D&D 5E Fantasy Appalachia

[Shades of Eternity]

On another thread, it got me thinking. an Appalachia game could have serious potential. The Hat Fields and the Mccoys, giants (that might be where Paul Bunyan originally came from), witches, and trickster anthropomorphic rabbits in a keep on the borderlands environment could have serious potential. then you add the cultural mixing of the north, south, African mythology, and Cherokee and other tribes and whammo, a seriously unique environment. However, feel seriously underqualified in this environment so throwing it out there to see where it leads.

 

[Aldarc]

Please for all that is good and holy, just promise me that you will pronounce it properly: "apple-at-cha."

Sincerely,

An Appalachian Native

 

[J-H]

I've been reading Paul Bunyan (the Wadsworth version) to my boys recently, and he's actually from Maine.
I know the Appalachian Trail runs into Maine, but it's not usually considered part of Appalachia from a cultural/historical perspective.

If you're just doing a "non-coastal America" pastiche though, he's fine. The version we're reading has several unusual monsters:
The Agropelter (hides in trees, throws a club to kill people)
Gumberoo (round, very hard skin, carnivorous, always hungry - but extremely vulnerable to fire)
Whirling Whimpus

 

[Carlsen Chris]

Ap·pa·la·chia | \ ˌa-pə-ˈlā-chə , -ˈla-chə, -ˈlā-shə \

It appears there are several acceptable pronunciations.

 

[Carlsen Chris]

I've been reading Paul Bunyan (the Wadsworth version) to my boys recently, and he's actually from Maine.
I know the Appalachian Trail runs into Maine, but it's not usually considered part of Appalachia from a cultural/historical perspective.

If you're just doing a "non-coastal America" pastiche though, he's fine. The version we're reading has several unusual monsters:
The Agropelter (hides in trees, throws a club to kill people)
Gumberoo (round, very hard skin, carnivorous, always hungry - but extremely vulnerable to fire)
Whirling Whimpus

Not to be pedantic, but Bunyan might be from Maine in the Wadsworth version but there are many versions of his tale. He basically has as many different birthplaces as there are tales about him. Scholars have noted that one of the contenders for the inspiration for him was French Canadien.

 

[aco175]

It might be hard to make a game like this and not offend anyone with stereotypes and such. It sounds like it could be fun to me, but I can see others having problems with orcs are rednecks and such if you are not careful.

 

[Aldarc]

Ap·pa·la·chia | \ ˌa-pə-ˈlā-chə , -ˈla-chə, -ˈlā-shə \

It appears there are several acceptable pronunciations.

So you say. There is the acceptable pronunciation of many locals of the region and there is the "acceptable" pronunciation that outsiders have attempted to exert on the locals that reeks of classism and regionalism. The pronunciation is political, and it says a great deal to inhabitants about who you are and how you view them when you choose one pronunciation over another.

 

[J-H]

I've never heard of Appalachia being pronounced with a T in it before... but I'm from Texas. Regional pronounciations are fun. Try watching someone who's not from Louisiana, East Texas, or neighboring areas, and doesn't speak French, try to pronounce the bois d'arc (osage orange) tree's name... Or even just cities like Mexia (mey-hia) and Nacogdoches (it's actually pretty phonetic).

There's definitely room to have a lot of fun with names and how things are said in such a game.

 

[Aldarc]

I've never heard of Appalachia being pronounced with a T in it before... but I'm from Texas.

Phonetically it is there. There is a reason why it's there, but it's subtle, as if you muted the 't' in "latch".

 

[jgsugden]

My advice: Don't let anything in your campaign world be recognizable as a homage to something specific in the real world. You can use real world lore for inspiration, but always mix it heavily with something else to make sure it is distinct and does not end up being criticized for insensitivity. You may still get it, but you can say you are intentionally distancing it, at least.