Character Creation & World Building

OK, so here go. Post what you want to play, any details you want to share about your characters.

As I mentioned in the description, the generic plot is that the throne of the kingdom/empire/whatever is vacant. A prophecy says the next ruler will found a dynasty that will last ten thousand years upon the Blood Throne. Beyond that I have no details, we are going to establish them together, through questions and/or play.

The first things I need to know are this:

Why do you desire the Blood Throne? Do you intend to rule? What are your intentions for the kingdom?

Please answer in your character's voice.

So my first question - unrelated to character - is this campaign intended as PvP since we all crave for the throne ? Or are we all trying to attain the throne as a group?

Fair question. I plan on leaving that to the individual players in the end, however, I was thinking more of a friendly rivalry. There are a lot of options. You could reorganize the kingdom so that the throne is shared. Or you could select a member of the party to be the monarch and the rest of you support them.

I plan on sculpting other details around your characters. Note that "curse" mentioned in the game title.

Howdy howdy. I will mention various podcasts I've listened to say that DW isn't exactly built for PvP, though when it happens it is supposed to be instigator triggers move (hack and slash, volley, cast a spell, whatever), defender triggers aid/interfere (as opposed to defy danger, defend, or just waiting for their turn to bash heads). Then there better be some fiction before you really consider triggering another move.

Do you want us to come up with a voice and personality before we pick a class, and settle in on class after a bit of conversation? Because I have the .pdfs, I'm interested in trying out some of the non-standard classes I have from David Guyell, the guy who wrote A Sundered World. Specifically, I like his Witch (traditional or anime, but not necessarily evil), the Psion (TK, Telepathy, and an attack), and the Cultist (Lovecraftian summoner with a cult). If I had to rank them, probably 1 Cultist, 2 Witch, 3 Psion. After that, for base classes, I'd prefer Paladin fourth and Ranger fifth.

If you need, I can put the sheets/books for the first 3 on Google Drive or something for you to look at.

I agree DW isn't exactly meant for PvP, but I think we can make it work, if it even comes to that.

You are welcome to build your character and find their in either order. I have done it both ways. Sometimes I feel the personality first, other times I build it by choosing the class features, deciding who the person is based on those choices.

I would prefer to read the classes if possible, just so I can see where they might be headed as they advance. The Cultist may or may not work depending on group make up, but i don't want to say no without looking at it and possibly getting feedback from the other players.

So I've been thinking and going over the classes in the SRD, I have two concepts that I like but I'm particularly interested with the take on the Warrior. Their signature weapon seems to be essential to the class and some of the moves give it special properties (talking to the spirits etc...). I kind of like the idea of a guy wielding a cursed weapon, do you think it would be possible to work the Blood Throne Curse into it ?

A weapon holding the dead spirits of people that once tried to become kings or something like that. If you have other ideas, throw away.

I always prefer cooperative over competitive games, so will throw my lot in with someone if we don't all work together.

I have no desire to rule, but the one who sits on the throne must be worthy.

LOL, that was almost exactly the route I was going if I go with the paladin!

@Maskcot, the Cultist functions as a summoner for game purposes; I was thinking of going with a last of his kind, hunted and needing to rebuild. The Elder God would be a little less immediate Azathoth craziness or Cthulhu doom, but more in the realm of long seated unknowable machinations like the Hastur or Yog-Sothoth - so for character motivation, not immediately working at cross purposes to the world. Hmm, the more i think on it, the more something based on Yog-Sothoth seems to resonate, master of knowledge, but knowing him drives one crazy, the cult seeks to enlighten humanity to bring about a golden age but the sacrifices required to stay "sane" and survive contact with the god seem "insane" to outside observers.... I'll get my idea a bit more put together once I message you with a link for the classes.

The kingdom is corrupt, as the power is focused on the greedy few. I don't intend to rule, but the voices of the people must be heard and so I'm involved to make sure that happens.

I'm considering a "city ranger". I need to dig up the materials tho.

Sorry if I stole your idea, Taej! I was thinking paladin, bard or cleric

You know what? I want to rule. One of us might as well go for it. :-p

Why do you desire the Blood Throne? Do you intend to rule? What are your intentions for the kingdom?

Believe me, I don't want this. The throne does not look good. But my brothers and cousins who think themselves next in line... they're evil shits, down to the marrow of their bones. I was the comfortable type, that never really stood out, but now that things are going south I can't let them have it. I'll get rid of the competition, and gladly dirty my hands. I'll become a regent or something until I find a promising leader to take care of things. Unless someone who's more suitable and willing than I am comes up. I'd gladly give my place - it's just that I can't stand idly by anymore.

But if I must, I'll sit on that damn chair. Perhaps I'll even rule - although I have no clue what ruling is. But if it ever comes to this, know that I did it out of necessity, not self interest.

Nah, that was my if-the-weird-ideas-don't-pan-out option. My main ideas want the throne, but to varying degrees and ends. Imma hold off on questions until I know if Maskcot is cool with the concepts.

Broadly, the first idea is a cult of personality type occultist who is looking for power to rebuild his hunted and persecuted religion (that's the insider version of a Cultist, right?).

Failing that, option 2 is a New England style witch who was an herbalist, sage, and advisor to the throne who needs to seize rulership as regent to prevent the instability of a power vacuum or an unfit ruler.

Last idea is psion scion of a noble house looking to consolidate family power and break the iron grip of the wizarding guilds threatened by those whose power comes from within instead of carefully doled out by the defacto guild hegemony.

Ok. I've read through. I don't have an issue with a cultist. How would you feel if we make it an "old religion" type cult. The Clerics and Paladin's are more popular these days with their healing wounds and diseases left and right. The old ways were more about appeasing them to keep thdm at bay, while the new gods seem to be more open handed with their gifts and magics.

The inclusion will mean more Cthulhu type monsters, so if anybody has issues with that, please speak up.

OK now I'm leaning city thief.

Why do you desire the Blood Throne? Do you intend to rule? What are your intentions for the kingdom?

They never give people like us a chance. We've got the wrong blood and family name. But why should that matter? What makes them better than us? Because they've got all the money and power? What good is that when half the kingdom is practically starving? What is power if all you do is step on the weakest and crush them with your cruelty? No, people like them don't deserve the rule. We need more people like us, like me. I've lived on the streets all my life, and my only means of survival is by stealing as much food and gold as I can from those fat cats who probably didn't even notice. I've fed half the neighborhood with my bounty, dozens of families. Think of how much more I could do if I had the opportunity? I've give the people the voice that they deserved!

What if you have been entrusted (by your family for an heirloom, as part of a knightly order that safeguards a relic, from a mad roadside prophet handing you something wrapped in a dirty blanket before running game off into the wilderness, whatever) with a soul drinking weapon? It hasn't done so in memory, and the spirits within have lain quiescent, until YOU wielded it. But it is still inconsistent, and you have come to realize (or been made to realize) that it is your purpose to puzzle out and unlock the rules that govern the blade's destiny.

Ooo, or better yet, what if you're the blade? You've been through various welders, some simply vessels and others, when you have truly waxed in power in the world, as an ally. Much of your potency requires a willing host developing with you, and much of your wisdom comes from the collected memory of wielders who have died with your hilt in hand, their essence drawn into your everlasting magic.

BTW, is the prophecy about the throne well known to the general populace? Is the curse known, or is that player meta knowledge based on the game title?

Why do you desire the Blood Throne? Do you intend to rule? What are your intentions for the kingdom?

20th Nerul, 3781st Cycle of the Eye, Old Reckoning

Henry, is this a fool's errand, seeking the throne? Old friend, you must know, my back is to the wall. Perhaps our backs have been so, collectively, for years now, though I did not understand. But I feel it in my bone marrow, Henry, that it is time to step from the shadows, Inquisitors be damned. These people have been so restive and myopic with their new gods, magic and miracles given as backhanded gifts to fatten their complacence, I can see that now. I am sorry for the headaches I caused you in my youthful blindness.

If I can grasp the reins (to reign, neh? Sorry, my friend, I can't stop myself, even in these twilight hours), then it will be the Inquisition's turn to quake. They will not be able keep the old lores hidden; I will remind them, modernity is built upon the Old One's endless knowledge. They cannot afford to continue ignoring the old honorifics and rituals. The debts are overdue, and the cosmos is an unforgiving moneylender. The interest will destroy us all now that none are left to pay it down. None? Well, me, I suppose.

I will not lie, Henry. I am deeply afraid to do this thing. And I am selfish. I wish it were you, my old friend, that I had sacrificed myself for you and not the other--

I miss you. I will keep adding to Darkpage, but not just in service to the Old One. You will never truly be gone.

The prophecy that the next person to claim the Blood Throne will start a 10,000 year dynasty is common knowledge. The group will be running into other adventurers who seek the throne and dealing with them from time to time. The "curse" is not known...or not widely known at this time, but will come up once we get into the actual play.

We have two submitted characters so far.
Zoomsilla has an elf Fighter
Moofsalot has a Human City Thief

Submitted my fighter. I think he's somewhat of noble descent or at least from an influential family. He doesn't get along with them, and now that the throne is vacant and they are all infighting for power he hates them.

I like the idea of playing the weapon but in the end I'd rather play the fighter.
It holding the spirits of the dead wielders was kindof what I was going for. I thought it'be neat to tie the weapon to the Throne or the Curse in some way, but we'll see in play when the moment's right I guess.

In terms of bonds should we go with the standard ones proposed with the classes ? I'm feeling some chemistry with Moofsalot's character, our goals are the same but we belong in different social classes which is pretty sweet.