Wealth Of The World

All the wealth of the world travels along the road. To the east, the great empire of the Han. To the west, the great empire of Latins. To the south, the mystics of India. To the north, the fierce Mongol raiders. Silk flows west, gold flows east.

In the cities of the plains, scribes, priests, farmers and artists rules. But in the mountains, along the road -- that is the home of warriors.

That is the place of Iron Heroes.

Setting Back Ground[edit]

Wealth of the World is set in an fantastic alternate history, circa 250-350 Common Era, along the fabled Silk Route across Asia. The starting location is the Greco-Hindu city of Kambu, which we now know as Kabul.

Kambu is part of the decaying Kushan empire. It's a trade city, governed by a disgraced Prince, fat old Taktu, in exile from the Imperial court. He oversees a parasitic court and corrupt troops.

The Imperial court's summer capitol is at Bagram, a city perhaps one hundred kilometers northwest of Kambu. Kambu itself is a few miles northwest of Khyber pass. The Summer capitol is at Mathura, birthplace of the god Kirshna, to the southwest. Twice a year, Taktu must entertain his Imperial cousins.

The local tribes are notorious smugglers and thieves, and proud of it. Taktu has his fat hands full!

The real powers in Kambu are a half dozen or so wealthy merchant factors, or Trade Bosses. Each Boss has heavily guarded stables, barracks, warehouses, bakeries, hospitals and other facilities serving caravans and locals alike.

Languages[edit]

There's a pigin "Common" along the silk road that we can presume everybody speaks.

Local Languages: Bactarian, a Greek dialect (which I just invented, may or may not have existed in the real world.). Sanskript (Hindu). Farsi (Persian).

From Farther away: Aramaic (spoken by Arabs and Jews as well). Greek. Latin. Egyptian. Germanic (spoken by Goth barbarians and Arthurian Knights.) Hanish (Chinese). Turkish (Spoken by barbarians). Mongol (Spoken by even worse barbarians) Korean. Thai. Malay, Japanese. (Spoken by eastern barbarians).

Literacy is a big deal. PCs are automagically literate in languages they speak. Reading and speak multiple languages could be ignored for game purposes, but if you spend points on it I'll come up with a way for it to come in handy. Diplomatic bonuses or the like.

Recent News in Kambu[edit]

Captain Amit ordered rival Christian Leaders Timothy and Paul whipped in the square for disturbing the peace. In related news, there was a fire last night at the temple of Ishtar. The Ishtar priest Kossos blames Isis Priestess Nyssa and her cult members. The Vizar has warned both factions against further bickering.

Quintas, the Trade Boss arrested last month during a crackdown on Mithra cultists has been beheaded. It is said his surviving henchmen have found work with Black Baldwin.

Cariman, Black Baldwin's Nightwatchman, was found dead in the public bath earlier today at opening time. He had been stabbed several times in the back with a dagger, rumored to be of a sort favored by wealthy Persians.

A particularly large caravan from the west has arrived at Shiyan's Trade Station.

The Physician Echelaos has complained to the Guard regarding the theft of a valuable stone. A reward is offered.

The Player Characters[edit]

Our PCs are a heroic band of bad-ass fighters, thieves, and other dangerous but useful folks. They're independant problem solvers for the Trade Bosses, and perhaps Bosses, merchants, or mercenaries in their own right.

Active[edit]

Fazoud ibn Fazoud is a short, round little fellow, always impeccably dressed in rich silks and brocades, with a fez perched jauntily atop his head. He sports a beautifully curled beard, waxed to an almost needle-like point, of which he is inordinately proud.. Fazoud grew up an orphan and a beggar on the streets of Baghdad, but by dint of his own efforts has made himself one of (he will most humbly assert) one of the greatest thieves in the world. That this is not yet public knowledge is one the greatest tragedies of the age, and one that he is determined to rectify.

Arash of Kashgar a renegade noble of Persia, betrayer and betrayed!!!

InActive[edit]

Argurios Kynos is the master of the Rabid Dogs (named after him), one of the nastiest bands of mercenaries to be found in central Asia. A cultured and urbane fellow in polite company, a devout Buddhist in the temple and a vicious killer of men on the battlfield, Argurios prides himself on his contradictions and the independence they give him. Prince Taktu keeps him on retainer, and has recently begun negotiations to have Argurios and the Dogs break the power of the Trade Bosses. The negotiations are secret and Taktu justifies Argurios' presence around court by pretending to arrange for Argurios to marry one of his bastards. If Argurios is successful in crushing the Trade Bosses, it might even happen.

Long Baji, a noble magistrate of the country of Han. Long grew tired of the political maneuvering and the staleness of his official post as a magistrate of a middling-sized province. Desiring adventure and excitement, he convinced the Emperor of Han to release him from his duties and become a roving ambassador of Han, promising to return with stories of his travels and encounters. With his family's ancestral nine-ring saber, Wandering Sky, he walks the Silk Road in search of adventure.

Sabah bin Hakim, visiting Persian noble in a tight spot. Sabah's father sent his youngest son to Prince Taktu's court ostensibly as a diplomat, but really just to keep the boy out of his hair and teach the little prick some manners. The first thing Sabah did upon arrival was to plow through the servant girls; then he moved on to all the nobleman's wives that were willing. Courtly life soon bored Sabah, and the young noble integrated himself into Kamul's criminal element. He soon fell in with Kynos and the Rabid Dogs. He likes the Buddhist's style and the way he carries his hypocracy unashamed. It seemed a natural thing for the two to hook up, a match made in hell. Sabah doesn't care for politics or courtly intrigue; like a true hedonist, he concerns himself with pleasure and excitement, both of which Kynos's employment brings plenty of. All was well, until word on the street got out that Sabah had killed one of Black Baldwin's leutenants. Fortunately, Sabah has an alibi; unfortunately, he was sleeping with Tatku's daughter Princess Amestris at the time the murder occurred. Sabah doesn't want to bring shame to his lover or draw the ire of Prince Taktu and her fiancee, Captain Amit, but on the other hand, nobody can outrun Black Baldwin forever...

Notable GM Characters[edit]

The Court[edit]

Prince Taktu the Kushan Governer of the city. He's fat, corrupt, and possibly not nearly as stupid as he looks. He worships Zeus, Buddda, and Kirsna indifferently, and has a great hatred for Mithra, for reasons unclear.

Princess Badia, Prince Taktu's wife, from Persia, but converted to Buddism. In this corrupt city, she's popular and beloved of the peoples. Pretty scary, eh?

Prince Tolmos, Taktu's thirteen year old son and heir. Widely considered to be a useless twerp and a drunken wennie. Worked for Prince Hal.

Princess Amestris, Taktu and Badia's daughter. One of the prettiest girls in town, but alas she knows it. Promised to Captain Amit, but has a roaming eye. Is a terrible trial to her mother.

Princess Rhodugune, Amestris's younger sister, a great favorite of her mother.

Captain Amit, a noble officer in Prince Taktu's court, second in command of the garrison, in charge of city patrols, and having the power of low justice in the police court over beggers, theives, con artists, mimes, and other pests. Taktu approves of him; Amit is the fiance of Princess Amestris.

Vizer Menuas, Taktu's Major Domo, secretary, dogs body, henchman, and prime minister. Does much of the day to day work of civil rule, including collecting major taxes. He's married to one of Taktu's bastards, Lady Roxanna. Widely hated as corrupt and greedy. But then, people would say that, wouldn't they?

Harmodias, Taktu's current favorite mistress. Nearly as popular as Badia, and perhaps more beautiful than Amestris. Oddly enough, the three women get along very well, at least in public.

Cilissa is one of Taktu's bastard daughters, by a greek girl who ran away years ago. She's about Rho's age and the two are friends.

Nui is another of Taktu's bastard daughters, with Hanish features. her mother has not been acknowleged by the Court, but popular rumor names her as trade boss Shiyan. She follows Princess Amestris.

The Merchants[edit]

Black Baldwin, a ruthless Trade Boss from the far west. He's armored in scars, grimmy hair, and roman steel.

Shiyan, another greedy Trade Boss from the far east, she's graceful, subtle, and poisonous as a viper.

Echelaos, a Greek physician, quite an egotistical jerk, but an excellent healer. Assisted by his beautiful daughter Thebe. Did we mention he's rich?

Fa-tang Fen, a seemingly humble Chinese alchemist and physician. Also a dirty old man. Good friend of Echelaos, they have a running game of chess, but they're fierce business rivals.

Nogay Narbis, a crazy old Mongol witch woman. Has an excellent reputation as a healer and herb woman, but some people say she deals poisons as well.

Priests[edit]

Timothy, a Christian priest from Antioch.

Paul, a Christian priest from Alexandria.

Kossos, Priest of Ishtar, and a sleazy pimp.

Nyssa, Priestess of Isis. Runs the local battered women shelter and riot girl society.

Villians[edit]

Kuran Redhanded, a mercenary warlord from the far north west. Currently operating in the mountains east of Kambu.

Three Deadly Women, A small band of thieves and assassins. As you might guess, they are girls.

Heliocles, a local bandit who claims desent from the old Bactria Kings.

Gergis Mithradates, a Persian Magi and Mithra worshipper. Exiled from Persia, he was formerly a favorite at the Kushan court, but is now hunted for various evil practices with a large price on his head. Said to have many fanatic followers, and the command of Demons.

Nur al-Din, the legendary Thief-Catcher of Baghdad, searching the world for his stolen sword "Moonsilver".

Deinos Kyros, the trecherous son of Argurios Kynos.

Nassif The Heart-eater, an ancient bandit lord / shaman. Thought to be haunting the Haunted Tower. It is said that within the next generation, he will return from the dead to lead his people to conquest and slaughter!

The Sorceress Mori, a scholor and grave robber investigating the alleged tomb of Nassif the Heart-Eater. Mistress of the Demon Dwarf Santos and at least three Dire Demon War Frogs.

Minor Characters[edit]

The Wives of Kynos: There are already two of them. They have several children.

The Colonel: Commander of the Field Army, which he has taken to the aid of Prince Taktu's brother, the governer in Bagram.

A Redheaded Dancer: performing at Shiyan's trade station. Quite beautiful, and said to be a virgin.

Jeu: a former soldier. He has a great fear of spirits, and perhaps an over active imagination.

Saaud: a former soldier. He is skeptical, perhaps foolishly so.

Haker: a warrior in the employ of Mistress Shiyan.

Scar: a warrior in the employ of Mistress Shiyan.

The Filthy Village Hetman. A coward, greedy and treacherous.

Almud: a goatherd boy, who saw the Headless man, the naked woman, and a ruffian in blue, riding fell beasts.

Lemos: a goatherd boy, the brother of Almud.

A headless man.

A Woman, naked in the snow.

A Ruffian in Blue.

Giant Demonic Riding Toads.

Horses of good quality.

A mule, of dubious quality.

House Rules[edit]

PCs use one of the three quick ability arrays on page 17 of the Iron Heroes variant player's handbook.

Standard Ability array: 16, 16, 14, 14, 12, 10. OR

Focused Character array: 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8. OR

Jack of All trades array: 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14. OR

any other array adding up to 24 points using the procedure on that page.

PCs start at sixth level, with maximum hit points.

PCs may use any of the Iron Heroes classes, except arcanist.

All women have concealed daggers, and are proficent in their use. (If it's good enough for John Carter, Warlord of Mars, it's good enough for Iron Heroes.)

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