Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 5 Sep 2004 to 8 Sep 2004 (#2004-188) From: Automatic digest processor Date: 09/09/2004, 17:00 To: Recipients of MYSTARA-L digests Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion There are 6 messages totalling 1210 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. More Holy Swords of the Known World 2. Darokinian language (4) 3. Thyatis: names and surnames (long) ******************************************************************** 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, 8 Sep 2004 11:52:59 +0800 From: Francisco Navarro Subject: More Holy Swords of the Known World --Apple-Mail-20-344262708 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed Hail Mystarans! I am proud to share my second article on holy swords for the Mystaran=20 setting. I am particularly proud because I whipped this up and=20 completed it in a flash (compared to the first one!). But I am not so=20 proud as to not want feedback, suggestions, and comments from you. Compared to my first article (which btw Shawn, I'm in the finishing=20 touches now, so I'll be sending you a copy soon for the Vaults!), this=20= features less swords, but it has longer descriptions. I think the=20 storytelling here really immerses in the Mystara setting. So enjoy! Francisco Mystaran Arcanist and Collector of Sacred Weapons =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D More Holy Swords of the Known World =46rom the Alphatian continent to the deserts of Sind, from the island = of=20 Ochalea to the Five Shires of the hin, from the Northern Realms to the=20= Fairy Realms, here are five more holy swords blessed by the Immortals=20 Razud, Alphatia, Koryis, Freya, Hel, Khoronus, and Faunus! Thrice-Blessed Alphatian Sword Not as rare or shrouded in mystery as other holy swords, thrice-blessed=20= Alphatian swords were awesome weapons highly celebrated throughout the=20= Empire of Alphatia. These wondrous swords were crafted by the largest=20 churches throughout the continent, and conferred to the most pious and=20= most powerful paladins devoted to the three chief Alphatian Immortals:=20= Razud, Koryis, and Alphatia. Each of these +2 holy long swords is in itself a masterpiece work of=20 art. The craftsmanship is of the finest Alphatian make. The hilt and=20 pommel varies greatly in style, depending on the region of origin and=20 the contemporary fashion, but usually highly colorful and intricately=20 decorated. The blade of a thrice-blessed sword is always of a fabulous=20= iridescent alloy, forged only by the artisan-priests of the Immortal=20 Alphatia. It is this =93chromatic steel=94 that allows for the = enchantment=20 of the three divine blessings, for which the swords are named. The first blessing comes from Razud, the Patron of Self-Sufficiency and=20= Endurance. Once a day, the sword can cast the regenerate spell on the=20 wielder. The second blessing is ascribed to Alphatia, the Patroness of Pacifism=20= and Artistry. With the sword, the paladin can parry, deflect, or disarm=20= attacks of opponents (as per the Improved Disarm feat). Any non-magical=20= weapon that is parried or disarmed by this sword will instantly=20 disintegrate in a burst of rainbow-colored energy. Magical weapons are=20= allowed a Fortitude save, adding any magical bonuses to the save. The third blessing is evoked from the Immortal Koryis, the Patron of=20 Peace. An opponent disarmed or defeated using the sword is placed under=20= a geas of peacefulness towards the paladin, never to attack, retaliate=20= or exact vengeance on the paladin directly for as long as he wields the=20= thrice-blessed sword. During the Wrath of the Immortals War, the rest of the Known World=20 became witness to the marvelous power of thrice-blessed swords in the=20 hands of Alphatian paladins. But when a paladin fell, his sword lost=20 and fallen into the hands of the unworthy, the sword was reduced to a=20 mere +1 merciful sword. And with the sinking of the Alphatian=20 continent, a thrice-blessed Alphatian sword suddenly became more=20 precious and more sought after in the Known World. After the war, two such swords found their way to Tredorian, the=20 Alphatian Prince and hostage to Thyatis. He has since awarded these to=20= two Alphatian paladins now in the loyal service of the Thyatian Empire=20= and thus restored the swords to their full glory. A third sword is=20 rumored to be somewhere in Thyatis City in the hands of the cult of=20 Alphaks. Whether this is true, or a devious ploy of the evil clerics,=20 remains to be seen. In the Principalities of Glantri (the main enemy of Alphatia during the=20= war) the Council of Princes candidly maintains to have collected a=20 veritable arsenal of these swords from defeated Alphatian enemies,=20 albeit in their diminished form. The Glantrian make no secret that they=20= are kept one of the lower vaults at the impenetrable Tower of Sighs,=20 but of course, they have said nothing whether these swords are actually=20= thrice-blessed Alphatian swords. Holy Inspirer Rumors have persisted for years that certain +1 holy long swords are=20 sacred to the Immortal Freya, whose divine mission is to locate heroes=20= for good and even recruit candidates for Immortality. In the hands of a=20= paladin or cleric devoted to Freya, the holy inspirer becomes a +4 holy=20= long sword and is said to be able to grant special abilities to heroes=20= of good, lawful, or at the very least true neutral alignment. Everyday, the sword can grant upon three heroes a +4 bonus to up to=20 three ability scores. Once a day, the holy inspirer can also bestow on=20= one hero invigoration (the reverse of the enervation spell that adds=20 1d4 experience levels and other related bonuses). These benefits=20 normally last only one full day, unless these heroes undertake a=20 quest=97bestowed by the sword and usually in the service of Freya=97for=20= which the bonuses will be sustained until the quest is completed. In the Northern Realms, there are legends of a heroic godi of Freya who=20= with her holy sword could transform ordinary warriors to champions of=20 good, and who lead her entire party onto the Paths of Immortality=97or=20= some say, into the Halls of Valhalla. A strangely parallel myth is also told in the western realm of Sind. It=20= tells of Prince Rohin, a kshatriya (holy warrior) devoted to his=20 Patroness Parjani and whose sacred khandar (sword) can =93transfigure=20 humble men to great heroes=94 and =93grant men of pure heart the=20 realization of their higher incarnation.=94 The striking similarities of both tales have lead some religious=20 scholars to identify the Sindhi Immortal Parjani with the Northmen=20 Immortal Freya. But the divergence between these two cultures and the=20 differing accounts of what the holy inspirer sword appears like has=20 lead to much confusion=97and high demand for any +1 holy long swords = that=20 might possibly be such a weapon. Sword of Dark Resurrection As much as the Sindhi people celebrate the holy inspirer of Prince=20 Rohin in myth and song, they also tell a sinister tale of its evil=20 twin=97a sword so corrupt in its influence, it damns the soul of = mortals,=20 preventing it from achieving Nirvana. The Sindhi name it a sword of=20 dark resurrection. Such a sword is deceptive in its very nature, seeming like a=20 magnificent, bejeweled +1 holy long sword=97save perhaps that it cannot=20= deal extra damage or negative levels towards evil creatures. In fact,=20 when an evil character wields this sword, they will discover its evil=20 nature and the extra 2d6 points of damage it deals to good beings. The darkest powers of the sword can only be unleashed by one devoted to=20= the wicked Sindhi Immortal Kala, Patroness of Destruction, Death, and=20 Reincarnation (known as Hel to the rest of the Known World). The sword=20= becomes a true unholy long sword with a +3 magical bonus. Once a day,=20 the sword can also be used to resurrect a living creature that was=20 slain with it=97but with very dire consequences. Any good being killed = by=20 this sword that is raised or resurrected, using the sword or any other=20= method, will be brought back to life with a chaotic evil alignment. It=20= is believed that only Immortal magic or a well-worded wish or miracle=20 can say the damned soul from the dark resurrection. While swords of dark resurrection are generally unheard of outside of=20 Sindhi, ever since the Republic of Darokin has opened up trade with=20 Sind, the Darokinian Diplomatic Corps has been receiving disturbing=20 reports of thugs and villains in other countries wielding such=20 malevolent weapons of Sindhi myth. As far as Thyatis, the temple of=20 Odin has claimed to have caught one avenger with such a sword, and it=20 is believed the slavers of the Iron Ring in Karameikos are in=20 possession of one. But most disturbing of all to the DDC are rumors=20 that a thug worshiper of Kala has plans to assassinate the heads of the=20= Darokinian merchant houses and then raise them as their evil=20 reincarnations. Time Stiller The ancient Immortal Khoronus, Patron of Time and History, is widely=20 venerated if not entirely understood, throughout the Known World. His=20 cults and religious orders are often shrouded in mystery, and so is=20 this sacred sword that is held only by the finest paladins of Khoronus. The holy sword known as the time stiller will first seem like a +2 long=20= sword of speed or a +2 long sword of defending. Should it appear as the=20= former, the warrior wielding it will feel as if his opponents are=20 slowed down during combat, allowing him to attack twice as fast. Should=20= it appear as the latter, the warrior will find that he somehow always=20 manages to avoid attacks just in the nick of time. When a true holy warrior devoted to Khoronus takes up the time stiller,=20= he will find it having the magical properties of both swords=97and more.=20= The time stiller is a long sword of speed with a +2 bonus to attacks=20 and damage, and grants a permanent +2 enhancement to AC. Moreover, the=20= time stiller can cast a 10-foot radius circle of stilled time, where=20 every creature and object is uncannily slowed to half its speed. The=20 circle of stilled time can be called upon only three times a day and=20 can be stopped at will, but its cumulative duration can only total 12=20 rounds a day. In spite of the amazing and unique properties of the time stiller=20 sword, very few people throughout the Known World have actually heard=20 or seen such a weapon=97except perhaps in one nation, the Five Shires = (of=20 all places!). Over pipesmoke and ale, the hin have often told this tall=20= tale of this great paladin from Karameikos or Darokin or Thyatis or=20 Alphatia (depending on the telling) who wielded a time stiller sword=20 against a dervish from Ylari or Ethengar. When the paladin engaged in=20 combat, it seemed as if time would warp and bend, slowing down to let=20 the paladin carefully aim at his foe, then speeding up for his blow to=20= strike with more force, then slow down again to allow him to dodge a=20 blow from the dervish whose whirling was impossibly slow. It is also told by sailors and sea merchants that in the oriental=20 Kingdom of Ochalea, there is a secluded monastery to the Immortal Kong=20= Ru, where the mystics practice rigorously a strange martial art, both=20 barehanded and armed, wherein all the movements are done in slow=20 flowing motions=97but whether this is a natural skill of the monks or a=20= magical effect of a time stiller sword is not understood. The fact that there is no evidence of the time stiller has lead some=20 sages to believe that the clerics of Khoronus have deliberately kept=20 its existence a secret and diligently removed any records from=20 histories=97perhaps because the sword possesses the magic of = chronomancy,=20 which even the Immortal themselves are loathe to utilize. Fey Friend The fey friend is far from being the typical paladin=92s holy sword that=20= is glorious in its very craftsmanship and resplendent with divine=20 power. In fact, it not even recognized as a holy weapon by religious=20 experts, save for its rumored ties with the fanciful Immortal Faunus. The fey friend appears as a fancy rapier, its blade a light copper or=20 bronze alloy, the hilt bejeweled with multicolored cut glass, and its=20 purpose more ornamental than actually martial. Divinations upon it show=20= varying random results (from faint illusion to strong enchantment) but=20= actually use of the sword can reveal it to be an +1 anarchic rapier.=20 Another fantastic power that the sword=92s wielder may discover is that=20= the sword generates a 10-foot radius circle of wild magic, where most=20 any form of magic creates a wild surge. And if that were not disconcerting enough, the wielder of the sword=20 will experience vague little perplexing incidents: a creepy feeling of=20= being watched, seeing tiny sparkles in the air or something move=20 suddenly in the corner of his eyes, childish giggles or whispering=20 voices in the wind, vivid and recurring dreams or a constant sense of=20 d=E9j=E0 vu. The wielder may even lose items (never the sword though) = only=20 to find them later, or get lost himself then unexpectedly arrive at the=20= right destination. All these weird occurrences can be explained by the true nature of the=20= fey friend sword, which can only be revealed by one devoted to the=20 Immortal Faunus. This wild and whimsical Immortal is perhaps the only=20 Immortal of Mystara who consorts amicably with the Fair Folk, and=20 because of this, the divine champion of Faunus who wields this sword=20 will be regarded a special friend of the sidhe, sprites, pixies,=20 pookas, leprechauns, and the rest of the fey creatures. In the hands of Faunus=92 chosen champion, the fey friend counts as a +2=20= anarchic long sword, though it retains the properties of a rapier, with=20= respect to weight and ease of use. (Proficiency, Weapon Focus, and=20 Weapon Specialization for either rapier or short sword apply equally.)=20= The circle of wild magic is somewhat suppressed, such that wild surge=20 effects that are directly harmful to wielder (and, unfortunately, only=20= the wielder) are negated. The fey friend also confers second sight and fey tongue, allowing its=20 wielder to see and communicate with the Fair Folk clearly. Wielding the=20= fey friend sword also grants the wielder three fey favors for every=20 lunar cycle. This means that in three instances where he fails a saving=20= throw, a fey creature may suddenly appear out of the blue and intervene=20= to save him. (For example, if the favored mortal accidentally sets off=20= a trap, a pooka in the shape of a purple kangaroo will pop up out of=20 nowhere, knocking him off his feet and effectively out of range of the=20= trap.) The final and most powerful enchantment of the fey friend sword=97it is = a=20 bane against undead=97hints at the possible reason for the alliance=20 between Faunus and the fairies. It is most ironic that the wild and chaotic worshippers of Faunus are=20 as unlikely to be brandishing rapiers or long swords as they are to=20 become paladins, crusaders or any holy warrior=97which logically puts to=20= question who is meant to wield the fey friend. But then, mortal men do=20= not know the logic of Immortals=97especially a crazy one like Faunus=97any= =20 more than they can grasp the peculiar mind of the fey. --Apple-Mail-20-344262708 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/enriched; charset=WINDOWS-1252 ArialHail Mystarans! I am proud to share my second article on holy swords for the Mystaran setting. I am particularly proud because I whipped this up and completed it in a flash (compared to the first one!). But I am not so proud as to not want feedback, suggestions, and comments from you. Compared to my first article (which btw Shawn, I'm in the finishing touches now, so I'll be sending you a copy soon for the Vaults!), this features less swords, but it has longer descriptions. I think the storytelling here really immerses in the Mystara setting. So enjoy! Francisco Mystaran Arcanist and Collector of Sacred Weapons =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
ArialMore Holy Swords of the Known World
Arial =46rom the Alphatian continent to the deserts of Sind, from the island of Ochalea to the Five Shires of the hin, from the Northern Realms to the Fairy Realms, here are five more holy swords blessed by the Immortals Razud, Alphatia, Koryis, Freya, Hel, Khoronus, and Faunus! Thrice-Blessed Alphatian Sword=20 Not as rare or shrouded in mystery as other holy swords, thrice-blessed Alphatian swords were awesome weapons highly celebrated throughout the Empire of Alphatia. These wondrous swords were crafted by the largest churches throughout the continent, and conferred to the most pious and most powerful paladins devoted to the three chief Alphatian Immortals: Razud, Koryis, and Alphatia. Each of these +2 holy long swords is in itself a masterpiece work of art. The craftsmanship is of the finest Alphatian make. The hilt and pommel varies greatly in style, depending on the region of origin and the contemporary fashion, but usually highly colorful and intricately decorated. The blade of a thrice-blessed sword is always of a fabulous iridescent alloy, forged only by the artisan-priests of the Immortal Alphatia. It is this =93chromatic steel=94 that allows for the = enchantment of the three divine blessings, for which the swords are named. The first blessing comes from Razud, the Patron of Self-Sufficiency and Endurance. Once a day, the sword can cast the regenerate spell on the wielder.=20 The second blessing is ascribed to Alphatia, the Patroness of Pacifism and Artistry. With the sword, the paladin can parry, deflect, or disarm attacks of opponents (as per the Improved Disarm feat). Any non-magical weapon that is parried or disarmed by this sword will instantly disintegrate in a burst of rainbow-colored energy. Magical weapons are allowed a Fortitude save, adding any magical bonuses to the save. The third blessing is evoked from the Immortal Koryis, the Patron of Peace. An opponent disarmed or defeated using the sword is placed under a geas of peacefulness towards the paladin, never to attack, retaliate or exact vengeance on the paladin directly for as long as he wields the thrice-blessed sword. During the Wrath of the Immortals War, the rest of the Known World became witness to the marvelous power of thrice-blessed swords in the hands of Alphatian paladins. But when a paladin fell, his sword lost and fallen into the hands of the unworthy, the sword was reduced to a mere +1 merciful sword. And with the sinking of the Alphatian continent, a thrice-blessed Alphatian sword suddenly became more precious and more sought after in the Known World. After the war, two such swords found their way to Tredorian, the Alphatian Prince and hostage to Thyatis. He has since awarded these to two Alphatian paladins now in the loyal service of the Thyatian Empire and thus restored the swords to their full glory. A third sword is rumored to be somewhere in Thyatis City in the hands of the cult of Alphaks. Whether this is true, or a devious ploy of the evil clerics, remains to be seen. In the Principalities of Glantri (the main enemy of Alphatia during the war) the Council of Princes candidly maintains to have collected a veritable arsenal of these swords from defeated Alphatian enemies, albeit in their diminished form. The Glantrian make no secret that they are kept one of the lower vaults at the impenetrable Tower of Sighs, but of course, they have said nothing whether these swords are actually thrice-blessed Alphatian swords. Holy Inspirer Rumors have persisted for years that certain +1 holy long swords are sacred to the Immortal Freya, whose divine mission is to locate heroes for good and even recruit candidates for Immortality. In the hands of a paladin or cleric devoted to Freya, the holy inspirer becomes a +4 holy long sword and is said to be able to grant special abilities to heroes of good, lawful, or at the very least true neutral alignment.=20 Everyday, the sword can grant upon three heroes a +4 bonus to up to three ability scores. Once a day, the holy inspirer can also bestow on one hero invigoration (the reverse of the enervation spell that adds 1d4 experience levels and other related bonuses). These benefits normally last only one full day, unless these heroes undertake a quest=97bestowed by the sword and usually in the service of Freya=97for which the bonuses will be sustained until the quest is completed. In the Northern Realms, there are legends of a heroic godi of Freya who with her holy sword could transform ordinary warriors to champions of good, and who lead her entire party onto the Paths of Immortality=97or some say, into the Halls of Valhalla. A strangely parallel myth is also told in the western realm of Sind. It tells of Prince Rohin, a kshatriya (holy warrior) devoted to his Patroness Parjani and whose sacred khandar (sword) can =93transfigure humble men to great heroes=94 and =93grant men of pure heart the realization of their higher incarnation.=94 The striking similarities of both tales have lead some religious scholars to identify the Sindhi Immortal Parjani with the Northmen Immortal Freya. But the divergence between these two cultures and the differing accounts of what the holy inspirer sword appears like has lead to much confusion=97and high demand for any +1 holy long swords that might possibly be such a weapon. Sword of Dark Resurrection As much as the Sindhi people celebrate the holy inspirer of Prince Rohin in myth and song, they also tell a sinister tale of its evil twin=97a sword so corrupt in its influence, it damns the soul of mortals, preventing it from achieving Nirvana. The Sindhi name it a sword of dark resurrection. Such a sword is deceptive in its very nature, seeming like a magnificent, bejeweled +1 holy long sword=97save perhaps that it cannot deal extra damage or negative levels towards evil creatures. In fact, when an evil character wields this sword, they will discover its evil nature and the extra 2d6 points of damage it deals to good beings. The darkest powers of the sword can only be unleashed by one devoted to the wicked Sindhi Immortal Kala, Patroness of Destruction, Death, and Reincarnation (known as Hel to the rest of the Known World). The sword becomes a true unholy long sword with a +3 magical bonus. Once a day, the sword can also be used to resurrect a living creature that was slain with it=97but with very dire consequences. Any good being killed by this sword that is raised or resurrected, using the sword or any other method, will be brought back to life with a chaotic evil alignment. It is believed that only Immortal magic or a well-worded wish or miracle can say the damned soul from the dark resurrection. While swords of dark resurrection are generally unheard of outside of Sindhi, ever since the Republic of Darokin has opened up trade with Sind, the Darokinian Diplomatic Corps has been receiving disturbing reports of thugs and villains in other countries wielding such malevolent weapons of Sindhi myth. As far as Thyatis, the temple of Odin has claimed to have caught one avenger with such a sword, and it is believed the slavers of the Iron Ring in Karameikos are in possession of one. But most disturbing of all to the DDC are rumors that a thug worshiper of Kala has plans to assassinate the heads of the Darokinian merchant houses and then raise them as their evil reincarnations. Time Stiller The ancient Immortal Khoronus, Patron of Time and History, is widely venerated if not entirely understood, throughout the Known World. His cults and religious orders are often shrouded in mystery, and so is this sacred sword that is held only by the finest paladins of Khoronus. The holy sword known as the time stiller will first seem like a +2 long sword of speed or a +2 long sword of defending. Should it appear as the former, the warrior wielding it will feel as if his opponents are slowed down during combat, allowing him to attack twice as fast. Should it appear as the latter, the warrior will find that he somehow always manages to avoid attacks just in the nick of time. When a true holy warrior devoted to Khoronus takes up the time stiller, he will find it having the magical properties of both swords=97and more. The time stiller is a long sword of speed with a +2 bonus to attacks and damage, and grants a permanent +2 enhancement to AC. Moreover, the time stiller can cast a 10-foot radius circle of stilled time, where every creature and object is uncannily slowed to half its speed. The circle of stilled time can be called upon only three times a day and can be stopped at will, but its cumulative duration can only total 12 rounds a day. In spite of the amazing and unique properties of the time stiller sword, very few people throughout the Known World have actually heard or seen such a weapon=97except perhaps in one nation, the Five Shires (of all places!). Over pipesmoke and ale, the hin have often told this tall tale of this great paladin from Karameikos or Darokin or Thyatis or Alphatia (depending on the telling) who wielded a time stiller sword against a dervish from Ylari or Ethengar. When the paladin engaged in combat, it seemed as if time would warp and bend, slowing down to let the paladin carefully aim at his foe, then speeding up for his blow to strike with more force, then slow down again to allow him to dodge a blow from the dervish whose whirling was impossibly slow. It is also told by sailors and sea merchants that in the oriental Kingdom of Ochalea, there is a secluded monastery to the Immortal Kong Ru, where the mystics practice rigorously a strange martial art, both barehanded and armed, wherein all the movements are done in slow flowing motions=97but whether this is a natural skill of the monks or a magical effect of a time stiller sword is not understood. The fact that there is no evidence of the time stiller has lead some sages to believe that the clerics of Khoronus have deliberately kept its existence a secret and diligently removed any records from histories=97perhaps because the sword possesses the magic of chronomancy, which even the Immortal themselves are loathe to utilize. Fey Friend The fey friend is far from being the typical paladin=92s holy sword that is glorious in its very craftsmanship and resplendent with divine power. In fact, it not even recognized as a holy weapon by religious experts, save for its rumored ties with the fanciful Immortal Faunus. The fey friend appears as a fancy rapier, its blade a light copper or bronze alloy, the hilt bejeweled with multicolored cut glass, and its purpose more ornamental than actually martial. Divinations upon it show varying random results (from faint illusion to strong enchantment) but actually use of the sword can reveal it to be an +1 anarchic rapier. Another fantastic power that the sword=92s wielder may discover is that the sword generates a 10-foot radius circle of wild magic, where most any form of magic creates a wild surge. And if that were not disconcerting enough, the wielder of the sword will experience vague little perplexing incidents: a creepy feeling of being watched, seeing tiny sparkles in the air or something move suddenly in the corner of his eyes, childish giggles or whispering voices in the wind, vivid and recurring dreams or a constant sense of d=E9j=E0 vu. The wielder may even lose items (never the sword though) = only to find them later, or get lost himself then unexpectedly arrive at the right destination. All these weird occurrences can be explained by the true nature of the fey friend sword, which can only be revealed by one devoted to the Immortal Faunus. This wild and whimsical Immortal is perhaps the only Immortal of Mystara who consorts amicably with the Fair Folk, and because of this, the divine champion of Faunus who wields this sword will be regarded a special friend of the sidhe, sprites, pixies, pookas, leprechauns, and the rest of the fey creatures.=20 In the hands of Faunus=92 chosen champion, the fey friend counts as a +2 anarchic long sword, though it retains the properties of a rapier, with respect to weight and ease of use. (Proficiency, Weapon Focus, and Weapon Specialization for either rapier or short sword apply equally.) The circle of wild magic is somewhat suppressed, such that wild surge effects that are directly harmful to wielder (and, unfortunately, only the wielder) are negated. The fey friend also confers second sight and fey tongue, allowing its wielder to see and communicate with the Fair Folk clearly. Wielding the fey friend sword also grants the wielder three fey favors for every lunar cycle. This means that in three instances where he fails a saving throw, a fey creature may suddenly appear out of the blue and intervene to save him. (For example, if the favored mortal accidentally sets off a trap, a pooka in the shape of a purple kangaroo will pop up out of nowhere, knocking him off his feet and effectively out of range of the trap.)=20 The final and most powerful enchantment of the fey friend sword=97it is a bane against undead=97hints at the possible reason for the alliance between Faunus and the fairies.=20 It is most ironic that the wild and chaotic worshippers of Faunus are as unlikely to be brandishing rapiers or long swords as they are to become paladins, crusaders or any holy warrior=97which logically puts to question who is meant to wield the fey friend. But then, mortal men do not know the logic of Immortals=97especially a crazy one like Faunus=97any= more than they can grasp the peculiar mind of the fey. = --Apple-Mail-20-344262708-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 11:14:07 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?la=20Volpe?= Subject: Darokinian language I have noticed that in the PWAs, the language of Darokin is called "darokinian". However, in the fan-made MAs, the language is now "thyatian (darokinian dialect)". Why did the MA-Team assume that darokinian is a thyatian dialect? Did they decide it arbitrarily, out of the blue, or was it something supported in some way from canon products? Are there canon products in which darokinian is claimed to be a thyatian dialect? Thanks in advance for the help! Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ___________________________________ Scopri Mister Yahoo! - il fantatorneo sul calcio di Yahoo! Sport http://it.seriea.fantasysports.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 11:36:13 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?la=20Volpe?= Subject: Thyatis: names and surnames (long) Hello all! This article is just a draft, I have not completed it. I am trying to be very scrupolous, controlling ethymologies and name prefixes on latin and greek dictionaries! But I haven't finished yet. Sections F and G are completely missing, and I'm not sure about the choice of name prefixes according to geographical area. Anyway. I decided to send it, because Kit Navarro asked me to do some work on thyatian names some time ago, I promised to send it in less than a day, I started enthusiastically but then got stuck. I worked on it a little more, and at least now it is readable...I hope you enjoy it. Comments are welcome, please, because I'm not sure about it as it is now... THYATIS: NAMES AND SURNAMES In Thyatis a wide number of names and surnames is used - almost every name from every country of the Known World may be found among thyatians, because they are a population that likes exotic names (many of whom are often changed and distorced version of foreign names that could sound weird to the nations that originated them). Things vary much from region to region, but in this article we are going to concentrate on Mainland Thyatis, where the population is mostly of Thyatian or Kerendan descent (except in border areas like Biazzan and Tel Akbir, or in the Urbs of Thyatis itself). NAMES Thyatians have generally two names: first name (praenomen, pl. praenomina), and surname (nomen, pl. nomina). Noble or ancient families tend to have a third name (cognomen, pl. cognomina) - for the noble ones, it was used to indicate the various branches of the family. This work details shortly possible names of the Thyatian people of the Mainland, presenting useful prefixes that can be used for names and surnames alike. Suffixes may be chosen among four different groups, relating to the dialects of the Mainland Thyatians. 1)The "classical thyatian" form of names is mostly found among noble or ancient families of thyatian descent, traditionalists, purists, and people in the regions of Lucinius, Retebius, Thyatis. (note: classical thyatian is roughly equivalent to late-roman-empire latin; it is the official language and the language used and taught at schools and universities) 2)The "northern" form is used among descendents of thyatian colonists in the areas of Biazzan, Tel Akbir, Nicostenia and Dythestenia, as well as from the people of Halathius. Most of the Caurenzan thyatians descend from people that migrated from these areas during the eight and ninth centuries, so most caurenzan-thyatian names are of this type. (note: northern dialect is roughly equivalent to ancient italian vulgar latin) 3)"Kerendan" suffixes originated in the regions of Machetos and Kerendas. These names often have a milenian or doulakki feel, as the Kerendans were more influenced by the Milenians when the Tribes were in Davania, and mingled more with the descendants of doulakki that lived in western Thyatis. (note: kerendan dialect is roughly equivalent to byzanthine spoken latin) 4)"Islander" suffixes are typical of the regions of Actius, Mositius, Terentias, and were also typical of the Ispans (so that sometimes they can be used by Espans or Verdans as an archaic form of their names). (note: islander dialect was developed by kerendans that occupied the islands and thus had less contact with the doulakki of western Thyatis; it is similar to ancient spanish vulgar latin) SUFFIXES Thyatian suffixes: male -(i)us, -(i)anus, -ine, -inius, -inus; female -(i)a, -(i)ana, ina Kerendan suffixes: male -(i)an, -in, -es, -ites; female -ana, -anna, -ira Norhtern suffixes: male -(i)o, -(i)ano; female -(i)a, -(i)ana, -(i)na, -inia Islander suffixes: male -in, -an, -iel; female -ana, -a, -iela, -ita PREFIXES a) Original Thyatian Praenomina These are among the oldest Thyatian names. Members of extremely old and aristocratic families of the Thyatians (but not of Kerendans), and conservative ones, generally choose the praenomina (first names) of their heir (or sometimes of all their children) only from these ones. APPI- AUL- CAI- LUCI- MAMERC- MANI- MARC- PRIM- PUBLI- QUINT- SECUND- SEXT- SERVI- SPURI- TERTI- TIBERI- TIT- b) Original Thyatian Nomina These were the oldest surnames of Thyatians and Kerendans, but most have become names in full regard. See also "Surnames" for further informations. AELI- AEMILI- AETI- ANNI- (ANTISTI-) ANTONI- APPULEI- AQUILLI- ARRI- ATIL- AURELI- BILLIEN- CAECILI- CAELI- CALPURNI- CASSI- CLAUDI- CLODI- CORNELI- CURTI- DECIM- DIDI- DOMITI- EQUITI- FABI- FABRICI- FLAVI- FUFI- FULVI- FURI- GAVI- GRANI- GRATIDI- HERRENI- HORTENSI- IULI- IUNI- IUSTI- LABEIENI- LICINI- LIVI- LUCIL- LUTATI- MACRIN- MAELI- MAGI- MAMILI- MANLI- MARCI- MARI- MATI- MEMMI- MINUCI- NONI- NORBAN- OCTAVI- OPPI- PAPIRI- PAPINI- PETRONI- PLAUTI- PLOTI- POMPEI- POMPIL- POMPON- POPILI- POPPAEDI- PORCI- POSTUMI- PUBLI- RUTILI- SERVILI- SICCI- SULPICI- SULLUSTI- TERRENTI- TITI- TURPILI- VALERI- VANI- VETTI- VIVI- c) Original Thyatian Cognomina These were in ancient times just surnames, but Thyatians have since long started to use them as full names, similarly to what happened to other ancient Nomina (see "b", above). ADRI- CONSTANT- (also used: Constans, without suffixes) DIOCLETI- (also used: Diocles, without suffixes; Doulakki origin) HONORI- MAXIM- MAXIMILLIAN- PAUL- ROMAN- RUF- RUFIN- SCIPIO (only for males, without any suffix) VALENT- (also used: Valens, without suffixes) VAR- d) Other Thyatian Cognomina "Surname" suffixes may be used for every name prefix to create a surname. It is to be noted that often a Thyatian name may be both a first name and a second name (examples: Lucianus, Luciana). Surname suffixes: -ica, -anicus, -(i)anus, -(i)anico, -(i)anica, -(i)cus The following is a list of other surnames, to add to section C. However, it is highly uncommon to choose one of these names as a first name, it would sound as if in England someone called his son "Carpenter" or "Smith". AENOBARBUS AHALA ALBINUS AUGUR BAMBALIO BARBULA BESTIA BROCCHUS BRUTUS CAECUS CAEPIO CAESAR CAESTONINUS CALDUS CALENUS CALVUS CAMILLUS CAPRARIUS CARBO CATO CATULUS CICERO COTTA CRASSUS CUNCTATOR DENTATUS DIVES DRUSUS EBURNUS FIMBRIA FLACCUS GALBA GETHA GLAUCIA GRACCHUS LAENAS LENTULUS LEPIDUS LIMENTANUS LONGIUS LUCULLUS MACTATOR MAGNUS MANCINUS MEMINUS MERULA METELLUS MILO NASICA NERVA ORATOR PAETUS PAPUS PISO POSTHUMUS PULCHER PULCHRA RAVILLA REGILIUS REGINUS REX RUSO SATURNIUS SCAEVOLA SCAURUS SERRANUS SESQUICULUS STICHUS STRABO SULLA TUBURO VARRO VERRACOSIS VOPISCUS e) The Doulakki heritage & Milenian influence These are prefixes of Mileanian or Doulakki origin. In ancient times they were mostly used in Kerendas and the western areas, but nowadays they may be found everywhere in the Empire. You can make out names and surnames using the same suffixes indicated in the previous sections. ACAS- ADRON- ALLAT- ALEX- ANASTA(S)- ANGEL- ANTHEM- ARCAD- ASTER- BELISA- BESSAR- CALLIN- CALLIS- DEMET- EUDOC- EUSE- GALAT- GALE- GREGOR- HELEN- HERACL- LEO(N)- OLIV- PETRON- PHAID- STEFAN- TARAS- THEO- THEODO- XEN- ZEN- f) Surnames of Doulakki and Milenian origin (missing) g) Foreign names in Thyatis (missing) ___________________________________ Scopri Mister Yahoo! - il fantatorneo sul calcio di Yahoo! Sport http://it.seriea.fantasysports.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 10:26:35 -0500 From: Aaron Nowack Subject: Re: Darokinian language la Volpe wrote: > I have noticed that in the PWAs, the language of > Darokin is called "darokinian". > > However, in the fan-made MAs, the language is now > "thyatian (darokinian dialect)". > > Why did the MA-Team assume that darokinian is a > thyatian dialect? Did they decide it arbitrarily, out > of the blue, or was it something supported in some way > from canon products? Hmm... that doesn't make much sense to me, either. Thyatis never controlled Darokin, and Thyatians were far from the most significant group to immigrate. Darokinian would probably be more closely related to Traladaran than Thyatian, but I don't think it could really be described as a dialect of it - it would probably have diverged before the destruction of Nithia. -- Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.mimiru.net/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2004 08:41:47 +0800 From: Francisco Navarro Subject: Re: Darokinian language Hail Mystarans! Hail Thyatians! Hail Darokinians! Perhaps someone misunderstood that Darokinian is one language, while the Thyatian (Darokinian dialect)--meaning the Darokinian version of Thyatian Common--is another language. Compare this with Glantri, where we've straightened out (more or less) that there are several Thyatian dialects; Thyatian (Caurenzan dialect) = derived from Kerendan Thyatian (Aalabanese dialect) = derived from Hattian plus Alphatian Thyatian (Glantrian dialect) = the closest to Thyatian Common, but with a good mix of the Caurenzan/Kerendan and Aalbanese/Hattian, plus the local Flaemish and Belcadizan languages. These dialects are significantly different enough from Thyatian Common and Imperial Thyatian (the Thyatian of Thyatis!). Kit Navarro "Can you not tell why the spell won't work for you? The spell's author was the son of an Aalbanese noblewoman and her Flaemish lover, a bastard who grew up in an orphanage in Belcadiz, and he wrote it for his Krondoharan lover in Nouvelle Averoigne! The language of the spell is just too complicated for you and your Thyatian is simply too... common!" On 8 Sep, 2004, at 5:14 PM, la Volpe wrote: > I have noticed that in the PWAs, the language of > Darokin is called "darokinian". > > However, in the fan-made MAs, the language is now > "thyatian (darokinian dialect)". > > Why did the MA-Team assume that darokinian is a > thyatian dialect? Did they decide it arbitrarily, out > of the blue, or was it something supported in some way > from canon products? > > Are there canon products in which darokinian is > claimed to be a thyatian dialect? > > Thanks in advance for the help! > > Iulius Sergius Scaevola > Captain of the XXth Cohort > Port Lucinius, Thyatis > > > > ___________________________________ > Scopri Mister Yahoo! - il fantatorneo sul calcio di Yahoo! Sport > http://it.seriea.fantasysports.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. > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 20:34:55 -0500 From: Aaron Nowack Subject: Re: Darokinian language Francisco Navarro wrote: > Perhaps someone misunderstood that Darokinian is one language, while > the Thyatian (Darokinian dialect)--meaning the Darokinian version of > Thyatian Common--is another language. I'm not quite sure as to your meaning here. If you mean that Darokinian _is_ the same as Thyatian (Darokinian dialect, it doesn't make any sense that it would be that way, as Darokin was neither conquered nor settled by Thyatis. There's no reason why the unrelated people living there would speak a dialect of Thyatian. If you mean that they _aren't_ the same language, I'm not quite sure who is supposed to be speaking "Thyatian (Darokinian dialect)" - there isn't, to my knowledge, any large body of unassimilated Thyatian immigrants in Darokin to speak it. -- Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.mimiru.net/ ------------------------------ End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 5 Sep 2004 to 8 Sep 2004 (#2004-188) **************************************************************