inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 18, 2017 12:01:26 GMT
As already detailed on the general post, the initial idea for this came from the Core Rule Book adventure but I have changed the underlying plot that needs to be investigated to reflect a much later time scale and different motivation for the main antagonists other than simply sabotaging the event. I have used the background information on Cumberland and the Grand Tourney generally to describe the setting but have added in some ideas of my own.
I decided to make the Grand Tourney a team event so the ultimate prize goes to the winning team rather than an individual. This means the occasion will be a bit like a Thedas Olympics at the instigation of Divine Leliana. In the spirit of the modern Olympics it is meant to foster goodwill between nations rather than be political but we know how well that worked out in real life! Unlike the Olympics though individuals will get considerable monetary reward for winning individual events, so they can be competing for more than just national pride.
There are a lot other of activities going on at the same time as the sporting events as many people see the opportunity of making money or connections during the event. So there are merchants in attendance, craftspeople demonstrating their skills and lots of social gatherings. The Grand Tourney is a bit like a combination of the Olympics, Glastonbury and Expo World Fair.
The basic premise is that the Grand Tourney has a sponsor and it is to be held in the Nevarran city of Cumberland. The ultimate prize for the winning team is a Hammer, the Anvilbreaker, that belonged to one of the Dwarven Paragons, thought lost forever but recently discovered in the Deep Roads by a team working for the sponsor of the Tourney. This is not a weapon but an enchanted tool used for smithing and the properties it possesses are unique. As a consequence the dwarves will kill (literally) to get their hands on it. Of course, there is a lot of national pride involved for the other teams as well, which will be their main focus as much as the hammer, although any nation or organisation would find it of great benefit to them to have it. It would be a real asset to either mage group since the major source of income in the past was enchanted items and with so many tranquil having been killed by the Venatori, these items are now in short supply.
Major plot line: Various people are recruited by the Sponsor of the event to investigate suspicious deaths and strange occurrences that have been happening over the preceding weeks and may be connected to the games in some way. The PCs involved with this can either be doing so in addition to their participation in the Tourney or can be attending the event as spectators and get involved as interested by-standers who may even have witnessed some of the disturbances.
I would stress again, you do not actually have to be taking part in the actual Tourney to have a reason to be in Cumberland or to be recruited into the detective team. You also can use your own character, either already established or awaiting a thread to participate in. The ideas for characters given below are just for anyone who would like to be part of the action but not sure of the role they want to play.
The events that form a part of the contest comprise:
Conquest of Arms – qualifying round with groups of 4 entering arena at same time and fighting until one is left standing. This individual then qualifies for the final, where they fight one on one. Some famous fighters who have achieved success in a previous Grand Tourney are not required to do the qualifying round but are automatically seeded into the final. This is for melee weapons but in the qualifying round nothing heavier than leather armour may be worn. People are grouped in the qualifiers according to their style of fighting, e.g. weapon & shield, dual weapons, single weapon (rapier, sabre or other light sword) or two handed. So each style has its own event and individual champion.
Throwing Contest – using axes or daggers at leather skinned targets at various distances.
Archery Contest – divided into 3 “flights” of short, long and distant range respectively. Long bow only.
Wrestling – unarmed contests between two individuals stripped to the waist.
Mages meadow – a sort of magical clay pigeon shooting event with the targets released from different locations across the meadow including scaffolding and trenches so the mage has no idea where they will come from next. (There is an additional prize for the best trick shot.)
Jousting – on horseback naturally.
Horse Race- This is a long distance event suited to horses used for carrying people or messages quickly from one location to another. It is as much about having stamina as speed and the skill of the rider in pacing the effort to optimum effect over the entire race. (Effectively a horse marathon). Varric Tethras will be running a major book on the event.
Grand Melee: Final event of the competition. The winner and runner up from the final, plus the winner from the losing semi-finalists (gold, silver and bronze medal equivalent in other words) in each weapon group in the Conquest of Arms goes forward to the overall championship where they all take to the arena at the same time (12 combatants in total). At this point the fighter can take any weapons and shield into the arena with them provided they can carry them in, after which they can set them up where they wish. This means a person may be a specialist in one form of fighting but can switch to another if they wish according the way the fight develops. The winner of this bout is the overall Champion, receives a large monetary reward and is awarded 10 points for their team. It is a winner takes all, so only they earn any points.
The teams taking part with suggestions as to character backgrounds you might consider if you do not already have a character you wish to use:
Ferelden: Mage representative drawn from the College of Enchanters at Kinloch Hold.
Chasind Wilder, Ferelden Noble, Ferelden Freeman
Avvar: Avvar mage, Avvar warrior, Avvar archer.
Nevarra : Mage representatives drawn from the Mortalitasi.
Nevarran noble, Nevaran adventurer
Orlais: Mage representative from the Chantry Loyalist Circle of Magi.
If anyone wishes to play a Chevalier I can provide the specialisation.
Antiva/Rivain : Mage representative a Rivaini Wise Woman. Open to suggestions for other classes.
Freemarches : Have formed a joint team to have a shot at winning.
Mage representative an independent mage. Open to suggestions for other classes.
Orzammar : For the first time in history the dwarves will be fielding a team.
Bhelen has given special dispensation that they will be allowed to return to Orzammar.
Mage representative from the southern Grey Wardens (unless anyone else volunteers).
Noble Caste, Warrior Caste, Legion of the Dead.
Anderfels: Under the direction of the First Warden. Mage representative from northern Wardens.
Other classes drawn from Wardens or could play an Ander Survivor.
Kal Sharok: These will be late arrivals. Not playable.
Wild Card Entries: Essentially to allow for people who consider themselves stateless, like Tal-Vashoth and other mercenaries, who wish to compete. If they are successful in the qualifying rounds, they may declare for a faction if they wish before the final, which may have people vying for their allegiance, but there is no obligation to do this.
Main Rivalries:
Orzammar vs Kal Sharok: No love lost between these two. Neither wants the other to get the hammer.
College of Enchanters vs Chantry Circle of Magi: First Enchanter Rhys vs Grand Enchanter Vivienne
Ferelden vs Orlais: Lots of old scores to settle and nationalistic pride to uphold.
Orlais vs Nevarra: Another long standing enmity and more recent conflicts fuel this as well.
Southern Grey Wardens vs. Northern Grey Wardens: Tensions flagged up at end of DAI.
Other interested parties:
Qunari : A group from Par Vollen on a goodwill mission trying to restore relations with the south after the Viddasala affair. Also hoping the gain allies in their struggle against Tevinter.
Lucerni: Representatives have been sent by Dorian and Maevaris who are trying to track down a group of Old God cultists. Will also wish to undermine the Qunari’s efforts at diplomacy. This will give the opportunity for someone to play a Lucerni if they wish, either an Altus or a Laetans mage. Alternatively, they may also be a non-mage Soporati who has allied with the faction.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
455
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Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 18, 2017 12:44:03 GMT
Okay, let's start with the world state for this story. It is somewhat lengthy but I have cut it down to items that are relevant to the story. If there is anything not mentioned here that is important to your character’s background, please let me know and I will clarify it for you.
1. Current Time is 9:46 Drakonis with the announcement of the Grand Tourney which is due to begin at the end of August - this will allow people to hook up with other people and travel across Thedas to Cumberland. Calling it then means that people will travel in summer as in winter some routes will be closed. Once underway the events will last several months. Being on the coast, the climate is not too bad even in winter and to be honest there is so much to do that people will hardly notice the weather. (If this timescale doesn't fit with a current story your character is associated with, please let me know and I will try to adjust it accordingly - alternatively just see it as an alternative universe to your own).
2. Alistair and Anora Co-Rule Ferelden. Crown Prince Maric will be born on Summerday 9:46 (a good omen).
3. Gaspard is the Emperor of Orlais and was under direction of Briala while the Inquisition was operational but it is unclear if this is still the case since it was always occurring behind the scenes. Divine Victoria may have more knowledge of this and could still be backing Briala since it was her idea in the first place. Some Chevaliers think that winning the hammer may give them such prestige in their home country they could rise to prominence with the Orlesian Court.
4. The HoF, The Inquisitor and Hawke are no longer going to be vague. I think it will be easier to go with my canon world state so I can mention things in connection with them which may be relevant to the story. The HoF is Raven Tabris, a city elf with romanced Zevran and is still alive. She has returned from her sojourn in the west but is still actively involved in research to do with the taint and the Blight in order to find a cure, not just for herself but for the world itself. Currently engaged in bringing herself up to speed on red lyrium. Hawke is a female mage who romanced Fenris. Currently they are both engaged in matters further north in Thedas, including assisting Raven in her research. The Inquisitor was Enavir Lavellan, who romanced Dorian and will be mentioned in connection with the plot. His clan also survived and many of them are still located in Wycome, so may be contributing to the Freemarches team.
5. Loghain did the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the Warden and redeemed himself in the eyes of the common people for whom he was always a hero. Everything else is now considered old news.
6. Bhelen is King of Orzammar.
7. Leliana is The Divine - Inspired Divine - a bit like Pope Francis.
8. The Inquisition was disbanded.
9. Mages are free and the forced circles have been abolished although the Circle in Orlais run by Grand Enchanter Vivienne is the closest thing you will get to the old fashioned Circles, with Templars.
10. The Templar Order no longer officially exists except perhaps in Orlais (again thanks to Vivienne). I am assuming that Templars may still exist, attached to individual Chantries or operating independently but not as part of an official central organisation since there is nothing to suggest that Divine Leliana has authorised its restoration.
11. The Seekers are being rebuilt under Cassandra's supervision based in the Hunterhorn Mountains up on the border between Orlais, Tevinter and the Anderfels.
12. Hawke sided with the Mages in Kirkwall
13. Companions from the games will not appear although they may be mentioned as part of individual character’s history provided this occurred before the events of the games they were in (so it wouldn’t matter if they died or not), or they survived in all world states, like Isabella. It is also okay if they encountered them as part of the Inquisition, either because the character was formerly in the Inquisition or they simply went on pilgrimage to Skyhold and met them in the inn there.
The exception to this rule is King Alistair for the obvious reason that he is now ruling Ferelden and the plot may involve the king. The other exception is Varric, who will be attending the Tourney both in his official capacity, to soak up the atmosphere and in order to sign copies of his latest novel. Another exception is Grand Enchanter Vivienne. Since she is based in Cumberland at the College of Magi, it is possible that she may get involved, briefly, with an individual character's story. (Am happy to be guided by others on this). Otherwise she may be seen at a distance as a guest of honour in the royal box. (She would get a invite you can be sure of that).
14. Conner and Isolde survived. Redcliffe was not destroyed by Dark Spawn. Presumably Bann Teagan is now back in charge of Redcliffe Castle.
15. The Mage Circle in Ferelden survived along with Irving after events of DAO but since then has been restyled the College of Enchanters. Rhys has been made nominal First Enchanter, whilst Evangeline is trusted to ensure that the mages are governing themselves properly. King Alistair and Queen Anora allowed this provided Connor was placed on the ruling council (as they could at least trust him not to do anything as stupid as Fiona). This does not require him to be permanently at Kinloch Hold but only when they hold their quarterly government meeting.
Mages are free to come and go but they do also run a boarding school there, with mages returning home to their families in the school holiday. The main source of income is from Enchanted Items which now command extremely high prices due to the fact that so many tranquil were killed by the Venatori. The tranquil who were with the Inquisition have mainly ended up here. The future of tranquil is still hotly debated by the College. Now it is known there is a cure some mages are arguing for restoring all tranquil. However, others argue that forcing them to be not tranquil after so long is the same as making the tranquil in the first place. There is also a debate over whether tranquil have enough free will to decide for themselves. Even if left tranquil once these ones die of old age there will be no more tranquil, at least in Ferelden, since King Alistair and Queen Anora have outlawed the practice.
King Alistair and Queen Anora were fairly lukewarm towards the College after the events of Inquisition but Grand Enchanter Vivienne stating that she automatically had jurisdiction got right up their noses and she was politely told where to go. At least so far as south of the Waking Sea is concerned there is now effectively a state sponsored mage Circle in Orlais and a state sponsored College of Enchanters in Ferelden.
16. Amaranthine and Vivil’s Keep were both preserved by the HoF. The HoF also established the Order of Silver Knights if you wish to use one of them as a character.
17. The Grey Wardens were temporarily banished from Orlais for their own safety. I refuse to accept the biased epilogue to DAI that has them being shunned across Thedas. Too many places owe their survival to them in previous Blights. Also King Alistair would never reject the Wardens as it would be an insult to his idol and father figure Duncan. Considering the Inquisition didn't carry enough sway to survive a move against it by Orlais/Ferelden, why would other countries be so influenced by it as to reject the Grey Wardens? Particularly if the Inquisitor specifically told Leliana that they did not want her to capitalise on the events at Adamant as mine in fact did. So I feel that epilogue was rigged to punish people for actually making a very sensible decision for the sake of the Wardens in view of the danger Corypheus posed to them. So basically whether they were banished or retained working for the Inquisition, it is now business as usual but the southern Wardens are engaging more with the surrounding population. The tensions between southern and northern Grey Wardens do exist.
18. Blackwall/Thom Rainier Survived and is a Grey Warden.
19. The Chargers were not sacrificed and Bull turned on the Qun.
20. Lothering and the surrounding area is very slowly starting to recover.
21. The Qunari have invaded mainland Tevinter and refugees of the conflict have been crossing the border into neighbouring states. This has fuelled tensions all round but there is nothing actually to warrant the southern states intervening on either side, so the Llomerryn Accords are still holding for the present.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
455
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Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 18, 2017 14:57:38 GMT
LOCAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR NEVARRA
CUMBERLAND
This is one of the largest cities in Thedas and the venue for the event. Whilst Nevarra City is the capital of the nation, Cumberland is its largest and also its principle port being located on the banks of the River Planasene where it discharges into the sea and at the southern end of the Imperial Highway, making it the main overland destination for trade to and from that nation as well as Orlais and other trading partners along the coast of the Waking Sea. Much of the produce from the western half of the Freemarches tends to be transported along the Minanter River and then onwards down the Imperial Highway to Cumberland as well. The main area for the Grand Tourney has been set up on the plains to the west of the River Planasene, just beyond the city walls.
The most important landmark in the city is the Sun Dome, which sits atop the College of Magi. Formerly this was the location of the meetings of the First Enchanters and philosophical heart of the old Chantry run Circles and latterly has been commandeered by Grand Enchanter Vivienne to be her main residence and headquarters of the loyalist Circle of Magi.
Whilst the Mortalitasi had objected initially, it was pointed out to them by Vivienne that the building had originally been gifted to the Chantry and thus it was still their property to be utilised as they saw fit, particularly as the local Duke Sandral Anaxas, ruler of Cumberland, had all but abandoned it to the mob during the time of the Inquisition. Representations have since been made to Divine Victoria to restore the building to the state of Nevarra but to date she has thought it expedient to allow Vivienne to have her way.
NEVARRA CITY
The capital of Nevarra but is of lesser importance culturally and economically than Cumberland. However, it does house the royal palace and, more importantly, just outside the city wall, the Grand Necropolis, the headquarters of the Mortalitasi. This structure is large enough to be considered a city in its own right and its mages have always enjoyed more power and privilege than any mages outside of Tevinter. It is particularly noteworthy that this order of mages was established in Nevarra in the Glory Age, the century after the Chantry and the Circle of Magi was founded, by a Tevinter mage and personal adviser to Caspar Pentaghast. Proving how much it was possible back then to defy the Chantry with state backing. The Mortalitasi rarely leave Nevarra and whilst well respected within their own country, many mages as well as the ordinary people elsewhere fear them.
CONTACTS IN NEVARRA
Vinnus Anaxas was invited to Skyhold as a trainer of a mage Inquisitor and is a relative of the ruler of Cumberland.
Sidony, was an agent of the Inquisition who was trained in Nevarra.
Dorian’s mother was friendly with Loren Pentaghast, who was a cousin of Cassandra’s. Quote from Dorian: “Enormously fat man. Three chins, four mansions, five ways to sell you out, as Mother liked to say”. Cassandra remembered him for his “wandering hands”
After the execution of her parents, Cassandra and her brother were raised by Vestalus Pentaghast, senior member of the Mortalitasi.
Tessa (Tessarey Forsythia) from Mage Killer was raised in a large Cumberland noble family of 2 brothers and 5 older sisters, with whom she always fought. She fled Nevarra to escape an arranged marriage.
POLITICS
King Markus is an old man. He was targeted by the Venatori and was for a time enthralled by a blood mage until the Inquisition intervened. It is rumoured that his health and sanity are waning and his Mortalitasi advisors are ruling the country through him. His death would likely result in considerable unrest as his immediate heir, his brother Ferdinand is also an old man and neither have any known offspring. The Van Markhams and Pentaghasts jostle to replace him, whilst other noble families think it is time for someone new.
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ღ I am a golem. Obviously.
440
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24,137
phoray
Dreadnaw Rising
12,551
August 2016
phoray
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
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Post by phoray on Oct 18, 2017 15:14:07 GMT
egads, a lot to read all at once.
Do we have to pick from the roles you listed? I think I remember saying that I'd like to be a city elf street performer or some such.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
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Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 18, 2017 18:04:44 GMT
No, you can have entirely your own character, including a character already used or currently awaiting use in the character section. I was just making some suggestions in case people didn't want to use a character they already had and wanted some ideas. Essentially, given people come from far and wide to attend the Tourney, you can be any character you want so long as you are clear what their motivations might be for being there and you post the character in the character section.
An elf street performer (or any race of street performer) would fit in just fine.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
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Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 19, 2017 8:54:08 GMT
An idea has occurred to me of another way you could get involved on the thread: writing POV of certain participants in the event. I know people have particular cultures they are interested in and races they like to play, so they are better at writing from their POV than I would be. I am very much an elf person and can really immerse myself in their viewpoint but I do find it quite difficult to get into the mind-set of a true Qunari or an Orzammar dwarf, whereas I know other people are very good at this. So when these groups are involved, if you would like to write a post giving the POV of their leader, you are welcome to do so. The same is true of other factions mentioned but those two stand out for me as ones where their attitude and POV might be very different from that of other people, considering their motivations for being there.
There are two leaders of the Orzammar dwarves:
*Deshyr Roshek of House Meino is convinced that the hammer can be won fairly through winning the event.
*Deshyr Oerik of House Vollney argues that even the greatest warrior can falter and so the delegation should bribe or eliminate all their most dangerous opponents outside the arena.
The leader of the Qun is called *Sataareth. He is described as a tracker of near super-natural skill. I assume he comes from the Ben-Hassrath but open to suggestions on that one. If you are interested in writing his POV then I will give you more information on him. (I like to keep a bit of mystery for the other writers involved and I think it makes it more fun and realistic when it comes to writing their own character's response)
*I've changed the names from those originally posted so this story is definitely our own. The dwarf names tie into politics back in DAO and I thought there wasn't much point in having a Qun character where I didn't know the meaning of their name because he obviously would. He may be a supreme tracker but that is still essentially a scout. I may give some more thought to this. |
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1685
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1,633
riverdaleswhiteflash
1,501
Sept 28, 2016 8:03:42 GMT
September 2016
riverdaleswhiteflash
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
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Post by riverdaleswhiteflash on Oct 19, 2017 10:17:14 GMT
So, Gervaise suggested that my Qunari deserter might show up to the tourney to offer his skills as a low-tier medic, hoping to make a friend who could translate a few books he has that he doesn't know how to read. It seems like something he could credibly decide to do, if he doesn't know that the Qunari are there... which Gervaise said would probably come as a surprise to pretty much everyone. So Issala's in for a fun time. That said, Gervaise said that they probably aren't going to fight, which means they probably won't need a medic. On the other hand, they could be looking for him if they're Ben-Hassrath: I'd imagined the Qunari thought Issala was dead, but looking back they'd have to be pretty poor investigators to believe that with two dead Tevinters where he was sent to scout and no sign of Issala. If anyone wants more information, this is the character I'm planning to use. |
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ღ I am a golem. Obviously.
440
0
24,137
phoray
Dreadnaw Rising
12,551
August 2016
phoray
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
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Post by phoray on Oct 19, 2017 14:03:04 GMT
LOCAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR NEVARRA
CUMBERLAND
This is one of the largest cities in Thedas and the venue for the event. Whilst Nevarra City is the capital of the nation, Cumberland is its largest and also its principle port being located on the banks of the River Cum where it discharges into the sea and at the southern end of the Imperial Highway, making it the main overland destination for trade to and from that nation as well as Orlais and other trading partners along the coast of the Waking Sea. Much of the produce from the western half of the Freemarches tends to be transported along the Minanter River and then onwards down the Imperial Highway to Cumberland as well. The main area for the Grand Tourney has been set up on the plains to the west of the River Cum, just beyond the city walls.
I apologize for being immature, but even if this is the name of the river, can we change it? |
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26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 19, 2017 16:06:24 GMT
Yes, I hadn't thought of that. It is terrible isn't it? Mind you there is probably a river by that name over here in the U.K. because we have a Cumberland too. I will change it immediately!!!!!!!!!
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26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 19, 2017 16:19:30 GMT
I can't remember where I took the name from but someone must have been having a joke because it should have read River Cumber. Still I've decided to make it something entirely different just so there is no misunderstanding. You definitely do not want to type River Cum into your search engine! It would seem even the ancient Britons realised it wasn't an appropriate name.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
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Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 19, 2017 18:56:07 GMT
MORE TRIVIA
I think we should say this is the first Grand Tourney since the 5th Blight. If you think about it there would be no Tourney once the Blight started. Then there was considerable unrest in the Freemarches, the natural home of the Tourney, first with the Arishok decamping in Kirkwall and then the mage uprising there and bombing of the Chantry increasing tensions all round. The Mage/Templar war kicked off, as did the Civil War in Orlais. Then came the Breach and Corypheus. So things didn't really start settling down until after he was defeated. The defeat of the Qunari plot against the south (strenuously denied by their leadership) and the disbanding of the Inquisition seemed to signal that things were finally getting back to normal.
This means that the current Grand Tourney is seen as a considerable celebration of the resilience of the people of Thedas in the face of adversity and a chance for everyone to come together in that spirit. Plus the opportunity for those not actually participating in the fighting to have a really good time or make a lot of money (or both). This is why it has a particularly festive atmosphere associated with it.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
455
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Sept 23, 2023 14:10:01 GMT
26,348
gervaise21
10,555
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 19, 2017 20:34:42 GMT
The official party from Ferelden will be headed up by Bann Sighard and his supporting retainers Jasce, Burren and Gerry, plus Ellas who is under his protection as a mage who isn't officially allied with the College of Enchanters, so might be a target for freelance Templars. (see character thread for details of these people). Ellas will be my PC taking part in the investigation in Cumberland. He may be participating in the Tourney (not as a mage) if he can convince Oswyn he is good enough but in any case will be helping care for Bann Sighard's horses at the event.
If your character would be travelling from Ferelden they are welcome to join the official party but not obliged to if you feel that is not what you character would do. The majority will be taking ship from Denerim, which will stop off at Amaranthine and Highever on route to Cumberland, so people could embark at either of those ports. However, Bann Sighard will actually travel overland to West Hill and be transported to Kirkwall with his horses as this will minimise the length of time they have to be at sea. From Kirkwall we will then travel along the coast through the Planascene Forest to get to Cumberland.
*I have checked and it would seem that my original embarkation point of Highever is actually inland, so have moved it to West Hill that looks to be on the coast and where there is likely to be a harbour of some sort. |
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inherit
1685
0
1,633
riverdaleswhiteflash
1,501
Sept 28, 2016 8:03:42 GMT
September 2016
riverdaleswhiteflash
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
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Post by riverdaleswhiteflash on Oct 20, 2017 10:09:36 GMT
The official party from Ferelden will be headed up by Bann Sighard and his supporting retainers Jasce, Burren and Gerry, plus Ellas who is under his protection as a mage who isn't officially allied with the College of Enchanters, so might be a target for freelance Templars. (see character thread for details of these people). Ellas will be my PC taking part in the investigation in Cumberland. He will not be participating in the Tourney but instead will be helping care for Bann Sighard's horses at the event. If your character would be travelling from Ferelden they are welcome to join the official party but not obliged to if you feel that is not what you character would do. The majority will be taking ship from Denerim, which will stop off at Amaranthine and Highever on route to Cumberland, so people could embark at either of those ports. However, Bann Sighard will actually travel overland to Highever and be transported to Kirkwall with his horses as this will minimise the length of time they have to be at sea. From Kirkwall we will then travel along the coast through the Planascene Forest to get to Cumberland. I think Issala would travel with one of the two divisions of that party. He wouldn't be interested in joining the Bann's service, but that might change later and in the meantime he'd certainly pull his weight plus as much more as he can handle along the way if the Bann required it as the price of passage. |
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 20, 2017 10:12:44 GMT
I have amended the Ferelden entry as it would seem from the Campaign Guide that the Avvar are attending in their own right. I suppose this makes sense considering they think all the lowlanders are soft. However, they are more in contact with the outside world as the result of the friendly relations established by First Thaw (the Inquisitor). They are not that bothered about the hammer, they just want to show the lowlanders how it is done. It is also a good opportunity to get involved in a decent fight without upsetting anyone by invading them. They will be taking ship from Jader.
Their nominal leader and chief spokesperson is Alsgaard Ar Kjus O Stormhold. His eagle is called Saba.
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 20, 2017 10:26:18 GMT
Good, I'll put him down as travelling with the main group from Denerim. Then if anyone else comes forward with a PC from Ferelden they can travel on your ship and that will be a good way for you to get to know them. We know from Inquisition that some people are still very wary about allowing mages to treat them so his skills would likely be very valued by the ordinary members of the group. Luckily people from Ferelden do not have such an historic fear of Qunari as they have never been invaded by them, although they will have heard the stories, particularly about Kirkwall in recent times, so they may start off a little wary. If he is an official member of the group, though, then he will probably have something to signify this. Perhaps a tabard of some sort? I'm open to suggestions on this. If you wanted to write an entry about him bonding with his fellow passengers it might be a good way to get started.
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Post by phoray on Oct 20, 2017 11:54:18 GMT
Trying to decide my city elf backstory. Right now I have two ideas. One is a Tevinter ex slave that took advantage of the renewed War by the Qunari to escape south.
And my other idea is a gal that was in the same alienage as Vaea.
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 20, 2017 16:15:06 GMT
I think a Tevinter ex-slave would be good. She could have been trained in performing arts in order to entertain her master. That girl we rescue from Hadriana in DA2 (her name escapes me) was trained in the lute I seem to recall. She could also still be having to watch out for slave-hunters, particularly if she had been highly trained by her master. According to the Core Rule Book this would mean you would be able to speak Tevinter as well as the Trade Tongue. If you can read Tevinter as well, this means there is potential to assist Issala with his books once you get to know him. Some slaves are very well educated because they are used to teach the children of the household until they are old enough to attend school.
I assume Vaea's alienage was in Ferelden. So there would be a connection there and presumably she was self taught or someone in the alienage did and then she struck out for the big city. A more conventional sort of city elf background.
Call me biased if you wish, but I like the idea of the ex-slave, particularly with Issala being involved. You seem to have got the Tevinter noble off rather well, so how about the other end of the spectrum? Also, considering the bad guys are going to be Old God cultists that would give her a really big incentive to want to stop them.
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Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
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Post by phoray on Oct 22, 2017 1:42:29 GMT
Call me biased if you wish, but I like the idea of the ex-slave, particularly with Issala being involved. You seem to have got the Tevinter noble off rather well, so how about the other end of the spectrum? Also, considering the bad guys are going to be Old God cultists that would give her a really big incentive to want to stop them. I guess I thought it'd be Cliche. I wouldn't want to be Fenris 2.0 |
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 22, 2017 13:19:38 GMT
I don't think being a Tevinter slave runaway is cliché unless you do a complete copy of Fenris. Even as a warrior they could have a different outlook. I was envisaging your person as more likely a rogue character, highly intelligent and well educated (Fenris was illiterate). They could have appreciated that they got a far better education as a slave than they would have got in the elven slums of Tevinter or alienages down south.
May be they don't hate mages because they realise non-mages in positions of authority can be bad too. Their master could have been a decent sort who treated them well. It could simply be a case of reaching a stage where they felt too constricted by their status and wanted out or alternatively they saw their master was getting involved with some dodgy people and thought it best to get out while they could. Of course their master didn't need to even be a mage. I'm sure the wealthier Soporati have slaves too. Many of the merchants in Tevinter are Soporati, which could also have given them the contacts to get out when they needed to.
Another possibility is that the Qunari killed their master, took over their settlement and they didn't want to serve them. It also ruined their chances of earning their freedom with their old master, which they had been working towards. So they saw an opportunity to get away from all the conflict. Of course, with this latter scenario they wouldn't be fearful of slave hunters because their master wouldn't still be around to recruit them. This would actually be an interesting character to play because they may not have hated the system at all because it had worked in their favour but circumstances meant they opted for freedom in the south over staying in Tevinter.
Those are a few ideas anyway.
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ღ I am a golem. Obviously.
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Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
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Post by phoray on Oct 23, 2017 23:25:50 GMT
I got it. Memoirs of a Geisha! Meets Queenie. In Dragon Age
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 24, 2017 8:25:05 GMT
Sounds intriguing. I can't wait to see it.
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Post by phoray on Oct 24, 2017 16:27:28 GMT
Arria/Sabina's son will be participating in the Grand Melee. I posted her history in the Character OOC thread.
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 24, 2017 19:31:18 GMT
I assume he will be representing Orlais, in which case he probably did train as a Chevalier.
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ღ I am a golem. Obviously.
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Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
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Post by phoray on Oct 24, 2017 19:43:02 GMT
I assume he will be representing Orlais, in which case he probably did train as a Chevalier. I'm not certain I'm not making up convenient facts to fit my dramatic narrative. But this was my idea. He's not a Chevalier until one agrees to train/take him? I'm thinking of how Thom Rainier was already a good warrior, but he didn't get the offer to train as a Chevalier until he was an adult. So, Markham has to win the Grand Melee in an attempt to gain the attention of the Chevelier Order. Up until this point, he's been boarded, educated, and trained in battle but not in a Chevalier way. If he makes it into the Order, he's good to go for monetary independence. Love your character by the way. An amazing back story and I love the touch with her son. Yep! If he wins the Grand Melee, he will no longer need the willed patronage of the dead Marcus, and Arria can be free to kill Luscius. As Luscius is the only heir, if he dies, all the things Marcus' Last Will and Testement pays for will be null and void. So she can't murder him until her son's future is assured. So she is on the run, and can't be truly free, until then. Her motivation for being at the Melee is that MAYBE they've asked her to sing at the opening Ceremony, but also to see her son succeed in person. She hadn't physically seen him since he was 8. (this is where I'm channeling some Queenie, dunno if you ever saw the movie or read the book.) |
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Oct 24, 2017 21:06:00 GMT
I'm not familiar with Queenie but the story sounds great. I like the idea that he has to win in order to be sponsored as a Chevalier. Great for a bit of tension. Have you any preference as to what his favoured style of fighting is?
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