Hotrod wrote:The concern with keeping books as consistent as possible is a perfectly valid one. I respect it and go out of my way to try to keep my maps as canon-compliant as possible.
In writing new material, Glen has to deal with several priorities. He must impress Kevin so that he'll publish the material, and he must attract fans who will buy it. I can tell you from personal experience with Glen that he cares a lot about trying to keep his creations as consistent with previous material as possible, occasionally to a fault.
Greetings and Salutations. First, I'll state I appreciate all your efforts with your maps. With that said, I've taken a few days away from the thread so that I can better distance myself from my feelings. With that in mind, I'll start with why I began this thread (in order).
1: I found the inclusion of Mosaic Magic in Lopan jarring. I was curious if other people felt the same way.
2: I figured someone may know of a reference I missed that gave support to Lopan having Mosaic Magic, in which case what bothered me was only my ignorance and I got to learn something new.
3: I figured there was a chance Glen might respond (and he did) and give some insight, even if it was just "Oops, I was writing Phi and Lopan at the same time, and at some point I must've gotten my notes mixed up." Note: He didn't say that, and that was just an example of things that crossed my mind. While not ideal, it's one of those "mistakes happen" things and I'd just shrug and move on.
4: Following 3 (if 2 didn't happen), with the revisions that have gone on, I figured it was possible bringing this up may get a line or two thrown in to explain the conflict (if such a line or more doesn't already exist). So something like: "Mosaic Magic is well known across the world as secrets possessed solely by the Magi. But the truth is that it has a long standing history in both Phi and Lopan. However, the Magi hunt down anyone using it publicly to keep up their facade, so practitioners must do so in secret." Not the best written (as that was a quick concept), but something like a concept of the CS (from Rifts) with their SAMAS being CS invented story. So while a contradiction, it can be taken as the line in Eastern Territory is the popular belief rumor, and now we're getting into the hidden truth.*
*I don't know the details of Mosaic Magic as presented in the upcoming book. I'm just providing an example of explaining the contradiction in setting to smooth the transition. If such a thing already exists (and I don't expect Glen to state the details here, of course), great.
I get that details can't be provided. I genuinely do. But some of the responses in the thread have come off ... misleading and dismissive. I'll give the benefit of the doubt that this was not the intent, but that's how they've come off (at least to me).
Hotrod wrote:Herein lies the problem, though. Lopan as described in ET is kind of dull. There are the games that happen once every 3 years, but otherwise it's calm, nice vacation spot, prosperous and politically stable. That's a problem. Palladium Fantasy sourcebooks are supposed to be primers for adventures and campaigns. In any regional sourcebook, there's at least one (and often more) powder kegs ready to explode into conflict of some kind or other. ET's description of Lopan lacks that kind of looming conflict. So why would adventurers go there?
I see what you're saying, and I can agree ... to a certain extent. Lopan does have issues with the Western Empire, for one. I was personally a fan of the theory that Sekti-Abtu was located there. There's also mentioned "intrigues" there, and I feel there was room to expand on possible conflicts without adding in Mosaic Magic. Furthermore, if Mosaic Magic is what makes Lopan interesting to travel to, then why screw over Phi and make it a boring place to go?
I also don't think everything needs to be on the brink of a disaster to be worth visiting. I mean, do people go: "Disney World is boring. I mean, what's the point of going unless the rides are constantly about to break down and potentially kill everyone on them and there are pedophiles lurking around every corner ready to abduct your children." In fact, the second part I'm fairly sure would make people NOT want to go there. Now I know RPG books and the real world are not the same thing, but I still don't think things need to be doom and gloom to be interesting. With that said, I'm not the writer of the book. In fact, I'm going to say I'm fairly confident I couldn't pull off a Lopan book. So if that's what the writer felt was needed, I wouldn't judge. My goal isn't to condemn, but intent is to make things better (whether it's an idea that can improve the book, or for me to learn something that improves me as an individual).
Now, I did see something earlier that did give me an idea.
Reagren Wright wrote:Now you will get to see a NEW O.C.C. that
I hope everyone finds exciting and playable.
While rereading some of the Eastern Territory notes about Mosaic Magic, it did occur to me that Mosaic Magic is very much written as a NPC class akin to an Alchemist. I mean, a secret magic known only to some members of this one specific group*. That's probably a bit easier to create in some ways (full details don't need to be given), but I also know Kevin likes the idea of the book being usable for the players, and if the players can't play it then it's not as important. The above suggest it's a playable magic class. So I can understand the change, if coming at it from that perspective.
*What little this has appeared in my games, I've treated the Magi much like the mafia. People may go to them for help or advice, feared and respected, and no one dares cross them if they know what's best.
With that said, that's not the type of response that was given. I'm left trying to piece things together. With that said, at this point, I think one of my main hopes is that there's at least an attempt to explain the contradiction in universe, because sometimes the illusion can go a long way (at least for me). Farewell and safe journeys.
