So I've been kicking around the idea of running a homebrew starvation campaign wherein resources are slim, trail rations matter, and masterwork items are aristocratic fantasies. So I had a stroke (of inspiration I hope) and this is what I came up with.
Basic Setting:
In the midst of the Osirion desert lies a long lost oasis upon which a settlement was established several hundred years ago but largely forgotten. The settlement has been almost entirely isolated the entire time, not thriving but surviving well enough. But as the oasis begins to recede and the church of Sarenrae is burned, resources become scarce. There is little hope for the commoners as they face brutality, slavery, or starvation. Only the truly tenacious can hope to survive the strangling poverty gripping the settlement. This is not a fight for honor, or glory, or wealth, or power; This is a fight for survival.
Basic Mechanics:
NPC classes
10-point buy
day jobs required
weapons and armor legally restricted
homebrew experience and leveling
Basic Gameplay:
Perform short missions for competing factions
Gain favor from wealthy patrons
Build wealth to buy food and supplies
Find a permanent means of survival
Thoughts? Input? Interest?
I'll give it a go. A few questions before I come up with a submission.
What races are allowed?
Are we using traits? If so, how many?
Do we start with any gear (NPC classes do not have a starting wealth listed as far as I can tell)
Don't worry too much about crunch yet. I'm just gathering interest. Feel free to draft a concept if you like though. Core races only.
Fun! All about survival games and downtime rules. Any starting wealth, or just flavor text for now? First draft is in the spoiler.
It's not easy being the oldest son, but sometimes you just have to pick up what your father has entrusted you with and work as hard at it as you can. Luckily, Dahrehnh as a good head on his shoulders. Between the small herd of goats and the date trees, he always did better raising dates. He never really "got" animals, though he's worked really hard to figure them out, but plants came easily. Guide the roots, encourage the branch, harvest carefully. Up until the sanctuary burned down, things were going well. Now, he'll have to work even harder.
Garundi Commoner 1
NG Date Farmer and Goat Herder
STR 10
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 16
CHA 8
Feats
H1) Skill Focus (Handle Animal)
L1) Skill Focus (Profession(Farmer))
Skills
Craft (Tools) +4
Handle Animal +6
Perception +7
Profession (Farmer) +10
Downtime Goals:
1) Hire Laborers (Team) - 1 Influence, 2 Labor
2) Build a Farmland (Room) - 9 Goods, 1 Influence, 8 Labor
3) Hire Laborers (Team) - 1 Influence, 2 Labor
4) Build an Animal Pen (Room) - 6 Goods, 1 Influence, 5 Labor
5) Build a Bedroom (Room, no profit) - 8 Goods, 7 Labor
6) Build a Farmland (Room) - 9 Goods, 1 Influence, 8 Labor
I can go ahead and post some draft rules, but it's probably not final.
This would be Play-by-Post.