Rules Clarifications for ED

[Tripp Elliott]

Ok, here's a similar question.

In Cities of the Sun and the Naval Rules supplements, the Naval rules
are backfitted to Anuirea by providing trade route and naval strength
information for the various Anuirean Nations with one glaring exception:
Mieres. Surely, being situated where it is, and being dependant on
trade as it is, we can assume Mieres has a navy and a trade route or
two.

Is there an official word on these facts?

Thanx,

Tripp

[Neil Barnes]

On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, Ed Stark wrote:
> Right or not, we chose to exclude specific information (like
> fortifications, roads, etc) about domains in the Campaign Expansions unless
> absolutely necessary (the law holdings in Berhagen are a good example) so
> that the DM could build off the existing information without overruling
> anything in print. The Domain Sourcebooks (some of them) list this more
> specific information, because we figured if you wanted to buy a DS on a
> particular realm, you really, really wanted our take on the place.

This is one of my big BR gripes - most of the DSs I've read have been
really bad for trying to find specific information about the provinces.
Castle levels, trade routes, income, upkeep, army size etc. My player
who's actually got a DS (Ariya) keeps on having to refer back to the
Cities of the Sun.

The other is about the city layouts. Ariya has a really nice map, that
looks vaguely like a real city. Ilien (and apparantly Endier, based on
the commnts of the Thief regent in the campaign I'm playing in) don't.
Ilien looks like a splot.

I mean lets consider Southern European cities - you've got Nice, Monaco,
Venice, Naples, Rome and loads of others - all cities with a real
personality. Cities don't just get built, they appear at places because
they've got defensive posiotions controlling important trade routes and
the like. They expand over time, outgrowing their city walls. They've
got odd buildings, statues, sewer systems, canals, great squares. Every
major historical city is special in loads of ways and the BR cities just
don't feel like that.

Okay, rant over.

neil

[hobbychest@pcsia.co]

BI>The other is about the city layouts. Ariya has a really nice map, that
BI>looks vaguely like a real city. Ilien (and apparantly Endier, based on
BI>the commnts of the Thief regent in the campaign I'm playing in) don't.
BI>Ilien looks like a splot.

BI>I mean lets consider Southern European cities - you've got Nice, Monaco,
BI>Venice, Naples, Rome and loads of others - all cities with a real
BI>personality. Cities don't just get built, they appear at places because
BI>they've got defensive posiotions controlling important trade routes and
BI>the like. They expand over time, outgrowing their city walls. They've
BI>got odd buildings, statues, sewer systems, canals, great squares. Every
BI>major historical city is special in loads of ways and the BR cities just
BI>don't feel like that.

These cities also had hundreds or thousands of years to develop, and
thousands of people developing it. It is much harder to make a city up
from scratch and have that much individual detail. I tip my hat to
Anne, Carrie, Ed, and company over there for the fine job they are
doing. (Well, I would if I was wearing a hat.) BR has the most
realistic feel of any TSR game world. Even though it is fantasy, the
fantasy elements blend instead of overwealm the world. I hope they can
keep producing at the level they have put products out.

Robert Thomson

[FRANKEN*RC]

> BI>The other is about the city layouts. Ariya has a really nice
map, that
> BI>looks vaguely like a real city. Ilien (and apparantly Endier, based on
> BI>the commnts of the Thief regent in the campaign I'm playing in) don't.
> BI>Ilien looks like a splot.
>
If i remember corectly both Endier and Ilien are relatively new
cities, which have grown explosive because of their liberal attitude,
they just haven't got enough time to build a "character".
For Endier another thing plays too, it borders the spiderfell, the
city must maintain it's wall. And Diemed also doesn't look favourably
on it.

Ronald

[Neil Barnes]

On Wed, 12 Nov 1997, FRANKEN*RC wrote:
> If i remember corectly both Endier and Ilien are relatively new
> cities, which have grown explosive because of their liberal attitude,
> they just haven't got enough time to build a "character".
> For Endier another thing plays too, it borders the spiderfell, the
> city must maintain it's wall. And Diemed also doesn't look favourably
> on it.

Ilien is supposed to be one of the earliest Andu settlements in Cerillia
IIRC. And I don't know enough to argue about Endier (I can't read the
stuff while we're still playing in that area :P - I've had Sword of
Roele & Warlock of the Stonecrowns for over a year now & not been able
to touch them). Even if the city had undergone explosive growht
recently, that should be refelect in the layout. Old settlements tend to
be in very good positions - natural habours, very strong defensive etc,
especially when you're dealing with genocidal elves.

neil

[Neil Barnes]

On Wed, 12 Nov 1997, FRANKEN*RC wrote:
> Well you could always make your own maps if you don't like the ones
> that are provided, some of my player regents have made their own maps
> of their capitol cities (okay with me keeping an eye on them).

Which is what I did. Now I still need the money for a major series of
civic improvements. Paving the city centre for one thing :)

neil