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Gloria Mundi- Fantasy Gaming in the Semi Historical Past

Started by RedBullBear, April 12, 2007, 12:32:53 PM

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RedBullBear

Gloria Mundi

Gods, Magic, and Glory are all elements of this historical fantasy setting.  The year is 1407 by the Roman calendar and 654 by the Christian calendar.  The Roman Empire fracture centuries ago but the core of Rome still stands strong as the 2nd Republic.  The world is populated by many nations: Christianized German kingdoms, Elven Lands, Byzantium, Egypt, Carthage, the Muslim Middle East, Persia, the Tang Empire, Nihonji Shogunate, Mayapan, Ashante, Steppes Orc clans and more.  Arcane Magic is real, but tends to 'hermitize' and stigmatize its practitioners.  All the gods are real as is Divine Magic.  
The campaign style is a bit lower than most other fantasy settings.  Adventurers are less common but are still plentiful.  The theme has a balance between politics, local storylines, as well as an occasional high fantasy artifact hunt/dungeon crawl.  
The rules system is DnD 3.5 with options rules from Unearthed Arcana (Wound/Vitality points & Armor as DR.)  Standard PC races apply but not half breed anything.

Comments and Questions are welcome.
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«

Xathan

I'm assuming posting here is ok - if not, I'll have the mods delete it.

I'm really a huge fan of quasi-historical settings like this. I was wondering if you could explain how magic effects each of the existing societies, and I'd love to hear more information on the various races and their place in the world. Also, where are the Elven Lands and Steppes orcs, or other racial lands, located on a modern day map?
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RedBullBear


Map Goodness.

<edit:  Oops this map doesn't have the most current names- Bavarian Elves are now called Bayernian Elves, Gascony Elves are now Aquitianian Elves.  Also, this map doesn't name the Nordic and Karellian Elven Kingdoms>
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«

RedBullBear

Quote from: Just XathanI'm assuming posting here is ok - if not, I'll have the mods delete it.

I'm really a huge fan of quasi-historical settings like this. I was wondering if you could explain how magic effects each of the existing societies, ...

Here is the majority of the information:

Common peopleâ,¬,,¢s view of Arcane Magic
Most people hear about magic constantly from tales and gossip. Some people may have
even possibly seen it once in their lives. Monsters, spirits, Fae, and the Gods are also in
these tales usually so their reaction to magic would be suspicious, superstitions and at
least a little fearful.
Wizards and Sorcerers also feel an urge to separate themselves from the trivial matters of
mundane life. This is referred to as â,¬Ëthe Hermit Effect.â,¬,,¢ They will seek to isolate
themselves so they can pursue arcane research. This urge is something that the player can
control but they will be expected to roleplay this phenomena. This urge increases in
proportion to level advancement. It can level off if the character multi classes but it never
subsides.

Common peopleâ,¬,,¢s view of Divine Magic
They love it. This is what makes the people of Gloria Mundi much more devout than
people from the historic past. Most inherently trust the casters of divine magic. They
believe that the Gods or other source of their divine power would not allow them to use
their magics in an â,¬Ëevilâ,¬,,¢ way. This of course assumes the divine spell caster gets their
magic from a â,¬Ëgoodâ,¬,,¢ source.

How much Fantasy/Magic is there?
Relative to the number of adventurers it should be similar to most D&D games. Most
people donâ,¬,,¢t have the time or money to wander around looking for asses to kick and
coins to find so adventurers are less common in Gloria Mundi. People also tend to stay
closer to their families for mutual support. Magic and adventures will therefore be less
frequent but about the same relative to the characters.


Effects on Technology
Magic and its associated scholarly pursuits have led to many technological breakthroughs
including steel, stirrups, printing presses, and books among others. Innovations have also
come to humanity via Elves and Dwarves for example: concrete, pianos, mechanical
clocks, metal horse shoes, windmills, wheelbarrows, among others.

Effects on Trade
The Hermit Effect and the relative scarcity of Magic minimizes how much it affects trade
and commerce.

Effects on the Military
Most of the time the Hermit Effect keeps Arcane magic and itâ,¬,,¢s users off the battlefield
and out of military affairs, but it has been known to happen.

Effects on Politics
Arcane magic is often unwelcome in politics but Divine magic can have a great deal of
influence. Blessings, Auguries and Fortune Telling are frequently sought to help guide
political matters.


By using the above guidelines I am able to justify the similiarities in historical development between my world and the real history of the real world.
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«

RedBullBear

Quote from: Just XathanI'd love to hear more information on the various races and their place in the world. Also, where are the Elven Lands and Steppes orcs, or other racial lands, located on a modern day map?

The map above shows in Elven Kingdoms in Green.  I just realized that I never documented the story of the Orcs, oops!  Basically I am lifting them directly from the LoTR movies.
 
Goblins: (Size M not S) Goblins live underground and in caves.  They are the rivals of the Dwarves mostly.

Orcs: Orcs live anywhere they can without being wiped out by Humans and/or Elves.  The once place they thrive is on the steppes of central Asia.  The Huns and Mongols are not going to be a historical threat in this world because they are always fighting for their lives against the Orcs and their Worgs.  The Orcs have tried to invade a few nearby countries ( Goth kingdoms, Persia, the Tang Empire, etc), but have never had much success.

Urukai:  The word Urukai strikes fear in the hearts of men, elves and dwarves alike.  They prefer mountainous areas that are usually to rough for humans.  They are always a problem in the Pyrennes, the Alps, and the rough areas of South Easter Europe.  Many times Humans and/or Elves have tried unsuccessfully to wipe them out.  Their mountain fortresses either prove to be too strong or they retreat into the caves of their Goblin allies.

That's the skinny on the 'humanoids'
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«

Matt Larkin (author)

Looking good.  I, too, like the quasi-historical setting.

You mention goblins as the enemies as dwarves.  Where do dwarves live (I mean besides underground)?  Are the found all over the world?  Only in Scandinavia?

What about mythical creatures?  Are there dragons, sea serpents, and so forth?  Non-mythological monsters from D&D (if this is a D&D setting), such as mind flayers?
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RedBullBear

Quote from: Phoenix KnightYou mention goblins as the enemies as dwarves.  Where do dwarves live (I mean besides underground)?  Are the found all over the world?  Only in Scandinavia?

Dwarves live in all the major mountian ranges of Europe: Alps, Pyrennes, Scandinavia, South East Europe, Caucucas, etc.  Most of the European magical creatures centers around Europe and nearby lands.
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«

RedBullBear

Quote from: Phoenix KnightWhat about mythical creatures?  Are there dragons, sea serpents, and so forth?  Non-mythological monsters from D&D (if this is a D&D setting), such as mind flayers?

Most of the stuff in classic fantasy/D&D is around somewhere.  However, there isnt around enough to drastically change the timeline.  I don't have a checklist of what is around and what isn't.  I will just make up the legends and myths as needed.
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«

Tybalt

Have you read "A Song of Ice and Fire" series at all? I know some others on here have and its quite a good source for ideas on how to do adventures and low magic at roughly the tech level you are presenting.

Overall interesting and I'd like to see you flesh it out more :)
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RedBullBear

Quote from: TybaltHave you read "A Song of Ice and Fire" series at all? I know some others on here have and its quite a good source for ideas on how to do adventures and low magic at roughly the tech level you are presenting.

I don't know the books, but I will look into them.
-Kerry

These Bob Mackie gowns are ââ,,¢Â« FABULOUS! ââ,,¢Â«