User:DrAckroyd/RPG

Ghyll: An Overview

Ghyllians are insect-like humanoids with seven fingers, two arms, two legs, and a single head. They stand about 1.5 meters tall. They have two sexes.

Ghyllians live in social structures similar to families, but which are extended into a larger hive presided over by a Hive-Lord. The Hive-Lord is responsible for giving each Ghyllian their task in life by assigning each child a question that only he or she can answer.

Ghyllians have large cities, some of which have elected heads of state (usually called Mayor). Many Ghyllians also belong to any of a number of Societies, institutions, clubs, and social organizations which sometimes come into armed conflict with each other. Ghyllians thrive on grouping and bonding as a group.

Ghyll has mechanized industry and mass transit (although much is still animal powered). They do not have flight technology yet. They have a crude mechanical knowledge but a highly advanced chemical knowledge. Even with primitive machines their chemical knowledge makes them capable of incredibly sophisticated constructions using a process they call Technomancy. The pinnacle of these achievements is the semi-aware mechanical race called EctoMechonauts.

Ghyllians are fortunate to have discovered certain naturally-occurring compounds with distinctive and unique chemical properties and have isolated them and reproduced them through a semi-ritualized practice called TheoAlchemy.

Ghyllians have a deep reverence for philosophical thought without having a complicated Pantheon to support it. While there were many different deities that their ancestors worshipped, the modern Ghyllian tries to balance his theology on simple, practical ideas like the “Heh-Blammo” balance, or answering the Hive-Lord’s questions.

There is an ascetic tradition among Ghyllians known as the Brotherhood of the Lantern. These monks contemplate things such as the morality of selfishness and the power of the “Heh-Blammo” balance in nature. Some of the brothers go into isolation while others pursue scholarly studies.

Ghyllian scholars are among the highest regarded of Ghyllian society. Presumably because they have not only answered their Hive-Lord question but have surpassed it. Scholarly study can be a lucrative pursuit.

Character Profile

Name: 
Gender: 
Hive (Family): 
City: 
Group affiliations: 
Skills: TheoAlchemy (Chemistry), Technomancy (Mechanical Skill), Theomancy (Philosophy), Libromancy (Reading/Writing), 
        TheoArcheology (History), AuroArcheology (Rumor and Folklore), TheoStrategy (Military Skills), Accountomancy 
        (Merchant Skills) or other skill groups you can think of.
Background: 
Hive-Lord Question (answered?): 
Achievements: 
Goals:

Game Premise

You and your comrades are now part of the newly formed Ghyllian Second Mercenary Union under the command of Baron Hank von Grupang. Von Grupang is famous (ask anyone) for having put down an uprising in the local tavern that threatened to break out into a full-scale takeover of Folktown.

He used his wits and managed to put down the uprising before it reached epic proportions, and now you (and your mates) have been drafted (more or less) by him into this group. He is determined to find out the roots of the “Folktown Uprising of Kendrit Naught” and it is your job to help him.

Along the way, you may discover that there are dark forces at work in your beloved Ghyll, and that when your paid profession is to turn over rocks and look under them, you see a lot of dirt.

Plots

Plot 1: Who Killed Roger Dabnit?

Roger was the first victim of the uprising, and it was his death that tipped off von Grupang that something was amiss. Following the trail he discovered the uprising. He stopped it and executed the ringleaders but did not have the luxury of time to investigate the larger conspiracy. This is your task.

Find the remaining members of the “Folktown Uprising of Kendrit Naught” and question them about their leaders. Follow the trail of clues to find out who is behind the conspiracy.