LibriumArcana.Games

Settings FAQs:

What Does Low Magic Mean?

Low Magic refers to both the scarcity and power level of magic. In a low magic setting, most humans cannot or do not know how to perform magic. Nor is magic greatly understood. Magic is also much weaker and subtler then your average DnD game, spells like Flight, Fireball or teleport are right out. Magic items such as enchanted rings or swords are so rare, that they all unique and in many cases national treasures not for the use of scruffy wanderers. In fact, forget the DnD system. This isn't to say magic is useless or wimpy. Magic users can still drive men mad, summon beasts from beyond the pale, cloud perception or control the dumb creatures of the wilds. Shiftshapers such as werewolves exist. There are also still groups of magic users, cabals of mages, witches or shamans may move throughout your society. An Immortal wizard having made some ruinous pact may rule your nation (this will cost you). Spirits and ghosts walk the earth and can be bargained with for steep, steep prices (played by your beloved mod). Magic is not technology and any attempts to use it as such will fail. It is not science. In fact science can often best magic and men with strong wills and iron swords can cast down any sorcerer if they dare.

Note: Players can play non-humans, but must play mortal, physical races. Tolkien Elves would be NPCs.

Books to consider: Any Conan sotry by Robert E Howard or Almiric by the same. Bazil Broketail series by Chris Rowley. Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliott. Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolken.

What is Dreams of Glory?

A sort of steampunk setting where Venus and Mars both support life. Instead of the Void of space, there is a breathable, cold, dry ether. The Powers of Earth are setting up colonial empires using fleets of airships. Venus is a primitive jungle planet. Mars a desert planet with old civilizations. People who go into asteroid belt never return. The Venusians look with jealously and awe, the Martians scheme behind old eyes and Earthers strive for dominion.

Earth or not Earth?

Refers to the map. If you vote earth, we'll use an earth map. If you vote not earth we will use a map generated by the long suffering Derek, may he chip rocks long in good health!

Setting Other?

Means you don't like any of these and think I'm leaving out the best one. You should post what setting you want then.

I'm missing a sock

Check behind and under your dryer.

Iroquois Space Vikings.

Enough said.

Though I'll be happy enough with Low-magic. Already got me some plans.

The Sunless Empire is ready to rise from the ruins of Great Britain.

Note: I clicked Setting other, so I could see the poll while logged in. My vote doesn't count so don't worry about it.

I am going with non-earth low magic fantasy. I can have fun with that one.

I might play in this, so I voted for low fantasy non-Earth because Earth gets metagamed too much in these things.

the Free Republic of Acadiana will bring Enlightenment to the barbaric murdering masses. Though for the record, I did vote non-Earth fantasy.

My personal preference is for Earth fantasy. Anyone who challenges my ascendancy will face the Jovian wrath of the Venificus Maximus, and the awesome power of the Legionary Magisters of the Collegia Mysticae, under whose aegis, the Legions march to the ruin of the enemies of Rome.

I agree that Earth gets metagamed a bit too much, also I like the additional freedom of *not* having to deal with the historical baggage that comes with Earth. Something like Conan's Hyperborean age or a world where human cultures from all over are occasionally sucked in would do nicely.

I was gonna be nice and just give you Iroquois Space Vikings. But now you're gonna get Ragnarok Ogres. You have only yourselves to blame.

The Free Alliance shall stand before the onslaught of the Ragnarok Ogres as a united multi-racial people!

We shall perceiver!

I will close the voting on Sunday. If you have someone who may want to play, bring them in. Currently, at the close of voting I will roll in Fantasy Earth votes with the Fantasy NonEarth votes, which gives fantasy an overall lead of 1.

You may persevere, DS. Your vocabulary, however, shall not.

I'm...somewhat interested, but right now I just have way too much on my plate. Should that change, however, I'll keep my eyes open.

*muttermutter* Damned and blasted mapping work...

EDIT: Not voting, as I won't be available to start with.

Well it's clear that the vote is running against me at least in the Earth/Not Earth context. I will see what I can come up with.

You could still play a grand and decadent empire.

Actually, I have a much, much worse idea.

I blame Charon.

frigidmagi wrote:I blame Charon.

Safe bet.

I'm not entirely certain if I am in or not, but I'd prefer to go with a not-Earth for a fantasy game.


Is a nation of Necromancers and both their living and undead slaves too magical for this?

Personally, I'd say it's not so long as it is a small cult of necromancers, not some vast amount of necromancers.

Zombies and even vampires would work having appeared in Conan. Skeletons and so on are right out. The Undead require a physical body of some sort to operate, once that body is destroyed they are useless. That or a magical power like Sauron, who you are not. That said it is possible to have a nation dominated by a cabal of Necromancers enforcing their will through unholy rites this is comparable to Stygia in the original Conan stories.

The ability of the necronmancers takes a bit of a hit in low magic. You are not able to rise and maintain vast armies of the dead but the ones you can rise are all the more frightening. You can also however do some neat freaky stuff to the living. Hordes of Ghouls are acceptable as are enslaved spirits chained unwilling in dead flesh. Or alien creatures Man Was Not Meant To Know.

Just check the various source materials I cited, Lovecraft works pretty to.