1] Thring
2] Gloria Baker
3] Rinyandil Mernandien
4] Ojas
5] Asa
[ Premise/Foreword ]
This was inspired by the Archery Contest in the Robin Hood stories, The Alabaster Cup in the Complete Warrior supplement, The Olympics, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Octopussy, The Fifth Element, A Knight's Tale, and many, many more. I wanted to run a story of friendly competition as well as a fair amount of intrigue. I'll still be operating my other campaigns that I'm running, and if you guys make sure to post here, I'll make sure you see this until the end.
[ Setting Information/Background ]
The kingdom-renown Festival of 1,000 hearts has finally arrived! Once, every 50 years, the kingdom of Garrethia celebrates this momentous occasion as Noblemen and Guildmasters of every stripe gather together to participate in the plethora of events, in memory of an ancient hero who established their lands in an event known as the Companion's Treaty, as well as to commemorate those who were lost in its establishment.
This war was said to have united all of the inhabitants of Garrethia, who were merely scattered tribes, intrepid adventurers, and roving monsters at the time. This Hero, King Garret the Compassionate, sought to unite these people to use for his own personal army, initiating a bloody event known as the Unification Wars. But, as the violence continued, Garret began to feel remorse at the loss of so many useful souls, man and monster alike as his soldiers fought and killed those they knew.
In a change of heart brought on by various members of his army, King Garret decided to try a different approach. Gathering representatives from across the land, Garret began a seventeen-day diplomatic negotiation. It was then his title of "The Compassionate" came into being, when he rolled TWO natural 20's on his diplomacy check and convinced the future land of Garrethia that he was a benevolent leader.
In events he had not foreseen, Garret married a beautiful girl from the land, and eventually grew fond of his people. Though he would still use them as warriors, he soon grew to truly care for his people, beyond an asset.
[ Game Introduction/Plot ]
The Festival of 1,000 hearts is an amalgam of various games, both competitive and relaxed. With the finest alcohol, food, and wares of the kingdom on sale, adventurers and travelers from across the kingdom journey here to live life to the fullest for the seventeen days of the festival.
In addition to what a man may buy, various games and sports offer prizes to the winner. Be it an impressive dagger for striking a bullseye at a knife throwing game, to a valuable trophy for winning a foot race, if a man seeks a prize, he shall claim it.
But, one set of games and their prizes are particularly coveted.
And a dark faction will do whatever they can for their leader to claim the grand prize.
Even kill.
[ Character Creation ]
Available Sources: Any 3.5 or 3.0 compatible d20; just run it by me first.
Banned Resources: Right off the bat: No d20 modern, nothing with technology beyond the early renaissance age (so, no steampunk, or anything with blackpowder weapons).
ECL: 6
Gold: Standard; though you'll want to spend more on a shopping trip than actual equipment, since this IS a festival, after all.
Races: Any that fit the ECL; as this is a monster-unified country, you can play those as well
Ability Scores*: Roll 4d6, drop the lowest result, for each ability score. Or, you may use 32-point buy.
xxxxxxxxxx*
Hit Points: Max for first level, roll for the others.
Alignments: Any non-evil
Pantheon:
Backgrounds: Only why you're at the Festival; Houses are whatever you name them; Guilds are just "(profession) Guild".
[ House/Optional Rules ]
1] You'll want to take a look at E.N. Publishing's "Tournaments, Fairs, and Taverns" for quite a bit of stuff.
2] We're using the game rules found in Complete Warrior for several of the games.
3]Another E.N. Publishing book, Chainmail Bikini, will have some rules in use.
