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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
 Posted - 08 May 2011 : 16:04:32
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For the past year, along with a few friends and some outstandingly generous artists, I've been doing my best to do my part in breathing some life back into Maztica. I'd truly like it to cut across editions but since I know 3.5 the best, most of the crunch has fallen into that tag (though the fluff could go anywhere).
This revival, which I'm respectfully calling the "Maztica Alive!" campaign, will contain Canon and only "additive" fanon that doesn't conflict.
There is a monster book completed already which is up on Scribd and hopefully will one day be here.
Many many more are in the works and some have almost been finished as well. If anyone is interested in checking it out, helping, contributing, etc please just say so!
In the meantime hopefully you enjoy the Monsters of the True World!
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The Maztica Campaign
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 15:27:24
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| LK, didn't you or MT have a Maztica Redux thread on the WizO boards back in the day? Would he be able to glean any relevant information from there? |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 18:24:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
LK, didn't you or MT have a Maztica Redux thread on the WizO boards back in the day? Would he be able to glean any relevant information from there?
-No, no one ever did Maztica. Personally, I never liked it too much, so I never had much interest. Musings were made about Pluma and Hishna magic, but other than that, nothing. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 19:28:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
LK, didn't you or MT have a Maztica Redux thread on the WizO boards back in the day? Would he be able to glean any relevant information from there?
-No, no one ever did Maztica. Personally, I never liked it too much, so I never had much interest. Musings were made about Pluma and Hishna magic, but other than that, nothing.
Maybe Hawkins is thinking of the Project Osse threads. |
I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you dont want to move to the new Realms, that doesnt mean theres anything wrong with either you or the old Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches wont fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 23:16:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-Good luck with the project.
Thank you very much!
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
LK, didn't you or MT have a Maztica Redux thread on the WizO boards back in the day? Would he be able to glean any relevant information from there?
-No, no one ever did Maztica. Personally, I never liked it too much, so I never had much interest. Musings were made about Pluma and Hishna magic, but other than that, nothing.
Hopefully, this can help fix that. I have read many many threads about exactly why it wasn't terribly popular and I will try my best to fix it.
Below I will list projects that I am currently planning or working on, in case anyone has any thoughts. In addition to the Monster book being complete (MotTW), The Spelljammer crossover and Lopango guide is also well on its way. Even the scorpionfolk guide is about half way there. Truth is, I'm having a blast writing this and I found a great artist willing to work for not too terrible a commision on DeviantArt.
Of course, this list may be added to or combined or simply altered in the future. I do hope to have pdfs for all at some point though.
1. Monsters of the True World: Maztica and Lopango - A collection of creatures for the True World, including ones from Maztica, Lopango, surrounding islands and even the remote north.
2. The Great Skyhome: Maztica and Spelljammer - Expansion of Mazticas history and its many previously unknown connections to the Spelljammer campaign setting.
3. Lopango: Land of the Sacred Sun - Thorough investigation of the southern subcontinent of Lopango and its diverse races and peoples.
4. Claw and Venom: The Scorpionfolk of the True World - Guidebook to the societies of the scorpionfolk of the True World. Includes adventure module, The Den of Scorpions.
5. Myths and Legends of the True World - Detailed events and stories from the True Worlds past told by the Most Honored Father and sage of Payit. Includes game information of creatures, people and items from each individual tale. Includes the tale of Diamond Eyes and the myth of Kai Kai and Tren Tren among others.
6. Remnants of the Past: Ruin based Adventures in the True World - A collection of ruin based scenarios set in the True World including "The Ruins" and The "Ruins of Esh Alakar."
7. Islands of the True World - Guide to the lands and inhabitants of the numerous islands surrounding the True World including Lopango Payos and other islands based on RW mythology (Bahamian, Jamaican, etc.)
8. The Great Pyramid: Maztica and Planescape - A guidebook to Mazticas unique cosmology and deities and their ties to the rest of Faerun.
9. Fangs and Feathers: A Guide to Hishna and Pluma Magic - A comprehensive guidebook to the magic of the hishnashapers and the plumaweavers including spells and items of all levels of power.
Anoother idea that is floating around in my head is an undersea civilization near Maztica (but that's a niche within a niche and I can't imagine there are too many interested in seeing it).
I know this may seem overly ambitious, but why not 
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Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 05:27:15
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Monsters of the True World looks awesome! Well done!
I've always had a soft spot for Maztica. Like many I found the real world parallels a little too explicit, but the overall concept of a fantasy world based on Latin American mythology and culture awesome. If a Monsters of the True World 2 should come about I'd be happy to contribute some monster designs if you'd be interested.
Good luck with the rest of the project. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 05:54:42
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quote:
Originally posted by MalariaMoon
I've always had a soft spot for Maztica. Like many I found the real world parallels a little too explicit, but the overall concept of a fantasy world based on Latin American mythology and culture awesome.
-Same here. A Mesoamerican-type setting, I have no problems with it in theory. If done properly, it could be cool, just like any other kind of overtly-cultural setting (Kara-Tur, Zakhara, and other 3rd Party ones, like Hamunaptra, etc.). Maztica, like Kara-Tur and Zakhara, had the sometimes too transparent real-world unexplained cultural parallels, but unlike Kara-Tur and Zakhara, had events being transcribed from the real world. That's the part I didn't like. And, because they're specific events, and not just generic vibe that can be manipulated to some degree (like Kara-Tur and Zakhara), that makes it harder to work with and further Realmsify. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 06:16:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
quote:
Originally posted by MalariaMoon
I've always had a soft spot for Maztica. Like many I found the real world parallels a little too explicit, but the overall concept of a fantasy world based on Latin American mythology and culture awesome.
-Same here. A Mesoamerican-type setting, I have no problems with it in theory. If done properly, it could be cool, just like any other kind of overtly-cultural setting (Kara-Tur, Zakhara, and other 3rd Party ones, like Hamunaptra, etc.). Maztica, like Kara-Tur and Zakhara, had the sometimes too transparent real-world unexplained cultural parallels, but unlike Kara-Tur and Zakhara, had events being transcribed from the real world. That's the part I didn't like. And, because they're specific events, and not just generic vibe that can be manipulated to some degree (like Kara-Tur and Zakhara), that makes it harder to work with and further Realmsify.
Eventually, I'll want to attempt an expansion of Brian James' original idea, expressed thusly:- " ... is that the terra incognita lands *north* of Maztica were the lands replaced."
So, in this scenario, Maztica itself remains on Toril. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 20:45:32
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Great work, personally I enjoy real world parallels, there's much potential in Maztica
the faerie swarm seems out of place
what about chupacabra or wendigo? |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 21:02:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Great work, personally I enjoy real world parallels, there's much potential in Maztica
the faerie swarm seems out of place
what about chupacabra or wendigo?
Both were given write-ups in the Pathfinder: Bestiary 2:
Chupacabra
Wendigo
For use in 3.5, just add 1 to the Challenge Ratings
Just trying to save you some time.  |
Edited by - Hawkins on 10 May 2011 21:03:08 |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 22:54:14
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quote:
Originally posted by MalariaMoon
Monsters of the True World looks awesome! Well done!
I've always had a soft spot for Maztica. Like many I found the real world parallels a little too explicit, but the overall concept of a fantasy world based on Latin American mythology and culture awesome. If a Monsters of the True World 2 should come about I'd be happy to contribute some monster designs if you'd be interested.
Good luck with the rest of the project.
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Great work, personally I enjoy real world parallels, there's much potential in Maztica
the faerie swarm seems out of place
what about chupacabra or wendigo?
Thank you very much for the kind words!
When Ive brought this idea up with others, the chupacabra seems to be really a popular idea. Its definitely got to make it in there somewhere. I was thinking to put it in the Ruins Netbook (Netbook 6), because that has the Ruins of Esh Alakar adventure in it which is more SW United states. It will fit the flavor better than Aztec/Maya/Inca I think.
The wendigo was also done as a template in one of the 3e MMs. I dont remember which. Its probably a good idea though to use the template on a bunch of creatures then within the same Netbook. Possibly as an antagonist in an adventure.
I agree that the faerie swarm in MotTW doesnt fit the Aztec feel, but the book is actually trying to cover a whole range of areas including Maztica (Maya/Aztec), Lopango(Inca), and the local Islands (Bahamaian, Jamaican, homebrew mixture of myths). The Danaun faeries are from a location on one of the islands. I wanted to write them up more for the huge butterfly swarms that inhabit one of these islands than Maztica proper.
As far as sending along new monsters goes, I may not have a second monster book planned, but there is a TON of space within the other netbooks. Believe me, Ill find whatever beastie you can think of a home.
Here is a link to an excerpt from Netbook 2 and the discussion thread that formed it over on The Piazza if youd like to see whats in the works.
http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6136
BTW, Im very thankful you all have made such thoughtful responses on this thread. It is really keeping the creative juices flowing!
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Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2011 : 11:56:54
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I'd help with the ideas but meso-american is one of my weakest mythologies.
In the game I only used the Mayan/Aztec concept of the ages of the Sun. It is discussed among the astrologers whether the Dawn Cataclysm started the Age of the Fifth Sun or some future disaster is about to happen. It would start an age of the fifth Creator Race, humans (possibly more evolved).
You could make an encounter list, the only other monsters from D&D I can think of are the ixitxachitl, ixzan, phanaton (Mystara), anguiliian (Stromwrack), xixchil, xill, quelzarn, tlokasazotz (sp?, from Scarlet Brotherhood book), armadillephant lol.
Do you plan to include the pirates in the Carribean area? Or the crystal skulls? Entheogen-using shamans? Some kind of sacrificial rules?
There was a guy at Paizo boards that did a great 3e style map of Maztica. |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 01:25:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
I'd help with the ideas but meso-american is one of my weakest mythologies.
In the game I only used the Mayan/Aztec concept of the ages of the Sun. It is discussed among the astrologers whether the Dawn Cataclysm started the Age of the Fifth Sun or some future disaster is about to happen. It would start an age of the fifth Creator Race, humans (possibly more evolved).
You could make an encounter list, the only other monsters from D&D I can think of are the ixitxachitl, ixzan, phanaton (Mystara), anguiliian (Stromwrack), xixchil, xill, quelzarn, tlokasazotz (sp?, from Scarlet Brotherhood book), armadillephant lol.
Do you plan to include the pirates in the Carribean area? Or the crystal skulls? Entheogen-using shamans? Some kind of sacrificial rules?
There was a guy at Paizo boards that did a great 3e style map of Maztica.
With 2012 just around the corner, I'm amazed that a parallel for the "end of the world" hasn't been done already. There could have been predictions all over Maztica about the Spellplague!
An encounter list is a great idea. I'm not quite sure where to stick it in yet though. also, the creatures you mentioned will be perfect for it. I've been waiting for something to include the anguilians.
The pirates will be a part of the island book, but I desperately want to aboid overdoing them. I think they were mentioned in one of the Candlekeep Compendiums in fact (though I could be completely off, I haven't read them in a while). If that is so, I would like to stay true to those great works as well (I have already worked some of the aeree creator race info into the next netbook).
To help weed out a lot of pirate activity, however, there is a massive creature pulled straight out of Bahamian folklore called the Luska (Lusca in real folklore) found in MotTW that doesn't like ships sailing its waters. This will help me keep the islands more pure in their mythological roots as opposed to being a fully pirate setting.
I hadn't yet thought of the crystal skulls but it might be perfect...perhaps with their own Ruin based adventure. I have to be honest, I had to look up entheogen, and it could certainly also be done, perhaps in a PrC.
If the map you are mentioning is from someone called Rza on Paizo, I have spoken with him over the past year and he has given me permission to use the map! I am now just trying to get a hold of David Schwartz who wrote the fantastic Eagle and Jaguar Knight article in Dragon #215 and also put some other new material up on Paizo. He had SO much great material. In fact the only reason I am not planning on a netbook that is an update of Maztica to 3.5 is simply because he has already done so much of it.
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Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 17:27:22
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Just a quick update that the second Maztica Alive netbooks is at most a week from completion. It is a Maztica/Spelljammer crossover which is pretty obscure sounding but hopefully you think it works. Even if you care nothing for SJ i still think you'll be able to get plenty from it.
The link should be up by next weekend. |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 18:33:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr
With 2012 just around the corner, I'm amazed that a parallel for the "end of the world" hasn't been done already. There could have been predictions all over Maztica about the Spellplague!
-Has WotC announced their 2012 campaign setting? Because, yeah man, that could be such an amazing tie in right there... |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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BARDOBARBAROS
Senior Scribe
Greece
581 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 23:09:12
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| Nice ...Maztica is one of my favorite place in the realms !!!Good job !!! |
BARDOBARBAROS DOES NOT KILL.
HE DECAPITATES!!!
"The city changes, but the fools within it remain always the same" (Edwin Odesseiron- Baldur's gate 2) |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2011 : 11:23:11
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| Amazing, the best netbook I've ever seen |
z455t |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2011 : 17:56:29
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| Very well done. Quite impressive Seethyr. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2011 : 20:36:31
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| Can't tell you how much these comments mean to me! Thank you so much. |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2011 : 10:52:27
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Remnants of the Past: Ruin based Adventures in the True World - A collection of ruin based scenarios set in the True World including The Ruins and The Ruins of Esh Alakar
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z455t |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2011 : 08:15:26
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Looks like I'm going to be working on a few simultaneously, but I've finished a version of "Lopango - Land of the Sacred Sun" already and updating it has been going rather smoothly. I expect the new version, fully loaded with art, should be posted here anywhere from a month to 3 months.
When its done, I'll be sure to post the link. :-) |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Gouf
Seeker
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2011 : 15:39:44
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| I'm curious, in the beastiary, you have creatures called Tabaxi, that are feline humanoids. Is there any connection to them and the Humans of Chult also called Tabaxi? |
"Why is the torch burning blue?" |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2011 : 15:48:36
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I've actually seen that question posed somewhere before, possibly even somewhere on candlekeep.
Im going from memory here so I may be very wrong but I believe the response read that the two peoples had been mistaken for each other and one was a misnomer though I can't remember which. Seems like a good explanation to me since they are both found in similar settings.
The tabaxi in the Bestiary are actually an update to a creature that has it's roots way back in 1e, and I think the Chultans only showed up in 2e. |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2011 : 00:57:04
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I just commissioned a new piece of art for the next book and feel like I really have to share it. This artist is truly fantastic and somehow nails exactly what I had in mind when he draws for the netbooks...
Gold-Clad Giant Kings
http://fo3the13th.deviantart.com/#/d41ydeb
Basically, this is a subrace of stone giants (they're in the bestiary) that long ago fled from the dragon/giant wars of ancient times to Lopango. They have carried the shame of their cowardice for thousands of years and have become uncontrollably greedy and obsessed with gold. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :-) |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 10:37:44
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| That's absolutely awesome! |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 19:50:44
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| Looks great. They could pass for the giants of Xen'drik or even Golarion's rune giants. |
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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1151 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2011 : 22:51:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Looks great. They could pass for the giants of Xen'drik or even Golarion's rune giants.
Yes they do have that Xen'drik feel to them. Coincidentally, I realized I also have a tribe of jungle drow that worship a scorpion-god as well. I think I sub-consciously ripped that concept from Eberron too. |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
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Maztica Campaign
