Carcosa and these boards

[Finarvyn]

I'll admit, Carcosa flew under my radar.

I mean, I realized that Geoffry was putting together a supplement and I recall scanning through some threads about its content prior to release. I simply didn't pick up on the intensity of discussion that has erupted about the supplement.

A couple of thoughts come to mind:

1. Like it or not, Carcosa is here and I thought it would be nice to have a spot devoted to it and hopefully discussion can be contained somewhat. Hopefully in a manner which is calm and without shouting at one another. This board is a sanctuary (I hope) and a place where we can agree to disagree.

2. I have not yet purchased the product, and based on what I'm hearing I'm not certain whether it's "my thing" or not. While I like the concept of a new supplement, I'm not really in the market for another campaign and I get the impression that much of the material in the book is campaign-based. That isn't a comment on the quality of the product, just a note that I'm undecided as to whether or not it's something I will pursue.

EDIT: As a follow-up. I did buy the tame version of the rules and it's great!

3. I did take the time to read JameM's review of Carcosa. I think in general that JamesM takes a thoughtful and insightful view of things, and particularly in part one of his review I think he clearly states his feelings along with many reasons for them. I thought the review was well done. I don't believe that his review was done out of spite or malice, but is his honest assessment of the product.

4. At the same time, Geoffry is also a valued member of this community. His posts are usually thoughtful and insightful as well, and he is equally clear about his love for the game and his hopes to contribute. As the author of an OD&D product (even a modern one), he gains a certain stature in my mind that demands respect.

5. As a really old-timer, I am always hesitant to dredge up certain issues of religion and graphic violance and how they pertain to gaming. Again, I'm commenting without actually reading the material (I did read through Geoffry's example of how the spell was changed and sanitized somewhat), but I urge gamers not to emphasize the "mature" aspects of the game too heavily. There are many uneducated folks out there who break out the torches and pitchforks every time the name "dungeons and dragons" is used, and I hate to contribute to the fire. I'm sorry that Carcosa seems to be generating such controversy.

Anyway, I know that many folks don't like sub-boards but I thought I might collect the Carcosa threads together and this seemed like the best way to do it.

Game on!

[jimlotfp]

Since Carcosa is completed and released, perhaps the Workshop isn't the best place to have the sub-board? Perhaps under 3rd Party Products?

[Finarvyn]

Nov 11, 2008 16:11:45 GMT -6 jimlotfp said:

Since Carcosa is completed and released, perhaps the Workshop isn't the best place to have the sub-board? Perhaps under 3rd Party Products?

A good point. So let it be done!

[Finarvyn]

I had no idea how big this was until I hit Google.

I know that in Warhammer they have Dark Elves who invoke spells by using a “Cauldron of Blood” because my son has that army and owns a Cauldron mini. I know that there are RPG books like the “Book of Vile Darkness” that get a lot of flak for content, and when someone mentions making a RPG out of John Norman’s Gor books a lot of scorn usually follows. Carcosa seems to have fallen under this same umbrella of hatred.

I’m glad there are two versions of Carcosa, because the one seems a bit too wild for me, but the more I read online about the setting the more it sounds interesting (minus the graphic parts). In earlier posts I stated that I was torn on whether or not to buy a copy; now I’m leaning toward giving it a shot to see what I think. My gaming group isn’t “into” gritty swords & sorcery settings, but I may be able to find some nuggets of cool stuff to sneak into our regular game.

Once I realized how “hot” this topic has become, I had to do some searching for myself to see what others have to say about it. I have provided some links for anyone who wants to read some of the same posts I found on other boards. I provide this for informative purposes, not to try to pour gasoline on an already hot fire.

Geoffry’s own blog about Carcosa

EN World review
Interesting that they edited out references to “offensive rituals” as well.

Dragonsfoot review
Descriptions apparently not edited out, but some negative reactionary posts follow the review.
DF campaign thread

The RPGsite review
Mixed reviews, and at least 11 pages of discussion.

Carcosa: The Controversy
Another blog about the supplement.

The Carcossa Controversy: How Far is Too Far?

[greyharp]

I ordered my copy on the first day of its release, before the controversy began, and I have no regrets. I encourage you to go ahead and buy a copy Fin and if you're feeling timid or squeamish, then by all means purchase the Expurgated Edition.

Whether or not you'd actually play a campaign in Carcosa, there is plenty here to use in your own game. And of course there's always the option of having your players take a short foray into Carcosa through a gate.

Something that has been lost in the railing against James Maliszewski is that, while pointing out the bits he didn't like, he actually said this is an amazing piece of work. If you've just trawled through the forums and blogs Fin, you're probably a bit overwhelmed and worn out by all the emotion and ranting. I'd encourage you to put that aside and judge the work on its own merits.

[korgoth]

Fin, thanks for creating a section devoted to Carcosa. Much appreciated.

There's a lot in Carcosa that I want to talk about. Hopefully we're just about past the point where everybody wants to fight about it, and we can get down to the important issues: robots, Ytterbium ray cannons and tentacled protoplasmic horrors.

[dwayanu]

Tangentially related: Project Gutenberg offers a smattering of works from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, William Hope Hodgson, Arthur Machen, Abraham Merritt, Edward E. "Doc" Smith, and H.G. Wells, that might serve as sources of inspiration for adventures (Carcosan or otherwise). It's a neat way to try something that might turn out not to suit your taste (or might not be readily available in print).

[Deleted]

I've read a good deal regarding Carcosa on several boards (I'm also someone who missed the boat early on) & I'm fine discussing the supplement.

Although I haven't picked up a copy (money's tight due to the missus & I being laid off), I probably will at some better time in the future.

I've always enjoyed Geoffrey's posts, on this board & others, & I'm sure I will continue to for a long time to come. I have great confidence that our members are logical, rational people, & can discuss this new body of work without resorting to inflamatory & rather unfair & unfounded criticism of the author.

[Finarvyn]

Nov 11, 2008 17:56:27 GMT -6 korgoth said:

Fin, thanks for creating a section devoted to Carcosa. Much appreciated.

Hopefully we're just about past the point where everybody wants to fight about it, and we can get down to the important issues...

Carcosa was designed to be an OD&D product, and as such I think deserves some space here. And, yes, I also hope that we're all mature enough to discuss the issues.

And I have decided to buy a copy today. (The not-so-icky one.)

[Deleted]

I just want to congratulate Geoffry on his creation and how much interest it has spawned in the grognard community.

I plan to buy a copy in the near future (Expurgated Edition, I have nosy kids in the house who can read )

[stonetoflesh]

I too am looking forward to checking out Geoffrey's Carcosa supplement. I've ordered a print copy, and am now just waiting for the mail to arrive...

[Deleted]

I received my copy a couple of weeks ago and I keep thumbing through it. It's a great, albeit dark, setting. I have nothing but praise for this book.

M

[Finarvyn]

I recieved my copy the other day and it's a great product. (Okay, so I read parts of the electronic version first, but then I read it for real when I got my print copy. :-) )

Does Geoffrey have a message board somewhere, or is THIS the official one? (Just curious!)

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2008 16:41:25 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Does Geoffrey have a message board somewhere, or is THIS the official one? (Just curious!)

There have been several threads and a rather (ahem) spirited discussion of Carcosa over on Dragonsfoot.

It seems to me this would be a good "official" home for Carcosa discussion (and for any future fan-produced Supplements ). Of course, I'm just another member but I figured I throw my 2 CP in.

[Finarvyn]

Nov 21, 2008 17:18:49 GMT -6 @dubeers said:

Nov 21, 2008 16:41:25 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Does Geoffrey have a message board somewhere, or is THIS the official one? (Just curious!)

There have been several threads and a rather (ahem) spirited discussion of Carcosa over on Dragonsfoot.

I know that DF has some threads, but I think they're mostly "for or against" kinds of discussions rather than "what Carcosa can be" sorts of things.

Our threads are already more interesting than theirs.

[geoffrey]

Nov 21, 2008 16:41:25 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Does Geoffrey have a message board somewhere, or is THIS the official one?

I don't have a message board. I think this one is as close to official as we have!

[capheind]

I was born at the very beginning of the eighties, and didn't get into D&D until sometime around 1990, but even though I'm technically too young to remember the sex, drugs, and rock and roll era of role playing, I was introduced to it from the start by the older cousins and brothers of my friends. I played a hodge podge of OD&D and AD&D 1e rules handed down half by word of mouth, and half by rulebooks scoured from second hand stores..

I really wish I had Carcosa back then! It captures that environment perfectly. I mean big, burly men with alien skin tones (or skeletor-esque monster men) butchering sick, twisted, child killing sorcerers was almost a religion in those days. There was never any debate over smashing in the sorcerers head because it wasn't a sterile, church mom friendly melodramatic wizard in a silly hat twisting his mustache, he was a sick bastard with his pants off, chewing on a root and approaching the innocent townsgirls he'd tied to the altar to complete his satanic ritual to his dark masters.

I mean, when you get on the towering superman scale, what makes your guy more of a warrior king, saving the local gnomes from Eleminster Fudds taxes? or saving the towns girls from a horrible fate and bashing in the truly evil sorcerer behind it?

[abecross]

wow....what a great post!
Cosign to the fullest.