Settings: What should come after the Forgotten Realms?

[Knightfall]

So, WotC has stated already that the Forgotten Realms will see support for D&D Next right out of the gate. The question that comes next is, what will come after that?

Will we get one of the classic settings? Or will WotC release a setting book for Nerath? Or will they return to Eberron? Or will e get something brand new?

And what do we want?

Personally, I'd like that Nerath campaign setting book sooner rather than later. I liked the setting even though I didn't like 4E. And, it would allow WotC to package the 4E races and classes into a sourcebook that 4E fans will want. (I'm assuming that 4E fans like Nerath.)

And, I want Mystara to make a comeback. Yes, I know its weird and similar in many ways to the Realms. But, it is very different in tons of ways. If I can't get it, then repackage its material into Nerath so I use it with D&D Next.

And, I want a new version of Greyhawk that goes back to the settings roots. And I want it to be grand in design. A massive tome or huge boxed set that is a fitting tribute to the vision of the setting. However, I want options for the From the Ashes time period, since that's one of my favorite Greyhawk references.

Also...
• Invent something new.
• I don't really need another version of Dragonlance.
• I always want more Dark Sun, however. More! More! More!
• Eberron is interesting but more for what it can give to my own settings. I rather have a new setting that is truly a steampunk D&D world.
• I want a new planar setting that takes the best from Planescape, Ravenloft, and Spelljammer and molds it into something new and exciting. Start with the 4E Astral Sea and go from there.
• I liked Birthright in theory when it was announced, but I just could never warm up to it.
• WotC: Buy Dragonstar from FFG and make it the basis for a more modern-based D&D.
• And WotC: Don't be afraid to revisit (or create new) mini-settings such as Jakandor, Council of Wyrms, Ghostwalk, Tales of the Comet, and Thunder Rift*. One shots. But make them really, really good. *You could easily add this one to Nerath.
• Let Monte give us an official D&D version of Ptolus without forcing him to sell it to you.

 

[Desdichado]

I'd like to see a Nerath/POL setting book. I think that's been a pretty cool setting, even if it's not actually really compiled anywhere handy. I like Eberron.

I could forget Forgotten Realms, although I'm sure that WotC would be unlikely to seriously consider that option, sadly.

It would be interesting if they did something like what was done for d20 Modern; not really release a lot of full-blown settings, but introduce setting models that tweak what modular portions of the rules will be in use, and give you a clear idea of a theme and tone. It sounds like with the modular nature of 5e (presumably) this would already work well anyway. I'd love to see a full book of nothing but setting models; each no more than 15-20 pages long each, with a map, a few rules tweaks, a clear vision for tone and theme, maybe a mini-adventure or small outline of what the course of an exemplary campaign or two would look like, and otherwise be wide open to player interpretation.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Instead of releasing new books... just release the PDFs of the old books since in most cases, the fluff hasn't changed. Just produce "setting explanation documents" on top of them that go over the main foci of the specific setting, the kind of experience you'll get by delving into it, and then the order in which to buy the PDFs for the player and the DM.

That makes much more financial sense on both WotC's and our parts than trying to re-write and cram all the Al-Qadim setting material and supplements into a new hardcover book.

 

[trancejeremy]

Ravenloft, re-imagined as a game of paranormal romance

 

[Therise]

I think Points of Light should go first, whether it's a big book or just a short guide to changes in 5E.

I'd like to see Greyhawk. Everything else, I can either leave or take.

 

[Salad Shooter]

I'd like to see a return to the heyday of Campaign settings. Aside from Eberron (which doesn't really do it for me), there hasn't been anything new. There were all sorts of nifty things in 1e/2e. It's fairly easy to port the old settings forward - let's get something shiny and new. Also, I'd love an official source of the old books, preferably pdf and PoD!

 

[delericho]

If there's a default setting (Nerath, Greyhawk, or otherwise), then a very slim gazeteer for that setting might be warranted. I don't want that setting fleshed out in great detail, as it should always be primarily a playground for DMs, but putting a bit of meat on the bones from the Core Rulebook is probably no bad thing.

I was surprised that Eberron seemed to just sink without a trace. That might be a consequence of the "three books and out" approach WotC took, though FR seemed to remain popular.

Of the classic settings, I think I'd be tempted to re-do Ravenloft, since it's both quite popular and hasn't been done recently. (Also, Ravenloft has existed, in some form, in all editions.)

Otherwise, I'd probably go for something new. Eberron and Dark Sun have been done recently, Spelljammer is a bit "out there" to be done so soon, Greyhawk and Dragonlance are a bit 'close' to FR, and Birthright requires the addition of some fairly hefty domain-management systems that they probably don't want to do immediately.

Hollow Earth?

 

[delericho]

Ravenloft, re-imagined as a game of paranormal romance

Heh. A setting based on the Jane Austin parodies? ("Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", et al.)

 

[Stormonu]

I want to see a new campaign world. I really think one of the strengths that helps push a new edition of D&D is a new world to explore and make your own.

(And the PDFs of the older campaign worlds come back so they can be used mostly as-is)

 

[Knightfall]

If there's a default setting (Nerath, Greyhawk, or otherwise), then a very slim gazeteer for that setting might be warranted. I don't want that setting fleshed out in great detail, as it should always be primarily a playground for DMs, but putting a bit of meat on the bones from the Core Rulebook is probably no [sic] bad thing.

Um, I'm fairly certain that the Forgotten Realms is going to be the implied setting for D&D Next. Then again, maybe I'm just thinking of this...

The Forgotten Realms will be supported from the start, and a video game art studio from China has been hired to fully detail the Realms. We asked if going forward support would be continued for the current time after the Spellplague and the Neverwinter Campaign. A WotC spokesperson answered, "The Forgotten Realms has a rich history and we will support all of it. It is for the gamers to decide which time they would enjoy playing in." That would allow Wizards to take advantage of a massive back catalog of products.

Hiring a specialized art studio, that works on video games, to "fully detail" the Realms makes me think that the setting is going to be very important for D&D Next.