With the exception of Splatbooks, which, thankfully, the OSR is pretty light on, most RPG material beyond the actual core rules of a system fall into two categories: Scenario or Setting.
The differentiation is minor in some cases, and there can be some overlap (especially with the more sandboxie settings) but for the most part, these are the two types of products we buy for our games.
I enjoy settings more myself, even if I'll only use one or two in the long run, as they usually make for a better read, and bits and pieces can always be used elsewhere.
Scenarios are pretty much a one shot deal. You run it and you're done. Most aren't as enjoyable a read (for me) as settings are.
Still, I'm not running anything at the moment. If I was, I'm sure settings would take a backseat to scenarios, as you only need one setting for your campaign once its in motion. I'll need a new scenario every session or two, as I suspect my free time for designing my own will be fairly limited.
It's almost like the question: Paper or Plastic - depends on your current needs.
What are your current needs?
#AtoZChallenge2024: N is for Appendix N
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[image: Appendix N]
The original 1st Edition Dungeon Master's Guide for Advanced Dungeons &
Dragons is a treasure trove of material for running an AD&D game...
7 hours ago
Hmmm...I would say currently I'm not in much need of either, but I'm probably more likely to by a setting because 9as you say) they're better reads. Still, a setting has to be different--I've seen too many of the "our elves are like this" variety.
ReplyDeleteScenarios I sued to have little or no interest in, but as my prep time got shorter as I got older, I came to appreciate them more. Still not as much as settings, though.