Setting

Mar 22, 2022 9:06 am
Because this is a first test run of this system, I have decided to go for one of the suggested fictional settings. Setting up takes some time and so skipping some of the initial choices will make starting the new system smoother. The setting is also not tied to any historical time or place, so it will be easier to play and adapt.
Setting: Ashes of the Dead
Inspiration: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein
Content warnings: Religious persecution.
Mar 22, 2022 9:07 am
The world:

You are all descendants of a noble family, the Rookwoods, who have spread across Urth, a fictional realm of this game. You may have lost your titles or own lands far away, or maybe you're a relative by marriage and don't share the Rookwoods blood. Regardless, you have received an invitation to attend the ceremony for the passing of the old matriarch of the family who lived her last years mostly alone in the Rookwoods Manor. You have rarely visited the rural country estate these last decade or so and, maybe some of you never even met the lady, but you were the only ones to show up for one reason or another.
Mar 27, 2022 10:25 am
Tone:

I'm envisioning the setting to be something of a dark early renaissance where superstition reigns but science is starting to question things. We can fit a bit of steampunk into it as well.
There's a few suggestions in the book I think could work well for the setting:

Puritanical Protectorate (1649–1660)
Under Puritan rule, fun is frowned upon -- Puritans are expert frowners! Inns are shut, theatres are closed, most sports are banned. Boys playing ball on Sunday are whipped. Swearing is fined; repeated swearing incurs prison time. Soldiers stop anyone wearing makeup to forcibly scrub their faces clean. Going for a Sunday stroll can be fined unless it is to or from church. Feast days have become "fast days" with no food: Christmas is banned and holiday foods are confiscated. It’s like Nazi Brownshirts and the Morality Police teamed up to fight a war on smiling.

Gothic Garden Parties (1811- ca.1860)
In the Regency and early Victorian period, Gothic literature really takes off. This is the time of Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein. A common feature of Gothic literature is Gothic Duality: possessing both virtuous and villainous traits simultaneously. For example, Victor Frankenstein is a life sciences genius who wants to conquer death and spare humanity from the misery it brings, but he treats the life he creates very callously and causes it undue suffering.
Mar 27, 2022 11:00 am
Also, check the safety thread to make sure all uncomfortable themes are avoided.
Aug 5, 2022 10:02 am
OOC:
Family Resources can be used by anyone! I'll propose these one for now. Let me know if they look good and if you have any ideas on how they may be modified to fit the family a bit better

Family Resources

Resource Descriptions Used
Name Name is the family’s reputation, making the Rookwood famous (or advantageously infamous). Regardless of how much Money the family has, they are famous for wealth. No one questions their presence at red carpet, black tie events. When grandfather wears his magical rainbow kilt to stalk vampires at a gala, he will be "an eccentric elderly gentleman", not "a crazy old man". by PC
Power Where Name represents reputation, Power is actual authority. The Rookwood name is old and respected, and through old favors and influential marriages, you managed to hold political offices, corporate boards, chairs at university, mob ties, etc. (leaving that open so it's more flexible) by PC
Manor - Armory A room with old weapons by PC
Manor - Library A room with books... Some more bookish than others... by PC

Aug 6, 2022 11:14 am
forgot to mention that if everyone is ok with these resources, feel free to copy them to your character sheet so you have them where you can find them :)
Just keep in mind these are shared resources, so someone else may use them

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