* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : Think we'll ever catch up with Ravenloft? Started at 02-10-05 09:25 AM by havard Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=377873 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : havard Date : 02-10-05 09:25 AM Thread Title : Think we'll ever catch up with Ravenloft? Well, comparing this forum with the other OOP boards shows that Mystara isnt the smallest kid. We are way ahead of Spelljammer and Birthright. Still, Ravenloft is next with about 4000 posts more than us. Think we'll ever catch up? ;) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : Thorf Date : 02-10-05 09:59 AM Thread Title : Well... I'm doing my absolute best to try! :cool: It does seem like we have a somewhat limited pool of readers here, though. I've only seen at most 15 or so people posting here. It seems that we're all regulars, but with that number it would be difficult to get a huge number of posts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : DM Date : 02-10-05 10:23 AM I'm not pessimistic but I don't think we'll be able to catch up until RL maybe becomes dead once again... then again, RL has a strange habit of rising as undead every now and then so.. ;) :P To make a few comparisons, the Mystara section of the Italian forum where I usually post has some 3600 messages on it... but I dare say the big posters can be counted on the fingers of ONE hand... I don't think getting more messages on the board is the best way of resurrecting Mystara. We should attract MORE PEOPLE, that's the real deal. Maybe advertising a bit more on the MML wouldn't be so bad. I am still subscribed to the MML, but nowadays I find it quicker and more useful browsing the Boards rather than reading every email. That's why I reply here more often than on the MML :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : Thorf Date : 02-10-05 10:41 AM Thread Title : I think you're right But the problem is, it's easy to say and really not easy to do. I'm sure people like me, who stick entirely to OD&D and really don't care about the newer rulesets, are probably not helping the situation. :( Some might say that we hold Mystara back, and prevent it from gaining a new 3E audience. But on the other hand, the products available are all written for OD&D. I think this is a much bigger problem than anyone's individual attitudes. And no matter how much we convert and re-write things for the new rules, the fatc remains that the books and PDFs that are out there are all old, out of print OD&D materials. So what to do? In the end, with Mystara in its current state, I don't think that there's a lot we can do. The best we can do is try to interest our friends in the game, but beyond that, we simply don't have the advertising power to even begin to think about getting a wider audience into the setting. That's what I think, at any rate. Somewhat pessimistic, eh? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 02-10-05 12:59 PM Well, when our boards reached 1000 posts - Ravenloft had around 5000. So I think we're catching up rather well... :dancin: EDIT: What I meant was that while we didn't reduce the 4000 posts gap - our growing rate is rather good. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Hugin Date : 02-23-05 11:01 AM Well, when our boards reached 1000 posts - Ravenloft had around 5000. So I think we're catching up rather well... :dancin: EDIT: What I meant was that while we didn't reduce the 4000 posts gap - our growing rate is rather good. You're right! I think the rate at which posts are being made is about the same as RL. And with several new names that have joined in lately, I think we'll at least keep pace. I guess now is as good a place as any to welcome the new "faces" to the MMB and say good to have you aboard! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 02-23-05 11:06 AM Indeed! Just watch the posting-rate in the last couple of hours! (I believe Thorf's Secret Project turns out to be quite a Rating-Booster...) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Thorf Date : 02-23-05 11:42 AM It's not just thanks to me - everyone is helping I think. :D And today we're having a field day with posting! No holds barred! :cool: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : MKMcArtor Date : 02-23-05 08:19 PM Woot! Let's catch those undead lovers! Known World uber alles! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : Joe Mason Date : 02-24-05 01:44 PM Personally, I much prefer the mailing list format, but there's been pretty much nothing posted to the list since I joined and this seems to be where the action is. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : Thorf Date : 02-24-05 01:54 PM I used to agree with you, but lately I've been somewhat converted to the message board format. Hehe, it might have something to do with the fundamentally graphical thread I'm running at the moment, which would be an impossibility on the list. :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Joe Mason Date : 02-24-05 01:55 PM Heh. Yeah, I guess there is that... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 02-24-05 02:10 PM ... and this seems to be where the action is. Funny. It used to be the other way around when I joined these boards, IIRC. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-03-05 10:24 AM Well, guys, did you notice how many people are on-line right now? (12, when I last checked) Something is definitely going on - and it's looking good. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 03-03-05 10:27 AM Well, guys, did you notice how many people are on-line right now? (12, when I last checked) Something is definitely going on - and it's looking good. :) I noticed we passed 4,000 posts. :cheer: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 16] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-03-05 10:29 AM I noticed we passed 4,000 posts. :cheer: AND we've reduced the gap: Less than 4000 posts to catch up with Ravenloft! :plotting: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 17] Author : havard Date : 03-03-05 10:33 AM AND we've reduced the gap: Less than 4000 posts to catch up with Ravenloft! :plotting: Muhaha, Ravenlofters: here we come! :evillaugh Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 18] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 03-03-05 10:38 AM Muhaha, Ravenlofters: here we come! :evillaugh Shh! Don't wake them up! They'll start a posting spree to get ahead again! :gah: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 19] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-03-05 10:42 AM Shh! Don't wake them up! They'll start a posting spree to get ahead again! :gah: Oh, we're safe. On the "Other Roleplaying Worlds HQ" page, the name of this thread appears only as "Think we'll ever catch up..." (Good idea, Havard! Giving this thread too long a name...). They probably don't even know we are discussing them in our dark plottings... :shifty: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 20] Author : Kheldren Date : 03-03-05 10:52 AM I like this format since I can access it at work and at home - a mailing list is a one address only format. I couln't even use web-mail for that as work bans access to email sites (and some bulletin boards - but not this one!). Just doing my bit to move us towards RL :) Actually I think our real target should not be RL, but the D&D Out of Print board - the other main one I read these days - but RL comes first... Anway I thought this is probably as good a place as any to say thank-you for all the great fun I've had (and expect to have in the future) reading everyone's ideas and thoughts. This does seem to be a very friendly and welcoming board. :cheer: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 21] Author : Thorf Date : 03-03-05 11:29 AM Yeah, tonight was awesome. :bounce: Unfortunately, as someone who checks the board every time I sit down at the computer or open a web browser, it's not usually like this. :( Where are all of you guys when I'm at work, searching for something to do for a free period? ;) Seriously, yeah I like the message board format for the same reason: easy access at home and at work. And on the topic of the thread, I think we have a good chance. And as I said last time this thread came round, I'm doing my utmost to push us in the right direction. :D Just remember: one post a day, even if it's just to say hi and leave a short comment on someone's project! Uh, I mean post. :schemes: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 22] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-03-05 11:35 AM Yeah, tonight was awesome. Mmmm... Never-mind. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 23] Author : Thorf Date : 03-03-05 11:36 AM Mmmm... Never-mind. LOL, time zone fun again by any chance? It has also occurred to me that with all the people on here tonight, we pretty much had the northern hemisphere covered. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 24] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-03-05 11:39 AM It has also occurred to me that with all the people on here tonight, we pretty much had the northern hemisphere covered. ;) :cool: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 25] Author : Hugin Date : 03-03-05 07:12 PM Wow guys! I got home from work and all the threads were bold with new posts! Wish I was here for the "dirty dozen" moment; that's got to be a record for this forum. Anway I thought this is probably as good a place as any to say thank-you for all the great fun I've had (and expect to have in the future) reading everyone's ideas and thoughts. This does seem to be a very friendly and welcoming board. I second that. I read some of the other forums (like "What's a DM to do") from time to time, and I have to say things are much more constructive and co-operative here. It's also more "personal"; I have yet to see real names used as frequently as they are here. This forum has a community group feel to it that I appreciate. Thanks for the experience! :tiphat: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 26] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 03-03-05 09:56 PM I've noticed a couple of new faces around here today, too- which is always refreshing to see! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 27] Author : Thorf Date : 03-03-05 10:32 PM Yeah, we're a pretty tight-knit community, I think. It probably helps that we're all passionate enough about Mystara to still be talking about it 10 years after it "died". Also of course the relatively limited numbers mean that we probably know (or at least know of) each other more than in other, larger gaming communities. And we always come back to Mystara, even if we sometimes drift away. :) This community is definitely the nicest I've been involved with online. Also without a doubt the most geographically diverse, the most intelligent and literate, and in many ways the most challenging and fulfilling. The sheer knowledge routinely used in our discussions is astounding - and I mean real world knowledge, although of course Mystaran knowledge is also a strong point for us. ;) I can't count the number of times I've gone and researched something from an offhand reference made by someone here so that I could fully participate in the discussion. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 28] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-04-05 01:16 AM ... It's also more "personal" ... I agree. It is only lately, through the dynamics of this community, that I felt more comfortable to disclose more personal info about myself. Thanks. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 29] Author : Hugin Date : 03-11-05 07:39 PM Thread Title : 400 Threads!!! We've crossed the 400 THREAD mark my friends!!! :pint: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 30] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-17-05 07:11 PM Current Gap Update: 3,526 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 31] Author : Hugin Date : 03-17-05 07:56 PM Current Gap Update: 3,526 We gained about 500 posts on them in a matter of roughly two weeks! Not bad! But really, who's keeping score? :angelhide -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 32] Author : Marc Date : 03-17-05 08:34 PM It's the lurkers who should be attempted to be counted like myself. I was one of the guys who posted here when the thread was in it's hundreds trying to drum up some activity and boy has it taken off from there in the past 6 months or so. And yes, before I get kicking for it, I should post more... btw, great work Thorf. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 33] Author : Culture20 Date : 03-17-05 09:02 PM Might the number of times threads are read be a good indication of activity? Thorf's map thread has a high ratio of reads/post. Edit: Just checked my math; Thorf's thread actually has a lower ratio compared to smaller threads. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 34] Author : Hugin Date : 03-17-05 09:09 PM Thorf's thread actually has a lower ratio compared to smaller threads. OR, may I suggest a higher percentage of views result in replies! ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 35] Author : Mortepierre Date : 03-18-05 03:31 AM But on the other hand, the products available are all written for OD&D. I think this is a much bigger problem than anyone's individual attitudes. And no matter how much we convert and re-write things for the new rules, the fatc remains that the books and PDFs that are out there are all old, out of print OD&D materials. I beg to differ. When the Known World became Mystara due to TSR's request that all its settings be 'upgraded' to AD&D 2E, more than a few products were released with 2E stats. Besides, with the 'epic' rules now all over 3.XE, finding the stats of a 36th wizard in an old OD&D accessory no longer frightens a (modern era) D&D's DM. Heck! Mystara should even relish its status as the 'first epic setting' of the line! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 36] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-21-05 10:47 AM Finally, Current Gap Update: 3,500 Keep up the good work... :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 37] Author : Thorf Date : 03-21-05 12:07 PM It's a great idea to post reports about the size of the gap, because it makes it much easier to compare. Basically, it's like keeping notes on the situation. Keep it up! :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 38] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 03-21-05 01:27 PM It's a great idea to post reports about the size of the gap, because it makes it much easier to compare. Basically, it's like keeping notes on the situation. Keep it up! :) Why thank you. I do my best. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 39] Author : Joe Mason Date : 03-21-05 04:31 PM It's a great idea to post reports about the size of the gap, because it makes it much easier to compare. Basically, it's like keeping notes on the situation. Keep it up! :) Not to mention it's one more post towards our total, without quite being content-free enough to really feel like cheating... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 40] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-01-05 02:28 AM Current Gap now 3,325 (not counting this post) but come one guys - that means we only had one more post than Ravenloft overnight! We can't let our momentum get lost. :D OK plaudits to Thorf who is still doing great work pulling in the posts (though we might want to move some of the climate/contour discussion to another thread). Actually that is a good idea - let the ones who are worried by it argue away keeping the posts ticking over nicely... :plotting: :evillaugh On the other hand, Thorf's decion to drop weekend updates, whilst totally understandable means we will have to take up the slack - so keep posting guys - this is my favourite forum anyway :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 41] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 04-01-05 04:22 AM I've been getting my creative juices flowing again, Mystara-wise, so I'm going to try and get some of my projects back in the mix. Maybe I'll try and provide some more regular updates, rather than waiting for completed works... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 42] Author : Malteen Date : 04-01-05 12:02 PM I agree that the contour thread probably should be moved to its own place. I loathe to use "argue" though, I had rather thought of it more like a friendly debate or discussion, but text does lend itself to misinterpretation of emotional intent. I believe we could use alot more posting of information not found in the books or expanding on ideas that are. I thoroughly enjoyed the Magian debate as it not only fleshed out something I had glossed over as unimportant before but forced me to do research also. I have alot of things I would share with you all but am not sure how well it would be recieved. I thought the idea of fleshing out local foods and beverages was a great idea and posted those which I had come up with before. Now I think that thread is on the back page again and not a single other post added to it. It seems there might be alot of hangup between canon and non-canon. I say it's better to post and let others decide what they want to use and not use. The canon material we already have should be the basis of information, not the end-all/be-all. If you like something, use it. If not, then don't. In the almanacs it talks about the Thyatian prototype airships late in the game. IMC I have a prototype flagship that I have used as early as 1002AC and it bothers me not one bit. I have one question though. Is there a place where retired threads go? I had posted something once before and now cannot find it. It would be a shame to miss out on info because it got "stowed" somewhere. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 43] Author : Dave L Date : 04-01-05 01:22 PM I say it's better to post and let others decide what they want to use and not use. The canon material we already have should be the basis of information, not the end-all/be-all. If you like something, use it. If not, then don't. That gets my vote - especially as some of the canon material is hard to get hold of. If you haven't got it, it's dificult to use it. On the subject of your old thread - I think all the old threads are still here, it's just that without a search facility it can be difficult to find what you're looking for. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 44] Author : Adamantyr Date : 04-01-05 02:23 PM Thread Title : 3rd Edition Mystara I'm sure people like me, who stick entirely to OD&D and really don't care about the newer rulesets, are probably not helping the situation. :( Some might say that we hold Mystara back, and prevent it from gaining a new 3E audience. I wouldn't feel too badly about this. If you and your group enjoy OD&D, why not play it? For me, I like 3rd edition a lot. I notice it actually shares more similarities to OD&D than AD&D, in fact. (Mechanics and simple algorithms instead of chart and table-based systems.) And if Mystara wants to see print in Dragon or Dungeon again, they will have to use 3rd edition. But on the other hand, the products available are all written for OD&D. I think this is a much bigger problem than anyone's individual attitudes. And no matter how much we convert and re-write things for the new rules, the fatc remains that the books and PDFs that are out there are all old, out of print OD&D materials. Well, and conversion is not as cut-and-dry as that, unfortunately. A critical mistake I see many converters do is they try and convert the original idea "as it was" without taking the new system into any kind of context. For example, take the bhut, re-introduced in the new Fiend Folio. Without having visited the boards here at the time, I would surmise there was considerable "outrage" at how it little resembled the original. Of course, what they did was redesign it to more closely match the mythology it had been derived from. And they also made it much more powerful. Because in the context of 3rd edition, they always have to have a fairly even spread of monster-CR. Just blindly converting creatures from older edition sources doesn't address the issue of monster availability balance. I also believe that any good conversion should be the result of being played, not because it matches some canon source. I'll use another example from one of the other campaign settings: Dark Sun. There's a few sources of "Sorcerer-Kings" done by fans there, but much to my distress, they make them all absurdly-high epic-level characters, in the 50-70 range. What's my problem? Well, if anyone's actually PLAYED epic-level in 3rd edition, you'd know that around level 40, the skill system starts to break down. It starts losing a lot of the smooth functionality that levels 1-20 have. In addition, a level 40 character could completely WIPE OUT a party of level 20 characters in a single round. So having level 50+ sorcerer-kings is more like "Dragonball Z", with your player characters taking the roles of "normals" in a world of "supers". Dark Sun is about being overpowered, but not rendered completely irrelevant. Anyway, back to Mystara. My feelings are that the setting has good promise for a nice revitalization in Dragon or Dungeon, but that the fans must sacrifice some sacred cows. The biggest problem Mystara faces is that it is based on an older rules set with a great number of restrictions. 3rd edition has banished those restrictions. Subsequently, re-introducing them isn't a viable concept. You have to have half-elves and gnomes. Dwarven wizards are not a problem. Some restrictions weren't rules-based, but instead were setting-based. Glantri, for example, would be a tough place to visit if your party has clerics or dwarves. I had players who flat out refused to be from Glantri because they thought that visiting there would cause problems with the other party members. You know how every player in a game wants to participate, and he gets frustrated when he can't? Restrictions do that. When you tell your party cleric he can't come with you because "those crazy wizards will kill you", you're really not making the game very fun for someone. If said player thrives on confrontation and enjoys it, that's one thing. Most players, though, will be annoyed because nothing in the PHB says "If you play this race/class, you will be screwed." There's enough trouble with undead encounters being cakewalks if you have a cleric, and rather rough otherwise. So how to make a true 3rd edition Mystara? Well, my gut feeling on it is to first embrace the 3rd edition PHB completely. Allow all races and classes without restriction. Then start looking at how to intergrate and change elements in the background so that they compliment the rules set, without sacrificing what makes the setting unique and different. Adamantyr -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 45] Author : Chris.Nix Date : 04-01-05 02:59 PM I wouldn't feel too badly about this. If you and your group enjoy OD&D, why not play it? I do Some restrictions weren't rules-based, but instead were setting-based. Glantri, for example, would be a tough place to visit if your party has clerics or dwarves. I had players who flat out refused to be from Glantri because they thought that visiting there would cause problems with the other party members. And don't forget the halflings all needed for experiments. Half of the party I was with had to hide in the sewers to avoid those nasty wizards. Shorties learnt stilt walking. Clerics dressed like fighters and the party wizard saying be nice to him otherwise it's the authorities for us. When we left Glantri, did he get a good kickin' or what! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 46] Author : Dave L Date : 04-02-05 04:19 AM When we left Glantri, did he get a good kickin' or what! Those halflings can be nasty when they're upset! :D The stilt walking sounds fun - walking up stairs would be tricky, though. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 47] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-02-05 05:56 AM A critical mistake I see many converters do is they try and convert the original idea "as it was" without taking the new system into any kind of context. For example, take the bhut, re-introduced in the new Fiend Folio. Without having visited the boards here at the time, I would surmise there was considerable "outrage" at how it little resembled the original. Of course, what they did was redesign it to more closely match the mythology it had been derived from. And they also made it much more powerful. Because in the context of 3rd edition, they always have to have a fairly even spread of monster-CR. Just blindly converting creatures from older edition sources doesn't address the issue of monster availability balance. Yes, but I'd like to use the converted monsters in their original settings. If the bhut is way more powerful, then Master of the Desert Nomads has to be played with higher level characters, and then everything else in it has to be boosted too - or else the bhut's power has to be cut down, but why did we bother to convert it if we then have to fiddle it to use it in the only place it originally appeared? (Actually, when I looked at the first encounter in X4, with the trolls and the wyvern, the 3E version already seemed way tougher than the BD&D version, so maybe the whole module would just happen to be tougher anyway. But that's kind of a shame cause it was a good epic for mid-level characters.) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 48] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-02-05 12:08 PM Well, and conversion is not as cut-and-dry as that, unfortunately.It should be; take for example Dragonlance. No HalfOrcs (a standard 3E race), because there are no Orcs on Krynn (in Weis & Hickman's vision of it at least, other authors have altered this). Also, Kender instead of Halflings, no Sorcerors, and Wizards are subject to the three moons. Will a fan of Dragonlance complain when he reads the "no Halflings" rule in a bookstore? No; rather I'd assume that if he read such a rule on the first few pages, he'd consider the writers of the book to really know what they are writing about and buy the book. Just blindly converting creatures from older edition sources doesn't address the issue of monster availability balance.Monster availability is irrelevant; if a DM needs a stronger monster, choose a different monster or create a new one. Don't convert a known monster into a powerhouse just because of a lack of powerhouses I also believe that any good conversion should be the result of being played, not because it matches some canon source.When a setting is playtested ad infinitum, then there's a problem with watering down the things that made the setting properly seperate to begin with. When only geography, history, & politics change from setting to setting, only epic level characters truelly care, as they are the only ones who tend to care about history, can alter politics, or travel grand distances daily. Oerth and Faerun always feel the same to me at low levels. I'll use another example from one of the other campaign settings: Dark Sun. There's a few sources of "Sorcerer-Kings" done by fans there, but much to my distress, they make them all absurdly-high epic-level characters, in the 50-70 range.In regard to the specific example here, the Sorcerer-Kings in 2E Dark Sun are almost diefic beings. To attempt to kill one _does_ mean certain death for most high level players. I too have seen bad 3E conversions though: Additions of Astral & Etherial planes to Athas just because they're in the 3E core rules. Anyway, back to Mystara. My feelings are that the setting has good promise for a nice revitalization in Dragon or Dungeon, but that the fans must sacrifice some sacred cows. The biggest problem Mystara faces is that it is based on an older rules set with a great number of restrictions. 3rd edition has banished those restrictions. Subsequently, re-introducing them isn't a viable concept. You have to have half-elves and gnomes. Dwarven wizards are not a problem.As above, restrictions define a setting for lower level characters. Half-elves don't exist in the Known World, whether the Alfheim elves can't reproduce with humans, or they just won't. They reason doesn't matter because it's part of the history of the setting that half-elves don't exist. Gnomes on the other hand do (I even made a Gnome class when I DM'ed for Classic D&D in the late 80s). If a 3E concept has to be introduced, I'd probably say place another restricion: Consider 3E elves as Sorceror/Fighters, not Wizard/Fighters. This adds to the Elves' Fae feeling. Dwarves in Mystara don't use magic, just like the Dwarves on Krynn. Whether it's cultural or because of innate magic resistance is irrelevant, it's a setting restriction. Demihumans without defining rules restrictions are merely humans in different clothing. Some restrictions weren't rules-based, but instead were setting-based.Umm, so change the setting history or geography to reduce restrictions? Please allow me a little leeway with this one: "Humans and Dwarves can't breath in the Undersea setting" the players whined. "So choose an available waterbreathing race" said the DM. "But we want to walk on land without the sea-elf HP loss".Clearly, the players didn't want to play the Undersea setting, but didn't know how to voice that. Other than changing the water to make it breathable, there would have been no way to appease these players. Unfortunately, making the water breathable (or having the humans and dwarves breath water w/o restriction) would destroy the magic of Undersea. You know how every player in a game wants to participate, and he gets frustrated when he can't? Restrictions do that. ... Most players, though, will be annoyed because nothing in the PHB says "If you play this race/class, you will be screwed."That's what the setting rule book is for. _It_ would say "If you play a cleric in/near Glantri, you're screwed." It's also the DM's job to tailor the player's characters for the setting. I recently had a player want to play a Krynnish minotaur in the Savage Coast setting. I showed him Enduks, and he was okay with the compromise, although he lost some points in Con,and had to rework his history/personality. They restriction? Krynnish Minotaurs are not a race on Mystara. So how to make a true 3rd edition Mystara? Well, my gut feeling on it is to first embrace the 3rd edition PHB completely. Allow all races and classes without restriction. Then start looking at how to intergrate and change elements in the background so that they compliment the rules set, without sacrificing what makes the setting unique and different.Allowing all races and classes w/o restriction makes the setting nothing but "fluff" which is abhorred by most 3E players. If there's no new rules/restrictions to play with, they'd rather play on Oerth/Faerun. Getting back closer to topic: Ravenloft had an easier time converting to 3E because it's setting was all fluff to begin with (except for the fear & insanity rules). New character classes can be pulled into the mists instantly without having to rewrite the setting history. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 49] Author : Malteen Date : 04-03-05 01:15 AM I would have to agree here as well. There is alot of flavor that gets lost in translation. I have always felt that in almost all cases demihumans end up being "humans in different clothing" Of course with all the racial benefits as well. I can't tell you how many arguements i've gotten into with players because of level restrictions for demihumans. On a side note humans and elves do mate on Mystara. The child generally follows the racial traits of the mother. However, there is a race that could technically be considered "half-elven". IIRC its the Yavs. But this would have ocurred over a long period of constant interbreeding and resulted in humans with strong elven traits in their genetic makeup. Now I could be wrong, its been a long time since I've read that but I am sure it was in the Champions box set. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 50] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-03-05 03:18 AM You are correct Malteen; later areas of Mystara have half-elves (i.e. Yavdlom, although they are often referred to as demi-elves). Also, the Savage Coast has half-elves (partly due to Yavdlom colonists, but also some interbreeding). I always took the introduction of half-elves to be the first conversion to 2E; I still do not allow half-elves, even in the Savage Coast, because classic D&D had no half-elves. But, even if a DM does allow half-elves, they can't be from the known world, since Alfheim/Calari/etc. elves do not interbreed with humans. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 51] Author : Adamantyr Date : 04-03-05 01:47 PM Thread Title : Settings It should be; take for example Dragonlance. No HalfOrcs (a standard 3E race), because there are no Orcs on Krynn (in Weis & Hickman's vision of it at least, other authors have altered this). Also, Kender instead of Halflings, no Sorcerors, and Wizards are subject to the three moons. Will a fan of Dragonlance complain when he reads the "no Halflings" rule in a bookstore? No; rather I'd assume that if he read such a rule on the first few pages, he'd consider the writers of the book to really know what they are writing about and buy the book. Except that Dragonlance is also a popular series of novels, with an extremely large fan following. We don't have this kind of benefit. In fact, Mystara was going to be used by 2nd edition AD&D as a "starter campaign setting". Which, fortunately, was still viable in 2nd edition since most the options were identical from setting to setting. That isn't possible anymore, though, as 3rd edition removed the restrictions. As for the small number of Mystara novels, they're good fiction, but not great fiction. I think my favorite of them is the first one. I can't recall the title and I'm in the process of moving so all my books are unavailable at the moment, but it's the story of Fain Flynn, so I'm sure everyone here knows what I'm talking about. Also, I wouldn't hitch your flag to Dragonlance overly much as a setting... I certainly don't see a WotC hardcover for DragonLance, nor do I expect one anytime soon. When a setting is playtested ad infinitum, then there's a problem with watering down the things that made the setting properly seperate to begin with. When only geography, history, & politics change from setting to setting, only epic level characters truelly care, as they are the only ones who tend to care about history, can alter politics, or travel grand distances daily. Oerth and Faerun always feel the same to me at low levels. And here I was thinking that well-developed plots, thrilling stories, and interesting characters defined a game, not it's rules? As above, restrictions define a setting for lower level characters ... Demihumans without defining rules restrictions are merely humans in different clothing. I disagree. The paradigm of 3rd edition is about giving bonuses and abilities to some races and classes. Not restricting them. It's a subtle difference. In 3rd edition, there is no restriction on spell-casting abilities except the related ability score must be 10 + the spell level. Adding "dwarves can't cast arcane spells" sticks out like a sore thumb. You can still have the effect of this WITHOUT altering rules. You can say, in your setting guide "The dwarves of Rockhome hate wizards and sorcerers. As a result, they do not encourage such studies among their own people. Clandestine groups of dwarven wizards do exist, but must conceal their nature." The plague and persecution in Glantri would be one of the sources of this conflict. Then a player could be a dwarven wizard, but he'd have a much more interesting background. That's what the setting rule book is for. _It_ would say "If you play a cleric in/near Glantri, you're screwed." It's also the DM's job to tailor the player's characters for the setting. I recently had a player want to play a Krynnish minotaur in the Savage Coast setting. I showed him Enduks, and he was okay with the compromise, although he lost some points in Con,and had to rework his history/personality. They restriction? Krynnish Minotaurs are not a race on Mystara. Role-playing monsters has always been a sticky business... they're kind of like psionics in that respect, although much less trouble. Using an enduk certainly works in that respect, and if the player was happy with the idea, then everything's cool. But I personally think you also missed an opportunity. While the Krynnish minotaur couldn't be implemented "as is", it could be something that could be introduced into the setting, with changes made to background to accomidate it. Then we'd have Mystaran minotaurs! My personal feeling on it would be, I wouldn't write a single line of background. I'd just let the player into the setting, and work it out in the course of play. Certainly players and NPC's are going to ask questions, and then the player has his chance to make his mark in the setting. Allowing all races and classes w/o restriction makes the setting nothing but "fluff" which is abhorred by most 3E players. If there's no new rules/restrictions to play with, they'd rather play on Oerth/Faerun. Actually, what 3E players like is lots and lots of options. Not restrictions. You replace the "You can't have this/play this" philosophy with "Here's stuff you can do in our setting you can't do in others." A good example of a setting WITH restrictions, I think, would be Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed. If you're going to muck with the rules, may as well go whole hog. At least then players won't feel like if they were playing in another setting they would have more fun. Adamantyr -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 52] Author : Chris.Nix Date : 04-03-05 04:29 PM You can still have the effect of this WITHOUT altering rules. You can say, in your setting guide "The dwarves of Rockhome hate wizards and sorcerers. As a result, they do not encourage such studies among their own people. Clandestine groups of dwarven wizards do exist, but must conceal their nature." The plague and persecution in Glantri would be one of the sources of this conflict. Then a player could be a dwarven wizard, but he'd have a much more interesting background. Very interesting thoughts, IMC (ODnD) I have a secret society of dwarves who are wizards, and they have tame humans (village idiots) who they have convinced are powerful mages able to cast spells by dancing round. Of course to the general dwarves, the rumour is that they have been driven mad by magic. The players may find out at some point if their extremely lucky. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 53] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-03-05 08:00 PM Also, I wouldn't hitch your flag to Dragonlance overly much as a setting... I certainly don't see a WotC hardcover for DragonLance, nor do I expect one anytime soon. I've seen this in stores for at least a year: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlacc/869900000 ;) And here I was thinking that well-developed plots, thrilling stories, and interesting characters defined a game, not it's rules?Touche. What I meant to say is that beginning characters have no effect on their macro-environment, and thus the players care less about "where" the action is. At lower levels, rules define the _setting_ not the quality of the game. While the Krynnish minotaur couldn't be implemented "as is", it could be something that could be introduced into the setting, with changes made to background to accomidate it. Then we'd have Mystaran minotaurs! My intent was so that I'd not have to create a whole new race (with history, country, etc) just to accomodate a player desire. I suppose one could reconcile spellcasting dwarves and sorcerers as the results of a Radience mishap (perhaps even WotI itself). If 3E wanted to explain such a change historicaly, and WotC set it into a canon book, I'd have a hard time refuting it. Just so long as they wouldn't rewrite Mystaran history to include such things; that'd leave a bad taste in my mouth. Half-elves? Perhaps the Shattenalfen are more genetically or socially compatible with humans so that offspring occur. There's several sacred cows put down. ;) A Mystara Rulebook could also include an option for "Olde Tyme Role Playe," allowing the DM to consider restrictions when playing an older time period of Mystara. Side note: I'm curious about 3E now that you've mentioned that there are _no_ restrictions, only bonuses. What would prompt one to play human instead of getting infravision & racial bonuses? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 54] Author : Adamantyr Date : 04-04-05 12:20 AM I've seen this in stores for at least a year: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlacc/869900000 ;) Ah, I stand corrected. Still, when you have a best-selling series of novels supporting you, you can justify restrictions because players will fall over each other to play things "just like the books". Touche. What I meant to say is that beginning characters have no effect on their macro-environment, and thus the players care less about "where" the action is. At lower levels, rules define the _setting_ not the quality of the game. In OD&D, this may be the case. 3rd edition, though, strives to make the players capable of affecting their environment from day one. You'd find the number of customization options are far greater, and so you'd have much more dynamic characters. In this case, restrictions become a true penalty, rather than a guide-rail. My intent was so that I'd not have to create a whole new race (with history, country, etc) just to accomodate a player desire. An understandable sentiment... still, role-playing is all about interactivity, a collective story-telling. Why not let the players do some of the footwork for you? Side note: I'm curious about 3E now that you've mentioned that there are _no_ restrictions, only bonuses. What would prompt one to play human instead of getting infravision & racial bonuses? Humans get 4 bonus skill points and a bonus feat at 1st level, and they gain 1 additional bonus skill point per level, regardless of class. This reflects their adaptability and well-rounded nature. This gives human characters a nice edge over demi-humans, as they can follow feat trees earlier and they got more skill points to spread about. Also, dwarves and half-orcs have darkvision, which allows you to see in the dark. Elves, half-elves, and gnomes only have low-light vision, which allows them to see twice as far as a human does in moonlight and torchlight, but they're as blind in the dark as a human is. Adamantyr -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 55] Author : Malteen Date : 04-04-05 01:49 AM I don't remember offhand what product it was (probably Alfheim GAZ) but Alfheim and Callarii elves DO interbreed with humans, however, it does not lead to what we would consider a "half-elf". If the mother is human so will be the child with maybe some "elfin" features. If the mother is elven then so will be the child who might be taller or grow a beard. Cosmetically this resembles what we call a "half-elf" but the rules governing this offspring do not. It would conform to the rules dictated for which race it takes after elf or human. I used the Yavs as an example of something alot closer to what we consider a "half-elven" race. Although, I might argue that these still do not conform to the rules associated with that race. I may be in a minority here but I am not impressed with 3e rules at all. The only redeeming factor IMO is the "cleaner math". Other than that it smacks of powergaming players who want wizards with swords and fighters who buff themselves without the sticky rules of multiclassing or dual classing. Like 2e wasn't overpowering enough? Time and again I find myself in debate with players over rules because they are trying to make the "killer build". In the days of OD&D when the average character may not have any scores above 15 really made you learn that it wasnt your scores that mattered but how you roleplayed it. Nowadays players can wade through a horde of orcs in minutes but could't roleplay their way out of a wet paper bag. If there isn't a roll to get them out of trouble, forget it, it's game over. 3E is all about making everything possible, which is more of a benefit to marketing than roleplaying. If we are gonna allow any combination of race and class then why are we bothering with Mystara? Why not go play Forgotten Realms or Greyhawk? They are "generic" enough to allow this. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 56] Author : Adamantyr Date : 04-04-05 02:12 AM I may be in a minority here but I am not impressed with 3e rules at all. The only redeeming factor IMO is the "cleaner math". Other than that it smacks of powergaming players who want wizards with swords and fighters who buff themselves without the sticky rules of multiclassing or dual classing. Like 2e wasn't overpowering enough? Time and again I find myself in debate with players over rules because they are trying to make the "killer build". In the days of OD&D when the average character may not have any scores above 15 really made you learn that it wasnt your scores that mattered but how you roleplayed it. Nowadays players can wade through a horde of orcs in minutes but could't roleplay their way out of a wet paper bag. If there isn't a roll to get them out of trouble, forget it, it's game over. 3E is all about making everything possible, which is more of a benefit to marketing than roleplaying. It all depends on the players, really. I definitely agree on the powergaming problem. This, though, has always happened, regardless of the system. I think it's gotten more noticable thanks to computer games, where there are ONLY rules, and no GM to dictate anything. As a result, you have a class of player who is only familiar with a 100% rules system. So don't blame just the rules system of 3rd edition for the lack of role-playing... it could just be your players don't know any other way to play. Which is where the DM comes in. Aside from maybe some nice "Roleplaying 101" advice, he can also design his games so that RP is rewarded, while the use of combat is minimized. The idea here is that 3rd edition provides a solid rules framework you can utilize as you see fit. This is also a reason why a DM should be more than just a rules-arbitrator... if a computer could do it, then the human element is lost, and you may as well just be playing a computer game. If we are gonna allow any combination of race and class then why are we bothering with Mystara? Why not go play Forgotten Realms or Greyhawk? They are "generic" enough to allow this. I think what you should ask yourself is, why bother with Mystara if you can't play a particular combination that you want? As I said above, with the greater number of players, they're going to assume everything in the PHB is allowed. And if you are introducing restrictions, what remains has to have something pretty special about it to make people want to play this game over that Greyhawk or Realms game at the next table. Of course, nothing's stopping anyone from continuing with OD&D, or using any rules system you want. (FUDGE is very good for RP, and it was created by Ann Dupuis, an old Mystara veteran.) However, if you want Mystara to be featured in an article in Dungeon or Dragon, you have to use 3rd edition. What they'll be interested in is "what kind of things does this add to 3rd edition to make it fresh and interesting?" Consider the lupin article. A new race, playable in any setting. Adamantyr -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 57] Author : weasel fierce Date : 04-04-05 05:05 AM In regards to limitations... A concept of game design (though it was originally coined for wargames, I believe) is that its not always what you CAN do, but what you CANNOT do, that defines you. I have no problems with, for example, mystaran dwarves (or dwarves in general) not being spellcasters, because it lends them more flavour and makes them more interesting (and offers the question, WHY cant they be spellcasters ? Cue campaign explanation here, for those inclined) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 58] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 04-04-05 11:04 AM Current Gap Update: 3,290. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 59] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-04-05 11:16 AM Ah good - back on topic :) We seem to be catching up nicely, but has anyone bothered to work out the rate of catchup? - i.ee if we keep this up when do we pass them? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 60] Author : havard Date : 04-04-05 12:52 PM Ah good - back on topic :) We seem to be catching up nicely, but has anyone bothered to work out the rate of catchup? - i.ee if we keep this up when do we pass them? Good question! I'd love to see some statistical prognosis on this one. :D Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 61] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 04-04-05 08:12 PM Good question! I'd love to see some statistical prognosis on this one. Me, too. FWIW, we're down to a gap of 3,269 as of this post. :cool: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 62] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-05-05 12:33 AM According to my simple spreadsheet skills, and even worse powers of mathematical analysis, it looks like mid to late August. Time (EST) Post Gap Avg. Posts per day 03/03/2005 09:27:00 4000 Not enough data 03/17/2005 18:11:00 3526 33 03/21/2005 09:47:00 3500 7.12 04/01/2005 01:28:00 3325 16.43 04/04/2005 10:04:00 3290 10.42 04/04/2005 19:12:00 3269 55.18 04/04/2005 23:40:00 3250 102.09 Non linear Used wrong Calculations. linear 08/24/05 05:16 am 0 23.01 All times listed are Eastern Standard Time (I'm too lazy to convert to GMT). Here's the Spreadsheet in (Open)Office format. (http://mypage.iu.edu/~djtavria/rpg/gapsheet.xls) I only minored in Mathematics; any Math majors (or minors who payed attention) willing to fix the calculations? :embarrass -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 63] Author : Hugin Date : 04-05-05 12:40 AM According to my simple spreadsheet skills, and even worse powers of mathematical analysis, it looks like mid to late August. Wow. I don't know if we can hold this pace for that long but I am confident that we will pass it eventually. The last 24 hours or so things went ballistic. Unless someone beat me with another post, this one marks a gap of 3250! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 64] Author : Thorf Date : 04-05-05 02:29 AM I averaged 3 posts a day since I joined up in January, although my quota has probably fallen slightly in the past week or so. We can do it!! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 65] Author : MKMcArtor Date : 04-05-05 07:05 PM Here's me contributing to the effort. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 66] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-06-05 12:36 AM Perhaps it's time to start posting about *my* secret project... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 67] Author : Hugin Date : 04-06-05 12:47 AM Perhaps it's time to start posting about *my* secret project... What fun are secrets if you can't tell people about them, right? So come on, spill the beans. I have know! You can't back out now, it's too late! We know, and now you know we know, you know? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 68] Author : havard Date : 04-06-05 09:03 AM Perhaps it's time to start posting about *my* secret project... Grmph! Now *I* want a secret project too... :weep: :heehee Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 69] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-06-05 01:54 PM 3195 as I type this. Keep posting the gap every [other] day, and the statistical projection will get better with more data. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 70] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-07-05 02:16 AM 3187 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 71] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 04-07-05 11:26 AM You know what do I find the most encourging? Everytime I enter the board it tells me that there are 6 people viewing, 7 people viewing... When I just arrived here, if we had 2 people on-line at the same time it seemed crowded. "8 people viewing" was a DragonLance feature to envy! And some of these people are guests - i.e. not the "regular" faces. It seems as if this might have a slightly wider affect than we think! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 72] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 04-07-05 02:42 PM I'd like to think Mystara is far more interesting than Dragonlance... :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 73] Author : Highwayman 42 Date : 04-07-05 05:47 PM I'm surprised about how popular Dragonlance is on the boards. I'm thinking most of that comes from the popularity of the books, but I've never really played a Dragonlance campaign that was all that interesting. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 74] Author : Hugin Date : 04-07-05 07:01 PM You know what do I find the most encourging? Everytime I enter the board it tells me that there are 6 people viewing, 7 people viewing... When I just arrived here, if we had 2 people on-line at the same time it seemed crowded. "8 people viewing" was a DragonLance feature to envy! And some of these people are guests - i.e. not the "regular" faces. It seems as if this might have a slightly wider affect than we think! You're not kidding, Lost W! As Thorf once said, I check the boards every time I sit down at the computer, and there seems to almost always new posts. Sometimes half a dozen threads with multiple posts await me for reading! It's great! By this time next year I think we'll be #3 on the Other Roleplaying Worlds HQ. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 75] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-07-05 07:07 PM I've never had a huge urge to play a Dragonlance campaign, but it's not a bad setting. I don't begrudge that or Ravenloft or the others their popularity - the only one I really dislike is the Forgotten Realms. I don't know it much except through computer games, but it feels incredibly bland and generic to me. So much so that - well, that deserves its own thread, I think. And I gotta go now, so it'll have to wait. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 76] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-08-05 09:18 PM 3148 away from Ravenloft, 4975 away from Planescape :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 77] Author : Dave L Date : 04-09-05 04:50 AM 3148 away from Ravenloft, 4975 away from Planescape :D Now that's what I call ambitious! :) Let battle commence! :fight!: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 78] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-10-05 01:34 AM Ravenloft gap: 3130 Planescape gap: 4969 The PS gap _is_ lowering... :rolleyes: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 79] Author : Highwayman 42 Date : 04-10-05 05:46 AM Okay, one reason why Mystara appeals to me more than Forgotten Realms. Mystara isn't as over-developed. Forgetton Realms has just been over-worked, and yet somehow remains awefully generic. I think Forgotten Realms just needs to be compiled into one big source material and then be left alone. Mystara presents many possibilities in it's own context. Unfortunately, the drive to for generic settings has gotten it left on the wayside. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 80] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-11-05 10:36 AM Ravenloft: 3116 They seem to be posting again, most unhelpful of them :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 81] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-13-05 03:06 AM 3,098 - we have finally broken the 3,100 barrier - now we have to go for the 3,000 barrier. (Oh Planescape - 4,938) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 82] Author : DM Date : 04-13-05 03:12 AM I believe the fact that the Mystara Boards are more active nowadays is also partially linked to the fact the Mystara Mailing List seems to be dormant. There has probably been a switch to this way of exchanging ideas and messages in the last period because people find it more user friendly and doesn't load your already SPAM-filled mailbox with other stuff . That said, I hope you'll excuse me but I have to post something over the RL boards :D :P ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 83] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-13-05 03:22 AM I believe the fact that the Mystara Boards are more active nowadays is also partially linked to the fact the Mystara Mailing List seems to be dormant. There has probably been a switch to this way of exchanging ideas and messages in the last period because people find it more user friendly and doesn't load your already SPAM-filled mailbox with other stuff . That said, I hope you'll excuse me but I have to post something over the RL boards :D :P ;) Just so long as you tell us here every time you do that so you're gap-neutral. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 84] Author : DM Date : 04-13-05 05:26 AM Okay, it's a deal.... :D ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 85] Author : Gazza555 Date : 04-14-05 06:49 AM Here are the differences between the Mystara board and some of the other boards. As you can see we are closing (however slowly) with all the boards except the Dark Sun board. 23rd March 14th April 13:00 GMT 11:20 GMT Dragonlance 34,632 34,628 Dark Sun 20,780 21,302 Greyhawk 9,419 9,270 Planescape 5,229 4,915 Ravenloft 3,459 3,079 Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 86] Author : Geogrere Ziacara Date : 04-14-05 08:02 AM WOW!!! I'm gone for awhile and all of a sudden we're 14 posts(13 now) away from 5000! Incredible. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 87] Author : Geogrere Ziacara Date : 04-14-05 11:10 AM Unless someone just beat me to it this is post 5000! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 88] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-14-05 07:33 PM Ravenloft: 3046 Planescape: 4884 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 89] Author : Hugin Date : 04-16-05 01:10 PM Ravenloft is just 3000 away as of this post! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 90] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-18-05 12:07 AM Ravenloft: 2979 Planescape: 4813 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 91] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-19-05 06:28 AM It's been over 24 hours since the last update so: Ravenloft: 2954 Planescape: 4779 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 92] Author : Marc Date : 04-21-05 12:25 AM It does seem like we've picked up a head of steam of late. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 93] Author : Hugin Date : 04-21-05 12:33 AM It does seem like we've picked up a head of steam of late. A LOT of steam! Ravenloft: 2892 Planescape: 4708 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 94] Author : Adamantyr Date : 04-21-05 01:10 AM Well, all we need to do is have some stubborn ass, like yours truly, continually bring up things like "We need to do a proper 3rd edition conversion" and also make controversial statements like "Immortals suck", "Dwarven wizards rock" and the big kicker, "Bruce Heard? Never heard of him." Then we should have no problem overtaking Ravenloft's post count. :D Adamantyr -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 95] Author : weasel fierce Date : 04-21-05 01:11 AM I'll start it off. Ahem. Immortals suck! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 96] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 04-21-05 08:02 AM Ylaruam makes no sense next to Vestland! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 97] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 04-21-05 09:29 AM I want a Rockhome campaign swarming with multiclass Dwarven Wizards/Sorcerors! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 98] Author : havard Date : 04-21-05 09:38 AM Here is my go: AD&D2 Mystara is the best version of Mystara ever! And Those CD rock! :cool: Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 99] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-21-05 10:03 AM The world is better off without Alphatia! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 100] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 04-21-05 11:00 AM And also: A world without Drow? :yuck: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 101] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 04-21-05 11:50 AM Where is Drizzit? Why can't I play a good, dual scimitar wielding Drow ranger in Karameikos? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 102] Author : weasel fierce Date : 04-21-05 02:06 PM Karameikos was a dumb setting, and I think it should be changed so its ruled by a half-golem paladin. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 103] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 04-21-05 02:17 PM Frankly? I can't see what's the big difference between Mystara and Forgotten Realms. (This thread begins to have some therapeutic effect, does it not? :D ) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 104] Author : JTrithen Date : 04-21-05 03:19 PM Good one -- I like that one, Woodrake! Who is the all-seeing wizard archetype associated with the setting for Mystara (in the tradition of Mordenkainen, Elminster, and Dalamar)? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 105] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-21-05 04:45 PM Who is the all-seeing wizard archetype associated with the setting for Mystara (in the tradition of Mordenkainen, Elminster, and Dalamar)? Easy - Prince Ettienne D'Ambreville :) He is just a lot more subtle about it (and a LOT more powerful of course). Actually that is a good point, Mystara lets the players be the uber-characters that sort out other people's problems. OK my turn: the balance is wrong - why aren't the elves ruling everything? (Weak I know, but it was the best I could think of, and if you read the horrible houserules thread it makes more sense.) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 106] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-21-05 04:53 PM OK my turn: the balance is wrong - why aren't the elves ruling everything? (Weak I know, but it was the best I could think of, and if you read the horrible houserules thread it makes more sense.) Cause they only go up to Level 10! Really, it's the other way around - how come the mightiest Dwarven hero's only as good as a mid-level human fighter? And you wanna see a world where the Elves really should be ruling everything? 1st Edition Warhammer FRP - there are a couple of important stats where the minimum Elven score is higher than the max human score. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 107] Author : Hugin Date : 04-21-05 06:30 PM Ewwww, Bargle the Infamous, sounds scary, I bet he must be that 1/4 silver dragon, 1/4 mindflayer, 1/2 Rambo guy I've heard about! (This IS therapeutic! And I NEED it!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 108] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-21-05 08:44 PM Mystara's message board is 2845 posts behind Ravenloft, and 4660 behind Planescape. That campaign must not be popular. It's probably due to its non-planescape-standard cosmology. And a hollow world (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=417205)? Okay, Mystara is played only by UFO nuts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 109] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 04-21-05 09:18 PM I doesn't matter what I do, Elminister will come and clean up the mess or take all the credit anyway.... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 110] Author : maddog Date : 04-22-05 06:54 PM Thread Title : Here's one.... Here's one. Why does Mystara not have any unique cultures? Everything is sooooo generic!! :rant: :) :) --Ray. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 111] Author : Chris.Nix Date : 04-23-05 05:25 PM Big Cats, witches, is this a C.S. Lewis appreciation society -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 112] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-24-05 12:08 AM The latest data predict Sept. 03 2005 09:52 AM as the time we will match Ravenloft. I'm only doing a linear regression; I was going to try and do a multi-polynomial trendline, but then I realized there's not really a function that can be generated from past data which will predict people's actions in the future. :confused: Even a linear function is wrong, but it gives me something to do. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 113] Author : Joe Mason Date : 04-24-05 05:32 AM The latest data predict Sept. 03 2005 09:52 AM as the time we will match Ravenloft. I'm only doing a linear regression; I was going to try and do a multi-polynomial trendline, but then I realized there's not really a function that can be generated from past data which will predict people's actions in the future. :confused: Even a linear function is wrong, but it gives me something to do. ;) Hey, what kind of a complaint is that? (The Northern Reaches cosmology contradicts the rest of the world entirely!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 114] Author : Culture20 Date : 04-24-05 07:20 PM Hey, what kind of a complaint is that?The worst thing about Mystara? Its fans can't even come up with good complaints! :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 115] Author : Hugin Date : 04-26-05 12:30 AM Ravenloft: 2829 Planescape: 4605 It seems we're gaining on Planescape faster than we're gaining on Ravenloft. (Hope they didn't see this thread :) ) The worst thing about Mystara? Its fans can't even come up with good complaints! It's true! Mine sucked! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 116] Author : chatdemon Date : 04-26-05 10:55 AM I'm sure people like me, who stick entirely to OD&D and really don't care about the newer rulesets, are probably not helping the situation. :( Some might say that we hold Mystara back, and prevent it from gaining a new 3E audience. OTOH, folks like us who stick to OD&D (If by "OD&D" you mean Basic, Expert, etc. I personally use the Cyclopedia version) provide Myst... ahem, Known World :cool: , with a built in audience that isn't likely to wander far. Even when I'm campaigning in Greyhawk, which I was until recently, I find myself visiting the Mystara forums and lists because, simply put, there's no other setting where I'm going to find many people who play the version of the game I play. Now that I'm getting ready to start a new campaign in Karameikos, I'll try and post here too. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 117] Author : havard Date : 04-26-05 11:03 AM OTOH, folks like us who stick to OD&D (If by "OD&D" you mean Basic, Expert, etc. I personally use the Cyclopedia version) provide Myst... ahem, Known World :cool: , with a built in audience that isn't likely to wander far. Even when I'm campaigning in Greyhawk, which I was until recently, I find myself visiting the Mystara forums and lists because, simply put, there's no other setting where I'm going to find many people who play the version of the game I play. Now that I'm getting ready to start a new campaign in Karameikos, I'll try and post here too. Cool Chatdemon! :) I think the Setting is what keeps us all together regardless of what rulesystem we use. I have used 6 different rule systems with Mystara and would gladly discuss any of them (or others) in association with Mystara. Most discussions here are setting only discussions anyway, so they should appeal to everyone, even though the occational conversion to 3E thread comes along. Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 118] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-27-05 03:20 AM Ok - last update on the gap was about 28 hours ago so: Planescape: 4,575 Ravenloft: 2,805 Happy Posting. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 119] Author : Hugin Date : 04-27-05 08:28 AM Now that I'm getting ready to start a new campaign in Karameikos, I'll try and post here too. Great to have you a-board! (Pardon the pun ;) ) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 120] Author : chatdemon Date : 04-27-05 09:53 AM Most discussions here are setting only discussions anyway, so they should appeal to everyone, even though the occational conversion to 3E thread comes along. Given the overwhelming popularity of 3e right now, I'm resigned to accept some discussion of it, even in settings it completely ignores. There's enough rules-less discussion and OOP editions topics here to keep me happy though. Also lacking is the "Play 3e or die" attitude I've seen in the Greyhawk and FR forums. Which is a good thing, IMO. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 121] Author : havard Date : 04-27-05 10:38 AM Given the overwhelming popularity of 3e right now, I'm resigned to accept some discussion of it, even in settings it completely ignores. There's enough rules-less discussion and OOP editions topics here to keep me happy though. Also lacking is the "Play 3e or die" attitude I've seen in the Greyhawk and FR forums. Which is a good thing, IMO. I like the openness around here where rules systems are concerned too. As I said I'd be happy to discuss how to use any system with Mystara. Mystara fans have always been a tolerant bunch, at least to my experience, nothing like what I have observed when I have dropped by other forums like the ones you mention. :) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 122] Author : Dave L Date : 04-27-05 11:30 AM Given the overwhelming popularity of 3e right now, I'm resigned to accept some discussion of it, even in settings it completely ignores. There's enough rules-less discussion and OOP editions topics here to keep me happy though. Also lacking is the "Play 3e or die" attitude I've seen in the Greyhawk and FR forums. Which is a good thing, IMO. I'm just looking forward to them bringing out 4e and everyone screaming about having to modify everything again! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 123] Author : Chris.Nix Date : 04-27-05 06:09 PM I like the openness around here where rules systems are concerned too. As I said I'd be happy to discuss how to use any system with Mystara. Håvard Looking at the age poll, most of us appear old enough to have played many different systems, and what draws us to Mystara is that most of the gaz's and later modules are Fluff, fluff and more fluff, with a bit of crunch to demonstrate that the core rules could and would be extended if the fluff demanded it. This then gives us enough flavour to run a campaign, but lots of room to maneuver the campaign in the direction required for the story line we want, with the ruleset just being a way to add another flavour e.g. Runequest rules for the time of Halav, C&S for a more feudal feel, after a misjump "Traveller" characters getting a shock with the high/low tech world. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 124] Author : Kheldren Date : 04-28-05 03:21 AM after a misjump "Traveller" characters getting a shock with the high/low tech world. Funny you should say that, I once started working on a Traveller campaign where one of the worlds would be a sword and sorcery world worked by psionics where the inhabitants didn't know the difference between psionics and magic. I think I was using the 4th Ed rules so a "fireball" would be an object swap from some huge fires kept continuously burning under the main wizards stronghold... Anyway I never thought of using an established world for the purpose - now that would be fun, especially if they can't just jump back and need help to avoid becoming a second Beagle... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 125] Author : MKMcArtor Date : 04-28-05 04:55 PM I'm just looking forward to them bringing out 4e and everyone screaming about having to modify everything again! :D Ugh. :uh-huh: From my position this is the last thing I want. :weep: So how's the gap between us and the Ravenloft folk looking? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 126] Author : Dave L Date : 04-28-05 05:35 PM Ugh. :uh-huh: From my position this is the last thing I want. :weep: So how's the gap between us and the Ravenloft folk looking? Sorry about that. :D The gap is now 2743 - slow but sure. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 127] Author : MKMcArtor Date : 04-28-05 08:03 PM It's all good. :twitch: Thanks for the post count! :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 128] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 04-29-05 06:46 PM Ravenloft- 2,693 Planescape- 4,465 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 129] Author : Hugin Date : 04-29-05 07:05 PM Let's see... back on March the 17th, Lost Woodrake posted the first exact number of the gap between us and Ravenloft; it was 3526! Cthulhudrew's update means that in 43 days we were able to gain 833 posts on them. That's an average gain of 19.37 posts per day! That is truely AMAZING!!! Kept at that rate we'd surpass them in 140 days, making it Saturday the 17th of September! Let's BEAT that date! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 130] Author : tjedge1 Date : 04-30-05 03:08 PM Wow, I remember joining these boards and they were barely active at all. I remember posting my butt off trying to get them revived, I even went to other types of forums and tried getting people to come here. I also remember dreaming of catching RL. I hated that Mystara was the bottom feeder when I arrived. No longer! :schemes: I am back and witha vengence. I'll be starting a new campaign in the Known World somewhere, but I haven't decided where. I'll pick a spot after my players make their characters in June. In the meantime I have lots of planning. I like the openness around here where rules systems are concerned too. As I said I'd be happy to discuss how to use any system with Mystara. Mystara fans have always been a tolerant bunch, at least to my experience, nothing like what I have observed when I have dropped by other forums like the ones you mention. :) Håvard I'm glad you like the openness. I haven't used a D&D rulebook in sometime. I use all the Mystara based material, including the Cyclopedia as reference and convert everything to RoleMaster. I don't know why, but that system has just stuck with me for quite some time and it works so well in Mystara, which is the only setting I truly enjoy playinga full campaign. The options are limitless. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 131] Author : Chris.Nix Date : 05-01-05 04:34 PM Funny you should say that, I once started working on a Traveller campaign where one of the worlds would be a sword and sorcery world worked by psionics where the inhabitants didn't know the difference between psionics and magic. I think I was using the 4th Ed rules so a "fireball" would be an object swap from some huge fires kept continuously burning under the main wizards stronghold... Anyway I never thought of using an established world for the purpose - now that would be fun, especially if they can't just jump back and need help to avoid becoming a second Beagle... The original misjump was to greyhawk, in DnD we had just finished S3, but the players didn't twig for a couple of sessions, when they arrived at a planet, they wanted a small valley, with a lake or river near the moutains, and so landed in the Valley of the Mage. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 132] Author : Hugin Date : 05-02-05 08:56 PM Time for an update! Ravenloft: 2656 Planescape: 4442 I am back and witha vengence. Hey, good to have you back, it's been a while! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 133] Author : Kheldren Date : 05-05-05 03:25 AM hmm, a bit over 54.5 hours since the last update... Ravenloft: 2612 (48 less than before) Planescape: 4411 ((31 less than before) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 134] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-06-05 07:46 AM I figure, why not a daily update? Ravenloft: 2575 (37 less than yesterday) Planescape: 4377 (34 less than yesterday) That is a nice move in one day guys. I'm going to have to finish the Civ3 Mod project so I can get some serious planning with my Mystara campaign and then post all the ideas and details up on this forum. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 135] Author : Dave L Date : 05-06-05 07:39 PM I'm going to have to finish the Civ3 Mod project so I can get some serious planning with my Mystara campaign and then post all the ideas and details up on this forum. ;) It's been a long while since I played Civ3, but I had a look at some of the details and I notice your mod is in beta testing. Could you post a note here when it's finished please, as I would love to give it a spin and see what you've done. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 136] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-06-05 08:30 PM Sure will. It hopefully won't be long, but it is not quite the same as the standard Civ3 game. More units and buildings for starters. Don't be surprised though, a lot of stuff was altered to fit the graphix I could get, and some of the history of Mystara altered to fit the mod. Some of my own invention and some not. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 137] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 05-08-05 06:37 AM Ravenloft: 2,544 Planescape: 4,348 And we continue to gain. At one point, weren't we about 4,000 behind Ravenloft? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 138] Author : Culture20 Date : 05-08-05 07:42 AM 4000 was the first posted gap in this thread (March 3rd, 2005). :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 139] Author : Hugin Date : 05-08-05 12:44 PM And we continue to gain. At one point, weren't we about 4,000 behind Ravenloft? 4000 was the first posted gap in this thread (March 3rd, 2005). No matter how many times I look at it, this still blows my mind! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 140] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 05-10-05 07:18 PM Not including this post: Ravenloft- 2,492 Planescape- 4,300 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 141] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-10-05 07:38 PM No matter how many times I look at it, this still blows my mind! Me too! That is a very fast gain. I remember whn the gap was far more than that. I remember getting excited when we passed Spelljammer. I never would have thought that RL would ever get this close. :weep: I weep with joy. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 142] Author : Gazza555 Date : 05-13-05 08:30 AM Update: (not including this post) Ravenloft: 2463 Planescape: 4276 Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 143] Author : rogueattorney Date : 05-13-05 10:27 AM If we really want to catch up, we should restrict ourselves to one word per post. :) R.A. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 144] Author : rogueattorney Date : 05-13-05 10:28 AM Like -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 145] Author : rogueattorney Date : 05-13-05 10:29 AM this. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 146] Author : Graywolf-ELM Date : 05-13-05 11:36 AM I have a suggestion that may or may not be interesting to you. One of you fine GM's that has some time, start a thread that is a Play by Post game from The Known World. I'm assuming most of us have heard of them, and participated in one or two. Maybe not. I've seen post counts soar with one or two of these going, with just 4 players. I'm running one based out of the Minrothad Isles, on our local gaming board, currently paused, 330 posts in six topics over a few months. Multiple posts in the setup phase, and character postings, Each player posts their character's actions, the DM posts what happens, or what is sensed. Can be played worldwide. Plus 4 lucky players get a taste of the game again. Just a thought. I'd start one, if I wasn't already full up. And danged if people don't keep asking me to start up a Broken Lands Play by Post game. GW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 147] Author : lonewolf Date : 05-13-05 11:57 AM @Greywolf: Although that would benefit us to catch up with Ravenloft, there is a seperate section in this Forum for that, and all PbP games should be made there. Im very active in this section and I know that there are at least 4 games running that are taking place in Mystara. One of them I DM myself. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 148] Author : Graywolf-ELM Date : 05-13-05 12:56 PM @Greywolf: Although that would benefit us to catch up with Ravenloft, there is a seperate section in this Forum for that, and all PbP games should be made there. Im very active in this section and I know that there are at least 4 games running that are taking place in Mystara. One of them I DM myself. Ahh, a centralized place for it. I'll have to go visit. Thanks, GW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 149] Author : Graywolf-ELM Date : 05-13-05 03:38 PM @Greywolf: Although that would benefit us to catch up with Ravenloft, there is a seperate section in this Forum for that, and all PbP games should be made there. Im very active in this section and I know that there are at least 4 games running that are taking place in Mystara. One of them I DM myself. lonewolf, where is that? I've searched through the Wizards.COMmunity Boards and not found this yet. Either I'm really missing something, or it is not obvious. :D Nevermind. I found it. Now to wait for a Mystara game to show up. GW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 150] Author : lonewolf Date : 05-13-05 04:56 PM waiting for a Mystara game will probably take a good while. As I said there are probably only 4 Mystara games running at the moment with about 140 other games running, but if there are more interested people here I could post a short notice on this board as soon as I see a new one. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 151] Author : Gazza555 Date : 05-16-05 07:41 AM It's been a few days, so... Ravenloft: 2414 Planescape: 4221 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 152] Author : Hugin Date : 05-18-05 08:15 PM Time for another update... just... because... Ravenloft: 2367 (-47) Planescape: 4183 (-38) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 153] Author : MKMcArtor Date : 05-18-05 08:32 PM I missed the point where we started competing with Planescape as well. That one seems a might bit harder. ;) Where do we stand v. Birthright? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 154] Author : Joe Mason Date : 05-18-05 09:09 PM Where do we stand v. Birthright? We have about 15 times as many posts as them. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 155] Author : Culture20 Date : 05-18-05 09:49 PM We've been steadily gaining on both Ravenloft and Planescape. Planescape isn't as active as it used to be... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 156] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 05-21-05 11:42 PM Ravenloft: 2,331 Planescape: 4,160 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 157] Author : Gazza555 Date : 05-25-05 08:05 AM Ravenloft: 2299 Planescape: 4119 and Mystara's approaching 6000 posts, could make it this week :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 158] Author : Cravensson Date : 05-25-05 11:05 AM Woot! Go Mystara! Kick those young whippersnappers' butts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 159] Author : MKMcArtor Date : 05-25-05 03:59 PM Ravenloft: 2299 Planescape: 4119 and Mystara's approaching 6000 posts, could make it this week :D When we hit 2000 away from Ravenloft there should be a little announcement made on the Vaults. ;) Ditto when we hit 10K total posts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 160] Author : stanles Date : 05-25-05 10:30 PM When we hit 2000 away from Ravenloft there should be a little announcement made on the Vaults. ;) Ditto when we hit 10K total posts. sounds like as good an idea for a news flash as anything -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 161] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-26-05 05:01 PM Definatly an announcement when we hit the 10k mark. That is monumental for a product that has been out of print longer than most others. At least the good stuff was out of print long ago. The only thing left good is Dragon and the Vaults. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 162] Author : stanles Date : 05-26-05 07:29 PM Definatly an announcement when we hit the 10k mark. That is monumental for a product that has been out of print longer than most others. At least the good stuff was out of print long ago. The only thing left good is Dragon and the Vaults. ;) still a long way of 10K though -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 163] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-27-05 08:46 PM I dare to dream. Here is the daily update: Mystara: 5950 Ravenloft: 2278 ahead Planescape: 4090 ahead -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 164] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-30-05 12:41 PM Another update a couple days later. What's up guys? Everybody on vacation? Mystara: 5968 Ravenloft: 2268 Planescape: 4074 We didn't make much of a dent that last couple days. I need to get on the ball. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 165] Author : Thorf Date : 05-30-05 02:11 PM Sometimes things seem to slow down a bit at the weekend. I'm sure we'll get back on track. I started my daily maps again today, so that ought to help things along a bit, although I don't know how long I can keep it up this time. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 166] Author : Hugin Date : 05-30-05 06:21 PM Ya, I've noticed we kind-a die out on the weekends, but I've also noticed we come back with a bang on Mondays! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 167] Author : Culture20 Date : 05-30-05 11:09 PM And for those of us in the U.S. this weekend was a holiday weekend; today (Monday) is Memorial Day. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 168] Author : DM Date : 05-31-05 05:40 AM Uhm.. yeah, whatever... (I'm just trying to make volume here :p ) and don't forget to add more riddles in the Riddles topic, that could help us incredibly in rising against the Titans ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 169] Author : Dave L Date : 05-31-05 05:54 AM And for those of us in the U.S. this weekend was a holiday weekend; today (Monday) is Memorial Day. Monday was a Bank Holiday in the UK too - my wife made me work in the garden! :( Worse than that - the children are on holiday all week, and want to play on the computer! :weep: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 170] Author : Hugin Date : 05-31-05 07:55 PM I know it hasn't been very long since the last update, but I thought I'd point out that we pasted the 6000 post mark! I never would have imagined this a year ago! :invasion: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 171] Author : tjedge1 Date : 05-31-05 08:01 PM I'm still amazed we passed the 1000 mark. You could say I'm in shock? :eek: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 172] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-01-05 12:10 AM I'm a huge Mystara fan who's only just joined today. I'm currently running a classic D&D (Rules Cyclopedia version) campaign in Mystara. And if my history of posting ratios in other fora are any measure (I've just done 112 posts in the Blue Rose forums in under 2 months, and that's slow compared to what I managed back when I was at RPG.net or Enworld), we should have no problem beating those pretentious goth posers over at Ravenloft or the pseudointellectual punks over at Planescape. :D ;) RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 173] Author : Kheldren Date : 06-01-05 03:12 AM My turn to update I think... Mystara: 6025 Ravenloft: 8248 so gap = 2223 (or counting this post 2222) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 174] Author : havard Date : 06-01-05 07:29 AM I'm a huge Mystara fan who's only just joined today. I'm currently running a classic D&D (Rules Cyclopedia version) campaign in Mystara. And if my history of posting ratios in other fora are any measure (I've just done 112 posts in the Blue Rose forums in under 2 months, and that's slow compared to what I managed back when I was at RPG.net or Enworld), we should have no problem beating those pretentious goth posers over at Ravenloft or the pseudointellectual punks over at Planescape. :D Hello RPGpundit! Welcome to our small community. We are always happy to have more members. If you enjoy discussions about Mystara, you might also want to join the Mystara mailinglist. These days much of the discussions seem to have moved from there to this place, but that seems to come and go in waves. I was intrigued when I heard about Blue Rose. I havent had a chance to look at it myself, but the system sounds really cool, and I am a big fan of Green Ronin's products in general. Have you considered using Blue Rose with Mystara? Glad to have you on board! Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 175] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-01-05 11:48 AM Hello RPGpundit! I was intrigued when I heard about Blue Rose. I havent had a chance to look at it myself, but the system sounds really cool, and I am a big fan of Green Ronin's products in general. Have you considered using Blue Rose with Mystara? Glad to have you on board! Håvard Let me tell you that the "True 20" system in Blue Rose is just about the most brilliant innovation of the D20 system that has ever been conceived. It streamlines the entire D&D system, eliminating all of the sacred cows and creating this sleek beautiful fast and easy to play masterpiece. Too bad about the setting, though. And the fans. Anyways, despite what I just said about True 20 I would not use it in Mystara; not because of anything about True 20 but because to me Mystara is so tied into the memes and the mechanics of OD&D that I don't think any other system would do it justice. It was a setting crafted to specifically work in one system. To me, 2nd edition mystara was a disaster, and I doubt 3rd would be any better. Mystara was designed for a world where no demi human got above level 12, no halflings or dwarves could ever be mages (though they could be something similar in the sense of "clan masters"), people ranged from level 1 to 36, etc etc. It was not made for Feats and Prestige Classes. RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 176] Author : havard Date : 06-01-05 12:25 PM Let me tell you that the "True 20" system in Blue Rose is just about the most brilliant innovation of the D20 system that has ever been conceived. It streamlines the entire D&D system, eliminating all of the sacred cows and creating this sleek beautiful fast and easy to play masterpiece. Too bad about the setting, though. And the fans. I dont know too much about the BR setting, but "Romantic Fantasy" didnt really sound like what I want to be doing. All I've heard about the system both from BR and Mutants and Masterminds sounds really good though. Do you know if they used that system for anything else? Anyways, despite what I just said about True 20 I would not use it in Mystara; not because of anything about True 20 but because to me Mystara is so tied into the memes and the mechanics of OD&D that I don't think any other system would do it justice. It was a setting crafted to specifically work in one system. To me, 2nd edition mystara was a disaster, and I doubt 3rd would be any better. Mystara was designed for a world where no demi human got above level 12, no halflings or dwarves could ever be mages (though they could be something similar in the sense of "clan masters"), people ranged from level 1 to 36, etc etc. It was not made for Feats and Prestige Classes. Each to his own ;) I am very happy with my current 3E lite Mystara/Freeport campaign... :D Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 177] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-01-05 02:04 PM I dont know too much about the BR setting, but "Romantic Fantasy" didnt really sound like what I want to be doing. All I've heard about the system both from BR and Mutants and Masterminds sounds really good though. Do you know if they used that system for anything else? Sadly, they have no plans at the moment to use true 20 for anything other than BR. It is perhaps the most singularly momentous lack of vision seen in roleplaying since Chaosium let the ball drop on CoC d20. EVERYONE who has seen BR agreed that the system was amazingly good. I've never heard anyone who wasn't impressed with the system. But the majority of people who checked out the book felt the "romantic fantasy" setting "wasn't for them"; it was too politicized, too utopian, too simplistic, insulting to certain real-world groups while propagandizing for other real life groups.. In short, Green Ronin could make a killing if they started to release True 20 in other settings, or at least as its own rule-set seperate from the setting. But they seem completely unwilling to do either. Thieves' World, which would have been a PERFECT fit with the True 20 rules (I'm running a campaign with the True 20 rules right now in Port Blacksand, which is very thieves-worldsy), is NOT going to be True 20. Its a damn shame. RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 178] Author : weasel fierce Date : 06-01-05 02:09 PM True 20 is an interesting system, and more sensible than regular D20, I think. As for Chaosium and D20 COC, I was under the belief that they licensed the setting to WOTC, who were mainly doing the release to prove the versatility of D20 (which makes the systems unsuitability to COC so much more funny to me). Chaosium never, to my knowledge, had many plans to deviate from the Basic Role Play system, and I'd rather see them do their own thing. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 179] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-01-05 03:28 PM As for Chaosium and D20 COC, I was under the belief that they licensed the setting to WOTC, who were mainly doing the release to prove the versatility of D20 (which makes the systems unsuitability to COC so much more funny to me). Chaosium never, to my knowledge, had many plans to deviate from the Basic Role Play system, and I'd rather see them do their own thing. Chaosium had the exclusive right to reprint CoC D20, and to make new sourcebooks for that system. They have done neither, even though the CoC D20 book was a huge critical and commercial success. Basically, Wizards gave them a license to print money, and Chaosium spat upon it. RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 180] Author : weasel fierce Date : 06-02-05 02:02 AM If I had owned the rights to the BRP system, I'd have spat on it as well. I'd rather see each company do their own thing, than everything be the same system... and if it was all to be the same, I'd rather have it be GURPS ;) Same reason, I wouldnt want to see BRP Eberron, or Storyteller Greyhawk. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 181] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-02-05 02:46 AM If I had owned the rights to the BRP system, I'd have spat on it as well. I'd rather see each company do their own thing, than everything be the same system... and if it was all to be the same, I'd rather have it be GURPS ;) Same reason, I wouldnt want to see BRP Eberron, or Storyteller Greyhawk. Let me put it into a Mystara context for you: I firmly believe Mystara is really a setting MADE for classic (rules cyclopedia) D&D. It was crafted around the system, with lots of things that only work well in that system. As it happens, the failure of 2nd Ed. Mystara sort of sustains my belief. But let's say that it didn't; let's imagine that a 3rd edition Mystara D20 comes out that meets HUGE critical praise, sells out quickly and is wildly popular. Now lets say I also happen to have the rights to Mystara D20, to republish the book that just sold out, and could make a fortune. From a business perspective, it doesn't matter what I personally feel about it, it only makes sense to publish what many many people want and will pay me for. Especially if this means I could then indulge in my own preference, and publish "classic" Mystara books for OD&D as well! You may feel CoC D20 was bad, there are many people who do (usually big fans of the original BRP version). I happen to like both editions, and there were a LOT of people who loved the D20 book and thought it was brilliant. Regardless of whatever the chaosium staff's disdain for D20 might be, it made no sense for them from the business perspective to drop that line; especially given that Chaosium, due to decisions like that one, are constantly on the verge of bankruptcy. Do you hate the D20 version so much that you think it'd be better for Chaosium to go under and for there to be NO version of CoC, instead of Chaosium gaining the economic stability from the the publishing of D20 cthulhu that would allow them to continue to publish the less-profitable BRP version? RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 182] Author : weasel fierce Date : 06-02-05 03:49 AM I agree that a company should make whatever moves they need, to make a profit. However, Chaosium doesnt seem to be in any danger of going away, BRP COC have survived 6 editions or so. Publishing both D20 and BRP products could have been a wise financial move.. or it could have been a dead end, by competing with your own product. Same reason WOTC cut off every campaign setting, and why they are stubbornly refusing to republish old material. They want to do /their/ thing. Not what the other guys do. Im assuming Chaosium wants the same thing. As for me ? I dont disdain D20. I quite like Blue Rose, and Castles & Crusades. I only dislike D20 D&D. I dont care if a company decides to publish D20 material (heck, my fave company, WHite Wolf does so), but I would rather buy different game systems for different things, than a big pile of stuff from the same system. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 183] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-02-05 04:10 AM I agree that a company should make whatever moves they need, to make a profit. However, Chaosium doesnt seem to be in any danger of going away, BRP COC have survived 6 editions or so. Except they've published those 6 editions (actually, way more considering they released 5.0, 5.5, 5.6, and 6.0) in order to stay alive. Repeated and premature re-releases of their core book is the only thing allowing them to scratch by from year to year. I like BRP Cthulhu, and I think at one time Chaosium was one of the best rpg companies out there. Unfortunately those days have long past, and now Chaosium is reduced to trying to bleed out its most loyal fans with one almost-identical edition of the core book of their one-trick pony after the other. To add to that the choice to slap the faces of all the people who did LOVE the D20 CoC (including me), and end up losing a huge pool of profit, is absolutely inane. And no, I don't buy the "competing against yourself" business, because its quite a different case than what's going on with Wizards. Chaosium's got a much smaller core fanbase, who would either not buy the D20 book (like you, I guess) or would buy BRP anyways (like me); but the D20 book would NOT be aimed at this existing fan base. Rather it would be aimed at the D20 fans, people who would NEVER think of buying BRP Cthulhu, but would snatch up D20 Cthulhu in an instant, because its a system they're comfortable with. No amount of attempts to convince them to give BRP a try is going to do it, whereas choosing to give them what they want instead of trying to tell them what they want is wrong would. RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 184] Author : weasel fierce Date : 06-02-05 04:25 AM Except they've published those 6 editions (actually, way more considering they released 5.0, 5.5, 5.6, and 6.0) in order to stay alive. Repeated and premature re-releases of their core book is the only thing allowing them to scratch by from year to year. Well, hopefully they can get back into a larger market, since they are aiming at bringing back BRP fantasy (also known as Runequest, but not). We'll see what time brings. In the end, I dont know if Chaosium has a disdain for D20. I'd say the fact they did release it, shows that they do not. They did however choose not to pursue the product further. The easiest option would have been to doublestat their books, covering both systems, which could propably work out fairly well, though it means a lot of wasted space, for everyone. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 185] Author : Gazza555 Date : 06-02-05 04:59 AM It's been a day or two, so... Ravenloft: 2180 Planescape: 3977 ...and personally, I've broken through the 100 posts barrier (it's still only 0.15 posts per day - so there's still room for improvement :D ) Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 186] Author : RPGpundit Date : 06-02-05 01:12 PM Well, hopefully they can get back into a larger market, since they are aiming at bringing back BRP fantasy (also known as Runequest, but not). We'll see what time brings. In the end, I dont know if Chaosium has a disdain for D20. I'd say the fact they did release it, shows that they do not. They did however choose not to pursue the product further. The easiest option would have been to doublestat their books, covering both systems, which could propably work out fairly well, though it means a lot of wasted space, for everyone. Chaosium has followed a policy, since D20's inception, of publishing D20 editions of their games but only as single-book non-supported works intended to syphon off a few of the D20 fans into playing BRP. Their (assinine) theory is that someone will buy Dragonlords of Melnibone (elric d20) or CoC d20, fall in love with the setting, and be willing to switch system and buy the BRP versions of those games. I think that the doublestating would be the worst of all possible solutions, at least the way Chaosium toyed with it. Either one side or the other or both always feel cheated. I think two seperate lines is easily doable, and it is purely a matter of pride or idiocy that has stopped chaosium from plugging in the money machine. RPGpundit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 187] Author : Gazza555 Date : 06-03-05 08:12 AM I thought it was time to see how we're doing in respect to all the boards we're behind, so... 23/03/05 03/06/05 Dragonlance 34,632 34,224 Dark Sun 20,780 22,997 Greyhawk 9,419 8,848 Planescape 5,229 3,950 Ravenloft 3,459 2,159 Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 188] Author : havard Date : 06-03-05 08:19 AM As for me ? I dont disdain D20. I quite like Blue Rose, and Castles & Crusades. I only dislike D20 D&D. I dont care if a company decides to publish D20 material (heck, my fave company, WHite Wolf does so), but I would rather buy different game systems for different things, than a big pile of stuff from the same system. I think it is cool that publishers produce different versions of their games using different systems. Having Cthulhu available for D20, BRP, GURPS etc is awesome. I wish this was possible for every setting so that we could pick and choose whatever system each group preferred. If everyone switched to D20 and discarded their old systems that would be bad, but that doesn't seem to be the direction anyone is going these days, even though there are still many D20 games out there. In general, I think the D20 wave did alot of good things for the gaming industry. It allowed alot of people to make money that they are now investing in putting out other games on the market. I thought it was time to see how we're doing in respect to all the boards we're behind, so... Dragonlance 34,632 34,224 Dark Sun 20,780 22,997 Greyhawk 9,419 8,848 Planescape 5,229 3,950 Ravenloft 3,459 2,159 Thanks for putting us back on topic Gary. Except for Dark sun, this is stull looking good! :D Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 189] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-03-05 07:18 PM I thought Dark Sun was gone already. How interesting can a setting in a desert only be? Well apparently I wouldn't know, I never gave that one a chance other than buying a module that I converted to a Davania setting and a novel that I gave away after reading only 20 pages. ;) I didn't realize there was still a following to Dark Sun. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 190] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-05-05 11:45 AM Ok, been a couple of days so: Mystara: 6144 Ravenloft: 2120 (-39) Planescape: 3908 (-42) The other 3 increased their leads so I didn't bother more with that. Besides over 8000 to go for the Greyhawk. :weep: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 191] Author : Kheldren Date : 06-08-05 06:31 AM High time for another update (another couple of days - we are slacking). Mystara: 6210 Ravenloft: 8280 = 2070 to go (-50) Planescape: 10052 = 3832 to go (-76) Well done PS for passing 10,000 - but we are still catching them up. Interestingly it looks as if we may come close to passing them both at once... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 192] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-08-05 07:44 AM Very good possibility. Planescape is really slow these days. I've been watching the other ones as well, and it doesn't appear that we are really gaining on teh other 3 above Planescape. They all have huge spurts once in a while. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 193] Author : Gazza555 Date : 06-09-05 11:04 AM Latest update Ravenloft: 2033 Planescape: 3808 As an aside, we're also getting very close to 500 threads. :cheer: Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 194] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-11-05 09:39 AM Another update for the weekend. Mystara: 6276 Ravenloft: 2005 (-28) How odd a number that's this year!? Planescape: 3781 (-27) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 195] Author : Hugin Date : 06-11-05 06:51 PM When we hit 2000 away from Ravenloft there should be a little announcement made on the Vaults. ;) Ditto when we hit 10K total posts. Well, we are now under that 2000 post separation mark! :w00t: :dancin: It didn't take all that long, did it! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 196] Author : Thorf Date : 06-12-05 02:09 AM Thread Title : The 500th Thread We're two threads away from thread number 500... I've been thinking it would be nice to have some sort of general thread everyone could contribute to for the 500th thread. But I can't think of any specific ideas. I thought about something about Mystara's roots, how old it is, and so on, but it's not very easy to contribute to. Another idea would be "Your First Memories of Mystara", but that one is likely to get a lot of mentions of Bargle, magic missiles and Aleena and perhaps not much else. We already had "What do you like about Mystara?" quite recently... I suppose "What area of Mystara do you most want to know more about or develop?" could be interesting. Anyone have any good ideas? We need to decide rather quickly before someone posts the 500th thread by accident. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 197] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-12-05 11:45 AM I think the 500th would be good to have a first memories of Mystara as well as enjoyable moments in games with Mystara. Something along that line is specific yet broad enough to get plenty of contribution. Anyone else agree? I also think that a certain user should be assigned per say to start the thread so we don't have 2 people try at the same time and end up with identical threads or something. Maybe Spellweaver could start another of his informative threads for the 499th? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 198] Author : Hugin Date : 06-13-05 09:42 PM Please note: The Next Thread is the 500th! We should decide what to do and who should post it quickly! I think what Thorf and tjedge1 suggested sounds good. I've thought about it but can't come up with anything better either. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 199] Author : Thorf Date : 06-13-05 10:36 PM Maybe we should just go ahead and post it, because there's a good chance someone might post another thread without even realising. No one else seems to be around at the moment, so I guess I'll have a go. Edit: there do seem to be some people here right now. Any other ideas? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 200] Author : Thorf Date : 06-13-05 10:51 PM Thread Title : Okay... I went and posted it. I hope no one had any better ideas! :eek: :P It's kinda cool having this thread where we can talk about random stuff to do with our board. Very useful too for times like this. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 201] Author : Kheldren Date : 06-14-05 10:50 AM Update time I feel: Planescape: 10,067 (3,750 to go) Ravenloft: 8,286 (1,969 to go) Mystara: 6,317 So in 3 days we gained 36 on Ravenloft and 31 on Planescape... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 202] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-14-05 08:32 PM Sweet and the weekends are supposed to be the slow time. :clap: :plotting: :invasion: I too like a random thread where we can talk about stuff to do on the boards. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 203] Author : Hugin Date : 06-17-05 08:34 AM Here's an update as I head out the door to go to work! Ravenloft: 1915 (-54) Planescape: 3696 (-54) Hmmm... equal gain! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 204] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-17-05 12:09 PM I predict we'll catch RL before summer is over. :teach: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 205] Author : Hugin Date : 06-19-05 11:32 PM Time for an update. Ravenloft: 1862 (-53) Planescape: 3637 (-59) Not bad at all for an over-the-weekend span! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 206] Author : Thorf Date : 06-20-05 02:58 AM Yeah this weekend was pretty busy here - much busier than usual. I certainly enjoyed everyone's company, because for the first time in ages I had the whole weekend free. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 207] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-21-05 07:48 AM That's funny since I'm usually here more on weekends, but this time I was out of town so I missed the action till Sunday night. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 208] Author : Gazza555 Date : 06-22-05 11:43 AM It's update time again. Ravenloft: 1822 Planescape: 3603 It's also been fairly busy on the mailing list recently, shame we can't count them as well. :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 209] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-23-05 08:27 PM Maybe we need to get the whole mailing list to move over here then. :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 210] Author : Hugin Date : 06-25-05 04:31 PM Update... Ravenloft: 1770 (-52) Planescape: 3555 (-48) It's also been fairly busy on the mailing list recently, same we can't count them as well. True, but I have certainly been reading them! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 211] Author : Gazza555 Date : 06-27-05 02:17 PM Yet another update... Planescape: 3511 (-44) Ravenloft: 1733 (-37) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 212] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-27-05 07:24 PM Wow, we are really getting on a roll here. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 213] Author : Gazza555 Date : 06-30-05 10:48 AM Wow, we are really getting on a roll here. We most certainly are. :w00t: :cheer: Current gaps: Ravenloft: 1631 (-102) Planescape: 3405 (-106) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 214] Author : Hugin Date : 06-30-05 07:03 PM Ravenloft: 1631 (-102) Planescape: 3405 (-106) :shocked: :OMG! :dancin: This is unbelievable! Months ago I was awaiting the inevitable cooling off and slow-down, but it just keeps on going! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 215] Author : tjedge1 Date : 06-30-05 07:14 PM Holy cow! That was a huge jump and I still haven't really started my campaign yet and then I'll be posting up a storm and once I finish my Rolemaster converts of Mystaran monsters. Now to get that kind of jump in only one day. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 216] Author : Thorf Date : 06-30-05 10:24 PM Wow, that really is amazing! :plotting: :evillaugh :clap: :dancin: :w00t: :ayyyy!: I've been having a great week with my Wendar thread, it has been really fun putting a little detail into the map as a group effort. I'm seriously considering doing the same again for various areas that need some more details, and I hope lots of people will jump in and make up a village or two. The end result is that we have a nice detailed map, as well as a nice foundation for people to work from should anyone ever want to write more detailed stuff about the area. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 217] Author : Gazza555 Date : 07-01-05 09:17 AM I thought that I would start a monthly update featuring all the boards that we are behind. :) Setting 3rd June 1st July Change Dragonlance 34224 34067 -157 Dark Sun 22997 23761 +764 Greyhawk 8848 8655 -193 Planescape 3950 3359 -591 Ravenloft 2159 1593 -566 So we're still closing in on all boards :cheer: except Dark Sun, which is zooming ahead. :surrender Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 218] Author : DM Date : 07-01-05 10:03 AM I think that if all or half of the members of the MML could drop by and read the MMB regularly (say once a day), we would probably speed up the posting rate considerably. We must admit we're still a pretty small community here, despite the many posts we're able to make. In other words, we should increase the number of contributors to the forum, not just the posts and topics. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 219] Author : Thorf Date : 07-01-05 10:15 AM That's definitely true. But I don't think we have much hope of "stealing" more people from the Mailing List - some people don't like the message board format very much, unfortunately. Back in 1998 I agreed with them, and never once visited the board back then, but now my feelings have changed. We are a small community, but I think that can be a benefit as much as a weakness. Unlike other online communities, I often feel that we have a real sense of community spirit and belonging here. :) Especially, you just need to step out the door into another forum on this very same site and suddenly the tone changes, and people seem to jump on each other at the slightest provocation. :eek: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 220] Author : Thorf Date : 07-02-05 10:07 AM Thread Title : Slow day today... Hmm, lately it seems that whenever I have a day off, everyone else is busy doing something! (Possibly sleeping, due to the time difference...) Oh well, at least it has been a productive day for mapping. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 221] Author : havard Date : 07-02-05 12:20 PM Hmm, lately it seems that whenever I have a day off, everyone else is busy doing something! (Possibly sleeping, due to the time difference...) Oh well, at least it has been a productive day for mapping. :D What Thorf, you're not out watching the Live8 concert? :) Anyways, I'm here reading your posts. This might be a good opportunity to mention that I probably wont be posting much for the next couple of weeks since I'll be on the road travelling across Eastern Europe and the Balkans. (one of my favorite parts of the world). Have a good summer folks :) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 222] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 07-02-05 04:36 PM ... This might be a good opportunity to mention that I probably wont be posting much for the next couple of weeks since I'll be on the road travelling across Eastern Europe and the Balkans. (one of my favorite parts of the world). Have a good summer folks :) Håvard Likewise, I will probably stop posting for a while soon - since I am leaving my home-country to work abroad (actually, I am doing almost the opposite route than Havard - I am leaving for Stockholm...). Too bad, since I am enjoying the Wendar project so much. Meanwhile, continue to have fun - and I'll return when I'll get settled and relaxed. LW. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 223] Author : maddog Date : 07-02-05 05:52 PM So we're still closing in on all boards except Dark Sun, which is zooming ahead. This isn't a cut on DS. I find it interesting that DS is so popular. It just didn't reach out to me I guess. :confused: Gazza555, Keep posting the results this way. It gives perspective. :) --Ray. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 224] Author : tjedge1 Date : 07-03-05 04:08 PM I feel the same way. I never understood what was so great about it. It seemed too limited and unmagical to me. Oh well, it apparently has a strong following. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 225] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 07-03-05 09:22 PM This isn't a cut on DS. I find it interesting that DS is so popular. It just didn't reach out to me I guess. :confused: I echo that sentiment. When I first read about it, it sounded really awesome, and so I picked up the boxed set. When I read the boxed set, I was less enthused. Everything was so bleak and one-note- Sorcerer-Kings ruled, everything was desert, etc. The novels made the setting even worse, IMO (all that stuff about evil halfling wizards, weird giants cutting their heads off and putting animals in their place, etc.) I still think there is a lot of interesting material in Dark Sun, but the way it was all put together... meh. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 226] Author : Hugin Date : 07-06-05 06:58 PM Let's see how we're doing after a really slow weekend; Ravenloft: 1516 (-77) Planescape: 3282 (-77) Well, for a 'slow' weekend, I'd say we didn't do too bad! It still blows my mind that the RL gap has dropped from 4000 to just over 1500! And now Planescape is considerably less than the gap was with RL. I echo the setiments regarding DS; it lacks variety, much like many game worlds. I think variety is perhaps the single greatest advantage that Mystara has; It's one of the things that I personally love about Mystara. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 227] Author : DM Date : 07-07-05 09:46 AM *sigh* you all go get some holidays and trips around here and there, and here it's me working... next holidays I'll get will be in December... for Xmas :weep: oh well, never mind... :rolleyes: best wishes to Lost Wooddrake for his Swedish sojourn (hey hey! I just got this title for a new movie: "An Israeli Wooddrake Lost in Stockholm" :D) and to Haavard for his EastTrek Adventure! :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 228] Author : tjedge1 Date : 07-07-05 10:34 AM I echo the setiments regarding DS; it lacks variety, much like many game worlds. I think variety is perhaps the single greatest advantage that Mystara has; It's one of the things that I personally love about Mystara. Absolutely. This is how I convinced 2 of my players who wanted the Middle Earth or DragonLance settings and I kept telling them, Mystara has both in round about ways. The Master of Hule is a powerful evil mystery that is conquering everything he can and there are more dragons in Mystara than Krynn can hold, some rogue some organized and many are ridden by empirial troops like in Thyatis. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 229] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 07-07-05 06:11 PM best wishes to Lost Wooddrake for his Swedish sojourn (hey hey! I just got this title for a new movie: "An Israeli Wooddrake Lost in Stockholm" :D) and to Haavard for his EastTrek Adventure! :P Thanks, DM! :) AND -We passed the 1500 barrier! :cool: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 230] Author : Thorf Date : 07-07-05 11:45 PM Lost Woodrake, we're going to miss you. But don't worry, everything will be here for you to catch up on when you get settled in and get internet access again. :D Have a great time! When you next visit the boards, we might even have passed Ravenloft. :ayyyy!: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 231] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 07-10-05 06:38 AM Lost Woodrake, we're going to miss you. But don't worry, everything will be here for you to catch up on when you get settled in and get internet access again. :D Have a great time! When you next visit the boards, we might even have passed Ravenloft. :ayyyy!: Thanks, man. :) I was hoping to write the "We-Did-It!!!" post myself (some sort of vanity, I suppose) - but I'll be more than happy to see it accomplished when I return. Keep up the good work, you all! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 232] Author : Gazza555 Date : 07-11-05 09:14 AM It's been awhile since the last update so... Ravenloft: 1438 (-78) Planescape: 3202 (-80) Still not bad for a 'slow' period. ;) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 233] Author : Gazza555 Date : 07-14-05 12:24 PM Unless somebody's just beat me to it (yes, they just have), this is the 7000th post!!! :bounce: :invasion: :dancin: :cheer: :clap: Incidentally update time... Ravenloft: 1382 (-56) Planescape: 3151 (-51) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 234] Author : tjedge1 Date : 07-15-05 07:42 AM Nice. Looks like my prediction is drawing nearer every update. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 235] Author : Kheldren Date : 07-19-05 10:38 AM it's been 4 days - time for another update: Ravenloft: 1325 (-57) Planescape3107 (-44) have we slowed down or something? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 236] Author : Gazza555 Date : 07-19-05 11:02 AM have we slowed down or something? We certainly have. :weep: Hopefully it's just a seasonal thing, people away on summer holidays etc. But it could upset tjedge1's prediction of closing with Ravenloft by the end of the summer. :raincloud Hopefully Thorf and Marco will get some time to post the their threads as those threads do generate a good deal of posts. The monster conversion thread is also becoming a popular thread. :dancin: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 237] Author : DM Date : 07-19-05 11:15 AM Yeah let's hope so, Gary ;) Coincidentally, I also have drawn a deadline for my Ravenloft ongoing campaign: it will have to be ended by the beginning of autumn, when I will restart playing in Mystara to end the longest Mystara campaign I've ever DMed (it began in 1994 but had 1 year of suspension). :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 238] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 07-19-05 02:35 PM It seems to have slowed down significantly since last Friday. I'm sure it will pick up again :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 239] Author : havard Date : 07-19-05 02:43 PM It seems to have slowed down significantly since last Friday. I'm sure it will pick up again :) Yeah guys, don't stop just because I am back! ;) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 240] Author : tjedge1 Date : 07-21-05 07:37 AM I've had my hands full the last couple of days, but I'll be back later today. Not that I'm one of the huge posters here, but everything helps. ;) EDIT: And I can't allow my prediction to fail. :plotting: I'll come up with something that will allow me to be productive and add many, many posts. MAybe Once I get that revised monster manual for the RoleMaster rules done. I'll post it all up just to see what others who use similiar rules think. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 241] Author : Spellweaver Date : 07-21-05 09:20 AM I've had my hands full the last couple of days I know how you feel :weep: This writing-a-thesis-business is killing me! Oh well, at least it will all be over in a couple of weeks and then I'll get back on track with several interesting projects for the forum :plotting: :-) Jesper -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 242] Author : Gazza555 Date : 07-26-05 11:13 AM It's been awhile so... Ravenloft: 1194 (-141) Planescape : 2999 (-108) Yaaahhh!!!, less than 3,000 :cheer: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 243] Author : tjedge1 Date : 07-26-05 11:41 AM Today I'm going to get busy with those conversions I'm working on. I know not very many of you guys use Rolemaster, but my players are loving the realistic damage that comes in combat. The last adventure had a 3rd level NPC Ranger cut down in one hit by a 2nd level enemy fighter without any chance for a save roll. The players are now reconsidering their rampaging for more roleplaying since also their toughest character (A berserker has a broken rib and may have trouble going into his frenzied state to save them. He had some really bad luck in the fighting last weekend.) Ok, now I'm rambling, back to what I was posting about anyway. I'm going to get that monster conversion for Rolemaster worked on today and then see about setting up a list of monsters that will be done. I'll make them into 2 lists. One will be for playable monsters and creatures and one will be a complete listing. Some I'll probably drop, like the Bandit, Berserker, Headsman, Dervish and so on. Since those are classes basically that many races can play in my rule system. I am going to try and grab a lot of the monsters done up here for various versions and make a complete Manuel eventually out of them. So you guys keep making those monsters. Got to get the post counts higher baby! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 244] Author : Gazza555 Date : 07-29-05 11:02 AM Update time (again)... Ravenloft: 1147 (-47) Planescape: 2962 (-37) Tune in on Monday for the monthly update. :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 245] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-01-05 04:39 AM Thread Title : Monthly Update Monthly update time... Setting 1st July 1st August Change Dragonlance 34067 34095 +28 Dark Sun 23761 24809 +1048 Greyhawk 8655 8362 -293 Planescape 3359 2930 -429 Ravenloft 1593 1116 -477 Not too bad for a 'quiet' month. Dark Sun is inexplicably as popular as ever. :confused: Dragonlance has regained a little of it's lead. :weep: But we're still closing on the others fairly quickly. :cheer: :w00t: :dancin: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 246] Author : havard Date : 08-01-05 06:55 PM First of all, thanks for keeping us posted on the situation Gary :) Dark Sun is inexplicably as popular as ever. :confused: I never got around to commenting on this when you were discussing Dark Sun's popularity earlier. I have never actually played in the setting myself, but I really like the concept behind the setting. True, the fact that it is all desert makes the scope of DS a bit limited, but it made up for that at the time of its publication for exploring new parts of the AD&D2E rules that hadn't been properly explored before. I love the ideas of powerful clerics becoming Elementals and powerful Wizards becoming Dragon Kings. It was sort of similar to Mystara's paths to immortality, though with a slightly different flavour. Also, it was the first setting to fully integrate the psionic rules, which didnt really seem to fit in any of the other settings. The way DS took advantage of the AD&D2E system is IMHO comparable to how Eberron makes use of the 3E rules. Being designed around the 3E rules it is able to take advantage of the various aspects of the setting. It is interesting to read about these settings and steal as many ideas as possible for use with Mystara. Much of DS can be used to develope the desert-like regions of Mystara. Much of Eberron fits well with areas like Alphatia where magic is similarly commonplace. Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 247] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 08-01-05 09:11 PM Dark Sun, in my limited experience, was an acquired taste. Those in our group who were combat-oriented had less of a problem with it than those who were arcane casters- they really hated it. I think your feelings on psionics also play a role- we as a group hated psionics with a passion and as a result we never looked at the setting seriously. I do think some ideas from it could be useful in Ylaruam, the Broken Lands, Great Plain of Fire, etc... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 248] Author : DM Date : 08-03-05 06:40 AM I personally do not think anything of Dark Sun could be ported to Mystara, in ANY of its desertic regions, mainly because DS primary characteristic: lack of deities and abundance of psionic powers. Since Mystara lacks psionics and abunds with immortals, DS has no place in it ;) Oh and on a totally different and irrelevant note, you should REALLY TRY THIS: http://p2563.r2h-config.de/flash/cursor_avoid.swf sorry, had to put that somewhere in this forum, to share my madness with you! :cool: :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 249] Author : stanles Date : 08-03-05 09:54 PM I personally do not think anything of Dark Sun could be ported to Mystara, in ANY of its desertic regions, mainly because DS primary characteristic: lack of deities and abundance of psionic powers. Since Mystara lacks psionics and abunds with immortals, DS has no place in it ;) :D and also isn't Dark Sun a low magic world compared to Mystara being a high magic world. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 250] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-04-05 08:30 AM It is interesting to read about these settings and steal as many ideas as possible for use with Mystara. Much of DS can be used to develope the desert-like regions of Mystara. Much of Eberron fits well with areas like Alphatia where magic is similarly commonplace. I don't quite know about DS (I only played two sessions of a 3e conversion and didn't really get a feel for the setting) but the Sandstorm is a very useful book for desert-like regions. Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 251] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 08-04-05 09:20 AM DS was more useful before Sandstorm came out. We mined DS not so much for flavor and setting specific info, but more for ways of handling extreme heat, blasted terrain and the like. It had some interesting desert equipment and monsters as well. All of that is moot with the release of Sandstorm. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 252] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-08-05 07:00 AM I feel it's time for an update... Ravenloft: 1012 (-104) Planescape: 2856 (-74) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 253] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-08-05 10:14 PM I predict we'll catch RL before summer is over. :teach: Just so you guys know, I meant the summer soltice. Which is actually Septemeber 21st or something. So I still think my prediction is on track. :teach: I just need to get my threads rolling with the monster conversions and those mystics abilities. Even if nobody else uses them, they are good ideas and will increase the post counts by a ton. :invasion: EDIT: Speaking of which, this is my 300th post! All, except maybe my very first, was posted right here in the Mystara forum. :pint: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 254] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-09-05 05:52 AM Just had to mention we're less than 1,000 behind Ravenloft now. :w00t: :cheer: :dancin: :clap: :cloud9: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 255] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-09-05 07:22 AM :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :pint: :dancin: :dancin: Excellent news. I'm planning about 500 posts within the next 30 days so that will hopefully be enough on my part. EDIT: Oh yeah and if you don't believe me, then you should see my post count at CivFantaics. A member for only a month longer than here, but I have over 4200 posts. Professional spammer? Maybe. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 256] Author : Arakor Date : 08-09-05 09:18 AM Just so you guys know, I meant the summer soltice. Which is actually Septemeber 21st or something. So I still think my prediction is on track. :teach: :ahem: If you're talking about the Summer Solstice, it's been and gone seeing how it was June 21st. September 21st is actually the Autumnal Equinox (or Mabon as the Wicca call it). -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 257] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 08-09-05 12:28 PM After quite a long break (originally for reasons I can't remember, and then because I just felt like if I started reading again I'd have to catch up on everything since I left, and I never had the time), I've started reading this board again, so I'll do my best to help shrink the gap. (Oh, I changed my username, except for the first 3 letters.) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 258] Author : Hugin Date : 08-09-05 01:21 PM After quite a long break (originally for reasons I can't remember, and then because I just felt like if I started reading again I'd have to catch up on everything since I left, and I never had the time), I've started reading this board again, so I'll do my best to help shrink the gap. (Oh, I changed my username, except for the first 3 letters.) Welcome back, Joe! Let's turn those undead! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 259] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-10-05 06:15 PM :ahem: If you're talking about the Summer Solstice, it's been and gone seeing how it was June 21st. September 21st is actually the Autumnal Equinox (or Mabon as the Wicca call it). Yeah, that's what I meant. :doh: Anyway the end of summer... :plotting: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 260] Author : Hugin Date : 08-10-05 06:55 PM Time for an update (it's been busy the last few days) Ravenloft: 946 (-66) Planescape: 2819 (-37) PS isn't playing very nicely. It seems that they're resisting our efforts. Ha! Futile! ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 261] Author : Culture20 Date : 08-10-05 08:44 PM I just updated my spreadsheet with a couple months of data from this thread; two different functions predict: September 29th 2005 10:00 am and September 29th 2005 07:28 am as the time when we'll pass Ravenloft. We're slacking off. Last prediction was the 3rd of Sept. To arms! :fight!: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 262] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-12-05 07:05 AM No worries. I've been scanning and converting images of Street Fighter RPG special moves to be converted to OD&D this week. I'm almost done and this weekend I'll be making several posts lisitng various moves and trying to figure out what should go and what could be used to add more power to the Mystic. And a discussion on how to balance it back out. ;) There are around 180 moves to post. I'll post them in groups but there will still be plenty of posting by myself to pick up and put us back on track. Not to mention my other plans of converting monsters to RoleMaster. If I have to make my prediction successful myself, then so be it. :evillaugh -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 263] Author : Thorf Date : 08-14-05 08:37 AM I'm afraid my recent lack of updates has probably caused some of that slowdown. I hope I can get back to mapping soon. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 264] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-14-05 11:29 AM I htink you are right Thorf. I'm going to try and revive the forum a bit with my own projects, but it should really take off once you start posting more updates again. :invasion: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 265] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-14-05 03:36 PM What the heck, how about an update guys: Mystara: 7576 Ravenloft: 902 (-44) Planescape: 2771 (-48) Not too shabby for a slow weekend. Wow, we gained 100 posts on RL in about 5 days. :cheer: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 266] Author : Thorf Date : 08-15-05 02:12 AM As far as mapping goes, the bad news is that I'm almost out of official sources, which means my updates will necessarily take much longer to do, because I'm getting to the stage of developing new maps and referring to other fan-made maps. The good news is that I fully intend to share the development of these maps on the board. Wendar seems to have gone pretty well in that way, though it still needs some finishing up. I hope everyone is ready to contribute on the next maps! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 267] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-15-05 06:54 AM Count me in, if I can't think of anything useful to add at least I can be a :cheer: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 268] Author : havard Date : 08-15-05 07:40 AM Count me in, if I can't think of anything useful to add at least I can be a :cheer: Me too! :) I've had limited internet access during the summer, but I get back to work again this week so I will hopefully be able to participate more again once I get back to business (as it were) :) Looking forward to more of your maps Thorf! Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 269] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-15-05 05:09 PM Just read this on the ENWorld boards: Arthaus Publishing and Wizards of the Coast have announced that they have reached an agreement for the reversion of rights to the RAVENLOFT and GAMMA WORLD campaign settings. WotC has agreed to allow White Wolf (Arthaus' umbrella company) to sell back stock until June 2006. This reversion means that the RAVENLOFT supplement Van Richten’s Guide to the Mists will not see print. Sword & Sorcery Studios will release the unproofed manuscript as a free PDF in September. Don't know whether this means any/all traffic that may exist on boards at S&S for Ravenloft (if there are any) will migrate over here, or if things will drop off even more for RL than they seem to have over the past year or so, but anyone keeping an eye on the gain/loss trend might want to bear this in mind as we watch how the gap changes. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 270] Author : havard Date : 08-15-05 05:38 PM Don't know whether this means any/all traffic that may exist on boards at S&S for Ravenloft (if there are any) will migrate over here, or if things will drop off even more for RL than they seem to have over the past year or so, but anyone keeping an eye on the gain/loss trend might want to bear this in mind as we watch how the gap changes. If we catch up with Ravenloft just because people stop posting there it wont be much of a victory will it? Same way, if a bunch of new people move to WotC's RL board we shouldnt consider that a loss. By the way, WTF are they reversing the rights to those settings to WotC for? Do WotC intend on continuing their support or are they getting them back just to shut them down? :( Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 271] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-15-05 06:37 PM I didn't even know White Wolf even had the rights to RL. :confused: So how does that work? :whatsthis I wonder if WotC would ever consider selling Mystara's rights? :plotting: :lightbulb -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 272] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-15-05 08:58 PM By the way, WTF are they reversing the rights to those settings to WotC for? Do WotC intend on continuing their support or are they getting them back just to shut them down? :( The way I read that press report, it sounds like the reversal of rights is on Arthaus' part, not WotC. Could be that the RL line just wasn't profitable enough for them to continue to keep it going, and so they arranged for WotC to regain the rights. It also makes it sound like it was something outside of the original licensing deal (from what I understand, Arthaus had the rights for another year or two). Not sure, though, without reading more about it. That being said, I have heard that the "Book of Horrors" that is coming out in October from WotC will have some Ravenloft references in it, though nothing that is only applicable to Ravenloft. Whether WotC does anything with the license themselves or farms it out to someone else to do something with again, only time will tell. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 273] Author : Thorf Date : 08-15-05 11:03 PM Sounds to me like White Wolf gave up on it. :( In case you haven't looked, go and check out the Wendar thread! I did a pile of updates last night. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 274] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-18-05 06:37 AM Update time again chaps... Ravenloft: 808 (-94)* Planescape: 2653 (-118) *Ravenloft's been rather busy since the news of Arthaus etc broke. :weep: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 275] Author : DM Date : 08-18-05 07:03 AM Don't be sad Gary, you know that's the swan's death song so to speak.. :embarrass too bad for RL anyway: I was feverishly expecting the new Doomsday Gazetteer to be released next year, which would have covered the seas of the Core... now I don't have anything to wait for, since RL has been closed AGAIN! Also the authors won't be able to post online anything regarding the material they had written and the ideas they had, because the non disclosure agreement still stands for them. Drat! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 276] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-18-05 07:24 AM That really blows for them. Oh well. Even with the increased activity over on the RL board we are still gaining quickly on them. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 277] Author : Thorf Date : 08-18-05 09:38 AM Sad for Ravenloft. :( -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 278] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-18-05 09:37 PM Very sad. I thought RavenLoft was better than Dark Sun. This whole thing actually surprises me. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 279] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-18-05 10:58 PM Very sad. I thought RavenLoft was better than Dark Sun. This whole thing actually surprises me. Well, Ravenloft at least had a fairly good run as a published 3rd Edition product, unlike Dark Sun. That world, like Mystara, still remains entirely in the hands of its fans (aside from the occasional Dragon article). Ravenloft has had a really devoted fanbase for a long time, and I suspect the Fraternity of Shadows will continue where the Kargatane left off (though, IMO, the net community for RL hasn't been quite as strong since the Kargatane shut down. Will they return? That would be awesome, but I don't know...) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 280] Author : DM Date : 08-19-05 02:44 AM Personal opinion: the Kargatane were unsurpassed. Since they started doing it professionally, the RL mailing list DIED (prolly because it lived off their posts AND because people migrated en masse to the internet Message Boards for RL). I doubt they'll come back to write for free over the internet as long as they'll see some chance to publish the stuff they still have from their contribution to Arthaus' line (or as long as they'll be prevented to do it from legal obligations). I hope they'll prove me wrong and release all previously cut materials from the RL GAz series and their idea behind the current metaplot in RL. :rolleyes: :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 281] Author : Thorf Date : 08-19-05 01:50 PM Thread Title : You know... I think we've been having a really good day today! With a few ongoing rather interesting and sometimes heated (well, for our friendly little forum that is :)) threads, we must be raking in the posts! :w00t: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 282] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-19-05 06:36 PM This week has been pretty good I thought. We are gaining at lightning speed now. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 283] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-20-05 04:56 AM Well it's been a couple days, so here's an update. Mystara: 7812 Ravenloft: 716 (-92) Planescape 2546 (-107) Not too shabby for a couple of days. We'll see how the weekend goes. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 284] Author : nemarsde Date : 08-20-05 05:19 AM I won't lie and say I've read this whole thread. :) But anyway, I think Ravenloft will always have the numerical advantage because it's tied into Dragonlance, so they're essentially part of the same campaign setting. It's a shame that Arthaus is dropping Ravenloft, although I don't think they did that much with it. As for Mystara, this may have been mentioned, and sorry if it has, but didn't Kenzer & Co. have the rights to Mystara? They were producing a HackMaster campaign setting based on it, weren't they? What happened to that? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 285] Author : Thorf Date : 08-20-05 07:37 AM I won't lie and say I've read this whole thread. :) That's okay, this is kinda the unofficial off-topic thread on this board. You don't have to read very far to get the gist of the thread. But anyway, I think Ravenloft will always have the numerical advantage because it's tied into Dragonlance, so they're essentially part of the same campaign setting. I'm not entirely sure what your point is. Whether they're the same setting or not is not really relevant, this thread is just about catching up and overtaking them on these boards. Even that is essentially just an excuse for us to have some fun and motivate us to post more. As for Mystara, this may have been mentioned, and sorry if it has, but didn't Kenzer & Co. have the rights to Mystara? They were producing a HackMaster campaign setting based on it, weren't they? What happened to that? As far as we know, it got delayed but is being worked on again now. I think I read somewhere (the Vaults (http://pandius.com)?) that the project was scaled back to make it more realistically doable. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 286] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-20-05 09:02 AM I didn't even know White Wolf even had the rights to RL. They licensed them from WotC several years back. So how does that work? I wonder if WotC would ever consider selling Mystara's rights? I sincerely doubt they'd outright sell them, but they have licensed out rights to certain of their properties. The way I understand it, from discussions we've had here and on the MML over the past couple of years (as well as some personal experience with copyrights and holdings), WotC owns the rights to Mystara- period. They got these from TSR when they took over that company. Not quite sure how that works with the whole "Hasbro owns WotC" now idea- I think WotC is considered a Hasbro brand, and cannot be divorced from that company anymore, which would mean that Hasbro really is the copyright/trademark owner. Anyway. WotC licensed the Ravenloft property to White Wolf, which means that WW could print and sell products with the RL brand on them. Not sure of the specifics (whether WotC got royalties off of them, or, more likely, WW paid a flat fee for a specified period of time to WotC to use the brand). In any event, they were certainly not licensed to print/produce other products in the WotC line- hence, the lack of mention of specific campaign worlds that were connected with the original RL, but not under the WW license (ie, no Forgotten Realms origin for Hazlan, no mention of Dragonlance for Sithicus, no Mystara for Meredoth, etc.). Conceivably, then, WotC could license out the Mystara brand to a prospective publisher, who could then make products with that name on them. How much it might cost, who would do such a thing, etc, is something that many of us have fancied about for some time. :) [EDIT] Think I'll look into getting a more definitive answer on this, and throwing it into the FAQ. I've seen it asked several times now, and even if I can't get a more specific WotC answer, the general question might fit in there. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 287] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-20-05 11:31 AM I would be very interested in the anwser to this. I may soon have the financial capability of trying something like this. It's no big deal really with Mystara not being connected to other settings, because really it isn't. Of course when I mention Mystara, I'm refering to the Known World, Hollow World, Blackmoor and the Red Steel/Savage Coast stuff. As well as the Princess Arks stories.Would be a while before I seriously attempt this, but I would love to do some things as a branch of the corp I'm about to own half of. ;) Thanks Cthulhudrew for the info. But anyway, I think Ravenloft will always have the numerical advantage because it's tied into Dragonlance, so they're essentially part of the same campaign setting. In any event, they were certainly not licensed to print/produce other products in the WotC line- hence, the lack of mention of specific campaign worlds that were connected with the original RL, but not under the WW license (ie, no Forgotten Realms origin for Hazlan, no mention of Dragonlance for Sithicus, no Mystara for Meredoth, etc.). So in fact Ravenloft was connected to all the other settings? How is this, is it some sort of gateway world? I'm not super familiar with it, other than there is a mist and vampires. :embarrass This would also mean that Ravenloft was a part of Mystara as well as DragonLance which nullifies any advantage it might have had there anyway. ;) It's only a matter of time before DragonLance falls behind as well. :evillaugh -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 288] Author : nemarsde Date : 08-20-05 02:38 PM I'm not entirely sure what your point is. Wouldn't be the first time I made a pointless statement, and it probably won't be the last. ;) I think my point might have been that we shouldn't rate the Mystara forum's performance against Ravenloft's forum, since it has a few advantages. i.e., Stuff in print recently, connections to other stuff in print. I didn't know Raveloft was connected to Mystara though. I always figured Glantri was like a slice of Mystaran Ravenloft. Anyway, I think Mystara's got a few tricks up its sleeves, and by the time 4E comes out WotC will be seriously looking at Mystara as a setting to replace FR and Greyhawk. Call it wishful thinking, but I think 4E will be marketed quite differently to 3E. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 289] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-20-05 05:37 PM I think my point might have been that we shouldn't rate the Mystara forum's performance against Ravenloft's forum, since it has a few advantages. i.e., Stuff in print recently, connections to other stuff in print. It's not so much that we're comparing our performance against their as it is... well, I guess it is that. The whole point of the thread, though, was originally just a fun jaunt to see how quickly our boards might pass theirs, because we'd become a lot more active than previously. As it stands, we are gaining at a really amazing rate, and it looks like we may end up passing them up by the end of next month. I didn't know Raveloft was connected to Mystara though. I always figured Glantri was like a slice of Mystaran Ravenloft. Interesting trivia- module X2: Castle Amber, was the original inspiration for Ravenloft. The "Land of Grey Mists" where the castle is abducted to (and where the first part of the adventure is set) was the model after which Hickman designed the misty prison realm of Ravenloft. In a sense, then, the d'Ambrevilles were the first "true" inhabitants of RL, not Strahd. In any case, the real "connection" RL has to Ravenloft is through the sorcerer Meredoth, who the "Domains of Dread" campaign setting (the hardcover 2nd edition one- the second? campaign setting reworking) made into an Alphatian wizard before coming to Ravenloft. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 290] Author : nemarsde Date : 08-20-05 06:44 PM X2: Castle Amber must've been a great module. I've never had the good fortune to read it, but the stuff that came out of it's really fascinating. :D So what came first as a specific (published) setting, Ravenloft or Glantri? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 291] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-20-05 09:10 PM X2: Castle Amber must've been a great module. I've never had the good fortune to read it, but the stuff that came out of it's really fascinating. It's... well, it's rather quirky. I really like it myself, but I think primarily due to the nostalgia feeling. The format of the adventure is typical of the early modules- a dungeon crawl (this time in a castle) with all sorts of random monsters hanging around in random locations, with no real rhyme or reason to their placement or existence. The second part of the module is (IMO) the more interesting part, where the heroes journey around Averoigne (medieval France) in search of items needed to solve the puzzle of the story. With some expansion and some more explanation and thought given to the creatures in the castle, though, X2 could be a really amazing adventure, and probably expanded into a campaign. I've toyed with the possibilities of creating a series of Neverwinter Nights adventures based on the module- a campaign that would stretch from level 1 to the upper levels (at least 10 or so). I could see doing something similar to a "Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil" for Castle Amber as a printed product- expanding the whole thing into a big adventure campaign. So what came first as a specific (published) setting, Ravenloft or Glantri? Well, Glantri was first mentioned in module X1: The Isle of Dread, as a magocracy. The next reference to the place, IIRC, is in X2: Castle Amber, which has the players starting out in Glantri (where the d'Ambrevilles, former princes, disappeared and the Grey Mists appeared in their place). There is also a dream sequence in which the adventurers might rescue a prince/princess of Glantri. Both of these modules preceded I6: Ravenloft by about 2 years. Glantri wasn't further expanded upon until the publication of Gaz3: The Principalities of Glantri, in 1987. (I'm doing a bit of research as I write this, and, though I'd have sworn the Ravenloft boxed set came out first, I'm finding otherwise). The Domains of Dread boxed set (first edition), came out in 1990, and this was the first time RL was developed into a campaign setting. The d'Ambrevilles weren't returned to Mystara until the publication of Gaz3 (previously, they only existed in the module). However, I10: Ravenloft II- House on Gryphon Hill came out in 1986. This was the first expansion of RL into more than just a "one off" setting, and featured a new domain or two. So, technically, the answer is Glantri, but it's not that cut and dried. The Gazetteer line began to expand the Known World (Mystara) setting before RL was much more than a couple of modules, but since then, RL has probably gone on to have a bit more product than Mystara. Depends, I guess, on how you define "specific published setting". If only in modules, then Mystara. If in number and quality of references, then RL might have a slight edge (what with Glantri having only been mentioned twice previous to Gaz3, but RL having two full modules set specifically in that place.) There's a really good site to check out products and publication dates on all TSR/WotC products: TSR Archive (http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/index.htm) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 292] Author : nemarsde Date : 08-21-05 07:04 AM Well I'm not biased. So I'm going to say Glantri was first. Ravenloft was second. Mystara wins, Mystara is the best. :D Seriously though, I do think Mystara is the best of all D&D campaign settings. I'm not even one of these reasonable individuals who think all the campaign settings have their place. Imho Mystara's better than them all... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 293] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-21-05 01:55 PM Well I'm not biased. So I'm going to say Glantri was first. Ravenloft was second. Mystara wins, Mystara is the best. :D Seriously though, I do think Mystara is the best of all D&D campaign settings. I'm not even one of these reasonable individuals who think all the campaign settings have their place. Imho Mystara's better than them all... I agree. I am not one of those as well. One thing about the comparison of the other settings to Mystara. They are much smaller in scale and less diverse. So much of Mystara is un-cannon that you could actually take another setting and work it into the Mystara setting if you like the makeup of the other setting. I've done this myself with some obscure settings. I've grown to prefer cannon or non-cannon stuff for Mystara now and never even glance at other settings anymore, except for ideas to use in campaigns. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 294] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-21-05 08:06 PM I agree. I am not one of those as well. One thing about the comparison of the other settings to Mystara. They are much smaller in scale and less diverse. So much of Mystara is un-cannon that you could actually take another setting and work it into the Mystara setting if you like the makeup of the other setting. I've done this myself with some obscure settings. I've grown to prefer cannon or non-cannon stuff for Mystara now and never even glance at other settings anymore, except for ideas to use in campaigns. I was just going to mention the same thing- a lot of the other settings could easily be transposed to various areas of Mystara. James "Mystaros" Mishler did a really interesting map some time ago of Skothar as Oerik (http://pandius.com/mystghmp.jpg) where he put the whole of the "known" world of Greyhawk as an addition to the continent of Skothar. Really interesting. That being said, I find the Forgotten Realms to have some really interesting elements, particularly with its most recent treatment (the 3rd edition hardcovers). I never really liked it in its 2nd edition incarnation- it was too bland, or maybe it was just the product presentation (since a lot of it is rehashed in the new version) but it just didn't jibe with me. The newest products in that line I really, really like for the most part. Oddly, one of the things I love about Mystara is the insertion of "real world" cultures into the fantasy atmosphere, and putting them all together, while attempts to do similar in the Forgotten Realms, IMO, just fall short. The whole Horde thing wasn't very good, I don't think. It just didn't really fit, plus there wasn't enough effort (IMO) to blend the Mongol idea with the high magic of the Realms, and it just became rather wonky. If I were to have done it, I'd have made the Hordesmen all centaurs, for instance- taking the idea of the Mongol horsewarriors one step further into the realm of fantasy. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 295] Author : Hugin Date : 08-21-05 09:19 PM Oddly, one of the things I love about Mystara is the insertion of "real world" cultures into the fantasy atmosphere, and putting them all together... Same here. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is that, because they are based on cultures that I have some familiarity with, I can portray the culture easier. Plus it's easier to research more. However, they are only based on real life cultures which adds an element of unknown (and fantasy, of course :) ) The best thing about it (IMHO) is the effect it has on names! It feels more like an actual place when the characters (umm, I mean players) have a good chance of knowing an NPC's place of origin just by hearing the name. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 296] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-22-05 10:57 AM Time for an update, I think... Ravenloft: 680 (-36) Planescape: 2503 (-43) Not bad for the weekend. Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 297] Author : Hugin Date : 08-22-05 11:10 AM ...Ravenloft: 680 (-36) ... WOW! This is getting kind of exciting! I can't believe that number used to be over 4000! This thread itself has contributed quite a bit. This is a fun 'off-topic' thread as well. Good laughs! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 298] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-22-05 11:14 AM This thread itself has contributed quite a bit. As this thread is about 300 posts long so far, I suppose we shouldn't really celebrate til we beat Ravenloft by 400ish. ;) :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 299] Author : Thorf Date : 08-22-05 11:34 AM Nah, this is our Mystaran solidarity thread. Of course it counts! :D Besides, there is at least some Mystaran discussion scattered around this thread, so you can't dismiss the whole post count. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 300] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-22-05 11:51 AM Nah, this is our Mystaran solidarity thread. Of course it counts! :D Of course, we could have a long argument (over dozens of posts) whether or not this thread counts, and before you know it... :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 301] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-22-05 06:43 PM I think all posts should count in this thread. Afterall pretty much every post is in regards to something to do with Mystara or this forum itself. :thinks: The best thing about it (IMHO) is the effect it has on names! It feels more like an actual place when the characters (umm, I mean players) have a good chance of knowing an NPC's place of origin just by hearing the name. I love this as well. When my players came up with their names I tried to help them find their hometowns using their names and races. Ragnar Maxumis was difficult, but i decided his father was a gladiator that moved the Soderfjord Jarldoms to make a living after earning his freedom int he arena. Found a Norse woman and married her. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 302] Author : nemarsde Date : 08-22-05 07:59 PM This actually ties-in nicely to Tolkien, considering we're talking about a fantasy setting. After all, the initial reason he created Middle-earth was to give his languages some kind of context, meaning. If we take Mystara, the names all make sense, because they're based on real world names, which are based on real world languages, etc. That's one thing I don't like about the other D&D campaign settings, too much gobbledygook. Of course, you don't always get players that give their characters real world names. Volgantar the Bloodthirsty doesn't strike me as a real world name, for example, but you can still place it. Where would you place Volgantar the Bloodthirsty? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 303] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 08-22-05 08:43 PM If we take Mystara, the names all make sense, because they're based on real world names, which are based on real world languages, etc. That's one thing I don't like about the other D&D campaign settings, too much gobbledygook. That's interesting, because there are a couple of BD&D products that feature distinctly gobbledygook names, and they really stand out. The most obvious is "Bargle", whose name stood out like a sore thumb when he was inserted into GAZ1. Also some of the older modules, like B1 - In Search of the Unknown, are filled with ridiculous sounding characters. These tend to be the ones that don't have any explicit ties to Mystara anyway. Since all the gobbledygook names came from the same people at around the same time, though, they have a few things in common. I couldn't really put my finger on it, but if you decide to put them all in one place and make that place part of Mystara (say, the Kingdom of Ghyr, from XL1) they sound pretty consistent. Both B1 and XL1 even have a very few Roman sounding names, which you can use as a sign that Ghyr has Thyatian contacts. The standard practice, I think, is to put the early modules in Karameikos unless otherwise specified, but I think many of them make more sense in Ghyr. (http://www.mystaranet.jamm.com/vaults/html/prodlist.html puts B1 in "Karameikos/Darokin") Of course, you don't always get players that give their characters real world names. Volgantar the Bloodthirsty doesn't strike me as a real world name, for example, but you can still place it. Where would you place Volgantar the Bloodthirsty? Yeah, I tend to encourage people to pick hometowns (or at least cultures) first and then make up the name based on that. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 304] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-22-05 09:45 PM Yeah, I tend to encourage people to pick hometowns (or at least cultures) first and then make up the name based on that. I sort of do this actually. I ask them what type of character they were thinking of. They describe it then I ask if they have thought of a name. If they say so and tell me I try to match it to a nation in the Known World or Savage Coast. Otherwise I try to match their charcter ideas to a nation that it would work well with. Barbarians to the Northern Reaches, Magicians to Glantri or Alphatia, Thieves to Darokin, Mystics to Ochalea or Sind, etc. I describe the places and they decide which they want. This way they all try to get names that make sense. Of course some like nicknames instead, like my wifes character. Her winged elf character is named Seraphim. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 305] Author : Culture20 Date : 08-22-05 09:53 PM The most obvious is "Bargle", whose name stood out like a sore thumb when he was inserted into GAZ1. Bargle was introduced earlier than that. For people who started with the Red Basic D&D box, Bargle was their first evil villain. His name fits with another aspect of Mystara; goofiness. "Bargle," in english, sounds silly and evil at the same time; and Bargle was the evil wizard that never amounted to much. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 306] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-22-05 10:00 PM Yes that's true. My very first campaign I played the adventure with only 1 player who was my first player. He eventually modeled one of his characters after bargle, but decided to rename him Balzat or something. Having a brain fart and can't quite remember, but I've mentioned him on the boards plenty of times. The character turned into a very good villian, which I'm still toying with having in my current campaign. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 307] Author : nemarsde Date : 08-23-05 05:01 AM I don't think gobbledygook names are a bad thing when used for a few characters here and there, you can still place them. You just need an explanation. Why the hell would a parent call their son "Bargle"? (Maybe it was imitative? Does Bargle have some kind of speech impediment?) Did this have something to do with him growing up to be a failed mastervillain? ;) For me it's when almost everyone and everything has a gobbledygook name that I lose focus. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 308] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-23-05 05:10 AM You just need an explanation. Why the hell would a parent call their son "Bargle"? (Maybe it was imitative? Does Bargle have some kind of speech impediment?) Did this have something to do with him growing up to be a failed mastervillain? ;) I'd guess that Bargle renamed himself, since he's supposed to be (IIRC) a Traladaran streetrat. Why he chose the name Bargle, I couldn't tell you, but I'd venture to guess that in remaking himself as an "infamous wizard" he changed just about everything about his past- probably even offed anyone who knew him from his previous life. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 309] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 08-23-05 05:15 AM BTW, an update on the theorizing behind the RL reversal of licensing to WotC. As I suspected, it was a decision by Arthaus, not WotC, to return the rights. There is more information in this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=483387) on the RL boards for anyone interested. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 310] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-23-05 05:33 AM There is more information in this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=483387) on the RL boards for anyone interested. Just don't post. ;) :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 311] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-23-05 07:27 AM :heehee -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 312] Author : havard Date : 08-23-05 07:42 AM I'd guess that Bargle renamed himself, since he's supposed to be (IIRC) a Traladaran streetrat. Why he chose the name Bargle, I couldn't tell you, but I'd venture to guess that in remaking himself as an "infamous wizard" he changed just about everything about his past- probably even offed anyone who knew him from his previous life. IMC, the archwizard's real name is Bargellus. Bargle may have been his streetname from his days as a thief in Specularum, but it any case it has now become adopted by his enemies as a way of insulting him, preferably when he is not around. Baron Ludwig von Hendriks (shouldnt it be Heinrichs btw?) also uses that name every once in a while, just to annoy his partner in crime... BTW, was it specifically stated anywhere that Bargle is of Traladaran origin? I chose Bargellus to make it sound more Thyatian.... Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 313] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 08-23-05 05:41 PM Bargle was introduced earlier than that. For people who started with the Red Basic D&D box, Bargle was their first evil villain. His name fits with another aspect of Mystara; goofiness. "Bargle," in english, sounds silly and evil at the same time; and Bargle was the evil wizard that never amounted to much. Right, that's what I meant - it was fine (goofy, but not out of place) in the Basic Set, but once they put the Basic Set background info into Karameikos it didn't fit. Same with a bunch of the other stuff which they created before kicking off the Known World for real, like B1. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 314] Author : havard Date : 08-24-05 05:21 AM Right, that's what I meant - it was fine (goofy, but not out of place) in the Basic Set, but once they put the Basic Set background info into Karameikos it didn't fit. Same with a bunch of the other stuff which they created before kicking off the Known World for real, like B1. True. That is why when using these sources, you need to be a bit creative, and tweak a few details to make them fit properly for Mystara. But when I have done that, I find that these old tidbits work wonderfully well as sources of inspiration for further detailing the Known World, especially Karameikos. That was also the fact with the Bargle/Bargellus concept; I have great plans for that guy IMC, involving taking over the Crater of Glantri. Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 315] Author : Hugin Date : 08-24-05 11:32 AM We've been very busy lately so here's another update... Ravenloft: 575 (-105) Planescape: 2401 (-102) Plus, we're less than 25 posts away from the big 8000 post mark! :pint: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 316] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-24-05 11:41 AM OOOoooohhhh!!! You beat me to it, Hugin. :D It's my own fault though I was waiting til there was less than 2400 posts between Planescape and Mystara. Then again with your post and this one. . Those pesky planar travellers have been posting again. :weep: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 317] Author : happylarry Date : 08-24-05 02:49 PM Thread Title : Just doing my bit Just doing my bit to add to the posts. I imagine I'm allowed one fairly pointless post being new here... :) It's good to see Mystara alive and well - I only discovered this message board a week ago - but it's been fun so far. Keep up the good work! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 318] Author : Thorf Date : 08-24-05 03:09 PM Welcome to the Mystara board, happylarry. We're been slowly gaining on the Ravenloft and Planescape boards since January. I think when we finally overtake Ravenloft, pretty soon, we're all going to be as happy as you. (Excuse the joke, I couldn't resist ;)) :w00t: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 319] Author : Hugin Date : 08-24-05 03:20 PM OOOoooohhhh!!! You beat me to it, Hugin. :D It's my own fault though I was waiting til there was less than 2400 posts between Planescape and Mystara. Then again with your post and this one. . :P Hehehehe. That's happened to me a few times; waiting for a nice round number to post at and someone beats me to it! As a matter of fact, I think YOU beat me to one of them! :thinks: :whatsthis Just had to mention we're less than 1,000 behind Ravenloft now. Regards, Gary Yep! There it is! Aha! Vengence is a dish best served cold. Kind a like Frosted Flakes! (no, that's not right) Now, what was I doing...? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 320] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-24-05 03:34 PM Just doing my bit to add to the posts. I imagine I'm allowed one fairly pointless post being new here... :) It's good to see Mystara alive and well - I only discovered this message board a week ago - but it's been fun so far. Keep up the good work! Don't worry too much about pointless posts. I'm the king of those around here. Like this one. Welcome to the boards! :cheer: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 321] Author : Graywolf-ELM Date : 08-25-05 06:58 PM I must say, I am pleased to see the activity here lately, and am really enjoying some of the perspective that people here bring to Mystara. GW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 322] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-26-05 11:43 AM Update time: Ravenloft: 514 (-61) Planescape: 2324 (-77) Signing off now 'til Tuesday, it's a Bank Holiday over here in the UK. :D Hopefully when I get back, we'll be less than 500 posts for Ravenloft and 2300 posts from Planescape. ;) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 323] Author : Thorf Date : 08-26-05 01:13 PM I'm away for most of the weekend too. Have fun, guys! Don't slack off on posting. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 324] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-27-05 04:49 PM No prob guys I'll try to help pick it up for the weekend. Have fun, see you when you get back. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 325] Author : Gazza555 Date : 08-30-05 05:37 AM Thread Title : We... err... sorry You did it! Hopefully when I get back, we'll be less than 500 posts for Ravenloft and 2300 posts from Planescape. ;) Congratulations. :cheer: :clap: :bow: :ayyyy!: Well you did it over the weekend, so update time. Ravenloft: 446 (-68) Planescape: 2250 (-74) Keep up the good work and we will make it by the end (if not earlier) of September. :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 326] Author : tjedge1 Date : 08-30-05 06:21 PM :evillaugh Yes! Hopefully very soon. I think by this weekend we'll be at about -300, I hope. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 327] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-01-05 07:44 AM Thread Title : Monthly Update Monthly update time again. :D Setting 1st Aug 1st Sept Change Dragonlance 34095 34004 -91 Dark Sun 24809 25226 +417 Greyhawk 8362 7855 -507 Planescape 2930 2195 -735 Ravenloft 1116 390 -726 So if the posting rate carries on like this we'll have caught up with Ravenloft by the end of the month; Planescape in about 3 months; and Greyhawk by the end of next year. :cool: Oh! and Dragonlance in October 2036 (I think). ;) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 328] Author : DM Date : 09-01-05 11:58 AM I am still amazed and stunned by Dark Sun Boards' prolific contributors! Are they intelligent Net programs or what, to produce so many posts every day?? :eek: Anyway, keep on running.. aerr.. I meant POSTING, folks! ;) :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 329] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-01-05 12:31 PM I think they are in a chase to overtake Dragonlance by the end of the year. I'm sure they stole the idea from us :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 330] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-02-05 05:18 PM ...about 20 days left to prove myself right about passing Ravenloft before summer's end... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 331] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-06-05 05:10 AM Update time... Ravenloft: 369 (-21) Planescape: 2128 (-67) ...about 20 days left to prove myself right about passing Ravenloft before summer's end... Which means we need to post about 19 posts more than Ravenloft each day. :) So if each of us could manage 2 or 3 posts a day, we should easily make it. :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 332] Author : havard Date : 09-06-05 07:32 AM Update time... Ravenloft: 369 (-21) Planescape: 2128 (-67) Which means we need to post about 19 posts more than Ravenloft each day. :) So if each of us could manage 2 or 3 posts a day, we should easily make it. :D Working on it! ;) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 333] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-06-05 07:21 PM I think I'm averaging about 4 or 5 usually. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 334] Author : Thorf Date : 09-07-05 12:58 AM Unfortunately I don't know how much time I have to contribute this month... Things have gotten a bit busy for me again here. Still, I'll do my best to chip in when I get the time. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 335] Author : havard Date : 09-07-05 07:44 AM Unfortunately I don't know how much time I have to contribute this month... Things have gotten a bit busy for me again here. Still, I'll do my best to chip in when I get the time. :) We miss your maps man :) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 336] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-07-05 08:16 AM We miss your maps man :) Seconded. :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 337] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-07-05 06:25 PM Seconded. :D Regards, Gary Seconding the Seconded. :cheer: I hope you find a little time to squeeze a couple in. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 338] Author : Hugin Date : 09-08-05 11:56 AM It feels like a long time since last update, so... Ravenloft: 295 (-74) Planescape: 2053 (-75) We've fallen behind in our post quota a little bit; it now will require an average of 21 posts per day to overtake Ravenloft by the end of summer. I can't believe how close we are though! :dancin: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 339] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-08-05 01:54 PM Are we there yet? . . . . . . . Are we there yet? :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 340] Author : maddog Date : 09-08-05 02:12 PM Thread Title : No, not yet. No, not yet. If you sit down and be good, we may just buy some ice cream. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 341] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-10-05 12:23 AM Once I get the focus moves converted for my new Mystic idea, I'll be adding anywhere from 10-15 posts in one day. That will gove a nice boost, but it's still not enough. :mad: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 342] Author : havard Date : 09-13-05 10:30 AM Unfortunately I don't know how much time I have to contribute this month... Things have gotten a bit busy for me again here. Still, I'll do my best to chip in when I get the time. :) For those yearning for maps, check out the map I posted over in the Thunder Rift Project Thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=496288)! Not as nice as Thorf's I'll admit but.... ;) Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 343] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-13-05 11:38 AM Update time again. Ravenloft: 227 (-68) Planescape: 2006 (-47) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 344] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-14-05 11:26 AM Apologies for an update so soon but I just had to point out that we are now less than 200 post behind Ravenloft and less than 2000 posts behind Planescape. :D Ravenloft: 199 (-28) Planescape: 1985 (-21) :cheer: :bounce: :clap: :bow: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 345] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-14-05 11:38 AM No apology necessary for good news! :cheer: :clap: :dancin: :pint: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 346] Author : maddog Date : 09-14-05 11:54 AM 199 to go! Time to pile on the postings! :pile: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 347] Author : Hugin Date : 09-14-05 11:58 AM This is weird! I look forward to surpassing Ravenloft and the anticipation of it is alot like a kid waiting for Christmas! Funny really. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 348] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-14-05 07:05 PM Me too. Any chance we should do daily updates till we pass RL? :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 349] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 09-15-05 08:27 AM Okay. I'm back, and ready to post. :fight!: (Although I have nothing really to say. :embarrass ) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 350] Author : Hugin Date : 09-15-05 11:16 AM Welcome back LW! It's OK if you don't have anything to say yet, but if you do find yourself with nothing to say and would still like to share that, then this is the thread to do it! See? I didn't really say anything ;) . (One more post closer to our prey) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 351] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 09-15-05 11:37 AM I would like to publically congratulate myself on my brilliant strategy of forgetting half of what I was gonna say mid-post, and then having to follow up to myself twice to get it all out. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 352] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 09-15-05 11:39 AM (Like this, see?) That puts us at 150 even! Except I just ruined that. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 353] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-15-05 11:51 AM I would like to publically congratulate myself on my brilliant strategy of forgetting half of what I was gonna say mid-post, and then having to follow up to myself twice to get it all out. (Like this, see?) That puts us at 150 even! Except I just ruined that. Now thats just cheating... Carry on the good work. ;) Me too. Any chance we should do daily updates till we pass RL? You got it, personally I was thinking of hourly updates. :D Ravenloft: 148 (-51) Planescape: 1938 (-47) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 354] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-15-05 06:32 PM Hourly sounds good to me. I'll try to get one later if you don't beat me to it. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 355] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-15-05 06:33 PM Now thats just cheating... Carry on the good work. ;) And who ever said cheating was bad. We are still carrying on a conversation about D&D. Even if it is just about adding more posts to a D&D thread. Now you guys got me doing it. Wait, I do this all the time. :angelhide -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 356] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-15-05 07:40 PM Ok, another update. Mystara has 8578 Ravenloft: 121 (-27) Planescape: 1911 (-27) Ok, not bad for just 8 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 357] Author : Hugin Date : 09-15-05 07:58 PM You really don't want your prediction of surpassing RL by the end of summer to fail, do you tjedge1? :D Me neither, so here's another step forward! I would like to publically congratulate myself on my brilliant strategy of forgetting half of what I was gonna say mid-post, and then having to follow up to myself twice to get it all out. LOL!!! Be careful! Those brain-farts are contagious! I catch them all the time! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 358] Author : Graywolf-ELM Date : 09-15-05 10:11 PM I've been saving some stuff for just this occasion to try and do my part. :) GW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 359] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-16-05 07:09 AM You really don't want your prediction of surpassing RL by the end of summer to fail, do you tjedge1? :D Me neither, so here's another step forward! Thanks, and no I don't. We are so close, I would just :weep: if we miss it by a day or two. I believe Wednesday is the deadline and I may have a few hours on Saturday that I might just get a little post crazy. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 360] Author : Hugin Date : 09-16-05 09:19 AM Update!! Mystara has 8600 Ravenloft: 100 (-21) Planescape: 1889 (-22) Had to post an update once I saw the spread was down to 100 (I guess it's actually 99 now including this post!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 361] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-16-05 10:04 AM Right then! We're 92 :cheer: posts behind Ravenloft (as I type) with 5 days to go, so we need 18-19 more posts per day than Ravenloft. So assuming Ravenloft post 6 or so posts a day we'll need 25-ish. Let's say 30 to be safe. ;) Over to you chaps. Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 362] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-16-05 10:42 AM Countdowns are fun. Mystara is fun. Therefore this thread = fun squared. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 363] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-16-05 10:45 AM Boy that was a useless post.... Will we start a new thread to take down Planescape once we whack Ravenloft? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 364] Author : Hugin Date : 09-16-05 11:07 AM Will we start a new thread to take down Planescape once we whack Ravenloft? I think we should! Goals are a good thing to have in life. :D I also think we'll catch RL by the deadline. If not we could be fired! I was just thinking what the moderators of this forum must be thinking! I wonder if they're thinking of locking this thread or just laughing along with us! Oh, LONG LIVE MYSTARA!!! (relevance covered) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 365] Author : Thorf Date : 09-16-05 02:47 PM Wow, you guys are doing a great job in my temporary absence! :) I have an absolute ton of interesting posts to catch up on. About the moderators, I reckon that they don't bother to read most of our board. Of course I may be wrong, but we're such a friendly community 99% of the time, and from what I've seen there is such a lot of work to be done on other boards on this site... Yay us!!! :cool: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 366] Author : Hugin Date : 09-16-05 03:04 PM Wow, you guys are doing a great job in my temporary absence! :) I have an absolute ton of interesting posts to catch up on. About the moderators, I reckon that they don't bother to read most of our board. Of course I may be wrong, but we're such a friendly community 99% of the time, and from what I've seen there is such a lot of work to be done on other boards on this site... Yay us!!! :cool: Spoken truth if ever I've heard it! I feel like a kid, "Are we there yet?, Are we there yet?" :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 367] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-17-05 10:44 AM Me too, I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it...Oh that is not a good song. :ahem: I'm about to get crazy with some posts, I got a bunch of Mystic stuff to work on today and possibly 5 or 6 hours of nothing else to do. I may look for some older topics to comment on, hope you guys don't mind. :dragon: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 368] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-17-05 11:05 AM Ok an update for today: I'll do another before I leave the forums today. :plotting: Mystara: 8639 RavenLoft: 8699 (-22) Planescape: 10489 (-31) The RL update difference is from Gazza555's update, and the PS upadate is from Hugin's update. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 369] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-17-05 02:48 PM Hmm, I goofed on the totals in that last update. I'll make sure they are right this time. The differences were correct however. Ok another update for today. Almost 6 hours later Mystara: 8654 RavenLoft: 8710 (-14) Planescape: 10497 (-15) Not bad for almost just myself this morning. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 370] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 09-19-05 04:24 AM Can this be true? 38 posts to go??? Or am I miscalculating here? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 371] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-19-05 04:27 AM Can this be true? 38 posts to go??? Or am I miscalculating here? No that's right except it's 36 posts to go!!! (sorry - 35 now) :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 372] Author : Thorf Date : 09-19-05 07:50 AM I have a bit of free time, so I'm catching up on some of the (many) threads I've been missing out on lately. Unfortunately I will be forced to leave comments in many of them. ;) :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 373] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 09-19-05 08:02 AM 30... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 374] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 09-19-05 04:17 PM Down to 23 posts! :w00t: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 375] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 09-19-05 06:47 PM I brought it up to 8700 even earlier with one post that I probably wouldn't have bothered with otherwise... but then I didn't want to advertise the fact by posting here. Well, now that the nice even number's been broken, I can! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 376] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 09-19-05 06:50 PM (Also, this post makes it an even 20!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 377] Author : maddog Date : 09-19-05 09:53 PM Thread Title : Like a little kid!!!! Are we there yet? Are we there yet? :D --Ray. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 378] Author : Hugin Date : 09-19-05 09:59 PM Thread Title : Or, It's Christmas Eve and I can't sleep! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 379] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 09-20-05 03:26 AM With this post: 8! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 380] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 09-20-05 05:23 AM With this post there is only one more to go, so I can't help it: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 381] Author : Lost Woodrake Date : 09-20-05 05:24 AM Well, comparing this forum with the other OOP boards shows that Mystara isnt the smallest kid. We are way ahead of Spelljammer and Birthright. Still, Ravenloft is next with about 4000 posts more than us. Think we'll ever catch up? ;) Håvard Oh, yes we will!!! :cheer: :clap: :pint: :cheer: :clap: :pint: :cheer: :clap: :pint: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 382] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-20-05 05:29 AM Update (from tjedge1s last update) Ravenloft: -2 (-58) Planescape: 1788 (-55) Oh, yes we will!!! WILL? HAVE :cheer: :clap: :pint: :cheer: :clap: :pint: :cheer: :clap: :pint: Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 383] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 09-20-05 05:42 AM Woohoo! Way to go everyone! :w00t: :dancin: :clap: :bow: :bounce: (Now if we can just pass those Planescapers...) :plotting: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 384] Author : maddog Date : 09-20-05 07:29 AM Thread Title : :) Let's all get drunk! :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint: Now the fight for Mystaran domination can begin! :fight!: (I've always wanted to use the fight emoticon!) --Ray. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 385] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-20-05 07:32 AM :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: "Give me an M...Give me a Y...Give me an S...Give me a T...Give me an A...Give me an R...Give me another A...What's that spell? Mystara!!!! :invasion: We rock. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 386] Author : Thorf Date : 09-20-05 07:57 AM Thread Title : Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen... We are now stopping at Ravenloft. All passengers for Ravenloft please leave by the right side of the train. No one? Didn't think so. :evillaugh Next stop, Planescape! Please have your tickets ready for checking. :cheer: :w00t: :dancin: :clap: :king: :angel: :ayyyy!: :schemes: :rofl: :cloud9: :invasion: :invasion: :invasion: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 387] Author : havard Date : 09-20-05 09:09 AM We are now stopping at Ravenloft. All passengers for Ravenloft please leave by the right side of the train. No one? Didn't think so. :evillaugh Next stop, Planescape! Please have your tickets ready for checking. :cheer: :w00t: :dancin: :clap: :king: :angel: :ayyyy!: :schemes: :rofl: :cloud9: :invasion: :invasion: :invasion: HUZZAH!!!! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 388] Author : Hugin Date : 09-20-05 11:14 AM I knew that you guys would do it WHILE I WAS SLEEPING!!! But hey! Right now I'm standing on the back of the train and waving goodbye to Ravenloft. Here's my ticket, Thorf! Station Planescape is next but it isn't that far away so enjoy the scenery. Congrats to all! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 389] Author : havard Date : 09-20-05 11:23 AM I knew that you guys would do it WHILE I WAS SLEEPING!!! But hey! Right now I'm standing on the back of the train and waving goodbye to Ravenloft. Here's my ticket, Thorf! Station Planescape is next but it isn't that far away so enjoy the scenery. Congrats to all! Enjoy the celebrations! But we cant let this make us lazy. Gotta move on! :) The trip towards Planescape can be viewed here in this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=505595), created just for the occation! :) I'm definately not getting off at this stop. I hope I can still be here when we get to Dragonlance! :cool: Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 390] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-20-05 11:25 AM I hope I can still be here when we get to Dragonlance! :cool: Yeah! but we'll be playing DnD 35 not 3.5 ;) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 391] Author : havard Date : 09-20-05 11:29 AM Yeah! but we'll be playing DnD 35 not 3.5 ;) :heehee Yeah, or 35.5 ;) At least we'll still have something to talk about and rules to convert. And the Wizards will be counting their cash. Unless they have been bought by Bill Gates... Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 392] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-20-05 07:04 PM Or by me. :plotting: :evillaugh I would hope it won't take to v35.3 to catch DragonLance. Speaking of catching them, have any of you heard anythign about a movie based ont he DragonLance Chronicles? Someone told me it was in the works. I almost screamed when they said it. I told them the Wrath of the Immortals or the Champions of Mystara would have been way better. Far more epic and adventurous IMHO. Not to mentio it will only bring in more fans for DragonLance instead of Mystara. Anyone else heard this? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 393] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 09-20-05 07:17 PM Speaking of catching them, have any of you heard anythign about a movie based ont he DragonLance Chronicles? Someone told me it was in the works. I almost screamed when they said it. I told them the Wrath of the Immortals or the Champions of Mystara would have been way better. Far more epic and adventurous IMHO. Not to mentio it will only bring in more fans for DragonLance instead of Mystara. Anyone else heard this? There's been talk of a Dragonlance movie for years- usually an animated one, but I think there's been discussion of live-action, too. Nothing has ever come of them, though, just bandying about of the concept. If there's been something recent, I haven't heard of it. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 394] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-20-05 07:24 PM Thanks. I was half hoping it was a rumor. Only half because it would be good to see a D&D movie that wasn't half written. At least the Chronicles have a good concept and story. Adventure, Romance, Tragedy, Horror, etc. The last D&D movie had some laughes, but mostly I slept through it. And absolutely hated the end. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 395] Author : havard Date : 09-21-05 07:14 AM Thanks. I was half hoping it was a rumor. Only half because it would be good to see a D&D movie that wasn't half written. At least the Chronicles have a good concept and story. Adventure, Romance, Tragedy, Horror, etc. The last D&D movie had some laughes, but mostly I slept through it. And absolutely hated the end. Even though this will sound like more heresy, I would love to see a Dragonlance Movie. I enjoy the novels, at least the ones by Weis and Hickman, and I think they could be translated into an excellent movie if the right people were involved. OTOH, it could also easily be translated into a really crappy movie, like the first D&D movie, in spite of having my hero Dave Arneson as a consultant. I liked the second D&D movie though, I thought it was pretty good for a low budged film, and the effects worked decent enough. I also liked that it was set in the FR. Not because I like FR, but because using one of the official settings made a whole lot more sense than designing a new crappy one just for the movie. A movie based on VotPA or WotI could have been cool, but the storyline would have to be massively rewritten to fit the silver screen and given the likelyness of a low budget and incompetent people involved with it, perhaps we should pass on this oppurtunity if it is ever offered to us. I mean, look at the Mystara novels.... :weep: Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 396] Author : Gazza555 Date : 09-21-05 07:25 AM Just noticed that Ravenloft is still ahead in one respect - the number of threads! (about 175) :tantrum: Of course, that just means our threads are more interesting because we get more posts per thread. ;) Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 397] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 09-21-05 07:38 AM Just noticed that Ravenloft is still ahead in one respect - the number of threads! (about 175) :tantrum: Of course, that just means our threads are more interesting because we get more posts per thread. ;) I noticed that too, but I took it as a positive thing- as you say, we get more posts per thread, which means probably more interactivity, and less waste. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 398] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 09-21-05 12:30 PM I liked the second D&D movie though, I thought it was pretty good for a low budged film, and the effects worked decent enough. I also liked that it was set in the FR. Not because I like FR, but because using one of the official settings made a whole lot more sense than designing a new crappy one just for the movie. There was a second D&D movie? Theatrical, or direct-to-video? How'd I miss this? (Hmm, imdb had it (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406728/), but the info's really sparse - must've been obscure!) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 399] Author : tjedge1 Date : 09-21-05 08:10 PM There was a second D&D movie? Theatrical, or direct-to-video? How'd I miss this? (Hmm, imdb had it (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406728/), but the info's really sparse - must've been obscure!) I must have missed this one too. I'll be looking for it soon then. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 400] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 09-21-05 09:21 PM I think they showed it on the Sci-Fi channel recently. No theatrical release. Didn't realize it was set in FR, though. [EDIT] This news just in- D&D II: Movie Premiere (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/news/20050921a) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 401] Author : Hugin Date : 09-22-05 06:13 PM Couldn't resist the oppurtunity to get this thread up to 400 replies. :) Thanks for letting us know about that second D&D movie; I had no idea there was one. It looks like it isn't half bad either so I'm going to hunt it down to see it. Anybody see it yet? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 402] Author : havard Date : 09-23-05 10:03 AM I think they showed it on the Sci-Fi channel recently. No theatrical release. Didn't realize it was set in FR, though. [EDIT] This news just in- D&D II: Movie Premiere (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/news/20050921a) It wasn't promoted as such, but there are subtle hints, like a few of the Gods mentioned. Those are from the Core D&D books though, so it could be in Greyhawk too, but I think there was one or two references that convinced me that it would have to be in the FR. I think the country where the badguys are from is named actually, though I cant remember which one it was. Thanks for letting us know about that second D&D movie; I had no idea there was one. It looks like it isn't half bad either so I'm going to hunt it down to see it. Anybody see it yet? I enjoyed it. But I wouldnt pay much money for it either. Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 403] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 09-25-05 05:44 AM Still doing pretty well- 161 posts ahead of RL! Cool. Don't want to have to keep watching our backs. :nonono: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 404] Author : tjedge1 Date : 10-01-05 02:10 AM Not to worry there. I need to reorganize the Mystic maneuvers. I'm going to set up a linking table of contents for them, so I'll be reposting them with updated information. This way I can keep track easier than just throwing them out on the web like I did. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 405] Author : havard Date : 10-02-05 03:21 PM So which Island was Meredoth from on Mystara again? Has anyone brought him back to Mystara in their campaigns? Should he retain any of his Ravenloft-ish powers if he escapes? Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 406] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 10-02-05 08:19 PM So which Island was Meredoth from on Mystara again? Has anyone brought him back to Mystara in their campaigns? The island is called Todstein, and its location isn't known, though the RL one is said to be an exact replica of the Mystara island. General consensus seems to be that its one of the island around Alpha- either one along the coast or the island in the bay of Alpha, IIRC. (Can't recall which one offhand). There aren't any measurements in RL products, so it's not exactly possible to compare sizes, although there might be some measurements in the Ship of Horrors module (where Meredoth was first mentioned- the module centers around the island of Graben, however, and I don't know if it mentions Todstein or gives a map). -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 407] Author : havard Date : 10-03-05 12:20 PM The island is called Todstein, and its location isn't known, though the RL one is said to be an exact replica of the Mystara island. General consensus seems to be that its one of the island around Alpha- either one along the coast or the island in the bay of Alpha, IIRC. (Can't recall which one offhand). There aren't any measurements in RL products, so it's not exactly possible to compare sizes, although there might be some measurements in the Ship of Horrors module (where Meredoth was first mentioned- the module centers around the island of Graben, however, and I don't know if it mentions Todstein or gives a map). I don't think there are any descriptions of the Island in SoH, but looking at This map of Norwold (http://pandius.com/cm1-m2-norwold-24.png) I think I can see the islands you are talking about. If Todstein is the island near the entrance to the Bay of Alpha (Brown, mountanous one), and Meredoth was to return, that would give him quite a bit of power, potentially enough to control sea-way trade to the entire region. Not so much if it turns out to be the one on the western side of Alpha, though that would be troubling for the Alphan's too, as well as the halflings of Leehashire. Has any of these scenarios been developed further? Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 408] Author : Hugin Date : 10-03-05 02:56 PM I don't think there are any descriptions of the Island in SoH, but looking at This map of Norwold (http://pandius.com/cm1-m2-norwold-24.png) I think I can see the islands you are talking about. If Todstein is the island near the entrance to the Bay of Alpha (Brown, mountanous one), and Meredoth was to return, that would give him quite a bit of power, potentially enough to control sea-way trade to the entire region. Sorry to go off-topic on you Havard, but when I looked at the map you linked and the island in the entrance of the bay, it popped into my mind that the mouth of that bay could be very hazardous. Seeing as how a large mountain range essentially goes 'under' the bay's entrance (with that island you mentioned being the top of a section of that range that pertrudes through the surface of the water), there are likely many smaller islands dotting that area and many others perhaps just under the surface. There would also be deep current trenches that channel the tidal flows of water in and out of the bay creating dangerous conditions. I'd imagine there'd be alot of ship wrecks around making 'bay guides' a very valuable asset on board. Maybe there is a small port-town outside the bay's entrance where ships can shelter in poor weather before braving the mouth as well as pick-up or drop-off guides. It would be good as an extra supply port for when the going is slowed to due weather, etc., since it is still 300+ miles away from Alpha. Bwt, is that mountain range still considered part of the Wyrmsteeth Range? It's just an additional idea to help flesh out the area a bit more and add some more to the region's economy. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 409] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 10-03-05 05:48 PM I don't think there are any descriptions of the Island in SoH, but looking at This map of Norwold (http://pandius.com/cm1-m2-norwold-24.png) I think I can see the islands you are talking about. That's the one I was referring to. Looking at Domains of Dread, the general shape of the island matches with Todstein, though I see now that there is a distance marker on the map, which shows Todstein to only be about 10 miles long, and thus the wrong size. However, I think most RL maps (at least the new ones) don't have distance markers on them- there was a thread on the Fraternity of Shadows site about this recently- and given the strangeness of RL, I'd say it's a good idea to go with. Especially as, like I noted, the general shape is pretty consistent. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 410] Author : havard Date : 10-04-05 02:52 PM That's the one I was referring to. Looking at Domains of Dread, the general shape of the island matches with Todstein, though I see now that there is a distance marker on the map, which shows Todstein to only be about 10 miles long, and thus the wrong size. However, I think most RL maps (at least the new ones) don't have distance markers on them- there was a thread on the Fraternity of Shadows site about this recently- and given the strangeness of RL, I'd say it's a good idea to go with. Especially as, like I noted, the general shape is pretty consistent. Works for me. Perhaps the Land of Mists shrinked Meredoth's island just to annoy him? The name Todstein is interesting though. If this was also the name of the original Mystaran island, does that indicate that it was discovered/settled by Hattians or even Heldanners? I assume that while Meredoth was in the land of Mists, the island simply contained ruins. Assuming that he now has returned, what would be the reactions of the nearby settlements? Not happy, I'm sure... Håvard -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 411] Author : Gazza555 Date : 10-05-05 04:12 AM Sorry to go off-topic Off-topic? This thread? :D Regards, Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 412] Author : JoeNotCharles Date : 10-05-05 10:42 AM I like the fact that we only seriously started to think about the Mystara/Ravenloft link AFTER we had soundly beaten them - as if discussing it might make us dirty or something. Personally, I'd like to see Brannart MacGregor or King Thar in Ravenloft. Thar was played for comedy in GAZ10, but played straight he could be quite horrific (an orcish vampire warlord! How cool is that?) A Ravenloft Shadow Elf domain, twisted to the worship of Atzanteotl, would be pretty cool too. Come to think of it, Innocenti di Malepeitro (sp?) might be a great twist on a Ravenloft villian, too - he'd be absolutely terrified and paranoid, and cower in his castle surround by traps, but still quite powerful when you finally get to him. Prince Jherek's nightmare powers make him quite creepy if spun that way, too. I think that's all wizard-princes that would be appropriate, though. I guess the Black Eagle Barony is a tailor-made domain to drop into Ravenloft, as well. Wow, that was a lot more suggestions than I expected - I was only going to suggest that I wanted to see Strahd and Morphail fight, but I got distracted by the possibilities of a Scottish lich and the rest was history. Any NPC's that you see fitting especially well in Ravenloft? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 413] Author : Traianus Decius Aureus Date : 10-05-05 11:00 AM The Master could be absolutely wicked in a dark domain- hundreds of spies and minions everywhere, no one the heroes could completely trust. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 414] Author : tjedge1 Date : 10-07-05 01:26 PM I agree about the Master of Hule, he is truly one of the most powerful evil beings on Mystara and he might be swept into the Mists after being defeated by some adventure party. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 415] Author : Gazza555 Date : 12-13-05 04:31 AM Thought I'd resurrect this thread to point out that we are now over 1,000 posts ahead of Ravenloft. :cheer: :clap: :bounce: Regards Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 416] Author : tjedge1 Date : 12-14-05 08:11 PM :bounce: :pint: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 417] Author : Gazza555 Date : 01-27-06 09:11 AM Again a ressurection to point out that we are now over 2,000 post ahead of Ravenloft. :invasion: Regards Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 418] Author : Gazza555 Date : 03-07-06 08:11 AM ...we are now over 2,000 posts ahead of Ravenloft. Better make that over 3,000 :D Regards Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 09:24 AM.