Default PoL as a full setting?

[JeffB]

To elaborate- I don't see why WOTC shouldn't do a Gazetteer in the style of the 3E GAZ or the Scarred Lands GAZ- a bare bones kind of map and a 48 page high level overview.

AFAIC- both of those products were the perfect size and utility for me as a DM (gimme a little and I'll run with it) and in the case of the SL GAZ: far better than the big CS that replaced it.

I suspect the GH version was a flop business-wise, simply because it wasn't very desirable from a GH fan perspective, AND we knew the LGG was coming out soon enough and it would be obsolete- However the new bare bones POL setting is a different story and I think ripe for such a product.

 

[Scribble]

To elaborate- I don't see why WOTC shouldn't do a Gazetteer in the style of the 3E GAZ or the Scarred Lands GAZ- a bare bones kind of map and a 48 page high level overview.

AFAIC- both of those products were the perfect size and utility for me as a DM (gimme a little and I'll run with it) and in the case of the SL GAZ: far better than the big CS that replaced it.

I suspect the GH version was a flop business-wise, simply because it wasn't very desirable from a GH fan perspective, AND we knew the LGG was coming out soon enough and it would be obsolete- However the new bare bones POL setting is a different story and I think ripe for such a product.

Because if you do that, even with just a map, like it or not that becomes "how it is." A map is kind of the very symbol of officialness.

People will begin to cry foul when something is ignored on the map, or changed later on.

As it is right now we have a collection of stories and ideas. Each of them can be taken as a whole or taken piece by piece. Use them as you see fit, or discard them entirely.

I say no map. I like the way the one in my head looks.. for now at least.

 

[Xethreau]

Because if you do that, even with just a map, like it or not that becomes "how it is." A map is kind of the very symbol of officialness.

People will begin to cry foul when something is ignored on the map, or changed later on.

As it is right now we have a collection of stories and ideas. Each of them can be taken as a whole or taken piece by piece. Use them as you see fit, or discard them entirely.

I say no map. I like the way the one in my head looks.. for now at least.

This.

 

[JeffB]

:shrug: I find maps far less constricting than flavor text detailing every little thing on them, but fair enough

 

[Scribble]

:shrug: I find maps far less constricting than flavor text detailing every little thing on them, but fair enough

Which is also why they aren't doing that... They give us little snipped filled with holes.

 

[JeffB]

Which is also why they aren't doing that... They give us little snipped filled with holes.

I understand. I'm not looking for an argument or point-counterpoint (as is typical on ENWORLD) I was just stating I don't find the map constricting in the least- its how much detail one writes about what is ON it that is constricting. If you find a map constricting, thats OK too

 

[Scribble]

I understand. I'm not looking for an argument or point-counterpoint (as is typical on ENWORLD) I was just stating I don't find the map constricting in the least- its how much detail one writes about what is ON it that is constricting. If you find a map constricting, thats OK too

Shrug I don't find much of anything constricting... I'm a mix'n matcher myself.

Some people do, so it causes problems when WOTC puts out soemthign that can be latched onto as "official." That's all I;m sayin.

 

[Shemeska]

So, this should put to rest any arguments that claim that 3e didn't have a full setting, as it included all of these things.

I'd agree with you, but I'm rather confused about what that has to do with anything in this thread.

 

[Orius]

I won't, I like working with my own imagination, and I always feel restricted by campaign settings. The default PoL is far too flavor heavy for my taste.

OTOH, it makes sense for WotC to present things like this. No fully fleshed out setting so DMs can develop it on their own, but enough flavor for inexperienced DMs or DMs who don't like or don't want to engage in world-building to use as a basis for a campaign.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

I'd agree with you, but I'm rather confused about what that has to do with anything in this thread.

It doesn't, but it's pretty much impossible to mention 4e without someone trying to insult or make snippets of earlier editions.