Core Settings

Just a brief two and a half cents about core settings.

I grew up using the settings presented in some of the old D&D modules, which were later combined and published as the world of Mystara. I liked that setting because (at first) it wasn't too complex and there was a lot of room for development. The "Grand Dutchy of Karameikos," "The Isle of Dread," the "Principalities of Glantri..." these were the names of places in Mystara, which also contained another setting called the "Hollow World." Later on, all the lands of Mystara were developed in gazetteers (which I never owned). That was a bit too much information for me.

When D&D adopted Greyhawk as its default setting in 3rd Edition, I wasn't sure what to do with it. It's not like there was a map of Greyhawk in the book or something that told you how society worked in Greyhawk. I don't remember a whole lot of product support for it either. So it really didn't mean much to me.

D&D 4th Edition's Nentir Vale setting, on the other hand, feels just right. You get a map, you get a smattering of cool names like the "Keep on the Shadowfell," the "Winterbole Forest," "Gardmore Abbey," and brief descriptions of each, you get a detailed town, and then your imagination is set free to expand from there. I feel like it's just the right jumping off point for a player new to D&D. You don't feel like you have to keep track of a massive world before you're ready to do so. More advanced players can buy Forgotten Realms, Eberron, or Dark Sun; those options are there for them.

Similarly, I'm finding a lot to like about the default setting for Star Frontiers. I'm not sure how much of it I'll use--I'm a world-builder heart and soul--but its at least a great base for me to start from. It gives enough information without overwhelming a new GM stepping tentatively into sf gaming, a nice simple jumping off point for your imagination.

Speaking of Star Frontiers and jumping off points for the imagination, I have to mention that I purchased Bill Logan's Adventure Factory last night and I'm absolutely loving it. It's simply a random adventure generator for sf games, but I love how well it's executed. Top notch.