How would you like to see nations in a setting like Eberron presented?

[Glyfair]

Eberron's main book covers each of the nations or regions of Khorvaire, with a few pages given to each. Since then only five of the nations have been covered in the Five Nations book. One region (the Lhazaar Principalities) has been covered in a two part Dragonshard. Instead, WotC has elected to cover the other continents and has skipped covering the other Khorvaire nations.

Given your choice, how would you prefer to see the nations or regions of Eberron (or another similiar campaign setting) if you got to choose from the beginning?

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

For Eberron, my favored format would be three thick hardbacks, four nations per volume.

Nations of the East - Lhazaar Principalities, Mror Holds, Q'barra and the Talenta Plains.

Nations of the West - The Demon Wastes, the Eldeen Reaches, the Shadow Marches, and Droaam.

Nations of the South - Zilargo, Darguun, Valenar, and Aerenal.

 

[Nightfall]

I would like to see them presented....

ON FIRE!

*thinks that War of the Burning Sky is doing that to him lately...*

 

[blargney the second]

I just want to see them, period. The rest is gravy.
-blarg

 

[Nightfall]

So you want them on fire too Blargy?

 

[blargney the second]

Just as much as you want Scarred Lands on fire.

 

[Nightfall]

Blargy,

Well maybe parts of it. I know it would be interesting to see a land that was constantly on fire...

 

[Graf]

Since the nations are interrelated multiple books would be less good.
You'd wind up with the same massive blocks of text about Galifar and so forth in each one.

One fullsized book that was well written and went into a lot of detail would be the best way to go.

Actually, except for not being very interesting, detailed or well-written the Five Kingdoms book would have been a good way to go. (i.e. it wasn't a bad idea just poorly implimented)

 

[Nightfall]

Graf,

I take it you're referring to Five Nations there? I admit, I was expecting something more...or at least certainly not what we got. But it is, however, a good book. Better than Magic "No divine magic!" of Eberron.

 

[Starglim]

All of these seem excessive to me, to be honest.

I have Osprey's Armies of the Dark Ages 600-1066, which covers actual nations in all their infinite quirks for a stretch of 466 years. That's a trade paperback-sized softcover volume about 10mm thick. The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is about the same size.

More information than that, when not directed at the needs of a specific adventure, helps the publisher's profits and the author's ego but binds the DM into becoming an expert on someone else's work rather than creating a free and exciting game, I feel.