Settings: What should come after the Forgotten Realms?

[Knightfall]

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.

A lot of people didn't like Eberron. It didn't feel like D&D to them. Personally, it took a while for me to like the setting. It has some excellent story elements and mechanics.

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.)

I wouldn't mind a new version of Ravenloft. Still, I'm not sure if it can stand on its own. So many of its story elements rely on the various D&D worlds. Do you cut out any references to the older settings, so that DM's don't require a PhD in D&D game history in order to run it properly?

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.

This is why I think it might be best for Nerath to become the next setting. FR, Greyhawk, and Mystara as well as Dragonlance and Birthright all have their similarities. Instead, build a new setting that takes the best adventure sites and mechanics from those worlds and redoes them in a completely new way.

Maybe Greyhawk City enters Nerath under the veil of The Free City, yet their is a Castle Greyhawk nearby. Take the domain-management system out of Birthright and give to Nerath for those that want to go beyond the Conquest of Nerath board game. Maybe take the unique monsters and race from Mystara and embed them into the new world with new reasons for their existence.

Because while I want a revival of those old settings, I'm fairly certain that it isn't going to happen.

Hollow Earth?

You just became my new best friend!

I love Hollow World! But can it work without Mystara?

Heh.

 

[Elf Witch]

I would love to see WOTC allow Kenzer to publish Kingdoms of Kalamar as an official setting again. That is my all time favorite.

I hope they bring out on PDFs the old settings with a little advice on adapting it to the new system.

I hope they continue to develop Eberron , Dark Sun and Greyhawk.

 

[Ahnehnois]

There are plenty of settings that have existed for several editions, have fans, and need support (Greyhawk, Dark Sun, Ravenloft, Planescape, etc.). There really isn't much need to make any new ones, and I wouldn't want to see resources wasted on making yet another new setting (as opposed to making the actual game).

Also, the settings do represent a sort of test for the veracity of the game system. If you have to completely redefine a classic campaign setting to accomodate your rules, your rules aren't appropriate.

 

[Knightfall]

There are plenty of settings that have existed for several editions, have fans, and need support (Greyhawk, Dark Sun, Ravenloft, Planescape, etc.). There really isn't much need to make any new ones, and I wouldn't want to see resources wasted on making yet another new setting (as opposed to making the actual game).

I agree that there are a lot of settings that could be revised, and I would love it if WotC revived all my favorites. However, I like new settings too. In truth, I'd prefer Nerath to stand on its own, but WotC has already turned it into a mixture of many of the classic D&D adventures, so if I can't get Greyhawk back, I'd like Nerath to make use of the "Best of the Hawk." And if its generic enough, it can be used for Greyhawk, regardless.

Also, the settings do represent a sort of test for the veracity of the game system. If you have to completely redefine a classic campaign setting to accomodate your rules, your rules aren't appropriate.

Wow. That's asking a lot of any game system. The designers have their work cut out for them.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Wow. That's asking a lot of any game system. The designers have their work cut out for them.

It is asking a lot. However, we should have high expectations, on all levels. If the rules don't let me (easily) create a game closely based on Baldur's Gate, offer capable psionics rules for Dark Sun, and include the lethality and creep factor for Ravenloft, it isn't really D&D.

(Personally, I am strictly homebrew. I do consult settings for ideas occasionally, and I was a big fan of some of the FR cRPGs.)

 

[Knightfall]

It is asking a lot. However, we should have high expectations, on all levels. If the rules don't let me (easily) create a game closely based on Baldur's Gate, offer capable psionics rules for Dark Sun, and include the lethality and creep factor for Ravenloft, it isn't really D&D.

Such a game would probably replace 3.5e as my favorite D&D system. For while it allows for the creation of (almost) anything, it isn't easy to accomplish.

(Personally, I am strictly homebrew. I do consult settings for ideas occasionally, and I was a big fan of some of the FR cRPGs.)

I homebrew a lot too. Baldur's Gate II is my favorite D&D-based cRPG. It's a classic.

 

[Glade Riven]

I'd like to see a Campaign Construction Kit. Basically, split the world building stuff from the DMG and then expand on it with dice roll charts for things like noble houses, types of government, and loads of pregenenerated background fluff that would make it quick and easy for those DMs who don't have the time or inclination to homebrew everything (or half of everything) for a setting.

 

[delericho]

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...

Ick. I really, really hope not - while I don't mind FR, it's really not my favourite. I really don't want it embedded in the Core Rules of the game. That's not a deal-breaker, but it would be a strike against.

But, by all means, make it the first supported setting.

(Incidentally, why did you [sic]? "No bad thing" wasn't a mistake.)

 

[Tallifer]

Eberron for sure. Nothing is better at everything-including-the-kitchen-sink D&D. And D&D from the days of Gygax and the Barrier Peaks has been everything-including-the-kitchen-sink. I want to drink from the fire hose.

Planescape is interesting.

But most of all I am interested in a brand new setting. I think 4th edition missed the boat in not having a new and exciting setting. Points of Light was too nebulous to run a campaign, and too rigid near the end to plop into anyone's homebrewed world.

 

[IronWolf]

A lot of people didn't like Eberron. It didn't feel like D&D to them. Personally, it took a while for me to like the setting. It has some excellent story elements and mechanics.

I was one of those types. Never bought into Eberron at the release for a myriad of excuses. My group played a campaign there for awhile, it was fun, still wasn't a fan of warforged. Ended up playing DDO and gained more interest in the setting. Now I feel like I sort of missed out! And while still not a huge warforged fan, I am a bigger fan of Eberron than I was at release.