I was just looking through the character index and the three who seem most likely are Olive or Katara or Nassim The king might be a member of Olive's family, or Katara's father Barnabas, or a long-lost brother of Nassim @EFMingo - tagging you since Nassim was mentioned
It could be that Olive's family arranged the whole ploy with the royal family since they have connections. But I think its a lot more believable that it would be Barnabas since he is from the same country. Olive's family is not. Nassim could also work. And since he is a new character, we wouldn't have to change anything about existing characters. I think it's good you pinged EFMingo. Let's hear back first!
I like all this speculation. I do agree that Barnabas is the most reasonable route. I mean, what if he comes back for some reason and tries to 'be dad'? But I do think it could add something to Nassim story and make for interesting conflict/story.
Nassim couldn't have any direct connection with the royalty as being part of ruling class and royal family would drag most if not all of the associated people up with them. More likely Nassim (by a different name) and his family through multiple generations would be known to most of the leadership for thier commissioned works. Many families would still have these commissioned pieces long after the fallout that led to his declassing. His family would be known to any of the ruling class 25 years or older who had an interest in fine metalwork.
How about this? Barnabas rides through with his entourage. He's surprised to find Dusca there, and even more surprised to come across Katara - and begins to suspect she is his daughter. Barnabas has no heir to the throne. He eyes Katara as his heir. Should I do up a character profile for Barnabas?
I love this! Make up a profile if you feel the idea has been accepted by the majority. I think this is a great way to change the story and add so much.
Thanks! I would make Barnabas a somewhat dark character... @EFMingo @SoulFire - what do you think about these developments?
If you make Barnabas the narrative 'in' to the aristocratic world, actually the head of it, then Nassim would by narrative direction work as an antithesis to it. What I mean by that is that half of the use of his character would possibly be to serve as a deeper knowledge into the nature of how the Monarchy and its various nobility structures function. Since there already seem to be mages and Barnabas as the monarch, that direction seems unnecessary and makes Nassim serve better use in an antithetical position That's perfectly fine by me to bypass this. What that means, however, is that Nassim is probably best served as a villain. By that right, I'd probably have to work pretty closely with you @Gravy behind the game to keep some of the more nefarious of the secrets and narrative events quiet. Or I can just make him an especially lethal angry dude in the background following and influencing the plot in subtle ways. Depends on what you guys feel. This is already a rather atypical RPG. I'm up for anything, just need solid footing for my first post and running forward. Hope you don't mind that I tend to write a significant amount for these posts.
Interesting thought, what if Barnabas is the High Mage? Because I remember us saying the Sage would be a non-player character. (Just recalled this, oops.) @Louanne Learning. Being the High Mage would still make him need a heir and have almost as much power, but also can't 'fix' all problems. I also suggest this as Nassim could have been de-classed due to the High Mage's actions or something. So, Nassim could be out for revenge or something. @EFMingo, I can see Nassim as a villain as well. I think he could make a good one. I would be willing to chat with you about possible motives and plots. However, I want to make sure Louanne, @ps102 and @SoulFire are on board with this idea. Because IRL, I just got out of a bad RP situation where a DM liked to keep too much hidden and players felt as if they were not part of the story/character development. But I would be happy to discuss Nassim's place in the story once I learn what the consensus is. I also think Nassim knows Alisso. Maybe helped him escape, or they met on the street and are buddies. What are your thoughts?
Seeing as Nassim escaped about 3 years before Alisso was put in the labs, I don't think the escape together route would work. But them recognizing each other would be a likelihood. I wouldn't think they'd be unfriendly towards each other, but Alisso would most definitely know of him as the folk persona 'Rust" and not Nassim. The way I imagine Nassim is sort of an antihero of the low-class and underworld. Someone who actively hunts down scientist (more so) and mage related personnel and prevents the capture of people for the labs for little to no pay but does so in such an off-putting and often violent way with such an angry demeanor that few would be friendly towards him or visibly show support. Like, the hatred he has for all those associated with the labs and government positions over-rules his ability to be a truly heroic character. We could have an event that will come up at some point in time as a memory where Nassim saved him from being taken back but remembers what Nassim did to make that happen.
I agree. The two knowing of one another is possible and Alisso would most likely get along with him. But if you wanted to go for a real villain story, Nassim should have a band of people to do his dirty work. And Alisso used to be one of them and Nassim used to make Ravenna switch by force for the job. (Which is a really cruel thing to do.) And yeah, Nassim's anger being channeled in this way works well. And yeah, there should be an encounter/event at some point involving Nassim. I DO think Nassim saved Alisso from being taken back to the lab once. That is a great connection.
You know, I hate to back track on myself but maybe he's best served as uncomfortable wrench. More along the lines of chaotic neutral bordering on evil than anything else. His character wouldn't have a crew. He would instead be more of a villain/hero for semi-hire, but only to the truly desperate. I think a more sideways approach to him where he finds himself aligned tangentially would be better. A key to Nassim's character is that the dirty work is the penance/revenge he feels. He actively wants it to be his burden to bear. He wouldn't hire others for it. Seem like an alright way to keep him contained, yet not truly in the way of your final GM narrative creation? P.S Thanks for taking the time with this discussion.
Truthfully, I'm on board with anything. I am viewing this RP as a challenge to write within the guidelines I'm provided. So if I'm told something is true of the world, I will proceed as if it is!
We have already established that Barnabas is a scientist (and Katara inherited his inquisitive nature), so he should be the High Scientist. Right now we have the following character in the character index: The High Scientist Name: Alfonso Esperon (Spanish name) Sex: Male Social Class: Mage/Scientist Age in human years (must be 18): 37-40? A brief description of appearance: (no pictures, please.): TBA Background: Is the leader of the Science Division and works with the High Mage to keep social order. Gives advice to the ruler of the land along with the High Mage. This should be changed to Barnabas. So our basic political structure is a king who works with the advice of the High Mage and the High Scientist (Barnabas) - and can you imagine the power struggles?! Both trying to win the ear of the king, while in conflict with one another.
We can swap out Alfonso if you want. And yeah, our political structure is MeSSY! But I feel that's kinda realistic (not intending to put real-life politics into this, rather the strange way in which it works.) Please write up a character sheet for Barnabas and I'll swap it out and edit the first post. And yes, I feel both the High Mage and Scientist are not on good terms and trying to win the king over. (Question, are we still going with the idea of the King is actually called 'the sage?') Also, does Dusca and Katara know he's the High Scientist?
Basically, we'll have a High Mage and a High Scientist and together they advise the queen - I do think we should have a queen instead of a king because it allows for more conflict at the top. I've got one for High Scientist Barnabas, and also for High Mage Hemios (Greek for chemist) and will post them to the OOC discussion thread. Good question. I imagine they would know? Now - we need to decide if we are going to introduce the queen into the story. Any ideas about what she should be like?
Posted! https://www.writingforums.org/threads/it-began-in-a-tavern-ooc-discussion.177836/page-8#post-2042945
I like this. I do think Queens are underused in fiction, sadly. So, yeah, this is a great idea. And each branch, Magic and Science have their own 'council' like we have senators in the US. I donno. But if Dusca knew, then why is she working at the tavern? I think it could be really interesting if Dusca didn't know and Barnabas was just some guy when they met. Maybe he didn't even use his real name. I like the name Hemios! And thanks for posting. I am enjoying where this is going.
Dusca was 16 and Barnabas 20 when they had their fling. Barnabas rode off before anyone even knew that Dusca was pregnant with Katara. Barnabas climbed the ranks, and Dusca stayed where she was.
Just want to say that I like the discussion and like the new changes/additions! A quick note: I don't think Hemios means chemist in Greek. At least not in modern Greek. Hemikos (Χημικος) would be the actual term. I could be wrong though. I'm not a language expert by any means!
This makes sense. I like. So, he wasn't high-ranking when they rolled in the hay. Great to know as it will be a fun surprise for all.
I am no expert either, but ask Louanne if the name can change slightly. As for Greek, I know a little bit of Russian Cyrillic. What you have here: (Χημικος) I can kinda read as: H???Kos. So, it does look to be spelled slightly different.
