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Spacegamer.com - Standard Barony Mission:
This uses the Tarot Card to Generate a "Standard" Mission on the Fly as described in Designing Fantasy Missions as part of the Barony Set. (Standard means it is not focused exclusively on an Underworld.) No attempt is made here to define each of the finer points.
To begin, determine who the mission is offered to and call them the Party Leader (to accept / reject Mission).
Note: This mission is temporary. Copy it out now if you want it. (It pastes nicely into Word.)
Mission Title:
Party Leader:
Patron:
- 8 Coins: Dwarven Craftsman; near-human of diminutive size (in some game systems, the term goblin may better apply). Not evil nor good, dwarves inhabit the mines and underworlds away from man. By Norse legend, dwarves were banished to the task of hiding gold and precious metals deep in mountains. Rumplestiltskin (another dwarf) had wondrous powers ("spin straw into gold"), but he also was a creature that enjoyed eating human flesh (especially babies). Note, in Barony system, dwarves are basically viewed as repugnant and base -- greedy, undependable, sarcastic and moody. They normally do not associate with the "tall humans", a minor evil chased away by dogs or thrown stones. Players should be fore-warned, never to fully trust a dwarf. However, Mission will almost always involve great riches (or opportunity to gain such). Do not pick a card (or ignore picks) for Motive (that can be assumed to be greed) or Finances (dwarf will offer nothing, but promise to share in fortune). Inverted, Dwarven Mercenary; a warrior for hire of dwarven race. If dwarves are untrustworthy, why use them in battle? Well, as long as they are not detailed for routine guard duty ("grow bored easily"), they are courageous fighters -- single-minded in purpose and bloodthirsty, often later feasting on the remains of the dead (from either side). Also, greed drives them to do anything, and they are easily manipulated by magic (amplifying their desires). Dwarves have fought en masse in many wars on the surface. Legends describe their prowess in these battles as unmatched; key battles have been turned from stalemate to victory, after the dwarves hammered into the fray. Dwarf Mercenary is almost always on assignment from another (pick "WHO??", but he will never directly reveal such); yet, he is faltering in his assigned task ("I need your help"). Players join knowing not to seek reward from the dwarf, but instead later from true Patron ("you should have hired a man in the first place"). Again do not pick a card for Motive or Finances (or ignore picks).
- (Inverted) Justice: Patron up to this time has been outwardly a loyal citizen to his Baron, King or Emperor. Inverted, Patron is a criminal of renown with long record of arrests, but perhaps no convictions.
- (Inverted) Star: Patron is a famous person, widely known and familiar to players. Inverted, Patron is infamous, vicious, widely feared; in some cases the true Patron will not be human; thus, it will not appear in person (the players meet an agent or phantasm of this threatening creature or force).
- (Inverted) Devil: Patron is evil, without pity, conscience or sense of loyalty; only in rare cases will the players know this fact. Inverted, further Patron will do anything to satisfy Mission goal -- anything.
- Hanged Man: Patron is at risk for seeking out players for Mission. Inverted, Patron's role is transient; soon another will become the Patron (pick an extra card for identity of this later Patron, "PATRON??").
- (Inverted) Empress: Patron has strong presence, persuades with voice. This is the type of person that the players usually can not refuse; for even if his Mission seems counter to that the players would perform, he will inspire (often convert) them to his cause. Inverted, Patron is overly cautious, sometimes to detriment; he will appear as though he does not want the Mission to succeed.
Mission:
- 2 Cups: Locate a missing person. Inverted, locate a person lost in an ill-fated expedition into the underworld, but rumored to survive.
Obstacle:
- (Inverted) 4 Coins: World's most respected or trusted man with many allies becomes involved opposed to mission. Inverted, traveling justice of a monarch's court will think players hide a criminal past or present criminal activities; else, he believes the group is hiding evidence or a fugitive he seeks. He will oppose the mission, until all the facts are revealed. In many cases, players are sent on missions that skirt the legal edge, so justice may be right that players are intent on breaking the law.
Motivation:
- (Inverted) 6 Cups: Thrill, drive to experience a challenge. Inverted, actual mission is secondary to the glory of battle.
- (Inverted) Hermit: Patron's motive will change by scenario's end (pick an extra card "WHY??" to represent this change); this change in motive will influence his commitment of finances and the degree of opposition. Inverted, Patron's motives are secondary to a world impact that will result.
- Chariot: Patron has just returned from travels; his reason relates to this. Inverted, someone Patron knows has returned from travels; reasons relate to this.
Finances:
- 10 Coins: Wealthy, but untrusting of people; anything Patron provides will be acquired only after pleading and guaranteeing loyalty. Inverted, Patron is wealthy, but doesn't trust anyone of this country -- players must hire foreigners.
Rival:
- Knight Rods: Underworld Explorer of Renown. Inverted, Raider or Conqueror.
- Tower of Destruction: Person was a victim of untrained torture or vigilante torment (split lip, slit tongue, blinded, maimed, etc.). Inverted, player's Patron was the persecutor -- revenge is always on this person's mind.
Phases
On the way to the Mission Climax, the Party will travel through three game Phases which may be short or long (depending on the Tarot cards drawn). These represent the obstacles and challenges along the way to the Ultimate Climax of the Mission.
(A) Initial Successes:
(B) Challenges on the Journey:
(C) Final Travel to the Climax:
Climax Flow:
Referee creates the flow of the climax OR refer to Designing Fantasy Missions!!!
Come on Back and maybe we'll have a generator in for you. Otherwise, use the Temple and Castles from our Legacy tools. (Hey, or buy the books!!!!!)
Epilogue:
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