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
AC 1000 = 3
AC 1010 = 0
AC 1014 = 2
AC 1020 = 1
Those votes will be considered in the final tally.
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.
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. ;)
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...
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. ;)
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 ;)
Also both my groups are currently in AC1006, one of which is about to do the second adventure in WotI.
Regards
Gary
I second pretty much everything that already has been argued for this date.
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.
:-) Jesper
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
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