One More Greyhawk Article

Today I feature the final article in Canonfire's postfest on Inns and Taverns of Greyhawk. It was my first hosting duty as editor so I'd like to thank all the participants, which you can review below. Now onto the last entry by none other than yours truly, Mortellan! My addition to this season's postfest is an extension of my successful Hold of the Sea Princes campaign which largely revolved around the south seas including the Olman Isles. The article entitled The Last Respite should make a unique destination for any adventuring group that sails the waters of the Flanaess:

"The free port of Narisban, found in the tropical Olman Island chain is a crossroads for intrepid traders and pirates who ply the high seas. Given the remote location of Narisban, nearly every sailor that visits its harbor seeks a respite from the sea for it might be their last."

In case you missed the previous installments just go back and check these posts as well. Enjoy!

Anna's Maps Update

It's time to check in on Anna Meyer's Atlas of the Flanaess project. It looks like she's been heading down the eastern Aerdy coast. Familiar island chains and sea lanes are coming into focus such as the Sea Barons to the left.

Her progress can be followed on her facebook group, the Flanaess Geographical Society currently at 241 members or on this sticky forum thread over at Canonfire.

Once Anna has knocked out the Great Kingdom, I for one am looking forward to her maps of the Lordship of the Isles and the Scarlet Brotherhood. Enjoy.

Update 05/07/2021: No more links to the individual map sections. Go to Anna's site to see full Flanaess maps and more!

Two More New Greyhawk Articles

Thanks for stopping by World of Greyhawk fans. Today I bring you another pair of Canonfire! postfest articles. The theme for this as you may know was Inns and Taverns of Greyhawk. Easy enough and it's a topic everyone can get behind. The first of two featured entries this week is by a veteran of Canonfire and Postfests, Argon. His inn and tavern article is interestingly entitled Daan Rhuul Gharlaan Ac. Don't let the name fool you Daan Rhuul Gharlaan Ac fills a certain niche in a far-flung land that could be immediately useful to dungeonmasters who are into the wider "Beyond the Flanaess" setting. Argon writes:

"From what we know of humanoid society they differ greatly from what we see amongst the more civilized races. It is rare to see any items of art from goblins and orcs. Who has ever seen a troll scholar or bricklayer? In the lands beyond the Flanaess, amongst the plains and hilltops of Darak Urtag lies parts of humanoid civilization where goods and services are sold. One, such place a refuge, for weary travelers, flesh traders, or humanoid tribal’s looking for a neutral site to ply their trade and traditions."

Next up is another postfest entry by Phalastar who has a special knack for the Iron League region. His newest article, The Braided Beard, keeps things focused on this area and delves into the tavern life of the dwur. Phalastar writes:

"The Braided Beard is an Inn located under the Forge Quarter in the Free City of Irongate. If you need to find the right dwarf to talk to, the Braided Beard is always your best option. Just be sure not to upset the bouncers..."

Be sure to check back and read the previous installments of this month's Postfest HERE and HERE. Then stay tuned for "last" postfest article of this current series.

Castle Greyhawk: Watch Your Back

Welcome to page fourteen of the Castle Greyhawk graphic novel adaptation, available over at our specially dedicated blog. There you can also read additional story exposition and anecdotes by intrepid author Scott Casper. If you're new to the comic, you can still read the entire story from the beginning easily.

You can also view the latest episode HERE courtesy of Maldin's Greyhawk. Enjoy!

Artist's commentary: Symbols are important in a fantasy setting. These details convey a greater depth to the story beyond simple roles like fighter or mage. Tenser sports his distinctive scimitar symbol on his robes which Greyhawk fans know is his heraldic shield device from the boxed set. Yrag on the other hand posed an interesting challenge. "Lord" Yrag is a low-key personality of Greyhawk City with tenuous claims to land holdings unlike his contemporary Lord Robilar (known for his green dragon symbol). As Yrag is closely related to Zagig and the legendary Citadel of Eight (led by Mordenkainen) I decided a simple tower emblem would suffice for this understated hero. It can thus possibly stand for the turrets of Greyhawk City, Ford Keep (where he secretly oversees) or even Mordenkainen's Obsidian Citadel.

1st Edition DMG Reprint

Well folks, I don't know about the rest of you, but I acquired a copy of the 1st Edition Premium Dungeon Master's Guide, as you should know by now, this and the premium Monster Manual and Player's Handbook are reprints of the originals with a cut going to the Gygax Memorial Fund. I only purchased the DMG more out of a collector's habit because it's my favorite gaming book of all time, (I even own the mini version of the 1e DMG!). I don't mind the charity aspect of the reprints, but the fact these reprints are quite pricy for something I already own and still reference means I'll pass on the other two books and most likely their planned 3.5e core rule book reprints. I mean really, what charity are these going to benefit other than the employees of the annual Wizards of the Coast Christmas laid offs?

Cynicism aside, this DMG is quite beautiful. Gilded pages, a new leathery looking cover with some embossing. It is probably printed on high quality paper since it feels lighter than my old 1e DMG. And it's shrink wrapped. You know what else? I think I'm going to leave it that way for now. Is there anything in there I haven't already seen? I sure hope not! If you have never read this amazing book (or better yet the Monster Manual which has some classic art) then I do recommend buying if you have the means, otherwise it's just going to look impressive next to your old ratty RPG books on the shelf.

Update 05/07/2021: Updated all links to go to the products on DMsGuild.

More New Greyhawk Articles

Welcome back fans of the World of Greyhawk. It's time for a few more Canonfire! postfest articles. Our theme for this event was Inns and Taverns of Greyhawk. That's pretty self explanatory so let's get to it! The first of two featured entries this week is by a loyal member of the Iron League known as Phalastar. Phalastar's offering is titled The Diving Dragon Inn and it is his second article for Canonfire, but his first Postfest. The charming Diving Dragon Inn can be found in Iron League territory as Phalastar writes:

"The Diving Dragon Inn is a favourite with the locals of Rockport. Rockport is a small town situated on the eastern edge of Irongate territory near the border with Naerie. Tasty food, flowing ale, good stories and adventure awaits..."

Next up is a special downloadable article by first time Canonfire author Baronzemo. His work is titled Rangor's Roving Rest and it is surely one of the most mysterious inns an adventurer could ever come across. Baronzemo writes:

"Rangor's Roving Rest is a magical inn that appears along a weary road or path one day and is gone the next. Some say the inn is cursed, others say it appears when a adventurer needs a hot meal and a dry bed the most. This cozy rest could appear along the road that leads into Greyhawk city and the next day in the middle of the Dry Steppes. Be weary when you step into "Rangor's Roving Rest!"

 

Be sure to check out these inns for use in your own home campaign, be it Greyhawk or any standard fantasy realm. Also, be sure to check back for a look at our previous two Postfest entries. Stay tuned there is still more Inns and Taverns of Greyhawk to come this month!

Highlander Remake? Yikes!

It's been a lazy week for me, so I thought I'd dredge up a bit of movie news my friends brought to my attention last week. Apparently a Highlander remake is in the works for 2014. No surprise there. The franchise was a highly popular cult hit from the 80's and 90's so a remake was inevitable. So sure, why not? I'm a big fan of Highlander. The original was influential enough to creep into many of my RPG campaigns. Immortals, swords, magic, a kick ass soundtrack, what's not to like as a gamer? Well I guess you could hate on Highlander 2 since it nearly ruined the mystique of the series, but then the TV show pretty much righted that ship by ignoring most all of the movies. Given this mess of movie/TV canon, a reboot is just what a 21st century Highlander needs, right? Well if the casting rumors are true, then Ryan Reynolds might be the next immortal MacLeod. I ask, with an A-lister like Reynolds, what could possibly go wrong? :P

Update 05/07/2021: Link to the article was removed because its gone. Well this movie never happened. Reynolds ends up being Deadpool. I guess someone else will have to the only one.