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Sub-settings of Mystara part 2

by Francesco Defferrari from Threshold Magazine issue 24

It’s not just one RPG setting, but many, many more!

This article follows a first part which appeared in Threshold issue #231, which described the Geographical sub-settings in Brun and the Alphatian sea. This issue continues the article with the sub-settings of Davania and Skothar. The next issue of Threshold will continue with the sub-settings of the Hollow World, Mystaraspace, Historical and Racial sub-settings. See previous issue for more details.

[Image: Geographical sub-settings]

http://pandius.com/Mystara_subsettings.png

Geographical sub-settings

Geographical sub-settings are macro-regions with some distinctive theme or characteristic, or simply political ties or geographical vicinity. Obviously any such classification is completely arbitrary, but still useful for a DM. Any given geographical sub-setting borders another one, usually more than one, and PCs could easily move from one to another. Under each sub-setting paragraph I have added basic campaign suggestions for Basic, Expert, Companion, Master and Immortal adventures under BECMI D&D categories. The ideas assume a good aligned party. Otherwise, they could be easily reversed.

In Davania

The southern continent of Mystara received some spotlight in some canon products, mostly the Hollow World boxed set, the Voyages of the Princess Ark and the Poor Wizard’s Almanac, but it is still mostly an unknown, fascinating land.

[Image: Silver Coast]

http://pandius.com/SilverCoast.png

The Silver Coast (Izondian Deep)

This sub-setting was created by me first in the Vaults of Pandius and later in Threshold issue #5, based on some previous work by Geoff Gander, mostly his map of Davania and the invention of the Heldannic colony of Schweidnitz, and the Kwythellar elves of Jeff Daly. Canon had originally nothing on this region except for some geographical labels, Izonda and Strait of Izonda. Geoff Gander also placed in this region, before 7000 BC, the inhuman and evil carnifex empire of Y’hog. The region therefore has plenty of opportunities for adventure, as it is menaced by two powerful militaristic nations and by a forgotten past and has been recently reached by an expedition from the Known World. The main inhabitants of the Silver Coast would be humans, elves, dwarves, half ogres, humanoids, crabmen, minotaurs, centaurs, fairies and lizardmen.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the jungles or deserts, finding old Oltec ruins or dangerous secrets of the past.
Expert Campaign: getting involved in local politics by helping the leaders of the community against external and internal threats.
Companion Campaign: Setting up a Dominion or a full new nation, defending it from rivals and enemies.
Master Campaign: Become the rulers of a nation, or helping it against Kwythellar or Izonda, or other terrible, more ancient enemies.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, spreading the faith in the coast.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and Izondian region http://pandius.com/izonda.html, Kwythellar elves http://pandius.com/kwythel.html, Mis http://pandius.com/mis.html and Y’hog http://pandius.com/yhog.html
Lhomarr http://pandius.com/lhomarr.html is also very much relevant for its confrontation with Y’hog.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Arica]

http://pandius.com/Arica.png

Arica

This region is basically the creation of Steven B. Wilson, but has a basis in canon as the place where one of the Tanagoro migration from Skothar arrived, according to the map in the Hollow World boxed set. Wilson drew on Southern African culture as inspiration. The expected population would be a mix of descendants of the Tanagoro (humans) and some half-ogres similar to those from nearby Gombar and Suma’a in the Arm of the Immortals. Also present are minotaurs, zebrataurs and others.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the vast wilderlands and old ruins.
Expert Campaign: Helping the leaders of the community against external and internal threats and rise to the status of local leaders.
Companion Campaign: Setting up new nation, conquering other populations or defend Arica from external enemies.
Master Campaign: Unify the many people of Arica in one empire or federation.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, spreading the faith in Arica and beyond.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and Arica http://pandius.com/arica.html
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Izonda]

http://pandius.com/Izonda.png

Izonda

This place was just a name on the Master set map and the Hollow World boxed set maps. I imagined it as a militaristic state created by descendants of Tanagoro humans and humanoids, as according to Steven B. Wilson’s work on Arica, they were driven to the eastern desert by a civil war. Izonda is since became a powerful militaristic nation bent on conquering its neighbours and in direct confrontation with the powerful Matriarchy of Pelatan to the west. The Izondian desert would be mostly inhabited by Tanagogres, but with populations of humans, humanoids, thri-kreen and other creatures.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the vast territory of Izonda, or scouting the lands of the enemy.
Expert Campaign: Helping the local leader against threats or rising to fame in the Izondian army.
Companion Campaign: Leading a successful military campaign and becoming heroes of the nation.
Master Campaign: Secure new conquests for Izonda, reaching the northern seas, or defeating a major opponent like Kwythellar or Pelatan.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure a lasting Izondian empire.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and Izonda http://pandius.com/izonda.html with slightly alternate versions previously proposed by Bruce Heard http://pandius.com/davideas.html and by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actviznd.html
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Pelatan]

http://pandius.com/Pelatan.png

Pelatan

Another place which was just a geographical name for which I imagined a powerful Matriarchal nation, inhabited mostly by humans descended from Oltecs, Tanagoro and Neathar but with a relevant presence of other races, as dragons, elves, centaurs, pegataurs, fairies and others. Partially inspired also by James Mishler, which imagined in the region an empire ruled by gold dragons at the times of Blackmoor, and by Geoff Gander, who imagined in the region a migration of Neathar men from Varellya, as shown in the Hollow World boxed set migration map.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the old ruins of the vast Pelatan provinces.
Expert Campaign: Helping the local leader against threats or rising to fame in the province.
Companion Campaign: Defending Pelatan from external threat and/or entering into direct service to the Matriarchy.
Master Campaign: Defeating a major opponent like Kwythellar or Izonda, or creating new lasting relations with far away lands.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure Pelatan’s future existence.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and Pelatan http://pandius.com/pelatan.html with a slightly alternate version previously proposed by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvpltn.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Brasol]

http://pandius.com/Brasol.png

Brasol

Clearly inspired by the real-world nation of Brazil, Brasol is only a name on a map of Davania at present, as there has been little development of this area. It would be inhabited by troglodytes, halfling, fairies, rakasta, humans of Oltec and Neathar descent, humanoids and possibly some giants, dwarves and gnomes too. Marco Dalmonte created a nation of “Brasolia” inhabited mainly by humans, halfling and rakasta.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the great jungles and high mountains of Brasol.
Expert Campaign: Helping the local community against threats and rising to fame.
Companion Campaign: Expand the borders of Brasol or creating a new nation.
Master Campaign: Defeating a major invasion, gaining access to the sea and/or creating new lasting relations with far away lands.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure Brasol’s future existence.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and Brasolia http://pandius.com/brasolia.html with the most developed description by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvbrsl.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Ice Peaks]

http://pandius.com/IcePeaks.png

Ice Wall, Ice Peaks and Old Evergrun

This region at the extreme southern end of Davania would be populated by humans, elves, humanoids, rakasta, giants, gnomes, fairies, halfling and maybe others too. The ancient homeland of the elves, the island of Evergrun, would also be in this region.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the cold lands of Davania.
Expert Campaign: Helping the local community against threats and rising to fame.
Companion Campaign: Creating a new nation in the south or lead an elven conquest.
Master Campaign: Creating new lasting relations with far away lands or forging an Empire.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future existence of your new Empire.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and the italian Gazetteer by Omnibius http://pandius.com/Evergrum.pdf.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Southern Davania]

http://pandius.com/SouthDavania.png

The South Pole

The South Pole deserves a paragraph of its own as an unforgiving region first described in Voyages of the Princess Ark, inhabited by giants animals and undead. Ethan Deneault imagined here that the rise of the elven lich Ektarmorag prompted the creation of the first Earthshakers. I also imagined an Air Empire dominated by cloud giants, air elementals and other air creature near the south pole. The region would also be inhabited by ice gnomes and rakasta, and maybe some penguin folk.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the unforgiving and frozen lands of the south.
Expert Campaign: Helping the local community or tribe rise in power.
Companion Campaign: Creating a new nation in the frozen wastes.
Master Campaign: Forging an Empire from the icy regions.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future existence of your new Empire.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html and Vulcania http://pandius.com/vulcania.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Green Bay and Fire bay]

http://pandius.com/GreenBay.png

Green Bay and Fire Bay

First described in the Voyages of Princess Ark, this is a vast land. The N’djatwa are a nation of cannibalistic half ogres/half elves. The region is also inhabited by the humans of Niscosenia, descendants of Lhomarr, gnomes and their Earthshakers, the seafaring lupins of Arnath, Alphatian dominions and the lost elven city of Thimhallan, last remnant of elven technology from before the Great Rain of Fire. Rakasta, giants and dinosaurs also inhabit this dangerous corner of Davania.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the savage bays, fighting dinosaurs and finding lost ruins
Expert Campaign: Helping a local community or tribe resist its enemies.
Companion Campaign: Creating a new powerful nation.
Master Campaign: Creating new lasting relations with far away lands or forging an Empire.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future existence of your nation.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Lost Valley region http://pandius.com/lostvall.html, Vulcania http://pandius.com/vulcania.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actviplv.html
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Vulcania]

http://pandius.com/Vulcania.png

Vulcania

A land threatened by the powerful gnomish Snartan empire but also inhabited by more gnomes, fire giants, human savages, civilized orcs and humanoids with steam power, and kingdoms founded by Skothar colonists. Rakasta, fairies and other races would be here too.
Basic Campaign: Exploring the vast lands of Vulcania.
Expert Campaign: Helping the local community against the Snartan Empire or other threats.
Companion Campaign: Creating a new nation or unifying an existing people.
Master Campaign: Forging an Empire and unifying the many people of Vulcania.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future existence of Vulcania.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Vulcania http://pandius.com/vulcania.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvvlcn.html
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Cestia and Oceania]

http://pandius.com/CestiaOceania.png

Cestia Oceania and Everfeed

Another region which was firstly described in Voyages of the Princess Ark, Oceania is an island inhabited by powerful and mysterious night dragons, while Cestia is the home of several human people, including descendants of ancient civilizations of Varellya and Oceania. Everfeed and the Sea of Steam could also be inhabited by many other people, including elves. Geoff Gander also placed in this sea the ancient nation of Lhomarr, eight millenia before the current era.
Basic Campaign: Explore the jungles of Cestia, or resist the tyranny of night dragons in Oceania, or sail to the islands of the Sea of Steam.
Expert Campaign: Organize your community against enemies.
Companion Campaign: Create a new nation or free Oceania from night dragons.
Master Campaign: Unify the islands in one lasting Empire, discover the ruins of Lhomarr.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Lhomarr http://pandius.com/lhomarr.html Cestia and Oceania http://pandius.com/oceania.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte Cestia http://pandius.com/actvcsta.html and Oceania http://pandius.com/actvocan.html
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Gulf of Mar]

http://pandius.com/GulfofMar.png

Gulf of Mar and Varellya

This region is important as it had a central role in the Voyages of the Princess Ark, as the seat of a secret base of the Heldannic Knights, near the former fallen Empire of Varellya, now inhabited by nagpas2. The region was later further developed by the original author, Bruce Heard, and by fans, with a struggle between the knights and the local Simbasta rakasta.
The Gulf also contain important city states such as Kechamar and Caducea, trading hubs inhabited by many different races, created by Me and LoZompatore.
Basic Campaign: Join the knights or resist them among the simbasta. Explore the lost nation of Varellya and its ruins.
Expert Campaign: Organize a community against its enemies.
Companion Campaign: Unify the region for the knights, the Simbasta, the nagpa or one of the city states.
Master Campaign: Unify the region under your rule.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, and Cultures of Central Davania by LoZompatore http://pandius.com/cdavclt.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte Arypt http://pandius.com/actvaryp.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Arypt]

http://pandius.com/Arypt.png

Arypt

This region was mentioned in Voyages of the Princess Ark as dotted with mysterious ruins. Fans later developed here more details on the realms of Arypt and Katapec. The region was also the seat of the Serpentine Empire, imagined by James Mishler as archenemy of Blackmoor before the Great Rain of Fire. During the age of Lhomarr, Geoff Gander placed here the human kingdom of Ilarnn. In more recent times, some Nithian colonies were established along the coast, leading to the creation of New Arypt.
Basic Campaign: Explore, find lost treasure and lost weapons.
Expert Campaign: Organize a community against its enemies, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead New Arypt, the Serpentine Empire, Katapec, Ilarnn or else back to a new era of glory and conquest.
Master Campaign: Unify the region under your rule.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Arypt http://pandius.com/arypt.html and Cultures of Central Davania by LoZompatore http://pandius.com/cdavclt.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte Arypt http://pandius.com/actvaryp.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Platea]

http://pandius.com/Platea.png

Platea

This region, where the ancient homeland of the halfling would be according to canon, was mostly developed by fans which populated it also with elves, rakasta, sis’thik, toadlings and giants.
Basic Campaign: Explore, find lost treasure and lost ruins, survive.
Expert Campaign: Organize a community against its enemies, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead a people of Platea to prominence.
Master Campaign: Unify the region under your rule.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Platea http://pandius.com/m_platea.html and Cultures of Central Davania by LoZompatore http://pandius.com/cdavclt.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Adakkia]

http://pandius.com/Adakkia.png

Adakkia

Just a geographical name on the Hollow World boxed set and Companion set maps, the area around the gulf of Adakkia was later developed a bit in the Poor Wizard’s Almanacs and mostly by fans, who placed here colonies from the Savage Coast, lizardmen, troglodytes, halfling, rakasta, humanoid and human tribes.
Basic Campaign: Explore the Gulf, find lost treasure and lost ruins.
Expert Campaign: Organize a city or a tribe against its enemies, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead a city or people to conquer the region.
Master Campaign: Unify the Gulf under your rule.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Adakkia http://pandius.com/adakkia.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte Addakia http://pandius.com/actvadak.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Aryptian basin]

http://pandius.com/Aryptian_Basin.png

Aryptian Basin or Meghala Amosses desert

The immense desert at the center of Davania had almost no development in canon sources, but fans added some information. The desert would be inhabited by rakasta, humanoids, minotaurs, lizardmen, sis’thik, medusa and some human tribes descended of Lhomarrians, Oltecs, Varellyans, Milenians and Nithians. Centaurs, aranea, scorpionfolk, antmen, thri-kreen, gnomes and halflings are likely present too. This is certainly a savage land with plenty of adventures.
Basic Campaign: Discover the secrets of the desert.
Expert Campaign: Organize your tribe against its enemies, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people to conquer lands.
Master Campaign: Unify the whole Basin under your rule.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Arypt http://pandius.com/arypt.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte Megales Amosses http://pandius.com/actvmegh.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017

[Image: Milenia and Jungle Coast]

http://pandius.com/MileniaJungleCoast.png

Milenia and the Jungle Coast

North eastern Davania was, until 50 BC, the seat of the powerful Milenian Empire. But the region is also the home of many other people: the strange inhabitants of Emerond, the Thyatian colony in the Four Kingdoms, the nations of Manacapuru, Bogdashkan and Yasuko, rakasta, lizardmen, aranea, humanoids, centaurs and many others. Described in the Hollow World boxed set, the Voyages of the Princess Ark and the Poor Wizard’s Almanacs, the region was one of the more developed in Davania and received further details in fan works. Several important Mileanian city states still dominate the north west of this region.
Basic Campaign: Explore the ruins of Milenia.
Expert Campaign: Organize your people or fight for your city, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people or city to rebuild the Milenian Empire.
Master Campaign: Create a new Empire in the region.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
The Voyages of the Princess Ark in Dragon Magazine and Champions of Mystara boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Davania http://pandius.com/davania.html, Adakkia http://pandius.com/adakkia.html Extent and expansion phases of the Milenian Empire by LoZompatore http://pandius.com/milenext.html and the version of this region by Marco Dalmonte Meghala Kimata http://pandius.com/actvmegk.html.
Threshold issue #5 and other articles dedicated to Davania in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222017


The Sea Kingdoms

Canon does not have much on the vast oceans of Mystara, except for a name in the Companion set map and the fact that the Hollow World boxed set map shows several migrations passing through them. The current inhabitants of Yavdlom and the Pearl Islands certainly came from the east, and fans have supposed that the Sea Kingdoms could be inhabited by a variety of human and non human cultures. Oltec and Tanagoro descended humans, elves and aquatic races such as merrows and tritons are likely to inhabit the Sea Kingdoms, in conflict or cooperation. This would be enough to create a very original Polynesian-like fantasy setting.
Basic Campaign: Explore the islands and the seas.
Expert Campaign: Organize your island and open trade to other places and people.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people to conquer multiple islands.
Master Campaign: Create a new Empire of the seas.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizards Almanac I, II and III
Oceania in the Vaults of Pandius http://pandius.com/oceania.html, The Sea of Steam and the Farend Ocean by LoZompatore. http://pandius.com/stmfrend.html
This thread about the topic on The Piazza:
http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=18554

The Seas and Undersea

This sub-setting could be considered both a racial sub-setting and a geographical one, as all the canon information we have on Mystara under the waves come from PC3 The Sea People. While the geographical setting of the supplement is limited to the Sunlit Sea around Ierendi and Minrothad in the Known World, it also contains rules to play as PCs the most important aquatic races: merrows, tritons, sea elves, sea giants, kna, kopru, nixies, shark-kins. Even if the supplement does not contain details on the seas beyond the Known World, both tritons and sea elves come from the southern seas and it is likely several populations of them and the other races exist elsewhere on Mystara. The seas also contain other intelligent and in some cases dangerous races such as devilfish, shimmerfish dolphins, snappers, aquatic beholders, mesmers, sea hags, velya, weresharks and wereseals, waterdrakes, intelligent whales and narwhals, water elementals, sea decapus and sea dragons. Then there are also the interesting underwater races described in the Savage Coast Monstrous Compendium: sea hermits, jorri and omm-wa. Crabmen, an AD&D creature which is mentioned in some Mystara canon products, would also be present in some seas. This is more than enough to populate the seas of Mystara with many fantastic locations!
Basic Campaign: Explore ruins, abysses and kelp forests under the sea.
Expert Campaign: Organize your community or travel up to the strange dry lands.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people to conquer the sea, or even the dry lands.
Master Campaign: Create a new Empire of the seas.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

PC3 The Sea People boxed set
AC9 Creature Catalogue and Creature Catalogue (1993)
Savage Coast Monstrous Compendium Appendix, also available on the Vaults of Pandius http://pandius.com/sc_monst.html
Undersea in the Vaults of Pandius http://pandius.com/undersea.html and also Undersea Timeline by Aaron Nowack http://pandius.com/underset.html Advice for traders in the Sea of Dread by LoZompatore from Threshold Magazine issue #4 http://pandius.com/trdadvce.html and also from LoZompatore The Sea of Steam and the Farend Ocean http://pandius.com/stmfrend.html and Settlements of the New Alphatian Sea (a what-if scenario) http://pandius.com/newalphs.html and Once, In a Blue Moon: Nations of the Spindrift Sea by John Calvin from Threshold Magazine issue #4 http://pandius.com/hllwsdft.html

In Skothar

The eastern continent did not receive much attention from canon products, except for brief descriptions of Jennite lands and Minaea. Yet the names in the Companion set map, the Hollow World boxed set map migrations and the fact than ancient Blackmoor was placed in the continent are enough to give DMs something to build on to create multiple sub-settings in Skothar.

[Image: Tangor Chain]

http://pandius.com/Tangor_Chain.png

Tangor Chain

Not much in canon about this region except for the fact that a Tanagoro migration started here in 2500 BC headed for Davania and the Sea Kingdoms. In Threshold issue #20 I tried to create a bit of history for this part of Mystara, imagining it originally inhabited by rakasta, gyerians and intelligent monkeys as the neshezu, then also by Tanagoro humans. The area was devastated by the Great Rain of Fire, which accordingly to the Hollow World boxed set maps completely changed the shape of the region. In 2500 BC there was a great hivebrood expansion, which forced many Tanagoro people to escape. More emigrated after 1600 BC following the great humanoid invasion of Skothar. Currently the Tangor Chain would be inhabited by a variety of races: humans of Jennite and Tanagoro descent, the mysterious culture of Zyxl, humanoids, rakasta and other races with nations inspired by east Africa and southern Asia, all dealing with the persistent menace of hivebrood and beholders.
Basic Campaign: Explore ancient ruins and battle the hivebrood.
Expert Campaign: Organize your people or fight for your city, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people or city to the conquest of a nation.
Master Campaign: Create a new Empire in the Chain.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and the version of Tangor by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvtngr.html and Zyxl http://pandius.com/actvzyxl.html. The Mystara Orient Page (valid for all Skothar): http://pandius.com/morient/morient.html, History And Evolution Of Rakastas by Simone Neri http://pandius.com/rakhevol.html and Ethnographic History of Mystara by Giulio Caroletti, Geoff Gander and Giampaolo Agosta http://pandius.com/ethno.html also valid for the whole continent.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

[Image: Gulf of Tangor]

http://pandius.com/TangorGulf.png

Gulf of Tangor

This would have been the main centre of the Tanagoro civilization before the Great Rain of Fire, but also inhabited by Jennite populations, rakasta, lizardmen, humanoids, hivebrood and others. Cultures of the region would be inspired by the Indian subcontinent and south Asia. The Gulf would be a hub of civilization and trade, but still with a lot of dangerous jungles, savage tribes and hivebrood nests.
Basic Campaign: Explore ancient ruins in the jungles and the mountains.
Expert Campaign: Organize your people or fight for your town, become regional heroes.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people or city to the conquest of a nation.
Master Campaign: Create a new Empire in the Gulf or expand an existing one.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and the version of Tangor by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvtngr.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

[Image: Minaea]

http://pandius.com/Minaea.png

Minaea

A very big nation of city states, one of the few areas of Skothar partially developed by canon products. Settled by descendants of the Milenian Empire of Davania who arrived a thousand years ago, it is also inhabited by Jennite and Tanagoro humans, rakasta, minotaurs and other races. Ships of the Minaean Confederation of City States have often been in conflict with Alphatians in Bellisaria. In past issues of Threshold, I imagined Bellisaria was originally settled by Mileanians and then conquered by Alphatians, and therefore the competition on the island stems from a centuries long struggle between the two people. In the Fan Almanacs of 1017 to 1019 AC some events take place on Minaea and a Thyatian expedition reaches the region.
Basic Campaign: Explore the wildlands around the city states or find wealth and fame in your city state.
Expert Campaign: Become regional heroes of the city state.
Companion Campaign: Lead your city to unify Minaea.
Master Campaign: Take Bellisaria from the Alphatians.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and the version of Minaea by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvmina.html. The Fan Almanacs and the events taking place in Minaea http://pandius.com/alm.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

[Image: Jen]

http://pandius.com/SteppesofJen.png

Steppes of Jen

The immense central steppe of Skothar, divided in the Master set map between Jen and the Empire of the Great Khan, would be inhabited mainly by humans of Jennite descent, humanoid, rakasta and gyerians. I imagined the Empire of the Great Khan as now dominated by a dragon emperor as the Empire of Dalung-quo, inspired by classical China as in the intention of the Mystara Oriental Project. The other nations of the region would be inspired by the cultures of Central and Western Asia.
Basic Campaign: Explore the infinite steppes and their secrets.
Expert Campaign: Organize your tribe to resist a powerful Empire or serve in its ranks.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people to conquer the Imperial Capital or become the unstoppable heroes of the Empire.
Master Campaign: Conquer Skothar with your troops.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and the version of Jen by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actv_jen.html. The Mystara Orient Page (valid for all Skothar): http://pandius.com/morient/morient.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

[Image: Esterhold]

http://pandius.com/Esterhold.png

Esterhold

The best developed region of Skothar, as it was included in the Dawn of the Emperors boxed set and later also described and expanded a bit in the Poor Wizard’s Almanacs. Esterhold was inhabited by Jennite humans but colonized by Alphatia in 200 BC. It would also be inhabited by other races, such as rakasta, hivebrood and others, like the insect like kukarachans devised by Jeff Daly and Geoff Gander.
Basic Campaign: Explore the wilderlands of Esterhold for the Alphatians, or search for a way to fight against them for the Esterhold natives.
Expert Campaign: Organize your tribe to resist Alphatia or serve in its ranks.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people to liberate Esterhold from the Alphatians or become the unstoppable heroes of the Empire.
Master Campaign: Unify Esterhold and use it to jump to more stunning conquests.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Dawn of Emperors boxed set
The Hollow World boxed set
The Poor Wizard’s Almanacs I, II and III
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and the version of Esterhold by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvehld.html. The Fan Almanacs and the events taking place in Esterhold http://pandius.com/alm.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

[Image: Tagh mountains]

http://pandius.com/Taghmountains.png

Tagh Mountains and Thunder Rift (Nentsun Plateau)

The central mountains of Skothar do not have a real name in canon as in the Master set and Hollow World boxed set are incongruously named Nentsun Plateau even if they are at a great distance from the Nentsun peninsula. So I would prefer to call them Tagh Mountains as they are the land inhabited by Tagh Sherkasta, introduced by the article by Bruce Heard Rakasta of Mystara appeared on Dragon Magazine #247 in May 1998. In a recent discussion with Gravesguardian on the Thunder Rift subforum on The Piazza, I decided these mountain of Skothar could be an ideal placement for the Rift, which was officially placed in Mystara but not specifically located anywhere. The classic fantasy feel of the Rift matches well the heritage of Blackmoor, the first fantasy campaign, later placed in Skothar. There is also a Thunder Rift adventure, Rage of the Rakasta, which has rakasta with a clearly oriental culture, as would be appropriate for the rakasta of Skothar. The region would be inhabited also by humanoids, centaurs, fairies, giants and dragonborn (which were included in Blackmoor 3ed and 4ed material).
Basic Campaign: Explore the mountains, or exit the Rift to contact other people.
Expert Campaign: Organize your tribe or unify the Rift and bring it back to the outside world.
Companion Campaign: Lead your people to conquest of the mountains.
Master Campaign: Unify the many people of the mountains and create an empire.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Thunder Rift boxed set and adventures
Blackmoor 3rd and 4th edition
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and Thunder Rift http://pandius.com/thndrift.html, History And Evolution Of Rakastas by Simone Neri http://pandius.com/rakhevol.html and the version of Nentsun by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvnent.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

[Image: Thonia and Nentsun]

http://pandius.com/Nentsun.png

Thonia

Thonia, or better New Thonia, was founded by refugees of the former Thonian Empire after the Great Rain of Fire. A bit of information on this land comes from the DA series of adventures, and fans have added some more. Judging by the cultures and races presented in the DA series and in later Blackmoor products for D&D 3rd and 4th edition, New Thonia could be inhabited by the usual races, humans, elves, halflings, dwarves and gnomes, but also by dragonborn, humanoids, fairies, gatormen, frogfolk and more. The culture would be quite cosmopolitan, as the original Blackmoor setting was heavily inspired by British and Celtic themes but there were also nomadic people like the Peshwa and the Afridhi and the Thonian Empire which contained a broader European and Asian cultural inspiration. This could indeed fit quite well with the mixing of Neathar and Jennite cultures in this region of Mystara.
Basic Campaign: Explore the vast lands of Thonia or serve the Empire.
Expert Campaign: Rise in the ranks of the Empire, explore other lands.
Companion Campaign: Become victorious generals or famous explorers and diplomats.
Master Campaign: Unify the many people of the mountains and create an empire.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
DA1 Adventures in Blackmoor, DA2, DA3 and DA4, and Blackmoor 3rd and 4th edition
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html and the version of Thonia by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvthna.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

Old Blackmoor and Old Thonia

The region where once Blackmoor and Thonia laid before the Great Rain of Fire, a frozen unforgiving land poisoned by technomagical radiations. Inhabited only by humanoids and mutants who fight for the remnants of the once powerful Blackmoorian devices. And also the region where in recent issues of Threshold magazine Brian Rubinfeld placed “Returned Blackmoor”, a dystopian tyrannical and powerful version of the latter days of the disappeared civilization.
Basic Campaign: Explore the Wasted lands and search for the dangerous items of lost Blackmoor. Or venture from returned Blackmoor to explore the future.
Expert Campaign: Rise in the ranks of Returned Blackmoor, explore other lands, or become a powerful tribe chief with technomagic items.
Companion Campaign: Become victorious generals or famous explorers and diplomats.
Master Campaign: Unify the Wasted Land and create a new Blackmoorian Empire.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
DA1 Adventures in Blackmoor, DA2, DA3 and DA4, and Blackmoor 3rd and 4th edition
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

Nentsun

This region too was just a name on the Master set and the Hollow World boxed set maps, but later Giulio Caroletti wrote quite some material for Nentsun, imagining it as a federation of different people which have managed to maintain a viable land beyond the Arctic circle thanks to old Blackmoor warming engines. The region would be inhabited by humans, humanoids, rakasta, giants, elves, cryons and other races.
Basic Campaign: Explore the kingdoms of Nentsun and the different races which inhabit them.
Expert Campaign: Rise in the ranks of a Nentsunian kingdom, discover ancient artifacts or travel to neighbour lands.
Companion Campaign: Become victorious generals, famous explorers and diplomats or kings and queens.
Master Campaign: Lead Nentsun to expansion through war or trade with other lands.
Immortal Campaign: Create a new religion, and secure the future prosperity of the region.

Main sources

The Hollow World boxed set
The Atlas sections in the Vaults of Pandius Skothar http://pandius.com/skothar.html mostly the Chronicle of Nentsun by Giulio Caroletti and the version of Nentsun by Marco Dalmonte http://pandius.com/actvnent.html.
Threshold issue #20 and other articles dedicated to Skothar in Threshold Magazine http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17521&p=222019#p222018

Our exploration of Mystara sub-settings will continue in Threshold issue #25 with the Mystara settings below, above and inside the world, through the ages of history and in the lands inhabited by non human races.

1Threshold issue #23 can be downloaded free here: http://pandius.com/Threshold_23.pdf. A html version of the article is also here: http://pandius.com/msubset1.html

2Vulture like creatures inspired by the Skeksis of the 1982 movie Dark Crystal.