Zeta Kai
2011-07-26, 02:39 PM
Well, after nearly three years, the Hourglass of Zihaja project is winding down, but we're not finished quite yet. There's still a few more things that we could do to make this setting even better, & we'd like your help in deciding what to do next. You may vote for any one of the following options. Please bold your vote for what you wanna see the most, so that it can be tallied quickly & accurately; other standard voting practices apply (IE no placeholder/contingent votes, limited vote changing, no disparaging others' choices, etc.). The winning option will definitely be used, & some runners-up may see inclusion, as well. This vote is primarily to gauge relative interest in the options, so that we can prioritize our efforts & give you what you want to see.
In that spirit, his vote will be a little different, as we also want to get an idea for what you don't want. To do that, we are allowing you to also vote for what you wanna see the least. These will count as -1 vote for the option chosen. Again, please bold your anti-votes, & mind the standard voting practices.
Lastly, write-ins are allowed, but keep in mind that we are trying to wrap things up, so we're not interested in cramming in wholly new concepts. The "Arabian Nights/Desert Fantasy" theme is even more open & expansive than most people realize, but I'm officially banned from slipping in even a single flying robot horse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ebony_Horse#Science_fiction_elements). Voting will conclude... as soon as we have enough votes.
In-depth descriptions of the voting options are in the spoiler below:
Najmah Races: You've seen the demons, the devas, & the devils, but to truly understand the world of Najmah, you need to know about the other major races. The genies once ruled two continents with their magic & their might, before they traded it all away in a pact gone wrong. The houris are what mortals aspire to be: perfected versions of themselves, striving to break the cycle of reincarnation that binds both worlds. And the mysterious rakshasas (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/rakshasa.htm) dwell in the darkest of places, in lands where angels & devils alike dare not tread, for they intend to bring about the end of all that walk & breathe & fear & hope...
Monster Races: The primary races of Siraaj have been covered in detail, but there are other beings that live under the sun, creatures with cultures & practices all their own. The leonine aazlai have a rich animistic tradition & a proud warrior ethic, based on honor & duty. The desert centaurs are caught in a bitter stalemate with the steppe centaurs, one that threatens to explode into violence as a long-held peace accord has been broken. And the pahari live most of their lives under the waves, in a tense relationship with the marid genies & in constant fear of the dreaded Dandan.
Organizations: In a world without nations, where an empire is viewed as a mistake from past ages, people still gather together. There are still guilds, cartels, & corporations of all types & sizes. Some are religious, while others are secular. Some are good & kind & benevolent, while others are selfish & destructive & dangerous. Find out what organizations pervade the worlds of the Kamala.
Shrine of the Imprisonment: To some, he is God. To others, he is a myth. And to others still, he is evil incarnate. Johoum was a demon lord who destroyed a nation, scattered a people, & founded a church. He was sealed away over five hundred years ago… but now, some of his most fervent followers want to release him. The chase begins now, & will lead into the depths of both worlds, & beyond. This dungeon adventure is suitable for four 20th-level player characters.
Colossus of the Ral Zadi: For centuries, the great statue in the Red Sands has fascinated people. Appearing & disappearing seemingly at will, it is symbol of a long-past age, a time of magic & mystery. But now, a key has been found which is said to unlock the secrets of the Colossus, & more than one group has vowed to claim it. Part dungeon, part artifact, the great statue could even be the key to reaching God’s Gate. This dungeon adventure is suitable for four 10th-level player characters.
1,001 Adventuring Ideas: The Hourglass of Zihaja is a place where a thousand different stories can be told, & here’s the list to prove it. Broken down by the party’s average level, this list will provide any DM with a guide to the Kamala, so that they are always ready to take their players on a brand new adventure.
Age of Kingdoms Map: This setting is obviously designed to be played in the year 355AF, but that’s not the only time of excitement & danger. Before the rise of the Empire of Admaja, the Central Continent was ripe with peril & opportunity in equal measure. Vast nations flourished, magic was practiced openly, & the land was green with life. Travel back to a different age, with different peoples & different troubles. Travel back to the Age of Kingdoms.
Just the PDF: No more new stuff, just give us the PDF already!
{table=head]To Do|Positive Votes|Negative Votes|Score
Najmah Races|+3|-1|+2
Monster Races|0|0|0
Organizations|+4|-1|+3
Shrine of the Imprisonment|+1|-5|-4
Colossus of the Ral Zadi|0|-3|-3
1,001 Adventuring Ideas|+3|-1|+2
Age of Kingdoms Map|+1|-1|0
Just the PDF|0|-1|-1[/table]
In that spirit, his vote will be a little different, as we also want to get an idea for what you don't want. To do that, we are allowing you to also vote for what you wanna see the least. These will count as -1 vote for the option chosen. Again, please bold your anti-votes, & mind the standard voting practices.
Lastly, write-ins are allowed, but keep in mind that we are trying to wrap things up, so we're not interested in cramming in wholly new concepts. The "Arabian Nights/Desert Fantasy" theme is even more open & expansive than most people realize, but I'm officially banned from slipping in even a single flying robot horse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ebony_Horse#Science_fiction_elements). Voting will conclude... as soon as we have enough votes.
In-depth descriptions of the voting options are in the spoiler below:
Najmah Races: You've seen the demons, the devas, & the devils, but to truly understand the world of Najmah, you need to know about the other major races. The genies once ruled two continents with their magic & their might, before they traded it all away in a pact gone wrong. The houris are what mortals aspire to be: perfected versions of themselves, striving to break the cycle of reincarnation that binds both worlds. And the mysterious rakshasas (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/rakshasa.htm) dwell in the darkest of places, in lands where angels & devils alike dare not tread, for they intend to bring about the end of all that walk & breathe & fear & hope...
Monster Races: The primary races of Siraaj have been covered in detail, but there are other beings that live under the sun, creatures with cultures & practices all their own. The leonine aazlai have a rich animistic tradition & a proud warrior ethic, based on honor & duty. The desert centaurs are caught in a bitter stalemate with the steppe centaurs, one that threatens to explode into violence as a long-held peace accord has been broken. And the pahari live most of their lives under the waves, in a tense relationship with the marid genies & in constant fear of the dreaded Dandan.
Organizations: In a world without nations, where an empire is viewed as a mistake from past ages, people still gather together. There are still guilds, cartels, & corporations of all types & sizes. Some are religious, while others are secular. Some are good & kind & benevolent, while others are selfish & destructive & dangerous. Find out what organizations pervade the worlds of the Kamala.
Shrine of the Imprisonment: To some, he is God. To others, he is a myth. And to others still, he is evil incarnate. Johoum was a demon lord who destroyed a nation, scattered a people, & founded a church. He was sealed away over five hundred years ago… but now, some of his most fervent followers want to release him. The chase begins now, & will lead into the depths of both worlds, & beyond. This dungeon adventure is suitable for four 20th-level player characters.
Colossus of the Ral Zadi: For centuries, the great statue in the Red Sands has fascinated people. Appearing & disappearing seemingly at will, it is symbol of a long-past age, a time of magic & mystery. But now, a key has been found which is said to unlock the secrets of the Colossus, & more than one group has vowed to claim it. Part dungeon, part artifact, the great statue could even be the key to reaching God’s Gate. This dungeon adventure is suitable for four 10th-level player characters.
1,001 Adventuring Ideas: The Hourglass of Zihaja is a place where a thousand different stories can be told, & here’s the list to prove it. Broken down by the party’s average level, this list will provide any DM with a guide to the Kamala, so that they are always ready to take their players on a brand new adventure.
Age of Kingdoms Map: This setting is obviously designed to be played in the year 355AF, but that’s not the only time of excitement & danger. Before the rise of the Empire of Admaja, the Central Continent was ripe with peril & opportunity in equal measure. Vast nations flourished, magic was practiced openly, & the land was green with life. Travel back to a different age, with different peoples & different troubles. Travel back to the Age of Kingdoms.
Just the PDF: No more new stuff, just give us the PDF already!
{table=head]To Do|Positive Votes|Negative Votes|Score
Najmah Races|+3|-1|+2
Monster Races|0|0|0
Organizations|+4|-1|+3
Shrine of the Imprisonment|+1|-5|-4
Colossus of the Ral Zadi|0|-3|-3
1,001 Adventuring Ideas|+3|-1|+2
Age of Kingdoms Map|+1|-1|0
Just the PDF|0|-1|-1[/table]