August's Theme: Water!

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

ferratus

Aug 04, 2005 21:01:35
Well, things have been a little slow around here, so I thought I'd toss out some suggestions for topics around August's theme. To those of you want to bite and the lines I'm dangling out, here are some things to talk about:

1) The economic impact of Zeboim's blessing on the elven peoples.
2) Sea travel between Taladas and Ansalon
3) The nature of the Maelstrom (and will it return?)
4) Ruins beneath the Newsea
5) Ergoth's maritime culture (where are the black Sea Peoples from?)

That should get us started.
#2

Dragonhelm

Aug 04, 2005 21:20:57
One more to add in.

1) The economic impact of Zeboim's blessing on the elven peoples.
2) Sea travel between Taladas and Ansalon
3) The nature of the Maelstrom (and will it return?)
4) Ruins beneath the Newsea
5) Ergoth's maritime culture (where are the black Sea Peoples from?)

6) New advances in the magic of hydromancy.
#3

zombiegleemax

Aug 06, 2005 9:49:51
i like dolphins

also how long is it from ansalon to taladas
#4

brimstone

Aug 09, 2005 2:06:52
Alrighty...I've got a couple more hours at the moment...I'll take a crack a couple of these
2) Sea travel between Taladas and Ansalon

I think that during the early 5th Age, travel between the two continents would have been easier (and I think this is why the Minotaurs expaneded so much in the last 30 years out to the east). With only one moon in the sky to hold sway over the currents (and no tempermental goddess to stir things up even more) sea travel between continents would have been easier if anyone had thought to try.

But now that there are three moons again, I'd say the seas are back to their temultuous state. So travel between continents would be sparse at best. And travel between the islands of Minotaur Nation (or whatever) would also be difficult.
3) The nature of the Maelstrom (and will it return?)

Probably not. I don't think Zeboim had anything to do with it. The two deities that had the biggest stake in the Maelstrom are now no longer in the picture. So, I'd think it probably isn't coming back.

Or it could have been as simple as a true whirlpool in the Blood Sea, created during the Cataclysm, and the currents themselves made it a self-sustained whilrpool. So, when Chaos essentially stopped the currents in the Blood Sea it ended the self-sustaining nature of the currents...and if it were to start up again...it would take a very long time.

Essentially, my guess is that if it is either, the whirlpool will not be back unless a god steps in and starts it up again.
4) Ruins beneath the Newsea

I'm going to hold off on this until Amber and Iron.
5) Ergoth's maritime culture (where are the black Sea Peoples from?)

I like the idea that the nubian-ish Ergothians used to be the coastal cultures of the Ergothian society Pre-Cataclysm. They were obviously the most sea faring peoples of the time (aside, maybe, from the minotaurs). So, when the continent split, and all these new lands and peoples were now coastal lands...some of the first people they met were the old sea faring black Ergothians. And so...it has become a sort of stereotype for the costal naive communities that the black man is a sailor and he's Ergothian.

That's my take on it anyway.
#5

brimstone

Aug 09, 2005 2:09:04
6) New advances in the magic of hydromancy.

I'll just steal ideas from my Sovereign Stone Codex Mysterium for new elemental magical spells.
#6

brimstone

Aug 12, 2005 9:57:41
To those of you want to bite and the lines I'm dangling out, here are some things to talk about:

Well, it helps to have a debate if I have a partner. LOL!

Where'd ya go?
#7

ferratus

Aug 14, 2005 0:27:06
Sorry I took so long to reply. This board was moving so slowly, I stopped checking it!

But now that there are three moons again, I'd say the seas are back to their temultuous state. So travel between continents would be sparse at best. And travel between the islands of Minotaur Nation (or whatever) would also be difficult.Probably not. I don't think Zeboim had anything to do with it. The two deities that had the biggest stake in the Maelstrom are now no longer in the picture. So, I'd think it probably isn't coming back.

Ah, but I thought the explanation for the Maelstrom was that it was the gaping maw of the Bloodsea monster?

As well, it seems that Zeboim's blessing would play a role in this question as well? Could the elves exploit the calm seas for exclusive access to Taladas?

I like the idea that the nubian-ish Ergothians used to be the coastal cultures of the Ergothian society Pre-Cataclysm. They were obviously the most sea faring peoples of the time (aside, maybe, from the minotaurs). So, when the continent split, and all these new lands and peoples were now coastal lands...some of the first people they met were the old sea faring black Ergothians. And so...it has become a sort of stereotype for the costal naive communities that the black man is a sailor and he's Ergothian.

Well, in the Barbarians trilogy they are described as coming from "the North" by Sea. In the Ergoth Trilogy, Ergoth's original inhabitants are fair, with the dark skinned peoples again coming in by sea and settling as a significant minority. So what is north? A new continent? Or did the Ergothian "Sea Peoples" merely come from the north of Ansalon?
#8

brimstone

Aug 16, 2005 10:32:54
Ah, but I thought the explanation for the Maelstrom was that it was the gaping maw of the Bloodsea monster?

I don't have that module (DL12, I think) so I'm not sure what that says about the Maelstrom. Beyond that, I thought it was all speculation?
As well, it seems that Zeboim's blessing would play a role in this question as well? Could the elves exploit the calm seas for exclusive access to Taladas?

What is Zeboim's blessing? Did I miss something in one of the newer novels I haven't gotten around to reading yet? (or am I just not putting two and two together here?)
So what is north? A new continent? Or did the Ergothian "Sea Peoples" merely come from the north of Ansalon?

I'd say it's probably from Northern Ansalon, the northern part of Ergoth with the coastal communities, which is why they were already a sea faring people anyway. Although it's an interesting thought, them being settlers from another continent back in the early days of the Age of Dreams.
#9

ferratus

Aug 16, 2005 16:58:57
I don't have that module (DL12, I think) so I'm not sure what that says about the Maelstrom. Beyond that, I thought it was all speculation?

Well, in that module it is implied that the Bloodsea Monster was actually created by the cursed remains of the Kingpriest and his inner circle of advisors.

Of course, it might not fit with the current feel of the setting, so I guess we'll never know exactly what the bloodsea monster is until we see actual stats for it.

Myself, I always figured it was a CR 20 Demon of Zeboim, sent to watch over her prize.

What is Zeboim's blessing? Did I miss something in one of the newer novels I haven't gotten around to reading yet? (or am I just not putting two and two together here?)

Off-hand mention in the Age of Mortals sourcebook (or DLCS). Anyway, it essentially means that elves can sail the ocean with ease. I figure that makes them the best people to make it to Taladas and back, thus linking the two settings together.

I'd say it's probably from Northern Ansalon, the northern part of Ergoth with the coastal communities, which is why they were already a sea faring people anyway. Although it's an interesting thought, them being settlers from another continent back in the early days of the Age of Dreams.

We'll have to ask Paul B. Thompson or Tonya Cook. Does anyone have their emails?