[Full] By This Axe I Hack

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Oct 3, 2024 2:39 pm
Interest Check: "Escape from the Nightqueen" (By This Axe I Hack)
The Premise:
The Nightqueen's reign of terror has gone on for centuries, her shadowy dominion extending over the land like a cursed shroud. She commands legions of monstrous servants, dark sorcery, and the very essence of fear itself. Those who dare to oppose her vanish into the night, never to be seen again. Her dungeons, a labyrinth of despair, have held many would-be heroes—until now.

You are captives, warriors, rogues, and spellcasters who dared to defy the Nightqueen’s rule. You’ve spent months in the damp, oppressive darkness of her prisons, but fortune smiles upon the brave (or perhaps the foolish). Through wit, strength, and sheer luck, you have found a chance for escape. The path ahead is treacherous, fraught with dangers both human and monstrous. Your only goal is to survive and flee the Nightqueen's accursed domain. But freedom comes at a cost, and the Nightqueen will not let you go easily...

The Game:
"Escape from the Nightqueen" is a dark fantasy survival adventure set in the gameworld of By This Axe I Hack. Players will take on the roles of captives who must work together to escape the Nightqueen's grasp. The game will involve brutal combat, cunning strategy, and resource management as you navigate her labyrinthine dungeons and the haunted forests that lie beyond. Will you band together and find freedom, or will you perish in the shadow of the Queen?

Tone and Style:
This game will capture the classic Sword-and-Sorcery feel: bold heroes, thrilling adventures, and the constant tension of life-or-death choices. While there will be danger and suspense, the world is fast-paced and pulpy rather than grim and gritty. Expect quick, decisive combat where clever tactics and daring moves can turn the tide in an instant.

By This Axe I Hack! is a streamlined system, focusing on simplicity and action. The rules are light, allowing for more improvisation and narrative freedom. Your characters will start with little to their names, but the thrill of exploration and the spoils of escape will drive their journey. Player choice will shape the story, with opportunities for both daring heroics and sly cunning.

Expectations and Mechanics:
System: By This Axe I Hack! – a simple and brutal old-school style ruleset.
Playstyle: Narrative-driven, player-focused, and heavy on decision-making. Expect combat to be fast, lethal, and impactful.
Post Frequency: Looking for players who can commit to 1-2 posts per week, though more frequent posting is welcome. I am the Judge for another game on Gamers Plane as well, which is a bit more detailed and will likely require more attention than this one.
Character Creation: Characters will be built using the By This Axe I Hack! system. You'll start as prisoners with limited resources, which you'll build upon during your escape.
Setting: Dark dungeons, twisted forests, and haunted landscapes. The world is grim, with opportunities for both heroism and treachery.
How to Apply:
If you’re interested in joining, please reply with a brief character concept. Keep it simple: name, background, class, and what drives your character to escape the Nightqueen’s prison. Feel free to include a dark secret or a personal goal that your character might pursue once they're free (if they survive).


Example:
Name: Harl the Hammer
Background: A disgraced warrior imprisoned for defying the Queen's tax collectors.
Class: Barbarian
Drive: Revenge against the Nightqueen and reclaiming his lost honor.


I’ll be selecting 4-5 players for this adventure. If you enjoy pulpy, brutal fantasy and the thrill of survival, this game might be for you!

Feel free to ask any questions, and let's see who’s ready to Escape from the Nightqueen!

https://i.imgur.com/vyT4oc9.jpeg
Last edited October 4, 2024 9:27 pm
Oct 3, 2024 5:32 pm
I've been running a lot of Black Sword Hack lately, and even working on my own Hack. The Black Hack line of games has drawn me in, away from OSE and even tempting me from S&W. I'd love to play in this game! It sounds like a more R.E. Howard concept than the Moorcock I've been exploring.

For character concepts, I like the idea of a warlock (again, reading Moorcock). So my pitch is as follows:


Fëavon of Altanis
Background: Fought to dethrone the night queen and steal her power. Betrayed by twin brother who sided with the night queen.
Class: Warlock
Drive: Steal the runeblade of the Nightqueen and claim her domain. Or survive.
Oct 4, 2024 12:56 am
cowleyc says:
I've been running a lot of Black Sword Hack lately, and even working on my own Hack. The Black Hack line of games has drawn me in, away from OSE and even tempting me from S&W. I'd love to play in this game! It sounds like a more R.E. Howard concept than the Moorcock I've been exploring.

For character concepts, I like the idea of a warlock (again, reading Moorcock). So my pitch is as follows:


Fëavon of Altanis
Background: Fought to dethrone the night queen and steal her power. Betrayed by twin brother who sided with the night queen.
Class: Warlock
Drive: Steal the runeblade of the Nightqueen and claim her domain. Or survive.
How clever of you to infer that the Nightqueen is a Warlock. I guess the picture does give it away a bit. :) This may be a long wait, and I may start play if we have at least three players. By This Axe I Hack! isn't that well known (or popular) a system. (I even had an argument with the guy at the Office Depot (where I had the PDF printed for me on larger paper) about it because he preferred 5e, lol.)
Oct 4, 2024 1:16 am
Sounds pretty cool. Love old school

Oral Fane
Background: went to steal the Nightqueen's fabled crown and amulet(also anything else that wasn't nailed down)
Class: Thief
Drive: To steal everything and be known as the greatest thief ever.
Oct 4, 2024 3:07 am
Oh I'm way into it! Don't know the system but I'll pick it up tonight and figure it out fast!

Name: Kruul the Last
Background: Sole survivor of his clan which the Queen destroyed for refusing her rule.
Class: Barbarian
Drive: To slaughter the Night Queen and eat her heart to avenge his father.
Last edited October 4, 2024 3:12 am
Oct 4, 2024 3:10 am
If Dom's in, I'm in!

...wait, I was already in!
Oct 4, 2024 3:20 am
dominion451 says:
Oh I'm way into it! Don't know the system but I'll pick it up tonight and figure it out fast!

Name: Kruul the Last
Background: Sole survivor of his clan which the Queen destroyed for refusing her rule.
Class: Barbarian
Drive: To slaughter the Night Queen and eat her heart to avenge his father.
It's a fairly easy system. As Cowley mentioned its strongly based on Black Sword Hack. So it's basically roll under your Ability Score to succeed. Character facing rolls. (Which makes it a lot easier to include a DMNPC). So enemies don't roll to attack. You basically dodge (Dex) each attack. There's a lot of abstraction so it makes it easier to roleplay/narrate. And I'm in love with the magic system.

Here's some inspiration for character creation:


I will get the game forum up here in a moment.
Last edited October 4, 2024 3:25 am
Oct 4, 2024 7:14 am
Got room for a Qi Gong monk who was formerly the Night Queen's concubinus? He's not really seeking more than escaping from her. He's willing to do just about anything to be free again.

Reminder that Kung Fu means hard work, so think powerlifting beefcake monk. The qi gong stuff could be like str, dex, con based sorcery. To do things like punch through brick walls, or parkour, or pick up something way larger than you should be able to and move at a walking pace.

Maybe, after a long while he gets the ability to throw an energy blast? Let's not get crazy though.
Last edited October 4, 2024 7:29 am
Oct 4, 2024 10:26 am
Jomsviking says:
Got room for a Qi Gong monk who was formerly the Night Queen's concubinus? He's not really seeking more than escaping from her. He's willing to do just about anything to be free again.

Reminder that Kung Fu means hard work, so think powerlifting beefcake monk. The qi gong stuff could be like str, dex, con based sorcery. To do things like punch through brick walls, or parkour, or pick up something way larger than you should be able to and move at a walking pace.

Maybe, after a long while he gets the ability to throw an energy blast? Let's not get crazy though.
There's not a specific "By This Axe I Hack" class that has the exact same features as what you're looking for, but I imagine there's a way for you to use one that is present to emulate that design.

Edit: Maybe the Mystic?
Last edited October 4, 2024 10:31 am
Oct 4, 2024 12:13 pm
I can't say no to sword and sorcery if there's still a spot open

Name- Hambul "The Arrow"
Background- A member of a guerrilla resistance, on the vast plains, against the reign of the Nightqueen. After a skirmish he was captured as his group escaped
Class- Nomad
Drive- Get back to his people and take as many lives as he can on the way
Last edited October 4, 2024 12:14 pm
Oct 4, 2024 9:26 pm
We are full for now, but it seems there's a bit more interest. Please continue to post if you are interested and I'll list you as a possible replacement.
Oct 5, 2024 4:46 am
Shadowknight says:
Jomsviking says:
Got room for a Qi Gong monk who was formerly the Night Queen's concubinus? He's not really seeking more than escaping from her. He's willing to do just about anything to be free again.

Reminder that Kung Fu means hard work, so think powerlifting beefcake monk. The qi gong stuff could be like str, dex, con based sorcery. To do things like punch through brick walls, or parkour, or pick up something way larger than you should be able to and move at a walking pace.

Maybe, after a long while he gets the ability to throw an energy blast? Let's not get crazy though.
There's not a specific "By This Axe I Hack" class that has the exact same features as what you're looking for, but I imagine there's a way for you to use one that is present to emulate that design.

Edit: Maybe the Mystic?
Mystic sounds right if memory serves. I once used it to portray a Muay Thai Boxer using the weapon guard and ability training rules in an earlier hack.
Oct 5, 2024 1:42 pm
Flaw roll

Rolls

Flaw - (1D20)

(4) = 4

Oct 5, 2024 11:21 pm
Missed the boat here, I had a busy week last week -- but love seeing BTAIH on offer! It's a great little game...

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