I don't know if you have heard of the Dynasty Games, if not here is one example of them:
A Dynasty of Dynamic AlcoholismBasically what this is, is a suggestion Game of a sort. You the players are given various options (and sometimes you can also give your own options) with which to advance the fate of our Main Character, his Dynasty and ultimately his Jarldom.
Anyway let us begin:
Name:
Gender:[] male
[] female
Homeland:Iceland: You are one of the families who have fled the rule of Harald Fairhair and his descendants in Norway to live free of lords and kings. The Icelandic Commonwealth is a lose sort of religious democracy. Individual Villages have a Gođi, a mix between mayor, judge and priest of a village who represents the interests of his village at the Althing, the National Assembly of Iceland.Quite progressive for the Age, the icelanders are fierce, independent minded and used to the hardships of settling land. It is under constant threat by the Norwegian King who would like nothing mroe than bring these miscreants back under his rule. Religiously Iceland is currently in the transition between paganism and christianity. While the Country is unwilliing, pressure by Olaf Trygvasson (The Christian King of Norway) is rising steadily.
Requirements:
Icelandic Name (suffix -son or -dottir (depending on your gender) to your last name)
Advantages:
1. Icelandic Independence: You are beholden to no King, this is your expedition, your land and Odin/God smite down whoever thinks he can make you kneel
2. Master explorers, traders and sailors: The people of iceland are known for their willingness to go where no man has gone before, more so they are curious and open-minded, you will have a far easier time trading since you have already contacts all over the old world and your crews are way more experienced. Finally you have an easier time dealing diplomatically with any Natives.
3. The Harsh Realities: Iceland hasn't been easy to colonize, people had been used to killing their own surplus children to avoid starvation. All in all if things go badly, the Icelanders will shrug and blame it to a whim of the Gods/God instead of revolting
Detriments:
1. Poor: Iceland isn't exactly known for its rich folks, your expedition will be smaller and less well equipped to brave the New World.
2. Isolated: No one will help you, certainly not iceland since you are here on your own and sending mroe ships is expensive.
3. Independent Minded: Icelanders are Democrats, it's military forces are volunteers and anyone you muster for offensive expeditions gets a good share of what is taken. You will have a far harder time establishing yourself as a feudal Lord.
Denmark: Ruled by the son of the infamous Harald Bluetooth, Sweyn Forkbeard is a christian. However he is also tolerant of the Old Faith and really doesn't care that much to whom you pray. What the Danish King is interested in is what all Danish Kings are interested in: Wealth. Far Closer to the traditional Feudal System of the rest of europe than the other Scandinavian countries, Denmark has always been ruled by strong kings. It is a veritable superpower of its time, and owns the best (read the richest and most populated) parts of Scandinavia.
Requirements:
Danish Name
Advantages:
1. Sent by the King: Having the support of the Danish King means wealth, soldiers and ships in great numbers to support your exploration efforts. You will have the support and guidance of experienced individuals and the Danish King may or may not visit occassionally his new vassal...
2. Pagans? Christians? Who cares?: The Danes are tolerant of both faiths and really don't care who you are following and why
3. Danelaw: Holdings in Ireland, England and Scotland will give you plenty of trading opportunities and bring a vast array of different settlers, particularly skilled farmers
Disadvantages:
1.Owned by the King: You are a Vassal of the King. Period. You will have to do what he say when he says it. If he says jump you don't ask how high but you ask when you are allowed to come down.
2.Melting Pot: With Christians and Pagans mixing and on top of that English, Saxons, Irish and Scots coming into the mix you may have troubles.
3. Skraelings? You mean Thralls right?: Relations with the Natives? Are you mad?
Norway Praise Jesus! Almost all of Norway has been converted by the most devout Olaf Tryggvasson. Almost none of them voluntarily and the Jarls of Lade are still his biggest opponent refusing to accept christianity. Norway is the poorest of the Three major Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) and has always also had the weakest Kings. In fact the only constant in the politics of Norway are the Jarls of Lade. Steadfastly pagan and the strongest entity in the country, they claim to have descended from Odin himself. Currently those two are fighting each other...and you have been sent off on some expedition...
Requirements:
Norwegian Name
Catholic Faith
Advantages:
1. The Kings Expedition: The King has sent you out with a relatively large expedition.
2. Christian to the Bone: Better Trade Relationships with other Christians, easier time converting others.
3. Fish are our Friends!: Norwegian Fishermen are among the best in the world, far greater fishing income.
4. Harsher Realities: Maybe even more so than Iceland, Norway is a harsh land, people are used to that...
Detriments:
1. You want what...?: The country is in turmoil don't expect any help in the first few years
2. You can't dock here!: Tryggvasson closed off all norwegian ports for iceland...don't expect that they will let you dock...
3. Convert or Die: One thing you brought with you is the way Tryggvason converts...by locking people in their temples and setting fire to them if they don't want to.
Duelist: a touchy ego and the axe at your side make for a lethal combination. +2 martial, -2 diplomacy.
Greedy: You love your riches, because their all yours! +2 stewardship, -1 each diplomacy and piety.
Gregarious: you always know just what to say. + 2 diplomacy
Blacksmith: I forge the blades to strike my foes down! + 1 martial and learning, Weapon Research bonus
Randy: you have a one track mind, leading straight to bed. +20% fertility, -3 piety.
Suave: you are attractive, know how to manipulate others, slay your enemies, and know how to look good doing it. +1 intrigue, -1 piety, Fertility +10%
Trusting: you like people and on the surface they like you. +2 diplomacy, -2 intrigue.
Attractive: You are beautiful/handsome. (+2 Diplomacy, better spousal relationship)
Architect: Building things comes easy to you (+2 Stewardship, -10% cost, faster build times)
Administrator: As a child you often followed your father around and learned from him the secrets of being a good leader. Skilled underlings. (+3 Stewardship)
Brave: You fear nothing (+3 Martial)
Devout: Faith in the White Christ or the Old Gods is something that is your prime motivator in life (+3 Piety)
Genius: Smart doesn´t even begin to describe you +2 all stats (counts as 2 traits)
Persuasive: You always find the right words, be it small talk with nobles or a speech for the troops. (+3 Diplomacy, bonus to persuasion checks)
Hedonist: Life has to be lived to the fullest. (-4 Piety, +30% Fertility)
Hunter: Since you’re birth you’ve spent many days stalking through the forests and were nearly always successful in your hunts. (+2 Martial, slight bonus to all scout related rolls)
Strong: You are blessed with a powerful physique. (+2 Martial, +10% Fertility)
Scholar: You love learning whatever you can (+4 Learning, +2 Piety, -2 Intrigue, -2 Martial)
Seiđr: You are able to use the Rune Magic of the Old Gods...or are you? +2 Stewardship +2 Piety (Counts as 2 traits)
Dynasty:Name: Jomar Thoraldsson
Age: 21
Titles:
Prestige:
Wargear:
Fate Points: 1
Diplomacy: 2+2 = 4 Your idea of Diplomacy is to smash somebody in the face with a hammer and tell them it was not your hammer who did this.
Martial: 18+2+1 = 21 A Warrior without Peer you could have joined the Varangian Guard or even the Jomsvikings instead of leading this Expedition
Stewardship: 15+2 = 17 You are a Shrewd Trader, you can rub two coins together to make a third.
Intrigue: 2+2 = 4 Your idea of Intrigue is to smash somebody in the face with a hammer and tell them it was the Hammer who did this and not you.
Piety: 3+2 = 5 You are a man without faith and you do not really believe in the gods, they are Opium for the people at best.
Learning: 13+2+1 = 16 You are wise beyond your years, propably the most intelligent man in the entire Expedition.
Trait: Genius –Smart doesn´t even begin to describe you. (+2 All Stats)
Trait: Blacksmith – You are knowledgeable in the ways of metal crafting. (+1 Martial, +1 Learning, Bonus to Weapons Research)