Common questions about Mystara

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was the name Mystara first used in official Dungeons & Dragons publications?

The name Mystara first appeared in official publications in 1991 when Bruce Heard used it in a letter column in Dragon magazine. The world had been shaping the adventures of thousands of gamers for nearly two decades prior to that moment.

What is the Hollow World in the Mystara campaign setting?

The Hollow World is a habitable inner surface that exists in parallel to the outer world of Mystara. This inner realm is lit by an eternal red sun at the planet's core and serves as a cultural museum preserving societies that have become extinct on the outer surface.

How do Immortals function in the Mystara pantheon compared to other Dungeons & Dragons settings?

Mystara features ascended immortal beings who were once mortal adventurers rather than a traditional pantheon of gods. These Immortals live in a city called Pandius on the moon Matera where they can meet and watch over Mystara.

What is the Red Curse affecting the Savage Coast region of Mystara?

The Red Curse is a sinister enchantment that eventually kills inhabitants of the Savage Coast through mutation unless they wear the fictional metal cinnabryl in contact with their body. This curse causes mutilation of the body and extreme degeneration of physical and mental health while imprisoning the region's inhabitants.

How did the Blackmoor setting become part of the Mystara history?

Mystara incorporated the Blackmoor setting by placing it in the world's distant past where Blackmoor evolved from a feudal kingdom into a highly advanced civilization. This civilization ended itself in an apocalyptic explosion that changed the climate and geography of the entire planet to create the foundation for Mystara.

What are the two moons orbiting the planet Mystara and their significance?

The planet Mystara has two moons named Matera and Patera. Matera is a visible moon whose phases govern lycanthropy and houses the Immortals in the city of Pandius, while Patera is an invisible moon known as Myoshima to its inhabitants who have a culture similar to that of medieval Japan.