D&D General Kara Tur 5e

[haakon1]

The question was about Kara Tur, not should we do a completely new and unrelated OA focused just on fantasy Japan, THEY DID THAT ALEADY IN 3E, it didn't work out and they dumped that setting.

Why are you yelling?

The 3e OA setting was Rokugan. It’s about Legend of the Five Rings, not Japan or the original OA. Seems more like a “collector book” than a version that was widely played - I haven’t seen anyone here talk about playing it.

I’m saying I want the original OA with its focus on Wa and Kozakura. Shou Lung and T’u Lung were used, but the majority of the game rules were Japan flavored, as were the majority of modules in the years people actually played OA (1985-1990, roughly). The original OA made an effort to understand and translate to D&D rules medieval Japan (and about 10% of its effort was on medieval China).

I’m not interested in FR Trail Maps era stuff.

The gist of what I’m saying is:
1) I really liked the original OA. (The list of things I’m not a fan of is long and tedious, but I would put FR on my list “meh” list.)

2) Medieval Japan is fascinating and I think it’s enough for its own stand alone setting. Not part of FR or Kara-Tur necessarily. Considering it had closed off borders for a long period, it doesn’t need fantasy Malaysia, Korea, and Mongolia to exist. (I like “Shogun” immensely more than any other recent medieval or fantasy adjacent show - assuming “Game of Thrones” no longer counts as recent.)

3) A big problem with OA (or Kara-Tur if we must) is the racism/cultural insensitivity/stereotype issue. Go deep on one place, especially with authors who truly understand it, is better for defending against those accusations.

4) Meh, none of this is happening anyhow, so it doesn’t matter. It’s easier to keep doing what they’re doing.

 

[Tonguez]

Also how would you do Fantasy Macau and make it feel special? Is it an independent island kingdom, connected to Tu Lung, or even a pocket dimension?

I see it run by bullwugs.

I'd associate Macau with T'u Lung as a former pirate enclave which has developed Trade Networks with foreign Rakshasa merchants. The Rakshasa have built both merchant houses and gambling dens which have become popular. The Rakshasa have also brought strange foreign clerics with them who have built their Holy House of Mercy offering charitable healing.
This however has lead to some conflict with the local People of A-ma* and the Huli jing fox spirits. The Celestial Bureaucracy has also started to pay attention and is sending in auditors - and the Rakshasa are not happy about it.

The People of A-ma are fishermen, you might want to have them as bullywugs (Bullfrogs are common in Chinese myth - like the Money Frog) or you could associate them with Bixi the Turtle dragon and make them Tortle-dragon hybrids.

*A-ma is a real world goddess of Fishermen and Mercy, after whom Macau is named (A-ma gok = Port of A-ma).

 

[Shades of Eternity]

Ooh, this is good stuff. Well done.

I think fantasy China should be a melting pot, but instead of just ethnicities, species from all over the world end up in China ...and then become Chinese.

I think it would be a great way to see how the culture would look through different eyes and see how it changed them in contrast with the typical stereotypes.

I have this idea for a pc that involves a well-meaning Kobold Bureaucrat (thinking Bard), who passed his exams and now wants to see how far he can go.

 

[Scribe]

I'm confused as to why people are concerned about China's reaction to info in an RPG.

Because most companies look at the potential market in China and salivate openly.

 

[Corinnguard]

I'm confused as to why people are concerned about China's reaction to info in an RPG.

It's bad for business if a company can't get into a foreign market like China's.

 

[Shades of Eternity]

It's more uncertain about their response and reach if you upset them with something you've written, even if unintentional.