D&D (2024) How Important Is The Lore

[Reynard]

As it relates to question of the thread -- the inclusion of lore in the core rulebooks for D&D 2024 -- I know the ship has sailed, but I still think of D&D as a game with a strong implied setting but meant for the GM to create their own setting. I feel like 5E has consistently gotten away from that and the included lore of the 2024 PHB and DMG makes it harder than every to just ignore it (similar to how Golarion has infused the PF2E Remaster Books more than the previous books). My preference, then, is for a D&D with a strong flavor, but no established Truths.

Also, I think Lore eats too many words that can either be excised entirely, or used to actually support play.

 

[Mallus]

I voted ‘take it or leave it’ because it’s valuable to some folks and, admittedly, it might be interesting.

But my gut reaction these days is to despise any use of the word ‘lore’ that is not referring to Data’s evil twin brother.

 

[TwoSix]

I've argued that D&D should have gone the Pathfinder route and had one setting it builds towards, but with a light enough touch it could be used for other purposes as well. However, I have begun to feel the time for that was 40 years ago, not now. D&D is inseparable from its settings now, and there is no way to reconcile them all. So D&D must walk the fine line of supporting them while also having its own voice.

For sure. I think it's important to remember that D&D is very much a unique game in a unique position; what feels best for me in D&D is often very distinct from what I want generally from a TTRPG.

 

[Bae'zel]

I don't mind the inclusion of lore, but I season and adjust to taste.

For a variety of reasons (preferring lore from AD&D's Ravenloft or Baldur's Gate 3's Faerun).

 

[TiQuinn]

I don't mind the inclusion of lore, but I season and adjust to taste.

For a variety of reasons (preferring lore from AD&D's Ravenloft or Baldur's Gate 3's Faerun).

Ravenloft is a perfect example - I've ran multiple campaigns there that have become a hodge podge of 2nd edition, White Wolf 3rd edition, and 5e Van Richten's Guide, as well as stuff found on fan sites like Fraternity of Shadows. It will always be ever changing for me.

 

[Remathilis]

[QUOTE="Reynard, post: 955508] I feel like 5E has consistently gotten away from that and the included lore of the 2024 PHB and DMG makes it harder than every to just ignore it (similar to how Golarion has infused the PF2E Remaster Books more than the previous books).[/QUOTE]

I think part of this is that it is increasingly hard to write lore that is generic without falling to stereotype. For example, if I asked you to write 1000 words on elves, you're going to either have to focus on some cultural aspects (which tie it to a specific setting) or focus solely on stereotypes and monocultures. And RPGs are avoiding that level of broad strokes.

 

[Reynard]

I think part of this is that it is increasingly hard to write lore that is generic without falling to stereotype. For example, if I asked you to write 1000 words on elves, you're going to either have to create some cultural aspects (which tie it to a specific setting) or focus solely on stereotypes and monocultures. And RPGs are avoiding that level of broad strokes.

The best thing is to limit it to 100 words. ETA: in the core book

 

[Remathilis]

The best thing is to limit it to 100 words. ETA: in the core book

To be honest, the amount of words on "elf" (my chosen example) in 2024 is pretty low as is. The species is a few paragraphs, mostly trying to explain why there are 31 flavors of elf, and some generic Correlon lore in the DMG. It's the least amount of words used to describe elves in the history of the game.

 

[Reynard]

To be honest, the amount of words on "elf" (my chosen example) in 2024 is pretty low as is. The species is a few paragraphs, mostly trying to explain why there are 31 flavors of elf, and some generic Correlon lore in the DMG. It's the least amount of words used to describe elves in the history of the game.

This is about right.

 

[Remathilis]

This is about right.
View attachment 392870

No, that tells nothing. You have equally described Galadirel and Hermey the Dentist. The Core books should not read like the SRD. I will vehemently reject boiling lore down into vague nothingness.