Old School Ink
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 5:37 am
Sorry about the rant...
Thought I'd better start a thread for something I feel is important to the integrity of the game. I'm a Pathfinder refugee. It's all just become ridiculous. 600 page core rule books. Libraries of reference. Hand-cuffed GM's trapped inside the box. I feel strongly compelled to use the old black ink style. In today's environment, both printing and online execution have no restrictions on color, but the vaguest outline of what the game world looks like feels much more appropriate to the spirit of the game.
Think about it. Isn't this game (and all others like it) supposed to depend on the imagination? What's with all the epic, super-awesome, comic-book-cover artwork out there that we cant seem to play the game without? We're getting addicted to the imagery that a handful of artists shell out as if its gospel truth. I find myself often saying, "That's not how I pictured it." I can't even find an illustration of a kobold that doesn't look like he's a level 17 barbarian dragon-mage. These are the weenies of the fantasy world. Since when did they become indistinguishable from lizardmen? They used to be puppies (ask Liz)!
So, why do we need the 3D rendered maps and the epic artwork and the handy ipads and the background sound effects in game? Because we've grown lazy and spoiled with video games and movies (including myself) that lay it all out for us in spades. Lets keep the tabletop as a sanctuary. A temple for the theater of the mind. A bench press for the imagination! Post your inkings here and I will join you. Free the mind! Free the mind!
Thought I'd better start a thread for something I feel is important to the integrity of the game. I'm a Pathfinder refugee. It's all just become ridiculous. 600 page core rule books. Libraries of reference. Hand-cuffed GM's trapped inside the box. I feel strongly compelled to use the old black ink style. In today's environment, both printing and online execution have no restrictions on color, but the vaguest outline of what the game world looks like feels much more appropriate to the spirit of the game.
Think about it. Isn't this game (and all others like it) supposed to depend on the imagination? What's with all the epic, super-awesome, comic-book-cover artwork out there that we cant seem to play the game without? We're getting addicted to the imagery that a handful of artists shell out as if its gospel truth. I find myself often saying, "That's not how I pictured it." I can't even find an illustration of a kobold that doesn't look like he's a level 17 barbarian dragon-mage. These are the weenies of the fantasy world. Since when did they become indistinguishable from lizardmen? They used to be puppies (ask Liz)!
So, why do we need the 3D rendered maps and the epic artwork and the handy ipads and the background sound effects in game? Because we've grown lazy and spoiled with video games and movies (including myself) that lay it all out for us in spades. Lets keep the tabletop as a sanctuary. A temple for the theater of the mind. A bench press for the imagination! Post your inkings here and I will join you. Free the mind! Free the mind!