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Kitchen-Sink Fantasy: Does Anything Come Near Arduin?

Started by Zachary The First, April 16, 2008, 08:32:19 PM

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Zachary The First

April 16, 2008, 08:32:19 PM
Let us assume, for the sake of this discussion, that Rifts does not fall under the fantasy category.

So, what?  Exalted players?  SenZar?
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ColonelHardisson

#1
April 16, 2008, 09:47:53 PM
Wow. I sat and thought about this for a while. The only thing that comes close, in my mind, would be Judges Guild's "Wilderlands" setting, and even that isn't that close to the utter "wahoo"-ness of Arduin. Bard Games' old "Arcanum" game, especially when coupled with the Atlantean setting, takes on some of Arduin's "feel," but again, it isn't that close. Maybe old-school Gamma World or Metamorphosis Alpha?
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Zachary The First

#2
April 16, 2008, 09:50:33 PM
Quote from: ColonelHardissonWow. I sat and thought about this for a while.

Tell me about it.
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ColonelHardisson

#3
April 16, 2008, 09:56:53 PM
Quote from: Zachary The FirstTell me about it.

Yeah, it's quite a head-scratcher you pose. Arduin is pretty much the ne plus ultra of wahoo fantasy RPG material. Talislanta and Jorune are pretty alien setting-wise, but Arduin just has an audacity to it, an "are you fucking kidding me?" atmosphere that doesn't seem contrived for some author's "greater purpose" beyond playing a game.
"Illegitimis non carborundum." - General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell

4e definitely has an Old School feel. If you disagree, cool. I won\'t throw any hyperbole out to prove the point.

Abyssal Maw

#4
April 16, 2008, 09:57:26 PM
AD&D1e was pretty close. I mean, there was a lot of sci fi stuff in there if you looked. Fiend Folio especially had some crazed weirdness.
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ColonelHardisson

#5
April 16, 2008, 10:00:09 PM
I'd say HackMaster strays into Arduin territory, especially in the Hacklopedias.
"Illegitimis non carborundum." - General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell

4e definitely has an Old School feel. If you disagree, cool. I won\'t throw any hyperbole out to prove the point.

stu2000

#7
April 16, 2008, 10:00:56 PM
Well--the dungeons, too. Hargrave didn't have much use for ecology or rationalization or whatnot in his dungeons. There was a rigorous intricacy of some kind going on, but I don't think it was tuned to anything other than his voraciously inclusive imagination.

edit-- Torg is a great, weird kitchen sink rationalization, but it's a Republican convention next to Arduin.
Employment Counselor: So what do you like to do outside of work?
Oblivious Gamer: I like to play games: wargames, role-playing games.
EC: My cousin killed himself because of role-playing games.
OG: Jesus, what was he playing? Rifts?
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Calithena

#8
April 16, 2008, 10:06:13 PM
In many ways, Forgotten Realms is as much or more of a kitchen sink than Arduin. You just don't notice as much because of the Elmore art.
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pspahn

#9
April 16, 2008, 10:17:10 PM
Quote from: Zachary The FirstLet us assume, for the sake of this discussion, that Rifts does not fall under the fantasy category.

So, what?  Exalted players?  SenZar?
I'll submit the Lost City of Revead from Dreamwalker.  It's a "fixed" dream island with fantasy trappings that encompasses pretty much any genre.  It's included in the free Dreamwalker Revised PDF (in my sig) in case you want to check it out.  

Pete
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David R

#10
April 16, 2008, 10:17:40 PM
Well by kitchen-sink if one means inconsistent...Eberron not only takes the cake but enjoys eating it as well.

Regards,
David R

Warthur

#11
April 16, 2008, 11:06:38 PM
Folks, aren't we forgetting something?

World of Synnibarr. All the crack-inspired madness of Arduin, inside a giant asteroid, plus flying bears which shoot lasers out of their eyes.
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Caesar Slaad

#12
April 16, 2008, 11:07:16 PM
I never owned it, but from browse throughs back in the day, Synnibar seemed pretty wacky.
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stu2000

#13
April 16, 2008, 11:13:39 PM
Yeah--
Those bears--at least three varieties, IIRC--would've been right at home in Arduin.



Big polar ones, carrying Valkyrie cyborgs with chainswords and eyepatches . . .

Why do I suddenly want a drink?
Employment Counselor: So what do you like to do outside of work?
Oblivious Gamer: I like to play games: wargames, role-playing games.
EC: My cousin killed himself because of role-playing games.
OG: Jesus, what was he playing? Rifts?
--Fear the Boot

TheShadow

#14
April 17, 2008, 12:52:42 AM
Palladium Fantasy comes pretty close.
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