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.
Contents
Welcome
Wealth Of The World is an play by post role playing game conducted on Rpg.net using the Iron Heroes game by Mike Mearls et al.
The game moderator is Robert Edwards.
Setting Back Ground
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 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.
Recent News in Kambu
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
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.
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.
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.
Kakita Rasetsu, a cunning, calculated swordmaster of the Han Empire, Rasetsu walks the earth alongside his rival (Kaiu Keiichi's character), to prove that his One Strike Technique surpasses his rival's Two Heavens Blade!
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
The Court
Prince Taktu the Kushan Governer of the city. He's fat, corrupt, and possibly not nearly as stupid as he looks.
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.
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. 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.
The Merchants
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
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.
House Rules
PCs use one of the three quick stat arrays on page 11, and start at sixth level, with maximum hit points.
Rpgnet forum threads & other Links
Kate Monk's Onomastikon Dictionary of Names
RobertEdwards 14:02, 16 August 2006 (PDT)
