New Culture - Men of Esgaur

[Hamarr]

About a year or so ago I played in a One Ring campaign. Close to the end our Loremaster created a culture of men who were the remnants of the Men living in the kingdom of Rhudaur. A folk tainted by shadow after living under the rule of the Witch King.

Standard of living: Frugal
Suggested Calling: Warden
Unusual Callings: Scholar, Treasure-Hunter

Cultural Blessing: Shadow of Angmar when spending hope to gain an attribute bonus, a man of Esgaur may also gain 1 shadow to add twice their relevant attribute. Men of Esgaur start with the first flaw of their shadow weakness. Add 1 to the fellowship pool for each bout of madness.

Common Skills

Awe 1 Inspire Persuade
Athletics Travel 1 Stealth 3
Awareness 2 Insight 2 Search 2
Explore 2 Healing Hunting
Song 1 Courtesy 1 Riddle 2
Craft 1 Battle 2 Lore

Weapon Skills

1) (spears) 2, Sword 1, Dagger 1
2) Sword 2, Bow 1, Dagger 1

Specialties choose two
Fire-making, Mountaineer, Old Lore, Angmar Lore, Smoking, Stone Craft

Backgrounds

1-Orc Friend
Body 7 Heart 2 Wits 5
Battle
Distinctive Features
Cautious, Suspicious, Cunning, Elusive, Fierce, Grim, Hardened, Wrathful

2-Last of thy Line
Body 5 Heart 3 Wits 6
Awe
Cautious, Forthright, Fair Spoken, Hardened, Honorable, Lordly, Proud, Wilful

3-Darkling Blood
Body 3 Heart 5 Wits 6
Riddle
Cunning, Fierce, Secretive, Vengeful, Wary, Wilful, Wrathful, Patient

4-Witness to Terrors
Body 5 Heart 6 Wits 3
Insight
Adventurous, Cautious, Determined, Elusive, Forthright, Hardened, Just, True-hearted

5-Shadow of Greatness
Body 4 Heart 6 Wits 4
Inspire
Bold, Determined, Fair, Honourable, Lordly, Proud, Robust, True-hearted

6-Consort of Carn-Dum
Body 6 Heart 3 Wits 5
Travel
Bold, Cunning, Elusive, Fair-spoken, Grim, Lordly, Secretive, Suspicious

Names: Similar to Rangers
Age: Similar to Bardings

Endurance 22+heart
Hope 6+heart

Rewards
Coat of the first kings (mail) Add your shadow score to all Armour saves

Helm of the Fell Ones If your shadow is higher than your companions you do not make fear tests

Blade of a fallen house (sword) If an alley is wounded or unconscious, every blow counts as a piercing blow.

Virtues
Songs of Old While performing a song from the party song list you may take a point of shadow (before you roll a song test) to add the result of the feat die to every allies' roll. You teach them an old song of your people. Eyes and Gandalfs happen for every one. You can spend your inspiration dice from singing to succeed at one corruption roll of any kind.

Sad Folk You need not make corruption tests while travel (but you may.)

Dust of Kingstower You are a native of Kingstower, where the Lord of Esguar lives. You look much older than you are, and dust seems to cling about everything you own. You are used to old places, and rolls in ruins are favored. While resting in a ruin endurance recovery is made at twice the normal rate.

Wind off the Blighted lands When traveling in lands under the command of the shadow, all companions may benefit from the first part of the Shadow of Angmar cultural blessing. Your travel score is also considered to be 2 higher, to a maximum of 6.

[Otaku-sempai]

I wonder if this Culture might work best in a campaign set between TA 1350 and the Great Plague of 1636 and '37. I can imagine the Men of Esguar eventually merging with the survivors of the fall of Arthedain after 1975 to be incorporated into the Heroic Culture of the Rangers of the North.

[Glorelendil]

Coat of the first kings (mail) Add your shadow score to all Armour saves

I haven't thought through the math yet, but at first glance I love that mechanic. Could be all kinds of cool variations on that theme for weapons. Perfect for "cursed" items.

[Falenthal]

Coat of the first kings (mail) Add your shadow score to all Armour saves

I haven't thought through the math yet, but at first glance I love that mechanic. Could be all kinds of cool variations on that theme for weapons. Perfect for "cursed" items.

Stormbringer comes to mind...

"Add your Shadow score to the damege inflicited. Also, add the damage inflicted to your own Endurance"

[Hamarr]

The coat of mail might be my favourite reward. My man of esgaur took it, and it had saved him a few times. The blessing also got a few uses, although this culture has to be very careful. They are inspired by the fall of the house of usher.