Starting a new world

[FletcherGreen]

Perhaps this has been addressed before somewhere (if so point let me know), but how would you go about starting a whole new world? I have a general idea of the history, but nothing more than that. How do you turn a general idea into a world that makes sense, with places and powers that interweave and clash. This is my first attempt at trying something as bold as making my on world to run(I used Fearun before this, as well as a very generic D&D world). I geuss the question is rather vague... how about this: When you created the world you run your campaigns in, how did you do it? Anyway, any help would be most appreciated, thanks!

 

[Caspian Moon Prince]

There are numerous ways of designing a campaign world, but from what you said the large-to-small method would be more suited.

Since you have a history outlined, your next goal would be to design a map. It doesn't have to be a great map, but something that you can use for reference. Put on the kingdoms of your world, the major cities, mountain ranges, forests, swamps, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. This would mainly be around the continent that will be of main concern to you.

After that, you can detail the kingdoms, cities, or cosmology and your gods(if you have any). Basically, it is an artform and you can add to your growing information where inspiration takes you. Just try not to contridict yourself.

Mainly, just have fun with it. This is YOUR world you are creating.

 

[Ssyleia]

In the case of starting a new world, I too prefer the PC's all coming form a small village with little knowledge of the outside world - leaving their home town wide eyed to amaze the wonders of the world beyond...

"The Fellowship of the Ring" movie is a very good example of that kind of adventure

 

[Caspian Moon Prince]

Just to throw another idea to the mix. As Ssyleia said, I would say that the best way to detail the world(cities, kingdoms, personalities, etc.) is to start in a small area and work your way outward. Start in a village with characters that haven't really left the area. After a few adventures have them venture out to a larger city then go to other cities. Have your adventures help you in the design process. If all you have for a city is a name on a map, have your players go there and then detail it out. That's great motivation.

Just remember to keep good notes of what things are like. I've not done that a few times and it was horrible. You don't even need a map of the city, just list the general area where buildings are, and how the city looks. That's most you will need usually.

 

[OnCider]

"The Fellowship of the Ring" movie...

That's fighting talk where I come from...

 

[Hand of Evil]

Check out the following site - be sure to look at the other links for even more information.

http://www.io.com/~eighner/world_builder/world_builder_index.html