Want: Patch Kits! - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Want: Patch Kits!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Kensan_Oni
Jun 12, 2009 2:47:38 Okay, this is probably weird and stupid...

However, I don't believe every setting should be treated equally in the Full Blown Campaign Setting way. I mean, while Dragonlance has it's fandom, and Ravensloft has it's fandom, and Oriental Adventures has it's followers, I don't think we need full blown out things for them.

I mean, really, the Dragonlance people needs their Schools of Wizardry (Which we can treat as Impliment Choice/Paragon Path) and the Knighthoods (which can be covered with Paragon Paths), as well as the Draconians.

Your Ravensloft people just need a Corruption Package, just like Spellscars. Then you're done there.

Your Oriental Adventures needs name conversions and an assassian class for the Ninja Fanboys. Maybe a paragon path for the Iaijitsu masters. We're done enough there.

We need rules for how to run dragons for a Council of Wyrms thing, and we're done there.

What we need isn't campaign settings. What we need are Patches. System updates, as you will. We just need enough information for the fans to go raving out and doing their thing, and give some more options to players without tying everyone down to a three book publishing scheme.

One book, maybe three, that just gives the bare bones of the heart of the things that people need for their setting.

Not that I heavily desire the product (Outside of a dire need for Lung Dragons), but it would be nice and useful for the community. Might be a nice draw for Dragon Magazine.

It's just a thought.
#2
sigil_beguiler
Jun 12, 2009 2:54:58 I would like to see the same too, but going in a sort of opposite direction. Instead of a book that is very specific to one setting, it instead is more just a broad setting idea that has lots of options presented for it. I am sure you have seen me mention them before as Setting Builder books.

Your idea be something else that be neat to see. Personally for me, a whole book for Planescape (especially Sigil) be great. We could "patch" stuff like all the Factions, more Planar races, and such.
#3
mkill
Jun 12, 2009 4:28:37
One book, maybe three, that just gives the bare bones of the heart of the things that people need for their setting.

Last time I checked, this is what WotC is doing in 4th edition...

:whatsthis
#4
tiwaztyrsfist
Jun 12, 2009 16:48:48 Yeah, 3 books kind of IS a campaign setting now...

But I can see what you mean, and I think it could work for the smaller settings. Ravenloft would be acceptable with a single book the size of Martial Power. Same with Dragon Lance.

Hell, I'd be really, REALLY happy with a single book the size of PHB2 for SpellJammer. Just use the other campaign settings for the planets and core mechanics, ram the book full of ship designs, equiptment, and space combat mechanics.
#5
undrave
Jun 12, 2009 19:18:19 I think by '3 books' he meant for the entire line of patches with multiple setting ideas and rules in one book.
#6
tiwaztyrsfist
Jun 12, 2009 22:26:17 So, 3 books total containing all the rules to run 4e Ravenloft, Planescape, Spelljammer, Darksun, Dragonlance, Kara-tur, Al-quadhim, Mystara, Etc?
#7
undrave
Jun 13, 2009 5:35:26
So, 3 books total containing all the rules to run 4e Ravenloft, Planescape, Spelljammer, Darksun, Dragonlance, Kara-tur, Al-quadhim, Mystara, Etc?

Basically just the very bare necessity in terms of rules. Stuff that actually need rules you know.

Kinda like a Manual of the Planes but for 'minor' settings I guess.
#8
aliothefool
Jun 14, 2009 9:34:15 I'd rather a Dragonlance Player's Guide, and a Dragonlance Campaign Guide. Besides Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, and a deep nostalgia for Mystara, no other setting matters to me.
#9
dan_vk
Jun 14, 2009 10:07:21 Your idea is not stupid or weird, OP, but I do not think WotC would ever consider something like that. While I completely understand why not I think it is a shame.

In the eyes of the bean counters there is no point in releasing partial settings. If the product does not sell it was a wasted investment, and if the product does sell it could have been made into the standard three book set to make more money. In the eyes of developers not doing short write-ups for a setting is a matter of respect. It would be disrespectful to previous developers (remember that every setting is someone’s baby) and fans alike. Few people want to see every setting given a full write up with a setting guide, player’s guide, and original adventure, but almost everyone wants to see their setting treated that way (see below quote).

Besides Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, and a deep nostalgia for Mystara, no other setting matters to me.

The little devil’s advocate in my head is asking, “But what about the settings WotC will never reprint or expand in this edition?” I would love to see CS folios in the style of the 4E adventures, something light with enough information to create characters, background on the setting, and a map. To be honest, I do not believe WotC has a complete line up already planned for 4E. Their releases, including the yearly campaign setting set, are probably completely open with a handful of guidelines. I cannot know for sure until the Eberron Campaign Guide is released, but so far it looks like WotC is listening strongly to fan input. In other words, they do not want to discount any setting the fans might demand more of, and a product like the one I described above is a write-off to hardcore fans.
#10
haplo81
Jun 14, 2009 21:46:18 The Dragon article idea is good. I suspect Wizards will do this with some of the less-popular settings, such as Maztica, Birthright, etc. that don't have enough of a fanbase to warrant a full book.
#11
undrave
Jun 14, 2009 22:19:56 Still I think a book of 'kingdoms' or interesting locales with noteworthy points, essentially a bunch of different chapters like the one on Fallcrest at the end of the DMG would be cool. Like Manual of the Kingdoms instead of Planes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Kensan_Oni Jun 12, 2009 2:47:38	Okay, this is probably weird and stupid... However, I don't believe every setting should be treated equally in the Full Blown Campaign Setting way. I mean, while Dragonlance has it's fandom, and Ravensloft has it's fandom, and Oriental Adventures has it's followers, I don't think we need full blown out things for them. I mean, really, the Dragonlance people needs their Schools of Wizardry (Which we can treat as Impliment Choice/Paragon Path) and the Knighthoods (which can be covered with Paragon Paths), as well as the Draconians. Your Ravensloft people just need a Corruption Package, just like Spellscars. Then you're done there. Your Oriental Adventures needs name conversions and an assassian class for the Ninja Fanboys. Maybe a paragon path for the Iaijitsu masters. We're done enough there. We need rules for how to run dragons for a Council of Wyrms thing, and we're done there. What we need isn't campaign settings. What we need are Patches. System updates, as you will. We just need enough information for the fans to go raving out and doing their thing, and give some more options to players without tying everyone down to a three book publishing scheme. One book, maybe three, that just gives the bare bones of the heart of the things that people need for their setting. Not that I heavily desire the product (Outside of a dire need for Lung Dragons), but it would be nice and useful for the community. Might be a nice draw for Dragon Magazine. It's just a thought.
#2 sigil_beguiler Jun 12, 2009 2:54:58	I would like to see the same too, but going in a sort of opposite direction. Instead of a book that is very specific to one setting, it instead is more just a broad setting idea that has lots of options presented for it. I am sure you have seen me mention them before as Setting Builder books. Your idea be something else that be neat to see. Personally for me, a whole book for Planescape (especially Sigil) be great. We could "patch" stuff like all the Factions, more Planar races, and such.
#3 mkill Jun 12, 2009 4:28:37	One book, maybe three, that just gives the bare bones of the heart of the things that people need for their setting. Last time I checked, this is what WotC is doing in 4th edition... :whatsthis
#4 tiwaztyrsfist Jun 12, 2009 16:48:48	Yeah, 3 books kind of IS a campaign setting now... But I can see what you mean, and I think it could work for the smaller settings. Ravenloft would be acceptable with a single book the size of Martial Power. Same with Dragon Lance. Hell, I'd be really, REALLY happy with a single book the size of PHB2 for SpellJammer. Just use the other campaign settings for the planets and core mechanics, ram the book full of ship designs, equiptment, and space combat mechanics.
#5 undrave Jun 12, 2009 19:18:19	I think by '3 books' he meant for the entire line of patches with multiple setting ideas and rules in one book.
#6 tiwaztyrsfist Jun 12, 2009 22:26:17	So, 3 books total containing all the rules to run 4e Ravenloft, Planescape, Spelljammer, Darksun, Dragonlance, Kara-tur, Al-quadhim, Mystara, Etc?
#7 undrave Jun 13, 2009 5:35:26	So, 3 books total containing all the rules to run 4e Ravenloft, Planescape, Spelljammer, Darksun, Dragonlance, Kara-tur, Al-quadhim, Mystara, Etc? Basically just the very bare necessity in terms of rules. Stuff that actually need rules you know. Kinda like a Manual of the Planes but for 'minor' settings I guess.
#8 aliothefool Jun 14, 2009 9:34:15	I'd rather a Dragonlance Player's Guide, and a Dragonlance Campaign Guide. Besides Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, and a deep nostalgia for Mystara, no other setting matters to me.
#9 dan_vk Jun 14, 2009 10:07:21	Your idea is not stupid or weird, OP, but I do not think WotC would ever consider something like that. While I completely understand why not I think it is a shame. In the eyes of the bean counters there is no point in releasing partial settings. If the product does not sell it was a wasted investment, and if the product does sell it could have been made into the standard three book set to make more money. In the eyes of developers not doing short write-ups for a setting is a matter of respect. It would be disrespectful to previous developers (remember that every setting is someone’s baby) and fans alike. Few people want to see every setting given a full write up with a setting guide, player’s guide, and original adventure, but almost everyone wants to see their setting treated that way (see below quote). Besides Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, and a deep nostalgia for Mystara, no other setting matters to me. The little devil’s advocate in my head is asking, “But what about the settings WotC will never reprint or expand in this edition?” I would love to see CS folios in the style of the 4E adventures, something light with enough information to create characters, background on the setting, and a map. To be honest, I do not believe WotC has a complete line up already planned for 4E. Their releases, including the yearly campaign setting set, are probably completely open with a handful of guidelines. I cannot know for sure until the Eberron Campaign Guide is released, but so far it looks like WotC is listening strongly to fan input. In other words, they do not want to discount any setting the fans might demand more of, and a product like the one I described above is a write-off to hardcore fans.
#10 haplo81 Jun 14, 2009 21:46:18	The Dragon article idea is good. I suspect Wizards will do this with some of the less-popular settings, such as Maztica, Birthright, etc. that don't have enough of a fanbase to warrant a full book.
#11 undrave Jun 14, 2009 22:19:56	Still I think a book of 'kingdoms' or interesting locales with noteworthy points, essentially a bunch of different chapters like the one on Fallcrest at the end of the DMG would be cool. Like Manual of the Kingdoms instead of Planes.