A New Old World

[topaz]

OCC...(out-of-character comment)

I don't know about you but when it comes to rollplaying I dislike the basic (I call it the fill-in-the-blank) scenario. You know the "You and your fellow adventurers are standing in the famous town of (blank) near the infamous castle of (blank), the entrance to the well-known dungeon of (blank)...." They are all alike.

This thread will not be Redwall based. If you usually play a Redwall character post your stats (simply please) and I will convert them to an equivalent set of stats in this world. If you do not have an existing character, You can either make one and post the stats or I can assign you a character (I will have a few, knowing the way my imagination works ).

Let's keep the character-work in the other post concerning this thread (I think I called it "how do you start one of these things.") I would like to create the characters there and insert them here when they are finished. The next post on this thread will be the beginning of the storyline...so keep listening!

[topaz]

Thousands of years ago, in a solar system we can only see with our most powerful telescopes...two planets collided. You would not have considered it much of a collision if you saw it through a telescope, though. They were moving in the same direction on the same orbit (occ...rare, but possible) at only a slightly different speed.

One planet being nearly twice the size of the other, the gravity held planets together for nearly a hundred years. Until the explosion.

A volcanic explosion of dynamic porportions separated the two planets and they have been that way ever since. It also shifted the orbits just enough to ensure that a similar collision will never happen again (to these planets, anyway). The result of this galactic phenomena was that we are now watching two of the oddest shaped planets you have ever seen...

Now I will draw your focus to the larger of the two. The smaller planet did not remain still while it was on this planet's surface, but rather cut a massive groove around the circumference of the sphere. This friction shifted all the continental plates away from the point (or rather path) of contact, creating huge mountains where the cotinents were separated. One continent actually shifted up on one side (where it hit another in its motion) creating a 12,000 ft. cliff and an underground sea, not to mention some very bizarre terrain.

Story Resumed Later

[Gen. Volkov]

What system is this in then?

[topaz]

OCC...(out-of-character comment)

Does it matter?? This is a fictional story I am composing as we speak. Once I get further along, you will understand why I began this way.

Wait a minute...I just realized you are probably talking about game system, not solar system...time to get your head out of the stars, Topaz!!

The system I use is a modified ad&d v2. Like I said, if you have an existing character and would like to keep your stats, post them and I will convert you..otherwise you could either post a character (use your imagination) or give me a name & race and I will give you some stats and choices.

I guess I should explain what I mean by modified...every time I have played one of these forum-based rollplayers, I have introduced material that is not found in any rulebook...so I compose my own rules and keep going. It's just the way my imagination works.

[topaz]

Our Story Continues:

As I said...all this was thousands of years ago. As you can imagine the population of the planet has been telling and re-telling the story for all this time. Each culture has their own distinct version.

The planets exchanged life forms and materials while they were together, resulting in a bizarre mix of races throughout the planet. Humanoids of all kinds are present in many cultures. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Orks, and many other races live together in harmony in some "civilized" kingdoms...in others they still band together in racially distinct tribes while some races even have their own kingdoms.

Because of the abundant natural barriers of their planet and the difficulty of travel many kingdoms are not aware of each other's existence. Nearly a thousand years before the time our tale begins, a plague wiped out nearly an entire continent's population. Since that time, wild beasts, monsters, and savages have ruled the land. Many ruins remain from the "people that came before," but the land is by all accounts desolate and nearly devoid of civilization.

The kingdom of Wyrn is a racially mixed kingdom. For nearly twenty-five years they have been fighting a constant war against their neighbors, Yvost and North Burvick, wich collectively control all ports on the Western Sea.

Wyrn, a landlocked kingdom, desires access to the sea and the wealth that can be had from intercontinal trade and travel. However, it has not been able to make much headway against its rich and warlike neighbors.

But now the king of Wyrn makes a choice that could change everything...

[topaz]

Character Introduction #1

Name: Timon (pronounced tie-mon) Kormont
Race: High Elf
Class: Fighter/Mage
Alignment: Neutral
Racial properties: High Elves are nearly as tall as humans and similar in their physical strength. Natural Warriors, they tend to prefer finesse weapons rather than the brute variety. An Intelligent people, they can be skilled in the arts of Magic and Illusion.
Personal Properties: Weaker than most elves, Timon makes up for it with intelligence and dexterity. He is an able magic user and has six spells in his spellbook at present.

(OCC: Note to future players. I will write similar descriptions for all players joining the game. Please submit name/race/class/alignment/character background and I will fix up the rest and inform you of the results by writing a post similar to this.)

I was elated the day the king of Wyrn commanded my presence in his private chamber. I had not expected to serve him for nothing, but that is nearly what I had gotten...thus far.

He looked worried as I was introduced and I looked around to notice that only his most trusted advisors were present.

"I am entrusting you with a mission upon which hangs the welfare of the entire kingdom of Wyrn."

All his speeches began this way, so I replied with a low bow. I had learned to live with humans since my exile from Xyrlan, but I have never understood why they seem to be so bloody impatient.

He explained, "You will leave imediately for the new world and establish a foreward base there. I plan to conquor the city of Mardt within the month and we should be sending trading expeditions soon afterwards."

He refered to the continent that had recently been "discovered" a thousand leagues to the west. I did not agree with this claim...my belief was that our enemies had known of this continent for nearly all of the five hundred years they had enjoyed a trading monopoly.

This was my chance! I knew fortune had smiled upon me at last. I was to gather an expedition of adventurers for this "new" world. I could take as many as I wanted, but the promise of pay was questionable. He offered an eighth of the takings of the first voyage. I accepted, for there were always other ways of getting gold. Trading was what he was interested in, but if my hunch were true, gold would be had in many ways on this "new" land!

[Gen. Volkov]

Actually, I have a character in ad&d, slightly modified by my GM. He's 20th level though. I actually worked him all the way from 1st to 20th. He is an incredibly badass half-ogre barbarian.

And yes, I was talking about game system, lol. I'm a gamer. I've played every version of D&D there is, several that weren't actually D&D but close relatives, GURPS, White-Wolf, Obsidian, UNIS-system, and a few others I'm probably forgetting.

So, can we use my existing 20th level character? Or shall I use another of my many many D&D characters? Though most of those are in 3.5, not aD&D.

[topaz]

OCC

Since you are an experienced player, give me a quick run-through of your numbers..I will turn it into a story-relavent description (I like to keep the online ones more descriptive than numerical, if you know what I mean).

Do me a favor, though, and Post your character stats to another thread I will start (called character stats for A New Old World). We will keep that kind of discussion off this thread as much as possible to keep it interesting. More story, less chatting lol.

[topaz]

Timon's adventure continues...

I immediately began to wonder how I should proceed. A venture across enemy territory to the sea is one thing, but then to cross that sea and set up a base on a continent occupied only by enemies. Some would say impossible...not me. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no.

I began to pool together resources. The king was helpful in giving me a few things. First a purse of gold to help with initial expenses. 1000 gold sounds like a lot, but it is nothing in preparing for a venture such as this.

A ring he also gave me that was to signify his favour and his approval of my actions (some of which would prove questionable to some). I think he would have kept the ring though if he knew its true nature. Once I realized it had magic potential, I was able to identify its powers. Called a ring of swordsmanship, it gives me better skill with a blade as well as more strength and speed in the use of it.

Last, but not least, he introduced me to a fellow adventurer who has since proven to be a great friend. His name was Dryn Cresh...

[topaz]

Character introduction #2

Name: Dryn Cresh
Race: Dwarf
Class: Fighter/Thief
Alignment: Neutral
Age: 108
Racial properties: Dwarves are a short, stout people known for their great strength and skill in caves and mines.
Personal properties: Dryn is an immensly strong dwarf. He is surprisingly quick though and weilds his hammer skillfully. When he is not in a melee situation, he prefers a crossbow. He is skilled at anything mechanical and can open any lock in existence. Lacking some in the intelligence department, he has little magical ability. However, he is an excellent smith.

[topaz]

Dryn Cresh

Aye and a good name it is. It belonged to my father before me and his before him (God rest their souls).

My story starts in Bjosk, the capitol of Wyrn. My uncle ran a smithy there and I was apprenticed to him. Until the day the theives came. I returned home from an errand to find the simthy on fire and my uncle and cousins murdered. After carrying the bodies from the raging flames, I took up a red hot hammer from its place by the forge and started after the theives.

I found them at a local tavern, aye, six of them. I recognized them by the loot they foolishly displayed on their persons. I am a dwarf of few words, so I wasted none there. They attacked me as soon as I mentioned the smithy, and that sealed their fate. A hammer can be a fearful weapon in the hands of such a one as I.

I gained reputation as a fierce warrior in good king's army for the next several years, for the good people of the land do not take kindly to those who kill in anger, even if they kill thieves.

I knew my destiny had arrived, when the King asked me to join his quest to the new World. I would come back rich enough to found my own guild.

[Gen. Volkov]

Name: Helm Bearkiller
Race: Half-Ogre
Class: Barbarian
Alignment: Chaotic/Neutral
Racial Properties: Half-Ogres would be considered giant humans were they not so ugly. Chaotic by nature, they can be quite unpredictable when provoked. Strong by definition, they are fearsome enemies.
Personal Properties: Helm is an incredibly strong Half-Ogre, even for his race, which is already strong, he stands head and shoulders above most. He is also very tough, able to withstand blows and damage that would leave any lesser creature broken and dying. His favorite weapons are two swords, one in each hand, which he wields to great effect. In melee, few dare to approach him, unless forced to. While Helm is not stupid, he is not known for phenomenal intelligence either. His magic and language skills suffer as a result. Blunt to a fault, he also has difficulty with subtlety.

[topaz]

Timon Kormont

Choosing weapons for a quest such as this can be interesting. As I scanned my armory for just the right ones, I came across many old memories. I saw the axe weilded by the Oger-mage I had killed twenty years before (I only kept it for memory's sake...I hate axes). I held again the Mage's staff I had carried for many years of wandering.

Then I saw it. My Sabre with the endowed amythest in the base of its blade would make a good start. If only I could only augment it with something before I left...

I also chose a shield of strength that will easily block blows stronger than I can render. It almost seems to fight by itself.

I added two endowed ego daggers. One has the power of flame and the other has the power of frost. Together I call them Fire and Ice.

[Gen. Volkov]

Helm Bearkiller road at the van of his small clan's caravan, diligently scanning the countryside for enemies. They were making their way across the highlands, heading for the King's court. Helm had been summoned there, and did not wish to leave his clan without it's greatest defender. The clan leader had agreed, and they set off.

The great warrior was not apprehensive about meeting a king, he had met more than a few in his day, and even saved a few kingdoms. He had gained great renown throughout the land, and even the world. His adventures had become legends the world over.

Helm rode in a great-coat, which hid his body, and had a high collar that half hid his face. The height of the horse made it hard to tell exactly how big, but it's clear Helm is a very large person, somewhere between 7 and 8 feet tall. Every once in awhile, the movement of the horse would cause the coat to part, and a gleam of metal would show. Out of the top of the coat rise two sword handles, obviously strapped across his back. There is also a large bag strapped across the back of the horse, containing all his worldly possessions. His clanmates have noticed that it holds far more than it seems it should at times. On his head he bore a helmet, Viking-style, with one horn broken off. None of his clan-mates were precisely sure what it did, but they were all sure it bestowed some sort of large benefit onto Helm. They were all to afraid to ask the great warrior exactly what it did though. After all, who would strike up casual conversation with a living legend?

And the clan continued it's march to the capital...

[topaz]

Character Introduction:

Name: D'argash

Race: Troll

Class: Fighter/Thief/Mage

Alignment: Chaotic/Neutral

Racial Properties: Trolls are amazing fighters. Known mostly for their great strength and continual regeneration, they are made to take (and give) heavy beatings. Not as well known is the fact that they are distant relatives of Elves and can be intelligent and skillful.

Personal properties: D'argash is a cream-of-the-crop Troll. After a 15-year struggle to unite them, his father, D'arg, became the ruler of the mountain Troll kingdom of Vurst. Born with most of his father's best qualities, D'argash is highly intellegent, skilled with weapons, agile as a cat, and nearly eight feet tall.