Vote Up a Campaign Setting (3E/4E)

[Mewtarthio]

What? No love for magic? It's an Arabian Nights-esque setting, so I like the idea of magic tending more towards the surreal and dangerous. Heck, I like the idea of magic tending more towards the surreal and dangerous anyway.

...That is what a vote for "use of magic" means, right?

[Juhn]

What? No love for magic? It's an Arabian Nights-esque setting, so I like the idea of magic tending more towards the surreal and dangerous. Heck, I like the idea of magic tending more towards the surreal and dangerous anyway.

...That is what a vote for "use of magic" means, right?

That's similar to what I've been asking, and afro has offered to clear this stuff up for us.

[Zocelot]

Evil Cults, because "an evil cult is planning to summon demons and destroy the town/city/country/world" is the easiest plot hook to implement.

[puppyavenger]

so stuck between choices... Demonic Forces

[blackspeeker]

I'll go with civil wars. Actually nevermind that I liked mewtarthio's idea I like use of magic now.

[afroakuma]

This is who the people see as the biggest threat? That makes a lot more sense to me then. I'll have to think on that then; too many of these options could be pretty awesome. Of course, I'm going to assume most of them will be factored in to some degree (the desert is essentially a threat no matter what if not prepared - and even if you are to a degree, supernatural beings tend not to be nice people, and depending on how amiably the humans get along with the other races they might be seen as a threat: gnoll raids, etc.)

It's the equivalent of asking someone, "What is the biggest threat to our world today? Terrorism? The economic crisis? The Large Hadron Collider?"

With regard to the short breakdown, please do. I'd personally like to see that on every vote where it might help, and it would for this one. For example: do Lizardfolk and Gnolls count as Humanoid Hordes (as they're playable races) or as monstrous hordes? Where do Djinn and other such tricky supernatural beings fall under - use of magic, demonic forces, cults, perhaps even gods (which they're not, but humans might view them as close to it)?

By the way, does arabian nights/desert fantasy myth even have dragons? I'm not voting for it anyway because playing DL has given me my fill of that and I'm looking for something different here, but it looks to me like they really might not fit the setting? Are they just being put here because the game is called D&D?

But I'm sure an explanation would clear all these things up.

I knew I'd have to do one for this poll.

Quick responses before I do:

Lizardfolk and Gnolls are both humanoids.

Djinn are tricky. It depends on whether you want them as antagonists (demonic forces) or purveryors of magic to evil ends (use of magic).

Arabian myth does incorporate dragons, mainly from the Eastern tradition. If that one gets picked, it won't be anything close to Dragonlance's take on them. And yeah; they were going to be on the list no matter what.

[Juhn]

purveryors of magic to evil ends (use of magic).

This. A thousand times this. Most of the time when I think of an Arabian-Nights-style story, it involves a supernatural being giving some type of magic item/treasure/power/granting a wish/etc to a greedy/foolish mortal and then laughing at them as they proceed to ruin their own life.

For quick tallying purposes, that's a vote for Use of Magic.

[Cyclone231]

Environment seems appropriate for a desert setting.

[afroakuma]

Dragons
Legendary magic-hoarding beasts who rule over all they see, dragons as opposition oppress civilized growth, defend mythical locations, assault great cities and kidnap princesses to trap them in lairs in far-off lands.

Religious Cults
Much like the Thuggee from Temple of Doom, religious cults may not actually draw on divine power, but use the lure of the supernatural or the divine to draw in worshippers, whether to undermine society, establish theocracy or for some more sinister purpose.

Evil Empires
Tyrannical nations hellbent on annexing other territory. Actively considered "the badguys" by much of the rest of the world, with diplomatic overtures resulting either in a declaration of war or an alliance with the Evil Empire.

Civil Wars
Nation vs. nation, culture vs. culture. Xenophobia, lessened trade and a fear of travel all play into conflicts, whether they be between differing religions, governments or city-states.

Humanoid Hordes
The barbaric invaders sweep through the lands, depleting resources in their lust for conquest. Who they are and how they fight are questions that must be solved lest established civilization fall to rubble under their boots.

Monstrous Hordes
Opposition from dire, monstrous creatures eager to enslave, dominate or eradicate civilization, replacing it with their own malign rule. From far lands, in deep valleys, in dark caverns, these beasts work to end the humanoids' dominion of the lands.

Demonic Forces
Nothing less than the spirit of evil, organizing to bring ill to society, cast down priests and rulers and break the spirit of the civilized. The spread of darkness is hard to follow, but these supernatural threats are terrors few can muster the will to stand against. Dire curses by malevolent spirits join in the effort to lay low the humanoids.

Environment
The terrible sandstorms are the least of threats when massive rocs fly by to snatch up horses, desert wolves raid into towns at night and sand crocodiles prey on caravans.

Gods
Uncaring or capricious, the gods may stir fate to punish one man, or decide to elevate another. Their children, cast aside by reckless parents, may walk the earth, enslaving mortalkind to their bidding. The wars of such gods may catch mortals in religious clashes or in the terror of the supernatural. Certain gods may just actively dislike humanoids, or have the task of making them suffer.

Use of Magic
Sorcerers are feared as creatures and demons. Magic is a deadly force that cannot be reckoned with. Those who study it, tracing dark, timelost rituals, do so to gain and exploit power over others, and though its promise is great it is a threat to all who cannot grasp the arcane power.

[Kagehime]

Hmm...sorry, but after all, I would like to change my vote from "Gods" to Use of Magic (sorcery.)

By the way, the original story of Aladdin is rather different from the Disney version, and it's what's inspired me there.

[aaron_the_cow]

CULTS
FTW

[Fako]

Use of Magic...as long as it doesn't involve Disney's Jafar...

[Pronounceable]

Gods
Uncaring or capricious, the gods may stir fate to punish one man, or decide to elevate another. Their children, cast aside by reckless parents, may walk the earth, enslaving mortalkind to their bidding. The wars of such gods may catch mortals in religious clashes or in the terror of the supernatural. Certain gods may just actively dislike humanoids, or have the task of making them suffer.

I was gonna vote magic for the DarkSun feeling or humanoid hordes so we could actively try to wipe them off the map, but the possibility of Hercules declaring war on Gilgamesh is too awesome to ignore (maybe with a little bit of Highlander flavor thrown in).

So gods it is.

[An Enemy Spy]

Monstrous Hordes

[Reverent-One]

Use of magic

[Lyndworm]

I'm going to vote Gods.

That was a tough one. I almost went with Civil War, because I really, really like the tension that would bring to a campaign. Then I had a flash of arrogant gods who consider mortals toys or worse, their progeny enslaved as a source of power. Forced into physical labor or imprisoned to have their godly energy siphoned off, these Deity-spawn are weakened, pathetic versions of their ancestors. Hated by mortals, they live only to die.

Oh yeah. That'll do quite nicely.

Zack

[Zordrath]

The description of Gods sounds awesome. I'll change from Demonic Forces to Gods.

[Frog Dragon]

Civil Wars or Gods, Civil wars or gods.... spends next hour thinking ...........
OK
Gods

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Gods, or Use of Magic? Gods.

[TheCheshireHat]

Man, this a real tough one... But I´ll go for Use of magic.

[Drakefall]

Wait, what?! Civil wars have xenophobia thrown in there? But, but, but... the Lizardfolk are our friends! Don't hurts them!

I was hoping for a more political rebels vs government vs other rebels type thing... awh, now I don't know what to vote for.

I guess I'd like to change my vote to gods then. I like the idea of a world dominated mostly by arrogant, selfish gods but with a few good ones left for good clerics to worship and spread the goodness for, despite being looked down upon as devout followers.. and more goody, goodness of good.

Yes, that paragraph did indeed favour the word "good".

[afroakuma]

Drakefall: I was just listing examples. Cultural xenophobia was the one I named. And yes, it could be rebels vs. government just as easily.

[Athaniar]

I was gonna vote magic for the DarkSun feeling or humanoid hordes so we could actively try to wipe them off the map, but the possibility of Hercules declaring war on Gilgamesh is too awesome to ignore (maybe with a little bit of Highlander flavor thrown in).So gods it is.

When you put it like that, it can be no doubt. Forget about civil wars, we want Gods!

[Drakefall]

Drakefall: I was just listing examples. Cultural xenophobia was the one I named. And yes, it could be rebels vs. government just as easily.

Oh, my bad. Or rather my poor interpretation. I kinda associated cultural conflict with racial conflict because a lot of the time they happily accompany one another. And I have a sad, unnatural love of Lizardfolk.

If it's ok I'd like to revoke my previous vote change and return to civil war. Sorry for the trouble.

[starwoof]

I'm throwing a vote at Gods.

[Zeta Kai]

If it's ok I'd like to revoke my previous vote change and return to civil war. Sorry for the trouble.

Your vote has been changed, but it will not be changed again. Stand by your vote, for a weak good opinion is worse than a strong bad opinion. If you can't decide, the DM will set you at True Neutral.

BTW, all votes are tallied.

[Flame of Anor]

I'll throw my lot in with use of magic. While I think hordes are really cool, and I very much hope to see them in the setting, neither horde choice really has a chance.

The reason I don't like the gods-as-antagonists choice is that it would just feel weird. Adventurers are supposed to be powerful enough to really make a difference, and, if gods are the main antagonists, that leaves the DM with the unfortunate choice of making the gods unrealistically weak, making the characters unrealistically powerful, or letting the characters always get kicked around by their main antagonists. I wouldn't want to play in a setting where any of those was the case.

Though I totally agree that having some nasty gods would be cool, I think they should be more background antagonists. They could certainly be planners of evil schemes that the adventurers must thwart, but the day-to-day antagonists of adventurers would be cultists or hordes or djinn or the harsh desert environment or what-have-you.

[puppyavenger]

changing my vote from Demonic forces to Gods because Birth-rightesque deity-spawn as evil overlords is awesome!

[Owrtho]

Well, I can't help but think, there is but one foe that occure in an overwhelming majority of the Arabian nights. It is not the deadly kingdom that you must face. Nor the harsh environment. It is something much more sinister. Much harder to define. Harder to ward against. Something that can lead to many a hardship. Yes, the most dangerous thing I can think of is Jealous Women.

It matters not that they live in a small setlement with no neighbors. It will just be your luck that they happened to have a grandmother who taught them powerful sorcery (which they for some reason never use for anything worthwhile), and they will, upon falling for you, eventualy becom jealous and put some curse on you. No matter their station, rank, location, family, etc. It seems every woman has access to curses that they can use on those they are jealous of. Never mind that they seem to have no ability to help themselves with whatever source of magic they have, but they sure won't hesitate to make your life hell for awhile with it. I'm certain the only reason why they survived to this day is because there are just so many women with inexplicable magic that despite getting cursed by them nomatter where you go, you'll eventualy be able to woo some other woman till she decided to remove it. Then you just have to hope she doesn't do the same thing.

So, if possible, I'll vote for jealous women, or just plain jealousy. If thats not possible, I'll vote for environment.

Owrtho

[afroakuma]

A lot of you seem to have a very distinct idea of what the Gods vote entails.

Let me put it to you this way:

Birthright had Gods as its primary opposition.

So did Greek Mythology.

There is a fair span of differences.

Edit: And Owrtho, what you just voted for is Use of Magic. No wondermen are scared of it. Their jealous wives and angry mother-in-laws have it!

I'll leave you discretionary time to set your vote in stone.