Table of Contents
Welcome to James Kemp's Wiki
This is a collaborative web platform that allows people to edit1) the web pages to provide additional content for some of the stories I have written and the roleplaying games that I am involved in, whether as a player or GM.
There are several namespaces operating slightly different wiki subjects. These are, in no particular order:
- Skyss - Story Background - a fantasy novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2016.
- Perfects - background for the near future story and some police roleplaying that I ran in that universe
- Theocracy of Daprav - A D&D campaign that I ran with Glasgow University Games Society around 2002-3.
- Jim Wallman's Universe - a roleplaying by e-mail campaign that I play in, this is an unofficial wiki and none of it is canon unless Jim says it is.
- Interstellar Freelance Unlimited - subset of the Universe pages covering the activities of a mercenary company that we are currently roleplaying every Full Moon.
- Earth Imperium pages. These cover the activities of the Government of the Solar republic (aka Earth Empire) in Jim's Humanity Will Prevail campaign, including the Earth Imperium News Items.
- Free Worlds Alliance - covering the activities of another emerging polity in the Humanity Will Prevail campaign. Mostly contributed by Eric Moroney.
- Universe Background - page collecting the various bits of background info that have come up in various e-mail discussions for the campaigns set in Jim Wallman's Universe.
- Master map of the Universe (6Mb PDF, as at 3212).
- Delta Green - some roleplaying campaigns about horror and conspiracy. The main one was set in Berlin in 1953.
- Free games rules - a collection of free rules for wargames and other sorts of face to face games that I have designed or run.
- Wargames rules - I'm not just a player of games, I also do rules for them from time to time as well as one-off games. A primary outlet for this is through Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Other free rules - at the moment just those for the 1689 (Orange or Lemon? and Bonnie Dundee, respectively about the debates in the Scots Parliament and then the military campaign of Viscount Dundee during 1689) and The Other Side of the COIN (about what makes people become insurgents). All games that I have have produced for Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Background for a near future universe where I have written some fiction and also run some roleplaying games in.
Comments and complaints to me at webmaster@full-moon.info please.
James Kemp
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Adepts
Summary
An Adept is a high-grade practitioner of ritual magic and esoteric philosophy on the Continent of Osnines, most commonly associated with the Clewgist Faith or the specialised technical branches of the Skyssian Silent Service. Unlike Heroes, whose power is innate and biological, Adepts often rely upon a combination of specific divine bloodlines and an extensive, often lifelong, initiation into the “Mysteries”. Their vocation is defined by the maintenance of complex magical wards, the crafting of sentient or enchanted items, and the attainment of mastery over a world they perceive as an illusion.
Description
Initiation and The Secret Masters
The rank of Adept is achieved through a rigid discipline of service and study. Within the Clewgist Faith, practitioners claim an unbroken chain of “Secret Masters” stretching back to pre-history. Reaching the status of a high-grade initiate requires years of dedicated study in the healing arts, cartography, and metaphysics. These individuals must often renounce the material world entirely, embracing a contemplative life to facilitate a reunion with their masters. For Skyssian agents like Eskil, being an Adept involves the precise application of Jorunn's mysteries to detect magical compulsions or to shield entire locations from scrying through the “Aegis” ritual.
Philosophical Praxis and Improvement
The core of an Adept’s training is the denial of exterior reality, which they view as a “garment of illusion” created by an insane prime mover. To master this illusion, they subject themselves to intense communal scrutiny.
Adepts are the primary users of high-level ritual magic, which is distinct from the common spells of the priesthood.
- Runes of Power: While ordinary folk carve runes and power them with blood, Adepts use ritual magic to inscribe ancient symbols driven by a formal sacrifice to the gods. This process imbues objects with significantly more power and permanence.
- Enchantment and Detection: Adepts are capable of crafting specialised items, such as dowsing rods or geas detectors. These devices, like those found throughout the Troll's Head inn, react to the presence of magical bonds or specific divine energies.
- The Aegis Ritual: By regularly “topping up” ancient protections, Adepts ensure that critical sanctuaries remain invisible to the magical senses of adversaries like the renegade Rojden.
Relationships
People
- Mukul: A legendary Clewgist Adept whose cartographic industry and aphorisms define the sect's strategic doctrine.
- Eskil: A Skyssian hero and Adept of Jorunn who specialises in magical detection and counter-intelligence.
- Alfarinn: An ancient hero who coordinates with the Adepts at the Temple of Clewg during the winter moons.
Places
- Estreham: The primary centre for the military-minded Adepts of the mainstream Clewgist chapter.
- House of Justice: The administrative heart where legal records are maintained with the meticulous precision typical of Adept oversight.
Clewgist Faith
Summary
The Clewgist Faith is a religious and philosophical sect based upon the Continent of Osnines, primarily centered around the Temple of Clewg near Estreham. The faith is predicated on the belief that every individual has a specific, predestined place within the infinite universe, and that the attainment of this position is the only path to true completion. Whether this place is one of luxury or the industry of the mineral mines, it is viewed as spiritually satisfying. The faith is characterised by a rigorous commitment to “improvement through criticism” and the denial of the validity of exterior reality.
Beliefs and Philosophy
Mastery of Self and Illusion
A core tenet of Clewgism is that the material world is a “garment of illusion” and that reality is the creation of an insane prime mover. Consequently, understanding the true nature of anything through conventional means is regarded as impossible. To counteract this, Clewgites engage in a constant striving for spiritual perfection, which they believe is the only method to reunite with their “secret masters”. This perfection is sought through a cycle of fortnightly meetings where members subject their personal progress to intense communal scrutiny and often painful criticism. This process is intended to grant the practitioner mastery over themselves and, by extension, the illusory world.
The High Ground and Strategic Toil
The faith places significant emphasis on professional ethics and tactical positioning, both literally and metaphorically. The teachings of the philosopher Mukul advise that a practitioner should always take the high ground and never relinquish it, regardless of provocation. Furthermore, the maxim “planning and preparation prevents poor performance” governs the administrative and strategic industry of the sect.
Sectarian Divisions
The Estreham Mainstream
The Estreham chapter is the primary branch of the faith, often attracting individuals from military backgrounds. They view the path to perfection through the lens of discipline, martial arts, and the exhaustive study of military strategy. The Estrehamites are known for their high standards in craftsmanship, which are regarded as some of the finest in the known world, driven by their perpetual quest for self-improvement.
The Yendorian Splinter
The Yendorian sect, which claims the faith originated in the fabled lost city of Yendor, is more peaceful and focused on working in harmony with nature. They meet in large wooden structures known as “Lodges,” named after holy trees or shrubs, such as the mythical “Chestnut Lodge”. The mainstream Estreham Adepts frequently disparage the Yendorians as “hippie beatniks” due to their idiosyncratic and less disciplined interpretations of Clewgist doctrine.
The Temple at Estreham
The Temple of Clewg is a white domed building situated within a bowl-shaped valley, surrounded by a circle of twelve sacred trees. The architecture is unique, featuring pillars and walls that can be raised like sails to expose the interior, with an altar made of a single piece of black rock.
The site is notorious for a potent curse that protects the sanctuary. No man who is not an initiate of the faith can safely approach the temple; over the years, the bodies of numerous prospectors have been discovered nearby, having succumbed to the curse. This protection also functions as a baffle against scrying, making the temple invisible to the magical senses of those who serve the renegade Rojden, unless they are themselves adepts of Clewg.
Relationships
People
- Clewg: The deity and “holy one” whose wisdom guides the faithful to their place in the universe.
- Mukul: A legendary philosopher and cartographer from Estreham whose maps and maxims are central to northern trade and strategy.
- Wall: A teacher at Estreham known for an inscrutable manner and strict adherence to the objective-based philosophy of the faith.
Places
Concepts
- The Adepts: The high-grade initiates who preserve the secret arts of healing and the history of the “Secret Masters”.
Mukul
| Gender | Hero status | Allegiance | Role | Apparent Age | Year of Birth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Yes | Clewgist Faith | Cartographer and Philosopher | Elderly | [TBD] |
Stories/Function
Mukul serves as the principal intellectual and strategic architect for the Estreham chapter of the Clewgist Faith. His function within the global narrative is that of the supreme surveyor; his professional service in mapping the known world has provided the essential geographical data used by the Board of Trade to maintain northern maritime hegemony. Beyond his technical contributions, he acts as a moral and tactical compass for the faith, with his teachings on “improvement through criticism” forming the bedrock of the Clewgite path to perfection. Legend suggests he persists as an active force in the world, appearing to guide those who demonstrate a sincere commitment to self-discipline.
Philisophy
Mukul, the legendary philosopher and cartographer, is credited with several maxims that reflect the rigorous self-discipline and strategic focus of his sect. His teachings often blur the lines between his professional honour as a surveyor and his spiritual role as an adept.
The primary aphorisms attributed to Mukul are:
"Always take the high ground and never give it up no matter how hard you are provoked nor how easy the victory offered looks."
This maxim is frequently interpreted both literally, regarding his mastery of topography and cartography, and metaphorically as a guide for moral and tactical positioning within Clewgist doctrine.
"Planning and preparation prevents poor performance."
This aphorism emphasises the necessity of meticulous labour and foresight, aligning with the Clewgist belief in the “improvement through criticism” and the constant striving for perfection.
Beyond these specific phrases, Mukul's philosophical identity is defined by a reputation for intense rants, which reportedly increase in frequency and vigour when the local cider of Estreham is plentiful. Despite these personal idiosyncrasies, his status within the faith is such that he is believed to persist as a guiding force for those committed to self-improvement. His life's labour in mapping more of the Continent of Osnines than any other individual has provided the essential geographical data used by the Board of Trade to maintain their global influence.
While some of his teachings overlap with the tactical ethics of other historical figures like Cliasophes, Mukul's specific contribution to Clewgist thought centres on the denial of exterior reality and the attainment of mastery over the “illusory” world through critical self-scrutiny. He remains a figure whose maps and maxims continue to inform the administrative and spiritual framework of the northern realms
Description
Mukul is a figure of legendary status, characterised by a temperament that balances profound strategic insight with an infamous lack of restraint regarding local beverages. Physically, he is associated with the rugged, outdoor lifestyle of a master surveyor who has traversed more of the Continent of Osnines than any other recorded individual.
His personality is defined by a rigorous set of professional ethics and leadership principles. He is a proponent of the “strong arm” method of negotiation and maintains a strict hierarchy of care, placing the maintenance of weaponry and subordinates above personal comfort. Mukul is regarded as a master of topography, not only in the literal sense of cartography but also in the metaphorical sense of tactical positioning, famously advising that a practitioner of power should never relinquish the high ground.
Personal Life
The personal history of Mukul is deeply entwined with the early open practice of Clewgism, which began approximately two centuries ago. While many of his contemporaries have faded into history, Mukul’s persistence is a central tenet of modern Clewgite belief. His career has been dedicated to the exhaustive survey and documentation of the world's geography, ensuring that the maps used by Skyssian navigators are of the highest standard.
His ethical framework is set out in a series of definitive maxims that govern the behaviour of leaders and warriors. He teaches that a leader must be the first to enter the unknown or face danger, and the last to seek safety or satisfaction. Furthermore, he advocates for a pragmatic approach to conflict, suggesting that it is more efficient to make a path for an enemy's surrender than to engage in unnecessary violence. His philosophy also emphasises the importance of learning from defeat and showing genuine generosity in victory, acknowledging all who contributed to a successful outcome.
Relationships
People
- Clewg: The deity whom Mukul serves as a principal philosopher.
- The Adepts: The high-grade initiates who study and preserve Mukul's secret cartographic methods.
- Wall: A contemporary figure at Estreham who continues to propagate teachings compatible with Mukul's doctrine.
- Old Bjorn: A contemporary legendary figure whose longevity mirrors the rumours surrounding Mukul.
Places
- Estreham: The site of the principal Temple of Clewg and Mukul's primary base of operations.
- Continent of Osnines: The primary subject of his extensive cartographic works.
- Yendor: The site associated with a rival sect that Mukul's Estreham brethren often view with skepticism.
Concepts
- Improvement through Criticism: The core tenet of the faith Mukul helped to formalise.
- The High Ground: Both a literal and metaphorical requirement of his strategic doctrine.
- Honour: The code of conduct Mukul requires of leaders, particularly regarding the care of their men and equipment.
Ormrun
Stories/Function
Ormrun serves as a double agent and informant within the Board of Trade hierarchy during the events of 774 AM. Based in the outpost of Riggin Dale, his professional work involves the monitoring of traffic through the Sierra Cobre to identify and intercept individuals who might threaten the strategic designs of Rojden. In the narrative, he represents the corruption of official Skyssian institutions, acting as a functional trap for agents of the Department of Resolutions.
Description
Ormrun is a blond man characterised by a moustache and a dark blue jacket, which denotes his official status. Physically, he is noted for an insistent and overly direct demeanour that borders on the suspicious. He operates out of a two-storey blue building near the docks in Riggin Dale, where he maintains a discussion space for entertaining visitors with ale, milk, and fresh water. While he presents the image of a diligent civil servant, his true loyalties lie with a clandestine heroic faction, and he is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to improve his political standing.
Personal Life
Beyond his public duties, Ormrun is a secret member of the Godbloods faction, a group that participated in the historical Great Schism of the Skyssian heroes. He was subverted by the renegade Rojden and now functions as a deep-cover asset in the south. During the southern campaign, he attempted to intercept the seekers at the Wheel Inn but was bluffed into revealing his orders. Believing that Yngvild the Fierce and Inibrakemi were fellow agents of the same master, he divulged that he was under instructions to follow a young man matching the description of Noren.
Relationships
People
- Rojden: His principal commander and the architect of his subversion.
- Godbloods: The heroic faction to which he maintains a secret and permanent allegiance.
- Yngvild the Fierce: A target he attempted to detain under the guise of an official inquiry.
- Inibrakemi Funeresdottir: An operative of the Board of Trade who successfully deceived him.
- Ormrun's Partner: A second agent mentioned as being part of his outpost's cargo inventory staff.
Places
- Riggin Dale: The site of his administrative service and base of operations.
- Board of Trade: The commercial organisation he ostensibly serves.
- Wheel Inn: The principal meeting place where he monitored traffic for his master.
Concepts
- Great Schism: The conflict that defines his factional loyalty.
- Honour: A social currency he has forsaken in favour of clandestine service to a renegade.
Rojden
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Hero Status | Hero |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Cottalem (formerly Kingdom of Skyss) |
| Role | Antagonist / Ruler of Cottalem |
| Apparent Age | 35 |
| Born | 567 AM |
Stories/Function
Rojden serves as the architect of geopolitical consolidation and the primary antagonist within the narrative of Fierce. As a renegade Hero of Skyssian origin, he functions as a systemic threat to the established maritime order, leveraging his mastery of clandestine statecraft to unify the southern realms of Osnines into a singular power bloc. He is the biological father of the protagonist Noren, and his obsession with securing a loyal heir initiates the conflict that drives the central characters from the isolation of Straven into the wider world.
Description
Born in 567 AM in the royal palace of Kronstadt, Rojden is the son of the legendary warrior Noren the Elder and the royal advisor Magnhildr. Descended from Meniaxter, the god of war and death, he possesses the divine traits of significantly extended longevity and strategic brilliance. Despite being over two centuries old, he maintains a vigorous, athletic physique and the apparent age of a man in his mid-thirties.
Rojden’s personal history is defined by his tenure as the head of the Department of Resolutions within the Board of Trade. During this period, he mastered the art of the ruse de guerre and covert stabilisation, which he eventually subverted for his own ends. He chosen to defect from Skyss to Cottalem, arguing that the Skyssian policy of maintaining numerous small, competing states was economically inferior to a unified empire. He is a strategic genius who prioritises surrounding enemies and causing political capitulation over tactical battlefield skirmishes.
To manage his vast interests, Rojden employs “The Three Rojdens” protocol, utilising two low-level Heroes as magically disguised doubles, allowing him to appear in multiple locations simultaneously—such as the Citadel, Beretha, and the front lines of his army. He is a prolific user of the geas, binding both his doubles and a pervasive network of subverted Board of Trade agents, such as Ormrun, to his absolute will. His ultimate motivation is the accumulation of sufficient temporal power and religious devotion to facilitate his ascension to godhood.
Marriage and Scandal
Rojden’s personal life is a series of calculated political scandals and betrayals. He is responsible for the alienation of the demi-god Alfarinn, whom he impregnated through the use of tainted wine to bypass her divine control over her own fertility. This resulted in the birth of Noren and led to Alfarinn’s century-long reclusion in the round-leaved forests.
Furthermore, Rojden is the biological father of King Alasdair V of Dael Riata, having previously entered into a clandestine union with Queen Caoimhe. This secret lineage positions Rojden as the silent power behind multiple continental thrones, a fact that remains a point of acute concern for the College of Heroes and the Skyssian Small Council.
Relationships
People
- Father: noren_the_elder (deceased)
- Mother: magnhildr (deceased)
- Children: Noren, Alasdair V, King of Dael Riata
- Former Associates: Alfarinn, Queen Caoimhe Ranald
