Dungeon Fantasy needs a bare-bones setting

[Peter Knutsen]

At the very least, Dungeon Fantasy needs a list of the languages within the setting, both living culture languages, special languages (Elemental Language, e.t.c.) and ancient languages. It's the kind of thing that some players will demand to be told about up front before they create their characters, and the kind of thing that an inexperienced GM will be unable to deliver.

I'm thinking the best solution would be a pseudo-European setting with a few major countries analogous to England, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, each with their own language, and a few common ancient languages (analogous to Latin, Greek and Arabic) and half a dozen obscure ancient languages (analogous to Egyptian, Babylonian, Sanskrit and so forth). Largely similar history as Europe, with an old empire that split into two parts, then collapsed due to barbarian invasions.


Likewise, a master list of all Hidden Lore specializations would be good, because it prevents the GM from inventing new ones to thwart the players. The DF1 and 4 PDFs already refer to a lot of specializations in their templats, but a definite statement that these are all that there are unless the GM explicitly says so before game start, would be good. Or if a few more are needed, then include them in the list in the setting PDF.


Basically, there are a bunch of character creation questions that aren't answered in the PDFs published so far, and leaving it up to GM decision is doing a disservice to inexperienced GMs, because either they don't know that they have to make those decisions before gamestart, or else if a player demands it they will not be able to make good decisions that can stand throughout the campaign.

[b-dog]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

At the very least, Dungeon Fantasy needs a list of the languages within the setting, both living culture languages, special languages (Elemental Language, e.t.c.) and ancient languages. It's the kind of thing that some players will demand to be told about up front before they create their characters, and the kind of thing that an inexperienced GM will be unable to deliver.

I'm thinking the best solution would be a pseudo-European setting with a few major countries analogous to England, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, each with their own language, and a few common ancient languages (analogous to Latin, Greek and Arabic) and half a dozen obscure ancient languages (analogous to Egyptian, Babylonian, Sanskrit and so forth). Largely similar history as Europe, with an old empire that split into two parts, then collapsed due to barbarian invasions.


Likewise, a master list of all Hidden Lore specializations would be good, because it prevents the GM from inventing new ones to thwart the players. The DF1 and 4 PDFs already refer to a lot of specializations in their templats, but a definite statement that these are all that there are unless the GM explicitly says so before game start, would be good. Or if a few more are needed, then include them in the list in the setting PDF.


Basically, there are a bunch of character creation questions that aren't answered in the PDFs published so far, and leaving it up to GM decision is doing a disservice to inexperienced GMs, because either they don't know that they have to make those decisions before gamestart, or else if a player demands it they will not be able to make good decisions that can stand throughout the campaign.

SJ Games should be looking at getting the rights to Lejendary Adventure which is a really cool setting. It is sort of a pseudo middle age with all of the countries of the world. This setting should be used by someone if not GURPS.

[Highland_Piper]

I disagree. I feel that if SJG started applying a specific setting to Dungeon Fantasy it would start to constrain it and not allow it to just develop in a way, which I feel, gives Dungeon Fantasy it's uniqueness.

As it stands you can use DF for any of the old school games. Dungeons and Dragons, Tunnels and Trolls, Warhammer Fantasy, heck even Palladium Fantasy. All those settings can be used with GURPS Dungeon Fantasy and all the GM has to do is make a few monsters*.

Even placing it in a "bare-bones setting" will start to introduce guide lines and maybe restrain the type of monsters or magic you find.

I would like to add that GURPS Dungeon Fantasy could be used to recreate your favourite hack and slash video game. Two of my favorites, Dungeon Siege and Diablo offer a great back drop for DF. Do you like board games? Mage Knight or Descent would also make a good back drop for DF.

My personal DF game is played completely underground. The characters never get to the surface. Towns which I call "Warrens" abound throughout the series of levels and caverns. Pocket dimensions (never larger than a square mile) can be found throughout my DF world allowing brief views into Faierie realms, Demonic, Elemental realms giving my DF a very Old school and New School Video game feel to it.

Now I would more than agree with you that DF needs some DF style adventure modules!

*It is my opinion that when using any setting in GURPS, be it Fantasy, Modern, Supers, Sci-Fi that you use the setting only and stick with GURPS rules. Its the setting you want, so why bother with "converting" rules, stats, etc.

also what Gavynn said ;-)

[chris1982]

Was I the only one thinking abour skeleton warriors when reading bare-bones setting? :-)

[TheNinjaD]

Originally Posted by chris1982

Was I the only one thinking abour skeleton warriors when reading bare-bones setting? :-)

Probably...but now I can't not think about them.

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

Where have I said that there should be a specific setting for DF?

The very title of the thread states that you think there should be a setting for Dungeon Fantasy. I also disagree. I think the point of Dungeon Fantasy is that there is no setting. It is made to pretty much be hack and slash. Fantasy, on the other hand, is thataway.

[Almafeta]

Originally Posted by TheNinjaD

The very title of the thread states that you think there should be a setting for Dungeon Fantasy.

Which should be read as "I would like to buy a setting for Dungeon Fantasy," not "I think Dungeon Fantasy should be set in a specific setting."

[Peter Knutsen]

Originally Posted by Highland_Piper

I disagree. I feel that if SJG started applying a specific setting to Dungeon Fantasy it would start to constrain it and not allow it to just develop in a way, which I feel, gives Dungeon Fantasy it's uniqueness.

Where have I said that there should be a specific setting for DF?

[Evil Roy Slade]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

Where have I said that there should be a specific setting for DF?

Yeah, I suppose your using the words "Dungeon Fantasy" "needs" and "setting" in the thread title could lead some people to think that Dungeon Fantasy needs a setting.

[Highland_Piper]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

Where have I said that there should be a specific setting for DF?

Even having a "Bare-bones setting" is still creating a specific setting even if it is vague and undeveloped. It starts to create boundaries of what you can and can not do.

It is just my opinion, please don't get upset.

I was suggesting pre-made settings that would easily fit in with DF, that's all.

[Crispythemighty]

I disagree with the "bare-bones" part but a setting book could be cool. Maybe a setting book with a series of adventures too. Its a campaign setting for DF but it is not the "official" setting. GURPS material is usually generic guides to the kind of "flavor" of game you want to play. A few specific books of pre-made adventures in a pre-made world could be cool.