Post by Father on May 15, 2017 16:26:30 GMT 1
1. When it comes to statistics, I'll look at other PC's and NPC's and tell how yours compare in such and such fields if you ask. And while these rules should be kinder to the generalists, they have not likely removed the element of the system incentivizing specialization. Note that some of the NPC's will initially be in a league above what is possible for a starting PC to play in, but the vast majority, including many who are considered quite capable by their peers are reasonably easy to match in skill, so you need not worry about initially making something that does not quite fit the image you had of your character's capacity. There may be some gentle nudging of PC stats to ensure that people are more or less aligned around the same understanding of power levels. In particular, rank 5 in multiple abilities, especially if they synergize (such as Fighting and Athletics or Animal Handling) will probably be considered to be pushing it. The main concern is that such a character may outshine and outcompete other PC's to a too large degree, although the strongest PC fighters will likely have Fighting 5, which is indeed difficult to go against with just Fighting 4. There's always NPC's around that can challenge the most optimized specialist. Note however, that anyone with Fighting 5 is considered among the true elite, meaning that these characters ought to have some defense against scheming NPC's who no doubt will be interested in getting such a character to be on their side.
2. Chivalrous knights in particular, but also nobles ladies, will generally find it easier, Westeros is a place of discrimination. Against Bastards, lowborn, women, non-knights. Combat prowess can compensate for social ability, although such knights still need to have the smarts and charms to make good on it. Ladies, Maesters and others with their stats geared for intrigue may be better at twisting and twirling and get others to act against their best interests. But the setting is such that knights are inherently thought to be more trustworthy and reliant. More importantly, almost every lord and other individuals holding formal power are knights, as observed in modern day workplaces, people tends to hire and promote others who are just like them, the glass ceiling is just a lot thicker and less opaque in Westeros. Much of this is tied to mechanical rewards such as glory, influence and the political scales one way or the other in formalized events which generally will assemble all PC's (sometimes just all PC's of a certain type, such as maesters, knights or ladies). While NPC's are likely to be more positively minded towards knights and ladies, there will not be any discrimination in terms of the storytelling that we will do together outside more formalized elements, meaning that it is perfectly possible to enjoy playing with something outside the mold. Mechanically, this is represented by chivalry and virtue being added to certain tests, giving such characters an advantage in some formalized events.
3. A corollary to the above, and a warning. While no character concept will be denied as long as it reasonably fits into a medieval setting (exceptions are any character qualifying for higher status than 5, or anyone with a prominent mention in GRRM's canon), this game will certainly be much less forgiving than it's spiritual predecessors and other games when it comes to concepts not fitting into the Andal traditions of the Reach. Examples includes bastards, commoners, warrior women and foreigners (especially Dornish). Such characters may find themselves excluded from taking part in some events, both the NPC's and fellow PC's will in extreme cases be expected to close ranks and shun you, simply associating with such a character brings such shame that no player house would want to. Feel free to go up against such opposition though. Note that bastards and commoners certainly can find places of prominence in a noble house (but they don't necessarily get to be invited to fancy parties), Dornish, foreigners, warrior women, dwarves and other things best belonging in a mummer's troupe? The Reach tends to be harsh on such characters. That being said, there are a smattering of Ladies of Dornish descent that has been married into the Houses of the Reach and elsewhere in Westeros during King Baelor's efforts to secure lasting peace with Sunspear, their children are rather lowly regarded by the "pure" Reachmen, however.
4. Lords and Great Bastards. I'm not opposed to the idea of allowing a player to pick the lord of one of the available houses to play, or one of Aegon's great bastards, I actually would welcome it. However, that comes with a responsibility, so players pitching to play such a concept must expect to be held to a higher standard and greater amount of scrutiny than others.
5. Given the size and scope that this game will be aiming for, it will be difficult for the narrator to provide much in the way of individualized story, this game is likely best enjoyed with a character that will go out in the world and actively engage in it with little narrator prodding. Thus I strongly encourage the development of character concepts that would seek to engage with other PC's.
6. While prophetic dreams, warging and other magics exists in the setting, these things are tools which only the narrator gets to use. A character is otherwise free to believe that he commands magical power or have dreams to which he assigns meaning and act accordingly.
Given the overall themes of the game, the following list of questions can be useful in anchoring your character to the world, although you are free to ignore these when creating your character, the narrator is likely to ask some of them directly when a concept is submitted.
1. What is your opinion on Dornish?
2. Do you value honor as a positive quality on it's own merits?
3. Who is your squire (for knights)?
4. Did you serve as page/squire/lady in waiting, if so, where?
5. Do you have any opinion of females being head of house, or having other such responsibilities largely considered the role of men?
6. How religious are you?
7. What is your opinion on the struggle between loyalists and Blackfyre supporters?
8. What is your opinion of non-knighted men?
9. What is your opinion of anyone not behaving according to the ideals of chivalry/virtue?
10. What is your opinion and treatment of your lessers (smallfolk)? Alternatively your betters (if you are not noble).
2. Chivalrous knights in particular, but also nobles ladies, will generally find it easier, Westeros is a place of discrimination. Against Bastards, lowborn, women, non-knights. Combat prowess can compensate for social ability, although such knights still need to have the smarts and charms to make good on it. Ladies, Maesters and others with their stats geared for intrigue may be better at twisting and twirling and get others to act against their best interests. But the setting is such that knights are inherently thought to be more trustworthy and reliant. More importantly, almost every lord and other individuals holding formal power are knights, as observed in modern day workplaces, people tends to hire and promote others who are just like them, the glass ceiling is just a lot thicker and less opaque in Westeros. Much of this is tied to mechanical rewards such as glory, influence and the political scales one way or the other in formalized events which generally will assemble all PC's (sometimes just all PC's of a certain type, such as maesters, knights or ladies). While NPC's are likely to be more positively minded towards knights and ladies, there will not be any discrimination in terms of the storytelling that we will do together outside more formalized elements, meaning that it is perfectly possible to enjoy playing with something outside the mold. Mechanically, this is represented by chivalry and virtue being added to certain tests, giving such characters an advantage in some formalized events.
3. A corollary to the above, and a warning. While no character concept will be denied as long as it reasonably fits into a medieval setting (exceptions are any character qualifying for higher status than 5, or anyone with a prominent mention in GRRM's canon), this game will certainly be much less forgiving than it's spiritual predecessors and other games when it comes to concepts not fitting into the Andal traditions of the Reach. Examples includes bastards, commoners, warrior women and foreigners (especially Dornish). Such characters may find themselves excluded from taking part in some events, both the NPC's and fellow PC's will in extreme cases be expected to close ranks and shun you, simply associating with such a character brings such shame that no player house would want to. Feel free to go up against such opposition though. Note that bastards and commoners certainly can find places of prominence in a noble house (but they don't necessarily get to be invited to fancy parties), Dornish, foreigners, warrior women, dwarves and other things best belonging in a mummer's troupe? The Reach tends to be harsh on such characters. That being said, there are a smattering of Ladies of Dornish descent that has been married into the Houses of the Reach and elsewhere in Westeros during King Baelor's efforts to secure lasting peace with Sunspear, their children are rather lowly regarded by the "pure" Reachmen, however.
4. Lords and Great Bastards. I'm not opposed to the idea of allowing a player to pick the lord of one of the available houses to play, or one of Aegon's great bastards, I actually would welcome it. However, that comes with a responsibility, so players pitching to play such a concept must expect to be held to a higher standard and greater amount of scrutiny than others.
5. Given the size and scope that this game will be aiming for, it will be difficult for the narrator to provide much in the way of individualized story, this game is likely best enjoyed with a character that will go out in the world and actively engage in it with little narrator prodding. Thus I strongly encourage the development of character concepts that would seek to engage with other PC's.
6. While prophetic dreams, warging and other magics exists in the setting, these things are tools which only the narrator gets to use. A character is otherwise free to believe that he commands magical power or have dreams to which he assigns meaning and act accordingly.
Given the overall themes of the game, the following list of questions can be useful in anchoring your character to the world, although you are free to ignore these when creating your character, the narrator is likely to ask some of them directly when a concept is submitted.
1. What is your opinion on Dornish?
2. Do you value honor as a positive quality on it's own merits?
3. Who is your squire (for knights)?
4. Did you serve as page/squire/lady in waiting, if so, where?
5. Do you have any opinion of females being head of house, or having other such responsibilities largely considered the role of men?
6. How religious are you?
7. What is your opinion on the struggle between loyalists and Blackfyre supporters?
8. What is your opinion of non-knighted men?
9. What is your opinion of anyone not behaving according to the ideals of chivalry/virtue?
10. What is your opinion and treatment of your lessers (smallfolk)? Alternatively your betters (if you are not noble).