Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 5 May 2004 to 6 May 2004 (#2004-96) From: Automatic digest processor Date: 07/05/2004, 17:00 To: Recipients of MYSTARA-L digests Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion There are 7 messages totalling 299 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Races (2) 2. Tsathoggua (2) 3. Darokin - Minrothad trade map (3) ******************************************************************** 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: Thu, 6 May 2004 09:39:22 +0200 From: Giampaolo Agosta Subject: Re: Races Havard Faanes wrote: > Which races should be included? I will only include a > limited number of races and subraces, but would like > to include a few more beyond the standard 3e races to > add some setting specific flavor. I'd consider the following: Human (if you want subraces, you can use theses: Mystaran, Laterran, Alphatian; but I'd use other mechanisms than subraces, since there are few, if any, differences between those "subraces") Dwarf (Rockborn, in a basic game you would only have a single subrace here) Lupin (if playing in the KW, you've plenty of subraces; refer to Bruce's article, or simply divide them in the basic classes: Hunter, Guardian, Vermin Hunter, Wee Folk, Shepherd) Elf (Shadow, Sylvan, Belcadiz, Shiye, Water) These would be available in most countries (with the obvious exceptions, such as no Dwarves in Glantri and no Elves in Ylaruam). Additional races (less common): Halfling (common only in Five Shires, Ierendi, and Minrothad, some can be found in Darokin and Karameikos) Rakasta (only in Glantri and Thyatis/Ochalea, and then only a few Pardasta types) Gnomes (few, only in Serraine, Averoigne and Karameikos) Goblinoids (these are common, but their use depends on your campaign mood and party composition; all are acceptable) Wee Folk (same as goblinoids, but they're also quite rare) Sea People (only if you want a sea-based campaign) Lycanthropes (only if your campaign is based in Glantri, use them to replace the missing Dwarves and Halflings) Of course, things may vary depending on the scope of the campaign. E.g., I planned and implemented a (short-lived, unfortunately) Ylari campaign, where I only considered these races: Human, Alasiyan Human, Nithian Human, Thyatian Human, Alphatian Human, Makistani Dwarf, Rockborn Lupin, Fanaq Lupin, Nithian Rambler Lupin, Shag-Head since the campaign was to involve only "resident" characters. The actual characters were a Fanaq Barber, an Alasiyan Prayer Leader, a Thyatian Corsair, a Dwarf Fighter, and an Alasiyan Sorcerer (AD&D), all based in Tameronikas. In my other campaign, which spans from the Known World to the SC, almost all races are acceptable. Other variables include your personal vision of Mystara (in mine, Rakasta and Lupins are major character races, while Halfling and Gnomes much less common), the tastes of your players (some people don't like certain races), and the mood of the campaign (would you allow mixed goblinoid/(demi)human groups?) Hope it helps, GP -- Giampaolo Agosta http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 10:56:35 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?q?la=20Volpe?= Subject: Tsathoggua > IMC, the humans of New Averoigne (the transplants > from Old Averoigne) are also a subrace- at least a > large number of them. They are products of a > breeding project initiated by Tsathoggua millenia > ago to extend his influence over the mortals of the > world. The d'Ambrevilles are all of this subrace, as > are many of their noble allies. (This is partially > to explain their long lifespans, as well as to try > and get the family away from the "eccentric but > basically harmless" Gaz3 depiction, and back to > their "eccentric and nefarious" depiction from X2: > Castle Amber. Just a personal taste issue, mainly.) > ???? Could you explain this? I know it's your campaign, but it sounds interesting... Giulio ____________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Companion - Scarica gratis la toolbar di Ricerca di Yahoo! http://companion.yahoo.it ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 11:24:02 +0100 From: Colin Davidson Subject: Re: Races ----- Original Message ----- From: "Havard Faanes" To: Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 4:50 PM Subject: [MYSTARA] Races > Hello, > > I am preparing a small document for my players with > basic 3e conversions for a Mystara campaign set in the > Known World. My question is: > Which races should be included? I will only include a > limited number of races and subraces, but would like > to include a few more beyond the standard 3e races to > add some setting specific flavor. > > Ideas? You have to include lupins and rakasta if you're going for a Mystaran feel, but the dizzying array of sub-races probably aren't needed. I might also be tempted to include pegotaur and nagpa, both being quite distinctive. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 14:06:39 +0200 From: Francesco Defferrari Subject: Re: Darokin - Minrothad trade map ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bertrand Lhoyez" > i hope you'll find it useful Very useful and really a great work! Thank you! :-) bye Francesco ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 07:31:53 -0700 From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Tsathoggua la Volpe wrote: > IMC, the humans of New Averoigne (the transplants > from Old Averoigne) are also a subrace- at least a > large number of them. They are products of a > breeding project initiated by Tsathoggua millenia > ago to extend his influence over the mortals of the > world. The d'Ambrevilles are all of this subrace, as > are many of their noble allies. (This is partially > to explain their long lifespans, as well as to try > and get the family away from the "eccentric but > basically harmless" Gaz3 depiction, and back to > their "eccentric and nefarious" depiction from X2: > Castle Amber. Just a personal taste issue, mainly.) > ???? Could you explain this? I know it's your campaign, but it sounds interesting... Sure- basically, it stemmed from my interest in the Clark Ashton Smith short stories of Averoigne (and, by extension, the Cthulhu mythos), my love of the Chronicles of Amber series by Roger Zelazny, and this passage from module X2: Castle Amber: (p.3) "... This family was noted for secretly practicing magic. In their search for power, the d'Ambrevilles began to study black magic, especially magic that dealt with certain dark elder gods whose worship was forbidden." Bearing this in mind, my d'Ambrevilles took on a slightly more sinister and Machiavellian bent than those depicted in Gaz3 and later products. Etienne, as per his description in X2 and elsewhere, as well as his youngest son, Claude, are both sort of the "black sheep" of the family... or maybe the "white sheep". Anyway, here's a rough idea of how I have things: Since time immemorial, Sodaqua (Tsathoggua) has been slumbering deep beneath the land now known as Averoigne. (See http://www.eldritchdark.com/wri/non-fict/other/black_book.html#t48). Early pagans cavorted with inhuman minions of this dark being, creating powerful, long-lived part human servitors for the sleeping god... much as happens in many parts of the world (such as the port town of Innsmouth, Massachusetts.) As time went on, and the land was conquered and settled- first by the Roman legions, later by the Franks, and missionaries converted the pagans to Christian beliefs, the worship of Tsathoggua was largely forgotten, and the bloodlines thinned. The dark god's servitors seemed in danger of extinction. Such it was until the late 12th century, when Richard the Lionhearted and Philip II proclaimed a Holy Crusade. Among the many knights who answered the call was a young man from Averoigne named Edoard Amber. Not the most pious of Christians, Edoard nevertheless found himself compelled to join the Crusade when he began hearing voices telling him it was his mission in life. Convinced it was the Lord himself speaking to him, Edoard left his wife and children and headed to the east. Along the way, Edoard met with many shady folk and came into contact with unheard of lore and even darker whisperings. All of his experiences culminated in his arrival in the eastern lands, where he came into contact with... something. Something that changed Edoard utterly and irrevocably. Something man was not meant to know. For his service on the Crusade, Edoard was awarded a fief in the County of Averoigne- Ambreville- and all the privileges that go with nobility. Little did anyone know that this was all according to Tsathoggua's plans- for it was his voice that drove Edoard eastwards from his homeland, his voice that compelled Edoard on the path that would bring him knowledge of the ancient rites and dark magicks of the Great Old Ones. Edoard contacted those few in Averoigne who recalled the old ways, and recruited new followers. Gradually, through arranged marriages, the old bloodlines were reestablished, stronger than ever. Worship of the elder dark resumed, albeit under the guise of legitimate nobility and religion. For the worshippers of Tsathoggua were ever aware that they might be caught out and labeled as heretics- such as happened to the Cathars to the south of Averoigne in the 13th century. (IMC, the Cathars were Cthulhu cultists). During the Hundred Years' War, the name d'Ambreville came once more to the awareness of the monarchy of France. True, they came to the aid of the throne during those trying times- even losing the head of their family, Michel d'Ambreville, during the Battle of Poitiers. But there were also rumors that certain members of the family had had dealings with the Black Prince... not to mention the ever persistent tales of heresies practiced in the valley of Averoigne. Eventually convinced that the rulers of Averoigne were heretics and traitors, King Charles V mobilized his armies and went to war with many of the southern rulers. Unable to stand against the forces of France, the d'Ambrevilles and their allies were certainly going to be eliminated- but for the save of the black sheep of the family, Etienne. A wizard of no small means, Etienne had discovered a way to transport the family to a far distant world, one where they would not be subject to persecution, and would be free to study magic however they wished. They agreed- some more reluctantly than others- and all uneasy that their safety and well being lay in the hands of Etienne. Thus, in the year 728 AC on the Mystaran calendar, the d'Ambrevilles and a large retinue of exiled nobles and common servants alike arrived in the highlands of Braejr. That's basically it, history wise. I have other bits and pieces, a lot of which are (as seen above) tied into actual historical RW events and places. The family IMC is not terribly different from their descriptions in the established products- mostly because of their "eye opening" experiences in the Land of Gray Mists (timeless eternity and magically enforced madness can cause quite the reevaluation of one's life, I'm told), and the elements of Tsathoggua worship aren't as strong as they once were (being so far distant can do that- although Outer Beings might be a bit more in the "general awareness" in New Averoigne than elsewhere on Mystara). But the old elements of Machiavellian plotting against one another remain, and there is a tendency to delve into the study of "that which is not known" heedless of the danger. Not to mention that the old breeding processes still go on- though the bloodlines are in danger of getting thinner once more, as there isn't that large a populat ion left to selectively mate with... at least not without getting into inbreeding, and the family is mad enough as is... there is a definite and noticeable decline in the longevity of the average Averoignian nowadays. I've also done some things such as thrown in a lot of "illegitimate" children, and tried to tie in all the various d'Ambrevilles out there. For instance, "Countess" d'Ambreville (See Focus in Freeport #15 at Greenronin's site- http://www.greenronin.com/freeportfocus.shtml) is the full sister to Michel and Marcel d'Ambreville. Dubricus d'Ambreville from Return to the Keep on the Borderlands is Charles and Isabelle's son, and Petit-Singe- unknown to all but a few members of the family- is actually Marcel d'Ambreville's illegitimate son by a member of the house staff. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 14:15:41 -0400 From: Geoff Gander Subject: Re: Darokin - Minrothad trade map This is beautiful! Keep it up! Would you have any plans to develop a similar map for the western portions of the Savage Coast? 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: Thu, 6 May 2004 23:10:39 +0200 From: Thibault Sarlat Subject: Re: Darokin - Minrothad trade map yeah! if you want i can give a hand... I am willing to make northern davania Thibault Sarlat. ICQ 16622177. Personal homepage http://www.mystara.fr.st thibault-sarlat@wanadoo.fr clenariusfr@yahoo.fr ----- Original Message ----- From: "Geoff Gander" To: Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 8:15 PM Subject: Re: [MYSTARA] Darokin - Minrothad trade map > This is beautiful! Keep it up! Would you have any plans to develop a > similar map for the western portions of the Savage Coast? > > 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 > > ******************************************************************** > 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. > > ------------------------------ End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 5 May 2004 to 6 May 2004 (#2004-96) *************************************************************