| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| The Sage |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 06:52:01
Last week, I started putting together a three-part series of adventures based around mostly the Celestial Empire of Shou Lung, located deep in the realm of Kara-Tur, but it will also have the party travelling back and forth (through the Plane of Shadow) to the western portion of Faerun. This series will include elements of Planescape (obviously  ), elements of the 3e Oriental Adventures tome that details the L5R realm of Rokugan, and a large part of the adventures will focus on Spelljamming through Realmspace (mostly, although Bralspace will have a certain part to play).
Anyway, while putting together some of the themes and ideas behind this massive project I came to think about how many other FR DMs still use Kara-Tur, or elements of the OA (2e/3e) tome in their Realms games...?
So, I want to hear from you, about what you have included in your games, what you might want to include should the opportunity ever arise, and what elements of the setting you think are most appropriate to focus upon when playing in the Realms Oriental environment.
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alrunes Sinethal |
Posted - 03 Apr 2004 : 19:03:01
Actually I like the Legends of the Five Rings series. I thought the authors were great in portraying the Japanese culture so well, they did their homework :) I am a victim of Japanese "romanticization" (too much anime)
I think I will go digged up my notes on Chinese classes that I created, oh about a century ago, and update them to v3.5 |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Apr 2004 : 13:23:00
Hmmm...I'm almost hesitant to ask about what you thought of the Legend of the Five Rings novel series?. Those particular books were based on the setting of Rokugan, which is detailed in Oriental Adventures...
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| Alrunes Sinethal |
Posted - 02 Apr 2004 : 07:19:18
Considering the fact that Shou Lung is based upon China, I was quite erk to find OA using mostly Japanese classes. True, Japanese culture and fantasy has been romanticized and has become very popular in America, but to give Shou Lung and Kara-Tur the right feel, I believe WoC needs to research and "canonized" more chinese fantasy. Afterall our fantasy martial artist can fly and shoot laser beams, some lives forever and has very interesting esoteric martial styles (almost a mix of fighting with psionics). So I hope when they finally get around to re-release an updated version of Kara-Tur, they will remember those weird chinese. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 20 Mar 2004 : 04:17:03
That's part of the reason why I removed those two previous posts. Some of the material I've written up since those portions were posted, now contradict what I had written before. It's really my own fault, as I hadn't read through several pages from the Kara-Tur boxed set fully. Now, after reading through the source information, I can expand upon what I had written before..
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| Hymn |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 23:46:20
I was a little bit dissepointed when reading about the battles in Shou Loung. But it was interesting on te other hand to read about the construction of their troops according to the Shou Book of Heaven among other things |
| The Sage |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 05:53:45
Hmmm...besides those maps available in the Kara-Tur boxed set, and those I'm currently in the process of drawing up, I really do not know of any places (online at least) were Far Eastern Maps of the Realms can be downloaded.
I can't really send you anything from the boxed set...The only thing I can suggest is to try asking on the FR Mailing List, or perhaps asking Faraer...he's a scribe here at Candlekeep. The only other suggestion I have, is that you simply wait until the first of my maps are posted.
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| Belfar |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 05:46:34
Well its been a while since I last posted but anyways back to the topic. I was interested in setting a campaign in Kara-Tur also and was wondering if you, Sage (or anyone else), had any maps of Kara-Tur. I'd really appreciate anything you could send my way. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 05:13:42
[Special note: I've taken down two portions of the material I had previously presented, due to conflicting issues with areas of the plot. These portions will now need to be revised to reflect the changes made to certain areas of the campaign]
The new 'revised' portions should be re-posted sometime next week...
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| The Sage |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 03:48:16
I still have a little more to say about the realm of Shou Lung, it's Spelljammer fleet, and it's overall involvement in the Tuigan campaigns, but I've also tried to expand beyond that. I didn't want the Tuigan Wars to be what ultimately defined the basis of the Shou Spelljammer fleet, and that should become evident as more of my work is presented...
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| Hymn |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 18:10:38
Cool, guess I will have to continue to read about the horde campaign wars then, as for now at least. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 14 Mar 2004 : 03:31:06
Indeed...in fact that little reference that I read years ago, is probably what prompted me to expand upon what we knew then.
Anyway, I still have some information to post, which will build upon what is presented here...It should be ready soon.
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| Hymn |
Posted - 13 Mar 2004 : 22:31:32
Looks ok to me, I remember reading about that dragon ship incident against the horde somewhere but can't for the life of me figure out where. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 13 Mar 2004 : 14:47:47
[Again, due to slight changes in the evolving campaign storyline, this section will need to be revised - Please be patient].
The Sage...
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| The Sage |
Posted - 13 Mar 2004 : 14:44:40
[Due to slight changes in the evolving campaign storyline, this section will need to be revised - Please be patient].
The Sage...
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| The Sage |
Posted - 13 Mar 2004 : 14:41:57
At last, I have finally finished a number of small portions to the campaign, and they're now ready for comment -
The Shou Fleet
As is mentioned every time a dragonship is described, the Shou take a practical approach to spelljamming. Unlike most groundling nations, they purpose build their vessels for wildspace. Indeed, a Shou dragonship is a solid ship by any standard. Still, the Shou are not a major political presence outside of Realmspace because they concentrate their energies on exploration and the hunt for curiosities. Shou traders are not unknown, but they are few and far between. The majority of Shou vessels are owned by the Imperial government; their numbers rise and fall with the flucuations in the political fortunes of the Ministry of Glorious Flight (the department responsible for most Shou spelljammers: see Shou Lung: Science page 29 for the origins of this relatively small ministry).
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| The Sage |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 14:25:22
Oh, you don't have to go to so much trouble. I'll just run some ideas with you, and see what you think...
Anyway, my first portion should be along shortly...
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| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 15:32:00
I am not Sage however, one of my D&D groups run a Space jammer campaign just before I joined it. I could ask for the books and read up on it. I Also saw a sectino on that website that you send me to, I had a quick passing look at it.
Hanx
Elrond |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 15:06:45
I appreciate the offer Elrond, especially now that so many of my current 'projects' seem to be approaching the final development stages. I'll let you know about something on Kara-Tur that you may be able to help me with.
Or maybe something on the Realmspace portion on these adventures. Are you familiar with the varied aspects of Wildspace in the Realms crystal sphere...?
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| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 13:44:22
Thank thee, Graciously Sage. Indeed these scrolls shall instruct me in the first part of learning about Foreign realms. Kara-Tur today Maztica tomorrow  !
Perhaps Sage my learning may get to a stage that I will be able to help others .
If you want my help with anything Sage just ask, I'll be more than glad to help!
Hanx
Elrond |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 13:15:35
Elrond, I've made use of some material from a number of online resources. The first is the Kara-Tur Articles site. It has some useful information on the region, as well as articles that detail material from the Oriental Adventures tome, both 2nd and 3rd edition.
Another useful site is the Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms page. It's full of Kara-Turian information sometimes summarised directly from the sourcebooks in FR 2e.
I hope these help you in your quest for knowledge Elrond...
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| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 12:48:54
Thank thee Sage I'll wait for you to finish this piece if thats ok.
I've always been interested in Kara-Tur, however none of my players liked the oriental feeling so we never tried it. I'd love to do what every I can to help you Sage.
If anyone has any webresources on Kara-Tur could you please send me to them.
Hanx
Elrond |
| Jacinth Greyfox |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 09:51:13
Sage ,that book on the Mughal rulers of India was The Mughal Throne: The Saga of India's great emperors by Abraham Eralay.
Hymn, as well as walking or SJ remember theres the Markers of Bezentil in the Great Dale. Although the Circle of Leth wouldnt be too amused if you started using them to "commute" to Kara-Tur. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 04:04:31
quote:
Originally posted by Elrond Half Elven
Here here Kahonen.
Cyric, please don't take offense to this, but can you please stop posting in the middle of Posts, that are totally unrealated to Cyric, about Cyric. We all know that you follow him, but there is no excuse for this. If you have a valid point to make, then no-one will stop you from making it, infact we will praise you for it. Please can you stop these Childish posts.
But as I say please do not take offense to this.
Anyway. Sage, could you please explain the political situation, in Kara-Tur to me, I have read a short peice on the internet, and found that it didn't help too much. This is a project that i would enjoy getting involved with.
Hanx
Elrond
Elrond, I'm actually working on a (sort-of) political piece for Shou Lung, and the greater region of Kara-Tur at the moment. If you can wait a few more days, I may be able to post the first part (which is still mostly in note form) that details the Shou Ministry of War, and Ministry of Glorious Flight with regards to details on my views of Shou Spelljamming in Realmspace.
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| Shadowlord |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 22:00:04
Ah, Sorry Hymn, its just hat his arrogance galls me. O well..... I'd best run before alaundo comes along with his dreaded staff again........ |
| Hymn |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 21:55:23
Hrrrm, guys you are getting of topic. Any how there are books to find about Kara-Tur, just to bad they are out of print. I guess plains walking or SJ is about the fastest and "safest" way to travel between Faerun and distant Kara-Tur since I remeber reading somwhere that it is rather difficult to make accurate use of the teleportation spell.
For those of you wanting some more info on Kara-Tur the link below can be used (be warned tough since most of the material isn't Canon)
http://www.prespos.crosswinds.net/KTtER.htm |
| Shadowlord |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 21:40:33
Actually I started a post some time ago called the Faults of Cyric, talking about how insane Cyric was. Quite humorous..... |
| RaVeN1463 |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 21:28:46
maybe cyric should start a post just about Cyric and if anyone cares which i doubt
they can read it |
| Shadowlord |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 19:29:59
quote:
Originally posted by Cyric
wel one thing you shuld take with you is Cyric but i be reading this any way what you write is usaley fun to read
I agree with the others. Consider how annoying it would be if every other post I yelled, "WHOOOO-HOOOO! MY GOD IS VHAERAUN AND HE'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOUR DEITY!!!" Ahem, well, you see my point. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 19:17:38
quote:
Originally posted by kahonen
I've finally realised who you are. You are King Tiax in disguise aren't you.
I'd forgotten just how frustrating it was to find a completely irrelevant posting in the middle of an interesting thread (in Tiax's case they were about Dwarves).
Thank you for reminding me.
 NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Urgh  |
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 19:15:48
Sage, have you read the "Unapproachable East" manual? There's quite a lot of info on the East and even some on Kara-Tur and some items. You know, there really isn't a lot of info on Kara-Tur since it is supposed to be a far away land. However, it is based a lot on ancient Chinese and Japanese history. For example, Kara-Tur's borders are protected by a long and magical wall. Lol. Great Wall of China, anyone? |
