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Post by ericfromnj on Feb 26, 2016 13:00:21 GMT -8
So finally getting some ground on a magistrates game for L5R.
But I need a city to run it in...
I don't mind making up my own city and just plopping it in my own campaign, but L5R is alien enough to make that a wee bit intimidating, though fuck it I've created stuff for 35 years for games so I will do it.
I wanted a city that was either jointly run by multiple clans or an Imperial run city that had representations of three of the clans. I was thinking of dropping something right around where the lands of the Lion, Scorpion, and Unicorn meet, saying that within the mountains Iron was found and there is now a bustling trade by the river due to iron mines being scattered throughout the area.
Players would be allowed to play any clan though it will be pointed out that the main clans will be Lion, Scorpion, and Unicorn in the area. That way if they want to have conflicting loyalties a player can or if they want to be the stranger trying to keep the peace, players can go that way also.
How would a city even be set up? Is this even a good idea for a city? I don't mind saying there is a city where there is none on the map because it is essentially my version of the world but would there be an existing city that would make more sense for something like this where I don't have to buy additional stuff (I have just L5R, Enemies of the Empire, and Emerald Empire.)?
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fredrix
Master Douchebag
Posts: 2,142
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Post by fredrix on Feb 26, 2016 14:45:06 GMT -8
All your ideas seem good to me. There are some lovely cities in the new Atlas of Rokugan, but your city sounds like a hotbed of politics and adventure, maybe Gaijin coming in from beyond the Unicorn lands too...
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Post by ericfromnj on Feb 26, 2016 15:56:52 GMT -8
Thanks.
Now I just have to figure out how to populate this city. What would a city reasonably have in it in terms of notable people? I will admit to drawing a blank here...
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fredrix
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Posts: 2,142
Preferred Game Systems: Fate, L5R, Pendragon, Gumshoe, Feng Shui
Currently Playing: Pendragon, Song of Ice and Fire, L5R, Feng Shui, Traveller
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Post by fredrix on Feb 26, 2016 23:51:20 GMT -8
Thanks. Now I just have to figure out how to populate this city. What would a city reasonably have in it in terms of notable people? I will admit to drawing a blank here... Well you could have all sorts of fun here. Once you've mapped out your city, you might think how it's governed, both "apparently" and in reality. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking how do the three clans co-operate? Is the "governor" actually a triumvirate? With one of each clan? Or have they agreed that each clan governs for four years? Maybe they agree instead that the governor should be a neutral party, maybe from a minor clan (Monkey for the Win!) ? Such a neutral governor would be advised by a council of three, all thinking they can manipulate him/her, but maybe s/he is more wily and independent? Who runs civil security in the city? Which monastery is the most important? Which merchant chairs the "chamber of commerce"? Who is this city's "Kingpin of crime"? Who is the firebrand that stirs up unrest among the Heimin? Who is the master smith at the forge where the very best weapons are made? Why not ask your players? Give them, during character creation a questionnaire like: Who is your most trusted contact in the city? Who must you avoid? Why? Who has wronged you? Who do you have romantic/lustful feelings for?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2016 5:37:37 GMT -8
Your setup sounds remarkably similar to one I started working on for a campaign that unfortunately only got a few sessions in. I wrote up some of the details here: lunarshadowrpg.wordpress.com/the-fallen-mountains/ but essentially the area is dominated by a mountain chain that serves as the border between the Lion and the Unicorn, with the actual border disputed due to the terrain. The city at the top end of the chain was given to the Scorpion to govern following one too many disputes between Lion and Unicorn. Now with 3 clans present they all have to find a balance that won't completely destabilise the region. I keep meaning to write up more of my notes, had a lot planned for the campaign including the obligatory big conspiracy lurking in the background.
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Post by joecrak on Feb 28, 2016 15:21:21 GMT -8
So finally getting some ground on a magistrates game for L5R. But I need a city to run it in... I don't mind making up my own city and just plopping it in my own campaign, but L5R is alien enough to make that a wee bit intimidating, though fuck it I've created stuff for 35 years for games so I will do it. I wanted a city that was either jointly run by multiple clans or an Imperial run city that had representations of three of the clans. I was thinking of dropping something right around where the lands of the Lion, Scorpion, and Unicorn meet, saying that within the mountains Iron was found and there is now a bustling trade by the river due to iron mines being scattered throughout the area. Players would be allowed to play any clan though it will be pointed out that the main clans will be Lion, Scorpion, and Unicorn in the area. That way if they want to have conflicting loyalties a player can or if they want to be the stranger trying to keep the peace, players can go that way also. How would a city even be set up? Is this even a good idea for a city? I don't mind saying there is a city where there is none on the map because it is essentially my version of the world but would there be an existing city that would make more sense for something like this where I don't have to buy additional stuff (I have just L5R, Enemies of the Empire, and Emerald Empire.)? I want to be there...
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SirGuido
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Post by SirGuido on Feb 28, 2016 15:31:57 GMT -8
I have often used Zakyo Toshi as a city like this. In the book it was described as "Pleasure City" in its past. I liked the idea and basically made it a totally unaligned city who's sole purpose was trade in pleasure. Whore houses of all types, domination dens, opium houses, sake houses, houses serving a medicinal "tea" made of "kami blessed" mushrooms, etc. I made the players the magistrates of the city and their sole job was to let things happen without getting out of control. It was a great backdrop for testing their honor over... and over... and over again.
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Post by the0gekko0state on Mar 1, 2016 17:24:16 GMT -8
I know you don't want to buy anything else but Naishou is kind of interesting. It is a small province that's some how been hidden for some time. Now some of the clans are coming into it to try and claim it as their own. Some of the brief current history is this: the Phoenix governor passes away while a Crane traveller was in the province. The Phoenix has left no heir and the Crane claim that the land is not attended to well and march to take it. Having arrived a Scorpion army arrives with claims that the governor has an heir with a Scorpion Samurai-ko. The two go to war and as it reaches a climax the Lion arrive. With a Miya that is to be a new governor. Now with that said some of the clans can be traded for others. In the book is a guide to Toshi No Naishou, Settlements of Naishou Province, Geography of Naishou Province, and A Plague Of Crimes (a mini campaign). It's not the best book and the map is kind of confusing but it holds some really interesting points. If you want more info let me know. There is also the Strongholds of the Empire as well, I have it but haven't read it yet. It has eight major city/ strongholds with a couple unaligned ones in the back. I can let you more about it if you want as well.
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Post by ericfromnj on Mar 8, 2016 13:24:03 GMT -8
Joecrak, you could always join but my players have decided they want play by post for right now with the occasional skype chat.
The rest of you thank you for the information provided. Sir Guido the pleasure city sounds awesome. I want to play in that game personally.
Frederix I plan to make the characters new to the city so most of my questions for them are going to be their relationships to each other. Hell, not only are three from the same clan but from the same family, due to when we playtested the system single clan and people wanting to play their playtest characters.
You know, I could ask those questions of the fourth player, though...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 16:43:19 GMT -8
Frederix I plan to make the characters new to the city so most of my questions for them are going to be their relationships to each other. You could always ask them what they've heard about the reputation of the city, that keeps it generic and means while they might know a little of what to expect they won't know the full details. For example you could ask if they know which district has the best taverns, but not let them know the area is also controlled by ronin etc.
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Post by joecrak on Mar 8, 2016 20:31:35 GMT -8
Joecrak, you could always join but my players have decided they want play by post for right now with the occasional skype chat. The rest of you thank you for the information provided. Sir Guido the pleasure city sounds awesome. I want to play in that game personally. Frederix I plan to make the characters new to the city so most of my questions for them are going to be their relationships to each other. Hell, not only are three from the same clan but from the same family, due to when we playtested the system single clan and people wanting to play their playtest characters. You know, I could ask those questions of the fourth player, though... That can work with me.
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Post by ericfromnj on Mar 9, 2016 12:55:45 GMT -8
Frederix I plan to make the characters new to the city so most of my questions for them are going to be their relationships to each other. You could always ask them what they've heard about the reputation of the city, that keeps it generic and means while they might know a little of what to expect they won't know the full details. For example you could ask if they know which district has the best taverns, but not let them know the area is also controlled by ronin etc. Ok. This appeals to me. I will admit to being the type to build up the NPCs and the world or part thereof and just set everything in motion. From there the PCs interrupt things and the NPCs react etc etc. I am interested in giving the players some control in world building. I am also a little fearful because my players can be beautiful and unique snowflakes when participating in exercises like that. I was thinking of some questions to ask. Which clan leader in the city do you fear most and why? Who have you met from the city? Which clan has the most difficult time and why? Who is the most dangerous person in the city? Actually I will take any advice on this...
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fredrix
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Posts: 2,142
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Favorite Species of Monkey: 1970's NTV, dubbed by the BBC (though The Water Margin beats it)
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Post by fredrix on Mar 9, 2016 13:38:48 GMT -8
As in Dumas "Do you have a letter of introduction to someone in the city?"
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