[Kalamar] - Egads! Information Overload

[Ashrem Bayle]

I'm looking at starting my next game in Kalamar but I'm having a hard time seeing the forest for the trees. The book is so packed full of info and small text, I can't find what I'm looking for.

Can some of you help me out?

1. What countries are at war with what other countries?

2. What roll do the hobgoblins fill? In one place thay are considered "the enemy" in the next, they fight alongside the humans.

3. What is the best loaction to start my game in? When you think geography, think Montana.

 

[Quickbeam]

I can't help you out yet since I don't pick up my Player's Guide or Campaign Setting books until tomorrow. However, I'll happily watch this thread for answers to your questions .

Sorry this wasn't a helpful reply -- normally I try to be useful.

 

[bolen]

It is a great setting but I agree it is a bit overwelming. Especially the names.

I don't have my book (so I cant give names only locations) here but here are the areas I like:

1) In the Northwest there is a country which has taken a lot of elven land, the elves have been pushed into a forest and there is an uneasy truce.

2) I think the Kingdom of Kalamar itself could be interesting (think Rome)

3) The R. Bay area is the most detailed area thus far. The coin trilogdy is great fun. I am going to set my new thieves game in Geneavae.

4) There is a city north of the bay which I really think would be a good setting. It is nicknamed the "City of Loons". The King has thrown out all the churches because of thier inability to cure his son. They are next to a evil Theocrasy. I would love a game set here.

Hope This helps

 

[bondetamp]

KoK has its own board, ran by Kenzer, at

http://pub49.ezboard.com/bkingdomsofkalamar

it is probably the best place to ask specific questions.

 

[Buttercup]

I like Shyta-na-Dobyo, city of wine and celebration, or Prompeldia, city of thieves. But really, you could just close your eyes and put your finger down on the map anywhere.

 

[Bavix]

Hey Ashrem Bayle,

I have to agree that Kalamar is almost overwhelming with the amount of info in the campaign book and their accessories.

If your looking for a good starting place for a campaign, I would have to say Reanaaria Bay or Pekal. A lot of info has been given for Reanaaria Bay so far (with the Coin Trilogy and other adventures) and the Pekal Gazetteer is coming out soon (which, as I understand it, will double as the "Living Kalamar" guidebook).

The fact is, you can't go wrong wherever you start the campaign. The setting is open enough that you can develop anything you want or drop in anything from another d20 publisher easily. Imagine starting the campaign in Freeport (which can easily be placed south of Reanaaria Bay) and after a few levels, have the PCs leave the rough and tumble pirate city for a few adventures in the clean and lawful city of Geanavue.

Good luck

 

[Mark Plemmons]

I'm looking at starting my next game in Kalamar but I'm having a hard time seeing the forest for the trees. The book is so packed full of info and small text, I can't find what I'm looking for.

Can some of you help me out?

1. What countries are at war with what other countries?

It might be easier to ask what countries AREN'T. Many of the nations and kingdoms have border skirmishes from time to time, even if they're not at WAR. Two warring nations that spring to mind at the moment are the Duchy of Dodera and the Queendom of Tharggy.

The Kingdoms of Kalamar campaign setting doesn't work as well for a "quick skim." The details really don't come out and grab you until you're pretty familiar with the world, and you've played in it a while. THen you're like "Wow! This is a real world!"

2. What roll do the hobgoblins fill? In one place thay are considered "the enemy" in the next, they fight alongside the humans.

The trick is to remember that the hobgoblins nations are civilized nations, not simple tribes or barbaric nomads - though those do exist outside of the nations. Don't use them as mindless savages, but as a nation with military, political and religious views that, like human nations, often put them at odds with their neighbors.

3. What is the best loaction to start my game in? When you think geography, think Montana.

Well, the Reanaaria Bay area is closest to the fantasy "standard." Due to the constant trading, most races are present, and they get along together pretty well. That's why we've set a good quantity of our early modules and supplements there - so people can start in an area that's not too unfamiliar.

Where you want to start really depends on what kind of campaign you want to run. There is the slaver nation of Pel Brolenon, the evil Theocracy of Slen, the northern plains of the Drokkher horselords, the warlike Kalamaran Empire, the desert cities, the massive jungles, etc etc etc.

What did you have in mind?

Mark Plemmons
Kenzer and Company
www.kenzerco.com

 

[GrimJesta]

Damn Mark, thats what I was going to say, but ya beat me to it. I said it many times before, and Ill say it again: "Will you damn Psions at K&C stop shredding my brain!?!"

Yea, thanks

-=Grim=-

 

[kenjib]

> 3. What is the best loaction to start my game in? When you think geography, think Montana.

If you are looking for similarities to Montana I think there are a couple of good options.

1. Ek'Gakel: Here you have a situation where settlers have pushed the prior inhabitants of the land into more marginalized areas and tensions are growing. I think you could have some elements in this similar to the old west maybe a bit after the homestead act with cattle ranchers and the whole bit. You've even got migrating bison herds. This area seems modelled after parts of the U.S. like Montana. The geography is wide open, lot's of range and the people have a "frontier roughness and independence."

2. Torakk: Tribe based lifestyles and lots of open plain. A campaign here would be more like a Montana before many white settlers arrived.

Those may not necessarily seem like traditional fantasy themes but it is there if you look around the area. Torakk, for example, borders Slen and so you get the whole evil theocracy angle, which is classic fantasy and gives you a perfect enemy for the players and set of plot hooks (kidnappings, ritual sacrifice, daring rescues, etc.). Ek'Gakel is also tied into the politics of the Young Kingdoms opposed to the hobgoblins of Norga-Krangel, so you could possibly work up a great war against the invading humanoids campaign if that's what you are looking at. It also has interesting swamps and forests nearby.

Notice that these two regions are geographically suited in a similar location to Montana as well - both kind of a northerly latitude and both on the east side of a major mountain range. That's why the geography (which also drives cultural tendencies) ends up being similar.