Veteran DM seeking a setting

[Nightfall]

Well Grifter, even though I'm pretty familiar with the setting, I do agree with my man Colin/Eryx, (Hey there Colin! ) just find a setting you and your group would like and GO For it. Even so, if you have a Scarred Land related question, don't hesistate to ask here, as there are several GOOD people that can assist, myself being the least of among them.

As for the Rping issue, this is what I'd do. Buy them copies of Ravenloft and Scarred Land anthologies. This way they can understand AND connect to the settings. Also provides YOU with a good way of dealing with some issues about role playing as you can suggest they try to ACT like a character in the book. I hope this has been helpful.

 

[Voneth]

more posters and more answers.

To give a simple answer to your first question, Codex Aracanis is a dry read, but has whole nations of bad guys, and there is a fun twist on everything, even the elves get the shaft in Arcanis. And now on to your cry for help.

Seriously? go for d20 Deadlands for the group you are talking about. The game doesn't take itself seriously and that seems to fit the bill. The setting is more Wild Wild West steampunk and doesn't even try to be historical past the Battle of Gettsyburg and that lets you include about anything you could from a fantasy setting. The bonus is that with the steampunk and the western element you actualy get to add in more stuff on top of any fantasy plot you can think up. In fact I dare you to post a fantasy plot and I'll easily adapt it to Deadlands.

Going out further, convert the Earthdawn game to d20. That game gave good in-game reasons for dugeons (bomb shelters for magical natural disasters) and the progressive leveling of the PCs (Any character that had a PC class had special magic knacks that manifested as class ablilties that normal folk would never get).

Another tounge n cheek game with great combat is Feng Shui. The sneaky thing is that the game helps the GM slowly bring the roleplayer out of most powergamers.

 

[madriel]

I'd also recommend Scarred Lands. It's very original and can be as dark as Ravenloft. It's a high magic setting and easily lends itself to epic save the world campaigns (if you like that sort of stuff). Homebrewing a monster or town into the setting.

My group converted our 2e Greyhawk campaign into the 3e SL and we've had a blast. Our campaign is coming to an end this upcoming weekend and I know I'm not the only one who's going to miss it. Our DM wants to take a break to try other d20 games, but I know we'll be heading back to the SL again.

 

[Howling Coyote]

I recommend Ravenloft. I first started with FR in the 2nd edition days. Last spring I got bored of the setting, and wanted to try something different. I had just read couple of RL books and decided that the world was cool enough. At first my players, who were used to FR, were reluctant about moving to RL setting. I convinced them to try it out, and their first characters died in the second session due to their own stupidity (they tried to play it FR style). I managed to get them to give it a second shot, and with their second characters the game started rolling, and now they love it.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Scarred Lands has my vote. Different feel and you can easily drop other material into it.

 

[KDLadage]

Umbragia gets my vote.... for obvious reasons.

 

[Grifter86]

You know what?

I should really ask what the players want in a setting.

I had plans for an epic Greyhawk game, but the players are taking their damn time filling out the 2 page surveys and generally working on their character.

I sent the surveys and Greyhawk setting summaries during Winter break.

Aw well. I'll see what they want and they should be more receptive.

Deadlands I might try. I have copy of the d20 handbook.

Scarred Lands I'll definitely look into. I could bring elements of Ravenloft into it, work out horror checks and the like, maybe base it on the Deadlands fear checks.

Groovay.

 

[Voneth]

You know what?

I should really ask what the players want in a setting.

Deadlands I might try. I have copy of the d20 handbook.

Scarred Lands I'll definitely look into. I could bring elements of Ravenloft into it, work out horror checks and the like, maybe base it on the Deadlands fear checks.

Groovay.

Even if you don't use the full fledged setting Deadland rules and selected bits can add a lot color to a evening. I still haven't run any of the Hanging Judges yet and I want to.

 

[Nightfall]

Well do what you like Grift. If you have any problems or concerns, there are PLENTY here that can help.

*waves to Madriel* Just so you know, from now on, all my Clerics of Madriel are going to be based off you in some fashion my dear!