Greetings!

Or, alternatively, ten or a dozen "Wonders of the Ancient World." *Laughing*

In our own history, the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World"--like the Colossus at the Isle of Rhodes, the Great Library at Alexandria, the Parthenon, and more, were of course even in their day huge tourist attractions--as well as centers of religious devotion, worship, and pilgrimage for hordes of people visiting them throughout the year. The ancient wonders were hugely important cultural and religious centers--as well as centers of philosophy and academic study, and also craftsmanship. These centers drew huge crowds of new immigrants to establish businesses and shops within the urban environments nearby. Thus, knowledge, craftsmanship, and trade also grew from these wondrous locations.

I have many such *Wonders* in my Thandor World. They also make excellent foundations for adventures and plots, as well as providing interesting flavour for intriguing NPC's.

Have you been inspired to embrace such "Wonders of the Ancient World" in your own campaigns? How have your Players responded to such special locations and environments?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

I hear ya SHARK.

I am slowly putting in these Wonders in my world too.

Right now, the only one my player's have seen is the Library of Almoria. It's a rip off of the Library of Alexandria from our world, and the lost library of Tarsis from Dragonlance.

It's huge, part of it is in ruins, as it's ancient. My player's went there to track down a tome they needed to find the macguffin. But my player's were filled with the wonder of it. Those were some great seshes.

This kinda goes along with your other post on treasure. Cause in the library are some rare tomes.....just have to find the right buyer.....if you can retrieve it.

Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on September 20, 2023, 01:10:31 PM
I hear ya SHARK.

I am slowly putting in these Wonders in my world too.

Right now, the only one my player's have seen is the Library of Almoria. It's a rip off of the Library of Alexandria from our world, and the lost library of Tarsis from Dragonlance.

It's huge, part of it is in ruins, as it's ancient. My player's went there to track down a tome they needed to find the macguffin. But my player's were filled with the wonder of it. Those were some great seshes.

This kinda goes along with your other post on treasure. Cause in the library are some rare tomes.....just have to find the right buyer.....if you can retrieve it.

That place should be dangerous, since many others would covet such secret knowledge.  It's ripe, for an encounter with an evil wizard.  Perhaps a nemesis, for the adventuring party?

That kind of approach can be pretty cool. Either as a reminder of what folks in the setting are capable of, or of better times predating the present.

Off the top of my head, Giant Walls have been a thing in some of our campaign content. Also, libraries of the more impressive sort you reference. Some stuff has been relatively unique to the campaign settings, but probably drew some inspiration from real world history and wonders both natural and manmade. 

Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on September 20, 2023, 01:10:31 PM
I hear ya SHARK.

I am slowly putting in these Wonders in my world too.

Right now, the only one my player's have seen is the Library of Almoria. It's a rip off of the Library of Alexandria from our world, and the lost library of Tarsis from Dragonlance.

It's huge, part of it is in ruins, as it's ancient. My player's went there to track down a tome they needed to find the macguffin. But my player's were filled with the wonder of it. Those were some great seshes.

This kinda goes along with your other post on treasure. Cause in the library are some rare tomes.....just have to find the right buyer.....if you can retrieve it.

Greetings!

Right on, Thorn! Having exotic treasures, and "Ancient Wonders of the World" really add so much depth, story, and different plot dynamics to any campaign! I love them!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on September 22, 2023, 12:16:47 AM

Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on September 20, 2023, 01:10:31 PM
I am slowly putting in these Wonders in my world too.

Right now, the only one my player's have seen is the Library of Almoria. It's a rip off of the Library of Alexandria from our world, and the lost library of Tarsis from Dragonlance.

Right on, Thorn! Having exotic treasures, and "Ancient Wonders of the World" really add so much depth, story, and different plot dynamics to any campaign! I love them!

For my campaign, I've introduced the idea of "huaca" - which are places of sacred power in Incan belief. Each place has it's own spirit (or tiny god), and they have unique effects on magic or even mundane activity around them. Their last few adventures have been in the capital of the empire (Cusco), and I had three huacas around the city. Below is the description of the three huacas for players:

QuoteThe city has three huacas:

The Puma's Head - site of the Upper Temple of Inti and the fortress citadel

This sacred site is known for rare displays of great power. Pachakuti built a magical fortress around it, including a flying citadel that rises above it.
In the temple and citadel, all spell ranges and durations are doubled, and arcana or other magical research rolls have advantage.

The Puma's Heart - site of the Lower Temple of Inti

This sacred site is known for enlightenment and healing for people of the empire who come to pray here. The Heart gives strength and aids in divination.
On temple grounds, any spells for healing or divination can be cast at 1 level higher than the slot used. Further, all strength rolls are at advantage (including saves and attacks).

The Puma's Belly - site of the national square and temple of Viracocha

This sacred site is known for omens and visions, seen as rising from the damp and now sandy ground. The square is the economic and diplomatic center of the empire, through which massive trade and diplomatic delegations pass.
In the square and temple, any spells of earth or water can be cast at 2 levels higher than the slot used. All wisdom rolls are at advantage (including saves and spells).

Quote from: jhkim on September 22, 2023, 01:07:19 PM

Quote from: SHARK on September 22, 2023, 12:16:47 AM

Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on September 20, 2023, 01:10:31 PM
I am slowly putting in these Wonders in my world too.

Right now, the only one my player's have seen is the Library of Almoria. It's a rip off of the Library of Alexandria from our world, and the lost library of Tarsis from Dragonlance.

Right on, Thorn! Having exotic treasures, and "Ancient Wonders of the World" really add so much depth, story, and different plot dynamics to any campaign! I love them!

For my campaign, I've introduced the idea of "huaca" - which are places of sacred power in Incan belief. Each place has it's own spirit (or tiny god), and they have unique effects on magic or even mundane activity around them. Their last few adventures have been in the capital of the empire (Cusco), and I had three huacas around the city. Below is the description of the three huacas for players:

QuoteThe city has three huacas:

The Puma's Head - site of the Upper Temple of Inti and the fortress citadel

This sacred site is known for rare displays of great power. Pachakuti built a magical fortress around it, including a flying citadel that rises above it.
In the temple and citadel, all spell ranges and durations are doubled, and arcana or other magical research rolls have advantage.

The Puma's Heart - site of the Lower Temple of Inti

This sacred site is known for enlightenment and healing for people of the empire who come to pray here. The Heart gives strength and aids in divination.
On temple grounds, any spells for healing or divination can be cast at 1 level higher than the slot used. Further, all strength rolls are at advantage (including saves and attacks).

The Puma's Belly - site of the national square and temple of Viracocha

This sacred site is known for omens and visions, seen as rising from the damp and now sandy ground. The square is the economic and diplomatic center of the empire, through which massive trade and diplomatic delegations pass.
In the square and temple, any spells of earth or water can be cast at 2 levels higher than the slot used. All wisdom rolls are at advantage (including saves and spells).

This is actually pretty cool. There's something to be said about knowing history and/or historical cultures or the like and adding in some of the weirder or more interesting parts to one's campaign. Cultural appropriation accusation is arguably in most instances a silly excuse to try and combat multiculturalism or restrict certain ideologies, technologies, or cultural touchstones to certain folks when really they should be open to all. (I only say this knowing that some people are probably pissed at the idea of this kind of thing and setting. Since I assume you are not actually Incan.)