Advice for 1st timer Navarr Herbalist?!

New Players
1

Hey Everyone :slight_smile:

I’m finally joining the Empire in E2 and while I have done some extensive reading on rules, potions, magic and all other things, I’m still a bit wary that I may mess something up. I do know that there’s an option to re-spec but I’d much rather save everyone the trouble and do the homework before making my character.

I’ve settled on Navarr because Ranger/Wood Elves vibes are a weakness of mine! I don’t want to join combat yet as I want to get a feel whether that will be my thing (aaaand it allows me to save some money on kit for my 1-st Empire and then ideally get a weapon later on).

I’ve settled for:

  • Navarr (as mentioned above)
  • Physick (because it unlocks the whole skill set)
  • Apothecary (because herbalist/alchemist is always cool and allows me to play with crafting mechanics and the economy/trade)
  • Herb Garden (of course I need to get the herbs from somewhere)

So, now to my questions:

  • Which territory should I take best for my herb garden? Or perhaps which one should I avoid based on recent events and war efforts? (as it is my understanding that this may impact how well they do)
  • Are there any ‘extra recipes’ that may be useful for someone? I know that I will be able to add these during the event, but that’s a general question out of sheer curiosity :smiley:
  • Should I just go with ‘no archetype’ as this seems to be most appropriate at the moment? Or perhaps go for Broker (though I am a bit worried it may be difficult to do well not knowing anyone and having to start from scratch - though I guess that’s part of the fun)
  • As for phys rep or herbs and potions, is there a specific ‘size’ (be it CM or ML) for these or is it 100% up to me to phys-rep my herbs/potions and then up to the other player to phys rep any potions that I could potentially make for them!?

Sorry for the tons of questions and thanks for your time to read (and hopefully) offer some advice :smiley:

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Hi there Omnixo, welcome along to the game and these forums :smiley:

Good to see you’ve managed to thrash out a character concept and skills. Finding a weapon is something you can take your time with, perhaps borrowing one from your co-nationals to go monstering with?

  1. Territory… I’d advise ignoring recent events and going with which one speaks best to your character. Unless you’re joining an existing group to some extent (which can be a good idea for various reasons) in which case they’ll likely have a set territory already.

  2. You don’t need to spend all your character points at once. And the “basic potion recipies” are usually in high demand. Everyone needs healing potions… I think “extra recipies” is one best explored in play. Talk to folk, see what’s asked for, take notes…

  3. You can change archetype pretty easily. Leave it blank for now, that’s fine. If Broker seems your thing, have a close look at it, and perhaps talk to one or two in play?

  4. Ah, phys-reps. Now, mechanically, the herbs are represented by little cards, and the potions by… more little cards. Having some phys-reps of the potion bottles is advisable. It gives something to hand over, and something for them to fumble desperately in a pocket for mid-battle. Little bottles suitable can be culled from many sources (alchoholic minatures, at worst) and bought on site (several vendors stock useful vials…).

As for the herbs, as a Physick this will also be of some note. What you use is entirely up to you.
When I played a Physick I made up:
a bottle of green (food colouring) lemonade for the True Vervain (entirely swiggable)
a little tub of cucumber scented moisturiser cream for Cerelean Mazzarine (smelt floral, could be rubbed on, and actually helped with sunburn)
A little bottle of blue tinted water for Marrowort
A little bottle of chopped ginger in brandy for Bladeroot (“an alchohol tincture therof…”)
And a small pouch for Imperial Roseweald, containing crushed peppercorns,dried chilli and curry powder; A potent purgative pouch to profer…

How much preparation you make for these is entirely a matter of flavour. I have at times used nothing at all, or vegetation gathered on site.

This is not tons of questions, we’ve got a high capacity for answers here :stuck_out_tongue:

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3

Hi Omar,

Welcome to Empire and Croeso i Navarr.
Hope you’re having fun so far. :slight_smile:

I’ll offer some help and feel free to find me In Character if you fancy a natter (Yaya’s Prosperity Pavillion with the Ffwrdd Allan Yna).

  • Territory?

There’s no “good/bad” answer here.
What may seem to be entirely safe one season, could be on fire the next season eg Miaren. So having a nose around the territories section and going with what vibes best may be a good guide.

Briefly:
Hercynia - Cold, mountainous, good distilleries, BIG Library, fir & pine forests
Miaren - The neat “civilized” Navarr. They have/had a city “Seren”, they have no Vallorn, please try and ignore the gaping hole in the ground, and the fact that the Cold Sun are making it VERY crispy
Therunin - The Empire’s Florida. Swamps, giant flying/stinging/biting insects, dire crocodiles, famed Navarri Hero Red Hound has retired there, and the presence of the Embassy for Axos means it’s full of Drug Dealers. I may challenge the Senator for Therunin to build some sort of Park of Amusements Great Work. :grin:
Broceliande - Vallorn, more vallorn, EVEN more vallorn…Navarr & Thorn. Come see the Terunael Ruins, they’re lovely. Known for intimidating Vates and angry thorns.
Liathaven - The territory so good we cursed it twice. Seriously, there’s like a 30-year curse we slapped on this forest. Currently in Jotun and Vallorn hands. Some Feni. Produces many of the meanest, and angriest Thorns in Navarr. Quite Grumpy.

By the sounds of it, you’re currently Solo Striding in the Navarr.
With the Spring Welcoming coming up at E2 it’s a great time to look for a Steading or Striding to call home. Listen to the Great Dance, see where it takes you. Did I mention my Banner is recruiting? :smiley:

Brocelinade and Liathaven both have -50% production nerfs due to being conquered. However, just like Miaren suddenly being invaded, the next winds of war & fortune could see a region recaptured and suddenly you’re back at 100%. The game is in the field, downtime effects on your production just encourages you to care about what’s happening. If you don’t have enough herbs, someone in Navarr will have some to sell.

Which is why you can’t take 5 steps in Anvil without someone wanting to sell you a flapjack, brownie, cookie, bun or other baked good.

  • Points?

Don’t worry about the points. I know people who literally came in having spent no points. They roleplayed with lots of peeps, had people show them stuff like they were in the academy and made a decision about who they were later.

As an Artisan I found it useful to theme my recipes (I specialise in combat items for people without hero points). You may find something similar helps as an apothecary…

Are you an Elixir Vitae Vender, is it Scop’s Mead for the Thorns, Mageblood and Vate boosts? Are you slightly twisted and looked at all the poisons? To learn the antidotes…but you know alllllll the poisons and venoms.

Physick/Apothecary/Herb Garden is not an uncommon build in Navarr.
You’ll often see them at the Vines council with pouches full of Marrowort and True Vervain.

Vines are mostly battlefield healers. However, there are only a few Navarri physicks in the Hospital. So well worth a look. A great place to role-play, find out about the IC healing arts, and meet people from all over the Empire.

Many of them may be screaming, bleeding out or having some form of surgery carried out on them. But you will get to meet them. :grin:

  • Archetype?

As Geoff says, don’t worry about it.
More than many Nations Navarr is a choice not a birthright, and with the Great Dance you may feel called to many places and roles in your life.

I used to be a Broker, everybody thought I was a Thorn, now I’m a Brand.
“I don’t know” is a perfectly legit answer,

  • Phys Reps?

When it comes to potions there is no hard and fast rule on dosage, size etc.
There are some amazing phys reps out there.
I’ve bought potions with realistic drinkable phys reps.
I currently like the little coloured wooden tubes with a cork that one for the traders was selling.

Phys Reps cost money, living is expensive. Having a few cheap 10ml glass or plastic bottles with some diluted food colouring in and a pouch/box for your lammies is great.
Do what you can.

Or ask other players about how they do it.
The Apothecary Guild between the Brass Coast and the Imperial Offices is worth a look.

Skill Tree is among some great You Tube channels for LARPers.

Here are their:

Alchemist Kit Build
Travel Tavern Box
IC Coffee Kit

Hope this and all the other advice helps.
Have a fantastic time and never be afraid to ask questions. :smiley:

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@Geoffrey_Willoughby and @Rathmund

Thank you sooo much for such swift and extensive replies!

They’re super useful and of much help. I think I’ve got a much better grasp of all the bits and my suspicions on ‘Leave it blank and see how you like it later’ is the way to go :slight_smile: As for the solo striding that is indeed the case. I’ve got a friend of mine who will definitely join sooner or later, but as of now I’m going solo for a full ‘It’s my first time at the Anvil’ experience.

As for the Territory I may go with Miaren as it will fit nicely with a dead-basic background of, ‘Left the nice parts to see the real world and find my place’. I’m sure there’s tons of people with that background but I think it works well for a ‘clean slate’ character. Also, there’s nothing wrong with the classics!

As a result of your advice I’ve just pulled the trigger and got my tickets order in and paid, so I can now officially say that I’m looking forward to meeting you IC on E2!

Thank you once again and now off to get the last bits of kit ready.

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