Glade Riven
Adventurer
Just curious. Like the original Dinotopia books were more of an art and worldbuilding book, not actually related to tabletop or other media.
They are, but they're not the same as novels, prose, nor movies, at least, generally.Aren't systemless settings simply fiction? If you have to adapt the information to your preferred mechanics, you might as well just be reading a novel or watching a movie.
Do not support and actively support are two different things. Active support would be nice: "here's a full description of how soul draining works with the rules." Lack of support is just a GM ruling or two away from active support. Where it gets ugly is conflicting with the rules. Rule X: "only the ResNow spell can resurrect people, and only 15th level priests can use ResNow." One rule can be circumvented, but if this last example is tied in with more rules, then I can see how the rule set could conflict with the setting.I prefer a setting where the game mechanics actively support it. Easy to see is a place where the magic system will impact the world.
Here's a quick example: Steven Brust has several series of books where resurrection is pretty straightforward. It makes assassination a tool of rebukement instead of the final step. And there are soul draining weapons that make resurrection impossible, but those are both rare and distasteful. Also almost everyone has access to some magic. A ruleset that did not support these would invalidate those as a setting.
Not really. I mean if you provide a world map or at least a big region and then detail out everything about the peoples and nations that live there there mechanics are no big deal. I use old world stuff with different rules sets all the time. I could use GURPs with Greyhawk for example. To me the backgrounds and detail are what make a setting great. Now I know I am not in the mainstream these days. So not saying that is universal but for me it is.Aren't systemless settings simply fiction? If you have to adapt the information to your preferred mechanics, you might as well just be reading a novel or watching a movie.
Depends on the license. I could see how generic settings would blow up right now for all the people copying D&D mechanics.Just curious. Like the original Dinotopia books were more of an art and worldbuilding book, not actually related to tabletop or other media.