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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 15, 2016 14:29:20 GMT
The marauding bands have caused a lot of trouble, that is why the Emperor put one of the bandit kings in charge of the Ranger & Postal Service. Little does he know that this bandit is the bastard of one of the numerous mountain lords, and tries to gain sufficient power to oust his brother to take over first the tribe, and later the whole empire!
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 14:44:24 GMT
Please go into as much or little detail as you like then when you are finished I will take over, now is the time for most of your "DM" duties, if that's all you want to post I'll take over now. I await your word.
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 15:36:18 GMT
Minimum I need is character Name class and alignment (I would also like to see you Detail your power base a little, but would also do for you)
balls in your court
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 15, 2016 16:05:12 GMT
Right now, I am still collecting ideas. I am not yet sure where I am going to go with this.
Emperor Kudakwashe, level 0 commoner.
He is an ancient dodderer (92 years old), but still clings to the throne.
His sons Tashinga (level 9 warrior) and Upenyu (level 9 cleric) bicker among each other, both controlling about a fifth of the plains, and also have the backing of about an equal amount of mountain tribes. There are plenty unaligned tribes remaining, though.
Their sister Ropafadzo (level 11 thief) controls the palace guard and is well connected within the trade guilds, giving her a firm position in the city. Her husband Hamandishe (level 6 paladin) is an exiled prince from Punt, and thus could hire mercenaries from that state. He hopes that the might of Zimbabwe might return him to his rightful throne one day.
Dambudzo (level 5 thief/level 5 wizard) runs the postal service, he is bastard son to one of the tribal lords and ... the Empress. Yup. The Empress is only 50 and still had certain urges long after her husband became unable to perform them. He used to lead one of the bandit groups, till the Empress learnt of his identity and convinced her husband to make him the head of the postal service (it takes a thief to catch a thief, after all).
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 15, 2016 17:41:21 GMT
The mountain tribes are known for their fierce independence and their strong desire in trade. It is a pity they like to fight among each other just as much as they like to trade.
The best known tribes are:
Menabe
king: Ramitraho (level 9 warrior)
The biggest and westernmost tribe. Allied with Tashinga.
Antananarivo
queen: Ranavalona (level 9 barbarian)
The fiercest tribe, nearly all of their youths work as mercenary for a couple years, before they return home and father sons who continue the cycle. Allied with Upenyu, who is rumoured to have a liaison with queen Ranavalona.
Betsileo
king: Mayang (level 9 bard)
Immigrants who fled the seas to the safety of the ocean, according to their old tales. Today, they are the least interested in fighting and the most interested in trading. Unaffiliated at the moment, but favour Ropafadzo. King Mayang is father of Dambudzo, and a known womanizer. Otherwise, he is a well loved and benelovent leader of his tribe.
Vazimba
no leader
The vazimba always lived here. They are one with the trees and the mountains. The other tribes usually shun them. They are allied to none and all of the other tribes at the same time.
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 15, 2016 17:51:42 GMT
Oh, Tmao, if you have any suggestions, you are welcome! After all, the grand vizier might have heard of some things the king did not.
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 18:55:39 GMT
not yet fill in EVERYTHING you want in there and THEN I'll make my additions(still need aligh!)
Ok I DO have this one thing: For some reason I like the idea of your income to come from A) your Stipend from being PO directer and B) a played out copper mine that was given to you by your Half Brother? Dad? that you actually struck a rich copper vein in.No body knows that you've actually got the mine working.
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 19:50:07 GMT
as to your troops I was thinking the following about 185 men
3 groups of 50 that can act autonomously
and a group of 35 Were-Leopards that nobody else knows are with you
For one of the groups of 50, I was thinking of ultra light infantry that carry exactly the right encumbrance to move at maximum running speed, in order to function at peak running they can only carry one of the following a broadswords, a light chain mail shirt or 2 light throwing spears, poss called Cheetahs
One of your groups of 50 are only known to your other troops, the were leopards only to you.
The remaining 2 groups are publicly known
The three groups of 50 rotate through working the copper mine but all can easily be used
?
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 15, 2016 20:20:05 GMT
Oh, I like the 35 men wereleopard guard. They have the nicknames "leopards", because they wear leopard coats. Nobody knows those are cursed cloaks of the were leopard, that forces them to be loyal to me. Muahaha. And they protect my mine. Where a group of 50 miners mine copper. I definitely need miners, because I won't waste my precious guards in mining. They can also work as goons in a jam, but usually they are busy digging holes.
Hmm. The remaining 100 men should be the postal and ranger office. Could they wear a lighter melee weapon plus a throwing spear? For example a dagger or a shortsword? Because that combination sounds useful.
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 20:31:32 GMT
Oh, I like the 35 men wereleopard guard. They have the nicknames "leopards", because they wear leopard coats. Nobody knows those are cursed cloaks of the were leopard, that forces them to be loyal to me. Muahaha. And they protect my mine. Where a group of 50 miners mine copper. I definitely need miners, because I won't waste my precious guards in mining. They can also work as goons in a jam, but usually they are busy digging holes. Hmm. The remaining 100 men should be the postal and ranger office. Could they wear a lighter melee weapon plus a throwing spear? For example a dagger or a shortsword? Because that combination sounds useful. I was thinking the Postal and rangers be separate, the 185 would be loyal to you |
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 20:33:52 GMT
Oh and yea the were coats work, it's really up to you
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 15, 2016 20:46:12 GMT
Oh. You mean, 185 in addition to the postal service. Yes, that works well. They will be armed with leather armour, shield, dagger and spear, in the traditional fashion of light infantry.
The postal runners will have the ultra light load of dagger and light throwing spear. After all, they are more of an investigative and message delivering unit, less of a fighting force. I would say there are about 500 post-rangers.
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Post by tmao on Oct 15, 2016 20:55:01 GMT
Ok then
3 autonomus 50 man light infantry units
your were coat 35 man body guard
These are all personally loyal to you
50 miners
500 scattered post runners ultra light Loyal to the crown but under your command
Do you want one of the 50 men groups secret(poss 10 thieves/40 fighters)?
Sound good?
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 16, 2016 6:04:34 GMT
Yes. Secret reserves are always good. Bought!
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2016 6:06:18 GMT
The marauding bands have caused a lot of trouble, that is why the Emperor put one of the bandit kings in charge of the Ranger & Postal Service. Little does he know that this bandit is the bastard of one of the numerous mountain lords, and tries to gain sufficient power to oust his brother to take over first the tribe, and later the whole empire! Note: These events were randomly generated via the "Yearly & Monthly Events" section of Oriental Adventures. This chapter is theoretically suitable for any place on Aerth. Yearly Event: Rebellion. This could be interpreted as one of the tribes, seeking independence, and breaking off from The Kingdom of Zimbabwe. January: Injustice. February: No event. March: No event. April: Incursion, Minor. May: Death. June: Troop Movements. July: Uprising. August: Incursion, Major. September: Horrendous Monster. October: Horrendous Monster. Feel free to ignore these events, if they do not fit your vision of what's going on in Zimbabwe, in the year 1016. Prespos |
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 16, 2016 7:47:54 GMT
Oh. Rebellion is great - because that is what I am attempting. A rebellion to take over the empire from the imperial dynasty.
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2016 7:52:32 GMT
I will research African monsters, and see what I can inflict upon Zimbabwe! DM Prespos Ps. For ease of reference, this would be the main source: Africa: Armor "Arms & Armor of Africa" Michael J. Varhola 189(20) D&D2 Clerics of "Priests of Africa, The" Michael John Wybo II 209(16) D&D2 Creatures of "Gaming the Dark Continent" Roger E. Moore 122(27) D&D1 "Out of Africa" Charles R. Saunders 122(22) D&D1 Game adaptation "Dark Continent, The" David Howery 189(10) D&D2 Gods and religions "African Genesis, A" Brady English 191(32) D&D2 "Deities of Africa, The" Michael John Wybo II 215(48) D&D2 "Mythos of Africa in Dungeons & Dragons" Jerome Arkenberg 27(39) OD&D Races, mythic "Mythic Races of Africa" Michael John Wybo II 202(46) D&D2 Warrior kits "Real Warriors Ride Elephants" Michael John Wybo II 195(26) D&D2 Weapons "Arms & Armor of Africa" Michael J. Varhola 189(20) D&D2 Wizard kits "Magic From the Gods" Michael John Wybo II 200(14) D&D2 Thanks to: Dragondex. Ps2. NYAMBE looks pretty cool, too! |
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2016 8:00:39 GMT
DINGONEK
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-2
ARMOR CLASS: 3
MOVE: 9//9(6)
HIT DICE: 8 +4
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 bite and 2 claws
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-16/2-12/2-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Charge
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Semi
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
LEVEL/XP VALUE: VII/1300 + 12/hp
A fearless, aggressive carnivore that
rivals the bulette in temper. Accustomed
to attacking other large monsters, the
dingonek has developed a charging attack
using its head and body as a massive ram.
Given 60 in which to reach charging
speed, the dingonek will deliberately hurl
itself at large or dangerous prey, inflicting
double damage with claw attacks, an additional 2-20 hp damage from its head butt
(though without a bite), and stunning all
man-size or smaller beings as per a symbol
of stunning. The dingonek can also dig
into the earth with its claws and burst out
of the ground to attack encampments and
villages. Anyone standing behind a
dingonek can be smacked with its tail for
3-12 hp damage, though this attack is at
-4 to hit. Unfortunately, dingoneks can
swim, too.
To be called brave as a dingonek means
to be stupidly fearless and aggressive. The
best policy that humans have when
encountering a dingonek is to leave the
area and hope it finds something bigger to
pick on.
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2016 8:02:58 GMT
NGOJAMA DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-7/2-7 FREQUENCY: Very rare No. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 6 MOVE: 12” HIT DICE: 4 + 4 % IN LAIR: 10% TREASURE TYPE: B NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 claws SPECIAL ATTACKS: Double damage if “to hit” roll is 4 or more over base needed to hit SPECIAL DEFENSES: As per normal demons MAGIC RESISTANCE: 20% SIZE: M LEVEL/XP VALUE: V/245 + 5/hp INTELLIGENCE: Average-very ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil An aggressive, speech-using, climbing, fearless, man-eating minor demon. Ngojama are difficult to control and are useful to evil spell-casters only as assassins. Their hand claws prohibit the ngojama from using tools of any sort.
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 16, 2016 9:55:21 GMT
My first goal: Assure that the other marauding bands stop attacking the postal service, and start more attacking the tribes allied to the imperial dynasty.
military move: disguise my personal guard as post guards and attack one of the many larger bandit groups.
diplomacy move: convince the other bandit groups that it would be a good idea to stay away from the postal service, and instead attack groups that are allied to members of the imperial dynasty.
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 12:10:35 GMT
My first goal: Assure that the other marauding bands stop attacking the postal service, and start more attacking the tribes allied to the imperial dynasty. military move: disguise my personal guard as post guards and attack one of the many larger bandit groups. diplomacy move: convince the other bandit groups that it would be a good idea to stay away from the postal service, and instead attack groups that are allied to members of the imperial dynasty. There are several excellent targets for your military action There is a Very large bandit group in the North called "Vitari's warriors" They are loosely organized but quite large, however they tend to operate in smaller 25 man units, overall they are going to be a handful if you decide to take them on Kazool is particularly savage and bloodthirsty group , also in the north, about the size of your forces but very war like, poss w some wizard help. In the east The Black Spears are most noted for robbery , although they seem to be less violent, they however are the biggest threat to the postal service At this point doing anything diplomatic will require you to do it personally as you have several able military subordinates ,none of then are well suited to diplomacy, Your Lt Kasim would be able to do a good job leading the troops with out you but his eyes betray his ambition |
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 12:26:38 GMT
Oh quik note on money Your monthly income is 2(000) you have 6(000) in your treasury(spent most of your money on leopard coats) so with this months income in you have 8(000). your net income is after all personal , troop and mine expences
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 12:41:35 GMT
Events of note
1 Gen. Muaara is in the North with the imperial army over zealously suppressing rebellion in a brutal fashion
2 same Gen. is importing horses from Arabia to outfit a large cavalry unit(none exists)
3 3 small bandit "lords" from the south with which you had very good relations ,aproach you about splitting the purse from attacking the postal service
4 Rumers of a mysterious package on its way from Asia , for the King(?) Queen(?)
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 13:19:34 GMT
For those of you reading this, I could easily fit one more of these into my day if anybody wants to play, PM me here
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2016 13:26:11 GMT
Note: Arabia is basically Middle Azir. From Middle Azir, the route that is taken is either down the Mare Rubine, or, the Sea of Yarbay, to the Hindic<Hindoo> Ocean. From there, merchant ships hug the coast of Afrik. The horses are coming from Yarbay (this is the Islamic realm, on Aerth): "The famed Yarban horse is the chief animal with respect to riding && war use, && horses are sometimes employed for draft work, too." It's likely that the Muslim traders will bring other trade goods: "Yarban gums are xported as widely as its pearls, balsam && myrrh being the best known && costliest." They are willing to trade slaves for the horses. In addition to slaves, what does Zimbabwe have to offer? <1> Note that the only coin in Zimbabwe is the iron piece. This isn't accepted currency in Yarbay, and the merchants are generally not interested in iron pieces. Al-Prespos the Yarban merchant <1> This of course, assumes that Zimbabwe trades in slaves: slavery is practiced in many realms on Aerth, and, it seems to be that there was a slave trade in Zimbabwe. The final matter is up to kjatoragfoot. <2> The early military history of Zimbabwe: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Zimbabwe#Early_history<3> Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meccan_Trade_and_the_Rise_of_Islam<4> Painting by Edwin Lord Weeks (one of the most famous Orientalists):  |
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