Grogs
Each of us needs to roll up two grogs for the covenant. These will be very important characters, likely to be involved in most encounters and expeditions.
The grogs available are local villagers who have been hand-picked in their early twenties to serve the covenant (having earned the right to be selected as a champion).
They work only to defend the covenant (in return for the covenant defending the village). Amongst the villagers they are seen as heroes - and held in high respect.
As such, grogs should consider a virtue to explain why they were picked out to serve as champions, e.g.
Affinity with (martial ability)
Beserk
Custos
Enduring Constitution
Great or Improved Characteristics (physical)
Large
Longwinded
Puissant (martial ability)
Tough
Warrior
Some sort of flaw to reflect ties to the covenant or village are also typical, e.g.
Close Family Ties (within village)
Covenant Upbringing
Dependent (family member[s] within village)
Dutybound (towards covenant)
Higher Purpose (serve covenant)
Obsessed (protection of the magi)
In addition minor magical abilities or taints are perfectly acceptable, living in a magical aura.
*note: all virtues and flaws must be minor
In terms of abilities, along with fairly typical grog skills, they are likely to have at least some score in the following:
Speak Bulgarian 5 (mandatory)
Speak Latin (especially if you picked custos or covenant upbringing)
Area Lore - Kolyada's Retreat
Athletics
Awareness (Keeping watch)
Martial abilities (at least one ability to 5)
Survival
Swim
To be picked as a Champion of the village, the individual is likely to have positive loyal and brave traits.
In addition, grogs over 30 (veterans) are likely to have picked up a small charged item(s) up to lvl 20 in total effect (including charges). These would have been given for services in the past (such as a particularly important battle for the covenant) as a reward - so do not necessarily have to be 'combat-orientated'.
These characters will be vital in the protection of the magi when they travel beyond the covenant (and while defending it) - so should be generated with their longevity and utility in mind. I'm hoping that having only a few - very important - grogs will avoid the 'anonymous grog' syndrome I've seen in other campaigns.
At least one of each person's grogs should be a proficient fighter. If you particularly want the second grog to have weaker combat skills (but perhaps more mystic or social ones) - then we will need to coordinate that on this board; so we don't end up with too many 'lame ducks'.
Edited by: Badger101 at: 25/1/06 18:42
Thrown Weapon 5+2 (Javelin),
Bulgarian 5 (Giving Orders),
Single Weapon 4 (Shield, Heater),
Music 4 (sing),
Brawl 4 (Grappling),
Athletics 4 (running),
Carouse 3 (staying sober),
Awareness 3 (In Combat),
Kolyada Lore 3 (legends),
Swim 2 (Lakes),
Survival 2 (Rivers),
Latin 2 (Taking Orders),
Folk Ken 2 (Coven Folk),
Fishing 2 (Lakes),
Chirurgy 2 (binding wounds),
Order of Hermes Lore 1 (Important Magi),
Leadership 1 (Grogs),
Guile 1 (Embellishing Stories),
Etiquette 1 (Magi),
Charm 1 (Girls),
Varna Lore 1 (geography)
Virtues
Coven Folk
Warrior
Greater Quickness
Puissant Thrown Weapon
Flaws
Disfigured (Burns over face and body)
Higher Purpose (Serve the Magi of Vida’s Tear)
Poor Presence
Equipment
3x Javelin
Heater Shield
Partial Metal Scale
Veteran Item
Bright Red Wooden Whistle
When blown casts - Notes of Delightful Sound - 10 Charges
Background
Stoyan was born in the covenant village some 31 years ago. He was always a cheerful, handsome young man with a strong singing voice that used to entertain the local girls.
Before he was out of his 18th year, a particularly dry summer caused a number of fires to break out in the village. Stoyan was caught in a burning building, becomming badly burnt and covered in scars; only to survive thanks to the aid of the intervening covenant Magi. Once regaining his strength Stoyan was convinced he had been saved for a single purpose, to protect the Wizards that had saved his life.
Since then he’s been a loyal member of the grog guards, proud to wear his adopted nick name “Beautiful Stoyan”. When not on duty he enjoys fishing the local lake and streams or regaling the younger grogs with songs of past adventures. Well known for being incredibley fast, it is rumoured he once beat a mounted horseman in a race, however whether this is one of his tall tales or the truth is unknown.
Edited by: SimpleSimon101 at: 30/1/06 10:57
Background
Yan is the latest in a lineage of champions to serve the covenant and is keen to ensure that the family name of 'Balev' remains well respected within the village. He is very close to his brother 'Galin' who also serves as a champion (much to the pride of their doting father, 'Sabas').
He is married to 'Rumiana' and they have a son named 'Illan' who is newly born. His only great ambition is to see his son grow up to serve as a champion like his father and uncle.
Yan is a reckless man, who often does not recognise the danger he is in until he finds himself in considerable peril. As a result he bears many scars, including a vicious one on his face which looks as if it was made by a large animal. His recklessness is also reflected in his over-generous nature. He often gives away any coin that he might earn and even give away a weapon to someone who needed it more.
When outside the covenant or the village he tries to keep close to the others in his squad. He is notoriously poor at following even the most simple directions, and has managed to get himself slightly lost even navigating unfamiliar parts of the main keep.
Edited by: Badger101 at: 25/1/06 18:37
Virtues
Coven Folk
Luck
Puissant Brawl
Improved Characteristics
Flaws
Close Family Ties (In the Village)
Lecherous
Weakness (A Pretty Face)
Equipment
2x Daggers
Sling plus pouch of stone shot
Cup with two bone dice
Partial Suit of Reinforced Leather
Milko is a short, thin man, with a pointy little nose, shaggy long brown hair and an impressive smile that seems to make up for the rest of his appearance. Born youngest son to the Sarac’s, one of the largest families in the village, Milko would constantly get himself into trouble from a young age. Loud, lippy, light fingered and always forward when it came to women, there were many occasions where his fast feet, skilled fists or sheer luck kept him from the end of an angry fathers pitching fork. Always a push over for a pretty girl. It was lucky that the bellies of his frequent lady friends never became swollen.
Many people in the village thought he’d never make anything of his life, more still were surprised when he was chosen to be a candidate for champion that year. However once his talents and energies where focussed in an alternative direction, the choice was clearly a good one. Far from slacking his duties as some suspected he would, Milko took the covenants faith in him to heart. This was also an opportunity to make up for his past indiscretions that had so upset his family.
Milko for fills his role in the covenant grogs as part scout part spy, often scouting ahead of the party or as a rear guard waiting to see if anyone is following before catching up to the group. When in combat he either prefers to stay near one of the larger shield grogs, waiting for them to engage the enemy, and then flanking the opponent looking for an opportunity to hamstring them. Alternatively he will try and remain hidden, picking off opponents with his sling.
Even after several years of discipline Milko is still a creature of habit, still a ladies man, a bit lippy, a bit of a thief and a rascal at heart, However he’s also fiercely loyal to the covenant and is willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. As the sergeant of the grogs has said on several occasions, “Milko, he’s a weasely little shite, But he’s our weasely little shite”.
Edited by: SimpleSimon101 at: 30/1/06 11:46
Background
Toma is a short, stocky man with straggled brown hair and beard. Whilst he takes little care of his appearence, he is ofen seen waxing his bow or painstakingly crafting new arrows.
A skilled archer, Toma is very proud of his accuracy and prowess with the bow. Whilst he's a man of few words, he jumps at the chance to match his skills in competition with anyone he meets who thinks themselves a competant archer. A reasonable tracker and hunter, he came to the notice of the turb captain during one of the many attacks on the village. His skill was quickly recognised and he was promoted to the grogs. Only then was it discovered that he had the gift of second sight, sometimes allowing him to see ghosts and other invisible entities.
Whilst certainly not a recluse, Toma appears keeps himself to himself most of the time. He tends to avoid conversation because of his cleft palette, which makes it very difficult for him to communicate clearly. When he wants to listen to a conversation he will tilt his head so that his good ear (his left) is facing the speaker. His right ear was mauled by an animal when he was young, and he virtually hears nothing from that side.
Edited by: Badger101 at: 6/2/06 16:42
Re: My Second Grog - For approval
It may be my lack of familiarity with the new rules, but don't grogs need to buy a virtue such as Warrior to start with martial skills...? Three of the four grogs posted here don't have it.
Re: My Second Grog - For approval
Bugger ... yes, you are right. I forgot about that!
I might be tempted to allow grogs a 'social status' that allows them to learn weapon skills.
e.g.
Grog Free, Social Status You are a member of the covenant turb, and may have lived there all your life. You are supported by the covenant so the arms and armour you can afford are determined by the covenant's wealth rather than your own. You may not take the Poor Flaw or Wealthy Virtue. You may learn martial skills during character creation and must have at least one martial ability at 5 to qualify for Grog status.
I can't see how any other characters can really take advantage of this - as it only allows grogs to take martial skills. It's not as good as taking Warrior (Minor Virtue) - as that allows you an extra 50 xp. Magi and companion level characters can't take this social status, obviously.
Edited by: Badger101 at: 13/2/06 12:11
Re: My Second Grog - For approval
That seems quite sensible and I thought that it mentioned something similar somewhere but I can't find it. As the rules stand I think you are supposed to buy the status of Custos (minor virtue) to differentiate a grog from ordinary covenfolk (free).
Re: My Second Grog - For approval
I'm very happy to go with that, as it does seem odd that grogs are either entirely inoffensive (no Warrior) or totally lethal (Warrior).
Re: My Second Grog - For approval
Well, if no one has any particular objections - then assume all grogs have the social status suggested above; and that they can learn martial skills.
With my rules lawyer wig on, I'll also point out that you've also made the schoolboy error of giving your grogs confidence points. Only Magi and companions get them.
Sad though it is, I'm fully expecting to spend most of our first session getting to grips with the rules, particularly if we get into a fight.
Virtues: Custos, Improved Characteristics, Puissant Single Weapon
Flaws: Close Family Ties, Optimistic, Lame
Longsword & Heater Shield: In +2, At +11, De +12, Da +8
Soak: +9 (Full Metal Scale)
Brave +2, Loyal +3, Dependable +2, Cruel -2
Speak Bulgarian (Dialect) 5
Speak Latin (Orders) 4
Kolyada Lore (People) 3
Athletics (Jump) 3
Awareness (Keep Watch) 3
Survival (Forests) 2
Swim (Long Distances) 2
Brawl (Grapple) 3
Chirurgy (Bind Wounds) 3
Folk Ken Grogs) 2
Carouse (Quaff) 3
Leadership (in Combat) 4
Craft Smith (Weapons) 4
Single Weapon (Longsword) 5
2 years older than his brother Yan, Galin initially learned the trade of a smith. His skills were noticed early however and he was recruited as a champion, quickly distinguishing himself as a fair leader of men and a reliable grog. Sadly he suffered a grievous injury to his leg from a fell creature that beset a party travelling abroad and nothing was able to heal the damage (it is said amongst some of the grogs that he was cursed by some dark magic).Since then he no longer sets forth on expeditions but is regarded as perhaps the senior grog in organisation of covenant defence and was granted a longsword in honour of his enhanced status as a custos to Vida's Tear. He has also resumed his craft as a smith. Galin is fiercely protective of his family and very close to his younger brother.
The Kostovs have for long been an ill favoured family within the village with Boyko's father a drunkard and his mother being accused by the other women of the village as a harlot only interested in bedding their own men. As a child he was a bully and would perhaps have followed the family tradition save for his tireless stamina and strong arms. As a grog he has no close friends but few men are as adept at the shock attack. It is said that he is so effective in battle because he cares so little for his own life. His only pleasure is to take himself off high into the mountains far from the rest of mankind, although opportunities for this are few.
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