I've also removed Zoroastrianism and Judaism as possible religions in OHMAS, as neither would be found in the Britain of the period - the Jews having been expelled in the Middle ages, and the Zoroastrians not yet coming to England. That just leaves the various flavors of Christianity, which reflects the truth in England at the time. There was no discernible Pagan religion extant.

-clash

For those who haven't read Blood Games II, here's an overview of the Paths of Power and the Player Options:

Paths of Power:

Hunter - the consummate physical warrior with amazing luck. The Hunter can dazzle opponents with his speed and flair in combat, but his luck is his most powerful weapon - he can negate most any stroke so long as his luck holds out.

Magus - potentially the most powerful of Paths, but dependent on angelic favor. The Magus can all upon the power of the archangels, and ask them to do anything within their sphere of influence, but the archangel can always refuse.

Templar - the fists of God - the smiters of evil. Physically powerful and able to perform small miracles as needed. Sworn to poverty and service, the Templar frees a demon from Hell when he takes his oath.

Esotericist - the classic hermetic magician, depending upon ancient books of lore for her spells. Esotericists search for the Philospher's Stone in order to gain immortality and become true Wizards.

Warlock - summoner of spirits, the Warlock can bind, command, and cloathe spirits in flesh. Most have at least one spirit inseparably locked to them by contract, so long as they live up to their end of the bargain.

The Savant, Cunning Folk, and Minstrel have already been described in this thread.

Player Options:

Half Angel - extremely powerful genetic freak and descendant of the long-ago matings of humans and angels. All Half Angels can fly, wield celestial weapons, and communicate mind to mind with humans. Other powers depend on whether they are of the Light or the Dark - those who are neither have no additional powers. Half Angels are always born as twins - one fair and one dark-hued, though either can choose Light or Dark as they wish - who are probably the only Half Angels in the world.

Immortal - one who cannot permanently die until their greatest task has been fulfilled. Immortals can be killed, but within three days - a fortunate accident of the mechanics, not planned but welcome - they will rise from the dead; weak, dazed, but alive. They stop accumulating more skills after their first death - after that, they need to drop a skill rank in order to learn something. Their total number of skill ranks is permanently frozen. They also cannot have chilkdren after thie first death. In every other respect they act like normal people.

Fairy Changeling - the substitute left for the human family when fairies steal a human baby. Fairy Changelings look mostly human, though a bit odd. They have a boost in MAG and CHAR, higher than human caps of COOR and AGY, A low cap in STR, and can take the Paths of Warlock, Magus, Minstrel, and Esotericist.

Human Changeling - the human children stolen into Fairie, and kicked out when they reach 18 there. As time is arbitrary in a Fairy pocket, they could have been born last month on Earth, or hundreds of years ago. They have access to Fairy Magic, and have small boosts to CHAR and MAG, and forever after have a whiff of Fairie about them.

Aside from these PCs can be normal people as well. It's actually a popular choice in my group.

-clash

The back cover as I see it, minus promo text, of course. The text will fill the large open area.

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Awesome, Rich! I love it!

-clash

Quote from: flyingmice;307164I've also removed Zoroastrianism and Judaism as possible religions in OHMAS, as neither would be found in the Britain of the period - the Jews having been expelled in the Middle ages, and the Zoroastrians not yet coming to England.

But you know one cheeky bastard - me - will find a way to introduce certain concepts into the setting....my campaign will need an avenging golem.

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David R;307401But you know one cheeky bastard - me - will find a way to introduce certain concepts into the setting....my campaign will need an avenging golem.

Regards,
David R

Not a problem, as Christian Mystics of the time were delving into the Kabbalah with ill restrained glee.

-clash

Quote from: flyingmice;307321Awesome, Rich! I love it!

-clash

Excellent! Send me the promo text for the back cover and I will get started on the interiors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Seckford
he'd be a great NPC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Arden_(martyr)
this could make an excellent hook if you play up the catholic vs Anglican thing, especially with the assassination attempt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabe_Barnes
This one patronized the arts heavily, and if the theatre is involved, he might be funding it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bell_(Speaker_of_the_House_of_Commons)
this one will be useful if they get into politics, or if the political side needs a voice.  Well biographed, so that will help.

just starteing to peruse, but you've got the creative juices going

Hi LV:

Great stuff! Thanks for the suggestions! I'll put them into a timeline with comments, I think. Elizabeth had a long reign, and people came and went. My current Alpha Test game, for instance, is set in 1560, when Marlowe and Shakespeare were not yet born.    

Of course I'll be pursuing the Anglican vs. Puritan issue. It was the central question throughout Elizabeth's reign, as it had been through the reigns of her father, sister, and brother. Technically, of course, in previous reigns it had been Catholic vs. Protestant, but it was really the same question. Elizabeth was determined to set a middle course, both Catholic and Protestant - and neither - and that is what created the Anglican Church. Fascinating period. Religion is very important in Blood Games, and will be so in OHMAS as well.

-clash

Please Rename Half-Angelshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilim
I prefer Nephilim, as it gives a proper occult feel, Half-Angels is what D&D would call them..(Half Celestials..meh.)

Here's a site ....with pictures.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/famous-people-pictures.htm

Regards,
David R

Quote from: Silverlion;307547Please Rename Half-Angelshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilim
I prefer Nephilim, as it gives a proper occult feel, Half-Angels is what D&D would call them..(Half Celestials..meh.)

I shied away from Nephilim because of the RPG of the same name, Tim. I'm very aware of what Nephilim are. Unfortunately Multisim used the word to refer to something like elementals, not angels, and I did not want any confusion. "Half-Angels" may be unevocative, but it's plain English and unambiguous.  

-clash

Quote from: David R;307549Here's a site ....with pictures.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/famous-people-pictures.htm

Regards,
David R

Beautiful, David!

-clash

Quote from: flyingmice;307556I shied away from Nephilim because of the RPG of the same name, Tim. I'm very aware of what Nephilim are. Unfortunately Multisim used the word to refer to something like elementals, not angels, and I did not want any confusion. "Half-Angels" may be unevocative, but it's plain English and unambiguous.  

-clash

I'd disagree and it shouldn't be a problem, its used in tons of games (Alpha Omega, is one, its mentioned in Armageddon/Witchcraft, and so on.)

Especially since your game isn't named that--just OHMAS, and that most gamers will be familiar with the concept.

Quote from: Silverlion;307574I'd disagree and it shouldn't be a problem, its used in tons of games (Alpha Omega, is one, its mentioned in Armageddon/Witchcraft, and so on.)

Especially since your game isn't named that--just OHMAS, and that most gamers will be familiar with the concept.

The word has been co-opted by video games, manga and anime, and loads of other pop-culture sources, and seldom with the proper meaning. I haven't read Alpha/Omega, but given its subject I don't doubt that it is used correctly, and I do know the references in Witchcraft are proper, but it's a mess. The word has been White-Wolfed.

Also, Nephilim is awkward to use in English. It's a plural noun, and from the Aramaic, so its singular is obscure and never used. I think it's Nephila, but I am by no means sure. You have to use circumlocutions like "one of the Nephilim" to write of one of them. I can and will refer to Half-Angels as being of the Nephilim, but I'm not renaming them in the game book.

-clash