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Byzantium/Persia/Babylonia

Started by Dr_Avalanche, June 07, 2006, 09:47:21 AM

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Dr_Avalanche

June 07, 2006, 09:47:21 AM
My group is discussing starting a Burning Wheel campaign, and we're trying to iron out what kind of setting we want. Right now, it looks like we want something strongly influenced by Byzantium, Persia, Sassanid and Babylonian cultures. Besides going to the library for history books, are there any gaming supplements that cover these civilizations or has a similar feel?

Nicephorus

#1
June 07, 2006, 09:55:00 AM
I remember a Byzantium book, I think by Avalanche press.  I read it for only a minute so I don't know much about it.

I think Green Ronin's Testament covers some Mesopotamian cultures.

Name Lips

#2
June 07, 2006, 09:55:20 AM
I'm sure there's a GURPS book. There's a GURPS book for everything.
Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways, it's still rock and roll to me.

You can talk all you want about theory, craft, or whatever. But in the end, it's still just new ways of looking at people playing make-believe and having a good time with their friends. Intellectualize or analyze all you want, but we've been playing the same game since we were 2 years old. We just have shinier books, spend more money, and use bigger words now.

Dr_Avalanche

#3
June 07, 2006, 10:02:56 AM
Nicephorus, I'll look around for those books. A book specifically about Byzantium sounds great. Maybe my FLGS has it...
 
Quote from: Name LipsI'm sure there's a GURPS book. There's a GURPS book for everything.

True, true. :D

Acinonyx

#4
June 07, 2006, 10:09:46 AM
I wish I knew of something. I think Avalanche's Byzantium book was an adventure. But it was also set at the fall of Byzantium to the Ottomans.

Testament cover a the biblical era but maybe you could draw something from it. Otherwise I don't really know. There's lots of info online though.
"There's a time to think, and a time to act. And this, gentlemen, is no time to think."

Dr_Avalanche

#5
June 07, 2006, 10:28:06 AM
Since we already have the system (and I'm fairly sure there's nothing written about Byzantium for Burning Wheel...), maybe the best shot would simply be the library.

Nicephorus

#6
June 07, 2006, 10:43:14 AM
What Byzantine period are you aiming for in feel?  It changed considerably through it's history.  I might be able to recommend a few general books once I get home.

One fun book is The Secret History by Procopius of Caesaria.  He was a top level guy in the reign of Justinian and was present during some of the campaigns by Belisarius and Narses.  He wrote several panegyrics about Justinian.  The Secret History is a buried manuscript where he talks trash about everyone who is high up.  It might given insight into how things really worked.  

There's also a book of letters by a woman who travelled the Mediterranean and a diary by a sister of one of the Commnensus emperors which are good but I can't remember the titles just now.

Zalmoxis

#7
June 07, 2006, 11:10:52 AM
I would look at the Osprey series of books. That would cover much of the history and military class types/weapons for you. As far as game settings go, I don't know of any that cover those cultures specifically... not GURPS for sure. Testament (by Green Ronin) might cover Babylon, but I'm not sure.

Dr_Avalanche

#8
June 07, 2006, 11:13:29 AM
Quote from: NicephorusWhat Byzantine period are you aiming for in feel?  It changed considerably through it's history.  I might be able to recommend a few general books once I get home.

I can't honestly say. I think the "Early bastion of the one true faith", including the numerous groups vying for the right to define that faith is a big part of what appeals to some of our players. Then some wants Arabian Nights, and we're trying to figure out if those can be combined...

Keep the recommendations coming. I'll write them all down before I hit the library.

Zalmoxis

#9
June 07, 2006, 11:23:44 AM
Caliphate Nights by Green Ronin would probably be of great use... I forgot about that one.

ColonelHardisson

#10
June 07, 2006, 12:14:48 PM
Take a look at Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia by Necromancer Games.
"Illegitimis non carborundum." - General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell

4e definitely has an Old School feel. If you disagree, cool. I won\'t throw any hyperbole out to prove the point.

Zalmoxis

#11
June 07, 2006, 12:16:53 PM
Quote from: ColonelHardissonTake a look at Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia by Necromancer Games.

Wow... never heard of that one. Thanks!

ColonelHardisson

#12
June 07, 2006, 12:22:07 PM
It's generally been well-reviewed, and I like it a lot. The criticisms I've seen of it is that it's more a book of adventures than a sourcebook, but really, it seems to capture the setting really well, and does have info on running a campaign in such a milieu.
"Illegitimis non carborundum." - General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell

4e definitely has an Old School feel. If you disagree, cool. I won\'t throw any hyperbole out to prove the point.

Nicephorus

#13
June 12, 2006, 09:16:30 AM
My books are a mess right now, never got around to searching through them.

Here's a free copy of the secret history:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12916

Part of Procopius' book Wars also covers the wars between Persia and the Byzantine empire in the 6th century.

One of the books that I was trying to remember is the Alexiad by Anna Comnena (sometimes spelled Komnene).  The other is Selected letters of Mary Wortley Montagu; she lived in Constantinople around 1700 and some of her letters give a good picture of the Ottomans at the time.  

JongWK

#14
September 29, 2006, 11:59:48 AM
So, how did the game go? *curious*
"I give the gift of endless imagination."
~~Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)
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