Kara-Tur

[Niemz]

Kara-Tur is a fantasy world created by Gary Gygax, David Cook and François Marcela-Froideval detailed in 1985's Oriental Adventures for the First Edition Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Kara-Tur roughly corresponds to ancient East Asia in the real world, and many countries, places and peoples can find common ground with real life examples. It was later placed on the planet Toril, the planet of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, and lies east of Faerûn.

Various countries described in the set include:

* Malatra, a jungle country, Indian- or Malaysian-like.
* Shou Lung, modeled after Imperial China, arguably the most powerful nation on Toril. Stes of interest includes the port of Karatin, capital of the Hai Yuan, or Maritime provinces and Kao Shan province with the semi-independent city of Kai Shan. The main criminal organisation in the country is the Tsui Tong. The most massive mountain range of the known world is Wu Pi Te Shao (equivalent of Himalaya)
* T'u Lung, a splinter faction of Shou Lung
* Kozakura, an island kingdom modeled after Japan
* Wa, another Japanese-influenced kingdom

[straal]

Oooohhh. I remember Oriental Adventures. That was a cool book, It really lopsided the game, but what the hay, we were only about 12 yrs old. What did we know?

[matanthunder]

;D

The part about it that I liked best is the basic martial arts proficiencies are really a great advantage for a new low level PC. Especially for non melee powered classes like the mage. It is a strategy I have used heavally. Now all I have to do is find a martial arts master to train the PC. Maybe an older family member with some experience.

The entire Karatur Campaign setting lends an entirely different flavor to you game. The use of Ki powers, Honor Points, the 1/2 animal races Hengeyyokai, & the Wu Jen mage class are all real neat additions.

As to balance in the game I just stepped up the other campaigns to paralell the Karatur one. Doing thing like creating family background & inheritance possibilities evened it up some for the low level PC. Having a brand of more western/melee based skills also helped even out the combat imbalances.

Later

[DM=DisputeMediator]

admin said:

Kara-Tur is a fantasy world created by Gary Gygax, David Cook and François Marcela-Froideval detailed in 1985's Oriental Adventures for the First Edition Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Kara-Tur roughly corresponds to ancient East Asia in the real world, and many countries, places and peoples can find common ground with real life examples. It was later placed on the planet Toril, the planet of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, and lies east of Faerûn.

Various countries described in the set include:

* Malatra, a jungle country, Indian- or Malaysian-like.
* Shou Lung, modeled after Imperial China, arguably the most powerful nation on Toril. Stes of interest includes the port of Karatin, capital of the Hai Yuan, or Maritime provinces and Kao Shan province with the semi-independent city of Kai Shan. The main criminal organisation in the country is the Tsui Tong. The most massive mountain range of the known world is Wu Pi Te Shao (equivalent of Himalaya)
* T'u Lung, a splinter faction of Shou Lung
* Kozakura, an island kingdom modeled after Japan
* Wa, another Japanese-influenced kingdom

Ahh, lest we not forget Koryo...

[waylander39]

Kara Tur was an interesting and (in my opinion) underrated setting, best kept seperate as the OA rules can make traditional characters pale by comparison. I do have it in my Forgotten Realms but it's more for background colour.

[Renthallin]

Never played Kara-Tur. It did sound interesting, just there was never a DM wanting/willing to run it. Ahh well.....

[Kitty]

DMSteve alows OA characters in his world, but he gets to tweak them if needs be.... I like it because that's where I got my monk from ^..^

[merkader]

I'd play in this setting, I wouldn't want to DM it unless I knew more.

[Taican]

I was at my local gaming store yesterday, and saw the OA book...I was so tempted, but Kareie would kill me if I bought more books right now...

[merkader]

My wife is cool with me buying books. She seems to get a little pissed about about miniatures though.

[Taican]

And how many miniatures do you have now? ;D

And does she play D&D with you? That might have a bearing on her attitude, ya know...

[merkader]

She doesn't play anything with me anymore. Actually I think I only see her on Tuesdays.

[Taican]

I know...Kareie doesn't play with me anymore either ;D

Why do you only see her on Tuesdays? I know that life is busy, what with kids, kids' activities, work, and general errands, but I still see Kareie at least once a day...even if it's only when I wake up in the morning. Man, what a way to wake up!

[Renthallin]

Please delete the above threads!

[Niemz]

Spambot has been banished...