I know some of the books have extensive lists of further reading. I see a lot of fiction in these lists many of which I have read. Anyone have suggestions of non fictional reading material that they draw upon as either a DM or a player ?
I'd personally find it difficult to draw upon non-fiction (i.e. real life) to help DM a game about fantasy, super powers, magic, monsters and aliens (yes, D&D has aliens).
Even the "medieval-esque" setting of Forgotten Realms and Exandria is very inaccurate to real world versions of the time period so even non-fiction history isn't very helpful, either (in fact, imposing such realism is a hinderance to the gameplay).
If you can use non-fiction to help DM D&D, can you explain how?
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I'd personally find it difficult to draw upon non-fiction (i.e. real life) to help DM a game about fantasy, super powers, magic, monsters and aliens (yes, D&D has aliens).
Even the "medieval-esque" setting of Forgotten Realms and Exandria is very inaccurate to real world versions of the time period so even non-fiction history isn't very helpful, either (in fact, imposing such realism is a hinderance to the gameplay).
If you can use non-fiction to help DM D&D, can you explain how?
I think non fiction may have been the wrong choice of words. D&D technically being fiction looking for more source information rather than a typical fantasy novel such as Lord Of The Rings, Conan The dragonlance books and such.
I'd personally find it difficult to draw upon non-fiction (i.e. real life) to help DM a game about fantasy, super powers, magic, monsters and aliens (yes, D&D has aliens).
Even the "medieval-esque" setting of Forgotten Realms and Exandria is very inaccurate to real world versions of the time period so even non-fiction history isn't very helpful, either (in fact, imposing such realism is a hinderance to the gameplay).
If you can use non-fiction to help DM D&D, can you explain how?
A significant segment of how I present social issues in my game is hugely based on my background as a classicist. History is mostly class struggle, so when I present class struggle as a driving force behind the game’s drama, having strong knowledge of the final century of the Roman Republic is very helpful. It’s not so much “this NPC is Caesar with a different name” as it is “this is how the power dynamics play out in a society undergoing this kind of conflict.” That said, having specific historic events to base game drama on is also cool (e.g. the urban conflict between gangs supporting either Caesar or Pompey).
I'd personally find it difficult to draw upon non-fiction (i.e. real life) to help DM a game about fantasy, super powers, magic, monsters and aliens (yes, D&D has aliens).
Even the "medieval-esque" setting of Forgotten Realms and Exandria is very inaccurate to real world versions of the time period so even non-fiction history isn't very helpful, either (in fact, imposing such realism is a hinderance to the gameplay).
If you can use non-fiction to help DM D&D, can you explain how?
The greatest story ever told is that of human history. It is ripe with inspiration for many plots of politics, intrigue, love, jealousy, vengeance, megalomania.... Here, watch this, it will explain better than I in less time and with more entertainment:
I know some of the books have extensive lists of further reading. I see a lot of fiction in these lists many of which I have read. Anyone have suggestions of non fictional reading material that they draw upon as either a DM or a player ?
I'd personally find it difficult to draw upon non-fiction (i.e. real life) to help DM a game about fantasy, super powers, magic, monsters and aliens (yes, D&D has aliens).
Even the "medieval-esque" setting of Forgotten Realms and Exandria is very inaccurate to real world versions of the time period so even non-fiction history isn't very helpful, either (in fact, imposing such realism is a hinderance to the gameplay).
If you can use non-fiction to help DM D&D, can you explain how?
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I think non fiction may have been the wrong choice of words. D&D technically being fiction looking for more source information rather than a typical fantasy novel such as Lord Of The Rings, Conan The dragonlance books and such.
A significant segment of how I present social issues in my game is hugely based on my background as a classicist. History is mostly class struggle, so when I present class struggle as a driving force behind the game’s drama, having strong knowledge of the final century of the Roman Republic is very helpful. It’s not so much “this NPC is Caesar with a different name” as it is “this is how the power dynamics play out in a society undergoing this kind of conflict.” That said, having specific historic events to base game drama on is also cool (e.g. the urban conflict between gangs supporting either Caesar or Pompey).
The greatest story ever told is that of human history. It is ripe with inspiration for many plots of politics, intrigue, love, jealousy, vengeance, megalomania.... Here, watch this, it will explain better than I in less time and with more entertainment:
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