One of my players (a clueless who's just getting over his hack'n'slash stage) is having a difficult time understanding the cocept and mood of Sigil, so I explained it as a cross between Ancient Roman politics and the double dealings/gang warfare depicted in the Gangs of New York movie from a year or two ago. Which of course only left the player more confused. So how would you go about explaining the theme and time of the planes in general, and the City of Doors in particular?
Sigil, what would you compare its intrigues to?
Sun, 2004-11-14 22:23
#1
Sigil, what would you compare its intrigues to?
Tue, 2004-11-16 10:33
#3
Sigil, what would you compare its intrigues to?
I'm no expert but I'd compare it to some TV or films.
One of the best way to get a new player in it is to play Torment.
TV: I'd say Babylon5 if he knows. for the gathering of races and politics. What I like about Sigil is the look, try to get loads and loads of pictures to him.
Tue, 2004-11-16 18:44
#4
Sigil, what would you compare its intrigues to?
I've always considered Sigil to be like 17th century London. But with that Planescape flavour.
Tue, 2004-11-16 19:05
#5
Sigil, what would you compare its intrigues to?
A cross between Bab5 and 1880's (Jack the Ripper timeperiod) London is how I'd view it. The Bab 5 reference is remarkably accurate. (Down Below = the Hive and Lower Ward...)
Wed, 2004-11-17 22:28
#6
Sigil, what would you compare its intrigues to?
Maybe a cross between an introductory philosophy class, Shakespeare's MacBeth, and all the dark fantasy metropoli you can name.
(Some dark fantasy metropoli: Constantinople, New Delhi, M. John Harrison's Viriconium, Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork, Fritz Lieber's Lankhmar, K.J. Bishop's Ashamoil, Lovecraft's R'lyeh, Prague, Tenochtitlan, Moorcock's Tanelorn and Imrryr, London, Hong Kong, Lucas' Mos Eisley, Dave Kelly's Greytown, Jeff VanderMeer's Veniss and Ambergris, China Mieville's New Crobuzon, Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities)
Not that Sigil's that dark; it has its bright spots for sure. But it's not the Emerald City. Well, some of it probably is, but I'm trying to simplify here. Stick to my first paragraph.
If they're familiar with the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, you could compare it to Calimshan. It's similar in a few ways. It's a center of trade and commerce, it's sections (wards) contrast greatly(as far as wealth is concerned), various factions within it war constantly(but not openly), and everyone's looking for a berk to con, rob, or just plain kill :twisted: