Non-D&D game books for D&D games

[Jürgen Hubert]

Inspired by a recent thread about GURPS, I decided to start a series of reviews of non-D&D game books, and how they might be useful for D&D games. So far I have reviewed:

- Exalted: How it can inspire you to re-think high and epic-level D&D campaigns.
- GURPS Space: How to use it to generate your own random monsters, complete with their role in an ecosystem and behavioral traits.
- Blue Planet: How to convert a hard science fiction setting into an awesome fantasy setting.

I'll probably add more reviews in the future. In the meantime, what kind of non-D&D game books have you found useful for D&D campaigns?

 

[Achan hiArusa]

Wow. Great ideals. I was thinking about creating a campaign using the Dragonborn and running them like the Dragon-blooded from Exalted, now I may think about using the Tieflings like the servants of the Underworld. I had thought about using an island-like campaign like Aegis or Blue Planet and I was leaning towards using the Blue Planet sourcebook because it is so much better thought out than the system guide to Aegis.

 

[Turjan]

I think there are countless gaming books out there that you can use for D&D. Even much maligned systems like the Palladium one have sourcebooks you can use, like Library of Bletherad or Baalgor Wastelands.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

Another review - this time for Suppressed Transmission: The First Broadcast. This book helps immensely with using real world weirdness for adventure and campaign ideas...

 

[danbuter1]

You may as well do Gurps: Fantasy. And it's a great book, to boot.

 

[Psion]

Even much maligned systems like the Palladium one have sourcebooks you can use, like Library of Bletherad or Baalgor Wastelands.

Three favorites of mine by Palladium:
Mystic China: By the late Erick Wujcik, has cool ideas on immortality, chi magic, martial arts, and other elements of Chinese myth that became cornerstones for my best (IMHO) 3e campaign.

Palladium RPG Book 2: Old Ones: Great little book with lots of city maps, keep maps, and NPC ideas.

RIFTS Atlantis: The Splugorth city makes a great model for a planar metropolis, much better than the silly Union. Bio magic and rune magic are also cool ideas for D&D.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Non Gaming Books I find useful on the topics of geology, geography, topography, precious metals, history and cds of the sounds of nature are all too invaluable for the homebrew DM.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

You may as well do Gurps: Fantasy. And it's a great book, to boot.

Eventually I plan to do just that, though I wanted to start with some less obvious candidates...

 

[WayneLigon]

Warhammer FRP supplements - because there have been, maybe, two decently-drawn and mapped fantasy cities done for D&D, ever. That would be City-State of the Invicible Overlord and probably one other I'm forgetting. The Warhammer supplements are also the best places for interior building maps.

Pavis, and Thieve's World - see above. Also, Pavis is a perfectly fantastic desert town to use.

Harn - for detailed city, castle and building maps done in a very realistic style. I've seen so many farming villages in D&D adventures that don't have a mill or orchard it makes me want to cry.