Running an interest check for a medieval game. I have a couple of setting concepts I wanted to see if either interested a few potential players.


Setting: Medieval -

1. Based on Pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland. Would be centered in the five main kingdoms, united by The King of Tara. The hierarchy would follow, King, Chieftains, Druids, Vates, Freeman, and Serfs/Slaves.

2. Based on Celtic Society, purely original setting. Would have a lot influence from Gaelic Ireland, but the world would be original in terms of place names, religion and hierarchy.


System: Freeform - (Focused on writing, with story direction from GM. die rolling on occasion to supplement randomizing for fun).

Storyline & Features: No matter which setting, the features I want to use are:

1. Fractured kingdom, long divided by war, united under a High King.
   
2. Arranged marriages to seal the unification.
   
3. The unification is in the wake of a rising enemy power/threat of war.
   
4. Interpersonal storylines of characters.
   
5. Focused upon members of nobility.
   
6. Band of brotherhood among the knights/warbands.

Feedback, interest, questions, and all that good stuff is much appreciated!
This message was last updated by the user at 16:10, Fri 29 July 2016.

Wow!  What a lovely concept you have.  I like the idea a lot.

I really like this idea as well! I haven't really seen many games set in that era!

How story driven is it from the GM, as opposed to the players doing mot of the heavy lifting?

In reply to Wyrm (msg # 4):

The events taking place, such as the impending war, events happening in Tara (or if original, the high king's court) will be directed by the GM. As far as 'heavy lifting' goes, it would depend how much players choose the impact the storyflow.

When it comes to stuff like the arranged marriages, enemy attacks, raiding parties, and things like tourney games, the GM will take the reigns (allowing player input where desired/players ask for this or that). I do foresee a lot of story direction handled by the GM, given the setting and plans I have if the game gets going. I don't want to make players feel limited, so I'll allow personal plots, but there is going to be an overall story to the setting.

I want two types of storylines going on simultaneously, GM controlled events and interpersonal storylines of characters. So, there will be enough freedom for characters to interact, aside from the GM direction. However, players will have to keep up with the required events and play the roles their characters are expected to play. E.g. if there is a feast going on, characters need to attend. Likewise, when there is warring, warriors will have to join the fight and the womenfolk will have roles to play as well. So, I'm not sure how else to really explain it, except that there's going to be GM narrating that demands notice, but players can develop their characters and have a say too.

And thanks for the replies so far!

Just throwing out a question that is of some importance to my interest check, is there any opinions or preferences regarding the choice of Gaelic Ireland or Original Celtic for the setting?

I'm fine with either of those settings!

Now here is an original concept for a game I could really get into.  Let me know how things are fairing as I'd really like to get in on this.

Count me in! These are my ancestors, after all.

This sounds like an amazing idea, and I would love to participate as a player once it's running.

As for which setting I would prefer, I would rank the Original Celtic setting first, followed by Gaelic Ireland.
This message was last edited by the user at 14:13, Sat 30 July 2016.

Wow, I'm a big pre-Patrick Celtophile.  How far back are you talking.  Will there still be Fomorians, Tuatha Dé Danann, and Fir Bolg lurking in the hinterlands?
Speaking of such.  Most here might find this interesting.
https://www.sott.net/article/2...n-previously-thought
This message was last edited by the user at 23:20, Sat 30 July 2016.

In reply to ArdentShepherd (msg # 9):

Thanks! The enthusiasm is awesome! <3 I can say I have good news in relation to your preference... After thinking it over all day, I've settled upon 'original celtic'. It's gonna be heavily influenced by Irish culture, landscape, traditions but be taking place in an alternate universe. I decided on this, then read your message, it made me feel more confident in my decision. <yay>

Reason? I decided it's likely better from a creative standpoint to not pretend I'm running a 'historical' RP. Because there are tons of elements that are going to be <gasp> inaccurate. 'Original' allows me (as a GM) freedom for world building without having to make massive apologies. I also don't have to fend off against archaeological findings and various conflicting facts about the era (I've seen too many the past few days).




Tuatha Dé Danann (and the Fomorians for that matter) would be serving as the pattern of the pantheon. There won't be supernatural individuals, or involvement of deities in everyday affairs. There's going to be religion and folklore (with faeries, sidhe, monsters, Tir Na Nog and all that good stuff), society being what it is... a lot of superstitions. The druids are the closest to magic and mystics though. I want some grit among the four-leaf clovers, so to speak. xD

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Ireland was Christianized in the later part of the 5th century? So, a pre-Christian Ireland would be somewhere between 1st to 4th century. Gaelic social structure is what I'm building upon, though perspective players are likely to see some sturdy castle forts and advancements in weaponry that aren't exactly Iron Age proof.


Anyways, as an UPDATE I'm working on this! Once the info is up, I'll post up the link. Feel free to pester me with more questions until then.

This is starting to sound better and better.  Do keep us updated as things progress.

Must agree this is sounding like a game I would love to participate in!  I am glad to read you are going with Original Celtic.

Keep us in the loop!

As an update, the game setup is well underway. I have a bit more work to do on the lore but should be posting the link (likely editing this post) as soon as I get the remaining info finished. I'm going to try to tackle the rest of the info and open the game for RTJ as soon as possible.

Thanks everyone for your interest and replies! Any other questions, feel free to ask meantime. <3

Yay! :D

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 14:22, Fri 12 Aug 2016.

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was against the ToU, at 17:31, Fri 26 Aug 2016.