Soldiers of Fortune RPG [WIP]

[Lacco]

Soldiers of Fortune (RPG)

Introduction

You know how people talk about "Golden Era"? Well, that was ages ago.


The Silver Era?


So long gone that even elves can't remember it.


The world is changing slowly. And not to better - it is changing into something worse. Decaying from the inside.


Ancient gates are opening and nightmares awaken, returning into the world. Civilizations have retreated into their safe lands and wilderness has spread to their gates. The darkness is taking the land back, and nobody knows why.


Prophecies have emerged - heralding an end to an era, an end of the world - but there has been so many of these people no longer pay attention.


Every kingdom holds their lands, guards borders from the darkness, but does not expand anymore. Times of war among races and kingdoms are over. Or so they think.


Those elves that have not accepted human cities and towns have retreated into their forests, guarding their borders, upholding traditions whose purpose they no longer remember. They spend time remembering the world, preserving it at all cost - but not improving it. And are dying out.


In halls of dwarven lords, the old masters of crafts, the sound of anvils and hammers still carries on, but it is a different rhythm. Where once they created the wondrous items and pushed limits of their craft, now they only continue using old, proven methods and while they certainly produce quality goods, they no longer create items of power as their ancestors. Only one or two dwarven craftsmen remain that can still create something that matches the artifacts from times before.


The human kingdoms spread around the wilderness - safe areas in the ocean of darkness - and their trade caravans roam around it. Some of them dare to claim land outside the power of the kings - and some survive to talk about it.


The human-orc wars ended in ceasefire - the war decimated both human kingdoms and orcish tribes, and there were not enough warriors on each side to continue. The Borderlands, or the Savage Frontier, as orcs call it, remained as constant reminder of the war, and as border zone, into which no army shall enter. Entering Borderlands means you forfeit your life, because the lands themselves threaten to kill anyone who enters - but still there are men and orcs who proudly proclaim they live in the frontier.


The Orcs retreated to their lands - the Tribelands - and with help of their druidic magic they try to restore the land to its former beauty. They continue their toil, living in harmony with nature, as they always meant to.


But time may show that the war has cost all races too much.


The world is now safer - an orc may live in human city without getting more trouble than a dwarf. Some human traders are welcome into the elven outposts. There are no wars - because most people are afraid to venture beyond the kingdom borders, guarded by their armies.


Those who venture, are usually fools. And adventurers.


Beyond the walls, there is danger. Darkness. Death. Yet... there are wonders, unseen by generations. Wealth, unclaimed by any king. Mysteries, and knowledge, beyond anything that is known now.


This is your world. And the Darkness is approaching.

---

Year 926, Year of the Raven.
King Eordain the Wise is dead.
The Old Treaty of Aebysthar has been burned down by his successors.
Aebysthar Coallition is now in pieces, with each lord trying to grab as much as possible.

Death of a King.
Destruction of the Old Treaty.
Drawing of new borders.
That is how a nation dies.

This is not the story of this nation.
It is the story of those who came later.

---

Soldiers of Fortune is a heavily modified RPG system based on Riddle of Steel and its successors. It contains rules and mechanics that provide players with opportunity to enjoy highly tactical combat, fast and deadly action, dark and threatening magic, to delve into ancient crypts, fight in sieges and claim lands in fantastic sword & sorcery environments.

The introductory story is about a country that has been ripped to pieces. You, the players have been hired as mercenary captains for one side, to assist in upcoming war.

The system is WIP and I will welcome constructive ideas and reviews.