Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CombatMedic 08-14-07, 10:50 PM	I'm creating a new CS for use in a campaign later this year. I have decided to start by posting some of the important themes and distinct elements of the world. This is all just in the brainstorming/conceptualizing phase. I'm looking for helpful criticism, feedback, and ideas from the community. Old Empire One of the major elements of the campaign setting will be a fallen empire that once ruled much of the known world. This provides a good rationale for things like a Common language, widespread pantheon of gods, road networks, etc. Dungeons The empire's existence helps to explain why there are so many dungeons around: they are monster infested ruins left over from the now-fallen empire. Adventuring parties Professional ruin delvers operate in teams and are found in the employ of wealthy patrons, such as kings or clerical orders. World emerging from Dark Ages The world fell into chaos and ruin with the collapse of the Empire. Now, centuries later, civilization has rebounded. Exploration, reopening of old trade routes, and rediscovery of forgotten knowledge are major themes. Taint The rules for Taint are in effect. Many ruins are tainted, as the old empire was very evil near the end. Fiends were frequently summoned and put to use by the state sponsored wizards and demonic cultists alike. more to come...
CombatMedic 08-14-07, 11:07 PM	Races Elves-Stats similiar to PHB, possibly altered. Elves are a younger race than humanity, if you only count the years they have worn fleshy bodies and walked the Material Plane. They are beings of dream made flesh. Their ancestors dwelt in the Region of Dreams. Sages speculate on why the elves transmigrated across the planes. Half-forgotten legends speak of the proto-elves' flight from some danger in the Dreamheart. Others maintain the elves were drawn out from their home plane by the fears and desires of humanity and found themsleves marooned on the Material Plane. It seems no one, even the eldest living elves, knows the whole truth of the matter. Unable to sleep or dream in the same manner as earthly humanoids, elves long for creativity and beauty. They are known to abduct poets and artists of the dreaming races [their name for humans, dwarves, etc] and carry them away to the elven lands, where they amuse and distract the elvish lords and ladies. Elves do not age as do the dreaming peoples, but rather fade away slowly The Region of Dreams calls to them. As an elf gets older, he spends more time in reverie and dyadreaming, longing for the country of his ancestors. When an elf dies at last, his spirit [for they have no true souls] returns to the Dreamlands.
CombatMedic 08-14-07, 11:13 PM	[ignore]
TheAnthroDM 08-14-07, 11:36 PM	Taint The rules for Taint are in effect. Many ruins are tainted, as the old empire was very evil near the end. Fiends were frequently summoned and put to use by the state sponsored wizards and demonic cultists alike. more to come... Which Taint rules do you use? 3.0/OA, UA or HoH?(You know, the good ones)
CombatMedic 08-15-07, 01:46 PM	Taint? I'll probably use the HoH rules. I may include other elements from HoH as well.
Shedeo 08-16-07, 03:11 PM	I really like the aspect of Elves you have, especially because I did almost the exact same thing. I took away their martial weapon proficiencies and their "Detect Secret Doors" ability and gave them the ability called Dreamsending which allows them to, after meditating for 10 minutes, use Message 1/day, but only to a sleeping target, and limited to a few words and a picture. HoH rules for Taint are the best out there, IMHO.