| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 14:57:28
In terms of sheer information, I believe most would agree that the Forgotten Realms is the most detailed fantasy setting ever. In your opinions what are some other fantasy settings that make you feel as if you were actually living in them when reading the stories about them? This does not necessarily translate to mean "Which of the following is your favorite in terms of World-building?" |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 14 Jan 2014 : 15:13:31
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
For level of immersion, I have to go with Middle Earth. Few authors have constructed in whole multiple languages for the setting of their novel(s).
Actually, it was the other way around. Tolkien was a huge fan of languages, and was making up his own. He realized language is shaped by history, and so he started working on the history to go with it... And in the fullness of time, that led to Bilbo, Frodo, and the One Ring.
Either way, multiple fully created languages are a level of depth few fantasy series have. |
| Drustan Dwnhaedan |
Posted - 13 Jan 2014 : 23:35:38
I had to go with Middle Earth, although I was tempted to vote for Krynn from the Dragonlance D&D setting. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 13 Jan 2014 : 21:12:24
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
For level of immersion, I have to go with Middle Earth. Few authors have constructed in whole multiple languages for the setting of their novel(s).
Actually, it was the other way around. Tolkien was a huge fan of languages, and was making up his own. He realized language is shaped by history, and so he started working on the history to go with it... And in the fullness of time, that led to Bilbo, Frodo, and the One Ring. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 13 Jan 2014 : 17:20:03
For level of immersion, I have to go with Middle Earth. Few authors have constructed in whole multiple languages for the setting of their novel(s). |
| Gyor |
Posted - 13 Jan 2014 : 17:10:44
Wheel of Time hands down. I honestly believe Wheel of Time world has far more depth and breadth then ME. |
| Madpig |
Posted - 13 Jan 2014 : 11:03:41
Voted other. I think David Eddings has done good job with land of Belgariad. Also thats what brought me to world of fantasy. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 12 Jan 2014 : 12:45:28
Already voted for Midkemia a long time ago. But the following deserve honorable mention:
Four Corners of Civilization. Despite the limitations that the narration presents (almost everything is seen only through Kvothe's lenses), those places that are revealed are amazingly vivid and detailed enough.
Scadrial. There are many things that Brandon is good at. And world-building is among them.
The unnamed world of The Black Magician series by Trudi Canavan. It's the familiar East vs. West type, with some oddities here and there.
Supernatural's alternate Earth. The veil between fiction and RW is very thin, and we see a lot interesting things in the former with nods at some elements from the latter. I also like the incorporation of almost all the mythologies in the world (Christian, Greek, Norse, Indian, etc.). |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 11 Jan 2014 : 23:09:03
I voted 'other DnD setting' because Dragonlance was one of the best worlds created for its time. The War of the Lance series had some of the most interesting characters and plots I've ever read. Even now, decades later, I sometimes re-read that series. |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 05 Jul 2012 : 14:04:32
After reading the first 3 Malazan books I can now totally understand why this setting did not receive a vote. The books are great, but Erikson spreads out the setting to much for me to get a great feel for any one place in particular. I did enjoy Darujhistan (spelling?)though. |
| Xnella Moonblade-Thann |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 11:00:25
Aye, Dennis, I am. 
Probably not expecting such innuendo from a fair half-elven maiden? |
| Dennis |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 10:48:48
Mayhap you're referring to a different kind of sword?  |
| Xnella Moonblade-Thann |
Posted - 04 Jul 2012 : 10:42:07
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I dislike huge swords. They look impractical and ridiculous.
But they can be soo much fun! The bigger the better I always say! |
| Dennis |
Posted - 13 Jun 2012 : 01:34:53
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I dislike huge swords.
I was being facetious when I said that (poking fun of the 'realistic armor' thread).
Everyone's level of acceptability within fantasy is going to be different - I try not to draw such lines in the sand, and then find myself doing precisely that, every day.
People change, I know. There's an implied statement on the sentence above, and that's "...but I may be able to tolerate it, or mayhap even like it, in a distant (or near) future." Besides, I used to dislike Japanese anime because humans and monsters alike have impossibly HUGE eyes.
----
Now watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The world is really great, and the characters are quite interesting. The series is full of surprises too, and does not always follow a linear plot. Alchemy seems like a blend of sorcery and science.
On to the 12th episode... |
| Markustay |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 19:45:40
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I dislike huge swords.
I was being facetious when I said that (poking fun of the 'realistic armor' thread).
Everyone's level of acceptability within fantasy is going to be different - I try not to draw such lines in the sand, and then find myself doing precisely that, every day.
Anyhow, I'd like to say its a 'quality' thing for me - that the quality of the material presented is more important then how stuff looks - but that isn't always the case either.
I like everything from the very RW and semi-mundane (Fire & Ice), with no (or little) non-human races/creatures, to the incredibly fantastical like the world of Majipoor, to the idiotic (many cartoons) and 'pure science'/Scify varieties. I guess its all weather I enjoy the subject matter and writing (and I don't always need both, I have found).
The HUGE hammer wielded by that fellow in Conan (Thorgrim) bothered me, but Inuyasha's sword, not so much. I guess because he is part demon it makes it more believable for me. It took me a while to get into that series, and some aspects still don't sit well with me.
I used to like Dragonball too... I guess there's no accounting for taste. I can't barely tolerate that series now. Doesn't stop me from stealing little bits of it, though. |
| Seravin |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 19:42:37
Krynn to me feels so well documented and real. Tracey Hickman and Margaret Weis did an AMAZING job with the Chronicles and Legends in world building. I think it is as well done as Tolkien's Middle Earth to me, I connected better with it personally. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 05:12:59
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Sometimes I like a certain anime (or novel, TV program, movie, etc) because of the world behind it, and not because of the main character(s). Naruto is a prime example of this - I really dislike Naruto himself, but I have liberally borrowed from their ninja material. Inuyasha is much the same, although the characters have grown on me (who doesn't like a tiefling with a HUGE sword?)
I'm not a fan of unrealistically large weapons.
When I think of unrealistically large weapons, I can't help but reflect on the 90's-era of Rob Liefeld art. So terribly unrealistic that it's still awesome! |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 04:54:13
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Sometimes I like a certain anime (or novel, TV program, movie, etc) because of the world behind it, and not because of the main character(s). Naruto is a prime example of this - I really dislike Naruto himself, but I have liberally borrowed from their ninja material. Inuyasha is much the same, although the characters have grown on me (who doesn't like a tiefling with a HUGE sword?)
I'm not a fan of unrealistically large weapons.
I tried to get into Inu Yasha, because it's by the same mangaka who did Ranma ½ and Maison Ikkoku, but I just couldn't get into it.
Incidentally, there was a reference to Rumiko Takahashi in an Iron Man comic several years ago, and I was so disappointed that no one else caught it... Tony was talking to a Japanese woman named Rumiko, who had on a t-shirt with a chick on it, flanked by the words "piyo piyo." It was a nice reference, but I don't know if anyone else ever caught it. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 01:02:24
I dislike huge swords. They look impractical and ridiculous. 'Tis one of the reasons I don't watch Bleach and Inu Yasha---though I did a few episodes, and oddly, I liked the latest Bleach film. A story mainly set in hell is almost always interesting. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 27 May 2012 : 17:06:04
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
The world of Fullmetal Alchemist looks interesting. I watched the latest film, and I must say the story, art, and 'magic' are quite good. I thought, given the title, they can only bend/manipulate metal. It appears like they can do it to all elements.
Hopefully, I'll have time to watch at least the first five episodes this Tuesday.
'Full Metal' refers to the two main characters - the brother Alphonse and Edward Elric. One is 'full metal' (a suit of armor with the spirit of one bound to it), and the other has several metal prosthetics.
Part of their power is their ability to use their unique forms to perform alchemy without the use of circle - unheard of before them (although during the series, I recall they ran into others who could over time).
I've watched it intermittently, not in any sort of order, so it was hard for me to follow the main storyline(s), but I think over-all it is an excellent series and world, with a lot of good logic behind their magic (unlike Harry Potter magic, which has no rhyme or reason to it).
Sometimes I like a certain anime (or novel, TV program, movie, etc) because of the world behind it, and not because of the main character(s). Naruto is a prime example of this - I really dislike Naruto himself, but I have liberally borrowed from their ninja material. Inuyasha is much the same, although the characters have grown on me (who doesn't like a tiefling with a HUGE sword?) |
| Xnella Moonblade-Thann |
Posted - 27 May 2012 : 16:13:46
I like the FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood series better than the original series. I have most of it on dvd, except for the last two disks. |
| Lord Karsus |
Posted - 27 May 2012 : 03:21:24
-That's also on my Netflix list, that I just keep putting off. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 27 May 2012 : 03:04:24
The world of Fullmetal Alchemist looks interesting. I watched the latest film, and I must say the story, art, and 'magic' are quite good. I thought, given the title, they can only bend/manipulate metal. It appears like they can do it to all elements.
Hopefully, I'll have time to watch at least the first five episodes this Tuesday. |
| Xnella Moonblade-Thann |
Posted - 25 May 2012 : 08:41:19
@Markustay - The Avatar Series has its own cosmology, it's more asian in feel, and each of the bending arts are specific to a culture within that world; series has no alchemy references that I could find when dealing with the elements other than what nonbenders like Sokka or the Mechanic (a guy who has made several inventions like the balloon-blimp things that are prominent in the last four episodes) have come up with to even the playing field. Water Tribes have waterbending, Earth Kingdom has earthbending, Fire Nation has firebending, and Air Nomads have airbending. Each of the cultures were taught there specific bending from the animals/spirits of that world: Airbenders were taught by the flying bison, Firebenders were taught by dragons, Earthbenders were taught by badger-moles, and Waterbenders were taught by the koi fish (ying and yang) and the moon (push and pull). |
| coach |
Posted - 23 May 2012 : 21:08:00
Westeros
Middle Earth
Gor
Sword of Truth |
| Markustay |
Posted - 23 May 2012 : 05:26:06
In alchemy (and 'classic' elementalism), a human being is composed of equal parts of all four elements. Ergo, any of the benders should be able to find a sub-specialty they could use as an anti-personal weapon.
Even if you don't take that into account (fire would have to = the lifeforce itself), there are still elements in the blood, and ultra-specialization is possible - even through compounds, alloys, and mixtures - then I can't see why they wouldn't find a metal-bender who ultra-specialized in Iron, and could do pretty-much what a blood-bender could do.
And an airbender should be able to just suck the wind right out of your lungs and suffocate you. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 20 May 2012 : 01:49:34
Interesting. That bit about metal-bending was never revealed in the previous series. I will watch the latest episode later...
----
I did watch it yesterday, twice. Quite fun. First time seeing Tenzin have some action. Chief Lin Beifong proves to be a truly capable and excellent metalbender.
Metalbenders are able to control metal that have impurities (earth and other matter). Given this new lore, the Avatar should be able to metalbend too. But Ang and his predecessor never had. Perhaps Korra would be the first? |
| Xnella Moonblade-Thann |
Posted - 20 May 2012 : 01:32:56
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
And oh! How could we ignore the Metalbenders! I've been fond of metal-manipulation ever since knowing Magneto.
As was stated on today's episode (May 19th) of "The Legend of Korra", metals such as platinum, as well as ones that have been refined to such a degree of purity, are essentially unbendable. The only reason that Metalsbenders can, well, metalbend, is because they can sense the rock and earthen impurities in metal. But ya, they are cool !
As for Waterbenders that can bloodbend, my opinion is that it has to be relatively close - probably within 30 feet. That's close enough to get fried if'n ya ain't careful. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 19 May 2012 : 03:13:53
quote:
Originally posted by Xnella Moonblade-Thann
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I watch both series. Fascinating world with a lot of interesting, well fleshed out characters.
I think the Water Benders would have been the most powerful ones---that is, if they could bend blood even without the aid of the full moon (or is it eclipse? It's been a long time since I watched the first series, and the second is only on its sixth episode yet). If they could, then they could easily control all benders (their blood are largely made of water).
I must admit, though, that Korra is sometimes a bit...cheesy. I don't mind the romantic angle, but the main reason I'm watching the series is to see great adventures and the intricacies of their unique form of 'magic.' I couldn't care for romance that much.
During the full moon a Waterbender who does know how to blood-bend would be more likely "compelled" to do so because the moon has the effect of making their waterbending stronger in general. I don't believe this is cannon, but I think that Waterbenders can feel the "push and pull" of the moon during the phases more than say a non-Waterbender could.
You also have to realize that out of all the benders, Firebenders in general are the more powerful ones in that they create fire (and some can create lightning). But the fact that they can be overshadowed by one of the chi-blockers (or a blood-bending Waterbender, pick your poison ) it makes for a more even playing field.
What use would creating your fire be when you yourself can be controlled by a Waterbender.
The exact distance/reach of a Waterbender to blood-bend, was it ever revealed? If they could do it to anyone they see, regardless of distance...then that'd make them all the more formidable. Even the chi-blockers wouldn't stand a chance.
And oh! How could we ignore the Metalbenders! I've been fond of metal-manipulation ever since knowing Magneto. |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 19 May 2012 : 03:08:28
quote:
Originally posted by Sightless
After finding the pole, sheepish grin, I picked other.
Why?
Robert Howard, Jrrt, and Jordon, are all very good as far as world building is concerned, but I can’t dismiss the burning spear sagas, the Morgan cycle, or the Xeztaga cycle either. I still rmember wearing out my fingers daya after day getting through the Song of Zetathan, whose descriptions of scents truly touched me in more ways than I can say. The same for the burning spear; a book work the monsters are actually the protagonists for once. One can also see the impact of both of these works on Howard and Tolkien as well.
Author? |
| Sightless |
Posted - 18 May 2012 : 23:51:36
After finding the pole, sheepish grin, I picked other.
Why?
Robert Howard, Jrrt, and Jordon, are all very good as far as world building is concerned, but I can’t dismiss the burning spear sagas, the Morgan cycle, or the Xeztaga cycle either. I still rmember wearing out my fingers daya after day getting through the Song of Zetathan, whose descriptions of scents truly touched me in more ways than I can say. The same for the burning spear; a book work the monsters are actually the protagonists for once. One can also see the impact of both of these works on Howard and Tolkien as well.
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