2. Your Inheritance
  1. Notes

2. Your Inheritance

Session Zero

Worried about this wall of text? Why not just listen to the podcast and them come back to use this as a reference.

While it's not what you planned for your life it is an intriguing opportunity. You and a small group of lucky individuals find yourselves as part owners of the Little Shoppe of Curiosities, a magical curios shop with a lot of potential, but badly in need of fresh energy.

To do this right as a DM, I'm going to need the characters motivations because (IMO) each adventure should have an emotional hook, a money hook or a plot hook. For that reason we need to flesh out your characters a bit.  Because the general plot is that you've inherited part of a magic shop from Jaimus McNulty I have a few suggestions, but please feel free to think of other ways you might have gotten lucky and inherited a piece of the Little Shoppe of Curiosities.

If you can swing it, add in some other color about your character. Something they can struggle with for many levels.

Inheritance Reasons

So, my recommendation is that you each take one or more of these snippets your backstory and work from there:

  • The Apprentice - Hoping to learn something of magic, the apprentice puts their heart and soul into the shoppe only to see Jaimus die on them. (Wizard)
  • The Archaeologist - As a consultant, you’ve worked with the McNulty on ancient things and are an expert in the dead language of the first men. He promised you certain items in the attic that turned up missing upon his death. While unfortunate, this isn't unknown in your profession. You are delighted when the attorney Fausta contacts you with news of your share. Calliope]
  • The Child - Grandchild, niece, nephew, etc. Likely a ne’er do well who wasn't trusted enough to inherit full ownership in the family business, and wants to sell it and go back to their lives, however, the will stipulates the shop must be kept running with your active participation. (any-class)
  • The Debt Collector - Yep, the shoppe has a lien on it and the lien is in the hands the debt collector. I'm tempted to make this a silent partner, for future players, but feel free to take this one if you have a good idea. (any-class, Rogue, Mastermind?).
  • The Familiar - The shop has had a dog named Bixby who could be a shapeshifter trapped in his pug-form. I mean, this isnt' the best shapshifter ability, turning into a pug. We could say that Bixby spent his/her days spoiled and largely ignoring the commercial aspects of the shop until he/she suddenly changed into a (human/dwarf/gnome/etc). Jaimus knew this would happen and made Bixby a part owner. (Rogue - Nightwalker)
  • The Gambler - The old shopkeeper has a gambling debt with some rogue. Honestly Jaimus wasn't that far removed from the criminal element so it likely wasn't a difficult relationship for him to maintain. [TAKEN BY Katrina]
  • The Kid Next Door - In winter, they chopped firewood, but mostly because they liked the way it made their muscles look. Jaimus must appreciated the help more than he let on. This is a coming of age story for sure. (Warrior) Kaiser]
  • A Mysterious Magical Order - These guys own a share and as parents can give that share to the PC who is largely clueless as to what the mysterious order is up to. Do I sense nepotism? (Seraph or Wizard Rune/Lore)
  • The Mercenary - It could be that Jaimus frequently required assistance when transporting magical items and being one old man he needed to hire a mercenary or two. Sadly, he wasn't able to pay them as frequently as they worked and was always promising the next "big-score". (Warrior Slayer/Vanguard or Guardian)
  • The Mummy - Years ago, Jaimus McNulty won a free-standing Mummy in a card game. The thing is, it's really a "Warforged" whose stood and listened to the comings and goings of the shoppe for well over a decade. Unable to move until new ownership arrives. [TAKEN by Calvin]
  • Player Created - let me know what you have. I've brainstormed this thing on my own and these are just jumping off points.
  • The Silent Partner - (reserved for players joining late) For a long time there has been a silent partner. You can be a relation to that partner or the partner themself. This is likely a lien holder. (any-class)
  • The Solicitor - Is it any surprise that Jaimus didn't have money to pay his estate attorney? It shouldn't be. He seems to have trouble with paying the bills and owed you money as well. If someone wants this background, they will need to read the will and consent to having some nice family members (Fausta).  Otherwise, I attorney is named  do have Hortencia Fausta and we will say that  Jaimus was properly paid in advance.
  • The Veterinarian - yes…Bixby has been pretty ill and Jaimus did everything in his power to keep him alive. Doing so left an unpaid bill. (Seraph - Grace or Wizard Lore)

Dead Language - Language of the first men - Keck-Tesh this needs to be an option that players know about, but reading it sort of requires you to be an archaeologist.

Society and Titles

There are different classes of citizens that make up the society, and yes, this is a bit of a stratified society. The good news it that as an adventurer you can advance (earn Renown) in Kashalite society as the game progresses by doing favors for important citizens. Looking at the list below you'll see that patricians and equestrians also come with some financial obligations like owning property within the walls, or a stable full of racing horses... and worse, being a Senator means participating in boring debates.

Let's work together to take the reason for inheritance and figure out what kind of citizen you'd like to be. Largely, this stuff is for role-play, and helps place your character within the context of the world, but it's also going to open up some fun options like disguising your self as a Patrician or Equestrian to get into places you might not belong.

  • Peregrini - Freeborn of the conquered lands. Typically having Gaelic names
  • Plebian - Citizens, farmers and shopkeepers
  • Patrician - Citizens of the upper class, live inside the walls 
  • Equestrian - Wealthier, this citizen generally has horses, gladiators, etc.
  • Senator - Full members of the Senate who debate and order civil matters.

Don't like what you see? Well, let's talk about it.

Secrets

Everyone should have secrets that they are too delicate to share with the "Party" when they first meet. Perhaps they are they type you never share, or they type that you haven't shared, but you would once you get around to it.

Come up with, at least, a couple of secrets that your characters holds.