Re: Discussions for "The Beginning"
Stuff typed last night...
In the DMG page 150, it lists some assumptions about the world of DnD (or the Default world). But then in the very next page, they list "Altering Core Assumptions" and ask what if a given assumption isn't the case. For example, the assumption my campaign will shatter:
The World Is Ancient. What if your world is
brand-new, and the characters are the first heroes to
walk the earth? What if there are no ancient artifacts
and traditions, no crumbling ruins?
When:
The start of the sentient races. I'm thinking between year 0 and year 50. If year 0, we'll each have to have a mate of some kind, already have kids, and those kids will have to be adults. Otherwise, we can't really adventure. XD Hence my thinking we might want to be a little farther along.
The gods:
The gods are not the same in the usual setting as they are at the start of things. Some gods got killed. Others were once mortal and ascended. The pantheon is thusly different. Here it is:
Amoth - Justice and Mercy. Rules over Astral dominion Kalanduren.
Avandra - Change, Freedom and Luck.
Corellon
(He Who Was) - Kingship, Wisdom and the sky. Later defeated by Asmodeus.
Io - Hope, Justice, Protection, Strife and Vengeance.
Khala - Winter. Mother of Kord. Doesn't even fall till Bane is a god.
Kord - Son of Khala. Neutral aligned.
Nerull - Death.
Tuern - Conquest (War) and Fire. Later overthrown by Bane.
Races:
Young Races
Due to some races being born long after creation, I have come up with explainations for any given race to either exist or not exist depending on player choice. This section deals with the races that either shouldn't exist yet or would be noticeably different due to the era. If there is a race listed here you really wanna play, let me know and we can discuss possabilities on how your character exists (hopefully without having to resort to time travel as an excuse).
Bladeling - Crated by Bane, these guys just would not exist yet due to Bane not even existing yet. However, nothing says Bane didn't get his idea from somewhere.
Gnoll - This race could or could not exist. I'm unsure as of this moment. But it sounds like they might be a young race.
Half Elf - While not as unlikely or rare as Shifters, this still probably hasn't happened yet. Half elves are more of a "I wonder if..." than an existing people. But nothing says the gods haven't already had this happen. Still, if there are half elves, they likely haven't even reached adulthood yet.
Half Orc - Nope. Non existant. The world is so young, Grummsh is still having orcs focus on populating before he can worry about them conquering. So to keep his intentions from being known, Grummsh has made his race far away from the other races deep in a forest somewhere.
Shifter - Lycanthropes have yet to mingle much, but that doesn't mean they have not done so yet. If a shifter is desired enough, let me know. Chances are you are NOT the child of two shifters, but of a Lycanthrope and another humanoid.
Warforged - Created by mortals for a war, this race can't exist in their more traditional sense.
Wilden - Nature's response to a threat that hasn't really come to be much of one yet. So since nature has yet to respond, Wilden have yet to exist.
Changed Races
Changeling (Doppleganger) - Created by Avandra's mistake, this race can not exsist. This is a "used to be human" race by technicality, so goes under "changed races". How fitting for changelings. XD
Drow - Drow are corrupted elves, twisted by Lolth's power. But Lolth has yet to do this to any elf.
Duergar - Centuries of slavery to the Mind Flayers in the Underdark has not yet happened to any dwarf. So this race does not yet exist.
Gith - The Githyanki and Githzerai do not exsist. There is only Gith. The Gith are not a young race, but they have yet to taste the bitterness of slavery to the Mind Flayers.
Kalashtar - At only 1800 years old, this is the youngest race in DnD. Granted, they are that old in the Eberron setting, so they could be older in Greyhawk if it is desired. In any case, this is a "used to be humans" race, so it goes under changed races.
Shadar Kai - This race has yet to travel to the Shadowfell. It was hinted they used to be human, so I'm ruling they were. So they do not exist as Shadar Kai.
Tiefling - Humans who made pacts with devils to become more powerful. Humans have yet to make such a pact. But if you desire a Tiefling enough, you can play one as a half-devil spawn as demons and devils have played a role in the world since even before its beginning. But like shifters, this is extremely rare and could be looked on with much more fear than Tieflings normally are.
Old Races
Some races are even older than the created races. They are listed here.
Deva - Part of the point of Devas are the fact they have thousands of lifetimes behind them. As reincarnated beings, this race doesn't really exist. But the first Devas DO exist as angels or other such powerful beings making themselves mortal for the first time ever.
Goliath - Goliaths existed before the other races and thus, are the oldest race. As such, they view the other races as curiousities and neat new things of nature.
The Quest:
Uniting. The gods are actually asking you to unify the races of the world and subdue the monsters that are destructive to the world.
Gear:
As brand new as the races of the world are, clothing is something given by hunting or by the gods. Modesty is new to all. But beyond just standard clothing, there is magic enhancements. At this early stage, enhancements are granted directly by the gods as a blessing for doing their bidding (see Quest). For we are the only adventurers in the world.
Gold is a non-issue, but we all will start with 100 GP in order to figure starting gear. From then on, it's going to be a matter of barter at worst and people just giving what you ask for at best. :) This is a simpler time. And that, the GM is thankful for. ;)
Things to bear in mind:
As new as the world is, there are subtle things that should be considered. Most things have not been established, but there are also things that aren't even thought of. Like cutting one's hair. Who thinks to literally cut off a piece of themselves? Or cracking one's knuckles before battle. Why would you hurt yourself to prepare for battle?
There are no history books. No schools. No wide-spread communication outside your own community. Such coordination is left up to the gods at the moment, who are as approachable as an elder would be in a more modern setting since there are so few mortals.
Hymn to Corellon:
Lord of the wood, lord of the stars,
Maker of songs and teacher of arts-
Great Corellon, as your servant I stand.
Open my eyes to the works of your hand.
Lord of the wood, lighten my heart;
Maker of songs, your wisdom impart.
Great Corellon, grant me a dream
Of the twilight courts of Seldarine!
Lord of magic, lord of starlight,
Lover of beauty and poet of night-
Long lies the path through mists and through moor
But home I will come to Avandor.
Rites for Dieties! Divine Power p.143
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Sun 19 Sept 2010.