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 Post subject: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 07, 2019 2:20 pm 
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Has anyone ever created a definitive list of the core differences or the major new additions in each iteration of Blackmoor?

Obviously it's impossible to document every difference or addition. I'm mainly interested in major elements that are core aspects of the setting, such as races or subraces, organizations, major NPCs, campaign-level plot lines, etc. And it's potentially useful to know which came from Dave Arneson and which came from other designers, if possible.

As I've been learning more about Blackmoor and its different iterations, I've been reviewing and joining some of the discussions about differences between the First Fantasy Campaign (FFC), the DA series of modules (DA1 - DA4) and the later setting updates and materials published by Zeitgeist Games (ZGG). I've also been sorting out which elements of the setting were explicitly Dave Arneson's creation versus the creations of designers at TSR, Inc. or ZGG.

For example, the , a designer who worked on the ZGG materials, revealed that the Westryn and Cumasti elves were his creation. Prior to this, in DA1, there are "various elvish factions," including the "Northern Elves," and there is reference to brethren in the Duchy of Ten who are suffering from a blight that is destroying their woods. These are the "western" elves that would later become the Westryn in the ZGG publications, but the pre-ZGG elves seem to be generic and merely divided into different clans or factions.

Of course, we also know that the Afridhi were partly a TSR creation by David Ritchie and his wife, based on nomadic invaders and possibly the Paynim Princess in Dave Arneson's original Blackmoor game. And the Wizard's Cabal changed dramatically from the DA modules to the ZGG version of the setting.

There are many other examples, but it would be great to have a high-level list or summary of the major differences or additions in each setting update. Does something like this exist, or do any of the folks here have enough knowledge to assemble a basic list from memory?


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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 08, 2019 6:03 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 08, 2019 6:59 pm 
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Thanks for your post, Havard!

I'm going to add some insights on Blackmoor's elves, which I found posted elsewhere. This may have been from your blog or the Blackmoor Archives, but unfortunately I didn't make note of the original source. I made a couple of slight corrections based on recent reviews of the source material and information from ZGG designers.

BLACKMOOR ELVES

First Fantasy Campaign
Various players played the Elven Prince. Presumably different princes.
Ringlo Hall as capital of the Elven Realm.
Elves are instrumental in driving the Egg of Coot out of Blackmoor
Elves use magical water hoses to defeat undead
Pixies listed as allies of the Wizard of the Woods.

DA Modules and BECMI/RC Era
Elven prince named Menander Ithamis
Elven race referred to as Genander clan.
Elven race created by Ordana.
Faunus presented as other patron of nature
Elves live sheltered by Fairies until about a thousand years before the Blackmoor era. See elves as a young race thread.
Fairies driven out of Thonia settle near Blackmoor.
Elves in the Duchy of Ten struggle with blight of their woods.

D20 Era
Elven Cumasti/Westryn split introduced.
Elven realms expanded.
Gen'Ri: A secret spy organization of the elves.
Ordo Elementarum: An organization of elven and human elementalists who hate technology.
Raddam Goss
Elven Elementalists
Elven Pantheon includes Ordana and Faunus, but also Elemental Gods.


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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 08, 2019 7:15 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 08, 2019 8:53 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 09, 2019 4:29 am 
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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 09, 2019 4:52 am 
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 Post subject: Re: Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?
PostPosted: Oct 09, 2019 7:50 pm 
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