Populating and fleshing out Saltmarsh

[Susano]

I'm pretty sure there's nothing Markdoc doesn't know.

[azato]

Either he started life with more character points or he spent them more wisely than the rest of us.

I'm pretty sure there's nothing Markdoc doesn't know.

[Old Man]

The former. Not only does he know everything, he had points left over to spend on Hero.

[Markdoc]

The former. Not only does he know everything, he had points left over to spend on Hero.

And we haven't even discussed the points I spent on wealth, getting to be a world-class scientist or highly decorated special forces veteran!*

Seriously, though, I have a couple of advantages over your average fantasy geek - living in Europe and having friends who are medieval history professors means that I get to do stuff that I used to dream about when I lived in the US or New Zealand. I've held some of our oldest copies of Icelandic sagas in my hands, have access to many original medieval manuscripts and gotten to do fun things like load and fire full size medieval siege engines, sail in medieval ships and visit medieval towns (I'm going to Syria next month and you can bet trips to Krak de Chevaliers, Saone, the citadel at Aleppo, the old souks, the dead cities, etc are on the agenda). One of the lawyers I work with is part of a crew that has sailed a recreated viking longship to Norway, Scotland and Ireland - and back: they're talking about a voyage to Iceland next year. I've learned a lot just talking with him. I've worked with a research team recreating early dark ages iron-smelting towers (at Lejre), and held/worn genuine medieval weapons and armor. And I work in some of the world's least developed countries where a lot of this stuff is done on a regular basis - I've watched a swordsmith making steel and swords (for use, not recreations) the old-fashioned way in Harrar, seen people who rely on oxen and home-made plows for their living, visited working medieval-style tanneries or medieval style markets where animals are butchered right in front of the stalls. I've seen sword-armed warriors collecting salt from salt pans the old fashioned way (with hands and sticks) and then transporting it to market by camel caravan. I've watched old ladies collecting firewood and then walking it huge distances on their backs to sell for a few pennies. I've watched witchdoctors treat patients (and had to clean up their messes - I hate those guys). All that gives you perspectives you can't get out of books - but at the same time, it lets you see stuff in books - especially contemporary accounts - that wouldn't necessarily be obvious: in many cases, they are not named because at the time it was assumed "Everybody knows that".

Also, as any player can tell you, you need to travel and get out where things are a bit rough if you want to earn some XP!

Anyway, thanks, guys - it's nice to be appreciated.

Cheers, Mark

*OK, I made that last bit up

[Vondy]

30 miles a day? In a swamp?

If they've built foot-bridges or raised roman style highways its possible.

Or if they've got good waterways like the bayous.

[Vondy]

Seriously, though, I have a couple of advantages over your average fantasy geek - living in Europe and having friends who are medieval history professors means that I get to do stuff that I used to dream about....

I feel the same way about living in Israel, though its more geared to classical and archeological history than medieval history. We do have great crusader fortresses, but are roman era and temple era ruins are astounding. I think this affects my gaming/writing endeavors. And Israeli culture is fairly egalitarian/friendly. If you have the barest of pretexts or acquaintance you can usu. call someone - be they a member of knesset or university professor - and get them talking about their subject. My job often gives me a fairly solid pretext. We have a show dedicated to history-archeology of Israel and the Levant. Its allowed me to meet people I can contact. Let alone the hosts, one of whom is a historian and one of whom is an archeologist. I've gotten to know several museum curators and professors as a result.

[Alcamtar]

What are your thoughts???

My overwhelming thought is... I love that map!!
Where'd it come from? Is it online somewhere, or from a published product?

[azato]

http://www.oerthjournal.com/webz/Southern%20Keoland.gif

If you think that map is cool, check out the others at
http://www.canonfire.com/cfnew//modu...download&cid=4


http://ghmaps.net/

My overwhelming thought is... I love that map!!
Where'd it come from? Is it online somewhere, or from a published product?

[Hierax]

Saltmarsh Area Map:

smapu2u3..gif

[Alcamtar]

thanks!