Since it's been a while since my last post in the design journal I thought I'd post some old unfinished notes I was composing on urban environments for games. While this isn't directly related to my New Lands campaign I've been developing here I thought it might be kind of interesting to throw out as … Continue reading DESIGN JOURNAL SIDE-TRACK: Notes on Urban RPG scenarios
Design Journal
RPG Design Journal #6: Within the City
Previously on this series I started designing a city with a general-to-specific methodology (starting with the big picture and letting that inform the small details). Now I'm going to start moving into some of those details by developing concepts for the specific locations within the city of St. Maluns. When building specific locations within another … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #6: Within the City
RPG Design Journal #5: Starting a City…
Moreso than any other environment (with the possible exception of the dungeon) the city dominates all other locales as the prime spot to begin adventures. Whether the players meet in a seedy tavern, the hall of some nobleman, or outside the main gates, the city offers more possibilities - and therefore more adventure - than … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #5: Starting a City…
RPG Design Journal #4: Heroes, Villains, and the Morally Ambiguous
Now that we have a very basic history sketched up for our setting, lets add a few inhabitants that the players can learn about and interact with. As I've mentioned before - the strength of a setting's lore is in its interaction. NPCs are useful because they can both impart lore onto players passively (through … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #4: Heroes, Villains, and the Morally Ambiguous
RPG Design Journal #3: History is a Nightmare…
The land is mapped, the course is clear - the time has come to delve headfirst into the past so that we may define the present of our world. History building can be one of the most dangerous parts of world building. Its very easy to get wrapped up in the details of a setting's … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #3: History is a Nightmare…
RPG Design Journal #2: Mapping the Land
So, we've created a skeleton on which to hang our world. Time to start developing a space for the world to inhabit. Yes, its that lovely process that all DMs obsess over, its time to draw some maps! Admittedly, map-making doesn't necessarily have to be done this early in the design process, but I find … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #2: Mapping the Land
RPG Design Journal #1: Ideas & Themes
There are many places one can begin when building a world for a game, sometimes you can even start many places at once. Some designers may build around a theme, others begin with a map, characters, or historical period of interest. When I find something that interests me - something I feel would be worth … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #1: Ideas & Themes
RPG Design Journal #0: Lore, Myth, and Worldbuilding
I've wanted to do a post about the inclusion of "lore" in storytelling - mainly, but not exclusively, in games - but I haven't been able to come up with any sort of point to make. I know a lot of these posts are just me rambling on with little rhyme or reason about things … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #0: Lore, Myth, and Worldbuilding
Pen and Screen 