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General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
A Taxonomy of D&D and other FRPG Settings
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<blockquote data-quote="Snarf Zagyg" data-source="post: 7998659" data-attributes="member: 7023840"><p>I would start by saying that I don't really agree with the taxonomy. I think it has some, but limited, usefulness.</p><p></p><p>I tend to view settings along the following axes, and I don't really think it's helpful to bring in non-D&D settings because they can vary widely (and most non-D&D FRPGs tend to have "default" and "everything else" so it's not really helpful either):</p><p></p><p><strong>A. Settings that reify standard D&D tropes.</strong></p><p></p><p>This is the big ol' category, and it also includes those settings that "typify" an edition. These are the settings that make for the standard "D&D" experience. D&D is its own fantasy category, with its own tropes, and these are the settings that have largely defined what D&D is in various editions. This largely, but not completely, maps on to the idea of the "kitchen sink" setting. </p><p></p><p>Examples: Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Nentir Vale, Mystara, various incarnations of Blackmoor, Invincible Overlord/Wilderlands, Ravenloft</p><p></p><p>Notes- Some people might wonder why, for example, Ravenloft and Dragonlance are included here. While they made slight alterations in style of play (gothic horror, romantic fantasy) and changed a few things (steel, kender), these are additions and reified standard D&D tropes. This also includes "twists" and "flavorings" such as Kara Tur, Maztica, and Al Qadim, which just end up in Forgotten Realms anyway. </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>B. Settings that subvert, modify, or play with standard D&D tropes.</strong></p><p></p><p>These are settings that explicitly play with the standard D&D tropes, often with a strong authorial vision, and subvert those tropes or modify them in theme, rules, or both in order to make a different play experience.</p><p></p><p>Examples: Eberron, Dark Sun, Birthright, Ghostwalk</p><p></p><p>Notes- these should self-explanatory. While Eberron might be considered a "kitchen sink" setting, the strong thematic elements that undercut typical D&D tropes do not really put it in the same category as a standard D&D campaign setting.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>C. Meta-settings.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ever since D&D was released, there were planes, and the idea of traveling between various settings (or even different games). Meta-settings make the connective tissue explicit, and provide that the area of travel can, itself, be a setting.</p><p></p><p>Example: Planescape, Manual of the Planes, Spelljammer</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Snarf Zagyg, post: 7998659, member: 7023840"] I would start by saying that I don't really agree with the taxonomy. I think it has some, but limited, usefulness. I tend to view settings along the following axes, and I don't really think it's helpful to bring in non-D&D settings because they can vary widely (and most non-D&D FRPGs tend to have "default" and "everything else" so it's not really helpful either): [B]A. Settings that reify standard D&D tropes.[/B] This is the big ol' category, and it also includes those settings that "typify" an edition. These are the settings that make for the standard "D&D" experience. D&D is its own fantasy category, with its own tropes, and these are the settings that have largely defined what D&D is in various editions. This largely, but not completely, maps on to the idea of the "kitchen sink" setting. Examples: Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Nentir Vale, Mystara, various incarnations of Blackmoor, Invincible Overlord/Wilderlands, Ravenloft Notes- Some people might wonder why, for example, Ravenloft and Dragonlance are included here. While they made slight alterations in style of play (gothic horror, romantic fantasy) and changed a few things (steel, kender), these are additions and reified standard D&D tropes. This also includes "twists" and "flavorings" such as Kara Tur, Maztica, and Al Qadim, which just end up in Forgotten Realms anyway. [B]B. Settings that subvert, modify, or play with standard D&D tropes.[/B] These are settings that explicitly play with the standard D&D tropes, often with a strong authorial vision, and subvert those tropes or modify them in theme, rules, or both in order to make a different play experience. Examples: Eberron, Dark Sun, Birthright, Ghostwalk Notes- these should self-explanatory. While Eberron might be considered a "kitchen sink" setting, the strong thematic elements that undercut typical D&D tropes do not really put it in the same category as a standard D&D campaign setting. [B]C. Meta-settings.[/B] Ever since D&D was released, there were planes, and the idea of traveling between various settings (or even different games). Meta-settings make the connective tissue explicit, and provide that the area of travel can, itself, be a setting. Example: Planescape, Manual of the Planes, Spelljammer [/QUOTE]
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