Not sure if this is the right place, but I have a question about a belief and such. We are all first time BW players, and learning the system together. I am going to be the GM, as I am the only person who has the book yet, and the one who wanted to try it, and convinced two friends to try it out. We are very new to this, and I want to make sure these beliefs are good for first time players (and GM!) to learn the system.
One of my players’ has a Belief about finding a legendary sword, one recognizable enough that it could be recognized by someone in a large gathering (say village or city centre) because the character is a Bastard and wants to be known for something other than being a Bastard. His other belief is about becoming more well known through doing good deeds (not because he’s a nice guy necessarily, but because his character feels that if he does enough things that help others, he will obtain his own identity independent from “that Bastard of whats his face” among the Nobles , and even people who dont even know him, his life experiences make him want to be acknowledged by everyone.
My question is more about, the belief about the weapon isn’t complete in the sense of, who should make the backstory of the weapon he’s looking for? I told him we need to make a specific weapon with a specific backstory, and not have it be broad like “any well known weapon” because its more interesting and focused that way, and he can’t just ignore the stuff I make for him, as his character has to find a specific thing rather than any well known weapon.
So basically, who should make this weapon? Should he name it what he wants, and make the backstory of what it is? Obviously if it’s going to be magical, I the GM would determine it’s in-game capabilities (if any), but should the player be the one who makes the backstory of the weapon? Like who should determine WHY it’s well known, who was the one who made it so? Should the GM or Player explain where it comes from, who used it? Or should it be a collaboration? Each throw out ideas until its fleshed out entirely? Obviously it’s current status of where it is, the obstacles of obtaining it, the clues of finding it during his main adventure would be entirely up to the GM.
I have more questions than just that, to give more backstory, this will be a 2 player game (3 if you include me, the GM.) one seems more invested than the other player, or maybe he just understands the concept of BW more. (the other seemed confused that the players have as much say, if not more, than the GM on the story and direction the game goes. Maybe he was getting frustrated when I was trying to explain to him beliefs inner workings. I was probably explaining it a little harshly, but I wanted to get the point across. He’s only really played D&D, so he isn’t used to the players massive amount of input in the actual campaign)
The two characters that were made, are Brothers, one is the legitimate heir of their noble father, he is Born Noble > Arcane Devotee > Court Sorcerer > Court Sorcerer. Their father is a minor noble of a manor, and he has a hateful relationship with him because he is in a forbidden romantic relationship with his own sister, and his father has found out. He feels bad about it, and doesn’t want to cause any further issues with his family, but is still devoted to his sister. He didn’t buy a relationship with his mother, so it is assumed she is dead at this point.
The other is the Bastard described above, the son of the Manor’s cook and the Lord of the Manor. His life paths are Born Noble > Bastard > City Guard > Duelist. He moved at a young age to the city, but he now has a Small Cottage. His relationship with the father is not a hateful one, at this point, I assume even a Bastard it more welcome in the family Manor than an heir who refuses to marry and is in love (and loved back) by his own sister, and thus causing complications in having her married off to solidify family alliances.
I want to make sure all these beliefs are on the right track before we being actual playing, it’s our first time, so they might not be perfect, some are currently in rough draft. The immediate situation is a Bandit problem that is plaguing the general area, and of course wanting to make a name for himself, the Bastard has nominated himself to solve this issue. He has to start somewhere, right?
Bastard’s Beliefs
[i] - I will make a name for myself throughout the land; starting with saving the peasants from the Bandits.
- I will avenge any major insult.
- The belief about the weapon I described above.[/i]
I like his Beliefs, as it can basically lead the campaign in many different directions.
Sorcerer’s Beliefs
[i] - I will do anything for my sister’s happiness, as long as it doesn’t cause further family turmoil.
- Fire is an easy solution to most of life’s problems.
- I will assist my brother with the Bandits. (This one might be a little weak maybe? I think it’s not personal enough, in my mind it kind of makes it seem like the Bastard in the main character, and the Sorcerer the secondary character, as he’s just helping because, but it was chosen after the Bastard’s player and I hammered the fact that he should have a belief about the situation at hand. But it gets the ball rolling, after the initial introductory adventure vs Bandits it will obviously evovle)
[/i]
I like the other two, as his sister can get in a lot of trouble later on, and maybe what makes her happy down the road will not make him happy? (Maybe getting married for their fathers’ sake?) He doesn’t want to cause any more turmoil, but still wants to be with his sister secretly, and she with him. I like the fire one, because he has a fire spell (fire breath) and he will find out that it’s anything but an easy solution if he uses it at a stupid time, like getting pissed off and burning down someone’s house, especially if they’re powerful. (I assume that what he’s going for.)
