Aihrde Questions
- DangerDwarf
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Aihrde Questions
I've never been a huge fan of Erde/Aihrde. I like the over-all idea, the Codex never quite sold me on the setting however.
Now, I'm gearing up to start a campaign (set in HH), but I keep glancing at my Aihrde stuff and wondering if I should give it a fair shake.
So, I've got a few questions for you folks:
The AWD folio. Is it worth it and how are the maps?
The A-Series: I'm looking for folks who have been running the A-series and how much fun it has been for their group in actual play.
Thanks.
Now, I'm gearing up to start a campaign (set in HH), but I keep glancing at my Aihrde stuff and wondering if I should give it a fair shake.
So, I've got a few questions for you folks:
The AWD folio. Is it worth it and how are the maps?
The A-Series: I'm looking for folks who have been running the A-series and how much fun it has been for their group in actual play.
Thanks.
- moriarty777
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Though I love the setting, I found the Codex a bit overwhelming at first (and to an extent still do). That isn't to say that I don't love the Codex. The AWD Folio on the other hand is NICELY put together. The information contained is both concise but detailed enough to give you a feel for the setting which is the main reason for my interest in the setting overall. In terms of content it is well worth while but I do have a couple of minor quibbles concerning the maps.
Frankly, I wish I had a larger poster sized version of the 'main' map. I've recently purchased the PDFs of the maps (they come in two pieces) and was wondering about getting these to a print shop to merge and enlarge one for my personal use. However for simple reference, the present size is good enough. It is a heck of a lot nicer than the original poster map done back in the days of the Codex.
Since I'm at work, I can't go into too much detail (I'm on my lunch break) but I'll revisit this thread and give you a more concise review of the contents of the Folio. If you have any specific questions, post him here and if they go unanswered, I'll gladly take the time tonight to try and answer some of them.
M
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Frankly, I wish I had a larger poster sized version of the 'main' map. I've recently purchased the PDFs of the maps (they come in two pieces) and was wondering about getting these to a print shop to merge and enlarge one for my personal use. However for simple reference, the present size is good enough. It is a heck of a lot nicer than the original poster map done back in the days of the Codex.
Since I'm at work, I can't go into too much detail (I'm on my lunch break) but I'll revisit this thread and give you a more concise review of the contents of the Folio. If you have any specific questions, post him here and if they go unanswered, I'll gladly take the time tonight to try and answer some of them.
M
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I think you know I already love Erde, and the Codex is where it started with me. The Codex writing is a bit on the scary side, but the flavor elements won me over. I think the folio is much better written and gets the flavor elements across with much better writing. One thing buying the folio may do is get you to like the setting enough to reread the Codex and get the jewels still hidden within it.
As for the "A" series I have run all of them. I treat them largely as an outline, but still ran them largely "as is" and had fun with all of them, even though I had some trouble getting the third or 4th one to work well. (Its the one in which Unklars Wife shows up).
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As for the "A" series I have run all of them. I treat them largely as an outline, but still ran them largely "as is" and had fun with all of them, even though I had some trouble getting the third or 4th one to work well. (Its the one in which Unklars Wife shows up).
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Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
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Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
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- DangerDwarf
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Assault on Blacktooth Ridge is simply an excellent module. Chock full of adventures (mini and larger), interesting NPCs and full of atmosphere. It has enough Aihrde lore that really got me interested and right after I received and read this mod, I bought the Codex.
But it doesnt have so much Aihrde stuff that you couldnt dump it all or ignore and just use the module and drop it into most any campaign world.
Our group spent a lot of time in AoBtR and I even put Shadows of Halfling Hall in the middle. It worked very well. The Blacktooth Ridge area (cities of Botkinburg and Ludensheim) and the East Mark are the foundation of my campaign world.
One thing about the Codex that I found to be a good way to approach it ~ dont bother with the beginning (history of the world type stuff), just go the Outremere section and read that (2 pages or so). Then maybe another time, find the main sections about Unklar and read them. And then pick and choose what interests you.
This section reading method worked very well in my campaign world and really gave me a much greater appreciation of the modules.
And I only summarized or dropped bits of info to my gaming group as they explored or asked questions usually having NPCs relate the lore and/or regional information to the PCs.
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But it doesnt have so much Aihrde stuff that you couldnt dump it all or ignore and just use the module and drop it into most any campaign world.
Our group spent a lot of time in AoBtR and I even put Shadows of Halfling Hall in the middle. It worked very well. The Blacktooth Ridge area (cities of Botkinburg and Ludensheim) and the East Mark are the foundation of my campaign world.
One thing about the Codex that I found to be a good way to approach it ~ dont bother with the beginning (history of the world type stuff), just go the Outremere section and read that (2 pages or so). Then maybe another time, find the main sections about Unklar and read them. And then pick and choose what interests you.
This section reading method worked very well in my campaign world and really gave me a much greater appreciation of the modules.
And I only summarized or dropped bits of info to my gaming group as they explored or asked questions usually having NPCs relate the lore and/or regional information to the PCs.
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Rhuvein wrote:
One thing about the Codex that I found to be a good way to approach it ~ dont bother with the beginning (history of the world type stuff), just go the Outremere section and read that (2 pages or so). Then maybe another time, find the main sections about Unklar and read them. And then pick and choose what interests you.
This section reading method worked very well in my campaign world and really gave me a much greater appreciation of the modules.
Yeah, this is how I got to the point where I was able to read the whole thing. I started reading a little here, a little there, and then all of a sudden it king of "bit me" and I was able to read the histories and everything because I was now interested in it.
The writing still made it painful. I definitely felt like a Old School Sage painstakingly searching through an old tome trying to find some obscure yet critically important passage.
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Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
As mentioned in anothe thread, I also wanted a bigger map that was one piece, than the one that came with the folio. I downloaded the two maps from RPGNOW and then imported them to photoshop, where I do all my artwork and maps. I then put them together, resized it, and then added a very faint, translucent hex grid that you can barely see (so as not to blemish Pete's awsome art) and presto. Took it to Kinko's and now have a large poster map!
- DangerDwarf
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Rhuvein wrote:
The Blacktooth Ridge area (cities of Botkinburg and Ludensheim) and the East Mark are the foundation of my campaign world.
That sounds like something I'd be interested.
Interested in sharing a bit more about this? Where, or to what direction did you have the Blacktooth Ridge area and the East Mark in relationship to eachother?
DangerDwarf wrote:
That sounds like something I'd be interested.
Interested in sharing a bit more about this? Where, or to what direction did you have the Blacktooth Ridge area and the East Mark in relationship to eachother?
Sure. I wanted to pretty much jam a lot of modules (choices for the PCs) into New Aenoch (Outremere) so the PCs wouldn't have to travel too much between locations.
Anyway, I loosely placed Yggsburgh west of the BtR - probably on the edge of the Kellerward depending on which map.
I sketched out a map for my players, but actually created a hex map for myself (mostly for fun as it's pretty crude) here:
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Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
- DangerDwarf
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- DangerDwarf
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DangerDwarf wrote:
Spent some time going over the folio. Much better than the Codex in my opinion.
Still not sold on the setting as a whole though.
I like what is presented in the A series, just not the overall world.
I'm the other way, DD. I prefer the setting as a whole over the A series stuff. Then again, I like the Drakenfold area much better than the Blacktooth Ridge area.
R-
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I've been a huge fan of Erde since it first came out as a d20 book. Back then, other than the Trolls, I think Serl and I were the only ones on the TLG boards That being said, the Codex is a dry read. Wonderful setting...just a little dry. The folio is much easier to read and does an excellent job of getting you into the setting without overwhelming the reader.
- Lord Dynel
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I just picked up the Codex for $7 at my FLGS. I haven't had time to go through it yet (it's at the bottom of a moderate sized stack of gaming material) but do look forward to perusing it in the coming weeks.
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- Egg of Coot
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I've recently obtained a 1st print of the Codex of Erde (is there much difference between prints?) and have started reading through it. I've been very impressed with it thus far - and I still have to go through the lion's share of the material.
The Egg
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- gideon_thorne
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Egg of Coot wrote:
I've recently obtained a 1st print of the Codex of Erde (is there much difference between prints?) and have started reading through it. I've been very impressed with it thus far - and I still have to go through the lion's share of the material.
The Egg
I don't think there was actually more than one printing. It was just a socking large one.
As far as I know, the C&C phb is the only TLG product that has sold more than the Codex.
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My only problem with Airdhe is that it seems the history can get in the way a bit. I resolved it by advancing the timeline and making the Winters Dark a legend rather than something that has just happened. It seems to fix the issues I have.
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- maasenstodt
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Rigon wrote:
I prefer the setting as a whole over the A series stuff. Then again, I like the Drakenfold area much better than the Blacktooth Ridge area.
I have similar sentiments. I do like A0 and A1, but the subsequent modules in that series haven't grabbed my interest.
The Mortality of Green, on the other hand, might just be my favorite C&C module. As plot driven adventures go, it's among the best I've read, not in small part because of the haunting atmosphere and the positively inspiring map of the Darkenfold included therein.
I've long awaited Shades of Mist and eagerly await picking up a copy. I just wish that Steve could commit as much time to the C series as the Trolls do to the A series.
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From the way things look Airdhe as a whole is going to get more attention. That is if Steve's comments in the chat aren't being misread by me.
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Julian Grimm wrote:
From the way things look Airdhe as a whole is going to get more attention. That is if Steve's comments in the chat aren't being misread by me.
Indeed.
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gideon_thorne wrote:
Indeed.
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- gideon_thorne
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Rigon wrote:
**TONGUE AND CHEEK WARNING**
Could you BE anymore enigmatic?
R-
warning included so as not to offended anyone with my wit
I can if you want me to be.
Who knows what secrets lay at the heart of the future of Aihrde... I do!
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"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach
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Rigon wrote:
**TONGUE AND CHEEK WARNING**
Could you BE anymore enigmatic?
R-
warning included so as not to offended anyone with my wit
Maybe.
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JERKSTORE!gideon_thorne wrote:
I can if you want me to be.
Who knows what secrets lay at the heart of the future of Aihrde... I do!
Offense should be assumed and was intended.
-O
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Honestly, the setting deserves all the lovin' the Trolls can throw at it. It a wonderful setting and how I discovered the Trolls. Before C&C, CZ, LA, the Trolls showed thier worth through this awsome setting. Unfortunatly, it couldn't make 3E bearable for me. So, what do you sdo when you have a great setting and a crappy system? That's right, i chucked the system and kept Erde.
Personally, I really like CZ, but in all honesty, I've done my share of mega-dungeons, and I've had my Sojurn in GH. Erde, to me, was like a breath of freash old-school air. This was true when it was under 3E, and it holds true under C&C.
So run along, you crazy trolls, and work on bringing Skath some new Erde...sorry, I mean Aihrde.
Personally, I really like CZ, but in all honesty, I've done my share of mega-dungeons, and I've had my Sojurn in GH. Erde, to me, was like a breath of freash old-school air. This was true when it was under 3E, and it holds true under C&C.
So run along, you crazy trolls, and work on bringing Skath some new Erde...sorry, I mean Aihrde.
I prefer Erde, its much easier to remember how to spell it. In Airhde does the r come before or after the h?
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Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
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Aihrde. Germanic.
-O
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-O
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Omote wrote:
Aihrde. Germanic.
-O
Germanic with a little LOTR and a dash of Legend for spice. It took some getting used to for me but I love the setting if for nothing more than the history and legends in it.
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