| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Tarlyn
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Oct 2012 : 15:58:16
|
This discussion is kind of splashed in other threads, so I wanted to make a thread dedicated to it. FR Next is going to need to present both great lore and Next style mechanics. However, how do we get enough of either to give a good starting point with it's initial release? Certainly, all of us could use our favorite mechanics set from a previous edition whether that's BECMI or 4e or something in between, however that won't be an option for players and DM's starting with Next. Also, there is a group of people that buy Game products exclusively to supplement the novels lore and the less mechanics in a product the better it is for them.
I think it is important for WotC to convert the iconic mechanics over to Next. WotC is really pushing the whole mechanics informed by fluff business and their are a lot of mechanics that meet that criteria from previous editions. I like the all lore book approach, but they could probably start by making one book that covered all the major FR spells, deities specific domains, magic items, templates, monsters and strange magic effects / Realms specific alternate magics(spell scar, dead magic, shadow magic). I think of this as similar to the current direction on races. The core races are guarantee for us, but the design team has stated that they are going to try and cover all the races needed to run the supported settings. The 80% / 20% model means that a lot of Realms specific stuff would be put on the back burner and come out very slowly unless they are doing multiple realms releases per year.
Right now, I am leaning toward an initial release of a FR Gazetteer for a region and one crunch book that hits all the major mechanical stuff. In order to present the kind of quality material(think Ed Greenwood Present's Elminster's Forgotten Realms) I want to get the page count would have to be absurd to cover all of FR in a single volume.
Then going forward, books could include a mechanics sections if there is something specific that needs to be defined for a region, or an author recently created a popular new mechanical option that a bunch of players want to try out(I am looking at whichever one of you is responsible for half-shadovar). Otherwise, WotC could just go with 100% lore.
What is your ideal initial release / continuing product model?
|
Tarlyn Embersun |
Edited by - Tarlyn on 20 Oct 2012 15:58:57
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2012 : 16:33:10
|
I loved the old Mystra Gazeteers. Some sort of presentation like that, but a bit more like the Volo's guides. Mostly fluff (like those), but with some unique, region-specific crunchy bits here and there. I've already discussed something similar in my 'Wishlist' thread. I prefer a more regional presentation (like the Gazeteers), with each being done like a stand-alone campaign guide.*
However, I think that some sort of "5e FR primer" is also in order - a very general work describing the entirety of the Realms, without going into too much detail. Paizo did this with a Golarion Gazeteer, which was great way to generate interest without a lot of up-front investment (I bought the pdf myself).
If they wanted to one-up Paizo, they should make it available as a FREE download (it is just a primer, after all). It doesn't have to overly long - just a sweeping description of all the major regions. A map, and maybe 15-30 pages is all. This should be released just prior to any regional campaign guides they do (using the above format I mentioned, which is agreement with the OP).
Another way to present material (also borrowed from Paizo) would be through adventure paths. A book like that would be more like MoM, but with the various scenarios connected by a single story-arc. Something like that could be far more akin to a Volo's guide (maybe even use that book size for those). Almost like sub-regional guides, with adventures and adventure-seeds. They could also use a hybrid method - a gazeteer-style presentation for regional campaign guides, and then downloadable (for money) individual adventures set in the region, which eventually become one huge story-arc (like how Paizo presented its original adventure-paths in dungeon). In that way we can have both types of books linked-together, with serialized 'installments' for local adventures (which are part of a bigger story, or could just be used individually).
*I happen to know where they can obtain a ready-made regional Gazeteer right now, exactly the way they should be representing this stuff. It is an amazing piece of work (and no, not by me) and should be viewed as an example of what FR fans want from their products. You guys should bug them about this - its ready-to-go, right now, and would a perfect way to start an FR campaign. Its basically a Waterdeep/Daggerford environs sourcebook, just loaded with juicy bits, and written by Erik Boyb. Ask for it. NAY... DEMAND IT.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 20 Oct 2012 16:41:26 |
 |
|
|
Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2012 : 16:16:08
|
| Another campaign setting book would be useless, they are too broad, I have more than enough material. I'd need something very specific, like an adventure path that happens in one city. I know there's no chance for that. |
|
|
|
Sylrae
Learned Scribe
Canada
313 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2012 : 21:56:38
|
Single City Adventure Paths and Regional books are what I mostly want.
If they make an FRCS, I hope its only a 64 or 96 page gazeteer, with broad information covering the races, and maybe a list of gods, but like no specifics on the individual countries. FRCS3e was just thorough enough that you could run a region without its sourcebook. Don't do that.
Give me a book that's just 'Moonsea'. Another that's just 'The Moonshae Isles', 'The Sea of Fallen Stars', 'Cormanthor', 'The Dalelands', 'The Western Heartlands', 'The Sword Coast', 'Waterdeep', 'Myth Drannor', 'Neverwinter', 'Sshamath', 'Calimport', 'Phlan', 'Silverymoon', 'Skullport'. Much like in 1e/2e. You give me a book for each country and each major city, with a minimum of game mechanics, alot of detail, a map, and covering multiple time periods, and I will likely buy them all.
And give me adventure paths, in the same basic format as the Pathfinder ones, with adventure paths generally sticking to one region, size 8-10 font, a decent amount of material, and only as many maps and statblocks as is actually necessary, and there's a good chance I'll buy many or all of those too. And bring back PDFs. Many of us avoid bringing actual books to game sessions these days. I try to run it all with my Nexus 7 and my Laptop,
If they play their cards right they could get a couple grand from me over the next few years. If they mess it up they could get none of it. |
Sylrae's Forgotten Realms Fan-Lore Index, with public commenting access to make for easier improvement (WIP) |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
What are your ideal FR Next initial source books?
