I agree that GURPS-style setting books would be WONDERFUL for D&D products, and perfect for the likes of Ravenloft, Spelljammer, Dark Sun and so on.

Quote from: ZalmoxisI agree that GURPS-style setting books would be WONDERFUL for D&D products, and perfect for the likes of Ravenloft, Spelljammer, Dark Sun and so on.

I'd almost merge the Oriental Adventures model with the climate-books model. Generic information followed by example-setting.

Ravenloft had a good premise and a vast potential but as a dear friend of mine once said, it became the Munsters of D&D.  It became the world I pretty much took things from but never ran a campaign in.

I hadn't seen the new Ravenloft book coming out, I guess that is going on my "buy" list.

I second (or maybe fifth or sixth at this point) the idea of D&D books done like GURPS books...but in the new style of course.  Banestorm is one hell of a book, I bought it to run Castles and Crusades from it!

Quote from: joewolzI hadn't seen the new Ravenloft book coming out, I guess that is going on my "buy" list.

I second (or maybe fifth or sixth at this point) the idea of D&D books done like GURPS books...but in the new style of course.  Banestorm is one hell of a book, I bought it to run Castles and Crusades from it!

Since I've never really been into GURPS could you please explain the whole GURPS style of books that everyone is talking about.

Quote from: KnightcrawlerSince I've never really been into GURPS could you please explain the whole GURPS style of books that everyone is talking about.

An all-in-one campaign sourcebook.  Gurps-Magic, Gurps-Supers, Gurps-Wrestling, Gurps-Pirates.

Quote from: Phantom StrangerAn all-in-one campaign sourcebook.  Gurps-Magic, Gurps-Supers, Gurps-Wrestling, Gurps-Pirates.

So how does this handle are books then?

You get the main books then grab the campaign books and go.  So for instance if you want to play a superhero campaign, you use Gurps + Gurps Supers, and if you want it in the Wildcards universe you add Gurps Wildcards and by theory you have all the information you need.

Quote from: Phantom StrangerYou get the main books then grab the campaign books and go.  So for instance if you want to play a superhero campaign, you use Gurps + Gurps Supers, and if you want it in the Wildcards universe you add Gurps Wildcards and by theory you have all the information you need.

Then you design the setting/world flluff as you see fit?  If I'm understanding you correctly.

Quote from: KnightcrawlerThen you design the setting/world flluff as you see fit?  If I'm understanding you correctly.

Basically unless you by a world/culture/timeline specific book.  For example the mentioned Gurps-Wildcards is for playing Supers in the Wildcard series of books universe.

Quote from: Phantom StrangerBasically unless you by a world/culture/timeline specific book.  For example the mentioned Gurps-Wildcards is for playing Supers in the Wildcard series of books universe.

I don't see the need for that in Ravenloft then.  There is already a rules set to base it on, along with the books.

Of course I'm thinking that Ravenloft is going to be something more like a super module like City of the Spider Queen rather than a setting book, especially since Sword & Sorcery had already done all the setting books for Ravenloft d20 already.

Quote from: KnightcrawlerI don't see the need for that in Ravenloft then.  There is already a rules set to base it on, along with the books.

Of course I'm thinking that Ravenloft is going to be something more like a super module like City of the Spider Queen rather than a setting book, especially since Sword & Sorcery had already done all the setting books for Ravenloft d20 already.

I see giant campaign model like City of the Spider Queen or an expanded campaign book to use 3.5 material and link it to current products (like Heroes of Horror.)

Has there been any information if Sword and Sorcery is going to continue the line?

Quote from: Phantom StrangerI see giant campaign model like City of the Spider Queen or an expanded campaign book to use 3.5 material and link it to current products (like Heroes of Horror.)

Has there been any information if Sword and Sorcery is going to continue the line?

I'm pretty sure their done with the license.  And I think you could be right about the 3.5 update and linking it to Heroes of Horror.

Actually, Knightcrawler, the Phantom is a bit off in his descrition of GURPS.

The way GURPS works now is a two core-book format, like D&D, while settings are described in a second book.

For instance, GURPS Banestorm is a complete setting contained in one single 256 page book.  There's nothing else you need for Banestorm.  I think they have a few PDF supplements for it, a few free a few not free.  But all you need is the GURPS corebooks and the setting book and you can fill in whatever blanks are left.

I think this approach would be VERY good for D&D's older more marginalized settings, like Planescape and Spelljammer.

Basically, you have the D&D Core (PHB, DMG, and MM) plus one big book.  This contains all the setting material.  I assume WotC would then do some modules, but no other expansion is necessary in this model.

However, I agree that WotC's Raveloft will probably be an übermodule like the Spider Queen.  Although it would be nice to see a complete d20 setting in one book, with no supplements to worry about.

Of course, I think Ptolus is done correctly for RPGs, so my bias should be apparent.

Quote from: joewolzFor instance, GURPS Banestorm is a complete setting contained in one single 256 page book.  There's nothing else you need for Banestorm.

I'm not an expert on the subject, but wouldn't you want at least GURPS Magic as well. As I recall, the spells in the core books don't go that far. I think GURPS Fantasy is more of a Fantasy campaign construction kit though, so you could probably do without that.