Factions at War - Second Recruitment [D&D 3.5]

[LuneMoonshadow]

The World

The island of Balryn rests between the raging Tempest Sea and the calm Serenity Sea and is home to three nations all vying for power amongst themselves. In a land where diplomats are both peacekeepers and warmongers and strife is ever present, war is hardly an impossibility.


Renlock is the largest of the three nations, covering the southern tip of Balryn and home to a vast amount of people of all different races. With mountain ranges and vast forests, this land is full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Led by Lord Malchus with an iron hand but just heart, the armies of Renlock now wage war with the small kingdom of Kelt.

Kelt is the smallest of the three nations and was once ruled by a council of men with the intentions of the good of the people at heart. On the eve of Spring Equinox Renlock invaded, cutting across the Requiem River and entering Everith, claiming it as its own. In a short time the armies of Kelt had been defeated and the nation lay in Renlock’s hand and the King’s son was appointed its new ruler.

Tallus is in the middle of the nations in terms of size and is ruled by King who rests comfortably beyond the Northern mountain range of Kelt. The King has no heir to speak of so the throne of Tallus will open in the coming years. As a whole this nation is peaceful, but it knows one day it will have to fight for its right to survive.


Once Kelt fell into Prince Garrett’s hands, he taxed the citizens to the bone and worked them even harder to rebuild the once great country in his own name. People starve in the streets with not a penny to their name, waiting for death to claim them. The Prince, unsatisfied with his rulership over Kelt, has now waged war with his father for the crown of Renlock.



The Factions

The Royal Crown of Renlock: Led by Lord Malchus this faction has troops deployed and stand ready for war. From the Blackwolf tribe to the elite Antherian cavalry, the King intends on crushing his son’s defiance. Better armed and with superior numbers, the King has quite the advantage over Kelt.

The Principality: Prince Garrett’s lust for power has driven this small country to war with its larger cousin. Drawing on every resource available the men of the Prince seek to end this war as quickly as possible, without heed to how this may be done. Ruthless on the battlefield, these men fight with a haughty reputation.

Warriors of Everith: Freedom fighters in every sense of the word, led by Grand Marshal Ruujek, once the highest ranking officer in the Keltish army. He escaped capture when Kelt fell to Renlock and has now formed a band of former Keltish military men to fight the Prince and his corrupt ideals. With fewer armaments and less troops, this army fights a different battle.

Unification of the Commonwealth: Led by the Minister of Commerce this organization if a safe haven for workers and businesses wishing to remain out of the war that will no doubt tear nations apart. They remain neutral in all affairs and use their economical standing as leverage against the warring nations.



The Game

This game is massive in every aspect and is essentially four games running simultaneously in the same world. Players from different factions may interact and come across one another on the battlefield where only one may survive. Players also venture out solo or with others in their factions to cut supply lines and cause havoc in the capital cities. These players do anything it takes to shift the tide of war, because a loss is certain death.

This game is both strategic and epic, with tacticians giving orders on hilltops to troops fighting down below and heroes fighting hordes of men on the front lines in order to cut down an enemy wizard. Clerics rush from wounded soldier to wounded soldier, giving them one last chance at life and claim honor for their country. Wizards launch volley after volley of fireballs, dispelling opposing artillery, and summoning in reinforcements when required.

War may not be beautiful, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.



The Players

Players can create up to four characters within a single faction, so long as those characters do not adventure together. You will virtually have free reign over your character’s background with any number of choices of home cities, rank, profession, and mission. Rank up to General if so wish or remain an unranked assassin, work as a hired mercenary for the Prince or as a frontline warrior amongst your small platoon. The choice is yours.


Characters will be created using 32 point buy with all stats starting at 10 instead of 8. Any standard race is allowed and the manuals used for this campaign will be the PHB, DMG, and the Complete series sans Psionics.

This world is also low magic, meaning magic items will be restricted and so will magic casting classes. Every class that casts a spell will be counted as “high” or “low” for the purposes of multiclassing. If a class is a “high” caster, such as a mage or a cleric, then that character must have one non-spellcasting class for every spellcasting class level gained. This mean for every 4 levels of wizard, 4 levels of fighter, barbarian, or some other non-caster class must be taken. If a class is a “low” caster such as bard or paladin, then for every two levels of the caster one level of a non-caster class must be taken.

Because I am forcing characters to multiclass there are several changes this then brings about. All races will now count as having “any” as its favored class, just like a human would. Arcane Spell failure will now also increase the length of time to cast the spell instead of causing it to fail.


I am here to tell you how the world looks, not how you look at it. Players will take a front seat in this campaign, directly affecting the war and its progression. A single player will have an impact, that is certain, and the decisions you choose to make will place both your life and the lives of those you command on the line.

There is no central plot, there is no storyline to uncover. You are here to fight a war, and fight you must. Your battles, your deeds will become the plot, shaping the future with every swing of your sword. Yes, there will be events that occur outside of your control, things that affect your judgment. In the end, though, this is your story.

[LuneMoonshadow]

World Map (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6754)


Updates
Please note that I update Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday/Friday. This means the game moves a little slower due to all the work it takes to do a round of updating, but the game still accomplishes things and is quite enjoyable. Or so my players tell me.



Logistics

Renlock
Players: Kathil (1), Cyuq (1), AoM (2)
Additions: Kathil (2), AoM (2)

Principality
Players: Jim (1), Random (2), Gnarsh (1)
Additions: Gnarsh (2)

WOE
Players: Link (3), Xaden (2)
Additions: Link (1), Canter (2), Night (1), Hive (1)

Commonwealth
Players: Thanos (1)
Additions: Anori (1), Merbak (2), Jok (1)


As you can see the Commonwealth needs players first, then the others may fill up as needed. I won't restrict anyone to a certain faction, but please try to keep it as balanced as possible.

I will keep this post updated, so you can check here for faction player information. Players from may game have also been asked to post here, so if you have a specific question best answered by a player, they will be here to help. Feel free to also ask about the factions to help your decision making. That having been said, though, please do not read any faction threads until you've created a character for that faction.

This is a game run off the honor system, so please don't betray my trust. It is more fun not knowing anyway.

[Anori]

I'll have one character, in the Commonwealth.

[Linklegacy77]

I am of course adding one character to the WoE. Seriously everybody, this game is just great.

Join WoE!

[LuneMoonshadow]

Both of you are added and thank you for the endorsement, Link.

[Anori]

Thanks to Link, put one character down for the WoE. XD

[Linklegacy77]

There is one rule though, all your characters have to be for the same faction.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Yup, so it's either Commonwealth or WOE. I suggest Commonwealth since it needs the players, but it's up to you.

[Gnarsh]

Principality is the correct choice, ladies and gentlemen. Don't let them fool you.

I'm adding two for the Principality, assuming you approve that first one, Lune.

[Thanos]

The Commonwealth humbly acknowledges the greatness of the nations it services, but suggests that if you want free trade, long life, and the protections of neutrality that you join it.


So far I have been enjoying the only character I am playing and the only character up till now in the Commonwealth. LuneMoonshadow has been making updates like Old-Faithful (which I appreciate no end).

[LuneMoonshadow]

K, responded to your PM Gnarsh and I put you down for two. If you'd like to retract a character just let me know and I'll edit accordingly.

Edit: 18 characters and counting with more on the way. Looks like we'll be breaking 20.

[Linklegacy77]

Don't listen to those Principality ass****'s. They deserve to be beaten, thrown in a pit with the tarrasque, and eaten.

Anyway, just read the plot to decide which one you want to join.

[Kathil]

I will be adding one character for Renlock. If I foresee having a bit more time, I may add two if that's alright. I do have 2 distinct character concepts in mind.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Written down for one, let me know if you decide to add another.

[Canter_shadow]

Hey, I think I'll join in. My BF told me to join WoE, so I think that's what I'll do. Put me down for 2 characters please.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Just so you know, your boyfriend has quite a thing for Lieutenant Commander Drake. He told me so.

Put you down for two.

[Linklegacy77]

That's funny. Real funny.

[Xaden]

The WOE rocks and so does this game! Since the WOE is small it needs extremists who are willing to shake the world down to its foundations! Though if you want to take a "safer" road, I suppose you could go for one of the other pansy factions.
;P

[AoM]

Hey boys and girls! Want a life of intrigue, power, and adventure? Want to be on the winning side? Want to exist in the most flavorful faction in the world?

You do?

Then fight for the Crown!

The Principality is corrupt and rotting from the inside. Their leader is the worst sort of man. Their army a mockery of dignity and honor. To serve under them is to not only support evil, but to die with it. Their regime is doomed to fail.

The WOE are a pathetic and short-sighted band of scoundrels, murderers and worse. Don't be fooled by the idealism and charisma of their leader... he is a fanatic who doesn't realize what his terrorism will do to the lives of simple folk everywhere and his followers commit unspeakable acts in his name. They too shall fall.

And what of the Commonwealth? They are perhaps the sorriest lot of all. They are hedonistic materialists who stand on no platform of their own. They care not who suffers so long as there is coin to be made. They'd sell their own mothers into slavery for the right price. Plus they eat babies.

No my friends...

The Crown is where you must pledge your loyalty. We are the most mighty. The Mandate of the Gods is with us. Renlock and Kelt will be united as one glorious people. A generation will go by and the birthing pains of this glorious new empire will be forgotten, and a new day of peace and prosperity will dawn.

Be a part of this most noble of pursuits. Fight... FOR THE CROWN!

[AoM]

I will be placing two more characters in for the Crown.

[Linklegacy77]

Oh come on, you're not going to buy that ludicrous speech are you? The facts are simple:

Renlock invaded and took over Kelt. The Prince of Renlock rebelled and started his own forces, and he now taxes Kelt into the dust. The people are in terrible condition, and it is only getting worse. The WoE are the only group helping the people of Kelt, and they are the only ones fighting back for Kelt. Renlock is an enemy nation who invaded and took over. They will be defeated. Even worse, the Principality is a group that does nothing more than flaunt their power over others. They will be destroyed. The commonwealth is neutral, and has no alleigance. They shall be let be. WoE shall eventually win the day, because they are the warriors who fight for a good cause. They are the only group with justice on their side, and although they are outnumbered and outmatched, the Warriors of Everith shall march to victory.

WARRIORS OF EVERITH!

[LuneMoonshadow]

Always nice to see players insulting one another. Ahh, the joys of being a DM.

Kinda starnge that more people haven't shown interest, though. Last go around we had lots of posts. Either way we now have 23 characters and we've picked up two new players. I welcome anyone else wanting to try it out to sign up or PM me a question or two to get a better feel for the campaign. It's probably unlike anything you've played before, but it's a hell of a lot of fun.

Edit: Anori, need to hear back from you about what faction you will be joining.

[AoM]

Seriously, the Crown needs a new player in it. WOE is already stuffed with players because everyone wants to be the underdog and help the little guys win. There is a serious lop-sidedness going on, and it's a shame, because playing as the big dogs is fun too.

[Thanos]

Rich or dead, rich or dead, rich or dead. Which will you choose?

The others can dither on about justice, mandates, underdogs, and such, but in the end they offer only pain, suffering, and death.

Join the Commonwealth and earn an honost living with you and your family protected from the war by our Neutrality. Live a long life without some king or prince pushing you around, forcing your sons to go and die in their name for the worthless cause of rulership.

[Anori]

Sorry, my computer went in to be fixed. I'll be joining ther Commonwelath.

Also, starting tomorrow, ym computer's going BACK in. -.- This time, for longer. About a week or so, I'm guessing.

[Gnarsh]

The Commonwealth may go on about riches, and the Crown and Warriors of Everith about justice, but why choose when you can have both? It was Renlock that unjustly invaded Kelt, not Prince Garrett. It was given to the Prince as a gift, and one can hardly expect him to give it back after five years. Meanwhile, the King taxed his son into the ground and enacted continually more restrictive legislation. It was all the Prince could do to throw off his father's shackles and fight against his oppressive regime. Now, the Principality fights for justice and order, and there is much wealth for the taking in Renlock, more than can be gained counting coppers for the Commonwealth. Obviously, the Principality is the only choice.

[LuneMoonshadow]

So will you not have computer access for a week, Anori? Or will it just be spotty or whatever other adjective I can think of?

Quite interesting takes on the different factions too. Sadly, I don't think anyone is really reading them. I was hoping for some more activity and interest, but we do have two more players with us and we broke the twenty character mark. Hopefully some more people will come out of the woodwork and give us some fresh blood.

[Flagg Thornington]

I'd like to get on this if there's still room.

[Anori]

I might be able to go on once or twice during my absence, but probably not.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Yup, there is room for ya' Flagg. Know what faction you're interested in?

And don't worry about the game until you get your computer up and working Anori. We'll sit down and work on your character whenever you get back.

[itches]

Kinda starnge that more people haven't shown interest, though.
I'm interested, but I can't put the time and attention towards another game.

[LuneMoonshadow]

This is coming from the person who never signs off the forum. :P

[itches]

Sure I do. I was offline for a whole hour yesterday.

[Gnarsh]

Oh c'mon itches, one more character won't hurt...

[Linklegacy77]

Hey, I'd run eight characters if I could, but that'd be a bit much.

[LuneMoonshadow]

I would kill you myself if you ran 8 characters. It takes long enough to update with the current characters, and quite enough with the new load.

So far I have spent just under 2 hours on this round of updates. Not done yet, though. WOE still needs theirs.

I will be making myself a little excel sheet for battles, though, to help speed up some of these larger encounters. Spending an hour on one battle? Not fun.

Of course I would love to see more players, though. It is exciting to see everyone interacting in one giant war game.

[AoM]

Flagg, the Crown needs noble defenders to fight for what is right and to secure the homeland. Plus we offer dental.

[elmer_jok]

Sounds very, very interesting. I remember when you got this started. I beleive I may have even been signed up. Let me go over my commitments and see if I got the time for one more. My players in my Into the Wilds game are probably ready to hang for lack of progression. I'll see what I can do.

JoK

[Linklegacy77]

The crown may offer Dental, but the WoE guarentee your soul will be safe in the afterlife. And isn't that what counts?

[Anori]

Well, it seems they're ordering the harddrive, so I have the computer until it arrives. :P Now I just need to think of a good character.

[itches]

The crown may offer Dental, but the WoE guarentee your soul will be safe in the afterlife. And isn't that what counts?
I don't know, will roleplaying the afterlife be a part of the game?;)

[Gnarsh]

Dental? Souls? What's the use of those? The Principality offers something much more valuable: Victory. And T-shirts.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Yes, you were signed up the first time, Jok. No sense in overloading yourself either, so my feelings won't be hurt too terribly bad if you back out.

Merbak has also joined the ranks of the Commonwealth, pushing our player and character numbers up once again.

Flagg, I still need to know what faction you're joining and with how many characters.

Next to lastly, if you've already posted here and have a faction that you're going to play for, head on over to the forum and get to know your faction-mates. Read up on the general info in the main forum and your faction info in the subforum. And please make sure not to read other factions' forums. Takes all the fun out of the game.

Lastly, please make sure you can post 3 times a week. My update schedule is in the second post of this thread, so updates aren't a surprise. If you can't post 3 times a week I ask that you not make a character, because you could potentially slow it down for other players.

That having been said, if anyone else is interested, PM me and we'll talk.

Happing gaming, everyone. Welcome to the warzone.

[Xaden]

Dental? Souls? What's the use of those? The Principality offers something much more valuable: Victory. And T-shirts.

WAIT! The Principlaity offers T-shirts!? Damn it! I knew I joined the wrong faction.
;P
Just kidding.

[The Hive Custodian]

If a class is a “high” caster, such as a mage or a cleric, then that character must have one non-spellcasting class for every spellcasting class level gained. This mean for every 4 levels of wizard, 4 levels of fighter, barbarian, or some other non-caster class must be taken. If a class is a “low” caster such as bard or paladin, then for every two levels of the caster one level of a non-caster class must be taken.

Do characters have to obey this restriction at levels before they enter the game? To give one example, could a charater's first level be in a spellcasting class (since upon getting their first level they would have more levels in spellcasting levels than nonspellcating levels)?

[LuneMoonshadow]

Yeah, that is fine. I'm more concerned with the end product (the level 10) than anything else. If you're interested in joining feel free to jump into the global OOC or PM me. Or this works too, actually.

[The Hive Custodian]

I am interested, thanks to nightinverse. Would you rather I asked questions here or in the forum proper?

As it happens, I have another question: does the non-magical portion of a weapon or armor's cost count against the limit of 25% of starting money on magical items?

[LuneMoonshadow]

Either is fine.

Things like materials (mithril and adamantine) and masterwork, etc. do not count towards the magic item limit. Only the enchantment part of a +1 sword would, for example.

[LuneMoonshadow]

I'm interested in recruiting a player or two for the Principality if anyone is interested. Another player for Renlock wouldn't hurt either.

[AoM]

Yes, more Renlock players would be very nice.

[nightinverse]

So, THC and I will be joining together in the WoE faction.

[Linklegacy77]

Only becuase you're going to get pwnd ^^

Otherwise you wouldn't need more Renlock would you?

Warriors of Everith shall defeat all!

[AoM]

*Yawn*

Wake me when you actually do something of note... besides lose your war and let your namesake be sacked.

[Gnarsh]

Hey, the sacking took place years ago. Now it's called "taxing".

[elmer_jok]

No, the taxing is what the commonwealth is all about.

"That will be 2 gold pieces for the backpack, 4 gold pieces for the backpack tax, and another 3 gold pieces for a browsing tax. I saw you looking around the shop. Don't make me charge you a haggling tax on top of it all!"

[LuneMoonshadow]

I am still recruiting a total of 6 more players. 2 Renlock, 1 Principality, 1 WoE, 1 Commonwealth.

PM me or Boomlaor for more information or go ahead and post here or in the Global OOC if you're interested. I don't really expect any more interest since I basically have everyone on the site already playing, but hey... surprise me. I'll like you more.

[My Fellow Gamers]

Surprise! I am interested. I want to start oiut easy with only one PC to see how things go with the faction that need the **** *** *** role filled. Bravo for you if you can fill in the blank.
Seriously, what faction needs players the most? and can I start with only one?

[LuneMoonshadow]

Too many blanks... so confused.

But Renlock would be the faction that need the players the most right now, and you can start with one character if you so wish. Four is the maximum allowed. Most players tend to find that one is not enough to sate their need for bloodshed.

Feel free to drop by the Global OOC and asks some questions if you wish and I, Boomlaor, or the players will answer pretty quickly. If you're also fine with Renlock you can also jump into the OOC there and get to know your two faction-mates.

[My Fellow Gamers]

All right! Going there now.

[Benicus]

Well I'm seriously interested in this. So no more room in Warriors of Everith? I've been playing the PC Game Freedom Fighters and was thinking about making one but if there's no room I guess I could maybe go for Renlock.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Well, you're certainly welcome to jump in whenever. Definitely no more WoE for right now considering the inbalance of character numbers. Renlock is a fine faction either way and I'm sure you'll manage to kick just as much ass there as in WoE.

Feel free to jump on over to the forum and post in the Global/Renlock OOC and get to know people and ask questions. Boomlaor and I will be glad to help you with character creation should any problems or questions come up.

[Linklegacy77]

Okay soldier, it's on. Your Lord High Vicar will show you to fear the WoE!

[Skidrow]

Hey, I'd be willing to take the last spot for Principality, if that's alright. I'm totally in it for the T-shirt;)

I'll get a character cooked up soon, if you'll have me.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Hmm, two recruits in 24 hours? Works for me. PM me or Boomlaor the character concept and since you'll be playing for the Principality feel free to jump into the global/principality OOC threads. The players and GMs will answer any questions you have.

Looks like I need a new signature.

[Exarzun]

If theres still room i'd like to join the The Royal Crown of Renlock.

[itches]

No! I don't care how much fun it looks, no!

[LuneMoonshadow]

itches is just jealous that he can't play because he's too busy.

[nightinverse]

I can sympathize. I really can. Like how it continues to unfold, of course.

[Paradox]

Hey, if theres still room, throw one down in the WOE for myself as well.

[LuneMoonshadow]

Recruitment is actually closed right now but I'll add you to the waiting list for when I decide to recruit again.

[Paradox]

Hey, thanks much. Sorry bout that.