RwG Experimental Custom Preludes

[Random_White_Guy]

I was joking around with a few folks in #EFU the other night and it got me thinking about the Hardcore Prelude, Nature Prelude and the basic prelude in general. Sometimes there's a lot to be said for hitting the ground running as fast and as hard as possible but sometimes in my experience people don't RP these encounters at all or on like any level. It's create PC -> Run Prelude -> Hit Low Level Grind. I've come out of the "Rat House" before just to have people wordlessly take the quest after me, run out to the portal, and so on.

To this end I'd like to conduct and run some experimental Preludes.

One my favorite things about EFU in general are characterization, concept creation and storytelling and while I'm not sure I'd like to DM again for EFU I find myself wanting to help bring more story elements to EFU.

I'm going to offer a fun service of gifting your next concept a micro-experience. The Hardcore Prelude in particular is a blank canvas of an abstract and abandoned settlement. I'd love to run a few preludes of my own on par with what sometimes PCs receive as their own.

The idea is simple:

[indent]I'll provide you with a scenario of a ruined settlement/region.

Then if you're interested I can provide you a list of characters from that scenario in which you're able to pick up on and put your own personal spin on from some rough blueprints of a character background/etc.

Or you can make your own character and we can slip it into the "Story so far".

Depending on the scenario in question it could be 3 people (Me + 2) or up to 6 (Me + 5) people depending on how much people want to do a matter of OOC scheduling or if you've got an interest in doing a group concept. I don't think a 15 man Hardcore Prelude or something so extreme would be favorable by the DMs so I'm gonna put the hard cap on 6 maximum for the scenarios as I come up with them.[/indent]

You then get a fun and unique background for your PC which fits the limitations of no app required with a fun storytelling experience allowing you to enter EFU with some surviving pals, not so much requirement for the "Low Level Fedex" which I'm not a fan of, and a shiny new character to take on the future with.

The idea would be to play up the Horror/Survival aspects of the Hardcore Prelude with a more intense RP experience and level of rugged survivalism on par with games like Left 4 Dead and similar.

PCs would be able to pick whichever role they preferred and I'd use my spot to just fill out the prelude and then when everyone's schedule allowed it we'd run it from there.

If people in timezones opposite me want to take the little stories and run a micro-campaign of their own I'd be glad to let you take the story and run wild with it just hit me up first to check if I've gotten anyone interested yet and it's all yours!

PMs welcomed, post here, or hit me up on IRC if you've got a group interested or want to throw your hat in the ring.

[Random_White_Guy]

Sample Scenario: "No Moorcey" Hardcore Prelude

A small farming community upon the outskirts of Luskan, Hemsfar was plagued by no shortage of bandits and orcs and had seen better days. With the Darkening occurring anarchy seized Luskan and all contact with the city at large was lost. Cut off from their main source of protection the people of Hemsfar hunkered down for what was expected to be a true and proper terror.

A close knit community they had taken refuge upon the Cunningham Dairy Farm, one of the larger farms on the fringe of town. After a desperate band of rumored Cannibals fleeing "The Trouble" of Luskan wiped out many buildings and saw the mayor slain and many of the town's guard cut down.

Having retreated to the Farm the survivors begin the arduous task of eking out existence.

Leader "Pa": Marcus Cunningham

Alignment: TN Age: 50, Class: Fighter, Perk: Archer - A hard working man of Chauntea, Marcus inherited his farm from his father as his father before him had. He doesn't much care for city politics and as her grew older he withdrew to an almost hermetic sttaus letting the damn "City folk" deal with small town politics. Though they've never been a prosperous sort the Cunningham Farm long supplied Hemwall with no shortage of fresh beef and dairy products. Though he was never a man for fighting he had to on occasion take up his bow to run off those damn wolves that came for a meal or those Rustlers what came to steal his crops

Secondary "Milkmaid" : Leslie Cunningham

Alignment: LG Age: 18, Class: Rogue, First Perk progression: Physician, the rest up to you based on EFU experience - The Milkmaid of the farm Leslie was always loving of the cattle and she did her best to make her father proud. After her mother's demise she took up the duties of veterinarian and over time began helping out the local farmhands as well as making trips to town to offer aid as a PHysician's Assistant.

The idea would be two PCS would play Pa and the Milkmaid in a family endeavor in their struggle to survive Underdark from a Non-Evil Chauntean perspective of coping with the situation of Sanctuary.

Tertiary:

"The Farm Hand" - Bo Tarshem

Alignment: NG Age: 25, Class: Ranger, FE: Animal first suggested FE the rest up to you as PC develops in Underdark- Born two farms over Bo found himself easy work helping out around his family's farm as well as a strong hand with an axe to aid in repairs and upkeep. A convenient axeman though always has use and the burly Bo was helpful to hsi family in cutting down rustlers and otherwise. With the world's end he found himself taking refuge upon the Cunningham's Farm in pursuit of survival and putting his Axe to work.

"The Wolf" - Alphonse Elphmere

Alignment: CN, Age: 23 , Class: Bard, Perk: Troubadour - A shiftless drifter that sailed into Luskan from "An exotic land" this rascal found his way into Hemsfar only days before the Darkening in pursuit of lowly and naive farm girls. Much to Pa's dimsay he found his way to Cunningham Farm when he found Leslie and Alphonse necking in the loft. Beaten rather severely he was being tended to by Leslie when the Darkening only tightening their bond to Pa's dimsay

"The Deputy" - Mack Weathers

Alignment: LN, Age: 30, Class; Fighter, Perk: Drill Sergeant - A man who took his job far too seriously, Mack Weathers grew up a second generation law as his father had become Town Sheriff of Hemsfar. Taking his job far too seriously from his drunken father's drive to push him he takes that frustration out on what few townfolk are rounded up now and then as a Posse to fend off bandits, orcs, and similar. One of the last survivors of the town's law enforcement, Trough his dedicated training and his bladesmanship he finds himself on Cunningham farm. Often barking orders at Alphonse while helping Bo improve his combat skills he is the protector and enforcer of this little band.

The story so far:

With Hemsfar sacked survival in the harsh darkness was steady going for a time upon Cunningham Farm. Fear and the insulation of outskirt safety with a steady food supply kept things relatively secure for a time. Months after the Darkening however one suspicious evening strange sights were seen as dull eyed roaming men that Bo thought were "Cannibals" had begun to mill at the end of the dirt road of the Farm as he returned from a hunting patrol.

In a fervor they convinced Pa to abandon the farm as Leslie had weened Alphonse off his crutches and the Five individuals made their way to the ruins of Luskan in hopes of finding a boat away from the hellish nightmare or at the very least more answers as they've not seen any citizens who were not "Cannibals" since the ordeal began.

Unfortunately the boats had been sacked or fled, forcing the ragged survivors to seek refuge amongst the ruins of Luskan dodging Thrall patrols. With Pa threatening to Kill Alphonse regularly and Deputy Weathers breaking them up amidst Leslies sobs and Bo's new hobby of Drinking spoiled ale the survivors are in a rather sore state and prospects look bleak. With every cycle passing though Alphones grows more and more restless and continues to try and convince them they need to leave. Stubborn Pa though doesn't want to risk his daughter's life in open terrain and conflict amongst the group continues.

[Random_White_Guy]

The previous was just an idea, not sure when or what prelude I want to run first just a way to give you an idea of what I've got in mind.

Open season if anyone wants to run it without me. The names, details, etc are all up to you this is just a blank slate to get some ideas moving.

[Kinslayer988]

This is awesome and it lets you start a character with a small group of characters together with alike goals and a background together. And when the group comes to Sanctuary they may stick together or split up in drama. MMMMM

[Ogremann]

I like this and I'm willing to take part.

[Cannonfodder]

This sounds great count me in.

[Ogremann]

I really like this initiative.