I’m a brand new player, and I have no idea what to do next...

Welcome!

We’ve provided a lot of additional background information on the setting, all of the various factions, and even summaries of our virtual events in the links below. But you do not have to come into play knowing it all! However, if you want to get a feel for the setting before entering play this is a good place to start. All of this information is stuff your character is able to come into game knowing, if you choose.

Again, if you don’t think you would have kept up with all of this, that’s fine! You are welcome to come in fresh and learn things once you start playing, and there's a lot to learn about in game by talking to other players! We have lots of characters that would be happy to tell you their side of the story of all these crazy events. These kinds of roleplay interactions can make for a memorable experience!

We’ve taken a lot of pride in documenting all the stories we’ve told so far, so we hope you’ll enjoy reading about the setting we care about very much!

here’s a few things a new character might know about Bravado

What is this place?

  • Bravado is a tiny stop along the Oxline, a massive train network owned by the RRC, or Railroad Conglomerate. 

  • The area around the town of Bravado is known as the “San Saba Territories” and sometimes just called the “Lonestar”. The territories are run by a powerful group of people called the “San Saba Board”.

  • Bravado is known for strange tunnels underneath the town that are a source of scrap and artifacts from long ago. People who risk the tunnels looking for scrap are often known as “Delvers”.

  • The primary export of the town is the metal and scrap uncovered from the tunnels below, as well as the oily fuel known as “Oxblood”.

  • New folk to Bravado are called “Dusters”, for the coating of dust on their clothes when they step off The Ox, the train that brings you to town.

Who is the RRC?

  • The Railroad Conglomerate (“RRC”) is the most financially powerful faction in the entirety of the San Saba Territories. Most people in the San Saba are contracted employees of the RRC.

  • The Oxline is expanding throughout the San Saba Territories and most folks are eager to get a piece of the action.  

  • The Foreman of Bravado is a person named Felicity Redfield. They are connected with the RRC and known to be a bit of an explorer. She has bright red, curly hair, and always wears a wide-brimmed hat.

What’s around Bravado?

  • South of Bravado is the metropolis known as Essex, the City of Light and Sound.  It is known to have a single massive tree growing in the center, called the “Fountainheart”.

  • North of Bravado is the capital of the San Saba Territories, the floating airship-city of Waking Prime. 

  • Northeast of the city lies Prudence Penitentiary, also known as “Killhouse”, a prison constructed to house the worst criminals imaginable.

  • To the southeast lies The Clutch, a major port city on the Spoiled Coast and home to the Junkerpunks. A major river connects the lake near Bravado to The Clutch.

Why is Bravado important?

  • Something important is suspected to be under the town, and people are flocking to Bravado day by day in search of fortune and adventure.

  • Every faction of the San Saba Board is offering contracts within the tiny town. There’s steady employment here, and a person can make a name for themselves on the frontier. Do work, get paid!

Is Bravado dangerous?

  • Bravado is no more dangerous than any other town in the wastes, but that’s not saying much. There is always a threat of zombies, ferocious raiders, mutated critters, and even your fellow survivors.

  • Local threats in this area that might be different than other settlements are:

    • Psionic fire-wielding raiders known as Firebrands

    • Hungry blood-drinking zed known as Bloodghasts

    • Deadly mutant fauna known as Murder Goat Deer

What are the laws of Bravado?

  • The San Saba board has recently enacted several laws, and you can find them here.

  • Generally, don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t break contracts, don’t mess with the Postal Workers, and always pay your Grave Tax.

  • The Grave Tax is a fine paid to use the Morgue if someone dies. If you die accidentally or to zed and raiders, the fee is negligible. But if you die foolishly, or intentionally kill someone, the fee is much steeper. Remember, most characters can die multiple times!

What about violence?

  • Bravado is a rough and tumble frontier town.  Casual violence is a part of daily life, but remember not to kill anyone. As long as they don’t die, you can generally just buy them a hooch at the bar and walk it off if you are on the losing end. Talk shit, get hit!

  • If you are interested in CvC (Character vs Character conflict), talk to a Guide! Guides wear green headbands and/or a pin that says ‘Marshal’. They are players who help to run the game. A list of our current Guides is here.

What are contracts?

  • When everyone in the area is focused on the rail line and commerce, it pays to choose a side. You do so by signing a Contract with one of the factions of the San Saba Board.

  • Signing a contract with a faction makes you a Contracted Partner, and earns the protection of that faction in exchange for doing jobs for them. It’s the surest way to earn currency, or “Brass”, in town.

  • You can get a standard contract from the Post Office or the Depot.

Other background stuff that might be important

  • You’ve heard of the Hiway War, a massive conflict four years ago that nearly killed everyone in the San Saba wastes.  It was stopped by the sacrifice of a few brave souls in the former town of Old Bravo.

  • The San Saba Board has recently arisen as a force of law and order. They represent the interests of the major financial institutions of the area, including the Railroad Conglomerate, the Grave Council, the Tribes Disparate, the Law Dog Union, and Prudence Penitentiary. Though the powerful Lovelace Family is not officially part of the Board, they stay neutral in most affairs of politics.

  • The only major faction that is not part of the Board is the Junkerpunks, a loose confederation of pirates, highwaymen, privateers, caravan drivers, merchants, couriers, and sailors from The Clutch. They have a massive Flotilla of ships that ply the riverways and coast all through the San Saba.

  • The lost city of Barogue was recently discovered in the Dune Sea to the west. Something the survivors found there made them very interested in the tiny town of Bravado.

We’ll have much more for you in play, so if you don’t remember everything that’s ok!  There’s lots more to experience at the game, so we are excited to see you in September!

Other Stuff you might want to look at as a New Player

I have additional questions!