If Mystara was ever to be released for 3e/d20. What should be in the main sourcebook, and what should be left to be explored in later supplements? Due to space limitations, some things would have to be left out, so you'll have to pick something. Lets assume the sourcebook would be about the same size as the FR sourcebook. And what would the cover be like? (what artist and motif?)
Håvard
As for your other questions, first answer this: What time period would the source book be produced for? 1000AC, after the Wrath War, or some other time?
artist = Elmore ;) naturally.
As for your other questions, first answer this: What time period would the source book be produced for? 1000AC, after the Wrath War, or some other time?
I will also leave the time period up to discussion, but IMO it would be best to make it set for AC1000 with a detailed timeline for AC1000-1013 as a possible future.
I wouldn't mind seeing Elmore grace the cover. Caldwell might be a good alternative too. Though I like Elmore's art better, Caldwell is pretty strongly associated with Mystara due to his work on the *entire* gaz series. And he could make a Mystara logo in the style of the old Gazeteer logo. That would be sweet.
Håvard
Well, let's say a 4 page write up on each nation in the KW (including Alphatia) = 60 pg
Assuming 2 -3 NPCs per page, with at least 4 NPCs per nation = 20 pg
A brief on the major power organizations in the KW = at least 10 pg
A timeline up to the point of 1000AC = 2 pg (making it real brief ;) )
and history to go with the timeline = 8 pg (again brief)
Mystara specific monsters at 1/pg including the correct version of an Aranea (non shape changing!) That's gotta be about = 20 pg
so far that puts me at 120 pg.
Uhmm... Spells and magic items with teasers for the Radiance, Secret Crafts, Blackmoorian technomancy, Alpher air magic, etc... gotta = 60 pg
Thats 180 pg. The rest would be for explaining class ad race roles in Mystara (gotta have that since Mystara was OD&D), maybe a few prestige classes (like Kara Knight, Hin Sheriff). That's all that fits ;)
There are not many generalized PrCs in Mystara. I think that most of those would go in later supplements. The Princes of Glantri and the Secret Crafts. Radiance Magic expanded (perhaps also including Shadow Elves and the CoS). Blackmoorian tie ins would be nice as an extra book. Alpher Air magic and flying ships (maybe also Heldannic Knights thrown in). Ancient Nithia and Taymora (and the dangers they still present). Dang. There's more. :D It'll come to me...
I wouldn't mind seeing Elmore grace the cover. Caldwell might be a good alternative too. Though I like Elmore's art better, Caldwell is pretty strongly associated with Mystara due to his work on the *entire* gaz series. And he could make a Mystara logo in the style of the old Gazeteer logo. That would be sweet.
I think it should be Caldwell too. As much as I admire Elmore's work - Caldwell's artwork on the GAZs has much to do with the series special flavour. And since the GAZs are pretty much what makes Mystara unique and wondeful - I vote for Caldwell. (Maybe he'll even design it similiar to the GAZ format? i.e. a map of Mystara at the background, and several Mystaran people in the front. Hmmm... I'd like that.)
As for the year: I'll make it 1000 AC. It's hard to understand WotI without understanding 1000 AC. WotI would be almost meaningless.
So I guess the first supplement would be a conversion of WotI...
The contents: I think there should be much about Mystarn Classes (Glantrian Special Crafts, Shadow Elves, Ethengari Shamans, Darokin and Minrothad Merchants, Foresters etc. etc.). As well as other culturally specific rules (such as skills, Rune Magic etc.).
If I'm allowed to fantasize... Well, I guess a conversion of all the Creature Crucible info would be nice... But I guess that should wait for the second supplement after WotI...
As for what's in the actual book -
Well, let's say a 4 page write up on each nation in the KW (including Alphatia) = 60 pg
Assuming 2 -3 NPCs per page, with at least 4 NPCs per nation = 20 pg
A brief on the major power organizations in the KW = at least 10 pg
A timeline up to the point of 1000AC = 2 pg (making it real brief )
and history to go with the timeline = 8 pg (again brief)
Mystara specific monsters at 1/pg including the correct version of an Aranea (non shape changing!) That's gotta be about = 20 pg
so far that puts me at 120 pg.
Uhmm... Spells and magic items with teasers for the Radiance, Secret Crafts, Blackmoorian technomancy, Alpher air magic, etc... gotta = 60 pg
Thats 180 pg. The rest would be for explaining class ad race roles in Mystara (gotta have that since Mystara was OD&D), maybe a few prestige classes (like Kara Knight, Hin Sheriff). That's all that fits
I like what Chimpman says except I believe you need a larger history.
Here is my suggestion for layout:
* Chapter 1: Introduction
* Chapter 2: Races of Mystara
* Chapter 3: Classes and Prestige Classes
* Chapter 4: Skills and Feats
* Chapter 5: History
* Chapter 6: Countries of the Known World
* Chapter 7: Other Places (Hollow World, Savage Coast, the Void)
* Chapter 8: Magic of Mystara (Radience, Glantri Spells, Alphatian spells)
* Chapter 9: Monsters of Mystara
I was feeling creative the other day and came up with a cover for an imagined Mystara D20 Sourcebook. I couldn't find a suitable Caldwell art piece representing the entire setting, so you'll have to do with good ol' Elmore. Check it out here. It can also be accessed through the gallery section of my website (URL below).
Edit: Since I the Signature seems to be disabled, the URL for my website is:http://www.geocities.com/havardfaa/blackmoor.html
Håvard
Don't forget to add the Immortals to the chapter on Magic of Mystara. Brief descriptions and some explaination on how they are different than normal deities. And, possibly, a Chapter 10: Adventure Ideas.
Nice cover, Havard.
Don't forget to add the Immortals to the chapter on Magic of Mystara. Brief descriptions and some explaination on how they are different than normal deities. And, possibly, a Chapter 10: Adventure Ideas.
Thanks!
I actually think the Immortals should get their own separate chapter now that you mention it. This should probably only be a PHB style deity description of a select group of immortals with an illustration of the symbol for each one, but not include rules for playing immortals, which would require a separate sourcebook.
A separate chapter for adventure ideas is also a good idea.
Some more sourcebooks could be:
Races of Mystara (Collection of the Races from the Creature Crucible series)
Magic of Mystara (More in depth look at Magic, Radience, Elf Magic etc etc)
Immortals of Mystara
Monsters of Mystara (Collecting the Savage Coast and Mystara Monsterous Compendiums ++)
Savage Coast Setting book
Hollow World Setting book
Blackmoor Era Historical Setting Book
Taymora/Nithia Historical Setting Book
"The Void" Setting Book
What else?
Håvard
Ok. So who's going to write what? :D
Hehe, the whole point of this thread was ofcourse just to daydream about what it would be like if
Mystara was ever to be released. Well, since we are daydreaming I wouldn't mind having writers like Bruce Heard, Aaron Allston and Ann Dupuis (spl?) do the work...
Actually, I kind of like Mystara being left for the fans. It seems like the fact that nobody is writing stuff for us is making our community much more creative. It might just be my impression though.
Anyways, I made the cover, now I'll let the rest of you guys write the rest ;)
Håvard
Some more sourcebooks could be:
Races of Mystara (Collection of the Races from the Creature Crucible series)
Magic of Mystara (More in depth look at Magic, Radience, Elf Magic etc etc)
Immortals of Mystara
Monsters of Mystara (Collecting the Savage Coast and Mystara Monsterous Compendiums ++)
Savage Coast Setting book
Hollow World Setting book
Blackmoor Era Historical Setting Book
Taymora/Nithia Historical Setting Book
"The Void" Setting Book
What else?
Håvard
You forgot the WotI Setting Book, of course.
BTW - What is "The Void"?
You forgot the WotI Setting Book, of course.
BTW - What is "The Void"?
That would be "Mystaraspace". Bruce Heard wrote an article for Dragon (forget which issue) detailing the Void, and how ships from Mystara would travel there. It was kind of an extension of the VotPA.
I was feeling creative the other day and came up with a cover for an imagined Mystara D20 Sourcebook. I couldn't find a suitable Caldwell art piece representing the entire setting, so you'll have to do with good ol' Elmore. Check it out here.
Håvard
Excellent cover. :D
I'll contribute with my rakasta conversion (check my sig)
:-) Jesper
Nice cover! In fact, any of the Elmore-dragon-pictures from the old Basic, Expert and Companion sets would also do as killer-covers for Mystara sourcebooks.
Thanks! I agree that all of those illustrations would be good. Not only are they excellent pieces of art, but alot of people also associate them with Mystara.
The reason why I chose the Master's cover art was that it shows that coastline and the land below the dragon. I always figured that was the KW coast down there.
Håvard