Fantasy Fiction and d20

[buzz]

I really enjoyed the first 4 books, but Heartfire was huge letdown. I haven't read Crystal City yet. I agree the books would make a very interesting setting, but the religious overtones that have been building throughout the series have made me kind of indifferent about finishing it.

All I can remember about Heartfire is that I enjoyed reading it. I have a copy of Crystal City sitting on my shelf, but I think I need to re-read the previous books.

As for religious overtones, I think that Card's devout Mormonism is going to show up in anything he writes, but he's not alone in this regard (faith, not Mormonism specifically). Still, I need to re-read.

 

[Sir Elton]

As for religious overtones, I think that Card's devout Mormonism is going to show up in anything he writes, but he's not alone in this regard (faith, not Mormonism specifically). Still, I need to re-read.

This happens in anything anybody writes. No matter how or what you write, you are drawing on your background for inspiration. Warner Bros. Babylon 5, written and conceived by JMS, has a lot of religious overtones, although Atheistic. Take a look at the original I-6 Ravenloft, Dragonlance, or anything written that has Tracy Hickman's moniker. Again, a great example on how someone draws on his background in his writing.

Now, back to the topic at hand.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Definitely with Cthulhus Librarian about China Meiville. And JoeGKushner on Midkeima.

David Gemmels stuff could make for a fun setting... would definitely like to see that sometime.

And for a D20 sci-fi - Richard Morgans stuff - Broken Angels and Altered Carbon might add a nice spin to a game... changing bodies every couple of sessions and all.

 

[WmRAllen67]

Re: Science Fantasy

So where would you put something like Stephen King's Dark Tower?

Actually, I've never read that...

(I know, I Know..."Oh look, a heretic! Get some wood!)

Daley's works are science fiction, but admittedly they're not "hard" sci-fi by any stretch, which I suppose was the distinction I was trying to make...

But not very well, obviously...

 

[AFGNCAAP]

Does WoTC still have the Lankhmar license? If so, I think that with the flexibility of d20, there is a good chance of this being done right for once. That last boxed set that was an introduction to AD&D was truly terrible.

From what I understand, no--they don't. Then again, despite how much I love the setting, I don't think it really gained interest in the market, or least not as much as the other settings for D&D.

I've been working on a Lankhmar d20 game (using the generic classes from Unearthed Arcana, plus a lot of the optional rules in there). There's still fair amount of work left, though: I'm trying to nail down how exactly a ghoul's crystal flesh works in favor for its AC; stat work-ups for the ice gnomes; how Reputation & Contacts work with the gen. classes; which spells will have Taint linked to them (for black wizardry); creating setting-specific Incantations; writing up Region info & the bonuses for selecting those regions; and of course, creating the NPCs (The Twain, their loves, & their mentors; notable foes; etc.). I also intend to write up guidelines for different kinds of Lankhmar campaigns/styles of play (various options that determine how magic works; playing in different times during the stories; etc.). It's a fair amount of work, to say the least--lot of material to cover.

Also, Grim Tales is frequently mentioned for any sort of free-form/sword-&-sorcery pulp settings/games. However, I can't personally recommend it (never read a copy).