Its time to create a fantasy world
April 13th 2009 14:11
So I run a variety of games and also write contemporary dark fantasy, but when you run role playing games you will eventually get to a place where you want to create your own fantasy world. This was what I faced back in 2000 when I purchased my brand new Dungeons and Dragons Players Handbook.
Armed with a single player who had not role played much we started a campaign based on a series of loose ideas that i had been toying with. From these combined ideas I created my fantasy world.
A place that I could build a world that had the elements of a fantasy universe that appealed to me.
This begun something that has continued to this day.
I have been building my fantasy world for the last 9 years like a hobbyist mechanic building a hot rod in his garage. My computer has become my virtual garage with various files and drafts containing information about my world.
What I have cobbled together stretches over one novel and a 100 page world book that really needs some serious work.
So what i have learned I thought that I would pass along.
Rule #1
You have to have a story. This is the most important rule. The world is secondary you have to have a story to set in the world. Now if you are running your fantasy saga as a role playing setting this can be problematic so the best way to run this is to have the story happening "off screen" as it were and have the characters build the story.
Rule #2
You have to make it your own.
This may seem like an obvious statement but if you are going to put a large amount of work into a world then use that time to make the game unique to you give it the races that you like and give yourself the resources to explore the themes that you are interested in.
Rule #3
Accept the fact that you are making a variant on a well trodden path. While this may seem to contradict Rule # 2 it is actually a blessing becasue it means that a lot of heavy lifting has already been done. So check the other worlds that have been created and take what you like.
Rule #4
Deciede what you are going to use the world for and concentrait on that. If you want to use it to write a novel. Write the novel and only create what you need before startijng the novel worry about the fine details as you start writing. They will come with the writing.
If you are running a game make sure that you have info for each character class and race and a little about the place where the game will start and then some notes and ideas about where the game is going.
Then when you want to work on the game just create characters and set pieces that provide flexability and then start running the game. Dont forget to take notes.
Rule #5
Have fun with it. This is an exercise that will take up your time. Make sure that you enjoy it or find something more enjoyable to do with your time.
Read of the Week
Sword in the storm - David Gemmell This is a great book that am half way through. Great adventure fantasy.
View of the Week
Resedent Evil Retrospective By the fine folks at Game Trailers. com these retorspectives are a great way to learn the history of some of gaming's greatest franchises.
Game of the Week
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue a great driving game for the PS3 I am enjoying the hell out of this game at the moment.
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Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
Techno Stuffs
boxing sound
Business Rope
Hmm, will I ever have the time to finish it and get it publish...?
Comment by Aldoth