Thoughts on Kalamar

[Psion]

Actually, this isn't entirely accurate. Kalamar doesn't have just a single hook.

I think you missed the point, and at the same time your post illustrate the point.

Kalamar is very difficult to conceptually digest quickly. It's a very broad, deep setting, and the book does little to sum the setting up. Yes, it could possibly be used for any of the styles you speak of. That's the problem. It doesn't have a sharply defined identity that a potential buyer easily identifies with.

 

[ephemeron]

I just want to know why it's named after an obscure city in the Dragonlance setting.

That's funny -- I thought it was named after seafood.

 

[Azgulor]

I think you missed the point, and at the same time your post illustrate the point.

Kalamar is very difficult to conceptually digest quickly. It's a very broad, deep setting, and the book does little to sum the setting up. Yes, it could possibly be used for any of the styles you speak of. That's the problem. It doesn't have a sharply defined identity that a potential buyer easily identifies with.

Perhaps. But "sharply defined identity" often equates to "one-trick pony" in RPG settings. I've run Ravenloft and Dark Sun campaigns over the years and they didn't have much of a track record compared to settings like Kalamar, Birthright, or even Greyhawk where there was a broader canvas available for use.

I guess I just find it ironic that in a hobby where the effort invested in it is usually proportional to the enjoyment of a campaign that the trend is for gimmic/hook settings rather than multi-faceted settings. I do agree that a better summation or representative example for the setting would be beneficial.

Azgulor

 

[Elf Witch]

If Kalamar is as good as people here are saying it is, then you guys need to buy up my Kalamar books that I have listed for sale in my sig! I've been trying to sell them for over a year

Well I would if I didn't already own all of them.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

There was a time when one of the Kenzer crew would cut and paste their Why Kalamar? essay within the first five posts.

Well, I could have done it again, I suppose, but you guys seemed to have things pretty well in hand here.

Also, got swamped with work so I haven't been able to peruse the boards as often as I'd like.

 

[Imruphel]

One of the best things about Kalamar is its atlas. I wish every setting came with the same sort of atlas! The pirate book is great too; well worth using in any setting.

 

[prosfilaes]

Perhaps. But "sharply defined identity" often equates to "one-trick pony" in RPG settings. I've run Ravenloft and Dark Sun campaigns over the years and they didn't have much of a track record compared to settings like Kalamar, Birthright, or even Greyhawk where there was a broader canvas available for use.

Why is Dark Sun a one-trick pony? It's a large detailed setting with a nice broad canvas to work on.

 

[Glyfair]

Why is Dark Sun a one-trick pony? It's a large detailed setting with a nice broad canvas to work on.

Indeed, I think that none of my examples really could be considered a "one-trick pony." Maybe, Al-Qadim, but that's as close as it gets.

 

[Psion]

Perhaps. But "sharply defined identity" often equates to "one-trick pony" in RPG settings.

Perhaps. But often =/= always. There is a middle ground.

I've run Ravenloft and Dark Sun campaigns over the years and they didn't have much of a track record compared to settings like Kalamar, Birthright, or even Greyhawk where there was a broader canvas available for use.

And this illustrates it rather well. Birthright, though you point to it as being a setting with a "broader canvas", does have a "hook" to draw players in.

 

[Aaron L]

I agree. THere is nothing that catches the attention of the ADD gamer and holds it.

Must be why I never got much out of it.

That and the name just makes me giggle.