Campaign Setting

This game will be run in the Birthright Campaign Setting -- one of the most dynamic roleplaying systems ever released by TSR. Originally designed to let fans play great kings, prelates, and guildsmasters, it provides an amazingly detailed backdrop for any adventure.

In this particular campaign, players will start out as common heroes who owe fealty to the Barony of Talinie. During the course of their adventures, they may accumulate vast fortunes and carve out their own domains.

However, players should always keep in mind that the focus of this game will be on the accumulation of material wealth and political power -- rather than personal might. Depending upon the level of interest in the game, several parties might be run simultaneously. And, ambition, intrigue, and betrayal will be rewarded.

Historical Background

The Barony of Talinie is a forested realm on the outskirts of a crumbling empire. The current year is 538 MR. The Iron Throne has been vacant for over five centuries and the great nobles have assumed control over their own realms. Recently, the Barony of Talinie has started suffering mysterious timber and mining accidents and the populace suspects elven influence.

Politics: The current ruler is Thuriene Donalls. She ascended to the throne after her mother choked on a ritual wafer and she took the cause of her mother's death as a sign that Haelyn was displeased with the realm's moral laxity. Governing as Baroness of Talinie and Supreme Hierarch of the Northern Imperial Temple, she sees to her realm's spiritual and temporal welfare -- though her people take a distant second to her relationship with Haelyn. She delegates most day-to-day administrative matters to the clergy.

Culture: The people of this realm are a practical, independent, and religious folk. And, church officials have always wielded considerable authority. The populace is sternly devoted to the Northern Imperial Temple. Though they may seem crude, they are far from ignorant and they resent any stranger who tells them otherwise.

Economy: Although most of the realm's provinces have sparse populations, the Barony of Talinie maintains sizeable lumber and mining industries -- a result of the Thane's recent economic initiatives. Extensive clear-cutting and strip-mining operations have brought great prosperity, but they have left much of the land devastated. Two guilds dominate the local economy. They maintain an honest facade, but they openly compete with one another and their workers often sabotage each other's operations.

Defense: The regular army is composed of roughly six hundred men-at-arms -- organized into one company of archers, three companies of infantry, and one company of scouts. It is supplemented by one company of mercenary cavalry. The royal navy only has one galleon, six caravels, and one coaster. These meager forces are barely enough to contain the goblins and bandits from Thurazor and the Five Peaks. If the Archduchy of Boeruine or one of the nearby Rjurik kingdoms invaded, they could do little to repel them.

Character Creation

Characters will be created at using the standard 3.5 edition rules. All characters must be human. Players will start out at ninth level. However, they should initially limit themselves to the fighter, ranger, paladin, rogue, bard, and cleric classes from the Player's Handbook or the noble and magician classes from the Birthright Campaign Setting. Presitige classes may be acquired later through game play.

All characters should also at least pay lip service to Haelyn -- specifically, the Northern Imperial Temple.

Players will be playing scions with a minor bloodline. They will have 105 points to dispense amongst their character's ability scores and their bloodline score. However, at least 8 points must be placed in every score and no more than 18 points may be placed in any single score -- prior to any adjustments. Players may also select a major bloodline or great heritage by taking the respective penalties to their character level.

All alignments are allowed.

Backgrounds should be crafted bearing in mind that the party will owe fealty to the Barony of Talinie -- which will direct the character's actions. Minor noble and low-ranking clerical backgrounds are appropriate. Military backgrounds are also encouraged. All characters must also take the Landlord and the Leadership feats to reflect their aristocratic status.

Players will also receive 36,000 gold pieces to purchase starting equipment. Magic items may be selected from the Dungeon Master's Guide with approval, but the market prices should be tripled.

Players may find more information about the Birthright Campaign Setting in the online fans' rulebook which is available in PDF and ZIP formats at www.birthright.net. Modifications and clarifications to this gaming system may be found on my House Rules page. Together, these two sources are the canon materials for this game.

Additional background materials may be found in any of the original Birthright Campaign Setting materials released by TSR -- particularly the Birthright Campaign Setting boxed set and the Player's Secrets of Talinie domain sourcebook.

The material introduced in the Heroes of Battle supplement and in the Stronghold Builder's Guide will be used extensively. Information from the Complete Adventurer, the Complete Arcane, the Complete Divine, and the Complete Warrior may also be used.

Joining The Game

Players interested in joining the game should submit their characters to the DM. All submissions will be reviewed within a few days -- barring any unanticipated real-life catastrophes. And, players will be sent an e-mail with a link to the game's messageboard. Lurkers are also welcome. Simply send a request to the DM.