Am I being a Rat-Bastard?

[Sigurd]

I'm trying to make a campaign setting with as few compromises as possible.

I'll compromise for fun but I want all the original material made for the campaign to be first rate and cohesive.

My players are just beginning and I've given them each an outline of the world history and some polite indications of what their _characters_ might not now but the _Players_ will.

On the topic of world knowledge I wanted them to be able to orient themselves on the globe but not say "whats this little cove over here?, we sail there!."

To that end I've given them only the oldest world map thusly :

The caricatures are very reminiscent of the continents they represent and are approximately in the right place.


What do people think?



-sigurd

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Looks mostly okay to me. Cartography is rarely very precise in fantasy settings.

I'd squiggle the edges up a bit and take out the eyes, etc. There's really no point in making sure the players KNOW that this continent is a traced drawing of (say) a dog.

Brad

 

[Piratecat]

Cignus, I bet you have it backwards. It isn't actually a dog, but it sort of looks that way to old explorers.

This isn't really rat bastardy, but I think it's an excellent way to start communicating the feel of the world. I like.

 

[Sigurd]

They're three continents which according to tradition were created for three types of races. I have really good maps as well but this is the most popular poetic map.

I can't show the real map until my players unveil some of it but the real thing suggested the figures. The figures make it easy to remember where you are.

The Dragon head was originally given to Fell Beasts and Dragons
The "Doggy" (my least favourite caricature) was given to Dwarves and Giants.
The Trefoil was given to Elves and Fey.

These are all the old races and the symbols for each. Most of the other races are new kids on the block.

I'm actually really happy with the way the background is working out.

 

[roguerouge]

Neat.

But why do they have the oldest world map? Are the PCs antiquarians?

 

[Sigurd]

Neat.

But why do they have the oldest world map? Are the PCs antiquarians?

It may not _actually_ be the oldest map in the world but thats how its known in fairly common circles. This is hugely more accurate - we're playing across the web and I want them to be able to do something with it.

Its the concept of the world that has entered the the consciousness in their corner of if. Dragon-Head, Dog and Elven Leaf are relatively common elements. I want them to be able to recognize them if they show up in other ways.

Also, assuming they will play multiple characters in this setting over time I want the players to be able to organize their thoughts a little.


Sigurd