Generic Room Descriptions?

[eris404]

I always thought a website that had a database of descriptions, for various categories, written by contributors would be a great resource for DM's.

If i had the time, I'd do it.

But I don't.

hmmmm....I think I do have time. I live for stuff like this.

 

[CZHorse]

Does AEG's Tool Kit book have generic room descriptions?

Wycen, not sure, but I did just order it. I have heard good things about, and the fact that it has tables for everything is cool. I think you could radomize the contents.

 

[CZHorse]

Give this series a try:

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=4188&SRC=EnWorld

How many encounter's does this book give you?

 

[DonTadow]

Comparing a dungeon in an rpg to any novel is apples and oranges. Novels are very linear-you go only where the author wants you to go. Doing the same thing in an rpg is usually called railroading. The PC's should be able to explore off the main path of the DM's story, even if there is nothing important for them to find.

I don't believe any room described well enough is "uninteresting". It may not have anything to do with the plot or contain anything useful for the PC's, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be included. It stands to reason that in an old abandoned temple every room is not going to contain something important to the story, but that is no reason not to describe it well.

I think Ceb was not talking about in literal sense "like a novel" but was trying to describe the different styles of Tolkien and JOrdan as pertaining to how they describe something . Tolkien was very direct very specific in his descrpitions whereas JOrdan is obviously inspired by hemiway where he can describe things thoroughly despite there impact on the plot. I had to read his post twice to get that.

 

[DonTadow]

How many encounter's does this book give you?

It doesn't give you any encounters. What it does is give you 100 room descriptions and 50 or so longer descriptions. All of them are different and well written. My only gripe was that I coudln't cut and paste the test i the two earlier versions.

 

[Ketjak]

THe Bits of series is very good, I've been really happy with it all

Have you reviewed them, Crothian?

 

[CZHorse]

It doesn't give you any encounters. What it does is give you 100 room descriptions and 50 or so longer descriptions. All of them are different and well written. My only gripe was that I coudln't cut and paste the test i the two earlier versions.

A room description is an encounter depending on what the PCs do with it. I have had some totally meaningless rooms turn into long events that use up party resources. In that sense every room that gives the PCs options of things to do, is an encounter. I love when players read things into the obvious and ordinary.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I will probably pick up the book, and check it out. It sounds good based on what I have read here.

 

[Sado]

I think Ceb was not talking about in literal sense "like a novel" but was trying to describe the different styles of Tolkien and JOrdan as pertaining to how they describe something . Tolkien was very direct very specific in his descrpitions whereas JOrdan is obviously inspired by hemiway where he can describe things thoroughly despite there impact on the plot. I had to read his post twice to get that.

It sounded like his point was that you shouldn't include anything in a dungeon not related to the story. Only it doesn't work that way, because the PC's may not want to stay on the A-B-C path you had planned.

If that's not what he meant, what did he mean?

 

[yennico]

It's a simple MS Access database that lists the type of escription, the adventure, magazine and notes on what i can expect basically from it.

when i get ready to build a story arc i open it up and see what woudl fit and what i can twist to fit, then open up the bits book for filler leave your emai laddress and i'll send what i have

I also want a copy of your database. Email it please at yennico at yahoo dot com

 

[DonTadow]

It sounded like his point was that you shouldn't include anything in a dungeon not related to the story. Only it doesn't work that way, because the PC's may not want to stay on the A-B-C path you had planned.

If that's not what he meant, what did he mean?

That's what Ithought at first, but I believe what he's saying is you should put some detail and description in every room.

If you have a generic room in your dungeon, then there's something wrong. In other words, there is no such thing as generic room.