New Edom Discussion Thread

[Wensleydale]

Before I start, I'd like to note that I've only skimmed the main thread and am mainly commenting on the 'celts' thread. :)

This is a very interesting campaign setting in general, and I find the celts the most interesting of all. It seems very irish and possibly welsh/scots-based from the names and methods of rulership. Are the Yasgs a different ethnological group from the celts? I would presume so from what has been said here. If so, what differences are there, other than the claims of descent from the Tuatha de Danann? Do they speak a different language, wear different clothes, have a separate religion?

I do like the way that you've managed to keep the entire kingdom as a 'loose' kingdom - and not fallen into the DnD stereotype of 'EVERYONE'S A RAGING BARBARIAN! ALL THE TIIIIIIME!' which seems to happen in celt-based nations - whilst still giving them each their own unique identity. Do the celts have any other particular cultural traits in common not mentioned here, or any differences that would, in the real world, be noted as cultural deviances?

[Tybalt]

Hi there, thanks for replying.

The Yasgs are a sort of blend of Persia and various cultures surrounding them as well as fantasy elements--they are the rulers of a vast empire. The pure 'Yasg' is more or less light brown skinned, dark haired and with brown eyes, though the northern ones may have lighter eyes. The Yasg aristocracy claims descent from dragons. They speak a different language and worship different gods. Yasgs also traditionally try to have 'draconic' elements to their dress, such as scale like patterns, facial paint that glitters and so on. The more one can do along this line the more high in birth one is. Yasgs also practice a harsher form of slavery than the Celts do.

One important element I'm developing is the emblemic animals/monsters for the Celtic rulership, signifying an ancient relationship that extends to particular clans as well. I'm also working out details on slavery, social relationships, marriage and so on.

One deviance is worship of Tiamat, which I will present shortly, by some of the ruling families. Tiamat is generally acknowledged as the main creatrix of the world, though not necessarily of life in it. Because the current ruling family has a relationship with dragons this cult has come into prominence, though it is frowned upon for being divergent from the worship of the Tuatha de Dannan and having no ties to the land itself.

I'm also working out details on the degree to which human sacrifice is still practiced. I'll be presenting more stuff about war, economics, magic, leadership, and so on upcoming. I appreciate the questions, they're very helpful.

Regarding Lord Vreeg's questions about humanoids:

My pcs have raised the question themselves about humanoids. When their characters were still being trained at Lookinghaven they had an instructor called Crowl who had a single hand and claimed that the 'foul hobgoblins took it from me! Damn them all! The only good humanoid is a dead 'un!" This is a common view in New Edom, particularly among those families who suffered in the earlier goblin wars. However the pcs were wondering why there is such enmity, and why it is necessary.

Later on during the first week of the war they led the advance over the Silver River as General Carmel intended to deal a savage blow to the potential allies of the Celts. The pcs raided a goblin settlement, killing the guards and sentries and chieftains, only to realize then that they were stuck with a group of females and children. Seeing the females defiantly clutching infants and babes and younglings, trembling with fear but ready to defend them, they couldn't bring themselves to kill them. They decided to send them on with a warning that this was now New Edomite territory. The characters voiced the feeling that this victory did not bring them any pride.

I'm sure you may have some clever thoughts on how this might come up again...

[LordVreeg]

Hmm.  I like your celtic pages very much.  You have, as I have commented before, a very clear idea of what you want them to be.  And it shows through.
I percieved a subtext that if you want to play at politics, you had better be of the warrior caste.  Though the learned folk can gain power, they are 'equal to' pinces and such.  AM I reading this right?  and which side to they trace lineage from>  Matriarchal?
I love the Deva area and Anderman.  I think he may even curvive and thrive in my world.  

The Frost giants were interesting.  Not your typical, monster manual style creature. Their sly nature and the way the slip away into the north.  I can see that leading to some good adventure.  

The Harlaws is where the George Martin side really comes through, both in the feel and the fierce independence.  But I think it works very, very well.

[Tybalt]

Thank you Vreeg. Yes, generally the real politics is played by the warrior-aristocracy.

I do confess that I kind of took the Harlaw concept from Martin, but I needed a sort of pirate group and wanted something that fitted in...they fit the bill.

I take it as a compliment that Anderman would fit in in your world...the right blend of cunning, ruthlessness and ecclecticism?

[LordVreeg]

Lookie here, it's the discussion thread for New Edom.

[blockquote=Wwensleydale]How long have royal families ruled the great kingdom? And, how does the king keep control of all the other provinces? It seems to me that if they desired, provinces could break off and become independent. Does this happen at all?

Oh, also. Did I pick up slight A Song of Ice and Fire references in there?  [/blockquote]
Yes, Martinesque nature of the Celtic side of Tybalt's setting, especially with the different houses, is well documented.  Wensleydale agrees, so it must be true.

Tybalt, any chance that the goddess-bound women might be an interested faction here?  Not an above-board one, but maybe something the players might discover as havith their own idea of who is fit to be the new High King?

[Tybalt]

Guilty as charged, I'm a big Martin fan.

Wensleydale: I picture the kingdoms being united for a lot less time than the other kingdoms have existed, but that it is still fairly old; say perhaps about 300 years or so.

LordVreeg: How do you imagine such an intrigue working?

[LordVreeg]

Guilty as charged, I'm a big Martin fan.

Wensleydale: I picture the kingdoms being united for a lot less time than the other kingdoms have existed, but that it is still fairly old; say perhaps about 300 years or so.

LordVreeg: How do you imagine such an intrigue working?

i SEE IT BEING BELOW THE SURFACE.
In other words, I would make the goddess-avatars a hidden power block, with members in many families, serving the needs of those families, but all being 'agents of the Lady'.  I'd connect it to Ishtar, as it would be a compete surprise to the players that different pantheons ight actually communicate in areas the of influence they share.
I'd also make it hard to meet with, maybe leave a few clues and a few ishtarian dreams.
And then makie it more difficult, have them secretly supporting a complete underdog, so the players have to, after all the work of finding these ladies, (if they even find them), have to raise up this complete underdog.

[LordVreeg]

[blockquote=Tybalt]12. The Humanoids. This is sort of an overview. The humanoids include goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, bugbears, ogres, lizardfolk and so on. The Celtic kingdoms and the Yasg Empire have very few humanoids and none that simply walk through the marketplace. The humanoids living around the fringes of New Edom are painfully aware of this. Orcs in the Celtic kingdoms are reduced entirely to living in the most desperate of areas--wild mountains and the cold northlands. Goblins in Yasg are mostly small tribes living in the southernmost steaming interior jungles. Thus the fate of most humanoids in this part of the world could be said to be narrowed down to two choices: savagery or religious fanaticism. The latter is due to the idea that certain powerful beings might enable them to seize a large chunk of territory enough to become a real power to be reckoned with.

New Edom itself might prove a different option. So far the little republic has shown willingness to trade and form alliance with even the smallest groups provided they have the same interests. It may be that the future republic might be one that encompasses a number of different races.[/blockquote]

Hmm.  Maybe because I enjoy the Sociological side (and trhe Socio-economic side) so much, that this is compelling for me.  Have the PC's met sympathetic humanoid NPCs that might make this a major side-topic?  I have been surprised how effective it has proven in galvanizing my Igbarians.
It also makes for greyer lines and tougher enemies.  I have a few Bugbear anti-heroes, that drive my Igbarians nuts, but that half the group really respects.  A lonely sarcastic asshole bugbear that hunts tribal humanoids because he thinks they are a dead end.  Drives my guys nuts.


[blockquote=Tybalt]6. Tuatha de Dannan worshippers. The Celts who follow the Old Gods as these are called are considered decadent and weak by other factions, though this is at odds with the fact that a number of high ranking families with power and influence follow the Old Gods. This faction has been most reluctant to continue supporting the war considering some of the allies the King gathered, and a number of them withdrew claiming the Brehon Law states that they are not required to fight beyond the season they were called up for. With the death of King Cleothas and the dragons he was allied with dead for the most part they are questioning the legitimacy of the succession. [/blockquote]
I love this one.  You've really wound the Celts' worship into their behavior and way of life.  More than the others, this one rings very, very true.  I can get a very clear feeling of who they are with this.

I saw a Tybalt.  And my question is stil unanswered about the possibly sympathetic humanoid NPC.

[Tybalt]

Hi Vreeg! Yes, I'm back. (PM me if you like and I'll tell you what's been going on.)

No, this hasn't happened yet. In fact the one actual conversational meeting with the goblins of the Theocracy went cordially but stiffly. Last year there was a detente and an agreement over borders, and the pcs managed to avoid starting a war again in the midst of a quest they were on (there was an argument over where exactly the border lay that came up when they ran unexpectedly into a hobgoblin warlord who claimed a particular village and surrounding area on the part of the Theocracy. Kallyn the paladin defused the situation by acting very firmly but courteously, insisting that they refer the matter to their respective superiors. She made references to the hobgoblin commander's honour and sense of duty (which worked better than the rest of the party trying to appeal to his sense of common decency).

Right now I'm working on the city of Fineberg a little more, and the party is currently acting as mercenary/allies to the new Duke of Deva. (with the war being over)

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Welcome back Tybalt!

[Tybalt]

Thanks Phoenix!

[LordVreeg]

AS to the new Lookinghaven post, I seem to remember the PCs needing to go back there already once in a race for a part of the book they needed (I am really doing this from memory.).

The wizardry of New Edom, if I remember aright, came with the original settlers, though a Gate fro another world.  Did they first settle in Lookinghaven? Or was there already something here that they took over?