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I have my own homebrew under construction, but it is a modern tech setting. Often, I'm in the mood for something a bit more archaic. For those days, I like having published settings around. Currently, I own:
Nyambe: African Adventures
Dragonlance
Midgard
Razor Coast
Deadlands
I'm looking to branch out a bit. I am only interested in settings that are D20 and could be converted to Pathfinder. It doesn't have to be easy or specifically billed as compatible, it just has to be doable. I consider the effort that went on here to be reasonable. I am looking for settings that would cover some of the following flavor desires (No, I don't want one setting that covers all of it.):
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Ancient Egypt
Heavy Celtic elements
Heavy Slavic elements
Heavy Gothic elements
Any period of China
Feudal Japan
Renaissance Europe
Colonial America
The American Frontier
Pre-Columbian America
Steampunk
Dieselpunk
Anime/Manga style games
Medieval France
Also, if anyone knows of a setting with a "Europe" I could insert into a homebrew campaign setting (kind of like how Nyambe is an "Africa" that can be plugged into a homebrew campaign setting easily), I would be much pleased. My setting is focused on North America and Asia, so if I can use a plugin instead of having to design an off-map Europe, that would make my work a lot easier.
I wouldn't be interested in a kitchen sink style setting. I like having settings with a theme to them. I don't have a problem with well designed low magic settings, but I do have a love of high magic. I can enjoy dystopian settings unless it reaches the sheer hopelessness of Ravenloft or Midnight, but I prefer optimistic ones. The more opportunities for sailing, the better.
What can you guys recommend to me?
Hmmm...
Well, obviously there's Rokugan with WotC's original Oriental Adventures that you could try.
Not exactly steampunk or Dieselpunk, but a Dystopian or even worse, apocalyptic setting (with a great deal of humor or fun at least) would be found in Dungeon #94/Polyhedron #153 (they were combined) as Omega World, a recreation of Gamma World, but for D20/3e.
Not exactly a setting, but you may check out the Codex Celtarum from Trolllord games for a Celtic Campaign.
No idea on the American settings.
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* New World/America - Northern Crown, The Gazetteer and Northern Crown: New World Adventures. Both are 3.0 by Atlas Games. So it's probably harder to find, but it is the same mob that did Nyambe. Good stuff, and the fantastic/mystical approach to the New World is fun. A mix of Frontier and Colonial.
* Japan - Kaidan Setting from Rite Publishing. Various supplements available here at Paizo, but not sure if the CS is actually completed yet. Slated by gamer-printer/Michael Tumey as "Japanese Horror" but I'm sure it's plenty basic Japanese...
* If Steampunk Musha ever releases it is your Japanese Steampunk mashup du jour.
* For base Steampunk, Pure Steam and the Terah Project both seem interesting, but I don't have either of them personally.
* Dieselpunk would be less fantastic/magic to me as I know actual dieselpunkers and antifa activists in the Netherlands who would be bemused that "dieselpunk" has entered RPG vernacular. You could try the Thunderscape CS (also available here at Paizo) even has a Thunderscout Base Class that I think gets a vehicle like a Cavalier gets a mount...
* China - Heroes of the Jade Oath - again by Rite Publishing. Available here at Paizo.
* Japan - Kaidan Setting from Rite Publishing. Various supplements available here at Paizo, but not sure if the CS is actually completed yet. Slated by gamer-printer/Michael Tumey as "Japanese Horror" but I'm sure it's plenty basic Japanese...
* Dieselpunk would be less fantastic/magic to me as I know actual dieselpunkers and antifa activists in the Netherlands who would be bemused that "dieselpunk" has entered RPG vernacular. You could try the Thunderscape CS (also available here at Paizo) even has a Thunderscout Base Class that I think gets a vehicle like a Cavalier gets a mount...
* China - Heroes of the Jade Oath - again by Rite Publishing. Available here at Paizo.
...well someone beat the ones I came here to say. Cool. What he said!
Midnight.
It's out of print now, but that just means it's cheaper than it used to be. it is still the best campaign setting I've ever seen.
Think what Middle-Earth would be like if Sauron had won. That's the setting. If you like your classic fantasy dark and gritty you'll love it.
Have you checked out the aquatic materials/world from Cerulean Seas? It's here on Piazo too. Amazing races/classes/feats/items/etc, and full of flavor- I know it doesn't fit into your above list, but you said sailing and if you'd want a "continent" for your world under the waves, this stuff might float your boat!
Cerulean Seas is a good option, as is Thunderscape, especially if you'd like stuff already drawn up for Pathfinder.
Midnight is a good setting, however I'd take another setting from the same company any dy of the week: Dawnforge. Basically the setting takes place at the beginning of a traditional fantasy world's history; while many games are typically set in a world with tons of background events Dawnforge places players at the helm of these events. The dwarves are starting to dig too deep, yet for the moment have a powerful nation; what will happen with them? The orcs are a savage race yet not evil; instead they have just met many of the world's other peoples and feel frustrated for they don't have a racial identity (dwarves are unparalleled craftsmen, elves have potent magic, and even humans are a hardy people with close tie to nature [instead of elves for once]) but want one. Even the elves are new, only having emerged from the fey realm a few centuries back. They liked this new world at first but their leaders (sun/high elves) decide that they have had their fun and need to go back; yet many of the other types don't want too (especially the night elves/pseudo-drow)and thus fight back against their betters.
For a Middle Eastern setting to insert into a custom why not the actual Middle East? Somewhere on Paizo is a setting that takes place during our real crusades- I just can't remember the name of it.
Yup, forgot Thunderscape, which I liked quiet a bit! Thinking about pulling the concept of an insect forest with Entomancers into my games!
Related: Here is a list of all the 3rd Party Campaign Settings (Link)
I wouldn't be interested in a kitchen sink style setting. I like having settings with a theme to them. I don't have a problem with well designed low magic settings, but I do have a love of high magic. I can enjoy dystopian settings unless it reaches the sheer hopelessness of Ravenloft or Midnight, but I prefer optimistic ones. The more opportunities for sailing, the better.
What can you guys recommend to me?
I would suggest NeoExodus: A House Divided. He are some reasons why you might find it enjoyable.
1. NeoExodus is a world full of magic. NeoExodus is a world that has advanced by mastery of arcane magic which may be counterintuitive to the classic fantasy and medieval times. Magic is very pervasive in the world of NeoExodus from the instantaneous point-topoint travel via the Nexus Gateway to sentient, freewilled arcane constructs (called Arcane Intelligences). From arcane and eldritch powered skyships and siege weaponry to even commonplace magic casters using their skills to provide many basic provisions and necessities to major cities and even some small towns. The progressive nature of magic has transformed the world so that it feels quite “modern”.
2. NeoExodus is a world built upon epic adventures, heroic quests and valiant expeditions into the unknown. Through the use of magical and nonmagical means, heroic adventurers can gain access to larger realms of excitement and discoveries which in turn will introduce them to new and interesting challenges to confront and monsters to combat. From exotic locations to unusual surroundings, the challenges of Exodus should pull heroes across the lands of many nations and countries to the entire world. Each area of Exodus is unique and stunning from the tropical rain forest and jungle of the Wyldlands of Bal to the frigid and dangerous peaks in the mountains of Nas. Exodus is truly a world of invigorating exploration and exhilarating action.
3. NeoExodus is setting of unified empires and nations with their own sovereign rights, power and issues. While each nation or empire - Arman Protectorate, Caneus Empire, the Dominion and the Reis Confederacy - has joined and believes in the unity of the Imperial Alliance, old adversaries and bitter rivalries cause much turmoil in this world. Many of these nations and empires have had long term conflicts with each other that still influence the decisions of the modern day. Other influence groups like the Sanguine Covenant and Section Omega can be felt in the backrooms and dark alleys of any of these nations and empires. All of this in addition to such global threats as the Janus Horde, the Quicksilver Virus pandemic and even a criminal terrorist organization like the Folding Circle threatens to destabilize this fragile peace.
4. NeoExodus is a world that is rarely at peace for long. Throughout its troubled history, wars and murder were never far away. NeoExodus is always on the brink of war or conflict of some type. With so many different cultures and races working together, there are issues that often will be raised between them. These conflicts might be based on nationality, religious beliefs or even racial issues and these prejudices are deeply propagated in various arenas of daily life. The formation of the Imperial Allience has done much to help with the understanding of different points of views and now individuals find ways to exist and thrive in this world of Exodus.
5. NeoExodus mixes traditional fantasy, horror, magic, modern politics and science fiction. NeoExodus is built from a very distinctive nature and mind-set. The setting of NeoExodus: A House Divided is a mixture of classic fantasy, modern political conflict and intrigue with neo-fantasy influences. The world of Exodus has some degree of “moral flexibility” which makes people who might be diametrically opposed, able to work with each other for a greater cause - often for good and sometimes evil. In this world, nothing is black or white but various shades of grey - making nothing exactly what it seems to be. While an individual might have the alignment of chaotic evil, this does not mean they cannot be honorable or even compassionate, if needed for a larger reason. And vice versa.
6. NeoExodus is full of all new unique races. The nine new races that are introduced in the setting of NeoExodus are very unique in direct contrast to the standard fantasy races individuals might be used to. Each race has a unique and interesting creative background and design to them that reflect the setting of NeoExodus: A House Divided well. In NeoExodus players can choose to play Cavian, Cynean, Dalrean, Enuka, Gevet, Kalisan, Prymidian, P’Tan or Sasori. Cavians are psionic humanoid rats who have a hidden agenda. Cyneans are crystalline-skinned, powerful arcane spell casters with a thrist for more arcane knowledge. Dalreans are humanoid mobile plants with a strong ecological connection to Exodus. Enuka are beast-like creatures that have evolved to adapt themselves to various harsh environments. Gevet, or tiefling, claim to be the first race to master magic in Exodus. Kalisans are pale-white nomadic humanoid creatures native to northern Exodus. Prymidians are crimson-skinned humanoids who are masters of communication and language. P’Tans are shadowcreated feline humanoids who were former slaves of the First Ones. Sasori are humanoid scorpions that hold all the deepest and darkest secrets of Exodus.
7. Exodus is a world built on conspiracies, deceptions and intrigue. Empires and nations compete on many levels—economic, political influence, territory, magical power—each looking to maintain or improve its current status by any means short of all-out war. Subversive clandestine meetings, espionage, black market deals and sabotage are all basic parts of doing business in Exodus. Large numbers of organizations, nations and factions maneuver or manipulate for their own benefit in the rapidly changing political climate. Exodus teems with conflict and intrigue.
8. Everything has a place in NeoExodus. If it exists in the realm of classic or traditional fantasy settings of Pathfinder, then it has a place in Exodus. A monster or spell or magic item from the Pathfinder core rulebooks might feature a manipulation or two to explain attitude, character and tone of Exodus, but otherwise everything you want to include has a place somewhere in Exodus.
Hope this helps.
* New World/America - Northern Crown, The Gazetteer and Northern Crown: New World Adventures. Both are 3.0 by Atlas Games. So it's probably harder to find, but it is the same mob that did Nyambe. Good stuff, and the fantastic/mystical approach to the New World is fun. A mix of Frontier and Colonial.
You can get it from Paizo or the publisher's site. From what I gather, it is considered compatible with Nyambe, and if it is of the same quality Nyambe has I am most interested.
* If Steampunk Musha ever releases it is your Japanese Steampunk mashup du jour.
Tell me more.
* Dieselpunk would be less fantastic/magic to me as I know actual dieselpunkers and antifa activists in the Netherlands who would be bemused that "dieselpunk" has entered RPG vernacular. You could try the Thunderscape CS (also available here at Paizo) even has a Thunderscout Base Class that I think gets a vehicle like a Cavalier gets a mount...
Intriquing.
* China - Heroes of the Jade Oath - again by Rite Publishing. Available here at Paizo.
I like the sound of this.
Have you checked out the aquatic materials/world from Cerulean Seas? It's here on Piazo too. Amazing races/classes/feats/items/etc, and full of flavor- I know it doesn't fit into your above list, but you said sailing and if you'd want a "continent" for your world under the waves, this stuff might float your boat!
I could find some use for this, I think.
Okay, so definately some good stuff here. I did come up with something else I'd like if ya'll know of anything, though. Middle East. I need something I can slot into a campaign setting along with Nyambe, so rules compatibility is not my main issue here.
Midnight is a good setting, however I'd take another setting from the same company any dy of the week: Dawnforge.
Known of this for a while, do want. Love the idea of creating the golden age instead of hearing about it in stories.
If you do not mind a bit of shilling, my Imperiums Campaign Setting takes a ton of inspiration from the Roman, Norse, Gaelic, and Northern African cultures. The first module, Feast Hall of Ash, is very heavy in the Gaelic folklore tradition. The PDFs are available in the paizo store.
Sorry if that sounded too much like a commercial, just some of your interests line up with ours at Mor Games so I thought I'd let you know.
* New World/America - Northern Crown, The Gazetteer and Northern Crown: New World Adventures. Both are 3.0 by Atlas Games. So it's probably harder to find, but it is the same mob that did Nyambe. Good stuff, and the fantastic/mystical approach to the New World is fun. A mix of Frontier and Colonial.You can get it from Paizo or the publisher's site. From what I gather, it is considered compatible with Nyambe, and if it is of the same quality Nyambe has I am most interested.
I have both Northern Crown and Nyambe. They are equally good in my opinion.
If Steampunk Musha ever releases it is your Japanese Steampunk mashup du jour.
Tell me more.
HERE is the link to the KS page. It is roughly two years late. May be a while before it arrives too.
* Dieselpunk would be less fantastic/magic to me as I know actual dieselpunkers and antifa activists in the Netherlands who would be bemused that "dieselpunk" has entered RPG vernacular. You could try the Thunderscape CS (also available here at Paizo) even has a Thunderscout Base Class that I think gets a vehicle like a Cavalier gets a mount...
Intriquing.
LINK to Thunderscape here at Paizo.
* China - Heroes of the Jade Oath - again by Rite Publishing. Available here at Paizo.
I like the sound of this.
LINK to Heroes of the Jade Oath at Paizo.
If you do not mind a bit of shilling, my Imperiums Campaign Setting takes a ton of inspiration from the Roman, Norse, Gaelic, and Northern African cultures. The first module, Feast Hall of Ash, is very heavy in the Gaelic folklore tradition. The PDFs are available in the paizo store.
Sorry if that sounded too much like a commercial, just some of your interests line up with ours at Mor Games so I thought I'd let you know.
LINK to Mor Games Campaign Guide: Plight of the Tuatha.
Green Ronin has setting books for Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, Medieval Europe, the golden age of piracy, and the Old Testament.
+1.
For 3.5 there is also OGL Ancients by Mongoose.
The New Argonauts (d20) PDF by Sean K Reynols is free and contains "everything you need to run a campaign in mythic Greece."
There's also the old d20 (3.0/3.5?) Arcanis setting which which has a pseudo Roman Fantasy Setting. It has many many excellent books many of which are available here on paizo for cheap right now. Others you can get from ebay.
See this post for some links and a product list...
Note that Nyambe is for sale right now too.
(Reposted and updated with links from this threadIs the a Greco-Roman 3rd party setting?)
Green Ronin has setting books for Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, Medieval Europe, the golden age of piracy, and the Old Testament.
+1.
For 3.5 there is also OGL Ancients by Mongoose.
The New Argonauts (d20) PDF by Sean K Reynols is free and contains "everything you need to run a campaign in mythic Greece."
There's also the old d20 (3.0/3.5?) Arcanis setting which which has a pseudo Roman Fantasy Setting. It has many many excellent books many of which are available here on paizo for cheap right now. Others you can get from ebay.
See this post for some links and a product list...
Note that Nyambe is for sale right now too.
(Reposted and updated with links from this threadIs the a Greco-Roman 3rd party setting?)
I found this on sale at the used bookstore about a week ago. It provides everything I need for Greek campaigns, including a mountain of very useful genre advice.
I already own Nyambe, and consider it one of the most useful campaign settings on my shelf. I like having African elements in my settings, but I don't know enough to write up a similar continent myself. Nyambe is an exceedingly well done African setting that I can slot into my worlds easily.
I just picked up Heroes of the Jade Oath, D20 Rokugan (not Oriental Adventures, which I've had for years, but the Rokugan setting book), and Golarion's Inner Sea World Guide, Dragon Empires Gazetteer, and Sargava: The Lost Colony. I do have The New Argonauts.
For feudal Japan i suggest Rite Publishings PFRPG Kaidan material. (also available ob paizo)
Are there any plans for a Kaidan setting book? I've been waiting to see if that is a possibility.
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Okay, so definately some good stuff here. I did come up with something else I'd like if ya'll know of anything, though. Middle East. I need something I can slot into a campaign setting along with Nyambe, so rules compatibility is not my main issue here.
If you are looking for a great Middle East / Arabian / Al-Qadim type setting you should absolutely check out the Southlands kick starter from Kobold Press!!!
Okay, so definately some good stuff here. I did come up with something else I'd like if ya'll know of anything, though. Middle East. I need something I can slot into a campaign setting along with Nyambe, so rules compatibility is not my main issue here.If you are looking for a great Middle East / Arabian / Al-Qadim type setting you should absolutely check out the Southlands kick starter from Kobold Press!!!
I'm considering it. Payday is Wednesday, so I have just enough time. Never backed a kickstarter before, though.
Kobold Press has been doing crowdfunding far before Kickstarter, since 2006. Southlands is the (I believe) almost 20th+ crowdfunded project. Several have won Ennies, including Best Adventure.
-Ben.
Are there any plans for a Kaidan setting book? I've been waiting to see if that is a possibility.
I just did the mockup layout for Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, so we can get art orders in. 2 writers and 2 artists have been recruited to finish the unfinished chapters. Jonathan McAnulty, our primary author is tying up the loose ends on his part of project creation. I don't have a release date, but we are actively trying to wrap things up for the GM's Guide to Kaidan.
You can look at the Kaidan Kickstarter page and the updates that showcase what is being done, and where we are now.
As somebody mentioned above "I slat the setting as Japanese horror", however, that said, Kaidan is more like Japan - culturally, geographically, geologically and mythically, than any previously published oriental setting or fantasy Japan. Even the cartography of the archipelago is very similar to the geography of Japan. Authenticity is at the heart of Kaidan's design parameters.
Feels like we've been waiting forever on the Kaidan book. I'm so stoked for it, so many plans for it.
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Heavy Celtic elements
They are out of print but still available as PDFs on DTRPG, Slaine from 200AD.
Any period of China
Dragon Tiger Ox captures the feel of the Wu-Xia movies particularly well (for D20 systems at least!).
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I'm considering it. Payday is Wednesday, so I have just enough time. Never backed a kickstarter before, though.Okay, so definately some good stuff here. I did come up with something else I'd like if ya'll know of anything, though. Middle East. I need something I can slot into a campaign setting along with Nyambe, so rules compatibility is not my main issue here.If you are looking for a great Middle East / Arabian / Al-Qadim type setting you should absolutely check out the Southlands kick starter from Kobold Press!!!
Sounds good! This is the final week, so things are going to get interedting! :)