does anyone out there use the kingdoms of Kalamar setting?

[Ghostwind]

And 'complete' is probably the best word one can use to descibe the Kalamar setting too.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

The major thing I'm disliking so far is the strong emphasis on humans. The human subraces and cultures are so incredibly detailed I can't help but notice the non-humans are comparitavly neglected. The Campaign Setting describes where they live but, with the exception of Hobgoblins(?!) they don't have their own established territories or major cities (I think there's one detailed elf city, but that's about it). I'm left with my only explanation to my players being that the non-humans are culturally dominated by the humans, and many of their traditions and culture are similar to the humans in their region. This is an imperfect solution at best. (NOTE: some or all of these concerns might be addressed in the Kalamar Player's Guide. I couldn't afford it, and only got the Setting and the Atlas. But I really think the Setting should go into more detail in this area).

There is definitely a strong emphasis on the human population, whose drive to breed and conquer has dominated much of the continent of Tellene and driven the humanoids (with the exception of the militaristic hobgoblin kingdoms) into relative obscurity.

Note, of course, I said "relative." The humanoids are very prevalent in the setting, you just have to keep your eyes open for them. They are often active members or leaders (such as the halfling ruler of Prompeldia, City of Thieves; the elven vampire ruling Giilia, City of Bats; and the gnomish monarchy ruling Baethel), and also have some cities of their own. Depending on the region, there may also be harsh racial tensions - another reason why humanoids often keep to themselves.

The campaign supplement itself details three remaining elven cities (Lathlanian; Doulathanorian, City of Peril; and Cilorealon) and two dwarven cities (Karasta, Refuge of Exiles; and Draska, the Hidden City), along with the two hobgoblin kingdoms of Norga-Krangrel and Ul-Karg, and a "mishmash" city of humanoids - Shrogga-Pravaaz, City of Giants. Several other cities also contain large humanoid populations.

Of course, we will have racial supplements coming out to fill out this info (as we did with the orcs and hobgoblins). The drow supplement "Blood and Shadow: the Dark Elves of Tellene" (also featuring the ancient twilight elves) will be out in 2-3 months, followed by "Friend and Foe: the Gnomes and Kobolds of Tellene". Other supplements will follow.

 

[Ice man]

wow...thanks to all of you for your well thought out replies. there is a lot to mull over and think about here especially in Mark's comments. i think i will pick up at least the first hardcover, i'm still not sure that i want the atlas, pick up and read the campaign setting more thoroughly and decide what other books i may need from there. If my pile of gaming material ever falls on me i think it would do some serious damage...thanks again one and all.

 

[teitan]

Based on what little I know about the setting, I'd say that it is probably a little more similar to Greyhawk (in terms of magic level, etc. - not in terms of "themes" and "flavor") versus Forgotten Realms (which is a higher magic level).

This is untrue... FR and Greyhawk maintain the same levels of magic as both are straight out of the core rulebook. You aren't likely to find anymore magic items in FR than you are Greyhawk and the same goes for Kalamar. The difference is that FR has higher level NPCs etc which gives the impression that it is a higher level of magical world...

Jason

 

[Mark Plemmons]

wow...thanks to all of you for your well thought out replies. there is a lot to mull over and think about here especially in Mark's comments. i think i will pick up at least the first hardcover, i'm still not sure that i want the atlas, pick up and read the campaign setting more thoroughly and decide what other books i may need from there. If my pile of gaming material ever falls on me i think it would do some serious damage...thanks again one and all.

Sounds like a good plan. As beautiful and detailed as the Atlas is, I wouldn't recommend getting the Atlas until you've decided for sure you want to use the Kingdoms of Kalamar as your setting. The maps that come with the campaign setting book should be more than sufficient until you decide you want more zoomed-in detail.

If you do pick up the campaign setting book, I'd also suggest that you not try to sit down and read the whole book from beginning to end. Look through the first chapter to get a feel for the area and races, and then skip around and pick some cities and such at random to read. That'll get you flipping back and forth and learning about the setting without trying to learn hundreds of years of history and politics all at once.

 

[Treebore]

stiggybaby dot com has the Campaign Sourcebook at 50% off (less than $18.00) and the Atlas is 45% off. Plus they usually have a 20% discount on the rest of the materials. Shipping is not free.

 

[MerakSpielman]

Thanks Mark! Wish I had enough expendable income to get the racial suppliments, but since my players are all playing humans it won't matter for a while anyway.

Oh, and the Atlas is great fun. My players just planned their first cross-country trek. I assigned daily travel speed bonuses/penalties to each of the 5 grades of roads. They really got into the trip-planning. By the time it starts to get old they'll probably be able to teleport.

 

[Thanee]

I've only seen one of the earlier 3E Kalamar books (the first, I think - with some foldable inlets), but it definitely looked very well done. What you say surely sounds interesting enough to give it a little closer look eventually.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

...a 24-panel Dungeon Master's Screen...

Does that fit on a standard dinner table?

j/k

Bye
Thanee

 

[Buttercup]

The DM screen is way cool. It has flaps! Amazing how much info they were able to fit on there.