"It is called: 'Midgard.' It is a city that was built in the early times. A refuge that the Vanir created. First, they built the Citadel spanning nine levels and created a mighty oak motiff on the outside. The Citadel touches all the districts of the City. And we came here - to this place of refuge, the city of endless roads and tricky gates - we came here to escape that which befell all others. Is this our true home? No. But it is home enough for all of us."
-Skald Asgrimir "The Song of Freya and Od"
So, it was a challenge. I'd been reading a fair amount of Viking lore, part of it brought about by the reboot of "the Mighty Thor" by Marvel Comics. I'd wanted to try my hand at running Burning Wheel. My friend Aaron had patiently dealt with my cancellations on Sundays. Then, the death blow fell: I had to close on Sundays.
The solution was to meet on Tuesdays. We met to organize. We had followed Judd's MoBu City template and discussed what Aaron wanted out of a city adventure. He wanted Epic. He wanted Big. I was completely on-board because I knew that a Norse setting would have those elements. This is a mythology where good guys fuck with Giants and Dragons using magic swords forged by the mighty Wayland. This is a belief system where when you turned the next corner, Odin (in disguise) could be resting by the roadside.
We spoke about it at length and created Midgard: The City of Nine Worlds. We talked about the lios alfar and the svart alfar. We talked about the Aesir and the Vanir and their influence in the City. We created the City Council and the Ninth Seat which is actually a Cauldron.
It was wonderful!
I can't wait for the actual game!
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Check out the dragon in the Monster Burner. I think it will fit your norse myth needs and is a super-bad-ass (also a fun NPC for Duels of Wits and DoWing a dragon, totally epic).
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how the game shakes out.
With settings, to my mind, the color, genre and vibe are important and should totally invoke that feeling of, "Damn, that is awesome. I want to play THAT guy," but even more important is the situation. There has to be some kind of conflict, powers out of balance, etc.
ReplyDeleteTrinity had the usurper duke and the reavers who worshiped a heathen trinity rather than the proper earth, sun and moon.
MoBu City has the figurehead, the council and the shadow council along with a medieval way of life coming to an abrupt end amidst the many species BW makes available.
Midgard has that awesome council and the alfar of shadow and light (and I'm sure the Vanir and Aesir too).
Anyway, just thinkin' out loud.
Thanks for the feedback, guys!
ReplyDeleteSorry, those were both me.
ReplyDelete