[HeroQuest]A Hero's Dilemma: Prep and chargen

[Different Games]

Character Generation
I tried to encourage the players to have opinions and ideas about each others character concepts, but as usual they seemed reluctant to do this. Frankly, I have no idea how to get players to engage in the creation of each others characters. I say "feel free to ...", but I guess everybody is afraid of stepping on each others toes or something. I hereby dub this the Your Guy Syndrome. I would really like suggestions for how to thoroughly banish this common yet irrational disorder.

Try framing the character creation process differently next time. Tell them "I want all of us to jointly describe the characters. Until we're done, none of these characters belong to any of you individually. We'll describe one more hero than there are players, and when they're finished you each get to pick one. And everyone has to agree on which character they get. No one gets stuck with someone they don't want."

This hopefully gets the players thinking about the situation and what makes a good story.

[Mike Holmes]

Ah, yes, Alyria storymapping. Good call, Mike.

You're Guy Syndrome. Very good.

Sometimes if you just talk about the situation, which most players can get into, they'll just start discussing potential character types. Sometimes it's not so much neccessary to get people commenting on each other's characters, but just to establish a consensus of what's cool for play before generating them. A keen GM can then watch the players to make sure that they're not going off of the consensus.

If their concept is, in fact, sorta radical, then say this, "Bob's character isn't really what I thought we'd discussed, everyone, I think I'm going to disallow it, but I'll hear arguments for keeping him in, if anyone has any." This turns the "Your Guy" instinct on it's ear, and gets the player thinking about why the player should be allowed to do it. If, in fact, they can't defend it, then you know it needs alteration.

There's always brute force methods, too, though I'm not sure how good they are. Like each player to the right of you makes up one thing that links your character to the situation in a way that interests them (or every player does this with every character, if you have only a few). The player with the character can veto, but play can't begin until they agree on something. Again, forcing them to interact and form an approval.

Mike

[Peter Nordstrand]

Mike & Mike,

That was exactly what I was looking for. It makes sense. Thank you-

Cheers,

[Peter Nordstrand]

I have uploaded the relationship map to my website:

http://www.geocities.com/doctorpeace/r-map_english.pdf

Next: Character writeups.

Cheers,

[Peter Nordstrand]

A few notes regarding the relationship map.

Look closely and you'll see that it is actually three separate maps, but two of them are connected. At first I made one map for each player hero. I put the hero in the center, and attached his relationships. Frieda showed up on both Jotarlys' and Abraxalor's maps, which is why they connect.

Most of the narrator characters on the map were made up by the players. The only exceptions being Roganvarth, Tormakt, Inganna, and Ranulf Turn-Tail. Before character generation I did know (1) that there was a clan grandmother, and (2) that Roganvarth had married an influential woman of the clan. It was the player, however, who decided that they were one and the same. [EDIT: Meaning that Roganvarth suddenly became a lot younger than I had originally imagined, which was fine.]

The purpose of making this r-map is two-fold: (1) It is a fantastic tool to use during actual play. Both I and the players can refer to it. (2) I will use it during prep. The characters on r-map are the most important ones, because they are chosen by the players, and therefore they can be assumed to be the ones that they are most interested in interacting with! I will spend a lot of my remaining prep time on the characters on the map. In essence, this map is a way of letting the players influence the game, and since they made up most of the NPCs they are influential, indeed.

Cheers,

[Peter Nordstrand]

I have a pretty vague idea about several of the narrator characters; most lack elaborate backstories or deep psychological drives. I will let the characters be governed by their relationships and their priorities. Each description ends with a question or two that summarizes that particular characters priorities. I got this idea from Chris Chinn (bankuei), who used the method in Well of Souls.

In addition to the characters mentioned on the R-map, I mention a number of other NPCs. I have made no special effort in describing them. They are there mostly because I am bad at making up characters and names on the fly. Will they be important in the campaign? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.  It depends on what happens in actual play.

I have used the Master Heortling Names & Epiphets List when assigning names and epithets. Naturally, in my game I translate the epithets to Swedish, with entertaining result.

I will bew posting the narrator characters in groups. Here is the first batch.

TEAM ROGANVARTH

Roganvarth Eaglenose
Clan Chieftain

Roganvarth was never really supposed to become chieftain of any clan. Yet, after the Sheep and Owl War of 1615 he saw an opportunity and took it. He had a chance to kill Tormakt, but could not bring himself to do it, and exiled the former chieftain instead.

Roganvarth wants to be well-liked and respected. He does care about the wellbeing of the clan, but above all he yearns for recognition as a leader. Not many people believed in him as a leader. If his backbiters were to be proven right, Roganvarth would feel dishonored. Therefore, his first priority is always to stay in power.

It is important for the chieftain to stay on good terms with Frieda, which is probably the main reason why Jotarlys (Jesper's hero) is on the Clan Ring.

What can I do to gain recognition as a leader? What must I do to stay in power?

Keywords : Heortling Warrior 1W2, Initiate of Anatyr Elmal 17 (Rule Clan), Initiate of Elmal Hearthguard 13W (Combat, Defense, Light).

Personality: Defy Sceptic 20W, Terrified of Dishonor 7W2.

Hero Points: 2.

Relationships: Clan Chieftain 15, Stepfather to Jotarlys 17, Married to Frieda 4W, Has Confidence in Brother Estavus 10W.[/list:u]

Estavus
Roganvarth's Brother

Estavus is a fighter-scholar who has been abroad for many years. He is one of Roganvarth's few true friends and allies. Should anyone harm his brother, Estavus' hatred and vengeance will know no bounds.

Estavus' sudden appearance in the campaign is likely to have far reaching consequences. This character is not on the players' R-map linked to above, yet I consider him very important. Several meaty Bangs can be constructed around his arrival.

What can I do to help my brother?

Keywords : Heortling Warrior 15W, Initiate of Hevduran the Sword Sage 10W (Combat, Knowledge, Literacy).

Significant Abilities: Know Owl Clan Tactics 12W, Natural Leader 20, Sword Fighting 12W2.

Personality: Ruthless 2W, Vengeful 1W3.

Hero Points: 6.

Relationships: Devoted to Roganvarth 9W, Leader of Followers 2W, Member of Toena Clan 2W, Member of Harsing Bloodline 12W.

Followers: A warband of 12 dedicated warriors (Warrior 5W).[/list:u]

Other Members

Terasorl the Torch, who is not quite up to the job as clan warband leader and Member of the Inner Ring. He is always loyal to his masssster.

Babessa Hot-Blood, the clan healer, is developing a crush on her chieftain.

[Bankuei]

Hi Peter,

I love the Narrator character's you've shown so far.  Ego+power-ability to handle it(or will to responsibility) = good conflict!  I also like how you've kept the motivational questions from WoS.  They're a great play aid.

Chris

[Mike Holmes]

Eaglenose seems...pretty incompetent to rule. Is that intentional? I mean it does make for a destabilizing situation, in theory, but one has to wonder how he got this far on, apparently, just one affinity at 17. He can't even use that actively. So what I'm not seeing is why anyone follows this cat. Is it purely his warrior prowess? Hs brother is a new arrival, right? So it can't be his support, right? Why do the circle support him? Maybe a better question, how, precisely, did he grab the power (forgive me if you mentioned it already)?  


Looking at the map, is the tentative connection between the maps, or the simple fact of them all being in the same clan, enough to ensure that the heroes have opportunities to interact? Do you have some ideas for bangs that will spur some intra-PC action? Or are you OK with mainly "separate" stories?

Mike

[Peter Nordstrand]

Chris, thank you for your kind encouragement.

Mike, good questions.

Eaglenose seems...pretty incompetent to rule. Is that intentional? I mean it does make for a destabilizing situation, in theory, but one has to wonder how he got this far on, apparently, just one affinity at 17. He can't even use that actively.

Roganvarth has acess to four affinities. He is an initiate of two of Elmal's subcults: Anatyr the Chieftain 17 and Elmal Hearthguard 13W. But yes, he is only an initiate, not a magical specialist. The Anatyr subcult is a speciality cult for Elmal chieftains only, so he has only belonged to it for five years, hence the miserable rating.

So what I'm not seeing is why anyone follows this cat. Is it purely his warrior prowess? Hs brother is a new arrival, right? So it can't be his support, right? Why do the circle support him? Maybe a better question, how, precisely, did he grab the power (forgive me if you mentioned it already)?

Current year: 1620.

1613 -- The lunars attempt to desecrate the sacred Hill of Orlanth Victorious on Owl Clan lands. This is the start of Starbrow's rebellion. Chieftain Tormakt Daylanusgodi and the entire Owl Clan are among the rebels. The rebellion ends with the most prominent rebel leaders being exiled. Some are allowed to return to their clans. Tormakt is among them

Roganvarth, at this time, is just another warrior of the Toena Clan, but he wants more. His siblings have all grown to become respected local hotshots. Roganvarth, however, has nothing except his spear and his loyal comrades at arms.

1615 -- The traditional feud between the Owl Clan and Toena Clan of the neighboring Aranwyth Tribe takes a turn for the worse, resulting in a short and bloody war between the two. The Lunars intervene, and kill many people in a bloody massacre.

Then, faster than you can say strumpebandshållare, Roganvarth turns up with a band of warriors and exiles Tormakt. Roganvarth subsequently (and this is very smart) asks Frieda to marry him. She is an ageing widow, much older than him, and one of the most influential women of the clan. Why would she marry this usurper? Because she wants peace. The killings have gone on for decades now. People are always hungry. Countless able-bodied men have died in the wars and rebellions and feuds. The clan is very literally about to be exterminated. "We are surrounded by enemies. Our husbands are dead. Our children are dying. There must be another way." A deal is made. Roganvarth is elected chieftain by his new clansmen.

The Lunars are happy to see a local chieftain who is not a follower of Orlanth. They don't think that he is up to the job as chieftain, but they don't want skilled leaders, they want someone they can control. Just in case, they force the Owl Clan to leave the Culbrea and join the Aranwyth Tribe, who never participated in Starbrow's rebellion.

Ilgalad Trollfriend, king of the Aranwyth Tribe, is not particularly happy about the Roganvarth situation, but there isn't much he can do.

In short, Roganvarth came to power by the use of force. He stays in power becuase he is allied with the powerful Frieda No-Buts, the leader of "the Grandmothers", and because both the Lunars and King Ilgalad have decided not to interfere.

However, Roganvarth has probably learned enough during the last couple of years to gain a Clan Chieftain keyword at 17 or so.

Looking at the map, is the tentative connection between the maps, or the simple fact of them all being in the same clan, enough to ensure that the heroes have opportunities to interact? Do you have some ideas for bangs that will spur some intra-PC action? Or are you OK with mainly "separate" stories?

I find the separate stories unlikely. As soon as Tormakt tries to take back his position, the conflict involves all player heroes:

* Jotarlys the Horsemaster is Roganvarth's stepson. His goal is to become clan chieftain himself.

* Abraxalor is allied to Tormakt. His aunt is Frieda No-Buts. His cousin is Jotarlys.

* Gavin the Chief Priest wants to see a worshipper of Orlanth as chieftain. Tormakt is a worshipper of Orlanth. Roganvarth and Jotarlys are not.

As for Bangs, I will get back to them later. I still have a dozen or so NPCs to post about.

Cheers,

[Mike Holmes]

So everything hinges on Frieda, really. It was her decision to marry R to make peace, and so she can probably get him tossed again should it come to that.

How's their relationship? 4W? Hmmm, not too bad. Based mostly on Frieda's desperation to keep the clan from dying?

Jotarlys is how old? It just struck me that it would be fun if they were about the same age, Jotarlys and his stepfather. Makes them rivals in more than one way. :-)

I think that the general conflict looks pretty tight. Three way race for clan chieftain, and it all threatens to tear what little is left of the clan apart.

Just a thought for atmosphere. If two of the boys get into a tussle, have them knock over a torch, and have some important building burn to the ground. Just to really heighten the desperation. I like that the whole setup is about a people on the verge of extinction. I think this one needs a formal writeup too. Could be a shortform classic. Good for conventions and demos. I get that 90% over already "blood opera" sorts of feels from it. All it needs is a little sexual tension. I'm guessing from the map that one of Inganna or Beloni is female and suitable for this role?

Mike

[Peter Nordstrand]

So everything hinges on Frieda, really. It was her decision to marry R to make peace, and so she can probably get him tossed again should it come to that.

Well, yes. But remember that almost all of the remaining clan warriors are Roganvarth's friends and allies at this point. Essentially, it will be hard to bring down Roganvarth by use of force without getting some outside help.

[Peter Nordstrand]

TEAM TORMAKT
Tormakt Daylanusgodi
Former Chieftain

Ever since he was removed from power, Tormakt has been awaiting the right opportunity to return. He is possibly stronger and more capable than ever.

Tormakt is planning for a ruthless comeback, and is prepared to do whatever it takes to succeed. He has contacted the Temple of the Wooden Sword (see Masters of Luck and Death, p. 14), and their leader Lagor has agreed to magically sever his relationship with his former clan. When this is done, any crime Tormakt commits aginst his former clansmen, will be viewed by the gods and the cosmos as strangers fighting each other, not as relatives turning upon each other. The latter is kinstrife, a crime of cosmic proportions.

Tormakt has also engaged in slave trade with the nearby Lunar colony of Jomesland. He has also helped his former antagonists in other ways, in an effort to convince them that he no longer poses a threat to the Lunars.

Tormakt is taking Mikara's prophesy seriously (the one about Abraxalor playing an important role in the battle for power over the clan). It is not clear in what way Abraxalor will play a role, which is why Tormakt has tried to keep this potentially crucial ally or dangerous enemy as close as possible. When things heat up, Tormakt is likely to try to tie Abraxalor even closer to himself, and at the same time test him to see if he is a threat or an asset.

What must I do to become clan chieftain once more?

Keywords : Heortling Clan Chieftain 2W2, Warrior 4W, Devotee of Daylanus the Conquering Storm 5W (Fight Elements, Storm, Wind), God-Talker 20.

Relationships: Apprehensive of Abraxalor 15, Business Relationship with Lunars of Wulfsland 16, Confident of Abraxalor 15, Familiar with the Owl Pact 12W, Former Chieftain of Owl Clan 15W2, Leader of Exiles 7W2.

Notes: The two contradictory relationships with Abraxalor are deliberate. The Owl Pact is an ancient deal with the Mostali, the Owl Clan's traditional elder race ally. It has not been invoked in a long time.

Hero Points: 8.[/list:u]

Other Members
Domasa, Tormakt's wife.

Approximately 30-40 adults live at Tormaktstead near the northern border of the Owl Clan territory. Some are his family, others are allies. The vast majority joined him in exile when Roganvarth took over.

[Mike Holmes]

Well, yes. But remember that almost all of the remaining clan warriors are Roganvarth's friends and allies at this point. Essentially, it will be hard to bring down Roganvarth by use of force without getting some outside help.

Ah, OK, this is what I was missing. See, looking at the writeup, I see Clan Chieftain 15. Which is worse than the average Member of Clan 17 that each character has to get their basic support from folks. So I figured that he must not have any other allies. If the warriors are behind him, then I'd put out another relationship there to indicate that. Otherwise he looks really, really precarious.


Just curious - why the big pile of HP for Tormakt? That should get him through the entire adventure being able to cancel out the HP of heroes who go up against him. Is that what you're looking for?

Mike

[Peter Nordstrand]

Tjaba Mike,

If the warriors are behind him, then I'd put out another relationship there to indicate that. Otherwise he looks really, really precarious.

Ops. I agree. I'm certain that I've missed more things like that, but since I prep for my own game I try not to spend too much time profreading and double checking. The stuff I forget I make up in play. Usually I just refer to the keyword ratings (in this case Warrior 1W2).

Side note: I know that you don't usually write down stats for your NPCs, Mike. While I think that is a valid approach, I've found that writing down just the keywords, the relationships, and a few other abilities make it easier for me to come up with things on the spot. It forces me to spend a  few minutes in prep on each character, thinking about his or her significant abilities. Also, the stats tell me important aspects of the character in a fast and accessible format. What was important with Roganvarth again? Let me see... aha, he is terrified of dishonor! For this method to work, it is imperative to only write down a few important abilities, not the endless lists that I've seen other people use.

Just curious - why the big pile of HP for Tormakt? That should get him through the entire adventure being able to cancel out the HP of heroes who go up against him. Is that what you're looking for?

I very rarely give my NPCs hero points. Tormakt, Roganvarth, and Estavus are probably the only exceptions in this campaign. The fact that I give them any hero points at all is an indication of how I view them.

Yes, Tormakt gets a lot. So does Roganvarth and his brother if you combine them. However, consider that I expect each player to get about 6 hero points per session on average. Minimum. Also, at least two of the heroes are quite powerful. Gavin has 5W2 in three affinities, and several at 15W-18W or so. He knows the secret of his deity.

Tight Conflict, Blood Opera, and Convention Demo

I understand why you get the blood opera feel. Strangely enough I haven't really thought of it that way myself. Perhaps it could be turned into a decent convention game, as you suggested. It is worth a thought. Right now, however, I am prepping for a five session campaign. So I hope it isn't over in the first session.

Yes I've tried to contain the conflict somewhat. Yet I have only posted a few of the NPCs so far. We still have the Yelmalion Mercenaries, the Forloss Raiders, the Aranwyth and Culbrea tribes and their kings, and Orngerin Thundercape (a prominent leader of the Heortling rebellion). And these are just the connections included on the player's relationship map. In addition to this we have the Lunars, and the Temple of the Wooden Sword. And, oh, the Wooden Sword has an agenda of its own that may cause some trouble when the clan's ancient Mostali allies discover what they are up to, breaking the Owl Pact and all. I could go on and on.

But all of this is just possibilities, little thoughts in the back of my mind. If the players have their hands full with the local conflict I will not introduce many outside elements. But if things seem to need extra complication I have a lot of ideas.

Does this make sense?

When I get to the Bangs later, I would very much appreciate a little chat about how to start things up, in what order, and what angle of the conflict to focus on. But, as I said: Later!

All it needs is a little sexual tension. I'm guessing from the map that one of Inganna or Beloni is female and suitable for this role?

Inganna is a woman. Belonni is a man from a very chauvinistic culture.

Thankx for the tips, questions, and ideas so far. You are a very nice guy, Mike.

Cheers,

[Peter Nordstrand]

THE GRANDMOTHERS

Frieda No-Buts
Clan Grandmother, Inner Ring Member

Frieda's husband was killed at the Battle of Boldhome, defending the kingdom from Lunar invaders, as did her father and her three brothers.

Frieda is very protective of her only child, Jotarlys. This does not mean that she treats him like a child. Rather the opposite, actually. She will always support him and give him her soundest advice. If Jotarlys needs help, she will pull as many strings as she can. She may even send him to ask for the assistance from Entarios the Supporter (Barbarian Adventures, p. 17), even though it is probably a hopeless endeavor.

Frieda is also fond of her nephiew Abraxalor.

How can I protect my son? How can I protect my clan?

Keywords : Heortling Steadwife 20W, Devotee of Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek 3W (Dead People, Distribute, Receive).

Significant Abilities: Farming 10W2, Meaningful Glare 7W2, Speak with Authority 4W2.

Personality: Merciless to Enemies 18W, There is Always Another Way 20.

Relationships: Care for Jotarlys 13W2, Clan Grandmother 4W2, Contacts All Over Sartar 2W, Fond of Abraxalor 17, Grieves Dead Husband 18, Sister of Mikara 20, Born into the Barlamani Clan 17.[/list:u]
Mikara
Hearthmistress Harranstead

Mikara is the disorderly and unpredictable sister of Frieda No-Buts. They both married men of the Owl Clan. Both have had many losses. Mikara is a restless soul, an entertainer at heart who has been forced by circumstance to live the life of a steadwife. She would be a devotee, but the clan cannot afford to support her.

She loves her son Abraxalor, but she loves her puppets and her songs more.

How can I make life a little bit more bearable? What new entertainment can I come up with?

Keywords : Heortling Steadwife 20, Initiate of Skovara 11W (Bless Family, Bless Mothers, Low Entertainment).

Significant Abilities: Beautiful Singing Voice 18W, Craft Puppet 1W2, Mimic Sound 6W2, Prankster 18.

Personality: Depressed 2W, Disorderly 18, Jealous of Sister Frieda 16, Restless 19.

Relationships: Hearthmistress of Harranstead 2W, Love of Abraxalor 20, Love Puppetry 8W2, Sister of Frieda 20, Born of the Barlamani Clan 17.[/list:u]
Other Members

Chief Priestess Gagoressa Field-Blesser.

Clan Dishthane Urika.

The grandmothers are essentially the leaders of the womens circle.