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Falldim
Acolyte
Poland
2 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Aug 2022 : 18:57:48
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Good day, mr Schend I hope you're having a great day.
I have recently fell in love with one beatiful 27 year-old - Blood Wars CCG. I even managed to get one friend excited and willing to play it with me. We both adore Planescape and somehow this has gotten under our radar for years and it is fantastic.
We studied our rulebook meticulously and managed to catch the drift of the game quite easily, but there is one major thing that keeps us up at night. We scoured the Internet for various guides to perhaps resolve it and it really did not help. I believe that you might be the ultimate answer. So here it is.
When the challenger fails to conquer the Battlefield during an Intrigue challenge, it is discarded - it clearly says it in the rules.
The Combat challenge however does not specify in the slightest what to do with the Battlefield. Additionally, we stumbled into this one card that sends Legions to the conquered Battlefield that they won, which seems to serve no purpose?
So far, we stumbled into various theories how this all fits together (post-Combat Battlefield is discarded too/hangs out on the table waiting for another challenge/you can challenge for Battlefields in the Victory Pools and that's when the attached Legions make a difference), but they all slightly contradict one another, especially that the rulebook only says that during the Challenge, the acting players plays the Battlefield from their hand...
So please, Master Schend, tell us how it is |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1696 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2022 : 03:38:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Falldim
Good day, mr Schend I hope you're having a great day.
I have recently fell in love with one beatiful 27 year-old - Blood Wars CCG. I even managed to get one friend excited and willing to play it with me. We both adore Planescape and somehow this has gotten under our radar for years and it is fantastic.
We studied our rulebook meticulously and managed to catch the drift of the game quite easily, but there is one major thing that keeps us up at night. We scoured the Internet for various guides to perhaps resolve it and it really did not help. I believe that you might be the ultimate answer. So here it is.
When the challenger fails to conquer the Battlefield during an Intrigue challenge, it is discarded - it clearly says it in the rules.
The Combat challenge however does not specify in the slightest what to do with the Battlefield. Additionally, we stumbled into this one card that sends Legions to the conquered Battlefield that they won, which seems to serve no purpose?
So far, we stumbled into various theories how this all fits together (post-Combat Battlefield is discarded too/hangs out on the table waiting for another challenge/you can challenge for Battlefields in the Victory Pools and that's when the attached Legions make a difference), but they all slightly contradict one another, especially that the rulebook only says that during the Challenge, the acting players plays the Battlefield from their hand...
So please, Master Schend, tell us how it is
Sorry I can't answer this question without some research and longthink, but I'll try and get back to you soon with the answer. My immediate off-the-cuff answer is that the battlefield could remain on the table with those legions and the first action to take a battlefield could attempt to conquer that one rather than one from one's hand. Still, lemme do more research and check the guides before we settle on a solid answer.
Glad to hear/see that folks are still discovering and enjoying a card game thrown together very quickly nearly 30 years ago; anyone wanting more history on the development of it can hear more here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwgXJer46cg
I did an interview earlier this year with CCGHistory's Booster Pack podcast on Blood Wars and its development. |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Falldim
Acolyte
Poland
2 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2022 : 06:23:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
the battlefield could remain on the table with those legions and the first action to take a battlefield could attempt to conquer that one rather than one from one's hand. Still, lemme do more research and check the guides before we settle on a solid answer.
That would seem like a disadvantage then, if my conquered battlefield would have been safe otherwise but by adding Ocuupying Forces I made it available for being in play still? The Card:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/cardguide/images/e/e1/Occupyingforces.jpg
It clearly says that you add these to your Victory Pool.
We did get our hands on the expanded guide and that explains that unconquered battlefiled do go to discard, but that one card still does not fit into it.
I am waiting eagerly for your further response!
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Glad to hear/see that folks are still discovering and enjoying a card game thrown together very quickly nearly 30 years ago; anyone wanting more history on the development of it can hear more here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwgXJer46cg
I did an interview earlier this year with CCGHistory's Booster Pack podcast on Blood Wars and its development.
Yes! I watched all of that and hence knew to find you here :D
Thank you so much for the response |
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Italian Archmage Karsus
Seeker
58 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2022 : 00:14:35
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Hey, Mr. Schend, if I may be curious... I was looking at the timeline for Trailstone, and I couldn't quite fit it. I've got that...
Empires of the Sands-p13: Completely different timeline, suggesting the inn was built on Chardath Spulzeer's command in 1349-ish.
Lands of Intrigue-Amn-p52: the Spellseer first built the inn in 1316.
Lands of Intrigue-Amn-p10: the Vinson family retreated to Trailstone at some point after 1342.
Castle Spulzeer-p7: Spellseer Inn built in 1316.
Castle Spulzeer-p36: Trailstone was established in 1348 by Rafe Spulzeer, who did not add a tavern so that another would be built close by. He's at the New Spulzeer Inn, the OG Spulzeer Inn is now the Dragon Turtle Inn. The New Spulzeer Inn is also there for almost 20 years in 1367.
Secrets of the Magister-p74: Maldiglas Turntower built a Refuge close to Trailstone, before 1328 (year he dies).
I've a hard time figuring out why someone would build a Refuge close to a city that wasn't built until at least 20 years later, but followers of Mystra have done stranger things. The Vinson family's holdings also suggest the earlier date, but the latter date is the one in the latest source: I'm not super certain of which date is correct for the founding of the town or the inn.
I have some suppositions as to what got mixed up in translation: my assumption would be the date of the New Spulzeer Inn's construction got mixed up with that of the OG inn, so OG inn was built in 1316 and New Spulzeer in 1348. But FR3's info, I can't seem to square with that; I suspect it was superseded by later, more specific lore; would you happen to recall anything on the subject? I remember you wrote the Lands of Intrigue book, figured you'd be the one to ask.
Thanks for decades of dreams! |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6559 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2022 : 00:29:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Italian Archmage Karsus
Hey, Mr. Schend, if I may be curious... I was looking at the timeline for Trailstone, and I couldn't quite fit it. I've got that...
Empires of the Sands-p13: Completely different timeline, suggesting the inn was built on Chardath Spulzeer's command in 1349-ish.
Lands of Intrigue-Amn-p52: the Spellseer first built the inn in 1316.
Lands of Intrigue-Amn-p10: the Vinson family retreated to Trailstone at some point after 1342.
Castle Spulzeer-p7: Spellseer Inn built in 1316.
Castle Spulzeer-p36: Trailstone was established in 1348 by Rafe Spulzeer, who did not add a tavern so that another would be built close by. He's at the New Spulzeer Inn, the OG Spulzeer Inn is now the Dragon Turtle Inn. The New Spulzeer Inn is also there for almost 20 years in 1367.
Secrets of the Magister-p74: Maldiglas Turntower built a Refuge close to Trailstone, before 1328 (year he dies).
I've a hard time figuring out why someone would build a Refuge close to a city that wasn't built until at least 20 years later, but followers of Mystra have done stranger things. The Vinson family's holdings also suggest the earlier date, but the latter date is the one in the latest source: I'm not super certain of which date is correct for the founding of the town or the inn.
I have some suppositions as to what got mixed up in translation: my assumption would be the date of the New Spulzeer Inn's construction got mixed up with that of the OG inn, so OG inn was built in 1316 and New Spulzeer in 1348. But FR3's info, I can't seem to square with that; I suspect it was superseded by later, more specific lore; would you happen to recall anything on the subject? I remember you wrote the Lands of Intrigue book, figured you'd be the one to ask.
Thanks for decades of dreams!
The reference to Maldiglas is descriptive, not historic. It describes where the refuge is, not that Trailstone existed when the refuge was created.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6559 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2022 : 01:17:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Italian Archmage Karsus
Hey, Mr. Schend, if I may be curious... I was looking at the timeline for Trailstone, and I couldn't quite fit it. I've got that...
Empires of the Sands-p13: Completely different timeline, suggesting the inn was built on Chardath Spulzeer's command in 1349-ish.
Lands of Intrigue-Amn-p52: the Spellseer first built the inn in 1316.
Lands of Intrigue-Amn-p10: the Vinson family retreated to Trailstone at some point after 1342.
Castle Spulzeer-p7: Spellseer Inn built in 1316.
Castle Spulzeer-p36: Trailstone was established in 1348 by Rafe Spulzeer, who did not add a tavern so that another would be built close by. He's at the New Spulzeer Inn, the OG Spulzeer Inn is now the Dragon Turtle Inn. The New Spulzeer Inn is also there for almost 20 years in 1367.
Secrets of the Magister-p74: Maldiglas Turntower built a Refuge close to Trailstone, before 1328 (year he dies).
I've a hard time figuring out why someone would build a Refuge close to a city that wasn't built until at least 20 years later, but followers of Mystra have done stranger things. The Vinson family's holdings also suggest the earlier date, but the latter date is the one in the latest source: I'm not super certain of which date is correct for the founding of the town or the inn.
I have some suppositions as to what got mixed up in translation: my assumption would be the date of the New Spulzeer Inn's construction got mixed up with that of the OG inn, so OG inn was built in 1316 and New Spulzeer in 1348. But FR3's info, I can't seem to square with that; I suspect it was superseded by later, more specific lore; would you happen to recall anything on the subject? I remember you wrote the Lands of Intrigue book, figured you'd be the one to ask.
Thanks for decades of dreams!
And having had a look at this, it appears that there a slight problems with the "Castle Spulzeer" adventure timeline, simply because they have omitted the word "new".
I see the timeline as this:
1316 DR - The Spulzeer family suffers its split and the Spulzeer Inn is built along the tradeway, leading to the establishment of the settlement of Trailstone (as per Lands of Intrigue - Amn).
1326 DR - Spulzeer Inn is badly damaged in a fire and abandoned by the Spulzeers who build a new inn nearby (unnamed, but likely the Trail's End Inn).
1348 DR - Kartak takes over Chardath. At the same time, to boost trade, the other branch of the family in Rafe Spulzeer builds the New Spulzeer Inn in Trailstone. [There appear to be two family branches happening, one in the Castle and one twelve miles away in Trailstone.]
Sometime after 1348 DR (let's go with 1350), the old Spulzeer Inn is rebuilt as the Dragon Turtle Inn.
The problem in the "Castle Spulzeer" adventure is that the reference to Rafe Spulzeer and him building an inn, should have had a "New" in front of it. Lands of Intrigue makes it clear that Trailstone exists before 1348 DR, as does FR3 and even Castle Spulzeer itself, to an extent.
Anyway, that's my take on it.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1696 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2022 : 05:06:28
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George has the right of it here, Karsus. All it takes to muddle some lore is to edit out the word "new" and confusion reigns!
Of course, it could have easily been a rushed deadline and a lack of editing double-check too; while I respect and love the folks who did the Castle Spulzeer adventure, I didn't have much of a direct hand in that one other than to provide them the lore and prayed they held to it. ;)
Steven
who's always grateful that George is more worried about my timelines being correct than I have been |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Italian Archmage Karsus
Seeker
58 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2022 : 02:15:08
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| Thank you both for this information! |
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kysus
Seeker
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 24 Dec 2022 : 01:20:45
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| hi steven schend, merry christmas and a happy new years to you! I also wanted to ask a quick question of you before the new years starts that i thought you might know. when reading your cormanthyr book i was reading the part on the elven dragonriders and how those were among the last riders or at least gave the impression that they were becoming extremely rare. out of curiousity what was the cause of them becoming more and more rare or to put it another way what made it so hard to train new riders? was it something that took centuries to train or some unique form of pairing rider with mount? |
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DoveArrow
Acolyte
42 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2023 : 15:55:23
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Hello Mr. Schend,
First of all, I wanted to thank you for all the work you've done over the years. I have been reading the Second Edition books on the Lands of Intrigue for several adventures I've been writing and am just enamored with the region and the work that you put into those publications. Thank you.
I wanted to ask about the 4e history of Erlkazar. Were you consulted on any of it? Whose idea was it to make Saestra and the Night Barony the primary villains of the region? |
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Questions for Steven Schend
