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Message no. 1
From: John Fox <johnf@*****.EDU>
Subject: Earthdawn: Passions, Geography
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1993 15:37:24 -0500
Hello,
I won't try quoting any of the messages on this subject...

Well, first off, Earthdawn IS the prequel to Shadowrun, although I have
not found this written in any official FASA product yet. If you need
proof, elves in ED speak Sperethiel. Also, the blood elves alluded to in
Tir Tairngire exist (although no game statistics).

As for whether Earthdawn's setting is Ukraine, you can plainly see the
Crimean Peninsula in the Black (Death's) Sea. Anyone complaining about
scale should remember FASA's map in the Neo-Anarchist's Guide to North
America, not a pretty sight. be thankful for what you have.

I know nothing about insect shamans except what is in the Grimoire. I
really don't like them anyways.

As for why we don't have windlings (sprites), t'skrang (lizard men), or
obsidemen (stone men), I really don't know. After reading "How it came to
pass" in D, one should realize that mana levels do not change at an even
rate.

I agree with Quiktek in that the creature in Dowd's "Voices From the Past"
is probably a Mad Passion. (Passion = God) Specifically, he is probably
Vestrial, Passion of Deceit and Manipulation. The description given is
similar to that in Dowd's story. Furthermore, Vestrial used to be the
Passion of Pranksters! Given Harlequin's personality, he would probably
revere the old "Vestrial" above all others. As to why Vestrial or any
other Passion would want to stop the Passions, remember that all Gods need
followers.

Priests of the Passions are called questors. I'm betting that questor
rules will be in the Tir Na Og sorcebook.

The devestation caused by the Horrors this time around may be less,
especially if the PC's complete the adventure Harlequin's Back
successfully.

Dowd's story refers to the Northern Islands. Can these be the same
Northern Kingdoms that refused to follow the Elven Court's lead in making
wood kaers during the Scourge? It would fit in with Harlequin's
iconoclastic personality.

The Tir Tairngire elves (and their watcher spirits) are working on "The Great
Ward", according to Harlequin. This ward probably protects against the
Horrors.

Blood Magic is found in Earthdawn. This is probably what they use in
Aztlan. Makes you wonder how much they know south of the border about the
Horrors.

One last thing: Horrors pollute Astral Space. Therefore, standard
spellcasting may cause damage in polluted areas. That's why ED magicians
must use spell matrixes to store spells in before they are cast.

I'm sure I'll think of some more connections,

John Fox
johnf@*****.edu
Message no. 2
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Earthdawn: Passions, Geography
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1993 17:29:10 EDT
>>>>> "JF" == John Fox <johnf@*****.edu> writes:

JF> One last thing: Horrors pollute Astral Space. Therefore, standard
JF> spellcasting may cause damage in polluted areas. That's why ED
JF> magicians must use spell matrixes to store spells in before they
JF> are cast.

I can see Spell Matrixes appearing as a form of Metamagic, being
introduced by either of the Tirs (prolly Tir Nan Og). A really great
ability as they let you cast spells without worrying about drain.

But when they appear, then you should really start to worry.

Rat <ratinox@***.neu.edu> Northeastern's Stainless Steel Rat
PGP Public Key Block available upon request Ask about rat-pgp.el v1.61
||||| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Our hero regains conciousness at the feet of a sarcastic alien.
--Spaceman Spiff
Message no. 3
From: Todd Montgomery <tmont@****.WVU.EDU>
Subject: Earthdawn: Passions, Geography
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1993 22:04:55 -0400
From John Fox:
> Well, first off, Earthdawn IS the prequel to Shadowrun, although I have
> not found this written in any official FASA product yet. If you need
> proof, elves in ED speak Sperethiel. Also, the blood elves alluded to in
> Tir Tairngire exist (although no game statistics).
>

Thanks everyone for the Gencon notice. One of these days I am going
to have to check out a con. Anyway on with it all.

Same company, similar ideas, same names, could have been, I was just
making sure. Could have been some cross-dimensional alternate reality
kind of jive.

> As for whether Earthdawn's setting is Ukraine, you can plainly see the
> Crimean Peninsula in the Black (Death's) Sea. Anyone complaining about
> scale should remember FASA's map in the Neo-Anarchist's Guide to North
> America, not a pretty sight. be thankful for what you have.
>

What in the world is the Aras Sea? Death's Sea is an ocean of Molten stone.
Aras is the saltwater sea. The scale of the map is about 70 miles per
inch. The closest thing I have here is about 200 miles per inch. With
roughly the same size. I doubt even FASA is that off. If another
Scoruge would be the reason why ED and the 4th.world disappeared
then the land could change into anything. Look how it changed after the
scourge. ED could be anywhere and what about plate shift, and
erosion and glaciers, and .... When is ED set? At least 5000 yrs.
ago. That is a guess from looking over the Harlequin module. His hatred
for Ehran is at least that old. And he may have not met Ehran in ED.

> I know nothing about insect shamans except what is in the Grimoire. I
> really don't like them anyways.
>

Amen, Say it, brother!

> As for why we don't have windlings (sprites), t'skrang (lizard men), or
> obsidemen (stone men), I really don't know. After reading "How it came to
> pass" in D, one should realize that mana levels do not change at an even
> rate.
>

> I agree with Quiktek in that the creature in Dowd's "Voices From the Past"
> is probably a Mad Passion. (Passion = God) Specifically, he is probably
> Vestrial, Passion of Deceit and Manipulation. The description given is
> similar to that in Dowd's story. Furthermore, Vestrial used to be the
> Passion of Pranksters! Given Harlequin's personality, he would probably
> revere the old "Vestrial" above all others. As to why Vestrial or any
> other Passion would want to stop the Passions, remember that all Gods need
> followers.
>
> Priests of the Passions are called questors. I'm betting that questor
> rules will be in the Tir Na Og sorcebook.
>

Now that would be a good idea for SR. Add in the concept of
god and etc. and I could have some fun with my players. ANd the world
would not be covered with slavering, homicidal horrors.

> Dowd's story refers to the Northern Islands. Can these be the same
> Northern Kingdoms that refused to follow the Elven Court's lead in making
> wood kaers during the Scourge? It would fit in with Harlequin's
> iconoclastic personality.
>

Good point. Seems to be plausible.

> The Tir Tairngire elves (and their watcher spirits) are working on "The Great
> Ward", according to Harlequin. This ward probably protects against the
> Horrors.
>

Maybe this time they won't relly on Blood Trees.

> Blood Magic is found in Earthdawn. This is probably what they use in
> Aztlan. Makes you wonder how much they know south of the border about the
> Horrors.
>

Blood Magic is vastly different concept in ED. It is not the sacrificial
kind. It comes from the player willingly to power some spells and talents.

> One last thing: Horrors pollute Astral Space. Therefore, standard
> spellcasting may cause damage in polluted areas. That's why ED magicians
> must use spell matrixes to store spells in before they are cast.
>

Not the only reason. Casting without a matrix attracts horrors and
really is painful. Physical drain of mucho Force. This is even in
good unpolluted areas.

-- Quiktek
-- Todd Montgomery
tmont@****.wvu.edu
tmont@***.wvu.edu
un032507@*******.wvnet.edu
Message no. 4
From: Chris Ryan <chrisr@*******.FIT.QUT.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Earthdawn: Passions, Geography
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1993 14:16:20 EST
John Fox:
> As for why we don't have windlings (sprites), t'skrang (lizard men), or
> obsidemen (stone men), I really don't know. After reading "How it came to
> pass" in D, one should realize that mana levels do not change at an even
> rate.

These 3 exist in high mana level times, which SR has yet to achieve. They'll
be amongst the first to go when/if the mana level drops in ED.

Chris

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Thwap!