Campaign Setting template

[Desdichado]

So, I've been thinking about whipping up a smallish pdf file for my campaign setting. Just for fun, mind you; I'm not going to sell it or anything. I've got almost enough material at least committed to some electronic file out there, or in my head. Before I really attempt that, though, I thought I'd get some feedback from the folks here on what format that would be good for? I've got a few settings that I can look to for examples: Midnight, Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Rokugan, etc. But the formatting; the table of contents, so to speak, is not the same for each of them. If you were to organize your campaign setting in the way best conducive for you to use it, how would you do it? What would your table of contents look like?

 

[Katerek]

INTRODUCTION 5
DISCLAIMER 5
THE BASICS 6
DICE NOTATION 6
ROUNDING FRACTIONS 6
MULTIPLYING 6
BASIC TASK RESOLUTION SYSTEM 6
ACTION DICE 6
Gaining Action Dice 6
Dungeon Master Action Dice 6
INSPIRATION CHECKS 6
A FEW CONSIDERATIONS 7
The Rule of William 7
The Jiminy Clause 7
The Synaptic Seizure Situation 7
Argumentum ad Verecundiam 7
Rule Zero 7
Invoking 100 Bugbears 7
The Cardinal Sin of Gaming 7
RESOURCES 7
CREATING YOUR CHARACTER 8
MISCELLANEOUS RULES CHANGES 8
EXTENDED DEATHS DOOR 8
FALLING DAMAGE 8
BRINGING BACK THE DEAD 8
DEATH AND SANITY 9
COUNTER TUMBLING 9
DAMAGE DEALT BY OBJECTS 9
CHAPTER ONE – THE WORLD OF NOVARE 10
CHRONICLING THE YEARS 10
NOVARE BEFORE - THE AGE OF STRUGGLES 10
Eldreegon - The Age of Dreams 10
Rise of the Lich Queen 10
Light and Darkness War 11
The Breaking 11
Dynastic Pretannia - The Age of Tears 11
Wizard Kings War 11
Dark Ages 11
NOVARE NOW 12
NATIONALITY 12
THE CONTINENT OF RUARC 12
Aberdigne, Duchy of 12
Akuma 13
Amyrnia, Kingdom of 13
Balastria, Republic of 13
Bortia Highlands 13
Carceri, Kingdom of 14
Chim-Na 14
Chudo 14
Coldhaven, Kingdom of 14
Danifax, Duchy of 15
Eldreegon 15
Enial Al’Lirr 15
Esteros, Kingdom of 15
Fane, Kingdom of 16
Gradmoor, Prelacy of 16
Haldim, Kingdom of 16
Ikibanchi 16
Isengrim 16
Kitsu-Kami 17
Kitsuni 17
Lothal, Kingdom of 17
Lynn 17
Montevogne, Duchy of 18
Morghun, Republic of 18
Nokugawa 18
Nuriim, Duchy of 18
Osteros, Kingdom of 19
Peldon, Republic of 19
Raastenburg, Duchy of 19
Rhadae, Dominion of 20
Salivaria, Kingdom of 20
Salkirk, Kingdom of 20
Sanmyr, Republic of 20
Sardain, Kingdom of 21
Shah’vul Wildlands 21
Sullek, Duchy of 21
Talinis, Kingdom of 21
Tandin, Republic of 22
Targwyn, Kingdom of 22
Tarkeld, Duchy of 22
Tellosia, Kingdom of 22
Temporis, Republic of 23
Tolanion, Queendom of 23
Tsuruchi 23
Tun-mi 23
Vulstaag, Kingdom of 23
Windsynn, Duchy of 24
Yrondal, Kingdom of 24
Zeissburn, Duchy of 24
THE CONTINENT OF ALBORIA 24
THE CONTINENT OF TENESIA 24
THE CONTINENT OF HIMONLUN 24
ORIGINS 25
The Time Primeval 25
Rise of the Elder Races 25
The Beyonders 25
On Great Scales 25
The Gods are Born 25
An Age of Titans 26
Birth of the Outsiders 26
All Things Must Die 26
Rebirth of a World 27
The Age of Giants 27
Birth of the Middle Kingdoms 27
Birth of the Dwarves 27
The Short Folk 28
Of Humans, Gods, and Pantheons 28
The Birth of Lucan 29
COSMOLOGY 29
The Prime Material 29
The Shadow World 29
The Ethereal Plane 29
The Astral Plane 30
The Elemental Planes 30
The Middle Kingdoms 30
The Heavens 30
The Hells 30
The Prime Dominions 30
RELIGION 31
CHURCHES OF RUARC 31
Allirion – Church of the Protestant Faiths 31
Argai – The Sacred Church of Targwyn 31
Nular – Church of the Moon Goddess 31
Salamoor – The Triumvirate of Might 31
Simgreer – The Holy Triad of Sisters 32
Theonistic Church – The Church of the Light 32
Tusmir – The Teachings of Alakbi 32
Wacinnic – The Pantheon of the Seven Goddesses 32
Zhao-Diang - Tienese Beliefs 32
ORGANIZATIONS 32
Army of Alakbi 32
Black Feathers 33
B’ragha Lucario 33
Children of the Dragon 33
Crecy Trade Cartel 33
Dragon Knights of Salivaria 34
Dread Watch 34
Fantra Lucario 34
Golden Order of Temporis 34
Halfling Trade Organizations 34
Hawk Lords 35
Heartland Scouts 35
Knights of the Void 35
Knight Protectors of Salivaria 35
CHAPTER TWO – ABILITY SCORES 37
ABILITY SCORE GENERATION 37
ABILITY SCORE DESCRIPTION 37
ABILITY MODIFIERS 37
USE OF ABILITY SCORES 37
STRENGTH (STR) 37
DEXTERITY (DEX) 37
CONSTITUTION (CON) 37
INTELLIGENCE (INT) 37
Memory Checks 37
WISDOM (WIS) 38
CHARISMA (CHA) 38
Influencing Other Characters 38
Changing Ability Scores 38
CHAPTER THREE – RACES 39
RACES OF NOVARE 39
Racial Levels 39
Favored Class 39
Small Characters 39
Changing Your Race 39
HUMANS 39
Human Racial Levels 39
DWARVES 39
Dwarven Racial Levels 40
ELVES 41
Elven Racial Levels 41
GNOLLS 42
Gnoll Racial Levels 42
GNOMES 42
Gnome Racial Levels 43
HALF-ELVES 43
Half-Elf Racial Levels 44
HALF-ORCS 44
Half-Orc Racial Levels 44
HALFLINGS 45
Halfling Racial Levels 45
HOBGOBLINS 45
Hobgoblin Racial Levels 46
KOBOLDS 46
Kobold Racial Levels 46
ROODANITES 47
Roodanite Racial Levels 47
CHAPTER FOUR – CLASSES 49
ARCHER 50
BARBARIAN 51
BARD 52
CLERIC 55
COURTIER 56
DEFENDER 56
DRUID 59
EXPERT 60
FAVORED 60
FIGHTER 60
GIROVAGI 61
LANDSTRIDER 63
MARSHALL 64
MONK 66
Graceful Swan 67
Kor-Vokk 67
Mach Dien 67
Opal Fist 68
Order of the Sightless Eye 68
Questors of the Shard 68
Steel Scorpion 69
Undying Way 69
NINJA 69
PALADIN 69
Paladins of Other Alignments 69
Anarch 70
Avenger 71
Sentinel 72
Incarnate 74
Enforcer 75
PSIONICIST 76
PSYCHIC WARRIOR 76
RANGER 76
ROGUE 78
SAMURAI 78
SORCERER 78
SWASHBUCKLER 79
WILDLANDER 80
WIZARD 82
CHAPTER FIVE - PRESTIGE CLASSES 84
PRESTIGE CLASSES FROM OTHER SOURCES 84
ARCANE ARCHER (DMG) 84
ARCANE TRICKSTER (DMG) 84
ARCANE [WEAPON] MASTER 84
ARCHMAGE (DMG) 85
ASSASSIN (DMG) 85
BATTLE LORD 85
BEAR WARRIOR (CW) 86
BLACK FLAME ZEALOT (CD) 86
BLACKGUARD (DMG) 86
BLADESINGER (CW) 86
BLIGHTER (CD) 87
CARCERIAN DRAGOON 87
CHURCH INQUISITOR (CD) 88
CONSECRATED HARRIER (CD) 88
CONTEMPLATIVE (CD) 88
DANCER OF STEEL 88
DARK HUNTER (CW) 89
DOTHRAKI HORSELORD 90
DRAGON DISCIPLE (DMG) 91
DUELIST (DMG) 91
DWARVEN DEFENDER (DMG) 91
DWARVEN DOOM TROOPER 91
DYKIERII KNIGHT 92
ELDRITCH KNIGHT (DMG) 93
EMISSARY OF THE LIGHT 93
ENTROPOMANCER (CD) 95
HEARTLAND SCOUT 95
HIEROPHANT (DMG) 96
HOLY LIBERATOR (CD) 96
HORIZON WALKER (DMG) 96
HUNTER OF THE DEAD (CW) 96
KNIGHT OF THE CHASE 96
KNIGHT OF THE OAK 98
LOREMASTER 99
MARINE 99
MYSTIC THEURGE (DMG) 100
NATURE’S WARRIOR (CW) 100
PSYCHIC KNIGHT OF THE KAMLEUTI 100
SAER 102
SCION 103
SHADOWDANCER (DMG) 104
TARKELDON LONGBOWMAN 104
THAUMATURGIST (DMG) 105
WARRIOR OF WHITE FIRE 105
CHAPTER SIX – SKILLS 108
SKILLS 108
SKILL DESCRIPTIONS 108
NEW SKILLS 108
Craft (Airship Making) 108
Craft (Carpentry) 109
Craft (Stonemasonry) 110
Knowledge (Beast Lore) 111
Knowledge (Law) 111
Knowledge (Local) 112
Knowledge (Sea Lore) 112
Knowledge (Warfare) 112
Literacy (Language) 112
Mythos Lore 112
Profession (Forester) 112
Profession (Herbalist) 112
Profession (Merchant) 113
Profession (Miner) 113
Profession (Pilot) 113
Profession (Sailor) 113
Research 114
Signaling 114
Scent 114
Taste 114
Torture 115
CHAPTER SEVEN – FEATS 116
PREREQUISITES 116
FEAT DESCRIPTIONS 119
A 119
B 122
C 123
D 125
E 126
F 128
G 129
H 130
I 130
J 133
K 133
L 133
M 134
N 136
O 136
P 137
Q 138
R 138
S 139
T 142
U 144
V 144
W 144
CHAPTER EIGHT - DESCRIPTION 146
LANGUAGES 146
ALIGNMENT 147
TRAITS AND PASSIONS 148
SANITY 148
VITAL STATISTICS 150
Age 150
Height and Weight 150
BIRTHRIGHT 150
THE SIGNS 151
THE 28 ANGELS OF DAWN 151
THE 28 DEMONS OF DUSK 151
CHAPTER NINE – EQUIPMENT 153
EQUIPPING A CHARACTER 153
Banned Items 153
WEALTH AND MONEY 153
Coins 153
Wealth Other Than Coins 153
Selling Loot 153
WEAPONS 153
Weapon Qualities 153
Weapon Descriptions 154
Masterwork Weapons 154
FIREARMS 154
Loading a Firearm 155
Attacking with a Firearm 155
Misfires 155
Firearms Descriptions 155
Firearm Accessories 156
CANNON 156
Cannon Shot Descriptions 157
CHAPTER TEN – MAGIC 158
SAVING THROW DCS 158
CONCENTRATION 158
COUNTERSPELLS 158
SPELL FAILURE 159
EPIC SPELL CASTING 159
“SAVE OR DIE" SPELLS 159
MAXIMUM SPELL EFFECTS 159
NONSTACKING METAMAGIC 160
LIFE GIVING SPELLS 160
CLERIC DOMAINS 161
SORCERER SPELL LIST 167
SPELL DESCRIPTIONS 169
CHAPTER ELEVEN - MAGIC ITEMS 210
CREATING MAGIC ITEMS 210
MAGICAL CODICES 210
LEVELED MAGIC ITEMS 211
Armor & Shield Special Qualities 211
Weapons Special Abilities 214
SPECIAL MATERIALS 217

 

[BiggusGeekus]

A 119
B 122

Wow! Three whole pages on the letter A!




So, what's the book?


Getting back on track, Joshua, I'd organize it as:

Player flavor
Player crunch
DM flavor
DM crunch

And check out the Publisher's forum for fantasy clip art. There's a lot of good stuff there and it'll break up your text.

 

[Desdichado]

I probably outta put up a sample TOC template based on Eberron/FR/Midnight/Rokugan or something like that, but I don't have any of my books with me.

 

[Katerek]

That is the TOC from the players guide that I put together for my homebrew. Nothing that is publishable (word?) but my players respond well to it.

I looked that the FRCS and the PHB as models for how to structure the layout. In fact, I copied alot of it directly from the PHB's style.

 

[SkidAce]

I have 3 homemade books/documents.
I use the DMG standard outline for rules and special stuff.
A combination of Deities and Demigods and the Manual of the Planes for the cosmology and history of the multiverse..kind of a framework for different campaigns.
And lastly, my main campaign world use the AD&D Greyhawk nation outlines and is organized similiar to the FRCS book. (One of the best done books around)

Sprinkle liberaly with customization and tada! Seriously, start with any framework you like as an example, halfway through you will find yourself saying "Ah, I'm gonna change this chapter to include....." and you will be there!

 

[dreaded_beast]

Is this mainly for yourself or will your players actually read it?

Waste of time to make such a big document if your players won't even bother to look at it.

 

[Stone Angel]

DB poses a good question. If it is for them go with something like.

Basics
Character creation and options (including any homebrew extras)
Equipment
Combat(including homebrew and amended rules, this should also be in the
dm's file)
Spells(homebrew, amended ones and effects)
The world as they know it.
Any other extras.

Maybe this works maybe this doesn't, but I hope it helps.

The Seraph of Earth and Stone

 

[DragonLancer]

A FEW CONSIDERATIONS 7
The Rule of William 7
The Jiminy Clause 7
The Synaptic Seizure Situation 7
Argumentum ad Verecundiam 7
Rule Zero 7
Invoking 100 Bugbears 7
The Cardinal Sin of Gaming 7

Rule Zero, yes. What are the others?

 

[Desdichado]

Here's a template based on the Eberron TOC. If I get really ambitious, I'll see how this differs from FR, Midnight, etc. But it looks like a good start:

Introduction
1. Tone
2. World

Chapter 1: Character Races
1. New race 1
2. New race 2, etc.

Chapter 2: Character Classes
1. New class 1
2. New class 2, etc.

Chapter 3: Heroic Characteristics
1. Action points,
2. Sanity, etc.

Chapter 4: Prestige Classes
1. Prestige Class 1
2. Prestige Class 2, etc.

Chapter 5: Magic
1. Magic in the World
2. Planes of Existence
3. Outsiders
4. Spells

Chapter 6: Adventuring Equipment
1. Weapons and armor
2. Special substances and equipment
3. Mounts
4. etc.

Chapter 7: Life in the World
1. The World
2. Geographic region 1
3. Geographic region 2, etc.

Chapter 8: Organizations
1. Organization 1
2. Organization 2

Chapter 9: The Campaign
1. Creating a party
2. Styles of Play
3. Story and Pacing
4. Recurring Villains
5. Plot Themes
6. NPC Classes

Chapter 10: Magic Items
1. Category 1
2. Category 2, etc.

Chapter 11: Monsters
1. Monster 1
2. Monsters 2, etc.

Chapter 12: Adventure