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EltonRobb
Seeker
USA
98 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Oct 2024 : 00:17:11
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I'm wondering about these two books as I am preparing a campaign set in this region. My prospective players are interested in the region where the Old Empires is set. A lot of them say that it would be interesting to campaign in this region.
So, fellow sages, I have a question. Before I go on my own to develop my campaign, and I have both books, which of these are most useful? Are both of them useful?
I wanted to do a Sword and Sorcery campaign in the Forgotten Realms. Although one of my prospective players is thinking it's Sword and Sandal. For a Sword and Sorcery campaign, the Old Empires region fits my plans.
Although according to one source, Mulhorand might be building up it's army again for campaigning in Faerūn. They might attack Thay in the future. So, fellow sages, what do you suggest?
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Zeromaru X
Great Reader
Colombia
2476 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2024 : 03:27:16
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Old Empires is more focused on the nations, but Lost Empires is more advanced in the timeline. It also has interesting ruins and stuff, not only of the Old Empires, but from many ancient civilizations of Faerūn.
As for the Mulhorandi campaign, that depends on when in the timeline you decide to play. |
Instead of seeking change, you prefer a void, merciless abyss of a world... |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2024 : 00:37:53
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So, it all depends.... what era are you running? If prior to the spellplague, you should have both Old Empires and it can't hurt to have Lost Empires of Faerun. They both serve different purposes and come from different editions of the game though. So, the stories they're telling are also at different times.
If its in the 4e era, Mulhorand is basically gone and different people live there.
If its in the 5e era, Mulhorand is back, but its people have changed significantly. For one thing, they have abolished slavery. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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EltonRobb
Seeker
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2024 : 14:53:17
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
So, it all depends.... what era are you running? If prior to the spellplague, you should have both Old Empires and it can't hurt to have Lost Empires of Faerun. They both serve different purposes and come from different editions of the game though. So, the stories they're telling are also at different times.
If its in the 4e era, Mulhorand is basically gone and different people live there.
If its in the 5e era, Mulhorand is back, but its people have changed significantly. For one thing, they have abolished slavery.
I'm setting the game in 1369 DR. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2024 : 03:11:13
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I'd suggest you get Powers & Pantheons as well. That filled in a lot of Old Empires lore.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2024 : 03:28:39
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I'd suggest you get Powers & Pantheons as well. That filled in a lot of Old Empires lore.
-- George Krashos
Namely the sections about the Untheric and Mulhorandi pantheons, right? |
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 |
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TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2024 : 19:47:47
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| If you're in the late 3E era, Dragons of Faerun is also a great source and there was a great Dragon article on Mulhorand as well. |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2024 : 21:03:07
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quote:
Originally posted by TomCosta
If you're in the late 3E era, Dragons of Faerun is also a great source and there was a great Dragon article on Mulhorand as well.
I know at one part, that book covered Tchazzar, the "Sceptenar of Cimbar," for one thing. Supposedly, he (and the other 2 dragons he killed and consumed during the Time of Troubles) have been resurrected, but I question if it's really them as they were pre-ToT or if they're just faces for the Dragon Queen.
Granted, my thought could be determined by the DM of a campaign above all else.  |
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 12 Nov 2024 19:33:47 |
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EltonRobb
Seeker
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2024 : 23:24:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
I know at one part, that book covered Tchazzar, the "Sceptenar of Cimbar," for one thing. Supposedly, he (and the other 2 dragons he killed and consumed during the Time of Troubles have been resurrected, but I question if it's really them as they were pre-ToT or if they're just faces for the Dragon Queen.
Granted, my thought could be determined by the DM of a campaign above all else.
Fine for a campaign in Chessenta, but I'm recruiting for a campaign in Mulhorand at the moment. |
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Delnyn
Senior Scribe
USA
958 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2024 : 00:42:07
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| Do you want to bring Imaskari influence into Mulhorandi history? Old VA Lost Empires of Faerin very much hinge on the Imaskari abduction of extraplanar humans that eventually became the Mulan. |
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EltonRobb
Seeker
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2024 : 15:02:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
Do you want to bring Imaskari influence into Mulhorandi history? Old VA Lost Empires of Faerin very much hinge on the Imaskari abduction of extraplanar humans that eventually became the Mulan.
I think that has already been factored into my campaign.  |
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nblanton
Seeker
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2024 : 14:23:34
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I'd suggest the 2E Spellbound boxed set as another item that would be very useful.
Thay and Aglarond as well as the city-states of the north coast of the Wizard's Reach are very much part of the region. FRA3 Blood Charge, part of the Empires trilogy of adventures involves delving Imaskari ruins.
And of course, what the rest of the sages have said. |
It is the spirit of the game, not the letter of the rules, which is important. Never hold to the letter written, nor allow some barracks room lawyer to force quotations from the rule book upon you, if it goes against the obvious intent of the game.
Afterword, DMG pg 230. |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2024 : 18:22:33
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quote:
Originally posted by EltonRobb
quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
Do you want to bring Imaskari influence into Mulhorandi history? Old VA Lost Empires of Faerin very much hinge on the Imaskari abduction of extraplanar humans that eventually became the Mulan.
I think that has already been factored into my campaign.
Just a note, if you're doing a Mulhorandi Campaign and interested in dragging in history, you might be interested in THIS thread.
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24717&whichpage=2
The general topic started talking about Gond and his followers, but it spun into Mulhorand and its artificers, its study of steam engines powered by dams, the battle of Thazalhar and the possibility that the vast destruction in Thazalhar was the result of a "nuclear type plant being destroyed" type of event.
Now, throw in some other things like the "smokestacks" of the Raumathari ruins known as the 'Ring of Gray Flames"... the idea that the Athora of Thay might be something akin to the "Radiance"/"literal nuclear power source" of Glantri in Mystara.... and one might see why the divine rulers of Mulhorand in the past BANNED certain types of research (which led to the formation of Thay in the end) and enforced/enslaved all arcane casters in service to the throne.
The key to running a campaign like this would be to absolutely HIDE the mystery behind wording to the players. DESCRIBE things to them and let them figure out that the technology of old might closely resemble modern day technology, but absolutely break from the idea of using modern day technology terms in describing it. Smokestacks might be described as "metallic pillars resembling giant candles topped by wicks of arcane blue fire", and steam engines should very much focus on the idea that they are "great cog driven monstrosities driven by mystical smoke". Similarly, solar panels might be described as "giant copper trees which turn towards the sun". |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
Edited by - sleyvas on 12 Nov 2024 18:38:25 |
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Old Empires vs. Lost Empires of Faerūn
