D&D 5E What does Midgard do that Forgotten Realms and Wildemount don't?

[Giltonio_Santos]

I decided to start a conversation here Inspired by this thread. I've got the Creature Codex, the Tome of Beasts, and the Midgard Heroes Handbook, but I've mostly mined those books for new crunch. Recently, though, I started considering the possibility of also picking up the Midgard Worldbook, since I already own a lot of Midgard material, even without running it. So, if you run Midgard, or even if you don't run it, but you own the Worldbook and think it's a worthy purchase, what do you think makes it the best pick, considering other "basic fantasy" offerings in the market, like the Realms or Exandria?

 

[Rellott]

Midgard is a bit of a darker world, in line with Grimm’s fairy tales more than Disney’s. It has interesting takes on magic that aren’t present in other settings, like fey roads, gods taking multiple masks across cultures, and a stronger presence of clockwork magic than the other two mentioned settings. It’s still kitchen sink, but there’s a whole lot of flavor thrown into each region that makes them all distinct, whereas at least in the Realms I feel like some regions are just more of the same.

 

[Parmandur]

The world book is a lot of fun, actually.

In terms of what is different: it's not as beholden to corporate interest in terms of depicting problems in society, such as cultures where slavery or human sacrifce are common (the Dragon Empire and the Vampire kingdom are seriously intense). As appreciative as I am for WotC approach overall, it's nice to get something a bit edgier that isn't total grimdark either.

The nature of the gods is actually intriguing, with a Divine Cold War ongoing to the level of no mortal being sure how many gods there really are, and which gods are masks for other gods.

 

[Jester David]

I go into a longer review of that book here: Review: Midgard Worldbook

Midgard is more Norse (obviously) and eastern European rather than western. Baba Yaga is a big part.
And it's just a darker setting: there's an entire kingdom ruled by vampires, a giant wasteland where Great Old Ones were used as WMDs, and the 'underdark' is ruled by a kingdom of ghouls.

 

[Weiley31]

Well for starters, IIRC, it's Monster Manuel (Creature Codex) DOESN'T pull punches. I pretty much consider all the Kobold Press related books/ supplements together so your milage may very on how much you agree with me.on that.

If you prefer your Fey to be more "in line" with their mythology/world lore, then the Midgard setting has that covered. They have both the Seelie AND Unseelie Courts represented. Although the Queen of Air and Darkness is renamed as Queen of Air and Magic. Courts of The Shadow Fey is a very interesting look at the Court politics within the Unseelie Court.

Which probably can also be applied to the Seelie Courts as well. If you have Rappan Athuk from Frog God Games, you'll have the item of rulership in the Seelie Courts while Courts of The Shadow Fey from Kobold Press gives you the item of rulership for the Unseelie Courts. No that's probably NOT INTENTIONAL and is probably more me just kitchen sinking EVERYTHING 5E together.

Their Kobolds are more badass.

They also offer, alongside the classic race options, their own take like Bearfolk and Shadow Fey. Which The Shadow Fey AREN'T Drow technically, but would be the role holder of evil elves and pretty much have 3.0/3.5's Elven Weapon Training for 5E

It has a Steam punk aspect in Zorbeck, which is a country in the Midgard Setting.

It has PLAYABLE Gnolls for 5E!!! Although the upcoming DMguild Exploring Eberrons Gnolls are technically better. Although, like the Creature Codex, Midgard's Gnolls are probably more Kobold Press supplemental connected.

It brings back Cold Iron and its importance against Fey.

It has a number of awesome Subclasses. The Cleric has FLIPPING BEER AS A DOMAIN CHOICE.

Lotta good stuff for cherry picking.

 

[gyor]

I go into a longer review of that book here: Review: Midgard Worldbook

Midgard is more Norse (obviously) and eastern European rather than western. Baba Yaga is a big part.
And it's just a darker setting: there's an entire kingdom ruled by vampires, a giant wasteland where Great Old Ones were used as WMDs, and the 'underdark' is ruled by a kingdom of ghouls.

Doesn't the world also have some kind of fantasy Africa?

 

[Weiley31]

Doesn't the world also have some kind of fantasy Africa?

I believe it does. 1D4 Chan, I believe, lists the regions on the Midgard Campaign setting section.

 

[Jester David]

Doesn't the world also have some kind of fantasy Africa?

The Southlands. It’s a fantasy Africa/Arabia. Lots of gnolls, insect people, and lion folk.

I haven’t read that product personally; it’s a separate sub-setting currently only available for Pathfinder at the moment although a small player’s guide with races was one of the first 5e races Kobold Press did.

 

[Zardnaar]

The Southlands. It’s a fantasy Africa/Arabia. Lots of gnolls, insect people, and lion folk.

I haven’t read that product personally; it’s a separate sub-setting currently only available for Pathfinder at the moment although a small player’s guide with races was one of the first 5e races Kobold Press did.

I've got the PF off of Southland's. It's good and details Nurua Natal and the Domain of the Windlords in more detail.

I set my campaign in Nuria Natal and played up the Egypt part and leylines.

Used parts of Pathfinders Mummy's Mask AP such as maps and NPCs.

Was building up conflict with the Dragon Empire before lockdown and gave since list a player who went to his parents place for lockdown.

Next game there will likely be Zobeck or Northland's. Not sure if the old game/group will be togather the gamestores gone and a new one was due to open April 4th but lockdown killed that idea.

Different vibe, unique mechanics and new races/settings. Better Dragonfolk than phb Dragonborn.

 

[Don Durito]

To me Midgard is the world that most makes sense for the kind of D&D that 5E is.

5E is too high magic for a sword and sorcery feel and has too many non human races to fit the high fantasy tolkienish feel of Forgotten Realms (especially if you're using the additional races). Also latter day additions such as the feywild have just never felt right to me.

The dark fairy tale tone of Midgard is I think the best fit for 5E. It may not really be what I want D&D to be, but it probably fits best with what D&D is.