The Keep on the BorderLands - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

The Keep on the BorderLands

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
excior
Mar 31, 2006 16:10:59 Is Mystarra the orignal world this module took place in? Any ideas on where to place it in the World of Greyhawk?
#2
Legendarius
Mar 31, 2006 19:38:05 The original Keep on the Borderlands didn't specifically mention a campaign world to my knowledge.

I believe one of the old D&D rules books (or at a minimum the B1-9 compilation adventure?) placed the Keep in Karameikos in Mystara, probably towards the northern border with Darokin.

When they released the Return to the Keep on the Borderlands for the 25th anniversary they placed it in Greyhawk in the Yeomanry I believe. (don't have either version in front of me).

L
#3
Cthulhudrew
Mar 31, 2006 21:19:47 As Legendarius says, B2 didn't have any specific placement worldwise in its original incarnation. It was always created to be used with the Basic D&D rules, not AD&D (although it mentions that it can be used for AD&D and provides minimal suggestions for adaptation). Basic D&D at the time was "generic" fantasy, while AD&D was largely associated with Greyhawk (Frank Mentzer points out on the Dragonsfoot forums that AD&D was Gary's, while Basic was a different sort of beast).

B1: In Search of the Unknown, is a similar case, although this particular module actually mentions a possible placement for use in Greyhawk (it suggests placing it either in the Barony of Ratik, the Duchy of Tenh, or the Theocracy of the Pale). Some people (including myself) have assumed that the Cave of the Unknown on the B2 map is actually the caverns of Quasqueton (from B1), although that is never stated explicitly in B2 (or even really implied, other than by the name Unknown being connected to both the cave and B1). An argument could thus be made (not a strong one, though) that B2 and B1 were originally intended for Greyhawk.

In any case, I think the placement of B2 as one of the Karameikan keeps (Castellan?) was probably not the best choice. I think it would have better have been served as one of the Darokinian forts, or even Riverfork Keep (in Karameikos), based on the map.
#4
excior
Mar 31, 2006 23:25:44 You both have been most helpful. Is there anywhere that you know of where I can find a map of Mystara?
#5
zombiegleemax
Mar 31, 2006 23:58:00
Is there anywhere that you know of where I can find a map of Mystara?

Try here: http://pandius.com/maps.html, you will find the best online Mystara maps
#6
excior
Apr 01, 2006 0:25:57 Your link takes me to a wizards page that says something like hey dont leave. then at the bottom I get two choices go back and no really go back. whats up with this?
#7
kheldren
Apr 01, 2006 1:07:21 What's up with this is Wizards playing for April 1st. Either put the link manuallly into your browser or wait to tomorrow when offsite links should be working again.
That page is normally a warning about WotC not being responsible for off-site content.
#8
thorf
Apr 01, 2006 2:16:42
What's up with this is Wizards playing for April 1st. Either put the link manuallly into your browser or wait to tomorrow when offsite links should be working again.
That page is normally a warning about WotC not being responsible for off-site content.

LOL, that's pretty funny.

I was thinking about doing an April Fools thing myself, but I decided it would probably be too heartbreaking for us neglected Mystarans. ;)
#9
excior
Apr 01, 2006 13:51:48 Ok They got me on that one. I should have realized that duh. :D
#10
johnbiles
Apr 02, 2006 21:57:37
Is Mystarra the orignal world this module took place in? Any ideas on where to place it in the World of Greyhawk?

My gut inclination is to put it somewhere on the Wild Coast, which is full of petty little states, strongholds, etc, down close to the Pomarj.
#11
Cthulhudrew
Apr 02, 2006 22:11:20
My gut inclination is to put it somewhere on the Wild Coast, which is full of petty little states, strongholds, etc, down close to the Pomarj.

Return to the Keep on the Borderlands places it in the Yeomanry, not too far from where you suggest.
#12
johnbiles
Apr 02, 2006 22:44:40
Return to the Keep on the Borderlands places it in the Yeomanry, not too far from where you suggest.

The problem with using the Yeomanry is that it's supposed to be a Swiss-style democracy, not a place with castle strongholds for lords.
#13
Cthulhudrew
Apr 03, 2006 14:47:28
The problem with using the Yeomanry is that it's supposed to be a Swiss-style democracy, not a place with castle strongholds for lords.

Ah, gotcha. Not terribly familiar with the Yeomanry- I never get very far through the Greyhawk book before I get bored with all the text.

Seems like they put about as much thought into where to place the Keep in Greyhawk as they did in Mystara.
#14
johnbiles
Apr 03, 2006 18:28:44 The version which puts the most thought into this is the Hackmaster version, Little Keep on the Borderlands, which provides a fair amount of info on where it fits into the Hackmaster universe and its history therein.
#15
excior
Apr 03, 2006 19:32:46 what is hackmaster and can you give me directions to this place???
#16
johnbiles
Apr 03, 2006 20:56:28
what is hackmaster and can you give me directions to this place???

Hackmaster is a parody of first edition D&D done by KenzerCo. Or which was done by KenzerCo before they began spiraling into the deathpit. ^^;;

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 excior Mar 31, 2006 16:10:59	Is Mystarra the orignal world this module took place in? Any ideas on where to place it in the World of Greyhawk?
#2 Legendarius Mar 31, 2006 19:38:05	The original Keep on the Borderlands didn't specifically mention a campaign world to my knowledge. I believe one of the old D&D rules books (or at a minimum the B1-9 compilation adventure?) placed the Keep in Karameikos in Mystara, probably towards the northern border with Darokin. When they released the Return to the Keep on the Borderlands for the 25th anniversary they placed it in Greyhawk in the Yeomanry I believe. (don't have either version in front of me). L
#3 Cthulhudrew Mar 31, 2006 21:19:47	As Legendarius says, B2 didn't have any specific placement worldwise in its original incarnation. It was always created to be used with the Basic D&D rules, not AD&D (although it mentions that it can be used for AD&D and provides minimal suggestions for adaptation). Basic D&D at the time was "generic" fantasy, while AD&D was largely associated with Greyhawk (Frank Mentzer points out on the Dragonsfoot forums that AD&D was Gary's, while Basic was a different sort of beast). B1: In Search of the Unknown, is a similar case, although this particular module actually mentions a possible placement for use in Greyhawk (it suggests placing it either in the Barony of Ratik, the Duchy of Tenh, or the Theocracy of the Pale). Some people (including myself) have assumed that the Cave of the Unknown on the B2 map is actually the caverns of Quasqueton (from B1), although that is never stated explicitly in B2 (or even really implied, other than by the name Unknown being connected to both the cave and B1). An argument could thus be made (not a strong one, though) that B2 and B1 were originally intended for Greyhawk. In any case, I think the placement of B2 as one of the Karameikan keeps (Castellan?) was probably not the best choice. I think it would have better have been served as one of the Darokinian forts, or even Riverfork Keep (in Karameikos), based on the map.
#4 excior Mar 31, 2006 23:25:44	You both have been most helpful. Is there anywhere that you know of where I can find a map of Mystara?
#5 zombiegleemax Mar 31, 2006 23:58:00	Is there anywhere that you know of where I can find a map of Mystara? Try here: http://pandius.com/maps.html, you will find the best online Mystara maps
#6 excior Apr 01, 2006 0:25:57	Your link takes me to a wizards page that says something like hey dont leave. then at the bottom I get two choices go back and no really go back. whats up with this?
#7 kheldren Apr 01, 2006 1:07:21	What's up with this is Wizards playing for April 1st. Either put the link manuallly into your browser or wait to tomorrow when offsite links should be working again. That page is normally a warning about WotC not being responsible for off-site content.
#8 thorf Apr 01, 2006 2:16:42	What's up with this is Wizards playing for April 1st. Either put the link manuallly into your browser or wait to tomorrow when offsite links should be working again. That page is normally a warning about WotC not being responsible for off-site content. LOL, that's pretty funny. I was thinking about doing an April Fools thing myself, but I decided it would probably be too heartbreaking for us neglected Mystarans. ;)
#9 excior Apr 01, 2006 13:51:48	Ok They got me on that one. I should have realized that duh. :D
#10 johnbiles Apr 02, 2006 21:57:37	Is Mystarra the orignal world this module took place in? Any ideas on where to place it in the World of Greyhawk? My gut inclination is to put it somewhere on the Wild Coast, which is full of petty little states, strongholds, etc, down close to the Pomarj.
#11 Cthulhudrew Apr 02, 2006 22:11:20	My gut inclination is to put it somewhere on the Wild Coast, which is full of petty little states, strongholds, etc, down close to the Pomarj. Return to the Keep on the Borderlands places it in the Yeomanry, not too far from where you suggest.
#12 johnbiles Apr 02, 2006 22:44:40	Return to the Keep on the Borderlands places it in the Yeomanry, not too far from where you suggest. The problem with using the Yeomanry is that it's supposed to be a Swiss-style democracy, not a place with castle strongholds for lords.
#13 Cthulhudrew Apr 03, 2006 14:47:28	The problem with using the Yeomanry is that it's supposed to be a Swiss-style democracy, not a place with castle strongholds for lords. Ah, gotcha. Not terribly familiar with the Yeomanry- I never get very far through the Greyhawk book before I get bored with all the text. Seems like they put about as much thought into where to place the Keep in Greyhawk as they did in Mystara.
#14 johnbiles Apr 03, 2006 18:28:44	The version which puts the most thought into this is the Hackmaster version, Little Keep on the Borderlands, which provides a fair amount of info on where it fits into the Hackmaster universe and its history therein.
#15 excior Apr 03, 2006 19:32:46	what is hackmaster and can you give me directions to this place???
#16 johnbiles Apr 03, 2006 20:56:28	what is hackmaster and can you give me directions to this place??? Hackmaster is a parody of first edition D&D done by KenzerCo. Or which was done by KenzerCo before they began spiraling into the deathpit. ^^;;