Novus Principium Campaign (346AC): Introduction & Game Questions #1-10 - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Novus Principium Campaign (346AC): Introduction & Game Questions #1-10

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Sep 19, 2003 17:16:25 Greetings All!

My name is George Velez, I am a student of Natural Sciences on the tropical island of Puerto Rico, and I am also an old fan of Dragonlance. I recently signed up on the DLMB / DL.com forums and the DL Mailing List, and I hope to participate in these as time allows.

My first DL campaign (September 2002-September 6, 2003) was under AD&D 2E then D&D 3.0 rules, and it didn’t go so well, and it was just divine intervention (Praise Paladine!) that my wonderful group of players (6 strong!) gave me a second chance at life ..err.. as a DM. Of course they didn’t let me off easy as our last game session was one in which the players basically said “we don’t like the direction the campaign is going and we want to start a new campaign”, and I had to face a hostile upraising lead by my best friend (who lead, orchestrated and ultimately spared my life and convinced everyone to give me another opportunity as the groups DM), and I was giving a second chance to create a DL campaign that my friends would enjoy playing in.

With the release of the D&D 3.5 rules and DLCS, I have started work on my second DL campaign with the blessing, encouragement and enthusiasm of my gaming group. It is a time for me to learn from my mistakes, to grow as a DM, and to commence with a fresh start. Thus in that spirit I named my second DL campaign Novus Principium (New Beginnings) and I set the campaign in the year 346 AC, just before the WOTL changed the face of Ansalon forever.

I would like to post various game related questions here, so I can receive feedback and ideas that can help to enhance my game. I look forward to learning more about this game and engaging in diverse conversations with other DL fans.

Regards,
George

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DLCS: Game Questions #1-10

From the TOTL Box Set:

1-The information in the TOTL box set, is it current as of the events of 369 AC (“Changing of the Guard”)?

2-Where is Castle Brightblade located?

3- In the year 346 AC, where are each of the future HOTL located, how old are they, and what where they doing with the lives at the time?

4-If the PCs wish to buy or build a house in Solace in the spring of 346AC, to whom do they need to go to in order to get authorization/permits?

5-How much would said authorization/permits cost them?

6-How long would it take to build a small to medium size house in Solace in the “classical” style, in a manner similar to as when Caramon and Tika finally built their dream house?

7- Prior to its occupation by the black dragon Khisanth just before the WOTL, what kind of creatures do you think could have inhabited Xak Tsaroth’s ruins? I plan on having the PCs visit this once great city soon and I want to populate the ruins with encounters suitable for six first level PCs.

8- Do the WOHS produce arcane magic items (such as scrolls, potions, magic weapons…) for sale, and if so, how common would this practice be during this age?

9- How prevalent was commerce and trade between the various nations as of 346 AC?

10- Considering that Tarsis is located in hostile tundra, and doesn’t conduct any meaning full trade or has any mayor economic industry, how is the population able to sustain itself?
#2
coyote_skyheart
Sep 19, 2003 18:18:40 Hello Giorgio,

I can't answer most of your questions, but I can help.

I have a question of my own for you.

1. Are you trying to create a historical fantasy anachronism?

This is what it appears you are trying to do, making it as 'medeivally' acurrate as possible.

Answers

10. There is a thriving trade between Tarsis and the Qualinesti elves. What they trade, I'm not sure.

8. Magic items would be available through the towers of high sorcery.

6. A grand house costs 5k and consist of 4 to 10 rooms with wooden walls, a mansion costs 100k and consists of 10 to 20 rooms with two to three stories and wood and brick walls.

5. Taxes
#3
zombiegleemax
Sep 21, 2003 7:06:12 >I have a question of my own for you.
>1. Are you trying to create a historical fantasy anachronism?
>This is what it appears you are trying to do, making it as >'medeivally' accurate as possible.

No I am not trying to go for "accuracy" as much as for "internal consistency". That is, I try to anticipate common questions my players may ask me about the world around them
and give them logical answers.

Solace is going to be the PCs home base during the years before the WOTL (346-351 AC). Thus is most probable that the PCs will want to learn what resources and services are available to them, who are the important movers and shakers of the town, what merchants are there and what do they sell, are there any people who can act as mentors and trainers, who is the nobility of this place, what are the towns defenses….

By asking myself these reasonable questions now, I can save myself a lot of work latter, and create a better/ more believable town.

Now if I want to go for medieval accuracy, I need to get my hands on : A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe.

>6. A grand house costs 5k and consist of 4 to 10 rooms with >wooden walls, a mansion costs 100k and consists of 10 to 20 >rooms with two to three stories and wood and brick walls.

Can you recommend any online or print resources that deal with creating buildings or structures? I would like to learn how things are built and paid for in a generic D&D world.

Thanks for your replies

George
#4
ferratus
Sep 21, 2003 13:33:49
Originally posted by Giorgio

1-The information in the TOTL box set, is it current as of the events of 369 AC (“Changing of the Guard”)?

Nope, it is based on the world of Krynn as it exists immediately post-WoS. That's why there are maps of various dragonarmy wings controlling areas.

2-Where is Castle Brightblade located?

Southern Solamnia, specifically in the province of heartlund on the borders with the Lemish forest (which is where the attack by the druids came from).

3- In the year 346 AC, where are each of the future HOTL located, how old are they, and what where they doing with the lives at the time?

The Preludes novels will tell you about that. If you want to have a HOTL do a cameo appearance, Sturm is in Solamnia, Kitiara is a rising star in the Dragonarmies, Tanis is wandering the North aimlessly, Flint is a captive/king of a clan of Gully Dwarves. Raistlin and Caramon are serving as mercenaries in New Coast/Blodeheim. Tasselhoff is everywhere man. Tika is in Solace, Laurana in Qualinesti.

4-If the PCs wish to buy or build a house in Solace in the spring of 346AC, to whom do they need to go to in order to get authorization/permits?

The mayor.

5-How much would said authorization/permits cost them?

I am certain no one has any idea. You'll have to use your own best judgement, but I imagine that reserving your own tree costs more than getting a house on the ground.

6-How long would it take to build a small to medium size house in Solace in the “classical” style, in a manner similar to as when Caramon and Tika finally built their dream house?

A summer.

7- Prior to its occupation by the black dragon Khisanth just before the WOTL, what kind of creatures do you think could have inhabited Xak Tsaroth’s ruins? I plan on having the PCs visit this once great city soon and I want to populate the ruins with encounters suitable for six first level PCs.

The DMG has rules for random and dungeon encounters. Add gully dwarves and you're set.

8- Do the WOHS produce arcane magic items (such as scrolls, potions, magic weapons…) for sale, and if so, how common would this practice be during this age?

There are mageware shops, but they seem to deal more in spell components than magical items (though a few are available). I'd imagine that scrolls and potions are probably readily available for sale, but magical items would be suitably rare. However, there are a bunch of magical items possessed by creatures inhabiting ancient ruins.

9- How prevalent was commerce and trade between the various nations as of 346 AC?

Palanthas was doing well, but most trade was local and based on barter. There was enough trade for the steel standard to replace the gold.

10- Considering that Tarsis is located in hostile tundra, and doesn’t conduct any meaning full trade or has any mayor economic industry, how is the population able to sustain itself?

It's nickname is "Tarsis the dying." In short, they do some subsistance agriculture and emigrate if they can get a few coins together.
#5
shugi
Sep 22, 2003 11:45:17 2-Where is Castle Brightblade located?
Originally posted by ferratus
Southern Solamnia, specifically in the province of heartlund on the borders with the Lemish forest (which is where the attack by the druids came from).

Without grabbing Darkness and Light I'm not sure about "Castle Brightblade", but the Brightblades did own Vingaard Keep. That might help you out regardless, Giorgio.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Sep 19, 2003 17:16:25	Greetings All! My name is George Velez, I am a student of Natural Sciences on the tropical island of Puerto Rico, and I am also an old fan of Dragonlance. I recently signed up on the DLMB / DL.com forums and the DL Mailing List, and I hope to participate in these as time allows. My first DL campaign (September 2002-September 6, 2003) was under AD&D 2E then D&D 3.0 rules, and it didn’t go so well, and it was just divine intervention (Praise Paladine!) that my wonderful group of players (6 strong!) gave me a second chance at life ..err.. as a DM. Of course they didn’t let me off easy as our last game session was one in which the players basically said “we don’t like the direction the campaign is going and we want to start a new campaign”, and I had to face a hostile upraising lead by my best friend (who lead, orchestrated and ultimately spared my life and convinced everyone to give me another opportunity as the groups DM), and I was giving a second chance to create a DL campaign that my friends would enjoy playing in. With the release of the D&D 3.5 rules and DLCS, I have started work on my second DL campaign with the blessing, encouragement and enthusiasm of my gaming group. It is a time for me to learn from my mistakes, to grow as a DM, and to commence with a fresh start. Thus in that spirit I named my second DL campaign Novus Principium (New Beginnings) and I set the campaign in the year 346 AC, just before the WOTL changed the face of Ansalon forever. I would like to post various game related questions here, so I can receive feedback and ideas that can help to enhance my game. I look forward to learning more about this game and engaging in diverse conversations with other DL fans. Regards, George ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DLCS: Game Questions #1-10 From the TOTL Box Set: 1-The information in the TOTL box set, is it current as of the events of 369 AC (“Changing of the Guard”)? 2-Where is Castle Brightblade located? 3- In the year 346 AC, where are each of the future HOTL located, how old are they, and what where they doing with the lives at the time? 4-If the PCs wish to buy or build a house in Solace in the spring of 346AC, to whom do they need to go to in order to get authorization/permits? 5-How much would said authorization/permits cost them? 6-How long would it take to build a small to medium size house in Solace in the “classical” style, in a manner similar to as when Caramon and Tika finally built their dream house? 7- Prior to its occupation by the black dragon Khisanth just before the WOTL, what kind of creatures do you think could have inhabited Xak Tsaroth’s ruins? I plan on having the PCs visit this once great city soon and I want to populate the ruins with encounters suitable for six first level PCs. 8- Do the WOHS produce arcane magic items (such as scrolls, potions, magic weapons…) for sale, and if so, how common would this practice be during this age? 9- How prevalent was commerce and trade between the various nations as of 346 AC? 10- Considering that Tarsis is located in hostile tundra, and doesn’t conduct any meaning full trade or has any mayor economic industry, how is the population able to sustain itself?
#2 coyote_skyheart Sep 19, 2003 18:18:40	Hello Giorgio, I can't answer most of your questions, but I can help. I have a question of my own for you. 1. Are you trying to create a historical fantasy anachronism? This is what it appears you are trying to do, making it as 'medeivally' acurrate as possible. Answers 10. There is a thriving trade between Tarsis and the Qualinesti elves. What they trade, I'm not sure. 8. Magic items would be available through the towers of high sorcery. 6. A grand house costs 5k and consist of 4 to 10 rooms with wooden walls, a mansion costs 100k and consists of 10 to 20 rooms with two to three stories and wood and brick walls. 5. Taxes
#3 zombiegleemax Sep 21, 2003 7:06:12	>I have a question of my own for you. >1. Are you trying to create a historical fantasy anachronism? >This is what it appears you are trying to do, making it as >'medeivally' accurate as possible. No I am not trying to go for "accuracy" as much as for "internal consistency". That is, I try to anticipate common questions my players may ask me about the world around them and give them logical answers. Solace is going to be the PCs home base during the years before the WOTL (346-351 AC). Thus is most probable that the PCs will want to learn what resources and services are available to them, who are the important movers and shakers of the town, what merchants are there and what do they sell, are there any people who can act as mentors and trainers, who is the nobility of this place, what are the towns defenses…. By asking myself these reasonable questions now, I can save myself a lot of work latter, and create a better/ more believable town. Now if I want to go for medieval accuracy, I need to get my hands on : A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe. >6. A grand house costs 5k and consist of 4 to 10 rooms with >wooden walls, a mansion costs 100k and consists of 10 to 20 >rooms with two to three stories and wood and brick walls. Can you recommend any online or print resources that deal with creating buildings or structures? I would like to learn how things are built and paid for in a generic D&D world. Thanks for your replies George
#4 ferratus Sep 21, 2003 13:33:49	Originally posted by Giorgio 1-The information in the TOTL box set, is it current as of the events of 369 AC (“Changing of the Guard”)? Nope, it is based on the world of Krynn as it exists immediately post-WoS. That's why there are maps of various dragonarmy wings controlling areas. 2-Where is Castle Brightblade located? Southern Solamnia, specifically in the province of heartlund on the borders with the Lemish forest (which is where the attack by the druids came from). 3- In the year 346 AC, where are each of the future HOTL located, how old are they, and what where they doing with the lives at the time? The Preludes novels will tell you about that. If you want to have a HOTL do a cameo appearance, Sturm is in Solamnia, Kitiara is a rising star in the Dragonarmies, Tanis is wandering the North aimlessly, Flint is a captive/king of a clan of Gully Dwarves. Raistlin and Caramon are serving as mercenaries in New Coast/Blodeheim. Tasselhoff is everywhere man. Tika is in Solace, Laurana in Qualinesti. 4-If the PCs wish to buy or build a house in Solace in the spring of 346AC, to whom do they need to go to in order to get authorization/permits? The mayor. 5-How much would said authorization/permits cost them? I am certain no one has any idea. You'll have to use your own best judgement, but I imagine that reserving your own tree costs more than getting a house on the ground. 6-How long would it take to build a small to medium size house in Solace in the “classical” style, in a manner similar to as when Caramon and Tika finally built their dream house? A summer. 7- Prior to its occupation by the black dragon Khisanth just before the WOTL, what kind of creatures do you think could have inhabited Xak Tsaroth’s ruins? I plan on having the PCs visit this once great city soon and I want to populate the ruins with encounters suitable for six first level PCs. The DMG has rules for random and dungeon encounters. Add gully dwarves and you're set. 8- Do the WOHS produce arcane magic items (such as scrolls, potions, magic weapons…) for sale, and if so, how common would this practice be during this age? There are mageware shops, but they seem to deal more in spell components than magical items (though a few are available). I'd imagine that scrolls and potions are probably readily available for sale, but magical items would be suitably rare. However, there are a bunch of magical items possessed by creatures inhabiting ancient ruins. 9- How prevalent was commerce and trade between the various nations as of 346 AC? Palanthas was doing well, but most trade was local and based on barter. There was enough trade for the steel standard to replace the gold. 10- Considering that Tarsis is located in hostile tundra, and doesn’t conduct any meaning full trade or has any mayor economic industry, how is the population able to sustain itself? It's nickname is "Tarsis the dying." In short, they do some subsistance agriculture and emigrate if they can get a few coins together.
#5 shugi Sep 22, 2003 11:45:17	2-Where is Castle Brightblade located? Originally posted by ferratus Southern Solamnia, specifically in the province of heartlund on the borders with the Lemish forest (which is where the attack by the druids came from). Without grabbing Darkness and Light I'm not sure about "Castle Brightblade", but the Brightblades did own Vingaard Keep. That might help you out regardless, Giorgio.