tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post7565040398614004476..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: Tech & IntelligenceAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-28937332530662523532009-09-20T21:26:25.740-06:002009-09-20T21:26:25.740-06:00I use your same logic with regards to muskets. I ...I use your same logic with regards to muskets. I have black powder and various weapons of mass destruction in my world, but they are dangerous, very expensive and therefore not as cost-effective as magic.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-72196016782521824952009-09-20T21:21:41.438-06:002009-09-20T21:21:41.438-06:00The reason the monsters don't develop technolo...The reason the monsters don't develop technology is because, in classic fantasy, the monsters are merely reflections of humanity.<br /><br />Angels and demons are not actual, biological creatures, but expressions of an abstract ideal. Goblins in orcs, in antiquity, were the same. Check out the Beastairies - the monsters are presented as moral exemplars and lessons, not breeding creatures. It's only our modern mind that applies biology to Purple Worms and Dragons.<br /><br />In my world, my excuse for why tech is so low is because all the smart people are researching magic. The first musket was pretty lame, not even as good as a longbow in trained hands. In a heroic culture where investing in one badass really is better than raising an army, I'm not sure muskets would ever be bothered with.<br /><br />Anyway, I share your simulationist obsession. I've got a world-book and a fantasy novel that scratches that itch. I'd love to know what you think of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-39816903898451054352009-09-08T05:51:59.242-06:002009-09-08T05:51:59.242-06:00A great post - thought provoking and encourages pe...A great post - thought provoking and encourages people to step out the usual boxes for monsters and other races.<br /><br />One point to consider is what the impact of culture is on individual intellect. Who is valued more to a martial culture - a potter or a swordsmith?<br /><br />If you run a game where skills are based on profession or race this may also inform current advances - mind flayers that rival Cicero for oratory for example...satyrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08479802116614818015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-37931290690604449182009-09-02T10:21:21.799-06:002009-09-02T10:21:21.799-06:00Let us not forget that necessity is the mother of ...Let us not forget that necessity is the mother of invention. If all those races had no need of what we perceive as technology, they would not develop it, no matter how smart they are. Remember that the Incans were very smart people, but didn't have the wheel because it was less useful in their mountainous territories.F. Douglas Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06497140550892192807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-35148610727298233922009-09-01T17:57:08.305-06:002009-09-01T17:57:08.305-06:00This would be an exceptionally interesting group o...This would be an exceptionally interesting group of posts. If I'm understanding your intent, I'll be very interested to see the postulated technologies present when you get up to the higher end of the scale (illithid, fo instance).JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.com