Roan - Role Playing Game

260 Pages·2016·55.272 MB·English

by  Robert F Morris

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Now hear this, Ponies of Roan! A
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Venture forth and rediscover a lost world – help to reclaim :

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the forgotten in this action-packed game of adventure.
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A world changed by magic. A legacy hidden in shadow. o
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A nation of ponies reborn, with the threat of an empire reaching e
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out with iron claws to hold them and the world in its grasp.
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Pony adventurers, can you answer the call of duty to defend your nation? y
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To rediscover the lost, and to reclaim what was stolen?
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Find out in Roan as you journey from the urban to the wilds.
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A Role-Playing Game Created by Robert Morris
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Published by
978-0-9977111-1-0
Clear Skys LLC
A Role-Playing Game
Created by Robert Morris
Credits
Original Concept and Design: Robert Morris
Additional Design: Matthew Steen, FoxFire Glow, Iain Stweart/Fuzzy
Written by: Robert Morris
Additional Material: Kickstarter Backers, Ross Watson, Matthew Steen,
FoxFire Glow, Iain Stweart/Fuzzy, Michael Surbrook
Creative Director: Robert Morris
Lead Editor: Robert Morris
Editors: James Lowry, Bela Morris
Art Directors: Robert Morris, Baron Engel
Graphics and Layout: Dave Bryant, Catspaw DTP Services (catspawdtp.com)
Cover Art: Baron Engel
Interior Art: AnticularPony, Apple, Aphex Angel, Aquatic Sun, Azure, Baron Engel, Bunnimation,
Crecious, Darkkodkod, Dhui, Dori-To, EOS, Flytee, GamerPony, Hobbes, Inlucidreverie,
Izzy, Mechyfox, N8Dogg5k, MinionsULtd, NCMARES, OMGProductions, PinkieDotGif,
Rattlecat, RavenPuff, Shonuff44, Spirit, Stedilnik, Steel Angel, Zilof, ZodiacNicola.
Project Manager: Robert Morris
Playtesters: Robert Morris and friends
Acknowledgements: My thanks go out to my family for their support, my friends for being there
when I needed to bounce ideas around, and to the backers who’ve helped to make this book happen.
Clear Skys LLC
260 Cimarron Rd., Apple Valley, MN 55124
© 2016 Clear Skys LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden, except
for the purpose of reviews, and for blank character sheets, which may be produced for personal use only. Clear Skys LLC, Roan and logos
are trademarks of Clear Skys LLC. All rights reserved. All characters, names, places, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of
Clear Skys LLC. All characters, names, places, and text herein are copyrighted except for written works by Exile Game Studio, LLC.
©2006 Exile Game Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. Ubiquity Roleplaying System and logos are trademarks of Exile Game Studio, LLC.
Petina DePony is a trademark of Baron Engel and is used with permission. Fluffle Puff is a tradmark of Mixer Mike and is used with
permission. KP is a trademark of KP and is used with permission.
The mention of or reference to any company or product in these pages is not a challenge to the trademark or copyright concerned.
This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. This includes ponies.
This book contains mature content. Reader discretion is advised.
Typefaces in Roan Centennial Celebration mock magazine (pages iii–xii) created by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society (cthulhulives.org)
Clip art of columns and pediment digitized by “j4p4n” and available at openclipart.org/detail/193031/another-classic-roman-frame
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A Species Divided; A Nation United
Hail to the day
The eve of another century
A nation’s one hundredth birthday
Our rebirth of freedom
Liberty
Justice
We who were divided
Now
United by our Hearts
Day of Days! No radiance cast
In the cycles of the Past,
Like to thine in round sublime
Gilds the dial plate of Time
Brushing off the dust of Age,
Forms awake from history’s page.
Marshaled forth in full review,
Error battles with the True.
Honesty and Pride again prevail
And the hosts of Faith assail.
Till o’er all the conflict’s strife
Sounds the words, with Wisdom Rife
•
Special Edition • Table of Contents
Roan Centennial Celebration Issue
Herding to Damsire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Packed City With Many Species Cheering
President Hayes to KSU
Remembering Our Past to Defend Our Future
Entombed City of Operandus Discovered . . . . . . . . . 4
Nikita Crowschev to Damsire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
R .I .B . on the case against SALTZ Manufacturers! . . 6
Herding to Dateline Damsire — Railroads Packed City With
rumble as trains carrying treble their
usual mass of passengers arrive hour- Many Species
Damsire ly . Friend and Stranger alike have
been flocking to the heart of Roan to Cheering
join in the week long Centennial Cele-
bration! All of the principal thorough-
Reviewed by President Hayes fares of the city are crowded with This centennial parade, the
and the combined Roan
those from near and far to converge marshaling of our proud Armies
Governmental Body and
on Liberty Fields for it is the center of of Roan, the 127th Corsairs “Blaz-
Foreign Dignitaries and honored
this very occasion where our freedom ing Roughnecks” still taking place
representatives;
was affirmed by the 56 signatories as I write, is one of the most mag-
The Parade, headed by Gen-
representing our Original Six Races nificent demonstrations witnessed
eral Paddock, his Chiefs of Staff,
and signed in proclamation of our
by this reporter as it has been over
and their aides-de-camp, lead the
freedoms to the rest of the world .
a hundred years since our nation
way to our grand monument, the
So great is the crowd, that it is
last saw a military pageant of
Unification Memorial, a remem- nigh impossible for visitors to view
such size and grandeur, and one
brance to those who gave their with any satisfaction, the Revolution-
suspects that it will continue all
lives for our liberties during the ary exhibits, artifacts, and relics pre-
Æther Wars . served within . through the week!
President Hayes works all illuminated within and with-
out by our brightest minds . Technolo-
to KSU gy casting their warm glow upon our
flags and banners, upon our citizens,
and our allies . The military parade
Pres . Hayes visited the Kelpic
was arranged in order of their forma-
State University building grounds tive birthdates, Army, Navy, Marine
this afternoon, and was given a Corps, and Air Force .
grand reception attended by many Not too far from us, I can see the
prominent officers and scholars famed memorial, rebuilt in the honor
from around the known world . of the first six who worked together
The reception was followed by to raise our new colors during the end
the Great Torchlight procession of the Great Æther Wars, painted by
celebrating a century of growth a myriad of ponies observing it, its ho-
rizon joined by our esteemed airships
and prosperity and to welcome
both new and old .
the new century of our historic
We must remember that a little
Republic .
over a century ago, the world found
The celebration of the centen-
itself covered in the shadow of war,
nial anniversary of Roan indepen-
great dragons feuded with each other,
dence, inaugurated tonight with a It is possible that and millions of soldiers combated each
grand torchlight procession of civ-
HALF A MILLION other worldwide without a sign of an
ic, industrial, and magical societies .
PARTICIPANTS MARCHED end or hope . It matters not who died,
Great crowds of ponies and other what matters is that death happened
species gather long before dark, to marvel at the rare and magnifi- when it need not to, all driven by the
their lights going for miles into the cent spectacle, where the entire route lust of greater powers driving friends,
horizon of this city . is lined with marvelous engineering families, and neighbors to battle .
Remembering Our
Past to Defend
Our Future
Over 300 Years Ago
Long ago, when our hubris and
pride was at its highest, our ancient
empire of mere simple ponies abused
our allies and spread quickly, with lust
for power burning in our hearts and
minds .
This nationalism for our empire
and the neglect of all our alliances al-
lowed us to create the building blocks
of our own downfall, one that would
lead to over a century of hardship and nation, and allowed our total and Canidian Armies again was being
suffering for our nation . complete defeat . fulfilled-this time for keeps .
Our greatest military force, the Our century of hardship was to be So well was their traditional mis-
Light Brigade, charged forward a most important lesson which we all sion accomplished that the Canidians
into its greatest last stand against must learn from: that none are invin- finally dismissed the debt that had for
combined forces and fell to the ever cible, and that the heart of the nation, so long chained the Roans to their
changing world’s technologies . its ponies and more, are what drive whims, and we slowly began to regain
The war would forever change the lifeblood of this country, for with- the respect of our old allies as well as
our mark upon history, though many out all of us, there can be no country our enemies . Yet the war continued
other species would see it as a dim rec- for presidents, kings, and dictators to to rage onwards, for the war was
ollection, for us, it is a vivid reminder command . still young, and hardly a day went by
of one valorously tragic campaign: Never shall we allow a higher when ponies dreamed of an end to the
the headlong cavalry charge of our power to make demands of our land, fight, and a return to a gentle peace .
great Light Brigade into Canidian for it is we of gentle mind, whom The pony entrance into the Gry-
fire . shall hold power by the power of our phon and draconic domains was like
The charge of the Light Brigade declarations . adding another volume to a story
took place during the battle of Wolf Roans remember and learn, for that began so many years in the
Fangs pass near the Canidian city of the past holds the keys to unlocking a past, though this time, through per-
Barklaclava . Through a miscommu- brighter and better future . severance, the ponies reached out for
nication of orders, the Light Brigade success .
of approximately three thousand po- 150 Years ago Getting to the mountain base was
nies began a headlong charge into a only part of the invasion problem .
treeless valley with the objective of On a cloudy, dreary morning Supplying them was the other . Mo-
capturing the Canidian field artil- during later spring, pony engineers bile infantry is not known for being
lery . Unbeknown to them, the valley carrying high explosives stormed the picky eaters: each day it consumes
was ringed on all sides by nearly 200 mountain base from airships, and un- thousands of tons of ammunition,
battalions of Canidian riflepups and der withering artillery, machine gun food, clothing, medical supplies, fuel,
artillery . fire, and Æther blasts from the oppos- and thousands of other items, any one
Where once our thunderous ing armies, they blasted gaps through of which may spell the difference be-
hooves would leave not but scraps in the reinforced emplacements-first tween defeat and victory .
the battlefield, firearms had reduced ramparts in the Gryphon’s defense of As Canidian assault groups
us to a ragged and demoralized band Fortress Falconigrad . smashed inland, our forbearers found
of soldiers . It was a disastrous result . Through these gaps poured our themselves organizing the supply
An estimated number of 1,800 ponies conscripted great grandsires and lines to feed canids and equines alike .
were counted as casualties . Observ- mares alongside Canidian troops in Theirs was the job of putting sup-
ing the charge, a Roan Marshall re- unending columns to come at last to plies into the paws and hoofs of others
marked: “It was a glorious painting, grips with the enemy . The battle for without the benefit of proper port or
but it is not war . It was simple minded the Mountain Aeries was begun . delivery facilities . Now that the fight
madness .” When news of the action Up and down the grim stretch of had been joined, the decision largely
reached the central Empire, it caused hostile peaks and valleys, the pony’s rested on their shoulders .
a national scandal that destroyed our mission of clearing the way for the Draft ponies and those of the
Clydesdale breeds provided tremen- the populace was tired of the continu- Home would be nice and is certainly
dous efforts in clearing the landing ous wars . Even the dragons, old as next, but here in the Canidis Major of
zone, though at great cost, for their they were, were weakened by so much Canidia, is where history is in the mak-
larger size brought artillery and mag- effort and curious as to our change ing, as the end of a war and the ac-
ic upon their position in great droves . that they too strove for peace so that ceptance and return of our own newly
These ponies showed no concern as they could watch and learn of what accepted Nation of Roan.
great geysers of earth from bursting future was to come . Oh what a war it was. The hearts
shells rained down upon them . There It was during this time that our of all the species are simply burst-
was no protection out in the open . Yet, first President of Roan would put ing with joy here. I have had many
with the battle for the base raging forth this famed letter as but a mere wreathes, kisses upon my cheek and
furiously, they calmly pushed aside son celebrating among other sons and brow, and hoof shakes from all I’ve
capsized vehicles jamming exit roads daughters: come across, not a single note of malice,
from the airships and, when these not a single word of “Dirt trotter,” or
roads were cleared, smashed farther Dear Folks, “Original Sin.” Today we are all equal.
in to batter roadblocks, to smother Arrived here last night and was on If you could hear what I hear:
gaping road traps, to build roads for the street today when the United Armi- An Equine band, trumpeting loudly
the army . stice was signed. Anyone who was not to the stomp of hoofs, claws, and paws
Noted by Canidian General Bark- here can never be told or imagine the dancing upon the streets in merriment,
ly “ .  .  . Their courageous actions per- happiness of all species gathered here a final marker upon the grave of the
mitted vehicles and supplies to move today. The cheers, the crying, and the Æther War, for with its end comes a
out in support of the infantry  .  .  .” laughter which started over and over great new and unknown beginning.
Note by an Unknown Pony again. Immediately, a parade was Thank god – Thank god – War
“ .  .  . We did not ask to be in this war, started on the Canidis Major and has is over. I can imagine the happiness
but we would find a way to end it been going on ever since. shared by the world, but nowhere on
and on our terms, through our blood In this parade were hundreds of earth is there such a demonstration
sweat and tears  .  .  .” thousands of citizens from all over than here where I stand now.
the world, soldiers from Canidia, Fal- I hold a moment to myself, for the
100 Years Ago conigrad, and of course our own, the brothers and sisters in arms who fell
now forever changed equines of Roan. beside me, and lay, never to be forgot-
The Æther Wars seemed as I remember trotting through these very ten in the sad memories of the seeds we
though it would never end, that the streets, my head held up high and of had sown. I only hope the soldiers who
earth itself would give out and end it- course a mare to each side of me. The died for this cause are looking upon the
self as a mercy to us all . streets so crowded as to stop any and world today. It was a grand thing to
Yet the unexpected came from it all traffic. die for – the whole world owes this mo-
all, a blast so powerful, so devastat- There are some things such as this ment of real joy to the heroes who are
ing and rife with magic . It enveloped that never will be reproduced if the not here to help enjoy it.
us all, every one of us, no matter our world lives a million years. They have May the lost never be forgot-
species . taken film of these crowds with newly ten, may the forgotten be found and
This forever changed the balance, created devices, but even this cannot remembered.
for our ancestors stood, not as simple recreate the sounds or the expressions I’m trying to write more, but tears
ponies, but ponies changed . Road- on the people’s faces by watching the and trembling hoof seem to make it im-
ies felt empowered like the strongest picture. possible to hold the pen straight. Your
stones of the earth, others sported There is nowhere on earth I would loving colt
new wings of feathers or leather, rather be today than just where I am. —Gauge Jet Chase
some were tipped by horns, and oth-
ers finned for the seas . Our enemies
were stunned, and we took advantage
of it, rushing forth with our newly
acquired connections to the world for
one reason and one reason only .
An End to the Madness
Nocturnes and Pegasi worked to-
gether to acquire air superiority, while
far below the rest functioned as a unit,
swiftly disabling opposing troops .
In less than two years, we had
forced an Armistice with all nations in
order to sue for peace, for so much of
Entombed City of Operandus Discovered
Bale University Professor Hiram constructed theaters, led me to believe no word has come of the great dis-
Birdham discovers the lost city of that this is truly the city of song .” coverers whereabouts, nor that of his
Operandus, one of the most sig- He returned to the Roan Nation team . Many fathers and mothers of
nificant archaeological finds in the his- with news of the lost city and received all species have begun worrying about
tory of the Roan Nation to this date . funding from the National Carto- their young charges and their brave
In the heat of the southernmost graphic Society to lead an excavation entry into the unknown in the hopes
lands of Roan, Bale professor and into the city proper . and pursuit of knowledge, fame, and
explorer Hiram Birdham led an ex- It has been over four months, and fortune .
pedition through the
Aegis Mountains
in search of the lost
cities of the Great
Wyrm Aer-Dracon
Leroux, famous for
his love of music and
dramatic operas .
The entire city
was though lost to
the Æther tremors
during the Great
War, buried in time
and secrets . It was
the recent discovery
of the Canis Archives
that has helped pin-
point the once for-
gotten city’s location .
Within the valley
of Aegis, nestled in
a cave of impossi-
bly high trees whose
branches are so en-
tangled as to form a
natural cave over the
whole of the city, sits
the forgotten land of
music and sonnets .
“We knew we
were close, for the
wind carried an ee-
rie tune, forgotten
by time,” Birdham
wrote in “The Ballad
of the Marionettes,”
an article that de-
tailed the peculiar as-
pects of the lost city .
“The superior char-
acter of the city’s
elaborate design, the
presence of these
splendid and mythi-
cal edifices, and of
what appeared to be
an unusually large
Professor Hiram Birdham of Bale University (center) and his team
number of finely
of explorers before their departure for the lost city of Operandus.
Nikita Crowschev to Damsire
Nikita Crowschev becomes the Our President Hayes has cour- ties are tense with Falconigrad, and
first Falconigrad head of state teously extended a friendly hoof out rumors of splinter cells have cited pos-
to visit the United States . Dur- to the Falconigradian Leader in the sible threats to this tenuous peace be-
ing the next two weeks, Crowschev hopes to negotiating a more perma- tween ponies, and the gryphon’s .
will enter discussions with numerous nent peace between all nations, though The Roan Intelligence Bureau is
councils from across the world in the many in his cabinet have stated that also rumored to be at the height of
Roan United Embassy . there is certainly a weary distrust as their activities, monitoring channels,
Crowschev came to power in the to the rest of the Falconigrad Elite . and even supplying their own agents
Bergs of Matryoshka following the Crowschev’s first day in Roan within the cheering crowds to keep
death of long-time dictator Sascha was mostly taken up with a polite re- an eye out for the safety of the Roan
Falconis twenty years ago . Many ception and a motorcade from the air- Nation .
believe that Crowschev, a devoted docks to downtown Damsire . At the During the next few days,
follower of Falconis, would prove no airport, Crowschev announced that Crowschev will take the opportunity
different in leadership . He surprised he had arrived in Roan “with open to discuss with all species of the world
some, however, by announcing that heart and good intentions . The Fal- at the Roan Summit . Although it is
he sought “peaceful coexistence” with conis avians want to live in friendship considered a trip of goodwill, it is also
the Roan Nation and denounced the with its neighbors .” an opportunity for significant nego-
“excesses” of Falconis, though evi- The importance of this event has tiations with hopes of a positive out-
dence suggests he had a claw in ac- led to the largest security setup the come that could either spell peace for
complishing Falconis’s orders . city has ever seen, as current political our countries .