Blackmoor Setting Differences: A Definitive Comparison?

[Havard]

This is a pretty huge topic, but certainly very interesting.

Some things that are new in the DA modules (compared to the FFC and Supplement II):

• Blackmoor is placed into the past of the Known World Setting (later Mystara) since that is the default setting for Classic D&D at this point.
  
• Timeline advanced ca 30 years, focusing on the Reign of King Uther
  
• The Comeback Inn itself is expanded upon and presented in detail (DA1)
  
• The Temple of the Frog is revised and expanded upon, slightly changing St. Stephen's role into becoming a rebel instead of an agent of the City of the Gods.
  
• City of the Gods is expanded upon.
  
• Tons of new NPCs, many based on PCs from Dave's campaign.
  
• Geography, history and setting expanded upon
  
• New monsters, new spells, encounter tables
  
• Nomads referred to as Peshwa for the first time(?) and expanded upon
  
• Paymins referred to as Afridhi for the first time(?) and expanded upon
  
• Skandaharians expanded upon
  
• The Great Kingdom renamed The Thonian Empire and expanded upon
  
• Duchy of Ten storyline changed so it is occupied by the Afridhi. References to the Ran o' Ah Foo removed
  
• And lots and lots more.

Overall, I am a huge fan of the DA series and I think that this is where Blackmoor truly went from being a campaign and being turned into a setting where people outside of Dave's circle could really start their own campaigns. I also think Dave Arneson's vision shines through even not everyone is a fan of the Mystara connection (which I also love of course).

ZGG 3E line and 4E line

• timeline advanced by another 5 years after DA series.
  
• Elven culture and history expanded upon
  
• Gods and cosmology greatly expanded
  
• Mage Wars and history of magic added.
  
• Wizards Cabal changed and other Wizard groups added.
  
• New Prestige Classes, Spells, Feats, magic items
  
• New information on races and subraces
  
• Temple of the Frog, City of the Gods and Blackmoor dungeon revised and expanded upon
  
• New organizations
  
• Rules adaptations to 3E and 4E
  
• Steam and Clockwork technology added
  
• Peshwa culture expanded upon
  
• New rules for magic and elven elementalism
  
• New equipment
  
• New monsters

I am also a fan of the ZGG line. As you can see it adds tons of new material and I also like the way these books are organized, making the information much more accessible than in previous entries.

I did not include the MMRPG in the 3E/4E list since that series added and expanded upon so many concepts it deserves its own list.

Anyway, I am sure I missed tons of things and this is really just intended as a rough overview. Feel free to add more though!



-Havard