This is a stone age campaign setting set in a world where the Tanari, the humanoid descendants of the civilized dragons, are contending with feral dragons, dinosaurs, vicious mammals, a plethora of magical beasts, the weather, and each other in an effort to forge a way of life that will last through the ages.
This this setting, there is only one playable race: the Tanari. Tanari are about the same size and shape as humans, but only posses hair on their heads. They are covered in colorful scales that are so small and thin they are only discernible up close. A wide variety of marking exist. Their head hair resembles that of humans, but with a large variety of colors, including some individuals with hair that has multiple colors. Their eyes are slightly larger than those of humans, with a wide variety of possible iris colors, including some individuals with multicolored irises. They give birth to and nurse live young (it should be noted that in this world dragons also do this). Tanari are descended from dragons, and have the Dragon type instead of the Humanoid type (The attributes of the Dragon type are being tweaked as a result of this. Spells that are listed as effecting Humanoids effect Dragons unless the creature has a specific immunity to that type of magic.)
Magic comes from the Great Dragons (deities, basically), and there is no distinction between arcane and divine magic. Magic items do not exist, as magic wears off too quickly (there is no permanency spell). However, the Great Dragons bless skilled and brave warriors with magical powers called Juja. Juja points are handed out as rewards, similar to treasure (a Juja point is equal to 1 GP), and used to buy the special abilities of magic items. Basically, you can have the things magic items give you, they are just deity granted magical powers instead of things granted by magic items. All characters gain Juja, which means that all characters in the Isle have inherent magical abilities.
The Isles are designed for E10 campaigns (E10 is E6 with the cutoff at level 10 instead of level 6), and have eight character classes, which go up to 10th level:
Sorcerer
Witch
Warrior
Brave
Hunter
Shaman
Keeper
Trickster
Sorcerers and Witches resemble their Pathfinder cousins, Warriors and Braves are Fighters and Barbarians, Hunters are Rangers, Shamans are Druids that serve Cleric roles, Keepers are Bards, and Tricksters are like Ninjas who use magic instead of Ki. I am working on these classes right now. Some things are different, as I've moving some features around, and, in the case of the Warrior and maybe Trickster, adding something.
Culture-wise, the Isles are a blend of Afro-Caribbean and Polynesian (Hawaiian and Maori, especially) elements, with some Native American, European, and Asian mixed in as I see fit. There might be some Cajun in the northern swamp islands if I can figure out a way to explain where Cajuns came from.
Can I get some questions about the setting? I'm still fleshing things out, so they would be highly appreciated, as answering them helps me flesh things out. I find having people say "what's this like" or "how does this work" or "does this exist", and then thinking about those questions and answering them, is an excellent method of initial construction for a setting, so please do fire away.
Very cool....
How large is the setting?
How structured are the civilizations?
Are there any other planes of existence in your setting?
Is the Great Dragon Pantheon cooperative, or do they oppose each other?
How direct is the communion between the Great Dragons and the Tanari?
(i.e. is it myterious and vague or is there direct back and forth communication?)
Are there different factions of Tanari, or is it more feral and unorganized?
Hmm, let me try to think of some more world building questions....
you want questions, so don't take this personal, but is it fun if their are no magic items?
I know, you've got your Jujas, but taking the sword of the ennemy you just killed is way more rewarding, that getting good Juju from a dragon after the quest. Also economy will be kind of weird.
Are witches as powerful as they are in PF? Same spells and all that. Because then all magic users will rock, if there are no magic items and I guess Jujus don't have arcane spell failure (as there is no arcane).
Building on Interzone's question.
How are the societies structured? Tribes, chiefdom's, opposing city states?
Do the different classes have meaning in society? Are tricksters looked down on? Are braves valued?
You say this is a stone aged culture. What types of weapons are you looking at? Stone tools only? What about armor? Wooden or leather?
How do the majority of people get around? Horseback? roads? boats?
Are there any cultural taboos or revered creatures?
What other races exist? do they get along? Is one race seen as better than another?
you want questions, so don't take this personal, but is it fun if their are no magic items?
I know, you've got your Jujas, but taking the sword of the ennemy you just killed is way more rewarding, that getting good Juju from a dragon after the quest. Also economy will be kind of weird.
The economy is very, very primitive (it's the stone age, after all), and currency does not exist. Without magic items, the economy is highly similar to IRL Native American and Polynesian economies, and largely trade based.
I actually kind of like the idea of characters getting magic abilities instead of magic items. I want a setting where you don't rely on expensive equipment. This is especially useful in the stone age, where breaking a spear during a fight won't be particularly unusual. However, magical abilities like lighting weapons on fire are still cool, so that's what Juja are for.
Are witches as powerful as they are in PF? Same spells and all that. Because then all magic users will rock, if there are no magic items and I guess Jujus don't have arcane spell failure (as there is no arcane).
Armor isn't used (stone age), and Defense Bonuses are, so spell failure isn't really a worry. Also, all characters gain Juja, so the lack of magic items doesn't favor one class over another.
who are the Great Dragons?
Civilized dragons who's magic became so powerful they were able to ascend to the heavens as deities. They are not the only deities in existence, and they did not create the world, but they are the deities who watch over the Isles, and they are worshiped by most everyone outside of some sinister cults. The great dragons run the gamut from benevolence to hostility, like most D&D/PF pantheons. Great dragons can be killed, and new ones can come into existence, though this doesn't happen often.
what level of technology is available?
Stone age, for the most part. Stone spears, daggers, and axes are common melee weapons, and bows, blowguns, slings, and atlatls common as ranged weapons. Other stone age weapons also exist, though they aren't quite as common as those above.
what is the weather generally like?
Generally hot in summer and warm in winter, though up north winters can be a bit on the cool side, especially in the swamps. Thunderstorms and rainstorms are common, and sometimes begin without warning and end just as suddenly, and hurricanes and windstorms are hazards that need to be taken into consideration, though hurricanes usually pass by the islands instead of hitting them.
How large is the setting?
About the size of Indonesia.
How structured are the civilizations?
Things are organized at the tribal level, with tribes sharing a cultural history and language but individual chieftains ruling tribes of a few dozen to several hundred individuals holding all the power and not a centralized government.
Are there any other planes of existence in your setting?
Legends tell of the celestial realms and the lands of the dead, but these alternate planes have never been visited by a Tanari. Elemental planes exist, but the Tanari don't know this. They believe summoned creatures come from the celestial realms, even though they actually come from elemental planes.
Is the Great Dragon Pantheon cooperative, or do they oppose each other?
They oppose each other, like many D&D/PF pantheons. However, Shamans don't usually worship a single great dragon. They tend to gain their power from several different ones instead.
How direct is the communion between the Great Dragons and the Tanari? (i.e. is it myterious and vague or is there direct back and forth communication?)
The great dragons send cryptic messages to Shamans and occasionally other individuals during dreams or trances, but that is the extent of direct communications. They prefer to let their followers handle matters on the mortal plane of existence instead of intervening themselves, and like to let mortals figure things out.
Are there different factions of Tanari, or is it more feral and unorganized?
There are different cultural groups, but the Tanari are generally on the unorganized side, with everything handled at the tribal level and tribes having, at most, several hundred individuals (usually fewer).
How are the societies structured? Tribes, chiefdom's, opposing city states?
Mostly tribes.
Do the different classes have meaning in society? Are tricksters looked down on? Are braves valued?
Generally every class is seen as having it's own worth and uses. For example, Braves are excellent bodyguards and heavy warriors, while Tricksters are a useful tool for all sorts of stealth tasks.
You say this is a stone aged culture. What types of weapons are you looking at? Stone tools only? What about armor? Wooden or leather?
Stone tools only, with armor not being used. I do use a defense bonus system to replace it, however.
How do the majority of people get around? Horseback? roads? boats?
Boats and walking (though not on roads, which don't exist), for the most part. Animals have been trained to carry or pull objects, but not riders. The Isles lack an animal suitable to carry a person.
Are there any cultural taboos or revered creatures?
Yes, but I'll have to think on them a bit.
What other races exist? do they get along? Is one race seen as better than another?
The Tanari are the only intelligent human shaped race around. Tashri (Merfolk) exist, but mostly stay underwater except when sunning themselves (which they enjoy), and don't deal with Tanari much. Tanari consider seeing one to be good luck, but consider trying to socialize with one bad luck unless the Tashri initiates the conversation. There are also dragons, who, if civilized, are treated with great reverence by Tanari (civilized dragons see Tanari as children, and don't understand the Great Dragons' favor of them) or, if feral dragons, hated and reviled (feral dragons are like civilized dragons, drakes, and linnorms, but with less magical power, little intelligence, and much ferocity).
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With the very distinctive appearance, have you considered coloration or "tattooing" for alternate powers/subraces and or subsets? Just a thought.
The dragon 'deities'... are they independent? cooperative? tribunal in nature ? or Greek-style? I can't explain better. With a Zeus type constantly interfering with mortals and the rest of the pantheon feigning obedience while working constantly to counter his meddling? etc.
Flora and Fauna. Without magic, might there be certain creatures hunted for ingredients or certain plants or nectar's which simulate potions or alchemy items?
To your last point as of me typing this post.. There are different cultural groups, but the Tanari are generally on the unorganized side, with everything handled at the tribal level and tribes having, at most, several hundred individuals (usually fewer).
How do they, whether directly or indirectly, control incestuous hybridization and mutations? I know medically they are not mutations, but rather a pairing of working and non-working proteins, but I digress. This is the stone age so to speak. Is there annual meets and or lotteries to mix up breeding stock? Is there a waymoot every 10 years where the clans come together in a big party or contest or holy hunt? Thoughts like these. You mentioned a native american style culture. There were many (forgive the use of the word out of context) "tribes' who would war constantly if primarily to vary their bloodlines. Some of the tribes from Washington down through California were notorious raiders of each other before the Spanish navy started mapping the west coast extensively in the 1600's, for example.
Are there any mortals who have ascended to 'live with the gods'? Cliche' examples could be Hiowatha or Princess Minnehaha or Kiviuq?
Those are some questions for now.
(I have to go back to work)
ps- I would gladly play in this style campaign!
With the very distinctive appearance, have you considered coloration or "tattooing" for alternate powers/subraces and or subsets? Just a thought.
I'm still thinking of how muuch coloration should matter.
The dragon 'deities'... are they independent? cooperative? tribunal in nature ? or Greek-style? I can't explain better. With a Zeus type constantly interfering with mortals and the rest of the pantheon feigning obedience while working constantly to counter his meddling? etc.
They are like the Golarion deities in that they tend to disagree with each other and fight amongst themselves. They don't directly intervene in the mortal world. Instead they let their followers do that, granting them magical powers to assist them.
Flora and Fauna. Without magic, might there be certain creatures hunted for ingredients or certain plants or nectar's which simulate potions or alchemy items?
There isn't a lack of magic. Pretty much every PC can use it to one degree or another.
To your last point as of me typing this post.. There are different cultural groups, but the Tanari are generally on the unorganized side, with everything handled at the tribal level and tribes having, at most, several hundred individuals (usually fewer).
How do they, whether directly or indirectly, control incestuous hybridization and mutations? I know medically they are not mutations, but rather a pairing of working and non-working proteins, but I digress. This is the stone age so to speak. Is there annual meets and or lotteries to mix up breeding stock? Is there a waymoot every 10 years where the clans come together in a big party or contest or holy hunt? Thoughts like these. You mentioned a native american style culture. There were many (forgive the use of the word out of context) "tribes' who would war constantly if primarily to vary their bloodlines. Some of the tribes from Washington down through California were notorious raiders of each other before the Spanish navy started mapping the west coast extensively in the 1600's, for example.
There is a good deal of raiding and intertribal conflict, though most of the Great Dragons discourage it (aside from the more evil ones). Breeding stock, however, is not an objective of this conflict. There is a fair amount of intertribal mobility, as it is considered both normal and desirable for an adult to leave their tribe and join another in order to vary the breeding pool. This is how interbreeding is avoided.
Are there any mortals who have ascended to 'live with the gods'? Cliche' examples could be Hiowatha or Princess Minnehaha or Kiviuq?
No, but there are a couple who have ascended to become civilized dragons, and a civilized dragon can ascend to Great Dragon status, so it is possible for a mortal to ascend to godhood, though it has not yet happened.
ps- I would gladly play in this style campaign!
Thanks!
Also, Tanari are very resistant to medical conditions caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, especially because of their scales. This is useful, since they live in a wet tropical environment.
Also, Polynesian-style war clubs will be common.
How do the internal politics work among the tribes? Let's see if I can manage a few more specific questions related to this...
Are the leaders those who are strongest, smartest, wisest, oldest, have the most Juja, etc.
Do tribes have advisers such as elders? How are they determined?
What are the typical consequences of various crimes such as theft?
Do tribes have any unusual customs they normally adhere to?
Are the leaders those who are strongest, smartest, wisest, oldest, have the most Juja, etc.How do the internal politics work among the tribes? Let's see if I can manage a few more specific questions related to this...
Depends on the individual tribe. It's usually the best fighter, strongest magic user, or wisest elder.
Do tribes have advisers such as elders? How are they determined?
Most leaders have at least a couple advisers, and they are chosen by the leader. Tanari have a great deal of respect for elders, so they usually serve as advisers.
What are the typical consequences of various crimes such as theft?
Depends how serious the leader considers it. For lesser crimes, usually corporal punishment or forfeiture of property while for more serious crimes it's usually severe corporal punishment (as in, permanent damage), exile, or death. Which crimes are serious and which aren't depends on the tribe leader.
Do tribes have any unusual customs they normally adhere to?
Yes, but I haven't determined what they are.
Shields of wood and hide are available.
Shields of wood and hide are available.
"Armor" of Leather and molded wood is not unheard of among cultures that are considered to be stone aged. I lived with a group of Hunter-gatherers in the amazon for 2 years when I was younger and they often molded clothing out of tree bark to create "stiff clothing" that was traditionally used as armor in inter tribal disputes.
Shields of wood and hide are available."Armor" of Leather and molded wood is not unheard of among cultures that are considered to be stone aged. I lived with a group of Hunter-gatherers in the amazon for 2 years when I was younger and they often molded clothing out of tree bark to create "stiff clothing" that was traditionally used as armor in inter tribal disputes.
I know it isn't unheard of for stone age cultures to have armor, but not all of them did. Tanari are one of the cultures that doesn't use much armor.
Well, Mama Kelsey, it looks cool to me.
I don't know what you're using for sources for the cultures, but you might find the story of Easter Island full of stuff to steal--the statues, the dolphin-hunting, etc., etc. In fact, I recently read Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond and in there he writes a lot about societies on different Polynesian islands which might help (or hinder) your world-building.
If you're going to make the tribes hunter-gatherers, it might be interesting to look at irl cultural anthopology stuff about these types of societies. I'm no expert in such stuff, but, for example, a D&D campaign that tried to take into account "prestige avoidance" (I don't remember the actual term) would be interesting. Or maybe not. I haven't thought it through--it might obviate the whole point of playing D&D!