GAZ F4 - The Hidden Treasure of Ghyr

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

olddawg

Sep 18, 2006 14:51:15
From the back of the book

VAULTS OF PANDIUS

The Hidden Treasure of Ghyr
An Unofficial Game Accessory

“Once upon a time, lay a mythic kingdom beyond the ends of the world. It was a realm of virtuous paladins and truculent enchantresses, knights and knaves – a land where each soul chose between the good and the bad.
This has ever been the Kingdom of Ghyr.”


This is the fourth product in a series of unofficial Gazetteer gaming aids designed by and for enthusiasts of the world of Mystara. This work covers the Kingdom of Ghyr, a country west of the Icereach Mountains that define Norwold’s limits. It also covers the neighboring nations of Greendale and Deep Hollow.

“The Hidden Treasure of Ghyr” provides descriptions of the history, nations, races, and personalities of a land where men and women take up arms in the cause of valor and justice, where temptresses seek to pull away the righteous, and unclear hearts can destroy all that is held dear.

This product ties together the Idrisian storylines presented in the previous three gazetteers. It also provides new rules for jousting and extended guidelines for playing paladins, avengers, and knights.

[Links now to the Vaults]

Gazetteer

Map

IMAGE(http://www.pandius.com/ghyr.jpg)
#2

olddawg

Sep 18, 2006 16:29:33
Two errata:

1) The name of southern Province/River of Ghyr is Temaraire not Temararie (map is incorrect)

2) I failed to give proper contributor credit to James Ruhland, who created the original version of the Thyatian officer and future Emperor Giovanni Augustus (then Giovanni Porpora).

Corrections will be made at a later date.

-OldDawg
#3

johnbiles

Sep 18, 2006 20:25:20
The link to the gazetteer doesn't work properly.
#4

havard

Sep 19, 2006 2:03:14
The link to the gazetteer doesn't work properly.

You need to copy the link into a new browser.

OldDawg: OMG!!!!

Håvard
#5

olddawg

Sep 19, 2006 17:11:01
The link to the gazetteer has been fixed. I had the phrase and URL address reversed:embarrass :embarrass
#6

happylarry

Sep 19, 2006 17:44:38
Only had the chance to skim this so far - but looks excellent. Really looking forward to having time to inwardly digest.

Nice work.
#7

Multizar

Sep 19, 2006 18:33:48
:D Once again....another excellent new source of material for Mystara. I have already converted the .doc into a .pdf for easy viewing on my home computer as I do not have microsoft word at home. My work pc has Adobe professional and will convert the file for me easily.
#8

agathokles

Sep 22, 2006 2:39:21
The Hidden Treasure of Ghyr
An Unofficial Game Accessory

Nice book, expecially the focus on knightly matters and war campaigns.

Errata: the name of the Thyatian town in Glantri, Sirecchia, is misspelt as "Serrecchia" in the history section.
#9

zombiegleemax

Sep 22, 2006 7:44:13
Still reading through it - I must commend everyone for their fine work. If you don't mind, Old Dawg, I'd like to send you my suggested edits (typos, etc.); but I will post general comments here once I finish reading it.

Geoff
#10

Hugin

Sep 22, 2006 15:59:02
looking forward to some good quality reading time! ;)
#11

olddawg

Oct 04, 2006 16:49:10
Now that everyone has had some time to read the gaz, does anyone have any comments? I'd like to hear from folks before the thread gets buried again.

-OldDawg
#12

johnbiles

Oct 04, 2006 17:07:07
I was pretty pleased with it, though it references a fair amount of stuff that isn't on the map, which got confusing at times.

The jousting system was pretty cool.
#13

Multizar

Oct 04, 2006 18:37:05
I belive that this is your best work next to the Denagoth Gaz. I like the social structure and Knights and Paladins rules. The new monsters are good and the adventure ideas are varied and many. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next installment. :D
#14

yakman

May 29, 2007 16:21:20
I didn't really get the theme here...

I just finished reading the first 5 gazeteers this weekend. The first three and the western alliance all had pretty clear themes running through them, but this one was sort of lacking... was it knights and courtly behavior?

In general, these are fantastic products. However, some of the writing is a bit clumsy. I'd be willing to edit the gazeteers to clean up some of the language if it's necessary.
#15

olddawg

May 29, 2007 16:51:23
I didn't really get the theme here...

I just finished reading the first 5 gazeteers this weekend. The first three and the western alliance all had pretty clear themes running through them, but this one was sort of lacking... was it knights and courtly behavior?

The theme of this gazetteer was indeed knight, avenger- and paladinhood as interpreted for Arthurian legendry - specifically the version presented in Mallory's Le Morte D'Arthur.

It was also a partial showcase for the old LJN product line (Strongheart, Warduke, etc), beginning just before the Quest of the Heartstone tore the companions asunder.


In terms of the Idrisian Sphere cycle, the setting plays out in far greater relief the philosophical pull of good and self-sacrifice on one hand and evil and self-indulgence on the other. This is represented via He Who Watches and the Cult of Idris, respectively. For Mystara writ large, Ghyr answers in full or part questions concerning the Master's Set map, why Thyatians might be unofficial allies to Wendarians, and routes of humanoids into Norwold.

Sorry you didn't like it. Oh well, can't please everyone every time. I'm glad you enjoyed the first three and the Western Alliance. (4/5 ain't bad ;) ) Be sure to check out Littonia by Geoff Gander and the Heldannic Order by myself, Colin Wilson, and the archival wisdom of Bruce Heard :D

-OldDawg
#16

yakman

May 30, 2007 9:23:30
The theme of this gazetteer was indeed knight, avenger- and paladinhood as interpreted for Arthurian legendry - specifically the version presented in Mallory's Le Morte D'Arthur.

It was also a partial showcase for the old LJN product line (Strongheart, Warduke, etc), beginning just before the Quest of the Heartstone tore the companions asunder.


In terms of the Idrisian Sphere cycle, the setting plays out in far greater relief the philosophical pull of good and self-sacrifice on one hand and evil and self-indulgence on the other. This is represented via He Who Watches and the Cult of Idris, respectively. For Mystara writ large, Ghyr answers in full or part questions concerning the Master's Set map, why Thyatians might be unofficial allies to Wendarians, and routes of humanoids into Norwold.

Sorry you didn't like it. Oh well, can't please everyone every time. I'm glad you enjoyed the first three and the Western Alliance. (4/5 ain't bad ;) ) Be sure to check out Littonia by Geoff Gander and the Heldannic Order by myself, Colin Wilson, and the archival wisdom of Bruce Heard :D

-OldDawg

Well, I didn't quite say that I was not pleased--quite the opposite really. I think that Ghyr is a great place to adventure--especially into Alinor in the North, as a base for excursions into the Western Alliance, and for the classic "The Orcs are Coming!" adventures.

The Heartstone and the personality rules were interesting as well--as were the knight rules. the Heartstone in particular is something that I'm definitely going to incorporate into a future campaign. However, the various elements could've been tied together better, especially in the proposed campaign at the end.

So, it's definitely 5/5 ;)