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The older I get, the less interested I think I am in theorycrafting the consequences of the fantasy elements of a fantasy world.
I'm really trying to get away from applying our modern rationalist perspective to something born out of a part of us that is the opposite of that.
I'm really trying to get away from applying our modern rationalist perspective to something born out of a part of us that is the opposite of that.
I don't need to know why magic works. I used to think that magic needed a logical (if fantastical) system to be interesting, but now I really don't want to know how the sausage is made.
I want to know enough to have questions. Dissecting it starts to kill the sense of uncanny.
I want to know enough to have questions. Dissecting it starts to kill the sense of uncanny.
It's sort of like that Discovery Channel (I think?) special in which they tried to do a fake nature documentary on dragons. From a modern biological perspective. So they explained how a dragon could fly, and breathe fire.
I think that makes dragons sound incredibly boring.
I think that makes dragons sound incredibly boring.
I think in order to make the fire-breathing work the dragon could only do it once in their life. What's the fun in that?
I want dragons to be unexplained, monstrous demi-gods. I don't want to get into their biology. "How could it feed itself in this terrain?" Does that matter?
I want dragons to be unexplained, monstrous demi-gods. I don't want to get into their biology. "How could it feed itself in this terrain?" Does that matter?
Though I should probably add here that if that DOES interest you then I don't want to take that away from you. I'm talking about my personal preference here, and I think there's room in the hobby for what you want and what I want.
Definitely not trying to gatekeep here.
Definitely not trying to gatekeep here.
I think my favorite thing is when there is some aspect to the world or setting, or even to a specific element like casting spells, that is there just to make you say "Why is that a thing? Why do they have to do that?" And then to not have that question answered.
Look, potions can only be made in a silver basin under the light of the moon. Don't know why, that's just how it is.
When you're cutting a branch to make a walking stick you better walk three circles around the tree or so help you. And that's three circles /widdershins/, mate.
When you're cutting a branch to make a walking stick you better walk three circles around the tree or so help you. And that's three circles /widdershins/, mate.
