Eberron isn't Steampunk

[A'koss]

But I mean, really, what all the fuss? Why is "steampunk" such a bad label here? "Noo!! We mustn't be associated with them." It's a style just as Forgotten Realms is often labelled as a high magic fantasy setting... What's the big deal?

A'koss.

 

[Victim]

Call it "magipunk" then, but in the end that's just hairsplitting IMO. Magical comforts and conveniences, magi-tech transportation and skyscrapers, etc, etc...

A'koss.

I like "spellpunk" better than magipunk.

 

[Hardhead]

But I mean, really, what all the fuss? Why is "steampunk" such a bad label here? "Noo!! We mustn't be associated with them." It's a style just as Forgotten Realms is often labelled as a high magic fantasy setting... What's the big deal?

A'koss.

I dunno. It just irks me for some reason. It's like someone calling FR "low magic." It doesn't really affect me, but I feel the need to correct them!

I like "spellpunk" better than magipunk.

The "punk" moniker doesn't fit either. The idea behind "steampunk" is that it's "cyberpunk," but with steam instead of electricity.

I mean, it doesn't have "steam" or "punk."

 

[coyote6]

I like "spellpunk" better than magipunk.

Or "manapunk", though that fits better with magic systems that use "mana" (e.g., GURPS).

To me, "magipunk" suggests "three guys with mohawks show up at a manger" or something.

In any case, the Eberron previews I've seen so far don't say "punk" to me. The noir-ish references (Maltese Falcon) might be a bit in that direction, but all the stuff about "pulp adventure" (Raiders of the Lost Ark) are kind of the opposite of "punk", IMO.

You might be able to run a fine dystopia-flavored Eberron campaign, but that doesn't make the setting inherently "X-punk". I mean, I considered running a full-on manapunk game set either in the Forgotten Realms or the City of Greyhawk -- but neither of those settings are "punk". They're just flexible.

 

[Brennin Magalus]

I wish everyone would stop calling Eberron "steampunk." While it does share some similarities with the genre, it isn't.

Steampunk has:

• Clockwork creatures
• Guns
• STEAM power (thus the name)

Eberron has none of those things. It's not Victorian Tech. It's waaaay behind the Victorian age. Sure, it has "trains," but they're elemental powered. It has flying ships (a High Fantasy staple). It's not Steampunk.

I am not familiar with "steampunk," nor do I want to be, judging from the descriptions. However, perhaps it would help if you and others who disagree with applying the label to Eberron would suggest an alternative.

 

[MerakSpielman]

Non-steampunk.

Behold Eberron! The greatest non-steampunk D&D setting ever! This new, non-steampunk setting will contain everything in the core rules!

etc...

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Actually, from the artwork & some of the write-up, what it reminds me most of is the Elder Scrolls games, such as Morrowind. Except for the trains, of course.

As for high-tech fantasy, something like Final Fantasy would probably be closest. But, now we have a name for this- "non-Steampunk!"

 

[I'm A Banana]

It's splitting hairs. Everyone *knows* what we're talking about, they're just using different words.

So what to call Eberron, then?

"Flappertech."

No punk. No steam. But the same type of imagery (high technology and a working class + modern sensitbility).

 

[Dirigible]

Well, hold on there. Who is "They"? Are "They" anyone who we think has actual useful insight on literature and it's forms and meanings, or are they folks writing advertising copy, or reviewers and writers trying to justify their own existance - "No, *my* work is new and innovative! It isn't steampunk, it's bionanoMcPunk!"

'They' are the secret one world governemnt based in a bunker under Mt Weather, founded by an unholy allaince between the Gnomes of Zuirich and the Illuminati (reform branch).

But of course, you already know that, Umbran, otherwise you'll be haivng a nice long chat with the MiBs and their friend, Mr Crotch-Tazer.




Some who use the terminology I mentioned are fairly reputable (in my opinion, at least). White Wolf called Trinity biopunk, some of Peter F. Hamilton's books are called nanopunk, that sprong to mind. Your point is well taken, though.

 

[Dismas]

It's splitting hairs. Everyone *knows* what we're talking about, they're just using different words.

So what to call Eberron, then?

Manapulp ?