Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Ect.

[chris777]

What's everybody's favorite fantasy setting, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, or some other setting? Personally I think Forgotten Realms is the best setting for role playing and its a decent setting for writing stories. They say Dragonlance is a good setting for writing books but not particularly good for role playing. I havn't done much roleplaying in Dragonlance but I would have to say that Forgotten Realms is the best setting for role playing. One criticism I hear about Forgotten Realms is that when used for role playing that the adventures become "monty hauls" where every 1st level fighter has a sword +1, every beginning mage has a wand of magic missiles and by 4th level a fighter will have at least a sword +3 vorpal weapon and the wizards will all have wands that shoot out fireballs and lightning bolts. Really, though, if a game becomes too much of a monty haul in Forgotten Realms or any other setting, its because of the DM not because of the setting.

[dharn]

When I was little I was totally engrossed with the Dragonlance series, it was my first introduction to an entire fantasy setting. Plus I was totally into the entire honour that the knight held, and it introduced me to one of my favourite author, Richard A. Knaak

[Doomy]

In literature, I've enjoyed the work of Howard, Tolkien, Pratchett and Moorcock over the years. I've read a few of the Dragonlance books too.

Gaming-wise, Planescape: Torment and, yes, Magnamund are up there.

[Beowuuf]

Ah, good call Doomy, I was limiting myself to D&D based, but yeah, probably Magnamund is one of the strongest for me just based on how early it stretches back.

Dragonlance has a very rich background story, and the modules etc were designed for the characters to be important in the world. My understanding is that the RP that went on heped shape the early Dragonlance books, so I cannot see how it could lessen RP opportunities.

[koreth]

For me, Magnamund was first, and then I started reading a little Dragonlance novels. I appreciated the choices allowed in LW, and the writing style of Dragonlance. Would have never thought of a Minotaur as a central character, but it worked for me. Huma (sp...it's been years) was a pretty cool character. The Dragonlance world was immersive from the writing style. The LW world was immmersive from the decision & game side. And the allusions to & from other LW books kept things real.

Having immersive writing is important. Immersive = forget what else is gong on and draws you in. Just as good if not better than a video game.

[chris777]

Magnamund is not used as a D&D setting but if it was it probably would be one of the best settings, along with Forgotten Realms. As it is, though, Forgotten Realms seems to be the most widely used setting and for use in role playing if you ask me its quite ideal. As I said, when a D&D adventure becomes a monty haul its because of the DM not the setting.

[Ghost Bear]

Magnamund for me too. it's poetry detailed while also being quite accessible, which other settings sometimes struggle with. If we're not limiting ourselves to fantasy settings then I'm throwing the mass effect universe into the mix. It's fun varied and evocative. What more could you want?

ps: magnamund was originally invented for use in d&d campaigns.

[Simey]

Yup, Magnamund's one of the very best for me too. Before the existence of the d20 LWRPG it's the one I totally ripped off to create a setting to run a game! ;D Actually, I think it was rather undervalued as a setting in the d20 LWRPG, which seemed to focus very heavily on the classes. When I borrowed from it, I wasn't making versions of Kai Lords or Vakeros or any of the specific classes, I was making a version of the setting and having people play standard D&D classes in it. I don't know if they LWMPGB is more balanced in its focus, but I hope so.

Of the few others that I've played, Forgotten Realms is too high fantasy for my tastes, Eberron seems interesting, though that may well have been the high quality of the GMing - don't know that much about the setting itself. But WHFRP's Old World stands out - its gritty feel and highly developed background that unashamedly draws heavy influence from medieval/middle ages Europe really gives it weight and a sense of authenticity.

[Samildanach]

Jan 27, 2011 22:26:52 GMT -5 chris777 said:

Magnamund is not used as a D&D setting

Are you sure? I seem to recall that's how Joe Dever created Magnamund in the first place.

[chris777]

Jan 28, 2011 10:04:36 GMT -5 Ghost Bear said:

ps: magnamund was originally invented for use in d&d campaigns.

That being the case than Joe Dever should've made a deal with TSR and Magnamund could become another D&D setting used by the company, much like Ed Greenwood did when he created the Forgotten Realms, or Margaret Weis with Dragonlance.

Forgotten Realms being so high fantasy is part of what makes it so fun. Aside from that I would also like to say the DragonAge setting would be excellent too.

[Beowuuf]

Yes, the trouble is that then TSR/Wizards would own the propery. At the very least the film and game rights JD would have not been as active with. Tracey Hickman is in this boat, and indeed I'ver heard him on a piodcast speaking about exactly that.

Instead, JD was able to have LW's world released as a setting under Mongoose, as a d20 product, and have more control.

[chris777]

Well that was smart of JD, however, I could be wrong but I believe that Ed Greenwood maintained most of the ownership over Forgotten Realms, even when it was used by TSR.

Anyway, like I said, DragonAge I believe is one of the best settings, right up there with Forgotten Realms and Magnamund. It is certainly better than Elder Scrolls, Oblivian. And I must say, Lilliana is really hot.

[Al]

Firstly, any setting can be used with D&D - the setting is not game specific, the setting is merely the background.

Secondly, I think Forgetting Realms is pretty cheesy - some of the books from it are great, but overall it is ridiculously high in magic. Dragonlance was an amazing set of books, and while I have never gamed there, I would imagine it would be fun.

Personally, I have always loved the origional D&D setting, Mystara, but unfortunately that is out of print (although I have most of the material in boxes). Magnamund is fun, too, as long as you do not have Kai Lords involved in it (thank you Mearim for excluding those game imbalancers!)

[Simey]

Jan 28, 2011 14:41:22 GMT -5 chris777 said:

Forgotten Realms being so high fantasy is part of what makes it so fun.

It depends on your personal taste - I'm sure there's nothing particular wrong with Forgotten Realms. I'm just boring and like magic and monsters to be rare and well hidden in the dark places. And if you get hurt, I want it to take weeks for you to heal up!

Which does mean fiddling with D&D a little as a rules set - I think fairly high-fantasy settings are more what it's tailored to - but it's not hard.

[Doomy]

I recently acquired a ton of Dragonlance books.

I started by reading the Dragonlance Chronicles again. I think this is the third time in 20 years. They're damn good overall, though as I may have mentioned there are bits where you can practically hear the dice rolling.

I also have a bunch of other books to work my way through, can anyone here suggest a recommended reading order? There seems to be a lack of consensus on this according to other sites I've checked.

I have a large number of books here from assorted series, but have only previously read a few books besides the Chronicles.

How about the Darksword series, does that fit in to Dragonlance somehow?