What do you want in a fantasy setting?

[Psion]

Let's say you want to make a brand spanking new fantasy setting that is still fundamentally D&D, but not like any currently on the market*.

What elements would be in it?
What spins or twists would it have to make it different from the existing settings?
What things have you are a player (or as a GM) thought to yourself would be cool to do in a fantasy setting, yet have never seen anyone do it in a way that would quite accomodate it?

* - This post may or may not have anything to do with recent news items.

 

[Maldur]

Something positive and upbeat. With a sense of exploring and wonder.

Not doom and Gloom, no cataclisms waiting to happen or a completely fubarred world

 

[Weeble]

Would I be helping you to $100k if I told you?

 

[Tuerny]

Idea mining Psion? Isn't that a bit low, even for you?




I of course have my own ideas but I plan on using them

 

[Desdichado]

I'm wrestling with those same questions! But when I have my answer, I'll submit my idea.

This is bad timing for me, though. I have a week less than everyone else due to long-standing vacation/family reunion schedules...
Then again, the hard part is just getting the idea. Writing a 1-pager isn't hard.

 

[Psion]

Idea mining Psion? Isn't that a bit low, even for you?

Not idea mining so much as getting an idea what appeals to people. I have lots of ideas.

Even for me? What is that supposed to mean!

 

[Hand of Evil]

A fantasy setting, not some happy meal middle ages meets life styles of the rich and famous. Want grit, want to be shown magic being used in everyday life, want a rich flavor to the world, want to see reason for the hows and whys of the world.


Want want want...

 

[Tuerny]

Nothing. I am teasing you
I know you have plenty of ideas.

Personally I think to appeal to people you have to derivate significantly from the norm to be interesting but not enough to alienate people. It has to be similar to something they have seen before but with enough of a difference to captures people attention and draw them in...

Not idea mining so much as getting an idea what appeals to people. I have lots of ideas.

Even for me? What is that supposed to mean!

 

[Buttercup]

I want a setting where magic has a real price. I want a gnome-free setting. I want conspiracies, wars, famine, tragedies. I want a world of dark grittiness, where adventurers can make a difference, for a while, but where dreams of actually banishing the darkness are futile. Mud. Dirt. Treachery. And then I want something *really* bad to happen....

 

[Yuan-Ti]

Doesn't the contest say they want something "like FR"? I really wonder why they want a new setting anyway. I hope Sword and Sorcery submists Scarred Lands....