A downloadable Stream Page

Hello khevre!
Welcome to the source for all your Gelgelim AP needs. You'll find here an overview of the setting, any house rules or new content I make for the stream, a lovely Excel sheet of NPCs updated after each session, and any other materials that might come up.

This AP uses Kazumi Chin's incredible game, Rogue 2E, a beautiful blend of storygames and the OSR.

Setting Overview

In Hebrew, “gelgelim” means ‘wheels.’ Here, it points to how people, places, and things are enmeshed in wheels of relationships that travel and change over time.

A Brief History of Nowa Polska

In 1530, something destroyed everything within 500 miles of the German city of Aachen. Germany is gone. France is gone. England is gone. The forests expanded thousands of hectares overnight and turned dark and mysterious, blocking the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from Russia and places further East. The seas turned black and unpredictable. Folk refer to this catastrophe as the Coruscation.

Trapped by the forests and ferocious Baltic, the peoples of Nowa Polska have spent the last century picking up the pieces. But with relative stability has come a thirst for the past, a grinding of old axes, and a search for old knowledge.

Jews and gentiles alike seek their brethren beyond the dark forests. Catholics quest for news of Rome. Artificers lust for the magical automata of the Kingdom of Granada.

Hearth Spirits

You and your friends play as hearth spirits responsible for a small household. To keep your fire burning, you must support and guide your humans as they weather the seasons. Your power to sustain and protect your mispocha, your family, wanes throughout the week and must be refreshed as part of a meal gathered near the fire - the Hearth Renewal, which usually takes place Friday night or on Sunday.

Locale

Our game takes place in and around Riga, the capital of Latvia. In the alternate history of our setting, Cristoph von Mecklenburg (the Lutheran) successfully became the (Catholic) Archbishop of Riga shortly after the Corruscation, as his guidance helped protect the city as they adjusted to the new state of the world. At over 90 years old, he has lived a suspiciously long time but is now nearing death.

Players & Characters

TJ (he) @MisterRogers_tj plays Aleksas Jozelenas (he)

Alexsas is a man looking to forget his past, he has run away from it all to start over and live a simple life. He views the family as his way forward. Though his past is behind him his ways are not, he is always looking for an edge to get ahead but it’s not for himself anymore but for the family around him.

Jon (none/they/he) @yes_jon plays Jan Cybulski (he/they)

Jan used to be a bright-eyed young lad, though these halcyon days have long ago gone up in flames. After several years of bone breaking and soul crushing work under a famous - and famously ruthless - master alchemist, Jan returned to the family scarred in body and spirit. Now, his will to support and protect the family seems more and more at odds with these new, dark temptations of arcane power. Though he may still believe in his own good intentions, there are desires within Jan's heart that threaten to consume him.

Turk (he) @Turkaccented plays Shaul (he)

An older man with a past that won't stay far from his mind, Saul joined the family without much fanfare and has remained a steady and reliable hand for some time. His aid comes not only in his willingness to work quietly and without complaint, but as a resource of unwanted guidance and occasionally protection. Arriving now to Riga, Saul only wishes to keep his faith, his family, and his life (in that order).

Janie (she/they) @JaniePotts7575 plays Leyla (she)

One day several years ago, a beautiful young woman broke in, and found a family. Leyla, who is always testing limits and boundaries. Though she can be loud and outspoken, she knows when to stay quiet, when to be discreet, and when to share what she’s learned with her family. She’s committed to helping them, at any cost

Hecc (she/they) @SirHeckaLot plays Eleonora Grimas (she/they)

Eleonora, one of the younger adults of this family, was taken in after being alone for some time. Always curious and friendly, she stays close to the heart of this family to keep it together. Perhaps this is so the same thing won't happen to anyone else again, much less to the people she cares about.

Maxx (he/they) @arcanegoth plays Asher Aleasar (they/he/she)

Asher Elesar is an up-and-coming herbalist and the life of the party. Having grown up as an apprentice in an apothecary, they were bound to learn a thing or two. They’ve found, however, that they learn just as much about people as they do about plants. Now, on the hunt for an elusive component, Asher finds themself under pressure seeking new systems of support.