to Rokugan and back [Archive] - Wizards Community

to Rokugan and back [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sarrius_helson
11-16-04, 07:13 PM After many frustration weeks sarrius helson finally makes his way throught the barrier of the evil registration bug.

g'day all. this is my first time posting here.
just need to know a little thing.
would i be able to play a character that originated in Faerun but has journeyed to Rokugan for a few years?
the story is that Sarrius found a portal in the dungeon below a castle. he was a minor lord and travelled to Rokugan, returning after a few years trying to find a way back.

does this fit well or not?
warlockco
11-16-04, 08:11 PM You would have to talk to you DM about that.
Officially, Rokugan has its own Cosmology and isn't even remotely connected to the Forgotten Realms or Core D&D Cosmology.
Gray Richardson
11-16-04, 08:20 PM Sure! Why not? A portal can be connected to anywhere. Faerun has portals to Greyhawk as well as Earth. As long as your DM is cool with it I don't see anything wrong with that. It could provide some cool role-playing opportunities.

If your DM says no, ask him if you can be from Kara-Tur, it would be the closest culture on Faerun that would be an analog with Rokugan.
The Simple Seeker II
11-16-04, 10:52 PM As much as I like the theme of the travel, I will have to say nay...on that, for one reason, as stated, Rokugan is within its own sphere of influence, and to travel to it, if possible, you have to go through the other spirit realms first.

And that is no mean feat first of all, second, to know where to go...you would have to be born there (in Rokugan) and to have the knowledge of the realms themselves, which is a continuing evergrowing life of work constantly(you will barely scratch the surface), portal connections ends on that note. The realms themselves are a mallable of motions to current events that take place on the mortal or spirit plane everytime...nothing stays the same.

And lastily, all the spirit and mortal realms are connected very deeply to each other, more so than FR, DL or Greyhawk.

And also, as much the idea to go there and back...one problem, the current Law on gaijins still stands...Death or imprisonment...and the former is chosen mostly, all the time.
FineasBoggs
11-19-04, 06:21 PM Just pretend it's Kara-Tur and leave it at that. Many of the feats and classes will work, but the cosmology won't and perhaps even divine casting may be affected. You might look at the 3.5 update issue of Dragon and compare the 3.5 Kara-Tur with Rogukan and see what you can meld together to make it more Aber-Toril "ish."

http://webpages.charter.net/acamphuysen/manshoon_mage_sigil.gif
Ranger REG
11-20-04, 03:16 AM Just pretend it's Kara-Tur and leave it at that.
Oh, please! What do you think this is? The Swan reality show?!?!!!

You cannot simply pretend it's Kara-Tur. That's like pretending Forgotten Realm's Toril is Greyhawk's Oerth.

If you don't understand that analogy, try giving Rosie O'Donnell a Heidi Klum makeover.

:rolleyes:
maynardjkeenan
11-20-04, 10:05 AM You cannot simply pretend it's Kara-Tur. That's like pretending Forgotten Realm's Toril is Greyhawk's Oerth. If you don't understand that analogy, try giving Rosie O'Donnell a Heidi Klum makeover.

So you're comparing Toril to Rosie O'Donnell? I thought Toril was more of a.... Jay Leno... And Oerth... Farrah Fawcet...

Now give Leno a Fawcet makeover! That would make headlines!
Gray Richardson
11-20-04, 11:49 AM Here is a plausible explanation. The character started in Rokugan and traveled through the Shadowlands and somehow wandered or fell through a vortex into Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm (which serves as their Astral Plane). From there he could enter Kara-Tur and eventually make his way to Faerun.

There is every reason to think that Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm and Rokugan's Shadowland might have links.

I should mention that Rokugan has a supplement called Fortunes & Winds that details its cosmology. It is logical to assume there are links between Rokugan's planes and Kara-Tur's cosmology somewhere. These two settings have to be as close as say Greyhawk and Faerun.
FineasBoggs
11-20-04, 03:26 PM DOH!!! My bad, I thought he might use his imagination a little. ;)

http://webpages.charter.net/acamphuysen/manshoon_mage_sigil.gif
The Simple Seeker II
11-23-04, 07:30 PM Here is a plausible explanation. The character started in Rokugan and traveled through the Shadowlands and somehow wandered or fell through a vortex into Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm (which serves as their Astral Plane). From there he could enter Kara-Tur and eventually make his way to Faerun.

There is every reason to think that Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm and Rokugan's Shadowland might have links.

I should mention that Rokugan has a supplement called Fortunes & Winds that details its cosmology. It is logical to assume there are links between Rokugan's planes and Kara-Tur's cosmology somewhere. These two settings have to be as close as say Greyhawk and Faerun.

Sorry for being a stickler...traveling through the Shadowlands(even with all the preparations), will end the character's life(the dull-minded numbing climate, the monsters, that roam the land, looking for a uncorrupt, living...being, will stand out like a lighthouse, most brilliantly) after the first 10 steps :P :P , second, Ka-Tur is not a spirit base realm, like Rokugan. And no there is no links to either realm, in that book.
The Simple Seeker II
11-23-04, 08:31 PM After many frustration weeks sarrius helson finally makes his way throught the barrier of the evil registration bug.

g'day all. this is my first time posting here.
just need to know a little thing.
would i be able to play a character that originated in Faerun but has journeyed to Rokugan for a few years?
the story is that Sarrius found a portal in the dungeon below a castle. he was a minor lord and travelled to Rokugan, returning after a few years trying to find a way back.

does this fit well or not?

Just found this within the Wotc forum... :D .

BEHOLD!!! The terror of the SHADOWLANDS (http://chrysanthemumroad.tripod.com/writing/HellWalk.htm)
Gray Richardson
11-24-04, 01:38 AM Sorry for being a stickler...traveling through the Shadowlands(even with all the preparations), will end the character's life(the dull-minded numbing climate, the monsters, that roam the land, looking for a uncorrupt, living...being, will stand out like a lighthouse, most brilliantly) after the first 10 steps :P :P , second, Ka-Tur is not a spirit base realm, like Rokugan. And no there is no links to either realm, in that book. Sorry, I don't believe your statement is accurate. I think your conception of the Shadowlands is limited and off-base. Sure the Shadowlands are inhospitable--it would definitely be a challenge!--but not insurmountable. Even a low level character might pass through them and survive with a little luck.

The Shadowlands--or any planes for that matter--are designed for players to enter and have adventures in. If characters couldn't go there then what would be the point of having that as an option in the game?

Anyway, we are just talking background story here. Ultimately if the player and DM are both cool with it, then that is for them to decide.

Lastly, the Forgotten Realms has links to everywhere. The Realms are just crawling with portals and links to every plane and campaign setting you could imagine. Of course there must be links between Faerun's Spirit World and Rokugan's Shadowlands. They share so many monsters and so much culture, it is only natural to assume there must be links. And no, the links won't be officially mentioned in the Campaign Setting sourcebook, but any creative DM can put the portals or links wherever it suits his campaign.

By the way, Kara-Tur does have a Spirit World plane, you can read a little about it in the Player's Guide to Faerun on p. 165.

Also, check out the supplement "Fortunes and Winds" if you want to know more about Rokugan's cosmology and planar setup.
The Simple Seeker II
11-24-04, 06:04 PM Sorry, I don't believe your statement is accurate. I think your conception of the Shadowlands is limited and off-base. Sure the Shadowlands are inhospitable--it would definitely be a challenge!--but not insurmountable. Even a low level character might pass through them and survive with a little luck.
If we are talking a westerner or a Hida in the low level sense...my money is on the Hida. And the latter don't believe in luck.

The Shadowlands--or any planes for that matter--are designed for players to enter and have adventures in. If characters couldn't go there then what would be the point of having that as an option in the game?Anyway, we are just talking background story here. Ultimately if the player and DM are both cool with it, then that is for them to decide.
The Shadowlands is a plane, but that 'plane' exist on the prime material, next to Rokugan. And yes, we are talking about a background story and having a nice discussion about it... :D.
Putting any non-rokugan persona in here, is plain insane...just be ready to be making new PCs by that end run, if the environment don't get ya, it will be monsters, Oni, and the Tsuno, especially The SoulTwisters. And lastly, any level character brought in...will be changed by the experience, if they survive, mentally intact, first, or physical changes that will occur from the Taint.

Lastly, the Forgotten Realms has links to everywhere. The Realms are just crawling with portals and links to every plane and campaign setting you could imagine. Of course there must be links between Faerun's Spirit World and Rokugan's Shadowlands. They share so many monsters and so much culture, it is only natural to assume there must be links. And no, the links won't be officially mentioned in the Campaign Setting sourcebook, but any creative DM can put the portals or links wherever it suits his campaign.On that, I agree...it is a Dm's choice.

By the way, Kara-Tur does have a Spirit World plane, you can read a little about it in the Player's Guide to Faerun on p. 165.That is a little...as you said, and I have the Original OA 2nd Ed.

Also, check out the supplement "Fortunes and Winds" if you want to know more about Rokugan's cosmology and planar setup
I have all the current AEG D20 books that are out...and trust me, I will not want to put any player, who is non-rokugan in that dreadful land, simple put, the writers in their own fashion, channeling that realm as a place that will end even the migthest of all heroes, well empowered or not..

Nice discussion :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sarrius_helson 11-16-04, 07:13 PM	After many frustration weeks sarrius helson finally makes his way throught the barrier of the evil registration bug. g'day all. this is my first time posting here. just need to know a little thing. would i be able to play a character that originated in Faerun but has journeyed to Rokugan for a few years? the story is that Sarrius found a portal in the dungeon below a castle. he was a minor lord and travelled to Rokugan, returning after a few years trying to find a way back. does this fit well or not?
warlockco 11-16-04, 08:11 PM	You would have to talk to you DM about that. Officially, Rokugan has its own Cosmology and isn't even remotely connected to the Forgotten Realms or Core D&D Cosmology.
Gray Richardson 11-16-04, 08:20 PM	Sure! Why not? A portal can be connected to anywhere. Faerun has portals to Greyhawk as well as Earth. As long as your DM is cool with it I don't see anything wrong with that. It could provide some cool role-playing opportunities. If your DM says no, ask him if you can be from Kara-Tur, it would be the closest culture on Faerun that would be an analog with Rokugan.
The Simple Seeker II 11-16-04, 10:52 PM	As much as I like the theme of the travel, I will have to say nay...on that, for one reason, as stated, Rokugan is within its own sphere of influence, and to travel to it, if possible, you have to go through the other spirit realms first. And that is no mean feat first of all, second, to know where to go...you would have to be born there (in Rokugan) and to have the knowledge of the realms themselves, which is a continuing evergrowing life of work constantly(you will barely scratch the surface), portal connections ends on that note. The realms themselves are a mallable of motions to current events that take place on the mortal or spirit plane everytime...nothing stays the same. And lastily, all the spirit and mortal realms are connected very deeply to each other, more so than FR, DL or Greyhawk. And also, as much the idea to go there and back...one problem, the current Law on gaijins still stands...Death or imprisonment...and the former is chosen mostly, all the time.
FineasBoggs 11-19-04, 06:21 PM	Just pretend it's Kara-Tur and leave it at that. Many of the feats and classes will work, but the cosmology won't and perhaps even divine casting may be affected. You might look at the 3.5 update issue of Dragon and compare the 3.5 Kara-Tur with Rogukan and see what you can meld together to make it more Aber-Toril "ish." http://webpages.charter.net/acamphuysen/manshoon_mage_sigil.gif
Ranger REG 11-20-04, 03:16 AM	Just pretend it's Kara-Tur and leave it at that. Oh, please! What do you think this is? The Swan reality show?!?!!! You cannot simply pretend it's Kara-Tur. That's like pretending Forgotten Realm's Toril is Greyhawk's Oerth. If you don't understand that analogy, try giving Rosie O'Donnell a Heidi Klum makeover. :rolleyes:
maynardjkeenan 11-20-04, 10:05 AM	You cannot simply pretend it's Kara-Tur. That's like pretending Forgotten Realm's Toril is Greyhawk's Oerth. If you don't understand that analogy, try giving Rosie O'Donnell a Heidi Klum makeover. So you're comparing Toril to Rosie O'Donnell? I thought Toril was more of a.... Jay Leno... And Oerth... Farrah Fawcet... Now give Leno a Fawcet makeover! That would make headlines!
Gray Richardson 11-20-04, 11:49 AM	Here is a plausible explanation. The character started in Rokugan and traveled through the Shadowlands and somehow wandered or fell through a vortex into Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm (which serves as their Astral Plane). From there he could enter Kara-Tur and eventually make his way to Faerun. There is every reason to think that Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm and Rokugan's Shadowland might have links. I should mention that Rokugan has a supplement called Fortunes & Winds that details its cosmology. It is logical to assume there are links between Rokugan's planes and Kara-Tur's cosmology somewhere. These two settings have to be as close as say Greyhawk and Faerun.
FineasBoggs 11-20-04, 03:26 PM	DOH!!! My bad, I thought he might use his imagination a little. ;) http://webpages.charter.net/acamphuysen/manshoon_mage_sigil.gif
The Simple Seeker II 11-23-04, 07:30 PM	Here is a plausible explanation. The character started in Rokugan and traveled through the Shadowlands and somehow wandered or fell through a vortex into Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm (which serves as their Astral Plane). From there he could enter Kara-Tur and eventually make his way to Faerun. There is every reason to think that Kara-Tur's Spirit Realm and Rokugan's Shadowland might have links. I should mention that Rokugan has a supplement called Fortunes & Winds that details its cosmology. It is logical to assume there are links between Rokugan's planes and Kara-Tur's cosmology somewhere. These two settings have to be as close as say Greyhawk and Faerun. Sorry for being a stickler...traveling through the Shadowlands(even with all the preparations), will end the character's life(the dull-minded numbing climate, the monsters, that roam the land, looking for a uncorrupt, living...being, will stand out like a lighthouse, most brilliantly) after the first 10 steps :P :P , second, Ka-Tur is not a spirit base realm, like Rokugan. And no there is no links to either realm, in that book.
The Simple Seeker II 11-23-04, 08:31 PM	After many frustration weeks sarrius helson finally makes his way throught the barrier of the evil registration bug. g'day all. this is my first time posting here. just need to know a little thing. would i be able to play a character that originated in Faerun but has journeyed to Rokugan for a few years? the story is that Sarrius found a portal in the dungeon below a castle. he was a minor lord and travelled to Rokugan, returning after a few years trying to find a way back. does this fit well or not? Just found this within the Wotc forum... :D . BEHOLD!!! The terror of the SHADOWLANDS (http://chrysanthemumroad.tripod.com/writing/HellWalk.htm)
Gray Richardson 11-24-04, 01:38 AM	Sorry for being a stickler...traveling through the Shadowlands(even with all the preparations), will end the character's life(the dull-minded numbing climate, the monsters, that roam the land, looking for a uncorrupt, living...being, will stand out like a lighthouse, most brilliantly) after the first 10 steps :P :P , second, Ka-Tur is not a spirit base realm, like Rokugan. And no there is no links to either realm, in that book. Sorry, I don't believe your statement is accurate. I think your conception of the Shadowlands is limited and off-base. Sure the Shadowlands are inhospitable--it would definitely be a challenge!--but not insurmountable. Even a low level character might pass through them and survive with a little luck. The Shadowlands--or any planes for that matter--are designed for players to enter and have adventures in. If characters couldn't go there then what would be the point of having that as an option in the game? Anyway, we are just talking background story here. Ultimately if the player and DM are both cool with it, then that is for them to decide. Lastly, the Forgotten Realms has links to everywhere. The Realms are just crawling with portals and links to every plane and campaign setting you could imagine. Of course there must be links between Faerun's Spirit World and Rokugan's Shadowlands. They share so many monsters and so much culture, it is only natural to assume there must be links. And no, the links won't be officially mentioned in the Campaign Setting sourcebook, but any creative DM can put the portals or links wherever it suits his campaign. By the way, Kara-Tur does have a Spirit World plane, you can read a little about it in the Player's Guide to Faerun on p. 165. Also, check out the supplement "Fortunes and Winds" if you want to know more about Rokugan's cosmology and planar setup.
The Simple Seeker II 11-24-04, 06:04 PM	Sorry, I don't believe your statement is accurate. I think your conception of the Shadowlands is limited and off-base. Sure the Shadowlands are inhospitable--it would definitely be a challenge!--but not insurmountable. Even a low level character might pass through them and survive with a little luck. If we are talking a westerner or a Hida in the low level sense...my money is on the Hida. And the latter don't believe in luck. The Shadowlands--or any planes for that matter--are designed for players to enter and have adventures in. If characters couldn't go there then what would be the point of having that as an option in the game?Anyway, we are just talking background story here. Ultimately if the player and DM are both cool with it, then that is for them to decide. The Shadowlands is a plane, but that 'plane' exist on the prime material, next to Rokugan. And yes, we are talking about a background story and having a nice discussion about it... :D. Putting any non-rokugan persona in here, is plain insane...just be ready to be making new PCs by that end run, if the environment don't get ya, it will be monsters, Oni, and the Tsuno, especially The SoulTwisters. And lastly, any level character brought in...will be changed by the experience, if they survive, mentally intact, first, or physical changes that will occur from the Taint. Lastly, the Forgotten Realms has links to everywhere. The Realms are just crawling with portals and links to every plane and campaign setting you could imagine. Of course there must be links between Faerun's Spirit World and Rokugan's Shadowlands. They share so many monsters and so much culture, it is only natural to assume there must be links. And no, the links won't be officially mentioned in the Campaign Setting sourcebook, but any creative DM can put the portals or links wherever it suits his campaign.On that, I agree...it is a Dm's choice. By the way, Kara-Tur does have a Spirit World plane, you can read a little about it in the Player's Guide to Faerun on p. 165.That is a little...as you said, and I have the Original OA 2nd Ed. Also, check out the supplement "Fortunes and Winds" if you want to know more about Rokugan's cosmology and planar setup I have all the current AEG D20 books that are out...and trust me, I will not want to put any player, who is non-rokugan in that dreadful land, simple put, the writers in their own fashion, channeling that realm as a place that will end even the migthest of all heroes, well empowered or not.. Nice discussion :)