Oh that I have but 1 XP to give...That idea should die in a fire.
Oh that I have but 1 XP to give...That idea should die in a fire.
As distinct from a more bog-standard fantasy setting like the Realm:
* Greyhawk features more shades of grey. Most societies and factions are neither strongly good or strongly evil. And even the 'good' kingdoms tend to be wracked with political factionalism and scheming. Good-aligned PCs cannot should not expect a cheerful welcome in the communities they visit.
* Its cities are not culturally advanced and peaceful the way a place like Waterdeep is. They're Neutral, sprawling, and fuelled by greed. Thieves' guilds are common, religious followers are often at odds with one another, knightly orders vie for supremacy, and wizards often have their own inscrutable aims rather than working for the good of the kingdom. This is a much more sword and sorcery approach.
* Greyhawk is more genuinely medieval than a lot of fantasy settings. Aristocrats behave in an aristocratic fashion, and the hierarchies from kings through barons through knights and tradespeople are often important. Your station in life depends much on birth. In that sense is will feel more like Westeros than the Realms to contemporary gamers.
I'm new to the forum so don't judge me too harshly, but here's my impression of what is compelling about Greyhawk compared to other settings...
Forgotten Realms is the default setting partly because it's the place where things never truly get screwed up beyond repair. Yes Tiamat almost returns and Acerarak almost creates a Death God, but the BBEGs are always foiled, peace returns to the Sword Coast, all thanks to our intrepid heroes (and the lore literally has some strong as hell good characters like Elminster and Drizzt played up). That's a pretty good setting for it's own uses, especially as an introduction for new players.
But Greyhawk isn't that. I won't say it's truly as grimdark as Warhammer Fantasy (where everything is on the verge of total annihilation) or Dark Sun (where everything is already screwed up beyond repair), but it is in this zone where there are good guys, but there are way more bad guys, and even the good guys often make morally dubious decisions to survive. In that way, it feels a lot more real than the "Everything will work out" of FR and the "We are already totally screwed" of Dark Sun.
And in that way, it makes the antagonists (Iuz, Yggwilv, Kyuss, Vecna, and Rary) way more interesting because they linger between "can win, but can also lose." The villains in FR never truly feel threatening because you feel someone's going to beat them. The villains in Dark Sun are threatening but have mostly already won. The villains in Greyhawk haven't yet won, but it feels like they can. I haven't watched Critical Role but that to me is a big reason why Vecna is one of their BBEG.
Anyway that's my pitch. Feels more realistic, feels more threatening, and there's a lot of room for customization of setting and character.
Except villians in FR often win. Tymanther lost most of it's territory to Gilgeam, Szazz Tam rules one of the most powerful nations in the world, and he wins most of his battles, only really losing the world ending ones. Set and Sebek are back ruling Mulhorand with their family.
Cyric was successful in killing Mysteria and blowing up the realms.
Dark Elf cities thrive in their Chaos and dominate much of the underdark.
The Zhentarium is rebuilding and becoming a major power again. FR has more powerful evil Gods then most settings have Gods period.
Thieves Guild thrive in many cities. Asmodeus managed to stay a God in the face of horrifying adversity.
Except villians in FR often win. Tymanther lost most of it's territory to Gilgeam, Szazz Tam rules one of the most powerful nations in the world, and he wins most of his battles, only really losing the world ending ones. Set and Sebek are back ruling Mulhorand with their family.
Cyric was successful in killing Mysteria and blowing up the realms.
Dark Elf cities thrive in their Chaos and dominate much of the underdark.
The Zhentarium is rebuilding and becoming a major power again. FR has more powerful evil Gods then most settings have Gods period.
Thieves Guild thrive in many cities. Asmodeus managed to stay a God in the face of horrifying adversity.
Except villians in FR often win. Tymanther lost most of it's territory to Gilgeam, Szazz Tam rules one of the most powerful nations in the world, and he wins most of his battles, only really losing the world ending ones. Set and Sebek are back ruling Mulhorand with their family.
Cyric was successful in killing Mysteria and blowing up the realms.
Dark Elf cities thrive in their Chaos and dominate much of the underdark.
The Zhentarium is rebuilding and becoming a major power again. FR has more powerful evil Gods then most settings have Gods period.
Thieves Guild thrive in many cities. Asmodeus managed to stay a God in the face of horrifying adversity.