Has anyone already started doing (or done) this?
It seems like an interesting place to host a darker(?) fantasy campaign since the entire area is in a fight for survival in the coming ice age.
There's only the barest information available I know of so alot of things I've just started working on my own. Mainly taken from the cards themselves.
Right now I have a (piecemeal) map and some background worked on. Especially that dealing with the Ebon Hand.
So included below are some excerpts (& basic map) for opinion. I'm still deciding, however, if "pumped" abilities of cards such as the "Order of..." are personally faith based, leadership based (such as a Sauron-type(s) who directly aids Ebon Hand minions or Clerical-Lord-type(s) who aid Leitbur), or personally based.
Any opinions are welcome.
(Please forgive the sentence structure, etc... )
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Icatia (White)
Icatia is a nation very much like those found in Western Europe during medieval times. Similar to the intolerant religious fervor at that time, there are two religious sects that via for control of the hearts and minds of the people: The Order of Leitbur and the Followers of Farrel. After the downfall of the forces of the Ebon Hand following the Thrull rebellion this division deepens until Icatia itself stands divided, making the nation easy prey for the surrounding Orcish hordes.
Homarids (Blue)
The origins of these supernatural crustaceans have been hotly debated for decades. The most popular theory being that these beings are warped experiments by the Ebon Hand fleshmages. Certainly, if such were true it would explain a great many things. Regardless, these beings trouble all coastal dwellers as well as their prime enemies, the Merfolk. To make matters worse, it seems the number and strength of these creatures has recently grown in strength with the coming Ice Age.
Merfolk (Blue)
Originally strong allies of Icatia, the Dwarves, and the Elves, Merfolk tribes were forced to neglect those ties due to battles with their Homarid enemies and more concerted attacks from their old Goblin enemies... (TBC)
Orcs & Goblins (Red)
At first only a persistent nuisance, Orcish and Goblin tribes have been left to their own far too long and have recently rallied under more charismatic (i.e. strong) and sophisticated (i.e. somewhat goal oriented) leaders. These tribes have even now begun advanced campaigns against almost all neighbors, with the Dwarves suffering the most. Even the Merfolk have fallen under strategic coastal raids by strange and occasionally horrific goblin devices. Only the dark followers of the Ebon Hand remain for the most part unscathed from such attacks due the lingering dread of the Great Marsh. But even the most fearful dark minion treads warily (if at all) in Orcish or Goblin lands.
Of these two related humanoid races, Goblins tend to most of the metalworking and delight in the building of strange devices. Many of these contraptions are seemingly more dangerous to their owner then the enemy, although occasionally these artifices are used to evil effect. However, although the Orcs & Goblins become the eventual heirs of Sarpadia, they too fall before the coming endless winter.
The Ebon Hand (Black)
In ancient legends it is said that the first humans in Sarpadia lived in harmony with nature and practiced many sacred rites displaying that peaceful state. At a later point in these legends it is said that some of these humans began to deviate from this path of natural co-existence to tend to other, darker, paths. The cause and effect of all this was the creation of Leitbur in Icatia and the Ebon Hand who migrated into the Great Ebon Marsh, two opposite militant orders bent on the destruction of one another.
As the war progressed each side suffered grievous losses. At first it appeared the Icatians would carry the day, however, the creation of Thrull slave armies by the Ebon Hand has had a drastic effect on the war, with Icatia losing ground on many fronts.
But even as the reach of this fell order pushes ever farther, there can be heard whispers in the most dismal places of the Ebon Marsh that the Thrull slaves have begun to question their dark masters, and may even perhaps rebel against their current masters in the coming years…
The Thrulls (Black)
Originally created by Ebon Hand fleshmages for various tasks, Thrull slaves live dismal and horrific lives. Considered less then human, these creatures are continuously subject to the worst sorts of abuse imaginable. This includes being the subject of various hideous body and mind warping experiments. Eventually, however, the Ebon Hand overlords go too far in these experiments and inadvertently create resentful intelligence in these beings and after decades of mistreatment the Thrulls turn on and overthrow their tormentors.
Thrull disadvantages are set during the timeline just before the majority of Thrulls fully gained intelligence. GMs who wish to use these creatures during other timelines may wish to adjust these slightly.
(Black Creatures)
Armor Thrulls were primarily created both as front line fodder against well armed opponents and as piece armor for Ebon Hand troops themselves. Using the Thrull’s exoskeleton for armor parts kills the Thrull.
Since no two Thrulls look alike, potential Thrull “donors†are matched in size to their respective recipients. In game terms Thrull armor plating is treated as rPD/rED 8 Armor.
A variant Armor Thrull was recently created that can live in or out of water. These are used to help patrol deeper parts of the Marsh and attack Merfolk invaders.
[basal Thrull]These creatures were specifically created to help aid Ebon Hand masters in further magical casting and study. When one of these Thrulls is sacrificed under a special unholy rite, the mage is said to gain potent magical power.
In game terms this means a +2d6pt (Max 12pts) Aid to all magical VPPs, Multipowers, and Elemental Controls the slaying mage casting the appropriate Rite of Sacrifice may have. These benefits fade at a rate of 1pt a minute. Because of this, Basal Thrulls are the most sought after and abused of Thrulls and are only used in combat under the most dire of circumstances.
Physically, these creatures are smaller then most humanoids, only averaging 1.5m in height.
[breeding Pit Thrull]These are the most standard of Thrulls from which all other Thrulls are created. There is more of this type then any other. In fact, the current number of these Thrulls is more then twice all other Thrulls and their Ebon Hand masters combined. The massive number of these creatures has been a source of concern for some but need has kept production high.
Breeding Pit Thrulls are typically used in basic experimentation and menial labor and with some of the most important Ebon Hand overlords having 10 or more of these being under its purview. Occasionally, however, these Thrulls are used in emergency combat skirmishes.
[Derelor Thrull]When these Thrulls were first created they proved far too ferocious and uncontrollable for use on a large scale and were banished to an unnamed plane of existence known only to their Ebon Hand masters. Occasionally, individuals (or even small units) are summoned and used against various Ebon Hand enemies. As they require continuous upkeep, they are rarely kept around for long.
[Ebon Praetor Thrull]This apparently fell and ravenous creature is not depicted in any picture or description as of this writing. However, as the source card attributes to it the First Strike and Trample abilities it can be assumed that the beast is large and fast.
Without food the Praetor also weakens and in this description is handled in the HERO System by making it vampiric.
Thankfully, these horrid creations are rare indeed. However those that survive the Thrull rebellion in turn help seal the fate on their fellow Thrulls. During the endless winter, food becomes too scarce and these nightmares eventually become extinct.
[Order of the Ebon Hand - Cleric]Also known as Marsh Clerics or Dark Druids these Ebon Hand members specialize in scouting and staging guerilla attacks within the Ebon Marsh when they were first driven there by their archrivals, The Order of Leitbur.
Note: I'm using the illos on the cards in some cases to sub-divide types. For example, the Order of the Ebon Hand actually has 3 types of units: Clerics, Mutants, and Warriors with slightly different abilities and specialties.
