Burrahobbit
Explorer
I've finally managed to pretty much finish listening to the excellent series of podcasts from BBC 4 called "A History of the World in 100 Objects." It is what the name suggests - a survey of world history (generally with a weekly theme) using objects from the British Museum's collection as a focal point for discussion.
I mention it here because I think it's a gold mine for RPG ideas - from fleshing out coinage in the campaign world to handing you a new magic item in the form of a mirror that allows you to speak with dead or perform an augury when tossed into a sacred pool. The stories behind the objects, like the bizarre voyage of a rhinoceros from India to Portugal, could be the inspiration for adventures, and the historical processes encapsulated in the objects could define or at least make for interesting background events in a campaign (like the fate of the Vikings (and their treasures) in Saxon England).
Even if you have no interest in the gaming applications, I highly recommend the series. The web site has pictures and lots more objects/information. Has anyone else listened to it? Any great item/campaign ideas jump out at you?
I mention it here because I think it's a gold mine for RPG ideas - from fleshing out coinage in the campaign world to handing you a new magic item in the form of a mirror that allows you to speak with dead or perform an augury when tossed into a sacred pool. The stories behind the objects, like the bizarre voyage of a rhinoceros from India to Portugal, could be the inspiration for adventures, and the historical processes encapsulated in the objects could define or at least make for interesting background events in a campaign (like the fate of the Vikings (and their treasures) in Saxon England).
Even if you have no interest in the gaming applications, I highly recommend the series. The web site has pictures and lots more objects/information. Has anyone else listened to it? Any great item/campaign ideas jump out at you?
