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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 11:11:38
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| MIddle Earth is also a good one... |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 11:49:46
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@CoA in the DragonAge RPG Handbook, it says that thw Elves of Arlathan were immortal and that they began loosing their immortality when humans came and settled on the continent. They were also shocked that diseases carried by humans began killing them (they were modled after the Celts, kinda obvious)
My High Elves are fair skinned with pale blode and other light sades of blonde, ed, strawberry, and white hair. They have violet, light, or light blue eyes. They are the tallest of the Elves; males being arond 6'3 to 6'4 and females around the same height. Males have a broadish body (look at Drizzt'sbdy on the cover of the graphic novel of Homeland) while females have a more lithe or something along those lines, but they are all slim, as in body thickness, but not twiggy slim, all of my Elves have shape. They have sharp facial features and generally full lips (not humungously thick). Males tend to kepp the hair shrt and styled while females prefer it long but not below their waits, High Elves are VERYfinicky. They are extremely arrogant, prideful, and haughty. Their favoured classes are the mage, cleric, star knight, archer, and rogue.
Dark Elves are charcoal coloured and have red eyes and white hair or silver hair. They are basically the same as High Elves in facial features but are noticeably shorter and ales have a more built bdoy and females a lot more curvier than High Females. (Think of the High Elves as passionate romanticcs and Dark Elves as lustful nymphoes)
I'll describe the rest of my Elves when I come home from school. |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 11:51:34
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| Warhammer's Dark Elves are interesting :D They make the Drow look like kittens (I wish there were some good ones at least) |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 15:04:07
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You sure that wasn't framed as a myth or belief? One of the things the dragon age universe is built around is ambiguity and nothing being certain.
Anyway. To further elaborate on elves in my hb; the two main groups normally labeled "high elves" and "wood elves" are divided into two kingdoms. High elves control the oldest surviving empire on the planet,largely modeled off of imperial china. They usually stand 5'4"-5'8", never dropping below five feet or rising above six. Skin color usually varies between pale white to golden. They're renown for their art, medicinal knowledge, and magical skill. Their most sacred art is alchemy, which they practice alongside a large number of hired goblin masters, the only free non-elves in the empire. They worship dragon gods, "good"(for whatever measure) and evil in equal number. Each dragon god has an associated elven god who they believe was an emperor or empress ascended to the heavens on the back of said dragon.
Their military consists almost entirely of constructs created in the style of terracotta soldiers, and slave labor, consisting primarily of dragonborn, who they believe were created as a gift by the dragons to serve the elves. The only actual elves that serve in the military are mages, who act as generals commanding the construct soldiers, and archers(think this video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6EknwERf3o ).
They're primarily isolationists, engaging in minimal trade with the human empire, which they see as culturally and racially inferior(not to mention, it houses the largest population of free dragonborn, mostly bred from escaped slaves, which they see as a religious offense), and technically exist in a state of war against the orcish empire(though no major battles have been fought between them in some years), the pandaren empire(borrowed wholesale from warcraft), and the wood elf empire.
The wood elf empire is based partly off the celts(something more inspired by the warcraft night elves than the dragon age dalish) and partly off the Indian Rajputs. They're empire is smaller, and younger than the high elves, and they're isolated less out of choice and more out of geography, with their boarders consisting mostly of ocean(they're not much of a sea-faring people), near impassable mountains, and the high elf empire, which is actively hostile against them. In appearance, they're in the same basic height range as the high elves, though they tend to be slightly stockier, and their skin darker(matching their Indian theme).
Wood elf society is largely nomadic; they wander their jungle homeland, traveling between an unknown number of permanent, well hidden settlements(estimated to be no more than five) where they mine and produce mithril, which is the setting's equivalent to Damascus steel. With it they produce some of the highest quality weapons in the world, highly prized and valued, especially among the human and orcish empires(and the primary reason the high elven empire is at war with them; control of the mithril mines).
They're well known practitioners of druidic magic and have close relationships to many of the dangerous wild animals that occupy their jungles. In warfare, they favor hit and run ambush tactics, using intimate knowledge and manipulation of their environment to their advantage. They favor such weapons as the katar( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katara_(dagger) ), the urumi ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urumi ), and the chakram ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakram ), along with composite bows. In religious practice, they worship many of the same elven gods as the high elves, with a slight hindu slant, though not the associated dragon gods; they believe that the gods were their creators, not ascended rulers. They also worship several gods that the high elves do not, which are more based off of the celtic gods, and as such bear similarity and possible relation to the giant(norse) and dwarven(greek) gods. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 16:27:28
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Katars (at least the ones which favour function over form) are brutal weapons which could punch through armour as well as almost any sword or mace, I personally think the multi-blade "claw" versions look cool but are less effective against hard targets. I personally think urumi whipblades are showy fancy stuff (which look great in Hollywood) but ultimately aren't too useful for much more than martial performances, formal duels, surprise/assassination attacks, and taking down small animals. Same for chakras, which are (IMO) not much different from boomerangs and yo-yos.
Those weapon choices (along with the martial training styles they imply) suggest a lot about your elven culture. They would probably avoid heavy plate armours (which can still be penetrated by katars). I would think they'd make use of shuriken, as well as multi-segment, chain, rope, and hook weapons. They might even be cruel slavers forced to master the whip before training with urumis. I suppose their society might have a long tradition of sophisticated assassin "ninja" castes. Since you've said they're big on alchemy (and magic) they probably have all sorts of flash bombs and other tricks. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 18:06:09
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As mentioned, the wood elves favor sudden surprise attacks. They also favor poison lined weapons; especially with the urumi, to compensate for it's relative lack of lethality.
While there is some overlap, high elves prefer such weapons as the jian, the hook swords, wind and fire wheels, and the butterfly swords — all lethal weapons, but high elven martial arts are seeped in performance based tradition which render their styles mostly useless in practical combat against trained opponents. Its not something that concerns them, though; they favor magic, ranged combat, and as you suggested, assassination. In open warfare they let their vast armies of constructs absorb the brunt of combat while they stick to the rear lines. The tactics prove only somewhat effective; the cost of holding back the orc invasions was great, and only successful after losing significant ground. There are currently reformist movements within the empire, but they're being met with everything from silence to hostility, with the emperor strongly advocating against it. To change their ways of war would be to admit weakness. Adaptation is compromise, and they do not compromise. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
709 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 18:19:24
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Me, it's the following:
1) Forgotten Realms (obviously)
2) Final Fantasy (namely the world of the Final Fantasy IV chronology)
3) Lands of Lore
4) The Elder Scrolls
5) Dragon Age
6) Master of Magic
7) Age of Wonders
8) God of War
9) Diablo
10) Warcraft |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
Edited by - Galuf the Dwarf on 29 Mar 2011 21:34:15 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 19:37:52
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Taking a LOT of notes from this thread. Hadn't even considered 'Oriental' Elves for my own setting. (odd, that, given how I connect the two cultures so much in FR, through the Fey/Kami).
I have several Oriental-style races in my HB, which at one time were a group of warring kingdoms. The King of the largest and most powerful faction made a deal with the Maeladrin (my version of 'dark elves') when they invaded, and became the defacto Imperial Governor for the invaders, basically ruling the entire eastern continent in their name. They were the first to turn on their conquerors, after the humiliating defeat the Mćladrin suffered at the hands of the Vogalts (actually making them the second group to enter 'The Great War').
After the war, the Governor-king crowned himself Emperor, and doesn't behave much better then the Mćladrin did. Not very original, really - thats what usually happens after a revolution.
Oh, and the race the 'Verdant Emperor' hails from is NOT human; in fact, they treat the humans as harshly as the dark elves did; humans are not a monolithic power in my world, although in the campaign-region (setting) they are. Pythicans keep their faces veiled, so not many outsiders now what they really look like (even the emperor wears a Kubuki-style mask).
Warhammer elves are cool - I steal a lot of ideas from that setting (my own human empire is based heavily on theirs). I don't know anything about Dragon Age, but I see Galuf mentioned Age of Wonders, which brings back fond memories. I loved Heroes of Might & Magic as well, until the series went sour and the company got insanely greedy (selling 'expansions' that were little more then add-on packs with one or two monsters and buildings, poorly conceived - and unplayable - maps, and a single new race per expansion so you had to pay $30-40 dollars for each of the races you got for FREE in the original game).
You know what greed and piss-poor products get you? Miles and miles of NOTHING where your customers used to be standing. Gamers are like flies... just give us the good s*** and we'll keep the buzz goin'. 
EDIT: OH! And Diablo III looks like it will be even better then either of its predecessors (which is really hard to imagine). Check-out this crazy-cool Lolth wannna-be! |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 29 Mar 2011 21:10:02 |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 20:27:59
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I don't use dark elves in my homebrew; the elves that live underground are albino savages, true boogiemen of elven societies. Legend says they're banished evil-doers, but more likely they were forced beneath the earth by a cataclysm and degenerated into barbarism from there. They're more akin to the morlocks of The Time Machine than drow.
Somewhat more similar to the drow are the naga, for which I use the warcraft model very closely. Sea-snake people who live beneath the waves and along the coast, matriarchal society, have a blood hatred against surface elves. They were actually the original elven kingdom situated on the equivalent of Atlantis, along with the goblins. Eventually one of the dragons got upset with them and sank their island into the sea.
My human empire is heavily based on Rome, with several aspects of the Persian empire worked in as well. It's built around the ruins of the pre-existing and now defunct vampire empire, who were contemporaries, or perhaps even predecessors of the ancient elves. They kept humans and other races as slaves, but when the blood curse was inflicted upon them the humans began to rise up. They didn't take so kindly to being both slaves and the primary food source. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2011 : 21:20:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Asmodeus
I don't use dark elves in my homebrew; the elves that live underground are albino savages, true boogiemen of elven societies. Legend says they're banished evil-doers, but more likely they were forced beneath the earth by a cataclysm and degenerated into barbarism from there. They're more akin to the morlocks of The Time Machine than drow.
Pretty much exactly as I have them (also albino, which makes more sense, just as they were in Mystara and Ed's original Realms).
BTW - the rest of what you have there - sounds VERY much like what I have going on (Rome, WoW naga, etc) - seems we have very similar tastes.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 02:29:05
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Rome was a truly great society, and is easily able to adapt to use with a fantasy world because you look back on it and there honestly was something fantastic about it. From the history channel specials to shows like Spartacus: Blood and Sand, it's a society that fascinates me and there's always more to learn about it.
Now, I mentioned dwarves earlier; in my HB dwarves are very much based off of greek society. The tight formations, defensive terrain based combat, pursuit of physical perfection, worship of crafting, and various other aspects are things I think translate well to dwarves. As a society, they no longer possess their own empire but instead exist as a territory of the human empire(both the human and orcish empires are multi-ethnic where as the elven empire is primarily, well, elven). I mentioned earlier the wood elves have control over the mithril mines; that meant complete control. Dwarves instead specialize in mining and working orichalcum, which they boast is every bit as strong as elven mithril. True or not, it does hold magic enchantment better, making it at least equally valued. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 04:05:15
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Avary Elves are winged Elves who live in majestic mountain cities. They are virtually the same as Avariels except that they don't have speckled wings; only white or very rarely black. They have white, silve, shades of blonde hair. Their eyes are large and are light blue, violet, or silver. Their bldies are generally slmish bit are fragile due to hollow bones to aid flight. Their skin is very white.
Ice Elves have light blue skin and snowy white or silver hair. They have rger bodies for Elves and are one of the tallest Elven subraces. They were created from pure frost magic and have near immunity to it. They have ice blue, saphire, or silver eyes.
They originally lived in Faerie but fled to the Prme to escape a massive army of ice trolls and white dragons and red dragons. Though now they are slowly returning to Faerie to take back their old ruined cities.
Avaries are made of weather magic
Wld Elves are tribal Elves that live on the moor lands of Faerie, though some are making settlements on the Prime. They have about a medium tanned skin and black, dark brown, golden blonde (rare), ot chestnut. Their eyes are green, golden, or orange. They are made of solar magic. They are generally reclusive, but friendly to most humanoid people.
I'll list more tomorrow. Sleepy time!
P.S. CoA you should really get the Dragon Age player's handbook. It has A LOT of lore on it. Elves were in fact immortal, they very much hate humans for taking it away from them. Plus the PG has more backgrounds: the apostate (mage who doesn't follow the Circle Magi, I made a Dailish Elf Apostate :D) and the Akaviri swordman or something like that. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 04:11:19
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Coolio. My HB drow, in addition to being "Cursed" criminals of the other races, are a sea-faring society, based on an island cluster separated frm the mainland by reefs, a deep-sea rift, and a chain of smaller islands surrounding the larger cluster. They were driven right off the mainland long ago, and have since turned to piracy and fishing as a way to live, with the usual Underdark cities all having easy access to the sea through sea-caverns. Their preferred weapons are those of most maritime cultures- gaffe-hooks, cutlass, saber, pistols (stolen from gnomish inventors), daggers, harpoons, and the like. Their ships are always heavily armed with cannons and ballistae, mounted guns, ramrods, and archers. Although they are affected by light as in other worlds, they off-set this with battle-priests using darkness spells on the ships, as well as figureheads that use shadow magic for concealment and reducing the problem of fighting in daylight.
My wood elven Oriental culture is much like feudal Japan, with ninjas, shoguns, clan rivalries, and samurais, and a highly evolved clan honor system that places the good of the family above one's own personal interests, and where personal shame is severely punished by the family as a stain on its honor- and is the primary reason that that culture is the ONLY elven kingdom which has NEVER had any drow(traitors) among them! all the others are more "normal", and it seems I'm not the only one to have a Roman-styled culture in my world- although I've also mixed in some Greek and Italian Renaissance into mine, for a very Neo-Romantic/High Renaissance feel. It mixes ancient temples, senatorial and philosophical ideas, and Greek/Roman architecture and traditions with the artistic, scientific, and learning progress of 1400's Italy, with a very sophisticated cultural standard. I took the best of all those groups and placed them into a human land as a "beacon of civilization" for other lands to aspire to. They are also very magically advanced and have a library that I based on the one in Alexandria (before it was lost).
My other really unusual culture is a human Arabian Nights-styled mageocracy, with desert cities built around towering mages' Universities, magic guild-run commerce, and Wizards and learned sages in positions of power in a pseudo-democracy, but ruled by the most powerful of them as Sheiks. Basically, they rule over the general populace within their individual cities, but work together as a committee for governing purposes of the region as a whole. Slavery is prohibited, though indentured servants are common, and women have few rights unless they show magical aptitude. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 05:46:26
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I think, should it be given more details and repopulated, I would like Lorien [Pittacus Lore, Lorien Legacies]. A small planet peopled by animals that can shapeshift and human-like beings endowed by all sorts of powers and have great respect for nature sounds interesting. Unfortunately, all that's known about it are the brief "glimpses into the past" that John has been having in I Am Number Four. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 18:13:51
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Haven't really given a whole lot of thought to my 'Arabian' region. At first i was going to go the Athasian route, but I already have something like that in 'The Wzastes' (on the other side of nigh-impassable mountain range to the east, which borders the campaign area). That's where my Orc-like race(s) dwell (who act like nomadic Klingons, but look more like Sabertooth from Marvel Comics).
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Asmodeus
Rome was a truly great society, and is easily able to adapt to use with a fantasy world because you look back on it and there honestly was something fantastic about it. From the history channel specials to shows like Spartacus: Blood and Sand, it's a society that fascinates me and there's always more to learn about it.
Did you catch Rome on HBO? Magnificent!
My Empire is like Rome, combining both the classical period with the Holy Roman Empire, which includes Crusades, Inquisitions, Templars (Solaars) & Hospitallers (Basteen), and all the dark church-politics that go with it. The one major difference (because I did not want it too derivative) is that the 'Head of the Church' actually lies within an adjacent nation. I got some of my ideas from the novel Byzantium (which gives us a "What if..." scenario, bringing the Byzantine Empire into the Renaissance-era). I also steal liberally from Warhammer's Empire (which brings me to my next point...)
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Asmodeus
Now, I mentioned dwarves earlier; in my HB dwarves are very much based off of greek society. The tight formations, defensive terrain based combat, pursuit of physical perfection, worship of crafting, and various other aspects are things I think translate well to dwarves. As a society, they no longer possess their own empire but instead exist as a territory of the human empire(both the human and orcish empires are multi-ethnic where as the elven empire is primarily, well, elven). I mentioned earlier the wood elves have control over the mithril mines; that meant complete control. Dwarves instead specialize in mining and working orichalcum, which they boast is every bit as strong as elven mithril. True or not, it does hold magic enchantment better, making it at least equally valued.
Okay, now you're starting to scare me dude. I have to re-evaluate how 'original-kewl' my stuff is... 
Thinking as dwarves a 'Greeks' never occurred to me before, but the whole 'Citystate' thing makes sense, now that I think about it - good call. Probably most like Sparta, though ("We.. are... MORIA!") LOL
And with the lack of woman, certain... other things... fit as well. (no pun intended).
I wanted my main empire to be decadent, but in a more fantasy-ish way, which means they have taken to a lot of the 'Mćladrin Ways' their forefathers fought so hard against. This includes some rather light 'steam tech' (really, Magitech, like what is used in the Iron Kingdoms/Warmachine setting), which was mostly built by dwarven slaves. After the dark elves were overthrown, the dwarves continued down their mechanical path, and they have become part of the new human empire. Both the Great Imperial Raiload and the Dwarven Dirigible Co. are built by the dwarves (but they won't fly in the airships - they have a nigh-manic fear of 'leaving the ground'). They are the ONLY beings allowed to operate the trains (the inner workings of which are much-guarded secret). Their part of the world is very reminiscent of Salt Lake City form the Deadlands campaign setting (full of smoke and grime - a VERY dirty, smelly place).
I have more normal dwarves as well, which are similar to the Wildhammer dwarves in Warcraft (they ride griffons from their mountain-top aeries), but they HATE their southern cousins and don't even consider them 'true dwarves' anymore (you can see a little of the Warhammer stuff slipping in again, except I went with steamtech rather then chaos for my 'corrupted' dwarves).
I also have my own lexicon I am building (so some of the words I am using here, like 'trains' and 'magictech', will be replaced with in-world terminology). I find RW English (or even psuedo-latin/Aulde English/whatever) 'jarring' when I am reading something in-setting, so I will even be replacing stuff like animals and common trees with setting-specific analogous variants (after all, if the characters pass a farm with 'cows' and 'chickens', how immersed are you, really?)
And typing this made me look-up the word I wanted to use for my technology (Arcanotech), and now realize its been commandeered by my dreaded nemesis (Cthulhu!). That's okay - I came up with a better one based on how the Dark Materials author got some of his words.
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"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 30 Mar 2011 19:58:17 |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 19:09:28
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The steam tech thing even has some real world basis; the first steam engine ever made(that we know of) was in fact a greek child's toy.
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"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 20:39:26
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| Strangely, steam engines (or steam toys, if you prefer) are one of the few technologies which weren't invented first in ancient China. Obviously because Asia had no significant population of gnomes. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 20:50:33
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Empire dwarves are more then just morally corrupted - they are physically corrupted as well. This is due to all the strange energies and forces they work around. Most wear large cloaks to hide their ugliness (a combination of SW Jawas, human-survivors a'la Planet of the Apes, and Krynn's Theiwar).
The rail-system (still trying to come up with a good sounding name for it) is rudimentary, and only has three main spurs that fan-out from the primary city (the city itself has subway system that circles beneath the streets). Of those three hubs, only one has has been able to extend beyond the empires border (just across the border, into the neighboring nation, but no further), into my Sembia-like country (more like pre-unification Medieval Italy). The second spur divides and ends at the northern mountain range; both attempts to tunnel through them met with disaster (interesting adventuring areas, in other words). A third spur attempts to connect the outlying 'western marches', but rebel factions keep sabotaging the project.
I really need to get my site up and running... and finish some maps...
I keep making changes though. 
I'm now considering flipping the entire world map horizontally. I only just realized it copies the Europe/Realms/Golarion/MI/etc model with 'ocean to the left' of the main campaign area. Aside from two other old TSR settings I love - Mystara & Greyhawk - most RPG settings seem to follow the above trope.
Lets have a vote! This seems to be the appropriate thread for just such a thing. Ocean on the left, or on the right? (I'm talking about the main campaign region, just like in FR, and not 'the world'). Anyone have any other ideas? I think Glorantha had 'ocean underneath' instead. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 30 Mar 2011 21:36:54 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 21:32:37
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The quasi-Mediterranean/Aegean model is easily recognized by new visitors. People are inclined to automatically draw parallels between the places and peoples of a fantasy world against those of our Earth and other worlds. If you present an unorthox configuration then people have no "landmarks" and get lost rather easily. This isn't much of an issue with smaller scales, only worlds and continents and empires.
I'd personally go for something completely weird. A pelagic/aquatic world filled numerous island chains. An arid or desert world with hardly any large bodies of water at all, just one large hot supercontinent. An arctic world locked into an endless ancient ice age, with great civilizations carved deep into the ice. A world which hasn't even been completely mapped, "here there be dragons and krakens".
quote:
Markustay — I keep making changes though.
So does Ed. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 30 Mar 2011 21:42:33 |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 00:22:23
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| I use a super-continent, myself, though it's irregularly shaped to allow an ocean to cut mostly through the middle of it. It also possesses several Britain/Japan/New Zealand sized islands It's also not fully mapped out. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 01:25:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Most wear large cloaks to hide their ugliness (a combination of SW Jawas, human-survivors a'la Planet of the Apes, and Krynn's Theiwar).
Points for referencing one of Kyrnn's most underused races. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 03:49:49
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@Sage - I'm an unashamed thief - I leave no stone unturned when I'm pilfering.
And YEAH, radioactive dwarves are just too cool not to use. 
@Arik - coolest concept I've ever heard of was not a published setting; a guy was asking if someone at the Cartographer's Guild could make a map of his world, for an online RPG he was running (may have been at Enworld... not sure). This was the idea -
Picture a normal world, but where oceans would normally be, you had deep chasms filled with all sorts of weird (and poisonous) gases. Ergo, the only 'livable' areas would be at the very tops of the mountain ranges (which is kinda like how it is on our world, but our 'valleys' are filled with seas instead). The people use several different methods of getting around (airships, flying creatures, etc), and different monsters lived at different 'depths' of the gas-seas. The gas became more toxic at deeper levels, so you humans and demi-humans could only survive indefinitely above the gas-line, but other races could live at various levels. You could survive for a short time at 'shallow' levels, and all sorts of steampunk-esque type of equipment was available to go deeper.
Think about it - the guy solved one of the biggest problems of a fantasy gaming - undersea races - by combining it with the Underdark, and added an entirely new twist to the whole thing. I thought that was the most original thing I've ever heard of. His 'sea folk' could literally swim through the gas-seas (crossing avariels with sea-elves!)
And no-one knows what its like at 'the bottom', because not even the monsters want to go that deep (I guess you could stick aberrations there). It just gets creepier, darker, and more noxious as you go down.
And even navies take on another dimension - they can move up and down, bringing in a touch of spelljamming as well. I wish I had thought of that - that's just one crazy, sexy, kewl idea right there. Screw an RPG setting - I want to read the novels! |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 31 Mar 2011 03:52:21 |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 07:35:32
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| I liked Dungeon Seige. Except for being disappointed when I looked behind the waterfall and, to my astonishment, found nothing at all. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 31 Mar 2011 07:35:56 |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 12:28:40
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Can't say I'm much of a Fable fan; I played the first one a couple years after it came out, was disappointed and have only heard disappointing things about the second and absolutely dreadful things about the third. Combine that with them being x-box and pc exclusive and my refusal to get an x-box and my lack of a decent gaming pc and the series doesn't hold much appeal. That being said, I do use some artistic elements, such as the glowing tattoos magic users had, as well as Jack of Blades.
The Bard's Tale, on the other hand(the 04 remake, anyway), is one of my favorites. I use several things from that game; the four towers and their respective bosses, evil sealed princess, the firbolgs, finfolk, and the trow. I even have a mercenary company of npc's based off the Bard and his various summonable allies. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 12:36:27
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Whoa, that gaseous sea world is an awesome idea.
I used to love the idea of artificial planes or worlds, so I have gathered some sites that had something like that written up. One I mined for lots of ideas was Confrontation, a cyber-gothic rpg set on 40k's Necromunda world. Something about living in a huge vertical gothic cathedralstyled metropolis with the have's litteraly living on top of the have-not's tickles my fancy. [I'm quite a cyberpunk fan, especially of the dystopian kind found at that site]
Ravnica has a very similar premise, only its not as vertically structured. Found some excellent work on it as a fanmade d20 campaign setting (though lost the original site where this project started). Another nice site I use to get ideas for artificial planes such as MtG's Phyrexia and Mirrodin is Phyrexia.com. Truly a site where juicy lore ideas are abundant.
Some ideas from Exalted made by the White Wolf RPG company are interesting, and recently I found something similar in the Anima campaign setting. Never had the time or resources to look deep into its source material though. |
My campaign sketches
Druidic Groves
Creature Feature: Giant Spiders |
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Thieran
Learned Scribe
Germany
293 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 12:46:08
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| I quite like Midgard, the setting of Wolfgang Baur's Zobeck, which is now being developed as a full setting. |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 20:33:56
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The vampire slayer's thread has me thinking about how I use vampires in my homebrew. Now, when I think vampires, and in turn when I think vampire hunters, I think of this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwS_GbMo99Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJUX5ErY8IE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiLNc46jAM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yulxYmr7pWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4g9yLy8geU&feature=related
I use the Legacy of Kain model for both very heavily(with the exception of their vampire's weakness towards water, which has to be magically treated in my hb for it to be effective), and indeed it's a very big influence on my HB as a whole. As mentioned earlier, one of the primary precursor races was vampires, who predated and surpassed the elves in power. I also use the hylden, their enemy race, who they banished to a layer of the abyss. The Pillars, termed the Pillars of the World rather than the Pillars of Nosgoth, are a central part of my hb, as are their guardians who are masters of their respective spheres (Mind, Nature, Conflict, Energy, States, Dimension, Time, Death, and Balance), though they're also tied in with the dragons, with each pillar having both a mortal(usually human) guardian along with a draconic guardian, who is always of a corresponding flight(color). |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Lily M Green
Learned Scribe
Australia
115 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 21:16:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
and Gauntlet would make cool settings to explore!
I'd love to say I'd agree, but I pelted through that game so fast I can barely remember anything about the world around me!  Except perhaps that the one tricky section I came across reminded me of the border between Wall and Stormhold... Oooooh Stormhold, now, there's a thought!
I like the Everquest setting but it does feel a little like a Forgotten Realms facsimile, although the Pit of Ill Omen and the undersea battles were loads of fun in Champions of Norrarth. Also there was a really disgusting diseased plane that was rather fun in the second game IIRC! |
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
A Dark Alliance - Beyond Baldur's Gate |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 21:24:28
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@CoA: The Sword of truth series had Pillars of Creation - a similar idea.
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind
Whoa, that gaseous sea world is an awesome idea.
I know, right? I'm sure some of the authors around here (if they're smart) are looking at that and saying "Hmmmm....". thats a friggin' GOLDMINE right there. It takes classic fantasy elements and gives them all a completely new spin.
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind
I used to love the idea of artificial planes or worlds, so I have gathered some sites that had something like that written up. One I mined for lots of ideas was Confrontation, a cyber-Gothic rpg set on 40k's Necromunda world. Something about living in a huge vertical Gothic cathedral-styled metropolis with the have's literally living on top of the have-not's tickles my fancy. [I'm quite a cyberpunk fan, especially of the dystopian kind found at that site]
You know, I was a fan of Necromunda, and it didn't dawn on me until just now that my main city (in my homebrew) is designed along those lines. VERY Gothic, with over a hundred 'layers' of undercity, where all sorts of turf-wars are fought right beneath the feet of the elite. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 31 Mar 2011 21:26:05 |
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Topic |
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Favorite Fantasy Settings
