So I feel I have completes my Hardholder. Introducing
Vega.
For personal gear, I was thinking twin magnums. Vega usually keeps them holstered behind her back, so you know when they are drawn, ya done f#$%ed up. For personal garb she wears attractive, tight clothes, or sometimes exposes a little to much flesh. Her symbol of office is an old military style hat with aviator goggles. She has long red hair and wile her face is considered soft at first glance she commands respect. She has developed an icy glare that freezes all but the most violent of people in their tracks when she levels it at them. Her time on top of the heap that is Advent has softened her once toned body, but despite her new curves she is still tough and hard.
You will find the following information on Vega's sheet, but I figured I'd post it so everyone can get an idea of what Advent is like based on the choices I made for my character.
The Holding of Advent - Surplus: 2-barter, Wants: famine, hunger, idle, reprisal.
Home to between 75-150 souls.
Gigs: Hunting, farming, lucrative raiding, manufactory(I'm thinking auto parts to maintain vehicles), scavenging.
The compound is tall, deep and mighty, of stone and iron. (gang has +2 armor when defending the stronghold)
An armory of scavenged and makeshift weapons.
A garage of a few utility vehicles and 7 battle-ready vehicles.
A gang of 40 violent bastards (2 harm gang, medium, unruly, 1 armor).
On to the questions (all answers subject to approval by GM and adjustable by player input)....
Where do you get food/water?
Advent's water supply comes from two sources. A river that flows down the mountain nearby. An aquifer has been built to divert a portion of the water directly into Advent's water system providing running water to most of the compound. Everyone has access to this water (in theory) as long as the river doesn't freeze.
The second source is an underground lake. It is cold and deep in the mountain, also prone to freezing, but the ice can be harvested with relative ease if that is the case. There is a pump that draws the water to a central reservoir, but that reservoir is not tied into the central pipe system. When Advent is forced to use the lake, rationing is mandatory. Vega has records that indicate the lake is a limited resource, but the general population doesn't know that and she worries about problems that might arise if scarcity rumors take hold.
Food comes from many different sources. Hunting is good around Advent now. In past years that has not always been true. Farming is down further down the slopes. The farmers are citizens of Advent and they and their families are welcome inside the walls of Advent and can find ready shelter in emergencies, such as raids by neighboring holds or extreme weather.
(Special Note: This game being set in winter might mean all the farmers and their families have moved up to Advent and the harvest is in for the winter. Thoughts?) Finally, raiding and scavenging are healthy industries in Advent. Vega commissions a few bands a month to go out and try there luck. If they bring back good stuff, they live like kings for a few weeks, if fewer return than what set out, then there are fewer mouths to feed.
Vega herself is fed from the choicest stock most of the time. She is careful though to not overdue it. She will let her raiders or her gang's higher ranked members take the absolute best as rewards for service, but she does not suffer herself. it is one of the perks of being at the top of the power structure in Advent.
What's it like where you live?
Advent rests in the mountains. The air is a
little thin, and it never gets too hot in the summer months. The shadow of the mountains keep the compound in shadow for significantly long portions of the day. The sun is seen in the afternoon before it sets in the evening.
The main compound that composes the bulk of Advent is built into the mountain itself. Most people live in man made, finished caves. Usually the back walls are still exposed natural stone, but the rest of the walls are constructed material. The main market is setup in a huge room that may have served as a hanger for flying transport vehicles in the golden age. There is however a structure that extends above ground. The garage extends out of the mountain some, and has a large courtyard surrounded by high walls. The courtyard serves as a play area for the children, or a place to get exercise when not being used as a staging or testing ground for Advent's combat vehicles.
Additionally there are four towers that connect to the underground complex and the courtyard. They are labeled by numbers 1 through 4. Tower 1 is the shortest. It's top barely clears the surrounding walls at 6 stories. Tower 4 is the tallest at 20 stories. The elite citizens of Advent get to live in the towers. The Hardholder claims the top of Tower 4 as their abode by tradition. It consists of three rooms and a private kitchen. Vega has set aside one room as a private chamber. Only her closest confidants see the decadent red velvet, mahogany, and brass finished room. Most of the time this chamber serves as a private office, occasionally as a bedchamber. Another room has been given over to her gang to take their leisure in. In this chamber basically anything goes as long as to much blood doesn't get on the carpet. This is where the private parties and dinners happen. The chamber is filled with cushions and pillows of all sizes to lounge on and several low tables so that meals can be served. The final chamber is used for public audiences. It has a desk and chair for Vega and a random assortment of chairs for visitors and petitioners. Everyone is allowed to enter this room as long as the main double doors are open. A closed door means important government work is being discussed, but Vega does her best to keep it open for appearances sake.
What sort gigs do you work for cash, and who pays you? (Playbooks should have a list)
Gigs? Work?...Yeah, that used to be something Vega did. Now she is the one handing out the assignments. That is how she earns her keep, by making sure others have the opportunity to earn theirs. Raiding and scavenging provide the biggest payout, but those seeking less life threatening jobs can go to work in the manufactory, or go to work on one of the farms Advent gets it's supplies from. Hunting is always encouraged, but can be dangerous. Hunters are also required to turn over their days catch to the pantry of the Advent so the food can be distributed fairly, but they always receive a choice cut for their work. Finally, there are other holds in the area that treat peacefully with Advent. Traders can risk the open road to exchange goods from the factory for what the other holds have. A tax is assessed on all such trades, for the good of the people.
What are some characteristics of Advent and the surrounding area?
Advent is near the tree line on their mountain, but the forest is thick and abundant. There is a valley that was cleared by the people of the golden era that has good soil for farming. There are roads throughout the valley, but they aren't in great condition so getting to the far end takes a couple hours, which means protecting the farmers is not always easy.
What is something you heard about in the 'Golden Age', the time before the apocalypse?
There were weapons and vehicles that would allow Advent to become the seat of power for an empire. Granted that empire would pale in comparison to any nation state from the golden era, but it if the stories are true, Advent would be a great strategical asset.
How do you stay warm in the cold winter nights?
Vega usually sleeps in the party room with some assortment of her gang members. She does care for them and the other people of Advent and tries hard to maintain her connection. The burden of leadership weighs on her though and she has to fight the compulsion to distance herself and lead with efficiency. Her primary partners at night are her five warleaders; Fauna(female), Prim(male), Dog-head(transgressing), Banter(male) are the four who drive the mechas usually, Wish(female) commands the air units. These six have a close, nearly familial bond that has been complicated by Vega's rise to power. Vega used to fly with Wish and fight in the warband, but doesn't get to the front lines much anymore.
What is the fortress made out of and how is it maintained?
The fortress is made of stone and concrete with steel girder bones. There are many glass windows on the upper levels of the four towers. The exterior needs very little maintenance, but work crews are almost always working on the insides to repair pipes and wiring and keeping the place together.
Is it above ground or underground?
As described before, the above ground area consists of a large walled courtyard surrounding the four towers and the garage. Most of Advent is underground...or just in the mountain.
What happens to those who don't live inside?
Winters can be harsh up in the mountains. Most of the farmers bring their families and workers into Advent to wait out the harsh winter. There is always work in the manufactury plant, hunting or scavenging and raiding to do in the winter, and they usually are put to work doing one of those things.
I have one detail to discuss with the MC regarding the vehicles. I hope it isn't too much to as for.
There are 7 battle-ready vehicles in advent. I would like four of them to be meca tyoe vehicles like this...
And the other three to be flying vessels like this...
Then two types of utility vehicles. One for heavy duty stuff like this...
And some smaller ones for getting around that look like this...
