Back to home
 
 

Overview

In some ways, the continent of Ansalon is a standard fantasy setting. However, there are no large nations as city-states predominate. Also, the dominate culture is Celtic, followed by Vikings. Two maps are provided at the bottom of this page.

Physical Data

Planet Name: Tyros
Continent Name: Ansalon
Planetary Diameter: unknown (approx. 8250 miles)
Density: ? (slightly less than earth normal)
Gravity: 1.00
Axial Tilt: 20 degrees
Seasonal variation: normal
Atmosphere: standard
Surface Water: 75%
Humidity: 35%
Climate: Temperate
Dominate Land Type: plains, forests (continent of Ansalon only)
Moons: one
Length of day: 24 hours
Length of year: 365 days

The Land and Weather

Most of Ansalon is temperate. The Dyre Islands and Kebrian Isle are semi-tropical and the northern regions are sub-artic. Some areas are special:

The Bleeding Plains (Mag Cruach): Site of the largest battle with the Vikings, 122 years ago. Undead are frequently encountered in the region.

The Deep Forest (Coill Domhain): Heavily infested by humanoids.

The Grand Hills (Cnoc Mor): Home to many dwarves.

Spiritwood (Coill Geist): Main elvish kingdom

Kebrian Isles: Only active volcano is located here; inhabited by several fire giants.

The Darklands (Tir Dorcha): A barren, blasted area destroyed long ago by some magical catastrophe, before humans came to the continent.

Lost Hope Bay: The weather is very calm here, but 1 in 20 ships seem to disappear fo no reason.

The Black Mountains (Sleibhte Dubh): These low, rough lands are home to many evil creatures, including dragons.

North Hills (Cnoc Thuaidh): This area is inhabited High Barbarians.

The Highlands (Tir Ard): Home to nomadic barbarians.

Fens of the Dead (Riasc na Mairbh): Treacherous swamp with the ruins of an ancient city of unknown origin.

The Desolate Plains (Mag Treighte): Aside from some horse nomads, this region is very sparsely inhabited.

Dragon Mountains (Sleibhte Peist): The north slopes are home to many low barbarians, while the southern slope is infested with humanoids (mainly orcs and goblins). Several dragons live in the upper peaks.

The Animals

In general, any creature from Greek, Celtic, Scandinavian or Medieval legend can found in Ansalon. Other creatures may be found in isolated areas and small numbers.

The Peoples
 
Race   % of total population
Humans   59 (includes vikings, celts, picts, greeks, etc.)
Orcs   8
Goblins   6
Elves   6
Dwarves   5
Kobold   3
Half-races   3 (half-elves, half-orcs, etc)
Giants   2
Hobgoblins   2
Lizardmen   1
Halfmen   1 (brutish, apelike, barely sentient)
Ogres   1
Faeries   1
Others   2

 
 
 

Random Race Selection
 
Roll       Race
3       Other Race
4-5       Dwarves
6-11       Human (3-10: Celtic, 11-15: Nordic, 16-18: Old Empire)
12       Orcs
13       Goblins
14       Elves
15-17 Roll Again      
  3-7     Kobold
  8-9     Mixed Race
  10     Giants
  11     Hobgoblins
  12-18 Roll Again    
    3-8   Lizard Man
    9-10   Half-Man
    11-12   Ogre
    13-18   Faerie
18       Other race

 
 
 

History

Ansalon was first explored by the Old Empire some 900 years ago, an island hopping trip taking some six weeks. From -200 to -10 CE, several colonies were established, but with all-out war involving most of the city-states of the Old Empire in 0 Common Era (CE), almost all were abandoned or destroyed by local humanoids or picts after defenses were weakened to provide troops back home. Around this time, the celts and vikings, whose expansion efforts had been impeded by the Old Empire's military, sought to expand across the ocean and several successful voyages were made.

Then, in 7 CE, wizards in the remains of the Old Empire unleashed magical attacks that devestated not only their lands, but those of the celts and vikings. With this added urgency, the two races began settling Ansalon with great haste, the celts taking the south-eastern part of the continent, the vikings the north-eastern. Unfortunately, the vikings had chosen poorly, and found their western expansion checked by heavy mountains, desert and an icy sea. They then turned south and attempted to take lands from the celts in 52 CE.

The celts were prepared, however, and only a few hundred vikings got through, settling on the coat of the Inner Sea. These were ignored (and couldn't have offered much resistance, anyway) and the bulk of the invasion was stopped, the vikings kept north of Abhainn Nar. The celts turned their attention to the vikings that had broken through. Though they could have destroyed them, the celts were weary from battle and chose to negotiate; in return for vows not to unite and make war against the celts, the vikings would be permitted to remain where they were, independant of celtic rule (in truth, the vikings had ended up in river valleys the celts had passed up). In time, these vikings became celtized, and by now have as much in common with the celts as the vikings.

Finally, in 231 CE, the vikings tried again, after loosing territory to orcish hordes. They pushed well past Abhainn Nar and a great battle was fough in the plains of central eastern Ansalon. In the end, the viking army was destroyed and the celts were badly weakened.

In the 200 years since, the vikings have had to make do with piracy and coastal raiding, as the orcs and native humans have kept them busy.

The Nations

Ansalon is dotted by several city-states and fortified towns, most either patterned on the cities of the Old Empire or hill-forts built to massive scales. Most city-states control a great deal of the land within 30 miles (ie, the distance an armed cavalry patrol can travel in one day). Others, such as Dunir, control smaller but strategically important areas.

In general, nothing stronger than treaties exist between the various city-states, and even these are either for non-aggression or trade purposes (this excludes 'colonies' of city-states, which are rigidly controlled, and several small, semi-independant towns which pay generous sums for protection from the nearest city-state). Most city-states are controlled by one clan, with several lesser but related clans present (the exact numbers depending on the size of the city state). Military numbers are (active)/(reserves).

Dunir (fortress port): This city is built across the only pass that runs though Sleibhte Ir. It also controls the Abhainn Nar Thios outlet into Cuan Ir. This makes Dunir crucial to merchants. This is one of the few cities where slavery is illegal. However, forced labor in the city's iron and copper mines is a common punishment for criminals. The king of Dunir is the nominal Ard Ri of the celts, though most of the time this power is merely ceremonial.

Fersaor (fortified port): Once a major port, the rise of Suildia pirate activity has reduced it to a caravan stop but prosperity has dropped only slightly. There is a 1 gp toll on slaves brought into Fersaor, and they may remain for only two days. Baile Orba (fortified port): This port handles 25% of the trade from southern continent. Its fleet often skirmishes with ships from Suildia and Baile Triur Ban. Baile Orba controls several farm communities in the region (generally west of Mag Orba). Cupladearg (fortified port): Currently, this port city handles most of the trade with the southern lands and has a significant number (15%) of foreigners. There are open hostilities (but not out-right war) with Baile Triur Ban.


Baile Triur Ban (fortified port): This port recieves what's left of shipping from the southern continent. Baile Triur Ban is a female dominated society; male slavery is common and few men reach positions of authority. All men in Baile Triur Ban (native or not) have a -3 to reaction rolls from native women.

Coillfliuch (fortified town): Located where Abhainn Nar divides into its East and West branches. It does a great deal of river trade with Dunir. Coillfliuch controls some villages to the north. Due to the rather marshy terrain, those structures not built on high, solid ground are constructed on barge-like platforms anchored in place. Thus, a large part of the town actually floats. Cosanceart (walled town): A peaceful farming and fishing community, it controls several mines in the Sleibhte Piest. Cosanceart sees little activity from the savages and humanoids to the north. Baile Nar (fortress city): An old city, its power has dropped with the rise of Cosanceart and Baile Coill Mor. It is also a favorite target of northern raiders. Baile Coill Mor (fortified town): This important city is a crossroads for many caravans. The forest surrounding it is quite thick and was once home to many elves. Teachlui (walled town): This small but prosperous port city handles 70% of the trade from western Ansalon. Many small agricultural and mining towns (iron/copper) exist within its claimed territory. Slavery is completely legal. Trasedga (walled town): This port city handles 20% of the trade with western Ansalon, dealing mainly with Rath Suilfada, Rathtine and Baile Coill Mor. It is the primary export point of barbarian slaves sent west. Rathtine (fortress city): This fortress city is fairly well supplied and defended. Outside of one settlement, most of the population lives within Rathtine. The area is fairly safe during fall and winter but barbarian raids are common in spring and summer. Rathdubh (fortress city) Rath Suilfada (fortress port): This fortress city is accessable only by water or a narrow and easily-defended pass. Aside from protecting nothern mines, frequent trade is conducted with the (native) desert nomads. Half of the population outside the fortress are dwarves. Clochban (walled port): The closest port city of Western Continent to the Eastern, it has risen in trade volume since the rise of the Suildia pirates to the south. Rath Tra (fortress city): Rath Tra serves as a bastion against the raids of the plains nomads and fey beasts of Sliebhte Dubh. However, no real incursions have occured for decades. Complacency has lead to the deterioration of manpower, morale and repairs. Mantray (walled port): The secondary port in the West, it has seen a great loss of trade due to piracy. However, it recieves a large amount of metals and gems from Teachlui in the East. Sardth (walled town): Sitting astride where the Spirit River splits into its northern and southern branches, it serves as a trade stop for goods coming and going from the ports of Clochban and Mantray. Teachbas (open town): Srub Brain (open town) Cloch Illait (walled town) Baile Badb (open town): A very isolated mining community, it faces no real threat from pirates or humanoids. However, the hills around it are abundant in natural (and semi-natural) animals. Dunspeir (walled town): This is the western-most city on the continent. It is home to the Winged Folk. Suildia (walled town): This is a haven for pirates and outcasts, changing leaders as many as 3-4 times a year. Kebre (walled town) Foscadhfuacht (independant open town): A moderately important town on the roads linkin Teachlui, Baile Coill Mor and Baile Nar. Uisce Olc (independant open town): A fishing/farming community of little importance, other than lying along the Baile Nar/Coillfliuch trade route. Cheteau (independant open town): An unremarkable small fishing village would be. Karsten (independant walled town): Karsten is unusual in that it is an equally mixed community of dwarves and humans. Geatafarraige (independant walled town): Formerly a settlement of Trasedga, Geatafarraige broke away during Trasedgan troubles with Suildia pirates over two decades ago. Though nominally protected by stone walls, most have fallen into disrepair since the fight for independence and are only marginally effective. Tir Ard (walled city) This is the primary concentration of vikings in Ansalon, although numerous villages dot the northern and eastern coastlines (populations of 400-800 each). Known to the vikings as Hochland. Technology

Technology on Ansalon is late TL2; the ships and weapons of the vikings are TL3, as well as some theoretical sciences from the Old Empire. The picts are TL1, with some higher tech items scavenged from the celts and vikings.

Magic

As normal rules, but aspected mana areas are common, as are spots of high mana (not always stationary; 1d6 miles wide, 1 in 6 chance of moving 1d6x5 miles during an equinox or eclipse, reroll size). Stationary high mana areas are either inaccessable, or 'leakage' from sidhes (and thus avoided by sane people).

Vikings normally use rune magic, Celts magic based on ogham (basically the same as rune magic), Greeks traditional magic and Picts ritual magic.

Religion

Celts: Mainly worship their ancestors, plus some appeasement to the gaelic gods (some of whom live in the hills).

Vikings: Ancestors and Nordic deities.

Elves/Dwarves: Nature

Savages/Natives (Picts): Totemism

Orcs, goblins, etc: varies

Ships

Not surprisingly, the people of Ansalon are fine sailors and build sturdy sailing ships. There are several different types. The warships and merchants, while used by the celts, are of Old Empire design.

Warship: These are roughly the same as the Greek penteconters (p.GR107), carrying 60 men and 20 tons of cargo at up to 16 mph. A handful of the much larger trireme exist, but few city-states have the manpower to properly use them.

Galley: Smaller galleys are in use, similar to the Homeric galley (p.GR108), carrying 23 men and 18 tons of cargo at 13 mph. When used as naval vessels, they are used to patrol coastal waters looking for pirates, smugglers and invading forces (usually Vikings). In naval actions, they are used to screen the flanks of larger ships and to harass and scout the enemy.

Longship: Treat these as standard Viking drakkars. Size and capacity varies widely. They are only manufactured by the Vikings; any drakkar in Celtic hands were captured in battle or by stealth.

Merchant: These are roughly the same as the Greek large and small merchants (p.GR109-111). The large merchant requires at least 7 crewmen and carries some 150 tons of cargo at 10 mph. The small merchant requires at least 4 crewmen and carries some 48 tons of cargo at 12 mph.

Names

Gaelic, Female

Aidan (Edana), Aisleen, Alana (Alain, Alina), Amena (Amina), Arlene (Arleen, Arlen), Bevin, Brenna, Bridget (Brigette, Brieta), Bryna (Briana), Cara (Carina), Caera, Colleen (Cailin), Deirdre (Diedre), Doreen (Dorie), Fiona, Flanna, Isolde (Iseult), Kerry (Kerri), Kyna, Malise, Malvina (Malva, Malvie), Morag (Moira), Muriel (Muire), Myrna (Mirna, Moina), Nairne, Orna, Selma, Sheena (Siobhan, Shelia, Sheelah), Sorcha, Tullia, Ula, Wynne (Win)

Gaelic, Male

Adair, Ahern (Aherin, Hearne), Aidan (Adan), Alain (Ailin, Ailean), Alroy, Aneurin (Nye), Artair (Artur, Artus), Baird, Balfour, Banniing, Beagan, Blair, Boyd, Brien (Briom, Bryon), Caddock, Cadell, Caley, Carlin (Carling), Carvey, Cathmor, Conal (Connall, Conn, Kynan), Cormac, Coile, Craddock, Curran, Demsey, Devin, Dolan, Donal (Donnall, Donn), Dugan (Doogan), Egan, Ennis, Ewan (Ewen, Owen), Finlay, Flann, Garnock, Gavin, Hagen (Haggan), Howell, Ian, Inness (Innis), Kane, Keegan, Keller, Kern, Kevan, Kieran, Kinnard, Lachlan, Lawler, Lunn, Muir, Nairn, Neal (Niall, Neall, Neel, Niels), Oran (Oren, Orrin), Quillan, Rafferty, Regan, Riordan, Rorke, Rogan, Scanlon, Scully, Sholto, Sloan, Strathan, Tierman, Tormey, Tristan, Tynam

Viking, Female

Ada (Aida), Adaline (Adela), Adolpha (Adolphina), Alvina, Amelia, Armina (Erminia), Bathilda (Batilde), Brunhilda (Brunhild), Caroline (Carline, Caro), Clotilda (Clothilde), Dahlia (Dale), Faith (Fay), Fread (Frida), Galiena (Galiana), Halfrida (Hallie), Ida (Idalia, Idella), Jarvia, Luana (Luane), Mathilda, Millicent (Melisenda), Minta (Mina, Minetta), Nissa, Odelia (Odella, Otha), Ordelia, Quenby, Ramona (Mona, Rama), Romilda (Romilda), Serilda (Serilde)Ula, Ulrica (Rica), Ulva, Vala, Welma (Velma)

Viking, Male

Abelard, Adler, Adolph (Adolphus, Dolph), Alaric (Ulric, Ricy), Aldo, Algar, Amory, Anselm (Anse, Ansel), Armand, Baldemar, Berthoud, Conrad (Cort), Davin, Dedrick, Derk, Edel, Ehren, Emmerich, Ferrand, Frederic (Fritz), Fremont, Garner, Garvin, Gerald (Gearalt, Jerold, Jer), Goddart, Gustaf, Harlon, Haydon, Harbert (Hoireabard), Herwin, Hubert (Hobart, Aodh), Lewes (Luthais, Ludo), Lothar, Mandel, Medwin, Norbert, Odolf, Olav, Ormen, Osgood, Radbert, Raymon, Raynor, Reinhard, Ricard, Rodric, Rosco, Ruskin, Searle, Sigmond, Sigurd, Skerry, Skip, Storr, Sutherland, Terrill (Tyrrell, Tirell), Thybalt, Thorald, Thornert, Trigg, Turpin, Waldron, Waine, Wray

Old Empire, Male/Female

See GURPS Greece.

Creating a Character

Characters start off with 125 points with -40 points in disadvantages. Literacy costs 10 points.

Languages

For simplicity, the Vikings use modern German, the Celts modern Irish and the Old Empire classic Latin. In the game, these are referred to as Nordic, Celtic and the Old Tongue. There is no written form of the Pict language.

Viking Characters
All must take either Code of Honor (Viking) or Reputation -4 (Among Vikings). Either is worth -10 points. Celtized vikings must take a -5 point Social Stigma; normal vikings have a -10 point Social Stigma. None of these count against the -40 point limit.

Celtic Characters
All must take either Code of Honor (Celtic) or Reputation -4 (Among Celts). Either is worth -10 points.

Old Empire Characters
All must take a -2 Reputation, for -10 points, which does not count againt the -40 point limit.

Pict Characters
Picts have Primitive (-1 TL) and Social Stigma (Barbarian), for a total of -20 points, which does not count against the -40 point limit.

Central Ansalon

Continent of Ansalon