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General Tabletop Discussion
*TTRPGs General
Descriptive vs. Proper Setting Names (i.e. "Forgotten Realms" vs. "Greyhawk")
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<blockquote data-quote="Stormonu" data-source="post: 5800896" data-attributes="member: 52734"><p>It depends on what you are trying to emphasize.</p><p></p><p>"World of Greyhawk" is a background sandboxy setting. There's no metaplot going on, it "just a place".</p><p></p><p>"Forgotten Realms" is similar; the world is in many ways an ancient parallel to our own. In some ways, FR tries to convey the depth, the sense that this place is so detailed it could exist - but doesn't - sort of feel.</p><p></p><p>"Birthright" is trying to sell the fact you are a ruler. "Dark Sun" is attempting to convey the oppressing wasteland characters toil under.</p><p></p><p>"Planescape" attempts to convey that this is about traveling the planes. The name implies adventures that span known (and unknown) reality.</p><p></p><p>"Dragonlance" is more about the dragons, though the lance represents the "War of the Lance" - the epic struggle.</p><p></p><p>"Ravenloft" is the oddity - it got named for the module that started it.</p><p></p><p>So the question is, what are you trying to convey with your setting? Is it "just a backdrop" to put everyone in? Going with a name significant to the world may be more appropriate. Is there a grand backstory or overarcing plot? If so, then it would be a good idea to hint at that instead.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Stormonu, post: 5800896, member: 52734"] It depends on what you are trying to emphasize. "World of Greyhawk" is a background sandboxy setting. There's no metaplot going on, it "just a place". "Forgotten Realms" is similar; the world is in many ways an ancient parallel to our own. In some ways, FR tries to convey the depth, the sense that this place is so detailed it could exist - but doesn't - sort of feel. "Birthright" is trying to sell the fact you are a ruler. "Dark Sun" is attempting to convey the oppressing wasteland characters toil under. "Planescape" attempts to convey that this is about traveling the planes. The name implies adventures that span known (and unknown) reality. "Dragonlance" is more about the dragons, though the lance represents the "War of the Lance" - the epic struggle. "Ravenloft" is the oddity - it got named for the module that started it. So the question is, what are you trying to convey with your setting? Is it "just a backdrop" to put everyone in? Going with a name significant to the world may be more appropriate. Is there a grand backstory or overarcing plot? If so, then it would be a good idea to hint at that instead. [/QUOTE]
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