D&D General Need wheat. Too dangerous. (worldbuilding)

[Hussar]

I get where you're coming from. But looking at the past few thousand years of human history, we're an intelligent species that does not always get along with one another. I wouldn't take it as a given that a treant would automatically get along with the humans who just moved down the creek a few years ago.

Oh, sure. I agree it wouldn't be automatic. Of course not. And not 100% true either. Sometimes it would work, and sometimes it wouldn't.

The problem is, as I see it, D&D worlds never take the times that it does work into account. And, again, we're not talking about a couple of years either. These would be communities that have lived side by side for (well human anyway) generations. It's not like pre-industrial people were all that mobile, by and large. If you were born in the south of England (say), you probably lived and died within a single day's walk of your birthplace.

It's not really unreasonable that various communities, (remembering that human communities are only one of many) would begin working together for mutual benefit. It's pretty rare that neighbouring communities are constantly fighting (certainly not unheard of, but, generally the minority) for generations.

Again, that's neverminding things like elves.

 

[Ixal]

The typical human society in history needed huge amounts of wood. So allying with Treants would likely not go so well.

And because if that anything that can produce fire, especially over long periods of time instead of bursts would be very valuable and certainly be domesticated (if animal).

That would also reduce the need for wood

 

[Oofta]

This is similar to how I run games, with the very minor exception that the everyday magic is often communal, incorporating seasonal, annual, lunar, and daily, traditions. So, the rain comes when it’s needed because the unmarried youths dance around the maypole, because it’s part of a ritual that takes generations to cast.

Well, that, and the weather is dangerous to mess with too much, so it’s more predicting the weather accurately and knowing what the land needs, with some light control.

I agree, good example. To me it only makes sense that in a world where relatively inexperienced wizards can cause a ball of flame to form with the snap of the fingers that at least some traditional rituals would work. Even if the rituals only "nudge" what would normally happen it could have a huge impact.

I don't think you need to go to Eberron magical steam punk levels of magi-tech to have magic influence the world, although of course there's nothing wrong with that either. Most ritualistic magic could be quite subtle and not instantaneous; it's not like you chant a few words and plants sprout and grow before your eyes. On the other hand if you've always done the maypole dance you just assume that getting two crops of barley per year in a temperate climate is normal.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Well... do we need wood?

Many houses were built of sod, and for fires plenty of people have burnt feces and fats from animals. Enough human's have survived without wood as a steady source for the things we think of it for, that going without it is not unimaginable.

Another thing that hasn't really been thought through generally are Dire Animals. Dire Wolves exist, and animals like Dire Ox were probably statted at some point... So Dire Dogs and Dire Cows are perfectly reasonable.

 

[Silvercat Moonpaw]

The problem is, as I see it, D&D worlds never take the times that it does work into account. And, again, we're not talking about a couple of years either. These would be communities that have lived side by side for (well human anyway) generations. It's not like pre-industrial people were all that mobile, by and large. If you were born in the south of England (say), you probably lived and died within a single day's walk of your birthplace.

It's not really unreasonable that various communities, (remembering that human communities are only one of many) would begin working together for mutual benefit. It's pretty rare that neighbouring communities are constantly fighting (certainly not unheard of, but, generally the minority) for generations.

I do agree that D&D and its ilk tend to suppose a world where -- outside certain species/sub-species -- no one even tries to get along. At least some of this is probably down to "Well, we need to have reasons to fight, might as well use racism."

In the current social climate, it's probably a good idea to re-evaluate any reason for conflict that breaks down along said species lines.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I do agree that D&D and its ilk tend to suppose a world where -- outside certain species/sub-species -- no one even tries to get along. At least some of this is probably down to "Well, we need to have reasons to fight, might as well use racism."

In the current social climate, it's probably a good idea to re-evaluate any reason for conflict that breaks down along said species lines.

This is why I'm really curious about what they're going to do to the core books in 2024, lore-wise. Everything will have to be much more nuanced and complicated to conform to modern standards about what is and isn't allowed, and not only is that difficult writing, I think it would to take up more space, which probably means less detail and more "stat-blocks accompanied by very brief descriptions" ala the 4e Monster Manual.

 

[Ancalagon]

Like I said, no one ever bothers actually creating integrated worlds. It's always some faux Europe with a bit of monsters. It's rather sad really. I'd LOVE to see an actual fantasy setting that wasn't just yet another warmed over Middle Earth or Hyboria.

I really, really didn't want to do this but... you leave me no choice. Look up Yoon-Suin. It's the best D&D campaign setting I've ever purchased.

(edit: and yes, the Malazan book of the Fallen is magnificent)

 

[Oofta]

I do agree that D&D and its ilk tend to suppose a world where -- outside certain species/sub-species -- no one even tries to get along. At least some of this is probably down to "Well, we need to have reasons to fight, might as well use racism."

In the current social climate, it's probably a good idea to re-evaluate any reason for conflict that breaks down along said species lines.

I don't think it's racist to run trolls along the same as traditional mythology depicts them. Hard to negotiate with a creature that likes to live under bridges eating people for lunch.

On the other hand, if you want Shrek to hire out for services pulling a plow, more power to you.

There's no one true way, but I do know this particular rabbit hole gets threads shut down.

 

[Vaalingrade]

This is why I'm really curious about what they're going to do to the core books in 2024, lore-wise. Everything will have to be much more nuanced and complicated to conform to modern standards about what is and isn't allowed, and not only is that difficult writing, I think it would to take up more space, which probably means less detail and more "stat-blocks accompanied by very brief descriptions" ala the 4e Monster Manual.

So... marked improvement?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I don't think it's racist to run trolls along the same as traditional mythology depicts them. Hard to negotiate with a creature that likes to live under bridges eating people for lunch.

On the other hand, if you want Shrek to hire out for services pulling a plow, more power to you.

There's no one true way, but I do know this particular rabbit hole gets threads shut down.

Yeah even in my rpg, there are monsters. I just don’t have them have consciousness and agency, they’re basically part of nature.

A troll on the other hand is a big giant-related person that is part of the land they’re from, and so have an appearance that suits that environment.

But running them as part of (super)nature would also work fine.

I agree, good example. To me it only makes sense that in a world where relatively inexperienced wizards can cause a ball of flame to form with the snap of the fingers that at least some traditional rituals would work. Even if the rituals only "nudge" what would normally happen it could have a huge impact.

I don't think you need to go to Eberron magical steam punk levels of magi-tech to have magic influence the world, although of course there's nothing wrong with that either. Most ritualistic magic could be quite subtle and not instantaneous; it's not like you chant a few words and plants sprout and grow before your eyes. On the other hand if you've always done the maypole dance you just assume that getting two crops of barley per year in a temperate climate is normal.

Absolutely.