Thursday, April 20, 2017

Tequendria: Our Heroes

So, the creator of Unbelievably Simple Roleplaying, Scott Malthouse, has released a new USR-based game, Tequendria, inspired by the works of Lord Dunsany, which I have not read (I did start "The King Of Elfland's Daughter" thanks to Project Gutenberg).

A Dunsany-inspired game isn't a Tolkien-inspired one, and as a result there's no dwarf fighters or halfling clerics in this game. All characters can use magic, and the free-form style of USR means you don't need the traditional D&D-based races and classes. So, instead of a cleric/fighter/rogue/wizard team, let's create a more Tequendria-style adventuring party.


Because heroes who have access to intriguing ways to get around should be able to use them, we'll include Aethership, where our heroes can cruise toward adventure.

Bramwell: He's a bold young sailor, whose imagination was captured the moment he saw his first Aethership soaring high above the small farm where he grew up. He loves exploring and finding new decorations for his ship, and meeting new people along the way.

Bramwell, Aethership Pilot
Action D8, Wits D10, Ego D6
Hit Points: 9
Specialisms: Aethership (Action), Navigator (Wits), Mechanic (Wits)

Equipment: 50 shards, telescope, goggles, duster jacket, short sword
Ability: Aether navigator


While the tales of Lord Dunsany aren't about wandering around, slaughtering thousands of nameless foes, there's a need now and again for a little muscle. And so we have a warrior.

Nohote: She is no stoic killer, but instead a friend to everyone. She has weapons, and knows how to use them, but prefers to out-think her enemies instead of strike them down. She takes great pride in making her foes surrender without a blade pulled or a bow fired.

Nohote, Tulthian Warrior
Action: D10, Wits D8, Ego D6
Hit Points: 9
Specialisms: Athletics (Action), Speed (Action), Tactics (Wits)
Equipment: 10 shards, Tulthian totem (a giant eagle's talon), lucky magma stone, leather armor, short bow, 10 arrows, light mace
Ability: Mighty


Every good fantasy adventure needs a warrior — and a wizard. Since Tequendrian characters can use any kind of magic, we don't need a dedicated healer or blaster as most fantasy games do. We can instead go for the most interesting character for the story.

Khiok: To use his Icur magic, he has to be in the presence of three or more people. They don't have to be human, and they don't have to know he's working his magic, at least until they feel the pull of their souls. That makes him effective in royal courts, where he "encourages" rulers to follow his instructions, and on the battlefield, where stone and flame appear from thin air. He tries not to seem devious and sinister when he does so, but sometimes, he just can't help himself.

Khiok, Icur Sorcerer
Action: D8, Wits: D10, Ego: D6
Hit Points: 9
Specialims: Ancient Lore (Wits), Mountaineering (Action), Religion (Wits)
Equipment: 30 shards, incense sticks, jet bracelet, half mask
Ability: Icur


I don't know about you, but I can picture Nohote and Khiok aboard a ship piloted by Bramwell, coming to dock outside the Hills of Hap. It seems they've heard about a long-lost treasure chest holding enough shards to finally pay off the merchant who's loaning an Aethership to Bramwell...