How world and rules interact

[Quasqueton]

Do you conform your D&D world to work within the D&D rules, or do you change the rules to work for your world?

Quasqueton

 

[Crothian]

THe rules usually fit the world though if a rule makes for a funny way tyo look at the world I'll use it for comic relief.

 

[Umbran]

World-rules fits are an iterative process.

I generally have a basic combination of world/rules in my head. Then, I wrap the world about the rules-framework. If in some places the world doesn't fit, I will make some smaller rules-changes.

If I have to do a full overhaul of the framework to get an acceptable world, then I just go looking for a different rule set to start with.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

Its both. The basics of the rules informs the specifics of the world, while the structure of the world determines the nature of the rules... Or something.

That is to say... Since I'm playing D&D-ish fantasy, I'm using D&D to run it... But I'm running a Birthright-ey, Spelljamm-ey game, there are several house rules to give those aspects a concrete form.

Later
silver

 

[TwinBahamut]

Both and neither. Ideally, they are created simultaneously for the purpose of working with each other. Other choices are usually less than optimal.

Still, one less than optimal, but still very good, choice is to keep tinkering with both until they maes very well, and to look for the options that exist in the rules so that they fit each other the best.

For example, the Iron Heroes rulesety works better for my homebrew campaighsetting than the core D&D rules, but I am still putting more D&D elements back into the Iron Heroes framework in order to fit the setting, which was designed with certain D&D iconics like elves, dwarves, and stable magic in mind, even better.

 

[Piratecat]

I had a lot more dwarven wizards showing up when we changed from 2e to 3e, so I'm guessing for me that it's the former.

 

[painandgreed]

Depends on which I like better, that specific part of the world or that rule. Keep what I like drop what I don't.

 

[Aaron L]

Kind of a combination. Ive taken a lot for my setting from D&D rules and conventions, but altered some rules to fit the world as well. Ressurections only work on certain days and have other reuirememts, for example.

 

[The Shaman]

I'll happily change the rules to fit the world.

 

[Tsillanabor]

In my current campaign (see sig) I use my largest ever number of house and alternate rules.