Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 24 Aug 2002 to 25 Aug 2002 (#2002-221) From: Automatic digest processor Date: 26/08/2002, 17:00 To: Recipients of MYSTARA-L digests Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion There are 5 messages totalling 461 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Hippogriffs 2. Sentient Races List (2) 3. Revised Taymoran history 4. =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:=20=A0=20=A0=20=A0=20[MYSTARA]=20Satyrs=20of=20?= =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Karameikos=20(alpha=20ready),=20Part=20III?= ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp The Mystara Homepage: http://www.dnd.starflung.com/ To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 19:45:35 +1000 From: Michael Diehm Subject: Hippogriffs The Rules Cyclopedia states the a Hippogriff is a magical crossbread of horse and griffon (prey and predator...interesting). Has anyone fleshed out their origin? Perhaps they were created by mortal wizards....Blackmoor? Thonia? Lhomarr? Nithia? Milenia? Alphatia? Cheers _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 16:02:43 +0000 From: Agathokles Subject: Sentient Races List Here are updates and references for a number of entries in the Sentient Races List at the Vaults of Pandius. Bargda References: Giulio N. Caroletti's history of Minotaurs reference. Bhut References: Bhut article by Agathokles Brutemen In addition to Hollow World settlements, there are some Brutemen in the Isle of Dread, and possibly other lost world areas. References: X1 Isle of Dread, Hollow World Campaign Setting Crabman Like many other generic AD&D aquatic races, these could appear as members of the underwater empires mentioned in the Savage Coast material (see Sea Hermit in the SC MCA). Devilfish In addition to their major settlements in the Sea of Dread, they have been spotted as far as in the Norwold (M5 Four Coins for a Kingdom). Dwarf There are a number of dwarven clans along the Savage Coast. Most of these, if not all, are colonists from Rockhome. Enduk Enduks where created by the Immortal Ixion as a reward for one of his highest ranking proxies, the Greater Shedu Gildesh. Some of them betrayed their king, and were transformed into common Minotaurs. Reference: Orc's Head, Giulio N. Caroletti's History of the Minotaurs. Geonid They were found also in Blackmoor at the time of the shipwreck of the FSS Beagle. It is not known how well they fared after the Great Rain of Fire. Mujina A band of Mujina is located in Port Shireton. Others can be met in Hule in the X5 module. References: Five Shires Gazetteer, X5 Temple of Death -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it agosta@elet.polimi.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 17:08:47 +0000 From: Agathokles Subject: Revised Taymoran history Hi all, I've decided to give a look at the Mystaran Atlantis, Taymora. I like James Mishler's work on the nation, especially the necromantic magic and lycanthropy bits, but I'm not especially fond of the correspondence established between Taymora and RW Sumerian/Babilonians, since these cultures are already used to cover many aspects of Nimmurians, Enduk, and even Alphatians. My RW counterpart for Taymora would probably be the Phoenicians and/or the Peoples of the Sea (Philistines, Sardinians, Sicilians, and Libians tribes that attacked Egypt twice, without success, and perhaps destroyed the Hittite civilization). I also wanted to set more firmly the Taymoran history within the established Mystaran timeline, so I started by collecting the events that happened during the "Taymoran Age", between 2800 and 1700 before the crowning of the first emperor of Thyatis. Herebelow is the result. Comments are welcome, as usual. Timeline of the TAYMORAN AGE, 2800-1700 BC 2800 BC Ilsundal leads the first northbound migration from Vulcania. The surviving Thonians on southern Brun start rebuilding their civilisation, though most of their technological lore is lost. For the next three centuries, they remain isolated from neighbouring cultures. 2700 BC Mixed human-beastman tribes appear in nothern Denagoth. Fire Gnomes and Ice Gnomes quarrel over technological issues in southern Davania. 2500 BC Survivors of the Thonian colonies resurface as the Taymorans, a people with bronze age technology among stone age Azcans and Nithians. Taymoran humans establish bronze age kingdoms in modern southern Darokin, 5 Shires, Undersea, eastern Ierendi, and perhaps Minrothad. They have good metalworking techniques and rich mines of copper and other metals useable for the production of bronze. Probably, they also have rich gold mines. The knowledge of metalworking and other surpring technological and social advancements were preserved during the Great Rain of Fire age by a cadre of Nosferatu followers of Nyx, who allow the Taymoran priesthood of Nyx-who is considered a mother goddess and a protector against the dangers of "light" by the earliest Taymorans-to access this knowledge and establish a power base for themselves. Nithians are at very early bronze age technology, or perhaps at aeneolithic technology--they have copper and perhaps silver, but no other easily accessed metals. The Antalians are migrating to Norwold, pushing north the Littonians. Gnomes and Dwarves are settling Rockhome and the Northern reaches. The pre-GRoF glaciers have nearly completely melted by now in these regions, opening up the routes from Norwold to southern Brun. Exceptions are probably the Northern Reaches and the Selenican passes. Davania is crossed by elven migrations. Tangor Men are migrating from Minaea to the Serpent Peninsula (passing by the Pearl Islands and Thanegioth by this time). 2400 BC The Taymorans use their magic and knowledge of metallurgy to establish a number of trade routes to the west (with Azcans and Huleans) and north (to the newly created Antalian holdings in Heldann). The Beastmen settle near the northern polar opening. Those on the OW begin to evolve towards the goblinoid races. Destruction of the southern elvish civilisation. The Antalian culture is now at a Bronze Age development stage in Norwold, thanks to its contacts with the Taymorans through the Streel trade route. The Littonians have been chased north of the Great Bay. 2350 BC Taymoran leaders, who are by now mostly priests of Nyx and necromantic wizards, start joining the ranks of the undead, under the tutelage of the original Nosferatu. 2300 BC Ilsundal's elves cross the Strait of Izonda and settle the eastern and central Savage Coast. The Sheyallia clan settles the Serpent Peninsula. Some Sheyallia clans sail east. These include the elves that will reach Glantri, and the Verdier, Vyalia, and Meditor clans. 2250 BC The Sheyallia elves reach Taymora. The local Necromancer Kings offer them the lands to the east of their nation, provided that they help opening new trade routes. Elven mercenary companies, armed with Taymoran bronze weaponry, invade the giant-held forests and mountains. They open up the trade routes to Nithia. 2200 BC Height of the Taymoran power. Taymoran city-states dot the southern coast. Giantish clans (Foimorians) brought to submission by the joined Taymoran- Sheyallia operations are employed to build megalithic fortresses in Taymora. Nithian silver start flooding the cashes of the Taymoran necromancer kings, and Nithia uses the bronze weaponry to hold back the Antalian invaders. Some northern Nosferatu leaders send missions to Hule and beyond, in an attempt to expand their territory. Meanwhile, southern kings send naval expeditions east, to the Isle of Dawn. They attempt to establish colonies, but they are repelled by hostile Giants, Elves, and Humans (Dunael). Taymora becomes known as the Land of the Dead, or the Land of the Night, among the Nithians. This is due to its western position, but also to its Undead ruling caste. Taymora is known to the Pharaohs as a coalition of many nations-this considers both the Temran (Taymoran) city-states and the vassal or allied nations of elves (Shelash), foimorians (Poymeren), lizard-men (Malepeq), Azcans (Ashkan), and later the Lukka (lycanthropes) and Alpared (Albarendi humans). The elven migrations reach Glantri. The Verdier, Meditor, and Vyalia clans (from the Sheyallia nation) settle the forests to the east of Taymora as vassals to various eastern Taymoran kings. Nithia has yet to reach mature Bronze age technology. The Antalians now control much of the Sea of Dawn coasts. They probably have advanced shipwright technology (for the time). They are in general technologically more advanced than Nithians, and control an enormous expanse of land, from the Great Bay in Norwold to Ethengar! Neathar tribes at stone age level have moved from Skothar to Ethengar in parallel to the Antalian migration. They, however, pushed south, settling Ylari coasts and moving south through the sea of Dread. As the Antalians, they are able to build ships for coastal and perhaps even oceanic travel. Tanagoro colonists reach the Serpent Peninsula, bringing along knowledge of the Taymoran bronze. 2100 BC Various necromancer kings develop special servant races, like the albarendi and the lycanthropes (they follow one of the beliefs of their patroness, Nyx, who likes creating new races, especially ones accustomed to a night-based activity cycle). Ilsundal's migration reaches the Sylvan Realm. The Kingdom of Denagoth begins its formation. 2000 BC Barbaric tribes of Neathar and Oltecs cut the trade routes to Antalian lands. The northern Taymoran kings use Malpheggi and Azcan mercenaries in an attempt to reopen the Streel river route, with mixed success. A number of kings try to increase their power by shifting their allegiance from Nyx to Thanatos. The effects are devastating, as the war between followers of the two entropic immortal rages for years. Taymora is politically weakened, and attempts by various kings to expand their holdings in Nithia and on the Isle of Dawn are rebuffed. Nithia begins its rise, having reached bronze age technology. Silver mines in the Northern Reaches are exploited. The silver is traded to Taymora, where it pays for the Taymoran bronze. Like modern Ierendi, Taymora has no silver mines, so silver is quite valuable there. The cult of Nephthisi controls much of this trade. Frost Giant expansion in the region north of the Great Bay. Dragon wars plague the northern Antalians, while the southern tribes war with the Nithians. Not able to reach their sources of metals anymore, the Neathar and Antalians are pushed out of the Ylari coastline. Some tribes, the future Traldar, are enslaved by the Nithian kings, other, the Dunael, flee east on the sea, while the Doulakki enter the forested lands that are now Thyatis. By this time, Neathar tribes more or less related to the these have settled north-eastern Davania as well, up to Varellya. Elsewhere, the Beastmen have now evolved into the modern species of goblinoids. First human (Antalian) settlements in the Northern Reaches. The Kingdom of Herath is created, and the Aranea go into hiding. The Nimmurian civilisation begins as the Enduks are created. Bronze Age Neathar tribes reach Varellya. Taymoran expatriates (probably a losing faction in the religious conflicts) found the nation of Azidhaka in Hyborea, enslaving the native Saamari. 1993 BC Frost Giants from Frosthaven storm the Littonian lands. 1944 BC The capitol of the Frost Giant Kingdom of Nordenheim is established. 1900 BC The Jennite civilisation conquers much of western Skothar. The priesthood of Nephthisi guides Nithia to success against the northern threat. A series of conflicts halts the Antalian expansion in the Northern Reaches. The Red Dragon Syare (who will become the Pearl Dragon) establishes his domain in the Wyrmsteeth. 1850 BC Foundation of the Kingdom of Varellya. The Varellyans have reached Iron Age by this time. In Nithia, the militant Priesthood of Rathanos oust the priestesses of Nephthisi from their monopoly of silver trade, as the latter Immortal start losing interest in the Nithians. Aware of the strife going on in Taymora, the Priests of Rathanos extend the mining techniques of the Nithians beyond silver mining. 1800 BC The Dwarven nations collapse suddenly. Only a few communities of new Dwarves exist, but they remain unaware of the outer world. Steel Wars divide the goblinoids of the utter north. Ilsundal's armies destroy the Nosferatu kingdom of Azidhaka/Tuonaar in Hyborea. Ilsundal creates the first elvish Tree of Life and becomes an Immortal. The Neathar tribes on the Ylaruam coast have developed early Bronze Age technology. Some city-states are established, and some tribes migrate to the Isle of Dawn. 1750 BC The massive magical energies invoked by the warring sorcerers cause earthquakes to wrack the Taymoran lands, which sink in the sea. Many Taymorans survive, and begin migrations to the newly formed isles in the south, but more often to the east. The earthquakes also destroys the Tanagoro and Azcan civilizations. 1740 BC A wave of fleeing Taymorans hits various locations in the east. The armies that are invading Nithia are routed thanks to the priests of Rathanos, who use fire magic to counter the undead units. Foimorians and Taymorans fleets also reach the Isle of Dawn, where they manage to take hold of the western region. Other Taymoran remnants are found in southern Darokin (Tuma), the Hulean region, Sind (Lycanthropes), Ierendi (albarendi), Vyalia, and Minrothad. A few Albarendi clans also reach the forested Doulakki lands (these will be among the ancestors of the Cynidiceans). 1725 BC King Loark of the humanoids organises an army of humanoids known as the Great Horde. They migrate southeastwards. 1722 BC The goblinoids of Loark's horde try and invade southern Nordenheim, but are pushed back by the Frost Giants. The Red Dragon overking Syare protects the Antalians of Wyrmsteeth from Loark's armies. The rest of the Antalian civilisation collapses. 1720 BC Taymoran remnants attempt to take over Meditor elves in Colhador, are repelled. Iron age Antalian survivors land in the Isle of Dawn, where they battle the Dunael and the Taymoran remnants. The goblinoid chief, Akilla-Khan conquers the southern steppes of Ethengar. 1711 BC Great Horde reaches Ethengar. Akilla-Khan allies with King Loark. 1710 BC The Great Horde of King Loark enslaves the primitive Ethengars. 1709 BC Akilla-Khan betrays King Loark. The Great Horde is defeated, and splinters; the trolls head east, the goblins south, and the rest settle the Broken Lands. 1700 BC Having lost their mines, and the sources of their bronze, the Taymoran remnants turn to iron for their works. The Taymoran smiths captured by the Nithian Pharaoh bring to Nithia the knowledge needed to push the nation towards the Iron Age, thanks to the rich iron mines of the Alasiyan highlands and the high-temperature fires provided by the priests of Rathanos. The elves in Glantri accidentally (?) trigger a Blackmoor artifact, which explodes. The nuclear winter and the earthquakes caused by the explosion destroy what remained of the northernmost Taymoran settlements. The surviving elves retreat into subterranean caverns, while the Broken Lands are ravaged, and the Great Horde is destroyed. Goblinoids settle in the Yazak Steppes. -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it agosta@elet.polimi.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 11:28:33 -0700 From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Sentient Races List At 04:02 PM 8/25/02 +0000, you wrote: > > Crabman > Like many other generic AD&D aquatic races, these could appear > as members of the underwater empires mentioned in the Savage Coast > material (see Sea Hermit in the SC MCA). There's also a mention of crab people in the annals of Al-Kalim's voyages in Gaz2 (can't recall the page or whatever offhand, but IIRC it's in the final pages of the Gaz, under the adventure that describes Al-Kalim's pilgrimage). > Geonid > They were found also in Blackmoor at the time of the shipwreck > of the FSS Beagle. It is not known how well they fared after the Great > Rain of Fire. THere are Geonids in the Black Mountains in X5: Temple of Death. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 00:55:22 EDT From: Ryan L Subject: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:=20=A0=20=A0=20=A0=20[MYSTARA]=20Satyrs=20of=20?= =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Karameikos=20(alpha=20ready),=20Part=20III?= ------------------------------ End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 24 Aug 2002 to 25 Aug 2002 (#2002-221) ****************************************************************