I think that distinction between curative and creative fandom does exist, and that it generally has some gender skew before we even get into the complexities of gender and what it actually means, but you have a point about how it is not that simple.
I guess TTRPG creativity of the type you describe which uses the existing world as a springboard to launch into original creativity reminds me of the way in which certain fandoms I've been in are extremely fond of thousands of AUs. The difference seems to be whether it is the setting that is most-valued or the characters which are most-valued. In the kind of AU-loving fandom I am talking about, it is the characters who take precedent. They supposedly maintain a core of their character and personality while suddenly being a barista, a professor, a lawyer, a CEO, a florist, a single mom or dad, a teacher, a vampire slayer, or whatever else you can imagine. These fics are based on the desire to see more facets of the same character or to repeat the tropes that one likes in a different setting, seeing how that setting can shape what the characters do. The reason I am not a big fan of this type of fanfic is that, often, it just develops into a completely original story except for the visages and names. And some people like that, but I don't.
I much prefer fanfic that is like canon-divergence, fix-it, missing scenes, or y'know good old id-stroking romantic fluff or erotica between characters I ship that doesn't need a ton of plot (though I like a seasoning of plot in that kind of fic, too).
TTRPG - and I don't mean to insult it by stating this - seems to be the same kind of exercise as the one described above with the AUs but which instead uses the setting to create new stories. The authors of The Expanse series of novels are somewhat active on twitter, and one of them expresses that they don't mind fanfic existing but that they would never, ever read it (which I understand for liability reasons but I think it's also a matter of distaste but he doesn't tell people not to make it) and another who hates crossovers with a passion for what seems like roughly the same reason. They also hate the idea of an extended universe based on their books which they have planned from beginning to end. However, they did allow the production and release of a TTRPG based on The Expanse. (I own the book and initial launch package but it is in a shipping box in my room, along with several other things I have ordered over the years which have never been opened because they did not yet have a place in my life.)
I think that there is a certain level of divorce from whatever made me like a thing involved in that that I would not enjoy being my only interaction with fannish creativity, though it is fine if someone likes that obviously. I fall in love with characters and relationships, more than the setting, even though it is valuable to me to keep them in a setting that is either the same or similar or which allows for commentary on the characters that doesn't feel like you just made OCs with the same names.
Trying to figure out how to sum up: I guess both are valid but that I would say there's a difference between unofficial extended universe stories and fanfiction of the type that focuses on canonical characters perhaps?
no subject
I guess TTRPG creativity of the type you describe which uses the existing world as a springboard to launch into original creativity reminds me of the way in which certain fandoms I've been in are extremely fond of thousands of AUs. The difference seems to be whether it is the setting that is most-valued or the characters which are most-valued. In the kind of AU-loving fandom I am talking about, it is the characters who take precedent. They supposedly maintain a core of their character and personality while suddenly being a barista, a professor, a lawyer, a CEO, a florist, a single mom or dad, a teacher, a vampire slayer, or whatever else you can imagine. These fics are based on the desire to see more facets of the same character or to repeat the tropes that one likes in a different setting, seeing how that setting can shape what the characters do. The reason I am not a big fan of this type of fanfic is that, often, it just develops into a completely original story except for the visages and names. And some people like that, but I don't.
I much prefer fanfic that is like canon-divergence, fix-it, missing scenes, or y'know good old id-stroking romantic fluff or erotica between characters I ship that doesn't need a ton of plot (though I like a seasoning of plot in that kind of fic, too).
TTRPG - and I don't mean to insult it by stating this - seems to be the same kind of exercise as the one described above with the AUs but which instead uses the setting to create new stories. The authors of The Expanse series of novels are somewhat active on twitter, and one of them expresses that they don't mind fanfic existing but that they would never, ever read it (which I understand for liability reasons but I think it's also a matter of distaste but he doesn't tell people not to make it) and another who hates crossovers with a passion for what seems like roughly the same reason. They also hate the idea of an extended universe based on their books which they have planned from beginning to end. However, they did allow the production and release of a TTRPG based on The Expanse. (I own the book and initial launch package but it is in a shipping box in my room, along with several other things I have ordered over the years which have never been opened because they did not yet have a place in my life.)
I think that there is a certain level of divorce from whatever made me like a thing involved in that that I would not enjoy being my only interaction with fannish creativity, though it is fine if someone likes that obviously. I fall in love with characters and relationships, more than the setting, even though it is valuable to me to keep them in a setting that is either the same or similar or which allows for commentary on the characters that doesn't feel like you just made OCs with the same names.
Trying to figure out how to sum up: I guess both are valid but that I would say there's a difference between unofficial extended universe stories and fanfiction of the type that focuses on canonical characters perhaps?