Doomed Slayers - A campaign framework justifying roving bands of adventurers

[Smoss]

Yeah, seems I missed this too. I have a similar yet different group in my world - the Cleansers. I took some ideas from the Witcher (books and video games). Though mine are more a certain subset of adventurers.

I love my PCs reactions when they see one (Easily identified as they wear starkly clean white robes over their armor and vast array of weaponry). For my world it was more of a an outlet for one culture that has a history of violent individuals (Here, go slay monsters - that'll be a good place to direct that rage!)

Kurrot - Doulairen
Smoss

 

[Piratecat]

Yeah, it pretty much gives all the justifications you need for adventurers to do what they do anyway - but this time, it gives them a proper social context to operate in.

No, I mean precisely! Including the group standing outside of society, the ritual funeral when you join, "do not bar their way," and a few other commonalities. I really like what you've done. I'll be interested to see this when you're done.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

No, I mean precisely! Including the group standing outside of society, the ritual funeral when you join, "do not bar their way," and a few other commonalities. I really like what you've done. I'll be interested to see this when you're done.

Well, I got a layouted version last Friday from the publisher for double-checking, so hopefully publication will be very near indeed...

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Aaaand it's out!

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Apparently there is a temporary bug which causes the download link at DriveThruRPG to only download an empty 8.4 kB PDF - despite it working properly earlier (I've checked).

I've notified the publisher about this, and hopefully it will be fixed soon. Who here has downloaded it successfully, and who has encountered the bug?

 

[Derren]

Too late for input but I do see some problems with the society described in the first post.

1. Why are slayers needed? Why can't cities send the militia to destroy monsters?
1b. Why can't cities keep soldiers trained as slayers for permanent defense?

2. How do you contact slayers when there is trouble when they are constantly on the move?

3. How do people recognize a Slayer? What stops people from proclaiming themselves Slayer to avoid taxes and get all the benefits? And when they are asked to help someone they take a forward payment and then run of?

3a. How do people recognize fallen Slayers?

4. In a world this dangerous, how can a society even exist?

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Too late for input but I do see some problems with the society described in the first post.

1. Why are slayers needed? Why can't cities send the militia to destroy monsters?
1b. Why can't cities keep soldiers trained as slayers for permanent defense?

Monsters come in a staggering variety of types, and militia are mostly trained for territorial defense and local threats. If a region has had goblin problems for years, then the militia is likely quite capable of dealing with them - but what if a vampire shows up? Or a werewolf? Suddenly their training is insufficient - but the odds are good that some Slayer passing through the area has the needed expertise.

2. How do you contact slayers when there is trouble when they are constantly on the move?

You ask around in taverns known to be frequented by Slayers.

Some of the better-organized nations are keeping tabs on which Slayers are passing through their territory, but even elsewhere Slayers tend to stand out.

3. How do people recognize a Slayer? What stops people from proclaiming themselves Slayer to avoid taxes and get all the benefits? And when they are asked to help someone they take a forward payment and then run of?

If they claim to be Slayers but refuse to act like one, then they will not get the benefit of the privileges of Slayers - which may mean criminal persecution for tax avoidance, breaking travel restrictions, theft, and anything else that may apply.

3a. How do people recognize fallen Slayers?

Either failure to act like a Slayer, or other Slayers denouncing him and/or coming after him for failing to live up to the Code. After all, such people ruin it for everyone...

4. In a world this dangerous, how can a society even exist?

Why, because of Slayers of course! They are the ones who take out monsters before they can become too much of a threat and overrun society...

 

[GhostBear]

For being doomed, the guys on the cover sure look happy! I'm going to grab this later today and mine for ideas. $4 is less than lunch.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

For being doomed, the guys on the cover sure look happy!

Well, they don't know what's behind them yet...

I'm going to grab this later today and mine for ideas. $4 is less than lunch.

Unfortunately, the problem still exists that the download links for this product are buggy - the PDF is only 8.4 kB in size and blank.

The publisher knows about this, but the problem seems to be on DriveThruRPG's end. I will tell you as soon as I am aware that this problem has been fixed.

 

[GhostBear]

Just bought the PDF and it downloaded / displayed without any issues. Let the enjoyment commence. Thanks!