Fria Ligans forum

Hi!

I'm going to be running a first campaign in a couple of weeks after months of reading through the rules, etc. I decided not to go with the setting that comes with the game, but do a smaller map with a few interesting adventure sites.

However, I had the idea to give a rougher start to my group. I was thinking of having them taken against their will and driven through mountains, until they get an opportunity to get rid of their aggressors and run. They would have almost no equipment, little food and water and I would really lean in them acquiring their first few equipments and making their way to a nearby hamlet or something of the sort.

But I know that the system is already somewhat lethal and I'm wondering if it is maybe a bad idea for a first start, and if not, what would more experienced game masters would suggest to keep an eye on, or strategies you would suggest to avoid just killing the group altogether while having an interesting tension?

Thank you.

I personally think that the game is not sooo deadly.
Almost each of my players learned the lucky talent soon which allows the player to reroll crititical hits. Then they had a smith who boostered their armor soon.
Also. the talents defender and fast foodwork gets you boni and extra parry and dodge rolls.
With only 10 XP for each charakter it is possible to be much more tanky.

That intro sounds like fun! Very tough start, but oh so sweet when they succeed!

Their first town or village could offer a PC connection somehow? Maybe then they could catch up on their missing starter gear?

Starting out in chains as captives of the Rust brothers makes for instant tension. (Or fill in whoever you like best as their enemies... Orcs, ogres, random bandits).

Love this game. Love your idea here.

You have a great idea and the Forbidden Lands rules set really helps with survival adventure. Like you said, combat can be quite lethal so using combat for very dramatic moments is suiting but dose not as high of a chance for killing the entire party. Don't over do it on monsters or NPCs combat. Allow the characters to find other ways of handling situation with diplomacy, stealth or any options that they come up with along the way. Make the struggle to escape and once they escape, survive in the wild part of the story. Nature can be just as deadly as a dragon and will allow characters to bond with each other. That's the only advice I would give.