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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Arne the Slow
The steersman for the first boat on the island of Straven. Arne is the de facto second in command to Old Bjorn, and was the boat captain before Old Bjorn came to Straven. He's one of the oldest people on the island, and hugely experienced. There's little new to him, and he's very laconic. Speaks with a distinct island drawl.
His partner is Alwilda. They share one of the upstairs rooms overlooking the jetty in the new tenement that houses the main hall.
His shield bears a black snail on a blue field, with two wavy lines below.
The Characters
There are eight characters in the patrol. This is a short description of each of them.
Triste of Templeton
The patrol leader, she's slightly older than the others at 21 and comes from a church family, both her parents are in the bureaucracy at the capital, Templeton. She grew up in the centre of Church power and is clearly going places. stats
Flynn of Dunwin
Flynn is a pious young man who is almost fanatical about carrying out the will of the Church and protecting the nation. He has a very simple view of what is right and wrong and believes what he is told by the priesthood without question. Brought up by a very strict father who was a woodsman in the Norther borderlands. Also spent some of time defending his uncle's farm from raiders. At 17 he's one of the youngest in the patrol. stats
Ostler of Dyvers
The son of a blacksmith, Ostler had already picked up most of the skills before going into Church Service. Although well muscled, as one would expect, Ostler is wiry and slim. He sticks to the rules and has a well balanced approach to life. He's also 17. stats
Melody of Hornwood
The stunningly beautiful daughter of an inn-keeper. Growing up in a tavern on a busy trade route Melody was exposed to a number of performers which helped nurture her own talent. She can sing, dance, play the harp and has picked up many rivetting tales from the travellers that stayed at her parents' inn. At 20 she is the second oldest in the patrol. stats
Ashrem of Hornwood
A natural woodsman. Ashrem is most at home in the woods where he is a lightning fast hunter and can live for weeks without needing contact with civilisation. However this has its price and he isn't the best in dealing with people. He's 19and makes leather clothes for himself. stats
Ylva of Blackmoor
Ylva is a town girl, she's happiest in crowds although she's not above sneaking around in the middle of the night if it helps her find out a bit more about what's going on. She's 18, 5'7“ and not the best looking woman around. However she is very fast and quite storng, so best not to annoy her. stats
Valanthe of Hornwood
Another agent from Hornwood. Valanthe is the son of a farmer and has spent much of his time working on the farm, especially in looking after the animals. Despite being short (a mere 5'0”) he is very muscular and agile. He's 19 and very useful in a fight. stats
Meta Character info
Triste of Templeton
Cleric 2nd Level, Neutral Good, Human NPC
| Feats: | Combat Casting, Iron Will | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domains: | Protection, Healing | |||||||||||
| Skills: | Scribe 8; Knowledge, Religion 7; Diplomacy 6; Sense Motive 4; Spot 4; Calligraphy 4; Search 3; Gather Information 2. | |||||||||||
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | AC | REF | FORT | WILL | INIT | Melee | Ranged |
| 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 14 | +1 | +5 | +8 | +1 | +3 | +2 |
Flynn of Dunwin
Fighter/Cleric 2nd/1st Level, Neutral Good, Human PC
| Feats: | Ambidexterity, Dodge, Focus: Longsword, Improved Initiative | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domains: | Protection, Destruction | |||||||||||
| Skills: | Ride 7; Climb 6; Jump 6; Gather Information 3; Knowledge, Religion 3; Move Silently 3; Spot 2. | |||||||||||
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | AC | REF | FORT | WILL | INIT | Melee | Ranged |
| 16 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | +3 | +8 | +3 | +7 | +5 | +5 |
Ostler of Dyvers
Fighter/Cleric 2nd/1st Level, lawful Neutral, Human PC
| Feats: | Endurance, Focus: Longbow, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domains: | Luck, Protection | |||||||||||
| Skills: | Blacksmithing 5; Ride 4; Gather Information 3; Handle Animal 3; Knowledge, Religion 3; Balance 2; Listen 2; Move Silently 2; Search 2. | |||||||||||
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | AC | REF | FORT | WILL | INIT | Melee | Ranged |
| 16 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | +2 | +10 | +3 | +6 | +5 | +4 |
Melody of Hornwood
Bard/Cleric 1st/1st Level, Neutral, Human PC Feats: Iron Will, Skill Focus: Perform Domains: Protection, Sun Skills: Perform 10; Diplomacy 8; Gather Information 8; Bluff 7; Decipher Script 7; Disguise 7; Knowledge, Religion 7; Listen 6; Tumble 2. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC REF FORT WILL INIT Melee Ranged 12 14 14 17 14 18 14 4 4 8 2 1 2
Ashrem of Hornwood
Ranger/Cleric 1st/1st Level, Neutral, Human PC Feats: Focus: Longsword, Martial: Longsword, Toughness, Track, Weapon Finnesse Short Sword Domains: Protection, War Skills: Ride 6; Tanner 6; Animal Empathy 4; Intuit Direction 4; Knowledge nature 4; Sense Motive 4; Wilderness Lore 4; Knowledge, Religion 3; Gather Information 2; Handle Animal 2. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC REF FORT WILL INIT Melee Ranged 16 18 16 14 15 11 17 4 7 4 4 4 5 back
Ylva of Blackmoor
Rogue/Cleric 1st/1st Level, Lawful Neutral, Human PC Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative Domains: Healing, Protection Skills: Open Lock 8; Move Silently 7; Pickpocket 7; Search 7; Tumble 7; Climb 5; Decipher Script 5; Hide 5; Knowledge, Religion 5; Sense Motive 5; Diplomacy 3; Gather Information 3; Handle Animal 3; Swim 1. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC REF FORT WILL INIT Melee Ranged 15 18 15 17 13 12 16 6 40 3 8 2 4
Valanthe of Hornwood
Fighter/Cleric 1st/1st Level, Neutral, Human PC Feats: Ambidexterity, Dodge, Weapon Finesse Short Sword Domains: Protection, Sun Skills: Ride 6; Climb 4; Jump 4; Handle animal 3; Gather information 2; Knowledge, Religion 1. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC REF FORT WILL INIT Melee Ranged 17 18 16 11 13 12 16 4 7 3 4 4 5
The Ministries
There are eight major Ministries and a host of smaller specialised offices, some of which are affiliated with the 'big eight' and others which are independent. The 'big eight' are:
- Office of Procurement
- Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Ministry of Food
- Bureau of Planning
- Office of Religious Orthodoxy
- Ministry of Public Works
- Central Office of the Patriarch
- Department of Standards, Weights and Measures
The Theocracy's Hierarchy
Like most systems of Government the Theocracy has a hierarchy. In general promotion is on merit and talent will rise to the top. It helps if you also know the right people and they respect your ability.
Starting from the bottom we have a whole load of lay members that perform routine administration, stock control, cleaning, and other minor tasks. Above them are the various members of the priesthood:
- Acolyte (lowest level of management - what the PCs are) Denoted by plain robes in the colour of their Ministry and with a thin white edging.
- Priest (Generally each village has a Priest). Similar robes to the Acolyte but with a silver stripe round the edge of the robes.
- Sub-Deacon (Larger villages may have a Sub-deacon). Two silver stripes on robes coloured by the Ministry.
- Deacon (Usually in charge of towns or Section Head in a Ministry). Three silver stripes on coloured robes.
- Archdeacon (Usually responsible for a District or a Head of Division in a Ministry, there are around 250 in Templeton). One thick silver stripe on Ministry coloured robes.
- Bishop (the first level of Senior Priests who wear black robes. there are 110 Bishops based in Templeton). Has one gold stripe on black robes, sometimes with a coloured stripe outside the gold stripe showing the ministry.
- Archbishop (There are 40 all based in Templeton and working in Ministries). Two gold stripes on black robes, sometimes with a Ministry coloured stripe between the gold stripes.
- Cardinal (60 all based in Templeton, but around half are repsonsible for Areas of the country and travel regularly. Some are also heads of Colleges, smaller Ministries and Temples). A thick gold stripe, possibly with a thin Ministry coloured stripe outside it.
- Chief Priest (there are 8 Chief Priests each of whom heads a major Ministry and one of the branches of the Church). Whatever they fancy, normal black robes with two thick gold stripes are the official robes, but it is also common to see them in Ministry coloured robes with two thick gold stripes and also in black robes with a thick Ministry coloured stripe edged in gold.
- Supreme Patriarch (only 1 and the head of the Church for life). Golden robes, or sometimes plain black robes with three thick gold stripes.
The Theocracy's History
One of the major subjects taught to children at school is the history of the Theocracy of Daprav. There was a time in the past where greed ruled everywhere and people were allowed to starve and die while others accumulated excessive wealth. The Church preached a message of land reform and wealth re-distribution and was repressed for it by the King.
The main Church presence was in Templeton, which became the centre of a revolution to redress the balance and bring the corruption and greed to an end. The hold of the Church radiated out from Templeton and grew in strength as those that the King and Nobles had dispossessed and abandoned flocked to the Church banners and fought for their freedom.
The major decisive battle of the revolution was fought near the garrison post at Narmaren. The Church Paladins lead by Sir Waldo held out against a force ten times their number for two days despite being surrounded. In the end the Paladins were reduced to less than a tenth of their original number and all around them were strewn the dead of the King's men. Just as it looked like the Sir Waldo's Paladins would be overwhelmed and defeated the main Church Army turned up to engage the King's forces. The story is immortalised in the famous ballad “The Last Stand of Sir Waldo's Paladins”.
Background to the Campaign
The The Theocracy of Daprav is an ideal state bordered by Barbarians, but it wasn't always this way. The God Daprav looks after his people and ensures that no-one goes hungry and that all have a part to play in the great wheel of life. In many aspects, male, female and both or neither, Daprav looks after the people and ensures that all goes according to his grand plan.
All citizens go through a community service programme in their late teens, usually shortly after their 16th birthday. They spend a year working on a variety of community projects and trying their hand at a range of skills to see what they get on best at. They also get tested for their ability with administration and at the end are selected for a suitable job.
A number of those finishing community service will then go on to join the church bureaucracy which needs an ever increasing number of people to aid it in holding back the barbarian hordes on the southern border as well as in the mammoth task of organising the state and ensuring that everyone gets a fair share of the produce of the country.
It is amongst these that we find the members of the party. They belong to a Ministry of Internal Affairs Patrol. These are an elite that are used for investigating incidents along the Southern border (and elsewhere). They are supported by Ministry troops that perform a more overt border guard role as well as dealing with occasional large scale incursions of bandits across the border.
At the start of the campaign the patrol are straight out a year at training camp in the North of the country. There are eight agents in the patrol (although not all are player characters) and they are lead by one of the more senior agents. They have been assigned to Camp Albany in the Southern Border region. This is their story...
