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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 14:57:28
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Poll Question:
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?"
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Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 26 Apr 2012 15:14:03
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 15:09:48
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I voted Middle-Earth - I think Ed managed to actually out-world TolKien on the immersion factor. Westeros would be a close third (even though it is an admitted - and unashamed - derivation of ME, it is so well done it deserves to be recognized for that).
As for game-worlds, I think the only ones that even approach FR are not even RPGs - the ones designed around Warhammer and Warmachine (Iron Kingdoms) are pretty amazing, and have lots of good stories to go with them. I might have to add Warcraft in there as well - that lore keeps getting deeper, and is damn good for a VG (and I LOVED Christie Golden's Lord of the Clans - it made me get 'teary-eyed').
I heard of a German RPG world that may even outshine FR, but I don't recall the name. From what I understand, the timeline stays fairly stagnant, and they just keep adding DEPTH (OH, how I wish they had done that with FR). It may even be as old as FR... not sure.
Jack Vance had an amazing way of drawing you into his world without an over-abundance of detail - his style had an immersion-level all its own. He just casually dropped the names of unknown things, and acted as if the reader was supposed to know what those were. What should have been annoying instead pulled you right in. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 26 Apr 2012 15:13:03 |
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Varl
Learned Scribe
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 16:53:59
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| The Four Lands of Shannara always captured my imagination pretty well. I'd buy into a campaign world made from there. Xanth as well, though with Xanth's flavor, it'd have to be a pretty atypical D&D campaign, but that would be the point too. |
I'm on a permanent vacation to the soul. -Tash Sultana |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36891 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 16:59:50
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I voted Other -- I was thinking of Midkemia, and somehow overlooked it on the list.  |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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xaviera
Learned Scribe
Canada
149 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 17:25:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Jack Vance had an amazing way of drawing you into his world without an over-abundance of detail - his style had an immersion-level all its own. He just casually dropped the names of unknown things, and acted as if the reader was supposed to know what those were. What should have been annoying instead pulled you right in.
Seconded. The Tschai (City of the Chasch, Servants of the Wanak, the Dirdir, the Pnume) series is great for that. The Durdane trilogy (The Anome, The Brave Free Men, The Asutra) is also good for that.
I also like the world of the Narnia books, which I reread pretty much every year.
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Writings on Sharess: Thoughts & Prayers by Xaviera ~ High Priestess of Sharess |
Edited by - xaviera on 26 Apr 2012 17:27:44 |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 17:33:37
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Polls like these remind me that I still have a lot of reading to do before I die.
I voted for Cimmeria. The world of Conan had equal reading time under my eyes, along with all the D&D novels.
What’s the proper name for the world where David Edding’s Belgariad is set? I’d be tempted to vote for that too.
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Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 17:46:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I voted Other -- I was thinking of Midkemia, and somehow overlooked it on the list.
LOL it's the 4th choice! |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 17:48:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer
Polls like these remind me that I still have a lot of reading to do before I die.
I voted for Cimmeria. The world of Conan had equal reading time under my eyes, along with all the D&D novels.
What’s the proper name for the world where David Edding’s Belgariad is set? I’d be tempted to vote for that too.
I hear ya, i have read alot of good fantasy but feel like i will never catch up to where i would like to be. For every series that I complete, there are are 2-3 new ones which I add to my "To Read" list. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 26 Apr 2012 17:49:10 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 17:50:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Varl
The Four Lands of Shannara always captured my imagination pretty well. I'd buy into a campaign world made from there. Xanth as well, though with Xanth's flavor, it'd have to be a pretty atypical D&D campaign, but that would be the point too.
Shannara was my introduction to fantasy and will always have a special place in my heart. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 17:58:23
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I voted Other D&D setting in favor of Greyhawk.
The only thing I can think about is being in the 6th grade back in 1983 and having one of my school teachers running AD&D for us in the mornings and after school!
As an amazing DM Mrs. McCain was able to pull me so fully into Greyhawk, that I've yet to have another DM do the same thing for me. It didn't hurt that I had a MAJOR crush on the woman...and as an adult now I can say without a doubt I STILL think she is the hottest DM I have ever known.
The World of Greyhawk may not be as finely detailed as the Forgotten Realms...but it is the root and cornerstone of my D&D experience. Nostalgia sometimes speaks more to me than anything else. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 19:12:45
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Funny - I ran GH exactly like it was Xanth (same flavor, anyway). I did so love my puns, back in the day (and most of my adventures ended with a truly horrific one).
@Jeremy - it has no name; it is usually just called the "world of the Belgariad', and if you look for maps, they are listed as "Belgariad/Mallorean map". I like that world as well, and in some ways it reminds me a little bit of the world from Sword of Truth (the very different human groups all living near each other, but having very distinct cultures).
And since I mentioned SoT, I have to say I really like the world from Wheel of Time. Although I think the stories all 'got away from' the author after awhile, the world itself was exceedingly interesting, and I only wish we had gotten more detail on all the parts of it - with all those novels, he barely touched the tip of the Iceberg. I borrow a lot from that series - despite its inability to provide closure (of any of a hundred plotlines) - and I would still recommend it just for that. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 26 Apr 2012 20:04:14 |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 19:14:01
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| Randland, from the Aiel Waste to the Aryrth Ocean. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 19:43:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
The only thing I can think about is being in the 6th grade back in 1983 and having one of my school teachers running AD&D for us in the mornings and after school!
That is pretty creepy; not as much as it would be if the teacher were a man though. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 20:00:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
@Jeremy - it has no name;
Heh, that's good then. I thought I forgot how to use Google there for a second. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 20:03:51
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
The only thing I can think about is being in the 6th grade back in 1983 and having one of my school teachers running AD&D for us in the mornings and after school!
That is pretty creepy; not as much as it would be if the teacher were a man though.
Why is that creepy?
I'm a man...and I'm running a D&D game for my kids...and some of their friends may join. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 20:06:03
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I was going to take exception to that as well...
And then I remember the FIRST time I played an RPG, and who was running it...
And then I remembered a guy who owned a local comic-store who ran games after-hours... who eventually went to jail...
He does have a point, as much as I hate to admit that (and I too pride myself on teaching young people the game). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 26 Apr 2012 20:07:54 |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 20:10:56
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Well, for every bad apple in a bushel...there is the rest of the bushel.
The thing that made her game amazing was that she was an excellent speaker and had a truly amazing ability at verbal description.
Me having a childhood crush does not equal the teacher feeling the same... |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 20:12:37
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| Cimmeria, Xanth, and Middle Earth... |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 20:20:22
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| The Martian Tales of E.R.B... |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 22:18:00
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| mile earth after all the road does go on and on... |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 01:33:00
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| I believe any of these settings would qualify, really. Most have decades, in not near-half-centuries worth of background lore that still remains to be fleshed out/published. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 04:16:21
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| If it's *detail* ye're after, then Hârn is where ye'll find it. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Old Man Harpell
Senior Scribe
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 04:50:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
If it's *detail* ye're after, then Hârn is where ye'll find it.
Holy Hannah, isn't that the truth?
I bought the original module when it came out, then Harnworld when it was available, and then I bought one of the regional sourcebooks for the isle of Harn itself (I believe it was called Melderyn). The argument of 'how much should be detailed' that we have occasionally had here in the Keep would be pointless - the creators seemingly mapped everything down to the square mile. It out-details Faerun by leaps and bounds. And consider that Harn itself is just an island, maybe the size of all the British Isles combined, and it has multiple sourcebooks just by itself.
That said, while I liked it, it did not have that Greenwoodian spark that defines the Realms.
And in any event, I voted for Middle-Earth. It does not have the crushing detail that Harn does, but there's enough to make it come alive for me whenever I read the books (the Snoremarillion notwithstanding), or log in to play LotRO.
- OMH |
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Xnella Moonblade-Thann
Learned Scribe
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 05:10:58
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| I voted middle earth, but the narnia one is just as good. |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." - traditional elven farewell
Please forgive any spelling and grammer errors, as my android touch-screen phone has no spellchecker. If I do make a grammer mistake, please let me know and I'll try to fix it.
New laptop, still trying to sort my "scrolls" on its shelves...and when will this cursed thing stop doing things I tell it not to? |
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Nilus Reynard
Learned Scribe
Canada
137 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 08:14:02
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I had to go with "Other D&D Setting".
And that other setting is Dragonlance/Krynn (at least for me). |
Nilus Reynard
Doom Master of Beshaba, Hand of Despair.
P24 Hm CN
(2nd Edition AD&D) |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 09:50:46
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I voted for Middle Earth.
Reading Tolkein's books does not feel like reading fiction but an actual living history of some other world.
Though Malazan deserves a mention as well. Its certainly one of the better fleshed out worlds, with a story for every city and an ancient ruin underneath every overgrown field.
And a Jaghut ruin underneath that. |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 15:47:31
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| I am torn between Middle Earth and Shannara, so I have not yet voted. The Shannara novels are the only hardcover series that I still buy every year, but the vast amount of detail that Tolkien poured into Middle Earth is just amazing, especially the new languages he created. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 03:21:55
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I voted Other -- I was thinking of Midkemia, and somehow overlooked it on the list.
LOL it's the 4th choice!
I was lucky I read the scribe's replies first before casting my vote. Otherwise, like Wooly, I would have voted Other.
Maybe I'm simply not used to seeing Midkemia not listed as the No. 1 Option in any polls.
The setting has the right 'dosage' of everything...Not too many elves, dragons, dwarves, and other magical creatures; not too much magic; not too much grittiness. The only thing it has in abundance is---fun! |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 13:12:26
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| Voted Middle-Earth, even though Westeros is a close second. |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 09:53:02
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Magic: The Gathering deserves a special mention. The various planes are well detailed; though I must admit some need more 'attention.' |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Vivid Setting
