http://it.geocities.com/lutetius2/Vulcania_settlements2.jpg
- Forests, mountains and frozen lands come from the general HW's Mystara map. The deserts come from VotPA and HW maps.
- As per VotPA description, Vanya's Rest is placed on a cliff. The capital of N'djatwaland is built near a lake and a big waterfall.
- The Tanagoros' and the Ice gnomes' positions come from the post-cataclysmic migration map of the HW set.
- The position of the ancient elven colonies comes from GAZ5 and pre and post-cataclysmic HW maps.
Here is some toughts about the main political entities of the area:
N'DJATWALAND:
The extent of the N'djatwa dominion may be obtained from the VotPA.
One of the three northern villages is visited by the Princess Ark; here we know that some abandoned routes lead to the lost kingdom of Varellya, but now they are deserted, so the northern border of N'djatwaland should be not very far from the villages. The eastern border comes from the tale about the "horrible monsters" of the Lost Valley, and form the fact that the N'djatwas control the mountain passes that connect the Lost Valley to the Green Bay (I added a certain number of keeps in the mountains, even if their exact number is not known).
The southern extent of the N'djatwa dominion is deduced from VotPA: when the Princess Ark leaves N'djatwaland it flies over the Green River, leaving behind the N'djatwa territory. The western border of N'djatwaland is deduced from the diplomatic mission of Prince Haldemar to the capital M'banyka. Here he sees many captured gnomes and humanoids being brought in the city from the nearby mountains. This should mean that the weastern border of N'djatwaland should not be too far from the capital city.
As you see, the N'djatwaland is a very large kingdom. Its extent is comparable to the whole Known World (which extends in a similar latitude, so the comparison it's not affected by mapping distorsions). This may lead to a quite large nuber of N'djatwas inhabiting this area.
SNARTAPOLIS:
This gnomish empire should be quite large, as from Heard's article:
There came a time when there weren't enough Snartans to sustain the empire that they had conquered. Snarta controls another three or four earthshakers besides Snartapolis, to guard the far reaches of its empire. Snartans are universally feared and hated throughout Vulcania.
From the same article we know that Snartan's soldiers use helms with decorations made of horse hair, so we may think that the area they control is not too much cold. Probably the plains are the most common land of the empire, even if we know that at least a region is occupied by a mountain range:
Like many other Vulcanian gnomes, they did discover the secret of the volcanoes and their fire elemental pupae.
Forests should not be the best terrain in order to have the Snartan earthshakers to operate. Anyway, considering that the earthshaker use coal to keep moving, we may think that their empire stretches along the forest's border. The Snartans may also find the fuel for their machines in suitable coal mines in the Vulcanian Line. (These mountains may also harbor wide stretches of woods, that provides other sources of fuel).
In the article we also read about other earthsakers that are enemies of the Snartans:
Several gates on the outside walls open to reveal giant harpoons whose role is to lodge themselves into the body of enemy earthshakers and reel them closer so the Snartan Hoplites can board them and conquer them.
So we must think that the Snartans does not control the whole Vulcanian plain. The region, instead, should be something like a huge battleground where many gnomish clans battle each other for supremacy.
I put the Snartan territory east of the Lost Valley (as for VotPA description), altough I placed it in the western part of the Vulcanian plain because Heard said that the Snartans come from the ancient Milenian region, so they should have settled this region coming from the west.
THE ALPHATIAN COLONIES:
From the Book of Wondrous Inventions we know that the Alphatians built several colonies in the Vulcanian region; these outposts are involved in a constant warfare against the gnomes and their earthshakers:
Legends say that only gnomes and their huge frightening machines populate this part of the world, called by some the Land of Earthshakers.
It was there that Jaggar, a Glantrian Wizard-Prince, spent part of his life in exploration of the land. During his many adventures among the gnomes, he discovered Alphatian outposts that were quite hostile to the gnomes and their machines. As an answer to the horrendous gnomish creations, the Alphatians introduced the Gargantoids, their own version of the Earthshakers. At the end of a huge battle against gnomish steam powered earthshakers and Alphatian magical gargantoids, the gnomes were defeated and Jaggar nearly captured.
Considering that, in general, the Alphatians get along well with the gnomes I supposed that the main enemy of the Alphatians in the region is the aggressive and "unhuman" Empire of Snarta. So their colonies should be placed near the border of the gnomish empire. We know also that the gargantoids are smaller machines than the earthshakers, so I supposed that they should have considerable advantages fighting in the forests instead that in the plains.
From VotPA we know that - thanks to the Haldemar's diplomatic efforts - the N'djatwa and the Alphatians have some diplomatic ties. Possibly this relationship started as early as AC965 (when Haldemar discovers the N'Djatwa), thanks to a "Scroll of Communication" that we know it is used by the crew to send messages to Sundsvall in the previous episodes of the Voyage. So the colonies may be built between AC965 and AC1004 (when PWAs says that Jaggar brought to Glantri a captured gargantoid).
Taking into account all the information above, that's why I placed the Alphatian colonies in the forests between the Empire of Snarta and the Diamond Ring.
(I placed three colonies, even if their exact number is not known. Anyway, we know that there are at least two of them). These colonies may be used as a docking bay for the Alphatian skyships en route to the Hollow World before and after AC1009. This would explain also why in the PWAs the Alphatians prefer to enter in the Hollow World from the Southern Polar Opening, which is the farthest from Alphatia.
THE HELDANNIC OUTPOST (SCHRECKFABRIK?):
I'm not sure if there is an Heldannic Outpost in the Vulcanian region. Anyway, there are some clues about its existence:
1) From the VotPA, in the episode of the N'djatwa (about Herr Rolf's background):
I learned that he is an officer of the Heldannic Order, as I suspected — but he left his citadel on a flying ship! So they do have such ships here, after all! His original mission had something to do with the stars. Then his ship was attacked by the N'djatwas, and he was captured.
The "citadel" might well be either the Vanya's rest fortress or an outpost in the Vulcanian region.
2) From the Heard's article in the Vaults about the "Schreckmaschine MkI", (a machine similar to a rhino) that is built by the Vulcanian gnomes and used by the Heldannic Knights.
I named this (supposed) outpost with the plain name "Schreckfabrick", that seemed suitable for me.
The sole clue about the placement of this outpost is the information about a magical cooling device that keeps confortable the machine interior:
The only magic, aside from the gnomes' internal machinery, is a permanent spell to keep the inside of the schreckmaschine cool, an important consideration while operating in Davania.
For this reason I placed the Schreckfabirk in the northern forest of Vulcania (so that it's near to the tropic), far from the main Alphatian sky-routes and from the earthshakers.
SHAPER'S FORTRESS
Shaper-Durblaga is a lawful Immortal depicted in the IM3 module. From his background we know that Durblaga was an orc that reached Immortality in the Vulcanian region, where he built his fortress in a deserted place.
This fortress act as a shelter and a place of rest for those who seek refuge from the wild and dangerous sourrondings.
Shaper-Durblaga gained Immortality in the Sphere of Energy, so he must have changed a great extension of land around his fortress (so now this area should not be very deserted or inhospitable).
I didn't explicitly place the fortress and the land of Durblaga (that possibly still exist and is inhabited by his clerics), mostly because I think that there are a lot of suitable places in the map.
Any idea about it?
Is this thing hand-drawn? I like how you've matched the style of the Master's Set. This map is very useful to me. I have always been confused on where the various canonical settlements on Davania were.
Some thoughts:
Durblaga's fortress - How about locating it near the land of Titans? I'd place it within that land, in a vulcanic region, perhaps between Snarta and the Land of Titans.
Note that Durblaga's back story also suggests that there should be a greater orc settlement in the area as well. Perhaps south of Durblaga's realm?
Green Bay looks like it would make an interesting region for a campaign. One could involve both the Nagpa and the N'Djawata. IIRC the N'Dhawata were a mix of Ogres and elves. Wouldn't it be likely that one would also find Ogre settlements nearby? Granted, the mixing of the races was a requirement for both to survive, but that some may have chosen instead to flee across the mountains would make sense.
I notice that you have marked humanoids in the mountains to the west, but I still think it would make a case for a separate Ogre kingdom.
From Bruce's comments I got the impression that the Horrible Monsters was based on the idea of having Giant Robots vs. Giant Monsters if you used it in combination with the Land of Titans. Perhaps this could be another clue of the wherabouts of the Wizard Gargantua? If not, Hook Horrors and Umberhulks could be an idea. Or perhaps a connection to the Dimension of Nightmare?
Lower Arypt: Wasn't Arypt the center of the Milenian Empire? Could this suggest that remnants of Milennia (in some form or other) still live on in this region?
Oh yeah, shouldn't the Giant Sloths get their own region next to the Savage Elves?
Great work!
Havard
Is this thing hand-drawn? I like how you've matched the style of the Master's Set.
Yes it is. It is based from the Master's Set map, but I added as much detail as possible taken from the rest of the canonic material.
This map is part of a global map of Mystara I'm drawing for general purposes. It should be finished in a short time, I hope ;)
Durblaga's fortress - How about locating it near the land of Titans? I'd place it within that land, in a vulcanic region, perhaps between Snarta and the Land of Titans.
I also like the idea of placing Durblaga's realm somewhere in the plains. Supposing that the sourroundings of the fortress are now modified by Durblaga's quest, we may locate it north of the Vulcanian Line, possibly in a non frozen area (maybe north of the word "Line" in the map?)
Note that Durblaga's back story also suggests that there should be a greater orc settlement in the area as well. Perhaps south of Durblaga's realm?
Thank you! I missed this info. Maybe this will help to locate Durblaga's realm in the plains, the mountains being occupied by orcs.
Wouldn't it be likely that one would also find Ogre settlements nearby? Granted, the mixing of the races was a requirement for both to survive, but that some may have chosen instead to flee across the mountains would make sense...
I notice that you have marked humanoids in the mountains to the west, but I still think it would make a case for a separate Ogre kingdom.
Yes, I think that it would be nice to add it to the map, near to the N'djatwaland western border.
I used the generic tag "humanoids" because in VotPA the races are not specified. Possibly the Ice Peaks are populated by many different humanoid tribes.
From Bruce's comments I got the impression that the Horrible Monsters was based on the idea of having Giant Robots vs. Giant Monsters if you used it in combination with the Land of Titans. Perhaps this could be another clue of the wherabouts of the Wizard Gargantua? If not, Hook Horrors and Umberhulks could be an idea. Or perhaps a connection to the Dimension of Nightmare?
I also got the same impression. The Lost Valley would be a very good place to locate Gargantua's lair (somewhere near Norwold is my other choice): I like this idea. IIRC Durblaga was an apprentice of a powerful magic user. Even if this mage was not Gargantua himself, we have to think that the Vulcanian region has some sort of magical tradition, so it would be an interesting place for a mage to build its tower...
Lower Arypt: Wasn't Arypt the center of the Milenian Empire? Could this suggest that remnants of Milennia (in some form or other) still live on in this region?
From the migration map of the HW set we read the tag "Milenians" just north of the "Southern Aryptian Desert" writing on my map. This tag refers to the Milenian migration that will lead to the Varellyans, so the true center of the Milenian power should be located elsewhere. From PWAIII it is possible to deduce that the original settlements of the fleeing Traldars on Davania were located somewhere between the Desolate Hills and the Manacapuru tribal lands (se PWAII map for details).
I tend to locate the center of the Milenian Empire in this region (Manacapuru and the like), the area north of the Southern Aryptian Desert being something like a border province. Even the fact that Vanya decided to place her mortal tomb there seems to confirm this theory: she possibly would have built her grave not too close to the very center of power of her hated enemies.
Anyway, I don't know if the Southern Arypt was ever part of the Milenian Empire. An interesting note is the fact that the Snartan capital city is built as a harbor, with two mechanized galleys that act as secondary aggressors against other earthshakers. This "style" suggest that the Snartans (who in origin were merchants) built a seafaring culture before being assimilated by their own odd philosophy.
Considering that the shortest route from Vulcania to southern Milenia (the southern border provinces) will coast the southern Arypt and Varellya we may think that the original culture of the Snartans was built along the northern Vulcanian coast (possibly were the tag "Ice Gnome Colony" is). Maybe the proto-Snartans built some colonies/trade offices along the Southern Arypt coast (possibly on the three small islands) and conduced trade with the Varellyans (thus better explaining the ancient wealth of this kingdom).
Oh yeah, shouldn't the Giant Sloths get their own region next to the Savage Elves?
Yes, they should. I wanted to mention just the intelligent races and I forgot that also the Vulcanian Sloth is an intelligent race. I would place them south of the savage ice elves.
Travis
Havard
I would really like to see a LoZompatore-style map of the rest of Davania. Michele, are you up for it?
It would be interesting to see the extent of the Milennian Empire at its peak for instance...
Havard
I would really like to see a LoZompatore-style map of the rest of Davania. Michele, are you up for it?
The answer is "yes" about the whole Davania's map. For the full map of Mystara you 'll have to wait a little because a part of Skhotar is still unfinished.
It would be interesting to see the extent of the Milennian Empire at its peak for instance...
It seems you have read my mind, Havard. The map of Davania was intended especially to draw a scetch map of the supposed extension of the Milenian Empire... ;)
The answer is "yes" about the whole Davania's map. For the full map of Mystara you 'll have to wait a little because a part of Skhotar is still unfinished.
Excellent! A full Mystara map would be lovely, but I am willing to settle for a Davania map first ;)
It seems you have read my mind, Havard. The map of Davania was intended especially to draw a scetch map of the supposed extension of the Milenian Empire... ;)
It is one of the last great Mysteries of Mystara isn't it? Would you be looking at the size of the Hollow World Milennian Empire Map to estimate the extent of the outer world empire?
Havard
Thanks a million,
Roger
Would you be looking at the size of the Hollow World Milennian Empire Map to estimate the extent of the outer world empire?
That might be an idea. I have some clues about the extent of the original Empire in the Outer World, but comparing it with the HW one could give a good estimate of the power of the Milenians.
Anyway, before posting a map of the Milenian Empire, I would like to show you a couple of other issues that in my opinion are "propedeutical" to the description of the Milenian Empire. I hope to finish them as soon as possible ;)
Once you're finished with Skothar, would you mind too horribly if you posted an un-labelled version of the world map? It would be greatly appreciated...
Of couse I can post here an unlabelled full Mystara's map. I made it with the intent of being a kind of general map, useful for drawing terrains, labels and borders on it, without the level of detail of an hexed map.
Note: the full Mystara's map will be an enormous file. I'm thinking about the best way to show it on a forum. I don't think that a huge single map (say 10.000 x 5.000 pixels just to give you an idea of its order of magnitude) will be useful or handy. Maybe I'll split it in several subregions, with some explanations on how to merge (or cut) them with MS Paint if you need a "tailored" map for your needs. ;)
Just a few more ideas,
Roger
That might be an idea. I have some clues about the extent of the original Empire in the Outer World, but comparing it with the HW one could give a good estimate of the power of the Milenians.
Anyway, before posting a map of the Milenian Empire, I would like to show you a couple of other issues that in my opinion are "propedeutical" to the description of the Milenian Empire. I hope to finish them as soon as possible ;)
I have no idea what propedeutical means, but I'm looking forward to seeing what you're working on!
As for a complete map, I have no problems getting each part separately, and then gluing them together myself.
Roger, for a unmarked map, why not just use this one ?
http://www.pandius.com/master-outer-world.png
Havard
Roger, for a unmarked map, why not just use this one ?
http://www.pandius.com/master-outer-world.png
Size and area labels, mostly. Also the Master map lacks any terrain beyond mountains. I intend to use and reuse it for Player maps, with different bits of true & false information on it. Shrinking an over-sized map to show less detail is no problem, but blowing up a smaller map to show greater detail is a bit problematic, which is why I would prefer a single large map.
However, if it is too much of a hassle, I can deal with pasting the pieces together.
Roger
Here are some facts I managed to find:
Davanian Races
Hinterlanders
Descendants of Antalian slaves brought to these coasts by Nithians. Some of these moved back to the Known World, developing into Thyatians, Hattians and Kerendans.
Emerondians
Descendants of Pyrithian Space Pirates.
Kastelios
Has contact with Yavdlom.
Garganin
Founded by Huleans
Ilioloosti
Who lives here?
Adakkian Mountains
Home of various humanoids.
Meghala Kimata Grasslands
Centaurs live on these fields as do Barbarian descendants of the Milennians.
Meghales Amosses Desert
Human and humanoid races
Mancapuru
Bronze skinned humans worshipping Snake-like Immortals (Atzanteotl, Demogorgon, Ka?)
Bogdashkan
Jungle Orcs. Related to the Kara-Kara?
Amalur
On the western coats, just north of the Strait of Izonda. An advanced race of Lizardmen live here with Trogolodyte slaves.
Yasuko
Primitive humans believed to be related to Ochaleans.
Demihumans
The AC1012 Almanac Entry says that section of Davania is home to ca 2 million humans and demihumans as well as an unknown number of humanoids. AFAIK Demihumans refers to Halflings, elves and Dwarves. This means that at least some of these races have a presence here. Halflings are said to have travelled from the tip of the Davanian coast across to the Known World. They may likely have left a settlement in that area (now part of the Thyatian hinterlands). Are Dwarves and elves found here as well?
Oltec and Azcans
These groups lived here historically and their descendants likely still do so. Both in the Jungle Coast, the Meghala Kimata Grasslands and in the Meghales Amosses Desert.
Garganin
Founded by Huleans
Not positive, but I think there's more on this in CoM (specifically, I recall reading somewhere that Hule has lost contact with its Davanian colonies, but I'm not sure where I read that.)
Are Dwarves and elves found here as well?
For similar reasons to the halflings, I could see elves from the southern migrations in the region. Both the halflings and the elves would/should likely have developed in very different ways from their Brunian relatives, I'd imagine (the halflings in particular).
Dwarves I could only see as immigrants who came with Thyatian colonial expeditions, personally. They're not generally all that disposed to sea travel. (That said, it might be interesting to have some dwarves who are descendants of Old Blackmoor dwarves living in the region, or perhaps some Ochalean "korobokuru" like dwarves.)
Not positive, but I think there's more on this in CoM (specifically, I recall reading somewhere that Hule has lost contact with its Davanian colonies, but I'm not sure where I read that.)
I haven't checked CoM, but the Almanac also confirms this.
For similar reasons to the halflings, I could see elves from the southern migrations in the region. Both the halflings and the elves would/should likely have developed in very different ways from their Brunian relatives, I'd imagine (the halflings in particular).
Would be interesting. I could also see some Pygme-like Halflings in the Meghales Amosses Desert, but there is no canon evidence to support this beyond the fact that there most likely are Hin in the region.
Did anything ever come out of the theory that the Belcadiz at one point moved back to Davania or was that discarded?
Dwarves I could only see as immigrants who came with Thyatian colonial expeditions, personally. They're not generally all that disposed to sea travel. (That said, it might be interesting to have some dwarves who are descendants of Old Blackmoor dwarves living in the region, or perhaps some Ochalean "korobokuru" like dwarves.)
I would have liked to see Dwarves migrate to Davania at an earlier point. Blackmoor Dwarves or the Ochalean theory are both possible. Perhaps the Adakkian Mountains could have some dwarves, but my impression is that they are mostly populated by evil humanoids.
Oh yeah...for a migrations thing for the map: It makes sense to have some Milennians migrate across Davania to Pelatan. I'd imagine the Amazons of the Matriarchy of Pelatan would be related to the Milennians.
Havard
I would have liked to see Dwarves migrate to Davania at an earlier point. Blackmoor Dwarves or the Ochalean theory are both possible.
Maybe at a point when the Serpent Peninsula was still connecting the two landmasses?
Perhaps the Adakkian Mountains could have some dwarves, but my impression is that they are mostly populated by evil humanoids.
That is still a really large area- much larger than Rockhome, so plenty of room to place just about anything.
Oh yeah...for a migrations thing for the map: It makes sense to have some Milennians migrate across Davania to Pelatan. I'd imagine the Amazons of the Matriarchy of Pelatan would be related to the Milennians.
Good idea- maybe followers of Diulanna? Or perhaps a female trinity of Diulanna, Vanya, and perhaps Djaea or Terra?
Hmm...
Terra: Patroness of Fertility
Diulanna: Patroness of Will
Vanya: Patroness of War
(Actually, I think Madarua would be a good choice, too, although she's allegedly- per WotI- not followed too much outside of Cynidicea. I see Marco agrees with this choice in his writeup of her, though.)
Maybe replace Vanya with Madarua then (Vanya's overused anyway, although she's a good fit for anything related to Milenians).
As for villainous Immortals in the Pelatan pantheon- perhaps Nyx would be one. Also, I like Rathanos- the chauvinist- as a reviled immortal to the women, which could mean that they dislike fire. Hm... how might that impact their culture?
Maybe at a point when the Serpent Peninsula was still connecting the two landmasses?
Nice one!
According to PWAIII there are Dwarven colonies in the Black Mountains. Perhaps Dwarves from that region could have made it across to Davania at some point? I always assumed that these Dwarves had arrived at the Black Mountains after the Glantri Gold Rush, but...
That is still a really large area- much larger than Rockhome, so plenty of room to place just about anything.
True! I like the idea of having some Dwarves here. Maybe with some kind of African-inspired culture.
Good idea- maybe followers of Diulanna? Or perhaps a female trinity of Diulanna, Vanya, and perhaps Djaea or Terra?
Hmm...
Terra: Patroness of Fertility
Diulanna: Patroness of Will
Vanya: Patroness of War
(Actually, I think Madarua would be a good choice, too, although she's allegedly- per WotI- not followed too much outside of Cynidicea. I see Marco agrees with this choice in his writeup of her, though.)
Maybe replace Vanya with Madarua then (Vanya's overused anyway, although she's a good fit for anything related to Milenians).
As for villainous Immortals in the Pelatan pantheon- perhaps Nyx would be one. Also, I like Rathanos- the chauvinist- as a reviled immortal to the women, which could mean that they dislike fire. Hm... how might that impact their culture?
I like all of this! Good point about Vanya being overused. Diulanna already has some connection to Davania IIRC, and I like Madarua getting some fresh air.
A disliking of fire is interesting. They would still need to use fire ofcourse, but perhaps it is ritualized somehow. Ofcourse even in RW Western culture fire is associated with Hell, so maybe we would see some similar concepts here?
Another note about the Milennian Empire in the Outer World. It seems to me like at some point, the entire part of Davania shown on p20 in PWAIII was covered by the Milennian Empire. Their heartlands were the Meghala Kimata plains though, and their control over the Jungle seems to have been shifting. Those regions were inhabited by Hinterlanders, Oltecs- and Azcan- descended tribes even at that time.
The city state of Kastelios is a modern day remnant of the Milennians. The Almanac hints at there being more city state type civilizations near that coast. This meshes very well with some concepts Geoff Gander and I were discussing about Greek-style Halfling City states along the Adakkian Sound.
Havard
Nice one!
According to PWAIII there are Dwarven colonies in the Black Mountains. Perhaps Dwarves from that region could have made it across to Davania at some point? I always assumed that these Dwarves had arrived at the Black Mountains after the Glantri Gold Rush, but...
True! I like the idea of having some Dwarves here. Maybe with some kind of African-inspired culture.
eh.
I prefer dwarves as dwarves--beer swilling, long bearded, tenaciously reactionary, grudge-holding, midget miners.
It's funnier that way too... no matter where the PCs show up, whether it be in some tribal environment, a forgotten desert, wherever, the resident clan of dwarves is exactly like every other clan of dwarves anywhere else.
Did anything ever come out of the theory that the Belcadiz at one point moved back to Davania or was that discarded?
Funny that you asked, I'm just working with Giampaolo on that idea
I guess we'll be posting it very soon at here ;)