[PnP] Questions For Scott Adams

[Phineas Cromwell]

It will be great to see that stuff. Definitely the kind of thing I'm
interested in. There never seemed to be any substantial, in-depth coverage
on the matter of portraying seacraft. There have been supplements, like from
outfits like Mongoose, but maritime matters have always been peripheral. I
know this is a natural tendency, of course: land represents the definite
majority of activity. But it would be great to be able to turn to an
in-depth resource of material when travelling or battling on water, to
really get a satisfying feel and experience of detail and realism, instead
of a vague 'transitional' feel to the whole affair (like the GM just sums up
what happens and thats that). Sea or river travel doesnt have to be
eventful, of course (krakens & dragon-turtles arent going to pop up all the
time; heck, simple fishing is going to suck on some days), but I think its
important to have a developed system, because the sea can offer up so much
potential adventure and danger.

As to the Western Lands name, I just wonder if Richard might be hinting at
further Lands east of them...I dont know. It just seems to me there is some
reason why he called them Eastern in one place and Western in another. And I
totally agree with the cultural perspective idea (and even the cosmological
one, which direction the sphere of the world spins). In the overall sense,
it amounts to a minor issue, yet because of the apparent inconsistency it
ends up being intriguing to me. Maybe there is another continent further
East (or West?)...

This kind of segues into my own 'apocryphal' P&P milieu work. I have worked
on developing other continents (the cosmological 'rules' of globe size in
this milieu transcend the 'rules' of our real universe: the sphere of the
P&P world is substantially larger than our own). One very large one exists
some distance down south; an ancient, decadent, sprawling set of lands. The
deep roots of the Empire del Nord begin here, by the way; their precursor
origins are colonial in nature. The 'high' manifestations of civilization
resemble the Rennaissance in some ways. My 'motif' impressions, in a very
summary way of describing them, are that the Perilous Lands are kind of
Howardian to me (not absolutely totally, but I drew some personal,
instinctive connections); I have sensed a slight strain of the Vancean in
the Western Lands. My own apocryphal lands are also Howardian, but also bear
a strong strain of Clark Ashton Smith (and consequently some Jack Vance, in
a kind of Talislanta way-- and perhaps also Jorune and Tekumel,
stylistically and in spirit, anyhow). I also love magnifying anything
Lovecraftian (like Richard's ideas of the Elder Law, and his chaotic
beasts); I toyed with the temptation of a 'Kutulu' alignment (it is very
tempting, to me at least, to see forms of those deities and creatures in the
P&P cosmology; I think it fits very well, with some customization). And I
suppose Moorecock is in there too: the very old decadence of the empires of
these lands makes me think of the Elric stuff). But also the matter of the
aerial ships we were talking about: I envisioned them being slightly common
in lands like these, where a Rennaissance-style technology base occurs here
and there. I think that kind of base would be needed to support a
semi-industry of such a thing (a Hermetic style of magery applied to
artificing).

As to Richard's obviously copious knowledge of folklore and mythology, I
suppose only he can directly answer where he derived those deep
Sumerian-style terms. Especially Akhkharu, which eludes me. I like vampiric
creatures and lore. I'm developing my own on a detailed level. As far as I
know, these are the most ancient form of vampire in extant texts, next to
some similar creatures (like the Edimmu, but I think somebody discovered
they werent as vampiric as previously thought). Oh well, to a detail-monger
like me, the research continues (it keeps boredom at bay)...

On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Scott Adams <longshot at darktech.org> wrote:

> At 04:32 PM 11/27/08, you wrote:
> >Thanks for the response. I know how busy schedules can get. Taking quality
> time on material yields better material anyway. I just really enjoy reading
> and collecting the contributions and opinions on the system and its world.
> In a patient kind of way, I cant wait to see more.
> >Oh, by the way, did you ever entertain the idea of doing any work on
> aerial ships. They crop up in some milieus, like Talislanta, and if
> portrayed right meld well with the setting. Do you think they might fit into
> the 'Lands' somehow?
>
> Actually got off work 2.5 hours early today (nice being the boss).  I
> actually chilled outside and watched the sun set. As I did I thought.  I
> know bad for my pnp group (never let GMs think - Rule #1).  Good for the
> brain cells and ship project.  I re-dusted off brain cells on the project
> and came up with a battle plan.  Will try to work on it next week. Got a 5
> day vacation week so will help.  Alex is in ICQ so I can get almost instant
> feedback on things from a pnp GM/player.  The only thing that has stalled me
> is worry.  Worry for doing a good job and trying to get around some
> mechanics.  But in the end this project is for me and my group.  I must make
> myself happy.  Anyone else is fair game.  So I might as well get off my butt
> and finish it.  Figure can't make everyone happy. :)
>
> As to Aerial ships funny you should mention that.  Some 6-7 years ago in
> the first pnp pbem adventure (now on #4) it had flying ships. :)  Though in
> terms of time it was only the last few minutes of it (think of a movie).
>  From an ongoing campaign Clima had been building up forces to recover their
> might.  They set into motions a 3 year plans.  Diplomats and important folks
> kidnapped for ransom and influence.  Mysterious pieces of an Elemental Staff
> found.  Once formed it could control the elements.  In process a new element
> (based on gravity of sorts) were captured in the upper world.  These
> elementals gave flight to the ships (3 at the time).  Party took their base
> and the ships down hard.
> Its not a unique plot by any means.  I don't run written adventures anymore
> its all in my mind.  But over the decades I recall flying ships in
> Shadowrun? Dark Sun...and one of my favorites Hawkmoon/Stormbring (both I
> run not the first two). The flying dutchman is a bit cliche in today's
> universe but it was fun back then.  As to this ship project that's up to the
> GM.  It won't be in it per se just the low tech stuff with magic.  It
> wouldn't be hard to come up with something.  ie Levitation Stone of
> Somesuch.
>
> ---
> As to works and myths.  I'm sure the web and that
> soon-to-takeover-the-planet Google can help.  I was in my reading phase in
> the early 80s and read many books on greek mythology (latin classes and
> school bleh got me intrigued).  Some of it was there.  Most seem to be
> European myths that I seem to recall.  But I'm no expert.  Of course back
> then on pbs there was Joseph (or was it bill) campbells pbs shows on the
> hero and mythology which was great. But the arcane terms could just be
> simple made up stuff. :)
>
> ---
> East or West?  All is relative.  How does the world turn east or west? To
> Euopeit was the western world to China.  Then Europe was the East World and
> America was the New West.  All relative.  Perspective. Who named who first?
>  Did the natives in the WL name it WL first or did some merchant washed up
> on shore after some world hurricane name it from his perspective. :)
>
> ---
>
> Your posts got out.  Sometimes the server is instant but other times it may
> take a day.  Just give it time if it doesn't work.
>
>
>
>
>
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