When Imagination Was The Only Rule.

 

Imagination is key to a great role playing experience. Which is one of the reasons I enjoy visiting the Canonfire website. Perusing the various posts and responding to the reflections of other fans thoughts. I came upon something, I could not ignore... While viewing this thread. http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml//modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5518 

I came upon a link to the following blog  http://lakegenevaoriginalrpg.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-first-living-campaign.html

run by Rob Kuntz.

Thanks to Dark Lord Galen for the link.

Rob details his experience and the camaraderie he enjoyed by sharing a campaign world with like minded individuals. As, I read over the blogs post, it reminded me of the efforts many of us fans put forth to spark the flames of imagination that stirred when we gamed in the World of Greyhawk. We may be trying to recapture a part of our youth, or perhaps get some recognition from the Greyhawk community. Many have and still do, put forth the effort, just because we wish to share what gives us joy with anyone who wishes to peruse it.

We all know of the Oerth Journal and its history of like minded individuals rekindling the flame of Greyhawk. Under Erik Mona's direction, Dungeon and Dragon magazine sort to print Greyhawk material for many fans of the community and to broaden its expansion amongst the next generation of gamers. Another yet to be published ezine named the Canonfire Chronicles seeks to attain the same goals that the Oerth Journal put forth. As such the revamped plan is for the Oerth Journal to continue on in a role much akin to the way Dragon magazine was utilized for. While Canonfire Chronicles seeks to become the Dungeon to the Oerth Journal's Dragon. The best part is you don't need a DDI subscription to gain access to this information. It's all provided by fans just like you. As a wise man once said, "Anything's possible with a little grit, determination and the right circumstances. People are known to make things happen, heh?" 

Later

Argon

The Lesser known Holidays of Growfest

The 4th of Growfest is the beginning of Low Summer. A few holidays are celebrated during this time of Oerth's calendar... While excerpt's exist on the Feast of Edoira and believe it or not Raxivort's Orgy. The latter speaks enough for itself, yet someone thought an explanation was required. However, Saint Cuthbert's Day, and  the Desportium of Magic, receive no explanation as to what takes place for these holidays.  

One could assume that the Desportium of Magic is a time when the baklunish and suel  people pay homage to those lost during the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire. It could also be a day the flan celebrate their liberation from the tyrant Vecna. Those loyal to Kas may also celebrate his victory over the despot. Saint Cuthbert's Day is probably a day to celebrate Saint Cuthbert's ascension or maybe a day when some of his faithful begin a pilgrimage to Verbobonc .

There are other holidays during the week of Growfest . Which one would you like to celebrate?

Later

Argon

Happy Wenta Day!

Hail ole Alewife

While celebrating St. Patrick's Day. I think to myself what would the average mortal of Oerth be doing today... Than I am reminded of Wenta the Alewife. An Oeridian agricultural god that is a free spirit. While she does not capture the feel of ST. Patrick's Day herself. I am reminded of how much alcohol is consumed on this day. Brewfeast does not occur for a few months. Though I wonder if there is a day on Oerth when we celebrate something akin to St Patrick's Day. Erin Go Bragh! I can think of places like Bissel, Sterich, and Geoff which could appreciate some form of liberation. So what ideas do you have for the Oerth version of St. Patrick's Day?

Later
Argon

What if? The Baklunish never summoned the Rain of Colorless Fire?

We all know the Ancient Suel Imperium conjured up the Invoked Devastation, which wrecked havoc on the Baklunish Empire... Then the Baklunish Empire along with the aid of a Baklunish Deity retaliated by summoning up the Rain of Colorless Fire upon the treacherous Suel Imperium. What if the Baklunish were never able to summon up the energies to bring-forth the Rain of Colorless Fire?

The Invoked Devastation only weakened the Baklunish Empire as their lands were retained. Though massive damage and fatalities were numerous. Would a certain area of the Baklunish lands become a demilitarized zone? Would the Oeridians and Baklunish have intermingled more influencing the makeup of the Baklunish Basin? Would the Great Kingdom ever come to fruition? If so how far west would the Suel Imperium have grown? Would the Suel have expanded their territory in the east?

All of this is merely food for thought. However, what do you think would have been the most likely outcome? If the Rain of Colorless Fire never occurred?

Later

Argon

What If? Demogorgon was behind the downfall of the Flan.

Those of you who visit Canonfires' weekly Thursday night chats know Michael's take on the downfall of the Flan empire in Greyhawk...

Michael surmises that Demogorgon sort revenge-because the flan gave him a name. By giving him a name, they helped shape him, and took some of his power by doing so. The sibilant beast was now bound by a name. As such,  he used the migrating oeridians' as his main vessel, to strike down, those who dared bind him by name.

Oddly enough nothing in canon contradicts this theory. Though one can piece the corruption of Kargoth and thirteen other Knight Protectors, to Demogorgon's continuation of quelling those who dared to name him.

I'd like to know what you think about one of our fellow Greyhawkers' theory on the downfall of the flan.

Later
Argon

Adventures from the pages of your local newspaper

Have you ever struggled with putting together a last minute adventure? Tired of running the same module, or paying a subscription fee in hopes of getting a suitable adventure to run for your players? What if I told you adventures await you at the local grocery or corner store? Are you telling me my local bodega sells published adventures?  Yes, they do you just have to find them hiding in your local paper.

My local newspaper is the Jersey Journal, located in my hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey. I have read the pages of my local paper since I was a teenager. From time to time, a story I read in the paper becomes the source material for one of my campaigns. One of my adventures written for one of the Canonfire post fests was inspired by a newspaper article for a shortage of flu vaccines in my area. Then it steam rolled by reading another article on low reservoir levels due to increased usage during the summer time.  My mind started putting the pieces together, and then an advertisement for bed bug removal crossed my path. Eureka an adventure was born! I wrote nearly ten thousand words for an adventure named “All Dried Out”. Because of its size, it released as part 1 and part 2.

The shortage of flu vaccines translated into an incurable disease.  Than the water shortage gave me an idea that the disease would cause those affected by the disease, to suffer dehydration if they could not get enough water. The bed bugs gave me an idea to create a parasite, which transmits the disease.  This also rolled over into creating the main adversary, though even he is not as big as a concern as the player characters believe.  However, we find out that a priest of Incabulos was behind starting the infection, which can lead to more adventures spun from a few articles in a local newspaper.

I wonder how many other people have used similar vices to put together an adventure.

Later

Argon

New Contest At Wizards For Illustrators

Anyone who dabbles in D&D fantasy illustration should check out this contest over at Wizards. Getting a small piece of art published in the reprint of the A-series, Against the Slave Lords hardback would be not only a personal triumph but it could also be a point of pride if one or more people from the Canonfire community can get credited in this book. Get in on this possibly once in a life time opportunity.