JoeGKushner said:
I completely disagree here. I find that for high magic, Harn fails completely. Heck, even moderate magic it's too low. Kingdoms of Kalamar is generlaly a much better setting for those seeking some useful material.
Harn is a unique setting but that whole Line of They Can't Compare, ha. Especially in terms of page count, art, and continual support for the D20 system.
Well, I don't agree, LOL.
Harn is most assuredly LOW magic, but it's easier to put magic in than take it out. If you want to use Harn in a mid-high level magic campaign, the only thing stopping you is your creativity (no offense).
It's really simply to change, though of course a DM concerned with maintaining "realism" will probably want to consider the possible ramifications heightened levels of magic would have on the various power groups/nations/churches/fighting orders. Even serfs and peasants would be affected, to some degree. But if you're not concerned with the realistic impact of dumping in liberal quantities of magic will have, you can still go ahead and have fun. Harn is much more customizable, IMO, than other fantasy settings. It starts with a low magic, realistic medieval setting and lets you expand upon it from there, if that is your desire. Since the 720 TR timeline will never be brought forward, none of CGI's future output will contradict your own campaign events (a big complaint I have with TSR/WoTC's settings).
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Personally, I have even considered "magicking up" HarnWorld a bit to suit my group's taste. Here are some ideas for making HarnWorld more like FR:
Take Zhentil Keep and Bane/Gargauth/Kossuth/Loviatar from FR: Replace with the Kingdom of Rethem and Agrik the Immortal Warlord of Balgashang from Harn.
Take Waukeen, Loviatar, Sune and Sharess and merge them into Halea, the Golden Temptress of the Crimson Chamber.
Take Cormyr and Helm/Tyr/Red Knight and replace with the kingdom of Kanday and Larani.
Take Chauntea and replace with Peoni.
Take Bhaal, Malar and Mask and replace with Naveh, the Merchant of Death.
Take Shar, Cyric, Velsharoon, Myrkul and replace with Morgath, the Black Shadow of Bukrai.
Take Talos/Tempus/Garagos and replace with Sarajin.
Take Shub-Niggurath, Ghaunadaur, Gond and replace with Ilvir.
Take the Red Wizards and Thay and replace with the Guild of Arcane Law and Melderyn (a nicer nation, but can be switched to evil).
There are many Harn - FR equivalencies like this, to make switching things a snap.
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The level of writing in Harn products (both pay and free fan content) are all written to a far more exacting, detailed and thoughtful manner than any other fantasy setting ever has. Heck, the free content Patrick at S&S has on his site (along with the d20 Harn Guide and others) convinced me to buy HarnWorld. And I can't tell the difference between most fan and pro Harn content, it's so well done!
CONCLUSION: I think it's a lot easier to "magic up" Harn than trying to make FR low magic, for example... So much to cut, what's left?
