Shelzar: City of Sin; Questions, Answers and stuff in between

[Ruined]

I'm curious as to what religions are represented there. If it's got a good enough hook for me, I can easily draw the characters down there (since they're just north of it at the Last Watchtower.)

 

[Nightfall]

Compare with Mithril & Hollowfaust please....

similar breakdown to Mithril focusing on places?
or more laws/explaination like HF & Borok Torn?

The book is broken down into five chapters, and an introduction

Comparing it to Mithril and Hollowfaust isn't quite far, but I do rate nearly on par with Hollowfaust in terms of the wholesale feel you get for the city. The laws are in the front and are kind of broken down much like Hollowfaust. It does focus on places in the city in chapter 3, but the history of the city is also nice in terms of joining up a LOT of disjoined history from various sources.

 

[Nightfall]

How player friendly is the city? If the Scarred Lands has one flaw, in my opinion it's not enough player friendly sites. Mithril and Hollowfaust are good (the former more so than the latter to me) but Burok Torn, and most other books leave me going... "Mmmm... set an adventure there, but not the campaign..." I'd love to see a book on the Bridge City for instance, or some of the city states in Darkenee...

You're not the only one Joe, but as for Darkenee, best I can offer you is Meliad.

But yes it's a VERY player friendly town. Plenty of intrigue, mystery, plus generally scumminess akin to Freeport. (At least if you wander into the bad parts. ) But there are plenty of taverns, places to buy stuff, whore houses (Heck you can't even take a step without WALKING into one or even just a few whore. That or some couples making out in some public places.), money changing places. And temples. Plenty of them, plus some religious intrigue, on various levels. (For example, it's well known that the High Priestess Ayshella follows in the pathway of her god/goddess in terms of being completely chaotic as well as slightly wanton.) Oh did I mention I'm in the book too? In any case trust me, plenty to do and see in this place. So trust me Joe, pick up the book and be happy you did.

 

[Nightfall]

How are the hooks and adventure ideas? Will players find enjoyment (NO PUN) visiting the city for games?

My idea is to place it in my world as a city down the coast from Bluffside (homeport) and my players adventuring there. Is that possible?

Very possible and certainly I think if you want to do a dragon hunt, that's one possible adventure, among dozens of others. (Including the old "doppleganger adopts the PCs and cause massive trouble." adventure hook.) I like the hooks in this book. I think the players of ALL stripes will find something for them to enjoy.

 

[Nightfall]

Sounds like the product has somewhat of a "mature" bent? Would that be an accurate thing to say? Also, how is the artwork inside?

Uhm I would definately say that, especially with a lot of the sexual innudeo and the uhm....well if you read page 62, you'll get what I mean. (I still can't believe Dave had the balls to put that in there...)

Artwork is very good, at least some that I saw. (Btw check out the fountain in the book on page 61. You'll see the art and the "mature" as well. )

 

[Nightfall]

Yep; still didn't answer my question; is the map plan or a representation of the city?

This map of Saerloon is an example of a plan.

This illo of Corvis is a representation.

Which mapping style is used in Shelzar?

Plan. Sorry I didn't make myself clear. However it's a very CLEAR overhead view/style for the city. So you do get an idea of the size of it all. Plus the artwork I feel helps to give you an very good impression of the way the city is designed.

 

[Nightfall]

I'm curious as to what religions are represented there. If it's got a good enough hook for me, I can easily draw the characters down there (since they're just north of it at the Last Watchtower.)

A lot. We got the six of the eight having significant and/or strong presences there. (Tanil and Vangal are the only ones that don't apparently have much of a say in the city which is a little weird but with a city already blessed by one Chaotic God/Goddess, probably makes sense.) Of the Demi-gods, Idra, (of course), Drendari (another given), Nemorga, Manawe and Goran have adherants as well. (However it should be noted that the church of the Wavemistress is kind of in political dispute with the church of Enkili due to their acceptance of the Calastians in their city.) Nemorga doesn't really have much of a following but does have a potent cleric serving in his temple. Oh and the Iron Knights Chapterhouse is also mentioned in the book.

 

[Nightfall]

So did I over do it...or are there more questions...like what's the connection to Shelzar to the Slacerian Empire? Or is Shelzar really a dragon and giant's tomb?

 

[NiTessine]

Hmm. Would Varl's townhouse be found in the North or South Docks?

 

[Nightfall]

North. Mainly because it's nicer. And it was a main port of call before they added in the South docks. (Plus it's not as crime ridden as South.) Course there's plenty of good real estate that over looks the Blossoming Sea if you want to change your mind. (Doesn't matter to me.) Also of note, a large Albadian population exists in North dock. So maybe you'll run into relatives.