Inspiration for Beyond The Handar-Kesh

Greetings!

My inspiration for Beyond The Handar-Kesh came largely from my efforts involved with running D&D campaigns set within my World of Thandor fantasy game-setting. I was also inspired by my academic and professional studies where one of my specialties in Ancient & Medieval History was Asian Studies, focused on India and Central Asia. Anyhow, while I learned a staggering amount of material and research on the region and sub-continent of India, this knowledge greatly informed my D&D game campaigns.

However, as I looked over my campaign notes and materials, it became increasingly huge, as I developed and wrote different modules set within the Handar-Kesh region of Thandor, carefully writing and detailing fantasy stuff flavoured by historical India and Central Asia. So, as my friends and fellow players developed characters and sought to know and learn more, the project mushroomed increasingly in scope and depth, especially as my own professional studies of historical India increased. On my other gaming blog, I realised too, that as development of campaigns set within the Handar-Kesh region of my game world proceeded, there was not really "room" for the materials, discussions, and commentary focused on the Handar-Kesh. It seemed that including such material there would create a sort of fragmented feel that I was not entirely comfortable with. Organizing and writing material, detailing campaigns, journals and discussions increasingly seemed more appropriate if such were located and set within a specific area devoted to such--and thus, I came to the conclusion that a blog devoted more or less exclusively to such game materials and themes would be necessary, and beneficial in a variety of ways.

From these streams of inspiration then, has come this blog. I hope as members and readers, you will enjoy your time here, and perhaps also be inspired to learn more about the historical India and surrounding regions--as well as to embrace and experience for yourself the rich treasures and contributions from the historical and existing Indian culture and people, from unique styles of dress, to the excellent food and music, as well as to the fascinating history, philosophy, and religion.

Welcome to Beyond The Handar-Kesh!

Sincerely,

Richard
Wednesday, October 12, 2011. 1744 hours.