Greyhawk canon: Difference between revisions

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4. To provide a context for the study of ''Greyhawk'' canon itself.
4. To provide a context for the study of ''Greyhawk'' canon itself.


Therefore, for the purposes of this wiki, ''Greyhawk'' sources will fall into one of three broad descending categories: '''Canon''', '''Apocrypha''', and '''Fanon'''.  Note that it may be possible for a source to "straddle" two categories. Note that a source's category is not always reflective of its inherent quality, though there is often a correlation--there is plenty of well-written fanon, and poorly written canon.  
Therefore, for the purposes of this wiki, ''Greyhawk'' sources will fall into one of three broad descending categories: '''Canon''', '''Apocrypha''', and '''Fanon'''.  Note that it may be possible for a source to "straddle" two categories. Note that a source's category is not always reflective of its inherent quality (though there is often a correlation)--there is plenty of well-written fanon, and poorly written canon.  


==Canon==
==Canon==
In general, this category includes modules and sourcebooks published for the mass market and approved by the IP holder at the time of publication (''ie'', TSR or Wizards of the Coast), that are of significant value to the setting. This also includes materials that the IP holder releases via the web, as well as materials that were regarded as "generic" when first published, but retconned into ''Greyhawk'' by later authors. "Significant value," in this case, is broadly defined. A safe bet is that if the product as a whole is not written off as a whole by the IP holder, or is not absolutely loathed by a vast majority of Greyhawk fans, then it's probably canon. Note that this category may also include many general ''Dungeons & Dragons'' sources that may include only a minimal amount of ''Greyhawk'' material.
In general, this category includes modules and sourcebooks published for the mass market and approved by the IP holder at the time of publication (''ie'', TSR or Wizards of the Coast), that are of significant value to the setting. This also includes materials that the IP holder releases via the web, as well as materials that were regarded as "generic" when first published, but retconned into ''Greyhawk'' by later authors. "Significant value," in this case, is broadly defined. A safe bet is that if the product as a whole is not written off by the IP holder, then it's probably canon. Note that this category may also include many general ''Dungeons & Dragons'' sources that may include only a minimal amount of ''Greyhawk'' material.


===Examples of canon===
===Examples of canon===
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==Apocrypha==
==Apocrypha==
Apocryphal sources include those approved or published by the IP holder that are of limited value to the setting, or made available to a limited audience. This includes novels, comics, RPGA adventures, and many materials produced for the ''[[Living Greyhawk]]'' campaign. Also included in this category are materials that were created for the IP holder, but wound up being cut from the final product, either due to space limitations of other concerns. Additionally, unofficial materials with distinct ''Greyhawk'' references (similar maps, place names, ''etc'') authored by ''Greyhawk'' writers may also be regarded as apocryphal.
Apocryphal sources include those approved or published by the IP holder that are of limited value to the setting, or made available to a limited audience. This includes novels, comics, RPGA adventures, and many materials produced for the ''[[Living Greyhawk]]'' campaign. Also included in this category are materials that were created for the IP holder, but wound up being cut from the final product, either due to space limitations or other concerns. Additionally, unofficial materials with distinct ''Greyhawk'' references (similar maps, place names, ''etc'') authored by ''Greyhawk'' writers may also be regarded as apocryphal.


===Examples of apocrypha===
===Examples of apocrypha===
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*''[[Maze of Zayene]]''
*''[[Maze of Zayene]]''
*''[[Night Watch]]''
*''[[Night Watch]]''
*[[Nodwick]]
*Some ''[[Oerth Journal]]'' articles
*Some ''[[Oerth Journal]]'' articles
*''[[Puppets]]''
*''[[Puppets]]''
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[[Category:Greyhawk sources]]
[[Category:Greyhawk sources|*]]

Latest revision as of 11:40, 3 January 2010

This article is an essay.

In Greyhawk fandom, each individual holds his or her own idea of what constitutes Greyhawk canon. These differing views range from the "Gygaxian" (Greyhawk products authored/ overseen by Gary Gygax during his tenure at TSR) to the "all-inclusive" (any mention of Greyhawk, even in fan-produced materials) extremes. The truth of the matter is that each DM decides what is regarded as "canon" for his or her own campaign. However, for the purposes of this wiki, a baseline must be established, for a number of reasons:

1. To provide contributors with an idea of which Greyhawk subjects fall within the scope of this wiki;

2. To give fans and professional authors of Greyhawk material an idea of how much value a source brings to the setting;

3. To provide a point of reference from which the majority of Greyhawk fans and writers can work from; and less importantly,

4. To provide a context for the study of Greyhawk canon itself.

Therefore, for the purposes of this wiki, Greyhawk sources will fall into one of three broad descending categories: Canon, Apocrypha, and Fanon. Note that it may be possible for a source to "straddle" two categories. Note that a source's category is not always reflective of its inherent quality (though there is often a correlation)--there is plenty of well-written fanon, and poorly written canon.

Canon

In general, this category includes modules and sourcebooks published for the mass market and approved by the IP holder at the time of publication (ie, TSR or Wizards of the Coast), that are of significant value to the setting. This also includes materials that the IP holder releases via the web, as well as materials that were regarded as "generic" when first published, but retconned into Greyhawk by later authors. "Significant value," in this case, is broadly defined. A safe bet is that if the product as a whole is not written off by the IP holder, then it's probably canon. Note that this category may also include many general Dungeons & Dragons sources that may include only a minimal amount of Greyhawk material.

Examples of canon

Apocrypha

Apocryphal sources include those approved or published by the IP holder that are of limited value to the setting, or made available to a limited audience. This includes novels, comics, RPGA adventures, and many materials produced for the Living Greyhawk campaign. Also included in this category are materials that were created for the IP holder, but wound up being cut from the final product, either due to space limitations or other concerns. Additionally, unofficial materials with distinct Greyhawk references (similar maps, place names, etc) authored by Greyhawk writers may also be regarded as apocryphal.

Examples of apocrypha

Fanon

Fanon is unofficial Greyhawk material created by fans. Subjects and events exclusive to fanon generally have no place on this wiki, though elements of some materials originally created as fanon may eventually become canon when an author "goes pro" and incorporates these elements into an official product. Of course, it's a safe bet that much canon originally began as fanon. Though subjects and events exclusive to fanon are not appropriate for this wiki, articles about popular fanon sources are welcome.

Examples of fanon