AFGNCAAP
First Post
I'd have to vote for a new D&D cartoon based in Greyhawk (since it's the setting used in the core books). Though FR & Eberron are popular, a cartoon would be great for introducing new players into D&D. As it is, the 3 core books are a big $$ investment--having to invest in a campaign setting book like Eberron or FR may be problematic (or, kids new to the game who get the PHB may say "Where's the warforged?", "Where's Bane?", etc.).
I'd also say the early teen demographic may work best, but a well-written show could span generations. I'd also suggest the cartoon focusing on the PCs as a team/group, rather than having a main "hero" with the rest of the party winding up taking the "& Friends" sort of roles. It'd promote the idea of a group/teamwork dynamic between players as part of the game.
The book iconics would be great, though I think having a new batch of characters may work just as well. I think the iconics would be great as supporting cast, and guest apperances by notable Greyhawk personalities (esp. Mordenkainen) would be realy great. The heroes could be based out of Greyhawk, possibly working directly or indirectly at the behest of Tenser (since, IIRC, he seems to be a more proactive force for Good in Oerth).
I'd say the "classic" classes of fighter, cleric, rogue, and wizard should be used for the characters (and, if you will, the aspect of a wizard constantly studying and learning spells could be used as an positive analogy promoting education, which parents may love).
For a bit of a twist, maybe use a half-elf and half-orc instead of an elf and a dwarf (along with a human and a halfling)--have them be more relatable to the viewers in a way, and sort-of-kinda serve as emissaries that work as an outsider perspective when interacting with elves, dwarves, orcs, & the like (and, it'd be a way to deal with issues such as multicultural heritage). And, the wizard's familiar could throw in a bit of an endearing cutesy critter aspect with potential for lots of marketing potential (for some reason I see a pseudodragon fulfilling this role).
A fifth regular character (either introduced at the same time, or later) could cover other base classes, optional rules (like psionics), or even other races (like selections from the Monster Manual). The other four could be more OGL, while the 5th could be IP-heavy/specific.
Later in the series, the characters could get involved/mixed-up in traveling to other realities as part of their quest/mission, such as Eberron and the FR. Spin-offs could be developed from those episodes if they prove to be popular.
Iuz could serve as a good role for the series' BBEG, though a new character could work just as well (and this new villain could work alongside or against notable villains from the setting, such as Iuz, Obmi, Warduke, etc.). I'd suggest not using a drow for the main villain, since that could be interpreted wrong by some viewers unfamiliar with the setting. Perhaps a follower of Vecna would work well for the BBEG, esp. if he mainly works through lackeys, manipulation, secrecy, & the like (leaving the heroes guessing who's behind all of these troubles; a follower of the evil god of secrecy would work well).
Just my $0.02 on the idea.
I'd also say the early teen demographic may work best, but a well-written show could span generations. I'd also suggest the cartoon focusing on the PCs as a team/group, rather than having a main "hero" with the rest of the party winding up taking the "& Friends" sort of roles. It'd promote the idea of a group/teamwork dynamic between players as part of the game.
The book iconics would be great, though I think having a new batch of characters may work just as well. I think the iconics would be great as supporting cast, and guest apperances by notable Greyhawk personalities (esp. Mordenkainen) would be realy great. The heroes could be based out of Greyhawk, possibly working directly or indirectly at the behest of Tenser (since, IIRC, he seems to be a more proactive force for Good in Oerth).
I'd say the "classic" classes of fighter, cleric, rogue, and wizard should be used for the characters (and, if you will, the aspect of a wizard constantly studying and learning spells could be used as an positive analogy promoting education, which parents may love).
For a bit of a twist, maybe use a half-elf and half-orc instead of an elf and a dwarf (along with a human and a halfling)--have them be more relatable to the viewers in a way, and sort-of-kinda serve as emissaries that work as an outsider perspective when interacting with elves, dwarves, orcs, & the like (and, it'd be a way to deal with issues such as multicultural heritage). And, the wizard's familiar could throw in a bit of an endearing cutesy critter aspect with potential for lots of marketing potential (for some reason I see a pseudodragon fulfilling this role).
A fifth regular character (either introduced at the same time, or later) could cover other base classes, optional rules (like psionics), or even other races (like selections from the Monster Manual). The other four could be more OGL, while the 5th could be IP-heavy/specific.
Later in the series, the characters could get involved/mixed-up in traveling to other realities as part of their quest/mission, such as Eberron and the FR. Spin-offs could be developed from those episodes if they prove to be popular.
Iuz could serve as a good role for the series' BBEG, though a new character could work just as well (and this new villain could work alongside or against notable villains from the setting, such as Iuz, Obmi, Warduke, etc.). I'd suggest not using a drow for the main villain, since that could be interpreted wrong by some viewers unfamiliar with the setting. Perhaps a follower of Vecna would work well for the BBEG, esp. if he mainly works through lackeys, manipulation, secrecy, & the like (leaving the heroes guessing who's behind all of these troubles; a follower of the evil god of secrecy would work well).
Just my $0.02 on the idea.
