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keftiu
Senior Scribe
656 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Jan 2020 : 10:29:16
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...but for another location, obviously.
The greatest strength of the Realms as a setting is the incredible depth and breadth of setting material, but that also can be a deterrent for new fans and a challenging prospect for a full setting update. I think the best middle ground between a mammoth FRCS that would need hundreds of pages and still inevitably not cover everything and the current model of “almost nothing other than what a campaign module needs to function” that we’ve had in the 5e hardcovers.
I honestly think the NCS is one of the best releases the setting has ever had, not necessarily on the strength of its content but on its use as a focused toolkit. It gives a deep dive on a region, a number of potential antagonists, and essentially offers a DM a variety of possible campaigns that can draw on as much or as little of the content as needed. Is your campaign one of gritty city politics, that skews fairly grounded and espionage-y? Are you thwarting the much more epic plots of huge baddies like Thay and returned Netheril?
The main draw of this book and something I feel 5e could use some support on is fleshing out Backgrounds. The super-specific Themes in this book are one of my favorite things ever; rather than just being a Rogue, your character is a deserter from a specific gang of wererats in Luskan, or your Paladin is the lost heir to the throne, raided in ignorance in Waterdeep, or your Wizard is a former Thayan who left when your friend was killed and reanimated. These little packages of Realmslore and plot hooks engage a player who might not have the means to dig through 40 years of content (across five editions of books, novels, videogames, and dubious wikis), and help shape their character more than being a mere Sailor or Noble.
(As an aside, I believe the solid Guild release Heroes of Baldur’s Gate does something very similar, with what it calls Epic Backgrounds; I believe one is “you are this specific green dragon, forcefully reincarnated as a punishment,” and I /adore/ that.)
Anyone with me on this? Anyone have any suggestions for a similarly vibrant, varied locale? Is this an excuse to get other people’s ideas for hyper-specific regional Theme packages, like I’ve been brainstorming for the Alamber Sea region for months now?
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4e fangirl. Here to queer up the Realms. |
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Zeromaru X
Great Reader
Colombia
2539 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2020 : 19:28:01
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The personalized themes is what make the 4e depiction of Neverwinter so easy to be invested in. Maybe the Neverwinter Heir is not that important in places like Waterdeep, but heck, he is important in Neverwinter, were it is important for the campaign.
quote:
Originally posted by keftiu
Anyone with me on this? Anyone have any suggestions for a similarly vibrant, varied locale? Is this an excuse to get other people’s ideas for hyper-specific regional Theme packages, like I’ve been brainstorming for the Alamber Sea region for months now?
I have customized a few themes for my Tymanther campaign. Maybe not so useful unless you're a dragonborn, tho... |
Instead of seeking change, you prefer a void, merciless abyss of a world... |
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keftiu
Senior Scribe
656 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2020 : 21:39:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Zeromaru X
I have customized a few themes for my Tymanther campaign. Maybe not so useful unless you're a dragonborn, tho...
I mean, now I've /gotta/ know.
I've got a couple ideas kicking around for an Aglarond-Thay War campaign myself... |
4e fangirl. Here to queer up the Realms. |
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Zeromaru X
Great Reader
Colombia
2539 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2020 : 15:24:54
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| Sure. Do you want mechanical stuff? Or just the fluff? All of these are just reflavored themes I devised for the campaign, such as "Ex-Lance Defender" or "Clan Scion" (kind of a noble heir in dragonborn culture). |
Instead of seeking change, you prefer a void, merciless abyss of a world... |
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keftiu
Senior Scribe
656 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2020 : 19:52:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Zeromaru X
Sure. Do you want mechanical stuff? Or just the fluff? All of these are just reflavored themes I devised for the campaign, such as "Ex-Lance Defender" or "Clan Scion" (kind of a noble heir in dragonborn culture).
Fluff is what I’m looking for. |
4e fangirl. Here to queer up the Realms. |
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I want another Neverwinter Campaign Setting
