[HARP] Cyradon

[Rasyr]

Here's the next question.

This looks like 3 questions...

How easy would this be to use with standard d20 rules?

I think that it would be relatively easy to use with d20. The majority of the races map directly to standard races, and those few that don't can most likely be done up fairly quickly using the "mosnters as PCs" rules from the SRD.

How are the maps? Any up close city maps or just an overview?

For the core book there will be just the two major overview maps, plus a few smaller maps (one of a village, and one of some of the tunnels under Belynar). We have a product, called Belynar, due out in mid-2005 which will fully detail the city and all the tunnels under it (i.e. those tunnels within the side of the volcano).

How much is game mechanic as opposed to 'fluff'

That is hard to determine at the moment, since it is still in manscript form (several files - that are currently being worked on). At least half the chapters look like they will be pure "fluff" as they detail the history and the setting itself. The rest of the chapters will be a mixture of fluff and crunch as it details the HARP mechanics used with the setting (racial stuff, religion stuff, a few monsters unique to the setting, etc...)

 

[Rasyr]

Just thought that I would post this snippet from the manuscript (note: manuscript may change before printing, so this may not be the final form for the entry, but it should be close).

This is the Gryphon's Culture entry. This tells a little bit about them. Enjoy.
*****************************************

[center][b]GRYPHON[/b][/center]
Soaring high above the ground is a way of life for those with wings.  The
culture of the Gryphons reflects their fierce spirit and independent nature.
Upon reaching maturity, Gryphons segregate themselves into Prides, based 
upon their occupation. Each tribe or eyrie has the same Prides as all the 
others. Each pride represents a niche or set of basic skills within the 
Gryphon society and each is represented by a Training Package later 
in this chapter. 

The Prides are as follows:
	[b]Garuda –[/b] These are the warriors and fighters of the Gryphons. 
                   They protect the eyrie and hunt game to feed the tribe.
        [b]Meeta –[/b] The Meeta are the scouts of the Gryphons. They will 
                 act as spotters for the Garuda, or be the ones to explore 
                 new places more often than not.		
        [b]Varaghra –[/b] These are the Gryphon priests, and animists. They 
                     are spiritual leaders of the tribe.
	[b]Atriah –[/b] The Atriah are the largest Pride among the Gryphons. 
                   They are comprised of all those Gryphons who do not 
                   fall within one of the other prides.
	[b]Usirae –[/b] The Usirae are those Gryphons who are able to use 
                   magic. Not quite outcasts, other Gryphons tend to 
                   shy away from them.
                   
[b]PREFERRED LOCATIONS:[/b]  Gryphons make their homes in widely spaced 
	mountain communities called Eyries. The Eyries are extended 
	villages, spread out over several square miles of mountainside, 
	or high altitude valley. Gryphons love to sleep under the stars, 
	but they also shelter themselves from prevailing winds and weather. 
	In some places Gryphons sleep in tree houses, if they don’t have 
	higher ground nearby.

[b]CLOTHING & DECORATION:[/b]  Gryphons do not wear clothing normally. They 
	prefer a series of straps and harness on which to hand their gear. 
	Most will normally have some sort of pack or pouch attached to this 
	harness in which to carry things. For ceremonial purposes, they will 
	don flowing robes that do not interfere with their wings. In combat, 
	Gryphons normally do not wield weapons, their claws often being more 
	than sufficient for the purpose. However, armor is sometimes worn. 
	This armor being in the form of plates of rigid leather used to 
	protect their more vulnerable areas.

[b]DEMEANOR:[/b]  The Gryphons are more feline than avian in their approach 
	to life. They are often sarcastic, sardonic and selfish. But they 
	are also sensual, affectionate and good company. They are frequent 
	jokers, regaling listeners with witty, clever and sometimes cruel 
	humor. Beyond the jokes, Gryphons are a serious and a loyal people, 
	capable of great depths of passionate responses to many things. 
	Gryphons make quick and fast friends with people they trust, and 
	such friendships last for life.
	
[b]STARTING LANGUAGES:[/b] Rukha (S 6/W 5), one additional language 
	(either Elu or Tylst) (S 4/W 3)
	
[b]Note:[/b] The Gryphon Culture may only be taken by character who has a 
natural means of flight, not through a spell.