Now that I have my Codex of Erde stuff together, I think the next thing I will go for will be Blackmoor, which is currently rereleased under the d20 license.
Has anyone of you yet got that module and can say if it is worth the price?
*I also welcome anyone who can tell me of adventuring experiences with the new BM adventure just published*
Thanks,
Rafael
http://www.goodman-games.com/4501preview.php
I picked up Blackmoor for the exact reasons that Mortellan did. It's not bad, but I won't be using any part of it in my GH games. It doesn't quite fit into my perception of GH in anyway. But, not bad on it's own.
.........................Omote
FPQ
GVD
I bought DA's new d20 Blackmoor for nostalgic reasons more than a need to run it, I'll likely source material it out for my home GH campaign.
It's the same reason I got interested in it - in a time when everybody (including myself) laments that there is no new material, the indy products like the *Erde* - setting, that takes friendly inspirations from WoG ;) (Just let me say: COBURG THE UNDYING) , and now, *Blackmoor* are a good way to keep the setting updated.
*O how would I enjoy holding the BM book in my hands now*
Let me be a bit straightforward:
From 1 (worst) to 10 (best stuff ever) what grade would you give the Blackmoor book IF YOU WANTED TO USE IT TO PLAY? ;)
BTW, where is this new Blackmoor located? DO you know if there are hints how to include it in an Oerth campaign of the early 590s?
You're right, Blackmoor in Greyhawk has no significant importance -maybe it would have, but as far as I know, there was some kind of arguement between Arneson and TSR at the end of the eighties and the line was simply discontinued.
Also, the Egg of Cott and the City of Gods don't really fit into current WoG, IMO (maybe if we add some spelljammin' stuff).
Blackmoor itself could be interesting as a setting for adventures in the Black Ice and Hyboria, even if one has to alter the stuff from the new book tremendously.
;)
The Blackmoor book is set in the "golden age" of Blackmoor, which predates the current cy 590's Blackmoor by roughly 1,000 years. Time travel gates and similar weird magic is easily inserted in the current Land of Black Ice, which gives an "in" to the Blackmoor setting as it is presented in the new book.
Can't remember where I read about the "1,000 years in the past" thing off hand, but it was recently. Check here and at www.canonfire.com for possible other threads on this topic.
Blackmoor is an interesting book to say the least. It made me pull out all of the DA series modules just to reminisce. Memories...
---Cebrion
P.S.: Ivid: What is your "Codex of Erde" stuff? What does it include?
Blackmoor's existence in the pre-history of Greyhawk is accurate. The Blackmoor book does detail the same Blackmoor as in Greyhawk.
Did Dave say so? Because, right now, when I look at the book I am reminded of the Mystara version, not of GH.
Excellent book by the way.
Did Dave say so? Because, right now, when I look at the book I am reminded of the Mystara version, not of GH.
Dave and his Blackmoore have no connection to The Known World/Mystara (a setting for the D&D boxed sets later converted to AD&D).
Dave and his Blackmoore have no connection to The Known World/Mystara (a setting for the D&D boxed sets later converted to AD&D).
I beg to differ.
Initially, indeed, no they hadn't.
Gygax and Arneson were partners at first, and the first two supplements for the original D&D games were called Greyhawk and Blackmoor. Then Dave and TSR/Gary had a falling out. Dave then released Blackmoor as the First Fantasy Campaign in the late 70s, and the Greyhawk folio was released in 81.
Then later in the 80s Dave brought Blackmoor back to TSR. Instead of starting a new campaign world line, Blackmoor was placed in Mystara. Since it didn't mesh with the setting as is, the story about it being thousands of years in the past was created.
Since then, numerous references to Blackmoor (as described in the DA1-4 series) were made in various Known World/Mystara products and it can be argued Blackmoor helped make the Known World/Mystara what it was (granted, it was retrofitting, but still..)
The whole Champions of Mystara/Wrath of the Immortals adventure was built around it.
The Radiance of Glantri (described as far back as GAZ3) was too.
The evolution of the dwarven race? Ditto.
The Shadow Elves most guarded secret? Ditto.
And in the post-war Known World/Mystara, the Day Without Magic is a direct consequence of what happened.
I would argue that the Blackmoor in GH was just a tip of EGG hat toward his buddy Dave while the Blackmoor in Known World/Mystara became an integral part of the world and helped shape its future. Thus, by right, the Blackmoor published now as a 3.5 universe should be tied to Mystara IF it was tied to a known setting at all.
The Blackmoor book is set in the "golden age" of Blackmoor, which predates the current cy 590's Blackmoor by roughly 1,000 years. Time travel gates and similar weird magic is easily inserted in the current Land of Black Ice, which gives an "in" to the Blackmoor setting as it is presented in the new book.
---Cebrion
In OJ#5, I believe, there is an article where that theory is mentioned. (Can't look it through now, so forgive me if I am mistaken.)
A timetravel to a past of the Flanaess most players don't know... ;) This is something I would like to do. Really, it could be interesting to see how the Blackmoor 3.5 book fitted into the history of the High Kingdom. Wasn't the Twin Cataclysms event about 1000 years ago?
This could also explain why Blackmoor rose for a short time or dissappeared...
*Quite intriguing*
Gygax and Arneson were partners at first, and the first two supplements for the original D&D games were called Greyhawk and Blackmoor. Then Dave and TSR/Gary had a falling out. Dave then released Blackmoor as the First Fantasy Campaign in the late 70s, and the Greyhawk folio was released in 81.
So, why after all, was Blackmoor included in WoG, but never really used?
Because, as far as I can get, the original module (which is freely available for download) was not connected to WoG.
It being a question of the heart, I'd tend to include BM in WoG - the idea of *The Flanaess in Mystara* (a map you might have seen), might be a considerable compromise...
What is your "Codex of Erde" stuff? What does it include?
I just posted a short review on these boards! Copy/Paste: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=339498
I would argue that the Blackmoor in GH was just a tip of EGG hat toward his buddy Dave while the Blackmoor in Known World/Mystara became an integral part of the world and helped shape its future. Thus, by right, the Blackmoor published now as a 3.5 universe should be tied to Mystara IF it was tied to a known setting at all.
I doubt it.
Why don't you run that by Dave Arneson? BTW, didn't they have a falling out?
And, yes, they had a falling out as I mentioned in my first post. But I guess time erase many things...
I browsed Blackmoor's boards and, to date (unless I missed it), Dave hasn't gone one way or the other.
The online previews led me to the conclusion that Mr Arneson is trying to built his own setting (as he talks about a capital and other cities as well).
In any case, I will consider a future campaign there with Greyhawk background...
