Unexpected Glory (A CK2-style Quest)

In the fourth year of Emperor Magnus' reign, the Alkadian Empire embarked on a war of conquest across the sea. The Emperor himself led his mighty armies to the new land in a bloody campaign of conquest. Some said it was for glory, others for gold. Some quietly whispered that the Emperor sought to distract a treacherous court with opportunity elsewhere, to secure his throne.

For whatever reason the war began, surely the primitive peoples of the east could not stand to the full might of the Empire, and their subjugation was a foregone conclusion.

Or so you all thought.

What had been predicted as an easy war for glory quickly bogged down into a nightmare of death and carnage. Enemy armies melted away into the hills. Mysterious woodsmen harried the Empire day and night, and numerous barbaric tribes of beasts frequently ambushed the Emperor's legions with charges of suicidal bloodlust.

"Orcs" they called them. It was said that in days of yore the orcs raided and pillaged the lands of the Empire before the Unification. They were long since relegated to bedtime stories and ancient knights' tales. They were supposed to be a myth.

For all that beasts of legend roamed the new land, the Empire still won some significant victories over the course of several years. But the gold that was confiscated was discovered to be less than rumored, and the people soon tired of a 'glorious war' that killed their husbands, sons, and brothers. After five years of endless fighting with disappointing gains, the Emperor declared victory and an end to the conquest.

It was a disappointment for you. Unlike many others, you had come to the war late, due to circumstances beyond your control. You had hoped for a chance to make a name for yourself, win some honor, and perhaps raise your station in the world. But with the war over, your opportunity had just gone up in smoke.

That was, until you saved the Emperor's life.

A party of orcs had lain in wait, deep in what was believed to be safe lands on the route to the port, and had sprung their trap upon the Emperor's personal entourage. You were…


Background
[ ] A mere foot soldier. Born to humble farmers, you had enlisted after the death of your father gave you the freedom to finally follow your dream of glory. The wages helped feed your mother and siblings too. (+Stewardship, +Diplomacy, -Learning)

[ ] A young knight. The second son of an unimportant nobleman, you'd long since determined that you'd have to make your own way in the world. You'd sought the war as soon as you had earned your coat of arms. (+Martial, +Intrigue, -Diplomacy)

[ ] A scholar. Your family maintain the great library of Alkaden, and you were called forth to consult on the peculiar happenings in the lands of the east. Your dabbling in certain…mystic arts gave you a limited ability for self defence that has proven alarmingly necessary for your continued survival. (+Learning, +Sorcery, -Martial)

[ ] Write-in. (Please include stat boosts/one malus. I'll tell you if something is not a valid write-in.)


When the orcs fell upon the Emperor's personal guard they managed to cut down a large number of them in their surprise. The Emperor managed to break free from the melee, retreating with haste when he was set upon by three of the orcs.

It was the finest display of swordsmanship you have ever seen, but the Emperor fell to a shoulder wound before the last orc was slain. As it raised its axe for the finishing blow you finally arrived to step in and defend your Emperor's life.

You didn't, after all your dreams, do it for glory. You were rather desperately out of position yourself (nearly surrounded), and you knew that if the Emperor fell the skirmish would turn into a rout. You didn't want to die, and especially not after the horrors you had heard the orcs visited upon their victims.

Nevertheless, your valor was noted by surviving guards who swiftly came to your aid, and indeed the Emperor lived to continue his reign. The orcs were not so fortunate.

Now, days later, you await an audience with the Emperor himself. You suspect you might just have won some glory after all.

The herald coughs politely, to attract your attention.

"Ah, my lord…how shall I announce you?"

Name
[ ] Rickard Mendalas
[ ] Write-in (Subject to Author Veto, but I'm fairly confident you guys can do better than me, right?)

Name: Rickard Astor
Titles: The Chivalrous Bard, The Earl of Corwyn, Lord of Port Helm
Age: 25
Appearance:



Martial: 8-4+4 = 8 (You have never been inclined towards violence, and have dedicated most of your time elsewhere. Still, your raw courage in combat does inspire a little respect.)

Diplomacy: 15+2+2+2+2 = 23 (Both your natural talents and your vast experience with people have honed your instincts. You can almost always reach an understanding if they give you an inch.)

Intrigue: 12+2+2+2 = 18 (You've seen that the world is not always your friend, and your natural cunning is useful for navigating the dark alleys of the world.)

Stewardship: 12+2+2 = 16 (To own something is to be responsible for it. To lead someone is to serve them.)

Research: 10+2 = 12 (The world is full of mysteries…most of which are probably explained in a library somewhere.)

Sorcery: 9 (There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But you certainly haven't seen any proof of that. Yet.)


Traits:
Voice of Angels: You have a natural talent for music, singing especially, that can bring even the hardest of hearts to tears. (+2 Diplomacy, +2 Intrigue)

Make Love not War: You have never been suited, by either inclination or ability, for the harshness of war. (+2 Diplomacy, -4 Martial)

The Chivalrous Bard: Your moment of heroism saved the life of the most powerful man in the world, preventing a succession crisis that could have devolved into civil war. Many in the Empire consider you to be a true hero. (+2 +4 Martial)

Not So Common After All: As a commoner who has been raised to join the peerage some nobles will insist on looking down on you. Commoners will have an easier time in your presence than that of other nobles. (-2 Diplomacy v. Nobles, +2 Diplomacy v. Commoners.)

Fashionable: You were raised by tailors, and good ones. You know at a glance what someone's dress is meant to convey, and are not without skill with needle and thread yourself. (+2 Intrigue, +2 Stewardship)

Political Gossip: Interacting with both rich and poor, noble and common, you had the opportunity to observe the games of the powerful in the heart of it all. You learned much. (+2 Intrigue, +2 Diplomacy)

Child of the Capital: Raised in the capital of the Empire, the Golden City, you received an education simply by osmosis that was far above your station. You have also observed the challenges inherent in the administration of a massive city. (+2 Learning, + 2 Stewardship)

Disciple of the Nightingale: Leliana Nightingale's tutelage was as peculiar as she was, quicksilver and beautiful. Under her watchful eyes you learned to walk the halls of power with finesse and grace. (+2 Diplomacy)

Inventory:
An Imperial Gift: Handcrafted by the world renowned master craftsman Salander, this Guitar is as beautiful in tone as it is appearance. With it, your music becomes sublime. (+2 Diplomacy when used.)



Military Forces
Naval Unit: Y'Elim War Galley (Maintenance Enchantments) x5

Merchant Marine
Naval Unit: Improved Galleon (x1.5 Carrying Capacity)

People of Interest

Reserved for Setting Info


Check out this awesome map that AdamMButler made:




It has a slight inaccuracy in the Serolmic region (see below) but is otherwise perfect.

A basic map, for now:

Quest Mechanics
Fairly Straightforward, and intentionally modeled off of The Practice War, because it's awesome (and I've never played Crusader Kings 2).

In the course of each Turn, which covers a Season (3 Months), the players will be deciding on Three (3) kinds of actions:




Player Rewards: Tally and Mechanics
AdamMButler: 3 Cookies
Mr.rodent: 3 Cookies, 2 Dice Manipulation
Plausitivity: 3 Cookies + 1 Dice Manipulation
Walliseatscheese: 1 Cookie

Radicalness Cookies and Dice Manipulations are a method for me to reward players who contributed to the quest in a way that strikes me as worthy of a special reward. Here's how they work:

1 Radical Cookie: This applies a +10 bonus to an upcoming roll of your choice. If the roll succeeds because of the cookie, I will make the success radical. If the roll crits, the radical will magnify the success. If the roll succeeds without the radical cookie, or I can't think of a way to make a critical/success radical, I will refund your cookie. Only one cookie may be applied to a roll at a time by any one player. Multiple players can apply a cookie to the same roll, but if it succeeds because of a cookie, they're all used up.

1 Dice Manipulation: Select an upcoming roll of your choice, to be rolled with advantage. (I roll 2d100 separately and take the higher roll). This is used up regardless of the outcome.

To use them, the player must inform me anytime before the vote closes, or until 30 minutes after. There will be no retroactive applications.