This is a thread to talk about lev_lafayette's Ten Thousand Islands campaign, which he set in medieval Malaysia. You can read about that here.

Quote from: Lev LafayetteThis is the world of the Malay archipelago of 1525 - European powers have made an arrival and are conducting a bloody war against each other for control of natural resources. Islamic sultanates strive to expand as the ancient Hindu kingdoms struggle to maintain their former glory. Small bands of tenacious Buddhist scholars and monks continue to exist. Traders from India, China, Thailand and the Arabic lands are abound - and so are many pirates. Indigenous animist tribes remain deeply embedded throughout the rugged landscape, ranging from the peaceful and accomodating to headhunters and cannibals (and sometimes both at the same time). And wherever one goes there are stories of magic, spirits, mythical beasts, and great treasures to be found. With ten thousand islands, there's plenty of opportunities to be experienced!

I think Lev should tidy it up and put it somewhere more prominent, it's very interesting. It needs the tidy-up firstly because angelfire sucks as a host, and secondly because it has a few bits like,

Quote from: Lev LafayetteIslam first arrived in the archipelago in the 5th century AD as Indian Gurjarat merchants arriving in Aceh brought the message of Mohammed.

Time-travelling Moslem missionary merchants?

Something like a pbwiki would be very good for it. Let's talk about this setting some more.

To begin with, there's the issue of the characters knowing so much more than the players about the setting. This is one difficulty with historical settings, or settings in cultures with different roots to our own; so for example, modern Aussie Anglo players will usually find it easier to wrap their minds around Dark Ages Saxon world, than medieval China.

I've usually found that the only solutions are offering the players lots of reading, or the GM giving little lectures during play. Lev, how did you overcome this in play? How have others dealt with similar things?

Quote from: JimBobOzHow have others dealt with similar things?

I've been lucky. Whenever I've run a historical, campaign, it's normally been a joint effort (research wise) with my players. They were interested in the period and had read up about it. Off course, there were some amongst them who just liked to play. I gave such players brief history notes and kind of worked the history lesson into my narration during play. This is the way how my In Harms Way campaign works for those who don't know much about the period.

BTW, I'm glad you started up this thread. Lev's campaign sounds really interesting. although I've set campaigns in Malaysia albeit in more recent times - 50's and 70's - I'm dying to run a campaign set during this period based on this history/legend :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikayat_Hang_Tuah

I'd probably use the Pendragon system.

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David RLev's campaign sounds really interesting. although I've set campaigns in Malaysia albeit in more recent times - 50's and 70's -

Could you start a thread and tell us about those?

You know, if you want, you could use the campaigns wikis at gamecircle.org. We could change it to bringing Asia-Pacific gamers together

I think there is rather too much talk online about rules, and not enough about settings. Setting and character are the stuff that make for truly memorable campaigns, not rules stuff.

Go read Lev's pages, guys, they're interesting. Then come back and nag him with questions

Quote from: JimBobOzCould you start a thread and tell us about those?

I'll dig up my notes and try to post something. Be warned though, it's not action adventure stuff. Two campaigns so far. The first a murder investigation just after race riots set in the early 70's. The second, a spy game - very Le Carre, (based on his novel the Honorable Schoolboy) set during the communist insurgency.

QuoteYou know, if you want, you could use the campaigns wikis at gamecircle.org. We could change it to bringing Asia-Pacific gamers together

Well, you'll get a hell of a lot of D&D campaigns posted with some unique house rules, that's for sure

QuoteI think there is rather too much talk online about rules, and not enough about settings. Setting and character are the stuff that make for truly memorable campaigns, not rules stuff.

Very true.

Regards,
David R