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

[Zeta Kai]

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

Premise
Yes, we’re actually doing this. For real. This is either going to be the best thing since sliced bread, or a complete disaster. Our goal here is to let the forum members vote on various aspects of a campaign setting, & then craft the results into a cohesive whole. We know that this sounds insane, but we’re willing to give it a try anyway.

But this isn’t a project for anyone to tackle alone. A team has been assembled from crazed volunteers, willing to dedicate their homebrewing talents & stake their reputations on this project turning out to be awesome. Here are the poor souls foolish enough to take this on:

afroakuma
3rd Edition Expert/Fluff-Master

Shadow_Elf
4th Edition Expert

Zeta Kai
3rd Edition Expert/Cartographer

The results from this project will be usable in either 3rd Edition or 4th Edition, as we will be providing content for both. Wish us luck, & tell your friends to vote.

Here are links to previous VUA contests, & the resulting creations:

Spoiler

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #1 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Gatekeeper

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #2 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Deus ex Machina

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #3 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Ectoplasmic Swarm

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #4 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Polymental

Vote Up a Monster (4E) #1 by Shadow_Elf
Result: the Songbird Spirit

Vote Up a Monster (4E) #2 by Shadow_Elf
Result: Pending

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #1 by afroakuma
Result: the Maiden’s Weeping/Swain of Varrone

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #2 by afroakuma
Result: the Caillteanas

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #3 by afroakuma
Result: Dandag the Quiet

Here are the official VUACS Rules for Voting™. Please read these, as a violation may result in your vote not being counted:

Spoiler

1. Only a single vote per person per aspect is allowed. Multiple voting will not be counted. In some cases, voters can select multiple options, but voting again will not be allowed. This could probably have gone unsaid, but it’s nice to clarify it for everyone’s benefit.
2. Please only vote for the options provided. Write-in options are largely discouraged. In exchange, I will offer a wide variety of options, including a few that would normally be impossible, given the previously-chosen aspects. Exceptions will be noted, when/if appropriate.
3. Please do not criticize or disparage the votes of other forum members. Let the votes fall where they may. It’s a campaign setting, & as such, there will be room enough for everyone’s opinions. So just be patient, & allow other voters to voice their own opinions.
4. Suggestions for different aspects are allowed, but any major suggestions will have to be voted upon, so be advised that anything you offer could be voted down by others.
5. Changing of votes is discouraged, but permissible. If you must change your vote, please let us know that you are doing so, & what your original vote was. We tally votes often, to keep post #1 up to date, & it’s hard enough to keep track of which posts haven’t been tallied yet.
6. If your vote cannot be tallied due to violation of any of these rules, We will post to inform you of that before voting ends. We will also ask you to modify your vote, so that it may be changed.
7. Unless otherwise stated, each poll's result will be winner-takes-all. We will sometimes take "popular losers" & work them in somewhere, but the winner of each poll will get the most attention in the crafting of the setting.

We are soliciting votes on a number of aspects on this campaign setting. Here are the aspects, in order:

1. Genre: Arabian Nights/Desert Fantasy
   
   Spoiler

   Genre	Votes
   Classic/Low Fantasy	0
   Epic/High Fantasy	3
   Arabian Nights/Desert Fantasy	20
   Age of Sail/Pirate Fantasy	1
   Sci-fi Fantasy	0
   Space Opera Science Fiction	1
   Cyberpunk Science Fiction	0
   Modern/Realistic	0
   Western/Frontier	2
   Victorian/Steampunk	16
   Realistic Medieval	1
   Stone Age/Ice Age	2

   
   
2. Thematic Priorities: Mystique/Travel/Tradition/Multiculturalism/Classic Threats/Fate & Destiny
   
   Spoiler

   Themes	Votes
   Multiculturalism: segregation of diverse cultures in close geographical proximity	104
   Mystique: genies, priests & sorcerers, talking trees & animals	156
   Tradition: kingdoms & caliphates, bazaars & caravans	115
   Travel: journeys out of known lands to places of wonder	127
   Classic Threats: undead, vicious giant beasts, vengeful godspawn	101
   Fate & Destiny: self-fulfilling prophecies, divinations, causation & coincidence	89

   
   
3. Magic Level: Moderate
   
   Spoiler

   Magic Level	Votes
   Non-Existent	1
   Very Low/Realistic	1
   Low	17
   Moderate	27
   High	2
   Very High/Fantastic	7
   Out of Control	0

   
   
4. PC Races: Half-Djinn, Lizardfolk, Genasi, Half-Ghul, & Gnoll
   
   Spoiler

   Races	Votes
   Aasimar	12
   Camelfolk (NEW)	7
   Dwarf	16
   Elf	8
   Genasi	27
   Gnoll	17
   Gnome	4
   Goblinoid	12
   Half-Djinn (NEW)	36
   Half-Elf	4
   Half-Ghul (NEW)	24
   Half-Orc	1
   Halfling/Kender	5
   Lizardfolk	30
   Orc	12
   Tiefling	15

   
   
5. Human Percentage: 50%
   
   Spoiler

   Human Percentage	Votes
   30%	12
   40%	6
   50%	13
   60%	3
   70%	3
   80%	1

   
   
6. Primary Antagonists: Use of Magic
   
   Spoiler

   Primary Antagonists	Votes
   Dragons	2
   Religious Cults	4
   Evil Empires	0
   Civil Wars	6
   Humanoid Hordes	0
   Monstrous Hordes (yuan-ti, harpies, gargoyles, etc.)	1
   Demonic Forces (tieflings, ghuls, devils, etc.)	0
   Environment (predators, harsh weather, etc.)	3
   Gods (uncaring, hateful, capricious etc.)	12
   Use of Magic	15

   
   
7. Geography: Few Large Continents
   
   Spoiler

   Geography	Votes
   Single SuperContinent	4
   Paired SuperContinents	7
   Few Large Continents	17
   Many Small Continents	11
   Many Large Islands	2
   Myriad Small Islands	1

   
   
8. Primary Religion: One Single God
   
   Spoiler

   Religion (Examples)	Votes
   No Gods (Atheism/Buddhism/Jainism)	9
   One Single God (Christianity/Islam/Judaism/Sikhism/Bahá'í)	17
   Yin/Yang Gods (Zoroastrianism/Daoism)	0
   Triumvirate (Hindu Trimurti)	7
   Divine-Mortal Lineage (State Shinto)	1
   Pantheon (Core D&D/Greco-Roman/Egyptian/Norse)	4
   Infinite Gods (Hinduism/Shintoism)	16

   
   
9. Cosmology: Yin/Yang Planes
   
   Spoiler

   Cosmology	Votes
   One Single Plane	3
   Yin/Yang Planes	12
   Nested Realities	5
   Islands in a Stormy Sea	9
   Great Wheel of Planes	0
   Infinite Possibilities	4
   Parallel Universes	5

   
   
10. Politics: City-States
    
    Spoiler

    Politics	Votes
    One Global Empire	5
    Multiple Large Empires	3
    Many Large Nations	1
    Myriad Small Nations	2
    City-States	17
    Mixed Large/Small Nations	3
    Nomadic Cultures	1

    
    
11. Advanced Classes: Alchemist, Dervish, Geomancer, Djinn Lord, Master of the Wastes, & Pharaoh
    
    Spoiler

    Low-Level Prestige Classes/Paragon Paths	Votes
    Alchemist	23
    Cataphract	11
    Corsair	11
    Dervish	20
    Duskwalker	9
    Fatima	6
    Geomancer	21
    Ghul-Bound	10
    Hoplite	13
    Jezebel	8
    Ritual Magus	7
    Ritual Warrior	4
    Sacred Pilgrim	2
    Sand Magus	13
    Sandshaper	19
    Theomancer	12

    High-Level Prestige Classes/Epic Destinies	Votes
    Archpriest	7
    Djinn Lord	21
    Dread Invoker	6
    Master of the Wastes	21
    Pharaoh	20
    Tribune	5

    
    
12. Setting Title: Hourglass of God
    
    Spoiler

    Title	Votes
    Alhorus	2
    Arabian Knights	0
    Desert Blood	4
    Hourglass of God	15
    Saberdusk	12
    Sands of Mystery	1
    Sands of Mystique	3
    Sandwastes	0
    Yet Another Night	4

Voting is now concluded. The brainstorming session is over. Afroakuma will post the teaser at his convenience. Thank you all for contributing.

[Luean]

Here I go!
I vote for Age of Sail/Pirate Fantasy!

[Owrtho]

Well, lots of good options, but I'll have to go with steampunk. There just isn't enough steampunk stuff.

Owrtho

[Thane of Fife]

The results from this project will be usable in either 3rd Edition or 4th Edition, as we will be providing content for both.

Where's the older edition love?

[afroakuma]

Nonexistant. Sorry to you older folks. The fluff will be usable, but there will be no statting out for earlier editions.

[Zeta Kai]

Originally Posted by afroakuma

Nonexistant. Sorry to you older folks. The fluff will be usable, but there will be no statting out for earlier editions.

Agreed. We'll have our hands full with only 2 rulesets.

BTW, votes tallied.

[streakster]

Steampunk. Because the idea of a steampunk setting done by such all-stars just makes me feel happy inside.

[afroakuma]

Pssh. You just voted that because Void Palm wasn't an option.

[Ghill]

Steam Punk, because I really like it.

[Meek]

Epic/High Fantasy. I'm not fond of steampunk or pirates, and like half the options don't really stand a chance I feel >_>

[TheCheshireHat]

This could very well be the most awesome thing ever. Its actually a very good way to go about making a setting, when you think about it.

Anyways, my vote goes to Arabian Nights because I have a weakness for genies, ifrits, mysterious desert hermits and harem oufits

[streakster]

Originally Posted by afroakuma

Pssh. You just voted that because Void Palm wasn't an option.

Please, for the love of all that is righteous and holy, tell me that I can make that a write-in.

I just have this mental picture of a world where everyone and everything is a ninja...

[Reverent-One]

Steam Punk, though the harem outfits comment was almost enough for me to vote Arabian nights.

[Pantler]

I love you guys.

Steampunk!

[afroakuma]

Originally Posted by streakster

Please, for the love of all that is righteous and holy, tell me that I can make that a write-in.

I just have this mental picture of a world where everyone and everything is a ninja...

Terribly sorry, streakster, but write-ins aren't going to be accepted. Not during this part, at least.

[Inyssius Tor]

The winner will of course be steampunk, and I am totally cool with that, but my vote will instead go to space opera science fiction.

[Saint Nil]

Epic/High Fantasy
Idea-why don't we vote a main genre and a minor genre, and combine them for fluff, and we vote for the minor one next?
Changing, new post has new vote.

[afroakuma]

Originally Posted by Inyssius Tor

The winner will of course be steampunk, and I am totally cool with that, but my vote will instead go to space opera science fiction.

Nothing's even remotely determined yet. VUAV just saw a major come-from-behind vote. This one's been open for maybe an hour.

[Inyssius Tor]

Originally Posted by Saint Nil

Idea-why don't we vote a main genre and a minor genre, and combine them for fluff, and we vote for the minor one next?

He's an ice-age steampunk barbarian! She's a faux-Arabic cyberpunk swashbuckler! They fight crime!

Seriously though, that sounds like a pretty good idea.

[Satyr]

Wjhile the idea to build a realistically medieval system with a D&D rule base is by far the most interesting option in this list, it sadly will have no majority.
Instead I vote for an Arabian Nights setting, more exotic and fascinating than most other options and less overdone or intelligence-insulting than steam punk.

[Cyclone231]

I would also go with realistic medieval, but I guess Arabian Nights will do.

[Lord_Gareth]

I have yet to see a truly great Steampunk setting, and I hope it wins ^_^

However, if High Fantasy wins, I'm going to devote the rest of this contest into making it devolve into satire. High Fantasy = Epic Failure (IMHO)

[bue52]

Epic/High Fantasy
Steampunk, seems to Eberron, and I rather Eberron have no competition in my heart

[Mr.Bookworm]

Stone/Ice Age.

Of all of the ones on the list, that's the least done.

[XiaoTie]

Humm, I guess I'd vote for classic/ low fantasy, but since it doesn't seem to stand a chance, my vote is Arabian Nights/Desert Fantasy, which is also pretty awesome

[Zeta Kai]

Originally Posted by Lord_Gareth

However, if High Fantasy wins, I'm going to devote the rest of this contest into making it devolve into satire. High Fantasy = Epic Failure (IMHO)

Well, I'm glad that someone here is willing to sabotage all of our efforts if the votes don't go his way. That makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside.

As for the Stone age, it doesn't get much love, & there's probably a reason for that, but we thought we'd give it a chance anyway.

BTW, all votes tallied.

[Saint Nil]

Just wondering, will we do the main and minor thing? Because a steampunk arabian fantasy would be awesome. Still hoping for arabian, pirate, or epic fantasy though.

[Zeta Kai]

Originally Posted by Saint Nil

Just wondering, will we do the main and minor thing? Because a steampunk arabian fantasy would be awesome. Still hoping for arabian, pirate, or epic fantasy though.

No, I think we'll try to be faithful to one genre instead of kitbashing a kitchen-sink-campaign. There'll be plenty of time for this project to go off the rails, but for now, we're not taking suggestions of that sort. Sorry.

[Saint Nil]

Oh well, thanks for making a caimpaign setting at least. How long will voting last?

[Mr.Bookworm]

Originally Posted by Zeta Kai

Well, I'm glad that someone here is willing to sabotage all of our efforts if the votes don't go his way. That makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside.

As for the Stone age, it doesn't get much love, & there's probably a reason for that, but we thought we'd give it a chance anyway.

BTW, all votes tallied.

I must admit, I can share the sentiment.

High fantasy has been done to death, and while it can be good/interesting, I would much rather do something else.