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A strike team haunted by their secrets and demons of the past rides an armored train through a devastated land populated with restless dead and nightmarish horrors, in a desperate and possibly suicidal attempt to reach and destroy the source of the devastation. | A strike team haunted by their secrets and demons of the past rides an armored train through a devastated land populated with restless dead and nightmarish horrors, in a desperate and possibly suicidal attempt to reach and destroy the source of the devastation. | ||
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==Player Characters== | ==Player Characters== | ||
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==Non Player Characters== | ==Non Player Characters== | ||
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Once, the Rail Guard was a large and respected force patrolling and policing the railway. After the Stonegate closed, what remained of their duties dwindled to maintaining and patrolling the Stonegate Station, along with their numbers. | Once, the Rail Guard was a large and respected force patrolling and policing the railway. After the Stonegate closed, what remained of their duties dwindled to maintaining and patrolling the Stonegate Station, along with their numbers. | ||
− | Few people were | + | Few people were survived when the entire remaining Rail Guard volunteered for the task force. In the time since the closing of Stonegate, the Rail Guard has gained a reputation as a boisterous and unruly lot, and their burly Captain certainly exhibits both of the qualities in abundance. But no one can doubt their eagerness, and they may possess the best information remaining of the rail lines outside. |
===The Drivers – Emerald and Opal Irongear=== | ===The Drivers – Emerald and Opal Irongear=== | ||
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Ingrid trained to be a doctor. She also grew up to be the chieftain of Bear Clan. Now in her middle age and her dark hair growing grey, the tall and powerfully built woman has the attitude of one who knows she is the biggest, baddest mommy bear in the clan. Her bedside manner is not exactly comforting, but that matters little when she is carrying your bleeding form from the battlefield over her shoulder. | Ingrid trained to be a doctor. She also grew up to be the chieftain of Bear Clan. Now in her middle age and her dark hair growing grey, the tall and powerfully built woman has the attitude of one who knows she is the biggest, baddest mommy bear in the clan. Her bedside manner is not exactly comforting, but that matters little when she is carrying your bleeding form from the battlefield over her shoulder. | ||
− | + | ==The Train== | |
− | + | Drawn by a massive locomotive, '''Black Betty''', every part of the train is armored with steel plating, and it is defended by turrets armed with gatling guns and cannons. | |
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− | Drawn by a massive locomotive, '''Black Betty''', every part of the train is armored with steel plating, and it is defended by turrets armed with gatling guns and cannons | ||
The cars are of various types. '''Freight cars''' contain the task force's supplies of weapons, ammunition, rations, medical supplies and additional gear, along with huge stores of coal and water both for the locomotive and the steamjcaks on board. '''Passenger cars''' with bunk berths and storage lockers house the members of the task force with their personal or permanently assigned gear. '''Steamjack cars''' hold the expedition's steamjacks. More specialized cars include the '''Command car''' for strategy sessions, '''Infirmary car''' for treating injuries, '''Dining car''' for the presumably rare moments of rest and relaxation, and '''Laboratory car''' in case there is a need to investigate something the task force comes across. There is also the '''Cold car''' with the temperature kept below freezing. So the casualties do not necessarily need to be left behind. | The cars are of various types. '''Freight cars''' contain the task force's supplies of weapons, ammunition, rations, medical supplies and additional gear, along with huge stores of coal and water both for the locomotive and the steamjcaks on board. '''Passenger cars''' with bunk berths and storage lockers house the members of the task force with their personal or permanently assigned gear. '''Steamjack cars''' hold the expedition's steamjacks. More specialized cars include the '''Command car''' for strategy sessions, '''Infirmary car''' for treating injuries, '''Dining car''' for the presumably rare moments of rest and relaxation, and '''Laboratory car''' in case there is a need to investigate something the task force comes across. There is also the '''Cold car''' with the temperature kept below freezing. So the casualties do not necessarily need to be left behind. | ||
Most of the specialized cars are at the front of the train, close to the locomotive. Otherwise, the order is mixed. This is a precaution to ensure that the task force remains operational even if there is damage to part of the train. | Most of the specialized cars are at the front of the train, close to the locomotive. Otherwise, the order is mixed. This is a precaution to ensure that the task force remains operational even if there is damage to part of the train. | ||
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==Campaign Specific Rules== | ==Campaign Specific Rules== | ||
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Whatever the Secret is, it is something the character would keep secret from strangers. And the strike force is assembled from volunteers, with most people not knowing each other beforehand. | Whatever the Secret is, it is something the character would keep secret from strangers. And the strike force is assembled from volunteers, with most people not knowing each other beforehand. | ||
− | Secrets are initially known only by player and GM. If hints get dropped, it may be possible to figure out another character’s Secret, or the player may choose to reveal it. Whether by coming out with it, or agreeing with another player for another character to find it out. No matter how it happens, when someone’s Secret gets revealed, it is a dramatic moment, and the entire group gets | + | Secrets are initially known only by player and GM. If hints get dropped, it may be possible to figure out another character’s Secret, or the player may choose to reveal it. Whether by coming out with it, or agreeing with another player for another character to find it out. No matter how it happens, when someone’s Secret gets revealed, it is a dramatic moment, and the entire group gets Inspiration! |
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Secrets may have non mechanical effects too, depending on what they are. | Secrets may have non mechanical effects too, depending on what they are. | ||
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==Factions== | ==Factions== | ||
− | '''Scorpion's Oath''': The pro tribal rights, anti aristocratic party currently in power in the Parliament In Exile. They also have a military arm. Scorpion's Oath may have turned from freedom fighters to politicians, but they started out as a warrior order, and this bunch is all about tradition. So there are degrees of participation. Just taking the Oath means that you will support the cause to the degree you are capable and willing of, even if you are just a baker providing bread for the cause. The military arm is the '''Stingers'''. They are identified by a scorpion tattoo on the back of the left hand. Taking the tattoo indicates willingness to fight and die for the cause. The tattoo was almost a thing of the past before the Dark Devastation, but has gained popularity since. | + | '''Scorpion's Oath''': The former is the pro tribal rights, anti aristocratic party currently in power in the Parliament In Exile. They also have a military arm. Scorpion's Oath may have turned from freedom fighters to politicians, but they started out as a warrior order, and this bunch is all about tradition. So there are degrees of participation. Just taking the Oath means that you will support the cause to the degree you are capable and willing of, even if you are just a baker providing bread for the cause. The military arm is the '''Stingers'''. They are identified by a scorpion tattoo on the back of the left hand. Taking the tattoo indicates willingness to fight and die for the cause. The tattoo was almost a thing of the past before the Dark Devastation, but has gained popularity since. |
'''The Royalists''': Once the most powerful party in Parliament, but they have diminished in power since, and even more since the Dark Devastation and the apparent demise of the House of Falcon. They favor a strong central authority, and more power for the Royal house. After the apparent death of the Royal House, most of those who still identify as Royalists come from the original human and elven tribes of The First Falcon King, but although few in number, those who remain are unshakable in their faith and dedication. | '''The Royalists''': Once the most powerful party in Parliament, but they have diminished in power since, and even more since the Dark Devastation and the apparent demise of the House of Falcon. They favor a strong central authority, and more power for the Royal house. After the apparent death of the Royal House, most of those who still identify as Royalists come from the original human and elven tribes of The First Falcon King, but although few in number, those who remain are unshakable in their faith and dedication. | ||
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==Locations== | ==Locations== | ||
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'''Highfall Bridge''': A bridge for both foot and vehicle traffic and trains, crossing the ravine and turbulent rapids within by a spectacular waterfall the bridge is named after. | '''Highfall Bridge''': A bridge for both foot and vehicle traffic and trains, crossing the ravine and turbulent rapids within by a spectacular waterfall the bridge is named after. | ||
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==Setting Background== | ==Setting Background== | ||
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'''Cruor'''. A land of life surrounded by lifelessness. A huge area of fertile land and freshwater lakes and rivers. Bordered by a seemingly endless salt desert to the east, by a massive mountain range to the west and south, and to the north by arid tundra that ends in eternally frozen glaciers. | '''Cruor'''. A land of life surrounded by lifelessness. A huge area of fertile land and freshwater lakes and rivers. Bordered by a seemingly endless salt desert to the east, by a massive mountain range to the west and south, and to the north by arid tundra that ends in eternally frozen glaciers. | ||
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Relationships grew tense as well. Although most dwarves were happy to help, a minority resented the strain the refugees put on them. And while most refugees were grateful, a minority among them resented the better living conditions of the dwarves. Order was largely kept, although at a cost of patrols, checkpoints and curfews. | Relationships grew tense as well. Although most dwarves were happy to help, a minority resented the strain the refugees put on them. And while most refugees were grateful, a minority among them resented the better living conditions of the dwarves. Order was largely kept, although at a cost of patrols, checkpoints and curfews. | ||
− | People tried to find an explanation for what had happened, and rumors and conspiracy theories spread. Revenge of the Blood | + | People tried to find an explanation for what had happened, and rumors and conspiracy theories spread. Revenge of the Blood Tribe. Royal House making a pact with demons to regain their lost power. Radicals within Scorpion’s Oath making a pact with demons to bring an end to central authority. Vengeance of the Gods for the sin and decadence of the people who had abandoned the old ways. The explorers found something evil buried in the desert or ice and brought it to capital. The Group I Dislike did it for Reasons. |
Scorpion’s Oath was swift to claim that Scorpion the Mystic had foreseen the Dark Devastation, saying that it was the disaster he had spoken of, and that the old traditions abandoned in favor of civilization and progress had kept the threat at bay. But they had an obvious political agenda in making that claim. Both the Parliament and House of Falcon were believed to have perished in the Devastation, for none was known to have reached Stonegate, but a new '''Parliament in Exile''' was formed, working together with the directly elected dwarven Ministers to bring order and governance to the refugees. And the claims of Scorpion’s Oath, whether there was any truth to them, gained them support and power. | Scorpion’s Oath was swift to claim that Scorpion the Mystic had foreseen the Dark Devastation, saying that it was the disaster he had spoken of, and that the old traditions abandoned in favor of civilization and progress had kept the threat at bay. But they had an obvious political agenda in making that claim. Both the Parliament and House of Falcon were believed to have perished in the Devastation, for none was known to have reached Stonegate, but a new '''Parliament in Exile''' was formed, working together with the directly elected dwarven Ministers to bring order and governance to the refugees. And the claims of Scorpion’s Oath, whether there was any truth to them, gained them support and power. | ||
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Then someone pointed out that the railway was still there. If Stonegate was opened long enough to send a train out, it could ride right to the capital. True, the railway might no longer be intact all the way, but if they sent an armored train that could act as a mobile fortified base, and not just soldiers but workers and engineers to repair any broken bridges and rail sections, a train built for war might accomplish what a conventional force would not. | Then someone pointed out that the railway was still there. If Stonegate was opened long enough to send a train out, it could ride right to the capital. True, the railway might no longer be intact all the way, but if they sent an armored train that could act as a mobile fortified base, and not just soldiers but workers and engineers to repair any broken bridges and rail sections, a train built for war might accomplish what a conventional force would not. | ||
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