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Post by tmao on Oct 2, 2016 14:40:43 GMT
LSD has been invented in Helvetia: it's use is quite popular among Magic-Users, these days. Ok I'm gonna run with this one eventually!!!!!!
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Post by tmao on Oct 2, 2016 14:46:21 GMT
XurLG wiz 20He is in the single minded pursuet of making cure spells for wizards and he is on the threshold of a breakthrough, There are cure spells for wizards in an issue of Dragon magazine. Let's say that Xur has successfuly researched these, by now. As well, remember that the school of magick can be detailed with the rules in Dragon 123. Prespos Ps. Exactly how many schools of magick are there in The Six Cantons? NOPE!!!!!!!!! BIG BIG V E T O on this, Xur needs his "white Whale!!!!!!!!! PS 2
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Post by tmao on Oct 2, 2016 15:21:00 GMT
Women, Demi-Humans, Homosexuals and Non-White Minorities In the Mountain Cantons
The Cantons are at a turning point in their society.They have been in the past the home of a very conservative white straight male human warrior dominated group..That conservatism is being challenged by the widening of their basic principal of Freedom of Expression and by their growing place in the wider world. Under Duke Robert, the Cantons are slowly becoming more cosmopolitan in their population and in their outlook. The Hate crimes of the past are quite rare now and seen as a direct violation of the Freedom of Expression by the dominate warriors. The challenge to the warrior only voting power is quite strong. Still these minorities are better accepted if they can wield a sword. The first major change came 10 years ago when the Duke was able to give voting rights to anyone combat capable. He , along with the council has been pushing the Freedom of Expression as a means to better evolve the society. The change is slow but inevitable at this point. Garden Canton is what the Duke and Council see as the future. In secret Talks they have warned Garden that they need to be very cautious and must not go too far to fast, and that the Duke can only allow change slowly. For now, warrior voting is the reality and must for a while, remain that way.The major exception to all of this is druidism, druids are not tolerated, even the far thinking and liberal Duke does not want this to change. Battles in the past between Druids and The followers of the good norse pantheon were a huge problem of the past. Following any non good god is a good way to get killed.
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Post by tmao on Oct 2, 2016 20:07:30 GMT
Marriage and the Ritual of Abduction in The Mountain Cantons
The Ritual of Abduction is an old and frequently seen way of life. In which the man abducts the woman from her parents. If the man can get her to his home, The Ritual is observed. For one year the couple may not engage in sex and the woman is kept in a separate bedroom. She may not leave the house, nor is she required to perform household duties. In that year the man must attempt to get her to agree to be his wife voluntarily. At the end of the year the man returns her to her parents threshold, there she can freely decide to stay or go back with him. This is where all the possible trouble comes. The father may challenge the suitor's fitness. There is an amazing tangle of social customs that dominate this phase. With so many competing customs, often the father's objection results in a Bat fight. The bride to be may side with her man in this. By strict custom a second Abduction may only be done to the same would be bride if she had chosen to go and her father intervened. The second abduction takes place one year after the end of the first and everyone goes through the same rules again. There can be no further attempts if the second does not go as planned.
More normal courtships require the permission of the mother, and a ritual price can be asked for the bride, but this may or may not be asked for.
To get around all of this, the couple can try and get pregnant and the man is "forced" to marry the woman, but as they cannot engage in sex in the Abduction, must be done while the woman still lives w/ her parents.
In all of this the woman always has the right to say "NO". She may not be forced into any marriage but is not always free to say "Yes".
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Post by tmao on Oct 2, 2016 20:37:57 GMT
FIRE SKY HEAD CRYSTALS (FSH=LSD)
FSH was discovered about 50 years ago in the VALOR Canton by a lazy farmer in a quiet little town. The story goes that in some way he was trying to use cow dung to "bulk" up his trade goods. As the exact recipe for FSH is a closely guarded secret among the few makers of it, that is about all that is known of it's origin and creation. It has only been produced by mountain dwellers, so that is another key to understanding what goes into it.
The drug causes hallucination that are exclusively visual(overwhelmingly red in color). The drug is non addictive and when used in different ways can be of aid in spellcasting.Spellcasters commonly smoke it.There has been some success using it to cure mental illness. Recreational use is on the rise but is mostly restricted to the upper classes due to expense. The main drawback to it's use is runs so a hit of it is frequently called "poop"
It has two main users among the spellcasting community:Diviners and druids, but it is used for the same purpose by both. It enhances ones ability to cast information gathering and extra planer contact spells, all such spells have an overall increase of 150% when under the influence.
The Mountain Cantons produce only about 50% of the drug as the secret for making it ,while only known by a few, is widespread now. It never caught on in the Cantons so 95% of what they make is exported at a high price.
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2016 10:15:09 GMT
Thanks! If your enjoying my duchy stuff, why don't I carve out alttle more of it and share the load? Give me like 3 more areas to tinker with, def want something evil ish,just picka few that you dont mind me taking over, been enjoying this distraction. I'm rather busy these days... but I may just take you up on that offer, one day!! I'd like to work from the basis of a map, and, I do have graph paper, and, there is a common Canadian restaurant called SWISS CHALET, where, in my imagination, I meet Gary Gygax for a beer, and get in heck, and, talk about pole arms. With re-guards to Helvetia, I think it has good potential as a place for adventure. Following that, I'd be most inclined to work on a dungeon, even if it would be randomly generated (via Appendix A). The idea is to have 1 mega-dungeon worth of dungeon content for each realm of Aerth. I am a very strong believer in the traditional (ADVANCED) DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Dungeon Crawl! Prespos Ps. Can I post this one openly? That way, I won't forget about the invite.
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 10:46:30 GMT
Your very welcome! Your praise for my creative stuff here is a nice thing to hear right now! Thanx!
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2016 11:26:16 GMT
tmao: Thanks, man. Just trying to perfect the new entry for Bengal, right now. Before I work creatively on specific realms, I need to type out the data for all of the "200" realms of Aerth. This will take me well into 2017, but I look forward to taking a closer look at Helvetia, one day. Helvetia is one of my favorite realms of Aeropa. I was wondering: what are the names of the 3 cantons you have done, so far? Pres Ps. You are 467 posts, about to become King/Master at 500. At that point, you may take a throne in either Aerth and/or Presposia!
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 11:28:49 GMT
UM... I forget(another reason it needs its own thread!)
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 11:36:30 GMT
We have an unforeseen problem, It seems to me that Duke Robert in some way "overthrowing" King Gygax is WILDLY inappropriate. Also doesnt fit with how I'm taking this.Stumped!
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2016 12:02:51 GMT
We have an unforeseen problem, It seems to me that Duke Robert in some way "overthrowing" King Gygax is WILDLY inappropriate. Also doesnt fit with how I'm taking this.Stumped! No worries about this. We can work together to find a creative solution. If you want to keep Gygax as the king of Helvetia (I kinda LIKE the idea, too), then: * You can form your own realm: declare independence. * Wage war on Burgundy, Germania, or Savoy. Conquer one of those realms. (I highly recommend NOT waging war against Burgundy, at present: Charlemagne is the ruler, and he has a strong army, said to be led by paladins!) (Savoy is the weakest of the three realms: it is beyond the border, to the west. Remember that your 6 cantons are in the east of Helvetia). * Marry. At present, I have been unable to find data on suitable brides, but I am sure that Lombardy & Milano might be interested. * etc. It's totally up to you. You don't have to be king, unless you want. If you are familiar with Frank Mentzer's BECMI, this is what the advancement system at Presposia is based on. (Frank is ExTSR over at DF, and, he is mostly on FB and at The Piazza, these days). M is for Master, which I translate as "King". However, it could really mean just that: "Master". This could be in the sense of a western martial art, or, whatever you really imagine... Pres Ps1. Thanks for the great writing! I really enjoy reading it, and, I have not changed a single word. All I've done is to apply a little formatting, bold type to draw people's attention to your work, and, the sections and themes thereof. Ps2. With regards to King Arneson, I will be working on his realm in the next 1-2 days. It is Berberia, for now, and... is rumored to have connexion with ancient Atlantis! Ps3. How is the blog coming along... please feel free to promote it here, anytime, though, I think you will get a better response / audience if you do this also on FB and on DF.
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 13:01:29 GMT
We have an unforeseen problem, It seems to me that Duke Robert in some way "overthrowing" King Gygax is WILDLY inappropriate. Also doesnt fit with how I'm taking this.Stumped! No worries about this. We can work together to find a creative solution. If you want to keep Gygax as the king of Helvetia (I kinda LIKE the idea, too), then: * You can form your own realm: declare independence. * Wage war on Burgundy, Germania, or Savoy. Conquer one of those realms. (I highly recommend NOT waging war against Burgundy, at present: Charlemagne is the ruler, and he has a strong army, said to be led by paladins!) (Savoy is the weakest of the three realms: it is beyond the border, to the west. Remember that your 6 cantons are in the east of Helvetia). * Marry. At present, I have been unable to find data on suitable brides, but I am sure that Lombardy & Milano might be interested. * etc. It's totally up to you. You don't have to be king, unless you want. If you are familiar with Frank Mentzer's BECMI, this is what the advancement system at Presposia is based on. (Frank is ExTSR over at DF, and, he is mostly on FB and at The Piazza, these days). M is for Master, which I translate as "King". However, it could really mean just that: "Master". This could be in the sense of a western martial art, or, whatever you really imagine... Pres Ps1. Thanks for the great writing! I really enjoy reading it, and, I have not changed a single word. All I've done is to apply a little formatting, bold type to draw people's attention to your work, and, the sections and themes thereof. Ps2. With regards to King Arneson, I will be working on his realm in the next 1-2 days. It is Berberia, for now, and... is rumored to have connexion with ancient Atlantis! Ps3. How is the blog coming along... please feel free to promote it here, anytime, though, I think you will get a better response / audience if you do this also on FB and on DF. Thanx for the REPEATED praise!!(that's about 4x now!) it's VERY nice to be appreciated, ESPECIALLY right now! Yea and LONG LIVE KING GYGAX!!!!!
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 13:50:28 GMT
His Grace , Duke Robert North IV, known as The Cunning L14 Fighter/L3 ranger/L3 Thief
In his youth the Duke excelled at everything you would have expected of a aristocrat, The third in line for the Duchy, Duke Robert happily prepared for his role as a military commander under his brother. Of medium height, dark hair fair complexion , he is the totem of a panther.
At the age of 17 . "against" his father's wishes, He joined a Canton mercenary battalion as a Sergeant in disguise. He quickly rose through the ranks, amazing his compatriots of just how outstanding a warrior and leader he was. He and his unit saw much of the world over the next 5 years, crusading in many good causes. At the age of 22 ,as goes the misfortune that seems to follow the North family, his father and both older brothers were killed in the same battle. Robert was summoned home to take up the title of Duke.
Robert was very uncomfortable in his new and unexpected role, He made many mistakes as a political leader and brilliant military victories came easy to him. He was a master at huge ambushes and maneuver but a mediocre politician at best. That all changed when he met his wife Rose. She was of middle class origins and compleatly unsuited for a Duke's wife, or so it seemed. Rose's wisdom and love gave him the the exact influence he needed to become the savoy and beloved leader that emerged from the brash warrior.
Rose bore him 3 sons and then a daughter dying in child birth, along with the daughter, All three of his sons have died in battle leaving no heir.He has refused all efforts to re marry, an uncharacteristic mistake.
Now at the age of 62, he maintains the vitality of a man 20 years younger, He throws himself into his role as Duke. But with no heir the future is very uncertain.
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 15:11:54 GMT
Baroness Viktoria Kell-Helvetia Fighter3/aristocrat 5
A constant social companion of the Duke and one of his closest political advisers. The gossip mill is buzzing with their constant public appearances and frequent dance and hunting parties. Unknown to 99% of the public the Baroness and Duke are "beards" for each other. The single 30 year old striking freckled red headed single beauty is in fact a lesbian and the Duke looks to her for council on bringing The Cantons greater openness and relishes the fact that she gives hope to the constant desire for an heir, keeping the Council off his back to marry. She has in fact offered to bear him children for the greater good, but the Duke will always mourn his lost Rose and would never engage in a sham marriage. Probably the only reason she has not been made next in line for the Ducal throne is that would leave the duchy with the same problem of no heir in the future.
Viktoria engaged in just enough warrior training to be respected by the warrior elite. When not with the Duke she is one of his most able diplomats and is often sent on such missions. She is frustrated by the slow advance of the culture but only argues with the Duke in private. In public they are seen as a unified front. So far she has been very discrete in her romances and there is no special lady in her life.
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Post by tmao on Oct 4, 2016 15:35:03 GMT
High Councilor and Chieftain of VALOR Canton Charles "Chucky" Grim dwarf fighter 14 Chucky is the head of the high Council and it's only non-human white male member The Duke's appointment of Chucky to this position was a HUGE statement of the direction he is going to drag the Canton in. Chucky has fully embraced the Cantons warrior only voting and does not see the irony of that point of view and steadfastly opposes any change to the status quo in this regard, he does however STAUNCHLY defend the rights of any that can lift an ax or sword the right to vote and that was the compromise the Duke made in his appointment. Unfortunately , the Duke had hoped that as a dwarf in the humancentric sociaty, he would adopt more liberal positions but this seems very unlikely. He is quicky becoming the biggest obstruction to further change.One of the Duke's biggest mistakes Chucky is your stereotypical ,gruf dwarven warrior and sports many gems in his huge beard, he is NEVER unarmored and a big fan of his gaudy Ball Stick.
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Post by Admin on Oct 13, 2016 7:49:26 GMT
Quote:Medieval wooden Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland - built in 1333, it is the oldest truss bridge in Europe Thanks to: Theslo of Qualon cf. Neat Pictures: added more! [adultish]
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Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2016 11:46:22 GMT
OK, back to our normal programming...
Quote:Tarasp Castle, Switzerland - the oldest sections of the castle date back as far as c.1080 AD Thanks to: Theslo of Qualon cf. Neat Pictures: added more! [adultish] tmao: This castle is probably located in 1 of your 6 cantons, as the location corresponds to eastern Helvetia. Enjoy!
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Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2016 20:37:49 GMT
tmao, since CRYPTS && THINGS seems to be your main system, what are your thoughts on using that ruleset in Helvetia? Could it work? Barbarians, eldritch horror, and... no clerics! Unknown, Prespos
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Post by Admin on Oct 16, 2016 7:43:09 GMT
Quote:Depiction of a joust tournament from the Swiss Codex Manesse, made c.1304 in Zürich Thanks to: Theslo of Qualon cf. Neat Pictures: added more! [adultish] cf. "Surely, You Joust!": The game of chivalry and knighthood for AD&D® games (DRAGON #118)
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Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2016 21:07:15 GMT
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Post by Admin on Nov 1, 2016 19:56:42 GMT
For the underwater adventures! Quote:The Verzasca River in Switzerland is so clean, you can see all the way down to the 50ft deep riverbed Thanks to: Theslo of Qualon cf. Neat Pictures: added more! [adultish]
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Post by Admin on Nov 3, 2016 16:42:31 GMT
Swiss chalet style (German: Schweizerstil, Norwegian: Sveitserstil) is an architectural style of Late Historicism, originally inspired by rural chalets in Switzerland and the Alpine (mountainous) regions of Central Europe. The style refers to traditional building designs characterised by widely projecting roofs and facades richly decorated with wooden balconies and carved ornaments. It spread over Germany, Austria-Hungary and Scandinavia during the Belle Époque era. Thanks: vondan
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2016 7:10:26 GMT
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Post by Admin on Nov 16, 2016 16:36:15 GMT
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Post by Admin on Nov 17, 2016 2:33:37 GMT
Quote:Engelberg, Switzerland | Photography by ©Elena Shumilova Thanks to: Theslo of Qualon cf. Neat Pictures: added more! [adultish]
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