I have played in and run many games, and many types of games, over the years. From high fantasy to low, from games of nobles intriguing to pirates at sea, I have been on a star-ship crew and run with a coterie of vampires, vast epics and simple one shots, and everything in between. And … [Read more…]
An Introduction, and Of the Barony of Blackwater Of Blackwater Keep, and the Inhabitants Therein Of Lakesend Village, and its Commerce The Blackwater, its Denizens, and the Lands Surrounding Various Peoples of Northumbria, and the Cultures Of Elves Of Frangians Of Zeelanders Of Varangians The States and Rulers in the Western Lands In addition … [Read more…]
One final entry in the Compendium on Lands Around Blackwater Lake. Northumbria, Frangian Province of His Grace, Jonathan Prestwick, Duke of Northumbria Capital: Yarrvik (pop 6,000) Population: 70,200 Population Density: 12-13 people per square mile Area (in square miles): 50,000 (only ~5,460 controlled) Hexes: 7+ (population controlled) Hex with Yarrvik (780 x 40 = 31200) … [Read more…]
This document is another piece of the Compendium of Lands Surrounding Blackwater Lake, compiled for Lord Beckett by Talvion Tulossa of Clan Cormallen. The Compendium is thus far incomplete, for the Becketts arrived at Blackwater before a full survey could be performed. BLACKWATER LAKE Nestled between several ranges of hills, Blackwater Lake is a narrow … [Read more…]
Part two of the Compendium of Lands Around Blackwater Lake, the gazetteer for the Northumbria campaign. Strategic Location of the Keep The Keep is a large stone fortress—one of the largest in Northumbria. Situated on the shores of Blackwater Lake, it commands the Narrows at the southern tip of the lake, as well as the … [Read more…]
Part three of the Compendium of Lands Around Blackwater Lake, the gazetteer for the Northumbria campaign. These are being published out of order because the next Beckett family adventure takes place in the village. Part two, describing the keep, is coming later this month. Agents of the Frangian Crown supposedly founded the village of Lakesend … [Read more…]
This is RPG-ology #12: Aphorisms, for November 2018. One of the hardest aspects of creating worlds is creating cultures. Different cities, different countries, different peoples all have differences in everything from dress to architecture to courtesy. The elves of Lothlorien have a different culture from those of Mirkwood. One article is not going to serve … [Read more…]
Compiled for Lord Beckett by Talvion Tulossa of Clan Cormallen in the Year 614 by Frangian Reckoning Preface The enclosed notes are for the use of Lord Winchester and his kin. The author hopes that they may provide some aid in his quest to locate his family’s ancestral lands, to reestablish the Winchester family, and … [Read more…]
This is RPG-ology #10: Labyrinths, for September 2018. In game terms, a labyrinth is a geometric puzzle, a system of passable and impassible spaces solved by the discovery of a consecutive path of passable spaces connecting some number of points, commonly the entrance and the exit. A maze, usually, refers to a type of labyrinth … [Read more…]
Another tale of the Beckett Family’s adventures in Northumbria. Background The session began with the PCs in the small village of Lakesend, where they have been helping the local Lord Balin in finding a missing provost. Cast of Characters: Most party members are part of one large extended family—the noble Beckett family. A few are … [Read more…]