Mac Callum
First Post
Because this is a Con with limited (if any) contact with the other kingdoms, mentioning their names will just confuse them. If Breland comes up during the session, just say "One of the other kingdoms to the south."
That said, just read them this:
For a thousand years the human Kingdom of Galifar ruled the entire continent of Khorvaire. Traditionally the five most capable Scions of the High King would rule the nations comprising Galifar. Upon the death of the High King the most capable Scion would ascend to the throne and rule in his place.
(This is easy for people to understand. The 'ancient Golden Age' kingdom is a well understood concept.)
A hundred years ago, upon the death of King Jarot, three of the scions refused to recognize the eldest as heir - and each believed they were the true heir. The Kingdom of Galifar was plunged into civil war - and it lasted for a century of horific conflict. Terrible weapons were created - including magical construct-soldiers which fought tirelessly without the need for rest or drink.
(The war is paramount. It's enough now to know that Magical Terminators were created - telling them the term 'Warforged' will be distracting.)
Four years ago the nation of Cyre was utterly destroyed by a magical holocaust of unknown origin. Only a few thousand people escaped. So shocked were the remaining nations that they immediately began to sue for peace. Two years ago the Treaty of Thronhold was signed. An uneasy peace now attempts to embrace a land which knew only war.
(It's enough they know that Cyre was destroyed. Later they can learn about the Mournland, living spells, etc. if they need to. Just say "Look, a living Fireball, surely out of the Mournland.")
You stand on the border of the human kingdoms of Aundair, land of the Arcane Congress and some of the greatest centers of learning on Khorvaire, and Karrnath - the warrior kingdom which conquered all of Khorvaire and established the ancient Kingdom of Galifar a thousand years before, but whose armies are 'fleshed out' with legions of Zombies.
(Again - you're trying to create a general image they can hang more details on later. You don't want to tell them all about Karnnath or Aundair, they'll drown in the data. Just give 'em a general outline.)
To the south lies Valenar, a nation of elves whose religion requires that every elf prove themselves in battle. Despite the efforts of the Karnnathi King Kaius III to maintain the peace Valenar warbands continue to raid and attack as their ancestor's spirits demand.
(They don't really demand it of course, but the player's aren't philosophers. Just knowing that the elves are driven to attack by their religion is enough for a con game.)
In the cities and villages around you the powerful Merchant Houses provide low-level magical services to even the meanest of peasants and laborors. Although high level magic is rare, the occasional Airship can be seen flying overhead. The Lightning Rail which connected the nations of Aurandair and Karrnath during the time of Galifar was cut in half, but regular Rail service is available in the separate nations. If you need to get a message to the other end of the world though, don't go by air - just send a Telegram by way of House Sivis, the Gnomish house of communications.
(This isn't exactly right, but this tells 'em the magical level to expect. They'll probably use Earth terms to describe what they want to do in game, but that's fine. Learning new terms is confusing in a short time period, and in no way enhances the fun factor.)
(After that given them each a three sentence bio explaining how the war affected their characters. As 10th level characters they are as powerful as the heads of Houses and world-moving secret societies. The PCs must have made a name for themselves. You lead this Regiment for Karrnnath, you're the head of the Artificers Guild in Passasge (currently on sabatical), etc.)
That should be it. With these broad outlines to fill in later, everything else they can learn in game.
That said, just read them this:
For a thousand years the human Kingdom of Galifar ruled the entire continent of Khorvaire. Traditionally the five most capable Scions of the High King would rule the nations comprising Galifar. Upon the death of the High King the most capable Scion would ascend to the throne and rule in his place.
(This is easy for people to understand. The 'ancient Golden Age' kingdom is a well understood concept.)
A hundred years ago, upon the death of King Jarot, three of the scions refused to recognize the eldest as heir - and each believed they were the true heir. The Kingdom of Galifar was plunged into civil war - and it lasted for a century of horific conflict. Terrible weapons were created - including magical construct-soldiers which fought tirelessly without the need for rest or drink.
(The war is paramount. It's enough now to know that Magical Terminators were created - telling them the term 'Warforged' will be distracting.)
Four years ago the nation of Cyre was utterly destroyed by a magical holocaust of unknown origin. Only a few thousand people escaped. So shocked were the remaining nations that they immediately began to sue for peace. Two years ago the Treaty of Thronhold was signed. An uneasy peace now attempts to embrace a land which knew only war.
(It's enough they know that Cyre was destroyed. Later they can learn about the Mournland, living spells, etc. if they need to. Just say "Look, a living Fireball, surely out of the Mournland.")
You stand on the border of the human kingdoms of Aundair, land of the Arcane Congress and some of the greatest centers of learning on Khorvaire, and Karrnath - the warrior kingdom which conquered all of Khorvaire and established the ancient Kingdom of Galifar a thousand years before, but whose armies are 'fleshed out' with legions of Zombies.
(Again - you're trying to create a general image they can hang more details on later. You don't want to tell them all about Karnnath or Aundair, they'll drown in the data. Just give 'em a general outline.)
To the south lies Valenar, a nation of elves whose religion requires that every elf prove themselves in battle. Despite the efforts of the Karnnathi King Kaius III to maintain the peace Valenar warbands continue to raid and attack as their ancestor's spirits demand.
(They don't really demand it of course, but the player's aren't philosophers. Just knowing that the elves are driven to attack by their religion is enough for a con game.)
In the cities and villages around you the powerful Merchant Houses provide low-level magical services to even the meanest of peasants and laborors. Although high level magic is rare, the occasional Airship can be seen flying overhead. The Lightning Rail which connected the nations of Aurandair and Karrnath during the time of Galifar was cut in half, but regular Rail service is available in the separate nations. If you need to get a message to the other end of the world though, don't go by air - just send a Telegram by way of House Sivis, the Gnomish house of communications.
(This isn't exactly right, but this tells 'em the magical level to expect. They'll probably use Earth terms to describe what they want to do in game, but that's fine. Learning new terms is confusing in a short time period, and in no way enhances the fun factor.)
(After that given them each a three sentence bio explaining how the war affected their characters. As 10th level characters they are as powerful as the heads of Houses and world-moving secret societies. The PCs must have made a name for themselves. You lead this Regiment for Karrnnath, you're the head of the Artificers Guild in Passasge (currently on sabatical), etc.)
That should be it. With these broad outlines to fill in later, everything else they can learn in game.
