Welcome to the Archipelago known as the Realm of Islandia. Separated from the Known World by strange water currents, it is not a realm of great kingdoms. Feudal lords rule their vassals with an iron hand as they live in constant fears of Northman raiders, Slavers, Hobgoblins, Human sacrificing Orcs and worse things that inhabit these islands. Rumour has it that the Necromancers of the Brotherhood of the Bolt have returned and the just folk of Wentworth are preparing for the worst. Only in the village of Hareth young men seek out to confront the injustices of the land. Magic is weak in these lands. In Islandia, men trust steel more than magic. And it is with steel that the realm shall be cleansed of its evils.
The Map
The map is really a product of guesswork, although some of it may be said to be educated guesses. John Wheeler based his Islandia Campaign setting map on a map of the Appalachians in Maine in the USA with a raised water level. While I have never seen the original map, I recreated this map based on roughly the same principles.
Havard
Locations
Dragon’s Lake: Legends tell of a dragon who sleeps beneath this lake. (Based on a Vapourware product)
Geyser’s Pass: A dangerouns pass where steaming hot water sometimes shoots from the ground. (From Places of Mystert IV)
Grunder’s Gorge: Dangers lurk in this stone Gorge. (From Places of Mystery IV)
Hareth: A village on the coast of Wentworth Island under the protection of Mayor Arpin. Although the village is peaceful, it is surrounded by From the module Curse of Hareth.
Slaver’s Island: From the module Street of Gems
Slaver’s Port: From the module Street of Gems
Wentworth Castle: Surrounded by the town of Wentsworth, this is the home of the Baron himself.
Wentworth, Barony of: The Baron of Wentsworth is one of the most powerful human lords of Islandia. (Introduced in the module Plague of Terror)
Treewarden’s Isle: A forest realm (From Places of Mystery IV)
Orc Lord’s Castle: Center of the kingdom of the Man-sacrficing Orcs. (From Sarcirfices of the Orc Lord – Vapourware)
Temple of the Bolt: This is the headquarters of the Brotherhood of the Bolt. They are an order of lightning worshipping Necromancers. They have been known to summon Bolt Wraiths (a.k.a. Evil Black Floaties) and other undead monstrosities. (From Brotherhood of the Bolt)
Location on Mystara
Islandia’s connection to Mystara belongs in the realm of the apocrypha. Although TSR decided that Islandia should be incorporated into the D&D game, Bruce Heard has said that he never wanted Islandia to be part of the setting as he felt it was too different from how he envisioned Mystara. The official information on Islandia said that it was separated from the D&D setting (i.e. the Known World) by strange sea currents. Islandia could be a sort of Bermuda Triangle of Mystara. One possible location could be the Eastern Sea of Dread, south west of Thyatis, east of the Isle of Dawn. If so, it is likely a failed Thyatian colony. The Hollow World could also be a possible location for the setting. If so, the Hagvar Islands is a possible location. The Islandia culture could have been an offshoot of Milennian culture from the Sea of Dread which was later brought into the Hollow World. Magic is weaker in Islandia and that fits with the properties of the Hollow World.
Here is the official research Shane did on Islandia:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=682073
H.
*Bump* No love for Islandia?
I agree with Bruce on this one :P
Also, is once more too "generic fantasy" style for my tastes...
GP
I agree with Bruce on this one :P
Also, is once more too "generic fantasy" style for my tastes...
Not really trying to convince you on this GP given your previous statements on Apocrypha Mystara sources in general, but here is an idea that takes some of your criticism into account trying to make the setting more Mystaran and less generic.
Islandia of the Alatians:
In the days of Nithia, the lands south of the Empire, covering today's Karameikos and Thyatis were inhabited by people currently referred to as the Traldar. The western part of those lands soon fell under the influence of the Hutaakans. However, the eastern parts, as well as some more western coastal villages were more independent and gave rise to a more seafaring culture. It was these Seafaring Traldar who eventually gave birth to King Milen who lead his tribe across the Sea of Dread and founded the Milennian Empire. Another group had by then began exploring the seas to the east. They were known as Mineans. Some of them made it as far as Skothar and became the ancestors of modern day Mineans. Others settled in the islands south of the Isle of Dawn. As the Pearl Islands were already being settled at this time by dark skinned Tangor from Skothar, the Traldar settled on the at that time uninhabited Alatian Islands. Here, they fouded a unique culture known as the Islandian Traldar.
The Islandian Traldar ran into conflicts with humanoids of the region, and were also occationally troubled by Jannifey and Northern Reaches raiders from the north. They enjoyed some trade with the Nithian Thothia colonies and acquired from them rather quickly knowledge of use of iron and construction, building impressive castles. But forces of darkness were also present in these lands. Brought over, perhaps also from the Nithians were ideas of Entropy, leading to dark cults such as the Brotherhood of the Bolt. Slavery was also common on the islands, and even the more sympathetic rulers brought their subjects into harsh serfdom.
War and strife would have it that the Islandian Traldar civilization would not last long. A few centuries after the Alphatian Landfall, there was little left of this culture. The islands were overran with settlers from Alphatia. These were Alphatian lacking magical ability and seeking new opportunities outside that magic dominated Empire. In AC 730 the Alphatian Emperor began his beautification process of the region, forcibly removing the population of the islands to make room for his own eccentric projects.
The Islandia culture was now completely destroyed. But Immortals such as Minroth, Korotiku and Ka worked together to transplant those left of these individuals into the Hollow World. Here, they were relocated to the Wintillan Island chain. Little remains on the outer world of the Islandia Civilization, but occationally, creatures known as Bolt Wraiths (or Evil Black Floaties), undead creatures once created by the Brotherhood of the Bolt, appear near ancient and now forgotten ruins, like those of Wentworth Castle on Aegos...
Edit: Here is a quick map for that version:
Havard
Not really trying to convince you on this GP given your previous statements on Apocrypha Mystara sources in general, but here is an idea that takes some of your criticism into account trying to make the setting more Mystaran and less generic.
But it is a good attempt. Still, I'd find Wentworth a tad too british a name to go with a Traldar (or Minaean) settlement.
Also, the uniqueness of the Islandian Traldar culture needs to be specified -- i.e., what makes it unique w.r.t. the Traldar, Milenian or Minaean cultures?
Finally, Orcs in 1000 BC could hardly have reached the Alatians -- unless they actually were not the same Orcs as those of the Broken Lands, but rather the Kara-Kara or maybe some offshot of the Ochalean Ogre Magi (either option, BTW, would contribute to make them less generic).
Give it some additional touch up, such as changing generic names (Slaver's Island, Orc Lord's Castle, Dragon's Lake) into culture-specific ones (translating to Greek could be a start -- e.g., Statarion instead of Slaver's Port), and you're done... except the original setting would be almost unrecognizable :P
But it is a good attempt. Still, I'd find Wentworth a tad too british a name to go with a Traldar (or Minaean) settlement.
Agreed. I used it in this version since it is one of the few official names I have managed to find from the original setting. It would be interesting to look at its etymology and perhaps find some Greek equivalent...
Or maybe just turn it into something Greek-sounding like Ventavaros?
Also, the uniqueness of the Islandian Traldar culture needs to be specified -- i.e., what makes it unique w.r.t. the Traldar, Milenian or Minaean cultures?
Good question. We know that the original setting is strongly feudal. We want to make it more Greek-like, but perhaps not based on slavery and not organized as city states. Maybe something similar to Alexander's Macedonia?
They would also be a seafaring culture which goes well with the Greek feel, but which is not a central element of the Traldar or the Milenians (though likely the Mineans).
I'm also interested in what Immortals these Islandians would follow. I used Minroth, Korotiku and Ka as those likely to have transported them into the Hollow World. Perhaps Minroth could have been active also at an earlier point?
Finally, Orcs in 1000 BC could hardly have reached the Alatians -- unless they actually were not the same Orcs as those of the Broken Lands, but rather the Kara-Kara or maybe some offshot of the Ochalean Ogre Magi (either option, BTW, would contribute to make them less generic).
These are good ideas! When I started looking into Islandia, I got the impression that it was mainly using Hobgoblins as enemies, but was disappointed to find the mentioning of Orcs. I like using the Kara-Kara (how long have they been around?). Human sacrifices is one key element of the Islandia campaign, so these Kara-Kara should be very interested in such acitvities (nice guys indeed).
Give it some additional touch up, such as changing generic names (Slaver's Island, Orc Lord's Castle, Dragon's Lake) into culture-specific ones (translating to Greek could be a start -- e.g., Statarion instead of Slaver's Port), and you're done... except the original setting would be almost unrecognizable :P
Note that the Generic names are mine. I based them on adventure locations from the Islandia modules. I agree that they should be replaced by some more appropriate names. I like Statarion for a start!
Does anyone have other ideas for Greek sounding names for those other locations?
Havard
Agreed. I used it in this version since it is one of the few official names I have managed to find from the original setting. It would be interesting to look at its etymology and perhaps find some Greek equivalent...
I did a quick search. Wentworth should mean "a worth (enclosure, farm) built on the river Went (Winwaed)".
Good question. We know that the original setting is strongly feudal. We want to make it more Greek-like, but perhaps not based on slavery and not organized as city states. Maybe something similar to Alexander's Macedonia?
Well... not based on slavery... but what about a "slaver's island" if the setting is not based on slaves?
OTOH, while true feudalism existed only in the middle ages, similar traits existed in homeric Greece and indeed in Macedonia (though that is probably too modern for 1000 BC?)
I'm also interested in what Immortals these Islandians would follow. I used Minroth, Korotiku and Ka as those likely to have transported them into the Hollow World. Perhaps Minroth could have been active also at an earlier point?
I don't know. Minroth seems a bit too young -- he was a mortal, and not yet along his path to Immortality -- in 1100 BC.
Since these are early Traldar, we should probably pick among the Tarsian Twelve. Korotiku could have taken an interest, though.
These are good ideas! When I started looking into Islandia, I got the impression that it was mainly using Hobgoblins as enemies, but was disappointed to find the mentioning of Orcs. I like using the Kara-Kara (how long have they been around?). Human sacrifices is one key element of the Islandia campaign, so these Kara-Kara should be very interested in such acitvities (nice guys indeed).
Thanks. Regarding the Kara-Kara, I don't remember when they popped up -- we should check X8.
Anyway, these goblinoids should be taken into account in a more general theory of goblinoid presence in unexplained/impossible regions/times, including the Ogre Magi in Ochalea as well as the ogres in Davania pre-GRoF.
Note that the Generic names are mine. I based them on adventure locations from the Islandia modules. I agree that they should be replaced by some more appropriate names. I like Statarion for a start!
Thanks. I'll look for some more names later.
I did a quick search. Wentworth should mean "a worth (enclosure, farm) built on the river Went (Winwaed)".
Awesome. I tried the same, but failed. I guess your google fu is better than mine
Well... not based on slavery... but what about a "slaver's island" if the setting is not based on slaves?
OTOH, while true feudalism existed only in the middle ages, similar traits existed in homeric Greece and indeed in Macedonia (though that is probably too modern for 1000 BC?)
What I meant was that the slavers of Slaver's Island are outsiders, so I was thinking that would mean that the main "Islandia Culture" did not have slaves. When I think about it though, it doesn't have to. Slaves could still be used by the main group, while the Slavers of Slaver's Island are raiders, capturing freemen and selling them off to Thothia and others.
I don't know. Minroth seems a bit too young -- he was a mortal, and not yet along his path to Immortality -- in 1100 BC.
Since these are early Traldar, we should probably pick among the Tarsian Twelve. Korotiku could have taken an interest, though.
Agreed. Lets stick to the Tarsian Twelve.
Thanks. Regarding the Kara-Kara, I don't remember when they popped up -- we should check X8.
Anyway, these goblinoids should be taken into account in a more general theory of goblinoid presence in unexplained/impossible regions/times, including the Ogre Magi in Ochalea as well as the ogres in Davania pre-GRoF.
Well, we could figure something out. I am wondering though, if there could not be a migration of beastmen having been driven towards Proto-Alphatia by the Blackmoorians who later could have made the route towards the Isle of Dawn and the Alatians. This is all pure speculation though.
Or perhaps something related to the Aranea of the Isle of Dawn?
Or Gnolls being brought over by the Thothians?
Thanks. I'll look for some more names later.
Cool
Havard
What I meant was that the slavers of Slaver's Island are outsiders, so I was thinking that would mean that the main "Islandia Culture" did not have slaves. When I think about it though, it doesn't have to. Slaves could still be used by the main group, while the Slavers of Slaver's Island are raiders, capturing freemen and selling them off to Thothia and others.
Still, this either means that the Islandia culture is not strong enough to push the slavers away, and are victims of the slave trade, or that they are clients of the slavers.
In the first case, the Islandia are likely to be divided, with a lot of infighting going on -- otherwise the slavers would be in a difficult position.
Agreed. Lets stick to the Tarsian Twelve.
Then Protius might be a prominent figure in the pantheon.
Well, we could figure something out. I am wondering though, if there could not be a migration of beastmen having been driven towards Proto-Alphatia by the Blackmoorians who later could have made the route towards the Isle of Dawn and the Alatians. This is all pure speculation though.
Or perhaps something related to the Aranea of the Isle of Dawn?
Or Gnolls being brought over by the Thothians?
We should probably take into account Geoff's work on the Isles of Steam as well:
http://pandius.com/steam.html
Does anyone have other ideas for Greek sounding names for those other locations?
Drakontolimne = Dragon's Lake (actually, more dragon's mere, but ancient Greek had few words to describe bodies of water)
Knodalion = Orc Lord's Castle (actually, Beast's castle, with "castle" implicit, since "Orc" cannot be translated, and we still need to decide whether these are Kara-Kara or not).
BTW, reading Geoff's work on the Isles of Steam, he mentions some of elements that could be used also in the Alatians (e.g., Mugumba mud-dwellers, who are found in Yavdlom).
Still, this either means that the Islandia culture is not strong enough to push the slavers away, and are victims of the slave trade, or that they are clients of the slavers.
In the first case, the Islandia are likely to be divided, with a lot of infighting going on -- otherwise the slavers would be in a difficult position.
All of this makes sense to me. I could easily see the rulers of Islandia being divided. IIRC John Wheeler intentionally kept big scale politics vague in his campaign. Slavers could prey upon this, and easily play sides up against eachother and profit on all of them.
Then Protius might be a prominent figure in the pantheon.
Makes sense. The sea and sailing would have an important role in the mythology. At the same time, I think the Islandians would have a rather grim look at religion. Sacrifices and rituals might be common even among humans even if human sacrifices are reserved for the evil cults and monsters.
We should probably take into account Geoff's work on the Isles of Steam as well:
http://pandius.com/steam.html
I only looked at it briefly, but seems like it could easily be included. Mud dwellers and Kara Kara would fit well IMO.
Havard
Drakontolimne = Dragon's Lake (actually, more dragon's mere, but ancient Greek had few words to describe bodies of water)
Knodalion = Orc Lord's Castle (actually, Beast's castle, with "castle" implicit, since "Orc" cannot be translated, and we still need to decide whether these are Kara-Kara or not).
Great names! I'm out travelling this week, but once I get home I can produce a revised version of the second map with the new names included.
Havard
Makes sense. The sea and sailing would have an important role in the mythology. At the same time, I think the Islandians would have a rather grim look at religion. Sacrifices and rituals might be common even among humans even if human sacrifices are reserved for the evil cults and monsters.
There might be some Taymoran legacy at work here.
I only looked at it briefly, but seems like it could easily be included. Mud dwellers and Kara Kara would fit well IMO.
This opens up two interesting side questions:
1) The origin and diffusion of M-polinesian cultures
2) The origin and diffusion of the Mud-dwellers
Let's start with the first issue.
The westernmost M-Austronesians (the largest linguistic group that includes the polinesians) are the Makai (M-Hawaian, most likely). Moving eastward we find the Kara-Kara (M-Maori?), then the Rimau and Harimau-Belang (M-Indonesian Rakasta) in the Tangor Bay region.
The Kara-Kara of the Isles of Steam expand the area further, with the Umba-Kara settled midway between the two Kara-Kara groups.
The Rakasta moved from Cestia or some neighbouring region north-east towards Skothar (and possibly north to Ochalea). They might have influenced the Kara-Kara culture, as well as other human or non-human cultures along their route.
The Makai arrived from the north, and most likely picked up an existing culture from some other ethnic group (either Rakasta or human).
Successive migrations (especially the Lupins, Thyatians, and Tanagoro) covered up the tracks of whatever M-Austronesian cultures were left in the Sea of Dread.
It is also possible that the two cultures of the Isle of Dread exemplify this effect, with the more recent seven villages being Tanagoro settlements, and the older (and dying) culture of the caldera being an M-Austronesian remnant.
Havard
Doing some research for Davania, I noticed the Bodgaskan Jungle Orcs on the northern Davanian coast. They could also perhaps have some connection to the Kara-Kara?
Maybe, though the language seems different.
Maybe, though the language seems different.
Could the name Bogdashkan have been given them by one of the other groups in the region, with them only referring to themselves as Kara-Kara (or some dialectical variant thereof)?
Don't have my copy of X8 available at the moment, but wasn't there a specific meaning given in that module for the name Kara-Kara (probably something to do with pigs)? If the tribal orcs of Davania had a different cultural model (say, reptiles or something), they'd probably call themselves something different.
(Quick bit of online looking around and the nearest I can come to "Bogdashkan" is something akin to Uzbek... which would make for some interesting hypothesizing about the origins of these orcs, if we were to go along those lines. Offhand, perhaps some sort of ties to Hule, maybe, under the Hule as semi-Persian notion. Perhaps the Bogdashkans, then, arrived with the Garganins but later branched off/were driven out or something, and reverted to more tribal ways? Perhaps living near the coasts they have contacts with their kara-kara "cousins"?)
Could the name Bogdashkan have been given them by one of the other groups in the region, with them only referring to themselves as Kara-Kara (or some dialectical variant thereof)?
...
Perhaps the Bogdashkans, then, arrived with the Garganins but later branched off/were driven out or something, and reverted to more tribal ways? Perhaps living near the coasts they have contacts with their kara-kara "cousins"?)
I find this option likely. Since Garganin is quite far from the Bogdashkan lands, it is more likely that the Bogdashkan were originally from Hule, and left Garganin for some reason, while the other option (that they were Kara-Kara who got the Bogdashkan name from the people of Garganin) is somewhat less plausible.
I find this option likely. Since Garganin is quite far from the Bogdashkan lands, it is more likely that the Bogdashkan were originally from Hule, and left Garganin for some reason, while the other option (that they were Kara-Kara who got the Bogdashkan name from the people of Garganin) is somewhat less plausible.
The name bears some resemblance to Bozdogan. Maybe there is a link there?
I guess the Hulean link needs to be further examined then!
Havard
Roger
Is it just me, or have the topics of conversation between this thread and the Davania thread seem to be converging? *hint hint, wink wink*
Roger
Hehe
Yeah, I think this thread was really the reason why I started the Davania thread as an outlet for some of those ideas that didn't really have much to do with Islandia. Let's see if we can get this thread back on track then
Havard
Brotherhood of the Bolt: Kestrou Phratria.
Temple of the Bolt: Kestreion.