Hello,
My gaming crew and I are about to kick off our first BW campaign. We’ve wrapped up Character Burning, and I’d like to solicit your input on my groups’ BITs.
The Setting is: An early ‘age of exploration’, tropical archipelago, which is in fact the lost homeland of Humans, lost for 3000 years. Information on the lost art of Enchanting may exist in this homeland.
The Situation is: The characters were crew on a small caravel (trading ship) with a nasty captain, they mutinied, and ran off to the colonial area of a different nation than their own. They still have the ship and are being hunted by the merchant family (The Perkines) who owned the ship. Meanwhile the new, local Viceroy is ambitious and trying to develop the colonial town, and consolidate and increase his local power. To top it off, the PCs have a rival ship (The Sprinter) who is often competing with them.
So here are the PCs and their BITs (They have yet to name characters, so I’ll use the player’s names). BTW, my questions/comments are in normal script:
Ryan is playing the big, socially inept, Artillerists’ Mate/Engineer (good with hands, not good with talking).
Beliefs:
Our ship would be better with weapons, I need to make or find some.
The noble (another PC is a noble bastard) doesn’t appreciate all the work I do keeping the ship afloat. (I recognize this belief needs a goal).
Exploring the archipelago will yield old knowledge to better my craft and situation.
Instincts:
Always keep my munition supplies topped up and water tight. (how does this instinct affect Resources checks to restock munitions?)
Always be ready to blow something up or burn something down.
Marty is playing a swimmer/skin diver/smuggler, he is the pilot. (he once played a half-mer in DnD that he wants to revisit… he has a couple of custom traits for swimming and holding breath):
Beliefs:
For security, we need to find more hiding spots for the ship.
Talk to other PCs about how to sink The Sprinter and then loot it on the sea floor.
I believe my hair is the source of my strength and will kill any one who tries to cut it.
Instincts:
Always have a knife in my loincloth.
I cut anyone who touches my hair. Obviously, this is the same as the last belief… Which is the better option for this, belief or instinct?
Luke is playing a city born con man who had to run away to sea as a sailor. He also happens to be a very supremacist, religious zealot (his culture is the best and should dominate all others…):
Beliefs:
The Sprinter’s Captain’s business must be squashed; we should approach the new Viceroy for help.
I believe Ryan’s mastery of Gunpowder will help us destroy the Perkine family (the ship owners).
It is the Varkal’s (their cultural group) right to rule the new world; Death to the Asku (the other major culture).
Instincts:
Never miss an opportunity to take advantage of a lesser race.
Persuade others through lying and falsehoods wherever possible.
Never get dressed without concealing two blades.
Paul is playing the Noble Bastard who ran away to sea to become a Pirate Navigator.
Beliefs:
I want to prove my navigation skills by finding us a new hideout.
I believe Marty and I (Smuggler Pilot and Pirate Navigator) can become the greatest pirate smugglers in the archipelago, especially if we weaponize the ship.
I believe that the nobility has enslaved the world and should be brought to heel.
Instincts:
Always have a flask of wine
Always have at least one concealed knife.
So… any concerns, ideas, issues or other sundry comments? Having never run much beyond The Sword in BW, I’d love any external feedback or guidance.
