Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 4 Nov 2003 to 5 Nov 2003 (#2003-262) From: Automatic digest processor Date: 06/11/2003, 19:00 To: Recipients of MYSTARA-L digests Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion There are 8 messages totalling 524 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Risk Was New design for Mystara.fr.st check it out! (3) 2. Mystara at the Time of Blackmoor (Long) 3. For those who have the PC1 gazeteer (2) 4. Hackwurld Mystaros (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, 5 Nov 2003 08:15:20 -0500 From: Chris Cherrington Subject: Risk Was New design for Mystara.fr.st check it out! Mystara Risk All the rules are the same for rules of engagement, combat, turns. Differences would be the board itself. “North America” would consist of Norwold, Heldann, Northern Known World, Southern Known World, Western Known World, Eastern and Western Hule, Thaneagioth, Savage Coast, Orcs Head, Central Brun, Western Brun, and the Immortals Arm. Thyatis would be a different continent, consisting of Thyatis, Western Isle of Dawn, Ochalea, Pearl Islands, and Hinterlands. This connects Thyatis to several large continents, but would be worth a very high price to unite. You get the idea, if you don’t bunch a lot of territories together, you will need 2-3 sets of Risk pieces just to start the game. You could go micro, and just use the continent of Brun, and use areas below ground (Lower Orclands, Lower Dengar, Shadow Elves) to realy spice up the game. Of course we will have to change the cards to Wizard, Knight, and Castle. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 14:49:15 +0100 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Havard=20Faanes?= Subject: Mystara at the Time of Blackmoor (Long) Mystara at the Time of Blackmoor The information below is a description of Mystara at the time of Blackmoor, that is ca 4000 BC. Lets zoom away from Blackmoor for a moment and consider what the rest of Mystaras Outer World was like at this time. I have based myself heavily on Mystaros Epic Timeline to find ideas for the civilizations that covered the planet in Blackmoor’s early days. Like Mystaros, I have decided to divide the great Northern Continet into two separate parts, that of Brun and that of Skothar, even though the continent has not yet split, forming those two continents. Mystaros identifies a range of Kingdoms, Empires and other Civilizations, and these are listed with descriptions under each Continent. Brun Brun currently forms the western part of the Northern Continent. Azcan Kingdoms The Azcans were once part of the Oltec Civilization. The Azcans are located mostly in the southwest of Brun. See the Oltec Civilization for more detail. Aquarendi Lands The Aquarendi lands are marked on the map, which means they probably already at this time have left Davania for the lands just south of what will become the Known World. Their name, Aquarendi indicates that they are already a sea oriented clan, probably already at this time following Proteus rather than Ordana. Borean Valley The Borean Valley, stretching along the Borean River is the cradle of the Beastman Civilization, which was created here, centuries ago by the Immortal Hel (Idris). The Beastmen gradually develop into Orcs, Goblins and the like and control the entire Valley and have also spread out to all corners of Brun. Some have crossed the Frosthaven Landbridge to Skothar. A large portion has migrated to Hyperborea which will one day become the major stronghold of the race. The Humanoids do not have a common leader and are divided into numerous fractions and kingdoms, but are united in the worship of Hel. Many Humanoids have fallen under the Domination of the Draconic Empire. Others have become vassals of the Giant Kingdoms. The Gnoll race will not be created for another 2500 years, yet DMs who wish to use Gnolls in their campaigns may decide that an earlier form of this race existed but was destroyed during the Blackmoor Cataclysm, only to be recreated by the Nithians at a later time. Draconic Empire The Draconic Empire has its center in the Wyrmsteeth Mountain Range. It is a nation formed by evil Chromatic Dragons with there arrival around 5500 BC. Red, Green, Black and White dragons are the most common. The dragons were called to Mystara by Hel and are considered her servants. They have driven out all the dwarves of the region, except those clans who entered into the Dragons’ servitude, and those who went underground. The Beastmen were created as allies for the Draconic Empire, and hordes of Humanoids now serve the Empire. The empire has enslaved many tribes of Neathar Humans who are used as slaves by the Dragons. The Draconic Empire are sworn enemies of the Golden Empire on the Southern Continent. Dwarven Lands Dwarves were once found in all the mountains and hills of the continent, but their numbers have been greatly reduced by fighting the Dragons of the Draconic Empire. In their traditional lands of the Wyrmsteeth Range, the dwarven population has been decimated. Some clans have sworn loyalty to the Dragons, others have been driven underground. The rest have been scattered. Of this last group, many found their way to Skothar and are now found throughout the Thonian Empire and Blackmoor. Some dwarves have been driven south digging out the caves which later will be populated by the Rockhome Dwarves and Shadow Elves, others were driven to Blackmoor and Thonia, settling among those cultures. Yet another race of dwarves were driven to Hyperboria, still surviving there thousands of years later (See SB Wilsons Hyperboria material for more on these guys). Frosthaven Landbridge The Frosthaven Sea and the lands surrounding it, including the land bridge north of the Sea is dominated by several kingdoms of Frost Giants. The Frost Giant Kingdom of Frosthaven Island in AC1000 is all that remains of these ancient kingdoms. Giant Kingdoms A multitude of Giant Kingdoms exist all over Brun, populated by various Giant Races. Stone Giants and Mountain Giants dominate the lands just south of Yalu Lake. Cloud Giants and Storm Giants have kingdoms along the Immortal’s Arm, while Hill Giants dominate the lands just west of Wyrmsteeth. Many Hill giants also live within the Borean Valley alongside Humanoids and Beastmen. Most Giant races follow Hel, although Odin also has some followers among Good and Neutral Giants. The most powerful Giant realm is still the ancient kingdom of Gandahar which has existed since before the last Ice Age. Hyperborea Hyperboria is dominated by Humanoids. Some other races including dwarves also live there. Neathar lands Neathar humans live in numerous pocket kingdoms all over Brun. Many are enslaved by the Draconic Empire. Oltec Kingdoms The Oltec civilization spreads across the southern coast of Brun. On the southern part of Brun, a race of humans known as Oltecs have carved the land for themselves, but they are in constant conflict with the breakaway human culture of the Azcans, which threaten the Oltecs existence. The Oltecs are supported by the Golden Empire of Davania and many travel between the Northern and the Southern Continent. Pockets of Neathar Human Kingdoms, now in the Iron Age, are spread out all over the continet. Davania Davania is the huge Continent in the South of the planet. Evergrun, Empire of The very south of that continent is covered by a massive cold temperate forest, which hides the Legendary Kingdoms of Evergrun. At this time the Massive Evergrun Forest is inhabited by elves, faeries and all sorts of sylvan races, many of which no longer exist, as well as numerous Ancient Treants. The Elves were created by Ordana, the Forest Mother, some say by purging Yuan-Ti of their serpent blood. The childhood of the elves is long since over and they have now made contact with many of the other races of the continent. Many have also travelled to other continents including a several clans who have left for Skothar and now live within the Thonian Empire and Blackmoor. Golden Empire The lands around the Brasol mountains form the heartlands of the Golden Empire, a federation of Kingdoms dominated by Metallic Dragons and Enduks. The Enduks are followers of Ixion. Their relationship with the Enduks who later appear on the Immortal’s arm is unclear. The Dragons are creatures from another world, called to Mystara by Odin as allies for the Enduks in their struggle against the Draconic Empire of Brun. The Hin Kingdoms are under the protection of the Metallic Empire as are a large number of Oltecs from Brun who are on friendly terms with the Metallic Empire. Gold Dragons are the dominant dragon race, but Silver, Bronze and other Metallic Dragons also exist in this age. Grunland, Kingdom of The Elven Civilization also stretches north into the jungles of Pelatan, known as the Kingdom of Grunland, which is considered a colony of Evergrun. This is the Kingdom that eventually will give birth to Ilsundal and his followers who will lead the great migration to Brun in a later age. Hin Kingdoms Several small Hin Kingdoms are found between the rivers just west of the Brasol Mountains. They are under the protection of the Golden Empire, and the Metallic Dragons have a strong influence on the Hin. The Halflings also have a good relationship with the Elves of Evergrun and its colonies. Lizardman Kingdoms Several Lizardman Kingdoms exits in Davania. Many of these are along the eastern Coast of Davania. These are now under the control of the Serpentine Empire. Many Lizardmen, unwilling to serve the tyranny of the Serpentine Empire serve as slaves of the Hin and the Golden Empire. Naga Kingdoms Some Naga Kingdoms on the northeastern coast are under domination of the Serpentine Empire. Serpentine Empire The East is dominated by the Serpentine Empire, the ancient nation of the Serpent Men, once created as servitors of the Carnifex. Their heartlands, is the Forest of Ka in the northeast of Davania. The Serpentine empier has regained its dominance over many of the younger Lizardman and Naga Kingdoms, although independent Naga Kingdoms exist on the Cestian Peninsula. The Serpentine Empire is no longer as expansionistic as it has been in previous periods, and have much less contact with other races than in the past, but their forest kingdom contains many dark secrets still… Skothar Afridhi Tribelands Afridhi are a warlike race of humans who threaten the Peshwah and Blackmoorians alike. Beastman Wastes, aka Lands of Thorin North of the Skandaharian lands, Beastmen rule. These Beastmen and Humanoids wandered through Frosthaven and dominate the lands north of the Skandaharian reaches. Tenn, Duchy of This is a breakaway Duchy of emigrants from Thonia. Peaks, Duchy of the The Duchy of the Peaks, is a magic oriented Duchy by the Superstition Mountains. Elven Homelands Elves have long since arrived from Evergrun and brought with them several clans of Hin. These two races have settled all over Blackmoor and Thonia. In some cases they live alongside humans, in other cases they have created small pocket kingdoms. Frisia These peoples are related to Skandaharians but less warlike and involved with trade with Blackmoor. Hin Homelands The Hin arrived with the Elves from Evergrun and have settled throughout Thonia and Blackmoor, and have founded communities such as the Shire of Booh. Mermen Kingdoms According to Supplement II, Mermen and Aquatic Elves live just east of Blackmoor. The Aquatic Elves in question are a special project conducted by Proteus, even before the Aquarendi enter the waters south of Brun. Blackmoor Blackmoor is located in around the southern “lake” as shown on the HW continental map. In my modified version of that map, I have assumed that this is the Black Sea around which the lands of the Blackmoor campaign are situated. Blackmoor is a breakaway colony of the Thonian Empire. Peshwah Tribelands The Peshwa are a race of hunter gatherers. They live in the lands west of Blackmoor and have long been plagued by the Afridhi. Proto-Alphatia Who lives on small continet which eventually will become the home of the Alphatians is unknown. The Peshwah will eventually travel through here on their way to Brun, where they will become the ancestors of the Ethengar, so it is likely to assume that some seagoing Peshwa (not unlike the Athruagin Children of the Turtle) have already settled the coasts of this mini-continent. Skandaharian Jarldoms The northmen of Skandaharia are barbarian followers of Odin, under the rulership of Thorsen One-Thumb. The Skandaharians sometimes come to trade, other times to plunder the east coast of the Thonian Empire and Blackmoor. Tanagoro Tribelands In any case, the Thonians share southern Skothar with the Tanagoro, a dark skinned race which dominates the entire south of Skothar, stretching from the far east and as far west as the Bellisarian Peninsula. This tribal culture does some trade with Thonia and the Thonians quite possibly use Tanagoro people as slaves and gladiators. Expeditions to Oceania and Zyxl have been undertaken, although these lands have not yet been permanently settled by the Tanagoro. Thonian Empire South of Blackmoor lays the lands of the Thonian Republic/Empire. This is a multicultural empire, how large it is unknown, but it covers several cultures and lands which are dominated by the morally corrupt and decadent Thonians. (Although it is most likely a coincidence, Thonia sounds a little like Thothia, so perhaps Thonian colonists reached as far as the Isle of Dawn, leaving behind some remains for the Nithian colonists to find centuries later, perhaps leading to the corruption of this race as well?) ______________________________________________________ Få den nye Yahoo! Messenger på http://no.messenger.yahoo.com/ Nye ikoner og bakgrunner, webkamera med superkvalitet og dobbelt så morsom ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 06:02:32 -0800 From: Thibault Sarlat Subject: Re: Risk Was New design for Mystara.fr.st check it out! i think that i would need to have my memory refreshed aboutthe rules for this game. I used to play a lot when i was 15 (15 years ago)... i would really like to be part of this. i'll try to work my image files to submit something to you soon (two weeks). --- Chris Cherrington wrote: > Mystara Risk > All the rules are the same for rules of engagement, > combat, turns. Differences would be the board > itself. > “North America” would consist of Norwold, Heldann, > Northern Known World, Southern Known World, Western > Known World, Eastern and Western Hule, Thaneagioth, > Savage Coast, Orcs Head, Central Brun, Western Brun, > and the Immortals Arm. Thyatis would be a different > continent, consisting of Thyatis, Western Isle of > Dawn, Ochalea, Pearl Islands, and Hinterlands. This > connects Thyatis to several large continents, but > would be worth a very high price to unite. > You get the idea, if you don’t bunch a lot of > territories together, you will need 2-3 sets of Risk > pieces just to start the game. You could go micro, > and just use the continent of Brun, and use areas > below ground (Lower Orclands, Lower Dengar, Shadow > Elves) to realy spice up the game. > Of course we will have to change the cards to > Wizard, Knight, and Castle. > > ******************************************************************** > 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. > ===== Thibault SARLAT a.k.a Clenarius www.mystara.fr.st ICQ 16622177 MSN Messenger: clenarius@hotmail.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 09:10:58 -0500 From: Chris Cherrington Subject: Re: Risk Was New design for Mystara.fr.st check it out! TSR created a neat little board game called Vampyre. On one side it consisted of the hunt for Dracula’s coffins in the Transylvanian countryside, and the obverse side it was the actual hunt for Dracula in his castle. With Mystara Risk we could do the same thing, players unite or conquer territories on Eastern Brun, then on the obverse, conquer and unite the rest of Mystara. I think we should not call this Mystara Risk, but some other unrisky name, sort of an expansion on the Orc Wars game (another ingenious TSR product that gave hours of fun, love them godless liars and spies of Glantri). ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 09:27:18 -0800 From: David Keyser Subject: For those who have the PC1 gazeteer And have used fairy PCs, a couple of questions- 1) Since the fairy folk do not like Immortals and holy water, how do you rule on clerical healing? Would a fairy PC refuse it, or would it not work at all, or would it work under exceptional circumstances? 2) And while most special attacks should work normally, what about things like poisons, sleeping gas, etc? Giving them immunities like that is even more overpowering, but from a story standpoint it doesn't make sense they have the same physiology as humans. Any thoughts on this are welcome- Dave Keyser ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 13:46:30 -0800 From: Rodger Burns Subject: Re: For those who have the PC1 gazeteer David Keyser wrote on Wednesday, November 05, 2003: > > And have used fairy PCs, a couple of questions- > > 1) Since the fairy folk do not like Immortals and holy water, how > do you rule on clerical healing? Would a fairy PC refuse it, or > would it not work at all, or would it work under exceptional > circumstances? Damfino. ;) Depends entirely on the PC receiving the healing magic and the Immortal patron providing the spell. There's certainly grounds for it not to work, but denying healing magic entirely to fairy PCs is one of those things that does have the potential to hose a campaign. > > 2) And while most special attacks should work normally, > what about things like poisons, sleeping gas, etc? Giving > them immunities like that is even more overpowering, but > from a story standpoint it doesn't make sense they have > the same physiology as humans. Well, it makes even *less* sense for something like a beholder or an aranea to be affected by the same poisons as humans, but the rules don't make an exception for that. :D I'd say allow all such substances to work normally unless a specific encounter or plotline (the 'bumbling numbskulls try to ward off werewolves with garlic' schtick) should have it be otherwise. > > Any thoughts on this are welcome- > > Dave Keyser > "The best lack all conviction, While the worst are full of passionate intensity." - W.B. Yeats, "The Second Coming" Rodger Burns ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 11:09:45 +1300 From: Chris Furneaux Subject: Re: Hackwurld Mystaros Quoting Paul Westermeyer : > I was on the Hackmaster website today, buried at the bottom of the > 'upcoming' products page was a note that Hackwurld would be delayed > until 06/04. Thanks for the head up. I wonder who is doing it? (and I hope that James is ok) I guess at least now we know. Chris. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 09:36:38 +1100 From: shawn stanley Subject: Re: Hackwurld Mystaros At 11:09 AM 6/11/2003 +1300, you wrote: > Quoting Paul Westermeyer : > >> I was on the Hackmaster website today, buried at the bottom of the >> 'upcoming' products page was a note that Hackwurld would be delayed >> until 06/04. > > Thanks for the head up. I wonder who is doing it? (and I hope that James is ok) > > I guess at least now we know. go to the Kenzerco message boards, http://www.kenzerco.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=HMGeneral&Number=2816 50&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=2&vc=1, for the latest musings. No solid evidence there though shawn stanley what have you done for me lately ... more to the point what have i done for me - mightyfew, "i can't wait" ------------------------------ End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 4 Nov 2003 to 5 Nov 2003 (#2003-262) **************************************************************