees everything as in its dominion, so it goes from one place to another helping as it sees fit. It essentially just follows its now, going from problem to problem. It isn't just listlessly drifting but doesn't have a particular long term goal, aside from caring for nature and stepping in whenever it must, maybe revitalizing a section of forest for a couple hundred years, then moving on to divert a stream for easier salmon spawning.

This one was...rather different. Not in a bad way, though. It seems change even comes to the WarMechs, now. Changeling's face smiles in earnest, above and below the veil. "It was only a suggestion. I'm sure I could come up with alternatives if you're interested. I think I shall take you up on your offer in any case, though I shan't deprive you of your beans."

He sets to work, plucking weeds from the ground with practised ease. Occasionally he can be heard mumbling to himself, and the crop seems a little healthier afterward.

It approaches without fear, even though it is much smaller than the other falsemen.

Sizing up the situation he begins to pick up the cast away plants and moves off to replant them a little ways away. Long ago it learned that some creatures dislike it when the "wrong" plant is in their ordered land.

It jams its finger into the ground and the plants living in its joints snake out tendrils and taste the soil. Satisfactory for these plants, although it can tell the soil has been sapped somewhat by the civilization surrounding it. It snakes some extra roots to aerate the soil a bit before it replants the cast offs.

Another gardening Mech...? No, different from even that. The design is positively ancient, and this one cares for plant life in general. More a golem than a robot. Perhaps he could have kept the forests going. If there's one issue I have...

"Hey, excuse me?" Changeling addresses the golem making off with his spoils. "Not that I don't understand what you're doing, but those were to make my meal later. Would you mind returning them? And perhaps asking what they are intended for, in future? I get why you wouldn't, but I wouldn't want you to be caught up in a misunderstanding later."

It stopped and stared at the creature that addressed It. It recognized the sounds the creature had made and It could feel a sense of resignation creep in as It realized where It was. An ancient program began running. The program was crude, having been written by druids with little knowledge of arcane technology, but it would usually suffice.

Slowly a simulated ego took shape that would allow It to communicate with the other sentients without utterly confusing It.

"It apologizes, it simply meant to reduce the loss of life. So many times these are cast aside and left to die" It gestured to the pile of plant matter next to It. "It will not continue so... What was the word? The program was good but it still had trouble with pronouns. What did other creatures say... oh yes, that was the word. "It will not continue so her may turn the life into nourishment"

It felt sorry for the poor creature, it must be so hard to exist outside of the real all of the time.

Yipes. It WAS ancient. That last sentence was barely comprehensible.

"Do you mean that you won't take my food, or...? I'm sorry, it's just hard to tell if you mean me or the land itself. Just use 'You' when you mean the individual you're speaking to, and you won't have to debate over the correct gender pronoun. Would a name make this easier?" Pronoun misuse was another mistake he wouldn't make again. He'd really upset that poor lady. Hopefully, he could minimise the learning period for it, and save the thing the disfavour it'd earn. Assuming it could learn, that is.

"It's pleasing to see the care you take though. Not many would give a weed such a chance. If you want to make sure they stay planted though, I suggest finding somewhere away from the lands and plants more oft cultivated. These things are pretty hardy, so they can handle more barren soil, but if you put these in the wrong place you may bring an end to a less resilient or aggressive species."

It could feel the program working hard to keep up with what was going on. The program was not very sophisticated and hadn't been updated in a long time. Learning was a difficulty and It new It wouldn't remember the exact use but It slotted the word "you" away for future use.

"It apologizes, It meant you, please keep the plants they will do... you... more good as food than they will help growing on their own."

It took a moment to rearange Its limbs, the vines and roots growing in Its joints moving pieces of stone around until It had a quadrapedal form, much like a dog. It remembered that sentients usually liked the dog, especially the young ones.

"It has not used Its ego in a long time. It apologizes for any misunderstanding" The creature seemed like a good one, calm was always a good sign. The creature obviously cared about nature despite not completely being part of it. Maybe the creature would be like the druids and help It become better. "It thinks a name would help. It hopes that The Creature will will be a companion, It has not had a companion since the long winter." It plucked a small root from Itself and extended it to the creature.

"I wonder if It's older than me, would It know our concept of the passing of time? I wonder how much I myself understand." Chimaru pulls out a big clump of weeds with his tail as he turns to the now dog-like Forged.

"Names are good, as I said before I am named Chimaru, I would suggest we all introduce ourselves. Makes for better conversation."

Chimaru pulls the weeds up to his mouth and licks them for a taste. He then turns back to the weeds and uses both hands and his tail to pull at a rapid speed.

"I'm still listening" He had come across people calling him out for not listening just because he was performing a task, mildly annoying, so he figured the effort of calling it out himself was worth it.

It...morphs? He liked this thing. Much better than the WarMechs. It was so earnest. And it actually preserved life, instead of trying to monopolise, exploit and destroy it. Unlike that blasted WarMech lurking nearby, that he could have sworn had its laser cannon prepared earlier. The League could stand to learn something from this thing.

A softer smile appears as he takes the root, sends a pulse of life through it, and stows it safely. "I understand. Things weren't so advanced back then." Whenever 'then' is. It was possible this was older than him. "I'd offer to try and update you, but I don't know enough to do it well. I can offer direction, at least."

As a gesture of trust toward the golem, the veil over his face is lowered briefly. There's a glimpse of a face akin to a minotaur's, albeit slightly flatter and more angular. Its hide is of a rocky texture, and there are arches around its eyes more akin to actual rock. The eyes themselves speak of the land and the changing seasons. They appear to have seen an unfathomable number of years, the precise amount beyond ability to measure. And with that, the veil snaps back. "Don't tell anyone what you saw, ok?"

Noticing the lizardfolk had joined in, his mind returned to what had been said. "Indeed. Just call me Changeling. And as for age, I'm certain It's older than you are. Older than almost everyone here." He gazes towards the dog-formed golem. "Must have been lonely. Just count yourself lucky to have ever had a companion. I...haven't been so lucky. It would please me to change that."

The root immediately marked Changeling. It is not good at recognizing others. The mark is a simple magic, allowing It a better look so It can remember individuals using something more reliable than a face or voice.

"Thank you Changeling. It is just It. It knows the importance of signifiers, you may name It as you please. It has had many names, one more will not change the nature of It." Turning to better address both Chimaru and Changeling it went on, "As to Its age, the calendar It was built under is no more. The stars used to mark the calendar have changed so It can no longer tell the age"

It took a moment to study the one called Changeling. It appreciates the response of Changeling. It understands secrets and what they can mean to the secret giver. It has held so many now... Perhaps it is time for It to gain a new companion. It has not been among sentients in such a long time.
The Changeling was obviously connected deeply to nature, and was old, much older than many It had met. Good, age bred wisdom and tolerance two values that It thought highly of. There seemed to be an anger as well though, perhaps It should take Changeling with It when It moves on.

Turning Its attention to the quick one, Chimaru, It plucked a second root and offered it to the busy creature. "It is pleased to know Chimaru." Looking around at the others, "How many of you are named?"

Kon'zu sizes up the newcomer. Its inorganic like he is, but entirely foreign. Strange little creature. Most these days call me Kon'Zu. It's as good a way to identify as any. Are you named, little one?

I'm going to sleep on the decision about who to bring in (It's really tough, you've all made very interesting and compelling characters), but I'll post tomorrow with the final decision and then we can do some world building stuff.

Changeling's gaze turns to the gardening WarMech. "Kon'Zu, you said? I believe It just said they were simply known as 'It'. You can give them another name if you like, It said as much, but that's the way they refer to themself generally. I suppose it might be a little confusing to some, but...I rather like it. There's a simple charm to it."

He looks back to the dog-like golem, and Changeling is getting very tempted to pet It. He fights the urge for now. "Sorry if you wanted to answer yourself, but I'd rather not have your ego taxed too much after all this time. I don't know how much strain it can manage. I don't know about the dwemer, but the giant hulking mass of steel and murder -" Of whom he sounds less than pleased to be in the presence of. "-appears to be called Atlas. I'm not bothering with the numbers. Can I ask - have you ever chosen a name for yourself? I'm sure you're happy with 'It', but many will choose a name for themselves, as a signifier of who they are and what they represent. Anything too long is cumbersome, but it says a lot of one's identity. Just something to consider."

Changeling goes back to weeding, passing the removals of anyone who doesn't want them to It. He can only eat so much.

It sat back on Its haunches and thought for a second before beginning slowly, "It has not chosen a name for Itself, It has always had Its name chosen for It. It was once called Granite, if It must be called something."

It liked this Changeling, the Changeling seemed to understand Its existence better than many It had met. Perhaps the Changeling would make a better companion than It expected.

Absentmindedly It began picking up the plants sent Its way and carefully tucked them in the joints and fractures covering Its body. It would plant them later, if It found a suitable location, if not the plants would gradually be assimilated into Its being.

The warmech had been silently observing the exchange and harvesting of the plant matter, and at the Changling's observation, he attempted to expound on the observation. "A good name is important. It needs to be efficiently heard in the din of battle, and easy to remember, so your surviving killteam members may remember your glory."

The steel-reinforced head swivels down to the plants being harvested, and, believing he understood their goal, announces, "I will assist with plant-matter discontinuation."

He bends down and plunges a hardened battle-fist into the soil, extracting a massive handful of green matter and black dirt. His gears whir as he deposits the chaotic mass onto the changling's pile of plants, leaving a large hole in the ground of churned rocks and destroyed roots.

"There. Assistance has been rendered. Gratitude is unnecessary. Do you wish other plant areas to be discontinued?"

Appears this one does need a little lesson in subtlety. Here big guy... Atlas, was it? You should attempt to pull only the weeds themselves, you need not pick up the dirt.
As Chimaru pulls a weed up perfectly, all roots coming with the plant while nearly all dirt remains.

Actually, your hands are too big for that... Just do this then.
Chimaru scoops up a weed with dirt and all, leaves some room between his fingers and shakes his hands rapidly, leaving all the dirt to fall from his hands back to the ground while he holds on to the weed.

The warmech carefully watches Chimaru demonstrate the proper pulling of a weed. The tiny servomotors in his nech whine and click politely as he rotates his head to follow the (comparatively) tiny lizardfolk's every move.

When the demonstration is done, Atlas nods his head once (which itself seems like a martial move) and reaches a large hand down. Implausibly, the hand lifts, clutching a single plant, unblemished and undamaged, though with a large chunk of dirt caught in the roots.

The mech pauses in stillness for a moment, contemplating the greenery as if it is the single most perfect object ever created by nature.

Then the hand shakes violently, thrashing the plant about like a whip, sending dirt and leaves to all directions. All that is left is a bit of green mush still clutched in the fingertips. The mech drops it into the Changling's pile.

"Gratitude, Chimaru. I shall now perform this for all plant matter. Where should I start?"

Kon'Zu is not built to smile, but if he were he'd be doing so now. So many different types of creatures working side by side in his little garden was quite a sight to see. The road to peace is not an easy one, but among the crystals installed by the Technic League, the ones that control rage and violence and cruelty is the crystal Kon'Zu installed himself. It's the crystal he built for hope and it glows brighter than all the others.

He rejoins Chimaru in the weeding, his massive gauntlets surprisingly deft at the fine manipulation the lizard-man is demonstrating to Atlas. He stays silent, letting Chimaru attempt to get Atlas to follow instructions more carefully. The exchange amuses Kon'Zu.

He has no external sensors for measuring temperature, but he pretends he can feel the warmth of the sun on his face, the breeze on his armor. Today is a nice day.

He'll look back on today fondly, when things are most difficult for him. When he and his new friends begin a dangerous quest and all seems lost. He'll remember the sun and the dirt and the weeds and long to be back in his garden. Back in this moment.

Not to interrupt your fine roleplaying, but I've made the final decisions!

As I said, it was a terribly tough decision, and I'm actually taking more players than I had originally intended to because of it. I'll be taking Assaultmech Atlas 21-12, "Changeling", Goromatz, James Keegan, and Kon'Zu

I'll get a(n empty) Gameplay thread up soon for Dotting purposes, and start up Discussion soon for world building stuff. Thanks so very much to everyone who applied.

Have fun guys!

Yeah, good luck gentlemen :)

Awwww, shame. I was hoping you'd get in, Thistle. That said, I'm happy to be in, and happy for everyone else who'll be with me.

As far as I'm concerned, this is canon. Best of luck, everyone. Can't wait to see how it goes from here.

No worries, there will be other games. I do plan on keeping up with this story though, I want to see what happens.

The gods inform me that your path and mine were not meant to intersect for longer than this. Good luck with your further weeding, Atlas. You keep him in line then, Kon'zu. It, would you follow me? The gods of the rivers seem to have a plan for you.

Chock these up to the ravings of a madman if they end up contradicting the canon in any way.

Have fun you guys! I'm just happy enough getting some more playbooks in my arsenal.