National Geograhic

[sgstyrsky]

Another source of inspiration for Conan campaigns and adventures is the magazine National Geographic.

The February 2008 issue's cover article was about the black Pharaohs. Around 700 BC the kingdom of Kush (truly it's real name) conquered Egypt. The Kushites (we now call them Nubians) ruled the country for more than 100 years, adopted Egyptian customs and practices and built huge temple complexes and tombs throughout Egypt.

There is even a little-known pyramid complex in Sudan that is still well-preserved because of its remote location and the fact that most people don't know the Nubians built such things. It reminded me of all the lost cities and temples Conan was always blundering into.

The April issue had a long piece about an inhospitable and remote stretch of Africa that borders the Sahara. Filled with bandits, merchants, and mercenaries it details a world that is very Conan-esque. (It also made me profoundly grateful that I had the luck of being born in the western world with its life of easy comfort, comparatively speaking.)

 

[bradius]

I bought the April issue just for the North Africa article. The party is in Shem and I thought it might give me some inspiration when they head out east into the desert.

 

[Style]

Cities of the Underworld is a decent TV show for dungeon inspiration. Not quite as packed with facts as an issue of NG, but it's something to do when you feel like relaxing on the couch and drinking a beer. The History channel archeology show Digging for the Truth was a great show, but I think it may be canceled. Haven't seen a new episode in a while.

The History Channel and National Geographic Channel have some gems on them pretty regularly, actually. That martial arts show, I believe it's called Human Weapon, is pretty good for inspiration for the east, specifically Khitai.

 

[Hervé]

There's no reason not to take inspiration from real human history. After all REH did the same. No fantasy can be as inspiring as History...

 

[Yogah of Yag]

Thanks for the heads-up!
My fam used to get NG for years, but the subscription lapsed. My grandparents had a giant stack that was taller than me, but they were most often read by cockroaches and silverfish.

I agree. NG could be a great source of inspiration, as is the History Channel programme Cities of the Underworld.

The last ep I saw was on the ruins in Belize in the Yucatan Peninsula! One pyramid-temple looked like something right out of "Queen of the Black Coast" !!!

 

[Saxon]

The February 2008 issue's cover article was about the black Pharaohs.

I liked this article so much I bought the book by Henry Aubin it was based on! Though written in an academic style designed to directly challenge the modern mis-conception of the events of 701 BC it is still an extremely interesting read...and fast (285pgs).

The book was published about 10 years ago and did actually change the way authorities in the field view Kush.

Will Smith has an open offer through his production company for any screen adaptations. He wants to play Tahraq.

The book gives an amazing insight into the cultural differences between the Assyrians, the Egyptians and Kushite of the time. For me as a Sociologist it was engrossing.

 

[Majestic7]

National Geographic has as well a lot of excellent, atmospheric photographs about both natural scenery and all kind of old buildings on their webpage. One picture tells more than a thousand words - the webpages open up a possibility for GMs to use that for their advantage. Just dig around the pages for one evening, download pictures that might be usable at some point at the game and then show the players what kind of scene they see before their eyes. Three examples -

This could be a place in Shem, Turan or the like:
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/khara-khoto-fortress_pod_image.html

..and this Pictland:
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/valley-fog_pod_image.html

Caravan in Shem or Stygia:
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/desert-sunset_pod_image.html