D&D General Settings of Hope vs Settings of Despair

[TwoSix]

I think it comes down to empathy. It’s not as widespread as we seem to think. It seemingly ebbs and flows. Those with empathy ascend, do some good, then those without empathy ascend and tear it all down. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Selfish genes outcompete altruistic genes.

Altruistic communities outcompete selfish communities.

 

[Bae'zel]

Real life health problems, deaths in the family, financial worries and the general state of the world has definitely made me lean into "hope" settings. But that can mean "you're in a grim dark setting, but your heroics bring light and hope and can actually end the tyranny". Like a Hollywood movie that has desaturated colors and deep shadows until the protagonists save the day and suddenly the world has a bright color palette before the end credits.

It is naïve, perhaps. "Propagandha"? Maybe. But life is effing miserable and I play RPGs to escape.

That's why I chose to run Wrath and Glory in a 40K setting instead of Imperium Maledictum. Been there, done that with disposable lackeys futiley limping against the oppressive darkness. I'd rather be Hellboy shouting "Screw YOU!" to the demon before punching it in the face.

 

[Hussar]

I'm not interested in "sad movies" when what I want is: to play a character in a fantasy role-playing game.
I hope for fun, not "catharsis".

Oh, no, totally fair. Totally get that. And, I would certainly never want a steady diet of "catharsis" games either.

But, it does make for an interesting and fun change, for me. Sorry if what I said sounded like I was advocating some sort of general style of play. Oh, good god no. It's something that I would want once in a while, but, yeah, generally I'm right in the same boat with you - let's have fun.

 

[Hussar]

Unfortunately, NGL, for me, if I knew there was no hope like in that former example, I probably would just...waste away.

Sorry, but, "NGL"? Not familiar with that acronym and I'm probably totally showing my age here.

 

[TwoSix]

Maybe empathy isnt the right word, I'm struggling to find.

If I cannot provide for my kids, I'm not going to provide for yours. I would starve for my kids, but at that point I'm not making donations to the local soup kitchen.

Communities banding together, supporting eachother, I get that. I guess I'm not sure what the word I'm looking for is for when a society in decline, has people start to look out for themselves first.

The desire to protect and provide for one's family/children, and the empathy to share our limited resources with others who are struggling, are both typically defined as "good"/altruistic, but that doesn't mean they can't be at cross-purposes.

Whether or not a population tends towards "everyone for themselves" or "let's band together" when things are tough is ultimately a cultural trait, although you'll always have plenty of outliers on both sides.

 

[TiQuinn]

Sorry, but, "NGL"? Not familiar with that acronym and I'm probably totally showing my age here.

Not gonna lie.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Sorry, but, "NGL"? Not familiar with that acronym and I'm probably totally showing my age here.

"Not gonna lie"

 

[TwoSix]

Sorry, but, "NGL"? Not familiar with that acronym and I'm probably totally showing my age here.

NGL = "Not gonna lie"

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Not gonna lie.

It worries me that you have to explicitely mention this, that would have been my default assumption!
Gonna lie: You're putting me in a setting of despair!

 

[môrgondír]

It worries me that you have to explicitely mention this, that would have been my default assumption!
Gonna lie: You're putting me in a setting of despair!

it apparently became popular when the assumption became that lying (even about trivialities) was the default position