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Pinball machine in Eberron: cool or dumb?

Started by Shipyard Locked, September 02, 2014, 09:38:57 PM

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Shipyard Locked

September 02, 2014, 09:38:57 PM
Secondary question: What if the pinball machine was a gateway into a pinball-themed dungeon? :D:D

Doom

#1
September 02, 2014, 10:13:34 PM
Pinball machines have been around a very long time, it's quite conceivable middle-aged Europe had something of the like. Almost all-wooden construction, right down to the highly polished balls. They don't have the feel of steel/electric machines, mind you, but still fun. It's like comparing Pong to Baldur's Gate...but Pong was very playable in its day.
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Just Another Snake Cult

#2
September 02, 2014, 10:22:43 PM
Not just pinball machines, but magical pinball machines. And entire pinball subculture.
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Skywalker

#3
September 02, 2014, 10:37:00 PM
And pinball wizards?

Tahmoh

#4
September 02, 2014, 10:50:23 PM Last Edit: September 02, 2014, 10:52:46 PM by Tahmoh
Given how eberron has alot of mundane spells doing everyday things a magic powered pinball machine isnt that far of a stretch for the setting(the balls could be kyber crystals that have been shaped into spheres as part of the process)...maybe make it a curio of some dragon marked house or link it to the gnomes and their weird inventions....heck maybe the machine tells prophesies of some kind, if its a one of a kind artifact it could be anything.

Gold Roger

#5
September 02, 2014, 11:41:27 PM
Despite my appreciation for Eberron, I'm not fond of directly translating technology associated with modern times.

I can barely stomach the lightning rail thanks on the tropes and unique adventure setups it provides.
If I where to be confronted with a magical pinball machine, I'd think it was put there just for the sake of puting in known tech, but magical, like some sort of pop-cultural shout out.

I'd find that quite jarring.

The Butcher

#6
September 03, 2014, 12:04:54 AM
Shine on you crazy diamond.

If you gonna do magitech you might as well go full magitech.

Novastar

#7
September 03, 2014, 01:35:02 AM
Quote from: Skywalker;784580And pinball wizards?
To me, this would be a requirement. ;)
Quote from: dragoner;776244Mechanical character builds remind me of something like picking the shoe in monopoly, it isn\'t what I play rpg\'s for.

apparition13

#8
September 03, 2014, 01:38:05 AM
Quote from: Skywalker;784580And pinball wizards?

That's a twist.
 

snooggums

#9
September 03, 2014, 02:10:07 AM
Quote from: Shipyard Locked;784575Secondary question: What if the pinball machine was a gateway into a pinball-themed dungeon? :D:D

The dungeon should be filled with bitter warforged eunuchs.

jadrax

#10
September 03, 2014, 07:06:51 AM
I always like to compare technology to the Apparatus of Kwalish - if it seems more fantastical than the apparatus it probably should not be in my setting.

And I don't think a pinball machine seems more technologically advanced than the pseudo-lobster submarine. Also, we known you can buy ball bearings by the bag, so there is that.

jeff37923

#11
September 03, 2014, 07:51:37 AM
Quote from: Shipyard Locked;784575Secondary question: What if the pinball machine was a gateway into a pinball-themed dungeon? :D:D

The adventure it was in would have to be astoundingly good to keep me from standing up and walking away from the table. Sorry, but the idea is too cheesy for me. If it works for you, run with it.
"Meh."

Shipyard Locked

#12
September 03, 2014, 08:20:06 AM
For those who object, would specifically describing it in-game a a "primitive" pinball machine and pointing out the fact that they historically rose to prominence in the 19th century make it easier to swallow?

jadrax

#13
September 03, 2014, 08:34:57 AM
Quote from: Shipyard Locked;784644For those who object, would specifically describing it in-game a a "primitive" pinball machine and pointing out the fact that they historically rose to prominence in the 19th century make it easier to swallow?

TBH, rather than calling it a 'pinball machine' I would describe it to the players and then protest if they call it a 'pinball machine'.

LibraryLass

#14
September 03, 2014, 08:37:28 AM
Why the hell not? My take on Eberron has always been plenty gonzo enough to have room for something like that.
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Quote from: Larsdangly;786974An encounter with a weird and potentially life threatening monster is not game wrecking. It is the game.

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