Campaign setting based on pseudo-Early Medieval Europe (5th-8th century) instead of pseudo-Renaissance Europe? (1 Viewer)

[Caldorian]

The title says it all basically.

I'm looking for a campaign setting that is based on pseudo-Central Europe/Britain/Scandinavia in the 5th to 8th century. Basically, pre-Carolingian if we're talking about Central Europe. Is there such a thing?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sulldawga]

I just bought it and haven't yet read it so I can't tell you how it is but there's Legends of the Dark Ages.

 

[Caldorian]

I just bought it and haven't yet read it so I can't tell you how it is but there's Legends of the Dark Ages.

Thanks, that looks interesting!


However, I realized that my post was not phrased very well. Sorry for that! What I meant was: Most D&D campaign settings are usually loosely based on the high Medieval to Renaissance periods. Thus, heavy armor usually means plate armor, the technology is more advanced, there are printing presses, etc.

What I'm looking for is a D&D fantasy setting that takes inspiration from the earlier Medieval periods, that is, the Dark Ages and pre-Carolingian Central Europe.

For instance, where fighters look like this:

... or where castles are more likely hillforts or maybe motte-and-bailey castles:

... or where people from the centers of civilization look like this:

 

[CardinalXimenes]

It's very much a fragmentary beta at the moment, but my scribblings for Wolves of God might have something useful to loot. It's an OSR game focused on Dark Ages England in 710 AD.

 

[DavetheLost]

It's for FATE not OSR, but Age of Arthur is very much this time period and could be a good idea mine for you. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/111752/Age-of-Arthur

Historical Arthurian is a favourite period of mine.

 

[DMH]

Did the green covers skip this era?

 

[Particle_Man]

Can you crib from Roman empire pseudo-settings for the tech?

Making everyone illiterate unless they spend skill points can be done.

I think some magic items would have to be eliminated.

Oh yeah, what are your views on magic in this setting? Everywhere, very rare, can do anything, can do things at great cost, npc only, etc.?

 

[Caldorian]

It's very much a fragmentary beta at the moment, but my scribblings for Wolves of God might have something useful to loot. It's an OSR game focused on Dark Ages England in 710 AD.

This looks cool, thanks!

It's for FATE not OSR, but Age of Arthur is very much this time period and could be a good idea mine for you. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/111752/Age-of-Arthur

Historical Arthurian is a favourite period of mine.

I'm not a FATE fan but I'll have a look. This reminds me, I should also mine the Mythic Britain book for RQ6/Mythras.

Oh yeah, what are your views on magic in this setting? Everywhere, very rare, can do anything, can do things at great cost, npc only, etc.?

I don't mind magic being widespread, as long as it's atmospheric. Probably more low-key stuff for most magicians but very powerful (at a price) for a few evil sorcerers.

With regard to magic items, I'd prefer fewer but generally more powerful ones: Stuff like Siegfrid's Balmung, the Black Crochan from Prydain, etc. In the best case, with some history and personality to them.

 

[Machpants]

Did the green covers skip this era?

Charlemagne's Paladins would be the closest! https://www.nobleknight.com/Product/2047/Charlemagnes-Paladins-Campaign-Sourcebook

And Angus McBride's art is all the inspiration you need

 

[DMH]

Charlemagne's Paladins would be the closest! https://www.nobleknight.com/Product/2047/Charlemagnes-Paladins-Campaign-Sourcebook

That or Celts: http://www.rpgnow.com/product/110199/HR3-Celts-Campaign-Sourcebook-2e

The reason I say that is Celts and Rome were designed to overlap whereas Paladins and Vikings had their own connection.