Life in Ambar

  Calendar of Ambar    Coin and Commerce    Craft and Engineering    Languages    Running Ambar 

Most of Ambar's people merely try to survive in their hostile environment. Eldar dwell in ancient cities hidden away from the dangers of the world and the humans who constantly explore it. Northmen wander the icy barrens and forests, subduing the wilds and building cities of stone. Southmarens ply their skills in trade and brave the seas to travel between the scattered cities, hoping to evade the ever watchful Goblyns of the south. Dangerous creatures roam the wilds, and occasionally venture into civilized lands. Adventurers boldly stave off these foes or explore the world and its ancient ruins. Life in Ambar is a challenge.

Calendar of Ambar

  Nocturne (Darkwinter) 

Years are numbered since the rise of the Harnendorian Empire. There are twelve lunar months, each 28 days. To keep the lunar year (336 days) in step with the solar year (365 days) there is an extra season every third year, which has three months of 29 days.

Coin and Commerce

Since ancient times, the standard unit of value has been the silver dollar. The oldest such coins date back to the Empire of Harnendor, but most nations mint their own coins with their regional seal and symbol. For example, Kitania has the royal crown on one side and the lily of Kitania on the other. All nations mint silver coins with the same weight (and therefore value) to assure smooth and even commerce--no government wants to disrupt vital trade by changing the system.

Crown - (1/10 lb.) A crown is a minted coin used as the standard monetary unit. Most prices for goods of value are given in crowns. Crowns are cast of many different metals, most commonly silver, but all have the same value. This is possible because crowns made of metals more precious than silver are simply smaller, using less metal and making them easier to carry. The crown is often cut into ten pie shaped "bits" in order to make change. These coins weigh a little over one ounce (10 to a pound.) Often, the local population will simply [ more... ]

Craft and Engineering

  Secret Crafting Techniques    Unique Materials 

Ambar is a medieval world without modern firearms or industries, dominated by kings and warlords with armies garbed in cold steel. Still, the world was once ruled by the Eldar and their magic, and remnants from those days are often found, though rarely understood. Humans cobble together scraps from history in an attempt to understand the relics, but the artifacts largely surpass their knowledge. While human smiths can craft a sword of astonishing quality, they little understand the Eldar relics discovered at battle sites and old ruins. Blades and armor have been found forged in unknown metals that surpass the work of even the most masterful human smiths.

Languages

  Gobbalah (language of the Deep Old ...    Harn (the Southmaren language)    Khuzdul (the Dwur Language)    Lothian (language of the Lothians of ...    Northman (language of the Alorns and ...    Vokra (the Vozen Language)    hal'Alu (the Alu Language)    hal'Avatara (Eldarin, the Eldar root ...    hal'Avathar (the language of the dead)    hal'Baal (the Baal language) 

There are three languages used as "common" tongues in various regions of Ambar. Humans in the north use the Northman language, while those in the south speak the Southmaren language. Educated human merchants, scholars, diplomats, and nobles sometimes learn the Ithilrhi tongue in order to better interact with the ancient races.

Languages of the Eldar races such as Baal, Alu, Ithilrhi and Avathars have many similarities that point towards their common root--the hal'Avatara.

Running Ambar

  Dark Fantasy    Epic Quests    Evil is Ambiguous    Heroism has its Rewards and its Price    Historical Consistency    Magic is Rare and Powerful    Militant Neutrality 

Ambar is rich in history, magic and intrigue. Here are guidelines, tips, and recommended reading for playing an Ambar campaign.