Desdichado
Hero
Here's a snippet from an article I found at Suite101 that defines fairly well the various subgenres of fantasy...
WotC setting search winner - Eberron
- Thread starter Hecatol
- Start date
drnuncheon
Explorer
schporto said:
Slowly sliding off-topic here, but I've always thought the reason magic won't/can't replace technology in a D&D-eque setting is twofold:
1) it takes special training (and in many worlds, talent) to learn how to cast spells and craft permanent items,
(and possibly the more important one
2) it costs you part of your life force to make a permanent item
What this means is that you can't get mass production of anything magical - each item has to be individually crafted and paied for in life. You can't teach a person part of the process - like, say, how to attach a wheel to an axle - and have them do it, so you basically can't industrialize on a large scale.
With a clever wizard, you could industrialize production of mundane items, although it would be tremendously expensive.
J
Lalato
Adventurer
Unless, of course, some intrepid (and possibly evil) wizard found a way to create permanent items while using other people's life force. All you need then is a bunch of slaves.
Now if this setting included slave-based magic item creation... that would be really cool... and EVIL!!!!
--sam
Now if this setting included slave-based magic item creation... that would be really cool... and EVIL!!!!
--sam
TheAntiSummit
First Post
Lightning Rail
I havent even finished reading the ninth page of this really really long thread, but something I just wanted to say was that alot of people are picking on the lightning rail, and a lot of people are defending it, but nobody really knows what it is. I just wanted to point out that the picture is of "THE Lightning Rail", not "A Lightning Rail". Nobody said there will be train stations and schedules and conductors. Maybe there is only one. Would people still hate that? Would it stil be so bad if there was only one of these monstrous contraptions tearing through the jungles and kidnapping people, maybe belonging to a major villain of the setting? What if no one else knew its secret? Or if some people don't even believe in it, they think it is just a legend, but it's in the setting just to demonstrate the different view of magic in the world of Eberron, as opposed to the world of Toril? My only complaint has nothing to do with Eberron itself, I actually think it sounds really cool, and I think I am the first person to say that when it comes out I will buy it first , and then check it out and make my own decision. My complaint is that I have been adamant about not converting to 3.5, and since I want to play this I am going to have to.
I havent even finished reading the ninth page of this really really long thread, but something I just wanted to say was that alot of people are picking on the lightning rail, and a lot of people are defending it, but nobody really knows what it is. I just wanted to point out that the picture is of "THE Lightning Rail", not "A Lightning Rail". Nobody said there will be train stations and schedules and conductors. Maybe there is only one. Would people still hate that? Would it stil be so bad if there was only one of these monstrous contraptions tearing through the jungles and kidnapping people, maybe belonging to a major villain of the setting? What if no one else knew its secret? Or if some people don't even believe in it, they think it is just a legend, but it's in the setting just to demonstrate the different view of magic in the world of Eberron, as opposed to the world of Toril? My only complaint has nothing to do with Eberron itself, I actually think it sounds really cool, and I think I am the first person to say that when it comes out I will buy it first , and then check it out and make my own decision. My complaint is that I have been adamant about not converting to 3.5, and since I want to play this I am going to have to.
MarauderX
Explorer
No thanks.
I think this was tried once with an OD&D supplement that featured flying gnomes vs. flying goblins, all done in 1942 style airplanes, all fueled by...fireballs. Who remembers it? C'mon, I know someone does...
...cause it sucked. Didn't like it one bit. I bought thinking it would be great for a party of 21st level flying PCs (in OD&D levels, that is) to caught in a fire fight of sorts... only D&D isn't set up for 3D, nor are battlemats meant for huge fight scenes...which made it suck more. I am getting that familiar feeling just looking at the artwork, let alone what I read, and thinking I will pilot well away from the tumultuous storm that is bound to be generated by this setting.
I think this was tried once with an OD&D supplement that featured flying gnomes vs. flying goblins, all done in 1942 style airplanes, all fueled by...fireballs. Who remembers it? C'mon, I know someone does...
...cause it sucked. Didn't like it one bit. I bought thinking it would be great for a party of 21st level flying PCs (in OD&D levels, that is) to caught in a fire fight of sorts... only D&D isn't set up for 3D, nor are battlemats meant for huge fight scenes...which made it suck more. I am getting that familiar feeling just looking at the artwork, let alone what I read, and thinking I will pilot well away from the tumultuous storm that is bound to be generated by this setting.
KeithBaker
First Post
Hey all!
While I post extremely rarely, I do follow the boards whenever I can. Thanks to everyone who has sent positve thoughts my way, and to those who hate already Eberron, perhaps you'll change your mind when you learn more (and perhaps not -- that's certainly your right). I'd love to address specific concerns or questions, but for now I'm caught in the veil of secrecy. A few quick notes:
Rounser: I agree with your general point, and there are clear reasons for the more unusual features of Eberron. It's not just a random mish-mash of things thrown together.
Dave: Congratulations on Sundered Skies and Pinnacle! I look forward to seeing it.
I'm also looking forward to Morningstar. I've done some work for Goodman Games in the past year, and from the little I've heard and the few times I've interacted with Mr. Kennan, I think it's going to be great.
-Keith
While I post extremely rarely, I do follow the boards whenever I can. Thanks to everyone who has sent positve thoughts my way, and to those who hate already Eberron, perhaps you'll change your mind when you learn more (and perhaps not -- that's certainly your right). I'd love to address specific concerns or questions, but for now I'm caught in the veil of secrecy. A few quick notes:
Rounser: I agree with your general point, and there are clear reasons for the more unusual features of Eberron. It's not just a random mish-mash of things thrown together.
Dave: Congratulations on Sundered Skies and Pinnacle! I look forward to seeing it.
I'm also looking forward to Morningstar. I've done some work for Goodman Games in the past year, and from the little I've heard and the few times I've interacted with Mr. Kennan, I think it's going to be great.
-Keith
s/LaSH
First Post
Hey, Baker in da house! Or whatever one says in such circumstances.
I know this is pointless speculation (this thing's probably better protected by NDAs than the Bismarck by sheet metal), but is anyone else vaguely reminded of Gormenghast? That's fantasy, to the best of my knowledge (I've read the last book, didn't like it, should probably read the others though and some of the concepts are cool).
Gormenghast meets Dark Sun... hmmmmm...
I know this is pointless speculation (this thing's probably better protected by NDAs than the Bismarck by sheet metal), but is anyone else vaguely reminded of Gormenghast? That's fantasy, to the best of my knowledge (I've read the last book, didn't like it, should probably read the others though and some of the concepts are cool).
Gormenghast meets Dark Sun... hmmmmm...
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