1/24/10 Session Recapitulation

In the kingdom of Hilaga the adventurers were picked randomly from among the citizenry to partake in the celebration in the royal palace. The event was festive, with much food, drink, and even a live band. However during a toast the King Ronaldo II, suddenly collapsed.

Party goers were forced to stay inside, as the city guard went about questioning people and conducting an investigation. In an attempt to calm the party, Faerino Fantastico put on a small magic show, much to the delight and satisfaction of the worried guests. As time wore on however moods grew tense.

An elven diplomat, named Lady Deburah, approached three guests in the party, the aforementioned Faerino, Niko, and Aubreyana. She told them she had a feeling that the three of them would be able to figure out the mystery of what happened with the king. These three people set about right away to getting to the bottom of what was happening in the party.

Faerino used his social engineering to inject himself in a noble person's conversation. However the three noblemen he spoke too had little knowlege about what was currently happening, though did offer a little advice about possible people who may do such a thing. One certainly stood out, Edowin who is the exiled brother of Ronaldo II, and convicted murderer of Ronaldo I. He also learned that the queen Lynia, who was recently coronated, is deeply in love with the king and would have little motive to kill anyone.

Aubreyana, and Niko tried to tie together things they observed during the meal to help in the investigation. Aubreyana had a few ideas about poisons, but her knowlege didn't allow her to figure out much. The two tried speaking to a notably upset, and drunk orc named Ormush. He seemed to think the crime would get pinned to him because of racial biases. When Faerino tried to talk to Aurbeyana and Niko, he was attack, and whisked away from the orc who seemed to hate gnomes a little more than the average orc.

Afterwards Niko and Aubreyana spoke with the servers for the dinner. They did find out that all the food has already been taste and poison tested. However because of the way that the food was brought out, little could be eliminated as possibilities for poisons and motives.

Faerino decided next to try his luck in speaking with the captain of the guard, offering his magical abilities in a guise to understand more about the investigation. The guard was of little help and directed him to check out the same orc that previously attacked him. After a small protest, the guard offered that he may wish to look into Lady Deborah's purpose in being here, while Niko and Aubreyana asked the orc a few more questions.

Lady Deborah seemed otherworldly, though the adventurers could not differentiate between otherworldly and elven, as often the fair race is both. She did notably seem aloof about current affairs, like a recent peace treaty, and other obvious features of Hilaga.

Session end >>
(feel free to take down picture if you want Tim)

Racial Stats

Humans [0]: No special bonuses or hindrances.

Dwarves [50]:
+2 ST [20], +2 HT [20], Darkvision (with color) [30], DR 1 [5], Extended Lifespan 2 [4], Alcohol Tolerance [1], Miserliness [-10], Greed [-15], Stubbornness [-5]

Elves [50]:
+1 DX [20], +1 IQ [20], Unaging [15], Night Vision 5 [5], Intolerance [-10]

Rarer races:

Gnomes [30]:
+1 IQ [20], +1 HT[10], Night vision 5 [5], Social Stigma: Annoying [-5]



All races besides Human get a 1 point discount on the Common spoken language, and a 1 point discount on the Common written language if they have their own written language at "native" level. (Everyone gets their native spoken language at full "native" level for free, but written they have to pay for).


Other races will be made as necessary, remember anything besides human/dwarf/elf is unusual and needs at least a good story, and the Unusual Background advantage in some cases. Talk with me about what you want!

Edit: Adding Halfling[0]:
+1 HT [10], +2 Will[10]
Social Stigma (look like gnomes) [-5]
Chummy [-5]
Wealth: Struggling [-10]

Halflings are quite rare in these parts, most people will assume they're gnomes, and might not even have heard of them if correct. However, given the commonality between the Halfling language and Common, they get a -2 discount, instead of the -1 listed above (akin to the difference between american and cockney - you can communicate, but there's a lot of "wait, what?")

Politics

The four major human kingdoms, on the central continent:

Hilaga, to the NW, ruled by King Rolando II. He is considered by most to be a fair and generous monarch, loved by his people. Farming and mining of coal and some gems are the major trades.

Kanluran, to the SW, ruled by King Antoine. Considered by some to be a phony, but has successfully defended his claim without arms so far. Likes parties and the social life. Farming and mining of (precious and non-precious) metals.

Timog, to the SE, ruled by Queen Katherina. Succeeded the throne from her husband dying of old age, she is herself fairly old, but still sharp. She runs a tight ship and doesn't take unnecessary risks. Has the largest navy and most noted craftsmen of the human kingdoms.

Silagan, to the NE, ruled by King Mord the Ironfist. Not quite a tyrant, but has the strictest punishments and taxes. Has the strongest military, and offers some of it as mercenaries depending on the situation. Also has the best blacksmiths, and is rumored to employ privateers.


Dwarves:
Good relations with humans, ok with elves. Live on the rim continent Ung. Structured clan government with an overseeing council comprised of one senior member of each of the 15 clans. Dwarves are strong and sturdy, shorter than humans, and due to their ability to see in the dark, mostly live in caves under the mountains, though they do have farmers and foresters.

Elves:
See themselves as superior to the other races, but maintains diplomatic relations. Live on the rim continent Rys, and generally in the trees. They are slightly smarter and nimbler and taller than humans, and are known to have the greatest mages in the world. They have a tiered government, with a single dictator at the top.

First things first

The following is pretty much all general knowledge. If you feel I've left something out, feel free to ask in the comments. Some more detail you may only know if you have the appropriate skills, so I won't necessarily post the answers here.

The world of Antaraan is flat, contained within a sphere that holds the rest of the cosmos (the heavens and the netherworld). Several continents go around the rim, with impassible mountains on the very edge. Further in towards the center is a great ocean that circles the central continent. This central continent is divided into four by great rivers that run from the ocean in towards the Spiral Sea, so named because at the exact center is a great vortex, sucking the water down into the Abyss. Suspended above this abyss is a giant mountain known as The Spire, dead rock that reaches so high into the heavens that it is used for navigation across the lands. It is unreachable by any save the birds, and the Spiral Sea is great enough that none make the attempt. Magic also appears to be disrupted around the Spire to make those means of reaching it impossible as well.

Weather is warmest near the Spire (though not "tropical" per se), and coldest towards the rim (with the mountains on the rim being truly arctic). The moon cycles every 28 days exactly, so every month is divided into 4 weeks of 7 days, (and the days of the week and months will be named as we are used to for convenience), but there are 3 extra days between February and March known as the Calibration, and the moon goes through a speedy 3-day cycle (half, full, half), and it marks the new year, the beginning of spring, and a festival of monumental proportions.

Many fantasy races are represented in Antaraan, notable exception being dragons - they are just a myth. There are wyverns (slightly larger than 2 cows) that are strong and powerful, but dumb as posts, and can't breathe fire. Intelligent races include humans, dwarves, elves, halflings, gnomes, orcs, goblins, lizardmen, gargoyles, trolls, faeries, and more, but the most common are certainly humans, followed by dwarves and elves. The central continent (and its four kingdoms) are mostly human, but there is enough trade and sea travel to make dwarves and elves not raise an eyebrow. Any of the other races would be seen as exotic, except in their homelands on the rim continents.

Magic exists and is known to exist, but can only be practiced by those with the gift for it. Clerical magic is not a separate thing, but some claim that their gift comes from a divine source. In any case, they find that they have to study just as hard as anyone else to master a spell. Magic itself is useful, but not universal or overwhelmingly powerful, and enchantment is a relatively difficult and lengthy process, so while it may not be uncommon to see a traveller casting a small spell, powerful magic items are rare, and minor magic items are expensive.

The cosmos: all the rivers of the world lead (eventually) to the Spiral Sea, and down into the abyss and the underworld, where they then flow back to the rim and are reborn beyond the mountains into the clouds. Souls are believed to have a similar cycle, and thusly burial at sea is a big deal, with big shots getting a big ceremony near the (big) vortex. Typically, they are buried in full battle gear so that they can fight off the demons on their way to reincarnation. (Truth or superstition? Only I know! Muahahahaha!) Ceremonies are held in the Spiral Sea as much to shorten the spiritual journey as to protect the casks from pirates.

Gods exist, but are not huge players in day to day activities. Religion has similar importance to what it has today.
Ishkatar is the most powerful, the overseer. God of water and the great cycle, he is the giver of life and of death, god of balance, magic, healing, and sometimes destruction. He is usually depicted as a giant with snowy white hair and beard, sitting on a throne, with the world in a crystal ball in front of him.
Tolmit is the god of the sun, and is also associated with travel, fire, law, and strength. He is depicted as an armored knight atop a horse, banner flying high, flaming sword held aloft.
Lyra is the goddess of the moon, also associated with patience, goodness, knowledge, and protection. She is depicted as a gentle mother, sometimes cradling a baby.
Kay the Wanderer is the one most often known to walk the earth, as often in the guise of an old man as in the guise of a young woman, with simple green or brown robes. He/she is associated with air, earth, nature, and luck.

There are no "bad" gods, but those roles are taken by the demons who live in the underworld. When any are specifically named, they are Demogorgon (trickery and chaos), Asmodeus (war and destruction), and Abraxas (undeath and evil magic), though there are many whose names are unknown.

Technology is early age of sail, no gunpowder or printing press. Political landscape will be addressed later.