D&D (2024) Forgotten Realms Player Guide

[Scribe]

Yeah, it's a variant of the advice that's been in the game since 2nd edition. The game has bent heroic since the late 1980s.

I guess as a response to the morality police of the Satanic Panic, it makes sense this would come around again. I dont see anything (or remember anything) in 5e for this, but well its not 2014 anymore is it.

In fact Drow are 'more often evil than not' and Humans are "the best and worst are found among them" funny that.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I guess as a response to the morality police of the Satanic Panic, it makes sense this would come around again. I dont see anything (or remember anything) in 5e for this, but well its not 2014 anymore is it.

In fact Drow are 'more often evil than not' and Humans are "the best and worst are found among them" funny that.

I think it's mostly about protecting their IP for possible use as Happy Meals and PG-rated Netflix cartoons. Which I think most people would say is both a good and bad thing.

 

[Scribe]

I think it's mostly about protecting their IP for possible use as Happy Meals and PG-rated Netflix cartoons. Which I think most people would say is both a good and bad thing.

"check with your dm before you make an evil character" has zero to do with Happy Meals and Netflix Cartoons. Wizards is not going to check in with Scribe of the Internet if they can use my LE Conquest Paladin for a pilot they are pitching to Amazon.

 

[Parmandur]

FRs development predates D&D, it was designed for Ed Greenwood to tell stories, the D&D stuff was added later.

And let's be honest whereever the intent, these setting tradition sold and made far more novel and video game content then TTRPG content, far more people read fantasy novels then play D&D.

I'm just saying these folks should not be forgotten, they should be marketed to as well as well as fans of DADHAT.

Eh, Mystara doesn't seem to have had much of a novel life, and was widely adopted as an RPG...where it originated. Thesr are RPG game Settings, first and foremost.

 

[Parmandur]

I think the Calimport guide will be spicy, Sharess has one of, if not the biggest Temple in the capital city, The Feasthall of Eternal Delights (Feasthall was code word for Brothel , created back when FR writers couldn't say Brothel or have gay characters).

I wouldn't bet on all thwt much spice or brothels.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

"check with your dm before you make an evil character" has zero to do with Happy Meals and Netflix Cartoons.

My thought is that Hasbro/Wizards wants an IP that they never have to worry about certain media outlets running a piece like "you think that cartoon your kid is watching is just clean family fun, BUT DID YOU KNOW IT'S ALL ABOUT NECROPHILIA?!"

Pulling out any remotely evil-adjacent subclass* from the PHB and filling it with images of shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people) is a conscious branding attempt.

* minus the assassin, for some strange reason. I was sure that slot would be going to the swashbuckler.

 

[Scribe]

My thought is that Hasbro/Wizards wants an IP that they never have to worry about certain media outlets running a piece like "you think that cartoon your kid is watching is just clean family fun, BUT DID YOU KNOW IT'S ALL ABOUT NECROPHILIA?!"

Pulling out any remotely evil-adjacent subclass* from the PHB and filling it with images of shiny happy people holding hands (people, happy people) is a conscious branding attempt.

* minus the assassin, for some strange reason. I was sure that slot would be going to the swashbuckler.

I'm sure that in various ways you are correct. I think its absolutely laughable where the culture of the day has taken us, but it is what it is.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm sure that in various ways you are correct. I think its absolutely laughable where the culture of the day has taken us, but it is what it is.

Honestly, of all the ways modern life has gone straight into the flaming dumpster, I almost welcome something as mild as "let's maybe file off those armor spikes and replace that skull codpiece, OK?"

 

[Scribe]

Honestly, of all the ways modern life has gone straight into the flaming dumpster, I almost welcome something as mild as "let's maybe file off those armor spikes and replace that skull codpiece, OK?"

I'm just going to opt out on this before I get in trouble.

 

[mamba]

Hot Take About FR & DL & Mystara: They are novel settings first, TTRPGs second (or in FRs case TTRPG is third after video games), and that should be taken into account when making setting books for these settings to appeal to the greatest amount of potential customers. It's a mistake only market these books for TTRPG fans, don't leave DADHAT, Drizzt novel, Elminister, Farieh, Evaris Cale novel fans out of marketing.

I am not sure I agree with the hot take. DL certainly sold a metric ton of books and a lot less TTRPG content, but the other two?

Also, how do you market these books to non-players? Why would they care about subclasses etc. Not sure either book really works for them, maybe this would be more for them

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