Why no FR-style campaign books for the World of Greyhawk

[d30]

The problem with the RPGA development of Greyhawk, is that most people can't get the adventures. You can only order modules for the region you live in...

Then, of course, the module quality varies widely...

And even if you can get the modules for a region, major events sometimes happen at convention "Interactives" which aren't ever published.

For playing a "global campaign" - no problem. But for non-RPGA-playing fans of Greyhawk, it just means that there is not a source for consistent world information & product.

I agree Living Greyhawk isn't the answer for the lack of a source book, but I think it is the reason why there isn't one for precisely one of the reasons you mention. There are many disparate groups driving the world right now. I offered LG as a starting place to look for campaign material which could be used in a home campaign.

The original post didn't mention modules at all. However, you have several valid points about the difficulties with getting RPGA LG modules. Until they are retired, you can not get access to them easily unless it is a sanctioned RPGA event included a home day or game day.

The quality of the modules IS inconsistent, probably a major drawback to such a giant organization run strictly on a volunteer basis. When someone has no vested interest in getting a mod done, deadlines mean nothing, editing is often lacking, and sometime modules are just plain stupid. But we were not really talking about modules the initial question was for campaign source material, more of a setting deal, and I think the regional websites will provide plenty of that. Plus, most of them have maps of their regions. The ones created for the Shield Lands are gorgeous and I suggest anyone interested in that region check them out at http://www.shieldlands.net under the Gazetteer link.

Interactives are not available to RPGA LG players that don't happen to attend that Convention either. Just because you don't have access to them does not mean you are missing out on world changing events. It isn't a secret club (well, sometimes it actually is, which is frustrating if you don't happen to be one of the uber players that can get to 40 cons a year).

The last point, I disagree that there is not a source of consistent information for Greyhawk. LG IS that source. Even if it is from several small groups each steering their region, the regions are linked into larger meta regions, and these are overseen by a member of the Circle. What more do you want? Sure it isn't Forgotten Realms, but I think that is a good thing.

If you want Greyhawk campaign material it is there, no it isn't in the form of useful modules or a single book. But it exists in a living, constantly evolving format. If you need adventures I suggest picking up Dungeon magazine.

 

[chatdemon]

not a lot to say here, except:

Go buy the damn Living Greyhawk Gazetteer!

You want to know why Greyhawk got no support after the LGG and D&DG?

Because rather than buy those two excellent sourcebooks for the setting, people pissed and moaned about not having a hardcover and pretty pictures. Pissing and moaning doesn't impress Hasbro, buying product does, and to those who think they can't have a decent book without full color and two slabs of cardboard, why not just put the books down and go back to playing shoot-em-ups on the net, since that appears to be about the level of depth yall want in a product.

Rich 'chatdemon' Trickey
richadmin@canonfire.com