Micah Sweet
Level Up & OSR Enthusiast
Seems a little antagonistic. I don't run into this problem often at my table, but I have seen it in the past many times and have no reason to doubt @DEFCON 1 's general claim.
D&D General Eberron - why don't you run it? [-]
- Thread starter earthsea_wizard
- Start date
Lanefan
Victoria Rules
I just got back from a 10-day road trip where we did a mix of both "random diners" and chain places (Denny's, McD's, etc.) and while the food was fine at the chain places it was generally better at the random diners.
I can see how something like Dragonmark or other magic chain-franchises would evolve but that bridge goes a little too far for me. However, basic things like widespread lighting in cities, curing spells used to augment health care, weather spells used to help crops grow, and so on just seem so obvious that their assumed absence in a setting like FR is a bit jarring.
pukunui
Legend
In the Realma at least, I’d say Baldur’s Gate is probably closest to Eberron in feel. It’s very noir, and it’s got more (magi)tech than other FR cities, thanks to the Temple of Gond. It even has relatively modern cranes in its port.
Lantan is another part of the Realms that has a strong Eberron vibe, but it’s never really been explored in much detail. Chris Perkins wanted to do something with it after including it on the map in Tomb of Annihilation, but I guess it didn’t pan out.
Lanefan
Victoria Rules
In the UK you do, however, still have some random pubs that haven't been snapped up by the chain operators yet; and my memory of those is that they can be very hit-or-miss, much like the random diners here.
Paul Farquhar
Legend
Would never go to a chain pub. Real pubs are a lot more hits than miss. Chains serve frozen garbage.
Slug and Lettuce? They are lying about the lettuce.
Googled the menu on that one. Lots of alarm bells going off there. Bottomless Brunch for starters. Don’t think I’ve ever been to a place with unlimited mimosas that wasn’t a complete s#!@show.
Cap'n Kobold
Hero
I think that picking McDonalds as an example might have derailed the Brand argument, but its not just that Khorvairans know that the Golden Dragon inn will have a reliably similar menu and services wherever it is located. They also know to look for the House Ghallanda seal on any independent establishments, certifying that that place meets certain levels of hygiene and service.
Not only for purchasing goods and services, but also that staple of the adventuring life: being given quests.
At some point though, even players who have had unfortunate experiences with bad DMs like that are probably going to have to interact with NPCs.
Not only for purchasing goods and services, but also that staple of the adventuring life: being given quests.
Lanefan
Victoria Rules
Most of the time I'd only be there for beer anyway, but my (admittedly ten-years-ago) experience with the chains is their food was good enough to be good enough.
@TiQuinn - I second the motion re truck stops. And it's easy to tell which are the good ones, as that's where all the trucks are.
That's what D&D settings need - a chain of travellers' inns and waystations along major intercity roads, analagous to Flying-J truck stops.
Argyle King
Legend
The recent discussion gave me the idea of D&D Yelp reviews for taverns.
This leads to a disgruntled tavernkeeper becoming a villain because a bad review from the PCs destroyed his business.
This leads to a disgruntled tavernkeeper becoming a villain because a bad review from the PCs destroyed his business.
