[CONAN] GM's Closet

[Supplement Four]

DECIPHER SCRIPT and LITERACY



Decipher Script is the skill used for reading (and writing). Thus, give every PC 2 bonus skill points to be used on Decipher Script (only) if the player wishes his character to be literate. NPCs do not get the extra points, though they can improve the skill.

Decipher Script is a "Trained Only" skill, meaning that a character must have at least one rank in the skill if a roll of 11+ will be possible.

The bonus skill points will provide two rank for a character who has Decipher Script as a class skill. If not, the two skill points will only provide the character with one rank in the skill.

 

[Supplement Four]

SHIPS OF ARGOS - COASTER

A coaster is a generic term used for ships, like the aforementioned Cog, that are designed to sail within sight of the coastline. There are several types of vessels used during the Hyborian Age, and some are unique vessels built by a Kushite tribe, a city-state in Shem, or by a boatmaker in Argos. Collectively, these ships are referred to as "coasters".

Coasters are not normally ocean-crossing vessels, but instead are shallow-hulled ships that hug the coastline, visiting ports along their route. Their shallow hulls mean that the can get through reefs where seagoing ships usually cannot due to the latter's deep hulls.

Coasters can be oared as well as sailed, and if oars are used, then slaves are used to power them. With the oars, coasters can move upstream from the ocean to a river for a time, until the river becomes too shallow.

 

[Supplement Four]

CONAN THE NEWSPAPER STRIPS

I started reading this, and I am quite surprised! Quite pleasantly surprised! I'm just into the first story, but it's good! I'm really enjoying it. Of course, this first story is written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by John Buscema. Later, I see that Ernie Chan comes onboard as illustrator, and Red Sonja shows up in the later stories!

 

[Supplement Four]

RUNNING GAMES IN ARGOS VII


TRADE

The citizens of Argos refer to their kingdom as the trading capital of the world, and the kingdom may very well be that. Everything is traded somewhere in the kingdom. Wide rivers and caravan routes lead to the Hyborian nations. And the many seaports on the Argossean coast lead to sea trade primarly with Shem and Kush, and even with rivals Zingara and Stygia. Argos is the western most anchor of the Road of Kings.

Wheat, olives, and grapes are the primary agricultural products from the kingdom's interior, but trade of these items remains, for the most part, inside of Argos itself.

Interior Argos is dotted with forests that provide the lumber needed for the ship building industry.

Goods or all sorts travel the caravan routes and rivers to Aquilonia and beyond. Pickled fish and velvet wrapped jewels are common trade goods.

Imports of cattle and grain are common.

Argos is acknowledged (except by its rival, Zingara) as the maker of the best sea going vessels in the world. But, Argos will only sell small merchant vessels. The larger military vessels are kept as a closely guarded secret.



MESSANTIAN TRADE

The capital of Argos, Messantia, is also the kingdom's largest city. It lies at the mouth of the Khorotas River, on a deep port of the Great Western Ocean. The city was built on the ruins of an ancient Acheronian site, and the Road of Kings begins at Messantia, running far to the east.

Messantia is famed for its clockmakers and finesmiths and its delicate jewelry using gold mined from the Argossean hills.

With Shem, Messantia trades mirrors, silk clothing, armor, weapons and shields.

With Kush, Messantia trades beads, silk, sugar, and weapons in exchange for copra, copper ore, slaves, and pearls.

 

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