The Magic-Walmart myth

[Raven Crowking]

Actually, the OP seems to be saying that the types of campaigns where absurd big-box warehouses full of any magic item off the rack where "lazy DM's" and the like play don't really exist.

And I'd have to agree with that statement.

Excepting the "lazy DMs" comment, which wasn't part of the OP, and regardless of the fact that people on this thread have said that they both played in, and ran, such campaigns?

 

[ThirdWizard]

I think most people who say they have played in a Magic Walmart game are speaking metaphorically, whereas the OP was not speaking metaphorically. I think this is one of the main disconnects of the thread.

 

[Ourph]

I think most people who say they have played in a Magic Walmart game are speaking metaphorically, whereas the OP was not speaking metaphorically. I think this is one of the main disconnects of the thread.

I agree. If the term was coined metaphorically or euphemistically, then interpreting it literally is obviously going to lead to flawed conclusions.

I just looked up "Trouser Trout" in my Ichthyology textbook and didn't find a listing for that species. Therefore, "Trouser Trouts" do not exist. IMO, the OP is based on either a flawed premise or a deliberate strawman.

 

[Raven Crowking]

I think most people who say they have played in a Magic Walmart game are speaking metaphorically, whereas the OP was not speaking metaphorically. I think this is one of the main disconnects of the thread.

If it has to be called "Magic Walmart" within the context of the game, then you might be correct. However, if it has to be a single source for a vast array of magical gear, then you are incorrect. During 2nd Edition, I ran a game with the Spelljammer Arcane in it. The Spelljammer Arcane can sell any magic item in the book for list price. Therefore, I ran a game with what was, for all intents and purposes, a MagicMart. Anyone who played a straight Spelljammer game using the Arcane, or who used all of the monsters in the Monstrous Manual as written (which included the Arcane) did likewise if they included any single location in which the Arcane could always be found.

 

[gizmo33]

1. The Heart is nothing less than an artifact. That is decidedly not what we're talking about.

Why do people say things with such athority for which there is no basis? Perhaps you could say how it fits this criteria. As far as I can tell the heart cast a True Ressurection spell. Casting a 9th level spell is grounds for making something an artifact? (It very well might, I don't know). In any case, I don't learn much for unsupported statements like this - and IMO they come across as argumentative.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Why do people say things with such athority for which there is no basis? Perhaps you could say how it fits this criteria. As far as I can tell the heart cast a True Ressurection spell. Casting a 9th level spell is grounds for making something an artifact? (It very well might, I don't know). In any case, I don't learn much for unsupported statements like this - and IMO they come across as argumentative.

It can also be used to counterspell.

 

[ThirdWizard]

If it has to be called "Magic Walmart" within the context of the game, then you might be correct. However, if it has to be a single source for a vast array of magical gear, then you are incorrect. During 2nd Edition, I ran a game with the Spelljammer Arcane in it. The Spelljammer Arcane can sell any magic item in the book for list price. Therefore, I ran a game with what was, for all intents and purposes, a MagicMart. Anyone who played a straight Spelljammer game using the Arcane, or who used all of the monsters in the Monstrous Manual as written (which included the Arcane) did likewise if they included any single location in which the Arcane could always be found.

Sure, and as a Planescape DM, I've used what many would probably classify as Magic Walmart as well. Heck, most shopping the PCs do in my current campaign is in a single location with an Arcane that they are on good terms with. But, reading the posts in this thread, I get the sense that this isn't what most people are talking about when they use the term. I've read several posts where people outright stated that "Magic Walmart" is a euphemism/metaphor/whatever. So, I do think there's a disconnect in terminology happening here.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Excepting the "lazy DMs" comment, which wasn't part of the OP, and regardless of the fact that people on this thread have said that they both played in, and ran, such campaigns?

Note the qualifiers on those that have said they've had literal magic marts, though. Lighthearted campaigns, intentional silliness, etc.

Which imply that when people in those low-magic threads are decrying "Magic Wal-Marts," they're decrying the absurdity of something that is inherently absurd (assuming they're decrying literal Magic Wal-Marts and not figurative ones).

 

[Raven Crowking]

Note the qualifiers on those that have said they've had literal magic marts, though. Lighthearted campaigns, intentional silliness, etc.

Which imply that when people in those low-magic threads are decrying "Magic Wal-Marts," they're decrying the absurdity of something that is inherently absurd (assuming they're decrying literal Magic Wal-Marts and not figurative ones).

You obviously missed the post where I mentioned the Spelljammer Arcane. That game was not lighthearted or intentionally silly. As I said earlier, it is possible to make a MagicMart work if it is part of the context and flavour of the campaign. It just isn't something that I generally enjoy.

(Although saying "There are no MagicMarts in this world" still conveys something specific, more than just decrying the absurdity of the absurd, even if I granted that MagicMarts were inherently absurd.)

RC

 

[Doug McCrae]

Calling the term 'Magic Wal-mart' a metaphor, while true, misses the implied criticism of worlds where magic can be bought and sold. The purpose of the phrase is to ridicule such worlds through exaggeration.

Instead of metaphor I think it would be more informative to call it a straw man, misrepresentation, lampoon or parody.