Do you think Eberron will go the way of Ghostwalk?

[DaveMage]

Note: The Ghelspad book is only 224 pages, while the FRCS is 320 (and with a rather small font). FRCS is also hardcover, has color throughout, and comes with a map - I don't know if these also apply to Ghelspad, because the WW catalog only lists the page count. In other words, the FRCS might be more expensive, but you also get more stuff.

Ghelspad is not in color (except the map, which is printed on the interior cover - not a pull-out).

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Note: The Ghelspad book is only 224 pages, while the FRCS is 320 (and with a rather small font). FRCS is also hardcover, has color throughout, and comes with a map - I don't know if these also apply to Ghelspad, because the WW catalog only lists the page count. In other words, the FRCS might be more expensive, but you also get more stuff.

Color really doesn't matter that much to me though I must assume that it does to others. I didn't have it in Basic D&D or 1E and most of my other RPGs don't have it either so I don't mind not having it now. I also preferred the 2E Boxed Set for the Forgotten Realms because I liked the zoomed in maps and the transparency sheet that helped you calculate travel times. When I bought my Ghelspad book I bought it in a bundle that included the Gazeteer which came with a pull out map. Both together still cost less than the FRCS.

I don't have an endless gaming budget and I doubt most people do. If not having color saves me some money then I am all for that.

 

[buzz]

Color really doesn't matter that much to me though I must assume that it does to others.

Indeed. See MerricB's post above in regards to this and other points you've brought up.

 

[rounser]

Ok, I'll bite - what would be better? Hog-riding halflings?

Actually - yes, IMO. The concept of hog rider halflings is less cheesey than that of dino rider halflings. Not sure why. Imagining the dino rider halflings as ewok types makes it easier for me to envision and accept, though.

 

[Stone Dog]

strangely enough, i'm finding the idea of a peanut butter & bacon sandwich oddly appealing. i wonder if that's actually on the menu anywhere...

Way off topic, but yes. At least several places in San Diego have peanut butter and bacon burgers and they started out here in a trendy 50's style diner. God help me, they are so good.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Mmmmmm... I love Peanut Butter and Mayo. I'm sure I'd like PB & Bacon. I'll have to try it next time my wife makes bacon.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Peanut butter, bananas, and mellow-fluff is the only true sandwiche. Everything else is a poor imitation...

OMG... I'm sounding like Diaglo...

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Actually - yes, IMO. The concept of hog rider halflings is less cheesey than that of dino rider halflings.

Well then, there's your problem.

Personally, I've got no problem seeing a halfling on something similar to a raptor. But, again, it's not something your going to be seeing much of in Eberron.

Personally, I think it's pretty silly to dismiss an entire setting over something so petty. I've never encountered a product where I loved everything, but there are a lot of products that I cosnider very good.

 

[Belegbeth]

Personally, I think it's pretty silly to dismiss an entire setting over something so petty. I've never encountered a product where I loved everything, but there are a lot of products that I cosnider very good.

It is neither silly nor petty if the feature in question is representative of the "character" of the setting as a whole. There seems to be a "throw-everything-in-and-the-kitchen-sink" approach here. Like Dino-topia? Okay, we have a country for it. Like cold war drama? Okay, we have a country for it. Like "magic-as-technology"? Okay, we have a country for it. Like "hard-boiled" detective stories? Okay, we have a country for it. Like the Lord of the Rings? Okay, we have a country for it. Like ... [repeat] ...

 

[~Johnny~]

I won't argue with someone who thinks diversity is a bad thing in a setting. We've had this conversation before, and I can't offer a much better retort than the fact that by your reasoning, the diversity of the real world is hopelessly incoherent.

It comes back to the fact that Eberron is more than one continent... it's an entire world, big enough to contain a diverse range of environments, including stuff that you might find weird, without cramming anything down your throat. Getting up in arms about the Talenta halflings is like condemning the world of Toril because you don't like ninjas.

Now, on to Rounser...

Just like the magitech plays no big part?

The semantics of "magitech" are imminently debatable. With the exception of the Lightning Rail, none of Eberron's so-called magitech resembles modern technology. They're magic items, and any "technology" represented by those items is standard D&D technology like armor, swords, and stonework. More significantly, it's all based on existing D&D spells. For a ton of quotes from Eberron designer Keith Baker on this subject, click here.

And the swashbuckling pulp?

I'm confused by the suggestion that "fantasy swashbuckling + modern pulp = peanut butter and bacon." Pulp is a genre, not a setting. While "pulp" often refers to stuff in the vein of Indiana Jones or Doc Savage, Conan is the classic example of pulp fantasy. Pulp refers to good vs. evil, high action and high adventure. That fits right in with swashbuckling adventure (pretty logical, given that Conan was a pirate for a while). For more on Eberron's "cinematic fantasy" feel, click here.

And the rumour that psionics plays a big part in the world?

"The rumor"? Wizards has been pretty clear about the role of psionics all along. Psionics is integrated into the world, but it's exotic and not part of everyday life on the continent that's the default home for PCs (the Faerun equivalent). There's an entire continent where psionics plays a bigger role than magic. Of all the options you mentioned, it's the one that's actually designed to be avoidable, and rules will even be included for converting the setting's naturally psionic race to natural sorcerors. But I'd look twice before you dismiss Eberron's psionics as "sci-fi."

Like most D&D worlds, Eberron's cosmology includes several planes that represent different concepts or elements. One of these planes is Dal Quor, which is created by the mental energy of dreaming mortals. Psionic power is derived from this dream plane. When Dal Quor was coterminous with Eberron, a race of outsiders crossed over and bonded with humans. Now these Inspired tyrannically rule the nation of Riedra, which covers most of the continent of Sarlona. A few Inspired renegades, the Kalashtar, have sacrificed their connection to Dal Quor in order to rebel against the Inspired. They live in the small territory of Adar, though many Kalashtar have fled Sarlona entirely, finding sanctuary in the nations of Khorvaire. For more information on psionics in Eberron, click here.