Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2003-07-29 10:26:55
Converted from Phorums BB System

You hit the nail on the head. The writing and scholastic efforts of Kalamar are pedestrian at best. it leans very much toward Gary Gygax rather than say Terry Amthor. There is a fair amount of detail, it is just that the writiers really looked at regional details and left the overall setting alone.

I would agree there are hooks within the text and had there been better writing or editing at the helm these might have shined through as you suggest. However i think each regions having a short section on plot hooks and ideas would have made for a much more exciting setting. Rather you just have a jumble of good, bad and pedestrian ideas.

Maps for RPG settings are often just eye candy and lack any substance. I agree with you. One of My favorites, Shadow World has always has pretty (but not very useful) maps.

The details in Kalamar is really just not that good in some respects. It lacks a coheciveness to hold the entire world together. There are good vingettes, but they do little to capitalize on what would be a great setting.

Keep in mind I like Kalamar as a setting and thing it is a good alternative to Forgotten Realms. There are good things about it, but so much of its content is mired in mediocrity that it fails to be a great setting.