
Welcome~ Wondering what this is? The Adventuring Guild of Fair-River is a COMMUNITY ROLE PLAY that is always active on IRC. It has been going on for over two years now, and is looking for new blood to keep things interesting.
The basic premise is simple: all players are part of an adventuring guild in a fantasy medieval world, located in the city of Fair-River a trading town in the very middle of the nation. With your warriors, wizards, rogues, monsters, dragons, bandits undead and what have you. With the players being heroic anthropomorphic heroes, all be it limited to certain animals. These heroes, as adventures, take jobs for the guild in the form of quests run by other players. The role play itself takes place in three Major Channels.
All of these Channels are on the RIZON IRC server. ( irc.rizon.net ) If you're unfamiliar with IRC you can simply connect with the easy to use Mibbit client. Simply select' Rizon' from the drop-down menu, put any nickname you want in the 'Nick' box, and a #bcbgamesOOC in the channel box.
The FREEFORM located in #BCBGAMES
Here players can log in at any time and simply role play their characters interacting in the Guild hall. Gossiping, having a drink, sparring, Romancing, interacting with other players who are online at the time. Forming friendships, lover triangles, and gaining enemies among the other players. The ‘between quests’ sort of thing where there’s no story or plot: Just the characters hanging out. A good place to practice, and get used to the nature of things. From time to time you can expect some -very- poorly written drama in here but I think most people here ENJOY that sort of thing . It’s typically active everyday 6pm EST or later, but is often active other times as well! You do NOT need to take part in the Freeform to take part in the QUESTS.
The QUESTS which are ran in #BCBGAMES2
Now an adventuring guild wouldn't be an adventuring guild if our heroes didn't get Quests now would it? Rather then having one set ‘Game master’ anyone with an idea for a quest can run one any time they wish. Simply announcing their intent to run, with the players presently online volunteering. *Once the group is ready to go, the quest begins typically lasting 4-6 hours and can vary greatly in style and subject. Fighting off undead in an ancient castle, protecting a caravan from bandits, solving a mystery, or tracking a wanted criminal down. Typically someone decides to run a quest every 3-4 days or so, but given the 'when you feel like' nature of the game this varies a lot, and should become more common as we get more players
Last but not least there is the all important #BCBGAMESOOC
The ‘out of character’ room where people playing the game can simply talk as themselves. Discussing possible plot points for the future, just reacting to what’s going on IC, Bug people about killing zombies on steam, and just.. Idly talking about whatever they wish. Typically when someone wants to run a QUEST they will post an announcement there to see who’s awake! If you want to take part in quests you should lurk in this channel whenever you’re online.
HOW DO I JOIN?
An obvious question! First thing you need to do? MAKE A CHARACTER! All the rules (As well as some example characters) can be found in the link bellow. Simply make a sheet, and post it in this thread for approval. Once it’s approved you’re free to play! Make sure to read the rest of this post so you know more about the setting though!
CHARACTER CREATION RULES
SPECIAL MOVE LIST
QUIRK LIST
And for those who want a hint as to what sort of characters we have already feel free to checkout the
GRAND GM AND PLAYER LIST.
Art Collection
Some handy role playing advice!(please don't skip this!)
It’s also a great way to figure out who, and what, you’re talking to when interacting with new players. The art collection is a mix of commissions, free-art from streams, and some player-made-art. As you can imagine quality varies.
Other handy links that aren't required reading.
A more in-depth guide on character building using the system.
A quick list of already cannon Gods
If you're not used to role playing with rules like these and find this sort of stuff intimidating don't worry about it! Just log into the IRC channel and ask around! Someone (Particularly Bribri or TD) should be able to help you out with your first sheet.
*A quick guide to what this game ISN'T*
This game is NOT competitive or player verse player.
Simply put:This game is about heroes who work together as a team and go on adventurers together! Typically intent on doing the right thing, or at the very least doing the right thing if the pay is right. If you're looking for a game where you get to play the villain, facing off against other players, plotting against them, betraying them, and manipulating them.... you best look for another game. No we do not expect you to be a SAINT, but the 'newbie friendly' nature of this game just won't work if we had people regularly backstabbing each other. If things -do- go so far that your character will turn evil you should handle it from a GM's perspective:The character is now FAIR challenge for the other players to overcome that should be handled elsewhere and discussed with other GMs, not someone you can lord over other players with or god mod with.
This game is NOT a grim and gritty death simulator
While we hope to keep this game realistic to a certain degree it still is suppose to be an exciting, and -fun- romp through a fantasy world. Seeing strange monsters, developing characters, exploring wondrous places. While many of us have -played in- and -enjoyed- more realistic or dark or grim campaigns or game worlds that is -not- what this game is about. For the sake of keeping the game newbie friendly, and easy to play a lot of things will be abstracted and grazed over; similarly death (For PCs at least) is a rare thing; the fact your characters can go into such dangerous situations and come out-alive regularly being what sets you apart from your typical guard
[I]
SETTING INFORMATION.
-RACES-
There are five ‘civilized’ races in the Fair River setting, all of which are collectively referred to as ‘humans’ despite their obvious animal like traits. In all truth they are mostly just human stand ins, used here for stylistic purposes. Races have no effect on your characters stats, though certain stat lines are more common in the actual setting (Yasho tend to have higher body, birds higher Cha etc) but there's no rules preventing you to set it anyway)
CATS



The Primary race of the setting, making up the largest chunk of Caignwell‘s population, the Central country of the role play. They are found in just about every other nation as well, in every form, in a wide range of occupations. Caignwell itself greatly reflects your typical ‘Fantasy European’ world; With Knights, Kings, nobles, commoners. Cold winters, hot summers, and a wide range of geography. Cats tend to be around 5’10 in height for men, and 5’4 for women.
DOGS



The second most common race in Caignwell dogs are found in almost as many places as cats are. The largest portion of their kin being found in the far north of the country, where the winters are long, and the dogs more hardy builds suit, some even falling into barbaric cultures in the frozen wastes. That said smaller, civilized dogs are not an uncommon sight, and there is plenty of Canine nobility about to add to the mix. Male dogs tend to be around 6’2 on average, with females around 5’10. ’Tiny’ dog breeds tend to be much shorter (by 6-12 inches), and are rarely found in barbaric tribes of the North.
BIRDS AND HEDGEHOGS





The races of the far east. Living in lands overseas with a culture akin to ancient China known as Siilitie, with strange Philosophies and culture. Siilitie is currently Caignwells main trader when it comes to over-sea goods, and Siilitian traveling to the ‘Western lands’ is hardly uncommon, though they still only make a small part of Caignwells population. Hedgehogs are generally known to be ‘thinkers' clever warriors and knowledgeable scholars, while Birds are known for their Charismatic Exotic nature, and majestic singing voices. Hedgehogs tend to be two inches shorter then cats, while Birds tend to be a little taller, with slim builds. Hedgehogs sometimes honestly looking more like porcupines despite the races lack of relation. (The Hedgehogs are -not- done in the sonic style FYI)
THE YASHO



The strange reptile folk from the deserts of the far south the Yasho are a proud people with strong convictions in what they believe in, and a typically loud, mirthful attitude. They come in a Variety of bright colors, sometimes sporting spikes of various kinds unique to their clan. They can be compared to humanoid dinosaurs but with far more softened features, though those with more lizard like traits aren't unheard of. Yasho are generally -very short-. With the Typical Yasho man standing at around 5’2-5’4, with woman almost always being under 5’0. Despite this the race is known for being surprisingly strong, if not particularly graceful. The Desert kingdoms they come from are a splintered people, countless nations at war due varying beliefs and ancient grudges. (While more 'Pear shaped' Yasho exist they are as a whole built more like human beings in this setting, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.)
OTHER ANIMALS
Simply aren't present. You can't be anthro horses, bugs, mice, etc. Don't get me wrong: many of us love other animal types (I particularly have a love for Anthro bugs, and Hooved types) but we decided early on that we wanted the race selection to be limited so that it didn't feel like we literally had everything and the kitchen sink. So players would focus more on making their -character- unique rather then race. Similarly the smaller intelligent-race pool just made more sense in a world where crossbreeds aren't possible. If you prefer- an animal that isn't available here consider this a chance to try something different. There's also nothing stopping you from choosing another animal and taking themes from another.
MYSTICAL RACES
While there are other ‘intelligent’ races in the form of monsters, undead, fey, demons, angels, and so forth NONE of these creatures may be used as a player. Similarly crossbreeds of any sort are NOT allowed. You may not be part demon, or part Vampire or part whatever. Cats and dogs are limited to domestic breeds ONLY (and no not some random wild breed some random breeder managed to tame.) and Cross-Species breeding is not possible: Cats can’t have kids with dogs, nor Yasho’s with birds. Though mixed-race couples aren’t uncommon, and often adopt.
-THE CITY OF FAIR RIVER-
The second largest city in Caignwell FairRiver is located smack dab in the very center of the country. Noted as being a ‘stones throw from everywhere’ the city in many ways is a merchant town, with goods coming in and out from all parts and places; the large river that runs through it only aiding in that. Politically the city is run mostly by the ‘Guilds’ who are in charge of various aspects of life:The Farmers guild, Craft Guild, Adventurers guild and so forth. It’s people are generally quite proud, and practical, having a friendly ‘rivalry’ with the Capital. Most Fair-River folk believe their fair city is the true heart of the country.
-THE GUILD-
The Guild hall itself is a two story building with a number of rooms. Though the primarily one is the ‘Gathering hall’ which is more or less a large eating/commons area on the first floor that you’ll find right when you enter, the adjacent kitchen allowing it to function as a tavern. On the walls here new jobs will be posted, and sometimes announced when they’re particularly important. This floor also has a basic reception area, a Smithy, and a general store. On the second floor are rooms free to be rented by members, the guilds ‘office’ where most of the paper work is dealt with, and a small library. All of this could easily make the guild a one place stop for all their needs but preference and habit makes that rarely the case.
Wait? Who’s the guild master you ask? Oh all the characters know the guild master. The Guild master is a very great person to say the least. However I’m afraid the guild master will never be seen ‘on screen’ only referred to in reference now and then. Odd person I must say.
-MAGIC- (if you plan on making a magic user don't skip this!)
Magic comes in countless forms in this world, and even today Sages argue what the -true- source of it all is, and even if there is a single source to begin with. *Magic can be inherited by birth, learned through study or focus, or given by the many Gods to those they deem worthy. There is no real doubt that magic -does- exist in this world, and tracking down someone who knows it isn’t difficult. Institutions exist for the teaching and studying of it, and it has existed as for as long as people remember.
That’s not to say that -everyone- knows how to cast magic, quite the opposite in fact, most people don‘t even know where to begin! The schools that teach it are very expensive, and take great intelligence to master. For most it is only by -luck- that they get a chance to gain a hold of this power.. Being chosen by a god, fate, or lucky enough to find another wizard to apprentice them. Most people don’t truly understand what makes one magic different from the other beyond the bare basics. For the most part the power of steel is far, far more common place.
Another important fact about magic is there are no true generalists. There is no ‘generic wizard’ or ‘Generic Cleric’ who can cast the wide range of spells often connected to these names. All casters, regardless of the source of their power, have some sort of focus, a specific style that they have mastered, either following their masters tradition, or going on with their own. Common examples include people who have master one of the natural elements (Fire, Ice, Lighting etc) One of the ‘typical’ schools of spells (Illusionists, Enchanters, Summoners, Healers), powers derived directly from a ‘God’ they worship (Such as a God of storms, love, justice etc) or worship/understanding of a natural aspect of reality: Nature, Spirits, Fate, and so on. While most casters can dabble in other forms of magic, it is their focus that truly defines what they can do. ‘Generalists’ when they do exist, are the Jack of all trades, lacking any of the truly impressive spells for the sake of knowing a tiny bit of everything. Their spells being more along the lines of high-powered cantrip's.
Casters are not limited stylistically by how they gained their magic. Healing spells can be learned, just as A fire god may grant his followers destructive power.

Religion and the Divine
Just some quick facts about the Gods in the setting:
-There are no true atheists in the setting. It is a known -fact- the Gods exist, and there -is- a heaven, and there -is- a hell even if they might be more complex then you'd expect; with multiple layers representing more then black and white. Some may think they're not worth being worshiped, but saying they don't exist is insanity.
-There are many, many Gods similar to D&D settings, and the Olympic/Norse Pantheons. Each with distinct personality's, flaws, goals, and spheres of power not a single 'Distant intangible God.' Most being faithful to one of them over others. Pick a concept physical or Philosophical and there should be a God for it somewhere (Justice? Fire? Sacrifice? Craft? Travel? Etc)
-These Gods by no means follow a 'Christian like' Philosophy. Vanguard the God of justice is likely more interested in having you kick evils ass, and protecting the innocent then how you spend your Sundays, or what you do in the bedroom.
-Druids and spiritualists gain their divine magic from the understanding of the balance of the universe, and worshiping the 'Cosmic order' rather then a God directly. They still pay the Gods respect, but see them as part of this grand balance rather then its masters. Heaven and hell simple pit stops before reincarnation.
-The only true requirement of being a God is the -great- divine power they wield, a sphere of influence to follow, and the ability to grant their followers magic. People in this world don't -expect- Gods to have created everything, and know everything. They understand for every God of Good there is a God of Evil to oppose him so the world can't just be 'fixed'. Viewing them in many ways you would a powerful respected King. Still very aware it's up to them how they live their lives (Unless you're worshiping a Goddess of Fate anyway)
-While it is not the norm there are a few 'Single distant God' Faiths present in the setting. Individually about as popular as a -single- God from the greater Pantheons. At best these faiths note the other Gods as being his 'Unknowing' servant's and those raised in the faith can't help but find the rest of the world Gods as flawed. Those outside the faith often find this 'loving' God uncaring in his silence in turn. His followers still gain magic and If this magic is truly coming from this 'One God' is a mystery.
-OTHER FACTS-
Science
With the power of magic being so common complex mechanics have been see as more of a novelty then anything practical in this world. Something far too expensive, unreliable and complex for anyone but eccentric nobles to care about. Clockwork windup devices being used mostly only for objects of decoration: Pocket Watches, Toys, Music boxes, and so forth though it’s slowly gaining more popularity in the form of practical tools. In recent years relatively compact, efficient Steam engines have been created and men of science are -trying- to figure out how they can be used cost-effectively next to their arcane competitors with limited success (No the concept of trains hasn't dawned on them and won't for a -long- time) so I'm afraid everyone's stuck with horses and carts for a while yet. Fair-Rivers Craft Guild specifically have been trying to create efficient Mining machines which have been hit or miss thus far. As for Gunpowder? *While A form of it does exist it is far too unstable to be practical for hand held arms, being limited to cannon fire alone, and isn't common enough for Cannons to be a battle field standard quite yet. It is possible to refine it further and negate this problem, but the process is very time consuming and expensive so fire-arm wielding tropes is still little more then a pipe dream.
Language
The people of this world talk like we do. There are no rules in place that ‘Force’ you to talk in some silly sounding fake Medieval accent, which would be considered very old fashioned by the actual characters. Actual accents based on real world areas are fine, twice so if you come from a place similar to it. For the most part it’s okay as long as you don’t go over board: Spitting out constant internet slang or talking like a surfer dude will not be tolerated.
The races are human stand ins. While they will have some minor animal mannerisms now and then they do -not- act like animals. They do NOT clean themselves with their tongues, and don‘t use internet furry slang. The Birds can't fly. The hedgehog spines tickle more often then they harm, and most of the cats don't have claws of any level near deadly.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO POST THEM HERE OR JOIN THE OOC AND ASK US DIRECTLY!
This post has been edited by Bribri: 29 March 2013 - 10:05 PM











