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Should I purchase?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
slivvy_gaidin
Aug 07, 2003 3:45:39 I want to write my own adventures in the RL setting. I am new to the RL setting, and new to DMing as well.
I was wondering whether or not I should purchase the Gazeteers for Ravenloft. If I only purchased one, should I take the one for the Northern half of the Core, or the Southern half of the core.

I currently own the Ravenloft Campaign Setting Book, and Denizens of Darkness (as well as the 3 core D&D books).
#2
zombiegleemax
Aug 07, 2003 5:12:37 They do give a lot of info on the core, but if you are short on money then why don't you check out the Kargatane at:
http://www.kargatane.com/

They have a lot of info that you should be able to get.

However, if you go with the gazeteers(I have them) then it all depends on what area you are focusing on. Personally I like Gaz.III that contains Mordent, Richemulot, Dementlieu and Lamordia but that is because my game is centered around Mordent.

Hope this helps a little.
#3
slivvy_gaidin
Aug 07, 2003 9:47:25 Yeah. I think I will have a look at the Kargatane. Its probably about time I signed up to whatever they have there.

On the side- Is there a better Domain to play beginning adventures in, or doesn't it really matter where you play.
#4
zombiegleemax
Aug 07, 2003 10:48:53 Well Slivvy it all depends on what your looking for.

I chose Mordent because of the land and the CL. Besides Mordentshire it is pretty sparsley poplulated English type countryside with various scattered farmstead and hamlets. I just really like the feeling I get when I imagine that land and its inhabitants, it feels more comfortable to me.

If your players have demihumans as pc's(elves,dwarves, halflings, ect...) then you may want to start them in Darkon seeing that there are many demihuman settlements located there and the people are generally more tolerant of them. Not to mention that Darkon is huge and offers alot of different places to adventure in without travelling to the other domains right away.

If you want a desert type campaign, then you should look into Har-Akir. As it would have what your looking for in pyramids, pharoahs and the gods and like.

Another really good place to start in would be Kartakass. Besides Harmonia and Skald it has many different places to go and if you like wolves and lycanthropy then it would definately be the place for you. It is primarily covered in woodlands.

All in all it all really depends on what you want your game to be like. If you can tell me some of what your looking for in your campaign I would be glad to help you further. Hopefully this helps somewhat, if not let me know and I'll explain further.
#5
slivvy_gaidin
Aug 07, 2003 18:20:51 What did you say about 'CL'? Are the Domains leveled, or something?

As for campaign stlye. Well, its hard to say what I really want. Ravenloft looks so cool, and I kind of want to have everything at once. I'm looking for more of a traditional european style setting- vampires, castles, etc (though an archaeological dig in Har-Akir would have an interesting flavour to it). In terms of monsters I'm looking at focusing more on the abberations and undead, and less on lycanthropic creatures.

Do the Gazeteers:
-> tell you about the Darklords, or do you have to get a different book/work them yourself.
->give you cities and their locations and statistics? The map in the front of the base book is a little empty (it seems to be sort of encouraging one to make their own cities, which I would like to do. BUT I'm still beginning and would like to have a starting point)

Thanks for helping, Ranger of Ravenloft
#6
zombiegleemax
Aug 07, 2003 19:45:19 Unless my memory is shot, CL is Culture Level and is basically a technology level indicator (Renaissance, Bronze Age, etc.).

I don't know too much about the Gazetteers, but plan on taking a serious look at the most recent one detailing Mordent, Richemulot, etc.

You might have more luck finding details about the Gazetteers over on the Kargatane message boards.

http://www.kargatane.com/
#7
slivvy_gaidin
Aug 07, 2003 22:23:49 CL=Cultural Level

Duh! (slaps forehead) Of course. I knew that all along... I was just... testing.
#8
zombiegleemax
Aug 07, 2003 22:50:52 No big deal.

"Senior" moments happen. ;)
#9
zombiegleemax
Aug 08, 2003 0:15:07 What comes to mind from your description then(castles, vampires) I would say go with Barovia. There is alot more to see there than just castle Ravenloft. Who knows, your pc's might even do something to grab the attention of Count Strahd himself.

Yes, the Gaz's to give info on Darklords but do not place cities or towns on the map. For that go to this site, http://www.gryphonhill.com/ It has maps of all domains with all the towns on them.

Again, hope this helps.
#10
slivvy_gaidin
Aug 08, 2003 2:44:40 Cool, that Gryphonhill site is quite useful.
#11
zombiegleemax
Aug 08, 2003 20:35:39 The Gazetters are priceless for the amount of adventure ideas that get tossed in... including spells, monsters, items, poisons, and what Igor the hunchbacked goat herder eats with afternoon tea. If you don't plan to make it a Core spanning campaign, I would focus on on or two gazetters... otherwise, snap them up.

Also take a look at the new Ravenloft DM Guide. Tarokka and Deshika rules, list of darklords and curses, tips for gothic games and magic items galore. WISHING IMP! HUZZAH!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 slivvy_gaidin Aug 07, 2003 3:45:39	I want to write my own adventures in the RL setting. I am new to the RL setting, and new to DMing as well. I was wondering whether or not I should purchase the Gazeteers for Ravenloft. If I only purchased one, should I take the one for the Northern half of the Core, or the Southern half of the core. I currently own the Ravenloft Campaign Setting Book, and Denizens of Darkness (as well as the 3 core D&D books).
#2 zombiegleemax Aug 07, 2003 5:12:37	They do give a lot of info on the core, but if you are short on money then why don't you check out the Kargatane at: http://www.kargatane.com/ They have a lot of info that you should be able to get. However, if you go with the gazeteers(I have them) then it all depends on what area you are focusing on. Personally I like Gaz.III that contains Mordent, Richemulot, Dementlieu and Lamordia but that is because my game is centered around Mordent. Hope this helps a little.
#3 slivvy_gaidin Aug 07, 2003 9:47:25	Yeah. I think I will have a look at the Kargatane. Its probably about time I signed up to whatever they have there. On the side- Is there a better Domain to play beginning adventures in, or doesn't it really matter where you play.
#4 zombiegleemax Aug 07, 2003 10:48:53	Well Slivvy it all depends on what your looking for. I chose Mordent because of the land and the CL. Besides Mordentshire it is pretty sparsley poplulated English type countryside with various scattered farmstead and hamlets. I just really like the feeling I get when I imagine that land and its inhabitants, it feels more comfortable to me. If your players have demihumans as pc's(elves,dwarves, halflings, ect...) then you may want to start them in Darkon seeing that there are many demihuman settlements located there and the people are generally more tolerant of them. Not to mention that Darkon is huge and offers alot of different places to adventure in without travelling to the other domains right away. If you want a desert type campaign, then you should look into Har-Akir. As it would have what your looking for in pyramids, pharoahs and the gods and like. Another really good place to start in would be Kartakass. Besides Harmonia and Skald it has many different places to go and if you like wolves and lycanthropy then it would definately be the place for you. It is primarily covered in woodlands. All in all it all really depends on what you want your game to be like. If you can tell me some of what your looking for in your campaign I would be glad to help you further. Hopefully this helps somewhat, if not let me know and I'll explain further.
#5 slivvy_gaidin Aug 07, 2003 18:20:51	What did you say about 'CL'? Are the Domains leveled, or something? As for campaign stlye. Well, its hard to say what I really want. Ravenloft looks so cool, and I kind of want to have everything at once. I'm looking for more of a traditional european style setting- vampires, castles, etc (though an archaeological dig in Har-Akir would have an interesting flavour to it). In terms of monsters I'm looking at focusing more on the abberations and undead, and less on lycanthropic creatures. Do the Gazeteers: -> tell you about the Darklords, or do you have to get a different book/work them yourself. ->give you cities and their locations and statistics? The map in the front of the base book is a little empty (it seems to be sort of encouraging one to make their own cities, which I would like to do. BUT I'm still beginning and would like to have a starting point) Thanks for helping, Ranger of Ravenloft
#6 zombiegleemax Aug 07, 2003 19:45:19	Unless my memory is shot, CL is Culture Level and is basically a technology level indicator (Renaissance, Bronze Age, etc.). I don't know too much about the Gazetteers, but plan on taking a serious look at the most recent one detailing Mordent, Richemulot, etc. You might have more luck finding details about the Gazetteers over on the Kargatane message boards. http://www.kargatane.com/
#7 slivvy_gaidin Aug 07, 2003 22:23:49	CL=Cultural Level Duh! (slaps forehead) Of course. I knew that all along... I was just... testing.
#8 zombiegleemax Aug 07, 2003 22:50:52	No big deal. "Senior" moments happen. ;)
#9 zombiegleemax Aug 08, 2003 0:15:07	What comes to mind from your description then(castles, vampires) I would say go with Barovia. There is alot more to see there than just castle Ravenloft. Who knows, your pc's might even do something to grab the attention of Count Strahd himself. Yes, the Gaz's to give info on Darklords but do not place cities or towns on the map. For that go to this site, http://www.gryphonhill.com/ It has maps of all domains with all the towns on them. Again, hope this helps.
#10 slivvy_gaidin Aug 08, 2003 2:44:40	Cool, that Gryphonhill site is quite useful.
#11 zombiegleemax Aug 08, 2003 20:35:39	The Gazetters are priceless for the amount of adventure ideas that get tossed in... including spells, monsters, items, poisons, and what Igor the hunchbacked goat herder eats with afternoon tea. If you don't plan to make it a Core spanning campaign, I would focus on on or two gazetters... otherwise, snap them up. Also take a look at the new Ravenloft DM Guide. Tarokka and Deshika rules, list of darklords and curses, tips for gothic games and magic items galore. WISHING IMP! HUZZAH!