The Campaign Builder's Guild

QuoteAlso, you say that "some" of the half-races tried to escape prosecution. Does that mean that others did not try to avoid that fate? If so, did they hope for mercy from the mages if they didn't resist, or did they believe that they were in fact guilty of blasphemy, and deserved death as punishment?

Actually none of the half-races tried to avoid prosecution. They fought long and hard but the mages were just to powerful for them.

QuoteHow long ago did all this happen? To put it another way, how long has this Myr community had to organize its defenses, etc.?

This campaign is set five years after the Time of Prosecution.

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QuoteI find it interesting that the mages can consider naturally-occurring half-races to be abominations that must be destroyed, but they can create their own races by magic, and that's okay. Makes me want to hear even more about the belief system these mages follow that inspires them to make such claims.

This how the mages kicked the half-races asses. The mages were getting their asses kicked. Therefore they needed something or somebody to come to their aid. Everyone was petrified of the mages, therefore they created their own magical race the Tigren.

QuoteAlso, how did the half-race refugees know about this place, and how did they get there? I assume that the mages don't know about it, or they'd come and wipe Myr off the map. So, how do you let all the half-races know about this safe place, while still keeping it a secret from the mages who would prosecute them?

Here comes one of the twists. Barok's father,Ulhon, was a dark mage in Randor. While searching through some artifacts that were found he discovered some lost writings of Jangas the Gentle. Jangas was the human mage who for many years in Syreal controlled the use of magic. But as Jangas became older and weaker that is when Halifay killed him.

Upon discovery of this text Ulhon start to decipher it. It told of an island where all could be safe but it also told of journey that may cause fatal to all who would try. Ulhon though was excommunicated from his guild and sent to live on the outskirts of the capital city because he fell in love with a human maiden. Which by the teachings of Halifay was blasphemous. But the other mages were afraid of Ulhon and left him to die in the half-breed villages.

When the Time of Prosecution was about to start Ulhon, fragile and weak, felt a cold chill come over his body. He new that with his coming death the other mages would start the genocide. He called for his son Barok and gave him a parchment with the deciphered directions on how to find Myr. That night Barok and many of the other half-breeds around the capital set out for their journey to Myr. Taking hidden tunnels and passages through the mountains until they reached the coast. In crude rafts the sailed across the Straits of Whispers into what appeared to be a fog bank. They felt there was no hope and that they were lost at sea. The next morning when they awoke they were on a beach nad Barok new through visions he was given on their journey that they were indeed in Myr.

QuoteOh, that brings up another issue: divination magic. Presumably mages have access to that, right? How do the Damned Ones hide from them, if they can be magically found?

Thats just it they can't be found. The fog stays around Myr continously. But Myr is also protected by a greater force.

QuoteWhy? Seems they were valuable servants, so why did they just let them go? Were they becoming unruly and dangerous? Was there a tigren rebellion? Or perhaps some of the mages began to consider tigren among the Damned Ones as well (or there was some other political schism that made the use of tigren warriors unsavory.)

They set them out because they didn't need them anymore. They felt that the Damned Ones were dead. Well some did consider them among the Damned Ones but the only problem was that during creation they made sure that they were immune to spells.

QuoteAll at pretty much the same time, all mages of all races all around the world did pretty much exactly the same thing, right? That strikes me as a pretty big coincidence. Why did they do it? Was there some astrological portent or prophecy or something, or perhaps they were manipulated by an anti-halfbreed conspiracy of some sort?

I will touch briefly on each one of these questions do to all of the complete answers are still in development.

Yes, the mages of Daloren did strike at pretty much the same time and did the same thing. They did it because all them follow the teachings of Halifay. Halifay's teachings write that if you are not of pureblood you are blasphemous.

QuoteAnd what kinds of problems were they blaming the Damned Ones for, exactly? Plague, famine, war, and just whatever occurred to them? Did they use any sort of logic to justify their statements of "it's these people's fault!", or did they contend, as the term "Damned One" suggests, that it was all part of some divine curse levied by a deity or deities that are unhappy with halfbreeds? If so, are all mages in your setting practitioners of the same religion? That would present interesting possibilities for a world-spanning church or cult that controls most of the magic in Syreal.

Daloren had been through many wars, famine and disease outbreaks. Many of these stemmed from the villages the Damned Ones lived in.

QuoteAlso, what about halfbreed mages? Were there any of those? If so, what did they do during the Time of Prosecution, and how were they viewed by purebreed mages? If not, why not; is there something about being a halfbreed that makes it impossible to be a mage? Perhaps magic is only usable by people with pure blood, which might explain a lot of things (why they're called "Damned Ones," why the mages object to them, why mages were able to kick their asses so hard during the Time of Prosecution, etc.)

At one time yes there were half-breed mages but at the start of the Time of Prosecution they were the first to be killed. You will see why they were able to kick their asses here in just a little bit.

QuoteWhat blasphemy is that, specifically? Mere existence as a half-race?

The mere existence of the half-breeds was blasphemy.

QuoteIncidentally, how dark and thick do you want to draw morality lines here? Are you definitely painting Daloren, purebreeds, and/or mages as evil and judgmental, and the halfbreeds as good and victimized? Or do you want things to be a little more vague and open to interpretation?

At this time the purebreeds are exactly that dark and evil and the half-breeds are the victimized.

QuoteHarsh. How many of the half-races were killed during that time? 50%? 90%? Five years is a pretty long time to be working on a genocide, so I imagine it was pretty devastating. Were the Damned Ones pretty numerous before the Time of Prosecution began?

The Damned Ones made up nearly 42% of Dalorens population at the time of the Time of Prosecution.

I will answer more tomorrow.

There are many twists and tales to this campaign but they are just not fully developed yet.

Quote from: DeeLQuestion 2 - I am determined that psionics will play a role in this setting, but I don't much care for the 'throwaway' role they have in most settings.  Right now, Eberrons approach seems best - have psionics mastery be characteristic of one particular geographic area, and have its development be somewhat limited elsewhere.  On the other hand, it would be in keeping with the work I've done so far for psionics to resonate throughout the worlds history.  Does anyone have any reflections on this matter?

I am with the two of you as far as Eberrons approach is on psionics. I don't believe you should have it come from particular geographic area. By doing this and the rest of the world not knowing about psionics then you could end up starting a bunch of prosecutions throughout your world of psionist. But what you could do in a twist is make it that at one time psionics was allowed throughout the entire world and some very bad things happenned and caused most of the world to ban psionics. Now in those parts of the world it is practiced secretively and that the psionist only real safe haven is that one particular geographic area.

What other races are there besides humans, elves and dwarves. I can see that on each continent dwarves make up a large part of the demographics. What classes will be available? I actually would like to read more about Taron.

To answer that Epic yes. The Elders of Myr do refer to it as the Time of Persecution but the young ones still refer to it as the Time of Prosecution.

Tigren

Tigren are a cat people race with an orange and black fur covering their body and an opposable thumb. They were created by the Mages of Daloren to do their bidding during the Time of Prosecution.

After the Time of Prosecution was over the mages basically set the Tigren out on their own and never cared for them again. With knowing nothing but war and killing, the Tigren split up into little bands and hired themselves out as mercenaries to the highest bidder.

The Tigren are mostly uncivilized but some of the bands have settled into their own little communities and are trying to establish themselves as a respected race. Though do to their mercenary ways they are having thereselves a rough go of it.

Anesi (A-nes-e)

Anesi are kin to the elves. Though shorter than their cousins, they live with many of the same beliefs. Anesi, like the elves are protectors of the land. They protect the rivers, streams and lakes of the world. They are ruled by a single ruler ( king or queen ) and he/she is backed by a council consisting of 10 Anesi that represent every aspect of the Anesi community.

Anesi males stand between 4'0" - 4'6" and females stand 3'6" -4'0".An Anesi's lifespan ranges between 375 - 425 years much less of their cousins the elves.

Anesi communities are protected by a community guard consisting of 30-40 1st level rangers led by a 5th level Ranger. They are equipped with short bows and short swords and wear leather armor. During times of war you will find an Anesi troop consisting of 80-100 1st level Rangers with 2 5th level Rangers and an 8th Level Ranger will be their leader. A 5th Level Druid will also be with the troop.

Kingdoms of Daloren

Major Kingdoms

Randor- The place where the Time of Prosecution began. Inhabited mostly by Mountain and Valley Orcs and Trolls. It was the Orc Mages and Troll Mages that started the whole thing about Daloren's troubles were being caused by the Damned Ones. They were convincing enough to persuade even Elven and Human mages to join them.

Nomelidis

Gavindor

Theatis

Frostlands - A race of elves have inhabited the Frostlands. Their queen, Slacia Anwamane, led her people here in hopes of finding a new home for them. Legend has that the queen and her followers were cast out of a community in some far off land for worshipping, Finduilas, the Goddess of Darkness and Betrayal. No one knows exactly how the elves arrived in the Frostlands but legend also tells of a lake in the Frostlands, that is thought to have an entire army beneath the surface.

Magjor

Bolitor

Kal- Kal lies about 165 miles towards the west of Randor. It is a repugent place filled with vile beings and fight pits. It is ruled by Mahlur, A 13th Level Yak-Folk Warrior. Mahlur enjoys his games and the one he enjoys the most are the gladiators. His army comprised of Yak-Folk, Goat-Folk, and Wemics raise terror on the surrounding country side taking prisoners and forcing the weaker ones to work in their fields and taking the stronger ones to the gladiator pits.

Mahlur and his army are feared by most but the Mahtan (Plains Elves) have fought for many years to keep their freedom. Mahlur is determined to defeat the Mahtan but the Mahtan have foiled several attempted raids in the past year.

Mahlur will not stop until he has secured victory over the Mahtan but the Mahtan have found new allies in the humans to the north with whom they trade with.


Minor Kingdoms

Pander

Jalir

Undor

Sypres

Calindor

Classes

Fighter
Warrior
Barbarian
Berserker
Paladin
Ranger
Tracker
Swashbuckler

Healer
Cleric
Shaman
Priest
Druid
Purifier

Magic
Necromancer
Wizard
Mage
Warlock
Sorcerer
Witch
Arcanist

Thief
Rogue
Assassin

Other
Monk
Bard

Daloren

Daloren is one of three main continents in Syreal. It is made up of 8 major kingdoms and 5 minor kingdoms.

Demographics
Human: 28% of population
Elf: 21% of population
Dwarf: 24% of population
Halfling: 13% of population
Gnome: 9% of population
Orc: 2% of population
Half-Elf: 1% of population
Half-Orc: 1% of population
Other: 1% of population

Races

Human

Elf
Mahtan (Plains Elves)
Surion (Desert Elves)
Silinde (Aquatic Elves)
Cirdan (High Elves)
Aranel (Wild Elves)
Maglor (Grey Elves)
Beren (Frost Elves)

Dwarf
Mountain
Hill
Gully

Halfling
Lightfoot
Strongheart
Wild

Gnomes
Rock
Deep
Tinker

Orc
Mountain
Valley

Other
Half-Elf
Half-Orc
Half-Dwarf
Gnomelings
Anesi
Tigren
Canis
Goliath

The Clan of the Third Moon

Fueled by stories of the Time of Prosecution by the Elders of Myr, the young ones started to think how to strike back at the mages of Daloren. Mahmut, Barok's youngest son, founded the Clan of the Third Moon. Mahmut's theory was to take all of the young ones and train them so that once they came of age they would join the Clan in the yearly hunts on Daloren. On the eve of the Third Moon, Mahmut gathers his companions and they cross the Straits of Whispers into Daloren landing somehwere differently each time. On several occasions they have met some resistance but none to great to thwart their effort.On the third night of the Third Moon the Clan silently sneaks back to the shore and cross the Straits of Whispers back to Myr.

Upon reaching Myr there is usually a huge celebration marking their safe return.

I like Map B. It has a good mass of continentstowards the top and a good string of islands which could offer some wild adventures.

Nice idea Dark. Quite funny that if you break one of the white stones that the Ice dwarves believe are sentients that you are punished by not being allowed to have Vodka for the rest of your life. Why don't you make the punishment be something like banishment from the Ice Dwarf kingdom and those that have been banished have sought refuge in another part of the Kingdom creating their own clan of Ice Dwarves.

Syreal is a world where magic has played a very important role in how the world is shaped as of today.

At this time there is one major continent Daloren and three island areas, Myr, Isles of Calmador and Theanus.

Daloren is made up of thirteen kingdoms, eight major and five minor. This where the Time of Prosecution has taken place.

Time of Prosecution
Long ago in Daloren every race seemed to live in harmony except with the occasional war and raids. Then around the Time of the Coming Light mages of all races started to declare that the problems of Daloren were caused by The Damned Ones. The Damned Ones were nothing more than the Half Races of Daloren. So on the Third Moon of the Coming mages of all races started to hunt down and prosecute the half-races to rid Daloren of there blasphemy. Thus the Time of Prosecution began. For over five years the mages continued wiping out the half-races but some of the half-races fled to try and escape prosecution.

One of them who fled was Barok the Bold, a half-orc barbarian from Randor. He along with his family and other members of the half-orcs of Randor fled to an island off the southeast coast of Daloren called Myr. There they set up a safe haven for half-races fleeing Daloren. Half-Elves, Half-Dwarves and Gnomelings came from all corners of Daloren. Those who survived the journey found Myr to be truely a paradise with lush jungles and plenty of resources.

As more and more found refuge in Myr, Barok started to set up units to go back into Daloren and try and stop the prosecution and help others find refuge. At the end of the Time of Prosecution, the mages had thought all had been wiped out and that Daloren was now free of the blasphemy. What they did not realize was that just off the coast the survivors were making their own mark in the world and that soon a new group called , The Clan of the Third Moon, would make there return on every third moon of the year and prosecute mages all across Daloren for what they had done.