========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 00:47:02 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Long) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Wow, sounds like a pretty cool campaign you had there! I think that actual gaming is a big part of any good setting's development. Source materials are fine, but without adventure and focus, how can a game go on? There's two things with a Living Mystara campaign I see as very important: 1) A consistant set of modules which focus on 'the big theme' and deal with big issues in the setting. This is akin to modules such as X10 and CM7, which determines the fate of one or more nations. 2) Alongside the above, other modules which detail and populate the various places, following the wake of the first group. While they're not incredibly important in the big scheme, they do matter and help further and develop places. A 'Return to the Isle of Dread' module fits this very well. 3) A developing Encyclodpedia AND Almanac alongside the above. This allows a consistant tracking of events in the campaign setting, and also delivers a concise source of materials presented. Encyclopedias release a new edition every year after all! But above all, the game's the thing. If the adventures are good and exciting, players will play them. If they're not, they'll seek their fun elsewhere. That's definitely what Mystara needs right now, new players and new adventures. And I think there's the people to do this right here right now. IronWolf Brad McMillan wrote: > > In the 6 year solo campaign I've been in with my DM, my DM brought > up some very interesting ideas for the future that I thought might apply to > the idea you've raised, Ironwolf. Let me explain...(a "little" story first) > > My character was seeking Immortality (the Path of the Dynast). A > part of this 'seeking' delt with my character obtaining a significant > immortal artefact that would help him travel through time. The artefact that > I found and used was the 'Mirror of Dreams'. My character travelled to a > number of different points in time, and one of the future engagements - to a > time in the future I know not when - had my character appear in a bizarre > setting; a Mystara in flux. Indeed, everything that corresponded with Time, > Energy, Matter, Thought and Entropy were engaged in a struggle over reality. > The Immortal Rad appeared, who my character had come to know, though only in > the mortal guise of Stefan D'Ambreville. He was flying by and spotted my > character just standing there, gocking at the warped surroundings. Rad > apparently frustrated at what was happening around him, shouted at my > character, "Don't just stand there, do something!", at which point Rad > attempts to control the flux of a large river not far away...seemingly > without actually casting any spells, but by will alone (my character didn't > know he was an Immortal). With much confusion over what Rad had said and was > doing, my character looks around and, spotting a mountain that was morphing > before his eyes (an incredible thing indeed!), decides he really has to try > something... following suit, my character attempts to slow the flux occuring > around the mountain, trying to restore order to the chaos ensuing around > him. Amazingly, he was partially successful! The Mountain seemed to slow in > it's chaotic morphing and regained some integrity again...though not long > afterwards it began it's ever changing dance, once more. The world seemed to > be in a hopeless state of chaos, and there seemed to be nothing I, my > character, could do about it. Not even Rad seemed to fair any better. My > character then disappeared from that future reality, very confused with many > questions, though he knew it was the future - a future he'd hope would NEVER > happen for he loved the world and life (he was a 20th level Forester). > > (Note: My character was able to use his will because, unknowingly, he was > his future Immortal self at the time; a Celestial of Time.) > > As I continued to game, I realized that that future scenario was in fact a > war of the immortals...the flux upon reality caused by the Sphere's all > losing their order and falling in to chaos. With no integrity to the > universe, which would normally be maintained by the orderly presence of the > immortals, the Mystara my character knew and loved -could- become a true > Hell of chaotic, devestating change. Indeed, -this- was the "Wrath of the > Immortals" that my DM had designed (he didn't have the WotI boxed set, and > frankly didn't want it). The reality my character foresaw was the > transitional state of Mystara during the War. Because my character only > existed in that time frame for a little while before returning to the > present (1012 AC or whatever) through the Mirror, the events of the future > were profoundly prophetic in nature to him. Even after he achieved > Immortality in Time, the events of the future haunted him. He saught to find > out the causes for such a future, believing that there would be a way of > changing it so that it never happened. Through his immortal investigations, > he learned that in that future scenario... the immortals lost, and their own > "self-destruction" was cause for a New Age to appear, in and 'around' the Prime. > > Story aside, this kind of idea brings up a possibility for such an > "alternative" Mystara. What If...in "Wrath of the Immortals" the outcome > -was- different, and -was- overall a losing battle? What would Mystara be > then? In my games case, it was a whole new reality, and a Mystara that > looked and felt much different, though one which certainly held ties to the > 'Old World'. > > There was an Age before the current Classical Mystara and I believe it is > mentioned somewhere in the Masters rule books, giving some very loose > description to the previous Age. My DM took that and filled out what the > previous Age was like. The 'Age of Immortals, possessed of 5 'Spheres', 1 > opposing 4, which was Life vs. Void, Abyss, Chaos, and Death. My DM tells me > that, apparently, if ever there were NO opposing Sphere(s) then reality was > cease to exist; Thanatos would bring death to Ixion (arguably the two oldest > Immortals), and by doing so destroy himself, thus ending life and death and > leaving ...well, not much. > > So, too, is there a different setting in the future Age that my DM created, > also with different 'Spheres'. In the future Age after the Classic Mystara > Age (the Age of Heroes), we have 5 more Spheres and again this arrangement, > like the previous ones, served a purpose by which the universe regains some > sense of integrity or order. The 5 Spheres here are: Dominia vs. Wild, Law, > Destruction, and Creation. This is a future "alternative" I would like to > suggest for consideration, or at least as an example of what may be. > > I don't know the entire construction of this future Age since my DM likes to > keep secrets from me (damn him! hehe), but I'm sure I can retrieve some > other interesting tidbits from him to help flesh out this Age to you if > you're interested. What I've learned through my own gaming experience about > it so far is... > > Dominia is the 'Sphere' controlled by the Fae. When the new Age settled down > after its transitional phase (after the Immortal War), the Fae who existed > in Faerie AKA the Spirit Plane (which overlaps the Prime) used their > abilities in unison to solidify the Ethereal Plane in to a kind of shell > surrounding the Prime. The Spirit Plane then merged with the Prime Plane, > and the Fae became the new 'immortals' of Mystara - though the planet looked > much different than it did before. > > Speaking of the planet, Ur's inner immortal (not to be confused with > Immortal) essence either fell asleep for some MUCH needed rest - it had been > forced awake much longer than it should have, thanks in part to the Spell of > Preservation - or it disappeared, or departed, leaving nothing more than a > hollow planet; the crust of the bread, as it were. My DM won't tell me what > happened..grrr! hehe! ;) > > The Ethereal Plane took on the Sphere of Wild, which acted as a Barrier to > everything outside of this new Prime Plane. Only the oldest of beings, those > who existed before the Immortals of the last Age, such as dragons, draedens, > megaliths, etc...can pass through this Barrier since they are defined in > this reality as being of the Sphere of Wild. > > Outside the Barrier, the Astral Plane was also affected, now becoming the > Astral Sea. Within it, the reminents of the Outer Planes flow about it like > celestial nebulae; their planar boundaries having lost all integrity and > their 'insides' spilling out in to the Sea slowly. Still, they make for > extremely large, countless bodies in the Sea which can still be entered and > explored. Throughout the Astral Sea, the Spheres of Law, Creation, and > Destruction dominate, the signature essence of these being detected in all > forms of life and Astral 'matter'. > > Indeed, Immortals from the previous Age were trapped after the WotI outside > in the Astral Sea, as well as inside in Dominia. Because of how reality > changed (everywhere and in everything), Immortals don't function as they use > to, and I suspect their purpose in the grand skeme of things is clearly much > different as well. In effect, their condition parallels how the Fae were in > the previous Age, while the Fae living in Dominia are now the 'Immortals' of > the time. I believe there is a bit of prophetic writing somewhere in one of > the books which says something like 'the fae would one day become immortals > again, and inherit the world'...something to that effect. That may be one of > my DMs creations, however. I think there was something about the 'Age of > Immortals' (the Age before the classic Mystara Age) that forced all those > Immortals who didn't participate in the War of that Age to become the Fae of > the nexy Age, inheriting the Spirit Plane as their domain (yes, the Fae were > once Immortals as well). Essentially, the Fae are only Fae in Classical > Mystara because of how that Age took shape, that was the purpose of the > existance as dictated by the then balanced universe, as it was the Immortals > responsibility to maintain the order of each of their Spheres. Of course, as > you've seen above in my campaign, that order was lost and the maintainence > of the universe was neglected, forcing the next Age of reality. > > Some Immortals from the last Age - Primordeals - such as Ordana and Hel also > merged to become the Sphere of Law (or the "Hierarch" of it technically). So > some Immortals also exist in other forms, other than their traditional ones. > > Another "alternative" world to consider based upon the Ages mentioned, is to > play in the Age before the Classic Mystara Age; when there Sphere's my DM > created of Life vs. Void, Abyss, Chaos, and Death defined the universe. That > would need a completely different cosmology than the 'Age of Heroes' > (Classic Mystara) or the Age after that as seen above. > > >The Immortals, who SHOULD > >remain in the Mystara setting for certain, may also be polarized by this > >conflict. The creation of new Immortals is also a good idea, this helps in > >giving the setting a more unique feel. > > Civilizations do exist in the future Age I mentioned. I experienced some of > them. My DM, of course, has all the info. They exist both inside Dominia as > well as outside in the Astral Sea (still, within the incohesive Outer > Planes). Traditional Immortals, as mentioned, take on a different role in > this future Age. That isn't to say there aren't new "Immortals" being a part > of the bigger picture like they use to - there are. I just didn't get to run > in to any of them in my game (again, an interrogation of my DM is in order!). > > Anyhow, that's enough to chew on for now...or spit out, depending on your > preference. I just wanted to share an idea that my DM came up with to you > all to consider, one in which I felt worked very well in my solo campaign! I > apologise to my DM (who I know won't be reading this until I actually show > him my copy) if I bastardized his ideas too much and/or misrepresented them. > I apologize to you, the read, for making this such a LONG read and if I've > done a poor job of informing you on the ideas of the future and past Age > mentioned. Lastly, THANK YOU for being a good sport a reading this far! :) > ...I hope I haven't been TOO confusing!!!! :P ;) > > Enough of my ramblings for now. If anyone is interested in any of what I > wrote above, I can see about chatting with my DM for more details if you > like. I spoke with him on the phone that I was writing this Email and to get > a couple things straight with him, but I still don't know if I did his > creativity justice. :) > > Anyways, hope you enjoy! Talk to you later! > ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 10:55:36 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: D&D On NBC's Twenty-One MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Ah, can I call a freind? :-) -----Original Message----- From: Kevin Powers [SMTP:kjp@STUDENT.UMASS.EDU] Sent: =E2 =F4=E1=F8=E5=E0=F8 22 2000 3:19 To: MYSTARA-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM Subject: [MYSTARA] D&D On NBC's Twenty-One I couldn't believe it when I saw this question, but here it is. From tonight's show of NBC's quiz show Twenty-One: Category: "Fads & Trends" In 1974, Gary Gygax co-created what fantasy adventure game? 9 points A. Nintendo B. Dungeons & Dragons C. Computer Space D. Magic: The Gathering ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: = http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 10:00:18 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Peter Balazs Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Long) In-Reply-To: <38B102E9.17656841@ewa.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi! I think the Living Mystara idea is quite good, it might get more attention. But it is definitly not my Mystara, as I love Mystara, because it has a big background , it is "vanilla" (but with a definit twist) fantasy. >classical Mystara is vanilla fantasy. What do you exactly mean by that? And why is that bad? I like it very much that the basic theme of mystara is "standard" fantasy. So it�s easy to adopt adventures, ideas and get new player to live the world. on the other hand if you get deeper into the setting there are multitudes of "non-standard" things. Just say WotI, Red Steel, Hollow World, just to name the MOST obvious ones. But of course it is still fantasy, but that�s how it should be. >Fantasy was never meant to be realistic, it's fantastic and open by nature. I object. There are parts in fantasy that cannot be "realistic" (as there is no magic in our world, at least to my knowledge). But nevertheless everything else should be as realistic as possible to make the world as plausible as possible. If the rest is believable, it is much easier to envision a world with magic. >Living Greyhawk promises to revitalize the setting, but beyond >this WotC has no plans for official products. That is wrong! The whole 3E is based on Greyhawk as standard campaign. >Some of >the best fantasy series and RPG settings have cultures that are akin to real >world ones, but subdued and are thus ignored by hecklers. [...] >and try and create less stereotypical cultures that [...] >(I know this one's going to go over badly with a lot >of you, all I can say is, if the former style worked, Mystara wouldn't have been >cancelled.) [...] 1.) I don�t believe that really only the strong survive. There are many examples where it is clear, that only the one with the most powerfull lobby behind it survives. (take VHS vs. Video200 for example.) 2.) I want some stereotypes in my campaign world (also again with a twist), but I also want some not so stereotypical things. But as for cultures for example Athruaghin, Glantri, Alphatia, Hule, not to speak of Emerond, Floating Ar habe at least very intersting twists, don�t you agree? >But will it be Mystara? Probably not. >Likely it will be something similar but extremely commercial, I would like to see Mystara back on the shelves, but on the other hand I�m alos quite content with the situation at it is now. i�ve still enough background material, the MMl gives me new ideas every day, I can easily adopt other things, if I want, etc.. I would not like to see it changed profoundly just to get more people to buy it. I like the idea of Mystara: the Next Generation, but for it to be usefull for me, it has to be based firmly on the exitsing material. >In order for Mystara to survive, it has to be played >in and enjoyed by gamers of today's market. .. to survive as comerical setting ...? >One thought I've had is >that the Living Mystara world is a place where order and chaos have become far >more visible forces, Good idea! >If you're still doubtful on this, consider that if Mystara remains as it is, >there's a good chance you'll be seeing the Isle of Dread on Faerun or Oerth. 1.) Why should that happen? 2.) Why should that touch me? *************************************************** Peter "Mr. XXL" Balazs Wurlitzerg. 37/12 1160 Wien a8927259@unet.univie.ac.at http://radon.mat.univie.ac.at/~pbalazs **************************************************** ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 05:23:48 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Brad McMillan Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 12:47 AM 2/22/00 -0800, you wrote: >Wow, sounds like a pretty cool campaign you had there! You bet! :) Still going, too, whenever we get together (rarely use dice or books, pure RPing)! The story never ends... it just changes. Much like Mystara. ;) >I think that actual gaming is a big part of any good setting's development. >Source materials are fine, but without adventure and focus, how can a game go >on? Certainly, any part of RP gaming is, well...-gaming-! :) The write up I sent was to provide a beginning idea for a backdrop to how Mystara -could- change to something new. Something which is based on the old Mystara, while heading in the direction to trailblaze it's own new history. From the backdrop, you narrow the focus more and more, adding detail. Once you have your stage set, you can then add your "actors" - the PCs - ready to take on the adventures of a new era, a new Age. >There's two things with a Living Mystara campaign I see as very important: > >1) A consistant set of modules which focus on 'the big theme' and deal with big >issues in the setting. This is akin to modules such as X10 and CM7, which >determines the fate of one or more nations. True, but the first modules should be basic enough to provide the fundamental feelings of the setting and primary themes. The modules should advance in degree as a standard party of characters advance. Of course, I am refering to how D&D did it's modules, providing your basic level modules, then your expert levels modules, and so on... if anything should carry over to a new system, some parts of game-mechanic can to maintain the feel of Mystara (or original D&D). Having catagories of Basic, Expert, Companion, Masters, and Immortals, for instance, maintain a link to the original D&D and Mystara, while not imposing so much that the true original creativity of the game world is challenged. It is a little thing, but those kinds of little things maintain tradition, and admittedly, such catagorizing helps not only players organize where they stand in the great skeme of things, but also help DMs and contributors to the new Mystara structure events, appropriately. Speaking of events, the big events that help to establish the 'big theme' of Mystara, that you mentioned can easily be created once you have a backdrop to work from. When you know where you're starting, you have a better idea of where you can go. Same principle applies with story writing, which is no different than creating a gaming world (only game worlds have the addition of game-mechanics and interactive players). I suggest first identifying a 'benchmark' in the future of the new Mystara from the standpoint of an established backdrop/beginning. Seeing that 'benchmark' ahead of you (which incidently should be one of the 'big theme events') you can dot the path inbetween with appropriate modules to lead the story towards the 'big theme event', until finally the party of adventurers "encounters" that 'big theme event' for themselves. The result should shape not only the PCs, but the world around them in a larger way, though each 'dot' module along the way should also do this to the PCs and the world in lesser degrees. >2) Alongside the above, other modules which detail and populate the various >places, following the wake of the first group. While they're not incredibly >important in the big scheme, they do matter and help further and develop >places. As above, I was thinking that this could happen within the first few modules leading up to the 'benchmark' event. Of course, after that major event is completed, the story has a new beginning, and a new target 'benchmark' should be created again with supplimentry modules doting the path towards that outcome. Definitely, though, the modules should be spread out enough to enlighten the PCs to the world around them. This can be done by a chosen setting being in one nation for one lesser module event, another in another nation, or perhaps underground, underwater, in the snow, in a volcano...wherever, the settings are near infinite. It all depends how you wish to structure the storyline, and what you think will be the best scenarios/modules to emphasize key turning-points. >A 'Return to the Isle of Dread' module fits this very well. Never played there. :) >3) A developing Encyclodpedia AND Almanac alongside the above. This allows a >consistant tracking of events in the campaign setting, and also delivers a >concise source of materials presented. Encyclopedias release a new edition every >year after all! I thought you said there were two things? ;) Agreed, nonetheless. They also help to flesh out other non-PC related events throughout the world which may have contributed to the major 'benchmark' events in the overall storyline. (eg. the party adventures in Rockholm, while elsewhere in the world, dragons have a Grand Conclave on the Isle of Dawn...are the two events related? If so, how? Add it to the almanac/encyclopedia where appropriate.) >But above all, the game's the thing. If the adventures are good and exciting, >players will play them. If they're not, they'll seek their fun elsewhere. >That's definitely what Mystara needs right now, new players and new adventures. >And I think there's the people to do this right here right now. Again, I agree completely. Still, baby-steps...some things need to be in place before the excited players run off to win their next challenge, namely, a setting...a new world in this case (re: my last post concerning the Age before and after Classic Mystara). Organizing this project is another matter as well. I'd like to help wherever I can. I'm sure I can rope my DM to contribute as well. Very talented, that guy!;) Slainte mhath!!! Brad --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brad McMillan/Brude Mac a'Mhaoilein "Armchair" Celtic Archae-Anthropologist & Historian Goderich, Ontario, Canada Email: bmcmillan@odyssey.on.ca ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 11:48:09 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: thibault sarlat Subject: Re: I'm back! 3E and an idea: Living Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit here is a trick to have all the current (ac1010 to 1016) karameikan rulers still alive in ac1200. They were set in temporal stasis and were set free by a group of adventurers (the kingdom was ruled by a band of usurpers (doppleganger or drakes). One other reason would be to have them be cloned (like the clone spell i posted once and which can be found on shawn's site). Using these ways, we could use the same royal family even in AC1200 (personnaly i would rather go for AC1100). Bill Manley a �crit : > >From: IronWolf > >Reply-To: Mystara > >To: MYSTARA-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > >Subject: Re: [MYSTARA] I'm back! 3E and an idea: Living Mystara > >Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2000 18:19:27 -0800 > > > >Bill Manley wrote: > > > > > > I think it's a great idea.but why a new king in karameikos? > > > >Well eventually Stefan's going to die of old age. :) As far as adventuring > >ideas > >go I thought that it would be an interesting adventure where the heir to > >the > >throne is in dispute, some Glantrian mage shows up to claim lineage (a > >descendent of Von Hendriks) and the players fight to determine the new > >King. > > > >The amount of time ahead varies, now that I think of it, I think a far > >longer > >period of time would be cool, it would set Living Mystara apart from > >classic and > >allow us a lot of creative liberty with the setting. Like, say, the year > >1200 > >thereabouts. (Ironically the same situation module X10 fell into.) > > > OK,but say instead that the queen is pushing to have one of her sons put on > the throne(I think that this was mentioned somewhere befor,PWA i think)but > regardless,this is where the PC's come in,the queens son is the second hier > to the throne,the first is her other son(a man that is more evil than the > black eagle)the PC's have to fight to keep the evil son from the throne.the > trick is,they can't kill him because that will put a price on their > heads.they have to discredit the evil son.or somehow force a vote by the > ruling barons.yada-yada-yada adventure over,the second son is now king.this > of course can't take place in the year 1200,for all the direct childern of > stefan would be dead,but it's an idea. > > King. > > ______________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. -- Thibault Sarlat. ICQ 16622177. homepage http://www.mystara.com.bi Join me at: mystara@com.bi or at tsarlat@etu.montaigne.u-bordeaux.fr ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 12:24:03 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?H=E5vard?= Subject: Re: FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal In-Reply-To: <38B087AF.DED454EC@gmx.de> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8BIT On Mon, 21 Feb 2000, erewan laubgaenger wrote: > Oliver wrote: > > > OK, who is the Immortal patron of Mystaran minotaurs? Symbol, area of > > control, alignment, and any other info? > > arent minotaurs cursed humans? > i know about minotaur gods on krynn (Dragon Lance) > but not on mystara. > but i don`t know anything there could also be gods of the Mystaran minotaurs. Minotaurs are cursed Eshu (Winged Minotaurs). They were IIRC created and cursed by Ixion. H�vard Haavard R. Faanes (hoc@nvg.ntnu.no) http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~havardfa http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/~hoc ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 07:09:08 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Kevin Powers Subject: Re: New race/class: Mountain Giant MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT >>I couldn't believe it when I saw this question, but here it is. From >>tonight's show of NBC's quiz show Twenty-One: >> >>Category: "Fads & Trends" >> >>In 1974, Gary Gygax co-created what fantasy adventure game? >> >>9 points >> >>A. Nintendo >>B. Dungeons & Dragons >>C. Computer Space >>D. Magic: The Gathering > >Did the person answer the question right? > >a very interested King. >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Yes. There were two people (one woman and one man, in that order) and they both chose that question and got it right. But the man was hesitant between whether to pick Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons, and the woman was making a "guess based on my knowledge of what was going on at the time." I would submit that such a doubt is, in and of itself, something for which the rest of us ought to feel some small degree of shame. But it was an unexpected occurance of D&D in mainstream "pop culture," so I'm not complaining. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 07:10:51 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Kevin Powers Subject: D&D on Twenty-One MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT (Sorry, I just sent this out with the wrong "subject" line on it by accident.) >>I couldn't believe it when I saw this question, but here it is. From >>tonight's show of NBC's quiz show Twenty-One: >> >>Category: "Fads & Trends" >> >>In 1974, Gary Gygax co-created what fantasy adventure game? >> >>9 points >> >>A. Nintendo >>B. Dungeons & Dragons >>C. Computer Space >>D. Magic: The Gathering > >Did the person answer the question right? > >a very interested King. >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Yes. There were two people (one woman and one man, in that order) and they both chose that question and got it right. But the man was hesitant between whether to pick Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons, and the woman was making a "guess based on my knowledge of what was going on at the time." I would submit that such a doubt is, in and of itself, something for which the rest of us ought to feel some small degree of shame. But it was an unexpected occurance of D&D in mainstream "pop culture," so I'm not complaining. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 08:08:05 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: D&D On NBC's Twenty-One MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill Manley wrote: > >From: Kevin Powers > >Reply-To: Mystara > >To: MYSTARA-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > >Subject: [MYSTARA] D&D On NBC's Twenty-One > >Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 20:19:06 -0500 > > > >I couldn't believe it when I saw this question, but here it is. From > >tonight's show of NBC's quiz show Twenty-One: > > > >Category: "Fads & Trends" > > > >In 1974, Gary Gygax co-created what fantasy adventure game? > > > >9 points > > > >A. Nintendo > >B. Dungeons & Dragons > >C. Computer Space > >D. Magic: The Gathering > > > Did the person answer the question right? > that i want also to know. IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 09:51:21 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jeremy Morris Subject: Re: FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: QUOTED-PRINTABLE On the topic of Minotaurs and religion, you might not want to forget about Minodies (sp?), who is listed as the "Monster Ruler" of the Minotaur race in the WoTI sourcebook and is mentioned somewhere (Orc's Head Sourcebook?) as the the Eshu who brought Ixion's curse onto the Minotaurs. On Tue, 22 Feb 2000, H=E5vard wrote: > On Mon, 21 Feb 2000, erewan laubgaenger wrote: >=20 > > Oliver wrote: > > > > > OK, who is the Immortal patron of Mystaran minotaurs? Symbol, area o= f > > > control, alignment, and any other info? > > > > arent minotaurs cursed humans? > > i know about minotaur gods on krynn (Dragon Lance) > > but not on mystara. > > but i don`t know anything there could also be gods of the Mystaran mino= taurs. >=20 > Minotaurs are cursed Eshu (Winged Minotaurs). They were IIRC created and > cursed by Ixion. >=20 > H=E5vard >=20 > Haavard R. Faanes (hoc@nvg.ntnu.no) > http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~havardfa > http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/~hoc >=20 > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. >=20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 10:20:57 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Master's Pawn Subject: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi! I think the Living Mystara idea is quite good, it might get more attention. But it is definitly not my Mystara, as I love Mystara To quote the above, and some others, my mail coif is off to you for undertaking this, Ironwolf, and I'd be intrested to see list members ideas of Y1200 Mystara, perhaps as a separate thread, but I got to say I'd be more interested in a "Living Threshhold", or "Living Selenica" that opperated with the Gaz'z and modules, and all the good work of the folks on the PWA's, so that the "Livers" can actually act on some of the adenture seeds and affect the outcomes of the nations and people everyone on this list has come to know well enough and like enough to spend so much time here. I guess mine is a vote for Keep Mystara Mystara. Too much change would upset me, but just because I'd rather have all my Mystara knowledge be current events instead of ancient history. Then again, maybe I should just play a "living" dwarf. BoBoII "to have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a cut-purse; a good nose is requisite also, to smell out work for the other senses." -Shakespeare ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 17:20:56 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Michael III Mysteria Organization: Prince-Regent of Mysteria Subject: Retebius Air Fleet/Knights of Air MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit To start an anologous discussion about the RAF, how many of those fellows should there be? How many Knights of Air? Are the knights of Air stationed at Retebius or Thyatis City? Please try to keep the posts brief, so I can read through all of them. Thanks, Michael III Mysteria ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 10:51:59 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Zandor and an alternate future for the New AlphatianEmpire MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Zandor managed to avoid the emprisonement, regained his powers and perhaps > imprisoned Haldemar, Zynnia and Favian...For my dipleasure the caimpaign > ended abruptly, but my problem still remains... > What would be the evolution of the New Alphatian Empire with Zandor still in > his position? > Well, that's a toughie. Did he imprison Broderick as well? The other question is: if he imprisoned Haldemar (probably a good idea), then he probably "captured" the Princess Ark. EXCEPT: because of the FR-LMS9, the Ark has Berylith. How does Berylith react? Probably (read=certainly) hostile to Zandor. So, then what? Berylith & whoever might then try to free Haldemar et all, and/or fly back to the floating continent of Alphatia and alert Eriadna. If that happens, then what? The easiest way around that question is to simply destroy the Princess Ark. I'm sure many folks would be unhappy with that, but the question FOR YOU is: is the Princess Ark important to your campaign? If its existance isn't important in your campaign, then you can get rid of it. This leaves Zandor in control, and Alphatia (in the Hollow World) might then be reluctant to send out more ships (one of their best ships, with one of their most experienced crew of explorers, disapeared without a trace. Flying out of the HW is clearly dangerous). That would then leave Zandor in control. Vern, Zynnia, et al would probably be executed sooner or later (sooner, given Zandor - he'd probably be more than happy to kill the mages among them showily in a "fair" duel). There *might* be resistance against his rule. . .or there might not. Depends upon how loopy you make him: too loopy, and folks will likely resist. A bit loopy, but otherwise "merely" cruel and despotic, and folks will be less likely to rock the boat ("Unity is important at a time like this. He may be harsh, but harsh measures are needed to rebuild the Empire."). Then one gets Iron Fisted Rule over whatever Zandor can grab or make loyal. How does Zandor react to Heldann's invasion of Norwold? That will determine whether Ericall remains loyal to his half-brother. Thothia *probably* stays independent and becomes a power of its own: after the peace treaty with Thyatis, Thothia siezes control of the "Alphatian" portions of the IoD, and of Aeria. How does Zandor react to that? They're resisting His Imperial Majestie's Authority - that likely means war. Jennites probably *do* revolt in Esterhold, how successful they are is up to you, but it's another distraction for Zandor's thinly-streched military resources. (In point of fact, I myself forsee him reacting to these crises much as Lucan did in Megatraveller - whoever was the most recent one to vex him gets troops thrown at them, and the previous "enemy of the week" is forgotten. . .until the next time. These wars would get very destructive as Zandor tries to impose his will with limited forces: can't garrisson something, because the troops are needed elsewhere, so destroy it as a lesson to others who might think to resist: complete destruction is your fate if you oppose the might of Zandor's Alphatia). After a time (how long is up to you), things will probably calm down some. Whatever Zandor is left with after these "Consolodation Wars" will begin to recover. . .and Zandor might regain some sanity (but still be a sociopath - dangerously intelligent, thinking only of his own needs, but not completely batty and irrational. In fact, keenly crafty). Zandor will (probably) continue to try and rule the "New, New Alphatian Empire" strongly and autocratically - which will bring him into conflict with the other Alphatian nobles, used to having a great degree of autonomy and freedom. To the extent to which he can (as he did on Bellissaria) replace them with more pliable/subserviant rulers, is the extent to which he'll be able to excersise control. "Strongmen" of this type can keep control of governments and nations for a long time. Anyhow, those are my thoughts. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 12:21:42 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Master's Pawn Subject: FLY and HAST second time/RAF tie-in MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Here's one way to look at it. Haste , or HAST, allows a character to move, fight, etc at twice his natural speed, but the important exception to the rule is spellcasting/magic. A hasted mage can still only cast one spell per turn. Now since the ability to zoom throught the air is magical to the receipiant of the FLY spel, I would think it is outside the effects of the Haste spell. I would allow a hasted flying mount, say a griffon or some such, to fly at twice the speed if under a haste spell. Which might be a good tactic for RAF Attack Fighters, especially the Third Division, the Hurricanes. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 19:50:28 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Agathokles Subject: Re: FAITHS: Hin Hero Gods MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Oliver wrote: > > I just can't stop the need for info on Mystara Halfling immortals; they're > so vaguely defined. I have nothing on these first three > > Hob Nob > Coberham Shadowglint > Brindorhin The first one is Nob Nar, actually. Nob Nar is a Hero of hin folklore, and he's the main character of a sad tale of love and death ;). > Usamigaras (most info on him I got from the Mystara Netbook v.2) > > OK, we all know most of the info on these figures are vaguely mentioned GAZ > Five Shires and some module that takes place in Cynidicea- I don't have > much of an OD&D library so I am not asking for product references. > > What I want is stats on these four. At the very least- aliases, symbol, > area of interest, plane/realm. Hopefully there are people out there who > have compiled or even composed info on these four- I even stumbled upon a > site that lists Usamigaras as an aspect of Pflarr. It was my site, probably :) as this was an old idea of mine, linked to some events in my campaign. I have to admit that it doesn't work well, and I'm probably going to change it in the website too. Anyway, Usamigaras symbols are: a silver five-pointed star, which is magically traced on the followers (Magi) right-hand palm; a wand and a bag of coins. (this are "canon" from B4 The lost city) His alignment is (probably) True Neutral, and his plane is The Outlands (in AD&D/Planscape). Areas of concern are healing, travellers and magic. Usamigaras was a Hin who got the ability to cast wizard spells from a wish. His clergy is composed of Wizards, with a few clerics and thieves too. They are called Magi of Usamigaras, and they wear rainbow-colored robes, silver masks with Usamigaras' face and carry silver daggers. They use astronomic observation to determine the days during which Usamigaras is honoured. Maybe some of you Hin > lorekeepers have some decent fluff about these immortals that would flesh > out these guys' characters and personalities. > > please feel free to reply directly with input > -o > -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles/index.htm ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 19:30:14 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Agathokles Subject: Re: FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit David Knott wrote: > > In a message dated 2000-02-20 7:33:48 PM Eastern Standard Time, IBON@GMX.DE > writes: > > << arent minotaurs cursed humans? > i know about minotaur gods on krynn (Dragon Lance) > but not on mystara. > but i don`t know anything there could also be gods of the Mystaran > minotaurs. >> > > On Mystara, minotaurs are Enduks (winged minotaurs who live in the king- > dom of Eshu in the Arm of the Immortals) who were cursed with the loss of > their wings. The Enduks serve the Immortal Idu (Ixion) and were made by > him to serve as followers of his servant Gildesh, who is priest-king of Eshu > and Immortal ruler of the shedu (AD&D monster type). The wingless mino- > taurs apparently serve various Entropic Immortals, as they lost their wings > in consequence of their defection from Idu. The most likely Immortals for > minotaurs to serve would be the patrons of the manscorpions (archenemies > of the Enduks), namely Menlil (Atzanteotl) and Nin-Hurabi (Nyx). > > Reference: Known World Grimoire series, issues 192 and 200 of Dragon > magazine. > Also, the Savage Coast campaign setting and the Orc's Head accessory. The latter says that the Minotaurs were created when Minoides, an Enduk, killed Gildesh, just before the Manscorpions rebellion. Minoides and his supporters were turned into wingless minotaurs. So this Minoides might be the Immortal patron of minotaurs, having reached immortality under Atzanteotl's sponsorship. -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles/index.htm ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 09:55:25 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: John Calvin Subject: Re: FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >>>From: erewan laubgaenger >Reply-To: Mystara >To: MYSTARA-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM >Subject: Re: [MYSTARA] FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal >Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 01:32:47 +0100 > >Oliver wrote: > > > OK, who is the Immortal patron of Mystaran minotaurs? Symbol, area of > > control, alignment, and any other info? > >arent minotaurs cursed humans? >i know about minotaur gods on krynn (Dragon Lance) >but not on mystara. >but i don`t know anything there could also be gods of the Mystaran >minotaurs. > >see you on list >IBON I never thought of minotaurs as cursed humans!maybe the first minotaur to become immortal removes the curse?(BE ONLY IF THEY FOLLOW the new god)any comments? King.<< Correct me if I'm wrong somebody, but IIRC I read in some SC material (can't remember where exactly it was) that minotaurs were cursed Enduks...cursed because the immortals took away their wings. Has anybody else read this, or is my imagination just a bit overactive today? If that's the case, then maybe we should look at Enduk immortals to get some ideas for who minotaur immortals are. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 19:05:02 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?H=E5vard?= Subject: Re: FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal In-Reply-To: <20000222175525.5105.qmail@web1201.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8BIT On Tue, 22 Feb 2000, John Calvin wrote: > Correct me if I'm wrong somebody, but IIRC I read in > some SC material (can't remember where exactly it was) > that minotaurs were cursed Enduks...cursed because the > immortals took away their wings. Has anybody else > read this, or is my imagination just a bit overactive > today? You are correct. IIRC they were cursed by Ixion. I wrote Eshu in a previous mail, but i mix these terms up alot. > If that's the case, then maybe we should look at Enduk > immortals to get some ideas for who minotaur immortals are. We could do that. Ofcourse, the minotaurs might have looked to new Immortals when they were cursed. OTOH, some minos might try and find ways to regain their immortals�s favour.. H�vard ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 18:42:04 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Agathokles Subject: Re: Zandor and an alternate future for the New AlphatianEmpire MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Marco Fossati wrote: > > Hi to everyone. > A couple of years ago I was DMing a campaign on Mystara and the party was > operating in the Alphatian Sea region. The campaign started in AC 1010 and > PC's had a lot of affair with emperor Zandor so I didn't appreciate the fact > that he was imprisoned by Haldemar (first the NACE didn't fit well in that > campaign, second I was beginning finding nice that mad wizard) so I had > Zandor managed to avoid the emprisonement, regained his powers and perhaps > imprisoned Haldemar, Zynnia and Favian...For my dipleasure the caimpaign > ended abruptly, but my problem still remains... > What would be the evolution of the New Alphatian Empire with Zandor still in > his position? > Cheers, > Marco Fossati > Uhm, I think he would have lasted quite long. First, the Alphatians being the individualists they are, wouldn't have reacted too badly to the execution of some leaders (Vern, Zynnia, etc.). Second, even with reduced military forces, Zandor would probably be able to keep at least Bellissaria and the minor islands under control (the only threaths coming from Thotia, which would be busy fighting Thyatis, anyway). I believe that Esterhold would either be lost to insurgent Jennites, or thrown into a bloody civil war. Norwold would be loyal to Zandor, as I don't see Ericall as being strong enough to take a different position. As for the kind of rule imposed by Zandor, I'll think to something similar to the reigns of some of the Syracusan tyrannoi during Alexander the Great's age or slightly before: Dionisios or Agathokles, for example. -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles/index.htm ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:14:42 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Brian Collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit A new creature to deal with in Mystara? Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis NEH THALGHW (Brian Collector) Climate/Terrain: any Frequency: two exemplars known Organization: Solitary Activity Cycle: Any Diet: Brians Armor class: 5 Hit dice: 10 Thaco: 11 Move: 18 Attacks: 1 Damage: 1d10 N�Appearing: 1 Saving as: Cleric 20 Morale: Elite (14); when in frenzy 20 Treasure Type: Nil Intelligence: 11-12 Alignement: Chaotic Neutral XP Value: 2'200 Brian Collectors are incredibly rare creatures, created by an unknown Glantrian wizard at the time of the Great War with Alphatia. The creature was first sighted by the Northman scholar Oddvar R. F�naas, who immediately reported this strange sight to the scholarly association of the MML (Mystaran Masters of Light), but was at the beginning ignored. The sudden disappearance of several important personas responding to the name �Brian� in the Known World (Sir Briane de Guilfort, an Averoigner; Brian McSellayne, a Hinterlander; Brianus Ellenicus, a Thyatian) and the strange circumstances of their deaths attracted the attention of the Northman, who travelled several months in search of the creature whom he believed was responsible. Oddvar managed to confront the creature in Ierendi, where it had just slain the poor noble merchant Aliel Brian; there he discovered the truth about the mysterious creature. Brian collectors were in origin three Brain collectors, magically altered by Jherek Virayana in the Nightmare Dimension. The actual idea of the Glantrian Prince was to create a sort of monster that had an unresistable hunger for Alphatian wizards; to further this plan, he used as a component of the enchantment the brain of an Alphatian wizard spy who was known as Ellaryn of Brian. Everybody is able to guess by themselves how the things went! The three beasts suffered an immense pain in their first years of existance as Brian collectors; secluded in the tower of Virayana, they were not fed, and their desire for a tasty Brian brain (or an Ellaryn brain, too: but an Ellaryn is not so easy to find as a Brian!) grew immensely, until they managed to escape from the tower during the War of Ethengar agaisnt Glantri. Thanks to the brave Oddvar R. F�naas we are now rid of one of these foul beasts, but at least two more exist� Special abilities: The Brian Collector is a strange creature; he may cast any spell a Brian he ate has known in life, of levels until the 3rd, and he may either attack with is bite, either with a spell. A Brian Collector eats seldom, so when he meets a Brian he goes into a hungry frenzy that gives him a thaco of 9 and 2 attacks each round. Given these abilities, soon we could find ourselves soon with a short number of of Brians in Mystara� ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 15:19:15 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: John R Hofmann Subject: Re: Brian Collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:14:42 +0100 Caroletti writes: > A new creature to deal with in Mystara? > NEH THALGHW (Brian Collector) This is good stuff :) John Hofmann ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:54:57 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen Subject: Mages among the Heldannic Knights? In-Reply-To: <38B2E68C.1744B484@libero.it> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Hi everyone, First I want to say thanks to Stan for the official website, it rocks, without it I would have been lost, but now I have access to all the wonderful work done by Bruce Heard on the Heldannic Knights so I can finally start a new Mystaran campaign. One of my new players would like to play a religious mage character and I tend to think that I will allow him to do that as I can't find any mention of special laws against mages other than a late amendment saying that the spouse of a knight is not allowed to be a mage. I recon that mages would be few and far between among the knights but I think that there are a few convert mages helping the knights in various ways. Any comments? Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 13:25:55 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Damon Alexander Brown Subject: Re: Mages among the Heldannic Knights? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii --- Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen wrote: > One of my new players would like to play a religious > mage character and I > tend to think that I will allow him to do that as I > can't find any mention > of special laws against mages other than a late > amendment saying that the > spouse of a knight is not allowed to be a mage. I > recon that mages would be > few and far between among the knights but I think > that there are a few > convert mages helping the knights in various ways. I think it is relatively reasonable to assume that they may have at least *some* mages among the HK's. In fact, you may consider picking up the recent 2nd Ed supplement "The Bastion of Faith". It has some details on fitting various classes(other than priests) into a religious order. It may not fit exactly with the HK's, but it is certainly a decent reference for creative inspiration. Anyway, good luck with the "holy mage"! -Damon ===== "A day without sunshine is like... well, night." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 15:57:50 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Tim Falkenberg Subject: Re: Fly and Haste MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >From the Rules Cyclopedia: Haste Range: 240' Duration: 3 turns Effect: Up to 24 creatures move double speed This spell allows up to 24 creatures in a 60' diameter circle to perform actions at double speed for half an hour (3 turns). Those affected may move at up to twice normal speed and make double the normal number of missile or hand-to-hand attacks. This spell does not affect the rate at which magic works, so a hasted spellcaster can still not cast more than one spell per round, and the use of magical devices (such as wands) cannot be speeded up. The reverse of this spell, slow, will remove the effects of a haste spell, or will cause the victim to move and attack at half normal speed. As with haste, the slow spell does not affect spell casting or the use of magical devices. The victims may make a saving throw vs. spells to avoid the effect. ****** I would interpret this to mean that not only can spells not be cast at a faster rate, but any magical effects (such as a fly spell) are not speeded up. Magic continues to work at it's normal rate. ie. A Flying Carpet (or any item enchanted with a permanent fly spell) is not affected by haste as the fly spell is a seperate effect and magical effects are not subject to haste. Hope this helps! Tim Falkenberg ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 17:11:04 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit James Ruhland wrote: > > I have come to wonder something, though, and I'm not sure how to ask you > this so I'll just ask it right out. But first I'd like to ask you something > I've been meaning to ask: how did your discussion with Jim Butler about > Mystara "canon" go? Basically, WotC has absolutely no plans to publish new products for Mystara at this time. But they don't want to lose the fanbase, so they're using the net canon issue to keep people from walking away entirely. > The second is, given the ideas that have been thrown around for "Living > Mystara," I wonder what the enthusiasm level would be if they (whoever > "they" are) said "you know, we think the idea for a 'Living Mystara' > campaign is great! Simply wonderful! But we'd like you to set it in the > current era, and follow TSR pubs, and what TSR considers official." This probably isn't a big issue to them at all. It's more like "If you can get enough people to participate, fine." I don't think they really care one way or another which setting is used, if it's a new or old one. Living Death, which is a living campaign using the Masque of the Red Death subcampaign of Ravenloft, is out of print but still going. However, it is slated to be ended in June 2001. Plus, the problem with using the current Mystara setting is that the Living Mystara designers WILL end up totally overwriting everybody, even if they say "this isn't official, it's just optional" and even if WotC does not sanction it canon. One thing I do know for certain is that the designers would be a very very small group, at most six people. It's impossible to design by committee, and toes are going to be stepped on. That was why I suggested using a different era, because this means we'd honor the original material and the subsequent fan works that followed on it's heels. You're right in that we'd still end up taking over, but I don't see any other solution in this matter. > From what I see so far, my impressions (and correct me if I'm wrong), > right now the goal is to gain control of Mystara's future so it can be > reshaped according to the preferences of those who show the greatest > enthusiasm and confidence in the mission, Dave. In other words, it isn't a > "we're trying to avoid those canon debates," its a "this is how we get our > ideas impressed as canon" - because, if by some insignificant, remote, > distant chance there is a "Mystara revival," it would probably then be > based upon this stuff. My first name's not Dave, btw, but I get the 2001 reference. :) So are you making an accusation of some kind? Like any good designer I want more of the pie than I'm reasonably deserving of, but I can assure you right now that I am more concerned for Mystara's future than any kind of egotistical bid for power. And for me that's all that needs to be said. > Things like the "Mystaran Almanac" might be idiosyncratic. . .but not > nearly as idiosyncratic as many (most, almost all) the ideas that have been > floated for this project. So far there has, from what I've seen, been > little concentration on how a "Living Mystara" campaign would be run, and > lots of concentration on how the world would be re-shaped (barely > recognizably in some ways, except that this or that pet country or cosmos > of the poster survives and is elivated to majestic hegemony). Brad > McMillan's "Newage" (rimes with. . .) post fits right in: it's not (for > example) a translation of the Mystaran cosmos into 3E for use in a possible > "Living Mystara" campaign, its a translation of the cosmos he created in > his campaign for use in a possible "Living Mystara" campaign, replacing the > old cosmos. A lot of the stuff myself and others have suggested are just some creative ideas. Part of why I suggest change is because of the issue of copyright infrigement. Living Mystara materials have to be easy to obtain and contained in 1-3 sourcebooks. The original materials are not arranged this way at all, and any effort on our part to do so would bring up the issue of copyright violation. Until that issue is settled, we got a problem. (And if WotC DOES release a classics CD they won't be happy with a fan work supplanting it.) You're right in that the logistics of a Living Campaign are more important than this. I couldn't agree more! I e-mailed the RPGA network as soon as I got home on Sunday to get information on what was needing to be done to get a campaign started. I have not heard back from them yet. This is primarily why I've not been discussing this in length. The 3E rules system is actually well-timed for this, because I expect it could take months to get anything done. It may be possible to aquire some of the beta materials from WotC as part of such a project, but I'm not counting on it. (The DM's who run the 3E demos take back all the paperwork used, because such things tend to end up on the net before long.) What I can surmise, though, is that in order to get such a campaign started, a lot of personal effort is going to be called for. Obviously if part of the RPGA, all Living Mystara players will need to join. (This isn't a big deal. It's like $20 a year.) More difficult is that Living Mystara DM's and players have to be open and visible at conventions, push the gaming system, make the materials available, and seize every opportunity to sell it to the gaming audience. > Anyhow, given all this, I've come to wonder if your protestations against > "new canon" by groups other than TSR as a publisher. . .well, I guess I > wonder what's going on here. I'm curious to know before I make up my mind > whether I'm interested or not in such a project (I am an RPGA member, > though I prolly have to renew shortly). Okay, here's my unhoneyed reply to that: My objection to the new canon is that it doesn't matter worth a damn. Wow, a group of individuals get to declare their material canon. This means NOTHING. Mystara is a dead campaign world, there's not that many of us who still play, and we're all basically doing our own thing. So it does nothing to help the campaign setting at all, except make us argue over pointless details of the source material. WotC isn't going to put any more effort into Mystara than is absolutely necessary. This is not evil on their part, they're a business. They go where the dollars are. And for all purposes, Mystara is not profitable, any help they give is of the perk and benny variety, which is what this net canon is. I don't want to see Mystara decay away any further than it already has. I want to build it back into a game. I want to see it played at Cons and Tournaments, and people enjoying it. Whatever it takes. IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:26:38 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="x-user-defined" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Wow, a group of individuals get to declare their material canon. This means > NOTHING. Mystara is a dead campaign world, there's not that many of us who still > play, and we're all basically doing our own thing. So it does nothing to help > the campaign setting at all, except make us argue over pointless details of the > source material. Gah! Bestill my heart! Star Frontiers is "Dead". Mystara is "100% Fan Supported". I beleive that the idea of New (or Net) Canon is a good thing: 1) It saves the Game World from stagnation. 2) It allows fan authors to contribute to the eventual completion of Mystara. 3) It shows that Mystara players actually care deeply about their world. However, there is a downside to New Canon. Since Mystara is a "Dead World", DMs have been beveloping their own material for years now. What makes "New Canon" any more special than "Old Canon"? I don't think any of the major fan authors have "Mr. Heard" plastered on their foreheads (Hi, Bruce!). Noone's word is law. But what if it was? For example, consider the non-"Known World" teams. Davania group, ex-MOrient group, "The-rest-of-Brun" group. They have compiled lots and lots of fan-authored pages about areas of Mystara that have not been almost at all! For all intents and purposes, Geoff's Outer Beings, Alex's Pegdhart Gnomes, Christian's Hule and environs _are_ the canon for those areas. Noone has ever written anything important about them, so as far as I am concerned, if PCs ever venture to southern Davania, chances are they are going to be tangling with some badass machinery. New Canon is an extension to the old world. Take it or leave it. Some people on this list completely disregard the Atruaghin Clans. To them, Gaz 14 never existed. Fine! But that doesn't mean that Gaz 14 is not canon material, as all later material uses Gaz 14's information in it. This is the hard part to explain. I have a notion (and a few tonals) and I can't put the words in order the best way.. New Canon is just like adding puzzle pieces. Say, for example, someone writes a gazetteer based on an Alphatian kingdom. The information in that Gaz doesn't directly contradict anything that has been previously written, then that Gaz can become New Canon. New Canon isn't official. But what it should be is a cohesive world-extension to the Known World/Savage Coast. In New Canon materials, one fan document can have a ripple effect in other documents (For example, my Snartan Gaz and Alex's Pegdhart Gaz are intertwined, yet they evolved from seperate ideas!) The end result, as I see it, of New Canon is to more fully describe each and every major area of Mystara, and then set it into motion. Sound like a living campaign? What do you all think the idea behind the PWAs were? Every major event is planned out. The PCs fit in where and when they can - perhaps changing a few things along the way - perhaps not. However, using a PWA, we notice that one group's campaign will differ radically from the major storyline, while another's will follow more closely. This is perfectly fine - that's what gaming is. The storyline then becomes the canon. Think about the Forgotten Realms books. Those stories are considered canon! However, in the Mystaran storyline, the PCs can play a role in it's development - not just sit idly by while Elminster saves the day. (Oh.. how I have entertained notions of killing that dimwitted munchkin off...) In conclusion, Net Canon should create a cohesive extension to the Mystaran game world. Doing so keeps the world alive. Net Canon isn't set in stone. There can be 2 or even more different canons, so don't bitch and moan about how you think something should be different, write something new! constructively criticize! Start your own Almanac! Do something. Just don't sit idly by and whine while more ambitious writers create the background info. Ok. I'm done. I toss this out to the wolves of the list - to poke, prod, tear apart and flame. Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 18:47:58 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living Mystara Logistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit SteelAngel wrote: > > New Canon isn't official. But what it should be is a > cohesive world-extension to the Known World/Savage Coast. In > New Canon materials, one fan document can have a ripple > effect in other documents (For example, my Snartan Gaz and > Alex's Pegdhart Gaz are intertwined, yet they evolved from > seperate ideas!) The end result, as I see it, of New Canon > is to more fully describe each and every major area of > Mystara, and then set it into motion. > > Sound like a living campaign? No, it doesn't. A living campaign means people are playing the game and new source material is a result of the gaming. > What do you all think the idea behind the PWAs were? Every > major event is planned out. The PCs fit in where and when > they can - perhaps changing a few things along the way - > perhaps not. However, using a PWA, we notice that one > group's campaign will differ radically from the major > storyline, while another's will follow more closely. This is > perfectly fine - that's what gaming is. The storyline then > becomes the canon. The Poor Wizard's Almanacs were not too bad, I rather liked them for what they were. But they were essentially a replacement for novels. I'd almost have preferred Bruce had taken his hand at writing novels about the further adventures of Haldemar rather than telling the tale in the PWA's. Oh, and I found the Dragonlord of Mystara series to be fairly dry and a bit dull. I'm such a monster. :) > Think about the Forgotten Realms books. Those stories are > considered canon! However, in the Mystaran storyline, the > PCs can play a role in it's development - not just sit idly > by while Elminster saves the day. (Oh.. how I have > entertained notions of killing that dimwitted munchkin > off...) No doubt on that. I can't stand Ed Greenwood's "Uber-Characters". But don't think that Mystara is free of these either, it's an easy trap to fall into. And as for Mystara being free of railroading, I have to disagree, it suffers as much as any setting from over-powered NPC's and preset expectations. > In conclusion, Net Canon should create a cohesive extension > to the Mystaran game world. Doing so keeps the world alive. > Net Canon isn't set in stone. There can be 2 or even more > different canons, so don't bitch and moan about how you > think something should be different, write something new! > constructively criticize! Start your own Almanac! Do > something. Just don't sit idly by and whine while more > ambitious writers create the background info. I think you've missed the point. Net canon doesn't matter at all unless a lot of people are playing the game. All I see primarily is a bunch of people writing source material and trying to fill in gaps which means very little to players. (I know some of us out there are gaming, I'm not trying to generalize, but when asked who was running campaigns awhile back, I got like maybe, four or five out of this list of 300+ people.) The soul of ANY game world is the players. The background is just frosting. It is the players who determine what game worlds thrive and which ones don't. Without players, it doesn't matter if you 'complete' Mystara, because no one will care. If you want players, you have to get them into the world, they're not going to come to you because of your incredible brillance at campaign world design. > Ok. I'm done. > I toss this out to the wolves of the list - to poke, prod, > tear apart and flame. *snarl* *rip* *gnaw* *tear* *wolfish grin* IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:58:52 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living Mystara Logistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="x-user-defined" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Without players, it doesn't matter if you 'complete' Mystara, because no one > will care. If you want players, you have to get them into the world, they're not > going to come to you because of your incredible brillance at campaign world > design. Well, I'm not sure about that. Lots of people play Rifts because it has the most detailed world imaginable. Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 19:04:33 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living MystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit SteelAngel wrote: > > Well, I'm not sure about that. Lots of people play Rifts > because it has the most detailed world imaginable. It's also still available in a published form, something Mystara and your 'net canon' is not. In addition, unlike Rifts, which has no real competition, Mystara has to compete against several other fantasy worlds for an audience. Finally, I have to add this, Rifts is kind of a cheat, they took a TON of gameworlds they'd already created and said "you can be any of them in this one game!" So naturally it is a pretty cool genre. (Things based on anime usually are.) Let me ask you this: do you honestly think that net canon is going to make some kind of enormous difference? That people are going to DROP Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk to come and play in Mystara? IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:32:01 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > James Ruhland wrote: > > > By the way, there's a reason why all of you weren't familiar with what I wrote in the message to which Ironwolf responded below. And that is because, in that same message, I also wrote: > Just sending the below privately. > In other words, he posted what I sent him privately to the list as a whole. Now, there was a reason I sent that mail to him privately. If I wanted it on the list, that is where I would have sent it. Usually it's considered outre' to post other people's private mails into the list without there permission. However, in the interest of comity I'll be a swell guy about it. I just want to admonish people not to forget this bit of ettiquete in the future. > > Basically, WotC has absolutely no plans to publish new products for Mystara at > this time. But they don't want to lose the fanbase, so they're using the net > canon issue to keep people from walking away entirely. > Well, that doesn't surprise me. Still, good to know. > > Plus, the problem with using the current Mystara setting is that the Living > Mystara designers WILL end up totally overwriting everybody, even if they say > "this isn't official, it's just optional" and even if WotC does not sanction it > canon. One thing I do know for certain is that the designers would be a very > very small group, at most six people. It's impossible to design by committee, > and toes are going to be stepped on. > That's why I'd recomend that of your six people, you work with folks who share the same general premises. Otherwise more time will be spent feuding over the petty details (and not so petty details) and arguing over how this or that ought to be handled, rather than actually developing the project. > That was why I suggested using a different era, because this means we'd honor > the original material and the subsequent fan works that followed on it's heels. > A different era is fine, but I think most important is the above: it matters less how far into the future of Mystara you set the project (or if you set it in some distant future at all) than the general agreement among those who work on the project. > > My first name's not Dave, btw, but I get the 2001 reference. :) > It doesn't work without the name Dave, though. 8-) > So are you making an accusation of some kind? > No. That's one reason I didn't want to post this particular querry to the list, because I knew it might come off wrong (lets face it, subtle phrasing isn't my strong suit). I asked a question and you gave an honest answer. Am I saying that I, or others, will be happy with every decision you or anyone else makes regarding a project like this? No. But like I said in an earlier post: if you do the work, you get to make the choices. You *will* face complaints from people who think things should have gone another way, though - that's life. I think you also have to recognize that this will happen - and there's no more way around this than the other problem. Wouldn't make any difference which choices you or anyone else makes, though: not everyone can be pleased. Still, if you nuke Alphatia, you'll probably hear from that crowd as to why it shouldn't have happened and 101 theories about how the Alphatians could have avoided whatever nasty fate befalls them, and similar with other nations with a strong, vocal following. I'm just saying expect it. > > A lot of the stuff myself and others have suggested are just some creative > ideas. Part of why I suggest change is because of the issue of copyright > infrigement. > Very true. > You're right in that the logistics of a Living Campaign are more important than > this. I couldn't agree more! I e-mailed the RPGA network as soon as I got home > on Sunday to get information on what was needing to be done to get a campaign > started. I have not heard back from them yet. > Well, let us know when you do. > Okay, here's my unhoneyed reply to that: > > My objection to the new canon is that it doesn't matter worth a damn. > > Wow, a group of individuals get to declare their material canon. This means > NOTHING. > Well, you've made similar protestations before, but I see little difference between the folks who work hard on stuff that we might have our quibbles with, but which none-the-less keep a world we all enjoy vibrant and lively, and what you propose with this project. And you've as much admited that if "Living Mystara" gets off the ground it will, de facto, become a sort of surogate canon as well. That makes me wonder why you protest so strongly about this: again, there's no way around the problem from the end of those who, for example, create a "Hollow Moon" or develop Davania in greater detail, and the like. The choice is do nothing or do something - and sure, folks can do stuff in their own campaigns. But we're all enriched by the fact that others make various contributions and ideas available: otherwise there would be no point in being on this list whatsoever if we didn't gain anything theirby. Canon or not, whatever. However, here as well we'll have a new group of individuals declaring their material canon. And by your word it'll be perhaps six people - far less than contribute to what might or might not be deemed "canon" as things go now. I myself don't complain about it, I just wonder what the uproar is about that part, where you recognize the unavoidable conundrum in doing it in a "Living Mystara" project. That's far from an accusation - just an observation regarding what may or may not be a logical disconnect. Folks work on continuing where the PWAs/JA left, because otherwise nothing would come forth. And others use some or all of what is in such MAs, not because they are new sacred texts but because they are usefull and hopefully enjoyable - and keep the world from stagnating, rotting, dying. Same goal as you have with "Living Mystara." Getting worked up over "canon" or not is a waste of time better devoted to getting your project off the ground: time best devoted to that. > > I don't want to see Mystara decay away any further than it already has. > Right. See above. SteelAngel Wrote: > "Old Canon"? I don't think any of the major fan authors have > "Mr. Heard" plastered on their foreheads (Hi, Bruce!). > Noone's word is law. > Bruce Heard has no more (or less!) "right" to determine what subsiquent "Mystaran Canon" is than you or I do. Here I think Ironwolf and I agree. Mr. Heard is not an employee of TSR, WoC, or Hasburo - and Mystara is not a going concern as far as that goes, nor is he head of the Mystara group at TSR. His ideas can and should be evaluated the same way that folks evaluate ideas posted by anyone else. Some are brilliant (and, since Bruce is, or was, a professional game designer, his are more often good than many others - but there are people who, IMO, have done work at least as good as anything published by TSR for Mystara or any othe game world, who aren't named Heard). Bruce is not infalable, either. Like you said, no one's word is law. Except perhaps Jim Butler's, because he has Mystara among his portfolio at WoC/TSR, and the world is still their property. IMPORTANT POINT: "Canon" doesn't matter AT ALL in some senses. Even officially published stuff. It's HIGHLY useful in discussions on lists such as this one (because it forms our shared assumptions about the world - without it, we don't have anything that makes the "Mystara Mailing List" different from a "Generic Fantasy World Mailing List.") In that sense StealAngel is right: if we discuss, for example, Selhomarr, then what Geoff wrote about it is a sort of "canon." But in the formal sense, in the important sense of "what this means to how I run my campaign," "canon" is meaningless. It means NOTHING, as Ironwolf said - whether it's published in some sacred TSR text or posted by some yahoo on the web. If TSR can't send goons to break down your door when you don't run Glantri just like it was written, I'll be damned if they'll come through your door if you don't use a certain someone's "Variant Thyatis" exactly how he intended it either. Anyhow, that said I return you to your "Living Mystara" discussion, already in progress. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:32:59 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > James Ruhland wrote: > > > By the way, there's a reason why all of you weren't familiar with what I wrote in the message to which Ironwolf responded below. And that is because, in that same message, I also wrote: > Just sending the below privately. > In other words, he posted what I sent him privately to the list as a whole. Now, there was a reason I sent that mail to him privately. If I wanted it on the list, that is where I would have sent it. Usually it's considered outre' to post other people's private mails into the list without there permission. However, in the interest of comity I'll be a swell guy about it. I just want to admonish people not to forget this bit of ettiquete in the future. > > Basically, WotC has absolutely no plans to publish new products for Mystara at > this time. But they don't want to lose the fanbase, so they're using the net > canon issue to keep people from walking away entirely. > Well, that doesn't surprise me. Still, good to know. > > Plus, the problem with using the current Mystara setting is that the Living > Mystara designers WILL end up totally overwriting everybody, even if they say > "this isn't official, it's just optional" and even if WotC does not sanction it > canon. One thing I do know for certain is that the designers would be a very > very small group, at most six people. It's impossible to design by committee, > and toes are going to be stepped on. > That's why I'd recomend that of your six people, you work with folks who share the same general premises. Otherwise more time will be spent feuding over the petty details (and not so petty details) and arguing over how this or that ought to be handled, rather than actually developing the project. > That was why I suggested using a different era, because this means we'd honor > the original material and the subsequent fan works that followed on it's heels. > A different era is fine, but I think most important is the above: it matters less how far into the future of Mystara you set the project (or if you set it in some distant future at all) than the general agreement among those who work on the project. > > My first name's not Dave, btw, but I get the 2001 reference. :) > It doesn't work without the name Dave, though. 8-) > So are you making an accusation of some kind? > No. That's one reason I didn't want to post this particular querry to the list, because I knew it might come off wrong (lets face it, subtle phrasing isn't my strong suit). I asked a question and you gave an honest answer. Am I saying that I, or others, will be happy with every decision you or anyone else makes regarding a project like this? No. But like I said in an earlier post: if you do the work, you get to make the choices. You *will* face complaints from people who think things should have gone another way, though - that's life. I think you also have to recognize that this will happen - and there's no more way around this than the other problem. Wouldn't make any difference which choices you or anyone else makes, though: not everyone can be pleased. Still, if you nuke Alphatia, you'll probably hear from that crowd as to why it shouldn't have happened and 101 theories about how the Alphatians could have avoided whatever nasty fate befalls them, and similar with other nations with a strong, vocal following. I'm just saying expect it. > > A lot of the stuff myself and others have suggested are just some creative > ideas. Part of why I suggest change is because of the issue of copyright > infrigement. > Very true. > You're right in that the logistics of a Living Campaign are more important than > this. I couldn't agree more! I e-mailed the RPGA network as soon as I got home > on Sunday to get information on what was needing to be done to get a campaign > started. I have not heard back from them yet. > Well, let us know when you do. > Okay, here's my unhoneyed reply to that: > > My objection to the new canon is that it doesn't matter worth a damn. > > Wow, a group of individuals get to declare their material canon. This means > NOTHING. > Well, you've made similar protestations before, but I see little difference between the folks who work hard on stuff that we might have our quibbles with, but which none-the-less keep a world we all enjoy vibrant and lively, and what you propose with this project. And you've as much admited that if "Living Mystara" gets off the ground it will, de facto, become a sort of surogate canon as well. That makes me wonder why you protest so strongly about this: again, there's no way around the problem from the end of those who, for example, create a "Hollow Moon" or develop Davania in greater detail, and the like. The choice is do nothing or do something - and sure, folks can do stuff in their own campaigns. But we're all enriched by the fact that others make various contributions and ideas available: otherwise there would be no point in being on this list whatsoever if we didn't gain anything theirby. Canon or not, whatever. However, here as well we'll have a new group of individuals declaring their material canon. And by your word it'll be perhaps six people - far less than contribute to what might or might not be deemed "canon" as things go now. I myself don't complain about it, I just wonder what the uproar is about that part, where you recognize the unavoidable conundrum in doing it in a "Living Mystara" project. That's far from an accusation - just an observation regarding what may or may not be a logical disconnect. Folks work on continuing where the PWAs/JA left, because otherwise nothing would come forth. And others use some or all of what is in such MAs, not because they are new sacred texts but because they are usefull and hopefully enjoyable - and keep the world from stagnating, rotting, dying. Same goal as you have with "Living Mystara." Getting worked up over "canon" or not is a waste of time better devoted to getting your project off the ground: time best devoted to that. > > I don't want to see Mystara decay away any further than it already has. > Right. See above. SteelAngel Wrote: > "Old Canon"? I don't think any of the major fan authors have > "Mr. Heard" plastered on their foreheads (Hi, Bruce!). > Noone's word is law. > Bruce Heard has no more (or less!) "right" to determine what subsiquent "Mystaran Canon" is than you or I do. Here I think Ironwolf and I agree. Mr. Heard is not an employee of TSR, WoC, or Hasburo - and Mystara is not a going concern as far as that goes, nor is he head of the Mystara group at TSR. His ideas can and should be evaluated the same way that folks evaluate ideas posted by anyone else. Some are brilliant (and, since Bruce is, or was, a professional game designer, his are more often good than many others - but there are people who, IMO, have done work at least as good as anything published by TSR for Mystara or any othe game world, who aren't named Heard). Bruce is not infalable, either. Like you said, no one's word is law. Except perhaps Jim Butler's, because he has Mystara among his portfolio at WoC/TSR, and the world is still their property. IMPORTANT POINT: "Canon" doesn't matter AT ALL in some senses. Even officially published stuff. It's HIGHLY useful in discussions on lists such as this one (because it forms our shared assumptions about the world - without it, we don't have anything that makes the "Mystara Mailing List" different from a "Generic Fantasy World Mailing List.") In that sense StealAngel is right: if we discuss, for example, Selhomarr, then what Geoff wrote about it is a sort of "canon." But in the formal sense, in the important sense of "what this means to how I run my campaign," "canon" is meaningless. It means NOTHING, as Ironwolf said - whether it's published in some sacred TSR text or posted by some yahoo on the web. If TSR can't send goons to break down your door when you don't run Glantri just like it was written, I'll be damned if they'll come through your door if you don't use a certain someone's "Variant Thyatis" exactly how he intended it either. Anyhow, that said I return you to your "Living Mystara" discussion, already in progress. (Btw: I knew I should have trademarked the phrase "Ranting Screed" when I had the chance. . .) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:43:26 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living MystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > (I know some of us out there are gaming, I'm not trying to generalize, but when > asked who was running campaigns awhile back, I got like maybe, four or five out > of this list of 300+ people.) > That's kind of a spurious point to make, because if you ask *any* question you should almost count yourself lucky to get for or five answers (unless you nag repeatedly). You could ask how many people on this list still have a pulse, and you're probably going to get three or four responses, and of those probably. . . .three or four. . .will be unserious/humorous. You could ask how many members of the list like the gameworld, Mystara, and you're (again) likely to get perhaps four or five responses. . .and of those, half will probably be humorous, and the other half will spark heated debates because the respondent, in saying he or she likes Mystara, will then list a litany of things he or she sees as flawed in the world, provoking lengthy rebutals claiming that no, those things are ok - it's these other things they did wrong. Given that, is it no wonder that most people keep their heads down, most of the time? How many *different* people have responded to this "Living Mystara" thread? Four or five? Is that an indicator of the level of potential interest in the project? (Btw: there aren't 300+ people on the list, there's 202 at the moment. This is up from around 160 in December). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:35:57 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living MystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="x-user-defined" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Let me ask you this: do you honestly think that net canon is going to make some > kind of enormous difference? That people are going to DROP Forgotten Realms and > Greyhawk to come and play in Mystara? In a perfect world, yes. But then again, you don't see hundreds of players dropping FR for Dark Sun or Birthright, either. Ravenloft has a "Net Canon" system in place, and WotC takes the Kargataine seriously. Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:44:34 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Bruce Heard has no more (or less!) "right" to determine what subsiquent > "Mystaran Canon" is than you or I do. Here I think Ironwolf and I agree. That's why I tacked "noone" there. I take Bruce's ideas seriously (in fact, the Snartans were his idea.. I just went further with them) but not so seriously as to miss the fact that some of them aren't the greatest thing since sliced bread :) > Like you said, no one's word is law. Except perhaps Jim Butler's, because > he has Mystara among his portfolio at WoC/TSR, and the world is still their > property. Sad, but true. Jim is a great guy though, and he keeps us abreast of what is going on that may affect us. But even his word isn't law - I'll leave that to congress. Now that I think about that, I think I trust our great lord Butler more ^_^!! > StealAngel is right: if we discuss, for example, Selhomarr, then what Geoff Hey hey! I play mages not theives! Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 20:44:59 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit SteelAngel wrote: > > But then again, you don't see hundreds of players dropping > FR for Dark Sun or Birthright, either. Ravenloft has a "Net > Canon" system in place, and WotC takes the Kargataine > seriously. They take the Kargataine seriously because they are dedicated professionals who are committed to turning out quality products. They also have the Living Death campaign to foster interest in the setting, as well as a hardcover source book which is readily available at most gaming stores. IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:55:24 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living MystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Given that, is it no wonder that most people keep their heads down, most of > the time? How many *different* people have responded to this "Living > Mystara" thread? Four or five? Is that an indicator of the level of > potential interest in the project? *shrug* I filter the list from my regular mail. Too many messages, and half of them are petty bickering, usually. Every so often I'll chime in on a point, or maybe even post some original material (oh my.. i'm behind!), so I guess I have a pulse. Recently though, the discussions have become a bit dry - Known World this, Known World that.. yawn. Those horses have been beaten beyond recognition. Not to say that all of the ideas and clarifications in those threads are useless, (I really like the Faiths posts, and the Mountain Giant posts) but I think we need to broaden our geographical horizons. ^_^ Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:00:15 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Tue, 22 Feb 2000 20:44:59 -0800 IronWolf writes: > SteelAngel wrote: > > > > But then again, you don't see hundreds of players dropping > > FR for Dark Sun or Birthright, either. Ravenloft has a "Net > > Canon" system in place, and WotC takes the Kargataine > > seriously. > > They take the Kargataine seriously because they are dedicated > professionals who > are committed to turning out quality products. Um no. Proffesionals mean they get paid to do it. Theey are dedicated ammetuers who are committed to turning out quality products, something I think applies to many people on this list. >They also have the > Living Death > campaign to foster interest in the setting, Um.. I thought Living Death was Masque, which is not really RL. Besides, I bet that mostly LD is mainly people who already like the setting, rather than new people doing LD and then moving on to buy all two masque products. >as well as a hardcover > source book > which is readily available at most gaming stores. Which is going to go OOP with third edition. Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:56:52 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-22 10:27:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, BoBoII@AOL.COM writes: << To quote the above, and some others, my mail coif is off to you for undertaking this, Ironwolf, and I'd be intrested to see list members ideas of Y1200 Mystara, perhaps as a separate thread, but I got to say I'd be more interested in a "Living Threshhold", or "Living Selenica" that opperated with the Gaz'z and modules, and all the good work of the folks on the PWA's, so that the "Livers" can actually act on some of the adenture seeds and affect the outcomes of the nations and people everyone on this list has come to know well enough and like enough to spend so much time here. >> I really like the idea of a "Living Selenica", especially if it is anything like its "classic" version, which is located in a region that became quite dangerous and interesting during the Almanac era. I think you would be hard pressed to find a Known World city that is inherently more interesting. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:05:58 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I really like the idea of a "Living Selenica", especially if it is anything > like its "classic" version, which is located in a region that became quite > dangerous and interesting during the Almanac era. I think you would > be hard pressed to find a Known World city that is inherently more > interesting. I agree with that, Selenica has always been a pretty cool place, sort of a crossroads of the Known World. Heck, it deserves it's own suppliment. The only reason they limited the RPGA to Raven's Bluff was they didn't want them to interfere with their official products too much, since everything that happened there was canon. (If Elminster died in a Living City game, he'd really be dead, for example, in everything related to Forgotten Realms.) So they limited them to a single city and a very tight margin of the surrounding region. (Raven's Bluff is also in the Vast, a large area of unpopulated frontier-like territory, although the city of Tantras, where Torm and Bane slew each other, is only a short distance away.) Now of course they've moved up to more ambitious things, Living Greyhawk is an entire campaign setting. (And to be fair, Greyhawk needs the detail.) As far as Living Mystara goes, I think a single city is far too small an area, I was thinking that the "Known World" region would probably be best to start with. IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:14:51 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Broadened Horizons (was: stolen title) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Hey hey! I play mages not theives! > Yah, yah - then wadda yah doing titling threads "Ranting Screed", eh? I told ya all I should've trademarked that phrase when I had the chance. . ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:17:54 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Broadened Horizons (was: stolen title) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit For some reason, the substantive portion of this post got lost in the aether (even though the copy that went to my "sent" file included it, and that's where I've retrieved the following from: > ideas and clarifications in those threads are useless, (I > really like the Faiths posts, and the Mountain Giant posts) > but I think we need to broaden our geographical horizons. > Well, sad but true is that it's difficult to do that. I tried to get something going with respect to Skothar, prodding people to follow up my "Thonia" post with more stuff (Nentsun, etc) - we did get the Green Ocean post, which was cool, but after that things just sort of petered out as far as Skothar goes. Like it or lump it, the Known World is the heart of Mystara (ok, ok - some will argue that Mystara revolves around Alphatia; point taken). We could talk about Vulcania some (and some people have some good ideas about that), or about Tangor (btw, someone mentioned the possibility of Tangor unifying: Tangor covers an area about the size of the KW & Savage Coast combined, and Tangor being "M-Africa" it is probably about as politically unified/unifiable as the KW & Savage Coast is: MZimbabwe, MZulus, MEthiopia, MNubia, MNigeria, etc etc; in other words, it's just as likely Tangor would become unified under one leader as it is that all of the KW & SC would become one large Empire. . .) ---------- > > > > Hey hey! I play mages not theives! > > > Yah, yah - then wadda yah doing titling threads "Ranting Screed", eh? > I told ya all I should've trademarked that phrase when I had the chance. . > ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:23:09 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > As far as Living Mystara goes, I think a single city is far too small an > area, I was thinking that the "Known World" region would probably be > best to start with. > Why do the Known World if one is just going to change a whole bunch of stuff anyhow? Might consider going with something SteelAngel mentioned: broaden the geographic horizons. Set it in a relatively undetailed area - then you don't have to worry about stepping on "canon" toes at all. Put it in Skothar, or Davania, or western Brun ("Californee is the place for nuts like you"*) *Btw, that's not meant as an insult, either: it's ripped off from an old Bloom County strip, which ripped off the Beverly Hillbillies song. I just love re-cycling old quotes. 8-) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:40:58 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Broadened Horizons (was: stolen title) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:17:54 -0600 James Ruhland writes: > > ideas and clarifications in those threads are useless, (I > > really like the Faiths posts, and the Mountain Giant posts) > > but I think we need to broaden our geographical horizons. > > > Well, sad but true is that it's difficult to do that. I tried to get > something going with respect to Skothar, prodding people to follow > up my > "Thonia" post with more stuff (Nentsun, etc) - we did get the Green > Ocean > post, which was cool, but after that things just sort of petered out > as far > as Skothar goes. I'm working on some stuff about the gnolls you briefly mentioned in the thonia thing, but I'm in the middle of Houses of darokin right now. Look for it sometime after I finish that though. Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 21:43:50 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit James Ruhland wrote: > > Why do the Known World if one is just going to change a whole bunch of > stuff anyhow? I never said I was going to change anything for certain. Apparently I can't even broach the subject without assumptions being made. The suggested 'future era' was made because: 1) In case copyright proves a problem, 2) To cover any alterations that the 3E rules system will make to the setting, 3) To get away from established works of previous Mystara designers, like Bruce Heard. I don't like having to continue someone else's storylines, so a fresh start is much more viable. > Might consider going with something SteelAngel mentioned: broaden the > geographic horizons. Set it in a relatively undetailed area - then you > don't have to worry about stepping on "canon" toes at all. Put it in > Skothar, or Davania, or western Brun ("Californee is the place for nuts > like you"*) That would make it rather difficult to garner any interest since nobody will recognize the setting, it may as well be on another planet. Since the audience would be people who've never heard of Mystara, it's best to start at the beginning, or heart, of the setting, which is the Known World. (Good joke in the ShopKeep comic of this month's Dragon on that... He talks of the old days, and how he was there, and his customers pipe up "You mean with 2nd Edition was released? Magic the Gathering: Antiquities? No way, life didn't exist before Planescape!" At which his response was "Excuse me.. I'm going to the back storage room to feel very very old...") > *Btw, that's not meant as an insult, either: it's ripped off from an old > Bloom County strip, which ripped off the Beverly Hillbillies song. I just > love re-cycling old quotes. 8-) Yep, got to love Breathed, although I've heard he's become a bitter cynic who hates the fact he 'wasted' years on cartooning. IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 00:56:23 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-22 12:36:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, agathokles@LIBERO.IT writes: << Also, the Savage Coast campaign setting and the Orc's Head accessory. The latter says that the Minotaurs were created when Minoides, an Enduk, killed Gildesh, just before the Manscorpions rebellion. Minoides and his supporters were turned into wingless minotaurs. So this Minoides might be the Immortal patron of minotaurs, having reached immortality under Atzanteotl's sponsorship. >> Minoides is also mentioned in Dragon #200 (where he is again mentioned as killing Gildesh and leading the ancestors of the wingless minotaurs in rebellion) and in WotI (where he is described as the Monster Ruler of the minotaur race, of "Exalted" rank). The latter reference would actually make it very difficult for Minoides to reach "true" Immortality, as he is already of greater than mortal status but not on the Immortal "fast track". ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 00:13:49 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: WAS: FLY and HAST - griffin MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Master's Pawn wrote: > Here's one way to look at it. Haste , or HAST, allows a character to move, fight, etc at twice his natural speed, but the important exception to the rule is spellcasting/magic. A hasted mage can still only cast one spell per turn. Now since the ability to zoom throught the air is magical to the receipiant of the FLY spel, I would think it is outside the effects of the Haste spell. I would allow a hasted flying mount, say a griffon or some such, to fly at twice the speed if under a haste spell. > > Which might be a good tactic for RAF Attack Fighters, especially the Third Division, the Hurricanes. of course it it a good taktic for everybody to be hasted in combat situation. but there is the (big) disadvantage for someone who get the benefits. (s)he aged one year!! no probs for elven - but a human or a horse / griffon......... in our campain only the elven take this spell benefits if someone is cast it. the humans don`t want it. how long is the life of griffins? it the life 100 or more years then it could be a good benefit, but.... IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 01:26:24 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Mages among the Heldannic Knights? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-22 4:10:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, mml@2NIGHT.DK writes: << One of my new players would like to play a religious mage character and I tend to think that I will allow him to do that as I can't find any mention of special laws against mages other than a late amendment saying that the spouse of a knight is not allowed to be a mage. I recon that mages would be few and far between among the knights but I think that there are a few convert mages helping the knights in various ways. Any comments? >> >From the material you cite, it would seem likely that there are basically two "castes" among the Heldannic Knights: those who can wear heavy armor and wield swords (fighters and clerics) and those who can't (mages and non-combatants). Thieves, who can wield swords but not wear heavy armor, would be somewhere in between. On that basis, there would be no problem with having a Heldannic player character mage, as long as the player can accept the total lack of respect that he suffers from when his services are not urgently needed. That is basically the same situation that clerics would suffer from in Glantri after the anti-clerical laws are liberalized, of that thieves would suffer from in most of the world. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 22:33:15 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] In-Reply-To: <38B365CB.187603F7@ewa.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 08:44 PM 2/22/00 -0800, IronWolf wrote: > >They take the Kargataine seriously because they are dedicated professionals >who are committed to turning out quality products. They also have the >Living Death campaign to foster interest in the setting, as well as a >hardcover source book which is readily available at most gaming stores. Now I'm a bit offended at this comment, or at least it's implications. Do you mean to say that the people on this list, and all of their various creations are not "quality"? I beg to differ. There has certainly been some less than incredible work that has been generated here, but a lot of it has been stellar, and all of it has its merit in some fashion, if only to serve as evidence of the dedication and passion people have for Mystara. I myself am not the most reliable when it comes to putting out product (heck, at any given time I've got at least three different projects I'm working on), but there are plenty of folk who have been more than prolific and reliable in their work- in spite of any sort of comment/criticism from the list (a complaint of yours elsewhere in this thread). And as for the "professional" part- most of the Kargatane, in fact most of those who actually do any work on Ravenloft, are not "professionals", at least in the sense of getting paid for their work. They are fans, just like us. And just like us, they have a few dedicated and helpful input from former and current TSR employees at times. More and more, this "Living Mystara" thread of yours has the sound of someone who doesn't like what has been done by other writers on this list, hasn't contributed anything of note of his own, and wants to do something that will grab attention his way. I apologize for my tone in this post, but I am personally offended at the quote above and what it implies about myself and others on this list who continue to work and play with a campaign world that we are all very much interested in to this day. ----- Andrew "Cthulhudrew" Theisen Aspiring screenwriter, actor, and gadabout jsmill@wans.net "The greatest trick Doug Henning ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Keyser Soze ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 00:16:21 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Broadened Horizons (was: stolen title) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > I'm working on some stuff about the gnolls you briefly mentioned in the > thonia thing, but I'm in the middle of Houses of darokin right now. Look > for it sometime after I finish that though. > Coolness 8-). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 00:27:27 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > I never said I was going to change anything for certain. Apparently I can't even > broach the subject without assumptions being made. The suggested 'future era' > was made because: > Well, when ideas are batted around, people *do* tend to think you're raising them with sincere interest in them. > > That would make it rather difficult to garner any interest since nobody will > recognize the setting, it may as well be on another planet. > Well. . . .some of the ideas batted back and forth only keep the names, from what I see (and perhaps the geography, though even that isn't clear) - whether or not it's recognizable is a question for another time, I suppose. This is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" conundrum, I suppose: if the setting is recognizable, there are copywrite issues (I donno: could I go write a sequel to Gone With the Wind? What would the Margaret Mitchell Estate do to me if I tried?). If it ain't recognizable, then see the above. > would be people who've never heard of Mystara, it's best to start at the > beginning, or heart, of the setting, which is the Known World. (Good joke in the > ShopKeep comic of this month's Dragon on that... He talks of the old days, and > how he was there, and his customers pipe up "You mean with 2nd Edition was > released? Magic the Gathering: Antiquities? No way, life didn't exist before > Planescape!" At which his response was "Excuse me.. I'm going to the back > storage room to feel very very old...") > You know the sad thing? I grew up in Madison, Wis, and I recognize some of those people who appear in the strip as employees of "Pegasaurus Games" (sadly, I've forgotten the names of most, though - the guy with blond hair I *do* remember, but I only remember the first name of the owner - Laurie. It used to be around the corner from State Street, then it moved onto State Street, then they moved a block up towards the capital on the other side of State Street and also opened a branch out near West Town Mall. . .I think I feel very old now. . .) > > Yep, got to love Breathed, although I've heard he's become a bitter cynic who > hates the fact he 'wasted' years on cartooning. > Well, everyone needs a hobby. I think I'll become a crumudgeon myself (oops, too late - already have). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 01:43:16 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-23 12:45:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, ironwolf@EWA.NET writes: << The suggested 'future era' was made because: 1) In case copyright proves a problem,>> If copyright were to become a problem, advancing the date probably wouldn't help much. << 2) To cover any alterations that the 3E rules system will make to the setting, 3) To get away from established works of previous Mystara designers, like Bruce Heard. I don't like having to continue someone else's storylines, so a fresh start is much more viable. >> On the other hand, both of these would be excellent reasons for advancing the date. Incidentally, there is a science fiction novel that I read a couple of years ago that suggests an interesting setting: An Espan Empire dominates most of the Savage Coast, with the exception of the Savage Baronies (which were conquered by Hule). Chronomancers provide nobles and clergy with tours of the past, conduct their own historical investigations, and hunt down rogue necromancers who seek to alter the past. A particularly vulnerable point in past history turns out to be the successful conquest of Bellayne by the Espan Armada -- if anyone succeeds in undoing that event, then most chronomancers would immediately dis- appear from the timestream. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 22:48:11 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA]LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Andrew Theisen wrote: > > Now I'm a bit offended at this comment, or at least it's implications. Do > you mean to say that the people on this list, and all of their various > creations are not "quality"? I beg to differ. There has certainly been some > less than incredible work that has been generated here, but a lot of it has > been stellar, and all of it has its merit in some fashion, if only to serve > as evidence of the dedication and passion people have for Mystara. I myself > am not the most reliable when it comes to putting out product (heck, at any > given time I've got at least three different projects I'm working on), but > there are plenty of folk who have been more than prolific and reliable in > their work- in spite of any sort of comment/criticism from the list (a > complaint of yours elsewhere in this thread). My intent was not to suggest that Mystara's fanworks were of poor quality, and I apologize for the poor choice of words on my part. > And as for the "professional" part- most of the Kargatane, in fact most of > those who actually do any work on Ravenloft, are not "professionals", at > least in the sense of getting paid for their work. They are fans, just like > us. And just like us, they have a few dedicated and helpful input from > former and current TSR employees at times. Again, a poor choice of words. I'll rephrase this: They are tightly organized. The six members of the team have a set schedule of production of new modules. Most of the Mystara work thus far seems concentrated on background and DM material and not new adventures. > More and more, this "Living Mystara" thread of yours has the sound of > someone who doesn't like what has been done by other writers on this list, > hasn't contributed anything of note of his own, and wants to do something > that will grab attention his way. I apologize for my tone in this post, but > I am personally offended at the quote above and what it implies about > myself and others on this list who continue to work and play with a > campaign world that we are all very much interested in to this day. I won't add any further fuel to this fire. IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:04:07 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit David Knott wrote: > > If copyright were to become a problem, advancing the date probably wouldn't > help much. Yeah, you're probably right. Still, technically we're ALL violating copyright then by publishing fan works. *chuckles* I'm not certain on that point, but I think it's largely dependent upon whether or not the materials are free or not. I'll ask Jim Butler about that. > Incidentally, there is a science fiction novel that I read a couple of > years ago that suggests an interesting setting: An Espan Empire dominates > most of the Savage Coast, with the exception of the Savage Baronies > (which were conquered by Hule). Chronomancers provide nobles and > clergy with tours of the past, conduct their own historical investigations, > and hunt down rogue necromancers who seek to alter the past. A > particularly vulnerable point in past history turns out to be the > successful conquest of Bellayne by the Espan Armada -- if anyone succeeds > in undoing that event, then most chronomancers would immediately dis- > appear from the timestream. Sounds a bit like the script for TimeCop. (Sorry, bad reference to make.) Still, it does sound pretty cool. I've never run any campaigns with time travel in them, it's definitely one of those factors you have to really script out the rules beforehand. (Whether or not disrupting your birth would cause you to disappear, for example. Some theories say that you may not, you'd just invalidate your existence, not actually end it.) IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:09:53 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA]LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] In-Reply-To: <38B382AB.2C81E1A8@ewa.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 10:48 PM 2/22/00 -0800, IronWolf wrote: > >My intent was not to suggest that Mystara's fanworks were of poor quality, >and I apologize for the poor choice of words on my part. And I offer my apologies if my "ranting screed"(tm) was overly offensive as well. I could have phrased things more PC myself. You do raise an interesting point about the production of new adventures, et al, however, but I think it goes back to the lack of criticism on the general behalf. Several people (Jenni and DM come to mind immediately) have created modules/adventures and requested comments, but have had (from what I've seen here on the list- I can't attest to private email) relatively little feedback on them. That tends to make one less inclined towards continuing to create and share, unfortunately. Will your idea of a Living Mystara have any benefit on changing this? I don't know. I do know that ever since the first Mystaran net almanac was published two years ago (geez- was it that long?) more and more interest has been generated in that- the team is now several times larger than it was in the beginning; heck, it's several times larger than it was last year. That, to me, shows that there still is a lot of interest in the world of Mystara, despite any substantial feedback. Will that interest still be there if there are too many changes to the face of Mystara? I don't know. I don't know how interested I would be in something radically different, but something slightly different I might be interested in contributing to in some way. What's the point here? I don't know. Mainly to apologize for any harsh words on my part... don't really know if any of the other comments are at all helpful. ----- Andrew "Cthulhudrew" Theisen Aspiring screenwriter, actor, and gadabout jsmill@wans.net "The greatest trick Doug Henning ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Keyser Soze ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:13:52 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was:(MYSTARA]LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Andrew Theisen wrote: > > And I offer my apologies if my "ranting screed"(tm) was overly offensive as > well. I could have phrased things more PC myself. Well, we all can lose our tempers sometimes. Especially myself, I know that a weekend awhile back I was in a real foul mood over a lost job and despite my best efforts I was a nasty bastard on this list all weekend. (I tried to stay off, but you know how that works.) > > You do raise an interesting point about the production of new adventures, > et al, however, but I think it goes back to the lack of criticism on the > general behalf. Several people (Jenni and DM come to mind immediately) have > created modules/adventures and requested comments, but have had (from what > I've seen here on the list- I can't attest to private email) relatively > little feedback on them. That tends to make one less inclined towards > continuing to create and share, unfortunately. That's true to be sure. A lot of adventures can tend to be custom-tailored, and difficult to just 'use' in someone else's game. But I think it's also an unspoken bias, only the company produces adventures everyone can talk about. I didn't get too much feedback on "Lair of the Arashaeem", although there was some good jewels of comments there. (Thanks John!) > Will your idea of a Living Mystara have any benefit on changing this? I > don't know. I do know that ever since the first Mystaran net almanac was > published two years ago (geez- was it that long?) more and more interest > has been generated in that- the team is now several times larger than it > was in the beginning; heck, it's several times larger than it was last > year. That, to me, shows that there still is a lot of interest in the world > of Mystara, despite any substantial feedback. Agreed. Actually, I think in part a Living Mystara could compliment the Net Almanacs. Consider this: Every player in the Living Mystara campaign and their adventures are sent in to the almanac, so it reflects EVERY campaign of Mystara ran, in addition to it's regular material. Not a bad idea, although the logistics are already giving me a headache. > Will that interest still be there if there are too many changes to the face > of Mystara? I don't know. I don't know how interested I would be in > something radically different, but something slightly different I might be > interested in contributing to in some way. Truth to tell, I'm leaning right now towards just enough time to distance away from the old storylines. I'm a cinematic story-driven gamemaster (love anime!) and so I favor the idea that 'small steps' are taken to develop Living Mystara. One thing would be 'new gazateers' for each nation of the Known World. I know I'd like to take a crack at rewriting Ierendi. > What's the point here? I don't know. Mainly to apologize for any harsh > words on my part... don't really know if any of the other comments are at > all helpful. Well, thank you for replying! I felt bad because to be honest, I respect your work and I've always found your commentary both professional and interesting. I think I'll need to step back from Living Mystara for a day or so until I get some further information. (For all I know, the RPGA guys may tell me to forget it.) IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:34:40 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was:(MYSTARA]LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] In-Reply-To: <38B388B0.2DBF0603@ewa.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 11:13 PM 2/22/00 -0800, you wrote: > >Well, we all can lose our tempers sometimes. Especially myself, I know that >a weekend awhile back I was in a real foul mood over a lost job and despite >my best efforts I was a nasty bastard on this list all weekend. (I tried to >stay off, but you know how that works.) Yeah- Still bugs me. I usually don't get ticked off here. In fact, I've told people once or twice that they should probably step away before blasting a reply... :p >Agreed. Actually, I think in part a Living Mystara could compliment the Net >Almanacs. Consider this: Every player in the Living Mystara campaign and >their adventures are sent in to the almanac, so it reflects EVERY campaign >of Mystara ran, in addition to it's regular material. Not a bad idea, >although the logistics are already giving me a headache. Me too. But still, an interesting thought, and one with merit. The Kargatane do something similar with their Netbooks- having a Ravenloft section and a Masque of the Red Death section to them. A bit smaller undertaking (just compilations of articles, really) but similar. >Truth to tell, I'm leaning right now towards just enough time to distance >away from the old storylines. I'm a cinematic story-driven gamemaster (love >anime!) and so I favor the idea that 'small steps' are taken to develop >Living Mystara. A small distance would probably be best for keeping interest, yes. Probably enough for most of the current known faces to have disappeared from public eyes, and some small changes here and there to creep in. I take it you're going to build from the most recent changes instituted in Wrath of the Immortals, instead of building from the Gazetteer era, right? >One thing would be 'new gazateers' for each nation of the Known World. I >know I'd like to take a crack at rewriting Ierendi. I'd definitely like to take a hand with Atruaghin. Still hope to do something more with it one of these days. I've been thinking along the same lines with "New" (or at least revised) gazetteers, especially with 3rd Edition coming out. Something to put on the net that others can see (a netbook at least) and get a feel for what Mystara is. What is out there right now is mostly just (as you've pointed out) building on what we- those of us already familiar with Mystara- know about the world. I don't know what a newbie would think- there really isn't any general information about Mystara out there, despite all the excellent development that has been done over the past few years. >I think I'll need to step back from Living Mystara for a day or so until I >get some further information. (For all I know, the RPGA guys may tell me to >forget it.) Well, like James said, let us know what they say. I think I'll step away from the computer for a minute myself and berate myself for my ranting screed. (BTW, I meant to TM that to James in my last post. :) ----- Andrew "Cthulhudrew" Theisen Aspiring screenwriter, actor, and gadabout jsmill@wans.net "The greatest trick Doug Henning ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Keyser Soze ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 02:26:28 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Time travel (was Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief)) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-23 2:06:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, ironwolf@EWA.NET writes: << Sounds a bit like the script for TimeCop. (Sorry, bad reference to make.) Still, it does sound pretty cool. I've never run any campaigns with time travel in them, it's definitely one of those factors you have to really script out the rules beforehand. (Whether or not disrupting your birth would cause you to disappear, for example. Some theories say that you may not, you'd just invalidate your existence, not actually end it.) >> In this particular novel altering the past never affects the traveler. As you may have guessed, it was basically an "alternate history" in which the Spanish Armada successfully conquered England. In subsequent centuries, the Spaniards who dominated the world managed to develop time travel but in all other respects lagged behind our world technologically. After the hero of the story failed to prevent the alteration of an event that doomed the Armada, he returned to the "present" in the real world New York. He was overwhelmed by the massive increase in population and general technology level, dismayed that most people were speaking English rather than Spanish, and in total despair when he realized that he had made his last time traveling trip -- ever. Of course, in the fantasy equivalent that situation would not occur unless the chronomancers develop spells for sending people into the past and then retrieving them after a preset interval -- and then use those spells to send non-chronomancers into the past rather than going themselves. Incidentally, that story confirms a theory that Larry Niven suggested about time travel -- that if time travel were possible and time travelers could alter the past, then they would alter the past repeatedly until they established a timeline in which nobody ever invented time travel. That timeline and no other would be stable. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:31:34 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Living Mystara: Tentative Plan MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings all! Okay, after some thought and a lot of feedback, here's what I think: A Living Mystara campaign should focus on the Known World region. (With some overlap into outer regions, such as Wendar and the Heldannic regions.) This is because it is the place that most old gamers will remember, and it has 'one of everything' needed for a full campaign. Expansion into other regions would be possible of course. Secondly, because there's a lot of dangling storylines from the last published products, and continuations of these in fanworks such as the Net Almanac, it would be best to set the campaign setting ahead in time far enough that new storylines can be written without the old ones interfering. This also can be used to cover up changes that the 3E system will introduce. (Such as the relaxing of class/race restrictions.) At the moment, I was thinking that a full century after the crowning of the king of Karameikos would be good myself. The immediate resources needed for play would be a DM's sourcebook, a player's sourcebook, and a monstrous compendium. In addition, individual gazateers for each nation would also be written. As part of the setting, a yearly almanac would also be very cool. All the campaigns of existing LM players could be incorporated into it, as well as pivotal events from major storylines. Finally, the Immortals. Yes, there would definitely be rules to advance to Immortality! This would be another factor to differentiate Mystara from other Living Campaigns, the potential to ascend to a greater existence. Okay, that's the pitch. At the moment, I'm awaiting word from the RPGA and Jim Butler for information on getting such an ambitious (to say the least) project started. Until I get more information I'll just stop filling your mailbox with propoganda. :) IronWolf "It's Specularum... or is it? Hm..." ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:35:50 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Time travel (was Living Mystara: Discussion (VeryBrief)) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit David Knott wrote: > > Incidentally, that story confirms a theory that Larry Niven suggested about > time travel -- that if time travel were possible and time travelers could > alter the past, then they would alter the past repeatedly until they > established a timeline in which nobody ever invented time travel. That > timeline and no other would be stable. Wow, that is slick. Good old Larry! An excellent source of time travel theories and resources for gaming is GURPS Time Traveler, written by John M. Ford. It covers both time travel and alternate world settings. The followup series "Alternate Earths" are also excellent. (Most GURPS books are.) IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 03:00:00 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Path of the Archvillain MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The first of the four Entropic Paths to Immortality that I will describe is the Path of the Archvillain, which is the path selected by those who are opposed to the Sphere of Thought. Since the opposed Path of the Epic Hero favors the fighter, thief, mystic, and halfling classes, the Path of the Archvillain favors spellcasters. Followers of this path seek power at any price and will betray anyone or anything to get what they want, and they typically attract the attention of their Immortal sponsor by murdering heroes who have spells or magic items that they want. Quest: The Archvillain must quest for a Major artifact from the Sphere of Entropy, which will be genuinely lost or in the possession of powerful "good" heroes who must be defeated to recover the artifact. Trial: The Archvillain must track down and bring about the permanent destruction of an artifact of the Sphere of Thought, which will of course bring him into conflict with minions of that Sphere. Testimony: The Archvillain must find and train a successor who is dedicated to the same ideals, and that successor must gain at least 12 levels in the service of the Archvillain. Given what I said earlier about the ideals of an Archvillain, it is obvious that the Archvillain's successor will find it hard to resist the temptation to betray his master. The Archvillain must also create a legendary item of power with effects that cause great destruction, corruption of the user, or other effects that support the cause of Entropy. He must then arrange for this item to fall into the hands of his successor and then, when his successor attempts to use that item against his master, destroy that successor in a spectacular manner. While this phase of the path would seemingly offer no adventure hooks for heroic adventurers, it is likely that an Archvillain may approach a promising player character and attempt to recruit him as his successor (as per Darth Vader's attempts to corrupt his son Luke Skywalker). Any player character foolish enough to accept such an offer should immediately be "tainted" for his association with Entropy and suffer increasing penalties until he becomes an NPC utterly dedicated to the cause of Entropy. However, even after being reduced to NPC status, the successor to an Archvillain will continue plotting against his master. Task: The Archvillain must perform some nearly impossible evil task such as driving the dominant religion in a non-Entropic nation underground or creating an Entropic artifact that will corrupt or drain life energy from at least 1000 people once it is completed. Generally, this task will have such horrific consequences that heroic adventurers will do anything they can to thwart completion of the task. An Archvillain who completes all of the above requirements becomes an Immortal in the Sphere of Entropy with a special interest in stifling Thought. Coming later: The Paths of the Dungeon Master, Conqueror, and Fiend. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 03:46:41 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Path of the Dungeon Master MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This path is opposed to the Sphere of Energy. Followers of this path tend to be lazy and cowardly but cunning, devising fiendish traps and setting up ambushes to thwart their foes. This path opposes wizards (i.e., it favors non-wizards), but many evil wizards still pursue this path because their spells are invaluable in helping them complete it. Note that in this context the term "Dungeon Master" refers to a candidate for Entropic Immortality against the Sphere of Energy, not to the referee or game master -- although any DM who wishes to do so is welcome to invoke this path when his players accuse him of being "evil". Quest: The Dungeon Master must undertake a long and difficult quest for a lesser artifact of the Sphere of Entropy. Trial: The Dungeon Master must create an entirely new magic item or mundane threat that endangers at least 1000 people. A non-wizard may hire a spellcaster to create a magic item on his behalf. If an item is to be created, the Dungeon Master must acquire a number of rare and difficult to obtain components as well as at least one "impossible" component. Similar conditions apply if he opts for the "mundane threat" option -- in that case originality is highly prized. Testimony: The Dungeon Master must train at least 4-6 henchmen, and they must each rise at least 12 levels while in his service. He must also create an underground complex that protects his artifact as well as the magic item or a mundane item required to threaten 1000+ people. This underground complex will naturally attract heroic adventurers intent on putting an end to the threat created by the Dungeon Master. Task: The Dungeon Master does not directly confront heroic adventurers unless they have cleared out his underground complex and defeated all of his henchmen. If a party of adventurers succeed in clearing out the dungeon and are threatening to retrieve the Dungeon Master's artifact and/or "threat" item, then the lowest level henchman of the Dungeon Master is teleported to the dungeon to fight the heroes as the "boss" monster. If the heroes win, then the Dungeon Master must recover the major items lost to the party and "restock" his dungeon as soon as possible; the lost henchman may not be replaced. However, if at least on hero is killed during the adventure, then the Dungeon Master may count that character towards the eight kills required to complete his task if that hero is of higher level than the last hero killed. The task is completed once eight heroes of ever increasing level are killed -- and the Dungeon Master must make the final kill personally. Since the Dungeon Master has no control over who comes into his dungeon seeking to trash it, it sometimes occurs that he is in a position to kill a hero who is of far greater level than his last victim -- which in turn would make his next credited "kill" even more difficult. The way out of this difficulty is one commonly resorted to by the villains of many James Bond movies: he captures the hero, places him in an "inescapable death trap" that is in fact quite easy to escape, and then goes away to leave the hero to his fate. Usually the hero makes his escape -- but in the unlikely event that the hero actually succumbs to the death trap, the Dungeon Master may accept or reject credit for that "kill" according to his personal choice. Needless to say, this Path is the most frequently attempted Path to Immortality in the Sphere of Entropy. Remaining Paths: Path of the Conqueror and Path of the Fiend. Some information about these paths has already been uploaded, but I plan to give more details later this week. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:55:22 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Rob Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="x-user-defined" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Gah! >Bestill my heart! Star Frontiers is "Dead". Mystara is "100% >Fan Supported". I beleive that the idea of New (or Net) >Canon is a good thing: Never! I still play SF! (they have a mailing list with 100 odd people on it too, not bad for a game that was cancelled 15 years ago). Cheers Rob ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:27:10 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Peter Balazs Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Long) In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.16.20000222022310.10d726a6@mail.odyssey.on.ca> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi! > In the 6 year solo campaign I've been in with my DM, my DM brought >up some very interesting ideas for the future that I thought might apply to >the idea you've raised, Ironwolf. Let me explain...(a "little" story first) Very intersting. Thanks for the insight! *************************************************** Peter "Mr. XXL" Balazs Wurlitzerg. 37/12 1160 Wien a8927259@unet.univie.ac.at http://radon.mat.univie.ac.at/~pbalazs **************************************************** ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:52:56 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Peter Balazs Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) In-Reply-To: <200002230334.WAA18849@fb00.eng00.mindspring.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi! >IMPORTANT POINT: "Canon" doesn't matter AT ALL in some senses. Even >officially published stuff. It's HIGHLY useful in discussions on lists such >as this one (because it forms our shared assumptions about the world - >without it, we don't have anything that makes the "Mystara Mailing List" >different from a "Generic Fantasy World Mailing List.") Very true point! As a DM I have to choose my own sources anyway. >That's kind of a spurious point to make, because if you ask *any* question >you should almost count yourself lucky to get for or five answers . [..] >You could ask how many people on this list still have a pulse, [...] >Is that an indicator of the level of potential interest in the project? Yes it is. I will answer to things I�m interested in, and things I don�t care for I will ignore. I you would really ask for my pulse, I would not answer, as I think that is irrelevant and not interesting for this list. For eymaple I didn�t see any sense in voting for a country, so I didn�t do it. *************************************************** Peter "Mr. XXL" Balazs Wurlitzerg. 37/12 1160 Wien a8927259@unet.univie.ac.at http://radon.mat.univie.ac.at/~pbalazs **************************************************** ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:10:13 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Rob Subject: Re: Time travel (was Living Mystara: Discussion (Very Brief)) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Incidentally, that story confirms a theory that Larry Niven suggested about >time travel -- that if time travel were possible and time travelers could >alter >the past, then they would alter the past repeatedly until they established a >timeline in which nobody ever invented time travel. That timeline and no >other would be stable. Thats an interesting concept :) Chronomancers as described in the Chrono book are pretty helpless really. Any changes they attempt to make are smoothed over by the momentum of the the timestream - eg, suppose a chronomancer disrupted the birth of Emperor Zendrolion of Thyatis, hoping to stop the Thyatian Empire from being created. The end result would be someone else in Thyatis would do almost exactly the same things as the original Zendrolion. The chrono would only be able to make cosmetic changes (change a few names here and there, maybe, but possibly not even that). If he assassinated Zendrolion while he was Emperor, his lieutenant who was not big enough to make it into the history books actually turns out to be a masterful ruler, and manages to take over Zendrolions position, again doing exactly the same thing as the original, etc. etc. etc. The timestream resists change with effects like this and strings of coincidences. The more improbable the coincidences the more turbulence is being created in Temporal Prime. There is often a backlash onto the chronomancer himself as well, and it will be the chronomancer that unravels before Time does, if you see what I mean. After all, one "coincidence" that would preserve the momentum of time would be removing the chronomancer from it (I'm thinking Paradox Realms from Mage: the Ascension here). Cheers Rob ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 03:30:12 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ron Rogers Subject: Re: WAS: FLY and HAST - griffin In-Reply-To: erewan laubgaenger 's message of Wed, 23 Feb 2000 00:13:49 +0100 Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit MIME-Version: 1.0 (WebTV) In OD&D, Haste does not have the aging side effect. Which means it is more often used in combat. And since you can combine it with a potion of speed. Woo hoo 4X attacks. You're talking 200-300 points of damage a round from a high level warrior with weapon mastery. CronoCloud (Ron Rogers) Knight of the Square Table http://members.tripod.com/~CronoCloud/index.html Member of the Knights Knoble http://knightsknoble.cjb.net ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 10:39:32 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?H=E5vard?= Subject: Re: Brian Collector In-Reply-To: <38B2EE32.E6D829A1@tin.it> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8BIT On Tue, 22 Feb 2000, Caroletti wrote: > A new creature to deal with in Mystara? > > NEH THALGHW (Brian Collector) Great work Caroletti! I've _got_ to use these in my campaign :) Sincerely, Oddvar R. F�naas *** http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~havardfa http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/~hoc ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:58:25 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ezio Pignatelli Organization: SISSA - Trieste - Italy Subject: Re: Brian collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-2 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit You know, when I first read the subject, I thought it was a funny typo. :-D Good stuff! -- Ezio Pignatelli --- SISSA -- Room 9 via Beirut 4 - 34014 Trieste - Italy Phone: +39-040-3787525 Fax:+39-040-3787528 mailto:pignatel@sissa.it http://www.sissa.it/ap/pignatel.html -- ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 21:59:52 +1100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: shawn stanley Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 20:44 22/02/00 -0800, you wrote: >SteelAngel wrote: >> >> But then again, you don't see hundreds of players dropping >> FR for Dark Sun or Birthright, either. Ravenloft has a "Net >> Canon" system in place, and WotC takes the Kargataine >> seriously. > >They take the Kargataine seriously because they are dedicated professionals who >are committed to turning out quality products. They also have the Living Death >campaign to foster interest in the setting, as well as a hardcover source book >which is readily available at most gaming stores. Who said WotC don't take the other pages seriously. Yeah OK Kargatane was the test case but someone has to be. And any rate maybe from their point of view Ravenloft is a different enough setting to be worthy of being brought back sooner rather than later. As for the Kargatane system of releasing stuff. Is that what people want? I'm asking everyone here, present writers of material and potential future writers. At the moment the Mystara "net canon" material incorporates whatever people write being considered. This is opposed to the Kargatane one where it looks like people go out and write products. Yeah, people are already doing this for Mystara with the Mystaran Almanac and everything, but my view is that what people seem to get most into is the smaller stuff - so I don't want to advocate one way or another That's why there isn't some rock solid system in place on the homepage. Do what you're always doing. Or do you people want to do things differently. shawn stanley http://dnd.starflung.com what have you done for me lately ... more to the point what have i done for me - mightyfew, "i can't wait" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 13:09:34 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: The origin of Minotaurs, was FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > Also, the Savage Coast campaign setting and the Orc's Head accessory. The latter says that the Minotaurs were created when Minoides, an Enduk, killed Gildesh, just before the Manscorpions rebellion. Minoides and his supporters were turned into wingless minotaurs. So this Minoides might be the Immortal patron of minotaurs, having reached immortality under Atzanteotl's sponsorship. -- > Hmm, that means that the Minotaurs are a "new race" as races go on = Mystara. The Manscorpion invasion came about in Nithian times IIRC. The = same era as the Gnoll creation. I always thought that the Minotaurs were created sooner, on Davania, = before the creation of Nimmur. So I guess Minotaurs are relatively restricted in habitate and number of = species, like gnolls are. Any thoughts? Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 12:15:50 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Sv: [MYSTARA] Path of the Archvillain MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi there one and all! Perhaps some of you remember my attempts at inane comments when I was on = the list about a year ago. Well I'm back and have been lurking for some = days, observing the Living Mystara thread, not wanting to have anything = to do with it, seeing how I'm not an RPGA-member, and like the current = setting as it is (BTW I play OD&D, so 3ed isn't that big a deal to me). Thankfully others try to get through with other work (and other points), = though they get drowned in the LM-debate... David Knott presented this short (but excellent) work: > Since the opposed Path of the Epic > Hero favors the fighter, thief, mystic, and halfling classes, the Path = of > the Archvillain favors spellcasters. Neat idea, having opposing classes as well as opposing interests. > Testimony: The Archvillain must find and train a successor who is = dedicated > to the same ideals, and that successor must gain at least 12 levels in = the > service of the Archvillain. What about monstrous Archvillain spellcasters? They may have some = trouble with attaining the levels indicated for their follower (or for = themselves for that matter). The thing to remember with the paths of = Entropy is that they'll usually appeal to the typically "evil" = monster-races, so unless the path itself is dedicated to monster races, = it has to have contingencies for them. > of the user, or other effects that support the cause of Entropy. He = must then > arrange for this item to fall into the hands of his successor and = then, when > his successor attempts to use that item against his master, destroy = that > successor in a spectacular manner. I love this part. The real problem the Archvillain aspirant has is to = keep his/her apprentice from betraying him/her ahead of time. This'll = take a lot of patience, plotting and scheming; traits that an = Archvillain must prove to master. And all the better if the apprentice = started out as a "good" character that slowly becomes corrupted, finally = attempting to overthrow the Archvillain in a bid for power. =20 > 1000 people once it is completed. Generally, this task will have such > horrific > consequences that heroic adventurers will do anything they can to = thwart > completion of the task. This part is the obvious adventure hook, since the quest and trial will = more likely be a brush with the Archvillain attempting to claim the = artifact in question. It seems more befitting of an Archvillain to be = behind the scenes of a master plan that will eradicate an entire = religion or country (ok, so I upgraded the 1,000 people to more like = 100,000 or so; the equivalent of a Master Stroke). > Coming later: The Paths of the Dungeon Master, Conqueror, and Fiend. Can't wait for those... All in all I think that this great work, expanding on the Sphere of = Entropy and it's followers. What's more, it's very general, and can = easily be adapted into any campaign. Jacob Skytte "The conspiracy theory of society...comes from abandoning God and then = asking: "Who is in his place?" " -Karl Popper ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 14:57:12 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable AC1001 -autumn "The Second coming of Tarastia" temple, Jullinius, Thyatis. "Oh noble patriarch, what must we do? those youths may corrupt our = flock! They are living in sin, doing the deeds found only in the Pits!" "I think you are exagerating, my dear Tentos. They are fine young = Thyatians, who just love each other very much. The hardship of their = life has brought them close together, matbe too close. But they will = grow up, see the error of their ways and settle down." "But father! They are not only good freinds! The people say that they = are practicing the pleasurs of the flesh! As if they were a married = couple. Surely the immortals see this as blasphemy. It is an abomination = to the ways of the immortals and the empire!" "Come down Tentos, the immortals have never been clear on the ways of = love. True the secular law is against such deviations, but it is not our = position to enforce the laws of the senate." "My father I implor you, the people want action! Those sins are like = cancer in the land. The church will lose its power with the citizns if = nothing is done." "What you have in mind, Tentos?" "Well, we should drive them out of town! We can run them off to somewere = else!" "But we need them, my son. No one have ever 'hunted' as well as they do. = Besides, I am afraid violence might occur." "The fiends that used to plague our empire are long gone, father. That = is a known fact. Let me gather some hunest strong men and it will be = over in a few hours." "I have to consult with the 'The Judge' (=3DTarastia O.Sh). Promise me = you will not take action for at least three days." "Yes father, may the wise one tell us her ways." ______________ Is anyone reading this? Do you have commnents?=20 Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 11:31:02 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jost Westenberg Subject: Re: WAS: FLY and HAST - griffin no, sorry i only play D&D and threr are no effects on the age of the hasted creature! jost.westenberg@gmx.de -----Urspr�ngliche Nachricht----- Von: erewan laubgaenger An: Gesendet: Mittwoch, 23. Februar 2000 00:13 Betreff: Re: [MYSTARA] WAS: FLY and HAST - griffin > Master's Pawn wrote: > > > Here's one way to look at it. Haste , or HAST, allows a character to move, fight, etc at twice his natural speed, but the important exception to the rule is spellcasting/magic. A hasted mage can still only cast one spell per turn. Now since the ability to zoom throught the air is magical to the receipiant of the FLY spel, I would think it is outside the effects of the Haste spell. I would allow a hasted flying mount, say a griffon or some such, to fly at twice the speed if under a haste spell. > > > > Which might be a good tactic for RAF Attack Fighters, especially the Third Division, the Hurricanes. > > of course it it a good taktic for everybody to be hasted in combat situation. > but there is the (big) disadvantage for someone who get the benefits. > (s)he aged one year!! > > no probs for elven - but a human or a horse / griffon......... > in our campain only the elven take this spell benefits if someone is cast it. > the humans don`t want it. > > how long is the life of griffins? > it the life 100 or more years then it could be a good benefit, but.... > IBON > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 10:45:55 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ______________ > Is anyone reading this? Do you have commnents? > I'm reading it. It's interesting - keep it up 8-) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 19:11:44 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?H=E5vard?= Subject: Re: The origin of Minotaurs, was FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal In-Reply-To: <01BF7E00.F734DDC0@hrz-153-55.access.net.il> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8BIT On Wed, 23 Feb 2000, ���� ��� wrote: > Hmm, that means that the Minotaurs are a "new race" as races go on Mystara. The Manscorpion invasion came about in Nithian times IIRC. The same era as the Gnoll creation. > I always thought that the Minotaurs were created sooner, on Davania, before the creation of Nimmur. > So I guess Minotaurs are relatively restricted in habitate and number of species, like gnolls are. > > Any thoughts? Possible. Ive never seen Minotaurs as a very dominant race on Mystara anyway. However, Gnolls are very much present on BRUN, bot either of these races probably shouldn't be present on other continents or in the Hollow World unless a proper reason is given. (immortal intervention for instance). Are there Gnolls in Traladara (HW) btw? OTOH, there could have been an ancient race of Minotaurs on Mystara which were blessed with wings and turned into enduks and then cursed again by being returned to their original form. Just a theory one could use if one wanted Minotaurs to be present in previous ages... H�vard Haavard R. Faanes (hoc@nvg.ntnu.no) http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~havardfa http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/~hoc ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 19:33:08 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Marco Fossati Subject: R: [MYSTARA] The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit ----- Original Message ----- From: ���� ��� To: Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 1:57 PM Subject: [MYSTARA] The Three- III AC1001 -autumn "The Second coming of Tarastia" temple, Jullinius, Thyatis. "Oh noble patriarch, what must we do? those youths may corrupt our flock! They are living in sin, doing the deeds found only in the Pits!" "I think you are exagerating, my dear Tentos. They are fine young Thyatians, who just love each other very much. The hardship of their life has brought them close together, matbe too close. But they will grow up, see the error of their ways and settle down." "But father! They are not only good freinds! The people say that they are practicing the pleasurs of the flesh! As if they were a married couple. Surely the immortals see this as blasphemy. It is an abomination to the ways of the immortals and the empire!" "Come down Tentos, the immortals have never been clear on the ways of love. True the secular law is against such deviations, but it is not our position to enforce the laws of the senate." "My father I implor you, the people want action! Those sins are like cancer in the land. The church will lose its power with the citizns if nothing is done." "What you have in mind, Tentos?" "Well, we should drive them out of town! We can run them off to somewere else!" "But we need them, my son. No one have ever 'hunted' as well as they do. Besides, I am afraid violence might occur." "The fiends that used to plague our empire are long gone, father. That is a known fact. Let me gather some hunest strong men and it will be over in a few hours." "I have to consult with the 'The Judge' (=Tarastia O.Sh). Promise me you will not take action for at least three days." "Yes father, may the wise one tell us her ways." ______________ Is anyone reading this? Do you have commnents? Yes, very very very good. I was waiting for the third part hungrily, because this story is taking my mind. Continue in this manner Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 19:32:59 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Agathokles Subject: Re: The origin of Minotaurs,was FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit ���� ��� wrote: > > Hmm, that means that the Minotaurs are a "new race" as races go on Mystara. The Manscorpion invasion came about in Nithian times IIRC. The same era as the Gnoll creation. > I always thought that the Minotaurs were created sooner, on Davania, before the creation of Nimmur. > So I guess Minotaurs are relatively restricted in habitate and number of species, like gnolls are. > Yes, there shouldn't be lots of different subspecies of Minotaurs in Mystara, even though it is not impossible that, after Minotaurs were originally created, some non-Minotaur got himself cursed to become a Minotaur, more or less as the standard XD&D monster. This could have given birth to new Minotaur subspecies. -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles/index.htm ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 19:38:08 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Agathokles Subject: Re: The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit ���� ��� wrote: > > > Is anyone reading this? Do you have commnents? > Yes, and it seems rather good. I'm especially curious about the vampire trio, a rather interesting idea. -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles/index.htm ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 23:05:56 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Tentative Plan MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > > Secondly, because there's a lot of dangling storylines from the last published > products, and continuations of these in fanworks such as the Net Almanac, it > would be best to set the campaign setting ahead in time far enough that new > storylines can be written without the old ones interfering. Why not in the past? 300 BC? 500 BC, just after Nithians removed? 1700 BC, when elves blew themselves up with the Nucleus? Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 23:12:26 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Brian Collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thanks to all those who apprecieted my work! (John, Haavard (sorry, couldn't find the appropriated letter, but aa is the same, isn't it, like Aalesund?, & Ezio). Let me know if you use it in your campaigns!!! Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 15:47:07 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Brian collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:58:25 +0000 Ezio Pignatelli writes: > You know, when I first read the subject, I thought it was a funny > typo. :-D Good stuff! Actually, the whole thing appears to have come about from a funny typo in the old "3E: Monsters" thread. :) Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 16:58:51 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Neal Subject: the Three MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit yes, it is an iteresting storyline. thanks and keep more coming ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 17:00:31 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Neal Subject: Brian collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Great idea good for a new twist. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 17:06:11 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Neal Subject: minotaurs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thanks for the history of minotaurs. even though i've been playing mystara (known world) for many years. i don't have all the resources. I had heard about the enduks, but not that minotaurs had come from them. I thought it was the other way around. anyway. i set them up with tribal (city states) in souther Skothar. Some have migrated or been removed to western Brun. (hence their association with the master). as for the few in the Sea of Dread (Karamikios) A few of the more adventurous had settled a couple of the islands in the Sea of dread. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 18:19:17 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Magister Mystaros Subject: Minoides and Minotaurs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/23/00 9:34:41 AM US Eastern Standard Time, ohadshm@INTER.NET.IL writes: << I always thought that the Minotaurs were created sooner, on Davania, before the creation of Nimmur. >> If you've read my History of Blackmoor you might get the idea that such was Canonical, but it's not. IMC I placed the creation of the Enduks farther back than in Canon. IMC the Enduks were created by the Serpentine Empire and eventually gained their freedom (much as did the other "multiple-nature" ("chimerical") creatures, such as Shedu, Sphinxes and True Chimerae). Ixion became their patron (and thus eventually the "myth" of their creation by him came about) and the Enduks eventually ruled the western section of Davania along with the Gold Dragons for many centuries (the "Golden Empire"); they were early allies of the Elves and the Oltecs. Fallen Enduks ("fallen" both metaphysically and genetically) become Minotaurs, and such has occured since time immemorial. But IMC Minoides and his followers were a special case and were tied in with the Taymorans (hmmm.. just about everything seems to be IMC). James A. Mishler Magister Mystaros Check out my website: www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/1437/index.html ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 18:02:43 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0005_01BF7E28.2EF282E0" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01BF7E28.2EF282E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Greetings one and all! Having fleshed out the various domains of Ostland, I hereby present you = with the first of the domains, Vestpont, and it's major characters. = Please note that all stats are OD&D and that Traits for characters = presented in GAZ 7 are used. Comments are naturally more than welcome = (why else would I post it, hmm..?). And I hope that somebody wants to = see more of the fleshed-out Ostland domains. Enjoy! Jacob Skytte THE CLAN-DOMAIN OF VESTPONT Vestpont (West Point) is situated on the westernmost end of Noslo Island = in the Kingdom of Ostland. The domain contains three hexes of hills and = three hexes of light forest. The forest supplies sufficient wood for = longships and housings. The domain is fairly isolated by hills and most = relations with neigbours are from the sea. Foreigners are never welcomed = here; other Ostlanders will be given courtesy and respect, but all = others are fair game. The Vestpont Clan traditionally raids the north = (Heldann and Norwold), but occasionally raids to Soderfjord or Ylaruam = are staged. Head of Clan: The head of Vestpont Clan is jarl Anlaf Geirmundson and he = rules from his great hall in Port Swenson. Population: 6000 people live in the domain of Vestpont. Of these 1000 = are thralls, 3500 are non-warrior freemen and 1500 are warriors. Should = conflicts arise nearly 3000 will arm themselves and fight for their = freedom or lives. PORT SWENSON With a population of 2000 Port Swenson is among the five largest = communities in Ostland. It is primarily a fishing town though surrounded = by small farming communities. The town is located by Trollebugt (Troll = Bay), named after a major battle where the last of the local hill trolls = were driven into the bay by berserker warriors of Thor. The bay is = sheltered from the worst of the elements on the west and north by forest = and on the east by hills. ADVENTURE NOTES Trollebloeder (Troll Bleeder), a Sword+3 was carried by Geirmund = Trollsbane into Trollebugt during the battle of Trollebugt. The sword = has been enchanted by a godi (priest) with a Continual Light spell and = can be seen at night at the bottom of the bay (some 20 feet down). Anlaf = has declared that no one is to retrieve it because it is a symbol of his = father's reverence for the Aesir. The last person who tried was = sentenced to death by drowning by an enraged Anlaf. ANLAF GEIRMUNDSON Lawful F14 (Str 16, Int 10, Wis 8, Dex 9, Con 8, Cha 16, AC 5, hp 41) Personality Traits: Honest 14, Dogmatic 12, Peaceful 6, Courageous 15, = Reverent 13 46 years old, Brown (Greying) hair and beard, Blue eyes Anlaf is the only son of Geirmund Trollsbane, a renowned berserker = warrior who drowned during the battle of Trollebugt when he forced a = particularly large troll into the bay, ignoring the fact that he = couldn't swim. This was 23 years ago and Anlaf has established his rule = firmly (and forcefully) in the years since his ascension to jarl. Though = of great strength Anlaf's health was shattered 15 years ago when he fell = victim to the Brown Plague. His honesty and courage have kept him = popular among his house guard however, so no one has challenged his rule = in years. Anlaf was raised to believe firmly in the power of Thor and he = counts a number of berserker warriors of Thor among his house guard. He = reveres his father and speaking ill of him or defiling his memory is one = of the few things that can rouse Anlaf's anger. Unfortunately Anlaf is = blind to his wife's machinations. In battle Anlaf carries Chain Mail, a = Sword+1, and a Spear. Anlaf is married to Ingrid Elsasdottir (41) and has two children by her: = Stein Anlafson (22) and Astrid Ingridsdottir (19). He has also fathered = Tosti Anlafson (16) by a thrall he took during a raid on Soderfjord. Ingrid (Chaotic T3; Cautious 14, Generous 6, Trusting 8) is a scheming = woman, whose good looks won her the heart of Anlaf. She is seeking to = put her son in a position of power so she can rule through him. She = expected Anlaf's failing health to have cost him his life by now and is = considering other means to remove him from his position. She has hired = her own small force of greedy warriors to enforce her wishes when = necessary. Stein (Chaotic F5; Modest 3, Forgiving 4, Energetic 13) has been sent to = the court of Cnute as requested by King Hord. He is a spoiled brat who = expects to be treated as royalty and is currently quite happy forcing = his way upwards in the ranks of The Royal Household. Astrid (Lawful NW; Modest 17, Peaceful 18, Trusting 15) has been brought = up by her mother to be obedient and make a perfect bride for a political = marriage. Though she is courted by many powerful warriors from within = the clan, Ingrid always keeps an eye on the girl and makes sure that = suitors who are too eager are paid a visit by her personal thugs. Tosti (Lawful F2; Energetic 16, Courageous 6) is trying everything in = his power to make his father notice and acknowledge him. He is hindered = by his lack of courage and by the fact that Ingrid is doing all she can = to promote her own son and dishonor Tosti. Though she could have him = killed, she prefers to try to make him fail and ridicule himself in = front of his father. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01BF7E28.2EF282E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Greetings one and all!
 
Having fleshed out the various domains = of Ostland,=20 I hereby present you with the first of the domains, Vestpont, and it's = major=20 characters. Please note that all stats are OD&D and that Traits = for=20 characters presented in GAZ 7 are used. Comments are naturally more than = welcome=20 (why else would I post it, hmm..?). And I hope that somebody wants to = see more=20 of the fleshed-out Ostland domains. Enjoy!
 
Jacob Skytte
 

THE CLAN-DOMAIN OF VESTPONT

Vestpont (West Point) is situated on the = westernmost end of=20 Noslo Island in the Kingdom of Ostland. The domain contains three hexes = of hills=20 and three hexes of light forest. The forest supplies sufficient wood for = longships and housings. The domain is fairly isolated by hills and most=20 relations with neigbours are from the sea. Foreigners are never welcomed = here;=20 other Ostlanders will be given courtesy and respect, but all others are = fair=20 game. The Vestpont Clan traditionally raids the north (Heldann and = Norwold), but=20 occasionally raids to Soderfjord or Ylaruam are staged.

Head of Clan: The head of Vestpont Clan is jarl = Anlaf=20 Geirmundson and he rules from his great hall in Port Swenson.

Population: 6000 people live in the domain of = Vestpont. Of=20 these 1000 are thralls, 3500 are non-warrior freemen and 1500 are = warriors.=20 Should conflicts arise nearly 3000 will arm themselves and fight for = their=20 freedom or lives.

PORT SWENSON

With a population of 2000 Port Swenson is among = the five=20 largest communities in Ostland. It is primarily a fishing town though = surrounded=20 by small farming communities. The town is located by Trollebugt (Troll = Bay),=20 named after a major battle where the last of the local hill trolls were = driven=20 into the bay by berserker warriors of Thor. The bay is sheltered from = the worst=20 of the elements on the west and north by forest and on the east by=20 hills.

ADVENTURE NOTES

Trollebloeder (Troll Bleeder), a Sword+3 was = carried by=20 Geirmund Trollsbane into Trollebugt during the battle of Trollebugt. The = sword=20 has been enchanted by a godi (priest) with a Continual Light spell and = can be=20 seen at night at the bottom of the bay (some 20 feet down). Anlaf has = declared=20 that no one is to retrieve it because it is a symbol of his = father’s reverence=20 for the Aesir. The last person who tried was sentenced to death by = drowning by=20 an enraged Anlaf.

ANLAF GEIRMUNDSON

Lawful F14 (Str 16, Int 10, Wis 8, Dex 9, Con 8, = Cha 16, AC=20 5, hp 41)

Personality Traits: Honest 14, Dogmatic 12, = Peaceful 6,=20 Courageous 15, Reverent 13

46 years old, Brown (Greying) hair and beard, Blue = eyes

Anlaf is the only son of Geirmund Trollsbane, a = renowned=20 berserker warrior who drowned during the battle of Trollebugt when he = forced a=20 particularly large troll into the bay, ignoring the fact that he = couldn’t swim.=20 This was 23 years ago and Anlaf has established his rule firmly (and = forcefully)=20 in the years since his ascension to jarl. Though of great strength = Anlaf’s=20 health was shattered 15 years ago when he fell victim to the Brown = Plague. His=20 honesty and courage have kept him popular among his house guard however, = so no=20 one has challenged his rule in years. Anlaf was raised to believe firmly = in the=20 power of Thor and he counts a number of berserker warriors of Thor among = his=20 house guard. He reveres his father and speaking ill of him or defiling = his=20 memory is one of the few things that can rouse Anlaf’s anger. = Unfortunately=20 Anlaf is blind to his wife’s machinations. In battle Anlaf carries = Chain Mail, a=20 Sword+1, and a Spear.

Anlaf is married to Ingrid Elsasdottir (41) and = has two=20 children by her: Stein Anlafson (22) and Astrid Ingridsdottir (19). He = has also=20 fathered Tosti Anlafson (16) by a thrall he took during a raid on=20 Soderfjord.

Ingrid (Chaotic T3; Cautious 14, Generous 6, = Trusting 8) is=20 a scheming woman, whose good looks won her the heart of Anlaf. She is = seeking to=20 put her son in a position of power so she can rule through him. She = expected=20 Anlaf’s failing health to have cost him his life by now and is = considering other=20 means to remove him from his position. She has hired her own small force = of=20 greedy warriors to enforce her wishes when necessary.

Stein (Chaotic F5; Modest 3, Forgiving 4, = Energetic 13) has=20 been sent to the court of Cnute as requested by King Hord. He is a = spoiled brat=20 who expects to be treated as royalty and is currently quite happy = forcing his=20 way upwards in the ranks of The Royal Household.

Astrid (Lawful NW; Modest 17, Peaceful 18, = Trusting 15) has=20 been brought up by her mother to be obedient and make a perfect bride = for a=20 political marriage. Though she is courted by many powerful warriors from = within=20 the clan, Ingrid always keeps an eye on the girl and makes sure that = suitors who=20 are too eager are paid a visit by her personal thugs.

Tosti (Lawful F2; Energetic 16, Courageous 6) is = trying=20 everything in his power to make his father notice and acknowledge him. = He is=20 hindered by his lack of courage and by the fact that Ingrid is doing all = she can=20 to promote her own son and dishonor Tosti. Though she could have him = killed, she=20 prefers to try to make him fail and ridicule himself in front of his=20 father.

------=_NextPart_000_0005_01BF7E28.2EF282E0-- ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 23:26:55 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Sv: [MYSTARA] Path of the Archvillain MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-23 9:41:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, scythe@WANADOO.DK writes: << What about monstrous Archvillain spellcasters? They may have some trouble with attaining the levels indicated for their follower (or for themselves for that matter). The thing to remember with the paths of Entropy is that they'll usually appeal to the typically "evil" monster-races, so unless the path itself is dedicated to monster races, it has to have contingencies for them. >> There is no problem unless you insist on using AD&D (1E or 2E) rules. In the B/E/C/M series used for most Mystara products, monsters might be limited in their advancement as spellcasters but could advance all the way to level 36 in their main class. In 3E the problem would go away completely. In any case, I suspect that an Archvillain would prefer an apprentice of his own race or a closely related race that has similar powers and limitations. Also, keep in mind that there is a difference between "preferred" and "allowed". Any evil character with the right sort of personality can follow any of the four Paths to Entropic Immortality, but their are certain adjustments accorded to "preferred" classes. In fact, in my account of the Path of the Dungeon Master I specifically mention that it is popular with wizards even though non-wizards are "preferred". ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 09:49:25 -0700 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Leroy Van Camp III Subject: The Genesis Game "Warriors of the Eternal Sun" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mystarans, I picked up a Sega Nomad [1] two weeks ago and I have been buying up a bunch of used Sega Genesis games. One I have been thinking of getting is the OD&D Hollowworld game Warriors of the Eternal Sun. Does anyone on this list have experience with this game? Is it any good? Does it have any Mystara relavance? If you do have it, and its instructions, is there anything odd about the game? Used games rarely come with instructions, and so I will have to figure the thing out myself. This is usually pretty easy, but some games have some odd features that aren't really obvious. Does WotES have anything like this? Thanks for any help. [1] A handheld machine that plays Sega Genesis games. An amazing unit, actually. Leroy Van Camp III malacoda@uswest.net http://www.users.uswest.net/~malacoda/TarkasBrainLabIV.html ICQ #20039817 "When you die you're free. I had a friend who committed suicide, and she's free now. I talked to her on a ouija board, and she said she was free." November 17, "Wasted" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 23:56:22 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-23 8:51:22 AM Eastern Standard Time, stanles@ALPHALINK.COM.AU writes: << As for the Kargatane system of releasing stuff. Is that what people want? I'm asking everyone here, present writers of material and potential future writers. At the moment the Mystara "net canon" material incorporates whatever people write being considered. This is opposed to the Kargatane one where it looks like people go out and write products. Yeah, people are already doing this for Mystara with the Mystaran Almanac and everything, but my view is that what people seem to get most into is the smaller stuff - so I don't want to advocate one way or another That's why there isn't some rock solid system in place on the homepage. Do what you're always doing. Or do you people want to do things differently. >> Maybe we could adopt a different system -- nothing is "official" or "canonical" when first published. However, after it has been out for a while and most obvious errors, typos, and other problems have been fixed, works could be designated as "official" if both the relevant people at Wizards and people who download and read the material in question have a general consensus that the material in question is (1) interesting, (2) well presented, and (3) not in serious contradiction of other "official" material. This approach would divide the Mystara material into three categories: 1) "Official/canonical" material that has been blessed as worthy of that designation. This material may be used by Wizards if and when they decide to resume publication of their own official Mystara products. 2) "Variant" material that is not even being considered for elevation to "official/canonical" status (usually because the author of the material would readily admit that it contradicts the established "canon"). We can safely assume the Wizards will not be interested in this material, although we on this list might be very interested. 3) "Other" material that has not yet been relegated to either of the other categories. If any such material has been in this category for a significant length of time and the author has not lost interest in the subject, he may want to post a message and/or revise the material to spur some action on it. If Wizards finds any such material interesting, they may be the ones who spur action of moving it to the "official/canonical" category. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 21:15:38 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Organization: strawberryJAMM Designs Subject: Re: Path of the Dungeon Master MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit David: I am enjoying your "Paths to Entropic Immortality". One suggestion however: David Knott wrote: > Note that in this context the term "Dungeon Master" refers to a candidate > for Entropic Immortality against the Sphere of Energy, not to the referee or > game master -- although any DM who wishes to do so is welcome to invoke > this path when his players accuse him of being "evil". Why not change this to the "Path of the Dungeon Keeper" in order to clearly differentiate between the candidate for Immortality and the referee. This name occurred to me because of the incredibly hilarious computer game called "Dungeon Keeper" put out by Electronic Arts a few years ago. The basic premise is that you are the evil Dungeon Keeper and you must use your imps to dig out gold and space for the rooms in the dungeon, as well as reinforcing the walls to protect it from the Heroic Adventurers (or opposing Dungeon Keepers) who will assault your underground fortress and try to destroy the "heart" of your domain. If you've never played it you should try to locate it, its a real riot to play. :-) Jenni A. M. Merrifield -=> strawberryJAMM <=- -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ <------------------------------------------------------------------> God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web� Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 00:29:30 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Tentative Plan MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-23 5:08:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, Scarole@TIN.IT writes: << Why not in the past? 300 BC? 500 BC, just after Nithians removed? 1700 BC, when elves blew themselves up with the Nucleus? >> That could be problematical unless you set the game well before the cataclysm. For example, a "Living Blackmoor" set a few years after the events of the Blackmoor modules but still a century or more before the Great Rain of Fire might be an interesting campaign. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 21:41:31 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Organization: strawberryJAMM Designs Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit David Knott wrote: > Maybe we could adopt a different system -- nothing is "official" or > "canonical" hen first published. > [SNIP] > > This approach would divide the Mystara material into three categories: > > 1) "Official/canonical" material > [SNIP] > > 2) "Variant" material > [SNIP] > > 3) "Other" material > [SNIP] Interesting idea. Though you could almost say that Mystara net material naturally falls roughly into these categories anyway. Also, from things said in the past, it sort of sounded like WotC wouldn't be declaring too many items to be "canonical" at any one time anyway (something like one or two things a year!), so that would mean there would be a large number of things that don't break with "canon" that will stay in the "Other" category for a long time. Also, how to deal with things when two items, neither of which contradicts any previously accepted "canon", contradict each other? That could make the "Other" category quite unstable, with multiple things that could be possible until such a time as WotC bothers to select one over the other -- which might never happen. Those were just some thoughts I had when I read David's idea. Actually, concerning "Net Publishing" and the potential for "WotC approved net canon", I have one question that Jim Buttler may be able to answer: Is it more likely that (once they start designating things "net canon") the items that continue the 'future development' of Mystara (like the Net Almanacs) will be considered as "canon" before things that add more details and development to "unexplored" and "unexpanded" regions in the "Gazetteer Era". And what about Adventure Modules, whether they are designed for the almanac era, or the Gazetteer era -- as long as they do not contradict anything already published? Jenni A. M. Merrifield -=> strawberryJAMM <=- -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ <------------------------------------------------------------------> God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web� Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 00:46:07 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Path of the Dungeon Master MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 12:35:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, strawberry@JAMM.COM writes: << Why not change this to the "Path of the Dungeon Keeper" in order to clearly differentiate between the candidate for Immortality and the referee. >> Okay, that makes sense. Of course, the original name could be mentioned for the use of DMs who actually like the idea of being identified with evil candidates for godhood.... ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 21:55:14 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Dave Keyser Subject: Re: The Genesis Game "Warriors of the Eternal Sun" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Leroy Van Camp III wrote: > Mystarans, > > I picked up a Sega Nomad [1] two weeks ago and I have been > buying up a bunch of used Sega Genesis games. One I have > been thinking of getting is the OD&D Hollowworld game > Warriors of the Eternal Sun. Does anyone on this list have > experience with this game? Is it any good? Does it have any > Mystara relavance? It has some nice qualities, I liked the outdoor maps, and the rendering of some of the monsters, but the graphics are dated now. Outdoor combat is similar to the original PC Krynn games, which I enjoyed, being able to maneuver each character over varying terrain during a fight. Unfortunately, there is very little outdoor combat, most of it is underground, where the interface only allows a window view facing one direction. Here was a review of someone else who played it: >Actually, this is a pretty nice little game with a really nifty, totally >unique combat system that you've got to love (once you understand it). >The game really seems centered around the combat system. It operates in >two distinct modes depending on whether you're in a cave (i.e.,dungeon) >or not, but the strategy for defeating your enemies is similar in both >cases. >This is what distinguishes this game from games like Phantasy Star. You >have to employ strategy to fight, if you just go up and slug it out with >the monsters you'll lose. >Moreover, you have two unusual handicaps. You can't bring a dead >character back to life without returning to the city (impractical most >of the time) and there are no teleport spells. If you walk into a cave, >you have to walk out. What's more, you cannot save the game in a cave. >So if one of your characters is killed in a cave, you usually will have >to start over from your last saved position. Fortunately, you can save >anywhere outside of a cave. >All in all, the game has flaws, but it is unique and enjoyable if a >little tedious at times. Now as for the plot, well here is the opener: >The Goblin wars lasted 13 moons... Duke Hector Barrik waits in his >fortress for the end... Then before the final goblin assault... the sky >opens and human and goblin alike are sucked into the void... >Then somehow, your entire city is intact, but apparently has been >transported to another world with a red sun... The main plot is to explore your surroundings and try and figure out what has happened. The problem with this is simple, anyone who has even glanced at the Hollow World boxed set already knows what has happened, eliminating the mystery. And if you have never heard of the Hollow World, the game will frustrate you, because it never gives you any real explanation. The same fellow who wrote the review above was only vaguely familiar with D&D, and had no clue about the Hollow World. I've included his quotes which were amusing - >whatever happened to those blasted goblins? There are no goblins in >this game! Well.. I guess that's one problem solved... >he explains that you are all in a giant zoo >Giant zoo? Really? I guess you've got to take it on faith, the situation >never becomes any clearer than this. I actually emailed the fellow and told him the background so that the whole story made sense, and he replied that it was certainly not something that he could have guessed. There is one twist to the plot during the game, so it is not completely predictable, and it enhances the game for someone who is familiar with the Hollow World background IMO. Mystara relevance: It is faithful to the Hollow World material, you can make a good estimate of where the game takes place on the map. It doesn't add anything new to Mystara, except that it provides you with a ready made place start a campaign in the Hollow World. It would take no effort to translate this into a series of encounters and locations, as well as providing an overall theme for playing it with a real group of players on a table. Of course the numbers and varieties of monsters, and treasures, would have to be scaled down to keep it from being total hack and slash. I would recommend it if you like playing old SG games and have an interest in the Hollow World. Then its pluses outweigh its minuses. > > If you do have it, and its instructions, is there anything odd > about the game? Used games rarely come with instructions, > and so I will have to figure the thing out myself. This is usually > pretty easy, but some games have some odd features that > aren't really obvious. Does WotES have anything like this? You can get the complete manual at the following website: http://www.shininglair.com/woes/woesmanu.html With it you shouldn't have any problems. Dave ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 16:58:13 +1100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: shawn stanley Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > Interesting idea. Yeah David that sound like a good framework >Though you could almost say that Mystara net material >naturally falls roughly into these categories anyway. Yeah Jenni but from Ethan's comment which I originally replied to it seems that maybe some people out there want something like this written somewhere, even it is obvious. or am I misreading the situation here? >Also, from things said >in the past, it sort of sounded like WotC wouldn't be declaring too many items >to be "canonical" at any one time anyway (something like one or two things a >year!), I didn't get this idea at all, especially given the way that things are working at the moment for how I run the pages. Kargatane always seemed to have an idea of releasing "products" > Also, how to deal with things when two items, neither of which contradicts >any previously accepted "canon", contradict each other? That could make the >"Other" category quite unstable, with multiple things that could be possible >until such a time as WotC bothers to select one over the other -- which might >never happen. a good question. no good answer yet. shawn stanley http://dnd.starflung.com what have you done for me lately ... more to the point what have i done for me - mightyfew, "i can't wait" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:08:55 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I just got a thought in my head. Damn those notions! Stan, why don't you add a section to the site announcing "upcoming" fan-works. i.e. if the Davania group is working on some things, we can send in "product updates". We wouldn't have set deadlines posted (Rafiel knows I'd never meet them!) but it would show what's being worked on, what areas are active, what things are in the works.. Any ideas? Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:06:51 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 12:45:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, strawberry@JAMM.COM writes: << Also, how to deal with things when two items, neither of which contradicts any previously accepted "canon", contradict each other? That could make the "Other" category quite unstable, with multiple things that could be possible until such a time as WotC bothers to select one over the other -- which might never happen. >> I would suggest that if either of two items that contradict each other is moved to the "Official" category, then the other should be moved immediately to the "Variant" category. Of course, in order for either item to be moved from the "Other" category, it must be overwhelmingly favored by both Wizards and the fans -- if both are well liked and there is no clear preference for one interpre- tation over the other, then both would remain in the "Other" category indefi- nitely. Also, note that minor contradictions that are justified by a "better idea" in the new material would not be enough to relegate material to the "Variant" category -- I would limit that category to things that simply cannot be reconciled with the "Official" body of material. But the more I think about it, the more I am willing to accept the idea of most material remaining in the "Other" category indefinitely -- and maybe even the "Variant" category would be properly limited to material that contradicts "canon" but is interesting and well written. We would then have two categories for granting recognition to high quality material along with a third category of material about which no judgements have yet been made. Also, if it seems that Wizards will be slow to grant "Official" status, then we could set up a fourth category of "Favorites", which would be material that we fans would like to see designated as "Official" but that Wizards has not yet spoken on. We may also want to distinguish newly uploaded material from material that nobody has yet seen fit to promote to a "higher" category. This would give us the following categories: "New": All material begins in this category. "Other": Any material that remains in the "New" category for six months or more without being revised is moved to this category. "Variant": Any material that is acclaimed by fans as being of high quality but seriously contradicts material in a higher category. "Favored": Any material that is acclaimed by fans as being of high quality and is recommended by them as a candidate for "Official" status. "Official": Any material published by TSR or Wizards or elevated by the appropriate personnel at Wizards from "Favored" status. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 00:16:07 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > 2) "Variant" material that is not even being considered for elevation > to "official/canonical" status (usually because the author of the material > would readily admit that it contradicts the established "canon"). > There's a problem, though, with stuff like this: there's a lot of stuff that I would consider (sometimes very interesting) "variant" materiel that flies in the face of "canon" but which the author would not "readily admit" contradicts the established "canon." We see that in dialogues all the time on the list. It's one of the thing that (IMO) makes the whole thing so controvercial. There are a number of things that are at least as "variant" from "canon" as, for example, my "variant Thyatis", but which aren't labled as stuff, and which in many cases are promoted as if they were in accordance with "canon" or were "canon" themselves. My point in raising this isn't to re-start debates over this or that specific thing, but just to point out the situation. And one can disagree with my view as to which specific thing is or isn't "faithful to canon" and thus should or shouldn't be put in the "variant" category but still see the general point. This is one reason, IMO, why the whole distinction became as controvercial as it did back in early January. Jenni A. M. Merrifield incisively wrote: > > Also, how to deal with things when two items, neither of which contradicts > any previously accepted "canon", contradict each other? > Which will be very sticky - the adoption of one might theoretically preclude the adoption of other, equally valuable and creative work. Or nessessitate changes. This also brings up another problem: "canon" contradicts itself in numerous ways, in numerous areas. If someone "follows" one of the "indicators" that "canon" gives and someone else follows another, or opposed views develop because here "canon" implies or states one thing, and at a later date it implies or states another, it just seems. . . Well, some of the most noitable disasters in list discussion have occured because of the clash of opposing views on these things, and that's when nothing was really at stake (of course you could say that, like academics, the arguments were so fierce because the stakes were so small, and now they'll paradoxically calm down because there are real things involved. . .) How this occurs can be seen in one example that I choose mainly because the author in question is well known to us all: Bruce Heard's work on the Heldannic Knights, very creative and very valuable. . .but it's as much a "variant" as my Thyatis. And in one case (http://dnd.starflung.com/stormsol.html) is determined to find "consistancy error" in "canon". Now, there are consistancy problems in published Mystaran materiel, but this wasn't one of them: "canon" is fairly clear on this issue, where in other areas it might not be (see the areas in DotE in question, and also DotE DMSB p.5 "The Bright Age"). The easiest way around that would have been to say "here's a new and creative way of interpreting the Storm Soldier's origins, to bring it into accordance with my version of the Heldannic Knights." But by doing it the way it was done, clearly the effort is to define this materiel as "canon" and DotE as somehow in error on the subject, when it was consistant on the topic. Point here? Again, I'm using that as one example, and have used this example before: but not to pick upon it, but just to point out the dificulties of making distinctions between what should or shouldn't qualify as a "variant" that is deemed inappropriate for "canonization" and what should be decreed "canon". (this example is used because it's convenient and because it's less likely to provoke a argument with this or that list member who might view raising their stuff as an example to be some sort of an attack on it - again, that's not the point, and such a diversion into a discussion on whether or not this or that list member's creative portrayal of this or that area is or isn't "faithful to canon" would actually only serve to prove the true point I'm trying to make - but that point would get lost in the details of such a dialogue). In some ways, one might best solve this problem the same way game companies traditionally solve it when presented with a great, well-written, creative proposal/product that is in some areas inconsistant with previously published materiels: they publish it anyhow, consistancy be damned. But following that course is almost sure to be even more. . .controvercial and problematic. . .at least on this list. So, anyhow, well *shrug* - I guess I'm just glad I'm not the one who's going to be making these decisions. . . ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:29:49 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Comments on Paths to Entropic Immortality MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit There are a couple of points I neglected to mention in describing the first two Entropic Paths to Immortality: Archvillain: It is cheating for an Archvillain to create as his original magic item a cursed item that will destroy his apprentice as soon as the latter steals it. In fact, the Archvillain must ensure that the apprentice has the opportunity to learn all that the Archvillain himself knows about the item, as the Archvillain's challenge is to defeat the apprentice armed with that item and fully capable of using it against his master. Dungeon Keeper: A candidate on this Path has reason to limit his number of apprentices, as he cannot actually achieve Immortality until heroic adventurers have killed each of them off, cleaning out his dungeon complex each time. For the final expedition against his dungeon, a party of high level adventurers (perhaps including one or more candidates for Immortality in non-Entropic Spheres) must all but completely clear out the dungeon and then confront the Dungeon Keeper, who must then achieve a TPK ("total party kill") against that party. The Dungeon Keeper's Immortal patron will aid the Dungeon Keeper in recovering his artifact and magic item after his dungeon gets cleaned out but will challenge him by drawing the dungeon to the attention of adventurers of ever increasing experience levels. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 00:34:59 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > "Favored": Any material that is acclaimed by fans as being of high > quality and is recommended by them as a candidate for "Official" > status. > Just to keep playing devil's advocate: how is that going to be determined? If three or four guys follow the post on the web with an "attaboy, good job?" Or via some other mechanism? Moot Election? Submission of semi-annual "top ten" lists by MML members? ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:39:03 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Magister Mystaros Subject: Converting Kalamar Quests to Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Well, here's a bit of a plug for some stuff I worked on for Kenzer & Company. I edited and co-wrote the first four Kalamar Quests, small, digest-sized 16 page adventure sourcebooks set in the Kingoms of Kalamar setting (if you read Knights of the Dinner Table you might be familiar with Kalamar). I am converting the first four KQ's to the Mystara setting for my own use and thought I'd share the conversion notes. You need to buy the Kalamar Quest booklets to get any use out of these notes. The notes list name changes as well as any notable change due to the change in setting. Anything not mentioned is essentially unchanged from the original. Here's the conversion for the first Kalamar Quest, _Unguarded Hoard_. (K&C103, $3.95, by Brian Jelke with additional material by James Mishler. Ask for it at your local hobby shop) SV1: Unguarded Hoard Location: Unguarded Hoard takes place in the Free City of Bronish, a small city in a semi-topical borderland region near swamps, forests and mountains. The best Mystara site for the adventure is near the Amalur Lowlands, south of the swamps near Telos Taksidhi on Davania. Area and geographical "Equivalents": Bronish = Bronev Svimohzia = Davania Dashahn and Krimppatu Mountains = Adakkian Mountains Whiven Marsh = Amalur Swamps Whisvomi Forest = Amalur Jungles Mendarn = Traladara Vrandol = Garganin Pel Brolenon = Hule Kalamar = Thyatis Brandobia/Mendarn/Eldor = Traladara (modern Karameikos) Ul-Karg = [Hobgoblin Kingdom in Adakkian Mountains] Vromlond River = Vasile River Sea of Svimohzia = Straits of Dread Language Equivalents Brandobian = Traladaran Svimohzish = Menami dialect of Yavi/Nuari Kalamaran = Thyatian Merchant's Tongue = Milenian Trade Tongue The Adventure: The adventure is mostly unchanged, with the following exceptions: Page 2: Mercer Resimahn = Merusero Resu. Verlo Relnman = Veliku Raduscu. Moretam = Moretamu Meri. Fenshishy = Fenusubi. Page 3: Shamira Serimahn = Samira Serimanu. Tyresh Ashwamhi = Tiresu Hawame. All minor creature encounters should be with animals native to a sub-tropical or tropical climate. Pages 4 through 7: Daerinaea = Daenae. Rhaengaer = Rhoecus. All references to "Elvish" at this point should be changed to "Milenian". The riddle is written in Ancient Milenian. Rhingoryx takes the form of a human Milenian adventurer named Rhoecus (supposedly from Mivosia). Dharingaryx takes the form of a human Milenian adventurer named Daenae (and actually has a manor house in Kastelios); she speaks Dragon, Milenian (Ancient, Kastelian and Hrissopoli), Menami, and Traladaran. The Free City of Bronish: The city of Bronish can be used pretty much as stands, with the following conversions. History 1) Merchants from Ierendi founded the original trading settlement in the 7th century. 2) Eliminate references to the dwarves and gnomes, replacing with human merchants and miners from Hrissopoli. 3) The human refugees that arrived in 902 AC were Traladarans. 1 in 5 of the refugees were Halflings from the Five Shires. 4) The refugees followed Bronev Vasile, a Traladaran priest of Koryis. Bronev and his followers had led a "non-violent" resistance against the Thyatian occupation of Traladara and were repaid for their simplicity with the sharp end of pikes. Bronev was martyred in Specularum, and most of his followers there were slain or imprisoned; his followers in the western regions of Traladara (including some Halflings from the Five Shires) fled by ship, and were guided to their new land by Ierendian and Ispan scouts. 5) Many other Traladarans joined the settlement over the first decade, as did a small number of Ierendians, Daro and Ispans (most of whom were quickly assimilated into the new "Bronev" culture). They brought with them several other faiths that helped maintain the religious diversity of the settlement. 6) The Menami locals, a Tangor descended people, were friendly, just as in the module, and retained their distinctive cultural differences for the most part. The Menami are more like the Nuari than the Yav. 7) Rhingoryx, the Gold Dragon, was first encountered in 914 AC. 8) The Hobgoblin War took place in 976 AC. The People 1) References to Mendarns equal Traladarans; references to Meznams equal Menami. "Bronish" refer to natives, usually to Traladarans. Foreigners include Yavi, Milenians (Kastelians, Hrissopoli), Garganin, Ierendians, Ispans, and a smattering of Thyatians, Minrothians, Huleans and even a few Ochaleans. 2) Religions and Gods/Immortals "House of Solace" = Koryis (Temple of St. Bronev the Martyr) "Parish of Love" = Valerias (Hall of Harmony) "Face of the Free" = Korotiku (Freedom Hall) "Parish of the Prolific Coin" = Asterius (Merchant's Guildhall) "Home Foundation" = Petra (House of Order) "Hall of the Valiant" = Halav (Hall of the Valiant) "Court of Justice" = Tarastia (Court of Justice) "Temple of Stars" = Sinbad (Temple of the Seven Seas) "Water Corner" = Protius (Temple of the Sea King) The "Temple of All Gods" contains shrines to most other Immortals revered by visitors to the region, even some esoteric and otherwise unknown entities. City Walls 1) The guards will swear by Tarastia that the characters will have their weapons returned. 2) "Builders of Law" = "Thyatian Architects" Merchant's Quarter 1) Temple of St. Mroln = Temple of Seven Seas 2) "Dream Weaver" priests have no real equivalent in Mystara. The proprietor of the Hall of Slumber is a non-classed NPC, and does not hold any ceremonies. 3) Bywater Brew is exported to the Milenian City States, the Known World and the Savage Coast. Foreign Quarter 1) Temple of All Gods has shrines to Kagyar (Dwarven and Human professions), Alphatia, Ilsundal, Ixion, Razud, Thor, Al-Kalim, Vanya, and Odin (as Odin and as Bahamut). Hidden shrines include a shrine for Hel, a shrine for Kala (yes, Hel again) and a shrine for Thanatos. Craftsman's Quarter 1) The "Weavers" Mystic Order is the Wizards Guild of the city (and was deleted from the adventure for space considerations). They are basically a homebody style guild. 2) "Godday" is equal to "Soladain" 3) Mizhamo Izhamoni = Misamo Samoni Bronish Royal Dragon Company and Militia 1) Forget the strange titles. Most members of the RDC are followers of Halav. Bronish City Guard 1) Forget the strange titles. The Dark Elves The Dark Elves of the Adakkian Mountains are descended from a group of Shattenalfen that turned from the way of Atzanteotl but did not turn from chaos and evil. For now read the entry pretty much as it stands, with the following changes: Prince of Terror = Demogorgon Creator of Strife = Orcus The Ravisher = Ranivorus Prince of Pestilence = Jammudaru Confuser of Ways = Atzanteotl Lizard Men The Lizard Men of the Amalur work just like in the adventure, except they worship Thanatos and have enslaved even more primitive tribes of Troglodytes. James A. Mishler Magister Mystaros Check out my website: www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/1437/index.html ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:40:59 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 1:19:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: << This also brings up another problem: "canon" contradicts itself in numerous ways, in numerous areas. If someone "follows" one of the "indicators" that "canon" gives and someone else follows another, or opposed views develop because here "canon" implies or states one thing, and at a later date it implies or states another, it just seems. . . >> I would suggest that the quantity and quality of material contradicted by the new material should be taken into account. For example, any material that is written with the point of view that WotI never happened should never be considered for "official" status, as there is far too much "official" material predicated on the supposition that those events did indeed happen. On the other hand, clearing Fletcher Island in Ierendi of the inhabitants described in Gaz 4 would not be a major contradiction, as nobody's imagination was particularly captured by these silly references to TV shows of the 1970s and 1980s -- and now enough time has elapsed that most younger gamers who never saw "Fantasy Island" or "Magnum P.I." wouldn't understand those references anyway. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:43:30 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 1:38:14 AM Eastern Standard Time, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: << Just to keep playing devil's advocate: how is that going to be determined? If three or four guys follow the post on the web with an "attaboy, good job?" Or via some other mechanism? Moot Election? Submission of semi-annual "top ten" lists by MML members? >> That is an excellent question, for which I have no ready answer. Clearly we need to come up with some way to get the opinions of a large representative sample of Mystara fans. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 22:47:17 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit James Ruhland wrote: > > Just to keep playing devil's advocate: how is that going to be determined? > If three or four guys follow the post on the web with an "attaboy, good > job?" Or via some other mechanism? Moot Election? Submission of semi-annual > "top ten" lists by MML members? That's always sort of been the sticky part, net canon can't really be done in the hands of anyone except the actual copyright holder, in this case, Jim Butler representing WotC. Otherwise there's always going to be bitter dispute. (And still will be regardless, since some don't accept net canon as official. Yeah, I'm probably alone on that one.) As far as Living Mystara goes, it would essentially fall into the 'variant' category. It follows original canon then starts it's own base. You can accept it and all products/materials that follow it, or just disregard the whole thing as a group. (Kind of like a house of cards, you either have the whole thing or none of it.) IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 02:13:02 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 1:47:39 AM Eastern Standard Time, ironwolf@EWA.NET writes: << That's always sort of been the sticky part, net canon can't really be done in the hands of anyone except the actual copyright holder, in this case, Jim Butler representing WotC. Otherwise there's always going to be bitter dispute. (And still will be regardless, since some don't accept net canon as official. Yeah, I'm probably alone on that one.) >> In this case I would suggest that any "bitter dispute" would be sufficient reason to leave material in the "Other" category. Acceptance by an overwhelming majority of fans should certainly be a prerequisite for designating any material as "official" or "canonical". ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 01:23:14 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > representing WotC. Otherwise there's always going to be bitter dispute. (And > still will be regardless, since some don't accept net canon as official. Yeah, > I'm probably alone on that one.) > I doubt you're alone in that one - there are probably people who agree with you on that, but since you say it, they let your posts speak for them, in effect. I myself am of at least two minds about "net canon" or "future canon" and whatnot - thus my previous lengthy post on the topic of "variants" (heck, would it make a big difference if I stripped my "Thyatis" stuff of the appelation "variant," and thus let it stand alongside the work of others who haven't labled their stuff as such? Mr. Knott's post seemed to imply that it might: "usually because the author of the material would readily admit that it contradicts the established 'canon'." - Again, this isn't a dig against what David said, but some people will sieze upon the "readily admit" as the key thing, when IMO the key thing is whether it actually is or isn't "faithful" to "canon" - and that is something which is debatable - proof positive that it's debatable are the sometimes acrimonious debates that have occured on these subjects, as a result of one of which I undertook a self-imposed exile for about half a year. . .and probably many wish I hadn't returned from it, but that's another topic for another time, and probably for private mail). "New Canon" may be valuable to attract new people to the setting (yes, Ironwolf, I know you doubt that. Others think it has a shot, and therefore is worth trying) - but people are going to get their toes stubbed. Especially if semantic distinctions about whether or not the author of this or that piece is willing to admit that it is a deviation from "canon" or not. That bothers me as it always has. If people are going to base real decisions on these things, then it should bother them, too. Anyhow, Mr. Butler is going to be making the decisions on these matters. What input affects those decisions might be interesting, and who's oxen may or may not be gored as a result might be interesting as well, but thankfully the process is out of our hands. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 02:56:54 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Brad McMillan Subject: Re: Living Mystara: Tentative Plan Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 11:31 PM 2/22/00 -0800, you wrote: >Greetings all! > >Okay, after some thought and a lot of feedback, here's what I think: Reading your thoughts (gotta love ESP/scrying, hehe!), it almost seems like you aren't keeping your distance from Classic Mystara. :) Of course, given the drafted idea it still needs a proper setting, including time frame and cosmology of that time, to name a few; essentially, the BIG picture. >Secondly, because there's a lot of dangling storylines from the last published >products, and continuations of these in fanworks such as the Net Almanac, it >would be best to set the campaign setting ahead in time far enough that new >storylines can be written without the old ones interfering. This also can be >used to cover up changes that the 3E system will introduce. (Such as the >relaxing of class/race restrictions.) At the moment, I was thinking that a full >century after the crowning of the king of Karameikos would be good myself. Being a player of Mystara, I'm not privileged to see/know the details of Mystara that my DM does. I don't know where the Old Ones interfered in the 'Classic' setting of Mystara, but I had always been under the impression that they weren't suppose to - at all - or at least after constructing the Planes of the Mystara-verse, they left to do other things and handed the reigns over to the Immortals to beautify or destroy as they see fit. But I digress, a bad habit of mine! :P :) Much of the cosmology design that I offered might not mesh well with the idea for a pseudo-Classical Mystara setting, as your draft sort of hinted at, I could be wrong. Still, one idea I offered that might mesh is the different outcome of the 'WotI' I mentioned, in where the Immortals -don't- win their war, and -don't- regain the balance in the manner they use to have it. Ultimately, when dealing with 'ultimate' powers such as the Immortals (who's jobs it was to maintain the workings of the universe), when something bad happens on their level it happens on an "ultimate" scale. Ok ok...for playabilities sake, not SO big, but the results are such that there are big enough changes to the lives of mortal Mystarans as well as their landscape and urban centres in the KW (hey, NEW MAPS!!!). A new universal balance - new Mystara - forms from it all. The actual gaming in this new Mystara world, for the purposes of the Living Mystara, needs -not- be right after the results of the devestating war, but rather down the road a ways. Perhaps, as you suggested, a full century. Not only does this design idea allow us to have a cosmological starting point, but the time since the universe regained some assemblance of balance from this "Apocolypse" gives the writers the chance to produce that century worth of history/background after the war, leading up to the playing-field of the Living Mystara. The stage is thus set. >Finally, the Immortals. Yes, there would definitely be rules to advance to >Immortality! This would be another factor to differentiate Mystara from other >Living Campaigns, the potential to ascend to a greater existence. Whoa! Very interesting idea! For purposes of the obtaining Immortality, I suggest the format be unlike that used for 'Classic' Mystara, but such that it meets the needs of the gaming format of the Living Mystara system. Additionally, for Living Mystara, modules can be created specifically for such High Level, Immortal seeking PCs that compliments the new format of obtaining Immortality. Indeed, in such a case, the fatality rate of PCs at that level, for that goal, would be much higher. Players should know this -well before- setting foot upon this 'Path'. Then again, such is the 'ultimate' price for seeking such 'ultimate' power (it's the death of the -mortal-, any way you look at it, be the PC successful or not). It would depend on how the cosmology is formated as well. "Are there a limited number of Immortals per Sphere, or not?", "Is a limited number of Immortals, overall, best?", "Do we maintain the Spheres, or use another system of cosmic balance?", are some questions that might be asked concerning how the cosmology is structured and thus how Immortals stand within it. When we know the setting of the "Earth below" and "Heavens above", figuring out the system of ascension to Immortality is easier, too. But I think specifically created, standard modules for such ascension be used for Living Mystara, which can be announced at events advertising that there is going to be an "Ascension Adventure", or whatever, taking place this event/con/tourney/etc.... Certainly, such adventures require suitable PCs at suitable levels - though ones level has never really been a requirement for Immortality. Which means, "Ascension Modules" won't be run very often, though can be requested to be staffed/DMed for an event by event coordinators at a Living Mystara tourney. Just some thoughts/suggestions. Slainte! Brad ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brad McMillan/Brude Mac a'Mhaoilein "Armchair" Celtic Archae-Anthropologist & Historian Goderich, Ontario, Canada bmcmillan@odyssey.on.ca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 03:01:16 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This is the only Entropic Path to Immortality for which any information is provided in a canonical work (namely Gaz 10 "Orcs of Thar"). This posting provides a level of detail lacking in that work. The Path of the Conqueror is opposed to the Path of the Dynast for the Sphere of Time. Since the latter Path favors clerics, druids, paladins, avengers, and dwarves, the Path of the Conqueror favors non-priestly members of any race whose natural life span is less than a century. Quest: The Conqueror must build an excellent war machine or magic item that can affect the course of a major battle and successfully use that war machine or magic item in at least three battles. 1st Trial: The Conqueror must dominate all other sentient humanoid beings in a 500 mile radius. Testimony: The Conqueror must gain control of a realm of 50,000 humans, 10,000 demi-humans, or 5000 goblinoids and convert a majority of the inhabitants of that realm to his own faith. Task: The Conqueror must conquer a culturally superior nation and hold it against counterattacks and rebellions until the end of his mortal life, at which point his Immortal sponsor will remove him from the scene. During his life the Conqueror should either designate no successor (on the basis that he expects to live forever) or designate multiple successors whose claims cannot be evaluated easily. The removal of the Conqueror should spell the end of his empire as his potential successors fight for control of that empire. 2d Trial: Once the original empire has fallen in the civil wars that result after the Conqueror's death, the Immortal patron of the Conqueror will enable the Conqueror to possess or reincarnate as a common inhabitant of one of the successor states to his original empire. In this new form the Conqueror must re-establish his old empire, conquer at least half of the territory of his original empire, and perform some deed that will ensure that he will be remembered for centuries to come. Once all of these requirements are met, the Conqueror becomes an Immortal of the Sphere of Entropy dedicated to stagnating Time. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 03:35:32 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Path of the Fiend MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This final path is inspired by material created by Steven B. Wilson. This final path opposes the Path of the Polymath in the Sphere of Matter. Neither this path nor its counterpart favors any particular character type. Quest/Task: The Fiend will be reincarnated in three additional lives. Each of these lives (or unlives?) is as a different character class or species. The selected character type is rolled on the same character type tables used by Polymaths in WotI. However, once a Fiend has undergone a career selected from either of the two tables he must forego that table and proceed to the next table. Once both tables have been used, his next incarnation must be as an undead, lycanthrope, gremlin, nagpa, or other Entropic creature. In these three incarnations the Fiend must meet all of the qualifications given for a follower of the Path of the Polymath. Testimony: During his quests the Fiend must be accompanied by one member of each of the four basic character classes, and he must betray one of them during each quest, with the last remaining follower betrayed during the testimony. Each follower must be kept alive and relatively intact until he is betrayed. Once all four followers have been betrayed, the Fiend must erect a monument at least 100 feet tall to his personal glory and the contempt of his betrayed followers. This monument must stand for at least ten years. Trial: After completing the final stage of the quest, the Fiend must under- take a final adventure with his sole remaining companion, whom he will betray at some point during the trial. The Fiend begins again as a 1st level adventurer but can draw on the abilities of all four of his previous incarnations. He uses the most favorable attack and saving throw tables but the least favorable XP table for all of his classes. During his trial the Fiend must betray his last remaining follower and then build the monument for his testimony. Once the Fiend reaches 12th level in all of his new classes, he becomes an Immortal in the Sphere of Entropy dedicated to destroying Matter. This concludes my descriptions of the four paths to Entropic Immortality. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:17:50 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: Path of the Dungeon Master MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable David Knott wrote: > Note that in this context the term "Dungeon Master" refers to a = candidate > for Entropic Immortality against the Sphere of Energy, not to the = referee or > game master -- although any DM who wishes to do so is welcome to = invoke > this path when his players accuse him of being "evil". This is really the best part of this Path. I like the idea of being on a = quest for Immortality in the Sphere of Entropy... =20 > of his henchmen. If a party of adventurers succeed in clearing out = the > dungeon and are threatening to retrieve the Dungeon Master's artifact > and/or "threat" item, then the lowest level henchman of the Dungeon > Master is teleported to the dungeon to fight the heroes as the "boss" > monster. Now, this is just plain silly... > Bond movies: he captures the hero, places him in an "inescapable = death > trap" that is in fact quite easy to escape, and then goes away to = leave the > hero to his fate. Usually the hero makes his escape -- but in the = unlikely > event that the hero actually succumbs to the death trap, the Dungeon > Master may accept or reject credit for that "kill" according to his = personal > choice. And so is this... I wonder if I misunderstood the first post? I thought it was very nice = and very complimentary to the existing paths to Immortality. This one = seems more like a joke than a path. The Brian Collector was a fun = interlude, but these paths have great potential without the need for = silliness. Hope I don't offend you...I was just disappointed to see what I thought = of as promising work, seeming more like a joke in the second = installment. Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk "When therefore a Great Cabalist wishes to tell you something, what he = says will not be frivolous, vulgar, common, but, rather, a mystery, an = oracle..." -Thomaso Garzoni, 1583 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 10:51:18 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Peter Balazs Subject: Re: The Legend of Zargon (extremely long) In-Reply-To: <38A98597.8C9AFC43@tin.it> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi! >I really woud like any comment (constructive criticism appreciated). Nothing constrictive from me: i�ve liked and it made me think about playing the module. *************************************************** Peter "Mr. XXL" Balazs Wurlitzerg. 37/12 1160 Wien a8927259@unet.univie.ac.at http://radon.mat.univie.ac.at/~pbalazs **************************************************** ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:52:13 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable David Knott wrote: > Quest: The Conqueror must build an excellent war machine or magic > item that can affect the course of a major battle and successfully use > that war machine or magic item in at least three battles. A Rod of Victory (from OD&D) springs to mind. But perhaps a Juggernaut, = bearing Rods of Victory? Lots of cool opportunities. > Testimony: The Conqueror must gain control of a realm of 50,000 > humans, 10,000 demi-humans, or 5000 goblinoids and convert a > majority of the inhabitants of that realm to his own faith. It's a funny thing with these numbers...I would up the goblinoids = considerably. I mean Thar controlled the entire Broken Lands, right? And = there were more than 50,000 goblinoids in the Broken Lands (also = counting trolls/ogres/whatever). All in all this is an excellent piece of work, very viable and = complementary to the existing paths. Also this path lends itself well to = all races (preferably short-lived ones as you stated), and "explains" = some of the large humanoid empires (though being the ruler of a large = empire and wanting to conquer more doesn't really need additional = explanations). Jacob Skytte Scythe@wanadoo.dk ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:06:57 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: Path of the Fiend MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable David Knott wrote: > to the next table. Once both tables have been used, his next = incarnation > must be as an undead, lycanthrope, gremlin, nagpa, or other Entropic > creature. *Grin*! Here's your chance to whip out those PC-"Gazetteers". It might = offer complications to be reincarnated as a Nagpa if you consider Voyage = of the Princess Ark Part 5 official. In that work it is stated that all = Nagpa are reincarnated as themselves; so if the Fiend reincarnated as a = Nagpa, he must already have been a Nagpa, and must in fact have lived = through the past events concerning the "Nagpa empire" described in that = article. > Each follower must be kept alive and relatively intact until he is = betrayed Now I thought the path of the Archvillain was hard...Keeping the = followers from betraying you all at once seems like a more than = impossible task. Which of course is the point of the paths to = Immortality (excellent). =20 This path also seems well thought out, if a bit too similar to the = Polymath. But then again, those in the know will probably think that the = character IS on the path of the Polymath. Won't they be surprised when = their backs are stabbed (literally or figuratively)... Great work on the Entropic Paths to Immortality, though I still think = the Dungeon Master was too silly... Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:38:30 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: R: [MYSTARA] The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Yes, very very very good. I was waiting for the third part hungrily, because this story is taking my mind. Continue in this manner Gee, thanks Marco and everyone for their praises. I just wanted to say, that the reason this story comes out in small bits is not to keep you suspended. It is just that I only have ideas floating around, and I print them as I go along. I promise one thing though. It will be BLOODY. Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:07:42 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: Minoides and Minotaurs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable >If you've read my History of Blackmoor you might get the idea that such = was Canonical, but it's not.=20 Well yes and yes. When I need ancient history I turn to your work. I use = this oppertunity to thank you for that. >IMC I placed the creation of the Enduks farther back than in Canon.=20 Oh, but canon does not state the date of the creation. It said they were = created following a great service rendered by Gildesh to Ixion. This = could have taken place eons ego as Ixion is extremely old. "Centuries = later" is when Gildesh founded Nimmur. We do not know how much time it = took him, he is an immortal so age was not a problem. Nimmur could have been founded as an outpost of the Golden Empire = (which makes it a lot older than we thought at first).=20 >IMC the Enduks were created by the Serpentine Empire and eventually gained their freedom (much as did the other "multiple-nature" ("chimerical") creatures, such as Shedu, Sphinxes and True Chimerae). = Ixion became their patron (and thus eventually the "myth" of their creation by = him came about) Two things- One, Bruce states in Gildesh's descreption that the Shedus are a race = from the outer planes. Two, do you consider centaurs to be in this category? They are also "Chimerical" creatures and (like Enduks) have a creation = story (myth, IYO) which originates in Ixion and a minor immortal being. > and the Enduks eventually ruled the western section of Davania along with the Gold Dragons for many centuries (the "Golden Empire"); = they were early allies of the Elves and the Oltecs. Fallen Enduks ("fallen" = both metaphysically and genetically) become Minotaurs, and such has occured = since time immemorial. But IMC Minoides and his followers were a special case = and were tied in with the Taymorans (hmmm.. just about everything seems to = be IMC). I like the Golden Empire concept very much. What sort of connection did = the evil Enduks and Teymora had? A very interested vampire prince.Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 07:23:57 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: John Calvin Subject: Re: The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >AC1001 -autumn >"The Second coming of Tarastia" temple, Jullinius, >Thyatis. Morphail, I love this stuff! I see you've added another player to the game. What's going to happen next? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 15:50:27 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: jason o'brien Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit david i really like these four path's and the idea of having one in opposition to each of the other sphere's and their paths. some very nice work here. makes me feel embarrassed about the lame attempt i made for my players who sought a path to entropy. i'll never show them these! they'll think mine was too easy. mortus. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 15:54:37 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: jason o'brien Subject: Re: R: [MYSTARA] The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I promise one thing though. > It will be BLOODY. > good! i like a bit of blood letting before dinner, gives me an appetite. mortus. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 17:14:13 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I haven't had time to read it, yet, but I'm happy that someone begun to flesh out the Northern Reaches. Good infos about the best Mercenaries in the KW (the only ones from whom we have still to learn in Fighting) is always appreciated!!! Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 17:15:12 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Brian collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Aaron E Nowack ha scritto: > On Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:58:25 +0000 Ezio Pignatelli > writes: > > You know, when I first read the subject, I thought it was a funny > > typo. :-D Good stuff! > > Actually, the whole thing appears to have come about from a funny typo in > the old "3E: Monsters" thread. :) PRECISELY!!!! Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 17:33:58 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: The Three- III Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Wed, 23 Feb 2000 14:57:12 `ilo ygm wrote: >AC1001 -autumn > (snip interesting, though much too short (I'm so impatient) passages) >______________ > >Is anyone reading this? Do you have commnents? Oh, my yes - of course we're reading - well, I am anyway. It's rather interesting too, and very mysterious and secretive (which are good things). PLEASE send more soon - I want, no, I NEED to know what happens next... - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 10:47:05 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: George Hrabovsky Subject: Site MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit My webpage is up and I have included the first game session on it, this game was played this last tuesday evening. The webpage is on the ring and is located at http://borigon-mystara.homepage.com. George ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:03:14 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: R: [MYSTARA] The Three- III Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:38:30 `ilo ygm wrote: >>Yes, very very very good. I was waiting for the third part hungrily, because >this story is taking my mind. >Continue in this manner > > >Gee, thanks Marco and everyone for their praises. >I just wanted to say, that the reason this story comes out in small bits is not to keep you suspended. WHAT!! You .... It's Working! ;) >It is just that I only have ideas floating around, and I print them as I go along. > >I promise one thing though. >It will be BLOODY. Ah good! We always need more blood! - Well, you certainly would, wouldn't you :) - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:08:36 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Minoides and Minotaurs Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:07:42 `ilo ygm wrote: >>If you've read my History of Blackmoor you might get the idea that such was >Canonical, but it's not. > >Well yes and yes. When I need ancient history I turn to your work. I use this oppertunity to thank you for that. > >>IMC I placed the creation of the Enduks farther back >than in Canon. > >Oh, but canon does not state the date of the creation. It said they were created following a great service rendered by Gildesh to Ixion. This could have taken place eons ego as Ixion is extremely old. "Centuries later" is when Gildesh founded Nimmur. We do not know how much time it took him, he is an immortal so age was not a problem. >Nimmur could have been founded as an outpost of the Golden Empire (which makes it a lot older than we thought at first). > Er, sorry for asking something that is probably completely obvious, but I don't understand any of this at all... Could you describe the 'canon' material in greater detail and tell me where I may find the official 'canon' material ? > >>IMC the Enduks were created by the Serpentine Empire and >eventually gained their freedom (much as did the other "multiple-nature" >("chimerical") creatures, such as Shedu, Sphinxes and True Chimerae). Ixion >became their patron (and thus eventually the "myth" of their creation by him >came about) > >Two things- >One, Bruce states in Gildesh's descreption that the Shedus are a race from the outer planes. > >Two, do you consider centaurs to be in this category? >They are also "Chimerical" creatures and (like Enduks) have a creation story (myth, IYO) which originates in Ixion and a minor immortal being. > >> and the Enduks eventually ruled the western section of Davania >along with the Gold Dragons for many centuries (the "Golden Empire"); they >were early allies of the Elves and the Oltecs. Fallen Enduks ("fallen" both >metaphysically and genetically) become Minotaurs, and such has occured since >time immemorial. But IMC Minoides and his followers were a special case and >were tied in with the Taymorans (hmmm.. just about everything seems to be >IMC). > >I like the Golden Empire concept very much. What sort of connection did the evil Enduks and Teymora had? > Hmmm, I kind of like it too, though I doubt it will ever become relevant IMC. Still, it's interesting to read about! - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:11:33 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Clay Postma Subject: Re: The Legend of Zargon (extremely long) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable In a message dated 2/24/00 3:21:55 AM Mountain Standard Time,=20 a8927259@UNET.UNIVIE.AC.AT writes: << Nothing constrictive from me: i=B4ve liked and it made me think about pla= ying the module. >> If you think THAT makes you want to play the module...just wait to see what=20 the Cynidicea workgroup has in store for you :) froggy ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:27:01 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Wed, 23 Feb 2000 18:02:43 Jacob Skytte wrote: >Greetings one and all! > >Having fleshed out the various domains of Ostland, I hereby present you with the first of the domains, Vestpont, and it's major characters. Please note that all stats are OD&D and that Traits for characters presented in GAZ 7 are used. Comments are naturally more than welcome (why else would I post it, hmm..?). And I hope that somebody wants to see more of the fleshed-out Ostland domains. Enjoy! > (snip very good descritions of areas, history, and NPC backgrounds) Are you kidding?? This is really excellent stuff IMHO. I love it when people create new NPCs for Mystara, especially historically NPCs (who are already dead - maybe you read my list of dead NPCs. If not it's on Shawn's site, if you're interested). How much other stuff like this did you write? I've seen your name of Shawn's site, but I don't recall seeing any Northern Reaches stuff... It's interesting, though. Personally, I think the Jarls of Soderfjord need to be explored a bit more - we know next to nothing about them from canon material (there's that word again..) Hmmm, "trollebugt", "Trollebloeder". It's obvious from this (and your email address) that I'm not the only Dane on this list! If you want to discuss Mystara with a fellow Dane, then feel free to write me personally. One word of warning though, I play AD&D and my campaign is going through the WotI adventure/campaign! - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:27:30 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit as you may know, if you were paying attention to my latest rant, i recently got my wisdom teeth out. I wonder, how will that effect my wisdom? i had 6, yes 6 teeth taken out (we elves are extremely wise and long in the tooth, hehe), so should i expect a decrease in my stats anytime soon? Meltheim the Shadowstalker Infiltrator to the Immortals Devotee of Fate Eyes of the Starwatcher ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:46:49 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This is interesting stuff, and I just have one question off the top of my= head. Is this meant to be information c.1000 AC or present day 1016 AC information? ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=3D1 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:04:57 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > got my wisdom teeth out. I wonder, how will that effect my wisdom? i had 6, > yes 6 teeth taken out (we elves are extremely wise and long in the tooth, > hehe), so should i expect a decrease in my stats anytime soon? > Six wisdom teeth = 6 points of wisdom. You can cut the loss in half by keeping them in a pouch on your belt, or eliminate the loss entirely if you eat them 8-). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 13:12:22 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/24/2000 10:10:15 AM, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: <> well, i think i'll just keep them in a pouch, i can't eat anything that isn't mush right now . . . Meltheim the Shadowstalker Infiltrator to the Immortals Devotee of Fate Eyes of the Starwatcher ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:28:11 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Rob Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >as you may know, if you were paying attention to my latest rant, i recently >got my wisdom teeth out. I wonder, how will that effect my wisdom? i had 6, >yes 6 teeth taken out (we elves are extremely wise and long in the tooth, >hehe), so should i expect a decrease in my stats anytime soon? Mmm, you must be a half elf then, or have some human ancestry, as elves don't have wisdom teeth... Elves were created, they didn't evolve from brute men like humans did, and so they don't have any throwbacks to millenia old incarnations... Or so saith the Complete Elf anyway :) (if I recall :) Rob ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 10:37:39 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jenn Subject: Last Call... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hear ye, hear ye! :-) This is the last call for submissions for Tome of Mystara issue #3. If you would like to submit an article, adventure, story, or anything Mystaran, please inquire to my private email (for quicker response): valerya@webtv.net. Submission deadline is 1 March 2000, although exceptions may be made under certain circumstances. Thanks, and thanks for reading Tome of Mystara! Jennifer Guerra Editor, Tome of Mystara http://www.geocities.com/mystaratome/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 20:38:21 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: The Three IV MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable AC1001 -autumn The catacombs below the cemetery of Jullinius, Thyatis The three young hunters have opened the rusting iron door. Much dust = have accumulated on this door and cob web was hanging around it.=20 "There is no way he is using this opening to leave the tomb" said Dario, = cleaning his silvery sword from the com web that clung to it.=20 Erik looked at his companion and lover in agreement. "No. And that means = he has another way out, which now can be used as a means of escape." "But he does not know we are coming" said Tenaria, "it is midday, he is = probably in his coffin". "We can not be sure of that. Remember the group on Tel Akbir? They knew = we were coming even though it was noon. This one may have the same = power". Erik always was the voice of reason for the group. Tenaria = touched his shoulder with her left hand. The right hand clutched firmly = the wooden stake she always held in such hunts. Her job was to drive the = stake throw the creatures heart. Most of the times she has done it using = only her physical strength. Sometimes she had to use a mallet. The men's = job was to hold the creature down in his coffin, or to try and destroy = it with their weapons if something goes wrong. Erik didn't use a sword. The Norse warrior had a golden battle axe = inherited from his father, who was a great Jarl. Erik came to Thyatis as = part of a hired guard of the Emperor. After meeting with Dario Pentius, = he decided to leave the force, as the Norseman would not see their = relationship with understanding. The group entered the burial chamber. The coffin was made of stone, and = was exactly in the middle of the room. Dario signaled to the others to = proceed. Erik moved his fingers on the side of the coffin "it will be to = heavy for me alone, stand on the other side and we will lift together. = "Are you fine with this, Tenaria?" asked Dario. Tenaira made a rude = gesture toward Dario. If she didn't love him so much, she would have = showed him not to think lowly of her. She can take on a vampire alone = for a few seconds. Dario smiled with all the innocence of a child and Erik choked a laugh. = They knew each other so well. Too well in some folks opinion. "On three" = whispered Dario. Erik and Dario throw the lid open, and grabbed the = hands. In that instant Tenaria jumped into the coffin and struck a = precise blow to the creatures heart, screaming a Nuari battle cry.=20 Just a heartbeat later, Tenaria's voice screamed in horror "It is a dead = body!!!! WE WERE TRICKED!!!!" The words were shadowed by the horrid sound of metal slashing through = flesh. A dark human figure was flying above the three hunters and his = sickle cut of part of Erik's arm, living a horrible bleeding stump. = Screaming, Dario tried to slash his sword through the creature. But the = diabolical being was fast. Faster than the hunters have ever seen. The = fiend throw a horrible kick at Tenaria, throwing her to the ground, than = turning on the men, he slashed fast and hard through the small room. = Erik tried to attack with his two handed axe, holding it with his left = hand. The attack failed and the vampire took a horrible bite at his = neck. Dario saw the razor sharp fangs cutting through his fair beloved's = throat. Laughing as he left the Norse young man on the ground to bleed, = he charged at Dario, cutting his abdomen with the bloody sickle. Dario = lost his conciseness on the cold floor of the grave. Tenaria could not move. She breathed extremely fast but received no = relief from the air, as if she was choking. She saw the creature turn = around to look at her. The creature moved his eyes up and down Tenaria's = body. The ancient vampire saw many women in his unlife. His immortal = eyes saw every delicate feature of this wonderful specimen of humankind. = Tenaria looked perfect. Even now when she was terrified and covered with = blood and dust, her dark skin and beautiful features were prominent. The = thoughts ran through the creatures foul evil mind.=20 "Are you scared my dear? You should be. As I am going to kill you soon = and drink your blood. Look into my eyes child. There, isn't it better = now?" Tenaria held tightly to the small cheap looking amulet tied around her = neck. Than she stared straight into the creatures eyes and opened hers = widely. "Do not worry about your friends, child. They will rise as my slaves in = three days time. But you. You are enchanting. You are worthy, I can make = you my immortal bride." The creature touched Tenaira's left breast. She = did not budge. "You will liked that wouldn't you? You will be as one = with me. You will feel what I feel and see what I see. These are things = more wonderful than you can imagine. You will be my equal, not like = those two" the vampire gestured with his hand to the dying men. Tenaria = turned and stared at their dyeing, beautiful bodies. "But you must want it to happen my dear. Do you want it to happen?" "Tell me how it is done" she whispered. Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 10:42:41 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jenn Subject: Comments request MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hi again everyone, First off, I wanted to thank everyone for their support of Tome of Mystara e-zine. We're pleased that our readership has grown with the second issue, and look forward to an even better third issue. I'm writing to make a slightly unusual request. Although we receive a great number of hits on each article, as well as a good response to our polls, we receive next to no letters or feedback! We're not too proud to beg, so I grovel before you and humbly request the following: :-) Did you like a particular article/adventure/story/piece of artwork in the latest Tome? Do you have comments on that piece, or questions for the author? What are your thoughts on the Tome, its contents, etc.?** Basically, we'd like a letters page that looks a little more like that from any other magazine, rather than a barren desert. ;-) **But, please send your replies via private mail - don't spam the list! Entries which spam the MML will not be printed. Thanks in advance, Jennifer Guerra Editor, Tome of Mystara http://www.geocities.com/mystaratome/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 13:44:48 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ahem, but I believe i am the ONLY elf on the list, and i do have wisdom teeth (well, not anymore . . .). The Red Arrow himself told me that the reason I was given these was so that I could better disguise myself as a human or half elf if need be. Meltheim the Shadowstalker Infiltrator to the Immortals Devotee of Fate Eyes of the Starwatcher ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 20:44:12 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: Minoides and Minotaurs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable >>Oh, but canon does not state the date of the creation. It said they = were created following a great service rendered by Gildesh to Ixion. = This could have taken place eons ego as Ixion is extremely old. = "Centuries later" is when Gildesh founded Nimmur. We do not know how = much time it took him, he is an immortal so age was not a problem. >Nimmur could have been founded as an outpost of the Golden Empire = (which makes it a lot older than we thought at first). > >Er, sorry for asking something that is probably completely obvious, but = I don't understand any of this at all... Could you describe the 'canon' = material in greater detail and tell me where I may find the official = 'canon' material ? hmm OOPs. Sorry. We are discussing the origin of Endukes, and they were first = reminded at Dragon Magazin 200. Most of it is somewere in Orc's Head Peninsula products (The savage = coast?). Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 05:14:15 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jim Butler Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA] LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > At 20:44 22/02/00 -0800, you wrote: > >SteelAngel wrote: > >> > >> But then again, you don't see hundreds of players dropping > >> FR for Dark Sun or Birthright, either. Ravenloft has a "Net > >> Canon" system in place, and WotC takes the Kargataine > >> seriously. Just so nobody gets the wrong impression, I consider all of the fan sites to be on the same ground. Each has been selected because of their dedication and efforts to their favorite campaign setting. Good Gaming! Jim Butler, Brand Manager Alternity, D&D Worlds Wizards of the Coast, Inc. http://www.wizards.com (425) 254-2289 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 07:23:22 +1100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: shawn stanley Subject: Re: Net Publishing of Mystara stuff (was Ranting Screed ) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 01:08 24/02/00 -0500, you wrote: >I just got a thought in my head. Damn those notions! > >Stan, why don't you add a section to the site announcing >"upcoming" fan-works. i.e. if the Davania group is working >on some things, we can send in "product updates". We >wouldn't have set deadlines posted (Rafiel knows I'd never >meet them!) but it would show what's being worked on, what >areas are active, what things are in the works.. OK if people post me stuff personally that they're working on that may see print in the not too distant future, please do. shawn stanley http://dnd.starflung.com what have you done for me lately ... more to the point what have i done for me - mightyfew, "i can't wait" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 17:53:26 +0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Francisco V. Navarro" Subject: Re: The Three- III MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Is anyone reading this? Do you have commnents? >Morphail (Ohad Shaham) Yes, I'm reading it... and intrigued... Uggh! I hate these cliffhangers... Come up with the next episode already! :) Kit Navarro ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 14:30:21 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Tim Falkenberg Subject: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Jacob Skytte wrote: I hope that somebody wants to see more of the fleshed-out Ostland domains. Enjoy! ** I would definitely like to see more of your material. I especially like the use of the personality traits from Northern Reaches. I make extensive use of these in my campaign as well and find they really contribute to the game. Please keep posting! Tim Falkenberg ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:17:22 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Andrew T. wrote: > This is interesting stuff, and I just have one question off the top of = my > head. Is this meant to be information c.1000 AC or present day 1016 AC > information? The info is meant for 1000 AC, since it contains references to Hord = Dark-Eye who dies sometime before 1010 AC. I did consider writing up = some events for the following 15 years though, but I've not really got = that far with it. Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:30:42 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The Stalker commented: > Are you kidding?? This is really excellent stuff IMHO. I love it when = people create new NPCs for Mystara, especially historically NPCs (who = are already dead - maybe you read my list of dead NPCs. If not it's on = Shawn's site, if you're interested). How much other stuff like this did = you write? I've seen your name of Shawn's site, but I don't recall = seeing any Northern Reaches stuff... It's interesting, though. = Personally, I think the Jarls of Soderfjord need to be explored a bit = more - we know next to nothing about them from canon material (there's = that word again..) Yeah, well, I made some lists about a year ago that are probably still = hovering about at Shawn's. I've got five or six other domains down and = they'll get posted along the way as long as there's interest for them = (who am I kidding, I'll post them anyway :)). And I'm still working on = more. The idea is of course to flesh out all domains of the Northern = Reaches, but that won't happen in the forseeable future... =20 > Hmmm, "trollebugt", "Trollebloeder". It's obvious from this (and your = email address) that I'm not the only Dane on this list! If you want to = discuss Mystara with a fellow Dane, then feel free to write me = personally. One word of warning though, I play AD&D and my campaign is = going through the WotI adventure/campaign! All right, you got me! I'm at least part Dane and of course I use my = "ancestral knowledge" to flesh out the Ostlanders. (I can't seem to find your e-mail adress...) Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:02:57 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: The Genesis Game "Warriors of the Eternal Sun" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I once saw my roomate playing it (on an emulator), but haven't played it myself. Apparently, you are a band of Traldar heroes right after they get transported to the HW. And from the spoilers I've glanced at, it also involves the Azcans and the Schatenalfen. As for the quality of the game I can't say, but the graphics were a little datd, even by the standards of its release date. Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:00:02 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hmm... seems like you're trying to do the same sort of thing I'm doing with Darokin in my Houses of Darokin series. Nifty stuff, I don't have Northern Reaches so I can't comment much on it... But, what are the traits for characters in Northern Reaches? I presume they are the Honor 13 etc. things in the character descriptions, but could someone please give me an explanation? (Not asking for any copyright violation here, just an explanation of the concept) Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 01:23:00 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:00:02 Aaron E Nowack wrote: >Hmm... seems like you're trying to do the same sort of thing I'm doing >with Darokin in my Houses of Darokin series. Nifty stuff, I don't have >Northern Reaches so I can't comment much on it... Speaking of which - when is the next installment due? It's working wonders for my campaign! (BTW did you read through my admittedly lengthy description of the infiltration of the manscorpions' lair? Hey, no blame if you didn't - it *was* so very, very long!) > >But, what are the traits for characters in Northern Reaches? I presume >they are the Honor 13 etc. things in the character descriptions, but >could someone please give me an explanation? (Not asking for any >copyright violation here, just an explanation of the concept) > I have read this gazetteer, but I don't have it available at the moment. Still, your assumption is correct. Generally you have 5 traits (IIRC) and one is Courageous/Cautious (or something like that). The basic idea is that you apply a number from 1 to 20 for each, so that if you choose 14 for Courageous/Cautious then the character is more courageous than cautious (cautious here being another word for 'chicken' :) ). It is best to use for NPCs because the DM can roll for what the NPCs do in certain situations, but it is descriptive for the PCs - I've never used it myself as a DM, but we've used the system in the past when I was a player and it works okay. (Well, this is just what I remember from the top of my head.) - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 19:26:44 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 7:47:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, megst19+@pitt.edu writes: << Weren't paths hinted at in GAZ 2 (Barimoor), PC3 (the hissing demon) and M4???M5??? (5 coins for a kingdom, with the high-level chaotic mage seeking immortality) as well? It's been a while since I read M2, but wasn't one of the key clerics an immortal candidate for Entropy? >> Maybe -- but I don't recall any details being given about what any of these beings were going to do to achieve Immortality. Please correct me if I am mistaken in this regard and I will take another look in those sources. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:50:34 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 19:26:44 EST David Knott writes: > In a message dated 2000-02-24 7:47:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, > megst19+@pitt.edu writes: > > << Weren't paths hinted at in GAZ 2 (Barimoor), PC3 (the hissing > demon) and > M4???M5??? (5 coins for a kingdom, with the high-level chaotic mage > seeking immortality) as well? It's been a while since I read M2, > but > wasn't one of the key clerics an immortal candidate for Entropy? > >> > > Maybe -- but I don't recall any details being given about what any > of these > beings were going to do to achieve Immortality. Please correct me > if I am > mistaken in this regard and I will take another look in those > sources. Barimoor is after Immortality in the Sphere of Energy as I recall, and Saasskas (the hissing demon) is already Immortal (remember, PC3 was published before Wrath when the fiends/demons _were_ the Entropic Immortals). However, this does bring up the point of whether the paths you made correspond well with the sketchy information on what various entropic Immortals did to attain Immortality. I know Saasskas did it by sacrificing thousands of tritons, and wasn't there some Alphatian thief who did by stealing emotionaly important objects from others? Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:55:46 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Fri, 25 Feb 2000 01:23:00 +0100 The Stalker writes: > -- > > On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:00:02 Aaron E Nowack wrote: > >Hmm... seems like you're trying to do the same sort of thing I'm > doing > >with Darokin in my Houses of Darokin series. Nifty stuff, I don't > have > >Northern Reaches so I can't comment much on it... > > Speaking of which - when is the next installment due? It's working > wonders for my campaign! This weekend. I believe the next House is Umbarth, and it will resolve some of the refrences to strange goings on re: caravans to "Slagovich" mentioned in the Linton and Pennydown entries. >(BTW did you read through my admittedly > lengthy description of the infiltration of the manscorpions' lair? > Hey, no blame if you didn't - it *was* so very, very long!) Yeah I did. It got put in the "pile of stuff to reply to later" and like many things therein, eventually got forgotten about. I'll see if I can dig it up. > > > >But, what are the traits for characters in Northern Reaches? I > presume > >they are the Honor 13 etc. things in the character descriptions, > but > >could someone please give me an explanation? (Not asking for any > >copyright violation here, just an explanation of the concept) > > > > I have read this gazetteer, but I don't have it available at the > moment. Still, your assumption is correct. Generally you have 5 > traits (IIRC) and one is Courageous/Cautious (or something like > that). OK, thanks. Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 01:54:43 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:50:34 Aaron E Nowack wrote: (snip, snip, snip) >However, this does bring up the point of whether the paths you made >correspond well with the sketchy information on what various entropic >Immortals did to attain Immortality. I know Saasskas did it by >sacrificing thousands of tritons, and wasn't there some Alphatian thief >who did by stealing emotionaly important objects from others? > Yep, there was... and is! (Sorry for butting in here, but I am Alphatian, right? So...). The Alphatian thief you're referring to is the Immortal known as Talitha. - The Stalker of Alphatia Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 01:59:47 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:55:46 Aaron E Nowack wrote (replying to me): (snip) >This weekend. I believe the next House is Umbarth, and it will resolve >some of the refrences to strange goings on re: caravans to "Slagovich" >mentioned in the Linton and Pennydown entries. > Oh good! Just in time for our next (and, for a month at least, last...) gaming session on tuesday next week. > >>(BTW did you read through my admittedly >> lengthy description of the infiltration of the manscorpions' lair? >> Hey, no blame if you didn't - it *was* so very, very long!) > >Yeah I did. It got put in the "pile of stuff to reply to later" and like >many things therein, eventually got forgotten about. I'll see if I can >dig it up. > Hmmm, now why does that explanation sound *SO* incredibly familiar - particularly with lengthy posts :) (rest snipped - you're welcome BTW) - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 19:05:01 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Siege of Darokin: Manscorpions MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Mon, 21 Feb 2000 01:51:58 +0100 The Stalker writes: > -- > Well, we played again, so allow me to babble on some more (this > session was really exciting!). The PCs were in the Manscorpions' > underground lair but couldn't find their way. Eventually, they ran > into a patrol and killed them, but then an alarm was sounded and > they had to escape before twenty or so manscorpions could catch > them! This forced them down a one-way corridor down a lot of stairs. > Along the way they could read on the wall, written in blood, "Beware > the terror of the Deep", but they had to continue! (Most PCs were > really freaked out at this point - ah the good life of a DM evil grin here>). Ah yes. > Their escape route brought them away from the manscorpions who > seemed too afraid to enter the area they had escaped into (PCs > really freaked out now!). They came to a room where they rested for > eight hours or so in utter and alarming silence. As they moved on > they found weapons lying on the floor with ashes next to them > (disintegrated adventurers) and skeletons (not the undead variety). > Eventually they ran into the Beholder I put down there, but they Beholder? I just realized I never threw one of those at my players... ah, the bitter folly of kindness... > Following various other tunnels, they evenually found a way into a >Eventually the great damage he sustained from those arrows > killed him though, and one of the PCs hurried to use a charge from > their Ring of Wishes to wish them back to the surface! I didn't > expect them to do that, but I guess it means that they took the > threat of the manscorpions really seriously! Ah, the only time I gave my players any wishes was when the elf got really sick of being under the effects of the dreaded Girdle of Feminity. Of course, it was an evil cursed artifact Ring of Three Wishes... (see the Ring of Thanatos on Shawn's page for more info on that).. :) Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 02:10:50 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Siege of Darokin: Manscorpions Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 19:05:01 Aaron E Nowack wrote (replying to me): (snip) > >Beholder? I just realized I never threw one of those at my players... >ah, the bitter folly of kindness... Yes, but perhaps I should explain that I put him there so that they would have first hand experience with beholders. Once the great comet ('the Calamity Star' ?) rushing toward Mystara is discovered I plan to play a modified version of the Spelljammer module 'Wildspace' in which a Beholder Mage is major surprise *and* villain. But naturally they need to know what a normal beholder is first! (Yes, I am evil!) ;) (snip my own descriptions) > >Ah, the only time I gave my players any wishes was when the elf got >really sick of being under the effects of the dreaded Girdle of Feminity. > Of course, it was an evil cursed artifact Ring of Three Wishes... (see >the Ring of Thanatos on Shawn's page for more info on that).. :) > Nasty! Rings of Wishes are fun though! I gave them this Ring of Three Wishes ages ago, and the only time it was used before was when one of the players left the campaign, and I ruled that he had used the ring for something he had considered for some time - they never used it themselves before, since they were far too afraid of how I might interpret their stated wishes! Hmmm, sometimes I wonder if they are aware that we're playing AD&D and not Paranoia! They certainly are rather paranoid about even the most subtle and insignificant clues. - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 20:27:28 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 6:07:54 AM Eastern Standard Time, scythe@WANADOO.DK writes: << It's a funny thing with these numbers...I would up the goblinoids considerably. I mean Thar controlled the entire Broken Lands, right? And there were more than 50,000 goblinoids in the Broken Lands (also counting trolls/ogres/whatever). >> I am inclined to agree with you. Maybe the total should be 50,000 HD of goblinoids or other humanoids (thus ogres and trolls would count extra). The lower number of 10,000 could be used not only for demi-humans but for powerful monsters such as dragons (in other words, an "empire" of 10,000 HD of dragons would be more than enough for this requirement. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 17:35:14 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: (MYSTARA]LivingMystaraLogistics(was:Mystara 2000)] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jim Butler wrote: > > Just so nobody gets the wrong impression, I consider all of the fan sites > to be on the same ground. Each has been selected because of their > dedication and efforts to their favorite campaign setting. Yikes, didn't mean to indicate that! My sincere apologies if that was implied in my statements. (I need to start doing drafts before sending stuff out...) IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 20:35:36 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Alex Benson Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/22/00 8:11:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, ironwolf@EWA.NET writes: << > I have come to wonder something, though, and I'm not sure how to ask you > this so I'll just ask it right out. But first I'd like to ask you something > I've been meaning to ask: how did your discussion with Jim Butler about > Mystara "canon" go? Basically, WotC has absolutely no plans to publish new products for Mystara at this time. But they don't want to lose the fanbase, so they're using the net canon issue to keep people from walking away entirely.>> [snipped rest] sadly it is doubtful that WotC will ever revive the mystaran line and produce new material. in truth i am unsure if i want them to. imagine if mystara was revived, where would it begin? Ac1015? personally if it were to be revived i'd hope that they would go back to circa AC0 to restart or even the blackmoor era. this way you lack the excess baggage that plagued mystara at its conversion to ad&d. plus it opens a new venue to the world of mystara and is less constrained by the material already published. another sad truth is that the rpg gaming community is shrinking. around where i am at a mystaran fanbase is scarce...i can think of a couple of Red Steel fans and i haven't heard anything from them in about a year. what rpg gamers are left are dilluded by other game settings and systems that cater to high intensity action with high pay-offs in treasure and XPs. looking through a "local gamers log" at a local gaming shop, there are few AD&D type settings and rules systems used. Most of the AD&D players focus on FR or RL. truthfully i do not game anymore...i don't have the spare time nor do i have the group. and apparently i am not the only one...at least around here. the guy that runs the game shop told me that he sells a good bit of AD&D materials....but few actually play. i can verify this as issues of Dragon sell out quickly and new products don't gather dust either. the game shop owner told me that most buyers are like myself...and maintain a distant observance of the AD&D materials without actually playing. another venue for the rpg crowd is the computer rpg. however there is a difference between gaming on a pc and gaming in groups with pen, paper, and dice. i had hoped that TSR sanctioned rpgs such as Baldur's Gate. unfortunately the mainstream settings will be marketted to these new recruits. unless there is a sizable boom to gamers i doubt that there will be any revivals of new sword and sorcery fantasy based settings. as for me i am content for now to be part of the mystaran online gang. this forum and the almanac are my avenues for being part of mystara. sure...i'd like to see mystara revived....i just don't see it happening. anyway...for me it would be a hollow victory as i have no group to enjoy the setting with. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 17:30:05 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Chad Lupkes Subject: Players looking for email GM MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings and Merry Meet! I would like to broadcast an invitation for any GM and Players out there that would like to get into an email game on a new mailing list. http://www.onelist.com/community/Karimeikos-USA (The USA meaning English, due to karimeikos@onelist.com is already taken by a Danish group of players.) We would like to start low level, somewhere in Karimeikos. 10 years ago (real time) I was the Game Master for a small band of players, and we had a great deal of fun playing in Mystara. Now we would like to continue, and because it has been 10 years and I have lost all my books (I'm looking for new copies, especially of GAZ1), we need someone else to be the GM. If there are any interested parties, please feel free to join the list and let me know. Calador of Tiger Clan Mirros AC 1016 ----- Original Message ----- From: "The Stalker" To: Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2000 5:10 PM Subject: Re: [MYSTARA] Siege of Darokin: Manscorpions > -- > > On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 19:05:01 Aaron E Nowack wrote (replying to me): > (snip) > > > >Beholder? I just realized I never threw one of those at my players... > >ah, the bitter folly of kindness... > > Yes, but perhaps I should explain that I put him there so that they would have first hand experience with beholders. Once the great comet ('the Calamity Star' ?) rushing toward Mystara is discovered I plan to play a modified version of the Spelljammer module 'Wildspace' in which a Beholder Mage is major surprise *and* villain. But naturally they need to know what a normal beholder is first! (Yes, I am evil!) ;) > > (snip my own descriptions) > > > >Ah, the only time I gave my players any wishes was when the elf got > >really sick of being under the effects of the dreaded Girdle of Feminity. > > Of course, it was an evil cursed artifact Ring of Three Wishes... (see > >the Ring of Thanatos on Shawn's page for more info on that).. :) > > > > Nasty! Rings of Wishes are fun though! I gave them this Ring of Three Wishes ages ago, and the only time it was used before was when one of the players left the campaign, and I ruled that he had used the ring for something he had considered for some time - they never used it themselves before, since they were far too afraid of how I might interpret their stated wishes! Hmmm, sometimes I wonder if they are aware that we're playing AD&D and not Paranoia! They certainly are rather paranoid about even the most subtle and insignificant clues. > > - The Stalker > > > > Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. > ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 18:03:29 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Alex Benson wrote: > > sadly it is doubtful that WotC will ever revive the mystaran line and > produce new material. in truth i am unsure if i want them to. imagine if > mystara was revived, where would it begin? Ac1015? personally if it were to > be revived i'd hope that they would go back to circa AC0 to restart or even > the blackmoor era. this way you lack the excess baggage that plagued > mystara at its conversion to ad&d. plus it opens a new venue to the world > of mystara and is less constrained by the material already published. That's part of why I was planning to have Living Mystara begin some time after events left off. I know that conversion to 3E won't be as clean as some would like it to bbe, but to be honest, there's times when detail is important, and other times when you should just let it go. > another sad truth is that the rpg gaming community is shrinking. It is? I just keep seeing more and more gamers where I am. Most haven't ever heard of Mystara (2nd Edition AD&D is where they came in) but I'd say the worst I see is most don't want to play AD&D (and OD&D) because they think the systems are simplistic and that they've 'moved on'. A lot of the same guys though are looking forward to 3E. > another venue for the rpg crowd is the computer rpg. however there is a > difference between gaming on a pc and gaming in groups with pen, paper, and > dice. i had hoped that TSR sanctioned rpgs such as Baldur's Gate. > unfortunately the mainstream settings will be marketted to these new > recruits. unless there is a sizable boom to gamers i doubt that there will > be any revivals of new sword and sorcery fantasy based settings. Well, Neverwinter Nights will be usable to run games of your own over local networks and internets, so you can contact and play with players from anywhere. If only it was a generic setting so we could customize it to Mystara... customization's only a short distance from that point, though. > as for me i am content for now to be part of the mystaran online gang. this > forum and the almanac are my avenues for being part of mystara. sure...i'd > like to see mystara revived....i just don't see it happening. anyway...for > me it would be a hollow victory as i have no group to enjoy the setting > with. Hey, I feel for you Alex. There's some days it seems like nobody around here wants to play D&D with me either. (My brother was going to run something so I could play, but now he's off on an Aberrant kick, because he played it at a con.) Gamers and gaming tends to come back when you least expect it though. I hope it happens for you soon! IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:27:38 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Geoff Gander Subject: Re: Brian Collector > >A new creature to deal with in Mystara? > >Iulius Sergius Scaevola >Captain of the XXth Cohort >Port Lucinius, Thyatis > >NEH THALGHW (Brian Collector) LOL! Good one, Iulius! Let Brians around the world tremble, for the Collector knocks upon their doors.... Geoff -- Geoff Gander, BA 97 Cartographer/Game Designer/Government Peon Carnifex Loremaster au998@freenet.carleton.ca : www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2091 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:31:54 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Path of the Dungeon Master MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 5:20:27 AM Eastern Standard Time, scythe@WANADOO.DK writes: << I wonder if I misunderstood the first post? I thought it was very nice and very complimentary to the existing paths to Immortality. This one seems more like a joke than a path. The Brian Collector was a fun interlude, but these paths have great potential without the need for silliness. Hope I don't offend you...I was just disappointed to see what I thought of as promising work, seeming more like a joke in the second installment. >> Part of the intention of this path was to explain the somewhat inane plots of typical low to mid-level dungeon adventures. To the extent that such adventures are inherently silly, the silliness of this Path is largely unavoidable. The "deathtrap" option can be avoided if adventurers of ever increasing power are drawn to the dungeon, with none coming out of order -- for example, it would really throw things off if the Dungeon Keeper wipes out a 2d level party, then a 4th level party, and then a 25th level party. As for the other silly part, it is necessary that the Dungeon Keeper or one of his apprentices be present in the dungeon at critical times when a party is threatening to clean the place out -- and that climactic battle is needed to raise the number of "kills" on one side or the other towards the requirements for completing the quest. As for the number of people threatened, it should be increased after each kill of a heroic adventurer or one of the Dungeon Keeper's apprentices, perhaps doubling each time from the base of 1000. This escalation would draw ever more powerful adventurers seeking to put a stop to the menace presented by the Dungeon Keeper. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:32:00 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Brian collector MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit While we are at it, let me note the canonical support for this monster: a notable lack of NPCs named "Brian"! ;) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:32:07 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 7:23:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, alphatian@ANGELFIRE.COM writes: << I have read this gazetteer, but I don't have it available at the moment. Still, your assumption is correct. Generally you have 5 traits (IIRC) and one is Courageous/Cautious (or something like that). The basic idea is that you apply a number from 1 to 20 for each, so that if you choose 14 for Courageous/Cautious then the character is more courageous than cautious (cautious here being another word for 'chicken' :) ). It is best to use for NPCs because the DM can roll for what the NPCs do in certain situations, but it is descriptive for the PCs - I've never used it myself as a DM, but we've used the system in the past when I was a player and it works okay. (Well, this is just what I remember from the top of my head.) >> Your explanation is close, but not quite right. Characters have all possible traits, which do indeed come in pairs. The pairs are set up so that Lawful characters tend to have high trait scores in the first trait while Chaotic characters tend to have low trait scores in the first trait of each pair. In addition, modifiers are applied for race, class, nationality, and Immortal served. Example: One trait pair is "Cautious/Rash". A character with a Cautious trait of 15 (and consequently a Rast trait of 5) is known for being cautious, while a character with a Cautious trait of 5 (and consequently a Rash trait of 15) is noted for being Rash. Characters with traits in the 6-14 range are generally regarded as average in regard to the trait in question. In Gaz 7 and in material derived from it, all character description data is made with reference to the first or "positive" trait from each pair. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:31:52 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Path of the Fiend MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 7:57:29 AM Eastern Standard Time, megst19+@pitt.edu writes: << I'm not familiar with WOTI - how do those charts work? In the Masters rule book, Polymaths must go through fighter, cleric, mage and thief. >> There is a random percentile roll for character type. In the first table, the results are human classes and demi-human races. On a roll of 81-00 you go to the second table, which contains a variety of intelligent monster types. For the Fiend, I would proceed as follows: 1st reincarnation: Roll on the first table and then (if the roll is 81-00) on the 2d table. 2d reincarnation: If 1st reincarnation was from the 1st table, roll directly on the 2d table. Otherwise, roll on the 1st table again. 3d reincarnation: Roll on the 1st table once again. If one of the previous reincarnations was a normal human or demi-human, then this reincarnation should be a lycanthrope, undead, or other appropriately "twisted" being. And in answer to a question that somebody else raised: Yes, one intention of these paths is to fool the required dupes/apprentices/followers into believing that their master is on a "positive" Path to Immortality. After all, what would you do if you realized that you were serving somebody who would eventually have to bring about your demise in order to complete his quest? ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:32:03 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 1:45:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, Scoooman@AOL.COM writes: << ahem, but I believe i am the ONLY elf on the list, and i do have wisdom teeth (well, not anymore . . .). The Red Arrow himself told me that the reason I was given these was so that I could better disguise myself as a human or half elf if need be. >> Although in that case they should only have given you four, as that is all that most humans have. Let me guess -- they gave you eight and you now have two left, right? ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:32:03 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Minoides and Minotaurs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 12:23:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, alphatian@ANGELFIRE.COM writes: << Er, sorry for asking something that is probably completely obvious, but I don't understand any of this at all... Could you describe the 'canon' material in greater detail and tell me where I may find the official 'canon' material ? >> "Canonical" material is anything published by TSR or Wizards of the Coast with the "Mystara" logo or any other logo unique to the Mystara setting. Most of this material is out of print and available only through people who deal in used games, but there are a few free downloads for the setting at the Wizards of the Coast Web site. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:45:50 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Future Works MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit These are the projects I'm working on. Ethan ---- DVGaz 1: The Citadel of Thimhallan (90% complete, beta is up on Stan's site) Atop a mountain, lost in time, lies an ancient city of wonderous invention. Built by the long-dead Elves of Evergrun, and resettled by Alphatian travellers, this once dead city thrives as a technomagical mecca, where adventure isn't just conjured, it's built from the ground up. DVGaz 2: The Snartan Empire/The Vulcalian States (70% complete, coming soon) Snarta, the Empire of absolute Law and conformity. Every soldier has their place in the unstoppable phalanx. Be they Pilots, or members of the Drudge Brigade, every Snartan is a member of the "Hoi Gnomoioi" - The similars. But not every Snartan is cloned equal.. Vulcalia was a freewheeling land of horsemen and traders, but then the Snartans imposed their law on the lands. Now the hearty Vulcalian solders fight an endless battle to reclaim their homeland, and their freedom. DVGaz 3: Cities of Steam and Fire (20% complete) Earthshaker! The word inspires dread throughout the plains of southern Vulcania. These behemoths are no less than the apex of Gnomish invention. This Gaz details the major Earthshakers of the Vulcanian Marches, and their relations with thier neighbors, Snarta, Vulcalia, and The Three Kingdoms. DVGaz 4: The Three Kingdoms (~5% complete) A society based on the precepts of ultimate honor and ritual battles, not much is known about this enigmatic race of dark skinned Bushido warriors... Yet.. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:42:16 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Mischa E Gelman Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror In-Reply-To: <10.f52cc3.25e72644@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII With the whole immortality path discussion of late, why not two new ones - The Path of the Savior and the Path of the Perveter? In the first, the character would have to help one "evil" NPC of each of 4 different classes to see the error of their ways, repent and become a force for good - maybe this would be part of the Matter path for non-humans? In the latter, an entropy path, the character would have to turn 4 "heroic" NPCs (of different classes) to the dark side. Too fantasy-stereotypical? > << Weren't paths hinted at in GAZ 2 (Barimoor), PC3 (the hissing demon) and > M4???M5??? (5 coins for a kingdom, with the high-level chaotic mage > seeking immortality) as well? It's been a while since I read M2, but > wasn't one of the key clerics an immortal candidate for Entropy? >> > > Maybe -- but I don't recall any details being given about what any of these > beings were going to do to achieve Immortality. Please correct me if I am > mistaken in this regard and I will take another look in those sources. Someone corrected me that Barimoor was seeking the path to energy. Saasskas attained immortality by sacrificing thousands of tritons, according to PC3. Checking M4, the only note I see is that Durhan failed his test by lacking the self-awareness needed to reach immortality - so nothing really about the process is explained, though it's interesting that Orcus sees such a trait as vital. Does it explain anywhere how Alphaks achieved immortality - it is only mentioned that he attained it in the HW boxed set. Similarly, Atztanteotl's path is not explained in that book - I'm too lazy to check the Azca or Atruaghin books ATM. Bagni Gullymaw reached similarly to Saasskas, by "living a lifetime of destruction and pain, by killing and eating more good beings than any humanoid before him." Lifetime achievement award? Jammaradu's path isn't explained in detail, but the brief sketch sounds pretty similar to the mass-murder tactics of Saasskas or Bagni. Yagrai's path also sounds similar, though the ideas of preservation and legendary status also come into play. Does WOTI discuss any other Entropic immortals' possible routes? - Mischa Love, virtue and truth are the foundations upon which the education of the child must be based. - Louis Brandeis's mother, Frederika ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:43:57 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Mischa E Gelman Subject: Re: Path of the Dungeon Master In-Reply-To: <49.15f4677.25e7439a@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > Part of the intention of this path was to explain the somewhat inane plots > of typical low to mid-level dungeon adventures. To the extent that such > adventures are inherently silly, the silliness of this Path is largely > unavoidable. Hack n' slash is still fun, regardless of how silly or non-roleplaying it can be. Also, IM3 came up with another nice satire as to the reason for all those dungeon crawls. - Mischa Love, virtue and truth are the foundations upon which the education of the child must be based. - Louis Brandeis's mother, Frederika ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:51:41 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Geoff Gander Subject: Re: Ranting Screed [was: Andrew wrote of the Almanac: >has been generated in that- the team is now several times larger than it >was in the beginning; heck, it's several times larger than it was last >year. That, to me, shows that there still is a lot of interest in the world >of Mystara, despite any substantial feedback. And at the rate we're going, every MMLer will soon we working on the Almanac - the assimilation complete. :-) Geoff -- Geoff Gander, BA 97 Cartographer/Game Designer/Government Peon Carnifex Loremaster au998@freenet.carleton.ca : www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2091 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:07:45 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Future Works MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Some of my own works-in-progress: Darokinian History Expanded (~30% complete) An expansion of Darokinian history, with emphasis on pre-Kingdom and inbetween the Kingdom and the Republic. Undersea Timeline 2.0 1010-1015 (~25% complete) Editing, cleaning up, and expanding to cover conquered Undersea these parts of my timeline. Temporarily on hold as I work on various Darokinian stuff. Darokinian Government and Politics (~10% complete) How exactly does the government of Darokin work anyway? This has the answers. Minotaurs of the Black Mountains (~5% complete) Some information on these fearsome allies of Hule. On hold, don't look for this one for some time. Houses of Darokin: The Minor Houses (~5% complete) A treatsie on some of the more prominent minor Houses and their role in Darokin. The Invasion of Darokin (~5% complete) An indepth look on the Master's invasion of Darokin. The forces, the battles, the generals, all come to life as this rather undetailed war gets the spotlight it deserves. The Black Mountains (~5% complete) A conversion of the Dark Sun module Black Spine to Mystara. (For general information on what it will be like, see Gith of Mystara, on Shawn's site) Ylaruam Expanded (0% complete) Will do to Ylaruam what my House of Darokin stuff is doing to Darokin. Still in _very_ early planning stages. Whew, I'm working on a lot of stuff... Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 22:11:05 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Saaskas and Talitha (was Path of the Conqueror) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 7:44:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, anowack@JUNO.COM writes: << However, this does bring up the point of whether the paths you made correspond well with the sketchy information on what various entropic Immortals did to attain Immortality. I know Saasskas did it by sacrificing thousands of tritons, and wasn't there some Alphatian thief who did by stealing emotionaly important objects from others? >> Yes, that would be Talitha. If I were to assign Entropic Paths to these Immortals, I would guess that Talitha was probably an Archvillain and Saasskas was probably a Dungeon Keeper who sacrificed some of those thousands of tritons when they attempted to clean out her lair and destroyed most of the rest when she activated her major threat after killing off the last party sent against her. In Talitha's case I could provide more detail as to how she accomplished her quest: She attracted the attention of Thanatos when she kidnaped the infant child of an Alphatian noble and demanded a ransom for the child's safe return. After the ransom was paid, she sent back a message informing the parents that she was going to sacrifice the child to Thanatos. In various ambushes she killed off the heroic adventurers sent to stop her and eventually sacrificed that child to Thanatos as she promised. Needless to say, Talitha was a wanted criminal and fugitive during her entire quest for Immortality. She then stole a major artifact of the Sphere of Entropy (quest) and then stole and subsequently destroyed an artifact of the Sphere of Thought (trial). For her task the performed the impossible task of stealing the Alphatian crown jewels from their supposedly impenetrable vault in Sundsvall -- which she accomplished by tricking members of the royal family who had access to the vault into removing them from the vault in order to protect them from a potential theft! Given that she was at the top of Sundsvall Constabulary's "Ten Most Wanted" list by that point, the fact that she was able to hide herself in the royal palace for six years as a maidservant of one of the king's daughters was nothing short of amazing. For her testimony she hired a renegade wizard to create a magical two-handed battle axe that was usable by thieves (in return for which she offered to return some items that she had stolen from him) and then stole that weapon from her instead of paying for it as she promised. She then trained an apprentice of hers in its use. Many years later she killed that apprentice when he attempted to kill her with that weapon -- an attack for which she was easily prepared because she had taken this apprentice as her lover for all of this time and then set up the attack by telling him out of the blue that their affair was over and then pretended to go to sleep. During this quest she got many bonus points from Thanatos for additional thefts as well as for betraying numerous candidates for Immortality in other Spheres. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:22:19 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:42:16 -0500 Mischa E Gelman writes: >Does WOTI discuss any other Entropic immortals' possible > routes? What WotI says, Alphaks: "after a long time" Atzanteotl: through"unremmiting evil" Hel: No memory. Loki: By being "a master of betrayl, of turning people against one another" Masauwu: "left ruin in his wake", history suggests through acting as a con-man Nyx: "created races of night monsters and acted as their protector" Orcus: No mention. Talitha: identifing other Sphere's canidates and ruining their quests by stealing their artifacts Thanatos: No memory. Bagni Gullymaw: Devouring many good beings. Brissard: No info. Danel Tigerstripes: No info. Demogorgon: No info. Jammudaru: "after a campaign of unparralled revenge and destructiveness" Leptar: No info. Ranivourus: No info. Saasskas the Destroyer: "sacrificed thousands of tritons" Yagrai (He-Who-Always-Rises): No info. Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 22:26:49 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 9:43:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, megst19+@PITT.EDU writes: << Bagni Gullymaw reached similarly to Saasskas, by "living a lifetime of destruction and pain, by killing and eating more good beings than any humanoid before him." Lifetime achievement award? Jammaradu's path isn't explained in detail, but the brief sketch sounds pretty similar to the mass-murder tactics of Saasskas or Bagni. Yagrai's path also sounds similar, though the ideas of preservation and legendary status also come into play. Does WOTI discuss any other Entropic immortals' possible routes? >> No, it pretty much leaves those matters out of consideration because they probably didn't like the idea of player characters questing for Immortality in the Sphere of Entropy (Just for the record, neither do I). But I would imagine that eating as many good beings as he did may have been Bagni's "impossible task", and that gratuitous destruction and mayhem would be looked upon with favor by most Entropic Immortals in any case. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 22:42:16 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Geoff Gander Subject: Re: Future Works > >These are the projects I'm working on. > > >Ethan >DVGaz 3: Cities of Steam and Fire (20% complete) Hrmm...think we may need to talk on this one (I am working on something that might overlap here). Ye Gods! I'm falling behind! Damn work! Damn life! Damn University! *impotent gnashing of teeth and general railing against the system, followed by James-sanctioned screeds* :) Geoff -- Geoff Gander, BA 97 Cartographer/Game Designer/Government Peon Carnifex Loremaster au998@freenet.carleton.ca : www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2091 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 22:56:50 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Nyx (was Path of the Conqueror) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-24 10:17:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, anowack@JUNO.COM writes: << Nyx: "created races of night monsters and acted as their protector" >> Thank you for the inspiration to assemble my own account of Nyx's life, undeath, and ascension to Immortality! I had been mulling over this one for some time, but now I have been able to assemble all of the pieces: Nyx is one of the few Immortals to originate on the world of Laterre, where she was born as Princess Sharvari (and anyone familiar with Indian languages should see that name as being especially appropriate). Her mother was the daughter and only child of the king of Taprobane, an island south of the sub- continent of Hind, and her father was the captain of a Cathayan sailing ship who won her mother's hand in marriage after saving the king from an insidious plot against him by the other nobles. Her mother died in childbirth, leaving Sharvari to be raised by her father and maternal grandfather. When it was learned that she had a talent for magic, her grandfather brought in tutors to instruct her in the arcane arts. By the time she was 16 she was equal in magical power to any child of a Glantrian noble. At that time an ambitious nobleman assassinated her grandfather and then killed and was killed by her father. Sharvari then became queen of Taprobane and ruled for about ten years before a vicious nosferatu managed to gain control of most of Hind. He then assembled a fleet and invaded Taprobane at night. Her soldiers fought back bravely and she devastated the attackers with her mighty spells, but in the end the nosferatu was able to subdue her, drink her blood, and turn her into a nosferatu under his control. For the next 300 years she ruled Taprobane as his puppet. At the end of that time her nosferatu overlord was killed in battle by an invading army led by the Caliph of Saracenia, who proceeded to conquer the northern half of Hind and left the southern half in chaos. This event freed Queen Sharvari from the domination that she had languished under for so long. By this point life on Taprobane had become intolerable for normal humans, so she used her combined nosferatu and wizardly powers to transform her remaining subjects into a variety of new undead beings who would thrive in the new world of darkness of Hind and Taprobane. Once she completed that transformation, she invaded southern Hind and began her quest for Immortality on the Path of the Conqueror. When she was removed from the scene by her sponsor, her empire in Hind collapsed but the various new races of undead beings she created continued to thrive for several centuries after her removal. Her second empire grew to encompass all of Hind and she was actually plotting an invasion of the theocracy of Shangri-La and then beyond to the empire of Cathay when her Immortal Sponsor directed her to wrap up her affairs and prepare for true Immortality. As the Immortal Nyx (a Thyatian translation of her original human name), she gained power quickly, as she had a large base of worshipers on Laterre in Taprobane and southern Hind and proceeded quickly to attract even more woshipers on Mystara and in many other worlds. In fact, her advancement through the ranks of the Immortals from Temporal to Hierarch is believed to be the fasted on record. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 22:22:16 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ranma Al'Thor Subject: Re: Future Works In-Reply-To: <00d001bf7f3a$721d0b40$c32910ac@clemson.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Thu, 24 Feb 2000, SteelAngel wrote: > > DVGaz 4: The Three Kingdoms (~5% complete) > > A society based on the precepts of ultimate honor and > ritual battles, not much is known about this enigmatic race > of dark skinned Bushido warriors... Yet.. > Where on Davania is this? I can't remember this area on the old map that's in the first Princess Ark article (I have the Dragon CD-Rom, but not the old Master's set), although I could have possibly just forgotten it. John Walter Biles : MA-History, ABD, Ph.D Candidate at U. Kansas ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu rhea@tass.org http://www.tass.org/~rhea/falcon.html rhea@maison-otaku.net http://www.maison-otaku.net/~rhea/ "The connection is so abstract, that we have people whose job it is to make sure the paperwork doesn't get totally disconnected from the world. Theoretically, I handle millions of dollars a day, but it is less real than this e-mail. I have never seen our product. I have never seen the sales people. I have never seen a customer." --Robert Lane describes his work as an accountant. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:27:25 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Future Works MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > A society based on the precepts of ultimate honor and > > ritual battles, not much is known about this enigmatic race > > of dark skinned Bushido warriors... Yet.. > > > Where on Davania is this? I can't remember this area on the old map > that's in the first Princess Ark article (I have the Dragon CD-Rom, but > not the old Master's set), although I could have possibly just forgotten Remember that Tanagoro colony on the tip of Davania? The Three Kingdoms are descendants of the original dark skinned settlers, and later settlers from MChina on Skothar. MChina doesn't exist as a working idea anymore, but I used it as a basis before the MOrient team closed. Think of it as Sun-Tsu's "Art of War" personified. An entire culture based around combat, where armies are chess pieces in the hands of all-mightly generals. If this doesn't work in Davania (overlap with other people's works, etc), the concept can be shifted to Skothar easily. Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:26:40 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Nyx: Explanations and definitions MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit After I submitted my message about the career of Nyx it occurred to me that I should explain a few terms that were obvious to me but that might be somewhat obscure to the general audience: Sharvari: A site on Indian baby names informed me that this is a girl's name meaning "of the night". Since "Nyx" is Greek for "night", the derivation of her Immortal name becomes obvious. Taprobane: Ptolemy and other ancient sources give this name to a huge island south of India. Thus, "Taprobane" corresponds to Ceylon/ Sri Lanka, although ancient and medieval geographers appear to have grossly overestimated its size. Hind: The subcontinent corresponding to modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Saracenia: The region of the Middle East dominated by Muslims. In the real world the Muslims invaded northern India but were eventually driven back to the area corresponding to modern Pakistan. Cathay: A medieval name that corresponded to China. If you have access to the picture of Nyx in WotI you should have little problem picturing how I imagined Sharvari/Nyx. From her suggested ancestry, she is a short and slender woman with dark hair and light brown skin (intermediate between the dark brown complexion of her mother and the pale Chinese complexion of her father) and the almond ("slanted") eyes of her father. Needless to say, there would be virtually no exchange of knowledge between Taprobane and Hind on the one hand and Old Averoigne and Old Klantyre on the other. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:31:08 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Future Works MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Hrmm...think we may need to talk on this one (I am working on something > that might overlap here). Do tell. This Gaz is based mostly on Klaump and Smaft, among others - I'm making derivative works from a few authors ideas, see Stan's page. I can easliy integrate these rogue Earthshakers closer to Snarta if needs be. I didn't know anyone else had plans for Vulcania (which I kind of adopted as my own lands ^_^ ) I'll move aside if you want me to - there's room enough for all. Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:49:31 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Meltheim Shadowstalker wrote: > ahem, but I believe i am the ONLY elf on the list. Erewan Laubgaenger is also an Elf!!! may he have wisdom teeth - it don`t brother him. he is still an Multiple Priest an has a good Wisdom score. what is for him important is how to increase it. we want to meet us - and i want to resurect you!! and you forget you own kind. IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 00:56:58 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Meltheim Shadowstalker wrote: > In a message dated 2/24/2000 10:10:15 AM, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: > > < > keeping them in a pouch on your belt, or eliminate the loss entirely if you > > eat them 8-).>> > > well, i think i'll just keep them in a pouch, i can't eat anything that isn't > mush right now . . . the other Elf on the list could also help you out of this problem. i have an motar that could crush anything - even diamonts. (i need it to prepare maririal componets and to crush the stones of timerepeating) one of companion is an exelent cook. he could make an exelent dinner for you and your teeth. then you can`t lose them - like your elven chainmail (I remember right?) if you want my help - then send me letter. IBON in name of the other Elf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 11:29:03 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: Ostland Dominions - Vestpont MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > Your explanation is close, but not quite right. Characters have all = possible > traits, which do indeed come in pairs. The pairs are set up so that = Lawful > characters tend to have high trait scores in the first trait while = Chaotic > characters tend to have low trait scores in the first trait of each = pair. In > addition, modifiers are applied for race, class, nationality, and = Immortal > served. I've used the Traits more freely for my NPC's. Most of them have = compelling reasons to have high/low Traits, so they circumvent the usual = lawful/chaotic distribution. And assume that whatever Traits aren't on = their lists have values of 9-11. The reason they're there in the first = place is 1: because they are introduced in this GAZ, and 2: because they = describe the NPC's emotional make-up simply, so I won't have to go into = detail with everything. BTW if you want me to I could post them as both = traits if it makes it easier to interpret them (ex: Cautious/Rash 15/5). Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 13:28:48 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Giovanni Porpora Subject: The Death of Lamberto Fulvina - Episode I - The Bet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all, here's something we wrote for the GPD project. We started writing the Death of Lamberto Fulvina for a couple of reasons : 1) We wanted to detail a possible explanation on what's behind a death by lab accident; 2) The background of two characters we wrote for the GPD project, namely Griseo Fulvina and Leena Tijlen (Pieter Vandehaar's lover), hinted a interesting plot could have been developed. Each author attributes to himself eventual funny gags and blames the other for any mistakes. We are both grateful to Kit "N.A.G.P.A." Navarro for his editing efforts. Here's the First Episode, we do hope you'll enjoy it :) Giampaolo Agosta and Giovanni Porpora The Death of Lamberto Fulvina by Giampaolo Agosta and Giovanni Porpora Year 963 After Crowning Episode I The Bet Dramatis Personae SIGNOR LAMBERTO FULVINA, VISCOUNT OF VERAZZANO The Viscount is currently 66 years old, but he uses potions of longevity to keep his body at the biological age of 41. He is quite tall for a Caurenzan, and has raven-black hair and thin moustaches. Lamberto is quite outgoing for the old man he really is. He still enjoys the nightlife of Glantri City, especially the parties given by Prince Alfonso de Belcadiz or by Prince Mario di Malapietra. DON RICARDO DE BELCADIZ, SON OF PRINCE ALFONSO OF BELCADIZ Don Ricardo is a young Belcadizan elf, who has a penchant for swashbuckling and romance. He befriended the Viscount of Verazzano at the Great School of Magic, where the young elf is still studying. They are good friends until now. Scene A PARTY AT THE CITY MANSION OF THE PRINCE OF BELCADIZ An elf and a human are watching the skyline of Glantri City from one of the balconies of the Mansion of the Belcadizan Prince. The elf is Don Ricardo de Belcadiz, son of Prince Alfonso of Belcadiz. The other is his guest, Visconte Lamberto Fulvina of Verazzano. They belong to an almost exclusive group of bon vivants and gallants of the City, who meet regularly in such parties. Among them can be counted many nobles, and even Princes, most of who come from Belcadiz or Caurenze. Don Ricardo and Signor Lamberto are now discussing one of the most popular topics: women. In this case, each of them has been trying to prove that their kin are the best lovers of Glantri. RICARDO: You must admit, hombre, that we elves have a great advantage in romantic affairs. We can afford to wait, and we can spare the time needed to learn from experience. LAMBERTO: I must point out that experience can be gathered quite easily, in this matter. It's not like learning magic, dear Don Ricardo! RICARDO: Nevertheless, it takes time. Perhaps more than a human's life! LAMBERTO: A rather pessimistic forecast, I believe. Now, would you consider sufficient experience, say... one woman for each of our beloved Principalities? RICARDO: Not quite, Lamberto. But go on. What do you have in mind? LAMBERTO: I would say that it could be done in a single month. I suppose this would shake your beliefs, wouldn't it? RICARDO: And you would be able to do this, amico mio? LAMBERTO: Of course. RICARDO: Would you want to take a bet on it, then? LAMBERTO: Si, si! But beware, you will have to publicly acknowledge that we Caurenzans have superior charm when dealing with ladies! RICARDO: Only in the rather unlikely event that you will show such amazing prowess, my friend! LAMBERTO: Bene, it is a bet then! The two shake hands, then retire indoors to ask their friends to be the witnesses and judges of the bet. The chief judge will be Count Seisyll Wittels of Wylon, a neutral Alphatian noble, with everyone else as witnesses. They are to be in contact with Signor Lamberto through their crystal balls and a medallion Signor Lamberto will be wearing. A secret word activates Lamberto's medallion to project the image of its wearer and his immediate surroundings, while a special alchemical potion must be polished on the crystal balls to attune it to Lamberto's medallion. Who will win the bet? Is there more to Signor Lamberto and Don Ricardo than friendly rivalry? Who will want Lamberto dead? Discover this and more in the second episode of The Death of Lamberto Fulvina: Lamberto's Trick. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 07:55:00 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: - D&D movie MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit DM wrote: > Hi Pals! > > Thanx to Brad McMillan's URL I was able to do an extensive research on the > topic D&D movie, and these are the interesting parts I thought useful to > share with you: > > "Dave Arneson, the Co-creator of the Dungeons and Dragons game gave the > lecture on the history of role playing at GenCon this august. He also just > recently visited the set of the movie. His impression was that the movie > was going to be great. > ...................and a lot more > If you're interested in the plot, then let me know... > > DM > Senior Editor of the Mystaran Almanac > First Officer of U.S.S. Unicorn hello DM it is a old mail on that i answer, but do you have newer or more information? the movie isn`t out - it isn`t - or? if you have information then send the to the list i think there are more who still wait for infos. (it that is an old hut - then drop me a line) thanks IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:31:24 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jeremy Morris Subject: Re: Nyx (was Path of the Conqueror) In-Reply-To: <60.fbb83b.25e75782@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Whoa, good stuff! Thanks David, there are some good ideas here. (Has anyone ever discussed doing a Laterre Atlas/Gazetteer? It's probably outside of the scope of the Mystaran Mailing List, but it could be interesting). Any ideas as to what type of creatures her undead servants are? Some kind of nosferatu, or perhaps an enhanced type of Ju-ju zombie might both be interesting, although I suppose that since Wrath suggests multiple races of "night monsters" there might be multiple creature types in Hind. Jeremy On Thu, 24 Feb 2000, David Knott wrote: > In a message dated 2000-02-24 10:17:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, > anowack@JUNO.COM writes: > > << Nyx: "created races of night monsters and acted as their protector" >> > > Thank you for the inspiration to assemble my own account of Nyx's life, > undeath, and ascension to Immortality! I had been mulling over this one > for some time, but now I have been able to assemble all of the pieces: > > Nyx is one of the few Immortals to originate on the world of Laterre, where > she was born as Princess Sharvari (and anyone familiar with Indian languages > should see that name as being especially appropriate). Her mother was the > daughter and only child of the king of Taprobane, an island south of the sub- > continent of Hind, and her father was the captain of a Cathayan sailing ship > who won her mother's hand in marriage after saving the king from an insidious > plot against him by the other nobles. Her mother died in childbirth, leaving > Sharvari to be raised by her father and maternal grandfather. When it was > learned that she had a talent for magic, her grandfather brought in tutors to > instruct her in the arcane arts. By the time she was 16 she was equal in > magical power to any child of a Glantrian noble. At that time an ambitious > nobleman assassinated her grandfather and then killed and was killed by > her father. > > Sharvari then became queen of Taprobane and ruled for about ten years > before a vicious nosferatu managed to gain control of most of Hind. He > then assembled a fleet and invaded Taprobane at night. Her soldiers > fought back bravely and she devastated the attackers with her mighty > spells, but in the end the nosferatu was able to subdue her, drink her > blood, and turn her into a nosferatu under his control. > > For the next 300 years she ruled Taprobane as his puppet. At the end > of that time her nosferatu overlord was killed in battle by an invading > army led by the Caliph of Saracenia, who proceeded to conquer the > northern half of Hind and left the southern half in chaos. > > This event freed Queen Sharvari from the domination that she had languished > under for so long. By this point life on Taprobane had become intolerable for > normal humans, so she used her combined nosferatu and wizardly powers > to transform her remaining subjects into a variety of new undead beings who > would thrive in the new world of darkness of Hind and Taprobane. Once she > completed that transformation, she invaded southern Hind and began her > quest for Immortality on the Path of the Conqueror. When she was removed > from the scene by her sponsor, her empire in Hind collapsed but the various > new races of undead beings she created continued to thrive for several > centuries after her removal. Her second empire grew to encompass all of > Hind and she was actually plotting an invasion of the theocracy of Shangri-La > and then beyond to the empire of Cathay when her Immortal Sponsor directed > her to wrap up her affairs and prepare for true Immortality. > > As the Immortal Nyx (a Thyatian translation of her original human name), > she gained power quickly, as she had a large base of worshipers on > Laterre in Taprobane and southern Hind and proceeded quickly to attract > even more woshipers on Mystara and in many other worlds. In fact, her > advancement through the ranks of the Immortals from Temporal to Hierarch > is believed to be the fasted on record. > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. > ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 08:56:08 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jeremy Morris Subject: Chaos & Order in Mystara In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII After reading a couple of messages on this subject earlier this month, and browsing through some of the stuff on stan's site, I thought I'd pose this question to the list: A few people mention that the struggle between Law and Chaos is more of a focus in Mystara than the struggle between Good and Evil. In fact, I recall reading this in the back of the Karameikos:Kingdom of Adventure book. I understand that this claim is based on the OD&D alignment system, where only the Law-Chaos axis was used, but I don't see the Law-Chaos struggle being a major point in the published works (or in much of the net published works). Chaos was defined to be Evil, and so the struggles seem to end up being as much Good vs. Evil as any other world. So, what I want to know is, am I missing something? Is there an underlying subtext of Order vs. Chaos in the Mystaran stuff that is just flying past my dense brain, or is it more of a traditional Good vs. Evil setting like I think? And if it is a Good vs. Evil setting, is there a desire to push it towards a more Order vs. Chaos setting? Thanks for the info, Jeremy ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 10:05:28 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Chaos & Order in Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > So, what I want to know is, am I missing something? Is there an > underlying subtext of Order vs. Chaos in the Mystaran stuff that is just > flying past my dense brain, or is it more of a traditional Good vs. Evil > setting like I think? > Well, there are instances where things portray a conflict between Order & Chaos (for example, I'd argue that the dichotomy between Thyatis & Alphatia is in some aspects a struggle between Order & Chaos - certainly not Good vs Evil, though later products tried in some ways to create that impression via various subterfuges); the WotI struggle was more or less a struggle between a type of Order and a type of Chaos (ironically, at least with respect to the Empires mentioned above, with the "Order" types using Chaotic Alphatia as their tool, and the "Chaos" types using more Orderly Thyatis as their tool) - you have a struggle between those championing the enforcement of Immortal traditions & maintinance of the current situation (or, if you will, the "status quo") vs those who would modify or ignore those traditions & engage in research regardless of the changes and turbulence it would cause. But for the most part you're right, actually: a lot of the stuff, especially adventures, tend to seem more or less "Good vs Evil" with just the names of what stands for Good (Law) and what stands for Evil (Chaos) changed. > And if it is a Good vs. Evil setting, is there a > desire to push it towards a more Order vs. Chaos setting? > Well, I'd like to see more of that, but it's hard to remember to emphasize that in each specific instance. I guess it's one more thing to remind myself of each time I write or design something to be posted to the MML. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 11:36:01 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: [Re: [MYSTARA] Path of the Conqueror] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Aaron E Nowack wrote: > >Alphaks: "after a long time" It is also mentioned that he was originally questing on the Path of the Paragon (for Energy) before converting to Entropy. Perhaps he took the Entropic "equivalent" path. >Atzanteotl: through"unremmiting evil" Given his history (that of subverting other nations/followers) I'd guess = his mortal path to Immortality was similar. >Loki: By being "a master of betrayl, of turning people against one >another" Another guy who was originally questing along the Path of the Paragon. >Orcus: No mention. Given his connections to destruction, the Path of the Conqueror (or somet= hing worse) sounds likely. >Danel Tigerstripes: No info. Probably through betrayal (like Loki), given Atzanteotl's corrupting influence. >Yagrai (He-Who-Always-Rises): No info. Actually, since he was (in life) the yellow orc/hobgoblin Akkila-Khan, I'= d say he just achieved it the old fashioned way- through the Path of the Conque= ror. His history certainly seems to suggest as much. Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp= To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=3D1 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 11:36:07 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/24/2000 10:37:32 PM, IBON@GMX.DE writes: <> argggghh, yes, you do remember correctly. that was extremely frustrating losing my magically blessed elven chainmail of blending. I could do anything in that mail but now i have to settle for these leathers (pathetic) Meltheim the Shadowstalker Infiltrator to the Immortals Devotee of Fate Eyes of the Starwatcher ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 11:38:43 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: [Re: [MYSTARA] Future Works] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Aaron E Nowack wrote: > >Darokinian History Expanded (~30% complete) >An expansion of Darokinian history, with emphasis on pre-Kingdom and >inbetween the Kingdom and the Republic. I've got some thoughts and things to suggest if you're interested. >Darokinian Government and Politics (~10% complete) >How exactly does the government of Darokin work anyway? This has the >answers. Are you going to talk about the Borderland territories in this? I've got = some suggestions here as well. :) ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=3D1 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 19:06:47 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Siege of Darokin: Manscorpions MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The Stalker ha scritto: > --Nasty! Rings of Wishes are fun though! I gave them this Ring of Three Wishes ages ago, and the only time it was used before was when one of the players left the campaign, and I ruled that he had used the ring for something he had considered for some time - they never used it themselves before, since they were far too afraid of how I might interpret their stated wishes! Hmmm, sometimes I wonder if they are aware that we're playing AD&D and not Paranoia! They certainly are rather paranoid about even the most subtle and insignificant clues. > > - The Stalker Then they say the Alphatians are not evil. Ack! Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis (BTW, one of these nights here in Italy there will be on TV a film with the name 'Stalker'. I've got to see it!) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 13:08:51 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Porphyrogenetus Subject: Equipment of the Twaelar War MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="------------9C9D50C5018608A181A60D76" --------------9C9D50C5018608A181A60D76 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Frogsuit: Thyatian Frogmen, amphibious marines employed by the Empire in the war against the Twaelar, wear this item. The Frogsuit was developed from the Breathing Gear long used by the Retebius Air Fleet (see DotE, Player�s Guide to Thyatis, p.28). A Frogsuit consists of special, articulated armor, formed out of materials that are impervious to corrosion (by, for example, sea water), which encases the Frogman completely and allows for quick movement under water (fast swimming, and walking as if on land, move 12�). The helmet has a faceplate with two bulging eyelets, permitting normal vision under water. It is the eyelets, and the generally green coloration of the Frogsuit, that gives it its name. Two large tubes extend from the mouth area, wrapping around the neck to the back; these have been enchanted with Create Air, allowing the wearer to breathe under water normally (note that because of this the suit also protects wearers against harmful gasses). The suit�s insulation protects the Frogman against extreme temperatures as well, and provides protection as Full Plate Armor (AC1). A Float in Air enchantment offsets the weight of the Frogsuit, so the wearer doesn�t sink like a stone; this also aids in maneuverability and speed. It counts as Excellent equipment. Cost: 5,000 gp. Harpoon Gun: This weapon, also used by Thyatian Frogmen, functions somewhat like a Crossbow, with a cocking mechanism that fires a javelin-like bolt. It has a rate of fire of 1/round, like a Light Crossbow. On land it has the same range as a Light Crossbow, underwater ranges are 6/9/12, a significant improvement over a simple Harpoon. Damage is somewhat less than for a normal Harpoon, however (1d6+1 vs. S&M, 2d4 vs. L). The Harpoon Gun has a speed factor of 7 and a weight of 7. It costs 150 gp and counts as Excellent equipment. --------------9C9D50C5018608A181A60D76 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit     Frogsuit: Thyatian Frogmen, amphibious marines employed by the Empire in the war against the Twaelar, wear this item. The Frogsuit was developed from the Breathing Gear long used by the Retebius Air Fleet (see DotE, Player�s Guide to Thyatis, p.28). A Frogsuit consists of special, articulated armor, formed out of materials that are impervious to corrosion (by, for example, sea water), which encases the Frogman completely and allows for quick movement under water (fast swimming, and walking as if on land, move 12�). The helmet has a faceplate with two bulging eyelets, permitting normal vision under water. It is the eyelets, and the generally green coloration of the Frogsuit, that gives it its name. Two large tubes extend from the mouth area, wrapping around the neck to the back; these have been enchanted with Create Air, allowing the wearer to breathe under water normally (note that because of this the suit also protects wearers against harmful gasses). The suit�s insulation protects the Frogman against extreme temperatures as well, and provides protection as Full Plate Armor (AC1). A Float in Air enchantment offsets the weight of the Frogsuit, so the wearer doesn�t sink like a stone; this also aids in maneuverability and speed. It counts as Excellent equipment.
    Cost: 5,000 gp.
 

    Harpoon Gun: This weapon, also used by Thyatian Frogmen, functions somewhat like a Crossbow, with a cocking mechanism that fires a javelin-like bolt. It has a rate of fire of 1/round, like a Light Crossbow. On land it has the same range as a Light Crossbow, underwater ranges are 6/9/12, a significant improvement over a simple Harpoon. Damage is somewhat less than for a normal Harpoon, however (1d6+1 vs. S&M, 2d4 vs. L). The Harpoon Gun has a speed factor of 7 and a weight of 7. It costs 150 gp and counts as Excellent equipment. --------------9C9D50C5018608A181A60D76-- ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 14:44:42 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: [[MYSTARA] Equipment of the Twaelar War] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Cool! Does this mean we'll soon be seeing war machine stats for Thyatis' = navy SEALs? :) ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=3D1 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 14:53:49 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Since we've recently discussed the evident problems with the ALphatian population, it's come to my attention that there seem to be some problems= on the Thyatian side of things. In particular, does anyone think that the populations of Ochalea and (to = a lesser extent) the Pearl islands seem woefully small? Ochalea has a landmass of 190,000 square miles with a population of 125,0= 00- 50,000 of whom live in the capital city! That means that only 75,000 peop= le take up the entire rest of the island!!! Whoah! (Joey Lawrence impression= ) Given that Ochalea is, for all intents and purposes MChina (attempts by t= he MOrient project to change that notwithstanding), doesn't this seem a litt= le low? By the same token the Pearl Islands cover 120,000 square miles (I presume= this isn't counting all the myriad tiny islands in the chain that are mentione= d in DotE but not shown on the map), and it only has a population of 100,000. = (I don't recall what portion lives in Seagirt itself). I can see the Pearl Islands having a smaller population, and I can even o= ffer a theory as to why the listed population is so small- given the scattered= nature of the Islanders, it is probably a) not possible to get an exact census, and b) there are likely dozens if not hundreds of tiny villages t= hat don't even have any regular contact with the main populace. = Can't think of anything for Ochalea, though, except to point out that the= Ochaleans are canonically described as Alphatian (and I think popular consensus is that though they were originally a different race, they are = now mostly Alphatian). Maybe that "something in the water" tongue in cheek th= eory about low Alphatian birth rates has some merit after all? :) ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=3D1 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 13:52:59 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: [[MYSTARA] Equipment of the Twaelar War] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Cool! > Thanks. 8-) > Does this mean we'll soon be seeing war machine stats > for Thyatis' navy SEALs? :) > Eventually something like that, yes. *_+ ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 15:09:47 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Geoff Gander Subject: Project Lists Hello all, Before I submit the latest edition of the list to the MML, would those of you who have working groups in existence now, and who have *not* thus far asked for their inclusion, please email me privately if there are any such groups out there that I am not missing. If you do not have a copy in your mailbox, one can be found on Shawn's site. Thanks, Geoff -- Geoff Gander, BA 97 Cartographer/Game Designer/Government Peon Carnifex Loremaster au998@freenet.carleton.ca : www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2091 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 14:15:40 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > In particular, does anyone think that the populations of > Ochalea and (to a lesser extent) the Pearl islands seem > woefully small? > To say nothing of the IoD (both halves); the PWA's "rectified" the populations for a number of IoD areas (again, on both sides of the border), so that problem isn't quite as big. > Given that Ochalea is, for all intents and purposes MChina > (attempts by the MOrient project to change that notwithstanding), > doesn't this seem a little low? > Yah, but wadda yah gonna do? For Thyatis, IMO, the quandry of "rectifying" the populations somehow raise issues different from those raised for Alphatia. "Rectifying" the populations of Ochalea, the Pearl Islands, and the Isle of Dawn territories (to say nothing about simply providing otherwise absent population figures for the Hinterlands) causes major shifts in the relative internal dynamics within Thyatis (wheras "rectifying" populations for Alphatian regions mainly screws up external/international dynamics). If, for example, Ochalea had a plausable population density of 12.5 per square mile, and the Pearl Islands ~10 per square mile, the relationship between the "core" of the Empire and its "periphery" becomes significantly different (as it is now, things are highly weighted in favor of the "core" for both Empires - the "periphery" areas account for less than a fifth of the population of the Thyatian Empire, for example). > By the same token the Pearl Islands cover 120,000 square > miles (I presume this isn't counting all the myriad tiny islands > in the chain that are mentioned in DotE but not shown on the map), > Those islands probably add up to less than 5,000 square miles, however: there are probably lots of them, but their sizes are as you said: tiny. It would take hundreds to make for a real large difference in the area of the Pearl Islands. There might be hundreds, for all we know, but who knows? > and it only has a population of 100,000. (I > don't recall what portion lives in Seagirt itself). > About 5,000 live in Seagirt. > Can't think of anything for Ochalea, though, except to point > out that the Ochaleans are canonically described as Alphatian > Ochaleans are pretty orderly, however, especially for Alphatians, and would probably have something resembling an accurate census. > and I think popular consensus is that though they were originally > a different race, they are now mostly Alphatian). > Theoretical problem with the "low birth rate" explaination for areas within the Thyatian part of the Empires, however, is that given a thousand years of potential colonization from the "mainland", one would think that the "periphery" might have filled up more - demographic consiquences in areas like Ochalea then perhaps being significant, as an influx of the relatively prolific (judging by their mainland densities) ethnic Thyatians moved in and put the (otherwise probably largely fallow) land to use. So who knows. *shrug*. Hinterlands probably has a low population density for fairly easily explained reasons: it's a recent conquest, and thus there hasn't been a lot of time for colonization from the mainland. The densities of the Hinterlands Tribals is probably fairly low (it being largely a jungle region and all). Pearl Island's low density might be explained by "lifestyle choices" - if the Pearl Islanders choose not to engage in settled agriculture for the most part (with only perhaps a few Thyatian-inspired plantations to grow specialty crops), fishing & gathering, then the densities would be fairly low. Still, 1 person per square mile is exceptionally low anyhow. As for Ochalea, that's the main question mark. That and the IoD regions - you'd have to have particularly bloodthirsty and near-constant warfare to keep the populations that low throughout the IoD. > Maybe that "something in the water" tongue in cheek theory > about low Alphatian birth rates has some merit after all? :) > I didn't remember this during the earlier discussion, but the 1st PWA actually provides a potential clue/answer to this conundrum, at least with respect to Alphatia itself, though not for Ochalea. In the Bettellyn entry it states: "Bettellyn's rulers did not constrain its population from growing, with the result that the nation has many more cities, towns and villages in any given area than most other Alphatian nations." Bettellyn's population is a "whopping" 325,000 (likely 350,000 pre-war). But this does give a potential answer to the conundrum of low population densities: Alphatia's ruling classes generally constrain population growth. Possible reason? Well, the low birth levels & declining % of spellcasters could mean that if they *did* let the subject populations grow unchecked, then at some point they'd be so vastly outnumbered that a successful revolt against them would be not only possible but likely. So they restrict the population growth ("constraining" it) - to insure that there are just enough slaves & wogs to provide for their wants, but not so many that they become a threat to the status quo. This then also possibly lends weight to the theory that Alphatia's population overall has been declining: as the proportion of spellcasters in the population declines, the percieved need to keep the population of the "norms"/"commoners"/"mundaines" in check becomes greater as well. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 14:33:07 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Thyatian "SEALS"/Frogmen Forces MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Ask, and you shall recieve. 8-) Comments, suggestions, critiques are welcomed - this is more-or-less a first draft of the below forces. Below are two units organized to engage the Twaelar and other under-water enemies: Division Name: Marine Amphibious Force Type of Division: Elite Division Number of Such Units: 1 BR: 204 Personnel: 1,000 (1,400 in wartime) Troop Class: Excellent BFR: 120 Division Breakdown: Division Commander: Magister Navalis (F15) Deputy Commander: Tribune (W15) Executive Officer: Legate (C15) Heroes/Command Staff: 1 Prelate (C12), 1 War Mage (W12). 1st-4th Squadrons: each with 40 Marines (F3), banded mail, short sword and heavy crossbow; 40 Frogmen (F3), Frogsuit, trident, short sword, and harpoon gun; 30 Frogmen (C3), Frogsuit, trident and short sword; 30 Frogmen (aquatic elven F3/M3), Frogsuit, trident, short sword, and harpoon gun; apportioned among 6 Small Troop Transports (Caravels) each with 10 non combat sailors (armed in wartime). 50 Marines (F3), banded mail, long sword, short composite bow, with pegasi mounts; 5 Marines (C3), banded mail, mace, sling, with pegasi mounts; 5 Marines (F3/M3), elven chain, longsword, short composite bow, with pegasi mounts; 20 Marines (F3), banded mail, short sword and heavy crossbow, all apportioned among 2 Flight Ships (modified Large Troop Transports/Galleons) each with 20 non combat sailors (armed in wartime). 8 Lieutenants (F5), 6 marine Lieutenant Commanders (F5), 1 marine Lieutenant Commander (C5), 1 marine Lieutenant Commander (F5/M5) 8 Captains (F6); 1 Squadron Commander (F8), (F7), 1 Aquatic Force Commander (F8), 1 Flight Officer (F7), 1 Priest (C7), 1 Magist (W7). All ships have liquid fire projectors and artillery, including launchers for Depth Bombs. The Small Troop Transports have 90 HP each, the Flight Transports have 160 HP each. All equipment is excellent. This force was specifically created to fight the Twaelar Merrow Empire. Aquatic Elves are either recruited from Seahome in Minrothad or from the community of Aquatic Elves near Actius. All ships are equipped with "detection gear" that allows them to mark the location of underwater creatures and vessels, and to sort them by type. Division Name: Imperial Airborne Force Type of Division: Elite Division Number of Such Units: 1 BR: 192 Personnel: 1,000 (1080 in wartime) Troop Class: Excellent BFR: 120 Division Breakdown: Division Commander: Fleet Admiral (F16, +2 int, +1 wis, +1 cha) Deputy Commander: Tribune (C12) Heroes/Command Staff: 2 Prelates (C12), 2 War Mages (M12), 2 Spatharii (F7) 1st � 4th Squadrons: each has 80 Troopers (F3), banded mail, heavy crossbow and longsword; 80 Troopers, banded mail, longbow and longsword; 40 Frogmen (F3), Frogsuit, trident, short sword, and harpoon gun; 20 Troopers (C5), 20 Troopers (W6), 4 Lieutenants (F6), 2 Captains (F8), 2 Battle Mages (M7). Man 2 Sky Dromonds each with 10 airmen, 2 Liquid Fire projectors, 2 automatic ballistae, 1 heavy catapult, and a ram (all artillery has double normal range). All troops have excellent equipment. This force is currently organized for combat against the Twaelar Merrow Empire (thus the presence of Frogmen). Frogmen can dive out of Airships hovering near the surface of the sea, or even use Bumber-Chutes for higher altitude decents. The Skyships have "detection gear" similar to that of the Amphibious force, which are usually towed (the gear must partially touch water to function properly). Other "detection gear," similar to that developed during the wars with Alphatia for the spotting of Skyships, can locate aerial targets (in fact, the gear used for detecting undersea creatures and vessals is a development of the aparatus' used to detect aerial targets). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:35:30 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: Path of the Conqueror MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Bagni Gullymaw: Devouring many good beings. Doesn't HW say he ate an elephent? I think that he portrayed gluttony at its ultimate form. Think of the hurrendose sight of a troll sitting down and devouring an elephent for hours and hours. I guess he wasn't even hungry... Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 14:38:28 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ranma Al'Thor Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! In-Reply-To: <20000225195349.14856.qmail@aw161.netaddress.usa.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Andrew Theisen wrote: > Since we've recently discussed the evident problems with the ALphatian > population, it's come to my attention that there seem to be some problems on > the Thyatian side of things. > > In particular, does anyone think that the populations of Ochalea and (to a > lesser extent) the Pearl islands seem woefully small? > Yes. I've greatly increased Ochalea in my own game; this makes it a lot more valuable to the Thyatian empire. > By the same token the Pearl Islands cover 120,000 square miles (I presume this > isn't counting all the myriad tiny islands in the chain that are mentioned in > DotE but not shown on the map), and it only has a population of 100,000. (I > don't recall what portion lives in Seagirt itself). > The Pearl Islands consist of large amounts of volcanic island and jungle, though; probably 3/4ths of the territory is not very inhabitable for humans. > Can't think of anything for Ochalea, though, except to point out that the > Ochaleans are canonically described as Alphatian (and I think popular > consensus is that though they were originally a different race, they are now > mostly Alphatian). Maybe that "something in the water" tongue in cheek theory > about low Alphatian birth rates has some merit after all? :) > In my own game, Ochalea has about 3 million people and forms a very important area of the Thyatian empire, providing a major manpower pool for warfare, and the major source of the grain which feeds the plebian masses of Thyatis city. The Ochaleans remain loyal to Thyatis because they came to Ochalea to get away from oppression by spell-casting Alphatians, and they fear that if they were independent, the Alphatians might gobble them up. Also, they tend to be very orderly, don't rock the boat types. I haven't gotten yet to doing Wrath of the Immortals in my own game, so they're still part of the Thyatian empire. If you want to keep the canonical population figures, you have to assume that 95% of Ochalea is uninhabitated; perhaps the soil was devastated by the Great Rain of Fire and has never recovered, leaving only small areas actually suitable for crops. Or perhaps most of Ochalea is kept as an imperial hunting preserve. John Walter Biles : MA-History, ABD, Ph.D Candidate at U. Kansas ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu rhea@tass.org http://www.tass.org/~rhea/falcon.html rhea@maison-otaku.net http://www.maison-otaku.net/~rhea/ "The connection is so abstract, that we have people whose job it is to make sure the paperwork doesn't get totally disconnected from the world. Theoretically, I handle millions of dollars a day, but it is less real than this e-mail. I have never seen our product. I have never seen the sales people. I have never seen a customer." --Robert Lane describes his work as an accountant. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 16:04:30 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: [Re: [MYSTARA] Another Population Problem??!?!?!?!] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable James Ruhland wrote: > >This then also possibly lends weight to the theory that Alphatia's >population overall has been declining: as the proportion of spellcasters= >in the population declines, the percieved need to keep the population of >th= e "norms"/"commoners"/"mundaines" in check becomes greater as well. Maybe the Alphatians try and practice "selective breeding" as well. From = the information we have, it seems that the "pure" Alphatian race had a natura= l (ie, genetic) propensity towards wielding magic. As they interbred with o= ther races, that genetic tendency has been quite diluted. Maybe they actively constrain population growth for several reasons: 1) to reduce the possibi= lity of revolt (as you suggested), and also to try and 2) maintain a sufficien= tly high level of magic-users ("real" magic-users, that is: ie, wizards, as opposed to clerics, paladins, etc.) I think that when you combine the above with some of the other suggestion= s ("hidden" or non-aligned kingdoms, internal wars, etc.) you might just *possibly* (with a bit of imagination stretching) be able to justify the figures for Alphatia that are listed. :) (Still bugs me about Ochalea, though... rassimfrassim. :) ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=3D1 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 13:17:14 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! In-Reply-To: <20000225195349.14856.qmail@aw161.netaddress.usa.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Andrew Theisen wrote: > Since we've recently discussed the evident problems with the ALphatian > population, it's come to my attention that there seem to be some problems on > the Thyatian side of things. > > In particular, does anyone think that the populations of Ochalea and (to a > lesser extent) the Pearl islands seem woefully small? > > Ochalea has a landmass of 190,000 square miles with a population of 125,000- > 50,000 of whom live in the capital city! That means that only 75,000 people > take up the entire rest of the island!!! Whoah! (Joey Lawrence impression) > Given that Ochalea is, for all intents and purposes MChina (attempts by the > MOrient project to change that notwithstanding), doesn't this seem a little > low? Just as an aside on this topic -- just because the space is available doesn't mean it will all be effectively used. Take Canada vs. the USA for example. Canada has a total land area of 9,220,970 sq km, while the USA has only 9,158,960 sq km. However, the USA had an estimated population of 272,639,688 in July of 1999 while Canada only ha an estimated population of 31,006,347 at the same time. And 90% of Canada's population is concentrated within 160 km of the USA/Canada border. [facts found at The World Factbook, http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/country.html]. That, of course, is primarily because the climate become more harsh the further away from the border you are, but still -- it shows that the population doesn't /have/ to take up all the space in the area it's "claimed". On a similar note, the island called "Vancouver Island" which is part of the province of British Columbia is larger than the whole of the United Kingdom (which has a land area of 241,590 sq km), and yet, the UK had an estimated population of 59,113,439 in July of 1999, which is actually MORE people than ALL OF CANADA (let alone all of the Vancouver Island)! In this case, there is also a big Mountain in the middle of Vancouver Island, which makes the central area difficult to "live in", but still. Anyway, I'm not saying whether it's a good or bad thing about how the populations have been set up for Ochalea and Pearl Islands or whether anyone wants to make changes. I'm just pointing out that low populations can be perfectly reasonable. :-) Jenni A. M. Merrifield -=> strawberryJAMM <=- -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield | Designing to Requirements -=> strawberryJAMM <=- | And Walking on Water strawberry@jamm.com | Are Easy if Both http://www.jamm.com/jenni/ | Are Frozen ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 15:48:07 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: [Re: [MYSTARA] Another Population Problem??!?!?!?!] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > (Still bugs me about Ochalea, though... rassimfrassim. :) > That's why the Homer Simpson quote is more applicable here (no, not "Doh!" the "Yah, but wadda ya gonna do" quote). Or there's another quote I'm rather fond of: "I can't think about that right now. I'll think about that tommorrow." *_+ ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 13:51:08 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Chad Lupkes Subject: Population MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Also, given that the culture of Mystara in general is set around the Middle Ages in our world, it follows that the canon population would initially match what our own population did back in the 1000's C.E. The population growth of our world did not take off until the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700's, and it occured simultaneously across the globe, not just in the New World, so land resource expansion was not the only factor. The Cartographers of Mystara have mapped out nearly every square mile of the land forms in both the outer sphere and the Hollow world, even though much of it has yet to be settled by man. So the races know what the resources are, they just are having trouble getting to them. The world of Mystara includes races that do not exist in our world, all competing for the same land area and resources. Because there is so much diversity in race, culture and alignment, wars are continuously flowing across the land, taking out a large percentage of the population in combat, innocents slaughtered and the casualties of the destruction of war. It takes years for a field to recover from heavy war damage, and that's just with our own weapons. Who knows what kind of environmental damage the magic users ignore when they throw their fireballs and earthquake spells to wipe out an opposing army. One of the concerns of Peace is that these wars would stop, and the competition for resources would be a hot stew just under the surface. This is in my opinion one reason why the wars will never stop. In addition to all this, the world of Mystara has creatures that make man and his allies somewhere below the top of the food chain, meaning that there are numerous creatures that eat humans for food when they can be caught. This paints a much more complicated picture of the way the humans and other races are bouncing around their carrying capacity (Carrying Capacity is the population that the environment can sustain given the technological level of the culture). And they say that knowledge gained in college has no useful purpose.... Hah! Chad Lupkes http://www.onelist.com/community/Karimeikos-USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" To: Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 1:17 PM Subject: Re: [MYSTARA] Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! > On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Andrew Theisen wrote: > > Since we've recently discussed the evident problems with the ALphatian > > population, it's come to my attention that there seem to be some problems on > > the Thyatian side of things. > > > > In particular, does anyone think that the populations of Ochalea and (to a > > lesser extent) the Pearl islands seem woefully small? > > > > Ochalea has a landmass of 190,000 square miles with a population of 125,000- > > 50,000 of whom live in the capital city! That means that only 75,000 people > > take up the entire rest of the island!!! Whoah! (Joey Lawrence impression) > > Given that Ochalea is, for all intents and purposes MChina (attempts by the > > MOrient project to change that notwithstanding), doesn't this seem a little > > low? > > Just as an aside on this topic -- just because the space is available > doesn't mean it will all be effectively used. Take Canada vs. the USA for > example. Canada has a total land area of 9,220,970 sq km, while the USA has > only 9,158,960 sq km. However, the USA had an estimated population of > 272,639,688 in July of 1999 while Canada only ha an estimated population of > 31,006,347 at the same time. And 90% of Canada's population is concentrated > within 160 km of the USA/Canada border. [facts found at The World Factbook, > http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/country.html]. That, of course, > is primarily because the climate become more harsh the further away from the > border you are, but still -- it shows that the population doesn't /have/ to > take up all the space in the area it's "claimed". > > On a similar note, the island called "Vancouver Island" which is part of the > province of British Columbia is larger than the whole of the United Kingdom > (which has a land area of 241,590 sq km), and yet, the UK had an estimated > population of 59,113,439 in July of 1999, which is actually MORE people than > ALL OF CANADA (let alone all of the Vancouver Island)! In this case, there is > also a big Mountain in the middle of Vancouver Island, which makes the central > area difficult to "live in", but still. > > Anyway, I'm not saying whether it's a good or bad thing about how the > populations have been set up for Ochalea and Pearl Islands or whether anyone > wants to make changes. I'm just pointing out that low populations can be > perfectly reasonable. :-) > > Jenni A. M. Merrifield > -=> strawberryJAMM <=- > > > -- > Jenni A. M. Merrifield | Designing to Requirements > -=> strawberryJAMM <=- | And Walking on Water > strawberry@jamm.com | Are Easy if Both > http://www.jamm.com/jenni/ | Are Frozen > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. > ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 18:15:43 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: Re: [Re: [MYSTARA] Future Works] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Fri, 25 Feb 2000 11:38:43 EST Andrew Theisen writes: > Aaron E Nowack wrote: > > > >Darokinian History Expanded (~30% complete) > >An expansion of Darokinian history, with emphasis on pre-Kingdom > and > >inbetween the Kingdom and the Republic. > > I've got some thoughts and things to suggest if you're interested. Sure, e-mail me privately about it. > >Darokinian Government and Politics (~10% complete) > >How exactly does the government of Darokin work anyway? This has > the > >answers. > > Are you going to talk about the Borderland territories in this? I've > got some > suggestions here as well. :) Now this is welcome. The Borderlands were one of the parts I was having trouble fitting in to my vision of Darokinian government. :) Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 18:39:50 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Aaron E Nowack Subject: "New" Mystara PBEM MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit For various reasons, my face-to-face Mystara campaign is moving to e-mail. As such, I can expand to a more decently sized group of PCs (two is a little on the low side). As such, I am interested in aquirng 2-3 additional players. If you are interested, send me privately a character proposal at anowack@juno.com. (Don't spam the MML!). Character Guidlines 1. The party currently consists of an elven mage/thief and a human cleric of Vanya. In addition, a NPC is available to be played if you are interested. This character is a human werewolf ranger. 2. The campaign is following the WotI timeline, and is currently in early 1007 AC. The Master has been driven from Darokin, the Shadow Elves have conquered Alfheim, and the Alphatians and Thyatians remain stalemated on the Isle of Dawn. 3. The party's levels are hovering around 10th level at the moment. The campaign is rules-lite, so the only stats you need to include are race/class, alignment (AD&D alignment system, no evil characters), proposed ability scores (be reasonable, no specific guidlines), primay weapon(s), and notable non-weapon proficiencies and spells (if wizard). Of course, I reserve the right to request changes. Magic items will be assigned by me. 4. Character background should be such that the characters were affiliated with the DDC embassy in Freiburg (Heldannic capital), which was recently imprisoned due to the assasination of a high-ranking Heldannic Knight, apparently by a Darokinian ambassador. The party is a band which escaped through the sewers, and which is heading back to Darokin City. Preferably, the characters should have some association with the mage Rheddrian (those who have WotI know what this means, don't worry about it otherwise). The party is about to reach the borders of Rockhome. It looks like the rumors of the dwarves vanishing are about to be proven or disproven... Aaron Nowack "Never let reality get in the way of a good hypothesis." http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5930/ ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 02:08:54 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Future Works Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:07:45 Aaron E Nowack wrote: >Some of my own works-in-progress: (snip) > >The Invasion of Darokin (~5% complete) >An indepth look on the Master's invasion of Darokin. The forces, the >battles, the generals, all come to life as this rather undetailed war >gets the spotlight it deserves. > Oooh! Let me know if you want comments on your work in progress, or if you want me to help you adding detail. After all, it is the exact time and place of my campaign at the moment and I have to come up with specifics for that anyway. My own future projects would include: 'The Calamity Star, Part II' (about 80-85% done) This will be the rest of the prophecies of Jarrot the Mad, going all the way to the end of the WotI War! (Though it's based on my own campaign, I remain fairly close to 'canon') 'Oh, the Wisdom of Hindsight!' (0%) This will be my interpretations of The Calamity Star as written by Master Terari, but I won't begin working on it until the quatrains of Part II of The Calamity Star are all done! 'The Swords of [secret]' (95% complete). This is a number of rather special and truly powerful swords I made for my campaign. They've been lying around my harddisk for ages, but if people are interested I suppose I could send them along. They are only 95% done, though, because I've decided to modify them a bit more! 'More Alphatian Spells' (80-100% complete) - I always have more spells lying around (well, so far anyway). Some are all done, some are AD&D versions of OD&D spells, and some are not quite done. I'll finish it all some day, but mail me if you're interested and I'll finish them sooner. 'Spelljammer vs. The Void' (100% done) - My own interpretations of this controversial issue. Maybe I shouldn't post it, though - it's certain to restart old, undead threads if I do. 'NPCs' - I have yet more NPCs lying around, but these aren't dead! Mostly they are just names of henchmen of the really powerful NPCs of Mystara (Eriadna's magists and that sort of thing) or they are merchants and other more mundane people (not *every* NPC is a powerful wizard or mighty warrior after all - at least they shouldn't be IMHO!). Well, except for the two first, all of these projects aren't really progressing much at all, and probably won't unless people want to see them! More NPCs will doubtlessly their way from my computer to the list over time - I just can't stop them :) - The Stalker Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 20:21:01 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Clay Postma Subject: Re: Chaos & Order in Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/25/00 2:42:14 PM Mountain Standard Time, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: << But for the most part you're right, actually: a lot of the stuff, especially adventures, tend to seem more or less "Good vs Evil" with just the names of what stands for Good (Law) and what stands for Evil (Chaos) changed. >> Too true...although one of the aspects of Mystara that everyone seems to love is the fact that there are not many truely "evil" empires and countries. This seems to play directly into the Law vs. Chaos theory of the world as opposed to the Good vs. Evil that you see in other worlds like Greyhawk and the Realms. As for myself...I try to promote the Order/Chaos over the Good/Evil aspect in order to maintain the different feel of the world. froggy ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 17:33:43 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Chaos & Order in Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit If I may throw in my two cents... So far as Order and Chaos go, I've always equated any form of organized government to be order. It's natural for different forms of order to conflict, this is the Thyatian and Alphatian conflict, two forms of order conflicting. I do not agree with the idea that Alphatia represents chaos, because chaos does not reflect an organized imperial society at all. Chaos in this case represents individualism and a frontier mentality, the original Heldann Freeholds were probably the best case of this. Conflict between order and chaos is on the lines of civilization verses barbarism, the delicate nature of the Savage Coast's 'orders' verses the chaotic tribes of the Yazak steppes illustrates this very well. If you look at Karameikos, the order/chaos fight continues there as well. The major cities, the Thyatians, and the King represent a rigid form of order, while the wildlands of the nation and the rustic towns and baronies are more chaotic and free-willed. And Glantri? It's a thinly-veiled maelstrom of chaos with a semblance of order. In many ways the chaotic nature of magic users is why both Alphatia and Glantri haven't made much headway in many key areas of cultural development, although Alphatia shows stronger tolerance of law and order, albeit not universally. (There's lots of chaotic mages scattered around Alphatia to be sure.) Because Glantrian culture is more tolerant of species and races simply based on the idea that magic-users are always right, the result is a lot of extra problems including lycanthropy, vampirism, humanoids sueing for citizenship, etc. Glantri's managed to survive this state for some time, but sooner or later matters will come to a head. (The World in Flames campaign scenario Bruce Heard wrote is a pretty good illustration of when the pot finally boils over.) IronWolf Clay Postma wrote: > > In a message dated 2/25/00 2:42:14 PM Mountain Standard Time, > jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: > > << But for the most part you're right, actually: a lot of the stuff, > especially adventures, tend to seem more or less "Good vs Evil" with just > the names of what stands for Good (Law) and what stands for Evil (Chaos) > changed. >> > > Too true...although one of the aspects of Mystara that everyone seems to love > is the fact that there are not many truely "evil" empires and countries. > This seems to play directly into the Law vs. Chaos theory of the world as > opposed to the Good vs. Evil that you see in other worlds like Greyhawk and > the Realms. As for myself...I try to promote the Order/Chaos over the > Good/Evil aspect in order to maintain the different feel of the world. > > froggy > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 21:04:03 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Beltharin@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Converting Kalamar Quests to Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings! << Well, here's a bit of a plug for some stuff I worked on for Kenzer & Company. I edited and co-wrote the first four Kalamar Quests, small, digest-sized 16 page adventure sourcebooks set in the Kingoms of Kalamar setting (if you read Knights of the Dinner Table you might be familiar with Kalamar). I am converting the first four KQ's to the Mystara setting for my own use and thought I'd share the conversion notes. You need to buy the Kalamar Quest booklets to get any use out of these notes. The notes list name changes as well as any notable change due to the change in setting. Anything not mentioned is essentially unchanged from the original. >> These are actually pretty cool. They're useful beyond the Kalamar setting and at less than five bucks a pop, you can't beat them. I figure, good ideas are good ideas no matter where they come from and that goes for Mystara or Kalamar. Since I live in hell now and I don't have a FLGS anymore, I'm planning on picking up a few more at GenCon. I might even pick up the whole Kalamar setting as well. Thanks for the post Mystaros. Beltharin ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:57:00 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Nyx (was Path of the Conqueror) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-25 8:34:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, morris@MCS.KENT.EDU writes: << Any ideas as to what type of creatures her undead servants are? Some kind of nosferatu, or perhaps an enhanced type of Ju-ju zombie might both be interesting, although I suppose that since Wrath suggests multiple races of "night monsters" there might be multiple creature types in Hind. >> I am sure that she created all sorts of undead creatures, with a preference for those native to the myths and legends of India. Bhuts and rakshasa must certainly have been among her creations. As for a gazetteer, the general geography is not hard to guess -- it should bear a close resemblance to the real Earth. In each region use the medieval culture (ca. 1200 A.D. or so) but assume that its myths and legends are literally true. Change a few names to protect the guilty and you are set. Clark Ashton Smith gives us some brief peeks at the Laterran equivalent of France, and it is possible that he mentions other places as well -- I have read only some of his Averoigne stories. For the place names in my story, I basically used such sources as the legends of Charlemagne and Ptolemy's map of the world, although at a local level I would probably go for more authentic sounding names or perhaps even use the actual place names. Incidentally, the tale of Nyx suggests an interesting possible origin for the Vistani of Ravenloft. Since it is believed that the real world Gypsies originated in India, it is possible that the Vistani were people of Hind who fled from Queen Sharvari's armies of undead through a gate into Ravenloft. Given the nature of Hind under her domination, Ravenloft may actually have been a tremendous improvement in their living conditions! ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:57:01 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Chaos & Order in Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-25 8:55:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, morris@MCS.KENT.EDU writes: << So, what I want to know is, am I missing something? Is there an underlying subtext of Order vs. Chaos in the Mystaran stuff that is just flying past my dense brain, or is it more of a traditional Good vs. Evil setting like I think? And if it is a Good vs. Evil setting, is there a desire to push it towards a more Order vs. Chaos setting? >> I am inclined to say that to Mystarans alignment is no big deal -- certainly they do not take the Law/Chaos struggle anywhere near as seriously as the people of Michael Moorcock's fantasy worlds, to cite the main reference for that struggle. For every conflict depicted in that world it is easy to find reasons for it that are totally unconnected with either axis of alignment -- generally they are related to things that the other side did at some time in the past and not to abstract philosophical differences. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:35:46 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: George Hrabovsky Subject: Re: [[MYSTARA] Equipment of the Twaelar War] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Navy SEALs do not operate (successfully) in large units. They succeed best when they operate in groups of four to eight to perform specific operations. Such would need to be able to be both frogmen and to be deployed by bumberchute (perhaps using a special squadron of the RAF called the Shadow Squadron)... George ----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Theisen To: Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 1:44 PM Subject: Re: [MYSTARA] [[MYSTARA] Equipment of the Twaelar War] > Cool! Does this mean we'll soon be seeing war machine stats for Thyatis' navy > SEALs? :) > > ____________________________________________________________________ > Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=1 > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:40:24 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ranma Al'Thor Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Jenni A. M. Merrifield wrote: > > Just as an aside on this topic -- just because the space is available > doesn't mean it will all be effectively used. Take Canada vs. the USA for > example. Canada has a total land area of 9,220,970 sq km, while the USA has > only 9,158,960 sq km. However, the USA had an estimated population of > 272,639,688 in July of 1999 while Canada only ha an estimated population of > 31,006,347 at the same time. And 90% of Canada's population is concentrated > within 160 km of the USA/Canada border. [facts found at The World Factbook, > http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/country.html]. That, of course, > is primarily because the climate become more harsh the further away from the > border you are, but still -- it shows that the population doesn't /have/ to > take up all the space in the area it's "claimed". Ochalea is in a temperate zone, and most of the terrain types indicated on the map are fairly habitable ones. Unlike Canada, most of Ochalea should be inhabitable. > Anyway, I'm not saying whether it's a good or bad thing about how the > populations have been set up for Ochalea and Pearl Islands or whether anyone > wants to make changes. I'm just pointing out that low populations can be > perfectly reasonable. :-) > When terrain and climate play a suitable role. But the terrain and climate of Ochalea don't seem to indicate most of Ochalea should be a wasteland. John Walter Biles : MA-History, ABD, Ph.D Candidate at U. Kansas ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu rhea@tass.org http://www.tass.org/~rhea/falcon.html rhea@maison-otaku.net http://www.maison-otaku.net/~rhea/ "The connection is so abstract, that we have people whose job it is to make sure the paperwork doesn't get totally disconnected from the world. Theoretically, I handle millions of dollars a day, but it is less real than this e-mail. I have never seen our product. I have never seen the sales people. I have never seen a customer." --Robert Lane describes his work as an accountant. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:45:26 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: George Hrabovsky Subject: Re: Thyatian "SEALS"/Frogmen Forces MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit From: James Ruhland To: Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 2:33 PM Subject: [MYSTARA] Thyatian "SEALS"/Frogmen Forces > Division Name: Marine Amphibious Force > Type of Division: Elite Division > Number of Such Units: 1 > BR: 204 Personnel: 1,000 (1,400 in wartime) Troop Class: Excellent BFR: 120 > Division Breakdown: > Division Commander: Magister Navalis (F15) > Deputy Commander: Tribune (W15) > Executive Officer: Legate (C15) > Heroes/Command Staff: 1 Prelate (C12), 1 War Mage (W12). > 1st-4th Squadrons: each with 40 Marines (F3), banded mail, short sword and > heavy crossbow; 40 Frogmen (F3), Frogsuit, trident, short sword, and > harpoon gun; 30 Frogmen (C3), Frogsuit, trident and short sword; 30 Frogmen > (aquatic elven F3/M3), Frogsuit, trident, short sword, and harpoon gun; > apportioned among 6 Small Troop Transports (Caravels) each with 10 non > combat sailors (armed in wartime). > 50 Marines (F3), banded mail, long sword, short composite bow, with pegasi > mounts; 5 Marines (C3), banded mail, mace, sling, with pegasi mounts; 5 > Marines (F3/M3), elven chain, longsword, short composite bow, with pegasi > mounts; 20 Marines (F3), banded mail, short sword and heavy crossbow, all > apportioned among 2 Flight Ships (modified Large Troop Transports/Galleons) > each with 20 non combat sailors (armed in wartime). > 8 Lieutenants (F5), 6 marine Lieutenant Commanders (F5), 1 marine > Lieutenant Commander (C5), 1 marine Lieutenant Commander (F5/M5) 8 Captains > (F6); 1 Squadron Commander (F8), (F7), 1 Aquatic Force Commander (F8), 1 > Flight Officer (F7), 1 Priest (C7), 1 Magist (W7). All ships have liquid > fire projectors and artillery, including launchers for Depth Bombs. The > Small Troop Transports have 90 HP each, the Flight Transports have 160 HP > each. I recommend another squadron: 5 Squadron: HQ: Sqn CO (F8 or E8), F7 (or E7), 2 C7, 2 M7 (or E7), 2 T7 10 Raiding Forces: F6 (or E6 or D6), F5 (or E5), 2 M5 (or E5), 2 C5, 2 T5 > > All equipment is excellent. This force was specifically created to fight > the Twaelar Merrow Empire. Aquatic Elves are either recruited from Seahome > in Minrothad or from the community of Aquatic Elves near Actius. > > All ships are equipped with "detection gear" that allows them to mark the > location of underwater creatures and vessels, and to sort them by type. > > Division Name: Imperial Airborne Force > Type of Division: Elite Division > Number of Such Units: 1 > BR: 192 Personnel: 1,000 (1080 in wartime) Troop Class: Excellent BFR: 120 > Division Breakdown: > Division Commander: Fleet Admiral (F16, +2 int, +1 wis, +1 cha) > Deputy Commander: Tribune (C12) > Heroes/Command Staff: 2 Prelates (C12), 2 War Mages (M12), 2 Spatharii > (F7) > 1st - 4th Squadrons: each has 80 Troopers (F3), banded mail, heavy crossbow > and longsword; 80 Troopers, banded mail, longbow and longsword; 40 Frogmen > (F3), Frogsuit, trident, short sword, and harpoon gun; 20 Troopers (C5), 20 > Troopers (W6), 4 Lieutenants (F6), 2 Captains (F8), 2 Battle Mages (M7). > Man 2 Sky Dromonds each with 10 airmen, 2 Liquid Fire projectors, 2 > automatic ballistae, 1 heavy catapult, and a ram (all artillery has double > normal range). Same 5 Squadron as above. > > All troops have excellent equipment. This force is currently organized for > combat against the Twaelar Merrow Empire (thus the presence of Frogmen). > Frogmen can dive out of Airships hovering near the surface of the sea, or > even use Bumber-Chutes for higher altitude decents. The Skyships have > "detection gear" similar to that of the Amphibious force, which are usually > towed (the gear must partially touch water to function properly). Other > "detection gear," similar to that developed during the wars with Alphatia > for the spotting of Skyships, can locate aerial targets (in fact, the gear > used for detecting undersea creatures and vessals is a development of the > aparatus' used to detect aerial targets). > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 20:49:09 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: John Calvin Subject: Gaz 9 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hey people! I just picked up a copy of Gaz 9 through e-Bay for $23. Sorry, but I just had to gloat about it!!! ;-> __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:55:47 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ranma Al'Thor Subject: Re: Population In-Reply-To: <20000225215129.59511.qmail@hotmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Chad Lupkes wrote: > Also, given that the culture of Mystara in general is set around the Middle > Ages in our world, it follows that the canon population would initially > match what our own population did back in the 1000's C.E. The population Ochalea is supposed to be like China, which has rarely been noted for low population density. > The world of Mystara includes races that do not exist in our world, all > competing for the same land area and resources. Because there is so much But not in Ochalea, which is only humans according to the canonical material. > diversity in race, culture and alignment, wars are continuously flowing > across the land, taking out a large percentage of the population in combat, The Isle of Dawn is a regular field of battle, Ochalea is not. There hasn't been a Thyatian-Alphatian war in 40 years in AC 1000, and there's no indication that the last war touched Ochalea directly at all. Nor is Ochalea described as a war ravaged wasteland in the source material. > In addition to all this, the world of Mystara has creatures that make man > and his allies somewhere below the top of the food chain, meaning that there Which aren't noted for living in Ochalea. Other regions of Thyatis with monsters living in them are designated as such; I would assume that if there were supposed to be powerful dragons, hordes of orcs, and other such things living in Ochalea, instead of it being a peaceful, orderly land, the way it is described, the creators of DotE would have said something to that effect. John Walter Biles : MA-History, ABD, Ph.D Candidate at U. Kansas ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu rhea@tass.org http://www.tass.org/~rhea/falcon.html rhea@maison-otaku.net http://www.maison-otaku.net/~rhea/ "The connection is so abstract, that we have people whose job it is to make sure the paperwork doesn't get totally disconnected from the world. Theoretically, I handle millions of dollars a day, but it is less real than this e-mail. I have never seen our product. I have never seen the sales people. I have never seen a customer." --Robert Lane describes his work as an accountant. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 21:03:43 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Gaz 9 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I paid about $10 myself about two years ago at a used bookstore. The cheapest, if not the least prolific of settings to aquire the greatest and rarest materials! IronWolf "Well, I'll take this.. ahem, orange covered copy of Palace of the Silver Princess off your hands for that $5 you wanted..." John Calvin wrote: > > Hey people! > > I just picked up a copy of Gaz 9 through e-Bay for > $23. Sorry, but I just had to gloat about it!!! ;-> > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. > http://im.yahoo.com > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 21:09:02 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Population MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ranma Al'Thor wrote: > > Which aren't noted for living in Ochalea. Other regions of Thyatis with > monsters living in them are designated as such; I would assume that if > there were supposed to be powerful dragons, hordes of orcs, and other such > things living in Ochalea, instead of it being a peaceful, orderly land, > the way it is described, the creators of DotE would have said something to > that effect. Yeah, DotE had a lot of problems with that. It would have been better to restrict Alphatia and Thyatis to smaller sizes so greater detail could be afforded, but I think they got sort of screwed by CM1, which illustrated the borders of the empires fairly clearly. For Living Mystara (No, haven't heard back from RPGA or WotC yet) I personally look at it as an opportunity to correct a lot of such oversights and do things much better. Some here will probably find this method lacking in the detail they love, but to me, it's best to say how it is and figure out how to justify it afterwards, or just not even try. Myself, I really liked the Myoshima connection that had Rakasta inhabiting Ochaela before the Alphatians arrived, and driven out. (Likely Rakasta would have been viewed as either Rakshasa or lycanthropes, shapeshifters, which are considered evil and dangerous in most oriental cultures.) IronWolf ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 23:04:43 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Dave Keyser Subject: Re: Population MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ranma Al'Thor wrote: > On Fri, 25 Feb 2000, Chad Lupkes wrote: > > > Also, given that the culture of Mystara in general is set around the Middle > > Ages in our world, it follows that the canon population would initially > > match what our own population did back in the 1000's C.E. The population > > Ochalea is supposed to be like China, which has rarely been noted for low > population density. > > > The world of Mystara includes races that do not exist in our world, all > > competing for the same land area and resources. Because there is so much > > But not in Ochalea, which is only humans according to the canonical > material. Actually, the Dragon magazine lupin article noted that at least one, possibly two breeds of lupins come from Ochalea, and one of those breeds was used as food by Ogre Magi. It didn't really indicate whether or not the Ogre Magi on Ochalea have their own society or live in human society(presumably disguised). The Ochalean lupins revoted with the aid of foo-dogs I believe. This is from memory. Dave Keyser ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 01:52:41 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-25 4:54:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, cthulhudrew@USA.NET writes: << Can't think of anything for Ochalea, though, except to point out that the Ochaleans are canonically described as Alphatian (and I think popular consensus is that though they were originally a different race, they are now mostly Alphatian). Maybe that "something in the water" tongue in cheek theory about low Alphatian birth rates has some merit after all? :) >> Another point to consider is that we don't have all of the necessary informa- tion to resolve the question. When was Ochalea first settled? How many people were in the original colony? Since the island has been peaceful for most of its history, have there been any major plagues or mass emigrations? However, DotE clearly implies a much larger population than 125,000 for Ochalea as a whole, as it gives Beitung a population of 50,000 and its surrounding area a population of 75,000 -- and yet there are clearly several small towns and villages that are nowhere near Beitung. We could probably double the official total from the PWAs without distorting the setting too much. Given the description in the PWA of the rocky and hilly terrain of the island, we probably would not need to raise the population beyond that point to get a reasonable figure. In a message dated 2000-02-25 5:06:36 PM Eastern Standard Time, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: << Theoretical problem with the "low birth rate" explaination for areas within the Thyatian part of the Empires, however, is that given a thousand years of potential colonization from the "mainland", one would think that the "periphery" might have filled up more - demographic consiquences in areas like Ochalea then perhaps being significant, as an influx of the relatively prolific (judging by their mainland densities) ethnic Thyatians moved in and put the (otherwise probably largely fallow) land to use. So who knows. *shrug*. >> Of course, the available evidence would suggest that migration of ethnic Thyatians to Ochalea has been minimal, and that it is difficult (though of course not impossible) to persuade Thyatians to leave mainland Thyatis and settle elsewhere. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 02:01:06 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: Re: Gaz 9 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit hehe, i got it brand new for $7.99!!!!! But I guess those with moral obligations that don't wish to contact me when I offer such deals will have to pay more . . . Meltheim the Shadowstalker Infiltrator to the Immortals Devotee of Fate Eyes of the Starwatcher ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 01:03:58 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: [[MYSTARA] Equipment of the Twaelar War] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Navy SEALs do not operate (successfully) in large units. > These aren't really "Navy SEALS" dispite the analogy made: they are meant to fight the Twaelar in rather straightforward combat, not as "commandos" "SEALS" got put in the title based upon the earlier reference. After the Twaelar war, "Frogmen" might be broken down into smaller teams such as real SEALS operate in, and perform the same sorts of task. But right now they operate in a "division sized" (what passes for a Division in Mystara, that is) force to combat a similar Merrow army. Btw, the forces in the Skyships might operate more-or-less analogously to those of a real SEAL team, since they are better constituted to operate in smaller sections. As for the levels & organization you recomended in a following post, I might have more to say about that tommorrow, after I've slept 8-). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 01:09:10 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Of course, the available evidence would suggest that migration of ethnic > Thyatians to Ochalea has been minimal, and that it is difficult (though of > course not impossible) to persuade Thyatians to leave mainland Thyatis > and settle elsewhere. > I'm fully aware of what "the evidence suggests" - please do note that I didn't embrace a population explosion here more than I had elsewhere - I was responding to the particular argument regarding low birthrates. Try not to distort what I argue or take it out of context, please. However, the second half of your statement, regarding it being difficult to persuade Thyatians to leave mainland Thyatis and settle elsewhere, is dubious at best, given the fairly widespread presence of Thyatian-decended folks throughout Mystara. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 03:07:18 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-26 2:12:42 AM Eastern Standard Time, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: << However, the second half of your statement, regarding it being difficult to persuade Thyatians to leave mainland Thyatis and settle elsewhere, is dubious at best, given the fairly widespread presence of Thyatian-decended folks throughout Mystara. >> But given the fairly dense population of mainland Thyatis, it does seem likely that the proportion who emigrate is fairly small -- and there is even mention in one of the one of the almanacs about an imperial policy directed at persuading more people to emigrate from mainland Thyatis. Given the high population density of mainland Thyatis and the low population density of such places as Ochalea and the Pearl Islands, there must be some- thing going on in the minds of most Thyatians that keeps them at home. And those who do emigrate seem to be rather picky about where they go -- clearly Ochalea is not a place that many Thyatians wish to go. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 09:13:27 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: X3 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Well, I'm happy too. Got my filthy hands on X2, X3, XSOLO and IM3. No payment, I changed them with the awful Council of Wyrms. BTW, did anybody notice the stupidity of the X3 title? "The Curse of Xanathon". After ten minutes of the adventure the party meets a fellow that is named Xanathon, who has a secret plan to overthrow the duke, but nobody even suspects him, he's a normal cleric...then the player looks at the module cover, reads "Curse of Xanathon", and, well 2^3 is 8... Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 23:01:42 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: Equipment of the Twaelar War MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Nice ones. For more under water technology, check out the Deepreach mini-gaz on my = site. To be updated somtime this year. I promise (sortoff). Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 -----Original Message----- From: Porphyrogenetus [SMTP:jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM] Sent: =E5 =F4=E1=F8=E5=E0=F8 25 2000 21:09 To: MYSTARA-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM Subject: [MYSTARA] Equipment of the Twaelar War Frogsuit: Thyatian Frogmen, amphibious marines employed by the Empire in the war against the Twaelar, wear this item. The Frogsuit was developed from the Breathing Gear long used by the Retebius Air Fleet (see DotE, Player's Guide to Thyatis, p.28). A Frogsuit consists of special, articulated armor, formed out of materials that are impervious to corrosion (by, for example, sea water), which encases the Frogman completely and allows for quick movement under water (fast swimming, and walking as if on land, move 12"). The helmet has a faceplate with two bulging eyelets, permitting normal vision under water. It is the eyelets, and the generally green coloration of the Frogsuit, that gives it its name. Two large tubes extend from the mouth area, wrapping around the neck to the back; these have been enchanted with Create Air, allowing the wearer to breathe under water normally (note that because of this the suit also protects wearers against harmful gasses). The suit's insulation protects the Frogman against extreme temperatures as well, and provides protection as Full Plate Armor (AC1). A Float in Air enchantment offsets the weight of the Frogsuit, so the wearer doesn't sink like a stone; this also aids in maneuverability and speed. It counts as Excellent equipment. Cost: 5,000 gp. Harpoon Gun: This weapon, also used by Thyatian Frogmen, functions somewhat like a Crossbow, with a cocking mechanism that fires a javelin-like bolt. It has a rate of fire of 1/round, like a Light Crossbow. On land it has the same range as a Light Crossbow, underwater ranges are 6/9/12, a significant improvement over a simple Harpoon. Damage is somewhat less than for a normal Harpoon, however (1d6+1 vs. S&M, 2d4 vs. L). The Harpoon Gun has a speed factor of 7 and a weight of 7. It costs 150 gp and counts as Excellent equipment. << File: ATT00000.html >> ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 04:56:41 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: X3 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-26 3:14:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, Scarole@TIN.IT writes: << BTW, did anybody notice the stupidity of the X3 title? "The Curse of Xanathon". After ten minutes of the adventure the party meets a fellow that is named Xanathon, who has a secret plan to overthrow the duke, but nobody even suspects him, he's a normal cleric...then the player looks at the module cover, reads "Curse of Xanathon", and, well 2^3 is 8... >> ... Which is why you should keep those modules out of the sight of your players! ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 10:38:34 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Re: X3 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > ...then the player looks > at the module cover, reads "Curse of Xanathon", and, well 2^3 is 8... Which is why I never leave my screens lying around. If I need them i put = them on the inside of some other screens with paper clips... Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 11:39:34 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: X3 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > << BTW, did anybody notice the stupidity of the X3 title? > "The Curse of Xanathon". > After ten minutes of the adventure the party meets a fellow that > is named Xanathon, who has a secret plan to overthrow the duke, but > nobody even suspects him, he's a normal cleric...then the player looks > at the module cover, reads "Curse of Xanathon", and, well 2^3 is 8... >> > > ... Which is why you should keep those modules out of the sight of your > players! Well, I didn't! I just presented an example of a thing that could happen. I noticed the fault immediately, and no Xanathon is present in the adventure. I renamed it Maghal. ISS ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 12:08:30 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: Future Works MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable >'Oh, the Wisdom of Hindsight!' (0%) This will be my interpretations of = The Calamity Star as written by Master Terari, but I won't begin working = on it until the quatrains of Part II of The Calamity Star are all done! Intersting twist. What will Terari say about those obscure divinations. = Will he be 100% correct? >'More Alphatian Spells' (80-100% complete) - I always have more spells = lying around (well, so far anyway). Some are all done, some are AD&D = versions of OD&D spells, and some are not quite done. I'll finish it all = some day, but mail me if you're interested and I'll finish them sooner. Yes!!! send them over ASAP. While I have made a few dozen spells for = Glantri, I feel like Alphatia is left behind. I like to see some more of = those. Maybe we will finally get the different "feel" of Alphaitan = magic. >'NPCs' - I have yet more NPCs lying around, but these aren't dead! = Mostly they are just names of henchmen of the really powerful NPCs of = Mystara (Eriadna's magists and that sort of thing) or they are merchants = and other more mundane people (not *every* NPC is a powerful wizard or = mighty warrior after all - at least they shouldn't be IMHO!). Does Eriadna really nead a magist? I don't think there is much magical = advise you can give a 36th level mage, who has control over thousends = more. Did I mention how much I hate those 1000+ wizards?=20 >Well, except for the two first, all of these projects aren't really = progressing much at all, and probably won't unless people want to see = them! More NPCs will doubtlessly their way from my computer to the list = over time - I just can't stop them :) Yeah, you probably can't. New NPCs from the GPD will arrive soon. = Accompanied with their fabelous new spells. Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 14:30:26 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: KoRneR Subject: Re: Mystara Campaigns In-Reply-To: <389E958A.FD1F8425@ewa.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Mon, 7 Feb 2000, IronWolf wrote: > Just out of curiosity, how many people on the list are currently running Mystara > campaigns? And if so, do you have any logs of your sessions online? I'm > wondering because I'm running my own game at the moment and I'd like to read up > and see how other people are doing. Well, there's me as DM and 6 more of the players. We are to start soon, playing in SC and we are planning on publishing adventures on Web. As soon as the first is finished you will be notifyed. greetings, KoRneR ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 10:10:55 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Thyatian "SEALS" Campaign MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > I recommend another squadron: > > 5 Squadron: > HQ: Sqn CO (F8 or E8), F7 (or E7), 2 C7, 2 M7 (or E7), 2 T7 > 10 Raiding Forces: F6 (or E6 or D6), F5 (or E5), 2 M5 (or E5), 2 C5, 2 > T5 > I'm not sure the Thieves or Mages could use the Frogsuit, because it counts as armor of a type normally not available to those classes. Also, while I'm not at all reluctant to have "guard" forces of such levels & mixture of abilities, I'm paradoxically more adverse to having "active" forces (forces that go out and do stuff) with such abilities. Why? Because the missions such forces perform are the stuff of Adventures - or at least they would be in Mystara. That sort of stuff I prefer to leave to PC parties. However, that does bring up an interesting campaign concept, or at least side-campaign concept: it would certainly be possible, even likely, that the Empire would organize forces similar to the above in order to perform missions more typical for that of a real SEAL team than are conducted by the Frogmen who fight in units against the Twaelar. Missions such a team might perform would be much closer to things an adventurer party would enjoy, too (plus, you'd get access to all kinds of special gizmos from the Imperial state, which aren't available on the open, or even grey, market yet). So here are some adventure ideas along those lines: - infiltrating a Twaelar base to destroy something in advance of an attack. - infiltrating an area to gather intelligence or to "path find" prior to a strike by the Imperial Frogmen. - capturing an important Twaelar officer for interogation. - helping potential disidents or submarine creatures (like, say, Mermen) who are antagonistic to the Twaelar (the enemy of my enemy, you know). - disrupting arms shipments from the NACE to the Twaelar &/or following the shipments "up the line" and conducting a covert strike against the origin point scouting & clearing an island that is strategically placed for basing forces to fight the Twaelar, but which has some sort of danger or dangerous ruins that needs to be eliminated before the grunts can land. - escorting envoys to negotiate an armistice or peace treaty with the Twaelar. Those are just the ones I could think of at the moment. If/when the Twaelar War ends, there would likely be continuing oportunities for such a team/force in other arenas (in fact, perhaps even more), including recon in the coasts, rivers, and swamps of the Hinterlands or the delta of Thothia (covertly, of course), further exploration of the waters around Thyatis or the areas its ships travel to (the Twaelar were a surprise: don't want to get caught with your pants down the next time), infiltration of Aquas to gather intelligence on the NACE (again, covertly), and countless other oportunities that will develop as the campaign unfolds. So a party could have a fairly extensive campaign operating as "SEALS" for Thyatis (this idea would work for a number of regions - NACE SEALS with somewhat different but similarly effective equipment, for example). The role such a force/party would play is much different than a Warmach type unit, though, IMO (the covert ops stuff is much better "gamed out" in a role-playing format or described in "storylike" form, and WarMach breakdowns wouldn't be appropriate, at least IMO). ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 10:15:33 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: Equipment of the Twaelar War MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Nice ones. > Thanks 8-) > For more under water technology, check out the Deepreach mini-gaz on my > site. To be updated somtime this year. I promise (sortoff). > Oh, hadn't seen that stuff. Looks cool. The "Fire Spewer" reminds me of a similar thing the Thyatians tried to use last year (1016), but their version didn't work very well (back to the drawing board with that one). "Catastrophic malfunction" was much more likely. The Gnomes are a leg up, there. 8-) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 20:27:01 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Solmyr of the Azure Star Subject: Re: Chaos & Order in Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > So, what I want to know is, am I missing something? Is there an > > underlying subtext of Order vs. Chaos in the Mystaran stuff that is just > > flying past my dense brain, or is it more of a traditional Good vs. Evil > > setting like I think? > > Personally, I prefer not to have any clear X vs Y setups anywhere. Much better to simply have countries which are not strongly aligned towards good or evil (or other extreme philosophy) and pursue realistic policies which are designed to promote their own interests, not serve some "greater philosophy". -- ****************** Aleksei Andrievski aka Solmyr, Archmage of the Azure Star solmyr@kolumbus.fi http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Fortress/2198/index.html ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 15:59:08 +0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Agathokles Subject: Re: Population MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dave Keyser wrote: > > Actually, the Dragon magazine lupin article noted that at least one, possibly > two breeds of lupins come from Ochalea, and one of those breeds was used as > food by Ogre Magi. It didn't really indicate whether or not the Ogre Magi > on Ochalea have their own society or live in human society(presumably > disguised). The Ochalean lupins revoted with the aid of foo-dogs I believe. > This is from memory. > > Dave Keyser > Actually, there are four Ochaleans lupin races (Ogrish Chow Chow, Ochalean Houndling, Ochalean Crested & Shar-pei). The Crested are part of the Ochalean nobility, while the houndling are commoners. The Shar-pei are mercenaries and/or bandits or pirates. Also, a race of Rakasta, the Pardasta, dwells in the less populated areas of Ochalea (the very presence of these Rakastas on Ochalea seems to imply that there are large wilderness areas not occupied by other humanoids somewhere in Ochalea). -- Giampaolo Agosta agathokles@libero.it http://digilander.iol.it/agathokles/index.htm ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 13:58:39 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: George Hrabovsky Subject: Re: Thyatian "SEALS" Campaign MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit James, All that you say is true enough. An Empire as large as Thyatis would have hundreds of opportunities for such units. It is unreasonable to believe that even a hundred raiding units would be enough to handle all of the missions they know they need to perform, to say nothing of the operations whose needs arise quickly... George ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 18:26:38 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Clay Postma Subject: Re: Chaos & Order in Mystara MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/26/00 11:29:40 AM Mountain Standard Time, solmyr@KOLUMBUS.FI writes: << Personally, I prefer not to have any clear X vs Y setups anywhere. Much better to simply have countries which are not strongly aligned towards good or evil (or other extreme philosophy) and pursue realistic policies which are designed to promote their own interests, not serve some "greater philosophy". >> In "my Mystara" they don't serve the philosophies consciously...it is a completely unconscious thing. Most in the world don't even realize that there is a "conflict" at all. They simply assume that it is each country promoting its own interest. Some few do discover the conflict...but only if they are "chosen" to effect change in the balance in some way. froggy ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 15:50:16 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Organization: strawberryJAMM Designs Subject: Re: Mystara Campaigns MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On Mon, 7 Feb 2000, IronWolf wrote: > Just out of curiosity, how many people on the list are currently running Mystara > campaigns? And if so, do you have any logs of your sessions online? I'm > wondering because I'm running my own game at the moment and I'd like to read up > and see how other people are doing. Seeing as someone else has dredged up this old post and that I didn't reply in any way before, I thought I'd pitch in the following: I am not currently running a Mystara campaign, but I was running one using the "Rules Cyclopedia" D&D rules with five players up until my son was born in September of 1998. I intend to get back to it, although I'm also thinking of "starting over" and using the 3E rules once they're out. I do have some "dateline" notes about the campaign I was running, which includes both activities of the PC's and activities of important NPC's and "once PC's now NPC's because the player left". I didn't keep very accurate notes for the first module I ran (In Search of the Unknown, with my 'revisions' as available at dnd.starflung.com) although when I had one player leave and another take over his character I hacked together something quick and dirty for his use. I got more accurate and detailed as things went through "time in town", my "Jet Black" module, more time "in town" and "The Lost Seneschal" from PC1. Some of my players nominally kept journals too, but I haven't got those. Additionally, I'm currently involved as a Player in two separate Mystara based campaigns, both being run by members of this list, but I guess they just didn't feel like responding ;-) [Hi Rich! Hi Derek!]. We have a set commitment to get one session for each game in each month. Derek's game is run using the RC D&D rules and has four players: me, Rich, his wife Kris and previously a friend named Erik who had to quit and is just about to be replaced my brother David. I know for a fact that Derek keeps a /very/ extensive DM's campaign journal -- in a pinch he could probably tell you exactly what happened to whom and where on any "day" in the campaign practically since it started. Kris, his wife also keeps a very detailed Journal for her Character that she writes "in character". My character, a Mage from the Tutorial Guild of Minrothad, doesn't keep a journal, but for various reasons she has /very/ detailed business accounts covering all her "adventuring" income and expenses, including acquired magic items. Additionally, our group frequently makes use of email for 'between session role-playing' (we call it "Off Camera Role-playing" or OCR for short), and as a result, each of us, and the DM, have extensive and precise email records of actual *conversations* between two or more characters or a character and NPC's Richard's game, on the other hand, is run using 2E AD&D and also has four players: me, Derek, Kris and another friend of ours whose name also happens to be Richard. I don't know how extensive Richard's campaign notes are, but I get the feeling they aren't as extensive as Derek's. My PC is illiterate, so although I keep sporadic notes about what happens I have no real journal to resort to. I couldn't tell you about the other Players. However, we also use OCR in this game to, so some things are very well documented. So, there you go IronWolf. Information that there are at least two active Mystara campaigns and one in hibernation up in "wilds" of Western Canada ;-) Jenni -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ <------------------------------------------------------------------> God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web� Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 01:30:20 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: Future Works Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Sat, 26 Feb 2000 12:08:30 `ilo ygm wrote (replying to me): >>'Oh, the Wisdom of Hindsight!' (0%) This will be my interpretations of The Calamity Star as written by Master Terari, but I won't begin working on it until the quatrains of Part II of The Calamity Star are all done! > >Intersting twist. What will Terari say about those obscure divinations. Will he be 100% correct? > He he. You'll just have to wait and see... (Nasty, aren't I ?) ;) >>'More Alphatian Spells' (80-100% complete) - I always have more spells lying around (well, so far anyway). Some are all done, some are AD&D versions of OD&D spells, and some are not quite done. I'll finish it all some day, but mail me if you're interested and I'll finish them sooner. > >Yes!!! send them over ASAP. While I have made a few dozen spells for Glantri, I feel like Alphatia is left behind. I like to see some more of those. Maybe we will finally get the different "feel" of Alphaitan magic. > I also felt that Alphatia was left behind, especially after all those cool Glantrian spells in the 'Glantri: Kingdom of Magic' boxed set (yes, I like both those spells and that set!), which is precisely why I added new spells IMC and called them Alphatian. Not so sure about a distinct 'Alphatian' feel though, as I never saw the Alphatians as that much different from other wizards. They certainly aren't that different IMC (there are just lots and lots of them...) >>'NPCs' - I have yet more NPCs lying around, but these aren't dead! Mostly they are just names of henchmen of the really powerful NPCs of Mystara (Eriadna's magists and that sort of thing) or they are merchants and other more mundane people (not *every* NPC is a powerful wizard or mighty warrior after all - at least they shouldn't be IMHO!). > >Does Eriadna really nead a magist? I don't think there is much magical advise you can give a 36th level mage, who has control over thousends more. Did I mention how much I hate those 1000+ wizards? > She probably doesn't, but she probably wouldn't cast spells with penalties or even potential penalties herself (like Permanency), and I can't imagine that she would enchant magical items herself - "We have people for that!" IMC she also has some magists who Teleport VIPs and adventurers around at times... >>Well, except for the two first, all of these projects aren't really progressing much at all, and probably won't unless people want to see them! More NPCs will doubtlessly their way from my computer to the list over time - I just can't stop them :) > >Yeah, you probably can't. New NPCs from the GPD will arrive soon. Accompanied with their fabelous new spells. > Oooh! Looking forward to it... - The Stalker of Alphatia Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 23:11:12 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: jason o'brien Subject: Re: Future Works MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > DVGaz 1: The Citadel of Thimhallan (90% complete, beta is up > on Stan's site) > > Atop a mountain, lost in time, lies an ancient city of > wonderous invention. Built by the long-dead Elves of > Evergrun, and resettled by Alphatian travellers, this once > dead city thrives as a technomagical mecca, where adventure > isn't just conjured, it's built from the ground up. > > DVGaz 2: The Snartan Empire/The Vulcalian States (70% > complete, coming soon) > > Snarta, the Empire of absolute Law and conformity. Every > soldier has their place in the unstoppable phalanx. Be they > Pilots, or members of the Drudge Brigade, every Snartan is a > member of the "Hoi Gnomoioi" - The similars. But not every > Snartan is cloned equal.. > > Vulcalia was a freewheeling land of horsemen and > traders, but then the Snartans imposed their law on the > lands. Now the hearty Vulcalian solders fight an endless > battle to reclaim their homeland, and their freedom. > > DVGaz 3: Cities of Steam and Fire (20% complete) > > Earthshaker! The word inspires dread throughout the > plains of southern Vulcania. These behemoths are no less > than the apex of Gnomish invention. This Gaz details the > major Earthshakers of the Vulcanian Marches, and their > relations with thier neighbors, Snarta, Vulcalia, and The > Three Kingdoms. > > DVGaz 4: The Three Kingdoms (~5% complete) > > A society based on the precepts of ultimate honor and > ritual battles, not much is known about this enigmatic race > of dark skinned Bushido warriors... Yet.. can't wait these all sound pretty good. i especially like the sound of DVgaz 4. mortus. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 14:29:50 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: DM Subject: Re: FLY and HASTE Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" On Tue, 22 Feb 2000 12:21:42 EST, Master's Pawn wrote: <> Correct: Haste doesn't allow to double your speed if you're using Fly spell, mainly because u fly by concentration, and Haste doesn't affect concentration speed in any ways. It does however double the movement of natural fliers, and I'd also allow to double the movement of a mage polymorphed into a flying monster (even though this could fall in the "magic" cathegory used by Master's Pawn), because what it does it to increase the muscles' speed, which are obviously used to fly by creatures with wings. Also remember that as long as you're flying (ie moving using _Fly_ spell), you cannot cast ANY spells, since this requires concentration (which you've already used to fly). DM Senior Editor of the Mystaran Almanac First Officer of U.S.S. Unicorn Visit Marco's Mystara Homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967 Join the Mystara Webring at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967/mystring.html Join the Starfleet Academy at: http://gilda.it/startrek (Italian RPG PBEM) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:01:22 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: DM Subject: Re: Ranting Screed & Kargatane Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Ironwolf wrote: <> Why the Kargatane site could achieve this incredible result? This is because the Kargatane guys (which IMHO are very smart as well as incredibly creative and determined) were already deeply linked with the Kargat (RL designers at TSR) and had a good relationship with WotC's staffers and managers. They had their support from the beginning, and the fact that a couple of them even worked for the company as writers or playtesters (on top of them all, John Mangrum even put his name on the last published product for RL, near the name of Steve Miller, one of the first fathers of the setting) only reinforced the feeling that the Kargatane site could have been used to further RL on the net. Sure thing: the Kargatane guys are bright and inventive and have got plenty of ideas. I'm the first to admire them for their capacity to organize their work, set tight guidelines to better the quality of their products and respect deadlines. Sure thing the Kargatane are doing a great work to mantain RL alive on the net... but ... but there's a big BUT which must be added in order to understand what makes the RL line so different from our situation. The last consideration to make in order to understand why RL got this special treatment is : the Kargat WANTED to make RL live on. There are several TSR authors that have volounteered to help the Kargatane produce high quality products for their site and the RL line simply because they love the setting and hope it will live on, maybe to be returned to paper products one day. These people will get NO MONEY from TSR for their work, mind you, but they'll give some of their time and intellectual resources to the creation of these net products simply because they love writing for RL and the RL fans. Now this and the fact that TSR is officially sponsoring their efforts is obviously something to keep into consideration before making comparisons.. I believe it doesn't suffice just the heart and will of fans to revive a campaign as long as the final decision is being taken by somebody else. WotC wants to cut with the past and the past mistakes (that's also why the TSR trademark will be buried, as Peter Adkinson explained a little while back, IIRC), so until they'll be convinced that Mystara is a viable and profitable campaign, Mystara stays where it is: in its fans' hands and heads. (which is not a bad place after all, mind you?) :) PS: and pu'leese, stop with that CANNON WARS again! It already made too many victims in the past years and has been just s fruitless as the eskimo mafia (if one such thing existed!) DM Senior Editor of the Mystaran Almanac First Officer of U.S.S. Unicorn Visit Marco's Mystara Homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967 Join the Mystara Webring at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967/mystring.html Join the Starfleet Academy at: http://gilda.it/startrek (Italian RPG PBEM) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:43:58 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Ply - Spell MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit hello - all of us i thought about the W spell fly. could a PC with the benefit of the Fly spell stay stillin the air? or have he to move? in AD&D2th there are move classes for flyer the spell gives the user class B normaly he can`t levitate. how do you handel that prob in your game? IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 04:05:46 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: DM Subject: Re: - D&D movie Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" IBON "erewan laubgaenger" wrote: <> The movie's not out yet, but it should be by August or September. From what I've gathered it's finished now, and in postproduction. They plan on releasing it in connection with 3rd Ed release to exploit the fandom effect that the movie might do on the younger generations (new gamers to which D&D 3Ed ED is dedicated.. apparently..). If you wanna know more, check out: www.dndmovie.com it has got also cool stills from the movie! :) "You don't stop playing because you grow old: you grow old because you stop playing!" DM Senior Editor of the Mystaran Almanac First Officer of U.S.S. Unicorn Visit Marco's Mystara Homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967 Join the Mystara Webring at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967/mystring.html Join the Starfleet Academy at: http://gilda.it/startrek (Italian RPG PBEM) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 22:50:08 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Re: Ranting Screed & Kargatane MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > many victims in the past years and has been just s fruitless as the eskimo > mafia (if one such thing existed!) I take offense at that.. As the chief suppier of fruit to the Eskimo Mafia, I Haven't laxed on any deadlines :) Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 22:27:10 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed & Kargatane MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit DM wrote: > > The last consideration to make in order to understand why RL got this > special treatment is : the Kargat WANTED to make RL live on. There are > several TSR authors that have volounteered to help the Kargatane produce > high quality products for their site and the RL line simply because they > love the setting and hope it will live on, maybe to be returned to paper > products one day. These people will get NO MONEY from TSR for their work, > mind you, but they'll give some of their time and intellectual resources to > the creation of these net products simply because they love writing for RL > and the RL fans. Now this and the fact that TSR is officially sponsoring > their efforts is obviously something to keep into consideration before > making comparisons.. I totally agree. That's part of why I brought it up, is because Mystara's situation simply isn't the same as Ravenloft's, and comparing the two just doesn't work. As Jim Butler remarked recently, though, they don't favor any one setting over another. It's merely that there is an organized group of gamers at the head of Ravenloft's fan system. (Granted, it is a bit of a dictatorship of creativity, but Ravenloft is a more focused form of campaign setting, so it probably doesn't have nearly as much trouble as Mystara would. Mystara as a setting is far more diverse and prone to dispute. And that's not a dig on anyone, I merely state an observed fact!) There IS hope, however minor though. Gammaworld, another old TSR product, is making a comeback in only a few months as a hardcover Alternity sourcebook. That's likely to be the ONLY product for it, but heck, it's better than nothing. > I believe it doesn't suffice just the heart and will of fans to revive a > campaign as long as the final decision is being taken by somebody else. > WotC wants to cut with the past and the past mistakes (that's also why the > TSR trademark will be buried, as Peter Adkinson explained a little while > back, IIRC), so until they'll be convinced that Mystara is a viable and > profitable campaign, Mystara stays where it is: in its fans' hands and > heads. (which is not a bad place after all, mind you?) :) No, not a bad place at all. But I would like to share Mystara with new gamers and not get blank puzzled stares from gamers weaned on 2nd Edition as I try to explain D&D once came in boxes. I also enjoy gaming more than designing. Some of the best materials come from playing a character who is a living example of a culture and race. IronWolf "There was a 1st Edition? Get out of here!" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 22:27:45 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Ranting Screed & Kargatane MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I thought of a better exit line... IronWolf "Specularum? Is that anywhere near Waterdeep?" IronWolf wrote: > > DM wrote: > > > > The last consideration to make in order to understand why RL got this > > special treatment is : the Kargat WANTED to make RL live on. There are > > several TSR authors that have volounteered to help the Kargatane produce > > high quality products for their site and the RL line simply because they > > love the setting and hope it will live on, maybe to be returned to paper > > products one day. These people will get NO MONEY from TSR for their work, > > mind you, but they'll give some of their time and intellectual resources to > > the creation of these net products simply because they love writing for RL > > and the RL fans. Now this and the fact that TSR is officially sponsoring > > their efforts is obviously something to keep into consideration before > > making comparisons.. > > I totally agree. That's part of why I brought it up, is because Mystara's > situation simply isn't the same as Ravenloft's, and comparing the two just > doesn't work. As Jim Butler remarked recently, though, they don't favor any one > setting over another. It's merely that there is an organized group of gamers at > the head of Ravenloft's fan system. (Granted, it is a bit of a dictatorship of > creativity, but Ravenloft is a more focused form of campaign setting, so it > probably doesn't have nearly as much trouble as Mystara would. Mystara as a > setting is far more diverse and prone to dispute. And that's not a dig on > anyone, I merely state an observed fact!) > > There IS hope, however minor though. Gammaworld, another old TSR product, is > making a comeback in only a few months as a hardcover Alternity sourcebook. > That's likely to be the ONLY product for it, but heck, it's better than nothing. > > > I believe it doesn't suffice just the heart and will of fans to revive a > > campaign as long as the final decision is being taken by somebody else. > > WotC wants to cut with the past and the past mistakes (that's also why the > > TSR trademark will be buried, as Peter Adkinson explained a little while > > back, IIRC), so until they'll be convinced that Mystara is a viable and > > profitable campaign, Mystara stays where it is: in its fans' hands and > > heads. (which is not a bad place after all, mind you?) :) > > No, not a bad place at all. But I would like to share Mystara with new gamers > and not get blank puzzled stares from gamers weaned on 2nd Edition as I try to > explain D&D once came in boxes. I also enjoy gaming more than designing. Some of > the best materials come from playing a character who is a living example of a > culture and race. > > IronWolf > > "There was a 1st Edition? Get out of here!" > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 02:56:28 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Eskimo Mafia? (was Ranting Screed & Kargatane) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-26 9:02:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, mdalmonte@PROVINCIA.RA.IT writes: << PS: and pu'leese, stop with that CANNON WARS again! It already made too many victims in the past years and has been just s fruitless as the eskimo mafia (if one such thing existed!) >> You know, that is a rather interesting idea for a new Mystaran culture! Now if I could only figure out some of the details.... ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 05:27:04 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Greetings! Okay, I finally sat down and finished this one up, the Magiocracy of Herath. It took longer than other maps because I actually had to go ahead and create the next one to make sure the borders lined up. Nimmur and Jibar� shouldn't be too far behind, and the Lizard Kingdoms are already half complete thanks to the work already done. The final piece will be the dark jungle, a real challenge as no official works display it at 8 miles a hex. (Fan works do, such as Thibalt's.) After the Savage Coast is finished, I'm not sure where I'll go next as far as maps go. I'm open to suggestions. :) IronWolf http://users.ewa.net/ironwolf/ "It's Specularum, damn it!" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:49:21 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: FLY and HASTE MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Also remember that as long as you're flying (ie moving using _Fly_ spell), > you cannot cast ANY spells, since this requires concentration (which you've > already used to fly). the concentration is so much need like light walking - maybe to much?? but IMO (first time that i use in my opinion this way) you can cast spells while moving short distances. like melee - thouch spells. so you can cast also spells while flying. IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 12:02:19 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Alex Benson Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/24/00 9:04:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, ironwolf@EWA.NET writes: <<> another sad truth is that the rpg gaming community is shrinking. It is? I just keep seeing more and more gamers where I am. Most haven't ever heard of Mystara (2nd Edition AD&D is where they came in) but I'd say the worst I see is most don't want to play AD&D (and OD&D) because they think the systems are simplistic and that they've 'moved on'. A lot of the same guys though are looking forward to 3E.>> well that is the case around here... sorry if the message implied otherwise. around here the gaming crowd is small and more focused on card games and other game systems. most game shops are not focal on the gaming industry, focusing on other venues while offering a game section. FR and RL are the settings of choice for those gamers that are listed as D&D prone. my area has a strong college and military presence....at least explaining the strong support of the wargaming crowd. > another venue for the rpg crowd is the computer rpg. however there is a > difference between gaming on a pc and gaming in groups with pen, paper, and > dice. i had hoped that TSR sanctioned rpgs such as Baldur's Gate. > unfortunately the mainstream settings will be marketted to these new > recruits. unless there is a sizable boom to gamers i doubt that there will > be any revivals of new sword and sorcery fantasy based settings. Well, Neverwinter Nights will be usable to run games of your own over local networks and internets, so you can contact and play with players from anywhere. If only it was a generic setting so we could customize it to Mystara... customization's only a short distance from that point, though.>> yes....NWN looks to promising. one thing i noted on the BG forums is the new faces asking about AD&D rules and the FR setting. there is some talk of 3E. most seem interested in the game system...but i am unsure if they'd opt for Mystara over FR. once NWN gets kicking perhaps there will be a noticable interest in other settings. <<> as for me i am content for now to be part of the mystaran online gang. this > forum and the almanac are my avenues for being part of mystara. sure...i'd > like to see mystara revived....i just don't see it happening. anyway...for > me it would be a hollow victory as i have no group to enjoy the setting > with. Hey, I feel for you Alex. There's some days it seems like nobody around here wants to play D&D with me either. (My brother was going to run something so I could play, but now he's off on an Aberrant kick, because he played it at a con.) Gamers and gaming tends to come back when you least expect it though. I hope it happens for you soon! >> thanks.....hey i hope that i am in the minority as far as gaming enthusiasts go. i know that around here the mystara crowd is a virtual nonfactor. someone out there prove me wrong....if there's any CSRA area mystara fans out there speak up. those from the region will know what CSRA means. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 17:13:51 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: jason o'brien Subject: Re: Mystara Campaigns MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Just out of curiosity, how many people on the list are currently running Mystara > > campaigns? And if so, do you have any logs of your sessions online? I'm > > wondering because I'm running my own game at the moment and I'd like to read up > > and see how other people are doing. i have just recently started to get a group together for an immortals campaign. myself and four players. but i do not have a web paged nor the time neccessary to publish logs on line i'm afraid. sorry. mortus. " All crime is committed by the living. Therfore life itself is a crime. Life is the crime,the sentence is DEATH!" Judge Death from the Judge Dredd comics. Mortus. jobo@eircom.net ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 12:22:02 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: Re: Mystara Campaigns MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I am running a campaign with myself as the GM and 3 other players, but we have only done one session as of yet, so no log or anything. I logged a portion of a previous campaign and sent it in to the Tome of Mystara, Volume 2, and it's under the heading "Pit of Darkness". It was co-written and edited by Meltheim the Shadowstalker (myself) and Jennifer Favia Guerra (sp?). It is a very nice story. Oh, btw, the Vicodin I am taking for the pain (wisdom teeth removal, remember?) is causing my creative juices to flow like crazy, so who knows what i'll come up with next . . . Meltheim the Shadowstalker GM to the MonkeyWrench ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 09:46:42 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Organization: strawberryJAMM Designs Subject: Re: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit IronWolf wrote: > After the Savage Coast is finished, I'm not sure where I'll go next as far as > maps go. I'm open to suggestions. :) Well, I'm still interested in seeing a map that covers North Western Darokin -- from Corrunglain West as far as the Darokin/Sind border, and including all of Lake Amsorak and most, if not all of Glantri. :-) Jenni A. M. Merrifield -=> strawberryJAMM <=- -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ <------------------------------------------------------------------> God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web� Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 18:52:38 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jamuga Khan Subject: The National Character of Alphatia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have reconsidered the national character of Alphatia as IMO there are some aspects which are usually overlooked. A discussion about my opinion is welcomed, of course. ==================================================== The Empire of Alphatia is a realm full of magic, and all those able to cast magic - magic-user, clerics, druids or anything else - are nobles in Alphatia because of their abilities. Alphatian nobles have the right to do nearly everything unless they annoy another noble who has more personal, political or military power. So far, so good, but from this (and some other facts) we can conclude something about Alphatian spellcasters: In the western kingdoms - e.g. eastern Brun - a man or woman who is able to become a magic-user usually concentrates the focus of his life to this profession. He or she does all necessary to become better and better. Likewise a cleric devotes his or her life to the service for the immortal. (Of course there are other - especially in Glantri and Thyatis.) Contrary to that a great number of Alphatian spellcasters will not be interested in their magic too much. After learning how to cast spells they have qualified themselves to the status of aristocrats. After that they have the right to do everything what they want, but this need not to be magic. Instead they might become traders, artists, fashion designers or scientists. The main difference to the classical spellcaster would be that they are proud of their status but not of their abilities - these are just the means to get the noble status. Additionally we have to consider how some social improvements are to be reached. A servant who has managed to make enough money to afford his own business becomes a freeman, and a freeman with enough money on an account at an Alphatian bank becomes a gentry. Likewise an aristocrat with enough money and a business or an offical imperial position becomes a lord. As social status is important the empire must keep control over such facts as wealth and businesses. The logical consequence of this is that there offices like industrial inspection boards or revenue offices which administer every inhabitant of the empire. Beyond this such regulations induce the people to work as businessmen - nobles and commoners likewise. This aspect of the national character is IMO neglected in the view to Alphatia until now. As every commoner and the nobles without the desire to get an imperial job desires to become businessmen there would be a lot of different businesses in Alphatia, and many things would be initiated and done by such businesses. Of course the oney which are owned by nobles have more influence and more possibilities than the ones owned by commoners. I have used this view to the Alphatian national character in some of my articles before as I've written that there was a merchantman who started to build up a sea trade lane to Thothia. The company took over more and more of the Thothian lands which became Alphatian colonies later on. Another example of my view of Alphatia are my "Order of the Lakes" which called itself an order of knights, but which indeed is a company with many fields of business throughout the empire. This of course makes Alphatia a "modern" state like our RW home countries. Probably the mages who are sent by the imperial government to handle some problems are doing so as businessmen from consulting, construction or salvage companies. Jamuga Khan "Hear and obey, because the Mighty Khan's word is law!" Visit my Homepage at http://members.aol.com/JamugaKhan or mail me under mailto:JamugaKhan@gmx.net . ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 12:17:05 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: James Ruhland Subject: Re: The National Character of Alphatia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Contrary to that a great number of Alphatian spellcasters > will not be interested in their magic too much. > That's an excellent point, and you're right that it's often overlooked. > > Beyond this such regulations induce the people to work > as businessmen - nobles and commoners likewise. > To what degree do you think the Noble class manipulates things to, for example, harm or even ruin the businesses of commoners that aren't favored? For example, take two enterprises, both involved in the spider silk trade: one owned by an aristocrat, the other by a commoner, competing against each other. A side related question is: as you put it, the Alphatian class system provides an inducement for people to try to become businessmen. But, conversely, do you think it can also be used to "keep people in their place?" For instance, how many people (who aren't nobles) can afford to keep 10,000gp in a bank vault? This law seems to allow, for example, Eriadna or other very wealthy nobles to elivate their children to Gentry status, but it's harder to imagine most actual traders and merchants ("most" being key here) putting that much money asside, when they could invest it in their business (a small sailing ship costs half as much; it's probably a pretty successful merchant who can say he or she owns their own ship outright without having "financial backers" of some sort. So they'd have to have much wealth beyond that before setting any asside). Also, to what degree do you think "the rules" might encourage inefficient "businesses"? To take the example given in the Player's Guide, Adventurers might open a "business" just to get their foot in the door and rise above Servant status (a virtual must, actually, if they want to be adventurers) - but their business might not be very economical or efficient, it just exists so they can be Freemen. How widespread do you think this sort of thing might be? Anyhow, really interesting post. More stuff about Alphatian society & economy would be cool. Reminds me, too, that one of my projects is to finish a "trade chart" (similar to that in the Min Gaz) for Alphatia's towns & cities (I got a big chunk done a long time ago, but then like so many things I got sidetracked & haven't gotten back to it yet). One of my assumptions for that was that the "trade volume" might be higher than the "port capacity" might indicate, for a variety of reasons (including trade being more internal/local in Alphatia, some goods moved by magic, etc). I'm not sure how that fits in with the points you made, but I thought I'd mention it anyhow. 8-) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 19:50:08 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Michael III Mysteria Organization: Prince-Regent of Mysteria Subject: Re: Another Population Problem??!?!?!?! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Since we've recently discussed the evident problems with the ALphatian >population, it's come to my attention that there seem to be some problems on >the Thyatian side of things. >In particular, does anyone think that the populations of Ochalea and (to a >lesser extent) the Pearl islands seem woefully small? Yes, unless there's something in the water there too, the populations of Ochalea, Pearl Islands and the Thyatian Territories on IoD are also to low (as I've said before for IoD). Needs to be adjusted too, in my opinion. Michael III Mysteria ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 10:58:19 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Organization: strawberryJAMM Designs Subject: Re: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" wrote: > > IronWolf wrote: > > After the Savage Coast is finished, I'm not sure where I'll go next as far as > > maps go. I'm open to suggestions. :) > > Well, I'm still interested in seeing a map that covers North Western Darokin > -- from Corrunglain West as far as the Darokin/Sind border, and including all > of Lake Amsorak and most, if not all of Glantri. :-) On this note, Thib just wrote me privately to say he has, in fact, put together such a map already -- since he hadn't announced it (or I missed it if he did) I had erroneously assumed that it had slid aside for other mapping projects. Thanks Thib! Jenni PS: Of course, if IronWolf wants to try his hand at the same map, he's more than welcome to ;-) -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ <------------------------------------------------------------------> God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web� Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 11:44:42 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Re: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Okay, I'll do it! Now stop twisting my arm. :) IronWolf "There's life beyond Akorros?! Get out of here!" "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" wrote: > > IronWolf wrote: > > After the Savage Coast is finished, I'm not sure where I'll go next as far as > > maps go. I'm open to suggestions. :) > > Well, I'm still interested in seeing a map that covers North Western Darokin > -- from Corrunglain West as far as the Darokin/Sind border, and including all > of Lake Amsorak and most, if not all of Glantri. :-) > > Jenni A. M. Merrifield > -=> strawberryJAMM <=- > > -- > Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs > strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ > <------------------------------------------------------------------> > God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. > Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" > And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" > > ________________________________________________________ > 1stUp.com - Free the Web� > Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com > > ******************************************************************** > The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp > Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp > To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM > with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 12:17:48 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Jenni A. M. Merrifield" Organization: strawberryJAMM Designs Subject: Re: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit IronWolf wrote: > > Okay, I'll do it! Now stop twisting my arm. :) Sure thing.... oh, but wait... Actually ... ... even though Thib's maps cover the region, they cover "all" of Darokin and Sind -- which is far more than I really need (though they do look great, especially when I stitch them together into one big map...) so ... ... if you did want to take it on but just did the small sub region I was interested in, that would be ... ... simply awesome. ;-) Jenni A. M. Merrifield -=> strawberryJAMM <=- -- Jenni A. M. Merrifield <==> strawberryJAMM Designs strawberry@jamm.com <==> http://www.jamm.com/jamm/ <------------------------------------------------------------------> God created Light. Then Earth, Vegetables, Animals, Man and Woman. Then God started to think: "I should create things I *like*!" And God said: "Let There Be Strawberries!" ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web� Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 15:22:00 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Mischa E Gelman Subject: Mountain giant class (revised) In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I think I corrected those errors that were pointed out, and added a section on strongholds and "followers." Unless others point out more flaws, this is the final draft. If anyone actually uses this class for PCs, let me know how it turned out. Mountain Giant Height - 1' per Hit Die Weight (d6) - 1-2 thin 3-4 normal 5-6 fat Damage XP AC HP Weapon/Hand/Boulder MV Boulder Range Tyke -600,000 8 3d8 1d8/1d6 /1d4 90' (30') 30/60/ 120 Youth -598,000 6 5d8 1d10/1d8 /1d4 120' (40') 40/80/ 160 -580,000 5 7d8 1d10/1d8 /1d6 150' (50') 40/80/ 160 Teenager -540,000 4 8d8 2d10/3d6 /2d6 150' (50') 60/120/240 -460,000 3 9d8 3d10/2d10/2d8 150' (50') 60/120/240 Young Adult-320,000 2 10d8 4d10/4d6 /3d6 150' (50') 90/180/360 -180,000 1 11d8 4d10/4d6 /3d6 150' (50') 90/180/360 Normal 0 0 12d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Monster Level 1 180,000 0 13d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 2 360,000 0 14d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 3 540,000 0 15d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 4 720,000 0 16d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 5 900,000 0 17d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 6 1,100,000 0 18d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 7 1,350,000 0 19d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 8 1,600,000 0 20d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 9 1,900,000 0 21d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 10 2,200,000-1 22d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 11 2,500,000-1 23d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Level 12 3,000,000-2 23d8 5d10/3d10/4d6 150' (50') 100/200/400 Max level - 12 Damage assumes ownership of a sword or club - the cost for such weapons, non-magical, is 100 GP per d10 of damage, but every mountain giant can start with a normal-sized human sword and use it till they become a teen. Buying future weapons is his or her responsibility. Magical giant-sized weapons are fairly rare, and a giant's punch and boulder attacks cannot hurt creatures who are only damaged by silver or magical weapons. AC similarly is a base level, and giants (esp. younger) often wear armor. Cost is ten times that of human-sized armor, even for starting giants, as they are differently proportioned. Attack - as per monster of same HD Fight Options gained at level 9, with 2 attacks becoming available at level 10 and 3 attacks at level 12. Weapon Proficiencies - if weapon proficiencies are used - basic in all weapons as base, four additional skills at normal monster (but cannot surpass expert in any weapon), one more at levels 3, 6, 9 and 12 and one more every 200,000 XP thereafter. Giant weapon damages do not correlate obviously with human WP charts. I thought of several ways to handle this: 1)Ignore Weapon Proficiencies. A max-level giant will get 3 attacks with an average damage per hit of 27, making them comparable to a max-level mystic or fighter (with GM in sword+5) who each get 4 attacks for 20 points per hit. 2)Give giants their own WP charts for different weapons, assuming a gain of 10-15 points for grand mastery. This now raises them from around 81 points of D per round to 111-126 - quite a bit, but giants are powerful beings. Since most giants won't reach 12th, this really amounts to 74-84 damage/rnd once they get multiple attacks, which again is fairly equivalent to other melee-oriented classes. 3)Give giants their own WP charts, assuming a tripling of damage for grand mastery. This would be way too powerful, but if we remove multiple attacks and return to the base 1/rnd of the canon, we now have a giant doing 7d20 or 8d20 per hit, one attack a round, an all-or-nothing affair really. Average damage would be 72-83, again fairly comparable. Giants inflict much more pain per hit, but aren't as agile as humans. Sounds fairly sensible. This of course is assuming that giants should be comparable. If one wanted to make them much tougher in melee, feel free to mix and match in the appropriate manner. Giants generally live to the age of 400, and young giants enter the outside world to explore usually around age 35. As AC10 explains, males are much more common to become adventuers, but some female mountain giants also become adventurers. Mountain Giants get a +3 to starting STR and a -1 to DEX. They need a STR of at least 14 to start. A mountain giant's prime requisite is CON. Starting GP is 3d6 times 10. Most mountain giants adventurers are simply letting off their youthful aggression - if they enjoy the life though, they need not return the peaks and may keep on adventuring. Savings Throws - as fighter of same HD. Skills - every mountain giant begins with hunting skill (plus any INT-gained skills) . Upon becoming a teenager, they may take a second skill. At "normal monster" they get 2 more skills. After this, they gain skills at levels 4, 8 and 12, and an additional one with every 300,000 XP thereafter. Popular skills with giants are survival (mountain or forest), nature lore (mountain or forest), tracking, animal training and caving. Mountain giants suffer the same "scale-penalty" as sea giants, upon reaching teenager status (8 HD). See PC2 for more information on the risk posed by such large creatures in areas designed for smaller beings. Spell-casters - there are no shamans or wicca among the mountain giants. The magical arts simply foreign to them, given their dwarvish nature. The immortal who created them died off thousands of years ago, leaving them without access to clerical powers, though some still practice the ancient rituals and ceremonies, hoping for his return. Garal Glitterlode has taken pity on the mountain giants who are so closely knit to his people, so does grant shamanic skills to chiefs. Upon getting enough XP for 12th level, a mountain giant must defeat the reigning leader of the area in the biannual celebrations (see AC10, pg. 3) in a no-holds-barred, one-on-one conflict. Given the XP needed to reach such a level, the challenges are rare indeed - and tough. This is because the established leader has access to 10th level shamanic abilities (regardless of WIS). The loser (if still alive) is healed, but is set back to 2,500,000 XP and 11h level and can never attain 12th level. Relationships with other races - mountain giants do not face aggression from dwarves or gnomes, but neither greets them with familial affection - they would provide assistance in crisis times certainly though, and vice versa. Most other races view mountain giants with hesitant fear, at the least, if not outright aggression. Giants reside mostly in fairly unexplored regions, like Norworld, but no huge enclaves or societies exist on Mystara. Some live in almost any region of the world though. Strongholds - At normal monster level, most mountain giants build strongholds, though some continue to adventure. Often a giant couple will be wed at this time, to start their new home together. Costs for stronghold construction are four times the cost for human-sized structures, and no followers are gained. Instead, human adventurers will often come to try to rid the area of its new "monster" residents due to some warped perception of mountain giants as universally evil. More information on mountain giant culture can be found in AC10 obviously. This class/race has not been playtested. - Mischa That which is large enough for the rich to covet, is large enough for the poor to defend. - G.K. Chesterton ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:24:25 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Living Mystara Logistics (was: Mystara 2000) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Alex Benson ha scritto: > In a message dated 2/24/00 9:04:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, ironwolf@EWA.NET > writes: > > <<> another sad truth is that the rpg gaming community is shrinking. > > It is? I just keep seeing more and more gamers where I am. Most haven't ever I must say that I too see the RPG community shrinking a lot. Most gamers are getting older, and fresh recruits are hard to be found. Most think that RPG is for suckers; others concentrate on computer games and cardgames. Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:34:20 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: DM Subject: fly - Spell Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" On Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:43:58 +0100, erewan laubgaenger wrote: <> ?? :) <> Well, of course he can stand still. Fly is an improved version of Levitate IMNSHO. In order to stand still, you simply have to think about it. IMC I also rule that once you've stopped, you can hang in the air without concentration (however, if you happen to be knocked out, you'll plunge to the ground). DM Senior Editor of the Mystaran Almanac First Officer of U.S.S. Unicorn "You don't stop playing because you grow old: you grow old because you stop playing!" Visit Marco's Mystara Homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967 Join the Mystara Webring at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967/mystring.html Join the Starfleet Academy at: http://gilda.it/startrek (Italian RPG PBEM) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 07:00:13 +0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: "Francisco V. Navarro" Subject: Re: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: IronWolf After the Savage Coast is finished, I'm not sure where I'll go next as far as maps go. I'm open to suggestions. :) IronWolf http://users.ewa.net/ironwolf/ I'm a big Glantri fan, but unfortunately I only have GKoM. That provides a post-WotI map, crater and all. In the RC, only the southwestern corner of Glantri is showing. I'd be interested in a pre-WotI Glantri map in the traditional hex style you do so well [flattery, flattery...]. Oh, and why not add in a post-WotI map as well. Kit Navarro Paparazzi Glantri fanavarro@pacific.net.ph ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 00:37:33 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: The Stalker Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80) Subject: Re: FLY (was FLY and HASTE) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- On Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:49:21 erewan laubgaenger wrote: >> Also remember that as long as you're flying (ie moving using _Fly_ spell), >> you cannot cast ANY spells, since this requires concentration (which you've >> already used to fly). > >the concentration is so much need like light walking - maybe to much?? >but IMO (first time that i use in my opinion this way) >you can cast spells while moving short distances. like melee - thouch spells. >so you can cast also spells while flying. >IBON I'm not sure which version of the game the two of you are playing, but AD&D 2nd Edition supports the latter interpretation because in the middle of the spell description for Fly it say pretty clearly: "Using the Fly spell requires as much concentration as walking, so most spells can be cast while hovering or moving slowly (movement of 3)" Still, this may not be a very important distinction at all, but it is the way the spell functions IMC! BTW I agree completely that Fly is an improved version of Levitate, which IMO in turn is an improved version of Feather Fall. Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 18:48:43 -0600 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Ranma Al'Thor Subject: Re: Mystara Campaigns In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII My campaign is currently in early 1004 AC, and the PCs are on their way to try to find a time-travel artifact as part of their efforts to prevent the meteor hitting Glantri. They're about to discover all the weirdnesses of the Divinarchy of Yav. John Walter Biles : MA-History, ABD, Ph.D Candidate at U. Kansas ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu rhea@tass.org http://www.tass.org/~rhea/falcon.html rhea@maison-otaku.net http://www.maison-otaku.net/~rhea/ "The connection is so abstract, that we have people whose job it is to make sure the paperwork doesn't get totally disconnected from the world. Theoretically, I handle millions of dollars a day, but it is less real than this e-mail. I have never seen our product. I have never seen the sales people. I have never seen a customer." --Robert Lane describes his work as an accountant. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 00:33:29 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: erewan laubgaenger Subject: Re: fly - Spell MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit DM wrote: > On Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:43:58 +0100, erewan laubgaenger wrote: > > <> > > ?? :) > > < could a PC with the benefit of the Fly spell stay stillin the air? > or have he to move?>> > > Well, of course he can stand still. Fly is an improved version of Levitate > IMNSHO. In order to stand still, you simply have to think about it. IMC I > also rule that once you've stopped, you can hang in the air without > concentration (however, if you happen to be knocked out, you'll plunge to > the ground). that sounds good - i will take it and then in your campagne you can cast while you stand? but you can`t cast while moving? if i understand you in an other mail right. IBON ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 20:29:16 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: The National Character of Alphatia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-27 12:53:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, JamugaKhan@GMX.NET writes: << I have reconsidered the national character of Alphatia as IMO there are some aspects which are usually overlooked. A discussion about my opinion is welcomed, of course. >> What you wrote is a logical deducation from Alphatian society as described in DotE. The only Alphatians that I can see as not being too concerned about financial and business matters would be the kings, queens, and other nobles at the very top of Alphatian society -- some of them would be so filthy rich that they could not even consider the possibility of dropping in status or even of being unable to raise all of their children to the lord or gentry level at the very least. Of course, it is far too easy to imagine these high nobles as being typical aristocrats, when in fact 99.9+% of the population (arcaner and mundaner alike) would have the sorts of concerns that you cited. In a message dated 2000-02-27 1:23:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, jruhlconob@SPRYNET.COM writes: << To what degree do you think the Noble class manipulates things to, for example, harm or even ruin the businesses of commoners that aren't favored? For example, take two enterprises, both involved in the spider silk trade: one owned by an aristocrat, the other by a commoner, competing against each other.>> That could depend on who they each know. If the aristocrat has no powerful friends but the commoner is a buddy of the local king, then the commoner might actually have the advantage. The ability to show proper respect to powerful lords is an essential survival skill for the Alphatian gentry, I would think. But in this area Alphatian racial prejudice could become a major factor. The majority of common Alphatians would have no real reason to prefer doing business with an aristocrat rather than a freeman -- but they would almost certainly prefer either over a barbarian foreigner trying to compete with both of them. << Also, to what degree do you think "the rules" might encourage inefficient "businesses"? To take the example given in the Player's Guide, Adventurers might open a "business" just to get their foot in the door and rise above Servant status (a virtual must, actually, if they want to be adventurers) - but their business might not be very economical or efficient, it just exists so they can be Freemen. How widespread do you think this sort of thing might be? >> I am sure that it is very widespread, especially at the level of servants becoming freemen. For freemen wanting to become gentry or aristocrats wanting to become lords, however, there are real trade-offs to consider: Do you put all that money in the bank and claim higher status now, or do you continue investing it in the hope of making that status a bit more secure when you claim it later? ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 17:30:18 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Darth Darknerd Organization: HotBot Mail (http://mail.hotbot.com:80) Subject: Re: wisdom Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I don't know. I think a WIS 3 is the lowest you can go. -- On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 12:27:30 Meltheim Shadowstalker wrote: >as you may know, if you were paying attention to my latest rant, i recently >got my wisdom teeth out. I wonder, how will that effect my wisdom? i had 6, >yes 6 teeth taken out (we elves are extremely wise and long in the tooth, >hehe), so should i expect a decrease in my stats anytime soon? > >Meltheim the Shadowstalker > Infiltrator to the Immortals > Devotee of Fate > Eyes of the Starwatcher > >******************************************************************** >The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp >Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp >To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM >with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. > HotBot - Search smarter. http://www.hotbot.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 17:33:24 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Darth Darknerd Organization: HotBot Mail (http://mail.hotbot.com:80) Subject: Re: The origin of Minotaurs,was FAITHS: Minotaurs immortal Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This is way cool. However, I would always love to have the secret empire of Minotaurs hidden deep in the jungles of Davania. -- On Wed, 23 Feb 2000 13:09:34 `ilo yg?wrote: >> >Also, the Savage Coast campaign setting and the Orc's Head accessory. >The latter says that the Minotaurs were created when Minoides, an Enduk, >killed Gildesh, just before the Manscorpions rebellion. Minoides and his >supporters were turned into wingless minotaurs. So this Minoides might >be the Immortal patron of minotaurs, having reached immortality under >Atzanteotl's sponsorship. >-- >> > >Hmm, that means that the Minotaurs are a "new race" as races go on Mystara. The Manscorpion invasion came about in Nithian times IIRC. The same era as the Gnoll creation. >I always thought that the Minotaurs were created sooner, on Davania, before the creation of Nimmur. >So I guess Minotaurs are relatively restricted in habitate and number of species, like gnolls are. > >Any thoughts? > >Morphail (Ohad Shaham) >"and crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. >Lost in time, lost in space and meaning..." >Last words from the Rocky Horror Picture Show >Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ > > >******************************************************************** >The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp >Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp >To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM >with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. > HotBot - Search smarter. http://www.hotbot.com ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 21:51:35 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: SteelAngel Subject: Normalized Strength MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all. It occured to me a while back that The oD&D strength scores seemed a bit strange. All Moral beings got Strengths ranging from 3-18, even though some races were patently stronger than others. For example, a Sea Giant with a strength of 18 should be much stronger than a Merrow with the same strength, simply due to sheer size. In the same vein, an Ogre with a 16 strength should be stronger than a kobold with a 16. So I drafted an idea to normalize ability scores based on the 1-100 strength chart in WotI.The idea is simple. For human-sized characters, the strength table given in WotI is appropriate to map strength charts. Sample Human sized Characters: Humans, Kobolds Orcs, Rakasta Elves, Lupins Halflings, Gnolls Dwarves Merrow In general, anything that is roughly 3'-6' in height would not need to renormalize their strength. The magic happens when a character is no longer human! Sphinxes have strengths from 3-18, but a quick look at their stats show that a fully grown sphinx would be much stronger than an average human. The same can be said for Hill Giants, who rountinely hurl boulders at PCs - Yet an 18 STR PC could lift more than a 17 STR Hill Giant.. Oops. That's a problem the game developers never got into.Especially with monster PCs. So my idea is that there are 2 strength scores. One for relative strength (always range 3-18)to creatures of its own race/size class, and another that is normalized to the WotI chart. In this method, a hill giant's strength of 3-18 would only apply to comparing it to another hill giant. What this also does is give each monster type a strength score range of 15 points. One small problem is that the game designers developed the WotI strength "effects" chart for human sized characters. This can be easily fixed by relegating the "effects" chart to relative ability scores. Therefore a human with a relative/normalized ability score of 28 can use a 2 handed sword in one hand without penalty, and an ogre with a relative ability score of 28 (or a normalized score of 30) can use an ogre-sized 2 handed sword without penalty. This implies that a human with a 30 strength can use a ogre-sized 2 handed sword without penalty (of course the mechanics of that are left to the anime fans out there ;) Unfortunately, there is an inherent difficulty in solving this problem numerically. Strength cannot be directly tied to hit dice, since a 12th level oD&D human has 9hd, yet has the same strength range as a Normal 1/2 hd man. Strength cannot be easily applied to height, since the strength ranges for Halflings and humans are the same, even though halflings are half human height. (Strong little buggers, eh?) Therefore, I made up a list (not playtested extensively) of normalized Ability score ranges for various PC races. Actaeon (anyone ever use these?) 4-19 Archon 4-19 Athach 20-35 Centaur 3-18 Dragon 15-30 Giant 25-40 Lycanthrope (Use bonuses as per PC4, with no max restriction) Mek 25-40 Minotaur 4-19 Ogre 5-20 Troll 4-19 The astute reader will notice that the Immortal Pearl's STR is 12. But she is also a dragon! Simply renormalize all of the Dragon Rulers scores' by adding 15 points. I know this is an oD&D supplement, but I think it is useful! Was this useful to you? Comments? Critiques? Ethan ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 02:55:42 -0000 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Paul George Dooley Subject: Re: fly - Spell MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Well, of course he can stand still. Fly is an improved version of Levitate > IMNSHO. In order to stand still, you simply have to think about it. IMC I > also rule that once you've stopped, you can hang in the air without > concentration (however, if you happen to be knocked out, you'll plunge to > the ground). > what if there are 30 MPH gusts? you would have to concentrate to stay still wouldn't you? Much more fun to leave them hanging in the air as a target until the spell duration ends THEN have them plummet to the ground ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:03:04 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: Normalized Strength MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-27 9:47:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, spymaster@PLANETFORTRESS.COM writes: << I know this is an oD&D supplement, but I think it is useful! Was this useful to you? Comments? Critiques? >> As I recall, I once assigned characters a "Muscle" score that was used for feats of absolute strength such as lifting heavy weights or breaking down doors. Strength was still set relative to species average for such things as weapon damage (as that assumed weapons scaled for the being using them). The way I calculated the "Muscle" scores was generally by applying a multiplier based on the encumbrance values for a given creature type -- and the various Creature Crucibles provided more than enough data to calculate those multipliers. As I recall, elves, dwarves, and humans all used a multiplier of x1, while for gnomes and halflings I used a multiplier that was halfway between that of humans and that of brownies in PC 1. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:12:56 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Meltheim Shadowstalker Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/27/2000 5:30:40 PM, darknerd@HOTBOT.COM writes: <> haha, you know me better than that Babelzul . . . Meltheim the Shadowstalker GM to the MonkeyWrench ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:57:24 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Re: wisdom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit << In a message dated 2/27/2000 5:30:40 PM, darknerd@HOTBOT.COM writes: <> >> ::with a sinister laugh and an evil smirk:: "I don't think there is any limit as to how low you can go. Please spare us any details about that matter." ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 22:21:05 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Andrew Theisen Subject: Re: Normalized Strength In-Reply-To: <002001bf8196$bf92a700$c32910ac@clemson.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 09:51 PM 2/27/00 -0500, you wrote: > >Dragon 15-30 > >The astute reader will notice that the Immortal Pearl's STR >is 12. But she is also a dragon! Simply renormalize all of >the Dragon Rulers scores' by adding 15 points. Shouldn't you add 12 instead of 15? (ie, add 12 to the unnormalized scores of 3-18 and you get 15-30). Very interesting information, though, and I think it is pretty sound. ----- Andrew "Cthulhudrew" Theisen Aspiring screenwriter, actor, and gadabout jsmill@wans.net "The greatest trick Doug Henning ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Keyser Soze ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 09:47:15 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: thibault sarlat Subject: Re: Site update: New map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit the map Kit navarro asked are done already and available on my site. -- Thibault Sarlat ICQ 16622177. My other adress is tsarlat@etu.montaigne.u-bordeaux.fr Homepage http://www.mystara.com.bi Pour rejoindre la Mystara mailing liste francophone, rendez-vous sur ma page de garde en bas. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 10:06:12 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: thibault sarlat Subject: OOp really cheap here MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I recently went to see a url one of you indicated to find old TSR stuff.They were really cheap, but it took some time for them to have them and to be able to answer my order.Now i don't have the money anymore,but the stuff are still available to grasp. the site was http://www.cyberdungeon.com/index.html the available stuff is wrath of the immortal earthshaker revenge of rusak vengeance of the alphak where chaos reigh into the maelstrom emirates of ylaruam five coins for a kingom crown of ancient glory atruaghin clans. -- Thibault Sarlat ICQ 16622177. My other adress is tsarlat@etu.montaigne.u-bordeaux.fr Homepage http://www.mystara.com.bi Pour rejoindre la Mystara mailing liste francophone, rendez-vous sur ma page de garde en bas. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 10:34:04 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Jacob Skytte Subject: Ostland Dominions - Sumarland MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0032_01BF81D7.559F05A0" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0032_01BF81D7.559F05A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The second domain of Ostland (out of 24!) is hereby presented for the = pleasure of the Mystaran crowd! Jacob Skytte scythe@wanadoo.dk THE CLAN-DOMAIN OF SUMARLAND Sumarland is located on the northwestern side of Noslo Island in the = Kingdom of Ostland. It includes five hexes of hills and one hex of = wooded hills. There is barely enough wood for the domain's needs, so = wood is imported from the neighbouring domain of Ringmark. The name of = the domain (Summer Country) is a joke. This inhospitable area is = practically impossible to farm and the winters are harsh and cold. = Several small fishing communities supply the domain with food, and the = raiders bring back whatever they can. Foreigners are not welcome here, = the jarl's men take them as thralls given the opportunity. Other = Ostlanders tend to avoid Sumarland and not deal with it's deranged jarl. = This clan makes a point out of raiding Ylaruam. Head of Clan: Jarl Gest the Hook rules from his great hall in Lenvik. Population: There are 3000 people living in Sumarland. Of these 700 are = thralls, 1600 are non-warrior freemen, and 700 are warriors. During = conflicts 1200 people are able to take up arms and fight for their land. LENVIK The village of Lenvik (boasting some 300 inhabitants) is a small = community built around the great hall of Gest the Hook. All the = inhabitants are raiders and their families. When the raiders are at sea, = the village is practically defenseless, containing only women, children, = and elders. The jarl usually leaves 10 warriors to oversee the local = thralls, and this duty is usually reserved for those who have caused the = jarl's dislike recently. GEST THE HOOK Chaotic 11th level Fighter (Str 17, Int 17, Wis 11, Dex 8, Con 11, Cha = 7, AC 2, hp 51) Personality Traits: Forgiving/Vengeful 7/13, Cautious/Rash 4/16, = Modest/Proud 6/14, Peaceful/Violent 7/13, Courageous/Fearful 17/3, = Energetic/Lazy 16/4 29 years old, Red hair, Green eyes When Gest is not at sea, he usually hangs his right hand above his = personal chair where it illuminates his seat at his great table. The = actual hand was lost during a fight with an Ylari dervish 10 years ago. = Now all Gest has left is an 8-inch sharpened hook that has been = enchanted by a godi (priest) with a Continual Light spell. The loss of = his hand has left Gest rather mad. Though brilliant, Gest's mind is = twisted and does not work in the way that ordinary men expect. He seldom = sits idle at home, preferring to be at sea, looking for trouble. Gest = actively seeks out Ylari ships and cheerfully plunders then sinks them. = He never spares a single person aboard these ships, but gladly takes = thralls of other nationalities. In combat Gest is a terrible sight to = behold. He is not very proficient wielding a sword in his left hand (-3 = to hit), but he strikes swiftly and with incredible strength with the = hook on his right hand (+6 to hit, 2d4+2 damage; double damage on 19-20; = Str bonus included). Usually he tries to get his opponents to lower = their guard fighting badly with his sword, then exploding into action = with his hook, striking swiftly over and over again. Gest is fairly = loyal to his own clan, but he does have a very short fuse and most = people are very cautious when dealing with this psychotic maniac. He has = killed several men (and women or children) who didn't show him the = respect he thinks he deserves (including some of his own children). Gest = considers himself a bit of a dandy and wears his hair long in front of = his eyes and shaves the lower back of his head (this is considered = fashionable among Ostland youth at present). His erratic manner makes = people dislike him though. When fighting Gest usually wears a Chain = Mail+1 and carries a sword. He also wears a Ring of Protection+2 on his = remaining hand. Gest has never married; women are as afraid of him as men. He has forced = himself upon several thralls though and has four recognized children, = that he hasn't killed yet: Erik Gestson (19), Ivar Gestson (18), Thyra = Hildasdottir (5) and Olvir Gestson (5). Erik (Lawful C4 of Odin; Cautious/Rash 18/2, Reverent/Godless 13/7) = learned at an early age to avoid his father and grew up to become a = guarded individual. The household godi took him in and has been training = him as a priest of Odin. Erik is seriously considering leaving Lenvik = during one of his father's frequent raids. Ivar (Lawful F2; Reverent/Godless 16/4, Courageous/Fearful 14/6, = Trusting/Suspicious 13/7) adores his older half-brother Erik and follows = his lead whenever possible. He is far more outgoing and likeable, but = always tries not to outdo Erik. He truly reveres the northmen Immortals, = but does not have the calling to become a cleric himself. BJARNI BURISON Lawful 9th level Fighter (Str 14, Int 14, Wis 14, Dex 12, Con 10, Cha = 14, AC 3, hp 43) Personality Traits: Modest/Proud 14/6, Courageous/Fearful 13/7, = Forgiving/Vengeful 15/5, Loyal/Unreliable 14/6 45 years old, Blonde hair and beard (with the occasional grey streak), = Blue eyes Bjarni is probably the closest thing to a friend Gest has. This aging = warrior was a retainer to Gest's father, Olvir Grimson, and feels = obligated to serve his new jarl as loyally as the old. Bjarni does not = particularly like Gest, but he does tend to see him in a better light = than most any other man. The house guard would rather see Bjarni as = jarl, but Bjarni would never challenge the authority of his jarl unless = Gest actually betrayed him. Since Bjarni is always polite and = subservient when dealing with Gest this probably won't happen anytime = soon. During battle Bjarni wears chain mail, a shield+1 and carries a = sword and a spear. ------=_NextPart_000_0032_01BF81D7.559F05A0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The second domain of Ostland (out = of 24!) is=20 hereby presented for the pleasure of the Mystaran crowd!
 
Jacob Skytte
scythe@wanadoo.dk
 

THE CLAN-DOMAIN OF SUMARLAND

Sumarland is located on the northwestern side of = Noslo=20 Island in the Kingdom of Ostland. It includes five hexes of hills and = one hex of=20 wooded hills. There is barely enough wood for the domain’s needs, = so wood is=20 imported from the neighbouring domain of Ringmark. The name of the = domain=20 (Summer Country) is a joke. This inhospitable area is practically = impossible to=20 farm and the winters are harsh and cold. Several small fishing = communities=20 supply the domain with food, and the raiders bring back whatever they = can.=20 Foreigners are not welcome here, the jarl’s men take them as = thralls given the=20 opportunity. Other Ostlanders tend to avoid Sumarland and not deal with = it’s=20 deranged jarl. This clan makes a point out of raiding = Ylaruam.

Head of Clan: Jarl Gest the Hook rules from his = great hall=20 in Lenvik.

Population: There are 3000 people living in = Sumarland. Of=20 these 700 are thralls, 1600 are non-warrior freemen, and 700 are = warriors.=20 During conflicts 1200 people are able to take up arms and fight for = their=20 land.

LENVIK

The village of Lenvik (boasting some 300 = inhabitants) is a=20 small community built around the great hall of Gest the Hook. All the=20 inhabitants are raiders and their families. When the raiders are at sea, = the=20 village is practically defenseless, containing only women, children, and = elders.=20 The jarl usually leaves 10 warriors to oversee the local thralls, and = this duty=20 is usually reserved for those who have caused the jarl’s dislike=20 recently.

GEST THE HOOK

Chaotic 11th level Fighter (Str 17, Int 17, Wis = 11, Dex 8,=20 Con 11, Cha 7, AC 2, hp 51)

Personality Traits: Forgiving/Vengeful 7/13, = Cautious/Rash=20 4/16, Modest/Proud 6/14, Peaceful/Violent 7/13, Courageous/Fearful 17/3, = Energetic/Lazy 16/4

29 years old, Red hair, Green eyes

When Gest is not at sea, he usually hangs his = right hand=20 above his personal chair where it illuminates his seat at his great = table. The=20 actual hand was lost during a fight with an Ylari dervish 10 years ago. = Now all=20 Gest has left is an 8-inch sharpened hook that has been enchanted by a = godi=20 (priest) with a Continual Light spell. The loss of his hand has left = Gest rather=20 mad. Though brilliant, Gest’s mind is twisted and does not work in = the way that=20 ordinary men expect. He seldom sits idle at home, preferring to be at = sea,=20 looking for trouble. Gest actively seeks out Ylari ships and cheerfully = plunders=20 then sinks them. He never spares a single person aboard these ships, but = gladly=20 takes thralls of other nationalities. In combat Gest is a terrible sight = to=20 behold. He is not very proficient wielding a sword in his left hand (-3 = to hit),=20 but he strikes swiftly and with incredible strength with the hook on his = right=20 hand (+6 to hit, 2d4+2 damage; double damage on 19-20; Str bonus = included).=20 Usually he tries to get his opponents to lower their guard fighting = badly with=20 his sword, then exploding into action with his hook, striking swiftly = over and=20 over again. Gest is fairly loyal to his own clan, but he does have a = very short=20 fuse and most people are very cautious when dealing with this psychotic = maniac.=20 He has killed several men (and women or children) who didn’t show = him the=20 respect he thinks he deserves (including some of his own children). Gest = considers himself a bit of a dandy and wears his hair long in front of = his eyes=20 and shaves the lower back of his head (this is considered fashionable = among=20 Ostland youth at present). His erratic manner makes people dislike him = though.=20 When fighting Gest usually wears a Chain Mail+1 and carries a sword. He = also=20 wears a Ring of Protection+2 on his remaining hand.

Gest has never married; women are as afraid of him = as men.=20 He has forced himself upon several thralls though and has four = recognized=20 children, that he hasn’t killed yet: Erik Gestson (19), Ivar = Gestson (18), Thyra=20 Hildasdottir (5) and Olvir Gestson (5).

Erik (Lawful C4 of Odin; Cautious/Rash 18/2,=20 Reverent/Godless 13/7) learned at an early age to avoid his father and = grew up=20 to become a guarded individual. The household godi took him in and has = been=20 training him as a priest of Odin. Erik is seriously considering leaving = Lenvik=20 during one of his father’s frequent raids.

Ivar (Lawful F2; Reverent/Godless 16/4, = Courageous/Fearful=20 14/6, Trusting/Suspicious 13/7) adores his older half-brother Erik and = follows=20 his lead whenever possible. He is far more outgoing and likeable, but = always=20 tries not to outdo Erik. He truly reveres the northmen Immortals, but = does not=20 have the calling to become a cleric himself.

BJARNI BURISON

Lawful 9th level Fighter (Str 14, Int 14, Wis 14, = Dex 12,=20 Con 10, Cha 14, AC 3, hp 43)

Personality Traits: Modest/Proud 14/6, = Courageous/Fearful=20 13/7, Forgiving/Vengeful 15/5, Loyal/Unreliable 14/6

45 years old, Blonde hair and beard (with the = occasional=20 grey streak), Blue eyes

Bjarni is probably the closest thing to a friend = Gest has.=20 This aging warrior was a retainer to Gest’s father, Olvir Grimson, = and feels=20 obligated to serve his new jarl as loyally as the old. Bjarni does not=20 particularly like Gest, but he does tend to see him in a better light = than most=20 any other man. The house guard would rather see Bjarni as jarl, but = Bjarni would=20 never challenge the authority of his jarl unless Gest actually betrayed = him.=20 Since Bjarni is always polite and subservient when dealing with Gest = this=20 probably won’t happen anytime soon. During battle Bjarni wears = chain mail, a=20 shield+1 and carries a sword and a = spear.

------=_NextPart_000_0032_01BF81D7.559F05A0-- ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 13:53:04 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=E0=E9=EC=EF_=F9=E7=ED?= Subject: Re: Normalized Strength MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi all. >Actaeon (anyone ever use these?) 4-19 Archon 4-19 Athach 20-35 Centaur 3-18 Dragon 15-30 Giant 25-40 Lycanthrope (Use bonuses as per PC4, with no max restriction) Mek 25-40 Minotaur 4-19 Ogre 5-20 Troll 4-19 >The astute reader will notice that the Immortal Pearl's STR is 12. But she is also a dragon! Simply renormalize all of the Dragon Rulers scores' by adding 15 points. >I know this is an oD&D supplement, but I think it is useful! Was this useful to you? Comments? Critiques? >Ethan I made up a whole new list of creatures and the min and max ability = scores they have. It is somewhat AD&Dish even though I do not use this = system. My game rules are even simpler than OD&D. Consider 19 to have a = +4 on damage and such, 20 +5 and so on.=20 Here is the partial list: Lupins:maximum 18 in all traits, minimum 6 in Con and Str. Rakasta: Str: 3/18, Int: 3/17, Con: 3/17, Wis: 3/18, Dex: 8/20=20 Centaurs: Str: 7/20, Int: 3/17, Con: 11/20, Wis: 3/18, Dex: 3/17 Orcs: Str: 4/19, Int: 3/17, Con: 4/19, Wis: 3/18, Dex: 3/17 Half orcs: Racial traits are like those of a human (3/18 in everything). Goblins: get +1 to Dex and Wis, and -1 to Str and Con. Str: 3/17, Int: 3/18, Con: 3/17, Wis: 7/19, Dex: 9/19 Hobgoblins: Str 11/19, Int 3/17, Wis 3/16, Con 3/18 Dex 3/17 Bugbears: Str 16/22, Int 3/9, Wis 3/9, Con 11/21 Dex 3/17 Kobolds: Str 3/15, Int 9/18, Wis 3/18, Con 3/10 Dex 3/18 Gnolls:Str 11/20, Int 3/18, Wis 3/16, Con 9/18 Dex 3/18 Ogres: Str 17/24, Int 3/18, Wis 3/16, Con 9/20 Dex 3/18 Trolls: Str 18/26, Int 2/8, Wis 3/9, Con 11/21 Dex 3/18 Hope this helps someone. Morphail (Ohad Shaham) "Deep into the farness, peering=20 long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;" The Raven/ Edgar Allan Poe Visit the dark prince of Boldavia at- = http://www.geocities.com/morphail_o/ =20 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 07:19:21 -0500 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Mischa E Gelman Subject: Re: Normalized Strength In-Reply-To: <002001bf8196$bf92a700$c32910ac@clemson.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > It occured to me a while back that The oD&D strength scores > seemed a bit strange. All Moral beings got Strengths ranging > from 3-18, even though some races were patently stronger > than others. I don't like the 3-18 limits for all mortals, but I haven't played with them yet. It makes sense that a Nixie could have a 2 strength IMO or that a Kubitt could get a 19 dexterity. We have rules for scores outside the 3-18 range in the gold box - why not put them to use? > Sample Human sized Characters: > > Humans, Kobolds > Orcs, Rakasta > Elves, Lupins > Halflings, Gnolls > Dwarves > Merrow > > In general, anything that is roughly 3'-6' in height would > not need to renormalize their strength. 3' is getting a bit low. Once you get smaller than dwarf/gnome range, I'd adjust things appropriately. > I know this is an oD&D supplement, but I think it is useful! > Was this useful to you? Comments? Critiques? I don't have WoTI, but assume the charts are similar to the gold box ones. I'd expand this to apply not just to STR, but to all stats. Also, is there a way to compensate for the added bonuses so that giant type chars don't become overpowered? - Mischa Both parties have drifted so far to the right over the past two decades that if they were playing in the NFL, the ball would have to be hiked from the press box - Sam Smith, 1997 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 13:11:50 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Von Kunker Subject: Storm Soldiers MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello. I'm planning a detective adventure, set in the county of Hattias. Something like " The Untouchable" movie. PC's, working together with imperial policemen, have to stop Storm Soldiers' activity, catch their leaders and most powerful allies ( rich merchants, Vanya's fundamentalist clerics, common criminals,etc). They also should stop migrations of young Hattias to Heldann Freeholds by arresting people who organize their travels. Could you tell me about Storm Soldier's organization, NPC leaders, alliances, etc? Thanks, Sergius Von Kunker ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 15:28:38 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Giovanni Porpora Subject: The Death of Lamberto Fulvina - Episode II - Lamberto's Trick MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The Death of Lamberto Fulvina by Giampaolo Agosta and Giovanni Porpora Year 963 After Crowning Episode II Lamberto's Trick A friendly bet has been made between Signor Lamberto Fulvina and Don Ricardo de Belcadiz. If Signor Lamberto can bed one woman from each of the Principalities in a month's time, Don Ricardo will have to publicly acknowledge that Caurenzans have superior charm with the ladies over Belcadizans. Dramatis Personae SIGNOR LAMBERTO FULVINA, VISCOUNT OF VERAZZANO Signor Lamberto has recently made a bet with his friend, Don Ricardo de Belcadiz, to prove that Caurenzans have superior charm with women over Belcadizans. The bet entails that he bed one woman from each of the Principalities in a month's time, to witnessed by their judges using a magical medallion and crystal balls. "SIGNOR" ALCEO BOERO Alceo is a petty noble of Verazzano-more precisely he pretends this to be one (He is a mundaner.). He is sixty years old, plump, with gray in his hair. Alceo and Lamberto have been friends since childhood, and different lives have not erased (yet) what they have in common and what they have always liked most in life: women and intrigue. SIGNOR VITTORIO FULVINA, SON OF VISCOUNT LAMBERTO OF VERAZZANO Lamberto's son is a strong man in his early forties, quite fearsome to behold, with a bushy black beard and cruel facial features. He rules Verazzano while his father is in Glantri City. ALFIERO Alfiero is one of Lamberto's more trusted servants. He often undertakes the more delicate missions. His loyalty is above every suspicion. Scene PALAZZO FULVINA AT VERAZZANO. While Viscount Lamberto Fulvina is a good friend of Don Ricardo de Belcadiz, he is not above using a bit of guile to win the bet. When they announced the bet to their judges, Lamberto managed to turn the exact phrasing of the terms to his advantage. Signor Lamberto simply hired courtesans from The Sisters of the Private Houses, a branch of which is active in Verazzano, to fulfill the terms of the bet. Signor Lamberto discusses his plans at his home with his old friend, Alceo Boero over some Averoignan wine. ALCEO: So, amico mio, you are almost done! LAMBERTO: Ever had any doubts? (The two men start laughing, but approaching steps interrupts them. They turn to see the third man, Lamberto's son, VITTORIO.) VITTORIO: Dear Alceo, nice to see you once more in our humble abode. Are you drinking to my father's cheating? LAMBERTO: Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! This young fellow hasn't completely understood the way politics goes in our beloved Glantri. ALCEO: Indeed, my old friend! Ah-ah-ah! VITTORIO: What does politics have to do with a bet? As they say in Fenswick, "That's another cup of tea." I simply meant that to lay with a woman is more complicated than to hire Sisters of the Private Houses, wouldn't you agree with me, Alceo? LAMBERTO: Let our guest not to take stands against an old friend of his. You 're right there, my son, but, you see, I'm not cheating. Don Ricardo and me agreed that- Alceo goes on ALCEO: (Interrupting) "if Viscount Lamberto Fulvina will lay with one woman for each of our beloved Principalities in a month's time, Don Ricardo." etcetera, etcetera. LAMBERTO: And that is what I am doing. until proved to the contrary. VITTORIO: What if Don Ricardo discovers this ... How should I call it then? This 'trick'? (Someone knocks at the door. LAMBERTO smiles.) LAMBERTO: Avanti! (A Belcadizan elf steps in. As he approaches the three men, LAMBERTO gestures towards him welcomingly. Then LAMBERTO turns to VITTORIO with a wicked triumphant smile.) LAMBERTO: How could he, my son? (The elf kneels in front of LAMBERTO and removes a medallion from his neck. He addressed LAMBERTO in Caurenzan.) ALFIERO: Everything is fixed, milord. LAMBERTO: Well done, Alfiero! Is she what we expected her to be? ALFIERO: The only Ethengaran woman in Verazzano, as you told me, milord. Her name is Leila and she has been invited to be your guest at this evening's party. (The three men watch ALFIERO as his elven features blur for a moment then become those of a Caurenzan. LAMBERTO gives the man a pouch tinkling with coins.) LAMBERTO: Go and have fun this evening, Alfiero. ALFIERO: Grazie, signore. (The three nobles watch ALFIERO as he walking towards the exit. As he opens the door, he turns with a wicked smile, jingling two pouches full of coins, then leaves quickly. The three nobles do not notice and have resumed talking.) LAMBERTO: So you see, Vittorio, should someone say something about my dear ... Leila, well, you know, she was hired by a Belcadizan elf. Heh-heh-heh! ALCEO: A nice final touch, my friend. This night will be a great night. LAMBERTO: (Severely) You should learn from myself, my son. When I am no more you will be the ruler of Verazzano. The full time ruler, I mean. (Casually now) By the way, someone happened to tell me you're really looking forward for that moment to come. VITTORIO: (Ignoring any implications) I just can't bear the thought of sixty year-old heartbreakers who like to play giovin donnaiolo-the lusty young lover. You ought to grow up father! (Looking at ALCEO) And you have to choose better friends whom you deem worthy to feast with. (A brief but tense moment passes between ALCEO and VITTORIO. VITTORIO then exits without saying a word. LAMBERTO stares at ALCEO, but is pondering the meaning of his son's words. ALCEO becomes nervous from the intense looks of both father and son and is breaking into a nervous sweat.) ALCEO: (Changing the subject) Here's to your health, Signor Lamberto! (Lifting his glass) Shall your wisdom rule forever in Verazzano! LAMBERTO: (Thoughtful, but smiling) Yes, my friend. This night shall be a great night. ALCEO: Indeed. (Wipes his brow in relief) Will Don Ricardo learn of Signor Lamberto's trickery? Should Signor Lamberto be wary of the loyalty of his friend Alceo, his son Vittorio, or his servant Alfiero? Who is the Ethengaran lady Leila? Discover this and more in the upcoming third episode of The Death of Lamberto Fulvina : Don Ricardo's Move. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 21:19:59 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: harri m�ki Subject: History of House Silverstone, part 1 Here we go again. Next part of my work of Glantri's ruling houses. Harri History of House Silverstone Coming to Highlands When Halzunthram arrived in Highlands in AC 786 amongst his followers was 50-years old Randelian battlemage Tostian. He soon rose to be Halzunthram�s closest advisor. And consequently was made in AC 803 as first Count of Silverstone, to be first amongst Alphatian nobles in the area. Tostian chose Silverstone because Schloss Silberstein, which had earlier been hold of Graustein-family in the area, was in a prime shape. After this he share fiefs to his loyal followers: Savalo was made viscount of Volnay, Potiorek viscount of Eriadna and Sanapria viscount of Redstone. Tostian was not very impressive, he was very fat, with bull-neck that dwindled into sloping shoulders, and was awkward in his gait. His eyes were deep-set, his features heavy and coarse, and his face suffused with a flush. He wore his hair long and had a frantic stutter. But he was no fool, he was very competent magician, in fact only time he didn�t stutter was when he casting spells. As a ruler Tostian was not effective, he had little time to spare for anything except fighting. He left ruling mostly to his sons Vortram and Geilan. He was also violently impatient, which somewhat explains his lack of interest in the ruling a dominion. Tostian was killed by Grizzly bear in hunting trip in AC 810 in the age of 74. Halzunthram was only one to mourn his passing. Vortram Vortram was 42 when his father died. He had come to Highlands with his two years younger brother Geilan in AC 791 after their mother had died in Alphatia. They had at first been fighting alongside with their father, but after AC 803 they stayed in Silverstone to rule a County. Vortram wasn�t like his father. He was a big man, who loved showy clothes. His father had mostly used simple uniforms, but Vortram wanted to be seen. He was genial, extroverted and merry. He loved parties and despised the hardships of military life. He was also a poet, scholar and musician. His fluency with languages was also impressive, during the first 20 years in Highlands he learned to speak every major language in the area without any accent. Vortram had been married just year before arriving to highlands and his wife and newborn daughter followed him. He however sent them back to Alphatia in 801 to be safe. He never saw them again. As ruler of Silverstone Vortram was highly efficient, wise and just. Although when he was getting older there surfaced also tendencies to cruelty and despotism. He also had enormous amount of illegitimate children who he favoured. Vortram stayed loyal to Halzunthram until AC 821. Even the joining of the elves with the rebels in AC 806-808 didn�t break his loyalty. Only when Wilhelm von Drachenfels joined the rebels in AC 820 he began to wonder if Halzunthram is going to loose the war. He contacted Prusias and Arden, viscounts of Volnay and Redstone, and Lendup, son of Viscount Potiorek of Eriadna, to discuss about the matter. Together they decided that Halzunthram�s case was lost and if they wanted to keep their dominions they have to change the side. They secretly contacted Wilhelm von Drachenfels and started the negotiations with the rebels. Next year they declared their allegiance to rebel side and Lendup killed his father who wanted to stay loyal to Halzunthram. Halzunthram was again forced to bring more troops from Alphatia, but it didn�t help him anymore. He was captured in AC 828 and Forty-Year�s War was over. Republic of Highlands Negotiations after the war were hard for Vortram. Flaems were demanding expulsion of all Alphatians from the area and more than once Vortram and his allies leave the negotiations just to be called back later. In the end Alexander Glantri�s and Wilhelm von Drachenfels�s influence got the Flaems and other Thyatians to accept their staying in the area. Other Alphatian nobles chose unanimously Vortram to represent them in the council and his title as Count of Silverstone was also accepted in the parliament. At this point Vortram was already 61-years old and as tired of the war as everyone else in the area. At the first Council meeting Vortram is given the charge of Chamberlain of the Highlands. His most important duty is to rebuild roads that the war had destroyed and open the mines that had been closed. Vortram�s last years were not happy. His brother Geilan was murdered in AC 831 and his daughter Mariadna refused to come back from Alphatia. Because of this Vortram named for everyone�s great surprise Geilan�s son Ambrosion to be his heir. It was generally expected that he would recognise some of his illegitimate sons and named him heir. Vortram was executed in AC 835 after killing Alexander Glantri and Birkai Virayana during the Council meeting. There were never given any reason for his deed. Ambrosion Ambrosion was 41-years old when he followed his uncle as Count of Silverstone. His first deed was to expel Vortram�s siblings from Silverstone. He hadn�t been very popular earlier and this didn�t increase it a bit. Ambrosion�s selection to represent alphatians in the Council was challenged by Lendup, Viscount of Eriadna. Ambrosion was however elected with the backing of Prusias and Johan of Haaskinz against only Arden backing Lendup. Prusias and Johann choose Ambrosion because they disliked him less than totally racist Lendup. In the Council he was elected to be Chamberlain, because no one else wanted the position. Ambrosion was more like Tostian in appearance than his uncle. He was ugly, little man, who however enjoyed company of ladies and was fond of gambling and high living. Consequently he spent more time in Glantri City than in Silverstone. Ambrosion was not up to ruling. He was perpetually at loggerheads with various cliques amongst alphatians and with other council members. Ambrosion�s real troubles however began only in AC 843, when his cousin Mariadna suddenly came from Alphatia and began to demand his father�s inheritance. Ambrosion of course refused to give up Silverstone, where he had already ruled eight years. Old divisions amongst alphatian nobles surfaced again now. Lendup and Arden backed Mariadna�s demands. Prusias had died in AC 839 and everyone now waited what his son Stefan Cornhearst will do. He backed Ambrosion, as did Johan of Haaskinz. Parliament decided that this was something alphatians should solve by themselves. This resulted in so called Alphatian War, which lasted next ten years. It was not an actual war, but more like little skirmishes, marauding, robbing of merchants and assassination attempts. But anyway the area south of the Red River was not safe for travellers during this time. Only one time during these years alphatians were united. The creation of County of Wylon for Alexander von Taafnen in AC 845 got protests from everyone of them. Arden was killed in skirmish with Volnay�s troops in AC 847 and in the end he proved to be only real casualty of this war. His son Gisel stayed loyal to Mariadna. But when Lendup died in 852, then end began to be seen. His son Bias was not interested in continuing the feud. In AC 853 died first Mariadna at the age of 63. If she would have been less unpleasant woman, she might have won this war. Two months later Ambrosion� s wife Tirana and only son Eustasion died of a fever. After this Ambrosion was a broken man. He contacted Mariadna�s son Vitalin, who had come to Glantri only in AC 852, and proposed an ending of the war. He promised to make Vitalin his heir, if he would lay down his arms. Vitalin accepted this. Ambrosion died next year in the age of 60. He has lost his will to live. Vitalin Aendyr Vitalin was only 21 when he inherited Silverstone. He began immediately to use his father�s name as his surname. He also began to heal wounds that feud of his mother and Ambrosion had been causing. He married Viscount Bias�s cousin Eriadna. In the Council Vitalin demands first the position of Chancellor, but loses it to Friedrich von Drachenfels (mostly because others think Vitalin to be too young), then Treasurer, but looses it to Matteo di Sfonti. He ends up getting Viceroyalty of Nordling, which he is not happy at all. Unfortunately he ends up being stuck with it for 32 years. Vitalin was already in this age fat, he had problems with his eating and it showed. He was otherwise typical pure alphatian, pale, black-haired and bearded. He was also a bit difficult to work with. He was cruel, oppressive and was hardly ever known to say a civil word to anyone. He was also greedy, and it was suspected later that he pocketed some of the moneys that were meant to be used for keeping Nordling in shape. Vitalin was however effective as a ruler. He managed to pacify the alphatians area in only two years. And after creation of Principalities he created a very effective local government in Blackhill. Vitalin proved also be a good military leader during a short campaign against Alexius Glantri in AC 859. He led troops from Blackhill and Caurenze and crushed Alexius�s troops in a battle fought between Westheath and Hightower. This lead Friedrich von Drachenfels to appreciate him bit more. But his difficult nature didn�t help him to get too many allies during the next years. Vitalin�s most visible achievement was his large family, between 855 and 867 Eriadna gave birth to four sons and three daughters. This didn�t however mean happy domestic life. Vitalin and Eriadna had been quarrelling since AC 863 and two years after Owain, their youngest child, was born Eriadna left Vitalin and went to Alphatia. This consequently meant that two oldest sons, Vitalin and Pelagiri, began to blame Vitalin for this. They both left Silverstone in AC 875 and began life of adventurer vowing never to return. They however returned in AC 883, when they tried to kill Vitalin with the help of their younger brother Gepin. They however were no match for the old mage. Vitalin executed his son Vitalin and imprisoned Pelagiri and Gepin. He had to spare those two because he knew already that Owain wouldn�t be a good ruler and he didn�t want to leave Blackhill to any of his daughters. Of course Gepin was not even magic-user, but he also realised that Pelagiri would need help in ruling. Vitalin released Pelagiri and Gepin next year after they have promised not to try to kill him again. Daughters gave Vitalin no troubles. They were totally obedient to him and he used them only as a tool to get allies. His oldest daughter Mariadna married in AC 880 Eric Bluebeard, son of Marquis John Bluebeard, second daughter Eriadna married in AC 882 Arnulf of Haaskinz, grandson of Count Robert of Haaskinz and youngest daughter Jonna married in AC 883 Bernard Batril, son of Archduke Bohemon Batril. In AC 886 Vitalin was chosen to be a Chancellor after death of Friedrich von Drachenfels. His opponents were Robert McGregor and Galeazzo di Sfonti. Galeazzo didn�t get any support, because of his bad reputation and young age. Real choice was between Vitalin and Robert. In the end Vitalin is chosen because he is seen as less unpleasant alternative. Vitalin got sick and died in AC 889 in the age of only 56. Sunpoint.net - Kolmannen sukupolven Internet-palvelu http://www.sunpoint.net ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 21:20:38 +0200 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: harri m�ki Subject: History of House Silverstone, part 2 Pelagiri Aendyr Pelagiri was 32-years old when his father died. He was a tall man, with big, bushy beard. Some said that he looked like a beard. But he wasn�t gruff or grim, he had a beaming smile and he radiated an infectious gaiety around him. He was a friend of poets and troubadours; being bit a poet himself. Pelagiri had been adventuring for eight years with his elder brother Vitalin. It had been said that they even visited their mother in Alphatia, but there is no proof about this. Anyway they tried to kill their father after coming back to Silverstone in AC 883. Vitalin was executed and Pelagiri spent next year in prison with his younger brother Gepin. In prison was born close personal bond between them. Years from 884 to 886 Pelagiri spent in Nordling as a castellan. During those two years was created the fame in military matters that got him the position of Warden of Marches after he became a Prince. Council also chose him to be a Viceroy of Monteleone. Pelagiri left Silverstone totally to Gepin�s hands. From his 10 years as a Prince he spent nine and a half in Monteleone. He knew that he had no talents for ruling a Principality and that Gepin was ten times better in that role. Pelagiri spent his time improving Monteleone and making raids to the Broken Lands. It was very clearly seen that he wanted more fame than power. He was also a great hunter, one time he even killed a bear by using only a dagger. Pelagiri also proved to be his father�s son. In spite of his gaiety, he proved to be very antagonistic. He was easily insulted and spent much time blasting away his adversaries. Anyway Pelagiri managed to get a new ally in AC 893 when his cousin Serena married Albrecht von Drachenfels, heir of Prince Ernst. Pelagiri died in AC 899 in the age of only 42 fighting against band ogres. Owain Aendyr Pelagiri was followed by his 32-years old younger brother Owain. Pelagiri wasn�t married and Gepin had been murdered in AC 897. Owain had been already ruling Blackhill for these two years. It had been suggested that he was behind Gepin�s murder, but then again there was nothing he could gain from this because he was already Pelagiri�s heir Gepin being mundaner. Owain was squat and bottle-nosed man who used to wear tall hats. He was also slovenly, rude, ill-tempered, obstinate, stupid, cruel, quarrelsome, tyrannical, selfish, bad-mannered, lax, sybaritic, oppressive, dishonest, crude, devious, cynical, liar, coward, braggart, bully and fool. No one could trust to him. Someone would say that he was a typical youngest child favoured by his father. Anyway Owain had a wife and two young children so inheritance of Principality was secure. He had married in AC 895 with Isidora Cornhearst, daughter of Count Arnulf Cornhearst. Their first son Cadwallon was born in AC 897 and second son Ricelion just before Owain became a Prince. In Council Owain was chosen to continue as Viceroy of Monteleone. He was not content with this charge, so he was flattering other Princes hoping to get better position by this method. It worked at last in AC 902 when he was chosen to be next Treasurer after the death of Galeazzo di Sfonti. He also continued his charge of Monteleone. At first everything went quite well. Owain seemed to be a perfect Treasurer. Everyone was content with his work there. In fact he proved to be a very good with numbers and giving positions to his henchmen. From AC 908 every major position in Treasury was in his pockets. He also forged tax-reports and pocketed some of the taxes. Owain�s undoing was his greediness. Trade agreement with Darokin in AC 920 was mostly result of his close co-operation with Chancellor Albrecht von Drachenfels. It was a good agreement for both countries, but next year was exposed that Owain had been taken some heavy bribes from some Darokinian merchants. Owain�s reputation was totally discredited; he and most of the upper officials were promptly removed from the Treasury. He was however allowed to keep his position as a Viceroy although only with a narrow margin. After this Owain was a broken man. His past deeds began to haunt him. He confessed to his son that he had murdered Gepin�s son Huberion in AC 903. He lived his last years in Silverstone without leaving his tower. He died in AC 926 at the age of 59. Cadwallon Aendyr Owain�s oldest son Cadwallon was only 29 when he succeeded his father. Unlike his father he was tall, handsome young man, with pure alphatian outlook. In AC 924 he had made a trip to Alphatia and came back with wife Thendara. She was a distant relative of the Emperor of Alphatia. Owain had a deep sense of duty since he had been governing Silverstone already before his father isolated himself there. Since that he had also been a real ruler of Blackhill. He had already nominated his brother Ricelion to represent himself in Parliament. In Council he was chosen to succeed his father as Viceroy of Monteleone. He wasn�t good in this charge, he wasn� t interested about Monteleone and neglected it nearly totally. He tried to get a position of Treasurer unsuccessfully for three times: in 927 he lost to Simon Vlaardoen VI, in 936 to Malcolm McGregor and in 937 to Filippo di Sfonti. These losses were mostly because Cadwallon clearly was not very effective in handling the money. Instead Cadwallon was perfect host and had clearly diplomatic abilities. So when Chancellor Albrecht von Drachenfels died in AC 940, Cadwallon was one of the candidates. He however lost to Pieter Vlaardoen VII. But after Pieter was drowned in 947 Cadwallon at last succeeded. As Chancellor Cadwallon proved to be a success. His most visible achievement was establishment of diplomatic relations with Wendar in AC 970. However after this his sanity began to deteriorate rapidly, he began to suffer from bouts of insanity. He died in AC 972 at the age of 75 when he just walked out of the roof of his tower in Parliament. Volospin Aendyr Cadwallon�s oldest son Uthar was unable to understand magic, so it was his 42-years old younger son Volospin who inherited him. Volospin was chosen to be a Viceroy of Nordling by the Council. He showed as less interest for this charge as his father has shown to Monteleone. Unfortunately there was no openings for 19 years for more interesting charges. It was only in AC 991 that Volospin was chosen to be a next Chancellor after the death of Mario di Malapietra with the support of Jaggar von Drachenfels. Summary Tostian b.736 d.810 First Count of Silverstone Vortram b.768 d.835 Chamberlain of the Highlands 829-835 Ambrosion b.794 d.854 Chamberlain of the Glantri 835-854 Vitalin Aendyr b.833 d.889 First Prince of Blackhill Viceroy of Nordling 854-886 Chancellor of the Princes 886-889 Pelagiri Aendyr b.857 d.899 Viceroy of Monteleone 889-899 Warden of the Marches 889-899 Owain Aendyr b.867 d.926 Viceroy of Monteleone 899-926 Treasurer of the Council 902-921 Cadwallon Aendyr b.897 d.972 Viceroy of Monteleone 926-947 Chancellor of the Princes 947-972 Volospin Aendyr b.930 Prince of Blackhill and Count of Silverstone 972-1008 Viceroy of Nordling 972-991 Chancellor of the Princes 991-1006 Sunpoint.net - Kolmannen sukupolven Internet-palvelu http://www.sunpoint.net ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 21:49:11 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Caroletti Subject: Re: Storm Soldiers MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Von Kunker ha scritto: > Hello. > I'm planning a detective adventure, set in the county of Hattias. > Something like " The Untouchable" movie. > PC's, working together with imperial policemen, have to stop Storm > Soldiers' activity, catch their leaders and most powerful allies > ( rich merchants, Vanya's fundamentalist clerics, common criminals,etc). > They also should stop migrations of young Hattias to Heldann Freeholds > by arresting people who organize their travels. > Could you tell me about Storm Soldier's organization, NPC leaders, > alliances, etc? > Thanks, > Sergius Von Kunker Mmm.... I could, actually, but it would take some space. Is it possible for me to reply personally? I guess you're Italian like me, so it could be easier for both. And it's good to see new fellow Thyatians here on the list! Iulius Sergius Scaevola Captain of the XXth Cohort Port Lucinius, Thyatis ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 00:15:37 +0100 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: DM Subject: Re: FLY and HASTE In-Reply-To: <200002280811.JAA05482@racine.racine.ravenna.it> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 00.01 28/02/00 -0800, IBON erewan laubgaenger wrote: > >the concentration is so much need like light walking - maybe to much?? >but IMO (first time that i use in my opinion this way) >you can cast spells while moving short distances. like melee - thouch spells. >so you can cast also spells while flying. Okay, I'm not sure If I've understood the point you're trying to make, but according to the rules, in order to cast a spell u need three things in D&D: 1) voice 2) gestures 3) concentration (clerics add their holy symbol to these three components) You can cast a spell AND move in the same round, provided you don't move faster than half your walking speed. So for example, if your elf has a movement rate of 120'(40'), this means he can cast a spell and move 20', no more, otherwise the spell is spoiled. However, if you're using a Fly spell and you move, you cannot then cast any spell for that round, since by moving you've already concentrated to do another thing which is not casting a spell. oh, the move rule above explained is also appropriate for any other combat action a PC may want to take. So for example he can move half his normal rate and also attack in the same round WITHOUT losing any of his attacks for the movement (if he moves more than half his speed, he loses 1 attack for that round - so if he's only got 1 attack per round, he cannot attack at all!). Also, I don't know how u handle movement IYC, but IMHO D&D move rates are a bit silly, so I changed them to make them a bit more realistic. Movement rate IMC has three values. ex: 36/12/4 means a character can run for 36 mts per round, or walk for 12 mts per round (run is walk x3), and the kms he walks per hour is the third value, which is calculated by multiplying the walk movement x 6 (rounds in a minute) x 60 (minutes in an hour). It turns out it's usually the walk movement divided by three and expressed in Kms. Same stats in feet and miles are roughly: 120'/40'/1,5 mls per hour bye! DM Senior Editor of the Mystaran Almanac First Officer of U.S.S. Unicorn "You don't stop playing because you grow old: you grow old because you stop playing!" Visit Marco's Mystara Homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967 Join the Mystara Webring at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/2967/mystring.html Join the Starfleet Academy at: http://gilda.it/startrek (Italian RPG PBEM) ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 23:28:27 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Magister Mystaros Subject: Re: Minoides and Minotaurs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/24/00 7:28:42 AM US Eastern Standard Time, ohadshm@INTER.NET.IL writes: << >If you've read my History of Blackmoor you might get the idea that such was Canonical, but it's not. Well yes and yes. When I need ancient history I turn to your work. I use this oppertunity to thank you for that.>> You are welcome. I hope my materials are useful and enjoyable... please, send constructive comments on to me... <<>IMC I placed the creation of the Enduks farther back than in Canon. Oh, but canon does not state the date of the creation. It said they were created following a great service rendered by Gildesh to Ixion. This could have taken place eons ego as Ixion is extremely old. "Centuries later" is when Gildesh founded Nimmur. We do not know how much time it took him, he is an immortal so age was not a problem. Nimmur could have been founded as an outpost of the Golden Empire (which makes it a lot older than we thought at first). >> True, true... and that is exactly what it is, too... an outpost. Of course, the Golden Empire fell in the Great Rain of Fire... << >IMC the Enduks were created by the Serpentine Empire and eventually gained their freedom (much as did the other "multiple-nature" ("chimerical") creatures, such as Shedu, Sphinxes and True Chimerae). Ixion became their patron (and thus eventually the "myth" of their creation by him came about) Two things- One, Bruce states in Gildesh's descreption that the Shedus are a race from the outer planes.>> IMC Shedu, Lammassu and such were originally Mortal creatures; Gildesh and others like him were raised to Exalted status, and most Shedu and Lammassu, etc followed and settled the outer places millennia ago... again, all IMC. <> Yes, IMC the Centaurs are another such race, with a similar myth cycle developed in the same manner as that of the Enduks... <<> and the Enduks eventually ruled the western section of Davania along with the Gold Dragons for many centuries (the "Golden Empire"); they were early allies of the Elves and the Oltecs. Fallen Enduks ("fallen" both metaphysically and genetically) become Minotaurs, and such has occured since time immemorial. But IMC Minoides and his followers were a special case and were tied in with the Taymorans (hmmm.. just about everything seems to be IMC). I like the Golden Empire concept very much. What sort of connection did the evil Enduks and Teymora had? >> The GRoF destroyed the Golden Empire; numerous successor states filled the void (civilization there remained stronger for a time, as the Enduks were not attacked as much as the human and demihuman nations were). Minoides, an Enduk King, turned to the worship of Nyx in order to gain the power to conquer the other successor states. He was defeated by a coalition of states when it was discovered that he and his followers worshipped one of the Immortal enemies of Ixion (the mortal followers make much more of a difference over the issues of light vs. dark than the Immortals themselves do). Minoides and his followers fled to Taymor, where they found sanctuary (of sorts) and Minoides sought to gain Immortality (and failed, though he did well enough to become an Exalted being). James A. Mishler Magister Mystaros Check out my website: www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/1437/index.html ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 23:42:24 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: Magister Mystaros Subject: The Golden Empire MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Just as a side note, for interested parties, the Golden Empire was ruled by a coalition of Enduks and Metallic Dragons, with many other lawful and/or good "Chimerical" creatures as well; however, the majority of the population was made up of Oltec-descended Humans as well as a minority of Dwarves, Halflings and Elves (these being the ancestors of the Dragon Elves of Pelatan). The major deities revered were Ixion (by the Enduks and the "Chimeras") and Odin, as "Bahamut", by the Dragons. Humans and demihumans worshipped both; there were also several other minor Immortals, but those were the two major Immortals. The antithetical Immortals were, of course, Hel (as "Tiamat") and Nyx, with Tiamat being the "big heavy", as she was the sponsor of the Draconian Empire of Brun (the empire of the Chromatic Dragons). Nyx was sort of in the shadows (pun intended) for most of the history of the Golden Empire and really only became troublesome after the GRoF... James A. Mishler Magister Mystaros Check out my website: www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/1437/index.html ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 21:17:40 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: Site Update: Another map MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Greetings. Like I said, I had to do this map halfway just to finish Herath, so here is the completed one, one day later. (Either that or I'm just really fast.) This features the northwestern half of the Orc's Head Peninsula, including the horn and the realms of Nimmur and Jibar�. (Don't forget that accent mark! Very important.) Next up is the Lizard Kingdoms, which includes Ator, Shazak, Cay, and Wallara. (Okay so Wallarans are technically dragons not lizards but it's close enough! STOP NITPICKING! ARGH! *makes note to investigate stress relief therapy*) It shouldn't take too long as half the map is already done on the last two, just need to add the Bayou proper. IronWolf http://users.ewa.net/ironwolf/ "It's Specularum, damn it!" ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 00:35:43 EST Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: David Knott Subject: Nyx (was The Golden Empire) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2000-02-28 11:43:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Mystaros@AOL.COM writes: << Nyx was sort of in the shadows (pun intended) for most of the history of the Golden Empire and really only became troublesome after the GRoF... >> Here is a question for those of you with extensive knowledge of Mystara: When is the earliest date that the existence of Nyx can be positively verified? I ask this question because the two available sources of information about her origin seem to give contradictory answers: On the one hand, Hesiod's Theogony has the goddess Nyx pre-dating humanity, most of the gods, and even the titans, but the WotI mini-bio that describes her mortal life would suggest that she she is not quite THAT old. If anyone can verify that she is more than a few centuries old as an Immortal, then the entire bio I spun for her must be thrown out, as I assumed a Laterran equivalent of China advanced enough to send ships to Ceylon/Sri Lanka and an Indian civilization advanced enough for over half of the subcontinent to be involved in a single war. ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 22:50:46 -0800 Reply-To: Mystara Sender: Mystara From: IronWolf Subject: New Class: The Druidic Knight MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings! As part of my Savage Coast campaign, I've developed the Druidic Knight as an AD&D class. (The Savage Coast books have them as a Defender kit, but they have some extra perks here.) Feedback is welcome! IronWolf Druidic Knight (Fighter Class) Attribute Requirements: Strength 13, Constitution 14, Wisdom 13, Charisma 13 Prime Requisites: Strength, Wisdom Alignment: Neutral Races Allowed: Human, Elf, Half-Elf This class was originally described in Dragon #177 for the D&D rules system, and has been expanded and revised here for AD&D 2nd Edition rules. Some text paraphrased from same article, originally written by Bruce Heard. Description The Druidic Knight is a form of true neutral paladin that originates from the realm of Robrenn on the Savage Coast, in the world of Mystara. They have adopted the philosophy of the druids, the honor code of a knight, and the faith and loyalty of a paladin. They must swear fealty to a prince, king, or emperor faithful to the ways of the druids. (Very rare in any world.) Druidic Knights cannot use metallic weapons, shields, or armor. Doing so at any point will cause them to revert to a regular warrior until they pay proper penance and service to the Druids for at least one full year. It is only by their will that the Knight shall regain his former status, and if he does not do so he will be considered an exile within the kingdom. They use wood weapons and armor magically sharpened and hardened by the druids. These items are usually lacquered or varnished, and include curvilinear decorations, delicate leaf carvings, and fine scrollwork tooled into the wood. The knight must repay the druids for these items, usually in terms of several years of routine service when not called upon by his liege lord. The ethos of the Druidic Knight is faith and honor to nature and the environment. Like a druid, they are concerned with the cycle of life and the proper order of nature. Unlike a druid, however, a druidic knight is sworn to uphold the honorable ideals of the chivalric knight, which include the protection of state and kingdom from attack. In many ways the druidic knights are the result of a more organized government dominated by druids. While they still hold themselves above the tenets of good and evil, they dedicate themselves to preserving balance by assuring that the kingdom and those who follow the druids stays intact. If the kingdom ever strays from the druidic path, then the druidic knights will unerringly side with the druids and consider themselves released from their feudal oaths. Aside from defense and feudal obligations, most druidic knights spend their adventuring days on quests for druids or their liege lords. Very rarely they may take up a quest for personal enlightenment. Druidic knights do not seek wealth typically, doing so for any reason but to raise money for the good of the state is frowned upon. Druidic knights are rare, and uncommon at best in the kingdom of Robrenn. They typically are formed into companies, although solitary knights are also known. The king of Robrenn is usually a druidic knight. Druidic knights begin attracting followers after 9th level, and can construct a stronghold similar to a warrior, although they must always have a druid to advise them in matters. The maximum level of experience possible for a druidic knight is 15th level, due to the constraints of learning both druidic and paladin values and abilities. Characteristics Druidic Knights use the Paladin Experience Point Table, Hit Dice, and THAC0 for advancement. They are forbidden to use any weapon forged from metal, all their armor, shields, and weapons must be made of wood, bone, or any 'natural' materials. Typically such weapons are magically hardened and enchanted by druids to make them of equal effectiveness to metal weapons. They may choose proficiencies from the General, Priest, and Warrior lists. They cannot specialize in a weapon proficiency, but can have expertise if the optional rules from Player Options: Combat & Tactics are used. Druidic Knights do not gain an experience point bonus for high attributes. All Druidic Knights have the following abilities: They can detect dangerous situations and creatures. This requires a single round of concentration and has a range of 60 feet. The Druidic Knight can detect any dangerous creature or being with evil intent towards himself or his companions. They can identify plants, animals, and pure water with perfect accuracy. They gain this ability after attaining 5th level. They can pass through overgrown areas, such as thick thorn bushes, tangled vines, briar patches, and so forth. They can move at their regular movement rate without leaving any kind of trail. They gain this ability after attaining 7th level. They are immune to charm spells cast by woodland creatures. This includes dryads, nixies, and so forth. They gain this ability after attaining 10th level. Druidic Knights with a wisdom score of 15 or higher can cast spells. They have major access to the following spheres: all, animal, elemental, healing, plant, and weather. They have minor access to the divination sphere. Druidic Knights can use all magical items normally allowed for warriors, paladins, and druids, so long as they are not unnatural. Druidic Knights cannot turn undead. Druidic Knights must assist any woodland being who requests aid. The only exceptions to this are if the creatures are opposed to the druidic ethos, or if the knight is already on a mission for a higher authority, in which case he can only offer a small amount of help which will not interfere in his quest. Assistance never involves the donation of money or items, only the offering of personal services for a short time. Druidic Knight Spell Progression Druidic Knight Level Casting Level Druid Spell Level 1 2 3 4 1-2 -- -- -- -- -- 3 1 1 -- -- -- 4 2 2 -- -- -- 5 3 2 1 -- -- 6 4 2 2 -- -- 7 5 2 2 1 -- 8 6 3 2 1 -- 9 7 3 2 1 1 10 8 3 3 1 1 11 9 3 3 2 1 12 9 4 3 2 1 13 9 4 3 2 2 14 9 4 4 2 2 15 9 4 4 3 2 ******************************************************************** The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp Find Local Players: http://nafsasp.wizards.com/Registries/TSR/Welcome.asp To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message.