D&D 5E (2024) Building A Contemporary Fantasy Setting For 5.5E

[Corinnguard]

I think it’s pretty pointless going any further if you can’t solve the core issue of rules for non-magical technology - which goes a lot further than just firearms.

Magic is the ultimate Handwavium. You can use it to explain anything without worrying about details or realism. It’s D&Ds secret sauce that makes everything work.

Which is why you assumptions describe Eberron.

Why is it so important for there to be rules on non-magical technology in a fantasy setting?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Why is it so important for there to be rules on non-magical technology in a fantasy setting?

To make it not the same as Eberron and Ravnica.

 

[Zardnaar]

To make it not the same as Eberron and Ravnica.

Its mostly art. Adding guns is easy. Then its how DM "sells" the setting.

 

[Corinnguard]

To make it not the same as Eberron and Ravnica.

Then that might be a problem. People like playing 5.5e because of its' simplicity. If these rules are needed, they'll add complexity to the game again.

 

[CreamCloud0]

I liked the notion in Tim Powers On Stranger Tides that Magic was always real on Earth but had faded due to human use of Iron Tools. It thus meant that real scorcerers had to avoid contact with iron tools.
So in setting terms
1. Magic has always existed
2. Magic doesnt like metal (no armor)
3. With modern use of Plastics/Ceramics Magic is back again

this is one of the places i think not having variable materials for weapons and armour is a loss, in a contemporary setting you could really go into having things like plastic and ceramic weapons and armours exist with different properties to their metal counterparts, kevlar, tempered glass, they'd probably be able to 'invent' some new materials using magical creation methods too, ironwood is a thing isn't it.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Its mostly art. Adding guns is easy.

Really, no, it isn’t. Not if they are familiar guns.

The reason Eberron doesn’t have guns is simple. You can do all the cool gun stuff with wands, without having to worry about them behaving in the familiar way.