Setting Material

Well, seeing that Scott from World of Thool has posted on my first post, I am postponing my plans to delete this blog just yet.

I picture the setting for Inis Fáil as being very anachronistic. It will largely be forested, though long stretches of moorland, mountains, bogs, and other ecotypes (probably a tundra-like region in the north) scattered throughout. Civilization will live in the pockets of cleared land surrounded by wilds. Kingdoms will be very local, almost more on the tribal level of the late bronze and early iron age settlements that we associate with pre-Roman Celts, but with castles, chivalric knights, and other acoutrements of the high middle ages. Knights will wear chain armor; others, leather. The weapons most common to the setting will be the sword, axe, spear, bow, and sling. Polearms are uncommon, crossbows do not exist, nor does plate. While magical chain will be common, perhaps even more prized by the mightiest warriors will be magical woad that makes them untouchable in battle, even though they are, technically, naked. The spear should dominate the battlefield, but the weapon of romance should still be the sword.

In short, it is very much informed by various sources of actual mythology--the Táin, the Mabinogion, and others. Sources which, by and large, reflect much earlier periods than the ones they were finally laid down in. I specifically do not want, this time, to overly historicize the sources, to make it a purely iron age society, or bronze age, for that matter.

Instead, if anything, I want to go almost over the top with the mythological elements, the fairy tale elements, and the anachronisms. Weapons and armor will laregly be steel, but it may be possible to find iron or bronze versions--the difference will be aesthetic only.

More later.

Classes

Onward and upward to creating some actual content.

James Mal, over at Grognardia, has spoken during his review of Supplement V , about the "inescapable drive every D&D gamer has to create his own classes." In keeping with this grand and venerable tradition, I wish to present my own takes on the classic classes.

While the part of me does kind of enjoy the material presented in Supplements I-IV (the part that came into the hobby during 2nd Ed), part of what attracted me to od&d was the simplicity of the rules and the ability to make house rules easily. Therefore, I will not be using any material not found in the 3 lbbs for this project. That means no Thief. Which is fine with me, as the class does not seem to fit well with the mythological themes that I am trying to touch on with this setting/campaign/project. That is not too say that there are no stories of Celtic thievery--I am sure there are (none that I know of, however. . .), just that I am more interested in Cuchalain holding off an entire army single-handedly, of Fion MacCumhail and his Fianna, of Druids throwing curses at their enemies, and all of that goodness.

However, I wish to change some of the core assumptions about the various classes that are presented in Volume 1, Men and Magic. Also, I will be changing their names to better suit the project at hand. Without further ado, I give you the Classes of Inis Fáil.

Fianna
The Fianna are equal parts knights errant, mercenary, and bandit. They gather in bands in the woods at the borders of civilization and work to keep the King's lands safe from the forces arrayed against them, as well as taking care of problems that more civilized men would rather simply pay to have go away than deal with themselves. They are proficient with sword, spear, axe and bow. They often ride the best horses and wera the best armor.

The Fianna is in all ways identical to the Fighting Man of Volume 1, with the following exception:
The Fianna have as their prime requisite the Dexterity ability.

Druid
The Druid is the priest of the land. He makes prayers and offerings (including both animal and human sacrifice) to the Tuatha de Danaan. He has mastered Ogham, and has numerous spells, charms, blessings, and curses at his disposal. He is also strong (he must be, for Ogham is unnaturally taxing on the body) and well trained to defend himself and the flock that he tends.

The Druid is in all ways idetical to the Cleric of Volume 1, with the following exception:
The Druid's prime requisite is Intelligence.
I have a thought to make the Druid's version of Turn Undead into a spell that must be cast, rather than an innate ability, though I am unsure what to fill the new void so created with.

Witch
The witch, wise one, or wyck, is often found at the farthest edge of a village's land. They have learned the secrets of the world, what others might term magic, simply by living in it. Often they are considered to be touched by the Fae.

The Witch is in all ways identical to the Magic User of Volume 1, with the following exception:
The Witch's prime requisite is Wisdom.

Now I am off too bed. Night all (he said at ten after six in the morning).