From:	John Fox <johnf@*****.EDU>
Subject:	Tir Tairngire
Date:	Wed, 26 May 1993 10:38:17 -0500

Hello,
I just got a copy of Tir Tairngire and I really like it. Around
January or February someone on Usenet with an advance copy said that the
decker Laughing Man is really Harlequin (from the module of the same name)
and Big 'D' is Dunzelkhan the dragon. Kind of makes sense. I would like
to know who Spes and Aegis, those Latin speaking insiders, are.

Following is the text of an America Online Conference that was uploaded to
Usenet a while ago. It is about Earthdawn, and although Shadowrun is not
mentioned, it makes a few allusions in Tir Tairngire clear. Read the
sections on Blood Elves as well as Naming ceremonies.

Enjoy,
John Fox
johnf@*****.edu



Online Gaming Forums Conference Log: FASA Conference/FASA Lou/08 APR 93




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Cwm fnord : So when's the first book due to hit the shelves, Lou?
Hydro : those disciplines sound interesting, anything else??
FASA Lou : The first rulebook is scheduled for an August '93 release,
followed up immediately by a Gamemaster Pac
FASA Lou : As characters of each Discipline advance in experience...
FASA Lou : they get access to a variety of magical abilities called Talents.
Hydro : any address for more info, i've got to get going!! (other people
want to use the phone!!)
FASA Lou : Yes. Our address is 1100 W. Cermak, Suite B305, Chicago, IL 60608.
Mark the letter ATTN: Sales.
FASA Lou : That reminds me. We have a unique promotional plan in store. Would
you like the details?:)
Hydro : let's hear it!!
FASA Lou : Okay. In April and May we are going to distribute two, 8-page
color flyers...
FASA Lou : Each of these flyers will present a look at the world of Earthdawn
from the point of view of...
FASA Lou : two characters. The first flyer introduces Thom Hammerblade, a
dwarven Weaponsmith, and ...
FASA Lou : Ardis Foarr, a human Wizard.
Hydro : sounds neat, do I get these by writing to your???
FASA Lou : The second flyer will introduce Me'gana, an elven Swordmaster, and
Targ Bonslicer, troll Sky Raider.
FASA Lou : Yes, you can the flyers by writing to the address above.
FASA Lou : In each of the first two flyers, the characters tell a short story
about how they have come to be...
FASA Lou : in this small village named Tardim.
FASA Lou : In addition, the first flyers will also feature complete game
statistics for the characters.:)
FASA Lou : So then, now that you have these characters, what can you do with
them?
FASA Lou : Well, the third flyer provides a simplified explanation of the
rules of the game...
FASA Lou : and a short adventure featuring the four characters from the first
two flyers. So how does that sound?
Cwm fnord : How often will the flyers come out?
FASA Lou : The first flyer is due out in April/May. The second is due in
May/June. The third in July...
FASA Lou : just before the game is available. Cool huh?:)
Joan IV : Just what kind of a game is it and text or graphic?
Cwm fnord : Paper, Joan.
Joan IV : How do you play it?
Kris : ah. is formal conference? or may I ask off-topic question?
FASA Lou : It's a mostly formal conference, but what is your question?
FASA Lou : Okay, so what do yo guys know about Earthdawn?
Kris : was searching for area/articles/etc. re AOL free-form RP scenes
such as RDI, esp. info on MACROS.
Joan IV : Nothing but it's on paper
FASA Lou : Cyber, you had a question?:)
CyberChick: Uhm, my basic question is...
Cwm fnord : I think she's answering Kris's question in private, Lou.
CyberChick: What is Earthdawn. :>
FASA Lou : Okay. Earthdawn is a new fantasy RPG from FASA. it is schedued for
release in Aug. 93
CyberChick: Fantasy a la 'swords and sorcery" theme?
Cwm fnord : More like "high fantasy."
FASA Lou : Yes, but a little different most other S&S games out there.
FASA Lou : One way to sum it up would be to call it 'post magical-holocaust
high fantasy.
Mabelrode : What is special about Earthdawn that will set it apart from other
FRP's
M Panthera: Just what is Earthdawn ?
FASA Lou : Earthdawn is set in a world which has just recently (100 years
ago) emerged from 4 centuries ...
FASA Lou : self-imposed imprisonment.
FASA Lou : For those 400 years, the world was ravaged by creatures from
astral space known as ...
FASA Lou : the Horrors.
FASA Lou : The characters of Earthdawn are heroes who set out to reclaim their
world from the aftermath...
FASA Lou : of the Scourge, the name used for the time of the Horrors.
FASA Lou : So, what next?:D
Cwm fnord : *ALL* the PCs can use magic.
FASA Lou : Yes, they can.
FASA Lou : Some characters use magic to cast spells. These (of course) are
called magicians.
FASA Lou : Other characters use magic to power special abilities called
talents. These characters are called...
FASA Lou : Adepts. Actually, all characters are Adepts, but the people of
Earthdawn use the distinction...
M Panthera: And what is the character genation system like?
FASA Lou : between magicians and Adepts.
FASA Lou : I think that Mabelrode had a question, and then I'll discuss
Character Creation.
Mabelrode : Will the skills be percentile or level based
FASA Lou : Eathdawn is a fantasy RPG set in a world of post magical-holocaust
high magic.
FASA Lou : All abilities in ED (for short OK?:)) are rated by ranks. Ranks
determine the Step Number...
FASA Lou : of the ability. Step Numbers tell you which type of dice you roll
when attempting an action.
FASA Lou : Characters are rated by a set of 6 attributes, talents, skills and
other characteristics.
FASA Lou : Attribute values are purchased from a pool of points, or can be
rolled randomly for those who...
FASA Lou : like it that way. Attributes range from 2 to 18.
FASA Lou : A attribute value determines the base Step Number of an attribute.
All other abilities are based...
FASA Lou : on attributes. By adding the Step number of a Talent to the Step
Number of...
FASA Lou : the appropriate attribute, you determine the final Step Number for
the Talent.
FASA Lou : CORRECTION: By adding the RANK of a Talent to the Step Number of an
attribute. Sorry about that..
FASA Lou : and for the shouting.
FASA Lou : Okay, more questions?:)
Willem : Lou, since this is an EarthDawn conference...
Willem : I thought maybe you could tell us...
Willem : a bit about EarthyDawn's approach to magic...
Willem : We were discussing the logic of magic in a recent conference
here...
Willem : and I wondered what magical "theory" EarthDawn uses.
Willem : "(EarthyDawn?!?!)"
Cwm fnord : IMO, Earthdawn takes a very "scientific" approach to magic.
FASA Lou : CWMfnord, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Cwm fnord : It's an option. I like the magic system.
FASA Lou : Earthdawn Magic. Okay kids... here we go.
FASA Lou : The Magic theory of ED is based on the principal that in order
for magic to be used...
Cwm fnord : Bye scientific, I mean putting x+y together always gets you z -
not a big random factor.
FASA Lou : its presence must be perceived by the user.
FASA Lou : In the world of ED, all things that relate to magic have a pattern.
FASA Lou : By studying and learning about patterns, magicians and Adepts can
use magic to interact with them.
FASA Lou : When a pattern has had a significant interaction(s) with magic,
its pattern grows in strength.
FASA Lou : When this happens, the person, place or thing the pattern
represents is Named, and now has...
FASA Lou : what we call a True Pattern.
Michael815: What is this about patterns?
The Razor : Amber term...
FASA Lou : When a character learns the nature of a True Pattern, he is able to
use magic more effectively...
FASA Lou : against whatever the pattern represents.
FASA Lou : For example, if your characters studies the True Pattern of an
evil wizard...
FASA Lou : he would be able to use his magical abilities...
FASA Lou : more effectively against the wizard.
Michael815: Can we move back to basics? Since a few of us just arrived?
FASA Lou : The magical energy of the world of ED can be visualized by
thinking of...
Michael815: What is Earthdawn and why should I buy it? :-)
FASA Lou : strands of energy (called Threads) that characters can...
FASA Lou : manipulate to power their abilities.
BOAH : Is magic Common?
Cwm fnord : Earthdawn = high fantasy rpg set in a world recovering from a
magical holocaust.
FASA Lou : Spells are powered by threads, characters can attach threads
that...
Cwm fnord : BOAH, all PCs can use magic.
FASA Lou : connect two True Patterns, enabling magic to be used more
effectively.
FASA Lou : Yes, magic is very common. It is a part of everyone;s life.
Willem : How does that relate into game terms, Lou?
FASA Lou : By studying a True Pattern of the wizard from our example...
FASA Lou : your Swordmaster character could attach a Thread to his...
FASA Lou : Melee Weapons talent, and be better with that talent agaisnt the
wizard...
FASA Lou : than in other normal circumstances.
BOAH : Awesome
FASA Lou : Of course, this is not a real easy thing to do, but it is worth it.
FASA Lou : Here is another application of this idea...
FASA Lou : A group of characters forms an Adventuring Group. They choose a
name for themselves.
FASA Lou : This creates a True Pattern for the group. Each character can then
attach threads to this...
FASA Lou : True Pattern, and become better at certain abilities when acting
for the group.
Willem : Sounds interesting! I gather, then that one will try to conceal or
protect his/her True Pattern.
FASA Lou : This way, Adventuring Groups become more poweful than just a band
of heroes...
BOAH : Is this system compatible w/any of your existing systems?
FASA Lou : by forming a True Pattern for themselves.
Cwm fnord : Nicl - Earthdawn = high fantasy rpg set in a world recovering from
a magical holocaust.
FASA Lou : Yes Guy, all characters are wise to conceal their True Patterns.
FASA Lou : BOAH- no, this is a new system that stands alone.
Michael815: Lou, how many patterns can people develop and can they combine more
than one pattern they
Michael815: know to form new and stronger ones?
FASA Lou : Each person, place, or thing can have only ONE True Pattern. This
is created when they are Named.
Michael815: What do you mean by "named"?
FASA Lou : No patterns can't be combined, but they do grow in strength.
FASA Lou : When a person, place, or thing is given a Name, that is a Proper
Noun...
FASA Lou : it s True Pattern is formed. This True Pattern and Name separate
that person, place, or thing...
FASA Lou : from all others of its kind.
Michael815: How does this work as a game mechanic?
FASA Lou : There is no specific game mechanic for Naming. It just happens.
What is important...
FASA Lou : is that people, places, and things with proper names have True
Patterns.
Willem : O.K., so if you know something's (someone's) True Name...
Willem : ...you know their True Pattern...
Willem : and several people (each with their own pattern...)
Willem : ...can form alliances as a Group (or through something like a
marriage?) and form another pattern?
Biohunter : Fantasy?
Biohunter : FASA?
Cwm fnord : High fantasy. FASA.
Michael815: Ok, so I have a pattern or two. How do I perform a spell or
ability using earthdawn's rules
FASA Lou : Not exactly. A person's Name is only one part of their True
Pattern. A True Pattern...
FASA Lou : consists of all the knowledge about that person. This is called
Pattern Knowledge.
Willem : So the more you know about someone, the more of his Pattern is
revealed?
FASA Lou : a Person's Pattern Knowlegde can only be learned through a
material link to the True Pattern...
FASA Lou : these are called Pattern Items. Examples include a favorite
weapon, a piece of clothing, eytc.
FASA Lou : Yes Guy.
BOAH : Let me geuss there are bad guys who do this as a Hobby?
FASA Lou : Yes Bio, the rules are easy.
FASA Lou : You might say that BOAH>
Willem : I like this more and more! As a casual student of magical
"theory"...
PCC KDR : I'm not one for long discussions. What games is EarthDawn most
like? Shadowrun meets the Middle Ages?
Michael815: Ok, so cast a spell for me. And what stats do characters have in
Earthdawn?
FASA Lou : To cast a spell, a magician must have the spell to be cast in an
astral construct....
FASA Lou : known as a Spell Matrix. Once in the matrix, the magician adds any
additional magical energy...
FASA Lou : to the pattern of the spell by 'weaving' threads to it. Once all
the necessary threads are woven...
FASA Lou : the magician makes a Spellcasting test against the target.
FASA Lou : If the test is successful, the spell affects the target.
FASA Lou : Boah, you have a question.
BOAH : I know I'm late but are there classes or more like Archetypes?
FASA Lou : There are characters Disciplines. These are like classes, but are
much more.
FASA Lou : A character's Discipline determines the way in which that
character...
FASA Lou : views the world. It affects nearly all aspects of his life. This
is not done necessarily...
FASA Lou : in the rules, but in the conception of the character.
BOAH : Is it a single die system like SR?
Tucholka : Howdy FASA...new Fantasy RPG?
FASA Lou : No, Earthdawn uses all the types of polyhedral (mispelled) dice
there are.
Michael815: Is Earthdawn skill based then? vs. "class" based?
FASA Lou : Yup.
FASA Lou : It is a unique cross between skill and class based systems.
Michael815: How so?
Willem : :::gotta dig out the 4's & 12's again:::
FASA Lou : Characters have 'classes' but with each Discipline comes a set of
abilitites. When a character...
FASA Lou : improves enough of his abilities, he is eligible to advance within
his Discipline.
NicL : Would you mind a quick recap on the world setting?
FASA Lou : Earthdan is set in a world of high magic, that has just recently
experience...
FASA Lou : a magical holocaust.
FASA Lou : For 400 years, the people of the world hid away in underground
shelters, while creatures...
NicL : Actually, I meant what would I find when walking around.
FASA Lou : from astral space ravaged the land. Now, the heroes of the world
are working to reclaim the world.
FASA Lou : Well, most of the world is back to normal, in terms of vegatation
and plat life (duh, they're the same
FASA Lou : but there are many scars left over from the time of the Horrors.
People were forced to do awful...
FASA Lou : corrupting things to themselves in order to survive.
NicL : Modern cities? How much tech?
FASA Lou : One example is the Court of the Elven Queen, located in the Blood
Wood.
FASA Lou : The elves refused to live underground for 400 years, and instead
were forced...
FASA Lou : to undergo a bizarre ritual that has caused thorns to grow from
within their bodies.
Michael815: Two questions. You say disciplines give you abilities. Are you
talking skills and stats or
Tucholka : Good concept! Heroes! Yeah! First non-depressing major game with
potential!...er thorns?
Michael815: is Earthdawn a statless system?
FASA Lou : These elves are now known as Blood Elves. They are a horrible, and
beautiful people.
PCC KDR : Thorns???
FASA Lou : Yes thorns.
BOAH : Owy owy hurta and stuff!
PCC KDR : Big thorns, or little itty-bitty ones?
Tucholka : ...Blood drinking thorns?
FASA Lou : Characters have attributes, talents (magical abilities), skills,
and other characteristics.
FASA Lou : NicL, sorry, it's a fantasy game, set in the far distant past.
Cwm fnord : Big PAINFUL thorns. They don't drink blood, tho.
FASA Lou : Yes, big, nasty, blood dripping thorns.
Michael815: Can you change disciplines?
Cwm fnord : NicL - but magic in Earthdawn can do most of the things tech can do
in our world.
FASA Lou : You can, but it is difficult, and costly in terms of experience.
PCC KDR : Is there an alignment system, a la AD&D, or is it just 'do you own
thing'?
FASA Lou : You just do your own thing!!:()
Cwm fnord : Certain nationalities and organizations have a strong moral code.
FASA Lou : You would think.
Cwm fnord : But that's not a game mechanic, it's a background detail.
PCC KDR : How about Min/Maxing? If you took time, could you create a
super-character right out of the gate?
FASA Lou : Exactly
Michael815: I like the magic-tech idea.
NicL : Thanks. Um, is this Earth, or a totally fantasy setting?
FASA Lou : Not really PCC. The costs of high attribute values will prevent
someone from getting all high scores.
FASA Lou : It's Earth. At say 5000 BC.
PCC KDR : MagicTech: Brings to mind some magic anti-aircraft missiles my
friends and I created with AD&D. :)
NicL : Thanks again.
FASA Lou : No Prob
Cwm fnord : Really, Lou? OUR Earth? I didn't get that at all.
FASA Lou : Yup, it is Chris. It's our Earth.
Cwm fnord : Hmmm.
PCC KDR : Lou: Reason I ask is because a couple of people I know and game
with try to Min/Max all the time
Michael815: So what happens to everything then before civilization as we know
it comes about?
FASA Lou : Okay, so which cool thing should I spill next, the airships, or
the sea of molten stone, ...
FASA Lou : or the Theran Empire.
PCC KDR : Them flying ships in the ad!!!
FASA Lou : Well, the game takes place at a time before recorded history.
Cwm fnord : Micheal - Nasty horrors from another world come in and EAT
everything.
FASA Lou : Okay, the airships.
BOAH : Any really new Races?(not like the Blood elves but different)?
Cwm fnord : I really like the airships.
FASA Lou : Airships are used primarily by three groups. The Theran Empire, the
Crystal Raiders, and ....
FASA Lou : merchant companies.
Michael815: Cwm - But the spam and the cockroaches live to fight yet another
day!
FASA Lou : the Therans use stone airships, many of which are more like flying
castles than ships.
FASA Lou : The Crystal Raiders are clans of trolls who raid nearby towns and
villages, and the merchants...
FASA Lou : well, there just merchants,
FASA Lou : you know, doing their thing.
Tucholka : Link to Shadow Run maybe?
FASA Lou : Next up, the races of Eathdawn.
FASA Lou : There are elves, dwarves, humans, orks, trolls, you know the
standard fare...
PCC KDR : Races: 10K, marathon... ;)
FASA Lou : but we also have three other races.
FASA Lou : The first is the stone-like Obsidimen, who stand 7 feet tall and
weigh up to 900 pounds.
Cwm fnord : Dwarves are the majority...
FASA Lou : Next are the lizardmen T'Skrang, who operate riverboats along the
Serpent River. These are a cross...
FASA Lou : between standard lizardmen and Errol Flynn. T'Skrang have a
dramatic flare about them.
FASA Lou : Finally, there are the Windlings. These are tiny (18 inches tall),
winged humaniods. Highly magical.
FASA Lou : Very neat.
PCC KDR : Everything and everyone is magical, to some degree. right?
Michael815: Windings = Fairies?
FASA Lou : Yes, and no, in That order.
FASA Lou : Rich, all I can say is that it is the same world as Shadowrun, but
beyond that...
PCC KDR : Could anyone cast a spell (if they know one?)
BOAH : Thank you Buckaroo
FASA Lou : No. Only magician characters can cast spells. These are
Elementalists, Illusionists, Nethermancers...
FASA Lou : and Wizards.
NicL : I must sign off before my long distance eats me alive, but are all
races available for PCs?
FASA Lou : Yes they are Nicole.
PCC KDR : Now the financials: How much will the game cost? will it be in
hardcover?
FASA Lou : Any other questions out there?:)
BOAH : What is a Nethermancer
FASA Lou : Earthdawn will be a hardcover book that will retail for $30.
Michael815: How about a sample character?
FASA Lou : a Nethermancer is a magician who deals with spirits, undead, and
the Horrors.
BOAH : Cool!
Michael815: In the library would be fine.
FASA Lou : I can perhaps upload a sample character to the library sometime
next week. You can also ...
FASA Lou : see sample characters in the FREE Earthdawn flyers due out in
April, May , and June.
BOAH : Any other disscussions on ED before it hits the stores planned?
FASA Lou : Depends on you guys. I'm open to it.
Steven Tas: I would love to learn more about it. :)
Michael815: How about a testrun?
BOAH : yeah, yeah,yeah I got here late and would love that
Michael815: You provide characters and we have the fun?
FASA Lou : I might be uploading a sample of the first few chapters, if you
guys would like it...
FASA Lou : and my superiors approve.
BOAH : upload away.
Michael815: Sounds good! I'd like to chat a bit before August as well!
FASA Lou : Michael, the first two flyers give you two characters each, the
third gives you simplified rules...
FASA Lou : and a short adventure so you can try the game before it is
released.
BOAH : How do we get the flyers?
FASA Lou : They are going to be distributed to game and hobby stores, or you
can write to us.
Steven Tas: Lou, can we send our names and addresses to you via e-mail to get
the flyers?
Michael815: Nice touch. If it's as good as the rest of FASA stamped products,
you'll have a sale here!
FASA Lou : Maybe, I can upload the contents of the flyers so you guys can see
them here too.(no art though)
BOAH : Estimated price on the flyers?
FASA Lou : FREE, FREE, FREE, ALL
BOAH : Yippy skippy
FASA Lou : Three are FREE. BTW, the first two are 8 pages each. The third is
somewhere between 24 and 32 pages.
FASA Lou : Anything else?
Michael815: Thanks for the information.
FASA Lou : Steven, Sure you can!!:)
BOAH : Big armor system?
Steven Tas: Thanks Lou! :)
FASA Lou : Not really, armor reduces the amount of damage you take from an
attack. But...
FASA Lou : armor can be defeated by a better than average hit.
BOAH : What about no armor advantages?
FASA Lou : The game is not that detailed in terms of combat. But, there are
always supplementary rules...
BOAH : Do you have an internet adress?
FASA Lou : Well, if there are no further, questions,
FASA Lou : No, I'm only here on AOL (and Loving it)
Cwm fnord : Isn't the AOL Internet gateway 2-way?
FASA Lou : I should learn to spell.
FASA Lou : I dunno.
Cwm fnord : I think you can send Lou internet mail to his AOL box
Steven Tas: yes, it is.
Cwm fnord : Dunno the suffix, though.
Steven Tas: aol.com
Cwm fnord : There y'go, BOAH, FASA LOU@***.COM