D&D General What the Melf's Guide to Greyhawk Cover Might Look Like

Below is a quick mockup of the potential cover of Melf's Guide to Greyhawk based on the Jeff Easley art revealed at Gary Con, using the current D&D 5.5E trade dress. The fonts aren't quite right, but it gives an approximate look at what the book may look like when it is released.

 

[Jahydin]

Was there a one-to-one apology even?
Luke spoke for several hours on camera and never mentioned it.

No one who seems to have watched the three different press conferences Luke participated in has a quote about an apology. Why is that?

Here you go!:

 

[bedir than]

Here you go!:

And you're using that phrasing to claim that it was an apology for the intro to the history book?

Because there's no evidence to support that.
An apology for the style of game? No evidence

Luke said there was an apology for the treatment of the family, and then immediately says that Dan wasn't part of the offense.

But the brOSR is leaping from these rather minor phrases to claim quite a bit more than anyone has said publicly - art, rights, play style, refusal to accept others.

 

[Jahydin]

I’m sure there are ‘grey haired grogs’ who feel abandoned and long for the heady days of 2e or what have you. But I’m not sure that market is as big as imagined. Because I’m just as sure there’s a lot of 50+ gamers (like me and mine) who are enjoying the heck out of 5e24 and have no issues with the current books.

I think this is more than just reaching out to the older fans. I think it's establishing identity. It's not just older fans picking up 5.5e and "not feeling it".

We just started our fifth 5e campaign (and our second 5e24), and couldn’t be happier.

That's awesome. Are you guys playing through a published adventure or doing your own thing?

Now, I know this is just duelling anecdotes, as opposed to actual data. But every time I see posts about how us original old school gamers have been dissed, abandoned, and marginalized, and how WOTC has to win us all back, I cant help but think “Some of (maybe a lot of us) are already here.” I absolutely have no idea if the quietly ‘old and happy’ 5e gamer group is larger than the ‘old, loud, and grumpy’ one, but I just wanted to poke my head up and say we do exist.

For sure! It's one of the reasons I'm happy with the announcement, both groups have a place to play in the franchise now.

 

[Jahydin]

And you're using that phrasing to claim that it was an apology for the intro to the history book?

Since that's kind of the only thing WotC has done that stirred the hornets nest, I don't think it's a stretch to think that's certainly part of it.

 

[bedir than]

Since that's kind of the only thing WotC has done that stirred the hornets nest, I don't think it's a stretch to think that's certainly part of it.

If Gary isn't responsible for his words that were sexist and racist who is responsible for Gary's words that were sexist and racist?

And I'd agree with Luke, there's no reason for WotC to apologize for saying that the modern game should accept people of all races, faiths, genders.

 

[Jahydin]

Also, as someone who came back to D&D with 4e and 5e (after playing 1e / BECMI exclusively for several decades) I find 5e feels very much like old school D&D. What feels so different to you?

I played 5e for years before the tone started to shift. I didn't think the rules were the best, but it was a great foundation to build on. My hope with 5.5 was it was really going to fix the game in the same ways the 3pp products, like A5E, did, but instead it seemed to lean in even more into the aspects I didn't like.

Art though? I have to run to my PF2 game, so might come back to share more thoughts, but for the time being, here's an example of the newer art direction that's just goofy AF to me. The artist is clearly talented, but the vibe is so far off for me.

 

[mamba]

Since that's kind of the only thing WotC has done that stirred the hornets nest, I don't think it's a stretch to think that's certainly part of it.

It absolutely is a stretch, I don't think there is any chance whatsoever that this was included in the apology.

 

[dave2008]

I played 5e for years before the tone started to shift. I didn't think the rules were the best, but it was a great foundation to build on. My hope with 5.5 was it was really going to fix the game in the same ways the 3pp products, like A5E, did, but instead it seemed to lean in even more into the aspects I didn't like.

Art though? I have to run to my PF2 game, so might come back to share more thoughts, but for the time being, here's an example of the newer art direction that's just goofy AF to me. The artist is clearly talented, but the vibe is so far off for me.
View attachment 433093

Funny that you mention A5e, I feel that goes farther away from old school D&D than 5e or 5.5e! I have A5e but me and my group felt it was taking us away from our old school playing style so we when back to 5e.


Regarding the art, that isn't actually a trend IMO. There are many styles of art in 5e and in particular 5e24. I mean the following is coming from a book in June: You have blood drinking, stakes through the heart,

Or this art from the 5e24 MM: limb eating, bags dripping blood

Or this from the DMG:

 

[VashVet]

Here you go!:

I think the most interesting part of that point in the clip is how Luke really wants to move past edition wars. I would imagine since he’s not dwelling heavily on the reasons for the apology, maybe he wants to move on past that too.

Maybe some folks should just enjoy the fact they’re getting a new, official Greyhawk product made by Luke Gygax - or choose one of the many, many games that have been created like Shadowdark, if 5.5 isn’t to their liking.

 

[Zardnaar]

View attachment 432824

Better tbh.