This is actually my town and could stand in for Nashkel. The first thing you hit going over the the bridge is The George. There used to be 5 pubs/inns on the high street alone, we're down to four, times are hard. Not so much else but you can always get a drink.
We also have a murder rate eight times the national average, so not so far fetched as a Baldurs Gate location. Not exactly what you would expect looking at the ducks and the river but then who does expect "I am death come for thee"?
Actually, according to the BBC as filtered through PBS' Masterpiece Theatre, that is exactly the sort of location I'd expect a lot of murders
Well there's a coincidence, @UnderstandMouseMagic - when I was a kid, my parents had a house from which Corfe Castle could be seen in the distance. (Moved away subsequently, however.)
On the other hand ... tharrt UnnerstarrnMouseMargic, 'e be nuh more-un a grockle, 'e be, prarctuhc'ly a for'ner, Forduhn'breege be nor e'en in thar same cow-unty arz Corfe! (As we would have said in my much nearer village ... )
LOL, they should get you to write the dialog for any future BG games.
But yes, I'm definately a grockle, moved down from London about 20 years back. It's a wonder I'm not asked for a passport more often down in that neck of the woods.
A few years back we had been down to Swanage on the steam train and got back to Corfe late and had to walk through to where our car was parked. One of those still summer evenings, and for some reason they had cleared the area of parked cars. The only thing you could hear was people and the music from the pub, it really was like stepping into the game.
But yes, I'm definately a grockle, moved down from London about 20 years back.
Oh yes, most thoroughly an incomer indeed. In my day, it was one of those insular rural communities where you weren't considered genuinely local ("Now, 'e be uh prroperr loww-cul, 'e be!") unless your grandfather had been born in the village (and your grandmother within a day's ride), and preferably his father before him - basically for so long as anyone still alive could remember a time when your folks didn't live there.
It's a wonder I'm not asked for a passport more often down in that neck of the woods.
I shall remonstrate at once with the Dorset Border Patrol, they've evidently become very slack in the performance of their duties! Why, when I was a lad (sorry, I mean "Wun ahi wurr ah lar'rrd ..."), nary a grockle would slip through without showing his passport and visa, and his description would immediately be circulated to the local Society (which meant the Sororal Society of Curtain-Twitchers & Shop-Whisperers, though none dared speak that name) by the swiftest carrier pigeons available, so that they might keep an All-Seeing Eye turned to the dubious blighter!
One of those still summer evenings, and for some reason they had cleared the area of parked cars. The only thing you could hear was people and the music from the pub, it really was like stepping into the game.
Ahhhh ... times lost and idyllic memories! A tasty pint of Badger in the snug, the last Bard gently hammering spell-chords on a dulcimer by the inglenook, actual conversations (with words and everything!) because screens and loudspeakers hadn't yet been invented ...
You know if they actually put that place in a game, everybody would say that it was "overdone" and not at all realistic. Amazing, yet it looks so nondiscript from the outside. Bhaal would feel right at home.
You have to ask, "what were they thinking" when that idea was approved in the planning stage.
It has the door correctly placed on the first floor, because who would build a defensive castle with a welcoming ground floor front door? Make it hard for the attackers (and a PITA for anybody who had to live there.)
I grew up in Naples (Italy), here below two characteristic locations which reminds me of BG:
Castel Nuovo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Nuovo This castle dates back to 1279, under the French rule in Naples. Reminds me of the city of Badulr's gate, or maybe some estate of the city's lords. Or the ducal palace itself.
Fontanelle cemetery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontanelle_cemetery This ossuary is indeed believed to be the place of some sort of cult back in its day. Perfect place for a cult of Bhall, isn't it?
The popularity of this name in northern countries is explained by the fact that there's a god in Norse Mythology called Baldr (also Balder, Baldur) - a god of light and purity. It's hilarious this light Baldr and the lord of murder are both connected with the name of our favourite game in my head.
It is even more ironic given that in Norse mythology, Baldr is murdered.
And the Asgardians made a deal with the godess of the underworld, that she would bring Balder back if but every living thing weeped for him. But there was one spiteful giant, who refused to weep. Thus, Balder remains dead to this day.
It is even more ironic given that in Norse mythology, Baldr is murdered.
Actually, the truth is, way way back, I actually expected Baldur's Gate to be about the aforementioned Baldur. Because I didn't know much about DnD when I was a teenager, but I've always liked mythology of all sorts, particularly Norse.
Comments
Yeah, the traffic is bad there during the day. The main road down through the Isle of Purbeck runs smack through the village.
But take away the cars, Corfe is beautiful and the castle ruins are spectacular.
Here's one that's a bit more evocative.
https://www.landscapephotographymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Corfe-Castle-Purbeck-Hills-Dorset-England-3.jpg
On the other hand ... tharrt UnnerstarrnMouseMargic, 'e be nuh more-un a grockle, 'e be, prarctuhc'ly a for'ner, Forduhn'breege be nor e'en in thar same cow-unty arz Corfe! (As we would have said in my much nearer village ...
LOL, they should get you to write the dialog for any future BG games.
But yes, I'm definately a grockle, moved down from London about 20 years back. It's a wonder I'm not asked for a passport more often down in that neck of the woods.
A few years back we had been down to Swanage on the steam train and got back to Corfe late and had to walk through to where our car was parked.
One of those still summer evenings, and for some reason they had cleared the area of parked cars. The only thing you could hear was people and the music from the pub, it really was like stepping into the game.
Gnoll Fortress
Welcome to Earth's Underdark:
Click here for a very interesting National Geographics article of Miao Room of the Gebihe cave system (China).
Although the environment of the Hang Sơn Đoòng cave (Vietnam) might be even more similar to the darkest corners of Toril:
You know if they actually put that place in a game, everybody would say that it was "overdone" and not at all realistic.
Amazing, yet it looks so nondiscript from the outside.
Bhaal would feel right at home.
You have to ask, "what were they thinking" when that idea was approved in the planning stage.
That's a good match for the Gnoll Stronghold, it even has the pits.
Could you tell us where it is please?
The FAI, I think this is a better match.
http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/Rochester_Castle11.JPG
It has the door correctly placed on the first floor, because who would build a defensive castle with a welcoming ground floor front door?
Make it hard for the attackers (and a PITA for anybody who had to live there.)
Ooops, didn't see that thread, sorry everyone.
Perhaps this one can be added on?
Castel Nuovo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Nuovo
This castle dates back to 1279, under the French rule in Naples. Reminds me of the city of Badulr's gate, or maybe some estate of the city's lords. Or the ducal palace itself.
Fontanelle cemetery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontanelle_cemetery
This ossuary is indeed believed to be the place of some sort of cult back in its day. Perfect place for a cult of Bhall, isn't it?
And ocelots.
that she would bring Balder back if but every living thing weeped for him.
But there was one spiteful giant, who refused to weep.
Thus, Balder remains dead to this day.
Beregost temple looks like Selimiye Mosque