Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 12 Mar 2002 to 13 Mar 2002 (#2002-72) From: Automatic digest processor Date: 14/03/2002, 19:00 To: Recipients of MYSTARA-L digests Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion There are 29 messages totalling 1024 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. http://historymedren.about.com/ 2. 3E Half Orcs in Mystara 3. Treel is back? (Was: FSS Beagle Crew and their fates) (2) 4. Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military (12) 5. Treel is back? (Was: FSS Beagle Crew and their fates) 6. Bastard Swords (5) 7. Realms of Mystara site update (3) 8. Dragonstar and Mystara (Was: Steam and Gunpowder) (2) 9. The Curse of Halag (was: hafling immortals) (long) (2) ******************************************************************** 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: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 03:23:44 -0700 From: Angelo Bertolli Subject: http://historymedren.about.com/ I was wondering if any of you had seen this site yet... lots of good = information here... http://historymedren.about.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 14:39:10 +0100 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Havard=20Faanes?= Subject: Re: 3E Half Orcs in Mystara --- David Knott skrev: > > I can actually think of several backgrounds for > Karameikan half-orcs: > 2) The sinister Black Eagle Baron might be breeding > half-orcs > deliberately in his dungeons, seeking to combine the > strength of > orcs with the human ability to function in full > daylight. Hey, I'm definately using this idea for my campaign. Thanks for sharing that one with us. Very Saruman-ish, eh? :) Håvard ______________________________________________________ Sjekk snørapporter... fra 500 ski-destinasjoner i Europa på http://no.snow.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 14:47:34 +0100 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Havard=20Faanes?= Subject: Re: Treel is back? (Was: FSS Beagle Crew and their fates) --- Alex Benson wrote: > > Being trapped inside the NoS Treel is well aware of > its powers. Unlike > Benekander who was trapped outside of it and away > from it, he has had > centuries to understand its workings. Thus he has an > advantage over > Benekander, Rafiel, and even Etienne (should he ever > return). > > Well? Comments? Suggestions? I like it! His connection with the NoS might do nasty things to him when the NoS is altered to align itself with Entropy by the Old One. I wonder though, if the Old One would have done anything to Treel at that moment, or whether he felt that he already had punished Entropy enough and that doing harm to Treel (obviously by now an entropic Immortal) he would disturb the Balance(TM). Gareth does sound like a name a FSS-Beagle guy would use, doesn't it? If people like these ideas, but have other plans for Gareth, there's no reason Treel could still be out there using his own name or something else. Håvard ______________________________________________________ Sjekk snørapporter... fra 500 ski-destinasjoner i Europa på http://no.snow.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 09:08:39 -0500 From: Geoff Gander Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military Some very good points here. To be honest I hadn't considered the slowness of technological proliferation as a factor in maintaining campaign balance, but then there is also the sheer expense of steam technology, as has already been discussed. That said, there are some technological elements IMC, such as clockwork constructs (like clockwork golems - you have to keep winding them to keep them going, but they are interesting tools, and toys for the rich), hydraulics (ie: mills powered by water wheels, lock systems in canals), and, yes, I was considering steam. This discussion will make it less...awkward for me to introduce it on a trial basis in selected areas of the world. Geoff -- Geoff Gander, BA 97, MPA 02 Carnifex Loremaster/Mad Roleplayer Master of the Elemental Plane of Bureaucracy au998@freenet.carleton.ca : www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2091 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 09:13:04 EST From: Alex Benson Subject: Re: Treel is back? (Was: FSS Beagle Crew and their fates) <> [various snippage] It's hard to tell with some of the crazy stuff that is presented to the MML. I prefer the odder plot twists as long as the plotline is fluid. Anyway, Treel=Gareth is as feasible as any of the other theories that arise on the MML from time to time. I too wish someone would take a stance in presenting who Gareth was and what his role is. I would like to see it explained in the MA. That way Gareth could be incorporated in the mainstream Mystaran (MA) plotlines. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 15:49:53 +0100 From: Federico Kaftal Subject: Re: Bastard Swords IMC I have corrected YEARS AGO both the 2-handed axe and the archbalest's basic damage to 2d4, in order to make them more effective than a 1-handed sword and an arrow. Federico Kaftal _________________________ Original message: >> From : Thibault SARLAT Subject : Re: Bastard Swords Date : Tue, 12 Mar 2002 12:09:52 +0100 i do agree about the poor damages made by non magical battle axes... i guess the rules say 1d8 + strength bonus but i would correct it to 2d4 or 3d4 + strength bonus the minimum damage should be higher than what it is in the canon rules. that's probaly why some of my players would rather pick a human warrior over a dwarf armed with a battle axe. thibault _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 10:18:06 -0500 From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military On Wed, 13 Mar 2002, Geoff Gander wrote: > canals), and, yes, I was considering steam. This discussion will make it > less...awkward for me to introduce it on a trial basis in selected areas > of the world. All about Thimhallan Bay-bee! Actually, I'm making good progress at adapting a few things from Dragonstar to Thimhallan, and making a whole load of new fun stuff. Ethan -- Kinard 210 Linux Guru Webmaster www.steelangel.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 09:30:53 -0600 From: John Polacek Subject: Realms of Mystara site update Hey everybody, Just wanted to let you know that the Realms of Mystara site has been redesigned. Hope you all like the new look! - Ashlander Developer, Realms of Mystara _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:43:42 +0100 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Havard=20Faanes?= Subject: Dragonstar and Mystara (Was: Steam and Gunpowder) --- SteelAngel > Actually, I'm making good progress at adapting a few > things from > Dragonstar to Thimhallan, and making a whole load of > new fun stuff. How do you find Dragonstar? This sounds like an excellent product to use with Mystara space, especially if you want to develope further the Galactic Federation, set a campaign in High Tech Blackmoor etc etc.. I'm seriously thinking about picking that one up when it reaches my gaming store... Håvard ______________________________________________________ Sjekk snørapporter... fra 500 ski-destinasjoner i Europa på http://no.snow.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:44:27 +0100 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Havard=20Faanes?= Subject: Re: Realms of Mystara site update --- John Polacek skrev: > Hey everybody, > > Just wanted to let you know that the Realms of > Mystara site has been > redesigned. Hope you all like the new look! URL? Håvard ______________________________________________________ Sjekk snørapporter... fra 500 ski-destinasjoner i Europa på http://no.snow.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 07:41:12 -0800 From: E Howington Subject: Re: Bastard Swords Hi, My first post! IMC (we play using OD&D rules), hand axe, 1d6 dmg, used 1-handed battle axe, 1d8 dmg, used 2-handed, no int. penalty great axe, 1d10 dmg, used 2-handed, lose int. bastard sword, 1-hand, treat as normal sword, 1d8 dmg bastard sword, 2-hand, 1d10 dmg, no int. penalty two-handed sword, 1d12 dmg, lose initive (Maybe I'm too enamored with the 2-hand sword, but IMC, it's the most powerful melee weapon available) also, great mace, 2d4 dmg, 2-handed, lose int. two-handed hammer, 2d4 dmg, 2-handed, lose int. (gives clerics a little more "oomph" if they want it) Cheers! Eric the Red __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 13:19:57 -0300 From: Andre Martins Subject: The Curse of Halag (was: hafling immortals) (long) After all this talk about hin Immortals, I checked the Ballad of Nob Nar, in Gaz 8 and found out about Baron Ulsthag and his evil actions ended by Nob Nar in AC 612. The Ballad tells how the Baron killed his daughter, so that she wouldn't marry Nob Nar and how he was killed by the Hin Hero afterwards, who took the body of Navrilstar to lay at the Shire. I'd even speculate that Nob took the Path of Immortality as a way to restore his beloved to life. He would have restored her to life in his own Homeplane, where they would be living now. The Curse of Halag Baron Ulsthag act of murdering his own daughter did not go unpunished. When he was killed a few moments later and the body of fair Navrilstar taken to the Shires, the actions of the Baron turned him into an undead creature. He blames hin for his torment and hate them with passion. The shadow of his evil has fallen over Halag since his death and Ulsthag has been constantly plotting their downfall. And so it was that the baronial throne of Halag became cursed by him. Whenever a new Baron claims it, Ulsthag starts to slowly corrupt the new Baron, driving him crazy over a decade till he can possess the Baron's body and prepare his armies against the Shires. Halag has been destroyed a few times by the Sheriffs and till 30 years ago, there was no Baron there, much to Ulsthag disappointment, as the nature of his curse allows him to act only upon people who claim his old position (or more). A simple mayor is beyond his reach. Some months before, the last Baron of Halag had been killed in the Battle of the Blackflame, while commanding, under disguise, an orc invasion against the Shires. Along with the Duke, came his cousin Ludwig. Stefan knew him as a good men, who had saved him from many troubles and who was known as a charitable and noble soul. In fact, Stephen had come to realize he had much to learn from Ludwig, who, although young, was already wise and kind. So it was that Ludwig was appointed Baron in the west, as he seemed the right person to be neighbor to the Shires. He already had many friends among the little people and the granting of the title to him was greeted with enthusiasm. The hin prepared a great banquet in Halag and his first years as Baron was prosperous and happy. However, with a new Baron in Halag, Ulsthag had the opportunity he had been waiting for. Ludwig was a problem, as he wasn't easy to influence, but the undead had time and knew what he was doing. Among Halag treasure, there was a necklace, with a flower hanging from it. Its petals were made of gold and the center was a huge ruby. The object was clearly magical and had the ability to grant small wishes to its wearer, but it also make the wearer weaker and his soul and mind less resistant with each use. Ulsthag, with the help of a young wizard who had found out about him and with whom he had made a deal, Bargle, set out to cause troubles in the land. So, for three years the crops were lost, to plagues, drought and flood. Halag people would starve if not for the hin help. The Baron knew he had to do something and, despite his counselors warnings about the nature of the necklace, he donned and used it. The next year, crops were abundant and a great party was celebrated. The warehouses were full and all were happy, but a great fire hit the city, destroying the warehouse's area and all the supplies. The Baron once more used his necklace to feed his people through the winter and when spring came, his looks had changed. He was thinner and there was something darker in his voice and his eyes, but that was all his subjects noticed. That and the fact he now used the necklace constantly. When a mysterious plague started killing people in the summer (it was AC 977), the Baron once more decided to use the powers of the necklace. He had to save his people, even though he felt that doing it once more would have a great cost on him. He planned to abdicate once the problems were over and pass the throne to someone stronger and wiser than he had become, someone who didn't share the terrible nightmares that assailed him every night. He felt himself failing and he knew he should abdicate before darkness took him. His only daughter was still too young, only 5 years old, and his wife wasn't prepared to rule, but she would have to learn it. She was pregnant again, but Ludwig knew his sanity wouldn't last another year. He felt it deep inside him there was something terribly wrong, he just wished he was strong enough to hold on still the plague had disappeared. But he wasn't that strong. One night, at the start of the autumn, he managed to get a grip on himself as he was about to crush his pregnant wife with his sword. That was the act Ulstagh had been waiting for, what would allow him to take complete control of the Baron's body, molding him after his own crime by killing his own daughter in her mother's womb, but there was still some last remains of the wisdom and strength Ludwig once had. With that last grip on sanity, he sent his wife and daughter away, with his most trusted friend, to live in Luln, where his madness could not reach them. He would only stop the plague and then abdicate and lock himself in prison, until a cure for his mental state could be found. Till then, they had to be kept safe. He never got the strength to abdicate. Instead, the end of the plague cost him the last of his sanity and, although, Ulsthag couldn't take his body, the horror appeared before the mad Baron and planted paranoid thoughts in his mind, until Ludwig hated the hin. With the Baron under his power, Ulstagh started building once again his power base and he appeared to the humanoid tribe leaders and told them they could once more ally with Halag throne. This time, Ulsthag would be more careful. He realized Ludwig forces were no match for the Shires, but Karameikos were. So, his first plot would be to take control of the Duchy. This would take time, but he had all the time in the world. And Stephen knew Ludwig's heart was a noble one, so he had the perfect disguise to plot his evil. In Luln, Ludwig's wife died in childbirth, but the child, a beautiful girl, survived. Ludwig counselor, Anton, raised Yolanda and her elder sister, Sascia, as his own daughters and never told them about their real father. He wrote down the whole story in a letter, locked among his personal stuff, in case he dies before he can tell the girls the truth. But, with the Baron gone mad, he is not sure they should ever come to know it and he is considering burning the letter. Now, when and if Baron Ludwig is defeated, the next Baron will have the same fate upon him. Only when the creature is destroyed there will finally be peace among Halag and the Shires. However, Ulsthag has no body at all and can't be destroyed by any physical means, as he exists only inside the mind of anyone in a leadership position in Halag (be them a powerful wizard, the baron or the leaders of tribes). The truth must first be found out, then a blessing ceremony must be done in Halag, presided by a hin Master or a cleric of Nob Nar, where the spirit of Navrilstar must be invoked to put her father to rest. Andre ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:58:21 +0000 From: Gordon McCormick Subject: Re: The Curse of Halag (was: hafling immortals) (long) On Wed, Mar 13, 2002 at 01:19:57PM -0300, Andre Martins wrote: > > The Curse of Halag Superb! That is really, really quite impressive, I like :) gordon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 11:19:18 -0600 From: John Polacek Subject: Re: Realms of Mystara site update oops! How could I forget that? :) http://www.mystaranet.com > > > > Just wanted to let you know that the Realms of > > Mystara site has been > > redesigned. Hope you all like the new look! > > URL? > > Håvard > > > ______________________________________________________ > Sjekk snørapporter... > fra 500 ski-destinasjoner i Europa > på http://no.snow.yahoo.com/ > > ******************************************************************** > 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. >
Ashlander Developer, Realms of Mystara Webmaster, NWN Mystara Project _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 11:01:09 -0800 From: Chris Furneaux Subject: Re: Bastard Swords > I what way did you use these weapons (or have them > used against you)? Do you fight in something like > the SCA? Something like. we use steel though and "pull" our blows (Although there are a couple of us with nearly full plate and when your in that you don't feel a thing so we do actually leave some force in the blows to armour, I know one guy who had to be told he was being hit in the back when wearing a heavy coat of plates...btw, his nick names Chunky) Anyway, we might pull our blows but you can definately see the potential of different weapons and their uses. I like to think of it more as a martial art in some ways. Did you know that there are sword manuals that date back to the 11 century... which means that there were schools of fighting etc. way back then and probally before. It's really useful stuff to know for gaming too. Like I'm training with axe and sword at the moment. The sword is still the primary attacking weapon while the axe becomes defencive replacing the sheild, but gaining the significant advantages of both being able to strike for two places at once and also the hooking abitity of the axe (bringing down the opponants defences so they are easier to hit). Weapon combos I've used: Single sword Hand Axe Dagger Sword & Shield Axe & Shield Sword & Axe Sword and Dagger Axe and Dagger Polearm (9ft) (usually used with a dagger in back hand) Polearm (9ft) & Shield on back Some of the more interesting I've fought Sword and spear (scary how those two points come at you) Spear and sheild Case of Axe Case of dagger Short sword and sheild We had 10 of us in a pike unit with 9ft (max legal inter-club) polearms about 3 years ago. That was fun. Unfortunately theres only a relitively small population in Wellington to support this kinda thing (300,000 max) so the inter club events usually get between 50 and 200 people, which is nothing compared to some gatherings overseas. If you want to know anything more about any of it I am happy to help. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:33:24 -0500 From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Dragonstar and Mystara (Was: Steam and Gunpowder) On Wed, 13 Mar 2002, Havard Faanes wrote: > How do you find Dragonstar? I like it, though I really dislike the setting itself. The rules included are very cool, and seem to be put together really nicely. Plus a everything but the setting info is open game content!!! Ethan -- Kinard 210 Linux Guru Webmaster www.steelangel.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 14:16:02 -0800 From: Jordi Castille Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military Geoff Gander wrote: Some very good points here. To be honest I hadn't considered the slowness of technological proliferation as a factor in maintaining campaign balance, but then there is also the sheer expense of steam technology, as has already been discussed. That said, there are some technological elements IMC, such as clockwork constructs (like clockwork golems - you have to keep winding them to keep them going, but they are interesting tools, and toys for the rich), hydraulics (ie: mills powered by water wheels, lock systems in canals), and, yes, I was considering steam. This discussion will make it less...awkward for me to introduce it on a trial basis in selected areas of the world. Geoff Clockwork toys would be the work of Gnomes of Serraine, or Hins that might be working in the Darokin region, since most clocks back then required quartz and other Jewelry, they might be rich enough to afford it, to have it made here or brought over from the Savage Baronies, Try to remember that Westron was a clockmaker before he help create the wheellock pistol with the Smithy clan of Dwarves. Hydraulics is being used the by hin of Shireton, there oceanside fortress defenses are run by hydraulics if you look at the schematics on the 5 Shires Gazeeteer. But Steam would be more put in the Hands of the Dwarves of Rockhome, or the Dwarves of the Savage Coast. It is possible they are using it for Warmth and to create tools with it, all it takes is an inventive Dwarf to put a small cork in a tea pot to get the idea for Steam Powered weaponry. Jordi Castille Knight of Darokin. --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 14:19:13 -0800 From: Jordi Castille Subject: Re: Treel is back? (Was: FSS Beagle Crew and their fates) Havard Faanes wrote: --- Alex Benson wrote: > > Being trapped inside the NoS Treel is well aware of > its powers. Unlike > Benekander who was trapped outside of it and away > from it, he has had > centuries to understand its workings. Thus he has an > advantage over > Benekander, Rafiel, and even Etienne (should he ever > return). > > Well? Comments? Suggestions? I like it! His connection with the NoS might do nasty things to him when the NoS is altered to align itself with Entropy by the Old One. I wonder though, if the Old One would have done anything to Treel at that moment, or whether he felt that he already had punished Entropy enough and that doing harm to Treel (obviously by now an entropic Immortal) he would disturb the Balance(TM). Gareth does sound like a name a FSS-Beagle guy would use, doesn't it? ----------------------------------- I am sure, Treel would chose the name Gareth, because he didn't want Benekander to recognize him at all. Why else would he choose that name? Jordi Castille Knight of Darokin --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 10:05:49 +1100 From: Alfred O'Meagher Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military > Some very good points here. To be honest I hadn't > considered the slowness > of technological proliferation as a factor in maintaining > campaign balance What about the Hollow World idea of cultural conservative attitudes? That way steamdwarves could mix with other high fantasy types without much chance of "polluting" the other characters. In the computer roleplaying games they always seem to have some sort of dwarf machine in the mines or dungeon, missing a cog or something. Adventurers fix the machine up but the machine doesn't seem to have any other effect on the world -- everything else is standard D&D style. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 15:12:16 -0800 From: Joe Kelly Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military With Steam and Gunpowder in play this makes the Dwarven Battlewagon Idea = from Seas of Blood actually plausible, though I think the cityscape on top = of the ship has to go. It is totally unreal. :) JK Wolf ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 18:35:41 -0500 From: Gilles Leblanc Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military > of "polluting" the other characters. In the computer roleplaying games they > always seem to have some sort of dwarf machine in the mines or dungeon, > missing a cog or something. Adventurers fix the machine up but the machine > doesn't seem to have any other effect on the world -- everything else is > standard D&D style. > Unfortuntly 99% of all players in a table-top rpg players will say "I want to buy/get/steal/build/copy this machine for me/my dominion/my country/mass production/money/warfare and become invincible !!!". ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 15:58:24 -0800 From: Chris Furneaux Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military *dwarvish voice* Dwarves on boats.... never, your'd have to cut of my beard first. :) --- Joe Kelly wrote: > With Steam and Gunpowder in play this makes the > Dwarven Battlewagon Idea from Seas of Blood actually > plausible, though I think the cityscape on top of > the ship has to go. It is totally unreal. > > :) JK Wolf __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:01:10 -0800 From: Chris Furneaux Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military > Unfortuntly 99% of all players in a table-top rpg > players will say "I want > to buy/get/steal/build/copy this machine for me/my > dominion/my country/mass > production/money/warfare and become invincible !!!". Are you saying there are players that won't!?! *joke* But it does raise the issue, how do you explain to a player with world conquest on his mind why he *can't* do something of this sort. :) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 11:11:11 +1100 From: Alfred O'Meagher Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military Well that's why the Hollow World rule works well - characters have to keep their own items at their own tech level. > > Unfortuntly 99% of all players in a table-top rpg players will say "I want > to buy/get/steal/build/copy this machine for me/my dominion/my country/mass > production/money/warfare and become invincible !!!". > > ******************************************************************** > 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: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 19:25:02 -0500 From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military On Wed, 13 Mar 2002, Chris Furneaux wrote: > But it does raise the issue, how do you explain to a > player with world conquest on his mind why he *can't* > do something of this sort. You let him do it. Only to have it ruined at the end by 'heroes' who trounce his evil minions. A bit of irony is great. Ethan -- Kinard 210 Linux Guru Webmaster www.steelangel.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 20:59:57 -0500 From: Christopher M Cherrington Subject: Re: Bastard Swords > > Unfortunately theres only a relitively small > population in Wellington to support this kinda thing > (300,000 max) so the inter club events usually get > between 50 and 200 people, which is nothing compared > to some gatherings overseas. > > If you want to know anything more about any of it I am > happy to help. > Give me a sword, and I'll be in Wellington! (I live close to Wellington, Florida ;) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 21:00:44 -0500 From: Christopher M Cherrington Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military > > *dwarvish voice* > Dwarves on boats.... never, your'd have to cut of my > beard first. > > :) > Reminds me of that thread long ago about the peddle powered boats with saddles that the dwarves made for the Kahn of Ethengar to conquer the Isle of Dawn. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 21:16:49 -0500 From: Dan Eustace Subject: Re: Bastard Swords > Unfortunately theres only a relitively small > population in Wellington to support this kinda thing > (300,000 max) so the inter club events usually get > between 50 and 200 people, which is nothing compared > to some gatherings overseas. > > If you want to know anything more about any of it I am > happy to help. Is there any website or any organization that might be active in the U.S.? I don't think it's something that I'd have the time to really get into, but I certainly wouldn't mind checking it out, and maybe getting some basic training. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 00:07:23 -0500 From: Mike Donnelly Jr Subject: Re: Steam and Gunpowder (was: Krazadorian Military Chris Furneaux wrote: > > Unfortuntly 99% of all players in a table-top rpg > > players will say "I want > > to buy/get/steal/build/copy this machine for me/my > > dominion/my country/mass > > production/money/warfare and become invincible !!!". > > Are you saying there are players that won't!?! *joke* > > But it does raise the issue, how do you explain to a > player with world conquest on his mind why he *can't* > do something of this sort. Expense for one thing. Sure, the Dwarves could build a steam powered defense system in Rockhome. They've got those wonderful volcanic heat reserves. But, who would build such a system outside of Rockhome? Dwarves? And betray Rockhome technology to outsiders? Not likely. Say someone in Thyatis does hit upon the idea, and does find human engineers to build such as system. What kind of fuel will they use? Wood? There would be a lot of beings with pointy ears having a very pointed arguement with that idea. So, how do you power it? In Galantri it's not really that much of a problem, get a tap into the plane of fire and a tap into the plane of water and mix. Then again, they can do things with magic that surpass this mundane system so why waste time on it? Any PC with world conquest has to be able to figure out the solution to this problem *first*. Then how to go about implementing it *without* someone else finding out. All the time, they have to do this while supporting their population. This means with the basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, protection; as well as the more exotic needs: a need to contribute to society (labor), a system of justice, a sense of morality/societal values. One other consideration is this: steam isn't really that portible. At least not at the scales that Mystara deals with. A 100' ship is considered 'fairly large' in Mystara. When steam really became efficient, at 100' ship had become 'small'. Another consideration is that in the beginning of the steam era, it wasn't particularly reliable - often steamships caught fire with tragic results. To the best of my knowledge, steam powered land vehicles didn't really go anywhere. The solutions in our world came about gradually, and when breakthroughs occurred, it wasn't long before the cat was out of the bag. Some things just don't change. You can change the world, it's just hard to catch the world by surprise *twice*. ------------------------------ End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 12 Mar 2002 to 13 Mar 2002 (#2002-72) ***************************************************************