I wanted to ask what you all know about the Thillonrian Peninsula's history and rumors, and where I can find information about it.
Besides, I am interested in any tale you can tell me about you campaigning there!
Thank you,
Rafael ;)
Hello,
I wanted to ask what you all know about the Thillonrian Peninsula's history and rumors, and where I can find information about it.
Besides, I am interested in any tale you can tell me about you campaigning there!
Thank you,
Rafael ;)
"Fearlessness is better than a faint heart for those who would go out of doors, for the length of your life and day of your death were written long ago."
I've used the Norse of our Earth to develop the Oerthly Northmen in my Greyhawk campaign. (Check out the harvestersheroes website if you are interested, there is a file on Vatun's Children).
I started an entirely Northman campaign where all the PCs were first level . In "Bathing the Spear" the PCs are part of an expedition to aid settlements in the foothills of the Corusks that have come under attack by gnolls. All have relatives in the settlement and pursue the gnolls far into the mountains seeking bloodgeld for the attrocities the monsters committed. I used B10 Night's Dark Terror (just about the best intro adventure ever written) right into this.
In a higher level adventure (in a different campaign) I had a group of adventurers come to the North to attend the wedding of one of their companions. There he is challenged by a rival, who then attempts to have the entire group assassinated. The bride is kidnapped and the group must assail the hall of the rival to rescue her. Amid the ruins of the burning hall the party discovers that the rival is merely a front man. During their absence the bride's father has been killed in a challenge for leadership and the bride (secretly returned her father's hall) is due to be married to a powerful skald of evil reputation. Bit of a soap opera but it was a lot of fun to play.
Another fun Northman campaign was having the players be part of longship raids down the southern coast. That had both land and sea adventures, ship to ship combat, small battles, town fighting, some wilderness stuff and even a city adventure.
I took that bit from the Q series where a mountain fortress of dwarves was being assailed by Lolth's forces and put it in the northern Corusks. The party of PCs included three elves who were made 'honorary dwarves' at the end of the adventure.
There was a quest adventure for an everflowing beerkeg and the mead of poetry kept by a frost giant with a clan of evil dwarves as his servants.
There was an adventure that started with the party hunting a giant bear that turned into a real survival nightmare when I hit them with a week long winter storm. I introduced 'Snow Elves' into my campaign with that one. (There was a supplement from Role-Aids called Ice Elves, can't remember how much I used from that).
There's more, but the possibilities for a northern campaign are endless. There is so much material to draw upon let alone inspiration for new adventures.
Garel Enkdal is an orc city of some 25,000 souls. What I liked about it is that, for the first time, we were introduced to a humanoid city whose inhabitants weren't just cannon fodder standing around, waiting for the PC to slaughter them.
They had commoners, artisans, etc..
Their guards were well-organized and decently equipped (though not terribly bright :D )
Their leaders had levels in classes usually reserved for PC (keep in mind this was back in 2E) and backgrounds that helped the DM to know their motivations.
Plus you had a few reasonably powerful orcish artifacts (all evil of course) that could give the PC a run for their money (the Black Obelisk, the Blackwell, and the Idol of Gruumsh).
I would also advise getting your hands - if at all possible - on Dungeon Mag. issue #20. It had a very nice adventure titled Ancient Blood that involved northmen and the curse of a Frost Giant king.
I once tied it to the G2 module (Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl) and run a short campaign around that theme where the players were all Ice Barbarians.
Long ages past, when the ancestors of the frost, snow and ice barbarians first came to the Thillonrian peninsula the lands were ruled by a terrible demon lord, a creature of icy winter that held the land in its frozen grip.
Many tales have been forgotten in the passage of ages, but the tale of the downfall of Shakark, for so the demon lord was known, and the ascendance of men is well remembered and often told in the long houses and Thane halls of the barbarian north.
The tales tell how Sirgnir Eydarson and his small group of faithful Huskarls braved the frigid mountains to confront the demon in his very lair. Sirgnir did not do so unprepared however, for a minor deity named Vatun, who the Barbarians had met on their journey north, agreed to protect the great Thane and his huskarls from the cold north winds that were Shakark’s to command. All that Vatun asked in return is that the barbarians give him their praise if the attempt to defeat the demon lord was successful.
Sirgnir also had help from the stonefolk, a small group of dwarves that were all that remained of a once grand dwarven kingdom in the corusk mountains. The dwarves had predated the coming of the demon and their iron mines, although less desirable then the gold and silver mines of their brethren further south, were always forthcoming with their ore. When Sirgnir approached the stonefolk they were more then happy to help in anyway that they could, centuries under the thumb of Shakark had whittled their great city to little more then a score of brave souls. They provided the Thane with a sword, Arolle, which had a magically sharp blade to cut through the demons thick hide. They also told Sirgnir the demons secret weakness, which they had pieced together from study, divination, and communication with their gods, Shakark could not be slain by the hands of a man, however if Sirgnir were to cut out the demons heart and thrust the sword Arolle through it the demons spirit would be trapped in the heart and his power would be broken. They warned, however that if anybody were to pull the sword free of the heart, then the demon would be free to return and wreck his vengeance upon all of the northlands.
Sirgnir was known in some circles as the wise, and he knew that the covetous nature of men was their weakness, and he also knew that the memories of men were short, for thus were their life spans… the horrors of today often become the faerie tales of yesterday within a generation. The dwarves he knew had long lives, and thus he reasoned long memories, so he asked their high priest to guard the heart should he return with it.
The great Thane and his huskarls set out for the demon lords frozen lair on the first day of spring, although you could not tell it by the weather as spring had not touched that land for more then three hundred years. The going was tough, and the paths were treacherous and only Sirgnir and his two most able companions remained when the demons icy caverns were reached.
Two days later there was a rumbling, as if all of the thunder of a hundred spring storms burst at once, and it is said that it could be heard as far away as the south shore of Grendep bay. The mountain in which Shakark laired collapsed in upon itself, and was no more, creating a large valley in the high mountains which eventually filled to become Lake Sirgnir from which the Jenelrad river springs. Sirgnir was alone when he reached the city of the stonefolk, and giving them the heart for safekeeping he returned to his people. Spring dawned over the Thillonian peninsula for the first time in centuries and the schnai, cruski, and fruztii peoples moved into the newly green valleys rich with game and now-thawed fjords teaming with fish. Remembering their promise the barbarians turned to the worship of Vatun, forsaking many of the gods that they had brought with them from the Suel imperium. Sirgnir did not get to see the final triumph of his people however, the battles with Shakark had taken a terrible toll on his health, and the great Thane died less then a week after returning to his people.
In the ages that have passed since that time the location of the stonefolk city was forgotten, and the heart of winter passed into legend. But recently seers and soothsayers have been receiving ill omens. The winters seem to be starting earlier and ending later, and in the furthest north it seems as if the fjords are barely thawed before the snows start to fall again. Priestly divinations have indicated that the unthinkable might be occurring, somebody could be trying to release Shakark!
"Thillronian history thing," Posted by Rip Van Wormer on 03/26/2000 01:11:03 AM, at http://www.greycitadel.com/greycitadel/Greytalk.nsf/SearchResults/F438D286E22FC559852568AE00234CA0?OpenDocument.
If there is a problem with the link, copy&paste it -- removing the space between the c and u in Document...
here is something that I wrote for a project that I was working on... think of it as sort of a myth of the northern barbarians...
Very nice! Don't mind me if I steal this hook for my campaign :D
I took that bit from the Q series where a mountain fortress of dwarves was being assailed by Lolth's forces and put it in the northern Corusks. The party of PCs included three elves who were made 'honorary dwarves' at the end of the adventure.
There was an adventure that started with the party hunting a giant bear that turned into a real survival nightmare when I hit them with a week long winter storm. I introduced 'Snow Elves' into my campaign with that one. (There was a supplement from Role-Aids called Ice Elves, can't remember how much I used from that).
Keep in mind that Aliador, the eldest elven realm, once stood there! So SOME Elven presence in the Griff's would be no surprise...
*Kul'gobsula's coming* :whatsthis
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here is something that I wrote for a project that I was working on...
[/i]
May I include the background information you give in the text as kind of canon for the barbarian tribes when I mention them in my free downloadable Sourcebook for WoG: Kul'gobsula - Prison of Ice ?
I think the only one to read it will be the people of these boards (if...), so don't fear that I want to make profit out of it.
If I come to use something concrete of your material, I'll send you a mesage and ask for permission again!
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As per your request in the other thread, Ivid.
Garel Enkdal is an orc city of some 25,000 souls. What I liked about it is that, for the first time, we were introduced to a humanoid city whose inhabitants weren't just cannon fodder standing around, waiting for the PC to slaughter them.
I would also advise getting your hands - if at all possible - on Dungeon Mag. issue #20. It had a very nice adventure titled Ancient Blood that involved northmen and the curse of a Frost Giant king.
Thank you!
Do you know where exactly I can find info on Garel Enkdal (in which module/mag)?
The idea behind this thread is this:
About Cristmas I will have Kul'gobsula, my writings detailling an ancient elven realm in the Griff Mountains, finsihed.
However, I don't know too much about Greyhawk, and it's nearly impossible to me to reread everything concering that area! (I don't even know what to read...)
So I rely on you experienced gamers to give me ideas for a comprehensive historical canon of the region.
Also, if you don't mind, I would like to include whatever you think would be fitting!
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NOTE: I no way I intend to steal your ideas! In any case, barbarians will, if ever, play only a minor role in the final book, but I, never having played in that region before, just need some kind of *tourist guide*.
Hope you see my good intentions!Keep in mind that Aliador, the eldest elven realm, once stood there! So SOME Elven presence in the Griff's would be no surprise...
*Kul'gobsula's coming* :whatsthis
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May I include the background information you give in the text as kind of canon for the barbarian tribes when I mention them in my free downloadable Sourcebook for WoG: Kul'gobsula - Prison of Ice ?
I think the only one to read it will be the people of these boards (if...), so don't fear that I want to make profit out of it.
If I come to use something concrete of your material, I'll send you a mesage and ask for permission again!
------------------------------------------------
Thank you!
Do you know where exactly I can find info on Garel Enkdal (in which module/mag)?
The idea behind this thread is this:
About Cristmas I will have Kul'gobsula, my writings detailling an ancient elven realm in the Griff Mountains, finsihed.
However, I don't know too much about Greyhawk, and it's nearly impossible to me to reread everything concering that area! (I don't even know what to read...)
So I rely on you experienced gamers to give me ideas for a comprehensive historical canon of the region.
Also, if you don't mind, I would like to include whatever you think would be fitting!
*****************************************
NOTE: I no way I intend to steal your ideas! In any case, barbarians will, if ever, play only a minor role in the final book, but I, never having played in that region before, just need some kind of *tourist guide*.
Never heard of Aliador so I'm guessing it is something fairly new. Where has it been mentioned?
Here is where you can find info on Garel Enkdal;
Garel Enkdal {Garek}(Orcish)[TWN][KNG]
FTAA - 57
LGG - 17
WGS1 - 2,17,24,25,27,28,29,37,40,41,42,43,44,47,62
WGS2 - 8,9,11,35
Do you know where exactly I can find info on Garel Enkdal (in which module/mag)?
Jason gave you all the references already (bless him!) but the one accessory dedicated to it is WGS1 Five Shall be One!
May I include the background information you give in the text as kind of canon for the barbarian tribes when I mention them in my free downloadable Sourcebook for WoG: Kul'gobsula - Prison of Ice ?
I think the only one to read it will be the people of these boards (if...), so don't fear that I want to make profit out of it.
If I come to use something concrete of your material, I'll send you a mesage and ask for permission again!
sure, but a special thanks credit or something might be nice
I'm a Rhizia bandit, myself and if you cut/paste the below (thx WoTC forum "upgrades") you'll see a piece I wrote. It is highly concentrated on 1 particular area of the Ice Barbarians, however.
http://www.canonfire.com/htmlnew/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=397
Also, be sure to read Twiceborn's feedback in regards to the article. He brings up a number of good points that improve upon my work and they should deffinately be taken into consideration.
Jason gave you all the references already (bless him!) but the one accessory dedicated to it is WGS1 Five Shall be One!
Thank you for that overwhelming info! Will look to gather it all!
I myself would never have come to remember/know that!
:embarrass
BTW, are the founders of Garek Enkdal known? Means, is it known of this is an originally orcish settlement?
http://www.canonfire.com/htmlnew/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=397
This is superb stuff! Especially because I imagined a Troll camp to be in the same place!
But tell me, how did you create that map?
I want to do something alike... sure, but a special thanks credit or something might be nice
You can be sure that I will name everyone (and his/her work) who contributed in some way to the creation.
Those who give me general information, of course, will also be named!
Thank you all!
Never heard of Aliador so I'm guessing it is something fairly new. Where has it been mentioned?
New being in the eye of the beholder
, Aliador is mentioned in Oerth Journal #1, archived by Erik Mona at http://www.tc.umn.edu/~monax002/gh/ghoerthj1.html .New being in the eye of the beholder
Ah, fan material. Love fan material but don't consider it source material.
Ah, fan material. Love fan material but don't consider it source material.
I don't recall seeing a rule in this forum that all citations must be published canon. Can you point me to it?
I don't recall seeing a rule in this forum that all citations must be published canon. Can you point me to it?
It is tattooed on the back of your head in magic ink, so while we can all see it you will probably need two mirrors and some pixie dust. ;)
Simply a matter or practicality. Fan material needs to be identified as such to avoid confusion in the same way that it is extremely helpful to provide as accurate a quotation as well as reference to the sourcebook and page number as possible from published material.
I love fan material, but it does not bear the same weight as material published for the setting. Much of it is far better than published work, but it is not as easily accessable or accepted. Fan material reflects the vision of a specific campaign out of the thousands of home campaigns. When we look at a sourcebook, such as the '83 boxed set, we can see it as a rosseta stone. We can all share the same experience and say "This is where I started and this is where my campaign took a different course." That is the importance of canon. It is our universal translator among the myriad number of alternate Oerths we have DM'd or played in. It is not about having to play or DM in a certain way, but of understand where we all began.
Never heard of Aliador so I'm guessing it is something fairly new. Where has it been mentioned?
IMO, the Aliador stuff was one of the best things the Oerth Journals ever provided, as it gives a fundamental base to the history of the Flanaess; it may be only fan stuff, but I personally think that if the Vecna/Ur - Flan line would have been continued, somethign very similar would have been the *official version*.
The basic idea of the article is that an Olven empire consisting of four separate regions ruled the Flanaess until Vecna's undead armies conquered it.
The idea has indeed its weak aspects (the exact location of the realms is nearly unknown, the relations between the Olven and the other elven Tribes are not explained clearly).
However, developing that idea has altered my whole view of the Oerthian setting and made it more vivid. (To be honest, it's best fan stuff I ever read.)
When I finsih my work on the source book, you will see.
(the problem is that the main concept is of such importance that I cannot reveal it without *SPOILING * all the fun - it's not that I was just an arrogant m :Prr :P n...)
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BTW, apart from ItU, are there other references to the ancient olven cities in canon material?
And what is THIS: Tostenhca!
Just found it on the Canonfire - Chronodex... no idea
