At the same time I've been reading A Game of Thrones and watching some TV programmes set around Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. One of the things that I find missing from the known world is the nobility interrelations between countries. I think this is an effect of the countries being such different cultures. One thought I had was since I'm lukewarm on Minrothad and Ierendi is to turn the island nations into places which have more cultural links to Thyatis/Karameikos. Perhaps with some of their Barons looking to marry into the Duke's family leading to all sorts of shennanigans.
Also I'm thinking of toning down the Black Eagle Baron's overt evilness, and perhaps making the Five Shires a bit more nasty (hey, they have pirates after all!) to make things a bit greyer...
Any thoughts or ideas?
I agree with your observations on how Mystara lacks the international connections between nobles and the like. It is something that hasa bothered me as well.
One immediate thought that lept to my mind was to set your campaign after WotI. That would take care of the Black Eagle Barony being less of a problem. You could still have whoever takes over the Barony be a little shady.
For Thyatis/Karameikos links, I have used the concept of the Iron Ring having many connections with Hattian nobility. Machetos will have many links to the Karameikan nobles as well. I could definately see Minrothad's Merchant Princess being considered nobility if not actually being so, and marriage being seen as acceptable among ruling classes between these countries. Darokin also has old Nobilty among their ranks, and having blue blooded ancestors could be what it takes to qualify for marriage to the Karameikans.
I could see turning Ierendi into more of a standard Island Kingdom. The Realms reputation of being a realm of Pirates could be explained by their heavy use of privateers and production of Letters of Marque. Tourism, King-tournaments and even Hawaii-style natives needs to be thrown out of the window. Keep the Druids and Fire mages though, they are wicked.
Havard
I'll need to reread my Gaz4 and 9, but yes, Holidays and Safari Island are no-no's, but fire mages are always fun! I seem to remember something about albino apes as well...
At the same time I've been reading A Game of Thrones and watching some TV programmes set around Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. One of the things that I find missing from the known world is the nobility interrelations between countries. I think this is an effect of the countries being such different cultures. One thought I had was since I'm lukewarm on Minrothad and Ierendi is to turn the island nations into places which have more cultural links to Thyatis/Karameikos. Perhaps with some of their Barons looking to marry into the Duke's family leading to all sorts of shennanigans.
Note that the Torenescu family at least is related to an Ebonov family of Minrothad (a family which, given the name, is probably of Traladaran origin), according to K:KoA.
Another known relation is that Duchess Olivia Prothemian is related to the imperial family -- though how exactly is left unsaid.
Also, the Karameikan royals are related to the Dukes of Kerendas, via Stefan's maternal grandmother Celia Kerendas.
The Korrigan family is fairly large, and might have other connections -- given their advantageous marriages into the Kerendas and Machetos (now Karameikos) lines.
The Von Hendricks family is underdetailed, but could well have connections with other Hattian families, including the von Hattias.
The Vorloi, Kelvin and Halaran families, as well as most lesser families, are new to nobility, so they might lack such connections (at least for now). It is known that Kelvin and Penhaligon are connected through the marriage of Alerena Kelvin with Kaerin Penhaligon in B12.
The Radu and Marilenev families are the best candidates for Minrothad and Ierendi marriages, IMO, given their long history and, especially for the Radu, their mercantile bent.
The Ierendi aristocratic families (totally undetailed in the GAZ) descend in part from Hattian rebels, but given the cold relation with Thyatis in modern times, they are probably related more with the Linton family of Darokin and possibly some Minrothad human clans.
GP
translated there. They were published in a RPG zine years ago.
The links are below. I'm not sure how useful they are to you, but
they include a couple of Minrothadian and Ierendian characters.
The Monolith adventure includes a possible diplomatic conflict
between Karameikos and Ierendi.
http://www.pandius.com/dye_adv.html
http://www.pandius.com/theomens.html
http://www.pandius.com/hunting.html
http://www.pandius.com/wavering.html
http://www.pandius.com/warconc.html
Monolith:
http://www.pandius.com/monolith.html
Great list of interrelationships agatholkes, I'll be scouring the list! And some adventures to read during my lunch break too! Thanks!1) Black Eagle indeed doesn't have to be so overtly or at least visibly evil. One chance to make it more interesting is to see it as an area where Traldar-Traladara-relations have remained volatile after the last rebellion (only 30 years ago in 1000AC, after all!). Thus perhaps some elements in the Thyatian nobility defend von Hendricks' policies on account of Traladaran extremism - which may be part of the picture. This would resonate with wider differences in policies across Karameikos, and further in Thyatia over questions like Hattia etc.
--> This would make Duke Stephan's ambiguos attitudes to Black Eagle much more interesting, as they would be tied to problems of communication, interpretation and politics.
--> If some elements of the canon GAZ history don't fit this, it doesn't matter. For example, I've always found that the idea of Black Eagle invasion of the Five Shires (mentioned in the Shires GAZ) fits very poorly with the situation as described in the Karameikos GAZ, and dumped it in my campaign.
--> One possibility is to use the name Halag instead of Black Eagle and Fort Doom. Or even better, create a dual nomenclature (Thyatian and Traladaran) for the whole area, which can be used in political struggles.
2) If you use the Thieves' Guild/Minrothad secret service as described in the GAZ, its presence in Karameikan ports is a good plot device. How is it related to the local organisations? Turf wars might add interesting dimensions for example to the adventures I mentioned earlier.
3) Minrothadian Privateers are another dimension which adds complexity to the picture. They are not privateers in the exact historical sense, as they don't act openly under a Minrothadian letter of marque. Instead, the whole Thieves' Guild (including the privateers) is secretly in cahoots with Oran Meditor. In addition to that, the Monrothadian privateers must constantly clash with the Five Shires comrades - or perhaps they have a fragile treaty?
--> Due to Minrothad port agents and their spy contacts the priveteers are an important influence in Karameikos. Perhaps their services are sold for political leverage?
4) Ulard Forster, leader of Verdier, has contacts on the mainland (he is hiring assassins and spies). This might be an interesting element?
Pirates fighting each other sounds fun too, with the government sponsored pirates doing better than the independents. I can imagine the Karameikans and Thyatians wanting an end to piracy and trying to get the other countries on board, even though they all support their own pirates!
Lots of good ideas there, thanks!
Thus when human countries try to put pressure on the Shires to curb halfling piracy, they may run into a wall of incomprehension. First of all, some halflings may not find the idea of "state responsibility" understandable at all. Secondly, those in power (the Sheriffs and the councils) may feign incomprehension due to the fact that the pirates are a fortunate addition to their defence. There may not exactly be a privateer-kind of relationship, but the halfling pirates themselves are likely to retain some of their cultural relationship to the land and its defence.
This is one thing to remember when fleshing out the Shires: the halflings have been here a long long time, since circa 1300 BC, and they have retained a strong oral (and perhaps textual) tradition and sense of their millenia of trials and tribulations: goblin raiders, orkish overlords, dwarven looters... Most of these events relate to times when humans in the neigbouring lands were fairly primitive and disorganised. This history of conflict is paired with the long era of tranquillity - practically due most of the modern history.
Other thoughts?
- What if von Hendricks indeed "invaded" the Shires a few years ago, but the event has been misrepresented? Perhaps it was a military expedition against Traladaran insurgents hiding across the border, supported by some halflings? What's interesting is that even in the GAZ description of Karameikos, Black Eagle is technically part of Karameikos - there is no history of open conflict with the central goverment, only its potential. So most likely the Sheriffs would have protested to Stephan Karameikos, whose situation in that case would be very difficult.
- Minrothad as described cannot be a haven for pirates, since all activity is controlled by the Privateers. What if you flesh out Ierendi by making it a state which turns a blind eye to regular pirates and facilitates pirate havens of all origins? A few Tortugas, with corrupt nobles who get a lot of extra revenue.
By the way, when you decide on the general scheme of the campaign,
perhaps you could write some material and send it to the Vaults?
The halfling pirates are an interesting faction here. The Five Shires aren't a state in the conventional sense of the word, and most likely the halfling relationship to the land, the clans and other countries may seem a bit alien to the surrounding humans.
Thus when human countries try to put pressure on the Shires to curb halfling piracy, they may run into a wall of incomprehension. First of all, some halflings may not find the idea of "state responsibility" understandable at all. Secondly, those in power (the Sheriffs and the councils) may feign incomprehension due to the fact that the pirates are a fortunate addition to their defence...
Excellent thoughts on the Shires, TC. I had never considered that the hin should view their 'nation' differently than humans do. But I think you are right that they should have a different concept of what a state/nation is. I forget that non-human races would likely, and really should, have attitudes and views that we as humans would find odd or strange.
I quite like the idea of the nations trying to deal with the hin as a group and finding it impossible to come to diplomatic agreements! Also they will probably get involved with fighting the humanoids that the Black Eagle Baron will end up using...
He's a nasty fellow, but not evil per se. When he first journeyed to Halag he was full of ideas of greatness. He didn't treat the locals with much respect, considering them backwards. The locals rebelled often, at one point coming close to killing the Baron. He responded by becoming more brutal - curfews came into effect, killing the families of known insurgents become common. As the conflict escalated various others joined in...
First was Bargle, a mage searching for power, but in particular an artifact known as the Eye of Traldar. Looking for a base of operations he chose Halag and become advisor to the Baron. Needing some support and minions of his own (as well as wanting to quell any trouble with the locals) he used his contacts with the Iron Ring and invited them into the Baron's inner circle. The Iron Ring pays the Baron well for the use of his port, and the Baron gets to send dissidents off into slavery. Bargle meanwhile has been recruiting local humanoid tribes, encouraging them to attack the humans outside of the Barony (particularly Luln). With the humanoids getting support from a powerful mage and with them becoming more organised the neighbouring halflings have become concerned and have started sending their own agents into the area.
Currently the Baron uses his own loyal troops, some mercenaries and the occasional agent of the Iron Ring to keep control. But if the halflings manage to help the resistance then Bargle may use his humanoids to attack the Five Shires leading to a bloody war with the Hin eventually attacking Halag and other nobles of Karameikos coming to the aid of the Baron (unless someone discovers his link to the humanoids!)
My current thinking about the Black Eagle Baron is this:
He's a nasty fellow, but not evil per se. When he first journeyed to Halag he was full of ideas of greatness. He didn't treat the locals with much respect, considering them backwards. The locals rebelled often, at one point coming close to killing the Baron. He responded by becoming more brutal - curfews came into effect, killing the families of known insurgents become common. As the conflict escalated various others joined in...
First was Bargle, a mage searching for power, but in particular an artifact known as the Eye of Traldar. Looking for a base of operations he chose Halag and become advisor to the Baron. Needing some support and minions of his own (as well as wanting to quell any trouble with the locals) he used his contacts with the Iron Ring and invited them into the Baron's inner circle. The Iron Ring pays the Baron well for the use of his port, and the Baron gets to send dissidents off into slavery. Bargle meanwhile has been recruiting local humanoid tribes, encouraging them to attack the humans outside of the Barony (particularly Luln). With the humanoids getting support from a powerful mage and with them becoming more organised the neighbouring halflings have become concerned and have started sending their own agents into the area.
Currently the Baron uses his own loyal troops, some mercenaries and the occasional agent of the Iron Ring to keep control. But if the halflings manage to help the resistance then Bargle may use his humanoids to attack the Five Shires leading to a bloody war with the Hin eventually attacking Halag and other nobles of Karameikos coming to the aid of the Baron (unless someone discovers his link to the humanoids!)
That's a great campaign hook that I might just borrow!
also with the central Karameikos in Specularum and other noble families.
Some additional thoughts:
- Have you thought about the precise reason why von Hendricks is encouraging humanoid attacks? Is it about creating trouble in order to come in and grap land behind the mask of legitimacy? Or is Sascia of Luln actively speaking against the Baron in the court, (so far) in vain trying to inform Staphan that all is not well in Halag?
- In those surroundings the Church of Traladara would most likely be operating under heavy control or even clandestinely. Perhaps von Henricks has attracted some militant Church or Karameikos missionaries, who are waging their own private campaign of proselytizing? Or perhaps the local Bishop of CoK is turning a blind eye to atrocities, and some elements in the church are trying to complain to the high patriarch?
- Are the Baron's own noble ranks unified? Do some of his underlings oppose the strict policies?
- In those surroundings the Church of Traladara would most likely be operating under heavy control or even clandestinely. Perhaps von Henricks has attracted some militant Church or Karameikos missionaries, who are waging their own private campaign of proselytizing? Or perhaps the local Bishop of CoK is turning a blind eye to atrocities, and some elements in the church are trying to complain to the high patriarch?
Note that the CoK derives from a branch of the Church of Thyatis, and most likely a branch were worship of Vanya is strong (the Order of the Griffon, Desmond Kelvin II and Alfric Oderbry seem to match that model). Von Hendricks is Hattian, and so are probably many of his followers. It is therefore possible that the CoK in Halag suffers from similar infiltration as the Vanya-ite Church of Thyatis in Hattia, with the Storm Soldiers.
BTW, if you look at Alfric Oderbry, you'll note that the ideology of his old teacher is likely Storm Soldier-inspired. It could well be that the CoK Bishop in Fort Doom is of the Oderbry branch of the church, and is covering up von Hendricks' activities.
This would fit also with the anti-Hin activities of the Baron, as Oderbry is known to be planning the conquest and forced conversion of the Hin (he has already sent missionary agents in the Five Shires, but is not getting results).
G.
In our main campaign I have modelled the Church of Karameikos
pretty much in the same way. I've written Olliver Jowett as a serious reformer
who wished to use the opportunity offered by Karameikan nation-building to forge the fragmented and corrupt Thyatian pantheon into a coherent church.
I've written the Church of Thyatis as a loose coalition of "cults" of different deities, some elements remaining more distinct and others merging. (There is a text I wrote on the subject somewhere in the MML archives, but I don't have time to dig it out. But the thread in general was very productive.)
Oderbry and many elements of the Order of Griffon however don't accept this religious program totally, and are especially wary of the incorporation of Traladaran deities into the dogma. In our campaign it was indeed Oderbry who channeled Storm Soldier-like ideas into CoK. Our thoughts really converged
on this! Sherlane on the other hand would represent the more tolerant line of Vanyaism. Perhaps his links are in the Order of the Grey Lady or the original Knights of Vanya (before the "Heldannic" heresy).
By the way, I mentioned Daniel Gioffre's Chronicles of Mystara (in the Vaults) on another recent thread here, but it is relevant to this case also. The description of Karameikan religious ambiguities is very well done indeed. For atmosphere, it is one of the best sources.
On slashnull's idea of hin agents: In our campaign we have a recurrent Hin Striker leader Nipa Greatheart who is in that precise role! It was nice how the old image of the brave hin rose to the surface upon reading your description. Thanks, the little guy has been dormant too long.
- Have you thought about the precise reason why von Hendricks is encouraging humanoid attacks?
My plan is that von Hendricks wont know about Bargles influence over the humanoids to start with - only when things become desperate with the Hin resistance will he learn of them. I consider von Hendricks to be a 'Humanist' (not in the good sense!) who would be reluctant to use orcs againsts humans (but not worried about using them against the hin!) Bargle is using them to weaken the humans outside of the Barony so that Halag looks like somewhere safe (no orcs attack it!). In fact it may encourage Stephan to grant the Baron licence to expand his domain to protect people as you say!
In those surroundings the Church of Traladara would most likely be operating under heavy control or even clandestinely.
I haven't thought about the churches too much yet, but I'd like von Hendricks to be part of the extremist church of Karameikos who deny the introduction of the Traladaran three into their faith (ignoring the fact that there has been a cult of Halav in Thyatis for many many years!) This would give him links to Kelven perhaps. Perhaps the local bishop turns a blind eye since he feels that conversion by the sword is the best way to go!
Are the Baron's own noble ranks unified? Do some of his underlings oppose the strict policies?
Excellent question!!! Does anyone know of any writeups of the Baron's ranks? Of his landed Knights etc?
gordon
properly in the GAZ. It is a quasi-feudal system, so the actual role of landed nobility is left a bit vague. For example: is the power to grant noble titles limited exclusively to Stephan or some section of the noble ranks? Most likely the latter. But then again, if one looks at the division of dominions, they all seem to be autonomous and directly under the central command.
I'd think that von Hendricks is likely to have a couple of landed knights who run the smaller settlements in Halag, and a small amount of Knights in his personal service. Real world medieval knights don't work as an exact analogue, though, due to the absence of serfdom and the relative sparsity of settlements. Karameikan armies are not formed by the feudal process (knight cavalry etc.), so knights are likely to function as outpost commanders, army unit leaders, personal advisors and guards etc.
In our campaign we have two other significant settlements in Halag. A harbour village Ludwigon (it's been renamed after the fall of Black Eagle in the Nomad War, but I forget the new Thyatian and the original Traladara names), and a logging community a bit to the south. The southern community was led by a dwarven knight who was one of the high masters of the Iron Ring. The harbour community was ruled by a Knight who was also a member of the Order of the Griffon. He had been isolated there by the Baron for having too lenient attitudes.
Hmmmm...getting a bit Bravehaertesque here: "All of you know full well, the great pains I have always taken never to be too strict, too rigid with the application of our laws, and as a consequence, have we not learned to live together in relative peace and harmony, huh? And this day's lawlessness is how you repay my leniency. Well you leave me with little choice. An assault on the Baron's soldiers is the same as an assault on the Baron himself."
Anyway, you could write up a couple of such small settlements with Landed Knight rulers working under the Baron, or at least under his supervision (depending on how you decide upon the general Karameikan power structure).
A new idea: The GAZ mentions settlement of Riverfork area as a possible adventure hook. This might add interesting further complications. And let's not forget the Callarii elves (whose society and government is regrettably vague), who as neighbours of Luln are likely to get involved! This might be an opportunity to shake that (a bit too neat) arrangement of a semi-autonomous elven society within Karameikos?
By the way, thanks for starting this thread. It's nice to get back to Karameikan thoughts. Our campaign has pillaged the country's dramatic
resources so thoroughly that I rarely have an opportunity to do anything
interesting there anymore. (I've written a campaign scheme called Division of the Five into the Vaults after some of those adventures. It's very interwoven, so most of the elements are story-specific, but perhaps there are some useful ideas.)
what an awesome thread this is!
Just a couple of thoughs:
Not that I know of. In any case the system of nobility isn't explicated
properly in the GAZ. It is a quasi-feudal system, so the actual role of landed nobility is left a bit vague. For example: is the power to grant noble titles limited exclusively to Stephan or some section of the noble ranks? Most likely the latter. But then again, if one looks at the division of dominions, they all seem to be autonomous and directly under the central command.
My impression is that Barons and the like have the authority to grant lesser titles of nobility (Landed Lords, Knights etc) in the name of the Arch Duke (King).
In any case the Black Eagle does pretty much what he wants. I like the idea of him having lesser Landed Lords under his power. IMC I divided this rank into Landed Knight and Baronette (Banneret Knight), the latter being slightly more powerful, just for flavor.
Hmmmm...getting a bit Bravehaertesque here: "All of you know full well, the great pains I have always taken never to be too strict, too rigid with the application of our laws, and as a consequence, have we not learned to live together in relative peace and harmony, huh? And this day's lawlessness is how you repay my leniency. Well you leave me with little choice. An assault on the Baron's soldiers is the same as an assault on the Baron himself."
Braveheart is an awesome source of inspiration for this type of campaign.
Havard
My impression is that Barons and the like have the authority to grant lesser titles of nobility (Landed Lords, Knights etc) in the name of the Arch Duke (King).
It is not the case, AFAIK. Only the Duke and Duchess can grant titles of nobility. BTW, if Barons could really grant the (Landed) Knight title, the heir of a Baron who was not confirmed could end up with vassals who have higher rank than their own (that is, a Landed Lord having a Landed Knight as a vassal).
You'll also note that even Court Lord titles are exclusively granted by the Duke, as per GAZ 1, page 20. Even if someone renders a service to a nobleman, the nobleman cannot give out a Court Lordship on his own -- he writes to the Duke a letter of recommendation for that person, and the Duke will (usually) respond by granting the (empty) title.
It is possible that, when Stefan elevates some barons to comital rank, these will be allowed to name landed lords and possibly even knights, though that is not necessary. However, right now it seems that the difference in rank between the nobles derives from their personal loyalty to the Duke, rather than being related to the fief they rule -- thus the need for confirmation of the heir in the title (but not in the fief).
In any case the Black Eagle does pretty much what he wants. I like the idea of him having lesser Landed Lords under his power.
That's another matter. The Black Eagle certainly does what he wants and will also have as many cronies as needed.
GP
In the east:
Argos the Worrier
The Hags of Dymrak
Seer of the Lake of Lost Dreams / Haven?
The Goblins of Dymrak (Dhom Dhrum? Who was he again?)
In the north:
The Hutaakans?
in the west:
Various humanoids tribes?
Are there any named creatures out there that I should know about? Noted Vampires or werewolves, or slavers, or mad wizards in isolated towers?
A
Are there any named creatures out there that I should know about? Noted Vampires or werewolves, or slavers, or mad wizards in isolated towers?
There are many humanoid tribes in Karameikos.
I've tried to do a census of tribes:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p9t1vCUfVKr6PUd_EY9QrBA
It includes all canon tribes, AFAIK (from the modules, as well as from the DM article on Fort Doom; sometimes there were tribes with no name or chief, so I made names), and also some non-canon tribes from Francesco Defferrari's history of Traladara. I've in most cases modified the numbers to take into account goblinoids that did not appear in a given adventure (such as non-combatant or patrols).
Other powers include:
- The Iron Ring (based in Fort Doom, slavers): lesser Masters include Karllag and Golthar (wizards); the organization has agents in most towns, including a group of wererats in Threshold, led by Vokos
- Count Koriszegy (mad vampire, in Koriszegy Keep)
- Andru Vandevic (nosferatu or vampire, in Vandevicnsy, see Night of the Vampire)
- Rosentus (Vampire, in the western swamps, should be in AC1)
- Bailakask (werewolf cleric from B10, in eastern Karameikos)
- Ilyana Penhaligon (mad half-sister of Arteris Penhaligon, from B12)
- Elwyn the Ardent (priestess of the demon Leptar, probably hiding somewhere between Kelvin and Threshold, IIRC from B5)
- The gold dragon ruler Azem (controls a kingdom of approximately 80 miles radius from Wereskalot, including the Blight Swamp, the Achelos Woods and the Riverfork woods, as well as parts of the Cruth Lowlands west of Koriszegy Keep)
I often have the braveheart soundtrack on in the background when I'm writing up adventures!
I try and have the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack on when I play.
Roger
And just for Karameikan flavour I may have to work up a big nasty undead power - Count Koriszegy seems a bit insular, but perhaps one of the other two vampires could work. Or perhaps a karameikan death knight is in order...
Now where to put the werewolf plot!
- In the Division of the Five campaign I had a Lich as the power behind several evil plots in Karameikos, but that scenario is perhaps too all-comprehensive. But perhaps one idea might work for you: what if the destruction of the Gentle Folk left behing some sinister undead force? (greater wyrds?) This would be a nice chance to introduce some elements from distant Five Shires history.
- In the same campaign I had a lycantrope tribe living in the Riverfork area, left behind by the magical researches of Zirchev. Such a tribe could work nicely if played as a more morally grey force? In my campaign they were your run-of-the-mill evil bunch. Then again, I had a good werebear living in the area - named Pooh! He even had a Chevall friend, who was a morose personality...
And perhaps the ancient necromancy of the Taymorians can be something Argos messes about with, releasing not only the Wyrds of the Gentle Folk to plague Azem, but accidently awakening an ancient Vampire from thousands of years ago...perhaps the PC's will need to join forces with some Nosferatu to defeat it!
-connections, you might check a campaign scheme "Death of Oran Meditor" at the Vaults. It's built on the idea that Eluna Kelar is dabbling in ancient
Taymoran magic.
In our campaign Eluna Kelar actually learned about Taymora when the PCs years ago completed the War Rafts of Kron adventure and found the lost city of Colhador. It was nice to see their faces when they found this out years and years later
I saw that file up at the vaults and had a very quick look at it - I'll need to read it in more depth - I think a minrothad/taymor/vampire connection could be quite fun!
You might consider linking the odd looks of the Water Elves with the Taymorans -- e.g., it is possible that selective albino traits were being developed by Necromancer Kings, resulting in the Water Elves and the Utter Island Albino people.
GP
You might consider linking the odd looks of the Water Elves with the Taymorans -- e.g., it is possible that selective albino traits were being developed by Necromancer Kings, resulting in the Water Elves and the Utter Island Albino people.
GP
Interesting theory...
:evillaughYou might consider linking the odd looks of the Water Elves with the Taymorans -- e.g., it is possible that selective albino traits were being developed by Necromancer Kings, resulting in the Water Elves and the Utter Island Albino people.
Im loving this idea!
This leads to alot of other interesting ideas about the Utter Island folks....
Havard
Long ago the Utterers were used by the Necromancer Kings to provide homes for the diabolical creatures they summoned to help in the war against the Vampire Lords. Being so close to those summoned beings of unearthly horror drove the albinos slightly insane. They would babble incoherently after they had housed the latest of the King's beasts, but some wondered whether these utterances were in some way holy...
Even today, long after the Necromancer Kings and Vampire Lords have turned to ash, the Utterers continue to build. And one day they may strike upon the right configuration, just the right dimensions of a house that will open a portal. And when the stars are right those long forgotten beings of an ancient war will return...
On Utter island the people prefer the night. They build strange buildings, some wonderous, others almost painful to look at. The geometry isn't right, looking into some of them for long enough would drive someone mad...
Long ago the Utterers were used by the Necromancer Kings to provide homes for the diabolical creatures they summoned to help in the war against the Vampire Lords. Being so close to those summoned beings of unearthly horror drove the albinos slightly insane. They would babble incoherently after they had housed the latest of the King's beasts, but some wondered whether these utterances were in some way holy...
Even today, long after the Necromancer Kings and Vampire Lords have turned to ash, the Utterers continue to build. And one day they may strike upon the right configuration, just the right dimensions of a house that will open a portal. And when the stars are right those long forgotten beings of an ancient war will return...
Very cool
Havard
And just for Karameikan flavour I may have to work up a big nasty undead power - Count Koriszegy seems a bit insular, but perhaps one of the other two vampires could work. Or perhaps a karameikan death knight is in order...
Now where to put the werewolf plot!
Believe it or not, I responded to Havard's death knight thread before I even saw this...
http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14108084&postcount=6
One of the themes that I intend to use IMC is that of the past repeating itself - specifically another 'beastman' invasion. A recreation of the ancient Taymoran fight between Thanatos and Nyx's followers could fit into this too as undead battle between themselves!
What with at least one Karameikan nosferatu being a non-evil entity, and a Death Knight that is loyal to Traladara, I'm wondering if I couldn have a few "undead that don't want to conquer the world" types in Karameikos, and leave the undead liches that seek to expunge all life to the nearby islands.
The nearby islands also have their share of non-evil undead -- there's a (Neutrally-aligned) druidic lich in Ierendi who protects ancient Makai tombs.
OTOH, you might give a twist to Koriszegy by making him mad, but not evil -- maybe his curse derived from an attempt to prevent the Thyatian conquest by reviving the ancient Nosferatu (he might have secretly been a cleric of Nyx) -- except that he botched some part of the process, and came up as a Vampire, cursed by Thanatos.
One of the themes that I intend to use IMC is that of the past repeating itself - specifically another 'beastman' invasion. A recreation of the ancient Taymoran fight between Thanatos and Nyx's followers could fit into this too as undead battle between themselves!
Steven Wilson's ideas on Red Hand of Doom provide a good way to stage a new "beastman invasion". You could add other threads as well -- Azem vs Argos, for example.