* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : I would like your suggestions Started at 02-28-06 11:40 PM by gawain_viii Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=596175 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : gawain_viii Date : 02-28-06 11:40 PM Thread Title : I would like your suggestions Most of you know of my 3e Mystara Campaing Setting project, some have even graciously answered my plea for help. However, the group who has been working so hard for me (and the fan community as a whole) has come to a small empasse--nothing that can't be handled with a little judicious action, but I would like a little imput from the larger community. My problem is this--we can't decide on what year to set as the projects "current" year. We have settled on 4 most-likely options and their (all equally valid) justifications. I would like to ask you all to lend your oppinions on the matter. Keeping in mind that this project is intended to attract "new blood" so-to-speak of younger gamers who haven't had the joyful experience of adventuring in our world. The Project is assuming that the reader who will recieve the most from the final product is a newbie--with no access to any Mystara material whatsoever--save what can be found on the Vaults. With that consideration, please vote for the year you would prefer for the setting. AC 1000 - All material is readily available, and would be easiest to compare to published products for fact-checking and editing. AC 1010 - WotI is done but the Almanacs haven't occured. Gives new players the widest flexibility--even minor actions from characters can affect the aftermath from WotI AC 1014 - Printed almanacs have happened (reduce the possiblility of future products conflicting with printed canon), net almanacs are readily available on the Vaults--no need to reproduce them, players can choose them if they wish. AC 1020 - All almanacs have happened. Why re-create the past? The almanacs (including net) are good products with a solid history on the fan-base--let's allow new players to write the future. I'm not completely closed to other options, but if another year is suggested I'd like a good reason why the suggestion is better than the other options. So if you would, please vote for one. Thanks in advance, v/r Roger -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : gawain_viii Date : 02-28-06 11:42 PM As of the time I'm posting, the current votes within my group's msg board stands as follows: AC 1000 = 3 AC 1010 = 0 AC 1014 = 2 AC 1020 = 1 Those votes will be considered in the final tally. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 02-28-06 11:58 PM FWIW, I am using the 1000 AC "Gazetteer" time frame in my own conversion efforts, as I feel it most closely fits in with the majority of published product. That way, newcomers and longtime fans, IMO, can get the maximum usage out of anything new coming out. There are plenty of people- new and old alike- who do not/will not/cannot use the WotI and later products, and there are plenty of alternative "future" ideas and articles on the Vaults for their use if they choose to go that way or other ways. Since there were really only a few post-WotI products produced for Mystara, it seems most logical to me to go with the "default" 1000 AC era. Any updates, changes, etc, could then be pdf'd in smaller files and things to provide necessary information on future changes, if the players chose to go with the established post-WotI settings. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : Rhialto Date : 03-01-06 01:43 AM One more vote for 1000 AC being the default for fan products. It allows for our stuff to mesh more seamlessly with existing material. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Thorf Date : 03-01-06 02:42 AM I am not hugely interested in 3rd Edition, but I would vote to go with 1000 AC. As you may have realised from my maps so far, it seems to me like the best era to start any campaign in. It is the present time of the vast majority of official products, and it gives access to all products, which can be brought in later as campaign time advances. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : gawain_viii Date : 03-01-06 02:51 AM It seems that there is a general trend going on here. But Andrew's logical reasoning actually swayed my vote (I was the lone 'dissenter' that actually wanted 1020). I think that is enough for me to make a firm decision of 1000. --Thank you all. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Cthulhudrew Date : 03-01-06 03:27 AM Heh- glad to see my post wasn't just the rambling I thought it might have been. :shocked: In any case, I am definitely a fan of bringing the timeline forward myself (one of the reasons I contributed to the almanacs for so long, and the PWAs are definitely among my favorite accessories in any campaign system). It just seems easier to maintain a "baseline" from which alternatives/add-ons can be produced for expansion. It's actually one of the things that I really enjoy about the fan-community for Mystara, is that there are so many alternative scenarios for "our" world to play with, and one of the decisions I think Shawn made in good judgement- to not establish "canon" materials, but provide a rich plethora of options with the Vaults. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : LoZompatore Date : 03-01-06 03:55 AM Another vote for AC1000. If you set your "default" date during or after WotI you will find many contradictions with the adventures suggested in many GAZs. If you choose AC1000 newbies may choose between GAZ's adventures and WotI, thus freely deciding which "future" will go on on their campaign. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : Zendrolion Date : 03-01-06 04:14 AM I also vote for AC 1000. :) Official PWAs and, most of all, Wrath of the Immortals, have introduced heavy changes in the setting without thinking too much about their consequences. For example, think of the whole destruction that the sinking of Alphatia would have caused in th Isle of Dawn, Bellissaria, Norwold and even the Known World: entire cities destroyed by gigantic waves, earthquakes rocking the coasts - I'm not a geologist, but it takes one not much to notice that the REAL effects of the sinking of Alphatia (or those of the meteor crush in AC1006) would have destroyed much of the known Mystara setting... :( :weep: The way I see WotI and PWAs timeline is that of but ONE possible timeline, not the only one timeline that must absolutely happen. BTW, a timeline more respectful of the events and the adventures listed in the old GAZs series catches much more my favor - and this can only be accomplished with a timeline starting in AC1000 and ignoring or posticipating the worst events of WotI. ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : DM Date : 03-01-06 04:37 AM The timeframe AC995-AC1005 is the best! Think of all the adventures set in this decade, and all the opportunities that arise both in the Old World and in Norwold! It also leaves the Wrath outcome entirely in the hands of the Master and the players, so that's where I'd rather play if I had to start another Mystara campaign ;) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : Gazza555 Date : 03-01-06 05:13 AM I'm a bit late adding my opinion, but I would also vote for AC1000. It's pretty much the benchmark pre 2ed. Its also obviously easier to change the future than the past. Also both my groups are currently in AC1006, one of which is about to do the second adventure in WotI. Regards Gary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Jakob_Pawlowicz Date : 03-01-06 06:54 AM Thread Title : another vote I vote for AC 1000. I second pretty much everything that already has been argued for this date. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : Arcanda Date : 03-01-06 07:46 AM Maybe I'm late, but I too vote 1000AC, also if I'm not interested in 3ed. I like 1000 becouse all Gaz material is supposed in that date. And PWA, WotI and the like can be used by a wise Dungeon Master to organize his campaign. A campaign were there is a past, there is a present, and there is a future! It was nice for my elf party, future-ignorant (of course) to try to stop Aengmorians invasion. And, may be, PCs can also change the course of events. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : Spellweaver Date : 03-01-06 07:50 AM And another vote for AC 1000. I hate WotI :D :-) Jesper -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : Graywolf-ELM Date : 03-01-06 10:21 AM Three things 1. AC1000 is my vote 2. I am not familiar with you project. Do you have a link handy, and finished works? We have a 3.5 campaign going, and I can always use additional information. 3. What are some sources for WotI that I might be able to obtain. .pdf format is preferred. I don't have any of it, and in my world, none of it ever happens, unless I can read some of it and decide if it works for my campaign. Thank you, GW -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 16] Author : gawain_viii Date : 03-01-06 02:25 PM 2. I am not familiar with you project. Do you have a link handy, and finished works? We have a 3.5 campaign going, and I can always use additional information. 3. What are some sources for WotI that I might be able to obtain. .pdf format is preferred. I don't have any of it, and in my world, none of it ever happens, unless I can read some of it and decide if it works for my campaign. Actually, no. I do have a never-finished website of another project I had started and abandoned in order to start this one. I've found that it takes long enough to keep the project itself updated, let alone updating a webpage to go along with it. So everything is collected on my PC. No finished products yet, however I do plan to have a "sample" out soon. The only WotI source I have is WotI itself. Depending on the reception of this project, I might do a "WotI and Aftermath" expansion, but who knows. I do have another request, however... if anyone's interested, could I get a few sample "front covers"? Maybe I can turn this into a competition--the best cover wins. Perhaps one winner for best cover art, and another for best cover "design"? Any ideas? Dasvedania, Roger -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 17] Author : eldersphinx Date : 03-01-06 03:07 PM AC 1000. While the WotI-lmanacs metaplot was fairly good as such things go, it's still metaplot. It shouldn't be required reading for anyone who wants to game in Mystara. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 09:24 AM.