The Dragon Star

A wiki for a Legends of Steel (Barbarians of Lemuria edition) play by post game hosted on rpg.net

• Recruitment Thread

Players

1. Baeraad:
2. Dorsai: GM
3. QuZi: Birigita (Riga) Arnisdotter of the Blackwing Clan
4. roryb: Fallon Youngcrest
5. spaceranger: Heryn Rydh
6. Xhaosdaemon: Malthias Darken

Birigita (Riga) Arnisdotter of the Blackwing Clan

Gear: Hunting Bow (d6) Hatchet (d6?) Big Knife (d3) and a pair of not-so-big knives (d3) Sword (d6) Round Shield (1) Boots (1) Leather Helm (1) Leather Jerkin (1)

References Kjartan Klasson (Hogar Thieves' Guild Representative): Look, she had some natural talent, and we tried to make her work, ok? There she was, a High Mountain savage with mud and blood still matting her curly black hair and a mentality that simply would not accept the idea that there were things she should not, or could not, do. She had issues with the entire concept of the guild and paying for membership. I eventually got through to her that she should seek her fortune in the Nohar-loved mess that is conquered Albena. I'm pretty sure the guild heads were all executed by the Radu, but, if not, she's their problem now, not ours. I still have a subordinate in the hospice who was more enthusiastic than talented in trying to dissuade her from a course of action.

Lothar Becker (former mercenary, full-time alcoholic, Albena): Yeah, I remember a tribal girl like that. I was in... The gilded lily? I forget. Anyway, there was the serving wench... Name started with an "I"... Inisa? Inga? Whatever. She was lovely and always played hard to get. I was grabbing a piece of what I paid for when that tall savage gets upset, and tells me to let her go. Yeah, she was big and muscled, but I fought against the Radunians, so I ain't exactly a pushover and would've taken her, but she sucker-punched me while I was having a drink, and then twisted my arm until it broke. A guy from my old company said they hired her as a server, but I never went back for revenge. The girls in the Sunrise House are much nicer and much less trouble.

Dorric Vaclav (Proprietor, Albena): Riga? Takes the wage of a serving girl, doesn't skim off her tips, and doesn't complain about being a server or twisting a few limbs to keep the the problem customers in line. One of the best hires I ever made, even if she isn't the most appealing in looks or personality.

Fallon Youngcrest

Careers	Attributes	Combat Abilities
Warrior 1	Strength 1	Brawl 1
Physician 1	Agility 1	Melee 2
Noble 2	Mind 1	Ranged 0
Rogue 0	Appeal 1	Defense 1

Contacts. You keep up a particularly large network of friends, acquaintances and ‘people who know people’. You get an extra die whenever rolling against one of your careers to contact someone you know or find out the ‘word on the street’.

Natural Leader. Some people were just born to lead. Your character is one of them. For some reason people will look to him for direction. In a crisis situation his orders will usually be followed. Whenever your character needs help to storm a castle or lay siege to an evil temple, all he has to do is go to a tavern, barracks, whorehouse, bathhouse, outhouse, etc., and recruit a bunch of guys to help him out (at least temporarily). Your character gains an extra die when trying to inspire a person or group, or to accomplish a leadership task.

Elderly. You are not as young as you used to be. If you have not had a decent amount of rest each day, you begin to slow and tire. Use an extra die for any physical action if pushed too hard without rest.

Lifeblood: 11

Hero Points: 5

Equipment: Bracers (1), Boots (1), Broadsword (d6)

History

Fallon was a low-born native of Albena, enlisting as a member of the city’s militia when he was young. He rose among the ranks quickly, and proved his worth in battle many times over, eventually winning him the title of knight of the realm. He won many campaigns against the Sikkar, as well as a few minor skirmishes against and with neighbors, and retired as a land-owning lord with the title of baron.

Still remembered as a worthy swordsman, horseman, and born leader, he nonetheless became embroiled in the many pointless intrigues among Albena’s lords that ultimately led to its demise against Radu. Now gray-haired, and with slightly stooped shoulders, Fallon was forced to the streets during the last invasion, his keep and lands razed. His bitterness against the sorcery-wielding fiends of his nemesis have fueled his survival instincts. He sent his family away to Emesa for their well-being during uncertain times.

“Ring for Fallon if ever you need a valiant and disciplined warrior to fight your battles…and he will come! Right after he finishes his ale…” — Filch Quickfinger, scandalmonger

“When I look into Fallon’s eyes, I still see both the youthful man full of fight, and the passionate leader to whom younger men flock. However, where there was optimism and pride, I now see acridity and regret.” — Sir Valenthorn, invalid veteran of the Radu invasion

“To see Youngcrest’s ire raise at the petty lords’ ramblings during council is to see the coming of dark clouds. It is best to find shelter before storm breaks.” — Adamacus Ren, council of lords scribe

Heryn Rydh

Heryn was born to a barbarian tribe native to the Druss Mountains for many centuries. His people were fiercely independent, and refused to leave their ancestral lands and holy places to serve Shen-Ka. They were punished. Shen-Ka sent a horde of slayers and sorcerous beasts upon Heryn's people; they were utterly overwhelmed. Heryn was only a youth when his clan made a last stand defending their people's most holy place, surrounded by cataracts and high cliffs. Heryn took an arrow in his left eye and fell from the battlefield onto the pines and cataracts below. He barely survived, and when he came to and crawled back up to the battlefield, all his people were slain or taken. Only the clan's shaman remained, dying and left for dead, concealed by a spell until Shen-Ka's horde had left.

The shaman imparted a vision and geas upon Heryn to travel south, seek allies, avenge his people against Shen-Ka, free any of his people left from slavery, and return to their ancestral lands to renew the tribe. The shaman then self-immolated and departed for the spirit world to work against Shen-Ka from there.

Heryn traveled south, and wandered the lands of the Free Cities as a mercenary and scout. He served a captain from Albena for a couple years, impressing him greatly. Upon the captain's recommendation, Heryn took up buccaneering against the pirates of Radu, and dreamed that one day he might lead a fleet of ships to take Shen-Ka's capital by storm and free any of his people that remained. Then Radu came, and Albena fell. Heryn must begin anew, and Radu must not be allowed to hold Albena or gain any further foothold upon the world.

Heryn is a very imposing figure. Tall and broad, wild woad tattooed upon his face and limbs, his long hair bound in dreadlocks and bone, and a dark leather eyepatch over his left eye bearing a stylized eagle's eye in red.

ATTRIBUTES Strength 2 Agility 2 Mind 1 Appeal -1

ABILITIES Brawl 1 Melee 2 Ranged 0 Defense 1

CAREERS Barbarian 1 Buccaneer 1 Scout 1 Warrior 1

BOONS: Fearsome Looks: Use an extra die whenever you are trying to force somebody to give you information or do something they don’t want to do.

Feat of Strength: Use an extra die when breaking, lifting, pulling, or pushing things.

War Cry: Scares the hell out of your character’s opponents that can hear the war cry. They take a Flaw (that is roll an extra die, take the two least favorable results) on all their rolls for the first round following the War cry, and gives Boons to all your character’s buddies (that is they roll an extra die and take the two highest) for that round as well.

FLAWS: Illiterate: Heryn cannot read or write.

Missing Eye: Heryn lost his left eye in a fight. He rolls an extra die whenever the GM feels it is appropriate to the situation.

Lifeblood: 12 Hero Points: 5 Equipment: great axe(d6+2), sword(d6), dagger(d3), battle harness(1), bracers(1), greaves(1), helm(1), wineskin, pouch w/flint & tinder and rations

Armour Protection: 4

“Shen-Ka has destroyed us. You are now the last free warrior of our people. You have lost an eye, but I will give you a spirit vision to replace it. You will see what you must do to renew our people, or be cursed if you fail.” - Aryw Wolfsight, Shaman of the Red Eagle Tribe

“We were beset by bandits on the road to Boskar. There were so many of them ... some of my guards openly quailed and I was sure they would bolt, but then Heryn he ... HOWLED ... and fell upon the bandits ... tore them asunder like a mountain lion rends a lamb ... they were routed ... it was so terrible ... I still have nightmares...” - Enid Humstable, caravan master from Emesa

“Yes, I know what he looks like. I swore that he was one of those slayers from Radu when I first caught sight of him, nearly shot him on the spot. But my first impression was quite wrong. In all my years as a captain, I have never known so loyal and honest a man as Heryn Rydh. A veritable devil on the field, no doubt about it, but a very humble soldier in fact. Never boasts, never wastes words, says only what he means. He'll make a fine buccanneer, I'm sure of it, once he gets his sea legs. And he hates Radu, oh yes, they slew his people. That one won't shy away from dealing those pirates some justice. Just make sure your dogs don't offend his traditions or his people, he's a mite touchy about that ...” - Cedric Bursa, captain of Albena

Malthias Darken

Description: Malthias was born in Albena and raised by his father when his mother died when he was young. His father made his living as an alchemist; providing medical powders, potions, and ointments to the local healers. His father educated him in the alchemical arts but he was more curious about the applications of their products to healing. Spending time with the healers he learned a great deal about anatomy and likewise honed his alchemical skills. During the conflict with Radu and the subsequent occupation he put his skills to use first with the wounded and later to the preparation of the dead. He enjoyed his time with the dead as he was able to experiment and learn even more about the body although he had to be careful not to be caught as resurrectionists were held in suspicion. His alchemical skills enabled him to improve upon preservative liquids already in existence and his skills preparing the dead were in high demand after the conflict. Interring corpses in underground crypts he came upon a unmarked crypt. Making sure he was unseen he entered into it and looked in the ornate sarcophagus. The body was mummified, a very unusual thing, and numerous warding symbols were on the sarcophagus. He felt something drawing him and found a mummified heart and a necklace of fingerbones that just felt right to him as well as some ancient scrolls. Taking them he resealed the sarcophagus and crypt, making his way back up to his chambers.

Already slender and overpale, Malthias's readings of the scrolls and experimentations of what he learned there increased his pallor further and lent a strange air about him that set people on edge. Little by little he unearthed the arts of necromancy, allowing him to improve his mortician skills by leaps. The almost lifelike appearance he gave to the bodies he worked with made him the envy of other morticians and he worked diligently to keep his secrets hidden. When he is seen out in public he is often scribbling in notebooks he carries. Although he unnerves many people his skills with healing still draw those to him who require medical ministration and he eagerly practices that as well, taking diligent notes all the while. He found that although he is slender his repeated work with the sick and the dead seems to have made him unable to get sick, at least as far as he can tell so far. Between his secret dabblings with necromancy, his healing work, alchemical research, and mortuary work he is very busy and not often seen. He has taken to private reverence of Ashar, praying for her to cloak his nighttime activities in her deep shadows so he can work undisturbed.

Physically although Malthias is of average height and slender he has a wiry strength about him, probably from moving and arranging corpses in his work. His slender fingers are graceful and he has a sharp mind. His pale appearance, sunken eyes, and bald head tend to make people uncomfortable around him. That is coupled with the strange smells about him and stains on his fingers as well as on the leather skirt he wears while he works on corpses and the sick. On his upper body he wears a set of harnesses that hold both his medical and embalming tools, all well-used. A marvelously-crafted dissection knife never leaves his side and he sometimes stares at it while moving it in his hands. His voice is raspy and soft and he is not seen to smile often though he likewise has never been seen angry. He seems to blend into the shadows everywhere he goes and usually avoids being outside when it is bright, being used to working in dim conditions.

Reveres: Ashar (Goddess of Thieves and the Night)

Attributes Strength 1 Agility 2 Mind 2 Appeal -1

Abilities Brawl 1 Melee 1 Ranged 0 Defense 2

Careers Alchemist 1 Physician 2 Sorcerer (Necromancy) 1 Thief 0

Boons Disease Immunity (Because of his work with the sick, injured, and corpses he is immune to all diseases, even magical ones.) Sneaky (He is particularly quiet and adept at moving without making a sound or lurking in dark places. Roll an extra die where stealth is important.) Trademark Weapon (Dissection Knife; As long as he is using this weapon, he uses an extra die in combat.)

Flaws City Dweller (He is not very savvy when in the wilderness. Roll an extra die in situations to do with outdoor survival.) Delicate (He is as slender as a wand, deduct two from Lifeblood total.) Unsettling (His appearance and some other imperceptible things are disturbing to anyone in his presence. Even beasts are edgy around him. Roll an extra die in social situations.)

Equipment Battle-Harness (holds his physician & mortician tools, Protection 1) Leather Skirt (Protection 1) Dissection Knife (1d3+1, common alchemical item <+1 damage on Mighty/Legendary Success>) Medical Kit (includes 2 alchemical healing powders and preservative/embalming fluid) Notebooks with anatomical drawings and research

Lifeblood: 9 Hero Points: 5 Arcane Power: 11

Sorcery (Necromancy) Cantrips (1 arcane power, no requirements, Difficulty: Easy or Moderate <+1 or +0>) 1st Magnitude Spells (3 arcane power, Requirements: Line of Sight, Obvious Technique <Gestures, Guttural Chanting>, Special Requirement <Necromantic Fetishes; mummified heart, necklace of fingerbones>, Difficulty: Moderate or Difficult <+0 or -1>)

"My son....I don't even know that I know who he is anymore but he has talent that has surpassed mine. His skills have been an asset to the sick, the poor, and the dead here in Albena after the conflict with Radu. I wish I knew more about how he learned as much as he has so quickly..." - Alaric Darken, his father

"How those animals from Radu butchered my boy.....I couldn't let his mother see him like that. I had heard stories about Malthias's skill so I looked him up. The work he did.....unbelievable....he transformed a tattered corpse into a vision of my son sleeping. I owe him more than the money I paid, he worked a miracle." - Veetoh Kohrleone, head of the Merchant's Guild of Albena

"What can I say, he looks not much different from the corpses he works with but without his healing skills my wife and newborn child would both be dead. He came during a violent storm, when no one else would, and with his talents snatched them both from Death's grasp. People may gossip, but I would give anything to help him in gratitude for what he did for my family." - Gerat Norreth, local farmer