Gulg - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Gulg

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Bly2729
Jun 25, 2011 15:30:45 What are people doing with Gulg other than showing up to kick Lalali-Puy's ass? It seems like the least adventure friendly city in Dark Sun.
#2
naxel
Jun 25, 2011 16:45:39 Well, conflicts are common occurences with Nibenay. Pretty much any adventure idea you have involving primal spirits could easily get entangled with the affairs of the Oba and her city
#3
Sysane
Jun 26, 2011 19:24:07 2e's Asticlian Gambit is a pretty good Gulg based adventure. Could be easily converted to 4e. Don't want to spoil to much but all I can say is "Red Moon Hunt".

#4
Gallard
Jun 26, 2011 21:22:06 gulg is great for foresty adventures without having to cross the ringing mountains.
#5
Kye_Tyrad
Jun 27, 2011 10:58:12 Having the PC's getting caught up in the Red Moon Hunt would be rather exciting for them. You could start with them either imprisoned and then released for the Red Moon Hunt or just have them adventuring in the Cresent Forest while the Red Moon Hunt is taking place. That could lead to quite a few entertaining adventure prospects!
#6
Alex_
Jun 27, 2011 11:31:18 As mentioned before, the forest ridge is right next to Gulg, and crawling with spirits and monsters, so...

1) Being so close to forest, gulg probably has lots of fantastic beasts. PCs tasked (either by nobles of Gulg or another city-state) with finding a particular beast in the forest ridge for the arena. If they are sent by nobles, perhaps another hunting party has been assembled to capture the beast first and gain prestige by doing so. If the party was sent from another city-state, hunters from Gulg might not like them walking around in their woods. Maybe the PCs aren't looking for a beast for the arena. Maybe they need it for some wealthy merchant trader who likes collecting animals.

2) A particularly powerful spirit in the forest is causing trouble. PCs are sent to put an end to it. Has it been corrupted/driven mad? Is it upset about something? Is it even a spirit at all? Can it be purified with a particular ritual, magic item, or set of conditions? can it be reasoned with? Can it be placated? Can it be subjugated and used by the Templars? If the Templars want to do kill/subjugate/corrupt it, can the PCs stop them or it?

3) Gulg is home to a lot of mystics and witchdoctor types. Maybe the PCs need to find a particular treatment for a rare/mysterious ailment. They'll have to find a mystic in Gulg and convince them to help find a cure. Maybe the templar or other powerful elements are opposed to the mystic and do not want them to help the PCs (or anyone).

4) PCs are sent to Gulg in order to deliver a gift to Lalali-Puy, a noble, a templar, or a merchant. The gift, however, is poisoned. Or maybe it's just insulting. Or maybe the gift is something valuable that somebody else wants or something powerful that they want to keep out of the hands of the recepient. The PCs will be opposed on their way to Gulg and after they arrive in Gulg. If the gift is dangerous to the recipient, they may find themselves being pursued in Gulg and beyond.

5) A citizen of Nibenay has been taken from the woods by hunters from Gulg. The PCs are sent as impartial negotiators.
#7
Raddu76
Jun 27, 2011 16:19:42
Having the PC's getting caught up in the Red Moon Hunt would be rather exciting for them. You could start with them either imprisoned and then released for the Red Moon Hunt or just have them adventuring in the Cresent Forest while the Red Moon Hunt is taking place. That could lead to quite a few entertaining adventure prospects!

See: DSQ3 Asticlian Gambit
#8
Alphastream
Jun 27, 2011 22:38:07 I like the African nature of Gulg, and the idea that the adventurers can't easily get in. It means they are truly treated as outsiders and must earn their way in. Dealing with tribal merchants or expatriate-styled traders can be a lot of fun. It can place PCs in a fun situation.

I like the hunt. I also like the concept of the continued skirmishes with Nibenay. There is a lot of depth to the region. Throw in the halflings of Losthome, the strange ruins, the salt flats, the many raiding tribes, the Pristine Tower... this is a really cool part of Athas!
#9
HarbringerOfNok
Jun 28, 2011 9:25:40
I like the African nature of Gulg, and the idea that the adventurers can't easily get in. It means they are truly treated as outsiders and must earn their way in. Dealing with tribal merchants or expatriate-styled traders can be a lot of fun. It can place PCs in a fun situation.

I like the hunt. I also like the concept of the continued skirmishes with Nibenay. There is a lot of depth to the region. Throw in the halflings of Losthome, the strange ruins, the salt flats, the many raiding tribes, the Pristine Tower... this is a really cool part of Athas!

And don't forget the Elven Clan of Shadows in the area.
#10
Bly2729
Jun 28, 2011 22:39:22 I've read the Gambit. I guess what I mean is, the city is no Sharn or Tyr or even an Altaruk. It hasn't been developed as a haven for NPCs. It's kind of monolithic and xenophobic. Urik and especially Draj are like that to. "These cities are for Paragon Tier Characters!" stuff like that.
#11
Alex_
Jun 29, 2011 0:22:34 Well no, they aren't cosmopolitan campaigns where you are likely to see a bunch of random individuals of different races, occupations, and social status rubbing shoulders with one another.

But that doesn't mean you can't do things with them. They have NPCs that provide various unique products and services. They have their own secrets, intrigues, and politics. They have things for PCs to do. They also have strong themes, which is one of the main reasons to go to them.

You go to Gulg rather than Tyr because you aren't going to get a strong sub-Saharan African/Vodun/Spirit worshipper vibe or constant warfare with a nearby city-state in Tyr. That's in Gulg.

You go to Urik instead of Tyr because in Tyr, you aren't going to really be able to explore the impact/consequences of a well ordered society where people actually kind of like their Sorcerer King the way you can in Urik.
#12
naxel
Jun 29, 2011 7:08:26 They are cities. There are going to be political intrigues and spying and assassinations just like others. The thing with Gulg, Urik, or Draj, or anything that isn't Tyr (or Sharn, with its own book) is that that information isn't provided for you.

If you want a crowded, diverse population like Sharn then go to Tyr, but all the cities IMO could have many levels of adventures within them
#13
Bly2729
Jul 02, 2011 9:50:31 So has anyone run a 4E Red Moon Hunt? How'd it go?
#14
mach4
Jul 02, 2011 16:22:40 You can still have a great deal of adventures that are tailored to be specific to Gulg and not simply drag and drops that just happen to take place there. Look at the various factions that do exist there such as it's Veilled Alliance, the Paper Nest, the dagda administrators, pilgrim peasants to the Oba, tribal gatherers, the Peoples, hunter nobles, the human sacrificing primal cultists, members of Gulgian client villages, House Inika, the Judaga headhunter army; all of these can have adventures tailored around them for a unique Gulg based adventure once the basics of sponsorship and possibly even citizenship are taken care of on the part of the players.

Also, none of the cities were designed around any particular tier. Only Guistinal with it's special case scenario of having a mid level entrance guardian would fit that bill. If a PC can talk, the PC can get into and have adventures in any particular city at any time.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Bly2729 Jun 25, 2011 15:30:45	What are people doing with Gulg other than showing up to kick Lalali-Puy's ass? It seems like the least adventure friendly city in Dark Sun.
#2 naxel Jun 25, 2011 16:45:39	Well, conflicts are common occurences with Nibenay. Pretty much any adventure idea you have involving primal spirits could easily get entangled with the affairs of the Oba and her city
#3 Sysane Jun 26, 2011 19:24:07	2e's Asticlian Gambit is a pretty good Gulg based adventure. Could be easily converted to 4e. Don't want to spoil to much but all I can say is "Red Moon Hunt".
#4 Gallard Jun 26, 2011 21:22:06	gulg is great for foresty adventures without having to cross the ringing mountains.
#5 Kye_Tyrad Jun 27, 2011 10:58:12	Having the PC's getting caught up in the Red Moon Hunt would be rather exciting for them. You could start with them either imprisoned and then released for the Red Moon Hunt or just have them adventuring in the Cresent Forest while the Red Moon Hunt is taking place. That could lead to quite a few entertaining adventure prospects!
#6 Alex_ Jun 27, 2011 11:31:18	As mentioned before, the forest ridge is right next to Gulg, and crawling with spirits and monsters, so... 1) Being so close to forest, gulg probably has lots of fantastic beasts. PCs tasked (either by nobles of Gulg or another city-state) with finding a particular beast in the forest ridge for the arena. If they are sent by nobles, perhaps another hunting party has been assembled to capture the beast first and gain prestige by doing so. If the party was sent from another city-state, hunters from Gulg might not like them walking around in their woods. Maybe the PCs aren't looking for a beast for the arena. Maybe they need it for some wealthy merchant trader who likes collecting animals. 2) A particularly powerful spirit in the forest is causing trouble. PCs are sent to put an end to it. Has it been corrupted/driven mad? Is it upset about something? Is it even a spirit at all? Can it be purified with a particular ritual, magic item, or set of conditions? can it be reasoned with? Can it be placated? Can it be subjugated and used by the Templars? If the Templars want to do kill/subjugate/corrupt it, can the PCs stop them or it? 3) Gulg is home to a lot of mystics and witchdoctor types. Maybe the PCs need to find a particular treatment for a rare/mysterious ailment. They'll have to find a mystic in Gulg and convince them to help find a cure. Maybe the templar or other powerful elements are opposed to the mystic and do not want them to help the PCs (or anyone). 4) PCs are sent to Gulg in order to deliver a gift to Lalali-Puy, a noble, a templar, or a merchant. The gift, however, is poisoned. Or maybe it's just insulting. Or maybe the gift is something valuable that somebody else wants or something powerful that they want to keep out of the hands of the recepient. The PCs will be opposed on their way to Gulg and after they arrive in Gulg. If the gift is dangerous to the recipient, they may find themselves being pursued in Gulg and beyond. 5) A citizen of Nibenay has been taken from the woods by hunters from Gulg. The PCs are sent as impartial negotiators.
#7 Raddu76 Jun 27, 2011 16:19:42	Having the PC's getting caught up in the Red Moon Hunt would be rather exciting for them. You could start with them either imprisoned and then released for the Red Moon Hunt or just have them adventuring in the Cresent Forest while the Red Moon Hunt is taking place. That could lead to quite a few entertaining adventure prospects! See: DSQ3 Asticlian Gambit
#8 Alphastream Jun 27, 2011 22:38:07	I like the African nature of Gulg, and the idea that the adventurers can't easily get in. It means they are truly treated as outsiders and must earn their way in. Dealing with tribal merchants or expatriate-styled traders can be a lot of fun. It can place PCs in a fun situation. I like the hunt. I also like the concept of the continued skirmishes with Nibenay. There is a lot of depth to the region. Throw in the halflings of Losthome, the strange ruins, the salt flats, the many raiding tribes, the Pristine Tower... this is a really cool part of Athas!
#9 HarbringerOfNok Jun 28, 2011 9:25:40	I like the African nature of Gulg, and the idea that the adventurers can't easily get in. It means they are truly treated as outsiders and must earn their way in. Dealing with tribal merchants or expatriate-styled traders can be a lot of fun. It can place PCs in a fun situation. I like the hunt. I also like the concept of the continued skirmishes with Nibenay. There is a lot of depth to the region. Throw in the halflings of Losthome, the strange ruins, the salt flats, the many raiding tribes, the Pristine Tower... this is a really cool part of Athas! And don't forget the Elven Clan of Shadows in the area.
#10 Bly2729 Jun 28, 2011 22:39:22	I've read the Gambit. I guess what I mean is, the city is no Sharn or Tyr or even an Altaruk. It hasn't been developed as a haven for NPCs. It's kind of monolithic and xenophobic. Urik and especially Draj are like that to. "These cities are for Paragon Tier Characters!" stuff like that.
#11 Alex_ Jun 29, 2011 0:22:34	Well no, they aren't cosmopolitan campaigns where you are likely to see a bunch of random individuals of different races, occupations, and social status rubbing shoulders with one another. But that doesn't mean you can't do things with them. They have NPCs that provide various unique products and services. They have their own secrets, intrigues, and politics. They have things for PCs to do. They also have strong themes, which is one of the main reasons to go to them. You go to Gulg rather than Tyr because you aren't going to get a strong sub-Saharan African/Vodun/Spirit worshipper vibe or constant warfare with a nearby city-state in Tyr. That's in Gulg. You go to Urik instead of Tyr because in Tyr, you aren't going to really be able to explore the impact/consequences of a well ordered society where people actually kind of like their Sorcerer King the way you can in Urik.
#12 naxel Jun 29, 2011 7:08:26	They are cities. There are going to be political intrigues and spying and assassinations just like others. The thing with Gulg, Urik, or Draj, or anything that isn't Tyr (or Sharn, with its own book) is that that information isn't provided for you. If you want a crowded, diverse population like Sharn then go to Tyr, but all the cities IMO could have many levels of adventures within them
#13 Bly2729 Jul 02, 2011 9:50:31	So has anyone run a 4E Red Moon Hunt? How'd it go?
#14 mach4 Jul 02, 2011 16:22:40	You can still have a great deal of adventures that are tailored to be specific to Gulg and not simply drag and drops that just happen to take place there. Look at the various factions that do exist there such as it's Veilled Alliance, the Paper Nest, the dagda administrators, pilgrim peasants to the Oba, tribal gatherers, the Peoples, hunter nobles, the human sacrificing primal cultists, members of Gulgian client villages, House Inika, the Judaga headhunter army; all of these can have adventures tailored around them for a unique Gulg based adventure once the basics of sponsorship and possibly even citizenship are taken care of on the part of the players. Also, none of the cities were designed around any particular tier. Only Guistinal with it's special case scenario of having a mid level entrance guardian would fit that bill. If a PC can talk, the PC can get into and have adventures in any particular city at any time.