Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rikkuna 11-23-03, 07:03 PM	Hello, I have a world concept in mind right now. It is a world at war, the common races vs lizard men, yaun-ti, naga, and kobolds. The world is mostly marshland, which is why the reptile races are so numerous and powerful. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone out there had some ideas to add a unique flavor to my world. Things like cultural changes, technology changes, class restrictions. That kind of thing. Thnaks for the help. ;)
Dryder 11-23-03, 07:18 PM	- Maybe humans are not the major race! The might just live in small camps (like we are used to know from lizardmen), are mostly uncivilized and definiately NOT organized! - Maybe there are ruins of an ancient, human nation, which is long forgotten by the present living humans. Centurys ago, the humans were the ruling race, until the Yuan-Ti's took over. Now the humans find some ruins (starter of the campaign) and start to remind themselve of their ancestors, which they so long have forgotten. Now they have a reason to fight the SNAKES! just my 2 cents... Aahhh, and the YUAN-TI ANATHEMA (from Fiend Folio, p. 193f) would definiately make for a cool fight at the end.
Nifft 11-23-03, 07:23 PM	A world with jungles, swamps, islands and mountains would be an interesting mix -- reptiles are great in water (around islands) as well as in swamps & jungles. "People" (mammal humanoids) can live in the tundras and the mountains, but the most fertile lands are the clear-burned jungle -- just where the reptile people want to live. -- N
MinusInnocence 11-23-03, 07:35 PM	Do you have any unresolved issues with reptiles, Dryder? :) I agree that it would be an interesting, albeit sometimes-overplayed, twist to have the PCs be part of a society that isn't really even a society at all. They are the outsiders in this campaign world... the humans are the pests who need to be exterminated, THEY are the ones who don't belong. So, it becomes a simple fight for survival: in Vaalingrade's Low/High Tech Thread, I described my homebrew world Genesis, which tells the story of a race of humans struggling just not to be overwhelmed by the forces of Nature. They, too, must contend with hyperadvanced Lizardfolk and the like - traditional foes who, in other campaigns, are always hinted at as once having vast and complex cultures, but having since fallen into decline (probably because of direct opposition from pesky humans, looking for loot). You have the potential to make this game really interesting if the PCs have to end up fighting to unite the various savage tribes and rally under a single banner, to strike out against the Lizardfolk, Yuan-Ti and the like. Note: it may be interesting to have various wars between nations of the reptiles. For example, Kobolds and their Black Dragon godqueens may be locked in perpetual conflict with the Lizardfolk, who are more devoted to peaceful, tranquil living (they may even be the ones more likely to keep humans as slaves, rather than simple livestock). Meanwhile, the Yuan-Ti tightens its coils around the world as a whole, seeking to subdue the infestation of the "pinkies" (I think monsters should have lots of silly, derogatory terms for humans and their friends), in addition to pitting one side against the other in the Wyrm/Lizard conflict. The Nagas I see as being more reclusive, and may opt for either side, not really having a culture of their own but simply going from place to place as individuals. In fact, the Nagas may prove to be a crucial (though unlikely) ally for the PCs, as their way of life really wouldn't be threatened, no matter who held dominion over the campaign world. Some issues to consider: 1) How savage do you want the humans to be? You mentioned cultural and technological changes... do you want them to simply be barbaric and nearly animalistic in their views of life? Or do you want them to have a highly developed albeit technologically inferior; civilization? The reason I ask, is humans are typically very driven in their quest to expand, conquer and learn new things. Humans, as you well know, are extremely opportunistic and bright, as a whole. It wouldn't make much sense for them not to have made SOME progress in their war against "the snakes". 2) Something you may want to consider are the various architectural styles of the PC and NPC races. Dwarves and Elves, if they are even included (don't hesitate to restrict play to humans if that would seem better for your idea - it's ok to go against Core rules, heh), may be more isolationist than they are even in a standard D&D setting... that doesn't mean they don't contribute. They may still have their great stone citadels, or they did at one point, before they were overcome by floods of tainted water and Kobold hordes. Elves, meanwhile, would be more inclined to continue their practice of living in the treetops in a world like this, simply to get away from the dank marshes (and certain death) down below. Something interesting you may include... what if the PC races all had traces of their hated foes in their architecture, art, literature, etc? If even the elves and dwarves had massive reptilian motifs in their work, down to the detail etched into axeblades or dinner plates, it would be very sobering to realize how deeply fascinated (and controlled) everyone has allowed themselves to become by "the snakes".
Dryder 11-23-03, 07:43 PM	Originally posted by MinusInnocence Do you have any unresolved issues with reptiles, Dryder? :) YEAH, I HAVE! Three of my PCs died by the hands (or whatever) of Yuan-Ti! They have to pay for it, even if it is in another campaign...:mad: :fight!: DOWN WITH THE SNAKES!!!
Dryder 11-23-03, 07:46 PM	One more idea: The Yuan-Ti use humans slaves in their cities! A relative/friend of one of the PCs might be taken by the Reptiles. Now the PCs are going to save their friend. Kinda like "Planet of the apes"!
Fixxxer 11-23-03, 08:07 PM	Originally posted by Dryder One more idea: The Yuan-Ti use humans slaves in their cities! A relative/friend of one of the PCs might be taken by the Reptiles. Now the PCs are going to save their friend. The Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti (Mongoose Publishing) gave an interesting take on the snakes and thier possible reltationship with humans. As I recall, it spoke that centuries upon centuries ago, a snake-like fairy transformed a group of her human worshippers into the first Yuan-Ti as a reward for their loving service. Eventually, she ascended to demi-god status and she watches over her people. The Yuan-Ti have sought for centuries to replicate this transformation as a means to instantaniously increase their species' ranks. They've used various magical and psionic means to do so, which is how the Yuan-Ti Abombinations have come to be. Something like this could further what Dryder said earlier about humans discovering hints of their past and how they were around long before the Yuan-Ti. Such is the stuff that epic stories are made of.
Rikkuna 11-23-03, 09:00 PM	These are all very good, please keep them comeing. :D
Morka 11-23-03, 09:05 PM	Here is a link to a page with some animal pets for lizardmen http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20030920a
Rikkuna 11-24-03, 10:42 AM	Okay, heres what I have, tell me what you think. Humans are devided in to two types. Varuna and Jamin. Varuna live in the mountains where the reptiles can't ge them. They have developed enough to have very small towns each with its own government, and they have an oriental culture (Because I have OA and want to use it). Jamin live down in the marshes with the reptiles. They live in tribes with developed cultures but not much tech. Dwarves live in the mountains and freely trade with both human civilizations. Halflings live in the foothils in small kingdoms, they controle most of the trade routes. Elves are wild elves and live in treetop tribes. Now, how do I get a group from so many different places to work together?
Fixxxer 11-24-03, 12:11 PM	Originally posted by Rikkuna Now, how do I get a group from so many different places to work together? Who says you have to? Make it the first major quest for the PCs to meet with the leaders of each race to discuss mutual declarations of war.
Silver Under Glass 11-24-03, 12:50 PM	Some culturial suggestions: In a high marshland/swamp world mining isn't going to be easy, can I suggest you make metal rarer and more expensive for those races who did not retreat to the mountains? Flint, wooden or obsidian weapons could be more prevelant in the marshland areas of the world. Heavy armours such as platemail may be a disadvantage in this environment as well, at the very least reducing your movement rate across boggy ground. Farming would be rare in communities built around undrained marshes, fishing would be much more common. Drained marshland however is often very fertile.
Finarin Panjoro 11-24-03, 06:31 PM	Given the lizard theme how would you fit dragons into this world? As the most powerful "lizard" race they could make a very interesting contribution to your world, especially if they have a non-standard role (in other words don't make this another dragon world). Perhaps the dragons used to be allied with the ancient humans and the Yuan-ti fear and hate the dragons as much as the humans. Perhaps dragons are hunted by the Yuan-ti because they are seen as the only real challenge to Yuan-ti supremacy. Perhaps the dragons have taken human form and are actually leading/causing the revolt against the Yuan-ti as leaders among the humans. Perhaps dragons are incredibly rare because the humans hunted them to near extinction and the few remaining dragons created the Yuan-ti as a means of revenge. Or perhaps there are no dragons at all.
jasper 11-24-03, 10:22 PM	read up on Lousiana swamp legends.
green_yawgmoth 11-25-03, 03:40 AM	Originally posted by Dryder One more idea: The Yuan-Ti use humans slaves in their cities! A relative/friend of one of the PCs might be taken by the Reptiles. Now the PCs are going to save their friend. Kinda like "Planet of the apes"! "Get yer stinkin' hands offa me, you damn dirty snake!" I have watched those movies way too mnay times to count.