Scarred Lands

[Nightfall]

Greetings.

Hope everyone won't mind a newbie popping in to ask a question. I just playing third edition D&D in the last 2 months, so I have a lot of catching up to do, and this board has been a great place for lurking and learning! (I'd played earlier D&D/AD&D editions for years before too much overtime work pushed roleplaying aside for a while.)

Since my reintroduction to D&D, I've become very interested in the Scarred Lands setting, and I've purchased both RR and RRII in the last week or so. I expect to grab the deities book tonight.

However, I'm a bit confused about Ghelspad. I know there's the smaller softcover Ghelspad Gazetteer (which I assume was released first) and the larger hardcover setting book, also subtitled Ghelspad. So, my question is this: if I buy the hardcover (which I eventually will), is there still material in the Gazetter that I might want? The cost of buying both isn't too much of an issue IF all of the Gazetteer material wasn't already reworked into the hardcover.

Anyone have both to make a comparison? I've read lots of old thread and reviews here, as well as some threads on the White Wolf boards, but I couldn't find an answer.

Thanks!

Well I'll do my best to help clear this up. BEFORE the Scarred Lands was off running (thanks a little to your truly, but also to the GREAT writers and freelancers as well the hard work of developers LIKE Jospeh Carriker and Anthony Pryor), we needed some idea of the lay of the land. Thus came the Ghelspad Gaz. Now this was all fine and dandy but it didn't exactly give us a great idea of the HISTORY of the lands. So we all waited with baited breath for the SLCS. It came, and the lights shone in heavens. (Okay maybe not but I enjoy using dramatic license! )

Comparison wise, the Gaz is more in tune for helping out newbie that don't want to spend THAT much on the world but want to know something about it. There are some repeats in the SLCS that came from the the Gaz. BUT unlike the SLCS, you get a more indepth veiw on various societies, as well as more of 1st person veiw of EACH section. Example, in the section on Chapter five of the Orgs. There you get a 1st person account (with some bias) about the various power groups in Ghelspad from Anteas, Chancellor and Battlemage for Virduk, ruler of the Calastian Hegemony. The thing that MIGHT draw you to the Gaz is that it has a fold out map. Not in as much detail as the map that's in the inside covers, BUT it is as easy to use. The SLCS does not have such a map, but does go into great depth about the various locales, geographical regions AND also offers you a MUCH deeper look at each country, their laws, and their citizens.

I hope that was helpful.

 

[Nightfall]

While I find the setting intruiging and the books well-written (if occasionally unbalanced), I dislike the basic premise of the setting - that the apocalypse happened 150 years ago. If I ever ran this setting I would probably fast-forward at least 1000 years into the future and cloak the well-documented events of the Titanswar in myth and mystery. King Virduk would still be around, of course - as a lich!

I guess that's just the difference force. I've been jaded by all these "grand events that happened" before my time. At least with the Divine War, I get a more recent feel! But hey if you want to do that with the Scarred Lands, be my guest. It's certainly feasible.

 

[CSB046]

Nightfall,

Thanks much. That was exactly the sort of info I needed. Of course, being a completist, I'm now forced to buy both books. And I still need the deities book, and Hollowfaust, and Burok Torn, and CCs I and II, and...

Ouch. My wallet hurts...

 

[Nightfall]

Nightfall,

Thanks much. That was exactly the sort of info I needed. Of course, being a completist, I'm now forced to buy both books. And I still need the deities book, and Hollowfaust, and Burok Torn, and CCs I and II, and...

Ouch. My wallet hurts...

Mine is in the state between life and death.

 

[broghammerj]

Thanks Valen and Nightfall. Your answers are sure helpful. I may just have to pick up the books. One last question. I see everyone refer to SL as having a dark and gritty feel. Is the gritty based on the mood of the game (political interactions between nations, players, creatures, etc.) or is it more rough and gritty based on the tough terrain (land itself). Does this compare similarly to Dark Sun? Thanks.

 

[Dr Midnight]

Okay, Nightfall, you'll be pleased to know that I picked up "the Gaz" as you call it on my way home from work today. I've only fipped through it. Saw the map and wanted to know what the deal was with the blood sea. Flip open, read a bit... hey, very cool. Look over the map and notice a distinct lack of lands and towns with stupid names. I've played in Greyhawk and the Realms, where places are named things like Verbobonc, Ashabenford, and Furyondy. Unless I'm mistaken, the SLs are missing any such names.

I'll give it a better read-through later, but so far, I'm into it.

I hope to become a convert. I need something new.

 

[Nightfall]

Thanks Valen and Nightfall. Your answers are sure helpful. I may just have to pick up the books. One last question. I see everyone refer to SL as having a dark and gritty feel. Is the gritty based on the mood of the game (political interactions between nations, players, creatures, etc.) or is it more rough and gritty based on the tough terrain (land itself). Does this compare similarly to Dark Sun? Thanks.

I base it MORE on the Land than the mood. BUT I will admit they do factor in on occasion. Mood is fairly key about the Scarred Lands, unlike some other places. It does compare well with Dark Sun WITH a few exceptions. One, wizards don't defile the land BUT possibily Psionics MIGHT! This is a topic that hasn't gotten much talk BUT is something I'm considering for using Psionics in the Scarred Lands SINCE they use a "psionics are different" approach. Also with gods and druids present, access to healing is often available. But really what make it gritty is interaction and interplay BETWEEN the people IN the land and the land itself. Example: The Blood Sea. Because it's "tainted" with Kadum's blood, the creatures tend to strong, sturdy and also fierce and primal. BUT that doesn't mean all the creatures are mere barbarians. In fact it's due to the taint that the cultures of the Blood Krakens AND the Pisceans have developed to the point where they believe it to be a necessary part of their lives.

 

[Nightfall]

Okay, Nightfall, you'll be pleased to know that I picked up "the Gaz" as you call it on my way home from work today. I've only fipped through it. Saw the map and wanted to know what the deal was with the blood sea. Flip open, read a bit... hey, very cool. Look over the map and notice a distinct lack of lands and towns with stupid names. I've played in Greyhawk and the Realms, where places are named things like Verbobonc, Ashabenford, and Furyondy. Unless I'm mistaken, the SLs are missing any such names.

I'll give it a better read-through later, but so far, I'm into it.

I hope to become a convert. I need something new.

No but that's the Gaz which isn't as detailed as the SLCS. That being said I don't think you'll see names like you would in either Greyhawk OR Forgotten Realms. I'm glad your into it. Perhaps the lands of Termana might also interest you.

 

[Nightfall]

Well if anyone cares, I put up my review of the Serpent in the Fold. I didn't give away much cause I wanted to have people be SURPISED by the module!

 

[Graf]

I'm sure I'll annoy some people for saying this, but I'll say it anyway.

Indeed. I find your positive comments about Scarred Lands books upsetting.

Part of that is philosophical (I don't have much use for a city which uses the dead so callously...no more than I would have much use for a city that charmed debtors into use as slaves)

You're right. Charmed debtors is a terrible idea. Feeding your slave labor is a terrible waste. ;]

although it did remind me of Pompeii, and also to an extent it reminded me of a Necromantic Lankhmar, which does mean I dig it more than I would have otherwise.

I have this problem too. I keep making it like some kind of Rome in my head. The problem is that I don't know much about Rome.

The idea of pitting the necromancers of Hollowfaust against Calastia...that works for me, somehow.

Funny. The party paladin and his player started to feel the same way after I let him read the Gaz. (It worked he'd been out of the loop for about 80 years and finally gotten a hold of some post Divine War history books). Good stuff.