AD&D 2E Can anyone give me a rundown on Red Steel and other obscure D&D settings not mentioned in this video?

[Zaroden]

Hey, been a while since I was last here, but I am interested in other D&D settings and especially "sea settings" or with naval combat. Recently, I saw Red Steel mentioned in the comments under this video:


And a bunch of other obscure settings by D&D, such as Council of Wyrms and Jakandor.

I want to go off the beaten with my DM campaign, my first one; none of the other settings interest me that much, but D&D's old and obscure settings like Dark Sun and PlaneScape are hella intriguing.

But even obscure stuff like WEG Star Wars gets my attention; didn't know that existed till today.

So, yeah, in general I want something out there and having to do with the sea, but it does not have to be just that, since IA am a huge obscurist.

 

[Brendan Byrd]

IIRC:

2e Council of Wyrms: Dragon PC's; high powered, isolated setting. Chain of islands. Why boat if you can fly...
RC (BECMI) Hollow World; Lost world / museum of spiecies and cultures; restricted magic. Oceans present. Merry pirates are one of the cultures in the setting.
2e & 5e Planescape: Kirchen sink of the multiverse. No oceans here.
Dark Sun: No oceans here.
2e & 5e Spelljemmer: Kitchen sink that can get your characters to the worlds of other settings, in sailing ships.

 

[Willie the Duck]

As usual: please list out the settings that do not qualify (because they are covered in the video). Do not expect everyone to watch a separate video to answer your question.

That said, consider Taladas -- the world of Dragonlance, but an alternate continent with a lava-filled lake in the center and minotaur sailors and centurions.

Also Lankhmar -- Fritz Leiber's setting for Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser was an official D&D setting.

 

[Alzrius]

For those who don't want to watch the entire video, here's a quick summary from Krisp:

Introduction to Lesser-Known D&D Settings

• The video explores unique and lesser-known Dungeons & Dragons settings from the 1990s, focusing on their distinct narratives and gameplay mechanics.
• The discussion begins with the concept of playing in unconventional roles, such as dragons or participating in morally ambiguous conflicts.
• The host, Martin, aims to highlight settings that did not receive widespread recognition, contrasting them with more famous ones like Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms.

TSR's Proliferation of Settings

• In the early 1990s, TSR released numerous settings for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, notably between 1989 and 1992, introducing a new setting almost every year.
• Major releases included Spelljammer, Ravenloft, Dark Sun, and Al-Qadim, with a notable increase in output leading to financial difficulties for TSR.
• The rapid release of settings resulted in a fragmented player base, as fans gravitated towards specific settings rather than the broader D&D universe.
• This fragmentation impacted sales, as players focused on their preferred settings, leading to a decline in overall product sales for TSR.

Council of Worms (1994)

• The Council of Worms is a unique setting where players can assume the roles of dragons, exploring political and social dynamics among various dragon clans.
• The setting emphasizes high-powered gameplay, with characters starting as dragons, each with distinct abilities and challenges tied to their dragon type.
• Players navigate the intricate relationships between chromatic, metallic, and gem dragons, each representing different moral alignments.
• The game mechanics include unique character classes, proficiencies, and the concept of bonded hordes, which are critical for character progression and survival.
• The setting received praise for its originality but was critiqued for balance issues, especially regarding the integration of dragon characters into traditional campaigns.

Jakandor (1998)

• Jakandor is set on an island featuring two opposing cultures: the Nor barbarians and the Cheranti necromancers, each believing themselves to be the heroes of their own story.
• The setting was designed to be a short-term campaign, allowing players to explore the conflict between these two cultures without the expectation of long-term play.
• Jakandor includes three books: one for each culture and a third for adventure ideas, with an emphasis on standalone play rather than extensive supplements.
• The Nor barbarians are characterized by their honor-bound society, while the Cheranti necromancers represent a more pragmatic approach to magic and power.
• The setting encourages players to experience morally gray narratives, challenging the traditional dichotomy of good versus evil.

Hollow World (1990)

• Hollow World presents a unique campaign setting where a lost world exists beneath the known world of Mystara, featuring a variety of ancient cultures and creatures.
• The setting is populated by civilizations preserved from the past, including Aztec-like Ascans and Egyptian-inspired Nithians, creating a rich tapestry of lore and exploration opportunities.
• Players encounter dinosaurs, megafauna, and other pulp-inspired elements, with a focus on exploration rather than traditional combat-centric gameplay.
• The campaign encourages players to engage with the environment and its inhabitants, promoting a sense of wonder and discovery.
• Hollow World also introduces new immortals and mechanics that integrate seamlessly into the gameplay, allowing for a fresh take on character development and interaction.

Conclusion and Insights

• The video concludes with a discussion on the potential for incorporating elements from these unique settings into modern gameplay, emphasizing creativity and flexibility in narrative design.
• Martin encourages players to explore these lesser-known settings and share their experiences, highlighting the ongoing evolution of tabletop role-playing games.
• The exploration of these settings serves as a reminder of the diverse storytelling possibilities within the D&D universe, encouraging players to think outside traditional frameworks.

 

[sevenbastard]

TSR did a whole line of historical settings. The HR series, or the green books. Short softbound books.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16912/hr1-vikings-campaign-sourcebook-2e

 

[Tonguez]

Red Steel was a subsetting of Mystara set on a distant continent (the Savage Coast) reminiscent of colonial South America (and the colonial Baronies even have a Spanish theme) but with furry races (rakasta, lupins, tortles, aranea) and arquebuses. The titular red steel was a magical metal and a red powder that covered everything on the Savage Coast and caused mutations in PCs - which resulted in magical superpowers but also degeneration of ability scores. I never liked it, it was overpowered and iirc was really in to Class Kits

 

[GM Lent]

Red Steel was an expansion of the Mystara line in its waning 2e years (ca. 1995-96), focusing on the coastal areas southwest of Karameikos and the Known World. They called this area the Savage Coast, and it was introduced mostly by Bruce Heard's Voyage of the Princess Ark columns in Dragon Magazine a few years earlier.

The Red Steel/Savage Coast had a total of 8 products produced for it, under TSR's Odyssey line, though some were only released as PDFs after the line was discontinued. I seem to recall these beiong released for free at some point by one of the creators, but I can find no evidence now to back that up.

It had some engaging ideas and a different sort of approach to adventuring, and it would have been interesting to see how it developed if given enough time/air. But alas.

 

[ilgatto]

And then, of course, there is the criminally overlooked Birthright setting, with an entire rule book on naval battles.

[Wikipedia]

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

TSR did a whole line of historical settings. The HR series, or the green books. Short softbound books.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16912/hr1-vikings-campaign-sourcebook-2e

Really wish I had done more with the historical settings. I tried a couple times to get a Vikings campaign going. Loved the take on rune magic.

 

[LordBP]

Red Steel was an expansion of the Mystara line in its waning 2e years (ca. 1995-96), focusing on the coastal areas southwest of Karameikos and the Known World. They called this area the Savage Coast, and it was introduced mostly by Bruce Heard's Voyage of the Princess Ark columns in Dragon Magazine a few years earlier.

The Red Steel/Savage Coast had a total of 8 products produced for it, under TSR's Odyssey line, though some were only released as PDFs after the line was discontinued. I seem to recall these beiong released for free at some point by one of the creators, but I can find no evidence now to back that up.

It had soem engaging ideas and a different sort of approach to adventuring, and it would have been interesting to see how it developed if given enough time/air. But alas.

@GM Lent

Here you go.

Previous Edition Dungeons & Dragons Downloads

Link also has a bunch of Birthright and Mystara, stuff