| Starfall |
Player Information
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Retired
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General Info
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| Realms: Starfall |
Player Introduction
Starfall is a coastal city situated along the mountainous shoreline of (surprise) Starfall Bay on Andalin Island. Andalin is a large island, roughly 750 km north to south and 450 km east to west - the bay is roughly circular and takes a 200 km diameter bite out of the northern end. The southern part of the island is rolling hills in the east and plains in the west, with scattered farming villages, two other major towns and a lot of forests. The northern third is mountainous, with extremely difficult terrain - only one road exists between Starfall and its nearest neighbor (Jarrow) and it is unsuitable for wagons. Starfall makes its living on mining, manufacturing (artisan-scale production, actually), fishing and trade. Trade is essential, since the local farming potential is nearly zero and a lot of food must be imported.
The city government is dominated by merchant cartels and the major
artisan's guilds. There is a Council (made up of representatives from
all the guilds) which has official authority for municipal affairs, but
in practice it is dominated by the wealthiest players. Starfall is one
of the more powerful members of the Trade League of Killimara, a very
loose confederation of cities on several islands and the mainland.
Although in theory the League can set policy binding on the member
cities, it takes a 3/4 supermajority to do this and so it rarely happens
on controversial matters. The primary effect is of a general agreement
on bandit and piracy suppression and standard weights, measures, and
coinage throughout the region. Occasionally the League will unite
against an external threat, but more often the cities squabble about
minor matters and vie for economic supremacy.
Steelsmith's Guild
Jeweler's Guild
House Pravinchandra
House Allende
Coastal Traders Alliance
Starfall Navy
Karadan Embassy
Ha'sheeran Embassy
Thieves' Guild
City Watch
Numerous minor guilds.
Characters: 50 point base, 75 points disads. Language structure - every
character gets two fluent languages, the local common language (hereafter
English) and a species language (i.e., there is a feline speech, canine,
equine, mustelid, chiro, etc... ask if you're not sure.) Additional
languages: Traders may need to know Southern Common (call it Spanish),
Eastern Common (French), Ocean Common (German), or even more exotic ones
if you are planning to go farther afield (Swahili and/or Hindi).
Tech levels are equivalent to Terran 16th Century without the gunpowder.
Magic works, but requires a 5 point Magical Ability in addition to the
cost of any spells.
Major Power Blocs
Producers of some of the finest metalwork in the world, including
agricultural and artisan's tools, weapons, armor, and components for
wagons, ships and other construction. A rather open and democratic guild,
whose council representative is chosen by its members. Current head:
Donya Margoles (rabbit).
Producers of luxury items in precious metals and gems. Dominated by
a few old-money families who own a majority of the producing mines.
The elderly Tomas Larkin (fox) is the head of the
family, but his son Angelo is the council representative due
to his father's worsening health. The rival Wellesley (wolf)
family, under the domination of Katherine, is rumored to be
planning for a takeover upon Tomas' demise.
A rich and successful trading cartel, dominating the grain, livestock,
and weapons trade with the Karadan Empire on the mainland.
Rumored to 'enforce' their monopoly, but no proof has ever been produced.
Current head Chandra Subramayan (mongoose).
Another major trading firm, this one dominates the
luxury trade with Hamasura and Costa Guillermo on the
southern continent. Of necessity closely linked to the Jeweler's Guild,
the Allende family is the traditional balancer between the Larkin and
Wellesley families. Current head Diego Allende (jaguar)
Somewhere between a guild and a cartel, the CTA is a union of individual
shipowners based in Starfall. The members range from rich long-distance
trade voyagers to local fisherman to suspected smugglers. Current head
Hassan ibn Al-Khali (horse - Arabian, of course....)
Technically an arm of the Council rather than a power bloc within
it, the Navy still wields influence because of the importance of
its mission. Starfall is the premier naval power in the League (only
distant Maidstone is a rival) and the city's survival depends
on its suppression of piracy. Most of the officer corps is made up of
members of the old nobility of the city, partly from family tradition,
and partly from the desire to recover some of their old power base, lost
when the city became a merchant republic. Current head Admiral
Helena von Rostock, Countess Blackpool. (otter)
Other Groups
The Empire is strongly interested in extending its dominion over the
league. Their embassy in Starfall is the source of major and minor
plots of various kinds, as well as ongoing espionage. Their traditional
mainland rival, Ha'sheera, also maintains an embassy here.
Ambassador Hiram Birch, Lord Ravenspur (squirrel).
The Empire's traditional rival, also involved in plotting and espionage,
though mainly against the Imperials. (see Karadan Embassy)
Ambassador H'rulla Murnash (lynx)
Connections to the pirates as well as the usual burglaries, muggings,
and so forth. Not an officially recognized group.
The standard sort. Some good cops, some bad, with a tendency to overlook
Council faction squabbles unless they get really out of hand.
Of interest to the players, this includes the Mage's Guild, Alchemist's
Guild, and a Mercenary's Guild (through whom bodyguards and caravan
guards are usually recruited.)
Beginning Characters