Why is the Scarred Lands Setting so popular?

[Sanackranib]

well . . .

the party is still in Melaid thus under the eye and fist of the fat man so they are being hunted (well the rogue is anyway, afterall he is a representitive of a rival guild.

 

[caudor]

Re: where to start

Lucky bastard! (sombody REALLY loves you!)
I would start with the Gaz or Ghelspad then relics and rituals then the devine and defeated (if you have it)

Well, thanks for the advice...although nobody loves me THAT much! It was a Christmas to myself, and....

[grins] should I reveal this [grins even bigger]

I won the whole lot on eBay for less than $3.00 per book. But you are right, I'm really LUCKY!

I'm still soaking it up...

 

[Darius101]

Norhtern Journey and WOTC answer

WOTC changed the Forgotten ladns to the point that it is confusing at times. WOTC changed things to be more generalized and the changes are detailed in NJ pdf listed below.
Northern Journey is a really cool campaign spanning amny modules and items from both Greyhawwk (converted) and Forgotten Realms. It contains stats for 2e and 3e. They are working on the last module now...it truely rocks. Best part is that it is FREE.
You can read all about it here :
http://www.steigerwaldedv.via.t-online.de/vintyri/njstart.htm

It can be a bit over whelming at first ...the primer book is 270+ pages in pdf.

I still like and enjoy Scarred lands the Wise and the Wicked is a source book of all different types of NPC characters for your players to meet in the world.
The detail in Scarred Lands rocks I love a detailed world to play in.
Have fun ,
Darius

 

[caudor]

King Virduk

I have done some reading, but I'm having trouble getting a handle on the personality of King Virduk. From reading his history, it is apparent that this man is nothing less than a monster, yet at the same time he is painted as skilled, brave, and a popular king too.

His alignment is listed as: Lawful Evil; however, it seems like commoners would jump at the chance just to have a cup of tea with him. Is this a man so manipulative that he tricks people into thinking he is good? Or is he a bad-guy with a sliver of kindness (regret) in him?

Either way, he makes a very interesting 'bad-guy'.

 

[Lars Frehse]

King Virduk is lawful evil, but his rule brought an era of pride and prosperity to his country. He ultimately turned a small country into a full-fledged empire under Calastian rule. So, for the Calastians, he is nothing less than a hero, and he is charming, as well. Why should they care that this empire brings evil on it's enemies? After all, whoever is callous enough to oppose Calastian rule is nothing short of a vile creature that deserves all it gets. And those enemies within the country that oppose King Virduk are natural unpatriotic poisoners of wells!

Long live King Virduk and the Calastian hegemony! Death to his enemies, for whoever opposes the king is an enemy of the Calastian people!

Look at it this way: Calastia is surrounded by enemies: There are the Vigils of Vesh, the Titanspawn, diabolical cultists, and many more. None of these enemies would even hesitate to rape any Calastian woman and then gut her children. There is only one thing that can protect all those innocent hard-working and divine fearing Calastians, and that is strength. Should Calastia ever loose it's strength, it would tumble under the onslaught of it's enemies. And who else can provide this strength but the Great General Chardun and his chosen King Virduk? No one can.

Or would you want to desert the Calastian soldiers, who are risking their lives this very instant for YOUR safety, to become victims because a weak leader doesn't give them the support they need? Well, you don't seem to have much love left for neither your country nor your own countrymen.

All hail King Virduk, who ensures the safety of his people and the greatness of his empire every waking hour!

 

[Nightfall]

As you can tell Lars has a great respect for the man.

Virduk IS evil, but think of him in the same evil vein as great men before him. Caesar. Napolean. Despots the lot of them, but because of their reign, their countries and indeed the world prospered because of their reign. While outright evil and self-centered, Virduk is very controlled gentleman. True he might be sadistic, uncaring and generally painted by his enemies and detractors as evil. But the people (with the exceptions of some of the people in the further reaches of the Hegemony) love and adore him. He's a symbol of greatness, slaying his weak and unrealiable father and bring backing the greatness of the land. Because of him, Calastia has great wealth and prosperity. (For the most part) Because of Virduk's policies, the old nobility that taxed people to death, were kicked out and put in a new nobility that's more military/spartan. It's these kinds of changes that make Virduk very well loved by those that believe in his cause. Course he's got Chardun as a sponsor so it helps. Virduk is a master politican, but he's also canny leader and knows how to play people off one and other. I hope that helps some Caldor.

Btw San, I think your PCs' rogue might want to reconsider a name change and possibly find santuracy some where. I hear Mithril is nice this time of year. Just kidding. But I will admit you've made a great villian with your "Fat man."

 

[Sanackranib]

scarred lands

think of the king as adolph hitler. he brought order to a country so people like him. its the whole chicken in every pot thing.


Nightfall - the real beauty with the rogues situation is that he doesn't even know.

 

[caudor]

Thanks for the descriptions of Virduk, that really does clarify his motivations. What a cunning and evil monarch he is. I just noted his Intelligence of 19 as well; fits right in.

I can't think of how exactly to describe it in words, but this 'added dimension'...of a dark and gritty 'realness' combined with over-the-top stuggles between titanic powers makes the Scarred Lands so appealing.

Thanks again.

 

[Sanackranib]

scarred lands

wait until you get to the point in your reading where you discover that the good and evil dietys somtimes work togather.

 

[Nightfall]

Thanks for the descriptions of Virduk, that really does clarify his motivations. What a cunning and evil monarch he is. I just noted his Intelligence of 19 as well; fits right in.

I can't think of how exactly to describe it in words, but this 'added dimension'...of a dark and gritty 'realness' combined with over-the-top evil stuggles between titanic powers makes the Scarred Lands so appealing.

Thanks again.

Yes it makes for more appealing villian when it comes to Virduk. Course you can still find your usual sundry of evil guys, much easier to see types such as Galdor the Deathless. (Now THERE'S a guy people should fear! Undead AND blood-thirsty! )

San, well I hope he's got his life insurance paid up. I'm sure if I were the fat man, and I had a possible spy, first thing I'd do is contact the Witches of Vemon in Dar al Annot (in the Hornsaw), pay them they money they want and have one of their operatives take care of the rogue. But that's just me.