Dark Ages: 10th Century Croatia

[CruelDespot]

I'm planning to run a Cthulhu Dark Ages PbP set in Croatia in the mid 10th century.

The characters would be agents of the king of Croatia. The king would send the characters to perform various missions: patrol the frontier, deliver messages, escort VIPs, investigate reports of strange happenings...

I chose Croatia because it is not well known so there is freedom to act without contradicting knownl historical events, and it is positioned at the crossroads between the Byzantine empire to the South, the pagan Magyar hordes to the East, the Holy Roman Empire to the North, and Venice to the West.

Follow this link to a page on BRP Central where I have posted the houserules and campaign info to download. Check it out and let me know if you are interested.
LINK-> http://basicroleplaying.com/forum/downl ... file&id=92

I tend to run games that are very player-driven. Your background will not just be flavortext. It will affect the plot. If your background states that your character's clan was destroyed by the Magyars, expect an adventure where you can rescue some of your clan members from Magyar slavery. Create your own long-term goals, and I'll present opportunities and challenges to achieve them.

[CruelDespot]

Update: I now have approx 4 players that are interested, based on PMs and some ads I have on other sites. I still have room for a few more.

[FatherUltor]

Hello..here is my character!

Character SheetPlayer Name: Michael
Character Name: Vladimir
Career: Hermit
Personality: Humble
Birthplace: Croatia
Language: Native Croatian Religion: Roman Catholic
Sex: Male Age: 43
STR (Strength): 12
CON (Constitution): 11
DEX (Dexterity): 11
INT (Intelligence):10
POW (Power): 16
APP (Appeal): 9
SIZ (Size): 8
Heritage Modifiers: 10%
Charisma (APPx5): 45
Damage Modifier: 0
Endurance (CONx4) 44
Heart Score: 80-6=74
Hit Points (Max): Current: 10
Major Wound: 5
Idea (INTx5): 50
Know: 53
Luck: 36
Magic Points (Max): 16 Current: 16
Movement Rate:6 Current: 6

Skills
Accounting (10%): 20
Art ________ (05%): 15
Bargain (05%): 15
Climb (40%): 50 (w/armor: 32 )
Conceal (15%): 25 (w/armor: 17 )
Craft _woodworking_______ (35%):
Cthulhu Mythos (00%):
Dodge (DEX x2%): 42 (w/armor:34)
Drive Horses (20%): 30
Fast Talk (05%): 15
First Aid (30%): 40
Fist/Punch (50%): 50
Grapple (25%): 25
Head Butt (10%): 10
Hide (30-SIZE%): 99 (w/armor: 91)
Insight (05%): 85
Jump (25%): 35 (w/armor:27)
Kick (25%): 25
Listen (25%): 95
Natural World (10%): 80
Navigate (10%): 20
Occult (05%): 85
Other Kingdom ________ (01%):
Other Language ________ (01%):
Own Kingdom –specify (20%): 40 Croatian
Own Language (INT x5%): 50 Croatian
Persuade (15%): 45
Pilot Boat (01%):11
Potions (01%): 90
Repair/Devise (20%): 30
Ride (05%):15 (w/armor: 7 )
Science ________ (01%): 11
Sneak (DEX x2–SIZ%): 85 (w/armor:77)
Spot Hidden (25%): 85
Status (15%): 25
Swim (25%): 35 (w/armor:27)
Throw (25%): 25
Track (10%): 20
Write Language ____11____ (01%):

Weapon Skills ( base 15% sword)
Axe/Club:
Flail:
Knife:
Polearm:
Shield:
Sword: 65

Spells Known Flesh Ward


Attacks
Weapon/ Attack % / Damage / Range / HP
Short Sword 65%, 1d6, touch,20
CrossBow 20%, 2d6 100yards, 20

Hit Location Armor Type Protection
x1 Head: light helm 6
x2 L Arm: soft leather 2
x3 R Arm: soft leather 2
x4-8 Body: soft leather 2
x9 L Leg: soft leather 2
x0 R Leg: soft leather 2

Armor Encumbrance:
+Shield Encumbrance: 10
+Helmet Encumbrance: 10
-Strength: 12
=Encumbrance Penalty: -8%

SUPPLIES:
Short Sword and Sheath, CrossBow (24 Bolts), BackPack, 2 Holy Water, Flint/Tinder,
Chalk, Weeks Rations, Extra Clothes, Blanket, Hammer, 3 Metal Spikes, Mirrow, Bible
2 Lamps With Oils, 30'Rope(Tied On BackPack),Light Helm, Soft Leather Armor, Cross...


Background Story: Born poor farm family in Croatia. Early years stays home alot do to sick older brother. Vlad was the only child able to carry on farm work. Turns to the occult for answers to life problems but turns away from the occult when brother dies after battling an illness for 8 long years. He contacts law/church about the occult leaders...they are arrested and killed for thier crimes. Vladimir has a dream soon after...and angel appears to him in sleep and instructs him to worship the Lord God as Saviour. Vladimir does what the angel told him and has spent many years looking for and reporting occult activity to the Church and authorities. He is older now, parents are dead and he has moved back to the old farm to continue his worship to the Lord and the Royal Court when called apon.
Parents and Siblings: Parents all dead.
Spouse and Children: He is married and has 4 children-ages 17, 16 14 & 11. The oldest and youngest are boys, while the remaining are girls. His wife supports him but fears that his enemies might seek revenge apon the entire family. All of which live with him on the farm.
Friends and Enemies: Friends...many local townsfolk and church athorities. Enemies...Occult followers.
Motivation: To seek one's own personal enlightenment and devote one's life to family, church and those in need...Royal Court.

[CruelDespot]

Looks good! Several other players have expressed interest, but you are the first to post a completed character.

It makes sense to me that your character would be working as an agent of the King, given the concerns in that time period about witchcraft. Any team that is sent to solve problems and handle odd-jobs would need a member who could identify and deal with witchcraft.

I am thinking that a Catholic Bishop probably recommended Vladimir to serve the King as a witch-hunter, based on his demonstrated commitment. Vladimir may also be a member of the King's clan- a distant relative.

How does that sound? Is that what you had in mind?

Also, what is Vlad's wife's personality? and what are the ages and genders of his children?

[FatherUltor]

I like the idea of being recommeded by the local Bishop. Very fitting! As to his wife and children - updated the info on the character sheet. Witch Hunter..yes...that is a nice touch.

enjoy

[potzee]

Hey Cruel:

Love the idea. when are you planning to start? I'm running 2 characters now. One I can probably put on cruise control, for the short term. Guess I should bone-up on my cro-at
history. I Know you said we didn't have to, but,"I Ham what I Ham."

Potzee

[CruelDespot]

I have had several express interest, but FatherUltor is the first to have his character approved. We certainly have room.

Don't worry about brushing up on your knowledge of the Dark Ages. After all, nobody knew less about the Dark Ages than the people who actually lived then. That's why they were dark ages. To play a good Dark Ages character, you only really need to know this about the setting: "I live in a shithole, and the rest of the world is dangerous and mysterious." Research is probably counter-productive to good roleplaying!

[potzee]

Oh, I can do ignorant. Just ask my ex-wife.

[CruelDespot]

This game now has a forum, under the Dark Ages category on this site: Balkan Blasphemy.

I just saw that it has been created, but I have to get off to work before I can get it properly set up.

I plan to start playing shortly. I like to start each character on a quick solo adventure before they link up with the group- sort of a test drive to work out the kinks. This means that the first players to get ready can start their solos while we continue to recruit more. I have two characters that are ready (one here and one recruited on another site) and several players who have expressed interest but haven't submitted characters yet.