What is the best "generic" setting?

[Desdichado]

How is Eberron odd? :Scratch's head:

In any case, I voted for Kalamar. I like the detail, I like the kind of detail, and I like the focus on lower level in general: a 10th level NPC is a Big Deal (TM), for instance.

Although I have to admit that part of the reason I like it is because I read anthropology textbooks for fun.

 

[Remathilis]

Ah, how to explain my exclusions...

Sinister (Scarred Lands) SL has always come off as a "darker" setting; in the dark-ages sense. Terrible turmoils, very brutal. I got this out of old SL material (Creature Collections) and always thought it was very dark, brutal, and a bit cynical. However, I appear to be wrong on this, so I'll mention others: Ravenloft, Midnight, etc.

Odd: The premise is turned on its ear. Eberron is my prime example (warforged, lightning rails, necromancer elves, and impossibly tall cities). Others could include Planescape, Oathbound, etc.

Rule Changes: Natch. It cannot be run using RAW.


Think something in the vein of what the core rule books assume; evil is equal to (or only slightly better than) good, elves are tolkien and dwarves are miners and fighters, etc. Just Core rule assumptions, etc.

Currently, I'm thinking (and voting is aiming toward) Greyhawk, but GotKR is tempting (and more available)

 

[Mouseferatu]

Sinister (Scarred Lands) SL has always come off as a "darker" setting; in the dark-ages sense. Terrible turmoils, very brutal. I got this out of old SL material (Creature Collections) and always thought it was very dark, brutal, and a bit cynical. However, I appear to be wrong on this, so I'll mention others: Ravenloft, Midnight, etc.

While the Scarred Lands lend themselves to darker play somewhat more easily than traditional FR or Greyhawk, they're still a fairly generic setting, in the sense that you're using the word. And as far as "innate dark aspects," they're far closer to Greyhawk in that regard than they are to Ravenloft or Midnight.

 

[Nightfall]

Rem,

Sure we're not exactly sunshine and roses here in Ghelspad, but there are some places (if you happen to like dragons for example, there's the Dragon Lands), that can be more like "generic" type fantasy worlds. (Of sorts).

In any case while we are a slightly more...gritty than your average generic, we still have good guys that can shine with the best of them.

Ari,

That's not to say we don't enjoy having a slightly Ravenloft feel to certain places. Like say, the Blood Bayou.

Hobo,

That last sentence of yours explains SO much to me about why you like Kalamar. It's a fine setting (as I tell Mark) but it just some times reads a little...dry to me.

 

[DaveMage]

Although I have to admit that part of the reason I like it is because I read anthropology textbooks for fun.

Talk about damning with praise...

 

[Desdichado]

Talk about damning with praise...

Heh... yeah, I know. I'm just trying to be upfront about what kind of person you have to be to prefer Kalamar to the others. If you have a real thing about it being "correct" then Kalamar is the best out there.

That said, I think every D&D DM would benefit from reading an anthropology textbook or two. It could really help some of those lackluster campaign settings start to come alive with detail that you never even imagined before.

 

[Zulgyan]

i love to see the wilderlands doing sooo well!!! 3rd place! just next to greyhawk, the "official" setting, and FR , the one with most marketing.

Wilderlands has always been a struggling setting, carried out mainly by it's fans! No big company to back it up.

3rd place here makes it a total winner!!

 

[Dan Bell]

My first choice would be Harn (Other)

Even after 20+ years the setting remains fresh and incredibly detailed. If limited to only D&D, I'd probably say FR.

That's funny, I was going to say Harnworld also.

For WotC supported worlds, the realms sets the standard. (but I do miss birthright.)

 

[Bishop Odo]

Other

Shadow World, an ICE product, why because it’s unique and generic enough for players to find continuity. It’s a great sandbox and really that’s all I need, let me pull modules and adventures from all over, but give me the basics building blocks and let me go for it. Also let's be honest, the more esoteric the better, I don’t need players to look for Drizzit at the local bar.


Harnworld for its truly fantastic maps, resources, the best castles, adventures, but realistically medieval almost depressingly so.

 

[Odhanan]

Aereth or the Wilderlands.

Both are nice and wide open to run anything you want.

Same opinion here.