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Experiences with population density

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
bobiago
Mar 14, 2009 14:31:46 For those who feel that Khorvaire is underpopulated to the point of wanting to do something about it, what are your experiences with either increasing map scale (i.e. decreasing area) or increasing population? Have you run into any problems with published material? Do you notice any troubles with uneven effects to simple modifiers (e.g. multiplying map scale by two fixes overall population density, but makes Valenar ridiculously overpopulated)?

I'm not looking to rehash the old arguments over whether Khorvaire is underpopulated or not. Let's just assume it is for the purposes of this discussion.
#2
Nived
Mar 14, 2009 14:56:46 I can say in all honesty, that in all the various Eberron games I've played... population density has never once come up. Ever.

Its interesting to discuss on the boards, but in game, it's not even really relivant background information. None of my players have ever asked me exactly how populated Wroat, Flamekeep, or Rekkenmark is, I just describe the city in sweeping terms. A market is crowded or derilict as I (or any DM) sees fit.

Like I said its an interesting intellectual exercise, but I don't really see what you mean by troubles in game.

Regaurdless of the population of Valenar there are only going to be as many encounters with elves as you choose to run.
#3
tallric_kruush
Mar 14, 2009 16:49:50 I agree with Nived that it really doesn't matter much once the dice start rolling. That said, this population density issue was the second thing to spring into my mind when I first saw the new ECG Map of Khorvaire. The first, of course, was "oooooh, new map!"

I wonder if this is something that will be fixed in ECG.
#4
lonewolf
Mar 14, 2009 20:06:12 What did influence my game is the sheer size of Khorvaire. The continent is just HUGE and traveling it takes a long time, even if you are using lightning rail or other fast modes of transportation. Even Teleport isnt enough to get you even halfway through the continent.

I think shrinking the whole world(not just Khorvaire) by a factor 2-3 works very well in adressing those issues.
#5
laredric
Mar 22, 2009 19:10:06 Yeah, the Demographics of Eberron are goofy. If you want a good comparison, I would suggest looking at Europe immediately after the 30 years war.
#6
Alex_
Mar 22, 2009 20:39:37 Honestly, I never payed attention. If players are going on foot or as part of a caravan, they get to any nearby area in the span of a day or couple of weeks. Anything requiring travel across the continent is taken care of by lightning rail, airship, or Orien teleport, and is glossed over, unless there's an encounter related to it.
#7
AvonRekaes
Mar 23, 2009 12:11:11 I've never been asked by my players how populated a city is. However, since we play almost exclusively in Sharn, and we live in New York City, which has roughly 8-million residents, I thought Sharn's population of 200,000 a little low. When I described the city, I said it was 2 million.

Again, it hasn't really ever mattered.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 bobiago Mar 14, 2009 14:31:46	For those who feel that Khorvaire is underpopulated to the point of wanting to do something about it, what are your experiences with either increasing map scale (i.e. decreasing area) or increasing population? Have you run into any problems with published material? Do you notice any troubles with uneven effects to simple modifiers (e.g. multiplying map scale by two fixes overall population density, but makes Valenar ridiculously overpopulated)? I'm not looking to rehash the old arguments over whether Khorvaire is underpopulated or not. Let's just assume it is for the purposes of this discussion.
#2 Nived Mar 14, 2009 14:56:46	I can say in all honesty, that in all the various Eberron games I've played... population density has never once come up. Ever. Its interesting to discuss on the boards, but in game, it's not even really relivant background information. None of my players have ever asked me exactly how populated Wroat, Flamekeep, or Rekkenmark is, I just describe the city in sweeping terms. A market is crowded or derilict as I (or any DM) sees fit. Like I said its an interesting intellectual exercise, but I don't really see what you mean by troubles in game. Regaurdless of the population of Valenar there are only going to be as many encounters with elves as you choose to run.
#3 tallric_kruush Mar 14, 2009 16:49:50	I agree with Nived that it really doesn't matter much once the dice start rolling. That said, this population density issue was the second thing to spring into my mind when I first saw the new ECG Map of Khorvaire. The first, of course, was "oooooh, new map!" I wonder if this is something that will be fixed in ECG.
#4 lonewolf Mar 14, 2009 20:06:12	What did influence my game is the sheer size of Khorvaire. The continent is just HUGE and traveling it takes a long time, even if you are using lightning rail or other fast modes of transportation. Even Teleport isnt enough to get you even halfway through the continent. I think shrinking the whole world(not just Khorvaire) by a factor 2-3 works very well in adressing those issues.
#5 laredric Mar 22, 2009 19:10:06	Yeah, the Demographics of Eberron are goofy. If you want a good comparison, I would suggest looking at Europe immediately after the 30 years war.
#6 Alex_ Mar 22, 2009 20:39:37	Honestly, I never payed attention. If players are going on foot or as part of a caravan, they get to any nearby area in the span of a day or couple of weeks. Anything requiring travel across the continent is taken care of by lightning rail, airship, or Orien teleport, and is glossed over, unless there's an encounter related to it.
#7 AvonRekaes Mar 23, 2009 12:11:11	I've never been asked by my players how populated a city is. However, since we play almost exclusively in Sharn, and we live in New York City, which has roughly 8-million residents, I thought Sharn's population of 200,000 a little low. When I described the city, I said it was 2 million. Again, it hasn't really ever mattered.