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<blockquote data-quote="fba827" data-source="post: 5095854" data-attributes="member: 807"><p>there are two general approaches...</p><p></p><p>1) Top down/zoom in: start with massive overview of geography and regions, and then start detailing individual areas.</p><p></p><p>2) Bottom up/zoom out: start with a specific starting area where the PCs will likley begin, and then build out the surrounding areas, and then the further out areas, and so on as needed over time.</p><p></p><p>#1 is often the more cohesive because you've had more thought in to each individual detail (i.e you know a river needs to run across the entire half of the continent, etc) but it is equally more time consuming and very often you'll have spent time developing areas that never get touched by PCs</p><p></p><p>#2 is more "i don't have time, build as you go/ build as needed" type. but it has the distinct advantage of no real time wasted -- if you designed it, it's because it's needed based on where the PCs might go next. It also has the advantage of being more flexible (as you're playing the first few sessions, if a plot hook opens up that would follow perfectly you can easily plop in an appropriate location for it; where as in option 1 it's a bit harder if the spots are already filled and it needs shuffling)</p><p></p><p>In either case, you'll need a couple all-encompassing factors decided such as gods and if there is a particular theme you want (i.e. very non-magical, very elven-woodsy lands, etc)</p><p></p><p>In my younger years, when I had more time, I found #1 to be the better creative outlet. But as my time became more precious, I veered towards #2. Sure, it doesn't -always- give me the same satisfaction, I don't feel like any of my time is 'wasted/unused' and i like the added open flexibility since players often do or want things/themes/plots that i wasn't initially planning. Plus, with #1 I would easily overwhelm myself to the point of "this is too much, I'll do it later ..." with #2 it is more compartmentalized so I don't feel as overwhelmed when brainstorming...</p><p></p><p>But that's just all personal experience -- different styles work differently for different people.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="fba827, post: 5095854, member: 807"] there are two general approaches... 1) Top down/zoom in: start with massive overview of geography and regions, and then start detailing individual areas. 2) Bottom up/zoom out: start with a specific starting area where the PCs will likley begin, and then build out the surrounding areas, and then the further out areas, and so on as needed over time. #1 is often the more cohesive because you've had more thought in to each individual detail (i.e you know a river needs to run across the entire half of the continent, etc) but it is equally more time consuming and very often you'll have spent time developing areas that never get touched by PCs #2 is more "i don't have time, build as you go/ build as needed" type. but it has the distinct advantage of no real time wasted -- if you designed it, it's because it's needed based on where the PCs might go next. It also has the advantage of being more flexible (as you're playing the first few sessions, if a plot hook opens up that would follow perfectly you can easily plop in an appropriate location for it; where as in option 1 it's a bit harder if the spots are already filled and it needs shuffling) In either case, you'll need a couple all-encompassing factors decided such as gods and if there is a particular theme you want (i.e. very non-magical, very elven-woodsy lands, etc) In my younger years, when I had more time, I found #1 to be the better creative outlet. But as my time became more precious, I veered towards #2. Sure, it doesn't -always- give me the same satisfaction, I don't feel like any of my time is 'wasted/unused' and i like the added open flexibility since players often do or want things/themes/plots that i wasn't initially planning. Plus, with #1 I would easily overwhelm myself to the point of "this is too much, I'll do it later ..." with #2 it is more compartmentalized so I don't feel as overwhelmed when brainstorming... But that's just all personal experience -- different styles work differently for different people. [/QUOTE]
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