What lies beyond the Map?

[JLV]

I don't disagree with this. There are a lot of approaches that wouldn't destroy the essential mystery of, or place limits on, Cidri as a game world. And I sincerely hope that if SJG DOES do a Cidri splat book, that they adopt an approach like that.

However, the reality is that I think Steve and Howard (back in the day) opted for Cidri precisely because it allowed the players to make it anything they wanted, and without hampering their style at all. That's a huge advantage, especially since Cidri is big enough that you can put in any "pre-made" setting you want without infringing on anyone else's imagination. Because of that, I'm increasingly coming to believe that a Cidri splat book just isn't really in the cards any time soon. Instead, I think adventures, bestiaries, guides to creating trade routes and guilds, stand-alone cities, treasures, and other "tools" and bits that you can use how you want are much more likely for the foreseeable future -- kind of the way Dungeon Fantasy has been doing it for several years now. And that's fine with me!

[philreed]

Originally Posted by JLV

I agree -- I don't want too much (certainly NOT the Forgotten Realms treatment), but I'd love to see a lot more background-ish stuff. (I'd also love to see you go back to blogging, for what that's worth...)

Personally, I’m a fan of how TSR handled the first edition Forgotten Realms. The box set, and earliest guides, intentionally left a free area for DM elaboration.

[philreed]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

I would much prefer a bunch of small isolated pieces that can be dropped in where a I choose on a larger map. Things like small villages, towns of a few thousand, motte and bailey keeps, Roman style forts with a few nearby villas, etc.

These are my favorite types of game expansions and additions for RPGs.

[philreed]

Originally Posted by Charles G.

You're right - I'd forgotten about that boxed set.

That Cyclopedia of the Realms book remains one of my favorite RPG source books ever created. A similar approach for a TFT setting book would be fantastic.

[hcobb]

Would an online index of every TFT person, place and thing be better handled as a fan creation so that fan creations could also be listed without implying that these were official? Some sort of TFT-wiki?

[JLV]

Originally Posted by philreed

That Cyclopedia of the Realms book remains one of my favorite RPG source books ever created. A similar approach for a TFT setting book would be fantastic.

I'd LOVE that. And also, you're right on the first boxed edition of the Forgotten Realms; I'd completely forgotten that one -- mostly because I never saw the boxed set all at once and only acquired bits and pieces of it over the years. But looking at it now, yes, that might work rather well...

[ColBosch]

Originally Posted by philreed

That Cyclopedia of the Realms book remains one of my favorite RPG source books ever created. A similar approach for a TFT setting book would be fantastic.

Thirded! It might be a bit more crunchy than my ideal, but I think it'd be a good compromise between my rather extremist position and other peoples' desires.

Originally Posted by hcobb

Would an online index of every TFT person, place and thing be better handled as a fan creation so that fan creations could also be listed without implying that these were official? Some sort of TFT-wiki?

I am always nervous about mixing fan and official creations. I've seen that result in thoroughly confused customers and antagonism between the publisher and the fanbase. It could also lead to issues within the fanbase, where someone wants to - say - explain the Thorsz as a powerful mage, where someone else thinks he's a hero, and then people get to arguing and the base fractures. I saw it happen to BattleTech and I do not want to see it happen here.

[malchidael]

Originally Posted by philreed

That Cyclopedia of the Realms book remains one of my favorite RPG source books ever created. A similar approach for a TFT setting book would be fantastic.

Yes please!

[JLV]

Nice! I would love to read them!