Dace wrote:
It should be prounced ts'äḥafē tə’əzaz.
That...doesn't help. Phonics, please. Something tay-ayz-ahz?
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I'm still trying to get a general feel for how I want them to be warrior scholars. At this early stage in the design of the group I maybe imagine it closer to how it worked in Buffy with the Watcher/Slayer split. As such I think right now I'm envisioning a militant arm and a scholarly arm. Though I must admit my knowledge of how the Watcher/Slayer thing worked out in Buffy is small, being as how I didn't watch much the show. I'm going to give it some thought though and see if there is another example of what I have in mind.
Going back over the existing Orders, I'm going to recommend against a strict division between scholars and soldiers. For one thing, that doubles up on one of the Falcons of God's schticks (The Eloquence and the Sword). I kinda like the idea of a bunch of academics who can just as easily go into fight mode. Maybe being able to call upon their faith to reinforce themselves. More of "My body is a Temple" sort of thing than true martial prowess. So the focus is on fitness of soul and body.
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Well the only concrete idea I've had on them is the name Night Terrors. Or something along that theme. Maybe Night Shadows. Hmmmm
A splinter group based on the invasion and sack of Axum does sound cool. But I had also considered making them the source of the original split in the first place. When I wrote the part about the Emperor Enza embracing Christianity and forcing conversion and leaving it to a vague "forces of the Adversary" as kind of weak. It's sufficient for a rough draft and first impressions but part of me wants to actually kinda name what happened, or name who whispered.
And in that regard I'm thinking a Forbidden Society that perhaps developed under their noses would work. I think what I would like to see develop in that regard would be the eventual discover of the group, which would then prompt the invasion of Queen Judith with the sole purpose of trying to eradicate the group (hence why all the heirs were killed). From my research Judith's destruction of Axum was pretty thorough and it could appear that the group was successfully destroyed, though in reality that isn't the case.
My thinking went along these lines: after the sack of Axum and the sundering of the corrupted royal line, the two groups reconciled. But naturally, there would be some that were just too embittered by the split and the lengths the other group went to. This faction refused to be part of the larger group, and spun out on their own. Their anger at this perceived betrayal made them prime targets for the Adversary's minions, you fed that emotion and corrupted the group. This society now views everything that has come since that day as illegitimate and works not only to undermine the work of their former Order, but to reinstall the "rightful" line of kings. Naturally, the king they want to restore to the throne is a big nasty evil thing. Perhaps a lich of considerable power. The King in exile.
That seems pretty limited, so I'd probably expand on that mission considerably before I started work on them.
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But my idea for it hasn't moved further than that. I will likely do a bit more research into how Christianity came to Ethiopia and see if I can connect it that way.
Good idea.
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What are you thinking of for powers, in vague terms? I'm happy to help with the mechanics.
Theme wise though I'm either leaning towards something that helps them identify the forces of darkness or something that helps them fight it directly. But I think I need to see what the other Orders do again before I nail something down. Though thoughts on it would be welcomed.
Rough thoughts after a night's sleep, a slug of coffee, and a chance to review the other Orders:
Slightly revised Background skill list:
Athleticism 1, Mysticism (Myth & Lore) 1, Scholarship (Theology) 1
Some ideas for Background Powers
Once per day, may meditate for 10 minutes to increase Discipline or Fortitude Defense by 1 until the following sunrise.
Once per scene, may add their True Faith to any one Physical or Spiritual roll.
When researching a supernatural enemy, they may learn an extra Power or Weakness for every two successes on their Scholarship roll.
+1d bonus to Power of Faith (Quick Magical action) attempts
Never played the game, eh? In that case, double kudos! Great opening volley into the world of Witch Hunter.
Tom