I guess this is where grognardiness comes to the fore for some of us.... I dislike Eberron, and am only really comfortable running (and playing) in a more old-school setting built around some of the tenets of real world Medieval history, Tolkien and 1E expectations. Greyhawk is very much my world of choice - pre wars. I would never allow monstrous race PCs in a game I DM unless the party was entirely comprised of one race, because the hatred between races (and even tribes within a race) is very real, and unsurmountable - Elves will ALWAYS hate Hobgoblins with no exceptions. Gnomes and Kobolds are mortal enemies - and my Kobolds are NOT draconic! Plus, Half Orcs are almost always the product of sexual violence between a male Orc and a Human Female, as a loving relationship between the races is not possible, and any human female who has a willing sexual relationship is totally depraved. These aspects of my game lore are non-negotiable.
That why Volo's, to me, is little more than another Monster Manual - albeit a very good one, as the sections of monster ecology are excellent
It's the love of history, and developing a somewhat grounded, more historical feel in my games, that made Creative Campaigning really resonate with me when I 1st set eyes on it recently - because there are sections in it that promote and assist with my desired style of play. I work on trying to ensure technology and social attitudes align with the time-period too, and frequently use themes of religious, racial and sexual persecution, especially in defining the attitudes of the enemy. I guess the modern ideal of an anything goes, heroic from the outset, everything is redeemable style of fantasy just ain't my thing.
