Subject: MYSTARA-L Digest - 3 Sep 2003 to 4 Sep 2003 (#2003-216)
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Date: 05/09/2003, 17:00
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Reply-to: Mystara RPG Discussion

There are 8 messages totalling 435 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

 1. Mystara's Mystics/Monks
 2. Years of Fire Campaign Setting (Long) (2)
 3. Campaigns through Time (longish) (2)
 4. Cyberboard gamebox for Mystara (2)
 5. Immortals and Avatars

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Date:    Thu, 4 Sep 2003 12:12:47 +0200
From:    Federico Kaftal <kaftal@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Mystara's Mystics/Monks

A few corrections to some statements:

1. the Glantri monastery (IIRC) is not located towards the Wendar border,
but rather in the eastern mountains facing Ethengar; the building stands by
the small village of Lhasa and the mystic GrandMaster's name is Saffron; the
community is more or less independent from the Principalities, although seen
with suspicion. It doesn't openly honor any immortal, although it secretely
aids the underground Ethengarian organization known as "The 10.000 Fists".

2. in RW mystics monasteries (such as Shao-Lin in China) no warlike immortal
has EVER been honored: rather Taoism and especially PACIFIC BUDDHISM were
practiced, for two main reasons:
- originally, because phisical exercise such as grappling and boxing was
held in high esteem for those devoting most of their time in idle mental
exercise
- later, because many warriors devoted to defeated dynasties were seeking
refuge by those monasteries from the vengeance of the new rulers, and became
monks themselves; here, they continued to develop the art of war they'd
always practiced in their previous life, both because they loved it, and
with the hope to creating a fighting school for getting a new opportunity of
revenge in the future (often with the tacit approval of the true "religious"
monks who often messed up too much with politics themselves).

3. in M5 Talons of Night (a nice adventure, although a true butchery for PCs
- beware!)



       ATTENTION: SPOILER - read no more if you are a PC in Talons of
Night!













!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the darklord leader and last PCs enemy is a Vampire mystic of 15th or 16th
level!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!










END SPOILER

Cheers,

Federico Kaftal

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

Date:    Thu, 4 Sep 2003 09:51:56 -0400
From:    Geoff Gander <au998@FREENET.CARLETON.CA>
Subject: Re: Years of Fire Campaign Setting (Long)

John wrote:

> At one time I was toying with a campaign idea for Mystara BC 2300 (inspired by
> previous work done by MML members) - with necromantic Taymorians, Mordrigswerg,
> savage (pre-empire) Nithians, Lizardmen, Giants, and immigrating Elves.

This would be an interesting period to play in, as well.  I also think the
period immediately following the fall of Taymor would be interesting,
because it marked the beginning of a period of tumultuous change for what
we know as the Known World.  Nithia had not yet arisen as an empire, while
some remnants of old Taymor might linger on the coasts, still exerting some
power as they decline.  Brun was basically a lawless land, aside from a few
possible enclaves of civilisation.  This would be an ideal period for
legends to made (cue the PCs...)

<snip potential Immortal players during GRoF era>

I would agree with John's assessment here, but would not question Ordana's
involvement.  In fact, I think she might see this as an opportunity to
"heal the world" as well as shift people away from technology.  I could
definitely see back-to-nature groups arising from the ashes, blessed by
Ordana, and loudly preaching that the destruction of the GRoF was due to
technology.

> This is something I never thought about, but it does seem very appropriate.
> I'm going to have to 'borrow' that idea for my own campaign as well.  Perhaps
> ne of the reasons that the Mordrigswerg are so shunned today is that they
> retain some practices of Outer Being worship...

Now this is an idea that merits further thought... ;-)

Geoff

-- 
Geoff Gander, BA 97, MPA 02
Carnifex Loremaster/Mad Roleplayer
Master of the Elemental Plane of Bureaucracy
au998@freenet.carleton.ca : www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/2091

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

Date:    Thu, 4 Sep 2003 09:30:31 -0700
From:    John Calvin <chimpman.geo@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Years of Fire Campaign Setting (Long)

>>
This would be an interesting period to play in, as well.  I also think the
period immediately following the fall of Taymor would be interesting,
because it marked the beginning of a period of tumultuous change for what
we know as the Known World.
<<

Thanks.  Hey if we can cover enough of these time periods we'll actually have
someplace to send PCs (other than Blackmoor) when they enter the Comeback Inn
(or whatever it's called).  Might make for a nice time-traveller campaign. ;)

Anyone want to try and come up with a set of interesting time periods in
Mystara (I'm sure there are quite a few of them)?  I might take a quick shot at
it just for fun.

>>
I would agree with John's assessment here, but would not question Ordana's
involvement.  In fact, I think she might see this as an opportunity to
"heal the world" as well as shift people away from technology.  I could
definitely see back-to-nature groups arising from the ashes, blessed by
Ordana, and loudly preaching that the destruction of the GRoF was due to
technology.
<<

I'd agree with this.  I guess the question in my mind was not "would Ordana be
involved?", but "how strong would Ordana be at the time?"  Is she one of the
big wigs or just a fledgling immortal at this time?  Since I don't have WotI in
front of me right now, I don't know.  What was her mortal form?  Was she one of
the Evergrun elves?

>>
> This is something I never thought about, but it does seem very appropriate.
> I'm going to have to 'borrow' that idea for my own campaign as well.  Perhaps
> ne of the reasons that the Mordrigswerg are so shunned today is that they
> retain some practices of Outer Being worship...

Now this is an idea that merits further thought... ;-)
<<

In my Mystara 2300 one of the main problems is avoiding the Rotting Disease.
The Taymorans turned to necromancy to alleviate the disease, while the
for-runners of the Modrigswerg turned to other methods.  Some are devil/demon
worshipers, others have embraced "construct technology/magic" and build
themselves "better bodies".  Unfortunately for them the construct tech relies
on the Radiance, which in turn exacerbates their problem (and will eventually
bring about the destruction of their race).  Heh.  Not having Outer Being cults
among the dwarves is a fact that I intend to rectify. ;)

-John

=====
Rule #85.
I will not use any plan in which the final step is horribly complicated, e.g. "Align
the 12 Stones of Power on the sacred altar then activate the medallion at the
moment of total eclipse." Instead it will be more along the lines of "Push the
button."

from "A Guide to Becoming an Evil Overlord" by Peter Anspach

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

Date:    Thu, 4 Sep 2003 14:10:55 -0700
From:    John Calvin <chimpman.geo@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Campaigns through Time (longish)

Here are a few ideas for various campaigns throughout Mystaran history.
I'm sure that there are many more ideas, but these times just stood out to me.
The ideas are sparse, and of course could use some building upon.  The timeline
used to generate these ideas can be found here :

http://www.geocities.com/chimpman.geo/cannon.html


BC 5000 - The golden age of elves.  Elves dominate this campaign.  The forest
spirits have stopped sheltering the elves, and now the elves must forge out on
their own.  They must build and create their civilization from the wilderness
of Grunland.
Interesting questions:
Who are the forest spirits, and why did they stop sheltering the elves?
What kinds of dangers/obstacles will they face in their new environment?

BC 4000 - 3000 - The rise and fall of Blackmoor.  There is plenty here, so I
won't go into it.

BC 3000 - The Years of Fire.  Civilizations must pick up the pieces after
Blackmoor destroys itself (and most of the world with it).

BC 2300 - The Age of Taymora.  Brun is beginning to support larger populations,
and a few distinct civilizations have arisen including Taymora, the Kingdom of
Fomorians, a Lizardmen kingdom, and several tribes of goblinoids (who are now
becomming distinct).  In addition Dwarves have migrated here from Skothar
(for-runners of Mordrigswerg) and elves are beginning to show up from the
south.  Most races still combat the dreaded wasting disease left in BLackmoors
wake, although its affects are beginning to lessen.

BC 1750 - 1700 - (approximate time)  The Rise of Nithia and the second breaking
of the world.  The power of Taymora is broken by the rising Nithian nation.
The end of Taymora is seen when elves in Glantri trigger a Blackmoorian device
that sends part of Brun's southern coast underneith the waves.  The elves
retreat into caves beneath the Broken Lands just ad "modern dwarves" are
emerging from their underground caverns (after being modified/created by
Kagyar).  Humanoid hoards (Loark and Akkila-Khan) are sweeping across the land.
With the fall of the humanoid hoards, the Nithians begin their expansion.

BC 1000 - Orcs, Dwarves, and Planar Invaders - Brun is a virtual battleground
as Nithians, Dwarves, and Orcs battle one another in an attempt to carve out
their own empires.  Other nations (like the Shires) are subjegated and their
populace enslaved.  Some of the Nithian holdings (Traladara) are lost to hoards
of Gnolls.  To make matters worse people are fleeing from the East where it is
reported that an aggressive nation from another plane (Alphatians) is invading
their territory.

BC 500 - The Fall of Nithia.  What happened to all of those in Brun that were
struggling with Nithia when it was finally wiped out of their memory by the
immortals.  With the end of Nithia there is a vast power vacuume that must be
filled. This campaign could cover the fall of Nithia as well as what happens
afterward.  The Hin regain their freedom.  Humanoid tribes are still a threat
to the area.  A great hoard rises agains the dwarves, but is destroyed, while a
hoard of kobolds wipes out the northern gnomes.

AC 0 - The Rise of Thyatis.  This might be a fun time as well.  Alphatians have
built up their empire and have pushed outward from their borders.  New lands
are conquered, yet the people are not subjigated.  The culminations of this
campaign could end with the Alphers being pushed back, and Zendrolion crowned.
It could also continue as the Kingdom of Darokin is formed and Thyatis begins
to expand their borders.  Orcs also begin to make a comeback at this time.

AC 250 - Both Thyatis and Alphatia fight over what will become Ylaruam.  Much
desert excitement here.  Dwarves are also beginning to colonize other lands
(although not by force it seems).

AC 500 - The Elfwars.  Darokin is wracked by chaos and war.  The humans and
elves fight amongst themselves, and the orcs take advantage of the situation to
attack as well.  [Note:  Max Monas, The Stalker, and I actually wrote up an
extensive history of the time as a backdrop to our Corruption of the Swords
adventure.  I think it could be expanded into a full campaign with a little
work.]

AC 700 - The settlement of Glantri.  The Flaemish and their elven neighbors
battle.  Thyatis and Alphatia both invade the territory, but are ultimately
pushed back or absorbed into the new emerging culture.


Wow.  That's a lot.  I'm goign to stop for now (although I haven't gone through
the entire timeline yet).  I started out writing these time periods down with
the intent of creating a setting for a time travelling band of PC, but now I
also think it might be fun to take a bunch of players through each of these
time periods using period characters.  Perhaps one of the PCs is even questing
for immortality and is reincarnated throughout the centuries in order to
complete his task.

-John

=====
Rule #85.
I will not use any plan in which the final step is horribly complicated, e.g. "Align
the 12 Stones of Power on the sacred altar then activate the medallion at the
moment of total eclipse." Instead it will be more along the lines of "Push the
button."

from "A Guide to Becoming an Evil Overlord" by Peter Anspach

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

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

Date:    Fri, 5 Sep 2003 08:06:07 +1000
From:    Bill Clancy <davout@ALPHALINK.COM.AU>
Subject: Cyberboard gamebox for Mystara

Folk

I am building a Cyberboard map of Mystara using the Gazetteer Maps.  To fill
in some gaps and compensate for my lousy skills at both Cyberboard AND
cartography generally, I need some maps of

the Heldann Freeholds,
that bit to the left (west) of the Atruaghin Clans
anything north and west of Glantri

all at the 8 mile per hex scale.

After a fairly cursory search of the web, i can't find any anything at that
scale.

Hoping you can help.

Cheers

Bill

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

Date:    Thu, 4 Sep 2003 20:35:12 -0400
From:    Mischa Gelman <mgelman@CITY-NET.COM>
Subject: Re: Campaigns through Time (longish)

On Thu, 4 Sep 2003, John Calvin wrote:

> BC 500 - The Fall of Nithia.  What happened to all of those in Brun that were
> struggling with Nithia when it was finally wiped out of their memory by the
> immortals.  With the end of Nithia there is a vast power vacuume that must be
> filled. This campaign could cover the fall of Nithia as well as what happens
> afterward.  The Hin regain their freedom.  Humanoid tribes are still a threat
> to the area.  A great hoard rises agains the dwarves, but is destroyed, while a
> hoard of kobolds wipes out the northern gnomes.

I'm intrigued by this era. Anyone else want to work on a reference source
for this period? I'd be glad to lend a hand on such a project but wouldn't
want to go it alone.

- Mischa

One begins to experience faith and conversion when one has the heart of
the poor, when one knows that financial capital, political influence, and
power are worthless, and that without G-d we are nothing. - Oscar Romero

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

Date:    Thu, 4 Sep 2003 19:17:22 -0700
From:    Ramses Ramirez <ramses78@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Immortals and Avatars

Does the "On the Prime Plane, Direct Action Against Mortals is Forbidden" rule apply also to Immortal's avatars? I am clear on the fact that an Immortal can't just appear on the Prime Plane in his Manifestation form and start slaughtering the mortals he dislikes.. But what about avatars? Does using an avatar to destroy an unliked mortal (or mortals) constitute breaking this rule? Or is it fair game?

Lancer


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Date:    Fri, 5 Sep 2003 08:23:05 +0200
From:    Thibault Sarlat <thibault.sarlat@WANADOO.FR>
Subject: Re: Cyberboard gamebox for Mystara

this means that you haven't visited my site. feel free to use the maps
there.


Thibault Sarlat.

ICQ 16622177.
Personal homepage  http://www.mystara.fr.st
thibault.sarlat@wanadoo.fr
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Clancy" <davout@ALPHALINK.COM.AU>
To: <MYSTARA-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 12:06 AM
Subject: [MYSTARA] Cyberboard gamebox for Mystara


> Folk
>
> I am building a Cyberboard map of Mystara using the Gazetteer Maps.  To
fill
> in some gaps and compensate for my lousy skills at both Cyberboard AND
> cartography generally, I need some maps of
>
> the Heldann Freeholds,
> that bit to the left (west) of the Atruaghin Clans
> anything north and west of Glantri
>
> all at the 8 mile per hex scale.
>
> After a fairly cursory search of the web, i can't find any anything at
that
> scale.
>
> Hoping you can help.
>
> Cheers
>
> Bill
>
> ********************************************************************
> The Other Worlds Homepage: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/OtherWorlds.asp
> The Mystara Homepage: http://www.dnd.starflung.com/
> To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM
> with UNSUB MYSTARA-L in the body of the message.
>
>

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

End of MYSTARA-L Digest - 3 Sep 2003 to 4 Sep 2003 (#2003-216)
**************************************************************