What's Mystara's Hook?

[Ariosto]

A lot of what's in Mystara can be easily stolen for a general campaign.

That may be the best of both worlds. It may be more a jam-packed smorgasbord than one really wants to lay out, but one can choose entries from the buffet in composing a more palatable menu.

 

[Ariosto]

The whole idea of buried and resurfacing technology gave me a Turn A Gundam and Chrono Trigger vibe.

It evokes for me the "lost worlds" of Abe Merritt and other writers Gygax coincidentally noted as especially inspirational -- but the theme is perennial!

As someone mentioned earlier, when it comes to Mystara, "It's in there!" -- one way or another -- if it's in the mix of adventure fiction (the "pulpier" the better). If it's missing, then you should be able to toss it in without a second thought.

That's a spicy meat-a-ball!

 

[Dragonhelm]

Was there ever a sourcebook that displayed the world of Mystara as a whole?

 

[Starglyte]

Was there ever a sourcebook that displayed the world of Mystara as a whole?

The Poor Wizard's Almanacs are the only ones I can think of. But I personally don't think they are a good replacement for a campaign guide.

 

[Estlor]

One sourcebook? Not so much so. The Rules Cyclopedia (re)printed planetary maps for both the surface and Hollow World, but the vast majority of the setting focus was given to the Known World, which is southeastern Brun on the big map. Adventures crept a little bit west (Sind, Hule, the Great Wastes) north (Norworld, Wendar, and Denegoth) and Alphatia got the most coverage in the Dawn of the Empires boxed set. Beyond that, the Savage Coast was really only touched by the Princess Ark Dragon articles that were later expanded upon by the Champions of Mystara boxed set and (much later) the Red Steel and Savage Baronies boxed set. Much of the rest of the outer world was left alone, save for bits here and there.

Really, if you're looking for a comprehensive "guide" to Mystara you need the entire GAZ series, the Dawn of the Empires boxed set, the Hollow World boxed set, the three HWRA books (Azcan, Nithia and Millenia, IIRC), and either the Voyage of the Princess Ark articles and the Champions of Mystara boxed set or the 2e Savage Coast material.

If all you want is a VERY brief overview of the Known World the Poor Wizard Almanacs can give you some info.

The downside of a piecemeal setting is you spend mass $$$ trying to collect it.

Edit: Remembered there were THREE Hollow World gaz books, not two.