Have you got any actual setup for the initial situation we're in? That helps a lot in making a character, which I intend to do. As in, where will we be and what will we be doing?
This for me also. Also, Are there going to be any magic creatures or monsters? My character's kinda based around that.
I was going to toss all the players coming *to* the Far West, riding in a armored stagecoach heading to Sevenfork-if any. And, through the vicissitudes of fate, arranged for the rest of them to meet in the same place, same time. Initial situation would very likely be based on how and why the characters are there. A combative majority might be attacked by bandits, and a more peaceful one might find a moment of rest and time to plan their next move at a way station. A more mixed group might end up being captured, and have to plot a way out-while other players would be on the outside, plotting to free them, or perhaps for business of their own. The initial situation will pretty much just allow you to know the other players.
I don't intend to enforce party rules, tho, I'm sure you will enjoy it more if you find people you enjoying RPing with.
After that, I will have general quests based on your character for you to follow, but it will mostly be freeform. You can do whatever you like. I mostly want this to be a writing game, without alot of pressure on me to finagle numbers. I'm more interesting in exploring the world an genre.
Also, there should be plenty of 'magical' monsters roaming in the West-most of them are extinct in the Empire, though, so you will have competition hunting them. I intend to peruse Chinese Myths and Legends and combine them with Americana to make interesting encounters.
Anything about the fallen Kingdom of Orinost?
I have a fondness for fallen kingdoms.
Let's see..
From what I can tell, Orinost one was one the last free periphery territories to fall to the August Throne in the War of Secession-they call this even the 'Glorious Defeat', though I suppose it's up to your point of view. They were apparently technological geniuses, as there are references to the 'Circle of Iron' that invented some of the greatest steam and fury machines in the age.
I also found a quote about the symbol on their coinage.
A rare handful are in circulation that still hold the Cog-and-Blade of Orinost, opinion varies on whether such coins are lucky or cursed.
Given that remark, and that the two landmarks on the map are the 'Broken Lion' and the 'Ruins of the Diamond Spur', I'm guessing they went down fighting. Also, there are no cities in that area now, and with the reference to cursed-I'm guessing they were the last holdout, and it was a very ugly conflict, possibly genocidal...though, that's up to your point of view...
any underground gangs we should be aware of?
Well, there are armies of criminals, if that is what you are asking.
Gangs of lawless scum have roamed the plains of the Far West for ages, given that the territory is both a technically “ungoverned” expanse and grand repository for the Empire’s exiles...after the Glorious Defeat, the passing of the Rangers, and the introduction of the Marshals’ Law to the West came the rise of something new: Bandit Armies.