| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
 Posted - 01 May 2012 : 14:36:26
|
| I'm halfway through the first Malazan book, and I can definitely see that this is going to be a richly described and well developed world. |
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 |
 |
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 16:13:55
|
Methinks I need to investigate this 'Malazan'. 
I'm finding setting maps with a lot of differences between then, except in certain areas - I assume the entire world isn't completely fleshed-out yet?
Regardless, it looks very much like the last HB world I came up with (not the one I am currently working on) - it is reminiscent of Earthsea, but on a much larger scale. I like worlds where the sea is central to the setting. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 16:50:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Methinks I need to investigate this 'Malazan'.
I'm finding setting maps with a lot of differences between then, except in certain areas - I assume the entire world isn't completely fleshed-out yet?
Regardless, it looks very much like the last HB world I came up with (not the one I am currently working on) - it is reminiscent of Earthsea, but on a much larger scale. I like worlds where the sea is central to the setting.
While I love Book 1 so far, I am not really a fan of the way they laid out the maps in the beginning of the book. The small font makes it harder than it needs to be to find stuff. |
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 |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 17:30:25
|
I found that problematic as well, when creating my own. I learned the hard way you can't include everything on a world map, unless you make the map 40' long... and then you can't e-Mail it to people (it also took 10 minutes to load-up with a good computer).
Fan-made maps are easier to read (for Malazan), but have some major differences (which tells me there are no official maps of those regions, and they are going by in-story descriptions).
Regardless, I really appreciate folks bringing settings like this to my attention - I now have another world to plunder for my own stuff.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 01 May 2012 17:31:05 |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 17:43:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I found that problematic as well, when creating my own. I learned the hard way you can't include everything on a world map, unless you make the map 40' long... and then you can't e-Mail it to people (it also took 10 minutes to load-up with a good computer).
Fan-made maps are easier to read (for Malazan), but have some major differences (which tells me there are no official maps of those regions, and they are going by in-story descriptions).
Regardless, I really appreciate folks bringing settings like this to my attention - I now have another world to plunder for my own stuff.
My biggest problem with the 1st map shown in the 1st Malazan book is that it is only a map of a current area of conquest for the Malazan Empire. So i am a new reader to this epic 10 book series about the Malazan Empire.....and i can't even see what the empire looks like or where the capitol city is located. Weird |
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 |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 17:47:22
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I like worlds where the sea is central to the setting.
Then you might also like the Twilight of Kerberos series. It's a shared-world setting. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 17:53:13
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I like worlds where the sea is central to the setting.
Then you might also like the Twilight of Kerberos series. It's a shared-world setting.
Also, the Tyrants and Kings series by John Marco has a fair shair of sea influence/naval warfare. The Jackal of Nar is the first book.  |
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 |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 18:51:25
|
Ah. John Marco. I'll read his books someday. I vaguely recall from a blurb there's this armor the hero wears... Is that as powerful as Tomas' Valheru armor? Is the hero pure fighter or part-wizard? |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2012 : 20:27:17
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Ah. John Marco. I'll read his books someday. I vaguely recall from a blurb there's this armor the hero wears... Is that as powerful as Tomas' Valheru armor? Is the hero pure fighter or part-wizard?
Yeah but that is a different series, still good 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 |
|
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 04:37:59
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I found that problematic as well, when creating my own. I learned the hard way you can't include everything on a world map, unless you make the map 40' long... and then you can't e-Mail it to people (it also took 10 minutes to load-up with a good computer).
-Can't tell you how retarded my MS Paint World Map looks because of this. A relatively small island that has mountains? Forgetaboutit. It's 3,750 x 2,500 and growing, though... |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 15:15:54
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Ah. John Marco. I'll read his books someday. I vaguely recall from a blurb there's this armor the hero wears... Is that as powerful as Tomas' Valheru armor? Is the hero pure fighter or part-wizard?
The "hero" in the series you are talking about is a fighter, but a good deal of magic surrounds the plotline. |
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 |
|
|
|
BARDOBARBAROS
Senior Scribe
Greece
581 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 00:08:44
|
| Ravenloft |
BARDOBARBAROS DOES NOT KILL.
HE DECAPITATES!!!
"The city changes, but the fools within it remain always the same" (Edwin Odesseiron- Baldur's gate 2) |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 04:11:37
|
You just gave me an odd thought.
'What If'... they made the core setting Ravenloft?
I realize it wouldn't really work - the thematics are too different then D&D's more generic fantasy audience - but you can you picture RL version of things like Warforged? The Dreadforged..... 
Like apocalyptic Steampunk horror cyborgs. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 04:14:45
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Like apocalyptic Steampunk horror cyborgs.
Stolen...now live within the World of Aerk! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
|
|
|
Patrakis
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 04:23:37
|
I will vote for Harn as my first choice for a detailed setting.
Pat |
Dancing is like standing still, but faster.
My site: http://www.patoumonde.com |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 14:14:27
|
quote:
Originally posted by Patrakis
I will vote for Harn as my first choice for a detailed setting.
Pat
What is the Harn setting from? |
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 |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 16:41:02
|
| Harn looks nice and compact - good to run a campaign in. I wish I could find a larger map somewhere. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 17:16:23
|
In all honesty I am not a very submersive reader, especially where fantasy/sci-fi is concerned, so I cant really say that I live in the world as a reader. A few mental pictures and images left after reading a book would be it.
But to give an answer to the original question; early Glorantha would be a good example of a game-setting. As for fantasy literature; various Burroughs stories, Lin Carters Worlds end and Green Star books, Dying Earth, Howards Conan stories, etc. Sometimes Moorecock, Dunsany and Ashton Smith. But as I said there are only a few images that stay in my brain, but to me that is enough. |
No Canon, more stories, more Realms. |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 17:21:56
|
*Green Star!*
Damn, I never thought I'd meet anyone else who read those.
If you still have those, you will see in the front of one a dedication to Scott Bizaar, who was his college roomate.
Thats the guy who owned my LGS, and he owned Fantasy Games Unlimited, a great little company that was ahead of its time (and that I worked for occasionally, stuffing boxes and playtesting, and got paid in minis).
Man, you just brought back a flood of great memories. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 17:34:48
|
As I have probably mentioned, me and my wife are among the dying species called Lin Carter fans. There really should be a Lin Carter rpg; the Barbarians of Lemuria game (not bad actually) had to remove many of the direct references unfortunately.
I will have to take a look through my Lin Carters later to find which one the dedication is in;I just reread Under the Green Star and it wasn't that one.
Fantasy Games Unlimited had some interesting games such as Daredevils, but the wargame inspired format of the rules could drive a person crazy. The best one though is Swordbearer which should have received more support than FGU gave. |
No Canon, more stories, more Realms. |
|
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2012 : 20:25:34
|
| -You know, having given it thought, the Marvel Universe is actually pretty complex. That's just stuff that they've added to our world, ignoring alternate universes (when they don't impact our 616 universe) and real world history that isn't actually somehow impactful on their original work that they've added in. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 04:25:19
|
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Ah. John Marco. I'll read his books someday. I vaguely recall from a blurb there's this armor the hero wears... Is that as powerful as Tomas' Valheru armor? Is the hero pure fighter or part-wizard?
The "hero" in the series you are talking about is a fighter, but a good deal of magic surrounds the plotline.
I usually dislike fighters. Unless they are friends with a funny and/or powerful wizard. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 04:30:22
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-You know, having given it thought, the Marvel Universe is actually pretty complex. That's just stuff that they've added to our world, ignoring alternate universes (when they don't impact our 616 universe) and real world history that isn't actually somehow impactful on their original work that they've added in.
If I were a comics or novel fan of the Marvel Universe (I've read just a couple of movie-tie-ins/adaptations), I would have agreed more with you.
But having just watched the different movies and series (animated and live-action alike), I must agree...a little. Films often lack the time to explore the intricacies of a setting that can best be shown only in print. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 14:22:51
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Ah. John Marco. I'll read his books someday. I vaguely recall from a blurb there's this armor the hero wears... Is that as powerful as Tomas' Valheru armor? Is the hero pure fighter or part-wizard?
The "hero" in the series you are talking about is a fighter, but a good deal of magic surrounds the plotline.
I usually dislike fighters. Unless they are friends with a funny and/or powerful wizard.
Lol, well the fighter in this storyline is very serious and has no funny friends. |
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 |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 16:40:13
|
@Dennis - the Marvel Universe is amazingly detailed and quite complex, and I often use it as my 'fall-back canon' when I need to fill-in a piece of missing D&D lore.
They've had 50+ years to work all the kinks out with magic, physics, 'cosmic beings', etc.. still far from perfect (most of us are still wondering what the heck powers Doctor Strange has), but its prettty damn good.
And as Karsus says, they've done some amazing stuff tying their universe to RW history (and Conan's Hyboria as well, which is considered part of Marvel Canon). Take the stuff revolving around Moon Knight and Khonshu, for instance (some of which I've ported over to Mulhorand). good stuff - even if you don't like the comics, try taking a random Wiki (comics) entry and following all the side-entries (I've spent entire days reading those wiki-trees).
DC comics falls short in this regard, IMHO. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 17:50:36
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And as Karsus says, they've done some amazing stuff tying their universe to RW history (and Conan's Hyboria as well, which is considered part of Marvel Canon). Take the stuff revolving around Moon Knight and Khonshu, for instance (some of which I've ported over to Mulhorand). good stuff - even if you don't like the comics, try taking a random Wiki (comics) entry and following all the side-entries (I've spent entire days reading those wiki-trees).
-There is a limited series called S.H.I.E.L.D., like the government organization. I didn't really like it all that much, a lot of the concepts that it laid down regarding S.H.I.E.L.D., but some of the historical aspects of it (it is a historical comic, for sure) really made me go, "Huh. Wow." |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 19:49:27
|
Like anything else, its hit-or-miss, but there is a LOT of juicy bits we can port-over.
And unlike FR canon, we really can just ignore what we don't like (when we steal ideas for D&D).
I do like certain aspects of DC continuity, but the level of power between their 'cosmic' and 'normies' is very small, if it exists at all. Superman is quite often referred to as 'a god'. So while their heroes are (in general) tons more powerful then Marvel heroes, their cosmic entities are far less powerful (IMHO) then their Marvel counterparts.
Thats why Marvel can emulate the D&D multiverse much better - it has layers of cosmic beings, and while gods are far more powerful then mortals, there are beings far above the gods as well. This is where we can borrow the most material - from that layer 'above the divine' (which D&D barely touches upon). Lately I've been enamored of Marvel's Proemial Gods, which I only learned of recently - they are consistent with some of my own ideas (the Conceptuals - the layer of Ordials above Prime Ordials). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2012 : 21:17:37
|
| -By virtue of being much closer to the actual world than DC, I think that is why Marvel wins. DC has a more or less simulacrum of the world, but it still differs in ways that Marvel can take, and then "exploit" to make their setting better. The Iron Man movie, for example, reinterpreting Tony Stark's transformation into Iron Man in Afghanistan instead of China. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2012 : 01:40:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-By virtue of being much closer to the actual world than DC, I think that is why Marvel wins. DC has a more or less simulacrum of the world, but it still differs in ways that Marvel can take, and then "exploit" to make their setting better. The Iron Man movie, for example, reinterpreting Tony Stark's transformation into Iron Man in Afghanistan instead of China.
I'll just note that the shifting of Iron Man's origin setting from China to Afghanistan actually occurred in the comic books before the film adaptation in 2008. In fact, in the film annotations, it's noted that the origin scene of Iron Man -- the weapons testing and the insurgent attack -- is partly derived from the earliest parts of the "Extremis" storyline, which updates the Golden Avenger's origin. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2012 : 05:07:54
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
@Dennis - the Marvel Universe is amazingly detailed and quite complex, and I often use it as my 'fall-back canon' when I need to fill-in a piece of missing D&D lore.
They've had 50+ years to work all the kinks out with magic, physics, 'cosmic beings', etc.. still far from perfect (most of us are still wondering what the heck powers Doctor Strange has), but its prettty damn good.
They have the advantage of time.
I wonder...Was there a time when it felt as though the setting got 'stagnant,' like, as many claim, what happened to Dragonlance? |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Vivid Setting
