Minaea Info - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Minaea Info

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Traianus_Decius_Aureus
Jan 05, 2007 12:02:50 What canon information is available on Minaea? I've seen a bit of info in the net Almanacs and a few Mystara websites, but was there ever anything official?

The reason for asking is this: Our campaign has always used a modified map of Mystara. We would like to move our custom area to a somewhat logical, existing undeveloped area and I think Minaea could work- I even like the name Ideally, we don't want to revamp our campaign details too much, but would at least try to work in some of the fan ideas as feasible. The flavor of our primary custom area is Homer, Virgil, Livy as the foundation with the early Roman empire as the basis for AC1000. The populace are descendants of the Milenians, have had an on/off relationship with Alphatia, and conflicts with Thyatis and Minrothad.

Any info would be appreciated.
#2
zendrolion
Jan 05, 2007 12:16:20
What canon information is available on Minaea? I've seen a bit of info in the net Almanacs and a few Mystara websites, but was there ever anything official?

Apart from the few and sparse traces of Minaea in DotE (and in D&D Master Set world map :D ), you can get a brief relatively but relatively complete description of Minaea in PWAIII.

As far as I recall, Minaea isn't mentioned in other game supplements.
#3
agathokles
Jan 05, 2007 13:53:13
As far as I recall, Minaea isn't mentioned in other game supplements.

Well, there is a little bit in VotPA:
Show
Talasar Ecbashur is actually a former Minaean pirate. The article also gives his real name and his history, IIRC.
#4
Cthulhudrew
Jan 05, 2007 14:19:30 As the others have noted, the only real information is in PWAIII, which gives an atlas entry and a little bit of history to the place, and the connection with Talasar Ecbashur (aka, Yodar Jernog).

Some discussion has indicated that the islands of Vacros and Cathos (from module M2: Maze of the Riddling Minotaur) would be good fits for the region (I'd place them in the straits between Bellissaria and Minaea myself- I know no islands appear there currently, but at the scale of the maps we see of the region, it doesn't negate the possibility; also, Mystaran maps have been modified quite a bit from their original BECMI models as developments have been made, so why not make a change if it fits?)
#5
havard
Jan 05, 2007 18:15:02 If Minea is a Greek-inspired realm, is it possible that the region was settled by a Milennian expedition? Or even an off-shoot of Milen's voyage from Traladara?

Havard
#6
gawain_viii
Jan 05, 2007 18:57:56 I seem to remember reading somewhere that Minea was originally Millenian colonies settled just prior to that empire's decline. I can't recall where I read that though... maybe PWA3 or JA?

Roger
#7
ripvanwormer
Jan 05, 2007 19:07:26
If Minea is a Greek-inspired realm, is it possible that the region was settled by a Milennian expedition?Havard

According to PWAIII, it was settled by proto-Jennite Oltecs and Tangors 4000 years ago. Around 100 BC, Milenians fleeing the collapse of their empire established a colony there. Present Minaean culture is a blend of Jennite and Milenian cultures - the Tangors remain separate, but commerce and intermarriage between Tangors and Minaeans is growing.

As described, Minaea is pretty explicitly Minoan in culture, but in a temperate/subtropical forest, with pirates. The Alphatians know them only as pirates, but they're perhaps classical Greece as they would be if dominated by Minoan Crete during its height. In a forest.
#8
Traianus_Decius_Aureus
Jan 10, 2007 15:25:50 Thanks for the replies guys!

If, and its a big if at this point, I pursue this, the following will enter into the mix:

- The current population was in fact refugees from the old Milenian Empire. Legendary accounts will treat it similar to the fall of Troy and Aeneas' journey to Italy.

- It will not be Minoan, although a few references to it may be found- Minotaurs in all likelyhood, and excellent sea-faring skills.

- Extensive piracy will not be part of it. The reputation for piracy comes from two sources: Several very successful and dangerous pirates over the years, and Alphatia being derogatory towards a culture similar to the hated Thyatians (it may also come from Minrothad, but we'll see). In reality, piracy will have its moments during civil strife and when war is afoot, but these are quickly put down when peace and order are restored.

- The Milenian refugees will have had extended battles/war with both the Jennites and the Tangor. The current national boundaries largely reflect natural boundaries- where they don't exist, conflicts may still arise. The Minaeans and Alphatians frequently come into conflict over the strait between Belissaria and Minaea.
#9
jtrithen
Jan 18, 2007 11:45:06 Traianus,

I may be a little off-base, and you probably already know about the product, but wouldn't (HWR3) "The Milenian Empire" be a good place for source information? I think that the Hollow World Milenian Empire is mainly based on the Greeks, but would be an excellent source of inspiration (for extra cleric-based 'skills,' the gods, adventure ideas, etc.). (Of course, as you said, your campaign is early-Roman...) Anyway, just thought it might help.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Traianus_Decius_Aureus Jan 05, 2007 12:02:50	What canon information is available on Minaea? I've seen a bit of info in the net Almanacs and a few Mystara websites, but was there ever anything official? The reason for asking is this: Our campaign has always used a modified map of Mystara. We would like to move our custom area to a somewhat logical, existing undeveloped area and I think Minaea could work- I even like the name Ideally, we don't want to revamp our campaign details too much, but would at least try to work in some of the fan ideas as feasible. The flavor of our primary custom area is Homer, Virgil, Livy as the foundation with the early Roman empire as the basis for AC1000. The populace are descendants of the Milenians, have had an on/off relationship with Alphatia, and conflicts with Thyatis and Minrothad. Any info would be appreciated.
#2 zendrolion Jan 05, 2007 12:16:20	What canon information is available on Minaea? I've seen a bit of info in the net Almanacs and a few Mystara websites, but was there ever anything official? Apart from the few and sparse traces of Minaea in DotE (and in D&D Master Set world map :D ), you can get a brief relatively but relatively complete description of Minaea in PWAIII. As far as I recall, Minaea isn't mentioned in other game supplements.
#3 agathokles Jan 05, 2007 13:53:13	As far as I recall, Minaea isn't mentioned in other game supplements. Well, there is a little bit in VotPA: Show Talasar Ecbashur is actually a former Minaean pirate. The article also gives his real name and his history, IIRC.
#4 Cthulhudrew Jan 05, 2007 14:19:30	As the others have noted, the only real information is in PWAIII, which gives an atlas entry and a little bit of history to the place, and the connection with Talasar Ecbashur (aka, Yodar Jernog). Some discussion has indicated that the islands of Vacros and Cathos (from module M2: Maze of the Riddling Minotaur) would be good fits for the region (I'd place them in the straits between Bellissaria and Minaea myself- I know no islands appear there currently, but at the scale of the maps we see of the region, it doesn't negate the possibility; also, Mystaran maps have been modified quite a bit from their original BECMI models as developments have been made, so why not make a change if it fits?)
#5 havard Jan 05, 2007 18:15:02	If Minea is a Greek-inspired realm, is it possible that the region was settled by a Milennian expedition? Or even an off-shoot of Milen's voyage from Traladara? Havard
#6 gawain_viii Jan 05, 2007 18:57:56	I seem to remember reading somewhere that Minea was originally Millenian colonies settled just prior to that empire's decline. I can't recall where I read that though... maybe PWA3 or JA? Roger
#7 ripvanwormer Jan 05, 2007 19:07:26	If Minea is a Greek-inspired realm, is it possible that the region was settled by a Milennian expedition?Havard According to PWAIII, it was settled by proto-Jennite Oltecs and Tangors 4000 years ago. Around 100 BC, Milenians fleeing the collapse of their empire established a colony there. Present Minaean culture is a blend of Jennite and Milenian cultures - the Tangors remain separate, but commerce and intermarriage between Tangors and Minaeans is growing. As described, Minaea is pretty explicitly Minoan in culture, but in a temperate/subtropical forest, with pirates. The Alphatians know them only as pirates, but they're perhaps classical Greece as they would be if dominated by Minoan Crete during its height. In a forest.
#8 Traianus_Decius_Aureus Jan 10, 2007 15:25:50	Thanks for the replies guys! If, and its a big if at this point, I pursue this, the following will enter into the mix: - The current population was in fact refugees from the old Milenian Empire. Legendary accounts will treat it similar to the fall of Troy and Aeneas' journey to Italy. - It will not be Minoan, although a few references to it may be found- Minotaurs in all likelyhood, and excellent sea-faring skills. - Extensive piracy will not be part of it. The reputation for piracy comes from two sources: Several very successful and dangerous pirates over the years, and Alphatia being derogatory towards a culture similar to the hated Thyatians (it may also come from Minrothad, but we'll see). In reality, piracy will have its moments during civil strife and when war is afoot, but these are quickly put down when peace and order are restored. - The Milenian refugees will have had extended battles/war with both the Jennites and the Tangor. The current national boundaries largely reflect natural boundaries- where they don't exist, conflicts may still arise. The Minaeans and Alphatians frequently come into conflict over the strait between Belissaria and Minaea.
#9 jtrithen Jan 18, 2007 11:45:06	Traianus, I may be a little off-base, and you probably already know about the product, but wouldn't (HWR3) "The Milenian Empire" be a good place for source information? I think that the Hollow World Milenian Empire is mainly based on the Greeks, but would be an excellent source of inspiration (for extra cleric-based 'skills,' the gods, adventure ideas, etc.). (Of course, as you said, your campaign is early-Roman...) Anyway, just thought it might help.