The year is 1900, in a different Shade of the British Empire where the Victorian era runs fierce and men of industry have obscene wealth at the peak of the Industrial Revolution nobility remains strong, powered by dragon scales that provide them with both long lives and proof of their divine right to rule over the commoners. Employers have every right to a obedient workforce, and labor agitators complaining about accidents or pay are beaten to death in the streets. Child labor is strongly encouraged for the children of the poor: like we want them playing in the street and engaging in criminality. Their hands fit better between the gears anyway. Even death is not an escape from capitalism, as many factories have deals with necromancers to bring back your rotting corpse.
You have spent your entire life at the bottom of a ditch, cowering in some poorhouse or working to the bone in a London sweatshop. Disease and crime run rampant, gangs and corrupt guards rule the streets and violence is often required to survive. Men often lose their souls staring at an unending gray sky, and the madhouses are full of rage. The smell of piss and smoke and old booze infects your lungs until you can’t breathe.
Today there will be one chance to escape your chains. The wealthy live lives of splendor in Cascadia soaring above the clouds while the poor choke on smog. That is your target. You have learned of a heist to steal a valuable shipment of Dwarven gemstones from Germany. If you fail you will not get the mercy of death, as you will be kept chained alive at the darkest edge of the Seam where demons unravel your soul. But if you succeed, you can have wealth and power beyond your wildest dreams. What do you choose?
Love the concept! Not my particular cup of tea but appreciate seeing someone bringing something this far out of the ordinary to the table. Have a great campaign!
This is an alternate timeline which has been forcibly separated from ours by giants. As the old faerie tale goes, great Frost Giants and Fae once went together towards the depths of Hades and challenged the Fates, separating one of their timelines. Elements of the separation overrun the kingdom with physical evidence that have shaped the geography of the kingdom over thousands of years.
Alright. I love a good urban (or urban-ish) fantasy. Can you tell us a bit more about the setting? Like, what's the state of the fantasy races? Colonial empires couldn't even handle humans with dark skin, so I can't imagine they're terribly fond of nonhumans.
Green orcs and European halflings are generally considered equivalent to working class white people. Most of the public in big cities is too poor to have time for magical events, which outside of children's stories are generally considered to be dangerous and weird, and only for people in the countryside.
There has been a nouveau riche forming among industrious faefolk such as aarocka, tabaxi and dwarves who have made enough from the mercantile and manufacturing industries to be reluctantly allowed into upper circles, with silent scorn. A notable exception are Dragonborn, whose Germanic heritage is considered too volatile and dangerous for the kingdom (You can still play Dragonborn, just flavor it a little differently).
Magic practicing is only viewed as proper among the upper classes, who have been given the divine right by the Anglican Polytheist church. Darker and more temperamental strains of magic have fallen into the domain of the black market, which has created many infamous talents for those students lucky enough to not be scammed or obliterated by a junk spell.
Sounds great! In that case, have a wonderful campaign! Not that I thought you'd have trouble finding folks but knowing who's shown an interest so far I thought I might throw my hat in the ring if you still had an opening near the end of recruitment.
The year is 1900, in a different Shade of the British Empire where the Victorian era runs fierce and men of industry have obscene wealth at the peak of the Industrial Revolution nobility remains strong, powered by dragon scales that provide them with both long lives and proof of their divine right to rule over the commoners. Employers have every right to a obedient workforce, and labor agitators complaining about accidents or pay are beaten to death in the streets. Child labor is strongly encouraged for the children of the poor: like we want them playing in the street and engaging in criminality. Their hands fit better between the gears anyway. Even death is not an escape from capitalism, as many factories have deals with necromancers to bring back your rotting corpse.
You have spent your entire life at the bottom of a ditch, cowering in some poorhouse or working to the bone in a London sweatshop. Disease and crime run rampant, gangs and corrupt guards rule the streets and violence is often required to survive. Men often lose their souls staring at an unending gray sky, and the madhouses are full of rage. The smell of piss and smoke and old booze infects your lungs until you can’t breathe.
Today there will be one chance to escape your chains. The wealthy live lives of splendor in Cascadia soaring above the clouds while the poor choke on smog. That is your target. You have learned of a heist to steal a valuable shipment of Dwarven gemstones from Germany. If you fail you will not get the mercy of death, as you will be kept chained alive at the darkest edge of the Seam where demons unravel your soul. But if you succeed, you can have wealth and power beyond your wildest dreams. What do you choose?
-Looking for 4 Characters
-starting at lvl 1
-Character description must be 300 words or less
Questions for your character:
How were you arrested?
What are you willing to do to survive?
Why do you need the money?
Which god do you serve?
((Playing here on forums? Race/class restrictions? Rolling for stats/PB/Standard Array? Anything off limits?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Here on forums, no race/class restriction, can roll for stats or point buy
Love the concept! Not my particular cup of tea but appreciate seeing someone bringing something this far out of the ordinary to the table. Have a great campaign!
So what’s this setting, exactly? Our world but with magic and nonhumans and such?
Basically yes.
This is an alternate timeline which has been forcibly separated from ours by giants. As the old faerie tale goes, great Frost Giants and Fae once went together towards the depths of Hades and challenged the Fates, separating one of their timelines. Elements of the separation overrun the kingdom with physical evidence that have shaped the geography of the kingdom over thousands of years.
Alright. I love a good urban (or urban-ish) fantasy. Can you tell us a bit more about the setting? Like, what's the state of the fantasy races? Colonial empires couldn't even handle humans with dark skin, so I can't imagine they're terribly fond of nonhumans.
Green orcs and European halflings are generally considered equivalent to working class white people. Most of the public in big cities is too poor to have time for magical events, which outside of children's stories are generally considered to be dangerous and weird, and only for people in the countryside.
There has been a nouveau riche forming among industrious faefolk such as aarocka, tabaxi and dwarves who have made enough from the mercantile and manufacturing industries to be reluctantly allowed into upper circles, with silent scorn. A notable exception are Dragonborn, whose Germanic heritage is considered too volatile and dangerous for the kingdom (You can still play Dragonborn, just flavor it a little differently).
Magic practicing is only viewed as proper among the upper classes, who have been given the divine right by the Anglican Polytheist church. Darker and more temperamental strains of magic have fallen into the domain of the black market, which has created many infamous talents for those students lucky enough to not be scammed or obliterated by a junk spell.
One person has demonstrated interest, 3 spots remaining
I’m definitely interested, but I’ll need a little time to think of a character.
Ok cool that makes 2 players
When does your recruitment window end?
I was going to give it a few days but interest is picking up fast. Probably have enough people in a day or two
Ok 3 players are interested, 1 spot remaining. At this rate it’ll close today
Sounds great! In that case, have a wonderful campaign! Not that I thought you'd have trouble finding folks but knowing who's shown an interest so far I thought I might throw my hat in the ring if you still had an opening near the end of recruitment.
I am certainly interested, if you don't mind having a less experienced (on forum/PbP) player?
I'm don't have too much experience either, very welcome to join!
Ok with that I think that we have our players!
I know I said 4 but actually I think it will be 5 because I lost track of someone.
Alright ^^ glad to see I got in, this concept is great and something that sounds quite intriguing.