Notes from the Green Tome, part I

Notes from the Green Tome

Old Party

Jarlaxle

Drow m

Mage/Thief

Garth

Orog m

Barbarian

Pristen

Grey elf m

Light Mage

Granite

Mul m

Mentalist

Maikal

Human m

Cleric of

Araktius

Svirfneblin m

Fighter

Jurys

Urd m

Wind Mage/Thief

Keelia

Tabaxi f

Ranger

Taranus

Human m

Coronia

Fire Genasi f

Fire Mage

Note: This group apparently took place in Archon as well, despite the fact that this was never formally stated; however, it clearly took place in the same continent of Jadus that the other campaign run out of Breck began. I don't recall that this story was ever resolved. It seems to me that it slowly grew more bizarre and fizzled out. There is possibly some promise here though. Probably the best thing was the empire-building, invading a new continent story.

A List of Characters from the Archon days

Deathbyrd

High elf m ce

Fighter 20/Mage 19

Notes: A very dangerous renegade from a branch of the Royalty.

Cursion

High elf m cg

Mage 18

Notes: Consort to Lady Rilwen.

Rilwen

Grey elf f lg

Mage 24

Notes: Faithful second to the Empress.

Empress Faiana

Grey elf f lg

Mage 31

Notes: The current Empress of Oram.

Grandmaster Gamion

Human m cg

Fighter 25

Notes: He is master of all of the guilds affiliated with the Jadus Fighter's Guild.

Master Emmion

Half-elf m ng

Fighter 21

Notes: He runs the Home District of the Fighter's Guild and is the most trusted lieutenant of Gamion.

Ackil

Half-elf m ne

Mage 22

Notes: A mysterious and cruel adventurer affiliated with the Order of the Red Crescent.

Lady Aronea

Grey elf f ng

Mage 19

Notes: Another higher up lady in the Empress' court.

Caladon

High elf m cg

Thief 28

Kelrick

Grey elf m lg

Mage 25

Sorik

Half-elf m cg

Fighter 28

Nightwraith

Dark elf m

Mage 29

Galvinus

Ralaas

Zydek

Helven

Dem

Blacktych

Darkstrom

Oscrune

Redthorne

Paladar

Tyco

Boinne

Nyth

Talaza

Venitiana

Magiton

Mirebel

Cilvaras

Night

Naras

Horos

Jarax

Stormwind

Noori

Masyak

Notes: This list was part of, though certainly not near all of, the cast that frequented Jadus in those legendary times.

Strange List

Verial is listed as having 10 companions: Aleran, Lengdon, Sorin, Kolendur, Ralos, Erich Dainich, Stenis, Warin, Garald Dainich, and Shiraac.

Notes on Major Villains

From the Saen/Verial campaign it really ought to be obvious just who the main antagonists were: Namely, Arxam and Count Savil. Arxam because he is a major figure in the darkness unfolding, and the head of the strange Black Syndicate. Count Savil because he is, though Verial doesn't know it, the blood enemy of House Kithamnus and wants to eradicate that line for good, in addition to being a generally power-hungry and opportunistic evil bastard. Derus also could be defined as a major villain, although his role here is a bit more ambiguous, since he seems to change roles as more is learned about him. Though he certainly was introduced as a villain, this is something that probably can't be said by the time of Verial's campaign ends. However, given the future glimpsed when Verial was taken to the Palace of Visions, this could change again in time.

List of characters run by JL

Aceries – champion of light and would-be redeemer of the gne

-his plan to recreate the gne never worked out, but he did restore order to the land and put down the evil that plagued it

-5'11”, 175 lbs, black hair, blue eyes

Verial – classic nobleman of dual nature

-6'2”, 200 lbs, brown hair, green eyes

Blaze – romantic doomed hero

-5'10”, 165 lbs, red hair, turquoise eyes

Kelsar – warrior turned business man

-6'3”, 235 lbs, dark brown hair and eyes

Tigerfolly - changeling

Blackhawk – a soldier

Firefate

Verial and Sirine the Younger

Vampiro

Unnamed Drow

List of NPCs run by GM aiding/interacting with these

Kastral – a strangely reserved adventurer but with iron courage

Erich Daenich – a heavy-drinking knight

-6'6”, 245 lbs, brown hair and beard, blue eyes

Cursell

Alethon

Ekois

Randol

Axlin – begins as a Lawman but turns to an independent adventurer

Notes on the Battle of Venmont

This was the first major battle of the war that goes on throughout much of the Verial campaign. It ended inconclusively, as both sides were forced to withdraw for future action. Verial succeeded in commanding a detachment that ended the Dark Army's outflanking manoeuvre and killed the captain of the wing. But he was unhorsed and defeated in combat with a mysterious man, Derus. This kicked off the drama between the two, as he found out that his wife was put into a coma trying to save him from Derus. Luckily the Light Army was able to turn the tide and recover despite setbacks. Both sides take considerable losses and retire for a future battle, while most of the climactic single-combats likewise end inconclusively. These were:

Strohb v Unnamed, Cursell v Night, Syrus v Karad, Kalidar v Count Savil, and Sirine Talon and Rose v Ashiram.

Toward resolution

-Political organization of Saen:  I want it to be along feudal lines in general, but not of uniform nature.  For example, I thought about having duchies, or principalities - but why not have both?  I also have decided there would be kings, of the north and the south.  But there is also an imperial idea, that is not limited by either time or space.  This is, however, inactive to an extent, until it is resurrected by the time of the wars in the Verial campaign.  The Dark Imperium is an offshoot of this idea.

-The Black Syndicate is a mercantile concern outwardly, but inwardly it has much more sinister motives, as Verial learned.  The leader Arksham is a dark priest, affiliated to some degree by way of religious views, with the Dark Imperium, and sympathizes with them to an extent.  However, it is not clear that his goals are actually entirely in line with them.  His alliance with the Guardian Spirit Koros, who is not known to be of affiliation with DI, may be indicative of other ideas despite some common goals.  Nonetheless, the Black Syndicate acts to subvert the order in the south.  It is based for a time in Kriegsburg, because despite that city's status as only a Barony-level territory, it is one of the most important cities of the south.  This owes to its diverse economy, strong military base and the control of the trade route to Port Varas.

There is indication that the BS was involved in the subversion of the order in Port Varas, and that this is what first brought Verial's activities to their attention.  Furthermore, the poisoning of the old Lord Anteras and the disappearance of his heir may also be the handiwork of the BS.  This does weaken the current order yet further for the northern aggression.

Also worth exploring is the question of the Violet Syndicate.  This group seemed to be similar in some ways to the BS but was run out of the Lordship of Anteras relatively early and did not figure again.  This group deserves more explanation pursuant to a reappearance, since they were never destroyed, only divested for a time.

-The town labeled 'Hell on Earth' refers to Coroldon, a city that was once a shining example of all of the south's most precious ideals and the most important southwestern port.  But all of this changed with ongoing dynastic wars, and the arrival of nasty newcomers.  This is why Port Varas became such an important trade route, despite being shabbier and smaller.

-New hero:  Jedon of House Medeines.  He is a young soldier with high ideals but dissolute habits, who comes of age in a difficult time.  He will be the main character of the upcoming campaign.  Physically, he is a man of average height and build, but good looks, keen mind and strong physis.  He has blond hair and emerald-green eyes, with tanned skin.

Further questions to be resolved

-There are 3 commonly spoken languages in the lands of Saen, one of which was brought from farther south in the imperial days, one of which is native farther north and perhaps has some commonality with the indigenous tongues of Jadus, and a third category which has made ingress from farther east.  This last category may be actually more than one family.

-The lands of Saen are fairly urbanized but some areas of hinterland remain even in the later campaigns.

-Technology:  It's hard to determine just where to place the tech level of the later campaigns.  It probably is, realistically, pre-industrial.  This should have been resolved.  It could have some degree of FF style technology which wouldn't have a place in medieval campaigns, but not full on industry.

-The men of Saen might realistically be compared to the Caucasian race in general, and the same is also true of some of the other areas.  In particular it has strong elements of the Nordic, Alpine and Mediterranean races - though probably the former two are dominant in Saen.

-The whole continent is loosely unified behind the Imperial idea from ages past, but unity has been traditionally hard to come by.  I'm thinking of developing Kingdoms and Leagues more specifically, and soon.  The later campaigns saw the rise of the Dark Imperium, and this is a topic in itself worthy of further explanation.

-Is there some kind of colonial situation going on?  Best develop the localities before addressing this altogether.

-The status of the demihumans and humanoids and the rest of the less natural denizens has likewise to be addressed in a more satisfactory way.

-All of this owes to the problems of whimsy that come from youthful exuberance.  It was started as a DND campaign but it evolved beyond that rather quickly, in ways that don't quite make sense in retrospect.  It doesn't have to be too rigidly answered, but some improvement is certainly desirable.

Geography notes

Geography of Saen

It seems that it is longer on the axis N-S than E-W.  The Western part seems to be more mountainous and rugged, while the Eastern is not fully mapped out.  Perhaps I will make this marshier, delta-land type of environment.

Around Ironforge I think we could put about 3 different major chains.  And I'm thinking that just east of there would be another chain with arc shape.  From here would originate two major rivers, which would enclose a fertile land.  This would be some kind of middle kingdom, of Men, but not of Saen.

And farther east is the land of Zheridus.  I am not sure just what the character of this land will be yet.  Although it is certainly, judging from the notes, a Kingdom of the Dark rather than of the Light.  It is supposedly either directly ruled by dark magicians, or behind-the-scenes.

I will develop this a bit more in due time.  I think due to the position of the continent globally, it would fall into the Subtropical or, in some places, the transition between Subtropical and Temperate.  Where the campaign was set would probably be something like the American South, although the area around Kriegsburg is a bit drier, being as it is on the leeward side of a mountain range.  Perhaps Port Varas and the Western Coast has sort of a chaparral, Mediterranean feel.

More to come

PS there is a way to map but this is time consuming, but it's in the plans anyway.

Ideas to develop

Great Northern Empire
-and relation of said to Saga of Aceries

Character of ages:
Aceries takes place in Age of Heroism
Verial takes place in Age of Apogee and Beginning Decline
Vampiro takes place in Age of Darkness

Saen
-North vs South.
-If it had to be described it is something like a Carolingian system, that is, a kingdom whose RW parallel would be something of a Latin-Germanic synthesis.

Nature of international knowledge
-It seems that in these campaigns there was knowledge of international travel and trade, possibly more pronounced in later campaigns than earlier ... or perhaps reaching a peak at Verial and once again declining

What about minor characters
-The campaign of Seigneur Blaze comes to mind...  This was forgotten in the first overview - and perhaps there were others also?

Racial traits of the peoples of Arkon

What about Demihumans?  Common in earlier campaigns, seemingly fading by later.  More must be said...

Rather updated view at old school characters from Arkon

Characters from the old days Arkon

Verial Kithamnos

-Hard-minded aristocrat and main character of the second saga.  He was named for a long-deceased hero.  He is a descendant of the famous Kithamnos clan which has its territories in eastern Saen.

Appearance:  6’2”, 210 lbs, dark brown hair, dark green eyes, tanned complexion

Sirine

-Verial’s loyal wife and a priestess of the fire goddess

Appearance:  5’8”, 140 lbs, auburn hair, blue-green eyes, pale complexion

Arxam

-Dark priest and leader of the black syndicate, a main antagonist of the saga

Appearance:  6’, 230 lbs, black hair, black eyes, tanned complexion

Dyerus

-Mysterious ancient human warrior made immortal after being infused with the Godsblood (apparently none of the other Rune Knights survived the experimentation that was done on them), in some ways the main antagonist of the first part of the saga.  Later he becomes a comrade of Vampyro and a Quadrarch.

Appearance:  6’3”, 195 lbs, black hair, green eyes, light tan complexion

Strohb

-Cocky and humorous thief, ally of Verial

Appearance:  5’11”, 170 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes, light complexion

Meric Vellman

-General in the Shadow War, later assassinated by Verial

Appearance:  6’4”, 180 lbs, platinum hair, pale grey eyes, light complexion

Beldhecat

-Old, seasoned adventurer

Appearance:  6’, 170 lbs, black hair and beard, black eyes, light tan complexion

Allerus

-Informant and researcher, ally of Verial

Appearance:  6’1”, 160 lbs, blond hair, green eyes, light complexion

Count Savyle

-Evil magician, antagonist

Appearance:  6’3”, 180 lbs, black hair and beard, brown eyes, light complexion

Maroh (the Magus)

-Vampyro’s ally, a mysterious mage from an ancient civilization, and one of the Quadrarchs

Appearance:  6’2”, 195 lbs, silver hair, red-violet eyes, pale complexion

“Slick”

-One of the Archmagi in Jadus, later part of the Quadrarchy set up by Vampyro

Lord Ulfred Krieg

-Duke of the Kriegsland Duchy and Lord of Kriegsburg.

Appearance:  6’6”, 265 lbs, brown hair and beard, brown eyes

Galan Vostok

-A character mentioned in adventures set in Jadus, this tyrant is the descendent of the famous Rath Vostok who drove the yrch from the area around Home after the local aristocrats, the Folcners, lost to them and fled.  He rules the city his ancestor founded, Vostok City north and east of Home.

There were at least three sagas:

-First was the Saga of Aceries, a strange story of an adventurer who was originally aligned with evil forces, but later forsook that path and found his way to the light.  The action took place mainly on the continent of Jadus, the first campaign land.  Aceries eventually completed his adventures and ascended to demigodhood.

-The second saga, longest of all in all likelihood, was the Saga of Verial.  This was a complicated story that involved many parts including the great struggles between the dark-aligned powers and the light-aligned powers.  The action took place mainly on the continent of Cairen, on the subcontinent of Saen.

-The third saga was the Saga of Vampyro, the tale of an assassin who capitalizes on the coming of the shadow and orchestrates the rise of a tyrannical oligarchy.  This Saga takes place in Saen, probably about 30 years after the events of the Saga of Verial ended.

Arkon Characters Expanded, from 2006

Daron Arvidson

-Paladin of the Order of the White Horse, an errant of the faith and foe of Vampyro

Gunnar fon Esken

-Master of the Order of the White Horse

Hanwulf Kayllor

-Paladin of the OotWH

Cadarin Lenweck

-Lady knight of House Lenweck

Rendell Ellabar

-Mage of the Pale Fire Brotherhood

Dhimitri Jinnerov

-Agent of House Mordaine

Altus Bari

Ghazey Tarikits

Voelyrn

Raule Lenord

Yuliana

Theresion

Vance Goltenmark

Eilla Serenus

Raniya

Reschel

Desmonde Deverin

Dinara

Harald Torinson

Marek Slyhand

Serges Adnor

-General of Caltan

Anton Vilan

-Infamous bandit-adventurer

Green Aric

-A druid and world-wanderer who is reluctant to take part in the goings-on of the realms

tbc

Notes about the geographical regions of Arkon

The Arkon Campaign Setting Notes

-This document is entitled notes because, while the ACS is old and has been used, it has never been systematized and this new form of it is in early stages.

Geographical Gazetteer

-Luckily I was able to dig up a folder that had an old drawing about Arkon.  This is for all practical purposes the only such map in existence.  While it’s not perfect, it’s an important start.  Therefore I intend to revise it, and to give a gazetteer for it as well.  This is a good place to start.

-Here is the list of places labeled:

Continents with one name:

Oram

Amaxeotl (or Amazeotl)

Alamar

Jadus

Kadnus (or Kadeon)

Caltan

Shai-Tang (or Lo Dien)

Asara

Nordmeir

Lenea Island

Continents with more than one name depending on region:

Long Continent (Goureyn):  Thoren, Agerus, Dalus, Crystalan, Fayus

South/Tropics Continent (Nuriel):  Kairst, Barak Mir, Firanth

Mid-Latitude Continent (Brynn or Cairan):  Saen, Ironforge, Zheridus

Other Mid-Latitude Continent:  Kingor, Shadeus, Daruk

So, now it is up to me to figure out what these are to mean depending on what is listed for them and what I want for my campaign as possibilities.

There are some notes on what these particular continents and regions mean, but these are incomplete as they were written at a time when I was considerably less focused.  Nevertheless, I’ll sketch it out.  This is very much subject to change.

Jadus: Temperate continent, center of the first campaign.  The notes say ‘modern’ but this aspect of the campaign is being abandoned in favor of a more LMA/Renaissance feel.  I was thinking that this could be something similar to NA except colonized by Europeans earlier, but also home to other races.  Perhaps there’s a bit of a Scandinavian influence here too, sort of like the Vinland concept of NA as opposed to the Anglo and Iberian American rw.

Asara:  This is a smaller continent, apparently inspired by Ancient Middle Eastern peoples.  Strangely, it is placed rather far north for that, but perhaps we can look into this.

Amaxeotl:  This is clearly meant to be based on the high cultures of the Mesoamerican region.

Kadeon/Kadnus:  The notes mysteriously say ‘like medieval age’.  I don’t know what to make of this.  Maybe we will make this an Iberian type land with ties to the priest and merchant run land of Caltan.

Caltan:  It is supposedly a priest-run nation.  Perhaps this is an Italic type land.

Barak Mir:  This is a dwarf run nation.

Firanth:  This land is supposed to be similar to India.

Daruk:  This is supposedly similar to England, though again the geography is a bit of a question mark.

Saen:  Though this was not listed in the original list, it was the setting for two main characters and I can say with confidence that it had sort of a central European feel, with both German and French elements.

Zheridus:  This is supposedly a realm run by evil mages.  Perhaps there could be a Slavic feel to this area?

Thoren:  This land is apparently relatively arid (though given its geography this isn’t clear), and is yet another magocracy – seemingly neutral ones (though unsure).

There are no other notes so all of the other regions are completely without explanation.

It’s important to consider what is wanted here.  Are elf, hin, gnome, or other nations called for here?  What about other human nations?  I can think of many that weren’t represented above.  NA Indians and SA Indians (since I like to call Mesoamerica MA), various types of South Asians (i.e. Austroasiatics, Tai-Kadai, Austronesians, etc), Melanesians/Papuans/Austro-Aborigines, Africans of any sort, more modern Near Easterners, Steppe peoples (Turkic, Mongol, etc), etc etc.

Keeping track of campaign settings

New Ideas For Campaigns

Last night, as I was drifting off, I came up with a great idea for my next campaign but it has been lost since I didn’t write it down and assured myself I could remember in the morning.  This wasn’t the case.  I’m not interesting in making this same mistake again, so from now on this is where inspired ideas will go pending review and development.

It seems to me that the idea had something to do with my old campaign, which I have resurrected to some extent in a new and improved form (or that is at any rate the idea), and I will try to remember what it was.

Campaigns for consideration:

-Shadowrun (with slightly altered timeline)

-WoD

-FR/Faerun

-Mystara

-Archon*

*Archon is my own campaign world which dates back to the mid-90s and was first inaugurated in the fall of 1996 after my time spent that summer on Realms (which is apparently still around despite near-0 activity).  It was also connected to a wider sphere of worlds.  It remains on my agenda to develop this a bit more.  It’s not the worst place for a starting point, since it has something of a foundation to build on.

-The new and unnamed campaign world which was inspired by George RR Martin’s works (sort of), and which I conceived first in the summer of 2013 during my trip to Queensland, Australia.  The “sort of” refers more to a general renewed interest in an intrigue/politics based setting than any direct inspiration.  In addition to GRRM’s focus on political movements, I was also inspired by his innovative approach to world-building.  But the work in its entirety is still my own.

-Others (there are no shortage of these but I can expand on this later)