OOC Interest Thread--Divine Champions

Wraith wrote:

As for the soldiers and skill workers... Can I leave particulars to you? I prefer a rounded crew of ranged classes with foot and mounted classes. Also with skilled workers I believe weapons smiths and amorers will be the best that she can offer, but metal workers and gem crafters will be the minority - but bring in some sweet mulah.


Building wise, stone masons. I see it as a stone and metal city, quite opposite from Elven POV's (on purpose) with only little forestry influences from outlying villages though they mostly consist of farms. There is now little woodland.

So noted:

Your two starting bonuses:

-- Coronation Gifts; Your elvish benefactors and the elvish emissaries gifted you with splended finery on the day you took the throne. Your gifts include five exquisite satin formal gowns and dresses, each of the finest make and style. A fantastic jewelry set of pure silver, set with several opals and saphires. A tiara, necklass, two bracers, a pair of inlaid sandals, a set of saphire earings and a second set of opal earings, a dozen hairpins, a comb, and a two-karat saphire ring. Aside from being quite valuable, while in said finery you are undoubedly the most eligantly dressed and regal person that you or anyone has ever seen.

It is not lost on the elves that after your coronation gifts were recieved, your decree of banishment was made.

-- The mines; Your town's greatest asset and wealth, (probably why the town was founded in the first place) is the nearby quarry and mines. A local hillside has proven its worth for both quarried stone as well as being a source for iron. Better yet, a mile away from the iron mine, coal was also discovered and is mined for your town's benefit. Even as the hillsides are stripped away in search of ore, your miners discovered thin veins of malachite among the iron ore. These four resources together make your town an ecconomic boon to any who come searching for resources.

The army:

The standing army for your town is 200 strong. They consist of 100 swordsmen, 50 pikemen and 50 crossbowmen. A powerful, if basic, fighting force. All your forces are armored with banded mail. Your swordsmen are all armed with a round shield and broadsword.

Your township:

Most your skilled workers as well as your citizens cener around either the mines, the quarry or some offshoot of that livelyhood. You have several miners, foundry workers, smelters, stone carvers, and metal smiths. Yet you also have those who are more 'refined' among your tallented pool, although fewer in number. Weapons smiths, armorers, artisan sculptors, architects and even some jewelers who favor your local malachite can be found.

ooooh... I love it.

Hey guys,

I'd like at least three before starting off, but if not, I can start Wraith out on her own and let everyone else play catch up.

Who's coming?

GoldenDrakon wrote:

Who's coming?

i'm not even breathing hard yet :p

I'm up for it (not tonight) but am still thinking of just what i wanna work with, I was thinking constructs or magically animated beings (golems and the like) but am still working on the details for the champion

Interesting. Would you be a golem yourself or just the puppetmaster holding their strings?

Oh yeah, I had two LT's and I can't remember either... but I'm still letting you know I have them. Just gotta figure them out again, cos I'm pretty sure I threw their paper bits in the bin...

By mistake!

GoldenDrakon wrote:

Hey guys,

I'd like at least three before starting off, but if not, I can start Wraith out on her own and let everyone else play catch up.

Who's coming?

*punts*


Jarl

Character Name: Haldrwor Skalgard

Character Race: Frost Giant

Sex: Male
Age: 186 years
Hair: Ice Blue, scapula-length, kept in three braids clasped with brass cuffs and beads. Belly-length beard kept in a single thick braid with similar brass cuffs. No moustache.
Eyes: Ice blue on white
Height: 12' 6"
Weight: 1,200 lbs

Brief Background: Proud to uphold the traditions of his forefathers, Haldrwor Skalgard wishes to see his children forged into leaders worthy of inheriting his throne as he enters his autumn years. A weaponsmith and a warlord against the fire giants and their volcano fortress in his youth, he was called home to Jotunfell Hall as his father before him succumbed to old age. Taking the jarl's throne of ice and stone--and with it, Menbrotnar, the cold steel war maul which his five fathers before him had borne in their dominions and their wars against the enemies of the frost giant nation--Haldrwor continues to support the pride of their mountainous jarldom and whip his giants into shape for the inevitable approach of Ragnarok, the war against the gods themselves. In the meantime, he is quick to wage war and vengeance against the fire giants in the name of his wife Venja, who was taken by the fire giants almost fifty years ago and hasn't been seen since.

And in his age he knows to avoid underestimating the smaller and frailer races, for even a fly can kill a king. And while he does not seek out and assail the "lesser" races, he will give no quarter if their war bands arrive at his borders, and whoever does not flee at the giants' thundering approach stands to be crushed with utmost finality.


Lieutenant #1

Character Name: Gunmir Skalgard, Son of Haldrwor

Character Race: Frost Giant

Sex: Male
Age: 116 years
Hair: Sunny blond, shoulder-length, kept free and unstyled. Thin walrus moustache with a permafrost bead binding each tip. Beard cropped short and unstyled.
Eyes: White on white (black pupils)
Height: 12' 1"
Weight: 1,150 lbs

Brief Background: Gunmir is far cockier and more arrogant than his father ever was, a shortcoming for which Jarl Haldrwor has repeatedly admonished him. But he too is incensed with his mother's abduction, and he trains his father's soldiers relentlessly for the day that the jarl of the fire giants falls before them. Perhaps one day he might take the throne and prove himself a better, more ambitious leader than Haldrwor or any father before him....

...and if the short, pitiful insects who call themselves the likes of human and elf and dwarf think to get in his way, that's their problem.


Lieutenant #2

Character Name: Bjalla Skalgard, Daughter of Haldrwor

Character Race: Frost Giant

Sex: Female
Age: 110 years
Hair: White, ankle-length, kept in a long single braid and bound with beads of copper and amethyst.
Eyes: Ice blue on white
Height: 11' 1"
Weight: 950 lbs

Brief Background: If Haldrwor is the tree's trunk and Gunmir is the branches, Bjalla would be the roots. Recognizing the wisdom of strengthening the frost giants first and foremost, she serves her father in a "Department of Agriculture" role, finding new lands and locations for the frost giants to hunt, gather, farm and sustain themselves. Grapes and apples--always welcome additions to feasting halls and distilleries--don't grow well on mountaintops, and so Bjalla and the giants must go in search of valleys where such fruits might grow or be planted.

Herding yaks and oxen is a simple task for Bjalla, and bears are not much more troublesome. Bear pork is bountiful and savory in many frost giant dishes, but, much to Bjalla's annoyance, Gunmir would rather train bears for battle. In this Bjalla finds cause to question Gunmir's faith in the might and fury of the frost giant army, and the social chafing between the two siblings--bickerings which invariably demand that Haldrwor step in and settle things--trods heavily on the nerves of the jarl and his subjects alike.


All peachy?

i was thinking a whole golem civilization

The House of Ainsley wrote:

All peachy?

I rather like it but i may have to add some tweaks in order to keep you balanced with the others for the start of the game. First off, I was considering shortening them up some, perhaps 12 foot instead of the nearly 20 foot that you noted, both for logistics as well as statistics. The second thing is that there would have to be far fewer giants in your clan. After all, it wouldn't be very sporting to let you have 200 giants as opposed to Wraith's 200 footmen for example.

If that is agreeable, then I will complete your set up.

Sounds fair enough; I'll adjust height and weight accordingly. About how many giants would be "far fewer", though?

The House of Ainsley wrote:

Sounds fair enough; I'll adjust height and weight accordingly. About how many giants would be "far fewer", though?

50 combatants, perhaps 100-120 giants all in all.

50 is enough for some spearmen, some shield maidens for the spearmen to stand behind, an ice wizard or two (possibly) and a few berserkers with hammers and axes. That'll do.

The other 50 or 70 can be divied up among the other tasks of the thorp or stronghold, with an emphasis on masonry, ice sculpting and smithing (all for which the frost giants are reputed). Some farmers might herd oxen, boars or bears for food but can't grow very much vegetation in the mountains. But then, that's what raids on the "balmy" green fields and lowlands are for.

Character Name: Taljor Heavyfoot
Character Race: Minotaur
Class: Fighter
Sex: Male
Age: 30 years
Eyes: Black (white, cat like pupil)
Height: 10'
Weight: 400 lbs

Description: Body is covered with coal black hair w/streak of white going from brow to nose. Horns of ivory and measure 12" ea. side.

Brief Background: Clan Champion, weapons master star pupil. With all of Taljor's training and noteriety, was chosen to be the next ruler of his clan. His corrination was standard for minotaurs with lots of food and drink. Having high respect for nature, he is quickly gaining favor with neighboring Elf and Dwarf kingdoms. Is currently single and searching for his Lieutenants. Weapons of choice are the battle axe and a two-handed sword, that he wields with one hand. Wears plate mail that matches his natural color. A battle helm that covers not just his head, but also the lenght of his nose and fits arond his horns.

The House of Ainsley wrote:

50 is enough for some spearmen, some shield maidens for the spearmen to stand behind, an ice wizard or two (possibly) and a few berserkers with hammers and axes. That'll do.

Spearmen and shield maidens yes, Berserkers and wizards no. 'Grunts' only. While you might be able to train or gain elite units, you may not start out with them.

The House of Ainsley wrote:

The other 50 or 70 can be divied up among the other tasks of the thorp or stronghold, with an emphasis on masonry, ice sculpting and smithing (all for which the frost giants are reputed). Some farmers might herd oxen, boars or bears for food but can't grow very much vegetation in the mountains. But then, that's what raids on the "balmy" green fields and lowlands are for.

Did you want to set up the specifics for your community and fighting force, or shall I?

In any case, here are your two starting bonuses;

- 30 polar bears trained to fight for you. These war bears were the picks of the litters among your local packs. They are trained to augment your fighting force and respond to simple, basic commands. Each wears a spiked collar to designate it as a war bear.

- Tithe. A clan of local dwarves shares the mountains with you and are fairly nearby. While you have occasionally skirmished with and/or raided their territory, recently you made a deal with their High Thane. Once a year they pay you a tribute of gold, food and mineral wealth and in return you agreed to leave their territory alone. While the dwarves are not your friends, they are not your enemies for now either. Thus far, the agreement has held between your two clans.

How's that?

GoldenDrakon wrote:

Did you want to set up the specifics for your community and fighting force, or shall I?

In any case, here are your two starting bonuses;

- 30 polar bears trained to fight for you. These war bears were the picks of the litters among your local packs. They are trained to augment your fighting force and respond to simple, basic commands. Each wears a spiked collar to designate it as a war bear.

- Tithe. A clan of local dwarves shares the mountains with you and are fairly nearby. While you have occasionally skirmished with and/or raided their territory, recently you made a deal with their High Thane. Once a year they pay you a tribute of gold, food and mineral wealth and in return you agreed to leave their territory alone. While the dwarves are not your friends, they are not your enemies for now either. Thus far, the agreement has held between your two clans.

How's that?

Is this for me?

Taljor wrote:

Is this for me?

For Ainsley, but the same questions can apply to you as well. Did you want to break down your forces and skilled citizens or shall I?

BTW, your minotaur is awfully tall. They are usuallt 6 to 7 foot tall at best. (or is Tal just a freak of nature? )

I went off the stats from D&D. They are 8 - 10'. I'll take 8'.

Lets see what you come up with for troop breakdown, but would like to have 10 or so of wizards, clerics, druids as part of the 200 troops. unless you feel these would fall in to the skilled workers. if so, no problem. Think wargs or dire wolves might be suitable too.

For skilled workers: i'd like blacksmithes, trappers, miners, artists, merchants

Taljor wrote:

I went off the stats from D&D. They are 8 - 10'. I'll take 8'.

So noted.

Taljor wrote:

Lets see what you come up with for troop breakdown, but would like to have 10 or so of wizards, clerics, druids as part of the 200 troops. unless you feel these would fall in to the skilled workers. if so, no problem. Think wargs or dire wolves might be suitable too.

No mages, worgs or the like. While you may aquire, train or discover these types of units, you may not start out with them.

Being minotaurs, (or Tauriens, whichever name you prefer) Let's go with 150 assault infantry and 50 spearmen. The infantry are armed with either a battle axe or heavy flail and often wear leather or hide armor, often with whatever metal armor bits they can arrange, (like chain shirts or plated kilts). Spear men are only slightly less armored and often carry three or four spears to either throw or fight with.

Taljor wrote:

For skilled workers: i'd like blacksmiths, trappers, miners, artists, merchants

A fairly wide scope. I'll see what can be arranged with your initial set-up.

For your initial bonuses:

-- Bounty of the land; There is a great deal of game in the area your clan has settled in. Deer, elk, bear, wolves, fox, rabbits, raccoons, quail, etc are plentiful around here. This tends for a good deal of your supply of meat as well as providing a source for furs and hides to gather. In addition, one of your forefathers discovered wild apples and cherries in the woods and had the forsight to replant several trees closer to your clan. While not large enough to provide for your whole clan alone, they do add a new luxury and variety that many do not have.

-- Little friends; Taljor's attempts at more passive and nature friendly relations with the other local species has as least won you the friendly relations with Rootburrow, a nearby hobbit settlement. While many of the halflings are still suspicious of you and your kin, they are at least open to dialog and trade options.

GoldenDrakon wrote:

The House of Ainsley wrote:

50 is enough for some spearmen, some shield maidens for the spearmen to stand behind, an ice wizard or two (possibly) and a few berserkers with hammers and axes. That'll do.

Spearmen and shield maidens yes, Berserkers and wizards no. 'Grunts' only. While you might be able to train or gain elite units, you may not start out with them.

Ah, cool. Berserkers would be considered elites? I'll definitely have to work my way up to those guys whenever I can. For now, spearmen and shield maidens make for a pretty solid army. Would the spearmen get more than one spear, though (like, say, one or two javelins for throwing and a boar lug spear for close quarters)? And would the shield maidens get a small weapon (like a shortsword or a handaxe) in case they need to get into melee, like during an enemy overrun?

And would some of the grunts have to be set aside as bear handlers, to manage those thirty polar bears in the heat of battle? (And, if so, how many polar bears could one bear handler manage at a time? One, two or maybe even three? Bears can be pretty cantankerous by nature, so the bears-to-handler ratio probably wouldn't be very big.)

GoldenDrakon wrote:

Did you want to set up the specifics for your community and fighting force, or shall I?

I'm easy. I'd still like the focus on mining, masonry and smithing--and the deficit on agriculture--as might be expected for a mountain-dwelling culture, but whatever works best for you.

GoldenDrakon wrote:

In any case, here are your two starting bonuses;

- 30 polar bears trained to fight for you. These war bears were the picks of the litters among your local packs. They are trained to augment your fighting force and respond to simple, basic commands. Each wears a spiked collar to designate it as a war bear.

- Tithe. A clan of local dwarves shares the mountains with you and are fairly nearby. While you have occasionally skirmished with and/or raided their territory, recently you made a deal with their High Thane. Once a year they pay you a tribute of gold, food and mineral wealth and in return you agreed to leave their territory alone. While the dwarves are not your friends, they are not your enemies for now either. Thus far, the agreement has held between your two clans.

How's that?

Groovy! So...keep the polar bears disciplined and fed, and don't bother the dwarves as long as they keep paying their tribute. I can certainly live with that.

The House of Ainsley wrote:

Ah, cool. Berserkers would be considered elites? I'll definitely have to work my way up to those guys whenever I can. For now, spearmen and shield maidens make for a pretty solid army. Would the spearmen get more than one spear, though (like, say, one or two javelins for throwing and a boar lug spear for close quarters)? And would the shield maidens get a small weapon (like a shortsword or a handaxe) in case they need to get into melee, like during an enemy overrun?

And would some of the grunts have to be set aside as bear handlers, to manage those thirty polar bears in the heat of battle? (And, if so, how many polar bears could one bear handler manage at a time? One, two or maybe even three? Bears can be pretty cantankerous by nature, so the bears-to-handler ratio probably wouldn't be very big.)

Just think of beserkers as something for you to build towards or work to rediscover. Never can tell, as the story progresses then stuff will happen, some good, some bad and some to have potential either way.

You can equip your soldiers however you choose so long as it is within the means of your community to provide. that is all up to you. I gave you a basic start up design since I didn't have more details.

If you want your bears to be paired with handlers in a similar manor as K-9 might, (B-9's?) I would think no more than 3 per handler. You might be giants, but if two or three decide to fight over something, or turn on their handler, even a frost giant might have difficulty keeping them under control. You can also just usher them all out to the field and turn them loose on the enemy too. Damn near impossible to control with any finese, but it would certainly get the job done.

Also, in case I haven't mentioned or offered the suggestion; you are all free to name (or rename) any town, lake, river, mountain, island or any other territory you'd care to.

I'm happy with Jotunnheim for the thorp, Jotunnfell Hall for the jarl's hall and throne and Jotunnfell for the mountain (and its summit) on which Jotunnfell Hall sits. I should probably come up with a name for the jarldom in which Jotunnheim and its mountains sit, though.

Also, first Fight action, right here! I'm such a bloody pioneer.

Oh dudes..... I'm soooooo slow. Sawwwies!

Yes, you are. Get on with it, woman! The frost giants thirst for the blood of half-elves this night.

Wraith wrote:

Oh dudes..... I'm soooooo slow. Sawwwies!

No problem. It's been a rough week for me this week at work so I'm still trying to finish Tal's post, then Ainsley's.