Will different core settings be geared toward a particular "tier" of play?

[ferratus]

Oh, come on. Raistlin is the prototypical epic-aspirations character!

Yeah, but nobody is allowed to overshadow Raistlin.

The Kingpriest and Fistandantilus are both epic aspiration characters too. A variant timeline mentioned in Sovereign Press' "Legends of Krynn" sourcebook has the Kingpriest succeed in his goals and become "The Godpriest". In another variant timeline Raistlin succeeded in his goals but destroyed all of existence.

I would say in Dragonlance that you can get to level 21, and become a god-king (Kingpriest) or Tharizdun-like elder evil (Raistlin) but there really isn't anything to do in the setting itself. Sure you might go planewalking between levels 21-30 killing off Krynn's pantheon one by one, but that's not really a Dragonlance campaign anymore.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I only see that settings need very specific epic destinies, because they're seemingly very flavour-laden.

Eberron's epic destinies shouldn't involve ascension to quasi-demigodhood, but rather joining the Undying Court, merging with the Silver Flame, unravelling the Draconic Prophecy.

Dark Sun has dragons.

Ravenloft... leaving the Mists or making a permanent impact on the nature of the demiplane, like Ezra.

And so on.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Rechan]

Eberron is initially geared towards lower level play, yes, but it also facilitates all tiers. You can save the king's life and the country in Paragon level.

Also, the various Villainous Organizations are Paragon/Epic level of tackling. Fighting the Lord of Blades (CR 12) or Erandis D'Vol (CR 16) = Paragon. Taking on a Daelkyr (CR 20) or a Rakshasa Rajah (CR 25+) is Epic.

It just depends on the level of options.

Granted, I think a setting that leans more towards Heroic or stops somewhere around paragon is FINE by me. Something like E6 or the like.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I would say actually that the core-setting already has different "settings" for each tier.

Heroic - The World (with a little crossover to Feywild and Shadowfell

Paragon - The Feywild and Shadowfell (with a little crossover to Astral Sea)

Epic - Astral Sea, Elemental Chaos, Abyss, Far Realm

 

[Cam Banks]

Oh, come on. Raistlin is the prototypical epic-aspirations character!

There's only really ever one epic level character in DL at a time.

Fistandantilus was one, but he was defeated, and reduced to a time-traveling meddler. The Kingpriest was one, but the gods dropped a mountain on him. Emperor Ariakas was one, but Raistlin engineered a plan to get rid of him via Tanis. And then Raistlin steps up to fill the slot.

So basically, in order to become an epic level character in Dragonlance you need to find out who the current one is and mess up their lives, taking theirs in the process.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[A'koss]

Greyhawk, IMO, is a setting that strikes a nice balance between all 3 tiers.

They have a whole array of Paragon through Epic Level threats to keep the PCs busy - Iggwilv, Graz'zt, Eclavdra, Acererak, Kerzit, Malcanthet, Iuz, Rary, Baba Yaga, Lolth, Fraz'Urb'Luu, Vecna, Kas, Tuerny the Merciless, St. Kargoth, Kyuss, Tharizdun, Demogorgon, the Queen of Chaos, Miska the Wolf-Spider... not to mention the long list of well-known artifacts and relics lying around the setting.

 

[TwinBahamut]

I don't think it was ever true that Eberron was designed for low-level play. Eberron was designed so that there were very few high-level characters who could serve as allies or steal the spotlight from the heroes. Epic-level characters beating down people like Vol or the Daughters of Sora Kell is an assumed part of the setting, the only difference is that there are very few people other than the heroes who would be able to do so.

 

[JohnBiles]

Y
I would say in Dragonlance that you can get to level 21, and become a god-king (Kingpriest) or Tharizdun-like elder evil (Raistlin) but there really isn't anything to do in the setting itself. Sure you might go planewalking between levels 21-30 killing off Krynn's pantheon one by one, but that's not really a Dragonlance campaign anymore.

Killing off the idiot gods of Krynn is a public service.

That being said, I think you're right.

 

[Cam Banks]

Killing off the idiot gods of Krynn is a public service.

I'll send you your Raistlin Fanboy Club membership package.

"Idiot gods of Krynn." That's a first. It makes me think of Azathoth burbling at the corner of the Abyss, spawning kodragons with little panpipes.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[WyzardWhately]

I'll send you your Raistlin Fanboy Club membership package.

"Idiot gods of Krynn." That's a first. It makes me think of Azathoth burbling at the corner of the Abyss, spawning kodragons with little panpipes.

Cheers,
Cam

No, I agree with him. Krynn's god's need slapped down.

I would totally run a paladin 1-30 in DL with the goal of killing off their supposedly LG patriarch god, as justice for all the innocent children slaughtered when he dropped a mountain on that city. Balls to the wall, dude, and let justice be no respecter of persons.