Good a place as any to ask, and no, you're not too early.
vogelsong wrote:1) Is there anything specific we should keep in mind about Canguine when thinking about characters?
Well it is the ROGUES of Canguine as opposed to the HEROES of Altamira. So the focus will be more mercenary in its outlook. That said, you will not be playing villains so I often tell folks think of Han Solo, Lando, Barbwire, Starlord, Selene (from Underworld), Grimjack (comic book), etc. You're generally on the side of the angels but you have your own way of doing things. We're even working on a new way to do reputation (points for dealing with problems quietly and efficiently rather than heroically)
vogelsong wrote:2) How accurate is the information on Canguine in the Pirate Nations 1st ed sourcebook?
Almost word for word. I am using it as the basis for the NPCs (though there were be far more in the campaign than are written about in the writeup).
vogelsong wrote:3) Are the characters expected to have some sort of affiliation with the Sea Dogs?
You can if you want to, but it's certainly not necessary.
vogelsong wrote:4) Which secret societies would be most appropriate to play in this setting? Are there any that are outright restricted?
Just like HoA I have a list of those allowed. They are, Die Kreuzritter, Rilasciare, and Sophia's Daughters.
Some caveats:
1) as for Rilasciare, you may not be a member of the Guerilla Alliance (the bomb throwers/terrorists) or the Oppositionists (Fate Witch murderers)
2) Sophia's Daughters will not be RAW. Instead I re-wrote the whole book and we'll be using that instead (I am waiting on final approval from two of my readers and then I will release it into the wild. You'll be able to find it here when it's ready)
Last, you didn't ask for this but it seems as good a place as any to post it. Here are the full rules I wrote up
Rogues of Canguine Character Creation
Nationalities –
Heroes may be of any of the basic nations (Avalon, Castille, Eisen, Montaigne, Ussura, Vendel-Vesten, Vodacce) plus Kanuba and Marcina in the Midnight Archipelago. No other exotics are available (Bryn Bresail, Cathay, Crescent Empire, or other Midnight Archipelago).
HP/XP
Players may select any 105HP templates then individualize with an additional 30HP
Or players can simply build a character on their own with 130HP
Sorcery –
All sorceries/shamanisms from the Mainland Nations are available save Zerstorung. In addition, Nacht, Opah, Erego, and Sophia's Daughters' potion brewing school are also available.
Swordsman Schools –
All schools from the mainland nations and the various secret societies are available. In addition, Nahgem from the Midnight Archipelago is also available.
Backgrounds –
All base backgrounds are available along with any from the secret societies and nation books in play. Those from other books will be taken on a case by case basis. If taken, heroes can play their backgrounds during any “Personal Agendas” adventures. They receive an additional 1XP for each adventure. For every HP invested, heroes will have 4 adventures to complete the background. Heroes may also earn backgrounds over the course of the campaign. In that case, the number of adventures is pre-determined.
Secret Societies –
Available – Die Kreuzritter, Rilasciare (no Guerilla Allegiance, or Oppositionists), Sophia’s Daughters (Using The First Tome: Sophia’s Daughters Re-Imagined)
Unavailable – Explorer’s Society, Invisible College, Knights of the Rose and Cross, Los Vagos