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

[Ekeralos]

Tradition/Mystique/Classic Threats/Travel/Fate/Multiculturalism

[Vadin]

This vote isn't complete; please rank all 6 aspects, in order. Thank you.

BTW, all votes are tallied.

Ah. Duly noted. Thanks!

Mystique/Travel/Tradition/Threats/Multiculturalism/Fate

[Lord_Gareth]

Mystique/Travel/Tradition/Threats/Multiculturalism/Fate

[Saint Nil]

Mystique/Travel/Tradition/Threats/Multiculturalism/Fate

[Flame of Anor]

Classic Threats
Tradition
Mystique
Travel
Fate/Destiny
Multiculturalism

[afroakuma]

Zeta, we should make that icon choice mandatory.

[Zeta Kai]

Zeta, we should make that icon choice mandatory.

Uh, let's not.

Just kidding, do as you will. As long as you vote well.

[afroakuma]

Blast. He Roy'd my Elan.

[Pronounceable]

Mystique
Fate/Destiny
Tradition
Classic Threats
Multiculturalism
Travel

[Juhn]

I misinterpreted "Classic threats", based on the examples given (primarily undead) to mean "normal DnD monsters". I voted for this setting based on its uniqueness. And the possibility of elves that live in the desert rather than in trees. Apparently "Classic threats" refers to monsters from Arabian folklore and such? If this is the case, it should probably be clarified, unless I'm the only one who made this mistake, as it looks much more like a favourable option in this case.

I really don't know what the deal is with me and Desert Elves, though.

Also, another clarification: That travel option seems to me like this land is newly discovered by another group and is being told from the perspective of those foreigners. If this is the case, I do not like this option. I'd prefer to have this desert setting be the homeland for the major races, with a degree of history and tradition already ingrained into their cultures. (Essentially, I'd rather have it told from the perspective of the natives of the Arabian setting, rather than any Medieval-Europen-equivalent society.) I would like to be informed as to how to have my vote reflect that, assuming I am interpreting Travel correctly.

Of course, the desert could very well be a big place (not to mention difficult to travel through if unprepared), so Travel could always just mean travelling to strange places in the desert that even the natives have never reached, or possibly trading. The presence of the word "caravans" under Tradition seems to me to be evidence against this, however.

[afroakuma]

Juhn: in the original Arabian Nights, creatures such as ghouls and spectres, avatars of gods, Oriental demons etc. are the classic mythological foes. This is what was referred to as "classic threats," as opposed to the standard D&D monsterdom.

Also: Arabian Nights has several examples of travel to foreign lands or far-off, mythical/mystical islands as part of Odyssean quests. It is also a stable of their genre that magical locales be unknown to the general populace. A wizard's tower will be known of by few people, if any, who are not sages or diviners. The trick here is that this sort of setting is harsh enough that a desert caravan has always been a major adventure, and contact between foreign cultures was uncommon. Hence travel as a major adventuring drive.

[Juhn]

Yeah, I figured I'd been misinterpreting. That's why I asked for clarification, which you so graciously provided.

With that in mind, I'll probably be able to form a vote soon.

[afroakuma]

I'm glad I was able to help! We'll be quite glad to get your opinions in, Juhn!

[horngeek]

Fate/Mystique/Travel/Multicultralism/Tradition/Threats

[Flame of Anor]

Please, peeps! Threats are cool! Think of this:

A sandstorm in the desert. There is a shape in the distance. It looks like a dune...but it's moving. Is that a trick of your eyes? After all, you're nearly blind from the sandstorm. But you're not that lucky. The hideous thing comes closer, emitting screeching rumbles. Its outward appearance is of an ungainly heap of sand-colored flesh, but inside lurks the heart of a vicious, cold-blooded predator. It scuttles toward you on numerous vile legs, waving its flabby mandibles in a disgustingly menacing way. You turn to run...and its mate bursts up from the sand, not three yards in front of you. There is no escape. It is kill...or be eaten.

No, I haven't statted up one of these, but I think it's pretty cool, and I might try to if you like them.

[afroakuma]

This gradiented vote is more to dictate what themes we will focus on in terms of priority. One aspect getting the low vote doesn't mean we won't still touch on it, it just means that we will draw from it far less for inspiration.

[Owrtho]

You make a good point. And I'd also been of the above misunderstanding.
And I want sandworms. Cuz they makes the spice.

so I'm changing my vote from Travel/Multiculturalism/Mystique/Tradition/Classic Threats/Fate to Travel/Multiculturalism/Classic Threats/Mystique/Tradition/Fate

Owrtho

[afroakuma]

The misunderstandings are my fault, since I put that table together. We had originally prepped for Steampunk, so I was a bit time-pressed when I woke up and saw the vote had turned.

[Lyndworm]

1. Classic Threats:
Undead, vicious giant beasts, vengeful godspawn.

2. Mystique:
Genies, priests & sorcerers, talking trees & animals.

3. Travel:
Journeys out of known lands to places of wonder.

4. Multiculturalism:
Segregation of diverse cultures in close geographical proximity.

5. Tradition:
Kingdoms & caliphates, bazaars & caravans.

6. Fate/Destiny:
Self-fulfilling prophecies, divinations, causation & coincidence.


That should do just fine.

Zack

[Cyclone231]

Multiculturalism is awesome. Jeez, I can't believe you guys.

Think about it; dozens of ethnic groups, religions, and cultures forced to coexist by geographical proximity. Imagine the conflicts, the opportunity for richness and complexity in individuals. Too often are cultures approach towards race drawn in broad strokes: there are only natives, foreigners, and various fantasy races, as though every nation approached race and ethnicity like the Roman Empire. What if people in this world look at ethnicity a lot more closely than is socially acceptable in the real world?

Plus, the more cultures and religions you jam into one area, the more likely there is to be one that's really awesome and appealing to you/one of your players.

[Owrtho]

The misunderstandings are my fault, since I put that table together. We had originally prepped for Steampunk, so I was a bit time-pressed when I woke up and saw the vote had turned.

Don't blame you. I mean, steampunk's awsome, and lacks any real settings. I'd not expect the shift either. Fortunatly it changed to another good setting option (even if travel can be a bit dull at times "you traveled x distance. you see... more dunes..."). But The Thousand Nights and a Night do have quite a few interesting things most people don't realize.

Owrtho

[Zeta Kai]

The misunderstandings are my fault, since I put that table together. We had originally prepped for Steampunk, so I was a bit time-pressed when I woke up and saw the vote had turned.

And I thank you for doing that.

Also, for those people who only know Arabian Nights from Aladdin & Iraq War footage should check this out. Yes, there are robots. Seriously.

BTW, all votes are tallied.

[Rimx]

Multiculturalism/Travel/Mystique/Classic Threats/Tradition/Fate

[Sereg]

Glad Arabian won, it's what I would have voted for.

1. Multiculturalism (have to agree with Cyclone231 and this would also be useful for my own setting)

2. Classic Threats (Elements of danger and plot hooks)

3. Tradition (Good roleplaying opertunities)

4. Mystique (The unknown is always interesting)

5. Travel (Can be good but can prevent players from fully enjoying a specific area)

6. Fate (The players should feel like they make a difference)

[AgentPaper]

1. Travel
2. Fate/Destiny
3. Tradition
4. Mystique
5. Classic Threats
6. Multiculturalism

[Athaniar]

In order from most important to least important:

1. Classic Threats
2. Mystique
3. Multiculturalism
4. Tradition
5. Travel
6. Fate/Destiny

Interesting way to vote. I like it. And I am of course pleased that arabian won.

[Luean]

And I thank you for doing that.

Also, for those people who only know Arabian Nights from Aladdin & Iraq War footage should check this out. Yes, there are robots. Seriously.

BTW, all votes are tallied.

There are robots in aladdin (disney version) too!

[Zeta Kai]

The votes are in, & the winning order of priorities is Mystique/Travel/Tradition/Multiculturalism/Classic Threats/Fate & Destiny!

So next, I need you guys (& girls) to vote on the setting’s Magic Level. Votes will be tallied regularly. As always, please only vote for 1 level, & please peruse the voting rules. Thank you for voting.

Magic Level
{table=head]Magic Level
Non-Existent
Very Low/Realistic
Low
Moderate
High
Very High/Fantastic
Out of Control[/table]

[UnChosenOne]

Moderate. On that style that magic is rare but powerful.

[Saint Nil]

I say Moderate, true, too much magic is boring and out of control,, but not enough leaves you bored as well. A few mages a kingdom is fine, but there only being one or two mages means that every mage character is going to seem unrealistic. Maybe a seer per town, low level. A knig with a mage for a visor. But nothing too extreme.