GURPS Fantasy , shared world, recruiting

[Agramer]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

I'd suggest accounting for the dragons and their riders in your design process from the get-go. They are probably too huge of an element to be seamlessly fitted in at a later stage. The economic, military, and social situation will be profoundly affected by dragons. Think of how they will be fed, raised, etc. Think of the tax burden needed to support them- exponentially higher than even a mounted knight in plate armor!

I keep that in mind.Though I dont want to create culture based/evolving around Dragon riders .

I can do that if you want ? Though than itd become copy of Warhammer Fantasy Dragonriders of Caledor. If thats not to much cliché,we could lean in that direction and have Knightly armor,barding also based of Flying Dragon shapes...depending on Order of Knights or some such thing.

I wanted to give Dragons once per year mating season when they "go balistic" and are released from their "hangars"(lol) to fly freely and look for mate.Maybe such mating season could last around few weeks while overlapping to two months total time.
Also due larger amount of Dragons in Georgia than in wilderness,wild Dragons would tend to congegrate in highlands of Georgia due amount of females there.Those could be hard times for local population protecting their herds(and selves) while being discrete enough not to harm any tame Dragon(could wear some insignia,rings..whatever to be more easily recognised).
During mating season,mating fights would ensue among males,and even rider with male who is pre/post mating season could be attacked by wild/tamed male Dragon in heat.
Such mating season would effectively remove Dragon Riders from picture for 2 months/year,thus creating opening and inherent weakness "Georgias" Army would have during that period.

Dragon riders would be only ones entitled to have their armor and barding of their horses made in image of stylized Dragons...when theyre not riding/flying.

Also,(Open for suggestions) It would be nice to have Riders "bonding" with their Dragons upon Dragon birth(from egg) and Dragons picking their future rider during some ceremony.It isnt unknown for some children to be killed from newly born Dragons during pickup ceremony.

Ceremony would be basically open to any Georgian,no matter class,due belief that Dragon riders are reincarnations(Tentric...pop suggestions please)of ancient Heroes...This would make only way in society for someone to gain Noble title ,unless hes noble born.
Ceremony would be held with dozens of eggs about to hatch(as much as respective community,highest noble in region can acquire) and few dozen children present.children should perform some rite before gaining right to "stand at Dragon -birth "ceremony and be healthy.

Maybe even let Girls in on it,but only with very strong political backing(doughtier of some mighty lord or similar),since there are more Noble boys wanting to become riders than there are Dragons...and if we add other social classes in also that leaves even less space for girls.

Maybe pre-adoption rites are through real combat between children,where Noble children would have edge over commoners due tradition of fammilies and training available to them,resulting in very low % of common-born getting a chance to stand in front Dragons...same could be said for girls.
Adopted children would be extensively trained from that moment on in martial arts,to become pinnacle of "Georgian" warriors ... in Sky,on foot or horse...true elite.

Also ,Im revising them(Dragons) ,in power scope,every so often though Im slowly leaning toward weaker versions but more numerous(Something along 1 Dragon Rider per 50 knights).
But with Dragons having only DR2-3(skin instead scales) instead 4+ as I thought before,body size aprox of Rhino with much stronger head(crocodile,sabertooths),strong limbs(I want them to be able to run on ground,slower than horses though)

That would give :
-more vulnerability to classic weapons,massed archers..etc
-I could have them charging with lances on ground and participating in "jousts"(in combat)
-more impact on ground due their extra attacks and big strength(since Id really like to avoid "Strategic bombers theme")

[tantric]

For my Tikopia, I'm assuming Spiritblooded are okay for nonhumans, but what about the brownies or talking animals? I strongly feel that there are many players that just need the nonhuman option to enjoy the game, but I'm trying to keep the effects of these species marginal while still incorporating them fully.

For brownies, rather than mice people, I would go with tsukumogami - like the lantern people Chochinobake. It's a bit much, maybe as familiars rather than PC's. Still, playing something like the sapient pearwood chest from discworld would be so amazing. I think rather than animated objects, they are tiny humanoids that can shapechange into inanimate objects, though they can still 'talk' in this guise.

I like talking animals because they are almost ubiquitous in folklore but rarely seen in RPG's, mostly due to DnD's inability to deal with that (I remember having a huge argument with a fanboy who insisted that it was totally possible and even RAW to play a talking dog in 3.5). GURPS shines in this area. Since the wildlife of Tikopia is based on the Philippines, that makes flying lemurs and tarsiers. Or just tarsier people. Gotta love the li'l bug eyed critters!

[combatmedic]

Gah, file is having trouble...

Here's that champion for you, Agramer:

Kroekos the Civic Champion [200pts]

ST 15
DX 15
IQ 10
HT 12

basic move bought up to 7 [only 5 points]
Adv:
Combat Reflexes
Rapid Healing
fit
High Pain Threshold
Status 2
Wealth: Comfortable
Reputation +1: city champ/killer of men

dis:
callous
bloodlust
lecherous
selfish
duty [9 or less] fight for city
bad temper
light sleeper
missing digit [a woman he was raping bit off the small finger of his left hand]
jealousy
code of honor: pirate's


skills:
various, but focused on hand to hand combat, with or without weapons [best with a shield and spear]. He's a pretty good athlete in foot racing, wrestling, boxing, etc. He has basic military skills from his militia service, and knows a little about horses and farming from his early life as a farmhand- before his fighting talents made him a 'big man.'


notes: Kroekos is a hard, vicious man. Once a farmer and ordinary militiaman, his great strength and brutal prowess on the battelfield so impressed the city fathers that they made him the civic champion [a little honest fear may have underlain that decision]. Kroekos has a nasty temper. He's got little use for women, outside shagging. He respects a tough or brave man, but has only contempt for the cowardly and lazy. There are few rules in his world-view, but he does scrupulously uphold his own honor and the honor of his city. A defeated opponent is not enough for him if it's a 'real fight'- he prefers his enemies dead, so that they cannot come at him a second time. He hasn't gotten to where he is now by showing kindness or mercy, and he intends to stay on top. Anyone crossing him had better have a good backup plan, because a cheesed off Kroekos will kill you, rape your wife, burn down your house, and sell your kids into slavery.
That's just how he rolls.

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by Agramer

That would give :
-more vulnerability to classic weapons,massed archers..etc
-I could have them charging with lances on ground and participating in "jousts"(in combat)
-more impact on ground due their extra attacks and big strength(since Id really like to avoid "Strategic bombers theme")

Hmmm...have you considered my chess piece analogy? The dragons do short hop flights to land at weak points in the enemy formations, tear stuff up, and then jump/fly to the next weak point.

Without armor, they could manage longer glidepaths, but then they'd be more vulnerable should they land and engage in melee.

Rhino sized? Not rhino shaped, though, right? I'm having trouble getting the image, here.

Anyhoo- no, I don't think the whole society should revolve around dragons.
What I am suggesting is that it is going to take a very big investment of food, labor etc to maintain the dragons and support their riders. Think about how they will be fed! Don't handwave the expenses. I wouldn't worry about hard numbers now- but just keep the costs in mind.
There are farmers supporting everything you create: knights, castles, horses, and dragons. Don't forget the regular folks who make the world go.

[Agramer]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Kroekos the Civic Champion [200pts]

basic move bought up to 7 [only 5 points]

skills:

Thatd be +0,25 Basic speed 5 pts ...For basic speed 7(move 7/dodge7)

Y that would describe Champion of some town,in my vision.

Is Weapon Master and 1 level of Extra Attack really such big step to "over the top" cinematic,that youd liek to avoid in setting? (Since youd kinda need those for Big shoot Heroes)

Originally Posted by combatmedic

A humble suggestion [not editorial directive, I stress that]:

Ditch the aerial lancers [this isn't Dragonlance, and the concept does great violence to my own SoD- and probably does that for many other folks, as well] and go with a 'leapfrog' set-up. The dragoneers bound/fly over the enemy, like knight figures on the chessboard. They don't stay in one spot too long, because the enemy might cripple the dragon's wings- and then it's probably game over, even if the dragon and rider take out scads of the foe before they are butchered. Losing twenty or thirty infantry to take out a single dragon and rider might well be a very good trade-off for their enemies. Dragons are exponentially more expensive than ordinary soldiers.

I just dont see how such gliding platform can take out 30 people with Bow only?
Also would lose on impact of that Beast unleashed in melee....

Hmm,on 2nd thought (considering my last Dragon post),maybe Bonding idea aint so good if I make Dragons vulnerable.

Since with 2-3 DR only and 35-40ish Hit points,they would go down very,very fast.

Hmm,or leave it like that and have Knights on horse "Dragon riders" with Dragon-resembling barding/armor actually being Slayer(Dwarf slayers) like Knights that are ashamed for losing their mount and are joining Order of Dragons(jezz how original :P ) and pursue glorious death in combat to regain their honour(and of their family)...

lol,Im changing my mind a lot.....

Or Dragons could be poor fliers,that can fly but awkwardly and slowly to gain hight and from there they actually glide through the air.
Than ,as compensation with 4 legs they could move better on ground(slower than horses)and be formidable ground combatants.

So tactics could be to glide by few times and shoot arrows,but land and fight on ground for shock-effect.
Maybe folded wings(skin essentially as bats) can be protected by carefully designed barding where they fold wings below it(as tanks have skirts to protect traction).

Than Id have "my" Flying knights that are shock troops,but still manageable by opposition.(Few Knights with lances could bring such Dragon very fast once it is on ground).

Hmm,Or they cant fly at all,and are just gliders..(that can flap wings a tad to help lift off-but still need running start and probably hight).

With some mix of above you would avoid Dragonlance and Ill get by shock-knightly "flyers".

Thoughts...?

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by tantric

For my Tikopia, I'm assuming Spiritblooded are okay for nonhumans, but what about the brownies or talking animals? I strongly feel that there are many players that just need the nonhuman option to enjoy the game, but I'm trying to keep the effects of these species marginal while still incorporating them fully.
...

It's odd. I have no problem with humans only in sci fi, but I need my non-humans in fantasy.

[Agramer]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Hmmm...have you considered my chess piece analogy?

just did :)))

Originally Posted by combatmedic

The dragons do short hop flights to land at weak points in the enemy formations, tear stuff up, and then jump/fly to the next weak point.

Yup thats nice,though how to write it up in GURPS...

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Without armor, they could manage longer glidepaths, but then they'd be more vulnerable should they land and engage in melee.

Very nice :)...maybe flying is very tiresome for them...

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Rhino sized? Not rhino shaped, though, right? I'm having trouble getting the image, here.

Y body size(without wings and tail) ,to have enough strength to be formidable in melee but not to big(elephant) to be unable to fight from them.

Maybe shorter,strong clawed,front legs to put riders at Horse-rider hight.
Neck with 1 hex reach and powerful jaws.
Very strong hind legs to be able to start-jump liftoff and/or make small hops on battlefield(several metars/dozen tops..maybe helped by single buffet of wings...to jump over shieldwall...) ::>open for suggestions/opinions...

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Anyhoo- no, I don't think the whole society should revolve around dragons.
What I am suggesting is that it is going to take a very big investment of food, labor etc to maintain the dragons and support their riders. Think about how they will be fed! Don't handwave the expenses. I wouldn't worry about hard numbers now- but just keep the costs in mind.
There are farmers supporting everything you create: knights, castles, horses, and dragons. Don't forget the regular folks who make the world go.

Im not :))

I already have 3*A4 pages of questions and subjects I need to answer to make that society bottom up....will be big writeup(and Ill need help as things will start to evolve).

[combatmedic]

I'd say Kroekos is a lot more than just the champ of 'some town.' Did you look at his ST, DX and advantages? The guy has a 15 spear skill!


Basically, your vision of the setting is a whole order of magnitude higher in power than mine- and appears to be rather higher than the ideas of several of the other contributors.

That's why I am okaying 'epic sidebars.' It allows you to write up very powerful NPCs, but doesn't move the whole setting into 'cinematic/epic' territory. I'm really not sure why you wouldn't be happy with this solution.



Now, as for the chess move anology- let me be clear, that's a shock attack. They aren't killing 30 guys with arrows, while gliding. No, the dragon lands and attacks with jaws, claws, and tail. The rider shoots some arrows to back it up, or maybe employs a long spear. The damage is done on the ground- then the dragon leaps again, and lands someplace else to kill more guys in melee.

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

It's odd. I have no problem with humans only in sci fi, but I need my non-humans in fantasy.

Well, if you look at my original guidelines, you will see that spirits, contructs, and undead are all possible. They are uncommon/rare in comparison with humans.

What this world does not have are 'demi-humans.' No elves, dwarves, gnomes, hobbits, etc. Also no orcs, trolls, giants, etc.

[Agramer]

So far we have:

Agramer:
"Georgia" - somewhere on fringe of "world",semi isolated
-15km high mts on one side,mountain range on other side(maybe some mountain passes to allow trade through it,but very perilous due mountain tribes),warm sea of 3rd side..
-it can be situated slightly northerly than climate could imply due 15hm mts blocking North cold to come there and stopping southern hot climate and capturing it in that "valley"

Tantric:
Ticopia (philippines"- though from sound of it also situated on another fringe of world

DAT:
Dinosaur-nomads- would imply 3rd fringe....and some natural barrier/effects
-since why arent here such Dino-cattle in Shattered Empire

Douglas Cole:
"Blasingdell campaign" with Magical Big-bang
-would probably be best to incorporate as former province of Shattered empire ???

Threlgar:
"Shattered Empire" :
-Hellas(under evil necromancer),Avernia,Caanan,Hatusa...
-Center of our worlds universe
Could you work more on it,or give some basic ideas for setting and than make just one or two of those...


Though we dont have:

Central province...of "Shattered Empire"...


We need:

-someone to flesh out Shattered Empire as whole
-each major province
-politics,whys,hows...
-When we sort ALL major provinces in centar(by someone wholl make em)..than resort to Figleaf23s suggestion of "Bible" and each of "main creators" to writeup stuff for others to assist/cocreate with


We need from Combatmedic:
----------------------------
List of forbidden spells(non existent in world or atleast to PCs).
Explain Magic(as my suggestion or different) just to get major guidlines for it.


Any takers?