Disclaimer: While I was a historian in a past life, this module plays fairly fast and loose with historical accuracy. The campaign is set roughly during the Bronze Age collapse that afflicted most of the eastern Mediterranean from 1100-800 BCE, but I’ve mixed a few eras and details in the telling of the story. And of course there will be gods, magic, and heroes aplenty.
Custom Content
This module uses the following haks:
I have created a custom top-level hak for this module, which I will post online prior to the start of the campaign.
The Community Expansion Pack (CEP), version 2.3, available for download from the Neverwinter Vault (http://nwvault.ign.com/?dir=cep/downloads).
Tileset haks:
- WoRms Seasonal Forest Tileset v10 (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Ha ... il&id=6631)
- Roman Rural Temple by GrassMaster (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Ha ... il&id=2498)
- Roman City Addons by GrassMaster (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Ha ... il&id=5224)
- Egyptian Crypt by Borden Ha’Elven (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Ha ... il&id=7210)
- Lok Dungeon by Danmar (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Ha ... 98&id=1580)
- Rocky Mountains 1.02 by Bloodmonkey (http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Ha ... il&id=3936)
Character Creation
This module uses server vault characters. Part of the first game session will be reserved for character creation. You may want to outline your character prior to the start of play, so that you can made character building decisions relatively quickly in the game.
Player characters should follow the guidelines below.
- Race: all player characters will be human (and will use the “human” race selection when building their characters).
- Gender: male or female characters can be played as desired.
- Alignment: any non-evil.
- Allowed starting classes: any. The monk class is reclassified as the “athlete” in this setting, and represents an individual who has trained his or her body to the height of physical accomplishment. Clerics should select one of the Olympian gods to worship.
- Character background: player characters all begin as residents of the small village of Mantineia. See “Player Character Mentors” below for more information. By default the players will be young adults with no surviving family, but if you would like to change that, contact the DM. I am happy to add additional NPCs to reflect character backgrounds.
- Feats and skills are unchanged from NWN, but note that heavy armors are extremely rare in this setting. Similarly, crossbows haven’t yet been invented, and swords larger than the short sword are very uncommon. The standard gear of the Greek soldier includes the xiphos (short sword), the dory (heavy spear), and the aspis (large/tower shields). Throwable javelins have been implemented, and use the dart proficiency/feat chain.
- Starting gear: all players will be issued a simple chiton (tunic) at the start of play. While some basic weapons are available in Mantineia, you should be prepared for limited access to many items during the first few sessions of play. Early play will be very low powered, with the most common weapons being staffs, clubs, daggers, and slings.
Wikipedia has some pages that might be useful in preparing your characters, including a list of Greek names (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_names) and this list of Ancient Greeks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_Greeks). Players who are considering playing a cleric might want to look at this article on the major Olympian gods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Olympians). But no knowledge of Greek history or mythology is necessary to play.
Player Character Mentors
At the start of play, player characters should select one of the following residents of Mantineia to serve as a mentor. These NPCs will play a key role in the early campaign. If you have an idea for a mentor that is not covered here, contact your DM.
- Miltiades: The Soldier. A veteran of the army of Argos, Miltiades is now the smith of the village of Mantineia. While some of the muscle he had during his time in the phalanx has gone to fat, he is still the strongest man in the village by far. Can serve as a mentor for fighters, barbarians, rangers, or paladins.
- Aristarchus: The Mage. An old wizard, currently resident in the village of Mantineia. According to some accounts, he was originally from a territory far to the east, beyond even the boundaries of Persia. He once was an advisor to the King of Argos, but now prefers to spend his time in contemplation of philosophy. Village rumor put his age at over a hundred years, but of course it would be impolite to discuss such things openly. Can serve as a mentor for wizards or sorcerers.
- Androcles: The Singer. A singer and poet. His talent with his voice and lyre is unmistakable, but he also has are wide assortment of other skills, including some shady talents that suggest he has had other careers in his life. He doesn't speak much of his past, and seems content to spend his remaining days in Mantineia. Can serve as a mentor for bards or rogues.
- Pedaeus: The Athlete. Now an old man, in his prime Pedaeus was one of the leading atheletes of all Greece. He participated in three Olympic Games, and took prizes in distance running, the javelin throw, and wrestling. Can serve as a mentor for barbarians, monks, fighters, or rogues.
- Ismene: The Priestess. Part priestess, part oracle, part seer, Ismene is the religious advisor of the village of Mantineia. She lives alone, in a simple shelter near the Temple of the Olympians atop the cliffs southeast of the village. Can serve as a mentor for paladins, clerics or druids.