Mystara

Mystara
Designer(s) Dave Cook, Frank Mentzer, Bruce Heard, Aaron Allston, Ann Dupuis, et al.
Publisher(s) TSR Hobbies, Inc., TSR, Inc.
Publication date 1980-1995
Genre(s) Fantasy
System(s) Dungeons & Dragons, AD&D 2nd Edition

Mystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. It was the default setting for the "Basic" version of the game popular through the 1980s.

Development

Lawrence Schick and Tom Moldvay developed the "Known World" setting together as a fantasy world for their own Dungeons & Dragons game sessions from 1974 to 1976. Schick went to work at TSR Hobbies as a designer for D&D and other games, and after being promoted to director of the Design Department he brought Moldvay in to join the company as a game designer; they decided to use the setting for the D&D Expert Set which was in development at that time.[1]

It originated as the Known World, a semi-generic setting used in early adventure modules, first mentioned in the Module X1, Isle of Dread,[2] which was expanded upon in various D&D modules and sources, particularly a series of Gazeteers.

Mystara began as several semi-independent projects by different teams of writers who were each assigned to the task of developing different cultures and nations that would exist in the fantasy world that was supported by Dungeons & Dragons at the time. Their work was gathered and compiled, blended, and combined to form a fantasy world, Mystara.

The D&D Gazetteer series details the game's Known World setting. Each Gazetteer treats one nation or empire, and has three basic elements: cultural and geographic background, features, and adventures. The cultural and geographic campaign background section offers a brief history and timeline for each nation; basic geography, climate, and ecology; and, fundamental social and political concepts of the region. Each Gazetteer also offers a list of scenario ideas appropriate to the campaign setting.[3]

Trenton Webb for the British Arcane RPG magazine described Mystara as "a traditional Tolkienesque world".[4]

Mystara Planet

Mystara's outer surface consists of three principal land masses: the continent of Brun, the continent of Skothar, and the continent of Davania, plus the island continent of Alphatia (up to AC 1010). In the officially published material, the Known World concentrated on the eastern portion of Brun along with the lands of the Sea of Dawn. The continents of Mystara resemble those of the earth approximately 135 million years ago.

The inhabitants of Mystara are diverse: humans of all races can be found here, along with myriad creatures such as elves, dwarves, halflings, orcs, and dragons.[5]

Some of the notable nations of Mystara include the Thyatian Empire, the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, the Principalities of Glantri, the merchant-run Republic of Darokin, the Emirates of Ylaruam, the Dwarven nation of Rockhome, the Elven Kingdom of Alfheim, Halfling lands of the Five Shires[5] and the chaotic Alphatian Empire.[6]

The continent of Brun

The most commonly known land mass on Mystara's outer surface is actually a tiny portion of the continent of Brun itself. In the officially published material, the Known World concentrated on the eastern portion of Brun along with the lands of the Sea of Dawn.[5]

The Known World

The Known World has cultures and a level of technological development that resemble Europe around the 15th century, but without gunpowder. Nations of the known world display a great range of government types. Some nations are populated entirely by demihumans and/or humanoids. By common convention, the boundaries of the "Known World" are those covered in the world map as originally published in the module X1, The Isle of Dread,[5] plus Norwold, the Isle of Dawn, and (pre Wrath of the Immortals) Alphatia.[6]

As the name implies, the "Known World" covers the most notable nations of Mystara, the ones most commonly used in Mystara-based campaigns and featured in fiction. It includes the Thyatian Empire, which could be compared to Byzantine Empire; the Grand Duchy of Karameikos (which includes the town of Threshold, the default setting of many classic D&D adventures), comparable to medieval southeastern Europe; the Principalities of Glantri, which is similar to medieval western Europe, ruled by wizard-princes; the Ethengar Khanate, a Mongol-like society; the merchant-run Republic of Darokin, which is based somewhat loosely on the mercantile states of Medieval Italy; the Emirates of Ylaruam which have an Arabic flavor; the Heldannic Territories, ruled by an order of religious Knights devoted to the Immortal Vanya, similar to the Teutonic Knights; the Atruaghin Clans, which have an Amerindian feel; the nation of Sind, based on India during the rule of the Mughals; the Northern Reaches Kingdoms of Ostland, Vestland, the Soderfjord Jarldoms, based on Scandinavian kingdoms at various periods of history; the Dwarven nation of Rockhome; the elven Kingdom of Alfheim; the Halfling lands of the Five Shires;[5] and the Alphatian Empire, ruled by wizards and other spellcasters.[6]

To the distant Northwest of the "Known World", across the Great Waste, lies the mysterious lands of Hule, ruled by Hosadus, also known as "The Master". Also on the periphery of the Known World are the Kingdoms of Wendar[5] and Denagoth, the first an elven-dominated nation and the latter a mountainous and dark realm of evil, with ill-intentions towards Wendar. The Adri Varma lies between Sind, Wendar, the Great Waste, and The Black Mountains, forming the northern border of Glantri and defining the northwestern limits of the region.

The Savage Coast

Mystara includes the Savage Coast, a coastal area located in the south central part of the Brun continent, to the south and west of Hule. This part of Mystara is affected by the Red Curse, a sinister enchantment which eventually kills its inhabitants through mutation unless the (fictional) metal cinnabryl is worn in contact with the body. This area was published in its own boxed set entitled Red Steel, and later republished on-line as the Savage Coast. Its swashbuckling flavor is very different from that of the "Known World", closer in atmosphere to that of the Age of Exploration than the fantasy middle-ages/renaissance tone of the Known World. The Savage Coast is complete with gunpowder ("Smokepowder") weaponry.[7][8]

The specifics of the "Red Curse", which include mutilation of the body and extreme degeneration of physical and mental health, also tend to keep the inhabitants of the Savage Coast within the region, as debilitating effects result if they leave the cursed area.[7][8]

The continent of Davania

Even though most of the Known World civilizations historically originated from this part of the planet, it did not see much development while the Mystara product line was still in production. The only major appearance of the continent was in Dragon magazine, where parts of it were sketched out during the Voyage of the Princess Ark series, by Known World Product Manager Bruce Heard.

In recent years, many Mystara fans have been turning their attention to Davania with fan-made material.

The continent of Skothar

Very little was officially developed for this part of Mystara. Ever since the Mystara product line was discontinued, fans have created their own material for this part of Mystara.

The Hollow World

Main article: Hollow World

Mystara is a hollow planet, with a habitable surface on its interior called the Hollow World.[5] This world is lit by an eternal red sun at the center of Mystara, and serves as a "cultural museum," preserving the societies that have become extinct in the outer world. The existence of the Hollow World is not, in general, known to the inhabitants of the outer world. The poles are actually huge, subtly curving holes that allow passage between the outer and inner world, although it is a long, hard trek through a cold, unlit, stormy and anti-magic area. The curvature of the holes is so subtle that explorers from either surface do not notice the transition until after it is already made, causing quite a shock for most.

Moons

Two moons orbit the planet. Matera is a moon much like our own, whose phases govern lycanthropy (werewolves, werebears, etc.).[5] Only the Immortals inhabit Matera. They live in a city, Pandius, where they can meet and watch over Mystara. Patera, or Myoshima to its inhabitants, is an invisible moon that cannot be seen from Mystara. Patera's inhabitants have a culture similar to that of medieval Japan.

Blackmoor

Mystara (like Greyhawk) also incorporated the Blackmoor setting by placing it in the world's distant past. Blackmoor evolved from a feudal kingdom into a highly advanced civilization, using more and more powerful—and destructive—technology. It ended itself in an apocalyptic explosion so devastating that it changed the climate and geography of the planet as a whole.

Mystara video games

Video games set in Mystara include the Capcom arcade Beat 'em up/role-playing video games Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom (1993) and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara (1996). Other Mystara video games are: Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (Sega Genesis, 1992), Fantasy Empires (PC, 1993), and Order of the Griffon (TurboGrafx 16, 1992).

Novels

First Quest

Dragonlord Chronicles

Penhaligon Trilogy

Source material

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Notable adventure modules

Code Title Levels Author(s) Published Notes
X1 The Isle of Dread 3–7David Cook
Tom Moldvay		1980Introduces the Known World, the most notable nations of Mystara, and the Sea of Dread and the Thanegioth Archipelago to the south.
X4 Master of the Desert Nomads 6–9David Cook1983Expands the world to the west with the introduction of the Sind Desert and the Great Waste.
X5 Temple of Death 6–10David Cook1983Introduces the land of Hule, further expanding the world to the west.
X6 Quagmire! 4–10 Merle M. Rasmussen1984First adventure in the Serpent Peninsula, south of Sind.
X9 The Savage Coast 4–10Merle M. Rasmussen
Jackie Rasmussen
Anne C. Gray		1985Introduces the Savage Coast, southwest of Hule.
X10 Red Arrow, Black Shield 10–14Michael S. Dobson1985The politics of the most notable nations and areas of the Known World are further expanded in this adventure.
X11 Saga of the Shadow Lord 5–9Stephen Bourne1986Introduces the Kingdoms of Wendar and Denagoth, north of the most notable nations.
CM1 Test of the Warlords 15+ Douglas Niles1984 First major adventure in the land of Norwold, northeast of the most notable nations.
M5 Talons of Night 20–25 Paul Jaquays 1987 Adventure in the Isle of Dawn, within the Alphatian Empire.

Dungeons & Dragons Gazetteers

Code Title Author(s) Published Notes
GAZ1 The Grand Duchy of Karameikos Aaron Allston1987 
GAZ2 The Emirates of Ylaruam Ken Rolston1987 
GAZ3 The Principalities of Glantri Bruce Heard1987 
GAZ4 The Kingdom of Ierendi Anne Gray McCready1987 
GAZ5 The Elves of Alfheim Steve Perrin1988 
GAZ6 The Dwarves of Rockhome Aaron Allston1988 
GAZ7 The Northern Reaches Ken Rolston1988 
GAZ8 The Five Shires Ed Greenwood1988 
GAZ9 The Minrothad Guilds Deborah Christian
Kim Eastland		1988 
GAZ10 The Orcs of Thar Bruce Heard1988Includes Orc Wars boardgame
GAZ11 The Republic of Darokin Scott Haring1989 
GAZ12 The Golden Khan of Ethengar Jim Bambra1989 
GAZ13 The Shadow Elves Carl Sargent
Gary Thomas		1990 
GAZ14 The Atruaghin Clans William W. Connors1991 
Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia Aaron Allston1989Boxed set; includes AD&D 2nd Edition conversion

Dungeons & Dragons Creature Crucible

Code Title Author(s) Published Notes
PC1 Tall Tales of the Wee Folk John Nephew1989 
PC2 Top Ballista Carl Sargent1989 
PC3 The Sea People Jim Bambra1990 
PC4 Night Howlers Ann Dupuis1992Adapatable to AD&D 2nd Edition

Dungeons & Dragons Hollow World

Code Title Author(s) Published Notes
Hollow World Campaign Set Aaron Allston1990Boxed Set
HWR1 Sons of Azca John Nephew1991Accessory
HWR2 Kingdom of Nithia Blake Mobley, Newton Ewell1991Accessory
HWR3 The Milenian Empire Anthony Herring1992Accessory
HWA1 Nightwail Allen Varney1990Adventure
HWA2 Nightrage Allen Varney1990Adventure
HWA3 Nightstorm Allen Varney1991Adventure
HWQ1 The Milenian Scepter Anthony Herring1992Adventure

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Mystara

Code Title Author(s) Published Notes
TSR 2500 Karameikos: Kingdom of Adventure Jeff Grubb, Aaron Allston, Thomas M. Reid1994Boxed Set
TSR 2511 Glantri: Kingdom of Magic Monte Cook, Bruce A. Heard1995Boxed Set
TSR 2502 Hail the Heroes Tim Beach1994Adventure Boxed Set
TSR 2509 Night of the Vampire L. Richard Baker III1994Adventure Boxed Set
TSR 2513 Mark of Amber Aaron Allston, Jeff Grubb and John D. Rateliff1995Adventure Boxed Set
TSR 2510 Player's Survival Kit John D. Rateliff1995Accessory
TSR 2512 Dungeon Master Survival Kit Steven Schend1995Accessory
TSR 2506 Poor Wizard's Almanac III & Books of Facts Ann Dupuis1994Accessory
TSR 2517 Joshuan's Almanac & Book of Facts Ann Dupuis, Elizabeth Tornabene1995Accessory
Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix John Nephew, John Terra, Skip Williams, Teeuwynn Woodruff1994Accessory

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Red Steel

Code Title Author(s) Published Notes
TSR 2504 Red Steel Campaign Expansion Tim Beach 1994Accessory & Boxed Set
TSR 9500 Savage Baronies Tim Beach1995Accessory & Adventure

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Odyssey: Savage Coast

Code Title Author(s) Published Notes
Savage Coast Campaign Book Tim Beach, Bruce Heard 1996Accessory
Savage Coast: Orc's Head Nicky Rea1996Accessory
Savage Coast Monstrous Compendium Appendix Loren L. Coleman, Ted James, Thomas Zuvich 1996Accessory

References

  1. ↑ https://www.blackgate.com/2015/02/07/the-known-world-dd-setting-a-secret-history/
  2. ↑ Cook, David; Moldvay, Tom (1981). The Isle of Dread. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-935696-30-X.
  3. ↑ Rolston, Ken (January 1988). "Role-playing Reviews". Dragon. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR, Inc. (#129): 83–84.
  4. ↑ Webb, Trenton (March 1996). "Games Reviews". Arcane. Future Publishing (4): 70.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Grubb, Jeff; Allston, Aaron; Reid, Thomas M. (1994). Karameikos: Kingdom of Adventure. TSR, Inc. ISBN 1-56076-853-3.
  6. 1 2 3 Allston, Aaron (1989). Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-88038-736-X.
  7. 1 2 Beach, Tim (1994). Red Steel Campaign Expansion. TSR, Inc. ISBN 1-56076-895-9.
  8. 1 2 Beach, Tim; Heard, Bruce (1996). Savage Coast Campaign Book. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-7869-0379-1.
  9. ↑ Kenson, Stephen (March 1999). "Profiles: J. Robert King". Dragon. Renton, Washington: Wizards of the Coast (#257): 120.
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