Keith Baker on Eberron's Theme
- Thread starter Glyfair
- Start date
I would love a noir sourcebook/article since it is a subject that I am very interested in but really not very good at running. Pulp I can do...battle on lightning rails, a crashing airship, pirates, ancient relics...yeah, no problem.
But good noir is something that I've tried but fall far short of what I want it to be. Any information anyone writes would be welcomed by me.
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But good noir is something that I've tried but fall far short of what I want it to be. Any information anyone writes would be welcomed by me.
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Monkey King
Explorer
Erywin said:Agreed, I would love to see an article from Keith on Noir
Based on my discussion with Keith, I'm happy to say that it seems likely for Kobold Quarterly #2.
Hell, I may need to start a new thread to see what else people would like to see.
WayneLigon
Adventurer
We've done total pulp so far with more wushu-like fight scenes. Fights with monk-assassins and gnolls atop the Lightning Rail, jumping out of windows over half-mile falls to catch a fleeing criminal then having a fight in mid-air to get the feather-fall token, mysterious artifacts that have to be taken to a lost temple to activate, The Emerald Claw having German accents, and a host of other things.
We've done a little noir at the same time, but not much for this campaign. The machinations of the Houses becomes apparent at times, when they see how different justice is for them vs. everyone else.
We've done a little noir at the same time, but not much for this campaign. The machinations of the Houses becomes apparent at times, when they see how different justice is for them vs. everyone else.
mattcolville
Adventurer
Something I've learned, working with concept artists, is that if you find yourself having to explain your idea over and over, there's a problem with the idea.
There's a reason The Maltese Falcon doesn't have battles atop German Zepplins, and Indiana Jones does not descend into a world of moral ambiguity. Some genre's mix well, some don't. Sometimes it takes a singular work of genius to mix two genres and everything else ends up being a ripoff of that one moment where someone caught lightning in a bottle.
The idea that your own personal campaign does both is great, but as a brand I think there's a problem. If you say "pulp-noir" it creates a certain expectation. If you have to correct them, then you probably have the wrong brand statement. Just call it pulp, and let the noir speak for itself in the urban supplements.
There's a reason The Maltese Falcon doesn't have battles atop German Zepplins, and Indiana Jones does not descend into a world of moral ambiguity. Some genre's mix well, some don't. Sometimes it takes a singular work of genius to mix two genres and everything else ends up being a ripoff of that one moment where someone caught lightning in a bottle.
The idea that your own personal campaign does both is great, but as a brand I think there's a problem. If you say "pulp-noir" it creates a certain expectation. If you have to correct them, then you probably have the wrong brand statement. Just call it pulp, and let the noir speak for itself in the urban supplements.
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
I love that Eberron embraces both of these ends of the spectrum. Although not everything in Eberron is to my liking (which is probably true for everyone, of any setting), having a setting that embraces pulp action is just great.
I suspect that Eberron's influence will be felt for years to come as well: I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to see "dark continents" like Xen'drik in every future official setting, universities as patrons and a further willingness to reimagine the core races. I also think the Deathless -- while not a perfect rendition of the blessed dead, IMO -- will likely end up making the jump into the Monster Manual, along with the awesome living spells and changelings.
I suspect that Eberron's influence will be felt for years to come as well: I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to see "dark continents" like Xen'drik in every future official setting, universities as patrons and a further willingness to reimagine the core races. I also think the Deathless -- while not a perfect rendition of the blessed dead, IMO -- will likely end up making the jump into the Monster Manual, along with the awesome living spells and changelings.
Odhanan
Adventurer
I do think that expectations regarding Eberron being a BLEND of Noir and Pulp were entertained by the way Eberron was first presented to the public. IOW, these expectations didn't solely come from the minds of close-minded customers.
I think more fans would be happy if these genres were more closely associated and mingled in various published products, particularly adventures. As I see it, Eberron adventures are trying to do one or the other (more often pulp than not), and that's what is probably throwing off a lot of people.
Moreover, spelling it out clearly in the introductions of said adventures and through designers insights in shaded boxes would be fruitful, I think.
I think more fans would be happy if these genres were more closely associated and mingled in various published products, particularly adventures. As I see it, Eberron adventures are trying to do one or the other (more often pulp than not), and that's what is probably throwing off a lot of people.
Moreover, spelling it out clearly in the introductions of said adventures and through designers insights in shaded boxes would be fruitful, I think.
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