What setting would you recommend?

[tennyson]

Hi Everyone,

Well, it finally happened. A group that I DM recently became up-close and personal with the dreaded three letters: T-P-K. A first for both the PCs and myself as a DM. Anyway, the 11-session campaign came to a screeching halt since any possibility of the PCs coming back were miniscule (sp?) and would have seemed forced for the sake of the story.

We have all been talking over email and have decided that a Victorian-era campaign would be a welcome change for us. We normally play exclusively FR western-european style campaigns. My question is this:

What setting can we use? I saw that Ravenloft was pretty close to what we were looking at (classic firearms, Jack the Ripper type atmospheres), but I've never played a system other than d20, and with the release of 3.5 coming out soon, I'm even more confused.

Thanks for all your replies!

Edit: We're looking to spend as little money as possible on new gaming books and resources (since we'll be buying the DnD 3.5 core books soon). Are there any systems where only the DM needs a guide?

 

[talinthas]

ravenloft is pure d20, and is easily workable with just the core book. Of course, it doesnt hurt to have more, but there are a whole host of resources at www.kargatane.com that are available to you =)

 

[jonesy]

What setting can we use? I saw that Ravenloft was pretty close to what we were looking at (classic firearms, Jack the Ripper type atmospheres), but I've never played a system other than d20, and with the release of 3.5 coming out soon, I'm even more confused.

Ravenloft is exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Voadam]

Ravenloft is a D&D setting, there are a ton of second edition material that you can get in pdf format for $5 each.

Ravenloft is Horror D&D, and the setting covers a bunch of technological/cultural levels with victorian england being the top range. If only the DM has the books that is fine, although the core campaign setting book in 3e is great for players as it is basically a players guide with country and culture descriptions but only common knowledge about the hidden movers and shakers of the world. There are plenty of 3e DM only sourcebooks, and the 3e players option books (heroes of light, Van richtens arsenal) are not needed. You will get the world and setting specific rules if you only get the core campaign book, everything else is extra. The only adventures are 2e though, although most any horror D&D adventure can fit in easily.

D20 Call of Cthulhu could also do a victorian england setting as well very easily but is a d20 rule game, not D&D (magic is different, classes are different, massive damage death is different).

Iron Kingdoms is renaisannce steam punk D&D.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

If you are looking for a dark and gritty setting like Ravenloft, but aren't 100% hung up on the Victorian Age level of technology, you should take a peak at Midnight.

Wonderful setting.

 

[Nightfall]

Ravenloft might suit you better than Midnight if you want more of a "Renssainace"(sp) feel. But I will say Midnight offers your players more of a chance to be a kind of "everyman facing great and terrible powers" type of world.

Course if you just want something fun, dark, gritty and fairly unique, Scarred Lands is pretty good. IMHO.

 

[thullgrim]

Space 1889 if you can find it. Its very out of print but a wonderful atmosphere. Picture if you will, a world where Sherlock Holmes exists, where the writings of Jules Verne had more than a little basis in fact, where Mars is in fact inhabited by aliens, mix in a little alan quartermain, tarzan, and nemo and stir generously. Its a great game...to bad its gone.

Thullgrim

 

[Zappo]

Ravenloft doesn't need to have firearms - or any technology level in particular. The setting is composed of various Domains, and each has its technological level, from stone age to renaissance. On top of that, travel and commerce between domains can often be tricky or impossible, depending on how the local darklord feels today (ie, DM's choice); overall, controlling the tech level available to PCs is very easy.

We've been playing for several months and our PCs don't even know what a firearm is right now.

 

[tennyson]

If you are looking for a dark and gritty setting like Ravenloft, but aren't 100% hung up on the Victorian Age level of technology, you should take a peak at Midnight.

Wonderful setting.

I've heard a few good things about this setting. How much of a difference is there between Midnight and Forgotten Realms (or any DnD) as far as the rules? Will it be hard for people to pick up on?

 

[Eben]

Two words: "Castle Falkenstein"

(Space 1899 being a close second.)