Zhentarim
2019-01-04, 04:42 PM
Seeing as the two concepts I've seen are oriental in nature, I decided to go with that type of theme for the region.
Great Empire of Cathay
(aka oriental mashup: the country)
The land ruled by the Celestial Dragon Emperor is vast, covering almost half the continent and once projecting it's power across the rest of it. Ruled by a feudal nobility but providing reasonable freedom and tolerance. The land is owned by the ruler and worked by the commoners. People are free to leave or move, although there is some paperwork involved.
The ruling elite are nobles. Daimyo, Lords and Samurai. Daimyo are regional lords, who sponsor, employ or delegate to Lords and Samurai, who are in charge of towns and villages respectively. Many Samurai chafe at administrative duties and leave them to a retainer while they focus on their interests. As a feudal system, those on the lower tier owe their service to those above, while the ones above must defend those below.
The nation is mostly human, although halflings and dwarves are common. The latter have their own territories and kings in the mountains, but are vassals to the Emperor.
Minor races with presence in Cathay include the partly human races, planetouched, beastfolk races and elves.
Also present inside its borders though not subject to it one finds kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, as well as monstrous humanoids and giants.
Elsewhere in the world:
Due North, it gets cold. There is a frozen sea, Sea of Claws, and beyond live raiding Norscan people. Harriers of the coastline and rivers.
The Great Sea lies to the East, and beyond that the distant homeland of elves.
To the West, isolated by mountains is the blighted land of Gereon. A den of Evil. Further on lie vassal states of Cathay.
Campaign:
The Sentinels is a name of a city inland, along the major waterway to the Imperial Seat and it is here that the adventure begins. A mesa, hollowed out and turned into a city.
It is the situation in Gereon that is the subject here. Or rather, it is the key. Because they have started taking territory from vassals of Cathay, who beseech the Dragon Emperor to take action. First, he must establish the truth of things. Gereon has never been a direct enemy of Cathay, and little is known of them. They do not trade and have never displayed such aggression. Are they conquerors, or lashing back after an attack?
Imperial surveyors will be sent, of course. Unofficially, however, a Daimyo has decided to conduct his own investigation, which is where you will come in.
My Character Sheet (its a little messy, and I didn’t have room to write everything so the overflow and my future plans for leveling up are in the “other notes” section below where my backstory will be: https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1790273
This is my thrush familiar, Yubaba: https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1794655
Basically, I’m working on making a detailed background with a love interest to add to my sheet. Given my future gestalt levels as an Evangelist (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/evangelist/) of Mammon (http://aonprd.com/DeityDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Mammon)//Noble Scion (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/n-r/noble-scion/), I’ll also need help choosing a cohort since I’ll get one in just a couple levels. The cohort will be a male noble, and will probably be a Life-specialized Incanter//Antipaladin (Tyrant)/Hellknight. This is not set in stone if somebody has a better idea for a cohort.
Lady Jun’s Social Identity is mild, always seeks to further Cathay’s interest, preferably using the “velvet glove” of diplomacy, magical bribes, and charms. Her nameless vigilante identity also seeks to serve Cathay, but prefers intimidation, secrecy, and ruthlessness, opting to kill everybody first and ask questions later. Am I correct to say the social identity is LN snd the Vigilante identity is LE, or is the vigilante identity NE?
What is a compelling backstory I can add that details her childhood, eventual service to the government, vast riches, dual identities, eventual worship of Mammon, and her path to becoming an Incanter (Warlock) that uses blood magic and specializes in charms?
She casts using charisma.
Great Empire of Cathay
(aka oriental mashup: the country)
The land ruled by the Celestial Dragon Emperor is vast, covering almost half the continent and once projecting it's power across the rest of it. Ruled by a feudal nobility but providing reasonable freedom and tolerance. The land is owned by the ruler and worked by the commoners. People are free to leave or move, although there is some paperwork involved.
The ruling elite are nobles. Daimyo, Lords and Samurai. Daimyo are regional lords, who sponsor, employ or delegate to Lords and Samurai, who are in charge of towns and villages respectively. Many Samurai chafe at administrative duties and leave them to a retainer while they focus on their interests. As a feudal system, those on the lower tier owe their service to those above, while the ones above must defend those below.
The nation is mostly human, although halflings and dwarves are common. The latter have their own territories and kings in the mountains, but are vassals to the Emperor.
Minor races with presence in Cathay include the partly human races, planetouched, beastfolk races and elves.
Also present inside its borders though not subject to it one finds kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, as well as monstrous humanoids and giants.
Elsewhere in the world:
Due North, it gets cold. There is a frozen sea, Sea of Claws, and beyond live raiding Norscan people. Harriers of the coastline and rivers.
The Great Sea lies to the East, and beyond that the distant homeland of elves.
To the West, isolated by mountains is the blighted land of Gereon. A den of Evil. Further on lie vassal states of Cathay.
Campaign:
The Sentinels is a name of a city inland, along the major waterway to the Imperial Seat and it is here that the adventure begins. A mesa, hollowed out and turned into a city.
It is the situation in Gereon that is the subject here. Or rather, it is the key. Because they have started taking territory from vassals of Cathay, who beseech the Dragon Emperor to take action. First, he must establish the truth of things. Gereon has never been a direct enemy of Cathay, and little is known of them. They do not trade and have never displayed such aggression. Are they conquerors, or lashing back after an attack?
Imperial surveyors will be sent, of course. Unofficially, however, a Daimyo has decided to conduct his own investigation, which is where you will come in.
My Character Sheet (its a little messy, and I didn’t have room to write everything so the overflow and my future plans for leveling up are in the “other notes” section below where my backstory will be: https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1790273
This is my thrush familiar, Yubaba: https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1794655
Basically, I’m working on making a detailed background with a love interest to add to my sheet. Given my future gestalt levels as an Evangelist (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/evangelist/) of Mammon (http://aonprd.com/DeityDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Mammon)//Noble Scion (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/n-r/noble-scion/), I’ll also need help choosing a cohort since I’ll get one in just a couple levels. The cohort will be a male noble, and will probably be a Life-specialized Incanter//Antipaladin (Tyrant)/Hellknight. This is not set in stone if somebody has a better idea for a cohort.
Lady Jun’s Social Identity is mild, always seeks to further Cathay’s interest, preferably using the “velvet glove” of diplomacy, magical bribes, and charms. Her nameless vigilante identity also seeks to serve Cathay, but prefers intimidation, secrecy, and ruthlessness, opting to kill everybody first and ask questions later. Am I correct to say the social identity is LN snd the Vigilante identity is LE, or is the vigilante identity NE?
What is a compelling backstory I can add that details her childhood, eventual service to the government, vast riches, dual identities, eventual worship of Mammon, and her path to becoming an Incanter (Warlock) that uses blood magic and specializes in charms?
She casts using charisma.