<div>It will be great to see that stuff. Definitely the kind of thing I'm interested in. There never seemed to be any substantial, in-depth coverage on the matter of portraying seacraft. There have been supplements, like from outfits like Mongoose, but maritime matters have always been peripheral. I know this is a natural tendency, of course: land represents the definite majority of activity. But it would be great to be able to turn to an in-depth resource of material when travelling or battling on water, to really get a satisfying feel and experience of detail and realism, instead of a vague 'transitional' feel to the whole affair (like the GM just sums up what happens and thats that). Sea or river travel doesnt have to be eventful, of course (krakens & dragon-turtles arent going to pop up all the time; heck, simple fishing is going to suck on some days), but I think its important to have a developed system, because the sea can offer up so much potential adventure and danger.</div>
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<div>As to the Western Lands name, I just wonder if Richard might be hinting at further Lands east of them...I dont know. It just seems to me there is some reason why he called them Eastern in one place and Western in another. And I totally agree with the cultural perspective idea (and even the cosmological one, which direction the sphere of the world spins). In the overall sense, it amounts to a minor issue, yet because of the apparent inconsistency it ends up being intriguing to me. Maybe there is another continent further East (or West?)...</div>
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<div>This kind of segues into my own 'apocryphal' P&P milieu work. I have worked on developing other continents (the cosmological 'rules' of globe size in this milieu transcend the 'rules' of our real universe: the sphere of the P&P world is substantially larger than our own). One very large one exists some distance down south; an ancient, decadent, sprawling set of lands. The deep roots of the Empire del Nord begin here, by the way; their precursor origins are colonial in nature. The 'high' manifestations of civilization resemble the Rennaissance in some ways. My 'motif' impressions, in a very summary way of describing them, are that the Perilous Lands are kind of Howardian to me (not absolutely totally, but I drew some personal, instinctive connections); I have sensed a slight strain of the Vancean in the Western Lands. My own apocryphal lands are also Howardian, but also bear a strong strain of Clark Ashton Smith (and consequently some Jack Vance, in a kind of Talislanta way-- and perhaps also Jorune and Tekumel, stylistically and in spirit, anyhow). I also love magnifying anything Lovecraftian (like Richard's ideas of the Elder Law, and his chaotic beasts); I toyed with the temptation of a 'Kutulu' alignment (it is very tempting, to me at least, to see forms of those deities and creatures in the P&P cosmology; I think it fits very well, with some customization). And I suppose Moorecock is in there too: the very old decadence of the empires of these lands makes me think of the Elric stuff). But also the matter of the aerial ships we were talking about: I envisioned them being slightly common in lands like these, where a Rennaissance-style technology base occurs here and there. I think that kind of base would be needed to support a semi-industry of such a thing (a Hermetic style of magery applied to artificing).</div>
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<div>As to Richard's obviously copious knowledge of folklore and mythology, I suppose only he can directly answer where he derived those deep Sumerian-style terms. Especially Akhkharu, which eludes me. I like vampiric creatures and lore. I'm developing my own on a detailed level. As far as I know, these are the most ancient form of vampire in extant texts, next to some similar creatures (like the Edimmu, but I think somebody discovered they werent as vampiric as previously thought). Oh well, to a detail-monger like me, the research continues (it keeps boredom at bay)... <br>
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<div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Scott Adams <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:longshot@darktech.org" target="_blank">longshot@darktech.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<div>At 04:32 PM 11/27/08, you wrote:<br>>Thanks for the response. I know how busy schedules can get. Taking quality time on material yields better material anyway. I just really enjoy reading and collecting the contributions and opinions on the system and its world. In a patient kind of way, I cant wait to see more.<br>
>Oh, by the way, did you ever entertain the idea of doing any work on aerial ships. They crop up in some milieus, like Talislanta, and if portrayed right meld well with the setting. Do you think they might fit into the 'Lands' somehow?<br>
<br></div>Actually got off work 2.5 hours early today (nice being the boss). I actually chilled outside and watched the sun set. As I did I thought. I know bad for my pnp group (never let GMs think - Rule #1). Good for the brain cells and ship project. I re-dusted off brain cells on the project and came up with a battle plan. Will try to work on it next week. Got a 5 day vacation week so will help. Alex is in ICQ so I can get almost instant feedback on things from a pnp GM/player. The only thing that has stalled me is worry. Worry for doing a good job and trying to get around some mechanics. But in the end this project is for me and my group. I must make myself happy. Anyone else is fair game. So I might as well get off my butt and finish it. Figure can't make everyone happy. :)<br>
<br>As to Aerial ships funny you should mention that. Some 6-7 years ago in the first pnp pbem adventure (now on #4) it had flying ships. :) Though in terms of time it was only the last few minutes of it (think of a movie). From an ongoing campaign Clima had been building up forces to recover their might. They set into motions a 3 year plans. Diplomats and important folks kidnapped for ransom and influence. Mysterious pieces of an Elemental Staff found. Once formed it could control the elements. In process a new element (based on gravity of sorts) were captured in the upper world. These elementals gave flight to the ships (3 at the time). Party took their base and the ships down hard.<br>
Its not a unique plot by any means. I don't run written adventures anymore its all in my mind. But over the decades I recall flying ships in Shadowrun? Dark Sun...and one of my favorites Hawkmoon/Stormbring (both I run not the first two). The flying dutchman is a bit cliche in today's universe but it was fun back then. As to this ship project that's up to the GM. It won't be in it per se just the low tech stuff with magic. It wouldn't be hard to come up with something. ie Levitation Stone of Somesuch.<br>
<br>---<br>As to works and myths. I'm sure the web and that soon-to-takeover-the-planet Google can help. I was in my reading phase in the early 80s and read many books on greek mythology (latin classes and school bleh got me intrigued). Some of it was there. Most seem to be European myths that I seem to recall. But I'm no expert. Of course back then on pbs there was Joseph (or was it bill) campbells pbs shows on the hero and mythology which was great. But the arcane terms could just be simple made up stuff. :)<br>
<br>---<br>East or West? All is relative. How does the world turn east or west? To Euopeit was the western world to China. Then Europe was the East World and America was the New West. All relative. Perspective. Who named who first? Did the natives in the WL name it WL first or did some merchant washed up on shore after some world hurricane name it from his perspective. :)<br>
<br>---<br><br>Your posts got out. Sometimes the server is instant but other times it may take a day. Just give it time if it doesn't work.<br>
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