Mike Mearls is a Genius

[Frostmarrow]

Maltese Falcon meats Indiana Jones sounds to me like this:

Indy gets word that the Nazis are searching for the Ark of The Covenant. He races after trying to find the Ark first, unbeknownst the Ark doesn't exist.

 

[mythusmage]

Well, if he proposes a core story, then obviously he can find one. The core story he proposes does fit, he's used it himself and others have used it. It's like covering your eyes up and then saying you can't see. Then uncovering your eyes and describing the world around you to the amazement of others.

How is proposing something the same as finding it?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Maltese Falcon meats Indiana Jones sounds to me like this:

Indy gets word that the Nazis are searching for the Ark of The Covenant. He races after trying to find the Ark first, unbeknownst the Ark doesn't exist.

Where do I sign up for this one? That sounds like a good adventure right there.

How is proposing something the same as finding it?

Because he and others have been using it all along -- he's not proposing something that's not already there and in active use.

This is like a reverse Emperor's Clothes thing we've got going on here.

 

[Ketjak]

Maltese Falcon meats Indiana Jones sounds to me like this:

Indy gets word that the Nazis are searching for the Ark of The Covenant. He races after trying to find the Ark first, unbeknownst the Ark doesn't exist.

Indy gets word that the Nazis are searching for the Ark of The Covenant. He races after it to find the Ark first alongside people he doesn't trust or respect. Unbeknownst to him, everyone else who values it, and the people who died for it the Ark is a fake.

 

[fanboy2000]

How is proposing something the same as finding it?

Because he implemented the solution before he proposed it as a solution. Not only did he implement it, but he implemented it sucsessfuly. He ran a whole Eberron Campaign using that core story and at least three adventures followed it. Others use that same core story (or one just like it) sucsessfuly.

So there are two conclutions one can draw here:
1. Mearls found a solution to Eberron's lack of a Core Story
2. Eberron always had a core story

I'm going with #2.

On a diffrent note:
Didn't anyone notice that, when backing up his argument, he didn't use any games that were as recent as Eberron? No Blue Rose or Castles and Crusades? Wouldn't those have made better comparisons? The whole essay feels like he's made-up a problem for Eberron to have.

 

[Odhanan]

So there are two conclutions one can draw here:
1. Mearls found a solution to Eberron's lack of a Core Story
2. Eberron always had a core story

As you've read earlier, I propose a #3 :
3. Eberron has several core stories. (and thus no focus)

 

[John Morrow]

Indy gets word that the Nazis are searching for the Ark of The Covenant. He races after it to find the Ark first alongside people he doesn't trust or respect. Unbeknownst to him, everyone else who values it, and the people who died for it the Ark is a fake.

That is a story that works once or twice. Once the players start expecting the McGuffin to be a worthless fake, they'll stop caring about it. It's one thing watching other people being fooled and even fun to be fooled in a role-playing adventure every now and then but I suspect that most players would not put up with being fooled as standard operating procedure for a setting. I'm not saying that Eberron does this but I am saying that a "fooled ya!" setting would probably not be a good idea.

An important safety tip for core stories. They need to be something that's entertaining again and again and doesn't get old (or at least doesn't get old quickly). Not all core stories succeed at this.

 

[Vurt]

As you've read earlier, I propose a #3 :
3. Eberron has several core stories. (and thus no focus)

I'd buy that! (As indeed, I have.)

I actually quite enjoy the multiplicity of core stories in Eberron, if for no other reason than, after the inevitable TPK, the players don't just end up following the same memes all over again.

From what I can see, the Indiana Jones core story supports players who enjoy traditional dungeon delving, while the Maltese Falcon core story is for those who more enjoy intrigue based adventures. The three released modules released seem to primarily focus on the former, but there's plenty of support (feats, PrCs, de-emphasizing alignments as behaviour predictors, background material, Dungeon mag adventures, etc.) for the latter core story as well.

Really, I wonder if Eberron's core story isn't just their mantra: "If it's in D&D, it has a place in Eberron." Their lack of focus (which only time will reveal as a success or a failure) is thus a conscious design decision.

Cheers,
Vurt

 

[Felon]

That is a story that works once or twice. Once the players start expecting the McGuffin to be a worthless fake, they'll stop caring about it.

But that's when you make the McGuffin real and melt their faces off! That'll teach'em to drop their guard!

 

[John Morrow]

But that's when you make the McGuffin real and melt their faces off! That'll teach'em to drop their guard!

Only if they consider arbitrary abuse better than pointless quests.