Official ICE Forums
Gamer's Corner => Fan Created Worlds => Topic started by: kwickham on October 28, 2015, 08:01:48 PM
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Now seems like a great time to attempt at building a new world. I picked the name Aioskoru meaning Aios (ore) + koru (horn), which is the closest I could get to Proto-Indo-European version of Iron Crown.
I begin with a random skeleton, a solar system and a fractal world map, without any named features.
Everything put here by me and anyone that would like to add to it is entirely Open Game content, according to OGL 1.0.
Type G7 V Yellow Main Sequence
Radius 8.11 x 105 km (1.16 x sol)
Mass 2.60 x 1030 kg (1.31 x sol)
Temperature 5200 K
Luminosity 4.51 x 1026 W (1.18 x sol)
Type Rock Planet
Orbital Radius 7.53 x 107 km (0.50 AU)
Period 2.73 x 103 hours (0.31 earth years)
Gravity 9.32 m/s2 (0.95 x earth)
Special 5 small moons, electromagnetic storms
Type Terrestrial World
Orbital Radius 1.36 x 108 km (0.91 AU)
Period 6.65 x 103 hours (0.76 earth years)
Physics Small iron/silicate
Gravity 3.33 m/s2 (0.34 x earth)
Hydrosphere 0 % water, 4 % ice
Atmosphere Thin toxic
Special Heavy volcanism
Aioskoru Type Terrestrial World
Orbital Radius 1.93 x 108 km (1.29 AU)
Period 1.12 x 104 hours (1.29 earth years)
Physics Standard iron/silicate
Gravity 9.76 m/s2 (1.00 x earth)
Hydrosphere 50 % water, 10 % ice
Atmosphere Standard breathable
Civilization Species
Special 3 small moons
Type Rock Planet
Orbital Radius 3.01 x 108 km (2.01 AU)
Period 2.18 x 104 hours (2.50 earth years)
Gravity 8.15 m/s2 (0.83 x earth)
Special 2 small moons
Type Rock Planet
Orbital Radius 5.88 x 108 km (3.93 AU)
Period 5.95 x 104 hours (6.81 earth years)
Gravity 2.93 m/s2 (0.30 x earth)
Type Ice Planet
Orbital Radius 1.01 x 109 km (6.72 AU)
Period 1.33 x 105 hours (15.25 earth years)
Gravity 13.07 m/s2 (1.34 x earth)
Type Ice Planet
Orbital Radius 2.05 x 109 km (13.71 AU)
Period 3.89 x 105 hours (44.44 earth years)
Gravity 9.12 m/s2 (0.93 x earth)
Special Trace atmosphere
Type Ice Planet
Orbital Radius 4.09 x 109 km (27.31 AU)
Period 1.09 x 106 hours (124.94 earth years)
Gravity 14.32 m/s2 (1.46 x earth)
Type Ice Planet
Orbital Radius 7.76 x 109 km (51.88 AU)
Period 2.86 x 106 hours (327.01 earth years)
Gravity 10.91 m/s2 (1.12 x earth)
Special Trace atmosphere
Type Asteroid Belt
Orbital Radius 1.52 x 1010 km (101.41 AU)
Period 7.81 x 106 hours (893.73 earth years)
Type M2 V Red Dwarf
Distance 7.07 x 1010 km (472.56 AU)
Radius 2.47 x 105 km (0.36 x sol)
Mass 4.19 x 1029 kg (0.21 x sol)
Temperature 3100 K
Luminosity 1.66 x 1025 W (0.04 x sol)
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I begin with a random skeleton, a solar system and a fractal world map, without any named features.
I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but I visualized this literally: an endless dark void, a skeleton floating in its center. His right hand is held palm up, containing a tiny sun being circled by tiny orbs (tiny is relative). His other hand holds a scroll upon which a map has been drawn.
I'm sure there is a metaphor here, a metaphor of death and creation as one. A universe emerging from the dying ember of one that has gone before, and reached its end. What does the skeleton remember, and what did it sacrifice to persist?
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I begin with a random skeleton, a solar system and a fractal world map, without any named features.
I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but I visualized this literally: an endless dark void, a skeleton floating in its center. His right hand is held palm up, containing a tiny sun being circled by tiny orbs (tiny is relative). His other hand holds a scroll upon which a map has been drawn.
I'm sure there is a metaphor here, a metaphor of death and creation as one. A universe emerging from the dying ember of one that has gone before, and reached its end. What does the skeleton remember, and what did it sacrifice to persist?
I like it, jdale.
Legends name that ancient death creator - from which new life flows:
Hewhoshestes
ProtoIndoEuropean
hewhos - grandfather, [hest - bone, -es plural] bones = Grandfather Bones
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The immense skeleton, Hewhoshestes, floated in the endless dark void, small strands of decomposed flesh still rotting in the joints and sinew.
From this remaining flesh, a few maggots emerged.
The more the maggots consumed the ancient death creator's flesh the more the power changed them. Instead of flies, they morphed and changed into the beings of power. They inched towards the right hand where the tiny orbs, slowly changing in form and substance.
The ancient skeleton in desperation, dipped a quill into a bottle with the ink of life. And then it began, upon the scroll, to create...
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Sounds like a Doctor Who episode. ;D
MDC
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Sounds like a Doctor Who episode. ;D
MDC
I'm probably one of the few who hasn't seen Doctor Who.
Want to add or change anything for this Open Game world, so far. Feel free. Or expand upon anything?
I invite anyone as long as it is under the assumption of giving freely to an Open Game world, which fans of RM or HARP can contribute, change, or use without restrictions.
So don't give anything from your own world(s).
All content contributed to this post is Open Game Content, and not Product Identity, as defined in the http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/ogl.html.
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Picked some terms to help name places on the map with Proto- Indo-European terms from various versions, some of which differ from others.
mount, mountains - gwer, gweres
sea - mori
river - hekweh, danus
lake - heghero
steppe, prairie, plains, savannah - lendh
field - hegras
forest - nemos
swamp - lat
desert - jelom
marsh - mareskos
hill - kolnis
valley - klopnis
plateau - statlom
land (ownership) - kapos
of - suffix -os
plural - suffix -es
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Climate Zones
Tropical zone between M & Y
Temperate zones between E & M, Y & EA
Arctic zones A to E, EA to IA
Sunrise east to west or west to east? Most planetoids in our solar system are east to west rotation. I guess it depends on magnetic poles at a specific period, since earth switches.
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What's the difference between north and south? It's totally arbitrary. Sun from east to west with north up, if the sun is going the other way just point north down and it's the same, except now you're in the southern hemisphere.
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What's the difference between north and south? It's totally arbitrary. Sun from east to west with north up, if the sun is going the other way just point north down and it's the same, except now you're in the southern hemisphere.
I wasn't sure where the terms used for direction originate. At first I figured the directions might be magnetic based. Evidence points to a more primative method of direction. North is the most mysterious. It seems most of the terms are related to the sun's positioning in the sky and based on the seasonal arc of the sun's movement, being darker during the winter and lighter longer during the summer.
The darkness and brightness of days seems more important factors- where the sun and heat lay.
south - suelos means land of the sun. Meaning that is where the sun arcs more during winter.
east - auos means place to shine. Meaning that is where the sun rises.
west - ueos means place to go down. Meaning that is where the sun sets.
north - nokutos I will make mean land of the dark. Meaning that is the side away from the arc of the sun.
Thus in the northern third of the world the directions would be what we use today across the world.
N
U A
S
But in the southern third of the world the directions would be
S
U A
N
Then the issues becomes near the equator where the arc of the sun moves both north and south. It is hot, light, and bright year round. For that third of the world, I will make directs be based on aus (east) - which side of east. Is it left or right.
Sewyos being left of auos (east).
Dekos being right of auos (east).
So in the equatorial third of the world.
S
U A
D
The only constants being ueos and auos - west and east. The S at the equator meaning sewyos, and north and south meaning suelos.
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Quick continental plate tectonics
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I like the map a lot. Why? Well because you can get to almost everywhere on it so there are very few isolated places and gives you lots of places to go.
MDC
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Wind, humidity, currents, and water temperature.
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I like the map a lot. Why? Well because you can get to almost everywhere on it so there are very few isolated places and gives you lots of places to go.
MDC
This was the first random attempt. After several attempts, this one seemed the best.
I like as well, how it basically is one large land mass twisted like a screw around the globe.
Of course, after looking at the mountain locations, my interpretation of plate tectonics tells otherwise, not so much a twisting effect as a collision of land masses, and others being ripped apart.
Most puzzling, being the large collection of mountains and volcanoes in the central region.
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You could always change it and edit the map ;D
That is what I have done in the past if I used random generators but I have to admit that they are a lot better today then the last time I used them (about 2004)
In fact that might make a good article for the Guild Companion, software for game design or an example of what software you used and how you used it.
MDC
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I kind of like that mountainous volcanic zone. It is just mysterious. The original map is 4000x2000. Just shrinking it for easier observation.
Next to do, is to name the six major seas and figure out where the major races originate. And then figure out natural migration and settlement. Also have to focus on the resources available.
All of that before running through a history and naming everything.
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I generally do resources and then population but I guess you could do basic animals (primitive resources) then move up to the more modern resources for more modern populations.
MDC
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I generally do resources and then population but I guess you could do basic animals (primitive resources) then move up to the more modern resources for more modern populations.
MDC
The Mer-races frequently get forgotten just to end up as a 'monster' but from a movement of peoples and resources point of view they are quite interesting.
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Here is a quick digital rendered outline map and a combined temperate zones, wind, rainfall, biome, and current map.
Outline Map Comment
It looks like splotches were rendered into the outline map. The black splotches are either lakes, or they are sometimes parts of land and islands. It is not the best, but it was fast to make using an edge detection filter.
Combined map key
On the combined map
Cyan sprayed areas have moderate rain.
Blue sprayed areas have heavy rain.
Yellow sprayed areas are arid/dry.
Faint black drawn lines are prevailing wind direction.
Blue lines in the water is cold water currents.
Red lines in the water is warm water currents.
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I generally do resources and then population but I guess you could do basic animals (primitive resources) then move up to the more modern resources for more modern populations.
MDC
The Mer-races frequently get forgotten just to end up as a 'monster' but from a movement of peoples and resources point of view they are quite interesting.
Merfolk are forgotten.
Last night I went through and listed races from RM, HARP, D20 SRD, and PFSRD. I think this world should have mostly races that are in common with most of them, throwing out company specific named races, unless turned into a generic name. From the common core races down to pixies and vampires.
Here is what stuck out looking through lists of pure races.
Human, Dwarf, Halfling, Elf (or different types), Gnome, Orc, Goblin, Lizardman, Troll, Ogre, Kobold, Hobgoblin, Gargoyle, Centaur (or different types), Merfolk (or different types), Catfolk, Lycan, Vampire, Satyr, Cyclop, Giant (or different types), Titan, Pixie, Nymph, Gnoll, Troglodyte, Winged People
HARP has a bunch of unique named races, which I would either generalize into common terms, or leave out. HARP GMs could add them in, as needed.
Hybrid races just seem like offspring here, not so much as communities of half-races.
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Are lycan wolf-humans like cat people or are they were's?
MDC
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Are lycan wolf-humans like cat people or are they were's?
MDC
Were-
Lycan, as in short for lycanthrope.
Same thing.
I know some movies just refer Lycans to werewolves, but I am using it short for all transformation beings.
The cat people I have seen in different games are permanently felines humanoids without transformation powers. I have seen some jackal type people, but not as much as the feline people.
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Was there not a RM race called the Wulfin that were the analog of cat people?
Also when another game system created came out with their system based on various were's it was a huge change to how I saw various races and just what they could do for a game world and by breathing some life into them just what a huge impact it can have. The same goes for "monster" type races and allowing them to not be so cookie cutter has a huge impact on most games.
MDC
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In RM, Vulfen are wolf people (non-transforming). Vulf = wolf. Sibbicai are jackal people. Idiyva are feline people.
Some kind of cat people can be found in many settings and systems. I think some avoid including them because the over-cute anime catgirl trope could undermine the setting tone. You don't have to take it that way, but you have to consciously work against it if that's not what you want.
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Kzinti approach for me.
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Hex Map
I am working on putting more world features into a hex map version. Already done are hills, mountains, volcanoes, desert sand, sand dunes, lght coniferous, lght deciduous, heavy deciduous, jungle, marsh, grassland, highlands, lowlands, snow, lakes, seas, and major rivers.
To Do
Still needed on the map are heavy coniferous forest, swamp, cactus, broken land, plateau, and desert rocky mainly. Also maybe some mixed terrain.
I plan on trying to post the world features map here once those are completed. It is over 13,000 hexes. When I do, it wont have any labels, cities, names, roads, minor rivers, or anything except the biomes and natural features. Anyone can use it. I will also give a link to be able to download the hex symbol kit useful to alter the map.
Animals
I plan on doing earth type animals first, around 50, maybe categorized. Those animals become the food and resources for the races and stronger creatures. For animals, probably the easiest method would be to make a mini map from the outline version I had made, for each animal and then highlighting or shade the area where that animal lives.
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The complete Hex grid Aioskoru world map, without cities or roads.
You may change or use any part, or all of this map for anything.
You can download the public domain black and white hex symbols from http://www.hexographer.com/extra-icon-sets/black-white-classic/ which can be used to change or alter this or any hex map.
In the next few days, when time permits, I will begin to tackles the basic animal locations for this world.
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Basic list of animals and major locations for Marsh and Jungle animals.
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GIF of globe
North pole
South pole
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An alternative Aioskoru Mythology
1.5 to 2 billion years - Aioskoru cools from a molten state.
1.5 to 1 billion years - A several ice planets, moons, and comets bombard Aioskoru, bringing water the the now cooled planet.
1 billion to 500 million years - The transforming maggots crawl up to the right hand and fall, leap, or crawl their way onto the planets, several of which end up on Aioskoru.
Forming basic life forms
The maggots multiply, change, and form into new life forms to fit the environment. Those near water develop rudimentary fins and gills, living part or full time in shallow water. Those near land develop legs or begin to slither. Some keep their fly-like wings. During this time, tentacles, worms, and exoskeletons also are formed.
Forming basic plants
Some of them, rather than moving around form roots and rudimentary photosynthesis limbs which become leaves. Initial algae, spore bearing moss, and tube like structures that would become trees formed. Basic grasses, ferns, and small trees are formed during this period.
Early Monsters and Creatures
From these rudimentary life forms formed from the maggots that had eaten from Hewhoshestes, early creatures developed. Most of the lifeforms including plants formed different forms of teeth. They also formed claws, thorns, and barbs. The armored skin and scales also formed as a form of protection.
These initial creatures were small. As time went on, the sizes of the creatures and plants increased, each trying to be larger than the next, fueled by Hewhoshestes essence which pumped through each species.
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Just a really minor note, if you ever produce a 'product' from this the first planetary age date range should probably be 2 - 1.5 billion years not the other way around.
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No plans for a product. Just a fan created world. A play with available tools and ideas.
What's really attracting me so far is the lack of gods beyond the initial causal god - a god that is more passive. More of a transforming and evolutionary world, fueled continuously by transforming powers.
Whereas the powers influencing the creatures, and being influenced by the creatures and environment create subtle changes over time. Departing into fantasy creatures at appropriate periods of time.
Whereas, most other worlds I have seen have a set number of gods, which create this and that thing, or control a type of aspect of the world. However, an alternative set of those gods can be added just for familiarity. A world created from a dying god, or parts of a dead god, is a common theme among several mythologies.
I don't like the idea of having a portal to an evil world, where chaotic influences enter. It has been overdone in my opinion. As an alternative, I am trying to figure out how the inner world could create a similar effect. Something not invaded upon, rather something that becomes.
Power based on an interaction of internal and external properties - minus the skeleton creator - is something I have a few scribbled down notes briefly. I sort of have a basis for several powers. I haven't figured out undead, ghosts, and demons yet. It might have to go back to that initial force obtained when the maggots ate the flesh of the god. Sort of like eternal living life force of some sort - imparted, shared, and divided through chromosomal DNA among offspring.
As for the centaur races, a common humanoid and centauroid species with upper torso, arms, and a head, with some sort of common lower torso is also something I recently considered. Where one developed two legs and the other developed
Looking at squid and octopus ability to blend and camouflage seems like a great basis for shapechanging creatures.
I like the idea of the bombardier beetle as a influence of elemental fire attacks - with glands in the hands of the caster.
Invisibility described more as a altered translucent state, seems interesting - where light somehow passes through or is bent around, rather than absorbed by cells.
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Here a list of animals and locations of Deserts and Deciduous Forests. These go along with the Marsh and Jungle posted in an earlier post.
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6 Main Seas
From north to south
Kersos Mori (Black/Dark Sea)
Telpos Mori (Sea of Heaven/Space)
Esnes Mori (Blood Sea)
Delos Mori (Storm Sea)
Nebhos Mori (Sky Sea)
Pakos Mori (Sea of Peace)
12 Mountains Ranges:
north to south, east to west
Kuelos Gweres (Far Away)
Dhuer Gweres (Door, Gateway)
Ansu Gweres (Ghost, Haunted)
Sendhros Gweres (Melt, Fluid)
Akuos Gweres (Rocky, Sharp)
Kas-nos Gweres (Gray)
Uastos Gweres (Desolation, Waste)
Meis Gweres (Mist)
Bhreu Gweres (Edge)
Ghel Gweres (Gold)
Bhrateres Gweres (Brothers)
Strues Gweres (Ancient, Old Men)
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Nenektos Lendh - Undying Lands
The dekos nokutos lendh (southern continent) is called in common tongue Nenektos Lendh (Land of the No Dying [Undying/Immortal/Eternal]
This is the most ancient of all the lands. The forests of the elves surround Strues Gweres ("The ancient, old men mountains"). The southern lands are highly enchanted with old powers, The land that has, through erosion, exposed the deepest depth of the planetary core and rare elements, metals, gems, and rocks. The electromagnetic forces here are greater than anywhere else on Aioskoru.
The stormy area near the Bhrateres Gweres ("Brothers Mountains") - a narrow stretch of land connecting to the other continent - forms a natural barrier easily defendable.
The Esnes Mori (Blood Sea) to the nokutos (north) is named so from all the battles having occurred in these water in defense of the elven lands. Also, these waters are naturally stormy due to the inflow of cool polar air mixed with equatorial hot air, which cuts across at the continental joint - the narrow neck of land - normally as a strong easterly storm front.
The Nebhos Mori (Sky Sea) lies to the west and far eastern edge - a cold water which near the southern polar cap contains icebergs, especially during the summers. Several larger islands are off the coast.
Strues Nemos Aelfiz Lendh ("Ancient Forest Elven Land") is the name in common tongue of the Elven forest, located in the Auos Nenektos Lendh (Eastern Undying Lands) . These trees are old and large. Variations of trees not found anywhere else are found here.
This area does have a winter time, when the deciduous forest leaf will loose leafs (Fall season), and snow may occur (winter).
Near the volcanoes, warm springs may provide natural heat even during the winter. Several of the springs elven villages are built around to provide hot springs and natural warmth year round.
Common animals in region which they hunt, domesticate, eat, or use for material include: Bears, Deer, Caribou, Reindeer, Moose, Coyote, Lynx, Wolves, Wolverine, Muskox, Cardinal, Duck, Eagle, Hawk, Turkey, Beaver, Badger, Fox, Hare, Muskrat, Porcupine, Opposum, Squirrel, Raccoon, Small snakes, and frogs.
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These two don't require maps. Tundra is at the north and south poles and up to the trees. Alpine is on the various mountains around the world.
Tundra
polar bear, wolf, wolverine, fox, hare, caribou, weasel, small rodent, muskox, porcupine, shrew, squirrel, mouse, weasel, owl, ptarmigan, raven, goose, sandpiper, tern, swan, seagull, cod, flatfish, salmon, trout, bee, fly, grasshopper, mosquito, moth.
Alpine
cougar, leopard, lynx, elk, ibex, llama, fox, hare, marmot, marten, mountain goats, mouse, pika, shrew, skunk, bighorn sheep, weasel, yak, condor, grouse, beetles, dragonfly, grasshoppers, spider
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Keios Lendh - Nektos Lendh - Homeland - Dying land
Opposite the Esnes Mori (Blood Sea) the Manus (humans) originate. This is the sometimes called the Nektos Lendh (Dying land) in reference the the mortal nature of humans, compared to Elven immortality. Distinctly to the inhabitants it is called the Keios Lendh (Homeland).
In the ancient time, both of the lands were connected. Tales tell of ancient cities sinking into the seas.
This is a land filled with jungle, swamps, lakes, and desert. They form natural barriers around this land. A highland limestone ridge divides the land into two sections. One to the north and three to the east, volcanoes erupt occasionally. The mountains to the east are the Ghel Gweres (Gold Mountains). Metals for the humans are mined from this range.
The northwest region of this area is the Dusos Selom (Evil/Bad/Foul Desert) and the Dusos Lat (Evil/Bad/Foul Swamp). Undead, ghosts, wraiths, and spirits fills this region.
To the west is the Telpos Mori (Sea of Heaven/Space), an expansive sea.
Most of time the wind is blowing west, across the land to the western sea.
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Calendar a few time details
Year
Aioskoru - 471 days in a year at 1.25 AU orbit around the yellow sequence star referred to as Sohwl in common human language.
There are 13 months (Vrim) per year (Sohwl).
Day (Deyn)
24.4525 our earth hours per day
Week (Gaon)
9 days per week based on one complete orbit of the smaller moon Gaon around Aioskoru.
Names in common human language of the nine days of the week, mostly describing how the moon looks, in order from new moon.
"Nemeyhns","Sohwldeyn","Heytimeyhns","Semimeyhns","Meyhnsdeyn","Solomeyhns","Dorudeyn","Emdeyn","Dhemeyhns"
Month (Vrim)
36 days (4 weeks) per regular month. 37 days for some months. Extra day months falling at the final months of the year. A month is mostly based on the orbit of the larger moon Vrim, which is 36 days. Several months have the extra day to help fit the months into the year, and leap years.
Names in common human language of the thirteen months mostly describine the seasons, in order from solstice. "Sneigwei","Yegos","Bhelos","Alghei","Rekos","Bheis","Egas","Osem","Ehteros","Deguos","Hesenos","Keweros","Gelos"
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(A) More time
Seconds approximately are based on Keredbhaues (heart beats) which average at 0.75 seconds, but can very per person from an unhealthy 0.60 sec pulse to a healthy 1.35 sec average.
Time is also measured using the distance the sun can travel. Such measurement requires a fixed structure of measurement.
The next time period is the time for the sun to move a Guistis (finger) width. This is approximately 15 min of our time.
Holding the hand up with four fingers straight is a Ghes-ros (hand) width. This is approximately 1 hour. Camp is normally set up at least one Ghes-ros before sunset. On clear nights, the same system can be used for moon movement.
(B) Species types (racial)
Centaur types: Uksinmanus (bull), Bhron-tosmanus (deer), Ekouinmanus (horse), Leovimanus (lion), Lecartosmanus (lizard), Skiehmanus (scorpion), Spinnanmanus (spider)
Morimanus (Mermen, mermaid)
Were-folk - root word -maimanus which means change or mutate from human form adding the creature name in front.
Waylkwosmaimanus (Werewolf)
(C) Semimanus Lendh & Nderi Morimanus Lendh
Kingdom of the centaurs and merfolk
These Lendh (occupying regions) are located near the Keios Lendh, located both west in the ocean the Nderi Morimanus Lendh (Underwater Mer-folk region) and to the east the Semimanus Lendh (half-human) region of the Centaurs, which also connects to the Nenektos Lendh (Undying Lands) in the south.
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No one has chimed in for a while, anyone want to add, change or eliminate something?
The world is ready to be filled probably. Any name is changeable.
Or add an alternative addition.
Or take an area to develop?
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OK, can you give me a point on the map in a coastal region, northern European climate and preferably non-foresty?
I want to stick a village on the map.
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Sure, I will make up a map showing a northern Europe temperate zone region which may be in the north or southern hemisphere. When I lay down an earth map on top of the Aioskoru map, the land area can be somewhat accurate. I see one region in the south and one or two regions in the north, just eyeballing it.
It will probably be latitudes labelled on the edges of the first map, Grid Map Small:
France I, CA
London G, EA
Norway/Sweden E, GA
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Comparison of Earth vs Aioskoru
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Cool,
I would like to put a human village pretty much at the very northern tip of where Earth Portugal is now living in symbiosis with a Morimanus settlement off shore.
The village name would translate to 'ugly' if you want to name it using the current language convention.
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Wow. There is no ancient unified concept of ugliness. Ugly is a rather modern concept, and each of the cultures have a different word within the Proto Indo European family. I checked Latin, Hindi, Norwegian, German, and Chinese and everything was different.
I could probably list several words to build a phrase which denotes the concept of ugliness, based on fear, repulsiveness, danger, or causing one to flee. In a sense, create ugliness for the ancient language.
Pick one of the three noun words for 'appearance' and then we can probably describe what the appearance does to people (verb) and/or an adjective or adverb to describe it. Does i cause fear, is it because of love or hate, or too much or little of something. Is it something unfavorable
Basis of a phrase.
Negating adverb, adjective
ne , not, no, none. It's the basis of no, nay, not, never, nill, null, naughty, neither, neglect, nothing, etc..
Possible adjectives/adverb
dus- , bad, evil, mis-, dys-
hwap- , bad, evil
mel- ,false, bad, wrong. It's the basis of malicious, malevolent, malady, malaria, dismal, and blame
pau- , few, little. It is the basis of few, pony, and poverty.
Suffix to adjective
-os , of, place
Possible verbs
bhegw- to run, flee. It's the basis of phobia.
dhe-k‑ to put, set. It's the basis of face, fashion, modify, edify, beatific, benefit perfect, faction, effect, affect, defect
deu- , to lack, be wanting.
gwhen-do- , strike, kill. It's the basis of offense, defense, offensive, fend, fence
gwere- to favor. It's the basis of grace, gratitude, agree, and grateful.
od- to hate. It is the basis of annoy & odious.
per- to fear, to risk, to try. It is the basis of fear, peril, experience, and pirate.
paw-e- to fear (to be struck)
pleuk- to flee, run in terror, flow. It is the basis of flee, flight, fly.
pri- to love. It is the basis of friend, free, afraid, and -phile.
perseg- to forsake, reject. It is the basis of forsake.
terkw- to turn.
yake- to throw, impel. It is the basis of reject, eject, deject, object,
Suffix to verb
simple, don't add anything.
present tense -ai
add -e-ye , verb form 'to cause __'
Possible prepositions
upo - under, below, from below
uper - above, over
ner - under , below
hen - in
epi - at, near
kam - with
do - to
de- from, out of
per - toward, forward, through, against, around
A possible nouns for appearance
(1)-okw-ti, is visible appearance that you see. It's the basis of optics, autopsy, and synopsis
(2)-kwrep, is body, form, shape, appearance. It's the basis of corpse, corporal, corset, corporate.
(3)-bhe-n-yo, brought to light, appearance, emergence. It's the basis of -phane, fantasy, phantasm, phase, emphasis.
-pos - on, put, place. It's the basis of position, post, post- , compose, impose, oppose, positive, transpose
Suffix of noun
-es , plural
Any of those words inspire a sense of 'Ugly' for a city. I can look up more.
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Melos seems to fit, the village is named after the treacherous coast it is set back just a little from.
The fishermen of Melos do not fish near the coast. Because of the Morimanus settlement being not far off shore the morimanus guide the human fishermen to the best fishing grounds and back again. This service prevents morimanus young being caught in nets and their homes being damaged by the flukes of dragging anchors.
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When I saw the name what sprang into my minds was the fact that people often name beautiful places poorly so others will stay out and some truly desolate places with names like Paradise, Bonanza and Bountiful to get people there.
MDC
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Lots of the coves near me, if you translate the names into English, refer to how danagerous the coast is and even some of the anglicised names are not pretty including Hell's Mouth and Gurnards Head. (The gurnard is not a pretty fish at the best of times).
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When I saw the name what sprang into my minds was the fact that people often name beautiful places poorly so others will stay out and some truly desolate places with names like Paradise, Bonanza and Bountiful to get people there.
MDC
Very true mark. Social and psychological factors can come into place with names.
You had me looking up unusual place names a bit. I saw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Unusual_place_names (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Unusual_place_names)
I like Ogre, Latvia for a real city that they mention. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogre,_Latvia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogre,_Latvia)
You want to claim a spot on the world Mark?
Melos seems to fit, the village is named after the treacherous coast it is set back just a little from.
The fishermen of Melos do not fish near the coast. Because of the Morimanus settlement being not far off shore the morimanus guide the human fishermen to the best fishing grounds and back again. This service prevents morimanus young being caught in nets and their homes being damaged by the flukes of dragging anchors.
Melos sounds like a place of melicious danger. Having the morimanus nearby creates an interesting relationship and dynamic.
Lots of the coves near me, if you translate the names into English, refer to how danagerous the coast is and even some of the anglicised names are not pretty including Hell's Mouth and Gurnards Head. (The gurnard is not a pretty fish at the best of times).
I like that type of naming. Brings character to an area.
You can use some of the other words for features and such around the area.
I've made you some topographical maps zoomed in of the area to show the hills and valleys better, I'll post soon as a tweak them a bit. Terrain texture that the other maps don't realy show.
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Tell me if I got the right area. I picked the area where Portugal overlapped.
That is a peninsula on the top right, not an big island. A very interesting neck of land that may submerge during high tide if you want it to.
Several big and small coves are shown
There is also couple of cool valleys and hills.
Mixing the topography info with the biome, terrain, wind, and what you know of that type of area should be interesting. Especially knowing that type of area. The large hex map, this latitude probably averages 100 mile per hex or so
I can enlarge them maybe more if you want. Until last night, I didn't know how to do it.
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That sounds cool, as soon as Markc approves the images I will take a look.
I am imagining a string of human settlements eking out an existance between giants in those hills and the sea. A culture based upon sheep farmng on the land and fishing.
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That is a peninsula on the top right, not an big island. A very interesting neck of land that may submerge during high tide if you want it to.
That is too good to miss out on. I think we need a submerged petrifed forest off shore as well. as in ...http://www.aphotomarine.com/geology_submerged_forest_wherry_town.html (http://www.aphotomarine.com/geology_submerged_forest_wherry_town.html) this particular forest is one of the seeds for the mythological land of Lyoness along with the seven stones reef that is the reputed market for the sunken town
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Here is an entire, somewhat 3D bump map, of the world Aioskoru. It shows all the major elevation changes, not smooth but enough to see valleys hills as well as the mountains. It can be used to figure out river flows of other rivers & streams, besides the main rivers. The default map only shows major rivers and not the regular rivers or streams which flow from upper elvations.
The mountains terrain & elevation on this map are more accurate than the hex symbol map.
The hills and valleys came out ok, I think. It is better than trying to draw it from the flat color map.
I don't have good enough software to smooth out or show individual mountains, so it is more topographical type map. Mountains are more abstract on this map. Someone else might have better software to show the individual mountains, or they can be hand drawn analyzing the texture The browns of the mountains had to be converted to lighter values because the software reads darker values as being lower than higher values.
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That is a peninsula on the top right, not an big island. A very interesting neck of land that may submerge during high tide if you want it to.
That is too good to miss out on. I think we need a submerged petrifed forest off shore as well. as in ...http://www.aphotomarine.com/geology_submerged_forest_wherry_town.html (http://www.aphotomarine.com/geology_submerged_forest_wherry_town.html) this particular forest is one of the seeds for the mythological land of Lyoness along with the seven stones reef that is the reputed market for the sunken town
That is pretty neat. Kind of creepy. Adds good tension and atmosphere. Could explain the morimanus.
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When I saw the name what sprang into my minds was the fact that people often name beautiful places poorly so others will stay out and some truly desolate places with names like Paradise, Bonanza and Bountiful to get people there.
MDC
For your pleasure.
Medhyo-ghor-dos, Paradise - closest I could get, which is similar to Midgard is Medhyo-ghor-dos meaning middle enclosure, park, garden. The place between a heaven and hell.
Dw-enos Bonanza - is based on Dw-enos (Bonus, bounty, meaning useful, efficient, working)
Op-ni, Op-en-ent, Op-tamo, Bountiful - closest I could get is abundance which is Op-ni (the basis for Omni), Op-en-ent (rich, wealthy), or Op-tamo (Wealthiest, the basis for Optimum).
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A map with names so far can be found here.
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1JTAp_aPXc85fpTUuzle0UCnblv5tR_timQZIcaZ-0sE/edit?usp=sharing
Those last 3 names should be small villages in the Dusos Selom undead filled desert and swamps and the two deserts north of Anus Gweres which surrounding area is occupied by many orcs (the main strongholds most likely being the mountains Dhuer Gweres to the north), as Mark said, relfecting their desolate but trying to appeal to people motivation.
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I think I will develop the Semimanus Lendh (Land of the Centaurs) first, which will actually be two of the centaurs the Ekouinmanus (horse) and the Skiehmanus (scorpion). It is located at Y to AA, 1 to 4 and 72 to 74 on the world map.
First some details of the horse centaurs, with some random tool help.
Ekouinmanus (horse) Kapos - Centaur land (ownership)
Reg-eqouinos Klopnis
Located in a valley surrounded by desert hills is the Valley (klopnis) of the Horse-king (Reg-eqouinos Klopnis), the Horse-king Cykr. This region is bordered on two sides by ocean. Their relations with their neighbors to the north (with the Skiehmanus) are cold, while relations with neighbors to the southwest (elves) are civil. The people are of mixed religions. Many worship their political leaders. There are four major cities, the largest of which is located in the southeast of the region - enclosed in sandstone cliffs. They are often troubled by severe weather.
Cykr
He is the king and lord of the horse centaurs. He is known for his valour, sorrow and prophecy.
He, although old, is unusually beautiful, with bronzed skin, shoulder length, russet hair and mane, light grey coat, and eyes the color of bronze discs. He is very short and very slender, and almost never smiles. He usually wears light armor including barding, dyed dark grey.
He is also associated with the night sky and the fields and pastures.
He is often worshiped by the horse city dwellers. His numerous followers can be primarily distinguished by their ritual branding. There are a few carvings of him at crossroads. There are many stories and myths involving his affectionate relationship with his daughter Anandan. He is the husband of Fansol. He is known to sometimes place obstacles in the way of foreigners.
Ekouinmanus Kapos
Population: Entirely horse centaur
Political Structure: democratic republic
Strong Influence: religion
Popular Issue: personal freedoms
Stability: fairly solid
Personal Freedoms: good
Scandals: infrequent
Foreign Relations: bad
Economy
Main Export: semi-precious stones
Main Import: gadgets
Main Resource: mining - metals
Trade: slight surplus
Strength: stable, but declining
Wealth: concentrated in a small upper class
Ecology
Main Climate: temperate - plains
Ocean: on both sides
Mountains: desert sandstone hills, plateaus, and cliffs
Frequent Trouble: droughts
Wilderness: 22%
Wild Animals: rare
Natural Resources: abundant
Culture
Highly Values: family
Known For: science
Popular Entertainment: gambling
Respected Profession: craftsman
Discrimination: race(species)-based
Major Taboo: money
Major Social Ill: alcoholism
Military
Strength: average
Focus: archers, infantry and cavalry
Main Unit: small troops of centaurs
Soldiers: volunteers
Main Use: scouting, guarding, monitoring
Rank: earned through heroic actions
Magic
Occurence: very common
Source: inherent ability
Major Use: personal combat
Viewed: with respect
Enchanted Items: fairly common
Religion
Type: pantheism and worshiping the king-deity
Focus: health and physical well-being
Worship: solemn organized prayer in public temples
Associated Artform: chanting
Prevalence: believed by almost all
Holidays: very often
Population
Urban: 5%
Rural: 95%
Literacy Rate: 3%
Gender Ratio: 0.58 male(s)/female: adult male are called studh (stallion,stud) and adult female are called marko (mare)
Fertility Rate: 3.4 children/family: young centaurs are called pul-o (foal/filly)
Life Expectancy: 35.8 years
Fansol
Fansol, wife of Horse-King Cykr, is quite beautiful, with ashen skin, short, straight light grey hair and mane, bucksin coat, and eyes the color of gleaming steel. She is tall and broad-shouldered, and tends to look sad. She usually wears worn, ragged clothing dyed green-brown.
She is also associated with politics and seduction. She is often worshiped by merchants. Her surprisingly few followers can be primarily distinguished by the weapons they bear. There are widespread banners to her near bridges. There are many stories and myths involving her competitive relationship with Jait. She is the sister of Jait. She is known to occasionally mislead virtuous foreigners.
Anandan
Anandan, the daughter of Cykr and Fansol, is very beautiful, with ebony skin like her grandmother, long, straight black hair and mane, black coat, and eyes the color of shining silver. She is average height and of hearty build, and seldom smiles. She usually wears a hooded cloak dyed blue-green and brown.
She is also associated with gambling, souls, and witches. She is often worshipped by the elderly. Her numerous followers can be primarily distinguished by their secret language. There are quite a few carvings of her near rivers. There are many myths involving her many misadventures with Fansol. She is known to give aid to foreigners seeking vengeance.
Jait
Jait, son of Cykr and Fansol known for deceit, victory and feasts, even more than his sister he is shockingly beautiful, with ebony skin, short, black hair, black mane and coat, and eyes the color of jade. He is average height and muscular, and almost never frowns. He usually wears a tattered cloak dyed grey and medium yellow.
He is also associated with opposites, the wind and medicine. He is often worshipped by priests. His almost fanatical followers can be primarily distinguished by their secret language. There are a few offerings to him in mountains. There are many myths involving his happy relationship with Cykr. He is known to give some help to random foreigners.
Iletrel, military leader
Iletrel, leader of the uiros (warriors) and wor-to (wardens, guards) of the Horse-King, older son of the last king who died of illness. He is also one of the king's nephew. He is extremely beautiful, with pale skin and coat, shoulder length, black hair and mane, and eyes the color of rusted metal. He is short and broad-shouldered, and is usually smiling. He usually wears a tattered cloak dyed yellow-orange and white.
He is also associated with vengeance and war. He is often encountered by wanderers. Most of the time he is surrounded by soldiers and wardens. Frequently he is out checking guard posts, defenses, and acting as an envoy frequently with the elves. There are many stories and myths involving his daring adventures with certain foreigners. He is the brother of Naraxeth. He is known to pose riddles to foreigners.
Naraxeth
Naraxeth, younger son of the last king who died of illness, nephew of the current king, Cykr. He is the brother of Iletrel. A lover of storms and cats, is unusually appearance, with tanned skin, white coat, waist length, dark grey hair and mane, and eyes the color of fire opals. He is of average height and of average build, and looks rather smug. He usually wears light and airy robes and barding dyed tan and bright blue.
He is a mystical mortician also associated with death, funerals, graves, and burials. He is often followed by men. His few, but dedicated followers can be primarily distinguished by the death magic they wield. There are a few temples for him and his services near cemeteries in the valley. There are many stories and myths involving his happy relationship with Iletrel. He is known to send dreams and nightmares to foreigners and heroes.
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I also think it is important to provide help for some races to be in some areas, ie a 1/2-ling community would need some type of natural or magic protection to keep itself safe unless it was a very settled area or they settled it with another race.
MDC
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I also think it is important to provide help for some races to be in some areas, ie a 1/2-ling community would need some type of natural or magic protection to keep itself safe unless it was a very settled area or they settled it with another race.
MDC
Hmm.
Beyond being in a semi difficult to reach valley sort of similar to Rivendell - surrounded by desert hills, maybe using something like "few carvings of him at crossroads" imbued with some sort of fear causing magical totems that pushes away those that haven't been blessed by their shamans or priests yet. It might be a possibility. They are located near the elves as well. Their main battles coming from the Scorpion centaurs in the hills.
I'm open to ideas.
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One discrepancy change I may see is the original random rolled up info for Life Expectancy: 35.8 years which is probably human based. I only referenced that horse lived 20 to 30 years and that medieval humans lived around 30 yrs, so I thought the age range plausible. The C&M says centaur horses 150 years - so they may have some disease resistance, metabolism, or antioxidant beyond regular physiology.
Also, another common occurrence that I read is that they enjoy drinking alcohol. The Major Social Ill: alcoholism fits well that aspect of culture.
C&M says they enjoy looking towards the sky and have architecture with many windows to the sky. That will be one consideration when creating the towns. Also ramps seem more plausible than stairs for multiple level buildings, though single floor seem more practical.
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Isn't the medieval life expectancy only down to 30yrs once infant mortality is taken into account. if you lived past 5yrs then you generally made it to a reasonable 'middle age' by our standards and the wealthiest lived into their 50s and 70s.
http://www.sarahwoodbury.com/life-expectancy-in-the-middle-ages/ (http://www.sarahwoodbury.com/life-expectancy-in-the-middle-ages/)
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IMHO, when you look at centaurs I think they were greatly influenced by Greek Mythology. So you could do what ever you wanted to do. I also think that is shows that as long as you have a good solid foundation for why something is you can make it work. A prime example here is the zombie myth was that if the zombie ate something their soul would go back to the land of the dead, until the 80's in which zombies became hungry eating machines who's sole existence was to eat.
IMHO, Yes you did have high infant mortality as well as a fair amount of mortality in every day life. I do not know where I read it or heard it but it was often said you needed 6 kids as the average went 2 would die, 2 would leave the farm and 2 would help you in your old age (if you were not one of those mortalities ;D )
And often things would happen such as fire, attack by bad guys (or good guys depending on your frame of reference), disease, sickness, natural disaster that would wipe out even more than normal.
MDC
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Maybe so. I don't know how well they know the medieval mortality rate. I think the info comes from archaeology rather than written historical accounts. Those written accounts are mostly royalty and land owners, rather than the common folk, where living conditions weren't as good.
I do like modern zombies. Makes for fun gaming. There should be zombies up in the swamp and desert on the right side of the map.
No Equine Enslavement allowed
A good cultural law might be "No slavery of horses (aka riding horses or using them as farming animals) within their borders". I think one poor decision would be riding horses into their area. Maybe lock characters up or something if caught riding a horse in their region. And they will set that horse free, with a other wild horses. Horses in their area will run free, and they will protect them, feeding them if necessary.
A side note. Organizing the data is difficult in this post - since we can't put info together. Setting up a Google free, or also at Petter's website to help organize the info more intuitively for those that can't pick out the data here. I'll post the address when I get enough info from here to there. This post however is the primary source of info. It should be referenced for everything, to keep the forum strong.
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Aioskoru Distance and Length
penkw-ro Middle finger width avg ¾ inch
tūm Thumb width ~ 1inch
pod Average foot size 8 inches (20 cm)
man Average hand length, tip of longest finger to pl̥e-mā palm/wrist edge 7 inches (18 cm)
el-inā Cubit tip of longest finger to elbow avg 18 inches (46 cm), half 1yrd or 0.45 m
gwm̥-yo Pace / Step distance to take one step avg 30 inches (76cm), 0.83 yrd or 0.76m
[Don't have a name yet] Horizons on average 6 foot tall (1.8 m) a person on flat land can see 3 miles (5 km)
For plural, add -es to the word.
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Ekouinmanus Horse Centaurs
Expanding upon the Military Section
Military
Strength: average
Focus: archers, infantry and cavalry
Main Unit: small troops of centaurs
Soldiers: volunteers
Main Use: scouting, guarding, monitoring
Rank: earned through heroic actions
adding some, modified extrapolated, and expanded info, some based on d20 srd and pfsrd info below
A.) Encounter Sizes
Wandering encounters
Solo
Pair
Wandering, guard post, watch, patrol, strike force, workforce, miners, merchant caravans
Company, Band: 3-10; 50% semi spell caster(s); 10% chance of having one pure spell caster
Troop: 8 - 18 with 1 leader lvl 3 - 5; 75% semi spell caster(s); 25% chance of having one pure spell caster
Settlements
Horse Centaur Tribes:
- small 11 - 30; 30% noncombatant; three lvl 3 hunters; one lvl 6 leader/clan chief, 50% semi spell casters; 1 or 2 pure spell casters
- medium 31 to 90; 30% noncombatant; five lvl 3 hunters; two lvl 5 lieutenants/elders; one level 6 - 9 leader/clan chief; 50% semi spell casters; 2 - 5 pure spell casters, 1 hybrid spell caster
- large 20 - 150 ; 30% noncombatant; ten lvl 3 hunter/sergeants; five lvl 5 lieutenants/elders; one lvl 6 - 9 leader/clan chief; rare 5% chance of having a champion/hero lvl 10 to 15; 50% semi spell casters; 5 - 10 pure spell casters, 2 hybrid spell casters
B.) Magical Items
leaders, champions, heros, pure spell casters, and hybrid spell casters may have magical weapon or armor pieces
C.) Spell Users
Most common semi spell users will be ranger, bards, possibly assassin or thief spell users. They most likely follow the commands of their leaders, the highest being Iletrel, the military leader.
Most common pure spell casters are shamans, druids, healers, and illusionists that follows Jait. Followers of Anandan may be transmutation (witch) type casters. Followers of Naraxeth may be necromancer related.
Champion/heroes may be any type of characters focusing on attacking and or defense, with or without spells. Champions follow the Clan Chief, King Cykr, or have gained their own status apart from everyone else.[/list]
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Almost ready to create an encounter table for the centaur region. Before doing that, maybe a list of monsters that cross into different games might be appropriate. Something that can be added or mixed with the animals.
Certainly one must begin with some standard monsters - some of them race type creatures.
Orc, troll, ogre, giant, dragon, goblin, skeleton, werewolf, zombie, ghost, mummy
Some more non-game specific monsters: Hobgoblin, giant ant, large beetle, young drake, wyvern, gargoyle, vampires, dire wolves, wraiths, wight, demon, sprite, elemental, construct, cockatrice, chimera, griffon, golem, dryad, siren, nymph, ghoul, djinn, hydra, harpy, kobold, lich, manticore, naga, ooze, satyr, spectre, titan, kraken, treant, unicorn, Pegasus, Will-O-Whisp, warg, hell hound, phantom, bogeyman, crawling hand, shadow
any other additions for standard set of monsters for the world. Not looking to build any just yet. Just looking at a standard beginning set of monsters for the world.
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Here is were the data is starting to be organized in a less linear manner. Peter is also putting it on his site. Both of the sites refer to here for the material. This post being more authoritative.
The site is a Google site limited to 100MB, so it may focus on data rather than the graphics.
Aioskoru site
https://sites.google.com/site/aioskoru/ (https://sites.google.com/site/aioskoru/)
Peter's Rolemaster blog
http://www.rolemasterblog.com/wiki/home/aioskoru/ (http://www.rolemasterblog.com/wiki/home/aioskoru/)
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A quick note, I was just reading a bit about Irish Travelers on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Travellers) and they had a note under Health that they as a group tend to die young (age 39, 1/2 population) which is a significant difference verses today's settled people. IMHO this would be closer to a non-magical healing society.
MDC
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Skiehmanus Kapos - Scorpion Centaurs
Desert mountain region where the tribes of the skiehmanus (scorpion centaurs) fit each others and unfortunate wanderers. These are many separate tribal factions, each under their own rule set, although some broad assumptions can be made concerning most of the tribes. The information below is broadly applied, though small individual variations may exist.
Some of the skiehmanus invade the ekouinmanus occasionally which creates hostility between the two species.
This was created to contrast with the Ekouinmanus culture and civilization.
Population: mostly scorpion centaur, mixed slave population.
Political Structure: warring tribes
Strong Influence: brawn
Popular Issue: military
Stability: very shaky
Personal Freedoms: repressed
Scandals: infrequent
Foreign Relations: at War (Losing)
Economy
Main Export: laborers (slaves)
Main Import: food - crops, fruit
Main Resource: mining - gems
Trade: major deficit
Strength: somewhat weak, and declining
Wealth: concentrated in a small upper class
Ecology
Main Climate: hot desert
Ocean: on both sides
Mountains: barren steep hills and mountains, continental folds
Frequent Trouble: earthquakes & fires
Wilderness: 82%
Wild Animals: dangerous
Natural Resources: scarce
Culture
Highly Values: military prowess
Known For: crude weapons
Popular Entertainment: arena gladiators
Respected Profession: warrior
Discrimination: class based
Major Taboo: physical contact
Major Social Ill: assassinations
Military
Strength: strong and fragmented
Focus: land
Main Unit: berserkers
Soldiers: forced service, all able
Main Use: conquest
Rank: earned through combat challenge
Magic
Occurrence: only a very few
Source: passed down in families
Major Use: War, divination
Viewed: with some suspicion/superstition
Enchanted Items: very rare
Religion
Type: pantheism, tribal spirits
Focus: ancestor worship
Worship: arena sacrifice
Associated Artform: attendance, cheering
Prevalence: followed by all
Holidays: weekly arena battles
Population
Urban: 35%
Rural: 65%
Literacy Rate: 0%
Gender Ratio: 1.35 male(s)/female
Fertility Rate: 4-6 babies collectively calle a brood
Life Expectancy:
In another post, I will list some of the tribal chiefs of the different warring skiehmanus.
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A quick note, I was just reading a bit about Irish Travelers on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Travellers) and they had a note under Health that they as a group tend to die young (age 39, 1/2 population) which is a significant difference verses today's settled people. IMHO this would be closer to a non-magical healing society.
MDC
Nice find. yes maybe.
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Leader: Vuekum Dossar (Poison Dagger)
Tribe: Rad Ksecd, The Red Stick
She is a scorpion centaur, young adult of 9 years (sohwles) which is like 25 in human years in maturity. Vuekum is slightly tall for a female of her race, around 6 feet tall by our standard. She leads the religious faction, the religious order of the Circle of Red, which has two others that form the basis of the current religion of the Red Stick. A religion which is forced and compulsory rather than freely believed.
The Red Stick tribe themselves are a break of of the dominate tribe in Skiehmanus Kapos. Formed mostly of younger rebellious skiehmanus, they broke off many years in the past. The leadership themselves have always been youthful, choosing to pick leaders by challenge and difficult ordeals, rather than voting and or family ascension. They live on mainly two tall mesas on the 1st level of a 2 level plateau - the dominate tribe residing on the top 2nd level. Two Cliffs separate them from that group as well as the land below. Two guarded narrow paths are used to gain access to their area, one to the north and one to the south.
Vuekum was able to survive nearly freezing to death during a survival ordeal among others trying to become leader, after the death of the last leader, to ascend to her position several years ago. When she took power, her order of the Circle of Red became the dominate religious belief.
Her eyes are blue, has medium length brown hair, has slightly tanned skin, and has a birthmark that can be seen on one shoulder when she isn't wearing her armor.
She is very charismatic with great mature presence. Normally she is cheerful and can be impressed by unusual magic and the color blue-green - the color of many desert succulents. She has a great music and singing ability with bard magic. During battles she uses her songs to help her entire army. They seek vengeance and approach conflict with zealotry. Most of her army is fighters, warriors, and assassins. Her sisters of the Circle of Red provide magic attacks and support.
Vuekum wears a dark red spaulder made of splinted leather. A green and silver pair of vambraces made of leather and iron with shiny silver buckles and rivets, carved with a shrub. A dark green gauntlet made of hardened steel with iron buckles. A black cuirass made of leather with iron buckles and rivets, painted with a red stick. Green and black lower gear covering her opisthosoma and legs made of leather.
Her choice in weapons is a magical poison dagger that can cause earthquakes, creating cracks where poisonous gas erupts from the ground that their tribe has been made immune to - the gas causing paralysis. She also uses a crossbow. In battle, she mostly sings and plays music with her sattar.
To characters, she will likely show disdain.
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The Circle of Red
The other two women of the Circle of Red besides Vuekum the leader are Kveres and Fera. Together they summon the speak with the spirits of their ancestors, and form the basis of their religion. Although the Red Stick is old, their religion is new. Red plays an important, almost spiritual, quality in their culture. It reminds them of the blood spilled to gain their independence from The All-Seeing Desert Crow.
Fera
While Vuekum is dominate, passionate, charismatic, and forceful, Fera is intelligent, thoughtful, and more reasonable. Not as tall as Vuekum, she is more petite for a skiehmanus. Her hair is fiery red and skin more pale than Vuekum, prone to staying indoors more than the others. She uses lightning and air elemental magic primarily causing great desert storms. Her weapon is a rod which helps her channel and charge her powers.
Kveres
Much different than the other two, Kveres is the compassionate third member of the Circle of Red. She is in charge of health, healing, and spirit. Not as outspoken as the other two, she normally goes along with what the other two decide. She is more heavy set and plump compared to the other two. Her long blond hair and constant smile set her appart from the other two. If any of the three will be approachable, it will be Kveres - though all three can be approached if one uses communication and methods that impress or attract their attention.
Two city mesas
Their two mesas are poor, unlike the larger metropolis of their larger predecessors. Occasionally their skirmish, but the dominate tribe mostly allows them to continue without conflict, because they help to defend the area that they inhabit. That is one side of their mesa that they don't have to monitor as much.
The Red Stick Tactics
The Red Stick although not overly powerful, are extremely efficient at area they guard and the fights that they do undertake. Rather than overwhelming the opponent, they are more skilled at covert assassinations, ambushes, and quick strategic tactics. They must use speed, cover, and select targets.
Occasionally they will raid farms and villages for food and even slaves. If encountered, they will fight quick and flee if confronted by much of a resistance. They try to use the element of surprise, cover, and speed - making sure to always leave an escape route.
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Expanding the Skiehmanus Kapos
Military
Strength: strong and fragmented
Focus: land
Main Unit: berserkers
Soldiers: forced service, all able
Main Use: conquest
Rank: earned through combat challenge
Tribe: Rad Ksecd, The Red Stick
A.) Encounter Sizes
Wandering encounters
Solo
Pair
Wandering, guard post, watch, patrol, strike force, workforce, miners, merchant caravans
Company, Band, Raiders: 3-8; 20% semi spell caster(s); 30% thief/assassin; 50% fighter/warrior; 10% chance of having one pure spell caster; lead by lvl 3-5 ranger; also may have 2-8 giant scorpions.
Troop: 21 - 40 with 1 leader lvl 4 - 6; 30% semi spell caster(s); 30% thief/assassin; 50% fighter/warrior; 25% chance of having one pure spell caster; 1 cleric lvl 6-8; 1 ranger lvl 6-8; leader is either the spell caster, which is a sister of the Circle of Red if the group has one, the cleric, or the ranger if neither the cleric nor the spell caster leads; also there can be 4-32 giant scorpions
Settlements
Scorpion Centaur Tribes:
small 21 - 40; 10% noncombatant; three lvl 5 rangers; two lvl 5 thief/assassins; one lvl 8 leader/clan chief, 20% semi spell casters; 30% assassin/thief; 50% fighter/warrior; 1 or 2 pure spell casters sisters of The Circle of Red; 4-32 giant scorpions
medium 41 to 110; 10% noncombatant; five lvl 5 hunters; two lvl 5 assassin/thief; one level 6 - 9 leader/tribe chief; 20% semi spell casters; 30% assassin/thief; 50% fighter/warrior; 2 - 5 pure spell casters sisters of The Circle of Red, 1 hybrid spell caster; 8-64 giant scorpions
large 110 - 500; 10% noncombatant; 20% semi spell casters; 30% assassin/thief; 50% fighter/warrior; ten lvl 5 rangers; five lvl 5 assassin/thief; one lvl 6 - 9 leader/tribe chief; rare 5% chance of having a champion/hero lvl 10 to 15; 5 - 10 pure spell casters sisters of The Circle of Red, 2 hybrid spell casters; 16-128 giant scorpions
B.) Magical Items
leaders, champions, heros, pure spell casters, and hybrid spell casters may have magical weapon or armor pieces
C.) Spell Users
Most common semi spell users will be ranger and assassin or thief spell users, possibly bards. They most likely follow the commands of their leaders, the highest being Vuekum, the military leader.
Most common pure spell casters are clerics, druids, healers, and illusionists that follows Kveres. Followers of Fera may be elemental or illusion type casters. Followers of Vuekum deal with poisons and disease.
Champion/heroes may be any type of characters focusing on attacking and or defense, with or without spells. Champions follow the Vuekum with a zealot fervor.
Where next
With two of the three main cultures of the area, the Ekouinmanus and the first of three Skiehmanus, and several of the main figures penciled in, focus will go towards developing a few adventures and quests.
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For the adventures and quests, rather than listing a set number, maybe listing by type might be helpful.
Possible types: Fighting, action, espionage, escort, delivery, influence, messenger, recovery/collection type quests, story arcs, and tasks list might be helpful.
Opponents for the Ekouinmanus Kapos area, foe focus.
Lvl 1-3 Goblin quest line
Lvl 2-5 Gnoll and/or Giant Ant quest line
Lvl 4-8 Scorpion Centaur quest line
Faction level quests
Distrust
Allow
Accept
Trust
One of their own
Other quest line
Mines
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Aioskoru sphere map
This is sort of a global view from space, without clouds of Melos, Morimanus, Skiehmanus, and Ekouinmanus regions. They are approximately in the same longitude, though different latitudes.
I also worked in some greens and yellow areas near Melos to show the forests and deserts region more. The default green is mainly for elevation rather than flora or foliage.
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Updating on what has happened.
World v Campaign Content
The world information will be separate from the campaign material.
So far the world map, weather, biomes, elevation, globe, common animals, major place names, time, distance, calendar, and monster pool have been created in a first draft.
For world languages, I'll create 6 languages to begin with: common human (which has been used thus far (Indo european based). Others will be Elvish (Austroasian based) and Dwarvish (Afro-asiatic based). Goblin, Orc, and one other will evolve from those languages.
Three campaign areas
Peter R continues to write information about his chosen area. Three cities/villages and six major NPCs
I've written the basics for two connected areas. Five cities/villages and 14 NPCs. One experimental quest seed is being developed as a test.
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Latest update.
I made a YouTube video of some of the world content. I've never done any video editing so I just tried my best to do some stuff that I saw in some NASA-like videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZY4WJZ06a4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZY4WJZ06a4)
Note about Pay What You Want (PWYW). If you contribute any amount to Aioskoru PWYW through RPGNow/DriveThru, please click on a RPGNow forum banner on this site first so that this site gets a portion, instead of using the YouTube non-affiliate link.