Careers
Warrior (Paladin)
Horseman (Cataphract)
Blacksmith (Metalworker)
Berserker (Fanatic)
Carpenter (Woodworker)
Hunter (Trapper)
Forager (Woodsman)
Farmer (Peasant)
Scholar (Scribe)
Wanderer (Hermit)
Sorcerer (Wizard)
Shapeshifter (Skin-changer)
Seafarer (Boatswain)
Trader (Merchant)
Poet (Skald)
Healer (Physician)
Priest (Sooth-sayer)
Bandit (Brigand)
Slave (Thrall)


Origins
The Mirkwood
The woodland north of the Danube, east of the Rhine, south of the Saxon shores and west of the Hyperborean woods and the plain. It is home to a great multitude of tribes including great germanic federations such as the Alamanni, the Suebi and the Thuringians.


Boons
Hard-To-Kill: You are particularly solidly built. Add +2 LB to your total.
Quick Recovery: Living in the wilds gives you better endurance than many. When recovering after a combat, you regain an additional LB point, on top of the half you recover normally.
Woodland Tracker: You are skilled in hunting creatures that live in the mountains. When tracking, trapping, or hunting creatures in this environment, you may use an extra die.
War Cry: Scares the hell out of your character’s opponents that can hear the war cry. They take a Flaw (that is roll an extra die, take the two least favourable results) on all their rolls for the first round following the War cry, and gives Boons to all your character’s friends (that is they roll an extra die and take the two highest) for that round as well.
Heir: You belong to the extended family of a Lord or King. Increase your Favour with that Lord by +1. May be taken many times to represent closer kinship.


Flaws
Landlubber: Your character is unused to travelling by sea. Roll an extra die for all activities undertaken whilst at sea.
Taciturn: Your character is ridiculously tightlipped. It's a rare day on which he uses a sentence of more than three words, and it's virtually unheard-of for him to initiate
conversation. His extreme reluctance to speak unfortunately means he never volunteers information without being asked. Roll an extra die in social situations.
Greed: You cannot resist any chance to make money. If money is to be made, your judgement goes out of the window. Roll an extra die whenever tempted by the offer of cash.
Drunkard: You cannot help but get drunk whenever feasting in your lords hall or whenever you are offered wine or mead. Roll a die when you are required to do something important for the rest of your companions. If a ‘1’ comes up, you are drunk and unable to do anything until sobered up.
Blood Feud: Your family has mortal enemies who will stop at nothing to exact their vengance for perceived or real wrongs.


Northern Shores
The shores and delta of the river Rhine, the Suevian sea, the Saxon shore and the islands of Britannia and Hibernaia. Home to Saxons, Franks, Scots and


Boons
Born sailor: You are a seaman through and through. When dealing with ships or carrying out physical activities on board ship (other than fighting), you may roll an extra die.
Drinking Mate: You are the life and soul of the feast. Use an extra die to gain information, make contacts or acquire favours whilst at the lord's hall.
Quick Recovery: You have better endurance than many. When recovering after a combat, you regain an additional LB point, on top of the half you recover normally.
Francisca: You are trained in the traditional Frankic throwing Axe. If you are using a balanced Francisca, you may roll one extra die.
Companion to Saexnot: You are trained in the typical saxon longknife. If you use a saex fighting next to an ally, you may roll one extra die.
Blood Bonds: Your family is a large and powerful one. Use an extra die to gain resources or favours from kin and allies.

Flaws
Drunkard: You cannot help but get drunk whenever feasting in your lord's hall or whenever you are offered wine or mead. Roll a die when you are required to do something important for the rest of your companions. If a ‘1’ comes up, you are drunk and unable to do anything until sobered up.
Blood Feud: Your family has mortal enemies who will stop at nothing to exact their vengance for perceived or real wrongs.



Hyperborean Woods
The great marshes and woodlands of the north and the east.


Boons
Hard-To-Kill: You are particularly solidly built. Add +2 LB to your total.
Quick Recovery: Living in the wilds gives you better endurance than many. When recovering after a combat, you regain an additional LB point, on top of the half you recover normally.
Woodland Tracker: You are skilled in hunting creatures that live in the woods. When tracking, trapping, or hunting creatures in this environment, you may use an extra die.
Snow Tracker: You are skilled in hunting creatures that live in snowy landscapes and across glaciers. When tracking, trapping, or hunting creatures in this environment, you may use an extra die.
Keen Scent: You have a better than normal sense of smell. Whenever you make a mind check to perceive something using your sense of smell, you may roll one extra die.


Flaws
Landlubber: Your character is unused to travelling by sea. Roll an extra die for all activities undertaken whilst at sea.
Taciturn: Your character is ridiculously tightlipped. It's a rare day on which he uses a sentence of more than three words, and it's virtually unheard-of for him to initiate
conversation. His extreme reluctance to speak unfortunately means he never volunteers information without being asked. Roll an extra die in social situations.
Feels the Heat: You are unable to cope in very hot conditions. Roll an extra die for any tasks undertaken in a hot desert environment.




Imperial Provinces

Boons
Senator: You come from a rich and influential family You own lands around one of the great cities of the Empire and a house in that city. Roll an extra die on any attempt to obtain any goods, services or items you need whilst in your home Province. You may be granted audience with fellow imperials and Scriptural priests.
Learned: You have studied. Choose any specialty from Star Lore, Flora & Fauna, Geography, Law or Legends. When recalling a fact from your area of specialty, you use an extra die.
Artistic: You have a skill in creating works of art. Roll an extra die when appraising or creating such items.
Etiquette: You are an expert in the social graces. You gain an extra die on any task where good form is important.
Spatha-wielder: If you use a true imperial longsword, the Spatha, forged in the Fabrici of the Empire, you gain one extra die.



Flaws
City dweller: You are not at ease when in the wilderness. Roll an extra die in situations to do with outdoor survival.
Arrogant: The Empire may be crumbling, but you still see yourself as far superior to the unwashed barbarians outside its border. Roll an extra die when dealing with people who are not of the Empire, where your arrogance might annoy or offend them.
Greed: You cannot resist any chance to make money. If money is to be made, your judgement goes out of the window. Roll an extra die whenever tempted by the offer of cash.


Scythian Plains
A quiltwork of open steppe where the horse is king. Home to Goths, Alans, Vandals and Huns.


Boons
Beast Friend: Easily domesticated creatures are not afraid of you and you are able to train them more easily. Ferocious animals are less likely to attack you. Whenever dealing with animals, roll an extra die.
Keen Eyesight: You have improved vision. Whenever you make a mind check to perceive something using your eyesight, you may roll one extra die.
Plains Tracker: You are skilled in hunting creatures that live in on steppes or plains. When tracking, trapping, or hunting creatures in this environment, you may use an extra die.
Born in the saddle: To you, the saddle is as comfortable as a soft pillow. When fighting or performing actions on hoseback, you may use an extra die.
Hunnic Bow: When you use a true hunnic composite bone and sinew bow, roll an extra die.


Flaws
Landlubber: Your character is unused to travelling by sea. Roll an extra die for all activities whilst at sea.
Taciturn: Your character is ridiculously tightlipped. It's a rare day on which he uses a sentence of more than three words, and it's virtually unheard-of for him to initiate
conversation. His extreme reluctance to speak unfortunately means he never volunteers information without being asked. Roll an extra die in social situations.

Last edited by Peter (11/22/2016 7:26 am)

Gruntfuttock wrote:

Great stuff!

​I've often toyed with this sort of setting - the end of the Empire in the west has long been an interest of mine. The great thing about it is that you can have a mixed group of Goths, Romans, Alans, Sarmatians and Huns all working together, and it's historically correct! An alternative to your 'In the King's Mead Hall' set up (which I also like, by the way).
 

Exactly! One of the really cool things about the era is how cosmopolitan it is - and I think this comes across in some of the heroic literature and in the historical and archaeological evidence. What matters is not your ethnicity but your pledges of loyalty and support.

And this is also the thinking about the mead hall. A great lord attracts henchmen from near and far. And while you can play a local boy with your seat around the table assured, the concept is more geared toward a rag tag assembly of fortune hunters from all over the post roman world striving for access as guest-friends.

So I suppose my concept is meant to be both. Romans, Alans and Sclavones (etc) working together at the behest of the lord of the hall.

Last edited by Peter (11/15/2016 4:24 am)

This is excellent.  Putting a focus on the mead hall as a 'frame' for adventures in this rich historical setting is a great idea.

One question:  would PC's still have 4 careers?  It makes sense for a more gonzo fantasy world, but I'm not sure heroes in a quasi-historical context would have as much varied background.

Sounds fab! Keep going...

And I'd second Simon's call to 'Keep going!'

With your stuff and Finn's stuff we are really being spoilt here at the moment.

​Now G Man,...about that Lankmar game you were working on....