Rebuilding Amidst the Ruins

Bjorn Magnuson, his younger brother Beor (age 26), and a couple other men from their village, are on their way Moonlake Village, a couple days journey from Riversend, in order for Bjorn to marry Heidi, his betrothed. They are canoeing down the river to to get there, stopping to hunt and camp as needed. When they get there, Bjorn will have to go through the ritual tribal customs and ceremonies for a wedding, especially to a woman so important as the chieftan's daughter. This typically includes a quest of some sort, of the chieftan's choosing, for the man to prove his worth. Upon completion of whatever task Heidi's father, Chief Piotr, gives him, Bjorn will marry Heidi and then bring her back home to Riversend.

Bjorn Magnuson is the main character and lives in Riversend. Drake is a traveler who occasionally passes through Riversend once in a blue moon, whether on a job or journey, often bringing trade and news with him. He often acts as a courier of messages when he comes. He does not come often: once or twice a year at most, usually. He met Bjorn 10 years ago out in the Wild. He saved Bjorn's life while being attacked my monsters, and Bjorn helped him finish a job in turn. They are on friendly terms. Bjorn is betrothed to be married to Heidi, as his second wife. She is of the Brohawk Tribe, but from a different village, called Moonlake. They have only met once before, having somewhat of an arranged marriage for political relations between their village, but Heidi willingly accepted the offer and is looking forward to it.

Post-apocalyptic Earth thats rebuilding. 1,000 years ago, civilization-ending catastrophes swept across the world : evil sentient robots; nuclear holocaust; mutations creating monsters; and a male-only disease. 21st century cities are now ancient ruins. Most of the world is wild and uninhabited. Societies have returned to older social models such as tribalism and feudalism, and have strict traditional gender roles. Women are not combatants. Guns exist but are rare and expensive, ammo hard to come by. Working technology is rare and arcane. Most weapons are primitive or medieval, such as swords, spears, archery. Very rarely, mutants are born with powers. There are small pockets of civilization, such as outposts, towns, few cities. More common are tribal peoples living in isolated villages or tents. Tribes are territorial, patriarchal, polygnous, and primitive. The Northeast Kingdom is a medieval, feudal monarchy in former New England, with a capital castle-town called Kingston.

The Brohawk Tribe lives in a vast tract of wilderness in what used to be western New England and Upstate New York. Their villages are spread out; each has its own chief (mightiest man) and elders (older, respected men of the village) and Wise Women (who offer advice and healing). The player lives in a Brohawk village, called Riversend, that currently lacks a chief. The elders rule but are looking for a new chief to lead and defend the village. The Elders are Magnus, Jensen, and Big Sven. The wise woman is Mahra. The objectives of the adventure are to: 1. Fortify and defend the village against monsters, beasts, and rival tribes; 2. Marry multiple women and increase tribe; 3. Become Village Chief; 4. Navigate relations with Northeast Kingdom and keep them from encroaching on Brohawk territory, either by ear or negotiation; 5. Unite the Brohawk Tribe under you as king to secure the tribe's territory protection; 6. Explore and expand to increase tribe's wealth, knowledge, and power.