Does this setting exist?

[Engilbrand]

This might be a dumb question, but why? Why do you need a setting without rules and mechanics? Why not just take a setting- like Eberron- and run with it? It's chock full of setting, cultural information, plot points and just about anything else you could need. If you need to change stuff, then do so. I don't understand why it has to JUST be setting. Can't you come up with that on your own? Can't you use something existing and tweak it as needed? What's the draw to something new that is only, on average, 3 pages of rules?

 

[solkan_uk]

The Iron Kingdoms World Guide has almost no rules (I think there's one table in the book which has rulesy stuff on it, and most characters have their class/level listed, but no other stats).
You could run it with just that, but the Character Guide is also mostly background/setting, maybe consisting of about 25%-30% rules stuff. The Mechanika guide and Monsternomicon are obviously rules heavy (though I recommend the Monsternomicon regardless - it is the most setting heavy monster book I've ever browsed, and the monsters are interesting and well written.

I do have some issues with the Iron Kingdoms, but they are committed to doing lots of background and setting in their books.

 

[talien]

It's been a while since I looked at it, but Arcanis wowed me with the world - not the mechanics. There are some mechanics in it, of course, but the bulk is detailed history and regional descriptions. Really impressive.

For a taste of an Arcanis game, check out my story hour at: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=103252

As a contributor to the Iron Kingdoms books, I can say the World Book is almost all fluff. The Arcanis Codex is 90% fluff with an appendix of rules (that have since been revised quite a bit) in the back.

Obviously, I'm a big fan of Arcanis.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Check out Midnight. If I had a group I'd consider running it with RoleMaster or MERP rather than D&D. It is a great setting regardless of the system.

 

[jdrakeh]

This might be a dumb question, but why? Why do you need a setting without rules and mechanics?

Many, many, rules /= the fun. For me. If I end up buying a setting, I'll run it with True20 or Risus, making a large number of D&D-specific rules in a product just next to useless for me. They'll be completely wasted paper, for the most part. I really don't want to drop $50-$560 on a book that I'll only use 20% of in actual play. That's not a good investment.

Can't you come up with that on your own?

Well, if somebody is charging me $60 for a book ostensibly dedicated to a setting, not having much setting in it is unforgivable. As for doing it myself? No, I really don't have the time to sit around and write multiple 200+ page books of setting material myself. For me, it's more practical to buy setting material that other people have already written.

What's the draw to something new that is only, on average, 3 pages of rules?

Again, the primary draw is that I already have rules that I enjoy and that work well (True20 and Risus respectively). I don't need a bunch of rules for a game system that I don't use all that often. What I do need is dedicated setting description.

 

[jdrakeh]

The Iron Kingdoms World Guide has almost no rules (I think there's one table in the book which has rulesy stuff on it, and most characters have their class/level listed, but no other stats).

That sounds beautiful, and exactly like what I'm looking for

 

[kobold]

Glorantha the Second Age by Mongoose!!
Great book, full deep cultural and religious information with more adventure hooks then you've got players hats!
100% Fluff 0% Crunch. Thats right not one rule, completely system neutral and it details one of the greatest worlds ever- easily as old as Greyhawk of Wilderlands- it's old school baby.
All this talk about IK has me intrigued though

 

[jdrakeh]

Glorantha the Second Age by Mongoose!!
Great book, full deep cultural and religious information with more adventure hooks then you've got players hats!
100% Fluff 0% Crunch. Thats right not one rule, completely system neutral and it details one of the greatest worlds ever- easily as old as Greyhawk of Wilderlands- it's old school baby.
All this talk about IK has me intrigued though

Hmmm. . . this is the first good selling point that I've heard about the new Glorantha book and it intrigues me much. In how much detail does the book cover Dragon Pass and Pavis?

 

[Remathilis]

I just want to second Aerth from Goodman Games. Gazetteer of the Known World is fairly crunch free, IIRC.

 

[jdrakeh]

I just want to second Aerth from Goodman Games. Gazetteer of the Known World is fairly crunch free, IIRC.

Despite some misgivings, this does look awfully sexy. Sadly, I won't be able to afford it in the forseeable future (anything more than about $40 is firmly in the "luxury item" zone for me so far as gaming is concerned).