Off Topic Somewhat.

[Sidhain]

Well I am trying to find resources for a Setting I am developing one which
is a Somewhat Fantasy oriented 500ad-700 ad Earth anywone with links that
detail this Era (or knowledge themselves from research ets) kindly let me
know.
THe basis is using Historical King Arthur and King Charlemagne as basically
bookends to a period of "adventure" which is this roughly 200 year arc.
I am trying to make it as historical as possible then inserting Folklore
from that era for the "supernatural" elements.

[DKEvermore@aol.co]

In a message dated 4/30/99 4:44:49 PM, sidhain@earthlink.net writes:

>Well I am trying to find resources for a Setting I am developing one which
>is a Somewhat Fantasy oriented 500ad-700 ad Earth anywone with links that
>detail this Era (or knowledge themselves from research ets) kindly let
>me
>know.
>
>THe basis is using Historical King Arthur and King Charlemagne as basically
>bookends to a period of "adventure" which is this roughly 200 year arc.
>I am trying to make it as historical as possible then inserting Folklore
>from that era for the "supernatural" elements.

Actually, this sounds a lot like the project I've been working on for 6
months now. The setting I'm working on takes place in the British Isles, 100
years after the death of Arthur (I'm using 542 c.e. as the date of Arthur's
death for the purpose of the setting). It's a different take, using a
different game system. It allows characters to play kings or queens and run
a kingdom if they want, but the similarity to Birthright ends there.

There is a huge amount of research done recently (in the last 10 years) and
archaeology pertaining specifically to the possible historical Arthur as well
as a recent surge of interest in reviving and studying the old Celtic myths.
As a good general resource, I recommend getting a copy of Dr. James
McKillop's _Dictionary of Celtic Mythology_ as a start. You can find it at
www.amazon.com.

I'm am hoping to find an interested publisher for now (got a nibble at
HeroGames, for the Fuzion system), but am seriously considering releasing all
or part of this book for free in pdf form on the internet. It will likely
reach over 200 pages of formatted, illustrated text with maps.

This is off-topic, so if you'd like to continue this dialogue, please email
me off the list.

- -Dustin Evermore

[Sidhain]

>There was a very good feature in _Dragon_ recently about setting a game in
>Anglo-saxon Britain that might give you some good ideas. There are any
>number of good histories of the middle ages, starting from the fall of
>Rome (although avoid anything that mentions the "high middle ages," those
>will be too recent). I can send you a few citations if you would like
>(write me privately). In addition (although its a little later than your
>700 cut off) I cannot recommend the Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis
>Peters enough as a source for a truely medieval feel, as well as excellent
>story ideas.



Brother Cadfael are a bit to late period for my use and I missed the Dragon
Article sadly I stopped reading.
Indeed I am aiming for what amounts to the very Early Middle Ages I am also
tapping into early stories as well for example Roland in the age of
Charlemagne was said to wield Achilles Arms and armor...
So I figure some of that is useful as well...

Also I plan on having something's hanging around how about the scabbard of
Caliber's? one of the few if only "magic" items I am going to allow...

[Sidhain]

Sorry this last message with this header was't meant to goto the lsit I
apologise.

[Mark A Vandermeulen]

On Fri, 30 Apr 1999, Sidhain wrote:

> Well I am trying to find resources for a Setting I am developing one which
> is a Somewhat Fantasy oriented 500ad-700 ad Earth anywone with links that
> detail this Era (or knowledge themselves from research ets) kindly let me
> know.
> THe basis is using Historical King Arthur and King Charlemagne as basically
> bookends to a period of "adventure" which is this roughly 200 year arc.
> I am trying to make it as historical as possible then inserting Folklore
> from that era for the "supernatural" elements.

There was a very good feature in _Dragon_ recently about setting a game in
Anglo-saxon Britain that might give you some good ideas. There are any
number of good histories of the middle ages, starting from the fall of
Rome (although avoid anything that mentions the "high middle ages," those
will be too recent). I can send you a few citations if you would like
(write me privately). In addition (although its a little later than your
700 cut off) I cannot recommend the Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis
Peters enough as a source for a truely medieval feel, as well as excellent
story ideas.

Mark VanderMeulen
vander+@pitt.edu