D&D (2024) A Reintroduction to Greyhawk

[sevenbastard]

The presentation in the DMG is just that: they start with a manageable hub in Greyhawk itself, and spread it out from there, precisely as an example of how to start small and build out.

I think even showing the whole world of Greyhawk is a mistake as is a big city vs a medium village as a starting point. I feel this is for nostalgia vs actually use as a good example for DMs.

Again all of this is my opinion, but small region, tons of rumors, multiple adventure sites, fraction with goals, limited authority to help or hinder the PCs, is the way I start a campaign.

I'll reserve judgement until I see it, but I've been let down by Mr. Perkins and the WOTC marketing arm to many times.

 

[Yaarel]

a big city vs a medium village

It is a matter of taste: urban or rural.

Personally, my adventures tend to start in an urban locality.

It can be challenging for the DM to create an adventure inside the medievalesque city − because why havent the local authorities already resolved the problem? But there are lots of areas for adventures elsewhere around the city.

Speaking of population sizes. According to the "Settlement Tracker" sheet for jotting notes about a particular town:
• Village = up to 500 people
• Town = 501 to 5000 people
• City = 5000 people and up

So these "cities" can be tiny compared to modern cities.

 

[darjr]

I think even showing the whole world of Greyhawk is a mistake as is a big city vs a medium village as a starting point. I feel this is for nostalgia vs actually use as a good example for DMs.

Again all of this is my opinion, but small region, tons of rumors, multiple adventure sites, fraction with goals, limited authority to help or hinder the PCs, is the way I start a campaign.

I'll reserve judgement until I see it, but I've been let down by Mr. Perkins and the WOTC marketing arm to many times.

It’s not the whole world? Is it? Just the continent of the Flanaes.

Only a part of the whole world.

 

[Parmandur]

I think even showing the whole world of Greyhawk is a mistake as is a big city vs a medium village as a starting point. I feel this is for nostalgia vs actually use as a good example for DMs.

Again all of this is my opinion, but small region, tons of rumors, multiple adventure sites, fraction with goals, limited authority to help or hinder the PCs, is the way I start a campaign.

I'll reserve judgement until I see it, but I've been let down by Mr. Perkins and the WOTC marketing arm to many times.

Focused rural area, focused urban area...same difference, in most major ways. Point is, they are presenting the Setting in just that small focused, moving outwards, methodology which is wise.

 

[Parmandur]

It’s not the whole world? Is it? Just the continent of the Flanaes.

Only a part of the whole world.

View attachment 381437

Right???

People like to complain about the Sword Coast being "The Remembered Realms" and a lack of focus on the rest of Faerûn.

The Sword Coast alone is over 5 million square miles.

The Flannaes is 6.5 million square miles.

Neither is a "whole world", bit that is a lot of space for a DM to run fantasy Adventures.

 

[Azzy]

I think people are belaboring the term default. It's the setting presented to new fans in the core book. So it will be initially the most prominent to those readers. Default isn't intended as a statement on quality, future direction, or setting rank. I'm just trying to express how prominent the setting is prestended in the core books.

It's only going to be prominent in the DMG, though. In the PHB, Greyhawk is not more prominent than other settings therein, and more often than not, the "multiverse" takes center stage (often hamfisted in the execution). Though I kinda dig the idea that new DMs will be introduced the lands of Iuz, Tharizdun, Ivid, the Scarlet Sign, and the Iron League.

 

[OptionalRule]

It's only going to be prominent in the DMG, though. In the PHB, Greyhawk is not more prominent than other settings therein, and more often than not, the "multiverse" takes center stage (often hamfisted in the execution). Though I kinda dig the idea that new DMs will be introduced the lands of Iuz, Tharizdun, Ivid, the Scarlet Sign, and the Iron League.

True. If you want to keep something secret... put it in the DMG.

 

[sevenbastard]

The Flannaes is 6.5 million square miles.

So basically South America in a couple of dozen pages.

 

[Parmandur]

So basically South America in a couple of dozen pages.

Yes, same as it was ever since 1980. Quite doable, for setting a DM up with material.

 

[Bitbrain]

I just published a blog post about Greyhawk's return as the default setting for D&D 2024, and I thought some of you might be interested.

I dive a bit into Greyhawk's history and explore what this comeback might mean for our games. I've tried to cover both the exciting possibilities and potential challenges - like how the new rules might clash with Greyhawk's classic gritty feel, or how the Bastion system could interact with the Flanaess' political landscape.

One thing I've always loved is how collaborative Greyhawk's creation was from the start. It's pretty cool to see how many of D&D's original crew left their mark on the setting. The community acts like shared-worldbuilding is a new invention, but it's been in the DNA of the hobby since the start to me.

I'm curious to hear what you all think about Greyhawk's return. Are you excited? Skeptical? What are your hopes or concerns? I've got mixed feelings myself, I love the political intrigue and the grittier nature of OG Greyhawk, but doubtful that can be maintained with the 2024 edition of DnD.

If you're interested in checking it out, you can find the post here.

Pretty nice blog post. I’ll have to check out the rest of your blog later.

As far as my opinion on Greyhawk’s return, while I am certainly happy about it, WOTC really should have opened it up the DM’s Guild following Ghosts of Saltmarsh’s release.