OSH: Backgrounds. Domain.

The following will be included in “Fictive’s Talents and Templates 2″ to be released before the end of the year.

Domains are locations or networks ruled by the character.

Upon leveling, the character can forego the +1 to an attribute, and get 5 points of Domain. The DM can add up to 4 more points of Domain with each purchase or upgrade to add Unrest.

Once a quarter, the domain’s finances are summarized. Roll 1d10, -1 for each point of Unrest.

1. Lose [Domain x 10] gold, then reduce the Domain by 1.
2. Lose [Domain x10] gold.
3. Lose [Domain x5] gold.
4. Break even.
5. Break even.
6. Break even.
7. Gain [Domain x5] gold.
8. Gain [Domain x10] gold.
9. Gain [Domain x10] gold, then increase the Domain by 1.
10. An adventuring possibility has serious implications for the future of the domain.

There are six kinds of domains. Any character type can get any domain type, but some are better suited for specific character types than others. Listed below is the type of domain, and roughly what its scale and composition is for the first 4 levels of Domain.

Border

• 5. Outpost.
• 10. Fort.
• 15. Fortified town.
• 20. Fortress.

Church

• 5. Shrine.
• 10. Temple.
• 15. Worship and administration in an area.
• 20. Worship and administration in a region.

Noble

• 5. Mansion. (Sir)
• 10. Castle. (Lord)
• 15. Town and area. (Baron)
• 20. City and region. (Duke)

Spy

• 5. Route or special interest.
• 10. Town and area.
• 15. City and region.

Warlord

• 5. Warband.
• 10. Fighting unit.
• 15. Small army.
• 20. Large army.

Wizard

• 5. Library.
• 10. Apprentices.
• 15. Tower.
• 20. School.

When the character uses the Domain, the DM can at any time roll for Unrest, and if rolling equal to or under the Unrest total, the Domain shows it is not fully under its master’s control. This is deliberately vague, to cover the widest range of entertaining Domains.

When the character does something that pleases those in the Domain, Unrest drops one. Otherwise, it rises 1 each time the character’s attention is elsewhere for more than a week or so.

Part of the fun of this system is allowing various character types to have different domains. A wizard can become a noble, or lead a fighting band, or guard a border; a fighter can rule a temple, or manage a library, or a spy network.