“Long ago, before the gods were banished from the realm but after they exiled the giants to the islands beyond the Northwaters, they crafted the Ruling Crown: a silver circlet set with nine stones. This was a gift to the races of the realm who would inherit the lands they freed from these tyrants. The gods chose the bearer, and he was blessed with wisdom and justice and was bound to the people through a force of duty. The Ruling Crown could only be passed from father to son, and so the family to bear the burden and honor of the crown was chosen carefully.
For generations the kingdom was united under the Keranak family line, keepers of the Ruling Crown. When King Rahvan Keranak III died without an heir, there was much conflict in the land. This sparked the time known as the War of Possession, where every elven clave, halfling warren, dwarven underkingdom, and human barony and duchy claimed some right to ascension.
It was during the last moments of the Battle at Kingsbridge, when the lords of the realm stood with weapons drawn in the very throne room of the former Keranak Kingdom that the knights of the Order of the Rose finally took matters into their own hands. Keeping the lords at bay with sword and shield, their high general seized the crown and spoke words of power taught in secrecy to him during his knightly coronation. The crown was banished from this land, and only the council of the Order of the Rose can call it back when they deem someone is worthy to bear the Crown again.
The realm still knows much conflict. Tension exists between the lords of the realm, yet their quarrels no longer take place on the battlefield. Each lord fears and respects the Order of the Rose, thus they rule their province in a manner that doesn’t draw unwanted attention.
The giants beyond the Northwaters have begun to stir up trouble. Knowing the gods are not here to protect the realm or its people, and seeing the people divided and bickering, the giants plan their return. Already the Highland Valley holds a stronghold to these brutes. The knights of the Order of the Rose have begun to prepare for this threat, and so thieves and highwaymen have begun to take advantage of the knights’ absence. Some of the lords of the realm have begun to quarrel more overtly, and their spies stalk ever more boldly in the shadows of the great palaces of the lands.”
- BareBones Fantasy Role-playing Game by Larry Moore and Bill Logan
You witnessed one of the fabled Knights of the Order of the Rose defeat a terrible foe.
- What feat did they display that proved they possessed powers beyond mortal men?
- What cryptic phrase did they say to you when you realized that you were destined to find the Ruling Crown?
Join me and up to four other players as we play BareBones Fantasy and explore what remains of the kingdom of Keranak. This is a very light weight but slightly old school gaming system. No prior experience is required and I will supply all materials.
