Raam, before its fall

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

joboo

Apr 12, 2005 20:58:42
I am developing the regions for my upcoming Darksun campaign. I have poured over and over the Age of Heroes Wanderers Chronicle noting the various cultures and histories. In addition I have been observing trade and the Items the people produce and export. Unfortuanatly, there isn't much about Raam before it fell, so I can't get a good idea of the resources it used to produce and trade. (How long has Raam been in a state of Chaos? Ten years?)

So If anyone knows any details about Raam before it fell that would be very helpful. (I have read the entry in the wanderers chronicle several times so I already know what is presented in there). Thanks

Additional info on Balic would also be helpful (before the death of the Sorcerer King) with details on produced items and trade goods,or anything else.
#2

beyowulf

Apr 12, 2005 21:58:02
I am developing the regions for my upcoming Darksun campaign. I have poured over and over the Age of Heroes Wanderers Chronicle noting the various cultures and histories. In addition I have been observing trade and the Items the people produce and export. Unfortuanatly, there isn't much about Raam before it fell, so I can't get a good idea of the resources it used to produce and trade. (How long has Raam been in a state of Chaos? Ten years?)

So If anyone knows any details about Raam before it fell that would be very helpful. (I have read the entry in the wanderers chronicle several times so I already know what is presented in there). Thanks

Its not much, but the impression I got of Raam was that it was heavily based on Hindi culture.

Additional info on Balic would also be helpful (before the death of the Sorcerer King) with details on produced items and trade goods,or anything else.

Ditto with Balic, but based on ancient Rome.
#3

joboo

Apr 12, 2005 22:18:03
Its not much, but the impression I got of Raam was that it was heavily based on Hindi culture.

Hindu as in its appearance or its social stratifiction, and government/religion blend? Do they believe in reincarnation? That was a large part of the Hindu social/government/religious structure. The only way one could move up in social status was to follow the established laws in their life (which were religious in nature) and die. Then one would be reincarnated as one social class higher. It went in this order: peasents, warrior-nobles, priests, then ultimate peace in Nirvana. Any clue on trade goods?
#4

jon_oracle_of_athas

Apr 13, 2005 1:12:19
There is more information on Raam in Dune Trader, Veiled Alliance and Dregoth Ascending, and Dark Sun Prestige Class Appendix Vol. I features two Raam-based classes.
#5

zombiegleemax

Apr 13, 2005 11:45:48
I've always felt that Raam had a rather persian influence, guessing from the illustration from the original boxed set. Anyways, from what I remember, even before Ablach-Re was killed by Sadira, Raam wasn't that stable. The general populace never really believed in Badna, which meant Ablach had the least control over her City-State of all seven. Which is pretty sad, considering Nibenay is such a recluse.
#6

ruhl-than_sage

Apr 14, 2005 2:36:38
I believe there are extensive wheat and barley fields around Raam... It is the most populous of the City-States. And considering that perhaps the deal more extensively in slaves than other cities. House M'ke is the chief trading house of Raam.

In the Vieled Alliance book it lists Raams "Economy" as: Sliver (I believe they have a Silver mine), Gems, Flint, Jute (A fibrous plant), Silk, Carpets, Textiles, Art.

They mine gems in the mountains to the south of the city (I'm not sure what they are called). The citizens of Raam are reknowned for their art of all sorts including jewlery, fine clothing, tapestries, and musical instruments I believe.
#7

Pennarin

Apr 14, 2005 11:57:41
Raam's gem mines are long depleted.
#8

ruhl-than_sage

Apr 14, 2005 22:04:21
Are they really? Where does it say that??? Either way they don't have to be if you don't want them to.
#9

Pennarin

Apr 15, 2005 17:25:13
Dregoth Ascending Part 2
#10

ruhl-than_sage

Apr 15, 2005 18:46:05
Lol OIC, an Adventure that was made recently by fans. It does kind of hint at that in the old material, but it could be interpreted as being simple more profitable in the past.
#11

Pennarin

Apr 15, 2005 19:49:00
Lol OIC, an Adventure that was made recently by fans. It does kind of hint at that in the old material, but it could be interpreted as being simple more profitable in the past.


I'm refering to the 2E material.
Since the three-part Dregoth Ascending adventure is a conversion of already-written 2E material, its hardly "made by fans". Jon is making substantial rewritting to it since it wasn't a final version when Dark Sun was cancelled, and he's adding new sections to it, but I bet hard information - such as the state of Raam's mines - has stayed unchanged through the conversion process.
#12

ruhl-than_sage

Apr 15, 2005 19:54:34
Sorry I wasn't aware that it was based on official unreleased material.