Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidStallard
I'm trying to contrast this to Earthdawn, which you might also say is a post-apocalyptic fantasy setting. But I wouldn't consider Earthdawn to be a dark
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My knowledge of Earthdawn is from a read-through of the first edition several years ago but here are my thoughts:
In Earthdawn, a lot of groups were able to prepare so the when it was over, the communities and governments that survived were mostly ready and able to start up again. In Desolation, it was unexpected for almost everyone (except for the Gnomes). Things are bleak, skilled workers like Blacksmiths are in high demand and it is hard to find someone to train the next generation of craftsmen. Magic, which could be used for good, is almost universally distrusted. Food production and supplies are barely coming up to sustenance level. Civilization is teetering on the edge with several groups ready to push it on over.
I don’t think it is as dark as the Midnight Setting though. I would set it at about the same level as the Warhammer FRP on the 'darkness meter'. It differs from Warhammer in that there is some hope of things getting better if your characters work to make it better. IMO a big part of the Warhammer setting is that you are only holding back the inevitable collapse.
As I see it:
Earthdawn - The horrors are gone (or going) and we get to shape a whole new better world.
Warhammer RPG - Things are bad and getting worse but we can hold on for a long time if we try.
Desolation - Things are bad but it's up to us to either let them get worse or make them better.
Mitch