Greetings!
I've always been interested in history off the beaten track so to speak. That's also why I got into Ancient & Medieval History, instead of much of anything after 1500 A.D.
I have then endeavored to get an established campaign going that has a Central Asian theme, obviously focused more on the historical elements and traditions of the Aryans, Scythians, Xiongnu, the Huns, the Sarmations, the Turks, the Tatars, and of course, the MONGOLS.
It is not quite as brutal as seeking to run a prehistoric or Ice Age/Magafauna campaign, but it can be very challenging nonetheless. First off, you must throw out the entre Western model of economics and society.
there are no towns, or very few--and the economy runs on Bartering. Horses, herd animals, goats, various food items, finished products like tools, armour, weapons, fine furs, animal products like teeth, hooves, and antlers. Money just is not in general use for most Steppe Peoples. Then, the whole mode of living is Nomadic, rather than settled or Agricultural. People live in Yurts, and move around constantly. Seasonal encampments, moving the flocks and herds of animals to better grazing areas. Other resources like fish and rivers and lakes are also of prime value--but again, can be relatively few and far between. Plus, many rivers, such as they are, can be *seasonal*. Such rivers only show up during the winter or autumn, stay around for a few weeks or a few months, and then they are gone. At least until the next year comes around.
The social and cultural environment is totally different. There are no police, there are no taverns or hotels, or any of that. Your family, your friends, and the TRIBE are everything. Tribal elders are the people that serve as sages and judges. The society is very much strongly Patriarchal, though while women are also very traditional and feminine--there are also some allowances for especially strong, skilled, or mystical women. Politically and socially, however, the society looks generally to men to be the strong leaders and authority in almost everything. In general, men and women alike are considered adults by the time they become adolescents, shortly after reaching puberty.
Morals, values, "Laws"--all of these things are very basic, simple, and firmly rooted in nature, religion, traditions, and the harsh geography and climate that dominates everyone's life. Expectations of loyalty, and any demonstration of kindness or humanity is first and foremost prioritized amongst the members of your own tribe. Everyone else can be slaughtered, or made to starve. Their priority, is far, far down your list of priorities. Your tribe comes first, in everything. The way your tribe speaks, the customs they embrace, their standards and expectations, are all viewed as being more important, more meaningful, and right, compared to anyone and everyone else. There is not much room for the Western fetish and glorification for "rebels", either. Most rebels are brutally killed, or abandoned and exiled out on the steppe, where they then starve to death, dehydrate to death, are killed and eaten by savage animals--or killed by a neighboring, often hostile, tribe. Other tribes before they kill you are likely to simply judge you as being a worthless rebel and troublemaker--the proof being you wandering out here on the Steppe, all alone and without your family and kin. So, socially, that kind of harsh reality requires considerable adjustment for the GM, as well as the Players. MAJOR ADJUSTMENTS.
These are some of the elements that I identified as I proceeded with establishing a campaign set on a Steppe Theme.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
The song "Eejin Duun" (Kalmyk Folk Song) by Okna Tsahan Zam. The music is excellent, and traditional Mongol. Pay some attention to the art work resented in the video. The art work is very realistic, and provocative, and very detailed.
Here is an outstanding music piece. "The Beginning" from the Mongol film soundtrack.
Greetings!
In thinking about the Steppe Campaign, much of the early adventures are likely to involve survival, exploring, fighting wild animals and beasts, and fighting off marauding, enemy tribes. As well as making raids against enemy tribes. The goals are likewise simple--steal horses, animals, and plunder. WOMEN are plunder. And, of course, the motivation of intimidation and vengeance. Enemy tribes that oppose your tribe must be punished. You punish them by killing them, stealing from them, and making them your slaves.
The idea of integrating foreign, non-steppe tribe characters is certainly possible, but does pose a challenge. Again, there is not typically many strange towns to visit, in order to meet such people. Then, there is the tribal factor. Why would anyone want to befriend YOU? You are a foreigner, and an enemy. You should be killed, or enslaved. That can definitely be an IN-GAME kind of cultural hurdle that poses challenges not typically faced in more standard campaigns. It is not insurmountable, but again, requires a good deal of thought, creativity, and finesse on the part of the GM. Creating the scenario and cultivating the motivations for others of the Steppe tribes not to kill foreign Characters or enslave them takes some work. Again, virtually everyone in a tribe will embrace such values. No one will bravely come to some foreign character's aid or defense. Everyone likely believes you should be brutally killed, or simply enslaved. It must be remembered, that the majority of these Steppe tribes view most other Steppe tribes in precisely the same manner. Hated scum that needs to be killed or enslaved.
All of this is crucial background to understand and embrace, so that the GM and players can then figure out how to deal with it, ameliorate it, or side-step it in whatever satisfying manner. It is a huge problem, though, and a cultural challenge--this is what the main early difficulty Genghis Khan had in uniting the Mongol Tribes. He was prepared to kill half of all the Mongols in order to instill a sense of common unity and a simple system of laws for them. So, seeing how we know what an obstacle this was in Mongolian culture, historically, many other Steppe tribes were similar in their cultural views, customs, and practices. Obviously, some more, some less.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Greetings!
Here is some more inspiring music, from I think Okna Tsahan Zam. It sounds close, but I could be mistaken.
Here is a song by Farya Faraji. This gentleman is Persian, and he is quite a music scholar, historian, musician, and linguist. He is fluent in Persian, Turkish, Greek, Latin, Bulgarian, and I think also Russian. In addition to English. If you track down more of this brilliant musician's videos, he sings his own music, he writes songs adapted from traditional, ancient sources, and where possible, he also plays all kinds of cultural and historical instruments! This guy is incredible! He also provides for most of his videos historical commentary, folklore, and musical commentary on the song's structure, and all of the instruments used! Beware! (*Laughing*). Definitely DEEP and just awesome on so many levels!
Greetings!
I also did some thinking about Character Classes. Steppe society certainly had some Craftsmen, and a few Merchants. However, most of the Player Characters and major NPC's involved are likely to be Fighters, Rangers, Bards, and Shamans. Unless you specifically have a special "Shaman" Class, take the Cleric and swap around some of the crazy spells for a spell selection more focused on animals, wind, thunder, lightning, spirits, the Spirit World, and knowledge. Also mystical divinations, and some curses. That should set things up pretty well.
Culturally speaking, just about all other classes, such as Paladins, Wizards, and Rogues do not fit. Certainly not as native tribes people living amongst the Steppe tribes. Foreigners, certainly. However, not likely for Steppe Nomad Tribes, as the cultural economy, customs, and social systems, as well as religion, simply don't support such concepts as professions.
In laying out the foundational concepts for my own Steppe-Themed campaign, I have found these restrictions helpful in creating a baseline foundation for immersion and consistency.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
The old Ethengar Khanates Gazetteer (Gaz 12) for BECMI has a fairly cool shaman class. I played one once and it was fun. That same party, which was created using the gazetteer series, also had a fighter from the Atruaghin Plateau, which were the cultures cribbed from Native America. It was quite fun.
So while it's not super historical, there are enough cool ideas in that Gazetteer and the AD&D 2e Horde Boxed set to make them worth grabbing if you want D&D/fantasy steppe cultures.
And since we're doing music, one must include the Hu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4xZUr0BEfE
These guys were formerly music professors in Mongolia.
And Shark if you haven't seen this film, watch it ASAP: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275083/
The basic plot involves Koreans trying to get back into the good graces of the newly established Ming Dynasty, while also having to deal with remnants of the Mongol Empire. I don't want to give any spoilers.
For 5e, a kickstarter for https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grimgolem/wayfarer-nomadic-realms-5e just finished, and the still-in-progress https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/metismediarpg/historica-arcanum-empires-of-the-silk-road-5e has a bit of Central Asian content but seems more focused on Anatolia & the Middle East, including the Assassins as a major plot element (cue other thread).
Many years ago I wrote a Turkic dastan-inspired but set in a lightly-fantastic Taklamakan computer game for a game jam (https://github.com/Naburimannu/beyaz-dag) and would love to go back to that kind of setting. Maybe after retirement? :( There's so much you could do with the geography & politics of the setting, whether you're being mostly real-world or leaning heavy into the fantastic.
There's always https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/12185/A-Magical-Society-Silk-Road for a very 3E-flavoured view of the region.
Shark, you should check out Sword & Caravan. The Silk Road is an excellent setting and can give you what you need.
There's a section in that book about the Taklamakan Desert. It's a great place for a campaign. Lots of ruins, in the sands, in the mountains. You have a couple of different nomad tribes. Kung fu mystics, gurus, shamen, serpent people, demons, all kinds of off-the-beaten-track elements for your adventures.
Quote from: Persimmon on May 21, 2023, 10:52:57 PM
And Shark if you haven't seen this film, watch it ASAP: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275083/
The basic plot involves Koreans trying to get back into the good graces of the newly established Ming Dynasty, while also having to deal with remnants of the Mongol Empire. I don't want to give any spoilers.
Thanks, Persimmon! I love "The Warrior". It was an excellent film, I thought. It packs in a lot of action while also having a lot of social stuff rooted in history. One of the main Korean characters is a slave, illustrating the place of slaves in Korean history.
Quote from: SHARK on May 21, 2023, 12:27:22 AM
The idea of integrating foreign, non-steppe tribe characters is certainly possible, but does pose a challenge. Again, there is not typically many strange towns to visit, in order to meet such people. Then, there is the tribal factor. Why would anyone want to befriend YOU? You are a foreigner, and an enemy. You should be killed, or enslaved. That can definitely be an IN-GAME kind of cultural hurdle that poses challenges not typically faced in more standard campaigns.
I feel like the emulated historical era makes a huge difference here -- pre-imperial (before Genghis Khan), during the conquests (Genghis' lifetime), after conquests during the height of the empire, or as the empire is starting to fall.
Before Genghis Khan, the tribes are barbaric - but they weren't at war with everyone. I presume there were still trade relations. Evidently prior Jin emperors had diplomatic relations and would play them off each other. During the conquests they transition from being little-regarded fringe to a world-spanning power, and the enemy of everyone except maybe their subjects.
The height of empire they're rulers of vast territory, so they're rulers of the Yuan dynasty in China and other dynasties elsewhere like in Russia and so forth.
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on May 22, 2023, 09:44:01 AM
Shark, you should check out Sword & Caravan. The Silk Road is an excellent setting and can give you what you need.
There's a section in that book about the Taklamakan Desert. It's a great place for a campaign. Lots of ruins, in the sands, in the mountains. You have a couple of different nomad tribes. Kung fu mystics, gurus, shamen, serpent people, demons, all kinds of off-the-beaten-track elements for your adventures.
Greetings!
Thna you, my friend! An excellent suggestion!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: jhkim on May 23, 2023, 10:02:57 PM
Quote from: Persimmon on May 21, 2023, 10:52:57 PM
And Shark if you haven't seen this film, watch it ASAP: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275083/
The basic plot involves Koreans trying to get back into the good graces of the newly established Ming Dynasty, while also having to deal with remnants of the Mongol Empire. I don't want to give any spoilers.
Thanks, Persimmon! I love "The Warrior". It was an excellent film, I thought. It packs in a lot of action while also having a lot of social stuff rooted in history. One of the main Korean characters is a slave, illustrating the place of slaves in Korean history.
Quote from: SHARK on May 21, 2023, 12:27:22 AM
The idea of integrating foreign, non-steppe tribe characters is certainly possible, but does pose a challenge. Again, there is not typically many strange towns to visit, in order to meet such people. Then, there is the tribal factor. Why would anyone want to befriend YOU? You are a foreigner, and an enemy. You should be killed, or enslaved. That can definitely be an IN-GAME kind of cultural hurdle that poses challenges not typically faced in more standard campaigns.
I feel like the emulated historical era makes a huge difference here -- pre-imperial (before Genghis Khan), during the conquests (Genghis' lifetime), after conquests during the height of the empire, or as the empire is starting to fall.
Before Genghis Khan, the tribes are barbaric - but they weren't at war with everyone. I presume there were still trade relations. Evidently prior Jin emperors had diplomatic relations and would play them off each other. During the conquests they transition from being little-regarded fringe to a world-spanning power, and the enemy of everyone except maybe their subjects.
The height of empire they're rulers of vast territory, so they're rulers of the Yuan dynasty in China and other dynasties elsewhere like in Russia and so forth.
Greetings!
Certainly, Jhkim. I agree. The different periods and time frames all possess a distinctly different feel to them, and approach.
For general campaign purposes, I'm assuming an atmosphere essentially embracing something like 400 A.D. to 1200 A.D., as a kind of foundation. When Genghis Khan arrives--or some analogous figure--everything changes dramatically. ;D
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I´d play it for sure if you ever release the material, whether free or for profit, sounds like a blast!
I have never played a game where bartering has been a thing, even though it should have been
even in games set in rural Europe in middle ages. If you can pull it off, that would be a precedent for others
to take inspiration from. There might be some indie games with bartering, though I´v never
encountered one.
Actually, with a quick search, I found these:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/433748/Gray-Bartering-OSR-trading-system
https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/games-with-a-good-barter-system.619449/
Also, if you need a great inspiration for the Mongols, this novel series is par none:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conqueror_(novel_series)
https://www.goodreads.com/series/44108-conqueror
very interesting undertaking, Shark. i'll ask if my more history savvy friends who are into Tatar folklore and stuff like historical reenactment maybe have some suggestions on possible source material for you. could be hard to find translated in english, but who knows.
I don't have anything to add but holy fuck is this a good thread.
Quote from: Klava on May 24, 2023, 09:30:48 AM
very interesting undertaking, Shark. i'll ask if my more history savvy friends who are into Tatar folklore and stuff like historical reenactment maybe have some suggestions on possible source material for you. could be hard to find translated in english, but who knows.
Greetings!
That sounds awesome, Klava! Thank you for your help!
Here is an interesting music video on Volga Tatars, a very nice song, and showing various Tatar people and cuture.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Greetings!
In my studies of the Steppe cultures, and most especially the Mongols, I have always been amazed and yes, even thrilled, about the leadership and achievements of Genghis Khan. at the time--in the beginning--the Mongols, just like their numerous cousins and neighboring steppe tribe peoples, were all barbarians, fairly primitive, and often desperately poor. they lived largely on a subsistence culture, based on herding, hunting, and fishing. They typically in good seasons, had enough for basic needs, with a little left over to save for hard times, and going into the next year. These people were raided, enslaved, killed, and brutalized by their neighbors, variously being the Europeans to the at West, the Muslims to the South-West, and the Chinese Empires to the South and South-East. All of these rich, civilized, and powerful cultures mocked the Steppe peoples, and laughed at tribes such as the Mongols.
A time would come, however, when all of the arrogant, mighty kings of the earth would bow down, low into the dirt, and beg for mercy from the Mongols.
They usually received no mercy from the Mongol armies. The Mongol armies burned, raped, and slaughtered everyone in their path. The more obnoxious, arrogant, and proud such kingdoms were, moved them to the top of the list for the Mongols--to be annihilated. The Muslims of the Abassid Caliphate, the Kwarazmian Empire, the Seljuk Empire; the Christian kingdoms of Hungary, Poland, and the Kievan Rus; The Chinese Empires of the Tangut Empire, the Jin Empire, and the Song Empire--all of them, being far superior to the Mongols in every conventional way--would be ruthlessly slaughtered, conquered, and made to bow down before the Mongols. It is the ultimate heroic tale of an entire people being led to achieve justice and vengeance. It is a staggering achievement literally unparalleled in all of human history. All those that laughed and jeered at the Mongols would now be watching helplessly as their cities lay in ashes, their beautiful daughters carried off to serve their new Mongolian masters and everything they valued crushed and destroyed. Everything that they believed made them superior--their language, their religions, their armies, their civilization, and their wealth--nothing would save them. Nothing would buy them reprieve from the judgment of the Khans.
Now, they would learn to speak Mongolian. Now, they would learn that they were powerless. They would learn to beg, and scrape in the dust. It is they, the arrogant, civilized realms, that would learn to obey.
A striking and raw story of how every dog has his day, and the tables being turned on the arrogant and powerful. There are reasons why the tales of the Mongols have been inspiring for millions of people through the many centuries, from all over the world. The Mongos were inspiring.
Such a gripping and compelling story quickly grabbed my attention. I have been inspired to weave in the various elements and aspects of Steppe culture throughout my Steppe Campaign. History and lore were very important for the Steppe tribes. They had long-established oral traditions--que up the Bards and tribal storytellers--that memorized and passed down the lore of the tribes through generations of people. The Steppe tribes remembered every insult, every degradation, and every humiliation.
There would be no forgiveness.
Even today, there are tribal storytellers that keep their tribal lore alive. Bards then, storytellers, are very important people in Steppe Culture society. In my own Steppe Campaign, I knew I had to rework the Westernized version of a Bard, and translate that essence into a class that authentically fit within a barbaric, tribal cultural environment. That also has significant social ramifications, and I suggest to all that you carefully review notes about Bards, and making such a character class fit well within the Steppe Tribal context. And remember, THROAT SINGING is awesome!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Greetings!
Here is a
SUPERB video on the organization and tactics of the Mongol Army. In addition, supply and logistic are detailed, as well as rank structure. Absolutely informative and interesting. You will enjoy every moment of the video, presented by Invicta.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Heck yeah. This is truly an informative thread. I have so many vids on my watch list. I needed quality stuff to watch too.
The Chivalry & Sorcery sourcebook Swords and Sorcerers has a big section about the Mongols.
If you get the chance, I greatly recommend you watch the Kazakh Khanate (15th century). It has some really cool stuff:
Since you are also interested in music videos, you should check out the band Hassak:
Quote from: Rhymer88 on June 09, 2023, 04:53:45 AM
The Chivalry & Sorcery sourcebook Swords and Sorcerers has a big section about the Mongols.
If you get the chance, I greatly recommend you watch the Kazakh Khanate (15th century). It has some really cool stuff:
Since you are also interested in music videos, you should check out the band Hassak:
Greetings!
Excellent, Rhymer88!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on June 08, 2023, 10:03:52 PM
Heck yeah. This is truly an informative thread. I have so many vids on my watch list. I needed quality stuff to watch too.
Greetings!
So many videos on the watch list, Thorn! *Laughing*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote
In my studies of the Steppe cultures, and most especially the Mongols, I have always been amazed and yes, even thrilled, about the leadership and achievements of Genghis Khan. at the time--in the beginning--the Mongols, just like their numerous cousins and neighboring steppe tribe peoples, were all barbarians, fairly primitive, and often desperately poor. they lived largely on a subsistence culture, based on herding, hunting, and fishing. They typically in good seasons, had enough for basic needs, with a little left over to save for hard times, and going into the next year. These people were raided, enslaved, killed, and brutalized by their neighbors, variously being the Europeans to the at West, the Muslims to the South-West, and the Chinese Empires to the South and South-East. All of these rich, civilized, and powerful cultures mocked the Steppe peoples, and laughed at tribes such as the Mongols.
A time would come, however, when all of the arrogant, mighty kings of the earth would bow down, low into the dirt, and beg for mercy from the Mongols.
They usually received no mercy from the Mongol armies. The Mongol armies burned, raped, and slaughtered everyone in their path. The more obnoxious, arrogant, and proud such kingdoms were, moved them to the top of the list for the Mongols--to be annihilated. The Muslims of the Abassid Caliphate, the Kwarazmian Empire, the Seljuk Empire; the Christian kingdoms of Hungary, Poland, and the Kievan Rus; The Chinese Empires of the Tangut Empire, the Jin Empire, and the Song Empire--all of them, being far superior to the Mongols in every conventional way--would be ruthlessly slaughtered, conquered, and made to bow down before the Mongols. It is the ultimate heroic tale of an entire people being led to achieve justice and vengeance. It is a staggering achievement literally unparalleled in all of human history. All those that laughed and jeered at the Mongols would now be watching helplessly as their cities lay in ashes, their beautiful daughters carried off to serve their new Mongolian masters and everything they valued crushed and destroyed. Everything that they believed made them superior--their language, their religions, their armies, their civilization, and their wealth--nothing would save them. Nothing would buy them reprieve from the judgment of the Khans.
Let's not overexaggerate things.
For centuries it was nomads who were mostly nuissance to civilised lands, not civilised lands somehow persecuting them. First and foremost because Empires of Asia were not nearly mobile enough in their warfare to really went into steppe for long time and keep persecuting much more mobile people. So Genghis Khan can put his "justice" into whatever caudlron of lava he is justly burning in hell.
But also it was not unprecedented. It happened before though Genghis and his sons were most impressive. But before them we had other nomadic nations carving larger or smaller kingdom from their neighbours - Seljuk Turks you mentioned started the same - Turkic people were nomads of Central Asia. Hungary you mentioned, and Bulgaria were founded as nations - by steppe nomads.
Even before Genghis - Huns, Khazars, Avars, all carved powerful chanates. So Genghis was cherry on top of long practice - he was probably aware of - of going into civilised lands and claiming them. And of course last ones to do it were Manchurians who conquered imperial China.
Quote from: Wrath of God on June 30, 2023, 04:18:53 AM
Quote
In my studies of the Steppe cultures, and most especially the Mongols, I have always been amazed and yes, even thrilled, about the leadership and achievements of Genghis Khan. at the time--in the beginning--the Mongols, just like their numerous cousins and neighboring steppe tribe peoples, were all barbarians, fairly primitive, and often desperately poor. they lived largely on a subsistence culture, based on herding, hunting, and fishing. They typically in good seasons, had enough for basic needs, with a little left over to save for hard times, and going into the next year. These people were raided, enslaved, killed, and brutalized by their neighbors, variously being the Europeans to the at West, the Muslims to the South-West, and the Chinese Empires to the South and South-East. All of these rich, civilized, and powerful cultures mocked the Steppe peoples, and laughed at tribes such as the Mongols.
A time would come, however, when all of the arrogant, mighty kings of the earth would bow down, low into the dirt, and beg for mercy from the Mongols.
They usually received no mercy from the Mongol armies. The Mongol armies burned, raped, and slaughtered everyone in their path. The more obnoxious, arrogant, and proud such kingdoms were, moved them to the top of the list for the Mongols--to be annihilated. The Muslims of the Abassid Caliphate, the Kwarazmian Empire, the Seljuk Empire; the Christian kingdoms of Hungary, Poland, and the Kievan Rus; The Chinese Empires of the Tangut Empire, the Jin Empire, and the Song Empire--all of them, being far superior to the Mongols in every conventional way--would be ruthlessly slaughtered, conquered, and made to bow down before the Mongols. It is the ultimate heroic tale of an entire people being led to achieve justice and vengeance. It is a staggering achievement literally unparalleled in all of human history. All those that laughed and jeered at the Mongols would now be watching helplessly as their cities lay in ashes, their beautiful daughters carried off to serve their new Mongolian masters and everything they valued crushed and destroyed. Everything that they believed made them superior--their language, their religions, their armies, their civilization, and their wealth--nothing would save them. Nothing would buy them reprieve from the judgment of the Khans.
Let's not overexaggerate things.
For centuries it was nomads who were mostly nuissance to civilised lands, not civilised lands somehow persecuting them. First and foremost because Empires of Asia were not nearly mobile enough in their warfare to really went into steppe for long time and keep persecuting much more mobile people. So Genghis Khan can put his "justice" into whatever caudlron of lava he is justly burning in hell.
But also it was not unprecedented. It happened before though Genghis and his sons were most impressive. But before them we had other nomadic nations carving larger or smaller kingdom from their neighbours - Seljuk Turks you mentioned started the same - Turkic people were nomads of Central Asia. Hungary you mentioned, and Bulgaria were founded as nations - by steppe nomads.
Even before Genghis - Huns, Khazars, Avars, all carved powerful chanates. So Genghis was cherry on top of long practice - he was probably aware of - of going into civilised lands and claiming them. And of course last ones to do it were Manchurians who conquered imperial China.
And of course it was the Manchus, buttressed by Chinese logistical prowess and firearms technology, who ended the Mongol threat to China once and for all and formally incorporated Central Asia and Tibet into the Chinese empire, along with Manchuria. Thus were the borders of the PRC more or less established.
Greetings!
Oh yeah! The Manchus! The MING Dynasty was bad-ass. Emperor Huang-Do--"The Bringer of Light." "The Master of War." He goes rom being a poor peasant, an even poorer Monk, to being bandit, mercenary, then Warlord, then General, and then becoming the EMPEROR. How is that for a Heroes' journey!?"
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
"Empire of the Petal Throne" was way head of its time.
The Indian and Aztec style mixed setting was too strange for most to relate to.
Quote from: SHARK on June 30, 2023, 10:36:58 AM
Greetings!
Oh yeah! The Manchus! The MING Dynasty was bad-ass. Emperor Huang-Do--"The Bringer of Light." "The Master of War." He goes rom being a poor peasant, an even poorer Monk, to being bandit, mercenary, then Warlord, then General, and then becoming the EMPEROR. How is that for a Heroes' journey!?"
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I assume you mean Zhu Yuanzhang, also known by his reign title Hongwu [洪武], which means "Overflowing martiality," and as Ming Taizu, meaning "August Founder of the Ming Dynasty." Also the inspiration for Ming the Merciless. And yes, he was quite the badass, as was his son, Emperor Yongle.
Quote from: Persimmon on June 30, 2023, 06:35:01 PM
Quote from: SHARK on June 30, 2023, 10:36:58 AM
Greetings!
Oh yeah! The Manchus! The MING Dynasty was bad-ass. Emperor Huang-Do--"The Bringer of Light." "The Master of War." He goes rom being a poor peasant, an even poorer Monk, to being bandit, mercenary, then Warlord, then General, and then becoming the EMPEROR. How is that for a Heroes' journey!?"
Semper Fideli
SHARK
I assume you mean Zhu Yuanzhang, also known by his reign title Hongwu [洪武], which means "Overflowing martiality," and as Ming Taizu, meaning "August Founder of the Ming Dynasty." Also the inspiration for Ming the Merciless. And yes, he was quite the badass, as was his son, Emperor Yongle.
Greetings!
Yes, thank you my friend! That EMPEROR! ;D
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK