Nonek

This is true for cities on the whole where there were such minorities, but these were an extremely small part of the genetic make-up and made no impression on the gene pool on the whole, indeed some minorities would find themselves losing any distinctive racial profile as they interbred with the native population, yet keeping their culture. However in the countryside, among the largely agrarian poulation their occurence would be rare to non-existent and there you will find only the native population who regard the local market town as a exotic locale and have no intention of leaving their home. North African traders yes, the Mediterranean is the finest and safest road in that part of the world. Berber mercenaries seems like a bit of a stretch, you're more likely to see Dogs of War from Europe passing through for the acquisition of Byzantine gold. Turkish scholars i'm not so sure of, considering the recent Crusades in the Holy Lands and the antipathy to the unbelievers that this is bound to have caused. Jews obviously, they will probably be an old and established part of the big cities. Orthodox priests maybe but i'd say that you're more likely to see refugees from the Seljuk's assault on the Empire. Roma yes, they're still there. Travelling is dangerous and difficult at this time, thus my reference to the Mediterranean being the best of roads, and I hope this is brought to bear on the game. Edit: For clarification what i'd personally like to see is bustling lively cities that are colourful, dirty, dangerous and exotic while in the countryside i'd like to experience the culture that bore those cities and some form of national character. That's an ideal case for me personally. 2nd Edit: Re Bryy's problem with sex and sexism in the Witcher, i've got to disagree i'm afraid. Yes there was the silly sex cards of the first game which the developer learned from and removed, but there were also strong women like Sile and Philippa Eilhart who made the world dance to their whims, who outwitted the protagonist and sought to change the world for what they saw as a better way. Obviously there was a Chaucer like Merry Wives of Windsor vibe running through both games but Geralt is helped and saved multiple times by a woman, and is roundly decieved by others. There are few games that feature women of such strength and self motivation, mainly Obsidian ones, and personally I like this. As antagonist they're a lot more effective when treated as such and as npc's worthy of cooperating with, this is far more palatable to me than the usual slaves to the protagonists who have no self motivation, no impetus and cannot achieve anything without the players help. The worst sexism of the Witcher I would say was undeniably aimed at men, Bernard Loredo is far more loathsome than any other character male or female.

In the Kaedweni camp? Hmmm that's quite an intriguing idea, Ones first impressions were of the Empress whom Emhyr replaced Ciri with, but I suppose your idea is very possible. Certainly create an interesting dynamic between the Emperor, the Witcher and the two sorceresses.

I'll stick old Harold down here: A filthy old manservant, lets call him Harold. Alcoholic, smells of urine,sweat, tobacco and Old Spice, teeth and hands brown from rolling his cigarettes. Coughs constantly, attacking his chest will result in muttered thanks, and a brief respite: "Thats got it." Extremely conservative, racist, speciesist and sexist. Has a derogatory nickname for every person he meets. Is fiercely loyal to his master, served in their family for millenia, and believes in old fashion values. Has a near limitless capacity for absorbing damage, as he's been around a lot in his youth, but is useless in a fight. Complains often however that you should be beating him more often, raping milkmaids and beheading the uppity peasantry, as that's a noblemans job. Can find anything his master fancies in any city, seemingly has more contacts and resources than an entire thieves guild. Never usually gives a straight answer: "Here and there, now and then, this and that." These are his usual responses to any questions. Has a son in training to take over the family business and a daughter making her living on her back as per family tradition, is fiercely proud of both of them. Looking forward to the day his son slits his throat while he's asleep and nicks everything he owns, as the family custom of succession dictates. Can lift and pack massive amounts of gear, fifty pounds more than the strongest character in the party. Has thirty two fatal and incurable conditions, plagues and injuries but doesn't complain about it too much, as he really enjoyed acquiring them. Role: Interrupt mid combat to ask if you're done yet, remind you that your grandfather was twice the man you are, and your grandmother thrice, lech at women, drink, smoke, steal from you, cough during stealth missions. Key Item: Backpack of gargantuan proportions, hipflask filled with molten lava and a flashers mac. Appearance: Breaks mirrors. Feel: Embarassed and incompetent.

Hmmm, I like the general aesthetic but i'd want a good mail shirt over that gambeson, and switch that shoulder pad over to the left side to increase the protection on the shield bearing enemy facing side. Also i'd like some leather wrappings around the haft of that spear so that it wouldn't slip in my hands.

Elves.

Well as a parent I think the wise course of action would be a total ban on children, give it a hundred years and i'm sure we'll see very positive results in the fight against all kinds of issues. In fact I guarantee it.

I've got to say that as an Englishman i'm a little flattered, I never knew we and our language were so popular.

I believe that the potions are dealt with in two way in the third game, the preparation method of Assassins of Kings, and a second class of potions which can be supressed by Geralt's metabolism and the effects released when he sees fit. Mid combat or whenever.

Thank you, i'm aiming to create a physically deficient Wizard and this has laid my fears on the subject to rest, much appreciated.

One of my old campaigns had a feared Barbarian tribe (the Holmgoth) going into battle painted in enchanted Woad tattoo's, they were fairly much the Frazetta archetype except that the tattoo's were symbiotic and grew as the Barbarians deeds did. The older individuals hadn't a clear spot of pink flesh left on their bodies, at which time the Woad began digging into their flesh and staining deeper until their bodies were poisoned and choked by the invading symbiote. A grizzly death followed, but it was custom to take a scrap of skin and pass it on to the next male relative, so that the cycle could begin again. The Woad protected like a sturdy gambeson to begin with but would gradually gain abilities over time as the two became one, i've got to admit I shamelessly stole the idea from when Arnold sneaks into Thulsa Doom's Mountain of Power in Conan the Barbarian. As I grew to be more experienced in GMing I introduced downsides, such as lack of feeling, charisma penalties and a tendency to berserk when wounded, which grew more extreme as time went on.

It did lend a certain something I agree, personally I found the rich deep tones of Mr Stiers in Icewind Dale were probably the best and most memorable example. It might be nice to have a fine female voice if they are making use of this, Sarah Kestelman obviously springs to mind.

"With much wisdom comes much doubt."

Character customisation, my digestive fell in my cup I was so enthralled, looks very impressive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWQn10s_QJM

I think that's a perfectly reasonable request, ocassionally I have the hankering to play a bare chested Berserker type, not many games cater to this desire either. My Nonek the Lbrarian dreams will have to remain unrequited.

If you can't make a Drizzle the Dark Elf imitator in Poe then I would regard it as a superior system.

I'd argue that this thread is as good place as any to post those, even if not everyone will like the more improbable designs (then again, some historical examples fall under that category as well!). So, if you ask me, feel free to post anything you like This topic has evolved quite a bit from its earlier iterations anyway - now it's simply a place to post any designs we find interesting (in the hope that some of them will find their way into PoE!). That's a fair point Karranthian, I simply thought that Mr Candid might wish to emphasize his argument by creating a thread devoted to a stylised aesthetic.

I'd say that there's room for the stylised childish type as shown above, the over the top Warhammer and 40k types of armour and room for the functional and tasteful types shown in this thread. Obviously some people prefer the illogical armours, that is a perfectly valid right but may I suggest Mr Candid that you start a thread arguing for your preference, you've backed at Gold level and during the Kickstarter so your voice carries weight. However this thread mainly focuses on the massive variety of sensible personal protection that is shown throughout history, and drawing inspiration from them, so you're bound to face opposition here.

Tea demands that Time exists, thus it came into being, along with biccy's.

Dancers at the End of Time.

As I understand it Yggdrasil the World Ash, the great tree stretching throughout all the nine worlds, is roughly translated as Terrible One's Horse. My question is who's the Terrible One and why is this tree his horse? Nidhoggr or Corpse Tearer, the Orm tearing at Yggdrasil's roots, does the Nid part of the word bear an etymological connection with Nithling and if so why?

I've not played ME3 since my Shep (John Noakes) died at the end of 2, but personally I just played that as silly brainless fun, it's just like Flash Gordon really, don't think just go with the power fantasy. It really helps I found if you're not playing nursemaid too much with the needy bunch, or talking with them at all really. Or planet scanning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w44SmMFy5Dc

Diablo, I may need counselling afterwards. I wonder why they diminished the horror atmosphere for the second game, and from what i've seen largely abandoned it entirely in the third? The Intro is very good, nice way to start a session.

Mr Magniloquent suggested the same thing in post #17 Printer, I believe you both have the right of it, do not strip away, but innovate so that the problems are reduced while the sensible precautions are retained. Personally I can't see my character ever wanting to go into a "fair" fight, his life is on the line and you can bet that if the party scout has seen a horde of Fire Elementals or the equivalent guarding a door ahead that must be breached, then he is going to want a fire protection spell cast upon him and his allies. He'll probably also want the Wizard to switch to his winter grimoire, his Rogue to find a suitable hiding spot where the Elementals can pass him by thus enabling backstabs when melee begins, an area to fight in that is perhaps flooded, a hardy character like a Monk to lead the Elementals into this area, and wardings and ice traps to be laid along the path to this place so that the Elementals arrive weakened and irritated etcetera. This to me is simply having ones character caring about his own hide, rather than risking it for the sake of I don't know what. One of the reasons why I plan to play at a high difficulty is because I intend to avoid every combat I can, but when pushed into it resolve it as quickly and effectively as possible, cheat if at all possible as valour is fine, but being alive is better. If I manage to get the drop on my opponents then I hope that I can take advantage of that, as they no doubt would not show my character any mercy if the roles were reversed.

Borrowed from Bioware? Sorry i'm awful.