new world?

[Nick the Nevermet]

I forget if this was asked already, but if it was, it was a while ago.

Is there a new world in your view of Wyerth?
If there is, does it matter?  The geography and set-up of Mainlund is a bit different than Europe, and there may not be a nation-state to play the part of Spain to a Wyrth version of Columbus.  And more importantly, would it really matter for the stories TROS wants to tell about the people living in Wyrth?

I can think of plenty of different opinions, but none of them really grab me as the one I beleive in.

Personally, the one that grabs me most is I think it'd be a bit of a divergence from history if any part of mainlund stumbles on and starts seriously exploring a new world.  Xanarium is kind of like Spain, but because its the remnants of the ultimate empire, I doubt it has the same incentives to explore for a western trade route to the East.  Then there are the nations south of the sea created by the death of Xanar.  I can't imagine they would have much incentive either, seeing how they are relatively close to rounding the penninsula(s) necessary to get to the far east of Wyerth.

Anyone have any opinions on this, or is it just me?
*has a hunch its just me babbling about the irrelevant*

[Jake Norwood]

I thought I lot about this way back when. I always felt that there were other continents, but I was never convinced that they'd been or would be discovered. My vote for any discoveries would be to Savaxen--that they've pulled a Leif Erikson (probably a long time ago) and that they're aware of something more. It'd make a great adventure...

Jake

[Jeffrey Miller]

One of the things I liked most about Wyerth was the blanks left on the map.  I find it limiting to pick up a game world and find that the designer couldn't make up their mind about what to leave out, so threw everything in.

Anyone ever see Wonder Boys?  The main character has been working on a followup to his smash best-seller for 10-odd years.  You get the impression that he hasn't even started it, but its later revealed that he has, in fact, been writting it since day 1, and just hasn't figured out how to stop..

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[Nick the Nevermet]

Good call on Savaxen... and it would be a fun adventure.

*twitches as a bizarre, unrealistic, gorefest of a battle between Nordic berzerkers and Aztec Jaguar warriors enters my head*

uh.... ignore that.
In all seriousness, the entire survival in a different land / diplomacy with an unknown people who don't know your language WOULD be fun, I think.

And I also agree with Eogan: one of the best things a setting can do is strategically leave large gaps for the GM and players to fill in.

[Jake Norwood]

A note on language--

When developing Weyrth I thought about doing what most of these games do by smoothing out the languages into dialects and making communication easier. I didn't do that because I think that if you ever do leave your "comfort zone" then part of the real fun is learning the language and seeing the new culture from a foreigner's eyes.

Jake

[Mokkurkalfe]

Good call.
Besides, as a seneschal, it's a lot easier to predict the players travels if they don't know the language of foreign countries.

[Nick the Nevermet]

I second it: roleplaying can be about overcoming barriers, and it often is in fantasy RPGs.  Language and customs are just another fun one deal with.

[Chade]

Actually, check out "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman for a bit on the vikings coming to America. Very nasty stuff, but I could believe it happened..


Spoiler:
They arrive in North America and build a small hall and fort. An indian "ambassador" comes to visit them and they treat him well, getting him very drunk. Then they find an old oak tree and hang the indian as a sacrifice to Odin, as he is only a skraeling. A few days later, a bunch of indians attack, capture the vikings, and kill them each in a different way. Pretty cool stuff.

[Jake Norwood]

I think I know my next campaign...

Jake

[Thirsty Viking]

Language is particularly burdensome in a first contact situation...  because neither side knows anything of the others language...    Not like most neighboring countries  where you can find people on the border areas to act as instructors/Translators

[Nick the Nevermet]

and thanks to the frequency of magic, chances are decent you won't have a spell-caster in a TROS group that will just cast "Comprehend languages."

hmm...
ok, ouch.  Sorry, I just hurt my brain trying to think of a Europe without the conquest of the New World.  Probably won't be a factor in 95% of possible TROS campaigns though, so I prolly just hurt my brain for no good reason :-)