Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 7 Apr 2002 to 8 Apr 2002 (#2002-96) From: Automatic digest processor Date: 09/04/2002, 17:00 To: Recipients of MYSTARA-L digests Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion There are 9 messages totalling 490 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Need some ideas (5) 2. Atruaghin maps 3. George's Current Mystara Campaign 4. North Western Skothar & Nentsun 5. Old World Nations Foreign Policy in 1,000 AC ******************************************************************** 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: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 11:03:48 +0300 From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Ville_V_L=E4hde?= Subject: Need some ideas I asked for some ideas for the coming Karameikan civil war IMC on this list a few months ago, and received some... thanks a lot. Now I'm in the process of writing and could use some good ideas if someone is interested. Background: The Karameikos I'm using is pretty much the one from Gazetteer (still Grand Duchy) with some changes. 1) Veiled Society has been wiped out. 2) So has the Iron ring 3) There has been a great battle in Luln two years ago between the forces of Stephan and the combined forces of Lich Hazar (see the campaign scheme "Division of Five" in the Vaults), Black Eagle and the Iron Ring. Luln was destroyed, Sascia now ruled Rugalov, and "diplomatic relations" have now been restored between black Eagle and Stephan. (Baron von Hendricks bought the peace by handing over the remaining Iron Ring Masters.) 4) Castellan is ruled by a dwarven community, given to them after a bloody giant conflict. 5) Krakataos is inhabited, it is the religious centre of the Church of Traladara. 6) After some ethnic and religious strife, some key NPCs are dead: Oderbry of the Church of Karameikos died - the Order of Griffon is pretty much wiped out too. Marilenev was hung for treasonous activities. OK, now to the civil war: The Master of Desert Nomads, Hosadus, has shipped two powerful Nomad Divisions to Fort Doom. Baron von Hendricks has one army unit himself. Hendricks is going to travel to Specularum to give an ultimatum to his cousin Stephan. - Why not attack with the surprise advantage? Hendricks knows that Bargle is plotting to overthrow him during the conflict, perhaps the wizard is in league with the Nomad ambassadors. So, Hendricks has bought some powerful magical mind-shielding, and plans to contact some forces loyal to Stephen and make a deal. He would supply information on Nomad movements, if someone took care of Bargle. Two hundred ex-Iron Ring slaves that he held on to (breaking the above mentioned peace treaty) are used as hostages here. His idea is that he would get rid of the power-hungry Bargle, and lure Stephan's forces into battles with the Nomads, opening a chance for his own forces to act. I think I still need some complicating factors here, but my mind is empty. A small Traladaran insurrection could have been cool, but that option has pretty much been played out during the last few years - one of the PCs is functioning as a pacifying influence, and most of the serious militants are now his trusted followers. Anyone have any ideas? Ville ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 03:27:56 -0500 From: George Hrabovsky Subject: Re: Need some ideas Why not have the Master's minions kidnap a member of the Royal family and hold them to ransom; that way von Hendriks has something he really bargain with. I doubt some beaten up Iron Ring thugs would be very attractive as a bargaining chip. Revealing the location of the Duke's child would guarantee the dispatch of an army. A similar revelation to the Master's forces would guarantee a cataclysmic battle. George ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ville V Lähde" To: Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 3:03 AM Subject: [MYSTARA] Need some ideas > I asked for some ideas for the coming Karameikan civil war IMC on this > list a few months ago, and received some... thanks a lot. Now I'm in the > process of writing and could use some good ideas if someone is interested. > > Background: > The Karameikos I'm using is pretty much the one from Gazetteer > (still Grand Duchy) with some changes. 1) Veiled Society has been wiped > out. 2) So has the Iron ring 3) There has been a great battle in Luln two > years ago between the forces of Stephan and the combined forces of Lich > Hazar (see the campaign scheme "Division of Five" in the Vaults), Black > Eagle and the Iron Ring. Luln was destroyed, Sascia now ruled Rugalov, > and "diplomatic relations" have now been restored between black Eagle and > Stephan. (Baron von Hendricks bought the peace by handing over the > remaining Iron Ring Masters.) 4) Castellan is ruled by a dwarven > community, given to them after a bloody giant conflict. 5) Krakataos is > inhabited, it is the religious centre of the Church of Traladara. 6) After > some ethnic and religious strife, some key NPCs are dead: Oderbry of the > Church of Karameikos died - the Order of Griffon is pretty much wiped out > too. Marilenev was hung for treasonous activities. > > OK, now to the civil war: > The Master of Desert Nomads, Hosadus, has shipped two powerful Nomad > Divisions to Fort Doom. Baron von Hendricks has one army unit himself. > Hendricks is going to travel to Specularum to give an ultimatum to his > cousin Stephan. - Why not attack with the surprise advantage? > Hendricks knows that Bargle is plotting to overthrow him during the > conflict, perhaps the wizard is in league with the Nomad ambassadors. So, > Hendricks has bought some powerful magical mind-shielding, and plans to > contact some forces loyal to Stephen and make a deal. He would supply > information on Nomad movements, if someone took care of Bargle. Two > hundred ex-Iron Ring slaves that he held on to (breaking the above > mentioned peace treaty) are used as hostages here. > > His idea is that he would get rid of the power-hungry Bargle, and lure > Stephan's forces into battles with the Nomads, opening a chance for his > own forces to act. > > I think I still need some complicating factors here, but my mind is empty. > A small Traladaran insurrection could have been cool, but that option has > pretty much been played out during the last few years - one of the PCs is > functioning as a pacifying influence, and most of the serious militants > are now his trusted followers. Anyone have any ideas? > > Ville > > ******************************************************************** > 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: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 11:11:54 -0700 From: John Calvin Subject: Re: Need some ideas >> I think I still need some complicating factors here, but my mind is empty. A small Traladaran insurrection could have been cool, but that option has pretty much been played out during the last few years - one of the PCs is functioning as a pacifying influence, and most of the serious militants are now his trusted followers. Anyone have any ideas? << So, you want to complicate things, huh? Ye-immortals! ;) Well, I'll throw a few ideas out for you. I don't spend much time in Karameikos, so not sure how helpful I'll be, but hopefully you will find something usefull. 1) You say that Stephan and the Black Eagle forces have already had it out (and the Black Eagle lost). It's possible that some of his (perhaps humanoid, or lycanthropic) henchmen escaped from the battle and have been living with the various humanoid tribes in the mountains. They could pick now (while the baron is trying to make overtures of peace) to attack Stephan's forces. Perhaps they have hooked up with some of the Master's agents as well (in order to better plan their attacks). 2) The Cult of Halav could start stirring up problems for the PCs. Perhaps there is a fringe cult that claims that someone other that Stephan is actually Halav reborn. This fring cult might secretly be sponsered by the Master in order to sow confusion across the land. Perhaps the fringe cult even claims that one of the PCs is Halav reborn! The cult might send assassins after the "heretics", whoever they may be (either the PCs or Stephan) in order to prove their own view point (assassins shouldn't be able to kill Halav, so if their target dies, then he must not have been Halav.) 3) Rumors of a "Blue Knife" (See Gaz 10) might start to spread among the humanoid populations (drawing in humanoids from surrounding territories). These rumors might be spread by the Master (since he has humanoid followers he would know about it), or they might even be spread by Bargle. The former would want to cause as much chaos and infighting before his own troops arrive, and the later would want to disrupt any of the Baron's well laid plans of cooperation with Stephan. 4) Perhaps Marilenev (or some other Traladaran instigator) returns from the dead (as an undead perhaps) and stirs up more ethnic troubles between the Thyatians and the Traladarans. Maybe Marilenev made a dark pact with an immortal of entropy before his hanging and that imortal brought him back to un-life as a vampire. Marilenev is now out for revenge against those who (he percieves at least) betrayed him and his nation. That's all for now. I'll send more if I think of any. -John ===== Rule #53. If the beautiful princess that I capture says "I'll never marry you! Never, do you hear me, NEVER!!!", I will say "Oh well" and kill her. from "A Guide to Becoming an Evil Overlord" by Peter Anspach __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 14:25:51 -0700 From: macnerd Subject: Re: Need some ideas OK. This looks fun. Here's my two cents, adding my stuff on top of John Calvin's ideas: How about the combo of (2) Cult of Halav and (4) Marilenev. An undead cult forms around Marilenev and her dark sponsor and they start gathering secret support amongst the commoners and also roving bandits in the forests. She could forge an alliance with the Cult of Halav. Marilenev and the Cult of Halav stir up trouble amongst the Traldaran. They become restless, and their are a lot of small protests, revolts, rebels, etc. The bandit gangs in the forests become more and more of a menace. This causes problems generally for the commerce, which cuts into the livelihood of well-to-do Thyatians and taxes for the Barons, and hence the Duke/King. The Thyatians become more brutal and less tolerant, causing more strife. At the same time, as Marilenev spreads, some Traldarans are exposed for practicing this secret evil religion. The Church of Karameikos attempts to outlaw other religions, and goes on a witch hunt or inquisition of Traldarans. Combined with the animosity over past revolts, the strife grows. Traldarans soon fine they have little or no rights anymore. They are seething at the teeth for a mass revolt. The Cult of Halav will let the people know when the time is right. This can get interesting if PCs are mixed Thyatian/Traldaran band of heroes. If the PCs become a thorn in the side of Marilenev and Cult of Halav's plans, the Cult of Halav can declare the PCs to be the long lost hero. Soon, the hero PC will find that peasants oblige him in every manner, and thrust themselves in the service of the PC. Many will start to follow the PC wherever he goes, which can become increasingly annoying. Many undead encountered will avoid attacking the PC altogether, and to the party's shock will actually obey the commands of the hero PC (for the undead were commanded to do so previously). After this, even other PCs may grow suspicious. The peasant followers will believe anything the hero PC does to be a miracle. Even controlling undead will be seen as a miracle: "For even the undead beckoned to his might and righteousness. Oh hail the savior. Oh hail the deliverer. Oh hail ." Eventually the authorities will come after the hero PC, thinking him to be a practitioner of dark magic, or a leader of a rebel force. - Joaquin ====================================================== [snip][snip] > 2) The Cult of Halav could start stirring up problems for the > PCs. Perhaps > there is a fringe cult that claims that someone other that > Stephan is actually > Halav reborn. This fring cult might secretly be sponsered by > the Master in > order to sow confusion across the land. Perhaps the fringe > cult even claims > that one of the PCs is Halav reborn! The cult might send > assassins after the > "heretics", whoever they may be (either the PCs or Stephan) > in order to prove > their own view point (assassins shouldn't be able to kill > Halav, so if their > target dies, then he must not have been Halav.) > [snip] > 4) Perhaps Marilenev (or some other Traladaran instigator) > returns from the > dead (as an undead perhaps) and stirs up more ethnic troubles > between the > Thyatians and the Traladarans. Maybe Marilenev made a dark > pact with an > immortal of entropy before his hanging and that imortal > brought him back to > un-life as a vampire. Marilenev is now out for revenge > against those who (he > percieves at least) betrayed him and his nation. > [snip] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 18:55:14 -0400 From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Atruaghin maps Hey all- I've just updated my web page with a new section on the Atruaghin = Clans. Not much new information there at the moment- just an old = article, really. I've got parts 1 and 2 of the revised plateau map (the 8= = mile/hex map in Gaz14, expanded to fit the 24 mile/hex maps of the = region depicted on other maps). They're still works in progress, as = are the other two maps (of the Turtle and Tiger clans) that I'll be = posting soon, but they're pretty much complete (just need legends, = maybe some minor tweaks or two). Drop by and take a look if you're = so inclined. http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/cthulhudrew/mystara.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 17:02:25 -0700 From: Richard Drozdik Subject: Re: Need some ideas At 11:03 AM 08/04/2002 +0300, you wrote: > I think I still need some complicating factors here, but my mind is empty. > A small Traladaran insurrection could have been cool, but that option has > pretty much been played out during the last few years - one of the PCs is > functioning as a pacifying influence, and most of the serious militants > are now his trusted followers. Anyone have any ideas? Why not have Thincol send a couple of legions across the border from Thyatis to "help protect his loyal Thyatian citizens abroad, and restore order in the region". Really he's just using the unrest to reclaim additional territories now that Stephen has built them up and made them economically valuable. Richard ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 21:14:16 -0700 From: Jordi Castille Subject: Re: George's Current Mystara Campaign You're doing Darokin, and you didn't conuslt me? I am shocked Let me make some imput. Dan Eustace wrote: > Ok, some suggestions for the names: > > [the leader of Darokin or mayor merchant house head] > Corwyn Mauntea > > [immortal of trade/merchants] > Asterius Good choice, i would pick him too, He might have a great temple placed in Darokin and Selenica. > > [immortal of peace/prosperity] > Koryis > > [immortal of knowledge] > Could use Ixion, Ka, Noumena, or even Odin, although all of these have other interests besides the pure pursit of knowledge. Ssu-Ma is the "Father of Written Knowledge" said to have invented magical scrolls and spell books; he has an artifact described in the Master's set. Since he is little known, and seldom mentioned, it might be interesting to include him, to some degree. my input: Ka the Preserver would good in terms of perserving knowledge of the past and present. Ixion would make a good immortal of Justice for Darokin, i am sure that during the Darokin-Hule War in the WOTI, his number of worshipers increase during the siege for his protection or vengeance on Hule. > > [immortal of war/death] > Thanatos Hel would be a good choice to, she looks to cause trouble and war, she control death, and she makes alot in Darokin, look at the ordeal she was with the Balthac adventure that took place in the WOTI. > > [immortal of corruption/greed] > Atzanteotl Masauwu could be also used here, especially if Atzanteotl is the head of this plot. Atz. and Than. may not work together that easily. Mausauwu was basically a snake oil salesman in life who liked to drive people to ruin and death (while derviving enjoyment from such pursuits). > [immortal of chaos] > Loki my input: How about Nyx, she is the complete opposite of Ixion and the two oppose each other, as much as Ixion opposes Nyx, both have a passionate attraction to each other(Ref. Immortal Codex), can you imagine it, they fight each with the intend to kill each other then they end up making out like weasels somewhere in the Icepeaks or whereever there is a Thunderstorm and Howling Peaks on mystara. The Problem with Loki as a chaos immortal for Darokin is that Loki is that he's the immortal patron for Hule, so he might be a problem for those who remember hule during the post-WOTI Darokin. The others are the best choices, I agree. Me too --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 21:25:50 -0700 From: Jordi Castille Subject: Re: North Western Skothar & Nentsun Placing Nentsun in the Northern part of Skothar should be agreed upon by concensus, i would put them where it was originally at to remove confusion, Now placing it north of Pandawa or Sangri-La(My suggestion for name for M-Tibet). It would help if you can please tell us about your Nentsun stuff. Jordi Castille, Knight of Darokin. la Volpe wrote: I was considering that I never decided where exactly to put my Nentsun stuff. My original thought, considering the world map of the Rules Cyclopedia, was to put it on the eastern coast of Skothar, and thus it wouldn't be related to the map Thibault recently drew; more precisely, Nentsun would be placed in the northern part of the M-Tibet from Christian Constantin's maps, bordering the sea. However, we could also decide to place it in the northern region of Skothar...I don't know, any suggestions? --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 21:52:11 -0700 From: Jordi Castille Subject: Re: Old World Nations Foreign Policy in 1,000 AC Agathokles wrote: Giorgio wrote: > > However, I have very little idea of how the Ethengar Khanate, Glantri, > Darokin , Shires, Heldan Freeholds and Alfheim deal with their neighbors. > Could someone please give me an overview of how these six nations related to > another and who their friends and enemies are? Ethengar: on bad terms with almost everyone but Rockhome, but always raiding Glantrian border. Heldann Freeholds: free, its neutral and basically non-concerned with foreign politics; under the Heldannic Knights rule, it is agressive, and opposed to Alphatia, Norwold and Ethengar, while relatively friendly with Vestland. Alfheim: they have a single neighbour, Darokin, and are on good terms with them. On good terms with Karameikos and the other WDL countries as well. Shires: on bad terms with Thyatis, Rockhome and the Black Eagle barony, otherwise neutral or friendly with its neighbours. Glantri: on good terms with Darokin, and to some extent with Thyatis and Alfheim as well. On very bad terms with the Shires, Rockhome, Ylaruam, and Ethengar. Neutral with all others, with some rivalry with Alphatia. -- ******************************************************************** Darokin: On good trading terms with Glantri, and Ethengar, but very nuetral terms with them. They are on very, very good terms with the Shires, and in good terms with all WDL members, (Very influential with the WDL),, as well as Ierendei and Vestland, and Rockhome, and very supportive with the Rainbow Warriors(Sind Resistance of Hule), who they secretly financed, They have a hatred toward the Minrothads(Rival Merchant nation), and Hule, cautious toward Thyatis and Alphatia. (DDC works very hard to defuse any parts that would lead to a war during the pre-WOTI, then became very cautious of Thyatis after the Balance of power between Alphatia and Thyatis disappeared, would unknowing acts as counterbalance for Thyatian aggression and helped create the WDL as a key part toward keeping the balance and stability of the Known World.from all aggressor(Hule, Thyatis and possibly Heldan) Good trading terms with the majority of the Autruaghin Clans, and are respectful of their wishes. ! (with the Bear, Elk, Horse, and Turtle Tribes.) with the exception of Tiger Clan which they are at war (being on the defensive end, Darokin doesn't want to look like the aggressor.) Jordi Castille, Knight of Darokin. --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax ------------------------------ End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 7 Apr 2002 to 8 Apr 2002 (#2002-96) *************************************************************