Dark Continent campaign in the Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dark Continent campaign in the Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mahalajr
06-04-04, 05:10 PM I have recently started plans for an Africa-like continent in the FR. I have placed it south of Maztica. I use the big land mass shown on page 231 of the FRCS. The idea goes as follows: the Queen of Tethyr has commissioned a group of explorers to find an alternate source of wealth for her kingdom so it can compete with its rich neighbors, Amn and Calimshan.
The dark continent itself will be much like Africa, harsh jungles, unforgiving deserts, and endless plains. The natives will resemble Zulus, bushmen, and pygmies, to name just a few. Anyway, this is still in the planning stages, so any additional ideas, criticisms, etc. would be welcome.
Ranger REG
06-04-04, 06:22 PM The Jungle of Chult and Zakhara's tropical regions would have been a good place for an African counterpart setting.

If you don't mind non-WotC d20 product, pick up Nyambe from Atlas Games.
mahalajr
06-04-04, 09:44 PM I did a search on Nyambe; impressive. I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm at a gaming store. I'm sure It'll give me cool ideas. Thanks for the tip!
Lancelot3679
06-05-04, 03:02 PM Ok, interesting concept to go with. I think that there are some unexplored points like, how much like Africa do you want it to be and how much do you understand about African History and Modern Politics? Personally, I would avoid the whole "Human" angle, though it would be nice to have humans on the island (Zulus) I would go with something else for a tribal people. Had a nice Island campaign once where we introduced some new races that lived on the island, and I think that you could have fun making up your own races along the same lines as the tribal people of Africa. Stone and light wood weapons, hide armors at best, not much worked leather. Quick and fast, but not necessarily bulky. I would really go out there and make up different races.

Something that is historically representative of the different tribes in Africa is that they do not settle much (coastal are a major exception) and that they constantly fight for territory. So, whom would the PCs go to if there were two warring factions? Maybe 3 or more? Would they pick the strongest, the least powerful ones that are willing to trade the "shiny rocks that are found in the ground?" What about what is traded? Will they give the tribes bows and steel that would off set the balance of power into the hands of whomever had the better technology?

I think that the best part would be making up some strange customs that the characters have to follow in a diplomatic setting. Maybe they have to kiss the chiefs feet in an audience to prove that they are worthy of him. Maybe they need to find some special animal or fruit that is used in a ritual sacrifice to bless newcomers. Go with the Coronado path and make the natives think that the PCs are gods in their armor or with magical items.

There may be social issues and ramifications to face in their visit as well. Maybe the PCs bring some disease with them that ravages those that they come in contact with. Who do they speak to? In the classic history, the tribe that learned to speak the language of the outsiders quickest was more beneficial in trade and would gain an advantage. This often made them the group that outsiders would deal with and through and even if they were a lesser tribe in the area. This could lead to one tribe destroying another or even trying to end a centuries long feud by killing off the enemy.

Lastly, island chains either near the shore or the continent can give additional avenues. With that you can add new creatures that are either in the books that the PCS never saw or entirely new creatures again to ravage them in this strange new land. It could also be a venue for plant monsters, new undead, or even a new form or technology (Greek fire, explosives, new weapons, whatever the people might use).

I don't know, there is something. Get crazy; I think that I like the concept a lot.
mahalajr
06-05-04, 08:45 PM Interesting, Lancelot. I have been considering creating a gnoll empire that wars with the bushmen tribes and even the Zulu-like nation. Sorry, I haven't considered creating new races just yet (key word, yet). It is still a work-in-progress, but for now I'll just pick from the MM races that can survive any "warm-" climate/terrain.
Your point about the PCs possibly bringing diseases to the natives was interesting. I had planned for the opposite, in fact. The original concept for the expedition included bringing along clerics and/or druids who could purify the water with spells, making it safe for the Faerunians.
Anyway, thanks for the advice.
Monsoon28
06-06-04, 08:46 AM Will you being focusing only on African tribes or will you be mimicking some of the old empires as well?
mahalajr
06-06-04, 08:15 PM I will use both empires and tribes from African history. "Tribes" will be groups similar to the pygmies and bushmen of Africa, along with some DnD twists (a forgotten tribe of jungle halflings, that type of thing). The "empires" will be like the Zulu, Bini, Ouagadou, and Mandigo nations from history, as well as the afore-mentioned gnoll empire. There will be others (its a big continent, much like the real Africa).
Hope this helps clarify some things.
Masakado
06-07-04, 12:17 PM I ran a brief campaign in the Chult / Tashalar region for quite some time & IMO, it has immense untapped potential.

At the time, I turned my intense interest in African martial arts into a piece of FR homebrew. I wanted to cover the monastic societies of other regions in future posts, but the burdens of other projects have left this one sadly neglected.

Fortunately, my material on Chult is still on the board in this thread.

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?threadid=204072

Hopefully it will help you along.

Please don't forget that African empires weren't all hinter bush folk. The continent has a long history of great civilizations, literature, mythology (the folk tales of Anansi the Spider for starters), and a very rich heritage.

If you're curious about empires, I'd focus less on the Zulu, and more on conventional civilizations such as the Mali, Ghana, and Songhai empires, for example.

Contemporary African empires to FR societies (Medieval to Renaissance in scope) would also include the Benin, Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe, and Mutapa empires.
Prince Indirian
06-07-04, 12:47 PM How come you all know so much about history ? I'm always surprised of the amount knowledge some people have. As far as I know people know days seem to be quite ignorant. And where did you get the idea to making a campaign as this ? Especially you Mahalajhr
mahalajr
06-07-04, 04:18 PM Prince Indian, Thanks for the compliment. My interest in History comes from my degree in said subject in college, and from the fact that I am a history ffffrrreakkk!!!!
The recent interest in an African campaign just popped into my head a week or so ago. The idea came from "King Solomon's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard. That is his famous novel introducing the intrepid explorer/hunter/sharpshooter Alan Quartermain, who leads a team of adventurers in search of lost civilizations in Africa.
mahalajr
06-07-04, 06:59 PM Oops, sorry about that. Supposed to Allan Quartermain.
Monsoon28
06-08-04, 02:30 AM Sorry off topic, but I really disliked Sean Connery's portrayal of Allan, in the LXG movie, too gung-ho.

Personally I like the idea of a African or Dark Continent build for FR, I feel too many people/designers have forgotten that Africa did have a rich history as well. Hopefully you'll keep us posted on your ideas!

Masakado did some really good fighting societies, I'd recommend them into your campaign! :thumbsup:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mahalajr 06-04-04, 05:10 PM	I have recently started plans for an Africa-like continent in the FR. I have placed it south of Maztica. I use the big land mass shown on page 231 of the FRCS. The idea goes as follows: the Queen of Tethyr has commissioned a group of explorers to find an alternate source of wealth for her kingdom so it can compete with its rich neighbors, Amn and Calimshan. The dark continent itself will be much like Africa, harsh jungles, unforgiving deserts, and endless plains. The natives will resemble Zulus, bushmen, and pygmies, to name just a few. Anyway, this is still in the planning stages, so any additional ideas, criticisms, etc. would be welcome.
Ranger REG 06-04-04, 06:22 PM	The Jungle of Chult and Zakhara's tropical regions would have been a good place for an African counterpart setting. If you don't mind non-WotC d20 product, pick up Nyambe from Atlas Games.
mahalajr 06-04-04, 09:44 PM	I did a search on Nyambe; impressive. I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm at a gaming store. I'm sure It'll give me cool ideas. Thanks for the tip!
Lancelot3679 06-05-04, 03:02 PM	Ok, interesting concept to go with. I think that there are some unexplored points like, how much like Africa do you want it to be and how much do you understand about African History and Modern Politics? Personally, I would avoid the whole "Human" angle, though it would be nice to have humans on the island (Zulus) I would go with something else for a tribal people. Had a nice Island campaign once where we introduced some new races that lived on the island, and I think that you could have fun making up your own races along the same lines as the tribal people of Africa. Stone and light wood weapons, hide armors at best, not much worked leather. Quick and fast, but not necessarily bulky. I would really go out there and make up different races. Something that is historically representative of the different tribes in Africa is that they do not settle much (coastal are a major exception) and that they constantly fight for territory. So, whom would the PCs go to if there were two warring factions? Maybe 3 or more? Would they pick the strongest, the least powerful ones that are willing to trade the "shiny rocks that are found in the ground?" What about what is traded? Will they give the tribes bows and steel that would off set the balance of power into the hands of whomever had the better technology? I think that the best part would be making up some strange customs that the characters have to follow in a diplomatic setting. Maybe they have to kiss the chiefs feet in an audience to prove that they are worthy of him. Maybe they need to find some special animal or fruit that is used in a ritual sacrifice to bless newcomers. Go with the Coronado path and make the natives think that the PCs are gods in their armor or with magical items. There may be social issues and ramifications to face in their visit as well. Maybe the PCs bring some disease with them that ravages those that they come in contact with. Who do they speak to? In the classic history, the tribe that learned to speak the language of the outsiders quickest was more beneficial in trade and would gain an advantage. This often made them the group that outsiders would deal with and through and even if they were a lesser tribe in the area. This could lead to one tribe destroying another or even trying to end a centuries long feud by killing off the enemy. Lastly, island chains either near the shore or the continent can give additional avenues. With that you can add new creatures that are either in the books that the PCS never saw or entirely new creatures again to ravage them in this strange new land. It could also be a venue for plant monsters, new undead, or even a new form or technology (Greek fire, explosives, new weapons, whatever the people might use). I don't know, there is something. Get crazy; I think that I like the concept a lot.
mahalajr 06-05-04, 08:45 PM	Interesting, Lancelot. I have been considering creating a gnoll empire that wars with the bushmen tribes and even the Zulu-like nation. Sorry, I haven't considered creating new races just yet (key word, yet). It is still a work-in-progress, but for now I'll just pick from the MM races that can survive any "warm-" climate/terrain. Your point about the PCs possibly bringing diseases to the natives was interesting. I had planned for the opposite, in fact. The original concept for the expedition included bringing along clerics and/or druids who could purify the water with spells, making it safe for the Faerunians. Anyway, thanks for the advice.
Monsoon28 06-06-04, 08:46 AM	Will you being focusing only on African tribes or will you be mimicking some of the old empires as well?
mahalajr 06-06-04, 08:15 PM	I will use both empires and tribes from African history. "Tribes" will be groups similar to the pygmies and bushmen of Africa, along with some DnD twists (a forgotten tribe of jungle halflings, that type of thing). The "empires" will be like the Zulu, Bini, Ouagadou, and Mandigo nations from history, as well as the afore-mentioned gnoll empire. There will be others (its a big continent, much like the real Africa). Hope this helps clarify some things.
Masakado 06-07-04, 12:17 PM	I ran a brief campaign in the Chult / Tashalar region for quite some time & IMO, it has immense untapped potential. At the time, I turned my intense interest in African martial arts into a piece of FR homebrew. I wanted to cover the monastic societies of other regions in future posts, but the burdens of other projects have left this one sadly neglected. Fortunately, my material on Chult is still on the board in this thread. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?threadid=204072 Hopefully it will help you along. Please don't forget that African empires weren't all hinter bush folk. The continent has a long history of great civilizations, literature, mythology (the folk tales of Anansi the Spider for starters), and a very rich heritage. If you're curious about empires, I'd focus less on the Zulu, and more on conventional civilizations such as the Mali, Ghana, and Songhai empires, for example. Contemporary African empires to FR societies (Medieval to Renaissance in scope) would also include the Benin, Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe, and Mutapa empires.
Prince Indirian 06-07-04, 12:47 PM	How come you all know so much about history ? I'm always surprised of the amount knowledge some people have. As far as I know people know days seem to be quite ignorant. And where did you get the idea to making a campaign as this ? Especially you Mahalajhr
mahalajr 06-07-04, 04:18 PM	Prince Indian, Thanks for the compliment. My interest in History comes from my degree in said subject in college, and from the fact that I am a history ffffrrreakkk!!!! The recent interest in an African campaign just popped into my head a week or so ago. The idea came from "King Solomon's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard. That is his famous novel introducing the intrepid explorer/hunter/sharpshooter Alan Quartermain, who leads a team of adventurers in search of lost civilizations in Africa.
mahalajr 06-07-04, 06:59 PM	Oops, sorry about that. Supposed to Allan Quartermain.
Monsoon28 06-08-04, 02:30 AM	Sorry off topic, but I really disliked Sean Connery's portrayal of Allan, in the LXG movie, too gung-ho. Personally I like the idea of a African or Dark Continent build for FR, I feel too many people/designers have forgotten that Africa did have a rich history as well. Hopefully you'll keep us posted on your ideas! Masakado did some really good fighting societies, I'd recommend them into your campaign! :thumbsup: