Defining its own Mythology

[Cadfan]

Raven Crowking- you could do that, but you'll have to do more than just reach for lower CR monsters. You'll have to carefully ration out which status effects you permit your monsters to inflict on the PCs. Something like "blind" isn't dangerous in regular 3e, because clerics can cure it at early levels. But in a low magic campaign with no PC spellcasters, its a serious, serious problem because its permanent until cured.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Because most of the higher level heavy lifting comes from spellcasters?

So, what you are basically saying is that you can easily make a low-magic D&D, you just can't do high magic at the same time? OK. I certainly agree with that!

And if your response is "Well I'll just have to work around that", then congratulations - that's my point. It's a lot of work to do with D&D.

On the contrary, it's not much work at all.

Indeed, it is far less work than running a 3e D&D campaign as-is.


RC

 

[Raven Crowking]

But in doing that, you have to cut out the upper levels of the Monster Manual, as well as a good number of critters in the middle levels. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a consequence of houseruling in that manner.

So? That is also a logical consequence of a low-magic world, making the two work together very, very well.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Raven Crowking- you could do that, but you'll have to do more than just reach for lower CR monsters. You'll have to carefully ration out which status effects you permit your monsters to inflict on the PCs. Something like "blind" isn't dangerous in regular 3e, because clerics can cure it at early levels. But in a low magic campaign with no PC spellcasters, its a serious, serious problem because its permanent until cured.

So? That is (in general) a logical consequence of a low-magic world, making the two work together very, very well. Where monsters can inflict status problems, they become far more serious threats...possibly something that you want to avoid, or deal with in some manner other than direct combat.

RC

 

[Odhanan]

High level, low magic is very easily done with 3.x. You need just one page of houserules, addressing stuff like healing (reserve points à la Iron Heroes, or Health and Hit points like Monte Cook's doing right now), outstanding actions (action points are in) and then build adventures and encounters that are suited for such a party, and you're good to go really.

There could have been sourcebooks/DMGs addressing that sort of thing... but instead we have a reboot of the system. (shakes head)

 

[PeterWeller]

So? That is also a logical consequence of a low-magic world, making the two work together very, very well.

Low magic logically does away with most outsiders and dragons? Not necessarily, I say.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Great idea! Let's add instead of cutting to the bone with each new addition!

Remember that in 4e the PHB races will be greatly expanded and more detailed mechanically than previous editions. Race choice will be much more meaningful. You'll still have your 3e style less meaningful gnomes and other races such as warforged in the MM. So in fact you're getting exactly what you're asking for - more races in core.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Low magic logically does away with most outsiders and dragons? Not necessarily, I say.

As things you can fight hand-to-hand with a reasonable chance of success? Very much so, I say.

RC

 

[PeterWeller]

As things you can fight hand-to-hand with a reasonable chance of success? Very much so, I say.

RC

But isn't that the point? Conan strangled his fair share of demons. Bard killed Smaug. Fahfrd and the Grey Mouser killed a whole variety of spooky otherworldly demons and giant Newhonian monstrosities. Beowulf didn't have too much trouble beating the snot out of Grendel, his mother, and the Dragon. There's a whole lot of low magic right there that isn't easily emulated, even with your house rules.

 

[AWizardInDallas]

Remember that in 4e the PHB races will be greatly expanded and more detailed mechanically than previous editions. Race choice will be much more meaningful. You'll still have your 3e style less meaningful gnomes and other races such as warforged in the MM. So in fact you're getting exactly what you're asking for - more races in core.

No, I'm asking for more races in the PHB.