Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Meta - Forums About Forums
Archive-threads
Little Changes with Big Flavor
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Bran Blackbyrd" data-source="post: 139175" data-attributes="member: 1710"><p>Well, in my case, the group has been informed ahead of time about a lot of the background (and which parts the PCs do and do not know). It isn't so much about tricking them into thinking there isn't any magic, or making them believe, as much as it's about flavor. It also provides them with advance warnings regarding not using showy spells near populated areas...</p><p>The group will only have one arcane magic user, for the first few levels anyway, and I'm trying to come up with a way to nerf his abilities at first level that isn't totally annoying. The player knows where I'm going with this and says he's okay with whatever I come up with. It's a lame DM trick, but it's only for a little while, and will help drive the setting home a little.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Yes, it's a long story and I didn't want to take up space in this thread with it. It's also sort of a rough draft. The campaign this is being used in hasn't started yet. (Chatroom-goers can probably quote that last sentence by heart)</p><p></p><p>The Cliff's Notes version: Magic users became too powerful and oppressive and they were destroyed. Through clever propaganda and the elimination of records, most people no longer remember magic ever existed. Those that would have died of old age long ago. There are groups whose sole purpose is to make sure magic isn't rediscovered, lest history repeat itself.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>Let's just say I chose my words poorly. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Lack of sleep and all...</p><p>There's no gunpowder. Navigation by stars is possible, but no one's building telescopes to view other planets (maybe one guy at the most). Shipbuilding is up to speed, but except for a few islands and a small continent or two, nothing has been discovered outside the main continent (in no small part due to the fact I haven't created them yet). Most people have decent shelter, you find anyone but the poorest people living in huts, unless their region is in turmoil. Clothing can be anything from medieval in style, to colonial. </p><p>As far as government goes, most regions are ruled by kings who collect taxes, a handful are run by a strong council of elders. Karsa's monarchy failed and the entire kingdom has dissolved into anarchy. There it more closely resembles a medieval setting, with people living in huts and hovels. The fact that the weather there is like Seattle only colder and with more precipitation doesn't help matters... </p><p>Actually, the Wheel of Time's technology level is probably right in line with this except, once again, no fireworks or gunpowder.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>One of my cockeyed notions that is actually worth something. I may have to pat myself on the back for this one.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>Oh, there are some of those too. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> Adding plenty of plants with medicinal/magical uses is another thing that works well with the Heal and Herbalism skills.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>I know <em>I</em> sure like it.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Changing the way things are named or viewed from region to region is another nice way to enhance the illusion that you are in a living, breathing world.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>It's a rather large boon when there are no (well known) gods and worshipping a religion is forbidden (mainly for the same reason magic is forbidden).</p><p></p><p>Sorry this was so long, hopefully I kept the mistakes at a minimum. I am officially off this tangent, but if I come up with any more good ideas (pfft) I'll post them. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bran Blackbyrd, post: 139175, member: 1710"] Well, in my case, the group has been informed ahead of time about a lot of the background (and which parts the PCs do and do not know). It isn't so much about tricking them into thinking there isn't any magic, or making them believe, as much as it's about flavor. It also provides them with advance warnings regarding not using showy spells near populated areas... The group will only have one arcane magic user, for the first few levels anyway, and I'm trying to come up with a way to nerf his abilities at first level that isn't totally annoying. The player knows where I'm going with this and says he's okay with whatever I come up with. It's a lame DM trick, but it's only for a little while, and will help drive the setting home a little. Yes, it's a long story and I didn't want to take up space in this thread with it. It's also sort of a rough draft. The campaign this is being used in hasn't started yet. (Chatroom-goers can probably quote that last sentence by heart) The Cliff's Notes version: Magic users became too powerful and oppressive and they were destroyed. Through clever propaganda and the elimination of records, most people no longer remember magic ever existed. Those that would have died of old age long ago. There are groups whose sole purpose is to make sure magic isn't rediscovered, lest history repeat itself. Let's just say I chose my words poorly. :) Lack of sleep and all... There's no gunpowder. Navigation by stars is possible, but no one's building telescopes to view other planets (maybe one guy at the most). Shipbuilding is up to speed, but except for a few islands and a small continent or two, nothing has been discovered outside the main continent (in no small part due to the fact I haven't created them yet). Most people have decent shelter, you find anyone but the poorest people living in huts, unless their region is in turmoil. Clothing can be anything from medieval in style, to colonial. As far as government goes, most regions are ruled by kings who collect taxes, a handful are run by a strong council of elders. Karsa's monarchy failed and the entire kingdom has dissolved into anarchy. There it more closely resembles a medieval setting, with people living in huts and hovels. The fact that the weather there is like Seattle only colder and with more precipitation doesn't help matters... Actually, the Wheel of Time's technology level is probably right in line with this except, once again, no fireworks or gunpowder. One of my cockeyed notions that is actually worth something. I may have to pat myself on the back for this one. Oh, there are some of those too. ;) Adding plenty of plants with medicinal/magical uses is another thing that works well with the Heal and Herbalism skills. I know [I]I[/I] sure like it. Changing the way things are named or viewed from region to region is another nice way to enhance the illusion that you are in a living, breathing world. It's a rather large boon when there are no (well known) gods and worshipping a religion is forbidden (mainly for the same reason magic is forbidden). Sorry this was so long, hopefully I kept the mistakes at a minimum. I am officially off this tangent, but if I come up with any more good ideas (pfft) I'll post them. ;) [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Meta - Forums About Forums
Archive-threads
Little Changes with Big Flavor
Top