Eberron?

[rounser]

What kind of theme does the PHB have?

The D&D implied setting has a swords & sorcery fantasy theme, with D&Disms and other assorted gamist nonsense (e.g. clerics, sunrods) added over the years. There's a fine thematic line between a magical robotic submarine lobster and a magical train, but to at least some of us it seems clear when it's crossed.

 

[I'm A Banana]

There's a fine thematic line between a magical robotic submarine lobster and a magical train, but to at least some of us it seems clear when it's crossed.

I'm not so sure there is a big difference......

And Eberron, as far as I can tell, is

a swords & sorcery fantasy theme

. It's just taking that to the next logical conclusion -- that just as swords advanced, sorcerery has, too.

 

[rounser]

It's just taking that to the next logical conclusion -- that just as swords advanced, sorcerery has, too.

If that's your logical conclusion, I don't want your revolution.

(Sorry, couldn't resist. )

 

[Rafilar]

What is Eberron's theme? We still don't know, and it can't fall back on the old "pseudo-medieval sword & sorcery fantasy setting" theme default that Greyhawk and FR fall into, because it's got all this other stuff like magitech and contemporary pulp which doesn't really fit in that default. Until the theme or target it's aiming at becomes clear, it's wonkier than these so-called "wonky variations" that have a clear theme to them, and don't try to include everything....IMO.

I believe the theme is supposed to be something like "pulp noir and indiana-jones style adventure, in a magical world."

Incidentally, I'm very excited about Eberron and definately intend to pick it up... but I probably won't run it. I mean, I'm a Forgotten Realms nut, but I haven't run anything but homebrew in years, because I'm having so much fun with the world I created. So, I'll pick it up, read it, love it, and then strip-mine it for ideas.

 

[d4]

And as for the fear of 'high magic', I think that's unfounded from what Hellcow has told us. It's more like, lots and lots of 'common magic'...

when people discuss the difference between high magic and low magic, there's really two axes.

along one axis, high magic = powerful, high-level magic; and low magic = weak, low-level magic. on this axis, Eberron could justifiably be called low magic, since it seems the setting was designed with a dearth of high-level NPCs.

on the other axis however, high magic = common magic; and low magic = rare magic. on this axis, Eberron is quite definitely a high magic setting.

when i personally think about high magic / low magic, it's the second axis that's most important to me. a setting with powerful magic but with magic being rare i would call low magic. OTOH, a setting like Eberron with ubiquitous low-level magic is IMO high magic.

 

[Creamsteak]

This might seem odd, but basically I'm thinking that I'm either going to go Eberron, Dragonlance, or a Hybrid of both with my next campaign. Basically, it's going to come down to which is the stronger game for my group. If they both work well, I might put the two within reach of each other (alternate material planes, other planets in the solar system that can be reached through gates, alternate dimensions, something like that).

But I have decided to at least buy the campaign setting book. I'm sure, even if I hate it, I'll enjoy the read and the resell couldn't be that bad.

 

[WizarDru]

The D&D implied setting has a swords & sorcery fantasy theme, with D&Disms and other assorted gamist nonsense (e.g. clerics, sunrods) added over the years. There's a fine thematic line between a magical robotic submarine lobster and a magical train, but to at least some of us it seems clear when it's crossed.

I have absolutely no idea if you're serious or joking, here. And you left out transforming magical robotic submarine lobster, there.

Sometimes it strikes me as odd which anachronisms D&D players will find out of place and which they won't.

 

[The_Universe]

I voted for "I'll pick it up." I always run homebrew settings, anyway, but I'm sure it will have some solid rules (as most WotC products do) and some new options for me to use in my own stuff.

I'll be glad to see it.

 

[kroh]

Pickin it up

Definately going to pick it up. IMHO, there is no longer such a thing as an orignal idea. It is how the old ideas are used that make them appeal or don't. I mean...when you think about it...Most of what you read in the "Save the Day" category of fiction goes all the way back to Beowulf anyway ( Monster= problem, Hero brought in to solve monster...hopefully things work out). So anytime anything new comes out...it is just new packaging of an old box. But it is a box that we all love or else these message boards would be empty.

I think the material that has been put out so far has been outstanding. Gotta give the team props for doing such a wonderful job. Congrats to Keith Baker for winning the setting search and for pitching such a good idea. Thanks to Johny_ONiel for putting up a great site. A lot of times people look at this stuff and forget that some one had to put this together and give blood (papercuts), sweat, and fears ( of the whole thing crashing) to make these products a reality.

I mean lets face it...if not for the OGL and setting searches and things that breath in new lifeblood...

A lot of new gamers wouldn't be doing DnD and we would all eventually be playing Everquest online. And if anyone out there finds my little rant childish or whatever...
TOO BAD!!!! it is an opinion and I am entitled to it...Besides, i could fit the entire world's opinion in the coffee cup next to me...So unless yours looks like mine...i really won't be paying much attention to it ...although...

you are entitled...

Thanx for the minute...
WalT

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

And if anyone out there finds my little rant childish or whatever...
TOO BAD!!!! it is an opinion and I am entitled to it...Besides, i could fit the entire world's opinion in the coffee cup next to me...So unless yours looks like mine...i really won't be paying much attention to it ...although...
you are entitled...

Well, to be honest, up to that point, I didn't find your little rant childish, but jeeze, talk about a preemptive strike!