Hi folks
I'll be running a Whitewall module at Tentacles as a tie in to the siege
seminar we're giving (see the latest upload to the file section).
'Stormhold of Southland''s debt to this groups' creativity and scholarship
is already considerable. I'd like to float a few background ideas and ask
for comments and suggestions.
I'll probably be a little mysterious in discussing this as I want to keep
the module's details a surprise. But I'd be very grateful for ideas on the
setting and background. As always, I'll fully acknowledge any contributions.
The module concerns four new sentries recruited to the star watch on the
walls under the command of a seasoned though exhausted and traumatised
Volsaxi Rigsdali, Sasar Cold Eye (the fifth PC). The PCs are three Colymar
- the Wealthy Thane, The Thane's Exiled Rival and the Thane's Youngest
Brother, and a Hotshot Young Volsaxi. None of them are sure why they were
called to the wall. They support different leaders and strategies. All have
heard horror stories about the wall at night.
It is early Sea Season 1620. In the city, a spear moot is in progress about
leadership, tensions being exacerbated by the influx of Sartari and the
continuing absence of Broyan after the Bat Blat mindblast. The module
centres around events on the star watch. Its a system-lite storytelling
module (what we in Oz call a 'multiform'), with a focus as much on inner
memories, hopes and aspirations as outer events.
- I'm using Donald's Gatethane, Kistrald the Steady as one of the few
external characters.
- The spear moot will be about leadership and strategy during Broyan's
continuing absence after his mindblast by the Bat. There are rumours that
he is near death. The obvious 'candidates' are Kallyr and Beti. And the
fact that 3 of the players are Colymar means I can tie in Leika's exile
backstory and the new tribe under 'Blackmor' Kagradusson. I think I need a
3rd leadership contender, a new creation in the traditional warrior mode,
and perhaps even a 4th. I'm looking for names and backgrounds
These are my initial, tentative thoughts on leadership and strategic camps
in early 1620:
- Kallyr - wait for Broyan's recovery, continue to extract non-combatants,
fight cautiously, preserve forces, look to mythic, long-term strategies.
Defeat in Whitewall is inevitable.
- Beti - institute new leader (me, or at least not Kallyr), fight
heroically, start a second front somewhere close. The seige can be a
partial victory. I'm not sure what we'll do next, But I will think of
something.
- Contender 3 - institute new leader, fight a hero fight that will endure
in song forever. The siege will be a glorious last battle.
- Contender 4 - institute new leader, make peace with honour. End the siege
if possible. Consider surrender. 'Why can't we all be friends?'
- Scathach?
3. The walls at night are dangerous and deadly. The Lunars continue their
wall of attrition: every defender that dies is a victory for them. What
sort of unusual tactics might the besiegers employ in nighttime attacks? (I
already have a few ideas from previous posts).
4. This star watch should be relatively isolated, in a section that needs 5
warriors to keep watch, with another group on call, and a thunder gong or
horn to sound the alarm. I'm thinking of putting them atop Tarkalor's Gate,
which seems to be separate from the main walls. There will already be
considerable damage. If I use the Gate: how would defenders link to it from
the city? Tunnels? Rope Bridges or flying foxes? What other isolated
sections of wall might there be?
5. Can anyone suggest happenings on the walls that might have killed four
of star watch leaving Sasar as the sole survivor? I need a few of these
horror stories. He's had a tough trot. The latest watch are going to have
it just as tough. :)
Cheers
John