What's so special about Blackmoor?

[Aus_Snow]

Thought I'd start up another one of these, because so far, they've been really interesting, and besides, I don't know very much about Blackmoor.

So, what's it like? Tell us about it.

 

[Remathilis]

Well, for starters its the only "setting" found both on Mystara AND Oerth.

Secondly, there is no "Blackmoor" box set. There is no sourcebooks done by TSR, and their is scant info except that which is dug up in in a series of Basic D&D modules and obscure references in other sourcebooks (of the latter two settings).

The classic info on it involved a technologically superior civilization (derived from a spaceship of sometype) crashed down and dissolved into a form of barbarism in a frozen waste far to the north.

The d20 Blackmoor has a LOT more detail, but I'm afraid I don't know it.

 

[Nymrohd]

Well considering that Blackmoor is the original campaign setting, everything in it is by definition special, since every term it introduced was new

 

[pawsplay]

Keep in mind that every mention of Blackmoor in Basic D&D or AD&D was merely a nod to, not an official version of, Blackmoor itself.

 

[Glyfair]

There is no sourcebooks done by TSR, and their is scant info except that which is dug up in in a series of Basic D&D modules and obscure references in other sourcebooks (of the latter two settings).

Note that Blackmoor is the setting of Judges Guild's "First Fantasy Campaign" supplement. I admit, I never managed to snag a copy (copies were going on eBay just a hair over what I was willing to pay, before they jumped to well over what I was willing to pay). It's a shame it wasn't one of the PDFs sold online.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Heh, goes to show how little I really do (and did) know about Blackmoor. Likewise Mystara. . . and a couple of others, I think.

Started pretty much settingless, as a player, then went to Lankhmar, as a DM.

But if anyone wants to add some more info or insight into Blackmoor, that'd be great.

 

[timbannock]

I've seen similar threads to this and I've done some digging, and Blackmoor is easily the most elusive campaign setting I've ever come across.

Even the "best" sites for information have told me next to nothing.

But my interest remains!

Does ANYONE have in-depth knowledge of the d20 Blackmoor books? How do they compare to the original material, and do they stand alone well?

 

[timbannock]

I've seen similar threads to this and I've done some digging, and Blackmoor is easily the most elusive campaign setting I've ever come across.

Even the "best" sites for information have told me next to nothing.

But my interest remains!

Does ANYONE have in-depth knowledge of the d20 Blackmoor books? How do they compare to the original material, and do they stand alone well?

 

[Jack7]

I like Blackmoor.

Like the old setting, like the new books.

Haven't used it directly though because of the fact that I have my own setting. But it was to me very influential, as a game setting, in devising elements of my own fantasy world (Ghantik). there is even a particular region and "dungeon" in Ghantik based on certain adventures from Blackmoor.

What I like best about it is the fact that it is small and compact (as a world setting), relatively speaking, and yet "filled." It is brimmed-over. I like the way magic works there, and the openness and looseness with which things can operate.

It is also both heavily realistic, compared to later games and settings and heavily mythological, but in a yeoman's or working man's way. It is direct and gritty to me.

I recommend it, if nothing more than as inspiration, but if you don't have a setting, then it's a damn good one. It's old school, gritty, fascinating, and dark.

 

[rogueattorney]

Whether the following is true of the 3.x version of Blackmoor and later, I don't know...

The classic set up of Blackmoor has a very compelling basic set up... A bastion of civilization beset on all sides by evil comes across a cache of super-duper high tech weapons and equipment. Action ensues. Oh yeah... There are a lot of giant frogs and the Egg of Coot.

It's a small setting, consisting of a barony and the surrounding areas. So, despite the few products, the area is covered with a fairly nice gloss.

As for what pre-3e resources are out there:
OD&D's Supplement II - Blackmoor, which contains the original version of the Temple of the Frog advenure

Judge's Guild's First Fantasy Campaign, which is Arneson's notes on the development of the campaign.

The Expert D&D adventures DA1 Adventures in Blackmoor, DA2 Temple of the Frog, DA3 Cities of the Gods (and somewhat controversially, as Dave Arneson didn't write it) DA4 The Duchy of Ten. Most of the best stuff in DA1 and DA2 were reproductions of what had appeared before. DA3 is where the gold is, but you've got to strip away a lot of meta-plot-y dross to get to it.