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07:33, 27th April 2024 (GMT+0)

The future on Southern.

Posted by DMFor group 0
DM
GM, 5844 posts
Mon 12 Jun 2023
at 06:50
  • msg #1

The future on Southern

As you know, I had development plans and politics in mind, all the way through this game -  although they were modified frequently by player hopes, expectations and comments - as well as the occasional meeting for general discussion.  I thought you might like to know how the game had might have continued - always remembering that plans might have changed and developed. :)




The Near Future

The attack from the east, that Dom half expected, never materialized.  There was some skirmishing, between small groups, mainly in the ‘demilitarized zone’, but nothing that couldn’t be handled easily - Aecora kept her word.  Note:  Aecora is a Druid dedicated to Desna, in her aspect as The Moon Mother.

However, the attack did materialize from the west.  Fort Drelev had been taken over by an alliance between Pitax and the barbarian tribes, who attacked through Wyvern Bridge.  The initial assault penetrated down as far as Tatzleford, causing havoc on the way through, but was defeated by a group of heroes.  As repairs were underway, scouts discovered that there were more armies afoot, and the forces of Southern were mustered to take the fight to the enemy.  There were a number of pitched battles, but Southern won fairly easily and eventually freed Fort Drelev from occupation, however, Hannis Drelev (The Baron) was killed early in the conflict.  Lord Numesti, one of the senior officers of Fort Drelev, and a member of House Lebeda, took control of the city, and renamed it Port Hooktongue.

While the army was away, The King sent a force to replace Henry as Governor of Midmarch -  partly because his favourite (Drelev) had been killed and partly because Henry had extended his borders south, against his agreement with the nobles.  However, the Home Army was enough to defeat the interlopers, and Henry declared independence from Brevoy.  Seizing their chance, Eastern declared independence as well and renamed themselves Rostand, after the original Sword Baron’s holdings.  When the King sent troops, New Stetven revolted, supported by troops sent by House Lebeda and House Medveyed.

Lebeda’s support came at the cost of the right to settle the land west of Port Slough, and they extended their holdings down as far as Port Hooktongue, which remained under the control of Lord Terrion Numesti.  Medveyed had new trade links, courtesy of the New DELEM trade route that stretched from Restov, through Medveyed territory, to the Lake of Mist and Veils, where it met up with the Lodkova controlled maritime trade route.  The ‘bandits’ of the Gronzi Forest claimed that land as their own.

Longer term

With House Surtova reduced and House Garress still struggling to re-establish themselves after the loss of the dwarf mines, Brevoy becomes much more fractured, although there are still links between the states and the noble houses.  Trade fell off during the war years, and incomes were severely reduced, as profits were sacrificed to the war effort.  After the shake up, trade didn’t pick up in the same way, and growth was limited -  Southern now had fixed boundaries -  Lebeda lands to the west, Mivon south, Centaurs east and Rostland to the north.  On top of that, settlers were now attracted to the opportunities in the new Lebeda lands west of the slough, so growth slowed as well.

Over the following years, Southern stabilized and becomes established as a civilized and well-ordered region.  Well, apart from the Narlemarch, that retains its wildness and remains as a druid/ranger control wilderness state within the southern conglomerate.

Note:  I have assumed that Tusk will spread down to the southern border with Mivon, and that Sunsmarch will become fully established and grow somewhat.  Wyvern Bridge will grow into a large town, and the western Midmarch will be governed as a province within Midmarch.   Newgate will, eventually, become a small city and capital of Midmarch.
Domitius Aldori-Solanus
player, 863 posts
Half Elf Swordlord
AC:23 HP:55
Tue 20 Jun 2023
at 00:48
  • msg #2

The future on Southern

Did you have an idea on how many years it would have been, I'd like to model up where Sunsmarch would have been at various points.  I also suspect that Dom may or may not have continued his association with Middlemarch once Rostland became independent.
Adoven Lodovka-Sud
Player, 1346 posts
AC 24 F+6 R+14 W+7
Rogue / Bard, HP 57/57
Tue 20 Jun 2023
at 01:37
  • msg #3

The future on Southern

I suspect Adoven's aqueduct from Candlemere to Wyvern's Bridge would've helped drive back the assault from Fort Drelev.
DM
GM, 5848 posts
Tue 20 Jun 2023
at 06:59
  • msg #4

The future on Southern

In reply to Domitius Aldori-Solanus (msg # 2):

We got where we are in 7 years of game play, which probably means ten or twelve campaign rounds - so let's say  in-game 11 years.  One of the problems with my campaign rules, as they stand, is that they scale up much too quickly for anything in RL -  but (to some extent) that matters less in a fantasy world. :)

However ...

my last post:
After the shake up, trade didn’t pick up in the same way, and growth was limited -  Southern now had fixed boundaries -  Lebeda lands to the west, Mivon south, Centaurs east and Rostland to the north.  On top of that, settlers were now attracted to the opportunities in the new Lebeda lands west of the slough, so growth slowed as well.


So Sunsmarch's growth won't be quite that fast. Were I modelling the growth, I would probably run a series of campaign rounds, using the Solanus family funds, and call it 18 months or two years for each campaign round.

I had some 'overview' plans for the NPC's that I would have pushed.
  • El would grow Lakehold to a small town, (using her own money) and claim a Lord-Dominus title, but we agreed that NPCs would stop there.
  • Hargrym would want to control more of the mountain hexes and would find some decent stone deposits in the mountains (perhaps marble?), but no metals.  However, again he would probably stop at 2-3 mountain hexes, and a small town as a Lord-Dominus.  He Might have chosen to build some of his holding underground -  which is more expensive.  But the life span of Dwarves means that time isn't an issue.  So perhaps surface buildings first, then underground development.
  • Barbatius and Socha, as Cohorts, would have been eligible for higher titles - and could have progressed to Lord (Rather than Lord Dominus).  Other Entourages might become Lairds (with small personal holdings) or hold life-time titles as Lord-Advisors.  Which gives you a reasonably sized 'court'.

Regional
  • When you expand south of Silverhold, you will find a 'Crystal Field' that can be mined to produce rock crystal (clear quartz) semi-precious stones worth 50gp each -  BUT they would follow the general rules for mines, when it comes to development etc.
  • So long as you don't expand eastwards, you won't have trouble with the Centaurs.  However, you would probably face war if you do expand that way.  Skirmishes to start with, and perhaps a full on war, as you push further.
  • Midmarch will start expanding (slightly) off of the back of Rana's claim to Gurdinford -  but you could certainly expand west to 37, 46, 55, 56, 57 without a problem.
  • Greater Mivon, will probably claim all the hexes in the 60s - although that would probably just finish up as skirmishes.
  • Restov, is likely to claim independence from Rostland, and become an independent city again - Still will a recognisable Aldori feel, but no longer the middle of Aldori culture (which will move north).  Nikvata's Crossing, and Fort Serenko are both part of greater Restov.
  • Tower and Mudbowl will be claimed by Adoven as part of Greater Tusk.  Hex 53 will be of interest to both Tusk and Midmarch, as it controls an overland route to Jovvox.

I think that is about it, for my longer term 'analysis'  :)   have fun, and let me know how it pans out.
DM
GM, 5849 posts
Tue 20 Jun 2023
at 07:08
  • msg #5

The future on Southern

In reply to Adoven Lodovka-Sud (msg # 3):

I think the canal would probably have come after the Drelev conflict, which was due to start immediately.  Andalon's group's next assignment would have been leading the defence of Tatzleford.  Wyvern Bridge and Apple Lodge would have been damaged during the enemy's march through to Tazleford.  I didn't say the attackers were particularly bright :)  Actually, the module assumes that Eastern Midmarch hasn't been developed yet, I thought about changing their target to WB*, but had decided against it as it would have meant lots of changes to the next part of the scenario.

All developments would have been slowed, during the war, as taxes would have increased to pay for the wars.


* I always think of Warner Brothers when I abbreviate Wyvern Bridge like that :)
Cass Mordane
Player, 977 posts
Opportunist
Merchant/Magus/Miscreant
Tue 20 Jun 2023
at 13:06
  • msg #6

The future on Southern

A bit of how Silverton and the gang may have turned out.


Projected build for this turn :


Open New District - (Goodale)  1 BP

Magatha’s house 1 BP (0,0,1) - Port Wine
Jensen’s hospital 2.5 BP (1,2,1) - Port Wine
Granary 1.5 BP (0,1,2) - Port Wine
Public Bath 0.5 BP (0,1,0) - Port Wine
Secret Stash Winery 2.5 BP (2,0,0) - Goodale
Great Market 5 BP (3,2,2) - Goodale
River Wherry 4 BP

Future Endeavors -
Coinage District
Protectorate District

Windsong District
Thrall District
Pamprechez District

The Black Iron - A social gathering style coffee house where the brew is strong and so are the topics of conversation.
A Novel Tea - A social gathering style tea house that sponsors weekly book readings.
The Eel Conceived - Everyone’s favorite fishy fish served up in numerous fashions. Don’t expect to run into Cass here.
The Dragon’s Serenade - A meat lovers paradise with choice cuts prepared in a variety of ways and presented in heaping portions. Soupçon - Just a play on words. A free soup kitchen where no one is allowed to leave hungry. All are welcome.
The Chocolate Tear - Tastes so deep and rich, you may even weep with joy.

Eventually Cass would have created a trade office for Silverton with both land and water infrastructures. He would have built the biggest Castle permitted. Part of the plan was to build up an army to defend against the war he saw brewing, but he might not have gauged the time quick enough. He would focus most of his remaining years working on the brewing aspect of things from ale to wine to spirits. Vova would be hired as official tester.

After Magatha’s daughter was born, she would settle down in Silverton, continue as mayor, and get her main adventures from running the local sword school.

Jensen would go on to found hospitals in every town that would let him, whether on his own dime or on Cass’s. He could be quite persuasive on the subject. Especially if Cass was in his cups.

Elkin would go on to create a chain of bakeries specializing in fine pastries.
DM
GM, 5850 posts
Tue 20 Jun 2023
at 13:09
  • msg #7

The future on Southern

In reply to Cass Mordane (msg # 6):

Nice  :)
Vova doMedvyed
player, 290 posts
It's easy to make a mess
when you don't clean up!
Wed 21 Jun 2023
at 23:17
  • msg #8

The future on Southern


 I had long-term plans to thoroughly abuse magic in the swampy wetlands we were in, although 'plans' is a somewhat strong term for anything involving Vova. Most of them required him to level up at least another three times to nine, at which he'd be a Mystic Theurge and still comically underpowered (second level spells baby!) for almost anything but a ton of fun.
DM
GM, 5851 posts
Thu 22 Jun 2023
at 05:30
  • msg #9

The future on Southern

In reply to Vova doMedvyed (msg # 8):

And it was looking like fun :)
Alisa Solanus
Player, 654 posts
Like the moon, the truth
does not stay long hidden
Thu 22 Jun 2023
at 19:27
  • msg #10

The future on Southern

Hm, just a thought:

We could open a Stolen Lands: Where are they now? site, (either here or elswhere) where people could post summaries of what their characters/organizations went on to achieve, perhaps some vignettes of the character(s) in the future, similar to the posts we did in the fuzzy threads.

It would be a way to not pull the plug completely, while still fully liberating the GM, and not imposing any posting commitments on the rest of us.
DM
GM, 5852 posts
Thu 22 Jun 2023
at 21:05
  • msg #11

The future on Southern

Happy for that to happen, either here or I can open a new thread :)
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