Kran

"Ra urdath san uthmor ahen aggun hara`het shaka`thorr.
My blood and my marrow is yours, do what you want with it."

Kran

Hi Guys,

As you can see the current topic is the feared and terrible ancient empire: Kran. This is Mordor in Ynev. :)

This country was founded by 13 powerful warlock demigod, leaded by Shackallor. According to the legends Kran has been existing since eternity and remains forevever. The "Land of Darkness", "Home of Evil" - called it the travelers like these phrases. Tales and stories what believed to be true circulates around the continent about evil dragons, about enormous warlocks and about heroes who entered its wild and blurred forest to die...
Kran beleived to huge empire, in fact it is alliance of  few dozen small duchy, more than hundred city state, numerous knightly domain. The will who forge the alliance into one mighty power is the will of Shackallor. His hands and supporters are his brothers, they are all demigods, the bastards of the Goathead Ranagol. They were sent to the prime material plane in the begining of the time. Shackallor and his 12 escorts were settled in the Kranian-mountains.
They fought many wars against the humans, the last was the The Invasion, when Kran lead a huge nomadic and greenskin army against Pyarron.
The goverment is very complicated. As I mentioned a lot of states form the empire. This small states are in provinces, all province has governor. The provinces form the empire. 3 kind of province there are: the direct controlled lands are the Imperial Provinces, the semi individual lands are the Alliance Provinces and the Free Provinces. Apparently the second two types have some freedom, but both of them are dependent to the central government. Sometimes Kran takes offer to powerful person to lead a province, for example Ironhand Alex and Chei King received such an offer. According to the gossips they just laughed at the situation.
In Kran several human and inhuman language are spoken, the human languages has an common  original form, this is the kranian. A lot of races live here: humans, aquirs, orcs, evil elves, etc. The most of the human folk settled in Kran in the X. century, they have nomadic origin. Typical kranian is tall, thin, creol, dark haired, his eye is little bit oblique.
The state religion is the Faith of Ranagol, but everyone can worship their own pity gods if they obey to Ranagol.

Than You for the attention!

About the system engine

"The merchants and caravan escorts opened free way for him and he walked away towards the city. The guard, who adressed him earlier just stared after him, he wiped his blooded nose with his theub. He whispered repeatedly the jadd word:
- El Dsiah, el Dsiah...
The storm in the desert, what sweeps away everything." 


Hi,

Before I continue the introduction of World of Ynev let's take a look at the system. As I mentioned earlier the base system is the Sword and Magic (Adventures on Fomalhaut), by Melan: Sword and Magic It is a D20 OSR product. The second source is an SaW hack what is made for a M.A.G.U.S. contest. It is only hungarian content, but the translation is is ongoing, two-thirds of the text is already translated.

Sources:

Setting: World of Ynev by M.A.G.U.S. rpg.
System: Hack of Sword and Magic (Adventures on Fomalhaut), by Melan, D20 OSR RPG

Base System

In the SaW the base roll method is the same as the official:

1d20 + modifiers against DC. modifier usually come form one of the abilitiy or the sum of ability and skill value. The formula of the ability modifier is: [Ability  score/3]–3 It means that the range is the bonus is between -3 and +3. The common ability rolling dice code is 4d6-lowest.

Value of the skills is the following: [Experience  level  +  ability bonus] In the base system the character gets skills at the creation,they can not learn skill during leveling and can not distribute points between skills. I am planning some changes to resolve this little problem, because in M.A.G.U.S. you can learn skills during the campaign. In the other hand in the original M.A.G.U.S. system you had two grade skill subsystem.

Saves and combat are the same in D20, but the increase of the values are smaller and it operates with fewer rules. I would like to change something in this subsystems in order to represent more heroic style, it could be more feats example. For the Attack bonus there are three kind of base value: Atk*1, Atk*2/3, Atk*1/2. First is equal to the exp. lvl, second is the two-thirds of the exp. lvl and the third is half. *1 is often belongs to the warrior classes, *2/3 belongs to the rogue classes, and the *1/2 is represents magic-user fighting style.
There is the +5/+10 rule, if the player want to make a special maneuver during the attack special +5/+10 test must be taken, the measure of the test depends on the difficulty of the maneuver. An  opposite attack check must be taken, but I think you can replace it with skill or ability check if you think it is better in the current situation. Or if the manauver involves non combat elements DM can force the player to make additional tests to the succesful move. For example if the action has jump, catch, sweep, etc. component. If the attacker has +5 or +10 higher, then the opponent's result the attemp is succesful, in case of attacker critical failure the target wins the situation and can turn.(For example fighting back) All other cases are draw.

Combat example:

Messor (El Dsiah) (lvl10 Assasin from Kran, in rank: Messor)
El Sobira City Guards (6 lvl2 Fighters)

El Dsiah, alias Messor (10)

Init: +6
Attack: +9/+4, Damage 1d4+3 with head or arm, 1d8+3 with spear.
AC: 13 (Dex+Quilted Armor)M
HP:  76

City Guards (2+1) (2 is the level +1 is the average bonus,  )


Init: +1
Attack: +3, Damage: 1d8+1 with spear
AC: 12 (Dex+Quilted Armor and cloth aka Theub)
HP: 10

This situation is happend in the iconic M.A.G.U.S. fantasy novell, in the Renegade:

A high ranked assassin, a messor of the Imperial Clan of Kran, who traveled through the Taba el Ibara Desert to train some jadd agents of the emir's bodygards in El Sobira. Now he is in El Sobira and the local guards are trying to force him to show what he posess. The assassin thinks, that the time has come to show some skills to introduce himself to the emir's agents. After this situation he got the name: El Dsiah, the desert storm.

El Dsiah attacks first because of the surprise. The player decided that El Dsiah make a special attack with his head, in order to prone his opponent. The DM offers a +5 maneuver, if the +5 attack opposite check is successful the guard will be proned and damaged.  Player rolls 12 and the result is 21, the Guard's result is 17 with the +5. Attack is successful, Guard becomes proned and suffers 1d4+3 (5) damage.
El Dsiah comes again with his second +4 attack. The player want to make a special attack again. Now he wants to catch the guard's to spear make a sweep attack. DM says, it is a +10 maneuver, because of the catching and the sweeping. The player must make an additional medium(12) DEX check to catch the spear. The player rolls 14 and the sum is 16, so El Dsiah is able to grab the weapon. With the captured weapon he makes the attack roll. This special attack has +10 modifier, the amount is 12, it is very difficult, but messor likes taking risk. :) The roll is 20, the total attack roll is 24, none of the rest of the guards can beat this result. (Their roll results: 16,21,19,23,13) The damage. 1d8+3=2+3=5, every Guard suffers 1 HP loss, because of the sweep attack. (To distribute the sweep attack damage is DM decision.) The assassin scratches all of the Guards faces and walks away stared by the crowd.

Magic


Magic system is almost the same as the D20, but spell names are little bit different. It uses memorization. I want to change it to 5E style, because 5E is memorization is more flexible. The maximum spell level is 5. Little bit low magic, but it fits to World of Ynev.

Monsters

Monsters has level beside the HD. It helps to determine the values of a monster. As I mentioned there is a code next to the name, eg.: 2+1. First is the level, second is the average bonus. Every monster has d8 HD and the attack value is based on the first column, so they get attack during leveling as fighter. Saves usually based on the fighter class, but sometimes it is different if the nature of the monster requires other allocation. There are some more values, but most of them is well known in D20. As you can see that in this system creating and handling monsters is very easy.

M.A.G.U.S. hack

In 2014 the was a M.A.G.U.S. making contest, several rpg hobbist participated and created good hacks. My favorite is the SaW hack. It contains some M.A.G.U.S. specific race and class and the spell list of the new magic-user classes. The new classes are the following: Gladiator, Swashbuckler, Knight, Assassin, Bard, Martial Art Fighter, Swordmaster, Paladin, Clerics of Ynev, Witch, Warlock, Firemage, Magic-user (ynevian style).
In the following part you can find the Fighting Styles. Every class can learn fighting style except for the magic-users (MU, WI, WA, FM). This means that they can choose a style, what add some advantage and disadvantage in the combat based on the nature of the style. For example with two weapon the character can attack twice, but with negative modifier.
Psi is the next chapter. In Ynev the most of the adventurers are psi users, it is widespread. The hack detailed only the Pyarronian Method and the Slan psi (Martial Art Fighter and Swormaster use it.), but I think I will add more content to this chapter. We have some Ynev specific weapons and monsters. All content will be published here post by post, I translated almost the whole text, several monsters are the remaining only.

Thank you for your attention! Next time I will continue the introduction of World  of Ynev.

Northern Ynev

Hi,

 

According the legends Ynev was two continent in the begining of the planning phase. Originally Ynev  was made for Ad&d campaigns, I think there were two longer. When the makers prepared the publishing the first M.A.G.U.S. rpg, the two setting merged into one huge project.

So south ynev is a renaissance mediterranean flavoured setting, north is a classic fantasy. The main fractions are Toron and its allies versus the Northern Alliance. Bleck Flags versus Red Flags.

Toron is  like the byzantine empir, they try to keep the ancient Kyr traditions, laws and order, but they became decadent during the ages. The toronian allies and wielder of the Black Flags are the following: Abassis (weak fragmented power), Eastern Barbarians (classic conanian folk), Gro-Ugon (greenskin empire), Enosuke islands (japan of ynev), City State of Alidax ( Ruled by Wiches), Ediomad (Aquires! :), demonlike monsters ), Rowon (more dark figures), Felloship of the Sword (dark knights of  the which goddes of Orwella)

In the other side there are the countries of the Northern Alliance. Two states are bordered with Toron: Tiadlan and Dwyll Union. Tiadlan is empire of oriental culture, but the paople are not asian, asian style people are in Niare, but they are neutral. In the Dwyll Union rules Ranil the God of Sun. They have brave Sun knights. Erigow is the central and leader of the Alliance. Similar classic human cultures are Eren and Haonwell. Ilanor is nomadic horsemen culture. Doran City the order of the mages and Tarin, the empire of the Dwarves.
Distance ally is Sirenar, the northern elves. 

The leaders of these countries wields the Red Banners.

Further neutral areas:

-Anuria, home of Dragon Raiders.

-Cursed Lands, the result of the war between Kyria and Orwella

-Tongoria, shaman traditions

-Northern City States, like the southern.

-Alidar, they trains curtisans for kings and other rulers

-Khare, City of tricky clocks, mechanics and gunpowder

-Riegoy City States, common fantasy towns.

 The most significant place in Ynev:

-Erion, City of Adventurers

Next time this place will be the main topic.

Thank You for the attantion!

South Ynev

Hi,

South Ynev is about Pyarron and Kran, the white and the dark side of the area. Pyarron represents all of the humanity, civilisation, Kran is the opposite side. There are four category what are describe the ynevian alignment: Life, Order, Death, Chaos. Pyarron is the Order and Life, Kran represents Death and Order.
Kran lies in the western side of South Ynev, the Ring Mountain is its border, well secured, because of its position and because of the dark forces from the otherworld. Assassin clans, aquirs, kranian legions defends the border. 13 Warlock rules this dark empire, their leader is Shackalor the mightiest warlock demigod. The only and prefered religion is here the faith of Ranagol. This god is ruthless and  declares superiority.
Kran has several neighbours. In south there is Elfendel, the ancient home of the elves. Next to, there lies Yllinor. This country was formed by Chei King, a hero from Illinor, his people are proud nomadic horsemen. They moved from the far north to fight against Kran alongside Chei.  There are in the neighbourhood the shield countries: Syburr, Enysmon, Sempyer. Founded by local nomad nation, they are strong partner of the Pyarron Alliance.
Following Pyarronic states are the following: Old Pyarron, New Pyarron, Predoc, Edorl, Viadomo, Lar-Dor, Six Cities Alliance. Old Pyarron is a monestary, New Pyarron is the central of the religious life, and the capital of the Alliance. Predoc and Edorl provides the food and the infantry troops. Shield States are the cavalry, Viadomo provides knights and paladins, Lar-Dor trains the magic-users, Six Cities maintains the fleet.
The main ally of the Pyarron is Shadon, this is an order aligned empire with strict monotheist religion: Faith of Domvik. They persecutes witchery and other black magic. There are inquisitors who make the persecutions.
In the opposite side of the Sea of Galleons there is the "brother" country of Shadon: Gorvik. This empire was founded by renegade shadonians. Until now they corrupted and converted to Ranagol. In this county there is anarchy and chaos. They are the italo-renesaince assasin nations. Fantasy Borgias.
Near there is the Taba el Ibara desert with several "arabic" state. El Sobiar, El Abadana, etc, with all of stuff what a fantasy arabic region can have: desert, oasis, camels, nomadic maruders, mighty and mysterious sand elves.  There are two special nations: The ammunds, egypt style humans, they often sacrifice other humans, the other nation is the janns, intellectual ancient arab style people hiding among the current arabs. The common arab nation is in Ynev is the Dzsadd (Jadd).
Between the desert and Kran laying the Southern City States. DMs can put anything what he or she likes, it is a set of anything.
The northern border of south Ynev is the Sheral Mountains, huge peaks, totally inhabitant. Only at the foot of a mountain there is a jungle with tribes of small black people. In the other side of Sheral there lays Northern Ynev, but is another story.

Thank You for the attention!

PS

History of Ynev

Introduction of Ynev

Ynev is one of the 3 continent of the Satralis planet. Can be devided into two part: North and South Ynev, because originally these parts were two different setting. During the creation of MAGUS rpg the creators put them together as a one continent northern and southern parts.

History

This post is based on the the early version of the history of Ynev. You can find here the original version in hungarian: History of Ynev (hungarian)
I do not want to present the whole story because it would be too long. I show you the main events. There are 8 eras in Ynev. About the 1-4 eras we know almost nothing. The 5th era was the time of  the elven and kyr empire. 6th era was the aftermath of the kyr empire and the night of the humankind in south. 7th era is the ascension of Pyarron and the Northern Alliance.
 The official time of the game is the end of the 7th era. So the timeline of the game is based on the pyarron calendar. The 1st year in this calendar is the year of the foundation of Pyarron City. The Kyr empire was found XVIII thousand years before Pyarron. After many years and wars the kyr nation ruled the northern part of the continent. Approximately 3000 years before pyarron (bp) Orwella the witch goddes of the kyrs attacked the empire with her 40000 orks, but the kyrs defeated and banished her. But the humankind got a powerful enemy. After several years the Kyr empire had fallen and the empire of  Godora was the next powerful force in Ynev.
A lot of changes were made after this in the 6th era: the Dawa the empire of mages founded, the last of the kyr mightys were left, the Ryek demonic empire founded. Both of them has fallen before the 7th era. City of Doran was built, library of Enrawell founded (and Erigow), foundation of Niare, Tiadlan and the Northern three (Eren, Gianag,Haonwell).
In south humans built City of Pyarron, what determined and ruled the 7th era. After this in 170 Toron the worst enemy of the Northern Alliance was found. In 279 Khare the city of thechnocracy was established More countries were founded: Ilanor the horsemen, Enosuke, Erion in the ruins of Godora, Eastern barbarians settled near the Quirron sea, Dwarfs were formed Tarin. In 1249 the Northern Allience was formed, from this many wars were fought between the Alliance and Toron and its allies. The leaders of the Northern Allience carries the red banners, Toron and its allies carries the black banners. 14 Banner war were fought with changing warluck, the status quo is stable between the opposite sides in present day (around anno pyarron 3700)
In south pyarron religion was expanded in the first millenial and took over the leadership from the kyr religion. Before Pyarron the other powerful empire was found: Shadon. In shadon a monotheist religion is the ruler: Faith of Domvik.
After the foundation of the city state more allies formed, Six City Alliance, Predoc, Edorl. In 1000 ap the Pyarron State Alliance is formed between Pyarron and its allies. The Godon empire is fallen because of the practics of the evil empire of Kran. Kran is the most powerful enemy of the humankind in South Ynev. Around 1200: First nomad invasion. After this Pyarron founded Syburr, the first shield state. (Against the nomads and Kran.) After this mysterious fire mages founded Ordan near Erion. 1400: Nasti nomads converted to Pyarron religion and they founded Enysmon the second shield state. In 1445 a renegade Domvik priest left Shadon and founded Gorvik the holy land, later Gorvik aproached Kran and converted to the faith of Ranagol, the god of evil Kran.
1500: Sempyer the third shield state liberated. In 1693 the 3 shield state joined the  Pyarron State Allience. Viadomo the unbreakable fortress of  Dreina, the goddes of law was join to the City State Alliance.
2647: The White Lodge founded a wizard school in Lar-Dor. In the 2nd millenial Gorvik has a lot of inner war and the country fragmented to five domain.
In the 3rd millenial the first significant event was, that Moorose Chei killed one of the Thirtheens of Kran leaders, Krihelor. After many adventures Chei founded Yllinor in 3592.
3673-85: The Invasion: Kran and the nomads ruined the pyarron civilization. After Pyarron renewed and built a new city in the shore of the Sea of Galleys. Old Pyarron remains as a monastery. After this another enemy raised in the sands of Taba el Ibara: Amhe Ramun...

D20 Ynev welcome post

Hi Guys!

“… There is a world created by gods but dominated by men. A world whose wars are fought with magic and steel,  a world whose fate is shaped by wise men and warriors… ”

This blog will be the home of my new project. In Hungary the most popular rpg is called M.A.G.U.S. and its world is Ynev. The second is d&d, currently the 5E is the most famous, but 3E has a lot of fan also. I started the rpg with M.A.G.U.S. and it is still important for me. Currently I am playing D20. I decided, that I want to mix this two popular system in one streamlined and easy to use rpg.
In 2008 a great grognard published a rpg, called Sword and Magic, it is a 3E based OSR product. In 2014 some guys organized a M.A.G.U.S. rpg maker contest, because the new edition was in late (It is still not published, so the contest was well-founded)

In this contest  a few great system were created (eg. GURPS, AW Hack versions), but my favorite is the Sword And Magic based. I tested it and the M.A.G.U.S (Aka M*) superstructure (M* related classes, rules, spells, psi) worked well, however the system would be more M.A.G.U.S.-like. Mostly the characters power level would be higher. I would make some changes and add more content, because the contest limited the number of the pages of the supplement.

So this project has 2 goals:

1. Introducing the base Sword and Magic rpg, its supplementary system and World of Ynev, the place of the setting.
2. With the existing material develop a working and still streamlined D20-M.A.G.U.S. crossover.

 What we have now and what is the project input?

There is a short version of the Sword and Magic rulebook: http://fomalhaut.lfg.hu/files/2011/01/EMDT-2-E-Sword-and-Magic-Adventures-on-Fomalhaut2.pdf

As 0. step I translated the the Sword and Magic-M.A.G.U.S. extension and I will publish it in particular parts after I refine it and the result is lectored. Here you can download the original in hungarian, if you want to see (google translate helps):  http://lfg.hu/67887/rpg/rpg-fejlesztes/azael-kard-es-magia-setting/

In the following posts you will learn everything about the World of Ynev and  how to start playing a special streamlined D20 system.

BR,

PSZ

PS: M.A.G.U.S. Wiki: https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.A.G.U.S. (Translation needed)