The Running of the Deer and Wolves.

Discussion on game mastering Fading Suns. May contain spoilers; caution is recommended!
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Leviathan of Maddoc
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The Running of the Deer and Wolves.

Postby Leviathan of Maddoc » Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:07 pm

The following is a bit of local color I worked out for a game I'm planning.

The County of Sokol on Cadiz holds a fairly unique race every spring following the winter Tourneys and the Peasant's Triathalon. It is a race where nobles hunt serfs for sport. The original Wolves Tourney was a tradition started near the beginning of the Emperor wars by Count Gregor where a lottery of peasants were hunted through the Count's hunting lands to bolster the skills of knights in tracking infiltrators in the region. When the church caught wind of the practice they quickly brought the tradition to an end in an unpopular blockade of the County. Over time Gregor's heir Xander came to see that not only had his knights become unruly but his Serfs had been robbed of the their more robust stock by his father's tradition. He approached the Archbishop of Sabtah and proposed that it would be for the betterment of all if the hunts could continue but with more restraint. What came to follow was known as the Running of the Deer and the Wolves.

The contest is simple. The top 33 runners of the Peasant's Triathalon are purchased from their lords at a fair premium by the Count and allowed to run. Their journey begins in Sokol City on the Western shores of Sabtah and ends 3500 Miles of coastal jungle away at Fort Volchav across the Vernes straits from the Baria Peninsula. Serf's that Arrive at Fort Volchav are given their freedom and a 100 FB prize. Serf's that are caught become the property of the lord who's hunters bring them in, who in turn win a Serf of remarkable stock. Hunters must purchase a limited number of Wolve's licences from the Count at 50 FB, licences are limited to 3 per fiefdom which with the small agricultural fiefs of the County puts up to 51 hunters in the run. Hunters are not permitted to break the law in the hunt but serfs may do what they must to survive and often local lords will permit their own serf's to lend support to the runners as a populist gesture. Hunters who kill a Serf in the run must pay the count steep fines for the loss of his serf, hunters that wound a serf often find themselves facing charges from a newly emancipated Freeman. So hunters are very cautious and often employ high tech non-lethal weaponry. Serf's are given motivation to pursue physical excellence, local knights and games keepers develop legendary skills, County businesses have the boon of a popular tourney event and it generates taxes, Serf's that win their freedom go on to become celebrated citizens from the Barony.

The competition is several weeks of unpredictable fun through the County and tends to punctuate the end of the doldrums of winter for the rural fiefs with a bit of excitement. Recent years of seen the Running of the Deer and Wolves become popular outside of Sabtah, attracting spectators from across the planet and hunters from other worlds. The last 5 competitions have seen an increasing number of hunters wired with remote cameras so that fans can watch the action from the comfort of luxurious lodges. Hunting is not restricted to Nobles but generally only Knights have a reason to compete. It is not unheard of for a local lord to hire an Ashtati as a ringer to prove a point in the competition. Of course the competition attracts a lot of gambling and often that outside pressure can influence hunters to break the rules or intentionally fail their pursuit. Every year has problems with Serf's or Hunters that damage property or injure themselves or others but it doesn't overshadow the popularity of the event.

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Holz
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Re: The Running of the Deer and Wolves.

Postby Holz » Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:25 pm

Sounds great!!
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Amlost
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Re: The Running of the Deer and Wolves.

Postby Amlost » Sun Nov 29, 2015 7:53 pm

I like it. Very Decados 'eske even as a background piece it lends to the Fading Suns feel. It also provides opportunities for a great "Lead-In" adventure and backdrop to an episode. Minor story-arch could be focused on the lead up or outcome of the race as well.

Bogie
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Re: The Running of the Deer and Wolves.

Postby Bogie » Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:48 am

Awesome!
Colonel Bogie
Director - FASA Games
Line Developer - Fading Suns / Noble Armada
Hail Freedonia!


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