Low Fantasy=Best Fantasy

[@DesksAndDorks]

Hey folks, I just wanted to say thanks again for all the support on this video! It was a big risk for us. If you want to throw us some more support getting notified for our upcoming game is the best way to do so. Thanks again everyone it's really appreciated! www.kickstarter.com/projects/desksanddorks/a-fear-within-second-edition

[@neptune3326]

When we as a society stopped using bread plates is when we truly entered the dark ages. Now you can only get bread bowls at soup restaurants for an absurd upcharge!

[@DesksAndDorks]

I would agree completely. We have entered the dark days of our civilization.

[@DED_MEEM]

WE USED TO BE A COUNTRY. A PROPER COUNTRY. ENGLAND SPECIFICALLY.

[@NoaCurtis]

one thing about the folk magic is that it should make sense. I have a hagstone, which is a stone with a naturally occurring hole. In English folklore, it is believed that looking through the hole dispels illusions and reveals fairies. I think that giving the magic a "basis" in reality can make it feel like the magic makes sense, as well as giving it that historical basis.

[@DesksAndDorks]

That is a cool concept and definitely works for some charms, but I'd say there are some that probably don't have to make sense as well. It'd be neat (and historically accurate to have a mix).

[@danmorgan3685]

That's a really neat detail. Physical components for spells were supposed to be like that. Instead they just require gemstones with a gold point value as their singular, defining trait.

[@reubencohen2375]

This is like how werewolves were first made in my setting. By a man getting bitten by a wolf during a full moon at midnight.

[@Gunanter]

19:20 "I get to eat the food, and then eat the plate, why did we stop doing that" The paper bowls are right there for the taking

[@DesksAndDorks]

That right there is winners talk!

[@zackariahtravois7125]

They were called trenchens right?

[@matthewhyke]

One of my favorite store is about a church fief that had been over run by bandits. The church couldn't get it back so they took a local warrior and said you are now a bishop and that is your fief. He raised a small company and took the fief back. So you can become a bishop over night. I thought that was kinda cool

[@DesksAndDorks]

It is really great. It reminds me of how in some frontier areas they stopped building castles and started building houses for the tribes that raided them and they were just like. You can have these...

[@smile-tl9in]

The antiquity and bronze age are so underused

[@DesksAndDorks]

They really are. I actually consider those their own unique genre.

[@smile-tl9in]

@@DesksAndDorks which in itself kind of limiting no? Why not mix? Like a bronze age low magic setting

[@DesksAndDorks]

Because I would genuinely want to do another video of this length and detail for it.

[@Calebgoblin]

@@smile-tl9in hard agree, it is the chosen setting of my long term campaign!

[@silvertheelf]

@@smile-tl9inBasically Conan The Barbarian

[@iantaran2843]

Sword & Sorcery and Low-Magic has always appealed to me. I am incredibly happy to find how much content there is for folks like me outside of the mainstream 🍻 I hope that your video can get people to try new things. Kinda crazy how many people i meet have ONLY played in Forgotten Realms and homebrew.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Hope you got some good stuff out of the video there is a lot of good low fantasy stuff out there and it seems like we are getting more!

[@Calebgoblin]

Love how the medievalist still uses the "ye olde" jokes despite Definitely knowing how the letter thorne works xD

[@DesksAndDorks]

It's like medieval scholars and knights tale. We all recognize it's so far off base but like......its so cool.

[@Calebgoblin]

@@DesksAndDorks too true haha. Great video btw, loving it

[@DesksAndDorks]

I am glad! This video took wayyyyyy more hours than usual, so I'm happy people are liking it. Not that views/reach are why I do this but it sure helps.

[@Calebgoblin]

@@DesksAndDorks and I love that too tbh

[@DesksAndDorks]

Me too I really loved making the video!

[@cruiby365]

I'm only 10 minutes into this video, but I have to say it is very well constructed and equally enjoyable and informative. This is the first time I've come across the channel, but it's a shame it doesn't get more views

[@DesksAndDorks]

Well that's much appreciated my friend! We only really just started hitting videos like this this year so I really appreciate the view and the comment.

[@urmokvagenhaughven1714]

This video rocks! One of the most thought provoking TTRPG videos i've seen in a while. Loved the parts about folk religion and charms!

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm glad you found some useful parts, my friend! The folk charms part, especially was one I loved.

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

@@DesksAndDorks I love how you correct the common misconceptions of the medieval era that is so prevalent in pop culture, really appreciate it.

[@justinblocker730]

Low Fantasy doesn't mean no magic, just means getting spells, using spells, and the dangers of spells is more interesting.

[@DesksAndDorks]

There is a whole section here on magic for that exact reason!

[@iantaran2843]

Low magic is usually in reference to how prevalent magic is throughout the setting. Atleast That was always my interpretation of it.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I would say you are correct but there's a number of different ways you can apply rarely hapoening to an rpg that's what that section goes into detail about

[@michaelmorton6566]

thats what made dragonlance interesting to me when i was young how magic was in decline there was no gods at the start etc

[@DesksAndDorks]

@michaelmorton6566 dragon lance did quite a lot right

[@Valkrill]

I just finished my 1st novel and have sent about 8 queries to agents so far. My book is set in a primal world where most of the intelligent species don't even use or make weapons since they are used to relying on their innate strength and unique abilities for survival. I've always been drawn to stories with more primal elements and less technology, but it is fun to have some tech or gadgets thrown in to make things more interesting that shakes up their world, and that's exactly what I did.

[@arcanehighlighter6780]

Another banger! Your channel is fantastic. Using historical education as a means to make more grounded DnD games will never get old

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thanks man! I feel like I've said it a ton but I was really nervous with this one. Took a big risk with length/topic.

[@DesksAndDorks]

So I'm glad it played out well and that you enjoyed it!

[@arcanehighlighter6780]

No it’s great man, literally listening to it right now. A proper understanding of history makes DnD feel alive! Keep it up

[@DesksAndDorks]

I am legitimately grateful. This video took a metric crap loaf of work so that people are enjoying it makes me thrilled.

[@arcanehighlighter6780]

Also, again; the folk horror video? Amazing vibes. You should do more like that for spooky season if you can. Gotta watch more of your other vids

[@brettsutherland8390]

This is the first piece of your content I've watched/ listened to - love it already, fantastic perspectives and knowledge

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm glad you liked it, man! It was my favorite video I've made thus far! Hopefully you'll like the other content too!

[@stravvman]

This is a really insightful video, don't understand why so many dislikes

[@DesksAndDorks]

I have a vocal.minority that hears a mention of safety tools and dislikes the video based on that. My guess is it would be that section of the audience. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theironqueen2386]

​@DesksAndDorks i think its very funny that they talk about being so adult but the moment being civil is brought up theu throw a tantrum like a child

[@birdschool9052]

your background makes these videos pop out, because you actually know what you are talking about

[@DesksAndDorks]

It certainly does help thats for sure!

[@ElderGoblinGames]

This video was an instant subscribe for me. Great stuff! One of the better videos I've watched in a long time.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Dude I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully you found some things you could use!

[@loffredabernardes]

Battle brothers is quite a masterpiece when it comes to low fantasy and the best brutal tactical turn based game ever

[@DesksAndDorks]

I really enjoyed battle brothers!

[@azazinate]

So this was fantastic! Sorry, Low fantastic! Totally make more long form videos like once a month or so. Love your topics. Keep it up! Maybe even talk about old tops in the long format

[@DesksAndDorks]

I love the idea of talking about more long form topics! If you find one you think would be good give me a ping.

[@Johnsmith-hx6lq]

Fantastic video. I’ve been designing my own low(er) fantasy ttrpg and this has given me quite a bit to mull over as I continue my process

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm glad I gave you something to mull over. It's been a huge effort.

[@chrisdiokno5600]

As a fellow hustory lover, i enjoyed your discussion on common misconceptions. Speaking of folk magic, i recall reading once how A. It was technically illegal, Church wise, to say magic was real for a good long while and B. For folk magic, nany villagers would ve wary of kicking out the local wise woman.cause she often acted as midwife and doctor

[@DesksAndDorks]

It's often (at least as far as I read) a don't ask don't tell sort of thing in rural villages.

[@Xynth25]

Fantastic video. Excellent for background listening at work and provokes a lot of thought for my next games.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SweetFreddieG]

I believe the entire reason we think of medieval villages being dark and devoid of entertainment is because of the Protestant Reformation's rejection of entertainment and of how humorless Protestant farmers were and still are.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Also important to mention that there was a concerted effort amongst Renaissance era scholars to discredit the achievements of their medieval counterparts to make their scholarship and accomplishment seem better. It actually is where we get the term.dark ages from

[@Pleasant_Boredom]

Hey this was awesome! Gave me lots of ideas and context. Really appreciate the video and all the hard work that went into it! 🖤

[@DesksAndDorks]

Dude I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was definitely a lot of work!

[@Pleasant_Boredom]

@@DesksAndDorks yeah it shows! It was excellent quality all the way through!

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thanks man it means a ton. Seriously I was really legitimately worried when I made this that the length and subject would be too off putting but the response so far has been really moving.

[@Pleasant_Boredom]

@DesksAndDorks nah I didn't find it off putting at all. I think ttrpg players are maturing a lot more and crave making everyone at the table feel welcome and comfortable, and getting more nuanced grounded perspectives and ideas to help them run their games to make it more interesting. I think even in a high fantasy setting almost all of what you conveyed could be integrated to make a more fun campaign and adventures.

[@DesksAndDorks]

That's good to know. It was a big risk (at least for us) but it seems like everyone is liking it and maybe it's worth doing more videos like that.

[@ZeroTheWanderer21]

I love this deepdive kind of video, particularly the historical analysis that you made! I was personally think about a low fantasy setting based around ancient empires like Rome or the Han dinasty, would you recommend anything for it?

[@DesksAndDorks]

The Han dynasty is one I don't know tons about but for Rome I would recommend two different things. 1 Rome is pretty diverse depending on when in Roman history you're in. I would also lean heavily on the administrative systems. Those played a huge role in Rome.

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

A game set in the Han Dynasty in its golden years I'm not sure would be a super good idea, just because of one appeal of fantasy is it's geopolitical instability and decentralized power, which was not that much of a case in the Han Dynasty. My idea would be either setting it in the frontier regions like Korea or the Tarim basin, with different vassal kingdoms maneuvering between the Han Empire and the Xiongnu nomads. Or alternatively a game set in the Xin interregnum at the beginning of the 1st century or the collapse of the Han Dynasty around the turn of the 3rd century, times of great instability, with peasant rebels, nobles, and warlords carving out chunks of the splintering empire for themselves.

[@DesksAndDorks]

@KaiHung-wv3ul here me out. Han dynasty civil servant rpg

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

@@DesksAndDorks Oh the players are just lucky this isn't the Ming Dynasty and they've staffed the bureaucracy with eunuchs. 💀💀💀

[@Grimlore82]

I've been playing TTRPGs since the late 80's. Ive gone through most if the phases: Super heroic, horror, dark fantasy, generic fantasy, high fantasy, gonzo, etc. In the end I believe low/dark fantasy is my favorite. My "core" interest is fueled by the idea, "Less is more". Great video, you git a new sub 👊

[@DesksAndDorks]

I appreciate it, my friend! It's good to have an OG aboard!

[@Valdyr_Hrafn]

I really love this video as a game developer interested in dark/low fantasy. It really hammers home many points as well as help me get to some fun new ideas for my project! As a sidenote: I really love how simple and plain you talk about some topics that people would nowadays call you "woke" for. I'm happy to hear you take people's fun and comfort seriously as a dm and you set a wonderful example for being a generally good person. All in all an amazing video, this needs a comment to boost it!

[@DesksAndDorks]

It is greatly appreciated and I wish you luck on your games! I remember starting out and how exciting that journey was so I wish you the best!

[@smile-tl9in]

Come to think of it, there is a LOT of different kinds of magic that could fit in something low fantasy where players do not have much access to magic I mentionned alchemy and potion-making in another comment. Much like your folk talismans and gri-gris effects may vary. But there could be also astronomy. Rituals that allow to perform divinations, but also to tap into celestial events to power other ritual. I mean if you can only cast a small spell at sunrise, sundown, mindnight and at the sun's zenith, it is a good limitation. Higher power ritual may require expensive ritual site something like stonehenge. Shamanism and spiritism. In a medieval setting the spirits in question can be fey. The idea is to court the capricious, alien and powerful fey for power, which is dangerous in general and force you to be involved into fae politics. Becoming a trusted and dutiful servant of a fae lord allows you access to more and more powerful deals...More dangerous ones too. It's a good way to convert influence rewards into power. Ley walking. Basically ley lines and places of power could be a place where magic is magnified. But it is also a place where actual monsters and powerful fae concentrate. More than gold, a dragon's true treasure might be a powerful ley line. They would be fierce battle and hard negociations among natural and supernatural forces for control of those place. Most of those found in easy to reach places are already claimed by civilisation, and are the site where great temples and court wizard towers are built. Leaving those deep in the wilderness, who often are kept secret by their owners. Ley magic ebb and flows too, meaning some ley lines, even powerful ones, are only active occasionnaly, some even being a once every 100 years kind of deal leading to humans forgetting about then. Also it can lead to the creation of magical water sources who have therapeuthic properties Enchantements. Monsters present great risks but also great reward. Their parts can be used to craft powerful potion, but also legendary magic items who's power cannot be denied. It is not a hit or miss like the little fetishes of folk magic but priceless relics made of actual visible power. They are never truly bought or sold, more like passed on from generation to generation in famillies of warriors descended from great heroes...Or great thiefs who stole from said heroes. Necromancy. Not as much the art of raising the dead, but more like the ability to communicate and even be possessed by them. It was often believed that the dead knew the future, or had divine wisdom gained from the afterlife. And even beyond that, it can be used to cleanse haunts by helping ghosts resolve their unfinished business, or just proper funeral rite. In a wolrd where restless undead exist funeral rites would be extremly important Quiggong. Cultivation. Not exactly europpean but the idea that the breath of life is innatly magical and that with meditation, martial arts and breathing techniques you could gain control of it and enhance it to perform supernatural physical feats, expend your youth and lifespan and reach enlightenment. It would have the advantage of being somewhat common. Anyone can learn meditation. But at the same time...Performing the most basics of clearly supernatural feats require decades of dedicaced training. Not only that but not everyone can afford to spend hours a day every day meditating. The average farmer is too busy farming to survive to considering spending hours sitting and doing nothing. Although while reaching a level of mastery great enough to be visible is long and difficult and mostly out of reach of players, some basics could ve enough to enhance what's already magical. A lot of chinease medecine and quiggong practice revolve around proverly circulating medicine within one's body. In such a way a PC could learn to enhance the effects of potions, and latern on amulets and magic items. Finally consider healing. Faith healing, sources who's water have magical healing properties, medecine men chasing bad spirits...All of that can be used to perform minor healing miracles.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Yeah the sky is the limit for historically inspired magic..it honestly could have been it's own video.

[@smile-tl9in]

@@DesksAndDorks it could be^^ but my point is, some combinaison of the above ought to make a decent low magic setting or systems, as it leave magic mostly out of the hands of players. Being disponible only at certain times and certain places, or needing to earn influence rewards from fae. You mostly can't use it in combat outside of hard earned rare and priceless magic items and unreliable potions.

[@oniminikui]

I love my magic so much that I would never want to limit it or remove it altogether.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I mean hey that's a fair reason not to play low fantasy!

[@hater911ful]

It is okay to be wrong 😂

[@codyraugh6599]

Play Warhammer Only War or Dark Heresy. You'll feel your magic systems have been cheating you out of what could have been from then on. Magic systems without risk, or limit are actually just stripping the fun away. My best experience with "magic" was when my friends were playing Deathwatch and screwed up casting so bad so many times in a row, he summoned not one, not two, but three greater Daemons in one session trying to do the equivalent of Magic missile.

[@HelotOnWheels]

This is so much what I try to make my D&D world be. Particularly the dominance of religion - indeed, in some kingdoms they function as full-fledged feudal landholders - and with good and bad and in-between people all in the same religion, like they were historically, instead of being neatly arranged by alignment. And thanks especially for telling me about book curses and the Drachenbrut, which I am so putting in my next adventure. Although I’m not a pro GM and have no plans to become one, and after 40 years of GMing I’m a pretty old dog to learn new tricks, I finally included safety topics for the first time at the last game I ran two weeks ago. Not because I had any intention of shying away from any topic - PCs and NPCs will always be at risk in my games from most or all of the things that you listed - but because I thought it was only fair for everybody at the table to know what they were in for. And likewise, as a player, I am so ready to be at the table of any GM who ticks every single one of those green boxes. Bring on the safety tools - I want to know the minute I sit down at the table that I’m playing in a game for grownups!

[@dalleme5656]

My "they were like us" moment was finding out that people of antiquity didn't uncritically accept tall tales about foreign lands by learning that the first sci-fi story was a parody of those tall tales called "a true story" and was written in ancient greece

[@DesksAndDorks]

Learning that Eratosthenes figured out the world was round and accurately figured out its circumference within a reasonable of error was wild.

[@gmradio2436]

In the first game I ran for my current group, the player managed to turn it from fantasy to trench warfare. It was when the goblins hit the minefield that I knew I was no longer in control. Then using poison gas on the villian's lair proved it.

[@DesksAndDorks]

That goes irrationally hard. I love it.

[@HenryIVth]

One of the most refreshing, enjoyable, enlightening, easy to digest and inspirational videos I've enjoyed in a long while. Your efforts were more than noticeable and make me want to do too many different things at once.

[@DesksAndDorks]

That was the hope! I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing what you do!

[@Here_is_Waldo]

I like low fantasy because it gives you more freedom to establish rules regarding what magic can and can't do. So much of high fantasy just has magic do whatever you want whenever, and it just ends up with every character with the potential of a god. 'You drink a magic potion and transform into a bird so you spy on the enemy'. Okay, so if you can transform, why is anyone ever injured? Why is Bob walking around with a gimpy leg if there's potions that can literally rewrite your body and mass available? You can fix his leg? How do you know anyone is actually dead if someone's soul can be trapped in a sword for 500 years? Should you be worried that the ancient magical sword you just found might actually be some poor peasant's soul screaming in pain every time you hit someone with it? One mage pulls down thunder and lighting on a battlefield, and wipes out 10,000 soldiers by themselves. What happens when every one of those 10,000 soldiers also has that power? The planet would be cracked in half the first time any large body of wizards decided to have a fight.

[@DesksAndDorks]

OH MY GOD WALDO! But legit a lot of the reasons you like low fantasy are a lot of the reasons I really like it.

[@averageeughenjoyer6429]

All that can be done well

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

​@@DesksAndDorks To an extent... "Sometimes the secrets of the universe are best left not learned. Otherwise, this normal life of people will be undone by those beyond what little magic this world retained. It is but a warning that there are greater forces beyond comprehension. If those horrors are here, then only a true slayer will ever stand a chance." Cause and affect. Magic is limited for greater reasons than the curiosity or ambition of Mankind. The very nature of humanity will inevitably lead into such revelations. And when those rocks can not be turned toward the sun again?... The Dark Ones shall return.

[@shibworth]

just wanted to say this is easily the best video i've seen from you! excited to see what you come up with next :)

[@DesksAndDorks]

Dude thank you it was a massive labor of love.

[@darkentity1000]

The Thief trilogy (not the reboot) is fantastic low fantasy, and keeps the scope narrowed to a single city

[@DesksAndDorks]

1000000 percent agree. I really love that trilogy

[@jolaguem]

Great video! I really enjoyed the watch

[@DesksAndDorks]

Glad to hear it man! Thanks for watching!

[@-MacCloud-]

Spear Levies walling off a mass of professional Longbows were probably the most consistently effective duos on a medieval battfeild.

[@DesksAndDorks]

They were truly the Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippin of medieval warfare.

[@georgethompson913]

For people interested in medieval magic the youtuber esoterica is a good source. Astrology was a commonly practiced art in the universities and texts like the picatrix explain how to use it to creat powerful talismans i.e. invisibility, conjufing water. Meanwhile agrippas fourth book talked about how to summon and bind demons, and then use ritual shortcuts to more easily conjure them.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Appreciate the recommendations!

[@georgethompson913]

And thanks for the reply, I wasn't expecting one on such an old video.

[@DesksAndDorks]

@georgethompson913 I try to keep up with comments, especially if they've got texts I haven't read!

[@maksymiliansteiner7277]

Low Fantasy Gaming is what introduced me into an OSR style games which finally let me to the GLOG and Cairn communities. It sure feels nice to see it being mentioned; also 2e is great. Everyone should try it

[@DesksAndDorks]

Cairn is a lovely system!

[@czcrossman]

Awesome video! I’ve never GMed before I’m just a player, but video was still super interesting. Like the idea of my character finding a trinket that makes me immune to soup-poison 😂

[@DesksAndDorks]

You'd be surprised how often soup poison comes up! But in all seriousness I'm glad you liked the video!

[@billyg.personaltraining]

You used Low Fantasy Gaming's art a lot in the beginning. It's a fun system. It's 2nd Edition, Tales of Argosa, is great. I'm running Deathbringer, which is also great.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Oooooh I will have to give it a try! I liked the art but didn't include it as a rec because I haven't played it or read the rulebook.

[@darkbeetlebot]

This is pretty great, considering I was just making an RPG for low, dark fantasy with a medieval theme.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Really glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully you found something you could use!

[@lordofgraphite]

New channel to binge, fantastic ❤

[@DesksAndDorks]

Welcome!

[@w4iph]

Good stuff. I'll have to take some time and check out your games

[@DesksAndDorks]

Much appreciated my friend! You'll have to let me know what you think.

[@lightlegion_]

You’re incredible! Keep it up!

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thank you my friend!

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Low Fantasy is such a fascinating genre

[@DesksAndDorks]

Agreed! I enjoy gming and creating material for it.

[@Antitheist]

GURPS. There’s pretty much no setting you can’t play with that system, and the crunchy rules work especially well for low fantasy. You can play in a variety of tech levels for fantasy, from prehistoric up to high medieval, and even swashbuckling, Wild West or steampunk, if you wish. Weapons are a lot more varied than most systems, and you have access to a wide variety of maneuvers, which makes combat and specialized fighting techniques quite viable and part of the fighting strategy. There are hit locations, each with differing effects, and each can be armored as desired. You can also design magic systems from simple folk magic to ritual magic to innate powers and more. And everything is optional, so you can ignore or simplify rules that are too crunchy. Anyway, it all just FEELS more realistic and gritty, which fits well with low fantasy.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I've tried gurps, and while I admire the system, that's a case of too much crunch, at least for me.

[@Saerbhreathach]

Be proud of this piece. It is fantastic both from a historical and game design perspective. The academic dissection of the historical reference upon which low fantasy is based was delicious and delightful and I would love to see someone so well versed in the topic do more long form on their passion pieces - it’s wonderful to digest. On the fantasy parts, the delving into folk magic was awesome, and something that deserves more treatment if you can muster the focus to do it - it’s honestly something I’d never considered for a game like D&D, but what a paradigm shift considering this and how appropriate for a low fantasy setting! I’ll be adapting this for my own low fantasy run that I want to dive into shortly. This is so great! A lot to consider on the monsters front - the concept of fighting in a lair isn’t unique, but I liked the treatment here, and would watch a video diving into ways to approach the monster stuff, esp with a view to the smaller monsters stuff. Large monsters as megafauna works - it’s very Witcher, and the like - but for someone who may want to include some of the non-human races in their low fantasy setting (such as elves, goblins, gnomes, etc) which might have been more traditionally associated with magic, I’d love to see a video on ways to include them in a low fantasy setting. Anyway, fantastic work on this video and amazing content here. Keep it up!

[@DesksAndDorks]

I really appreciate the comment this video took so so so long to make and I consider it the best thing I've done up to this point. I love the idea of doing mega fauna as it's a pretty cool one! Also I'm touched you made.it to the QA. Going on my viewing data few did so it means a lot!

[@martinliliebladh6181]

Great knowledge and information. Your passion shines through. Good work. Great video. I love it.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Glad you really enjoyed it!

[@andrewgibson4189]

People should totally check out Wolves Upon the Coast

[@DesksAndDorks]

I don't know what that is but I'm excited to check it out.

[@marks7037]

At 25:40, you mention the fun fact that witches were called "Drachenbrut", which supposedly means bride of the dragon. As a native speaker I would translate Drachenbrut as "brood of the dragon" or "dragonbrood" (in the sense that they are offspring). A quick search confirmes that this is an old expression for evil entities. Dragons bride would actually be "Drachenbraut" and yes, that one letter does make the difference.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I appreciate the assist I'm not a native German speaker so it's much appreciated!

[@hawkshot867]

Oh hey, and as a humble HEMA (Fiorist) practitioner, appreciate the arms and armor sections lol. The daggers especially are so prominent that there's a part where Fiore basically says "then stab him with your dagger"... There was no mention of a dagger, nor was it drawn. It just appears and Fiore assumes you have a dagger because of course you do. On that note as well is the importance of mercenaries in medieval culture. Most countries didn't just have an army ready to go at any given moment, and it was often mercenaries who trained the peasants when mustered. Potentially a really cool element that is often left out of fantasy.

[@DesksAndDorks]

The dagger is the single most underrated weapon in medieval history

[@mentkansleyunitedstatesgov6364]

6:50 the fact you acknowledged this earned yourself a subscription I'm always an advocate of anyone who doesn't just shrug off people in the middle ages as dumb

[@dracocoinguard1320]

German here, not sure if this is a translation or pronunciation mistake, 'Drachenbrut' would be dragon spawn, while dragon bride would be 'Drachenbraut'. Great video, and enjoyed your videos about guards, bandis, and knights.

[@DesksAndDorks]

100 percent a mispronounciation on my part. I really appreciate the correction!

[@JinbaHGS]

ThouTubeth. Great video!

[@DesksAndDorks]

Dangit Thoutubeth is really good Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RIlianP]

For inspiration of low fantasy settings, Glen Cook, most specifically the Instrumentalities of the Night series, magic is old secret but for few educated and ugly, that doesn't mean people are not aware of it, or its practitioners, just organized religion took hold and appropriated most of it. Powder weapons just emerged and proved powerful enough to kill even the gods themselves.

[@DesksAndDorks]

That sounds like a great series I'll have to give it a gander.

[@arcticcirclepit2008]

Nice seeing Fleaux getting some love.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm happy to give it some it deserves it!

[@Romeo_of_Romelution]

I like both High and Low magic fantasy settings. Both offeres aspects and entertainment like no other within their respective style. This video proves that. Tho the title is a little click batty

[@DesksAndDorks]

Sadly it kind of has to be. If I titled it what I wanted the algorithm would have tanked the views.

[@charginggemo]

One of my favorite things is taking high fantasy creatures (fairies, werewolves, vampires) and putting them in low fantasy settings

[@DesksAndDorks]

A single werewolf would STARCH the average community.

[@meraduddcethin2812]

As an avid medievalist and medieval historian, this is such a marvelous video. There's a few nits to pick and a few omissions, but really well done. I really like your comments regarding folk magic and charms, things which persisted well into the 18th-19th century in parts of rural Europe. Also, the emphasis on both the cost of the equipment as well as the training levels required for proficiency is REALLY important. This can be best seen in the crossbow (and, later early firearms) vs. longbow in the Late Middle Ages. Stick+string is mighty cheap, but being able to use it effectively takes YEARS of work. Crossbows/arquebus are spendy, but it only takes weeks to be competent. One of the biggest issues I have with trying to bring the IRL medieval into a fantasy setting is timing. Whether it's technology, politics, the Church, or general society, the Early Middle Ages (roughly fall of Rome to Norman Conquest), the High Middle Ages (1066 to around 1300) and the Late Middle Ages (roughly 1300 to 1550) are each VERY distinct and different from each other. Regarding the social dynamics, the lack of literacy (~10% before 1600) and the importance of the guilds in the High-Late Middle Ages can't be overstated in the gate-keeping of knowledge. Great shout-out for the gambeson, the byrnie, dagger and spear (THE medieval weapon). Thank you again for such a great video. Earned a sub.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm very glad you enjoyed it! As you mentioned, there were quite a few things that needed to be omitted or dumbed down for gameplay use and ease of understanding, but I'm happy thay let you enjoyed the content! The crossbow bit about being expensive to manufacture vs easy to learn was something that had its own section but was cut for time! Like I said, I was very happy you enjoyed the content.

[@meraduddcethin2812]

@@DesksAndDorks One thing that links into your discussion of social activities is that the average peasant worked less than we do today. Between religious holidays, festivals, faires and other observances, a peasant in 1300 England worked < 200 days a year compared to 250 days/year as standard in the US today.

[@DesksAndDorks]

So technically yes but that analysis (and the fact that we are overworked, yay late stage capitalism) is a little misleading. My understanding is they technically have more days available but that it wasn't uncommon to have day work and night work done around the fire or at home. So technically less days but probably closer in hours. That being said because they were generalists adventuring would probably be more accepted as it is just another way to make ends meet.

[@meraduddcethin2812]

@@DesksAndDorks Agreed that there's always work to be done when you are far more self-sufficient than we are normally today. It's more that there was a lot more scheduled 'time off' than we have today. Regarding the 'generalist' idea, I agree that if you adventured _locally_, then it could be an alternate way of making coin (coinage is another discussion), but once you adventured past where the party is known, it would be different since you'd need someone to vouchsafe for you.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Just gotta say. I freaking love talking about this stuff. Doing this is legit one of the best parts about making content.

[@handsomeboi3767]

Battle brothers is peak low fantasy gaming.

[@DesksAndDorks]

It is very good!

[@lhamalhama7258]

Hey there! Awesome video-I love how you kept the tone chill and got right to the point without a ton of jokes or rushing things. I’m starting a pirate-themed campaign where magic is super rare and mostly tied to artifacts, which is new ground for me since I’m usually more into high fantasy. By the way, can I ask what music you used during the folk magic and charms section?

[@DesksAndDorks]

Glad you enjoyed it! It definitely is the piece. Of content im moat proud of. I'll have to check the raw files but I think i can find the exact track name for you!

[@lhamalhama7258]

@@DesksAndDorks oh thank you for the attention! I readlly appreciate. The charms section really gave me some good ideas to work with! On the safety tools bit, I totally get why people get so angry about it. I honestly hate having to deal with it, but these days you never know when dealing with players you don't personally deal with too much; I’ve had players quit mid-game because a cat died or the barbarians already know for acts of violence didn’t “respect women.” Now I usually ask up front if there’s anything they don’t want to see, in any case I make it clear that my game is friendly, but the world ingame isn’t.

[@danielrood264]

I'm currently running a low fantasy Game of Thrones and Witcher inspired version of Rime of the Frostmaiden using Shadowdark. I think this system should definitely be in the conversation, particularly for its accessibility for 5e and new players.

[@DesksAndDorks]

That's awesome! Also if you're doing GOT I would look at the ruleset green ronin made for game of thrones. Lots of cool stuff there for building noble houses

[@gebatron604]

“Allow players to cobble together suits of armour (assign armour values and benefits for each)” I’m so in favour of this. Instead of leather, chainmail and plate, I use helmet, breastplate and shirt. They have the same effects on speed and armour class, but make sense in-world and can be visualised and taken apart

[@sirguy6678]

Great video!

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thank you good sir!

[@flyboymike111357]

A good set up would be to remember that back when humans would hunt large, powerful, and fast creatures like a wooly mammoth they would depend on leveraging their numbers and everyone would have a bow, javelins, large darts, or a spear. When people had to fight other people in buildings or in boats they would still use missile weapons and anti-structure weapons like a large balista, catapult, or trebuchet. And when fighting other people they would always at least wear a helmet and carry some kind of big staff weapon, if not a bow than a spear or something at least as big as a spear. If they didn't hve good enough armor to tank arrows they would have a shield. It's all well and good to give players freedom in character expression. But equipment necessary to survival should be treated as both a social norm and common sense. If they can't explain how their character would survive sub-zero temperatures without warm clothes and a campfire then there would be obvious consequences. Similarly if a player has their character wearing half-plate armor with no helmet, shield, or weapon larger than an arming sword while trying to fight a giant club-tail armadillo that is smashing trees and causing branches to rain down on the party. They should have to justify how that character isn't knocked unconscious if a limb falls on their head. How the character doesn't have shrapnel in their legs from the exploding tree trunks, and how they even expect to get close enough to try and attack the monster with a pig sticker.

[@DesksAndDorks]

All very good things to keep in mind.

[@cody1570]

A good game for low fantasy. War tales. It is a very well made game with some amazing mechanics. It does have zombies, monsters and such but they are myths mostly until you come across them. Ghosts and all but very rare. It is amazing game and a must for low fantasy players

[@DesksAndDorks]

I will have to check it out I haven't heard of that one

[@Nosjir]

Seconding Wartales! Similar to Battle Brothers or Mount & Blade. Would LOVE to find a ttrpg with similar systems to play solo, I've actually been taking notes on how to make one 😅

[@DesksAndDorks]

@Nosjir well mount and blade and battle brothers are high praise!

[@juanpablobascur3708]

very nice video, i enjoyed listening to it fully ❤

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MortdeathMinis]

Low fantasy is the most engaging and believable world building. Its basically real mediaeval world with goblins and trolls.

[@tylerh2548]

Shadow of the Demon Lord (especially with the various, very affordable, supplements) is such a versatile game for all swaths of fantasy sub-genre and beyond. Shadow of the Weird Wizard improves in some areas I never knew needed changing until I saw the changes. That said, for strictly low-fantasy one would likely need to starkly limit spells

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thats awesome I have not even tried shadow of the weird wizard but i should!

[@RocknRoll301199]

"In Hunchback of Notre Dame the church is often seem chasing away entertainers" They were not chasing away entertainers, they were chasing away gipsies. The judge makes quite clear multiple times that his hatred is because of that.

[@tgillies101]

Craftsmen that make alot of amazing reproduction arms/armour pieces are at times in awe of the medieval guild mastercrafted work that was done with no electricity, fired gas, tempreture control etc. Insane skill.

[@DesksAndDorks]

100000 percent there are some true marvels from that time.

[@rugerandres7407]

Have you or do you plan to make any videos talking about a more high fantasy setting/rpg and how to make it reflect history or mythology better?

[@DesksAndDorks]

Have I? Sort of. We have the low level monsters series but I'd love to dive into high fantasy

[@onetruetroy]

Very informative video. - Remember to give all your players a copy of the HIPAA form before session zero. Historical Immersion Player Acceptance and Agreement

[@DesksAndDorks]

I know it's in jest but man that sounds 😁

[@ignaciozegers5267]

Goated video; I have a soft spot for blending some history with some gameplay commentary, and at this depth? Damn. Let's get that tier 2 ritual started to get it 1M views

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm glad you liked it, man! It took a long, long, long time to make. So I'm glad it held up to the quality you expect.

[@fistofthebrownstar6216]

Just started running Outcast Silver Raiders from Exalted Funeral. Highly recommend checking it out! It’s a low fantasy OSR and the artwork is sick!

[@DesksAndDorks]

I own the collectors edition set! It is an incredible game

[@fistofthebrownstar6216]

@ oh I’m big jealous! Love the system so far and I hope it catches more eyes. Wish there was an actual play series out there for it.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I actually got it at the show they signed with Exalted funeral so it was the very last of their collector sets from the first kickstarter. I am soosososososo lucky. And you're right the system is phenomenal

[@InfiniteGatsu]

6:48 not just middle ages but any time far in the past. we underestimate our ancestors intelligence way too much

[@ObsidianContraption]

Love the Cottage Spider

[@DesksAndDorks]

Thank you! You're the first one to mention it and I love that guy!

[@themeangene]

I'm fascinated by how so many people are intrigued by the European Medeival period to the point even disparate cultures like Brazillians & Japanese can't get enough of it (their equivalent to weeb lol). There's just something very romantic in the truest sense of the word about the high Medeival period. The bonds that tied people together were just self evident in everyday life. A tradesman wasn't some faceless shop with employees coming and going: it was a father and son keeping alive a tradition for 300 years. Lords weren't typically bloated politicians making decisions from afar: they were expected to lead by example on the battlefield. And people were truly religious in a way so many modern people just couldn't understand. The Christian astheticism is coming from a place of genuine devotion for nearly everyone. Yeah obviously the world wasn't a cartoon but it was a time of incredible symbolic significance. There's just endless religious and alchemical symbolism everywhere including in the very architecture.

[@DesksAndDorks]

As someone I know in historical circles once said: catholicism went hard on the aesthetics

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Ah yes, i remember finding out you was the formal version

[@DesksAndDorks]

I am confused.

[@liamparker8877]

Bro legit plagiarized my system before I could finish it 😂

[@DesksAndDorks]

Great minds think alike! I say finish it anyway and make people love low fantasy.

[@liamparker8877]

@@DesksAndDorks Hell yeah

[@DesksAndDorks]

I look forward to seeing it!

[@lorenzodangelo7402]

I never expected this video to be so informative. Thank you so much!

[@DesksAndDorks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jriggan]

Super groovy 🍻

[@Pengalen]

I've got a copy of Zweihänder. I think it is the revised two in one version. It does a lot of low fantasy things well, but has a weird basis for its magic system, is a little too Warhammer 40K lite, and the actual core mechanics are maybe insufficiently granular, but there's a lot you could work with, with just some minor tweaks and maybe ignoring this or that aspect. I'd probably never play it as given though, and it does reach a bit beyond actual low fantasy, even though it has a very good base in that level of the genre.

[@minutemansam3122]

This is one of the best videos on the topic I've watched in a while. But I do have one nerdy nitpick. Plate wasn't historically called platemail. That's a DND invention. It was just called plate. Chainmail was just called mail as well. And even though the knight in shining armor is a popular medieval trope, actual full plate armor wasn't really a thing until the late medieval period, 14th century, not the high medieval period, which is where most fantasy gets its inspiration from. They were also partly developed as a response to the introduction of early firearms to Europe, as bullets fired from early firearms could be stopped by the breastplate. In addition to the advantages that it brings to melee combat. The common idea of plate armor most people have is also typically Renaissance/early modern period armor, from the 16th century, after the middle ages and when crusading wasn't much of a thing anymore. I generally recommend, for people who want to have a high middle ages based low fantasy, is to look at the arms and armor that was around from the 11th century to the 13th century, and base your armors off these. It adds to the realism for those of us who enjoy that and keeps the high medieval aesthetic. It also makes the players a bit more vulnerable of you try to work in the disadvantages 12th century armor has compared to 15th century. Edit: but, of course, technological development in a low fantasy universe doesn't need to directly mirror our own, this is just my personal preference, but always remember the most important thing is to be creative and have fun.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I actually was aware of the distinction between plate/plate mail but it was one of those little generalizations I made for clarity. Also big ups for the firearms rules. I love the use of the arquebus

[@n0etic_f0x]

If you are trying to use low fantasy just to challenge yourself I have an even harsher restriction. No mounts, no metal. We are not on earth the biggest animal is something like a golden retriever and nothing can be smelted. You may want to back off the low of low fantasy if you do this, in fact it is very likely that you will want to it a very harsh restriction. You need to get super creative as will your players. I recommend you only do it with people you know it needs a lot of preparation but what will you replace metal and mounts with?

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'll be honest. Thats not nearly as difficult as you may think. Early native American and proto European tribes actually used dogs as major pack animals before horses were introduced/evolved. This does mean we can't ride on them but it also means we have easy means of transport. A lack of metal does hurt but then we get more creative with wood and stone. Most evidence suggests early humans relied heavily on traps, snares, and persistence hunting to survive and win so it isn't outside the realm of possibility!

[@n0etic_f0x]

@@DesksAndDorks Absolutely. I just find it wonderful the weird ways people will replace metal especially once you go full bore extraterrestrial. What kind of house can you grow? Do you have fungus as hard as titanium that can be shaped by light and darkness? What about a kind of glass that allows you to easily transport things that you form using glimmer, a liquid mined from vents in the massive rivers your planet has in place of oceans? (Yes… they are fun ideas go ahead and use them)

[@DesksAndDorks]

@n0etic_f0x 1. Hard metal Fungi Is the name of my Tool cover band. 2. Yeah these ideas rule!

[@n0etic_f0x]

@@DesksAndDorks see you can pass the GM test. People are going to ask how you mine liquid out of a river and how you would shape the liquid after you do that. I don’t know baby girl, you’re the GM engaging with things that are intended to strengthen your creativity.

[@iantaran2843]

Well in Dark Sun metal is incredibly rare and even if you COULD gather enough, the heat would cook you in iron armor. Great setting for testing the players

[@ShizaruBloodrayne]

I'm a bigger fan of high fantasy, but I'm here because maybe this will give me some insight on how to build a better high fantasy setting thru the subtleness of mundane influences without turning my whole worldbuilding idea into the mundane.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'll be honest I also love high fantasy but this title got people to click on the video so it's what I went with! Hopefully you enjoy it!

[@ShizaruBloodrayne]

@@DesksAndDorks One day I'll find that happy medium between the magical logistics of mundane occurrences corresponding with the massive timeless entities literally running the collective subconscious outside of time and space of subtle butterfly effects, with the DBZ like power fantasy of apocalyptic absurdism. I want to find the balance of magicless people and literal demigods between many parallel universes all bleeding over into each other, while also trying to integrate a system of tech without coming in contrast with magical metaphysics....some day, and with each day I get ever so closer to conceptualizing this delusions of grandeur I have haha. Also I dig the video! You gave a lot of insight here!! I'll definitely be watching more to keep expanding my influence!

[@DesksAndDorks]

Name of the wind had a nice mix I thought! If you like books it's a pretty interesting blend of high and low.

[@ShizaruBloodrayne]

@@DesksAndDorks I struggle with reading because my thoughts and attention span always tend to split, tho I don't usually have this issue as much reading big text responses to reply. I'll check to see if this is on audio book for sure tho thanks!!!

[@DesksAndDorks]

@ShizaruBloodrayne it is definitely on audio book and the narrator (at least for the first book) is incredible!

[@flyingjudgement]

About craftsmens, most mediavel skill level were a lot higher then present day ones. Worked in restoration for a time and and most of the tings we tryed not to touch bechause no one knows anymore how to do carpentry in that level, or modern materials simply wouldnt hold up more than a few hundred years. During the 19-20th century lots of the combined knowlage got lost, also no one watched TV, played videogames or read toulsands of books for entertainment, they honed they skills do sports or socialise. In a way we live in a lot more in our head, in an immagined world than reality.

[@MilesDei95]

when ppl talk about how smart were ppl in medieval times. there was a guy that invented atoms without having any possibility to see them xd.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Quite a few medieval scholars figured out lot of the early principles of physics.

[@MilesDei95]

@@DesksAndDorks yea those guys are creazy compare to us bth xd

[@itsyagirlVofficial]

Good vid

[@DesksAndDorks]

Much appreciated!

[@itsyagirlVofficial]

@@DesksAndDorks hey it's the least I could do you clearly put a lot of time and hard work into this video and I know comments and engagement appease the algorithm. Have you ever played Symbaroum?

[@DesksAndDorks]

I really liked Symborum. I haven't had occasion to play it but the book and it's adventures have been fun reads.

[@shibe2042]

how to make the perfect low fantasy ttrpg step 1: buy warhammer fantasy roleplay core rulebook, 2e and 4e are often considered the best renditions

[@DesksAndDorks]

Warhammer is pretty great. I do like other games and homegrown systems though.

[@shibe2042]

@@DesksAndDorks aye true, love talking about homemade system ideas with my mates. great video btw :D

[@DesksAndDorks]

@shibe2042 much appreciated man! I got to crack open my 1st edition Warhammer book the other day and it was great. It's such a fun and brutal system.

[@PvtSchlock]

I'm a simple anthropology guy. All human groups exhibit hierarchical organization. Hominids are 1) Social 2)Territorial and 3) Violent. It's pretty much the definition. Secular... OK. Here you're specialization is probably preeminent, but the Secular clergy was the parish priest who is out in the world, the monk wasn't Secular. Your usage of secular seems informed by modern sensibility. It annoys the crap out of me that people consider past humans to be stupid. Like the traits I mention above, all humans are intelligent and adaptive. Good job conveying this in terms of peasants.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. Past humans were so smart. As for monks technically being not out among the people. You're correct in assuming their were some monastic orders who weren't among the people but there are several who's only purpose was providing aid to the lay person. These orders (Jesuit, Franciscans, and Dominicans to be specific) wouldn't be founded until the 1500s but in many ways their founding borrowed from earlier mendicant movements that began in the middle ages. Also it's really cool to talk to anthropologist!

[@thehappy_spearman1389]

​@@DesksAndDorksPeople were amazingly smart back then, you just gotta look at the architecture and artifacts they left behind, not to mention their daily application of what we would deem pretty extreme 'bushcraft' skills. Modern people equate intelligence to a formal education but it simply wasn't true in the past.

[@DesksAndDorks]

Agreed their are many ways to measure intelligence and doing so in detrimental ways ruins are historical empathy.

[@thehappy_spearman1389]

@@DesksAndDorks I'm a medieval reenactor so I get these kinda derisive comments about how historical people should've known about microbiology, were all illiterate and should've showered twice a day etc from the general public it really grinds my gears as I wave a hand illuminated manuscript in their face... I just came back recently from the Sutton Hoo museum, a famous British 6th century Anglo Saxon Royal grave and I was in absloute in awe at the handcrafted detailing of the weapons and helmet, all done by likely illiterate craftsmen in the height of the apparent Dark Ages.

[@DesksAndDorks]

@thehappy_spearman1389 Sutton hoo is on my bucket list of museums to visit.

[@CaedmonOS]

How do you spell draconbruts

[@DesksAndDorks]

Drachenbraute is the correct spelling I believe.

[@redd_Jack340]

Subscribed for going to bat for safety tools and acknowledging eurocentrism, while deferring to others. Good on you mate

[@DesksAndDorks]

It is much appreciated my friend.

[@kel8923]

Liked and subscribed! ......now I just gotta make some friends to share with.....

[@DesksAndDorks]

Hey the like and the sub are really appreciated!

[@golomoed5347]

YESSSS

[@mrsnakesmrnot8499]

It is good to ponder how rules, laws, and terminology are black and white, or neat and tidy, but the real world, and fantasy worlds are various shades of grey (no Greyhawk pun intended), so they often don’t fit into two categories. Perhaps it is a “false dichotomy” to attempt to divide various settings into high or low fantasy, especially when there are so many in the broad “middle”. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, some would say, is low fantasy because it is set on Earth, while others would say that it is high fantasy because of magic being used by many wizards all the time - even for mundane, everyday chores like washing dishes or cleaning a room. I say that there is no need to brand anything as high or low, as every setting is unique in its own way, and often do not fit into any definition which was penned long before most fantasy worlds were ever written - fantasy worlds created by writers who were not necessarily attempting to satisfy any purist.

[@jamesgordley5000]

This sounds to me more like *grounded* fantasy than what I usually hear when people say low fantasy, but I do very much like this. LOTR is high fantasy, but I see no reason why it’s world might not fit these realistic rules in most regards for the typical human or hobbit living there. I’ve heard Conan’s setting referred to as low fantasy. Not sure why, but maybe because the scheme/stakes of its storytelling is very earthbound, however weird or fantastical the magic and monsters may be.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I think it still fits. Obviously genre is fluid but of the big ones I've seen most focus on limited magic and medieval themes. Conan is a great example of something that bridges the gap between low fantasy and bronze age roleplaying. I really love that one.

[@jamesgordley5000]

@@DesksAndDorks How would you classify Ralph Bakshi's "Fire and Ice" movie (if you've seen it)?

[@DesksAndDorks]

I have heard good things about it but haven't tried it myself.

[@ljmiller96]

You can find Frank Frazetta Fire and Ice on the tubes and perhaps streaming sites. It's full hand animation with some rotoscope mixed in to give combat scenes more heft.

[@DesksAndDorks]

I've only ever found clips of it here on youtube so I'll have to see if I can find and watch the whole thing.

[@RaphaelDenken]

Interesting! But the dark ages are basically what's between the roman empire and the middle ages. 410 AD - around 8th century, when Charlemagne took over, I believe.