Did I just miss it?
If not, what should be next?
*http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/260218-d-d-4th-edition-campaign-announcement-time-date-2.html#post4884085
Odds are it is not Dragonlance*, but if anything we should probably find out this week at GenCon.
*http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/260218-d-d-4th-edition-campaign-announcement-time-date-2.html#post4884085
I can't find it now, but I was pretty sure I read that the revelation of the next setting would "definitely" be at GenCon. (I think I even wrote down which event, so I could be there, but I can't even find that...)
Mind if I ask who that is that says "Not Dragonlance"? (I don't frequent enworld, and have no idea who that is)
All we've been told is "It's familiar" and we know that this is the 25h Anniversary of Dragonlance. Past that, not much concrete evidence of anything at all.
I can't find it now, but I was pretty sure I read that the revelation of the next setting would "definitely" be at GenCon. (I think I even wrote down which event, so I could be there, but I can't even find that...)
Mind if I ask who that is that says "Not Dragonlance"? (I don't frequent enworld, and have no idea who that is)
All we've been told is "It's familiar" and we know that this is the 25h Anniversary of Dragonlance. Past that, not much concrete evidence of anything at all.
I would try the Future Speculation section. There are two major threads, one for DL and the other for DS, where people have come together with evidence (and much argumentation) for either. Currently I am leaning towards DS because a recent designer said that the new one would be a 'homecoming' to him, and he worked a lot on the DarkSun stuff, and not very much on the Dragon Lance stuff.
I would check out the threads for a comprehensive synopsis of the proofs, however, hahah.
Mind if I ask who that is that says "Not Dragonlance"? (I don't frequent enworld, and have no idea who that is)
He is a Writer, designer, and developer for Sovereign Press and Margaret Weis Productions.
Makes that pretty official...unless he is holding back.
Personally I would buy if it is DL...maybe if it is DS...anything else I would have to wait and see....
WotC will want to bring out a setting that allows play with everything they have published, instead of invalidating parts of it for flavor reasons.
My personal bet is that it will be one of the campaign setting contest finalists, the same one Eberron came from.
They've just set-up too much for both not to do it.
Odds are it is not Dragonlance*, but if anything we should probably find out this week at GenCon.
*http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/260218-d-d-4th-edition-campaign-announcement-time-date-2.html#post4884085
I don't know about it NOT being Dragonlance. While they said they planned to stop support for all worlds except Forgotten Realms and Ebberon, the amount of Dragonlance stuff that is cropping up.
Like mini's of the Draconian creatures?
Perhaps the economic times made them decide it would be easier to take an old campaign and recast it as 4E, and there are certainly a lot of people that like Dragonlance, and of course, it features Dragons.
P.S. And then folks can start arguing about why they like or dislike WOTC's choice for the next setting, lol.
Once my ninja cyborg flat earth militants take over WOTC, I will be producing my own world. Laugh while you can, WOTC!
Gamma World?!?!
Gamma World?!?!
No no! Metamorphosis Alpha! ;)
I don't think it will be either Dragonlance or Dark Sun because they are not the settings where you can fit anything like FR or Eberron. DL and DS each have some characteristcs that drive them away from that, like no orcs in Dragonlance or the corruption effects of magic in Dark Sun and the prevalence of psionics when players or DMs may not have the PHB3.
WotC will want to bring out a setting that allows play with everything they have published, instead of invalidating parts of it for flavor reasons.
My personal bet is that it will be one of the campaign setting contest finalists, the same one Eberron came from.
Or, they'll just retool the setting as they did for FR and Eberron.
I think Dark Sun has a good chance. From a marketing perspective, it might be the right time to introduce something "against type," to expand the 4e image to the non-traditional-fantasy corners of gaming.
Darksun might be the only one I’d consider buying, in fact, unless it’s something new (which would be nice).
Personally I hope it's neither and they finally serve us a good new setting.
I don't remember where I read it, but I am pretty sure they said that it would be 'an old favorite' or something to that effect. While I would PREFER a whole new setting, given that its not likely to be one I am firmly in the 'keeping my fingers crossed that its Dark Sun' camp.
but i think it will be Dragonlance...the Seeker being one of the preferred classes of the Githzerai and the Minotaur in PHB 3 lead me to this (The Seeker being clerics looking for the lost gods and Minotaurs being an empire building race in the setting.)
It's gen con. The WotC guys are standing on a huge pedastal and behind them is a really big picture of the cover of the new setting. It's cloaked. When they reveal it all the fans will be WTF?????111oneoneeleven because the cover will be awesome but no one knows what it is because it's a complete new setting.
would be cool but won't happen i fear
Just kidding. I love my Greyhawk. I spent the last 30 years making it my own. I don't want the designers redesigning it.
My conversion desires, in decreasing order of preference, are:
- DarkSun
- Mystara / Hollow World
- Al-Qadim
- Maztica
DarkSun
Mystara
Hollow World
Al-Qadim
Maztica
Red Steel
SpellJammer
Ravenloft
Blackmore
Gamma World (kind of)
Boothill (not really)
Gangbusters (not even)
List of possibles are:
DarkSun
Mystara
Hollow World
Al-Qadim
Maztica
Red Steel
SpellJammer
Ravenloft
Blackmore
Gamma World (kind of)
Boothill (not really)
Gangbusters (not even)
I would totally play 4e Gangbusters.
'My ranger Twin Shots two of goblins weilding tommyguns'
Yeah, baby!
However I'd rather enjoy seeing Ravenloft reprinted.
I'd be so happy if it was Al-Qadim.
List of possibles are:
DarkSun
Mystara
Hollow World
Al-Qadim
Maztica
Red Steel
SpellJammer
Ravenloft
Blackmore
Blackmoor, to my knowledge, is not owned by WotC.
Spelljammer is less a setting than a ruleset.
Ravenloft has already been defined as one of the many Domains of Dread.
Red Steel was a place in the Savage Coast, a part of the world of Mystara (as were Blackmoor and Hollow World).
Maztica and Al-Qadim were originally just parts of Faerun (The Realms).
You left off:
- Birthright
- Council of Worms
- Dragonlance
- Jakandor
- Kara-Tur
- Lankhmar
- Mahasarpa
- Pelinore
- Planescape
- Rokugan, and
- Wilderlands of High Fantasy
Signed,
the Setting Geek
Blackmoor, to my knowledge, is not owned by WotC.
Spelljammer is less a setting than a ruleset.
Ravenloft has already been defined as one of the many Domains of Dread.
Red Steel was a place in the Savage Coast, a part of the world of Mystara (as were Blackmoor and Hollow World).
Maztica and Al-Qadim were originally just parts of Faerun (The Realms).
You left off:
- Birthright
- Council of Worms
- Dragonlance
- Jakandor
- Kara-Tur
- Lankhmar
- Mahasarpa
- Pelinore
- Planescape
- Rokugan, and
- Wilderlands of High Fantasy
Signed,
the Setting Geek
Hey both of you forgot Star*Drive!:P
Mystara
Hollow World
Al-Qadim
Maztica
Red Steel
SpellJammer
Ravenloft
Blackmore
Birthright
Council of Worms
Dragonlance
Jakandor
Kara-Tur
Lankhmar
Mahasarpa
Pelinore
Planescape
Rokugan
(I don't recognize a couple of these.)
So, if we accept that WotC is going for an EXOTIC fantasy setting this time...
I'd cry if they tried to fit Raist into a one fireball a turn setting.
However I'd rather enjoy seeing Ravenloft reprinted.
You've seen the Raistlin they put in the Character Builder as a sample? He's a Red Robe, so he's still low power.
I'm hoping for Sigil - complete with factions, leaders and Lady
Sigil will be in the DMG2 like FallCrest was in DMG1
I'm hoping for Sigil - complete with factions, leaders and Lady
Back of the DMG2 as a hub city.
A city isn't a setting.
Hey both of you forgot Star*Drive!:P
And Dark Matter.
I see that the two most likely candidates based on clues are DragonLance & Dark Sun. Both settings seem to have a a more-or-less equal amount of clues. I personally don't care if it is either setting because I'll buy both when they come out.
DarkSun
I'm of two minds about DS, I would like to see it, but I don't think post apoc fantasy is a big market.
Mystara
Hollow World
Red steel
Really the same exact setting, at least renaming Mystara to 'the known world'
Al-Qadim
Maztica
Both part of Forgotten Realm's world. Maztica I recall having been stated as having been destroyed in the whole Abeir crashing into Toril incident.
SpellJammer
Ravenloft
Planescape
Unlikely as they are part of the base setting (Spelljammer ships have been listed, DoDs from Ravenloft are part of the Plane of shadow)
Blackmore
Council of Worms
Kara-Tur
Weird quasi-settings that have been both indepdant, and part of FR/Mystara/Oerth.
Lankhmar
I think they no longer have rights to the Lankhmar RPG.
Birthright
Dragonlance
the restrictions of these two settings makes them unlikely (Brithright has no gnomes, few dragons, et cetera elves can't use divine; Dragonlance and its structured alignments)
Jakandor
Mahasarpa
Pelinore
These have a shot, but I would be shocked as none of them have established fan base, and maybe more important the Trademark office doesn't list them trademarked by WotC anymore.
Rokugan
AEG recaptured the rights to Rokugan (See Legend of Five Rings).
So, if we accept that WotC is going for an EXOTIC fantasy setting this time...
I think that sums it up. If its Exotic Fantasy its likely to be DS as its fairly atypical (though really post-apoc/fantasy mix).
Jakandor is very unlikely in my mind, as its Very limited.
Pelinore again is very limited in scope.
Its also why in my mind Mystara setting would be the Known World/Hollow Earth/Savage Coast rolled into one.
Edit> Oh and Kara-tur/Maztica/Al-qadim/Mahasarpa are unlikely as they are culturally limited (Asian/Meso-American/Arab/Asian respectfully)
Since it's pretty much been narrowed down to Dark Sun or Dragonlance, let's speculate on the NEXT one.
I'm personally hoping the 2011 setting will be Dark*Matter or Urban Arcana-based, and will fulfill the requests we've had for a modern setting. (that still follows the 4e formula of "everything works together").
Since it's pretty much been narrowed down to Dark Sun or Dragonlance, let's speculate on the NEXT one.
A brand new setting is my bet.
Unlikely as they are part of the base setting (Spelljammer ships have been listed, DoDs from Ravenloft are part of the Plane of shadow)
I agree that they are the base setting, which is exactly why a campaign guide and players guide including all three of those things and more could be possible. Expanding on already known information would be great.
I'm of two minds about DS, I would like to see it, but I don't think post apoc fantasy is a big market.
I disagree. Darksun is a unique and really great setting and people who have played it before would love to see it again. Those who have no experience with it would be in for a real treat as its different and opens up to a completely new spin on D&D. I feel this would have strong sales support from both long time and new fans.
the restrictions of these two settings makes them unlikely (Brithright has no gnomes, few dragons, et cetera elves can't use divine; Dragonlance and its structured alignments)
Eberron included fluff to explain the new 4e and FR races being found on the planet, so its not impossible to think birthright could include gnomes , dragonborn and tieflings. As for dragonlance, alignment can still play a part in the game. We still have alignment, and in the end, a setting done well is a setting done well. Including evil and good or not. Although many fans of DL would like the ability to play characters outside their alignment norm. (i.e non evil blackrobes for instance) When it comes to DL and DS, fans will speak with their wallets.
Back of the DMG2 as a hub city.
A city isn't a setting.
I disagree. 2e planescape was a setting about a city. It expanded on the information given on the different areas and the planes of PS, but in the end it boiled down to Sigil. But this falls in line with the core fluff of 4e, so a campaign guide and players guide including the spelljammer, planescape and ravenloft into among others wouldn't be a bad idea. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
But then again, I love planescape and ravenloft.
I'm interested in the old, without a doubt. Many of the older settings would be a lot of fun to have in 4e. But I am not against something brand new to focus on the newer, refluffed aspects of 4e. A world built around the 4e fluff completely instead of just tying it all together.
I agree that they are the base setting, which is exactly why a campaign guide and players guide including all three of those things and more could be possible. Expanding on already known information would be great.
See the december world guides (This year's is Astral Sea I believe)
I disagree. Darksun is a unique and really great setting and people who have played it before would love to see it again. Those who have no experience with it would be in for a real treat as its different and opens up to a completely new spin on D&D. I feel this would have strong sales support from both long time and new fans.
Its post Apocalypse fantasy. Its a niche market like Urban Fantasy is (actually smaller now as you don't have people like Jim Butcher who are NYT bestsellars writing post-apoc fantasy). Thats its biggest mark against it, in reality.
Eberron included fluff to explain the new 4e and FR races being found on the planet, so its not impossible to think birthright could include gnomes , dragonborn and tieflings. As for dragonlance, alignment can still play a part in the game. We still have alignment, and in the end, a setting done well is a setting done well. Including evil and good or not. Although many fans of DL would like the ability to play characters outside their alignment norm. (i.e non evil blackrobes for instance) When it comes to DL and DS, fans will speak with their wallets.
Birthright changing dramatically enough to allow dragonborn in, without expanding to include Anduria would cause the loss of the core fans, imo. Its not something the setting was designed to be compatible with. Gnomes as well. Not allowing Elves to have Divine classes would in fact do the same thing.
With DL the alignment is ingrained enough that if you lifted the restrictions you would likely lose its core audience. You could MAYBE pull off moving it to the Sixth Age or whatever comes after the recent trilogy, but the reality is, the novel authors come up with unique plotlines that involve time traveling kenders.
I'm interested in the old, without a doubt. Many of the older settings would be a lot of fun to have in 4e. But I am not against something brand new to focus on the newer, refluffed aspects of 4e. A world built around the 4e fluff completely instead of just tying it all together.
I really would prefer a new setting but thats not happening. We could get whats his name's setting about the gith, as we know that A). It Deals with the Far Realm and B). Githezari are included.
Which his setting about the Gith's homeland well includes both too (And has a S and A in it).
A brand new setting is my bet.
I second that, more specifically I bet that it is going to be the pirate setting that was done by the OotS guy.
And to clarify, this is in reference to 2011.
See the december world guides (This year's is Astral Sea I believe)
Thats very good news! Thanks for letting me knows.
Its post Apocalypse fantasy. Its a niche market like Urban Fantasy is (actually smaller now as you don't have people like Jim Butcher who are NYT bestsellars writing post-apoc fantasy). Thats its biggest mark against it, in reality.
I don't know, eberron is pulp fantasy but plenty of people outside its core fan base got the new material. I think DS sales will speak for the setting. Besides, its not like 2e or 3e where we have 10 books per setting and another 30 books for core. In 4e you can litterally collection everything without having to sell your car or your home or your wife.:P (j/k about the wife thing, calm down people.)
Birthright changing dramatically enough to allow dragonborn in, without expanding to include Anduria would cause the loss of the core fans, imo. Its not something the setting was designed to be compatible with. Gnomes as well. Not allowing Elves to have Divine classes would in fact do the same thing.
I'll take your word for it as I never got into birthright.
With DL the alignment is ingrained enough that if you lifted the restrictions you would likely lose its core audience. You could MAYBE pull off moving it to the Sixth Age or whatever comes after the recent trilogy, but the reality is, the novel authors come up with unique plotlines that involve time traveling kenders.
Alignment doesn't make the setting. Alignment only support character archetypes. The setting can survive and prosper using 4e alignments which are basically just like older editions except now Lawful evil characters are "Evil", Chaotic good characters are just "good" and the entire neutral alignment theme is unaligned. Characters can still be lawful evil, chaotic good and neutral in the game, but the specific wording is different in the offical rules. Only now it will give DL fans a chance to step outside the norm with their characters. (i.e, non evil blackrobes and non good white robes)
I really would prefer a new setting but thats not happening. We could get whats his name's setting about the gith, as we know that A). It Deals with the Far Realm and B). Githezari are included.
We don't know what wotc has planned. Anything beyond that is speculation. But a gith setting featuring the far realm wouldn't be a bad thing. I'd buy it and check it out. I am willing to give anything a chance.
Which his setting about the Gith's homeland well includes both too (And has a S and A in it).
Bolded parts are mine.
Still praying it's Ravenloft - and no, it is NOT the Shadowfell!
Shadowfell is home to the domains of dread, which IS ravenloft. You can play ravenloft right now.
Bolded parts are mine.
1. Yeah, its the main reason I don't believe Ravenloft/Planescape/Spelljammer will happen
2. The secondary issue is, if you try and include the entire world you are talking about a thousand+ page book, as it needs to detail the various domains.
3. I find it unlikely you will really be able to appease the majority of DL fans as I think about it, so its probably best to not make a DL setting.
4. Pharagos is the name, it was featured in that whole Lich Queen out to eat the world Dungeon Arc.
I suppose in about a day we will know, but most signs point to DS.
2. The secondary issue is, if you try and include the entire world you are talking about a thousand+ page book, as it needs to detail the various domains.
3. I find it unlikely you will really be able to appease the majority of DL fans as I think about it, so its probably best to not make a DL setting.
I suppose in about a day we will know, but most signs point to DS.
2. - I agree that it wouldn't be easy to include everything in a single book. But campaign guides and players guides are not small books to begin with and with careful planning, I'm sure wotc could give enough detail on many specifics and gives us subtle suggestions on how to include more and expand on core material.
Plus, since it is infact, core, each core product could include tiny bits of information on those three things. People could still play those three settings without additional content, and not be required to buy further products, but they would be tempted more so into staying with the product line and buying more and more material, which is wotcs battleplan to begin with.
Sigil/planescape is already playable. Ravenloft material is unknown to me in detail as I'v not fully ready the shadowfell DoD yet, so I can't comment on that at this time.:P Spelljammer is the hardest part. Maybe give us a few new races and classes and fluff on "other worlds". We wouldn't even need much since with this new cosmology we can already hope on a spelljammer and go from sigil to the realms and to eberron. When its release we can go kidnap kender from krynn and get a suntan on athas.
3. I think you would be suprised. You could easily find out the truth at the dragonlance nexus which so far includes fans of every single edition. Die hard edition fans are just that, so good luck bring them away from what they love. But many fans are looking forward to a 4e conversion of DL right now.
In fact, fan made rules on 4e DL is already popping up on the nexus, you should check it out.;) (coughcoughpromotioncoughcough):D
Shadowfell is home to the domains of dread, which IS ravenloft. You can play ravenloft right now.
I've been playing Ravenloft for nearly six years. :P
However, the individual Domains of Dread we've seen are not the same as the cohesive whole which is the Core and its various islands and clusters with Vistani, calibans, Strahd, etc.
I've been playing Ravenloft for nearly six years. :P
However, the individual Domains of Dread we've seen are not the same as the cohesive whole which is the Core and its various islands and clusters with Vistani, calibans, Strahd, etc.
Strahd (the original version) is in Open Grave.
The domains of dread will probably be better detailed once The Shadowfell book comes out (At earliest next year), and thats when I would expect Vistani/Calibans/Et Cetera.
2. - I agree that it wouldn't be easy to include everything in a single book. But campaign guides and players guides are not small books to begin with and with careful planning, I'm sure wotc could give enough detail on many specifics and gives us subtle suggestions on how to include more and expand on core material.
Actually I was referring to Brithright's Domains. Its kinda the central theme of Brithright (running your own country/guild/temple/et cetera) so you have to have a much more detailed campaign setting than previous ones have been.
3. I think you would be suprised. You could easily find out the truth at the dragonlance nexus which so far includes fans of every single edition. Die hard edition fans are just that, so good luck bring them away from what they love. But many fans are looking forward to a 4e conversion of DL right now.
In fact, fan made rules on 4e DL is already popping up on the nexus, you should check it out.;) (coughcoughpromotioncoughcough):D
Yes and before 4E FR came out, you mostly had people complaining about how unplayable FR was due to things like Elimister and the high level of detail. You did see what happened there right?
One of the NICE things in a sense about 4e is it doesn't owe any loyalty to any given setting. I'm not sure the 4e designers are near ready to give that up yet. It was one of the great things about OD&D and 1e (up to the appearance of WoG) that it owed nothing to anything.
Yes and before 4E FR came out, you mostly had people complaining about how unplayable FR was due to things like Elimister and the high level of detail. You did see what happened there right?
Yup, people complained and those same people, for the most part, are now playing 4e FR.:D There is a large enough 4e FR fanbase to completely support the conversion, which will be the same for 4e DL.;)
Fans will complain about all the settings but a large enough player base will support a conversion.
Its post Apocalypse fantasy. Its a niche market like Urban Fantasy is (actually smaller now as you don't have people like Jim Butcher who are NYT bestsellars writing post-apoc fantasy). Thats its biggest mark against it, in reality.
Evidently it's big enough for Wizards of the Coast to hire an editor for Dark Sun novels.
Birthright changing dramatically enough to allow dragonborn in, without expanding to include Anduria would cause the loss of the core fans, imo. Its not something the setting was designed to be compatible with. Gnomes as well. Not allowing Elves to have Divine classes would in fact do the same thing.
I'm one of the core fans, have been since it first came out, and anyone who's seen my posts knows I've clamored for Birthright enough for even Chris Perkins to respond. And you know what? I have no problem whatsoever with Dragonborn or other races being "shoehorned" into the main continent.
Dragonborn and Tieflings for example could easily be explained as a true breeding race offshoot of some Awnsheigh or other. Hell, most of the odd races could be explained as Awnsheigh or Ersheigh offshoots. Gnomes could easily be slotted into the Elven lands, or just say the Feywild was always there like the Shadow World(cough Shadowfell cough), but only the Elves knew how to get there. And of course, there's no way the Elves would tell the humans about it.
Any changes needed really wouldn't be that hard to deal with.
Actually I was referring to Brithright's Domains. Its kinda the central theme of Brithright (running your own country/guild/temple/et cetera) so you have to have a much more detailed campaign setting than previous ones have been.
That's what Dragon/Dungeon is for. Just list a few of the big ones in the PG/CG, then have occasional articles on new realms whenever. Hardly any different from the Domains of Dread or FR/Eberron City articles really.
Actually Blackmoor (1974 supplement II) is probably the first setting :P
Codemonkey Publishing has released the latest "Blackmoor" campaign, using the D&D 4E rules.
Bel
- There is an "A" in SenZar, as well as an "S".
- It's something we've seen before.
- We haven't heard much from Todd King lately.
- 4e is the end of the FRP "Black Rainbow". Time for SenZar to come home!
Actually Blackmoor (1974 supplement II) is probably the first setting :P
Not really. Aside from one rather oddball (by today's standards) dungeon there really isn't any material detailing Blackmoor itself in that supplement. In any case the first supplement was Greyhawk anyway, so it would have to claim pride of place in terms of being published. Blackmoor I guess was essentially the first D&D campaign though.
It's going to drive me crazy. D:
Looks like I'll be saving myself sixty bucks this year.
We know that PH3 is all about the incursion of the Far Realm. We know the new setting will be something exotic. If Dark Sun comes to pass, I feel as though it will be post-apocalyptic in the sense that the Far Realm poured into Athas, destroyed and changed everything it touched, and now the setting describes the maddened world that still lingers.
Just a thought.[/indent]
[indent]I have this odd feeling that, if they do in fact announce Dark Sun, it's going to be retooled in ways that accommodate the 4E setting that really bend its original presentation.
We know that PH3 is all about the incursion of the Far Realm. We know the new setting will be something exotic. If Dark Sun comes to pass, I feel as though it will be post-apocalyptic in the sense that the Far Realm poured into Athas, destroyed and changed everything it touched, and now the setting describes the maddened world that still lingers.
Just a thought.[/indent]
Would not mind that at all.
Mmm, sacred steaks.
[indent]I have this odd feeling that, if they do in fact announce Dark Sun, it's going to be retooled in ways that accommodate the 4E setting that really bend its original presentation.
We know that PH3 is all about the incursion of the Far Realm. We know the new setting will be something exotic. If Dark Sun comes to pass, I feel as though it will be post-apocalyptic in the sense that the Far Realm poured into Athas, destroyed and changed everything it touched, and now the setting describes the maddened world that still lingers.
Just a thought.[/indent]
I doubt it. I kinda think that the Far Realm incursion is something being cooked up for the generic PoL setting, not a theme that is intended to be present in every specific campaign world. Not to mention that changing that aspect of Dark Sun drastically alters athas's entire history as well as removing a major theme from it (defiling magic destroys the environment).
And the new setting is.....*drumroll* Dark Sun!
Announced, offically?
GO DARKSUN!
Well, at least this saves me money next year.
Just what I would have said, if it had been Dragonlance.
Cover looks awesome. Releases #gencon 2010. Images coming later. Andy promises heavy roll out previews starting soon
thank god it wasn't dragonlance, now to see how much of the original flavor Darksun retains...
Going back to the original boxed set as far as the timeline goes, so it would seem the changes introduced in the novels are right out.
Any info on the class in the book?! And are we getting those cool looking Thri-kreen now??
Only thing mentioned in the interviews that I've seen which could be a class would be templars, but it wasa reference to an adversary to the PCs so no guarantees there. And while I don't think it has been outright said yet, I believe that Thri-kreen are a fairly safe bet.
Only thing mentioned in the interviews that I've seen which could be a class would be templars, but it wasa reference to an adversary to the PCs so no guarantees there. And while I don't think it has been outright said yet, I believe that Thri-kreen are a fairly safe bet.
Harbinger Thri-Kreen ranger on my trade list in the DDM Marketplace, first come first serve! lol (had three, but already traded 2 away)
Bel
I think 2011 will be Mystara, mixed with Red Steel and Hollow World.
Bel
I don't think WotC is going to do any more generic fantasy worlds. That was TSR's mistake was coming out with a plethora of settings that really just all could have been practically different parts of the same world. Some of them did have a moderately unique feature or two, but not much. It was only later in the 2e lifecycle that they figured it out and did things like DS.
No, I think they'll continue on the same course they are now. Each new setting will be heavily themed. They may do some kind of Planescape type thing next, or an oriental flavored fantasy world, or a Lovecraftian horror setting, etc. Whatever it is may draw from existing 4e canon, but it will be unique and won't step into the same space as FR or Ebberon.
I don't think WotC is going to do any more generic fantasy worlds. That was TSR's mistake was coming out with a plethora of settings that really just all could have been practically different parts of the same world. Some of them did have a moderately unique feature or two, but not much. It was only later in the 2e lifecycle that they figured it out and did things like DS.
No, I think they'll continue on the same course they are now. Each new setting will be heavily themed. They may do some kind of Planescape type thing next, or an oriental flavored fantasy world, or a Lovecraftian horror setting, etc. Whatever it is may draw from existing 4e canon, but it will be unique and won't step into the same space as FR or Ebberon.
Red Steel or Mystara's Savage Coast was under the Red Curse, which eventually kills its inhabitants by mutating them unless the metal cinnabryl is worn in contact with the body. It could also be used for a nautical type campaign.
The Hollow World of Mystara acts as a living "cultural museum" for the planet, forever preserving cultures and races that are near extinction on the surface world. The requirements to learn magic are much higher in the Hollow world, and many spells are non-functional or unavailable. So it could be set as a down and dirty low magic world.
The Hollow World also adds several new player races including Beastmen, Brutemen, Kubbits, Krugel Orcs, Malpheggi Lizardmen.
Bel
Red Steel or Mystara's Savage Coast was under the Red Curse, which eventually kills its inhabitants by mutating them unless the metal cinnabryl is worn in contact with the body. It could also be used for a nautical type campaign.
The Hollow World of Mystara acts as a living "cultural museum" for the planet, forever preserving cultures and races that are near extinction on the surface world. The requirements to learn magic are much higher in the Hollow world, and many spells are non-functional or unavailable. So it could be set as a down and dirty low magic world.
The Hollow World also adds several new player races including Beastmen, Brutemen, Kubbits, Krugel Orcs, Malpheggi Lizardmen.
Bel
Which are all really rather minor setting variations and can be incorporated in most any generic fantasy world. Heck the whole Savage Coast thing was lifted whole cloth from World of Greyhawk in the first place. Yes, they could come out with a setting that uses any of those ideas, but the whole setting itself would likely be more unique and thematic than any of the ones that were published in the past.
Sure WotC will publish what makes money, but they are a good bit more sophisticated about that than TSR ever was. For instance if they published World of Greyhawk 4e it overlaps largely with 4e FR, they both do the same thing. Thus it would mostly cannibalize FR sales. Sure there are lots of WoG fans out there, but if WoG is never published for 4e, they'll buy FR. So why go to the expense of supporting 2 generic fantasy settings when the end result is the same sales as if you support one?
Plenty of people will buy FR, Ebberon, AND Dark Sun because they are all different enough to not overlap too much. Settings that largely overlap those 3 will probably be unappealing to them as products. Planescape could be a product they might release, it has a following and it is different from the others. I'm sure there are other ones they could do.
Really though who says they will release a setting after DS? There are a lot of other things they can do besides release new settings.
Take myself for example. I bought the Forgotten Realms stuff. I enjoy it, it's okay. The fiction has been okay (though I'm disappointed with some of the 4e changes.)
Eberron is a "curiosity" to me. I bought the Player's Guide, solely for the Artificer (which I didn't like nearly as much as the playtest version.) I don't have plans to make any further Eberron purchases (though I'd probably be able to mine some material from the CG.)
There is a better chance for an ice cube in Asmodeus' hand than there is that I'll purchase anything Dark Sun. I don't care that it's "different." I don't want "different." I want high fantasy, specifically Dragonlance. I've never played any Greyhawk, but I'd check it out, and I'd definitely be 100% behind a Mystara setting package (having had my start in the BECMI sets.)
I don't need or want "gritty" so Dark Sun is a lost sale to me, just as another high-fantasy setting would be to someone else.
I don't view what Wizards is doing as "I'm taking my ball and going home." I look at it as "Well, I'm the only one with a ball, and I want to play H.O.R.S.E. (Dark Sun.) You're welcome to play, but seeing as how I'm the only one with the ball, I'm not leaving, so either play H.O.R.S.E. or you leave." Which is fine. I don't have a problem with that. I want to play full court 5-on-5 (Dragonlance.) In the meantime, I'm willing to sit on the side with some friends and shoot the breeze (Forgotten Realms.) If we don't play 5-on-5 soon though, I'm going to either head home, take a shower and find something else to do, or I'm going to head over to the handball courts and play a different game with my time (Pathfinder, perhaps.)
WotC has every right to do as they please with the game, and I'm glad they're appealing to a part of the market. However, everyone needs to keep in mind that they are appealing to "part" of the market, and not the entire thing. There are people who want Dragonlance. There are people who want Ravenloft. There are people who want Spelljammer, Mystara, Birthright, Greyhawk, and myriad other settings. Granted, some who want them will grab Dark Sun. By the same token, some of those who wanted Dark Sun would have grabbed one of the above had it been them.
Personally, I'd rather they farmed out the worlds they don't want to actively support, just like they did in 3.5. I was a huge fan of Margaret Weis Productions/Sovereign Press' coverage of Dragonlance. And I still bought WotC products like Ghostwalk and Libris Mortis, which I barely have even glanced at. That allows them to produce the unique and shiny new (or new again in the current case) material that a significant portion of the fan base desires, while allowing the other portions of the fan base to get what they desire.
Before anyone brings up the argument that I could just mine the FRCG and use the fluff from DL 3.5, I could make the same argument using the fact that PHB3 will contain psionics, and DMG2 will include boons to make the point that you can make your own Dark Sun just as "easily" as I can make Dragonlance 4e (and by easily I mean, not really easily at all, in either case.)
If I want different I'll play Shadowrun or CoC or M&M. Wizards has stated that it wants to revive certain trademarked settings and with the three books and done publishing plan there is no real danger of fragmenting the player base, sooner or later everyone gets their setting. Especially if they throw a couple of new ones in, after all there are still the two runner-ups from the campaign competition to be released.
Bel
Wotc will do whatever makes them money. If there is a market for it, they will do it.;)
Of course, but I think the point is that there is more money to be made by not doing a bunch of similar settings.
Of course, but I think the point is that there is more money to be made by not doing a bunch of similar settings.
Many people buy all the stuff even if they don't play them... ever.
But it is true.
I'd like to see Red Steel done in its own right because it had the swashbucker thing going. :-)
I think the whole Hollow World is a museum of extinct outer world cultures would be a blast to play in with the 4E rules.
Bel