Thinking Too Hard About Fantasy

[Hussar]

But D&D, and the genre it represents, aren't internally consistent except to a degree necessary to support suspension of disbelief, even by their own standards. They're just an abstraction, not an actuality

And this is very true.

Take the languages skills in 3e. Utterly abstract. And about as realistic as a cardboard hammer. The idea that you can master a language, including reading and writing so easily is silly.

However, from a game point of view, it works.

Where we draw the line will vary from person to person. Always.

 

[shilsen]

Where we draw the line will vary from person to person. Always.

That's what it always boils down to, I think, and for a D&D campaign to work the DM needs to understand where his personal line is drawn as well as those of his players. And then find a line which suits all of the group and work from there. Personally, there are certain elements of internal consistency I need and some I don't, and I know what they are. My group on the whole, I think, needs less internal consistency I do, so the amount of it I have in the game is mainly there to cater to my tastes. And that makes me happy, doesn't bother them, and lets the game work for all of us.