Fantasy world maps and real world geology

[Doug McCrae]

Even if you do go down the gaming as simulation route, physics isn't the best analogy. Physics understands reality at a deep and universal level - the laws of physics are intended to work everywhere, always - whereas game rules are, as you say, incomplete. In the sphere of science what they most closely resemble are computer sims such as climate or traffic models. Tools designed to predict the outcome of complex interactions. Combat (which practically all rpg rules dwell on), is a similarly complex, chaotic situation. But as sims, rpgs are very primitive compared to these computer models. To simulate a world, rather than just a part of it, we would need something much vaster than typical roleplaying rules.

When comparing a complex non-roleplaying game, such as Squad Leader, to a simple rpg such as Tunnels & Trolls, we would have to say that Squad Leader is the better sim. And yet it isn't a roleplaying game! This goes against the roleplaying game as simulation idea.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Even if you do go down the gaming as simulation route, physics isn't the best analogy. Physics understands reality at a deep and universal level - the laws of physics are intended to work everywhere, always - whereas game rules are, as you say, incomplete. In the sphere of science what they most closely resemble are computer sims such as climate or traffic models. Tools designed to predict the outcome of complex interactions.

Interesting. IMHO, physics is a tool designed to predict the outcome of complex interactions.

What would you say determines how falling works in a D&D world?

 

[Doug McCrae]

What would you say determines how falling works in a D&D world?

Imo physics is a better fit for falling than it is for most of the stuff in rulebooks.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Imo physics is a better fit for falling than it is for most of the stuff in rulebooks.

Alrighty then. What do you think determines aerodynamics in D&D worlds?

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

My big fuss about geography was Eberron. I look at the world map, and it looks nothing like any world map I've seen; no isthmuses, no peninsulas, just five blobs surrounded by random islands. It just doesn't work for me.

I'm having a moment. I'm looking at the map of the world and I'm seeing peninsulas all over the place. And how big does an ithsmus need to be before you call it that? Because you could easily lable the sliver of land that connects the portion of Xendrik that stradles the equator with the bulk of the continent an ithsmus.

 

[Argus Decimus Mokira]

As I mentioned in my longer response above, I find it really weird that people conflate "realistic" with resembling the world in which we live.

Why is it "realistic" for a world with widespread magic, an Elemental Plane of Earth, interventionist gods and only four elements to look like a world that doesn't have any of those things? How can plate tectonics, for instance, operate in a world in which earth is an element, as opposed to a highly variable amalgam of compounds made up for 50+ elements?That's great for you. As I said above, I'm always glad to see people being able to integrate their professional and recreational lives. But I do not see how this makes your worlds any more realistic than those of someone who uses different, but equally consistent design principles.

Last I checked, pal, this thread was a poll asking for MY OPINION. So yes, it is great for me.

As for your example, my inner planes work the same as the outer planes - they exist due to belief. People of the world believe that there are four elements, in addition tot he nine alignments; hence, four elemental planes and the great wheel cosmology. The presence of efreet etc does not change the fact that subducting oceanic plates allow my world's continents to collide or rip apart, or that upwelling mantle in rift basins form volcano swarms.

Thanks for that,
-Matt

 

[fusangite]

Last I checked, pal, this thread was a poll asking for MY OPINION. So yes, it is great for me.

Um... so because this thread is a poll, people can't have a discussion about how different GMs handle the same issue?

As for your example, my inner planes work the same as the outer planes - they exist due to belief.

Okay. So, can people's beliefs affect things on the Prime Material Plane in your system or just things on other planes?

People of the world believe that there are four elements, in addition tot he nine alignments; hence, four elemental planes and the great wheel cosmology.

Do illusions become real in your world if nobody saves against them?

subducting oceanic plates allow my world's continents to collide or rip apart, or that upwelling mantle in rift basins form volcano swarms.

What if your world's inhabitants began to believe that plate tectonics didn't happen? Would the plates cease to exist?

 

[fusangite]

Imo physics is a better fit for falling than it is for most of the stuff in rulebooks.

Doug, could you do me a favour: could you explain what you mean by "physics" when you use it in a sentence. I think we could probably clear up a lot of our disagreements if we meant the same, or at least similar things, by the word.

 

[Hussar]

Alrighty then. What do you think determines aerodynamics in D&D worlds?

Extraordinarily little? Considering what we allow to fly under its own power.

I mean, what physics laws could we determine by comparing the flight speed and maneuverability of various flying creatures that fly as a natural ability?

If a hippogriff can fly, I should be able to flap my arms pretty fast and fly too. I'm just as aerodynamic as a horse (and probably resemble one as well - at least one end. ) Slapping a couple of wings on a horse is all we need to achieve flight?

Or could it be the rules that govern aerodynamics are pretty much absent from the game since we don't need them?

 

[mhacdebhandia]

My big fuss about geography was Eberron. I look at the world map, and it looks nothing like any world map I've seen; no isthmuses, no peninsulas, just five blobs surrounded by random islands. It just doesn't work for me.

Yeah, but . . . the planet is believed to literally be the body of the progenitor dragon Eberron itself.

See, magic.