Slamurai

Phosphoros

The OP has been updated - I've seperated sections for the five civilizations and replaced the old ones with the new descriptions. We're still writing new ones for Mennon and Silesia. Those should be up soon.

Phosphoros

@Dead Cruiser@Goldeagle1221

Absolutely love it. To the CS tab!

Phosphoros

The map has been added to the OP, FYI. Go have a look!

Phosphoros

So I'm assuming there's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes, since I haven't seen a single character sheet or any real discussion in here yet. Which kinda bums me out, as I feel robbed of getting better insights into this world... How many players are there anyway?

I've also given blood magic some more thought and feel like I've reached a nice conclusion. Instead of focusing on physical effects, I want to focus on more emotional aspects of it. So why not have my character be able to drink it and use it to re-life memories and emotions? Maybe even have it work the other way around, by making those ingesting the blood feel love, fear or even pain towards my character (dont trust her cooking!).

Blood magic could be used as a form of fantasy CSI, allowing her to gain information about someone: their heredity, physical characteristics, family; if they match blood found somewhere else. Anything you see on the cop shows could be replicated in game.

Maybe even let her use blood to gain attributes from animals? A hawk's vision or a dog's smell, stuff like that.

I guess it does depend on whether this RP is more focused on combat, or has room for intrigue as well. If it's more combat focused, I'd probably just ditch this concept and go for a more straight forwards character.

@Cleverbird

Ayy, now we're onto something. I like that approach and it's similar to ideas I've used in the past with this sort of magic (consume a man's eyes and see his last moments, or his ears and hear his last words, etc.)

There will obviously be plenty of combat, but I don't want folks to feel forced to play any sort of way - there are opportunities for fighty heroes, sneaky heroes, utility heroes, so on and so forth. So, rather than COMBAT, I want to say the IC will be ACTION focused.

Phosphoros

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

Could I have an artifact but the character has no idea what it does? And somewhere along the way, (not immediately) they have an 'Oh, so that's what it does.' moment after they figure out how to use it. I can tell you in advance what it does, so that you can plan around that and it's not an accidental deus ex machina.

@Crimson Raven

Could be an ineresting angle - shoot PM to @Goldeagle1221 and I and we can chat about it!

Phosphoros

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

So would things like magically enhanced artifacts, or premade spells work? Like a magic spear that finds the throwers target or an orb that once broken summons a minotaur or what have you.

@Rtron

Yes, magic artifacts are definitely a thing - maybe the most prominent source of magic your characters will encounter beyond the monsters or your own spellcasting ability (if you've got it).
These artifacts are a throwback to things like the Golden Fleece or the armor of Achilles, or the Spear of Longinus, etc.
Ideally, these would be found during the IC, instead of starting equipment.

Phosphoros

@RtronThere sure is!

Phosphoros

@CleverbirdCouple things, after Gold and I put our heads together:

After reading your description of blood magic, we were hesiant because we felt it didn't jive with how we envisioned the seting. Hard to put consisely, but here goes - Blood magic is kosher in the setting, but in a more suble way. We'd prefer to see the effects move away from buff/debuff terminology and direct manipulation. Its effects and the procedure of casting should be more nuanced... ritualistic? Grounded more in ceremony and something resembling voodoo, opposed to waving one's hands behind the frontlines and churning the lifeblood out of your enemy.

Do you remember the witch, Mortianna, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? There's a scene where she uses blood, saliva and other substances mixed together to discern visions of the future. This is the sort of magic we have in mind. Subtle, with often unforseen effects, but also powerful in the right situation (as evidenced in the Conan stories where sorcerers might extend their lives, call forth extraplanar creatures, conjure illusory effects, and so forth).

Also, on the matter of gods - this blood cult is free to believe it sources its power from whatever deity it worships. But as to whether that deity is real or not, there is no solid confrmation, nor denial. It should be a faith-based matter. How a sorcerer choses to interpret his dreams is on him, for example. There are powerful beings and monsters out there thay may seem godlike, and folks can choose them as patrons, but all 'godhood' is on faith.

Other than that, there aren't any glaring issues. What are your thoughts?

Phosphoros

To piggyback on what Gold has already said about magic, this excerpt from Quora is relevant:

quora.com/How-would-you-describe-Magi…

Low magic really and being driven on a more ritual level. Magic in Conan is reaching it’s end considering, with only a few isolated civilizations and cultures actively using it. Beyond that only a selective few mortals, handful of magical beings and the gods themselves have any true magic with them. The major kingdoms in the Conan world have their mages and wise men, yet most use alchemy and other tricky then true magic.

The best individual who is the most powerful human mage would be Thoth Amon. He’s lived for hundreds of years thanks to his knowledge and use of dark rituals to extend his life and maintain his health. He and Conan had face each other over time, yet amusingly never face to face. The thing is Thoth is a cunning individual who understands how to properly use his power, by never putting himself into an exposed position. His strength lies in rituals and creatures he either summons or creates to do his bidding. Even then he has political influence which his magical power grants him.

This isn't strictly a Conan RP, but given that it's a big inspiration, it helps to know a little about the books' portrayal.