| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mr Dark |
Posted - 12 Mar 2014 : 04:11:45
Hey all, I have decided after years of running in the North and Sword Coast I am going to try my hand at running in the Dales and Cormyr area. Since most of my collection focuses on western Faerun I don't have much on running in the Dales themselves. So I was wondering if anyone has tips on how to run a Dalelands campaign and how to make it different from the North. Also, any suggestions on a good resource for the Dales, Cormyr and the Moonsea would be great; edition doesn't matter.
Thanks in advance. |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mr Dark |
Posted - 12 Mar 2014 : 20:44:41
quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
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The Dalelands feel a bit like rural France or England in the middle ages to me. It's not particularly cosmopolitan or well developed but the people are strong, independent and in most cases friendly.
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It is interesting that you would mention England as I see both the Dales and Cormyr as somewhat English in nature. The Dales would be a Celtic style Britian while Cormyr would be Arthurian in nature had Arthur not been killed by Modred (Thus a plot point I may exploit.). As for the surrounding areas I am not entirely sure about possible analogs but I do see Sembia as a type of Spain or Italy.
I'll look for physical copies of Volo and the Dalelands. |
| Eilserus |
Posted - 12 Mar 2014 : 14:05:46
Volo's Guide to the Dalelands (2E book) is a great resource. Cormanthyr: Empire of Elves and the Fall of Myth Drannor are good resources too if you are looking for names of old elven cities for ruins to explore in the forest. Daggerdale and the Ghost Holds near Battledale have always been my favorite areas of the Dales. Shadowdale has a lot of great areas for adventures to explore too.
For Cormyr information, I'd say the best sources for current Realms info are going to be Ed's Sage of Shadowdale series: Elminster Must Die, Bury Elminster Deep, and Elminster Enraged. Tons of NPC's, nobles, war wizards, and other things going on that a person can port into a campaign. |
| Gary Dallison |
Posted - 12 Mar 2014 : 13:58:03
Well the best advice i can offer is to concentrate on an area to really get a feel for it.
So read the campaign setting blurbs, the adventures, the volos guidebook, any sourcebook that even gives a mention.
From there you should get a feel for the character and personality of an area.
The Dalelands feel a bit like rural France or England in the middle ages to me. It's not particularly cosmopolitan or well developed but the people are strong, independent and in most cases friendly.
Try and make things as country as you can with lots of roaming the countryside and rescuing farmsteads from wandering monsters. Everything should be a bit more relaxed than city adventuring, but hidden beneath the surface are major power plays going on between Cormyr, Sembia, Zhentil Keep and Hillsfar for control of the Dales which are protected by Elminster and the Harpers.
Obviously each individual dale has its own character so you need to adapt as the people move through each dale.
The north is typically characterised by constant vigilance against the next orc horde and so people cluster in walled settlements for protection which i imagine is like England during the viking invasion (can you tell i'm from England) with heavy emphasise being on the rule of the sword. |
| Monkeyofficeboy |
Posted - 12 Mar 2014 : 12:28:54
After a long time away I am also looking for information/tip[s on running in the Dalelands too! As a happy coincidence, I'll keep my eyes peeled on this thread.
I do have the 2nd edition boxed set, the 2nd ed Shadowdale sourcebook, and the 3rd ed FRCS as resources, but would love others advice and tips on getting the most out of setting a game in this area. |
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