D&D 5E D&D Races: Evolution, Fantasy Stereotypes & Escapism

[Umbran]

Which is also a valid point. In fact, it would be prudent to remember that even the human characters in fantasy aren't real people.
"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear."
-A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 5, Scene 1

A bit of cherrypickig, there. The piece doesn't support as you might like, as he says, later in that same monologue (emphasis mine):

"Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearnèd luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long.
Else the Puck a liar call.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."

So, yes, he offers folks a way to not be mad at him. But, if that doesn't work, he repeatedly says he and and the rest will make it right. You using the quote to dismiss responsibility rings hollow, when Puck himself says he will fix the offense if that's needed.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Eberron is like this. It's perhaps the most contemporary successful rebuking of conventional fantasy stereotypes in the TTRPG space and has been doing so since the mid aughts, but as a consequence many if not most D&D players have no interest playing in the setting.

I think this is technically true but I think your reasoning as to why is not correct, because there is not a single setting where "many if not most D&D players have no interest playing in the setting".

Not even one.

That's kind of how settings seem to work. I see no evidence Eberron is less popular - to the contrary, in fact.

 

[Scribe]

"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes and forgot."
- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Neil Gaiman

If that doesnt say something about modern discourse...

 

[Irlo]

If that doesnt say something about modern discourse...

Just modern?

 

[Scribe]

Just modern?

Well, no I suppose not. When has truth ever really mattered.

 

[JThursby]

I think this is technically true but I think your reasoning as to why is not correct, because there is not a single setting where "many if not most D&D players have no interest playing in the setting".

Not even one.

That's kind of how settings seem to work. I see no evidence Eberron is less popular - to the contrary, in fact.

I have no real evidence for it, this is true. It's how I feel after many failed attempts of getting an Eberron group together and the relative ease of getting generic D&D groups.

 

[Cadence]

Well, no I suppose not. When has truth ever really mattered.

Has versimilitude always been the important thing?

 

[Scribe]

Has versimilitude always been the important thing?

I actually crossed up what thread I was in, but I'd say probably not. Everyone will have their own line in the sand regarding that.

 

[Cadence]

I actually crossed up what thread I was in, but I'd say probably not. Everyone will have their own line in the sand regarding that.

But if it feels real to them and satisfies their needs, is that more important in how many people proceed than the truth is?

 

[Scribe]

But if it feels real to them and satisfies their needs, is that more important in how many people proceed than the truth is?

In a game? At their own table that impacts nobody else?

Absolutely.