Newbie questions: Which domain

[Harri Kemppainen]

On Thu, 7 Aug 1997, Caryl Takvorian wrote:

> I am going to start our group's first BR game (hopefully the first in a
> long series) and I would like to
> [snip]
> Also, at the moment I only own the Birthright Box. Are there any other
> extensions or sourcebook that I should really get my hands on? I
> suppose that when I finally decide on a domain I should buy the
> corresponding sourcebook, but again which ones are better.

I'd wote for Tuornen. There is a sourcebook of Tournen and both The Sword
and Crown and Warlock of the Stonecrows adventures can be used without too
many modifications. Tuornen has also powerful neighbours around so
expansion will not be easy. Five Peaks to north guaranties lots of
koblinoids and Ruobhe to west constant scirmishes with
elves. There is also elven blood on Tuornens line so that gives another
bunch of adventure possibilities. An not to forget ever constant
hostilities with Alamie (Tuornen was earlier part of Alamie).

Other neighbors like Boeruine, Avanil and Endier are detailed enough in
Boxed set so playing (and finding) antagonists to players is quite easy.
Sourcebook of Endier would probly enchance campaigne.

My own Campaigne is based on Roesone and Ilien (there is sourcebook of
both of them and also of Medoere), but I think It's been a little too easy
for them. Only proper antagonists are Ghoere which is tied with Mhoried,
The Spider which can cause constant problems, but really isn't proper
threat and Diemed which is a bit too far to conquere Reosone or Ilien
straight away. So my players have had chance to build their powerbase in
relative peace. Situation in Tuornen is much more delicate even if players
will try to survive together they can have serious problems any way
because there are so strong neighbours in Tuornen. Of course it depend
how hard DM wants to be to players, but anyway Tuornen gives lots of
different kind adventure chances and hard time building an empire.

- ---
cshake@kastanja.uta.fi

[Joao Medeiros]

>I downloaded the one that TSR has on it's page. Go check it out at:
>http://www.tsrinc.com/games/adnd/br/br.html
>
>Under Online Creations. If you have Adobe Acrobat then get that version,
it is superior. If you have a
>friend with a color plotter(huge printer) have them print the map out for
you. I've got it printed and it
>is Beautiful with a capital "B". I forget the name of that domain, but I
think it is Muden, give it a try.
> It is much farther north than the ones from the boxed set, so your Vos and
Rjurik Characters might like it
>more.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Tripp
Actually Muden is a Brect domain, and one of the cooler ones too IMHO.
I got that one too. I also have the one for Tuarhievel. It is a very good
one if you plan on playing or refereeing any elven realms anywhere.
-Joao Medeiros
lcgm@elogica.com.br

[Dan Medeiros]

>You have Tuarhievel in Electronic Format?
>
>Tripp

No. I'm sorry, I have a copy of the one published by TSR. It is a
good one though.
-Joao Medeiros
lcgm@elogica.com.br

[Tripp Elliott]

Caryl Takvorian wrote:
>
> I am going to start our group's first BR game (hopefully the first in a
> long series) and I would like to
> know from the experienced people around here which domain(s) is best to
> startup.
>
> If I remember correctly Roesene and Maedore are described in some details
> in the Sourcebooks,
> but if I choose one of them, then I suppose I loose one domain with a lot
> of background that could interact with my
> PCs.
>
> Also, at the moment I only own the Birthright Box. Are there any other
> extensions or sourcebook that I should
> really get my hands on? I suppose that when I finally decide on a domain I
> should buy the corresponding
> sourcebook, but again which ones are better.

The campaign I just started is set in Medoere right now, I'd be happy to send you copies of the files I am
using for it. I have almost all of it in electronic format, and could easily scan the rest of it in.

I have the sourcebooks for Medoere, and Endier, they are both pretty good. I remember seeing the one for
Diemed, but I didn't pick it up.

I downloaded the one that TSR has on it's page. Go check it out at:
http://www.tsrinc.com/games/adnd/br/br.html

Under Online Creations. If you have Adobe Acrobat then get that version, it is superior. If you have a
friend with a color plotter(huge printer) have them print the map out for you. I've got it printed and it
is Beautiful with a capital "B". I forget the name of that domain, but I think it is Muden, give it a try.
It is much farther north than the ones from the boxed set, so your Vos and Rjurik Characters might like it
more.

Good luck,

Tripp

[Frederic Lavallee]

Caryl Takvorian wrote:
>
> I am going to start our group's first BR game (hopefully the first in a
> long series) and I would like to
> know from the experienced people around here which domain(s) is best to
> startup.
>
> If I remember correctly Roesene and Maedore are described in some details
> in the Sourcebooks,
> but if I choose one of them, then I suppose I loose one domain with a lot
> of background that could interact with my
> PCs.
>
Well, our game is based in Roesone and i like it! Ok much of the stuff
in the BR box is on this region of Anuire but it has limitless
potential! Like Harri Kemppainen said, Roesone don't have many
antogonists (except for Ghoere and Spiderfell). But Roesone has a lot of
potentialfor development (its law, temples and guilds are shaky at
best). Develop a marine and explore (like Albiele Island in the South).
Also, don't be afraid to change a county: in our game War is brewing
between Illien and Roesone (Rogr was assinated in Roesone)! Use your
imagination and you will have a lot of fun.

> Also, at the moment I only own the Birthright Box. Are there any other
> extensions or sourcebook that I should
> really get my hands on? I suppose that when I finally decide on a domain I
> should buy the corresponding
> sourcebook, but again which ones are better.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Caryl

Well in my humble opinion Abobinations of Caercilia is an excellent
sourcebook. Not for the places but for creating and using memorable
ennemies.
Some of the bloodpowers at the end of this sourcebook are awesome!

For a naval campain, CITIES OF THE SUN is a good investment: the naval
rules are easy and good.

Fred

[Sepsis]

At 09:37 AM 8/7/97 +0100, Caryl Takvorian(Caryl@btinternet.com)wrote:
>
>Also, at the moment I only own the Birthright Box. Are there any other
>extensions or sourcebook that I should
>really get my hands on? I suppose that when I finally decide on a domain I
>should buy the corresponding
>sourcebook, but again which ones are better.
>

I'm a big fan of the Rjuvik countries, so in my opinion I would say Dhoesone
is a great place to base a campaign out of. The Regents are on a little more
equal footing and that helps keep the Players from feeling too subserviant
to another. Also I would suggest you pick up everything and anything that
says Birthright on it. Each DP, Sourcebook, or Adventure has something you
can use. But for starters you should grab the Book of Magecraft, Legends of
the Hero-Kings, Naval Battle Rules, and my personal favorite the Rjuvik
Highlands. The other regional Supplements(Khinsai and Brecht)are great to,
but the above should be more then enough to get you started. Hope that helps. :)


Sepsis, richt@metrolink.net

"War is a matter of vital importance to the State;
the province of life or death;
the road to survival or ruin.
It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied."
-Sun Tzu,(The Art of War)-

BR Netbook: http://webpages.metrolink.net/~veleda/birth.html

[Tripp Elliott]

Joao Medeiros wrote:

> Actually Muden is a Brect domain, and one of the cooler ones too IMHO.
> I got that one too. I also have the one for Tuarhievel. It is a very good
> one if you plan on playing or refereeing any elven realms anywhere.
> -Joao Medeiros
> lcgm@elogica.com.br

You have Tuarhievel in Electronic Format?

Tripp

[Alvin Otto]

Hi

> I'm a big fan of the Rjuvik countries, so in my opinion I would say Dhoesone
> is a great place to base a campaign out of. The Regents are on a little more
> equal footing and that helps keep the Players from feeling too subserviant
> to another. Also I would suggest you pick up everything and anything that
> says Birthright on it. Each DP, Sourcebook, or Adventure has something you
> can use. But for starters you should grab the Book of Magecraft, Legends of
> the Hero-Kings, Naval Battle Rules, and my personal favorite the Rjuvik
> Highlands. The other regional Supplements(Khinsai and Brecht)are great to,
> but the above should be more then enough to get you started. Hope that helps. :)


The Cities of the sun does have the Naval Battle rules included in
the box. It is also a very good expansion although I consider the
Rjurik highlands the best of them all. ( I fell in love with it the
minute I had it in my hands. ) Another fairly good expansio is the
Blood Enemies: Abominations of Cerilia accessory.

As for where to start players off in I used Arwenwe ( Purely because
I liked the place and it fitted into my the campaign I was running
fairly well. ) I would essentially recomend any place that suites
your campaign.

Cheers
Alvin Otto
mailto: adz@fast.co.za